1...2...3 T-BIRD!

Sorry for the delay fans. Guess what? I live in Arizona now! The funniest thing happened yesterday. I was on facebook and it showed me a post I had put exactly one year ago. The status update read “First Sabbath at camp…going for a hike” It’s mind blowing to think that only a year ago I was hiking it up in Oregon and now a Sabbath one year later I’m an Athletic Director, PE/Health, class sponsor, and volleyball coach. Mind-blowing! I even have a new name (not that kind of name change, still single) students call me Miss L or Coach. Second mind blow!

I can’t remember if I blogged about my birthday this past February, but I remember talking with someone about how 24 was my year. I could just feel it. Not simply because it’s my favorite number (GO Gordon) I just had a feeling. The feeling has turned into new opportunities, leaps of faith, tears, smiles, frustration, and utter joy.

Thunderbird (T-Bird) Adventist Academy is where I reside now. I love that Thunderbirds nickname is T-Bird because it makes me feel like I’m living in the movie Grease. I should be walking around in a Pink Ladies jacket singing, “You’re the one that I want” or racing Grease Lightening.

Now that the musical is over, I really am having a once in a lifetime experience here. It feels like only 10 days ago I drove Olga the Oldsmobile over the speed bumps and made a left onto the celery green doored campus. Oh wait; it has only been 10 days! Lol Since day one the staff have been so supportive and understanding. Seems like 10 is the number around here because that’s the number of new staff. It helps that I knew some people. The Chaplain/Bible teacher went to Southern with me, and the English teacher is a family friend from Massachusetts. They have been my questions answerer people, support, mentor, and vocabulary bank for the boarding school lingo. I’d never heard words “social” “split schedule” or  “supervision team”. As far as I was concerned “social” meant being a social person and talking to people. It means the exact opposite to be “on social”. “Split schedule” to me was not having class everyday, nope, I have classes’ everyday, and a “supervision team” was something required at a mosh pit to make sure people didn’t kill each other. (I wouldn’t know because I’ve never moshed but it makes sense).

One thing I do know for sure is that I will finally…excuse me FINALLY FINALLY have my own place. I have to wait 30 days but it will totally be worth it. I’m going to be living in a 2 bed 1 bath duplex a hop, skip, and a jump away from T-Bird in faculty housing. Which in itself is awesome because mostly all the staff lives in faculty housing. I hope to have game nights and people over for dinner. There are so many staff kids I’m thinking of starting a babysitting service in the summer when school is out. Back to the best part that I will have my OWN PLACE! It’s been a long time coming. I’ll catch you guys up that don’t know my housing history. Went to Southern, lived in dorm for 2 years, lived in Southern Village (still college housing) 2 years. Then I moved off campus the last year but didn’t even put pictures on the walls I shard with 4 other girls because I knew I was graduating and leaving. My internship in Oregon had me living between a room in the director’s house in Stayton, to a cabin at camp. NOW present day, I’m living in the dorm again. WOW lol that was anticlimactic, looks like I’m back where I started…but I’m SO not. Living in the dorm isn’t the worst. I really like and get along with the Girls Dean (which is nice because originally she was suppose to be my boss), and I get to know the girls better because I see them in and out of class. The only thing I don’t want them to see me in is my towel. It’s become a stealth mission for me to get out of the shower room and down the hall to #102 without hearing a “morning Miss L”. The thought of me traumatizing a poor freshman girl because she saw her PE teacher in a towel on more then one occasion is frightening even to me, and I’m the one in the towel!

In all seriousness, life is good and more than that GOD IS GOOD. He knew I needed a job, He knew I needed to be supported by my bosses, and that I needed to be challenged. I’ve been all those things and much more. Even though it’s be hard and probably the most scary experience of my life, I wouldn’t change a thing. I wouldn’t even change the time I asked a Hispanic student if he had left his Spanish book in the gym. (He is clearly fluent in Spanish). But that’s a story for another time.

I will write again soon, if the heat doesn’t roast, toast, and burn me to the sidewalk first. 

