Symmie's Spot

Content With Your Painting

2011-11-01T22:26:00.001-07:00

A short time ago the Lord gave me such a precious picture to help me through a difficult situation. The situation was mostly mental but sometimes those are the most difficult to overcome, this was such. It was because I have often struggled with it, overcome, struggled, and overcome. I was tired of the cycle.

As I was heading for bed I was praying through it and asking for God's help and He gave me the most beautiful vision that I wanted to share.

Picture a field, filled with flowers, all different kinds and colors of flowers. I was standing in the midst of the field and Jesus gave me a painting, in that painting was a close up of a particular flower. It allowed me to see in detail the beauty of that particular flower. All the intricacies could be appreciated in this picture. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw another girl with a painting and I started to catch a glimpse that her flower was a different color so I realized that her picture was different. I was jealous, I wanted to see her flower. I no longer wanted the painting that I originally was so amazed by.

That's when God showed me, He has given me gifts and talents, He has placed me in particular situations in life specifically to show me the particular beauties of that particular flower in the way that He wants me to see it. I cannot be jealous of someone else's painting because they don't have my painting. So if I had her painting I wouldn't learn to appreciate God in the way that He had chosen. He gave me my painting specifically for me. It's personal. So if I am jealous of someone's ability to do something, their affluence, their popularity, I am literally saying, "I don't want this painting, I want that one." And God says, but you are all standing in this field, you all have the same view, I am just giving you a specific close up that that was created personally for you.

I don't want to exchange my painting. Now when I feel the same battles rising in my mind I imagine myself, in that field, hugging that painting to my heart and saying, "this is my painting Lord, I love it, I will appreciate it."

Chicken Soup For The Stomach

2011-10-30T00:15:00.001-07:00

The whole book craze drove me crazy. I am naturally critical so I never believed the truth of the stories. I can't help it. They are either cheesy or unbelievable. But don't worry, this is not a post about a story that I know to be true or how my mind was changed. I am just stating this because of the title I picked.

I picked this title because I made chicken rice soup from scratch today and I am very proud of myself. I used what I had on hand and some fabulous spices and it turned out pretty good.

I actually used the giblets to make a kind of soup for Calvary. Cooked them in some water, chopped them up and put a little of it in her food. She loved it!

My soul was not affected by this chicken soup but my stomach sure was!!!

If you do not believe this story then you are a skeptic like me.

Seeking God

2011-01-22T09:58:00.000-08:00

You are at a crossroads, your thoughts are scrambled, jumbled. How do you decide? There are clear reasons not to make this decision hastily or emotionally but you cannot disconnect from the choices. What do you do? You see the pros and cons of each branch in the road but neither obviously outweighs the other. So you pray.

You are still at a crossroads, your thoughts are more peaceful, trusting God will show you, but there are still no clear options. Each option is equally weighed on the balance of pros and cons. Those around you have opinions and guidance but nothing outweighing the other. So you keep praying.

You are still at a crossroads, your thoughts are much more anxious. Will God ever make this path clear? Will He show you what He wants? How am I ever going to make this choice? I have to move forward sometime! So you keep praying.

Sometimes I wonder if God places us at the crossroads without clear direction just so we will seek Him. There we learn to be on our faces before Him. There we learn to listen and be still and hear His voice. There we learn to be patient and wait. There we learn that it truly is best not to make a move until His guidance is clear. There we learn to depend on God.

I am at a crossroads.

This is what happens when you have time on your hands

2011-01-19T18:43:00.000-08:00

Time is not necessarily my friend. When I don't have enough it is stressful and life is full of frustrations stealing more of it from me. When I have extra then things like this happen, I start writing. Who in their right mind would allow me to share the nonsense in my head with the rest of the world? Who in their right mind would read this nonsense? (My apologies to anyone who might be reading this right now).

Regardless I have decided to start blogging again. Giving the writer in me a chance to giggle as I tickle its fancy and the fanciful in me a chance to stretch and yawn and say, "its about time!"

So, perhaps, its not that I have extra time, or not enough time, but just the right amount. Perhaps, this will turn out to be the beginning of an amazing journey.

Or it will just be another blog of nonsense.

So Let Me Tell Ya...

2010-02-24T23:49:00.000-08:00

Many of you are wondering (at least my facebookfriends) why in the world I am switching lenders. Here's the story:

In 1996...can you believe I am starting my story with those two words? But actually something did happen in 1996 that messed up my loan today, 14 years later. Back to the story:

In 1996, when I was only 16, my parents had a credit card that was in their account but under my name for convenience sake when I would run errands for them and such. Someone stole their identity so they did what everyone should do when your identity is stolen, they disputed the charges and fixed it all.

Fast forward to 14 years later, today...

So on my credit report it shows that I had a disputed charge...let me say it again...FOURTEEN YEARS AGO!!!

This flagged underwriting and they went from doing an automatic underwriting to a manual underwriting. Apparently once you do that you can't go back. So for some reason this made them want me to show 3 months of reserves in my bank account. The problem with that is that it can't be a gift, it has to be my own money reserves. So, needless to say I don't have 3 months reserves of my own money and I can't get it anytime soon.

The good news is that this is totally not normal and I already have a new lender lined up.

The bad news is that I may close a week later (at least I will still close!).

The good news is that I get the same rate of interest which was a good rate.

The other good news is that my previous lender is very cool and told me not to give up pursuing this and said, "you are very lendable." Apparently my credit is very good and other than this still hiccup I should be good to go. Praise the Lord!

So keep praying!

Bragging on God

2010-02-13T11:28:00.000-08:00

This first list are the things that bless me because it allows me to afford this house which was at the top of my price range. It is what makes this whole thing worth it or even cheaper than I thought!

Top 10 House Blessings (in no particular order):
1. Neighborhood out of my price range
2. House out of my price range (everything is redone and updated)
3. Low interest rate
4. Low home owners insurance as well as car insurance
5. Cheaper taxes equaling more money monthly
6. Internet costs of moving is $0 plus I get a rebate!!!
7. Parents who will let me live with them to save 1/2 month's rent
8. All appliances are included or donated
9. The house is move in ready
10. Money from the government for buying a house

This second list are the icing on the cake so to speak (dairy free icing of course):

10 Little Bonus Blessings:
1. Laminate flooring
2. Granite bathroom countertop
3. Slate kitchen/dining/entry tile
4. Real tile in the bathroom
5. Remodeled bathroom
6. Dining table and chairs I can borrow until I buy my own set
7. Extra rooms!!!
8. 5 Closets!!!
9. Christian Lender and Realtor
10. Packing and Escrow is on schedule with the potential of ending early (that was 2 blessings packaged to look like 1!!!)

I cannot even begin to explain how much my parents, my brother and sister, my grandparents, my pastor, my mentors, and my friends, have helped and supported me through this. I could write all day about each of you. I love you guys!

If My Brother's a Prophet then My Parents are Priests?

2010-02-11T23:45:00.000-08:00

So, my last post was about how blessed I was to have my brother's advice and this post is focusing on my parents. I can't even imagine going through this process on my own. It would have been very scary and I would not have had a clue how to go about everything.

From day 1 when my mom went with me to look at houses it has been a fabulous time of learning and adventure. In fact, I would never have even begun looking if it weren't for my mom. She found out about a few programs that made me realize I could buy a house! Then my dad couldn't make it with use the first day we went to look but my mom went. There was a house I was interested in so my dad came and looked at that one house and helped me see all the little things that I would never have noticed.

As I looked and looked they were my reality check and my surge of hope. If I got too idealistic they helped me come down to earth. But if I was too discouraged they would help me gain hope to find what I wanted.

Putting an offer in would have been horrible without them. Especially going into the bidding war situation. Thankfully I am blessed with parents that are very wise and give me the best advice!!! Lastly going through escrow and all the things that happen there plus some of the programs that I possibly doing, I could not have done this without them.

I love my parents!!!

My Brother's a Prophet?

2010-02-07T23:51:00.000-08:00

I need to document my amazing story of the house hunt and how the Lord has blessed me in SO many ways.

I began looking at houses the first weekend in January. My Realtor, Patty, is a Christian and was recommended by a retired Realtor friend of mine from church. Patty recommended my lender who is also a Christian. My lender and my mom both had a lot of info on a lot of programs that I could qualify for that would help me get a house. Then, to top it off, a friend of mine also worked for a place where I could get 100% financing if need be. All this was what led to me actually looking and getting excited.

Our first weekend we found a house that I loved and was ready to put an offer on. However, I had not yet spoke with my lender and it was a Saturday. So I waited until Monday, trusting that God would keep the door open if He chose. Well He did not. The door closed. Another offer was accepted prior to me being able to even get my offer in.

After that houses seemed to stop moving for a while. Anything new was in the neighborhoods that I didn't want and the stuff that was there I was not interested in. I have nothing against manufactured housing but a lot of the manufactureds here are either in shady neighborhoods or are very typical Manufactureds. I was not ready to settle for the typical when I could do that any time. I just kind of felt like settling so soon was...well...settling.

