Starbucks break before going dancing for Janell's bachelorette party.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Camp…
This past weekend was our winter weekend. It went well, but Friday was quite the adventure. Friday we had a major windstorm. It toppled trees and that made getting into camp hard. Thankfully the bus in front of me knew the back roads in the pitch black. We followed them and made it into Lake Champion to discover that all the electricity was out. The emergency lighting was on, ran by generators, in the hallways, so we were at least able to find our rooms and drop off our stuff. We went to the gym and club, which were dimly lit by generators, and had a lot of fun. While walking back to the dorms, I thought I heard an alarm going off. I turned to Lindy, one of my girl leaders and friend, and said, “Do you hear that alarm going off?” We kept walking and as we approached the girls’ dorms we noticed that the fire alarm was going off at the first dorm. My first thought was that the lack of electricity tripped the wire and that is why it was going off. And then we saw the smoke. And then more smoke. We came to realize that this was major, as property crew were running around and volunteer fire fighter crews began to show up. The fire grew more before it was contained. What had happened was that the generator overheated, caught on fire, and then caught the building on fire. Some girls and leaders lost their belongings to fire and or smoke damage. Thankfully, no one was in the building while it happened. That would have been very bad.
Anyway, here is the crazy part. When the fire was going we gathered all our kids and met in the clubroom to do a head count. This is still w/o electricity mind you. The head leader then asks for all the Ferndale leaders to meet with him. (Ferndale is one of the girls’ dorms along with Brookview.) Each dorm contains about 8 rooms/cabins and bathrooms. Lindy and I were curious as to why they wanted to see us, as we were in the dorm next to it, the dorm that did not burn. Come to find out, somehow, we went into Brookview 5 instead of Ferndale 5. Because it was dark, we could not see the building name, so when we went to room 5 and saw it empty so we thought we were in the right place. We were supposed to be in the building that burned. Can you believe it? While I feel very badly for the people who lost their stuff, at the same time I am sooo thankful that we did not have to deal with that. I also feel really guilty.
I have pics I will try to post.
This past weekend was our winter weekend. It went well, but Friday was quite the adventure. Friday we had a major windstorm. It toppled trees and that made getting into camp hard. Thankfully the bus in front of me knew the back roads in the pitch black. We followed them and made it into Lake Champion to discover that all the electricity was out. The emergency lighting was on, ran by generators, in the hallways, so we were at least able to find our rooms and drop off our stuff. We went to the gym and club, which were dimly lit by generators, and had a lot of fun. While walking back to the dorms, I thought I heard an alarm going off. I turned to Lindy, one of my girl leaders and friend, and said, “Do you hear that alarm going off?” We kept walking and as we approached the girls’ dorms we noticed that the fire alarm was going off at the first dorm. My first thought was that the lack of electricity tripped the wire and that is why it was going off. And then we saw the smoke. And then more smoke. We came to realize that this was major, as property crew were running around and volunteer fire fighter crews began to show up. The fire grew more before it was contained. What had happened was that the generator overheated, caught on fire, and then caught the building on fire. Some girls and leaders lost their belongings to fire and or smoke damage. Thankfully, no one was in the building while it happened. That would have been very bad.
Anyway, here is the crazy part. When the fire was going we gathered all our kids and met in the clubroom to do a head count. This is still w/o electricity mind you. The head leader then asks for all the Ferndale leaders to meet with him. (Ferndale is one of the girls’ dorms along with Brookview.) Each dorm contains about 8 rooms/cabins and bathrooms. Lindy and I were curious as to why they wanted to see us, as we were in the dorm next to it, the dorm that did not burn. Come to find out, somehow, we went into Brookview 5 instead of Ferndale 5. Because it was dark, we could not see the building name, so when we went to room 5 and saw it empty so we thought we were in the right place. We were supposed to be in the building that burned. Can you believe it? While I feel very badly for the people who lost their stuff, at the same time I am sooo thankful that we did not have to deal with that. I also feel really guilty.
I have pics I will try to post.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
I arrived in CA yesterday safe and sound. Overall it was a smooth trip - and I'm glad to be home!:-)
On the plane yesterday there was a woman from Liberia sitting next to me. In her broken English, as she was exiting the plane, she yelled out, "Happy Easter Everybody!"
So funny.
Have a good holiday tomorrow! I'm thankful for and love each of you bunches!
On the plane yesterday there was a woman from Liberia sitting next to me. In her broken English, as she was exiting the plane, she yelled out, "Happy Easter Everybody!"
So funny.
Have a good holiday tomorrow! I'm thankful for and love each of you bunches!
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Today, along with finishing my second 20 plus page paper of the week (yes, I pretty much rock), I encountered my first mouse obstacle. I knew, since I moved here (to the EC), that this day would happen at some time or another. I also knew, that now since I live in the woods, that it would probably be in this apartment. Well, today while watching the history channel (yes, I’m a nerd), I caught a glimpse of something running along my wall out of the corner of my eye. I started praying, “Oh please Lord, help me to just be imagining things.” Unfortunately I wasn’t, as I then saw a field mouse run into my entertainment center. I promptly called my dad to ask for help. He told me to call my landlord, and I did. At first I didn’t want to call my landlord, because I didn’t want him to think that I was a girly CA mouse-hater. But…I soon decided I didn’t care what he thought and I gave him a call. (He lives in the downstairs apartment.) Long story short, thirty minutes later he was carrying a dead mouse out of my apartment. Praise the Lord for mousetraps! That was enough mouse activity to last me a lifetime…ick.
Tomorrow I begin my journey home for Thanksgiving. Because I leave at o’dark early on Tuesday, I will be spending the night in Philly tomorrow. I will be home for one week, and I am really looking forward to it. I hope that you all get to spend quality time with family and friends as well.
Next time you hear from me will be from the good ol’ WC.
Tomorrow I begin my journey home for Thanksgiving. Because I leave at o’dark early on Tuesday, I will be spending the night in Philly tomorrow. I will be home for one week, and I am really looking forward to it. I hope that you all get to spend quality time with family and friends as well.
Next time you hear from me will be from the good ol’ WC.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Annoying…
Has anyone seen that commercial for that fancy new vacuum that is so fun and cute it makes everyone who is over your house for a party jump up and dance? And how come there just happens to be that many vacuums, one for everyone to dance with, in that apartment? I mean, seriously, I hate just the one vacuum I do have – why would I buy eight? And how can cleaning be so fun that it makes me want to dance around, with my friends, while dressed up, at a party? Uh, yeah, that has to be one of the lamest commercials that I have seen in a while.
On to things I do like…
The other day I broke out the Christmas decorations. Yes, I know it’s early, but I wanted to get the task out of the way. And I am so glad I did because now I will get to enjoy them for a little longer then usual. I love Christmas. Hard to believe it is next month!
Quote of the day…
Yesterday I was with Katie (the girl I babysit) and her friend Andrea. Katie had just gotten back from Walt Disney World, where she saw (gasp!) people wearing fanny packs and it reminded Andy of a story. She told me, “One time, my dad bought a fanny pack and he WORE it. It was so creepy. I wanted to die.” LOL!! Ahhhh, the fanny packs. I remember when those were hot. But no one wears those anymore, except if they are European. And they always seem to team them with socks and sandals.
Enjoy your Wednesday!
Has anyone seen that commercial for that fancy new vacuum that is so fun and cute it makes everyone who is over your house for a party jump up and dance? And how come there just happens to be that many vacuums, one for everyone to dance with, in that apartment? I mean, seriously, I hate just the one vacuum I do have – why would I buy eight? And how can cleaning be so fun that it makes me want to dance around, with my friends, while dressed up, at a party? Uh, yeah, that has to be one of the lamest commercials that I have seen in a while.
On to things I do like…
The other day I broke out the Christmas decorations. Yes, I know it’s early, but I wanted to get the task out of the way. And I am so glad I did because now I will get to enjoy them for a little longer then usual. I love Christmas. Hard to believe it is next month!
Quote of the day…
Yesterday I was with Katie (the girl I babysit) and her friend Andrea. Katie had just gotten back from Walt Disney World, where she saw (gasp!) people wearing fanny packs and it reminded Andy of a story. She told me, “One time, my dad bought a fanny pack and he WORE it. It was so creepy. I wanted to die.” LOL!! Ahhhh, the fanny packs. I remember when those were hot. But no one wears those anymore, except if they are European. And they always seem to team them with socks and sandals.
Enjoy your Wednesday!
Sunday, November 12, 2006
A thought for you on Veteran's Day...
