My 'Blog-iversary'

Has it really been a year?!! It doesn't seem possible, but I guess it is.

I didn't intend to get sucked into the blogging world. I didn't intend to become obsessed with posting regularly. I never thought that I'd find so many blogger friends. In fact, I actually got to meet a blogger. And eventually turned a friend into a blogger (who hasn't been faithful in posting lately). But I'm sure glad it happened! It all began with reading the Wissmann's and Bethany's blogs. And then, well,... I think you know. I eventually became obsessed! Thank you to all those who faithfully comment. It truly makes blogging worthwhile and I know that people actually read what I write! So, I encourage you most thoroughly to comment on this post. PLEASE don't be a lurker (aka a person who makes blogging more difficult by not giving their input)!!! After one year of service, don't you think that I deserve some comments?! ;)

Also... are there things you'd like to see more/less? Do I bore you? How did you come to start reading blogs? Or start a blog? What is your favorite subject(s) to read about on someone else's blog? What have you learned from my blogging? How did you find my blog?

:::Questions summarized from
Bethany's blog post from quite a while back. :) :::

So human

We have an awesome speaker here at Judson. His name is Mike Yankoski and is the author of Under the Overpass. We have been reading a couple section from his book. It's incredible. He and his friend chose to be homeless for a summer. That's right, they temporarily chose to be homeless. He shared in chapel today about some of their experiences. One Saturday morning they sitting outside a church reading their Bibles and journaling (in all their smelly glory). A man with a white polo shirt on came out and said that they couldn't stay because the church was hosting a breakfast. Mike and his friend decided to stay. After all, what could they do to them? The man returned with a couple other men and insisted that they leave. After much resistance, they left. While walking about a mile to a place where they knew tacos were 49 cents, they prayed for the man.

The next morning the went to church. Guess where? The sat down in a pew, people avoided sitting next to them so that the 3 pews in front of and behind them were empty. After church they heard a man yelling to them. It was Mr. White Polo Shirt! He ran up, hugged them and apologized for what he had said. They replied with saying that they were used to it by now.
"But that's thing, you shouldn't be."
"We know. But we are."
"You know guys, this is really sad. I actually am the director for the homeless ministry. (I don't think this is exactly what he said)

Terry (Mr. White Polo Shirt) did not think to help out because it was not Tuesday (homeless ministry day). It is so easy to judge. How often do I do it? More times than I realize. It is so easy, so effortless, so... human. My eyes have really been opened to this. Granted, I am not now automatically considered perfect and will never judge anyone ever again. But I hope this post challenges you as reading the section of the book did for me. I hope you read it!

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

~Matthew 7:-5~

It's finished!

During fall break, I finally finished crocheting my scarf that I have been working on forever. But it's finally done! YAY! I used the whole thing, so it's really long! :) And, yes, I did intend it to be wavy. ;)

I'm done?! Now what?!!

I just don't know!

While shopping...

I found this husband reading a story to his kids. I thought it was so cute! You see this on commercials, but not very often in 'real life.' And people wonder why I take my camera with me into stores!

Couple quick pictures

Mom kept begging for more pictures of the red leaves. She loved 'em!

Wow!! ...that pizza was awesome!

Nan and Byron in their little car.

Well...

I tried. Mom and I tried so hard to get a good picture of the two of us, but...

I cut off the top of our heads...
(but we could've just stopped with this one)

I closed my eyes on one...

Um, yeah...

Yay, finally a good one!

School and lack thereof

:'( I stayed up until 4 doing a paper for psych (the previous night I had stayed up until 5:30 doing New Testament homework :P ). So today, I woke up at noon!! I was shocked! And MAD! Oooo! (In fact, I am getting mad at myself as I type this) So now that paper that I stayed up so late working on, will probably be considered late. :-/To quote Larry (the cucumber :), "Oofta!" Now for some good news: It's officially fall break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am completely and totally ready for it! I have to let this sink in: no design homework, no drawing homework. YAY for professor Carl!!! I'm so glad school is over (for four days). As Gomer Pyle would say, "Shazam!" :D :D

Aren't my quotes just so inspirational today?!

My mom is flying up, er... down tomorrow at 8, so pray for that. I am so excited!!

Hmmm...

When going through pictures for mom's birthday, I came across this picture.

Mom, Susan, Nan, Grandma

Captions anyone?

Hooray!

Yay! Blogger is cooperating! I can post some pictures! Happy birthday Mom!! You are so many things. I really don't think I can list them all. You are such an inspiration to me. You encourage me so much, you have no idea the impact. It makes me want to go farther (especially this year with drawing). Your silliness has impacted me as well, but I think that is an entirely different post.

A sister

A joy!

I don't have a picture of her and me with me. Hopefully I'll get a couple when she comes down!! That's right, I get to see her on the 21st!!!!! YAY!!! I can barely wait!!

Happy Birthday!

My mom's birthday is today, but alas alas, blogger won't let me load pictures. I'll wait a little bit and if it still doesn't let me, I'll do a meaningful post without pictures. (Is it really possible?)

A renewed thirst

These past couple days I have really gotten a renewed thirst for God's Word. It is so exciting!! I think it started with reading Elisabeth Elliot's Passion and Purity . Really good book, it talked about starting a spiritual journal, so I thought I would try it...again (usually I'm not good with journals). Well, we will have to see if I keep up with it, but last night I really enjoyed what I read. I Chronicles 29, verse 5: Now who is willing to consecrate himself today to the Lord? Consecrate: to be set apart or sacred. "NOW, who is willing...?" I love it! I really gave me something to think about. And verse 12, "In your hands are strength and power to exalt and to give strength to all." Through GOd's strength we can fully consecrate ourselves to the Lord TODAY!

An Amazing Video!!!

You seriously need to watch this. Even if the sound doesn't work on your computer. I love this. Just watch.

A totally random post

"So how did it go? Will he ever walk again?" Yes, those are the questions that haunt my (im)patient readers. Well, let's see... Scott is back in school. So you can pray that he gets caught up with everyone. The bleeding has stopped. I think he still has a bandage of some sort one his toe. I don't want to gross you out, but I have no choice. I was talking with him last week sometime, and he was saying that they had to take the nail out and sew it back in....! Yikes. But he is fine... and able to walk.

Schoolwork isn't too bad. I have to re-do a paper yet tonight and write up a chapter quiz (essentially, it is an open book quiz-- YAY!!!!) Homecoming was this weekend. I didn't go. I wanted to actually relax, so the few girls that were still in the dorm watched a movie, One Night with the King. I liked it a lot. (Doesn't replace Arsenic and Old Lace though! :D :) So this week, the goldfish actually had a day of rest! :) Speaking of nicknames, let me share with you the list I have gotten here at college: Guppy, Dory (Finding Nemo), Squirrel (I should make a brown tail in design class for myself!), an archaeologist, and a cheerleader. Along with the list from home: Meggy Eggy Seggy Peggy Weggy Zeggy, Mugsee, Mugsee Mouse, Mugsee Rat and of course, my personal favorite...goldfish. :) Anyone have/remember any others?