Romans 5:1-5

Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us – they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

the craziest thing ever

So I was just in physics. We took part two of our midterm and started learning about magnetism. My professor was going over the characteristics of magnetism and some examples. She also explained that current is magnetic, and the relationship between magnetism and electricity is undeniable yet unidentifiable. All of the sudden my thoughts went thousands of miles per hour. And I wanted to sit down and talk with God about how He decided to do that. Isn't that the weirdest feeling? I mean because seeing God has got to stike alot of fear into a normal person. And the Bible says we will just want to praise Him, so asking lots of questions might be difficult. Anyways, its not everyday that I feel like asking the Almighty about His knowledge and intentions before time began, especially when it comes to magnetism. Although I doubt He would mind. Since, now that I think about it, asking is kinda like praying or thanking Him for the wonders of creation. Wow, physics class was more profound than I could have expected.

that was a record

It took me over a month to finish this book, The Heavenly Man. It was really difficult to get through probably because of the conviction I was going through. This man went through so much physical, mental, and spiritual pain possible and has greater faith than anyone I have ever met. I could not imagine surviving in his circumstances. But I also started An Echo in the Darkness when I went home and finished last night. One of my favorite things to do is read all snuggled under the covers. Last night was a bad idea. First off because I was up late studying. Second, I needed to get sleep so instead I felt really tired this morning. And last, I had to finish the last few chapters. Anyways, my statics midterm has the potential to be very bad. It wasn't anything like I was expecting. Hard, weird problems, not enough time. At least I know I got one out of the three right since I had worked it out last night. Oh well, physics part two tomorrow...

freakin out

I'm going to New Orleans. So I've wanted to go since Experience Jesus conference, but I've been going through a major time of doubt. Its such an easy temptation to take the simple way out and say I'm going home for spring break. I could catch up on sleep and feel relaxed. Or stay here and work alot because money is always a good thing. But I know going is the right thing to do and I won't regret it. The bad part was buying my own flight tickets. I booked the plane for the wrong day. Then panicked. Fortunately, got it worked out. It was only a service charge by orbitz that I lost but thats better than wasted time or buying a hotel room or paying extra for transportation. Anyways, this will be the first time I get on a flight all by my lonesome. That's why I'm freaking out. Planes and I don't really get along all that well. But I will probably be sleeping most of the time so it will be cool. Want to know the funniest, cutest thing I've heard today?

"I feed my dog, dog food, and my cat, cat food."

-one of the kindergartners

These kids are so great. They totally make my day with their unbridled joy and complete innocence. The boys especially teach me so much. One minute they chase me around the playground and play rough. But then they are still at that young age where they will come in and sit on my lap or right next to me. This one little guy stays quiet as long as we sit together. And he just perfectly fits into my lap, so I can rest my chin on the top of his head. No wonder Jesus loved children. Well, and still loves all of the little ones.

winter olympics

Short track rocks my socks.
Apolo Ohno is beyond awesome.
Relay is so adrenaline filled that I feel some of it too.
I'm sad its almost over.

that made my day

One of my coworkers complimented my eyes today. I know, totally superficial. But it was really sweet especially since I had just been thinking how awkward and uncomfortable I feel talking to "cooler" kids. So it was a confidence booster. I'm not turning ditzy or anything, it just cheered me up. On a side note, I just picked off my scab because it has reached that itchy healing stage. Sorry for all the gory details. Oh, I see blood. Man, I figured it would be healed by now but its still raw skin. gross

that never happens

Today when my materials class started, we were told to go wash our hands since we would be handling food. So all thirty or so of us walk down to the bathrooms. There's only six girls so we didn't have any problems with too few sinks. But the guys had to wait in line. Only in engineering is it switched.

wildlife

I just saw two deer in Poly Canyon. They just trotted across the trail in front of me. It's amazing how unfit I get in the matter of four days. And another thing that is crazy. This week is most likely going to kill me, not really, extremely stressful is more like it. That means less time which implies less running. So I can't reduce my stress if I don't have the time to run. AGH!!! irony...

only 3 hours of sleep

Why you might ask? Well...
Going home for the weekend wasn't the brightest idea. Simply because I have a lab writeup, two midterms, and a group project going on this week. I finished the lab last night. It started with getting to SLO at about 8 at night, being totally lost and confused on the assignment, meeting with one of my group members, and going over every single thing.
This week will be interesting.

