Dave's transformation-before and after

here's some new pics of Dave's new "do." He just decided that he kinda had a mullet and had to get rid of it. I like it! I think it looks really good w/ his beard.

P.S. check out HIS blog, he's updated guys! I know he rarely does but I've been buggin him about it. He's out taking pictures of different things today so many he'll put some of them up on his blog soon.

Random Pix

Don't I look SO innocent?!

Friend Sean that was up last weekend

Fall leaves-by Dave

My soon to be new passport photo

Amazing weekend

I had such a good weekend! Dave and spent most of Saturday lazing around. We had a late breakfast and then just hung out and played video games. Then we went to NOC to do the course inspection for the Alpine Tower and Ropes course. Then we decided to go on a short "walk," as Dave called it, but it was really a short hike cause it was all uphill for a couple of miles. Then we went home and made dinner and went out for drinks at a friends house.

Sunday we had another late breakfast (which almost made us late for church). It was my Sunday to work w/ the little kids during church (5 to 8 yr olds?). I worked w/ a blind boy named Kyle. He is super smart. He loved play sounding games (me mimicking his sounds/taps). He drew and colored most of the time though. He had a great smile and all the other kids kind of look at him as their pet. The cutest thing ever happened then too. This other little boy, Joey, came over and started drawing with Kyle. He said, "Hi Kyle," and patted him on the head, "Want to draw? You want to draw w/ a blue crayon?" He then handed it to Kyle and they went on coloring. Kids are amazing aren't they? They can just blow your mind! Adults so often don't overlook things like kids do. Joey didn't see anything wrong w/ Kyle at all, just that he needed a little help w/ finding the blue crayon. I love that.

Sunday afternoon Dave and I went to a movie w/ some friends. We saw the kid move "Open Season." It was pretty funny and really cute. Then we went to the coffee shop and had some coffee.

Then, basically for the rest of the evening, I studied for a test I have tomorrow. We also read a short story out of that short stoy book I told you about. It was hilarious. Good times.

This morning I got up for the first of my 3 a week work-outs for my fitness class. I get up and use the dancing game "Dance Dance Revolution" for 40 minutes in work-out mode. It really gets your heart pumping. If you have no idea what this game is (although if you have been to a mall around the arcade you have probably seen it), the aerobic affects are kind of like watching a excercise video and moving along w/ the motions. I was sweatin' up a storm! It felt really good to work out at the begining of the day.

Ok, I gotta get off here and study for the test. I didn't do too well on the last one in this class--hopefully this one will be better.

Happy Birthday Stone & Gage

They're THREE YEARS OLD GUYS!!! Can you believe that? If you were in my LDP year I know you can't. I can remember talking about how I was going to miss them being born whil I was in Canada. I can't believe they're so big! They'll be in pre-school next year. WOw! I love those boys! See you soon guys! Hope you had a great birthday!

Catching up

I'm finally catching up on the loads of homework I've had this week. I'm starting to get ahead too, which is always a nice feeling. I'm pretty sleepy right now though, so I thought I'd take a break from reading and blather to you guys.

I went to and English Club meeting last night here at school. I know, sounds pretty geeky, but it was fun! We watched "The 13th Warrior" which is a movie roughly based on the story "Beowulf." Alot of people don't like the movie, but I liked it cause I had read the story. It was cool to hang out w/ people that have a passion for literature. I might make a habit of going if I can find a free night. Right now Monday - Thursday are all taken up, so I guess we'll see.

I got T-O-N-S of laundry I have to do today. Gonna be hangin out w/ my friends Sarah quite a bit, lol (that's where I do my laundry). I'm also gonna stop by the coffee shop--Mountain Perks--to get some java and chill w/ Sophie (one of the girls in my youth group).

Then, tonight---dun dun dun---is SURVIVOR. Yes, S--it's a little boring this season, but I'm still a devoted watcher. It got a little more interesting last week as they mixed up the teams. Then after Survivor we watch Gray's Anatomy--which is just fun drama-i love the personalities on there--FUN! Ok--I gotta go eat lunch and get some caffiene. I gotta wake up before my boring class!!! lol

P.S. i've been asked out twice this week by guys at school. Ya know, even though I'm married, it still makes me feel good when people ask me out. Of course I say, "Sorry, I'm married," but it's definately flattering :). See ya!


