AHHHHH!!!

Ever have one of those days where relief comes from screaming at the top of your lungs!

Today is one of those days.

So feel free to scream with me if you please.

I'm counting down to a break. Right now, the first week of January looks like the next one. Phew....just one day at a time.

Long time

Well, its been a while since I've blogged. Not that I have forgotten, but I've just held off.

There's plenty on my mind, but I've found myself preoccupied with other things.
So be looking maybe later this week. There should be time in my week to lay down some thoughts that I'm wrestling with.

Hope Thanksgiving went well! Ours was great. I love family and friends. It is always hard to leave and jump back into the swing of normal everyday life. I love where I'm at, but definitely miss people.

I was Tagged!

I was tagged by a friend Shane in something called Meme.  

The meme rules are go to the book closest to you that has at least 123 pages.  Go to the fifth sentence and post three sentences.  

So here it goes.   I was in bed and the top book of the two next to me was...(drum roll please) Green Chic, Saving the Earth in Style.

Pg 123, first three sentences after the fifth is...

"Just because a cotton item is natural color doesn't mean it's organic. I know you already figured that out, but I just read an article about "green" fashion in a certain high-end lifestyle magazine , and the page was filled with clothes in shades of cream, tan, taupe ---but not even half of them were organic.  Read the label. "

I have this rule where (well it is more Jose's rule for me than my own, I just adopted it to make him happy) I can't start a new book until I finish the last one I was reading.  I really enjoy this book, I haven't finished it yet.  Posting this brought that to my attention! Just TWO chapters left....TWO!  Man I can slack sometimes. 

But so far, this book has been sticking with me.  I enjoy it when I read books and I implement things afterwards.  This is one of them.  

Some green things I've implemented so far.

• Taking my own bags shopping. I've only taken three plastic/paper bag home from the store in the past 4-5 weeks.  This includes my trip to the mall, grocery, Target, etc.  I was pretty upset with myself when I had to take the bags home with me.  Oh well, I guess now they will come in handy with Smalls in the house. 
• Shorter showers and less time drying my hair. (although there are mornings where a long hot shower were really needed)
• Cloth napkins.  They're white and they clean up nicely!
• Organic foods as much as possible.  
• Recycling! Recycling! Recycling! We are just starting a recycling program here at AU and I'm on the committee.  This definitely helps me dive in deep.  Jose and I could go probably two weeks with out changing our trash if it didn't smell so bad (cooking with garlic tastes great, is good for you, but it can reek havoc on your trash-bin).
• I'm watching the fabrics that I'm buying. 
• I'm watching the cleaning products that I buy.

I'm sure there is more, but the with a smashing headache I had today there isn't much I can dig for up there. 

I would encourage everyone to take some steps to becoming "greener".  Not because its the in thing, but because I do believe it is part of our responsibility to do so.   I'm going to be digging out a book on environmentalism and being a Christian.  I'm sure there will be a post to follow up with that. 

The New Little Man In My Life

So...he gave in and we have a new boy in the house.  

His name is Buddy Smalls, or just Smalls for short. Yes, like " You're killing me Smalls!"(from the Sandlot).  Only a few times have I really wanted to say that, but its just funny enough that you can't help but laugh afterwards!

His story? He's ten months old and came from a litter of 6 brothers and sisters.  Tragically his mom was hit by a car when he was young so his first family held on to him a little longer than normal.  He came to us with the name Rancher, but it just didn't fit him (or us for that matter).

A few of his favorite things?  Well he's a pretty good sock thief.  As soon as I pull the drawer open, he is in for the grab and off with the sock.  He could sit all day and let you rub his back, belly, ears, really anything. He just loves a good back rub. 

A few things I love?! He will fall asleep in your hands.  Several times I've started to pet his sweet face and he just falls asleep with his head in my hands.  He's a lover boy.  Loves to be near me, and when invited loves to be all up snuggling in my neck. He gets really excited to see me when I return home from work. 

A few things we're working on.  Well all of the basics. Sit. Come. His name. How to be friendly and not afraid of everyone we live with. How to eat a meal in one sitting rather than snacking all day long. And not having to show the world that I'm a little man 

(aka marking his territory at my mom's house). 

