the end must come sometime...

I guess I'll get right to the point. I've lost all motivation to write in this blog. I've decided to just read my sisters blog and others instead of posting on my own. By the time I read the blogs I want to, I never have time or any desire to write in my own. I thought I'd let the people know that read this so they can take it off their favorites, blogs, etc. It was fun while it lasted! Many blessings on each of you until I talk to you again!

40 Hours

I started this post on Monday. And just now have time to finish it. I love breaks because I have so much free time I pack in lots of outdoor stuff. So sitting in front of a computer blogging isn't my idea of a good time. But anyway on to the post I started:

Schools breaking and I'm spending my days in an office surrounded by what I love best...data! I get home from work and instead of starting in on a pile of homework, I get to do some housework and then fun stuff the rest of the evening! It's been sweet. I've always been told to enjoy school while I can because you'll never have that much free time again. I totally disagree. I get to work 8 hours a day doing stuff that I love and get to come home and do nothing! During school, I go to class in the mornings and work until five. Then I get to go home and juggle homework, young group, housework, errands. Such a pain. Definitely looking forward to that day in the future where I can be a grown up that DOESN'T have to study! This week at work there has been more desserts/candies than I have ever seen in my life. I love candy and sweets so it has been a battle of self control. The fedex guy came in today and after being offered some holiday donuts he made the statement, "If I accepted food at every office, they would be wheeling me around in a wheel barrow." Right on dude! I just got offered to take home a pack of donuts and left over cake. It's amazing how many walk into the office and say, "Man they're trying to make us fat" and then take a piece of cake. Or "I really shouldn't be eating this" and then take a donut. :) We had a professor come in crying Monday morning. She is originally from Turkey and she and her husband were over their for a month. Now she is back but her husband got accussed of being a Turkish terrorist and can't get back into the states. My boss knows lots of big dogs on campus and one of them is going to call Pat Roberts and try to get things worked out. Meanwhile, we have this other professor that thinks he IS a big dog. Background on him, he tries to run people over with his car. So he decides to call Kathy's friend and tell her that she needs to do this and this and this and blah blah blah because he wants to get this settled and on and on and on. I have decided that working with Professors is like babysitting. They are very knowledgeable in their subjects, but definitely have social and common sense issues. Maybe this will be my lot in life! I'm headed home to a disasterous room. I'm trying to pack for 3 weeks and I have no idea where to start. Chat later. :)..........Maybe!

My bad

So...it seems my blog is having issues. Well really it's not. It's just the end of school and I'm having a grand ole time studying. One more final and I'm done! Woohoo! I missed the finals week potluck tonight, which I was very bummed about. BUT, the guys brought me down a steak, baked potato, and 2 ice cream sandwiches! So here alone I sit at my desk, looking over my very boring and long Marketing notes, and eat my steak and potato. I'll save my ice cream for a little later. *deep sigh*

Softy

My dad is a pushover. Many people are intimidated by him because he's one big dude. But like most big guys, he's a complete teddy bear. He was in Mexico the last week and Steph captured him in action. http://upwardeyes.blogspot.com I hope everyone's opinion of him changes completely! Dad I might be ruining your reputation!

Thanksgiving break was such a teaser. Two more weeks of classes then finals then the REAL break! I like most of the globe, ate too much but really enjoyed doing it. It threw my college life eating habits out the window, and I don't think my body was prepared for it. Next year I think I'm going to try to get my eating habits in shape for Thanksgiving so I can eat more. The real reason for getting together for Thanksgiving was truly a blessing! I got to spend a whole day with my favorite aunt and two of my great aunts! Lots of laughter, food, and dominoes! I found out that Grandma Greiner has my life planned out. It might be interesting to see how close she hits! I don't think my poor mom went to bed before 2:00 am the whole time we were home! I'm guessing she's going to be dead on her feet this week. Chel was sitting at the computer one evening and telling mom about one of our friends' wedding. She was counting up the bride's maids and exclaimed, "Eight? Mom she had eight bride's maids." Mom was on the couch in one of those half awake half asleep modes and replied, "And you're definitely one of them." Have fun with that kind of stuff this week Dad!

I spent 2 hours up at the Library tonight....might I mention that it is my FAVORITE library....working on a paper that is do tomorrow for Org. Behavior. I'm in a group with 4 other guys, and one can't write. So I've still got to correct his part of the paper. I should prob get on to that!

Internet Explorer 7.0

I am so excited! Internet Explorer has finally come out with an update! I LOVE IT ALREADY! For any of you interested...aka...mom & dad, Chelsie, and Stephanie. Go here http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.mspx and click "Download" in the right hand corner. I'll most likely end up putting it on your computers, but it would help if you'd go ahead and install it yourselves! ;) If you have probs, you know who to call! They finally put the browsing tabs in so taht you don't have to have a bajillion IE windows open. My browser is much faster, maybe that's a computer thing, but sometimes the browser does help! Anyway...I'm just so happy I had to share! Today 9:30 I was officially done with school until Monday! I have to work, but still, that's not even as bad! I'm most likely not going to post again over thanksgiving break unless I just feel really motivated. So I just want to wish each of you a very Blessed Thanksgiving! I hope we can all truly dwell on for a while all of the many things that we have to be Thankful for, and I hope that none on that list are physical possessions! Love and prayers always!

A Poem for today

May today there be peace within
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love
that has been given to you....
May you be content knowing you are a child of God...
Let His presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom
to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

PS -- I got this in an email....I definitely didn't write it.

Free

My heart is singing,
"Free, really free my friend
freed by the "coming of the weekend"

Yeah I know it didn't fit into that song very well, but all the same, I have been singing that all day! Only one more test and then Thanksgiving break! I'm splitting for home, even though my mom, dad, grandma, and grandpa aren't going to be there. What a bummer, I go home and they all leave. Mom and Grandma are in Branson, dad is in Magdalena, and grandpa is in ..... don't remember the name of the place....hunting. I talked to dad tonight and he told me the house is all ready for me when I get there. Only no walking in to the smell of mom's cooking, with Christmas music coming from the record player(yes Christmas...hello...it's November!), and dad in his usual spot at the computer. Sadness. Oh well....I'll be getting to see my High School friends and most importantly my boy. Who I haven't seen in about 3 months. I was told he found a new girlfriend. He'll forget her when I walk in. You can forget calling my elder, "my boy," is a 5 year old! ;) I should really be hitting the road. Blessings to all!

Study Spot

This couch is my favorite study spot. Except for the library, which I'm definately in love with. Sometime I'm going to have a whole post dedicated to this amazing building! Anyway, this couch is where I have been keeping myself all week. It's an amazing study buddy. It keeps me from ever getting sitting "numbness" and it gives me enough room to spread all my books, food, music, and all of the other necessities of study life out around me. Libby, it's all thanks to you! You're amazing! I should really think up some kewl name for it. I thought I would post about this because I'm going to be spending the next week of my life in this exact spot. Don't expect any posts. I will be studying my life away on this amazing couch!

Evening Fun

It's wednesday already? Sheesh. As much as I'm ready for the weekend, I don't want it to get here because that means that my ginormo tests Friday, next Monday, and next Wednesday are just that much closer. Last night a bunch of us hung out and played Chinese checkers and Snakes & Ladders. I was the horse. See all the others in my dust??

Yeah...not to brag...but that's pretty much what happened! haha It was quite amusing because I think Tommie hit the big ole long snake 3 times and Matthias never got higher than half way! I didn't hit one snake...but I did burn the hot chocolate. Bummer. After everyone got their first cup of wonderful HC, I left the burner on warm so we could get seconds. We smell something burning and I go out there to find that the whole pot had blown up and crisped over. :( Sadness. Steph called so I walked around outside for an 1 1/2 while I was on the phone. Then instead of coming in like a good girl and studying some more, I went up to the guys' apartment and we had really good conversation til all hours of the morning. When will I learn.

