Friday, May 29, 2009

Things

• I've been trying to add labels to my posts. I can't seem to figure it out. The 'gadget' is added, but I can't edit it to create labels and attach them to posts.
• Also looking for a new layout. Maybe this weekend I will get it worked out.
• Lunch at Chipotle today with Lisa. I haven’t gotten to talk to her in a couple weeks so it’ll be good to catch up.
• Volunteering tonight. Adam has orchestrated volunteers through Master’s before for different community events that come up in Santa Clarita. So the volunteering tonight is for a lady who was referred to Adam. Isn’t that awesome? He’s doing a good job. It’s definitely been more difficult to get volunteers together though because Master’s is out so his normal supply of people has seriously dwindled. In light of that he has contacted people and posted the need on Facebook through a couple avenues and announced it in College Group. And we still don’t have it up to snuff. I’ve been really surprised by the lack of Christians stepping up for something so simple. It’s not that hard and it will give such a great opportunity for the Church to reflect Christ to our lost community. It’s disappointing. I’m disappointed. There is a vision for the gospel, for evangelism, that needs to be caught and this is such a minor way to get involved with that and people don’t seem to care.
• Big week for Adam and I. I would say we’ve grown a lot. Struggled a lot. Worked through a TON. Gotten some great counsel. And are looking forward to moving forward.
• Couples Retreat tonight and tomorrow at church. We wanted to go but in light of the volunteer thing we can’t. At this point the plan is to just listen to the audios when they are posted on Placerita’s site.
• Got this forward yesterday: No running in the house

How many times have we been told...and have told our children...
DO NOT run in the house !!!!!
Did we always listen?
Do they listen?

Sometimes our seemingly futile efforts fail,
and 'boo-boo's' happen.


Doesn't look too bad.
But perhaps he should keep this next photo handy
to explain the way it happened!......

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Thursday, May 28, 2009

Teeth Update

Update #1.
I still have them.

Update #2.
4 of them I should not still have because they are impacted and should have been removed years ago. I was referred to an Orthodontist.

Update #3.
4 of them have holes in them. 1 is pre-existing and has a bad filling. The other 3 used to be sealed but are no longer sealed so now have holes.

Update #4.
I've been told about 40 times over my lifetime that I have great teeth and great genes. I was told this again recently in light of going so long and having my gums and teeth be in such good shape. Apparently I "must brush really well." And I was told to go home and thank Mom and Dad for the genes.

Update #5.
I was told to marry someone with large teeth since mine are so small. =) Smile your big teethy smile Adam!

Update #6.
I go back Tuesday morning at 7:10 to get 2 of the fillings done.

Update #7.
Floss more often. Like, daily.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Teeth

I have a dentist appt today. I haven't been in over 4 years. What will they find?

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

The Missing Link?


I noticed Google had a weird icon today.. I was wondering what it was. Found out it was to honor the missing link between apes and humans being found. *Ahem.*


Here's some information from a more reliable source - Answer's In Genesis.


Is there a way to email my disappointment to Google about their promotion of this?

Morning/Drive to Work

  • This morning my phone rang at 5:53am. 5:53am!! I let it go because the number was 'Unavailable' which normally means it's Red Cross asking for my blood and if they were calling me that stinkin' early I was gonna be mad. So I let it go. Then it rang again!! I answered. .

It was a heavily accented woman asking for Fred.


  • This morning as I drove to work I had to stop at a crosswalk as a man rollerbladed across the street. . .

He was in his underwear.

EDIT** I think I'm just in for a random day. It's only 9:42 am.

  • A GIIIANT stink bug just crawled under my desk. The foreman put on his glove, walked over here and grabbed it and tossed it outside.

This is what I said, "It's gonna stinky on you." When he got back in I said, "THANK YOU!"

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

..Adam

Look what I'm sitting across from.

Not for Sale - Human Trafficking

Some websites and organizations that you should know about:

27 Million people are enslaved today. Not for sale is a campaign of individuals, musicians, artists, people of faith, businesses, schools and sports teams united to stop it. Everyone's invited. Welcome to the movement.

I pulled that from their site. Not for sale is a site that mainly deals with human sex trafficking. It offers resources (though not as thoroughly as I would like) for how to become aware. This is also from their site:

...Not For Sale is a campaign of students, entrepreneurs, artists, people of faith, athletes, law enforcement officers, politicians, social workers, skilled professionals, and all justice seekers, united to fight the global slave trade.
Not For Sale aims to
educate and mobilize an international abolitionist movement through the innovation and implementation of open-source activism. Inside the United States, the campaign identifies trafficking rings and collaborates with local law enforcement and community groups to shut them down and provide support for the victims. Internationally, the campaign partners with poorly resourced abolitionist groups to enhance their capacity.
Every single person has a skill that they can give to free an
individual living in bondage.


