Quick Update

Yet another pictureless update, but this one's not my fault! My camera card somehow got corrupted so I had to recover the photos. They are still enroute to my computer. But, I wanted to give a quick update, mostly a request for prayer for my dad and my family. He's going for his surgery on Wednesday, and we are all going down about 6 hours away, for 2 days, for the surgery. Please pray that all goes well. It's a potentially dangerous surgery, and we are praying for God's will to be done. We all appreciate your prayers! Thank you and God bless!

December

I thought November was busy...December is about twice as bad! It's been nice though, no time to think about the weather, which hasn't been all that bad.

Updates since last time:

• Went Black Friday shopping. Got great deals, not quite sure if it was worth the lack of sleep though.
  
• Had 4 days of training over 2 weekends. Wasn't the funnest, but at least I got it done.
• Taught myself how to knit! And successfully finished one scarf. I will try to post pictures sometime soon. I've been too busy to take and upload pictures. It's been something I've wanted to do for about 10 years, so I finally sat down and taught myself how to do it.
  

For the most part, I've been enjoying getting together with friends, working, enjoying amazing services, and getting deeper in the Word, which has been amazing for me. Bro. Tim Dodds spoke some services a few weekends ago, I think I mentioned them, but maybe not. The series was called "The Man Within the Man, Within the Man." I've been struggling with some things for a few years, and since winter camp, the devil's been questioning my walk with the Lord. During these meetings, God met me in such a real way that I know I've been changed, and filled with the Holy Ghost, and the things that bound me for so many years are almost a distant memory. I've said words to that effect before, after some powerful meetings, but every time, satan comes back stronger, and I've given in. But this time, I've been feeding myself and I came to the realization that God loves me. That realization, during the after-service in one of the meetings was such a powerful revelation that I cannot, no matter how low I get, go back to where I was before. It's amazing. My life has been changed. :) Everything's different, and this Christmas means more to me than ever. It's almost like becoming a Christian for the first time. I guess it kind of is. Really amazing. :)

My family's been going through some tough times. My dad has a semi-serious health problem that we've all been dealing with, and it's been troubling. My brother was in a car accident a few weeks ago, totaled my dad's car (which didn't make him very happy), but thankfully was not injured. So, on top of his health troubles, he's been looking for a new car. Also, my brother's car died around the same time, after he foolishly went through a giant pool of water. This week could have been traumatic for me, but thankfully was not. I was driving home from the church, during rush hour, and decided to take a shortcut by taking a side road and cutting over to another street. It was dusk, and rainy, and while driving down this 2-lane road, there was a van turning right, into the lane going the opposite direction as I was. There would be no reason for me to really notice or care, because they were signaling to turn right, not crossing any lanes. However, I could see as they were pulling out, that their wheels were not turning. I was going about 45 mph, and kept watching. The van kept pulling out, straight towards my vehicle. I could see they were going to hit me, so I swerved a bit, towards the ditch, and hit my brakes. I think I honked my horn as well, I'm not sure. But I braced myself for the impact I knew was going to happen, but it never came. I looked in my rear-view mirror and saw the van stop on the road behind me. What I didn't realize was that the van hit the car behind me instead. I don't even really know how it happened, but I was so thankful it wasn't me. I could hardly believe it, I knew the van was going to at least smash into the back of my car, especially because I braked, but due to God's guiding hand, it missed me. I stayed as a witness for the other lady, and thankfully it wasn't terrible damage. God knows how to keep us.

I think that's about it for now. Maybe I'll get some pictures posted later. Hope you are having a great Christmas season!

November Weather

(Photo courtesy of www.kgmi.com)

The typical NW November weather has hit. We had snow this weekend and are now experiencing ghastly NE winds that have caused power outages and below freezing temperatures! Thankfully, we still have power where I live, but in the nearby town, many residents are without power. The current temperature is 22 degrees Fahrenheit, but with the wind chill, it's about 1 degree Fahrenheit. Scary, eh? I took a few pics of the snow, but not too many. I froze today walking around campus. Time to get out all my wool clothes!

