"Bee" Connected*

I was actually waiting for these videos to get up on You Tube.

They were used at the Student Leadership Conference this year during the "Connect Session". I love the fact that there wasn't even a need for a speaker to share on this purpose. Just the life on life examples of these womens' lives is amazing!

I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!





*If you went to the conference it'll make sense to you :)

Impulse Purchase

I went out yesterday (my day off) to run some errands that I'd been putting off for a while.

*Wash car
*Cash check
*Buy money order for newly sponsored boy from Rwanda
*Send out some letters
*Pick up book from Chris
*Throw some loads in the wash
*Threading
*Buy sneakers
*Buy some of my favorite body lotion at Bath and Body Works

All went as planned except for the last item on my list.

As I walked into Bath and Body Works a spirit of joy came over me--just knowing I'd get to use my favorite lotion IN THE WORLD, Magnolia Blossom, once again made me so happy!

I finished my last bottle almost a month ago and have been using some Avon body cream my mom had in her room.

As I scanned the walls looking for the Magnolia Blossom display of body cream, hand lotion, body wash, body gel, perfume, body spray...I never found it.

I panicked and saw a girl stocking shelves, hoping she could offer some hope, I asked, "Excuse me, where is your Magnolia Blossom display?", her answer, "Oh, its' been discontinued".

Ah, it was painful! I love that lotion and it has the perfect scent...I've never found any thing like it.

I asked what other scent is most like it and she said either the Cherry or White Cherry Blossom. I walked over to the display she signaled to and smelled...not even close.

I was ready to walk out with my chin against my chest when I looked below and saw a small fortune of Magnolia Blossom body creams hidden on the bottom shelf.

I don't know if it was the resonating sound of the woman's voice saying "discontinued" or the pure joy of finding them, but I quickly snatched 8 bottles (which was no easy task) and walked them over to the counter.

Even though they cost me $68, I really don't regret it :)

Trust me...you'll thank me when you smell me--it's THAT good!

What a Monday!

This definitely goes down as one of the downest Mondays I've ever had (is downest even a word?).

There's been some tears (but with me, that usually happens) and also some frustration.

You know those times when everything in your life seems to be...not explainable?
I wish I could articulate what's going on inside my heart, my head at this very moment, but it's so difficult just to get all of that in order, for my own sanity's sake.

The more I write the more depressed I sound...don't worry, I'm not--I'm just doing some processing.

I love the life God has given me, it's just that I'm getting to this point in my life where I have to make decisions that are really life-altering.
It's hard.
It's lonely too.
It's not just Florida...it's my WHOLE life that needs to be dealt with.

This is the point where I'd say something like, "I'd really appreciate your prayers" but if you're reading this, you've probably been praying for me...

So NOW, this is the point where I say, THANK YOU!

This is Josh Griffin!

*Pictured below are Josh and I expressing what we think of me being Allison's blog fan.
As I mentioned before, I started reading Josh's blog a long time ago.

He's fun, funny, wise and so friendly.

We met last year at Saddleback through Chris Reed and when he found out I was Allison's fan...his ego was definately affected.

He's still THE BLOG ALL STAR!

This is Allison Hibbard

I've been reading her blog for a while.
I found it through Josh Griffin's blog a while ago.

Yes, I admit it...they inspired me to get a blog and I am their blog fan...well mostly her blog fan (sorry Josh...I still read yours though).

She's creative, smart and witty---and cooks up some good posts.

We met at Saddleback last week.
In person she's as sweet as she appears to be in her posts.

I felt like a groupie when I approached her on Tuesday evening...
before doing so I asked Edgar if he thought it was a bit psycho/stalker-ish to come up and say "Hi, I read your blog!".

He said it would be...but I still did it.

I'm glad I did!

Tangedy

*A word with greater meaning than the human language could ever possibly try to define.

*A word of epic proportions.

*A word that can only describe two people in the whole world.

German, you know how it is!

Bear Feet

When I was a little girl I didn't understand much about the English language.
And as a direct result of that, I fell into the wrong impression that when people said "bare feet" they were really saying "bear feet".