Check them out: HERE

Heartbreaking stuff.

Friday, May 15, 2009

MUST MUST MUUUUUUST LISTEN

I just finished listening to God is Strong. Am I? By Francis Chan from their service on 5/10.

It is a must listen (I'd recommend watching if you can). I'm sitting here at my desk ready to cry.

POWERFUL STUFF.

http://www.cornerstonesimi.com/special/media_player.html

Life

Monday morning I was getting ready for work. I chose my outfit and then looked in my closet for my brown flats.
They weren't in there so I figured I must have left them downstairs. I looked by the chair I normally would have left my shoes by and they weren't there either so I headed into the kitchen to make my chocolate Ovaltine milk. There is nothing like rich, chocolatey Ovaltine. I love it so much. It's way better than Nesquik or Hershey's syrup.


Why is her doll - now I'm confused here because first I typed 'black' but I was thinking maybe I could just write 'African' but then I thought well I wonder if 'African' is offensive because I didn't say 'African-American' so then I typed 'black' again but then I thought maybe I should capitolize it the 'B'? Why is her doll black? Why is her doll African? Why is her doll African-American? Why is her doll Black? Which do I use?



Anyway-- Digression.



Shoes. They were not in the living room either. In my closet, by the chair, or in the living room were my only options (unless maybe they were in my car but for some reason I knew they weren't). So I ran back upstairs. Looked once more for the shoes and grabbed my purple wedges. They are so cute. When I got to work. I sat in my chair and proceeded to turn on my computer etc. At some point I happened to glance down. I saw this:

Right. You're right. I somehow left work on FRIDAY without my shoes!? Turns out. I had my flip flops in my purse Friday. I was hot when I got off work so I switched to my flip flops and accidentally left my flats behind.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Things

  • I always flush public toilets with my shoe. Every time.

  • Suzi P - A guy from work showed up yesterday with a new haircut and it was a MULLET. It made me think of you! It's like FULL on mullet. =) At first I thought he had hat hair. Today it's pulled back into a short puffy little ponytail. Hehe!

  • I got a new gingham skirt from the Wal*Marts. It catches the wind very easily and I feel like I'm Marilyn Monroe. Today when I was walking out of In-n-Out with Susan and the girls my hands were holding drinks and misc items and I prayed aloud, "Dear Lord, Please don't let my skirt fly up."

  • California bugs me. Specifically today in light of all of their legal requirements. The place at which I am employed goes through so much rigmarole (People probably think I spelled that wrong. I didn't. I googled it. Even though we say Rig-A-marole it is not spelled with the 'A.') just to stay on top of the most basic things. And EVERYTHING is some sort of HUGE legal thing with an attached law or twelve. It's beyond petty and ridiculous. I understand it has to happen because someone at one point was able to sue for a lot of money. But lame-o.

  • John Jacob Jingleheimer-Schmidt is stuck in my head. You know what put it there. Seeing John Murray Plumbing in my contacts folder. Not much in common. Can't get it out.

  • Check out imeem. I love this site. For those who are familiar with Pandora I just want to say that I like this better. Pandora ends up branching WAY too far from my taste and then I want to skip songs and it only allows you to skip so many in a designated time. So I just end up closing Pandora. Imeem I leave open. Upside to me: It sticks with only the artist you type in. No branching. And I can skip or repeat all I want. Love it. Thanks Adam for introducing me and imeem.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Work

We had a safety meeting today. I learned all about Blood Borne Pathogens. I'm so cool.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Bullets

- Ever since I was on all the meds from the swine flu (ok ok bronchitis) that I had, my nails have been soooooo brittle. It’s surprising to me because I have pretty strong nails - but I believe that is only in light of the fact that I cut them all the time because of the violin.
- Today we have health screenings at work. They will check our blood pressure, pulse, height/weight/BMI (which I already know I’m in the 26% for that which means I’m in the overweight/obese category) and our blood sugar for diabetes. 'Twill be interesting.
- In light of the health screenings we had the option of fasting for 9 hours to get more accurate results and to be able to do one of the cholesterol tests.
- In light of fasting I’m thankful for my Christian roots. I’ve done many fasts over the years. When I used to work at Term101 I would be in charge of calling clients the day before their medical exam and giving them ‘tips.’ When I would tell them it was recommended but not required that they fast for 8 hours before the exam some people would FREAK out.

