my thought-provoking 200th post...

This will be my 200th post...exciting in some capacity I'm sure, though I'm (emphasis on "I'm") not exactly thrilled about it...I thought I would leave you some thought-provoker:

"Make sure the thing you're living for is worth dying for."
-Charles Mayes

Two questions:
1)What are you living for?
2)Is it worth dying for?

P.s. These colors do not blend well.
P.s.s. It is good to communicate. I feel much better.

the oreo of life...

So, my friend and I were in a car heading back from Denver and we started talking about cookies and for some reason I was mentioning Oreos, now I don't know how the next part came about, but I have a tendency to make analogies and turn things into "Jesus" things...Pertaining to relationships, generally toward marriage, but can also be guy/girl, friends, etc.; so here's my analogy for "the Oreo of Life":
each person is one side of the Oreo, the cookies, we're hard and crunchy and need to be softened up a bit. We come with our little crumbly things and broken pieces and we don't stick well together.
God is the oh-so-yummy cream filling. He's the best part of the cookie and He keeps us stuck to eachother but enough apart so we're not too much cookie all at once.
The Holy Spirit and the the Word are the milk. We soak in them and dunk and jump and splash around. Not only do we soak up the knowledge of God but we are softened and more loving and lovable through the means of the H.S. and the W.
Now when we have God, we have the perfect cookie and we taste even yummier when we are always in the Word and directed by the amazingness of the Holy Spirit....
now when that happens...
guess what?
...
...
...
we become double stuft...!
...
...
...
How's your cookie? Are you gonna double stuff your Oreo today?

in other news...

I cleaned out my closet, which means I got rid of a pair of pants, a couple t-shirts and threw away a hole-e sock. Did some laundry. God is good. Finished a book. Make some cake mixes....this is the boring stuff eh? Though I laughed about the sock...
I have more to say, just wait a second....1...2...
Okay...I am applying for a scholarship from AIC and can get up to $5000! WOot! HopefuLLy, I wiLL get someThinG aWesOme! Anywho, enough with the schenanegans (SP?). I have to "invent" 3 original recipes...I have to be a creative genius. I'm pretty excited. I've always wanted to do something like this before. So, I've called my enrollment coordinator with a question, he has yet to get back to me, but I have about a month to get something submitted: 3 recipes complete with digital photos, a 250-word paper thing, and the original creation as well, if needed. I am stoked, alittle nervous, but I can do it. I'm pretty excited.
Other than that....that's it. Check ya lata!

Rulz...

I'm enjoying life right now. It's pretty rockin' I guess. God is good all the time. I just wish that I felt a little better. No worries. God is in control. Do I negate all that I said before I just said what I said? I like saying confusing things like that b/c I understand them, though it's not courteous to all those who don't understand what I'm saying, y'know what I'm saying? Heehee...I'll move on. One of my very best friends is coming this weekend and I am going to cry, pretty much. I also get to go to Colorado Springs and visit some amigos and hang out and chillax, hopefully. I have to work out some tiny details. I am so blessed to work with and be around and communicate w/ppl who love me and are willing to work with me on lots of things. I'm pretty difficult and have a hard time saying no, plus I think I have a harder time hearing the word, "no". so I try my hardest to get what I want when I want it and if it doesn't work out, than I try my hardest to get over it. That's the way my brain works. If I can't get what I want (what I want being simple things, like a book, t-shirt, or a vacay), than I get over it. Simple as that. Though sometimes it's not so simple. I'm tired. I'm gonna go now. But I'll be back unless Jesus comes back before I get the chance.

On another note....

I thought this was pretty hill-R-ee-us...eh? Yay!

(I stole it from Annie's space...)

The Guys' Rules

At last a guy has taken the
time to write this all down.

We always hear "the rules"
from the female side.

Now here are the rules from the male side.
These are our rules!
Please note...
these are all numbered "1"
ON PURPOSE!

1. Learn to work the toilet seat.
You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down.
We need it up, you need it down.
You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports.
It's like the full moon
or the changing of the tides.
Let it be.

1. Shopping is NOT a sport.
And no, we are never going to think of it that way.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want.
Let us be clear on this one:
Subtle hints do not work!
Strong hints do not work!
Obvious hints do not work!
Just say it!

1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers

to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it.
That's what we do.
Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a problem.
See a doctor.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.
In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 days.

1. If you won't dress like the
Victoria's Secret girls,
don't expect us to act like soap opera guys.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are.
Don 't ask us.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways
and one of the ways makes you sad or angry,

we meant the other one.

1. You can either ask us to do something
or tell us how you want it done.
Not both.
If you already know best how to do it,
just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, please,

say whatever you have to say during commercials.

1. Christopher Columbus did not need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings.
Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color.
Pumpkin is also a fruit.
We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched.
We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing,"
we will act like nothing's wrong.
We know you are lying,
but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to,
expect an answer you don't want to hear.

1. When we have to go somewhere,

absolutely anything you wear is fine...Really.

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are
prepared to discuss such topics as baseball,

the shotgun formation, or monster trucks.

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape.
Round is a shape.

1. Thank you for reading this.
Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight.
But did you know men really don't mind that?
It's like camping.

Pass this to as many men as you can -
to give them a laugh.

Pass this to as many women as you can -
to give them a bigger laugh.

I'm Superman! YAY!....wait a second...

Your results:
You are Superman

Superman 90% Spider-Man 75% Wonder Woman 70% Supergirl 70% Robin 65% Iron Man 65% Catwoman 65% Batman 60% Hulk 60% Green Lantern 55% The Flash 55%	You are mild-mannered, good, strong and you love to help others.
Click here to take the "Which Superhero are you?" quiz...

present times...

