Randomshirts.com.... really you should check it out

Do you ever just want to slap someone and tell them BIG DEAL?!

Complain complain complain...

Go read my xanga its happier...

What happened to the days when life was so simple? I think I agree with Tim that we are all trying to grow up too fast, but at the same time we can't remember what being young feels like. At the women's retreat this weekend, we had to get up and dance. In the past, I would have really gotten down but just a flood of anxiety and embarassment hit me.

Now, problems between friends are so much larger and so much more complex. I wish that we could just go play in the sandbox again and make things better. Let our friends play with our favorite barbies, or for a change you push them in the swing. Now its so much more complex to make someone feel better. Things are such big deals now, because of the confusion between being nosey and actually caring.

The theme song to Full House is playing in my head right now. The epitome of my childhood is wrapped up in the show. The comedy, the problem, the dramatic music, the hug, and then more comedy. So many life lessons taught and everything so simple.

Time to finish that paper...

My Xanga

Okay there... created one so I can comment on other people's I guess. Just like those dang skirts that everyone is wearing, I will create a xanga. But I will still ahve this too and write in this as well because I love you my diaryland!

A shirt just for you

I saw this online and thought of you!

I like waking up and people have IMed me in my sleep and its always something so sweet and nice!

Okay now tell me if this is stupid or not... or maybe shed some light on this for me:

The American Eagle in Denton is not carrying their swimsuit line in the store. Now why is this? I have no idea! How can you find one that FITS if you don't carry it in the store? I'm gonna go to Vista Ridge on Friday if any GIRLS want to come with me.

Went to a Ranger game... that was fun.... I fell... but that was fun too. And Chris and Brian broke into my car... but its cool I still love them and its easier to break into a car when its unlocked... I know I'm stupid.

Anyhoot, I'm going to get in the shower!

Hi Anna! I love you!

I am excited about my classes next semester.

Oh and I am test free until finals! So since I have 5 should i start to study for them? Naw are you kidding that's just silly! I'm gonna nap and hang out and sleep late. WHOO WHOO!

The last Venture was last night. No more until next spring! but there is the baptism night which is gonna be AWESOME!

I have cup hours this morning so I gotta make like a baby and head out.

Oh and James, its not that people aren't writing in here anymore, they have xanga's. I don't have one, I'm trying to rebel against the whole Xanga movement. Don't fret little one it will all be better soon!

Oh, and one small note. DRAMA IS STUPID! Take one from Mary she knows what she is talkin about. NO MORE NO MORE DRAMA! *looks around* Hmmm wow this looks like college to me... No high school here... so maybe that's why THERE IS NO DRAMA HERE!

Okay... phew! Oh what was I gonna say... I'm wearing my Matt Wertz shirt today. Whoo hoo! Gonna look hot? maybe?

so random shout out to... Miss Rachel Clare! I love you so much! You not only rock my face off but you rock my blues off! awww!

Oh and I am very glad that Kristen did not make out with Fat Bob... Fat Bob isn't fat... He's cool and cowboy... mk time to put on clothes!

Anyways this song is by Matt Wertz and its really beautiful. God is so amazing, I am so glad I can rejoice in the fact that He just loves me.

"All I Know" Matt Wertz

I don't know how the stars hang

Or how there's night and there is day

I dont know how you spoke into the black

And made it all obey

All I know is the bleeding in my heart

And the healing in your touch

All I know is that you gave everything

So let that be enough

'Cause it's all I know

I dont know how your love works

How you cover me in grace

I dont know how you swallow all I am

When I can't stand my taste

All I know is the bleeding in my heart

And the healing in your touch

All I know is that you gave everything

So let that be enough

'Cause it's all I know

I can't explain the mystery

But I know the answer

All I know is the bleeding in my heart

And the healing in your touch

All I know is that you gave everything

So let that be enough

'Cause it's all I know

Tonight I went and saw Dave Barnes and Matt Wertz in concert at the Gypsy Tea Room. It was such an intimate setting, but of course it was probably because Kristen, Steven, Jeremy and I were all up front. I could see the hair on Dave's chest and the sweat on Matt's upper lip.

Simply amazing guys is all I have to say. Considering they SOLD OUT the tea room and they don't even have a record label! I had been e-mailing Dave info and stuff, so it was cool to finally get to say hey.

I am exhausted though, there is lots of lightning outside and its really pretty.

