Kari's World

The closing of one door

2011-07-28T13:15:00.001-07:00

In April an opportunity opened for me to become the director of a child care center. It was a dream I had waited for. Four months after the doors opened they closed. We had gone from 8 children enrolled to 2. We had posted and passed out flyers. We had talked to people at the park, walking down the street as well as friends and family. Nothing was bringing the kids in. With 2 children we just couldn't afford to keep the doors opened. We gave the parents the option to put their children in our sister center. Which is where I am now working again.

So life took a turn that I was not expecting. I'm really not sure where I am going now or what I am doing. It's an exciting and scary place to be. This past week I've bawled my eyes out, had an "I don't even care, whatever attitude and been really excited for what's next. There have been overwhelming times and sit back and think times. The song Sing Me A Love Song by BarlowGirl really spoke to me the other day. This time has forced me to run into the arms of Jesus since my usual security blanket is in Romania (that would be my mom). I guess this is another learning to trust Jesus time. Sigh, I thought I had learned this already. :P Maybe this time it will stick.

Three Days

2011-04-27T13:16:00.000-07:00

These first three days of the Daniel Fast have been rough to say the least. I haven't really struggled with the food aspect of things, but the emotional and spiritual side of the fast. It seems that everything that could have been thrown at me has been. Communication breakdowns at work and with friends, working long hours due to the break down, and things Satan has tried to whisper into my heart. I am completely exhausted and it is only Wednesday. Where I have struggled with food is usually when I feel this way I drown my sorrows in dark chocolate, peanut butter and caramel macchiatos and for some reason beans, rice and guacamole just don't have the same effect. :P So instead of junk food, I have been cranking the worship music. Singing at the top of my lungs: "My heart is free! No chains on me!" "All my fountains are in You!" "Waiting here for You/With our hands lifted high in praise/And it's You we adore/Singing Alleluia" "I am alive cause You are alive/And Jesus your presence is changing my life."
I wish I could say that my attitude has been amazingly transformed since I started this new habit of junking out on music, but not exactly. I still want chocolate, I'm still an emotional wreck, but I also want more of Jesus. Much more. I feel this fast is going to be a time of deepening my relationship with Him. Taking it to the next level. Embracing whatever that looks like.
I was challenged today as I read Daniel 1 and jotted down some thoughts.
Daniel 1:8 "But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods."
Other versions say he resolved, made up his mind not to defile himself. Not only was he determined not to defile himself, but also to keep God first in his life, even though his life had dramatically changed. He was determined to follow, honor, please and serve God no what what happened in his life. So no matter what is going on in my life, communication break downs or long hours, I am determined to follow God.
As I struggled this morning two songs played on the radio that spoke to me:

Forever

2011-04-17T16:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we celebrated with some amazing friends we have known for many years. Denis and Mary Goodwin renewed their vows and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. 50 years! That is a long time. I was amazed and almost in tears as they stood up in front of over 100 of their family and friends, expressing their love for one another. They shared about their good times and the hard times that drew them closer to each other and closer to God. Their faith in God is at the very core of their marriage. Everything they do flows around their central faith. They purposed to do things together. If one of them didn't like the activity, they found a way to like it. Now, after knowing each other for 55 years, they like everything they do together. They have gone on adventures together. This couple travels so much. To Israel, a cruise in Panama, they are going on a Russian cruise, all over the US and beyond. They love people. That was evident in the amount of people that showed up and the places they had met them. From being next door neighbors to their ski club, hiking group, Church, Crimson Bridge, and various other ministries they serve in. I have been so blessed to have grown up around these two amazing people. They have watched me grow up, have prayed over my life and spoken words of wisdom into my heart.

My life is filled with inspirational marriages. Papa David and Mima Janet will have their 50th this October, Gram Carol and Grandpa Chuck would have been married 50 years last June, my parents have been married 27 years and the list could go on. Among the friends in my community and the friends we caught up with at the party there are marriages that are so strong in God and they are so in love with each other. In this day where marriage is viewed as disposable it is refreshing to see people who live by the "To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'till death do us part" vows said at the alter. It fills my heart with joy as I look at the cloud of witnesses I have before me. It gives me hope as I patiently wait for my future man.

Dusty Memories

2010-12-11T22:29:00.000-08:00

It's crazy how the dust gets blown off of old memories. A comment from a friend, a request, a song, a picture. Many memories lie beneath the dust in the attics of our mind. Some are buried under so much dust they may never be found or never want to be found. Some can be brought to light with a light dusting off. That dusting happened today. Many, many good memories were brought back into the light, but a few not so good memories. It started with a friend asking if I would bring my worship streamers to their church if I visited. I froze. My streamers? I haven't used them in years. Do I even know where they are?
Now don't get me wrong. I love to dance. I dance around the house to my music, I dance with the kids at work, I dance with the Wii, heck I even dance when I'm cleaning the bathroom or the kitchen. But it has been a while since I danced with and for Jesus. I used to dance all the time for Him. Every church service, every time worship music was on, at conferences or retreats and during outreaches. Dancing was a part of my worship. God felt so close when I danced.
When did that change? Well, I can't give the exact date. It was a slow fade and there were a few triggers. People at the church I was attending then became uncomfortable with dancing and the streamers. The worship leader on several occasions asked me to come to the front while I was worshiping. Too many people were watching me worship, I felt like a distraction. I felt uncomfortable. Dancing is a way I express my love, joy and adoration to God, but it began to feel like a performance rather than true worship. So slowly dancing faded out of my corporate worship then out of my personal worship. Dust began to fall.
Will I dust off my dancing shoes? I don't know at this point. I guess first I will have to locate my streamers and dust them off.

My Journey

2009-11-03T22:02:00.001-08:00

As I read Hind’s Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard again, I felt that I should look back over the journey I am on just as little Much Afraid did. She had picked up 10 stones along her journey to the high places and each of them represented a lesson learned. There have been several instances when I look back that have been instrumental in shaping my life. At the time many of them didn’t seem all that important, but looking back I see now that they were. Through several of them I picked up physical evidences of what God did in my life, personal stones of remembrance.

I grew up in Christian home and in Church. Asked God in when I was about 3 years old. There was a program at church called Missionettes that we were involved with. As I moved up through the classes there were women that invested into my life, but the knowledge that I gained was mainly head knowledge. I learned a ton of memory verses, read the Bible, and did numerous studies although most of it didn’t penetrate to my heart.

July 1995 – I fell from a Class A motor home front captains seat while it was traveling about 25 miles per hour. The fall resulted in a skull fracture over my right ear. The skull fracture severed a small artery on my brain causing a blood clot to form. Emergency surgery by an outstanding neurosurgeon followed. Removal of the blood clot and repairing the skull fracture, with two metal plates and eight screws, were accomplished. Looking back this has showed me God’s hand in my life and serves as a reminder that God has big plans for me. This is more of a screw of remembrance, rather than a stone. ;) The whole story, which is quite lengthy, written by my mom can be read here: http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AVsUZhqJXlo0ZGdqN2doZDRfMGdiZDluNnE0&hl=en

God began to work on my dreams for the future about when I was in the 6^th grade. My mom, older sister, and I were on our way home from a mid-week church service. They had listened to a guy who works with teenagers that are living on the streets of Seattle and they were discussing the things he had talked about. His ministry took teens, who were living on the streets, off the streets and gave them training in certain career fields to help them stay off the streets. While my mom and sister were talking in the front of our mini van, I was sitting in the back seat just listening. At some point of the conversation, it felt like my heart leaped into my throat; their conversation faded out in my mind. All I could think about were kids around my age living on the streets with no protection. I wanted to help them. I wanted to be able to give them hope that the dreams they have, that seem squashed, can happen. With some help, they can be whatever they want to be. Over time the focus of who I want to work with and what I want to do changed and morphed.

On June 1, 2000 my parents gave me a purity ring to be a reminder to me of the promise I had made to them and my future husband to wait for him and to trust God with my future. One day that ring will be replaced by another to signify my lifelong commitment to my husband.

All through growing up I had a very child like faith in God. I went to church because my parents did. Don’t get me wrong, I loved God and served God, but it was on the coat tails of my parents. After I was crowned an Honor Star through Missionettes in 2000, I tried youth group and found it wasn’t a good fit for me. There wasn’t a clique that I fit into so I felt like an outsider. I started helping in the 2 & 3 year olds classroom in Wednesday nights. That was an instrumental time for me in the process of figuring out what direction I was heading. I loved working with the younger children and watching them develop.

During high school I turned a cold shoulder to the plans God had for my life. Reading my Bible had become a chore. For a period of about three years I closed my heart and my ears to what God had to say. I was doing what I wanted to do. I knew where I was going in life, but once I knew, I took control of how I would get there and who was coming with me. I entered a dating relationship against my parents and mentors better judgment and crammed life full of things to drown out the prick and the deep cry of my heart. On the outside it looked as if I was doing all the right things. I continued to go to church, do summer mission trips, and attend Green River Community College as a Running Start student. Stress began to become the norm in my life. I was sick in my body, mind, and soul. Due to the stress, I didn’t feel good most of the time and wasn’t sleeping well which lead to me being tired all the time. Being tired increased the amount of caffeine I drank during the day. Stress and caffeine lead to heart palpations. I was a mess, but still was not willing to let go.

September 14, 2006 was the first day of my Discipleship Training School with YWAM. Three months of intense classroom learning followed by a two month outreach began a change in my heart and life. During the three months in Port Townsend I began to slowly let go of things I was holding onto including striving to be perfect and my need to know the unknown in my life. During the entire outreach, God was teaching me to trust Him in every aspect of my life. When I left to home for outreach, there were things I had to leave undone because of time. I didn’t know when I was moving to Portland, I did not get to finish filling out my application to Evergreen State, and when I left it was the start of a three month relationship fast. God was asking if I trusted Him enough to bring it all back together and take care of all the unknowns. Everyday it was a continual process of crying out to Him and letting go of all my fears. I had to pry my fingers off of controlling the steering wheel and allow God to take over. I had been stripped of all that was my comfort blanket: my home, family, friends, and boyfriend. God was asking, “Do you really trust me with everything?”

The last Sunday of outreach, February 25, 2007, during worship I declared that I trusted God to have control of my future and I gave Him my relationship with my boyfriend, which I ended in April because God showed me it was the best plan He had for me. I felt such a wonderful feeling of freedom after that and during our performance at the church I had so much fun dancing under the new freedom I had found. At that moment I was able to let go of everything I was holding onto. Not only did I embrace that Jesus came to save and forgive me, but he also came that I might have a hope and a future. I wanted something to remember this lesson by. Something I could physically look at everyday and be reminded of what God did in my life. I decided to get my nose pierced as a stone of remembrance (July 2, 2007). Back then I swore I was gonna marry him someday/But I realized some bigger dreams of mine ~T.S.

I moved to Portland at the end of March 2007 to intern at BridgeTown Ministries and direct their BTown Kids ministry over the summer. Portland was a painful, growing season for me. I had just come off an intense time surrounded by people all the time. This was my first time being on my own and I was learning to juggle work, ministry, and my relationship with God, which was the point of this internship. I had started working out my own salvation on DTS and that continued all through this time plus I was dealing with a break-up. Figuring out what my relationship with God meant to me, not what it meant to my parents. How personal of a relationship was I going to have with Him? Was I going to continue to trust Him with my life and future?

When I moved home in October 2007, a new phase of life opened up for me. I started my Bachelor of Arts Degree at The Evergreen State College Tacoma Campus in January 2008. I put my head down and dove right in. My focus was on school and work, that was it. That was my life. As school was winding down this past summer, I had no idea what was next. Shortly after my last class in July 2009 my supervisor at work is took my employee file to the State office to get my official job title changed to Director. There was training for child care directors and owners on August 6th that I took. I was quite shocked when my boss told me about the training and brought up the subject of the job change. Since the summer started, enrollment has been down at work, so I had been a little discouraged because I didn't think working full time would be a possibility, much less being put into a director's position. I will be honest and say that I am a little frustrated because things haven’t been moving as fast as I would like them to since the summer.

I still have no idea what the next few years will hold for me, but I know who is holding them and I am trusting in Him to guide me into His best plan for my life.

Album: My Paper Heart
Artist: Francesca Battistelli

At twenty years of age I'm still looking for a dream
A war's already waged for my destiny
But You've already won the battle
And You've got great plans for me
Though I can’t always see

(Chorus)
‘Cause I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me

When I was just a girl I thought I had it figured out
My life would turn out right, and I'd make it here somehow
But things don't always come that easy
And sometimes I would doubt

(Chorus)

And you’re free to be you

Sometimes I believe that I can do anything
Yet other times I think I've got nothing good to bring
But You look at my heart and You tell me
That I've got all You seek
And it’s easy to believe
Even though

(Chorus)

Being Home

2009-07-30T11:38:00.001-07:00

I was sitting in the kitchen the other day and a strange thought hit me: "Being on the home side of an outreach is really an odd thing." This is the first Summer in, oh 9 years that I haven't gone on a short term trip. God had other plans, which are pretty cool. But I am so used to being there in the action, a part of the doing aspect of the trip. It is a weird feeling to be home thinking about them, praying for them, and wondering what they are up to! And missing the amazing food! :) I have gained a new perspective in being a part of the "Home Team." I miss my peeps and really wish I could have gone with them!

God's other plans: So most of you know that I have finished my BA degree from Evergreen and work at a child care center in Tacoma. My supervisor at work is taking my employee file to the State office to get my official job title changed to Director. There is a training for child care directors and owners on August 6th that I am going to take part in. I would not be able to if I had gone with the team. At the time I was praying about going or not, I was confused and even a little angry when I didn't feel like I was to go. I told God: "You better have something good planned because I really want to go!" Well he did! I was quite shocked when my boss told me about the training and brought up the subject of the job change. Since the summer started, enrollment has been down at work, so I have been a little discouraged because I didn't think working full time would be a possibility right now, much less being put into a director's position. But here it is staring at me in the face! It is a little daunting and scary, but I know that it is where Abba wants me to be. I am going to climb into this roller coaster, strap in, and trust God knows what is best!

