Read it and weep....or not

Redwing;

2009-07-07T20:12:00.001-07:00

I had the epiphany as I was pacing back and forth in front of the living room window, watching the current weather patterns. It was at that moment that I realized: I am becoming one of them. I had missed the warning signs in the things that have subconsciously slipped into my daily routine the last few days. Now that I look back on my time here in Redwing, I can see just how this slow yet steady transformation took place.

First of all, before I get into the details of this process, let me just recognize that the mere suggestion of moving into a retirement complex for two weeks should have been enough to make me say, "Oh, I better get some young fun in this weekend before I leave my Seventeen magazines (not that I have any anyways) and chick flicks (not that I watch them a whole lot) and the strapping young men (not that I see any on a regular basis) back at home." But no, I had no concerns at all.

I should have known, however, when I started talking to Nicky like he actually was one of my cousins. And as if that wasn't enough, I knew his walking route backward and forward. I could do it with my eyes closed by Sunday. I knew all of the stops at the third bench on the left, that last telephone pole on the right, and the bridge barrier on the way home, in addition to the few grassy patches that were just perfect for rolling around on. Heck, by the third day, I even knew all of Nicky's neighborhood friends: Coby, Charlie, Spot, Mabel, and Buddy. I knew their walking times too.

In case you were really curious, this is what my day looks like. After breakfast (consisting of fruit loops, orange juice, and a cup of tea) I do a little reading. I picked up a few Chicken Soup books from the thrift store because I used to love reading those cute little anecdotes that would make you laugh and cry at the same time (but of course I never cried). Next we got our exercise done: golf on the Wii - Grandad vs. me before Granny plays the winner. Lunch is followed by an Irish movie or two (and a cup of tea).

Don't get me wrong; I love Ireland, and I actually find these movies rather interesting, but they're not your typical-teenager past-time. Uncle Dan has been coming over for dinner, which provides a few good laughs around the table before yet another cup of tea. Granny hands me my Sudoku puzzle from the newspaper at eight o'clock while she does the Cryptogram and Grandad watches the weather channel to see if his predictions match up with the weatherman's. After my eighth cup of tea for the day and some good conversation, we hit the sack.

To some it may seem odd that I haven't been outside of the retirment complex for four days, or that I've taken up knitting at seventeen to pass the time of day, or that I haven't watched television in a week because I've been too busy watching movies like "The Quiet Man" (1952) and "Angel in My Pocket" (1969), but it's not bad. Sure, it may not seem normal when you look at the facts, but if you knew me, you'd know I am having the time of my life.

Seventeen magazines can't tell you how to raise a wonderful family and keep a good home. Chick flicks aren't as good as hearing the story about how your grandparents fell in love. And strapping young men will always be around, but Granny & Grandad might not. Nothing can replace the time I am having this week.

Today, Grandad and I went for a bike ride along the channel this afternoon. And Granny and I exchanged a skill for a skill; I taught her how to play cards and she taught me how to knit. Tomorrow I am hoping to learn how to paint. I am reading more than ever, but none of the books I am reading compare to listening to the stories of my grandparents lives.

xo

wanna cupcake?

2009-01-27T18:34:00.000-08:00

"Do you know," Peter asked "why swallows build in the eaves of houses? It is to listen to the stories." _JM Barrie

Everybody has their own story, and every story is worth being heard. So go on and tell me yours. I'm listening....

2008-12-09T21:42:00.000-08:00

i could feel it in my bones

when i was told

we were going for a ride

down woodland drive

i almost fell asleep

watching the rows of trees

until we ran out of lines

on woodland drive

i wish this would never end

just keep going round the bend

keep this memory alive

down on woodland drive

i will always remember

waiting forever

by your chevy that died

on woodland drive

i'll never forget

the road was so wet

you were the love of my life

but i lost you on woodland drive

quote me.

2008-11-29T11:20:00.000-08:00

While I was writing my little grad thing for the yearbook, I found some really stellar quotes. Here are a few of my favourites...

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life from what we give. {Winston Churchill}

Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live. {Anonymous}

It's easy to make a buck, but it’s a lot tougher to make a difference. {Tom Brokaw}

Life isn’t measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. {Anonymous}

There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right... {Martin Luther}

♥ ireland

2008-11-12T15:46:00.000-08:00

Round-trip flight to Ireland: $1,502

Room & board at Aunt Vera's for the summer: $200

Taking a bus from Belfast to Enniskillen: $53

Discovering your family heritage, seeing the world, and having a good time while you're at it: Priceless

If only I happened to have a Visa card with $2,000 on it...$3,000 wouldn't hurt either. haha.

But maybe it'll happen in a few years, God willing.

bee yourself.

2008-11-01T22:27:00.000-07:00

Halloween is the one day of the year that you are allowed to be someone that you're not. Or maybe it's the one day of the year when you are allowed to be yourself without others judging you. Either way, it's a great excuse for a party.

"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation." _Oscar Wilde, De Profundis, 1905

True true.

"Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth." _Oscar Wilde

But my favourite of all.

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." _Dr. Seuss

high school.

2008-10-28T19:13:00.001-07:00

Oh the drama, oh the parties, oh the hype! It sounds fun, at times, but then again it also sounds kind of exhausting. haha. So good to see J & K & N again, and to be a part of it all again, just for a minute. But I'll never be able to reminisce about the grad prank we pulled, or the ultimate sweet sixteen that so and so threw, or the time we got that clueless Social Studies substitute teacher. Oh well. There are more exciting things in life, like traveling the world and working at the food bank and graduating early!

I saw HSM 3 on Friday. AHAHAH. But it was actually pretty good, maybe even better than the first = O !!! I also saw FIREPROOF! It was amazing, even though it was really cheesy. It was refreshing to see a movie that actually had meaning, plot, conflict, and importance. I really liked it. How could I not, especially with Kirk Cameron in it!?

backcome?

2008-10-20T19:57:00.000-07:00

Or comeback?

I think it's true, I think it's coming back.

So here's my first back-come post.

purple.

2008-07-31T15:18:00.000-07:00

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience — among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved — and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. {Ephesians 2}

I always have to remind myself of this passage. I have to remember that I was dead in my sins, but our loving, merciful, and gracious God saved little old undeserving me. Doesn't that make you think about things a bit differently?

We got home from camp last week, and oh boy. It was so much fun, but I think I actually did learn some things too. It was sad though because it's like the week didn't even start till Thursday, and then we left early Saturday morning. Oh well, I am really looking forward to next year. But our family is so spontaneous who knows what we'll be doing.

touch your nose.

2008-06-18T23:53:00.001-07:00

Wiggle your toes, why not. Be silly. Because “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” {Dr. Seuss}. And you know what? Live your life. I know it sounds so ridiculously ridiculous and simply simple, but it's profound. In the span of all eternity, our lives are just a snippet, a raindrop, a snowflake, a sun ray, a mountain top, a grain of sand, a falling leaf, a passing car, a wheel going round. So make the most of it.

