Stephanie's Scribbles

Craft Monday: Color Upgrade

2010-10-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

The furniture in our house seems to all be darker wood. While I don't mind this, it has started to get to me. So, I decided to start painting things in my house.

Starting with the shelf that holds the dvd player and u-verse box for the tv in our bedroom.

We recently painted our room with an accent wall of red, so I thought it would be fun to paint the shelf red to coordinate with the wall. And as I have said before, I am now in love with spray paint. This can cost me $1.15 and is on its third project!

The shelf had a finish to it, so I took hubs sander and gave it a light sand.

Then I brought it up to hip level (thanks to the awesome gift I gave him last Christmas of saw horses) and spray painted both sides.

After it was dry, I placed it back on the wall, all by myself!

This was a super simple and cheap way to give more character to our bedroom! I am still looking for some shelves I like to paint red and place on a different wall.

I am sharing this simple idea on ALL of these Link Parties! Check them out!

MIA

2010-10-15T16:36:00.001-07:00

It has been quite awhile since I have had a chance to blog...or make anything. And I miss it.

However, I am loving life!

I have the most encouraging and hunky husband.

I love grad school...being challenged in so many ways.

And God has great things in store for us at The Bridge, and I am honored to be a part of it.

So although I have been missing from the blog world, I have not been missing out on living life to the fullest!

Hoping to make something in the near future to share with you all!

Craft Monday: Simple Vase Upgrade

2010-09-13T07:55:00.000-07:00

Hubs and I headed to our local Habitat for Humanity Re-Store a couple of weeks ago to look at the molding/doorframes for a future project.

While perusing the aisles, I found this for 50 cents (makes me think of the rapper every time I say that...).

I thought with a little spray paint love, this could be a cute vase. I went to Wally World to get some great but cheap spray paint. I put a coat of primer on it first

Then painted it read.

The dogs always seem to want to help me

And I accidently got some red paint on Hubs newly grown grass...

Then placed it on our new table from Ikea in our newly remodeled den.

I still have one more piece of artwork I want to create for our den, and then it is done! I can't wait to share that post with you!

I am sharing this simple and easy craft on ALL OF THESE LINK PARTIES! Check them out!

Grad School vs the world...

2010-09-12T16:32:00.000-07:00

That is what I feel like these days. I love the things I am learning. But after taking a break from school for 4 years, it has taken some getting use to being in school again. And not only being in school again, but being married, working full time, and owning a home.

If I lose my sanity, I have asked Hubs to put me in the best facility in town.

Craft Monday: Germans Est 2009 Wall Art

2010-09-06T06:45:00.000-07:00

Since we have only been married for just over a year (according to my husband, it is 16 months..until we get to 2 years, we are going by months, like a toddler...), we are still in the process of decorating our house. We still have quite a few empty walls.

When I saw this idea on Measuring My Life in Love, I knew that I had to do it.

So I downloaded Picasa and got a flicker account (that's right, we didn't use either one). I headed straight over to Leo Reynold's photostream and went to his letter collection. He has hundreds of individual letters that he has photographed, and you can use them if you abide by his restrictions. I spent a couple of hours looking through all of his pictures...I had a blast! I chose to use the large size, as I didn't want the the images to be pixilated and blury.

After picking out the letters, and getting Hubs opinion, I went to the folder they were in on Picasa.

Then I clicked the collage button and chose the grid option, so the letters were put in rows and coloumns. We wanted to make this large, but only your standard sizes were available. I chose the 4x5 option so that when I had it printed on a 16x20, it would be proportionate. The letters were used more than once until I changed the size.

After arranging them on the computer, I saved the collage.

I wanted the picture right away, so I printed it from Costco. It cost me $6, and I had it in a few hours.

Hubs and I were going to make a frame for it out of old trim or molding and paint it red. But then I found this awesome frame at Michael's, it was just what I wanted, on sale AND I had a coupon.

Hubs liked the "s"...yes, its from shrek.

Now, this blank wall has this amazing art work on it. And all for $19.

I am sharing this Est Wall Art on ALL OF THESE LINK PARTIES! Check them out!

Craft Monday: Chalkboard Pot

2010-08-23T07:30:00.000-07:00

I discovered something recently that I am sure most already knew about.

Chalkboard. Paint.

You can really turn anything into a chalkboard. It is amazing. Really, its all about the little things in life.

So I went to Lowe's and picked up a quart. Then went home to see what I could paint.

And I found this.

Kinda old. Kinda boring.

I had been touching up our newly remodeled den and decided that the top portion of the pot should be that same color.

I taped off the top portion of the pot once the paint dried, and went to town painting the bottom portion!

After a few minor touch ups, I began writing on it.

I forgot how much I love playing with chalk! After several words, we settled on "Smile". Since Hubs has to look at it everyday, he got a say in what I wrote. I can only imagine what he will change it to on a daily basis.

For now, the pot and plant live on our kitchen window sill.

I wonder what else I will find in our house that I can paint.....

I am sharing this Chalkboard Pot on ALL of these Link Parties!

Grad School Starts Tomorrow!

2010-08-22T21:44:00.001-07:00

Monday is my first day of Grad School. Haven't been in school since May of 2006.

Hubs told me tonight that he forgot to get me a backpack and colored pencils. I assured him it was ok. Since its an online program and all.

However, I did let him treat me to one last treat before school starts...ice cream!

Craft Monday: Home Made Decorative Pillows

2010-08-16T22:37:00.001-07:00

Sewing. Not really my thing. Now my mother in law...she lives to sew. I think.
I don't like to sew so much that I always pretend that I don't know how to sew a button so my mom will still do it. If I pretend not to be able to sew a button, then I definitely don't know how to use a sewing machine.

We are in the middle of remodeling our den. Paint is done. Frugal Wall Art, done. New chairs put together. Furniture re-arranged. I was on the search for some decorative pillows, but couldn't find any I liked. But I had seen fabric at Living With Punks house.

So I did the unthinkable. I got online and ordered this fabric from Quilthome.com.

I love the shade of blue, white, and different shades of red.

I bought an 18" square pillow form.

I decided to go with the standard square pillow. Since the pillow is 18", I made my cut at 19"x19" twice (since there are 2 sides to the pillow...)
Then I pinned the two sides together inside out. I know there is a name for that, but can't recall it.

This is a picture of my mom's 18 year old sewing machine. The first night, it didn't want to play nice. I even considered going to buy one! GASP! Hubs convinced me that I didn't need to buy one considering I wasn't sure if I would even like sewing...good call on his part. Tonight, it worked just fine.

I sewed the fabric together a half inch in.

I sewed the three sides together, and left one side un-sewn so I could put the pillow form in it.

After putting in the pillow form, I pinned the un-sewn side under a half an inch, then pinned it together. After I pinned it, I basted it (apparently this is a loose stitch to hold the fabric in place). I don't know who came up with that, but it was genius.

I then sewed the last side by hand.

I couldn't be more thrilled with how they came out.

My amazing mother was patient with me and taught me how to sew! Here she is showing off my new pillow.
The pillows look great in our den!

I'm still on the fence about sewing again. Using the machine was fine, it was definitely the hand sewn part that I disliked the most!

I am sharing these decorative pillows on ALL of these link parties!

Summer Swimming Doggy Style

2010-08-15T21:09:00.001-07:00

We taught Madi how to swim this summer. When getting in the pool, she doesn't just step in. She jumps in. Every time. And it's hilarious.

Craft Monday: Frugal Wall Art

2010-08-08T21:03:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago, I saw this amazing idea to make wall art on a blog titled Frugal Life Project through a link up party at Keeping it Simple. I knew this was the first thing I wanted to make when I got back in country as decoration for our newly remodeled den...and I loved making them.

First stop, craft store to get canvases and scrapbook paper. I got a great deal on 12"x12" canvases that were different depths. This is the exact size of the large scrapbook paper.

Had to show off Hubs new garage cabinets...this was a purchase made while I was gone...it makes the garage look much cleaner.

Brown spray paint to paint the edges of the canvas.

I sprayed them twice with the canvas side up, then flipped them over and sprayed one more coat to make sure I got the edges really good.