Although Jose may tell you differently, I think he's sold already. 

Two times in a row!

So an addition to my goals is to not use a plastic bag when I go shopping. Even when I go shopping at Target.

I did this the other night. I am definitely not missing the big plastic bag. I carried my items around the store so why can't I just carry them out, place them in the seat next to me, then carry them again into the house until they reach their proper place?  It really is rather easy.

And when I go clothing shopping, I plan on using a large purse/bag that I already own to throw my things in.  1. I save plastic (which is the goal) and 2. I will probably buy less (this makes Jose happy).

Grocery shopping is a cinch. I already have three reusable bags that I purchased for my groceries, plus two freezer bags. I fit all that I needed tonight in those bags. No plastic bags! It really was a good feeling to come home and unpack my groceries and not have ten plastic bags laying around. 

I'm going to see how long I can go with out having to take a plastic or even a paper bag home from the store. I'll keep you updated on my record!

Yet again!

I'm turning it over again. I wouldn't say that I failed the last attempt, but I have most definitely slipped.

So I've got a new attitude..again.
So I'm going to try it...again.
A slightly modified plan, but still the same goal.

What I've done well so far...

We haven't really eaten out (at least not paying for it ourselves!). I did set it as a treat. We have one day a week that we eat out (and we pay out of our pockets). We ate all that we could at home, some days I had to scrounge around to find something to work...but it did!

I am reading more (not sure if that was on my list I posted) which is what I want to do. I fell in love with the book Green Chic and it is definitely making me think through some of the things we can do at home to save money and the environment. Definitely a good read and one book that I may have to revisit time and time again.

What I've NOT done well...

I haven't worked out in two weeks. So I've set a new plan. I'm going to try just walking/jogging. Jose is doing this three days a week...in the mornings! So I've got to give it a shot, but not in the mornings. I love my sleep to much! So I'll go and walk/jog in the evenings. I met with the director of our wellness center to help me get on track. She gave me some idea's of what I could do at home or while I was traveling. I'm going to learn to use the cardio lab so I can burn some of that extra fat. I told her my issue is more I need accountability. So next semester I think I am going to utilize a personal trainer. They're booked up this semester, but maybe once a month I can meet with a student trainer to help keep me on board. If I know I have to "report" to someone, then I'm much more likely to stick with it. At least stick with it long enough to create a habit!

So thats the update. I'll turn the leaf over many times I'm sure, but I'm ok with that. Its when I stop turning it over that a problem starts to form.

Today's thoughts...Apathy

Why is it that we are never satisfied? More, why is it that I am never satisfied.

I was flipping through pictures and places my friends are. Colorado, Florida, Chicago, Des Moines. I want to be there more than I want to be here. But really, would that bring me what I am looking for? NO!

I'm at a place where I am great. Love my job, love that my husband has a job he loves. We're in a great place to pay of alot of debt and we can do ministry(not always an easy combination to find). I have family close by and can see them when I want to. But why am I not satisfied? This is what I asked for months ago!

I have lost sight of alot of things. I have lost sight for the need of my Savior. He is the only one who can satisfy all that is within me. It is through Him that I find peace and satisfaction with all things. I've known this for a while now. And I've known that I am creating a divide. How did I let it become The Great Divide though? Laziness? Apathy?

Yes...all of the above.

I know where I need to be, I know how to get there but I repeatedly don't do anything about it. Why? WHY? I was hit straight between the eye's this weekend. I have a desire to lead and wonder why I haven't had the specific opportunities I am looking for. I can't lead beyond where I am. And right now I'm pretty low. Who needs a leader who isn't doing anything about their own spiritual growth? NO ONE! Who needs a leader who is merely going through the motions? Who knows the right words and the right things to do, but isn't deeply rooted? Again, No One!

I'm rooted, but I'm not cultivating those roots. So be praying for me. I'm going to create The List that several friends have created. I'm going to post my distractions around my house so that I visually see those things that are keeping me from being where I want to be...growing, rooting, and blooming in HIM!

I need to be challenged, I need to be encouraged, I need to be pushed towards Him.

Some good things come from Traveling

I love the feeling of Independence and having the self esteem to be able to eat by myself. I enjoyed a GREAT lunch at Bravo...one of my favs! Oh I was so excited about the Ensalda Del aCasa. I can taste it now just thinking about it! And their Peach Tea!! Fantastic!

