A bath, a soft bathrobe, sweet worship, and a cup of tea. It's amazing how fantastic these things really are. As much as I despise the "These are a few of my favorite things..." song from the sound of music, I think I would be tempted to sing a song about how much I love cozy bathrobes and tea cups of warm tetley and Noel Richards :)

This is a very strange time for me right now, definitely a test to tie off the year, and I want to have victory. My dad was reading from a devotional to me- yesterday? And there was a quote from Mother Teresa, whom I admire greatly. She said, "I do not pray for success. I pray for faithfulness." I am praying now for faithfulness. Pastor Norm was reviewing our year as a church for us this morning. Though the "highlights" sermon was packed of all the best of the year, one line especially struck me. He said that people should be able to take a bit out of our life and taste faithfulness. We are to steward truth- and to be deemed good stewards, faithful, we must be tested. I am certainly being tested, if ever I was. I understood newly today why all my relationships seem to be under such strange fire- it is the end of the year of Sovereign Joinings- is it really that strange that there would be a great test at the end to see where I stand- to measure my fruit from this year? But even in these last few minutes, I have gained a deeper understanding of what He is doing. Certainly, it is a time of inventory for me, as well as positioning for the coming year- who will it be critical for me to be linked up with to really gain victory in all God has for me next year, but even deeper and more critical and gracious and loving- He is in one final push joining me more sovereignly and intimately with Him.

I am 100% aware that today- I won't push past all these struggles in my mind, this pulling toward depression and being overwhelmed, unless I praise Him. It's a fierce resolve in me, and then it's a deep breath. Faithfulness. Right now, I feel full of selfishness and childishness- then I realize- it's because my focus is still on me.
When I was a child.....but I am no longer a child, today I fix my eyes on Him again, I tune my ear to hear His voice, and I step into a place where all things are made new...His presence.

Love you.

Merry Christmas!

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve- Christmas is almost here! I am somewhat sad how it has snuck up on me. I am a definite believer that looking forward to something is not quite, but nearly as important as the event itself. I love anticipation- I hate it, and I love it. I love the drawn out breaths while you wait, strapped into a rollercoaster. I love the hurried digestion of a book as your desperately look for the closure. I love planning a trip, and counting down the days until departure. I love dreaming and anticipating my future at large. I love waking up each morning, once day closer to Christmas and trying to fall asleep at night assured that it will be here soon. As I said, I love it and I hate it.

But this year, I only hate that I have not had time to be tortured by this anticipation. Now, tomorrow is Christmas eve, and I still have not finished my shopping!!! I wish I had another week until Christmas so I could really start to get ancy and excited for it- so I could become so eager for it and be restless at night with excitement for the morning.

But nonetheless, it will be here soon, and I will love my time with my family. I already have. This last week has given me several chances to be with my family, my sister and mom and cousins especially, and I have really enjoyed it. With school out for a few weeks, my evenings are finally a little more free. And this coming week both my dad and I have off, so I am anticipating some great times with him too!!

I love you all, I love that I have had time to spend with many of you this holiday season- and those I have not seen much of yet...I really hope I get to spend some time with you before this season slips away. Goodnight. Tomorrow, it's Christmas Eve!!

A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.



My dad sent me a forward from a friend, and I especially liked this line of it :)


Today is Kristin's 25th Birthday! She is flying home from Tennessee right now- I'm leaving work to go pick her up in a half an hour and I am so excited to see her. Though Kris has only been gone less than a week- we have both been so busy with school and finals that we haven't gotten to do much more than study in the same room/ coffee shop ;) as each other. I am SO excited for Christmas- I can't believe it is only 8 days away!!! It really snuck up on me this year, I have all my shopping left to do (including for Kris' birthday gift!) and I'm not sure when I'll be able to do it...

Happy Birthday Krissy-Poo!!!

I stole this from a friend, who stole it from a friend...

"To love someone properly probably means that you won't be very popular. Pure love, loving the way it was intended, is unfortunately a foreign concept to many. Love is messy. Love will involve hardship, demand patience, require forgiveness, test maturity, strain friendship, challenge priorities, refine character, ignite the heart and unleash the soul. Love is not something you sing about, it's the reason you sing. Love is not something you write about, it's the reason you write. Love is not something you live to find, it's the reason that you are alive." -Mark Hart


My goal is Love- to discover all that it means, to receive it, to give it, and to become so overshadowed by it that I become it, or rather, it becomes me.

I have a long, long ways to go.

I am finished with the quarter! And I feel SOOO GOOD! :) I've also decided that Christmas music is my favorite music! I LOVE it!

Kim,
Don't worry about TAKING Kris anywhere for coffee each morning, at this point, I think you can just feed her straight beans ;) No, just kidding, but really, she WILL LOVE just having Jason's french press....so you'll just have to drag him out of bed...Kris will ask him sweetly....she's convinced she's his favorite sister-in-law. :P I don't know. heehee.

EVERYONE,

Want to hear another funny story? (Man, my life is packed with the unusual as of late.)

This morning, I was going to come in early (6am) to get my hours in early, so I can get home and take my online test (I have 24 hours starting at 8am), write my rough draft of my paper, and study for my archaeology exam (tomorrow morning at 8:30am).

So, I got out the door late- because getting out of bed was incredibly painful, and I'd had plenty of sleep, my silly body. I gt coffee at my stand. I got stuck in a little traffic since it was now about 6:30. Then, as I got off the freeway I started to wonder if I had my key card. I always take it off and put it in my center compartment....not there. I looked around a bit more. I hadn't taken it off my jeans yesterday. :(

So, I pulled up to my building and parked in a visitor spot...and waited till 8am, when others would be coming in to the office. It ended up being quite pleasant though. I signed into the company wireless, and listened to christmas music in my lovely warm car, drinking my mocha. It wasn't bad. But it WAS funny. I just worked outside my office, from my car.

I'm also getting moved desks again today or thursday. Dad, I am beginning to understand how you feel- this is my 3rd move, and I've only been here a year. lol. Thats alright though, hopefully my cube is nice like this one.

Love you,
Kati

Thanks for the love you all- I loved the comments- and I love you all.

So a couple quick (funny) notes...and then I have got to get to studies (especially since I just napped for 3 hours!)

First, last night there was a surprise party for Misty. I drove straight there after work...I stayed in the car for a while, paranoid I would walk up right as they pulled up (since I was a little late). THEN, when I opened my door- my car alarm went off! This is the first time I've ever heard it go off- and I couldn't get it to stop. I shut the door immediately...then tried getting out a few minutes later, once it had stopped going off. And again, as soon as the door opened, off it went. I put my key in the engine, started the car and began driving away because I felt so bad for the neighbors. The siren kept going, and the headlights were flashing on and off as I drove cautiously down the street. Then I parked it, and took the key out...then put it back in and drove again. Nothing seemed to make it stop- it would just go until it was done.