Thought for the day from Tony Blair:
In case we find ourselves starting to believe all the anti-American
sentiment and negativity, we should remember England's Prime
Minister Tony Blair's words during a recent interview. When asked
by one of his Parliament members why he believes so much in
America, he said, "A simple way to take measure of a country is
to look at how many want in and how many want out." Only two
defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2. The American G. I.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
In case we find ourselves starting to believe all the anti-American
sentiment and negativity, we should remember England's Prime
Minister Tony Blair's words during a recent interview. When asked
by one of his Parliament members why he believes so much in
America, he said, "A simple way to take measure of a country is
to look at how many want in and how many want out." Only two
defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2. The American G. I.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Kristin’s Visit…
OK, so here are the weird stories I have to tell you. Things that weren’t so weird…hanging out on Friday at Fridays, sleeping in and going to Kohl’s (both found cute stuff) and scoring free food at Panera on early Saturday. Then, it began….
First off we went to Princeton that evening for a couple of hours. We were walking around the campus and noticed this cat that had a collar on it. Both of us were curious so we started to walk up to this cat when we noticed that a man on a bike was riding up to it as well. He also stopped to take a picture, and Kristin and I were like, “OK, that’s weird, a man taking a pic of a cat on a college campus but whatever.” So we all meet up by this cat and the guy explains to another concerned passerbyer (is that a word?) that this was his cat and that it follows him. Well Kristin trying to be the nice and friendly girl that she is, she asked the guy, “How do you get your cat to follow you?” Cause we all know that cats just don’t obey like dogs and to bring your cat to a college campus is, well, weird. But the guy didn’t even hear her question. He said to her, “Do not ask me questions!! I have been asked 40,000 questions over the last 20 years and I don’t have to answer!!!” Kristin and I were shocked. The guy just kept on riding though and calling to his cat, stopping every few seconds to take yet another picture of it. He also kept mumbling to himself the whole time. He had a backpack on so we think he was just one of those people who are so smart that they lack social skills. Strange, huh? We can laugh about it now, but at the time we were kinda taken back.
So then we got in the car and started to drive to see a movie. This particular movie (One night with the King) was only playing at theaters that weren’t near my house (of course) so we picked a theater in Trenton cause we knew we would be close by when we were in Princeton. OK, so on our way to Trenton we saw a Red Lobster and decided to eat there. We put our names in and were told we have a 60-90 minute wait. We asked if we could just sit at the bar, cause we had a movie to catch, and so we did. Well in the bar area they had two high-rise tables. One of the tables came free as we were walking in to the bar area and the people sitting there offered it to us. We went to sit there and the hostess came up and said that we couldn’t sit there, as that was not bar seating. (Even though it was clearly in the bar.) So Kristin and I sat at the bar and ordered our food. Well, the two tables sat there empty. So finally we asked someone else if we could sit there, as no one was sitting there, and we were given permission to move. That left one high-rise table left. Now remember that this is regular seating, not bar seating…even though it was in the bar. Well that provided plenty of entertainment for Kristin and I. We watched them try to seat about five people/groups there. All of which were totally pissed, after waiting 90 mins, that they were sat at that particular table and not a booth. All of them asked to be reseated. Kristin and I would laugh to ourselves because they would literally page someone at the bar saying that their table was ready and then would take two steps and seat them at this table. It was so funny to watch the expression on people’s faces. Anyway, it worked well for us because we got in and out in time, and didn’t mind sitting in the bar area. It was a unique adventure.
When we were done eating we got in our car and drove to Trenton. You know you are in the ghetto when you walk in the theatre and there are two policemen staring at you, and everyone else who came in. The movie was decent and afterward Kristin and I went in to the restroom. There was graffiti everywhere, and I mean everywhere. We knew we needed to get in my car, lock the doors, and get out of that skeezy place. LOL…so crazy!
The next day Kristin said she would take me to get a manicure for my bday. We got in the car and started to take the back roads to Clinton, which is the town where we usually get our nails done. While we were on our way the car in front of us totally hit a car that was trying to cross the road in front of it. It hit it at about 40-50 mph. All of the windows blew out, one tire popped out, and the car literally did a 360 and landed in a ditch, right in front of our very eyes. Well, at that time Kristin and I were the only witnesses so we quickly parked and got out to help. Everyone seemed to be OK, PTL, but it was such a weird thing to witness.
Isn’t that crazy? Kristin, am I missing something? I know we had so many weird things happen last weekend. It was like one crazy event after another for us!!
Thanksgiving…
Remember how I told you that I was going to Indiana with the Van Etten’s for Thanksgiving? Well I was totally planning on it until the other night. Now it is official that I am going to CA. I am totally excited, but at the same time sad that I won’t be able to see Holli’s hometown and meet her family.
To tell this story I must start from the beginning. Last Spring I was going to go to Sweden for work. I bought the tickets and was all set. YL was going to reimburse me and I had permission and encouragement from my boss to go. Then he changed his mind and told me he felt like I should stay home. I was very mad and frustrated, but of course I submitted to him. I tried to cancel my tickets, but due to my buying them on travelocity I could only get a credit. So I had this credit for $670. (Which is actually a kick butt price for Philly to Stockholm but I digress…) And remember it was my own money, as I fronted that having been promised that YL would reimburse me. Well now they weren’t going to. So anyway I thought I would just use it for one of my many trips to CA. The credit was with US Airways. I tried to use it for each trip home, like over the summer or for Janell’s wedding, but US Airways always quoted me a much higher price then say, Frontier, so of course I went on Frontier. (Which, by the way, is an AWESOME airline.) Why would I pay a couple of hundred dollars more on a trip that I could pay less for? Then I thought I would use my credit for Tday. But Tday prices were so high I thought that there was no way I would pay about $600 to go home, when usually I pay $250-400. And plus I had already paid so much for Janell’s wedding and trip home I just thought that I would not go home for Tday and use my credit for Christmas. Well, same story, found an airline with a cheaper price so I took that. So I talked to my parents and we all decided that they would use that credit for when they came out in May for my graduation. (May 5 – write it down!!) They would book well in advance so they could get a cheap price with US Airways, and hopefully we could get two tickets out of my credit. It was a win, win, right? I called US Airways the other night, to book their flights, and found out that 1)I cannot put my credit in anyone else’s name and 2)I have to complete travel with that credit by March 10…the day it was originally bought on. That threw me into panic mode. That meant I had to travel in Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb or early March or else I would lose that money. Dec and Jan were out as I already had booked my trip home for those holidays. And Feb and March? I have a lot going on then. So of course that left me with Thanksgiving. And who wouldn’t want to be home for that day? Anyway, I will be there Nov.21-28.
Banquet…
It went well. We had close to 70 people and were able to raise 1/3 of our budget. Praise the Lord! Now it is on to writing all the thank yous…blah. Not so fun! But I am very thankful for those who support this ministry. We could not do it without them!
Please comment…
If you stop by…comment! Pretty please!
OK, so here are the weird stories I have to tell you. Things that weren’t so weird…hanging out on Friday at Fridays, sleeping in and going to Kohl’s (both found cute stuff) and scoring free food at Panera on early Saturday. Then, it began….
First off we went to Princeton that evening for a couple of hours. We were walking around the campus and noticed this cat that had a collar on it. Both of us were curious so we started to walk up to this cat when we noticed that a man on a bike was riding up to it as well. He also stopped to take a picture, and Kristin and I were like, “OK, that’s weird, a man taking a pic of a cat on a college campus but whatever.” So we all meet up by this cat and the guy explains to another concerned passerbyer (is that a word?) that this was his cat and that it follows him. Well Kristin trying to be the nice and friendly girl that she is, she asked the guy, “How do you get your cat to follow you?” Cause we all know that cats just don’t obey like dogs and to bring your cat to a college campus is, well, weird. But the guy didn’t even hear her question. He said to her, “Do not ask me questions!! I have been asked 40,000 questions over the last 20 years and I don’t have to answer!!!” Kristin and I were shocked. The guy just kept on riding though and calling to his cat, stopping every few seconds to take yet another picture of it. He also kept mumbling to himself the whole time. He had a backpack on so we think he was just one of those people who are so smart that they lack social skills. Strange, huh? We can laugh about it now, but at the time we were kinda taken back.
So then we got in the car and started to drive to see a movie. This particular movie (One night with the King) was only playing at theaters that weren’t near my house (of course) so we picked a theater in Trenton cause we knew we would be close by when we were in Princeton. OK, so on our way to Trenton we saw a Red Lobster and decided to eat there. We put our names in and were told we have a 60-90 minute wait. We asked if we could just sit at the bar, cause we had a movie to catch, and so we did. Well in the bar area they had two high-rise tables. One of the tables came free as we were walking in to the bar area and the people sitting there offered it to us. We went to sit there and the hostess came up and said that we couldn’t sit there, as that was not bar seating. (Even though it was clearly in the bar.) So Kristin and I sat at the bar and ordered our food. Well, the two tables sat there empty. So finally we asked someone else if we could sit there, as no one was sitting there, and we were given permission to move. That left one high-rise table left. Now remember that this is regular seating, not bar seating…even though it was in the bar. Well that provided plenty of entertainment for Kristin and I. We watched them try to seat about five people/groups there. All of which were totally pissed, after waiting 90 mins, that they were sat at that particular table and not a booth. All of them asked to be reseated. Kristin and I would laugh to ourselves because they would literally page someone at the bar saying that their table was ready and then would take two steps and seat them at this table. It was so funny to watch the expression on people’s faces. Anyway, it worked well for us because we got in and out in time, and didn’t mind sitting in the bar area. It was a unique adventure.
