THIS is the Day the Lord has made REJOICE!!

Psalms 1:1-2
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.

B O G G L E

1. To hesitate as if in fear or doubt. (this is me in boggle... and I don't know why because I am already being laughed at, so why not add more things to laugh at and throw in some weird misspelled words). Haha.
2. To shy away or be overcome with fright or astonishment: "The mind now boggling at all the numbers on the table, both sides agreed to a recess of an hour" (Henry A. Kissinger).
3. To act ineptly or inefficiently; bungle. (aka me while playing BOGGLE)

Synonyms:
amaze, bedazzle, awe, be unbelievable, bewilder, astonish, blow one away, blow one's mind, bowl over, confound, astound, dazzle, dumbfound, flabbergast, knock one's socks off, perplex, stagger, strike dumb, stun, stupefy

I WAS BEATEN AGAIN!!! I should have quit while I was ahead in the first hour of playing (and not played until 11:45... what was I thinking?!?--heh) Actually, I am not upset about it. I was beaten by a much better person then myself. It is a good thing it wasn't one of my siblings that will rub it in again and again. Heh. Congratulations Jared on a job well done! I will win one of these days.

And on a side note: the only problem with listening to soundtracks at work is that the volume increases and decreases dramatically. So I am constantly adjusting my speakers so that either I can hear it (because it is so quiet) or so that the rest of the office doesn't have to hear it (because it is crazy loud).

And I ordered my photos from the wedding. If anyone wants a copy (why you would... I really don't know... ) but if you do, ask me (I still have like 10 free print to use... I may just get them anyhow since I don't have anything else to print off there... anyhow, if you want a copy let me know). I will have them. YAY!!! I have two beautiful sisters in a picture with me and a mysterious little brother. Heh.

The grace of our God is ever new. Only what is done for God will last.

Bananas and Apples

Sarah and Stef making ice cream at Sarah's graduation party! More photos to come whenever I find them. Mrs. Taylor has them all right now. :) Stefs so funny and Sarah looks like she is eight, maybe twelve. Does she look like she is going to be 18 this year?




I decided to rock the GAP jeans again today because they are so comfortable. I would sleep in them if I ever come to a point in my life where I have no soccer shorts or flannel pants. Haha.
I also linked a picture of us from the wedding, but it looks kind of funny smaller (which is why I am not posting it directly because it looks even funnier posted smaller then that...haha, our faces are all squished up). I am trying to buy prints for my Dad for his birthday (because he has been asking the three of us for pictures for a while). So there is a great picture of my two beautiful sisters. Aren't they so pretty? Yep they are. :)
Now as Hannah reminded me this morning...Endure because with Him we win!!! Press on towards the goal.
And here is a great song by Rich Mullins (but I am listening to the Rebecca St. James version--I love RSJ. She is one of my favorite female singer/song writers!!

Well sometimes my life just don't make sense at all
When the mountains look so big
And my faith just seems so small

So hold me Jesus
'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace

Surrender don't come natural to me
I'd rather fight You for something I don't really want
Than to take what You give that I need
And I've beat my head against so many walls
Now I'm falling down I'm falling on my knees

A photo that I knew some of you would enjoy...

Haha, I found this last night when I was looking through some of my old stuff. This is a photo of Ben and I after we had fixed the Taylors VCR (which was quite the experience--the play button didn't work and the Taylors had lost their remote and Hayley wanted to watch Charlie Chan. So, we took the record button off and sodered it on as the play button. It wasn't as easy as it sounds. It never is. Haha). Hayley wanted a picture and neither of us did, so this is how the photo turned out.

Also, look at my new wonder woman photo. ------>

Over there under links.... ----->

Oh and I want this coat... if anyone wants to pay $4500 for it. www.neimanmarcus.com Haha. Actually, I really wouldn't want anyone to waste the money on me. I would feel really guilty. So just admire the coat. WOW. Now think of all the things you could buy for $4500. WOW. Hardy Har.

"Onion-sauce! Onion-sauce!"

Good morning!
Isn't the rain refreshing? I think I have said it before, but I love rain (especially summer thunderstorms). I am extremely chipper this morning. Did I just say chipper? Hmmm, I amaze myself sometimes. Chipper? Where in the world did that come from? Haha. Well, I have my awesome new GAP guy jeans on today. That makes me smile. They are really comfortable and I don't have to keep pulling them up since they sit above my hips. :) Hardy har.

