Ah summer...

Well, classes all done. Ok, that's a lie. I am doing may-term. But it is only one class for three weeks. I'm kind of excited actually. I did make it through my art history final. It was a crazy couple hours actually taking the tests but we made it through. :) But science. My first and last college science class. :) I am able to stay in my dorm. I wasn't sure if I would ahve to move across campus, but I don't!! So excited. I would hate having to move across campus for three weeks. And then packing all over again. Well today, we had our 3.5 hour lecture. The prof. gave us a break at 30 mins and then every hour. And for the last two hours we went outside! And for our two hour lab we just went outside and identified some plants/animals. So, here's some pictures of last times with friends before they left...

They're crazy, but cute. :)

More crazy. 

Commanding the water.

Band practice

Waiting to film.

Springtime!

The other half of the crazy couple, aka 'mom.'  :)

I will crash soon.

So I have an art history test 5.5 hours. I have had two monsters. Still many slides to get through.

Hopefully I don't fall asleep. Eight hours staying awake and then I can completely crash. Then I will be done with school. For a weekend at least. Then may term... But for now. Art history.

Prayers appreciated. 

So beautiful...

Indescribable

A convenient truth.

Whatever happened to global warming?

[watch monsters vs aliens to understand]

Meet the family..

I am part of a "family" here at Judson. We are all dysfunctional, but we are all equally dysfunctional so everyone is used to it. :) Anyway... it all started with wii bowling one night. My roomie Brittany was friends with Ben W. And she dragged me along (ok, not literally :) to play wii bowling. So, we and our friend Ashley went up when its was open dorm (there are only certain hours on the weekends that girls can be on the guy's floor). So the next weekend we decided to go real bowling and went out to IHOP after that. So our restaurant that we always go to is IHOP. We're all just crazy and fun. :) We now have family dinners (with the exception of David because he doesn't go to school at Judson anymore) and family game nights. The two Bens, David and I make up the worship team at church. So here's everyone...

Me
Well you know me :)
Daughter. Sings at Immanuel Baptist.

:::

Brittany
Mom. Need I say more?

:::

Brook
Daughter. Skips out on a lot of family excursions. For shame.
:::

Leah
Daughter.
:::

Karen
Daughter. Newest member of the family.

:::

Ashley B
Daughter.

:::

JOE!!
Mom's favorite son. Everyone loves Joe. When you address Joe, it has to be JOOOOE!!! And shout it across the cafeteria for all to hear. Just because we all get happy when we see Joe. :)

:::

David
Exiled son. Sings and plays guitar and drums at Immanuel Baptist.

:::

Ben W
Father. He and mom separated but they are back together. In mob (I told you we are dysfunctional). Plays bass guitar at Immanuel Baptist.

:::

Ben S
Adopted son from mexico. Sings and plays guitar and drums at Immanuel Baptist.

:::

Unpictured:

• Uncle Joel
• Ashley A
  Aunt Ashley. Mom's side. Very entertaining at family dinners.
  

..:::.:::..

I think that's everyone. So far. Our family keeps growing...

80 grams of sugar...

...in less than 10 minutes. Not my greatest moment.

Uninteresting post

I am so terrible at blogging. I used to be so good at it. :-P Alas alas, life goes on. Maybe its because I have become more involved in facebook. :) Anyway, I am currently on Spring Break. No, nothing exciting. I am staying at the dorm because of homework. :-/ Not to happy about that, but I hear back home it was a full-out blizzard. And its quite lovely here so I guess I'm ok with it after all. :)

I'm going to the Art Institute in Chicago on Sunday. I have to pick a painting, write a 3-5 paper about it explaining every detail of it without mentioning the artist or work. And the teacher is supposed to be able to sketch what it looks like. eek! I have to memorize a poem (mostly done with that), finish a book for Art history, work on a cover entry for Print magazine, art history slides, design a poster for the up and coming youth group at church. And fill in 100 addresses for Riverwoods. And then the homeowrk begins all over again. :P But it has been lovely being able to sleep in. :) Getting around 9 hours of sleep every night. What a concept! (especially when used to getting around 3-4 hours of sleep every night :)

(Eating at IHOP with the Judson "family")

My roomies left me. Brook for Choir tour in Florida and Brittany for a mission trip in Mississippi. (it'll be nice actually seeing people again when everyone comes back tomorrow. I can't believe break went so fast!!)