When we were done eating we got in our car and drove to Trenton. You know you are in the ghetto when you walk in the theatre and there are two policemen staring at you, and everyone else who came in. The movie was decent and afterward Kristin and I went in to the restroom. There was graffiti everywhere, and I mean everywhere. We knew we needed to get in my car, lock the doors, and get out of that skeezy place. LOL…so crazy!
The next day Kristin said she would take me to get a manicure for my bday. We got in the car and started to take the back roads to Clinton, which is the town where we usually get our nails done. While we were on our way the car in front of us totally hit a car that was trying to cross the road in front of it. It hit it at about 40-50 mph. All of the windows blew out, one tire popped out, and the car literally did a 360 and landed in a ditch, right in front of our very eyes. Well, at that time Kristin and I were the only witnesses so we quickly parked and got out to help. Everyone seemed to be OK, PTL, but it was such a weird thing to witness.
Isn’t that crazy? Kristin, am I missing something? I know we had so many weird things happen last weekend. It was like one crazy event after another for us!!
Thanksgiving…
Remember how I told you that I was going to Indiana with the Van Etten’s for Thanksgiving? Well I was totally planning on it until the other night. Now it is official that I am going to CA. I am totally excited, but at the same time sad that I won’t be able to see Holli’s hometown and meet her family.
To tell this story I must start from the beginning. Last Spring I was going to go to Sweden for work. I bought the tickets and was all set. YL was going to reimburse me and I had permission and encouragement from my boss to go. Then he changed his mind and told me he felt like I should stay home. I was very mad and frustrated, but of course I submitted to him. I tried to cancel my tickets, but due to my buying them on travelocity I could only get a credit. So I had this credit for $670. (Which is actually a kick butt price for Philly to Stockholm but I digress…) And remember it was my own money, as I fronted that having been promised that YL would reimburse me. Well now they weren’t going to. So anyway I thought I would just use it for one of my many trips to CA. The credit was with US Airways. I tried to use it for each trip home, like over the summer or for Janell’s wedding, but US Airways always quoted me a much higher price then say, Frontier, so of course I went on Frontier. (Which, by the way, is an AWESOME airline.) Why would I pay a couple of hundred dollars more on a trip that I could pay less for? Then I thought I would use my credit for Tday. But Tday prices were so high I thought that there was no way I would pay about $600 to go home, when usually I pay $250-400. And plus I had already paid so much for Janell’s wedding and trip home I just thought that I would not go home for Tday and use my credit for Christmas. Well, same story, found an airline with a cheaper price so I took that. So I talked to my parents and we all decided that they would use that credit for when they came out in May for my graduation. (May 5 – write it down!!) They would book well in advance so they could get a cheap price with US Airways, and hopefully we could get two tickets out of my credit. It was a win, win, right? I called US Airways the other night, to book their flights, and found out that 1)I cannot put my credit in anyone else’s name and 2)I have to complete travel with that credit by March 10…the day it was originally bought on. That threw me into panic mode. That meant I had to travel in Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb or early March or else I would lose that money. Dec and Jan were out as I already had booked my trip home for those holidays. And Feb and March? I have a lot going on then. So of course that left me with Thanksgiving. And who wouldn’t want to be home for that day? Anyway, I will be there Nov.21-28.
Banquet…
It went well. We had close to 70 people and were able to raise 1/3 of our budget. Praise the Lord! Now it is on to writing all the thank yous…blah. Not so fun! But I am very thankful for those who support this ministry. We could not do it without them!
Please comment…
If you stop by…comment! Pretty please!
Sunday, November 05, 2006
My weekend with Kristin was so weird! It wasn't weird being with her, but one weird thing kept happening after another. When I have time I will tell you all about it!
Right now I am trying to get a paper done. I am halfway there. I think I will be getting up early in the morning to finish it though. Blah. I have pretty pink nails though. Typing is so much more fun when you have fun nails.
Happy Sunday friends!
Right now I am trying to get a paper done. I am halfway there. I think I will be getting up early in the morning to finish it though. Blah. I have pretty pink nails though. Typing is so much more fun when you have fun nails.
Happy Sunday friends!
Friday, November 03, 2006
Monday is our annual fundraising Young Life West Jersey banquet. While this is a huge undertaking and a lot of work (it is like putting on a wedding reception) it is definitely an event that I still enjoy very much. This is our biggest money maker for the year and therefore is very, very important!!
We will have about 1/3 – ½ of our normal attendance. I was so disappointed about this the other day that I had to go to bed or else I thought I was going to get sick to my stomach. While I know that it is all about quality and not quantity, it is hard to not get caught up in it. My boss says that every area director’s numbers have been down, and while that does make me feel somewhat better, it is still not enough.
So please pray for me, the area, the banquet, the money, etc. To put it bluntly, we cannot have a ministry if we do not have the money.
The good thing is that as I am writing this Kristin is on her way up for the weekend. This will help me to get my mind off of the impending banquet and have some fun. Don’t really have any big plans but it will be awesome (of course) not matter what it is as Kristin is one of my best friends.
Speaking of friends, have I told you that I am going to
Enjoy your weekend and stay warm!
Monday, October 30, 2006
How was your weekend? Mine was good….although it went by quickly! The highlight was the hockey game Jeremy, Holli, and I went to on Saturday night in Philadelphia. It was the Philadelphia Flyers against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Penguins won 8-2. It was awesome. Sidney Crosby had a hat trick…and Jer had these awesome Pens jerseys we wore. Although we risked death by wearing them into that stadium full of Flyers fans, it was a lot of fun to support our team! Can’t wait until the next game!
School is busy but good. I just need to hang in there, and stay on top of things, until Thanksgiving and then my papers due reduce tremendously. Yay! This morning I registered for my winter class, and then my last three classes I have to take in the spring. While I do love school, it will be nice to be done.
It is getting really chilly here. Our evenings have (already) gotten into the 30s, and our days are dipping down as well. It has been sooooo windy here the past couple of days that a lot of our fall leaves are gone and it is beginning to look like the beginning of winter. It will be here soon!
My work’s annual fund raising banquet is a week from today. Please pray that everything will go well and that we have good attendance numbers. This is our major fundraiser of the year so it is important that all goes well.
There is now a Chipotle 30 mins. from here. Finally, semi-decent Mexican food is in my area. I think I have died and gone to heaven!!
Kristin is coming to Jersey this weekend. Looking forward to having her here!
Here is something inspiring for you to watch! The Capernaum director sent this to me. (Capernaum is Young Life for teens with disabilities.)
http://cjcphoto.com/can/
School is busy but good. I just need to hang in there, and stay on top of things, until Thanksgiving and then my papers due reduce tremendously. Yay! This morning I registered for my winter class, and then my last three classes I have to take in the spring. While I do love school, it will be nice to be done.
It is getting really chilly here. Our evenings have (already) gotten into the 30s, and our days are dipping down as well. It has been sooooo windy here the past couple of days that a lot of our fall leaves are gone and it is beginning to look like the beginning of winter. It will be here soon!
My work’s annual fund raising banquet is a week from today. Please pray that everything will go well and that we have good attendance numbers. This is our major fundraiser of the year so it is important that all goes well.
There is now a Chipotle 30 mins. from here. Finally, semi-decent Mexican food is in my area. I think I have died and gone to heaven!!
Kristin is coming to Jersey this weekend. Looking forward to having her here!
Here is something inspiring for you to watch! The Capernaum director sent this to me. (Capernaum is Young Life for teens with disabilities.)
http://cjcphoto.com/can/
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Please take the time to visit, sign up, and prayerfully consider what your role can be in stopping this terrible genocide.
http://go.sojo.net/campaign/evangelicalsfordarfur
http://go.sojo.net/campaign/evangelicalsfordarfur
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Monday, October 23, 2006
Jeremy, Holli, Lindy, Kelly and I went geocaching today. I had never heard of such a thing before. It was so much fun...you have to check it out!!! Think Amazing Race, but at your own pace and you get to decide where you want to explore. We were able to be outside in the beautiful Fall weather and it was wonderful. A good way to start the new week.:-)
I get to go to a Flyers/Penguins game on Saturday in Philly! GO PENS!
There is a church (Langhorne Presbyterian) that has this displayed outside their building (you know in the little advertising window box thing) and it has me so confused. What do you think it means? "Is it better to be a seagull or a goose?"
I get to go to a Flyers/Penguins game on Saturday in Philly! GO PENS!
There is a church (Langhorne Presbyterian) that has this displayed outside their building (you know in the little advertising window box thing) and it has me so confused. What do you think it means? "Is it better to be a seagull or a goose?"
Night!