By the way, if you've seen Summer around, please tell her to come visit me. I miss her. She's due in a couple of days and I'm worried about her. Just pass on the message if you get the chance, thanks. Oh, and ask her to make this one real special. <3>

www.flickr.com/photos/karadarling

when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

2008-06-10T14:56:00.001-07:00

Actually, I prefer the saying, "When life gives you lemons, make orange juice and then everyone will wonder how you did it." ...But for the moment I think the one in the title is more suitable.

God sure works in mysterious ways, and even when I have no idea what He's doing I am so happy that I can trust in Him because His plan is perfect and good. I got baptized this last weekend, and it was just an amazing weekend all around, for the most part. I met someone named Zin, who is an atheist and really needs Jesus, just like we all do. We got to talking and I invited him to youth group, totally not expecting him to come. Sure enough though he showed up, and he came to church on Sunday! I am praying that God is working in his heart.

It's been crazy the last couple of days, and that's all I have to say about that {Forrest Gump said that too}.

Sigur Ros is coming out with a new album this month and it's beautiful. I listened to it this morning online and I love it, all of it.

Hope you enjoyed this insanely random sane post, for all you random people that accidentally happen to come across my blog and wish you never had, but I thank you for the 0.3 seconds that you stay on it before realizing that this is not your friend's blog about how to actually make orange juice from lemons.

Cheerio.

watch yo back.

2008-06-01T17:35:00.000-07:00

Look out OK Go........

GANGSTA!

2008-05-25T22:03:00.000-07:00

When you try your best, but you don't succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone, but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

And high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

do hard things.

2008-05-05T14:14:00.000-07:00

Great weekend, so much fun, so inspiring to hear the speakers talk about going above and beyond expectations of teenagers today. I was really challenged to come home and do a hard thing, and I am looking forward to making a difference more often. I learned about life and about myself. And I loved hanging out with everyone, eh babay! Good times...

Anyways, I heard this song on the way home from Oregon and I really liked it.

Praise You in the Storm - Casting Crowns

I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

happy birthday to you...

2008-04-23T19:20:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday Mom!
You are the BEST mom ever. Through thick and thin, good or bad, happy or sad, you have been there for me. You have been there to listen to me talk on and on late at night when you wanted nothing more than to go to sleep. You have been there for me when I had a test the next day and had no clue what I was doing. You have been there for me even when I didn't think I needed you, but I did. Thank you so much for being such an amazing example to me of a Godly woman, of a loving wife, and an awesome mom. When I grow up I want to be just like you.
I love you.

88 keys.

2008-04-14T08:49:00.000-07:00

I got a phone call from a very good friend on Saturday night, and it made my day. Actually, it pretty much made my week, maybe even month. God is amazing, the way He works things out. In the toughest times, and in the best times, whether we are faithful to Him or not, He is faithful to us. I am so happy for that, because I know that I lack on my side of the relationship, but it never changes on His side. God is so good.

Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Morning by morning I wake up to find
The power and comfort of God's hand in mine
Season by season I watch Him, amazed
In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways
All I'm in need of, His hand will provide
He's always been faithful to me

I cant remember a trial or a pain
He did not recycle to bring me gain
I cant remember one single regret
In serving God only, and trusting His hand
All I'm in need of, His hand will provide
He's always been faithful to me

This is my anthem, this is my song
The theme of the stories I've heard for so long
God has been faithful, He will be again
His loving compassion, it knows no end
All I'm in need of, His hand will provide
He's always been faithful, He's always been faithful
He's always been faithful to me

He's Always Been Faithful - Sara Groves

a tribute, to sliced bread.

2008-04-08T19:45:00.000-07:00

We found a whole pile of home videos this weekend, and have been watching them every night. We've seen videos from when I was a baby, when we were all small, from back in the White Rock house, family-get-togethers, old film from back in the day, and the lost footage from Africa. It's made me miss Africa even more, and realize just what an experience that truly was. I was so young, and I still am really young, but at the time there was so much going on and so fast that I didn't really realize what an impact it would have on the people we met there and me. I want to go back so bad, and I hope we do get there one day, God willing.

And Happy Birthday.
and Happy Belated Birthday.
To Dad, and to Gram.
Two wonderful people that I am glad to know, and just happened to end up in the same family as them.

WORD OF THE DAY:
faz´zo`let ; n. A handkerchief

[hohm]

2008-03-31T18:41:00.000-07:00

home. [hohm] : the place in which one's domestic affections are centered.
my own bed. [mahy ohn bed] : a lovely dreamland where I can get a full night's rest and awake to familiar surroundings.

I love that the sun is setting later, and prettier every day I think. We're having clearer skies and the trees are getting getting a little more colourful. I'd say that's a sure sign of spring. And oh the daffodils! I think ours are going to bloom this season. I hope they do. If only I could smell the flowers, if only I didn't wake up with an annoying cold. Thank goodness for Ricola. And a warm cup of tea.

{increase the peace}

2008-03-23T10:14:00.000-07:00

I am still alive, and I have a few pictures that I will post later for those few faithful readers. I like this place, but I could never live here. Maybe up the coast a bit more, where there is actually mountains and natural water and trees that have more than five branches.

Anyways, I really have nothing to say, other than I am very grateful for what Christ has done and is doing in my life. But the last post was getting kind of old.

As they say here in southern California, ADIOS.

hi ho, hi ho.

2008-03-10T13:10:00.000-07:00

So before I get started on the California thing, I must say - I love the sky. We went to the Planetarium yesterday and I love learning about and looking at the stars, and planets, and moons. It's cool how people know so much about things so far away, that robots haven't even landed on. Yeah, I guess I'm a star geek, not because I know so much but because I find it SO fascinating. So, now to tell you about Cali.

I'm off to Cali-for-nia on Thursday.
Goodbye clouds, goodbye rain, goodbye cold.
And sorry, but Spot won't be coming again this year. Maybe next time?

breakfast @ tiffany's.

2008-03-02T15:48:00.000-08:00

[Hebrews 4:12-13]
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

i wish...

2008-02-19T09:25:00.000-08:00

...it were summer soon. And I could run outside without any boots on, cause I could wear shorts & flip flops. It's not too far away though!

[Indescribable - Chris Tomlin]

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God, You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
INCOMPARABLE, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God, You are amazing God

immeasurable riches.

2008-02-16T23:24:00.000-08:00

I know I have posted this passage so many times before, but I need to read it lots. And each time I do, I am reminded again of God's amazing grace. He loves me so much, but not enough to let me stay this way. Every day, when I choose to live in the passions of the flesh He shows His IMMEASURABLE RICHES and raises me up with Him, seats us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Not because of anything I have done, but because we were created in Him for good works and He loves us. I need it imprinted in my mind 24/7.

[Ephesians 2:1-10] And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

unobliged.

2008-02-13T19:17:00.000-08:00

Sun is shinin' in the sky
There ain't a cloud in sight
It's stopped rainin' ev'rybody's in a play
And don't you know
It's a beautiful new day hey,hey

Runnin' down the avenue
See how the sun shines brightly in the city
On the streets where once was pity
Mister blue sky is living here today hey, hey

Mister blue sky please tell us why
You had to hide away for so long
Where did we go wrong?

