irony

Has anyone ever blogged about how ironic it is that the blogger dictionary doesn't contain the word, "blog"?

If not...some one should...cuz that's quite ridiculous. I mean, get with the times blogger...you ARE the times.

Geriatrics

Last night I grew up, retired, got arthritis, and went to the theater.



Let me explain...

My dad decided to take me out to dinner and a play. We ate at Cedar Creek Inn in Laguna Beach...delicious...and there was this sweet little old couple in the booth next to us...they had to be at least 80 years old an the woman's wine glass was bigger than her...and I'm pretty sure the old man was sitting on a booster seat. Anyway, while at dinner I was noticing what an old crowd there was...and thought it was interesting because my previous dining experiences at Cedar Creek has not led on to the fact that it was a popular destination for leisure World Fun Night Outs.

Anyway, when we got to the play...it all made perfect sense. Please keep in mind that the following statements are neither made up, embellished, or fabricated in anyway. I was BY FAR the youngest person in the theater. From what I saw the next youngest person was probably in her late thirties...and my best guess would be that the AVERAGE age in the theater (the mean) was around 70 years old...[the median was probably 78...and the mode was definitely 80] You KNOW it's an old crowd when 75 year old men are helping the "older folk" down the stairs.

My dad said, "I guess this is the highlight of their month...going to a play at the Laguna Playhouse." I mean it made sense...the play was about war and a flashback to when a woman was young. Depressing really...the play and getting old.

As the great philosopher, John Mayer puts it: "So scared of getting older, I'm only good at being young." Stop this Train...listen to it. [sidenote] Seriously get the album...I've only had it for a few days...but I like it. I'll probably blog about more of his songs.

But..I'm sure being old will be just as much fun as being young.

Guilty Pleasure #2

Justin Timberlake....



no one is suprised by this.

Dang.

cat suicide

So...I'm pretty sure my cat is trying to commit suicide. He keeps hanging out in the middle of the street and he doesn't run out of the way when a car comes at him. He just casually walks and gives the driver this look like, "Fine, do it...see if I care." I mean...I know he's been really unhappy since we adopted Dustin. He feels left out and unloved. He's probably just doing it for attention. It's not really working...I still locked him in the garage last night. Dumb cat.

Guilty Pleasure #1

I don't know if there will ever be another Guilty Pleasures segment of my blog, but oh well...it's in honor of Allison Hibbard.

So, every time I drive down La Paz road...coming from Olympiad down to Marguerite...I play a little game. Keep in mind that the only time I've ever done this (which is every time I've driven that road in the past 4 months) I've been by myself. Embarrassing. Anyway I like to see if I can make it all the way down the hill (from Olympiad to Wienershnitzel) without touching the gas or the break and without getting below the speed limit.

It's a difficult game. You should try it.

2 awkard moments that I've already experienced today.

It's only 12:30 and I've already got two awkward happenings to share with you today. Granted I was up at 7:40 this morning...significantly earlier than usual...giving many more chances for awkwardness than most days. But anyway...

Awkward Moment #1:

I am at Bagel's 'n Brew enjoying a delicious Spinach Herb bagel and some good conversation with my Nikki...when the "waitress" (I guess she's a waitress...she brings you your bagel) approaches our table. Keep in mind that she already has called Nikki sweetheart when she brought some peanut butter to our table...which is mildly awkward in itself. Anyway...she comes to the table laughing and says, "You've just got to see this!" And she shows Nikki something in a magazine. The look on Nikki's face should have been warning enough for me to NOT look at it. But alas, I looked. It was something similar to this:



But imagine the guy a little hairier and wearing a skimpier neon green speedo that went over his shoulders...I don't know if you can picture it...actually...for your sake, I hope you can't.

But my question is: Who does that? Who comes up to total strangers and shows them pictures of nasty half naked men? Especially a 16 year old girl. C'mon...that's AWKWARD.







Awkward Moment #2:

So I check my myspace today and this is a message that I get from some guy:

hey whats up? I really like your profile. And I think your hot. And I would like to date you. I also want to be your boyfriend. And maybe after that we can get married. Call me sometime. 916-717-4617.
Love Seth

Wierd people in this world...honestly.