The dogs wanted to help.

I found this all purpose spray adhesive. Didn't work quite like I wanted. Had to put some Gorilla Glue on it to make it stick.

After I placed the scrapbook paper on my canvas, I let it dry before putting on a clear enamel coat.

Instead of putting holes in our newly painted den, I decided to use the Command Damage Free Hangers. I think I may have found a new love in my life. These things are amazing!

Hubs got out the level and helped me put them up. I love the way they turned out!

New wall art for our den, $23, plus leftover materials...can't beat that!

I am sharing this Frugal Wall Art on ALL of these Link Up Parties! Go check them out!

Guatemalan for Downtown Park

2010-08-06T08:29:00.000-07:00

Salvadorian for Popsicle

2010-08-02T20:35:00.000-07:00

Home made strawberry popsicle...

So. Good.

Craft Monday: Its a "G" Thing

2010-08-02T06:45:00.000-07:00

We have a bunch of random things from our wedding that I am not sure what to do with (like the garter...what the heck am I suppose to do with it now?!?). I decided to put all of these things in a shadow box. But it looked kind of plain...until I saw the white "G".

So I bought these paints.

And started painting it.

And found some randome items from our wedding...

Picked out a picture that the Hubs said was acceptable.... (he likes how he is holding my neck, says its romantic...he's cute)

And put it all together!

I'm still in the process of trying to find a home for it in our house. Maybe it will go in the newly remodeled den...

These are the Link Parties I link up to! Check them out!

El Salvador and Guatemala

2010-07-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday morning, myself and 3 others from The Bridge Church will be heading to El Salvador and Guatemala for a vision trip for our missions month project for February 2011. I am an independent person, but since being married, this has changed slightly for me. I haven't been out of the country without Hubs since right before we started dating...and Haiti was an experience. Granted, I was traveling alone that time and to a place I had never been before.

This will be my 4th time to El Salvador. I am excited to go and see what God has in store for our team and for The Bridge Church and reconnect with those I haven't seen in 4 years. However, I am just now realizing I'm going to miss Hubs and the pups an awful lot.

Craft Monday: Home Made Planters

2010-07-26T08:49:00.000-07:00

I have been looking for a hobby, and let me tell you, have I found some.

I made this about a month ago, and had a request from my sister and friend to make one.

So what is better than one planter?

Two!

The more times I make this planter, the easier it gets.

My sister got hers last weekend when she was in town and Sarah will be getting hers soon...

I have had a friend tell me I should consider making this item and selling...what do you think? Does it limit me?

Mini Vacay in SoCal

2010-07-25T23:10:00.000-07:00

Like how each word in my title was an abbreviation? That's mainly because I'm lazy ;)

This weekend, Hubs and I headed down to SoCal with my parents. My sister and brother-in-law live down there, so we decided to go visit them and do some fun stuff too.

Lunch. Ikea. Snack. Dodger Game. Dinner.

(I never thought I would see so much blue in my entire life! Hubs was there to watch the game, I was there for the garlic fries!)

Breakfast. Disneyland. Lunch. California Adventures.

Best ride, hands down, is California Screaming. Second best, Toy Story Mania.

Nap. Dinner. Disneyland. Dessert.

Breakfast with best friend. Driving. Snack. More driving.

I'm just now realizing we sure did eat a lot!

I sure am glad to be home...now I can rest!

Seems Very Simple

2010-07-22T10:54:00.000-07:00

In Matthew 22:36-39, we read this:

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

As far as I can tell, we are called to love God and love others (and that entails a lot!!!)

How will you show others they matter today?

Craft Monday: Scrapbook-ing-ish

2010-07-19T08:30:00.000-07:00

I don't think I am very creative, so when I decided to make my sister a scrapbook that encaptured all of the memories from her wedding (showers, bachelorette party, rehearsal, wedding, reception) I didn't know what I was thinking. She made one for me, and I felt like I should make one for her.

Although it isn't my thing, I kicked its butt. I'm not gonna lie, I did a pretty amazing job for my first scrapbook ever and especially because I did it all from scratch (bought seperate sheets, stickers, put it all together myself). Yep, I am tooting my own horn.

Here are some of the pictures!

Scuba Blake

2010-07-01T07:30:00.000-07:00

Better than Scuba Steve.

Madi freaked out.

And it was hilarious.

New Hobby: Wine Making

2010-06-30T08:22:00.000-07:00

About a month ago I stated I wanted to start a hobby. Since then, I have started several.

A year ago Hubs got me a wine making kit. This consisted of the grape juice and other stuff, but we never bought all of the needed supplies. Until a month ago.

Sunday, we started the process.

It will be in our bath tub fermenting for 10 days, then we will put it into a carboy.

Here's to a three month long process!

BC's Pizza and Beer

2010-06-25T07:28:00.000-07:00

Lately, I think I could eat pizza every night for dinner. But not just any pizza, pizza from BC's Pizza and Beer.

I have known that it existed for most of my life. I have driven by the place thousands of times. And it wasn't until a few weeks ago that Hubs and I decided to try it out.

It is by far one of the best pizzas I have had in a long time. I think I have become tired of the chain pizza places. It all begins to taste the same, or worse, begins to taste like not much of anything.

And just like Mad Duck, the service is great.

The next time you are in the mood for pizza (or beer), check out BC's at Shaw and Sunnyside. You won't be disappointed.

Steph the Builder....Outdoor Planter

2010-06-24T08:15:00.000-07:00

I got an itch to build something while laying on the beach in Catalina reading This Old House magazine. There was this awesome planter that looked simple to build. So I came home and told Hubs we were going to build it. And I did.

Of course, Hubs showed me how to use the Table saw. But I did the work.

(look at that flowing hair!)

And then how to use the miter saw.

And after the wood was cut to the proper dimensions, I began putting it together.

The ends...
Frame is complete!
Then came the part I really like...
Sanding....
And PAINTING! (don't tell Hubs, but I finished painting this thing on Monday night and found paint on my ankle on Wednesday morning. I promise I shower)

The finished product!

I had a blast making it and am already thinking about my next project!

The Mad Duck-Eat Local

2010-06-18T07:25:00.000-07:00

The Hubs and I are always looking for new places in town to eat, especially smaller, local places. We waited anxiously for The Mad Duck to open. When it finally did, it was worth the wait!

The Mad Duck is a pub located in Clovis at Willow and Herndon. The place is always busy, yet we can always find a place to sit too. The food is affordable and delicious...the burgers are awesome. The thing that has been the most impressive is the service. Most places like The Mad Duck have good food, a great selection of beverages, yet the service is horrible (I can think of 2 places right now, one in north Clovis and one in downtown Fresno). When we have gone to The Mad Duck, we have never had to hunt someone down for anything....food is always right, drinks are always filled, and we are asked several times throughout our time there if they can get us anything else, but not in an obnoxious way.

If you are looking for a fun place to hang out with some friends and some great food, check out The Mad Duck!

My Sister is Getting Married!

2010-06-12T09:13:00.000-07:00

Today, my wonderful big sister Stacey gets to marry the love of her life Jared Gerbrandt. It is amazing how perfect they are for each other and how God brought them together.

My Dogs and God

2010-06-11T07:30:00.000-07:00

Every time I come home, my dogs Sammy and Madi could not be happier to see me. They are so excited that I am home, that I have come back to them. At times, I think they hardly remember I was gone they are so happy to see me. They want to play, go on walks, don't remember when I have scolded them...dogs truly are mans best friend.

I have been thinking a lot lately about how my relationship with my dogs is similar to my relationship with God. My dogs run out in the street. I call after them. Sometimes they come running back to me, other times they continue on their way (especially if they are chasing a bird). When they come back to me, I am happy that they are safe and that they chose to listen to me calling after them.

Even though I may walk the other direction and may "leave" God for a time, He is always calling after me. And when I finally return, he is so happy to see me. He is happy that I am home, that I want to walk and talk with him. The fact that I had chosen to not include him in part of my life has been forgotten.

Its like the prodigal son. Although I didn't ask for my inheritance now, spend it on useless things, and choose to live obvious sin, I know that in many instances I turn my back on God. And when I choose to turn back to him, he is there waiting for me with arms wide open.

