All the Single Ladies

I have to admit - this is my new favorite song!! I can't get enough of it. I love the sound of it, the beat. I can't but help to bob up and down at my desk while I have it blaring in my headphones.

Just thought you should know!

Interesting

I don't know about you - but as you can probably tell from my blog (or used to be able to tell) but I love to journal. (I think I counted the other day and I've got at least 15 since I was a Jr in High School) I've always loved to journal/ write out my day: things that bothered me, impacted me, wanted to remember, wished I could forget, get over. I really like writing out my conversations with God so that I can go back and see: all the things he's answered, given, provided, and forgiven.

The other thing I really like to do is go back and read the things I used to struggle with. There are times when I can laugh at the "stress" I had and things that I "struggled" with. You know the things I'm talking about - "Dear God - this girl says she's my friend - but she won't talk to me. What did I do wrong God" Ok - so maybe not like that but you get the point.

This morning during my quiet time I had a little chuckle at my own expense. Let me back up for a moment. I'm using an old Beth Moore quiet time book that I went through years ago. I remember really enjoying it - but I don't remember what each day was about - so I decided to go back through it to get back in the quiet time habit.

So far it's been great! God's been revealing little tidbits just for me each day. The way it's set up is there's a passage to read, then you read her little one page devotion and then on the following pages she has places for you to write out your prayers (one guess as to why I liked this book in the first place). Since it's already been filled in previously I just use a current journal to write everything out. This morning one of the things I asked for repentance of was gossiping at work. I confessed that I enjoyed how it made me feel important to know things that no one else knew, and for God to give me the strength to not give in and keep the confidences that other people trusted me with.

Well after I finished praying I had a little more time before my alarm to leave went off so I started reading what I prayed years ago. And wouldn't you know it, two days ahead of where I was today was my plea to stop gossiping - and I had confessed that I did it for the same feeling of importance even back then.

For me it was just a reminder that there are some things that I'll never rid myself of, there will always be a struggle. A reminder that I can't do things on my own - that I must always turn to my strength - healer of my soul.

What about you - are there things that you used to struggle with that have popped up again, have struggled with for years and can't shake?

Midweek Lull

Normally I don't fall prey to the mid week slump - but for some reason today I can't seem to get it into gear!!

I had a plan of all that I needed to accomplish, and then I got thrown all these small piddly things and it threw off what seems like my whole day. I don't know why it's being so difficult for me to get it together.

In other "Office" news - apparently someone in our family has divorced us as Michael would put it. They apparently didn't like being told that watching the Inauguration ALL DAY LONG instead of helping the Customers (Ummmm . . . IT Service Desk Representative!!! It's your job!). So this morning she came in and then left. Walked out. No notice. No two weeks. No note. No one saw her leave. Shelley, her boss, didn't even know and she sits in the cubicle right next to her. Shelley came in this morning to find her not here and had to call around. I think she called the temp agency where she came from but I don't know.

Well - let's hear it for the "Big Change" that's beginning to take place!!

Woo hoo! (boo)

Scary!!!!

Look at the picture above and you can see where this driver broke through the guardrail, on the right side of the culvert, where the people are standing on the road, pointing. The pick-up was traveling about 75 mph from right to left when it crashed through the guardrail. It flipped end-over-end bounced off and across the culvert outlet, and landed right side up on the left side of the culvert, facing the opposite direction from which the driver was traveling.

The 22-year-old driver and his 18-year-old passenger were unhurt except for minor cuts and bruises.Just outside Flagstaff , AZ , on U.S. Hwy 100. Now look at the second picture below...

Don't know about you but I don't think I'd have to relieve myself for months after that!!

Apparently snopes has been checked, and other sites to authenticate story and pictures. (Here's the link to the full story) But if you find this isn't true I'll post a retraction. (proof from snopes)

Holy Cow

I'm pretty sure that the same people that read my blog are the same people that read hers, hers, and hers - however - in the off chance that there is someone at my site that hasn't been to any of those places I wanted to make sure you saw THIS!!

Beware though - as I sat at my desk, ignoring the warning for tissues I regretted not having a box full! (You tough guys that read may not be in need - but go to a quiet corner just in case)

Man - God is Good! Football and a great story all rolled into one!

If/ When I get my tattoos

Following in my Friend Laura's footsteps I'm flirting with the idea of getting two tattoos. If I weren't such a wuss when it comes to pain this wouldn't be such a hard issue. (I like Laura have people in my life who frown upon the issue. As in they think it makes people look cheap!! They have 4 grand children and counting who are apparently cheap looking!!)
But there's no hesitation as to what I'd get.