I so need(ed) a break...

Who would have thought I would be excited for an eye exam, a haircut, a basketball game, and a birthday dinner? But I was. Really excited.

no longer satisfied

So, I've been stuck between a rock and a hard place for what seems like forever. I've been trying to do it all on my own or none of it at all. I've put up this image of a "mega-Christian" who doesn't miss a single religious activity regardless of homework, sleep, or anything else pulling for my time. I've fallen into complacency and this annoying, blank emotionless state and an attitude overwhelmed by fear. And I decided I'm fed up with myself so much that I have the determination to face whatever God puts me through to and whatever it takes to overcome it. Tonight, Crusade was a time of sharing and prayer. I prayed a bold prayer that God would break me. Down to nothing. So I can start over as a piece of soft clay in my Potter's hands. To be a part of this revolution, changes have got to start within me. God's mercy is incomparable. His love indescribable. Grace is sufficient. I am ready to be renewed and revived. Repair relationships. EXPERIENCE JESUS.
~
Kinda strange for my 100th post (hey, its kinda like a birthday!) but that's God's style sometimes.

blessed

I'm going through a Beth Moore Bible study for my Crusade group. Found this today in our homework lesson and thought it was great.

By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and, he worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. -Hebrews 11:21

Greek translation: eulogeo

1) to praise, celebrate with praises

2) to invoke blessings

3) to consecrate a thing with solemn prayers

a) to ask God's blessing on a thing

b) pray God to bless it to one's use

c) pronounce a consecratory blessing on

4) of God

a) to cause to prosper, to make happy, to bestow blessings on

b) favored of God, blessed

S.A.D.

Valenttines Day, otherwise fondly known as Single Awareness Day to my roommates. Then there's me, very comfortable being single. The day started off very hectic. But tonight was fun. FBCSLO college group organized a video scavenger hunt. So I went with one of my roomies. We got split up into different teams but that was a good thing. The list was pretty crazy: hug a police officer(they weren't down with that one), sound a siren, propose to someone, serenade a couple, create a pyramid in front of a downtown fish(which have all been auctioned off, but we improvised), toss pizza dough, pump someone's gas(we walked up to these two girls and they drove off, too bad it wasn't on video), do a good deed(clean the windshield, oh yeah), and find the oldest romance movie. Watching the videos was the best though. My roommates team was hilarious beyond words. They finished really fast and continued to film a bunch of randomness. Those were some good times...

children's ministry

So, I started working with the kindergarten Sunday school class at church. It was so much fun. I was really nervous trying this new thing-showing up for prayer, first service, and children's ministry- all by myself! But one of the interns was really friendly and eased my nerves. The kids were so adorable. Their smiles just bring joy to my heart. Each kid just latches on to whomever is paying attention to them. It makes you feel accepted as you are. This one little guy tried to lick me so I could see how his tongue hurt. Then during recess, two of the kids were picking out pieces of colored bark from the playground and gave them to me as treasures. How cute! When Sunday school first started we went upstairs to worship. The teacher had them line up and asked some questions about why we should worship. Part of the conversation went like this...
Teacher- "Is anything bigger than God?"
Boy- "NO!"
Girl- "A house!"
Teacher- "No, God is even bigger than a house. He can't be contained in anything."
Girl- "Oh...wow..."
Aren't they the cutest ever?! I'm just glad I don't have kids because two hours is about the max I can take. But their simple child-like faith is to be admired. Actually, that is something I desire the most. Wow, these little ones can teach me too!

abnormalities

I haven't posted anything of importance in a while, so here's a few things that have been on my mind.

• Most people only eat cottage cheese with something else mixed in, like fruit. Well, I tried sliced peaches this morning, and I have to say I'm not a big fan. I will stick with plain, thanks.
• I am obsessed with the Olympics. I try to watch as much as I can especially short track speed skating.
• I always fall asleep in cars. Except when I'm driving, don't worry.
• "I loved doing things for the Lord so much that it had become my security and my source of joy."-The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun
• Its been really warm in slo lately. 87 on Wednesday. And I wore a black t-shirt when I went running. What a genius. Isn't it still February? Where did winter go?
• Better Off Dead is one of the most hilarious 80s movies ever. I love random movie recommendations from friends.
• I haven't been able to figure out how to put up new links. Its really frustrating.

smog over china

mt. rainer

animals=cuteness

God is good.

