"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord ...

Dwindling posts

2010-06-28T08:59:00.000-07:00

I know that I haven't posted much this year. I wonder if I can even count the number of times on my hand. I wonder who even cares ;-) Well it doesn't matter the reason I started this blog is to get me out of my shell through writing. I've started a video log on my Fit to Serve blog. Come check it out. So far I've got two videos on there showing the difference that a year has made( well I probably did start losing until Nov) Anyways, today I'm starting a journey.

I like to say I'm a mad hornet. I've been getting a lot of flack cause my CFL Chief doesn't have confidence that I will continue to workout and take care of myself. In his own words "She's still a big girl". AZ1 Flater took up for me saying that I've continued to loose weight after last cycle, which is true I'm below what I can into the service as. Whatever, I'll show him. Hence the mad hornet attitude. :-) It may have been the boost I needed the last few weeks that I've been a bit discouraged with everything. Az1 is leaving in a few weeks and it's all up to me to get these guys to pass their PFA. PLUS they give up all the time. Man o Man I've really got to get it together.

As a way to round up some idea I'm probably going to be posting several workout ideas that I have on the Fit to Serve blog.

Well till next time, come check me out on my daily video log or give me a shout.

Boredom

2010-05-31T01:09:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been bored with food. I know right, I'm a big girl and I've always been chunky how can I all of a sudden get bored with food?

In the back of my head I know I must eat something, because if I starve myself then my metabolism will slow to compensate(or gear up) for a period of fasting or when at one time we would go without. Our bodies naturally adapt to preserve life. All in all though it's detrimental to my efforts because a slower metabolism means my body absorbs everything I eat hoping to save it until later because I'm not eating as much...... Because I'm bored with food.

Vicious cycle LOL....

What can I do? Well I got the ingredients to make Straw Spinach Salad(feta,walnuts, and a sweet vinaigrette dressing). One thing I like about this dish is that it's very colorful, and the flavors are very bold. There's also texture to the ingredients.

Today Carolyn made some pork chops that fell off the bone. I shredded one up and combined it with a veg stir fry. It was good. A little spicy, but definitely out of the ordinary. I put Lime juice(porkchop had already been cooked in a chile/lime marinade) , Tabasco-Chipolte, Seasonings, a splash of whorshire sauce. Very Mexican tasting, plus it mostly vegetables. Yea for healthy.

I guess the issue is finding stuff that is healthy, not too heavy(ie steak and potatoes), that is colorful and explodes on the palate.

I was in Safeway the other day completely lost for what I wanted to eat. I decided to check the cookbook/magazine sections. I found Vegetarian Times and a Clean Eating magazine. I also got a cookbook called Fresh Flavor Fast(this one had loads of pictures). I love cookbooks with loads of pictures, especially if they are very colorful.

I have no problem eating meat, but I wouldn't be opposed to being a vegetarian. My only concern would be getting all the B12 and other vitamins into my daily diet.

I'm so frustrated though. I'm bored with food, and at the same time I want to cook. Maybe I should take some culinary courses, so that I will not be bored or hungry ;-)

HELP DOES ANYONE HAVE TRUSTED RECIPES TO SHARE? I CAN BOIL WATER ;-)

Fit to Serve is back Online!

2010-03-22T12:33:00.000-07:00

Fit to Serve is back online! I've left it by the wayside because I just didn't use it much and it's original purpose was for my supervisors. I'm blogging about nutrition, recipes, and progress as I get whipped into shape with P90x. Come see the new posts!

Fit to Serve

Super MarioWorld Comes to the AT Shop

2010-03-06T14:35:00.000-08:00

Today(Sat) after "The Wash" I got to talking to one of my coworkers. Seems while he was on midcheck(graveyard shift), he was so bored he created a website full of free online games and tidbits. Anyways one of the games is a flash version of Super Mario World. This one reminds me of my nephew who used to bug me to hang out in my room. I'd make him complete a level to be awarded admission into my room. Now I'd give anything to hug his neck and tell h'm I love him. Ironic how things work.

"Bad Boys, Bad Boys Whatcha Gonna Do, Whatcha Gonna Do When They Come for You"

2010-02-19T07:15:00.000-08:00

Well You're probably wondering what I'm doing with the police front and center? Well a few days ago I almost got caught up in a situation. A situation i could have avoided altogether if I had just heeded to a friend's advice.(Alyssa's)

K so a few weeks ago my barracks moved everyone so that they could complete some construction in B wing. They closed the whole wing off with do not cross tape. We were moved in such a hurry that I forgot a stack of music that I've had since I was a little kid. Thinking maybe I had just misplaced it, I searched my room up and down. Convinced that I had indeed forgot them in the old room, I came up with an idea to go check the old room late at night after the construction crews were gone and when there would not be anyone on the wing. I had mentioned this plan to Alyssa a few night before at Bible Institute. She said "Couldn't you just ask the barracks staff to allow you access?" When I thought about how vindictive and mean most people in the Navy are I thought no they'll just tell me no just because they can.

Day after day the urge to go check out my old room festered. Finally late one night, i took a small flash light and snuck upstairs to my old room. Inside I was amazed at how much I forgotten. It must have been a whole drawer of stuff. Old tax returns, pictures, plus the stack of music was what I found. I searched the room high and low to make sure I got everything(I did not want to have to do this again). Since I had not realize how much I had left behind I had nothing to carry everything downstairs. Thinking quickly I took my sweatshirt off and filled it with the last of my belongings. Hearing someone's breath behind me(or rather in paranoia), I hurried up and headed downstairs. As I got to the first floor, guess who met me? None other than a NAS Whidbey Island MA. I almost ran smack dab into him. Surprisingly the MA didn't stop me. Someone would have thought he would though, because I was wearing a white t-shirt. (White t-shirts typically are not allowed to be worn by themselves, because they are thought of as an undershirt) I just knew I was caught, but he kept going up stairs. I quickly ran to my room so that i could "scatter". Even though I was absolutely guilty, God showed mercy and spared me.

Where did all the Music Go?

2010-01-31T23:22:00.000-08:00

K So, I moved last week, and now I cannot find any of my saxophone music. I always keep music, I even have some books for tuba, cornet, trumpet, and baritone. I have no idea where I put them. I've looked everywhere they could be. Huh.... That's gonna drive me nuts.

Tech Vs A&M Dilemma

2010-01-31T22:57:00.000-08:00

God’s given me clear direction on the whole matter. Today I was looking things up online and I found out that in order to be a part of the Fighting Aggie Band I would have to be part of the corps of cadets. Sounds fun except, I started looking into what that entailed. It’s a mini version of Boot Camp and military life in general. There’s a height./ and weight requirement. It’s pretty relaxed according to military standards but it still exists. But the kicker was this, if I went to A&M I wouldn’t be able to serve as much throughout the week. I found what seems like a good church in the area, but I would only have enough time to attend the normal Sun/Wed services. No matter where I go, I want a church that I can serve in various ministries throughout the week. Even now it’s one of the many frustrations I have with the military. Not only do they have weight requirements, but they also have the ability to restrict you to the dorms. REALLY? I’ve had enough military that any attempt to “pretend” would definitely drive me nuts. Plus Tech has a more options for after undergraduate studies, so I can pursue a masters or even a doctorate if I’m inclined to do so. Another good point is that I can continue the Bible Institute classes in Lubbock without skipping a beat.

Whatcha think?

When there’s a need the Lord provides

2010-01-31T22:54:00.000-08:00

LTIA here I come. One of the biggest arguments I had for not going to LTIA was that I couldn’t afford it, but I did my taxes today. God’s provided well over the amount to go, so I figured it would be a same not to go. There’s still one more logistic situation that might conflict. I’m an alternate for an IA. I’ll have to wait until the leave date has passed to buy tickets, but that’s just one minor detail.

An oxymoron if I ever seen it...

2010-01-18T03:03:00.000-08:00

So i was Carrie Underwood has a new song called Temporary Home. Awesome song, but I was wondering what religion she was. Come to find out she goes to a First Free Will Baptist Church. Since I wasn't too familiar with the differnce of Free Will Baptists and Independent Baptists, I googled it and in the process I found the

Penecostal Free Will Baptist Church

i've never seen Penecostal and Baptist in the same sentence let alone same word. as far as i can see Free Will Baptists believe how we EXCEPT, they belive that you can walk away from God and through free will you can reject or loose your salvation.

Either Way I't was just interesting information to find out. Oh another thing that popped up while i was searching. Did you know that Beyonce said she's too famous to go to church. Sad....

Music Where Are You?

2010-01-12T14:23:00.000-08:00

The last few weeks I've been looking for music that's appropriate and not too easy for Saxophone. From what I'm finding, there's not much out there unless I create my own music. I guess this is the idea, in order to get what you are looking for you have to create it instead of just copying someone else's work. It's all about stepping out side of your boundaries. Seeing relationships in chords and key signatures. Part of me says that you have to have classes that teach you how to compose, but I also know that there are many that have taken classes and they still never create but only copy. Hmmm something to think about. The Devil would say"Well if your standards weren't so high the maybe you'd find what you are looking for". But to do so means to bend in areas I have no intention on bending. Just some thoughts....

What Else Could you Need :-) [Texas Funnies]

2009-12-28T21:31:00.000-08:00

JUST TEXAS
Pep, Texas 79353
Smiley, Texas 78159
Paradise, Texas 76073
Rainbow, Texas 76077
Sweet Home, Texas 77987
Comfort, Texas 78013
Friendship, Texas 76530

Love the Sun?
Sun City , Texas 78628
Sunrise , Texas 76661
Sunset, Texas 76270
Sundown, Texas 79372
Sunray , Texas 79086
Sunny Side , Texas 77423

Want something to eat?
Bacon , Texas 76301
Noodle , Texas 79536
Oatmeal , Texas 78605
Turkey , Texas 79261
Trout , Texas 75789
Sugar Land , Texas 77479
Salty, Texas 76567
Rice , Texas 75155
Pearland , Texas 77581
Orange , Texas 77630

And top it off with:Sweetwater , Texas 79556

Why travel to other cities? Texas has them all!
Detroit, Texas 75436
Cleveland, Texas 75436
Colorado City, Texas 79512
Denver City, Texas 79323
Klondike, Texas 75448
Nevada, Texas 75173
Memphis , Texas 79245
Miami , Texas 79059
Boston , Texas 75570
Santa Fe , Texas 77517
Tennessee Colony , Texas 75861
Reno , Texas 75462
Pasadena , Texas 77506
Columbus , Texas 78934

Feel like traveling outside the country? Don't bother buying a plane ticket!
Athens , Texas 75751
Canadian, Texas 79014
China , Texas 77613
Egypt , Texas 77436
Ireland , Texas 76538
Italy , Texas 76538
Turkey , Texas 79261
London, Texas 76854
* New London, Texas 75682
Paris, Texas 75460
Palestine, Texas 75801

No need to travel to Washington D.C.
Whitehouse, Texas 75791

We even have a city named after our planet!
Earth, Texas 79031

And a city named after our State!
Texas City, Texas 77590

Exhausted?
Energy, Texas 76452
Cold?
Blanket, Texas 76432Winters, Texas

Like to read about History?
Santa Anna, Texas
Goliad, Texas
Alamo, Texas
Gun Barrel City, Texas
Robert Lee, Texas

Need Office Supplies?
Staples, Texas 78670

Want to go into outer space?
Venus, Texas 76084
Mars, Texas 79062

You guessed it. It's on the state line.
Texline, Texas 79087

For the kids...
Kermit, Texas 79745
Elmo, Texas 75118
Nemo, Texas 76070
Tarzan, Texas 79783
Winnie, Texas 77665
Sylvester, Texas 79560

Other city names in Texas , to make you smile......
Frognot, Texas 75424
Bigfoot, Texas 78005
Hogeye, Texas 75423
Cactus, Texas 79013
Notrees, Texas 79759
Best, Texas 76932
Veribest , Texas 76886
Kickapoo , Texas 75763
Dime Box , Texas 77853
Old Dime Box , Texas 77853
Telephone , Texas 75488
Telegraph , Texas 76883
Whiteface , Texas 79379
Twitty, Texas 79079

And last but not least, the Anti-Al Gore City ...
Kilgore , Texas 75662

And our favorites...
Cut n Shoot, Texas
Gun Barrell City , Texas
Hoop And Holler, Texas
Ding Dong, Texas
and, of course,Muleshoe , Texas

Here is what Jeff Foxworthy has to say about folks from Texas ...

If someone in a Lowe's store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you may live in Texas ;

If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you may live in Texas ;

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you may live in Texas ;

If 'Vacation' means going anywhere south of Dallas for the weekend, you may live in Texas ;

If you measure distance in hours, you may live in Texas ;

If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you may live in Texas ;

If you install security lights on your house and garage, but leave both unlocked, you may live in Texas ;

If you carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows how to use them, you may live in Texas ;

If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph --you're going 80 and everybody's passing you, you may live in Texas ;

If you find 60 degrees 'a little chilly,' you may live in Texas ;

Here are some little known, very interesting facts about Texas .
1. Beaumont(South Texas) to El Paso : 742 miles
2. Beaumont to Chicago : 770 miles
3. El Paso is closer to California than to Dallas
4. World's first rodeo was in Pecos , July 4, 1883.
5. The Flagship Hotel in Galveston is the only hotel in North America built over water.
6. The Heisman Trophy was named after John William Heisman who was the first full-time coach at Rice University in Houston .
7. Brazoria County has more species of birds than any other area in North America .
8. Aransas Wildlife Refuge is the winter home of North America 's only remaining flock of whooping cranes.
9. Jalapeno jelly originated in Lake Jackson in 1978.
10. The worst natural disaster in U.S. history was in 1900, caused by a hurricane, in which over 8,000 lives were lost on Galveston Island .
11. The first word spoken from the moon, July 20,1969, was " Houston ," but the space center was actually in Clear Lake City at the time.
12. King Ranch in South Texas is larger than Rhode Island .
13. Tropical Storm Claudette brought a U.S. rainfall record of 43' in 24 hours in and around Alvin in July of 1979.
14. Texas is the only state to enter the U.S. by TREATY, (known as the Constitution of 1845 by the Republic of Texas to enter the Union ) instead of by annexation. This allows the Texas Flag to fly at the same height as the U.S. Flag, and may divide into 5 states.
Also, can secede from the union at our discretion...which we may do in short order if things in Washington don't change soon! HAHAHA
15. A Live Oak tree near Fulton is estimated to be 1500 years old.
16. Caddo Lake is the only natural lake in the state.
17. Dr Pepper was invented in Waco in 1885. There is no period in Dr Pepper.
18. Texas has had six capital cities:Washington -on- the Brazos, Harrisburg , Galveston , Velasco, West Columbia, and Austin .
19. The Capitol Dome in Austin is the only dome in the U.S. which is taller than the Capitol Building in Washington DC (by 7 feet).
20. The San Jacinto Monument is the tallest free standing monument in the world and it is taller than the Washington monument.
21. The name ' Texas ' comes from the Hasini Indian word 'tejas' meaning friends. Tejas is not Spanish for Texas .
22. The State Mascot is the Armadillo (an interesting bit of trivia about the armadillo is they always have four babies. They have one egg, which splits into four, and they either have four males or four females).
23. The first domed stadium in the U..S. was the Astrodome in Houston .

