Here is a link to view pics from the cruise! (Way too many to post here.) I will keep this album public for a month. Had a GREAT time!!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=110344&id=505007171&l=43cc71d45f

Here are some pictures from the day on the Potomac when I was back East. Kristin's friends Troy and Robby went with us and took some pics. I was excited to finally receive them! It was such a lovely day, that day. When I move back East, I am soooo buying a kayak! I hadn't gone kayaking since I was in junior high, so it was high time I got back out there!

I bought a car in June! My mom was actually looking at it for herself, but when she decided against it, I snatched it up. I got an incredible deal on it! The challenging part is that I still cannot drive it - I barely got the pink slip in the mail today (because it was leased) even though the car has been in my possession for a couple of weeks now. Thankfully I have been able to drive my parents' third car while I have been waiting. And, my Vue sold in two days. PTL! On the way to drop it off to the new owners, a rock flew up and hit the windshield. Only me!! BUT, they still bought it and my insurance came out and fixed it for them a week later. The Vue was a great car for me. I really liked it - and I heard that Honda's are wonderful as well...so hopefully this car will last me for a looong time!

My family and I traveled down to SoCal for a relative's wedding (decorated very nicely) and a dodger's game in a luxury suite courtesy of Warner Bros. It was the most amazing game I have ever been to!

Here are some pics from the July 4 celebration at Brooke and Ryan's house. We went there last year and again for this year's holiday. The weather wasn't too bad and we enjoyed hanging out and watching some fireworks in the street. The night before my dad and I enjoyed the city's fireworks display from my backyard. I live so close to the football field we thought it would be a great (free) event, but some trees obstructed the view a bit. It was still fun and I am glad we tried it.

I went to Woodleaf this past weekend for a night. We weren't even there for 24 hours and it was a tease to go up and back in such a short period of time. The last time I had been to Woodleaf was right before I left for NJ - five years ago exactly!! So crazy!! It is mostly the same, and so many memories and smells came back to me when I stepped out of the car. I do love YL camp, especially assignment, that is probably one of the things I miss the most about YL staff. We took some Delhi leaders up there to show them around. It was fun seeing it through their eyes for the first time.

Today the high is supposed to be 112. Summer weather is definitely here! On Saturday my family and I leave for another Dodger game...and then Sunday we leave for a week long cruise to the Mexican Riviera. It is a terrible time for me to leave work-wise...but this cruise was booked before Christmas and obviously I had no idea what my schedule would be like at that time. Thankfully my co-workers are filling in for me while I am gone. I am looking forward to some rest and relaxation!

We are in the sixth week of our server being down at work. This has been super hard for me as I am very OCD when it comes to having my office organized and things planned for and done on time. Now my desk is overflowing with past due assignments that cannot be accomplished until the server comes back up. I cannot wait to get my work-life back in order and get caught up!!

I am aggressively looking for work back East. Who knows when and if it will happen, but I am ready to go whenever God opens up an opportunity. I will keep you updated!

So, I have been thinking about stopping my blogging for a while. I just feel like anything I have to share I put on Facebook, and the majority of people who read my blog are my friends on Facebook. I would like to keep my blog though, as I anticipate many adventures to come in the future that I would like to share in this format. However, for the last few months I feel like I have been boring my readers on here. Thoughts?

Bringing you up to date in pictures...

I know, I know. I have been terrible at blogging lately! That doesn't mean I haven't had much to write about. These pictures will tell you about my last month or so. Minus being sick and missing out on the Swedish Festival, I have had a great past few weeks!!

Here are some pics from our trip to San Diego over Easter Break.
Sullivan loved watching DVDs on the laptop in our rented condo. We put headphones on her so we wouldn't be subjected to viewing Lady and the Tramp for the 18th time...:-)

Of course our time on the beach was beautiful and relaxing! It was literally right out our door.



We also were able to see a Dodgers/Padres game. Fun! We will be going to another Dodgers game at the end of this month.


Over Memorial Day weekend I went to VA to visit Kristin and my beloved East Coast!
My flight was delayed on Thursday night...until the next day. But United compensated me with $150 (for Kristin AND me) so it turned out to be OK. I try to get over there as much as I can. I am still praying over moving and looking for jobs. This economy isn't helping...but I do feel like if God wants me to go none of that will matter. Here we are starting off Saturday with a pedicure.

We then went to Lancaster County for shopping, relaxation, and a Sight and Sound show! We of course visited Kitchen Kettle Village.:-)

The next day we went to church, single's group and for a kayak trip on the Potomac with Troy and Robby. Here we are on Kristin's deck ready for our trip. As soon as I get our kayaking pics I will add them here too!

