blessed.

God has really been opening my eyes to how he has blessed me with my friends. yesterday i enjoyed an awesome lunch with quiche, cucumber sandwiches and expresso/chocolate chip muffins. although the food was amazing, it is now gone and only the recipes and memories of tastes remain. the friends however, i anticipate will be with me for a long time. i can't express how much that means to me. i have pushed myself to reach out to others more recently and been more open about all that is going on in my life. i have been blessed beyond belief. i have always shied away from sharing everything, because i do NOT want to be the dramatic or burdensome person that people roll their eyes about or avoid. God has been stretching me. it has been uncomfortable at times, but He has surrounded me with amazing people. why don't i enjoy the stretching process more when i know that EVERY time i have stepped out in faith, i get blessed?

HOW IS GOD STRETCHING YOU?

blessed.

God has really been opening my eyes to how he has blessed me with my friends. yesterday i enjoyed an awesome lunch with quiche, cucumber sandwiches and expresso/chocolate chip muffins. although the food was amazing, it is now gone and only the recipes and memories of tastes remain. the friends however, i anticipate will be with me for a long time. i can't express how much that means to me. i have pushed myself to reach out to others more recently and been more open about all that is going on in my life. i have been blessed beyond belief. i have always shied away from sharing everything, because i do NOT want to be the dramatic or burdensome person that people roll their eyes about or avoid. God has been stretching me. it has been uncomfortable at times, but He has surrounded me with amazing people. why don't i enjoy the stretching process more when i know that EVERY time i have stepped out in faith, i get blessed?

HOW IS GOD STRETCHING YOU?

silly kids make my days brighter!

the other day, meshach and i had a little fun with diaper hats. let's just hope azariah or mari don't get the idea to make a diaper hat out of a used diaper... :o)

i remember as a kid LOVING boxes. especially ones that are big enough to be forts or "secret" hiding places. we used these ones as cars. the boys loved it, but mari really wasn't enthusiastic about it. she got a turn anyways. i am so blessed to be a part of their lives. today, meshach and i are riding the amtrak train down to albany to visit family for the weekend. we are very excited!

silly kids make my days brighter!

the other day, meshach and i had a little fun with diaper hats. let's just hope azariah or mari don't get the idea to make a diaper hat out of a used diaper... :o)

i remember as a kid LOVING boxes. especially ones that are big enough to be forts or "secret" hiding places. we used these ones as cars. the boys loved it, but mari really wasn't enthusiastic about it. she got a turn anyways. i am so blessed to be a part of their lives. today, meshach and i are riding the amtrak train down to albany to visit family for the weekend. we are very excited!

ai prediction update...

so, here's my guess. a little different from last week's prediction by one person.
adam lambert
allison iraheta
mishavonna henson
that would be who i would choose anyways... we will see tomorrow night!

ai prediction update...

so, here's my guess. a little different from last week's prediction by one person.
adam lambert
allison iraheta
mishavonna henson
that would be who i would choose anyways... we will see tomorrow night!

a sign. a sign?

a sign that got me thinking about my audition. is it a sign? (i know, horrible play on words...) well, seeing it gave me peace and felt like God was telling me something. if i don't make the worship team at this point, it doesn't mean that it is a dead end forever. just to be continued with future development. :o)

a sign. a sign?

a sign that got me thinking about my audition. is it a sign? (i know, horrible play on words...) well, seeing it gave me peace and felt like God was telling me something. if i don't make the worship team at this point, it doesn't mean that it is a dead end forever. just to be continued with future development. :o)

smile!

please ignore my sound effects while you enjoy this little video. i bet you can't help but smile! this is my little friend emma who is 10 months old...so beautiful!

smile!

please ignore my sound effects while you enjoy this little video. i bet you can't help but smile! this is my little friend emma who is 10 months old...so beautiful!

butterflies create havoc...

