sunday nights.

sittin' in hope's room.. just shootin' the s.. when something catches the corner of my eye.. movement across the street.. a man, walking around, cell phone to ear, ON THE ROOF! and i mean in a matter of eye contact engaged - paths of thought crossed - me and julie were looking for the best possible way to our roof.. why had we not checked this out before??

stool. tree. one. two. down. up. we're on our roof.. "hoooope!! hooaaoopeeee!!! comme see us!!" someone had to come see us! we were freaking on the roof! then, so naturally, after about a minute of being on the roof.. what's next? eyes scanning looking for inspiration.. acorns.. plentiful.. call over some friends/targets and lay veeeery flat and still on the slant facing the street.. friends pull up.. ATTACK!!! so after a while, we had built a roof army..

being on a roof makes ya hungry.. trust me.. so we made dinner.. i love making dinner with people.. i think i could handle making dinner every night for a family.. as long as it were an event and i had help.. that'd be great..pineapple..??

piiiiizza swirl things!

no subject.

Jesus, it's just you and me.
let my faith arise.

another one for the books

what a good weekend. sometimes you just get the itch to see some live music. this weekend, it was scratched.. well.. (that's a weird image)

Spent all of my Saturday at ACL in Austin this weekend. Scalped a ticket, shh don't tell anyone, and enjoyed some sweet rock n roll. or.. disco techno music, either way.. money well spent. ghostland was amazing as always. became student - as we learned to never stand in front of "that guy" the one who has been to 13 shows, knows the words to every song (who even knows the words to ghostland, just dance.. chill man..) and will give you the play-by-play of the show. also became teacher - as we taught a dissipated man that it's not so socially acceptable to urinate on the ground right behind people while waiting for a show to start.. what. a. day.

both Friday and Saturday got to see some new and old friends. Remembered the value of friendship and where we've come from and where we're going..

broke 100 in bowling on Sunday to top it all off..

good little weekend, mud n all..

someone told me..

that today was the first day of fall.. and i don't know if they were right, but today.. outside.. was just too good to be true..

today, inside the office, on the other hand.. was hell. I'm going to start marking on my calendar the days that make me wish i were dead, yes it was that bad, and once they outweigh the "eh.. ok" days.. i'll begin the job search again..

the day took a turn for the best when all three clocks on my desk turned 5:30 and i walked outside. the smells and the wind on my arms imposed a slight smile on my face. so i took some inspiration from here, (thanks kara) and gave into the weather.

Right now, I'm laying on the couch, haven't moved a muscle in about an hour, just ate the "meat cookies" i made for dinner, watching a flipping out marathon, with the windows open and my vanilla and pumpkin spice tea lights lit, thinking about getting up and making my move to the Sprinkles red velvet cupcake that's in my fridge soon..

fall, i love you.. truly.. welcome to dallas

astros.. still got it..

good game.

night one.

first younglife club of the year was tonight. It's unbelievable to see all of the joy in these high school kids.. they're yelling, at. the. top. of. their. lungs. seriously going nuts.. there was blood. the part that gets me.. is that there IS so much joy there and most of them don't recognize it yet or have no idea where it comes from.. buuut i do :) it may just take them a while to figure it out, but when they do.. life will be never be the same. deep breath. in. out. smile.

I was just sitting in the back towards the end taking it all in.. I just COULD NOT believe there were that many kids there.. that's where they chose to be and what they wanted to do with their Monday night.. and then it's like Jesus sat down next to me.. indian style.. arm around shoulder.. pointing out certain kids, telling me to look at them, remember them.. showing me what is about to happen..

good night. mm hm.

how god continues to change how i see him..

I went on staff with YL for 10 years and those years shaped my thinking on ministry (show up; be with people; share Jesus; love; show up; pray; open the Scripture; show up; pray; open the Scripture; pray; love; it’s about kids/people; it’s about Christ; show up; love; pray; open the Scripture). - Cheryl Fletcher

it's just that simple. and that's it. 

Some may know, but this ministry-based organization used to drive me up the wall. I had judged so quickly and satan had hardened my heart to stick with these ideas i had come up with. god's sovereignty. perfect. now, i find myself spending most nights immersing myself in "showing up"

it's nights like tonight that remind me what this is all for.. if we've got to waste our lives here until we go home, why not waste it "doing life" with people, showing up and sharing anything we know about jesus' life?

what a great night. there are big things about to happen..

my heavenly

Yes, I am coming soon –jesus.