The time has come

2009-06-13T21:37:00.001-07:00

It feels almost weird. Graduation at the Olympia Campus was yesterday and Tacoma's was today. It's weird, surreal almost... and a little scary, I will admit. I have talked to quite a few people about the "I have no idea what to do now" problem I am facing, the answer was most often "wait." I really do not like that word. And I certainly do not like being in "The Waiting Place" as Dr. Suess put it. Oddly enough, the advice that made the most sense came from my adviser at school. When I presented the question: what do I do now? He simply stated: "You live. You do what you are doing and gain experience. Soon enough the pieces of what you to do will come." Now, I can live. That is something I can do. What is really amazing, is Dr. McCreary is not a believer. And even more amazing is God speaks through everything and everyone and in ways we can hear Him.

So...

2009-05-23T13:02:00.000-07:00

Facebook did finally let me back in. YAY! Three days after the initial site maintenance error.

Two weeks left of the quarter, so life is busy and semi-stressful. I will get through tho. :)

Why isn't my face on Facebook!?

2009-05-17T15:48:00.000-07:00

So for the last 2 days, Facebook has told me that my profile is down because of maintenance and will be back up in the next few hours. Does few hours mean days!? And the help they give isn't help at all. To ask Facebook users what do you, one must be logged in, but I can't log it. I have requested to reset my password, but no email has been sent to me. There is NO way to contact anyone at Facebook. Every link I have found in contacting someone leads me back to the help page. The help page says to clear my cookies and cache if the site maintenance has been there longer than 24 hours. Did that and still can't log in. The Facebook app on my phone isn't even working. It is just really frustrating.

So I am now taking a sabadical from Facebook. There will be 10 bajillion notifications when I get on. I used to have a ton of respect for the way Facebook was set up versus MySpace, but they lost a little of my respect because there is no way to get true help from them. I guess if I want to keep up with all my friends, I have to email, text, or call them ALL individually and like I have time for that!

Hopefully Facebook withdrawls are not severe. :)

Much too young to feel this dang old

2009-03-15T21:47:00.001-07:00

Yes, I realize I don't write things as much as *some* people think. *coughAmandacough* Sometimes these thoughts that I could turn into a blog come, but they do not come at the most opportune times. Same with ideas about my projects at school. These thoughts pop in when I am driving or trying to get to sleep or when I am in the shower. Not good times to be writing things down. And my brain is having "senior" moments. Not the I am over 65 senior moments, but the I will graduate in about 6 months senior moments. My brain feels done. Poke it with a fork, it could be overcooked at this point. It doesn't seem to matter how much sleep I get, I am tired. There is a lot to think about and a lot to do. This next quarter will be a stressful one because we have a community fair that the students do research projects for, so I will be working on that. This schooling has been good, but I am definitely ready for it to be over with. Come on, I have been going to school since I was 5, so that makes 16 years of school! I have a lot of book knowlegde and now I am ready for practical, hands-on learning. Some life learning. Which I know can be more difficult than book learning, but most times it is more beneficial. So I have 20 credits this Spring quarter and 8 in the Summer.

I am really looking forward to my time in California this next week. Weather that is slightly warmer and sunnier than it has been here. I will be there with two of my best friends and will get to see a couple other friends while I am there. There will be a lot of chilling, hanging out, walking, and laughing. :) It will be a good break before going back to school.

That is all the thoughts I have for now! I am going to go to bed cause 5:30am is going to come earlier than I want it too.

Love and blessings to you all!

It's the weekend for goodness sakes!

2009-01-26T21:39:00.000-08:00

So Saturday, the dumbest thing happened. I woke up with a song stuck in my head. Yes a song. Not just any song... "Waltzing Matilda" Ugh! It is the weekend!!! I don't want a little kid song stuck in my head! Oh, it gets better. Not only was Matilda stuck, so was "I'm a big kid now." Holy cow! I can't get away from it. And it's not like they are the cool songs either. No, they are the ones at the end of the CD. Psh... LAME!!!

The part that was stuck:
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me
And he sang as he stowed that jumbuck in his tucker-bag
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me

And...
I can count to 52
Learn my ABC's
Mom will show me how
I can even tie my shoe
Hey just look at me!
I'm a big kid now

(You can Google them to see the whole song if you wish.)

The downhill slide.

2009-01-20T23:09:00.000-08:00

So I have about 2 1/2 quarters left until a new chapter of life begins. August 28th is the official day of school ending for me. I must say that I am ready. Ready to not have the stress of this is due and that is due. I can feel the Senioritis creeping in. But I have to stay focused. There is still a lot of work to be done between now and the end of August.

Please, pray that I do stay focused.

It is week 5 :)

2008-10-27T12:32:00.001-07:00

I am sitting in class and what he is saying is going right over my head. :P And then in the workshop that we are having the second half of class, I know what they are talking about. Today feels kinda like a waste in class. Oh wells.
Alright! This is week five of the Fall quarter 2008 which means that I am halfway through the quarter. Yessss! So, I have about 33 weeks left until school is over for me. The countdown is on! Graduation is on June 12th, but I have to finish up 8 credits in the Summer. I am really ready to be done. It has been hard for me to get into the routine and flow of school as well as working part time. So this quarter has been stressful in that way.

Well I gotta get to researching! :D

What I did this summer...

2008-09-11T21:50:00.001-07:00

Well I am finally getting around to writing about my trip this summer. It is hard to describe and put into words all the thoughts, feelings, emotions, sights, and sounds, but I will attempt to just for you all. A lot of the pictures are posted, but when you take over 1500 pictures in a month it is hard to post them all. :)

China July 25-August 9:
A team from the small town of Bonney Lake ventured into new territory this summer as we met up with some friends from China to teach at an English training for teachers. We met at Middle School #2 in Huangyuan, Qinghai, China for two weeks encouraging these English teachers to speak and practice their English with us. In the morning they had structured classes that inclueded The Building Blocks of Engish, Including Media and Literature in Teaching, and Teaching Methodology. In the afternoons they attended a small conversation group and a Culture Class. I was a Conversation group leader. So pretty much I had two groups each day for an hour and 2 minutes and my "job" was to get them to speak... in English. We had a book of activities and games that helped out a lot! We had fun! Obviously we couldn't say much about our beliefs, but you hoped and prayed that an opportunity would present itself in your conversations. My first class there were 4 students and in my second I had 6, but one of the Education Department heads joined my class so I ended up with 7 people. Their Enlish levels ranged from very low to pretty well. In the evenings, after dinner, we had activites that they could come and experience if they wanted. We taught them frisbee and baseball, had a sing-along, remarried Amy and Jesse in a mock wedding, watched "Amazing Grace," and had a basketball competition. As usual the food was amazing! :) I love Chinese food the bestest!!! Tried some new dishes, but all in all I still love it! I gotta learn how to make some things.

Bejing August 9-10:
Mom and I spent the night in Bejing before going on to Romania cause Mom didn't want to spend the night in the airport. Now drop a small town girl into a HUGE city and a five star hotel and she goes crazy! :) Mom was a little embarassed. Hehe.. First the guy who picked us up from the airport came in a shiny, black car. We pull up to the hotel and it is like brand spanking new. They come out and get our luggage for us, open the door, and the attendents stand up when you walk in. They were very helpful and showed us to our room. Wow! Our room was soo cool! Open and airy and sweet! Comfy beds, flat screen tv, nice carpet... it was just sweet! You'll have to check out the pics just to see how sweet. So we chilled for a bit after getting to the hotel then took a walk. We found a mall and looked for something to eat. I wanted Western food, so we went to KFC. We headed to the supermarket to get some water, walked around the mall for a bit, then headed back to the hotel for a rest. This was the only time I ever saw the Olympic Games in English. There was one channel that was showing them in English. Mom read a bit and took a nap. Then we headed out for a longer walk trying to find a park that we passed on the way in and we found it. We walked around that, looked at stuff, and found the Starbucks!!! :) We drank our first Starbucks made drink in two weeks. Aaah. Then we headed back to the supermarket to get some dinner and ice cream. We ate, watched some more Olympics, then went to bed. Got up early for breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast and fruit. Yum! Then it was time to head back to the airport and get back to real life.

Romania August 10-25:
Mom and I got there a day and a half before the other team arrived so we spent it with Andreea who is one of the interpreters that goes with us. We walked around Bucharest, but mainly we spent time with her. We met part of the team at the train station on the 12th and made the 5 hour ride to Sighisoara to mee the rest of the team at Project House. The next morning we started the whole medical side of things by sorting and counting pills! Doc unpacked his medical supplies and got organized. To read about the trip visit http://2008romania.spaces.live.com/ The main reason I went this year was for the relationships that have already with the missionaries and interpreters. I love working with the people and helping fill thier needs don't get me wrong. Andreea has had a hard time this year... no her whole life pretty much has been hard. I mainly went to see her and encourage her.

The building blocks of a busy life

2008-05-07T15:59:00.000-07:00

Hmm, so like, life is crazy right now. That is the best way to describe it. I have felt so stressed and tired lately. Crazy I tell ya. Mom flew out last Monday for Florida cause her Gramma isn't doing to well. School is getting piled on as our Community Fair gets closer and I feel like I have to read a bajillion things and write a bajillion papers, so the random blogs I have rolling around in my brain aren't getting written cause papers are more important right now. :P There is a job application and resume sitting on the table that I have been meaning to take with me since Friday and it has gotten left on the table every morning I have been to school. I have been having a hard time focusing during our church's time of fasting, cause I am so tired and can't focus on any one thing for very long. (Google Daniel Fast to find more info) And because of the fast, I can't give into the pms cravings that are totally hitting my right now (and salad does not take the place of sugar or chocolate!). Every weekend has had something scheduled on it, so I really haven't really had much breathing room.

Having said that... Crazy thought I had the other day: It has been a year since I broke up with JP. I had a dream, and he was in it, the other night... creeped me out actually.... and I got to thinking about the relationship and the timing of things, and yeah, one year this last weekned (if I remember right). Before anyone asks me.... I am doing great! It was a God thing cause we just weren't right for eachother, so really, I am good. :) That is just part of the random, crazy things that are going through my head as I think about this paper I have to write for tomorrow. :P
Let's just say, I am soo looking forward to the end of the quarter! :) But before that, the King side fam are meeting at the beach in a couple of weekends! yesh! haha.. it was at a King side thing that my default pic was taken. :) Dad's rendition of my picture. My family is so funny. :P haha... I love them.

Okay, so beofere I keep rambling on, I will end this post. Please don't take it as a depressing post.... it really wasn't written as that. It should have the feel of: haha, life is crazy! Here is why mine is crazy! LOL!!
"We all got a little junk in the trunk
And when you're feelin' good as sunk
Remember, everything will be just fine
If I laugh at yours then you'll laugh at mine" (Shedaisy)

The hunt is kind of on

2008-04-04T19:05:00.001-07:00

I need to get a job, but dunno where to start. *sigh* My resume needs a bit of tweaking, but I am not good at selling myself or talking about myself. Looking at child care in the Tacoma area, near my school which is at 6th and Martin Luther King Jr Way (ish). So yeah...

DUDE!

2008-04-03T20:43:00.000-07:00

I actually posted this March 26th, but forgot to put it here. (Sorry Gramma)

HOLY CRAP!!!

IT'S SNOWING!!!!!! In Washington!! In March!! That is pretty much insane! My brain is having a hard time grasping this.

A Beautiful Day

2008-02-29T23:01:00.000-08:00

The warm sunshine. The smell of green grass and wild flowers. The feeling of Spring. My heart is full of joy as I run into the field laughing. Today is special. I cam feel it. The scene around me begins to spin as I twirl around and around, still laughing. When the dizziness over takes me, I fall onto a bed of wild flowers out of breath but happy. The sun is shining just for me today. As I catch my breath, I come to my knees and begin to pick a few colorful flowers from beside me. They seem to reflect the joyous feeling that is in my heart. There is a stirring at the edge of the field. As I look up, my heart leaps. There stands my Lover, the one who has cause my heart so much joy. How long he has been there, I do not know. His smile is as big and bright as the sunshine. I jump up to run and greet him. With eyes shining he laughs as he runs along the outskirts of the field. We begin in a game of chase. Sometimes I am chasing but then we switch and I become the chased. Eventually he catches me. His strong arms wrap around me, swinging me around in the air. We sit in the grass watching the clouds float by. He takes my small, soft hand in his strong, scarred one and we walk away from the field with the sun setting behind us. Neither one of us saying anything because we don’t need to. Because I am my Lover’s and He is mine.

I am Warrior Princess...

2008-02-18T16:38:00.001-08:00

... hear me cry.

Caution: This is a ventilation post. Please do not be alarmed by the content or thoughts expressed.