I was heading out on vacation on January 14th. Just before I did I went and saw a bunch more houses and there were 2 that stood out. The Applegate house and the Garson house. Neither were on the side of town that I wanted. The Applegate house needed some work and for a lower offer than what they were asking might have been a contender. The Garson house was a manufactured but in a NICE neighborhood and had the feel of a real house inside with real walls, granite countertops, gorgeous tiling etc. But I wasn't impressed enough with either to put an offer in before I left.

Once on my trip I was in agony wondering if I should have placed an offer and if I should go back and rethink one of those two. I struggled a lot with this.

This is where my brother came in. He recently bought a house with his wife and they went through an agonizing LONG time looking and bidding and waiting and looking and bidding and waiting. So I started asking him for advice. Specifically I was wondering how I knew what was God's will in moving forward vs. what is settling. How did I know if my ideals were too high vs. waiting for God's best?

I will explain his answers in a minute but the rest of the timeline is that I came back on the 24th, Sunday. On Tuesday night my Realtor had emailed me the listing to the house I am now in escrow on. Wednesday we went and saw it and put an offer in. On Monday, February 1st, we heard that I got it.

My brother specifically said several things and, for the sake of time and your attention span I will list each thing and how God proved it true in my case.

1. He said when him and his wife walked into their house they knew right away it was theirs. He said that I cannot try to search for this feeling and it may not happen that way for me but God will still make it clear for me.

On that Tuesday when I received the email, I looked at the pictures and I specifically remember pushing my chair back and praying out loud, "Oh Lord...this is my house!" It wasn't me telling God, it was just acknowledging what I just knew.

2. He said that the process will keep you safe. You put and offer in, you are rejected, you know its not God's will.

On Wednesday when we were deciding what price to put in my dad was helping me and we decided my best move was to make a full priced offer. Not knowing that there were other offers in. We did and then later found out about the other offers. The bank offered for us to raise our offer and I prayed and considered and eventually realized I was protected from a bidding war simply because I could not afford to do any more than I had. This was hugely relieving as if I had not gotten the house I would have known it was God! But I got it and I know that God helped me not to always wonder if I did too much or extended myself too much.

3. He said the things that seem so important to you when you are looking are not a big deal once you have the house (he had a few examples of his own with this).

I wanted at least 1 and 1/2 bath, this is 1 bath and I am not at all concerned. I wanted an open floorplan from the kitchen to the dining and living rooms. The kitchen only opens up into the dining and I still love it!

Basically my conversation with my brother was hugely helpful in giving me a peace that God would guide. I came home with the plan to look at the two houses I had been reconsidering and prior to being able to do that God opened the doors for me to get a house in a neighborhood that is out of my price range (this was the first and only house I have seen within my price range), a house that is updated in every room, and so many other little things that it would take me all night to list them! He has provided on every front. Up to and including the fact that I gave notice to my landlord that I would be out by the 1st of March and I don't close escrow until the 12. However, my Pastor and his wife need me to house sit March 2-12. Plus my parents were going to let me stay with them for a couple weeks if I needed it. God is good! I needed boxes to pack and have had enough every day for that day. I.e. I started with 5 from the church, filled 3 and got 9 more from Karen, filled those and have some from my mom and more coming from Karen.

Plus the financial side of things is working out very nicely. I am buying a house on the high side of my budget and God is working it out that I will be able to afford it and my food and gas still. I will need to budget and watch myself but I am blessed that He has provided every step of the way.

Ok, I have to go to bed now. This has been such a blessing and a huge humbling process. Jesus I was completely happy with just You. I am so blessed that You have chosen to give me a house. I only pray that it is used completely to glorify You and that I never lose sight of the fact that I don't deserve it and I only need You.

Isn't It Ironic

2010-02-05T10:58:00.000-08:00

In October I began a new blog called Habitual Impracticality. This blog is currently dedicated to my goal of becoming organized. I read books and articles and implement them and blog to keep myself accountable.

This has helped me a lot as I cleared through the clutter. The worst area was my bedroom closet. In October, when I began, my closet was a catchall for anything I didn't know what to do with.

I finally cleared through that clutter. The box that was the most embarrassing to me was where this gets ironic. A year and half after moving in I finally packed the one box that you always have when you move, the final "just throw the rest in this open box and we will deal with it after we move." I never dealt with it. I knew of some important papers and grabbed those out. I knew I had some pens in there. But when I cleared it out I found all kinds of things I had forgotten about. Plus old (paid) bills from WAY before the move.

And now I am moving again. Go figure.

And So It Continues...

2010-02-04T22:32:00.000-08:00

The real estate world is quite fascinating. It is amazing how many things have to happen and in what order. Tomorrow is the inspection. My grandfather is going to be doing it for me, which is nice because it makes me really comfortable. Then Monday is the appraisal where they come and make sure the house is worth what it is supposed to be worth. Pray that my roof is ok. Thats the one area I'm not sure about. My prayer is that the roof is in great shape or if the roof needs replacing or repairing the sellers would be willing to pay for it.

I have packed 3 boxes and I am going to do one more tonight. Then its bathtime and resting. I still can't believe this is happening.

Tomorrow I will take pictures while I am there! YAY!

So...It Begins

2010-02-02T20:52:00.000-08:00

Dear my precious friends and family,
As many of you may have heard, I have a house. It is my dream house. It is a complete blessing from God. it is one of those stories that you often hear of "we should not have been able to afford it," and I am completely overwhelmed.

Tonight I packed my first box and then I bawled like a baby. Ok, maybe I just teared up but I felt like bawling like a baby. I am so blessed that as I type this my mascara is threatening to run down my cheeks. I cannot begin to tell you how blessed I am by God.

Escrow is scheduled to close on March 12. Can you believe it? Thats 38 days. 38!!!

I must go now. Mascara is burning my eyes.

Bri

Weekend 4

2010-01-30T19:59:00.000-08:00

Ok, updates! I was on vacation so I was not able to go looking until today. HOWEVER, on Tuesday evening I got an email from my Realtor for this house that I absolutely LOVE!!! I went and saw it on Wednesday and put an offer in. There were some other factors so I might not know until Tuesday.

So, today we went and looked at some more houses. My dad came with us for this one. There were some settling type ones but nothing that popped. So we will wait until Tuesday and see if I need to keep looking.

Reading Aloud

2010-01-11T19:03:00.001-08:00

You may think this hobby unique, you may call me strange for it, perhaps you will just wonder what compels me to enjoy it, but when you look at the member list of 20,000 names perhaps your point of view will shift a little. Instead you will wonder how you have not heard of this before, you will begin to ponder if you might enjoy it since so many others do, and you might just step into this strange world of mine and become addicted as well.

For me it began with the word 'free'. I was allured to that. I forget what first caused me to stumble across the site. At first it started with just listening. As I listened to the intro of each chapter I started to think, "I could do that." Then it shifted to curiosity, "I wonder what its like to do that." I started browsing the forums wondering if I dared enter this world that seemed so different and so alluring.

So I went and bought the cheapest mic I could, I set it up, signed up for 1 chapter and I was hooked. A year and a half later and I am already considering how I can get a better mic as I sign up for my second solo project.

Perhaps you will find yourself, one day, writing a similar story. Perhaps you will find your place in the community of volunteers who enjoy seeing the public domain library grow and expand for unexplainable reasons. Perhaps you will know the sense of pride and accomplishment when you finish an entire book on your own. Or perhaps you will join the more silent but completely necessary community of PLs and MCs. Perhaps you will understand what these terms mean. Perhaps you will simply be a dedicated listener, enjoying the wonderful classics that are out there, listening to a world of forgotten but wonderful stories.

Regardless you won't know until you try. You may surprise yourself and find yourself immersed into a new wonderful world.

Or you may continue to think that this is a unique hobby that makes me a little strange and wonder why I enjoy it.

Weekend 2 Results

2010-01-08T17:28:00.000-08:00

I have not much to post here. There was no house that stood out to me. I am beginning to get discouraged and then I realize that I have only been looking for a week. I need patience. I think its good that I will be leaving town and not have the chance to look for a bit. I need some time to let things come out and see what happens. Perhaps February will be my month.

On the upside I went and started the pre-approval process with the lender so that will be one step closer when we do find the place.

Pray for the right place in the right location. There were a few potentials but they were on the whole other side of town and not exciting enough for me to be ready to settle for that side of town just yet. I may do that closer to April but not quite yet.

House Hunting 2nd Weekend

2010-01-07T21:31:00.000-08:00

Weekend 2 begins tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. I am not sure how many places we will be looking at but I am excited. There are quite a few houses that are still within my range if I am willing to be a little further from church. There is a manufactured house across the street from one of the elders that is in pretty good shape in a nice neighborhood. I will keep you posted!

Briana

Weekend 1 Results

2010-01-04T19:47:00.000-08:00

Update, the house had another offer on it and it was accepted prior to me getting to put in an offer. But I am cool with it. God has given me such a peace through all of this. Praise God.

There is a cool thing that has come out of all of this though, that is the Nevada Rural Housing program called MCC. It is a tax credit of up to 30% of all the interest paid on the mortgage. That is an annual thing that would happen every year for the life of the loan as long as I am in the house. AMAZING!

We will go house hunting on Friday. I will keep you posted!!!

House Hunting 1st Weekend

2010-01-02T17:34:00.000-08:00

Perhaps you do not know, perhaps you do, but I am looking to buy a house. I have been considering this for a little bit now but today began the first of the househunting weekends. Possibly the last, possibly the first. Who knows but God?