Weddings and Birthdays

November has been a very busy month as well! Two of my friends got married, to each other. :) And I turned the ghastly 23! :( I am getting old, nearly dying... Ok, ok, I'm really not that old but I've been kind of dissatisfied with what I'm doing. I didn't get into Grad school and it's been really bugging me what to do. I'm re-applying right now, but I don't know if I want to follow through with it. If not, I have nothing else I'd really like to be doing, but I don't want to keep doing what I'm doing now forever. I need an answer, Lord! :S It's really driving me crazy. I don't want to re-apply and get rejected again, but if I do, then I have absolutely no idea what else I want to do. I've looked at nursing and parts of it sound fun, but the majority of it doesn't really, although I don't honestly know. Teaching is pretty much for sure out, although I love working with kids, it's not for me. What I'm doing now as an aide is fun, but I'd want a more permanent position with a more set schedule, and I don't know if I want to do administration, I want to do more hands on, with the medical field.

Agh...sorry, this turned into a "Help me, I can't figure out my life" post.

Back to November... Here are some pics of the lovely couple and some special people who helped me celebrate my birth! I got a new camera! I'm still waiting for my old one to turn up...

We also celebrated my uncle's birthday. His is a few days before mine.

My dad and my uncle, oh and the dog.

Some of my lovely family

One of my gorgeous friends and one of her lovely daughters.

My adopted sister and my lovely little friend B. :)

Oh, I almost forgot! We went witnessing in Vancouver, BC on the 6th, which is also the day of my family birthday, and the day before my actual birthday. It has been a very eventful November! It was an awesome time! My friend D and I walked around together, handing out books and talking to people about Bro. Branham and Jesus. It was amazing. Funny stories and not so funny stories. I got my second proposal and got my car broken into, all in a day's work!

My friend D :)

Some of the group as we were getting ready to go home. (These photos were from my cell, which is why they aren't so great.)

Fun With Photos

I've been playing around with some photos I've taken and thought I'd post them for your viewing pleasure. :) I did have quite a few more I was nearly done with, but my computer crashed and I lost the changes I made to them. I'll just have to redo them some other time.

Hope you enjoy!

Weekend In Seattle

Last weekend I went to Seattle with some friends to help celebrate a birthday! It was a fun-filled weekend! I was able to borrow my brother's camera, only to discover it had a tiny memory card which only held 90 photos. So, I had to take some pics on my cell phone, which you all know is pretty terrible quality and to beg some photos off the other girls who went. I still have yet to do the latter.

We stayed Friday night in a lovely hotel and then headed down to Pioneer Square Saturday morning to visit the Underground. Sounds scary, I know, but don't worry, we didn't see any ghosts or get kidnapped. We did see lots of junk and learn lots about Seattle's history. I was going to link to their website, but unfortunately, the website and the brochures made it sound somewhat sketchy, although the tour actually wasn't. So, if you happen to visit their website and see sketchy stuff, believe me, it wasn't on the tour, and excuse their poor taste.

(the above photos are all from the tour)

After the amazing Underground tour, we headed to the Cheesecake Factory! I've never been there before as the line has always been out the door, but was very pleased with my lunch and delicious Dulce de Leche Caramel cheesecake.


After gorging ourselves on a late lunch and delicious cheesecake, we headed down to our beloved Pike St. Market. The birthday girl had heard about the infamous gum wall and wanted to find it. After looking around on the top level at all the amazing sights and stands, we decided to venture down below. I arbitrarily pointed to a slope and suggested taking it. When we got to the bottom, lo and behold...



That's right! The gum wall! Why my fascination, you may ask? Well, for those of you who don't know me well, I had a gum collection on my headboard when I was little. I know, I know, disgusting and unsanitary and so unlike the new and improved me you all know and love, but what can I say, I was 12! :P And yes, I did add my gum to the wall that day. I need to get the picture so you can see it.

We did eventually find our way to the real lower level and met a hilarious bookstore owner. He read love poems to our birthday girl.

We were accosted by a poor homeless man who "just wanted a sandwich" on our way back to the car, but he left us alone pretty quickly.

A very eventful weekend indeed! We shall say nothing of Tom or the 1-way street incident. Some things are best left unsaid...

The 1800s Have Come to an End!!!

Saturday, we were blessed with our new fridge! It's not the model we wanted, but it's pretty good and it works! I'm quite excited. :) I will never take a fridge for granted again!

