Erin - Air Out

The End.

2009-12-21T21:45:00.000-08:00

Driving Chronicles 4

2009-11-14T23:49:00.000-08:00

Dear Blog,
I miss you! I'm getting married in 5 days. Let this hold you over..

Driving Chronicles:

Yesterday I was taking Adam's car to get an oil change. As I neared the Pink Palace I was cut off by a taxi and as he pulled over to the curb to drop off his passenger, he side-swiped a parked car.

Later that day, when I was back in my car, there was a paramedic unit approaching on the opposite side of the road with it's sirens blaring. EVERYONE on my side of the road - every single car - pulled all the way over to the curb. I was very proud of all of them.

Catching Up? (Never!!)

2009-11-04T12:36:00.000-08:00

-OK!!

-Didn't blog at all last week because it was my last week of work and I was training my replacement. The week was so busy!! But she is trained and I am no longer employed full time! -Yay!!

-Our apartment is coming together. I'll post some pics. We were able to get a free loveseat, table and chair with ottoman. So fun!

-We still need chairs for the table, bookshelves/entertainment center, couch, and maybe a coffee table and side tables and even a couple side tables for the bedroom. I'm also on the lookout for a bedframe.

-Our mattress is supposed to be delivered today. I'm excited!

-I had a bridal shower last night. It was a great time. I think there were lots of pics taken, so when those are ready I will post them. I took Adam's camera, but I don't know yet, how to upload them from his camera and onto my laptop. Shannon - Maid-of-Honor shared some very kind things about me and I was very humbled. Then several of the ladies prayed for Adam and I and then PRESENTS!

-Today is 2 weeks and 2 days until the wedding. I need to try my dress on and make sure it still fits and also get it steamed. I decided to wear Mom's veil. I'm excited for that.

Anyway, I should be around more. Hopefully. Now that I'm not working full time. Things are still busy, but I have good things to post. =)

Adam

2009-11-02T01:01:00.000-08:00

Tonight at church was communion. As I took the cup and prepared to drink it, I noticed there was a fuzz in it. I whispered to Adam that mine had a fuzz. He handed me his cup and took mine and the simplicity of that statement made me love him all the more.

The Driving Chronicles 3

2009-10-23T12:51:00.000-07:00

Today I was on my lunch break and as I was headed back to work I pulled up to a 4 way stop. It's one of those ones that's gearing up to have traffic lights, the traffic lights are there just not working so for now 'tis just a stop sign. So as I approached, there was an Andy Gump truck at the stop sign/traffic light. I slowed as I got toward the stop sign and he still didn't go through even though he was the only one there. I pulled up to the stop sign. Looked at him. Came to a full and complete stop. Looked at him. Paused. Looked at him. It was his turn. It had BEEN his turn. He stayed put. I assume he was waiting for the light to turn green and hadn't registered that it wasn't even red.

Also in my lunchtime drive. I was behind a 7-Up big rig. We got to a stop light. I got in the left turn lane he stayed in the straight lane except he stopped WAY WAY behind all other cars, gave a short honk on his horn, and stayed put even as the light turned green. I made my left turn and was able to view him for several seconds just hanging out in the road. He seemed fine. I wonder what he was doing.

FlowerMaking

2009-10-22T13:40:00.000-07:00

Mobile Uploads

2009-10-21T10:07:00.000-07:00

I love this guy. We were at The-No-Name-Store (Wal*Mart) picking up a few essentials for our new apartment. We saw this pillow that matched Adam perfectly! Kinda funny!

This is the view of our apartment complex if you put your cellphone through the wooden posts and take a picture from the front gate. =) Isn't it so cheery?

And these are a few of our pics, waiting to find their place on our wall(s).

Also

2009-10-15T13:05:00.000-07:00

From the thrift stores yesterday I snapped this photo:

This is like an EXACT replica of the Treehouse Studio. Same style. Same color. SAME size.

And this is currently at my desk at work:

The Driving Chronicles 2

2009-10-15T12:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's drive involved the 126 to Ventura, pouring rain, and my good friend Sarah.

The rain was really coming down as we neared Fillmore. Up ahead I could see something in the road. I thought it was a crow. As we got closer, the bird wasn't moving. It was definitely not dead because it was rigidly standing there. I had my lights and windshield wipers on and as I approached I looked and saw a sopping wet, drenched feather, wide eyed, terrified owl. It's wings were slightly spread and rain was pouring down on the owl and as I approached, it stood there not moving, staring, helpless. It didn't know what to do.

It was the most heartbreaking thing I've seen in a long time and I can't shake it. I felt so bad for it.

The Driving Chronicles 1

2009-10-10T18:22:00.000-07:00

I think I should start some sort of regular feature on my blog called The Driving Chronicles becuase I always see the most interesting things when I'm driving.

Today features Adam and I sitting at a traffic light next to a white van. The driver of the van was holding a frozen soda and hitting it repeatedly with a hammer. I don't know how that was supposed to defrost it.

The Treehouse Studio

2009-10-09T12:38:00.000-07:00

Adam and I have been madly searching for an appropriate living space these last couple of weeks. We've looked in classifieds, networked through friends, and searched Craigslist.

We found this ad on Craigslist:
Cute Unusual Guest House/Single
All new
Small Dog o.k. upon approval, please email for more information
Rent+ small deposit

It was within our location and budget preferences so we called them up.

Tuesday evening we got a chance to check it out. We were told to knock on the door when we arrived.

*Knock knock*

Door opens, we couldn't really see who was talking because it was evening,"Hey, are you Adam?" we hear as the guy steps outside and extends his hand. Adam says, "Yes," as he shakes hands with Dan and says, "..and this is Erin." I shake his hand, "Hi, nice to meet you."

Let's talk about Dan for a second. He is in his 60's and wearing dark brown polyester pants, a leather jacket with fringe, and a dark brown hat with a feather. He looks like he has had some adventures in life and has a low raspy voice - from too many cigarettes (at least that's my conclusion).

Dan leads us around back. Cautions us to be careful of our step. Asks if we like dogs because he has 2 and tells us he built the guest house for fun. We get to the back and his wife steps outside.

Let's talk about Lynette for a second. Lynette is in her 60's and wearing jeans and a t-shirt and a purple jacket. Her hair looks like this. (Note to self, be careful on google when searching for mullets. )

We introduce ourselves to Lynette. The couple is very nice. The backyard has a fishpond which is awesome. Surrounding the fishpond are varying trees and hanging from one tree was a version of a Tiffany Lamp. SO cool. We loved it. I loved it. We see the guest house. It's up on a semi-deck. It's painted green with white trim. I loved it. There was a tiny porch out front. Dan and Lynette said "Just go inside. Spend like 10 minutes in there and we'll come and check on you." Then Dan walked up the porch and opened the door and went right inside the guest house. =)

First whiff. Cigarettey. (That should be a word.)
First sight. Tree trunk.

Let's talk about the tree trunk for a second. I would say The kitchen was approx. 3ft by 7ft. The bathroom 7ft by 7ft. The living/bedroom area approx. 10ft by 13ft. The tree trunk ws approx. 2ft by 2ft. It took up a LARGE portion of this NOT large studio. It also offically made it a treehouse.

The studio was really cute. Hard wood floors. Beige walls. Several windows. The kitchen was painted GREEN. I know. Right?

Dan and Lynette told us they are planning on putting a sofa bed and an armoire in the studio. There was also a table and 2 chairs in there. And for now a blow up queen mattress. The window in the back was level with the deck. That was interesting. But we liked it. After they showed and informed us of everything they told us to look around then just come knock on the door when we were ready to talk.

Adam and I strategized. The place is teensy. (Doesn't teensy sound smaller than teeny?) Eventually we headed to the door of the main house. Dan opened it up and invited us in. (I just want you guys to know that a car had hit a power pole down the street so the electricity was flickering and browning out and we were supposed to go in?) We went in. They invited us to sit at the dining table. Their 2 dogs were old and their black lab was one of the fattest dogs I've EVER seen. We pulled up a chair and sat down. Conversation began. It ended 2 hours later.

These folks are sooo interesting. Dan has lived! He had some great stories to tell. We found ourselved having similarities to this couple. Common grounds. We also got to give them the gospel. Lynette seems to be saved. Dan knows the truth but has some theological hang-ups that keep him from committing. God crossed our paths that night to encourage Lynette in the Lord and to challenge Dan. We're sure of it.

In all the 2 hours we didn't get to talk about the treehouse studio. When we left Dan told us to take the application and give them a call, but that "even if we said, "No." to make sure that if we ever see them on the streets to be sure and say "hello.""

It was a really interesting night. Very cool in so many ways. Imagine Adam and I telling our kids we lived in a treehouse the first year of our marriage. The place was SO us, but just so small.

And cigarettey.

2 More Mobile Uploads

2009-09-25T08:28:00.000-07:00

I've taught my niece how to flash gang signs. She's pretty cool.

This is how Morgan has decorated while my folks have been gone. I call this look, "Revenge."

Poor Morgan

2009-09-24T10:43:00.000-07:00

I took this pic of Morgan last night when she and I hit the proverbial hay. My folks are visiting my mom's folks which means that Morgan is now my roommate. Roomate? Roommate.

Well, when I shut my door last night, Morgan laid on her bed, squashed herself against my bed, and cried(whimpered). It was so pathetic. Look at those sad, pleading eyes begging for her mommy and daddy to come back home.

Poor Morgy.

Getting Pulled Over.. Yes, That's Right.

2009-09-23T10:36:00.000-07:00

Adam and I had a great pre-marital session last night with Tom and Suzi. Hi Suzi! We got to talk about communication and finances. Adam and I are so thankful for Tom and Suzi and how they listen to us and guide/shepherd us in our hearts and in our relationship with each other. It has been such a gift from the Lord having them in our lives in this way. We are very blessed to learn from them.

After we wrapped up our meeting Adam asked me if I wanted to debrief the session at Target. It was like 9:35 and Target closes at 10 so I said sure. We got in my car and I pulled out of Starbucks.

Normally I turn behind Target and take the backroad in, but for some reason I went to Magic Mountain Parkway and turned at the light there to go to Target. As Adam and I waited to turn we were talking through the session and I noticed a police car behind me. No lights it was just simply behind me. No biggie. I said to Adam, "There's a cop behind us." The light turned green and we made the turn and then made the turn into Target's parking lot. I made sure to use my blinker. =) As I got in the turn lane though to turn into Target I said to Adam, "The cop is still behind us."

When I said that all the sudden the cop car lights flashed and the siren 'Whooped.' I was like, "Am I being pulled over?" and Adam said, "Yes, just pull up here." I pulled into a spot and put my car in park. Then a second cop car came! I rolled down my window. As the officer approached I peeked my head out the window. He asked me to turn off my car. I did. He asked me for my license and registration. I handed him my license and proof of insurance. Oops. I said the registration was in 'here' as I pointed at my glove box and opened it. I pulled out the registration and handed it to him. The cop said, "Did someone peel off your registration sticker?" I looked at him and said, "Oooh" and as I said that I turned to Adam and said, "Maybe they did?!" and I turned back to the cop and said (referencing Adam), "He lives by the DMV and we saw a sticker on the ground but it was in FRONT of my car so we didn't check to see if it was mine." The cop told us he'd be right back.

I said to Adam, "Even if I get a ticket, I will totally know this is from the Lord, because I HAD a registration sticker. So if I get a ticket for not having one then this is just something the Lord wants us to deal with somehow." Adam said, "I know you had a sticker, you fell down and got bruises last year. And when you got one and you had to miss work to get it."