I'm sure you're thinking, "How could you confuse an animals feet with a foot that has nothing on it?".

I know, I'm weird, but follow me...

I figured that a bear never wears shoes, socks, sandals, etc. so when I didn't wear any of those around the house I was mimicking a bear.

It never dawned on me that there could actually be a word that meant there's nothing on it.

Needless to say, I now know the difference, but wow was I dumb!

I Heart Target

Yesterday, after work Edgar and I went out to Office Max to get some stuff he needed...of course I couldn't resist and I got myself a new memory stick and some golf pencils for weekend services.

After that we went to Target to get some stuff for my car and some stuff I've been meaning to get for my mom.

I got all of those things...plus some extra goodies too.
I don't think I've ever had such a random and seemingly useless amount of things in a shopping cart all at once.

Here's what was purchased:
-file crate
-gas can
-Prestone anti-freeze
-Castrol GTX oil
-notebook dividers
-a set of "Uno" cards
-crossword puzzle book
-"Scrabble" board game
-Beach Boys "Sounds of Summer" CD
-Michael Jackson "Number Ones" CD
-"Scene It" game

I'm listening to my Michael CD as I type...and I love it! Reminds me of the sweetness of the 80's.

In my opinion...

Thursday night was the best part of the SL Conference.

This is why:

After two days of putting up with picky students (on my own with Ricky) Edgar, Bibi and Janette came out to Saddleback to join us for the night.

After taking in the evening session we all headed back to the hotel for a little evening swim.
We got hungry and at about 1am Leo F., Janette, Bibi, German and I went out to find a place that was open.

Of course--nothing was open so we went to the only thing that would be open at that kind of hour: AmPm and the Shell station Mini Mart.

Here are our adventures:

Our delicious purchases

German prepping for weekend services with his new "More, would you rather..."

German's bare feet

Leo running in to check if the AmPm was open

Janette

Best quotes for the night:

#1 GERMAN: "I can't, I'll get fungus"

#2 BIBI: "They [nachos] taste like noogies"

#3 JESSICA: "Let's have a north pole treat, Icees and Hostess snowballs"

Such a fun night...just posting this I had some uncontrollable laughter, just thinking of that night.

The World: In Legos

Went to Lego Land a couple of weeks ago and forgot to post...so here is the world...from a Lego aficionado's point of view:

Under Grand Central Station

Behind a New York City alley

A tattooed baby

Pandas-for Howard!

Fun!

You should visit sometime :)

Florida...here I come!

I booked my flight out to Florida today!

I'm supposed to fly out on Friday, July 27th and come back home just in time for VBS the following Monday.

As I typed, I got this funny feeling in my stomach.
I can't believe I'm actually going to go out there!

I'm excited!

SLC in Pictures

SLC Day #3

Taking a little break here at the "Leader's Lounge".

All of the students are doing some interactive service experiences on campus right now.

Can't wait for tonight!!!!

There's a special 15 year old that's going to speak on God calling him to collect loose change in order that he can loosen chains-helping modern day slavery.

I'm positive that it will really speak to the students!

Can't wait to sleep in my own bed tomorrow night!!!!

Student Leadership Conference

It has been a VERY busy couple of weeks.

Summer Splash
VBS planning
Staff Meetings
and now, Student Leadership Conference!

I promise to post about all of the amazing things that have happened and are happening here once I get a chance.

It has been fun and challenging!

Please pray that our students continue to "get it" and are challenged...enough to be changed and make a difference when they go back home.
By difference, I don't so much want to focus on the "doing" but on them being a different person in and through Jesus.

Have a great rest of the week!

Calling All Bloggers!!!

I have previously stated (on my blog-THIS blog) that I have amazing friends.

I really do!

BUT they haven't been reading/commenting on my posts and haven't been posting on their blogs lately.

Please post guys...I check every day (with the exception of weekends).

P.S. I just found out Aaron Li has been reading my blog!!! Hi Aaron, thanks for reading!