His grace is sufficient for me. And for that, I am forever grateful

Why I have the Best Husband #65-He Cleans

2010-06-10T09:02:00.000-07:00

This week has been crazy and for the most part our evenings have been booked.

LifeGroup.

Meetings.

My Sister Getting Married This Saturday.

I honestly was not sure when certain things would get done. I didn't know when I would have time. But I didn't need to worry about it.

This week, hubs has:
Unloaded the dishwasher
Swept
Swiffered
Vacuumed
Watered the grass daily
Watered the garden

All while still working a 40 hour week and attending one meeting with me.

I have it good.

Cherry Avenue Auction

2010-06-05T07:58:00.000-07:00

Today, I am taking the Hubs and my camera to the Cherry Avenue Auction. Although I have lived in Fresno most of my 26 years on this earth, I have never been. Apparently this is turning into a weekend of firsts for me.

Based on the website (and the hokey music on every single video), not sure if we will actually get anything, but I am looking forward to it none the less!

Do you have a swap meet event weekly where you live?

Eyes and Balls

2010-06-03T22:24:00.000-07:00

Part of my role at The Bridge is to oversee and implement our global and local missions program. I have been on staff for 3 years now. What I have discovered in those 3 years is that churches and non-profit organizations in Fresno work extremely well together. It's as if they realize that the goal isn't for each individual church to have the largest attendance but want to make the greatest impact on the kingdom by working together.

There are a group of missions pastors/directors that get together a couple times a month just to get together, to talk about what is going on in our ministries, and a time to ask each other questions. I have come to really value these times together. I love hearing what others are doing. I love gleaning ideas from their ministries so that it works in the culture of our church and the direct community that we are in.

Today, I had Indian food for the first time with a group of these people. One of the topics of discussion was the most abnormal food to our own culture that we have eaten on a trip to a foreign country. Pretty much every person beat me with what I would call a weird food...from a foot long worm, to half developed chicken egg, to an animals eyes and balls...

The only abnormal thing that I have eaten is iguana, armadillo, and goats meat (which is actually really good!)

What is something you have eaten that you never thought you would eat?

Yesterday...

2010-06-01T20:44:00.001-07:00

I took 100 pictures with my new camera in about a half hour.

Here are some of my favorites.

I can't wait to get photoshop so I can edit them!

~Stephanie

Smile!

2010-05-31T21:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I said that I needed a hobby. Little did I know that earlier that day Hubs had bought me a camera. When I got home from Catalina, this was waiting for me....

I am super excited! In college, I said that I was going to be a photographer, but wasn't sure if I had the creativity, or the drive to make it a career.

I also said I wanted to be a carny.

I think I'll stick to photography as a hobby...

A Hobby

2010-05-30T23:17:00.000-07:00

I have decided that I need a hobby. I like to read, walk my dogs, and spend time with my husband. And hang out with my friends...a lot. But I would love to start doing something more productive in my spare time.

My friend Sue loves to sew. She has made super cute stuff, mostly by sewing. She made Misty and I cute bags for our trip to Catalina.

I don't think I'm quite the sewing type.

What are some different types of hobbies that are productive?

Memorial Day Getaway: Catalina

2010-05-29T09:01:00.000-07:00

Every Memorial Day weekend, 2 girlfriends and I head to Catalina for a girls weekend. No husband. No kids. A time to get away, lay on the beach, play cards, and relax. It isn't very often these days that the three of us have a chance to get together.

This was my view yesterday afternoon. This is what I woke up to.
Blessed with amazing friends, gorgeous weather, and a free place to stay. While I'm off playing, hubs is at home working away.

What are you doing this Memorial Day Weekend?

When Helping Hurts

2010-05-24T16:02:00.000-07:00

Have you ever stopped to think that the way in which you think you are helping is actually harming the person?

In our minds we, when we give the money to the person on the street, participate in the local angel tree drive, or even go to the other side of the world to do a VBS in a very poor country, we are doing something good.

But what if that money is being used to feed an addiction. What if the parent who isn't incarcerated feels helpless when another person gives their child a toy instead of being able to provide this for them. What if the VBS is so elaborate that the children no longer want to do the weekly children's bible study.

What if the things we do as Christians in this world are actually hurting people instead of helping to develop them? What if there was a way to include and equip the poor to be a part of their solution.

I just finished reading "When Helping Hurts: How to alleviate poverty without hurting the poor and yourself". If you care about helping people, I highly recommend it.

It has made me re-think the missions program at The Bridge, as it touches on local, national, and global poverty, as well as short term missions trips. Its my hope and prayer that we are not hurting people when we think we are helping people.

Slavery Today

2010-05-22T09:03:00.000-07:00

During the 400 years of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, there were 13 million people taken from Africa. Today, there are 27 million people who are enslaved.

During the trans-Atlantics slave trade, in adjusted dollars, a slave was sold for around $40,000. Today, slaves are worth close to $40.

Simple economics....supply and demand. As the supply increases, the cost decreases.

It is a sad world when people are compared to simple economic truths instead of seen to have value and worth.

Less than $2 a Day

2010-05-21T13:27:00.000-07:00

I have been contemplating the fact that about half of the worlds population, 3 billion people, live on less than $2 a day. If they make $2 a day and work everyday of the year, they make $730.

I look in my wallet and see more than that. I started thinking about the things that I do daily that costs less than $2.

You know what I came up with?

Not Much.

Have you ever gone a day with spending less than $2, including transportation, food, electricity, etc?

I know I haven't.

What is Human Trafficking?

2010-05-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

I talk about human trafficking and sex trafficking often, but I don't believe I have ever given a definition to what that means.

Human Trafficking simply means a person is made into a commodity. They are bought, transported, and sold as if they were somebody's property.

The person is controlled by threats and violence, forced to "work", and is not paid.

Human trafficking includes:
Child Soldiers
Child Labor
Bonded Labor
Sex Slave Trade
Domestic Servitude
Contract Slavery

They all break my heart, but the exploitation of girls and women in the sex trade really gets my blood boiling.

Care Free Living

2010-05-19T13:38:00.000-07:00

Some days, I wish I could live life carefree.

Would Jesus Ignore Sex Trafficking?

2010-05-19T10:38:00.001-07:00

What is it about Americans that think it is ok to not know about the injustice in the world? I had one person say to me "we can't teach our kids that". Kids these days know way more than I ever knew in Jr High (and that was only 14 years ago...wow, I am getting old!).

To not tell our youth about human trafficking, even sex trafficking, in the appropriate context, in my opinion is a travesty. We should want the next generation to know that Jesus came to fight against injustice and for those who were oppressed. That Jesus loved and hung out with the least of these, the untouchables, those forgotten by society. And as his followers today, we are called to make a difference in the world in the context in which we live.

Intentional ignorance is never ok.

If Jesus were on earth today, I wonder what he would have to say about it.

Garden Grows=Kids Will Live

2010-05-10T13:33:00.001-07:00

Numerous weeks ago I made a comment basing my kid raising abilities to if my garden grew or not. I have remembered to water the plants daily, or if I wasn't available I made sure it was being taken care of.

According to my earlier statement, I will be able to raise kids just fine...since the garden is growing and all.

Why I have the Best Husband #172-Thoughtfulness

2010-04-29T11:18:00.000-07:00

"Hope This Brightens Your Day!"

Haiti Earthquake: Months Later

2010-04-29T10:05:00.000-07:00

In many ways, Haiti has been forgotten about. The earthquake took place 3 1/2 months ago. Unless you are connected with somebody there, the average American has forgotten about the devastation that took place and continue to take place. Since Haiti, there have been numerous earthquakes in other countries that have caused many deaths and destruction.

The Bridge stepped up their support for Haiti during the aftermath of the quake as we have a strong connection to an organization there called Christian Friendship Ministries. 60,000 + people went to Pignon from Port Au Prince to seek refuge, and CFM was set up strategically in churches to help many of these individuals with food, shelter, and clothing, as well as sharing the love of Christ through action and deed. Along with sending funds to CFM, The Bridge sent funds through Adventures in Mission to help with supplies in a tent camp called Marassa. Marassa consists of 2 tent cities right next to each other with approximately 2,500 people each. A month after the earthquake, they had received no supplies

No Food

No Water

As soon as I learned this, I knew where we needed to send the rest of the money. It is awesome to see how the funds we sent have been used to help people in such great need

Marassa 14 Camp 1&2 from Adventures in Missions on Vimeo.