(Total side story there. From a Feb blog post.)

February 13, 2009

Every Wednesday night I go to 'Date Night at Grandma and Grandpa's." I was sitting at the dinner table. And I got to thinkin'. I haven't gotten anything from the DMV for registration renewal... So I casually mentioned it while we ate. And then in my head I said "I haven't received a stinking thing and I am 99% sure my tags expire in Nov." That was it I had to go check. So I ran down the stairs and jogged over to my car. Sure enough. EXPIRED! -AYYYE WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY LIFE?- I turned to jog back inside and back up to the dinner table. I made it about 3 steps, my shoe slipped off my foot and I tripped.. and then.. I fell down. It wasn't a pretty fall. I fell ALL THE WAY DOWN. Flat like a pancake. Not to my hands and knees. Straight down. Belly to the ground. I popped back up. Man my hands stung. My hip. I went back inside. Grandma put bandaids on my hands. =) What a good Grandma!

So we waited. The cop came back and handed me everything and said, "Ok. Everything checks out. Make sure you contact the DMV to get a new sticker."

PHEW!!

We parked at Target. Got out. Looked at my sticker. Here is the killer..

THE STICKER WAS THERE!! NOV 2009. Not expired. Not missing.

I have no idea what that was all about other than God. I was like, "Adam, this didn't 'just happen.'" I've been trying to really think it through. What am I supposed to pull away from that?

I think, what Adam and I have come up with so far, is something so simple. I think it was God just showing me, and showing Adam, that I need Adam. Adam is needed. Adam and I have been talking about my independence lately. It needs to bite the dust because I'm walking down the aisle very soon. I was able to be so calm and safe going through that scare with Adam and it was just so great not to have to experience that alone.

By the way, this was the first time I've EVER been pulled over.

Cherry - Dark Chocolate - Grenadine

2009-09-18T11:30:00.000-07:00

I bought these. From Ralphs. I had recently tried the Raspberry Chocolate and the Coconut Dark Chocolate bars and they hit the spot. They satisfied my early morning hunger until I could take my lunch break. So when I saw these I thought "I'm gonna try them. They look pretty good." I think they might have been old and they were NOT good. The cherries were too sour, and I could barely taste those tiny chocolate chips which had that light chocolate thing going on that happens with age. I'm still eating them. But I don't look forward to them and afterwards I feel like I need to eat something else or chew a piece of gum. It's sad, because food is supposed to satisfy and these, do not.

__________________________________________________________________

Speaking of satisfying.. Cherry Coke. No, not this kind: (But doesn't that look soooo good?)But, THIS KIND!! Roy Rogers! Grenadine in Coke. I can hardly stand to look at it right now, cooped up in my office, on a Friday, after sweating out in the lumber yard.

This is what I didn't know, though. Grenadine is not made out of cherries. It's made out of pomegranates. Grenadine - A brilliant scarlet non-alcoholic syrup made from the juice of pomegranates. Used to color and flavor drinks and desserts. Called "grena dine" because it was originally available only from the island of Grenada in the Caribbean.

Pour that into some coke and give it a stir. OR pour it into some Sprite and squeeze in a wedge of fresh lime.

I have to go now.

2 Mobile Uploads

2009-09-16T10:54:00.000-07:00

1. I took this pic. It was me, entering something on some site that I can't even remember anymore and it had one of those confirmation things where you have to type in words to make sure you aren't a spammer. Well the first word was obvious right? Timeless. But what about that second word on the right? What the . . . What is that? It looks like a cat, or some flowers, but what letters? An 'A'? Fail.

2. And this, this is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. And it is mine. This marks a HUGE journey's end for my life. I LOVE Harry Potter. The books are so amazing, so creative. I determined that I would never buy a book for retail price, but that instead I would find all 7 of them at thrift stores. It worked. Last week I completed my collection. I found book number 7 at Goodwill for $1.99. In all, I think all 7 books cost less than or equal to the purchase of one paperback Harry Potter book. They ranged from $0.95 - $1.99. I'm thrilled. I will read them to my kids one day. But first I'll be practicing on Adam. He told me (after I gave him no option, see, I said, "I'm gonna read the Harry Potter books out loud to you.") I could.

I love life.

For Fun

2009-09-15T15:34:00.000-07:00

Because my niece is super cute.. (all are unedited and taken by Adam. <--- I love him.)

Sept 11, 2001

2009-09-11T10:10:00.000-07:00

I pulled this from an email my mom sent me. Made me cry.
You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I.
I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK..I am ready to go.'
I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.
I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said. 'Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now.'
I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.
I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.
I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan . I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?
I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.
Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.
I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do.. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?
Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you . But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are 'ready to go.'

Ground Zero, New York City, N.Y. (Sept. 17, 2001) -- An aerial view shows only a small portion of the crime scene where the World Trade Center collapsed following the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. Surrounding buildings were heavily damaged by the debris and massive force of the falling twin towers. Clean-up efforts are expected to continue for months. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Eric J. Tilford. (RELEASED)

Yesterday's Viva La Vida

2009-09-10T12:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Adam had to rush over to work and as the afternoon progressed I decided it would be fun to visit him at work when I was off and I wasn't sure if he had time to grab lunch or not so I decided I would swing by Starbucks and pick up a banana chocolate Vivano for him on my way to his store. I took the time to order something for myself as well, a grande iced mocha with 2 pumps of hazelnut. Yum-O as Rachel Ray would say.

Fast forward to 10pm.

I was in such a great mood! Seriously I should drink coffee more often! I told Adam if he ever needs me to stay awake with him to just get me a drink like that and we will be set for the night. But I also was a little louder than normal. My brain was FLOODED with versions it had created of Viva La Vida. I sang them all to Adam.

By flooded, I mean 4. The Erin-Playing-Double-Stops-On-Her-Violin-Mimicking-The-Amazing-Strings-In-The-Song Version, The Karaoke Singer Version - not off pitch, just someone who can't sing it the same way as Coldplay does, The Jazz/Lounge Version, and The Hart ShowChoir Version. These included clapping and snapping.

In honor of the song I was going to post the youtube video of it, but the embed link is disabled, and I am realizing that is a good thing because the dancing in the video just does NOT jive with the song. Sooo, in keeping with the theme, here is a different version (it's pretty cool! and if you know me well you will understand why I like this.):

Article.

2009-09-08T13:05:00.000-07:00

Over the summer I was helping Adam with one of his homework assignments by researching some articles for a paper he needed to write. I found an article titled:
TOO MUCH, TOO SOON, TOO OFTEN : Raising children in America - Brief Article
Commonweal, Oct 20, 2000 by JO McGOWAN.
I read it fully (it's not long) and thought it was great. In the meantime Adam's classes have ended and summer has continued to move on but I keep thinking of this article.

Today as I sat in Subway I was again reminded of the article. The emphasis it has is on raising children in America and offers 3 topics to think on. It's not extremely well written but has some really thought provoking items to chew on.

The 3 topics and a quote I like from each topic are:
Too many choices - "Having too many choices...inflates our sense of self-importance."

Portions that are too large - "The idea that more (much more) is better persuades children that they are entitled to whatever they desire. But isn't the secret to treats limiting them?"

Too many distractions - "The average American can do all of these things simultaneously: drive, talk on the phone, drink coffee, eat a bagel, listen to music, and smoke a cigarette. In India, most people do one thing at a time. Maybe they could do more, but they don't. This gives their lives a stillness, a mindfulness, rarely seen in the United States...[C]hildren, who are, after all, the world's original conservatives..Much as we may hate to admit it, to a baby there is nothing boring about the same old mother or father putting her to bed every night, over and over in exactly the same way."

And .. Some quotes for free:

"The distractions which are an inherent part of life in America make it seem that we are never accomplishing all that we can. There is always some other activity we could add to the one we are engaged in to make it more productive and efficient."

"Fewer choices, smaller sizes, one or two things at a time. "

A Ponder

2009-09-04T14:00:00.000-07:00

2 mornings ago on my way to work I watched a leaf blow across my lane.

Yesterday I noticed myself singing Jingle Bells.

I'm starting to get that holiday fever.

Hello September. Why are you only September.

Life in Technicolor ii

2009-09-03T14:08:00.000-07:00

I LOVE this song. It gets all stuck up in my head and there is no way around it so to make it easy I just listen to it on repeat.

Things

2009-09-02T10:00:00.001-07:00

-It's just been impossible to blog lately. Work has been insanity. I worked Saturday and Sunday. Celebrated my B-Day. Had family in town. Travelled to San Diego. And Adam and I have been sick. Adam is better now but I am still feeling crummy.
-On top of the busyness that leaves me a LOT less time to think about things and ponder blog topics and so I'm coming up empty handed as far as new things to write that are even remotely interesting or thought provoking.
-In light of that though, I realize that it's at least better to just get on here and blab a little and make my presence known rather than just continuing to post nothing.
-My lungs are having a hard time dealing with the smoke from the fires. I'm sure it's because I've had a cold and been run down, but more than ever my lungs have been bothered. Plus I work in Canyon Country which is closer to some of the fire than the house is. I've been thankful that I've had my inhaler.
-I've successfully turned 26. I was able to have my free Birthday Burger from Red Robin. Adam and my folks and I went there on my BDay and it was a really nice time. I also made peanut butter pie and this year I added some extra peanut butter to the mixture PLUS mini chocolate chips. The pie was the best it's ever been. I highly recommend the extra PB.
-I was unable to go to Disneyland for free on my birthday because of work. I tried to convince my boss to give me a free ticket to make up for the mandatory work schedule =) I knew it wouldn't happen.
-Adam started school. He's taking 4 or 5 classes. Be praying for him as he takes those and also looks towards Clepping. Masters just increased the Clep fee by like 300%.
-Work is going super well for him. His boss is giving him an overarching training on running the store and also really encouraging him in his photography. He refers to Adam as his "Right hand man.' and told Adam that as long as he is in Santa Clarita he will make sure he has work. We are so thankful for this!!
-Our Monday night Jesus study has 2 regular attenders.
-Wedding planning
-Pre-Marital Counseling
-Started looking for wedding rings
-Working on bridesmaids still
-Netti-Pot

Beautiful

2009-08-21T10:30:00.001-07:00

When I arrived at the apartment yesterday Adam and these flowers were waiting for me.Adam took a very very long time making sure to pick out just the right flowers. He put so much thought into choosing them. He said all the other ones were just too pink and he just didn't think they were right and then after a long while he found these ones.. hidden and he thought they looked like great colors. He also got them because they went with my outfit from yesterday.
I think they are just GORGEOUS. I love every flower and leaf in the bunch. They ARE my colors. These would match the wedding. It was special to me to hear Adam explain the process of him buying the flowers. Most girls just want their flowers, but as he told me the story it just made me love him more. And once more, I cried. He really is softening me and the emotional wall I built for myself these past 4 years.
I can't wait 'til work is over so I can stick my face in these blossoms again.

Anniversary

2009-08-20T11:53:00.000-07:00

1 year with Adam. =) It makes me smile. My heart is so happy.

I'd like to celebrate this occasion by posting for all to read, something that only I have read before. I'm going to let you read the very first email that Adam ever sent me..

Adam Howard
August 5 at 5:53pm
so hey!I hear you play the violin.

And he fixed my blog for me.. see? The URL. That was a wonderful surprise!! He's so great. I should probably marry him.