Cowboy's Ten Commandments posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in Fairlie , Texas :
(1) Just one God.
(2) Honor yer Ma & Pa.
(3) No telling tales or gossipin'.
(4) Git yourself to Sunday meeting.
(5) Put nothin' before God.
(6) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal.
(7) No killin'.
(8) Watch yer mouth.
(9) Don't take what ain't yers.
(10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff.

Y'all git all that?

New Background

2009-12-27T16:15:00.001-08:00

WOW i didn't expect the back ground to to be so bright, but hey nothing like orange to wake a person up. I almost feel like I'm inthe 60's or 70's with this one. LOL

Fit to Serve

2009-12-24T22:18:00.000-08:00

Well with the New Year coming and there being talk of New Year resolutions, I have decided to post a new blog called "Fit to Serve". It's mostly going to be about fitness, the many stuggles, the victories made, and in general my journey to getting fit.

Comments and idea are always welcome.

Come check out how I'm progressing.

Here We Go A-Caroling

2009-12-24T21:49:00.000-08:00

I LOVE CHRISTMAS MUSIC!

I was actually bummed out before I went caroling Wednesday night. ( I had failed yet another PRT-although I have improved check out my next blog). Anyways with the urging of my mom I decided to go ahead and spend time singing Christmas carols with my church family. Singing Songs about Christ's birth really picked up my spirits. After a few hours out in the cold singing we all headed over to the Howers for hot cider and goodies of all sorts. Then since most of the teens were at the teen function, when they all got back a few hours later. Any of us that were able to man an instrument gathered around the piano and sung Christmas carols. There was several flutes, a violin, a cello, and a saxophone. The others sang at the top of their lungs. It was loads of fun. After we were tired of Christmas Carols, Alyssa played songs from "To You Alone", the book we are starting again in choir. It was great to hear people of all ages(well except the older adults-they were still talking in the kitchen) singing.

I'm almost bummed out for the season for Christmas songs to up. I guess technically there's no particular time period for them but oh well ;-).

The funniest thing I found out singing Christmas carols, was that in order to be able to play my sax along with the singing I had to control the key. I had to beat Chris Spence to the punch otherwise he'd pick whatever key came out first. I had Becky Giest in my group. She played the flute and I played my sax. We were both on playing out of the hymnal, but since our carolers only had words we had to follow their lead. It was interesting to say the least, but loads of fun. I was thinking last night though, next time I'm going to bring a harmonica instead. It's more portable and easier to adjust to the singing.

For unto us a child is born!

2009-12-24T19:16:00.000-08:00

On the eve of Christmas so many things are on my mind. They are not thoughts of sugar plum fairies, Rudolph, and Santa(whoever that is in the suit this year), but my mind is on Christ. A lot of times people focus on his birth, but they fail to look at his death. His birth was similar to a normal child's birth, except He was perfect in every way. Since He was born of a virgin, He had no earthly Father. Since His Father was God, He had no sin. Since He had no sin, He was able save His people from their sin. Since He was the perfect Lamb of God, His blood was sufficient.

It breaks my heart, that there are so many that don't get how great God is, how great his gift of salvation is.

Guys please pray for Vital. I don't mean to call out names, but today we spent several hours debating about what the Bible says about Eternal Security. Funny enough, what became a thorough debate started lightly in mere conversation. I was checking email online and Vital was beside me and he pulled up his church's website. The guy on my other side(I don't know his name so I'll call him Mark) asked us both what denomination we were. I told him I was Baptist and Vital said he was Pentecostal. Of course the first thing I had to say was so you believe you can loose your salvation? "Don't You?" Well i spent the next several hours giving him every scripture I knew and tried to answer his questions. The scriptures were so plain yet he just didn't get it. Even verses as simple as John 3:16 "....that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." or Romans 6:23 ".. but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.". What does everlasting and eternal mean, if not an eternal salvation? I showed him Romans 8:38,39 where it says nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of Christ. I brought up the fact that if we can do something to loose our salvation, then we had to do something to earn our salvation. (Ephesians 2:8,9) I explained 1 John1:8-10 (especially 10) "If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." I even explained how in the OT they used to give sacrifices of Lambs to cover their sin, but Christ was the perfect Lamb of God, that his blood was sufficient. We even discussed how eternal salvation wasn't a license to sin, but that God chastised his children. Finally the conversation was at a dead lock. I continued to show him scripture, but he still wasn't understanding that once we are saved that it's eternal. there's nothing we can do to loose that salvation. i knew I was right, but it was clear that he was being blinded by another source. I finally directed him to Pastor with his questions. I pray that the Holy Spirit pricks Vital's heart.

His main point was if He gives me a gift(let's say a watch) and I misplace that watch or give it away, that I no longer would have the gift in my possession.

I'm always exhausted when I debate or discuss God's Word with someone. I know that if I stick to the Bible I can't go wrong, but even still every bone in my body aches. Aches for their soul, aches because I feel useless and weak. I look back on it though, and even though I was feeble at first, by the time we decided to call it quits I was breathing Words of fire(God's Word-the scriptures) from my mouth. I was livid. I'm not sure if that is because God makes females emotional, or if I was fighting tooth and nail with principalities. Either way I take comfort in Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Another thing that is awesome is how quickly verses start to come to mind once you engage the enemy. For instance, I'm usually slow to quote scripture or know the addresses of specific scripture, but once I'm got in the heat of the discussion, God provided them faster than I could spit them out.

On another note of Testimony, when the conversation first started, Vital was trying to give me his logic, or opinion. I told him to show me in the scriptures where it says you can loose your salvation. The awesome thing was, Mark said "That's right you can't make a Baptist believe anything unless you have scripture to back it up." I didn't have time to laugh, but I thought it was an awesome testimony to the importance of God's Word.

So on this Christmas Eve I thank God for His Son Jesus Christ. The one who died for my sins, the one who saved me from my infirmities. A gift so simple, a gift without a price, a gift that is everlasting, a gift that i could not earn or ever deserve. As hard headed as I was he never gave up and for this I thank Him.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Who wants to be a gymnast?

2009-12-15T22:26:00.000-08:00

Sounds kind of strange that I would ask such a question right? NOPE! Because this is what my marine physical therapist had me do on this machine of death.

Looks like an innocent machine right? Not so much. Painful as it is, this is actually an awesome thing to have for stretching. Stretching is just stretching right? Well usually on the floor or while we are standing, our range of motion is limited. For instance it sounds like I'm bluffing that the marine made me do this......

But he did amazingly enough by having me place my toe on the middle back, rotating my hips forward, and leaning backwards with my arms/back. This is suppose to stretch the hip flexors, joy.

I can't complain too much though, today even though it was tough (I goofed up and did a lower body workout last night), when it was finally over I wasn't limping like I was the last time. So who know maybe I'm getting stronger.

My Therapist will always me a Marine in my eyes, but I think he's just an FMF Corpsman. I guess I got the whole Marine image from my first impression of the marine camis and his dry humor. Who knows?

Clotheslined

2009-12-15T15:02:00.000-08:00

Today i was clotheslined............

by the Man Lift(civilian equivalent to a bucket truck).

Who would have thunk it. I was tasked with returning the Manlift to GSE because it's 180 turn function was not working. When I drove it straight, there was nothing wrong with it. I could turn the wheels etc... Anyways I was driving for a while and it was going pretty smooth, till BAM! It decides to stop dead in it's tracks. Well the controls have a piece of plastic covering them. Since I was still going forward when the manlift stopped, I got clotheslined by a piece of hard plastic. OUCH. Come to find out the manlift had more than one problem.

Worst of all I have this hideous mark that looks like a strange hickey.

Church History

2009-12-12T21:40:00.000-08:00

The past few months I have been studying church history. Sometimes I am required to write a paper and for the Medieval Church History part I've been required to draw a map of the Middle East and Europe. Well I was looking at the Atlas today and trying to figure to if Egypt is technically considered part of the Middle East and do I need to include it in my map. Well there's tidbits under each country's flag. When I look to see the dominating religion in Egypt I saw Sunni Muslim and Coptic Christian. Sunni muslims are all over the area, but Coptic Christian caught eye. So what would any person in this day and age do? I googled it and came up with this link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coptic_Orthodox_Church_of_Alexandria

Anyways long story short, The article in Wikipedia brags about being under the direction of some of the church fathers, many of which were corrupt. For instance Origen is praise as the Father of Theology when he was actually the Father of corrupt Bibles. He was the guy that edited the Bible and made several versions of his own.

Even the other Church Fathers that they claim all had something to do with perverting God's teachings.

Anyways I just thought it was cool that the stuff we are learning isn't pointless information.

Needed Pain Relief

2009-12-10T07:10:00.001-08:00

So everyone knows that my knee is messed up. It's more or less a nagging pain, but as I gear up for the up coming year I've decided to run a half marathon. With the rigorous workouts in mind I was looking for ways relieve pain and stretch my ITB out. While researching other options than medication I ran up on an article from Runner's World that says to relieve a tight ITB that a deep muscle massage would do the trick.

Does anyone know a good masseuse in the area?

My Mother is Right [ Unfortunately ;-P ]

2009-11-16T01:09:00.000-08:00

ok ok so my mother is right. If you can't read this I apologize but I promised if she turned out to be right in a discussion we were having on the way home from the airport that I would blog about her being right. I never said it would be big enough to see, but that I would blog about it. She's been bugging me for an entry LOL.

Ok so here's the speal. In the last 2 1/2 years I have one been home 3 times. Not too bad for active duty, but not enough times that my memory would not fail me from time to time. Anyways We were on our way home from DFW Airport. There's really two ways to go home, depending on what gate you exit out of. See how HWY 20(635) makes a loop around Dallas? All of the smaller towns surround downtown Dallas. Only by seeing what city your in, do you realize which way you are driving. Well DFW airport is just north of Irving ( in the North western part of the Map). To go home you would have to drive to 175, which is in the south eastern quadrant of the map, and then it's a straight shot home. Even now when I look at the map, and realize which way we went, mom definitely took the long way around. There's no way to figure out what city you are in until you get to either Arlington (Directly East) or Mesquite ( Directly West). The discussion or (debate LOL) was which way we were going home. We wanted to stop somewhere to eat. Mesquite is loaded with eery kind of food you can think of so we decided to stop in Mesquite. I thought we were on the other side of the loop. I told her we might as well stop in Arlington or Seagonville(right at the exit for 175) instead of driving to the oter side of the loop. She said what are you talking about Mesquite should be coming up soon.

She was right.

There mom, but for the record why would you drive all the way around the loop when the airport is just north of Irving. No wonder it took us for ever to get home(not to mention the traffic Duduh briches). In my defense though. You really can't tell one city from the next with all the buildings and construction going on. The only way I can tell one from the other is when I see Six Flags or Mesquite's Mall.

Fighting Against the Devil

2009-11-06T03:31:00.001-08:00

1 Peter 5:8-10 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (9) Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brothern that are in the world. (10) but the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

The past few weeks I have been involved with a fight with the devil. I use to think these verses only pertain my personal life. Boy was I wrong. Day after day my conversations with Majestic are getting deeper and deeper. At times it seems I'm not even talking to him anymore but the devil that has his death grip on his life. Tonight we were talking about the authentacy of the King James Bible, and at one time I had to say forcefully that the King James Version was the Word of God. It's almost like the Devil was trying to shake my ground. I had tried reason and explain, but in the end I cut the debate and we both agreed to continue on a later date. sometimes I am as my wits end. I don't want to give up, because that means the devil wins, but I feel so inadequate. I know this guy is going to think his way to hell if I don't fight. Every day I've got a lump in my throat and tears waiting to be shed.

Psalm 126:5,6 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. (6) He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

What must I do or say that he will see the truth.

I covet your prayers....

Is there Harm in Halloween

2009-10-19T22:02:00.000-07:00

So I was listening to Slacker(Online Radio) and to the right there was this advertisment for a radio station that is specifically Halloween music. I just thought it was funny, because how many people let alone Christians think that Halloween is just a harmless holiday that the kids dress up and go trick or treating. Most people have no clue it's orgins or history. I know I'm preaching to the choir, but I just thought it was ironic.

