Wednesday, November 02, 2005


It is a new tradition...if you go w/ me to NYC we HAVE to go to Serendipity's! Posted by Picasa

It was freezing in NYC. It even snowed on Saturday! Posted by Picasa

Beautiful Lancaster County, PA. Posted by Picasa

Kiss lightposts in the town of Hershey, PA. It literally smelled like warm brownies outside. It was awesome! Posted by Picasa

Hershey World! We are such kids at heart. Posted by Picasa

Janell took this pic of my favorite house in Flemington. Posted by Picasa

This pic cracks me up. Posted by Picasa

Three hott girls in DC.;) Posted by Picasa

Our footprints at the Jersey Shore. Posted by Picasa

Janell in front of Princeton. Princeton is about 30 mins. from me in Flemington. Posted by Picasa

Sunday, October 16, 2005

I LOVE SLEEP!

Oh my gosh, I feel so rested right now. Isn't it great how we feel after a good night of sleep? I was really hurting sleep-wise the past couple of days. I am so glad to have caught up on it this morning. My mind feels nice and clear today. Guess that will come in handy as I finish this huge paper that's due tomorrow, today.

SCHOOL UPDATE

Yesterday I had a good day. I have school one Saturday each month (and every Monday) and yesterday was my PBU day. Anyway, the best part of that was that my new friends invited me out to lunch with them during our lunch break. I was so excited. I know this might not seem like a big deal to you - but to me it was huge as I have been desperate for friends my own age here for the last year or so. I have been purposely sitting by these girls each lecture as they seem to be around my age and apparently it paid off as they came over and invited me out. Most of them live in the Philly area but one of them does live about 20 mins from me here in Jersey. It's all relative though as I would totally make the drive anywhere to hang out with friends. Anyway, not only am I loving school but through that the Lord is providing me with friends too!! It's been so great!

MORE FRIENDS

Speaking of friends I also have a new one who lives in Clinton which is about 15 mins. from here. She is my age, single, and is also from the WC. She is the new youth director at a church there and we have totally hit it off. In fact, she and I will probably be roommates in the near future. Praise the Lord for Hannah!

RAIN

It rained, I mean like torrential downpour, for the past seven days straight. It was crazy. Because I live between two rivers, we were under a flood warning practically the whole time. I love the rain so for me it was kinda fun. Although I'm sure I would be feeling much differently had I been flooded out like some people I know!! I believe we had about 15 inches total. I believe we set a new record as well. Someone said this is a sign of how much snow we will get. He better be wrong!!

CITY

I went into NYC on Friday. I got invited to go see the sneak preview of Narnia. (The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.) Oh my goodness, what an adventure that was. I picked up one of my volunteer leaders at 6:45 (AM!!) because we had to be in Westfield to meet other people at 7:30. Well, we got lost on out way to Westfield and at 8:30 after a bunch of random driving around we all decided just to meet in the city. Thank goodness I had Adam with me as I hate driving in the city and avoid doing it as much as possible. So here we were in the rain making our way into the city. The church the preview was at was in Brooklyn so we had to go through Staten Island and through most of Brooklyn until we arrived at our destination. We were slipping and sliding the whole way there. Now as I think of it it was really dumb of us to be driving in the conditions we were. But, heck, I'll do almost anything with the word "free" in it. So a half tank of gas and $18 in tolls later we made it to the movie. Steven Curtis Chapman was there and sang some songs from the movie and C.S. Lewis' stepson was there and spoke. They also had representatives from the production crew of the Walt Disney Company and Walden Media. Well it was fun to hear from these people but we began to wonder when they would finally just show us the movie. To make a long story short they only showed us a 10 minute trailer!! They totally misled us. Although we did get some free stuff out of it, such as a CD and book from S.C.C., I would not have driven into the city for a 10 minute trailer. Of course we all laughed about it, and still are, but I can't believe that happened to us. Too funny. What a waste of my day!

JANELL

One of my good friends from Kingsburg will be here on Tuesday. Yay! Each day I have been cleaning my house a little and getting ready for her visit. Should be fun and I am excited to spend time with her. Because she will be here for the next two weeks I don't know if I will be around to post on here, but I will definitely put up pics and do a recap once she leaves. We have a bunch of fun stuff planned which includes Princeton, DC (and seeing Kristin!), Philadelphia, Hershey, Lancaster County, possibly central PA, NYC and of course FLEMINGTON!:)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Sunday, October 09, 2005

Well it is 11:51 PM here and I just got done watching the Yankee game. They won. Barely. Pretty exciting game though! I must admit that I am becoming more and more of a Yankee fan since I moved here. People in my area LOVE the Yankees (NY) and LOVE the Eagles (PA). I think it's funny how it is diverse that way.

I am at my committee chair's house right now. I am house sitting. It's nice. I was able to do my laundry here yesterday. (For free....score!) I think I will be heading off to bed soon. But thought I'd check my email first....and update yous (in NJ you all is yous, don't worry it's a word I WON'T be picking up) an update.