We looked at a few and this one was my favorite for today:
http://www.trulia.com/property/1093207362-902-Peridot-Ct-Carson-City-NV-89705

It needs some maintenance and there may be an issue that will rule it out altogether but we will see. I will be praying about it over the weekend and look at it again Monday and then decide if I will make an offer.

Pray for me please!

Writer's Ball

2009-12-28T17:41:00.000-08:00

What would be the opposite of Writer's block? Writer's Free Flowing? Writer's Open Box? I suggest to you Writer's Ball, for two reasons. The opposite of square is round, so the opposite of a block would be a ball. Plus it means you are on a roll. Either that or you have so many ideas that they are all bouncing around very fast. Either way it works. It is not like a block that just sits there doing nothing, like a lump in a bog.

Christmas Blessings

2009-12-22T23:17:00.000-08:00

Every Christmas it is my tradition to get a new CD, an ornament and a Nativity. This year I was able to get my ornament very early. It is very pretty, a cross. The CD I got pretty early too, some instrumental that we used for our ladies tea and our Christmas dinner. But the Nativity, well that, that one was difficult. Last year I found a paper pop up that you put together yourself on clearance. I wasn't able to keep it but it was precious. This year I could not even find something like that.

I was pretty discouraged but resigned. I figured I would pick up the tradition next year but this would be my first year on my own that I had not gotten one. To top it off I always put a Nativity under my tree and this year I had my tree on a new stand and could not fit any on it.

On Sunday Tonya gave me a present and told me to open it immediately. It was a Teddy Bear with a sash that said, "Jesus is the light of the world" which is our theme for this year's Christmas program. He is SO cute! I adore him!!! There was another little package and I asked her if I shoudl open it and she said yes. And, yes, as you probably guessed, it was a Nativity! It is so precious! This morning I saw it and realized it was small enough to fit under my tree!!! It is precious!!! See:

My Apologies

2009-12-21T22:28:00.000-08:00

For those of you who do not know I am directing this year's Christmas program. Yesterday was our dress rehearsal. Unfortunately I was very short with everyone, and no I am not referring to my height.

I forgot that I was dealing with people. I lost sight of my true focus, Christ! I acted in the flesh instead of the Spirit. I have apologized to part of my team and will be doing full confessions to everyone on Wednesday.

So, to anyone reading this that was part of Sunday's rehearsal, I am very sorry. I was not acting in love. I was a clanging cymbal.

Thank you all for your understanding.

Taking a Break

2009-12-08T21:01:00.001-08:00

My Faithful Readers,
This is an explanation for my Habitual Impracticality blog, as well as an update for my Symmie's Spot blog and for Facebook.

The explanation of why I didn't post yesterday is because Sunday was our Annual Ladies Tea. It was beautiful! We had a huge turnout, more than expected, and everything ran smoothly. How did this affect my blogging you ask? Well, I had taken my laptop to church with me to use in the powerpoint portion of the tea (we read a book every year and I project the pictures so all can see). As we were leaving that night I said, "I don't need my laptop tonight, I will bring it home tomorrow."

Well tomorrow came and so did a foot and a half of snow!!! My little car is not heavy enough to drive well in snow so Pastor Pat declared a snow day!!! It was so nice to stay home and rest and relax. I got some Christmas presents done and I am going to keep working on more tonight.

Now for another update. I will not be posting any more this week. I have become very selfish and self centered lately. Sunday the teaching was powerful and convicting regarding sin in our lives and getting to the point to where our sin breaks our hearts because of what it does to Jesus' heart, not because we got caught. The Lord convicted me for my self-centered thinking and I am going to be doing a media fast all this week. For me my computer is all about entertaining me, when I am not constantly wanting to be entertained is when I start recognizing others and am not focused on my comfort and ease.

So see you in 6 days!

Leading and Well...Capturing Those Thoughts

2009-11-02T22:08:00.001-08:00

Tonight our Women's Bible Study Worship leader was gone. She is at a worship conference in Southern California. Due to this fact I was leading worship from the piano with another lady to help me with vocals. It was interesting. 2 weeks ago I picked my set. I am ahead with the study so I picked the set according to the things the women were studying this week. The Lord had completely guided me in choosing the songs. In fact a couple of them I didn't want to play but the Lord kept saying, "do it!" So I pulled them out and realized how perfectly they fit.

After I spent 2 hours praying, playing, and picking, I started doubting. I began to think that I had picked all old songs and I should have picked something newer. But I knew that God had led in the choosing of the songs and so I was trying hard not to doubt the decision.

2 weeks later, I start practicing and we can't get any sound out of the keyboard. So we decide to switch keyboards, then that one has a horrible hissing sound when we unmute it. I was struggling not to stress but to trust that God had a plan. From there I went and practiced on a different piano while they fixed the problems.

In the end everything went fine, but I was so emotionally exhausted (I think that is why?) that I went in the office and cried afterward. But my vocalist said people worshipped. That's what matters right? At least I know the Lord loved it because He loves the praises of His people.

A Month Of Thankfulness

2009-10-29T14:34:00.001-07:00

Many people, when asked, will say this is their favorite time of year, "the holiday season." But how many of us simply pass over Thanksgiving to get to Christmas? We may say that the holiday season is our favorite but do we forget one of the main holidays involved? Its a valid question and I pray the answer is 'no.'

My father always said that his favorite holiday was Thanksgiving. He taught me growing up to make sure that I did not just rush through Thanksgiving to get to Christmas. It is difficult sometimes because there is a lot more surrounding Christmas. It seems that once December 1st hits we have parties to plan, baking to do, Christmas music to listen to, gifts to buy...and the list goes on and on and on. But what preparation does Thanksgiving take? Planning a meal and deciding who's house we are eating at this year.

Perhaps we should take this season to change that. Let's make November 1st be the beginning of a planning time, create traditions, plan Thanksgiving parties, write some thank you cards to mail out, and so on. There are a lot of ways to get Thanksgiving to be more of a part of the Holiday Season than it is.

Here is one idea you can start right away, print a calendar for November. Every night have your family decide what the blessings of the day were and write them on that day. Then on Thanksgiving you have 20-something things to be thankful for already!

May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving and may you be filled with the Joy of the holiday season! And, as most of us know, Jesus is that Joy!

Let Me Explain Again

2009-10-22T21:27:00.001-07:00

My world has become very strange. I am beginning to wonder how people view me. Perhaps, they view me the same, but if the tables were turned I would think I was a finicky person. Its annoying that I have had to become finicky. Perhaps finicky is not the right word. Sickly? Fragile? I'm tired of saying, "no thank you. I can't eat that." Then, again, needing to explain why.

Some people are very good about it and catch on right away. One lady made us some gingerbread for the office and let me know it was dairy free and soy free. I was so blessed that she took the time to even think of that. Made me feel normal again in a small way.

Pastor Pat tries. Its very sweet. He put some soup in our "Staff Cupboard" the other day and said, check it out you might be able to eat it, it has a lot of fiber in it. I knew right away that it was Progresso which has soy in every soup I have ever looked at, and just said, "oh ok!" Its sweet because he tried. I think that the fiber confused him because he knows it affects my stomach.

Another woman the other day kept trying to make me allergic to gluten. When I say, "kept trying" I mean about five times in our short conversation she said, "so you are allergic to soy and gluten?" "No, dairy and soy." "But I thought you were allergic to gluten?" "No, I never said that." "Well somebody is! Who said they were allergic to gluten?" Then a few minutes later, "so let me get this straight, you are allergic to Dairy and soy and gluten?" And around and around we went. She was making me laugh so hard.

This morning Chris came in and opened both the front doors up because it was such a gorgeous day out. There was a fire nearby and I could immediately smell the smoke. It bothers my eyes and throat so much that sometimes I can tell from that before I even smell it. I had to shut the doors and I felt so bad.

Then there's my nickle or aluminum allergy (not sure which yet)...

All these things mean I am constantly explaining why I can't....no I can't....No I'm allergic to....

Then when I get really frustrated I think of my cousin. My precious precious cousin who has 5 kids with food allergies. Such severe allergies that the only place they can eat out is In-N-Out and thats only if they get the hamburgers protein style with no sauce. My precious precious cousin who never complains. Who, I know gets discouraged but has more courage than anyone I know. Who deals with this much more than I do.

I think of her and I think, I have nothing to complain about.

So I keep on explaining. One day they will all understand and it will be no big deal anymore. Praise God! Oh wait, one day we will be in heaven and I can sit down with my cousin Nathan and teach him how to eat nacho cheese doritos dipped in cream cheese!!! PRAISE GOD!

Prettier Dead

2009-10-12T14:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, as we drove to Sacramento and admired the beautiful colors of the leaves changing, someone said, "You realize that it is just rotting leaves!"

Today I was dusting and as I allowed the oils to soak into the wood it occurred to me how often we take something, kill it, then try to make it look alive again. Just think for a moment, we cut flowers, killing them, then stuff them into a vase filled with water and usually some sort of flower food, or soda to keep them alive longer. We cut down a tree then take the wood and add stain, some sort of protective coating and all kinds of fancy stuff just so it will not rot.