Home

I was home for the SECOND weekend in a row! I was in Sabetha for about 3 hours on Friday night to see Brooke/Vince. Had a great evening with the Hubers and Francesi's then headed back to Manhattan. I was planning on leaving at 5:30 the next morning. Yeah...that didn't happen. I left at 7:15 for home. The fam spent a couple hours around the dinner table just eating and talking. Then dad headed back to the fields to plant more wheat. Mom, Chel, and I headed up there not to long after that and had an enjoyable time of driving over hedge apples. If you've never done that before you are seriously missing out! Only, mom got one of them to far under my rear tires and I started spinning out. Dad needed us to help move vehicles from one field to another, so when we were walking back to where the vehicles were Chel and I decided it would be fun to see how fast we could run. Mom was driving along side of us and we were running as fast as we could. I think we would have gone a little faster if I hadn't started giggling. Just the idea of 2 people running alongside a vehicle cracked me up and Chel and I both keeled over! Ok...lesson I learned. Never taste fertilizer. Dad was filling the planter up with it and it was dripping and I made the comment that it looked like engine oil. He swipes it with his finger and sticks it in his mouth. I've never been one to refuse a challenge so I did the same. NASTY! That's about the only way I can explain it. We moved dad to the other field, The Golf Course," then went on a walk. The weather was absolutely goregous! I actually got to see the sunset, which completely topped off the day! We had fried taco's for supper. Steph, your tortillos are terrible for fried tacos, there seemed to be more shell than anything else. Sunday, church was pretty tiny. Not that that is unusual, it just seemed smaller because the stewarts were gone. I think I counted 18 of us in afternoon church. Oh well, like God says, "where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am in the midst of them." His blessings were definately given in the sermons and the fellowship with awesome people!

Today I filed 2 months of payroll data. I have had it all entered for a long time, I just haven't gotten around to filing it. Over 500 sheets of paper, yep I'm definately sick of filing. I found out that at my old job, one of the students that was getting lots of work to do quit because they stuck him with scanning and filing, which is the same reason I quit. It makes me very thankful for this job that I have and love. Also makes me feel better to know I'm not the only one who would quit because of scanning and filing!

Homework is calling my name.

One of those days

It has really been one of those days where I want to go psycho. I've been at work since 10:15 and most of the day went really good. I even had about an hour of total desertion in the office. That was wonderful! I got a ton done, got everyone paid, fired a couple of people (haha, ok just terminated them didn't really fire them myself), and a bunch of other stuff. There are some really selfish professors here in our department however. We have one that came in and he's throwing a fit about the KSU Foundation not paying for his alcohol charges. It's of course the Travel ladies fault that he doesn't want to follow state policies. So, if anyone wants to pray for Dr. "" from KSU, he needs all the prayers he can get.

Yesterday in the union courtyard there was a preacher preaching to the students. There was a big crowd of people listening to him, but lots of them were laughing and making fun of him. I don't know what he stood for and didn't hear anything that he was talking about, so I couldn't really support him. It reminded me of Jesus' disciples and different apostles who were preaching salvation to the people and were being mocked and made fun of. Honestly, I had a huge feeling of sheepishness. I don't know that I could stand up there in front of my peers preaching the word of God and be able to press on. I would like to say that I would focus more about what God could give them than what they were doing to me, but I don't know. It's definately one thing to talk about God in my own life to those around me that don't know Him, but when it comes to telling others that they need God, I'm definately not that bold. Lots of food for thought. Lot's to work on.

On another note, Manhattan is BEAUTIFUL right now! It's one of the prettiest falls I've experienced! God is so good! AND...Brooke/Vince are in Sabetha and I get to see them tonight! WOOHOO!

Canasta

Stephanie was home from Mexico last week, and she left wednesday morning at 8. She will be down in Magdalena for a year teaching English at the orphanage and in the community. I'm planning on going down of winter break...so if anyone is interested... :)


Tuesday night Tommie, Steph, and I headed over to Topeka for a nice little Fall Fest. They didn't really know we were coming, but we came anyway! If you can guess who we were without hints I'll send you a cookie. I'll even make it myself! No comments...half of you have never eaten my cooking! And no...maggs and Lin are not a burrito! There were some cute trick-or-treaters. Chel thought one was trying to take a whole bunch of candy, but then she realized his tiny little hands inside of ginormous gloves makes it hard to even pick up one! Cute!

Last night Scott and I got killed in Canasta. We played Jason and Tommie. They made 2530 points on their first hand and 3015 on their last hand. We played 5 rounds. I think we were the more consistent team, because we made about 1200 avg each time. Jas and Tommie's must have just been luck.

Anyone with a warm house want to keep a hermit crab named Jacapo II for the winter? I think he's going to freeze to death in my house. That's what happened to Jacapo I.

Long Time no Blog

Yep, it tends to happen when school gets nuts. I had a couple of very hard tests this week, but now I'm FREE! Woo yeah woo! Yesterday to celebrate the happiness of the week being almost done, we carved pumpkins! It has definately been a long time since I have carved a pumpkin. I had this brillant idea that I was going to do Jesus' face. Yeah.......as soon as I put the pattern on my pumpkin I gave that up. And for some reason... Mon gave me the ginormo pumpkin. That thing was about 1 1/2 inches thick. It took us close to 2 hours to carve these beauties! No matter, we had a good time and got very messy.

L to R:
Kellan - A face with a very gappy tooth smile. He broke one of his teeth off and had to stick it back together with toothpicks! HA!
Monica - A smiley face with block mouth. Our pumpkins were all happy ones!
Renee - Her's was amazing! You can't see it very well, but she carved a dinosaur. Way more motivated than me....and anyone else for that matter
Scott - dun nu nu nu nu nu nu nu nu nu nu nu nu nu nu nu BATMAN! I think he was more into the pumpkin seed roasting though.
Tommie - We never really figured out what his was supposed to be. We think that he messed up and tried to correct it. Ending product...looked like a sunrise.
Me - Cross and Jesus fish. I'm so spiritual. :)

Last weekend 7 of us KSans hit up Ohio. Good times with not much sleep. In 3 days, I had a total of 15 hours of sleep. Not that great of a ratio, but to be honest, it wasn't hard to stay awake until the trip home. There has been a rival going on for a while now on who the best travelers are, Ohians or Kansans. They have this huge map of the US with all the churches they have been to stuck with push pins. We took a dry erase marker and dotted all the ones WE'VE been to. We totally schooled them! There wasn't even competition!

In one solid hour I'm headed to College Weekend. Not only am I extremely thrilled to get to hear some uplifting messages, I'm thrilled to be going on KSU funding! Woohoo! I hate spending money, so this pretty much starts the weekend out on a good note!

*Yes it's still Breast Cancer month.......and I continue to post in pink until that time is up!

A couple photos from Taylor

Matty and Kaitlin I think are the little girls' names. This is while watching the Swan Princess.

This would be Brian and Ash's engagement photo. We all knew it was coming some day, just not this soon!

Showing our purple pride!

Working on a jungle covered mountainside everything was green.....

A post worthy of Stephanie

Mom and dad: I tried to call you a ton this week and everytime I got a "all circuits are busy." So this is what I would have told you if I had have been able to talk to you.

I had an awesome weekend in Taylor! Friday night Lin and Tash were an hour late meeting Mathias and I in Cameron. So Mathias and I drove around Cameron and found all sorts of kewl stuff we never knew before. Cameron is 9 cents cheaper in gas prices, there are 10,000 people in this town, and they have a very interesting country western dance club! We had to restrain ourselves from hanging out there. We met up with the girls and headed to Taylor. We all talked the whole way there (2 1/2 hr) with the dome light on and I don't remember looking at the road once. Tash and Lin were in the back and twisted my rear view mirror so I could see them both. So it was probably at a 45 degree angle, since tash is huge and lin is tiny! I have to admit I was a little annoyed when we got left an hour late but I will say I was very thankful it worked out that way! When we got to Taylor we called up Anna and asked them where they were. They said not to worry about going to the Hoerr's because everyone was leaving. They told us that it had turned out what we thought was going to be a small group hanging out was indeed a large group having a singing. Phew! We all had slop traveling clothes on! We stopped on a gravel road to wait for some Bros to pick up Mathias and while we waited we had two encounters. A guy pulled over to help us, and two state troopers stopped to find out what we were up to. I wouldn't have been to scared if it hadn't been for lin crying out that he had his hand on his gun. That made me a little worried. We played 'dumb Kansas' people and they went away. Then the bros that were picking up mathias pulled in in a van. Only we didn't know they were the bros picking him up so we had this very awkward minute of staring at each other. The only thing I could think of to ask them to identify themselves was....are you AC? But then I spied Cam in a car behind the van and ran back there to save the day. We finally got to Norm and Sally's to run into the arms of our long lost love Bethany. Tears of joy were just flowing! Yes...exaggeration! We all chatted far into the night.

