Call off the Search Party

I spent over 2 hours online last week looking for this purse:

I saw it months ago on the Roxy website. Then at Macy's over Christmas. And when I went to buy it last week it was gone.

I found it at the Quicksilver Outlet yesterday, at $22 off the original price.

How lucky am I?

A Little Change Goes a Long Way...

When I opened my Bank of America accounts last year I was enrolled in something they call "Keep the Change" transfers.

Here's what it is:

Every time you make a purchase with your ATM, Bank of America rounds the amount of the purchase up to the nearest dollar and transfers the difference to your savings account.

The clerk told me that B of A would match whatever change I transferred. I never saw that money...never. So I figured it was just a "new accounts gimmick" and forgot all about it.

Until today!

I went online to do some banking and saw that my savings account was $49.02 richer...

Yup, they finally matched it! Sweet!

PDYM

PDYM: also known as, Please Don't Yudge Me...okay, it's not known as that, but I felt the need to start off on an apologetic note. I haven't blogged in what feels like a lifetime...sorry!

The PDYM Conference is actually run by a wonderful group of people that genuinely care about the health of youth workers and the health of student ministries (the church). And go all out to serve and equip youth ministers!

If you serve in youth ministry at your church (Pastor, volunteer, dodgeball coordinator...) COME! March 24-27, 2009 at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA.

Trust me, you won't regret it!

In this community of great, passionate people my ministry found health and great direction!

An added bonus is that, I'll be there! Hope to see you there too!

Here's your personal invitation!

Register at:
pdymcommunity.com

I'm Goin' MAC!

I've been in a debate with myself for the past year about switching over from being a PC to Mac user...the debate has finally ended-by the end of this week I will be the proud owner of a Mac Notebook!

There were tons of reasons for why I made the switch (reliability, durability, performance, etc.),but I thought it important to mention the most important reason of all...

I want to be cool.

It really is that simple (kidding)...

But really, I will be way cooler by the end of the week, right?

Christmas Canciones

I love Christmas music...love it!

My usual Christmas playlist runs from the day after Thanksgiving until December 25th...every year.

This year I'm looking for some new, great music for the holidays. I know that nothing in the Christmas music selection is really "new". Everyone re-does the same songs over and over again...but even with that, I'd like to get some new re-done songs.

I currently have Mariah Carey, Relient K, Michael Buble, Amy Grant and a few others on my playlist...

Can you think of any others I should have?
Or better yet, which are some favorites on your Christmas playlist?

I Know

I haven't been the posting diva in this season of life as I've been in the past...

I apologize.

Some of the reasons for why I have been inconsistent are the following:

1. Lack of proper Internet at home.
2. Going back to school full time, while still working at the church full time.
3. Life changes (more on that later).
4. Little to blog about (well, lack of fun, interesting things to blog about-my life has been all work and little play lately).

This is my last week of instruction before finals and I would totally appreciate your prayers as it's also a busy season in ministry.

I will post updates soon...promise!

Kiddos

Today, I spent a couple of hours with some really great, hyper kids.

I've spent a lot of time lately making some pretty grown-up decisions, which has caused me to act very tense and stressed.

Hanging with these kids reminded me that life is not as hard as it seems. There are times when I make my life way more complicated than it has to be...sometimes all you need to have is a little fun and remember what a gift life truly is.

Hang out with a kid sometime...you'll see!

Library Fun

We're "studying" tonight...

My friend just shot crumpled pieces of paper into a waste basket at the library from several feet away and made every shot...

Productivity at it's best.

Poor me

I've had a consistent thought running through my mind for the last couple of weeks...

I am blessed beyond measure. And I complain about it.

I don't even know how I could define blessed at this point because it encompasses so much more than material possessions. But, I know that I have many things that other people in this world will never have.

Every time I catch myself saying anything negative about my job, I think of the people who are losing their jobs at that very moment...being called into an office and told that they are no longer needed.

Every time I complain about a homework assignment I think of the thousands (possibly millions) of people who will never have the chance to study at a university, and a private God-centered one at that.

I think it's strange that as Americans we make the very blessings we have into a fit of self pity every day.

"I have to wake up so early for work"
"This paper is taking forever to write"
"I am so tired of my job"
"Why do we have to read that book?"

I don't want to feel sorry for myself and my friends because we get to have jobs and study at amazing schools...it makes no sense at all.

The Stinking Rose

I spent the better part of my weekend at a spa and dining around for Roxy's pre-wedding celebration. All four bridesmaids (minus Anita)-Bibi, Priscilla, Damaris and I- took Roxy out to spend time together and relax.

