Rock n Bowl

Kev and I went to Tyme to Bowl Friday night. It was a lot of fun! We pigged out at the snack bar and Kevin used his personality to his advantage. Some of the young ladies that worked there gave him free refills on our drink. Anyhow, we played 10-15 games(i lost count after 3) Kev won maybe four games. It's hilarious to see him bowl. I'm always afraid his arm is going to go with the ball or that he's going to pop it out of socket. Yikes that would hurt! Anyhow we played until 11:45 and then went home. I tried to take pics so I could post them up here but with the lights off and black light stuff glowing it just wasn't working.

Happy Birthday To Me

I am now at the boring old age of 23. I think this birthday was my least favorite. It was my very first birthday without Jess. So weird! When my lovely friends were singing happy birthday to me it felt so wrong without her there. So forgive me if I did not seem happy about my gifts etc, my mind was elsewhere. Thanks though to everyone who wished me happy birthday or got me gifts. I am very thankful for everyone in my life and look forward to this next year.
Hey did you know that it has been almost a year since coming back to church?! So awesome! I love counting the months it's very rewarding.
Well, it's almost 1am and I should be sleeping since my goal tomorrow is to have a productive day. That cannot be done if I wake up super late.So goodnight.

draw me close to you
never let me go
i lay it all down again
to hear you say that i'm your friend
you are my desire no one else will do
'cause no one else can take your place
to feel the warmth of your embrace
help me find the way
bring me back to you
you're all i want,
you're all i've ever needed
you're all i want
help me know you are near

Sec 7 camp

Hi all! I just got back from my one night at camp.I got there just in time to have some dinner and then it was pretty much church time. Bro Moore preached on 'the small things.' It was so beautiful to see kids crying in the altars.I love it! After church Kev and I helped pack up the snack bar.Well, actually Kev did most of the work I was just his cover for staying out past campers bedtime. Then I helped do security with Katie,Kadee and Kaitlyn.Yes, it was a big joke!!! All of us girls were just laughing and messing with the walkie talkies.Not much else went on. I ditched the girls pretty quick though and went to bed.
I met some great people,Katie,Sis Flowers and Leslie.Actually, Leslie is from Africa. She was born in England but grew up in Zimbabwe and South Africa. We were able to talk for 20min or so. She gave me some advice about going there and then requested that I come find her at Landmark next year. I had a great day/night. I am glad I went but am extra glad that I didn't stay longer than I did. I was itching to go home early Fri morning but everyone still had to do cleanup and the award handout! Needless to say I was happy when we got home to Oroville.

So I went to Wal-mart and got the Africa CD that I have been wanting. It is so beautiful. If anyone wants to borrow it I may let you...maybe.

I think Africa is calling my name.For real.

woo hoo!

Somewhere along the way I lost 5lbs! Pretty cool...it must be all the walking I have been doing :)

Random thoughts

Went to work today...even inside the cold hospital I found myself sweating. The temp while in Chico was anywhere from 101-109..quite a range of temps. Kev and I went to the mall to look for a t-shirt that I may just have to order online :(
Oh and Kevin is trying to convince me to buy a princess bounce house...umm okay.
I don't know if it's the heat or not but I have been so thirsty all day long I feel like I can't get enough to drink.
As 'someone' pointed out last night I really don't have an exciting life so there ya go..take it or leave it

Jr camp

Wow!! Awesome awesome! I was out of my comfort zone 90% of the time but enjoyed almost every moment of it. At first I thought that maybe I should be with younger girls because my 14 and 15yr old girls were staring quite hard at me when they first met me.Attitude and disinterest was what I felt when I first met all of them. Sis Dearte and I talked though and I decided to wait it out and see how it went. Once we started talking though we all got along great! I had 13 girls and 2 beds had 2 girls in it.Yeah it was quite crowded and very messy. Every morning I had to tell them 3x if not more to go and make sure the room was clean before they went to morning devotion. As much work as it was I so loved it!! Those girls are going to break my heart. I just love young people. I really do. One of my girls in particular just really touched my heart. I just felt such a gentle spirit from her and an honest wanting to be right and to be a great young lady. The last night I prayed with her and told her some things that had been on my heart. I am excited to see her next year.So here's a shout out to dear Charity!! Not to brag but really I was a great counselor. Some of the girls from Gridley and then Marysville wanted me to switch and be their counselor. It was great...
Working in the snack bar was a lot of fun.I was able to meet tons of kids. Thanks Michael for hanging with me in there. Sis Dearte and I had a great time working together in there...ummm brown recluses,imagining things, Kev and Clinton etc..It was hilarious
I had so many great moments that I can't even begin to put them all on here. God really did some things in my own life while at camp and I know others were changed also.
I left with new friends and some young people on my heart. I cannot wait until next year!!