This weekend was a blast! I had a wonderful time, took not too many pics (the memory card in the camera I was using was tiny!), and was sooo blessed at church. It was awesome. Totally amazing day on Sunday. :) I have some pics coming, so I'll do a Seattle trip weekend post sometime this week. Hope you have a blessed week!

The 1800s Continue

Apparently there was some mix-up with the people at Sears...they weren't going to deliver our new refrigerator until November 11th! Which is a holiday, of course, so you can bet it wouldn't be until November 12th. My mom called them and is apparently a bit of a wimp because she let them give her a smaller, cheaper one and they aren't delivering until Saturday. We'll have gone a week without a fridge! Totally ridiculous. And yes, I'm telling everyone to never shop at Sears. They have terrible customer service and rip you off. Don't go there!

On a better note, I'm going on a weekend birthday celebration with some friends this weekend! I'm very excited about it! :) I'll try to take some photos to share. Should be fun! :)

Living Like the 1800s

Sadly, our refrigerator decided to go the way of the dinosaurs and become extinct. We are left with it's shell as a reminder of our former way of life. From Saturday until this coming Thursday, we are without a working refrigerator. Apparently Sears does not care that we are living like the 1800s with some coolers on the back porch stuffed with ice and perishables. They aren't delivering our new one until Thursday. Thank goodness we still have electricity! Oh, and wonder of wonder, miracle of miracles....my dad turned on the heat last week! Last year, it wasn't until November. And last October was colder than this one too. I guess it helps that he's getting older? :P

The newest model, soon to be a new member of my family.

Busy October

I think October ranks as one of the busiest months of the year, so far. I don't remember other October's being quite so busy, other than with school and work. Work is still going great. My buddy had his first test on Monday and did fabulous, so I'm assuming, since he seemed to know all the answers. The weather has definitely cooled down, much to my chagrin. I miss those hot, sweaty days. :( But, the sun has been out and the work on the school has been going great!

Last week I made some yummy cupcakes! I got the idea out of What's New Cupcake? It's an awesome cupcake book.



Saw these sweet looking cars at school. Sorry for the poor quality. My cell isn't the greatest.

That's all for now. But, stay tuned for more fabulously interesting posts about my life. Ok, just kidding. But I will likely be posting again soon. Hope you're all enjoying your fall!

Sadness

I doubt anyone who reads this has been following my local news but there has been a student missing since Sept. 26. It's a crazy story, but they just found his body in the water today. It's a very strange case, and it just makes me sick. I can't fathom how someone could kill him, or how he could just end up down in the water. A woman's body was found in the same area on Monday. And another woman is missing in the county just south of here. What's with all this killing/missing people? It just makes me so sick. I'm so sorry for the families. I am so thankful for knowing God and having confidence in Him. It makes me want to give the Message to everyone I come in contact with. I can't imagine being killed or dying, not knowing God. :( What a horrid thing.

Please remember his family and loved ones in prayer. I know they need it.

October

Where has time gone? Can you believe it's October already? I can't believe how quickly the past year has gone. And September has gone by in a flash. I hardly know what happened and it's already October. October is looking to be a very busy month! I do like being busy without school though, it's such a blessing not to have to be worried about studying and doing homework every waking moment!

Last week was a beautiful week! I went to my first Mariner's game in a couple of years. Sadly, my beloved team is terrible, and has hardly won any games. They lost 8-2, but it was fun being there. My camera is still missing, so I only got a couple of photos on my cell phone. But, fun was had by all. Some entertaining fans kept us laughing the entire time, along with the antics of some of our group.





I hope you have a very blessed fall and lovely October!

Fall

I'm officially embracing fall on my blog now. My title doesn't always seem to fit, but I chose it because I love the sun and I try really hard to stay on the positive. It's not always possible, of course, but I do try. After Summer and Spring, Fall is my next favorite season. I love the beautiful colors and the warm, cozy drinks, sweaters, activities, etc. that come with the season. I hate to see Summer go, especially when we never get much of one here, but rather than hoping for it to come back, I decided it was time to embrace it and enjoy it, because all too soon, it will be winter and dark and dreary. :( Today was in the 70's, and is still in the 70's outside, despite the fact that it is raining. Even the breeze was warm. I think we're having what's called a Pineapple Express. The major problem I have with Fall around here is that is usually rains like crazy and is windy. I hate wind. But, it does make pretty pictures with leaves. :) So, welcome Fall!