After a great Friday night in Corona and full Saturday at the spa we drove up to Beverly Hills for dinner at The Stinking Rose...delicious! Here are a few pictures from last night:

Once I get more Glen Ivy (spa) pictures I'll post them...such a fun, restful weekend!

Politically Incorrect

I've never been too involved of even interested in politics...I even had trouble voting this week.

I've been a proud American since the day I was born and love my country. I am so grateful that I live here and have the opportunities that so many people around the world lack...I feel blessed to be an American...at least until this week.

I don't want to go on a rant...but I'm really sad and dissappointed.

I'm not dissappointed because we have a Democrat for a President-elect...I actually felt excited to witness history: the very first black man voted as President!

I'm confused by all of the negative comments I've heard...from Christians.

No matter who our President is or isn't, God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is in control and can do amazing things in our lives, regardless of who our country's leader is.

Speaking negatively isn't going to make things better and forcing others to think what we think is not going to help them see Jesus any better either.

I'm trusting God more than ever today and my prayer is that we, as the church, can demonstrate the love that God has demonstrated us to the rest of the world.

The Office

My office is downstairs, all the way at the front of the church...the rest of the offices are in the back, upstairs.

Because of scheduling conflicts, I only get to have someone in the office with me on Fridays...besides that, I'm alone every other day of the the week (Mondays and Wednesdays-I'm at Biola on Tuesdays and Thursdays). I can't stand it.

Today I got tons of things done before noon in my office (on my computer) so that I could go to the back offices for the rest of the afternoon and work on non-computer related work at Abby's desk (she's out on Mondays). I loved it.

The girls and I decided that I'd bring my laptop in on Mondays and work at Abby's desk all day...I'm so excited for Monday to come...really I am!

I Told You So

Here's a bit of advice for those of you who are young...

Listen to your parents.

My parents gave me tons of advice when I became an "adult" (when I turned 18) and began college and my own job.

Here's two:

1. Never let your gas tank go below the quarter mark. If you wait until after that, your car begins to scrape the gunk from the bottom of the tank and can cause damage to your vehicle. Plus, you never have to worry about getting stranded anywhere.

2. Pay your bills ahead of time. Not the day of or the day before...but in advance. It will help your credit score and also bring tons of savings when it comes time to pay late fees.

I didn't listen to my parents and spent the better part of my late teens and early twenties waiting for my gas light to go off before I'd pull into the gas station and sending in late payments. I'd always freak out and stress out and get mad when I had to pay extra fees.

I stopped doing that 2 years ago. I pay everything at least 2 weeks before it's due. I fill my tank when I'm at a quarter tank...not one drop less (okay, sometimes).

Trust me kids...listen to your parents, you'll lead a happy and stress-free life! At least when it comes to your car and bills!

I'll Be There For You

I work in youth ministry...in a church...in a community.

I share about community, love and belonging to the body of Christ.

And yet, I have never fully understood how important it is to have a community of believers with you, in the good and the bad, with all of your mistakes out there in the open, totally weak and fragile, no judgement, just love and grace...until today.

God has been processing me through some things lately...some things that have been the hardest I've had to face (up until this point) in my life. He's showing me a lot about who He wants me to be and how I need to do all that is in my power and rely on His power for those changes to become a reality in my life.

Tonight, for the first time in as long as I can remember, I was open and fragile before an incredible friend. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do...ask for help, because I really can't do any of this on my own.

It was strange to feel selfish when I made the call. I felt as though I was being self-centered by calling to talk about me and what I was going through...strange, huh?

I know I'm not alone in this. That's something I'm thankful for.

I'm a Believer?

I just spent an hour in the car with a friend of mine sharing about her past relationship. This isn't the first time we talk about it...it usually creeps its way in every time we talk. I don't mind...but tonight, I made some observations...

After the heartbreak that the relationship brought her almost 2 years ago...
-she tries to find the answers to the whys that are left
-she sees dreams as God giving her signs/answers
-she reads books about moving forward
-she has hope that reconciliation will occur
-she prays about it constantly
-she makes connections and traces pertinent events to the relationship
-she seeks to have God show her why this has happened to her/them

When I got my heart broken years ago I could only see how hurt I was. I didn't look for reasons, answers, God's bigger picture. I just wanted to move on and forget...I didn't look for connections, I didn't sort through my feelings, or try to process it over the course of years. I didn't pray about it much after the break-up happened...I just wanted to get over it...

Did I react in a wrong way? Should I have talked to God more about it? Was I totally ditching out on God's message through it?

Not that I'll look back and try to squeeze a message out of it now...just asking, was I totally disconnected from God during that time, in that area of my life or are some of us girls, trying to see something, when nothing is there?