I'm Back?

No Blog reader, your eyes do not deceive you, yes this is a real post!! This is not a mirage!!

Sorry I've been away for so long. Life has been good, full few months. There've also been things and changes and challenges that I haven't wanted to write about. But here's a quick rundown of what's been going on since my last real update and a promise to maybe post more regularly in good ole 2010.

*My Friends from home Jenny P and Sarah got married (not to each other--just...fyi) and I traveled to Illinois to spend time with them

*I traveled to Illinois, Colorado, Texas, New Orleans, Illinois this summer. It was a lot of traveling, but all great times. Plus, being gone meant that my electric bill was super cheap!

*National Youth Gathering 2010-palooza began! Our High School Praise Band SoulFire will be leading worship at one of the hotels, so stop by and say hi if you're at the NYG! Other than that, it's been a fundraising, cooking, cleaning, poinsettia-selling frenzy over here.

*My cousin Lynn got married (hooray!), Jules and Tina/Tuna came to visit my fam for thanksgiving, we ate lots of moonburgers, played progressive rummy and hung out and drank some wine.

*House Church continues to be a continual joy for me. I can't imagine not having these great friends around me.

*The little sister came and spent a snowy christmas with me. we baked cookies, saw the squeakquel and cooked some yummy food.

*Reality TV takes over my life (with the exception of glee and I can't believe I'm admitting this, but, Make it or Break it--that gymnastics show on ABC family). My friend AshleyJMel made me watch SYTYCD (literally, she kidnapped me, and told me she would force feed me cupcakes if I didn't watch the show. What was I to do?) and I got hooked. Along with Teen Mom, Amazing Race, Top Chef and Project RUnway, my DVR is super full these days.

Ok, I think that's enough for now.... I, Hannah, do solemnly swear to be a little more faithful about blogging here.... as the situation warrants.

John Reviews Twilight and New Moon

Problem Solved!

HUNGRY?

Thanks Ashley!

A Day at the Office

I wish my office was like this.

Sesame Street: Mad Men

Sesame Street is Awesome.

Saturday Night Live-- Weekend Update

This was my favorite part of the SNL-Just Kidding it wasn't, Just kidding it was

Here it is

On Repeat

Corner--by Allie Moss (one of the free! songs I got on the itunes indie sampler yesterday... become a fan of itunes on facebook and you can too!)

Bloggity Blog

My Source Article

Hooray!

Congrats to Sarah and Ryan!

I have been giddy with excitement ALL day.

Hooray for friends getting married, hooray for Vegas, hooray for JUNE!

September

Apparently, September is another of those months.

This week, there are two funerals at our church. Two extremely difficult, emotional services.

The first is for David-David was a man who came in every week with his friend Jim to sharpen pencils for the sanctuary. Both David and Jim were mentally handicapped but were the best of friends. David was diagnosed with cancer about three weeks ago and passed away on Saturday. When I talked to Jim on Sunday he told me, "I've lost my friend."

The second is Jack-Jack was a 13 month old who died from drowning in his pool last night. This tragedy affects our whole entire church body because they have attended our school. Their oldest daughter was in sunday school two days ago (before all the tragedy happened).

My mind and heart are reeling. Please pray for our congregation, our school, these families, these friends.

The Love That Drives Out Fear

I've been thinking these last few days and weeks about friendship and about love. I've been thinking about life in Oklahoma City and how it seems so much richer and fuller these days than it did. As if I'm feasting--and finally realizing that what I once thought was feasting was actually famine.

It amazing how things change you--how even crisis and stress can seem bearable when you have friends and family that uplift and encourage you. Who can receive you with open arms, not arms burdened with their own insecurities about you. How, those qualities alone can make you brave. A friendship and kinship that pushes you out of you, that makes you feel worthy and safe. A friendship that makes you feel like you can do because there are people that already believe that you can.

I think that someday, I hope that is what I have with my future husband. A love that feels like feasting. A love that drives out fear. A love that makes you brave.

I am reminded of 1 John 4:18, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear..."

Songs of Summer

On the way home from cupcake night with the fusion ladies I heard the song "A Thousand Miles." I started to feel nostalgic, remembering how that was THE song of my summer back in good ole 2002. I thought it would be a fun return to blogging at the end of this summer to write down some of favorite songs of summers past:

2001:
Lady Marmalade by Cristina Aguileira
Baton Rouge by Garth Brooks (blaring both these in lil ang's car on the way to Colorado on the road trip to Chicago, Nebraska, and Colorado)
Country Grammar by Nelly (and watching for Nelly's songs on MTV at my grandma's with my cousins... yeah... awesome I know)

2002:
A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton. The Lail and I would listen to this song on repeat on the drives to and from Lincoln. Once we stopped on the side of the road to pick daisies. I believe the song was playing. What a great summer.

2003:
The Anthem by Good Charlotte
She Hates Me by Puddle of Mudd
Shake Ya Tailfeather by Nelly.
Oh and Where is the Love by Black Eyed Peas Good Summer at PacNSave (or .. the other name that we called it...) and cruising Seward with Amanda and the late late nights. That was a good music summer.

2004:
You and I Both by Jason Mraz
My Happy Ending Avril Lavigne
Come to Me by Jill Paquette
Pieces of Me by Ashlee Simpson (that's for my first week of internship, the long long drive to St. Louis and "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH it seems like I can finally rest my head on something real")

2005:
You love me but You don't know who I am by Three Doors Down
Sugar We're Going Down by Fall Out Boy
Behind These Hazel Eyes by Kelly Clarkson
Hey Girl by O.A.R.
Ahhh 2005 the Summer of Angst.

2006:
Hips Don't Lie by Shakira
Over My Head by The Fray (with ACTIONS)
I Write Sins Not Tragedies by Panic at the Disco (I'd chime in witha haven't you people ever heard of.... also heard this MANY MANY times with self censorhip from my 6th graders on the St. Louis trip)
For You I Will by Teddy Geiger
All I Need by Mat Kearney
Hey Ya by Obadiah Paker

2007:
Summer Skin by Death Cab for Cutie (ahhh very fitting for that particular summer)
Butterfly Nets by Bishop Allen (Or click click click click by Bishop Allen)
Hey There Delilah by Plain White T's
Speeding Cars by Imogen Heap
Almost Lover by A Fine Frenzy

2008:
You've Got Growing Up to Do by Joshua Radin
New Soul by Yael Naim
Live your Life by TI and Rhianna (and the "laudee ya hee laudee ya hi laudee ya hoo hoo")
Hometown Glory by Adele
Sons and Daughters by the Decemberists (This reminds me instantly of the trip back from Boulder with the Spanish Teacher, S. Sarah and Marcus... we'd just finished tubing and were singing along..... cheesy but one of my favorite memories)
Breakable by Ingrid Michaelson
My Junk is You by the Spring Awakening Cast (also an Angst Song)

2009:
Campus by Vampire Weekend
Dream by Pricilla Ahn
Laughing With by Regina Spektor
Can't Go Back Now by the Weepies
That's Not My Name by the Ting Tings
Poker Face by Lady Gaga (Po-po-poker face)

I'm sure there are more summer favorites, BUT, my brain doesn't remember them all. What are YOUR summer songs?

link-a-liscious

This is good too.