Oh and one more thing pertaining to a certain individual: I really see no reason for you to bring up the past with me. Its over, please allow me to move on, as you should be doing yourself. You know who you are...

Okay now that I said that... I HATE PACKING!

I think that's dumb

I had community group last night, and that was good, ate a whole lot of candy and cookies and got to talk about the fruits of the spirit. And building character!!!

Then today, Travis Whitehead and Drew Darby came to eat lunch with me here in good ol Lil D. That was fun, we went to Hooya's and talked about stuff... haha It was a lot of fun. And tonight we are going to go see Matt Wertz! WHOO!

Its all right, I really hope its not going to rain today, or else no visitors for Alyson at the cup...

Maybe Ben Warren will let me sleep for a little bit...

Oh me and Chelsea e-mailed our govt. proffessor the end of the world animation. He liked it!

I missed Ben Woodring's birthday, he is probably not too happy with me about that especially since I was mean to him on the phone the other day. I need to apologize to him because just thinking about him being mad at me makes me sad.

Oh and in case you were wondering Lyn's birthday is tomorrow not today

*crickets*

Okay so that was dumb. Anyhoot, we have an apartment! YIPPEE SKIPPEE!

This weekend was good and I'm glad I get to go back on Saturday.

I am so excited about so many things! That I'm going to list them!

1) Oh you know who you are!

2) Mr. Goodcents Sandwich!

3) Sun Chips!

4) TRAVIS WHITEHEAD!!!!!!

5) Dave Barnes and Matt Wertz on Friday.

6) Kesseler's jokes

7) Miss Rachel

8) My community group girls!

9) Jessalyn's cardboard cut out of Legolas

10) Shopping this weekend.

11) New brake pads

12) Chelsea and Rachel get to see the giant bunny statue on the way to Austin

Oh and the list could go on and on

YAY!

I saw Leslie, the homeless guy. It is refreshing to see tan butt cheeks when you see a guy in a man thong. But its still not good to see a guy in a man thong... EW.

Steven does not need to be jealous of me because I met Shane and Shane and Shaun Groves. As Shane Barnard said it, "We go to church together!" Its okay Steven, you are still amazing.

Well, I'm gonna slip on some pjs and then watch tv. Too much Spam for one day can really wear you out.

PS I will never eat that stuff, and I didn't, nope not even today!

SPAM FREE! THE WAY TO BE!

His are always fascinating and filled with saracasm. I don't think I spell that right ever. Another good one is Dave Barnes. The latest entry on his news page makes me think of Wichita. If you go see it, and went to Wichita, then you'll understand. Okay so, I'll be headin off now. Well I'm in Austin right now, chilling. Gonna go find me something to eat while I'm here, we had awesome mexican food last night, and when i say awesome i don't mean it like how I say it but how Steven Hoyer says it kinda like oooohhhsome well not like that at all... but yeah.

HO-K SO... Anyone else like playing with compressed air because I do!!!

Oh but the mexican food, I had a stuffed avocado last night... it was stuffed with chicken and cheese, then fried with green chile sauce and cheese on the outside.... oh i want ANOTHER ONE! This is no Taco C my friends.

Now time for me to fill out this form to be a dave barnes rep... woot!

Shane and Shane were INCREDIBLE last night. It was good to see some Longview folks. But more about that later, I gotta do my community group work right now!

Oh Hey! YAY! Steven will be in San Angelo, TX for two weeks this summer doing Student Life camps! Get excited! I'm definately gonna go see him!

mk bye now!

When we love the weak

When we love these

We love Jesus

Jesus brings a meal for tips

Jesus trying hard to quit

Jesus raising two alone

Jesus drives a heavy load

When we love the least

When we love the weak

When we love these

We love Jesus

Jesus with worn wrinkled hands

Jesus sows a patch of land

Jesus hides a tatooed arm

Jesus keeping dinner warm

When we love the least

When we love the weak

When we love these

We love Jesus

What if God was one of us

Just a man like one of us

Just a stranger on the bus

Trying to make His way home

Jesus waves a foreign flag

Jesus wrings a washing rag

Jesus leans on prison bars

Jesus swinging in my yard

When we love the least

When we love the weak

When we love these

We love Jesus" Shaun Groves

This song really touched me, I guess because of the mission trip, and just recognizing all the ministry oppurtunities and how little we reach out to.

God has revealed to me that I need to butt out of something... So I am.

It is amazing how God answers prayer! How amazing that we can come to Him and just ask, yet we are always so scared to ask for it. Does it hurt to ask? NO!