Jet setting Echoing ping pong balls

Sorry for the distance my blogger family but the Internet has been under stress with all the recent activity of new people from far off places using it's bandwidth. Quite frankly it crumbled under the pressure and has been trying to recover for the past couple of days. 
Since we last chatted some new friends have entered my life. Echo is from North Carolina and we connected right off the bat. It was an interesting meeting at first. I walked up introduced myself and then she proceeded to tell me that her family are pig farmers. They are a finishing farm and have 6 houses with about 600 pigs total. That wasn't evening the interesting part, she then told me that you really CAN get rid of a dead body by cutting it up into quarters and feeding them to the pigs. They will eat it all. Did I mention this was all done with a smile and the sweet sound of southern charm in her voice? Needless to say I knew I didn't want to get on her bad side! lol Just joking, Echo has the sweetest heart and a kind spirit. We've had some deep heart to hearts and I know she will be a great friend for years to come. And gentlemen...yes she is single.
Then there is Jet. The Aussie that literally jetted up to me at the airport and we haven't really stopped talking or laughing since. The fun started when we had to stop on the side of the road for deer and she was fascinated that deer actually existed. She likened them to Santa Claus, some mystical thing that only lived in stories and fairy tales. Her name Jet came from Jet-Setter, she has traveled LOTS of places and seen a lot, Jet-Lag from her trip from Australia. I'm convinced her sleep pattern is still off. I've never met anyone that is so open, honest, and willing to learn. Because of the complications with certifications and test dates she was not able to be certified as a nurse in Oregon. But in kangaroo land and other parts of the world she's traveled delivering babies in remote villages and stitching up broken limbs she is registered nurse. On her way to be a surgeon. I'm hooked on her personality, free spirit, and love of life. She also said I could get tons of guys in Australia based solely on my American accent. Apparently they eat it up with a spoon for breakfast. And yes all the guys look like Hugh Jackman and that yummy blonde Thor guy. I'm sold. AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OI OI OI!
Father's Day is tomorrow and I'd like to give big ups to my Dad and brother for playing game after game of ping pong in the basement because I am ROCKING people in ping pong. They are convinced that I put spin on the ball, but I just played a lot (back in the day). Sshh don't tell. Also a big thanks to all the people I beat along the way. Your loss has been my gain as I continue to beat opponents on a daily basis. lol
More funny camp stories to come! Filled with tales of Bolivians, Mexicans, Aussies, and a Trinidadian roommate. You'd think I'm on cultural tour of the world for the summer. Nope, at about 3,000 ft. in Oregon. Who woulda thunk?

Run Like a Mother

I felt like a little kid lost at an amusement park looking for my Mommy. Technically I was at an amusement part and there were a lot of kids and it was on Mothers Day, so I guess that was about right. The feelings are probably close to right on as well because I couldn't find the start line and I was missing my Mom because it was an all women Mothers Day 5K.

I also got to the 5K WAY too early, probably due to my nerves, and found myself sitting on the creaky bench of a half rotted picnic table. This 5K turned into a family event with Dad's toting around their little tikes and cheering on their wives as they stretched and chatted at the start line. Grandma and Grandpas lined the cement of the small family friendly amusement park staking out the best spots to view the finish line. I just sat. No cell phone on me and my car key in my sports bra (hopefully it didn't jiggle itself out) waiting for the race to start. A girl looking to be about my age, but with long blond hair, and skinnier then I sat kind of diagonal from me on the opposing picnic table. I figured this was her gajillionth race because she had a Nike running hat on and earphones (that's know you know their hardcore). I decided to say hi because she was sitting alone and I figured that was one thing we had in common. Come to find out this was her first 5K. Automatically feeling like the "veteran" having run only one more 5K then her, I shared what my first 5K experience was like (see blog "5K NO WAY"). In turn she shared her own story. In the last 2 years she had lost 70 pounds! Instantly being knocked off my high horse I asked her to share some tips and explained my own weight loss journey and troubles.