I don't even know how to start this out. I am so sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. It doesn't seem to matter how much or how little sleep I get, I am still tired. I don't want the doctor to give me a pill or whatever. I hate waking up and feeling crappy all the time. There is nothing wrong with me. The doctor already checked me out. I just feel bad when I get up. Tis morning sickness without the pregnancy, cause there is no way that could happen. I am in survival mode is what it feels like. Just do what you have to do to survive. Read this for school, write that, go here, go there. I am tired of working hard for stuff! I guess I am most tired of being emotional. Up and down, up and down. I want to be even keeled.
There are so many thoughts and feelings racing around. People tell me what a good thing I am doing, going to school and heading towards my goals at a young age. It doesn't always feel good. I don't like school. I don't. I am enjoying somethings about the school I am going to, but there are somethings that I just don't get. And that bugs me! I know that not everyone understands and gets everything they are ever taught in their life, but that doesn't help. I want to help people! I want to be out there playing and teaching children.
Then there are things I am dealing with internally. The battlefield they call the mind. Always going, always thinking. Yes the Bible says to take every thought captive, but how? There are so many! Thinking about the what if this happens, the I want this, the how would it look if... all day, every day constantly going.
And there is the I'm single and it sucks. Now I know that it isn't the right time for a relationship, but I want it so bad.
There is the friends thing. I don't have that one person that I am super close to. I have friends that care about me and that I hang out with every once in a while. But we run in different circles now.
Church... I love my church! The closeness and the family. They are my second family. But there are like three of us who are singles. Me and two guys. I really like my sisters church. There are lots of young people who are on fire for God! There are college groups and people my age that I can connect with. But I would have to build those relationships and that takes time and energy.
I am just having an emotional time right now. I think a lot of this is spiritual and I am not feeling very strong right now. But I know in my heart of hearts that my God is big enough to handle it. He says to stand firm and He will fight for me. So I am just going to keep plugging along. Waking up everyday saying, "Today is Your day, Abba. I trust You to take care of me and the people around me."

My musings about V-day

2008-02-12T18:04:00.000-08:00

This time of year is always kind of depressing for me as a single female. Even when I had a bf it was a down day. I don't know what it is about V-day, it just depresses me. Maybe it is because I have never known the clique phrase "true love" from a guy. My parents love me, my siblings love me, my friends love me but that is different then having the love of a husband. On Sunday, I heard two songs that shed a new light on my V-day blues.

Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) by Chris Tomlin
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine

You are forever mine

The More I Seek You by Kari Jobe
The more I seek you,
the more I find you
The more I find you, the more I love you

I wanna sit at your feet
Drink from the cup in your hand.
Lay back against you and breathe, hear your heart beat
This love is so deep, it's more than I can stand.
I melt in your peace, it's overwhelming

The phrase that started this whole thought process on V-day was "You are forever mine." That hit me! Not like a train crashing, but like running into a big hug from someone who loves you. It was so amazing! I felt the love of Jesus washing over me. I don't know the words to describe the feeling. It was better than anything I have ever felt before. He loves me so much!! That phrase can go both ways... Us telling God "You are forever mine" and God telling us "You are forever mine." Either way, it's amazing! Then the very next song we sang was "The More I Seek You." That overwhelming feeling of wanting to sit at His feet, lean against Him, and feel His heartbeat. And that His love for me is deeper then any guy could ever love me. As I thought about this during the rest of worship and during the announcements a couple of verses from Song of Songs came to mind: (I am putting them here out of The Message)

4:7 - You're beautiful from head to toe, my dear love, beautiful beyond compare, absolutely flawless.
4:9 - You've captured my heart, dear friend. You looked at me, and I fell in love. One look my way and I was hopelessly in love!
6:3 - I am my lover's and my lover is mine. (A better known version is: I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine.)

When you think about how God is the Lover of you soul and this is what he thinks of me! Wow! I am speechless and amazed! My V-day blues are no more! I know who my Valentine is this year! Is He yours?

Life Explained

2008-02-09T00:00:00.001-08:00

On the first day, God created the dog and said:

'Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years.'

The dog said: 'That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?'

So God agreed.

On the second day, God created the monkey and said:

'Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span.'

The monkey said: 'Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the Dog did?'

And God agreed.

On the third day, God created the cow and said:

'You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years.'

The cow said: 'That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty?'

And God agreed again.

On the fourth day, God created man and said:

'Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty years.'

But man said: 'Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten
the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?'

'Okay,' said God, 'You asked for it.'

So that is why for our first twenty years we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren. And for the last ten years we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.

Life has now been explained to you.

The Adventures of Little Bear

2008-01-31T14:52:00.000-08:00

I posted this on MySpace, but forgot to post it here. Sorry!!

So there is an AT&T commercial where a little girl puts her monkey into dad's briefcase and he finds it and takes picutures of the monkey at various locations on his business trip (with the at&t bars in the background of course). Well coming from the lovely and weird family that I do... Mom went to Arizona with Dad couple of weeks ago and she sent me these:

Apparently these line the streets and buildings are built arond them

Texas Roadhouse Grill

Cute barista (Mom didn't tell him the pic was for her 20 year-old daughter)

CHIPOTLE!!!!

Saguaro cacti

On my way to Radiator Springs!

Even our bears love coffee!! (There were Mesa Police inside and Mom almost got a pic with a couple of them. :P She said they were cute.)

Wow... that's Grand! (Canyon that is)

Tell everybody I'm on my way!

And another Calvin comic:

I have been building character for days now!! When can I stop and turn up the heat!?!? (I thought you would like this one Gram!)

I'm nervous....

2008-01-07T16:13:00.001-08:00

So yeah, haven't updated this in a while... sorry! :)

So I start school on Tuesday and I am really super nervous about it. It is a new place, new people, and a new atmosphere... and on top of that I don't know anyone there! At all! Oh and it is a liberal school, so I am definitely going to be stretched in many ways. I am nervous and scared and... I dunno. I want to go, but I don't. School isn't my strong area. But I need to get this degree if I am going to go where I want to go.

So all this to say... if you think about it could you say a quick prayer for me, please? That God would give me peace and that I can meet at least one like-minded person while I am there.

That's all, I guess. Thanks a bunch.

Currently Listening
The Flame in All of Us
By Thousand Foot Krutch
see related

Today is T-day!!

2007-11-22T14:24:00.001-08:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OF YOU!!!

I would have to say
that I am MOST thankful for my family, especially my parents. They
have supported me and prayed for me as I have traveled the world
seeking out my dreams. They continue to support me as I embark on new
adventures. Thank you and I love you!!!

New boyfriend!

2007-11-18T22:46:00.001-08:00

I don't know is name tho. :P I met him at the Huskies game that
I went to yesterday. He is part of the Alumni Band and plays the snare
drum. He told me I had a nice smile and that I was cute. And whenever
the Huskies score the Alumni Band go out on the track and do push-up to
the number of points they have. And one of the times they went out
there he said, "I am going to do an extra one for you, Baby!" It was
great!!!

So I was at the Huskies game working Security to help
raise money for this year's DTS at the same YWAM base I did mine at.
So I was at the South Gate taking tickets for a while then they moved
me to the field. I was standing at a gate that lead onto the field
facing the crowd to make sure no one that wasn't supposed to go the
field got on. (hopefully that sentence made sense) So for the most
part I stood at one gate by the Alumni Band. Luckily it was almost
dead center of the field so I could see a scoreboard. I could see what
down it was, what yard they were on, how many they had to go to get a
1st down, and that kind of stuff. It was really fun watching the fans
watch the game! They were great!

This is where we were orientated... All the purple made me really happy!!

This
was after the game and the band got to play. We had to stay until they
were done. But our supervisor let us stand on the field in the Husky
end-zone. So not only was I in the stadium, I got to stand on the
field!! I was really happy!!!! :)

Well that is about it! Oh yeah, I should prolly mention that my "boyfriend" is 91.

Currently Listening
Better Questions
By Todd Agnew
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Man, I have been really bad about updating this site. I have friends who are on other blogs and this one seems to get pushed out of the way. But I will remain faithful, especially for you Grams!!! :)

yep!

2007-11-13T19:19:00.001-08:00

I am helping AmyJesse paint their house. It is fun!! They have a really cute house. So yeah... fun fun!

Umm... I got one more box cleaned out of my room. Yay!!!

Well...
there really isn't much else going on. I am going to church with
AmyJesse tomorrow. So we will see how that goes. I would like to get
involved in a young adult group cause I don't have much interaction
when people my age. Anyways.

boring!!

2007-11-03T20:00:00.001-07:00

So I am updating for the sake of updating. Not much is happening
in my corner of the world. Hanging out with the fam... wasting time...
the usual "I don't have a life" things. :P So yeah.

This is a pic I took in Portland. My bus stop in front of the ST. Johns Bridge. I would take the 16 to work.

Fishy, fishy, fishy... why are you sleeping!!!

2007-10-31T14:17:00.001-07:00

Current mood: indescribable

So
we went fishing this weekend and my whole goal was to catch a big
fish!!! Well we talked to people and fished and fished, but there were
like no fish! No one was catching anything. I was getting very
disappointed. Dad said we would try a place that might have some fish
cause it was farther up the river where no one really goes. So we went
up there in the afternoon and fished a couple of holes. I had a few
bites, but nothing very big. We found a hole that dad was sure there
were fish.. and BAM!!! I got a fish and started fighting it. Dad told
me how to do it, so i was reeling and would swim away, then i would
reel it back, trying to tire it out. Dad was trying to get close so
he could grab it. The fish started to get tired then it did the death
roll, where it rolls over really fast and all of a sudden my hook came
out of the fish's mouth and it swam away!!!! :( It was really sad!!
So dad tried again in that same hole and a couple of casts later he got
another one!!!! So he hands me the pole and I start fighting this
one. (By this time my arm is like aching!! They fight hard!) So I am
like praying really hard and talking to the fish. :P "Don't you dare
come off my hook!!" I was fighting it... it would take a run (meaning
it would swim out farther away from me) then i would pull back the
fishing rod and reel in, it would take another run and i would pull
back the rod and reel in and say "Come back... my arm hurts!" Dad had
me get onto the bank and keep on reeling it in. He was finally able
to get a hold of it and bring in on shore!!!!!!! I CAUGHT A
STEELHEAD!!!!!! WOOP WOOP!!! It was AWEsome!!! There aren't that
many women who catch steelhead, so I have become one of them!!!
Yesssssss!!!!

Here is my fish:

That was my first one... I caught it really good!

Fighting the one that got away

Me and my Daddy!!! :) He was pretty happy too!

The trophy... 28 inches about 8 pounds.

So long, farewell...

2007-10-24T13:54:00.001-07:00

I am leaving for the weekend to go fishing on the Hoh river. I will have no phone service and no internet, so I will be out of reach. But I am going to catch a BIG fish!! muahahaha!!!

I am THE woman!!

2007-10-19T16:08:00.001-07:00

Yeah so my exciting story for the week is....

I CHANGED THE HEAD LIGHT ON MY CAR... ALL BY MYSELF!!!!

That's right.... AND I got my hands all greasy and gross. Blech...
later Dad asked if I used gloves. Err... forgot about that. Anyways,
so yeah. I went to Napa and got the light. btw, Dad is in DC, so he
couldn't do it and I have been going places after dark, so it needed to
be done. So I pop the hood of my car and look at what needs to be
done. It is the left headlight. Subaru did the brilliant thing of
putting that headlight right in front of the battery! Right on!
GAR!!!! So I called Dad and asked if he usually took the battery out
and he told me that he just loosens it and moves it back a bit. Easier
said then done... hello!! I have never done this before!! So
anyways... long story short. After moving the battery, getting dirty,
almost cussing out loud, hearing snide comments from the bro,
forgetting to put some part back in place, it raining during this whole
thing and not knowing what size of tool I needed to take the nut off
the battery... I did it!!!! Yay for me!!!! After it was all done I
decided that I never want to do that again. But I conquered the
headlight and a female stereotype all at once. (Yes I can fix my car
if I absolutely have to, but if I don't then I won't)

So now I have to get back to the fun(not) job of unpacking.

Blah Blah

2007-10-17T11:36:00.001-07:00

So I am in the process of moving all my stuff into mom and dad's house,
which is not a small task. Well... my room is small, but my stuff...
hehe... I got a lot of stuff. I am not sure where it is all going to
go, but I will find some place for it. So I am busy, busy. Trying to
keep up with the fam's schedule, unpack, organize, find scholarships,
FAFSA, and hang out with friends I haven't seen in a while. Lots to do
and so little time to do it in. Oh I will be looking for a job in the
next couple of weeks too. *sigh* Life is good. :) I love being home
with my family. (And I get home cooked meals for dinner! Yum! ;) lol!
The WHOLE family is currently here... AmyJesse are living here while
they find a house to buy, then there is the Mother and Father and
little Brother. Yeah... all 6 of us are here. Tis an interesting thing.
yup yup! I am kinda rambling now, so I will get off and shut up. :P

k thnx bye

A Tribute

2007-10-07T19:47:00.001-07:00

I don't know who reads this, but it doesn't matter. I feel like writing, so that is what I am going to do.

I was just taking a break from packing and got to thinking over the past year. A year ago on September 14th I dedicated a full year to missions. My year long adventure started out in the quaint town of Port Townsend in Washington. I was living on a YWAM base doing the entry level class called Discipleship Training School (DTS) with 8 other students and a number of staff. We spent three months in a classroom setting and two months in Asia... (excerpt taken from YWAM DB website)
"Come join students from around the world for three months where weekly
speakers will mentor you in knowing God personally, hearing his voice,
loving His Word, spiritual warfare, sharing your faith, relationships,
and world evangelism. Learn-apply-grow--and share. That's Jesus' way.
The final two months are spent on outreach discovering God’s heart for
the nations and applying what you've learned."
On March 2nd, much to the delight of my mother, I graduated from the class and was able to go home. But through that experience God taught me a lot about myself. Here is the testimony I wrote about what God did in me:
1)
What God did in me: During the entire
outreach, God was teaching me to trust Him in every aspect of my life. When I left to home for outreach, there were
things I had to leave undone because of time.
I didn’t know when I was moving to Portland, I did not get to finish filling out my
application to Evergreen State, and when I left it was the start of a three month relationship
fast. God was asking if I trusted Him
enough to bring it all back together and take care of all the unknowns. Everyday it was a continual process of crying
out to Him and letting go of all my fears.
I had to pry my fingers off of controlling the steering wheel and allow
God to take over. The last Sunday of
outreach, February 25^th, during worship I declared that I trusted
God to have control of my future and I gave Him my relationship with JP, which
I ended in April because God showed me it was the best plan He had for me. I felt such a wonderful feeling of freedom
after that and during our performance at the church I had so much fun dancing
under the new freedom I had found. It
will still be a continual process of everyday trusting God, but I know that He
is definitely big enough.

