Part 2

.::View part one first!::.

Teaching Andrew to relax :D

Working on the puzzle...

Still working on the puzzle...

The puzzle did get finished though! A word of advice: Think twice before getting a custom puzzle of land where your house is!! If you are comfortable with becoming insane, then go ahead.

Pictures.

262 to be exact. One doesn't realize how hard (and easy!) it is to take them. But then come the responsibilities. Finding the cord. Connecting it to the computer and camera. Praying that the 6-yr old computer recognizes the camera. Uploading the pictures. Figuring out which ones are already on the computer. Coming up with an excellent title for the folder (i.e. 'Thanksgiving 07'). Downloading the rest (I'm not sure what the difference between uploading and downloading is... :-/ :) Getting the pictures to all go the right way. Narrowing the selection. And then, and ONLY then can one start on the post. Oh the woes of a blogger! Now for a peek into what the Pauley side of the family does during the holidays, in no particular order...

Arm wrestling

Believe it or not, swimming!

Making some amazing food
Walking, to hopefully lose some of that amazing home-cooked food. ;)

Working on an endless puzzle...

Still working...

And obviously growing!!!!

Quite the day!

We went into Chicago on Saturday to give out brown-bagged lunches to homeless people. An eye-opening experience. I haven't had a whole lot of experience with the homeless, but generally you avoid too much eye contact with 'them.' Well, after handing out those lunches, I found myself looking for homeless people. A couple people didn't accept it (one said he was just broke, not homeless), but most people readily accepted it. One man even asked if we would pray with him. =)

After the lunches were gone, we were free to do what we wanted. First, we waited for the other group in Millennium park. So we went to the "Bean" aka the Clouded Gate. Then we walked to the Field Museum and saw some really neat exhibits. After that, we walked to Giordano's for some am-mm-mazing pizza. Then we went to the Festival of Lights where floats went by. And lots of fireworks. I would have taken pictures but I couldn't move. So it was basically impossible to get to my camera (which was in my backpack that I was holding). Then we went back to the train station on the Metra and got in a VERY crammed car. Then I collapsed.

How NOT to write an encouraging note

"The Bean"

A man-eating dinosaur?

Extreme "Fear"

The unwritten code of the police was clear: If you catch the Khmu or other tribesmen converting to Christianity, arrest them. If you catch anyone evangelizing the tribesmen, kill him.

After “Lu” had been shackled at the hands and feet and shamefully marched through the village, the Communist police threw him in a pit. “We will let you go,” they said, “when one hundred Christians in your village renounce their conversion to Christianity.” But they were unable to find believers willing to turn their backs on Christ. Then tragedy struck the police. One officer’s son broke both legs in an accident. His other son became critically ill. The officer who had beaten and harassed new Christians suddenly died of a heart attack. Other officials fearfully pulled “Lu” from the pit and allowed him to return home. Government authorities were too frightened to take action against the Christians in the village after seeing what happened to their leader. Seeing God’s show of power, more Khmu became believers. Where there had been one hundred Christians, now there were seven hundred. They even sent Christians out to tell other villages about Jesus. While the Laotian authorities were controlled by their fear, the Christians in Southeast Asia overcame theirs.

The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? -- Psalm 27:1 Fear is one of the most basic human motivations. It drives stock markets and fuels wars. Its unruly energies can be used for great harm or channeled for great good. Professional boxers are often told fear is their friend. Fear can make them better fighters. It keeps them alert. It sensitizes their determination. In the same way, God can use our fears and make us better fighters for his cause. Whenever we are afraid, we have the potential to do the impossible. Why? That which is impossible in our own strength is made possible with God’s help. Fear makes us more likely to forsake our own resources and rely on God instead. In this way, extreme fear can lead to extreme faith.

How I long for June...

Oh dear! This is not good! I am so anxious for camp already! It is 210 days away (not that I'm counting or anything) and I am so ready for it. I just finished looking at posts on the Wissmann's and Bethany's blogs about PBC. Why, oh WHY?! can't it occur at least twice a year?!! [sob]

I'm still here!

Okay let's see. What have I been up to? Homework. I was in the studio for 7 straight hours painting. Until security kicked me out at 1:40. It was worth it though because Prof. Carl surprised us. If we got our homework done (about half of the class), we could watch a movie (about art, but still!) and eat food. And for homework all we had was reading a chapter and finding an image with an interesting use of color. Aside from that, doing a couple photo shoots [huge smile], helping someone start a new blog, going to open mic night. And hopefully tomorrow I will be able to do another photo shoot. YAY!!!

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?

Surgery

Scott will need to have surgery today to place a pin in his toe. So, they are heading to Bismarck. His surgery is scheduled for 2 PM. Please PRAY. Even if you read this after 2. Pray that the surgery goes well and that Scott will be able to heal quickly.