We talked till a few minutes before the race and I asked her if she wanted to run together. I felt like I was asking someone to prom which was weird because I never attended prom. She said yes and waved to her Grandma who was their to support and also offered to hold my lone car key so the "twins" wouldn't fight over it and lose it during the race. I realized once I handed over my key to my (newly) loan paid off car that I had no idea who this Granny was, and maybe this was the ploy of my new friend and her and her Granny had targeted me from the time I pulled in the parking lot. I just shrugged my shoulders and said to myself "oh well, I can run faster then her anyway."

The race started and my new friend and I were off. Out of the amusement park and into the neighborhood of Sellwood, which is just south of Portland, OR. I brought my purple Wal-Mart watch that doesn't time me after 30 minutes of running just to keep some variables the same from my last successful race (I'm not superstitious...well kinda). I was trying to stick to the same strategy as before and was going to walk at 10 minutes. When the time came my friend turned to me and say "no let's keep going." At first I thought "wow Miss I just met you bossy pants!" Then I was like " no, Jill you can run stop crying and GO!" I'm glad I did because before I knew we were at the 1.5 mile mark. A new goal for me, I ran a whole 1.5 mile without stopping YIPPIE! Then I needed to walk. I was getting very winded and tired from my insides cheering and leaping for joy (or was that the Goldfish crackers I had for breakfast?) Anyway, I finished strong in 33 minutes and 33 seconds, (Larry Birds number twice...I'm just saying thought that was pretty fitting and lucky) and wearing race number 242 (24 is my favorite number and my current age. Coincidence? I think not) My friend ran the whole thing the whole time and if i remember right finished in about 31 and something minutes?

Either way it was a great race with an amazing supportive atmosphere. After the race every woman received a carnation in honor of Mothers Day and everyone was walking around saying Happy Mothers Day. Oh yeah, even better then that IT DIDN'T RAIN! Always a success in Oregon.
Can't wait for my next!

Rook...Enough Said

I can't believe it's been over a month since I blogged! I know my vast following of fans and readers must be deprived like dangling a piece of white wedding cake in front of a fat kid. I heard your demands and am here again to feed your hungry appetites. I won't spill everything that has happened in the month. You will have to wait in anticipation for each blog. (Plus it looks way cooler to have many small blog posts then just one really long one.)
In the middle of April, Mom and Kyle flew to California as they often do when I'm not able to join. This time the whole family decided to road trip it up the west coast to see me. Fearlessly traveling in the silver bullet of a van was Grandma Coral, Grandpa Vernon, Mom, Kyle, and Uncle Jon (I think he said he wants his nick name to be "Uncie" ? not sure...or am I sure if that is how you spell it?) anyway...They stayed at the Oregon Gardens in Silverton, Oregon. I thought Grandma would especially like this place because she is into flowers, birds, trees, all of nature in general. It also was one of the closest places to where I lived. I got 2 days off of work and was able to hang out with them.
They arrived on a Monday and we went straight from my work to camp. I felt very proud to be able to show them around. They really liked camp in general. The bunkhouse wasn't the most luxurious smelling place but I told them that your nose just gets use to it.
The other 2 days were filled with hiking at Silver Falls, flower looking at-ting, and each night was capped off with game after game of Rook. I capitalize Rook because I didn't want to tell my family this, but I was SUPER looking forward to playing Rook. Grandpa Vernon taught me how to play and to say that this game was a family game is an understatement, it is a lifestyle, a legacy, Rook might as well be the Scheffel family crest. Don't get me wrong, I loved seeing my family and were so glad they took the time to come see me. But the fun we have playing Rook, eating bags of black licorice, and diet drinks at a not so good hour of the night is priceless to me.
When we weren't playing Rook, looking at waterfalls, and meeting a cousin of Grandma Corals we had never met before, we explored the little town of Silverton. There are many cool shops, and we found a restaurant that has an outdoor decks that looks over a river. The highlight of my lunch was throwing ice cubes from my Diet Coke over the railing and watch them plop into the water like bungee jumpers whose cords broke. The little splashes were so cool to watch!
Well the long and short of it is that the 2 days went by way too fast! I wish they could have stayed, or even better, I could have jumped in a suitcase and gone with them. Because let's be real...I live in Oregon where the sun can shine and it still be raining, and southern California is boringly always a sunny 70 degrees. Still sun never the less.
I miss my family and love them more then they know...even more then Rook (and that's saying something)

5K NO WAY!

