more putt-putt

putt-putting and the beach

Beach dayz

I'm at the beach with my big sis and her family and kids. The boys are hilarious to watch, especially at the beach. It's great to play with the boys and them realize that just because I'm there doensn't mean their mom is leaving--their much friendlier that way.

Forgot to put up a picture of the picknick table that Dave built me for my birthday, so here it is. Have a great week! I'll put up some pictures of the boys putt-putting later this week! Love!

More Potter

So, as MOST of you know, the LAST Harry Potter book came out yesterday--Saturday 21st (got that wrong on my last blog). And no, I am NOT reading it yet. I'm grinding at the bit to do so, but I haven't made it out to Walmart yet and I know I'm going to have to go Tuesday anyway and--sigh--don't want to waste gas. So, I'm trying VERY VERY hard not to sigh loads and whine too much before then. Though every dream I've had recently has been about Harry Potter or his friends. I'm just afraid SOMEBODY'S going to tell me what happens before I read it! So far I've been extremely careful as to what I look at on the internet and magazines. Anything with even a picture of the books I've stayed away from, and I told my friends that if they told me what happens our friendship is OVER!!! Which, of course, is very understandable giving the dire circumstances (this being the VERY LAST~sniff sniff~ Harry Potter book of the series).

--But, I'm holding out---I'll be ok folks, don't worry about me too much, I'm very strong :')

Tuesday something ELSE very exciting is happening (though not quite as exciting as the Harry Potter book I am going to buy that day--of course). Dave and I are closing on our house! We will be purchasing the duplex we live in a continuing to rent out the other side while we live in the side we're in now. I'm SO exciting about FINALLY getting to do some redecorating (yes we really are quite alike Shannon). We've already been talking about paint colors, a new water heater, reroofing, and possibly cutting down a tree in the front drive. Plus we're possibly going to be adding some counter space! VERY EXCITING!

Oh--and Dave made me a picknick talbe the other day!!! It was supposed to be ready for my birthday but just didn't get all the pieces together by then. We've already eaten on it twice! (post pictures soon).

Also on Tuesday I'll be going in to pay for my tuition at school for this next semester and find out the starting date and all that. AND---drumroll please---I'll finally be getting the art for my second tattoo drawn up that day. This is the tattoo I've wanted for almost 8 years now, of a pheonix. I really can't wait to see what they do with the art. I won't be getting it done on Tuesday, they'll just be getting some pictures I've had drawn up and others I've taken from here or there and combining them and tweaking them a bit to made them exactly how I want them.

Anyway-that's enough excitement for one blog I think. Will keep you posted on how everything goes! Peace!

Dude....SWEET

THE NEW HARRY POTTER MOVIE IS TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY AWESOME!!!! If you like Harry Potter at all you will love this movie. And don't forget:

HARRY POTTER BOOK 7 COMES OUT JULY 23RD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well guys, strap yourself in for a good movie review session. I went to see three movies this weekend. Yeah, I know, that's a litte excessive, but, I LOVE movies--I mean, I have a PASSION for film here. So, here's a little info on the movies I saw.

1) Live Free or Die Hard--one action packed movie!!!! Definately worth seeing if you liked the previous movies, or if you just wanna see a kick-ass action film. All I gotta say is "yippe kiyaa..." you know what comes next ;)

2) Transformers--I grew up with my brother's toys from this cartoon. I never knew the backstory though. And to tell you the truth, I was VERY sceptical of this film, I it blew me away. I wasn't sure they could pull off making the Transformers look real, or even good, but CGI was AMAZING! The action was GREAT, and Shia Lebouf played his part with flourish. A go-see movie that's very kid friendly--action between robots and a little language, but other than that it's clean (no sex at all).

3) License to Wedd--skip this film until it comes out on DVD--it's really not that funny, sorry to say. Definately not a best choice for Robin Williams who's usually pretty hilarious. Mandy Moore is obviously not a comedian. John Krasinski (from The Office) is the ONLY redeeming quality about this film and really is the only funny thing about it.


More movie news:!!!!

Harry Potter 5 comes out WEDNESDAY at 12:01 am (i will be seeing it at this time)! Heck YEAH!!! SO STINKIN EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

that's all for now.

Half a day for the 4th

I convinced a guide to take my place on the river today folks. So, I have HALF a day off on the 4th of July!!! YAY!! I must say, it is much needed. I was getting pretty down and weary of endless work. Especially, when I realized it was already July 4th and I go back to school in a month and half!!! Very sad. I need to do some more exciting things with my summer for sure! More movies. More weekend vacations. More hanging at the pub with friends. All these things need to happen for me to complete my summer on a good note. Well, I'm outta here. I'm going to take a nap on my half day off...WUHOO! HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY EVERYONE!!!!

Fun pic of me in fountain at the Biltmore--aren't I cute??? lol

up to...

Had a birthday party on Saturday night. We had a blast. Went to Asheville Pizza and Brewing company and had a great time. They have THE best pizza and the MOST AMAZING rasberry beer. Some of my work friends came and a few people from Bryson as well. Then we stayed and watched a movie there (they do $2 movies on the weekends). Watched "Hot Fuzz." It was funny, I'll admit that, but it was REALLY gory, I was really suprised at all the gore. It was a good time though, very much appreciated.

I feel like I've been working forever. I thought to myself the other day--"I've only been working 5 days....but MOST people only work 5 days in row, I need a day OFF!" But, I don't get a day off till Saturday, so then I'll have worked 10 days in a row w/0 a day off. Oh Well, so goes summer work when you work in the tourist industry. I'm still enjoying it, but I'm DOG tired at the end of the day.

I'm working on the 4th of course, I mean, you can't exactly get off that day when it's gonna be a HUGE rafting day. Plus my department has several groups in this week. But, I'm only working till 5:30 that day, so it won't be too bad. I can celebrate afterwards.

Well, I'm outta here. I gotta plan some stuff for work tomorrow. Peace!

Good birthday so far!