On Monday we watched a movie and went for a bike ride that I struggled through - it was sooo humid! I look forward to trying it again under better circumstances. I was sad to fly home that night...but it was a great trip anyway!

My dad graduated from the New Wine program at his church...congratulations!
It was a three year commitment, he totally should have been given his Master's for it! Here are mom and dad at the celebration mass.

He received his certificate at a lovely reception following mass.

We had a surprise party for him afterward at my house.


*I have many more pics of all of these events on my facebook page!

I am looking forward to a lovely summer of a trip to LA for a family wedding (and Dodger game) this month, the cruise next month, and hopefully moving at the end of the summer (Lord willing!).

Work has been very busy with some challenging cases. Keep us in prayer, obviously I can't detail them on here for confidentiality reasons. The economy did hit us and we are at a hiring and salary freeze. Ouch!!

I am enjoying helping YL Delhi start up. They are a great group of people. God has great things planned for that city!!

My small group is over. It was a great time and I learned a lot. Looking forward to another six weeks this summer. I am hoping for a similar group - it has been fun getting to know some other single women in my church - who also live in my neighborhood - awesome!!

I am also looking forward to "looking fine in 09..." Tomorrow I am getting back in my exercising routine and I have some things set in motion to help aid me in weight loss. The never ending adventure in trying to get healthy goes on.:-)

Thanks for being faithful blog readers even though I am not a faithful writer! Here's to hoping I will get more consistent over the summer!

Christian Pick-up Lines

lol.. I found these kinda lame but funny enough to pass on...enjoy!

1."Hey... nice bible."

2. "Is this pew taken?"

3. "I just don't feel called to celibacy."

4. "You are perfect, except with all the sin."

5. "When Moses struck the rock, water flowed from it like a river. I promise I will never strike you."

6. "You are so unblemished that I would sacrifice you."

7. "So... I hear there’s gonna be a love offering tonight."

8. "The Word says 'Give drink to those who are thirsty, and feed the hungry'. So, how about dinner?"

9. "I didn’t believe in predestination until tonight."

10. "I believe one of my ribs belongs to you."

11. "I can be your Boaz."

12. "Is this the transfiguration? Because you are glowing"

13. "I would work 7 years for your sister... but I would work 7 more years for you."

14. "My friend told me to come and meet you, he said that you are a really nice person. I think you know him. Jesus, yeah that’s his name."

15. "Are you cold? Ecclesiastes 4:11."

16. "Bible Gateway happens to be my homepage."

17. "Can I buy you a non-alcoholic beverage?"

18. "My favorite species of vegetation is the church plant."

19. "Did I just have mud rubbed in my eyes?"

20. "Bathsheba had nothing on you"

21. ''You put the 'cute' back in persecution.''

22. "Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from Mount Gilead"

23. "How many times do I have to walk around you to make you fall for me?"

24. "How would you like to join my Purpose Driven Life?"

25. "If you say no, I will rip out my hair and my beard. I’m going to tear my clothes, get in my sackcloth and rub dust into my head.”

26. "Unfortunately, I can’t perform miracles; I’ve only got enough bread and fish for 2 people."

27. "So, my parents are home. You wanna come over?"

28. "Whoa! Let me remove my sandals before I come any closer."

29. "Let’s say, hypothetically, you were married. I would send your husband to the front line against the Amorites"

30. "It’s obvious to me that you sprouted from the good kind of soil."

31. "If I had to choose between a romantic date with you or a night out with the guys... I would sit at home and read my bible."

32. "Welcome to the christian family... the only family where brothers and sisters can marry each other"

33. "I did a love tester on your name and mine.. it came back 'predestined' "

34. "If we were around with Noah... then you and me would be a pair."

35. "Let me sell you an indulgence, because it's a sin to look as good as you do."

36. "I’m not a big fan of your last name. But that’s cool, I can change that."

37. "Solomon had 700 wives. You can be my 2nd girlfriend. Bring your friends."

38. "I consider myself to be fisher of women. This would be referred to as "casting my net"."

39. "I'm pretty much considered an elder in the congregation these days"

40. “You. Me. Song of Songs: the remix."

41. "When I read Philippians 4:8, I think about you."

42. "I would leave 99 sheep to come and find you... and then I would carry you home joyfully on my shoulder"

43. "You make me feel all ecumenical."

44. "You make the Queen of Sheba look like a hobo."

45. "I have familiarized myself with all 5 love languages."

46. "Have you died before? Because that looks like a resurrection body to me."