And Another

by Blogger Rachel Held Evans

Another link

Another blog about Health Care.

Rachel Maddow: "The telling awful math about being poor in America today"

From the girgismelson...

Also, found this to be interesting...

http://www.rachelheldevans.com/healthcareisaright

Amena Brown: Psalm 139 -BluefishTV.com

Love.

Regina Spektor - Laughing With [HQ Official Music Video]

Profound song and lyrics by Regina. So, SO fitting for this week.


No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one’s laughing at God
When they’re starving or freezing or so very poor

No one laughs at God
When the doctor calls after some routine tests
No one’s laughing at God
When it’s gotten real late
And their kid’s not back from the party yet

No one laughs at God
When their airplane start to uncontrollably shake
No one’s laughing at God
When they see the one they love, hand in hand with someone else
And they hope that they’re mistaken

No one laughs at God
When the cops knock on their door
And they say we got some bad news, sir
No one’s laughing at God
When there’s a famine or fire or flood

*Chorus*
But God can be funny
At a cocktail party when listening to a good God-themed joke, or
Or when the crazies say He hates us
And they get so red in the head you think they’re ‘bout to choke
God can be funny,
When told he’ll give you money if you just pray the right way
And when presented like a genie who does magic like Houdini
Or grants wishes like Jiminy Cricket and Santa Claus
God can be so hilarious
Ha ha
Ha ha

No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one’s laughing at God
When they’ve lost all they’ve got
And they don’t know what for

No one laughs at God on the day they realize
That the last sight they’ll ever see is a pair of hateful eyes
No one’s laughing at God when they’re saying their goodbyes
But God can be funny
At a cocktail party when listening to a good God-themed joke, or
Or when the crazies say He hates us
And they get so red in the head you think they’re ‘bout to choke
God can be funny,
When told he’ll give you money if you just pray the right way
And when presented like a genie who does magic like Houdini
Or grants wishes like Jiminy Cricket and Santa Claus
God can be so hilarious

No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one laughing at God in hospital
No one’s laughing at God in a war
No one’s laughing at God when they’re starving or freezing or so very
poor

No one’s laughing at God
No one’s laughing at God
No one’s laughing at God
We’re all laughing with God

Follow us...

on our trip Westward!

Poem for the Rooftops of Iran - June 19th, 2009

Pray for Iran.

Song obsession- a la girgismelson

I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

(CHORUS 2)
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life "its" name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?

Sorry, Friends

Hello friends...

So sorry to have neglected you and I have good reasons, I promise. And while I'm updating, I will tell you that this will be tantalizingly short because I don't really have a whole lot of time right now either. Pictures to follow

So here's what's been going on:

Home for Illinois-
Syd Graduated
Tried on Bridesmaids dresses for Lynnards wedding
Strawberry Fest
Moonburgers
Walked. A Lot.
Saw B in Cincy. Walked. A. Lot.

TheSource Visioning Session-
Saw the shrine to "Our Lady of the Snows" (which is in Belleville, Illinois, but actually took place in Alaska. Whodathunkit?)
Caught up with Timmy Rippstein, Kleinbeck and met Stew31 and hung out with Jules.
Spent time with the Lynnard in St.L

VBS-
Syd, Mom, S. Sarah and her youth, Kate all came to visit for VBS week.
Had great turnout and a great time, now, however, it looks like VBS has vomited all over my office.


What's coming up:
Here for a week (cleaning my office probably)
Gone to Colorado in an RV with the high schoolers
Here for a week
Gone to Houston with the middle schoolers
Here for 3 days
Gone to New Orleans! For NLWYC to see Krizzle and JDub et. al.
Here for 3 WEEKS
Gone to Illinois for Jenny P's wedding! (and maybe a "secret" meeting in StL)
Here for for two weeks
School starts. Summer ends.

Whew!

What does it really mean?

There have been a couple of issues that I have been struggling with "the church" in recent months/year.

What does it really mean to love the sinner and hate the sin? Do we really know or has that phrase become so cliche we just slap the phrase onto any situation like a band-aid no matter how big the wound?

What does it really mean to be a Christ-follower? Does it mean that Jesus has a political party? Does it mean that we conform to whatever church culture is at the time?

What does it really mean to go and make disciples? Are we going and making? Or are we sitting and hoping? Am I going and making? Do we really know what's going on in the community around us or do we just think, "if you build it they will come?"

What does it really mean that Jesus loves everyone and died for them? Do we really mean that or do we mean, "Jesus loves those that are like me?"

What does it really mean to take care of the poor and the widows? Are our "missions funds" doing what we should be doing with our own hands and feet? Are we putting our money where our mouth is instead of putting our actions where our mouth is?

What does it really mean when we say the Gospel is transformational? Has it changed our lives or do we use that as a crutch for legalism..."Because I'm saved, I have to be better than everyone else"?

No answers, just thinking....

Weekend in a Nutshell... with exclamation points.

17 Again! Track and Field Day! Ponca City! Messiah Mustangs! Farmers Tan! (Awesome.) Sonic! Saii to Go! Senior Slide Show! Senior Recital for E. Halley! El Reno! Trolley Cars! Tiny Hotels! Walking! Grocery Shopping! Live music @ the Grocery Store! SNL! Justin Timberlake! Sunday School! Senior Recognition Sunday! Jason's Deli with Jessie! Coffee Shop! PAss the Pigs! Mafia! Rain! Amazing Race! Laundry (woo.)

The End.

Shout-Out To Bismarck!

So, I recently got google analytics and checked it today.

Apparently, someone from Bismarck, ND is a blog reader o' mine. So, Hey, welcome to Hannahlysis you Bismarckian!

Child-like faith

Last night, during High School Small Group, after talking about how we were going to move forward during the summer and the next year, how and if we would be dividing our combined group, we took some time to say a prayer for our small group leader who passed away at the beginning of the year.

There was a lot of silence and a lot of tears, but it was a good time to remember and honor this loved leader. Robyn, Darren's wife and the four kids (2 high schoolers and 2 younger children, 6 and 4) were in attendance as well.