Note: Seth not only loves me...but he also loves sentence fragments.

Dear fellow female Saddleback Church employees:

Why do you think it is that the first stall in the woman's restroom in the office is the only one without an automatic flushing system?

Confused,
Alanna

Jason Bohen

Ok Fine....Hayden is not the BO of the TPB.

Although one of the highlights of the trip was watching hayden get so frustrated as everyone chanted "BO, BO, BO, BO, BO......" at him...forcing him to be more responsible and redeem himself.

So...here's to you, Hayden...completely NOT like Jason Bohen...but maybe a little bit like Carson.

while at Thousand Pines...

...I learned to play Let Everything That Has Breath on the drums and on the bass gee-tar. Be impressed.

I know Joe the cafeteria guy is.

Observations of another youth group

After being at camp with another church for 16 hours now...here are some observations I have:

1. Other youth groups are just as cool, if not cooler than ours.
2. Every youth group has to have an Erin Brady...at this camp her name is Breanne.
3. It's pretty sweet having a small youth group because you can actually meet most people...i've never really experienced that before.
4. Thousand Pines is the best camp because they have Passion Orange Guava Juice AND Peach Iced Tea and exquisite malts (hayden added the "exquisite")
5. Everyone loves mafia.

Here are some setbacks we've had:

1. No kick-pedal
2. Broken high hat stand
3. Everyone forgot a sleeping bag (except me...thanks Jared)...so everyone is sharing bunk beds...except for me.
4. I don't think Nikki brought a sweatshirt...and it's really cold here.
5. Oh...and Hayden has become the Jason Bohen of this trip. (this may change as he has one more day to prove himself...be sure to check back tomorrow)

Ok...thats all for now.

Alanna and The Pledge of Alliegance

(note: band name will be changing...cuz thats lame.)

traditions

I've been meaning to blog about this for a while now...so here we go.

I love traditions...I think they are so important. I've decided on a new tradition.

On the last night of summer vacations we:

1. Wear nice black dresses and rainbows.
2. Go out to dinner...preferably outside of the general vacinity. (ie. Old Spaghetti Factory)
3. Play MASH
4. Hopefully get the myspace from our waiter.
5. Have a dance party in the car on the way home.
6. Camp out in my front yard.

We did this last Sunday...and it was probably my most favorite memory from the whole summer. It was so much fun. I can't wait till next year when more people can come.


Skip-bo underneath the stairs!

Embarrassing

Just FYI...I posted my most embarrassing moment...and an equally embarrassing picture on the Wildside Blog Page

You should check it out.

birthdays are always disappointing....

This one...however has not been...not one bit. It's been great! So...thank you. Yes...you.


1. My family (at C'est la Vie)


2. My brothers


3. My desk.

my future...

Ahhh....MASH...the only game where emotional impurity is allowed. I played MASH on Sunday with some of my girls while waiting an hour and a half under the stairs at the Old Spaghetti Factory. I just wanted to share my bright future with you all.

I am going to live in a SHACK in LAGUNA BEACH with my husband, RICK WARREN. We honeymooned in MY PARENTS BACKYARD. For our careers...I am a SLAVE, and Rick is a GARDENER. We have 2 CHILDREN, and a REPTILE...and we are very RICH.

You know you're jealous.

redemption

This is a word / concept that I've been learning a lot about lately.

David Ulrich told me about this band called Leeland...and they have this song called Sound of Melodies that I really like. (It's my profile song on myspace) Anyway, a line in the song says "We're lifted up from the ashes, and out came the song of the redeemed."

Redemption. Redeemed. Redeemer.

These are all words that I've heard around church for most of my life, and I always equated to salvation, saved, and savior.

However, I am learning that redemption is much more than salvation. My view of salvation has been merely forgiveness for my sin. Lately I've been learning that God wants to do much more than just save me from hell. He wants to REDEEM me!


In my brain...the only way I can explain this concept is through the brave little toaster. Now, mind you it has been a long time since I've seen this movie...but this concept always reminds me of the junk yard scene in the movie.

