Yea for Rain

I went into the church office today. As I was driving down into Riverside there was a heavy fog and a light drizzle. It was beautiful. It remined me of Amy Grant's song "I Love a Lonely Day." In it, one of the verses is, "I love a lonely day, it chases me back to You." I love rainy, overcast days. I really enjoy when it rains in the summer, that way it's still kinda warm and I can go out and play in the rain and it causes me to think more of Christ.

My parents church is doing a fast. They've been talking about the fruits of the spirit. So their fast is to eat fruit, and each time they eat a piece of fruit to think about one of the fruits of the spirit. I thought that was a really good idea.

Well, it is time for family prayer. I am so glad that we've kept doing family prayer and it wasn't just a one time thing.

Not the best news

I went to the doctor today. My stomach has been hurting since Tuesday, so I decided I should go to the doctor and have it checked out and talk to him about a few other things that have been going on. The doctor told me my stomach issues are probably just the flu bug that's going around. However, my other issues have landed me an appointment for a pelvic ultrasound. My doctor called it the poor mans test for cancer. Needless to say that's not what I wanted to hear. Of course it's not necessarily cancer, it could be a tumor, a cyst, or something else. Anyway, my appointment is set for August 19th, it's the soonest appointment I could get. Prayers would be appreciated, prayer for God's will not mine; that whatever will bring Him glory would occur.

Videos

So, I watched Pipeline videos today. One video was from our BBQ/Pool Party on Saturday and our broom ball game. It was so funny. I got to see some stuff that I missed while I was playing the game. We also watched videos from camp. It was so much fun seeing all the kids again. It was a good reminder of all that went on that week; it was a chance to sort of relive that week. My girls are absolutely adorable. I just wish I wasn't in the video as much as I am. Most hilarious moments would include Eddie doing commentary on Mike at the skate park. Mike (the new Broom Master) participating in a Safari Moto skit. Kids reactions when coming out of the water from Polar Bearing. My girls recreating one of the Safari Moto skits. There were quite a few really kool shots that Mike took during camp week. It rained the Friday we were up there and Mike filmed it. I think he was trying to catch the lightening, but at one point he focused on the water drops on the lens, it was really interesting trying to figure out what was floating in the water drops. All in all it was a good afternoon of memories and laughter.

Ok, I'm going to actually try to go to bed now. Maybe I'll be able to get more than 3 or 4 hours of sleep.

Monday, Monday . . .

I am so incredibly tired right now. Today was a thinking day. I went into the church office this morning to help with a mailing. It took about an hour to get the labels done. Beky and I were both not all there, it should not have taken that long. Then I rushed up to San Bernardino to see my dad and get adjusted (he's a chiropractor). We went to lunch and talked for a bit; haven't done that in a while. Then I drove over to Upland so I could meet with a fellow professor and we could work on one of the lab manuels. So from 1 until 7, we worked on rewriting the lab manuel for the physics class that liberal studies majors take. We've got the whole quarter planned out. One week is completely done. YEA!!!! Two weeks are almost done, just need a bit of simplifying. The other seven weeks still need to be typed out. Linh is putting together all of the diagrams and tables. So, I am the person doing all of the typing. So, I have seven weeks of labs I need to finish writing up and typing up this week. Of course typing the lab means taking data from other areas, such as the book, other lab manuels, and the like and simplifying it so it's not quite so math intensive. I'm hoping to get them finished by Saturday or Sunday at the latest. I'm feeling pretty productive because we got so much done, but a bit overwhelmed that I still have so much to do. I guess I'll be taking my computer with me to Borders this week so I can work on labs during my lunch hour.

Lunch with my dad today was interesting. He's getting married (again). At least he's consistent, he marries the woman that he had an affair with. This is the woman he was sleeping with before he got divorced from his last wife. So anyway, he announces it to me by say, "So, I just wanted to let you know Carol and I are getting married. I bought her a ring too." He found another woman who would take care of him, so he's happy for the time being.

On a happier note, my stepdad is going to get baptised. September 3rd he'll make a public proclamation of his faith. I'm very excited for him.

Reflections

Church tonight was good. Humility. Definitely not eas to put into practice. It's so hard to put others needs before my own. But I did sign the contract tonights. I'm hoping that I can be humble. Los' new song from a few weeks ago is so right on, "Let my mind be the same, as that of Christ Jesus who made Himself nothing, for me. Make me humble, obedient, desperate for truth Lord, in spice of who I am."