I'm having a good birthday so far. Just sitting in a coffee shop seeing what everyone is up to and using my amazon gift card Helen got me (thanks Helen!). Just thought I would post a picture from the Builtmoore (sp?) Estate from last weekend, I love this pic of B and I. Well, I gotta get to work. My bday party isn't till Saturday, so I gotta work till then :). Thanks for all the birthday wishes (I loved the voicemails Mom and Dad, VERY CUTE!) Love you all!

~L~

memories

Home again at the parents'. Grandfather not doing so well. Just really waiting on him now. Wondering if he's going to get better, but knowing this is probably not. It's difficult. Hard to see him like this. He was always such a strong man, always working in the garden or playing golf or going to Vagas. Please pray for our family during this time.

Relaxin in the sun

Went home for Father's Day weekend and have been spending some quality time with my Mom and Dad. It's been really nice. Sunday the whole family got together at my grandparent's house and all the great-grandkids swam in the pool and played together. It was fun to see them all together. Then Monday Mom and I went shopping and to a movie. We saw The Waitress (I fully recommend it to any woman, it was REALLY good) and had some great conversation on the way home from the mall. Monday evening the kids came back over to the pool (right across the street from my parent's house) and we all hung out again. But the best part about yesterday was my amazing conversation with my older brother. We always joked and talked together when we were around each other, but I have never felt like we've had a real, serious conversation about what's real in our lives. It was a little scary, but I couldn't believe we were even FINALLY talking about some things that had been on my heart for YEARS! Shaun, if you're reading this, you have no idea what that conversation meant to me, thank you so much. I love you Bro! :)
This morning (Tues) I went to breakfast with my Dad and that was great too. We always have good conversation. He's an amazing listener. Now I'm about to go get my haircut at the beautician that did my hair since I was little!
Anyway-just thought I would tell you about my weekend. I had a great trip to see my family, less stressful than usual amazingly, and some great times.

See ya!

Fun times at camp

Had an amazing week last week at Camp Westminister. Met some amazing people and had some good laughs. We worked hard to set up the camp for the wedding but it was all worth it. For the bachlorette party we went to a place where we could dance and had an absolute BLAST! GREAT times that night. The wedding was beautiful and the day was perfect. It was great to meet all the people that had such a huge impact on Dave's life and finally put faces to the stories. Here's a few pictures from the wedding, enjoy!

beautiful wedding, wonderful week.

Hi from MI

Sup guys? Just thought I'd give you a shout-out from Michigan. We're up here for the week for Adam D's wedding (he was in mine and Dave's wedding if you were there, the blond one, not his cousin), and having a blast! I was quite anxious, in the worrying sense, to meet Dave's friends. So we got here around 9 on Monday night (after leaving at 7:30 am from BC) and I met LOADS of his camp girls. I have YET to meet a guy friend except for Adam who works here, except for the honorable Bill Gourley (maintenance man and go-to guy here at Camp Westminister) who is Dave's ultimate idol and who he wants to be when he "grows up."

The girls I met are great though, I'm thoroughly enjoying getting to know them. We went out to eat all together last night to a place called Traverse City. Had an amazing meal at a brewery there and then went browsing in a book store and then to coffee. Great night.

Today is another clean-up/get the camp ready for the wedding day and I'm helping Dave with "his" precious sailboats. Not that I know loads about sailboats, although my Dad did teach me a thing or two. I'm hoping to get some "lay-out" time in some this week, maybe today, as it's supposed to be the warmest day all week.

well, I'm outta here, the boats are calling us! Love ya!

p.s. will post pictures soon!

apologies

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile guys, I've (gulp) become addicted to Facebook. I know I said I'd never have a site there, but I do now, and I check it every waking minute I can! I hate and I love it at the same time, what can i Do???

So, to update you on the OTHER things I've been doing--last weekend Dave and I were home for Bethany's highschool graduation. I can't believe she's old enough to graduate!!! It was nice though, and I got to see loads of people I hadn't seen in years there. We also got to see a soccere game of Bethany and David's. The ref. was the WORSTE I'd ever seen, but both of them made some BEAUTIFUL goals so I was happy to see them play. We also got to take my oldest nephew to see Spiderman 3 with us, that was really fun. It's nice now that he's old enough to do stuff with us, athough I'm sure we're seriously boring to him.

Sunday, on our way home (a little detour), Dave and I went climbing at Stone Mtn, NC. Had a blast! The hardest climb I've done since LDP! It was 4 pitches and tooks us about 3 1/2 hours. Good stuff though, but we were throughly worn out by the time we got down. Definately want to get back into doing that more often, though I need new climbing shoes quite badly, those killed my feet.

I've started work full time at NOC for the summer. Hosted my first group there this week and it went well. I was with the same group last year so I remembered the teachers, (it was a middleschool) that always helps. Things went pretty smoothly, a few minor bumps but I worked most of them out. Ah the joys of being the "go to" person for every little thing.

Other than work I've been spending loads of time with a girlfriend of mine from church and her kids. We've been taking walks and watching the kids play in their little pool quite a bit, fun stuff.

I may be going to a women's conference this weekend while Dave is in his Swift Water Rescue class, but haven't decided yet. It's free and I love the girls that are going, so it could be fun. Though I'm not much of a conference person I'd love the hang-out time I'd get with the girls.

That's pretty much it! Summer's kicking off and I'm really excited to be back at work. I love being back on the river and the ropes courses. Well, I'm outta here to try and grab some things for dinner later. Love you guys!

pictures of us climbing at Stone Mtn, NC

Conclusion

So the beach was absolutely amazing...exactly the relaxing trip I was hoping for. The women that came with me were so much fun, I don't think I have laughed that much in a LONG time. We took some great pictures too. The last night we went putt-putting and had a blast. I feel like I left here with a few aquaintences and came back with five best friends--I know that's cliche' but it's true. I really do feel amazingly close to these women now and I feel so blessed to have them as friends. Love you guys!!!

This has been around for ages, but I just found it SOOO hilarious

more beach pix

This was from dinner last night--cute eh?
heading to Myrtle Beach for the evening--so will post more later!

Girls' beach trip 07--more pix later!

YAY! It's not raining, the fridge is not leaking, and I'm not burnt!