Come let us reason together

2009-10-04T22:11:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Tonight was the last straw with my friend Carson. I met Carson in boot camp. I hated her when I first met her, but then realyzed very soon that we were very similar people. Over the last year or so I have given Carson the gospel. It's kind of hard for the blind to lead the blind(I was saved in June 09), but I still tried. Everytime we talk about God or the Bible we get into debates. It's been on my heart to end this relationship, but i've been reluctant because I was once there. I know what it means to be heavy under delusion. I was hoping in the end that I could reason with her. That one day she would she the truth. it wasn't til recently that I had to accept that it is not us who leads a person to Christ but the Holy Spirit. I can talk till I'm blue in the face and nothing I say will penetrate her heart. What broke the camel's back per say was a text or fwd of a very explicit and disgusting joke. She thought it was funny and I was furrious. Enough was enough. I had been making excuses for not following God's commands and today He graciously showed me His reasoning behind the "madness"(well not really madness). How many times does God not give us an explaination, but He did so today. My heart weighs heavy. Not because we were best friends, but because I know she's going to hell and she just can't see it. She just can't get passed this concept that "God is Love" "So how can I say that God hates sin yet loves the sinner" I explained God's love in giving his son, I explaned every scripture I could think of. This has been a debate that has been going on for a while and today it was time to stop. Time to follow Christ. I cannot control the free will of another, but I can take care of my actions. Christ call us to be seperate from the world, to not be unequally yoked. That's something I can control that's something that requires me to take action.

Pray for Carson, the Devil has blinded her. She "believes" there is a God, but doesn't see the need to repent. She just wants to hang on to her sin. Romans 1:39 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. She doesn't see how I could give up everything I am, everything I was for God. How can someone change their stripes or the color of their skin?

Without Condition

2009-10-04T20:43:00.000-07:00

When i first heard this song I really didn't understand it. Now it holds two meanings to me. I listened to this song between church and after tonght's sermon I just wanted to share it with you.

Without Condition

You find this situation just a bit uncomfortable;

You'd rather stay far away from reality.

For you to understand would be clearly impossible;

So you shut your eyes and swear you can see.

Claiming there is a God, but does that mean anything?

So condescending to those that you don't understand;

Just too easy to make them your enemies.

Like an ostrich, you bury your head in the sand,

And then shout about all the things you believe.

But if there is a God, don't you think He can see

What you really mean? What you're doing?

Chorus:

You can't find the answers

Till you learn to question;

You won't appear stupid

Just ask for direction.

You're insecure and it clouds your perception

So stop and listen

And learn a lesson in love without condition.

So place all the souls that you knowin their own little box;

Quite convenient to handle them that way;

You're the only one you know who carries a cross

You don't care what they care about anyway.

And You talk to your God,

Prayin' for those who sin,

For their eyes to be opened.

Chorus:

You can't find the answers

Till you learn to question;

You won't appear stupid

Just ask for direction.

You're insecure and it clouds your perception

So stop and listen

And learn a lesson in love without condition.

Before I was saved I was so hypocritical to pray for those who sin, for their eyes to be opened. It was my eyes that were close shut to the truth of God's Word. I would say ok God you can have part of my life, but not this over here. Now it is the Chorus that speaks loudly to my heart. I find myself questioning everything around me. My motives, priciples or lack thereof, not knowing which direction to go, insecure, yet no matter what I realyze God calls us to love him without condition, wihout any strings attached. Here's a b list video that you can hear the song. I like the song, but the video is a little off in places. So be forwarned.

Craziness in it's finest

2009-09-28T12:41:00.000-07:00

The Average Professional Pianist practices for 4 to 8 hours a day!

Saturday I was trying to make up for the lack of practice on Thursday and Friday. I usually try to practice for at least an hour a day. On this particular day though I practiced for three hours straight. I was having fun and I wasn't tired of playing at the least, but my fingers were like noodles. I had no more deliberate control over their direction. Of course it got to the point where I was doing more harm than not. My hands hurt, my forearms hurt (I know right who would think your forearms would hurt because of your fingers), it was crazy. I was feeling pretty sorry for myself, until I realized I didn't even scratch the surface of what professional pianists do for their warm up. I was dead tired and they would just be getting started. I guess it is like any instrument or activity. You must build on what you're already doing in order to become better. For instance a singer must practice holding out notes, and learn to phrase their breathing. they must develop a range by slowly pushing their limits. One cannot expect to run before they learn to crawl. But at the same time one must strive for excellence or be overcome by meritocracy.

Lets All Pack Up and Head For Texas :-)

2009-09-27T15:00:00.001-07:00

I was scanning the news and I ran upon this clip.

Census Bureau statistics show that fewer Americans are uprooting. And when they do move, they're favoring D.C., Alaska and Texas.
http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/americans-tame-their-wanderlust.html;_ylc=X3oDMTFuOWxzaG02BF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEX3MDOTc2MjA0NjUEc2VjA2ZwLXRvZGF5BHNsawN0YW1lLXdhbmRlcmx1c3Q-

Texas is one of the few states that has not gone through a housing boom-bust period due to the energy industry and business welcoming environment.

Nothing like a good excuse to head to Texas. :-)

In the Spirit of True Worship

2009-09-27T13:53:00.000-07:00

OK so I couldn't resist, this cartoon shows what the world believes to be true worship. Appealing to the flesh or the body. I was in search of images for the word worship, or true worship and everything that came up was of people with their hands raised in the air. I'm getting off on a side note, but it just reminds me of that me, me, look at me, attitude that is so very common.

When I heard Bro Geist's message today, I knew that God was speaking to me if not pointing His finger, at my faults and my sin. I have to admit it has been hard for me to per say "get into the Word" since Pastor Jeremiah has left. I study on my own, but I'm dazed and confused during services. Pastor Sargent is a great teacher, but my mind begins to turn him off after he speaks so far above my understanding that I've lost him. I don't know if it is just my preference in the style of preaching or what. When I think on these things though, I'm going about it in the wrong way. I'm being carnal in every sense of the word. If any man of God speaks he does not speak his words, his wisdom, but God's. Every time I tune out Pastor Sargent, I am guilty of tuning God out. I'll miss out on what God has for my life. Not all of Pastor Sargent's messages are lost to me, but they only account for a few.

I read this excerpt from What's On Your Mind? by John Goetsch this morning before services:

[Sometimes I hear people say, "God doesn't speak to my heart any more. Must be the preacher isn't doing his job, because God just doesn't speak to me." My friend, the problem is not with the preacher. The problem is, you didn't obey the last time He spoke. God isn't going to show you new truth until you obey the old truth. If I teach my grandkids to ride their bikes on the proper side of the road and they disobey me and ride wherever they want to, do you think I'm going to let them get behind the wheel of my car?God isn't going to show us the specifics of His Word and His will until we obey Him in the basics. Have you obeyed the last message you heard? Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17]

Bro Geist hit it home when he explained how we are to worship God in the Spirit, meaning we are to worship in our consciousness of God. Our focus should be on God. Not what we think or feel, but what is God trying to teach us? Not all of the lessons God teaches us will be our favorite, yet they are still necessary. Some lessons are ones that can only be taught by a specific man of God. Isn't God able to account for this and use His men where he needs them or isn't he able to give them the words to communicate His will for our lives? For they are only the vessel that God uses to speak to us.

I've been worshiping in the Body(IE just trying to make sure I show up), in the Soul(by using my intellect or reasoning, even at times my emotion or preference.) Me Me Me what do I think, what do I comprehend). When we worship, God requires so much more from us. He requires us to realize that He is God, to realize He is omniscient, and to treat our worship as such.

John 4:23,24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. (24) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

HU Summit Addresses U.S. Marriage Crisis

2009-09-26T12:20:00.000-07:00

HAMPTON — The declining status of marriage and the importance of effective parenting will be explored at a national summit hosted by Hampton University this month. http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-local_humarriage_0918sep18,0,5690246.story

I was watching CNN this morning while I was eating breakfast in the galley. They were running a piece on the Marriage summit at Hampton University that is to take place Sept 29. Over a 100 leaders and prominent people from around the country are meeting to come up with solutions to the decline of marriage in our country.

An index on the state of marriage in the US will be released at the summit. The U.S. Marriage Index uses specific measurement indicators to track the health of American marriages through the past forty years and assess areas of improvement for the future.

http://www.hamptonu.edu/news/091509_10_summit.html

When the students were asked what they expect to learn for these meetings and discussions, they replied that they were searching for a cause as well as a solution for this decline. It is obvious even to the lost that our country in in a decline of morals that affects families and children alike. It is sad but there's only one answer to their questions. God. Why is the percent of marriages declining and why do over 50% of all marriages fail? God is not in it. What is the solution to our problem? God. Seek his wisdom and his guidance. How hard can it be to see something that is staring us all in the face?

Romans 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Siegfried Horn Call

2009-09-20T01:04:00.000-07:00

I got to talking to Krissy tonight about passions. Passion for music, teaching, and running(in Krissy's case). The more I talk about it the more I get excited. Anyways I was up way too late listening to music and I ran upon this video. At first you wonder ok what is this going to be, but man o man you're in for a treat if you wait just a sec. Hope you like it as much as I do. (Well maybe just a little less) It's short and quick so no worrys.

Extended Stay?

2009-09-16T16:27:00.000-07:00

I was searching online for a used car, playing with the numbers and such. Then out of nowhere (LOL), I got this crazy idea. I've decided to catch the game on Oct 24, and I could be back in time for Monday's night of work. Well what if I extended my stay and took M-Th off? I'd get back by no later than Saturday night. I could do the whole football game etc the first weekend. I'd come prepared with quotes for cars already so Monday would be to test drive it and such. Tuesday i could make sure I got all my tags and insurance squared away. Then Wednesday I'd be on the road. The distance is 1681 miles, average speed 60mph, aprox 28hrs, 8hrs a day(NAVY standard), 3-4 days, Wed, Thur,Fri, Sat, I'd be back by Sunday and ready to go back to work on Monday.Plus with this setup I'm given a day cushion in case something happens.

Pros:

Cars are cheaper in Texas.
Less red tape when it comes to getting everything registered and tags. In fact it can be done in a matter of minutes.
I shouldn't need financing, but if so then I have a better chance of financing it in Texas because my bank is out of Texas.

Cons:

Extra Hassle
Driving alone.
A lot of miles to put on a car(well sort of)
What if you break down? (that's the purpose of the time cushion)
Gas (Aprox $300 give or take)

Anyways I value your opinion so let me know what you think.

Does anyone know where this comes from?

2009-09-16T04:48:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard someone say "You better stop, you're speaking words into existence". I've heard this, and I'm trying to figure out where this is coming from. Is there some truth to it or is it just something we do to ourselves philosophically(IE we say things like O my head hurts, my stomach aches, and we make ourselves sick when there was nothing wrong with us in the first place). The person that I'm referring to said it is in the Bible, but I've never seen or heard of it until now. So I wonder if it is just one of those new age ideas that are floating around.

I can understand God being able to speak words into existence, but man is just man. Without God in the mix we are powerless. Anyways the saying doesn't sound right and I was wondering if I am mistaken.

Whatcha Think?

2009-09-16T04:38:00.000-07:00

I read a line in a book that said that it is not the thought, but what we decide to do with that thought that is sin. As simple as this may sound it boggled me a bit, because I have always been taught to think wrong is to do wrong, but at the same time I can see how we are asked to give an answer. Depending on our answer, it will determine whether we sin or not. Clearly I must do some more reseach and find out what God says, but until then I just wanted to see what you think. Let me know if you can point me in the right direction of study.

Now What Am I Going to Do All Night? LOL....

2009-09-14T23:44:00.000-07:00

So the Navy has finally caught up to us when it comes to blocking radio stations. :-( Everyone used to use websites like Slacker.com or AOl.com, or any radio station to just keep the shop from being quiet. So now what do you do from 2Am- 6Am? Man o Man..... Guess i've got to load up my ipod so that I won't go crazy.

Blue 42... Hut..Hut

2009-09-14T10:41:00.000-07:00

K so I have a wild idea. I have a feeling that I'm talking myself into it a bit. Oct 24th there's a football game between Texas Tech and Texas A&M. I want to go home for a weekend, catch the game, go visit Pastor Jeremiah on Sunday, visit family, then high tail it back to WA before 10PM Monday night. I wouldn't even have to take any leave days, just route an out of bounds chit. I ran the idea by my LPO and he said that as long as I left a signed leave chit in case I didn't get back in time he didn't care. So I started checking out prices and everything. Here's the work up.

Ticket home-250

Ticket to game-120

Hotel(Sat)-58-125

Total Trip 500+food, etc..

Points for going:

1. Texas Tech VS Texas A&M(May help in the selection process of colleges in the future, IE watch the marching bands perform)

2. Spend time with mom(she'd go if I did)

3. Visit Pastor Jeremiah and Shannon

4. FUN-after a month or so of stress ;-)

I cold wait till Thanksgiving to go home and then at least I will be going home for the holidays, but the ticket home is about 500, because of the holidays. Plus that game is only A&M and UT. No Texas Tech and No Pastor Jeremiah and Shannon LOL.

As you can see I'm not level headed enough to see if I'm just talking myself into something crazy. Whatcha think?

To the Beat of Another Drum

2009-09-13T21:04:00.000-07:00

Hey does anyone know some great music for running? Anything but William Tell? LOL Let me know if you do Thanks.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend....

2009-09-13T20:45:00.000-07:00

Have you ever listened to those that surround you. Since I am always unsure of myself when it comes to what kind of person I want to be, I'm always listening and watching how others treat one another, their speech, and mannerism. Have you ever listened to someone and wondered "Huh I wonder if I sound that way? Am I focused on self 24/7, Would Christ be ashamed to be associated with me?" Anyways I was thinking, if no one would be able to tell me the truth I hope that my friends could pull me aside and say "Hey, what are you doing? Wake up and smell the coffee ;-) " Anyways I just wanted to let you guys know that if you see something I don't, please let me know. It's easier to see from afar then when you too close to see the real problem.

What brought this to thought? Well i guess you could call the constant "on the prowl " mode that most girls my age tend to be involved with. I guess I'm just thinking about what kind of person I would like to spend the rest of my life with, and what kind of person that I would want to be for my husband and my family.

Ok so maybe I can be a Drama Queen?

2009-09-13T20:32:00.000-07:00

Ok so maybe I'm a Drama Queen from time to time. I fall apart before I realize if I have reason to. I'm usually put together quickly by God's strength. Most of the time people wonder what was I even sweating it for afterwards.

On another note, have you ever had a family member or friend that could just look at you or ask "Are you ok", and you just crumble. This mask that you have been trying to wear just falls off? You're like glass that they see right through. Bro Briney was talking about a day of rest or place of rest. Church is that rest for me, to come as a little girl who just wants her Father to make it all better. I know I don't have to come to church to tell Him what is going on, but sometimes it is the only place that I can just get away.

