Update?

Feel like I should update, but only since it's been so long. Not really in the mood though! I would rather be outside enjoying the sunshine, and watching the trees change color!
I love Fall!

Lovely Day

Listening to Kirk Franklin's "Lovely Day"
a lovely day it has been!

Sitting here counting my blessings!
1. I have an amazing youth group!
2. I work for a wonderful church!
3. The Pastor I work with is amazing, and incredibly encouraging, and easy to laugh with!
4. I have a lot of great friends here in Oregon, and all over the world...literally!
5. I just came off of an amazing summer!
6. I love the other youth workers that I get to team with!
7. I am leaving for vacation in a few hours and get to see my other best friends this week!
8. If I were to have to pick bridesmaids for my wedding today, I would have a list of 7 non-negotiables, and 2 more that I would want to throw in there. I know that's a weird way to think of it, but it's your best friends who stand with you, and I have 7 best friends! I'm so lucky!
9. If I think about it, I have even more "next to best" friends!
10. I get to see two of my old small groups on Sunday!


This has been the second best summer of my life!
The #1 best summer is still 2005.
Highlights of 2005...
Noah's Ark: Backpacking, Rafting, Rock Climbing Adventure
SAVE: San Antonio Volunteer Experience...where I had the most important kiss of my life, from a homeless man
Living Water Weekend
HEB camp
Guyana Mission Trip
My sisters wedding

Highlights of this summer...
2008
Campbell Farm Mission Trip in Wapato, WA
Mexico Mission Trip with Rancho Agua Viva in Ensenada, Mexico
Junior High Camp at Camp Magruder
Greatest Camp Ever at Camp Magruder (Sr. High)
Luis Palau City Fest
New best friends (Jennifer--has been a great friend for a while, but this summer still strengthened that. And Danielle.)
Laying out by the pool with my friends.
I got a puppy
and so much more!

This has been a great summer! I'm sad to see it go!

I leave for vacation in a few hours...the official end to an AMAZING summer!

Need to focus on the excitement that will happen this week!

blog

Waiting for some video stuff to download, so in the meantime I thought I would blog. I'm trying to decide if I should blog about how Daisy got her name, why I finally got a dog, or why this has been the second best summer of my life. I feel like all of those should get their own blog titles, so instead I will blog randomness.

something stinks. I hope it's not in my house!

Quote of the night...

Tonight was the first night of Portland Cityfest with Luis Palau! Great night! Great bands...City Praze, Phil Stacey, Kirk Franklin, Kutless, and Chris Tomlin. All people and bands that I love.
So, maybe someone in our group had a little crush on Chris Tomlin...and this leads us to the quote of the night...
Nicole: I don't see a wedding band!
Random Guy in front of us: What did you say?
Nicole: I really like the band!

Nicole's my cousin visiting from S.A., and it has been so much fun having her around! I've been laughing so hard all week, and it has been great! I'm excited to follow her back to S.A. in a few days! :)

Daisy, my dog, wont stop crying. This is going to be a LOOOONG night! (Now, I'm thinking of Alison from our mission trip)
My mind is too random for myself!