47. “You float my ark.”

48. "Do you need prayer? Because I am certainly willing to lay hands on you"

49. "As Shammah the son of Agee a Hararite protected the field of lentils, so I wish to protect you."

50. "If you were a leper, I would still hold your hand... even if it wasn’t attached."

51. "I would have asked you out to dinner, but I just put all my money in the offertory basket."

52. "You are a Galatians 5 fruit salad."

53. "I mentioned you in my testimony."

54. "Shotgun!"

55. "The perseverance of the saints is well illustrated by the amount of time I spend praying we end up together."

56. "I don’t speak in tongues, but I kiss that way."

57. "Didn't you sing to the shepherds when Jesus was born?"

58. “What’s your name and number so I can add you to my ‘prayer’ list?”

59. “Hi, my name is Will... God’s Will.”

60. “God was just showing off when He made you.”

61. “What do you think Paul meant when he said, "Greet one another with a holy kiss"? (1 Cor 16:20b)”

62. “Do you think "ask, and it shall be given you" is to be taken literally?”

OK, this is the third thing I have read and noticed about end times. Is God trying to tell me (us) something here? Wow.

http://www.kmph.com/Global/story.asp?S=10275523

In fall of 1997 I pledged a sorority at CSU, Fresno called Alpha Delta Chi. I was a sophomore (but in my first year at State after having spent my freshman year at Milligan College in TN). I had chosen to come home from Milligan for my boyfriend at the time. He was my whole world, and (stupidly – and not his fault) I was content in having everything revolve around him. I was not looking to make new friends or create a new social environment in addition to him. However, I kept seeing signs advertising this “Christian sorority” around campus. For some reason (inexplicable to me at the time) God told me to find out more. In addition to that, a girl in my French class, Kelly, talked to me about the sorority and invited me to come to some rush events. To make a long story short I went to rush, decided to pledge, and a semester later became an active of Alpha Delta Chi. The Lord knew what He was doing, as the following late winter that boyfriend decided to move on. Had I not had my new friends, I would have been lost. (None of my high school friends went to State so I truly would have been alone without them.) They were a gift from the Lord. For many months after that break up my sisters became some of my best friends and a shoulder to lean on. Sure, it got political and rough at times, as all things do, but overall I wouldn’t trade ADX for anything.

Looking back, I cannot imagine my life without them, as the majority of my social circle now involves my sisters from ADX. What wonderful memories we share and adventures we have yet to take part of. The best part is that the majority of these girls LOVE the Lord and continue to spur me on towards a Godly life to this day...and vice versa. God knew what I would need for the rest of the life when He gave me the gift of sisterhood.

Last night I went to the 20th anniversary of the Theta chapter (that is our chapter) of ADX. It was very special to be a part of, as I was the president when we celebrated our 10th anniversary. It was so neat to see the girls who are current actives, and I love that the chapter has continued to be a broad mix of people with one common goal. I left the event so grateful to God for the girls of ADX. Happy 20th Anniversary – Theta!

Pics from Spring and Fall 1999 - our 10 year Anniversary:







Pics from last night - sorry about the dark one...

I want to live my life in a way that when people have been with me they will know I have been with Him.

It is only April, right?

Kingsburg, CA
Mostly Clear
H:93° L:59°
Tomorrow
Mostly Sunny
H:95

Tonight I am worrying that I love the world too much. Maybe I should be worrying about this more. I don't know how to change it, except for God to show me. What do you do to ensure you love your heavenly home more then your worldly one?

A little twist to an Easter tradition.:-)

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/4816051/12849087

As I am writing this I am sitting in the living room of our rented condo in San Diego. It is right on the water. About 15 steps from the sliding glass door we are in the waves. It is great! We arrived here last Saturday and we leave tomorrow. My mom, dad, brother, SIL, niece, and our dogs all came down for Easter Break. Highlights have been walks on the beach, Old Town, Ikea, a trip to our old house, Gaslamp Quarter, USS Midway, movies, priceless times with family, and more. We can also see Tijuana and walk there if we wanted too (we are THAT close). It has been a great week. As most vacations do, it went by too fast! Unfortunately I did not take one picture. Boo!

I haven’t been posting lately because I 1)Feel that I do not have anything interesting to write about and 2)Cannot post about some things that are going on (such as work cases that need to be private). My life is the same routine and while work keeps me on my toes the rest is fairly predictable.