So, I am currently at Oak Island, NC enjoying a girls beach trip. It was suppose to storm all week, but so far, with the exception of a few showers and some strong wind here and there. We finally got on the beach today and took a REALLY long walk (we walked to the pier to the LEFT for the Eddy's who know what I'm talking about). I don't know how far it was, but after we got done we all gritted our teeth and got into the water (freezing!!!). It was so much fun!

Yesterday, "Dr-Fix-It" (seriously, that was the companies name--I about DIED when they answered the phone that way!!!) came and fixed the slowly defrosting fridge. That was fun, let me tell ya. But, it's all done and we can now refridgerate our food in the fridge and not in the freezer (the freezer was about as cold as the fridge SHOULD have been).

Also, I am NOT burnt folks! Every time I've walked outside I've put LOADS of sunscreen on--45 SPF for my face and chest, 30 for my back and neck, and 15 for my stomach and legs. So, I've gotten a LITTLE color, but not a recognizable amount (by anyone but me anyway).

So far we're having a blast. We've played games every night and stayed up an laughed till we cried until past midnight Tonight we're going to play Putt-putt and tomorrow is our one night out to dinner! We also went the the thrift shop on the island yesterday and found some really great stuff!

Well, gotta go! I'll post pics for you to see after this post! Love ya!

Very cute pic of my lil sis and my Daddy

P.S. B you're growing up so fast! You look SO sophisticated with those glasses, I REALLY like them on you, totally cool :)

Farewell

Michael, Bruce, and Scott left today to pick up the LDP from the Appalachian Trail. We were sad to see them go, but we've had a great time hanging out with them this last week or so. We went "oot and aboot" for a short paddle last night at the play spot in town, so that was a nice last kayak session with the boys. I got a few tips from Michael on how to do a good stern squirt in my kayak. It felt good to be being instructed by Bruce and Michael again :). It somehow brings back the memories and feelings I had when I was in LDP. I hope the LDP of THIS year had a good backpacking trip these last few days. Hiking the A.T. is definately something Dave and I want to do eventually, whether that will ever happen, who knows. Well, here are a few highlights from the LDP's trip down here. Eh-n-joy the thrills...and spills :)

Sad to see you go...

The LDP's

So the Canadians have arrived ya'll! :) They got here Saturday night and we've seen alot of them so far. We hung out with them on Saturday and Dave did some paddling with them in the Tuck (river that runs through Bryson). Then Sunday that came to our church and then spent some time on the LIttle T. river. Sunday night they all came over for dinner. We had a blast getting to know them and I had some great conversations about films with an LDPer named Joel. Then, Tuesday (yesterday) I went paddling with them on the Tuck and then we went to dinner with THEM at their campsite and had burgers. Tonight they are doing some initiatives for the Youth group at our church and then their coming over to watch "The Fugitive" since the train wreck scene is still wrecked beside the Tuck river here. I like them so far :). They're really great and like Dave says, it's nice to have become a stop on the LDP paddling trip. Well, I gotta get going. Only three more days of class, including this one, so I have to stop slacking off and get the final papers done. See ya!

p.s. no Molly, we didn't just wake up, but I like lounging around in my pj's all the time! Were you saying we looked bad or something??? lol Love ya Mol!

Cute pix with the new camera

We got a new camera last weekend. It's exactly like the one that you got Helen and Mervyn and Sylvia. We love it so far!

Good "Sun"

I've started my fake tanning for the season (the lotion stuff that makes you look like you have a tan). It looks pretty good! By the time I go to the beach I should have a sufficient "tan" so that I won't be tempted to bake in the sun. Yay! Dave's even helping me keep it as "un-blotchy" (<--not a word most likely) as possible.

Can't wait to see my family this weekend. I'm going home for Friday to go to an antique festival with my big sis and her twin boys. Wish I could stay for the family birthday party on Sunday (a niece, nephew, and my lil sis B), but I have to be back by Saturday afternoon because I have friends coming into town Saturday night.

Our friends coming into town are actually the new LDP from Medeba!!! They're coming to see us Saturday and we'll be coming to our church Sunday, then eating with us on Sunday night! VERY excited to see them all, especially Bruce, Michael, and Scott!!!! Have a safe trip down guys!

Well, I'm in the middle of my extremely boring American Lit. class, so I should probably get off here. Love you all!

Tomato Garden

Tomato Garden

An old Italian man lived alone in the country. He wanted to dig his
tomato garden but it was very hard work as the ground was hard. His only
son, Vincenzo, who used to help him, was in prison.

The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament.

Dear Vincenzo,

I am feeling pretty bad because it looks like I won't be able to plant
my tomato garden this year. I am getting too old to be digging up a
garden plot. If you were here, my troubles would be over. I know you
would dig the garden for me.

Love, Papa

A few days later he received a letter from his son.

Dear Papa, I'd do anything for you Papa, except dig up that garden.
That's where I buried the bodies.

Love, Vinnie

At 4 am the next morning, FBI and local police arrived and dug up the
entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man
and left.

The same day the old man received another letter from his son.

Dear Papa, Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now. That's the best I could do
under the circumstances.

Love, Vinnie

Beware Eddy ladies!!!! and ALL other readers

So I've been reading up lately on the whole "sun" deal. Yeah, we're basically screwwed Eddy's. Did you know that if there are other people in your family that have gotten skin cancer than you are 2 to 3 TIMES MORE LIKELY to get it yourself? PLUS if you've EVER been in a tanning bed that's another higher chance AND if you have green/blue eyes, fair skin or freckles that ANOTHER few chances higher that you have of getting it. And above all, if you've ever gotten burned severly (really red skin, peals, hurts, etc), that ups it some more. SO, check "all of the above for me," and I feel my skin is so far down the drain I might as well continue as I am, how much worse could it get!!!

BUT WAIT!!! THERE IS SOMETHING YOU CAN DO!