Time to update

Well, I guess it's time to update, since it has been a while.
Here are my thoughts today...
1. This year's airshow must not be very good, I haven't seen or heard any practicing, and I live next to the airport.
2. I think I'm going to get a dog tomorrow. I'm nervous, but very excited. Her name will be Petri Dos.
3. I'm feeling very old. I've been watching TV reruns of people that I have always seen as being older, well in character they are 28-33, and it is freaking me out! Different shows, different people. I'm getting old.
4. I think I want to do something huge for my 30th birthday, but I already have plans to do something spectacular for my 35th (if I'm not married yet)
5. I want 4 kids. Today, however, I decided I want none. My nephew is in his "no" stage, and I don't know that I would have patience for it if he were my own, and we know that all kids go through it. Don't really have to worry about it now!
6. I'm really tired today. I should be going to bed right now.
7. I may have a puppy tomorrow...how crazy is that?
8. I had a nightmare last night about the Burger King Mask!
9. That reminds me of how much fun camp was...I miss it!
10. There was just a severe thunderstorm warning on the TV, but it's an hour and a half away. I miss thunder storms.
11. I have a little crush on someone my family would probably never approve of. Harmless, right? But there is still that sense of hope. It could never work out. We are too different. But as a girl, I still can't get him out of my head. Sometimes I hate being a girl.
12. Which then leaves me to my thought of...when?
13. No dwelling on this.
14. I just realized that I am numbering my random thoughts.
15. I'm having so much fun typing my random thoughts, that I am going to continue!
16. I went swimming today, once for fun, and once to swim laps. I'm out of shape and out of practice, I need to read my swim lesson books again, and maybe start teaching at my pool here. That would be fun.
17. I love my family! I really missed my family for the last month, so I have been inviting them over almost every day, and it has been really nice!
18. I should go to bed. I'm heading up to Mt. Hood tomorrow for some hiking, and to go on the Alpine Slides. Should be an amazing day. And who knows...maybe Petri Dos will come home with me tomorrow, and I can take her hiking on Saturday! Yay!

Pseudo-Relationships and bad relationships

I live a life of what I call "Pseudo-Relationships" or in other words, relationships that seem so great, but really..."He's just not that into you!" Relationships that will never go anywhere, never work out. Sometimes because God says no, and sometimes because he says no. Othertimes life just says no. In all of these bad relationships and pseudo-relationships, I've tried to learn, but have been in a hole. That is until recently!
Recently, I have learned a lot from these relationships! As I talk with my students, I am surprised about how much I am able to share about past relationships, dumb mistakes, and pseudo-relationships. It's amazing how my dysfunctional life can connect me to these youth. Where as I feel like a screw up, sometimes I think that they respect me more for it, because at least I'm honest about it.
I like that my kids can ask me questions, and that I can talk to them as a single woman...but one with hopes of a family in my future. It's nice to show them that I rely on God in each situation, and the mistakes I have made (like following a boy around the country) have been because I didn't listen to God, or just honestly ignored Him.
So, although these seem like messed up relationships, I am grateful for what I have been through so that I can relate to the kids. One day things will change, but by golly, I'm pretty happy with where I'm at right now!

And have I mentioned yet today, how much I love these youth?

Mexico Mission Trip

Last night I returned from my 15th mission trip, my 5th time to Mexico. It was as incredible as ever! I love going to Mexico, the people there are so beautiful, inside and out. And their passion for God really inspires me, encourages me, and draws me into worship.

The team was a great team to work with! Everyone got along great, and I was truly blessed by the people that I spend the week with. I came back with so many friends, and got to enjoy a week of laughter and beauty. I hope that next year more people from my youth group will go, because it is truly an unbelievable experience. Even with only a few who went, it was an incredible journey, and I learned so much!

We ended up having a group of 26, unfortunately a few nights before we left, our 27th had an emergency appen..imy. I know God has a purpose for this, but it was very difficult to lose him.

The 26 worked great together. We stayed at Rancho Agua Viva, in Ensenada, Mexico, about 2 hours from Tijuana. We spent the week doing a VBS at "El Faro" the Baptist church, as well as working on building the seminary building for the Mexican seminary at the camp, and working on a tiendita for a pastor and his family to work at so that they can pastor the church.

One of my highlights of the week was on Wednesday night. The camp hosted a special dinner for us, and we got to hear the testimonies of 3 of the seminary students, Carman, Hector, and Manuel. What incredible testimonies of God's love and how God uses us and works in our lives.