B---CALL ME! I don't know your schedule so I never know when you're home. I'll call you right back to you don't use up your minutes k? luv!

and I'm back in the game!

Well, test went ok I suppose. My hand is killing me now cause I wrote so fast and for so long. Yes mom, I studied sufficiently. The only thing is I feel like I didn't have enough time to write down all I knew! The teacher said to write as much info as we knew on the question and there just wasn't enough time to do that! I guess that's a good way to know you studied enough, hopefully. We'll see when I get my test grade back :).

Had a great time w/ my highschool friend (Sean M.) this weekend--great conversations and memories from AWANA camp (don't ask if you have no clue what AWANA is). He left last night and last time I talked to him (this morning) was around Missouri (he's driving to Colorado). So, all good stuff.

Here are a few quotes I just found on the internet--they're pretty kickin' if you like literature. If you don't, well, you should read more, it's good for you--it'll add a few wrinkles to your brain.

"A losing trade, I assure you, sir: literature is a drug."- George Borrow, Lavengro, Ch. 30.

The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest persons of past centuries."-René Descartes, Le Discours de la méthode, I

"Education . . . has produced a vast population able to read but unable to distinguish what is worth reading."-
G. M. Trevelyan, English Social History

Peace like a river~~~as my friend Sarah says.

what a weekend

Hi guys. Sorry I haven't updated you in awhile. School is taking off! Homework is definately building up. I have two tests on Monday and both are going to be pretty tough. My grades aren't really up to (my) par right now, but hopefully they'll improve. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm getting mostly B's, but that's not really good enough. So, this weekend I will be squeazing in studying wherever I can find time.

Tonight I'm taking dinner over to a friend that had an accident yesterdy. She's ok, but she has a minor concuscion and is a little banged up.

Tomorrow an old friend from highschool is coming in and we'll be boating and going to a movie tomorrow. Then they're staying over and they'll go to church w/ us on Sunday.

Sunday afternoon one of my girlfriends and I are going to a movie ("The Guardian") and then I'm studying until I can't see the pages anymore. AAAK! It's going to be a busy weekend.

Well, sorry this was short, but I gotta get changed for my Fitness class. Sorry I haven't been in touch much lately family, will get back to regular after this week ~fingers crossed~ hopefully.

AAAAAH!

I'm watching a super scary movie right now at school...really freaked out! It's called Cry Wolf and it's FREAKING ME OUT! Don't know why I can't stop watching it but I guess I assume it'll get better in the end, and yet, I know I'm not gonna have time enough to watch the end anyways cause I have to go to class in like 5 minutes. OK...i gotta go...my heart is really racing now. Gosh, THIS is why i don't watch horror movies. Jeez!

Ouch and future ouch

So, I went this morning to the dentist and got work done to my teeth, alot more work than I thought I needed. Then, they told me I needed more work but they weren't going to do it today. Great. They also told me that my teeth looked really clean and it looked like I kept them up well, but my teeth were formed with holes in them so no matter what I do I will always get cavities. Fun stuff. So I'm scheduling more work on (at least) 2 more teeth for next month. So excited. My mouth is still numb. They filled one tooth on the right side and 3 on the left--yeah, that's bad. I think I'm slobbering on myself right now...gotta go.

Nothing good to post about

It's true, I really have nothing to post about. Nothing spectacular or exciting. But, I'm going to post anyway, because blogger may be down at the end of the day and what would happen if you didn't get to read my pointless post??? Obviously all hell would break loose. So, what have I been up to lately. Well, lots of school and homework (which I'm avoiding right now).

Youth started back last week so Dave and I are hangin' with the kids more often now. And let me tell you, if I wanted to write a RANT right now, it would be about middle school boys and how absolutely stupid and rediculous they are--but I don't want to rant, so I'll spare you. I'm sure you know some middle school boys--just think about spending lots of time w/ them and trying to have a serious conversation, then you'll know what I would have written.

Survivor is on tonight (every Thurs.), and the season premier of Gray's Anatomy too (which I think I'm probably gonna get addicted to). Anyway, the girls (Sarah, hopefully Lydia, and myself) will be gathering at Sarah's house to watch those two shows tonight, and maybe 6 Degrees (of seperation) as well.