Did you Know?

2010-04-05T15:36:00.000-07:00

Nearly 3 billion people-half of the world's population-lives on less than $2 a day. More than one-third of those survive on less than $1 a day.

More than half of all the child deaths in the world are caused directly or indirectly by hunger or malnutrition.

One in five children living in the majority world doesn't have access to clean water.

Less than 1 percent of the world's fresh water is readily accessible for direct human use.

An estimated 27 million people are victims of modern day slavery. Half of these are children.

The human trafficking industry earns between $9.5 and $32 billion each year.

Did you know? Now that you know, do you care?

Simplify-ing

2010-03-29T17:17:00.000-07:00

Blake and I have been trying to simplify our lives. We are trying not to buy things if we don't need them. Not eat out as much. Asking if it is a need or a want. Asking if we need the top of the line item or if a less expensive item will do. Questioning how much tv we watch and how much time we spend with other people.
I saw this book Simplify at Urbana but they ran out at the conference before I could purchase it, so I bought it online at Amazon.

The book provides some great principals and insights, as the author Paul Borthwick, lives out what he writes about. For us, the book didn't provide many new thoughts or ideas to how we are already living but acted as great reinforcement. The book was easy to read and one that I would recommend if anyone is looking for a starting place on how to simplify their lives.

Going to the Dentist

2010-03-27T11:09:00.000-07:00

I have gone to the dentist every 6 months for as long as I can remember.

And each time I dread going.

I don't think that is ever going to change.

A New Job!

2010-03-26T14:20:00.000-07:00

No, not me...

After 10 months of being unemployed, Hubs was offered a great job with a local company. He is finishing up his third full week of work and loves it.

The best part of his job...he works 8-8 1/2 hours a day, like any other employee. He is at work by 6:30ish am, and gets off at 3:45ish. This is a far cry from his previous job where he had to be at the job site more than an hour away at 6:30 pm, and if he left before 6 pm he was said to not be a "team player". I could only imagine how that could have been a huge strain on our marriage after awhile.

We are glad to be in this place, even though it means more change to get use to!

I'm a Bad Aunt

2010-03-25T10:01:00.000-07:00

I married into a large family.

Hubs has 4 siblings and 4 step siblings. There are 7 of them, including Blake, who still live in the area. Needless to say, family functions, when all kids are there with their spouses with their kids, can be fun, but insane.

Take Christmas for example...32 people. All immediate family.

I have 13 nieces and nephews that are out of the womb and walking, 2 more baking in the oven, and who knows how many more in the works.

I can't keep track of birthdays. Since we have been married, I haven't sent a birthday card.

I'm pretty sure that makes me the. worst. aunt. ever. There are worse things in life, right? Probably not to kids under 8! Maybe I should get on that one...

DC in the Winter

2010-03-24T21:53:00.000-07:00

Hubs and I headed to the East Coast for a friends wedding and some r&r at the beginning of March. It was cold, but we had a blast hanging out with old friends and making new ones! One of the highlights of the trip was going to the White House...we even got to see Obama!

To Watch Jesus Heal

2010-03-24T21:18:00.000-07:00

I have been reading through the Gospels lately. I am in the middle of Luke, and the thought occured to me...

It would have been insane to watch Jesus perform miracles 2,000 years ago.

To watch...
the lame walk
the deaf hear
the blind see

To watch Jesus cast out demons

And then I wondered...

If I were a Jew 2,000 years ago, would I have believed that Jesus was indeed the Messiah?

From The Center of Disease Control

2010-02-19T13:57:00.000-08:00

I usually hate email forwards, but this one was pretty funny....

--------------------------------
Very important information has just been made public that I think is something you should all be aware of:

Gonorrhea Lectim

The Center for Disease Control has issued a warning about a new virulent strain of this old disease.
The disease is called Gonorrhea Lectim. It's pronounced "Gonna re-elect 'im."

The disease is contracted through dangerous and high risk behavior involving putting your cranium up your rectum.

Many victims contracted it in 2008 ..... but now most people after having been infected for the past 1-2 years are starting to realize how destructive this sickness is. It's sad because it is so easily cured with a new procedure just coming on the market called Vo-tem-out.

You take the first dose/step in 2010 and the second dosage in 2012 and simply don't engage in such behavior again. .

Honesty Within the Church

2010-02-10T11:00:00.000-08:00

To be honest, I find it hard to be honest about my struggles in the church, and where I am struggling with my job, which is at a church. I am pretty sure this has something to do with the fall...a long time ago...starting with Adam and Eve.

In Genesis 2:25, it states "The man and his wife were both naked and they felt no shame"

This does not simply mean physically naked. It is an intimacy with God and each other that caused no shame. They were naked with their emotions. They were naked with their experiences. They were naked with their souls.

They did not know what jealousy was. They did not know what contempt was. They did not know what anger was. They did not know how not to share everything with each other.

They felt no shame.

I am so thankful for the handful of people in my life who I know I can share every part of my life with; the good, the bad, the ugly, and they stick around. Its nice to know that I have a community of people who will walk through life with me.

Does your church cultivate a place of honesty? Do you feel you can take off the mask and share your burdens with others in the church?

A Deflated Spirit with Words

2010-02-08T13:50:00.001-08:00

Isn't it funny how words can hurt/deflate a persons spririt?

This morning, a conversation took place where we evaluated the past week. Although some nice things were said, it was more of a conversation of what wasn't right.

The hardest part about it is the main thing that went wrong, I had no control over.

And when it was stated that a component that I oversaw was a failure, my spirit deflated...more than usual. And this is because I have given a month of my life to make the month of February the best it can be.

Sometimes I wonder if my best is even good enough...

Learning To Be Healthy

2010-02-07T13:30:00.000-08:00

At the beginning of the year, Blake and I put some "guidelines" on our life. We want to have a happy, healthy, thriving marriage. We don't want to live in mediocrity.

Below is the list of things we came up with to help us move in the right direction:

1. Read our Bible daily.
Even though I work at a church, and read the Word for work, I don't always take time to just stop and be with Him. This has become the number one priority for us.

2. Praying together.

Way.

More.

Often.

About anything. About everything.

3. Read a book together. One chapter each week and discuss.

4.Exercise at least 4 days a week. This has turned into 6 days with P90X.

5. Cook at home more. Even though life can be crazy working at a church, we waste money and
eat more unhealthy when we eat out.

6.Individaually hang out with a friend at least every other week.

7. Hang out with another couple at least every other week.

8. Get out of town once a month, even if it is for a day. To stop and just be with each other.

9. Walk the dogs 3 times a week.

And for me:
Days that I don't have evening commitments...get my butt out of bed and to work by 8 so I can be off at 5 so I can spend the most amount of time per evening hanging out with Blake and doing whatever I want.

Journal at least once a week. I haven't been good at this one, but I know I need to do it. Prayer journaling helps me to get out all of my thoughts on paper to God, the good, the bad, the ugly. It helps me to process everything.

For the lifestyle changes we have made with each other, we have consequences put in place for when don't follow through.

So far, 2010 has been one of the best years of my life :)

P90X

2010-02-06T11:15:00.000-08:00

2 weeks ago, hubs and I started P90X. We already eat pretty healthy, so the real change was the intense exercising.

P90X is hard, but for the most part, I have been able to keep up with good ol' Tony. Tony Horton reminds me of Michael Scott from The Office. He says awkward things at awkward times....which makes me laugh.

The best part of doing P90X right is the fact that we are already seeing results. We aren't sticking to the meal plane precisely, but if you can't have a little fun in life what's the point?

Missions Month 2010

2010-02-01T16:26:00.000-08:00

The Bridge Church is celebrating our 23rd year of Missions Festival Month. Below is the article I wrote for our "Bridge to the Nations" magazine.
------------------------------------------------------------
For Missions Month in 2010, we are partnering with a local agency that starts in the heart of Fresno but touches the world. We have an organization here in town that instills the heart of God in His people as they choose to follow Him and learn to love like He loves us.