There's all these cars...broken and abandoned in the junkyard...and the mean magnet is picking them up and putting them in the crusher where they will be...of course...crushed. Picture this scene...picture yourself as a car...in line to be demolished. You're broken, forgotten, mistreated. All of a sudden some one comes and stops the magnet, moments before your death. That is salvation...being saved from destruction. Now what if that person doesn't just stop the evil magnet...but he calls a tow truck...tows you to his house...fixes your engine, gives you a new paint job and upholstery. He even decides to use you and drives you around everywhere. You're like brand new!

THAT is redemption. Being restored, made whole, like new. One definition says, "to restore honor, worth, or reputation of." That is what God wants to do for us. Restore our worth and reputation. We've all sold ourselves short, damaged our worth, made some really horrible decisions. God doesn't just forgive us...He REDEEMS us! This is amazing to me and I love experiencing God's redemption! I think that when you really get this...that is when we can join in the Song of the Redeemed! Joining in with everyone God has redeemed and singing out and thanking God for making us whole.

That's what I've been learning/experiencing lately.

Girls, Girls, Girls.

So...after being in traffic for about a total of 4 to 4.5 hours today, with no radio, and a car full of junior high girls...we successfully made it through...and I kid you not....the ENTIRE book of "Would You Rather"...without skipping any.

Here's what I learned:

There are two types of junior high girls: The kind that agree with everyone else just to be cool...and the kind that disagree on purpose just to be different. Both are equally annoying.

But, in all seriousness...I had a blast on Gurly and I came to love the girls in my van. Just imagine Erin Brady going in to 7th grade...but nerdy...and OBSESSED with Jesse McCartney...now times that by 5...give each of them a Monster drink...and THAT's who was in my van!

So much fun...I'm exhausted....good night.

terrible twos

ok...I have to share this story.

A few days ago, my mom and step-dad and my two year old brother went to eat at a Mexican food restaurant. The fun thing about Dustin's age is that he will repeat anything you tell him to, and he's been learning some spanish.

So, they decided to test out Dustin's spanish on the waiter. He was saying Hola Senor..and Vamanos...things like that...all good and cute.

Then when the waiter was leaving, the waiter said, "Adios"

To which my brother said, "Adios...Dumbass!"

How funny is that?

So, although its fun that 2 year olds repeat everything you say...the bad part is that they will repeat it at the worst times!

Note #1: He did not learn that word from me.
Note #2: I apologize for the profanity...but I just had to tell the story...
Note #3: There's a good chance this story would be way funnier in person. Dang it.

this makes me happy

I made this during band practice...well dillon took the picture...but it makes me happy.

I'm at band practice right now...and I'm gonna need some earplugs before I go deaf in the coming months.

look below....

I put some Hume Lake pics and highlights a couple blogs below. Didn't want you to miss them.

bumper stickers and graphic tees

Sounds like an album by Augustana or Teitur or something...

Running errands always results in me thinking that I am better than most people in the world. Now...we all know this is entirely UN-true...but I was at Wal-mart, so it's slightly understandable, right?

Anyway...on my way into wal-mart I saw a bumper sticker on a truck that said, "Silly boys, trucks are for girls." It was probably on a Ford Ranger or something. You see...although I have seen bumper stickers like this many a time before...it struck a new chord with me today. I asked myself, "Why would this girl think that trucks would be specially designed only to accommodate girls?" It was like she put the sticker on laughing at boys naivete (is that a word, Allison?) for thinking that trucks could actually be driven by boys. So let's think about this for a second...if trucks were only allowed to be driven by one gender, which would it be? Well...what are trucks used for?

1. Hauling Lumber.
2. Carrying Surfboards
3. Moving furniture
4. Hauling dirt
5. Driving your friends around illegally without seatbelts.

Now, although I'm a girl myself...I'm going to have to say that all of these 5 activities are TYPICALLY done by boys. Therefore, in conclusion (redundant much?) Girls...embrace your estrogen and buy a jetta.


Graphic Tees

In Walmart again...I saw a shirt that said, "Shh...that's the sound of nobody caring what you have to say."

I think we've taken this "t-shirts communicating with someone who's reading it" trend a bit too far. That's just mean. And besides...I wasn't even saying anything...I was reading the t-shirt. It's probably difficult to have a conversation with someone WHILE reading their t-shirt. It was probably being worn by the girl driving that truck...that would just figure.