יְדִידְיָה
Beloved of God

This for me is such reassurance that I'm loved. No matter how many of my friends are married any time I start feeling unloved and "left out" all I would have to do is look down and remember that I'm the Beloved of God and all other fears and insecurities fade away. There's no greater title (in my opinion) than to be the Beloved of God. So that's on one wrist. My left.

התמדה, שקדנות
Perseverance

This one has been my theme song for - well for a REALLY long time, and will continue to be my theme song. It relates to so many different things - persevere through my insecurities, through my fear of rejection, through hard jobs, the distractions that would keep me from my Savior. So many things. And of course this would go on my right wrist.

For me these are two words that have longevity. I will ALWAYS be God's Beloved, and I will ALWAYS have to persevere through whatever I'm going through. So there's no chance that these words would ever become insignificant to me, and therefore making my tattoo something I'd want to take off. I'm gonna at least put it off until my friend Laurien gets out of high school since I think we might make this a group affair (if I don't chicken out)

Mini "Office" Blog

What do you get when you put a bunch of tech type people in a room on a teleconference with a white board that stretches the entire length of a wall.

You get one of your bosses drawing pictures of Charlie Brown, and Snoopy causing you to bust out laughing while you're trying to take notes. He just casually walked up to the wall took a dry erase marker and started drawing. Every once in a while peering back and smirking.

The people on the other end had no idea why we were all snickering on our side.

So there you have it. My mini "Office" blog for the week.

New quote

I love this quote. I got it from a midweek message from Neil who in turn got it from one of the thousands of books he's read.

I love this because it's so true!! And relevant to me in so many ways.

"The truth must dazzle gradually or everyone be blind"

Just like the sun gradually rises, so must truth be gradually revealed. This applies to me in the work place. Things have to be explained slowly so that I don't get overwhelmed and shut down. In my spiritual life God reveals things to me slowly for the same reasons - so as not to overwhelm me or cause me to "be blind".

For the lost it's the same thing. Jesus never overwhelmed. He lived, and answered questions and asked a few questions of his own. Never dazzling more than the listener could handle.

Inauguration Day 2009

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,

I rest on His unchanging grace;

In every high and stormy gale

My anchor holds within the veil.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, His covenant, and blood

Support me in the whelming flood;

When every earthly prop gives way,

He then is all my Hope and Stay.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,

Oh, may I then in Him be found,

Clothed in His righteousness alone,

Faultless to stand before the throne!

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand.

On this day when phrases like - "I will be a better person because Obama is in the oval office" get thrown around. And people blindly believing that a MAN can change everything this song screamed in my head.

If my hope is in a man than I am lost. No man can make the changes necessary to get our country back to where it needs to be, I'd be foolish to think that a man can make changes so great that the entire world will be better.

I'm trying to find the words to use here because I don't want to sound like my grandmother. So bear with me. I think having a black man as President is not in and of itself a bad thing. People are people - red, yellow, black and white. We all have two hands, two eyes, two ears, heart, lungs . . .you get the point. The color of our skin should not make a difference. The problem I have with this president elect - soon to be president is that he was not elected because of anything other the color of his skin. He was elected because he was black. Nothing more. And there are people who believe that the color of his skin either makes him their "savior" or the "devil/ anti-christ" People - he's just a man!!!!

America was under the false impression that the color of someone skin makes them better than others. It doesn't. What matters is how they lead the country. Will he make decisions that help to make our country a better place, or will he make choices that will continue the downward spiral we as a country have let ourselves go into. That is yet to be determined.

So on this day when so many are putting their hope and faith and security in a man - I will sing this song.

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus blood and righteousness.

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand!!!!

The Road to Oregon

My old Youth Pastor and his family are moving to Oregon. His wife LeAnn just posted pictures on her facebook page and while perusing I fell in love with this photo. Not for any reason in particular other than I thought it was beautiful. I love the snow capped mountains, clouds in the sky, green trees and grass.

Love it.

Thought I'd share.

Movies I want to see

After what seems like a long drought of not watching movies in the theater - there seems to be too many movies coming out than I have budget for. They are as follows in no particular order.

Inkheart
Underworld - Rise of the Lycans
Bride Wars
Mall Cop
Last Chance Harvey
New in Town
Taken
Push
He's Just Not That Into You
Gran Tarino

Question - what do you think movie preferences say about a person? I've got everything ranging from comedy, to sci-fi, to drama, to action. What's that say about me?