 I’ve always thought heaven to be this eternal party.. a constant rave, I really just compare it to things of this world that bring complete joy to my life (4 a.m, GirlTalk, bonnaroo) he has let me see these things just to give me a simple, incomparable taste of what’s to come. Just this week, it’s been clearer to me than ever just how big our God is. He has created this place, this world, he made something from a complete nothing. He designed me, my roommates, my parents, ok.. this could go on forever, he made personality. God, you know me better than I know myself? He has numbered my days. He has already thought of and put into place everything that happens every second of my life and everyone else’s around me. I cannot wait until I get to be reunited with my beloved. Deep breath. I will have no more questions, I’ll be with my love and everything will be right.

 So when I’m lonely and when I’m old. I will fix my gaze up, through the clouds, to where I’m going to be, my heavenly. My heavenly.

Now, the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them, they will be his people and god himself will be with them and be their god.

 I will be with the One I love


With unveiled face I'll see Him


There my soul with be satisfied

Soon and very soon

 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory

Lord, here I am.. 

elevator people

i was already in the elevator, heard some clicks on the marble floors in the lobby begin to speed up.. this means for the next 44 floors ill have an elevator buddy.. (side note, pet peeve, people who get on and take the elevator down or up ONE floor.. serious?) but this guy did the little prance with his arms clinched in running position, chest up, holding his breath, like "i look like i'm hurrying but really, i'm moving at the exact same pace" but he got on.. no eye contact, eyes glued to the blackberry.. and all i hear is scroll scroll scroll scroll scroll scroll scroll scroll.. and it's loud scrolling because no conversation has been initiated.. then doors open, blackberry goes back in the pocket and he leaves.. what was he looking for??? 

was he just seeing how fast he could get to the bottom of his texts? cause that's gonna be annoying when he has to go back to the top.. no way could a web page have been that long on a blackberry.. i just found this man and his blackberry etiquette very strange..

i don't know which i prefer.. silence and everyone staring at the floor like if anyone looks up we'll all petrify or the one loud old man that gets in and makes a mediocre joke that everyone is forced to laugh at.. i do like the simple "have a good day" when exiting though, it's easy, brightens the day and it's a fast exit.. 

:)

my 1700 pacific boyfriend just walked me into work this morning, he is such good protection, and like a gentleman, he walked on the road side so i wouldn't fall into danger.. love is in the air.. we came to our respective destinations and had to split.. but we got to walk for one more block across the way from each other, still holding hands though.. it was adorable.. i love us..

tonight..

i'm watching "under the tuscan sun" and it is making me miss.. miss.. miss Spain, I realize that the movie is about Italy.. but what's the difference eh? it's the mystery.. freedom.. it's being so alone, yet completely immersed.. freshness and warmth, change, adventure, secrets, breath and joy..

that's it, if i'm 35 and single, i'm going to buy land in italy, or spain, and live.. yep

in the mean time, i have begun pre-training for the official training of the half marathon i will be running on December 13th.. this is all michael's idea, and for some reason it sounded intriguing, so here i am.. in pre-training.. and now, i've heard doubts from a few friends, so duh.. i'm more motivated.. 

WEEK ONE:

DAY ONE- 3 miles

DAY TWO-  rest

DAY THREE- 3 miles

DAY FOUR- 3 miles

DAY FIVE- rest

DAY SIX- 4 miles

DAY SEVEN- rest

and it only gets worse..

stuck..

why can't i just let go, drop everything i know here.. and do what i wanna do?

one morning i will, i will just wake up and go..

what am i so freakin' afraid of? things in life just passing by without me? what does that even really mean?

what if this is what i am truly made for.. and all it really takes is just a little faith? i can do that right? just a little faith..

i like to think that this is where god has set me.. but what if it's not, what if i'm just scared? comfortable? selfish?  and if it is, why does this uneasy feeling in me keep comin' up?

how do i know when i'm ready? or when he's ready for me?

oh, patty..