5 am came way too fast. I slept in my Race for Roses 2011 shirt, not for good luck, but to stretch it out because it was obvious that the sizing chart on the website was inaccurate (not in a good way). 5:30 am I ate toast with peanut butter and jelly and half a 6 oz container of Dannon Lite & Fit Key Lime yogurt (hoping that it would keep me light and fit). A little after 6 Megan and I were in her car making the 20 minute commute from Vancouver, WA to downtown Portland. There was an unwanted and unwelcome guest in the car, my nerves. I had been telling them all morning that they were not allowed to come along for the ride and that I was going to finish this 5K despite their nagging "you can't do a 5K, you've never done one before" "what if you start with the half marathoners...then you'll look EXTRA dumb" 
As it was getting more light out around 7 am we arrived at the Oregon Convention Center (my nerves as well). We met up with Megan's co-worker Nicole. Thankfully I didn't line up with the half marathoners and by 7:25 am the 3 of us lined up by the sign that read 8-9 minute mile. I thought this was pretty ambitious knowing that during my training I had always been around a 13 minute mile (give or take). Anyway, we vowed that no full time walkers or previously pregnant women with strollers were going to pass us, and I nervously laughed and tried to hide my fear of failure behind jokes and sarcastic remarks about men in short shorts. 
Right on time at 7:35 am I crossed the start line and pushed the silver button on my $7 Wal-Mart watch to start what I considered to be the race of my life. I was use to the treadmill where I had the security of the treadmill belt pulling me along, but now I knew I was under my own WOmanpower. My plan was to do intervals, run 5 minutes and walk for 1 minute until I finished the race. As I found a pace that was comfortable I looked at my watch and I had been running for almost 5 minutes. I thought to myself "wow, that was fast...keep running" so I felt I could go for another solid 5 minutes. The streets were lined with local high school cheerleaders with pom poms and drum cores urging me to run with every beat of their drum. I never in a million years thought I would be the one running, I was so use to being the one who cheered others on. (Many meaning in that statement). I looked down at my watch again it was almost 10 minutes. I looked up to see the 1 mile marker! "NO WAY! I had just run a 10 minute mile and MAN I still had a lot left in me!" Despite my joy and excitement I decided to walk for 1 minute. The last thing I needed it to wear myself out 1 mile into the thing. I didn't let myself give up and I picked up my feet and started running again after my 1 minute was up. I walked 3 more times for about 1 minute each during the race. The toughest part was right after the 3 mile mark was an on ramp with a pretty significant incline we had to go up to reach the flat bridge, before the downhill to the finish. I ran up the whole on ramp and walked for a minute when I reached the bridge. 
Then I heard it. The MC Guy on the microphone that was super annoying at 7 am in the morning, now sounded like Bob Barker telling me I had just won the Final Showcase with a NEW CAR! I ran...I couldn't see the guy yet, but I could hear him and that was close enough for me. Off the bridge I went, past the high school drum core, and around the corner to where I could see the finish line. Picking up the pace I think is an understatement, I felt like a cheetah going in for the kill. All I could see was the finish line and someone holding a rose that was promised to me when I paid my entry fee. I crossed the finish line in a daze of disbelief, "had I done it? is it over? where's the water?!" I drank 2 full cups, received my beautiful yellow rose (which might as well been made of gold) and turned to look for Megan and Nicole. They finished a couple minutes behind me and I got the be the cheerleader for them.
My purple Wal-Mart watch had stopped working at the top of the on ramp so I wasn't sure of my finishing time. It had stopped at 30 minutes, so I knew I had to have bettered my 40 minute goal. That was good enough for me! I was on top of the world and wanted to do it again!
We went inside and over to the official time scoring sheets. My official time was 33 minutes & 50 seconds. Correction...I KILLED my 40 minute goal! I kicked it to the curb, knocked it out of the park, just like Nomar WICKED FAH! 
I'm hooked, completely. After this feeling of accomplishment, of doing something I'd never thought I'd do...there's no way I could stop. Why would I deny myself this feeling? 
The next race I am doing with Megan and Nicole is called the Doggie Dash in May. Our team name is "Scoop the Poop" lol needless to say I'm in! I'm in for that doggie doo doo.