Saturday morning we took it easy. Had the best breakfast I've had in a long ole time. Then we hung out with Norm and Sally's grandkids. We watched the swan princess with them while we got sat on and our hair braided by them. Good times. Luke, Tony, Trent, and Cody swung by and picked up Maggs, Lin, Chel, Anna, Heidi, B, Tash, and myself to take us to Quincy where we ate lunch. Pour Lin couldn't speak up when her waiter filled her lemonade with water. Tony pouted because Luke poured salt in HIS fresh glass of lemonade. Nothing too terribly exciting happened...just lots of talking and catching up. Then we headed to Knochels for the start of the invite. 110...or at least somewhere around there was the count of guests. So yes....lots of people. Lots I knew...lots I didn't. I was super excited to see and hang out with old Kansans. They need to all move back. We had relays and tree naming and other fun events then everyone just hung out until supper. www.tifani.castpost.com We had lots of fun with the Hula Hoops they used for some of the relays! They roasted a whole pig and it was delicious! Quite the spread for supper! After supper we played volleyball until the bible study. Polly and I must have been very intense because we both walked off the court with ripped skirts. Bummer. It was my favorite one too. Kim (or Tim...I never could tell which) gave the Bible study Sat. evening. The topic of the weekend was 'Be Visible.' He went over some very nice points on how we need to be visible in our walk with the Lord so that those around us can "see us and glorify our Father in heaven." Then we had a huge and amazing singing around the fire. This might embarrass Ashley but I was so excited that I got to sing next to him. He's got an amazing voice, and since he's no longer in Manhappening...I never get to hear him sing. AFter that we hung out a while more then headed back to Norm and Sally's. Us girls were all in bed by 11. Insane..that's the earliest bedtime I've had since semester started. Sunday morning us 10 girls were the FIRST ones to breakfast! Booya! Sermons were both nice. I stuffed a whole brownie covered in chocolate in my mouth at lunch and about passed out. Also, got playfully punched in the arm by an elder...that's always fun! Along with everyone else in the church, shed some tears while singing "Light the Fire" as a special request to remeber a dear soul passed on. After hanging out for a while at the fellowship center we went and changed and headed to Joe's parents again. 4 hours of straight volleyball. It was awesome! Us Kansas girls (anna, maggs, chel, lin, and me) and one kansas girl at heart though not physically, (B) Took on a bunch of guys and of course showed them our mad skills and beat them! We left about 7 and then I spent the night in Topeka at the AC Convent.

Monday was fall break so I made sure I got my 8 hours of sleeping then got up and wasted the day away. Chel got home from class at about 1 and then we spent the rest of the afternoon and evening together. Steph we even went to Barnes and Noble's and 'went for coffee' (carmel latte's). For all the don't know, going for coffee in Lindsborg where Steph went to college is basically sitting and chatting for hours. Then we hung out with the Convent girls until about 11 when I finally decided it was time to go home.

Tuesday I can't really remember what happened but it was hectic. Joel from Denver stopped by and gave my roomie quite the shock on his way home from his bro's wedding. He called me when I was still at work to get directions to my apt. cause he was going to make it there about 5 min. before I got off work. He’s never met my roomie so he told me on the phone that he was going to have some fun with her. I get home and I could tell Mon was SOOO uncomfortable. Apparently, when she answered the door he yells, “Tifani!” walks in with wide open arms and give her this huge hug. She of course tells him she’s not Tifani and he responds “oh it hasn’t been that long. It’s me Joel, your high school friend.” She’s like “no really I’m not Tifani, she’s at work and she won’t be home for a while”. So he just keeps going with this and finally walks in sits down and says “well I’ll just wait for her here in this rocker!” Poor girl, She is soo shy and I’m sure she was about to cry. Of course who can blame her. We have all kinds of weirdo's stopping by. I was up at the lab studying the rest of the evening.

Wedneday was hectic as well. I met up with my stats class buddies so we could teach ourselves the material for todays test. I think I walked into church looking mad. Oops. But, it was just what I needed. Dave was up and spoke to us. Then a group of us went to Famous Dave's and ate. I don't know who the dear soul was that called in a paid for our meal, but it was very kind. Even though I doubt it was someone that read my blog, thank you to whomever it was! I got home and finished up reformatting my computer. And listened to the guys above me laughing hysterically about something. Turns out it was a picture of jason that they were tweaking. Just see his facebook pic and you'll understand why!

Yesterday I spent a long time with 1/3 of my class in our GTA's office trying to get him to actually teach us stuff that was going to be on the exam. After I got out of there we headed to Wamego for Resthome singing. Sometimes I wish that we had a resthome in Manhattan that we could sing at instead of Wamego, but then I go and am so thankful! There are about 25 to 30 FAITHFUL listeners! They are so amazing and I just appreciate them so much. I feel that they are doing a bigger service and giving a bigger blessing to us than us to them. There is a special little lady, Anna, who reminds me of my g-ma and I hope that I'm like her when I get old! She knows every song and isn't afraid to express how they are just "full of Jesus!" The rest of the evening was spent in front of my computer. I guess I did do a little bit of laundry but, I had a stats test to prepare for.

Today I'm just thankful the week is over. I head to give blood in 30 min. and then I'm heading over to Topeka this evening to spend time with the Convent girls and Tony,who is here this weekend! Now just 5 hours of work and payroll to separate the difference until freedom for the weekend!

PS--It's breast cancer month...everyone wearing their pink? Also, I am at work so I don't have any pictures with me but I'm going to put a couple pics up later on!

Phone

Last night I pretty much had nothing to do. Which ROCKS! Steph called me at 5:30, so Chel, Steph, and I did 3 way calling for about an hour. I walked around talking and doing errands. Then headed to Wal-Mart to get some much needed supplies. They had to go so I called dad to tell him something but instead Steph called him so I told him I would call back. Well, mom was at home and the last 3 nights I've been trying to talk to her, but things just kept happening, such as my phone hanging up on her. So, I called her instead. She was cleaning so she called me back a little bit later. That is when things started getting crazy. I talked to mom for about an 1 while riding my bike. While on the phone with her tommie called me, while on the phone with him dad called, while on the phone with him lin called, while on the phone with her scott called, while on the phone with him austin called. It was INSANE! I was on the phone from 5:30 almost straight through to 8:30. My friend Abby would be proud, she used to try and train me to be able to talk on the phone. I still hate it, but I'm getting better.

I'm headed to Taylor in 2 hours and I'm getting very pumped! Hope to see LOTS of you there! My co-workers were laughing at me because for some DUMB reason I started singing the wedding march. Why? No idea. I just hope that doesn't mean any of my friends are getting engaged this weekend. I'll be bummed out. Oh and I found out something about myself that I didnt know. When I am concentrating very hard while I'm typing data, I pucker my lips. Weird huh.

SGA Funding

"Student Senate met between the evening's two events, passing allocations to the Japanese Yosakoi Dance Club and the Apostolic Christian Church Group. Yosakoi received $222.84 to go to the Greater Kansas City Japan Festival, and the Apostolic Christian Church received $330 to attend a seminar in Peoria, Il." - Kansas State Collegian, September 22, 2006

Woohoo! Praise the Lord! We're going to College Weekend with student funds! Now we just need to figure out a way for them to let us take a Powercat van!

What's with all the pumpkin fests?