Oh heavenly day, all the clouds blew away
Got no trouble today with anyone
The smile on your face I live only to see
It's enough for me, baby, it's enough for me
Oh, heavenly day, heavenly day, heavenly day

Tomorrow may rain with sorrow
Here's a little time we can borrow
Forget all our troubles in these moments so few
All we've got right now, the only thing that
All we really have to do
Is have ourselves a heavenly day
Lay here and watch the trees sway
Oh, can't see no other way, no way, no way
Heavenly day, heavenly day, heavenly day

No one at my shoulder bringing me fears
Got no clouds up above me bringing me tears
Got nothing to tell you, I've got nothing much to say
Only I'm glad to be here with you
On this heavenly, heavenly, heavenly, heavenly
Heavenly day, all the trouble's gone away
Oh, for a while anyway, for a while anyway
Heavenly day, heavenly day, heavenly day

speechless.

this is the best thing i've ever seen..

ever.

LEAVEEEE MEEEE ALLONNNNEEE!!!!!!!

...... just what i feel like yelling to a certain someone right now, heh hem..

lion king on sega

this is what i envision on the way into work every morning. I park in the garage and hit the skybridge. (this is just lately, because i don't carry $2.75 with me all the time, and i haven't seen the homeless people in a while, i wonder where they went) this morning it all came together.. it was rainy outside this morning therefore everyone was in the skybridge.. heels clunkin'.. heavy walkers.. fast past.. all in a hurry to get where.. our desks.. to sit there for the next 8 hours?? 

I was simba today.. i was picturing this level on the sega lion king game.. i dodging the antelope, or y.p's (young professionals) and jumping boulders.. i entertained myself for about 3 minutes on the way in.. 

floooowas

why do flowers make a girl feel so dang special?

like seriously.. is it psychological? i want to know, maybe wikipedia will keep me occupied today..

"i will google it" (in weird accent lauren uses that i don't know what it's from but i will use it now)

summer may begin..

so, typically.. back in the college days even high school days we had a summer c.d that was intended for obnoxiously loud playage as you left your last class on the last day of school before summer break.. i know summers can never be the same post graduation, but i finally figured out what was lacking to make summer feel like summer and it's that dang c.d.

what i can remember from high school summer c.ds - breathe in, breathe out.. britney spears.. i think britney even made it to the college summer c.ds.. either way i've been searching and searching for some new music.. you know when you just look at your pod and you're freakin tired of EVERYTHING?? happens to me a lot..

but today, i've found it.. got on playlist at work and this music just found me.. it's perfect.. it's windows down, it's layin at the beach or sneakin' into apartment's pools, it's just good..

sean bones.. i can't stop listening.. it's on my playlist on repeat..

SUMMMMMER!!! I imagine everything I could be doing summer-like at work.. right now, i'm on the beach in belize, dos in hand.. diggin toes into the sand :)

the little things..

all of my joy today came from my friends..

peter and michael came to eat lunch downtown with me.. we got jason's deli with all the other business professionals, it was  sea of suit and tie, suit and tie, power suit and heels.. loved it, reminds me that i'm not alone in this.. the free ice cream on the way out, not gonna lie, put a little pep in my step.. 

then, later on tonight clark and some of his younglife guys came down to dallas to help me unload the two things in my jeep. it wasn't necessary at all, but completely made my day.. 

i was loved today.

i pray that god will always let me find the joy in the small stuff, and pray against dependence on things to make me smile. 

people keep asking..

so which one was your favorite.. and i keep tellin' em..

DON'T MAKE ME CHOOSE!!!!

top 3:

GIRL TALK

TV ON THE RADIO

BON IVER

.. then gomez, wilco, animal collective and grizzly bears.. a hehe.. see i just can't do it..

the typical day.. wake up around 9-10, head to the grounds from our campsite, then.. take naps..

tv on the radio. unbelievably good.

one of the last nights.. at MGMT.. at 2-4 in the morning!!! 4 days, no showers.. still got it.. 

so, if any of you heard kate's and my story from last year, you'd remember us mentioning our tent leaking through.. completely.. us, afloat our air mattress in our tent, in the middle of the lake that seemed to had formed, while we cover ourselves from the rain seeping through with our sheets.. that were drenched.. all in all.. great camping experience.. 

so this year, we try and take all precautions against a repeat bonnaroo 08 incident, new tent, new attitude. we get back from the first night (after missing DELTA SPIRIT :( but seeing some other good shows) of pouring rain.. i mean woodstock, mud people kinda rain.. we we're all hippies that night.. to check on our new tent.. feel the sheets.. feel our pillows.. YOU'RE KIDDING ME!! yep, soaked.. so we, with our aggie intuitive and problem solving abilities, and in a matter of 3 seconds, had the air mattress in the back of my jeep.. seats down and it fit peeeerrrfecccttllly.. like it was made for it.. windows on a slight crack, summer breeze, clothes dry.. what a perfect Bonnaroo trip.. i mean really..

i'll probably put up more pictures when kate puts hers on facebook and i can steal em..

yep, back on facebook.. eh..