My reliable sources say that if you wear sunscreen (daily people, DAILY) it can help to heal your skin. Also, if you wear night cream that has more collagen in it that is supposed to help heal sun damage as well. You need to wear SPF of 30 to 50 with UVA and UVB protection, ESPECIALLY on your face, chest, shoulder, and hands (things that are more exposed to the sun. They find skin cancer most on hands and faces.

I, for one, am going to spend more on sunscreen AND sunless tanner. Because, well, I like the tanned look, but I don't want to look 80 when I'm 40 either. PROTECT YOUR SKIN PEOPLE!!! Especially you Eddy ladies--and get your skin/moles checked, especially if you have quite a few!

As an afterthought, you could just be OK with NOT having a tan--more people in Hollywood are taking the pale approach you know. I saw an AWESOME shirt this girl was wearing the other day. It said, "Pale is the new Tan." I like it! Hey, since my hair is red now it looks more natural to be pale. Good for me eh? Toodles!

A little creative writting over Easter break

Dedicated to my Grandmama Fisher who inspired me to write it.

~~ The Driveway~~
The adventure always began at the summit—the quick hike to the top made the task all the more alluring.
There were dangers involved of course—several obstacles stood in our way.
Our path had to be certain, our destiny was held in its grasp.
The hurdles seemed impossible—we thought our flight was not to be.
We struggled on—trying and re-trying our route with treacherous outcomes meeting us with despair. Our crimson lifeline was lessened from time to time, scars still present reminded us of those failures.
We pressed on—certain we would descend from our zenith with victory at last.
Our ride had arrived—the glorious moment had come to fruition, we hurriedly climbed aboard.
Swerving we flew past the first crevice –zaggedly missing the menacing chasm.
Picking up speed we leaned far to the right, hitting the second fissure with surety, solidly avoiding another awaiting disaster.
Rapidly our momentum built to a peak.
One more snag stood in the way of the perfect flight.
The end loomed nearer as we hit our maximum speed. We had to decrease our quickness at just the right moment.
We dug in our heels—the gravel went flying - we stopped only inches from the scalding tar drive.
The flawless driveway flight was accomplished; our green Scamp skateboard had been a wonderful steed.
The quest to conquer became complete—a Euphoric feeling oozed from our ecstatically beating hearts.
Still—the driveway would rise to challenge us another day.

Happy Anniversary (to me) and Happy Easter (to YOU!)

Today is a good day. I just woke up, had a ham biscuit while the sea breezes wafted around me, and saw that the Easter bunny came! Dave and I decided last minute on Wednesday night to have a traditional family Easter with the family at the beach! So glad we did! We've had a great time here with the fam. We went to the Spring Chili cook-off yesterday in Southport (town just down the road from us) and walked around and saw some crafts and things. Then we went to a few antique shops. After awhile my lil sister and brother, Dave, and my dad and I went to the beach to do some walking and to throw the football around a bit. Let me tell you, if I was expecting a warm weekend at the beach, I've rethought the situation. Yes, it was below freezing here last night and is still (at 9 am) hoverng around 35' at this moment. Alas, my Easter tan was not to be, oh well. Got to play some Spades last night for the first time in awhile! It's my favorite card game, I much prefer it to poker or anything else.

Well-I should get back out there. We're heading to church soon and then we'll start our long drive back home.

I can't believe Dave and I have been married two years today! I don't think I ever would have imagined my life the way it is now--but I couldn't have planned it as good as this for sure anyways! I love where we live, our friends, and how well we've gotten to know each other. Every day I marvel at the person I wake up beside. The first time I met him, if you would have told you he was "the one" I would have laughed like crazy (cause I thought HE was crazy, lol). But over the year in Medeba he became my best friend in the world, and I couldn't imagine my life without him, no matter the capacity. He was an amazing gift from God, a huge answer to prayer, a much needed friend and confidant, a constant support and encourager, and an growing love. I love you Dave Nelson--I can't wait to see what the next 50 years (and further!) of marriage bring us.

Funny commercial

It's HOT!

It's definately warming up here in NC. Average temp is in the mid 70's now--which is nice if you're not wearing jeans (which I am today). Another thing that's hot is my HAIR! It's red now--not like fire engine red, but redhead red--it looks natural, just trust me. I'll try to get a picture up here soon. School only has 4 more weeks to go!!! WUHOO! Easter break starts on Thursday and we get Friday off too. Dave and mine's SECOND wedding anniversary is on Sunday. Amazing it has already been two years, it doesn't feel that long! We still act like newly weds! :) I think we're going to hang out in Asheville on Saturday, for out anniversary, and eat at a new place and go to an art museum and all sorts of fun stuff! I'm excited! Then Sunday is Easter, an Easter we'll actually be here for. I'm use to being at the beach with family, but I don't even think THEY're going this year. There's an Easter egg hunt after church for the kids and a family picknick, should be good fun. Well, I should get off here, the comp says there's only 10% battery left so I should shut it down before it goes to sleep by itself. Love ya!
L

Maybe not to you....but

So, today I talked to my advisor at school and I am really excited about what I found out. I always said I would graduate in two years from now, but I wasn't sure if I could pull that off. Now I KNOW, because she gave me a graduation plan, that I will definately graduate in two years. Plus, I don't even have to take 18 hours every semester to do so! Which means I don't have to kill myself to graduate in two years, I can enjoy my life while I'm in school--which is preferable to living and breathing school 24/7. YAY! Ok, that's all I got. Wuhoo!

In Case You're Wondering

Spring break with the fam was awesome. Got to see all my lil nieces and nepehews and hang out with all my siblings. I even got to see my older brother, who usually has little time to see his middle sister but decided to squeeze me into his busy schedule :).

This last week I have been...sick. My throat is all swollen, head is full of goo, and nose is runnin like crazy! Fun stuff obviously. So, I'm here at praise band practice, LISTENING because I can't sing, or even speak, for too long. Tonight I'll be watching Survivor and Grey's Anatomy. I've missed the last 3 episodes of Survivor, so if anyone has seen them you're welcome to fill me in on what in the world is happening in the Survivor Fiji (right?) world.