2)
A Highlight of the trip: Anie… four feet, some
inches, but 100% pure sweetness and joy.
We would spend our minutes and hours together talking, sitting, doing homework,
play fighting, or sharing in the silence.
She is a 20 year old that has been through so much with her family, yet
she remains sweet and soft-hearted. Her
mom and dad separated when she was younger and one of her sisters when to live
with him and take care of him. After a
little while her dad got sick and died.
Her mom could not take care of 6 children on her own. Anie and one of her younger sisters came to
live at the FGA Child Care Centre. All
of her siblings have come to know Jesus, but her mom is still living in
darkness. I am so blessed by her
friendship and that God allowed us to meet each other. Being at the Centre and hanging out with the
children was definitely the biggest highlight of outreach for me.

The
FGA Child Care Centre is a facility where there are about 120 children. Some are orphans and some are children whose
families couldn’t afford school. The
people at FGA take the children in, teach them the love of God, and give them
the opportunity to get a good education and a hopeful future!

3)
What God did through me: I have been changing
lives, history and making war in the heavenly realm from Mianyang, China to Kampong Spoe, Cambodia. DUN,
DUN, DUN!!! WOOP WOOP!!

One Sunday, in Cambodia, we felt like God was telling us to share
personal testimonies or words God gave us then close with “Redeemer.” When I was praying about what to share on,
God told me what the topic was: Love one another. Which is something that God was continually
telling the team over and over. Every
place we went, someone had a message that said, “They will know Jesus by how
you love one another.” So it was a
familiar topic to us, but to me it was kinda getting old. But God gave me a few verses (9 passages to
be exact) and things to say, I was
really nervous about speaking in front of the children and staff at the Centre,
but God came through and gave me the words to say. The leader, Solvan, was really agreeing with
what I had to say. Some, or most, of the
children don’t treat each other very nice.
They call each other names and hit each other. So even though it was a topic we as a team
had heard over and over, I was able (with God’s wonderful help) to bring it to
the people He wanted to hear it.

Four of the girlies My friend Anie Starbucks in Chengdu, China

So with that adventure closing, a new one was beginning. I spend the month of March at home readjusting the life in the States, reflecting on the trip, and unpacking only to pack again. In April I moved down to Portland, OR to start a 6 month internship at BridgeTown Ministries. I was immersed in inner city work and it was awesome!! For three months I was the leader of their outreach to children called BTown Kids. We took a big truck to a local apartment complex and hung out with the kids. We fed them lunch, played with them, painted faces, played messy games, sang songs, and gave short object lessons. It was a complete BLAST!! I was so excited when Saturday would come, even tho I didn't get to sleep in as late as I would like. It was awesome! God really touched the hearts and lives of the kids as well as the volunteers who came and helped out. My experience here was different then anything I had done before. I had to be an adult. I had responsibilities of keeping a house, paying bills on time, making sure the part that I did in BTown was done, be up and at work when it was time, and manage my time appropriately. A difficulty I ran into was I lived by myself for the better part of five months. I have always lived around people whether it was my family or people on DTS. Jesus truly had to be my best friend or else there was no one that was there. It was difficult and I failed at times, I will admit. I watched too much tv and wasted the time I should have been cleaning the house or spending time with Jesus.

I have pics of Portland, but they are on my camera and my chord is packed somewhere.

So now I am sitting at home in Bonney Lake. I have moved most of my stuff to here and mom and I will get the rest next weekend.

Ah, the power of surprise!

2007-09-25T21:01:00.001-07:00

Written at 11:13 am, yesterday.
So my dad's birthday was this weekend... and I went up to
bonney lake on saturday to surprise him. It was great!! I also got to
hang out with my sister, bro-in-law, and friend Keeshia who came up for
the weekend from Cali. It was great! I am oober excited about moving
home. I have two weeks left in Portland, then off to washington to
start over. New job, new school, new friends. I am pretty excited.
My sisters church has this great young adult group that I am going to
get involved with. I really don't have many friends in the bonney lake
area, so it is going to be a great opportunity to meet new people my
age that are in the same phase of life. Pretty cool. But I also get
to hang out with old friends. Mel and my CB family. Whoa.. I had the
weirdest dream the other night about CB.. We were madly trying to get
ready for OR and I was trying to burn a program cd for Mel (yep dear
you were there :) and it wasn't going very well. We all gathered in a
group and Rick was pissed. I have never seen him like that before. In
the dream I was like dude, he is mad! There were tons of other random
things that went on, but that was the main one. It was weird.
Anyways..

My break is almost over, so I gotta go pee and get some tater-tot casserole before heading to YP2.

Bye to the very few who read this anymore. And thank-you!

Currently Listening
Greatest Hits (Snys)
By Sara Evans
As If
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oh yeah!

2007-09-17T19:57:00.001-07:00

overdosing on marie callendars pot pies, tillamook ice cream, m&ms, and csi miami :P

hear the sound of screeching tires

2007-09-12T21:38:00.001-07:00

that is the sound of my life. it has come to a screeching halt.
I have had like no work in the last two weeks. no work means nothing
to do. i worked monday, but not tuesday or wednesday. i don't know
what to do with myself when there is nothing to do. yesterday i wasted
the whole day. today i cleaned most of my house. it's a pain cause
then i don't get paid as much and i have bills that are going to need
to be paid in the next couple of weeks. arg!

Currently Watching
CSI Miami - The Fifth Season
see related

Things are looking up!

2007-09-04T22:26:00.001-07:00

So life is good. Things are going pretty well. My days are
getting sunnier. I am still working through some personal things, but
all in all things are good.

I had an awesome Labor Day weekend!! Spent it with family. Yeah... it was awesome. Hope you had a great one too!

Well gotta get to bed. I might have to work in the morning... long story.

Bye!

i dunno

2007-08-10T15:10:00.000-07:00

i dunno

I have this thing I wrote, but I duuno if I will post it. It is about some things I am looking for in a man. But I dunno.
I've been in a funk the last couple of days and I don't know how to shake it. I am tired and extremely moody. Kinda depressed that I don't have friends down here to chill with or time. Nothing to do on my days off. I haven't really felt motivated to do anything. I need to clean my house, but I don't really feel like it. I started today, but now I am sitting on the couch on the computer. Not getting too far. I think part of it is my eating habits. I haven't been eating well lately. But eating healthy is more expensive. And I need to take vitamins, but I keep forgetting. I can't take them when I take my allergy medicine. I have to take vitamins one hour before or two hours after the medicine. I have been drinking more water, so that is a good thing.
I had a blast last weekend! I went to Port Townsend to the YWAM base for a wedding. The people getting married were staff on my DTS, so I got to see peeps from then. It was really cool. I spent the whole weekend with people I absolutely love!
I think I have come to the decision that I love living in community, with some time I can spend by myself. Living along has been a great experience and I have learned a lot, but I get lonely.

The Green Lady

2007-08-07T21:05:00.001-07:00

I must say.. I now have three very good arguments as to why I drink Starbucks. Not just coffee tho, I love thier Passion Ice Tea Lemonade! Mmmm. yummy Summer drink. Anyways in the last couple of weeks two things have happend that has made me appreciate the Starbucks Company more.

1) I registered a gift card online and two weeks ago recieved a post card saying that because I was a valued Starbucks coustomer, they put $5 on my card. The sad thing was I didn't have that card anymore. So I called them and they promtly put that money on the card that I had. It pays to be a customer sometimes.

2) Today I went to get a ice tea lemonade and their water bottles were on sale for $4.99. So in the small conversation that I had the the dude, I said something about getting a mug as well at a different store cause they were on sale. So what does that mean for me? He gave me my drink for FREE!!!

3) And my last argument... I can go ANYwhere in the world and get an Caramel Macciato and that is what I get. If you go to a small stand, you aren't going to get a MooLatte anywhere else when you travel. But I have been to China, Greece, and other places and been able to get a taste of home.

So there you go... I will continue to drink Starbucks from now, till I decide to stop or I die. :P

The last two

2007-07-12T20:16:00.000-07:00

I keep forgetting to update here with the recent posts.

July 10

And the word is crap

My day has screamed crap from the first note of my alarm this morning. Blech! I am super tired, don't feel good, I currently have the hiccups and to top it off I left my phone on the bus this morning. I am ready to just sit down and cry. I almost did on my last break. Holy stinking cow! I just want to go to my house in WA, see my mom, and sleep in my bed. But I have to do the adult thing and stay and do what I have to do.

Gotta go.. pray for me if you think of it.

July 11

GINORMOUS!!!!

Well I got my phone! YAY!!! And and.... yeah.... I am really tired, so all the things that I thought about writing about are so totally not there. That just bugs me!!! Well, I am going to go get Dairy Queen soon. Amber Pamber is here, so I guess I should go.

I cleaned my car out yesterday. :)

BEFORE:

Back seat

Front Passenger floor

AFTER:

Back Seat

Front Passenger floor

THE EVIDENCE:

The big trash bag that is full of the crap I took out of my car. hehehe.

New Page

2007-07-07T16:45:00.001-07:00

Oops.. I forgot to put this up when I wrote it, so this post is from Tuesday, July 3rd.

I am done doubting, done not trusting and done going back to how it used to be. Things are different. God has done some work in me. I will not go back. I am moving forward. I am diving in, head first, into the awesomeness of God. I am done wavering and playing games. Things aren't perfect, but He is. I am making changes.
I have decided to put my stake in the ground. To build my altar to remember what God has done in my life. I trust Him with all areas of my life. He is the only one I will serve. I am turning a page in the book. A new chapter is beginning. I will live this phase of my life to the glory of Elohai.
As a visual reminder, or symbol of this change, I went and got my nose pierced yesterday after work. Yes, it did hurt, but not so bad I couldn't bear it. So yeah, I feel like I have a booger. :P Anyways... here is a pic.

It's not the greatest pic (after work, hadn't had a shower that day, just broke out, yeah), but you can see the stud. :D I am happy!!!

Wow1

2007-06-30T22:56:00.000-07:00

Holy cow! This week is insaneness! I am so tired from getting up early and going to bed late and working and doing BridgeTown and stuff. :P

I am kinda bummed cause there isn't much to write here. Since I have been so busy there isn't much going on. But I have say the public transit system is interesting. I have been taking the bus and/or the MAX to work, because the parking downtown is a pain and would become very expensive. But anyways... I see some interesting people. hehe.

Well, I am tired, hot, sweaty, and totally happy! :) I found out that I get to see my family this week. We are going to Bend to see me grandparents for Independence Day. *happy dance*

The word for the day is...

2007-06-23T20:34:00.000-07:00

Estival!! \ESS-tuh-vul\ • adjective : of or relating to the summer

Great word, eh?

I have a confession to make. I have a new addiction. I gave up Mountain Dew, with much agony. :P but now, I have a new drink... Wild Cherry Pepsi. Ooooh yeah! totally good! :P

Sorry I haven't spent much time here. Started work, so I have been gone from 7ish to about 6:30. We have a team in this week, so I have been busy with that. And I have been so tired when I get home, I just crash.

Check this out. Move your mouse around the screen, then click the mouse button and see what happens.

I am going to have a life

2007-06-14T13:03:00.001-07:00

I start work next week!! I am a mixture of excited and nervous. But I am definitely happy to be starting. Less time on my hands, a chance to see more of child care, and more moola in the bank. The volunteering at the CRN is going great! I love it there. It has taken a bit to get into the swing of things, but I can handle it. The kids are soo cute!! I need to learn Spanish, I have decided. Not sure how, but I wanna learn.

Anyways, I am tired but I have things to do today. I am thankful right now that my heart is what it is and that I can't drink a lot of caffeine, cause boy do I want it!! oh yeah. A nice cold Cherry Pepsi... BOO YA!!

This is from Outreach 2005 in Tacoma. hehe... hott huh?

Hi there!

2007-06-13T10:27:00.001-07:00

Your results:
You are Superman

Superman		80%
Wonder Woman		73%
Green Lantern		65%
Spider-Man		65%
Robin		63%
Catwoman		60%
Supergirl		58%
The Flash		55%
Hulk		50%
Iron Man		45%
Batman		30%

You are mild-mannered, good,
strong and you love to help others.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test

Your results:
You are Mystique

Mystique		73%
Dark Phoenix		70%
Venom		61%
Juggernaut		57%
Poison Ivy		54%
Lex Luthor		52%
Catwoman		50%
The Joker		48%
Apocalypse		47%
Dr. Doom		45%
Magneto		42%
Kingpin		41%
Two-Face		41%
Mr. Freeze		40%
Riddler		36%
Green Goblin		29%

Sometimes motherly, sometimes a beautiful companion, but most of the time a deceiving vixen.

Click here to take the Super Villain Personality Test

I am back!!!! And I made it mostly alive!! hehe... It was a good weekend. A little family tension, but hey, weddings do that. :P So yeah, had a GREAT time!!!

And I got goldfish!!! Yep!! My cousin, Jessica, had then as the center pieces at her grad party and she auctioned them off to help raise money to go to Africa this year. So I batted my baby browns at Daddy and asked of he would buy me some. :) Technically I have one goldfish and one silverfish. :P

The Gold one is Anthony cause he is random. :P And the Silver on is Karl after the DTS tradition. And those are my fishies!!!!! Aren't they cute!?!?!?!?!

up and down and side to side

2007-05-28T14:53:00.001-07:00

I have heard it said that life is like a roller coaster and I totally agree. One day everything is fine. I am doing good, feeling well, happy with life. Then another day will just be crap. I don't want to do anything, I ask Him a lot of questions, and I wonder what in the world I am doing here. There are up days and down days. Side to side days. (hehe that sounds like Dr. Suess) I guess a butterfly has hard times getting out of their cocoon, so I have a hard time growing up. The adult life is so different then the teen and child life. It's craziness! And some days I feel like I have been thrown out there... GO... Be responsible if this and this and this and this. Can I handle this? I guess when I get the hang of how things work I can. I dunno. I'm just rambling. I think that when things start to get busy I will be better. I don't like having nothing to do all the time.