Hey you with the pretty face
Welcome to the human race
A celebration, mister blue sky's up there waitin'
And today is the day we've waited for

Hey there mister blue
We're so pleased to be with you
Look around see what you do
Ev'rybody smiles at you

Mister blue sky, mister blue sky
Mister blue sky

Mister blue, you did it right
But soon comes mister night creepin' over
Now his hand is on your shoulder
Never mind I'll remember you this
I'll remember you this way

Mister blue sky please tell us why
You had to hide away for so long
Where did we go wrong?

Hey there mister blue
We're so pleased to be with you
Look around see what you do
Ev'rybody smiles at you
Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba

scrumptious.

2008-01-31T07:59:00.000-08:00

"What a splendid day!" said Anne, drawing a long breath. "Isn't it good just to be alive on a day like this? I pity the people who aren't born yet for missing it. They may have good days, of course, but they can never have this one."

_Anne of Green Gables
by L.M. (Lucy Maud) Montgomery

1234...569&10

2008-01-22T14:14:00.000-08:00

[1 John 1:5-10] This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

hello and goodbye.

2008-01-12T17:27:00.000-08:00

Lucy, I'm home.

irish becky.

2008-01-03T10:44:00.001-08:00

I love this kid.

greetings from hawai'i.

2008-01-01T18:15:00.000-08:00

Lately I've just been thinking about how great GOD is. I mean, just looking around you can see the gospel in the stars, trees, and oceans as well as in day to day life. I've also been pondering about HE wrote the story of each person's life and painted the picture of the universe and all that is inside it. It's hard for my mind to grasp and I'm just like...whoa. So, despite the randomness of this post and it's (most likely) lack of sense, the point is that GOD is just amazing, and I fail to acknowledge too much.

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

316 pages.

2007-12-28T17:35:00.000-08:00

I was looking random things up in my handy pocket dictionary and came upon this definition for family:
fam·i·ly : [fam-uh-lee, fam-lee] : noun, plural -lies, adjective
.a group of persons who form a household under one head, including parents, children, and servants.

Yes, even servants.
hahahahah.

sleep, a lack of.

2007-12-14T20:47:00.000-08:00

I got a letter in the mail today!

[Ephesians 6]
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience — among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved — and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

ma famille.

2007-12-06T10:21:00.000-08:00

Family is a good thing. I love my family. I love that we do EVERYTHING together. I love that we are close to each other. I love that we are friends. I love that God has blessed me with such amazing people in my life, like them.

Psalm 100:5
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

p.s. i love you.

2007-11-26T17:27:00.001-08:00

It's snowing!!!!

Yeah, so this is a lame post but I just thought I'd share my joy with you four who read my blog oh-so faithfully. It's so beautiful, I love it. Said it time and time again throughout my blogging days, that snow is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. Hope it snows lots tonight and we can have snow ball fights tomorrow.

some tea with that?

2007-11-19T19:27:00.001-08:00

"Answering a student's question, 'Will the heathen who have not heard the Gospel be saved?' thus, 'It is more a question with me whether we, who have the Gospel and fail to give it to those who have not, can be saved." {Charles Spurgeon}

everything must come to an end... (Sedona at sunset )

2007-11-15T21:24:00.001-08:00

...except for the song that never ends. But this trip did come to an end. It was good, it was fun, it was really good. Thanks to the Evans (minus Sean and Heather), Mr. Robertson, and Mr. Hastie for hanging out with us and staying with us. Some of the best parts: the Grand Canyon, Sedona, the Suns game, and just chilling in the beautiful sunshine.

I'M IN PHOENIX!

2007-11-11T14:16:00.000-08:00

...and remembering last year's exciting events and all the purdy people I was with. Here is one of my favourite pictures from last years ladies conference. Much fun here with the Evans, Mr. Robertson, and Mr. Hastie. We're going to the Grand Canyon & Sedona tomorrow. I guess I don't have anything meaningful to post but I thought I would do something while we are waiting to go to the mall. Be home soon (Wednesday).

craysay.

2007-11-03T17:13:00.000-07:00

"'Second to the right, and straight on till morning.' That, Peter had told Wendy, was the way to the Neverland." {Peter Pan}

take my life.

2007-10-28T21:16:00.000-07:00

Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise;
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose

Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne

Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee

all over the place.

2007-10-23T19:22:00.001-07:00

"For reasons unfathomable to the most experienced prophets in Maycomb County, autumn turned to winter that year. We had two weeks of the coldest weather since 1885, Atticus said. Mr. Avery said it was written on the Rosetta Stone that when children disobeyed their parents, smoked cigarettes and made war on each other, the seasons would change." - Chapter 4 - To Kill a Mockingbird {by Harper Lee}

By the way, the illness was gone quickly, just for one night (no, I am not bulimic Kars! - feels funny saying that, since I too am "Kars"). Hope none of you get sick! Back to school...

By the way, this is my one hundredth post. WOOT WOOT. hahahaha.

Word of the Day
recidivism \rih-SID-uh-viz-uhm\, noun: A tendency to lapse into a previous condition or pattern of behavior; especially, a falling back or relapse into prior criminal habits.

I love this picture hahaha. Good times...good times.

and they said she would never walk...

2007-10-12T20:55:00.000-07:00

Another web design post...

Learned more about tags and formatting a web page. Looking forward to next week's class where we learn to put a page on the web. Thanks, Mr. H.

of angels and angles.

2007-10-08T21:11:00.000-07:00

I miss it.

web design class.

2007-10-04T11:02:00.000-07:00

This post content is about the web design class I took with Mr. Hewlett this morning. (The photo above has no relevance to the text in this post)

We learned about tags.
The main tags are:

bold

italic

underline

Today was a great class. I used what I learned about tags in todays class to compose this post in the "Edit Html" section. I look forward to next week when we begin building our own website.

chuck taylor.

2007-09-29T13:56:00.000-07:00

[Philippians 4:6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to GOD.

This is something I posted a while back, last winter I believe. I think I need to hear it again.:
"Trust the LORD, Kara! HE plans out all things and HIS will is perfect. Kara; dwell in HIS word and spend time in HIS presence. Listen for HIS voice. Look to HIM for guidance. Breath in the showers of blessings HE has given you. I am an undeserving sinner whom GOD does not need, yet HE pouredHIS grace, mercy, and love upon me and the ones I love."

I love how I switched between talking about myself as a third person and back to first person again. haha.

italian blues out of an overcrowded river bus.

2007-09-23T20:13:00.000-07:00

So I was thinking...prayer needs to be a bigger part in my life. Not just prayer as in asking GOD to heal her and save him and help them, but prayer as in praising HIM and having a relationship with the GOD who is incredibly faithful and merciful. I love talking to my friends all the time, my family too, but why not the GOD who if not for HIS grace I wouldn't be able to do anything, let alone live! The GOD who saved me, who raised me, who pulled me from the grave. I think that a healthy relationship is built on constant communication and time with one another, as well as being passionate, and my passion for CHRIST and the gospel is often missing. Sometimes, when HE allows me to, I can see the difference between when I am finding my joy in CHRIST and when I am looking for peace and happiness in other places. Those times are usually when I am not spending time with HIM (not just by HIM but with HIM) whole-heartedly. I let myself get distracted so easily and end up putting aside my time with GOD to finish the rest of my list of things to do for the day.