I have basically no food here, so I am relying on the vending machine (where the most satisfying thing is a danish pastry with hundreds and hundreds of calories ... :) And canned pineapple, while it is delicious, it isn't too filling. I think I have some m&ms lying around here somewhere...

Happy (late) birthday Grandpa!!

I felt like...

...writing a new post.
Voila! There you go.

Oh I actualy do have some exciting news. I am going to be working at a camp this summer (but it means I won't be there for PBC 2009!!!! uber sad about that). Well I am super excited about working at Riverwoods. It is in the town next to where my aunt lives, so if mom comes down she can visit me. :-) Well I am going to be taking lots of candids, putting together newsletters and the such. I am so excited to be able to serve there. They focus on at-risk youths in the area. I'm sure it will be a time of growth for the whole summer. Another amazing thing about all this is that it will pay for my mac and CS4 (Creative Suite, featuring Photoshop and Illustrator) that I have to get for next year.

Illustration is my hardest class this year, creatively. I have bee getting below what I wanted for grades. I've been trying not to stress out about it too much but its hard when you have to have at least a C in your major classes in order to pass the course. Anyway, we had to design a playbill for Robert Bolt's "A Man for All Seasons." And mine and another girl were the best ones. One of the professors in the middle of the critique pointed to mine and said that he would expect that one to be seen in New York for the advertisement. I was floored!! I'd show you the image, but I only have the illustrator file with me. Sorry. I guess if you are dying to see it, let me know, and I'll try my best to get it on here before summer. :)

I'm in the midde MPR (mid-program review) right now. We have to put alot of our artwork onto a CD, along with a letter of intent. I'm also in Internship Seminar. I'm really glad that we have to take it. We have made a budget, 10 year plan, gone on job shadows and are currently making our resume and cover letter.

Nothing else is really going on right now. I am still singing at Immanuel Baptist on Sundays. So I have practice tomorrow night. I love being able to serve at a church again. It's awesome. But they don't have potlucks. I can live though, their food would never measure up to my mom's lazy cheesebutton hotdish anyway. :)

Well Upper Room is tonight so I better get some homework done.
And I truly am sorry for being such a horrible blogger. :(
And sorry for no pictures. When i'm at school I don't have much time for taking pictures. Its rather sad. :'( But that's where riverwoods will be awesome!! It's going to be my job to take 1000s of pictures every week. =)

I'm an Audrey =)

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are an Audrey!

You are an Audrey -- "I am at peace"

Audreys are receptive, good-natured, and supportive. They seek union with others and the world around them.

How to Get Along with Me

• * If you want me to do something, how you ask is important. I especially don't like expectations or pressure


• * I like to listen and to be of service, but don't take advantage of this


• * Listen until I finish speaking, even though I meander a bit


• * Give me time to finish things and make decisions. It's OK to nudge me gently and nonjudgmentally


• * Ask me questions to help me get clear


• * Tell me when you like how I look. I'm not averse to flattery


• * Hug me, show physical affection. It opens me up to my feelings


• * I like a good discussion but not a confrontation


• * Let me know you like what I've done or said


• * Laugh with me and share in my enjoyment of life

What I Like About Being an Audrey

• * being nonjudgmental and accepting


• * caring for and being concerned about others


• * being able to relax and have a good time


• * knowing that most people enjoy my company; I'm easy to be around


• * my ability to see many different sides of an issue and to be a good mediator and facilitator


• * my heightened awareness of sensations, aesthetics, and the here and now


• * being able to go with the flow and feel one with the universe

What's Hard About Being an Audrey

• * being judged and misunderstood for being placid and/or indecisive


• * being critical of myself for lacking initiative and discipline


• * being too sensitive to criticism; taking every raised eyebrow and twitch of the mouth personally


• * being confused about what I really want


• * caring too much about what others will think of me


• * not being listened to or taken seriously

Audreys as Children Often

• * feel ignored and that their wants, opinions, and feelings are unimportant


• * tune out a lot, especially when others argue


• * are "good" children: deny anger or keep it to themselves

Audreys as Parents

• * are supportive, kind, and warm


• * are sometimes overly permissive or nondirective

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

Difficulty for blessing.

Understand why? Not a chance!

Suffering shows you for who you really are.

Joy in all circumstances. Maybe not delightful, but joyful.