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Holli, Lindy, and I hung out last night and went to see Marie Antoinette. The first 45 mins. were decent but the rest of the movie went downhill quickly. (Several people got up and left.) The costumes and sets are beautiful, but the movie is hardly accurate, and I don't know what Sophia Copolla was thinking through about 75% of the movie. Anyway, if you are wanting to see this movie, definitely save your money and rent it!!
But it was fun being with my friends anyway...:)
But it was fun being with my friends anyway...:)
Saturday, October 21, 2006
I have discovered over the past couple of years that, very much like a teenager, I still need about nine hours of sleep every night. It makes such a difference!
I also have discovered how I need to be warm in order to fall asleep. I especially need to have warm feet!!
I didn’t have either of those last night.
What do you need to have in order to get a good night’s rest?
I also have discovered how I need to be warm in order to fall asleep. I especially need to have warm feet!!
I didn’t have either of those last night.
What do you need to have in order to get a good night’s rest?
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
As promised, here is my long awaited update on Amy, Mandy, Kristin, and Janell! I will post pics soon… I only have 15 mins. in which to type this so I gotta move fast.
Amy came out and visited me for a few days. She came on a Tuesday and left on Saturday night. It was wonderful having her out here. She was my first WC friend to stay in my new apartment. Anyway, I tried to show her around and give her the best EC experience I could in the time we had. We went to Lancaster County and had a great time driving and walking through all that county has to offer. I love that place and really feel like God has given me a heart for the Amish. We also went to NYC where I scored us front row, center seats to Tarzan on Broadway for only $20 each (come visit me and I will do the same for you). We also went to Serendipity’s, Rockefeller Center, Ground Zero, and saw other typical NYC sights. It was a fun day. We also spent time in Clinton, Flemington, Langhorne, Philadelphia and Princeton.
When I dropped Amy off at the airport on Saturday I drove down to D.C. to visit with Kristin and Mandy. Mandy had flown out for the weekend and I was excited to spend a couple of days with them. We had a wonderful time talking, laughing, and catching up. We also saw a movie (Little Miss Sunshine) and drove around the district for a bit. We did, of course, take Mandy to Famous Luigi’s, which has become a tradition for Kristin and I. It was so nice to be with sorority sisters.
Then, a few days after that, I flew home to be in my high school best friend’s wedding. I was the Maid of Honor and of course would not have missed the opportunity to support her by being in her wedding. Her wedding was at her house and it was so incredible to be a part of such a special day at a place where I have childhood memories. I got a lot of time with my high school friends and it was like we had never grown up or left each other. Even though I was sad about not being able to see my family that much, my trip was very much worth it. Janell looked beautiful and she did such a good job with the entire planning, etc.
As I was typing this right now I was thinking about how much I am blessed by friends. God is good in that I have been able to make and maintain friends at all stages of my life. Thanks everyone for your friendship and know that I love you very much!
I typed this in 12 mins. Go me!
Amy came out and visited me for a few days. She came on a Tuesday and left on Saturday night. It was wonderful having her out here. She was my first WC friend to stay in my new apartment. Anyway, I tried to show her around and give her the best EC experience I could in the time we had. We went to Lancaster County and had a great time driving and walking through all that county has to offer. I love that place and really feel like God has given me a heart for the Amish. We also went to NYC where I scored us front row, center seats to Tarzan on Broadway for only $20 each (come visit me and I will do the same for you). We also went to Serendipity’s, Rockefeller Center, Ground Zero, and saw other typical NYC sights. It was a fun day. We also spent time in Clinton, Flemington, Langhorne, Philadelphia and Princeton.
When I dropped Amy off at the airport on Saturday I drove down to D.C. to visit with Kristin and Mandy. Mandy had flown out for the weekend and I was excited to spend a couple of days with them. We had a wonderful time talking, laughing, and catching up. We also saw a movie (Little Miss Sunshine) and drove around the district for a bit. We did, of course, take Mandy to Famous Luigi’s, which has become a tradition for Kristin and I. It was so nice to be with sorority sisters.
Then, a few days after that, I flew home to be in my high school best friend’s wedding. I was the Maid of Honor and of course would not have missed the opportunity to support her by being in her wedding. Her wedding was at her house and it was so incredible to be a part of such a special day at a place where I have childhood memories. I got a lot of time with my high school friends and it was like we had never grown up or left each other. Even though I was sad about not being able to see my family that much, my trip was very much worth it. Janell looked beautiful and she did such a good job with the entire planning, etc.
As I was typing this right now I was thinking about how much I am blessed by friends. God is good in that I have been able to make and maintain friends at all stages of my life. Thanks everyone for your friendship and know that I love you very much!
I typed this in 12 mins. Go me!
Friday, October 13, 2006
I was talking to my friend Kristin about this yesterday, and when I read my friend Hannah’s blog today I was reminded about how much this issue impacts my heart. It is the issue of relationships, particularly of those between men and women. Ahhhh, amore.
I just got done reading a book called Sacred Marriage, which I know I have mentioned earlier in my blog. Seriously, you NEED to read it, single or not. This book changed my life and has opened up my eyes to marriage and it has been wonderful. Anyway, it got me thinking even more about the subject of relationships, and particularly why God has me in the state I am now, which is that of being single.
I should mention here that while I would definitely prefer to be in a relationship, and to have a family someday, I really am OK being single. God has really provided for me and I have had many opportunities that I would not have had had I been married. (Although I’m sure that can be said as well vice versa.) And why do I want to be married? There are lots of reasons, but truly my number one reason is because I think it would better enable me to serve God and love others. Really. Someone once told me that you will see your worst sin when you are married. (The book talks a lot about that.) While that totally freaks me out, I want it very much. I want to be refined and I want to be able to grow from the wonderful/challenging/etc. relationship of marriage. It is a desire of my heart, and I don’t think that God would be cruel enough to place that there and then leave me hanging.
But yet sometimes I think I am still single because I am being punished. I am being punished for all the bad things I have done, for not being beautiful enough, for not being a certain size, for not being whatever. While I am content, I still wonder why God has me in this phase of life. Maybe that is the sinful part of me, the part that isn’t trusting in His will and His timing. I don’t know. It is a hard place to be sometimes.
I also get frustrated because I know of a lot of wonderful (and very pretty) women out there who have amazing hearts and love Jesus very much. But, because they don’t fit a worldly idea of beauty, they are often passed by. They are such gems and while this might be part of God’s plans for their lives, to wait for a bit, I often think it is because most Christian men are being sucked in to the very superficial teachings of the world. I have seen this happen firsthand several times over. This makes me very sad indeed.
Anyway, on a related note I am going back on a diet tomorrow. This seems to be the story of my life I’m afraid. And to be truthful I am doing it for superficial reasons. Sure it is a great thing to be healthy, to love your body and keep it at it’s best because it is a temple of God and we need to be good stewards of all that He gives us including food, but really I am doing it because I am feeling the pressure to fit into the world’s standards. Ugh, yet again.
This is me confessing to you that this is a struggle of mine.
Are there really good Christian men out there who will love me for what God designed me to be? Who will take me as I am no matter how I look, no matter what degrees I have, no matter what my job? Who will want to partner with me to love and serve others? Who will commit to helping me grow in Christ?
I am praying that I will be that way when I am a wife, and that my husband will have lots of grace.
I don’t need a man to complete me, or because I am occasionally lonely, etc. I know that marriage is not the answer for that. I am not looking to a man to be the answer to my longings or problems. God is all that and more. God is my soul mate.
I am just writing down the thoughts that are in my head. Your comments and prayers are appreciated.
I just got done reading a book called Sacred Marriage, which I know I have mentioned earlier in my blog. Seriously, you NEED to read it, single or not. This book changed my life and has opened up my eyes to marriage and it has been wonderful. Anyway, it got me thinking even more about the subject of relationships, and particularly why God has me in the state I am now, which is that of being single.
I should mention here that while I would definitely prefer to be in a relationship, and to have a family someday, I really am OK being single. God has really provided for me and I have had many opportunities that I would not have had had I been married. (Although I’m sure that can be said as well vice versa.) And why do I want to be married? There are lots of reasons, but truly my number one reason is because I think it would better enable me to serve God and love others. Really. Someone once told me that you will see your worst sin when you are married. (The book talks a lot about that.) While that totally freaks me out, I want it very much. I want to be refined and I want to be able to grow from the wonderful/challenging/etc. relationship of marriage. It is a desire of my heart, and I don’t think that God would be cruel enough to place that there and then leave me hanging.
But yet sometimes I think I am still single because I am being punished. I am being punished for all the bad things I have done, for not being beautiful enough, for not being a certain size, for not being whatever. While I am content, I still wonder why God has me in this phase of life. Maybe that is the sinful part of me, the part that isn’t trusting in His will and His timing. I don’t know. It is a hard place to be sometimes.
I also get frustrated because I know of a lot of wonderful (and very pretty) women out there who have amazing hearts and love Jesus very much. But, because they don’t fit a worldly idea of beauty, they are often passed by. They are such gems and while this might be part of God’s plans for their lives, to wait for a bit, I often think it is because most Christian men are being sucked in to the very superficial teachings of the world. I have seen this happen firsthand several times over. This makes me very sad indeed.