I went to Cissna Park, IL this weekend with Lauri Stoller and Monica Strahm. Had a good weekend. Watched some people get dunked. Locked my keys in my car...twice. Ran into a tree branch while playing capture the flag in the dark. Dropped my phone into a chair full of water. Took an exit to get gas and ended up driving 5 miles instead of point two five miles. It's going to be a GREAT week. :) I'm sure it will be actually, because even though I told the mishaps first, I did have a good weekend! Got to see and be with great people! Heard the testimonies of 5 dear souls! Took a walk under the stars in the middle of nowhere, IL! (Quite different than middle of nowhere, KS) Played an intense game of capture the flag....ps--my team won! Sat inside a bonfire pit (seriously we did...our fire was tiny) and spent quality time with friends. Got to ride a very sweet motorcycle...which is almost like driving it right?? Sat at a table with some older ladies that told AMAZING stories! And lots lots more stuff that I can't really remember right now because my stomach is growling so loudly I can't think. It seriously is about to eat itself. I've already single handedly demolished my boss's candy dish here at work, but it didn't satisfy. Only 3 more hours before relief.

Oh...and there was a pumpkin fest in Cissna. What is it with IL and pumpkin fests?

Rabbit-Hole Christians

Just recently, I went to the visitation of a Grandpa of some dear friends of mine. While I was there, I got to talking with a Sister whose unconverted daughter I have become very close with. I don't know exactly how it got brought up, but the mother told me that one of my friend's friends started repenting and now never talks to her anymore. The now converted girl never acknowledges her or invites her to do stuff, basically has no more interaction with her. My friend is very confused and doesn't understand why a now converted "christian" showed more love in her unconverted daysthan she does now. It very much frustrated me. My roommate is not a member of the AC church, but she is very much a christian. I asked her for more details about this instance, and she said that is how quite a few of the converted young people treat her and other "non-AC's." They won't talk to their old friends, they've left them behind with their sins. They are being ignored by the very people who have dedicated their life to serving God and bringing His love to this earth. I don't understand how we as christian's have let our focus get so far off track? Why is it that while we are serving a Father who loves everyone and acknowledges everyone, we do not walk in his foot steps? What gives us the right to keep Christ's amazing love to 'ourselves' and shun those who most need it? God's love can shine through us so amazingly, yet we book it up for only those that we deem worthy of it. There are some girls in high school that travel around with us, and when they can't make a weekend they are just as excited about getting an invitation as if they would have gotten to go. My roommate told me she always really appreciated people in the YG who took time to stop and chat at church, because she could tell they were truly interested in how she was doing. I guess I'm writing this as an encouragement to everyone that reads this, don't forget the sunday school or friends just because you have changed your life. If God wanted to keep us to himself, He would taken us off this earth once we were given salvation. He doesn't want us to live in a bubble, He wants us to 'go our ways as lambs among the wolves.' (Luke 10:3) I'll leave you with this daily bread my aunt sent me.

Rabbits are Timid creatures that pop out of their holes every morning, try to avoid everything (except other rabbits), eat their food, and jump back into their holes in the evening. ‘Whew! We made it through another day,” they’d say if they could talk.

Rabbit-hole Christians are a lot like that. They eat lunch with other Christians at work and relate almost exclusively with fellow-believers in their church. They avoid socializing with unbelievers and wouldn’t think of accepting an invitation to one of their parties. No wonder unbelievers equate being a Christian with a kind of aloof self-righteousness.

Jesus' congeniality among disreputable people earned Him the title of “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matthew 11:19). He reached out to such people because He knew He couldn’t help them without becoming their friend. Jesus never said anything He shouldn’t have said nor did He laugh at off-color stories. He won people’s respect by caring for them. Jesus has equipped us with the Holy Spirit and assured us that He’ll be with us so we can follow His example.

Let’s guard against being rabbit-hole Christians. –Herb Vander Lugt

A Rather Blustery Day

Hum, dum, dum, dee, dee, dum

Hum, dum, dum

Oh the wind is lashing lusterly

And the trees are thrashing thrusterly

And the leaves are rustling gusterly

So it's rather safe to say

That it seems that it may turn out to be

It feels that it will undoubteadly

Looks like a rather blustery day today

It seems that it may turn out to be

Feels that it will undoubteadly

Looks like a rather blustery day today

- A Rather Blustery Day, Winnie the Pooh

Headcovering - with sources this time!

I lost my favorite head covering. So, I did what any logical woman would have done and googled for it. Just to see if any AC has set up her own headcovering shop yet! I was very intrigued to find all these links to differnt articles written about why women wear headcoverings! I should have been studying, but instead I was captivated with some of the articles. Below I grouped a bunch of the thoughts from some of the different articles I read. It will probably read kinda brokenly because of this, but I still found this very 'good reading.'

"In obedience to Sacred Scripture, many Catholic women wear some kind of veil or headcovering. Some wear a headcovering only at Mass. Others feel called to wear a headcovering at other times during the day, as well as at Mass. Many non-Catholic Christian women also wear a headcovering.These women are following the call of the Holy Spirit. Society discourages women from wearing a headcovering and from doing anything else which shows submissiveness and obedience. Yet these women have found the light of truth in the midst of dark times.The moral law requires all women to wear the veil on their hearts. A woman should not wear the veil on her head, until she is wearing it first on her heart. A woman who wears the veil on her heart accepts the place that God gives to women in the Church, the family, and society.The veil should cover her head, but not her face. It is first and foremost symbolic of humility, submissiveness and obedience.Some have said that a woman's husband or pastor is the covering. In the 20th century, some churches began to teach that the head covering is only the hair while others started to teach that the head covering was only for Paul's era. Still others have recongnized that what is being spoken of in 1st Corinthians 11 is a piece of cloth , but teach that woman of today need not wear it.Historically from the beginning of the Church and up until the mid twentieth century most Christian women have covered their hair at least for church services. Why? Because historic practice and the Bible said so. For much of European history, the head covering took the form of fitted caps.In America, caps, hats and bonnets have been worn for church and when going out to town until the the 1930's. A head covering is, in my definition, a piece of cloth worn to cover the head or the bulk of the hair of a woman either just during religious services or at all hours during the day.Most women who wear a veil for church services will site simple obedience as their motive. In a discussion on an online mail group list, the author discussed other reasons in favor of wearing one all the time. The woman is the representative of the church here on earth. She may cover her hair as a sign of the church's submission to Jesus Christ here in the physical world knowing that the Bible states that the Church is the bride of Christ. The beginning of the end for the covered was already underway by the 1920's. In 19th century America most women covered their hair when going out. They used bonnets and fitted caps to do this. In the latter years of the 1800's hats came into fashion , stayed in fashion, and have never become entirely unfashionable. The hat did, however, become an item of clothing that most people only wear for weather protection. We can still find fashionable hats on sale in better department stores. It has been said by some wise person that if even one generation stops a certain practice, it will be as if the practice had never happened. This is what happened to the head covering. It's not that everyone stopped this practice ; everyone did not stop wearing the head covering. Enough people stopped wearing it that people forgot that it was once worn by most women and they forgot why it was worn."The emphasis of Christianity is anti legalistic. Some people take this to mean that we should put too much emphasis on practices that are superficial. These people are correct that any practice which has too much emphasis placed on it can disrupt a balanced approach and can become an idol.AN ITEM OF CLOTHING CAN NOT AND WILL NOT SAVE YOUR SOUL.The head covering is a spiritual tool. Like any tool, it must be used properly by someone who is prepared to use it. If many choose not to use this particular tool, it will not damn their soul, but we must reflect on why Jesus Christ gave us this tool and on why we have thrown it away. Many wearing a headcovering have indicated that it gives and aids a unique witness and helps them to reflect on herself and her relationship with Christ. All who wear it have said that it helps to keep the mind and heart on Jesus Christ."