I was able to read a little bit, but really I don't remember anything I read. I was to busy thinking about the bread and GREAT dipping oil they have. Topped with the big chunks of shaved Parmesan cheese.

Plus you get to meet new people who share some of the same things in common (jobs!) I had a dinner/snack with some other admissions and recruiting people from other schools. This one guy, old enough to be my father, was really sweet. He even stopped by to say goodbye and to tell me to have a safe trip!

It was a bit of a long two days on the road, but I made it through with some energy in tack. (For those who don't know, I had a High school college fair in Southern Indiana on Tuesday night and then another college fair just north of Cincinnati OH tonight) I was really jazzed tonight as the last few conversations (which were really good) were with Freshmen in High school and their parents. I am just excited that there are some students who are thinking ahead in life. They may not know what they want to do yet, but at least they are looking forward to something more than just tomorrow!

Going Green in Style

Really....I LOVE THIS BOOK! I am totally hooked. I don't think I am typically like this, but day two and I didn't want to put the book down, but for the sake of a good nights rest (and giving myself something to look forward to) I put it down.

Today I am so glad to find out that I already buy pretty good eco-friendly sheets. Yes, sheets. (oh the small things in life that bring me joy, great sheets) I have recently started hearing things about organic cotton and thought that some companies were just trying to pull the wool over my eyes and make more money, but there really is a thing of organic cotton.

Did you know that regular cotton sheets can be treated with 1.25 pounds of carcinogens and the same stuff that are used in pesticides and insecticides. Oh and that nasty smelly stuff that is used to keep dead carcasses in the sciences labs... formaldehyde, yeah that is found in the process of making cotton sheets too. YOU SLEEP ON THESE THINGS!!!


So if you are looking for something good to sleep on, try out Beech Jersey Sheets. They can be found at Bed Bath and Beyond. They may be a slight bit more than sheets you are used to buying (I never knew that sheets could cost you so much, these aren't that bad but some could cost your first born child). But they do last a LONG time. I have only bought two sets of sheets in four years of marriage, and one was for a spare bed that we had.

I was a little worried reading about the sheets because I was going to have a hard time giving up these sheets unless it was for something way more comfortable.

A Page Turner

So I added a Bookshelf to my blog to show the list of books that I am reading, or the ones I will be working through shortly.

I started A Generous Orthodoxy but haven't gotten past the introduction. I've heard it gets better, but it just isn't enticing me just yet.

But I happened to be walking through Target today and this little green book happened to catch my eye. I recently became somewhat heavily involved on the Recycling Committee here on campus. My family recycled for as long as I can remember recycling being something that people really do. Not hard core, but at least doing something. I feel guilty when I through something plastic, glass,metal, or cardboardish away.

But this Green book, green chic...Saving the Earth in Style. I want to be green, but I want to be "in style" still. I have been in meetings with students who are way green and way eco friendly. I just don't want to do the dreads, not shower, smell "funny", wear the same clothes all week long. I enjoy looking good (at least what I think is good looking). I enjoy getting my hair done, wearing makeup, wearing trendy clothes, smelling good, etc. I enjoy fashion and the latest styles. But I want to do my part to "Save Mother Earth". So this book really caught my eye.

I've read the Intro and two chapters already!! I don't want to put this book down. It is great so far. She talks about doing small things around your house that just add up to great things. Its not going out and changing everything at once. Little things like using less water (shorter showers), turning lights off, using compact flourescent lights, using cold water for all laundry, opt out of plastic bags when you shop when at all possible (just slip that greeting card in your purse, use easily home made cloth bags instead).

So far, seems easy to do my part to help fight global warming and save some land for future generations of Torres/Bunnell's.

Excitement on Campus

Have you ever really stopped to watch the squirrels? Yes, squirrels.

I swear Anderson University truely is one of the squirreliest places I've ever seen. We even advertise that on a few things hoping to entice the younger students. I have started counting. Anytime I am out in the Valley, I do a quick visual check to see how many squirrels are out running around. I typically can count a handful. Then as I walk through I see a few more up in the trees, typically I hear them before I see them.

