Spanish Christmas Party!!

Last night was our Spanish Christmas service/party. There were 150 people there. We had 5-6 different kinds of tamales, lots of cookies and piñatas. The kids had a "blast" with the piñatas, and even a few of the not-so-young people got into it. I thought since I was helping with the kids part of the service, I would be smart and wear my heeled boots. So, needless to say....by the end of the night, my feet were in agony. I had a great time and I'm sure everyone else did as well. You can be the judge of this...I believe the 3 videos at the end will show the kids emotions. Enjoy.




After it was all said and done...we realized Luis was not joking when he said he came hungry.




Bryan




Keagan and Kaedan Spivey




Diego




Class 2 waiting to go upstairs to sing.




I found it slightly amusing that while all the other kids were shoving and screaming to get more candy....this little girl was very satisfied with her 5 pieces of candy.




I believe Miguel was giving this his best effort.



And this is why I said some not-so-young people got into the piñatas!

All About Light Bulbs......

Pastor Forsee shared this last Sunday with the church....

All About Light Bulbs………….

1. How many Charismatics does it take to change a light bulb?

One to change the bulb and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.

2. How many Calvinists does it take to change a light bulb?

None. God has predestined when the light will be on. Calvinists do not change light bulbs. They simply read the instructions and pray that the light bulb will be one that has been chosen to be changed.

3. How many TV evangelists does it take to change a light bulb?

One. But for the message of light to continue, send in your donation today.

4. How many liberals does it take to change a light bulb?

At least 10, as they need to hold a debate on whether or not the light bulb exists. Even if they can agree that the light bulb exists they still might not change it, to keep from offending those who might use other forms of light.

5. How many independent fundamentalists does it take to change a light bulb?

Only one, because any more might result in to much cooperation.

6. How many Amish does it take to change a light bulb?

What’s a light bulb?

7. How many youth pastors does it take to change a light bulb?

Youth pastors aren’t around long enough for a light bulb to burn out.

8. How many members of an established fundamental Bible teaching church that is over 20 years old does it take to change a light bulb?

One to actually change the bulb and nine to say how much they liked the old one.

9. How many United Methodists does it take to change a light bulb?

This statement was issued: “We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need of a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that a light bulb works for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your personal relationship with your light bulb (or light source, or non-dark resource), and present it next month at our annual light bulb Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, florescent, three-way, long life and tinted-all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.

10. How many conservative holiness does it take to change a light bulb?

Change???

Sleek......Shiny.....and super FAST!

Ladies and Gentlemen.....I present to you (drum-roll please) .......












GORDON!!!!






He is one amazing machine. I do not have to wait for Gordon to think...he is very fast. He's great looking too! I have grown so fond of him these last few days. He's amazing!

Don't wanna go through the motions...

You may notice that I "renamed" my blog. The song, Through the Motions by Matthew West, is a song that God has used recently to speak to me. Here are the words...

This might hurt, it's not safe
But I know that I've gotta make a change
I don't care if I break
At least I'll be feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life.

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
Without your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
Instead of going through the motions?"

No regrets, not this time
I'm gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let your love make me whole
I think I'm finally feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of this life

'Cause I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
Without your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
Instead of going through the motions?"

Matthew West Lyrics are found on www.songlyrics.com

Random pictures from a sad camera...

I have a 4 Mega Pixel camera...it's old and needs retired. My Mom bought it new, had it for 2-3 years and then gave it to me. I have had it since November of 2006. When I was in Guatemala in 2007, it literally lost two screws. I could open it up and see its insides (not normal)...so I borrowed a piece of scotch tape from the couple I lived with, thinking it would hold it until I got home to get replacement screws. Well, the scotch tape served its purpose well...it's still holding my camera together so the guts are not exposed.

The battery life is another story. I can charge the battery, take 10 pictures and suddenly the battery is dead. So, I turn the camera off for a few minutes to let it charge, have my people pose, turn it on and snap the picture....after which it shuts off cause the battery is gone again.

Needless to say...I don't take too many pictures these days. However, here are a few that I have managed to get from the last few weeks...Enjoy.


Sitting on the cool piece of wood that looked like a little chair.


Taking her turn.

.
We try to set an example as serious and mature young people.


Most of the time...


Are we convincing anyone?...


Our fire!