Tomorrow, after class, I'm heading to Asheville to do some shopping with my friend Jodi and then we'll meet up with our husbands for sushi around dinner time--FUN FUN!!!! I'm VERY excited about that. Plus, even though I would prefer it didn't rain tomorrow, I get to wear my rainboots, which is always fun.

K, well, I'm off to do a little homework and wash some clothes. Love you all!

My "lil" bro

Cute pix of me and my lil bro...although he's now two inches taller than me and I can't wrestle with him anymore without getting hurt :).

Summer Days of Last year

These are from when Sylvia and Mervyn came for a visit in August and we took them rafting on the Nantahala. We JUST got these developed this week! lol They're great pictures though. Here they are!

blinders

"Searching for God knows what"--"I wondered if the Christian faith in America had not been hijacked as well, hijacked by those same two issues: abortion and gay marriage. How did a spirituality such aas Christianity, a spirtiuality that speaks of eternity, of a worldwithout end, of forgiveness of sins and a mysterious union with the Godhead, come to be represented by a moralist agenda and a trickle-down economic theory? And more important, how di a man born of Eastern descent, a man whocalled Himstelf the Prince of Peace, a man whom the sacred writings describe eating with prostitutes and providing wine at weddings and healing the sick and ingnoring any political plot, a man who wants us to turn the other cheek and give all our possessions if we are sued, become associated with--no, become the poster boy for--a Western moral and fianacial agenda communicated through the rhetoric of war and ignorant of the damage it is causing to a world living in poverty?
My only answer is that Satan is crafty indeed."

Ponderings

book-Searching for God Knows What--"Some of us are athletes and others of us are physicists, and some of us are good-looking and some of us are rich, and we all are running around, in a way, trying to get a b unch of people to clap for us, trying to get a bunch of people to say we are normal, we are healthy, we are good. And there is nothing wrong with being beautiful or being athletic or being smart, but those are some of the pleasure of life, not life's redemption....[he imagines Jesus is saying] Look, you guys are running around like monkeys trying to get people to clap, but people are fallen, they are separated from God, so they hae no idea what is good or bad, worhty to be judged or set free, beautiful or ugly to begin with. Why not get your glory from God? Why not accept your feelings of redemption because of His pleasure in you, not the fickle and empty favor of man? And only then will you know who you are, and only then will you have true uninhibited relationships with others."

Dave and I were talking about this the other night. We were discussing how we get our worth from people around us-boyfriends, husbands, friends, parents, siblings--but they will never be able to fill us completely-they will never be able to be everything we need to feel we are something of worth. We will never feel completely filled by people. It isn't wrong to want to be considered worthy by people, but it is a degraded source. I said to Dave, "Trying to be filled by people is a secondary source. It's like saying you are completely filled up from dessert AFTER eating dinner. Dinner is what filled you up--IT was the main course-the main substance, not dessert. God is the main course. We will never be able to be fully filled by dessert, by people." God, in the garden was everything to Adam. Adam didn't need Eve because he didn't feel worthy enough as a human being, he needed Eve because he was lonely, not worthless. Only AFTER the fall did we, as humans, feel we need human adoration. God wasn't there to tell us we were everything he created us to be, so we looked elsewhere, to an imperfect human, someone of our equal, to tell us how special we are. I can't get off this topic--it is amazing to me. We see people every day at the mall, trying so hard to be everything people want them to be, but people's desires change, fads change. God never changes.

All Gone

Well-the snow came and went pretty quickly, but it was pretty while it lasted. I LOVE waking up to several inches of snow. Anyway-I just wanted to post this absolutely ADORABLE picture of Dave :). Oh-for my real Valentine's present Dave made me a love letter box and wrote me a letter inside it to say-this box is a promise to say I will fill this box. I'll post the letter later--it was so beautiful it made me start crying instantly. I'm off now-I'm supposed to be watching the original "King Kong"--VERY glad it's not as long as the new one. Ta ta!

P.S. Tomorrow I'm off to go snowboarding with my family---SOOOO excited about that. Haven't seen them since Christmas and I haven't been snowboarding in 3 years!

I PASSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You know that teaching test I took about a month ago called the Praxis and thought I had failed---well--I PASSED! I'm SO excited, relieved, and exstatic! Thanks for all the prayers!

Also--It snowed several inches here last night- LOVE IT! Snow is beautiful!

Well--getting ready to help lead praise worship at church, gotta go!

Happy Valentine's Day all!

I've had a great Valentine's day so far. Got beautiful roses and little love notes all over the house! We're either going caving or spending the weekend IN this weekend-so pretty excited about either. Hope you guys are having fun today!!!
Love you!


I wrote this for Candace cause I miss her so dearly. Love you Candi!

TO my muse:

I still remember the steps to that song,
I smile when I re-watch "Dawson's Creek."
Laughter creeps in when I think of our throng
Skiing along in early mornings' eek.

Your baby talk caught on very quickly,
You should hear us talk when we are alone!
Our friendship grew like a bush that's prickly,
That's really fast, our friendship was just prone.

So I love and miss you dearly, girlie.
Come see me soon, or else it's a swirlie!


IT was fun to write--and it's in iambic pentameter with two quatrains and a couplet! I LOVE ENGLISH!!!!!

Do i look the other way?

This is an exert (sp?) from the book I'm (still) reading "Searching for God knows what." I read this part of the book this morning and it REALLY hit me. Tell me what you think about it.

“It must have been unnerving when, to an elitist audience, Jesus later would tell a parable about a man who had been robbed and beaten and then ignored by all but a “good Samaritan.” Jesus was not afraid of controversy, of revealing the worth of those considered worthless. The modern-day equivalent might be a well known evangelist walking into a gay bar and asking if he can buy a guy a drink or telling a story to a group of conservative evangelicals about a pluralist, liberal homosexual who heroically stops to help a stranded traveler after a preacher, a Republican, and a Christian writer have passed him by.”