Anyways, I don't really know if this will make sense...this jumble of words on not very much sleep and not a lot of time either.

i love thee...

2007-09-18T19:57:00.001-07:00

BOOM! That's what I heard when I went to the tree fort today. A big boom of thunder. The clouds were angrily rolling over our house and tearing apart the blue sky. I figured this was the best time to go for a bike ride and get some fresh air before the rain came, so I rode down the street to check the mail. It started with a couple light drops and by the time I got to the mailbox I was soaked to the bone. It was movie raining. In addition, I had gotten a beautiful letter from my darling Kara(A). I ran inside, sat on the couch to read it, and then without waiting another minute I ran back outside and rode my bike again to the corner store to get some stamps. People must have thought I looked ridiculous, or insane, because I was literally drenched as if I had stepped into a shower right then...and I did. Not just a shower though, a violent shower that was more than perfect. On the way home it started to hail mint-sized beads of ice that stung my face as I pedaled for home. I kept my head down the rest of the way, not able to see past the sheets of pouring rain or the pellets of ice. As soon as I got home, I changed into dry clothes and made myself a cup of tea in my POPGOESMYHEART mug. It may sound really silly to all of you, but this afternoon couldn't get any better, except for if that letter in the mail was sent in person!

POP.

sillybilly.

2007-09-13T10:29:00.000-07:00

[Galations 5:24-25] And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

goodbye to summer, hello to fall.

2007-09-05T13:13:00.001-07:00

I hear the Savior say
Thy strength indeed is small
Child of weakness....watch and pray
Find in me....thine all in all

Jesus paid it all
All to Him I owe
Sin hath left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone
Can change the leper's spots
And melt the heart of stone

For nothing good have I
Whereby Thy grace to claim
I'll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calvary's Lamb

And when before thy throne
I stand in Him complete
Jesus died my soul to save
My lips shall still repeat

splash.

2007-08-30T19:43:00.000-07:00

"God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December." _JM Barrie

old glory antiques.

2007-08-20T14:42:00.000-07:00

My blog has lacked excitement and comments in the last while. And a couple people have quit blogging. However I enjoy it because I can share thoughts, scriptures, opinions, funny things, favorite songs and so on. I often write things down much more comfortably than saying them out loud. I don't post as much as I did one year ago (there were like fifteen posts every month). This month especially I can understand why the interest of reader's has declined. Anyways, that doesn't matter. Last night we had a long car ride and lots of time for me to reflect on the weekend.

I went down to Vancouver, Washington with my family and some other people from Crossway. I had so much fun with the people I knew, I got to meet people I had never met before, and got to know people I didn't know very well. On top of that, I had the awesome opportunity to help out Christ Our Redeemer Church kick start their first "official" Sunday. The theme (displayed on our beautiful and matching t-shirts) "itsnotaboutus" ( = it[apostrophe]s[space]not[space]about[space]us ) is something I let slip my mind way too much. Even though I was wearing the shirt and surrounded by dozens of others wearing it too, I sometimes found what I wanted more important than why I had come down to Vancouver in the first place. However, as well as being reminded of my own failures and selfishness that I continue to struggle with day after day in my sinful nature that I am drawn to so greatly, I was reminded again of God's unchanging grace, love, and mercy. This He has shown ultimately through the crucifixion and resurrection of His Son that we may be forgiven and be able to come to Him in those times of difficulty and defeat and although undeserving of everything He brings our way, we are welcomed into the arms of God.

I am absolutely in awe of how great our God is and I am so thankful for the chance I was given to participate in such a fantastic experience this last weekend with other believers who love God and have such servant hearts. I was encouraged to see so many people down there helping with this church plant for His glory alone.

[Romans 11:33-36] Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

HOLLER to Kristina and Alysha Lyn, both dear friends of mine.
Aly and I celebrated our one year anniversary this last Tuesday, August 14th - even though her date and my date are slightly different. Aly challenges me to do things for the glory of God, reminding me that it is not about ME. She's been there through eggs and ham and I love her!
Kerstina's birthday was Thursday, August 16th. I don't know when we became friends but ever since she's been with me for tons of laughter and great chats - bowling @ new years, ladies conference in phoenix, the tree @ celebration'07, and most recently vancouver, WA.

this.

2007-08-11T12:32:00.001-07:00

watch this.

amazing.
bewildering.
clever.
daring.
exciting.
fantastic.
gallant.
heavenly.
incredible.
jaw-dropping.
killer.
lively.
magnificent.
notorious.
overwhelming.
powerful.
quite dramatic.
radical.
sensational.
thenthational.
unbelievable.
varying.
wonderful.
xcellent.
yikes.
zed.

(semicolon)

2007-08-04T18:12:00.000-07:00

Come thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing thy grace
Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above
I'll praise the mount I'm fixed upon it
Mount of thy redeeming love

{lahf-ter}

2007-07-29T17:37:00.000-07:00

laugh [laf, lahf] - verb : to express mirth, pleasure, derision, or nervousness with an audible, vocal expulsion of air from the lungs that can range from a loud burst of sound to a series of quiet chuckles and is usually accompanied by characteristic facial and bodily movements.

"If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane." [Jimmy Buffett]

joy.joy.joy.

2007-07-19T12:21:00.000-07:00

[Hebrews 12:1-2] Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

I am so amazed at God's incredible grace and love and the blessings He has placed in my life. I have an awesome family. I have fantabulous friends. And sin had left a crimson stain and He washed it white as snow.

Hello. My name is Korea.

2007-07-07T19:02:00.000-07:00

[Romans 12:9-21] Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

here, LORD, I give myself away; 'tis all that I can do.

2007-07-02T14:11:00.001-07:00

Alas! And Did My Saviour Bleed [Isaac Watts]

Alas! and did my Savior bleed,
And did my Sovereign die!
Would he devote that sacred head
For sinners such as I?

Was it for crimes that I have done,
he groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide,
and shut its glories in,
when God, the mighty maker, died
for his own creature's sin

Thus might I hide my blushing face
while his dear cross appears;
dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
and melt mine eyes to tears

But drops of tears can ne'er repay
the debt of love I owe
Here, Lord, I give myself away;
'tis all that I can do

do you ever feel like your mind is going at 100 miles per hour with no contingency for a pit stop?

2007-06-24T18:34:00.001-07:00

I don't know why (although I do have a few ideas: lack of any form of sleep, organization, or energy), but lately this is how I feel. However, I have no reason - that I can comprehend - to feel this way (other than the very late-night weekend).

[Sovereign One] .. Zach Jones

When I’m all alone and afraid
I will trust in You
For You watch over my ways
When things in my life don’t make sense
I will trust in You
For You are good, You are good

Sovereign One
You work all things to Your plan
Sovereign One
You hold all things in Your hands

When I don’t get to have my own way
I will trust in You
For You know what is best
When tears begin to roll down my face
I will trust in You
For You are good, You are good

Perfect in power, You control all things
Perfect in wisdom, You know everything
Perfect in goodness
Jesus, You’re so good to me
So good to me

yuzz-a-ma-tuzz.