Anyway, on a related note I am going back on a diet tomorrow. This seems to be the story of my life I’m afraid. And to be truthful I am doing it for superficial reasons. Sure it is a great thing to be healthy, to love your body and keep it at it’s best because it is a temple of God and we need to be good stewards of all that He gives us including food, but really I am doing it because I am feeling the pressure to fit into the world’s standards. Ugh, yet again.
This is me confessing to you that this is a struggle of mine.
Are there really good Christian men out there who will love me for what God designed me to be? Who will take me as I am no matter how I look, no matter what degrees I have, no matter what my job? Who will want to partner with me to love and serve others? Who will commit to helping me grow in Christ?
I am praying that I will be that way when I am a wife, and that my husband will have lots of grace.
I don’t need a man to complete me, or because I am occasionally lonely, etc. I know that marriage is not the answer for that. I am not looking to a man to be the answer to my longings or problems. God is all that and more. God is my soul mate.
I am just writing down the thoughts that are in my head. Your comments and prayers are appreciated.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Delish!
I love food. I love to prepare it, serve it, and eat it. Heck, I also love the food network on TV! It has always been a dream (one of many) to open up a caf̩/bakery of my own. Or to have a job like Rachael Ray Рthat would be AWESOME!
Anyway, today I had a chicken sandwich for lunch. They asked me what kind of cheese I wanted…swiss or american? When I drove away I thought – wow the only cheese they had were “country” cheeses…too funny! And then I thought about how when I was in Sweden they called thousand island dressing american dressing. I wonder if in places like Canada if they have american cheese too…or if they call it by another name? Dumb, I know, but I seriously thought about this for like 30 mins. today…lol!!
In lab today one of my lab mates brought in some chips. They were, I kid you not, shrimp chips. They were regular corn chips – I mean they were crunchy and shaped like fries, and their first ingredient was wheat. She finally convinced me to try one and it tasted exactly like shrimp. It was sooooo crazy! I love shrimp, but I think I will stick to the real thing. There is just something about eating a chip that has fish listed as one of the ingredients that grosses me out.
In my next blog I will share about my time with Amy, Mandy, Kristin – and CA!
Anyway, today I had a chicken sandwich for lunch. They asked me what kind of cheese I wanted…swiss or american? When I drove away I thought – wow the only cheese they had were “country” cheeses…too funny! And then I thought about how when I was in Sweden they called thousand island dressing american dressing. I wonder if in places like Canada if they have american cheese too…or if they call it by another name? Dumb, I know, but I seriously thought about this for like 30 mins. today…lol!!
In lab today one of my lab mates brought in some chips. They were, I kid you not, shrimp chips. They were regular corn chips – I mean they were crunchy and shaped like fries, and their first ingredient was wheat. She finally convinced me to try one and it tasted exactly like shrimp. It was sooooo crazy! I love shrimp, but I think I will stick to the real thing. There is just something about eating a chip that has fish listed as one of the ingredients that grosses me out.
In my next blog I will share about my time with Amy, Mandy, Kristin – and CA!
Monday, September 25, 2006
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Today Katie, the girl that I babysit, was watching Full House. I have noticed that this is a habit of hers, to grab a snack and watch some tv on TV Land. Well, today I joined her and it took me down memory lane. I used to love that show as a kid. In fact, I began to think of all the shows I used to love: Family ties, Family matters, Step by Step, Full House, Cosby, Perfect Strangers, Growing Pains, and what was that show about all those girls living in a boarding house together? I liked that show too. These are just some of the few. And do you remember TGIF nights? Those were the best!! Anyway, it has been fun remembering some things from the past. What shows did you like as a kid?
And for more fun...this will DEFINITELY take you back. Watch. Laugh. Enjoy. Sing along. LOL
http://youtube.com/watch?v=GQ5eZSa7URA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFd92qnX31w
And for more fun...this will DEFINITELY take you back. Watch. Laugh. Enjoy. Sing along. LOL
http://youtube.com/watch?v=GQ5eZSa7URA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFd92qnX31w
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Pics of my new place...
the woods in the backyard.
the four-plex. recognize my saturn?:)
the walkway to my apt.
my two windows.
the door to the stairs that lead to my apt.
bathroom
bathroom
bathroom
kitchen - that's the door to my spare room.
kitchen
attic off pantry
pantry off kitchen
walk-in closet in spare room
spare room
spare room
my room
my room
living room/entrance to bathroom
living room
living room
Friday, September 15, 2006
It will be a week since I have been home, tomorrow. Wow. It was a challenging transition at first. It kinda felt like a dream. But, it also had a lot to do with jet lag, I’m sure! I will be back home on Oct.3 to be in Janell’s wedding.
I came home to a car that was not how I left it. This has nothing to do with the folks that I left it with though. Poor Holli and Jeremy, it was just poor timing that they had my car when it decided to start acting up. A stone flew up and hit my windshield (or it was a bullet from gunfire, you know how ghetto Langhorne can be…lol…yeah right) while I was gone. And, the bearings and hub decided to start being annoying so I had to replace it immediately when I got home. It is still making noises (in different places), and I think I need to take it back in. But that project can wait for another day, not today.
School (PBU) started on Monday and I think I am going to really like this semester. We are studying marriage and family – and how to counsel effectively within that. It was so great to be back with those friends. It was not so great to get smacked with homework. But that comes with grad school, I guess!
I started my new nanny job yesterday. I basically pick them up from school, run them to their appts, help with homework, and start dinner. It’s not that bad. This family is going through some hard times so I am happy to help them out. I am hoping to show them Christ and really serve them well.
My hopes are to get YL back up and running again in two weeks. I miss those kids and hanging with the leaders!
That’s all for now…back to work for me! Enjoy your weekend!!
I came home to a car that was not how I left it. This has nothing to do with the folks that I left it with though. Poor Holli and Jeremy, it was just poor timing that they had my car when it decided to start acting up. A stone flew up and hit my windshield (or it was a bullet from gunfire, you know how ghetto Langhorne can be…lol…yeah right) while I was gone. And, the bearings and hub decided to start being annoying so I had to replace it immediately when I got home. It is still making noises (in different places), and I think I need to take it back in. But that project can wait for another day, not today.
School (PBU) started on Monday and I think I am going to really like this semester. We are studying marriage and family – and how to counsel effectively within that. It was so great to be back with those friends. It was not so great to get smacked with homework. But that comes with grad school, I guess!
I started my new nanny job yesterday. I basically pick them up from school, run them to their appts, help with homework, and start dinner. It’s not that bad. This family is going through some hard times so I am happy to help them out. I am hoping to show them Christ and really serve them well.
My hopes are to get YL back up and running again in two weeks. I miss those kids and hanging with the leaders!
That’s all for now…back to work for me! Enjoy your weekend!!
Monday, September 11, 2006
Friday, September 08, 2006
If you know me at all you know how much I love animals. I thought that this blog would be about the Phelan family animals – Mille and Molle (pronounced as Molly). They are both Labrador Retrievers. Mille (pronounced Millie) is black and Molle is chocolate.
Mille was a gift from Ryan (my brother) to my dad on Christmas of 99. My dad opened a card and there was a picture of a puppy in it. As soon as the puppies were weaned it was all his, the Christmas card explained. My dad was so excited, but my mom wasn’t – my brother purposely didn’t ask because he knew she would say, “no.” But he knew that my dad is an animal lover (where I get it from) and would fall in love with the dog the instant he saw the picture. So, the countdown began and Mille arrived in January of 2000.
In fact, her name is short for Millennium. Mille – Millennium, get it? Oh we are sooo clever.
Anyway, I don’t remember how long, but it must have been a couple of years (and after Brooke and Ryan got married), after we got Mille that I had a dream about her. I dreamt that I was in my parent’s back yard and they had two dogs. The were both dark Labrador Retrievers and I was so shocked that they now had two dogs, especially when my mom could barely handle one. In my dream I asked my parents what was going on and they said that they got another dog and decided to name her Molle. When I woke up from the dream the next morning I called and told my parents. They thought it was so funny because their names matched, but they assured me that one dog was enough. Somehow Brooke and Ryan were also told the story. Unbeknownst to me they had been thinking about getting a dog. And wouldn’t you know it – they decided on a chocolate Labrador Retriever and named her…Molle.
I love coming home to CA to see family and friends, and of course I love seeing the dogs too. I still consider Mille my dog even though technically she isn’t. Mille cracks me up. She is the spoiled child now that Ryan and I are gone. She gets a two-mile run every morning (rain or shine) and she loooooves to swim. She is in my parent’s pool more then anyone else. She is quite the swimmer actually.