not real butterflies, but the ones that were in my stomach last night as i auditioned. i should of blogged last night, but instead my mind ran in circles while my eyes tried to sleep. yesterday during the day, i had felt peace and contentment with whatever might happen. when i arrived, things that i had assumed were wrong and the situation freaked me out a little. i had pictured the auditions happening in an office or small room...they were on the main stage. i had pictured a few people watching, about three...nope, around fifteen. as i sat down, i tried to relax and stop being nervous. they had asked me to be there a half hour before my audition time, so i figured i had time to just chill. five minutes later, i was up. all of the techniques and things i was going to focus on during my song disappeared and were replaced by psychotic butterflies. imagine singing during an earthquake. my voice cracked and i was off at times. i'm frustrated with my performance, but i'm always very critical of myself, not to mention i'm a perfectionist. it was great to have a friend there who encouraged me and told me i did good. it is definitely in God's hands whether or not i make it. i don't know when i will know.

today, i look back and try and figure out how i could have done better. i really don't know other than not to be fearful. easier said than done. i feel like i have been called to do this but i feel so inadequate. but, so did moses. he had a speaking problem, possibly a stutter and God wanted him to go to Pharoah and tell Pharoah what to do. God didn't and doesn't care how inadequate we feel, but equipts us and stretches us enough to remind us that He alone is in control.

i prayed that a miracle would happen last night. my voice would be magnificent and they would be blown away by my unabandoned praise. instead, i was humbled. i'm okay with that. all i know is that i wouldn't have made it onto american idol. :o) no worries, i've never really wanted to anyways.

butterflies create havoc...

not real butterflies, but the ones that were in my stomach last night as i auditioned. i should of blogged last night, but instead my mind ran in circles while my eyes tried to sleep. yesterday during the day, i had felt peace and contentment with whatever might happen. when i arrived, things that i had assumed were wrong and the situation freaked me out a little. i had pictured the auditions happening in an office or small room...they were on the main stage. i had pictured a few people watching, about three...nope, around fifteen. as i sat down, i tried to relax and stop being nervous. they had asked me to be there a half hour before my audition time, so i figured i had time to just chill. five minutes later, i was up. all of the techniques and things i was going to focus on during my song disappeared and were replaced by psychotic butterflies. imagine singing during an earthquake. my voice cracked and i was off at times. i'm frustrated with my performance, but i'm always very critical of myself, not to mention i'm a perfectionist. it was great to have a friend there who encouraged me and told me i did good. it is definitely in God's hands whether or not i make it. i don't know when i will know.

today, i look back and try and figure out how i could have done better. i really don't know other than not to be fearful. easier said than done. i feel like i have been called to do this but i feel so inadequate. but, so did moses. he had a speaking problem, possibly a stutter and God wanted him to go to Pharoah and tell Pharoah what to do. God didn't and doesn't care how inadequate we feel, but equipts us and stretches us enough to remind us that He alone is in control.

i prayed that a miracle would happen last night. my voice would be magnificent and they would be blown away by my unabandoned praise. instead, i was humbled. i'm okay with that. all i know is that i wouldn't have made it onto american idol. :o) no worries, i've never really wanted to anyways.

mighty to save!

some of you know that i'm auditioning tomorrow night to be on my church's worship team. the song that i'm singing is one of my favorites, mighty to save. while practicing today, i had a few thoughts~

• even if this isn't the time/place/opportunity for me, at least my nephews and niece love it when i sing to them. :o)
• my God is the God who can move mountains. have you ever thought about how huge of a task that would be? how much time, money, resources, and people would it take? God can speak and it happens!
  
• i try and move hills by myself everyday. i don't like asking others to help because i'm "strong enough" to do it by myself. ha! it doesn't work. God has placed me into several families (biological, church, community...) to help me. i struggle with the idea of being supported by others or being dependant on them for anything.
• i would much rather have a physical or mental challenge than an emotional one. why does everything seem to tie back into my biggest fear of rejection?

anyways, please be in prayer that i learn to rely on God alone for strength, peace and direction. i keep you posted about the worship team!

p.s. i've blogged quite a bit lately...time to process life and to work through things has been a blessing!

mighty to save!

some of you know that i'm auditioning tomorrow night to be on my church's worship team. the song that i'm singing is one of my favorites, mighty to save. while practicing today, i had a few thoughts~

• even if this isn't the time/place/opportunity for me, at least my nephews and niece love it when i sing to them. :o)
• my God is the God who can move mountains. have you ever thought about how huge of a task that would be? how much time, money, resources, and people would it take? God can speak and it happens!
  