Fresno - 55 violent gangs in Fresno with 7,000 members.
Fresno - Where 30% of families are below the poverty line.
Fresno - 5th poorest city in the nation.
Fresno - Largest refugee population in the United States.
Fresno - Where 50% of the nations' meth is produced.
Fresno - 22 neighborhoods of concentrated poverty.
Fresno - 3,000 children in the Fresno Unified School District have been identified as homeless.
Fresno - 4th highest teen pregnancy rate in the United States.
Fresno - 35% of adults don’t have high school diplomas. The dropout rate exceeds the state average by 36%.

Based upon the above statistics, Fresno seems like a lost cause. This past year, however, we have seen Fresno in a whole new light. There is beauty in the brokenness. The brokenness that is our lives, that is our city, that is our world. God came to live amongst us. In John 1:14 it says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

None of us is worthy of the love of God, yet He gives to us generously. We look, we judge, we turn away. God looks, he loves, he embraces. He left his home, his comfort, He incarnated himself to be one with us. The incarnation of Jesus is the means which Christ reaches out to us, the message he wants to communicate to us, and the model for how we are to minister.

What if God’s heart for the least of these and the City of Fresno infiltrated your heart? Did you know that there are more than 300 verses in the Bible about God’s heart for the poor and for justice? God desires for us to love like he loves, to see as he sees, and to do as he does.

We are partnering with InterVarsity’s Fresno Institute for Urban Leadership (FIFUL). It's an organization that seeks the Shalom of the city. Our city. Fresno.

Join us in helping to transform inner-city Fresno from the inside... by equipping builders to expand the kingdom.

P90X-day 6

2010-01-30T11:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Tony,

Although the excercise on day 5 (which lands on Friday for me), legs and back, is a good workout, on day 6, I can barely sit down.

Can you cool it on the squats?

Thanks.

Franciscan Prayer

2010-01-20T09:46:00.000-08:00

It is my desire for my life to be lived out as the Franciscan Prayer below:

May GOD bless us with discomfort at easy answers, half truths and superficial relationships, so that we may live deep within our hearts.

May GOD bless us with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that we may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May GOD bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that we may reach out our hands to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

May GOD bless us with enough foolishness to believe we can make a difference in this world, so that we can do what others claim cannot be done.

And may the blessing of GOD, Who creates, redeems, and sanctifies, be upon you and all you love and pray for this day and forevermore.

Grandparents

2010-01-18T08:06:00.000-08:00

On December 27th, 1940, my grandma and the man she was going to marry got in a truck, each of their oldest siblings and spouses in tow, and went to the preachers house. When they arrived at his home, he was on his way into the barn to feed his pigs, wearing overalls of course. Once they got the preacher out from the barn, he came inside, and 8 of them stood in a room and my Grandparent's committed their lives to each other before God. Once they were married, the 6 of them drove to Birmingham to have dinner at a hotel.

No fancy wedding ceremony, no fancy reception. They stood before God with a few people they loved dearly.

They had an honest, God fearing marriage. My Grandpa went home to be with the Lord when I was only 2. I look at pictures of him and wonder what it would have been like to know him here on this earth. All I can live by are the stories Grandma tells me about him, about his childhood, about how hard he worked as a farmer to provide. And it makes me proud to be his granddaughter.

I can't wait to meet him in heaven.

Haiti-The Earthquake and Our Response

2010-01-14T16:17:00.001-08:00

These past couple of days have been chaotic. With our church's connection to Haiti through our short term trips and Missions Month 2009, a deep sadness came over me. I have been there. I know the names of these individuals.

Right after we learned of the earthquake we began making as many phone calls to whoever might have information. Cell towers were down and those that weren't were being bombarded with phone calls finding out the condition of loved ones. After hours of waiting, word came to us that all were ok. Which was a relief, but I was once again grieved knowing all those that were suffering.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. It is a neighboring country. Abject poverty is something that can not be ignored. Yet, we decided not to pay attention until this tragedy occured. Now a country that had very little has even less.

Anne Jackson blogged about Rachel Evans on a different subject, but I came across her latest post titled "We Already Failed Haiti" She hits it right on.

So now that this tragedy has occured and the world's eyes are on Haiti, what is going to be your response....what is going to be the response of the church?

Burnout

2009-12-30T08:01:00.000-08:00

I never thought that I would even come close. I knew what a healthy balance was. But over these past 2 months, work has been so crazy that I have shut out many other areas of my life.

I was off work on Dec 24th, but decided to go pick up a check at the church office. While I was there, I went into our communication directors office and asked if I could borrow one of his books. I had seen it laying around, but never looked closely at it. Which is why I am not even sure why I asked for it (now I know).

"Mad Church Disease:Overcoming the burnout Epidemic" by Anne Jackson was the book.

I started reading it on the 26th on our way to Urbana, and finished it early on in the flight from LAX to St Louis.

These past 2 months, I have given 120% at work. There has been so much to do, and knowing that it needed to be done "now" didn't help.

It is extremely easy for me "to do" for God, that I forget how "to just be" with Him. To sit at the feet of my saviour. To rest in Him.

And it turns out that if I don't change my lifestyle soon, I am going to burnout.

I recommend that every church staff member and every church leader should read this book, if only for the knowledge of what it may look like if they are beginning to burn out or if someone they work with and know well may be experiencing this.

So while at Urbana, although there is lots to do, experience, and see, I am trying to reconnect with the Lord of my life, to figure out again what it can look like to slow down and just be in his presence.

When we get home, Blake and I are going to begin implementing some lifestyle changes that we have already begun to discuss.

This book has a lot of good information, helps you reflect on your situation, and gives you steps to changing all areas of your life (spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical).

A Healthy LifeStyle

2009-12-18T09:51:00.000-08:00

Its confession time...

I love sleep. I use to know how to have a balance in my life between work, friends, boyfriend (at the time, now I sleep with him...because we are married!), and family. I use to have a healthy lifestyle. Exercise. Eating healthy (most of the time). Taking time to journal.

These past 3 months, well, it hasn't quite been like that. Shoot, it may be longer than that.

This past week:
I worked 46 hours in 4 days this week.
I got little sleep, until last night, when I slept for 11 hours. When my body was telling me to go to sleep at 7:30 last night, I knew something wasn't quite right.
I have eaten a bunch of crap this week.
Ice cream every night.

And my body feels it. It knows the stress. It knows that I am not feeding myself what I should.

And I feel...

Gross.

So this weekend, I am going to try something different. I am going to rest. I am going to eat healthy. I am going to give my husband my undivided attention (some of the time at least). I am going to spend time with friends and family.

What do you do to maintain a healthy balance in your life?

Birthday Week!

2009-12-11T11:34:00.000-08:00

I have had the best birthday week ever, thanks to my wonderful husband and friends.

I went to dinner with my friends and walked Christmas Tree Lane on Saturday night.

Sunday we went to Pasadena where I was surprised with a gift from Tiffany & Co and dinner with my sister and best friend.

Monday we went to Disneyland.

I was surprised with a second day at Disneyland on Tuesday.

We had a great time with my parents at dinner on Thursday night. I was surprised with an awesome bike and some other rather cool gifts.

And tonight Blake had something planned, but due to the whether I think it is being postponed.

I received a card each day from my wonderful husband...some sweet and some really funny.

Blake has made me feel so special this week. I am so glad that I have such an amazing husband who loves to show me how special I am to him.

Can't wait for all the birthdays I will get to share with him in the future!

A Relevant Life

2009-12-02T15:02:00.001-08:00

I want my life to be relevant. I want the topics I blog about to relevant.

What does it mean to lead a relevant life to you?

Dressing up our Dogs

2009-11-05T09:55:00.000-08:00

Just because we can :)

Crazy Life

2009-11-05T09:48:00.000-08:00

My life has dramatically increased in stress and business the past couple weeks. Although I am excited for the challenges, I am overwhelmed. I am feeling it now more than normal since I haven't had a day off in 10 days. I am tired. I am finding things that wouldn't normally bother me definitely rub me the wrong way lately.