After 4 times (maybe 5)- I decided I had to leave. I was so bummed. On my way home, I got an idea. As soon as I pulled into my driveway, I parked it, rolled down the window, took the key out of the ignition, and unlocked my door from the outside...when I opened the door- the alarm didn't go off. Somehow the alarm had gotten all switched around when I was leaving work.

A little while later Dustin called and he said I should come back to the party since it was just getting started...I almost did, but by this time it was the time I said I would be leaving the party to come home and study- and I REALLY needed to be studying.

Thought I would share that story though, because that was one of the funniest things I have ever had happen to me. The first couple times I opened the door, I was laughing hysterically. Then I got sad when I realized I might not be able to get it to stop, and I'd need to go home.

NEXT funny story, oh yes, there is more. This morning was my logic exam and I needed to get to campus early to buy a couple scantron (bubble sheets) for it. I caught a bus around 7, then hopped off at Starbucks to go get me some protein! (ie, an egg sandwich and a coffee to accompany it).

Having bought them, I hopped onto the next 372, and sat down in my favorite seat- one of the four raised seats (they sit up on a little platform, above the wheels). This is important to know, because about 10 minutes into the bus ride (maybe less), the driver made a classic STOP! and my coffee tipped over between my feet! falling off the front of the little platform and spilling all over the floor- rushing forward towards all the people in front of me. I had to tell them all to lookout, since it would get coffee all over their bags- so I was as quick as I could be! The man directly in front of me, who bore the brut of it, was so nice to me. I felt SO aweful. Luckily no one's things seemed to be on the floor (well...their shoes were), and the bus was also pretty empty so a couple just moved over to the other side.

It was terrible, and I only had two little starbucks napkins- not much help to a full grande mocha on the floor! I rushed up to the man in front of me and offered to help, but it was truly pitiful- two little napkins? He could tell how bad I felt, he acted like it happens every day, and I hardly believe that, but I appreciated him.

Then I just sat there on the bus, for the next 20-30 minutes. feeling quite awful, like a little kid, put on a time out to think about her actions.

When I got off the bus, I walked toward the front exit to apologize to the bus driver, I could see how the coffee had webbed over much of the front of the bus...no longer really "liquid" at least. She didn't look at me, and I thanked her for the ride. I am pretty sure once I had started to step out she said to my back, "Thanks for everything." AHHHHHHH, I felt so stinking terrible!!!

CRAZY huh? Those two very out of the ordinary things happened within like 12 hours of each other!

I ended up on campus almost an hour early, so I had time to study a bit more, buy the scantrons, and then almost 30 minutes to go...I really wanted something cold to drink. I went to the Tullys in the HUB, closed. Then, I remember theres another one in the HUB. Hardly any line, so I jumped it. I really just wanted a water bottle or a juice, but quite a few people had already stepped behind me, and I'd have to get out of line to go get one from the fridge across the store (not a real Tullys). So, I ordered an iced americano. That is, a cup, with ice, a pump of white chocolate...and then two shots. That should take about a minute to make. ! Well, after I payed and walked to the bar- I noticed no joke, 10 other people- and the baristas were not knock'n out any drinks! They said the machine was slow....I was watching, THEY were slow. I waited as long as I possibly could... 20 minutes! Then, I had to leave, my test would be starting soon, and I had not only my scantron, but Kyle's...so he wouldn't be able to start till I got there. My drink was the next on the bar....one of the two baristas, remade a hot chocolate, twice, and kept standing there, calling it out over and over. I so wanted to tell her "Put the hot chocolate down and start making our drinks!! They'll find it- it's labeled "HC", not hard to crack the code!" Furthermore, she'd written the girls name on the cup!

But I didn't. I controlled my tongue. Instead I was polite, and told them as nicely as I could that they cold toss the iced americano in the line since I had to run for a final. She apologized, and I said, I understand.

I understand you are slow. :) (I didn't really say that). You know, it's an irony you might now know. The major university, right here in our home city, Seattle, the home of coffee, actually has the worst coffee I have ever had. My English teacher and I were getting quite a kick out of this the other day. Suzallo might honestly have the worst coffee ever....kim, worse than Tennessee coffee. Some days, I get a good coffee from there, but most days, it tastes like someone used it as an ash tray- litterly, I can't shake the feeling that "cigarette" was one of the main ingredients in my morning americano. And yet, I almost daily stand the ridiculously long line, and buy myself a bagel, and an iced americano, along with TONS of other students.

For being the University of Washington, minutes from downtown Seattle, you'd think our coffee would be fantastic. But, it truly and sadly, is not. Even down on the Ave, I don't like the coffee.

Sad story.

Oh, but today, I should admit, I had one fantastic peppermint white mocha at Suzzallo Espresso. It was so unexpected, and so fully enjoyed! I came to meet my English teacher, and there was one other student there as well, Jenna. She's sweet, I'd talked to her a few times this quarter, and I knew she's a freshman here on a volleyball scholarship. I said I wasn't sure if I wanted to attempt getting another coffee or not, since I'd paid for two this morning and not been able to drink either (I was sincerely thinking God might be telling me not to). She said, "I'll buy!" Immediately! And I told her, no, I have money, I just keep not getting to drink the coffees I buy today. And she said, "no really, I'll buy. I have $400 dollars I need to spend or else it just disappears. Todd, you want a drink?" I was laughing at her. And she has a god laugh too. She bought us both a drink. That was actually a great time, and I had several hours till I needed to be at work, so I just sat while he helped her for the first hour or so, we just talked about Doctor Faustus and Christian orthodox and different arguments. Then, he helped me find a good resource for my paper, and we talked a bit more about my ideas for it.

It was good day- oh, the logic final- I actually finished it! Like, I was able to read and answer every question- BEFORE time ran out!!!! I think that alone made me feel great, and I think I also did well on it, I feel very good about it.

Now, on to my paper. I have an online test to take tomorrow- then I need to crank out this rough draft, and study for my archaeology test which is wednesday morning...then it's on to peer reviews for the paper, and I final version...then, Friday, I AM DONE!


love ya.

Hey ya'll.

I know I have been such a slacker on blogging lately. To be honest, haven't felt much like blogging. I like to blog when I feel I have some joy to share...and the last few weeks have been pretty tough. Kim and Jason going back home, and not knowing when I will get to see them again- I know you may think that sounds silly, of course I will get to see them within the next year, which is more than many families can say about their loved ones. But not having the next date to look forward to makes it really tough to say goodbye. Especially after this past summer, it is so hard to be apart. Crying....at work. See this is why I haven't been blogging.

Further, I have told a couple of people this, but not many. My godfather, Uncle Bob told us a couple weeks ago that he's been diagnosed with cancer. He's already begun chemo. (I don't have a clue how to spell that, and really, I wish I didn't need to know how.) I love him, next to my dad and uncle john, more than any man. He is the man who led my dad to the Lord, and he is very special to me! He's the one who gave me "Book Bear"- those of you who have spent the night, have seen him sitting on my bed, where he has been since I was 3 or 4 years old. My dad went to visit him the day after we heard, and he said uncle bob is still himself- as joyful and faithFUL as always. Seriously, you won't meet a man who is more full of faith, hope, and joy then he is. So, God's been doing a lot in me...growing my faith and joy to be more like his. It's a strange place to be though- not sure how to just come out with that to the people I would like to know and have praying for him, also not sure how to respond to it myself. Yes, respond in faith- because there is no cancer in the Kingdom of Heaven...but practically, can I cry? Or should I not?