Anyway, that's about it. I'm getting my dental work done tomorrow (yes Mom, finally). Not really pysched about that, but it has to happen. Getting 2 cavities dealt w/ is NEVER fun. Yuck--not fun at all. I could think of MANY more fun things--like kayaking (which I can't do right now either cause I have an ear infection--jeez--stupid Tuck. river nastiness), shopping on Ebay Express (you know you've seen the comercials), or reading a good book (right now I'm reading some short stories written a long time ago by someone--can't remeber his name, but I do remember that he wrote "The Hand" and he died of syphilis).

Ok, I'm going to do my homework. Oh, by the way, for those of you who knew I was having a Geology test, I got a "B" on it. Not too happy about that, but, I'll pull it up. Teacher said as long as I turned in all my homework, even if I got a "B" on every test, I could still pull an "A" in the class for sure, so that's good. Yes, I like my grades high, what can I say.

Studying abroad

In my lit. class today I found out that I may be able to do some traveling inside of school next semester. We still have class like normal, but at the end of the semester we go to the Mediterranean. Included sights would be: Venice, Florence, Rome, Sorrento, Delphi, Argolida, Mycenae, and Athens. We're gone for about 15-18 days. It sounds absolutely amazing and I'm really excited to check it out. I hope it'll be a possibility for me, I just need to see if I can get financial aid for it cause the whole trip costs about 3,300 (including flight, hotel, etc). But my teacher said you can usually get most of it paid for through financial aid. Anyway--I'm just really excited about being able to do some traveling independently and just travel period!!! I always feel like Dave has all these amazing stories about the places he's traveled and I feel like I haven't seen a fraction of that! OK--I got to get to my next class.

The Obese State of America

A controversial post

I would not consider myself a conservative. I also would not consider myself a liberal. These titles sorta suck. No one but the "liberals" call anyone a "conservative," and no one but the "conservatives" call someone a "liberal!" This subject comes to me because at the wedding this weekend I was talking about some of the things I believe in and several people said, "so you're a liberal now eh?" I said no.

People ask me who I voted for in the past several presidential elections and I calmly reply "Bush." Then they blow up and say, "how can you back all the things he does?!?" I say, "I don't." Exactly how can someone read into the future and know what a president is going to do for the next 4 years? Yes, I voted for Bush twice. Some would say that's crazy, but that's my preference and I get that right as an American. You can't take that right away from the people who don't think like you. If that happened then this country would NOT have a Democracy. I voted for Bush because I honestly believe he has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and I hope that influences some of his decisions. No Christ Follower is perfect, most people hate Christians all together (I tend to agree with those people). We're not perfect--neither is Bush, so why do we expect him to be?

Am I a Republican? Yes, I'm registered that way, but I "believe" more like an Indepent.

Now the big issue of today. Do I support the war? Yes & No. I don't think the U.S. being over in Iraq is going to solve anything. I think there will be turmoil there for the rest of time. Do I think that we're over there just for the oil? I don't know, I'm sure it helps some. But if you want to really stir some stuff up, who started it all? Did we go over to Iraq and start blowing stuff up? Not that I know of. Did 2,296 Iraqis die for no reason on September 11, 2001? No, those were Americans. The Al Qaeda are still threatening to blow the U.S. up (read reports on their videos that came out Sept. 11 of this year). So do I think Iraq is still a threat to the U.S.? Yes. Do I think we're going to help Iraq set up a Democracy? No.

In the end politics will always be controversial. Lots of Republicans vote straight ticket just because the Democratic party still says they are "Pro Choice." But there lots of Republicans that are "Pro Choice" as well! I don't think abortion should have anything to do w/ the Republican OR Democratic label...but that's a whole 'nother can O worms. Anyways--before you label someone "Conservative" or "Liberal" listen to what they have to say. Because labels suck in general and they're usually pretty inaccurate (wrong spelling I know--label me "BAD SPELLER")

Don't judge him--he's fighting cause they told him to

Your alarm goes off, you hit the snooze and sleep
for another 10 minutes.