BONNAROO 2010.. i dream of you tonight..

3:30 a.m.

the alarm goes off, and every other morning it's greeted with immediate hate, but not this morning. oh "assembly line, ringtone #4 on medium volume level" how i've been waiting for you..

the day i've been looking forward to since june 11, 2008. it's bonnaroo baby!

cayce, greg and kate should be here any moment to load up the jeep and head on over to manchester "the glory" tennessee. be back monday!

peace. 

love. 

music baby!

the drive-in

genious. the man that invented this. 

we spent Sunday night at the drive-in in Palmer, Texas.. just outside of downtown dallas. it was a good time, some tennis-baseball, little game of 5,000 that I quickly ducked out of, because my friends are a little too intense and "the hangover" which was so funny, recommend it on so many levels.. 

I sometimes think that I was born in the completely wrong decade.. so many things about the 50s and 60s just rock my world, drive-ins being one of them.. probably one of the cutest date nights I can think of, they're just so dang fun.  (there ya go guys, that one was for free)

bonnaroo - only one more work day left! the tents are being waterproofed as we speak

liza the homeless lady..

"For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In Love, he predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Christ Jesus" 

So, Chandler (matt chandler- the village church) has been talking a lot on the purpose of "missional living." In my home group, we got together and just wrote down on index cards what our mission field looks like specifically. I'll just let everyone in.. first, the attorneys in my office, I don't do well with the intellectuals. god has blessed me with my faith. I don't know much, but what i do know is the truth and that's enough for me. second, the homeless people that hang out at the bus stop next to my parking lot in downtown dallas. I pass them everyday.. twice.. they're my mission field right now. 

there is this one woman that keeps coming into my life. her name is liza. we've talked now a few times and it's always a little if-y. of course, i get a little intimidated. what can i even say to her? most of the time she just goes on mumbling as we walk to my building, but i want, so badly, to be purposeful with her, and not just another person that gives her  a few bucks for breakfast.

 so this whole time I'm thinking, what can i say to her to make her see Jesus today? going over things in my head again and again, i  give her three dollars and she, with so so much gratitude, says, "bless you, oh God bless you" before i can even say a thing. 

something is wrong there right? i mean, i should be the one telling her how much Jesus loves her and wants her as his own, but with her simple words, bless you,  my whole way of thinking is flipped inside out. geez. i'm so prideful sometimes (like something i'm gonna say, on my own without the holy spirit being there is going to change her.. psh) and i hate it.. truly.. i almost feel like we've got the whole thing wrong sometimes. ?? ..i don't know

"live a life that is completely distinctive to the rest of the world" 

maybe liza's got it all right..

hey boy, why you didn't call..

i'm not sure if it's just my friends.. single friends, but we have crushes.. this may sound like, duh, obvi.. eveyone does.. but, i think we may be a little extreme.. there is something fun and freeing in just having crushes. and a bunch of them at that. it's been a while for me.. but, i finally have one.. and once i have one, i find myself having about twelve. either way, he's breath-taking.

he works in my building. i like to think his name is phillip.. and, yea, i think it's okay to say we're dating now.. i mean, we've had two memorable, amazing dates down in the lobby. first one, we pass by each other in the elevator banks, and we can both feel life just stop for those few moments.. second one, so romantic, we road the escalator down into the tunnels together, just catching up on each other's pasts, presents and futures.. together.. eeee! i can't wait to see where he takes me next in 1700 pacific.

i mean, he's into me right?