To close our small group, we took prayer requests and did the traditional pray around the circle (youth take specific prayer requests and everyone else prays at least one sentence). One of our high schoolers had requested that we pray for her family as her dad has been traveling a lot more for work and she misses having him around. As we went around the circle, Darren's 6 year old son prayed for this high schooler that their dad could be home more often because, "she misses him and it is good to have your dad around as much as he can be;" soon after, Darren's 4 year old prayed, "Dear God, Thanks for making my Dad."

I think that I underestimate how aware children are of certain situations. I always knew that the young ones missed their dad but I wasn't sure how much they really felt/understood about it. I always assumed that they were cushioned from feeling the full effects of grief because they were young. That they somehow missed their father less because they weren't old enough to feel more/know more.

Last night's experience was humbling. Not only did this 6 year old know and understand what exactly was going on in his life, but he knew enough to pray for a different outcome for his older brothers' friends. His sweet, sincere prayer was for someone else.

Amazing Child-like Faith. I wish I could be as selfless and caring in all circumstances.

Good Things/Hard Things

The things that were good about this weekend:
A real day off
Grocery Shopping
Ihop with the cousin Amanda as they were driving through, meeting her hubs.
The High School Praise Team leading worship at 9:30
High School Small Group and child-like prayers
The ability to mourn and move forward at the same time
A spirit of contentment/commitment from our youth as they plan the next time they lead worship
Ships and Sailors/The Body Parts Game/Rock Band/Mingle Mingle

The hard things:
Taking communion from someone who is displeased with my work (it's not my pastor)
Mourning and Moving Foward at the same time
Listening to "criticism" about plans for next year
Seeing certain things not work and not knowing how to fix them.
Seeing youth that were once outsiders excluding those that are now outside.

Youth Led 3: Christian vs. Christ -Follower: Deed

Video number three. My personal Favorite :)

Youth Led Video: Christian Vs. Christ-Follower: Word

Video Numero Dos.

Youth Led Video-Christian Vs. Christ-Follower: Thought

So... This is video 1 of our shameless adaptation of the christian vs christ follower which is a shameless adaptation of mac vs pc ads. The sound isn't very good, but we think it gets the point across!

What's that lassie? Timmy's gotten sucked into a blue ribbon task force meeting? Weekend Update

The Weekend: Thursday, Chica's! with the girgismelson and then to the Convergence for an art show. Friday: District Convention at the National Postal Worker Training Center in Norman, Oklahoma. Did you know DCE's don't get tables at these events? Nope. Only chairs. In the back (I'm not bitter). Saturday: More convening. Heard about the new changes to the Synodical STructure from the head of the Blue Ribbon Task Force (BLTFRJRJASDLKJFASLDKFJ is their acronym). Joked with Heath that we should nominate Lassie for District VP. Sat right behind Kieshnick. Had a fangirl moment. Sunday, church. Panera, VBS Meeting, home, cleaned a little.

Where I am at the moment: In my office.

On my to-do list this week: High school Praise Team Practice, VBS planning, Summer Trip Planning, Small Group evaluation meeting, small group cookout, Ok'd meeting with our new District youth secretary, NIKKI, dinner with cousin Amanda and her new hubs as they pass through OK.

Procrastinating about: Everything.

Book I’m in the midst of: who has time to read?

Music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: On Returning (wilco mix) by the H is O

Next trip: Illinois, St. Louie (I just found out that I'll be home over strawberry fest weekend... goodness abounds)

How I'm feeling about this week: Little bit stressed. There's a lot of stuff going on and a lot of stuff I should be doing right about.... now... so I'm going to go do it.

Flutter: The New Twitter

Where can I sign up? I want to "flap!"

Rant

You have got to be kidding me.

2 weekend update.

First weekend: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Breakfast set-up, youth led worship video taping (videos up this week... they did a good job!), easter breakfast, easter, lunch with new friend nicole (free lunch at Macaroni Grill due to a wrong order), sleeping, Monday: hannah montana movie with a middle schooler.

Second Weekend: Thursday, international food fest at francis tuttle. I tried Kangaroo. It was actually pretty good, then rock band and video editing. Friday, work and catching up on dvr'ed episodes, saturday, youth led practice, video editing, rock band, yummy dinner. Sunday: Youth Led Worship (they. were. awesome. the best. ever.), lunch at on the border, home for a nap, rock band and small group (in all this time I spent over at Teresa and Allen's house this week working on editing and waiting on the videos to not be stupid, I've moved up to level medium on the drums AND made myself a skanktastic avatar. It's pretty awesome).

Where I am at the moment: In my office.

On my to-do list this week: High school Praise Team Practice, Easter Breakfast Spring Plant Sale, VBS planning, Summer Trip Planning, NYG travel coordinators planning meeting, article writing, council meeting, Stillwater, and district convention (yay for lcms polity)

Procrastinating about: Easter breakfast stuff.

Book I’m in the midst of: who has time to read?

Music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: In Christ Alone (from youth led yesterday) and Psycho Killer by the talking heads (from all the rockband... fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa)

Next trip: Stillwater! Norman. Then.... Illllllllllllllllinois! CINCY! St. LOUIS!

How I'm feeling about this week: I just realized VBS is a little over 6 weeks away. Yikes and Yikes.

Happy Easter! Jesus Went to the Garden Cover

So, I wanted you to hear this song and this is all I could find... AND it was only posted yesterday. Coolio!

Easter Morning

"Jesus Rose on the Third Day.
Triumphant over sin.
Jesus spoke on the third day to Mary Magdalene.
"Woman Why are you Crying?"
Hallelujah!! Our Savior is Alive!!"

(From Jesus Went to the Garden, from the City on Hill album)

Good Friday

"I want you to leave tonight feeling a little bit empty."

I realized something tonight about Good Friday.

It's a funeral service.

We wear black, we are sad, and we meditate on the death of our loved one.

This service is different though because it feels as though we have no hope. Our Hope has died on the cross. Our Hope has been locked in a grave. Our Hope has been mocked and beaten and crucified for us.

A funeral indeed.

Our feeble minds cannot comprehend that in this death, there is life. That our Hope is not dead, defeated.

Our Hope is triumphant and we celebrate that fact on Easter Morning.

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

30 Days, 30 Years

Thanks to my DVR, I've been able to catch a lot more shows than I used to (this may or may not be a good thing). One of the recent things I just started watching was 30 days. The show's premise is to take someone with a very strong viewpoint about something (someone whose job has been outsourced) and place them with a family who is their "enemy" (someone in India who is benefitting from outsourcing). Usually by the end of the 30 days eyes are opened and lives are changed simply because they had the opporutnity to live with the "enemy."

By the act of being present in someone's daily life for 30 days hatred and anger turns to compassion, acceptance and sometimes sacrife. Friendships are maintained, doors and eyes and hearts are opened and everyone involved in the experience is changed.