Going back to last week and the mission statement idea. I was quite surprised that they were pretty close to what I try to do with my life. One that really hit me hard was from a co-worker at Borders. Being the only Christian I constantly think about how I act and what I say; I don't want to be a bad representation. I really thought that I was doing a miserable job. What she wrote was, "To be the best person you can be. To live according to God's standards and be a good person to others." I was pleasantly surprised.

Broom Ball!!

Ok, so I haven't posted all week. It feels kinda weird not posting for a week.

So today we had a Pipeline BBQ/Pool Party for our fifth and sixth graders. It was an opportunity to talk with them about the areas where they could serve in Pipeline. We didn't have tons of kids show up but it was fun. After the kids left the Island Chiefs sat around and talked and then we went to an ice rink in Ontario and played broom ball. I have never played broom ball before today, but it was so incredibly fun. There were only eight of us playing, it was hilarious. I had the great privilage of being the person who fell the most; four times on my backside and one time a face first dive into the ice. Ok, maybe it wasn't a dive, but I did slide a bit before coming to a stop. It was a ton of fun.

I also want to say thank you to those of you who took the time to respond to my last blog. I really appreciate your input.

Sunday Evening

I had to leave church early tonight (well, early for me) because my stomach was killing me. I don’t know what I ate, but my tummy is definitely not happy with me. However, I did hear the entire sermon. It was a really good sermon and it really challenged me in a few ways. One thing that Neal kept saying throughout the sermon was “mission statement.” Now, I have to be honest, I had never thought of an individual person having a mission statement, but everyone does, whether it’s spoken or not. I know what I want my mission statement to be, but I don’t think that’s what I’m really living at the moment; well I know it’s not what I’m living.

Towards the end of the sermon Neal gave us a hypothetical situation; suppose there are six people sitting around a table (you’re not there) and they’re talking about you, talking about specific things, what would they say. I would like to post those questions (some of them because I didn’t catch all of them) here and I would like your feedback. How do you see me in the following situations? If you don’t want to post your comment if you could please email it to me I would appreciate it. Since I have no idea who is reading this blog, if you know someone who does not read blogs and knows me if you could point them in this direction for this one special case I would appreciate it. Since I am so overly critical of myself I would really like to know how well I am reflecting Christ.

Okie Dokie, the questions are as follows:

Am I living only for good times?
Do I have fun at others expense?
Do I live for possessions?
Am I helping good causes?
Where is God in my life?
What would you say my mission statement is?

Praise Report

To reach a peak you must go through a valley.

Well, I am happy to report that my mom and step-dad found a church in Moreno Valley. They have been attending regularly now for about a month. I am super excited about this, since I've been trying to get them to go to church regularly since they moved down here from Idaho. Anyhoo, they have a church family. YEA!!!!! However, that's not the really exciting news. The pastor of the church (Conrad) is a gentleman that teaches with my mom in San Bernardino, so they talk with him on a regular basis. So, last night as Sam and I were sitting in the living room watching tv and chatting my parents came in and said that we needed to talk as a family. Conrad has been talking with Carle (my step-dad) about his role in the household, how as the man he is to be the spiritual head. We prayed as a family with Carle leading us in prayer. It was awesome to see him confront that fear and uneasiness and step up. We have decided that Monday nights will work best, so everyone will be home by 9 or 10 on Monday evenings so that we can pray as a family with Carle leading us in prayer. I am soooooo excited!!!!

Update on my grandfather: The doctors have decided it was indeed a stroke. However they are unsure as to what caused it, they have been unable to find a clot. He is speaking slightly better, but still having trouble putting words together. They still don't know if they're going to fly him into Vegas or leave him in Kingman.

Randomness

I went to see the new Pirates movie today. Yes, my grandfather is sitting in the hospital and I go to see a movie. I tend to live in denial when something bad is happening, for awhile anyway. He lives in AZ by the way, so I can't really jump in the truck and go wait with my grandmother in the hospital. Anyway, the movie was really good, I enjoyed it immensely. They definitly set it up for a third movie, can't say I'm surprised or disappointed. Just about anything with Johnny Depp is good in my book. %^)

So, now I'm at home. I've been playing online, browsing pages and peeling my skin (I hate getting sunburnt) , wasting time while my laundry finishes up. I haven't wasted time in a long long time. I feel really aimless at the moment, now I remember why I don't waste time very often.

Do you ever wish you could take someone's pain away? I have a friend that's hurting right now, I don't know why he's hurting, but he is. My heart aches for him, I feel a physical pain because he's hurting, I don't want him to be hurting. I do this in small group as well. Someone shares something and you can see the hurt in their eyes. It makes me hurt and I want to take their pain away because they're hurting. I wish I was like Rogue, but instead of taking another persons powers I would take their pain. But I can't take away my friends pain, I can only look on and tell him I'll be praying for him.