• i try and move hills by myself everyday. i don't like asking others to help because i'm "strong enough" to do it by myself. ha! it doesn't work. God has placed me into several families (biological, church, community...) to help me. i struggle with the idea of being supported by others or being dependant on them for anything.
• i would much rather have a physical or mental challenge than an emotional one. why does everything seem to tie back into my biggest fear of rejection?

anyways, please be in prayer that i learn to rely on God alone for strength, peace and direction. i keep you posted about the worship team!

p.s. i've blogged quite a bit lately...time to process life and to work through things has been a blessing!

american idol

so, i was happy with the results last night. danny, alexis and micheal. ricky may be a good wild card choice.

predictions before the next group sings ~
adam lambert
matt girard
mishavonna henson (i have no clue about the girls...)

we will see how it comes out...and i'll make another prediction after next tuesday. kai kalama is good too. it seems like the guys are going to dominate this competition...who knows.

american idol

so, i was happy with the results last night. danny, alexis and micheal. ricky may be a good wild card choice.

predictions before the next group sings ~
adam lambert
matt girard
mishavonna henson (i have no clue about the girls...)

we will see how it comes out...and i'll make another prediction after next tuesday. kai kalama is good too. it seems like the guys are going to dominate this competition...who knows.

a beautiful day for a hike.

yesterday was GORGEOUS! luckily, my schedule was open and i went exploring. i hiked up angel's rest for the first time. WOW! i had the excuse to stop and take pictures all along the way while catching my breath. hiking always helps me forget about all my worries and focus on God. i tend to think about extremely random things or analogies between hiking and life.

here is my trusty hiking buddy, kobe. he is such an amazing dog.

alright, in no order whatsoever, here are some of my thoughts from yesterday's 4.6 mile journey~

• i can't believe the weather! it's still february, and it snowed 4 days ago! but it was perfect hiking weather...
• wow, i'm out of shape.
• i think it's funny how natural it is to talk to fellow hikers. if i was walking down the street and passed them on the sidewalk, it would be weird to exchange small talk. why is that?
• climbing spiritual mountains are hard too, but the view at the top is breath-taking.
• it is always so quiet at the top. as i got closer to my car, the sounds and the busyness of life were almost overwhelming. hmmm.
• if i trained everyday, this hike wouldn't be so hard and i would come here more often. if i was seeking God with all that i am everyday, "mountain-top" experiences would be more frequent and i would enjoy the journey up a little more.
• there is a very little possibility that kobe would have an accident in my car on the way home after marking so many trees.
• it is always easier to come down the mountain, but going up is SO much more rewarding.
• i think i'm getting a blister. :o(
• short-cuts are not always better. usually they aren't. i followed a fellow hiker's suggestion on where to go (she had never done this hike before either) and really didn't make any progress. burned extra calories, but had to backtrack and look for the real trail. how many times have i asked people advice when they have never been in my spot before?
• sometimes not knowing exactly how much farther i need to go is easier than knowing. i have more motivation if i think it may be right around the next corner. aw rats...maybe this next corner...
• from a distance, it looked like there were obstacles in the path. i could've turned around and quit, but instead i looked for ways to get over, around or somehow past those little distractions. i need to do this in all areas of life and not get scared of the obstacle. go for the goal!

p.s. let me know if you would like to join me on any adventures in the future. i love having hiking buddies to share my fun with!

a beautiful day for a hike.

yesterday was GORGEOUS! luckily, my schedule was open and i went exploring. i hiked up angel's rest for the first time. WOW! i had the excuse to stop and take pictures all along the way while catching my breath. hiking always helps me forget about all my worries and focus on God. i tend to think about extremely random things or analogies between hiking and life.

here is my trusty hiking buddy, kobe. he is such an amazing dog.

alright, in no order whatsoever, here are some of my thoughts from yesterday's 4.6 mile journey~