..this may be the perfect example why boys think girls are nuts.. eeh, oh well.

memorial day weekend.

memorial day weekend 09 people, that's where it was.. with the three day weekend ahead of us, no where to go but the lake! had a rocky start, had to wait on michael, cause who even knows what he was doing, thrift store shopping with the hipsters in austin, partying at the yellow house? then four or five rolls around and now we're waiting on gid to get back from colorado, or a wedding.. there's no difference anymore.. either way, we got out to the lake..

and... set up the timer..

then the guys decide to start playing the game, "do everything mallory and lauren say" so here comes leg wrestling

so, we make it through saturday night.. alive.. and no one knew what the rest of the weekend had in store, the boat dies.. lake cops (mind you, only one boat on the lake with twenty-somethings on it and maybe one or two jet skis) come to check out our registration, life jackets etc.. we passed, no problem.. :/ ..michael makes us watch the wrestler over and over again.. pirates and plunder.. and we finish it off with j.t. carlos- joe t carlos (?) some AMAZING mexican food in ft worth..

timer again.. 

 yet  again.. 

 see how much fun you can have, even without a boat.. 

 we love it.. maybe a little too much, or was it just the crazy water? no one will ever know..

so we finally get the bright idea to head to walmart and buy a battery!! finally the lake.. 

I WAKEBOARDED!! be impressed..

i like this one, cause mal is riiiight behind michael.. 

the end to one of the most unexpected fun weekends ever.. 

oh i can't finish this post without including this picture.. i don't even want to set it up, i just want to leave you with this.. (i can't look at this and not die..)

 happy memorial day :)

the ROO!

follow me to meat and flowers.. (sometimes i feel like i put a lot of inside jokes in this thing, and i apologize if you feel left out.. i'm just hoping that the people who know whats going on read this and have a little laugh)

so this is my list for bonnaroo this year, yep, schedule is out.. and i like to start getting excited about things early :)

THURSDAY:
delta spirit
chairlift
zac brown band

FRIDAY:
animal collective
yeah yeah yeahs
grizzly bear
tv on the radio
beastie boys
GIRL TALK!!!

SATURDAY:
bon iver
of montreal
wilco
ben harper
mgmt

SUNDAY:
citizen cope
okkervil river
snoop dog

there ya go.

waiting on michael "drama queen" keane..

so, while in this time of waiting.. i'll blog

this is my friend cayce.. this was taken a year ago?!  someone in this horse arena (horse arena?) has got to be kidding me.. sometimes i get lost in reminiscing about last summer, it's truly one of the best summers i've had.. 

last night, headed out to southlake, to the race tracks with the horners.. what a delightful evening :) 

I'VE LEARNED..

don't just pick the horse's name that you like.. (typical girl) you've got to check them out in person.. and blind betting.. both paid off for me.. 2 dollars, on 7 to place.. and what did it do?? 

7-placed!!! i win 80 cents.. booyah..

then 2 dollars, on 8 to win.. yes, you guessed it, NUMBER 8 WON!!!! i was on fire! we won't mention the other races, but the first and second time i've ever gambled.. WINNER BABY!

now i have  a dollar in change, that shall help me pay for parking on TUESDAY when i go back to work.. long weekend.. going to the lake.. this is the life.. :)

excuse the mess..

trying to decide on a new layout.. i should go to bed though, this should all be resolved this weekend.

vicky, christina.. barcelona

if you haven't seen it yet.. go ahead.. enjoy

poop.. everywhere..

FRIDAY -  invested some sweet time with the people i serve with every monday and thursday night. it is good to love and be loved. gah, how much would life suck without love? i've been stretched to my ends this past year and am so grateful to have people like them right there with me. 

SATURDAY - lauren, julie and i went to EVERY possible mall and shopping center in dallas.. i really think there is something 

built into every girl that says.. shop.. just go.. be free.. spend that money you should save.. i mean honestly, i think it's therapeutic.

SUNDAY - AND HERE'S THE BIG ONE.. let me just paint the picture. We wake up.. drive over to the M-streets to begin the house hunt. bring dakota, cause if there is one thing she loves, it's car rides.. successful day, makin' calls, crossing homes off the list, getting stuff done.. when all of sudden there is this awful.. potent.. gag reflexes-engaged kinda stench coming from within the car.. (if ever you've lived with kota, you know, the gas is sometimes unbearable) not even a "sorry guys.. i'm gonna do this.. my stomach kinda hurts" just POOOOOP everywhere.. so there is poop rolling around in the back of my car, kota steppin in it and making tracks.. me and julie.. heads out of the window trying to stay alive.. i don't think i've forgiven her yet..