The squirrels on our campus are crazy. Today Jose and I walked outside of our dorm and there is a squirrel running through the sprinkler. HE WAS RUNNING THROUGH THE SPRINKLER!! He stopped real quick when we walked out as if to say "Uh Oh! I was caught!". He shook off like a wet dog and went running off to check for more nuts. Jose and I just stopped, stared at each other in disbelief, and then laughed.

Later this afternoon I was walking out of the Haven and with in a few seconds of stepping outside I heard a loud ruckus. Trying to figure out what was going on I scanned and scanned and scanned the Valley. I didn't see anything, but then I heard the bushes russell a bit more. These two squirrels were just carrying on and on! One was chasing after the other and really just giving him the dickens. Chased him all through the bushes, out into the middle of the Valley in circle after circle until an unsuspecting student started down the sidewalk. The two squirrels stopped dead in their tracks. A split second later the squirrel being chased took advantage of the student's presence as it distracted the other squirrel and made a break for it. He just took a few leaps and then stopped dead in his tracks again, trying to anticipate what the student was going to do. The student was completely oblivious to the squirrels.

Eventually the squirrels moved. The chaser ran off after another squirrel and I watched them exchange a few frenzied high circle jumps (they look like they are on crack). As I passed the first squirrel being chased, I had to crack up. He was sitting on his hind legs and he was out of breath. His chest was pounding.

How can you not have a good afternoon with such entertainment so readily available on campus! That is just one reason I LOVE AU's campus.

Day three of my List...

Well, I have worked out three days in a row now. Water Aerobics day one, Yoga day two, and day three held Slide Aerobics. I am going to feel Slide Aerobics!!! I think I sweat off the last month of my life too...but it felt good!

I did eat out, Jose really didn't give me a choice. Ok ok, I shouldn't blame him or make excuses because I could have found a way to not eat out that day. But we have made dinner with what we have in our kitchen!

I did spend money elsewhere, but in one good justification. I spent money on two T.A.P.P necklaces. T.A.P.P stands for Tumaini AIDS Prevention Program. My money is going to help those afflicted and effected by AIDs in Uganda.

Overall, I feel very postive about my first few days. Now that I am exhausted from my work out today, I'm in for a night of Criminal Minds and CSI:NY. Ahhh..

Turning over an Old Leaf...

You know the saying..Turning over a New Leaf...well I'm revamping it to fit ME (how post modern I know)

But honestly, I can't tell you how many times I've said..I'm going to start anew. I'm going to change this and start doing this. Then a week later...back to the old business. I know I'm not the only one, but I am a HUGE offender of this.

So I'm not starting anything new, I'm just revamping and recharging what I've said I was going to do. I'm turning over an Old Leaf.

Here is a list of a few things I am going to do.

1. Take inventory of whats in my kitchen cabinets so I know what I have so I can eat in, rather than out.
2. I will not eat out until I have paid off a credit card. The less I eat out, the more that goes towards that credit card and the quicker it gets paid off.
3. I am going to watch every penny...literally. Using only cash. I'm debating on whether or not to take out my debit cards (I already do not carry my credit cards) and only carrying cash.
4.Making a grocery list, cutting coupons, and STICKING TO IT! I used to be good at planning meals, then I slipped. So back to planning meals and posting the Menu for the week.
5.Work out a few times a week. I'm getting into shape.
6. Finish the book I started. **
7. Wrote notes and letters to people.
8. Drink more water, less other stuff.
9. Cut back on Sugar.
10.Keep it clean around the house! Then it doesn't pile up and I don't get as frustrated!

I've started these all before. But today, I started again at lunch time. I ate at home for lunch (had both veggie and fruit with a bologna sandwich on wheat). I cleaned up my dishes that I used for lunch. I packed my bag for Water Aerobics tonight. I have my Nalgene full of water to drink today. And I planned (in my head) tonight's dinner using what we have in the fridge!

I have a friend who has a list of 101 things to do in 1001 days. Seems a bit to intimidating to me at this point. I like the idea, but I'm going to take it in baby steps. So wish me luck!