1. Not required.

2. Make your appt for the MORNING.

3. It’s just 8 hours. You are not gonna DIE.

-As Americans we aren’t very familiar with the feeling of having our stomach rumble and not be able to immediately eat.
-In light of that, this is me inserting a plug for Children's Hunger Fund.
- Tonight is graduation for The Master’s College. Tell Lauren congrats.
- Tomorrow I’m going on a hike with Adam and I’ve been looking forward to it all week. I’m:

1. Hoping to get some color.

2. Hoping to burn a lot of calories,

3. Looking forward to enjoying creation,

4. Excited to have all that time with Adam.

- I don’t like my job much right now. For so many reasons. But I am thankful for it.
- In light of that I’m so glad to have this job because I’ve had so many opportunities to share the gospel. This week alone has been amazing. I shared with 4 of the guys (not for the first time) and an opening was started with my new supervisor. I haven’t given him the gospel yet, but he was saying that Catholicism and Christianity are the same and I was able to say that they are not. We chatted a tiny bit but none of the differences were talked through. But I have hope for it, because I didn’t even know how I was going to be able to share with the supervisor and now this came up.
- Pray I’d be faithful with the opportunities the Lord gives and that I would have answers for the questions I am asked. Sometimes they’re tough! =) But it’s such a great challenge and opportunity for growth.
- I still am considering moving out. Found a possible place just waiting to have a chance to check it out.
- I find myself thinking of Jackson Hole all the time. I’m privileged to be able to pray for the team there. I’m excited for all of that.
- I’ve been listening to a rap/hip hop cd by the artist Shai Linne. The lyrics are SO solid. Seriously. I wouldn’t have bought it otherwise, because I don’t even care for rap/hip hop. But when I had a chance to read through the lyrics I was stoked and wanted to buy the CD so I could memorize the songs and fill my head with all the truth. Check out his blog. Not to mention that this guy came and gave a concert for free because he just wants to get truth out - to get the gospel out. Adam and I had a good talk about this. It really makes me think of the Christian artists and how they are willing to charge SO much money. I'm a simpleton. I hate that they do that and it makes me wonder where their hearts are truly at. This is not necessarily an overarching blanket statement so please don't take it that way. I'm just saying I really appreciated that Shai Linne was one of the most solid - maybe THE most solid lyricist I've ever heard and he came out for free. As Christians it really is all about the gospel. Shai gets that.
- Speaking of music and filling my/your/the head with truth, if anyone knows any music groups who put scripture to music like Hillsong or Shai Linne. ALWAYS tell me about it. I’m so interested in that.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Snails

I'm going to admit something... Ready?



I think snails are really cute. I'm not sure where this mindset came from but I have a guess.
When I was 4 I was in Master's Kids - The very first one - EVER. I still remember the song and even now, I'm singing it in my head. Here is the memory. We had a craft time. All of us kids were at a table. In front of us was a sheet of plain white paper. In the middle of the table there were Cool Whip containers. Inside the Cool Whip containers was a little bit of water with food coloring and snails! Our craft project was to pick the colors we wanted and put the snails on our piece of paper and let the snails make a trail of color. I wish I had a picture! Combine that with AGAPELAND!! Anyone? Anyone? I had a book (well I guess maybe a movie.. Mom? Which was it?) when I was growing up about Herbert the Snail.
Synopsis: Patience: In HurryTravel with Herbert the Snail and his family they go to the circus! During the trip, they talk about the exciting things they want to see. After they arrive, there is a long line for tickets! Some snails want to sneak in, but Herbert decides to be patient and wait his turn. All the snails learn waiting is the right thing. Two sing along songs on Patience are included in this touching episode.
(OR perhaps it was when I was a child and we were at my grandparents house and my dad showed me what happens when your pour salt on a snail.
OR maybe it was because I grew up with all boys and probably used a magnifying glass to scorch a snail inside it's shell in the late afternoon Southern California sunshine.
BUT I don't think so.)

Since then, of course, I've had many encounters with snails. I'm not an avid gardener and so I don't have plants that are being eaten alive by the snails, therefore, I have no reason to hate them. To me they are so simple. They carry their home on their back. They live off of flowers and leaves (and rabbit poo). They're plump and scoot slowly and lazily along.

I'm not very good at drawing so whenever someone asks me to draw something I usually end up drawing flowers and snails and bees.

What I'm saying is, snails just stick out to me. I notice them. Not just 'live' ones but snail things, too.