• i can't believe the weather! it's still february, and it snowed 4 days ago! but it was perfect hiking weather...
• wow, i'm out of shape.
• i think it's funny how natural it is to talk to fellow hikers. if i was walking down the street and passed them on the sidewalk, it would be weird to exchange small talk. why is that?
• climbing spiritual mountains are hard too, but the view at the top is breath-taking.
• it is always so quiet at the top. as i got closer to my car, the sounds and the busyness of life were almost overwhelming. hmmm.
• if i trained everyday, this hike wouldn't be so hard and i would come here more often. if i was seeking God with all that i am everyday, "mountain-top" experiences would be more frequent and i would enjoy the journey up a little more.
• there is a very little possibility that kobe would have an accident in my car on the way home after marking so many trees.
• it is always easier to come down the mountain, but going up is SO much more rewarding.
• i think i'm getting a blister. :o(
• short-cuts are not always better. usually they aren't. i followed a fellow hiker's suggestion on where to go (she had never done this hike before either) and really didn't make any progress. burned extra calories, but had to backtrack and look for the real trail. how many times have i asked people advice when they have never been in my spot before?
• sometimes not knowing exactly how much farther i need to go is easier than knowing. i have more motivation if i think it may be right around the next corner. aw rats...maybe this next corner...
• from a distance, it looked like there were obstacles in the path. i could've turned around and quit, but instead i looked for ways to get over, around or somehow past those little distractions. i need to do this in all areas of life and not get scared of the obstacle. go for the goal!

p.s. let me know if you would like to join me on any adventures in the future. i love having hiking buddies to share my fun with!

a spectacular v-day!

i didn't want this valentine's day to be gloomy, and ended up having an AMAZING day! i made valentines and scrumptious cookies for some local friends. who knows how long it has been since i gave out valentines... anyways, delivering the little goodies was incredibly fun and gave me a few minutes to visit with pretty cool people. after that, i headed home for a little bit of "me" time. a hot bath, a good book and chocolate-covered strawberries...ahhh. the evening was filled with more social fun including time with some little people (a friend's kiddos) and a group of amazing people from church. the night was filled with laughter and talking. our faces hurt from smiling. i fell into bed content and exhausted from the long day filled with love!

a spectacular v-day!

i didn't want this valentine's day to be gloomy, and ended up having an AMAZING day! i made valentines and scrumptious cookies for some local friends. who knows how long it has been since i gave out valentines... anyways, delivering the little goodies was incredibly fun and gave me a few minutes to visit with pretty cool people. after that, i headed home for a little bit of "me" time. a hot bath, a good book and chocolate-covered strawberries...ahhh. the evening was filled with more social fun including time with some little people (a friend's kiddos) and a group of amazing people from church. the night was filled with laughter and talking. our faces hurt from smiling. i fell into bed content and exhausted from the long day filled with love!

my favorite birthday gift is blooming!

i took these pictures on valentine's day during a beautiful snowy morning!
p.s. tulips are my favorite.

my favorite birthday gift is blooming!

i took these pictures on valentine's day during a beautiful snowy morning!
p.s. tulips are my favorite.

doubts.

little doubts slither into my mind and threaten to wreck havoc on my peace. i cling to God's word and pray that His will and timing be done. i'm placing my faith in the God who can move mountains.

doubts.

little doubts slither into my mind and threaten to wreck havoc on my peace. i cling to God's word and pray that His will and timing be done. i'm placing my faith in the God who can move mountains.

american idol!

so. i'm hooked this season. it's pathetic how emotional i can get... it didn't help that i was tired last night. so sad that jamar rogers had to leave. at least a few other favorites are still going. soooo... here's my favorite. danny gokey. i can't wait to see how his faith is incorporated into the season. i found his website, and his "blog" has some amazing insight. check it out @ www.sophiasheart.org. who is your favorite?

american idol!

so. i'm hooked this season. it's pathetic how emotional i can get... it didn't help that i was tired last night. so sad that jamar rogers had to leave. at least a few other favorites are still going. soooo... here's my favorite. danny gokey. i can't wait to see how his faith is incorporated into the season. i found his website, and his "blog" has some amazing insight. check it out @ www.sophiasheart.org. who is your favorite?