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. (Psalm 61:1-4)

Just a thought or two.

When the candle burns at both ends....

2009-09-11T16:04:00.000-07:00

When the candle burns at both ends, it's hard to see the end. It's hard to find strength when you feel completely helpless. Sometimes it will get to the point that you feel yourself breaking down, falling to pieces.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong

I find myself in a situation that I'm no case a stranger to. When I was in Boot Camp I traumatized myself. While everyone was focused on missing home or their BF at home, I was worried that the next thing that I put in my mouth would be the death of me. Sounds a bit dramatic, but I came in heavy. No matter what I ate or did I stayed heavy. That and I think the nurse lied when I went to MEPPS(being a hefty woman herself), though I couldn't prove it. Well every PRT(the exercise part) I passed above what was required of me. This part was easy for me, but the weight and the BMI were hell. Every time I was weighed and taped before the PRT to see if I was making progress. Then came the last one. I nearly cried the whole week leading up to the final weigh in, because I knew that if I failed this, if I failed this weigh in that it wouldn't matter if I passed the rest I would still be stuck in boot camp or processed out. Usually by this time no one I mean no one wants to be there any longer than they have to.

Every 6 months I find myself back on that day desperately praying for help. I usually write it off as PRT season, it's bound to happen. This time I've been a little more nervous, because the last few tries I've made it by the skin of my teeth. When I was in Japan I gained and I just can't get it off.(I'm sure stressing doesn't help) What makes matters worse is that there are people that make it their duty to remind me how important this is, that even if I advance that I won't be able to put my crow on until I am in Navy Regs. My LPO specifically, this morning begins to beat the dead horse. I've heard this speech before, several times in fact from him as well as from other concerned people in my life. He'll begin by telling me he appreciates all my hard work and he sees that I'm one to watch in the next few months for up and coming talent. He'll tell me that he sees that I'm mission minded and always pushing forward. Then he goes into the whole reason he has decided to pull me aside for counsel. I feel like an animal caged in a pen being tortured to death, and there's nothing I can do but stand there and take it. They believe that they are helping but in reality it only makes matters worse. This morning I had to stoop to taking a Tylenol PM just to get some sleep, because even though I had worked a 12hr shift(stayed extra to get some well needed training) I still couldn't get to sleep. The whole matter has left me startled and stressing.

The one thing that has given me strength though is that I've been here before. God attended to my needs even when I was lost, how much more is he more likely to do for his child.

New Title

2009-09-10T02:23:00.001-07:00

I ran across this verse the other day in my studies, and it gave me peace.

Music is a friend of labor for it lightens the task by refreshing the nerves and spirit of the worker. ~William Green

2009-09-10T01:37:00.000-07:00

I used The Sound of Music cover, for I know how much you guys love the musical. Anyways I'm two weeks into piano lessons, and I've learned a lot about my playing.

Just because you put in hours of "practice", it doesn't mean the time was well spent.
Just because you read a piece of music doesn't mean you never have to look at it again LOL ( Effects of Marching Band IE memorizing music, steps, turns, and all the above of the people around you)
The stuff you hate to play is usually what you need to play to improve your skill. :-( Go Figure.

Anyways lessons are going well and Alyssa is very patient. Even when it sounds terrible she's very kind. I love music though easy or difficult. I can't wait till the growing pains are less painful. OOO Man o Man you should have heard the first year of playing the saxophone. Our neighbors had personal ear plugs. Think of Lucille Ball playing "Glow Worm" YUCK!! Speaking of Saxophone I'm looking forward to playing again when everything gets a bit calmer. Most people don't know this, but the Saxophone has more to offer than just that Jazzy(singing through your nose sound) that is often contributed to the instrument. Sax also has a more hollow tone similar to a french horn or clarinet if the player only hollows their embouchure.

O by the way if anyone finds any music that is not easy, but not out of reach let me know I'm on the look out for music.

CRAZED AND CONFUSED

2009-09-09T22:49:00.000-07:00

Lot of things are going on these days. Advancement exam is Sept 17 and PRT starts Sept 28. I'm recently adjusting to crazy hours (2200-0600). I also have taken on piano lessons, plus all the normal responsibilities (IE church services, daily bible study etc...). I've got a ton of books on the list that I really want to get to read. I know I'm whining, but with everything going I've been frazzled, just ready to hand in the towel. I know I know why didn't you study while you were in Japan, well that's easier said than done. I left Japan working straight and got back to everything. I have been reading pubs all day all night long. BORING. WHY DO I HAVE TO BE AN AT(Avionic Technician) Who in their right mind likes electronics? Can you say Trecki or World of Warcraft? It's everything I can do to keep the pieces together. Tonight I almost had a nervous breakdown, and for what? The Navy? HAHAHAH STUPID!. I think what gets to ya is the fact no one wants to be a 5yr airman. I've missed every time by only a few points it's ridiculous. It would be different if we were getting tested on our job, but most of the information is irrelevant. Not to mention PRT time is always hectic trying to make it under the wire. The physical part is easy, I'm just so close to borderline when it comes to the weight. When i finally get out of the Navy I can see myself getting huge just because of all the hassle and grief I've been given while in the service. Anyways I tell you all this to state this one fact. When everything seems to be crashing down, only God is strong enough to hold up the walls.

I think I'm going to rest this last week. My brain is in shambles and it just doesn't seem like I can stuff much more into my brain. I think I'm just going to spend the week in prayer, for wisdom, strength, and peace that no matter the out come I did my best.

Another Background

2009-09-09T01:16:00.000-07:00

What about this? I know it's a little dark but at least you can read the text.

New Background

2009-09-05T23:54:00.000-07:00

Well I like it, but it looks a little busy with words on top. Must look for another one soon

:-( Bummer

2009-08-04T05:37:00.000-07:00

So today Crystal and I had a girl's day. We went all over Okinawa we even finished the day with an AWESOME Pedicure. It was fantastic, I've never had one like it before. I picked out a custom design for my toes, and Crystal brought a swimsuit in so that the girl could make her toes match her swimsuit. The designs were hand painted onto our nails. In the states they usually just put a stencil on them or put already painted fake nails on, Ewe. After a day of fun we met everyone for dinner at Goen ( the yakiniku place). This is the restaurant were the floor is sunken in and you are bare foot everywhere you go. Guess what happened? I accidently rubbed my nails against the table getting up to get a drink. Man o man I had only had them about an hour or so. I was so mad. I told Crystal and she said that if I wasn't leaving in the morning that we'd go get them fixed tomorrow. Well we were on our way out the restaurant and i was thinking man if my plane was just delayed I could go get my nails fixed. Just at that moment I ran into a guy that I work with and i asked him if we were still leaving in the morning. Come to find out my flight was delayed. Yea ( Well sort of). I just pray I get home before my mom comes into town. The census says there's a typhoon coming this way. I pray we get out before the base is shut down.

Here are what my nails looked like before I destroyed them.

Pictures of the gang at Goyen (yakiniku)

Crystal and Danny

Jeff had WAY TOO MUCH FOOD and had to be rolled away.

Group photo (looks like a team photo from basketball)

Benard (AKA The Camera man) I'm going to miss you Benard!

Poem

2009-07-19T12:35:00.000-07:00

"For every hill I've had to climb, for every stone that bruised my feet, for all the blood and sweat and grime, for blinding storms and burning heat, my heart sings but a grateful song -- These were the things that made me strong!

"For all the heartaches and the tears, for all the anguish and the pain, for gloomy days and fruitless years, and for the hopes that lived in vain, I do give thanks, for now I know -- These were the things that helped me grow!"

Anonomous

Top Secret Drum Corps

2009-07-17T13:14:00.000-07:00

Head in the Clouds and other random thoughts

2009-07-13T11:10:00.000-07:00

Today I was catching a plane. It was my first time to recover a plane on my own. In the past I have always watched near by. Today was all me, good or bad it it was just me. Right before a plane comes in we begin by searching for it among the clouds. Although we can guesstimate where it is coming from, we are not certain until we see it coming in the sky. We just know it's coming and to be on the lookout. Well today I was staring at the clouds. I'm looking left and right, but instead of looking for a plane my mind was on this verse. Mark 13:26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. No one questioned why we are staring at the sky today, but what if we walked around everyday periodically looking to the clouds? How often do we get so busy in the daily grind of life, that our heads begin to look down. We are focused on the things of this world, instead of the things of above. Matt 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Are you on the lookout?

P.S. I had a blast!! Such a rush to have a plane coming at you, with the gusts of the propellers pressing against you. The plane was coming towards me so fast that I had to quickly tell them to put on the brakes. Not too bad though right on spot. I was surprised that I remembered the hand signals in the heat of the moment considering that fact I don't feel comfortable directing a multimillion dollar airplane. Not to mention all the lives on board that are at stake. I'm probably nuking this one ;-)

Lessons Learned

2009-07-10T00:18:00.000-07:00

One day I was in the BX and I saw a book that reminded me of my friend Sherri, "The Five Love Languages - Singles Edition" by Gary Chapman. Sherri blogged about the book's predecessor not too long ago. I'm glad I picked the book up. I learned a lot about my family, my friends, and myself.

I got to talking to my mom about the topic of what makes you feel loved and I found out that my mom's primary love language is words of affirmation and acts of service. This explains a lot why we were always clashing when I was growing up. She loved me the best way she knew how. She provided for me and she always tried to encourage me in school and band etc... Yet I remember as a child thinking yea my mom takes care of me, but does she really love me? See my primary love languages are touch and quality time. My mom was always busy, at times I just wanted her to be there. In fact my favorite times with my mom were just that, when it was just me and her talking things over. I used to beg her to sing to me. Even now when I go home or we go on vacation together, she always has a million things to do. I love doing things with her, but sometimes I just want to be there with her. I remember the first Christmas I went home. I actually made her cry on accident because she thought I wasn't having a great time. I was having a great time, but by just relaxing with my family. I don't think people understand those that are in the military get leave sometimes they just want to chill out, to enjoy the short time they have with their family because before they know it, it's time to go back to work. This last year we did better and I think she understood that I just wanted to spend time with her. Everything is a two way street. Now that I know a bit about my mom, I'm looking for ways to show her that I love her, that I care.

How many times do we write people off when we don't understand where they are coming from?

Excerpt from the book:

It seams as if the more technology we get, the more friends we have. The more we network of the Internet, the more we communicate over long distances, and the more we are able to multi-task at everything--the bigger our circles become. If we're not careful, this might result in a growing number of acquaintances, and a decreasing number of real, authentic friendships.

This piece really hit home, because it has been a theme in many conversations with some of my closest friends. How many friends do you have? Can you call them truly your friend or just an acquaintance? I tend to use the word friend lightly even though there are only a few that I can count on.

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 27:10 Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in thy day of thy calamity (Webster- a state of deep distress or misery caused by major misfortune or loss): for better is a neighbor that is near than a brother far off.

I guess I've been flirting with this one.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what friendship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?(15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (18)And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

I've always thought this verse pertained solely to marriage, not being unequally yoked. At the same time I thought I understood the concept of being separate, IE not hanging out in bars drinking, not doing the things you used to do before you got saved, listening to Godly music, doing what is right etc.... I didn't think there was any harm in being friends, to talk to them from time to time. If you look at the true meaning for friendship though there's no way that you can have both.(Matt 6:24) Course you are obligated to tell them the truth(Gospel), but beyond that there is only strife when your old friend doesn't understand your beliefs. When they are always in a debate with you trying to trip you up. Is that a true friendship? Nope.

When Stubbornness is a Blessing...

2009-06-29T06:23:00.000-07:00

We are about half way through this deployment. One thing that often goes hand in hand with the military is alcohol, especially on deployment. It would be so easy to slip up and just have a drink. From the get go I have been asked to drink with the guys. One time they wanted me to just hold a beer and take a picture. Are you kidding me? They couldn't understand why I couldn't even hold a beer. Anyways tonight the recovery crew was on the balcony. As I was going into my room they asked me to come drink a beer with them. "Na man, you know I don't drink" Then they went in about why do you want to be a party pooper etc... What I have found out lately, that the more time goes by the reason I don't drink with them has been more or less my stubbornness. If I was to slip up now, that's all they would have to talk about. Hey you should have see Toney... Guess what Toney did last night.... Even though it would be a mistake, a fault in my character, they would never let it down the whole deployment. My original reason for not drinking was because of what the Bible says, but now it's because I don't want my testimony to be smeared. I don't want these guys to say that I'm a phony so how can I trust what she says about the Bible. Even though I don't know these guys very much, right now I feel like I am building a reputation, a reputation for doing the right thing for standing for God's Word. I know at times I will make mistakes, but I pray that God will keep me from temptation.

But Lord do I have to? :{

2009-06-28T05:57:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wanted something, maybe even prayed about it, but you weren't completely willing to do the work that went with the request? Well this is what happened to me. The last few weeks I've been praying for motivation to be consistent with daily exercise. I need to exercise, but it's not my idea of fun. I've been going to the gym, but if I was to be honest with myself I would have to say that I have a hard time pushing myself. Oddly enough though I do better when I'm in a group or when I exercise with another person. Well one way or the other God always answers prayers. He's answered mine about being more motivated, but not in the way I had hoped for. Surely he would have just changed my stubbornness, but nope. Guess what he did? Well Yesterday(Saturday) the ATs decided to switch the launch crew with the recovery crew. Well before I even showed up the next day for the night shift AZ1(The Command Fitness Leader) came to me and said that he wanted me to meet him at the gym M,T,TH,F. I was thinking uh really? Man.... Lord knows I can't say No to this guy because I can't disobey a direct order. I know that most people wouldn't take it that far, but I know this guy he would. Plus this is the guy that measures you and I can just see him trying to get his one way or the other. "Oh so you don't want to PT when I try to help you? Ok looks like that is a 45 instead of 35", which could could fail me without question. I cheerfully said of course, grinning all the way, but in the back of my head I was thinking but do I have to? I was so whining, but but Lord. Grin and bear it ;-) Almost like being forced to eat vegetables when you are a child. It may not taste good, but it's good for ya. God has a sense of humor that cracks me up, but underneath it all I'm reminded daily that God cares for us.

