50th post

I thought I'd share some of my favorite things with you for my 50th post...

1. My family...

2. chai tea (only the good stuff) group hug style, and a half breve double latte with one sugar in the raw mmmm!

3. the smell of leaves in the fall, playing in them, looking at them, crunching them... pine needles just aren't the same..

4. christmas stuff! the smells (christmas trees, gingerbread cookies, cinnamon...), the sights (the lights, the decorations, the happy faces, the snow!), the sounds (Michael W Smith's christmas music, caroling, the quietness of the world covered in snow, bells on sleighs) and the traditions (decorating the tree and drinking "christmas punch").. Oh I do love Christmastime!

5. Along with that one, I love ice skating.. it's almost like swinging to me (I love swinging too, best form of therapy!)..

6. Rainy camping trips in Colorado. Hiking in the rain to the waterfalls.. sitting in a hammock for hours with a book.. hobo stew.. crazy gypsies singing songs... the mountain pass roads.. ice cream in Lake City.. sheep everywhere.. wildflowers too.

7. Good books. Favorites: David Copperfield, Persuasion, Chronicles of Narnia, Little Women, Lord of the Rings, Peter Pan, and Blue Like Jazz. (the Bible was a given..) These are best read on a chair by a fireplace with a handful of gingersnaps ;)..

8. Sleeping outside under the stars! with lots and lots of blankets and good conversations.

9. Little kids. I love little kids! One of the best things in the world is holding a child, it makes everything ok. I miss my million hugs a day at the preschool! They are so very special, those little ones..

10. My dad's voice. Playing guitar by a fire and singing hymns.. Bursting into song on Sunday mornings.. the Christmas song every Christmas eve... the most comforting sound in the world.

11. Laughing ourselves silly at the dinner table (poor dad) over little things and memories.

12. Candles! Don't know why, I just like them a lot.

13. Scarves. I like those a lot too. And sweaters.. warm and oh so soft! and mittens when the steering wheel is cold. and warm socks! and fireplaces.. and hot chocolate.. and I'm kinda cold right now... hmm

14. Soft pretzels. So hard to resist! I'd much rather have a pretzel than chocolate. But then, I can't say I love chocolate all the much, so maybe that's not a good comparison. It would've sounded good if I hadn't just said all that. But I did. Now you know my secret. I really do like pretzels though. A lot.

15. The sky.. it fascinates me. It's always a reminder to me of the One who sees me.. Especially on days when there's not a cloud in sight! Or there are clouds, and they're big and fluffy. Or at night when the stars are out.

16. Good music. Different music for different moods. Laid back, relax, beautiful days: Rich Mullins, Brandon Heath, Jack Johnson, etc. Crazy, energetic, hot days: Jimmy Eat World, Dashboard, Blindside, Flyleaf, etc. Barlowgirl, Bethany Dillon, and Sara Groves for some encouragement and rejuvenation. Worship music: Enter the Worship Circle, Jars of Clay (1st cd), David Crowder, and Michael Gungor. Country and disney on road trips. Billie Holiday, Ella, Bing Crosby, and Rosemary Clooney for oldies. Tchaichovsky and Saint Saens for classical. And then of course, MWS and Amy Grant for christmas. Then last, but not least, Devo for anytime haha! whip it good!

17. Pick-a-nicks. At Buckskinner on friday afternoons. French bread, string cheese, capri suns and apples. Good times.

18. Gentlemen. Opening doors for girls, being respectful (RESPECT lol), etc.

19. Singing 'Ain't no mountain high' into a hairbrush first thing in the morning. yes, my roomie thinks I'm crazy. but, she gets some laughs, and what better way to start the morning??

20. Random road trips. Whether it be to Jerome, the courthouse in Prescott, or In n Out at midnight, or up Bill Williams to watch the sunrise. Still planning the sunset trip to sunset point.

21. People watching at Macy's. And soy chai's... and hummus sandwiches... mmm

22. You've Got Mail with my mom. mossy...

23. Cherry Limades from Braum's. very tasty. so's the ice cream. first stop we make every year on our way to Oklahoma. (where the wind comes sweeping down the plain)

24. Finding clothes at Savers. It's like a treasure hunt... so exciting...

25. My trail up the mountain. (yes, it is mine. I claim it. well, Emma may claim some of it too...) Running down it and singing songs. makes for an interesting picture haha. or skipping down it with Jimi...

26. Cleaning. I know, wierd eh? But I do, I like it. My apartment's a mess right now though.. bleh... oh well.

27. Watching people do what God made them to love doing. Whether it be music, teaching, making people laugh, whatever. Their eyes light up, and you can see the excitment and joy building up.

28. Talking until 2 at the Place, while drinking hot chocolate and eating a big breakfast for 3 dollars. that, is exciting.