And Molle is really mourning the fact that she is no longer the only child at Brooke and Ryan’s house. Now that Sullivan is there, Molle is constantly trying to get people to turn their attention to her. She will bring toys and drop them in your lap, and she is always at your heels. She really is a sweet dog and good with the baby, so of course we don’t mind. When I was there yesterday, I was sitting on the couch holding the baby in my lap. Brooke came by and picked up the baby to change her, and as soon as I let go of Sullivan, Molle climbed up, all the way, in my lap. Can you imagine having a full-grown, 70ish pound dog in your lap trying to be a baby? I was laughing so hard I thought I was going to pee my pants. She is just a big puppy who wants to be loved too.
If I could I would have an animal in New Jersey. But, I am gone way too much for it to be fair to the animal. They are so much company though, and I love them so much. When I can get one I will get a Labrador Retriever though, although I think a yellow one. But what should I name her? Mille and Molle go together, but it is hard for me to think of something else that fits. Hmmmm… I don’t think that that's very urgent right now. Ha! I will cross that bridge when I get there, which won’t be for at least a year and possibly more.
Mille was a gift from Ryan (my brother) to my dad on Christmas of 99. My dad opened a card and there was a picture of a puppy in it. As soon as the puppies were weaned it was all his, the Christmas card explained. My dad was so excited, but my mom wasn’t – my brother purposely didn’t ask because he knew she would say, “no.” But he knew that my dad is an animal lover (where I get it from) and would fall in love with the dog the instant he saw the picture. So, the countdown began and Mille arrived in January of 2000.
In fact, her name is short for Millennium. Mille – Millennium, get it? Oh we are sooo clever.
Anyway, I don’t remember how long, but it must have been a couple of years (and after Brooke and Ryan got married), after we got Mille that I had a dream about her. I dreamt that I was in my parent’s back yard and they had two dogs. The were both dark Labrador Retrievers and I was so shocked that they now had two dogs, especially when my mom could barely handle one. In my dream I asked my parents what was going on and they said that they got another dog and decided to name her Molle. When I woke up from the dream the next morning I called and told my parents. They thought it was so funny because their names matched, but they assured me that one dog was enough. Somehow Brooke and Ryan were also told the story. Unbeknownst to me they had been thinking about getting a dog. And wouldn’t you know it – they decided on a chocolate Labrador Retriever and named her…Molle.
I love coming home to CA to see family and friends, and of course I love seeing the dogs too. I still consider Mille my dog even though technically she isn’t. Mille cracks me up. She is the spoiled child now that Ryan and I are gone. She gets a two-mile run every morning (rain or shine) and she loooooves to swim. She is in my parent’s pool more then anyone else. She is quite the swimmer actually.
And Molle is really mourning the fact that she is no longer the only child at Brooke and Ryan’s house. Now that Sullivan is there, Molle is constantly trying to get people to turn their attention to her. She will bring toys and drop them in your lap, and she is always at your heels. She really is a sweet dog and good with the baby, so of course we don’t mind. When I was there yesterday, I was sitting on the couch holding the baby in my lap. Brooke came by and picked up the baby to change her, and as soon as I let go of Sullivan, Molle climbed up, all the way, in my lap. Can you imagine having a full-grown, 70ish pound dog in your lap trying to be a baby? I was laughing so hard I thought I was going to pee my pants. She is just a big puppy who wants to be loved too.
If I could I would have an animal in New Jersey. But, I am gone way too much for it to be fair to the animal. They are so much company though, and I love them so much. When I can get one I will get a Labrador Retriever though, although I think a yellow one. But what should I name her? Mille and Molle go together, but it is hard for me to think of something else that fits. Hmmmm… I don’t think that that's very urgent right now. Ha! I will cross that bridge when I get there, which won’t be for at least a year and possibly more.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
goodbye 27, hello 28.
i have now been an adult for ten years. wow. if you had asked me at 18 what i thought the next 10 years would look like, i certainly would have had a much different answer from what has actually happened. but that just goes to show who really is in charge of my life - god!:) it has been an equally good and challenging 10 years. i have had many memorable experiences with and without loved ones, traveled lots, met wonderful friends, and have learned so much.
god is good...and faithful. here's to the next ten.
i have now been an adult for ten years. wow. if you had asked me at 18 what i thought the next 10 years would look like, i certainly would have had a much different answer from what has actually happened. but that just goes to show who really is in charge of my life - god!:) it has been an equally good and challenging 10 years. i have had many memorable experiences with and without loved ones, traveled lots, met wonderful friends, and have learned so much.
god is good...and faithful. here's to the next ten.
Monday, September 04, 2006
I am sitting in my hotel room right now with the windows open. I can hear the cable car going by (ding, ding, ding) and all the other wonderful sounds of a big city. On top of that, a cool wind is blowing in and it is fabulous. Mid-60’s weather at the most right now, I would guess. Ahhhh, San Francisco.
My mom and I drove in on Saturday morning and are leaving today. We came in for the holiday weekend and it has been a really nice trip. We have made it a tradition to come into San Fran every summer for the past 3 (or 4?) years. It is a tradition that will continue for sure.
Highlights include seeing “A Chorus Line,” seeing the sea lions (my favorite attraction of this city), the great weather, riding a cable car, getting lost on the bus, Ghiradelli’s and all the other yummy places, shopping, and (of course) spending quality time with mi madre.
The Bay Bridge is closed today (East Bound) so we will be taking the slightly longer route out of the city. No worries. We will be making a stop in Fresno on our way back to pick up a relative and take her to Kingsburg with us.
At this time a week from today I will be back in New Jersey. On Monday I start school and leave that night for Ocean City New Jersey for a work conference. I will be back on Wednesday and then start my new nanny job on Thursday. Then fall will be underway. Wow!
To all my Cali readers: I do have a good four days left and if I haven’t seen you yet PLEASE give me a call. I want to see everyone and don’t want to leave YOU out. This is me asking you to hang out – so call me!
Hope you are having a good Labor day…
My mom and I drove in on Saturday morning and are leaving today. We came in for the holiday weekend and it has been a really nice trip. We have made it a tradition to come into San Fran every summer for the past 3 (or 4?) years. It is a tradition that will continue for sure.
Highlights include seeing “A Chorus Line,” seeing the sea lions (my favorite attraction of this city), the great weather, riding a cable car, getting lost on the bus, Ghiradelli’s and all the other yummy places, shopping, and (of course) spending quality time with mi madre.
The Bay Bridge is closed today (East Bound) so we will be taking the slightly longer route out of the city. No worries. We will be making a stop in Fresno on our way back to pick up a relative and take her to Kingsburg with us.
At this time a week from today I will be back in New Jersey. On Monday I start school and leave that night for Ocean City New Jersey for a work conference. I will be back on Wednesday and then start my new nanny job on Thursday. Then fall will be underway. Wow!
To all my Cali readers: I do have a good four days left and if I haven’t seen you yet PLEASE give me a call. I want to see everyone and don’t want to leave YOU out. This is me asking you to hang out – so call me!
Hope you are having a good Labor day…
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
It is Wednesday already? Kinda hard to believe. I have been having a good time here in the valley. So far I have spent time with local family and seen a couple of friends. I still have a couple more friends I am hoping to see before I leave. (You know who you are!:)) I also have been doing some shopping, went to one of Ryan’s games, been out to eat at some of our local establishments (go Mexican food!), and relaxed a lot.
I brought home with me four books to read. I am normally not a big reader, although I used to be growing up, and this summer I have really gotten back into it. At Saranac I read Blue Like Jazz and He’s Just Not That Into You. I brought home Redeeming Love, For Women Only (basically the Christian equivalent of He’s Just Not That Into You…but goes beyond dating) and two schoolbooks – Sacred Marriage and another book on forgiveness (can’t remember the name) that I have to read for a class. I finished Redeeming Love and I’m about halfway through For Women Only. I told myself I was going to also read and finish one schoolbook this week and next so I can have a head start on the semester. Better get on that I guess. I also just got an email from my boss asking us to have How People Grow read by Sept.11. Whew!
Anyway, today I am hoping to go to breakfast with my dad and then I am going to be helping Brooke run errands with the baby. It is still kinda hard for her to do everything by herself and of course I am happy to help. The baby is adorable and has quickly become the highlight of my trip home. She is already developing a little personality and is such a good baby. I love her, and it makes me hope that one day I can experience all of this myself.
I am going to San Fran for the weekend. Yay!!:)
A week from today is the big 2-8. Wow.
I brought home with me four books to read. I am normally not a big reader, although I used to be growing up, and this summer I have really gotten back into it. At Saranac I read Blue Like Jazz and He’s Just Not That Into You. I brought home Redeeming Love, For Women Only (basically the Christian equivalent of He’s Just Not That Into You…but goes beyond dating) and two schoolbooks – Sacred Marriage and another book on forgiveness (can’t remember the name) that I have to read for a class. I finished Redeeming Love and I’m about halfway through For Women Only. I told myself I was going to also read and finish one schoolbook this week and next so I can have a head start on the semester. Better get on that I guess. I also just got an email from my boss asking us to have How People Grow read by Sept.11. Whew!