There is no Spiritual correlation here. When we are dead Spiritually we never try to make it look like we are alive. I mean, after all, that would be hypocritical would it not? And then to take our sin, which is basically death waiting to happen (James 1), and justify it to make it look righteous, well that is just ridiculous and we would never do something ridiculous.

So I suppose this is just a post with some random thoughts that will not provoke any conviction in my own heart. But golly, this post is sure pretty. Look at the oranges and golds and browns!

What I'm Watching Right Now

2009-10-09T00:05:00.000-07:00

I'm watching this movie right now called Noises Off. it is the best movie ever!!! It cracks me up! I have never really had a cast THIS insane, thank God! Oh but this movie is hilarious. I think I will make it a requirement to watch before being in any plays :)

Dating and Shampoo

2009-10-02T15:05:00.000-07:00

Last night I had a dream that I met a guy. Then I woke up this morning and realized it was just a dream. Needless to say I was feeling a little down in my singleness this morning. Not terrible, just somewhat. So I pulled out the tools that God has given me to combat these feelings and prevent it from becoming a self-pity party, His Word. My Bible study this morning ministered to my heart!

Then I pulled out another tool, fellowship. I jumped on facebook, asked for prayer and could tell right away that people were praying. Then I started reading a new book I got called "Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye?" Which sounds depressing but its actually a book that takes your focus and puts it on God's purpose for you in your singleness.

Lastly, I put it all down and decided to jump in the shower. Let me remind you I am kid sitting so I am not at my house. As I reached for the shampoo I noticed something on the back of the bottle, "dull hair attracting duds?"

Did that say what I thought it said? I looked again, sure enough, "Dull hair attracting duds?" Well of course this required more investigation so I read on and under "what to do" it said, "It's way less complicated than the dating game - just lather and rinse."

At this point I laughed out loud and thought, "what was I thinking! I don't need that book or the Word or my friends, I just need shampoo!!!"

Blah blah blah

2009-10-02T09:24:00.000-07:00

Parenting is quite the job. First, with the 3 kids last week I learned that even when kids are good and pretty self sufficient (they are 11, 13, and 15 ish) its exhausting trying to remember everything, answering questions, deciding on dinner, making sure homework gets done, cooking dinner, making sure chores get done, deciding dinner for the next day.

Did you know that kids have to eat EVERY DAY! That doesn't sound that crazy but it truly is. Every single day. 3 times a day!

Oh but the times of laughter and fun that comes with these kids is like medicine to my soul. My soul wasn't sick so maybe thats not it. Chocolate to my soul. Except its good for me. But Carrots to my soul just doesn't sound the same.

So, this week I have 1 child who is 15 years old (WHAT! It was just yesterday that she was 11). She is precious as well and very good as well. We have had some good talks about life.

But this one too...she eats every day.

I eat every day but for some reason its not as hard for me.

Next week I am back home and I am going to miss it. I will miss the dinner conversations, I will miss the millions of questions (children are inquisitive aren't they?), I will miss playing mom. But I will see them all again Sunday.

This post has no purpose. I am just in a rambling mood. A good mood. Just rambly.

Next week I am going to begin preparing for Christmas. Crazy as it sounds I am determined to be relaxed and enjoy the holidays this year! In fact, soon I will be teaching on Holiday Time Management and we will be talking about how to enjoy the holidays not just survive them. So, I will post more as I prepare.

Day 3 of being a mom of 3

2009-09-25T11:47:00.000-07:00

So today is day 3 of having 3 kids. They have been great. We had a lot of fun last night giggling and laughing about the silliest things! But let me start with day 1.

Day 1 there was a homework problem. It was supposed to be done when I got home from work, it wasn't. It was then supposed to be done before dinner, it wasn't. Then it was supposed to be done during worship practice, it wasn't. So at that point I decided no fun at church until homework is done. So immediately after service I went with the 2 older kids and helped them finish. It was simple stuff but both of them drug it out ALL day!!!

Thursday night I came home and they were finished already! Praise God! So we had a chicken (I made a whole chicken...yum!) and then grabbed ice creams, walked to Tatums house and played with the kids (I got to hold the new baby), then went back home. Once home shower time for the kids. While the other kids were waiting they laid on my bed with me and watched 24. They have already seen parts of it so they would ask me, "has blahblah happened yet?" Or "Do you know about..." I would threaten them with their lives if they gave something away and they would laugh. At one point I told Jacob I was going to kick him out of the room if he said one more thing. He made a comment about me not really doing it so I started pushing him off the bed with my feet and then kept pushing him until I got to the door. It was funny. Then when we were going to bed the girls kept trying to fall asleep in my bed so I would tickle them out of it. We were all laughing. But everyone was in bed by 9!!!

Today I am running errands while they are in school. Then we will eat dinner and I will go to worship practice. So it will be a quiet evening.

Donate Blood at Calvary Chapel of Carson City Community Room

2009-09-23T01:04:00.001-07:00

Donate Blood at Calvary Chapel of Carson City Community Room

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Here We Go Again...

2009-09-22T23:01:00.000-07:00

So, in addition to my allergy to milk and soy I do believe I have a metal allergy. Consensus seems to be that most people are allergic to Nickel so I am suspecting that first.

Funny thing...all these years I have had a horrible time shaving. I always have to have brand new razors and expensive ones on top of that. I have to use shaving cream, the stuff for sensitive skin, and I need to have lotion put on immediately after. That doesn't stop the razor burn but it cuts back on it.

So, what if there is nickel in the blade?

I NEVER thought of that until today. Random thought. After some research on a few sites I have found that all blades pretty much have nickel, which is silly since so many people are allergic. There is only one exception that I can find and that is the Schick Quattro Titanium, which is coated with Titanium. Should I buy one and shave with only soap and see what happens??? :)

Second question...does my electric razor have nickel in it? I don't know. I have emailed the company, as they have NO information whatsoever about what type of metal they use. I didn't specify Nickel though just in case it turns out to be aluminum, another popular allergy.

Ahhh...welcome to the Simmons/Huy/Hernandez world of crazy allergies!!!

I have to say, allergy free, thats amazing. I feel great when I have no milk/soy. Can you imagine how wonderful I will feel when I am nickel free? ;)

Mom for a Weekend...........or Two

2009-09-22T19:57:00.000-07:00

So, I will be going tomorrow to kidsit for a family with 3 kids. 1 preteen and 2 teenagers. They are good kids and it will be fun. Its a little hectic because I have to merge my calendar with theirs and plan on being home and cooking dinner every night. Not used to that :) haha. Thats Wednesday through Sunday.

Next Wednesday through Saturday I will be sitting for 1 teenager of a different family. That one will be a little simpler as its only one kid and she lives right by the church. She's a good kid too. Its a blessing.

Keep me in prayer!!!

Organization Day 2

2009-09-18T11:20:00.000-07:00

So I am reading a book called "Simplify Your Life." It is very helpful. My goal is to read a little bit every day and since today is my day off I was able to read a whole chapter. Today's chapter was about calendars. So I went ahead and updated my schedule for the next 2 weeks and an overview of the month. I am excited! The tips she said in order to avoid burnout was 1 weekend night (Fri-Sun) free a week and 2 weeknights (Mon-Thurs) a week free. I thought for sure I would fail miserably but I looked and realized I have a couple nights free. I do have later nights but they are free. I am blessed!!!

As for today's project, to work on my bins by my bed I am going to do that right now and then come and finish this post. So I will see you in 15 minutes!

Ok! Accomplished. Its not done, may take a few more days but it is much better already! Pray for me. The next few days working on this area will be the hardest because this is when all the tough decisions will have to be made. Decisions of what to keep, what to toss, where to store things, where to store things until I clean out more. That type of stuff.

Ok, I am off to freeze some fruit. Goodbye!

Organization

2009-09-18T00:02:00.000-07:00

So I have had a goal for a while of trying to organize for 15 minutes a day. Its been off and on and I haven't gotten very far but I start again today. My goal is my room first. I want to get my room organized. My closet still has stuff I meant to go through when I moved and I never did. Plus I have several bins that are overflowing and need to be cleaned out. I also want to go through my clothes again and get rid of more.

So, this morning I did a 15 minute pick up. Can't organize till you can see the clutter right :) I got so much accomplished my room is beginning to look better already. Tomorrow I will start on the bins and then I will move to the closet. Though that might take me a few days.

So there we go! I was going to post pics but I left my camera at work. So maybe another day.

More Updates...or so

2009-09-14T23:48:00.001-07:00

Hello, its me again.

So, we start our annual Poiema (poeima???) group which is a discipleship group for the Senior High Youth Kids.

It began with us kidnapping them (with parental permission) out of their beds (oh that was SO fun!!!) and taking them and interrogating them (ok, we just read them the Poiema contract and then took them to breakfast).

This is my first year participating and its because a girl I was already discipling is part of the group this year so I came on.

It has been amazing. The kids meet with one of us once a week, but a lot of them will still come and talk to others of us. This time is to hold them accountable to things if necessary, talk about what's going on in their lives, to encourage them, and basically, disciple them. It's amazing to meet with someone and watch them grow Spiritually. God is SO good!