He stays up for days on end.
_________________________
You take a warm shower to help you wake up.

He goes days or weeks without running water.
__________________________
You complain of a "headache", and call in sick.

He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving
forward.
__________________________
You put on your anti war/don't support the troops
shirt, and go meet up with your friends.

He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.
__________________________
You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket.

He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to
his dog tags.
__________________________
You talk trash about your "buddies" that aren't
with you.

He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.
__________________________
You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty
girls.

He walks the streets, searching for insurgents and
terrorists.
__________________________
You complain about how hot it is

He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his
helmet to wipe his brow.
__________________________
You go out to lunch, and complain because the
restaurant got your order
wrong.

He doesn't get to eat today.
__________________________
Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.

He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure
his weapons are clean.
__________________________
You go to the mall and get your hair redone.

He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.
__________________________
You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.

He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.
__________________________
You call your girlfriend and set a date for
tonight.

He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter
from home.
__________________________
You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do
everyday.

He holds his letter close and smells his love's
perfume.
__________________________
You roll your eyes as a baby cries.

He gets a letter with pictures of his new child,
and wonders if they'll
ever meet
__________________________
You criticize your government, and say that war
never solves anything.

He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their
own people and remembers
why he is fighting.
__________________________
You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of
men like him.

He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the
wounded.
__________________________
You see only what the media wants you to see.

He sees the broken bodies lying around him.
__________________________
You are asked to go to the store by your parents.
You don't.

He does exactly what he is told.
__________________________
You stay at home and watch TV.

He takes whatever time he is given to call, write
home, sleep, and eat.
__________________________
You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows,
and get comfortable.

He crawls under a tank for shade and a 5 minute
nap, only to be woken by
gunfire.
__________________________
You sit there and judge him, saying the world is
probably a worse place because of men like him

If only there were more men like him!

Wedding/Canada pix

The return of Tim and all things Canadian

Tim being Tim Hortons of course--the most amazing coffee/donut resturant in the world!!! Oh yes, I loved visiting Tim's again. I got my FAV. coffee--a Cafe' Mocha and Tim Bits (donut holes, but ALL diff. kinds----mmmmmmm). We visited Timmies ALOT this weekend.

Well, we drove all day Thursday and arrived at our camp ground in Niagra-on-the-lake around 9 that night. Next morning (Fri.) we woke up and went bouldering w/ Cam, Dee, Molly, Paulie, Scott, Jenn & Jodie, and other ppl I didn't really know. Cool stuff! We also got to meet Dee's dog Layla (who's much smaller in person). Then Molly, Dave, and I went and hung out in Niagra Falls and had some great conversations. Saturday was the wedding (which we finally made it to even though we almost crossed the border into the U.S. accidentally) and it was SO beautiful. We got to see Candice and Chris again! I was SO PSYCHED to see them. The ceremony was beautiful and the dress was magnificent and Cam has turned into such an amazing guy (not that you weren't before Cam--i just didn't know you that well). I'm SO happy for Dee and Cam, I know they'll be great together. Then we danced (even MICHAEL danced--now THAT was fun to watch). We partied till the wee hours of the morning.

Sunday Dave and I drove into Toronto and hung out in ChinaTown and had some great fresh bread, cheese, nuts, and fruit. I bought some more wonderful oriental clothing--LOVE it! Then we went to Moutain Equipment Coop (MEC) and Dave got a Thermarest. Then, around 3 o'clock we got to the border and crossed back in the the US of A VERY smoothly. We drove all night and got back in Brson around 4 a.m.

Now, wonder of ALL wonders, I made it to my 11 o'clock class. I'm not going to my last one though, I'm WAAAY too exhausted. But i'm proud of myself for making it to this one. Now I'm going to go home and sleep.

P.S. I will post pix of the wedding probably tomorrrow. Goodnight!

To Canada!