San Diego +Loving Connie +Howard Family

2009-08-20T11:25:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, Dad and Momma Howard came for a visit so they could check on Connie. Adam and I headed down to San Diego for the day so we could spend time with the fam and so we could support Connie as well. We all met at Omar and Julie's house then tag teamed it (because we couldn't all fit in 1 car) down to the hospital.

Connie had major surgery but made a swift recovery and after a couple weeks was able to go back to her home of care in San Diego. I don't have any pics of Connie, but if you are a Facebook friend you can see some of the pics there.

After visiting Connie the family went out to dinner and walked around a little shopping area.

I was trying so hard to figure out what I wanted to order..

So Omar helped.. except not really.

Then I would get distracted by Adam's good looks...

She must have already known what she wanted to order..

After dinner I took a photo with this man.. I thought he was Adam for a second.. The guy behind us was clapping.. I thought it was for us but,

He was really clapping for Bob Hope.

Adam and I are never ones to pass up a good photo opportunity..

Brother's looking stoic..

Adam took this artsy shot for his Dad..

The parents..

The end.

posting less

2009-08-18T09:46:00.001-07:00

so really i'm posting less for 2 reasons.

1. work is insanely busy. like crazy. i worked a lot of overtime last week and its not looking like it's gonna let up until mid-september.

2. i want to get my URL changed. i don't want to post as erin hann, i used to just ignore it, but now i don't want to draw any attention to that.. that chapter is closed.

Suzi was kind and sent me a link that would switch things over.. For lack of a better option I might just run with that.. I'll just lose my feeds off of other blogs and such..
We also discussed the whole 'Turn your blog into a book.' idea.. And then starting fresh..
Does anyone else have any other thoughts or ideas? Any helpful links?

or anything...

Wimberley Finale

2009-08-18T09:22:00.001-07:00

From the glass place we proceeded on to the little town of Wimberley. There were lots of little shops. This was a shop in a house. Adam and I went inside and there was an older woman painting a canvas. We chatted with her a bit and she told us the heat was making her grumpy. There was a cat on a chair by her table. It was sweetie - looked like it had been around the block a time or two. We talked with the lady about how we noticed a pile of cat food on some steps at the park. She explained that she feeds 36 cats! Yowza! Guess Wimberley has a lot of cats...

We had lunch at a great little restaurant called Inoz. This picture makes me laugh because the guy on the TV looks like he is leaning in and smiling for the shot. The hamburger buns were homemade at the restaurant and delicious! The waitress - Faith - was super friendly and we got along with her great.

This is a shot on the way back to Adam's folks house. It's a BBQ in downtown Kyle.

This is Adam's folks sitting outside in the heat while Adam and I checked out a shoe store.

Adam's mom after we finished eating at Inoz. Doesn't the pole look like it has a face?

And me and Adam.. we're happy.

This is the Kyle tower. Adam snapped this shot as we were driving.

Wimberley Glass

2009-08-10T14:20:00.000-07:00

As we left the Flea Market and headed towards Wimberley we stopped at glass shop. It's a privately owned shop full of custom, handmade, handblown glass items. PRICEY too!

We arrived just in time to sit in on the maker's making a lamp shade. We had to kill a few minutes, so we took pics.

That is the furnace and other heat chambers as well as a couple work stations.

There he goes... starting to blow the glass...

Putting more melted glass stuff on the end of the poll so he can continue to form it...

Reheating...

After a few more dips and a few more blows and a few more heats and some rolling in color.. this is what we have so far..

Passed off to the owner and master..

He appreciated Adam taking pictures and offered to make a face for the camera.. Check out the blowtorch.

They transferred the glass to another pole so there would be a hole in the end. They got it centered the swung it back and forth -- so that it flared out and scalloped.. Here the assistant is getting ready to take it to the over after the master detaches it..

And one more colorful shot inside the shop. The circles were like $1,000 each..

Dinner

2009-08-06T21:26:00.001-07:00

Friends, tonight I cooked dinner at the apartment. Simple and tasty.

Chicken:
Chicken breast, cook in olive oil, pepper, salt, lots of lemon pepper and a clove of fresh garlic.
Veggie:
Fresh green beans, fresh zucchini, saute in olive oil, a clove of fresh garlic, salt and pepper and then at the end squeeze a wedge of lime over it and reduce it down a little more.

Easy and flavorful and Adam liked it a lot.

Saturday in Texas - Flea Market

2009-08-05T09:14:00.000-07:00

Saturday - July 15 was our last full day in Texas. We had been planning on going to Wimberley on Friday, but with Connie's health concerns it was best that we stay home. So Saturday we combined the Flea Market and Wimberley.

This pic was taken while I was still asleep. Those birds were so funny because if their mouths were open their tails were down, and if their mouths closed then their tails went up. So it made Adam and I laugh pretty hard to see the tail/mouth rythm.

Adam took this picture as we pulled into the parking lot of the Flea Market. This guy had really large ears.

I didn't even notice this guy until Adam pulled out the camera to take a pic. Pretty random? Made us laugh for sure.

I found this arm and was trying to make it look completely like mine. I didn't realize my arm wasn't hidden completely under it. Then Adam and I got into a fistfight. Ok not really.

We took this picture because of the yellow vinyl chair. It was the little sister to the chairs that are in the guys apartment. I kinda wish we could've bought it. There were a few awesome furniture pieces I wish we could have bought. Unfortunately, Southwest only allows carryons to be 10x16x24.

This was just irony at it's finest. Church pews next to cigarette trash cans.

I liked the colors of these books. And I felt like we had some similar books to these (in appearance) when I was growing up. I seem to recall them being on our bookshelf.

An artsy shot by Adam.

It seemed to me that this clock had stories to tell. I sat down with it. Offered to eat ice cream with it and even found a box of tissues in case the conversation was a sad story. But the clock wouldn't speak up. Maybe the next person will find out it's story.

Hey Gringo!! Hilarious. I wish I could remember the price tag on this item so I would feel better about not buying it.

Dr. Pepper. Yes. Please.

The happy face white flag. So tattered. So happy. Aren't those spools awesome? I wouldn't mind having a few of those around. Not one bit.

The train passed through downtown Kyle right as we pulled up to the light. (Tradition for Erin and her Dad - Pull up. Turn off the radio. Roll the windows down. Listen. Smile.)

Wimberley pics to follow.

Wedding

2009-07-29T13:22:00.000-07:00

WEDDING!!

Yay! Adam and I are officially thinking, idea-ing, and planning. It's so fun! I LOVE having him involved.

Things are so kicked back right now. We are just so content to be engaged and while we are talking wedding talk there is nothing stressful or overwhelming about it.

Lots of things to consider though. Lots to think through. Nothing is nailed down or confirmed whatsoever. So it's really just in the beginning stages for now.

OK - I just got an idea.. gotta go email Adam.

This is so fun!

Flights Home

2009-07-28T11:08:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted about being home yet because there is still one more vacation post I'd like to do, but Adam has the pics on his computer and I haven't had a chance to steal them for a post. Hopefully tonight he will bring his laptop over and I can steal the pics I want for our last full day in Texas.

Our flights home ran on time. It was great. When we left Texas last year to come home we sat on the plane for 2 hours. And when we headed to Texas this time our plane was delayed an hour and a half. So it was nice to just be on time. The flights were pretty good. Seems there is generally turbulance departing from Austin. I had the pleasure of sitting by someone with stinky armpits. I however was not friends with my armpits the entire week so I felt free to raise my sweaty armpits to adjust my light and air conditioner (and Adam's) as much as I wanted. =)

We had a flight from Dallas to Albuquerque to LAX. When we were en route from Albequerque to LAX the flight attendant came over to us and said, "So, Hey. What is your guys deal? You've been on this flight for a while. Are you dating? Or are you just friends? Or..." Adam raised my hand and said we had just gotten engaged. The guy said, "Wow. You guys really make an awesome couple. You just go together. How about a drink on the house from me?" Adam said, "No thanks, man, we don't drink." And the flight guy said, "Hey. You're better people than I am." Adam was able to say, "It's all because of Jesus." It was such a random and interesting little conversation. I should have asked for another Dr. Pepper.

Zilker Botanical Gardens

2009-07-23T19:24:00.000-07:00

This afternoon we checked out Zilker Botanical Gardens. It's in Austin so we had a little bit of a drive. It was trafficy since we got going later this afternoon but we got there just fine and it was actually better that we went later on because the temps weren't as sky high as they are earlier in the day. Even still it was over 100 degrees when we got there at 5pm-ish.

This plant was hanging from a giant oak tree. Isn't it cool? I really like it.

I get to call Adam's Dad "Dad" now, so I will say Dad took this pic of the 4 of us when we arrived. Don't we look happy?

Ring pic. Y'all will probably be seeing lots of these. We are proud of this ring.

There was a koi pond in the Oriental Garden. The koi were ginormous.

See? Adam is showing you.

Lily pads. I like lilypads. There were dragon flies. and I looked down in the pond and saw a head and asked Adam to come and look at the frog. But then it disappeared under the lilies and swam away and it was a turtle. I apologized for not knowing animal heads better.

Pretty flowers. They look so cool instead of 103 degrees. It's all a mind game.

Adam needed to jump.

The walk of friends.

Ok this was fun. There were butterfly seats in the butterfly gardens. Marco matched the blue and black butterfly so he got to take pics in that seat.

I was the monarch. Because I like color and polka dots and because this one looked the most girly. Anyway my seat was magical and actually turned me in to a real butterfly for a while. Check out the progression...

Adam had to subdue his butterfly. But he conquered. I was so proud.

One to close with... =)

Some Pics 1

2009-07-23T18:38:00.000-07:00

Adam and his dad sitting outside towards the end of a hot day. Taking some cool pics of the 'neopolitan' clouds. There was a low flying plane they were waving to.

We visited Best Buy so Adam could get a new cell phone - which he desperately needed. Then we swung through Sam's Club - I picked up a cute summer dress. Then we walked over to Dollar Tree. Always fun for some photos.

We were able to see Harry Potter. Loved it! I really need to reread the books. I want to read them out loud to Adam. I also plan to read them out loud to our kids one day. After Harry Potter we ate out at Mama Fu's. It's similar to Pei Wei. I had a DELICIOUS tofu cashew dish. Yum! Then as we walked back to the car we snapped a few photos. Gotta catch these moments in time.

Engagement Story (From Erin's Perspective)

2009-07-21T19:21:00.000-07:00

Monday, July 20 was the day Adam and I celebrated 11 months of dating.

Since we had arrived in Kyle, TX Adam had been scouting out places where he could take some photos. He was on the lookout for rustic buildings. We had a leisurly,vacationy morning at home then Adam asked his dad if he could borrow the car so we could head out to downtown Kyle to take some pics. We'd noticed a few potential spots and Adam wanted to check them out. I was wearing my jean shorts and Love Lets Live T-Shirt, hadn't showered, hadn't combed my hair, didn't have on makeup. Since we were taking pics I told Adam he could just edit my skin (which he is good at doing now). So we got to downtown Kyle and there is a little Thrift Store that we wanted to check out (only OUR engagement story involves a thrift store, I know, and I love it!) We browsed around. Looked at shoes. I found an amazing quilt topper - it was unfinished -as in- not bound. It was super colorful squares of fabric and whenever I find those in the CA thrift stores they are always pricey. Vintage quilts are popular. So I pulled it off the hanger and found the price tag.. $3.00!! 3 dollars! I was like, "Adam. We are getting this. I can definitely fit it in my suitcase. I left room." He lovingly carried it around for me while we continuted to browse.