This is big to me. This should be HUGE to christians today! We surround ourselves with only christians like some elite club that snubs certain groups of people. How many friends in my life are not christians? I am very ashamed of this number, it's VERY low. I want to open up to non-christians, to befriend them like Christ would have, to just accept and love EVERYONE! How in the WORLD can I say that I am trying to portray the love of God and yet NOT love ANY single person in the world???? I MUST get over these stupid, ridiculous barriers I put up between myself and others. I have NO reason to not love any person that I pass by on any certain day. We CANNOT use the argument that we cannot relate to non-christians. We relate to people we have very little in common with every day and never talk about God even if they are christians. Real, relevant relationships should include loyalty, love, communication--this is how we communicate God, but it doesn't have to be to the godly.

'On The Pulse Of Morning' : An Inaugural Poem by Maya Angelou

This is the poem Maya Angelou quoted at Bill Clinton's Inauguration. Do you think he lived up to it? I love this poem.

A Rock, A River, A Tree
Hosts to species long since departed,
Marked the mastodon,
The dinosaur, who left dried tokens
Of Their sojourn here
On our planet floor,
Any broad alarm of their hastening doom
Is lost in the gloom of dust and ages.


But today, the Rock cries out to us, clearly,
forcefully,
Come, you may stand upon my
Back and face your distant destiny,

But seek no haven in my shadow,
I will give you no hiding place down here.


You, created only a little lower than
The angels, have crouched too long in
The bruising darkness
Have lain too long
Facedown in ignorance,
Your mouths spilling words
Armed for slaughter.

The Rock cries out to us today,
You may stand upon me;
But do not hide your face.
Across the wall of the world,
A River sings a beautiful song. It says,
Come, rest here by my side.


Each of you, a bordered country,
Delicate and strangely made proud,
Yet thrusting perpetually under siege.
Your armed struggles for profit
Have left collars of waste upon
My shore, currents of debris upon my breast.
Yet today I call you to my riverside,
If you will study war no more.

Come, clad in peace,
And I will sing the songs
The Creator gave to me when I and the
Tree and the Rock were one.
Before cynicism was a bloody sear across your brow
And when you yet knew you still knew nothing.

The River sang and sings on.

There is a true yearning to respond to
The singing River and the wise Rock.

So say the Asian, the Hispanic, the Jew
The African, the Native American, the Sioux
The Catholic, the Muslim, the French, the Greek,
The Irish, the Rabbi, the Priest, the Sheik,
The Gay, the Straight, the Preacher,
The privileged, the homeless, the Teacher.

They hear. They all hear
The speaking of the Tree.


They hear the first and last of every Tree
Speak to humankind today.
Come to me,
Here beside the River.
Plant yourself beside the River.


Each of you, descendant of some passed-
On traveler, has been paid for.


You, who gave me my first name, you,
Pawnee, Apache, Seneca, you
Cherokee Nation, who rested with me, then
Forced on bloody feet,
Left me to the employment of
Other seekers -- desperate for gain,
Starving for gold.


You, the Turk, the Arab, the Swede,
The German, the Eskimo, the Scot,
The Italian, the Hungarian, the Pole,
You the Ashanti, the Yoruba, the Kru, bought
Sold, stolen, arriving on a nightmare
Praying for a dream.


Here, root yourselves beside me.
I am that Tree planted by the River,
Which will not be moved.
I, the Rock, I, the River, I, the Tree
I am yours -- your passages have been paid.
Lift up your faces, you have a piercing need
For this bright morning dawning for you.

History, despite its wrenching pain,
Cannot be unlived, but if faced
With courage, need not be lived again.

Lift up your eyes
Upon this day breaking for you.
Give birth again
To the dream.


Women, children, men,
Take it into the palms of your hands,
Mold it into the shape of your most
Private need. Sculpt it into
The image of your most public self.
Lift up your hearts
Each new hour holds new chances
For a new beginning.

Do not be wedded forever
To fear, yoked eternally
To brutishness.

The horizon leans forward,
Offering you space
To place new steps of change
Here, on the pulse of this fine day

You may have the courage
To look up and out and upon me,
The Rock, the River, the Tree, you country.
No less to Midas than the mendicant.
No less to you now than the mastodon then.

Here on the pulse of this new day
You may have the grace to look up and out
And into your sister's eyes,
And into your brother's face,
Your country,
And say simply,
Very simply

With hope --
Good morning.

Silence is Sacred

On Saturday mornings, when I get to sleep in, I wake up and just lie in bed listening to whatever thoughts enter my head. I let my mind wonder to movies I've seen recently, conversations that I'm mulling over, TV shows, what I'm going to wear that day, and I slip in and out of daydreams and sleepiness while the sun filters over my body through the window. I used to like to do this when I was a lifeguard too, during my lunch break. I would get in the pool and float with my ears just below the surface, complete silence surrounded me and I could listen to myself talk in my head or enter a dreamworld. Silence is a beautiful thing in our world of constant noise. I found this picture in a gallery at www.hirshhorn.org while browsing through for my Visual Art class. I love it. Find some silence today--listen to yourself, pray, be silent--don't listen to your Ipod, the radio, or turn on the TV. Enjoy the beauty around you--take a break :).

Thoughts on disgust

I had some friends who were talking about seeing a gay couple kissing and how they were disgusted by that, and that bothered me. I'm not disgusted by gay/lesbian couples kissing. And then I wondered, am I, as a Christian, supposed to be disgusted by this? Do I have a right to be disgusted by a gay couple kissing? We think child molestors are disgusting, do we have a right to be disgusted by their actions? Righteous anger at a sin is ok, but do we have the right to be disgusted by the sinner? We are supposed to love the sinner and hate the sin right? So is NOT being disgusted by a gay couple kissing NOT hating the sin?
I feel that I accept gay/lesbiens for who they are as a person, loved by Jesus Christ, like all other beings, and I don't know how I feel about this being disgusted by someone's lifestyle. I feel comfortable around most any lifestyle. I feel my views in the last several years have widened to the point that I am able (though not always willing) to love anyone regardless of who they are or what they do in their personal life. So, although I'm still not sure where I stand concretly on this, I feel like being disgusted by a gay/lesbian couple kissing is not loving people like Jesus would love them. Did he not sit down with the tax collectors? Was he disgusted by THEM? I don't think so.

Thoughts? REALLY want to know what you guys think about this.