Amy and Jesse took me shopping and they bought me a really cute top for my birthday. :) I love it! Now I need to find a cute pair of shoes. They also took me to see Pirates 3. I loved it! But I'm not gonna say much more about it except stay through the credits. There is an easter egg at the end. :P

Anyways... ta ta!

YEAH!

2007-05-24T15:12:00.000-07:00

Well... I have some totally cool, awesome and good news!!

I GOT A JOB!!

That's right I did!! I had an interview this morning and they want to hire me as a part time substitute teacher. It is at a place called Joyful Noise Child Development Center. Their program is for children ages infant-kindergarten. They are going to respect my BTown schedule of Thurs, Fri, Sat and they want me Mon, Tues, Wed. Cool huh?? So PTL!! :) I am really happy about it!!

I haven't been able to get a hold of the Apartment Manager so I have NO idea when BTown Kids is going to start. I called her Tues, Wed, and today and all three times I got the answering machine and I left a message twice. So I really don't know what to do now. That is a big prayer request if you think of it.

Okay I can't decide this or this? I know I am dreaming big, but hey I heard once, if you can dream it, you can do it. Maybe that will me part of me someday. :)

A little something random

2007-05-23T22:31:00.000-07:00

Okay so I saw the dorkiest thing today. I was driving on I-5 and this guy on a Crotch Rocket passed me. I started to laugh!! He didn't have his feet on the foot pegs so they were just kinda dangling. He looked like he was going to push off the bike and launch himself into the Superman pose. It was interesting.

So I got my hair trimmed, or did I get it cut? Anyways, I got about 1 1/2 inches cut off the bottom, so it is a bit shorter, but I love it! It was getting just too long. It is now shoulder blade length.

And just cause I am a little bored...
Here are the rules:
Put the answer to the question in Google Images,and use the FIRST image that comes up (no clicking down to page 443 to geta pic. you like). Add some new categories if you can think of some.

The city and state you were born in, no quotation marks:

The city and state you currently reside in, no quotation marks:

First name, no quotes:

Hey, look! I'm a ship! :P

Your grandmother's name:

Your favorite food

Your favorite drink

Your favorite smell

Your favorite song

Favorite ice cream

Favorite US show (current)

Favorite UK show

Favorite shoes

Favorite comic strip

Favorite movie

Let's go fly a kite!!!

2007-05-18T14:12:00.001-07:00

Oh, oh, oh!
Let's go fly a kite
Up to the highest height!
Let's go fly a kite and send it soaring
Up through the atmosphere
Up where the air is clear
Oh, let's go fly a kite!

That is my I am happy/I am oober excited song. :) (Thought you would enjoy that Sarah) So why am I so happy and obber excited? Let me tell you!!!

First off, I have to say that Royal Rangers totally and completely ROCK!!! And for those of you who don't know what Royal Rangers is: Royal Rangers is a ministry that reaches across the United States and in over 65 nations around the world. It motivates boys spiritually through Bible study and memorization, devotionals, and Christian role models. Boys are strengthened mentally by an advanced awards-based weekly program. Further, the boys increase their physical prowess by participation in age-specific activities and recreation. Finally, they are introduced to church, community, and nature-related activities to develop their social skills and awareness. (taken from http://royalrangers.ag.org/about/index.cfm)
Anyways... On Wednesday we (BTown staff) went to Tigard Assembly to pick up some things that were donated to us. When I got there, I found out that they weren't just donated. A group of boys (not sure which age) raised the money and bought BTown Kids a brand new BBQ (a really super nice one), a 30gig Ipod for our music, and 5 new tables. HOLY COW!! I was floored!!! My dad is a long time commander and my brother is receiving his Bronze Metal on Sunday, so I am connected to RR that way. But man, I am just blown away by this.

Second, I received a call from a Child Care Center that I submitted a resume to online and they want me to come in for an interview. Yesssss... that is cool!! So I am going in on Thursday at 10am for that.

Third, I went to the Children's Relief Nursery for their volunteer orientation today. If you can recall I posted a while ago about them and wanted to get a position there and since I couldn't I went for the second best thing: volunteering. I am soooo excited to start there!! This place is amazing! Their classrooms are state of the art, teachers really care about the children and families, there are parenting classes offered, clothes and children's things given to the families and the best part is... everything the CRN offers is FREE of charge to the families!!! As I was walking through the facility I was thinking, "God, this is what I want to do. This is the kind of program I want to have in Seattle." So volunteering here I not only get experience in working with low income, at risk children and their family, I am working at a place that will give me leverage into Seattle.

And finally... well, I can't tell you cause it would ruin a surprise that I have for a friend. But it makes me super dooper and oober excited!!!!

There was one almost downer today, but I think it is a blessing in disguise. I talked to the Apartment manager where we will be having BTown Kids and they aren't ready for us to start this weekend, so we will prolly have to wait until next weekend to start. BUT.... BTown Kids IS starting!!! And that makes me happy!!

OH OH OH!!!! One more thing: My birthday is in two weeks!!! woo hoo!!!! I will be 20. :)

So all of this combined into the last couple of days, makes me want to BURST!! I am literally dancing around my house! hehehehehe.... EXCITED!!!!

So sing it with me....
Oh, oh, oh!
Let's go fly a kite
Up to the highest height!
Let's go fly a kite and send it soaring
Up through the atmosphere
Up where the air is clear
Oh, let's go fly a kite!

PS: I have made an adult decision. Yes that is right. Since one of my weaknesses is Starbucks and I buy coffee there too often for my budget, I am putting myself on a limitation. One a week. Yep on Fridays or Sundays. That is it. Once on either Friday or Sunday. *big smile* I am proud of myself.

Currently Listening
Enjoy The Ride
By Sugarland
Settlin'
see related

Summer Movie Frenzy

2007-05-14T20:03:00.000-07:00

So on Saturday, I saw one of the 6 movies that I want to see this summer: Spiderman 3. I heard from a couple of people that it was good and from others that it was so-so. Personally, I thought it was great. It was a bit long yes, but worth it. The villains were good, revenge was defeated, friends were reunited, and love was restored. It was great! There was only one thing missing. Spiderman should have redeemed the kiss with MJ. When the movie was almost over and they had defeated the two villains, I was ready. At any moment, Spiderman was going to come in and totally redeem the love story. But it didn't happen that way! Gah! Why not!? Too predictable? SO! It was perfect! Anyways, it doesn't matter.

The other 5 movies for the summer:
Shrek the Third 5.18.07
Pirates of the Carribean At World's End 5.25.07
Ocean's Thirteen 6.8.07
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer 6.15.07
The Bourne Ultimatum 8.3.07

The End...

Whew....

2007-05-07T15:06:00.001-07:00

So this week is pretty busy for me. Mon, Tues, Wed, and Thurs(only morning this day) I am watching Marshall's two boys while they are at District Council.
Thurs(evening), Fri, Sat(morning) my brother will be here and I will be supervising him while Mom is at a conference.

So I had my interview at Starbucks this morning. I was asked the typical interview questions, the "think if a time when ______ what did you do?" questions, and general ones about what I am doing in Portland. I am pretty sure the interview went well. The manager said that he likes to have a day or two to look over his notes and then he will call. So he said he would call me Wed morning with an answer. We will see what happens then.

That is all for now!! yup yup.

Bad Joke of the Day

2007-05-04T16:54:00.000-07:00

TODAY IS 'STARWARS DAY'

MAY 4TH

(May the Fourth be with you)






OK You can groan now...

woooo hooo!!

2007-05-03T16:45:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I have been putting off dropping off my application to Starbucks... partly cause I needed a printer for the resume, but besides that I was putting it off. But yesterday, I got my butt in gear and drove to the Starbucks around the corner. I could have walked, yes, but I also dropped off some mail at the post office, went to Starbucks, then deposited some money, so I had to drive... and the wind was blowing pretty hard. I walk in and ordered my coffee, Grande Caramel Macciato (not decaf today), and handed the gal my app. She rang me up, then handed the app to the guy making my coffee. He proceeds to read it and make my coffee. He looks up at me and asks, "Are you Kari?" "Yes I am" "I am Mike (I'm pretty sure that is what his name was) and I am the manager here. Is there any way you could come in for an interview on Monday?" Thinking to self, "Monday!? what? you are asking me that right now? whoa!" But I say. "Monday... Monday would be fine." Manager: "What time of day works best for you?" Thinking to self: "I have to watch Sam and Noah in the afternoon so..." "Morning would work best." "Here is your Caramel Macciato, let me go check my schedule...... How about 11am?" "11 will work, I will see you then."

HOLY COW!!!!!!!! Like I got an interview right then and there!!!! SWEET!!!! AT STARBUCKS!! That is stinking AWEsome. I know what some of you are thinking... Don't feed her coffee addiction. Well I have taken the advice of a friends authority... If you can drink a swig of black coffee, watch it come out, and swallow it... and you still like it? Then by all means, drink it. So I am. :) Mind you I do Decaf most of the time, because I don't drink coffee just for the caffeine, I also like the taste and smell. And I only drink caffeine sparingly due to heart palpitations. So anyways. Pray for my interview on Monday that all goes well... and that I get the job. And if I get the job, that I get the hours that work best for my schedule at BridgeTown.

loooong weekend

2007-04-29T11:54:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I woke up at 7AM!!! Can you believe that I, Kari, woke up at that time on a Saturday!?!?! hehehe... well, I did. That was after going to bed at like 12am cause we had NightStrike. Anyways... I left the house at 8:15ish, stopped for gas, then headed up to Washington for the day. Yep that's right, the day. It was Crimson Bridge this weekend and they wanted to learn "The Stomp" which is a thing we did on DTS. So I drove up I-5 and got the NFC about 11ish. Spent the day there teaching The Stomp, prayer walking, and hanging out with my CB family (esp her!). Then at about 6:30ish I decided that I needed to go back home, so I got in I-5 and drove back to Portland. Sheri and a friend were watching a movie when I got home, so I watched that with them then got to bed at about 10:30ish. Was up again about 8 this morning and went to church with Gramma Carol. So now it is about 2:36 and I am ready for a nap. :P but I can't cause I gotta clean up my room, do dishes, hang my curtains, and run to Fred Myer to get some stuff for my printer. This weekend has been busy to say the least.

Bubbles got some HOTT boots!!! Check these out:

Uh huh, that's right! AWEsome, eh??

PS: Currently Starting the first season of CSI and eventually the first season of House. :P Sheri has season 1-4 of CSI and 1-2 of House. hehehe... and I'm gonna watch em!! Oh and I am eating Couscous. yummy!

And Stuff!

2007-04-25T11:52:00.000-07:00

I am blessed beyond all measure.....

With Family who loves me and supports me 100%
With a Church that supports me
With Friends who pray for me and care about my life

With a God, whom I can trust with my life, my decisions, and my future. Who loves me more then anyone ever could.... Who gently leads me back on to the path when I stray... Who is Elohai... My God.

What more could a girl want?

Changing gears....
I had life smack me in the face this week when I realized I am turning 20 in about a month. CRAZINESS!!!! I am leaving the teenage years and entering the young adult phase. Weird.

Pics of my house
My bed... yeah it's a twin. Bummer. :P

I know it looks messy, but I am just working on a couple of projects at the same time.

The living room... We have a bigger TV now... well as I am in the process of writing this a guy came and got this tv and we got one from the Center. Man change happens fast! ;)

The kitchen... small, and not much counter space, but cute.

There you go! That is my house!!

blech, blah, gag

2007-04-15T21:30:00.000-07:00

i do not like not feeling well. i wouldn't say i'm sick, i just don't feel very good. and it sucks. yup yup.

this coming week is going to to pretty much me looking for a job. i'm gonna talk to some people and see what happens. pray i get the one God wants me to get.

Hit the ground running... kinda.

2007-04-11T13:04:00.000-07:00

Well, my first team here at BTown came in last night. They are doing A Week of Passion. So the got here last night and they received orientation. They are spending the day in Portland today so I am chilling at my house. That sounds so cool. My house. hehe... anyways, I'm gonna work on my Resume and College app today, go buy a coffee grinder (yes, for my DECAF coffee), and chill until about 4pm when I will help get dinner ready for the team. Life has been good so far. Oh yeah, my job this week is to job shadow. So I am following Josh and Sheri around seeing how the team stuff works. This morning I was up at 7 to make sure the team was up and ready at 8. Well, I was awake at 6 but dozed until 7ish.
I am actually really excited about one place I am going to look for a job. It is called Children's Relief Nursery and it is a Child Care Center for low-income families. I am totally praying that I will have the opportunity to work there. SHOOTS!!! I just remembered that my CPR/First Aid Card expired a couple months ago. I'm gonna have to find a class. Bleh, I don't like those classes. Oh well, it's for da babies. I am also updating my resume. Yeah I am having lots of fun.

The meaning of multi-tasking: talking on phone to friend in HI, IMing Mom, updating resume, posting blog, and writing an email, while listening to music and thinking about a million different things. lol.

Moving...

2007-04-09T10:11:00.001-07:00

So the past... umm... since Friday, so three days, I have been in the process of moving to North West Portland to work with a ministry called BridgeTown Ministries . Anyways, so that is what I am doing for the next six months. Working with them, getting a job, growing more and more in God, and learning how to be independent. That is weird, let me tell you. You mean I have to menu plan and like know what I am going to eat? Oh... yeah. Stuff like that. :P And learning a new area. That will be interesting. hehehe... yep yep.