I was reading my book If You Want to Walk On Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat by John Ortberg and it was talking about fear. The whole book is about the story in Matthew 15 where Peter walks on water with Jesus. Anyways, it was talking about fear and self-esteem. How people who take chances are more likely to have better self-esteem than those who don't take chances. The reason being is because you then start to doubt your ability and have a lot of regrets about yourself. You then no longer start taking chances because you feel like you can't! AMAZING! God is teaching me so much about patience and I am already seeing the fruit of it. Instead of taking matters into my own hands, My God is faithfully preparing these situations for me! Makes you just want to hug yourself!

Well I've got to get ready because someone is going to Longview today and is going to see Shane and Shane!!!!!!!! I'm all excited!

I went to Tuesday morning prayer this morning and we were late. It was okay though, we came in kinda just in time.

Afterwards we stopped by Crumley and picked up a Christoper! haha! Well we picked up Chris, and then I went back to sleep in my bed.

The more times I go to government the more I want to just hit some of the poeple in the class. If you are going to cross stitch in class, wait don't even do that in class!!!!

Then I spent 3 hours in Bruce for lunch. I kinda liked it.

I am going to Longview tomorrow with Corey and Alan to see Shane and Shane, Ginny Owens, and Shaun Groves. YAY!!!!

I'm excited, hopefully I get to see some people, and make a guest appearance! Anyways im gonna clean up my side of the room now!

English as always was pointless... but I have to go! I went to lunch with Anna, and then I went to Steven's to watch episodes of friends while I studied for my test. I had a test at 6, finished it in 20 minutes, Then talked to my mom.

I am excited about going home this weekend!!!!

We talked about the Beatles, and then after class I was gonna go to Hooya's but to mine and Steven's disappointment it was CLOSED. So I was stuck eatin Kerr mess for dinner. Fries, ranch, and ketchup... yum. Tyler came and sat for a while... Overall tonight wasn't too shabby... but gotta wake up in the morning for Tuesday Morning Prayer!!!

Steven Hoyer cracked me up this morning by singing a song on my im... that was the funny one. Rachel and Jessalyn hoped I was feeling better. I am feeling better... I've become addicted to aloe lotion but its okay ya know, just keepin the skin soft. Today is the day I have lots of free time between classes... My whole two classes. I have a test in one class but im not too worried about it. I am going home this weekend so that's exciting. I miss my family lots. So that means big plans for Thursday are entailed (is that a word)

Galveston was lots of fun. Its not too often that you get to hang out with an incredible group of Godly girls. They are all so encouraging and wonderful, I am glad they are my community group girls!

Time to get in the shower this morning!

Tyler told me that Pizza King was the best restaraunt he had food from... or something like that. This afternoon was great... I got to visit with Steven Hoyer for a little bit. Then I went to church and got to see Chris, Tyler, Corey, and Sean. And I was scared that I wasn't going to have anyone to sit with. After church, Chris, Sean, Corey, Tyler, Steven H., Brian, Ben Warren, Jeremy, and I went to Chili's for dinner. It hit the spot and it was wonderful getting to hear about the boys' adventure in east texas. My home sweet home!

I had a lot of fun tonight but i think im gonna slather on more lotion and then hit the hay... good night all!

I'm trying to figure out how to get my car packed. I think I'm gonna have to pull my car up, take my stuff out there and then park again.. i could go do that now... in fact i will it shouldn't take too long and i can make my bed and straighten up before i leave for lunch... or i could do it right before i go eat, and then just park in front of maple and leave from there... yeah that sounds like a good idea..

mk im gonna make my bed and straighten up...

By the way I'm going to galveston so yall have a fun weekend! ill see you back on sunday!

I'm so excited!

Tonight a few of us went over to Rachel's to watch matchstick men... unfortunately i ripped my skirt :( But there was fun had!

I'm gonna hit the hay right about now.

Who's Your Ideal Disney Guy?
brought to you by Quizilla

Who is this?

I think Bigfoot is blurry, that's the problem. It's not the photographer's fault. Bigfoot is blurry. And that's extra scary to me, because there's a large, out-of-focus monster roaming the countryside. Run. He's fuzzy. Get outta here.

Good ol Naffun! You just made my morning!

So Katie, this one is for you! HI KATIE! I LOVE YOU!