Carman was the first that I heard speak. She felt God calling her to a small mountain town, so she packed up, and took a TV and VCR with her. She started her ministry by going from door to door showing the Jesus film, but people didn't want to hear it. So she decided to try something new. Many of the women in the town would never know how to read, so she started a class to teach women how to read, and through it she also taught them scripture and about the love of Christ. Eventually their husbands didn't like them spending so much time away from home, so they had to miss class to do chores. Did Carman give up? No! She started going to the river with them to do their laundry, she helped them to cook, make tortillas, clean, anything she could do to be able to build a relationship with them and share the love of Christ. Incredible! Would I be willing to do that?

Hector's story was also incredible. He went into a culture of scary men who dressed in armed guard, carried machetes and guns, and he went to them and shared God's love. He went into a scary situation and was able to get them to see the power of God and make changes in their lives! can you believe that? Once he was called to the seminary, he didn't have enough money, so he travelled by bus for 5 days without eating, got to the seminary, and didn't speak a word of Spanish. In just a matter of time he was learning Spanish, and now works at the camp as he is finishing seminary. God has used him in mighty ways.

Manuel coaches soccer, so that he can share the gospel with the youth of his town. He coaches, plays games, and prays and does Bible studies with his team. Lives are being changed every day, every week!

There was also a story of a man who went to a town to share the gospel. Great things were happening in the town, and some of the people didn't like it. So two brothers decided that they were going to kill this man the next time he tried to go to the town. He went every week. There was only one road into and out of the town. So the day that the man was coming, the brothers sat on the road, ready to kill him. Dark came, and the man never came, so they returned to their village. When they got there, the man was there. No one knows how he got past them, since he walked that road. (well, we know...the power of God!) The next day he took the brothers for a walk, and they both turned over their lives to Christ! Now one of them is a pastor!

Incredible stories all week, of God's power and of how He works!

I also got to meet Chuy and hear the story of his grandson, Kairos. Kairos is, I believe, 4 years old. He has extreme seizures, and has had over a thousand of them in his life. He needs surgery. A surgeon has offered to give Kairos the surgery he needs, but even with a free surgery, the costs for the tools, room, etc. are over $60,000. Kairos just got accepted to have an appointment at the MAYO clinic. The family is doing everything they can to raise money for the surgery, selling t-shirts, bumper stickers, hosting bands, etc. Please pray for Kairos and his family, and that they will be able to get the surgery for him and he will be able to live a happy and healthy life.

Lastly, I want to tell you about my new best friend, Petri. Petri is the dog that I am trying to adopt. He is a golden retreiver/cockerspaniel/shepherd dog mix. He is the perfect dog, and I want to bring him home so bad. I really miss him. I tried to bring him home, but the day we left, we couldn't find him. It's probably better that way since I will be at camp for the next two weeks. But after that, I really want him. I want to give him a good life, and to love him. There is a chance I will be able to get him up here, please pray that it works out. I know it sounds silly, but I really do love this dog, and am ready to have a pet. I need to work out a few kinks, but it's possible. The main thing is that I have to get him to San Diego (which shouldn't be too hard) and then get him up here from San Diego (that's the hard part). So, I know it sounds funny, but please pray that it happens. Bring Petri home!


Here is a picture of Petri. (Click on the picture to get the whole pic)

Will I ever be ready?

I'm trying to finalize a million things before I leave for Mexico Friday morning. Tomorrow is my laundry/packing/shopping day, with hopes of sleeping in. But the truth is, I can't even go to sleep tonight, because I know I'm going to have nightmares all night about things I forgot or didn't do, and won't be able to sleep in tomorrow. I feel mostly prepared, but there are a few things that I haven't done, and a few things that I just don't care to do...which will screw me over later! I need to finish all that tomorrow night. We have VBS this week too, but I only do the opening songs, then leave to work on trip stuff. It has actually worked to my advantage, because I have everyone there to do the last minute check signing, that I originally miscalculated.
I'm just ready to be in the vans. I love mission trips! I love missions! I just got back from a great trip on Saturday, we went to the Yakama Indian Reservation in Wapato, WA and worked with The Campbell Farm, and of course it was great...as always! So I'm very excited for this trip as well, I just know I'm forgetting something, and that makes me nervous.
So please pray for us. Pray that our VBS goes well, for safety driving, safety on the construction site, and that we have enough room in the van to put everything. I was just offered another truck, but I turned it down, because we are able to take one of the seats out, but if I need to change my mind, I need to do it now. I'm hoping it will all work out...and it should. 27 people are going. Now, I just need to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. God will provide!