Lead the Leader

This week is leadership camp. We kinda mashed spring break camp and leadership together. The crowd totals to 3 campers, 1 girl and 2 boys. The spring break aspect of camp means the age of the campers in younger than the norm. On the leadership side of things there is more focus on how the campers can become leaders at camp, home, and in their communities. The hope is that when they return for a summer session they remember the skills and topics taught this week to help other campers. We cover things like personal hygiene, encouraging others, and environmental care.
It's interesting that during leadership camp I am learning more about being a leader. When here I am suppose to already be the leader. This camp has taught me that I need to think even MORE before I say things and has once again reinforced the fact that campers are always watching and mimicking our every move. Perfect example, this morning the solo girl camper and I were getting ready for the day. I stepped around the corner into the other room to change and walked out fully clothed and ready for the day. I had to make a quick hind region adjustment and rearrange a quick undergarment when I heard "what are you doing?" I whip around to see my camper sitting on her bed silently watching my "situation correction" occur. She had a puzzled look on her face like she was seeing something on National Geographic for the first time. She probably had never seen someone wiggle in that fashion before and then jump and spin in the same motion. Either way I laughed and said "just fixing myself...never mind, let's go to breakfast." All was forgotten and she kindly never mentions my pantie twitch again.
I've learned that it is the leader's job to lead, but to also learn. I'm constantly learning for the best leader, teacher, listener there ever was, Jesus. He has led me through so much, listened to probably too much, and witnessed one too many underwear adjustments. The best part is through it all He is always and will always be there for me.

More Ketchup and Catch Up Please!

This weekend was pretty bomb.com! It started off on Sabbath with a great surprise to my Mom (with the brother's help) of 50 red balloons and 1 purple balloon. I assure you the number of balloons had NOTHING to do with my wonderful Mother's age (sorry Mom). The purple balloon represented me because I couldn't be there. I'm not sure why I chose a balloon? Maybe because I am full of hot air or I'm very loud when things burst? I don't know, you pick.

Back on the west coast I was going to church and found out that an elderly lady named Lois I befriended my first week at the Stayton SDA Church, was moved to a new adult foster home. This made me sad because the people she was living with for so long brought her to church and now I couldn't sit next to her anymore and laugh as she (veggie) cursed her wheelchair for not moving and gave the deacons a hard time about what was on the menu for potluck.

After church I went to the Koger's house. They are a husband and wife I met at church and they have invited me out to their farm a few times. Side note to my two amazing sets of grandparents I have been blessed with and love dearly, you are NOT, I repeat NOT in any way, shape, or form being replace. Just think of it as a "loaner" set of grandparents till I come home, or you visit me out here (wink wink). Anyway, we went on a long walk and stop by a neighbors farm where their baby cow tried to suckle the  sleeve right off my sweatshirt. His tongue was very course like rough blue sandpaper and it made my hand feel weird, so I offered up my sweatshirt as a substitute. For supper we had grillers (fake hamburgers for you meat lovers) and hand cut french fries. Everyone was amazing by my ketchup consuming skills, and I just smiled and nodded as I licked my fingers dry of the bloody red yumminess. 

Sunday brought a whole new adventure. Some big things were done and I was very busy. I purchased a 1 1/2 chair, went to Greece, and hopped over to Italy to visit some amazing friends. REWIND. I did do those things just on a very smaller scale. I blame Barnes & Noble. There is no Barnes & Noble in Salem.  I want to plan a trip to Greece for several reasons and knew Barnes was one of the only places I could read a whole entire book without buying it. I want to stay in a coastal villa in Greece where all the houses are white with bright blue roofs and you can get a massage overlooking the ocean with the curtains blowing effortlessly in the breeze, or at least that's what the brochure looked like that originally made me fall in love with Greece. Then I saw the movie "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and not to spoil the ending but the girl that goes to Greece falls in love...need I say more. My journey for a bookstore found me in downtown Salem at a the "Book Bin" where I purchased an $11 book on Greece. It includes prices, pictures, places, and most of all relaxing pleasures. 