At Rooms n Blooms they have wrought iron snail pot holders. They come in large and small and I always thought those planters were the cutest thing. In Pasadena there is a fountain outside of a church that has -you guessed it- a snail in the middle of it. Every morning as I walk up the pathway to work the snails (of all sizes!!) are out in full force. Eating flowers (and rabbit poop).

Once Adam and I were out for a really long walk. Adam looks up when he walks I gaze down (I have a fear of tripping). We approached a snail. I said to Adam, "Watch out for the **CRUNCH** snail." He stepped on it, but not fully because I was in the middle of warning him. The snails shell was cracked, though. I was saddened. Adam thought the snail would be fine. I thought it would die a torturous death. I proceeded to force Adam to squish the snail completely since I didn't want the little guy to suffer and since we didn't have enough snail knowledge to know if they can repair damage to their shells. (FYI they can, but with a break as bad as this one we would have had to use manual intervention (keeping the snail in a humid place, making a plaster mixture to cover the crack/hole etc) and we were unable to do so. In light of that we went with a different form of manual intervention.)

I think snails would be cute to decorate a child's room with. I've seen fabric/paper with snails and mushrooms that are so cute.
Again - the plants/plant holders.

There is just so much cute stuff. But I'll admit there is a very fine line between the cute and the gross/disturbing.


Cute:Disturbing:
And then there is AWESOME! Google is so cool.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

May 6

Today is 1 year since I started my job.

Today is 8 years since I got baptized.

Today is Mark Grisanti's 25th year of life.

Today is also Anna and David's 3 monthiversary of their wedding day.

Encourage

This is so important. I thought this article had a lot of good points and challenges. I prob won't keep a journal, but maybe some of you will. Dwell on those scriptures and consider just how good you can be to someone else with your words alone.


Free online Bible study — Online Christian Bible studies and Bible verses for daily living
Visit www.DougBrittonBooks.com . . . Practical biblical advice for men, women and children
HomepageBookstore More free online Bible studies
Encourage One Another. Say Encouraging Words Daily
(Encourage Others: Words of Encouragement Change People!)
(c) 2005 Doug Britton (Permission granted to print for personal use)


Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Encouraging words make a difference.


Have you ever known someone who believed in you, someone who frequently spoke words of encouragement and praise? The kind of person who made you feel you could do it, whatever "it" was? That’s the kind of person God wants us to be. Paul gave a good guideline when he wrote that everything we say should build up the one who is listening.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29).
I always am encouraged when my wife praises me. This truth came home to me once in a graphic, although silly, way. We used to take our sons to a video arcade, and I often played my favorite game. It soon became obvious that my scores were much higher whenever my wife watched and cheered me on. The book of Proverbs sums up the impact encouraging words can have when it says, "The tongue has the power of life and death" (Proverbs 18:21). Your words have an impact.

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life (Proverbs 10:11).
Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers (Acts 15:32).
We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith (1 Thessalonians 3:2).
Therefore encourage each other with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18).
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25).

Follow God's example. Be an encourager!
You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry (Psalm 10:17).
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope (Romans 15:4).
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus (Romans 15:5).

Think positively. Look for things to encourage.
Do you bring sunshine or gloom into the room? If you are a negative person, don't say, "I'm just a worrier. I was born that way." Or, "It’s my nature to be depressed." God is in the personality-changing business. He wants you to "be conformed to the likeness of his Son" (Romans 8:29). You can change. You can become known for your encouraging words. Life is full of problems, and we need to deal with them. But if we aren't careful, all we see are the problems. There are lots of good things we can focus on.
1.Make your words a fountain of life.
2.Encourage one another. Ask God to help you develop a positive thought life.
3.Immerse yourself in his Word.
4.Pray.
Over time, you will discover that you can control the way you think, choosing to focus on some thoughts and to reject others. The following verse can be life changing. Write it out and post it where you will see it regularly, on your refrigerator, bathroom mirror or the dashboard of your car.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if any-thing is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8). When you wake up in the morning, ask God to help you look for and focus on the positive. Pray for this attitude throughout the day. Choose to meditate on the positive. Speak positively. Be an encourager. Encourage others daily.

When you talk, you make a series of choices about what subjects to discuss, what memories to bring up, and what points to make. There always are negative things you could say, but there also are positive ones. Choose the positive. Choose to specialize in encouraging words, not in critical comments. As Paul wrote, "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification" (Romans 14:19). The following points give practical ways to be an encourager. (If you would like to dig a little deeper, buy a copy of "Encouraging Your Spouse," a book for married couples with advice that can help any relationship.)