2007-06-19T21:11:00.000-07:00

“My alphabet starts with this letter called yuzz. It’s the leter I use to spell yuzz-a-ma-tuzz. You’ll be sort of surprised what there is to be found once you go beyond ‘Z’ and start poking around!” --Dr. Seuss

_thanks Katie for the fun day @ the beach.

fly me to the moon.

2007-06-13T21:16:00.000-07:00

[2 Timothy 2:8-13] Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful — for he cannot deny himself.

trees, flowers, clouds, and stars.

2007-06-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars. -- Martin Luther

vernon.

2007-05-30T17:25:00.000-07:00

It is so lovely up here. The sunshine, the heat, the lake, the mountains, the family, the sunsets, the moon. It is truly scumptious. The colours in the skies change so often, so beautifully. The shading on the mountain is always picture perfect; in the morning you can see the greens and yellows and browns and pinks, and at night it washes into a silhouette of wonderfulness. So many stars, so far away, so big, some we can't even see but they're there. It is amazing. And so adventurous. We had a picnic last night, built a log cabin up in the hills this morning, and just now Matt and I came in from a fight out on the dock, ending with both of us in the water fully clothed. Don't worry, Mom and Dad, no one got hurt and no one got upset. It was much fun.

Come visit me, will you?

no title.

2007-05-27T22:37:00.000-07:00

"Jem told me I was being a girl, that girls always imagined things, that's why other people hated them so, and if I started behaving like one I could just go off and find some to play with." -- To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

"he chit."

2007-05-22T15:17:00.000-07:00

[Titus 2:11-14] For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

The more time we spend with our Savior, the more we will come to know Him, the more we will become like Him, the more we will glorify Him. He is faithful, even when I am not, even when I am completely unaware of His hand on my life. God is so good.

agnes+trudy.

2007-05-12T17:06:00.001-07:00

[Amazing Grace, v.2&3 - by Rev. John Newton, 1779]

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieves;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed

Thro' many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home

just a coffee.

2007-05-07T22:20:00.000-07:00

::My frightening ordeal of the day....ordering "just a coffee"::

I ventured to Starbucks this afternoon with my Dad. Before I ran in to grab us some drinks, I asked him what he wanted. He replied with an answer that I will never be able to get over. "Just a coffee," he said. I agreed to fulfill his request and with my leg half way out the door I realized I didn't know how to order "just a coffee" from Starbucks. Ordering "just a coffee" from Starbucks is implausible, unheard of, never been done before. I was completely lost. When I went to seek council from my dad about how to overcome this he said to just make up some kind of low-fat-so-fat-no-fat-go-fat-thing and kind of morph it all into a mumble.
I must be honest, ordering a drink from Starbucks often terrifies me, for they have created a language and class of their own so complex that everyone knows you have to be at a certain level to be able to casually walk into a Starbucks, order your drink, and be out in less than a minute and a half. I stand in awe of those people. I am one of those customers who walks in with sweaty palms, darting eyes, and my ears trying to catch every conversation around so I can maybe get a hint about what I am supposed to do in that jungle of business men and faithful college students.
After a pep talk from my dad, I confidently got out of the car and walked into the coffee shop. I ordered my own drink first, only to blank out on the low-fat-so-fat-no-fat-go-fat-thing. I gave up and told her to surprise me. Predictably, the overly friendly young girl who obviously studied for nights to be able to say "tall nonfat cinnamon dolce latte" in less than half a second flat to get her wages at the end of the day so she can pay for her first car made a good call. This horrifying situation ended pretty well as my dad received his drink and was more than satisfied as we drove away.

I can tell you that it will probably be a long while before I am able to face those mighty jaws, waiting to suck me into the heartache and misery of questioning the law of coffee, just so I can get a caffeine buzz, ever again.

For now, I think I'll stick with my dietPEPSI.
And I don't even like dietPEPSI.

'till her daddy takes the t-bird away.

2007-05-04T11:58:00.000-07:00

[Isaiah 12:2-6] Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: "Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the peoples, proclaim that His name is exalted. Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

WORD OF THE DAY (this isn't from today but i liked it) :
quagmire \KWAG-myr; KWOG-\, noun; 1) Soft, wet, miry land that shakes or yields under the feet. 2) A difficult or precarious position or situation; a predicament.

ytinas.

2007-04-29T18:18:00.000-07:00

[Isaiah 63:15-19] Look down from heaven and see, from your holy and beautiful habitation. Where are your zeal and your might? The stirring of your inner parts and your compassion are held back from me. For you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name. O Lord, why do you make us wander from your ways and harden our heart, so that we fear you not? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage. Your holy people held possession for a little while; our adversaries have trampled down your sanctuary. We have become like those over whom you have never rules, like those who are not called by your name.

>>My apologies, folks. No word of the day tonight.

sidetracked>>

2007-04-25T10:57:00.000-07:00

Where is my zeal, my passion? I have not been treasuring His word in my heart, nor have I been seeking and meditating and trusting on Him fully. I've been a little side-tracked, slightly off course, looking into my own interests first. This passage, I must remind myself of constantly. This is how I want to be.

[Psalm 119:10-16] With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

WORD OF THE DAY:
prepotency \pree-POTE-n-see\, noun:
1) The quality or condition of having superior power, influence, or force; predominance. 2) (Biology) The capacity, on the part of one of the parents, as compared with the other, to transmit more than his or her own share of characteristics to their offspring.

fairies.

2007-04-23T13:54:00.000-07:00

“When the first baby laughed for the first time, the laugh broke into a thousand pieces and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies.” --JM Barrie

WORD OF THE DAY:
gregarious \grih-GAIR-ee-us\, adjective:
1) Tending to form a group with others of the same kind. 2) Seeking and enjoying the company of others.

zaboo.

2007-04-16T21:44:00.000-07:00

WOWZERS!

I know I have said many times in the past that Dr. Seuss is my hero, but to tell you the truth...he's got some competition going now.
JESUS:. Beaten, scorned, raised upon a tree/For my sin, it was laid on thee/For my sin, it was bled by He.
dr.THEODORE SEUSS:. What can I say? This man was genius. "My alphabet starts with this letter called yuzz. It's the letter I use to spell yuzz-a-ma-tuzz. You'll be sort of surprised what there is to be found once you go beyond 'Z' and start poking around!”
ZABOOMAFOO:. He tells the best stories. He finds the strangest things. And he is loved by all. Who doesn't wake up a little earlier just to watch Zaboomafoo?

I must say, there are many amazing people I could talk about on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on but there are two people in particular that really kind of brought my focus back on God.
1) my MOMMY:. How patient she is with my bad attitudes and bad hair days and just bad everythings. She encourages me to keep going and not get caught up in myself and my sin but focus on the cross in times of need, times of blessing, and times of "AAH-I-CAN'T-FIND-MY-HAIR-BRUSH!" God sent just the right one for me. I couldn't ask for a better mom.
2) Dearest (Alysha Lyn):. If you read her blog, you will see a conversation we had earlier today and I expressed my silly fears and once again she reminded me of God's sovereignty and amazing grace. She is my super-friend. And a super-trooper. And a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious friend and sister in Christ.