go mari go!

i'm a proud auntie! she has been making great progress. please continue praying for the adoption to go through!

go mari go!

i'm a proud auntie! she has been making great progress. please continue praying for the adoption to go through!

more snow?

we are supposedly getting more cold, white, wet, wintery fluffy stuff tomorrow. i don't know how i feel about this. here are some pictures of the artic blast 2008.

it was really windy, but we were getting tired of being inside! azariah's face makes me laugh. it was SO cold.

this was at the beginning of the "storm". i figured that those few inches were going to be all we got...

i wasn't too happy being snowed in. i had a bad attitude and cabin fever. i like snow. it kept me prisoner though. i'm hoping for a few inches tomorrow to enjoy. snow-yes, blizzard-no. we will see... maybe all we will get is rain. i was just blessed with a beautiful sunny birthday. no complaints from me!

more snow?

we are supposedly getting more cold, white, wet, wintery fluffy stuff tomorrow. i don't know how i feel about this. here are some pictures of the artic blast 2008.

it was really windy, but we were getting tired of being inside! azariah's face makes me laugh. it was SO cold.

this was at the beginning of the "storm". i figured that those few inches were going to be all we got...

i wasn't too happy being snowed in. i had a bad attitude and cabin fever. i like snow. it kept me prisoner though. i'm hoping for a few inches tomorrow to enjoy. snow-yes, blizzard-no. we will see... maybe all we will get is rain. i was just blessed with a beautiful sunny birthday. no complaints from me!

twenty-five things about a twenty-five year old

1. i love the summer! everything about it...being outside, playing frisbee, going on hikes, playing in the water (lake, river, ocean, puddle...you name it), laying in the sunshine, eating watermelon in the evening, eating ice cream for dinner :o), waking up to a beautiful sunny day, driving with my windows down...
2. music influences my mood. i LOVE listening to music, singing my heart out and learning new songs. i don't enjoy most heavy metal, rap, opera or secular pop.
   
3. i have always dreamed of going somewhere tropical, but haven't gone yet. i can't wait to try surfing with-out wearing a full wetsuit. oh, and i want to try scuba diving and would love to swim with dolphins or sea turtles.
4. i feel closest to God when i am by myself out in the woods, in the ocean, watching a big storm (especially with thunder and lightning!) or outside in nature somewhere. His creative beauty astounds me.
5. children are my passion. anywhere i go, i am drawn to kids and want to play with them and be their friends. i feel blessed to have opportunities to hang out with the little creatures. i eventually want a large family with a few adopted or foster kids as well as my own.
6. my favorite color changes with my mood, and possibly several times a day if i kept track of it. right now, it is blue.
   
7. i am scared to try appetizers at events (especially the crackers with unknown spreads on top). i was at a wedding once and ate one off of a platter and almost phsyically got sick and HAD to spit it out. there are several foods that i don't like, but that was the only time i COULDN'T swallow the bite. my mom said i even looked like i was going to be sick. to this day, i have no idea why or what it was...
8. my favorite breakfast foods are cinnamon rolls (my mom's recipe is the best), fresh fruit or a belgian waffle. i rarely have any of them and usually just eat cereal.
   
9. i have t-p'd a road sign. (they are a lot taller than you would think...) that was interesting.
10. i am going sky-diving this summer with my best friend! we have been planning this for over five years now. anyone want to join us?
11. my favorite childhood memory is when my family would drive out of the city and find a place to watch the stars on a clear night. we would bring blankets and just lay on the ground. we talked, laughed until we cried, quoted movies and ran around in the dark. i love love love love love love love to look at the stars (especially during a meteor shower!).
12. growing up i have considered the following careers...a secretary (in elementary school i thought that would be the perfect dream job), a nurse (i get queasy way too easily), an interior decorator (very cool, but maybe as a hobby), a firefighter (it would be amazing, but my mom talked me out of it by asking if i would want to continue after i had kids...), a nanny (yep! on my second nanny family!), and a children's counselor (definitely someday!). BUT the best job ever and always... stay-at-home mom (i am in "training" for this as a nanny!).
13. my favorite beach is shorty's (oswald state park). a close second is indian beach (ecola state park). amazing views and cool surfing/boogie-boarding spots!
14. for as long as i can remember, i have been planning my wedding and picking out names for my future children. i still have a list somewhere that i made in early elementary school. my ideas have definitely changed over the years.
15. i love roller-blading but haven't done it in quite a while. my best friend and i would go around town for hours. my injuries over the years ~ i have broken my wrist (a dog ran into me), my tooth went through my lip (while racing my friend, we hit our roller-blades together...), and i got a huge road rash on my leg (going downhill probably about 15 mph, i panicked and slid the concrete).
    