Ok...I'm done being mean for the day.

shark fly.

Are flies attracted to blood?

I'm sitting at vocal practice right now and 20 minutes ago I scratched my leg and made a scab bleed. It stopped bleeding. But now there's this fly that won't leave me alone. It keeps landing on my wound. It's really grossing me out.

Praise God! Nikki Addams just swatted it and killed it. Thank you Nikki.

Shark Flies aren't the only thing grossing me out right now.

This is greatly disturbing me too. I just found out about this. I worked with him, at Melinda Heights for years. I'm freaking out a little bit right now.

go minga go minga go

Hume Lake...too many things to say...too many memories. So I'll just put some pics. All of them are up on this site. You can right click on pics to save them to your computer, or you can order prints from that site as well.

Anyway...

Hightlights:

1. Kids running away from Hume staff and diving in the grass.
2. Getting a free milkshake from Raymond <3
3. Great girls workshop...partially on emotional purity. Amen.
4. Clay.
5. The "contest" in our cabin. BTW...I won.
6. Nikki preaching to have a faith not based on emotions.

Ok sorry...enough inside jokes...I know how annoying those are. And I'm sorry it took so long to blog about Hume...or anything for that matter.

So here are some of my favorite pictures from the trip.

Conquering my fears...

I did the most random thing last night...I went to the circus. I was a little apprehensive cuz I absolutely hate clowns...like a lot. But luckily we sat very high up so that the clowns couldn't spot me in the crowd. This is good because the last time I went to the circus was when I went with TLC (the after school program not the hip-hop trio) and we were in the front section where the clowns go up and down the aisle!!! So scary... In fact, the last time I shoved a kid into the aisle when the clowns came up so I could be safe in the middle of the row. Needless to say...the cheap seats are fine by me.

Anyway, the circus was so much fun! I really felt like a little kid...and I also learned some useful things...like...

1. Elephants are the only animal with 4 knees.
2. Elephants are pregnant for 22 months (well only the female ones of course)
3. You can do anything as long as you use your imagination. (I really wonder how many kids went home that night and tried to jump off their balconies...or set their dogs on fire...)

So...now I'll show you some pictures.







Captions for pictures are as follows:
1. Mike, Me, Annie (Mike and I are matching yes.)
2. Some elephants...
3. Someone taking a picture of the elephants with a camera phone from the 400 section (probably a good chance that one didn't turn out)
4. Ishii family bonding time.

All in all, I give the circus 2 thumbs up.

Milestones

you may be thinking to yourself, "Wow, Milestones...this is going to be a really great blog that makes me think about life." Well, your wrong.

I just wanted to inform everyone that I've reached my first milestone in saving up for my new camera lens. I've been saving/stealing change for about a month now...and today, I've reached $50. Pretty impressive. Actually, I have $50.15.

Much thanks and appreciation go out to Jared Moine and my stepdad for allowing me to steal their change.

If you would like to contribute to this fund, leave a comment, or leave some money...on my desk...or in my pocket.

Thanks and blessings,

Alanna

it's not a dog, you freak.

Tonight I saw my neighbor walking his cats. Yes, he had two cats on leashes...and he was taking them for a walk. Maybe it's just me...but I don't really think this is normal...are you with me on this?

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly."
Proverbs 26:11

Dear God:

Please help me to remember how gross vomit tastes.

Amen.


P.S. I google image searched "vomit" and this came up. Hmmm...

emotional purity

Growing up in church, I've heard about purtiy...a lot. About every year or so we go through at least one sex series and talk about "how far is too far" and how to have a "pure" relationship. All these things are very important, and extremely relevant to people's lives. However, I strongly feel that we overlook a HUGE part of purity that I feel is just as important as physical purity...and that is emotional purity. I see it all the time...two people start dating...they've grown up in church...they've had purity engrained into their minds...they know how far they're supposed to go. They wait and wait and wait to kiss...again...all good things. But...instead of making out...they spend their time talking for hours and sharing all about their hurts and struggles, family problems, past relationships...they become best friends...learn to trust each other, they express their love for each other, spend all their time together, they know each other inside and out...they get close with each others family, and soon learn to depend on each other as a support and refuge for lifes struggles...and then...it ends.