Tomorrow morning around 7 a.m. Dave and I will be leaving for great state of Canadia...lol. We'll be back late Monday night sometime. It'll be about a 13 hr drive (which we're doing all tomorrow). Friday we'll be bouldering in the Niagra Gorge and Saturday we'll be at Dee and Camerone's wedding! Amazingg huh? I'm excited. Still don't know where we're staying tomorrow night though (in Canada), so hopefully we'll get that figured out soon :), lol. I'll have LOTS of pix to post after the weekend as we have a digital camera now (thanks Mum and Dad Nelson!--we got their old one cause they upgraded). Anyway, if you're wondering where we are in the next couple of days--check back here and it will remind you. So, we'll sorta be off the grid since our cell phones don't get service in Canada. See ya in a few days! Peace!

V E R Y NICE! ;)

Not as bad as expected

Well, with Dave's help, I did my Geology homework last night. It really wasn't too bad and it didn't take forever either! Cool deal. Maybe the tests won't be too bad either (fingers crossed). I'm not really feeling that great right now, I'm in my lunch hour. Think I'll take some of that Vit. C stuff that teacher invented...what's that called again? Emergen-C or something like that.

Dave and I went and saw the movie "Accepted" the other day. Pretty funny movie. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes comedy and a lil dumb humor.

I have my Health/wellness class after this and we have to run alot and do some sort of physical test or something. I'm really not looking forward to it w/ the way I'm feeling right now. I could fall asleep typing. Ugh.

I had more stuff to say but I just don't have the E (energy) to type anymore....peace

quick quick

This will be a really quick post as my comp. is about to die due to me not hooking it up (charging) it last night. I FINALLY got back in my kayak last night with Dave's encouragment and we went out boating for awhile. I basically immediately flipped over and had to get help to get back up. I wanted to work on my roll but I pulled a muscle in my shoulder a week or so ago and it hasn't really healed yet. So, I tried my off-side (left side) roll and that was just insanely hilarious. I wish I woulda had pictures. Nevertheless, my shoulder still hurt like crap this morning and I'm back on my pain pills (fun stuff). So, that was the good news.

The bad news is that my Geol. teacher just whipped out some math homework we're going to have to do this week and I am FREAKED!!! I'm T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E at math and ESPECIALLY at converting things from inches to kilometers to miles, etc. MOM HELP! lol I think Dave might be able to help me (I really really hope so). Anyways. I gotta get off here. My comp. says it's gonna "go to sleep" in 10 mins to I gotta jet.

Love you all!

p.s. B I really enjoy talking to you more too! It's been super nice. Shannon thanks for all the great talks we have as well. They mean alot to me and they keep me updated w/ what's going on w/ the fam. X & O's to my sis's!

Random facts and funnies

The British pound is worth $1.90 right now

Clinton will go down in history as the only president to have Hanky Panky between the Bushes (lol!)

The oldest woman in the world died 2 days ago. She was 116.

When asked what he thought about foreign affiars, Clinton replied, "I don't know, I never had one."

Cardiovascualr disease is the biggest killer in the U.S. 80% of those deaths are preventable by a change in lifestyle.

Chrysler Corporation is adding a new car to its line to honor Bill Clinton. The "Dodge Drafter" will be built in Canada.

The Japananese have a higher life expectancy than Americans by about 5 years.

Hope you're having a great day!!!!

4 out of 5 is no good

Well, my Geol. teacher gave me a big fat NO for taking my exam early. So, we'll have to wait a few days to go to Ireland in Dec. But, my final for that class is on a Wednesday. So, instead of having to leave on Saturday, we'll be able to leave Wed. evening or Thursday morning, good stuff. I'm still a little dissapointed, but I don't want to drop the class because I really like it, and well, I need it. It's my last science and I think it's gonna be easy on the scale of things. So, that's my news for today. Took my first quiz today and got 90%, so I'm happy about that. I was a little nervous, but I think I'm getting back into the swing of things here. School seems so much easier at this age--maybe it's because you can set yourself apart from it. It's not my whole world. My life doesn't revolve around school (my schedule does though, lol). I like that I can see it from afar and still do my best and get good grades without killing myself physically and emotionally like I did the first couple of years of college. Yeesh! Well, I'm out. Gotta eat then go to my Lit. & History class (the one w/ the absolutely insane woman who tellls you WAAAAY too many details about her life). We'll see how it goes today!

peace out dudes!