My weekend was enjoyable. Praise be to God again for good friends, good times, and the ability to laugh at ones self. Lamentations 3: 21-25 "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;"

• Friday night we went to Cactus Taverna for my birthday (on a side note: if anyone ever wants to go back to Cactus Taverna again, I'll go!!! The food was awesome.). Thank you to everyone to came out. Thanks to Hannah and the whole "I want to be you" quote. You don't know how special you always make me feel. I wish I was as encouraging as you always are. :) Love you for it.
• Saturday we went to the Sheltons' to watch Martin Chuzzlewit and eat more good food. Here is where laughing at yourself comes in handy: 1) when you think (and told Jared that) you have only seen half and hour of said movie and about two hours into the movie you realize you are still seeing scenes that you recognize (somehow I had forgotten that I had watched two hours of the four and a half hour long Martin Chuzzlewit... don't know how...). 2) when during the aforementioned movie you drop your plate of dinner all over the floor. Yeah.
• Sunday I went back over to the Sheltons' to watch the rest of Martin Chuzzlewit and eat more food. The movie was really good. I would watch it again. I'm not sure yet where I rate it with Our Mutal Friend. I know it is below Pride and Prejudice and above Wives and Daughters. I find the character of John Harmon/John Rokesmith/Julius Hanford more apealing then young Matin Chuzzlewit. However, Our Mutal friends has the whole Eugene and Lizzie thing going on that I find very boring and Martin Chuzzlewit has the despicable Pecksniff (played excellently by Tom Wilkinson) which is really fun to watch how evil he can act (everytime you think he has reached the depths of depravity - he goes and does something else). I'm still debating between the two.
  
• Jared and I listened to his new soundtrack cd he had just made while Hannah tried to find some new ringtones. I love ringtones, but I don't feel the need to buy any because my phone is on silent all the time. So it wouldn't be worth it to buy any. Haha. The Batman theme (1989 in case you wondered... heh) is pretty cool. It doesn't seem to fit the parts of the movie I have seen, but I guess I have to watch the whole movie instead of just the end. Man, that reminds me that I forgot to get my Chariots of Fire soundtrack back from Sarah and bring it to work tomorrow. Oh well, it wasn't meant to be. I need to write that down somewhere or I will forget again. Haha, the main theme from The Witness... Maybe we should all whistle that song. Hardy Har.
• Then Jared and I were going to play some card game, but the rules took too long to figure out. I bet it would have been fun if we had just started playing. However, we switched over to Boggle and I was soundly defeated. I won two out of six rounds (which doesn't sound that bad... but then I won both those round 6 points to 2 poinst( I do better with fewer vowels floating around) and the rounds I lost, I was humiliated 15-8, 12-5 and such...I beg a rematch). Allow me to laugh at myself again.

Ephesians 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ."

Thank you so much for loving us when we are so unloveable. It amazes me the mercy and grace you show me every day and I take it for granted. God, keep me loving and honouring you in all I say and do.

there is a reason

And if only I could find my way back to the time
When the problems of this life had not yet crossed my mind
All the answers could be found in children's nursery rhymes

I wish life were simpler sometimes, but then I guess we would have no use for faith and trust. I guess I am just not being content when I wish I could read people's minds. I think we, as a culture, have lost the art of communicating. We talk, but do we really say anything. So this is part of growing up, learning how to speak, not only properly, but also about the right things. Anyone can talk, but can they really say anything worth hearing....? Just a few questions that have been floating around my brain. Friendships take work. I don't think I work hard enough in most of my relationships with people. Well, that's just what I was thinking about.
By grace I am an heir of heaven: Why doubt this, O my trembling heart? If what the Scriptures promise clearly Is true and firm in ev'ry part, This also must be truth divine: By grace a crown of life is mine.

On a side note: I love the Perkins!! I love mostly our whole church. What a great group of people. May I never take them for granted.

Morning by morning new mercies I see: All I have needed thy hand hath provided— Help me learn that.

Same old place, same old city, what can I do...?

Thanks to Hannah for the awesome shirt!!! I can't believe you bought the exact one I was looking at. WOW WOW. That is so weird and so cool at the same time. I still am having trouble believing that that just happened. And the lotion and shampoo and chapstick is awesome too!!! Hannah rocks. Really, you are such a great encouragement in my life.

Thanks to Stef for the clothes. Haha, yes they fit. You did an awesome job!!! "Love you". Haha. "That is so stinking..." - steffers Thanks for always listening. Soccer!!! I can't wait until Monday!!!

And finally thank you, Jared! The book is absolutely beautiful. I have to award you the neatest present this year (actually in several years). I totally wasn't expecting that. But really the book is truely amazing. I could stare at it for hours. Thank you. Oh, and I did look four in that picture. Haha. Your camera doesn't take good pictures. I guess that means mine doesn't either. Hardy Har. God bless.