We are all memorizing the entire book of James. Sounds crazy...but its not so hard. We have until April 25 and we work on it in small chunks. For example, right now we are working on 1:9-18, and we have two weeks to learn it. See...not so bad.

Every other week we meet as a group. We quote our Scriptures, have dinner, worship, and have a Bible study time.

We have only met twice but I am already sensing a deep bond of friendship forming between the 9 of us involved. There are 5 adults and 4 youth. It is such a precious time and my love for these kids is just growing and growing. It is priceless. I hurt when they hurt, I am sad to have to correct, but the joy of seeing them take their hurt to God, to see them take correction and change, to see them growing and hungering after God's Word...Oh I could go on and on. They are precious to my heart and I love them.

There is something so amazing about being able to speak into someone's life. I love working with youth kids for that simple reason. To see them grow into these adults that love God and His Word and hunger and thirst for righteousness, and to know that you had a part however small in that, well there's nothing like that.

Dreams

2009-09-12T11:12:00.000-07:00

I want Cate Blanchett to narrate our Christmas play. She wouldn't have to come, just record the narration and send it to me. I can't afford to pay anything.

Do you think I have a chance? :)

Christmas

2009-09-08T22:13:00.001-07:00

I was going to post on here about our trip to SoCal but most everyone who reads my blog was either there or saw the pictures on Facebook. So I will say that we had an amazing time and were very blessed, but that is all I will say about it for now. I want to write about Christmas!

I went shopping tonight to start testing a few ideas I have for Christmas gifts. I am very excited. I am doing homemade stuff and food gifts this year and have a couple of unique ideas that I think will be a lot of fun. So tonight I am going to update my blog (which I am currently doing) and then go test one of the recipes. I would let you know how it turns out but I don't want you to know what I am doing! I do know that this year I WILL NOT have sourdough starters all over my kitchen drying on every flat surface possible. That was just too much last year. Fun, but I missed having my kitchen!!!

So, on that note, I am going to find a cute image for this and sign off. Love you all!!!

My New Blog

2009-09-02T20:25:00.001-07:00

I have started a new blog called Habitual Impracticality...can you believe it? I don't know what has come over me. Oh wait...I do, it is the movie Julie and Julia. Read it, but if you don't like it, please don't tell me. Oh I don't want to know.

I usually keep this blog to news about me, appropriately blogworthy stuff...but I think this new one will be simply for my own enjoyment. The style of writing that I enjoy. The things I like to write about. I'm very sorry, I am not going to worry about my readers at all. So, as I said, if you don't like it, please don't tell me. I would be sad.

Enjoy!

Promised a Miracle

2009-08-11T10:05:00.000-07:00

If you ever get the opportunity to watch the movie Promised a Miracle, do it. It is a very difficult movie to watch, based on a true story, but it is a valuable lesson for every Christian to learn about faith and love.

I do believe in healing, I do believe God can and does perform wonderful amazing miracles. But I also believe that His ways are not my ways, that He has plans that are far greater and bigger than we can imagine. I believe that people like Nick Vujicic (www.lifewithoutlimbs.org) have a beautiful gift. Not a disability but a gift to use what God has entrusted them with to bring Him glory. Nick said that for him to go through life without limbs is worth it for just one soul to be in heaven, heaven is that important.

Often we want miracles to relieve our suffering. Sometimes we justify it by figuring out how God will be glorified through it (Nick stated, "God if you heal me I will go on Oprah! It will be a powerful testimony of you!). But we do not always know the ultimate purpose God has for our suffering. Sometimes it is healing and when it is, it is glorious and a huge blessing. But when its suffering we are blessed with the sweetest most intimate moments with our precious Savior.

Philippians 3:10 talks about knowing Christ so well, even the "fellowship of His suffering." James talks about counting it joy when we go through trials because of what those trials work in us.

Oh to be surrendered to the point of embracing suffering as a gift from God. Trusting Him for the miracle, should He choose, but seeking the intimacy with Him above all. Believing that all things are possible through Him, but submitting to His plan, whatever that may be.

A Letter To My Future Husband

2009-08-05T10:37:00.000-07:00

The following is a pamphlet I found at Spirit West Coast and I loved it so much I am just quoting the entire thing. I have written letters of my own but this is worded so well that I do not need to rewrite it at all:

"You were made to be loved...and sincerely I have loved you, the thought of you, my life long." - Elizabeth Barrett Browning

If you are reading this letter, it is because you may become my husband one day. Lately, my mind and my heart have been filled with thoughts of you and the family that we will one day share.

I wonder where you are and what you are doing. Are you dating someone? Relationships have become so pressure-filled, haven't they? I mean, guys and girls alike treat dating as if they were married, expecting an instant commitment and sometimes sleeping together. I've heard that it's easier to share your body than it is your soul. How sad that we are taught, even in grade school, how to share our bodies with the opposite sex, but not our hearts or our souls. Seems totally backwards, doesn't it?

The temptations we face are real, and i know how hard it can be to stay chaste. I've been tempted too, but then I think of you and how i want our wedding night to be perfect. Maybe that's why I wanted to write to you, to tell you that I am real. At some point in our future, our paths will cross, and we will eventually spend our lives together in marriage. It would seem a shame to go into our marriage with the baggage that past sexual relationships bring.

That quote I put at the top of the page - I mean it. Think about it. You were made to be loved - unconditionally loved, that's how I promise to love you. Where you have been before today, well...that's all in the past, and that's where it should stay. Maybe you had no idea that I was here. But now you know, and how you live your life from today forward matters to me a great deal. I know that the media, Planned Parenthood, MTV, your friends and maybe others are telling you that sex before marriage is OK as long as it's "safe." Don't buy it. The truth is that the only safe sex is inside of marriage. There are STDs, abortions, emotional scars and teens becoming parents before they are ready. Sex before marriage leaves scars that are hard to heal, sometimes impossible.

To a lot of people it may seem totally crazy that I'm asking you to think of our future. They'd tell you to live for the moment. I'm all for living in the present, but thining about the future can help you avoid decisions that may alter your future - our future. I want you to experience life, travel, figure out who you are, go to the moon if you want. Take advantage of this time in your life to learn everything that you can. That will only make our marriage stronger. Just don't jeopardize us.

Beocming a man can be difficult. Some guys try to earn their manhood by compromising their values. Sex before marriage won't make you a man. It will only serve to keep you a little boy who can't control himself. THat's not the kind of guys that I want or deserve. I need a man who won't compromise his family but will put me first - even before he meets me; a man whose strength lies in his virtue, his character and his ability to be an example at work, at play and, most importantly, in our home. A real man knows how to love completely - with his mind, heart, body and soul. This may sound like a lot to ask of you, but it will all be worth it. I will love you completely - I can promise you that!

You need to know that I"m waiting for you. If there is one thing that I have learned through my dating experiences, it's that you are worth waiting for. My heart, mind, soul and body were made for you. We will complete each other in the most profoundly beautiful way imaginable.

From today forward, are you going to wait for me? Like I said, where you have been is in the past, but where you are going will affect our marriage. I need to know that you have learned self-control. I need to know that you think I am worth waiting for. I need to know that you are a man who respects and cherishes women - all women. The girl you are dating right now, or are going to date soon, may be someone else's future wife, and I need to know that you understand and respect that.

Real love is not a temporary feeling or emotion. Emotions and feelings change, sometimes daily. But true, unconditional love is constant. I met a couple the other day who have been married for 50 years, have seven children, 23 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. They looked like high school sweethearts. I asked them how they did it, how they made it work when so many marriages are falling apart. You know what he said? He said, "She knows I'm not perfect, and she still loves me. She's my best friend." How cool is that? That's what I want. I want us to be best friends. I want you to feel totally free to be you when you're with me.

Please read this often. THink of me often. I'm thinking of you. I can't wait to meet you. I can't wait to spend my life loving you. THanks for waiting for me. I promise it will be worth the wait!

With love,
Your future wife

Preciousness

2009-07-17T23:14:00.001-07:00

The El Salvador team has been back for a few days now so I have only been back in my house for a brief time. This means that there is very little food in my fridge. I was starving today on my way home from worship practice so I swung by a local grill and ordered some chicken wings to go. As I was sitting in the restaurant waiting for my food this precious little lady walked by. She had an oxygen tank that she was wheeling along and was balancing 3 to go boxes on top along with her purse. As she walked by she caught my eye and I asked if she needed help. She said no, then wheeled herself around and stood and waited for the rest of her party by me. That's when this started.

"This bag is the juicy one" she said as she set the first bag of take out down. "And this is my peach cobbler. I'm diabetic so I am going to eat it slowly over the next few days. But this is the juicy one, it was Chicken Picatta, you know the chicken with the lemon sauce on it?"

"I have never had that here but I love chicken picatta."

"The lady I am with had .....(I forget what she said), and the gentleman had ....."

She went on to tell me what everyone had.

"Sounds good."

"Well I had walking pneumonia..."

"Oh my goodness."

"You see I was born in 1936" (I must interject at this point and say that I had to concentrate not to laugh out loud) "and I was premature. The doctor told my mom that she could put me in an incubator and leave me in the hospital for a month or take me and put me in a little box and stay in a hotel room for a month. She decided to take the hotel room. But I was premature, that's why I got walking pneumonia. So between that, the oxygen and the diabetes I don't get out much. But it takes me longer so I started out here earlier than them."