Anyway, today I am hoping to go to breakfast with my dad and then I am going to be helping Brooke run errands with the baby. It is still kinda hard for her to do everything by herself and of course I am happy to help. The baby is adorable and has quickly become the highlight of my trip home. She is already developing a little personality and is such a good baby. I love her, and it makes me hope that one day I can experience all of this myself.
I am going to San Fran for the weekend. Yay!!:)
A week from today is the big 2-8. Wow.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Californiaaaaaa,
Californiaaaaaa,
Here I coooooooooooooome!
Well, actually I am already here but that is a fun song to sing anyway.:) So hello from the golden state!! I have been here since Sunday night. Wow, it is good to be home again. Weird, but good.
I say weird because in a way it seems like I haven’t left. It is funny how easily I can fall into an old routine again. I remember how to get everywhere, people seem the same, places are (mostly) the same and Jersey seems like a distant world. I really do feel like I live two lives – an East Coast one and a West Coast one. It’s pretty crazy, but I like it.
I don’t have many plans (aside from San Francisco, spending time with my niece, Janell’s shower and the normal catching up with people) while I am home so I do hope that all of you WC people who are reading this will give me a call. I would love to hang out with all of you.
More in a few days! I’m off to Fres-yes…haven’t been there in eight months, crazy! Whoever thought I would miss Fresno??;)
Californiaaaaaa,
Here I coooooooooooooome!
Well, actually I am already here but that is a fun song to sing anyway.:) So hello from the golden state!! I have been here since Sunday night. Wow, it is good to be home again. Weird, but good.
I say weird because in a way it seems like I haven’t left. It is funny how easily I can fall into an old routine again. I remember how to get everywhere, people seem the same, places are (mostly) the same and Jersey seems like a distant world. I really do feel like I live two lives – an East Coast one and a West Coast one. It’s pretty crazy, but I like it.
I don’t have many plans (aside from San Francisco, spending time with my niece, Janell’s shower and the normal catching up with people) while I am home so I do hope that all of you WC people who are reading this will give me a call. I would love to hang out with all of you.
More in a few days! I’m off to Fres-yes…haven’t been there in eight months, crazy! Whoever thought I would miss Fresno??;)
Monday, August 21, 2006
hello there prayer partners,
as i write this i am sitting in the golden state. i got in late last night and i am glad to be here. i just wanted to write you one last email to thank you for praying for our time at saranac.
i can go into many stories of our time. but, simply put, it was wonderful. god taught me a lot. i was so blessed to be a part of it.
thanks for your faithfulness in praying.
love, ashley
as i write this i am sitting in the golden state. i got in late last night and i am glad to be here. i just wanted to write you one last email to thank you for praying for our time at saranac.
i can go into many stories of our time. but, simply put, it was wonderful. god taught me a lot. i was so blessed to be a part of it.
thanks for your faithfulness in praying.
love, ashley
Thursday, August 17, 2006
hi everyone,
this is my second to last prayer update email. i will write once more on saturday or sunday when i return to jersey.:) thanks so much for being on our prayer team!!
please pray for:
-campers as they hear the cross talk tonight
-leaders as they interact with the kids
-assignment team, summer staff and work crew as we prepare to leave
-that the a-team kids would not have chicken pox (still undetermined) and if it is, that it won't spread
-safe trip home
-me to continue to get over being sick
thank god for:
-a wonderful three weeks
-kids who met christ
-good weather to end on
-new friends
-this chance to serve him in this capacity
-saranac
i hope you all are well! drop me a line if you have a chance.
thanks, ashley
this is my second to last prayer update email. i will write once more on saturday or sunday when i return to jersey.:) thanks so much for being on our prayer team!!
please pray for:
-campers as they hear the cross talk tonight
-leaders as they interact with the kids
-assignment team, summer staff and work crew as we prepare to leave
-that the a-team kids would not have chicken pox (still undetermined) and if it is, that it won't spread
-safe trip home
-me to continue to get over being sick
thank god for:
-a wonderful three weeks
-kids who met christ
-good weather to end on
-new friends
-this chance to serve him in this capacity
-saranac
i hope you all are well! drop me a line if you have a chance.
thanks, ashley
Sunday, August 13, 2006
happy sunday everyone,
i had the best day contact work wise with summer staff today. we had great talks and i really feel like i had the opportunity to have quality time with most of them. it was amazing. praise the lord for that.
some of you know that i have been sick. i was really out of commission a couple of days ago but at least today i feel strong enough to be up and around. please pray that i will feel better soon. this sore throat is SO ANNOYING...and the only thing i have left to get rid of.
we have a new speaker this week. his name is daniel and he is from california (ooooooh yeah). he was brought in by the request of the "higher uppers" in yl due to our 110 asian yl kids here. his girlfriend becky is here as well. please pray that they will feel like a part of our team and that kids will hear the words that the lord is speaking through him.
everyone arrived at camp safely today. praise the lord!
another praise - i have a niece now. sullivan hadley phelan. can't wait to see her.
i will write again in a couple of days. thanks for praying with me as we enter our last week!
love, ashley
i had the best day contact work wise with summer staff today. we had great talks and i really feel like i had the opportunity to have quality time with most of them. it was amazing. praise the lord for that.
some of you know that i have been sick. i was really out of commission a couple of days ago but at least today i feel strong enough to be up and around. please pray that i will feel better soon. this sore throat is SO ANNOYING...and the only thing i have left to get rid of.
we have a new speaker this week. his name is daniel and he is from california (ooooooh yeah). he was brought in by the request of the "higher uppers" in yl due to our 110 asian yl kids here. his girlfriend becky is here as well. please pray that they will feel like a part of our team and that kids will hear the words that the lord is speaking through him.
everyone arrived at camp safely today. praise the lord!
another praise - i have a niece now. sullivan hadley phelan. can't wait to see her.
i will write again in a couple of days. thanks for praying with me as we enter our last week!
love, ashley
Friday, August 11, 2006
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
hi all,
today we are at the halfway point. hard to believe and it is bittersweet. thanks for all your prayers!
things here are going well. the weather has cooled off tremendously and that has been amazing. last night we had a low of 45! that is winter in central california.;) it has been great - and it really has been making camp more "comfortable" for everyone. praise the lord for that.
last night when we were cleaning up from the rodeo we were taking down the wooden cows (we hang from the ceiling) and one of the ss girls, julia, got hit in the head when one fell on her. thankfully it did not require stitches but it did shake her up a bit. please pray for healing.
the ss is feeling tired and a couple are in bed sick today. please pray for their health.
as always, please pray that jesus will be prominent in everything we do.
personally i am doing well. i am anxious to go home (to california). knowing that i get to go home next sunday, after being away for 8 months (i haven't been home since christmas), is super exciting. i will get to see family, friends, etc. please also pray for my new niece or nephew who is to arrive any day. i am so excited to be an aunt.
"j" is hanging in there. i am communicating with her via email and phone with possible and she seems to be doing better. please continue to pray for her.
i hope all is well with you all. drop me a line if you have a chance.
blessings, ashley
today we are at the halfway point. hard to believe and it is bittersweet. thanks for all your prayers!
things here are going well. the weather has cooled off tremendously and that has been amazing. last night we had a low of 45! that is winter in central california.;) it has been great - and it really has been making camp more "comfortable" for everyone. praise the lord for that.
last night when we were cleaning up from the rodeo we were taking down the wooden cows (we hang from the ceiling) and one of the ss girls, julia, got hit in the head when one fell on her. thankfully it did not require stitches but it did shake her up a bit. please pray for healing.
the ss is feeling tired and a couple are in bed sick today. please pray for their health.
as always, please pray that jesus will be prominent in everything we do.
personally i am doing well. i am anxious to go home (to california). knowing that i get to go home next sunday, after being away for 8 months (i haven't been home since christmas), is super exciting. i will get to see family, friends, etc. please also pray for my new niece or nephew who is to arrive any day. i am so excited to be an aunt.
"j" is hanging in there. i am communicating with her via email and phone with possible and she seems to be doing better. please continue to pray for her.
i hope all is well with you all. drop me a line if you have a chance.
blessings, ashley
Sunday, August 06, 2006
praises:
-we had 85 people stand up today and say that they decided to give their hearts to jesus this week. it was amazing.
-we all made it through the week safely and had a lot of fun doing hard work together.
-my awesome night in lake placid with the summer staff girls. one girl (college age) said, "i hope i am as cool as you when i am old!" am i that old?? since when did a 20-year-old think 27 was old?? too funny!
-the fact that god loves me and you - and is 100% passionate about us.
requests:
-i was on the phone with john tonight when i noticed my call waiting going off. i didn't answer because i didn't recognize the number and i thought they could leave a message and i would call them later. well, they ended up getting saranac's number off of my voicemail, which i have listed as an emergency number, and got a hold of me that way. it ended up being a girl from my club at home who needed to talk to me. due to privacy - and the fact that this is a public forum - i will not put anymore here. just pray for her and her situation. that she will have peace and clarity from her creator.