With this comes the other part God has been bringing me through- most of my friends seem to be "not around" or busy with other friends (I HATE facebook- it just seems to show you what everyone is saying to SOMEONE ELSE! Terrible, but I don't really want to know, seems to only create more problems and ridiculous jealousy.) All this said, you are probably feeling like I am upset with you (whoever YOU are, lol), but I am not. It's been a lonely few weeks, for all these reasons, and some heavy homework loads....but I am beginning to see what God has been doing through it.

I've begun reading "Strengthen Yourself in the Lord"- and it has been speaking so clearly to right where I am. He deals with david as a prototype. The first couple chapters are discussing the times that David felt all alone, the times he felt betrayed and hurt.....Bill Johnson (the author)said that God brings us through painful times when it feels like all of our friends are away, and how if we do not see God in it, we can feel betrayed in our need, and this can grow into bitterness. BUT what God is really doing is drawing everyone else away for a time to teach you to strengthen YOURSELF in HIM! "God never sets us up to fail, only to grow." God prepares us before He brings us into each of these times/ tests, and they are necessary for us to build the character we need to become "Kings." Seeing that has changed these last few weeks from a terrible, dark time, into a GOOD time. Because, it was a little shaky for a time in the beginning, but in the end, I HAVE been strengthening myself in Him. This morning in worship I just beheld HIM. It felt so wonderful. Sometimes I wish I never had to leave- which I know, I know, 'you don't'...but somehow it's still different. You see, when I am in God's presense, just Him and me, He reminds me that I am new and that He doesn't see my past choices when He looks at me, He sees me as He created me to be. I am free. Then, I have to go interact with people, and there still seems to be those few people who continue to hold me to what I DID, and who I WAS, convinced that I am stuck there- when truly, I want nothing more than to be WAY from all that. To not have people assume that I am still secretly where I was years ago....but let me be new, like He lets me.

Wow, surprised I shared that. I actually heard from a friend today what she was going through- and it seemed in some ways to match up so closely to this same frusteration I've been facing that I guess I needed to share that.

I want friends who see me as who I am called to be, who believe that's who I AM and therefore call that out of me- who believe the best about me, who assume I am growing...and look for the evidence of that. I want to be this friend. I want eyes to see what is 'not yet' in the physical, but always has been in the spiritual. I want to be a presence of growth- continual growing, continually inspiring growth. I want to believe the best about others...believe they have a place to speak, a voice worth listening to. I want to be a safe place.

I want to become this.

Now, back to my studying for finals. I love you all. I cannot wait for the holidays, when I will hopefully see you all more often.

Also, my Toni, aka Rosie is on a short mission trip to the Phillippines, and her mom shared this blog with me today at church...thought some of you might like to see all God is doing through her too. Below is the url for their blog. Toni- can't wait till you are back and I can hear your stories- love you.

http://www.bagsofjoy2007.blogspot.com/

Other notes;
Riss, love you, still praying for you. I am sad you had to have surgeory, but I am grateful that God used it to draw us even a little closer and help us connect more often.

Morg, thanks for your call yesterday, I enjoyed it. Let the parties begin!

Ash, I hope you get that envelope tomorrow, lol. Sorry it took me a MONTH to mail it :/

Kim, you, kris, and jason are gonna have such a great week!

[Dad, keep scrolling down.]

Mackie, you, me, apple cider...nough said?

Morgan P, see you Friday my friend!!! Same time- new place?

Lou, YEAH!

Uncle John, I'm thinking we'll begin defining the "marketing plan" next summer? Elise's clearly worked. ;) Love ya.

Momma, I really don't think the tree needs many more lights...we need to put decorations on it. Looking forward to christmas break, when I'll get to actually ENJOY my time home with you...love ya.

DAD, yes, your turn! XXO. ;) ...and then a "Kris hug" , heehee. (I bought you a christmas present, my first one of the year).

Hey ya'll.
I know it's been a while, and my sister Kim is probably getting pretty tired that I have not posted AND I have not sent her the pics from Thanksgiving :( oops. I'm in my last week of classes this quarter, and then next week is finals. I will be all wrapped up by 5pm on the 14th. 14th is gonna be such a great day- done with this quarter, AND I get to see a LOT of people I love at a christmas party for my MC class...sadly there will be a couple HUGELY missed members..Risseroos foremost.

I am about to hop in bed, today has been a good day overall. I accomplished a lot, I had a great time with my cousins, I even bought my first couple christmas presents. That includes Kolleen's early present- "ADD" Blake Lewis' new album, gotta admit, I'm a fan of it! Plus we all three bought some boots to help cope with this cold, rainy weather. I also accomplished some Logic homework (the bane of my existence right now! BUT JOY, this is my last homework assignment, plus one more extra credit problem set I've been working on!)

There is some other fun pic to fill you in on, but I know I needed to post at least a couple from Thanksgiving first.

Love ya,
Kati

I trust you all had a great Thanksgiving :)

I absolutely LOVED mine! I've decided I really need to become a famous writer- because I can write from anywhere. Why is this important? Because seeing Kim and Jason makes me so happy and yet so sad- I miss them the 5 months or so in between visits. I also miss Riss and would love to go visit her for a while in Oklahoma...and I'd love to visit Kaylee (I know she'd put me to work- I think I'd love it though!). Not to mention all the places I want to go, that I don't know anyone YET (Italy, Ireland, Texas...). I'd really like to go see Tina, Amanda, and Andrew in Montana. I'd love to go to New Jersey and New York- see where mom's family is from. I've just decided I need a job that I can travel with...especially extended stays.

Dad- I know you are having difficulty breathing...I could perhaps go write in Tahiti too- and I'll bring you and mom.....feeling better? lol.

It would be fantastic though- especially to have a little place out in Tennessee. :)

Back to the present.

I highly suggest seeing two movies this holiday season. Bella, and August Rush. Bella is a much smaller film and is more difficult to find- but it is SO worth supporting with your money! August Rush has gotten a lot of noise, so you probably already want to see it. It really is good- I will be buying it a.s.a. it comes out on video, Kris and I already decided within the first 5 minutes of the film that we also want the soundtrack!

I'm also looking forward to seeing "Dan in Real Life"- I have heard from a number of people (male and female alike) that is was great! And, I'd like to see "Enchanted"- looks fun.

I cannot WAIT to be off for Christmas break, I need to make it through finals first!!

Happy Holidays!

So- remember how I was so excited to go get Jason and Kim at the airport?

Katherine and I headed out, and just as we were getting near the freeway- Kim texted. They'd landed early! 20 minutes earlier than the southwest website had predicted.