I also saw Buddy Todd (and Buddy Steven but I saw him yesterday as well). Todd bought this flashcards wihle on the trip and it is slang words. Such as beef, what's up, dime out, ghetto, etc. The cards give a definition and origin of the word a picture and then a sentence to use it in. The pictures are all 1950s ish. Anyways I felt like I should explain something... One of the words was bounce. And on the picture it has a father and a son and the father is talking and he says Hey Lil' Dawg, Daddy's got to bounce. Its funny. Whew! One of the words was also the word, Janky. Janky is a combination of junky and skanky... put them together you get janky. I can't remember the sentence fully for that one.

Also the sentence for the word front, well the picture is of a dentist cleaning someone's teeth and here is the sentence, "Don't be frontin' like you've been flossing, gum disease tells the truth."

And with that, I will now leave you to go on your way.

Today was good because I got to see everyone! I got to see Brian! I've missed seeing that fro! I also got to see Chris, and I've noticed being around Chris has made me pick up his facial expressions. Sometimes I promise I've done the wink thing.

I had lunch with Anna today, and I've missed her a lot! She is so gorgeous and sweet! Anna, I really love you, I doubt I could say it enough.

Speaking of who else I love, I love Rachel. I love how she is so concerned with every aspect and how God makes me feel if I don't tell her something. Its like accountability... anyone? I also trust her a whole lot. So Rachel this is my love note to you!

Mk... well I got tuesday morning prayer in the morning... haha so... "Hey Lil Dawg, Daddy's gotta bounce!"

Good night!

Today I went to the library with Stephen Kesseler. I didn't realize how much I would miss him until we were away from eachother. I talk to him every day and then last week, I missed him! But today we got to hang out and act silly. He is pretty cool...

Church was amazing this morning. I love the praise and worship at The Village. Matt Chandler talked about the inner struggle with sin. It is such an inner struggle because it is natural for us to sin. Only God can win the battle though. It was amazing... simply amazing.

I learned and grew a lot over this mission trip and I'm growing more and more each day that I sit back from it. As time goes by more of it sinks in and more of God is revealed to me.

Dave Barnes is WONDERFUL. So is Jack Johnson.

Today has been a little rough, cept for church and rollie poly for lunch. I've been unpacking from wichita all day long. I'm really excited about seeing people tonight! I feel like running up to each of them and giving them a big ol hugaroo!

Hugaroo? Is that even a word? Oh well... More unpacking now PS... Okay James Taylor thank you for leaving me notes on my diary... But what about the rest of the world out there? Huh? Its LONELY!

While Celeste, Ginny, and I were painting the stairway on Monday, Celeste made the point that no one would say Dennis' name in a normal tone. It was always like DEN-nis or den-NIS! never just Dennis. So we started to sing his name. Everytime we needed to ask him something and sometimes just for the fun of it.

He had such a good heart about it and although we knew it must have been slightly annoying he would just smile at us anyways. But we made a pact not to do it as often, so we must fulfill that!

Great kid!

This mission trip I went on was amazing. So here is going to be a run through of what happened.

We left on Saturday morning and began our trek to Wichita. Once we got there we unpacked, made dinner, and went through what we were going to be doing of that week. We got to meet all the lovely folks from World Impact and they made us burgers and we had ice cream. I roomed with the lovely Vicky Vernon, she kindly let me have the top bunk.

SUNDAY:

Sunday we went to a spanish speaking church and led the children's sunday school, as well as, sat in the worship service. The sunday school wasn't in spanish and consisted of a short very improved story about Jonah and then letting the kids go play. At first I wasn't really sure of where to go and who to play with until Kim, the World Impact Missionary asked me to go talk to the older girls. My heart for this age group is just growing and growing. I talked to them about school, and what its like. They are dealing with things that I didn't have to deal with until, well now. And of course at that age, the main focus is on boys... So I relate well to them. Then we helped out at a Jump Rope club. I haven't jumped rope in the longest time and it was so much fun. I felt like a little kid and the girls that were doing the jump roping were so awesome and so cute. I tried to get a round of double dutch going but it was so difficult. We tried, we really tried, but it just didn't happen. For dinner we made pasta and salad... It was sooo good! That night we played games with more of the World Impact people. Laura, Vicki, Steven, Darrisse, Adam and I played Cranium. My team didn't win but there was a lot of fun. Later we played a game of Apples to Apples with some of the World Impact people. That was a fun game, you make comparisons... its pretty cool. Then girl talk!