Because it's Holy Week, I think I'm a little more open to the parallels.

God sent his son to live with us, the enemy and not just for 30 days, but 30 years. 30 years of being present in the lives of those around him. Deserved hatred and anger turned to compassion, acceptance and sacrifice.

Beause of that, doors and eyes and hearts are opened and everyone involved is changed.

"My song is love unknown, my Savior's love to me; love to the loveless shown that they might lovely be. Oh who am I that for my sake my lord should take frail flesh and die?"

Confirmands, Communion, Coffee Shop and Cake... My Weekend Update

The Weekend: Thursday; bye bye birdie at PCN with a couple high schoolers to see one of the senior's Student Directing Debut. Realized I've become too cynical for musicals. Friday; Slept in, cleaned the apartment, worked on confirmation lessons, found my Easter Dress for $2.00 at Lucca (thanks to a gift certificate). It's cuuuute. :) Saturday; at church early (and all day) for confirmation retreat with 6th graders, home for an hour or so, back to church to travel to the Rockin' Worship Road Show. Sunday; church for children's message (which I didn't have to give since there were no kids in early service), Panera for Sunday school, Palm Sunday/Confirmation at Late Service, church reception. Home for a nap, then coffee shop and home to work on some work stuff. Whew. Busy Work Weekend followed by another busy work week/weekend/month/summer.

Where I am at the moment: In my office.

On my to-do list this week: High school Praise Team Practic, youth led stuff, Easter Breakfast setup, Spring Plant Sale, VBS planning, Summer Trip Planning, NYG travel coordinators planning meeting, article writing, church (x alot), baking cookies, and some other various activities.

Procrastinating about: a couple of emails that need to be sent out.

Book I’m in the midst of: No one particular book right now. Maybe after Easter I'll pick up a new book or two

Music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: Colorblind by Counting Crows. I caught the tail end of Cruel Intentions on tv yesterday and while it's not as good as I remember it, this song is still one of my all time favorites. Also, Your New Twin Sized Bed has been played a lot too.

Next trip: Well, I'm going to Norman for our churchworker district convention in late April, but that's not very fun. I'm getting super excited about my trip to Illinois/Cincy/St. Louie in about a month or so.

How I'm feeling about this week: Well, I'm still kind of in the gearing up stage for the craziness that is this week.

On My Brain

This song has been in my head this past week a lot. Maybe I'm getting cynical, but the lyrics really fit how I have been feeling. Google 'em :)

No promises, but there may JUST be some mournful, emo poetry showing up on the blog in a couple of posts.

Song-Death Cab for Cutie-"Your new twin-sized bed"

Albus and his rainy cake (My Weekend Update)

The Weekend: Thursday, Soccer game; Friday, laziness, saturday, a little more laziness (there was a "snow" storm that cancelled my plans), baked my very first cupcakes (turned out all right), visited with KCap and delivered said cupcakes with the girgismelson, home, caught up on some shows, Sunday; sunday school, h.s. praise team practice, home, canned food drive scavenger hunt (way to go middle schoolers for all the food collected--there ARE some generous people out there!), and a late night trip to OU Children's to meet a family there (please pray).

Where I am at the moment: Office.

On my to-do list this week: Confirmation lesson (x4), Easter Breakfast Planning, Spring Plant Sale Planning, VBS planning, Summer Trip Planning, NYG travel coordinators planning meeting.

Procrastinating about: All Sorts of Stuff.

Book I’m in the midst of: None. It's busy. I'm tired.

Music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: Richard Harris's Cover of Macarthur Park (Yes, Richard Harris that played Dumbledore on Harry Potters 1 and 2... apparently, according to YOUTUBE the cover is "ethereal." I have a hard time believing anything can be ethereal when they use the lyrics, "striped pair of pants" and "I can't ever get that recipe again" in the same song) Youtube it. Be Amazed.

Next trip: The next biiiig trip Illinois/Cincy/St.Louispalooza with the sister and her friend coming to help with VBS Aaaaaaaaand the Wright coming for VBS! Yay!

How I'm feeling about this week: Fine. Nothing very exciting, but still a busy week in this Pre-Holy Week Week.

Round 47 with my taxes.... aka Weekend Update

The Weekend: Thursday; Zumba! then Grey's. Friday; Lunch with the girgismelson (@ Mr. Pho--tasty!) and Cuppies and Joe to see Jacquie (and of course partake in a delicious cupcake!), then back to the apartment to figure out tax stuff (oy. I hate taxes. I hate them. I hate them. I hate them.) Then out to the Speakeasy with the Girgismelsons, Lisa et. al. Saturday; laziness abounds. Sunday; Sunday school, Church, Voters Meeting, home, dinner with a group of high school and college students, home to watch Kings and Brothers and Sisters.

Where I am at the moment: Office.

On my to-do list this week: Confirmation lesson, Easter Breakfast Planning, Spring Plant Sale Planning, VBS planning, Summer Trip Planning, Ok'd meeting.

Procrastinating about: Starting work--just got out of staff devo/meeting. (Usually, unless I update later on a Monday, I'm always procrastinating about starting work)

Book I’m in the midst of: none, will be taking one of the suggestions from the list I got from you all a couple of weeks ago.

Music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: Ginny Owens, I Am Nothing (it fits with our youth led theme and I've been a-hankerin' to hear it for a while, so I downloaded it and have been listening to it along with some other youth led songs on my youth led playlist)

Next trip: May--I'll be in Tulsa on Thursday but I don't know if I'd count that as a "trip" per say. The next biiiig trip Illinois/Cincy/St.Louispalooza with the sister and her friend coming to help with VBS Aaaaaaaaand the Wright coming for VBS! Yay!

How I'm feeling about this week: A little daunted, maybe? While my week is not that busy, it's getting into the busy summer season and I know there's a lot that will need to get done in the next few weeks and months.

Chick-fil-A

Chic-fil-a... How I love thee...

The House Always Wins... aka, my weekend.

The Weekend: Friday; high schoolers cook dinner for CUNE's wind ensemble concert, then off to the Texas-Oklahoma border for the big "Casino date set-up" (NOT with a Casino worker). Eh. The most interesting part of the night was being hit on by a 60 plus year old Native American Man wearing camo overalls. His method? "Anybody ever tell you that you're a good lookin' woman? If I were 20 years younger, I'd give you a run for your money..." oy. Drove back to Dallas with the Laura after the "Casino Date Set-up" Team (about 6 of us) lost quite a bit of money--i lost the least. I also bet the least. Funny how that works. Saturday: Slept in, had Pho for lunch (Delicious), went to see Watchmen, had piccomolo (Gelato), and tried Cuban with Laura, Noah and his significant other. Rented Australia. Left for OKC early in the morning, worked on youth led in Sunday School, Churched it, and had lunch with our new teacher candidate (who has gone to school and graduated from CUNE since I've been graduated.... I'm oooooooooooooooold). Came home. Slept. Slept. Slept.