Last week I picked up a trojan in my laptop through a link from someone I totally trusted. Turns out it it released lots of icky stuff like two worms and a virus that duplicated itself 1600 times. AAAAAHHHH! But luckily the computer store down the street was able to fix it. They are getting to know me there! One of the guys I talked to when I picked it up said he was a believer. Maybe they'll give me a discount next time then???;)

School is going well. Other then the 10,000 papers I have to write I really like it. In fact, I have school tomorrow. I really look forward to my days on campus. I am learning soooo much. I wish you all could be taking this program that I am. You would love it too!

Hmmm...what else to write??

My dad sent me two dozen roses "just because." It was a beautiful surprise and enhances my living room very nicely. Thanks dad!

I have a good friend who is coming out to stay with me for two weeks on the 18th. I am looking forward to her visit. We are going to try to cram a lot of sight seeing into days where I am not working or at school. It should be tons of fun...this is her first time to the EC.

I was given some wine today by someone. I don't exactly drink wine (maybe once a year?) so I don't know what to do with it. Save it for a special occasion I guess!

I think I found a new church that I really like. I am excited about it.

Well, it's 12:01 and I better get some sleep so I am alert in class tomorrow and then campaigners tomorrow night. Hope you all enjoyed your weekend!!

Wednesday, October 05, 2005


Two girls hanging out at Wendy's after club. The one on the left, Shannon, is in one of my small groups. We had 30 kids come out to our first club. Yay! Posted by Picasa

These two gladiators will be showing up to club every week...they are glutius and maximus. Not pictured is their sidekick minimus. Posted by Picasa

We had about 50 golfers come out to play. Posted by Picasa

We had our first annual golf tournament last Thursday. Despite some rain it went really well and we turned a pretty nice profit. PTL! Here I am with some other volunteers. Posted by Picasa

Monday, September 26, 2005

As we kick off YL with our first club on Wednesday I am thinking of this poem...it's one of my favorites.


I Stand by the Door by Sam Shoemaker
I stand by the door. I neither go too far in, nor stay too far out, The door is the most important door in the world- It is the door through which people walk when they find God. There's no use my going way inside, and staying there, When so many are still outside and they, as much as I, Crave to know where the door is. And all that so many ever find Is only the wall where a door ought to be. They creep along the wall like blind people, With outstretched, groping hands. Feeling for a door, knowing there must be a door, Yet they never find it ... So I stand by the door.
The most tremendous thing in the world Is for people to find that door--the door to God. The most important thing any person can do Is to take hold of one of those blind, groping hands, And put it on the latch--the latch that only clicks And opens to the person's own touch. People die outside that door, as starving beggars die On cold nights in cruel cities in the dead of winter— Die for want of what is within their grasp. They live, on the other side of it--live because they have not found it. Nothing else matters compared to helping them find it, And open it, and walk in, and find Him ... So I stand by the door.
Go in, great saints, go all the way in-- Go way down into the cavernous cellars, And way up into the spacious attics-- It is a vast roomy house, this house where God is. Go into the deepest of hidden casements, Of withdrawal, of silence, of sainthood. Some must inhabit those inner rooms. And know the depths and heights of God, And call outside to the rest of us how wonderful it is. Sometimes I take a deeper look in, Sometimes venture in a little farther; But my place seems closer to the opening ... So I stand by the door.
There is another reason why I stand there. Some people get part way in and become afraid Lest God and the zeal of His house devour them For God is so very great, and asks all of us. And these people feel a cosmic claustrophobia, And want to get out. "Let me out!" they cry, And the people way inside only terrify, them more. Somebody must be by the door to tell them that they are spoiled For the old life, they have seen too much: Once taste God, and nothing but God will do any more. Somebody must be watching for the frightened Who seek to sneak out just where they came in, To tell them how much better it is inside. The people too far in do not see how near these are To leaving--preoccupied with the wonder of it all. Somebody must watch for those who have entered the door, But would like to run away. So for them, too, I stand by the door.
I admire the people who go way in. But I wish they would not forget how it was Before they got in. Then they would be able to help The people who have not, yet even found the door, Or the people who want to run away again from God, You can go in too deeply, and stay in too long, And forget the people outside the door. As for me, I shall take my old accustomed place, Near enough to God to hear Him, and know He is there, But not so far from people as not to hear them, And remember they are there, too. Where? Outside the door-- Thousands of them, millions of them. But--more important for me-- One of them, two of them, ten of them, Whose hands I am intended to put on the latch. So I shall stand by the door and wait For those who seek it. "I had rather be a door-keeper ..." So I stand by the door.
You can all be a door-keeper in your own way. Blessings on you as you shine for Jesus this week!

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Because I did a lot of complaining in my last email I decided to only write about thankful things today!

*I am thankful for a fun part of the country to live in with so many opportunities and adventures.