Good things in Life

So today as I was walking home from work, or rather just across campus (its so great to say that!) I looked up and saw a student that lives in our dorm. He waved at me and so I waved back being the friendly person that I am. Then in trying to be extra friendly I yelled out..." Are you on your way to Rugby practice??!?" (the night before I had a conversation with him about rugby). He kept walking...and I felt stupid. He had earphones in and was probably listening to music louder than he medically should.

I still felt stupid. And I had to laugh at myself. I thought of other times where I felt stupid and laughed at myself. Like when you pass someone and you think you know who they are so you wave or give an extra friendly smile. Then it turns out you DON'T know who they are at all and they now think you're odd for such a great big smile.

Or how about when you are walking alone and you are attacked by a bee, or even worse a spider dropping down from the trees. You then flip out and flail your arms around, all the while looking like a crazy to the rest of the world who can not see the bug attacking you.

Or how you trip over nothing in the sidewalk? Or when you say something completely wrong to someone important...you know somehow your words just get mixed up...

I love it when I find something really funny and go to share it with someone who does not find it funny, yet you just can't stop laughing about it.

Those moments when you feel like a complete dork are great. They're humbling, and good entertainment for the rest of the day. And being able to laugh at yourself is probably one of the greatest gifts in life.

I miss my baby...

I still think about her and her craziness. She was definitely a one of a kind. I know we say that about alot of things, but seriously if you knew her you would be echoing me in that. My sister in law always said she had never met a dog like Izzy. A friend in Des Moines said the same thing. She was just a one of a kind dog. It feels like a piece of me is missing with Izzy not around. She was at my mom's house for the past few months as if she were in hospice. She had been sick for a while and I knew it was just a matter of time. That didn't make it easier, but we just couldn't watch her suffer any more.

I miss having a dog and I have been begging Jose to let me get another one. He didn't grow up with a dog or a pet really so he doesn't know what it is like to have one your WHOLE life and then not have one around.

So, to honor the late great Izzy, you can all tell Jose he needs to let me get another dog.

So amazing

I love youth pastors. I really do. I may be a bit biased having been married to one and basically been one myself, but really I think they may be favorites of a few other non youth ministry people.

This past weekend I spent a very wet weekend (it literally did not stop raining from the moment I left AU until the time I returned) up near Lake Michigan at Camp Warner at a Youth Leaders retreat for the CHOG in the State of Michigan. Leaving, I wasn't very excited and I wasn't feeling the greatest. But I left with a different attitude. Over the course of the weekend I heard bits and pieces about these youth pastors lives and ministries. Many of them were volunteers who worked full time and moonlighted as youth pastors at their small churches. BLESS THEM! Youth ministry is not a part time job even if it is advertised as on. To do honestly effective youth ministry, it is a full time lifestyle type of job. These people were doing that!

We shared our joys and pains of working with middle school students. They were nice enough to share some of their stories with me, a perfect stranger to them. One youth leader that just captured me was...well I don't remember his name at the moment. I sat down with him at dinner one night and the other fellows from our table had left and just asked some questions about him and his ministry. He is in construction full time but also does the youth ministry at a small (possibly dying) church near Detriot. He said he came from a larger church that had alot going on, plenty of resources but he wasn't being used there. So he and his wife happened to stop by this church one Sunday and found out they did not have a youth pastor and there a few youth in the church. So they made the switch. Talk about "SEE A NEED FILL A NEED". He was sacrificing and giving up working with aministry that had plenty to reach a few youth at a dying church. I don't think I could have done that. Doing Youth Ministry with out a budget can be frustrating and difficult, but it can be the most rewarding at times.

And to my surprise, most of these youth pastors were nearing 40 and OVER!! One had been in youth ministry for 32 years, another 18 years. These are lifers! Previous to going on this retreat I met with someone at a School of Theology. He told me that they encourage youth pastors to really consider an M.Div because, " lets be honest, you're not going to do Youth Ministry forever. You grow out of it and the natural progression is to become a SR Pastor". I don't agree with this guys line of thinking here, but my short meeting with him was not the time to challenge him. And I was so glad to see these two youth pastors, one who was in his 50's and the other who was 44, still doing youth ministry. One of them was the Middle School Ministry pastor!!!