Then- exit 9- a flat. As we reached factoria, my car was riding really rough- by the time we moved across the 3 lanes and found a place to pull over, we'd reached exit 9. yep.

AAA. Thank God- and my dad- for AAA. They said 20-60 minutes until they could get a truck out to us. Katherine and I realized that we could survive a day or so in my car- down coat, fleece sweater, scarf and hat, mittens, blanket, sleeping bag, water, crackers....lol. After like 45 games of rock-paper-scissors, and 15 minutes of a game she calls "truck" (the title is self-explanatory!)...the AAA emergency service truck was there! They were so quick- he changed the tire, and we were on our way home.

Katherine was excited that she'd still be able to see the second half of Kid Nation. We stopped for coffee at BigFoot Java, then pulled up at home. Grabbed our coffees, my wallet, cell, keys- keys? Where were my house keys? Oh- and it came back to me- I'd set my keys back in the cup on my desk, "mom is home" I figured. So, we're home, but mom had had to go get Kim and Jase at the airport- so Katherine and I are home, once again, stuck in my car keeping warm......locked out of the house. Poor Katherine did not get to watch her show- so close, and yet too far.

We made some memories.

Thanksgiving is here---

I decided to skip classes today, since one was cancelled and the other two were really not necessary for me to be there. Originally I decided this because I was going to be having a sleepover- the sleepover part of the sleepover vanished, but it was such a fun night. I got to spend time with Kaylee- which I'd been looking forward to for months...and Morg, her, and I watched Hairspray and ate way too many goodies....though I can't believe we never busted into the ice cream...kind of an incomplete girls night. Its cool though- we will NEXT time.

I love how God directs our relationships, how he takes some away for a time, and then brings them back close. I am so grateful for the friendships God has blessed me with. I feel very blessed, especially this year in girls-- it's a wonderful thing to really have close girl friends!

I am thankful for this beautiful day! Elise came over this morning, as is our new tradition- wednesday mornings. And we pretty much just layed in bed and chatted for our hour. I love her! I opened the window beside my bed and we were looking out (its rare that I am still in bed and it is getting light out)- after she left I fell back asleep for a couple hours, and when I awoke and looked outside I was stairing up at these beautiful bald trees and a bright blue sky! I am hoping dad and I will take a walk when he is up. Thats one of my favorite parts of fall, and I have been so busy lately he and I haven't taken ONE walk.

So, until he is up- I am doing my laundry, tidying up the house (as well as I can while be quiet)--- which reminds me- we got a new vacuum last week! I LOVE IT! I have always loved to vacuum, my mom satrted taking off the arm of the vacuum so it was super short back when I was four or five and letting me "vacuum" around the house. I think part of it might be she taught me to vacuum as if I were coloring- fill in all the spaces. I don't know- I simply know I LOVE to vacuum. And this new vacuum is so fun to use, because it is brand new. :) And its a simple white, which I also enjoy.

But beyond my simle joys, lol....

Kim and Jason will be here tonight!!! I get to go pick them up at the airport, and I can hardly wait!!! Oh, she just texted me to double-check we have a blowdreyer she can use-- I love it! My sister will be here tonight, and tomorrow morning she will be using my blowdryer- well, probably not tomorrow morning, since we usually stay in our pajamas until almost dinner. I love thanksgiving! And I love it even more when the whole family is together! I think I'll need to go buy some french press so I can ask jason to make it!

Traditions. We have several thanksgiving traditions, some were chosen purposefully, some just occured EVERY year, and now they must always. The first- mom flies the turkey. yes, its about how it sounds. :) Then, Kim and I always cuddle up and watch the parade--- at some point we go into kris' room and jump on her bed and wake up her and she'll tell us to leave, but now she will be awake and so she'll end up coming out to join us.

As a family, we eat cinnamon rolls and all cuddle downstairs in the family room- we'll watch movies, play games, do a puzzle (which somehow- I missed the family gene that loves these- but I love traditions, so I'll try at it for a few minutes.)

Yes....the holidays are here. This is definitely my favorite season of the year, when the leaves are falling, or have, and the trees are all bare, fireplaces are lit up, coffee is sipped, hot chocolate at night, white lights are up at malls, coats, mittens, scarves, family, friends, books, movies- old movies!!! AHHH, walks with dad, holding a coffee cup to keep my fingers warm. Jazz music...then, Christmas music!

I love you all! I hope I get a chance to be with each of you this season!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Congratulations Jeff and Elise

Or as Morg and I have affectionately termed them, Gordie and Lou. :)

Jeff proposed Friday, November 9, 2007

My best friend is getting married!!!!!!!!!

Check these kids out! My (future) son is gonna rock out like the little guy who comes up front! Not to mention my girls will bust a move now and then too :)

I had such a fun time Sunday night! Morgan and I were studying at Kahilis when she got a call fro Elise, asking her (and consequently, me) to go hang out....a few minutes into their call, Todd (who was with Jeff and Elise) called me- telling me that we needed to go. We both had some homework to do first, but agreed we'd see...and might come later. Morgan and I had already texted Tyson, to come study with us at Kahilis for a while. He hadn't tected back or called, and it had been over an hour. Morgan and I decided we'd done enough homework and that we should run over and meet them earlier than we'd said- and surprise them. As we cleared our coffee cups from the table, I said I would feel so terrible if Ty ended up coming after all and we had left. Morgan reassured me that he wouldn't come without calling, especially since it had been over an hour. I agreed, she was right. As we walked out of Kahilis- Tyson called. "Hey, where exactly is Kahilis in Kirkland?" I said, "Don't come! We are leaving right now." "What? You told me to come- I am IN Kirkland!" Morgan and I coudn't help but laugh (ALOT) at this ironic situation. Ty didn't find it funny, and our humor in the situation only agrevated him more. Seriously, how wierd is that though?

We told ty where we had parked and when he pulled over, I apologized about 20 times (and he still was a bit bugged! Which I can understand), and eventually he decided to follow us to Red Robins to meet up with Elise, Jeff, and Todd. And thus the night ensued. It was a blast- it's been a while since I hve had one of these random fun nights, where theres nothing on th eschedule, and you just simply enjoy your friends- WHEREVER you happen to be. Our night led us to the Party Store, and you can see a window into our night from the photos. I laughed a LOT! I don't think I've ever hung out with quite this group...I believe I probably will a good deal in the future- at least, I hope. Anyways- I wanted to share a few smiles with you all :)

Love you.

A few quick pictures from last night and today... I took katherine and kolleen to the Reformation Festival last night. It was pretty col, definitely gets better every year. And they got WAY too much candy for their good- and my moms!