16. i'm addicted to reading. i don't read all of the time because when i start reading, EVERYTHING else takes the back seat. i can lose hours and days at a time if i have a good stack of books. i also lose a lot of sleep. :o)
17. i have a special place in my heart for cannon beach (i lived there for two summers), camp crestview (church camp), east hill foursquare church (my church!), camp adair (the place where my family goes star-gazing), and both of my grandmas houses (although one is now in heaven).
18. my first car was a 1988 honda accord. i always thought that people who talked fondly of their first car like a long lost friend were weird... but after my simon met his untimely death, i grieved. i miss him still...
19. i have lived in oregon my entire life.
20. i've been to france, poland and germany. i've never been to canada or mexico.
21. i love being creative and making beautiful things for others to enjoy. unfortunately my perfectionism often frustrates me and i end up not finishing some projects.
22. i was on the swim team in high school and loved it. in middle school i was in track and i was horrible.
23. i wish that i could enjoy running. i have tried a couple times and have never stuck it out past the really sore stage. i get too ambitious at the beginning and wear out quickly. someday i'll try again.
    
24. i have a large extended family and absolutely LOVE our reunions and any get-togethers throughout the year. celebrating thanksgiving or christmas without them would be sad.
25. God has given me a couple of amazing promises that i'm still waiting on. at times i have been so frustrated with His timing, but i love the adventures that He has planned for me.
    

twenty-five things about a twenty-five year old

1. i love the summer! everything about it...being outside, playing frisbee, going on hikes, playing in the water (lake, river, ocean, puddle...you name it), laying in the sunshine, eating watermelon in the evening, eating ice cream for dinner :o), waking up to a beautiful sunny day, driving with my windows down...
2. music influences my mood. i LOVE listening to music, singing my heart out and learning new songs. i don't enjoy most heavy metal, rap, opera or secular pop.
   
3. i have always dreamed of going somewhere tropical, but haven't gone yet. i can't wait to try surfing with-out wearing a full wetsuit. oh, and i want to try scuba diving and would love to swim with dolphins or sea turtles.
4. i feel closest to God when i am by myself out in the woods, in the ocean, watching a big storm (especially with thunder and lightning!) or outside in nature somewhere. His creative beauty astounds me.
5. children are my passion. anywhere i go, i am drawn to kids and want to play with them and be their friends. i feel blessed to have opportunities to hang out with the little creatures. i eventually want a large family with a few adopted or foster kids as well as my own.
6. my favorite color changes with my mood, and possibly several times a day if i kept track of it. right now, it is blue.
   
7. i am scared to try appetizers at events (especially the crackers with unknown spreads on top). i was at a wedding once and ate one off of a platter and almost phsyically got sick and HAD to spit it out. there are several foods that i don't like, but that was the only time i COULDN'T swallow the bite. my mom said i even looked like i was going to be sick. to this day, i have no idea why or what it was...
8. my favorite breakfast foods are cinnamon rolls (my mom's recipe is the best), fresh fruit or a belgian waffle. i rarely have any of them and usually just eat cereal.
   