Ok - more importantly let's not lose sight of the fact that

I'm the WINNER

and

Sam, Kristi, Laura, and Jo are the LOSERS!!!!!

Read below for full coverage on my winning and their losing!!!

I'm the Winner - You're the Loser

Last night my community group had kind of a night in the park where everyone could bring their families and we'd all play football or softball and eat things from the grill.

That was all fun, great fellowship, good food and tasty backstrap!! (The only thing that would have made it better was if I could find some bratwurst. I looked all over the place and couldn't find them. Oh well.)

But the REALLY fun times happened after. The Perrys, the Beadles along with myself and usually Lisa Deihl like to get together to play this incredible game called marbles. I'm secure enough with myself to know that I've got an addictive personality - hence the 6-10 diet cokes a day, and the obsessiveness once I get into a tv series having to see it from beginning of the series to the end.

I'm the same way with marbles. Love the game. Got it for Christmas, and while it is an either 4 or 6 person game I've played it by myself or with my sister Rachel. I play several times a week, and I still haven't gotten tired of it yet.

Ok - on to the part where I kicked everyone's you know whats!!

So we get back to the Perry's and there's not enough people to play 6 player marbles and no one wants to sit out - so we decide to play every man for himself!! Woo hoo!!! Guess who wins that one - yup you guessed it.

Me = WINNER

Them(Sam, Kristi, Laura, Jo) = LOSER

Then we(ehem - THEY) decide that marbles isn't fun playing by yourself and not a team (they weren't sore about losing or anything ;) ) So they suggested another game. They introduced it and all I heard was gin-rummy, and I don't really enjoy that game - so I said no thank you I'll just watch. I'd already won so no need to fulfill my need to win. But after persistence and begging and pleading (just kidding - there was no begging) I gave in. While they (Sam) was explaining the game I realized that it was very similar to a game that I really did enjoy called Phase 10. This is only slightly different - but fun all the same.

So the way it works is you play in 7 rounds (I think it's 7) and each hand you have to get different things. 2 sets, 1 run and 2 sets, 2 sets and 2 runs (sing it with me now - a doo run run - ok I'm done). So we go along and the first game Laura, and Jo, and Sam and Kristi are all left with incredible amounts of cards after (usually) each hand is finished putting their scores in the hundreds. Hand after hand their scores went up and up and up and up and up
(Fired up *clap clap* fired up *clap clap* fired up and up and up and up and up fired up!!), while mine curiously stayed low. I think my end score of the first game was 25! Whoo hoo!! Whomped. Not even close.

I especially savored this because Kristi is the "Queen" of games and doesn't like to lose. And even though she Sam and Laura all ended up with the same score - SHE claimed second place. (close but no cigar).

We decided to play again. One so that Kristi could TRY and get first and not share 2nd with 2 other people, and two to basically knock me off my winning streak. (Not that they were bitter at all because we all love Jesus - but they renamed me B_ _ _ _ just the same- and it wasn't for Becca.) The whole goal of this game was everyone try to beat me.

I'll give Kristi this - she was in first place a few hands during the game, and I did go above my previous score - but at the end of the night - who would reign victorious.....

ME!!!!

that's right

Me = Winner!!!!

Them(Sam, Kristi, Laura, Jo) = LOSER

Not that I'm boasting or anything because that would be wrong. Like creating a whole post about how I won something that my friend had been trying to win for 50 weeks!!! And then swooping in and taking over and winning the prize picture - stealing it from someone she claims to call friend.

Oh wait - I am - HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! I win - they lose.

Me = Winner!!!!

Them(Sam, Kristi, Laura, Jo) = LOSER

I think I'm done for now

Nope one more time

Me = Winner!!!!

Them(Sam, Kristi, Laura, Jo) = LOSER

Mini "Office" Post

**Post Blog note - If I step on toes I don't mean too**

When I think of all the shortened computer and text language it enrages me. Well not really enrages me - but I think - how much harder is it to type "thank you" than ty, "You" than U. Seriously - two more letters are that difficult!!!! And really - LOL, LMAO, ROFL - seriously - if we were talking in "people" talk would you really say I'm rolling on the floor laughing my booty off?!?!?!

But I digress. That's not the "Office" rant I was referring too.