We circled around the store and stopped at the dresses. There I noticed a dress that was a color that Adam loves. I glanced at it and thought 'Hmmm.. I wonder if Adam will like this?' so I pulled it off the rack and said, "Hey, Adam, what do you think of this?" He said, "It's nice." I thought, 'I need to know if he really likes this or not.' So I said, "I need to know if you love it or if I should hang it back up." He said, "I really like it. I think it's nice." Decision made. We headed to the dressing rooms. I tried the dress on and walked out and Adam loved it. For $8.00 we got a quilt and a dress. I was stoked!

I was able to change into the dress. Adam and I thought that would be cooler to wear so the pics would be a little nicer. We headed across the street to a red caboose. We snapped some photos. Then we wandered across the tracks to a run down, beat up shack. I asked Adam to make sure it was empty inside. So he knocked on the walls and said stuff like, "Hey is anyone in there?" "We're just taking pictures." "I'm black..... and I know martial arts." =)

We took some more photos. Tried some different poses. (Oh the things I do for Adam... poor Erin..) Then Adam said, "Do you want a picture together of us for our 11 month?" I said, "Yes!" I was thinking of the whole mash-your-faces-together-and-take-a-self-portrait-deal, but Adam decided to use an old ice chest to set the camera on to take a timed photograph. He's done that lots of times before so it was nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing to make me suspect anything.

He finally got it just right and stepped around the ice chest to walk toward me. As he did that he said, "Ok. We have 10 seconds." So I started counting down. "10. 9. 8. 7. 6." When I got to 6 Adam knelt down, grabbed my hand, placed a ring inside of it and said, "Will you marry me?" And at the very same time I was saying, "What is this? (Let me clarify that I wasn't saying 'What is this RING?' I was meaning 'What is this proposal - I'm astounded this is happening right now!!!!!!!!') I immediately said, "YES!" Then I cried. And Adam prayed for us. Then I cracked up. Then I cried again.

Safe

2009-07-17T01:02:00.000-07:00

We made it! Late.

And we already ate some homemade something.. I have no idea how to spell it. I even tried to google it and still came up empty. Delicious though. . .=)

And I think me and my armpits will not be good friends these next 10 days.

P.S. It's 2:55am.

Travels

2009-07-16T19:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Blog,
We are in the Phoenix airport - delayed. Our flight was supposed to leave at 7:40 and it is currently set to leave at 8:10pmWe ate Chinese food. We did a crossword puzzle. There is a kid here and for a long while I couldn't tell if the kid was a boy or a girl. It's a boy. I confirmed this when he went into the men's restroom and his mom went into the women's. I thoughtthere was internet here, so I thought I could post this blog, but there's not so I can't.
So much for the live action play by play. Now Adam is letting me help him on a graphic project. Designing a business card.

V_A_C_A_T_I_O_N_!

2009-07-16T12:10:00.000-07:00

I slept in this morning. Til 9am! It was wonderful. Texas here we come.

Also, I dropped a needle on my floor this morning and I can't find it.

Also, I lost 2 pairs of tweezers in one week. I was emptying out my purse for the airplane ride I will be taking later on and I noticed the tweezers were in between the lining of my purse and my purse. CRAZY!!

Suzi, my short hair is in pigtails.

Also, I just remembered I didn't pack any shoes. I should go throw a pair in.

Bye everyone!

p.s. I don't know if this really means I'm taking a vacation from my blog or not. We'll just see what happens.

K, Bye.

a ramble

2009-07-15T14:04:00.000-07:00

I've had a thought running through my head this past week but haven't been able to turn it into a blog.

It goes along these lines.

We hear stories of people and churches reaching out to homeless people. We all know it should happen. I've heard and had enough conversations with people around me to know that they feel the same way. That if a homeless person were to enter PBC we need to reach out to them.

So why when I'm in the throws of it, do I assume others want nothing to do with this?

I'm wondering if I'm so used to seeing it not happen that it overwhelms me when it does or I'm wondering if it happens less because all we do is talk about it and then worry what others will say or do or how they will react when it actually happens and so we stop.

Again.. not cohesive, but if I don't start throwing it out here.. it won't go anywhere too far.

Mormon - Christian - Freedom

2009-07-14T10:11:00.000-07:00

You know how we Christians say that we are so thankful for our freedom and how in light of present times - world - government - laws - persecution etc we wonder how long we will have those freedoms? I was just thinking today of how huge the Mormon population is and how they claim to be Christians - now... Follow me with this..

We love our religious freedom and so do they. If the government - media - schools -etc continues persecuting Christians - that means Mormons too - it will be interesting to see how they step up and fight for their religious freedom the same way it will be interesting to see how we step up and fight for ours. Basically what I am saying is, we might be waging a similar war - which in the long run could allow religious freedom to stick around in the USA longer than we think it might.

I think a lot of Christians are seeing the 'light at the end of the tunnel' ..death becoming more near (maybe not physical death, but in this instance death of religious freedom) but the Mormons will fight to keep their temple ordinances and doctrine & covenants and journeys just as much as we will fight to keep being able to say "Bible" or "you're a sinner" or "pray" or "Jesus is the only way."

So I'm just saying.. the battle is not over. They (Mormons) are mysteriously on top of their game. It's amazing. But will they be fighting just as hard to keep their religious freedom if the Christian title becomes an invitation for viciousness?

Hairs

2009-07-11T23:25:00.000-07:00

Lisa cut my hair and she is a genius. And an artist. And amazing. She also cut Mike's hair. And this all happened after 10:30pm. Adam chronicled everything. He done good. The inspiration for mine came from a green wig off google images. =)

Dear Blog,

2009-07-10T10:26:00.000-07:00

I just want you to know that last night I broke my toenail back further than I ever have in my nearly 26 years of life.

Thanks for listening..

EDITED** Here it is in all it's glory!

Black and White Officially

2009-07-09T11:04:00.000-07:00

Adam and I went to his dorm Black and White Party. I think it was the 3rd year for this and it was fun! Everything was decorated with newspaper - which I LOVED and there was great food. There was a black and white movie playing on the wall. They also had an award ceremony for things like Messiest Room, Most Opposite Roomates and things like that. Everyone was very festive. Maybe I'll dig around for some more pics.

I think Adam and I should have won an award for officially BEING black and white.

The Classy Side

2009-07-09T09:54:00.000-07:00

This was taken at a formal event that Adam took me to. I've been a fan of 'the floating head' since going to Israel where I learned the technique from David. I think this is the best photo for capturing the floating head EVER though.

Dark Ages

2009-07-07T12:33:00.001-07:00

I went to Stater Brothers today to get a sandwich. (They have Sandwich of the Week deals and you get a great sandwich for $2.99). When I was approaching the entrance I saw a lady standing there and she was talking on a PAY PHONE. I never even notice pay phones anymore! I thought to myself, "Who talks on pay phones? She doesn't have a cell phone? Maybe she left it at home. I think she is talking to her kid. Maybe her kid is borrowing her cell phone. Especially since it's summer..."

Poor lady.. talking on a pay phone.

Brain Excerpts

2009-07-06T12:51:00.000-07:00

This has really turned more into a religious blog. I was never trying for it to be that way - I also wasn't trying to have it be non-religious. I love posting about life and love and friends and food and all those things that are blessings.. as well as the rougher things, things that make me sad, hurtful things that have made me grow. I think what it is is that I've just been learning and experiencing so much lately that I want to share it - in simple hope of passing it along to someone who may read it and be struck in similar ways. My main encouragement is for people to know and grow in the Lord and to make disciples. I want to challenge people.

I truly believe things have gotten unbalanced. My life is unbalanced - I'll be the first to admit that and Mom will be the second to admit it. But the balance I'm talking of here is: ...

...Christianity. I think we've bought too much into the American gospel. The believer who only wants:

1. Expositional Preaching (I myself have a harder time paying attention if the sermon is from "Various Texts" - it's nice having it move in order. I'm working on it though. There is no reason for me to not pay attention. Summerfest is a great time to challenge myself in this),

2. The song set that is 4-5 songs in the beginning of the service with a scriptural interlude between songs -(hymns?, praise songs?, drums?, new songs?, old songs?, electric guitar?, raise hands?, clap?, stand? sit?, I mean seriously people - it's worship - it's MUUUUSIC - the ONLY thing you should be worrying about is what is going through your heart - if you are truly worshiping God you should be able to worship no matter the musical setting) exactly 20 minutes.

3.Sunday School, Children's Ministry, going to a Bible study on Thursday night and AWANA on Wed.

Not too many of these things were part of the original NT church. I've heard it said that the NT church consisted of: The Word, Praying, Breaking Bread and Baptizing . . To that I would add - A place to exercise Spiritual Gifts and Church Discipline. That should be church. It's basic isn't it?

Music can contribute - yes, we see that all over Psalms. Children's ministry/Sunday School can be helpful - yes, but nowhere is it seen in scripture (unless I'm missing it?).

Why do we add so much to church? What is the point? Why is the church so busy? Why is everyone worn out? Why do 70% of youth walk away from the Lord when they graduate from High School? Why is the 'General Fund' so low? Why do we have building projects going on? Why do people have to go through a Baptism Class in order to get baptized? And then, why do they have to read a 2 page testimony? Did people dress up in their finest clothes in Acts when they went to church? Were there choirs? Why are we so distracted? Why have we added 89 points to the original few?

I don't have a solution. I just think that people are so just going with the flow of the Church that they haven't even stopped to consider what it is they are doing, what they are a part of. It's a lovely hammock Satan has us swinging in. So breezy and comfy with the allusion that we deserve it and have earned it. These rights to have comfortable church where we can worship distraction free and complain if it's not how we think it should be. Who cares if a baby cries during church? Who cares if you gotta bring a toy or 12 to keep them occupied? It shouldn't be a problem. People should just be so excited to hear the word and pray and have communion and witness baptism and use their gifts. That should be it. That should be church.

I think we've made it too hard and nobody really realizes it.

Stuff

2009-07-01T13:37:00.000-07:00

This pic makes me laugh. Especially because Esther is normally pretty stinkin' hesitant and scared of everything. Obviously not the case with the buffalo...

I've had this song stuck in my head. I forgot about it until the movie Up came out. Then this then it wouldn't leave my head and I would sing it to Adam. Isn't he lucky? He has such a good girlfriend.

Shania Twain More CMT Music More CMT Music Videos

P.S. Adam you wanna stencil me her shirt? I like it.

Facebook

2009-06-30T13:05:00.000-07:00

Erin Augustson Is tired of Christians making fun of Michael Jackson's death all over Facebook.

Joanne Bump, Liz Kenney and Amanda Anderson like this.

Wendy Young at 8:27am June 30
They are doing what? I haven't seen/heard anything. That's too bad, though... MJ was a lost soul (as is his family). They need our prayers, not our ridicule or anything else.

Adrienne Dennison at 8:28am June 30
I agree with Wendy.... haven't heard or seen anything. But I agree, have a little respect people!

Linda Larson Thompson at 9:07am June 30
Wow, I have only heard compassion and sadness... especially for his kids.

Alexandria 'Licorice' Millerick at 9:14am June 30
Ditto. It feels like all I'm hearing are jokes about MJ's death.