Camp pics

Garrett and I working in the snack bar

12 of my girls and I...the 13th got homesick and went home

My nice clean area

Taylor and Courtney's area

Oh Lord...Nadine,Brittany and Charity's area

View from cabin deck

Taylor and Brittany sumo wrestling

Round 1 of sumo wrestling

No glass on=running into things

I normally wear my glasses from the time I get up until I lay my head down at night. Around 1:00pm today I didn't have my glasses on for one reason or another and bumped right into something. I turned my head and hit my nose right on the shower wall! I thought for sure it was going to start bleeding...I'm thinking that my ability to see how close things really are is diminishing quite rapidly.

I am about to hurt Frank. Well, not really but I want to. Today seems to be much worse than other days.He probably knows I'm leaving him for a few days.Anything he sees he picks it up and either licks it to death or he just eats it. I have found an apricot in his mouth, dryer sheets, socks, computer cords and my blanket fuzz today AND it's only noon. Who knows what's in store for the rest of the day??

Infusion or Fusion

I cannot remember the name of the sec 7 youth conference but it was one of the two above.ha! It was so awesome. Other than jr camp I have never seen young people so involved in worship.It was a great experience and it was just what I needed. Bro Todd Johnson did an awesome job. At the end of service I was kind of intimidated because I didn't know anyone and everyone was talking with each other. So instead of becoming a wall flower I said forget this and went and just sat down with a group from woodland. Yep I just sat down and said,I'm new here and I don't know anyone. For real...I did. The sad thing is that I do not remember any of their names :( A group of us went to In n Out afterwards.It was a lot of fun.HAha!! This girl was trying to recruit me to come to her church in Lincoln.In was really funny as Trent was listening to her and rolling his eyes. I do remember her name though..it was hard not to. She just scooped me in a hug and said she was glad to meet me. I thought the way home was going to be torture. I had only had a few hours of sleep the night before so I was thinking I would be very sleepy. I was quite the opposite. Josiah and I talked the ENTIRE drive home. I so enjoyed our conversation but felt bad for Kev who sat in the backseat and wasn't able to hear a word we were saying. That's life though I guess. That's okay..right Kev?!
I didn't take any pictures though. I am not sure I am comfortable enough to do that yet. Just wait my fellow blogging friends. Soon enough pictures will dominate my blog.

Oh Happy early Father's day to all those dads out there. Here's an extra special shout out for Bro Krantz. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!!! to you.

Bunny, Frank, Frankenstein...

Shout out!

This is a shout out of GET WELL greetings for dear Sis K who is not feeling well today. Kev and I hope you feel better and we love you!!

I just got done reading Mountain of the Lion. It was so awesome!!!!!! The first few pages had me hooked and I immediately wanted to jump on a plane to Sierra Leone. Of course just looking at a map of Africa will do that... Kev is reading the book now and I am very excited to be able to talk about it with him. He is the only one around usually to listen to my daily rants about how I cannot wait until Africa becomes my home. Although reading this book got me just a little bit scared I am still wanting to go.

Work today went longer than expected. For some reason it took Rebecca and I longer to do our rounds. I was kind of bummed that we had to work a bit later because my stomach was hurting and I was starting to feel a bit ill. I quickly recovered after a nice cool shower and a bit of R&R.

Well Kev and I are off to Taco Bell for dinner.

So I figured something out tonight, well I already knew it but.... anyhow my Pastor is awesome,smart,safe and just plain rocks! Yes, I have told him he rocks. I so enjoy just sitting by him. Ahhh, I feel very safe in his presence(sp?).