Bible study was last night at our house. It was like the Harrs, Sheltons, Townsends, and a Taylor (especially since Linnea and Hannah came over afterwards). We all stayed up ridiculous hours when you have to get up in the morning to work. Haha. Praise God for youth and the ability to survive on little sleep. I know it isn't smart, but it is fun. :) Linnea, I'm still getting a huge kick out of Jack sitting downstairs talking and laughing on the phone while we were all upstairs. Heh.
The chosen Six will go to Six flags! SUPERMAN -- ride of steel.

God has blessed me with such amazing friends. I love them all dearly. May God continue to lead and guide you all in the coming years. I pray that it is His will to keep us all friends. You all are such an encouragement to my life. Blessed be the name of the Lord for His unfailing mercy, grace, and kindness towards us.

Romans 8:12-17
12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh--
13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"
16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Thanks again to everyone who made my birthday special. Hannah, Jared, and Linnea for their joyous birthday greetings (you all made me feel really special). My whole family for all the food and presents. My office for the presents, candy, and cake (woohoo for all of us chocolate addicts - or should I say YAHOO - actually I really don't like Yahoos).

I'm feeling like:
You're the lucky one
Always havin' fun
A jack of all trades a master none
You look at the world with a smilin' eye
And laugh at the devil as his train goes by

What a great song:
Old Mr. Webster could never define
What's being said between your heart and mine
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes sayin' you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all!!

It is my birthday!!

I haven't looked forward to a birthday this much in a long time. Live it up. I have decided to live as much as possible while I still can. :) Heh. I mean someday I might be too old to play soccer and watch Batman Begins until late hours and still be able to get up and work in the early morning. Haha. What a great life.
Three cheers for Hannah and Linnea for birthday greetings. My day at work seems so much brighter!!! Bright like Julie Andrews in a sun costume. Love you all.
Thanks be to God for good friends and my health. I have nothing to complain about (which doesn't mean I never do or never will because I am a sinner).

Busy like...

I forgot I posted that yesterday. Oh well, the song has been going around my head. :) Well... that is about it. I like this font whatever it is. Crazy working. I have like four projects I am in the middle of for four different people. Haha, it is a lot more fun then having nothing to do. Time goes so much more fast when you know what you are doing and aren't trying to waste time looking busy. Hardy Har.
I forgot my Jars of Clay cds to rip onto my work computer. I guess it wasn't meant to be. I am listening to Redemption songs online, but you have to listen to whatever they put up there so it isn't as good. Did you know you can listen to the Newsboys online too? They have a really awesome song player on their website. Look at all the things I do at work. I have read the past three issues of the Economist (because I got a free pass for a day... how exciting!!! It made my day.), looked at the Peeps Lord of the Rings, looked at the Bible in Legos, read and re-read the drudge report, read and re-read all my favorite parts in Sherlock Holmes, and much much more. But yes, I am very glad to be busy now. So that is where I am getting off to now. I'm out.

Jars of Clay

I love Jars of Clay. That was pretty much it. I was listening to a bunch of their songs today and I remembering how much I loved them. I would have to say that their first self titled album and Who We Are Instead are my favorites. Hope your day is going well. Toodle Pip. Cheerios and all that jazz.

you're a sight for sore eyes
and a newborn cry
in a year where there are so few
if you throw me a line,
i'll show you in time
i'm fallin' in love with you

Mem'ry
Together in moonlight
We can smile at the old days
Life was beautiful then
I remember
The time I knew what happiness was
Let the mem'ry live again

Well...? Yep, that is about it. Mom and Dad are supposed to come home today. w00t. My sunburn from Thursday has faded. However, my siblings are still calling me crab legs. What a nice bunch of people. Everyone seems to get a huge kick out of teasing me. Well, if it makes them happy. :) It doesn't bother me too much. I wonder if I will crack someday and start throwing things at people or screaming or something. Haha. That would be scary. Movies tonight with Steffers. What fun. I love Mondays now just because of that. I need to find something to do on Tuesdays now and life would be grand. Tuesdays are just sort of bleh and ho hum. Nothing exciting ever happens on Tuesday. It is sort of a day you just have to get through so that you can have more fun on the other side of it. Yep. Press on for the glory of God.

My parents are still out of town...