Bring friendly speech into your relationships.
Don't start complaining as soon as you see your spouse, child, employee, neighbor or someone else. Ask about his or her day. Give a compliment. Share stories about your day, insights from Bible study, victories on the job, or other things they may be interested in..
Voice words of encouragement, appreciation, support, and respect.
Acknowledge others' abilities and efforts. If someone feels inadequate, encourage him or her.
Monitor your positive and negative remarks.
Learn to be self-aware and listen to what you say. Be sure you make many more positive comments than negative ones.

Respond to problems with hope and encouragement.
When someone talks about personal difficulties, do not respond with a "gloom and doom" attitude. Listen with compassion and avoid simplistic advice. Say something such as, "I know this is a tough time for you, but it won't last. Let me encourage you: God will see you through, and I'm here to help, too."
[God] comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God (2 Corinthians 1:4).And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

Avoid subtle criticisms.
Watch out for subtle ways you may tear others down, such as pointing out how quickly you can mow the lawn when you know it takes them twice as long.

Discuss problems as a friend.
There are times in every relationship—in a family, on the job, or wherever—when people discuss difficult topics. When you do, speak in a courteous, friendly manner. The way you speak usually is more important than whether your opinions are right or wrong.
Personal application 1: Plan to say encouraging words.
(1) List the key people in your life.
(2) Beside each name, write how encouraging you are with that person.
(3) Pray for God to help you recognize the power of encouragement and to encourage one another—to say encouraging words, not discouraging words.
Personal application 2: Follow through and encourage others daily.
Make it a habit to encourage those around you. Consider keeping track of how you are doing on a day-by-day basis. For example, you could:
(1) Make a brief note on a calendar each day you encourage someone.
(2) Keep an encouragement journal or diary.
Click here for more way to encourage others.
Are you looking for practical, Bible-based ideas to encourage a family member, friend, or counselee? If so, these resources will help. Take a minute to read about these life-transforming studies on encouraging others with hope and solid biblical advice.

Monday, May 4, 2009

A Glimpse Into My Workday..

Here is a tale from 2 weeks ago:


My company is implementing a new system this fall. We are all in preparation now for that change. Our site hosted a training session last week and I was sent an email letting me know how many people would be participating and asking for me to please order boxed lunches for that day. There is only one shop I know of that produces boxed lunches, so I called them up. I spoke to a guy, placed the order, gave him the payment information and then gave him directions. From where they are located it is VERY easy to find our site. I confirmed a delivery time and was told there would be a delivery charge. I said, "Alrighty how much is the charge?" The response, "Ohhhh. I don't realllly know. Maybe 10 bucks, but no more than 20." Professional. I said that would be fine and we hung up the phone.

The next day I got a call from the gentleman. He wanted to let me know that he was going to be on his way. I told him that was great. Then he said, "I didn't really have time to charge the card so I just want you to know that I'm gonna drive the food over to you and then I'm gonna come back here and charge the card and then I'll come back over and have you sign the receipt." I responded, "Are you already on your way?" "No, I'm outside by the car." "Ok, well if you haven't left yet, it'll only take maybe 3 minutes to charge the card, we can spare 3 minutes, how about you go ahead and charge the card so you don't have to make another trip?" "Ok, I'll do that and be on my way."

5 minutes later my phone rings. I answer. He doesn't even identify himself. "Hi Suzanne. Can I get directions?" (In my head I thought 'Strike One.' I gave you explicit directions yesterday. And 'Strike Two' my name is not Suzanne.) So I gave him detailed instructions one more time.

5 minutes later my phone rings. Still doesn't identify himself. "Hi Suzanne. Do I turn by Del Taco?" I never said anything about Del Taco. I told him, "No. Keep going. It's the next light."

5 minutes later my phone rings. Again no name, he just blurts "Suzanne. How far up [a certain street] do I go?" I said, "No. You weren't supposed to turn. I said, 'Go straight.' You needed to go straight." He eventually got here. He was 20 minutes late (their business is like 7 minutes away). I told the supervisor as I saw him pull up that the guy had called me 4 times that morning and everytime he named me 'Suzanne' and judging by the way things were going I would NOT be surprised if he came in through the warehouse, through the back offices and around to the front. So as the gentleman pulled up and parked I said those words to the supervisor then headed outside.

I stood there a minute or two and the gentleman did not surface. I turned to come inside and the supervisor was walking the gentleman out from the back offices and up to the front where I was headed toward them. I couldn't believe it! The supervisor had a huge grin because he KNEW what I had JUST said.

The gentleman was kind enough to remove the delivery charge for me.