Now, they not only have to deal with the loss of a boyfriend...but also the loss of a best friend...a family, a support, counselor, etc. They may not have given themselves away physically...but emotionally...they've given everything. They are left broken and confused..."I thought it would last forever". This is because they never knew what emotional purity was all about.

I believe that when you get married you should give yourself physically for the first time...I also believe God desires us to save our emotional body for our spouse as well. So, we need to do what we can to keep our emotional well-being in tact so as not to become an emotional wreck for our husbands/ wives.

So how do you stay emotional pure? Physical purity is somewhat easy to preach (not easy to do)...but emotional purity is more ambiguous. Here are some things I think can help.

1. Don't say I love you. If you're in high school there's a 98% chance that you don't actually love the person you are with...and a 96% chance that you don't know what love is. For more information on this...read Kelsey's Blog or watch the Nooma video called flame.

2. Keep your friends. Don't hang out with your friends much less. Self-explanatory.

3. Don't make your boyfriend/girlfriend your best friend. There is no reason for him/her to know your secrets... tell your friends/small group about the struggles in your life... And it's impossible to be "accountability partners" with your significant other...so don't pretend to try.

4. Don't let yourself, or your friends fantasize about the future. DO NOT talk about marriage until you are ready to be engaged. If you are in high school marriage shouldn't even be in your vocabulary...unless you are talking about your parents. Don't let your friends tell you how cute your babies will be or pick out your bridesmaids dresses...just don't. All this does is put extra pressure on the relationship and bring expectations into it that can't be fulfilled. You will be let down.

5. Be Independent... Don't make plans based on a relationship...that, I'm sorry, won't last...don't pick your college, career, ministry, or senior prom date based on the relationship you're in now. Do what is right for YOU.

6. Remember that you were created for the purpose of glorifying God...not a person. You were put on earth for God's pleasure...don't be a boyfriend pleaser.

Let's face it, boys are physical, and girls are emotional...we know this. So if girls need to help out our brother's physical purity by being modest and wearing one-piece bathing suits at camp...then boys need to help girls maintain their emotional purity. This means...don't bring up things like marriage and love and all that stuff unless you're ready to marry us...which you're not. And don't joke about liking us when it's not true.

Ok, I'm sorry this is so long...I have a lot to say on this subject. Thanks for reading...let me know what you think too.

And, if you're in high school...I recommend reading "Dateable". Even if you're not...read it anyway.

I'll leave you with this, "Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life" Proverbs 4:23

So...

So...........I realized that I start almost every blog with "so..."

so...I'm gonna work on that.

My apologies.

I'm sorry...

so...I sounded a little harsh last night. I too am an idiot and have done many idiot things in my life. I hope being taken to jail helps them to not make idiot decisions in the future.

With Grace...

Alanna

I'm sorry, but I don't really feel bad for idiots.

So...I come home tonight at about 1:30 or so...and there's 2 cop cars on my street with lights flashing...this is the second night in a row that the people next door had a party...parents are out of town...you know. My mom is a bit nosy and convinced me to go out on the balcony with her to find out what's going on. Not one of my prouder moments...but it was worth it when parents started coming to pick up their kids. This dad that came to pick up his daughter was Mr. Calm and Collected until they were done talking to the cops...then he unleashed on his 15 year old drunk skanky daughter. BTW...she's not allowed to get her license, and she's on lock-down and is BUSTED. I know this because he yelled it at a decibel level that exceeded that of the party, I'm sure. It was awesome! See...call me insensitive, but I don't really feel all that bad for the poor girl. If your gonna be 15, show up at a party, get wasted, start a fight and get the cops called on you...I think I'd rather you not have your license either.

But the best part was that my mom called the house...#1 to make sure everyone was ok, cuz the kid that lives next door was being handcuffed and put in the cop car...and #2 cuz she's nosy, and #3 she wanted to make sure they didn't think SHE was the one who called the cops...oh my mom...gotta love her. Anyway, turns out they called the cops cuz a fight broke out or something...my mom talked to the very intoxicated older brother (with 2 broken ribs apparently) who's like 25...and who BTW got my mom's cell number from the phone call...how awesome would it be if he drunk dialed my mom later? Oh... I hope it happens.