On a side note, my dad came into town today. He called me and said he was in Chico...pretty spontaneous! It was nice to see him and Molly...I wonder if he reads my blog? I do not know if he even knows I have one.I'll have to check that out.

I felt better today but I think I really overdid it because I am pretty sore. Tomorrow we shall see how I do.

Morocco or Sudan??

quick post

Crazy how your whole outlook on life can change in one day huh? I'm loving it. I would like to devote more time on the subject but need to go lay back down.
Oh how do you like my blog makeover? I love it.It just makes me want to go to Africa even more. I cannot wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A face only a mother(me) could love

Frank in a polka dot headband.

I am in the process of fixing up my blog. I'm sure over the next few days I'll finish it since I won't be doing much but laying around.
Kev and I went to Cornucopia tonight. I was restless from being in the house for the better part of the day.I should have just ordered my water because I wasn't hungry but NO, I can't ever do that.So,I ordered hash browns.They were good,probably would have been excellent if I would have had an appetite.
Oh, so I figured out tonight that I may have a slight tendency to blow things out of proportion. I don't look at both sides of the situation and I just get all worked up. Seriously, all day I could not even concentrate because I thought something was wrong. Goodness it was crazy nonsense! Who knows? Something may actually have been wrong but did I have to let it bother me so much? I doubt it. I have got to deal with that.I think I'll take that up with Pastor and get his advice. I am positive he'll have a great solution.

AAArrrgghhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, today was day 1 of work at Oro Hospital. Many people thought I was my sister which got incredibly annoying but other than that it went well. Lots and lots of walking/pushing/lifting and pullling. Whew! There were times when I was sweating and huffing and puffing. I know I am out of shape but man I didn't realize I was that bad. I was looking forward to relaxing at 'friends' day but since all of the 'friends' canceled I obviously didn't get to do that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As you can see I am still a little ruffled about it.
If I were a child I'd throw a tantrum. I guess adults blog hahaaaa or maybe children do that. Who knows?

I must have slept in some type of pretzel position because I ache all over. I could have even been sleep walking or exercising in my sleep without even knowing it. That would be kind of creepy...

I start work on Monday. Finally! I work Monday then I have Tues-Thurs off and then work again Fri-Sun. I'm pretty excited. The job seems easy enough, basically I'll be counting and stocking linens all day. The best part of it is that I get to see Amy all the time!!

Kev and I were kind of sad that tonight we had no plans and then I got a text,woo hoo! We have something to do now!

A communication system

Communication is a vital part of surviving in this world yet I seem to have a huge deficit when it comes to communicating. The reasons are unknown to me. I have even thought about seeing a medical doctor for this. I have it all in my brain yet it will not come out and if/when it does it is not even remotely how I intended it to be. I figure I will save me the time and embarrassment of having a dr look at me like I am some kind of neurotic freak and deal with it by figuring out why I am like this.
Some quotes that I like but they are not quite there if you know what I mean
“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” -George Bernard Shaw

"When all other means of communication fail, try words."

“Communication is the real work of leadership” Nitin Nohria (leadership is the art of motivating a group of people to act towards achieving a common goal)

“Speech is the mirror of the soul; as a man speaks, so is he." Publilius Syrus

I am also working on the area of critical thinking. At times I just say/think stuff without looking at all sides of the issue.A problem? Yes!

I found this on a website but I really liked it:
Everyone thinks; it is our nature to do so. But much of our thinking, left to itself, is biased, distorted, partial, uninformed or down-right prejudiced. Yet the quality of our life and that of what we produce, make, or build depends precisely on the quality of our thought. Shoddy thinking is costly, both in money and in quality of life. Excellence in thought, however, must be systematically cultivated.

"The unexamined life is not worth living."-Socrates

Linda Elder requoted socrates and then added some of her own thoughts. "The unexamined life is not worth living, because they realize that many unexamined lives together result in an uncritical, unjust, dangerous world."

So everyone do your part for society, examine your thoughts and actions, PLEASE!

Check this out

You can go read up on Sierra Leone.I highly recommend doing so. Here's a great site for information.
http://www.cia.gov/
Goodness, the list for places I want to visit just keeps getting longer and longer. I wonder if I should just include the whole continent of Africa on my list?

crazy how fast time goes by!