-my broken toe - that it will heal soon!!! -our new batch of campers. -that i will be able to serve others as jesus would.
Friday, August 04, 2006
i am sending out prayer letters while i am at saranac and will also post them here. here is the last one that already went out - and i am hoping to send out another one on sunday.
i did break my toe today. not much you can do about a broken toe but it sucks having to stumble around. now i have broken two toes in my lifetime, along with my leg twice. lovely.;) i am such a klutz!!
august 1
happy tuesday everyone!
well, last night we all experienced quite a event. our camp was underneath the eye of a very severe thunderstorm and we were all woken up in the middle of night to a HUGE (and when i say HUGE, i mean HUGE) storm. there was constant lightning and the loudest thunder i have ever heard. it was the worst storm i have ever experienced and many of the older people say it was for them as well. lightning even took out a tree on camp . it was unbelievable...and, i'll admit it, scary. i was waiting for the fire alarm to go off!
this is why i am writing you. praise the lord that the storm hit when it did. no one was outside. with the lightning hitting our camp it could have been a very dangerous situation had campers been outside. thankfully the lord provided.it did take out our power (but has been restored). however it did "fry" appliances around camp. please pray that we can get all of that restored. please also pray that kids will be alert tonight at club. because all of us were awake for a good part of the night, kids might begin to feel tired and less able to pay attention at club. dave, our speaker, is speaking on the need of man and we would love for kids to be able to be 100% attentive.
other then all of that, things are going well. i am continuing to connect with girls and that has been fun. please pray that that will continue and that we will be able to have meaningful conversations.i have to get going - please drop me a line (i love to get mail of any kind). please also let me know how i can pray for you!
i did break my toe today. not much you can do about a broken toe but it sucks having to stumble around. now i have broken two toes in my lifetime, along with my leg twice. lovely.;) i am such a klutz!!
august 1
happy tuesday everyone!
well, last night we all experienced quite a event. our camp was underneath the eye of a very severe thunderstorm and we were all woken up in the middle of night to a HUGE (and when i say HUGE, i mean HUGE) storm. there was constant lightning and the loudest thunder i have ever heard. it was the worst storm i have ever experienced and many of the older people say it was for them as well. lightning even took out a tree on camp . it was unbelievable...and, i'll admit it, scary. i was waiting for the fire alarm to go off!
this is why i am writing you. praise the lord that the storm hit when it did. no one was outside. with the lightning hitting our camp it could have been a very dangerous situation had campers been outside. thankfully the lord provided.it did take out our power (but has been restored). however it did "fry" appliances around camp. please pray that we can get all of that restored. please also pray that kids will be alert tonight at club. because all of us were awake for a good part of the night, kids might begin to feel tired and less able to pay attention at club. dave, our speaker, is speaking on the need of man and we would love for kids to be able to be 100% attentive.
other then all of that, things are going well. i am continuing to connect with girls and that has been fun. please pray that that will continue and that we will be able to have meaningful conversations.i have to get going - please drop me a line (i love to get mail of any kind). please also let me know how i can pray for you!
Friday, July 28, 2006
in a few hours i will be leaving for my assignment at saranac. right now i am waiting for my laundry to finish and then i will start packing. i will be gone for three weeks and then will be home in california for about three weeks. i can't wait.
camp at rockbridge was great, except for the fact that one of the leaders, holli who is a really good friend fo mine, got sick and had to go home early. (but she is going to be ok.) the kids had a terrific time and all of our kids who didn't know christ did indeed become believers. i will post pictures when i have time.
the day we got back from camp i went and picked my dad up from the airport and we spent the next few days moving. he helped me out sooo much. i seriously could not have done it without him. now i am completely in my new place and it is nice. i'm glad that everything is done and when i come home in six weeks i won't have to come home to a house full of boxes! again, i will post pictures when i have time.:)
hannah is getting ready to move and that makes me sad. i have really enjoyed living with her and being friends with her. next year is going to be so weird! my fall will fly by though with fun events and visitors so i'm sure i will manage. but she will greatly be missed.
it looks like a got a part-time job as a nanny. young life couldn't really afford to keep me on full-time so i will be working two jobs. it's not my favorite thing to do but it should help me make ends meet. i am meeting with the family on the 20th to put the final details into place.
here is my address - please write me!
Ashley Phelan, A-Team
Young Life's Saranac Village
4014 State Route 30
Saranac Lake, NY 12983
i will have phone and email access so i will definitely be around in that way as well.
well, i better get going. big day ahead of me. sorry about my sporadic postings - i will try to be better. i am going to take a few mins to catch up on all of yours while my laundry finishes.
lots of love!!
camp at rockbridge was great, except for the fact that one of the leaders, holli who is a really good friend fo mine, got sick and had to go home early. (but she is going to be ok.) the kids had a terrific time and all of our kids who didn't know christ did indeed become believers. i will post pictures when i have time.
the day we got back from camp i went and picked my dad up from the airport and we spent the next few days moving. he helped me out sooo much. i seriously could not have done it without him. now i am completely in my new place and it is nice. i'm glad that everything is done and when i come home in six weeks i won't have to come home to a house full of boxes! again, i will post pictures when i have time.:)
hannah is getting ready to move and that makes me sad. i have really enjoyed living with her and being friends with her. next year is going to be so weird! my fall will fly by though with fun events and visitors so i'm sure i will manage. but she will greatly be missed.
it looks like a got a part-time job as a nanny. young life couldn't really afford to keep me on full-time so i will be working two jobs. it's not my favorite thing to do but it should help me make ends meet. i am meeting with the family on the 20th to put the final details into place.
here is my address - please write me!
Ashley Phelan, A-Team
Young Life's Saranac Village
4014 State Route 30
Saranac Lake, NY 12983
i will have phone and email access so i will definitely be around in that way as well.
well, i better get going. big day ahead of me. sorry about my sporadic postings - i will try to be better. i am going to take a few mins to catch up on all of yours while my laundry finishes.
lots of love!!
Monday, July 10, 2006
hey everyone!
my roommate and really good friend is moving back to the west coast. (lucky! just kidding. i love it here.) so, that means that i have to move. effective july 19 my new address and number is:
1133 old york road apt. 4
ringoes, nj 08551
908-788-5228
my cell phone is the same: 908-391-7608
i am moving the day after i come home from camp. what was i thinking???;)
speaking of camp - please pray for us! we will be at rockbridge july 12-18. we have 19 total going. the leaders are driving kids down and back so please pray for safety and for our week in general.
love and miss you all, ashley
my roommate and really good friend is moving back to the west coast. (lucky! just kidding. i love it here.) so, that means that i have to move. effective july 19 my new address and number is:
1133 old york road apt. 4
ringoes, nj 08551
908-788-5228
my cell phone is the same: 908-391-7608
i am moving the day after i come home from camp. what was i thinking???;)
speaking of camp - please pray for us! we will be at rockbridge july 12-18. we have 19 total going. the leaders are driving kids down and back so please pray for safety and for our week in general.
love and miss you all, ashley
Friday, July 07, 2006
happy friday!
thanks for all of your concern about the flooding. while the rivers are still more full then usual, they are now passable and the water is definitely receding. it has been an adventure for me but for the people who were flooded out i'm sure it was misery. some reports said it was the worst flooding in years and years.
i hope you enjoyed your fourth of july. i am posting a picture from my time at the phillies/padres game on the holiday. there was a surprise downpour and you can see how soaked we are. it was actually really funny.
i went to the city with hannah the other day. we won tickets to see "the drowsy chaperone." it was great and we were quite excited. we also took a cruise around the harbor. i am posting a pic that hannah took of the statue of liberty.
i leave for camp on wednesday, and then move out the day after i come home. but, my dad is coming here to help me move so that is a huge help. i am sad to move but it has to be done. and, my new apt. is decent. :) i will post pics of it on here soon.
that's all for now - more soon! enjoy your weekend! xoxo
thanks for all of your concern about the flooding. while the rivers are still more full then usual, they are now passable and the water is definitely receding. it has been an adventure for me but for the people who were flooded out i'm sure it was misery. some reports said it was the worst flooding in years and years.
i hope you enjoyed your fourth of july. i am posting a picture from my time at the phillies/padres game on the holiday. there was a surprise downpour and you can see how soaked we are. it was actually really funny.
i went to the city with hannah the other day. we won tickets to see "the drowsy chaperone." it was great and we were quite excited. we also took a cruise around the harbor. i am posting a pic that hannah took of the statue of liberty.
i leave for camp on wednesday, and then move out the day after i come home. but, my dad is coming here to help me move so that is a huge help. i am sad to move but it has to be done. and, my new apt. is decent. :) i will post pics of it on here soon.
that's all for now - more soon! enjoy your weekend! xoxo
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Hunterdon County in a state of emergency...and this is just the beginning. Here are some pics, articles, and thoughts on our flooding.
The famous Mill in Clinton (my town). Closed due to flooding.
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