BARFship 2000

So...I went to the fair tonight. I hadn't been in a couple years and I was really looking forward to a cinnamon roll and photo booths. Neither of which I partook in this evening...due to one ride, Starship 2000. You know this ride. You've probably been on this ride. It's the one that like a spinny top that you go inside and it spins so fast that the centrifugal force pins you against the wall so you can go upside down and crawl around but you are pretty much immobile.

So...we went on it once...and it was very fun...so, we took a breather and decided to give it another whirl (I'm lame). The second time around we went nuts...I was trying to take pictures but my arm kept getting pinned down...then I look over at Alli and she's sitting Indian Style (oh I'm sorry that's not PC anymore...criss-cross applesauce) with this look on her face like she's in more pain than she's ever been in as her whole body is getting compressed into the wall. I swear this ride has to be a detriment to your health. When the ride ends and we all slide back to the ground, I happen to be facing the wall (which makes you drool, BTW) and my necklace gets caught in the side and I almost choke...thanks Shea for saving my life.

I have a really strong stomach and I never get motion sickness...maybe a headache on Star Tours, but that's it. But let me tell you, I've never felt so sick and weird. I was in a daze and wanted to make myself throw up just to feel better. Needless to say, I did not get to eat ANYTHING on a stick...or a cinnamon roll because of Barfship 2000. Although I did take a gander at the craft fair and it made me realize how talented I am...cuz that stuff was embarrassing.

So, bottom line...one trip on the Starship 2000 is plenty.

I don't think I could ever be a hairstylist...

SO...I got my hair done today.

Although I think it'd be fun to learn how to cut and color and style hair...kind of an artsy thing...I just really don't think that I could be a hairstylist. Although, I'm an extrovert...(i think that's why I'm nocturnal BTW) and I'm fairly outgoing, I just don't think I could make conversation all day long with people I don't know...especially when they don't really engage in conversation. The girl who does my hair is my friend from growing up so it's not that awkward...but the stylist next to us was painfully trying to engage her client in conversation. Eh. Superficial conversations all day long...no thanks.

I think I'd like to learn the art of making good conversation.

God is good...all the time...

This is my little brother Dustin. He's turning 2 this week. I honestly can't believe it's been two years since we adopted him. I can't believe it's been two years since my mom text messaged me while I was away and told me I had a new brother. It's so weird...part of me thought it was too good to be true. My mom sends a letter to an adoption agency and a month later there's a baby in our house. When it all was happening...there was a part of me that thought it wasn't going to work out. But last month we got his birth certificate...and he's two now.

God is so good. I was reading Joshua (as in the Bible) a while ago and after the Isrealites cross the Jordan (before they make the booty drop like the walls of jericho)...Joshua tells them to take stones from the bottom of the dry riverbed and pile them up as a memorial. That way when their children asked what the memorial was, they would remember what miracles the Lord had done in their lives. Well...Dustin is like my pile of rocks. He's that thing that reminds me that the Lord is good...and that He is faithful...and that He does miracles in my life.

I will be celebrating the Lord's goodness at Chuck. E. Cheese's on Saturday for Dustin's 2nd birthday...and probably tasting the Lord's goodness too...in some pizza and cinnamon sticks.

Mat Kearney tricked me...

So at Student Leadership I listened to the radio for the first time in months and months...and this song came on called "Nothing left to lose". I swear to you, I thought it was Chris Martin singing. I mean everything in my body told me it must have been a new Coldplay song...to the point where I was arguing with Logan over whether or not it was Chris Martin. So I researched it and discovered it was NOT Chris Martin...but was this guy named Mat Kearney. Since I love Coldplay...i figured he'd be super good.

I got the CD...and let me tell you...that Mat Kearny is one tricky sonofagun.

Let me just say that the rest of the CD sounds more like Fort Minor, that sucky white rapper guy, than Coldplay. I mean...he ruins every song by "rapping". It just figures that he would release the one song on his album that isn't a total joke. So I feel tricked. Very sneaky Mat....you got me.

Actually, this reminds me a lot of how I felt when I was in San Francisco in November, and I got tricked into losing $60 to a street performer. It actually is a really sore subject. I cried. Ok...I don't even want to blog about it.