Where I am at the moment: Office, getting "ready" for council after being out at an OK'd meeting this morning

On my to-do list this week: ZUMBA! Wednesday with the GirgisMelson. Lunch with Youth kids since it's spring break. Meeting and other catching up types of things.

Procrastinating about: Writing my council report. Boo.

Book I’m in the midst of: Finished A Tree Grows in Brooklyn this past week. May read it again before I give it back to the Girgismelson.

Music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: Paramore. It was great for the drive back Sunday Morning.

Next trip: May--Illinois/Cincy/St.Louispalooza

How I'm feeling about this week: Refreshed

40 - A Video Of Jesus In The Wilderness

Pretty powerful video of Jesus in the Wilderness.



h/t to YS Marko.

Rant

You people drive me crazy.

Ever heard of a compromise?

It's that thing were we give a little and you give a little.

It is not where we give a little and you take it all.

It's also called sharing, but maybe you missed that day in preschool.

Zumba-licious

Yesterday was my first Zumba experience...As Ashley said, "when you see someone shake like that, you enter a whole new level of friendship."

I'm hooked.

Nevermind that the dance studio we Zumba in has bars on the window and is across the street from the ghetto high school or that it might be moving...

Nevermind that I thought I might die within the firt ten minutes of Zumba-ing (I didn't, obviously)...

Nevermind that I don't have the whole body coordination to shake shoulders, backside, jump and turn at the same time...

It was a blast. I can't wait till next week...

And I realized, this is one small step in accomplishing my goal of "health" for this year. YAY!

To Zumba I wil go!

Actualización de fin de semana

The Weekend: Friday-Girgismelsons's big 25 birthday party (at Cheesecake factory--mmmm) and raving rabbids on the wii ( I lost. It accosted me), Saturday morning, Tulsa with the Murph for our first MS planning meeting with our high school team, nap, then school auction at Messiah, then a nice cold beer at the apartment (I think the last time I had a beer by myself at my apartment was after last year's auction). I will say that this year's team of high school/middle school volunteers at the auction totally rocked it and we were done a whole hour and a half earlier than normal! Sunday, church, children's message (an hour and 15 minutes earlier than normal b/c we've moved our early service up 15 minutes), Sunday School, home visit with new family, Small Group.

Where I am at the moment: La Oficina (I'm not sure what's with all the Spanish today).

On my to-do list this week: ZUMBA! tonight with the GirgisMelson. Now even though I was in musicals in high school and that required dancing and I do love to dance at wedding receptions and the like, I'm not sure that those are going to help me prepare for this dance work-out. After all, I did fall on stage and break my nose during the musical too. Oh, I also have a VBS meeting, Confirmation, Lenten Service, Circuit Meeting, Youth Led Worship Planning and that might be all.

Procrastinating about: Well, after staff meeting and teaching religion class for the 3/4th graders, I haven't begun "work stuff" yet, so you could say I'm procrastinating about that, but really, I just haven't had a chance to start it.

Book I’m in the midst of: Well, during the last week, I read Breaking Her Fall and am re-reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, which I first read in like 4th grade and it was a book that I loved, but had never read again. I'm enjoying this re-read because it's been a little like running into an old friend and telling old stories and inside jokes.

Music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: Yesterday on the way back from Tulsa, the Murphy found some music on my ipod that I hadn't listened to in a while. That was a nice re-visit to the Killers and several other "oldies."

Next trip: Dallas this weekend to visit the Laura and her hubs. May for Syd's graduation (and a side trip to Cincy to see B!) Both trips are exciting for different reasons :)

How I'm feeling about this week: Ambivalent mostly, and excited for Spring Break and the trip to Dallas.

Raked

Are there some hot coals around?

Why don't I just go lay down on them and you can rake me over them.

Sound good to you?

Blast from the Past

It's Lent... and I wrote this last year and liked it. So, read. Or re-read.


Or don't. That's fine too.

Weekend Update 4.0

The Weekend: Got a DVR and Hung out with the Laura! Met Laura on the border and then Laura came up and spent the Saturday. Had Med. Deli for lunch and Gopurum Indian for dinner. Delicious. Met Laura's Hubs, Josh, in Ardmore on Sunday after church and then came back in time for Coffee Shop. Played the new Cranium Game "Ultimate Party Play-off," which was pretty fun. Also watched the Brothers and Sisters movie event thingy. It was good, but, I'm not sure that I like where they are taking Rob Lowe's character.

Where I am at the moment: Office, after trying to get my taxes filed.

On my to-do list this week: Usualy weekly stuff, but my next weekend is kind of packed (though, I guess you'll hear about that next week)

Procrastinating about: Work, in general

Book I’m in the midst of: Nothing new right now and I would like some suggestions. I'm re-reading New Moon, for a talksheet for thesource, but reading it for the third time is kind of like having my tooth extracted without having been anethetized first.

Music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: Well, nothing new (again), but I listened to The Decemberists, The Crane Wife ablum on my way back from Ardmore yesterday.

Next trip: May for Syd's graduation. Still perhaps CO. If I could get my taxes filed it would mean I could get my refund soon! I don't know if it qualifies as a trip, but I think I'll be in Dallas vising Laura and Josh in a coupla weeks too. Exciting things going on.

How I'm feeling about this week: Fine, excited for ZUMBA and my new DVR and hopefully meeting up with a couple of my high schoolers for a long past due cupcake date.

Addressing the Congress.

So, after watching President Obama's (of whom I am a fan) address yesterday, I had a few thoughts:

1) Doesn't it seem counter-intuitive to borrow money so that more people can borrow money when borrowing money is what got us into this economic crisis to begin with? Why not make money available to the banks/businesses/regular citizens who are living within their means, paying off their debt and buying things in cash? Why not use this time as an opportunity to re-teach americans how to buy things they can afford? How to delay gratification? I know I could benefit from that. I know it's not a quick fix, but isn't it a better fix in the long run?

2)While watching the speech I've been thinking about the main differences between repubs and dems and I think it boils down to this: Dems believe a country is successful with big government and small businesses. Repubs believe a country is successful with small government and big businesses. Which is right?

3)Bobby Jindal looked like he was trying to take a page or two from the Pres's speaking manner, and failed. And they say he's a contender for 2012? No thank you. Be yourself. I also find it ironic that he's turning down money to help pay unemployment for part-time workers, but he's willing to take money to help with Katrina rebuilding. You can't talk about wanting small government but then talk about how Katrina was a government failing. Either you want big government or you don't.