Lessons from Indy

I went and saw Indiana Jones again tonight. This time I noticed a lot of things that I didn't notice the first time. I guess it helps seeing it before midnight!

Anyways, I also noticed that this time I got wrapped up in the chick flick romance of it...it was only a little there, but I noticed it.

It ended with one of the greatest quotes that I have heard in a while...

"So much of the human life is wasted on waiting"

Thanks Ox!

Jittery

I think I drank too much coffee today, because I am super jittery! I didn't drink any more than normal, or so I thought. I just had a 16oz. Michael Jackson mocha (black/white). But I cannot focus, and cannot stop moving. Even as I type this, my fingers are moving at an abnormal pace, and I'm making mistakes like crazy. There's too much to do today to have to deal with this! Argh!
Back to work...

Rob Bell

For you Rob Bell fans, go check this out. Interesting. Tell me what you think...

http://www.wittenburgdoor.com/getting-real-about-reality-rob-bell

Why do we beat ourselves up?

Why is it in our nature to beat ourselves up? We know something is a bad situation, something hurts us, but we keep going back to it anyways. Why do we allow ourselves, or encourage ourselves to do this? Will we ever really make a change?

Why do we want to be friends with people who put us down? Will we ever really change, or will they? So why keep in a situation that is not encouraging, a situation that you know is not good for you?

Why is it the human response not just to endure all, but to keep going back to it?

It just doesn't make sense!

Am I heartless if I only want to be around people who encourage me and lift me up? Is that selfish? Love all...but does that love mean allowing people to beat you up? Can I love others, yet protect myself?

At what point is it okay to take care of myself? What does that look like? Am I really allowed to do so?

What would Jesus say and do?

Laugh Louder

Yesterday was one of the greatest days ever!
I learned at the Youth Team meeting that if you throw your head back when you laugh, it makes everything so much funnier! It's true! So I put this new theory into practice for the entire day...and had a blast with it! I laughed so hard so many times yesterday.
Last night I took one of my kids to a college fair, and here's what she has to write about it...
(This made me laugh really hard. You may not enjoy it, but I sure do!)

A Bulletin post on myspace from Kimi...

so this is the first time i've been home since 6:50 this morning. tonight was an absolute blast. you dont even know! omgsh it was soooo hilarious.



heres how it all went down:
after marching practice carly picked me up to go with me to the college fair (with harvard and georgetown.....oh yea baby).


we are riding the max and get off at the convention center.


no one is there. and i mean no one. so carly asks one of the ppl where the heck this thing is and they have no idea. then one guy suggests maybe the expo center.


so we walk down to the expo center max station and wait a freakin long time for the max
and during all this i've called my mom about three times trying to find out if she knows of any place it could be. neither the rose garden or the coliseum have anything planned. and neither does the expo center but we decide to get on anyway just in case.


so we get to the second to last stop on the expo route when my mom calls me and tells me that its being held at the Hilton all the way back at pioneer courthouse square.


so we get off the expo max. only to have to wait till 8:18 for the same train to make the loop and start back again.


we tried calling for a cab but oddly enough, cabs dont come to max stations.


then we came up with a really good game to play with the youth group sometime :)
when we finally arrive back at pioneer square we are not in agreement for which way the hilton hotel is. its about 8:45 (this fair thing started at 7:30).


and by now im hoping that i at least get one of those cards to fill out. thats all i want, just papers from these schools.


we run in and go down two escalators trying to find where its being held.


we find the papers (YES!) and go inside and turns out we really didnt miss anything.