WORD OF THE DAY:
cavort \kuh-VORT\, intransitive verb:
1) To bound or prance about. 2) To have lively or boisterous fun; to behave in a high-spirited, festive manner.

asian pose.!

2007-04-13T10:49:00.000-07:00

After 48 hours of putting my patience to the test, I am proud at what I have accomplished with this young jedi.

This, I like.

He Woke Me Up Again
((Sufjan Stevens))

He was, he was in the churchyard.
My father was in the first part.
He came, he came to my bedroom
but I was asleep.
And he woke me up again to say:

Halle Halle Hallelujah
Holy Holy is the sound.

And I hope, I hope you are tired out.
And I know, I know there is joy endowed.
But I was asleep,
And he woke me up again,
And he woke me up again to say...

Hold on, hold on to your old ways
Or put off, put off every old face.
And I know, I know you are changed out.
And I hope, I hope you're arranged out.
But I'm still asleep
And you woke me up again.
And I'm still asleep
But you woke me up to leave

[photo credit - joe's camara + me + the cutest girl in the big wide world]

a bright yellow garden.

2007-04-09T10:26:00.000-07:00

Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
(Henry J. van Dyke)

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,
Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us, brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward in the triumph song of life.

WORD OF THE DAY:
\ abecedarian \ay-bee-see-DAIR-ee-uhn\, noun:
1) One who is learning the alphabet; hence, a beginner. 2) One engaged in teaching the alphabet. 3) Pertaining to the letters of the alphabet. 4) Arranged alphabetically. 5) Rudimentary; elementary.

mary.

2007-04-01T21:47:00.000-07:00

[James 3:5-12] 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

OH! How much I let my words escape without putting much thought into them. We discussed "the tongue" during our Girl's Tea & Bible Study on Friday. I, once again, realized just how strong the tongue can truly be. "How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!" (v.5); This quote is quite true. I think about how even the slightest word coming from my anger can set ablaze to a fire that I am blind to, a fire that I may never see, but a destructive fire nonetheless. Yet, this can only remind me of my great need for our Savior. And buoy, is He good to us.

WORD OF THE DAY:
jocular \JOK-yuh-luhr\, adjective:
1) Given to joking or jesting. 2) Characterized by joking; playful.

hi. i am eclectic.

2007-03-26T16:51:00.000-07:00

[Ephesians 2:4-10] But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

MY WORD OF THE DAY:

eclectic [i-klek-tik]–adjective
1) selecting or choosing from various sources. 2) made up of what is selected from different sources.

(one of) the happiest place(s) on earth.

2007-03-24T10:46:00.000-07:00

Sorry they are all so small. But so many pictures, so many stories, so little space, so little time.

^^ These are my flip flops after the first day of Disney (Cali Adventure). I went with my converse the next day.

^^ Space Mountain

^^ GOOFY

^^ Bill Hill was new! Aaaah, it's just not the same...

^^ the Mad Hatter's Tea Cups

Last but not least, ^^ the Matter Horn

And can I just take this opportunity to say, I love you just the way you are, Katie.

WORD OF THE DAY:
dour \DOO-uhr; DOW-uhr\, adjective: 1) Harsh; stern. 2) Unyielding; inflexible; obstinate. 3) Marked by ill humor; gloomy; sullen.

st patrick's.

2007-03-19T09:54:00.000-07:00

Wish you were here...

alice in wonderland.

2007-03-15T10:38:00.000-07:00

So, we're leaving tomorrow. I am quite excited. Road trips in general are always fun, as long as you are doing it with someone you don't mind being around for more than 24 hours. And not just "being around", you have to know how to handle yourself when they get annoying (haha) and be able to share everything from drinks to clothes to food to chairs to toothbrushes (well maybe not toothbrushes, but you get the picture).

Combined with thoughts on a website I found, these are just a few rules I've come up with on road trips (the following was created with help from http://www.themorningnews.org/archives/how_to/how_to_road_trip.php):
1) Your hair looks fine - you are there to enjoy the ride and feel free, not to check the mirror every five minutes and slow down your trip
2) Driver controls the music (!!!) - "Passenger gets two vetoes per three hours or 150 miles, whichever comes first. No exceptions."
3) No hogging the twizzlers - share everything. "If your passenger is asleep you may eat their candy, but you must be prepared to make a pit stop to replace it within 30 minutes of their waking up. Road-trip snacks should not be underestimated."
4) Have a sleeping strategy - everyone decides where to sleep before you end up at a ghetto Motel 6 with bullet holes in the door and "coffee stains" on the sheets.
5) The road wants what it wants - "Some are inspired to be chatty, others find long car trips more meditative. Driver can call ‘Quiet,’ and it can last 30 minutes out of every 90 they are behind the wheel. Similarly there may be stretches of the trip where at least one person who is not driving needs to keep the driver company. You may resent this duty, but losing a little beauty sleep beats losing your head if the driver drifts off to sleep."
6) You'll (most likely) never see those people again - Let it all go, be a mess, trip in to/over the garbage cans, ask for directions, or drive arond with your windows open as you play some intensely pitiful chick rock or sappy pop music
7) Be prepared to get dirty and for things to go wrong - Road trips aren't for fancy, perfectionist, organized people. Expect the unexpected, predict the unpredicted, plan for the unplanned, and know that you will probably get lost at least once. Road trips are for trying new things, exploring places, and finding foods that taste and smell much too familiar to the Wednesday surprise you had in your Junior High Cafeteria.
8) Everytime you stop, at least try to go to the bathroom - This was the number one rule on our family road trips when I was younger. This rule probably helped us get from White Rock to Anaheim in 19 hours.
9) Choose your road trip pals wisely - don't go with anyone who you think will not be able to abide by these rules.
10) Don't do anything stupid - Don't go down steep, muddy ravines at a late hour of night, don't ride the ski chair with the safety bar still up, don't try diving off a rock head first into unclear water to see how deep it is, and if you think you can't do something successfully with the chances of breaking a bone to not breaking a bone as high as the building you want to jump off of, just don't do it.
Finally, don't forget who you want to give the glory to at all times, and don't think that just because you are on a road trip doesn't mean you have to quit doing your daily devotions to keep on schedule. Keep a positive attitude and try to use your imagination. If the frying pan handle breaks, remember duct tape is your friend. If your shoe gets a hole in it, again, duct tape it. If you go out and as you trip over the curb and rip your jeans where you would most not want them to rip, just pretend it is the new style (and try to avoid people in general).

To all, a great week, and a great week to all.
[Romans 5:6-11] For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

WORD OF THE DAY:
taciturn \TAS-uh-turn\, adjective: Habitually silent; not inclined to talk.

1963.

2007-03-08T12:41:00.000-08:00

Close your eyes as you go back in time, discovering new ideas and old ideas, yet even better than they were before. I give you, 1963 in the future.
On second thought, don't close your eyes. Just look at our photo shoot.

da na sa.