*I am thankful that I was offered a new place to live where I would pay half of what I am paying now...plus have an awesome roommate. (Still praying if that is where God wants me.)

*I am thankful for all the new YL contacts God has given me for YLWJ.

*I am thankful for the committee members and friends of YLWJ who have really taken me in.

*I am thankful for the amazing time I am having at PBU.

*I am thankful that Fall is just around the corner!!

*I am thankful that I have a job that I really enjoy.

*I am thankful for FUN kids to work with.

*I am thankful for a car and house that hardly ever give me any problems at all.

*I am thankful that my nose piercing is totally cute, very small and healed very quickly.

*I am thankful for my incredible family and friends who still love me even though they aren't in the same state as me.

*I am thankful for the grace, mercy and love I experience every day from my redeemer.

*I am thankful for you who care enough about me to read my blog.;)

Monday, September 12, 2005

Church rage. It is something I get a lot. You know how people get road rage (well, I get that too sometimes...lol) ? It's like that except directed at some churches. I was so upset on Sunday that I think I am going to try to find a new church.

Most of you know where I am attending church but just in case I don't want to post the name of it on here because I do not feel like it is right to totally bad-mouth this church. I mean, altogether it is a wonderful church and there are some people there who really love the Lord. After a year there of trying to make it my home though it still doesn't seem like a great fit. And Sunday I was sent over the edge.

I came in to church late. (As usual.) It was pretty full due to the 9/11 service and the kick off of the school year. I ended up sitting in the back row. Anyway, I noticed that I was sitting right by an usher because he was up helping when I came in and came and sat down by me when he was done. Well, you would think during "greeting" time he would have introduced himself, etc. since he had never seen me before and vice versa but he totally blew me off. Then about 15 mins. into the service his wife came in and he whispered to me, "Can you scoot over? Thanks!" And totally made me move so his wife could sit next to him. But the kicker is that there was an empty seat on the other side of him that was totally open and wasn't reserved for anybody. If he wanted his wife to not sit on the outside I don't know why he just didn't scoot over to that chair himself and let his wife have his seat. But, no, he asks me, a complete stranger to move. Then he talked to his wife through the whole service, and they rushed right out afterward. Nothing towards me at all. I was really hurt. To him I was a complete stranger and I can't believe that he would do that towards a stranger at church. I felt really rejected and frankly mad that he put the comfort of himself and wife over me, who really could have been a first time visitor to his church. I know I am being very picky about this but it totally got to me.

Other things bother me at some churches too...like when people sit on the ends of pews and don't scoot towards the middle for newcomers or people who come in late (because how would a first time church goer feel if they had to search for a seat and feel like all eyes were on them?), when people "save" seats and when people don't genuinely make others feel welcome and try to immediately include them.

I have tried to be a part of my church and it's just not working. Of course I am to blame for this as well. I have not gone consistently (due to my job) and I am not the most outgoing person either. But I have been there a year now and probably only know a handful of names. And frankly I don't think anyone would miss me if I moved on...which tells me it's time to move on. I would love for a church body here to be like my family and so far I haven't had that in NJ.

Do any of you ever get annoyed with some churches or get church rage yourself?

Monday, September 05, 2005

I'm back on the "other side" and have been for a week now. Crazy! I apologize for not posting for a while. I never seem to post that regularly, and then always promise myself that I'll become better at it. Then two weeks slip by and I notice that I need to update. Guess I'm just not that good of a blogger!! Maybe I'll get the hang of it sometime.;)

I flew back to NJ last Sunday. By the time I got back to my house it was very early Monday. That whole day was an adventure. My flights didn't go as planned (but that really turned out to be OK, gave me extra time in CA to hang out), I was feeling sick and I got pulled over on my way home. (He just wanted to see where I was headed...I was on a kinda rural road. No ticket and he had no reason to "get me" anyway...that whole thing was strange.) Then I ended up going to the ER at 4:30 in the morning. It's a long story but I'm OK and feel 100% better!

Then I went to Ocean Grove, NJ for a staff retreat. It was my first time to the Jersey shore. It was nice...but not like CA! And who knew one has to pay to actually go on the beach? (Or at least in Ocean Grove. Can someone say rip off?) Anyway, they have boardwalks there and games and what not. Kinda like Santa Cruz on crack. Cross the Fresno Fair with a huge boardwalk with Pismo beach and you've go the Jersey shore. It's fun and I'd like to go back. We stayed at a bed and breakfast and the time with staff was good. Who doesn't like hanging out with YL people?

Now I'm back in Flemington. I'm kind of having a tough time readjusting to being back, for several reasons, so please pray for me. I think this week will be tough as well.

But, I can't end this blog on a discouraging note! There is one "new" thing about me...and some would think it is "fun" although getting it done was not. Guess you'll have to see me to find out what it is!;) But I am still deciding if I will be keeping it or not!!