9. i have t-p'd a road sign. (they are a lot taller than you would think...) that was interesting.
10. i am going sky-diving this summer with my best friend! we have been planning this for over five years now. anyone want to join us?
11. my favorite childhood memory is when my family would drive out of the city and find a place to watch the stars on a clear night. we would bring blankets and just lay on the ground. we talked, laughed until we cried, quoted movies and ran around in the dark. i love love love love love love love to look at the stars (especially during a meteor shower!).
12. growing up i have considered the following careers...a secretary (in elementary school i thought that would be the perfect dream job), a nurse (i get queasy way too easily), an interior decorator (very cool, but maybe as a hobby), a firefighter (it would be amazing, but my mom talked me out of it by asking if i would want to continue after i had kids...), a nanny (yep! on my second nanny family!), and a children's counselor (definitely someday!). BUT the best job ever and always... stay-at-home mom (i am in "training" for this as a nanny!).
13. my favorite beach is shorty's (oswald state park). a close second is indian beach (ecola state park). amazing views and cool surfing/boogie-boarding spots!
14. for as long as i can remember, i have been planning my wedding and picking out names for my future children. i still have a list somewhere that i made in early elementary school. my ideas have definitely changed over the years.
15. i love roller-blading but haven't done it in quite a while. my best friend and i would go around town for hours. my injuries over the years ~ i have broken my wrist (a dog ran into me), my tooth went through my lip (while racing my friend, we hit our roller-blades together...), and i got a huge road rash on my leg (going downhill probably about 15 mph, i panicked and slid the concrete).
    
16. i'm addicted to reading. i don't read all of the time because when i start reading, EVERYTHING else takes the back seat. i can lose hours and days at a time if i have a good stack of books. i also lose a lot of sleep. :o)
17. i have a special place in my heart for cannon beach (i lived there for two summers), camp crestview (church camp), east hill foursquare church (my church!), camp adair (the place where my family goes star-gazing), and both of my grandmas houses (although one is now in heaven).
18. my first car was a 1988 honda accord. i always thought that people who talked fondly of their first car like a long lost friend were weird... but after my simon met his untimely death, i grieved. i miss him still...
19. i have lived in oregon my entire life.
20. i've been to france, poland and germany. i've never been to canada or mexico.
21. i love being creative and making beautiful things for others to enjoy. unfortunately my perfectionism often frustrates me and i end up not finishing some projects.
22. i was on the swim team in high school and loved it. in middle school i was in track and i was horrible.
23. i wish that i could enjoy running. i have tried a couple times and have never stuck it out past the really sore stage. i get too ambitious at the beginning and wear out quickly. someday i'll try again.
    
24. i have a large extended family and absolutely LOVE our reunions and any get-togethers throughout the year. celebrating thanksgiving or christmas without them would be sad.
25. God has given me a couple of amazing promises that i'm still waiting on. at times i have been so frustrated with His timing, but i love the adventures that He has planned for me.
    

funerals and ponderings

i attended a funeral last night for my 5th grade teacher. he was an amazing christian man with a heart for kids. he loved challenging people to learn and think for themselves. he was my one of my favorite teachers.

i love going to funerals and hearing all of the funny stories or best memories that people share during an open mic time, but i often wonder if they had any idea how much impact they made. it makes me think about what people will say about me after i'm gone. what do i want to be known for? how can i live transparently so people will see my heart and the passions that fuel me?

i also feel challenged to share my appreciation for others more frequently and openly. time flies by and without any warning, i may have lost that last opportunity to tell you how much you mean to me.

so, i'm asking you to help me with my convictions. if you are reading this, know that you are loved. if i haven't expressed why lately, write me a little comment and i'll get back to you as soon as i can put my heart into words.

funerals and ponderings

i attended a funeral last night for my 5th grade teacher. he was an amazing christian man with a heart for kids. he loved challenging people to learn and think for themselves. he was my one of my favorite teachers.

i love going to funerals and hearing all of the funny stories or best memories that people share during an open mic time, but i often wonder if they had any idea how much impact they made. it makes me think about what people will say about me after i'm gone. what do i want to be known for? how can i live transparently so people will see my heart and the passions that fuel me?

i also feel challenged to share my appreciation for others more frequently and openly. time flies by and without any warning, i may have lost that last opportunity to tell you how much you mean to me.

so, i'm asking you to help me with my convictions. if you are reading this, know that you are loved. if i haven't expressed why lately, write me a little comment and i'll get back to you as soon as i can put my heart into words.

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thought provoking, huh?

controversial ad

thought provoking, huh?