Does anyone read this?

Just wondering if anyone reads my blog or if it is just space that I go to in order to connect to other blogs. I fully understand that you all could be reading my blog and not posting anything if you don't have anything to say, but just wondering if anyone if out there would wants me to keep posting updates about us? Write a little, "Yes, I'm here" Just so I know...thanks!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!!

That is really all I have to say! I love Christmas time, although it feels a bit different down here without the chilly weather. But I am doing my best with baking, decorations, movies and music to make up for the warm weather. Merry Christmas month everybody!!! Do something awesome for someone, make someone smile, experience giving and joy this Christmas. And remember that little baby who made this joy all possible, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Chirpy

I have an illistration for you...
A woman was vacuuming in her house and decided that use the hose on her vacuum for clean her bird's cage. His name is Chirpy. While carefully vacuuming his cage the phone rang and distracted her, she turned around and all of the sudden she heard the vacuum suck up something larger than feathers and food, she had vacuumed up Chirpy. She quickly opened the vacuum and found Chirpy still alive but very dusty and dirty so she started batting the dirt and fuzz off of him. Finding that hitting him was not very successful, she ran him under the water faucet to scrub him. Finally getting the dirt off the wanted to dry him and put him under the blow dryer. Sufficiently clean and dry, she put Chirpy back his cage.
She says "Chirpy is alive, she just doesn't sing much anymore"
Is this the story of your life, have you been so battered and run through the ringer lately that you don't sing much anymore...don't feel a reason to praise?
This was an illistration that our pastor gave us when going through Philipians. We know the story of Paul being beaten, but in jail and tortured, yet he still had reason to sing because he had Christ. This ties into Philipians 1:21, "For me, to live is Christ and to die is much better"
If we live fore Christ, our lives revolve on his greatness and when we die, however it may be, it much better because we are going to His kingdom.
Our Pastor said something that really helped me to put this verse into a perspective so that I was able to understand it more than I have ever before. I have heard this verse numerous times but what he said made so much sense.
Kenton said that if we replace "Christ" in that verse with any other word, than it means we lose. If we put "For me, to live is money" then "to die" means we lose. If we say "For me, to live is my job" then "to die" means we lose again. The only way that dying, not worrying about death, is better is by living for Christ. It was an amazing sermon.
Just remember "Chirpy is alive, but he doesn't sing much anymore" Don't let life steal your song!

Oh Christmas...more ode's to thee will come

Ok, so I love Thanksgiving...don't get me wrong, but there is only so much you can do for Thanksgiving. But Christmas....oh Christmas. I start in the beginning of November (Okay, may the middle of October) thinking about Christmas. Themed parties with lots and lots of cooking and baking for me to do. Creative invitations to send out and decorations to get. But what I love the most is giving...Operation Christmas Child, Angel Tree, giving goats and chickens to our little boy in Zambia and I love, love, love finding personal items and gifts for each individual in my family. I find great joy in searching for a gift that makes their eyes light up, a huge smile across their face and they get giddy! Anyway, this just me babbling but I am going to start decorating next weekend and I am sooooooo excited!

Too hot...

Can I just say that Southern California is not all that it is cracked up to be. This morning I had to go help with a Prospective Student Fair at Concordia and I put on my Leadership shirt and it looked chilly outside so I put a long sleeve shirt on underneath at 7:30am. 30 minutes later I am outside at my table, setting up for the students and it was 85 degrees...at 8:00am! It is November people and I need some cool, crisp weather here! I guess I signed up for it and all but everyone is saying that it is hotter than normal right now. Hopefully it will cool down soon and things will seem normal again because right now it is hotter than it was in June!!! Just a rant...more to come later

Have hope in times of disappointment

I am probably one of the millions dedicating their blog to what happened last night. The new president of our country is Obama and all we can do is pray. As shocked as we all are, God knew what was going to happen and he has master plan for is going to happen. Although McCain did not win, we should still get behind the new president so that our country can be unified. It doesn't do any good for us to get all upset and bash "those liberals" (even though it is the first thing comes to mind). It is tempting and I will be honest in saying that we had a few jokes ourselves. However, the underlying tone is somber for us...we really wanted a conservative president: someone who would keep Bush's tax plan and work with our troops over seas (not just take them out). Let us, as believers, notice an opportunity to pray and come to Christ on our knees for the future of our country. Let us not let the disappointment that we feel now lead us to sinful acts of aggression and hateful words...but let us have faith in God's plan and hope that maybe Obama can do some good if we ask our Lord to direct him. It is never too late for our new leader's heart to be changed and come to God...let us hope...

Coming home for a visit

I am in my good friend Mandy's wedding this next Saturday so I am coming into town on Wednesday! I am so excited to be able to see family and friends, that is the main thing I miss down here. On top of that, I will get to experience true fall weather!!!! It has still been in the 80's down here and as I write this I am wearing shorts and a tank top. I miss my scarves, boots and jackets!!! So I may be bring a big suitcase just so I can bust out my favorite fall clothes that I don't get to wear down here. I am looking forward to seeing all of you!!!