I am joining a growth group at my church. I was so hoping I would be put in a group led and with other single women my age, but alas, that did not happen (the joy of living in a small town!). I am disappointed but I will just come into the group at a different angle – one of a Bible Study rather then of a small group. It is only a six week long group and I am already praying that I will be open to what God has for me there even if it isn’t what I wanted/needed. I am looking forward to being in an area where there are plenty of people in the same place that I am in the near future (on the same note, please pray God provides in this area.).

There are two major life-changing events happening in the next four or so months. Message me if you want to know more – I don’t want to put it on my blog just yet!

Super Nanny is on in the background right now. Ugh, this show definitely reinforces my belief in spanking!!

Easter is on Sunday. I wish I looked as forward to this holiday as I did Christmas. I know it is the world’s influence, and that obviously Easter is the most important day for Believers, but it still seems to sneak up on me without as much study and reverence as it should. I need to be consciously aware of this for the next couple of days. Does this happen to you too?

May will be here before we know it and it will be HOT! This summer is going to be awesome, so I am looking forward to it. Just can’t believe it is right around the corner. WOW!

Pics from the last few weeks...!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Spring is here! (Almost!) View from folks' backyard.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

*The Vienna Boy's Choir and the trip to Jen's was FABULOUS too, but I don't have any pics to share.:-(

Happy March!

I have been extremely busy, but this week has been slow(er) and I am just about caught up. I worked 91.5 hours over the last couple of weeks - but it has been really good. That little baby I was telling you about...well she survived and is our little miracle (PTL!). She is now in a safe and suitable placement with our agency. Besides that I have had little work emergencies here and there - but that is what keeps me hopping and time going by. I don't mind it! I do love (mostly) what I do.

Personally nothing really super-exciting has been going on. I am continuing trying to eat better and exercise more. My mom celebrated her birthday and is now considered a senior citizen (she is 55 hehehe). I will post pics later. I went to a few movies and hung out with family and some friends (Jerelyn!). I also decorated my house for St. Patrick's day. It's fun to come home to!!

I am looking forward to going to the coast this weekend and spending time with Carrie and Jen. I am also looking forward to spending time with Kristin when she is in CA in a couple of weeks. Because of that, March is shaping up to be a good month. In April I am going to San Diego for a week, in May I am hoping to go back East (hi, Kristin!), and in July I am going on a cruise. With all of this to look forward to, I am reminded that I am blessed!!

Sorry I don't have anything to blog about that keeps you on the edge of your seat... Life is moving right along and I am as well. Enjoy your day! :-)

Jersey has a BFF. Every morning the neighbor kitty greets him outside our door. They then run off and play and cause trouble, I'm sure. I am really glad he has a friend. They just love each other. Usually if I can't find Jersey I know he is off with the gray kitty ignoring me!

Sometimes the neighbor kitty tries to come in...but (s)he is not allowed inside!

With the rain the air has cleared and our mountains are back in view. I have been told that the mountains could be in view everyday years and years ago. Now we are lucky if we can see them 10 days out of the year. Also makes me nervous of all the smog we are breathing in that is blocking our view! Ick! In any case, this pic was taken right outside of my house after church yesterday. Lovely...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sending all of you yummy cookies (albeit virtual) and all my love (so not virtual!:-)) today, and every day!

SAD

What is becoming of our world?

This morning when I was on my way to work I heard a commercial on the radio. It was for a dating service - for those who are looking for a "little extra" in the relationship. I won't tell you the name of the website - but my ears perked up because of the name. Anyway, as this commercial went on, it became clear (because they said it outright) that this website was for those who wanted to have an affair. The tag line was "Name Name, an affair to remember." It promised to be secretive and that there are many, many members. In fact, a new member joins every 20 seconds. I was sick to my stomach. What is becoming of our world?

Today I had a depressing day at work. A little baby is in the hospital because of severe abuse. A wonderful, amazing, caring family with our agency wants to take this baby home. The county now isn't so sure that they want to place with our agency because it would be too much money. We will know more tomorrow and are praying and being cautiously optimistic. In any case, it turns out that politics and money trumps a good loving home in this case. What is becoming of our world?

And, being involved with CPS, I truly believe that that mother of octuplets should have her children removed. She lives in a three bedroom house - and now has 14 kids?? I cannot believe her selfishness. These children will suffer because of her. Maybe liberal CA should actually put their foot down and send a message that people can't get away with crap like that. What it becoming of our world?

Jesus, hope of the nations
Jesus, comfort for all who mourn
You are the source of Heaven's hope on earth
Jesus, light in the darkness
Jesus, truth in each circumstance
You are the source of Heaven's light on earth
In history You lived and died
You broke the chains
You rose to life

You are the hope living in us
You are the rock in whom we trust
You are the light shining for all the world to see
You rose from the dead conquering fear
Our Prince of Peace drawing us near
Jesus our hope living for all who will receive

LORD WE BELIEVE!