So, I am kind of bummed

I looked at the clock and it said 8:34pm so I changed into my pajamas. Well, about 30min later I looked again at the clock and it said 6:54....very weird. I began to wonder if I had traveled back into time when I realized that I had read the clock wrong!!! Man, I was going to call Jeremiah and tell him it really does happen!!! Disappointment.
On to a new note ,as it turns out next week I am going under the knife. People, it's okay, plastic surgery is very safe.

Just one pic, I'll put the rest up later

This Friday night is pretttyyy boring. I have found that laying on the couch in a certain position brings the most relief and is quite comfortable. Everyone is gone doing their own thing so it is just me although occasionally Jessica pops in and keeps me company.
Tomorrow I am watching baby Aiden. I'm so excited. I get to love on him all day long! Babies seem to have this innocent quality that makes people not feel sad,mad etc etc. I am most looking forward to that. It will be a great day!
On a different and more serious note, my brain has been running on overtime for a few weeks. I have some decisions to make that I'm not sure I have ever had to make and they are very crucial to my future. Where will I go? What will I do? I do not know the answer to that but I am thankful that I know someone who does. I am just going to follow God's direction and believe that things will be okay. Faith is an important thing to have right about now.

Tonight

I will become a member of First Pentecostal Oroville. About 9.5mo ago I walked in the doors of that cute little church and here I am, still alive and ready to go :)
I am grateful that I was able to be pastored by the Krantz' for a whole 9.5 months! I wish I could have said it was for a longer period of time but life is full of uncertainty.
*Sigh

Good News!

I made chocolate chip cookies tonight and instead of one big cookie I had 8 regular sized ones. Pretty cool! Yes, I am proud.

Silence

I forgot how to speak

Central Perk ummm I mean Mug Shots

Breakfast with Aiden

Brazil

I had a dream about Brazil the other night. I decided to do some research on it and then added it to my list of countries I want to visit. They speak Portuguese...hmmm I know some spanish which is similar to Portuguese so I'm already part way there right?

Last night of CDF

Cheryl and I will be saying goodbye to child development 14 tonight. I am so excited! This class has been so interesting and our teacher was awesome. As good as the class was though I am glad it is over. My Tues nights are now free. How exciting!
Want to hear a secret?? I am finding that doing domestic stuff is actually not so bad. I feel like a lady when I do it. I have a lot to learn but I plan on learning from the best(not mentioning any names....Sis K).
That's about it for now

Central Perk:My own "friends"

I have such a wonderful group of friends. Today we met for coffee. We made a deal that every Monday we would meet at this coffee shop to talk and be a support for one another. The Krantz' came over for dinner tonight. Things are going to work out that's all I can really say. Then tonight Kev and I were having a hard time and were both kind of overwelmed with life. We went to Cornucopia and just sat in silence as we ate. Then behold we saw a great sight! Vaughn and Angela came walking right by our table!!! Imagine that! God knew that Kev and I needed an outlet and He brought them right to us. You cannot even know how much better I felt after we talked. All 4 of us made a pact that we are going to always try and pass on what has been taught to us and that we will stay on the high road no matter what life throws at us. Who would have known 9mo ago that I could say something like that?! Not me for sure. On kind of a side note I really do love Pastor,Sis K,Josiah and Jeremiah.

Troubled soul don't lose your heart cause joy and peace He brings and the beauty that's in store outweighs the hurt of life's sting.

Dooms Day is almost here

May 31st-June 1st is almost here. Oh why days do you have to go so fast? Why world do you have to be so unfair? A very good man once told me I'm just going to have to put my big girl skirt on and move forward. There is no more to say because the computer screen is becoming one big blur with my tears.
Signing out
Hollyanna(HP)

Did you know that plain chicken broth is disgusting?

I need

things to make sense. I am someone who needs facts and needs step by step explanations for why things happen. I need to live in an unchanging world. Ha! That will not ever happen. Good thing I serve a great God who comforts me and gives me wisdom when things do not make sense.
Kev and I hung out with Michelle and Joshua tonight .It was quite fun. Someone(s) got punked.Hahahahaa!!! It was great.