God Stuff:
Ya know... I really, REALLY like God!!! He is like the coolest thing ever!!! Anyways, I have noticed over the past, oooohh, two weeks or so, and increase in... how do I say this... an increase in tears I guess you could say. I think that I am getting that back. I don't cry, let's start with that. And I certainly DO NOT cry in front of people. Hate that. About 2 weeks ago or so, Mom and I were talking about life stuff and I started like sobbing. She held me and I just cried. I had been bottling stuff up and stuffing the tears. I am a girl!! And girl's have a big right to cry. Tears are something God gave to women to release emotions. Since that night, I have cried more then I did while on DTS. Crazy, yeah? But it is so... I don't know, so good, so wow. And I actually cried in front of people today. The worship leader at Gramma's church was singing a closing song and during one part it totally spoke to me and sounded like this part of my life. I'm not sure what the name is, but I am going to try and find out. Anyways... yeah. God is doing some cool things right now. I am excited to see what's next!!

The Line

2007-04-02T11:46:00.000-07:00

This is it
the end of one chapter
closing up of the childhood
no longer one of the youngers
becoming all growed up
making adult decisions
looking at life with adult eyes
no longer concerned with childish things
Life is settling in
making it's home
no more beating around the bush
i am making a stand
drawing a line
You, Abba, are the center
the focus of my life
in You i put my trust

When I was a child, I talked like a child, thought like a child, reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

TRUST

1.	reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.

2.	confident expectation of something; hope.

3.	confidence in the certainty of future payment for property or goods received; credit: to sell merchandise on trust.

4.	a person on whom or thing on which one relies: God is my trust.

5.	the condition of one to whom something has been entrusted.

6.	the obligation or responsibility imposed on a person in whom confidence or authority is placed: a position of trust.

7.	charge, custody, or care: to leave valuables in someones trust.

8.	something committed or entrusted to one's care for use or safekeeping, as an office, duty, or the like; responsibility; charge.

I trust in Him, wholly and completely......... Do you?
He is the center of all that I do....... Is He your center?
He is in control of my future......... Is He in control of yours?
His spot is in the driver seat......... Is He driving your life or are you?

Panoply - a full suit of armor

2007-03-27T23:23:00.000-07:00

Some interesting things to think about:
-I think a lot of people look at me and say that I'm weird. But what I've noticed - and this used to worry me a lot when I was little - is that I don't know one normal person. I've never met one, actually. We all have our special, odd little things, and we should be proud of that.
-Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today
-The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.
-To reject risk is to reject life.
-Just go in there and remember - you're fantastic.

Okay, so you are thinking... well, maybe. So these things you did on Outreach are cool, but what did God do in you? What did you learn? Well, let me tell you! The biggest thing he taught me is...

TRUST HIM IN EVERYTHING!!!!

During the entire outreach, God was teaching me to trust Him in every aspect of my life. When I left to home for outreach, there were things I had to leave undone because of time. I didn’t know when I was moving to Portland, I did not get to finish filling out my application to Evergreen State, and there were several things I was leaving behind. God was asking if I trusted Him enough to bring it all back together and take care of all the unknowns. Everyday it was a continual process of crying out to Him and letting go of all my fears. I had to pry my fingers off of controlling the steering wheel and allow God to take over. The last Sunday of outreach, February 25th, during worship I declared that I trusted God to have COMPLETE control of my future. I felt such a wonderful feeling of freedom after that and during our performance at the church I had so much fun dancing under the new freedom I had found. It will still be a continual process of everyday trusting God, but I know that He is definitely big enough.

I have been changing lives, history and making war in the heavenly realm from Mianyang, China to Kampong Spoe, Cambodia. DUN, DUN, DUN!!! WOOP WOOP!!

One Sunday, in Cambodia, we felt like God was telling us to share personal testimonies or words God gave us then close with “Redeemer.” When I was praying about what to share on, God told me what the topic was: Love one another. Which is something that God was continually telling the team over and over. Every place we went, someone had a message that said, “They will know Jesus by how you love one another.” So it was a familiar topic to us, but to me it was kinda getting old. But God gave me a few verses (9 passages to be exact) and things to say, I was really nervous about speaking in front of the children and staff at the Centre, but God came through and gave me the words to say. The leader, Solvan, was really agreeing with what I had to say. Some, or most, of the children don’t treat each other very nice. They call each other names and hit each other. So even though it was a topic we as a team had heard over and over, I was able (with God’s wonderful help) to bring it to the people He wanted to hear it.

So yes... I spoke in front of 130+ people (most under the age of 20). Can you believe that!?!? If you would have asked me that like 6 months ago... uh uh... no way... and it would definitely have to be a direct word from the Lord to do it again. But yeah... there you go!!!

Me with the city of Mianyang in the background.

This was at one of our favorite restaurants in Mianyang. We were talking to and entertaining some little children that were hanging around staring at us because we were foreigners. It's crazy... over there, we were like movie stars. Everyone stared, pointed, laughed, and if we stood still long enough, a crowd would start to gather. It was funny!

That thing was HUGE!!!! It is called (of course), the Iron Ox. Go figure.

Ramdom Rambling: If I were ever to get a tattoo (not saying I am getting one, so breathe. ) I would want something totally unique. Something that no one else has or will ever have. I would want something that would be me as well. Like for example, when I go shopping with a friend and I see an article of clothing I like, I most often hear from the friend, "That is SO Kari!" And rightly so, because I like it. That is how I would want my tattoo to be. When people see it, I want them to think, "That is so Kari!" So, of course, there would be SOMEthing purple on it.

PS- Does anyone read this anymore? If so, could you please comment so I know to keep posting here. :P It gets a little discouraging when there are not comments on the things God is doing. Thanks, Mangement

This side up ^

2007-03-25T13:05:00.000-07:00

So I have been so busy going here and there that I have not had the chance to actually look through my pictures for more stories to put on here. I'm not exactly sure if I am coming or going or if I am up or down. BLAAAAH!! IT has been crazy and it will only get crazier. That is for sure.

Umm... let see if I can come up with a quick short story... dum dum dum.... thinking thinking...

I got to ride an Elephant!!! yep yep!!!! Me and Sarah Pudwill were together on Poo Jumbo. Yeah it was pretty AWEsome! We made up a song... wanna hear it? Well technically, you can't hear it, but I will post the words:
Once upon a time in Thailand
I was riding on an elephant, an elephant, and elephant
Once upon a time in Thailand
I was riding on an elephant, an elephant, an elephant
Today.... HEY!!!

Yeah, pretty sweet huh!? Anyways, there was this cool show before the rides that the elephants put on where they played harmonicas, danced, played soccer, lifted heavy things, and even painted!! It was cool! Then we got to go on a half hour ride. yep yep... it was fun!!!

The soccer game... Elephants are really bad at aiming.

My elephant... yep. It was a pretty jolting ride, but it was fun fun fun!!

That are our footses on the elephants head! How cool is that!!!

Our driver man. He sat on the head the whole way. It takes some great balance to ride like that. He didn't speak much English.
So that was the Elephants (or as we call then at the King house Phino)!

Back from the Outside...

2007-03-21T13:28:00.001-07:00

I took a trip to the outside world that had... cough, cough... sputter, sputter... dial up. So I did not even try to get on. hehehe... and when I got home, our internet was down cause some wiring got messed up or something like that. So basically I was off the internet for like four days. *GASP* I know!!!

Today I am happy and sad. My friend Amber went home to Hawaii today, but I am talking to my friend from Romania. There is so much to do and a little time to get it done. BLAAAAAH!!! I should get a move on, but I really just want to sit here at my computer. I should work on my presentation for Sunday, but that would require me thinking. :silly *sigh* Today feels like a lazy Spring day. Although I did get up at 6:45am, but that was to take Amber to the airport.

Anyways... that is really all I have to say. I can't come up with a good story from Outreach to share. So here is a list of the cool things I ate while in Asia:
Cow Stomach
Pig Brain
Squid
Goose liver
Fried Cricket (that is the picture in my profile)
A little fried fish from tail to head

Yes, you eat the whole thing... with rice of course.

This is the pig brain. It was... interesting.

Start your engines....

2007-03-14T12:10:00.001-07:00

Okay, so that you have the whole overview of outreach...
Place 1: Mianyang City, in the Sichuan Province, Republic of China...

Mianyang (Chinese: 绵阳; pinyin: Míanyáng; Wade-Giles: Mian-yang) is located in the north of Sichuan Province of western China, the second largest city in this province. It covers an area of over 20,000 km² and has a population of 5.2 million, with 600,000 people in the city proper. Mianyang's climate is the damp subtropical and its annual average rainfall is 1100 mm. Its average temperature is 16°C with highest temperature of 39°C in summer and lowest temperature of -5°C in winter. Transportation to and in Mianyang is very convenient; there are highway and railway connections with several of China's major cities. Mianyang Airport has direct flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Kunming.

Mianyang is one of China's major electronic industry cities. Mianyang has many well-known research institutions such as the China Academy of Engineering Physics and China Air Dynamics Research and Development Center. Many large-scale enterprises, such as Changhong Electronics Group Corporation, Jiuzhou Electronics Group, Shuangma Cement Group, and Changcheng Special Steel Company also have their home in Mianyang. There are 6 universities and colleges, as well. Mianyang is well known as a science and technology city.

Mianyang has lovely scenery, a long history, and deep cultural roots. It is the hometown of famous poet Li Bai, with many historical relics of The Three Kingdoms.

Place 2: Sanya City, Hainan Island, Republic of China
Sanya (三亚) is the southernmost city in Hainan province, China and has an estimated population of 150,208 (2006). After Haikou, it is the second most populous city of the island. Sanya is revered for its tropical climate and is a popular tourist destination.

Place 3: Chiang Mai City, Chaing Mai Province, Kingdom of Thailand
Chiang Mai (in Thai เชียงใหม่ (help·info)), also sometimes written as "Chiengmai", is the largest and most culturally significant city in Northern Thailand, and the capital of Chiang Mai Province. It is located at 18°47′20″N, 98°59′00″ECoordinates: 18°47′20″N, 98°59′00″E, some 700 km north of Bangkok, among some of the highest mountains in the country. The city stands on the Ping river, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya river.

In recent years Chiang Mai has become an increasingly modern city, although it lacks the cosmopolitan gloss of Bangkok. It has many attractions for the thousands of foreign visitors who come to the city each year. Chiang Mai's historic strength derived from its important strategic location on an ancient trade route, and long before the modern influx of foreign visitors the city served as an important centre for handcrafted goods, umbrellas, jewellery (particularly silver) and woodcarving.

While officially the city of Chiang Mai only covers most part of the Mueang Chiang Mai district with a population of 150,000, the urban sprawl of the city extends into several neighboring districts. This Chiang Mai Metropolitan Area has a population of nearly 700,000 people, nearly half of the whole Chiang Mai Province.

Place 4: Kampong Spoe City, Kampong Spoe Province, Kingdom of Cambodia
Kompong Speu town, south-central Cambodia. The town lies along the Tnaôt River at the foot of the Dâmrei (“Elephant”) Mountains and astride a national highway linking Phnom Penh, the national capital, with Kâmpóng Saôm, the country's principal seaport. Population: 33,231

The surrounding area supports rice, sugarcane, palm trees, cotton, cassava, and corn (maize); there are also silk spinning, timber trade.

So there you go.... When I talk about a place you can have a small idea of what I am talking about.

Can we scream any louder?

2007-03-12T15:25:00.000-07:00

During our trip to the Baima Village in the foothills of the Himalayas (meaning it was freezing to say the least), the team went up to a hill above the village to pray over it. The wind was blowing really hard. We were following what God was telling us to do and one thing He said was do "The Stomp." It is a compilation of a few proclimation verses, stomping, and clapping. Well, we screamed it out over the village. One of the missionaries was down at our guest house becuase her 18 month old was sleeping and she said she could hear us loud and clear. That was with the wind whipping really fast... in the opposite direction of the village. So we were yelling into the wind and she still heard us! Some of the villagers were "whooping" and hollering along with us even though they didn't know what we were saying. After we were done with that, we each (15 of us) picked up a stone and built an altar to God and as each of us placed our stone down we proclaimed a name of God over the Baima people. This time stands out as one of my highlights from the trip.

A few pictures from that trip:

The Baima Village, Mianyang Province, Republic of China

Worshipping from the high place over the village

Proclaiming God's Royalty and Glory over the valley

The altar we set up to remember God in and over that place

HELLOOOO!?!?!?!? Am I out there!?!?!?!?

2007-03-08T14:29:00.000-08:00

Kari has returned from her trooping around Asia. She has more stamps in her passport and a great tan, but more important she has a deeper love for God and for His people, she trusts Him with her future, and can't wait for her next adventure with Him.
Over then next little while I will be posting pictures and stories of what God did while I was away. I hope they inspire you to pray for those in the pictures or to go on a missions trip yourself.

May God Bless you!!!!!

Did you know that turtles can breathe out of their butt?

2006-12-04T15:49:00.000-08:00

I am very sad... NO ONE SENDS ME MAIL ANYMORE!!!!!!!!!! Sarah's dad sends her these really random postcards and I still get NOTHING!!!

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

*sniff, sniff*

*sigh*

BUT... if you wanna, you can send me mail:

Kari King
PO Box 989
Port Hadlock, WA 98339

yah... i know, it's been a while

2006-11-24T22:32:00.000-08:00

So yeah, I am back now. Didn't know I had gone, huh? :p hehehe... yeah, we went to Salem, OR to join with their school to hear Dean Sherman speak on Spiritual Warfare. And that was really cool! I learned so much about the Christian faith and why we believe what we believe. It was pretty much going back to the basics and learning why Jesus came and what power we have in him because of all that he did while he was here. It was amazing! I learned alot this week. But I am glad to be back on base. We have had a pretty messed up schedule the last couple of weeks and I am glad to be back with my family here and to a regular schedule.

Amy and Jesse came to see me today!! It was so cool!!!

So here are some random pictures from DTS:

I am bored, no one reads this, and because I can

2006-11-14T15:48:00.000-08:00

IF YOUR LIFE WAS A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE SOUNDTRACK BE?