There are not many things open on Sunday, so my next stop was in a 4 floor furniture store called "Sid's" that was having a 30% off sale. This time I blame my bladder. I was doing fine looking around, acting like I knew what I was doing, plopping my buns down on some soft and cushy couches, when "nature called". I asked where the nearest restroom was and (you fill in the blanks) then I came out and there it was...some call it "1 1/2 chair" but it was more the size of a love seat with one giant cushion accompanied by 2 plush pillows. The cool neutral  beige colored called my tushie over for just one sit and I was hooked. Then I looked at the price...not bad, marked down from 4 dollars signs to a modest 3. It was a floor sample meaning that there were no colors or changes that could be made. It was nestled in the back like an untouched gem. I felt inside that I had hit the jackpot...then I met Lane. The very nice salesman that said I could just pay $100 a month and it would be on layaway waiting for me. Oh yeah, did I mention FREE DELIVERY! Before I knew it I was signing on the dotted line, swiping my debit card, and exchanging business cards.

I'm into Skype (a service that let's you see people's faces via web cam) and am trying to connect with all my friends in far off places. My friend Josh lives in Italy now where his family is and I thought how cool to go back to a place I fell in love with. Thanks to the 2006 Art History Tour, the David statue, Venice, and the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun". Unfortunately, I was downtown and still recovering from the idea that I just bought a mini couch so I missed our Skype meeting. Luckily technology stepped in, and I got to talk to Josh and his sister Juli on the phone courtesy and free of charge from Gmail. It was so good to catch up and talk about old times at camp and the characters we've encountered along the way. I was trying not to seem all crazy but I could smell Italy over the phone, every time the connection kind of crackled I thought "it's because they are SO far away in Italy, they will probably go eat gellato and buy fashion boots once they are off the phone with me" LOLSkype adventure.

But before all of this traveling and purchasing happened, I had the highlight of my weekend. It didn't take much time and I didn't even talk for that long (imagine that). I went to see Miss Lois at her new home and brought her an assortment of pink tulips that are still closed up, dying for the day they can greet the sun. She was tired from the visits of church members that had come the day before. She did stay awake long enough to say "getting old is a party you don't want to attend". I laughed as I helped her into bed and asked if I could read to her from the book I'm currently reading. She whispered a soft yes and closed her eyes. I read until I was at the end of my current chapter and glanced up a couple of times to make sure she was sleeping comfortably. I ended our visit with a song we sing at church before prayer time "now dear Lord as we pray, take our hearts and minds far away from the press of the world all around to the throne with grace does abound" and prayed to a sleeping lady that probably didn't hear a word. But it didn't matter because I knew God did, and he continues to love Lois everyday and she attends the party she doesn't want to be at.

I've done a lot, connected with God and people close to me, near and far. I enter a new week with goals and gusto. I start training on Tuesday morning and already found some 5K runs in April and May to incorporate into my training schedule. At the end of one of the races they hand you a rose...I'M IN!

Stand Up Stand Out

There comes a time in everyones life when they need to stand up for something. Whether it be not eating meat, getting out of a abusive relationship, or for your religious beliefs. Even if it is the hardest thing you felt you've had to do; you always come out better on the other side.

I believe if I hadn't been tested I wouldn't have known what I truly believe in. I now know where I stand on so many beliefs and issues. God has pulled me out of what could have been a detrimental conversation and potentially relationship damaging into a positive boost in my self esteem. 

I really can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Look to God and the Bible to make good out of the bad, and don't give in to the Devil relentless attempts to bring you down through anger, gossip, and stress. 

Turn your eyes to the sky, instead of down to cry. 

Keep God by your side, and in your heart He will reside.

Stand up for what you believe, even if it seems you won't succeed.

God's always looking out for you, He will always get you through.