2007-03-05T12:11:00.000-08:00

Da na saa, da na saa
Da on ya ma na saa
If he say, oh yay
Na na do, do so
Da na saa, da na saa
Da on ya ma na saa

I know it really, really looks like jibberish or Finnish or something like that, but it's not. It's Twi, and the kids in Ghana sang it a lot, and we learned it, and we learned the meaning, but I just didn't really learn the spelling. I miss it. It was on Oprah a week or two ago, for a moment, when they were doing a special on Ghana. I hope to go back to Ghana, someday, and find out how to really spell this song out. Whatever God wills... I am always amazed thinking about how God has everything planned out, even when we don't understand what or why at that exact moment. We probably won't ever be able to comprehend or get a glimpse of the answers to our questions in our life. He knows what we are thinking, what we are doing, why we are doing it. He is incredible. He never changes. And He is so good to us.

WORD OF THE DAY:
galumph \guh-LUHM(P)F\, intransitive verb: To move in a clumsy manner or with a heavy tread.

kids.

2007-02-28T11:46:00.000-08:00

Man, I love the way kids think. I love the way they talk, the way they dance, the way they concentrate so desperately to colour in the lines with their crayons. I love the way they think, the way they so innocently view things, and how full of wonder they are. Oh boy. And I love the way they somehow find a way to outsmart adults, and they know just the time to do it...

((
As Mr. Dolphus Raymond was an evil man I accepted his invitation reluctantly, but I followed Dill. Somehow, I didn't think Atticus would like it if we became friendly with Mr. Raymond, and I knew Aunt Alexandra woudn't. "Here," he said, offering Dill his paper sack with straws in it. "Tåke a good sip, it'll quieten you." Dill sucked on the straws, smiled, and pulled at length. "Hee hee," said Mr. Raymond, evidently taking delight in corrupting a child. "Dill, you watch out, now," I warned. Dill released the straws and grinned. "Scout, it's nothing but Coca-Cola." Mr. Raymond sat up against the tree trunk. He had been lying on the grass. "You little folks won't tell on me now, will you? It'd ruin my reputation if you did." "You mean all you drink in that sack's Coca-Cola? Just plain Coca-Cola?" "Yes ma'am," Mr. Raymond nodded. I liked his smell: it was of leather, horses, cottonseed. He wore the only English riding boots I had ever seen. "That's all I drink, most of the time." I had a feeling that I shouldn't be listening to this sinful man who had mixed children and didn't care who knew it, but he was fascinating. I had never encoutnered a being who deliberately perpetrated fraud against himself. But why had he entrusted us with his deepest secret? I asked him why. "Because you're children and you can understand it," he said.
))
[To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee]

WORD OF THE DAY:
profligate \PROF-luh-guht; -gayt\, adjective:
1) Openly and shamelessly immoral; dissipated; dissolute. 2) Recklessly wasteful. 3) A profligate person.

untitled.

2007-02-24T16:45:00.000-08:00

OH THE SUN. the beach. warm water. hot sand. no goosebumps when i walk outside. t-shirts and shorts. flip-flops. sunglasses.
march 17.

7When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. 8Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. 9But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!” [Jonah 2]

WORD OF THE DAY: hardscrabble (adjective) \HARD-skrab-uhl\
1) Yielding a bare or meager living with great labor or difficulty. 2) Marked by poverty.

cheerios.

2007-02-19T17:26:00.000-08:00

I am drinking tea and munching down on handfuls of dry honey nut Cheerios. I don't think I have done anything like that in a long time. And I'm not quite sure why I am drinking tea and eating Cheerios.

There have been many prayer requests I have stumbled upon today. Kayla, Alysha, Momma S., illness is taking over their household it seems. haha. And, my Gram. Yesterday in church while she was playing Amazing Grace on the piano she began having chest pains. Being the tough lady she is, she hoped a nap would make it go away. When that didn't work, she assumed it was just the flu. Finally, last night, she let my stubborn Papa take her to the hospital where they told her she had a heart attack. Not quite sure why. She is still fairly young for a grandma, and she doesn't have any major reason as to why she would have a heart attack. I might visit her tomorrow...we're not sure yet. Thanks to everyone who has already been so encouraging already. Please keep them all in your prayers.

WORD OF THE DAY: specious (adjective) [SPEE-shahs]
1.) plausible or appearing to be true, but actually false: "Felix was never tempted by the specious low-fat menu that hung above the fryers at his local fast food restaurant." 2.) superficially or deceptively attractive

"I think I will be a clown when I get grown," said Dill. Jem and I stopped in our tracks. "Yes sir, a clown," he said. "There ain't one thing in this world I can do about folks except laugh, so I'm gonna join the circus and laugh my head off." "You got it backwards," said Jem. "Clowns are sad, it's folks that laugh at them." "Well I'm gonna be a new kind of clown. I'm gonna be a new kind of clown. I'm just gonna stand in the ring and laugh at folks. Just looka yonder," he pointed. "Every one of 'em oughta be ridin' broomsticks. Aunt Rachel already does." [Chapter22 - To Kill a Mockingbird: Harper Lee]

john wayne gacy jr.

2007-02-12T18:50:00.000-08:00

This is my cottage; Copney Cottage, on the east coast of Northern Ireland. Such a beautiful place. God willing, I plan to go back there some day.

"If any of you should ask me for an epitome of the Christian religion, I should say that it is in one word - prayer. Live and die without prayer, and you will pray long enough when you get to hell.
...
There is enough dust on some of your Bible's to write "damnation" with your fingers."
[Charles Spurgeon]

Wow. Both of these are so important, yet that is so easy for me to forget. Prayer and reading. ACK. You know, sometimes I will try to pinpoint the problem on some "excuse" of mine, but really it's only in my own selfishness. I think that what I am doing now or then or later is more important than spending time with God. It's not.

"Summer was our best season: it was sleeping on the back screened porch in cots, or trying to sleep in the treehouse; summer was everything good to eat; it was a thousand colours in a parched landscape; but most of all Summer was Dill." [To Kill a Mockingbird: Harper Lee - Ch4]

Word of the Day:
mien (noun) [meen]

1. bearing or demeanor, especially as an indication of mental state or character: "Tara should have known from Brendan's jittery mien on their first date, that he had deeply rooted, unusually high levels of anxiety."
2. an appearance or aspect; air; bearing

okanagan lake.

2007-01-31T17:16:00.000-08:00

When I see this picture, it makes me think of our God Almighty. No particular reason why, other than the gorgeous night sky taking over the quiet daylight. If you look closely, you can see the lake is still, the mountains are near, and people are inside their houses washing dishes together as family and singing songs before bed. This was taken a few years ago, but every once in a while I go back and am reminded, once again, of God's amazing beauty. God's amazing love, and His amazing mercy. No matter how many times I fail [and trust me, it's a lot], He picks me back up again and we start afresh each day. As I work myself up these steep and narrow stairs, I can only remind myself of this picture, and how much more magnificent the beauty will be when I reach the top. After all the ups-and-downs and side-to-sides and places that I have no idea why I went there, I can only have one thing in mind. That I am doing it for His glory in a much bigger and breathtaking picture.

parents.

2007-01-29T11:02:00.000-08:00

[Ephesians 6:1] Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right."