New found favorites

2009-06-25T07:23:00.000-07:00

Words could not describe how much I detest tupperware of all brands. Yes it's great for storage, but who wants to deal with the mess of spaghetti stained dishes and the really cheap ones that melt in the microwave. Either way you look at it how many times do you find yourself buying new stuff because the old wears and tears too easily. Guess what I found. Since I've been cooking lately, I've found myself in need of food storage containers. I searched the BX looking for something that would work. This is what I found. Rubbermaid's premier series.

What caught my eye about this one is that it was built pretty sturdy. I checked the label and it read that the piece was also microwavable. Guess what it was suppose to be stain resistant. Anyways I have put this piece to the test and it does everything it promises to do. I've put it through the worst torture. Spaghetti, I even accidentally caramelized some brown sugar in the bottom and it came right out with hardly any effort to clean the dish. So I think I've found a new favorite. O did I tell you the lids are designed so that you can secure it to the bottom or stack easily?

Time to go Shopping

2009-06-21T07:38:00.000-07:00

Well it's time to go Shopping. Tonight after church I went to the commissary to get a few things and just as I got out of the van RIP! The only skirt that I have with me gets caught on a handle rips. I really like this skirt too. I got it from Sharon right before I left for deployment. I had two other black skirts, but one of them got a burn hole in it the last SPG shindig, and the other one I just don't like that much. It's simple enough I just think it's too thin, which of course makes me conscious. I guess I could get a slip and it would be okay, but since it's at home I'm still out of luck. So what now? Time to go Shopping. I know this event sounds like a day of fun to all you guys, but it's like pulling teeth for me. I haven't got a clue when it comes to shopping for clothes for me. Unless it includes a pair of semi tight pants, a pair of docks and a polo shirt. Help :-) Please. I'm not sure if I can find much in Okinawa, but there's always online. Any ideas? Maybe some insight about women's clothes. lol Shopping 101, anyone?

Left Overs Galore

2009-06-21T06:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday before going to the beach it was mentioned that we might have a bbq afterwards. I decided to pull out some meat to thaw while we were at the beach. Usually these things everyone just brings what they have in their fridge and we put it out on the grill. Well come to find out there was plenty already, so I got stuck with a bit of meat that I just had in the fridge. Today after church I decide to cook them all instead of refreezing them. I guess I'm finicky when it comes to thawing and refreezing meat, plus I couldn't leave it much longer in the fridge without it going bad. So what did I make? I grilled some fish and steaks on the george foreman grill, and I made spaghetti with tortellini noodles. In an hour I had enough food for several meals. I should have took pictures, but I forgot. Maybe next time. Anyways I just wanted to blog about this, because I have been cooking up a storm lately. I've forgotten how much I like to cook. I've forgotten how much I love the aroma of food cooking in the spices. another main reason I'm cooking is because I can't do greasy foods in the heat. Things like fast food and fried foods tear me up in the summer heat. I'm also trying new things. For instance I've never cooked much fish. I grilled some salmon a few days ago, and it was amazing. I've never been much one for grilled salmon. I always thought it was dry. Not this time. I made Tilapia tonight. I had four pieces. After cooking the first two I realized that they needed lemon juice or something to soak in a bit and take the ocean taste from them. I didn't have lemon juice but I found lime juice so I decided to sprinkle some on the next two. They turned out much better than the first two. I have been on a mission to try new things. I've got acorn squash and goya (bitter melon-an Okinawan fruit) that I'm going to try-out when I get a chance to cook them. I was going to try the goya today, but most of the recipes I see usually cooks it with pork. So got to go to the grocery store. Cooking has so many benefits. I can bring my lunch to work. There's only a small cafe near the hangar. The food has less fat content and it's fresher. Plus once again I can easily cut out the grease. Oh and none the least I have so much fun cooking. Everyone is always saying that I can come over and cook for them. I haven't cooked in so long I have been a bit shy about cooking for others. I think when I get back although I might take them up on their offer. We're family right so if you cooking is not to par there's always another time. How else can you get better but by practice? Plus one thing I want to be able to do is cook. I wouldn't want my family to have to scrounge through the cupboards or constantly eat-out because I can't cook. Happy cooking! ;-)

Fun in the Sun

2009-06-20T08:01:00.000-07:00

I hope you like the new layout. I picked it in regard to today's events. The past few days have marked the start of the rainy season, but today was gorgeous. Since our nose has been repaired and installed, we began work this morning after a few days waiting for parts. First thing on the agenda; plane wash, not your typical wash as it was. Usually it is 7-8 of the lowest in rank that make up the wash crew, but today we had at least 20 plus several aircrew. Course aircrew usually don't add up to much, but a couple of them fit right in. Anyways we were done super quick with more hands. As soon as we were done, I just knew we were going to drag the plane out of the barn and finish doing some more maintenance before Monday's flight. Guess what happened? We were given the go ahead to pack up and plans were made to hit the beach. Yea! So we packed up and headed for the beach. I went snorkeling along the reef. I had a blast, but man O man did my legs hurt. I must have swam forever before I realized I needed to leave something for the way back. I turned back because I was starting to get cramps. By the time I was near the shore I couldn't move my legs I just swam with my arms. I want to go again but farther north or maybe try out the scuba diving. You can get certified for cheap as well as get your gear or rent it. I think if I was here longer I'd definitely give it a shot. Anyways fun in the sun. Funny tidbit, I've got the craziest farmer's tan it's ridiculous.

Act of God

2009-06-20T07:54:00.000-07:00

Not sure if I have told everyone, but Sunday(6-14) our plane flew through a storm. Lightning hit the propeller and exited the flap. There was also hail damage to the nose of the plane leaving holes the size of tennis balls and golf balls. They were able to land the plane safe, but it was just so spontaneous.

Tag that Cranial!

2009-06-20T07:18:00.000-07:00

Funny as it sounds this is my task. I have a new cranial that hasn't been worn and it needs to be christened ;-) it needs to be given a personal touch but what to put on it? Since I have many creative friends I decided to see what you think. On the back there usually is a square of white reflective tape. I can cut a shape out and then put it on the cranial, I can draw on the back(on top of the reflective tape) with colored permanent markers, or I can find colored tape(either reflective or not) and place it on top and cut the shape I want on top. the possibilities are endless. Comment and let me know what you think. I look forward to hearing from you guys.

Matthew 18:2-4 Faith of a Child

2009-06-13T05:17:00.000-07:00

~And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, (3) And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (4) Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.~

I think children can be so precious out of the blue. Friday night was the GI Single's fellowship at church. Bro. Cole was picking a few of us up from base. he brought his daughter with him, who couldn't have been more than 6 or 7. Bro. Cole had some music playing on the radio. Alison began to sing at the top of her lungs. It was so precious. Just hearing her sing her heart out made me smile from within.

Here are a few of the songs she was singing.

"Remind Me, Dear Lord" by Alison Krauss and The Cox Family

The things that I love
I hold dear to my heart
They are borrowed and
Not mine at all
Jesus only let me use them
To brighten my life
So remind me, remind me dear Lord

Roll back the curtain of memory now and then
Show me where you brought me from and
Where i could have been
Just remember I'm a human and human's forget
So remind me, remind me dear Lord

Nothing good have i done
To deserve God's own Son
I'm not worthy of the scars
In His hands
Yet he chose the road to Calvary
To die in my stead
Why He loved me i can't understand

Roll back the curtain of memory now and then
Show me where you brought me from and
Where i could have been
Just remember I'm a human and human's forget
So remind me, remind me dear Lord

Just remember I'm a human and human's forget
So remind me, remind me dear Lord

"I Know Who Holds Tomorrow" by Alison Krauss and The Cox Family

I don't know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day;
I don't borrow from it's sunshine,
For it's skies may turn to gray.
I don't worry o'er the future, For I know what Jesus said;
And today I'll walk beside Him, For He knows what lies ahead

(chorus)
Many things about tomorrow I don't seem to understand;
But I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand

Ev'ry step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb; ev'ry burden's getting lighter,
Ev'ry cloud is silver-lined.
There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eye;
At the ending of the rainbow, Where the mountains touch the sky.

(chorus)

"I'd Rather Have Jesus" by Alison Krauss and The Cox Family

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold,
I'd rather be His than have riches untold;
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands,
I'd rather be led by his nail-pierced hands.

Than to be a king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin's dread sway
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

--- Fiddle - Guitar Instrumental ---

I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause,
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame,
I'd rather be true to His holy name.

Than to be a king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin's dread sway
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

Extreme Sports

2009-06-09T06:14:00.000-07:00

It has been a long time since the last time I have written anything, but the last few days have been Blog Worthy. Well first of all Monday I was invited to a lady from church's house to eat lunch. We got to talking about the things to do around the area, and Mrs. Utz had said she found a park the other day. We all decided to go take a walk in the park. I had no idea. The Japanese do things big. Look at the picture up top. Not your usual slide in the park. In order to get down this thing you had to hang straight down off the edge then slide down. There's no sitting down on the slide until you drop a few feet. I had a blast but here is the casualty picture from this slide.

It was around 1 o'clock, and I was wearing long shorts. Hot plastic, skin, and fast speeds don't mix. Especially when it's mixed with a klutz like me. Who gets injured on a slide. It was fun though :) There was another one made of tiny rollers. The Japanese slide down it on their feet, but since we're not as coordinated so we went down on a baking pan. We could have went down on our butts, but the rollers tend to pinch as you go down. Poor Mrs. Gilbert just turned 30, so me and Mrs. Utz's son egged her on. She's worse than me on the roller slide she went flying face first and was able to brace herself on her hands and knees. The thing with the slides are that there's no brake. ;-)hahah so you have to use your feet to slow the momentum. She even took a chunk out of her shoe. The park also consisted of tall towers overlooking the city. I forgot to bring my camera, so it's a must before I go back home. It was amazing to see that there wasn't any graffiti or trash like you might see in an American public park. It wasn't til I seen a sign that said you could get 5 year imprisonment for doing so. Oooo the Japanese are very strict with their laws.

Then today (Tuesday 6-9) A bunch of us from work went to Forest Adventure Park since we had the day off. Forest Adventure Park sounds like a corny excuse for amusement, but it turned out to be loads of fun. We zip lined through the forest. It was hilarious to see our MO(Maintenance Officer) and Chief eat dirt as we were going through the obstacle course. Here are some pictures and such of the fun.

Here's us getting our harnesses on.

Here's Big Ro(Romero). There are two Romeros in the the shop. Believe it or not he was the most nervous out of the bunch, but he stuck it out like a trooper. He kept cracking jokes about if he was able to make the weight limit.

Oh No! Don't loose the camera!

There was a drink station about half way through the park. The guys dug out handfuls of ice and rubbed them on their heads. It was hot out there. I didn't really realize it til we were almost towards the end.

This is me doing the Tarzan swing. You hook up on this rope and swing. When you get to the net you have to catch it in order to climb to the next obstacle.

Big Ro. acting silly.

The crew that stayed for a second go around. Everyone else was tired.

These rings kicked my butt. The objective was to step in each ring and make it across. All well and done, but what do you do when your foot gets stuck in a ring? lol Well after getting all tangled up I finally decided to lean back in my safety harness and then while suspended in the air take my shoe off so that I could get my foot out of the ring. I made it across, but not without a little bit of rope burn lol.

Looks like it hurts but it doesn't. Can you believe I also hit the inside of my leg with a Racquetball racket a couple of days ago? I have a bruise imprinted there. Crazy Klutz ;-)

Zip line

Chief Spins Out

Tarzan Swing

We came home sweaty and dirty, but we all had a blast.

iPhone Goes Through Triple Bypass Twice in One Day!!

2009-05-15T20:45:00.001-07:00

Look Out Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce!!!( the guys that invented the microchip) There's a new mad scientist in town!

This is my phone about 2:00 this afternoon.

Poor phone has been through it all. Abused and neglected, I'm really bad on phones. I kidd with a guy in the shop that this is my training iPhone. If you know anything about the iPhone it is considered to be a fragile computer that takes lots of care to protect it. I've only had my phone since January and it has been a real trooper.

Today I was in the shop, and I had my phone in my jacket pocket. I was sitting in a chair. I turned just right and it slipped out my pocket then hit the floor. It fell about 2 ft to the ground. The screen goes semi-black with lines going across it. Sometimes you are able to turn it off then back on like nothing happened. Not so much.

I beg my personal technician aka AT3 Majestic to fix it. ( He's an I-level tech. Plus, he fixed it the last time that I dropped my phone and thought I had killed it.) That time it was only a contact that was out of place he didn't have to take it completely apart. Good thing he spends his time reading up on everything iPhone. Yea for computer geeks! So there's this website called http://www.ifixit.com/ . He takes the phone apart and re-seats the connectors. :-) He should be good at that, because that's what we do as ATs. We take the box out and re-seat the connectors (unplug it and then plug it back in). This time honored technique fixes 70% of our grips. He does this and walla! It's working! Yea!!

Later today I must have looked at it wrong cause the "Screen of Death" showed it's head. OK so what do I do now? I'm no longer at the shop to beg AT3 to fix my phone. The tools we used before to fix it was in the shop, IE jewelers. So now what? Well being the resourceful person I am, I decide to get a eyeglass repair kit and super glue from the NEX. I was hoping that the screwdriver in the eyeglass kit would fit the screws at the bottom of the phone that hold it together. Not so much. Now what? So i thought and thought, thinking that all was lost till tomorrow where i could get to a jewelers that would fit. WAIT!!! I've got tools. I know right why would I need tools in the barracks? i used to live by myself, so I always wanted tools in my house in case a pipe busted, I needed to hang a picture, or I needed to change a tire. I used to keep this toolbox in the trunk of my car, but these days I store it behind the recliner in my room. Out of site out of mind. Well guess what I have? A jewelers set! (by the way jewelers are tiny screwdrivers) Not only did they fit but they worked better than the ones in the shop.