You know how awhile ago I posted about asking for trials? Well I’ve got them now. (Not the trials I was quite imagining, but when do you ever expect what God throws your way?) This semester is going to be quite the interesting time. I’ve been trying to write more in a journal of sorts. A place where I can really throw out all my pent up feelings. Quite lovely. I’m still not the magnificent journaler, but I’m trying. That’s why I haven’t been posting quite as often. I have three major studio classes. And I’m debating about what to do for the summer. I am contemplating staying here and taking pictures at a camp. This would mean that I could pay for the mac that I am required to get for next semester by myself and not have to worry about it, and then with the “extra money” give some of it to mom and dad to help pay for some of tuition.

I was looking at some old sermon notes from camp and it was talking about frustrations. Sudden riches are not the cure. Everything suddenly being perfect is not the cure either. Frustration is:

• Things you want but don't have
• Things you can't control
• Not getting your own way

It mentioned Philippians 4:4-11.Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 10 But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length ye have revived your thought for me; wherein ye did indeed take thought, but ye lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.

It’s hard to obey God and be frustrated. I am often very frustrated with my schoolwork. If I offered my time up to God (and less to facebook) and focused more on my projects and showing glory to God through them, perhaps I will be less frustrated. Sure I might still stay up until three every morning. But the quality of my work just might improve. Romans 8:28, “All things work together for good.” The God of the universe is on MY side. I need to give up my own ideas and thoughts to him. Completely. Hebrews 12:2 says to fix our eyes upon Jesus. He should be our only thought. We are also not to covet. I so often am jealous of the work my fellow students are doing and thinking that it comes effortlessly to them.

Godliness with contentment is great gain.

Interview

Following is my interview with Ms. Math.

1. What was your favorite thing about growing up on a farm? Just living in God's Creation and being able to go outside and truly enjoy it.

2. What is your favorite thing about the city you are in now? Being able to go to Burger King at midnight and getting a double cheeseburger.

3. Where would you like to end up after college? Married or engaged would be lovely (no I'm not going to school for my M.r.s. lol). Working as a photographer as a staff nature photographer.

4. What do you hope to be doing with your degree after graduation? Work as a photographer with a magazine. I would love to work with National Geographic or something like it.

5. What is your favorite thing to photograph? God's Creation. Nature. But recently I've been liking taking pictures of people too.

1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the questions).
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview others in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions. Have fun!

Happy birthday

Happy Birthday daddy!! I love you!

A typical Wednesday

A day in the life of this crazy sleepless goldfish...

8:00 Get up for class
9-10 History of Art
10-11 Chapel
11-11:30 Eat food
11:30-1:00 Wait in Upper Commons for next class
1-2 Speech class
2-3 Catch my breath, get second wind
3-6 Ilustration
6:30-9:30 Drawing 3
9:30-? Praise band practice at the church
Come back and do homework
Around 3 Bed

Guess what else?

I am a terrible blogger. Simple as that. T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E.

ter⋅ri⋅ble  /ˈtɛrəbəl/ [ter-uh-buhl]
–adjective
1.distressing; severe: a terrible winter.
2.extremely bad; horrible: terrible coffee; a terrible movie.
3.exciting terror, awe, or great fear; dreadful; awful.
4.formidably great: a terrible responsibility.

Well I will definitely agree that this is a terrible responsibility and a terrible winter (no snow days! :) and that coffee is terrible. But I suppose the most obvious conclusion is that I am a terrible blogger.

THE END.

Guess what?

• I like taking pictures (and editing them as well)!
• I have been terrible at posting, I didn't do anything for the holidays. :-/
• Trisha finally remembered that she has a blog.
• I am reading an amazing book, Set-Apart Femininity.
• My train got cancelled today, so I had to either miss 1-2 days of school or scramble and get a flight.
• I have been doing laundry.
• Um, this list is just getting more boring as it keeps going. On. And. On.
• I am wearing a cool hat.
• See? I told you you'd get bored.
• There are clean socks staring at me.
• They aren't folded.
• I have gotten considerable better in my sock folding skills over the years. Just ask my mom.
• I made carmel rolls this past week. They were amazing. Even though I temporarily forgot an important step. And my mum had to bail me out.
• I love my mommy. I'm going to miss her.
• I leave on Sunday on the plane, because trains are unreliable.
• But you already knew that.
• I give up.
• If you are still reading this, then you must be an amazing friend.
• Or just really bored.

Perpetual

Christ is not a reservoir but a spring. His life is continual, active and ever passing on with an outflow as necessary as its inflow. If we do not perpetually draw the fresh supply from the living Fountain, we shall either grow stagnant or empty. It is, therefore, not so much a perpetual fullness as a perpetual filling.