I need to get away. Be with Jesus. And no one else. Even if it is for a couple hours. I am no good to myself or in ministry if I am serving out of a puddle instead of an ocean of God's love and mercy.

A Two Dog Family

2009-11-05T09:22:00.001-08:00

Last Saturday, we got another puppy. Sammy is a lab mix, which we have discovered that he is mixed with Great Dane (he is a big boy). We thought it would be good for Sammy to have a friend at home. It has been an interesting transition, but overall we think he likes her.

Maddi is also a lab mix, but she is part terrier. I am glad that she is not going to be as big as Sammy, but right now, she is tiny compared to him.

A Whole New World

2009-10-19T21:46:00.000-07:00

There are many things that Blake was not able to experience as a kid since he came from such a large family. I come from a family of 2 kids...me and my sister. During Halloween time, I remember going to McDonalds and getting a Happy Meal. During this time of year, the Happy Meal was given in a plastic pumpkin. Blake did not have the joy of experiencing this as a kid. Friday night, he took me to Ruths Chris to celebrate six wonderful months of marriage. Sunday night, between meetings and class, I took him to McDonalds for a Happy Meal!

I had him meet me at the McDonalds at Willow and Nees, which is connected to a Union station. I told him to meet me at the Union 76 station at 5:15 (to throw him off!). I got their early and ordered the Happy Meal, put it in a pumpkin that I got at Target, and waited for him to show up. When he got their, he loved it! Of course, it wasn't quite the same as if he were a kid, but he sure did enjoy it!

Oahu 2009

2009-10-19T21:27:00.001-07:00

Blake's brother is in the Coast Guard and is stationed in Hawaii. This is where Blake proposed last September. We had the opportunity to go out to visit Drew, Vanessa, and our nephew Tommy a week ago. We had a blast! We were upgraded for free to first class on the way over and were given a free upgraded convertible to drive while there.

A free place to stay+airline miles (free flight)+vacation days+bulldog football=Us going to Hawaii!

Resting

2009-09-30T09:54:00.001-07:00

I read Shaun Groves blog. I like what he has to say, even though I don't always agree with it. He is usually pretty insightful and makes me think.

I have been struggling with what it means to rest, to have a sabbath. Life is so busy that when I have an evening off, I am not quite sure what to do with myself.

Here is a portion of Shaun's blog from today:

"I’m always working because I’m never satisfied. At night I stay up dissecting the day and fretting over the next, sifting through the moments I wish I could do-over, prognosticating tomorrow’s troubles. Even when my body isn’t in motion my mind is still working away, tweaking the past and perfecting the future before it even arrives. I’m a bundle of anxiety and regret.

It’s good? Good enough to leave alone?

Taking a sabbath requires me to be satisfied with myself, with my reputation, with my income and the amount of stuff I own, with the finished and half-done and not-even-started. With God. With the life he’s made me – so far."

Am I not truly satisfied with life? Is that always a bad thing?

Do you struggle with taking a real "sabbath"? What do you like to do to rest?

To read the entire blog, go here.

My All-In-One Man

2009-09-22T10:53:00.000-07:00

My husband is awesome. He can pretty much build, install, or fix anything. It is amazing.

His degree was in construction management at Fresno State, but he graduated from COS with his certificate in HVAC. He grew up watching his dad build custom cabinets and watching his grandpa fix/work on cars. Along with that, he has picked up many skills along the way, such as electrical and plumbing.

Last week, he built us a closet organizer.

Check it out!

If you ever need anything done, let me know!

Trip to the Big City

2009-09-17T14:20:00.000-07:00

When I first met my husbands parents, I was deemed as the "city girl". Not sure if that is becuase I lived in DC for a bit or the fact that I was Fresno (which come on, it is a city but not a big city).

This past weekend Blake and I went to visit our good friend Berger in the Bay Area. We had a blast. One of my favorite parts was watching Blake as he experienced public transportation for the first time (I LOVED the Metro when I lived in DC, so BART wasa welcome experience). The first time he had been in a taxi was with me in DC.

Here are a few pics from our weekend!

Being Thankful

2009-09-17T13:47:00.001-07:00

As an American, and as a daughter of parents who are middle class individuals, I never went without growing up. I wasn't spoiled by any means, but I was provided for.

I have been married to the love of my life for 5 months (exactly, tomorrow :) ) We were married one month to the day when my husband came home, and told me that he had been let go from his job in construction management. Not exactly something you want to hear when you just got married and just bought a house 4 months previously.

As hard as it has been, I admit that it has been wonderful.

It has put so many things into perspective.

The Lord has provided for us in so many ways. Thus far, we have no financial troubles. We have a roof over our heads. A warm bed to sleep in. Food in the cupboards. An awesome dog. And most importantly, we still have each other.

I am so thankful for the little things. I hope that as we continue on this journey, that I am reminded of all that God has done for us and how he has blessed us.

And right now, my heart is extremely thankful.

Under the Overpass

2009-09-17T13:34:00.001-07:00

I started reading a new book on Tuesday, titled Under the Overpass.

It is written by one of the two guys who decided to take a 5 month journey into homelessness. Upper-middle class guys with a college education. They left everything that they knew.

I started it on Tuesday and I am almost done with it. Because it is good.

They encounter so many people, Christians, who look at them and automatically discount them because of the way they look. Dirty. Stinky. Sitting on the corner of a street playing guitar for money. And the reaction of Christians in this book is appalling.

And I pray that I am never the person who discounts the homeless person that walks into the church that I attend because they don't look or smell like I would like them to. That I would treat them as Christ would want me to treat them.

Go buy this book.

Human Trafficking in the US

2009-09-08T15:10:00.001-07:00

The Lord continues to do a work in my life, and sometimes, I confess, I don't like it. The Lord speaks clearly on injustice and how he loathes it. And as a follower of Christ, I am to care for the oppressed, the widow, the orphan.

As I continue on this journey called life, Jesus is teaching me about his heart for people. And sometimes, it can be very heavy.

I have become passionate about human trafficking. Did you know that there are 27 million slaves in the world today? Did you know girls are kidnapped, sold for money, and then forced to have sex with men for money? Did you know that "child prostitution" is in fact a form of human trafficking?

I came across a blog post today that gave more specific numbers on human trafficking in the US. Check it out here.

Eating (right) Too weak....I mean 2 weeks

2009-08-31T12:06:00.000-07:00

From my dad.....

Hi. My name is……………. not too sure anymore. Hershey, Baby Ruth, Junior Mints, all are familiar but somehow don't seem quite right.

I am a carboholic.

It's been 1 and 2 days since my last carb (do 24 sweet potato fries and 30, maybe 92 potato chips really count). I have given up on getting that one year button and have set my sights on the 32 count box of Skinny Cow. My body now has sugar GPS. I can sniff out a Baskin Robbins or Coldstones blindfolded.

Tonight is weigh-in and it is weighing heavily on my mind and of course, still on the rest of my body. I fear that the desired outcome of two weaks (sic) of changed eating habits and barbaric exercise (walking ) will not be realized. The goal is to lose at least as many pounds as the week before so as not to have to endure a longer death march each night. If only Sue would not make me carry the sandbags when we walk, maybe I could walk farther than two blocks.

If I see my shadow tonight at weigh-in, it will be two more weeks of phase 1 of eating right. Hopefully 6 down, 10 (or as much as I can hold out for until I succumb to a low blood sugar coma) to go.

More soon, unless Sue keeps twisting my arm to walk and I am unable to type due to having another rotator cuff surgery.

Your's in carbs,
Brent (carb whisperer)

Pet Peeves

2009-08-25T15:38:00.000-07:00

A coworker and I were talking about pet peeves today. He asked what mine were. I could only come up with three. Most of the time I forget that something bothers me until it happens.

Here is what I came up with today:
-I hate it when tape (packaging tape especially) sticks to my fingers and can't get it off. It kinds freaks me out.
-I can't stand it when people are driving slow in the fast lane, especially on the freeway.
-People clapping when a movie ends. There is no need for this. It is not a live performance. You have been watching a screen for a couple hours. The actors don't feel appreciated because they aren't there!