I left this weekend with a continued passion for youth ministry. There is just something about being in a room full of people who love youth ministry, who love youth enough to sacrifice a weekend to learn how to work and coach young people. I hope when I go to Heaven that I get into the wing of God's big house that is full of youth pastors.

Life as I Know It

Life changes, obviously. Now that I live in a dorm again, I have not made it to bed before 12am. MIDNIGHT!!!! I totally feel old saying that. But not being a morning person at all, makes it even worse. I don't have to be at work until 9 am, but it is still like pulling teeth to get out of bed. I try and try and try, but to no avail.

But the time that used to be spent in bed is typically spent talking with students, or putting my house back together. It is a good trade off, so I really shouldn't complain. But be praying for rest and plenty of energy

What a day!

Phew!!! College Freshmen have junk! Seriously! and they think they can squeeze their entire house (including the kitchen sink) into a room that is near 9ft by 5 ft. (ok maybe a bit bigger, but not much!) But they do show some great ingenuity and end up configuring everything to their taste and create a successful living area of their choice!

Today was freshmen move in day. There was such a great buzz on campus. Excitement, stress, anxiousness, independence, anticipation, and maybe some saddness. I had a conversation with a younger brother (yeah! I was doing my job today!!) of a incoming freshmen girl. He was excited for her but said that he is really going to miss his big sister. He said she mentioned she planned on coming home alot...she was going to miss the family. I remember being at a totally different place. I wanted to go home, but wanted to spread my wings of independence.

As this new year begins I'm excited to see who these freshmen become. They will find their place here at AU, and take the next steps into their big new future!

So for the next year, I will let my arms rest. I should probably start working out so that I can be prepared for next year's freshmen and all that their little cars may bring!

Solid Truth

I've been reading. Simple statement, but it has taken a some effort to get as far as I have in this great book.




Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith.

Its been out for a while. I've had it on my bookself for 2 years, if not going on 3. I started it once, but as it goes with most books I start...I get halfway through and stop. Not because it isn't a good book, I most likely got distracted or enticed by another good read. But I'm glad, very glad that I came back to this one. I highly recommend it to everyone no matter where you are in your faith journey. It will definitely help you think.

As I'm nearing the end of the book, one thing resinated enough with me that I wanted to blog it out.

"...if people were taught more about who they are, they wouldn't have to be told what to do. It would come naturally." He goes on to say..."The point isn't sin management. The point is who we are now."

I may have ripped the page I underlined those phrases in such a strong, loud "Amen!!!" fashion. How true is that. If we taught more about who they are...If we spoke truth into the lives of those around us and less negativity, how would we live differently?

If we told children more of the truth...that they are good, that they are whole, that they are loved, that they are valued, that they are here for a specific purpose...how much more would they live up to that. What if we told children other than our own, that they matter, that they are made to do great things, that they were made to choose great things and not do so in a condescending demeanor. Not as if it is an expectation, but that it is a truth about them.  We all know how impressionable they are.  If you tell a young adolescent that they are funny because they did a certain thing, do they not typically try and replicate what they just did over and over and over and over again to get  laugh? 

We need to lay claim to the lives of the youth in our lives. We need to cover them with these truths. We need to believe these truths about them. We need to believe these truths about ourselves too. We ALL are created for greatness. Christ died so we could see our potential and we miss the point (don't get hung up on your shortcomings though, thats missing the point).  

This book so far has been one of those divine appointments. I'm reading it at the right time. A time where I have been questioning where I'm at and really reevaluating what this whole thing called life is really about.

Read the book. I am wanting someone to chew on it and dialogue with me!!!

2012 Olympic Hopeful

Watch out world. I may be entering the Olympics the next time around.

I just found out that Walking is an Olympic sport.....I start training tomorrow, after my foot rub.

The Ultimatum

So I asked my husband for a foot rub tonight. For some reason my dogs are just aching.

Wait let me take you back a few minutes earlier in the conversation. He was sitting down with the computer and was ready to put it away and asked if I needed it. I said no...I'm good for the evening and ready to just relax. He laid it down to join me on the couch and finish up the evening with the Olympics (we just missed Phelp's 7th Gold, we're totally addicted) But he jumped back up to grab the computer for something and I jokingly said "Oh you need to blog tonight?" (He's always blogging!) He said no but YOU need to blog. You haven't blogged in a while. I gave him my typical..."whatever, I've had things to do" response.