MONDAY:

Monday was our first day of painting. Oh man it was rough. Celeste, Adam, Ginny, and I started painting the stairwell. Oh by the way, World Impact has apartments that we stayed in, how cool is that? We painted all day long, and 3 flights of stairs with some help from Papa Dennis, Laura, and Vicky. Everyone else was painting an apartment and then started to paint the stairwell that led to our rooms. Monday night we went to the Lord's Diner. The Lord's Diner is a soup kitchen in Wichita that is open 365 days a year, every night. But let me tell you, they serve much more than just soup. This place was so nice and completley blew me away. There is a waiting list for people to volunteer. Darrisse was my partner and we went and sat down and talked to this elderly woman named Judy and her two friends. We talked for a long time about things. She is a Christian, and likes cats. This is what I found out about her on Monday night. The people there were soo nice and so happy to see us there. Afterwards we came back and hung out a little bit oh and got to see the missing member of our team... TODD! It was good to have him back!

TUESDAY: Tuesday we had our devotional that morning, and it was just so apparent to us how awesome our team was. Everyone has so many gifts to offer and we all got a long so great. I actually miss them already and it hasn't been that long. Tuesday morning we went to Breakthrough Club. Breakthrough Club is an organization that gives jobs to the mentally handicapped. My partner was Mr. Steven Hoyer and we sat down and this guy named Richard came and talked to us. He gave tours at Breakthrough Club, we talked to him about what he liked to do. It really opened my eyes to a ministry that I often forget exists and that is for the mentally challenged. Most of these people have never been shown love and come from very hard lives. We went on a tour of the area and then headed to Oaklawn to do another Bible Club. But we had a "debriefing" from breakthrough club. From what I could tell it was pretty intense... I missed a lot of the talking because I had to go to the bathroom and they started before I could get back. Then we went on a prayer walk of the area, and Stacey explained to us most of the living situations of the kids that would be coming from this area. Most of them came from single parent homes. After we got back, we got to play with the kids. We played lots of fun games, and then sang silly songs. The kids were great, they were so energetic and wanted to be there! AND OH THEY ARE SO SMART! We were asking them what "sin" is, and they had perfect definitions. Our lesson was kind of thrown a curveball but overall the kids really liked it. After that we drove to another neighborhood so that we could do some surveys for a church plant. I was partners with Papa Dennis and well, we had a very interesting experience. We were walking around this trailer park and we go up to this one house. There is a lot of trash in the yard and furniture in the yard. There are some lights and a window is open with a fan blowing out of it. We go up to the door and knock and no one comes to the door. I should mention that there is a horrible smell on this part of the neighborhood. Its disgusting. A very nice elderly couple lives at the next hosue and we are talking to them and it turns out that the place next door, the man that lived there DIED in the house. His body wasn't found for 10 days. That explained the smell. Easily to say after that me and Dennis got out of there as fast as possible. Everyone was waiting on us. We got back debriefed and then went back to the apartment and chilled. Then girl talk as usual.

WEDNESDAY:

Wednesday we had an experience that I will never forget. We went to a seminar about how to witness to inner city kids, and then talked about being a single parent. Then we had to live the life of a single parent. We all had bags of potting soil as our children, some of us had two children, I had two babies and Celeste had a baby and 4 year old daughter (our leader Lorie) and Dennis had a baby and a 4 year old son (our leader Billy). At first it was kinda funny, but as the day drug on, I was exhausted. I now see why it is so hard to be a single parent, and my compassion for them has increased so much. Afterwards we cleaned up basements in the neighborhood. We went to The Lord's Diner for dinner, and I got to talk to Judy again.

THURSDAY: FUN DAY!

I cleaned some floors that morning and then took a nap. Then we went out for a night on the town. I bought some pretty fly sunglasses and overall just hung out. My group is amazing, and I love them all so much. We went out to eat, and then went for ice cream. We went back and hung out that night.

FRIDAY:

We worked in the morning, painted stuff like that. Then we did the spring break for the kids in planeview. It was rough, because sometimes the kids just wouldn't listen... But it turned out well, then we fixed dinner and sang some worship songs.

Then we got up this morning and left. Throughout the next couple of days I know that more will be trickling in... because obviously I can't remember everything. Overall, so many of my opinions changed and I can't believe the experiences I had. I grew so much closer to the people in my group. I really want to hang out with them more. I'm gonna miss them so much! But I really need to unpack, do laundry, and SHOWER!