PTL nothing was seriously wrong with the phone. I cracked it open and realized one of the microchips that AT3 had re-seated was loose and had came apart, which would explain why the video was disrupted. I reconnect the connector and Walla! it works again. Oh yeah the super glue is so that water and such doesn't get in the crevices of the phone. We've cracked it open a few times :-). Poor phone I'm surprised it hasn't completely died on me yet.

2 Peter 1:19

2009-05-13T21:58:00.000-07:00

2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.

This verse reminds me of a song that a group used to sing in my church.

Daystar(Shine Down on Me)-Gaither Vocal Band

Lily of the Valley, let your sweet aroma fill my life
Rose of Sharon show me how to grow in beauty in God's sight
Fairest of ten thousand make me a reflection of your light
Daystar shine down on me let your love shine through me in the night.

Lead me Lord, I'll follow. Anywhere you open up the door
Let your Word speak to me, show me what I've never seen before.
Lord I want to be your witness, you can take what's wrong and make it right
Daystar shine down on me, let your love shine through me in the night.

Lord I've seen a world that's dying, wounded by the master of deceit
Groping in the darkness, haunted by the years of past defeat
But when I see you standing near me, shining with compassion in you eyes
I pray Jesus shine down on me, let your love shone through me in the night

Lead me Lord I'll follow, anywhere you open up the door
Let you Word speak to me, show me what I've never seen before
Lord I want to be you witness, you can take what's wrong and make it right
Daystar shine down on me, let your love shine through me in the night.

NOTE: i was looking for a version of this song to put on my phone, if you search for the song you'll get anything from country to reggae :) Go figure.

"It is Written"

2009-05-13T20:04:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to blog lately just to share what God has been doing in my life. The past couple of weeks I have been in a state of waiting. Waiting to leave, waiting to go out on det. Maybe even before the last two weeks, I've been in this state of waiting. Everything has been packed and I've been in limbo.

Over the course of a few weeks I have become sick. Spiritually sick, mentally sick, it has even gone so far as to make me physically sick. I've been having anxiety attacks and just feeling ill all around.

Last Tuesday, during our weekly devotions, it had been laid upon Carolyn's heart to turn to Matthew 3:11-4:11.Matthew chapter 4 is where Satan tries to tempt Jesus. Time and time again Jesus responds with "It is written". Today I was suppose to catch a ride with Bro. Jeff, but he got caught up at work (That's the Navy for ya). Since I couldn't get a hold of anyone before church, I decided to dig into the Bible. One of the devotionals that I am currently in right now brought me back to this passage in Matthew Chapter 4, verse 4 to be specific.

Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Jesus is quoting scripture from Deuteronomy.

Deuteronomy 8:3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.

"It is written", I got to thinking how did he know it was written. Duh he was the Word. No I mean how did he know? He knew that "It was written", because he KNEW the scriptures. He didn't just read them, but he lived and breathed them daily. He didn't twist the meaning or paraphrase them, he quoted word for word.

In a conversation not too long ago I was asked how is your devotions going? What about your prayer life? I was kind of cocky. I told this friend "Well obviously it's not up to par, if I find myself spiritually sick." I wasn't trying to lash out, but this was the reality of the situation. It had gotten to the point I was physically sick to my stomach.

Joshua 1:8 says " This book of the Law shall not depart from thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and the thou shalt have good success."

Bro. Giest preached a sermon not too long ago about getting a daily's worth of bread, that when we only study God's Word on Sundays and Wednesdays, we are starving ourselves. We become spiritually malnourished. I do not remember all of the points of the sermon for I was still in and out of it.

Ephesians 6:17 "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" God's word serves as our weapon of defense. It also is able to pierce.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God, is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

God's Word is living and breathing. It is what gives us life.

I'm not completely back to normal, but in time God will continue to mold me into his perfect will.

Hebrews 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Succour-to help or relieve (http://www.dicitonary.com/)

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Notebook of Accountability

2009-05-12T21:35:00.000-07:00

In the time that I have been waiting to leave out on det., my mind and my hands have been idle.

Ecclesiastes 10:18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

I am a firm believer that when a person is slothful or idle, that they begin to rot. They leave themselves up for grabs and they are defenseless against Satan's tactics.

In an effort to remedy the rut that I have been in I have decided to start recording things in a notebook. I know I know, you're probably thinking that it sounds kind of corny, but studies even show that most people who are successful in an exercise or nutrition plan usually keep track of their efforts.

I started it yesterday, and it contains information about all kinds of things ranging from bible study to pieces of music or scales that I am practicing on piano. Even in the Navy we use such trackers to see where we are are and where we can improve.

Am I nuking this? :-)

My Shop :-)

2009-05-08T21:00:00.001-07:00

A Mum in Texas = A Homecoming Mum

2009-04-30T20:06:00.000-07:00

Yes a mum is an English mother, silence( mum's the word), and a flower.

BUT these are of a different breed.

For the whole picture.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4xH247P3DM8/SNWyKNwvv5I/AAAAAAAAAdw/xzIJQhiLSRw/s1600-h/logo+mum+full.jpg

The guys wear shorter ones called garters. They are usually made from a garter belt and worn on the arm.

Each mum is different and customized to fit the wearer with trinkets like football players, cheer megaphones, the comedy/tragedy mask for drama students, and musical notes or instruments for those students that are in choir or band.

Here is a better description of the homecoming mum and it's origin.

http://www.theartfulcrafter.com/homecoming_mums.html

Crazy enough, some mums are added together over the years that a person is in high school making huge homecoming mums that have to be hung over the neck. :-0

Senior homecoming mums are usually silver in color.

There has even been a spin on baby shower mums, that have pacifiers, bottles, rattles, or diapers attached.

The Love of a Father

2009-04-29T16:38:00.001-07:00

It's amazing how much God loves us. He shows us in many different ways. Sometimes his love is gentle and sometimes he yanks us back as a father would do when his child is about to run into the street. I was reminded of one such incident today.

I was at the hospital today taking care of some things and I came across this guy whose arm was tatted with a pentacle. The words pagan and blessed be were also tatted around the pentacle. I know, you're thinking how does this tattoo remind you of Gods love.

Well I was saved at the age of thirteen. In my later teenage days and early adulthood I went through a period of complete rebellion. During this period you couldn't tell me anything. If you told me the sky was blue I'd argue with you. I was a mess. The Holy Spirit continually tried to convict me, but I had got to the point that I had ignored him for so long that I no longer heard his voice.

During this period, I had a very curious mind. I knew that paganism was hogwash, but I thought what harm can come from reading about it's orgin and history. I even had books on how spells worked and the foundation of Wiccan beliefs. No one knew I had them cause I hid them from everyone.

One night out of the blue I woke up in front of a huge bonfire outside and I was throwing the Wicca books into the fire. Although I was throwing everything into the fire like a plague, I felt like I was watching the event outside myself.

To this day I don't know what happened. The only thing that I can testify is that God yanked me up. Cause from then in I would not touch anything that had to do with the Wiccan religion.

This was actually the turning point from this period of rebellion. It wasn't much longer that I surrendered to God's direction and will for my life..

Airmen Devices

2009-04-25T22:31:00.001-07:00

The things you do to make it work. :) Can you guess what they are?

Image 1

Image 2

Mums the Word

2009-04-25T22:29:00.001-07:00

I'm curious. Who knows what a mum is? Comment and I will let you know once everyone has their consensus in. Great one for Shannon's luncheon.

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

2009-04-25T21:22:00.000-07:00

When I stop to think of all the blessings God has bestowed upon me I am blown away. I owe so much to my Father. He is merciful and great. He shows me daily how much he loves me. He gives me peace throughout the day and keeps me near.

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth thee.

1 Chronicles 16:34 Oh give thanks unto the LORD for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

I haven't really had time to process everything that has been going on lately. Today I had ample time to dwell on the events of the past few weeks. I was in a middle of a plane wash and since this wasn't my first rodeo I had my phone stuffed in my pocket with headphones on listening to the music that I got from my SPS Kali. I was in my own little world. The music was so relaxing. And GUESS WHAT! I can put it on shuffle and never get tired of hearing the same song over and over, `cause there's three CDs per collection of hymns by Eric Wise. That's just the first set that I have downloaded onto my phone. :) Got to get around to getting the other on phone as well. They are in the church bookstore Reflections by Eric Wise. Worth a look. I also got Pilgrim's Progress which will come in handy when Pastor Sargent decides to drill us on it :) Thanks so much Kali. Also I was syked about the book that Mrs. Hower got me "A Woman After God's Own Heart" by Elizabeth George and the Lavender basket of goodies the Rawls got me. I dung into the tea today, was awesome. You'll have to see my blog post "Airmen Devices". I think I'm going to put the bag of Lavender in my pack so that all my clothes will smell like the lavender fields.

Anyways I was deep in thought, and I started to think of everything that God has done for me. He's saved my soul when I was but filthy rags. God has loved me when I was unlovable. He's blessed me with a great church family that cares for me. He's been patient when I am stubborn and hard headed. He has held my hand as I drug him through the mud. He's pulled me to my feet and stood me back up again. He's given me peace about Djibouti, for I know he is with me withersoever I go (Joshua 1:9).He's given me more than I could ever ask for and he continues to pour out his blessings.

Small Pox Beware

2009-04-25T20:04:00.000-07:00

This is my arm rotting off. Just kidding. But it ITCHES, and I can't touch it. :( Poor children get these bumps all over their little bodies when they get chicken pox. I think I'm about day 7. Guess I should have asked what I was getting. It looked like a tat cause they stabbed you about 10 times or so with a needle, but guess the needle was coated in something. Rumor has it that if it festers like the picture then the vaccine took. So even though i drives me nuts I should be thankful that it is taking that it protects me from getting it later. Pictures like this breaks my heart. Poor baby girl. Bless her heart.

It gives me chills to think of these festers all over the body. It is well known that infectious diseases like smallpox have been used as biological weapons. Seems pretty affective.

By the Book

2009-04-21T22:49:00.000-07:00

I've wrestled with how I would blog about this subject without butchering it. God has used many avenues to teach me the things he wants me to learn. One tool that God has used often has been the Navy. There are the obvious lessons like following orders, and keeping your nose clean. One principle that is harped on no matter what part of the Navy you are in is this "Follow the Pub". Sayings like "When in doubt follow the Pub, What does the Pub say, or By the book Maintenance" are common. This principle was very clear this Saturday.
As I look back on Saturday it is obvious what mistakes were made, by myself and all that were involved.

First of all the guy that was in charge of heading this task was still drunk from the night before. We were tasked with hanging a long wire antenna from the top of the tail to the front of the aircraft. Here's a picture to kind of get a picture in your head.

Everything so far is good. We get all the supplies and tools. We check out harnesses and lanyards for the manlift (bucket truck). Everything was set. Stewart (hung over guy) checked the pub, looked over everything and we were ready to go. He maneuvered the basket perfectly into position. I assisted Stewart in the man lift passing him tools while he hung over the basket to loosen the cotter pin and nut, and by climbing over him to secure the tension take up to the mast. I think about it now and I think, WOW how could you be hundreds of feet up in a wobbly contraption with someone who isn't even sober. Wait! plus you are hanging over the side like a monkey. Smart REAL Smart. Anyways we hung the wire at the top then moved the manlift to the side wing and did the same there. Stewart gives the thumbs up to measure the antenna, cut it, and secure the bottom piece to the side of the aircraft. Once this was done then we were suppose to go back up there and put tension on the wire from the top and the side wing.

Here's where the Pub comes in play. The pub says that you are not suppose to secure the side wing till the antenna has been secured at the bottom first, because if you do not then there is too much tension on the antenna to properly secure the wire to the aircraft. Well course "Billy Bob" as Stewart is nicknamed in the shop said that it would be too much trouble and that it was a pain in the butt to do it by the book. The line was cut, then it came time to fit the antenna into the chuck jaw. Once it is in far enough, the chuck jaw grips around the antenna and doesn't let it go. Guess what. It's too short. Instead of checking the pub for maybe a step they tried to use there brute strength to get it to fit. The antenna did go in and stayed, but it did not go in all the way because of the tension. Stewart looked at it and said good to go. So we both got back into the manlift to put the tension on to the antenna. We go to the top and put tension on. Then we go to the side wing and are in the process of putting tension on the line, when a light bulb came on and I thought maybe those guys on the bottom holding that wire in should have their goggles on cause last time AT2 Amaguin made sure our goggles were on before he put tension on the line. Just in the moment the long wire flies out of the guys at the bottom's hands and almost hit us while we are in the manlift above the aircraft. My life flashes before my eyes LOL. So we get down of the man lift and go looking for all the washers and nuts that flew across the flight line looking for FOD (Foreign Object Debris).

We find everything and begin to hang this dog leg again. I stayed on the ground this time. AT3 Majestic and I started searching through the pub because something wasn't right. There it was in black and white. We had skipped a step. Realizing this we tried to tell Billy Bob what the pub said but he wouldn't hear it. He "knew" what he was doing. So he did the same thing that we had done at the beginning.

Insanity- Doing the same thing over and over expecting to get a different result.

10 hours later, we were no where closer than when we had started. Every guy in our shop had tried to shove this antenna into the chuck jaw. This was not something that you could just will into place. New parts had to be ordered the whole nine yards for the next day when we would again see if we could hang the dog leg.

I tell you all this, because we have the Pub of pubs. We have God's Word, yet how many times do we go about life not consulting God about every aspect in our life. Our actions rob us of the peace that comes from knowing God's will. The answers we are looking for are right here before us, but we think "oh I've got this","No need to check the pub", yet we spend time doing everything the wrong way or at the wrong time, costing us hours, days, sometimes years of wasted energy. Have you ever took a step back and said wait maybe I'm missing something, maybe I skipped a step? We should always consult God in everything we do. Not because it is something we should do, but because when we don't consult God and His Word, we are walking around in circles too stubborn to ask for directions. We should also use godly counsel. Stewart wouldn't hear it from the airman or the third class. He was too proud to admit something was wrong. Sometimes our friends see things in us that we don't see when we are facing the situation up close.