Then today, Kris and I went to the 5th- in mom and dad's seats....where we like to be, right up in front. It was halarious actually, they had the stage set up so that it had a front part that came out right to our seats practically. And one actor, spit, BAD. We were leaning back in our seats, as he spat upon us!!! We were laughing pretty hard. I'm pretty sure that throughout the play, we laughed harder than anyone else there- ESPECIALLY through the first duet of the "Prince Charmings"Oh my goodness!
The second part wasn't either of our favorite, but it was still very good- the first half was the best as far as we were concerned. It was WONDERFUL! Now I am going to run and meet Morg at the mall...so farewell to you- I love you! (I can say that, since I believe I know everyone who reads this blog- and I know that I love you." And one last thought to leave you with- fairytales do come true :)

I had two midterms today- they didn't feel real great, but I am praying I'll be surprised with a good grade. I intended to come home and take a nap, but because there is a conversation going on out in the family room- I couldn't at first, and then I just decided I'd rather do some homework- check email- update the template of my blog ;) Then I found this photographer and started going through his portfolio- a lot of GREAT pictures...a few strange ones too.

Tonight is reformation fest- tomorrow kris and i are going to see Into the Woods- I am SOOO excited! So, you should be seeing some pics from each of those soon. Here a few I just found on Jen Staab's flicker account. They are kinda fun and I don't get many pics with these two friends, so I thought I would post them. :) The ones of Daniela and I is from one night at homegroup. The pic of Riss and I is from the Luaw (how do you spell that?) at family camp.

I have yet to wear a flower in my hair...but I'm enjoying San Francisco nonetheless.

The actual work end has been pretty tough- pretty much EVERYTHING going wrong, but its all been fixable, its just taken some effort (a LOT of effort). Well- most of its been fixable, but the things that haven't been, are also no one's fault so- oh well. :) Its really been entertaining actually- how much every little thing actually can go wrong....I'm giggling about it now. Like this morning- going to send my homework assignment in (which has to be in by 9:30am, or else it goes down to half credit)- and low and behold, the hotel is upgrading their server and their internet is "temporarily down"--- I was stressing a bit then, but once again, there was nothing I could do but wait and pray that it came up in time- and it did- JUST in time...I got my assignment in with about 5 minutes to spare, lol.

Don't let all these problems fool you though, I have had some fun time- not yesterday, but the day before....my manager treated me to a pedicure to thank me for all my hardwork. They were GREAT! Not your average pedicure- they were at a really nice spa- the pedicure we got was called the "mojito"- cute pun of words. They soaked our feet in hot lemon and mint baths (with both, fresh, floating around)- then they scrubbed our feet and calves (OUCH! I had JUST shaved that morning!), we had headphones and sat and watched girly tv shows (I'm not big on tv shows, but it was still fun), and drank mojitos (mine was virgin, ;) and still, it was very good! Maybe I will be trying a real one in a few months??). We also did a little wandering and shopping that day- then went to a great restaurant that night- one of kathryn's favorites in San Fran. It was called 50 Hyde 15- small, personal, AMAZING! A great day.

border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124668731547822594" />Yesterday, I spent the day at the conference center getting everythign ready, then headed back to my hotel, and spent the entire night working on Logic homework :(

This morning was a mad rush back and forth between the conference center and my hotel- managing both the final setups for our booth and meeting rooms- as well as my own schoolwork! AND, in the end, it all work out. :) Jason, says that 90% of what we worry about never happens....so stop worrying....I'm getting a litle better at taking this advice. I think that its easier for me to laugh at things, when I know others are freaking out about them instead....it takes that off my shoulders ;)

Now, I am off for the day (finally!!), and I am trying to decide whether to wander around the shops right here (our hotel is in shopping central!), or take a nap- I am very tired....but figure it will be getting dark in a few hours, so I better go see some things now...I'll have homework again tomorrow, and tomorrow night is our team dinner.

So I am off....

Thought of the day: REALLY skinny guys, should not wear SKINNY jeans.

My weekend in photos:

I took Abby and Will to Sean's firehouse for Bellevue Fire Department's open house day.....they really liked it! And so did I! :)
I loved how the tire was as big as Will!
I also gave in and finally bought the new Sparks book- and I read about 100 pages in it Saturday night- but I haven't read any more this week since I have been sooooo busy! Saturday, after the firestation, I went to work at the coffee shop, then I went to the Ruffs to babysit till late- so that was the day. :)


Right now, I am at Kahilis, studying away (well, except for this short distraction- and my phone call with Kim :) But every good student needs a break here and there) NOT that I have been a good student- I have been a really bad one this week, and I am pretty upset with myself. It has been mostly due to how much I have had to do for work though- and then homework getting put off and then missing class to get homework done in time. YEAH- BAD!

So, now I am going to go back to studying, in effort to make myself a better student again.

LOVE YOU ALL

Has it really been 10 days since my last post? Well, here are the updates from this short span of time:
I'm blonde again- well, the brown roots are finally disguised.
I have a midterm friday.
I leave Saturday morning for CTIA in San Francisco..I will be gone close to a week :)
I have 2 midterms next Friday now! (Kind of a bummer that I will be in San Fracisco-studying!
I have not been a good student in my Logic and Archaeology classes- especially my Logic class- that is where I am right now...not paying attention.

Kristin Hale cut and colored my hair last night, and I had a blast over there hanging out with her and her roommate. My hair looks good too, which is a definite plus :)

Ty and I started studying for our upcoming Archaeology exam, last night.

Tonight, I will hopefully be meeting up with a friend who used to work with me, to catch up over coffee. I am VERY excited...if it doesn't work out for tonight, that will be good too thoughm because then I can study during that time instead. So either way, tonight will be a good night.

Work has been so ridiculously crazy, I've almost cried the last couple days. This morning on my bus ride, I was soaking. Yes- I was "soaking" on the bus. I turned on my ipod, and closed my eyes- surprisingly, this does not illicit as much attention as one would think, because unlike all the other college students on the bus with their eyes closed, I am not REALLY sleeping, so I am not quite as fun to stare at...I am not snoring, or twitching, or falling on my neighbor's shoulder....well, I am sometimes lipsincing, and I know my face is displaying a number of expressions while my eyes are closed- BUT, the truth is, if people ARE staring, my eyes ARE closed, so I don't know any better, and I can go on, "Soaking on the bus."

But to my point, I played this one song by Adie Camp, over and over...the words were something like, "When my strength fades...Your strength remains...When I am weak, your strength is complete...perfectly, everything I need" Yeah, let me tell you, it was definitely life for me this morning. It was a struggle to calm my spirit, silence my soul, and just REST in His presence on that crowded bus. Its a good practice. The last few days I have felt this constant anxiety, and struggle going on inside me- work really is driving me to my end, and with midterms coming and barely having any time to prepare-yeah. So, finding peace, repenting for anxiety and taking it all on myself, and just choosing to TRUST Him to take care of it all, and rest in the midst of this mayhem- that's the place I am looking for. I have found it some, I think I began to find it more last night, and even more this morning.

Today, in about 5 minutes, I am about to go on my first "Treasure Hunt" and I am pretty excited! We are going to do it here on the campus!

Alright, love you all.