Luckily...the term, "I got the CD"...means that Taylor found it in HSM...so I didn't actually have to pay for it. But I'm sure that there is someone out there who did purchase the CD and then realized they'd been hustled...and the little fuzzy ball was indeed not under the cup they KNEW it was under....ugggh...i need to sleep before I cry again.

Goodnight all...

And goodnight Mat...I hope you can't sleep at night, knowing what you've done.

Our Story

"Is the greatest truth about Adam and Eve and the fruit that it happened or that it happens?...Their story is true for us because it happened and because it happens. It is an accurate description of how life is. The reason the stories in the Bible have resonated with so many people over the years is that they have seen themselves in these stories.

Here's another example: The Isrealites leave the kingdom of Egypt where they are slaves, and God brings them out into freedom.

It happens.

Everyday.

...This is why the Bible is still so powerful. These ancient stories are our stories."

I read that in Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell months ago...but recently I have found a new and deeper appreciation for those words. In my small group with my high school girls we are reading through Exodus...and I can't tell you how much it is speaking to me. I mean I've known the story of Exodus, even read it, I've seen the Prince of Egypt and all...but never before have I resonated so much with it. It truly is my story! Lately I've been feeling like the only reason Moses ever lived was so that he could tell my story.

I was once a slave. I felt trapped. Finding myself in a situation that no matter how hard I tried to get myself out of it...it still held me captive. I begged and pleaded for God to free me from it.

"The Isrealites cried out from their burden of slavery. They cried out for help, and their pleas for deliverance rose up to God. God heard their cries and remembered his covenant...He looked down on the Isrealites and felt deep concern for their welfare." (Exodus 2:23-24) I can remember that point in my story...when God looked down on me and had great concern and compassion for me and decided to free me.

It's wierd...each time I read Exodus, Pharoah represents something else to me. Sometimes I think he's the devil, sometimes I think he's sin...and sometimes I think he's me. Today...he is me. I read about the plagues today...and today Pharoah is me. When I think back on when God decided to free me...it took a long time before I actually was free...(in some ways and some days, I'm still not). The reason it is a process for me is because it was a process for the Isrealites...because Pharoah wouldn't let them go. Pharoah is me. I wouldn't let myself free...my old self...the one afraid of losing control of the situation. So God persuaded me, and it didn't feel so good. God sent "blood, and frogs, and gnats, and flies, and hail and locust...etc; and I reacted much like Pharoah did...at first I passed these things "signs", "feelings", off as nothing more than me...attested them to anything else BUT God...then, when He got more persuasive, I gave in, conceded to let God have His way, to free myself and give up control. BUT...the second he let up, I forced myself right back into slavery (I wish you could read my journals to see how true this is). The Bible is ridiculous in how true it is!

"And when they realized that the Lord had seen their misery and was deeply concerned for them, they all bowed their heads and worshiped" (Exodus 4:31) When I think about my story of deliverance and freedom...the only appropriate response I can have is to fall down in worship. That's what worship is. It's my response to God's concern for me. There's nothing else I can do but worship Him.

That's all for now...I'm sure there's more to come.

Competition

I can blow a bigger bubble-gum bubble than you...

try me.

Especially if you are Taylor Ishii...cuz I can do everything better than him.

the boy of my dreams is legal now.

today when I was cleaning out my room, I found a picture of me and the famous Jett Jackson. I just thought I'd share that to make you all a little bit jealous. When I met him I was probably 20 and he was probably 17...but now he's 21 probably. So I should probably give him a call.

nocturnal and hot

So...I never thought I'd say this...but I'm pretty much ready for fall. I'm sick of sweating...especially at night. I haven't been able to sleep lately cuz its been so bloody hot in my room at night. So, I may have found the solution. You may be thinking...buy a fan. Well I don't like taking the easy way out...so I decided that the simple solution to the problem would be to rearrange ALL the furniture in my room so that my bed is right next to the window. It was a long day...BUT...so far I'm not sweating. But...my bed is also sharing a wall with my brother's crib...this could be bad. Luckily I'm the deepest sleeper on the planet. I may be nocturnal...but once I'm out...I'm OUT. I really think I have a sleeping disorder. I sleep through everything...the thunderstorm last night...Northridge earthquake...in fact...I've lived my whole life in california...and I don't think I've ever been awake for an earthquake...only aftershocks...oh...except for this one time when my dad was out of town and there was a big earthquake...I must have been in 3rd grade or something...anyway...my mom kinda freaked out...and woke me and my brother up and made us go stand in the middle of the street. It may have been the first time I realized that my mom didn't know everything...I just remember thinking, "Mom, we are supposed to stand in the doorway...not in the street in between two huge light poles."