4)America has got a long way to go before we're healthy again. Schools, health care and energy are all things that reflect on the relative health of our nation. And let's face it; all those kind of suck right now.

5)I'm glad hopeful Barack is back.

6)I'm interested to see what is going to happen over the next four years.

W.U. (Weekend Update, not Woo)

The Weekend: Saw Shopaholic with the girls (GREAT fluffy fun. Good job making the book into the movie), watched the Oscars (yay for Slumdog! and I really want to rent/go see The Curious Case and Rachel Getting Married now too), had breakfast saturday with two of my middle school girls, had good food at the church potluck on Sunday night. Also worked on a couple things for thesource.

Where I am at the moment: Office.

On my to-do list this week: Soccer game, worship meeting, vbs meeting, lunch with Mary youth chair, Ash Wednesday, Confirmation Servant Event, Filing my taxes (I NEED to get that done this week...) plus a couple more minor things, making dinner for the a house church family and meeting baby Claire! OH and TOP CHEF FINALE! GO CARLA!!! (now that Fabio's gone, she's the only one I care to watch)

Procrastinating about: Work, in general

Book I’m in the midst of: Read Cold Mountain over the last week. Good, but sad. Am going to have to dig out my old Civil War notes from H.S. American History to remember all the details of that time. May also have to rent the movie.

Music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: Still Blake and Kate. They're gooooood.

Next trip: May for Syd's graduation. Maybe CO... I need to get on that right quick (oh the southernisms are creeping in). ACtually, I lied, next trip is to Ardmore-ish area to meet up with the Laura and friends. Party Party.

How I'm feeling about this week: I'm not sure. I'm just really tired this afternoon. Check back with me later (after I've had some caffiene).

Rant

Seriously?!

What an assy thing to say.

I'm sorry things are different, but you don't have to pout about it.

Grow up. You're an adult.

Weekend Update

The Weekend: Movie Weekend! I saw Taken with Callie (good intense guy movie--makes me not want to travel to Europe), and He's Just Not That Into You with Ash. Had lunch with the college girls (Jessie and Alycia) and Natalie. Sunday, Church, Hot Dogs for the Homeless, and Coffee Shop. Reminder to Self: Visiting the Mall on Valentines Day means that you will see a LOT of high school couples running around and making out. Yuck. Almost took home a puppy from downtown. I won't lie. I almost dog-napped it.

Where I am at the moment: In the office. On Presidents' Day, wishing I was home in my jammies :).

On my to-do list this week: Confirmation, Shop-a-holic?, Cuppies and Joe with the Murphs, maybe seeing baby Claire :), writing a couple articles/talksheets for thesource, visiting hotels for ok'd, mailers, filing my taxes. Pretty Normal Week, really.

Procrastinating about: Work, in general

Book I’m in the midst of: Not anything in particular. Any suggestions?

Music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: Still Blake and Kate, but Also, She is Love by Parachute, VA (acoustic version--yes it's from the nivea commercial-don't hate)

Next trip: May for Sydney's graduation, or perhaps March if I plan a trip to the C- to the O to visit the Wright (which is sounding better and better all the time)

How I'm feeling about this week: oh fine. I'm really feeling the need for a vacation.

Youth Quake: A Summary

Highlights:
1. The Big Group! The Big, well behaved group! (I would say, be here at x time and 5 minutes before x time, they'd be there!)
2. Get Crunk 4 Jesus and our little white female flava flave and her paper plate alarm clock and her flame hat.
3. Watching Middle Schoolers devour 16+ Pizzas in one sitting.
4. The girls in my room.
5. Red Robin for dinner (and teaching them how to tip).
6. Bob Lenz
7. The Van Ride up and Sierra's "Jesus" improv... "I turn my head to west, got Jesus by my side.. I turn my head to the east... got Jesus by my side..."
8. Dinner at Mcdonalds and the whole group applauding Sierra and not knowing why.
9. Stellar adults.
10. Late Night Starbucks run
11. Hearing how Linda met her husband
12. Early morning swimming
13. Saturday night affirmations.
14. The four van caravan.

Low-lights:
1. Sickness
2. Elevators... Oy Elevators.
3. Having to play bad cop whilst being sick on Sunday morning

Weekend Update

The Weekend: Youth Quake-a-palooza! This was a great weekend. The kids were great, the adults were great and it all ran fairly smoothly (learning from experience helps a lot), and even with the stomach virus than ran through about a quarter of the group (including myself), I had a great, great time. Also Monday and Tuesday (after spending Sunday night sucking down chicken broth and saltines and falling asleep during brothers and sisters) was spent at SullivanT retreat center in Norman (boo norman and your stupid roads), with the DCE's working on Ok'd stuff and Middle School District Youth Gathering stuff. My brain is tah-erd (to use the southern drawl)...

Where I am at the moment: At the house watching all the tornado updates and maybe going out to house church...

On my to-do list this week: Confirmation, Charlie Hall! Dinner with one of my youth,

Procrastinating about: ummm, nothing really... it's been a crazy, crazy last 5 days so I'm determined to just chill this evening, either with house church homies or at the apt.

Book I’m in the midst of: They Like Jesus but not the Church by Dan Kimball and I just finished Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella.

Music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: Right now I'm listening to Blake and Kate (h/t to the girgismelsons for that find) and the new adele Itunes special thingy. Also the Fray's You Found Me.

Next trip: not for a while! Maybe May for Sydney's graduation, or perhaps March if I plan a trip to the C- to the O to visit the Wright.

How I'm feeling about this week: Much better now that I'm not sick!

SUCCESS!

I figured it out!

Housing Crisis

Ok, It's not really a crisis, BUT, it is an annoyance.

Last week, I had the most perfect room arrangements for Youth Quake. After much time and ponderance, I got it figured out. Perfect. It was a great balance between breaking up some more exclusive cliques and the troublemakers and pairing people with friends.

Too bad that's not the case anymore.

Friday, a 6th grader backed out, but I was able to replace her. Sunday, a mom chaperone cancelled, but I was able to replace her.

However, these TWO minor changes, completely change the roommate situation. COMPLETELY.

Oy Vay.

Maybe I'm just overanalyzing it, but I have a healthy fear of the "this is what could happen-itis" that keeps me going back over the roommate list. Currently, I have decent housing list, BUT, it's certainly not perfect...

Do I keep working towards a better solution, or do I call it quits?

Beyoncé - Single Ladies SPOOF (Barack Obama)

Hahah. Love.
H/t to Bethany

Weekend Update

The Weekend: Birthday extravaganaza! Friday night, I went out to Sushi with friends from OKC (and Suz from Tulsa), and then played some rockband over at Casa de la Girgismelson. It was, by far, one of the best birthdays in recent memory.

Where I am at the moment: In the office.