I have internet at home again! YESSSSSSSS! This means I will likely blog more often. Or at least, I will put a bit more effort in some of them. We had a post-encounter meeting this morning, and Tong made us another soaking CD- I was SO happy! There were a number of songs they played on the encounter that I loved- and they didn't make it on to the first CD...plus I have been replaying the first CD over and over, so I was real grateful for another one to set into the cycle. :)

So a man at church, who is realtively new from City Church, gave my parents a prophetic word today. I had to leave right when P. Norm finished speaking (I had to make it to work), but apparently he prophesied over mom, dad, the twins, and he gave them a word for me too. It was incredible! The things he said, he could not have known. I for one, was not even there, and mom said she didn't even know the things he was saying about me were true- but he said to them, "This isn't anything new to her. She already knows she is called to broken children." I don't know it all really, I have only heard bits and pieces, and I don't know it word for word, but when my mom called me on the phone and started telling me some of the thign she said, and I started laughing, she was like, "Really?" It lined up with a number of prophetic words I have been given. It's crazy! I've been inspired (and I can't remember if this is what inspired me, but I think I was thinking about this before too actually) to create a book of rememberence- a memorial of the words and promises God has given me, with the verbal prophetic words and the images he's shown me, I guess I will finally be writing my 'identity journal.' I'd even like to include a couple literary characters who most speak to my heart, and I believe I'm called to be like.

Well, I haven't been able to hear the whole prophetic word in detail, but I have heard most of it in pieces now I believe. Pretty exciting! I guess he wants to speak to me too, and tell me. Cool!

On another note, which I am tempted to mention on a very sad note, but immediately felt adjusted- because it's God's mercy that He is revealing this to me, and I am SO grateful....God has been showing me a lot of pride in me...A LOT. At first, I thought it was just a little, a little jealousy and judgementalism....the last 3 days, He's been showing me more and more of it in me, and I've been continually repenting and repenting. This morning, I wrote 'humility' on my wrist, as a reminder, and as a prayer. Well, today was certainly the greatest unveiling yet. I went to the Women's Meeting tonight, and lo and behold, what was Mrs. Marcy speaking on? PRIDE. Yep, I cried through I good deal of it. She simply read portions from this book she's been dwelling in. It lists out 30 fruits/signs of pride- oh my word! A number of the things I have been frusterated with in myself- were listed out as fruits of pride- INCLUDING FRUSTRATION. Ironic, a? No, I know frustration with my own sin is good, it's the only good frusteration I've got, however, the easily frusterated with my dad, and my mom, and my sister, and my cousins- not SO good. And I have been becoming more and more impatient, and even though I see it and hate it, I keep facing, as with some anger, jealousy. UGH. :( There were a BUNCH of things she read, and as she did, a memory would come right into my mind, from the past couple weeks and a few more tears would come. It wasn't just the sad type of tears, it's the real painful ones fro your heart, because you realize how evil you are, and you want so badly for Him to change you and make you like Him...loving, humble, pure, patient, meek, forgiving, encouraging.

I want so deeply to be humble, more than I think I have ever wanted to be humble. It's no longer about just being "humble" for the sake of being 'humble.' It's the realization, that God dwells with the humble, and His glory cannot co-reside with pride. I'm realizing that the qualities I want to be, are the fruits of humility- especially patience and graciousness- I really have been praying that God would make me patient and gracious- now I see it's humility that i really want, and these will follow. I don't like that when I am asked to help around the house, I can be irritable, I will help, but lately I've done it with the attitude of an 8-year-old! What is that?! It's pride. OH MY GOSH!

My prayer tonight, was, and is, God, go deep, go all the way, and make me humble. THANK YOU FOR YOUR MERCY ON ME!!! Root out this pride that's so deep in me- and posture me in humility. Open my eyes to see You, and really realize that without You, I am lost.

Goodnight, and I love you.............you can pray for God to deal with my pride :)
Wow, that's not a prayer request I give everyday ;)

OH work, oh work. You know what's wonderful though? It is pretty quiet in the office. It has been a stressful week at work- and at school, sorting out classes and books and finances. We have our big conference for work coming up in a few weeks, and that means we are hitting the deadlines this week and next, so it has been busy. Sadly, I woke up with a cold Monday morning too, so to say the least, I have been relying on the Lord's grace, and looking forward to the weekend! ;)

Tonight I have no homework! WOOHOO! I have things due Monday, but I'm going to put them off from tonight. Tonight, I am working, then going to homegroup, and then hopefully catching up with Elise somewhere. This, I am definitely looking forward to- though I am thinking perhaps we should just go home, put on our pajamas and cuddle up in my bed and chat...no environment better for sharing the matters of your heart with your best friends. Well..it would be a bit better if there was Ben & Jerrys involved, huh morg? Though, I don't think I'd be a fan of people eating ben & jerrys in my bed. Actually, Ben & Jerrys is typically more of the "after-lots-of-sharing-matters-of-the-heart" refuge anyway. It's the, 'lets not talk at all and recover for a moment,' or 'let's just laugh at anything' type of companion. Oh, ice cream. :)

Can you tell that i am wanting a quick mental break right now? Writing about the many medicinal purposes of ice cream. haha. The sudden quiet of the office is actually making me tired, which is NOT good. You see, when I get tired, I fall asleep. I can be watching a movie, reading a book (especially those last two!), sitting at my desk at work (as I am now), on the bus, riding in a car (passenger), eating spaghetti (okay, I was like 5!), sitting on the stairs, laying in the yard, sitting at work at the coffee stand...pretty much anywhere I am not standing, I can fall asleep (yes- I fell alseep on the toilet at work a couple weeks ago! ), come to think of it, I have even fallen asleep a few times standing up (Italy!). It is terrible, I know. And once I am asleep, i can remain in this partial sleep state, even while carrying on conversations (which I will not recall later), being led up the stairs by the hand, etc. I am not always a heavy sleeper though, I can also wake up to my bedroom door opening and someone stepping inside. It really doesn't make much sense.

All that to say, be careful that if I answer your question at a sleepover, that I really am conscious.

Kris, I think, enjoys asking me things when I am in this half-sleeping state. She likes waking me up and watching me as I interact with the world around me in deep confusion. "Wait- why? What did you ask? I don't understand." Much in the same way, my dad liked leading me up to bed when i was little, and leaving me with one foot on each step. My mom and sisters would come watch too, as I stood there, asleep. Eventually, I'd just sit down right there and continue sleeping.

Where are all these stories coming from? Oh yeah, i was saying the office is quiet and I am growing tired. Well, I have affectively woken myself up with these stories.

Goodness, sometimes I wish I could video tape my office, just so I could truly convey how ridiculous people here can be- it is SO entertaining. I love it. I love awkward people! Some guy just walking around the office barefoot, another reportedly peeing in a bottle, the man whose accent and lisp are so thick I would never had known his name except for the invention of email....it's beautiful. And it keeps life so entertaining. There are far more subtle things too, but I am not sure others would laugh at them.