Struggling to pray

Lately I'm having a hard time knowing how to pray. It's like, I start talking to God, and then I go blank. I have been taught at PBC how to pray and it was too elaborate for me. There was too much order and you always had to pray in a certain way. I just want to be able to have a conversation w/ God, yet sometimes I feel I'm not doing it adequately. Does that even make sense? Do you think there is a certain, more correct, way to pray?

Weekend was good. I worked all day Saturday at NOC rafting guiding. It was nice to be on the river but I had an AWFUL group that afternoon. They were boyscouts and their troop leaders were TERRIBLE! They kept counter-stroking every stroke I made! I was exhausted at the end. But the worste part was one of the troop leaders turned around and told me, "You're worse than my wife!" I guess he thought I was telling them to paddle too much or something. And, no tip from them. Ugh. Boyscouts suck.

Dave's parents left Saturday morning as well. They were heading to the Outer Banks of NC. We had such a good time w/ them while they were here. I'm SO glad they could come. Now we just have to look forward to seeing the rest of the family at Christmas.

Had a couple of NOC GAP people over for dinner (make your own pizza) last night. Richard (dad/old man of the group), Ben (Richard's son--Harvard boy but actually has a good sense of humor), and Heather (co-worker/friend/ and hopefully paddling buddy). Dave was there too. We had a good time swapping old stories and laughing over them.

I'm back at school this morning trying to catch up on homework. If I can help it this semester I'm going to keep doing homework on the weekends to a minimal.

Catch ya later!
P.S.--spell check isn't working here at school (maybe pop-up blockers or something) so you'll have to deal w/ the bad spelling.<3 u Shannon!

They're related

Aren't they cute? Dave's gonna kill me, lol ;).

Well, 4 of my 5 teachers have agreed to let me take my exams early. I just have to try and convince my geology teacher. She said no at first, but when I told her all my others had agreed, she said she would, "think about it." Please pray that she says yes because Dave and I would really like to be able to spend as much time w/ his family and friends as possible since we only get over to Ireland every 2 years.

The Nelson adventures

So far we have gone to Joyce Kilmer memorial park where there are old growth forests (hence the huge trees), the Biltmore Estate, and whitewater rafting (yes they made it in one piece, I'm an amazing guide I'll have you know). We also got to have Sunday lunch w/ my dad and lil sis! That was REALLY REALLY nice as I hadn't seen them in quite awhile. So there you have it. Yesterday Mervyn left for a quick business trip in Boston and is due back today.

On the school note--today is my first day of school. I went to my first class this morning and am awaiting (however not super excited) about my fitness/wellness/walking class this afternoon. I DID however talk my English teacher (morn. class) into letting me take my final exams early (Dec. 8th) so we could leave for Ireland a week early. Now I just have to convince my other FOUR teachers it's a good idea too! Well, I'm off.

P.S. the snake picture is from the hike in Joyce Kilmer--and yes, I jumped a mile. Plus, what kind of snake is this anyways???

CUTE beach pix of my sis's kids

How cute are these pix! I love the one of the twins under the table the one of all four of them on the boat! Shannon, Levi's hair looks really good! Does he like it?

Dave's parents are on their way here! They arrived in N.Y. yesterday and drove to N. Virginia last night. They'll be here sometime soon (hopefully!). Can't wait to see them! Plus, tomorrow morning I hope to go boating w/ a friend from work. It'll be my 2nd time this summer I've been in the water w/ my boat (pretty sad). Gotta jet! I'm in the library and I need to get home and fold some laundry!

Christmas in August

Last night was a big party here at NOC called "Christmas in August." We have a big raft parade down the rivers biggest rapid w/ all the different departments here creating their own float. GAP didn't do one this year, we just decided to watch. It was a blast though. Again, great carnage at the falls and some pretty cool raft ideas--dragon, smoking computer, house made out of rafts, etc etc. Then there was music, food, and dancing. Good stuff. I missed dancing w/ Dave at last weeks party, so it was great to get to dance with him this week. He's a good dancer, although he wouldn't tell you that. We had a good time. Then he went home and I spent the night with the girls. I gotta jet though, the office is getting a little crowded. Love ya!