So, here's how it works:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie

Opening Credits: Morning Hymn and Alleluia Chours--Sound of Music

Waking Up: God of Wonders--Third Day

First Day At School: All Around Me--Rebecca St. James

Falling In Love: Come Now Is the Time to Worship--Philips, Craig, & Dean

Fight Song: Binary--Popple

Breaking Up: I have Confidence--Sound of Music (That is good! :P)

Prom: Faith, Love, Happiness--Thousand Foot Krutch

Sex Scene: If I had my choice I wouldn't include this in the movie. Breathe--Rebecca St. James

Life's Ok: What Did You Say?--Popple

Mental Breakdown: Move--Thousand Foot Kruth

Driving: Dreams I Dream For You--Avalon

Flashback: Axel F--Crazy Frog

Getting Back Together: Tough Little Boys--Gary Allen

Birth of Child: Find Your Wings--Mark Harris

Wedding: Beauty and the Beast--Guess where... (honest!!! that is what came up!!)

Final Battle: Standin' in the Rain--Dave Thompson

Death Scene: Save the Last Dance For Me--Micheal Buble

Funeral: Etude in C Minor-Vladimir Horowitz

End Credits: Refelction--Mulan

A Christmas Survey by Kari/Sarah

1. Hot chocolate or apple cider?
Definately hot chocolate/Hot Chocolate

2. Turkey or ham?
Ham... turkey=BLECH!!/Ham

3. Do you get a fake or real cut-it-yourself Christmas tree?
The ONLY Christmas tree is a REAL one!!!/Real

4. Decorations on the outside of your house?
Heck yes!/Of Course, but only lights...no funny blow up animals

5. Snowball fights or sledding?
Umm... out of the two... sledding/Neither, I don't like the snow

6. Do you like hanging around the fireplace because it's warm?
Yes and because it is super romantic/Yes, if I am cold.. No when I am hott, but that is most of the time ;o)

7. Do you enjoy going downtown shopping?
YES,YES,YES!!! I LOVE SHOPPING!!!/No

8. Favorite Christmas song?
Winter Wonderland/For fun:Good News by Avalon, but my favorite hymn is God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

10. How do you feel about Christmas movies?
I really don't care one way or ta other/They make it feel like Christmas?

11. When is it too early to start listening to Christmas music?
Whenever I feel like it...GOSH!!!/Before Thanksgiving is too early

12. Stockings before or after presents?
Before!! DUH!!/Never had stockings (Kari: WHAT? are you serious?)

13. Carolers, do you or do you not listen to them?
We have a group of neighborhood kids come around and we listen to them, but other than that we don't get them/Never had any.

14. Go to someone else's house or they come to yours?
Both... I like somewhat of a variety/Go to someone else's house

15. Do you read the Christmas Story on Christmas Eve?
Yesh... tradition of Family/Nope... I read the "Littlest Orphan" and "The Christ Child" with my mother

16. What do you do after presents and dinner?
Umm... Presents come WAY before dinner/We ope presents in the morning, then go to Gramma's house and open MORE presents and then we eat lunch

17. What is your favorite holiday smell?
Christmas tree and Swedish Gingerbread Cookies/I dunno... Just the smell is different... like you get up early on Cmas mornign with the tree and the presents and it just smells good... a homey, comfortable, safe sorta smell

18. Ice skating or walking around the mall?
Ice skating/Neither

19. Favorite Christmas memory?
What? Umm... One year me and Jp and the Kilourn's drove around and looked at all the pretty lights and decorations... that was lotsa fun!!/getting to stay up really late on Christmas Eve doing stuff with my brother

20. Favorite part about winter?
SNOOOOOOW!!!!! Even though we don't get if very often./The smell and the rain

21. Ever been kissed under mistletoe?
No... That would be against my religion ;)/No, Praise the Lord!

The Grey Stuff in life

2006-11-11T22:25:00.000-08:00

So our speaker this week was Jonathan Stone and he gave a message that really got me thinking. It was about... well here are my notes:

The Grey Stuff in Life

Romans 14:1

Absolutes – Biblical right and wrong…It transcends all generation, all cultures, and all genders.

Stealing, murder, sex before marriage, etc

Preferences – personal choice in life, things we like

I like Starbucks, you like Folgers. Being married or single

Convictions – personal right and wrong…Not right or wrong for everyone

We mix them… our convictions become absolutes.

A: Gluttony is a sin

P: I like my steak well done

C: I am a Vegetarian

A: Honor Sabbath

P: I like to go the church on Sunday morn

C: I think Sabbath is on Saturday

A: Do not get drunk with wine

P: I like red wine

C: I don’t drink wine at all

How do you deal with the grey stuff in life?

Figure out your own convictions (Romans 14:2-3)
Your convictions should help you love people more not less
Don’t force your convictions on someone else (Romans 14:3)
Don’t judge people who have different convictions
Don’t cause someone else to stumble (Romans 14:13)
Stick to your convictions (Romans 14:22)
Live out your convictions and give people room to live out their convictions

Four questions to help you decide what your convictions are

What does my Bible say?
What does my conscience say?
Will this lead me to sin? I know that I am weak in this area…
Is this loving my neighbor? Will this cause my neighbor to sin/stumble?

Yeah, made me think...

Pictures

2006-11-04T22:36:00.000-08:00

Nick's too cool to get his picture taken.

My one on one, Becky. She's wierd, but really cool!!!!

He is a Vampire on his spare time. Anthony says that he makes wierd noises in his sleep and he sleeps in a mummy bag. hehehehehe... he's cool tho. :P

Me taking a picture of Amber taking a picture of Marci. (HA! You thought I was going to say she was taking a pic of me! :)

My "new" jacket that I got for $14 at the thrift store (you can kinda see the highlights in this one, I am working on getting a better picture of my hair.)

My man Anthony wearing my princess apron that Ms Sharon made for me. :D Isn't he cute?

Me and my superhero!!!!!

NEWS FLASH!!!!

2006-10-25T15:38:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gentlemen... I interrupt the usual blogs posts to bring you this exciting news from DTS 2006:

KARI KING GETS TO VISIT THREE, I REPEAT, THREE COUNTRIES ON HER OUTREACH!! Not only will her small team be going to China and Cambodia, but they will also travel to Thailand to help out at a YWAM China Conference. They will be working with the children of the staff members who are going to the conference. Kari, Sarah, and Nick are very excited to visit another country and be a blessing to those workers who give their lives for the people of China.

Also, Kari has highlighted her hair blonde, yes, blonde. Everyone on Base loves it. Pictures and a further report to come at a later time, but only if people want it.

What kind of jewel are you?

Diamond

Your beauty is both breathtaking and stunning. Your friends could see you everyday and still be enchanted.

Click Here to Take This Quiz
Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.

CROAK

2006-10-14T19:29:00.000-07:00

I am sick!!!! :( I came down with a cough/cold this week. My nose is all stuffy and my voice is messed up because of my cough.

This week our speakers, Jeff & Diane Littleton, spoke on the Father heart of God, so God as Father. Oh my word, I am having a big brain fart. I do not know what to say here. Maybe more will come later.

He's so cute!!!!!!!!!!

2006-10-12T17:38:00.000-07:00

This is a totally cute puppy that I met. He is a Cocker Spaniel and he is 10 weeks old. I have decided that I want that kind of dog when I grow up. :D He is soo cute!

This is Amber with the puppy. His name is Nicholas.

I am now totally off caffeine(again) and have been off for one week. Pray that I keep on with that since caffeine is not good for my heart. Oh by the way, we found out my heart condition. I have PAC, Premature Atrial Contractions. So basically it is premature beatings in the top two chambers of my heart. Yeah. This is what I have to drink if I want a soda and have quarters to buy a soda, which most of the time I don't. The machine only turns ones and fives into quarters, not twenties. :)

This be Amber and me on the bus. We mastered the bus system from PT to base!!! WOO HOO!!! Except for the part when we had to walk 3/4 of a mile from the bus stop to base, her in flip flops, me in my boots. Yeah, not fun. But we talked about airline horror stories the whole way back. Good times, good times

Home away from Home

2006-10-09T14:18:00.000-07:00

Aaawww!!! I just got an email from Gramma Janet (and Mel, your song from BarlowGirl is playing). It was special cause she just talked about what they are up to, what they were doing, how the kitties and Maddie are, that Nathan was coming over, about Aunt Leah and Christian. I love it!!! Hearing about what people are doing and how they are doing is... I don't know how to explain it. Since I'm not there, I wanna be able to see what I would see if I was there. Yes it makes me miss home when I hear about life, but it also helps me. To know that life is still the same and you think about me enought to tell me how life is going. I feel so disconnected with the world. Which is good in some aspects, but in others, I have no idea what is going on!!!

So if you think about it, shoot me an email or send me a letter or comment me about what is up with you.

Kari King
c/o YWAM
PO Box 989
Port Hadlock, WA 98339

pure_n_heart@earthlink.net

Love you all and miss you lots!!!

Love, peace and chicken grease!!!

aw wha?

2006-10-04T20:17:00.000-07:00

Contessa

2006-10-02T20:53:00.000-07:00

So like yah. I live with some pretty weird people. Marci was just singing a random song she made up about her study partner who left her, so Janea got the hint and came running. We are learning the books of the Bible and 1 John 1:8-9 this week and it is due in the morning. So they need to study. I've got it down, so I am good. :P This week's memorization was pretty easy for me cause I already knew the books and 1 John 1:9, but last week... geeze. We learned Colossians 1:9-14. I got it done, but only by the grace of God. I am not a very good memorizer person. I just have to remember that Zechariah comes before Zephaniah...
Zechariah, Haggai, Zephaniah, Malachi
Got it. Okay.
Me and Sawah made an AWEsome apple crisp today for dessert. Oh my word. Nick is freaking out just outside. WOW!!! That was interesting. And he and Anthony are totally like, being boys. Yeah, the girls will understand that one.
Okay this post is really random. I have no deep phylisophical thoughts. So I will leave you with this really random and wierd post.

Love, peace, and chicken grease!

Whistle while you work!

2006-09-27T15:48:00.000-07:00

Today was good.  Deidra talked about living a life of repentance.
We watched part of The Passion and had a time of reflection of
things we had not repented of.  We wrote them down on pieces
of paper and nailed them to the cross.  It was... hard, yes, but
very good.  It is still hard for me to fathom that Jesus loved me
that much.  To go through that pain and suffering, for me.  And
I don't give Him all of the praise and the credit.












God has been stripping away my old identity and giving me His
identity for me.  That is very good, yes, but extremely hard.
Compliments are hard for me to accept.  The things He has been
speaking to me are hard for me to swallow.  It's like, "God you don't
really think that about me do you?"  And He says, "Yes, my child.
All that and more!"  He says, "You are no longer called Normal.  You
are My Princess.  My eyes are on you. I'm dancing over you!  You are
altogether beautiful, there's no flaw in you.  You captivate me!  You are
My colorful sunshine.  A heart linker."

I am beautiful!
I am lovely!
I am Your Beloved!
I am captivating!
You love me!
You see me!!
You are dancing over me!
I am in Your spotlight!
There is no flaw in me!!
You made me to be wonderful!
I am your Daughter!!
You delight in me!
I have stolen Your heart!
I am Your Princess!
I am Yours and You are mine!

Last night, for the first time in a long time, I danced in worship.
In many places, I have felt like there is no place for my dance in
church or it was not accepted, or there just wasn't enough room.
It felt so wonderful to dance before God once again!  God gave me
two pictures.  One was of me standing in a beautiful dress and His
hand, with my name carved in it, was stretched out.  He asked if I
would dance with Him and be His Princess.  The second was of me
wearing the same dress, but I had a crown on my head, stretching
my arms toward His outstretched hand saying, "Yes I will dance
with You and be Your Princess!"

*deep breath*  There you go.  And that is only part of what is going on
here.  :)  God is definitely doing some work in me.  Keep praying for me
please.  Here are a few prayer needs I have:
Being tired.  Not really physically, but emotionally and mentally
I have been struggling with headaches the last couple of days
That my attitude would stay right as the "honeymoon" period of living
with the same people is wearing off
And that I would continue to keep my heart and mind open to what God
wants to do in my life

That's all folks!!!

Soulprint

2006-09-20T15:33:00.000-07:00

Part of this morning we talked about our soulprint or personality. For our homeowrk last night we did this exercise that helped us determine what kind of personality we are. I am:

Introvert (Inward): When you have free time you usually find yourself being energized by spending time alone. You prefer to think carefully about what you going to say before speaking.
In conflict you need to: Show some enthusiasm and let extraverts think out loud.
Sensing (step-by-step): You tend to be practical and like to do things in sequence - step one, two three.
In conflict you need to: Remember there are more than just the facts. Show how the specific relates to the general.
Feeling (heart): You tend to "go with your gut" seeing things in shades of gray and both sides of the picture when solving problems.
In conflict you need to: Be direct and show love in practical ways. Talk about the feelings of others as a fact to be considered.
Perceiving (spontaneous): You like a flexible and spontaneous approach to life and prefer to keep your options open.
Take a clear position. Give others warning of changes coming.

There ya go! I gotta go do my h/w for tonight. Blech. Homework. hehehehehe.

Love, peace, and chicken grease!

PS: For those who want to know more about me. ;)

Portrait of an ISFP - Introverted Sensing Feeling Perceiving
(Introverted Feeling with Extraverted Sensing)

The Artist

As an ISFP, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit into your value system. Your secondary mode is external, where you take things in via your five sense in a literal, concrete fashion.

ISFPs live in the world of sensation possibilities. They are keenly in tune with the way things look, taste, sound, feel and smell. They have a strong aesthetic appreciation for art, and are likely to be artists in some form, because they are unusually gifted at creating and composing things which will strongly affect the senses. They have a strong set of values, which they strive to consistently meet in their lives. They need to feel as if they're living their lives in accordance with what they feel is right, and will rebel against anything which conflicts with that goal. They're likely to choose jobs and careers which allow them the freedom of working towards the realization of their value-oriented personal goals.