but gooood news.. i think we've found a house.. and it's adorable!! pics to come soon..

this is all i have time for.. at work..

has there been a sunny weekend in April or May? I don't think so.. last night was fun, Hope and Cate are in town.. Hope had an interview in Dallas this week, crossing fingers that it works out. So last night, after an almost physical fight with a stranger over cookies, we took bottles, yes bottles, of wine and cookies to the park in Addison. Enjoyed each others company. The night was beautiful and the wine was good. This brings me to my next thing to ponder on. Is 34 too old to date? I mean, part of me is like, "whoa, when i was born you were in junior high" but who knows, maybe I should get away from the "typical" guys I tend to be attracted to.. the babies..

news! news!

this is Namibia.. it's taken me a while, but finally got this pronunciation right.. thanks to Chris, a South African native (is that how you would say that?) i met in the stairwell over here at the Post. i've only ran into Chris a couple times, but duh, i'm intrigued. easily fascinated.. 

So, I've turned in my application for AIM, Africa Inland Mission. Possibly September or January, I'll be in Namibia.. the position I applied for is a teaching position and sponsor of Christian Union (kinda like younglife over here).. i'm just watching and trying to understand god's will in this application stage.. we'll see.. i'm beyond excited for this..

mark 6.31

He said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest" 

I am in need of a revival. I need some all consuming change. Do you ever feel stagnant or stale? Lately, I've been feeling on the verge of purposeless.. things (i thought were from God) started to feel like they were falling in place, but now it's  like my world's been torn in a gazillion different directions.. 

radical- b: tending or disposed to make extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions.

mm hm.. i want to be RADICAL, here, now.. 

prayer..

i'm asking god to show me the difference between trusting him and pleasing him. just gonna be real. my whole life, i've been a pleaser.. and pleasing god, i've realized, just holds no weight. that's just me making god into who I want him to be.. so.. i hoping to learn what it feels like to boldly trust Him. 

also, i learned tonight that there is a whole lot more going on with Plano East high school kids than we even know..  it hurts my heart.. it's so easy for me to forget what high school was like, but i was there, i've been where some of these girls are. help me pray for radical changes. 

the weekend..

After working too long on friday.. we headed out to our friend mallory's lake house. Kicked the night off with a some wine in the hot tub.. mm.. and retired shortly after.

The morning though, began with some serious tubing. I'm pretty sure I made Clark deaf with my screaming, and I have to admit (cause I get sore from a night of throwing darts) but I feel like I just hit the gym for about twelve hours.. I could barely drive my car today. Tried wakeboarding.. mallory completely showed me up.. here's michael and jaime tubbing.. i wish i had a picture of her body flying over michael's as they hit the wake.. it was sweet.Also, learned- well no, that's a lie.. no one would help me- but we hit golf balls into the lake, trying to perfect my swing. It was more entertaining i guess to watch me struggle. 

Clark and Mallory. 

Michael Keane. walking the plank.. 

theeen. the boat died. and mallory and michael swam us ashore.. it was probably about seven miles if i had to guess.. they got a good workout.. good job guys.

jaime and i helped from the back.. duh.

 great friends, great weather, great conversation, great weekend. 

softly call the muster..

"We gather today, Aggies all, to recall our past, to strengthen our ties, to honor those who have passed before us... We come today to affirm our commitment, our love for this place and all that it represents." Jack M. Rains, Muster Speaker 1984

tonight, we went to the Dallas Muster.. yep, I'm a good Ag. got to see some people I had no idea even lived in Dallas.. said "here" for a fallen Ag and grubbed some delicious bar-b-que.. is that how you spell that? Either way, I just love my alma mater.. Texas A&M is truly the best school in the universe.. probably the most prestigious, and who wouldn't want to live in the blessed aggieland for four years.. tonight just reminded me of how small I really am in this world, but just how connected we really are. 

i've learned..

if you use a slight country accent on the phone.. people are nicer to you. just a little experiment i've conducted at my little 8-8er, yea that's right.. i'm always there.. no complaints though, i'm really lovin' my job right now.. 

tonight, you rest in my mind..

"repentance and forgiveness will be preached in his name to all nations" Luke 24.

"and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick" Luke 9.

"After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God" Luke 8.

"I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent" Luke 4. 