So, did you see

my new luggage? My mom paid $7 in raffle tickets at the Relay for Life and we won! Thanks Mom! Kev and I both agree that it must be a sign, right? I mean luggage,Africa?? Hello?! Makes sense to us. Oh, and I was researching Africa last night and figured out that one of these days I must visit Mali. It is considered to be one of the poorest in the world with 12 million peoples. Doesn't that make you just fall in love with the place? Well, it did for me. All day I couldn't wait to come home to look more into it. "Un peuple, un but, une foi" (One people, One goal, One faith) that is their motto. Pretty cool huh?!
Tomorrow I will look more into Western Africa. I've looked at North and South but have yet to get into the rest. Africa, here I come!

On a side note, there is a new Rayman Raving Rabbid game coming in Oct. Sweeeettt!

My new luggage

Yes, it is a wonderful life

Amy asked me how farmer's market was tonight. I told her it was nice and I got to see all my old stomping grounds. She then asked me how it made me feel and I said that it made me so thankful for Oroville and that the "ville" has become my sanctuary. We then expressed our appreciation for one another.Do I sound like Eugene Meltzner? Sometimes I think my words are so robot like.
Yay! I got to spend a little time with my dear Sis K tonight. I dropped the boys off and she came out and we sat in the car and just chatted. It wasn't the ideal place but you know it worked. When I left my entire being was in a better place. On the way home I decided that Sis K is full of wisdom(although she'll probably deny it), incredibly beautiful and just all around awesome! I want to be like her when I grow up ;)
God is good. My life is great. Tears are forming in my eyes when I go back to 8 months ago, a year ago, 2yrs ago. If I could tell you how radically my life has changed your jaw would more than likely hit the floor. So yeah....I have nothing of merit to complain about.

Oh Lordy

My attitude is incrediby ugly right now. I am grouchy,frustrated,sad and tired all rolled up into one big package! Kev and I both decided that we were going into solitude.His attitude matches mine. Ha! We make a great pair. I really want the beach right now. My heart is aching for the foggy weather, the rolling waves and the smell of salt. Perhaps I was a mermaid in my former life. My own self confuses me. I had an awesome day with my charges. We woke up,ate breakfast, cleaned up the house, went to lunch and then went swimming at the Forebay. Then I went to the docs and afterwards my whole outlook on my day turned sour. So, what went wrong? That's going to keep my mind rolling for a few hours....

First day of sitting

So, today has been day one of no parents!!! Yay! Ha just kidding Pastor and Sis K. We miss you...no, really we do. I took the boys(kev,josiah,jeremiah) to my favorite park in Chico and we waded in the creek. Most of us waded, Jeremiah actually swam. The water was ice cold so wow I do not know how he did it! I think we had fun, I haven't been there in a very long time. Gotta run dinner time.

I am very honored

So, for the Krantz' 17th anniversary the church is sending them on a two day trip to Fort Bragg(my favorite beach place ever!) I do not know why I can't just go with them since it's my favorite place???? ha! No, I get to do the best job ever! I am watching their two awesome,very handsome boys. Am I nervous? Well, I know they are safe with me, that is for sure, but they are somebody else's children! I think that is always a little scary.Needless to say I am incredibly honored that they feel comfortable with leaving Josiah and Jeremiah with me. It is for sure going to be a great couple days. I told Miah tonight that it was going to be like a slumber party(except for we'll all be in our own beds and no staying up all night). He told me that he was going to say something nice so I should say something nice back. He said that I am the best babysitter ever(although later he did say I'm 2nd best next to his Grandma)...so I gave him a huge hug and said he's the best kid to watch! He gave me his sweet smile and hugged me back. Very cute.

I have a spanish test tomorrow. Oh boy.

Air Show

I hate how I always have to post after my pics. It's so annoying! So today Amy,Josiah, Kevin and I went to Beale AFB in Yuba City. They were having an air show. Yeah, there were some very awesome jets and then some very handsome "jets." Ha! I had a lot of fun. When Kev is around there is much laughter. Amy and I were spent most of the time laughing at Kevin. He kept trying to convince us that he was part Japanese. Everytime he'd see an asian he would say, "oh, that's my brother." Then he was talking about thines, being searched by the "jets" for having contraband and something about quinceaneras. Great, great times. Oh, btw in the first picture Kevin is making sure Amy didn't trip while watching the planes overhead. What a gentleman.