Erin Augustson at 9:17am June 30
I've seen plennnty of it. It's not just on basic facebook like status updates but its in feeds off of those that turn to michael and on walls and stuff. it's really sad.

Robert Hanson at 9:23am June 30
I do not agree with making fun of MJ, but we need to remember that he stood for everything that is against Christ. I understand that we are only saved by Gods grace, and that is the only reason I am not like MJ. I do not make fun of him but I do realize that he was a sinner. We as Christians should not down play that fact.

Eddie Intagliata at 9:42am June 30
Erin, I totally agree with you. The fact is we are ALL sinners, and that we as Christians were chosen by God to be saved--not by our own will. So we need to be careful when we talk about MJ being a sinner because we are just as guilty of sinning and not worthy of God grace.

Katie Abbott at 10:01am June 30
Oh my goodness, Erin, you are such a woman of God. I know this sounds super dramatic, but I kind of felt alone in my disgust over all the mocking. I can't really explain why, but it got me so discouraged the other day, seeing peoples' attitudes. Thank you for saying this. I actually posted a blog about it the other day and I think I might just put it on facebook.

Erin Augustson at 10:15am June 30
I think the biggest issue here is the gospel. If Michael is dead we don't need to be reminding each other that he is lost and that he is a sinner. His eternal life has taken over and that is it. There are billions of other sinners - famous and infamous - believing and unbelieving - who need to hear about Jesus. If we are too busy bashing a life that is already over how are we making any progress forward?We don't need to remind others of sin and leave the topic only ON the sin - like so many are doing, we need to seek to hand over The Way of escape from sin, or we need to give grace and restoration to those who already know the Lord. Far to often Christians come down too hard and overbearing or arrogantly condescending or plain ignorant when we are (for one thing-) told to owe love to each other (Romans).

Don Howard at 10:33am June 30
Very nice, Erin.

Liz Kenney at 11:41am June 30
amen!

Linda Larson Thompson at 11:43am June 30
Well said Erin. I could not agree more.

teensy tidbits

2009-06-29T15:55:00.000-07:00

- Found this website: AltUse - as it's name infers, it offers alternate uses for everyday products. I'm excited to check it out further.

- Definitely going to Texas. Adam and I were both able to get the time off work and get great fare. We leave at 5pm July 16 and come home July 26. Yay for vacations!

- The Olivia I mentioned here is not the Olivia she claimed to be. I wondered if that might happen. We'll see what's in store though. God has got to bring her to us.

- Bible study tonight. Remember we have this as an outlet for a place to bring those you are in touch with who are not saved. Tonight's message will be on Jesus is God.

Gift Giving

2009-06-25T13:00:00.000-07:00

Today is June 25, 2009. That means it is exactly 6 months until Christmas! As I was thinking of Christmas I was inspired to give a gift and I wanted to share with you the opportunity to do the same.

Gospel for Asia. This organization is incredible. If you have not read Revolution in World Missions by K.P. Yohannan than purchase that book for yourself, read it (it took me one day) and then give it away (They include an insert in the middle of the book that you can tear out. If you give the book away they will send you a new one to replace the one you gave out. Isn't that genius?). They mobilize the natives in Asia (emphasis on India) to go out. They believe that the natives can reach the lost in ways that foreign missionaries cannot and I believe that is true. I fully support our missionaries that are over there serving. I know it is a rough and sacrificial road and I have every confidence that God is working through their service as well.

The reasoning behing this organization is that natives are a lot more used to the lifestyle and culture and Americans are not. The natives are accepted and Americans aren't as readily accepted. It just makes sense.

The website is SO clear. There are updates of current events, missionary sponsorships, child sponsorships, Bible scholarships, photos, news, and ways to donate ,plus a store to purchase their materials.

When you go on the site and click around in the donation categories you WILL be inspired to give. You can donate a Jesus Well which will allow a church to grow because they can offer clean water to locals. You can donate animals. You can donate audio systems so that the gospel can go out to crowds. You can donate to Dalits, Muslims, medicine etc. There is something for EVERY budget because they have $1 items and items for several thousand dollars. Seriously $4 dollars will allow them to purchase 8 New Testaments to hand out.

You must check it out.

I personally love to give bicycles, but maybe that's because I read about them in the book. If you were in the dark, wouldn't you like to have a lantern? I would. Donate one. If you were a missionary, wouldn't you like to have a Bible to read? Donate one.

P.S. 100% of all their donations go to the mission field. To be on staff at GFA you have to raise your own support to work there so that every dollar can go overseas. None of your giving will be sidetracked.

Meaty

2009-06-25T10:34:00.000-07:00

At 'Date Night' last night at my Grandparent's house after dinner, we were watching TV. Channel 7. Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Shows aimed at the not so young generation, but DEFINITELY during family television watching time.

This Carl's Jr. commercial played over and over and over and over. It was so inappropriate! I refuse to post it on my blog - it was that bad. Here is the script:

Woman: To look this hot in a bikini *pause* I gotta eat a lot of fruit. Especially when it's on a big *pause* juicy *pause* burger.
Narrator: The teriyaki burger with grilled pineapple back at Carl’s Jr.

And on the bottom of the ad - this is what steps it up a level in offense - is boldly typed: "More than just a piece of meat."

My Distress Involves:
1.) Flopping and rolling around in a teeny gold bikini
2.) Selling sex
3.) Telling girls they have to be thin
4.) Lying by telling them they can look like that if they eat a lot of fruit
5.) Inferring that women are a piece of meat
6.) Aired on a family channel
7.) Aired a LOT
8.) Obviously not marketing to women in any way
9.) Seriously, they are saying that that burger is better than a woman and
10.) She is there insinuating that the burger has more worth to men than she does

I have never been a girl to walk around calling men 'sexist' and I've never been one to be easily offended, but who needs to see that, to eat that? My grandpa was watching that and had to turn his face away almost every time the shows went to commercials.

Yeah, TV's have a mute button, but they should also have a black screen button too.

Stupid Carl's Jr.

Folder 4 Number 4

2009-06-24T14:25:00.000-07:00

I saw on a blog recently someone who was told to go to folder 4 in their pictures and choose the 4th photo and blog about it.

This is that photo. It was the very first hike Adam and I went on together. Musta been Sept. He had his camera and asked if I'd sit on that tree for a pic. I told him I would if he would walk me through all those dead weeds and help me up. So he did. He took a few shots until he got 'the money' then he helped me back down. We ate PBnJ sandwiches for lunch that day, stumbled upon a stone fireplace mantle that also was great for pics, and bonded because Adam was able to see how out of shape I am. It was such a good day!

I May or May Not Have..... And Encouragement.

2009-06-23T15:25:00.000-07:00

Adam and I may or may not be planning a vacation to Austin Texas to see his family in the next few weeks.

I may or may not have ordered a laptop for a great deal.

I may or may not have dyed my hair red(dish).

I may or may not have jotted down some lyrics for a song that ..

I may or may not have turned over to Adam to refine and cohesive-ise and put music to.

And here is a super awesome story of how super awesome God is.

A couple months ago Mike and Lisa and Jeff and Lauren and Adam and I were at a local sushi restaurant. We did our Bible study there that night because we really had no place else to go. It was a cool sushi place that sections off tables so it becomes a private dining area. So we were all 6 sitting behind our curtain reading the 1 Sam like norm. The waitress came in and was asking us a few questions about reading the Bible and told us that she was LDS and that they had recently through 1 Sam. As the evening progressed she came back and quoted her favorite verse to us which was: Matt 5:15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. At that point we got her name so that we could facebook her so that we could keep in touch and we wanted to invite her to our Bible study. Turns out there were pages and pages of girls with her name on facebook and less than half of them had a photo. We were lost. Lauren emailed a few. Adam switched to see if she was on Myspace. But she wasn't to be found. One afternoon Adam popped back over to the sushi place but this girl wasn't working. A week or 2 later we went back and asked for her as we ordered and they told us she no longer worked there. =( It was sad since we couldn't seem to track her down.

2 weeks ago PBC had a pastor from Utah Lighthouse Ministry. We got to talking about this gal with him and he encouraged -from the pulpit- that PBC split up the pages and everyone email her and try and track her down. (No one approached us to help find her.) We were talking to Russ and his wife again 2 nights later and his wife suggested that we write a letter and take it to the sushi place and ask them to forward it on to her from us. It was neat how much they just encouraged us to pursue this girl. The next day I went back onto facebook and there were a lot less girls with her name. There were just 4 full pages. So I wrote an email to each one of them and asked if she was the same one we met.

Last night we had our Bible study directed towards unbelievers. None of us received any confirmation that anyone we had invited would be showing up that week so we figured if no one came we would still use that time to pray. So we split into groups of 2 (3 couples, haha). We had made a list of all the names of those we have relationships with you are not saved. This gal was on the list. We all prayed last night for each person.

This morning at 10:30 I got an email from her! I was so stoked I could hardly type!! I immediately forwarded it to our 'team.' God is so good! We knew it had to be up to Him at this point, we were pursuing her in every way we could but it would be up to God to bring her to us. She emailed!! I immediately wrote back telling her we were so happy to hear from her and I asked to her hang out and I sent her my contact info.

Isn't God great?! This was so encouraging! Pray that we will continue to be able to develop a relationship with this girl.

I Need an Interpretor

2009-06-22T12:17:00.000-07:00

Early this morning - Like 4:30ish I had a dream. (I just spelled that 'dreak' instead of dream and sometimes typos really crack me up. They are really funny to me if you read them as they come out in a sentence like that - anyway..)

I dreamed that I was in my bed. The timing was the same in real life as in my dream. I had woken up and could tell morning was really near but that it was still dark and that there was still enough time to fall back asleep before my alarm went off. For some reason though my mom was at the end of the bed. I think we were talking but I have no idea what about. All the sudden in the darkness I realize there are 2 black widows. They have a single strand of web that goes from my quilt to my window. It was totally dark in my dream but I could see the glowing red underbellies they had. They weren't large but not small. I think at that point my mom noticed them and thought I should kill them. I was scared though because they just had to slide down the strand and they would be on my quilt and we all know how night time covers get - messy - and if they landed, how would I find them? Without disturbing them I reached up to my light that hangs above my bed and I turned the switch to click it on except it didn't come on. I tried again. Nothing. It was a battle I would have in darkness. For some reason mom couldn't help me kill the spiders - she was rooted to her spot at the end of the bed. I had no tissues or shoes or spray - nothing to kill these 2 widows with. So in my dream I thought to myself - I'm just gonna have to make the quilt do a wave over them and trap them under the wave of quilt and squish them that way. But the wave didn't work and the black widows both bit my upper right arm. I was poisoned.

Then I woke up. Laid there a bit being glad it was a dream and then looked at my phone and it said 4:32. Sweet. I went back to sleep.

Gross huh?

Things

2009-06-19T09:39:00.000-07:00

My blog is crying to have pics. Literally - I think I see a tear falling down it's cheek. It's just so hard - I don't have any good pics to post. *Pats computer monitor on back whilst dabbing screen with a tissue.* I got nothing. Any that might be good are all probably on facebook. I'll try and remedy this as soon as I can. Just don't hate me.

Iiii am crying to have some new Christian music to listen to. Seriously. Just some good rock type- lyrically solid- good vocal/harmony- Christian music. Leeland should put out a new CD. Can anybody recommend any-thing? Anything. Something.