On my to-do list this week: Confirmation, Youth Quake Prep and , going to the bank to make a deposit, Youth Quake, VBS Meeting, getting cable installed at the apt. MS district youth gathering meeting.

Procrastinating about: All sorts of work related stuff. And yet, I'm blogging.

Book I’m in the midst of: They Like Jesus but not the Church by Dan Kimball

Music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: Right now I'm listening to Blake and Kate (h/t to the girgismelsons for that find too)

Next trip: Youth Quake followed immediately by the DCE retreat/meeting-a-thon.

How I'm feeling about this week: Excited, exhausted, etc.

Bad Birthdays Begone!

Perhaps it is because my birthday is smackdab in the middle of winter and I was born in a state that actually has winter (in fact, I was born in blizzard conditions and my father borrowed a snow plow to get my mother to the hospital in time--it took about 6 hours for what is normally a 45 minute drive), my birthday hasn't always been the cause for a lot of celebration. I've never been "big" on birthdays.

Perhaps that is the reason for the quite a few of my birthdays have been bad.

However, I think that the tide is turning. The past two birthdays have been a quite excellent change from the norm and a great time of celebration with friends that feel like family. Last night's celebration, I think, was the best birthday and I can say that I felt loved and felt like 27 was definately something worth celebrating. So, thanks for all those that came and made my birthday quite memorable. :)

Weekend Update

The weekend: was relaxing. I slept in on Friday, read, napped, read, repeat. Saturday I saw Slumdog Millionare with Ashley which was really good, but also really eye opening about the poverty in India. It may be another blog post in the next coupla days.

Where I am at the moment: On my couch, in my jammies, eating some dinner.

On my to-do list this week: Confirmation, Youth Quake Prep and Youth Quake Adult leader's meeting, going to the bank to make a deposit, turn 27 (ergh... not sure how I feel about that yet), birthday party dinner(!) and that might be it. It's kind of a slow week

Procrastinating about: cleaning the apartment. It's not messy necessarily, but I do have laundry to put away and some mail to sort.

Book I’m in the midst of: Re-reading the Twilight Series. Hoping to get They like Jesus but not the Church from Amazon in this week (but with the weather...doubtful)

Music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: You Found Me by the Fray

Next trip: Youth Quake!

How I’m feeling about this week: Really good if this week includes a snow day!!!

Binge Reading

Last week, I had a little extra pocket cash and bought A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Housseini and The Memory Keeper's Daughter. I read both in about a 3 day time span, less if you subtract the time that I was gone over the weekend.

I have always been that way with new books. Once I open it, they're hard to put down until they're finished. Some of you may also remember when I read Harry Potter 7 in 5 hours. I read the whole Twilight Series in about 5 or 6 days. I think that I have an incessant need to know what is going to happen to these characters. Often, after I had finished the book, I'll read it again more slowly and pick up on the details I may have missed. Really, you think I'd learn and just read them at a slower pace!

My friend Rachel dubbed this phenomenon because she suffers from it too: Binge Reading. Any other Binge Readers or former Binge Readers? Any suggestions for recovery?

Bottom of the Curve

It's that time of the year again.

January, right around this time of the month (January 20-ish), seems to end up being the bottom of my emotional bell curve. Mark Blanke, DCE professor/educator extraordinairre, warned us about this back at Concordia.

He told us the reason they had their intern mid-year gathering was because that was the time we were statistically the least sastified about work/life/whatever and a gathering of friends and colleagues would be what could help us from spiraling further. Perhaps it's the close combination of having seen family and friends both at Thanksgiving and Christmas and a slightly lighter work schedule that leaves me having a bit of emotional crash.

I find myself, last night, after having a great time (and a GREAT cupcake!) at cuppies and joe, wondering, why exactly, some things had to be so difficult.

Why everything around me is changing and I feel like things are exactly the same as they were when I first moved here ...(in about three weeks from now, I'll look back and see how things aren't necessarily the same as they were a year ago, or when I first moved here).

I found myself wondering, why again, I'm having to plan my own birthday party, simultaneously dreading and looking forward to August 2009 and May 2011, when, I'll be handed the task of making a new friend circle. Again. I also have been given a lot of great romantic news from friends and family in the past couple weeks and am so very, very happy for all of them (hear that Sarah?), but it feels just a little bittersweet. It's also probably good that I don't have a trip to Colorado planned during this emotional pit because we all know that leads to some bad decisions.

I'm ready for the feeling of contentedness to return, which, I know it will in a couple of weeks.

Right now though, I just have to sit at the bottom of the bell curve and wait for it to pass.

The Inconvenient Journey...

This past weekend, the Messiah Youth Traversed to Camp Lutherhoma to Journey in January.

Highlights:
1. The van ride over. We didn't turn on the music, we all just talked. It goes down as top 2 van rides (number one being the trek to Ok'd with Jess where we listened to all the NOW Cd's with the girls and sang at the top of our lungs)
2. Staying in Thiemer. Indoor Showers!
3. Great Weather
4. Katrina-stellar adult leader
5. The theme-learning how God uses the inconveniences in our lives for His glory.
6. Catching up with Jenny/Pippi
7. Working on some Ms DYG stuff with Nikki
8. 4 of the Messiah kids on the planning committee (it's a big honor...) and sharing their hilarious and some sad, stories. Seeing them be leaders.
9. Saturday Night's "big event." We walked around from station to station and listened to the "stories" of some of camp people. At the end we followed them out to one of the fields and found out that they were representing Mary, Peter, Judas, and Thomas showing us how they let inconveniences get in the way of following Christ. At the end, they tied their inconveniences to "Jesus." It was pretty powerful for all the students.

Low-lights:
1. Rocky Thiemer, the squirrell that lived in our ceiling
2. Falling asleep at 4 am on Saturday morning
3. Chatty girl in the adult group
4. Not getting to spend as much time with my youth as I had wanted
5. The hour and a half stop at Subway in Muskogee... that's the last time we stop there!)

All in all, good weekend... Onto Youth Quake!!!

Weekend Update

The weekend was: spent at camp with my high school students for Journey in January. This year's theme was "the Inconvenient Journey" and focused on the inconveniences that keep us from following Christ. More about this in another post.

Where I am at the moment: Office.

On my to-do list this week: Confirmation, Youth Quake Prep and Youth Quake Adult leader's meeting, Voters meeting Prep, council meeting, dinner with the lovely housechurch ladies, making taco casserole for hc tomorrow night, making some birthday dinner plans.

Procrastinating about: writing my council report. boo.

Book I’m in the midst of: Just finished The Memory Keeper's daughter and A thousand Splendid Suns. Both good reads, but both a little depressing.