So, I've been reading through Luke again clearly.. it's just reassuring and comforting that Jesus spoke these exact words. He had to go too. He had to get out. 

on another note.

i like this picture.. it's from my easter weekend in corpus.. it looks like my mom is flickin' pops off.. hah. i thiiink (?) she was trying to make a peace sign.. who knows. 

nother day, nother dollar

hahahahaha.. please.. anyone? this is the district clerk in some county.. johnson maybe? just came across this this morning.. brought joy to my work life.. so i post about it :)

plane rides

i'm in corpus christi.. sick.. here and lubbock were the two places I vowed never to visit. but i'm here. for some reason i seem to be a magnet for the "freaker outers" on flights. the first one, a 30 year old lady on valium who did not like to fly.. she thought the wheels coming out of the bottom for landing  were gun shots.. the second an elementary age girl who thought her ears where about to explode and started crying hysterically.. really? i mean really? come on, you're like twelve.. but i'm here by the bay.. not beach i learned today.. tomorrow i beach it.. and watch sfa kick some a. 

for now.. i listen to snoop dog as i fall asleep.. yep, i drugged myself tonight, a little od on nyquil.. my parents snore and i'm in the bed right next to them.. gooooodnight blog world. 

quote of the week..

"what if the highlight of your afternoon was seeing how many peanut m&m's you can get out of the dispenser with one turn? I just set a new personal best with 13!" - michael keane.. 

so things i've learned the past 3 weeks of working downtown.. homeless men like to pee on newspaper dispensers.. get to know your security guards at the bottom of your building, they're pretty cool guys, intimidating, but cool.. but stop at friendship, it's uncomfortable to walk in and get looked up and down when wearing a skirt.. and appreciate the street corner preachers.. get used to "praise the lord" and "aaaamen" when walking past.. don't get lost in the tunnels and don't run into your boss' office in heels, you'll twist your ankle and embarrass yourself beyond belief..

that day, was the best damn day, that day

so this is kinda like my facebook now.. so now. a day in pictures.. 

we're so emo.

i always find that a little "of a revolution" can turn a beautiful day into a thank-ya-jesus for letting me live in this beautiful day. so this is what i do. i blast oar and head over to white rock lake. i know that some people, not mentioning names, are kinda missing austin.. but look around.. look at what dallas has to offer ya! it's great! :)

i love love love to be outside.. so saturday, some great friends and i packed a picnic and headed out to white rock lake. beautiful day.

that's james.. he loooves to picnic.. next we have the dogs.. of course.. dakota got to attack an old couple's old dog- total fun for her, and duma learned what a horse was.. good day.

then, we admired downtown from a far.. just yearning for monday, where we could once again get in that office and feel alive.. feel some purpose in life ya know? 

so.. what a beautiful saturday.. it's days like these that remind me i'm alive and to truly appreciate the glories of the world.. also.. how freakin' blessed i am to have amazing friends.

the end.

just love this..

1. who do i love and what am i doing about it?

2. am i pursuing my dream or is fear stopping me?

3. am i doing something that matters?

4. what am i doing to help others?

5. am i as good a person as i want to be?

6. what am i doing to live with passion?

can't take credit for this, found this on a blog i stalk.. 

you are my sunshine..

68 and sunny.. little bit of wind.. loves it. today is my favorite day in 2009 thus far :) had a lil meeting with some younglife people and i was just laying in the grass praising god for such a beautiful beautiful day. i don't know if i wanna put this down on paper, or the blog world.. but spring may be my new favorite season.. sorry fall..

the only time i can blog now is if i go to someone else's house.. i'm at chase and clark's house. using clark's computer.. i mean how sad and needy am i.. i miss the blog. no facebook, this is the only thing i can cling to now.. 

ps. i love twilight, the movie.. not the book.. new top fav for sure.. lauren suckered me.. but boy am i glad.. i've secretly had sweet dreams of edward watching me sleep..

i don't know what to blog about, it's been so long.. 