Since I posted about Hope Now last week I've still listened to that song bunches, but I'm about done with it for a couple more months. I wouldn't be if I had it on CD and could blast it in my car and sing my lungs out with it, but I don't have it on CD and certainly can't sing my lungs out at work because I need them to breathe. They are one of my keys to survival in this place.

10 months of dating Adam begins tomorrow. Things are good. So fulfilling. I was thinking today that if Adam hadn't come into my life I would have been headed on a path that walked a bit more closely with the world and I would have been destined to live in a more mediocre way. I thought I was pretty up on my game. Pretty on top of things. But to have Adam with me, encouraging me and pushing me has been amazing. I feel like growth has begun and is set on a path to continue. I've started evangelizing and being more bold. I am understanding grace in a deeper way. I'm seeing big changes in my heart and mind and actions and I praise God for revealing these things to me and helping me grow and push forward! I always thought I would marry a preacher man, and live a life of ministry. I always knew I would be the supporter of a man who was going to work hard for the Lord. I'm not sure if I got sidetracked from that with Kevin or if I really believed those things about him, all I know is that I am where I'm supposed to be. Nothing was a waste. It has all pushed me forward to where I am now and I am thankful.

My friend Jon Berglund looks like Joseph Smith. I was trying to find a pic that line up their profiles more exactly but it cannot be done unless I sit on my computer at home, and I never use the computer at home. So work with this for now:

Pretty amazing huh? Poor Jon.

Let This Encourage You!

2009-06-18T13:26:00.000-07:00

Luke 15:7 - Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Let this be encouraging to you - Last night in Jackson Hole, Wyoming someone got saved!!!

Praise God for the team that has gone out there. Praise God for allowing them to work and evangelize and for letting them reap a soul from their labors! We are SO excited!!

While they have laid the groundwork there for a year and they are the ones laboring and facing the battlegrounds and I give them all the credit and God all the glory, there is an ever-so-small part of me that feels like I helped in this. Here is the breakdown. (Disclaimer *I'm truly not sharing this out of arrogance but am sharing this to encourage you to act and to follow in obedience when the Holy Spirit is leading you to do things.*)

Yesterday morning, God really laid it on my heart to pray for the team to have evangelism opportunities. So I was praying and I really felt like I was supposed to tell Eric to be on the lookout. So, I emailed Eric and let him know that I was praying for evangelism opportunities and to be looking for it. Last night Eric texted Adam that someone had gotten saved. I was blown away. To feel the Lord prompting me to specifically pray and prompting me to send that email to Eric.

I commented to Eric today that this was like a triple praise.
1) That person got saved! They will experience no hell!
2) The Jackson team has GOT to be encouraged by this.
3) It encouraged me because I got to be involved though I'm not there.

The team also posted their June newsletter and prayer requests. Check it out and keep them in your prayers. Love and encourage them as you can!

And praise the Lord! Thank Him so much for what He is doing. Amen.

Discipleship Article.

2009-06-17T09:49:00.000-07:00

This follows on the same vein of what I was talking (typing?) about yesterday. It's like 2 pages so won't take long to read. Make disciples!

Level 3 Lesson 14
A CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP
By Andrew Wommack

Today we’re going to talk about being a disciple and how to make disciples of other people. I want to remind you that the Lord gave us a command not to go make converts, not to just get people to confess Jesus as their Lord and receive forgiveness of sins, but to make disciples. Although those first two are vital, and I’m not minimizing that at all, the real purpose has to be to go beyond being born again and to go on to maturity. The goal of a Christian, who is a disciple, should be to go and make disciples of other people.

Jesus told us to go and make disciples, to bring people to maturity and able to reproduce. Our church world today hasn’t done this. We’ve put the responsibility of getting people born again on what we call the clergy, or ministers. We have evangelists who travel around, hold large crusades, and see thousands of people make decisions for the Lord. Though some of them are not really born again but are just experiencing emotions, I’m sure there are people who are truly born again and have a relationship with the Lord. Most of the time, however, there’s not an emphasis on going on and becoming a disciple, and that’s not the way God intended it to be.

I compare this to a person who loves babies. It would be totally irresponsible to have a baby, be excited about it, but only like seeing it born. When you have a child, you have to assume responsibility to train and raise it. We tell people, “The main thing is to get born again, to confess Jesus as your Lord.” When that happens, we pat them on the back and say, “Now you’re a Christian. Believe God, study the Bible, and everything will be okay.” That is not the Lord’s emphasis.

Because of this, we’ve produced people, many of whom have made heartfelt commitments to the Lord, but have no maturity. They are unable to reproduce their faith because there is no material to help them. Instead of being positive witnesses for Jesus, they actually become negative witnesses. He intends for us to go out and reach people in a way that they become full-fledged disciples and are able to reproduce their faith in others.

If you led one person to the Lord every six months, separated yourself and discipled them to the point that they became a mature Christian who could reproduce their faith, at the end of six months there’d only be two Christians. Then, if each one of you led one person to the Lord, separated yourselves and discipled them for six months, at the end of a year there’d be four Christians. This doesn’t look comparable to a person who could lead a thousand people to the Lord in a crusade and get them to confess Jesus. Most people would say, “Well, this discipleship method only produces four converts in the first year, whereas the other method would produce a thousand converts. We have to go with the other one.” The man who could lead a thousand people to the Lord would have led 35,000 people to the Lord. That’s good, and nobody would criticize it; but it’s just a drop in the bucket compared to the world population. Basically, that’s the way the church has been functioning.

If we emphasize discipleship, the person who leads one person to the Lord every six months and those two do the same, in just a little over twelve and a half years they would evangelize more than the population of the world. Some people think That can’t be, but I challenge you to figure it out. I’ve multiplied it out, and in a little over twelve-and-a-half years, one person discipling another person every six months, making them a reproducing member of the body of Christ, could evangelize five and a half billion people versus twelve-and-a-half thousand people with the other method.

If we could get you to where you not only experienced victory and maturity yourself but had a desire to go out and reproduce it in other people, if you became the trainer instead of the trainee, here are some of the things that could happen if only one person got a hold of this concept, followed the Lord to a place of maturity, and started discipling another person. If you only did this with one person per year, at the end of one year, there would be you and the person you discipled—two. At the end of two years, there’d be four. But, if you could continue to follow that, at the end of ten years there’d be 1,024 people who had been discipled and were reproducing members of the body of Christ. If you continued, with only one person originally receiving this, at the end of twenty years there’d be over a million people. That’s awesome. This is the method of multiplication that the Lord established—going and making disciples, not going and making converts. It’s by far the best way to expand the kingdom to reach people, but our mindset is looking for the quick fix.

How many people go to large crusades, make commitments, go proclaim to be Christians, still have anger, bitterness, and jealousy, and become negative witnesses? If we want to count statistics, how many people have been turned away from the true Gospel because they saw someone who proclaimed Christianity and thought, I’m as good as the hypocrites down there at church. I don’t need it.

The whole point is that discipleship is the method God set down for evangelizing the world. The truth doesn’t make you free until you continue in the Word (John 8:31-32). That’s what God wants for each individual so they can experience His fullness, but it’s also the method of evangelism that He set down. Whoever decided that was not the way to do it has substituted another method that hasn’t worked.

I pray today that God speaks this to your heart to show you the value of discipleship. I encourage you to go on and become a disciple and a discipler of other people.

Apartment and Bible Study Plugs

2009-06-16T10:52:00.001-07:00

The guys got an apartment. I've already said that, but I need to say it again in order to give this post it's proper foundation. The 3 of them now live next door to the DMV. They also live in the apartment that was to be the 'landlord' apartment which means that they have a larger space for the same amount of money. (Read: Blessing from God.)

The 3 guys happened to be able to all move out of their current living situations and in together and there will be a 4th roomate joining them in July. (Read: God worked timing of 4 people perfectly.)

This apartment will be used for ministry.

Currently, Mike and Lisa, Jeff and Lauren, and Adam and I meet on Friday nights for a 'couples' Bible Study. We don't have it closed off so that others can't join. We've invited several others but so far it has remained specific to us. Beforehand we used to scrounge for places to meet, but having this apartment gives us a place to ALWAYS meet and we were able to set up a consistent timeframe which will hopefully be beneficial to the study as we keep it going. If anyone reading this wants to come - FEEL FREE. Friday's at 6:00pm in Newhall. We are going through 1 Samuel. Last week we studied ch12 and it was so encouraging. And since we had the apartment we were even able to sing songs beforehand which was something we hadn't been able to do.

We also are starting a study geared towards those who do not believe in Christ. About 2 months ago there was a guest speaker at PBC (click the link and scroll to 4/29 to hear/download his message). His name is Dave Patty and he is associated with Josiah Venture. He gave some stats on how quickly the world could be reached for Christ if people would just disciple one person for 6 months and then have that person disciple someone for 6 months while person A started discipling a new person. The stats were amazing and the message was clear and inspiring and necessary and fitting. Adam and I had already been talking through slower, more purposeful discipleship and reaching the lost through that field of evangelism/relationship rather than going up to people on the streets, giving them a 5 minute gospel, then handing them some literature and walking away.

Dave Patty's message we then tied in to the messages that we've been listening to by Francis Chan. Add in the things we had already been discussing towards church planting - reaching the lost - discipleship - relationship and the 6 of us decided to birth a Bible Study geared towards establishing relationships and bringing those people - (focus on unbelievers) to a Bible Study on Monday nights at the apartment. We roadmapped it out and had our first study last night.

It was great! Again it's for believers as well as unbelievers. It's meant to encourage believers towards evangelism and to give them an outlet of where to bring people that they are reaching, but also a place geared towards the lost by being in the word to preach the gospel.

God blessed us all with the apartment and we are all committed to using it in our efforts towards the kingdom. It's an exciting time of growth. We have no idea what will happen. If you would like to come or if you want to be involved in evangelism in this way or if you have people in your life who are not saved and want a place to invest in them it'd be great to see you there. Who cares about age - if there is prompting in your heart then talk to us.

Pray for us as we seek after these things. Matthew 6:33. Tomorrow I'll post an article that touches on this aspect of discipleship.

Adam is a Pro

2009-06-12T09:35:00.000-07:00

He made a 'header' for my blog. See it? He surprised me and added it to my blog last night. What a good boyfriend.

Fling

2009-06-11T11:56:00.001-07:00

YUM!! This is my new favorite candy bar.

Seriously. Buy one. Try one. They are so good. So good. You will hate me.

Hope Now

2009-06-10T11:46:00.000-07:00

I adore this song. It’s been said of me that I can be in the middle of a conversation and if a song comes on that I like it doesn’t matter what I’m involved in – my brain is instantly distracted and required to sing along. That would happen with this song. I would not be able to focus.
The words are so affirming. They put God in His exalted place and it reflects our place in Christ. Life is hard and this song is an absolute encouragement to hope in God’s love. Life relies on it.
I love the vocals, I love the sound, I love the instruments and I love the harmonies. This is one of my all time favorite songs.
It has also been said of me that I can listen to a song on repeat for days. This one is on repeat since yesterday morning. I can’t get enough of it. When I love a song I feel like I’m the singer and that I wrote each lyric, I feel it in my heart and my brain and my lungs and my bones and my breath. I attach emotion to it. When it says something like “When this world has broken me down Your love sets me free.” I think through different times in my life when that has been true. When things have been difficult but I’ve been able to still move forward because of Christ’s work in me. When it says something like “When I call out Your name something inside awakes in my soul.” I feel that. I feel my soul awake as I say the name of Jesus. It’s just how it is and I’m glad this happens.