Music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: Winter Song by Sara and Ingrid (h/t to Ashley)... I know it's technically Christmas but there's nothing overtly Christmas about it. Also, Freedom, by Run Kid Run

Next trip: Youth Quake!

How I’m feeling about this week: Pretty good. Lots to get done, as always, but excited about all that's coming up :)

Weekend Update

The weekend that was: (started on Thursday b/c I'm off on Fridays) spent rooting on the Sooners (at B-Dubs) and seeing someone get kicked out and ending up on News Channel 4 (woot. I'm a big star now). Friday I had lunch with the GirgisMelson, Saturday saw Bride Wars and patronized McNellie's and then spent some quality time at church and at high school small group. Oh and dominated on rock band.

Where I am at the moment: in the office.

On my to-do list this week: Getting ready for Journey, more summer planning (RV's anyone?) and working on some mailers for the upcoming months (and overusing parenthesis)

Procrastinating about: taking a trip to the bank to make a youth deposit.

Book I’m in the midst of: Nothing right now. Any suggestions?

Music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: Single Ladies by Beyonce and Heartless by Kanye, only because they play every hour on the hour (or everytime I'm in the car)

Next trip: Camp Lutherhoma, in Tahlequah for Journey in January. It's this weekend. Pray for warm weather and an additional female chaperone

How I’m feeling about this week: Eh. Fine. Nothing too exciting going on 'round these parts.

Resolve

Everyone else has been posting New Years' Resolutions and this year, for one of the first years, I am not really making any. However, my overall goal for 2009 is "health." Under that vast umbrella falls physical health, spiritual health, social health, work health, financial health... et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

I'm not sure what all that entails, but here are some things I've thrown into the general category of "health."

1. Being open to new people, new relationships, new friendships, and new situations
2. Pushing myself to pursue a more consistent time of personal devotion and worship.
3. Excercising! and cooking at home (not necessarily by myself--anyone is welcome!)
4. Continuing to build on old friendships.
5. Pushing myself and the youth Messiah to grow and learn and stretch themselves.
6. Learning to build a savings that doesn't get depleted in any small "emergency."

Of course, there are lots of others that could fall into the category of "health" and perhaps as the year goes on, I'll share a few more of my "health" goals and how things are going and working out.

I think 2008 was a great start to the beginning of a "healthy me" and I hope 2009 is a continuation of building up on that.

Here's to 2009!

Weekend Update.... no, not the Amy Poehler Kind.

The weekend that was: (I'm counting the weekend from Wednesday-NYE-on, because I can)...spent with friends celebrating New Years at a Dance Party, at Chang's for Jess's bachelorette dinner (I recommend the Singapore Street Noodles, ps) and celebrating the wedding of my two very good friends, Jess and Heath. Having to pick which side of the church to sit on was a hard choice as I love them both (and had a hand in introducing them!) I also saw old roommate 1, Bekah, looking so very happy and in love, which made me very happy for her. Also had a great time dancing the night away at the reception... I also got pulled up on stage by the DJ who had me sing the girl part of the Grease remix... fun times.

Where I am at the moment: in the office, procrastinating, obviously.

On my to-do list this week: LOTS... mainly trying to get back into the swing of work. Last week, I was back in Oklahoma late on Tuesday but didn't make it into the office the rest of the week (no one else did, either)... anyway, this week is... journey registration, small group leader meeting, starting to look at VBS, working on summer trip plans for ms and hs, contacting that adults attending youth quake, errands, lunches and coffees with high school students and college students... AND lunch with my fantastic cousin Matt who is in town this week!

Procrastinating about: well, right now, I'm procrastinating about starting working. Staff meeting just got over, so I figure that's a valid excuse, right?

Book I’m in the midst of: Well, I just finished The Bell Jar (I've read it before). Dang, Sylvia Plath has a great sense of humor. I have a feeling I'd have liked her had I met her in person.

Music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: I listened to a lot of Ingrid's "breakable," and of course with all the dancing this past week, "Cha Cha Slide!"

Next trip: Camp Lutherhoma, in Tahlequah for Journey in January. Not gonna lie, it's cooooooooold. But one of my favorite weekends. Which reminds me, I need to buy a new sleeping bag. Prontissimo. Maybe something with a heater attached.

How I’m feeling about this week: We'll see. A little stressed, but also energized with the whole New Year's "attitude."

h/t: YSMarko

Christmas Vacation and New Years' Eve Celebration

I'm stealing Moose-Tipping's idea and doing a day by day breakdown of Christmas Vacation... here goes:

Sunday December 21-
-Jessie and Alycia come over for hot chocolate a game of life (as a deterrant to them picking up boys for me at the mall)
-Mom arrives in OKC
-Boy steals coasters from our table at chilis (while we were sitting there)

Monday, December 22-
-Razr dies. (screen doesn't work but the rest of it does)
-Shopped with mom, got some sweet new red pots and pans and my nice new grey boots.
-baked cookies and watched Christmas movies ("the best way to spread christmas cheer is by singing loud for all to hear")

Tuesday, December 23-
-Was Lazy. A lot.

Wednesday, December 24-
-Christmas Eve Service at Messiah
-Get booty call letter from prisoner from one of my youth
-Drive to Illinois overnight with mom.

Thursday, December 25-
-Christmas Day presents at parent's house!
-
-Christmas Lunch/Dinner/Supper at Aunt Kate's.
-Marley and Me with the Miller Side

Friday, December 26
-Felt full force of driving overnight.
-Was Lazy. All Day.

Saturday, December 27-
-Lunch with my cousin's at Luekenbach's. Saw what a "party animal" looks like (fyi it's a coyote shotgunning a beer while wearing mardi gras beads)

-Christmas with the Stuckemeyer side. Played old school supernintendo(!) and Wii.
-Had dramatic readings of booty call prisoner letter (sadly, no videos were made), and googled said prisoner by prison number.
-Jacked the sister's sim's castaway game and played that. Became addicted. (also befriended a chimp on the game and called him chimpgeorgd. I'm not good at the typing on the psp)

Sunday, December 28-
-Church
-Drove to Springfield with the sister and parents to see family friends
-Played a LOT of sims castaway with the sister (also said things like, "befriend that chimp!" and "Quick, the hut is on fire!")

Monday, December 29-
-Loaded up rental car
-Had lunch with the Lail. Lost track of time.
-Drove to Topeka. Hung out with the Spode and her fam

Tuesday, December 30-
-Went shopping. Argued over winter shoes with the Spode.
-Drove back to OKC
-Slept

Wednesday, December 31-
-Met friend Callie and her friends for dinner and dance party in an airplane hanger
-Yes, it is as cool as it sounds. Be Jealous
-Danced the new years away with some great people.

That's it, all! More pics to come!

Oh, AND...

I wrote this article earlier in December... Go read it!