Something that isn't really a pet peeve, but I think is hilarious, is when I am driving, look over, and see an adult picking their nose. Do they think that when they get into their car an invisible shield goes up around them? It cracks me up every time.

What are some of your pet peeves?

Santa Cruz

2009-08-25T15:33:00.000-07:00

Blake and I are lucky to have families that either live in really cool places or own vacation homes. My Uncle's family owns a house in Santa Cruz.

We love going to the coast. We haven't been to Santa Cruz in almost a year, but are so looking forward to it. I have worked lots of hours and weekends, so we are taking off tonight and coming back on Thursday.

Along with the beach and boardwalk, we are going to go to Monterey on Thursday...I haven't been to Monterey in years.

Looking forward to spending some quality time with my love without the distractions of home!

Eating (right) 1 weak

2009-08-25T15:21:00.000-07:00

This is from my father:

Hi. My name is Gary (name changed to avoid repercussions at home) and I am a Carboholic.

One weak and one day has passed since I was mislead about diet and exercise. It has been 4 days since my last carb. Will I ever get that darn one year ice cream…..errrr, I mean button.

Another forced march last night. This time we went to the north and west so that we would be in the shade. Who knew that neighborhood had a ban on trees? How do I explain my sunburn to the dermatologist tomorrow? Sue is a ruthless tyrant.

I fear that lack of carbs is keeping me from lasting through the day.

Again weakness is playing a big part in my ability to function. I was unable to get out of my chair at work. After repeated attempts, I realized that I was sitting to close to my desk and the reason I needed to loose weight was preventing me from getting up. With great effort, I amassed all the strength left in my weakened state and pushed my chair back, thus allowing me to call for help to assist me out of my chair. Decided not to get up after all. Need to save my strength to be able to go home after work.

One weak weigh-in last night. Only lost 3 pounds. I could have done better with an exacta knife and my shop vac while eating Cold Stone's.

Sue assures me that things will improve. I will lose more weight, feel better, and my internal organs will not hurt from wearing clothes that are too tight.

More soon, if I can just remember what's going on in my weakened state.

Your's in carbs,
Brent

Tethering my IPhone to my Computer

2009-08-04T11:33:00.000-07:00

We don't have internet at our house yet. Which is really inconvenient and great all at the same time.

On Saturday, I discovered something new. I can plug my IPhone into my computer via USB, and I can get on the internet.

Most of you probably already knew this, but I don't usually plug my phone into my computer at home, I only do it at work.

I am amazed by technology.

Heavy Information: Human Trafficking

2009-07-31T14:10:00.000-07:00

Our lack of internet at our house has not allowed me to blog as often as I would have liked to. Thus, I sit in my office at The Bridge after reading more information about human trafficking. And I don't even know what to say or do or think. The injustice that takes place on a daily basis is indeed overwhelming.

I often wonder how gaining this information is helpful there is no action on my part. It has been on my heart lately to talk to whoever about trafficking. More often than not, I find out that people have no idea that there are 27 million slaves worldwide, which is more than the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade in the 1800's.

The current slave trade consists of: bonded slavery, illegal detention, organ trafficking, child labor, illegal property seizure, and the ever so sickening sex slave trade.

And I can't get away from the information. Last night, while lying in bed, I changed the station from the show I was watching (because it was a commercial and I am impatient) to Law and Order. And you want to know what the show was about? You guessed it. Human trafficking. Individuals were "adopting" Haitians and once they were brought to the US, they were treated as slaves, lived in squalor, given very little to eat and no education.

There are so many different organizations, websites, and articles about human trafficking that it can be overwhelming at times.

The one thing that I realized in all of this, is these people are taking action in ways that they can in their context.

And if you don't think that human trafficking is taking place here in Fresno, you are wrong. If a girls is 17 years old and is a prostitute, she most likely isn't there because she wants to be. She has been coerced by this individual who promises a better life. Once it is too late, she is addicted to drugs and stays on the street. Federal law defines trafficking in persons as “sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age.” And I will tell you this much, the age of prostitutes in Fresno continues to become younger and younger. According to this news report by abc30, they are as young as 12.

"Revolution in World Missions"

2009-07-09T14:38:00.001-07:00

I am reading Revolution in World Missions by KP Yohannan. Yohannan is the founder of Gospel for Asia (GFA), a missionary organization that raises up native missionaries to reach their own people.

At first, I was intrigued by his story of how God brought him to this place of starting such an organization. Then I was a little annoyed by what seemed like a plea for those in the US to give away all their money (which I think speaks more to the fact that I am materialistic, even though I try extremely hard not to be). Today, what I read was extremely convicting.

He wrote on the social or humanistic gospel. That for years, organizations go in and speak only to the physical needs and not the spiritual needs. And how in China, organizations built hospitals, schools, etc, for a hundred years, which added to their life here on earth, but millions of people never heard the Gospel. So although they had good health care and good education, they never heard the gospel. First and foremost, as Christians, we are suppose to be preaching the Good News of Christ.

Yohannan states "It is a crime against lost humanity to go in the name of Christ and missions just to do social work yet neglect calling men to repent-to give up their idols and rebellion-and to follow Christ with all their hearts"

And

"Substituting a bowl of rice for the Holy Spirit and the Word of God will never save a soul and will rarely change the attitude of a man's heart"

He isn't saying that you shouldn't care for the physical well being of a person, but "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul?" Mark 8:36

Jesus had compassion on the multitudes, but it was a compassion having to do with their spiritual condition first, and their physical condition second. He fed them with the bread of life, and filled their stomachs with fish and bread. He not only opened up the eyes of peoples hearts but he also made the blind see.

If we, as Christians, as missions organizations, do not proclaim the gospel, then feeding an empty stomach will not save them from hell.

Reading this book has me thinking about which missionaries and organizations we support and how strongly or effectively they are sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ...

Yarcel...take 2

2009-06-23T18:29:00.001-07:00

This post, with the picture, is authentic. As in, I was driving in a smaller valley community, and couldn't help but take a picture.

Now, this is extremely funny. But I couldn't help but start thinking about the fact that this kid thought that this was how you spelled "yardsale". And nobody corrected him. Which leads me to believe that his mom doesn't know how to spell "yardsale" either.

I wish I could just look at it and laugh, and look at it again and laugh some more (because I have done that numerous times) without feeling sorry for this kid and wondering what his future holds.

Yarcel

2009-06-20T20:18:00.000-07:00

Yarcel. You know, the thing you have when you try to sell your belongings outside your home.

Mullet Awesomeness

2009-06-15T10:56:00.000-07:00

This is one of the many reasons we go to Winco...

Having Family Over

2009-06-05T14:26:00.000-07:00

On Monday night, my brother and sister in law, Garrett and Becka, and their family came over for dinner. They drove all the way up from Exeter. We had a great time with them. Ate some great food. Played some RockBand. They have 2 small kids and a baby. We weren't really prepared in the toy section. Blake did have a bunch of old stuffed animals that he kept "for the nieces and nephews", which he had never had a chance to use, until Monday night. Tomorrow at The Bridge Community Yardsale, we are going to look for some toys.

When they first got out of the car, my niece, Bethany, gave me this

which is proudly sitting on our ledge in our kitchen. It was a super sweet idea (thanks Becka and Bethany!)

Driving the Van

2009-06-05T08:23:00.000-07:00

For those of you that don't know, we are now the proud owners of a
1991 Plymouth Voyager. Today, I'm going to let our 6 month black lab,
Sammy, drive.

Flowers

2009-05-28T16:28:00.000-07:00

I'm a sucker for romance and flowers, I'll freely admit it. My husband
knows this. He is a smart man and uses it to his advantage. He stopped
by my office and brought me these

Changes

2009-05-27T09:30:00.000-07:00

There have been quite a few changes in our lives recently. It is funny how in a moment, everything can change. And although we don't always see how it is a good thing at the time, we understand that we serve a God who is loving and just. I have seen over and over again how His timing is perfect. I don't always see it at the time, but looking back, I would not have it any other way.