3CA

No, I am not playing Battleship for those of you wondering about my blog title. I am attending the Christian Camping and Conference Association (get it? 3 C's and 1 A) Super Sectional Conference in Cour d'Alene, Idaho. I feel blessed to be in an amazing part of the country and glad Idaho greeted me with a dusting of snow after a 7 1/2 hour drive. I have been even more blessed by the worships, workshops, and wonderful contacts I have made these past three days. 
I know going to the meetings were suppose to focus on how to better our individual camps. But I took away an individual (personal) betterment. First off, the speaker for the General Session, Bob Kraning, is in a nutshell a magnificent speaker. His life has been led by God and his dedication to His Work (meaning God's) is evident in his tone of voice and crackle of his throat as he gets chocked up talking about people that have touched his life. He talked on Proverbs and I won't get into details about why and how what he said touched me. I will just give you the titles of his messages and you can go from there, "Words Can Never Hurt Me! Oh Yaah?" and "Angry? Who's Angry? I'm Not Angry!" To learn more search in Proverbs chapters 12-29.
Mila Polevia (pronounced ME-LA) is the man who has been the Worship Leader, or as he says the Lead Worshiper. Which he encourages everyone to be as I learned in his seminar "Killing Worship: Identifying Dying Devotion." He calls us to be active participants in our worship 24/7 and not to "lead worship, but be the lead worshiper." We need to know WHY? Who Holds Your story, current job, life ministry, devotion, and worship. The easy answer is just to say God, the hard answer is us. The hard part is identifying how not to focus on us and in turn kill our worship with the automaticity of the same negative routine. The challenge is to turn negative words like routine, elementals, and proof into positives that can help improve our worship with God (both personal and at church). Mila gave us the tools and scriptures to be the Kings Knights. To learn to serve and worship our Lord with duty, honor, and loyalty. 
I bold these two men's names because if you don't know who they are you should. Plain and simple. 
I also found out tonight, Mila is Adventist.


P.S. a lot of the words I used to describe Mila seminar were his and some I paraphrased. Just so he doesn't try to sue me. lol

Day of My Birth

You'll have to talk to my Mom if you want all the goopy, gory details about the day I was born. She can probably describe it for you contraction to contraction. Nevertheless here am I at the young age of 24. I'm very excited about my 24th year of life; 23 was just kinda like "eh no big deal...nothing special" except for graduating college, being PE major of the year, and moving to a state that I had never been to and is pronounced ORE-GUN, not ORE-GONE. OK I guess kinda bigger than I thought. Turning 25 is half way to 50 so I'm not going to even go there. haha. 24 is my favorite number, my basketball number, my man's number (Jeff Gordon). Let's just say I think it's going to be a good year.
Today was basically awesome. It started out with a 60 minute massage from a lady whose hands should be ensured for millions, because her touch was gold and I drooled a massive pile of saliva onto the floor. At noon I met up with my friends Songbird and Jason who said they had a surprise day planned for me. We drove to the coast to a town called Lincoln City where I was scheduled to glass blow at 3pm. Needless to say I was SO very wicked excited! But kinda nervous at the same time because let's be honest, I'm no Martha Stewart. If I could bounce, serve, or hit the glass ball I probably would have been better off. It turned out great though! I made a round "float". A float is a glass buoy that fisherman used to use to tie their fishing nets to before plastic was invented. To this day on the Oregon Coast different colored floats make their way to shore holding a mystical story of their time at sea. The one I made today has different shades of purple swirls (go figure) and also some purple "dots". It's hard to explain, the glass has to cool for 18 hours so I couldn't take it home today. I will post a picture when it arrives via the most careful and sure footed UPS man to ever deliver a fragile package. (I hope).
Next we went to a restaurant in Newport, OR which is another coastal city. The food ranged from pasta, felafel's, to burritos. All with the option of vegan, veggie, or meat. On Friday evenings there is live music. The folk, jazz, acoustic guitar player Brian (as he described his style) even sang Happy Birthday to me. Everyone else seated at the array of booths, tables, and bar stool turned and clapped as the wife of the owner brought out a chocolate cream dessert for me. The consistency was not cheesecake, but not as light as moose. It was a cream, made with semi sweet chocolate. A very yummy place I will be going to again for sure!
The night ended perfectly at midnight with my favorite frozen yogurt place in Corvallis, OR called Yogurt Extreme! The only extreme thing about it is that you serve yourself the frozen yogurt, which I have seen get pretty extreme for some people. My favorite is Dutch Chocolate and Raspberry soft serve married side by side, paired with fresh blackberries on top. (can you tell I've been watching too much Top Chef: All-Stars) 
 My day was full of fun and memories. I feel like a very special girl surrounded by people near and far, (and on Facebook) that love me. I look forward to 24 being the best and brightest year yet. :)