Somewhere around this time her friends showed up. She thanked me and left.

Briana's Brain

2009-06-27T23:10:00.000-07:00

Dear all,
I have decided to leave Briana. Please do not judge me for this decision. I have tried to make this work for years but she does not appreciate me at all. She constantly abuses me. She is always ignoring me or overworking me. I can't take it anymore. I am leaving.

Sincerely,
Briana's Brain

VBS Day 1

2009-06-22T15:43:00.000-07:00

VBS day 1 went off great! We had 66 kids in attendance. I was Esterina the Emporer's wife :)

We have about 95 kids signed up???? WHAT??? I only planned for 70. So pray that that all works out. I am good on crafts tomorrow so we are going to wait until then. I may be shopping tomorrow last minute for some alternate crafts. YIKES!!!

Pray pray pray!!!
Bri

Help!!!

2009-06-06T23:58:00.000-07:00

I bought a gift today and went ahead and bought the $1 bag and the $1 package of matching tissue paper. Well, I went to wrap the gift and on the package of tissue paper are these instructions:
What do I do with the gift??? It doesn't tell me that!!!

WHY NOT?

2009-05-21T13:56:00.000-07:00

My cousin recently posted the following: Experimental and Strange and I read it and I have to totally agree.

Since she has taught our family so much about biomedical intervention and diet and intolerances and all of those things we have, as a family, grown so much. Her children are all doing fabulously, not just Nathan but all of them are healthier and able to live lives that are free of stomach problems, coping with OCD, allergy free etc. but her siblings have learned things they are allergic or intolerant to. My mom and myself are learning things that affect us negatively. Personally I have learned I have a horrible emotional reaction to certain foods. By learning this I have come out of a time of huge insecurity into a time of my life where I feel much lighter and more able to handle normal emotions.

All that to say that the burden she speaks of carrying for children with autism is in all of us now. Julee, one area you have touched very much is to create quite a few advocates for searching for the diet issues that most people overlook. I know my mom and myself have become spokespeople quite often.

But there is that burden and the oftentimes barrier of feeling as if you shouldn't say something. What do we do with that? It is such a simple solution in the sense that if that it works it is hugely helpful. Why do we keep silent? How do you tell the mother living on disability with very little money to do this that her child would probably have a whole lot less problems with ADHD if he was able to eat a diet that wasn't full of preservatives and sugar? How do you help someone who's child possibly has OCD to go spend $300 to get a food test done when money is tight and the test may do them no good?

This is sounding a lot like witnessing. Here we have the solution for eternity and yet we often keep silent. But at the same time we have to wait for the right opening. You can't just go in and slam someone with the Gospel or it will not be in love and not be accepted. Similarly you can't just go to a parent and say, "you should do it this way," you have to wait for the right opening and the right heart.

Its hard, the answer seems so obvious to us who have seen its effects (this is speaking on both topics now). We have seen changed lives, we have seen the freedom that comes with knowledge. But sometimes, we have to be silent because people expect us to preach and are already defensive before we even open our mouths.

I will end this now. I just couldn't help but relating to my cousins post so much so (obviously) that I had to write something! Please read her post. If only to learn more so that you too maybe one day can be an advocate as well. If you can help one person you have changed someone's entire life!

A Surprising Turnaround

2009-05-06T08:24:00.000-07:00

Last night I had the unique privilege and honor of attending a very private memorial service. For the past several weeks there has been a class held at our church. It is called PACE, or Post Abortion Counseling Eduction. This was a Bible study for woman who had abortions and were searching for healing.

There was something about just knowing this class was meeting at our church that made each of these women dear to me. I did not know some of them but as we would prepare the room for them my heart cried out that they would find healing and forgiveness in Christ.

About 2 weeks ago I was asked to run the logistical side of their final class. I was honored because I loved these women and had wanted so badly to hear their stories. It was a strange desire because there was nothing vicious in it, but simply wanting to hear the preciousness of the freedom they had found.

Last night was a memorial service that is held at the end of the class. It was absolutely precious. The women came in and were given a white rose representing each child that is in the hands of Jesus (miscarriages as well as abortions). This class had caused them to take a long hard look at abortion. It was not an easy class for them. But they had made it this far, had received a chance to give names to their babies, had looked at the fact that their children are in heaven and had received healing. During the evening they lit a candle representing each child and dedicated their children to God. While each woman knew their child was already with the Lord this service was to acknowledge and honor that fact.

Somewhere during this time something occurred to me that made me slightly jealous of these ladies. That might sound strange but I suddenly realized that they knew forgiveness in a way that I might never understand. They had gone through a very difficult study that caused them to take long hard looks at their hearts and come out with such gratefulness for the blood of the cross. Then the Lord reminded me that at the foot of the cross the ground is level. All sin is separating from Him and that I too could know that type of forgiveness. I just needed to confront my sin as honestly as they did theirs.

What a beautiful picture. Last night will forever be burned in my memory. Not only did I have the honor of hearing the stories of these precious women, loving them, spending time with them, but I was able to take a fresh look at the gift of salvation. Oh thank you Lord Jesus!

***Please note, if you or anyone you know is struggling from a past abortion, please call your local community pregnancy center and ask about the PACE program, or a similar Post Abortion Counseling. It is confidential and could change your life. I heard a couple testimonies last night from ladies who did not realize that the even needed something like this and how much freedom they have found.

Autism Awareness Month???

2009-04-19T22:37:00.001-07:00

Well...I had great plans...obviously they didn't make it far.

Not to dwell on my failures though...

We had a fabulous visit with my cousin Julee, her five kids and my Auntie Bev. The kids are precious. It was so fun to spend time with them. Timothy and I played games together. Katie Ann wrote stories that I read for her. I played Josiah like a guitar. Nathan and I got to talk and laugh a lot. And Maury I got to push in a stroller which, sounds boring, but I had a lot of fun moments with him during that time.

I will post pics on my facebook here in the next couple of days.

But God Told Me...

2009-04-13T09:30:00.001-07:00

Recently a friend of mine was dealing with an issue of a financial discrepancy. God had laid it on her heart to say nothing and do nothing but to trust Him to take care of it. She did what God asked. Later her husband became aware of the situation on his own. She told me that she was encouraging him to not say anything.

I had to stop her and tell her to pray about it but to be careful what she encouraged her husband to do. She was convicted to remain silent but he might be, as the priest of the family and the provider, convicted to do something. She had not considered that (neither had I until that very moment).

Pastor Pat gets this a lot with different decisions he makes. People think he should be more harsh or more lenient. People feel that he should act more quickly or back off...whatever the case may be, they might be convicted in a certain direction, or they might act differently if it were them in charge, but their convictions are based on where God has placed them. Pastor Pat's convictions are based on where God has him and what God is working in him and in our church.

I am writing all of this to say, the next time you question someone's decision, especially someone in a position of more responsibility than yourself, stop and consider, are they perhaps being held to some other conviction by the Lord than yourself? Perhaps whatever God is working in you is something totally different than what He is working in them.

Don't get me wrong, this doesn't mean we accept everything that those around us are doing no questions asked. I am just saying to stop and consider this one possibility before jumping to conclusions. Stop and ask them why they made the choices they did. Often people are willing to share, and you will be amazed at what you learn!

Autism Awareness Month

2009-04-01T10:37:00.000-07:00

April is Autism Awareness month. Please visit my cousins blog, Discovering Nathan, and get some awareness!

Soy Substitute?

2009-03-31T23:37:00.000-07:00

Many of you know I am soy intolerant. But I love soy and its hard to cook without it. So, the other day a friend of mine (Danny!) suggested I look for a soy substitute. I found one. It is basically balsalmic vinager along with Dark Molasses.

IT WAS DISGUSTING!!!

I am going to try again, another recipe calls for Beef Boullion, which I do not have on hand, so that will have to wait until tomorrow.

Ugh. I am not looking forward to that.

Welcome to my world of homemade foods with odd substitutes. Of course, Julee, this does not apply to you. I am barely close to your world...and thats just talking kitchen!

My next goal is to make soy free milk free graham crackers. THAT should be much easier!

Remember in 2009 when...

2009-03-30T23:34:00.000-07:00

So a friend of mine got me thinking...what are you going to look back to this year and say "Remember in 2009 when..."

If you are reading this, then finish the thought and let me know. Lets remember these things now!!! Couple rules...must be positive, and must have happened.

Here's a few of mine:

Remember in 2009 when...
...I was living in that adorable little one bedroom over Harold's house!
...I had 5 people over for dinner and I ran out of chairs!
...Tatum and I would make lunches on Tuesdays at church and we would all hang out and visit and eat!
...Elisa was born!
...I played that awesome trick on...oh wait...they don't know yet (haha, just kidding.......or am I?).
...I was cooking sourdough bread nearly every other week and eating almost all the loaf with the Antonucci House Dressing recipe!

Thats all for now...maybe I will follow up in a few months. Now tell me yours!
...