And after all.....isn't that what we're striving for??

sources:
http://www.expage.com/page/headcovering
http://www.kingshouse.org/headcovering.htm
http://theopenscroll.com/headcovering.htm

Facebook

I don't know how many of you out there have facebook. I have an account and have enjoyed keeping up with my friends from high school and from church. Facebook put this new thing in called News Feed. It highlights every single change or activity that someone has recently updated. It's very stockorish, but it's kinda addictive. While looking through some of the news feed's, I saw that a ton of my friends had joined the group, "Students against Facebook News Feed (Official Petition to Facebook)." I decided to go check this group out. Someone posted a topic under this group titled, "What Really Matters in Life (It's about God y'all)." He put a post under there to a link, that I haven't checked out actually, but wow.... in 4 days this topic has 3,868 replies. As I'm reading more and more of these replies, I have become more and more depressed. There are so many of my fellow college students who don't care about God, don't think God cares about them, have no desire to follow Him, or just blatantly refuse to believe he exists. One guy wrote, "The Facebook news feed is more important than God now. 50,000 members confirm it." What also has depressed me, is how some of the "bandwagon christians" are replying to this topic. Cory Metzger had a bible study called "Reaching the Lost, Sharing your Faith," on Saturday night. A huge point he wanted to hit home with us was to understand that we cannot force God on anyone. And if we want to reach out to the lost, it has to be in God's timing, not our own. God has a perfect plan for each of us, and he knows when people are soft to Him being a part of their life. Cory's talk also corresponded with Lynn Fiechters the B-town invite weekend about having a passion to be used by God. If we truly want God to use us to be a witness or whatever, we need to let Him know through prayer and actions. My prayer is that obviously everyone can come to know our amazing God, but I also pray that we as followers of God will let Him speak through us and not try to use our own 'wit' to win people over.

I had a dream last night that my hermit crab, Jacapo, had 14 babies. I was following him all around the house watching him give live births to these slightly smaller HC's. It was really weird. I looked up how hermit crabs give birth and it's in the water and they lay eggs. So.....this must have been the effect of looking at pictures of Martha and Grants little boy, born on Sunday, and letting Jacapo out to crawl around our house.

Parking tickets may be the only thing I hate

I've lived in my new apartment for a month. Close anyway, 29 days to be exact. The first 21 days that I have lived here I have parked under a tree...in fact here is a picture of my tree....(runs outside and takes a pic)

It's actually of my parking spot the first 21 days of my residence at 1115. Have I hit it home to you yet that I parked there for 21 days? If you haven't got that yes, let me say it one more time. I parked in this spot for 21 days. And in those 21 days I didn't ONCE get a parking ticket. First day of school I get a $15 parking ticket. I was frustrated because after all it is my apartment that I'm parked right in front of. Same cop, a week later gives me ANOTHER ticket. I LIVE HERE MR. POLICEMAN! So I went to the Municipal place today to show them my parking pass and my lease, and the dismissed one and told me that I could have a meeting with the big dog to get the other one waived. But alas, the only time I can meet with him is Friday from 8:30 to 10:30. Stink I have class. So I paid $15 for a parking ticket I didn't deserve. And I think the thing that gets me the most is Jason and Aaron BOTH were parked right in front of me on the same street and neither of them have a parking permit. GRRRRRR I bet it was a guy cop. So anyway...I'm officially legal:

Fun fact: Stimulate from being on the subject of my car. I'm sure many of you have noticed that the light that likes to come on and shout at you when you're about to run out of gas, is spelled differently from most gauges in the world.

Dictionary.com lists "gage" as a variant, and I guess that's okay; "gauge" really looks like it shouldn't have a long "a" sound. I just saw that for the first time on my way home from IN. Why does the English language have to be so trying.

That's awkward

My life is screwy right now. I'm out of sorts. The start of it happened in B-town last weekend. Chelsie, Jesse Rufener, and Josh Steffan were talking next to the bathrooms. I had to go really bad so I headed that way. I stopped and chatted with them for a while then gave some stuff to Chel and headed right in. They sit out there for a while then Josh says, "Maybe it's just me, but I could have sworn she just went into the guys bathroom." Chel was like, "Um...I was thinking that too." So he decided there was only one way to find out. Meanwhile, back in the bathroom, I'm tucking my shirt in getting ready to leave after ...taking care of business (no delicate way to put that)..when I spied this urnal. I was thinking in my brain that I'm going to have to mention that there was a urnal in the womens bathroom. All of a sudden Josh looks in the bathroom and said "Tifani??" in a very unsure voice. I was shocked and looked at him like he was crazy. Come on what's a guy doing sticking his head in a 'womens' bathroom. .......Then the comprehension hit. I walked quickly out the door and found to my displeasure about 10 sisters dying laughing along the opposite wall (they saw me go in) and Chels, Jesse, and Josh about to keel over.

Then, tonight, I was setting up our wireless internet. Jason Kaeb, Scott Kellenberger, and Aaron Luthi live right above us so we are sharing the internet. We didn't have our sbcglobal registration done, so I couldn't get it set up without interent. I was wearing some pretty non-decent clothes, but since it was completely dark outside and I knew the guys wouldn't be home for a while, I didn't think and just ran out the door with my laptop to quickly steal some internet. I really thought I was under the cover of darkness. So I'm intently typing away...and wouldn't you know Aaron decides he has to come home at that time. I didn't see him til he called out asking if I was setting up our internet as he's walking toward me. I couldn't think of anything but, "Stop, you can't come any closer!" I think he was confused, but he stopped abruptly and turned around and went inside. So later when I went up there to tell the the outcome of our internet, I had to explain that I was using the shield of darkness because I wasn't decent. He was like, "Um...you were sitting under a street light." Doh! *hits head*

I count it a true blessing though that neither of these times were turned into something a lot worse...and awkward.

B-Town Once More...I love that place

This past weekend Dan Leman, Brandon Edelman, Chelsie and I went to Bluffton/Leo for the Gateway Woods sale and a Bluffton Invite. We had a really great time!

We got there for the Friday night activities for once in our lives, and they were really great! I definately will be going to those more often. It was a blessing to see everyone! There was tons of singing! We got to take part in a "100 ft. diameter Grain Bin" singing! I have been hoarse ever since we got back! It's a satisfying hoarseness however! Might be interesting in glee today. Hope they don't ask us to sing! Classes started yesterday and it's been weird getting back into the swing of things. I already got a stupid parking ticket. I'm ticked. When you get home from a 12 hour road trip, the last thing you are going to be worrying about is not parking in the 2am to 8 am green zone. Sheesh. I gotta get to class but first...


On the way home from B-town, we discovered something about Dan that not many people know.

He owns a town called...

And the population equals 1.

Grocery List

Louise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store. She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries. She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they had 7 children and they needed food.

John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store immediately. Visualizing the family needs, she said, "Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can." John told her he could not give her credit, since she did not have a charge account at his store.

Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family. The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, "Do you have a grocery list?" Louise replied, "Yes, sir." "OK." he said, "put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount of groceries."

Louise hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed.

The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down. The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, "I can't believe it." The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales. The scale did not balance so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more.

The grocer stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper form the scales and looked at it with great amazement. It was not a grocery list, it was a prayer, which said: "Dear Lord, you kow my needs ad I am leaving this in your hands."

The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence. Louise thanked him and left the store. The other customer handed a fifty dollar bill to the grocer and said; "It was worth every penny of it! Only God knows how much a prayer weighs."

Collection of Blab

This past weekend I went home for the first time in 11 weeks! Friday night after Chel and I got home, we went up and to one of my dad's fields and just sat in the beauty of the evening. Dad was cutting corn so I road the combine with him, and then Chel and I switched and mom, Steph, and I just sat there enjoying the peace...and the stars! I definately miss being in the middle of nowhere. Saturday, after sleeping 2 1/2 hours longer than I meant to, I went and saw my kids. Spent a couple of hours with them, just catching up and playing! Bub was sooo funny! He wanted my attention so bad, so when Shelly or Justin (the parents) would ask me a question, he would immediately say, "Hey Tif." "Hey what?" "Look at our phone." or "I got treasure chest" or he would just giggle. Made me feel good! He got in trouble though because he was being 'naughty.' Justin told him this, and he preceded to hang his head and go down the stairs very slowly and sadly. You couldn't help but laugh! They make me smile! Went home and hung with the family til about 4 and then one of my best HS friends came over and we caught up for a couple of hours. My g-parents came over, along with my G-ma Bahr and AP, and we had my birthday party! I'm 21!! Woohoo! It was more like a wedding shower though, I got 2 crock pots, a fondue kit, and a sandwich thingy majig. I'm not complaining though, I'll use them all! I like getting stuff I can use. Sunday I was bummed to find that the Stewart kids weren't going to be in church. But, it just gave us more time to spend with the older people in church! Matt & Courtney Schupbach came over that afternoon and we had a rip roaring good time! Chel and I left about 7:30. It was the hardest thing, because we know that we will not see our sister Stephanie for a good couple of months. After having said goodbyes to tons of Kansans this past year, I thought it would be getting easier. But it's never easy to say goodbye to someone you love and spend a ton of time with. If I had my way everyone would just stay within a 100 mile radius of me. But...God is bigger and He knows why all of my dear friends need to be where they are at.