As he was sitting next to me I asked him to rub my feet. He replied..."I'll rub your feet if you blog tonight."

So I blogged! (sorry if you were hoping for something more exciting or life changing or deep)

And now I'm off to get my feet rubbed and watching Torres swim to glory!

Recent Obession

So, typically I find a new song, new idea, new webpage, new something or other and I can get quite addicted. I'm sure I'm not the only one out there that is like this, so I thought I might share my new obsession with others who share the same obsession or possibly to enlighten others of this great "new" thing that has come my way.

So if you have seen the Movie Mamma Mia....it is a slight bit different than the stage production I'm sure. But I LOVE IT!!! It is a modern day version of the stage production. I have a few friends who have seen it 2 or even 3 times. (I would if I had a better budget!) The music just plays through your head, even a few weeks after seeing it. I had to download the soundtrack the night after I saw the movie....that's not normal for me!!

I love it. I wish I had a soundtrack that played through out my life. On those good days, I think Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves would be playing. Or maybe Cut Loose by Kenny Login's would be playing some days. And there'd be plenty of sweet sappy music playing, maybe some Marvin Gaye too. OH I'd have a great soundtrack to listen to. And maybe just a select few could have this power (kind of like a super hero power). Because honestly, if everyone had this power then it would just be an absolute mess and really annoying.

But until I am granted that great power, dancing and singing in the comfort and privacy of my own home to the sounds of Mamma Mia will just have to do...

Attempted Burglary!

Last night we returned from a trip to see family in the Quad Cities.  As I was sifting through emails, staring out the window I see a band of brothers approaching our house and I knew they were up to no good.  

We had finished unpacking the car and had left the garage door open.  I knew  they were headed straight towards the garage and were going to take whatever they could get their hands on.  So I jumped off the couch and screamed "Shut the GARAGE!!  Jose get the Garage door!!" He has no clue what is going on so his response time was rather slow.  

I get out in the garage just in time to keep them from really entering.  They went running across the street to hide.  At this point Jose finally realizes what I had been screaming about and was very relieved that I had cat like reflexes!

When he went across the street, he saw the band of brothers who were about to rob us of whatever they could....

Here are three of the lovely boys.  Their other two brothers we saw a bit later.   Jose was taking the mug shots of our three friends in the tree when a neighbor couple drove by and were intrigued by our odd behavior at 10pm.  So we were chatting about our attempted burglary when we became under seige once again. 

One more tried for the sneak attack as he was hiding in the bushes next to the garage.  He must have been the look out!    He actually made it all the way to the door that goes into the kitchen.  Have no fear...that door was tightly shut.  Jose managed to scare him out of the garage with a hockey stick.  (No harm was done to Jose or the raccoon) We lost him though.  We knew he wasn't in the garage, but didn't know where he went exactly.  So we just continued talking with the neighbors.  He eventually made a break for the tree's to join his brothers.  

But the last brother was rather tubby.  We affectionately called him Fatboy.  It took him a few tries to make it up the small tree.  

This was the entertainment for the night!  Trying to watch Fatboy make it all the way up the tree and out of sight.  

Eventually, they realized we weren't to much of a threat and they struggled their way down the tree and ran off further off across the street.  Fatboy was the last to make it down the tree and sluggisly run over to the next tree to climb.  

Who knew living in the city would be full of such crazy wildlife!  First it was a dead opossum (Jose did take that poor animals life, but not on purpose).  Now it was an attempted robbery by 5 Raccoons!

What I like..

There are a lot of things that I enjoy in this life, but here are a few I enjoy more than others...

1.  Having a dog.  More importantly, having Izzy around...

2.  I enjoy my Mac.  Once you go Mac, you never go back. (Ok sorry, it has to be cheesy!)

3. I enjoy a good meal.  I enjoy trying new foods and sharing new foods with other people.

3.5  I have become really fond of soy milk and soy yogurt!

4.  I enjoy good friends.  We had some great friends stop through and visit us this week.  You can make new friends, but you definitely can't replace the old ones!