What to have for dinner....I think Jamba. I wonder how many of you are wondering right now why you read this? Hmmm. Why do you? ;) I suppose it is only because you love me. Well, because I love you, I will stop wasting your time by writing about old stories, and what I'd like to eat for dinner.

I love you all!

So my class schedule is set! Woohoo! I had the most wonderful weekend at the Encounter Retreat! Tonight is the sharing time. I woke up this morning with a nasty head cold, and maybe something more. Luckily my boss was heading out early, so she just told me to skip work and go rest at home. Thank you JESUS! I slept over 9 hours last night, and then for another 2 or 3 today!

Now, I need to go get all caught up on this past weekends homework!

Love you guys, pray my cold goes away please.
Kati

I had a dream last night, I went to get my hair cut and the hairdresser cut all my hair off...it was like Roman Holiday short, and it was dark brown again. I was crying at first because I was so shocked by it- but then I sorta liked it. Then, I woke up. I've been wanting to recolor my hair, probably just go back to brown (that was the plan initially), so maybe thats why I had the dream..but hmm, maybe I am supposed to cut it all off? God will probably need to show me that pretty clearly- it would be fun though. :) > come to think of it, it looked like Kim Walker's did when she was here for the Womens Conference...hmmm, maybe I'll pray about this. :)

I am working a little late today, I need to get some hours in. Having a budget is good for me, because this year I know how many hours I need to work each week which provides personal accountability. Last year, I didn't have much to do at work (my 'manager' wasn't very good at utilizing me), and so I would end up leaving early almost every day because I felt I was wasting my time. So, I'd work like 7 hours some weeks! This year, not only do I have a wonderful manager who definitely utilizes me (!), but I also know exactly how many hours my budget is based on, so I have to hit that as a minimum.


Today our company was celebrating a new stage in our 'development' - so we went out on a boat cruise for a few hours around Seattle, it was really quite wonderful. And it didn't rain, which was great! I'm surprised how tired it left me though-- all of us, infact. The office is pretty much empty- everyone cleared out as soon as we got back.

Speaking of the office....it's the season premier tonight! I've heard it was at nine, and I've heard it's at eight. I will need to be working on homework tonight, but I might have to multi-task ;) I know, that's not very good study skills... Well, who knows, maybe it's at eight and in that case I'll miss it anyways.

I need to get back to working on my press release...see many of you tonight. And those I won't-- I LOVE YOU TONS!
(Post Scriptum. the pictures are just random pictures I took with my phone this morning on campus. I was walking by the fountain on the way to a class and was struck by the beauty all around me. i love walking around the campus, i am so blessed to be able to attend classes there. and i was so happy, i took a picture to show you- you can see a beautiful part of the campus behind me.)

Kim and Jason- I cannot wait for your visit!

So, lots of fun news!

Yesterday I bought a car! It's a black 2001 Nissan Pathfinder, and I love it!!! We'll have to name it. I'll add a picture tomorrow...

I also started classes today, that's why I haven't had time to update my blog. Work is crazy, I have several press releases that I need to write pretty much today and tomorrow! I also really need to write my SLT paper (which is already late!), I already have homework, and I am going on the encounter retreat this weekend!

I am so excited about life right now, I love how things are happening...but today I really began to feel "busy." I know I have so been riding on the Lords grace these last few weeks- and I'm sure there is even more grace now as things are picking up even more...I just need to choose to stay at peace, and trusting Him to take care of it all.

I am taking Archaeology (with Tyson!) and Philosophy- Logic (with Kyle!), and I was taking Italian 201 (second year) but I decided today I am going to drop the class and try to find an 8:30 class if at all possible. As of now, I am not getting to work until 2pm, and that is rough!

Well, I will be up early to work on those press releases, and to do my Logic homework, so I'd best be off to bed. I love you all- be encouraged, God is wanting to bless us, I really do believe that!

Goodnight!
(PS, Kim and Jason bought a house, and it's amazing, but she made me promise not to talk about it before her...so I'm not. :)

Also, I just had a wonderful time out to coffee with Kris, Elise, Jeff, Rob, Kevin, and Ben...I'm glad I went :)

Goodnight, really. Have awesome dreams! Prophetic dreams!

School starts in 2 days! I haven't purchased any of my books yet, I am hoping to just buy them after class on Wednesday. :) That's what I end up having to do for the winter and spring quarter anyways- and I have learned from the past year that I change my classes half of the time. So yes, I will buy them on Wednesday.

Today, I am at work. I really do love getting up early and getting going on the day. It's only noon- there are many summer days when I would have just been getting up. But not these days, I have already worked almost 6 hours- and visited morgan at work. Which reminds me: Morgan looks very good in a green apron...if anyone who is reading this happens to be wondering. You can pass that information along as well ;) heehee. No really, and she prepared the best toasted chonga bagel I've ever had. I was only sad her shift manager (I'm assuming thats who she was) made me my drink instead of morgan. I will just have to come by again soon to experience that work of art. (And by that phrase I do not mean it the way some people do when they say "he's a real work of art" as a critique, but rather I mean that morgan is an ar-tiste and all things she does, become a work of art. I know I am over the top- lol!)


But yes, it has been a good day. As I was driving along Lakeview Road, towards Caroline Point, I really wanted to pull over and just sit beside the water and watch the sun come up....it had only just begun to and it already looked so spectacular! Now, I just walked by the window, and saw the skies, clear blue. I know when I walk outside it will be crisp and fresh- autumn is already here! I love leaving my window open during the fall- letting my room fill up with the changing air. I love to drive with my car window open- (and a coat on!) letting the wind chase past my cheeks, leaving them chilled. I love taking walks every chance I get, under the changing leaves, drinking a mocha, talking with a friend. I especially love spending time with my dad in the autumn- school approaching- shopping for new pens, taking walks, going on drives, life changing again.

I love autumn!

Today is officially Talk Like A Pirate Day. My inbox at work this morning was full of yesterday afternoon's preparation for it...including a url for how to find your pirate name. Here is mine:

My pirate name is:

Dirty Charity Rackham

You're the pirate everyone else wants to throw in the ocean -- not to get rid of you, you understand; just to get rid of the smell. You have the good fortune of having a good name, since Rackham (pronounced RACKem, not rack-ham) is one of the coolest sounding surnames for a pirate. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

Hello my wonderful family and friends!

My blogging is already slowing, but that's okay, because so has your comments, and so I conclude that we are all becoming more busy with the fall season approaching. Todays rain was wonderful! I loved it- I went outside this morning and realized that I could put on some jeans and a sweater and be perfectly fitted for the weather :)

I ALSO realized that I could not pop the hood of my little blue smurf (aka- the prelude), so I couldn't fill the oil. NOT such a happy problem on a Sunday morning. I had a few revelation this morning- I couldn't fill the oil, I had forgotten to accept my student loan last night, and I still hadn't gotten the final information online for Elise and mine's special surprise day today. I also didn't have THAT much time. So, if you noticed my wet hair at church- that's why. I gave people who commented, the short answer- "it was coffee or blow dry, and I decided coffee." Really, that dilemma was caused by the three other surprises this morning, and they left me NEEDING a mocha! ;)
It all worked out wonderfuly- it turned out, I knowing myself better than I realize, had actually told myself that the loan had to be accepted by the 15th, a day early of the real deadline (the 16th- today!). I accepted my loan immediately this morning, then mom and dad said I could take mom's car to church and then out for Elise and mine's date. I grabbed the information online real quick, jumped in teh shower and was off- stopped at my espresso stand, and was at church with plenty of time to find a great seat, enjoy my coffee, and hug a BUNCH of people I love. It was a good morning.