ISFPs tend to be quiet and reserved, and difficult to get to know well. They hold back their ideas and opinions except from those who they are closest to. They are likely to be kind, gentle and sensitive in their dealings with others. They are interested in contributing to people's sense of well-being and happiness, and will put a great deal of effort and energy into tasks which they believe in.

ISFPs have a strong affinity for aesthetics and beauty. They're likely to be animal lovers, and to have a true appreciation for the beauties of nature. They're original and independent, and need to have personal space. They value people who take the time to understand the ISFP, and who support the ISFP in pursuing their goals in their own, unique way. People who don't know them well may see their unique way of life as a sign of carefree light-heartedness, but the ISFP actually takes life very seriously, constantly gathering specific information and shifting it through their value systems, in search for clarification and underlying meaning.

ISFPs are action-oriented individuals. They are "doers", and are usually uncomfortable with theorizing concepts and ideas, unless they see a practical application. They learn best in a "hands-on" environment, and consequently may become easily bored with the traditional teaching methods, which emphasize abstract thinking. They do not like impersonal analysis, and are uncomfortable with the idea of making decisions based strictly on logic. Their strong value systems demand that decisions are evaluated against their subjective beliefs, rather than against some objective rules or laws.

ISFPs are extremely perceptive and aware of others. They constantly gather specific information about people, and seek to discover what it means. They are usually penetratingly accurate in their perceptions of others.

ISFPs are warm and sympathetic. They genuinely care about people, and are strongly service-oriented in their desire to please. They have an unusually deep well of caring for those who are close to them, and are likely to show their love through actions, rather than words.

ISFPs have no desire to lead or control others, just as they have no desire to be led or controlled by others. They need space and time alone to evaluate the circumstances of their life against their value system, and are likely to respect other people's needs for the same.

The ISFP is likely to not give themself enough credit for the things which they do extremely well. Their strong value systems can lead them to be intensely perfectionist, and cause them to judge themselves with unneccesary harshness.

The ISFP has many special gifts for the world, especially in the areas of creating artistic sensation, and selflessly serving others. Life is not likely to be extremely easy for the ISFP, because they take life so seriously, but they have the tools to make their lives and the lives of those close to them richly rewarding experiences

Taken from: The Personality Page

Short one

2006-09-19T16:20:00.000-07:00

This is just a quickie cause I have to be at work duties in 15 minutes.

This time has been really good. Our first speaker is here all week. Her message is called Destiny by D.E.S.I.G.N. DESIGN stands for Dreams, Experiences, Soulprint, Identity, Gifts, Network. So far it has been really good, but semi difficult. They've been makign me think. WAAAA!!! hehehe. Thinking is difficult sometimes. lklsdfkwejfncnsdckdlrfueowfjdscdmnfefneff. Yeah, not sure what else to say. It is kinda difficult to explain it all. Especially when I am still process it all. Oh, her name is Diane Kurtenbach. Umm, I am having a great time. Love the people, the food, the campus, and... and... umm... love Jesus!!! YAY!!!! Today is the first day I have really missed home and people. I miss your face. (hehehe, for those who know what that means ;)

Anyways, got put my baby away and report to Mr. Jim and Ms. Dina(sp?) for Dinner prep.

LOVE TO YOU!!!! (For Mel: SMOOCHEYS ON YOU!!!!)
Miss you all!!!

Love, peace, and chicken grease!!!

Yay!!

2006-09-16T23:05:00.000-07:00

Sis, you totally just made my day!!! I came here and the hand pic is up and you can see the base in that one pic!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!

Anyways, Janea, Amber, and I are "hacking" into the bases wifi internet connection. Tis great fun!!! Yes we are allowed to be on, but we get connection on the dorm end closest to the dinning hall. :P Anyways, good stuff happening. I will post more tomorrow when it's not 11pm at night.

I love you all!!!!

I'm Packing.... Really!

2006-09-13T13:44:00.000-07:00

Uhg

2006-09-12T23:21:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know that crying is good, but I have done soooo much if it in the past week, I am done. I hate farewells, even if it is for only five months. Only?? It feels like forever! Yes I will get to see my parents just about every month while I am gone, but I won't be home. I will definately miss my double bed. Going from double to extra long twin. And prolly to a queen when I get home. Oh yeah. Anyways, Mom and I went to Walmarche to get some last minute supplies (and this really cute pair of black courdroys[sp?]). All the essentials, shampoo, face stuff, laundry soap, contact stuff, all the fun stuff. :P

Tomorrow I will be crazily and madly packing all my stuff (okay not ALL, but some) to leave. GAH!! Where has all this time gone??? Tomorrow is like Wednesday! And I leave on like Thursday!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!! *breathing* Be still my beating heart.

Gotta get to bed!

Love, peace, and chicken grease!

These are my two absolute favorite pictures from Romania. Four of those kids in the picture each have a piece of my heart. The biggest pieces go to the little boy on my lap, Constantine, and the little girl in front with the white tank on, Florentina.

I am home

2006-08-08T09:42:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am now sitting in our dining room... HOME!!! What a wonderful place. There is so much to tell, so many stories, but to you that is all they are. When you look at the pictures, you will see the most beautiful children, but when I look at the pictures, I feel their arms around my neck, their hands gripping mine, I see the filthiness, I see their in their eyes a longing to be loved, I smell the unwashed smell, the sewage, the body odor, and once again I feel like my heart is being ripped out of me. The pictures that will be uploaded later, do no justice. They pretty up what is dirty. You don't see the pain, the dirt, and everything else.

(Sorry if this sounds a little depressing, that is not how I am feeling. Well, maybe a little sad , but not depressed.)

The World Traveler who is home,
Kari

I am loved!

2006-08-04T10:40:00.000-07:00

Okay, so two people love me!!! And the ppl here do. I have found someone who like MD and M&Ms just about as much as I do!! We have been MD brother and sister these past two weeks. It has been great!

My brain is soo fried. It was about 100 degrees today, maybe more. But it felt SUPER hot!!!! Oh my goodness. Not sure exactly what to write. There is so much that has happened. My brain is not processing very well. There have been several times when I had to turn away and get under control, so that I don't start crying in front of the children. I will have lots of pictures when I get home. Or rather when Kris gets the pictures burned onto a cd. He downloaded everyones pics onto his comp and will burn us a copy when we get home. And there are so many stories. The Rats family, the little beggar boy, the blind, deaf, & dumb girl, Maria & Loare(I dunno how to spell it) and so many more. When I get home and have pics and time amd faster internet I will have more to post about. And after my brain has had a change to process things.

I miss you all. Honestly. I love theses people and the team, but there is nobody here now who I have really clicked with. Andrea had to go home. OH!!! I din't talk about Andrea. Well I dunno her background, but she met the team years ago in Bucharest when they did a basketball camp. Anyways, she was one of our interpreters. She is very lonely. Both of her parents have died and her sister lives in France. She is a PE teacher in Bucharest. She and I really clicked. We called eachother sister, my dear, and sweetie. It was great fun!! She was such a big help to our team and to me personally. We clicked at the right time. I wasn't really clicking with any of the other girls and I was starting to retreat into myself and all of a sudden BANG! This Romanian that I thought was quiet and reserved popped out of her shell. She was a God sent. Seriously. I want her to come live with me. I told her that when I opened my Center that she will have to come out and teach my kids PE and Romanian. :P And she is a kick in the pants. Her facial expressions were so animated and... and... there is no way that I could describe her to you.

Well, I am going to get a massage now. By two Physical Therapists, so there!!! They figured out what was wrong with my knee and gave me an exercise program that will straighten me out. I'll explain more later.

Love you all!!!!

The World Travelor,
Kari

Here I Am

2006-08-01T12:52:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am still alive, but I just don't have the brain power to talk about all the things that are going on. I am soo tired, but am not sleeping very well. BUT do not worry! We have an in house doctor who gives out pills!!! So I am going to take mine now and go to bed.

Noapte Buna (Napta Boona)

And I am not going to post ANYthing else until I get some love people!!! I have posted and poured my heart out and what do I get!?!?! Big FAT ZERO comments!!! GAH!!!!! What to do with you all!!!!

Yesterday and today

2006-07-29T10:17:00.000-07:00

Oh my GOSH!!! The kids! I have come so close to crying, but didn't cause I din't want them to see. There was this mom with three girls. Not sure the age of the two older one, but the youngest was 5 months and was super tiny. I have a pic I'll show when I get home. Eeoi! I wanted to bring them home with me. So beautiful and so tiney because of malnutrition. The mom had no more milk, so she was spending their momey to get milk for the baby so the other children were starving. It was so sad. (I'm getting a knot in my throat right now.) I just want to love on all the children. Yesterday we were at one village all day and I was just so exhausted when we got home. I din't drink as much water as I needed cause I was not going to use the "Thunderbox." But oh my! We played games, had puppet Bible stories, sang songs, fed the children, washed their hair, did crafts, and loved on the children. It just broke my heart. And to watch them scarf the food down cause they were starving. Yoy.

Today was a free day. There was a Mideival Festival up on the Cidadel(sp?). It is kinda a renactment of back in the day. It was crowded to say the least. Oh my. Mel would have DIED!! There was a gal who eas dressed in something Mel would die for. She was dressed in black and green with some leather and she carried a bow with arrows. I tried to get a pic, but not sure it turned out. So many people were walking past. OH!!! I saw a dude that looked like Orlando Bloom. SERIOUSLY!!! Mom and I had to look at him twice. I almost got a pic with him, but wasn't brave enough to ask. Then we din't see him again. Oh well. I bought some stuff. :P I am a millionare!!! YESS!!! I have a 1 million dollar bill. Can you believe it!? I am rich!! By Romanian standards. GUESS WHAT!?!?! I found MOUNTAIN DEW!!!!!!! MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! It doesn't taste the same, but it is still MD. So now I will have a Romanian MD bottle and a Pepsi bottle. It's great.

I am learning two languages here. Romanian and Northern Irish. lol! There are four other ppl here besides our 19. Three are from N. Ireland and the other is from Scotland. Actually he was born in N. Ireland, but he lives in Scotland. Tomorrow we are going to church in Sighi. Dad is playing the guitar and singing two songs. Then we are going to Candu to go shopping for a while before going to the evening service in Tigmandru. I am going to get some handmade lace. It is beautiful! Yoy. I will prolly get some other stuff. Not prolly. I will. ;)

Well, I'll get off now. More will come when I have time.

The World Traveler,
Kari

Picture Picture!!

2006-07-28T11:57:00.000-07:00

Okay, I m going to try and upload some pictures:

Yay! We are leaving!

Back in the gate. :(

We are leaving again!

Okay, I am getting gray hair uplading pics. This site will now only be my words. Pics will xome later.

I am going on a walk. More later.....

The World Traveler out

For the Impatient Ones

2006-07-28T09:50:00.000-07:00

Amy here, Kari's unofficial webmaster. ;-)

For those of you who are impatient to see pictures (like me) , you can go to the Romania 2006 official website and look at the galleries.

It looks like they're being pretty good about posting updates there.

In for a bumpy ride

2006-07-27T01:29:00.000-07:00

Okay so our flight was not so smooth as the previous post. So we get on the plane and start to taxi. The captain comes over the loud speaker and says that there is a noise in the nose that he doesn't like, so they are going back to the gate to have the machanics look at it. The look, they fix, we leave. Start to taxi again, hear captains voice, again. Yeah, heard same noise, going back to gate. by now we are about an hour and a half behind. The captain said that they would try and fix the porblem or find us another flight. We sit for a bit then are told to exit the plane until they figure out what is going on. So we are waiting and waiting and then are told that they have a plane, but it doesn't leave unitl 7:30pm. We finally get off, 6 1/2 hours late. So when we got to Amsterdam at 11am their time, which is 1am your time and find out that we have to wait 8 hours until our flight left. We landed in Bucharest on Wed morn at 12am which was 2pm Tuesday for y'all. We rolled into Hotel Confort at about 1am. We caught a train to Sighisoara at 1pm Wedesday and rolled into Sighi at 5:47pm.

Today is Thursday July 27th at 11:35am here which is 1:35 am there. We have finished bagging 150,o00 children's vitamins and about 7,000 pills to treat worms. And we are now getting lunch ready and then we are going to Tigmandru to start the medical clinics. Where we will set up the clinic, a triage center, and children's center. Bubbles will be getting ready here in a sec.

I have pictures, but they will be uploaded when I have more time to pick and choose what I want y'all to see. Out of the 180 I have taken since Monday.

Love to all!!!!

The World Traveler,
Kari

PS: Sorry had not had time to miss y'all much yet. ;)

And they're off!

2006-07-23T09:29:00.000-07:00

Well, we fly in the morning, well actually afternoon, but we have to be at the airport in the morning. Our flight departs SeaTac Airport at 1 pm on Monday July 24th and we have a 2 hour lay over in Amsterdam. After departing Amsterdam we will land in Bucharest on Tuesday July 25th at 3:30 am. After arriving in Bucharest we will then take a 5 hour train ride to Sighisoara, where we will arrive somewhere between 10 am and noon.

Hello!

2006-07-01T16:59:00.000-07:00

This is a place where you (friends, family, whoever) can come and see if I have updated on what is happing while I am in Romania, at DTS and PCYM and maybe afterwards, who knows? I don't know how often I will be able to update while I am gone. But check every once in a while to see if I have left something!! This is the first post, the next won't come for a while.

Romania - July 24th-August 8th

DTS - September 14th-March 7th, 2007

PCYM - March 2007-July 2007 (I am unsure of the exact dates as of right now)

Please pray for an open heart as I prepare for the work God has for me. Also pray that the money that I need will come in.

Thank you!!!

The World Traveler,
Kari