I know this is like, one of the classic Sunday school verses, but I was thinking about it on the way home last night and just how easy it is to forget. God commands us to obey our parents, not because they are right [although chances are, they're right], not because we want to [of course we want to], not because we will get something out of it, but because "this is right". Colossians 3:20 says, "Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well and pleasing unto the Lord."
Although most people don't struggle with this, I have a hard time seeing my parents as a gift, as was discussed yesterday with Alysha and Jess. They do so much for me, so why can't I just tidy up the kitchen when they ask me to. Why not take a night off from hanging with the group because I want to spend time with my family. It's all simple, simple stuff, yet challenges me every day.

the good times.

2007-01-19T13:28:00.000-08:00

Well, I am off to do my math now. But I was looking and sorting through pictures all morning and I decided that I like these. Brooklyn is something. She is a good something though and I love her.

Alysha, man, what can I say. She is nuts. Nonetheless, I love her.
Let's not count shoulders this time...

apology.

2007-01-18T08:44:00.000-08:00

To: All Who Attend This Blog From Time to Time
From: Me
Date: January 18th, 2007
Subject: Apology

Dear Friends,
I must apologize for my lack of respect that I showed in my post prior. I did not act in love when I spoke. I tend to get a bit of an attitude when I play basketball [and I am not proud of it], which can blur my view of the referees. I am sure that they were doing the best that they could do, after all, you can't see or call everything that goes on in a game. I am so sorry for starting that discussion. I should have left my opinions about them in my head and back where they started.
.me

travelling around the world.

2007-01-17T11:00:00.000-08:00

Can you tell which one my cousin is? haha [hint: he's white] And, the one on the right is Mary. My aunt and uncle are back in Ghana right now. That will be our next stop. : )

i burned my thumb on our 1970's toaster.
it was his fault. he wasn't toasting it right. and it kept popping up, or eating my toast before i could get it out.

snap. crackle. pop.
PING

ACK

WONG.

love.

2007-01-13T18:11:00.000-08:00

i love her. i do. i love them all those warnocks. yet i don't ever show it nearly enough. no, not even close. do everything with love. something i gotta work on.

back from duncan. we came fourth. shoulda come better. we always run in to refs who don't like us. oh well. we played hard. and against older teams. still pretty good. i'm pleased.

skating?

blessed.

2007-01-10T20:35:00.000-08:00

[Job 1:21] And He said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

with love.

2007-01-05T09:55:00.000-08:00

Something that I have been pondering lately...
Don't you think that sometimes we all have a little too much on our minds? Who should be our focus? Who should be in our thoughts? Who should control our actions? Make our decisions? Be our goal? Much too often, it's not who or what it should be. It isn't for me, at least.
The One that doesn't need us. The One that sent His Son to be tortured and murdered for us. The One that will never stop loving you to the very end. Where we deserve nothing, He deserves every part of us.

[1 Corinthians 16:14] Let all that you do be done with love.

happybirthday.

2007-01-04T14:17:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE!

i love you.

tis the new year.

2007-01-01T13:05:00.000-08:00

our sponsors ^^

yet another fabulous steve picture ^^

GROUSE.

2006-12-28T09:38:00.000-08:00

as alysha said, we were skiing and snowboarding yesterday up at grouse. i probably don't hurt as much as her, [after all, she did ski into the fence] except for i don't think i'll find it very easy to sit down for the next week or two. i tried doing my first jump on my snowboard, it didn't go how i planned. at least i got some air off it.
many memories, much fun, paper plates and getting lost.
"they're probably sending a search party out for us right now!"
nope, it was the complete opposite. thanks boys = )

FACT OF THE DAY: grouse is a bird.

ddr.

2006-12-25T17:58:00.000-08:00

//dance dance revolution.
such a brilliant game.

i think you should read all of it, no matter how long it may be...
[jeremiah 10] Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people [are] vain: for [one] cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They [are] upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also [is it] in them to do good. Forasmuch as [there is] none like unto thee, O LORD; thou [art] great, and thy name [is] great in might. Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise [men] of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, [there is] none like unto thee. But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock [is] a doctrine of vanities. Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple [is] their clothing: they [are] all the work of cunning [men]. But the LORD [is] the true God, he [is] the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, [even] they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens. He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion. When he uttereth his voice, [there is] a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures. Every man is brutish in [his] knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image [is] falsehood, and [there is] no breath in them. They [are] vanity, [and] the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish. The portion of Jacob [is] not like them: for he [is] the former of all [things]; and Israel [is] the rod of his inheritance: The LORD of hosts [is] his name. Gather up thy wares out of the land, O inhabitant of the fortress. For thus saith the LORD, Behold

grosskinders.

2006-12-20T18:16:00.000-08:00

contest.boyswon.

friends.

2006-12-16T22:25:00.000-08:00

"False friendship, like the ivy, decays and ruins the walls it embraces; but
true friendship gives new life and animation to the object it supports."
-- Richard Burton

GOD has blessed me so incredibly with true friends.
and now this post is finally coming to an end.

live.like.there.is.no.tomorrow

2006-12-11T21:10:00.000-08:00

[philippians 4:6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to GOD.

i worry way too much. and way too much about nothing. school, life, weather. you are probably laughing already, and if not you will be before the end of this post, because i am so pathetic. yes, i worry about the weather. i worry about my future. i worry about if i am doing enough. i worry about all of the things that i have no control over, and no need to worry over. i don't worry that much about others salvation. and i most certainly do not put others interests ahead of my own.

sometimes i have just got to wake up. trust the LORD, kara! HE plans out all things and HIS will is perfect. kara; dwell in HIS word and spend time in HIS presence. listen for HIS voice. look to HIM for guidance. breath in the showers of blessings HE has given you. i am an undeserving sinner whom GOD does not need, yet HE pouredHIS grace, mercy, and love upon me and the ones i love.

give your worries to JESUS. let HIM be your guide, let HIM hear your prayers, and let HIM speak to you.
live as if there were no tomorrow.

rainboots.

2006-12-07T09:35:00.000-08:00

my rain boots. hahahaaa.
i call them my polkaboots.
i wanted the pink and colourful ones, but they're out of stock.

next stop, TARGET.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATTHEW.
iLOVEyou.

to.mock.is.to.love

2006-12-03T14:02:00.000-08:00

new post.
ooh. mcfly. sweet.

this one is for you joe and steve;
way to be selfless [this is a whole joke you know, i'm just mocking you.]

[matthew 25:35-46]
35For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' 37Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' 40And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[f] you did it to me.' 41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' 44Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' 45Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' 46And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

one more thing.
i've discovered the sczebel motto:
"to mock, is to love"
from the mouths of babes.

oh and:
pray for sam.
and johnny depp.
sam needs help.
johnny depp isn't really johnny depp, he is on drugs.

got whipped cream?

hbd2u.

2006-11-30T15:51:00.000-08:00

HAPPY IN-ADVANCE BIRTHDAY WISHES TO MY FAVOURITE 8-PRETTY-MUCH-9-YEAR OLD BROTHER!

i love you michael.
hope all your birthday wishes come true [within reason].
may the heinz ketchup be with you wherever you go.