29. Playing music. By myself, or with other people, especially when my fingers are right. Just got music from the Man from Snowy River.. I love that song.. with out the music the movie would be nothing. Well, ok the horse going down the mountain was pretty amazing I guess ;)

30. Football. playing it I mean. I watch it every once in a while. For about 5 minutes. Then I get frustrated because they only play for about 2 seconds and then they take 3 minutes to line back up. And they get paid a kajillion dollars to push guys around. What do we pay our teachers? yea, yea, sad huh? *stepping down from soap box, and what is that in my eye??? lol*

31. Making cappuccinos in clear glasses. It's all about the fancy layers... how many can you get?

32. Taco Tuesday!! only I'm a vegetarian now.. but someday, I will once again enjoy the taste of 3 tacos for a dollar.

33. Not writing about 50 things I like..

34. Home cooked food. Oh I love it! huh.. it feels like a lot of these have been about food. or maybe I'm just thinking a lot about food. or maybe it's almost-ish thanksgiving.

35. spinning in circles with Kristen on thursday nights after bible study.

36. fingerpainting with erin and konnie... hehe.. messy...

37. naptime! I looove naptime! oh yes...

38. henna. huh.. i think our henna party was supposed to be today.. oops..

39. parades in Williams (can't miss the Dancing Grannies!) with about 50 tractors. going about 2 mph. thrills galore.

40. white water rafting, especially with lots of rafts, water fight! *scary dun dun dunnn music*

41. the ocean. I love watching the ocean. Most places I've been to it have been cold, so I usually just watch it lol. such a girl, I know. I like being warm though. Don't judge me.

42. snowy walks at night, especially when the sky is orange and the clouds are low. It's like being in a snow globe, only better. this year we're going to go swing on the first night it snows.

43. swing dancing with someone who knows how, cause I don't lol.. brad taught us once, but I don't remember half the moves.. The guy is really the one who needs to know them though.

44. being almost done with this post.....

45. grilled cheese sandwiches made with an iron.

46. roller coasters.

47. lilacs, they're my favorite.

48. long drives

49. uhhhhh

50. the One who sees me! :)

life this week...

Well, thought I'd give you an update mother... since you never do anymore. cough.

I have been worn out, falling back to my sleepaholic tendencies, and then realized I hadn't been taking vitamins in a few days. Problem 1 solved. I also have (had) been quite worn out mentally/spiritually. Then I realized I hadn't been getting my time with the One who sees me (I decided that's my favorite name for Him, given by Hagar btw...) and so probelm 2 solved (He gave me a shooting star too). And problem 3 is still in the works. Or maybe it's solved.. In any case, my financial aid kinda disappeared when I went looking for it, and so I will either take next semester off as well, take online classes from some other school, or God will have my fin aid magically reappear. The soltion to all this seems to be patience and stillness. When I'm worrying I cannot still my mind. I've had more than one person tell me I overanalyze things, and I've come to agree. So, the One who sees me, sees my life, and knows how to make things right. I just have to trust. Words make things sound so simple, don't they?

There are much worse things that could happen, yes? Really, this is a blessing. I get to see the One who sees me take control, and I like watching Him work. I could be starving to death in some dark pit of hell somewhere. Not literal hell of course.. you know what I mean. And if I have to leave Flag to finish my degree, so be it. As much as I'd hate to leave, we must do what we must, yes? I'm sure God is in other places too. Now if I can only find a place with good chai, I'm set. well, I wouldn't mind some mountains and trees as well. I feel like I'm making out a list for Santa Claus or something. lol. Ok, well it's time for work. (I'm getting to know some of the customers now, which makes me so excited. God is good!) may your day be filled with blessings from the One who sees You!

people, people

People are so very interesting.. I love to meet people, we all have such stories. God is so very much. I don't know how else to say that, but He Is. He is everything, everything good, and I won't ever know all of Him.. His Story is very important, but his people are as well. Since He is so much, and we are are so little, we can only be a little bit of Him. Does that make any sense? So think about it, all these little bits, these incredible qualities, are walking around us each day. God created us in His image. Everyone you meet can show you something about the Maker. Isn't that exciting? The lady at the checkout counter, and the man who comes for a double mocha everyday.. how amazing. well, this is a short one as I am tired.. (I'm getting better at this short blog thing..) Good night all, be blessed seek Joy and live Love!

James 1:27

Twinkle Lights

Yay twinkle lights!! ;)

I just put up some of them in our hallway swinging across the ceiling and it looks fantastic! Then I found snowflakes in my scrapbook stuff, and well, our room is rather decorated now. Uhh I did it now so that I won't have to mess with it later... ahem... Yes, I love Christmas, and yes, I am one of those people who begin listening to christmas music in September (actually I have Michael W Smith singing christmasy songs to me right now...) and I like it. So now. But, I am not ready for snow until after all the leaves are gone. And even then I prefer for it to snow on weekends when I can sit at home, all nce and warm, and watch it fall. I like being warm... Well, I just thought I'd share my christmas-ish night with you... now I'm going to read til I'm tired.. (had chai a little late tonight... oops). Good night all....

Under the Stars

Tonight was good. Actually, today was good. Stress came off, I was alive, and God is good yes?