What got me started on my rant in the first place was thinking about all the computer lingo and shorthand. But generally when I think about it I think of teens, and women. I'm all about smiley faces. I think they generally go in every text I do or email I type. My reasons for this is because a written statement can come of completely different than a said statement. Without the emotions of a voice to let the other person know you are being; sarcastic, mean, gentle, kind, understanding, empathetic, or kidding - messages can easily be misunderstood!

Again - when I think of smiley faces, or winking faces or all the: :), :-), ;D, . . . .(need I go on) I think of teens and women.

Oh no - not in my office. There have been several emails from many different men with them on there. The first time it took me back. I was like - why is this man winking at me. He's married. (just kidding didn't think that. I thought that was a little girlie for you man, but whatever). But then it happened again and again and again. All these smiley faces, and winks, and abbreviations . . NP, TY - all from grown men. It's throwing me for a loop.

Now I don't claim that I have perfect grammar. Far from it. I use "-" way way WAY too much. I have no idea how to use a comma correctly thanks to My Smurf of an 8th grade English teacher, and I generally can't spell. But grown men using smiley faces. I just don't think I can get over it.

So that's it. Not all that big of an "Office" post, but there you have it. Enjoy.

When Grandma Goes to Court

If you can't read the small print - click on the picture - VERY funny!!!

My bangs

Over the weekend I was bored so I decided to give myself bangs. Here's the outcome.

I've had a lot a of positive feedback which is good since you can't really add extensions to your bangs. HA! I really like them!

And this is from my phone - so not the greatest picture. Be kind. (**Post blog update - changed by picture cause I liked this one better.)

Monday!

What is it about Mondays that make me want to scream?!?!?!

I've never really been this way about Monday's - for some reason today has been especially crappy. I'm overly sensitive, I'm easily irritated. . . .

Oh Crap - I'm getting a friend this week!

Boo to that!! Don't they know I've got a job to do and I can't handle it and all the raging emotions that come with PMS!!! Grrrrr!!!!

Jim's Back!!!

All's well with the world!! :D (Maybe not - but the accent's great!)

Russia

This post has been a long time in coming. Years really.

Let me back up.

A few years ago I went to a function called One Day. Basically it was a conference for thousands of people held in a ginormous field. We all looked like this.

I have so much to tell about that whole experience but the part that is applicable to this post is this. God called me to missions. I know that everyone is - so all you legalistic people out there don't get your panties in a wad.

I felt called to missions, specifically to Orphanages. I was young and all filled with such passion for my new mission in life. Unfortunately I didn't know what to do about it, or how to get to where I was supposed to be, began doing things my way, and eventually letting the flame of missions, and orphans die down.

My church recently partnered with Buckner International and have started taking trips to their orphanages. When I first heard I didn't know how to feel. I didn't feel as passionate about it as I had before, but I knew what I felt before WAS real. So I began to pray and ask God to show me what my involvement would be.

The first year it was by praying. I prayed for those going, and for the kids they were ministering to. I prayed for the families left behind by those going to serve for 10 days.

This year I'm going as far as God is taking me. I feel called to go, let me rephrase I want to go. I've prayed about it and don't feel release from going - in fact the desire to go has only strengthened.

The things I'm worried about and are obviously not big obstacles to God are the following.

1. I just started a job and I don't have the time to take off - though it's a temporary job and may be over before the mission trip anyways.
2. I have no money to put towards the trip so all my money will have to be raised support.

So really just two things, and they aren't deal breakers I know that. I work for someone who knows how I feel about missions, and hopefully if it's within his power, if I'm still here he'll let me off.

As for the no money thing: last year a family of three went on the trip who after looking at their income/bills/cost of trip. . . blahblahblah they knew on paper there was no way they could go but decided they would go as far as God would take them. And wouldn't you know it - God took them all the way. They even raised more support than they needed and was able to put that away for this year's trip.

Another reason I'm excited about going is that my sister and her husband are coming. At least my sister is. I know it's gonna be hard for her cause she's gonna want to bring half the kids home - but I know that she'll be blessed by going. Joey too. I know I give him a hard time but I think this experience could change his life.

So that's Russia.

What I need from you my blog readers is prayer. Pray that God would provide the time off, and the cost of going, pray that I would be prepared spiritually, emotionally and physically to take the trip. And pray for those kiddos over there that they would see the love of Jesus in us.

Thank you my friends!

Deathbed - another song with lyrics to ponder

It's a long song - about 10 minutes -but if you've got the time it's a great one!