This is another one of those times. Blake and I have been given a blank page so to speak. And we will see what God has in store for us to fill the pages with.

My Sister...

2009-05-17T19:58:00.000-07:00

Graduated from USC on Friday. She now has a Masters in Physicians Assistant. She has the boards in June, and I know she will pass with flying colors.

Looking forward to free medical advice the rest of my life! :)

My Wedding!

2009-05-11T10:13:00.001-07:00

On April 18th, 2009, I got to marry the love of my life. The weather was perfect. The location was perfect. It was an extremely care free day, with no worries on my end. Everything was as it was suppose to be and it was seemless. I had the type of wedding day all girls should have!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the worlds best wedding photographer Ken Kienow.

We have been married a month, and life with Blake keeps getting more and more fun. I am looking forward to spending the rest of my life with him!

In 3 days....

2009-04-15T19:06:00.001-07:00

I get to marry the love of my life.

I can't wait!

Our New McCaffrey Home-Take 2

2009-04-15T18:35:00.001-07:00

On March 3rd, Blake got a phone call from Brent McCaffrey. Apparently, he read my blog, Our New McCaffrey Home, that I posted on February 1st, and wanted me to update my blog. You see, he did come out to smooth everything over.

The funny thing is, he didn't ask about our previous experience with McCaffrey. When he came out on February 18th to look at all that was still not right with our home, he didn't ask what our experience had been like.

If he had, he would have learned that their sales representative lost her cool and yelled at us when we called her on a mistake she had made, one that benefited us. He also would have learned more in depth how the arm doesn't know what the leg is doing in the McCaffrey organization. He would have learned that it took us calling the designer numerous times to get ahold of her, and sometimes she never called us back, we just had to keep calling.

And, he mocked us. When he asked if this was our first home, and we said yes, with a smirk he said "God Bless you". And it didn't feel sincere.

He wanted us to start over, wipe the slate clean, on February 18th. Really? Without anything being done?

I appreciate what he is trying to do. He said they would fix the problems, and I believe him. The problem that I have with the phone call to ask me to change my blog goes in this order:

1. He called Blake and asked him to ask me to update my blog. I'm sorry, but Blake isn't the boss of me. I love him. I respect him. But Blake thought it was funny that Brent McCaffrey just didn't call me himself. As do I.

2. I think it is funny that he had the audacity to ask me to change my blog. A blog, by definition, is considered an online personal journal (definition here). This is the place where I get to share my thoughts and what is going on in my life.

3. He asked me to change my blog 4 days before they even came out to start working on all of the things that were wrong with our house.

We love our home. McCaffrey's subcontractors have been out most weekends since March 7th to fix all of the problems, and we greatly appreciate it.

In fact, 2 weekends ago the tile contractor was out to take out all of the grout in the kitchen on the tile since they messed up the first time, and when they tried to fix it, it made it worse. And we appreciate them making that right for us. The only problem is they made a dent in our wall, so now another contractor has to come out to fix that, which will be a couple weeks after we get back from our honeymoon.

So when this is all, and they have fixed everything that they are suppose to, I'll write a blog update...letting you know if everything was indeed smoothed over.

Last Pre-marriage Counseling

2009-04-08T23:13:00.000-07:00

Josh Hawley, the Pastor of Student Ministries and Young Adults at The Bridge, is marrying Blake and I. He and his wife played significant roles in our lives when we were in college.

However, you have to go through pre-marital counseling with them. I think we met 4 times, plus one other time with another person on finances and what not.

Tonight was our last one.

I think we passed.

Which means in 10 days I will be Mrs. Stephanie German.

And that makes me happy :)

Haiti....

2009-03-24T22:50:00.000-07:00

It was one year ago this day that I got back from Haiti. I struggled a lot when I got back from Haiti. After seeing that kind of poverty, I don't know how anybody is the same ever again.

I have so many thoughts and feelings about my trip last year that I am not even sure where to begin...

Those who have not heard....

2009-03-18T10:19:00.000-07:00

I receive the Missions Catalyst eMagazine each week. Its purpose is to "inspire and equip Christians worldwide for global ministry" Each week, different stories are shared about the work going on all around the world.

This week, from the Joshua Project, this was shared:

"Joshua Project, a collaborative missions effort that focuses on unreached people groups, reports that an average of 160,000 a day hear the message of redemption in Christ for the first time. Every hour, 3,000 more people decide to follow Jesus Christ.

In 1800, those who had never heard the gospel were almost 75 percent of the globe's population. Today the percentage of those who have not heard is 28 percent. That means, however, that about 1.5 billion people have not heard the gospel message even one time! "

3,000 decisions for Christ every hour.....1.5 BILLION people...that is a lot of people...

Those are some fascinating numbers.

Daily Email Devotionals

2009-03-16T09:55:00.000-07:00

I have signed up to receive 2 daily email devotions. One of them is going through Romans. And it seems to be just what I need everyday.

Today, it is on Romans 12:1-2-being a holy and living sacrifice to God.

And it made me thing...is that what my life exhibits? That is the desire, but do I really do it?

And this is a quote that really hit hard....

"Thus the Christian life is not a heavy burden, but the light yoke of Jesus, lived in joyful acceptance of God’s daily mercies. "

Slowing Down

2009-03-11T15:27:00.001-07:00

Blake and I are trying something new...we are trying to learn to slow down. This is extremely hard for both of us, as we like to do stuff and be with people. However, with planning a wedding and settling him into our house, we have just had to cut certain things out.

Last week, we canceled our plans for Wednesday night and Thursday night. Then plans seemed to go away for one reason or another on Friday and Saturday night. And it was so good.

With that said, we are trying to continue on this path of not overplanning, but it is hard when there are still so many things to do and so many people we want to hang out with.

We are going through 1 Corintians right now (we started it on Monday), and both chapters 1 and 2 talk about God's wisdom. And I was reminded how God's foolishness is wiser than my wisdom. And this made me begin to pray more fervently for wisdom, something I know I definitely need.

Extreme Home Makeover, The Bridge, and DeYoung Properties

2009-03-11T15:09:00.000-07:00

On Sunday night, The Bridge was the host site for DeYoung Properties community party for Extreme Makeover Home Edition. The Riojas family was present, as well as Jerry and Paula DeYoung (who were extremely nice, down to earth people), many from DeYoung Properties, Dr. Welty from Fresno State, and those that contributed significantly to the building of their home.

I had a really hard job on Sunday....I got to hang out with the "celebrities" and be friendly....it was a daunting task but somebody had to do it :)

It was a great night, filled with food, fun, and much laughter. We watched the behind the scenes show at 7 pm and then the show, Extreme Makeover Home Edition at 8 pm. It was a lot of fun to watch the show with those that put in a lot of their time, effort, and resources to help the Riojas family.

It kind of makes me wonder if Blake and I would have bought a DeYoung Home if all of this had taken place in the fall....

Sammy...

2009-02-18T16:31:00.000-08:00

This is the new love of my life (sorry Blake!)

Tired...

2009-02-15T08:51:00.000-08:00

Not just tired like I want to take a nap tired. But the tired that is deep down within. I feel like I am running on empty. And when you are in ministry, running out of a place of emptiness is not good.

I just want to get away for a couple days. And spend it with the Creator of the Universe...spend it with My Redeemer... spend it with the lover of my soul.

So that I may be refreshed.

A Cup of Coffee and the Bible

2009-02-03T22:33:00.000-08:00

Tonight, after I sat at home for a while as my parents helped Blake pack, (I mean, did stuff for the wedding and house, yeah....whoops...but really, I did...do stuff....) Blake and I went to Starbucks.

One of our favorite things to do is just to be able to sit and talk....talk about life, talk about work, talk about our day, talk about the future, talk about whatever. But lately, our lives have been so crazy that we haven't been able to do that.

But tonight, we made time. And it was wonderful. We were able to stop and just be. And nothing else in the world mattered. And we connected. And it was good.

And after we sat for awhile and talked, we opened up our Bibles and read Amos 1 and 2, and talked about its significance back then and our lives today.

And it was good. So good.

Some of my favorite times have been when we were able to stop our lives, sit down, and just enjoy life together.