then we talk to some of the reps from harvard and georgetown.


we decide to head home before getting something to eat so we hop on the max.


cept while we're waiting carly starts acting REALLY wierd and a police officer probably would have thought she was drunk hahahahahaha
we get back to hillsboro and decide to head to sharies
inside there's like 5 cops and we hope that we dont get in trouble for any curfew thing.


and then on the table is a code of conduct pamphlet that says that no loud noise or horseplay will be tolerated.

we so didnt obey that HA
and now im just getting home.

good thing i didnt have homework!
oh and my phone was going off like no ones business. any other day and i wouldnt have gotten a single text message.

but today during the midst of all this im getting texts from like 5 people! it was crazy funny!!

i laughed sooooo hard tonight. you dont even understand. no really you dont.

im laughing just going through it all again =] hahaha




"what's the SAT2? it sounds really hard!"
"just like we found our treasure, we want to see if indiana jones finds his!"
"wait, there's an SAT II?"
"congratulations is spelled with a d, not a t." "no it's not" "yes it is!" *i pull out my phone to do spell check* "oh nevermind.

"
"maybe cuz alabama and mississippi are close to each other?" "what are you talking about, alabama is in mississippi." "no its not" "uh, yeah....oh wait no its not!"
and soooo many more that would just be too hard to put into words.






HAHAHAHA, tonight was so much fun.

and trust me, this is way funnier if i tell it to ya in person =]



anyway, its wednesday now!
and im going to bed!


nighta!

New Kids are Back!!!

They may sound horrible now, but with a little practice, they will be amazing in no time! I'm still willing to pay up to $80 for a ticket, and have plans on Nov. 23

Dear Trevor,

Dear Trevor,
Today, just as I promised, I decided to write a blog. And since you are the only one who reads it, I'm titleing it "Dear Trevor." As I tried to log on, I was quickly reminded of why I quit this mess, and went back to myspace. I couldn't log on! I couldn't remember which email address I used, passwords, etc. Even when I got it right, it wouldn't work. It took me 15 minutes...but I didn't give up, because I promised you!
So there you have it! I blogged!
Now I'm going to go for a walk, take a book and read in the park. I'm going to enjoy this 90 degree day that we are having, because who knows what tomorrow will be like?

Question...

If a bad day of skiing is better than a good day of work, what is a good day of skiing?

Women in ministry

I went to a pastors training event for the Luis Palau "Portland Cityfest" crusade today. I love Luis Palau, and everything that his ministry stands for, but today I was very aware amongst the pastors, how many don't think that women should be in ministry. It amazed me about how often they mentioned us "men" in the room, even though a good third of the room was women. It was really irritating. Don't get me wrong, I don't feel like Luis had this view, but the man who was the "filler" for the entire training, seemed to have this view and share it with many others. It was really irritating.
I really don't like being in big groups of pastors like that, isn't that weird? I feel more judged there than out in the world. It's almost like you have to be outgoing, loud, and in style...otherwise why would you be in youth ministry? And with pastors, I just feel completely out of place.
To be honest, it kind of put me in a bad mood.