God is good. Not sure what else to say. Finished third day of Marathon training yesterday, day 3 of my 18 week program. Today is day 4 and I have to admit, I'm bored with the possible routes out here. Very limited. So, we'll have to see what happens in that regard as I trek about to find new paths for Marathon-training-goodness. Looks like I won't be going home til the end of August. That's when all of my sister (besides the eldest) will be home. Not sure where I'll sleep, but my 2nd oldest sister should have moved into her new condo by then. So proud of her. Steady job and now owns her own American Dream. Now all she is needs is J. Hopefully, prayer and steadfastedness, eh? So excited about camp and will be off to work here soon. Listening to a bit of Copeland. Good times in the office, by myself. Excited for summer to arrive, but totally good to wait. One of my best friends is arriving in Denver on the 20th and I will be there for a wedding, so me and the CEO and his wife will be picking her up. Pray so very hard for Denver trip. I will be meeting potential ppl to house me this fall....hopefully, prayerfully. I got my financial aid today. I got a grant and a scholarship from the school for having a nice GPA. However, most of my funds are coming from some hunky loans. Not good in the sense that I will be going into more debt. But if I am diligent as far as getting more scholarships and such, I will be alright. It's time for Crystal to get serious. I also am taking a class in June (our busiest month) so that I can save lots of money ($800 to be specific) by taking it here rather than in Denver. Mrrmrr! Life is good and I will always trust in Jesus. But I'm constantly asking myself, "Am I doing all that I am supposed to be doing?" "Am I getting everything done that I can and should?" I did discover how much I love to be there for ppl. I have had the privilege to affect more than one decision to come to camp this summer and feel like God is continually using me for that purpose. I love camp and am more than willing to suggest it to ppl, but for the first time in a long time, I couldn't tell someone what I thought they should do. I just gave them my best and what I felt God was leading me to say to them and than I knew that ultimately it was up to them. Even God can't make that decision for them. I think this is the first time that freewill has ever made experiencial sense to me, if that makes sense. God will lead us in a direction and than it's our job to follow Him, but it has be our willingness to do it. He can't make us choose which way, it has to be our choice.
Hmmm. Learned more today. I am also getting some wedding cake books from ebay hopefully. I bought a wedding magazine hoping to find some good pics of cakes and desserts to try and brainstorm off of. No dice. Wasn't too impressed, so ebay it is! I'm pretty excited to see from a past perspective (vintage) and new times of what ppl are looking for. I may have an opportunity to makes someone's wedding cake, if not this summer, than eventually I'm sure. So, I'm pretty stoked about looking at recipes and designs. I also found a pastry book on special event cakes and checked out a bunch of crazy cookbooks from the library. Pretty stoked to get more of a chance to sit and read through those. Ppl think I'm nuts for reading cookbooks, but it's so much fun! Anywho.
I'd best go cause there are chairs calling my name. I have to set up the chapel for a wedding reception in two weeks, might as well get a head start, eh?
I love God. He's so great.

I'm getting sick...

No not really, but I was just thinking about all the ppl getting married this year...I've been invited or at least know of nearly 10-15 couples getting married this year. It's become a bore to hear, "oh, I just got engaged." Only b/c it's so commonplace. I don't know. But I still get all excited for them and am genuinely interested in thier lives and plans and I have a desire to help them. I'm not sure how to explain how I think/feel about it. I'm just grateful that it's not some jealousy issue or discontentment. I can't even begin to explain to you how amazing things are going out here. How content I am and how God is working so graciously and mightily in my life. I just hope that I am affecting His world in a positive way.
Currently I am dealing with a friend who seems to want every bit of attn. from me. Calls a number of times a day, leaves msges sounding like so sad, and I got off the phone with this friend and just thought to myself, "I have nothing left to give her." I have nothing. I've given her comfort, Godly advice, friendship, favors, listened to her problems, answered her questions, pointed her to God time and time again. I have nothing left to give her. Now I just have to figure out what God is telling me. How do I deal with this situation? I know that God will be glorified through it. I just know it, I'm a bit anxious to see how...!
I am going through two devo books right now.
I am on a mission to be more and more, everyday the woman God wants me to be. It proves to continually be a challenge.
I told my friend Michael that I was getting off the internet...here I am. Sorry Michael!
I am so excited about mine and God's collaborated future plans. Everything is working out perfectly. I'm going to cry, it's so wonderful. Even the things that go wrong.
My dearest friend (well one of 3) Kacy is coming out and I get the privilege of riding in the same vehicle with her on the way back to camp. I'm going to cry. I miss her so much. I can't even express my gratitude for her in my life. God has so blessed me and grown me through this relationship. I am so loved by God. Amazing.
Scholarship search is on.
I started training for a marathon today. Tomorrow is day two! I'm super stoked, and should be going to bed. I will.
I'm going to post a newbie on my poetry site. Come visit me. Jesus love for everyone! Man, I miss you friends. God has filled my heart and soul with love. I can't explain how wonderful He is. There are no words, just immeasurable and unstoppable love and worship in my soul for Him. I could worship forever. Song is my gift to Him.
I will depart of this...I was able to sing at a church this past Sunday. I sang "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." It still fathoms me how I glorify Him even through my not-so-perfect performances. I had two groups I was helping with climbing wall the two days before I sang and my voice wouldn't hit the high notes, plus I was nervous. I tried and hopefully did, focus all my energy and love toward God, I just kept praying, "Lord, I want to glorify You. Please help me glorify You, no matter what I sound like." It happened, but I still didn't sound as well as I thought I should. Yet, God was still glorified. Amen. Amen.

Actually I'll end on this: Congrats Dalton on your pretty gf. I'm glad you're there. Keep being the man of God I know you are. Always in growth.