Then, Elise and I had a great time! That's all the info I'm giving ;)

Yesterday I had CCK 301 in the morning, and then had to leave early--- so I could go see Lonestar Love at the 5th with Kris and my parents- then we went out to dinner. It was fun day! I ended up really enjoying the play..and dinner was fun, just getting to be together. Kris and I got stuck at the parking garage exit for about 20 minutes because the attendent really didn't know what he was doing. Then, he tried having Kris and I leaving without giving us back her debit card! You'll enjoy the series of photos taken while waiting at the said parking garage exit. :)

I went out on the Morrill's boat yesterday with Aime, Mr. Morrill, James (Phillips) and Jared. It was SO much fun, but today- even my fingers are sore. It is difficult for me to use the muscles in my hands, so this is about all this blog will be. We went intertubing (which I didn't do well at staying on) and then wakeboarding- which was SUCH a blast! I'm bummed the summer suddenly seems over. Except, I love autumn, so I wont be too sad. I am certain this season has many wonderful things in store.

Love you all.

Saturday night I was at RC Prayer- short for Revival Culture Prayer. There was a pretty big group for what I usually see there (but I have not been there the last couple months)- probably 15 people or so. Congregation prayer was amazing before it, and it shot us right in to a truly holy place. I Loved it- can I say it again?

So, I wont go through the whole night, but at one point, we all split up and I was laying on the floor, between rows- looking down one of the rows under the chairs- and it was like a cave (all the lights were off)..and the Lord told me a story. It was INCREDIBLE and through part of it, He would tell me something, and then the song in the backround would say almost the same thing. Like part of the story, the girl learns the language she's hearing, and I said "no, she can't not understand the language and then learn it" and then the song sang about learning the language of heaven- OUT OF NO WHERE! It was awesome- and I am really inspired to write this story. The last couple weeks I have been listening more and more for stories in my times with the Lord, and He's been giving me more and more- this was the most of a story He has ever told me! It was very cool, and I look forward to writing. :)

Other GREAT news- my sister and brother-in-law bought a house!! I have yet to see pictures- but Kim said it's awesome! It was built in the 1920s, and has been completely redone inside. They have a little work to do, as would be expected, but it sounds like they can feel at home here pretty immediately- and thats a feeling I know Kim especially has been looking forward to.

Hmm, what else? I start school in a little over 2 weeks! I need to take care of a few matters before then.

I am at work- trying to write a case study about a project I know very little about- and I am really struggling. What to do. What to do.

Well, the first thing to do would be publish and close this blog I suppose. Love you all!

This one goes out to Jason.

So, I think most of you who read my blog, on occasion read my sister's...when she writes. ;) So you are all caught up on how Jason's writing is going- or I have told you and thus you know. It's only a matter of time until his songs begin to get cut- I'm not just saying this because he is my brother-in-law and it's my duty ("lets talk about your duties" hehe). He really is very talented- and I REALLY would like a number of his songs to get cut, for my own selfish reason of being able t have a finished version of them to listen to and enjoy- to be able to switch on the radio and hear, "I Can't" "That's How I'd Do It" "Right Where We Belong" "You Should Have Been in Love" or "She Dreams With Me"....

I decided to write this because Kris was telling me how badly she missed him a couple days ago- and I told her, I had just had one of those days too. So, we miss you Jason and love you- even though you don't read this blog, Kim will tell you about it, andperhaps you might scan the pictures, as you call "catching up" lol.

Life is exciting right now- and I have a sense that there are about to be a lot of BIG exciting changes coming your way, Kim and Jason.

I love you BOTH (or BOLTH) and I am looking forward to Thanksgiving!


(doesn't this look like Jaosn- look at the name on top too!)

21 days. Exactly 3 weeks until I am walking through the Quad and down the steps of Red Square. I wish the MCs still had a group of people doing outreach there, it would be nice to see their faces scattered through those crowds. I am excited that Braden and Pierce will both be at the U this year! Where are the girls though? :)

I am excited for classes to start, even though I know I will be tired of them rather quickly and wishing it were already over. I love school- I LOVED highschool and junior high- especially literature and english classes, and Mr. Whelham was such a good science teacher, that I enjoyed those too, even though I have no special affection for the subject. Last year I would get excited for each of my classes, and then depressed as I re-discovered that it was nothing like highschool- not because it's harder. But because my instructors were all outspoken feminists-humanists-depresidents ;) who made us read perverted topics and discuss our own "thoguhts" on it, which usually made me want to silence at least half the class as they said a lot of words- but really made absolutely no reasonable point! They already know what they want to say, and it doesn't matter if that's what the author meant or not! Sorry, I'm getting worked up.


I love studying, I really do. I love fall, when the rain is falling outside the window, and I am sitting at a desk (or coffee shop table!!), warm drink beside my notebook, and I am highlighting in a book whose binding is still crisp and hard to bend. I love taking notes on lined paper. AND NOW, I love typing on those inspiring white keys. I love putting on a jacket (and my thermal underwear on under my jeans) - grabbing my backpack and walking around the campus from class to class (with a bagel and a coffee!). I love buying new pens and notebooks (not that I need any this year- I overstocked on them last year because I was too excited!). I love school supplies shopping!

Yes, now you can see why writing would be my ideal destiny, even if for no other reason than a lifetime of holding new pens over fresh white paper, and opening my beautiful mac, and trusting it to hold my stories like a pure vause. :) IF for no other reason, but THERE ARE other reasons- like passions, and dreams, and calling. ;)

Yes, school is coming, and ever so quickly. I am ready for fall all the sudden, and good thing too, since it is here quite suddenly! Actually, today is supposed to be rather pretty and warm. I've been working in the coffee shop the past few afternoons, and I keep dressing for fall, and then roasting in there because it's so muggy! The weather looks ugly, but it's still warm! Not to mention, there are so many machines in that little room, and they all give off imense heat- it's hot! If it's going to get dark and rainy- it needs to get crisp- that's how we do it here, remember Seattle??


This last weekend was the first Labor Day weekend in years that us Kelly Girls didn't go to the Ellensburg Rodeo- which is terribly sad to me! I was actually glad that I was working quite a bit- because it kept me from being tooo sad. It just didn't make sense for Kim to fly down for it this year- since I was just there, and her and Jason will be coming for Thanksgiving. Still, it's sad to let a tradition go! :(