PRAISE THE LORD!!!!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow....
PTL!!! Today was incredible!
Something that I try to do with the youth group every year (you know, in the year that I've been here) is to take them to the Spurs/Blazer game. Unfortunately the Spurs are only playing one game in Portland, and the Blazers are on a winning streak! (Okay, so they lost tonight, but they are having a good season in the first time in forever) Anyways, knowing that tickets are selling fast, I made yesterday the deadline for the April 6 game. I was told by someone in the Blazers office that we should have no problem getting tickets that far in advance. Or so they thought...
Anyways, I tried to buy the tickets yesterday for the 19 who signed up. Yes that's 19 people who want to go. You can't buy group tickets online, so I had to wait until this morning to call the request in.
When I called, they said that the game is already sold out. Bummer. Then the guy told me "we can get you 5 seats" so I had to debate. Cancel the game and have a party at my house to watch it? Or cancel the event, and take just a few. But then my thoughts were interrupetd. Jerod, my customer service guy, wanted to see if anything was on hold, so "let me see what I can do, and I will call you back." This was at 10AM
4PM I get a call. "I found you 10 tickets, but they are separated" I said, "that's okay, I'll take what you can give me" he breaks in "oh wait, I found 12" We decided that was good enough, I would buy the tickets, and figure out how we decide who gets the tickets.
I was so upset thinking that I was going to have to tell 7 people that they couldn't go. And not sure how to decide who gets to go. I decided to wait until tomorrow and ask for advice. Just then, again, my thought process is interrupted by the ringing phone..."Hi, It's Jerod again. I just found 9 seats together. Do you want them? and move some of your group closer together?" OF COURSE!!!
I'm so excited!!!! I got the tickets! Everyone who signed up gets to go to the game now! Only a few people will have to be separated, and they will still be near others, and they are still working on finding a way to get us all together!
So THANK YOU JEROD, from the Blazers! You are amazing! I am so impressed by the customer service!
And PRAISE THE LORD!!!

It's a James Marsden Day!

Did anyone ever watch that TV show in the 90's, Second Noah?
James Marsden played a character "Ricky" and ever since that show, I have had such a celebrity crush on him! Today I went and saw 27 dresses...GREAT movie! Then I had some of the youth girls over to watch Hairspray! Great day! I am calling this my James Marsden day, although it's a little sadder having just found out this week that he's married. First Tom Cavanaugh, now him! Next thing you know, Tye Pennington will be married, then who will be my celebrity crush?

Ponytails

I love wearing a pony tail. I wore one today and it made me extremely happy. Here's why I think I love ponytails...
They bounce when you walk
you can tell if you're in a good mood by the way it swings around
They are just so joyful, and happy!
They keep the hair out of your face and off the back of your neck
You can wear great ponytail holders or ribbon to match whatever you're wearing
Did I mention that they bounce when you walk and are in a good mood?
I think they just share with you whatever mood you're in by the way it sits on your head.
They make me happy!

so you had a great day!