When I first decided to blog about this I wanted to find scripture that would fit with my thoughts. I apologize that nothing comes to mind at this moment, but I just wanted to share this lesson God has taught me.

Blue Bells of Scotland

2009-04-21T22:42:00.000-07:00

This is an awesome song. I have a clip of it on my playlist if you'd like to check it out. It is a song used to test the musicianship of trombone players. The song sounds a little naive at first glance, but listen and you will see the difficulty of this piece.

The clip I have on my playlist is good, but I also found a better version that I have on my phone.

Joseph Alessi, trombone
University of New Mexico Wind Symphony and Friends
Eric Rombach-Kendall, conductor

Anyways tell me what you think.

Longest Cobra Ever Found!

2009-04-17T22:14:00.000-07:00

1,2,3,4.......7,8,9,10

2009-04-17T20:59:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had one of these days? This was today :-( I wish I was kidding. With everything that is going on I've had to go and make sure everything is ready to go. Power of Attorney, Medical (shots and anti-malaria pills YIKES!), Supply (Uniforms, which you have to try on to get sizes), Credit Card, Etc... AND A PASSPORT. Why do I need a passport? There's just something about getting stuck in another country and not being able to get back home that puts me in distress. Pile up mixed feelings from being my first time on the road, out of the country, etc.. and you've got a disaster waiting to happen.

So Passport..... I went to Admin today to check on the paperwork that I filled out Monday just to see if I had done everything I needed to do to get that process going. First person that I talk to is a "booter"( someone who is fresh out of Boot Camp or A school) I explain to him what the situation was.

[~Situation~ I filled the paperwork for passport out when first got to the command. I had everything ready to go, photos and such, but I didn't have my birth certificate. I had put everything in a folder and waited to go to Texas to get a copy of birth certificate. When I finally had birth certificate I could not find the paperwork for passport so I had to redo it. This would be simple, but it had to be routed to the OIC so that he can authorize the government to pay for the passport.]

So this Yeoman, started rattling form numbers off like they were suppose to mean something to me. I explained to him what the form looked like and it's purpose, but I deal with so many publications, part numbers, etc.. to remember the exact number of the form not to mention I haven't seen the form physically since August 2008. After about 5 or 10 minutes of him rattling off form numbers and not one step closer, I explained that I had talked to YN3 Monday. I won't try to spell the guy's name for I will butcher it, but we went and talked to YN3 to see if they could check on the forms. Things have a way of staying on a person's desk in the Navy if you do not track it down. Getting a passport is not an overnight thing, and I know this, but I just wanted to make sure everything was settled. Anyways I was trying to talk to YN3 and the Seaman kept interrupting me and cutting me off. After 30 or 40 minutes of this run around and I still didn't have a clue if I would be okay in a foreign country without a passport. I was pretty tense. I tried to talk slowly and make myself as clear as possible so that we could make sure that all the details were covered. The Seaman kept on and on rattling off form numbers and saying well they're not going to be able to this and that. He rattled off information that had nothing to do with what I was trying to get across to the third class. He was like a yelping dog that would not shut up. I finally turned to him and said " Will you please shut your mouth." I didn't scream or yell, but I wasn't too nice about it either though. I hate to say that it worked, but not in the way I wanted it to. As soon as that happened he shut up, the OIC signed my form (which can take a few weeks), and I got the answers that i was looking for. I feel better knowing that I will not get stuck as long as the passport is in process, and I keep copies of important documents saying I'm a US citizen. I just wish I could have handled the situation better. I guess you could tell I was stress'n cause YN3 and I were talking afterwards and he said "you can't let these things get to you." I'm going to go back Monday and apologize to the guy, but I wish that I didn't get so wound up at times.

Proverbs 14:16,17 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. (17)He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

Proverbs 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

Patience Grasshopper

2009-04-16T22:32:00.000-07:00

Patience what is that? Something that I am lacking, very much so. I laugh how silly I am in my impatience. For instance, every week we have a room inspection on Wednesday. In order to pass I have to leave my room and find something to do during the day, because it is my day off. They can not inspect my room if I am there. Anyways long story short although they are suppose to inspect every week they have been hit and miss lately. A few weeks ago I didn't think they were coming so I left my locker unlocked etc... and I failed cause knowing my luck THAT WAS THE DAY that they inspected. It's not a big deal, just and inconvenience because you have to stand another inspection in your dress blues. Well since I failed, the next Saturday morning I waited and waited for them to come reinspect my room. Did they show? Course not I had to call the duty office to find out that they decided not to reinspect my room, but they forgot to tell me.

Anyways I tell you all this to give you an idea of it's craziness. Alright so last week I had my room spotless ready to go Wednesday. No inspection. huh Well maybe they are doing it every other week. This Wednesday no inspection. Alright at this time I was angry. Not angry enough to say anything but irritated none the less. So today I was on watch and my LPO(Leading Petty Officer) came and said congratulations. Why? He said didn't you hear you got an outstanding on your room inspection. Room inspection what room inspection? So I was really angry that I didn't have an inspection after making sure that everything was ready to go. Then how foolish I felt to find out that there had been one, but they forgot to leave me a note to tell me how it looked.

Comments Back!

2009-04-16T22:23:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys I thought the problem was with my html, but come to find out I accidentally clicked a tiny box in my settings that did not allow comments to work OOPPS. I did change my background though, because some might think it is a little throwed :) Do you like this one? I have another I might try soon, but will give the eyes a break for a little bit.

Music Dilemma

2009-04-13T20:46:00.000-07:00

I've got a BIG DILEMMA. Or at least i think so. :-) I tend to exaggerate from time to time. Here's the situation. As you all know I've been brushing up on my piano skills. Things are coming along faster than I thought, for which I can only thank God for. The problem comes with the music. I have one song that is polished, but I really don't like the fact that people have taken it and distorted it with a classic contemporary sound. Drums, singing through the nose, electric guitar, you name it. Even so I really don't like the music because it's boring. You play the same phrase of notes over and over almost like a chant. I REALLY like the words though. Urgh.. Then I have another one that I just started recently. I've got it memorized, and just need to put some finishing touches on it before it will be ready. It leaves something to be desired though. Most of the work is done with the right hand in the form of chords. Great for choral music or where you are looking for a great harmony, but not the style of music you'd typically hear for a piano solo. It sounds like I'm playing out of a hymnal, but what the congregation would sing instead of the piano's part. The piece has helped me read complicated chords at a glance without having to break them down. So maybe these are just learning pieces that God is using to cultivate me. I don't know, but I'm on the lookout for decent music. If you find any give me a head's up, because this is really frustrating me. :-(

7 Disposable Cameras

2009-04-12T08:12:00.001-07:00

Alright guys I have 7 disposable cameras and I had them for years. I do not know how long I've had them. They are anywhere from 1-7 years old. Should I develop them? Comment back and let me know your thoughts.

Sent from my iPhone

When a Book Takes the Words Out of Your Mouth...

2009-04-09T19:52:00.000-07:00

Right now I'm reading Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. I am at a part where Catherine Morland and John Thorpe are discussing how certain novels are nonsense and silly. So horrid that " I should never be able to get through it." My words exactly! So far this novel has been full of silly banter. Someone please tell me it gets better. It must for when people see what I am reading their eyes light up. "Oh you're reading ....." I do not think that I have much patience for such things though. For this is not the first novel that I have been willing to write off because of boredom. Is it selfish of me to ask an author to keep my attention from the beginning to the end? I guess maybe it is just a little, for there have been several books that have proved me wrong in my preconceived notions. I'm watching Wives and Daughters originally a novel by Elizabeth Gaskell and screenplay by Andrew Davies. So far it is good, but scandalous. The original novel was never finished because Elizabeth dies suddenly. The novel was writtien in 1865 so it follows many of the traditions of the time. I think I will give Northanger Abby another chance, but I do hope that it picks up.

John Deere

2009-04-09T19:35:00.001-07:00

Sorry Guys a country girl has to have her John Deere from time to time. :-)

Pictures From the Sky

2009-04-07T12:18:00.001-07:00

Which do you like the best? Why? All from the same trip, yet they look completely different.

Clearing the Air

2009-04-07T11:41:00.000-07:00

With the coming events i have been examining myself, letting God search me. It has come to my attention that I haven't been completely honest a 100% of the time. Usually it involves minor details, if I did not say anything you'd never know the difference. The whole matter is rather silly, for the reason I have just let it go in the past is because of pride. My mind even reasons that since you haven't lied anytime recently then does it really matter.

1John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Matthew 5:23, 24 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and the come and offer thy gift.

Now when I thought of this, I wondered how I would apologize to everyone. How would I make it right? I do not know what I have lied about or when or who I have lied to. These lies were a part of my everyday speech. I just wanted to apologize for the lack of honesty to all that read this blog.

Two of a Kind

2009-04-05T20:49:00.000-07:00

I was looking through pictures and I just had to post this. It's so cute.

Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Amazing

2009-04-04T03:49:00.000-07:00

I took this picture from inside a plane. It is just one of the many shots I got of God's canvas. Do you like it?

Check this out!

2009-04-04T03:42:00.001-07:00

He Came, He Died, He Arose, He Ascended, and He's Coming Back !

Fishing Anyone?

2009-04-04T03:23:00.000-07:00

This is what I see every morning as I go to work. Everytime I see earthworms I want to play hooky and go fishing. :) At home we have to dig in shady places or in a rotten log to find earthworms, but here I see them everywhere. Gobs and gobs on the sidwalk. I could just go get a Pickle jar throw some dirt in there and be ready to go. I wouldn't even have to catch anything well maybe if went fishing in Washington. I love to spend an afternoon out in the sun fishing. Rolling up your pants to your knees and going barefoot in the lake. Fun Fun. Just think what it would be like to be a fisherman. Would be pretty fun unless you didn't catch anything.

Nuking It?

2009-04-04T02:54:00.000-07:00

Nuking-1: to attack or destroy with or as if with nuclear bombs 2 : to Microwave(According to Webster). He didn't know much. Nuking it is when you over think something to the point, that you completely miss what is in front of you. Nuclear Technicians, Electronics, etc... usually do this. They over think things. For instance Carolyn sent me a picture the other day. It was a picture of her gas total. The total was 20.09. The conversation went like this:

C: Check how much my gas was tonight! (With picture)
Me: Hmm how much is it normally?
C: No look at the numbers.
Me: 2.15 is low right?
I bet it's under 2 at home.
C: No my gas was 20.09
Me: Yea that's about 2-2.15 a gallon.
C: U R not getting it. My gas 2nite is also the year we are in.
Me: OH OK

This is nuking it. I was way over thinking what was right in front of me. :-) So when you are thinking way too much and you're just not getting it, it is referred as nuking it.

Sorry for the huge picture believe it or not it was the smallest I found.

Superstition or Truth?

2009-04-01T01:10:00.000-07:00

The Eyes are Windows to the Soul? Is this superstition or truth? Can you really tell what a man is made of by looking into their eyes. Are they fidgeting because they are hiding something or lying? At one time in my life I used to find myself staring deep into a person's eyes. Always searching for something more than skin deep, but is this superstition or truth? It is easy to look into a person's eye especially when you are angry with them or find yourself in a physical conflict, because it is usually a person's eyes that tell their next move that aids you in your counter attack. When you are first introduced into the armed forces, looking directly into the Drill Sargent's (or the Navy equivalent RDC) eyes was known as eyeballing. "Are you eyeballing me boy?" Funny as it was, they usually used more explicit words. It was also know as buckin', swellin' up, or bowing up. It's weird now. I used to think that you could look deep into someone's eyes and get a real picture of who they were. Although this was often done in anger, it was also an intimate way to get to know someone. Not just by what they say or do, but what was in the depth of the soul. I looked up different opinions on the subject and there are many people that believe that when you look into a person's eyes there is a connection or attachment. Why do I find it hard to look a person in the eyes? Is it because I'm afraid of what I'll find or maybe I'm afraid of what they'll find.

Then again I'm probably nuking this :) What do you think? Superstition or Truth?

Does this Picture bother you?

2009-03-31T21:32:00.000-07:00

Does this photo bother you? Cause even though I know that no one actually knows what Christ looks like, it angers me when people who know nothing about him send this to me in a chain letter. I've gotten it several times this past week or so. I try to keep perspective on the fact that this is a product of man's imagination, but it just bothers me. I want to post this, but don't be surprised if I take it off once I get your responses.

Mysterious Ruth

2009-03-29T22:25:00.001-07:00

Today I was reminded of 1Corinthians 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. I've heard a lot about Ruth and Naomi, but I have never read the book. So being curious, I read Ruth today and I don't think I got it. I think I only saw the surface. Carolyn did say you have to read a book several times to get an idea what it's about. So who knows.

Making a House a Home

2009-03-29T21:14:00.001-07:00

So I was freaking out the other day. I tend to do that from time to time. But the the reason behind the panic was because I had started to ponder things I know nothing about. So being in the generation that I'm in I Googled it [added to the dictionary in 2006 by the way :) ] Some of the things that came up were ridiculous. So since I know my friends to be very opinionated people I decided to ask you "What do you think makes a house a home? Maybe I shouldn't say what makes a house a home, but what makes a home a place where God is honored?" Anyways I'm looking forward to your answers.

God's Promises

2009-03-29T20:25:00.000-07:00

Today was a good day. Sun was shining and all I could think about all day was how gracious God is. I was in the middle of a plane wash and I stopped to watch the water from the hose catch the sunlight just right, making rainbows. As I was watching this it took me back to my childhood when I would "water the garden" but there was no garden to water. I would play with the water hose making rainbows all day. It brought me joy as I remembered God's promise to Noah, Genesis 9:11-17. He promised to never flood the earth. This is a promise that he has made and kept from the beginning. When I think of all the promises God has made, my heart is filled with joy. My cup runneth over. Then at church tonight Psalms 146 said it all. Praise ye the Lord. Awesome passage. He opens the eyes of the blind and frees those in bondage. Psalm 107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy edureth for ever.

Tonight's service made me think of this song.