The Soriano family singing at the Shelbyville Bible Holiness Homecoming.


Darla and I at Homecoming.


Christian, Ben, and Jeff at Homecoming.


Sister and I ice skating!


My friend Grace


Playing Knock-out at the Atherton's.

Plans

Black Friday is right around the corner and I must say...I am pumped! I love going even when I am not buying anything big or important. I love seeing peoples reactions however ridiculous they may act. Black Friday brings out the childishness in some adults. A few people act worse than two little kids fighting over the best toy in the house. I mean...what would ever make a person punch or shove a total stranger?

This year however...I have a purpose for getting up before the crack of dawn and then making my way to the crowded streets of Indianapolis....I am buying a new laptop! Yes...a new one! I believe that my 6 year old HP has seen better days. He is missing the "k" and the "i" keys...he was painted by the thief who stole him out of my car. It doesn't charge all the time, you have to have the cord in just the right place for it to work. And even then, you may not move it but it suddenly stops charging. Most of the time, you don't realize it stopped charging until you see the blue windows screen that says "Hibernating." He moves slower than the slowest Sunday afternoon driver you have ever been behind. It takes 20 minutes just to turn in on and open the web browser. Then when you do open a web browser, it starts making a strange noise which means its trying to think and will soon be freezing up on you. So, you restart the computer just to begin the whole process over again. So I have decided to retire the old beast and look for a new one. I am overly excited. However, I am going to need to make a decision and I dislike decision making....
WISH ME LUCK!

Get-A-Way

The Get-A-Way... Owned by the Gardner family, is a place of many memories for many people. It's where my brother-in-law taught my sister how to drive stick shift. The first place I ever climbed down a cliff (actually slid pulling Garvin along with me because he wouldn't let go of my hand). It was a nice view at the bottom, but we went down so that meant we had to go back up. This was the place where we rode in the back of a horse trailer for a hayride! Where we girls decided to see if there really was a bull in with all the other cows. Dumb. Where Laura V, Jessica Carr and I decided to brave the pitch darkness and go for a walk. Laura twisted her ankle in that darkness, Jess and I had to nearly carry Laura back to the cabin.
I would love to say how many acres the get-a-way consists of but....I virtually have no idea. Lots of land...a cabin, cows, and the famous pine tree. My memories of the get-a-way are mainly of church and youth group functions. We laughed, goofed off, and even cried together. Hayrides at the get-a-way were never boring. If older adults were on the ride...they were soon being worrisome about our safety. Someone was always jumping out from behind a tree and attempting to pull another someone off the wagon. If a Gardner was driving...it was never boring. I remember sliding down a hill...Aaron had the brakes on but we were still moving...and everyone's body weight was pushing me closer and closer to the front edge of the wagon. Took two guys holding on to me in order to keep me on the wagon.
I remember one night we had a youth get-together the weekend after closing a youth revival. We built a bonfire with the purpose of getting rid of items that were getting in the way of us being completely sold out to God. We threw clothes, c.d.'s and books in. It was a wonderful night of surrender and worship to God!
This past Saturday, the Westport Wesleyan Church had thier Fall church gathering at the get-a-way. I managed to tag along and enjoyed remembering all the fun times we had there. Thank you entire Gardner family for sharing this beautiful place with so many people through the years!


The lane going into the get-a-way



When I was a kid.....we used these outhouses. They have been upgraded to ones made of metal.



Continuance of the lane...



Bekah was trying to be so brave on the "big round bales"...this is as far as she got!



Bekah and I taking a self pic!



Jimmy's daughter (not Miley, the other one...can't remember her name) and Elizabeth.



So Pretty!



So....on the hayride now. A Gardner is driving...needless to say....notice we are in the creek. A couple two/three times, the creek was about 2 inches from the bottom of the wagon.



Yes, we drove over that.



The waterfalls...pretty but made my pics blurry.



Fuzzy again...



The little kids under the falls....trying not to get wet.

Dead in my tracks...