Salespeople

2009-03-23T10:24:00.000-07:00

I just hung up with a sales person and, before I forget, I HAD to share what happened:

Me: Calvary Chapel Carson City, this is Briana...
SP: Hello Briana, this call is to inform you that we will be sending some materials for you to look over. You are under no obligation, if you do not want the materials you can just send them back to us.
Me: I'm sorry, we are not interested.
SP: Briana you don't have to be interested, we will just be sending you some stuff
Me: If its something I have to send back I don't want it, I don't have time for that. Thank you.
SP: Thank you.

What? I don't have to be interested? Haha! I loved that one! I could just hear her wanting to say, "You don't have to be interested at all, just give us your credit card number!"

Got me laughing.

Poignant

2009-03-21T22:30:00.001-07:00

Have you ever been in the mood to talk but you don't have anything specific to talk about? That is poignant. Tonight, I am feeling poignant. I am in a quiet sad mood that makes me want to write, yet I have nothing to say. I guess that's the writer in me wanting to process my feelings but not sure quite where to take them.

Sounds of Heaven

2009-03-07T00:50:00.000-08:00

Wednesday night was one of those nights. I really enjoyed the teaching and worship and afterwards was blessed to spend time in fellowship with many people. However, as I stepped into the office to pick up my purse I just felt I needed a moment in the quiet darkness that the room held. So, for a moment I sat in my chair and just listened to the noises outside of the office. Music floated in from the Sanctuary as worship CDs played through the sound system. Laughter of kids playing in the hallways. I could hear multiple conversations of joyful people. Nothing really clear but all happy sounds. Then the feeling of how blessed I am completely overwhelmed me. I am so surrounded by such wonderful people that all love God and thats when it hit me. Heaven will sound just like that. When we get to heaven it will be like when you are on a retreat and there are pockets of everything happening at once. Some people will be in a corner playing worship music and singing, some children might be running through playing, some people will be laughing and telling stories to each other, but everything will have Christ's love shining through so clearly. I am so very blessed. I do not know if I can bear such joy as the Lord gives.

Eventually I did leave the room, but oh how I wanted to stay and just imagine heaven. It reminds me of a song by Amy Grant:

I'd love to live on a mountaintop, fellowshipping with the Lord
I'd love to stand on that mountaintop, 'cause I love to feel my spirit so
But I've got to come down from that mountaintop, to the people in the valley below
Or they'll never know, that they can go to the mountain, of the Lord.

Application to be My Hero

2009-02-21T10:16:00.000-08:00

This post was almost titled "Heroes." However, after some contemplation I realized that many of you would wonder "am I on her list of heroes?" Many of you may think that you should be. If that is the case please fill out the following list of questions and submit them to me by March 12, at 4 p.m. All applications will be reviewed. You will not be notified, nor will the list be published. Thank you:

Please submit, along with your full name, in typed form:
1. After having spent time with you do I walk away encouraged to be a better person just by being around you?

2. Do you have lots of wisdom that I can glean from?

3. Have you endured some major curve balls that the Lord has allowed to be thrown your way and truly blossomed in them?

4. Do you walk in the joy of the Lord regardless of your circumstances?

5. Do you exemplify Christ's love and graciousness to those that others would not be loving and gracious to?

6. Do you know how to diffuse a situation by saying just the right thing?

7. Do you show respect to those in authority, regardless if they deserve the respect or not, but respecting the position God has placed them in?

8. Are you humble and able to be taught and receive instruction?

9. Do you have people you are accountable to that will hold to you a high Godly standard?

10. Can you stand on your head, write the Gettysburg address and sing Jingle Bells backwards all the same time?

Every Need Filled...

2009-02-19T23:59:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was one of those constant mental attack days. At one point Kelly called the church and said, "how are you?" I said "ok, how are you" and she started laughing and said fine. I didn't ask her why she was laughing because I thought I knew the answer and I wasn't in the mood to try to explain that I didn't know what was really wrong with me. Afterwards Pastor Pat said she asked him what was wrong with me. I told him, "I feel funky today and I don't know why."

Ever have one of those days that you are depressed and kind of feel like you are looking for a reason to be depressed? Or maybe not depressed, frustrated, hurt, sad, take your pick. You just want a reason to feel like you do because then at least you know it will end. That was my yesterday.

All day I fought. I wanted to lash out at Pastor Pat but instead I prayed and asked God to give me patience because I knew what I was lashing out at was not even his fault. I wanted to stop singing during worship and just quit playing altogether but instead I kept drawing my thoughts back to God and the words of the song. Because I knew that Tom wasn't trying to manipulate me off the team, he was trying to make all of us sound better. I wanted to get up and leave the teaching because I felt I needed to be alone but instead I listened and asked God to help me through this because I was exhausted from the mental fight all day long.

You know what God did? He blessed me with a teaching that spoke right to the core of my heart. I was able to walk away from the teaching with tools to fight back. I was encouraged and I felt good yes, but that was just the side effect of remembering what my focus truly needs to be, Jesus. Getting back to the reasons that I do what I do, its all about Jesus.

Having experienced days like this before I truly expected to have a few more fighting days ahead. Tools are not cures, just tools. But the Lord blessed me this time by allowing me to wake up with such joy in my heart. Thank you Lord! I would have fought if you asked but it was such a blessing to be able to rest in You today!

Updates

2009-02-16T11:09:00.000-08:00

Its been a while so I thought I would do a quick update to catch you up to speed on where I have been the past few weeks.

We had a wedding at the church and I was the one running the sound and the MC at the rehearsal. It was really funny because I was more involved in this wedding than I had ever expected. At the rehearsal I was there ready to run sound. Pastor Pat was not doing there because he was not doing the wedding because there was an Uncle that was going to perform it. However I have seen many many many of Pastor Pat's rehearsals and he has a unique way of running them that helps them go much faster. The Uncle had never performed a wedding so I asked him if I could make a suggestion. He then told me that I was running it! So there I was running on the stage giving direction, then running back to the booth to practice the music portion. We were still done in under an hour! YAY!

Valentine's weekend was crazy fun. We hold a married and engaged couples dinner every year called Valentino's. We change the church into a very posh restaurant and have a fabulously filled evening. When the couples first walk in they are greeted by the Maitre'd and Maitre'dess (what do you call the girl?) who check their reservations (we have limited seating), take their coates, and then take them to two separate rooms. In the rooms they write a love letter to their spouse. There is stationary there and stickers and such to do this. Once finished they would then join back up to my room to take pictures. This was fun! I will tell stories in a minute. After the pictures they are then seated for dinner (this year was 5 courses! YUM! It was Soup, Salad, Pasta, Steak or Chicken entre and then a dessert place with a canoli, cheesecake, and creme brule to share between the two of them). Right before dessert Pastor Pat and Kelly spoke on marriage and mushy junk that I didn't want to hear so I went in the kitchen and ate. Then we were done.

The pictures were funny because I was waiting for the next couple and one of the ladies was waiting and waiting and waiting for her husband to finish. She finally laughingly said, "well we got in a fight on the way over here and so he's probably venting in his letter." We were laughing back and forth about this when he finally came out. So we go to the picture room. Now I do two full length shots and two close ups (I would do more but we have to work fast). If I get one good one of each I use my remaining two for fun shots. So usually I tell the couples "its a kissing shot." Well with this couple when I said, "its a kissing shot" the wife looked at me like I was asking her to walk 1000 miles in high heels. She literally groaned with her eyes and said, "Didn't I tell you that we were fighting?" I said, "Thats why you need to kiss more!" So I made them kiss like three times! For the rest of the evening I would tease them and they would tease back. At the end when they were leaving she said, "Well, we are kissing again and its all your fault!"

Another couple who I know has been married for quite some time (I think around 20 years or so) when I said, "ok now for a kissing shot." The wife turns to her husband, who was talking to me, and said, "Ok, ready?" then he looked and she said again, "Are you ready?" then they kissed, but something happened (I forget what, I think they thought I snapped the pic to early or something) and they wanted me to take it again. So I did and again she looked at him and said, "are you ready?" several times. So, when they were finished I said, "if you two don't have the timing down by now you really need some more practice!"

At the end of Valentino's, which was Friday night, we cleaned up and I got home at about 1 a.m. I was exhausted and had to make several trips from my car up the stairs to my door and then lugging everything in took me a few minutes. All this added up to the fact that when I finally had my door shut and turned around to start putting things away I finally noticed that sitting on my footstool was my favorite flowers, some chocolates and a balloon that said "I love you." It was SO sweet! My parents snuck in during the day and surprised me! Then on Saturday the three of us went to a late lunch and the movies. I was so blessed to have somewhere to be on Valentines day and then to have gifts to top it off! I had expected to be home alone all day. I was very very very blessed.

Well this post is extremely long. I will post something again another day. I just thought I had best catch people up.