After BSM (CC...) tonight we all went up on the mountain to view the stars in all their glory. I say all, but I don't actually know who was there, being as it was quite dark, but there must've been like 20 people. We lay on the ground in the meadow in front of the lodge at Snowbowl. It was wordless... Oh the mysteries of the stars!! Oh what things they tell from ages past as well as what is now.. Things about God, His promises to Abraham.. Abraham! What a real flesh and blood man from thousands of years past! What a wonderful thing to see the fulfillment of a promise made so long ago.

We played sardines.. well sort of.. Kristen (here is a tangent.. Kristen is becming one of my favorite people. The best way to describe her is to say she is a child of God. She managed not to lose the wonder and enchantment of a child when she grew up. She dances when she talks.. end of tangent) took my arm and we went to hide. In the dark, but it wasn't real dark.. and we found a place to sit down and wait, and she told me what God looks like. She said she asked Him, and this is what He told her (and somehow I completely believe her). God's eyes are like the stars, happy and beautiful. His voice is the wind, loud and soft, playful and fierce. I am going to add my own now.. His heart is in his book, and more so in His people. His laugh, that is in the sun and the leaves! Because those things bring me indescribable God-joy. So do people, but mostly children. Maybe their innocence is more godly than our knowledge (like adam and eve).

So as more people found us we had fun together with God. We weren't all talking about God, but we were thinking of Him. We were playing with Him.. How can you not? I can understand why people become hippies when I enjoy the beauty of creation like that. They want to be part of something that is always beautiful (aesthetic if you will), but they don't nderstand that what they want to be part of is God. how sad.. Sometimes I don't understand that either. But I do understand that God is so very real, and I love Him so very much.

Good night all. Take some time to play with God, it does the heart good..

discovery of the week

I just made an exciting discovery.. I live by a lake! Lol! And I had no idea that it was there until today. Someone told me there was a trail up past our house so i went up looking for it (didn't find it) but I did find a lake. And a pretty view. And a lot of ginormous houses.. and now I know where to go looking at Christmas lights lol.

There's a party or something going on at the park, it looks like fun. They have a huge dance floor set up, and I think they're square dancing lol. And a big blow up bouncy thing. lol... So I'm going to read a book (only I forgot Les Miserables at White Dove... shoot..) and open our back door and listen to the man in the big hat yelling out "now dosie doh" and drink tea. Sounds like a plan. Until Lainee calls and we decide what to do tonight. And then maybe hiking to the inner basin tomorrow with Emily? we'll see.. I want to play in the leaves :)

happy fall

I'm sitting on my couch surrounded by candles :)! I like candles a lot.. they're rather christmasy.. and cozy.. and tonight is cozy night. And I am watching Take the Lead (girl, remember?) and wishing I could dance. I mean, dance like they do. I can dance, but only in my apartment when I'm alone haha. Anyhow..

It's been a good week.. not too busy.. I find that I get addicted to busyness if I'm not careful. I was raised to believe that quietness and stillness are essential and healthy. We weren't allowed to be too busy (thus causing a few fights I think..), and our family vacations consisted of camping in colorado (or northern cali :)) and not doing too much of anything but hiking and going for scenic drives (occasionally up beautiful pass roads bursting with wild flowers and waterfalls, beyond tree line so you could see to the ends of the world). I made it a tradition to bring along a russian author every year. (By the way, I'm making my way through Les Miserables at the moment, and have decided there never was such a man for going off on tangents!! A few are good, but when you forget what the story was about by the time he gets back to it... it's too much man! speaking of tangents lol...) But I do think it's true.. how can we be still and know God if we've lost the ability to be still? And it is an ability. A skill, one honed and refined by practice. I think people in this country have purposely lost that skill in a need to drown something out. Something... something. Instead of a need for stillness there's a need for entertainment. But that is a need that never ends. I had an experience this last week in which I realized my need for entertainement.

I went to see a movie that I'd heard was good, and a christian movie, so I went. It was about the worst acting I've ever seen, not that I can act either... So I left after about 15 minutes. Afterwards God showed me that I cared more about being entertained than about the messages a movie may be projecting. Every movie has them, most are subtle. I would go see a movie bursting with subtle messages, ones tha cause me to be unsatisfied with how I look or who I am or what I have. Notice the I's? But I'll sit and watch them because they're entertaining. well, that was my lesson of the week ha. One of them anyhow. hum well, i need to get some rest for work tomorrow.. be blessed

shortest blog yet

Well, I have plenty to write and no time to write it, so here's the short version, work is good (changed my hours so I can get off at 12 and get things done), God is good (all the time. all the time, He is good), I think we figured out why I've been so tired (I was about to join sleepaholics anonymous haha), and I found a place to workout and someone to work out with (yay!). lol, all ye doubters look and see, she can write a short version. Mom, I hope your feeling well, I've been praying for you, and I talked with dad. I'll call you when I'm at work. ah jeez I need to go to bed guys. God bless! (and He will)