::A. B. Simpson::

Goodness gracious!

IS really the middle of December already? It must be. Finals are over, and I passed all my classes. My train was four hours late at Devils Lake on account of the blizzard. My dad woke up at 3:30 to pick me up, but we didn't get home until the afternoon. Poor daddy! :-/
Well I'm back into the swing of things back here. i love being home. I have a kitchen again! I've been making some Christmas goodies and I actually sort of enjoy doing dishes. Weird I know. Hopefully I can make carmel rolls soon (my favorite thing to bake! ...and eat :). I think I might have to hook up the ethernet to my computer, because the keyboard here at home has at least half of the letters missing. And I like the assurance of knowing that I am
pressing the right key! :)
Oh, I got a haircut. Quite short. I'll have to post pictures soon. Its seems like I always get my hair cut short around Christmas. I don't plan these things, they just happen. lol

Well, I just thought I'd give ya'll an update if anyone is still left out there in cyberspace waiting for this terrible blogger to communicate with her audience.

Trials?

Since this past Easter I feel like God has been asking to give me trials. So I have prayed about it off and on. Not thinking too much about it. Just one of those things that you store in the back of your mind. So right now I am wondering if I just can't handle it or maybe the trials will slowly come.

Typically, I am quite joyful, but lately it seems like school has just been dragging me down. It could just be because I get to go home on Sunday for a month of Christmas break, but anyway, sorry that was a a tangent. :) Like I was saying... I really want God to break me of my pride, strip away all my comforts. This is really scary typing this because if I actually pray for this it could come true in the next hour. I want to be broken until I can depend solely on Him. I want to tell Him that He can take away this part from my life. Who am I to say what He can or cannot do?!!

Now you would think that after all this I am saying I would be digging into the Bible fervently. But truth be told, I haven't been diligent in my Bible reading as of late. Which is sad, because it should be a favorite thing to do in my day. If I can spend who knows how long on facebook, why can't I spend 30 minutes with just God. Why does that half-hour seem so long?

How is your perspective?

When a mother saw a thunderstorm forming in mid-afternoon, she worried about her seven-year-old daughter who would be walking the three blocks from school to home. Deciding to meet her, the mother saw her walking nonchalantly along, stopping to smile whenever lightning flashed. Seeing her mother, the little girl ran to her, explaining happily, "All the way home, God's been taking my picture!" Fear is often caused by our perspective.

~Anonymous

Where does your security lie? Is God your refuge, your hiding place, your stronghold, your shepherd, your counselor, your friend, your redeemer, your saviour, your guide? If He is, you don't need to search any further for security.

~Elisabeth Elliot

The weekend

Well I am finally posting pictures from Brian and Nicole's wedding. Its mostly just pictures. So enjoy! :)

Brian even helped jess with her nails. Aw, how sweet! [smile]

Mom ironing one of the bridesmaid's dresses before the wedding

Paul

Final preparations before wedding

:)

Simply sweet

New post

Coming soon. (I hope)

Wow.

It's been a while since I posted huh? Well I've been doing lots of stuff. (Aside from homework :) Last weekend, I went cosmic bowling with friends, and went to IHOP for "breakfast." We got back around 3 in the am. And then (after Brittany, Ben, and I watched a movie) I went to bed for about four hours. Because on Saturday Brittany and I went into Chicago with some friends to see the Symphony. Anything else? Hm, I made a "painting" out of m&ms. :) That was fun, but really hard not to eat. :) Well I should probably get going, I have to finish writing a 7-10 page paper before mom and Paul come next weekend. =)

Cosmic Bowling, so much fun!

(but terrible for taking pictures, lots of editing required :)

Me and my awesome roomies.

Who will turn the economy around?

Click here to find out who is going to save our economy.

:)

2 years

It's been two years since my first post in the blogging world. Thus, a new post. Now, I know that there are many who don't comment. So could you please leave a comment. It doesn't really hurt. Just click on the witty remarks button, write a message, and sign your name (and click anonymous, etc.). It isn't brain surgery I promise. And since this is my 2nd blogiversary, I would like to know where ya'll are from. And if you aren't comfortable sharing that info, could you share an intereresting fact about yourself, where your blog is, how many socks you own, or all of the above? :)

For example:

Megan Erbele
Lehr, ND
I am wearing my painting pants.
Here.
In my drawer, two unmatched socks. I need to do laundry. :)

Thank you to the few you faithfully comment (and to those who will :)

Perfect quietness

Humility is perfect quietness of heart. It is for me to have no trouble; never to be fretted or vexed or irritated or sore or disappointed. It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me.