um...chickadee...i love you

I love you. 
Every night before we went to bed these three simple but elusive words would slip the lips of my beloved camper. The day before we were lifting our voices to God in a vice grip of a hug, and now she was telling me that she loved me.
It's one thing to hear from your parents and other family members that they love you, because for me at least it is a given. But to hear it from a cute, short haired, big hearted, newly friended down syndrome camper is another. I said "i love you" back but then thought, how do I love her? And the bigger question have I felt that love?
I'm a firm believer that there are different types of love. I should have prefaced this whole blog-oso with a disclaimer that "love" isn't a word I use or throw out around often. Anyway, there are different types of love. I love my family unconditionally with a bond of love that transcends airplane rides, Skype chats, or snail mail. I have a few close friends I love like a brother or sister. Like for example "Abby, I love you, you're a great friend." 
I guess what I'm getting at is that I've never had that BIG LOVE (capital letters for emphasis). That love that stops you in your tracks, takes your breath away, you know... movie love like you see on The Notebook and stuff. HA! All joking aside. I'm waiting for that love that fills the piece of my heart that is missing. I realized here recently that God is that Love. He has to be that love that is there. Because I truly believe that once I fill myself with His Love, then that BIG tall, dark haired, light eyed, athletic man that treasures me and God truly, madly, and deeply LOVE will come along. I know it. 
Now I just have to set my very type A, human, worldly attitude aside and let God do his thang thang. Because this looking at wedding websites, athlete swooning, Facebook friends engaging thing isn't getting me anywhere...let's just be honest.

Snow Plunging Power

Well the first part of this title won't be hard to explain. There is NO snow where I live in Oregon. I'm beginning to think that it doesn't snow in Oregon at all. I see pictures of it and hear advertisements for ski resorts on the radio, but I have yet to see it. I am currently at camp where the elevation is about 3000 ft. and still NO snow. I can see the snow on the higher peaks, but I think it is God just teasing me by dabbing some white out on the mountains to trick my mind into thinking there is hope. I feel worse for my new Sorel winter boots my Dad bought me for Christmas. The most action they will get is the pity walk out to the trash and back to make them feel useful. Hopefully by writing this post it will snow and I will get to put my boots to the test. Crossed fingers.
I successfully plunged a toilet today. It is not my favorite thing to do because it makes me gag hard core. I had to put the top of my sweatshirt over my nose to block the smell and muffle the gagging noise I was making so I wouldn't scare my camper. It took about 5 sturdy plunges from what I could see through my tearing eyes to get all the nasty ( I won't even describe what it looked it ) stuff to swish down the porcelain hole of no return. I felt accomplished and ran out of the bathroom to one, run from the sight of a toilet and two, ensure my camper that yes, I could fix anything.
My one camper, (that clogged the toilet) loves to sing praise songs. She brought a whole CD case full of them to camp for her 3 day respite. I thought it would be nice to put on a concert for the other staff members. We made concert tickets as a craft and invited everyone at dinner last night. All were in attendance as my camper friend and I sang "Here I am to Worship", "Sanctuary", and "I Stand in Awe." Once again it happened. At a time when I needed it the most the exact camper came along that touched my heart. As we sang her 3 favorite praise songs together arm and arm I was reminded why I am here. No more then 30 minutes early I was grumbling inside about the things that I thought were going wrong in my life. God showed me that I am here to worship Him, be HIS sanctuary, and just shut up and stand in awe of Him and all He has done for me. I had to close my eyes as we sang and she wrapped her 5 ft. 2 frame around mine in hopes that no one could read the expression on my face. As I cried on the inside praising God for the blessing in my life and the lessons I learn from snow, plunging, and His power.