So, playing online I found the following picuture. I thought it was pretty funny. If you click on it a larger version will open up and you'll actually be able to read it. Hopefully you're not easily offended.


Ok, I think I'm done now. Who knows, maybe more randomness will come pouring forth later.

Prayer Request Update

Ok, update time. We heard from my grandma. They got to the hospital and took him in right away and did a CAT scan, they thought it was a stroke. They took his blood pressure and it was really high 160 something over 100 something. The CAT scan came back and there was nothing there and his blood pressure had dropped to 120 something over 70 something. So, no stroke. But the doctors are still clueless as to what happened so they're calling in a neurologist to take a look at him. So, if you could continue to keep him in your prayers I would appreciate it.

Prayer Request

My mom just got off the phone with my grandfather. He was having trouble forming words and his speech was slightly slurred. My grandmother is taking him to the hospital right now. We think he may have had a stroke, if you could please keep him in your prayers. Thank you.

Friendship Poem

I got this in an email and couldn't resist passing it on. I thought it was hilarious. -D


Are you tired of those sissy-ass "friendship" poems that always sound good, but never actually come close to reality? Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of true friendship:


1. When you are sad -- I will help you get drunk and plot revenge against the sorry bastard who made you sad.

2. When you are blue -- I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.

3. When you smile -- I will know you finally got laid.

4. When you are scared -- I will rag on you about it every chance I get.

5. When you are worried -- I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining.

6. When you are confused -- I will use little words.

7. When you are sick -- Stay the hell away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have.

8. When you fall -- I will point and laugh at your clumsy ass.

9. This is my oath..... I pledge it to the end. "Why?" you may ask; "because you are my friend".

Send this to 10 of your closest friends, then get depressed because you can only think of 4.

Remember.......A good friend will help you move.....a REALLY good friend will help you move a body.......let me know if you ever need me to bring a shovel.

Friendship is like peeing your pants, everyone can see it, but only you can feel the true warmth.

Just Another Manic Monday

Yesterday afternoon I left for San Diego to go visit a friend. I haven't seen her since she moved down there. I was nice seeing her and catching up. I was hoping that we could go to the beach today, but since I got so incredibly burnt (I'm talking lobster red burnt) yesterday at the Pipeline pool party that idea was nixed. We ended up going to Fashion Valley mall. Kristen has the magical ability of making me spend money. All I wanted was a pedicure and I came home with a 4 gig iPod Nano, go figure. It's still in the box, I haven't opened it yet. Kristen laughed at me and told me I was totally random. I don't know that I'm totally random. I think about getting something for a long time before I actually purchase anything, I just never say anything about it. I'm guessing that's why I seem so random.

Anyway, here are some more camp pics.

Summer and Myself

Becky in the middle of a sneeze.

Summer and her girls in the pool.

Summer's girls in the pool.

Summer with all the girls in her tent.

Mike going down the water slide.

Kelly and Cassie taking funny pics of each other.

Maddy writing a Sunshine note to a friend.

Skyler with her bright smile.

I'm BAAAAACK!!

So, I'm back from camp. I had an incredible week. My girls were amazing. I had six girls in my tent, Cassie, Emily, Kelly, Skyler, Maddy, and Becky. All six of them were great, they had me laughing all week long. I had a tent full of girls that had farting contests; not a typical girl activity but they weren't bad at it. They did have a lot of fun and I had a lot of fun with them however we had some good serious moments as well. I think my girls may have taught me more about being a Christian this week than I taught them. My girls were great at sticking together and sticking up for each other. They worked hard to put their differences aside and get along with each other. Two of my girls were having a little bit of trouble fitting in with others and the rest of my girls took them under their wing and made sure that they weren't left out of anything and never had to do anything on their own. We had what were called deck connections. I took each girl out to our tent deck one by one and talked with them individually before bed. I had girls that their only prayer request was for one girl who was being made fun of by other campers. One girl was constantly asking how she could help others. One girl showed many leadership qualities, one way being helping bring peace to the tent on the rare occasion a little tiff did break out. It was a great week. My girls came up with a dance that we're going to do for Pipeline. Summer said she wants to do it as the Pipeline opening on the 16th. My girls are so excited about it. We practiced for probably about 30 minutes during our kickback time yesterday. Here is a picture of me with my girls, more to come as I get them uploaded.