I heard this great quote of Bro. Branham's that has become one of my favorites. It helps me, especially on those cloudy days:

"The sun is always shining. The only thing that keeps it from shining on you is clouds. If you get rid of the clouds, the sun will be shining." - If God Be With Us, Then Where Is All the Miracles?

Be Free Little Bird Giveaway

I just started reading this website and am loving it! I love the photos and interesting links. I just ordered a sweet coffee mug from a link from her website. Lauren, the author of the blog, is having a give-away this week! Visit here to find out more.



Sweet necklace, eh? :)

*The picture is taken from her giveaway blog and is not mine.

First Day Back To School

I had my first day back to college on Wednesday. It's sweet, I get to go to school, and get paid to do it, and don't have to study or take tests or do homework. All went well with my new buddy* except one thing...I lost him. Yes, on the very first day I lost my buddy. He was going up the elevator, so I took the stairs and told him I'd meet him at the top. I got up there and walked across the skybridge to the other elevator and waited and waited. I thought it was very odd that he wasn't coming up yet. I walked around a little, waiting, then finally it dawned on me...The elevator goes up! Not up and over! I walked back across the skybridge and there he was, on his phone telling his mom, "I think I lost her." I was laughing and so was he. I felt so stupid. All was well after that, but I couldn't help laughing the rest of the day when he'd go up the ramps and I'd take the stairs. I had to make sure to tell him I really would meet him at the top. :)




*That's what I'm going to call my friend's brother from now on.

September Update

Although most of my very few readers are already aware of most events in my life, for you others, I bring you an update! Yes, you are welcome. :)

Well, just about 2 weeks ago, I was not exactly sure what to do with myself for this quarter, or even this year, not going to school at the moment. I'm still on the waiting list and we'll see what happens next year. So, I was talking with a friend about figuring out my life and jokingly told her, "I'm off to figure out my life." I got to my car and got a phone call about a job offer. It was completely unexpected and has been an answer to prayer. A friend of mine from high school has a brother with a disability. He's very smart and is taking classes at WWU, my former school, and needed an aide for his classes. It's a dream schedule, everything has worked out quite well so far, and I am still able to keep my job at the library and volunteer at the church school and camp, and I get weekends off! For now, it's a great job! I am very thankful that God always provides just in time. :)

Well, that's my big news. Nothing much else new. My younger cousin, who's in 11th grade, is starting Running Start tomorrow! Very weird! She's excited about it.

Oh, my dad is going to be able to have surgery pretty close to here, rather than going half-way across the country. They think it'll be a successful surgery. Please keep him in prayer!

Nothing else I can think of. I still haven't gotten my camera or USB drive back. Please keep those in prayer, especially my USB drive. I need it! Thank you all, you very few readers and even fewer commenters. :) May the rest of your September be very blessed!

"When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us."

~ Alexander Graham Bell

We Shall All Be Changed

I just read a post about the passing of a loved one on one of the blogs I read. It's crazy that no matter how long it's been since their death, it still hurts. And the oddest things remind you of it, and some not so odd, like that post. Before my friend Miriam passed away, death didn't hit me so hard. It made me sad, but I didn't have much of a concept of losing a loved one. Since then, it's my immediate thought if anything out of the ordinary happens. Especially calls that start: "I just wanted you to know you don't have to worry..."

Death isn't such a scary thing when you're a Christian, and I'm so thankful for that. But, it's still just as tough. Nothing prepares you for it, even when you expect it. My Grandma passed away a few weeks ago. I still keep expecting her to call and whenever my mom answers the phone I immediately wonder if it's her.

I realized, after reading the above mentioned post, that I didn't post about Miriam on here. She passed away on Monday, July 10, 2006. That date is etched in my memory, just as where I was when I got the text and call about it. I will never forget that horrible, sleepless night and having to go to work the next day and barely making it. I remember the gathering at a friend's house the next night and the heavy sadness in the air. I remember being ok with it for a few moments during service the next day, and then questioning God for months, maybe even years after. I think that's normal. I didn't think I was questioning Him, but I was. It really shook me. Nothing since then has shook me as hard.