SNOW!!!!

So, it snowed today. LOTS of snow. I'm at the church right now because we just got done sledding. It's AWESOME! I didn't go to school today, but before you say anything, I DID try. A friend and I left to go to school but turned around two exits later. There was only one lane open on the interstate and it was still snowing really hard. There was ice everywhere and it was NUTS! So, we decided we'd better not try and make it to school--GLAD WE DIDN'T! There were loads of accidents (so I heard) along the road. It is supposed to snow more tonight, we already have 4 or 5 inches here, maybe more. Anyway-I'M SO GLAD IT SNOWED!!! I'm out to go watch movies and do other lazy "snow day" stuff. LUVS!

Argh

IT's snowing everywhere else around us, but NOT here. Dave and his friends almost got snowed in in TN. Our friends DID get snowed in in Asheville (only an hour away) and do we get ANY snow here???? Yeah, about 5 flakes total. It's freezing but NO SNOW! That's all I have to say about that.

This is going to be a busy week for me. Dave and I won't have a night alone until Friday (hopefully we'll get Friday). I have something either at school or at church every night--ugh. Gotta jet-gotta grap dinner and then head to my film class--toodles!

P.S. Dave and were in Asheville on Saturday and went to Barnes & Nobles. Oh I love that place. I immediately found 3 books I wanted. I orded one off of Ebay, but I keep telling myself that I'm not allowed to buy the other ones yet--but I really want to! One is: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants: Forever in Blue (i know, lil girl book, but I read the 1st 3 so I really want to read the last one) and the other is: Round Ireland with a Fridge (which is a travel book about-you guessed it, a guy traveling round Ireland with a fridge-Dave and I want to read it together). Anyway-that's my book fav's for the moment...that is, until the 7th Harry Potter book comes out this year!!! Woot woot! :)--k-I'm REALLY off this time.

The Barrier Boys--I miss you guys!

Bizarre

So, I had this dream last night. I dreamed that I was pregnant with 5 babies--but they weren't quintupets. The nurse was all upset with me that I was pregnant with so many babies and I yelled at her that it wasn't my fault, I had been on birthcontrol the whole time! The doctor told the nurse, yes, that was likely, as birthcontrol had a 3% failure rate.
I had the babies all on one day, yet some of them were several years old by the time I had the last one. Before the last one was born, I insisted that the nurse that had yelled at me be replaced with another one and that I wasn't going to push until she was replaced. The blond girl from Grey's Anatomy replaced the mean nurse. I was 11 1/2 inches dilated when I started having my last baby (it practically fell out of my womb-as would be expected if one could dialate 11 1/2 inches-or can they?).
I had 3 girls and 2 boys. The last baby was a boy. However, my son, the last baby, died soon after birth. I remember that the mean nurse blamed me for the last baby dying. She felt that it was my fault cause I was pregnant with some many babies at one time and that I shouldn't have done that (like one can PREVENT having multiple babies or something).
WEIRD--I'm really hoping I NEVER get pregnat with that many babies at a time-and actually I don't want that many kids period, so I'm hoping I don't get pregnant with that many kids TOTAL.

Right. I'm going to start writing my paper now. I've procrastinated enough. Maybe I'll amuse you with another disturbing dream tomorrow! But hopefully it won't be about me being pregnant, cause I really don't want to start thinking this is a sign that I'm going to get pregnant soon.

Luvs!

New Book

Today I started reading a new book during my devotions. Donald Miller's "Searching for God know's what." I just wanted to share my journal entree with you today after I read the first chapter of that book.

My search for the perfect relationship with God has always been step based. Step 1: Read Bible daily. Step 2: Pray continuously. Step 3: Listen to His guiding 'words'. If I do this I achieve the optimum God relationship. But what about the seeking part? And how many times have I finished reading my Bible and then wondered what I had just read? It's like letting your mind wander throughout the entire sermon on Sunday morning and snapping out of it during the last prayer. Can you still say you were at church? Can I still smile, puff out my chest, tick the little box on my day planner that says "Quiet Time" and say I sought to know God better today?

I want to seek Him through whatever means necessary. Saying I can find God in those 3 steps could happen--but like Miller says, God is not a formula or a genie. He does not turn into our best friend if we tap our head and rub our stomach at the same time. He works in the lives of his children in new ways every day--I can expect to put God into the "formula" box and therefore undersstand God's workings in my life and the lives of others.

Goal-to seek Him today in a new way-through people, song, dance-always seeking th relationship with Him and not the "wishes" I want to come true

Prayer-Lead me, in new ways, to worship You each day.

What do YOU think?

The other day, my nine year old son wanted to know why we were at war. My husband looked at our son and then looked at me. My husband and I were in the Army during the Gulf War and we would be honored to serve and defend our Country again today. I knew that my husband would give him a good explanation. My husband thought for a few minutes and then told my son to go stand in our front living room window.

He said "Son, stand there and tell me what you see?"

"I see trees and cars and our neighbor's houses." he replied.

"OK, now I want you to pretend that our house and our yard is the United States of America and you are President Bush."

Our son giggled and said "OK."

"Now son, I want you to look out the window and pretend that every house and yard on this block is a different country" my husband said.

"OK Dad, I'm pretending."

"Now I want you to stand there and look out the window and pretend you see Saddam come out of his house with his wife, he has her by the hair and is hitting her. You see her bleeding and crying. He hits her in the face, he throws her on the ground, then he starts to kick her to death. Their children run out and are afraid to stop him, they are screaming and crying, they are watching this but do nothing because they are kids and they are afraid of their father. You see all of this, son....what do you do?"

"Dad?"

" What do you do son?"

"I'd call the police, Dad."

"OK. Pretend that the police are the United Nations. They take your call. They listen to what you know and saw but they refuse to help. What do you do then son?"

"Dad.......... But the police are supposed to help!" My son starts to whine.


"They don't want to son, because they say that it is not their place or your place to get involved and that you should stay out of it," my husband says.

"But Dad...he killed her!!" my son exclaims.