I had a great day!
Usually when I have a great day, I end up having a lot to write about, and today I do.
My thoughts are quite random today, ranging from coming off of a great weekend, talking to a great friend, dealing with having all of my friends hooking up, how to deal with modesty in the youth group, and going to a single group tonight where I was at least 28 years younger than the next youngest person. Needless to say, it was a group of 50 somethings to 75 ish. Now, don't get me wrong, I had a LOT of fun, but it is interesting listening to all of these women, and one man, who have been so hurt by divorce. It's really interesting, and really makes me think.
So, I don't even know where to start with this blog, because so many thoughts are rolling around!
I guess I will start with reflecting on my amazing weekend! I drove up to Bremerton, where I lived for 10 months last year. Got to visit with my old roommate, and another great friend of mine, and introduce them to another great youth ministry friend of mine. We all met together, and had so much fun. Kristi is my old roommate. Bethany and I travelled together for a school PR camp ministry group. And Katie and I met while doing youth ministry in the Portland area. Okay, now Kristi and Bethany are really good friends and go to church together. Bethany and Katie used to work in a church together. So we all have these crazy connections, and the stories went on forever! We laughed so hard that we couldn't stop coughing, and have sore throats. Such a joy-filled weekend! I miss those girls!
Last night we had a Hairspray party, which is by far the world's best movie! So, on my drive home today, I listened to the soundtrack and sang forever. Then I spoke to one of my friends from the youth team, who made me jealous. And then, I called one of my great friends and was able to catch up with him for a while!
So, here ends one part of my weekend. It was a great weekend!
Okay, now begins the rest of my day. I got home, worked on putting some of my last "moving in" things away, and then went to pick up Jeanie (my "other" grandma) to meet my parent's and some friends at the Cornelius crab feed. Good times, and I love crab! Although, I'm sick just looking at that word now. All you can eat crab...not always a good idea!
After the crab feed I went to my church for a singles night. As mentioned above, it was really an older group, and me. We played games, and laughed a lot. But it was interesting listening to their stories of ex husbands and what not. There was one guy there. Really, if I supported dating within the church more...mixed views on that...I would say "why is he single?" He's got the pick of all the ladies...but it's really not that kind of group! It's just kind of funny to see!
So, now I'm home, reflecting on my day...thinking about my friends who I miss so much! I have one really good friend here in the area, but I guess life always looks brighter in the past?
So, one is married. One is seriously dating. One is in the beginning/mid-process of the beginning of "are we dating or not?" and then there's me. Okay, there is another single one too, but she's 300 miles away, so it's really not the support system we're looking for. And I go to a singles group for old people. Okay, so the single's group really isn't about that, but from the outside it just doesn't seem right!
Sometimes it just doesn't seem fair, and sometimes it seems like maybe I'm just not ready, but it is just so hard. Am I going to lose all of my friends to marriage? That sounds so lonely!
So then, speaking of marriage, I have had a lot of interesting conversations with friends who are married lately. One claims that you can't marry your best friend, and that no one is actually as happy as movies and TV make marriage out to be. I don't believe her. It's weird to me that she can be so bitter about marriage, and think it's so fake. Then I wonder if waiting until you're ready really makes a big difference. She never dated, and is bitter about that. That's where I think I'm lucky in waiting, knowing different people in different relationships, dating, not dating, just seeing who's out there. Anyways, I have a lot of friends who married their best friend and are incredibly happy. I think she's just drunk or something! My friend Bethany was telling me about her marriage, and how happy they are just because they like being together! That's the kind of relationship that I'm looking for! The one who really can be friends, and just enjoy life together! I know it's possible, my friends are all getting that! Now I guess I just have to be patient.
Wow...didn't think this blog would go there!

Anyways, the other thing I wanted to blog about was New Years Resolutions. I'm pretty against them. Does anyone actually make them and stick to them? I try not to. This year, I decided to make one...less doctor's visits in 2008, but wound up in the doctor's office on new years day for a "cold" Yes, I put that in quotations, because I think my doctor was dumb. Just an urgent care place.

Anyways, it's been a crazy day, and I could go on forever. See? I told you that my thoughts were incredibly random today!

Oh yeah, and the modesty issue...what do you think? Should youth group girls be able to wear tankini's or should they have to wear one piece swim suits this summer?

So many thoughts today...

So, I guess that I set up a blog a few years ago, and just forgot about it, because sure enough, there is an entry on here from many years ago. How in the world did I use the same password, account, etc? This is so random, and I am so confused!
Today was quite awesome! My students always impress me, and I am so blessed by them!
Now that I'm sitting down, I'm trying to think through my day, but I can't seem to remember it, I just know that I am encouraged!
This weekend our church hosted a concert for a guy who grew up in our congregation! Patrick Hammond, he put together a band (For those who waited...) and they just put out their first CD. It's quite awesome! Check them out on myspace. Yes, Trevor, that's right, check them out on Myspace, because they are incredible (although, their myspace page just doesn't do them justice for how they sound in concert!) Evie Haskell opened up for them, and it was just a fabulous show! What a great night! We were able to set up the fellowship...scratch that...friendship hall as more of a living room setting, and it was great! We packed the room out! It was an incredible night, great music, great conversation, and the best night!
So, it was an exciting weekend. The excitement of last night flowed into today!
What a day!
I hope your day was as blessed as mine!

Should I or shouldn't I?

I'm debating starting a blog here. I'm not really sure what for. I went to breakfast with a few friends today who are also youth ministers, and they suggested starting a blog to let parents know what we're up to, and what's going on. So, I thought, "that sounds like a good idea." But is that what I really want to do, or would I rather just have a place to put my random thoughts throughout the day, other than on myspace?