HOPE NOW
If everything comes down to love
Then just what am I afraid of
When I call out Your name
Something inside awakes in my soul
How quickly I forget I'm Yours

(PRE-CHORUS)
I'm not my own
I've been carried by You
All my life

(CHORUS)
Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

When my life is like a storm
Rising waters all I want is the shore
You say I'll be ok and
Make it through the rain
You are my shelter from the storm

(CHORUS)
Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

I am not my own
I've been carried by you all my life

(CHORUS 2)
You've become my hearts desire
I will sing Your praises higher
Cause Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free

P.S. I didn't post their actual music video because I think it's lame. So I hit up this one. It was the best I could do.

Suburban of Death

2009-06-09T09:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was driving to work and it was nice. The sky was gray. I had left on time so I wasn't making a mad dash and running the yellows to make it on time. I pulled up to a 4 way stop. As I pulled up an old gold suburban pulled up to the stop sign on my right. I came to the stop sign first and came to a full stop and I was the one who had the right of way. The old gold suburban TOOK my right of way. The lady was selfish and went first even though it wasn't her turn. Normally that would make me mad, but yesterday, it didn't. I took my thwarted right of way and turned left.

The old gold suburban of death was then in the lane on left. There were only 2 lanes and she was in the left and I was in the right. We drove along like that for a little while and all the sudden she just moved into my lane. I braked and HONKED my horn. Now I was mad. This was 2 times in a row this lady was driving in a ridiculous fashion. The old gold suburban of death swerved out of my lane and then swerved right back in and stayed there. My heart was pounding and the upsetting thing was that she didn't even need that lane. She just stayed there to go straight. So that confuses me as to why she needed that lane so badly that she cut me off twice for it.

Suburban of death.

Things

2009-06-05T08:20:00.000-07:00

• Beach tomorrow and it’s only supposed to be 62 degrees. But it will be with Mike and Lisa and possibly David and Anna so it will be a great time even if we are huddled under sweatshirts.
• Adam is joining Sunday night band as the bass player. I’m so excited.
• I shaved my arms – they look so smooooth. And sadly, a lot less sun damaged than my hands – poor me. You didn’t want to know that? You should be more concerned about my sun damage.
• I got a new lotion – it smells so good. Adam picked it out for me.
• Adam and Mike and Jeff got an apartment and they get the keys today. Everyone is excited. Ministry here we come. Cooking meals instead of grabbing fast food here we come. A place to hang out at that is not inconvenient here we come. Increased fellowship with our friends here we come. A place to have Bible study here we come.
• Thinking through marriage vs. tradition vs. God's calling on our lives a LOT lately.
• My head was right by my alarm this morning. When the alarm went off... it seemed way loud.

• How many have seen Up? ++Spoiler Alert.++
I knew nothing about this movie except that the billboard showed an old man and his house being lifted up by a bajillion balloons.
- The main character was actually that old man.
- The opening developed the main character(s) for like 5 or 6 minutes - or so it seemed - and that was enough time to fall in love with them and rejoice and grieve with them. The emotional pull was crazy and there was hardly any talking.
- I thought the movie did such a great job of reflecting the hardships that the elderly face.
- I feel like we are supposed to say it was such a good movie, but it’s heavy! You end up feeling heartbreak for Carl and for Russell, but for some reason it is a positive movie. I believe the positive is reflected in the sense that they overcome hard things in life.
- Dogs everywhere! Only funny in select places.
- Kevin cracked me up.
- Ultimately I think it was genius to use this movie to reach a younger generation to increase their awareness and in that sense hopefully knowledge and respect and to encourage a helpful attitude toward them.

Fat Hearts and Forgetting God

2009-06-01T14:22:00.000-07:00

In church last night we were in the book of James for a bit and I happened to glance ahead in the passage and read this: You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. It really made me think of America. And the American Church. Adam and I have had some good talks lately and hope to start being a little more outspoken about things we read in the Word that aren't lining up with where the church is at. This isn't necessarily one of those but in light of our self-indulgent culture and the way it's manifesting itself in the church in things such as the divorce rate etc it just really challenged my heart and mind. Then today I was reading Deut 6 and I thought it just tied in with James 5. Deut is talking of our greatest commandments and that in light of all the blessing God is handing to the Israelites to make sure to pass the statutes on and warns against forgetting God will the fullness of what's to be given to them. Contrast it against James 5.

Read it all because seriously, it'll take like 5 minutes.

Deuteronomy 6 (English Standard Version)

The Greatest Commandment
1"Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the rules that the LORD your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, 2that you may fear the LORD your God, you and your son and your son’s son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long. 3Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.
4"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
10"And when the LORD your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you—with great and good cities that you did not build, 11and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant—and when you eat and are full, 12 then take care lest you forget the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 13It is the LORD your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear. 14You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you— 15for the LORD your God in your midst is a jealous God— lest the anger of the LORD your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth.
16 "You shall not put the LORD your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah. 17You shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies and his statutes, which he has commanded you. 18 And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD, that it may go well with you, and that you may go in and take possession of the good land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers 19 by thrusting out all your enemies from before you, as the LORD has promised.
20 "When your son asks you in time to come, 'What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the LORD our God has commanded you?' 21then you shall say to your son, 'We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt. And the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. 22And the LORD showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes. 23And he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in and give us the land that he swore to give to our fathers. 24And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as we are this day. 25And it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to do all this commandment before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us.'

James 5
Warning to the Rich
1Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. 3Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. 4Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.

Things

2009-05-29T09:44:00.000-07:00

• 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!......

scroll down

Teeth Update

2009-05-28T14:35:00.000-07:00

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.

Teeth

2009-05-21T14:08:00.001-07:00

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

The Missing Link?

2009-05-20T12:57:00.001-07:00

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

2009-05-20T07:41:00.000-07:00

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!"

..Adam

2009-05-19T21:20:00.001-07:00

Look what I'm sitting across from.

Not for Sale - Human Trafficking

2009-05-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

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.

MUST MUST MUUUUUUST LISTEN

2009-05-15T15:42:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-15T12:44:00.000-07:00

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.

Things

2009-05-14T14:00:00.000-07:00

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.

Work

2009-05-13T13:31:00.000-07:00

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

Bullets

2009-05-08T08:41:00.000-07:00

- 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.

Snails

2009-05-07T14:26:00.000-07:00

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.

May 6

2009-05-06T15:34:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-06T10:35:00.000-07:00

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
Homepage Bookstore 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.

A Glimpse Into My Workday..

2009-05-04T14:15:00.000-07:00

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.

In Theme of Giving Up Children..

2009-04-29T14:18:00.000-07:00

I had a conversation with a fellow at work earlier today. Gospel sharing. He is the one I've talked to the most in my (nearly) year here. The conversation boiled down to this: Someone once said to him, "What would you say/do if God came to you and said, 'I need to take your child. His time here is up and so I need to take him with me now.'? Your response should be 'yes' because God has to be number 1 in life." The fellow then said to me, "But I'm telling you right now EMA, that that will not happen with me. My kids are too important. I love them too much and so there is NO WAY that I could put God first. It'll never happen. If He needs to be number one, I couldn't do that to my kids because they are too important to me. I love them." **Sidenote -- This is why it's so great for me to continue to share my faith, because what is the first verse that pops into your head when you think about witnessing to someone about Jesus? What is the first verse we memorize as children? What verse did NOT come to my mind? John 3:16.** The fellow told me if I could give him a good answer to that he would like to hear it. God gave up His ONLY child because He loves us that much. Pray for this fellow to be saved. We've had long talks about sin, hell, heaven, God, the Bible, truth, rejecting the truth, being 'good,' Catholocism etc. It would be great to see him come to salvation.

John 3:16 (Amplified Bible)

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

Child Sacrifice

2009-04-27T10:03:00.000-07:00

Moloch, the ancient pagan God of child sacrifice.

Moloch was one of the false gods that Israel would worship during its periods of apostasy. This false deity is associated with Ammon in 1 Kings 11:7, "Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable idol of Moab, on the mountain which is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the detestable idol of the sons of Ammon."

One of the practices of the cult that worshipped Moloch was to sacrifice their children. Of course, this was forbidden by God's word: Lev. 18:21 says, "Neither shall you give any of your offspring to offer them to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God; I am the Lord." (See also Lev. 18:21; 20:2-5; 2 Kings. 23:10; Jer. 32:35).
In some passages the reference is clearly to a deity to whom human sacrifice was made, particularly in the Valley of Hinnom on the SW of the Jerusalem hill (2 Ki. 23:10; Je. 32:35) at a site known as Topheth (‘fire pit’ in Syriac).1

The ancients would heat this idol up with fire until it was glowing, then they would take their newborn babies, place them on the arms of the idol, and watch them burn to death. I can't help but compare today's abortion massacre to the sacrifice of children by these ancient pagans. In both, innocent life is destroyed for the gain of the parent.

1. The New Bible Dictionary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.), 1962.
Link to the online article.

Question:

2009-04-27T09:56:00.000-07:00

How come, if my eyes are moist I can get dry crusty eye boogers in the inside corner of my eyes? My eyes are wet, how can something be so dry inside of it?

Facing the Book

2009-04-23T09:40:00.000-07:00

Facebook. I got to thinking last night... We all are on Facebook. We all have a LOT of friends on Facebook. People that we used to know, people we met in 2nd grade, our 2nd grade teacher, friends from Jr. High, High School, Junior College and College, friends from our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd jobs, the guy we met through our friend because we all went out to dinner because there was a volleyball day the day before at church, my friends boyfriend's sister and mom. We seriously have so many 'friends.' Then my brain, scratch that, the Holy Spirit triggered this thought: Out of my 532 (number drawn at random) Facebook friends, would I love them all and be sacrificial for them - EQUALLY? Would I Acts 2 them? It doesn't matter how close I am to them, I am called to love them and to treat them as better than myself out of humility, because I love the Lord. Or would I have preferences and treat some better than others and some worse? It was convicting. Especially as I think about church planting with Adam. I need to continue to beg the Lord to help me love everyone and to set myself and my preferences and my material items and my comfort and my rights aside, for the sake of loving others. Whether they are believers or not, close or not, annoying or not, love is not an option; treating them as better than myself, is not an option (though the Bible does emphasize prioritizing believers).

Romans 13:8 - Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Philippians 2:3 - Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

1 John 4:7-13, 19-21 - 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Matthew 22:39 - And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Matthew 5:38-48 - 38"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Love Your Enemies 43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Acts 2:42-47 - 42And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

A Great Reminder For Us All

2009-04-21T08:23:00.000-07:00

It's nice to see something from the other side. If she lost the pageant because of her answer then God bless her.

Matthew 5:10 - Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

John 15:20 - Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

2 Timothy 3:12-13 - In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

And shame on Perez Hilton. His judging isn't surprising but to follow it up on his blog. Shameful.

Proverbs 24:23-25 - These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good. Whoever says to the wicked, "You are in the right," will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations, but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.

This Pic Makes Me Happy..

2009-04-17T15:33:00.001-07:00

Because Hillsong Changed My Life.. #3

2009-04-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

This song. This song has encouraged my heart countless times. I've wept to it. It is, by far, one of my all time most favorite Hillsong songs.

Son of God

Hold my hand and walk with me.
You’re the light that makes me see.
On this path my soul You lead
Oh, my Shepherd, walk with me.

I need You more than breath.
You’re my hope. In You I live.
Angels worship at Your throne.
Power and glory to You alone.