After Jacapo died (for all who don't know who this amazing animal was, he was my hermit crab that froze to death when I lived in the Hunting house), Dona, Brooke, and I got a fish. But I've gone back to being a hermit crab pet owner as of 5:30 yesterday! I'm so excited! His/her name is Jacapo the II. He's pretty shy right now, but I'm guessing in no time he'll love me just as much as Jacapo the I did. I have confidence. Monica moves in today! Very excited about this new living situation. Jhoe has a friend that is looking for a place to live this next year, so we're praying about what we should do. It would be nice to have a third, but she's Hindu and possibly might not want to live with two christians. Guess we'll see what the Lord has in store. Jhoe, Chel, and I went and played tennis, we are pretty pathetic, then when we were leaving we spied the sand VB courts soaked with water. So we called up Austin and Tommie and played some Sandy water volleyball! It was amazingly fun! After some pizza then a Walley World trip, Chel played with Jacapo and I got things ready for Monica to move in! Now I'm at work, and have run out of stuff to say!

Taking care of them for how long??

My sister Stephanie is headed to Mexico for a year next week. She so kindly left Chelsie and I in care of her plants...without asking us. Then she sends us the following email because we know NOTHING about taking care of plants. I found it very amusing.

To my darling sisters who will be taking care of my plants while I am in Mexico and undoubtedly needing my guidance in order not to kill the plants and then face the wrath of Stephanie,

Here are the necessary requirements:

Mr. Plant (Chelsie):

Yes, this is his name... don't change it. He will become very irritated. So will I. Mr. Plant requires that you water him whenever the soil surrounding his roots is dry to the touch - not "dust" dry, but just less moist than normal. This means you will probably water him about once a week - about two and a half cups of agua. Also, NO direct sunlight. He needs to sit in complete shade, although a little light is permissable. Make sure you check to see that there is no mold growing in the fake matting surrounding the base (this is the stuff that looks like grayish-yellow string). Otherwise he will mold, smell, die, and then you will die.

Arne Root (Tifani):

Once again... no changing of the name. It's pronounced Ar-nuh (emphasis on the first syllable)... named for a famous Swedish journalist. He likes to be the topic of conversations whenever you wish to tell your friends and family about his fabulous namesake (plus this makes you appear smart). Arne requires that you water him once a week... about two cups of water should do it unless he is really thirsty... and then two and a half. If his leaves start to yellow, turn brown, and crinkle up, remove them at the base of the leaf's stem by gently pulling upward - otherwise Arne gets mad, spits, shows his teeth and chews on your arms. Don't risk it. He needs partial sunlight... not direct. Fry him, kill him, and then you will die a painful death as well.

Spike (Tifani):

Kinda cute for a cactus, huh? Spike is a cactus... hence he does not need a TON of watering... however, he can use a little. Spike should be watered about once every week and a half, and not given too much water... about a small cupful is all he needs. He does, however, require sunshine... not necessarily direct, but he should have a good two or three hours per day. Keep this in mind when you arrange your apartment - in fact, arrange it to meet Spike's needs. Remember that when you water him... he pees. Always put a dish under him or a cup to catch the run-off. Also... Spike is about to outgrow the pot he is in... CAREFULLY replant him in a slightly larger pot and make sure you purchase GOOD soil for him... or else he will lose his roots, his life, and you will lose your head.

Bambi (Tifani):

Bambi is short for bamboo... and probably the easiest to care for in this group. However, she has kung-fu moves you have never seen if you do indeed let her die - so don't. Around her base in the cool-turquoise-oriental-lookin'-jar, you will see gray foam: this foam must ALWAYS be kept wet. It usually needs replenishing every five days or so... depending upon her location which should NEVER be in direct sunlight. She doesn't mind partial sunlight, but if sun hits her in the leaf she will break out of her pot and go chlorophyll on your... butt. So... treat her right and she'll bring you peace and harmony, and if you don't you'll die... from both her and I.

Thank you for your time and don't kill my plants.

Sincerely,

Stephanie L. Bahr

I did that too

I really appreciated my devotion today. It had me read Matthew 18:23-33, which is about the servant the master forgave of his debts and then the servant went and threw a fellow servant who owed him into prison.

Our friend Barbara Leavitt loved flowers. Her home was a garden of rare beauty and sweet fragrance, and so was her life. Her presence was like a delightful bouquet.
Barbara went to be with the Lord in 2005, but something happened a few days before she died that I will never forget. My wife and I were sitting at her bedside with other friends telling stories about our childhood when I mentioned that I had once stolen some flowers. There was a park between the elementary school I attended and our home. One day, while walking through the park, I saw a row of irises in bloom and cut several to take to my mother. Some older boys saw me and threatened to call the police. I lived in terror for weeks thinking they would come and take me away.

Barbara placed her hand over mine and murmured softly, “I did that too.” I thought, That should be my response when I see the sins of others or hear about them—“I did that too.” Perhaps I’ve not committed their particular sin, but all sin is blameworthy and requires God’s forgiveness.

Awareness of our own depravity is what John Newton called “the root of perpetual tenderness.” I don’t want to be like the ungrateful servant in Matthew 18. I want to be gracious and show mercy, for “I did that too.” —David H. Roper

Teach me to feel another’s woe,
To hide the fault I see;
The mercy I to others show,
That mercy show to me. —Pope

Research

While we were in Denver, I was talking to Kristen Edelman and she told me I research a ton of stuff. (Research not being extensive papers but enough Knowledge for me to understand) I never really thought about it, but I do. Dumb stuff, that would never come up in normal conversation. The reason I'm thinking about this is I just got done finding out if it was trespassing to walk on a golf course at night. Last night it was raining and a couple of us went walking in the rain. We were going to go up to Manhattan Hill, but we decided instead to checkout the hill that the golf course is on top of. We got up there and started walking on the sidewalk through the course so we could see the sunset better. We walked half-way around before we started wondering if it was illegal or considered trespassing. So today I just got done looking it up. It indeed is considered trespassing. I'm bummed out, it was very enjoyable walking up there...esp in the rain. Here are some things I've researched in the past month:

• Largest city in the US and KS and which have grown since 1950
• Lyrics to "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood" and facts on Mr. Rogers
• KSU's pop. compared to U of I's pop. in the last 10 years
• Looked up and researched why so many diets fail and the most affective one....(trust me...I'm not on one...I was just really curious)
• The reason for St. Patty's day and the man St. Patrick
• Recipee's for Apple Soda - only problem was they were all containing vodka...so they must not be very good
• 2 things that I will not tell you because I don't want anyone to get sick...although you nurses would prob appreciate them

Anyway...so now I have become Queen of Fun Facts. Maybe someday I'll be able to use my useless knowledge!

The Ultimate Rejection

Today...I take this moment to reflect upon my life beforehand.

I was a nice girl once, then I met Ashley Esslinger, and now I am violent.
I thought meeting Matt Slagel was fun, the first guy, besides Ash, that would sit down and watch Anne of Green Gables.
I thought they were my friends.
They always talked to me.
They always made me feel welcome.
They laughed at my stupidity like any normal friend.

When did it go wrong? What did I do? Can I ever get it back? As I climb to the top of Shellenberger Hall, peek over the edge, brace myself, find a nice spot below, I reflect on 'the ultimate rejection.' That is why I am a new person today.

Confused? Call 1-818-663-5412. I'd recommend after 9:00 pm, if you want to help your phone bill.