friday the 13th

so friday, i was offered twoooo jobs! one. at parkhill jr. high, as a behavioral aid.. that would be the "bad kids" that can't be in normal classes.. um, i think i recall NEVER wanting to be a teacher.. so we'll see how this goes. (i'm in houston, my mom just got a new computer and it feels like i'm typing on clouds, this is nice) two. at the gaylord texan as a pool bar waitress.. haha.. come hang out with me if you want, to your direct left is what i'll probably be wearing.. that should be interesting.. maybe i can meet a dallas mav and fall in love and retire :)

i have some things right now that i want to scream at the top of my lungs.. what does that phrase even mean.. do we speak from our lungs? i think i'm being dumb right now.. but alas, i cannot. ahhhhh! maybe i can vent via blog world a little later..

geez. it's 3. i have a four and a half hour drive ahead of me. ew. im out.

facebook..

bores me.. i warned some of yall.. but yep.. i deleted my account today..

and it feels so good! no more unnecessary stalking, exs no longer have to go through hundreds of photos with me detagging themselves (heh hem) i'm free.. i think i'm gonna have a lot more time on my hands to do real things in this life..

facebook tries to get ya though.. as you're trying to deactivate it pops up all these pictures and it says, "cate is going to miss you, stephen is going to miss you, adam is going to miss you" made me a little sad.. haha, but i did it.. i'm free!!

oprah scares me..

"Jesus didn't come to die on a cross, he came to show us christ-conscience (?!) he came to show us how to do it.." (not quoted exactly, just what I remembered) um, ok, sure.. Jesus is the perfect example of how it "should be done" but then what? What about salvation, what about restoration, what about eternity? how can you pick and choose.. she says she is a christian too.. all i'm sayin' is that i'm scared.. she says these beliefs and then the whole crowd starts clapping in agreement. OH, then she says something about God is a feeling experience.. not a believing experience.. "if your religion is a believing experience, if God for you is still about a belief, then it's not truly God" so I don't really know what her point is here, help? I just don't get her thought process here..

because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live.

hey, let's not shut up about this love. let's go nuts. let's show 'em that Jesus is so real. let people see who we once were and see who we are now and know without a freakin' doubt that He is the truth. all those forgiven, rejoice! 

"in your presence God, i'm completely satisfied, for you I sing, I dance, I rejoice in this divine romance" (thanks peter) content sigh.. running through my head tonight as I wrap this up and get all tucked in next to kota and have sweet sweet dreams of how i'm gonna change this world. night. 

places that make me me

so, i've pretty much decided that this is what god was talkin' bout with this whole world creation thing.. tonight i'm just putting up pictures of my absolute favorite places in this whole wide world :)

hafta hafta start off with oahu.. my best friend, kate, and I went for about a month, just to hang out on the beach.. jealous? yea, me too.. no revelations, nothing serious, just pure relaxation on the local beaches away from the tourist spots.. literally would wake up, grab our goober sandwiches, lay on the sand from about 10 to probably 5.. every day.. for a month

next.. colorado, not summer colorado, but winter colorado.. i adore the snow.. finally can say i'm alright at boarding.. it's that moment you realize you're on top of a mountain.. a mountain! you're there and you CANNOT deny the glory of god..

bonnaroo.. yep, had to do it. four days of concerts?!? are ya kidding me? it's my happy place.. sleepin in tents, no showering, hippies everywhere, music, naps to o.a.r. in a field.. need i say more?

how about.. 713 eagle pass.. one of my favorite places i've ever been here on this earth.. this house holds my best memories of life thus far. happiest, saddest, most life changing moments have been here. it's those college years man.. ahh.. tear.. thanksgiving dinners, midnight shots, moon walks, sitting in the boat, intense lava games, carrying each others burdens (mostly me coming into julie or kate's room bawling about who knows what), late night gossip, concerts on the porch, campfires.. ok, i gotta stop seriously this could go on for about 20 posts..

mullin, texas. our deer lease. something about that country air, it can heal about anything.. it's just raw nature.. grew up in suburbia, went from apartment complex, to house, back to apartment complex and there is just something so free about the country. it's the stars.. and the trees.. and the four-wheeler i think..

my "heaven on earth" place would be italy. studied abroad in spain one summer, kate studied in germany, decided to do a little exploration on one of the last weekends. met in italy. have i mentioned how freakin blessed my life is? traveled all day, train after train, to find this place. got there, couldn't find an open hostel, once we decided crashin on the beach wouldn't actually be that bad, found one room open at this hostel in the back of town. the second picture is the booth we occupied at a lil bar in town. sat there the entire night, did not get up for a thing.. the picture pretty much captures the entire night.. my favorite booth on earth.