My Savior, Glorious One.
My Redeemer. Living in my heart.
Now and forever, Your kingdom come.
Jesus, Son of God.
Jesus, Son of God.

It's long. But when you are just soaking it up, 9 minutes pass in a flash and I find myself pressing the repeat button.

Always a Kid with Grandma..

2009-04-16T08:40:00.000-07:00

Date night last night. It was the best date night in a while. (And the first date night in a while too since I've been so sick.) For Easter, Grandma had made the best strawberry pie. They left some at our house but I didn't get a chance to eat any of it.

When I got to the grandparents last night, Grandma asked if I got to have any pie they left and I said, "No."

Grandma had more strawberries and still had some whipped cream and cream cheese and leftover strawberry glaze and so she was VERY grandmotherly and whipped up a batch of the berries and cream for us (no crust). Isn't that so nice? Because her granddaughter didn't get leftover delicious pie she just made another one! So we stood in the kitchen cooking dinner and mixing up pie stuff and when she was done whipping the whipped cream/cream cheese mixture she pulled the beater out of the bowl and handed it to me and said, "You wanna lick?" and I said, "Yes!" I haven't really licked a beater in years, but there is just something about your inner child that will always come out when you are at Grandma's house.

Hot Fudge Sundae

2009-04-14T10:02:00.000-07:00

I got to have one of THESE at work yesterday and it tasted soooo good. As I'm typing this I'm wondering why it is spelled Sundae? Let me google.

Excerpts:

It is spelled s-u-n-d-a-e so as not to disgrace the meaning of Sunday as a treat. A sundae is called a sundae because most local laws banned Ice Cream sodas to be made on Sunday, so this treat was made to be eaten on a Sunday. It was stated that ice cream sodas were too "sinful."

Sundae:

1897, Amer.Eng. thought to be an alteration of Sunday, perhaps re-spelled in deference to religious feelings; but the reason for the name is uncertain; perhaps "ice cream left over from Sunday, on sale later." For a fuller account of the speculations, see H.L. Mencken, "The American Language," Supplement I (1945), pp.376-7.

Then I Found This:

World's most expensive dessert: $1000 sundae

Posted by Cory Doctorow, February 14, 2006 12:38 PM permalink
The Daily Olive site documents the $1,000 "Grand Opulence" sundae sold by New York's Serendipity restaurant:
Made with "5 scoops of the richest Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream infused with Madagascar vanilla and covered in 23K edible gold leaf, the sundae is drizzled with the world's most expensive chocolate, Amedei Porceleana, and covered with chunks of rare Chuao chocolate, which is from cocoa beans harvested by the Caribbean Sea on Venezuela's coast. The masterpiece is suffused with exotic candied fruits from Paris, gold dragets, truffles and Marzipan Cherries. It is topped with a tiny glass bowl of Grand Passion Caviar, an exclusive dessert caviar, made of salt-free American Golden caviar, known for its sparkling golden color. It's sweetened and infused with fresh passion fruit, orange and Armagnac. The sundae is served in a baccarat Harcourt crystal goblet with an 18K gold spoon to partake in the indulgence served with a petite mother of pearl spoon and topped with a gilded sugar flower by Ron Ben-Israel."

Then This:

But what's really impressive is the $60,000 "World's More Expensive Most Expensive Ice Cream Sundae." If you buy this you get to travel to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro where Three Twins Ice Cream founder will handchurn a batch of ice cream using the glacial ice found at the summit. The mountain's glaciers are expected to disappear in 10 to 15 years and the purchase will bring awareness to climate change (the company will also make a five figure donation to an African environmental nonprofit.) The cost includes first class airfare to Tanzania, five-star accommodations, a guided climb, an organic T-shirt and all the ice cream you can eat.

Easter Tears Me Up

2009-04-10T12:03:00.000-07:00

It happens every year. This year I'm really sick and I'm always more emotional when I'm sick. That's just the way it goes. But when it comes to Good Friday/Easter it is hard! Just thinking through Isaiah 53 and other related passages. Words that say he was beaten beyond any recognition. That Jesus did that when He was innocent because He loves me .. breaks my heart. Words that say that He drank the entire cup of God's wrath so that I don't have to thirst in separated hell forever .. tears me up. I am so thankful and so emotional. This video only brought the tears to the surface further. It is just impactful. Think about Him. Imagine being unrecognizable because you've been so badly beaten all the while knowing you were innocent. Think of what you are saved from. Thank the Lord. Thank You, Jesus.

Still in La La Land..

2009-04-09T14:50:00.000-07:00

This has been my life and I can't remember the last 10 days of it. I'm almost back though.

Annoyance vs. Gospel vs. Love

2009-03-30T14:37:00.000-07:00

Chipotle:

Situation Number 1:

It was pretty crowded. We got seats along the low wall next to 2 moms and their 3 little kids and a baby. The little girls kept coming over to us and looking at us.. and ..the moms were doing nothing about it. They were in their own worlds eating their lunches. The kids would go over to other tables and also were giving high fives to some fire fighters in line. Some Petco employees came in and sat down at a table on the other side of the moms and kids. The littlest girl went over there and she leaned on the lady and then was resting on her shoulder and it was like.. these kids had NO SENSE of personal boundaries. I was really looking down my nose at those moms. To allow their kids to continuously invade our space and interrupt us and others and for the moms to not care. To me it was wrong and inconvenient.

Here are my thoughts:

I had heard once that America does a bad job of applying "Love your neighbor as yourself." We teach our kids not to talk to strangers (and while I understand the reasoning.. There are two sides to be considered). We say, "Hi. How are you?" and all responses are "Good." We are offended when someone invades our personal space. We are unfriendly. We do what is convenient for ourselves. We cater to ourselves and please ourselves. We do not reach out. Was it really that big of a deal that the kids were by us while we ate? Was it really wrong for them to go visit the Petco people? Was it wrong for the little girl to lean on the Petco lady? Was it wrong that I got offended? Why was I convicted? Was it wrong for me not to say "hi" to the kids as they stared? When I choose to get offended or even not so much offended but ANNOYED I begin to one by one shut down my opportunities to give the gospel. The gospel is about strangers. The gospel is uncomfortable. If I'm bugged by a 3 year old while I eat my tacos something is WRONG. I prayed and asked the Lord to forgive me. I will do better next time loving strangers. I will do better to not fall into the American Dream. I will choose to love my neighbor. I want to make sure I see them in Heaven and not worry about such petty things as having a bad lunch experience.

Romans 13:8 - 10

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Menchie's

2009-03-28T21:43:00.000-07:00

Here is where you start:

Grab a cup..

Pick 1 or 2 or 3 or 12 of their 12 flavors: I chose cake batter only. So good. Adam got cake batter swirled with cookies and cream. There is also a little chilled bar that has fruits and refrigerated items..

Mix it together with the 'snackage.' I got heath bar pieces, oreo pieces and fruity pebbles. Adam got cookie dough, cheesecake and oreos.

Then you eat it and when you are all done you get on a scale and they weigh you. If the scale rolls around to YUM, then you get your yogurt for free. Ok not really, but that would be really cool. You place your concoction on the scale...

and pay 39 cents per oz.
Adam after he ate his yogurt.. It was THAT good.

Lauren got a free tatoo that Jeff kindly helped her put on. It was her first one ever.

Then a Dad and his daughter(s?) and his daughter(s?) friends came in carrying this little "dog." They were stopped right away and told their "dog" would need to wait outside. The girls were young-ish and we could see that that was gonna put them in a predicament so I offered to hold their "dog" while they got their yogurt. Adam protected me and kept me company. The "dog" trembled in my arms the entire time.

This is the bonding between the "dog" and the girls. And my cool new zebra purse. See it?

Why Do I Do This to Myself?

2009-03-27T13:48:00.000-07:00

Drywood Termite fecal pellets, the corn nuts I'm currently eating and Australian Stick Bug eggs. I am way grossed out. They all look way too similar?!

Proverbs 27

2009-03-27T12:20:00.000-07:00

This speaks to my heart in so many ways:
Proverbs 27 (English Standard Version)

1Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring.

2Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
a stranger, and not your own lips.

3A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty,
but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.

4Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming,
but who can stand before jealousy?

5 Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.

6Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

7One who is full loathes honey,
but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.

8Like a bird that strays from its nest
is a man who strays from his home.

9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.

10Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend,
and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity.
Better is a neighbor who is near
than a brother who is far away.

11 Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad,
that I may answer him who reproaches me.

12 The prudent sees danger and hides himself,
but the simple go on and suffer for it.

13 Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger,
and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an adulteress.

14Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice,
rising early in the morning,
will be counted as cursing.

15 A continual dripping on a rainy day
and a quarrelsome wife are alike;

16to restrain her is to restrain the wind
or to grasp oil in one’s right hand.

17Iron sharpens iron,
and one man sharpens another.

18 Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,
and he who guards his master will be honored.

19As in water face reflects face,
so the heart of man reflects the man.

20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied,
and never satisfied are the eyes of man.

21 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
and a man is tested by his praise.

22 Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle
along with crushed grain,
yet his folly will not depart from him.

23 Know well the condition of your flocks,
and give attention to your herds,

24for riches do not last forever;
and does a crown endure to all generations?

25 When the grass is gone and the new growth appears
and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered,

26 the lambs will provide your clothing,
and the goats the price of a field.

27 There will be enough goats’ milk for your food,
for the food of your household
and maintenance for your girls.

I want to make art like this:

2009-03-26T12:18:00.000-07:00

I see it and I'm inspired. I love when paper and fabric is used together with paint.

Parenting Break Down..

2009-03-25T09:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I was walking down the street to give a violin lesson. As I was walking I noticed a man standing on a far corner and there were 3 little kids out and about riding their bikes.

One young boy approached me on his bike and said, "Who are you?" As I kept walking he rode his bike beside me and I said, "I'm Erin." Then a little girl approached on her bike. "WHO are you?" she said. And the boy said, "Yeah, who the heck are you?"

My first thought was along the lines of thinking it was pretty rude for a 6 year old to say 'heck.' I told them both I was Erin. The little girl was like, "No waaay. That is sooo not Erin." (There is another Erin on our street, I figured they were thinking I was saying I was her.) I said, "I'm not the Erin you know, I'm a different Erin and I live in a different house."

"Who are you?" the boy said for the hundredth time. At this point I was little annoyed.

I had reached my destination driveway so I turned to walk up the driveway and the little boy rode his bike up the driveway, challenged me with his gaze and said, "Who the HECK are you, anyway?" At that point I paused, looked him the eyes, and said, "You are not (*shaking my head*) allowed to talk to me that way." I walked past him and knocked on the door.

A Brief (brief!) Thought

2009-03-24T13:59:00.000-07:00

For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (2 Corinthians 4:5-7)

1.) Preach Jesus Christ as Lord

2.) Be a servant for Jesus' sake.

3.) Shine out of darkness (out of not in)

4.) The (all-surpassing) power to do this is given to us from God.

Do not be mediocre. The walls you build around yourself are not necessary. Staying inverted is not an option.

Oh the Things I See

2009-03-24T08:48:00.000-07:00

This morning I saw a baby snail on a piece of rabbit poo eating it for breakfast. Why me? There were lots of flowers the little guy could have chosen.

I'm always kinda fascinated as I walk the pathway from my car to the entrance at work. There are always snails and lately there have been HUGE moths over by a water drain spout from the roof. Anyway. Wasn't expecting that whole thing this morning.