It's been 4 years since she left us and I still cry about it. I'm like that though. I can't wait to see her. And my Grandma. I imagine they're enjoying themselves together. They'll know each other because my dog is there too. They both loved my dog. Ok, ok, Miriam hated my dog, but there's only perfect love in Heaven so now she has to love him. :)

I don't have a real purpose in this post. I don't have profound words of wisdom or comfort. My only words are to cling closely to Jesus and treasure your loved ones as much as possible while you still have them. You never know when it'll be the last time you say good-bye. Try to tell them you love them as much as possible. I so wish I could call my Granny one more time and tell her that. And I wish I had texted Miriam a hello that day.


"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. " I Corinthians 15:51-52

Small Town Service

Anyone who's never had the experience of working in a small-town library has missed out on a lot. I've been working at my local library for 4 years now and it has been a great learning experience. I have gained a lot of confidence in my people skills and have changed my outlook on people since working there. I have gotten to know all of the locals and have gotten close to a lot of them. Even a few of the newer patrons enjoy talking to me and having me help them. When I first started working there I thought it was just to earn money for gas, but now I realized I've become more of a part of the community and have learned so much.

It's funny to me how comfortable people are around me, because I don't think much of it, but this one really nice lady had been looking at some magazines and as she was walking past me, commented on how much junk is in magazines now. She said they were such a waste of money because of all the terrible advertisements and other things. It makes me feel really good about my job that people feel comfortable enough to chat and share their thoughts.

Today, I helped with a good deed for a lady who comes in quite frequently and sometimes is annoying because she always wants us to look up famous people's birthdays for her. She'll bring in a huge list and it gets a little much. Today, a young guy came in and said a lady was having trouble with her oxygen tank. I didn't know what to expect, and when I got outside, it was this lady and she couldn't figure out how to hook it up and turn it on or off. Between the two of us, we got it figured out for her and I showed her how to use it. She came in a little later and told me she was very impressed with how I was able to help her and thanked me. Then she told me I looked like Chelsea Clinton. :P I thought that was funny and asked her if she meant it as a compliment and she said, "Oh, I think she's just beautiful." It was funny. But I was thinking about her after she left, and I realized how much she and other people depend on their library, not just for books and resources, but for companionship and someone who will listen and care about them.

In a day in which there is such a lack of customer service and care for others, it's nice to know you can depend on your local library. And now I realize I've become a part of that and it makes me smile. :)

Children Are a Gift From the Lord

This past week I had the honor of nannying for a family from church. I love kids but it has been a while since I've babysat, although I don't really have a problem babysitting because it's only for the evening or one day. This however, was from Monday-Friday. I got to go "home" at nights, which was great. I stayed up at the camp all week and had my own house. It was nice.

The kids? They were precious. I loved them. I think they liked me. It was so sweet getting wrapped in hugs at random times and playing games with them. It amazed me how sweet kids are in the morning. I'm so used to adults being pretty crabby in the morning, I forgot how adorable and happy and sweet they are.

What I learned from this week? I never, ever, ever, want to have kids. At least not for many, many years. I know it's all different when they are your own and you have them one at a time (typically), and no, the kids weren't bad, but I was again made aware of how I am quite content being without children. :) Just the week before, I saw this adorable baby boy in the store and had the thought of stealing him because he was so cute. But, thankfully, the good Lord showed me how I need to wait a while (a loooooooooooooooooooooooooong while) before having my own kids (especially since I'm not married).

But, I did have lots of fun with them. I lost my camera so had to use my cell phone, which is having technical difficulties leading to major poor quality of the pics. However, every post needs some pics, so here you go:

Holding one of her many crabs

Not too sure about the water

Another of about 10 tiny crabs they caught

The 3 little munchkins. :)

Cool rock I saw. You can't quite tell, but the orange rock looks like it has 2 eyes.

Playing dress-up...One of the princesses

Another princess. :P It was his idea!

The other princess was "indecently clad" so I told her I'd not put her pic online, although she's pictured at the very top of this post.

All in all, a good, but very tiring and very enlightening week. :)