Last night I was thinking about a few of my friends who I grew up with. They were raised in conservative churches, yet they have chosen to follow different paths. A few of them have chosen to separate themselves from church altogether. It can be discouraging at times just thinking about how many of my friends are not living for God. I get frustrated with them..."they know better than to live like this"...I say. It is easy to feel very disappointed by their actions and lives. Then it hits me....I have let them down in an even bigger way. I do not pray for my friends like I should. I have no right to be judgmental. My only right it to faithfully pray for them. Who am I to look at their lives and criticize? I know for a fact that I have disappointed God throughout my life... Where would I be without the prayers of family and friends? My goal is to love and to pray for my friends...not to be their critic. If I do my part and pray for them, God will be faithful to convict. When He wants to use me as His tool...I will have an open heart to speak His Love.

I heard the following two songs on the radio a few weeks ago. They both have meant a lot to me.

Among The Thirsty - I'd Need A Savior

How many names can I use to explain the love of my Jesus,
the life that he gave and so many times will I praise you today.
I lift up my life ‘cause you’re always the same
And my offering to you I bring

Chorus:
Your name is Jesus. Your name is Jesus.
You’re the Wonderful, Counselor, my Friend.
You’re what I hold on to; I know that you brought me through
All the days of loss, to the cross you knew
I’d need a Savior.

How many songs can I sing to proclaim your wondrous love and beauty so great?
What would I say if you brought down the rain and everyday
I walk through the pain my heart would still say…

Chorus:
You’re what I hold on to; I know that you brought me through
All the days of loss, to the cross you knew
I’d need a Savior.
I’d need a Savior
I need you, Savior

Glory to God – Steve Fee

Before the world was made, before you spoke it to be
You were the King of Kings, yeah you were, yeah you were
And now you’re reigning still, Enthroned above all things
Angels and saints cry out, We join them as we sing

Chorus:
Glory to God, Glory to God
Glory to God, Forever (2x’s)

Verse 2:
Creator God you gave me breath so I could praise
Your great and matchless name, all my days, all my days
So let my whole life be a blazing offering
A life that shouts and sings the greatness of the King

Bridge:
Take my life and let it be
All for you and for your glory
Take my life and let it be yours (x2) We sing… (back to chorus)

Out with the old...in with the new.

Hello fellow bloggers! It's me...that one person who has a terrible habit of letting months go by without blogging. I am back! Along with a new vow to become a better blogger.

I am sitting here wondering what happened to the Fall season. It seems as though we totally skipped over the cool days of Fall and went straight to COLD days. Fall is my favorite season. I love the warmth of a bonfire after nearly freezing your ears off on a hayride.

A little update on my life... I am taking 13 hours at Ivy Tech this semester. I am currently working 3, no 4, different places. I still work at Ashford Place Health Campus part time as a cna and in the business office. I also just started at a retirement facility. I still sit with the elderly man a few days a week and babysit occasionally. Having several different jobs can make things a little more confusing than if I worked just one place. I am managing...you gotta do what you gotta do!

Unfortunately I have class in a few moments so I must say "goodbye" for now. Be safe, be courteous, be spontaneous!

Graduation!

Vanette graduated on May 17th with her RN! It seemed as though that day could not have come soon enough for her. I am very proud of her! Congratulations Vanette!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

VBS

Here are a few pictures from Vacation Bible School at Shelbyville Bible Holiness. I was able to work on one of the vans all week and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It felt like old times, which was awesome!
Enjoy!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Megan and Roel's Wedding

I had the privilege to stand in the wedding of Megan Hollon and Roel Cuaresma. I met Megan when I attended GBS in 2005. She and I were also roommates on our trip to Guatemala in 2007. We have a lot of memories from that trip, mostly memories of laughing but also a few tearful memories. I still laugh when I think of some of those times. Like the time we four girls were trying to cross a still which was flowing with two feet of muddy rain water. Or when she and I had to take a tuc-tuc home because it was pouring rain. The driver over-charged us and then the tuc-tuc kept stalling on the drive home.
Those are memories that I hope I never forget. Thousands of miles from home or just a few miles away, Megan has given me an amazing friendship. She cares deeply about people and has never shown a bit of selfishness to those around her. I'm so happy for her and Roel! They both deserve the best!
Here are a few pictures from their wedding.



The wedding colors were Green and Ivory



Roel's parents



Jesse and I



Seth and Jamie Stephens. Two boys that both Megan and I babysat for.



Megan and her Father



So pretty...



The guys



Getting ready for the kiss



Roel, Megan and I



The adorable flower girl and Jamie



The Stephens family (thanks to my father for making animal noises....everyone was smiling) I miss this family sooo much!



Most of Roel's family