5. I love Youth Ministry!...

The middle of July I was in San Antonio Texas...it was hot.  A very nice city to visit. Save up your money and stay on the

 Riverwalk, enjoy some fine dining.  If you need someone to help you with your way around, look up Darrell at the Rio Rio, he listed "Special Services" on his business card.  All kidding aside, I was down there on a "business" trip. By business I mean I was down representing Anderson University at IYC (International Youth Conference for the Church of God).  5,500 or so youth were there plus their youth leaders and other random people. ( We kept the Riverwalk poppin'! )  We were there to work a booth to represent AU as we are a Church of God College and we recruit many students who are in CHOG (thats church of God for future reference) youth ministries.  

I have been out of ministry for the past 6 months and I forgot how great it is.  I sat in the main sessions of this youth conference, and I was in heaven.  My heaven at least, will be full of youth grasping onto a God who is HUGE. 

 To worship with 5,500 youth literally takes my breath away! It is a good reminder of what I am called to do in this life.  It is to love on kids, let them know the Savior that has redeemed me is right there waiting to redeem them, to make them whole again, to create someone new in them. I was challenged that week by the speakers.  Not only by their messages, but by their passion for the Lord and what he has done in their lives.  I don't think I share it as much as I should and with enough passion.  

So these next few months, as Jose and I embark on a new chapter in our lives and living in a dorm, I am going to be praying.  I am going to remember.  I am going to live out the passion inside of me, rather than keeping it all to myself. I'm going to do what I was called to do! I'm going to love on students.

There's More than Corn...:)

There is more than corn in Indiana.  But even if there wasn't I think I would be ok with it!  

When I married Jose and we moved to Iowa...the first thing I realized was that I would have to go with out Indiana sweet corn!!!  He didn't believe me.  So we had a little test one time.  One weekend we went home to visit Indiana and I brought back some good old Indiana sweet corn.  We had a "corn off" if you will. Indiana Corn vs. Iowa Corn.  To be fair, we invited a few families over to ensure that I wasn't just being biased.

I think the Indiana corn won, but then again I am biased.  

All that to say we had the best corn this week.  So good that even the Harley and Jascha had to have some!

Saddened...

This is a place to share thoughts right?  So here's my sharing...

As I'm sitting in my house I find myself living in the city for the first time in my life. I lived with in city limits, but never really what you could consider living "IN" the city.  I can tell because I now have people walking past my bedroom window at all hours of the night.  I hear the sirens of police and fire trucks on a regular basis.   I'm getting used to it I guess.  

What I will NEVER get used to is the people.  I don't want to get used to it at least. It is an eye opening, heart breaking reminder that our World NEEDS a Savior. 

 

As I was sitting here creating my account, I could hear a group of kids.  I couldn't see them and really had no clue where they were, but they were loud enough I could hear every word.  I'm sitting in the front window, the one place we get internet (see my husband's blog... I'm a Thief) and I finally catch a glimpse of these kids.  I would say that they were in Middle school.  Two girls and two boys. One girl stereotypically had a cell phone attached to her ear.  

I do eavesdrop without hesitation on many conversations as they pass by my house.  Adolescents especially grab my attention.  As they were walking by my house they first did not notice me soaking in their interaction and conversation.  I shook my head (to myself) in disbelieve at the words they were saying.  "Does he/she like N***rs?  I don't! " said one kid, the girl responds "Yeah he doesn't either" talking about the person on the phone. The first boy responds by giving her a high five and a few encouraging words.  The 2ND boy (smaller and seems to be more of a follower) tries to chime in on the subject to get approval.  About this time they notice me in the window and the first boy seemed a bit startled.  The conversation quickly stopped and they kept moving down the street. 

What really saddens me happens out of my eyesight.  I still hear their conversation as they were not even attempting to be quiet.  The first boy (obviously the leader of the group) starts saying, " Man, I want to bust a nut all in some girls face like they do in the porno's.  That'd be sweet"...   My heart sank.  My stomach turned.  Does he even know what he is talking about? Unfortunately he probably does.  

My thoughts that follow include hope.  Jesus.  Youth Leaders who love Jesus enough to go after these lost children.   I pray that one may cross this young man's life.  I pray that he encounters what REAL love is.  I will keep praying for a lost generation that has little escape from a wicked and depraved world.  I am so thankful for a Redeeming God.