Yep, they will be gone until Monday. It has been fun. Sarah and Anna stayed in my room talking until like 12:30. I was sort of annoyed about it then, since I had to get up at 6. However, it was nice to talk to them. Haha. I just hate being tired. I love you all, even Luke when he is in my room poking around at all my stuff. Aren't siblings the best? I learn so much from them. Isn't it great that they put up with me. Heh. Anyhow... the house is still standing and we having injured anyone yet.
If you want proof of that, we are having a party tonight at the house. I don't like the word party because it gives a negative feel to the event. People are coming over to play games and watch a movie. Maybe we will walk to Target or something. Haha. Don't you love parents that trust you enough to let you have friends over when they are gone? Thank God for my parents. I learn a lot from them too.
Rejoice the Lord is King. It is beautiful outside and I still don't have a/c in my car. But it really isn't that bad. Maybe it is a little hot. I am really glad I am not taking summer classes. It really seems like summer when you can leave whenever you want to and go to the beach or stay up rediculously late and still manage at work the next day. It would be dreadful to have to be in classes in the warm weather. Maybe someday if I want to finish quicker, but right now there aren't any classes for me to take.
So I am back in the I DON"T WANT TO GO AWAY TO COLLGE mood again. I think it is because I really am enjoying life right now. Maybe once school starts I won't care anymore. I haven't really felt like going away since last fall. Weird. I usually go through those weeks of "I have to get out of this house and town". But I have been very content with life recently. Praise God for that. Praise God anyhow. He is so good and we don't deserve it.
Hosanna, hosanna to the Lamb that was slain.

Beach Beach Beach

I get to go to the beach today with Linnea!!! w00t!

Man, I love the song "Come Ye Sinners Poor and Needy"!!! Fernado Ortega rocks my world. He should do another all hymn album. That reminds me of "H-Y-M-N to the Fallen". Haha. I put in bold my favorite lines. Awesome song.

View Him prostrate in the garden;

On the ground your Maker lies.

On the bloody tree behold Him;

Sinner, will this not suffice?

Lo! th’incarnate God ascended,

Pleads the merit of His blood:

Venture on Him, venture wholly,

Let no other trust intrude.

Psalms 139:23-24 "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way."

Raindrops keep falling on my head

Did anyone else want to go running in the rain last night? I went out on my porch for a while in the rain last night, but then I realized that lightning wasn't a good thing to mess with. Haha. I think rain is so refreshing. I LOVE SUMMER THUNDERSTORMS!!! They are another thing that inspires me.
I received my six flags tickets yesterday. Woohoo. Two tickets for the price half a ticket. Now who is totally awesome? Haha. It is going to be sweet. What fun! Does anyone else love the summer? The weather is so much more cheery. I don't even care that it is hot or muggy. It looks so much brighty and happier outside.
I was listening to John Piper this morning. I bought myself ten of his sermons on cds for a present for being me. :) Haha. I am listening to the killing sin sermons right now.
Romans 8:12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-- We don't owe the flesh ANYTHING. How wonderful and freeing is that? If only we could remember that. God help us all.

Kudos to the pictionary champion! Linnea rocks. Icees and Walmart! Linnea can always bring a smile to my face. Best wishes on you week. Hope all is going well.

No remedy for love - Susan Ashton

Good morning. It is raining again. But I don't mind. We can go to the beach pretty much anyday. Last night was a lot of fun even though I was tired. Linnea had a game night at our house and I stayed up as long as I could. Thanks for making me have fun for a while. Sorry I missed the exciting walk to WalMart. I am getting too old and sensible to do crazy things anymore. AHHH! Okay it isn' t the crazy things that bother me, it is the staying up late and needing my sleep to be able to work. :) Last summer I was staying up until three in the morning and going into work at 8 and funtioning fine. This year I have to go to bed by at least 10. This whole week I have been going to bed around 9. I'm crazy. Enjoy your youth while you have it. HAHA. Glorify God in whatever you do. That is really all that matters.

Using the left hand

I'm using my left hand to do the mouse and everything that I can think of so that when I do have to get surgery I will already be used to using my left hand. Everyone should try to be left-haned for the day. It is pretty fun, slower then usual, but fun all the same. Yep, yep, I am still at work having a blast. I need to finish this one job, but I was told to take me time. Tomorrow I am bringing a book. I really need to finish Cry, the Beloved Country. However I may start rereading a Sherlock Holmes because I think I am more in the mood for that. :) Press on.

whoa

I have a pink blog. I have a second blog. I really must be getting bored at work. Haha. Rock on people.

Psalm 118:6 "The Lord is for me; I shall not fear; What can man do to me?"
I was reading Psalms the other day and found this verse. Man, it is really awesome. I want it written everywhere I look everyday. Then maybe I would remember it. :)