And that brings me to my next digression...I need to move out of my house. Any suggestions?

the only trilogy i like is the trinity...and that doesn't count

So, I saw Pirates tonight...and i wasn't disappointed with the movie like most were...rather, I was disappointed with myself. Although I knew it was part of a trilogy...I forgot how ANGRY the part two of every trilogy makes me. I was so mad when the credits started rolling...cuz I truly didn't expect it to end at all...and I'm a moron. So conclusion...part twos of trilogies are soooooo frustrating...it's like ending the story right after Jesus dies...I think I'm on to something. But for now...I have to pack, goodnight.

highlight of the day....

Hayden fell into a cactus....and although I had to spend the following 45 minutes picking each spine out of his skin...it was well worth it. So funny.

the Lord wants me to be rich

I never ever have been a person to ever say, "I want to be rich when I grow up." But...this weekend I've been house-sitting...and not only has it been good to have a place to myself...I have THIS view to wake up to. So as I was laying out, with the cool breeze and beautiful scenery...I had an epiphany...the Lord wants me to be rich, cuz how much closer would I be to Him if I had this view everyday of my life? I think I'd be a better Christian if I were filthy rich...that whole camel through the eye of a needle thing...yeah right. I don't buy it.

BTW...(by the way)...I'm 96% kidding.


But I don't want to live in a sweet house like this if I'm by myself...cuz I'm a little scared being here all alone....there's so many windows! I know, I know, how old am I?

Dreams Come True

So...i had a dream come true today. Some may make fun of me...I'm a nerd...it's true. But I got to go to Club 33 at Disneyland. Some of you may not know what this is...it's a club that only allows 400 members at a time...and costs a butt-load of money each year to join...and anyway...Being a total disney-history nerd...it's always been my dream to go there. There's a inconspicuous door next to the Blue Bayou with a 33 sign...and there's this doorbell there...and i've always wanted to ring it and have it be answered and be invited in. It's been a childhood fantasy I guess..much like for some it would be to see their favorite sports team play or better yet...sit in the dugout and hang out in the locker room.

So...it was really sweet..really expensive...but REALLY sweet...all you can eat delicious foods and desserts...the bathroom may have been the best part. The toilet was like a chair...anyway...and they give you an endless supply of evian water...in fact there was this little asian dude...whose entire job was to make sure that my glass of Evian water was always topped off.

We made a joke at our table..."evian water, $4...delicious lunch buffet, $don't ask, being able to gloat to your friends and others that you got to go to Club 33...priceless." Lame...I know. But then I thought about it as I was up on the patio watching people at the park who weren't allowed to come in...what is it in us that desires so badly to be a part of something exclusive? To know that I get to do something that others don't...I mean we all had childhood clubs where we wouldn't let certain people in...it just seems so silly...but we all do it...you know you do. I mean...isn't that what gossip is all about...I know something you don't know. I'm sure it comes down to insecurities formed from not being in the childhood clubs or not being invited to birthday parties...but I'm sure thats a whole 'nother blog.

But...for now...I'm glad that my childhood fantasy became real.

Nocturnal

So, I'm nocturnal. This has been established. What better use for insomnia is there than creating a blog? Can't think of one at the moment. In fact...if I could think of a better use of my time...I'd probably be partaking in THAT activity instead. So here's the first of the many late night blogs.

Oh...and if you are going to be reading my nocturnal blogs...one thing you will need to get used to...i use a lot of ellipses...you know...the dot dot dots...it's just the way I think...you'll learn to love it.

One more thing...I hope you appreciate the cleverness in my blog title...I know Allison Hibbard would.

Goodnight...hopefully.