I am broken by the sufficient grace and unconditional love of my Father. I am humbled by my sin and rebellion. I am grateful that God wants to distance me from my immorality. I feel so unworthy. Lord, make me perfect and holy because You are. He is good indeed.

check out the latest fashions from Japan and Italy

in honor of the end of football season

Football FINALLY makes sense..........A guy took his blonde girlfriend to her first football game. They had great seats right behind their team's bench. After the game, he asked her how she liked the experience.
"Oh, I really liked it," she replied, "especially the tight pants and all the big muscles, but I just couldn't understand why they were killing each other over 25 cents."
Dumbfounded, her date asked, "What do you mean?"
"Well, they flipped a coin, one team got it and then for the rest of the game, all they kept screaming was: 'Get the quarterback! Get the quarterback!' I'm like...Helloooooo? It's only 25 cents!!!!"

latest read

I've been reading the same book for over a month now. It makes me very sad that I don't have time to do the things that I enjoy, but I found this paragraph so unbelievably encouraging. Just listen...

"If you are a servant of the Lord, let me encourage you to please, please, humbly watch that you don't slip into the same error I did. The Lord God jealously desires us for himself. He is the lover of our souls. If we ever put anything before our relationship with Jesus- even our work for Jesus- then we will be ensnared. If you are burned out, stop! Rest! Your lamp needs a constant infilling of the Lord's oil or your light will be snuffed out. Remember that, "You will be delivered by returning and resting;your strength will lie in quiet confidence.But you are not willing. . . . Therefore the Lord is waiting to show you mercy,and is rising up to show you compassion, for the Lord is a just God.Happy are all who wait patiently for Him." Isaiah 30:15,18

-The Heavenly Man, Brother Yun with Paul Hattaway

penguins rock my world

Flightless, yet gnarly: No, you don't need to adjust your medications. That is in fact a penguin surfing barefoot in the Falkland Islands.

laugh a little

Please join me in remembering a great icon of the entertainment community, The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71. Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch. The gravesite was piled high with flours. Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times he still was a crusty old man and was considered a roll model for millions. Doughboy is survived by his wife Play Dough, two children, John Dough and Jane Dough plus they had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly dad, Pop Tart. The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.

use caution :)

Graphic pictures of overdose victims not for shock value, but rather in the hope that you will have a frank discussion with friends and family about respecting moderation, understanding limits, and knowing when to just walk away.

Remember...this did NOT have to happen!

And the BEST for last - - -

trivia

Many years ago in Scotland, a new game was invented. It was ruled "Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden"...and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.
~
In the 1400's a law was set forth that a man was not allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have "the rule of thumb"
~
The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV were Fred and Wilma Flintstone. ~
Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the US Treasury.
~
Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better.
~
Coca-Cola was originally green.
~
It is impossible to lick your elbow.
~
The State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work: Alaska
~
The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% (now get this...)
The percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%
~
The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven: $6,400
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The average number of people airborne over the US any given hour: 61,000
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Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.
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The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer.
~
The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments.
~
Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:
Spades - King David
Hearts - Charlemagne
Clubs -Alexander, the Great
Diamonds - Julius Caesar
~
111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321
~
If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air the person died as a result of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.
~
Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.

Q. Half ! of all A mericans live within 50 miles of what?
A. Their birthplace
~
Q. Most boat owners name their boats. What is the most popular boat name requested?
A. Obsession
~
Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter "A"?
A. One thousand
~
Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser printers all have in common?
A. All invented by women.
~
Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil?
A. Honey
~
Q. Which day are there more collect calls than any other day of the year?
A. Father's Day
~
In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase......... "goodnight, sleep tight."
~
It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month which we know today as the honeymoon.
~
In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts... So in old England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them "Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down."
It's where we get the phrase "mind your P's and Q's"
~
Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. "Wet your whistle" is the phrase inspired by this practice.
~
I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdgnieg.The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?
~
At least 75% of people who read this will try to lick their elbow

what to do with life...

so its cliche but the picutres are gorgeous. and I'm cleaning out my inbox.

be calm

or have a bloom

hang out with the family

or simply walk together

watch the waves

or watch the moon rise

be in action

or stay idle