I signed up for eHarmony today. There is something that makes me feel vulnerable about putting myself on the Internet...I just feel like a one page profile hardly helps someone get to know me. I have tried these online dating sites before, and go through seasons where I am willing to give it a shot - and seasons where I am anti online matching services. In any case, I posted all my stats and info today. I know it is all in God's timing, and I am trying my very best to be patient. (Truly, I am!!) I have to admit that it is my prayer, though, that God will bring someone special into my life very soon. Maybe 2009 will be the year I have been waiting for?:-) I still have HOPE!

It is raining here and I am LOVING it. During lunch I purposely sat in my car and read. Weird, I know, but we hardly get rain here and I wanted to be out in it - without getting all wet.;-) And there is something about simple pleasures, such as hearing the rain hit the roof of your car. I hope it rains all weekend!!

I know that I haven't posted in a few days, but there really hasn't been much going on that I have felt the need to blog about. There are two things happening right now that I am excited/nervous/anxious about (and would love to share with you!) but I can't mention it here until they comes to pass (if they do, that is). I do look forward to sharing it with you when I have some direction from the Lord - however He directs me.

I am at work so I better get back to it. Enjoy your weekend!

(Oh, one fun thing to post - I am going on another cruise with the fam this summer! It will be a year to the exact date of last summer. Super excited!)

At 10:15 PM on Saturday night I got a call that S went into labor. S is the first birth-mom that I have had the pleasure of working with (the majority of our adoptions are CPS and not relinquishment). I headed to H-town, ran into the adoptive parents as I was walking in, and baby was born around 1 AM. I stayed there until about 4AM, and was back at 10AM. I then stayed the majority of Sunday. I was there when the baby was discharged on Monday and today I visited the baby in her new home. This baby will always have a special place in my heart as she is my "first." Needless to say, her adoptive parents are beyond thrilled. They have asked me to be "tia." Most importantly, they finally have a baby to call their own. And S is doing extremely well. She never once regretted or hesitated about her decision to give the baby up, and she is completely at peace. To me she is a hero. She made the right choice to give her baby up for adoption, hands down. I am on a baby high this week, and I am praising God for this gift of love! On the way home from the hospital on Sunday I saw a rainbow. It just confirmed the whole experience. I would love to post a pic of the family of three, but I need to protect their identity. I will post a pic of me and the baby though - as you can't see her full face in this pic. She is an angel!

Last night I finished the Twilight Saga. Let me tell you girls, these four books are a must-read. At first I was opposed to reading them. Both Hannah and my SIL Brooke had read them and loved them and encouraged me to read them. But, I thought the story of a vampire falling in love with a high school student would be ultra-lame and cheesy. Well, I was SO wrong! These books are amazing and you will be addicted!!! (And don't worry, the vampire is not evil, so don't worry that I am loving some weird books.) The books are hard to explain - so I will just tell you that if you haven't read them that you need to drop everything and get yourself a copy - or borrow mine. I will tell you that you will feel like a 17-year-old while you read them (as it is targeted to that audience) but it is a worthy guilty pleasure. The movie is great too - but read the first book first as the movies leaves A LOT of stuff out that you will need to know. The movie soundtrack is a lot of fun (thanks Hannah for giving it to me) as well. I am sad that I am done reading the series, as I have thoroughly enjoyed it (and I am not ashamed to say so!). I do plan on going back and re-reading the books in the future, and I don't say that about many books! I was excited to hear that the author Stephenie Meyer has another book in the works which is a part of the saga, only written from a different viewpoint. I found it here: http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/midnightsun.html I think I will wait until it is in print to read it, but I might not be able to wait that long...;-) In any case, I loved these books so much that they definitely earned a spot in my blog. Let me know if you have read them - as I am sure there are many who share my affection for this series.

Last weekend was a three-day-holiday and I was blessed to be able to fly up and visit one of my best friends, Hannah. I always try to make it to WA to see her once a year (in the three years since we have lived in NJ together) and it always seems to be cold when I go. The first year was March, the second November, and this year January. Next year, no matter where I am living, I hope to see WA when it is warm and green. In any case, we had a super fun time. We saw a movie (Twilight :-)), ate at fun places, went shopping (I got shoes and two very cute bags), went to church, talked/laughed a bunch (of course!), and went to Leavenworth for a day trip. (See pic below.) I enjoyed my time and it went by really fast. Thanks Hannah for your hospitality!