Deathly Sick

A couple of weeks ago, a cockroach about 2 inches long was found in the coffee maker where I work. Not inside the coffee pot, but inside the maker itself, where the water is poured. Determined to never ever drink out of that maker...which I don't drink coffee anyway so I'm kinda safe...I went on with life thinking that we rid our office of the nasty little thing. Right now I am completely grossed out however. I am up at my place of work studying for a final I have tomorrow. Since it is getting late, I decided to start up my mass intake of water...(it helps keep me awake when I have to use the bano every so often). Anyway, I went into the vault, where the water cooler is, and there were baby cockroaches EVERYWHERE. There had to be about 20 of them all over the napkins, coffee pot, counter where we sit food, etc....I HATE cockroaches. I can stand other insects, but not these creepy things. I started killing as many as I could with a bubble lined envelope. As many as I could ended up being two. The rest scattered. So I left, shut the door and actually kinda forgot about them. I was stretching my legs not to long ago and I looked out into the room next to the vault and there is another 2 inch long cockroach. Keeping myself in complete composure, I grabbed the thickest book I could find and chunked it at it. Fortunately I hit it and smashed it. Of course the smashing could have been from me running and jumping up and down on the book. Hmmm. No matter, it died. I decided to face the vault again and once more, baby cockroaches everywhere. I killed a couple more of them then decided to set out some sticky rat traps. (We've had trouble with mice to...but I do work in the College with 'baking' science so those are understandable) Still, I'm totally repulsed and don't think much more studying can be done....especially up here. On that note I think I'm going to get out of here as quick as I can. I don't want to be alone with the evil little creatures.

Tired??

Luke wrote on his blog that he was tired. I think I'm tired to. Either that or my brain has just experienced so much in the last week that it's dying. Sum up:

• I was in Mexico last week. A Genuine blessing! I definately came home with a lot on my mind and feel like I gained a whole lot more than I gave.
• I got back from Bern last night and I found my fish Fergal dead. *tear*
• Jhoe and I met up and had a long talk. Her country is forcing her to return to the Philippines for 2 years to complete her residency. This eliminates Monica and I's third roommate.
• After missing a week of classes, I found out my final is indeed on Friday. stink
• I check out of my apartment this Friday at 6:45...so I will be packing all kinds of stuff this week. And because of this I'm waiting to know if people are going to wait for me so I can go to Washington this weekend.

Mexico

I'm leaving for Mexico on Friday! I'm sooo excited to see the Schicks, to see the children, to be with great people, and to get to shine God's love! Please keep our group in your prayers for safety, but even more that we could be bold in our Lord. There are going to be quite a few non-Christians on our trip, please pray for their hearts to see Him and listen to His calling.

Last night my future roomie Jhoe gave me a call and asked me to go to kick boxing with her. It was great! Maggs we did so many boxing moves! Crosses, jabs, hooks, blocks....awww...I forgot how much I enjoyed it! I packed for Mexico and found out that I forgot to grab my birth certificate from home. So steph and I will be traveling two hours south to Wichita to meet my mom and pick it up. While I was packing steph read a book outloud to me! I don't know when I stopped packing exactly, steph looked up from the book and we both found me sitting staring at her! Good book! I had it in my bag on the Denver trip and sometime when there were all brothers in the van they started reading it. haha They told me later that they were ashamed that I was reading a book like that. I didn't understand until they told me that they had it out and Tommie and Brian were reading parts back and forth (being dumb of course) and they got freaked out when they read "Charley married the blacksmith!" Serves them right I guess for making fun of a really good book! The Denver trip was awesome! It's been a while since the KS young group got to spend time together, and it was great! We went white water rafting on Saturday. I'd never been before, but I will definately be going again. Our guide told us that 2nd weekend in June has the BEST rapids....so white water rafting trip for the 2nd week in June is GOING to get scheduled. I have nothing else to report and I need to finish up at work so farewell all!


ps -- Charley's name is Charlotte and SHE did indeed marry a blacksmith!

Buttons

My mangt 420 class is now over, leaving me with just one class and then work to fill my weekdays. Last night, without any homework to put my focus on, I turned on some music and sat down to complete some much needed sewing. I was a couple hours into sewing when I heard Austin E. come in and ask if I was home. He came on back and asked to borrow my sewing kit. Upon question what he needed mending he said he needed to sew on a button. I asked him if he would like me to do it or if he knew how. He said he'd be ok doing it. So I handed him a needle, thread, and some scissors. One button....that was all. Guess how long it took him to put it on? 45 MINUTES! He talked non-stop, which didn't bother me, but I had to laugh when he started talking about how sewing doesn't take much concentration. He said, "It doesn't take a lot of brains to sit here and stick a needle through a hole." Riiiiiiiight...and it took 45 min. to put ONE button on!

4th of July

I found it awesome to sit under a star filled sky, watching explosive phenomenons, while thinking about the "heaven-rescued land" and praising the "Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!" I hope that each of you had a safe and fun-filled 4th weekend.

Friday Steph, Chel, and I headed for the State of the Lakes, Minnesota. Very happening trip, we sang, and sang, oh and sang some more. What can I say, that's what we do best. It was kind of weird because on the way up there everyone in Iowa stared at us. At first it was funny then it got a little awkward.

Saturday, the '3 little bears' (3LB), steph, chel and I's new nickname, went over to Braden Moglers. If you don't count him throwing hamburger buns around the kitchen and dropping all sorts of things on the floor, you could say he whipped Meg Dill, Ben Dill, and the 3 LB's up a pretty good meal! We worked it off with a bike ride to Minnehaha Park and then around Lake Hiawatha. Chel was telling Ben that she had trouble steering as she kept getting closer and closer to him. Very funny to watch her from behind! I think he was a little scared! Here at Minnehaha Park (Joe Dill, Meg and Ben's little brother, told us it was a park that had a 'little joke' everyday! HA!), we met up with some UofI'ers: Katrina Stoller, Matt Schrenk, Brent Sauder, Loren Mogler, and Eric Zimmerman; the rest of the Minneapolis YG(Minni's): Krissa Skoglund, Cheryl Luthi, Zena Davila, Ben Moser, and Jeff Rienhardt. Half of us road back to the vehicles to dump our bikes off, while the other half went and played Frisbee football in a gorgeous little area down by Minnehaha creek. When we were biking back to the truck, Chelsie thought she knew where she was going and took off up the interstate. Katrina had happened to follow her and when they saw Braden and Ben not turning there, they about killed themselves by turning around in the middle of the road. I laughed.....hard. After a great game of FF, we all headed to the Dill's for a braut/hotdog roasting. Awesome conversations, with a little bit of fireworks, (some that almost started Braden and Ben on fire), and of course singing Patriotic songs filled our evening. We played 4 on a couch and that one game that you laugh a lot and draw pictures….I can NOT remember the name of it! The girls of COURSE won 4 on a couch and all definitely got a face workout with all the laughter going on!

Sunday held some great sermons, and sad goodbyes to the UofIer’s. But, even with them gone the weekend was nowhere near over! Until about 7 everyone did their own thing. Steph and Grandma read a book, AP worked in her garden, Chel slept, and I went on a run/walk by one of the creeks. I was only going to go about an hour but ended up going 2 hours because I got my directions all messed up. No I was not lost.....;) Then we met up with the Minni’s and had a picnic while watching “The Merchant of Venice” at a Theatre in the Park.

Ben, Braden, Matt, Chel, and I then proceeded to almost kill ourselves playing 2 on 3 keep away with a Frisbee. The reason we almost killed ourselves was because we were playing in the Theatre in the Park arena, and there were concrete steps which we were constantly running up and down. See pic to the left. Braden could have died when he made an awesome diving catch and fell backwards and whacked his head on the concrete. Actually I don’t know if he could have died….that’s just what Chel said! We went back to AP’s house and spent the rest of the evening playing games and laughing! When we first got back we had the greatest conversation ever! It was about HARRY POTTER! If the Minni’s don’t rock for any other reason than that they are all Harry Potter readers, that’s fine by me!! At one point we were all talking highly excitedly all at once about our theories for the 7th book. Mass chaos, but it was so great!