Let's Just Praise the Lord by Gloria and William Gaither

Let's just praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

Let's just lift our hearts to heaven

And praise the Lord;

Let's just praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

Let's just lift our hearts to heaven

And praise the Lord!

Own Me by Ginny Owens

2009-03-29T07:34:00.000-07:00

Got a stack of books,
So I could learn how to live;
Many are left half-read,
Covered by the cobwebs on my shelf.

And I got a list of laws,
Growing longer everyday;
If I keep pluggin' away,
Maybe one day I'll perfect myself.
Oh, but all of my labor,
Seems to be in vain;
And all of my laws,
Just cause me more pain;
So I fall before You,
In all of my shame;
Ready and willing to be changed

Chorus:
Own me
Take all that I am,
And heal me
With the blood of the Lamb.
Mold me
With Your gracious hand;
Break me till I'm only Yours
Own me

Oh, you call me Daughter,
And you take my blame;
And you run to meet me,
When I cry out Your name,
So I fall before You,
In all of my shame.
Lord, I am willing to be changed

Chorus
Own me
Take all that I am,
And heal me
With the blood of the Lamb.
Mold me
With Your gracious hand;
Break me till I'm only Yours
Own me

Leaning

2009-03-27T18:50:00.000-07:00

My poor tomato plants, help does anyone have a clue if this is normal? Tomatoes on the farm lay on the ground and we hang the vines in a greenhouse to make the plants bigger.

Spiritual Adolescence

2009-03-27T07:30:00.001-07:00

I debated on putting this on my blog or just sending it in a letter to a friend, but then I realized most of my friends are the ones that read my blog. Go figure.

Adolescence- the process of state of growing into maturity.

Adolescence ends when the person develops an adult identity and behavior. But what if that identity you have developed over the years is not who you want to be? What do you do? Do you then go through a period of adolescence again? I'm 23 and lately I have realized that I don't know how to be myself, because myself is not the person that God wants me to be. I am awkward and unlearned. I am confused and uneasy. Most people look at my age and think what's the problem. The problem is that my actions, my words, my thoughts, my very being rivals against me. You would think that I would be used to conforming to those around me. The Navy is a culture in itself. But that's different even though they say that you can't lay the Navy at the door, that has always been my attitude. I'm me when I'm away from the Navy, but as soon as I put that uniform on I'm the Navy. In fact I used to use my dog tags as a mental reminder of who I represent. You'd be suprised how it
changes your train of thought. I can't turn what God wants for my life off and on like a switch.

Test

2009-03-26T05:00:00.001-07:00

This is a test I read online that younare able to post from the iPhone. We'll see. :-)

I Kissed Dating Goodbye Revisited

2009-03-26T03:20:00.001-07:00

So at the gentle nudging of my friends, I promised to read "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" By Joshua Harris. I originally got the book as a gift from my SPS Kay. In fact it was the words "I bet Kay felt compelled to share this with you for a good reason", that got to me to pick it up again. Who doesn't love this sweet lady? How could I say no?

I started reading it once before but after about a third of the way I was a little bored. So far I had read about the many reasons not to date. No Problem I was already there. No need to date, there was no complaints out of me. I was already at the point that I didn't want to date according the world's point of view (plus in the Navy you've got to be kidding me), and that was me in the world talking. It had nothing to do with God. The first part of the book seemed to relate to young men and women. I had already been there, done that, and got the t-shirt.

So I wasn't looking forward to reading this book again, but I had promised to read and take it for what it was. So since I had an eight hour watch what better time to begin reading it again. Once I got past don't date, I found many other truths. Funny how God shows you something that has nothing to do with the subject of the book. What is it one interpretation and several applications.

How could David descend so deep in sin and impurity? One step at a time.
If you haven't read the room, it's a must. http://www.joshharris.com/the_room.php
Romans 13:12 Admittedly, some will have more to lay aside than others--more memories, more pain, more regrets. But the past needn't determine our future. We have choices right now about how we'll live. Will we set our hearts on God and walk in His paths? Not one of us can stand completely pure before God. We are all sinners. But no matter how filthy the rags of our defilement may be, in a moment of repentance and faith the heart turned toward God loses its impurity. God clothes us in Christ's righteousness. He no longer sees our sin. He transfers Jesus' purity to us. So see yourself as God sees you--clothed in radiant white, pure, justified. Hebrews 8:12 (exerts from I kissed dating goodbye, chapter 8)
Several verses that are used in the book God has been using over the last few weeks if nothing else it has been encouraging to read them again.
Practice Seeking God With Others :) This is funny because God has already been working this out.
"Hustle While You Wait!" While we are waiting on God we should be developing those skills that would make us a better mate. Not because we are trying to earn brownie points, but because it is a part of good stewardship.

One of my all time favorite verses was listed.

1 John 3:20 For if out heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

[First, picture guarding your heart as if your heart were a criminal tied in a chair who would like to break free and knock you over the head.] I found this sentence funny, because when I first started this blog I started out writing a response to Psalms 51:10. I began to explain that at times I want to bind my hands and feet for fear that I will cause more harm.

Lyrics of the Faithful

2009-03-26T03:02:00.000-07:00

I hope that I got them right, I couldn't find these songs anywhere online.

“He’s Faithful, My God is Faithful” by West Coast Baptist College

In a way that only a Father takes care of his own
A Holy God supplies, my needs each day
He is constantly attending, he is protecting and defending
Delivering on promises he made
With a watchful eye that never sleeps
My Father guides and keeps me

CHORUS
He’s faithful, My God is faithful
He never has forsaken me; for ever he’ll remain to me
Faithful, My God is Faithful
For he’s the perfect Father
Caring for me faithfully

When I think of all that he promised and all that he’s done
I realize he gives beyond my needs
For it pleases him to please me
So trusting him comes easy
I’m not afraid to follow where he leads
With a watchful eye that never sleeps
My Father guides and keeps me

CHORUS
He’s faithful, My God is faithful
He never has forsaken me; for ever he’ll remain to me
Faithful, My God is Faithful
For he’s the perfect Father
Caring for me faithfully

Great is his mercy, Great is his love
Great is his goodness to me, to me

He is faithful, My God is faithful
He never has forsaken me; forever he’ll remain to me
Faithful, My God is Faithful
For he’s the perfect Father
Caring for me faithfully

Yes I know he cares for me faithfully

"Count it all Joy", by Susie Licsher

I heard you say your way isn’t quit clear
And it get’s hard at times, to persevere
You say that your burden’s hard, but don’t ever doubt
That God is in control, working it out.

CHORUS
Count it all Joy, this trial you’re in
God is just working on, you from within
He’s letting patience have its perfect work in you
To make you more like him, when it is through.

He’ll never allow more on you, than you can bear
Just run to the throne of grace, and cast all your cares
He wants his image forged, inside of you
Remember your faith in him will carry you through.

CHORUS
Count it all Joy, this trial you’re in
God is just working on, you from within
He’s letting patience have its perfect work in you
To make you more like him, when it is through

Count it all Joy, this trial you’re in
God is just working on, you from within
He’s letting patience have its perfect work in you
To make you more like him, when it is through

O you will be more like him when it is through.

My God is Faithful

2009-03-25T12:08:00.000-07:00

First of all I just want to say God has his hands in so much that we don't even realize till everything starts to fall in place effortlessly.

Psalms 30:5b weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. I was given this verse a few posts ago and it explains today's events perfectly. I must back up and tell you some details leading to today's events. If you have been following my blogs you know majority of the details but not the inner workings.

First of all a few weeks ago God laid it on my heart that I needed to wipe out my CD collection and completely clear my Mp3 player. I asked God and close friends to help me fill the void with Godly music. Music that I wouldn't be ashamed if God heard it playing. Well last Sunday Carolyn gave me a mixed CD of some of her favorites. I was kind of caught off guard, but thankful none the less. I played it once or twice but I didn't pay it no attention.

Another detail I tried to be cryptic about, but Carolyn guessed it. D'oh ;) God has also laid on my heart over the past few months to develop and use my talents for him. I love singing in the choir, but I am not a singer. I never have been more than the casual singer, but it was the closest outlet for music. So I've kind of been hiding to say the least. I've been burdened to start playing again. God has given me a talent for music and he has allowed me to play many instruments in my life, but at this moment it has been laid on my heart that I need to start playing piano again. I didn't tell anyone because I haven't played since I was a little girl. I've picked at it but I have laid it by the wayside for other instruments. I have more or less used it as a tool to teach me other instruments, not ever giving it the attention and practice that it demands.

Often as it is so many times in the Navy I got a last minute watch first thing this morning. Watch is watch, it's what we do, but this one is from 1600 to midnight on Wednesday night. It was the last straw that broke the camel's back. I completely fell apart this morning, I was a complete mess. No matter what I did, No matter what scripture I tried to read, no matter what song I listened to, nothing helped. I just bawled and bawled like a baby. Course my friends tried to cheer me up, but it was no use. Believe it or not it was my mother's words that got me to get a grip. I love my mother, but she's usually the last one person that I would turn to for advice. But today I heard her words so clearly. A few years ago, I was at a point in my life that I couldn't do anything but cry. I kid you not I didn't do anything but cry for months. My mother, was able to snap me out of it by picking me up and laying my head in her lap. She said these words to me "This too shall pass" as she ran her fingers through my hair, "When you feel your world crashing around you remember that you serve a Mighty God and that he is in control" "This too shall pass" she repeated again and again as I cried. I'm reminded of this because God brought me out that nightmare.

So after several rounds of "Count it all Joy", by Susie Licsher, “He’s Faithful, My God is Faithful” by West Coast Baptist College, and reading through the scriptures I picked my head up, and got dressed. I needed to use what time I did have for Christ instead of crying. When I went outside the sun was shinning so brightly. Earlier this morning when I had received the news about the watch I went to breakfast and the sky was dark grey with rain. All I could think of when I saw the sun shining so brightly was of a sermon that Pastor(can't remember if Sargent or Jeremiah) preached a few weeks ago. I had hope for a brighter day. Some of the verses of this sermon were:

1 Corinthians 15:14~And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58~ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

With my countenance renewed I went to the Chapel. Remember the whole piano thing, well that's what I was talking about when I said the fire marshal came and shut us down. I was a little uneasy about going to the Chapel, but I was at the point that I just needed to go.

"...He’ll never allow more on you, than you can bear
Just run to the throne of grace, and cast all your cares..."

Plus they had a piano. I'm all about curling up to a piano when things go awry. God works in mysterious ways. Guess what they had at the Chapel? A baby grand piano, and complete silence. Only the best for His children right ;). I had been practicing on an electric keyboard. What sounded like choppy measures on an awkward keyboard, was music to your ears on the baby grand. You'd be surprise what a difference it makes. You should have heard the song I'm working on. Especially when comes in majestically with...

What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

or the same part but later in song

And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;

No Pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;

I began to tear again, but this time because of how much he loves me.

When you take the time to think things over, God has been constantly attending to my every need. From the music he provided, to the fire marshal, to the words of wisdom from my mother, he has provided for me through it all.

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Urgh...

2009-03-24T20:31:00.000-07:00

I am so quick to anger and annoyance. Always on the defensive. Not to the point where I'm willing to kill and destroy others in anger like Haman (Esther 3) or Simeon and Levi (Genesis 34:1-19; 25-29), but Urgh... When you say that you really don't want to talk about something, why do people continue to pursue the matter? Why do people who know nothing about you personally want to preach to you about what you should do in your life. I'm so angry right now I want to cry. I'm not even sure if it is anger or just the feeling of helplessness.

Have you ever noticed when things bother you, you try not to focus on them, but then everything comes to the surface and you feel yourself not able to breathe. You've got the whole stomach in your throat feeling.

That's where I'm at now. You're probably asking well what happened. Even though this week has just started, I've been having a hard time with it. First with the shift change at work. I keep trying to have a positive outlook on the whole matter. Then over the last few months or so God has laid on my heart that I need to use my talents for his purpose. I made a promise to God years ago. I started working on fulfilling that promise today, but this afternoon they closed the facility I was using. The fire marshal came in and said since there wasn't a fire alarm that it had to be closed until fixed. I've already thought about other options, but that's not the point. Then there's this guy name George that I speak to in passing. We talk about all kinds of things. About what God is doing in life, scriptures etc... Well I was reading blog posts and listening to music, and he was just around the corner looking things up online. When he asks me what I'm doing, I tell him that I'm posting on my blog. About how I hate to write, but I am trying to open up. Out of the blue he explains the reason I'm blogging is because I need a boyfriend. When I tell him that I'm not looking to date right now, he begins to ask if I've ever been hurt by a man. When I tell him that I don't want or need a boyfriend, he doesn't stop. I asked him to please stop that I didn't want to talk about it and he persists saying that I need a boyfriend to learn how to forgive. I could feel myself getting angry so I began flipping through scripture to try to defer this feeling. I said please stop I really don't want to talk about it. He still persists. I said George you know nothing about me I really don't want to talk about this. I had to put my ear phones on just so he would stop. He still tried to plead with me with my ear phones but shortly gave up.

I'm not really angry, but I hate being backed into a corner where I feel helpless.

I know that what he was saying was foolishness, but it was just the icing on the cake with everything that Satan has been trying to do to get me down.

Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners entice thee consent not.
(I actually have a praise about this verse. This morning I had told an old friend Happy Birthday. before i knew it she was begging me to come out and party with her. When I said, no she continued to see if I would buy alcohol for her. I know huh. There's so many reasons not to consent.)

Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

There's a verse that I'm desperately looking for. FOUND IT :)

Ephesians 5: 6-8 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light. ( This whole chapter is worth a look.)

Note to self~ Need a cure for the water works listen to "No Tears in Heaven" :)

"If You Want Me To" by Ginny Owens

2009-03-24T19:28:00.000-07:00

The pathway is broken
And the signs are unclear
And I dont know the reason why you brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I will go through the valley
If You want me to

CHORUS:
Now I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise
You're not through with me yet
So if all of these trials bring me closer to You
I will go through the fire
If You want me to

It may not be the way I would have chosen
When you lead me through a world that's not my own
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'll never go alone

So when the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through
And I will go through the valley
If You want me to