"I know he did...but the police tell you to stay out of it. Now I want you to look out that window and pretend you see our neighbor who you're pretending is Saddam turn around and do the same thing to his children."

"Daddy...he kills them?"

"Yes son, he does. What do you do?"

"Well, if the police don't want to help, I will go and ask my next door neighbor to help me stop him." our son says.

"Son, our next door neighbor sees what is happening and refuses to get involved as well. He refuses to open the door and help you stop him," my husband says.

"But Dad, I NEED help!!! I can't stop him by myself!!"

"WHAT DO YOU DO SON?" Our son starts to cry.

"OK, no one wants to help you, the man across the street saw you ask for help and saw that no one would help you stop him. He stands taller and puffs out his chest. Guess what he does next son?"

"What Daddy?"

"He walks across the street to the old ladies house and breaks down her door and drags her out, steals all her stuff and sets her house on fire and then...he kills her. He turns around and sees you standing in the window and laughs at you. WHAT DO YOU DO?"

"Daddy..."

"WHAT DO YOU DO?" Our son is crying and he looks down and he whispers, "I'd close the blinds, Daddy."

My husband looks at our son with tears in his eyes and asks him. "Why?"

"Because Daddy.....the police are supposed to help people who needs them...and they won't help.... You always say that neighbors are supposed to
HELP neighbors, but they won't help either...they won't help me stop him...I'm afraid....I can't do it by myself Daddy.....I can't look out my window and just watch him do all these terrible things and...and.....do nothing...so....I'm just going to close the blinds.... so I can't see what he's doing........and I'm going to pretend that it is not happening."

I start to cry. My husband looks at our nine year old son standing in the window, looking pitiful and ashamed at his answers to my husband's questions and he says...

"Son"

"Yes, Daddy."

"Open the blinds because that man.... he's at your front door... "WHAT DO YOU DO?"

My son looks at his father, anger and defiance in his eyes. He balls up his tiny fists and looks his father square in the eyes, without hesitation he says: " I DEFEND MY FAMILY DAD!! I'M NOT GONNA LET HIM HURT MOMMY OR MY SISTER, DAD!!! I'M GONNA FIGHT HIM, DAD, I'M GONNA FIGHT HIM!!!!!"

I see a tear roll down my husband's cheek and he grabs our son to his chest and hugs him tight, and says... “It’s too late to fight him, he's too strong and he's already at YOUR front door son.....you should have stopped him BEFORE he killed his wife, and his children and the old lady across the way. You have to do what's right, even if you have to do it alone, before it’s too late." my husband whispers. THAT scenario I just gave you is WHY we are at war with Iraq. When good men stand by and let evil happen son THAT is the greatest atrocity in the world. "YOU MUST NEVER BE AFRAID TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO DO IT ALONE!" BE PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! BE PROUD OF OUR TROOPS!! SUPPORT THEM!!! SUPPORT AMERICA SO THAT IN THE FUTURE OUR CHILDREN WILL NEVER HAVE TO CLOSE THEIR BLINDS..."

This should be printed in every newspaper and posted in every school in America. Of course that won't happen so we'll use the Internet. If your blinds are closed do nothing with this email. If they are open I do not need to tell you what to do.

Dread the next 4 weeks

I finally took my Praxis teacher test today, since last time i got sick and couldn't go. I just got done. I really have no clue how i did-i ran out of time and ...i just don't want to think about it. there nothing i can do now anyway. if i failed it ill just have to take it again---PRAY that i passed.
peace out-i headin to Asheville for the rest of the day to chill w/ my friend Tim.
luvs!

Back on track

It's snowing outside!!!! It's been coming down since I left for school this morning at 9:45! It's not really sticking though since it's above freezing at the moment. The snow isn't supposed to stop all night though-so maybe we'll have enough to sled on by tomorrow morning (keeping my fingers crossed).

I'm back at school now-currently taking 5 classes and in high hopes to add another one to it as of this afternoon. I have to say though, this is NOT my favorite semester so far. I have AT LEAST 2 classes I already don't enjoy and another is a probability. But, the english classes I'm taking are really good--and that's 3 of them. I'm taking Intro to Art (which I'm thinking isn't going to enlighten me very much--our teacher seems to be a bit of a slacker) and Intro to Film Studies (which orginally I thought would be fun, but I found out loads of the movies we have to watch are probably going to be quite offensive to me). So, that's my schedule so far.

I'm still looking for a part time job-on or off campus at the moment-so hopefully that will pan out. It seems like Tuesdays and Thursdays are going to be really long days for me as I'll have classes from 11 to 5 (straight through w/ no breaks). Plus-I used to go to Mountain Perks and have coffee and see Sophie every Thursday, but since the coffee shop closes at 5 every day I'm not going to be able to do that--that is VERY sad. I'll miss those visits-but I might be able to work going in the morning every once in awhile-before school.

Well-I'm outta here, I have one more class (the one I'm trying to get into) so I'm gonna start walking. It's great to be back and see all our friends. Sarah got everyone together Sunday night as a 'Welcome Back' party for us--it was REALLY sweet and we had a blast. Luvs!

Homeward

Well-today we're heading towards home. I say "towards" because we're stoping over in London for the night and then heading out early the next morning for Charlotte. The rest of the pictures from Belfast will go up today for you all to see. We've had an amazing visit here and gotten to see so many sights and spend quality time with Dave's friends and family. We'll be sad to go, but, if you can believe it, Dave misses work and I am actually looking forward to my new set of classes for the Spring semester at WCU.

We will be arriving back in Charlotte for Saturday evening and we'll spend the night at my parent's house. Then we'll head back to Bryson City on Sunday. We miss our B.C. family! I'm looking forward to getting back into Grey's Anatomy and the NEW season of Survivor watching w/ Sarah and Lydia. We've also REALLY REALLY missed our small group and church--can't wait to get back to those things. Plus, it'll be nice to get back to some decent weather as well, lol. No offense to the Irish-but rain 90% of the time and sun 10% (and that's being optimistic) is really depressing--or at least does not suit me. Well-WE'LL SEE YOU BACK IN THE STATES SOON! Love you guys!

Belfast