It is to be at rest when nobody praises me and when I am blamed or despised. It is to have a blessed home in the Lord where I can go in and shut the door and kneel to my Father in secret and be at peace as in a deep sea of calmness when all around is trouble. It is the fruit of the Lord Jesus Christ's redemptive work on Calvary's cross, manifested in those of His own who are definitely subject to the Holy Spirit.

::Andrew Murray::

Isn't it ironic?

...how headcoverings seem so odd, yet half a century ago, women didn't go anywhere without a hat.

...how jeans are the only thing to wear, yet it hasn't been that long that women have been wearing them.

...how modesty is something some Christians don't think about even though God calls us to "dress modestly, with decency and propriety."

I am: tagged again

I know: my mom is coming to Illinois next month
I want: it to be next month, or the next (Christmas break :)
I have: to work on my 7-10 page research paper
I wish: it was finished
I hate: eating raw onions
I miss: my family
I fear: angry bulls
I feel: tired. Yesterday, I made apple pies for a couple hours and then got to go in a corn maze. Fun, but a long day!
I hear: Rebecca typing a research paper on her laptop
I smell: with my nose
I crave: always chocolate!
I search: for growth in Christ
I wonder: what kind of “big-girl” job I’ll have in the real world a couple years down the road.
I regret: not always leaving time in my day to read my Bible.
I love: my Savior
I ache: after playing wii bowling
I care: about people
I always: um, um, yeah,… forget
I am not: in Italy
I believe: God is amazing
I dance: not at Judson. Besides it not being allowed, I have no rhythm (I’m basically as white as you can get :)
I sing: not always on-key, but I try :)
I cry: after watching the Passion of the Christ
I don't always: talk this muchb about myself. At least I hope not!
I fight: waking up in the morning
I write: this blog post
I never: eat squid
I listen: with both ears, but I still might not hear you.
I need: to write more of my paperI can usually be found: in studio
I win: victory over death through Christ!
I lose: everything.
I confuse: easily
I am happy about: my salvation
I imagine: what my future will be like

Chicago pixels

I spent two hours outside the Art Institute on Saturday. Here is a portion of what I saw.

A sculpture in a park nearby.

A midday nap.

This picture just fell into place. The pipe, the newspaper. I love it.

Fast-paced life of the city.

Performing for survival.

And that isn't even half of all the sights I saw. A policeman riding a horse. A student studying in the park. A bicycle for two people. The traffic. The brakes screeching. The photographs inside the museum. Kids. More homeless, more teenagers performing for money. So many sights, so many sounds.

Happy birthday!

Happy birthday Mom! I love and miss you ever so much! I really wish I could be with you today, to help celebrate this momentous occasion! (Her new age ends in a zero :) Thank you or being such a great mom and the wonderful encourager that you are!

LOVE YOU!!

Will you join me in wishing my mom a most excellent birthday?

Calvin and Hobbes

[click to enlarge]

How are you working?

If he was ever tempted to cut corners, He did not yield to the temptation. He did nothing sloppily. He worked carefully, thoroughly, dependably, promptly, faithfully.

::Elisabeth Elliot::

I've been tagged..

Da rules:

Link to the person who tagged you.
Post the rules on your blog.
Write six random things about yourself.
Tag sixish people at the end of your post.
Let each person know he or she has been tagged.
Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

1. I want to have a lot of kids after I get married.

2. I can not swim.

3. I love lemon pudding.

4. For quite some time I wanted to continue the Seven Brides for Seven Brides tradition of naming kids where they left off. (Alphabetical bible names)

5. For my typography class, I am doing a human rights poster.

6. My semester is going to be crazy next year. I'll have five studios and history of art II. (Mondays and Wednesdays I'll go from 9 in the morning to 9 at night :P)

7. My brother and I tried to sell lemonade at the end of our road (Note: we live on a highway where an approximate number of three cars per hour come whizzing by at 65 mph) We didn't sell any, but later my grandma took sympathy on us and gave us some money. :)

I tag...

Suzanne at Perfect in Love, Noelle at Noelle's Blog, Linda at Linda's Thoughts, Ginger at Pieces of My Heart, Amanda at A Touch of Grace and Stepheny at Stepheny's Blog.

I made another blog...

for Prairie Bible Camp. I thought it would be kind of nice to have more info about it so people could read about it (yes that would be you Noelle :).

Various sheep