Amazing love

Well, this week has been pretty busy with work. Fun work though, I've been out on the river quite a bit. Monday (last Monday) the staff went rafting on the Ocoee--we had TONS o FUN! Such a blast! Then Tuesday night was the Raft Guide Olympiad. Different raft guides from all over compete in a race to see who's the best guide. They have to get into alot of eddies and throw ropes and all sorts of stuff. It was fun to watch the carnage over the falls though--hilarious. That night they have a big party afterwards, that was loads of fun too. I hadn't danced in so long! Good stuff.

Well, the big news for this week actually started with our tithing last Sunday. We had to pay my school tuition this week so things were REALLY tight. When Dave went to write our tithe check for the church he really didn't want to write it cause we didn't have the money at that time. Well, we discussed it and decided it was God's money anyway and He would figure it out. Soooo.....this week we got back all but a DOLLAR in tips of what we tithed! It was amazing and so so cool. I love when God just works in ways we can see and glorify Him. We serve an AWESOME GOD! Well, that's my news for the week.

Dave's parents are coming in this weekend and we're really excited! We already have lots of places to take them--the Biltmore Estate, Chimney rock, rafting on the Nantahala (Dave doesn't this we should take them, but I told him his parents are still adventurous and they can hack it! They're NOT even old!), hiking in an old growth forest called Joyce Kilmer, etc. I'm really excited to see them. And, all four of us will be eating w/ my Dad and my little sis next Sunday for lunch, so I'm psyched about that too. Ok, I gotta jet. There's a grill out party at our apartment tonight. We're going tubing in Deep Creek and then grilling out! TTYL!

A run with God

Last night I needed to get out of the beach house and away from people. I walked to the beach and just started running--barefoot through the sand. As I ran my heart and throat cried out to God. Tears ran down my face and I sat down and cried, staring at the waves and talking to God, pleading with Him. I am tired of being bitter. I am tired of being selfish and worrying about other people's "stories", as Aslan says. I told God this. I just want to be a servant--make me a servant, give me that gift, I pleaded. Servants don't care if they are being taken advantage of, or doing more than others because they just want to serve. I want to feel that way. I want to do the dishes and refill the ice trays and always pick the clothes off the floor and not care how many times someone else does those things. I just want to be the child God created me to be--no ego, attitude, bitterness, selfishness. Only love and giving and forgiveness!

I continued to walk and pray and cry until I came to an ending point and I told God "I am not bitter, I am Yours, and You are living in me and do not accept bitterness or selfishness--I'm YOURS Lord--fill me with Your will." It felt so good just to cry out to God. I don't do that very often. Really cry and yearn and pour my heart out to the Lord. Please pray that I'll implement these things in my life. I cannot continue on in the way I was going. I WILL serve with a loving heart. Make me a servant Lord...

On a light and funny note: as I was walking to the beach these three boys yelled out to me--"How old is you?" I continued to walk and ignored them. Then they got to their house (the one we pass to get to the beach) and continued their question. "How old is you???" I still ignored them but I REALLY REALLY wanted to turn around and say "IT'S HOW OLD ARE YOU, AND OBVIOUSLY TOO OLD FOR YOU IF I'M CORRECTING YOUR GRAMMAR!!!" lol Thanks for reading guys! I love you!

fun in the sun

beach pics

before and after the haircut

beach bum

Ah the beach. It's been extremely nice just lazing around. Today we took a couple of coolers w/ our lunches and stuff, 2 umbrellas, and all our toys (kayaks, boogie boards, and woofle ball stuff). We stayed from 11 to 4. GOod times. I've gotten a pretty kickin tan w/ VERY little burning (I'm a little pink around my lower back--oops!). Last night we went to Dairy Queen then watched some Shark week stuff (YAY SHARKS!!!). TOnight I think we eating seafood alfredo (per TIm) and then going Putt-putting. Sometime this week we're gonna try to make it to Southport and go eat some seafood at the Provincial Seafood company (if we can find it).

I'm at the flying pig right now. I just had THE BEST smoothie. It was called a Swamp Monkey. Basically it's a chocolate shake w/ bananas. MMMMmmmmm! Good stuff!

OH! And guess what???? DAVE GOT HIS HAIR CUT! It looks REALLY good, Eric did it for him. Anyways--hopefully we'll get a pic of his hair on here soon. Well, I'm out--need to get back to lazin' around. Peace!