Monday, the Minni’s and 2 of the LB’s went on a 17 mile canoe trip! I can not in words explain how amazing this was. The first 7 miles of the ¼ mile across River had quite a few people on it. But the next 10 miles we had the river to ourselves. Peaceful, beautiful, no getting stuck in sand, everything you could imagine for a canoe trip. My canoe partner, Ben, and I made a great team. We didn’t really think we would be because we started the trip off bashing each other! It ended up we had some really nice conversations though! I appreciated them. At the end of 7 miles, we had to “cruise control” because we kept getting too far ahead. It happens easily when you aren’t really paying attention! So Zena hopped in with us! After canoeing we headed back to Moglers, ate, played Blurt, had a singing, and then said our goodbyes. That was hard. I didn’t want to leave MN, it won my heart in the short time I was there. Most of it is because of the people up there.

To end this insanely long post, some highlights I missed:
- Braden forgetting he was leading people and almost running us into tons of obstacles on our bike ride.
- Chelsie face-diving into the ground while playing FF.
- Braden, Steph, Katrina, Chel, and I’s “time for a picture” breaks while going up 500 stairs. I’m sure that number is exaggerated!
- “Let your light so shine before men” turning into “Monster being burnt by the sun” in telephone pictionary
- Krissa’s stress reliever – a chicken that you grip around the neck and it starts wheezing and dying!
- Braden and Chelsie running to push me into the water but ending up tripping over me and dunking themselves instead
- Singing to “Home grown tomatoes”
- Zena and I trying to wade and falling off a steep incline into water
- Matt shouting ‘expire’ to the definition of exhale: ‘to breathe out’ and Chelsie replying “No that’s to stop breathing”

2 Seconds

2 Seconds....that's all. All the hard work I put in was demolished in 2 seconds. They were so close to reaching my pony tail too. Confused yet? Well....it all started at 6:30 this evening. Stephanie and I were sitting down to a nice supper of random things. Dona, when she departed our apartment, left a $10 gift card for a salon here in Manhattan that she said I could use if I wanted. We had just finished our meal and I was heading to study for my test tomorrow when I looked at the card and read "Expires June 30, 2006." I exclaimed that I needed to go use it immediately! So we headed off to the Salon for a trim. It's been over a year since I got my hair cut and I told the lady that I wanted the nasty cut off, but still wanted to keep the same style. So she trims away. Everything was fine until she got to the front and before I knew it, I had bangs again. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I had about gotten rid of the horrid things. Stephanie found this insanely amusing, and was laughing at me. So 'cheers' to the next 6 months of sweeping lose hairs out of my face :'(

Summer

I used to think I loved summer because it was lying around all day and not doing anything. Now I think I love it because I get to do all the things I never do during the school year. For instance, from this weekend until school starts I will be traveling every weekend! B-town this weekend, then Minneapolis, Denver, Mexico, Washington, IL., ShellKnob, MO., & Gridley, IL! I'm working and taking 6 hours so the weeks are pretty packed. Steph moved in with me though, so I'm enjoying having a roommate. I'm sure most of you know but the Lord provided me and Monica Strahm a room mate for next year! .... Some prob didn't know that we even needed one. Her name is Jhoe and she is from the Philippines. We are quite a bit a like...I don't know if that is good or bad! Brooke and Dona....Thursday morning when I got home from IA, I walked into the apartment and went to feed fergal. He was laying on the bottom with his eyes HUGE. I tapped the container and he didn't move at all. I was so upset because I thought he died. Then when I woke up....I got home at 3:30....at 7:00, fergal was swimming around happily! So, he's not dead and seems to be doing fine. Asleep I guess?? I was at Girls Camp 2 weeks ago for the first time couseling. I hadn't ever gone as a camper either. It was amazing! It's kinda apparent why so many young ones start repenting out in IL and IN with something like that. Staci Stewart and Laura Baumgartner road out there with me and went to camp. They loved it as well! I'm very thankful to that after it, they broke out of the seems to be KS theory "kids can't repent til after High School." They both commented on realizing that repenting young is more of a safety net to keep them from getting in trouble. WOOHOO! Last weekend, my sisters, Brianna Huber, Holly Wales, and I went to Oceans of Fun. It was a blast! We laughed alot and all got toasted! Then us sisters, went down to spend Sunday with my G-ma in Gridley. Grandma's are so special and always a lot of fun to be with! My weeks have been busy with homework and work, so I don't do anything exciting really in the evenings. We did go out to the Konza Prairie one evening last week for a Bible study. It was gorgeous out there and very worth the trek out there! This has turned in to an update on life I guess; but maybe this explains a little bit about why I haven't been posting hardly at all this summer. blessings to all

1 Corinthians 15:40-56

Today I write with a very sad yet happy heart. My Grandpa Rudy passed away today. My heart is sad because I will no longer have him, his stories, his wisdom, his love, on this earth anymore. This kind of ache, I have never experienced before. He is the first of my grandparents to pass away and the first dear to my heart person that I have ever lost. I rejoice in that Grandpa was withered away, and it is a true blessing that he is finally with our Father. My grandpa lived a life for God, and now with God, I'm sure he will never look back to earth with longing. Yet my selfish spirit longs to still be able to drive into their yard and see my Grandpa walking slowly toward us from the cattle pins, swinging a bucket in his hand, coming to give us big hugs and kisses. I've been fighting tears all day, but now as I write this, finally letting myself dwell on how much I will miss him, I can't fight them and they are flowing freely. My blog often reveals my stupidity, silliness, and humour filled life, but like all, I to feel pain and heartache. Blogging would just not be the same if I didn't take time to blog about my Grandpa, who I love dearly and will not see again until the Lord calls me home.

For those of you who knew him, there is a visitation Monday night at 7:00 pm and his funeral is Tuesday at 10:00 am. Blessings to all.

Three Trees

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the Hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter, "and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.At the second tree the woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree. I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the Woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree, I'll take this one," and he cut it down.When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces, and left alone in the dark.The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and He stood and said "Peace" and the Storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat. Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, God will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.

Relief

You all will be relieved to know that the splinter I got in my foot on May 5, 2006 came out today, May 30, 2006. I recieved it while being chased barefoot around the Hunting Lodge during Finals week with a big bucket of water and water guns. Might I add that is was 5 against 1. My roommate was slacking. Anyway...the splinter measured 5/32 inches long. I saved it and am going to put it on display! Last night it had formed this huge callous and so I cut off the callous and squeezed it and this nasty puss stuff came out. It hurt like crazy. Mom hydrogen peroxide'd it and then we medicated and bandaged it. Today at about 10:45 am my bandaging was all coming off so I unwrapped it and there was black sticking out of the skin. So I pinched around it and the splinter just slid right out. Kinda kewl actually! Hope there was no 'tummy tossing' during this post!

Update on Life

I love summer! School got out last Thursday..for me anyway...and I've already gone on more walks than I did all semester! I'll be staying in Manhattan working and taking 6 hours. Prayerfully am traveling each weekend too! Which will make my pockets empty, but like my older relatives always say, "do it while you're young and don't have any major responsibilities." I've got all kinds of plans for this summer, most of them have to do with outdoor meandering. If I can get over my fear founded by B and Maggi, I'll be able to go swimming in Tuttle Lake. For all that don't know or don't remember. I used to swim in Tuttle, but then B and Maggi told me that there are these evil fish that bite in the lake and apparently they have taken so many peoples toes off that they had to keep people from wading in Tuttle Creek. So, I tried swimming in it after they told me that but I kept getting the 'Jaws' feeling. But I'm going to give it another shot! My older sister Steph is planning on living with me until she figures out what she is supposed to do with her life! Her job will be keeping my motivation up for my 'studying' side of summer! My roommates for this past year, Brooke Huber and Dona Fehr, are both gone. Brooke married her true love and moved to Bluffton, IN and Dona will be moving to Illinois to take a job up there. Sadness. But, I have lots to look forward to! Monica Strahm will be my roommate next year! There is a girl that I am aquainted with that possibly will be our third roomie, but we will have to wait and see.

Right now, doom is ahead of me. My boss was supposed to have this thing called the "Space Survey" done by the 8th of May. She told me just now that tomorrow she's going to have me view and print it while she finishes all the finer points on it. Shoot me in the head. There better be tons of people online for me to talk to...because I'm going to be bored outa my mind!