Hold It With An Open Hand

2009-01-28T15:03:00.001-08:00

Hold It With An Open Hand

Nothing is truly yours to keep
Hold it with an open hand
Then if God requires it from you
You will be able to stand

Nothing is truly in your possession
Hold it with an open hand
Then if God chooses to redefine you
You will be able to stand

Only One should we hold and keep
Holding Him with a closed hand
Just One should we never let go of
This One will help us to stand

Only One has us in His possession
Holding us with a closed hand
This One is Jesus our Lord and Savior
He makes us able to stand

- Briana Simmons

My Newest Hobby

2009-01-21T11:44:00.000-08:00

So my newest hobby is reading books for Librivox.org...it is SO fun! (Mitchell girls! Remember when I would read out loud to you guys while you sewed? I loved it!). Anyways, if you click on the title you can find out about librivox...but here is a clip from a dramatic reading took part in for the Wizard of Oz. It is where different people read different parts (like a play only the WofO is not a play, so there is a narrator who reads the rest). Anyway, the book isn't done yet but you can here on this clip me playing the part of "Several Mice" It is SO funny. I was laughing so hard I was crying. Basically I recorded the same line 3 times with 3 different "mouse" voices. Enjoy!

http://upload.librivox.org/share/uploads/jc/wonderfulwizardofoz_40_severalmice_baum.wav

Lost In Austen: My Review

2009-01-19T00:05:00.001-08:00

Many of you may know that I absolutely love Jane Austen. I consider myself somewhat of a purist when it comes to Austen stuff as I like her books, I like some of the movies, but so far cannot get into any additional novels or modern day rewrites etc.

So, when I began to hear about Lost in Austen (on the JA Podnovel at http://japodnovel.mevio.com/) I was curious, even though it is a strange twist on the typical Pride and Prejudice. I watched the entire four episodes yesterday.

On a positive note it was a clever idea and done fairly well. I enjoyed the story and was in suspense at how they were going to make everything end nicely. It was somewhat funny too, which I did not expect too much. The acting was pretty good. I am biased towards my favorite depiction of certain characters but it really was nice to see a fresh perspective. Plus there were a few spins (like Wickham turns out to maybe be good?) that was kind of a fun twist.

I had to really get my head out of the typical Pride and Prejudice and think of this story as a totally new story. And once the purist in me was gone I did enjoy it.

However, there were some flaws to the story line. The most annoying to myself was the main character Amanda Price. She claimed at the beginning of the first episode that she had pretty nearly memorized the entire book. Her actions throughout the rest of the four episodes said otherwise. First of all, she should have remembered that Darcy tries to separate Jane and Bingley to begin with so why would she tell him that they had to get married. Secondly, she is so offended by Darcy's rudeness and yet she should have remembered that he starts off unlikeable. Thirdly, why was she trying to change the story? Lizzy is, after all, more of an observer in most of the happenings, when she does speak she is usually commenting on what she is seeing. Amanda could have just filled that same role by saying the same things Lizzy would have or did say. Finally she is so frustrated with the "repressed feelings" and the fact that nobody says what they mean when wouldn't a true Austen fan who had been reading it since she was 12 not only understand the double meanings in the language of the day but also have gotten some of the culture into her mind?

The next thing that really bothered me was Mr. Darcy. I do not feel this series was true to his character. Though, I can try to understand more here than with the above objections I showed. I believe they were trying to show a more human Darcy, but I felt that some of his actions were not noble and the true Mr. Darcy was much more noble. Part of his charm for women throughout time has been his honor and noble type character and this Darcy loses quite a bit of that in the way he is depicted in his friendship with Bingley and his relationship to his sister. He is shown more as a manipulator and someone that cannot be reasoned with. Bingley, who is shown much more sniveling and wimpy in this version, is swayed by Darcy's advice alone where in the book it takes Darcy and Bingley's sisters to do the job. Darcy is determined to separate the two where in the book Darcy is simply offering advice which Bingley listens to out of respect and the belief that it is true. Georgianna fears telling her brother the truth and Wickham even says if he knew the truth she would be turned out of the house.

Overall it was entertaining and definitely keeps you in suspense of what will happen next. However, there were a few points that I feel could have been changed to be more true to the original characters. I understand the twists that were there for the sake of the story, but to change how the characters respond to situations...well...then you might as well just give them a different name for they could apply to anyone.

I am not in college anymore and this is not for a grade, so this is just a simple review out of the memories that I have from watching about 3 hours worth of videos yesterday...so forgive me if I do not back up my arguments or if my case is presented poorly.

Kathy Laurie

2009-01-10T22:26:00.000-08:00

I was watching a DVD teaching today from the CC Pastors' Wives' Retreat and the final teaching of the retreat was amazing. I was crying throughout. At the very end though she started talking about Kathy Laurie. Many of you know that Greg and Kathy Laurie's son was killed in a car accident several months ago. Well, this teacher (sorry, I don't know who it was), is a close friend of the family and was there for some of their most painful moments. The things she saw in her friend Kathy was first great grief and second the Holy Spirit and Scripture just pouring out of her as she ministered to her daughter in law and her husband. The teacher explained that she was blown away by the things that Kathy was saying at such a time and God spoke and told her, "All that time that she has spent in My presence and in My Word is coming out of her now at her greatest tragedy."

It makes so much sense. When an olive is pressed the oil comes out. It really got me thinking though, what will squeeze out of me at times like that? What squeezes out of me in the small trials? I need to be using my time wisely and spending it soaking up Him and His Word so that when trials come, little or big, insignificant or life-changing, I will pour out the oil of His Spirit.

Lactase Intolerant!!!

2009-01-06T21:46:00.001-08:00

Many people are lactose intolerant I have decided to become lactase intolerant. Lactase is the enzyme which my body lacks and causes me to be lactose and soy intolerant. So I take an enzyme supplement to help with the foods that I cannot monitor (I try to avoid soy and milk for the most part).

Today I spent a good hour reading label after label in the store trying to find the enzyme with the most lactase in it. Here is what I found:

Some companies measure lactase with something called ALU, some with LacU, some with mg and some with FCC...oh wait...one more uses U/G.

I finally went to the counter with four different bottles and explained my dilemma, I got this:

"Really? That is weird...I don't know. Maybe I can look it up online."
"Yes please, I am trying to figure out which one has the most lactase in it and have no way of comparing."
Type type type...asks me dumb questions so I have to explain all over again what I am trying to do. Type type type.
"It says here that there is no conversion possible between mg and FCC"
Ok, dummy, that doesn't help me, find something that does convert! So I say,
"Well what about ALU and LacU"
Type type type
"One ALU is equal to one LacU"
"Ok thank you"

I actually had a million more questions, like WHY DO THEY USE SO MANY MEASUREMENTS!!! and what about ALU to mg, or FCC, and so on, but I was tired of talking to that guy and had a headache from reading so many frustrating labels. In the end I got a months worth of something for $30. THIRTY dollars for one month! YIKES!!! Lord help me find something better.

Happy New Year

2009-01-05T11:14:00.000-08:00

As I was assessing this year and looking inward, I thought this fitting to share with you. The purpose is to see some of the great minds of our time and see who we most likely would consider a role model. Try it it was extremely profound to me.

God Bless

Briana Simmons

Try it without looking at the answers first.

1) Pick your favorite number between 1 and 9.

2) Multiply by 3.

3) Add 3.

4) Multiply by 3 again. I'll wait while you get the calculator. You will get a 2-digit number.

5) Add the two digit number together.

Now with that number see who your ROLE MODEL is from the list below:

(Scroll down)

1. Albert Einstein

2. Abraham Lincoln

3. John McCain

4. Nelson Mandela

5. Elvis Presley

6. Mahatma Gandhi

7. Brad Pitt

8. Bill Gates

9. Briana Simmons

10. George Washington

I know… I just have that effect on people. One day you too may be like me. Believe it!

PS. Stop picking different numbers. I AM YOUR IDOL, JUST DEAL WITH IT!

Romantical and Tragical Scopes for the Imagination

2009-01-05T00:14:00.000-08:00

I got an iPod for Christmas and this has opened up a whole world of podcasts. I love them. I found Anne of Green Gables there on the podcast and have been fully enjoying laughing out loud at Anne's antics. The movie is fabulous but the book...oh the book is so romantical. No one can truly ever be in the depths of despair if there are others tragical stories to listen to. Anne really does have a tragical story. Her life, up to the point of the beginning of the book, was a graveyard of buried hopes.

If any of this is making sense to you or stirring in your soul, then you must be a kindred spirit. If not, then you surely have no scope for the imagination and are truly missing out.

Unprofitable Servant

2008-12-31T00:04:00.000-08:00

Recently Pastor Pat decided that we should start reading Scripture out loud every day at church. So Monday-Friday from 12:15-12:45 you can find us in the Sanctuary reading a chapter of the New Testament, a chapter of Proverbs and a chapter of Psalms. If you care to join us you may. If you cannot make it in person click here for the reading schedule.

This has been such a blessing and a great time of conviction for me. God keeps showing me through the Scriptures we read exactly what I need to work on. Today I was asking Pastor Pat about an area that I was confused in and it turns out I was only confused because I didn't want it to apply to me the way it does. It makes a lot more sense if I don't try to fight the conviction!

I love God's Word! It may be painful at times but I know it is for my best.

This is kind of a random post but to really explain everything would take up so much more space. So, instead it is as the subtitle of my blog says, "the random ravings of a lunatic." Did you expect anything less????

Merry Christmas!!!

2008-12-25T00:25:00.000-08:00

This post is for a couple of reasons...the first is to update on the play. It went amazing!!! I am so proud of the entire cast and crew. Everyone gave their best performance ever and nobody forgot a line!!! I was very blessed.

Secondly Juan came again. I did not see him until after, which is fine because I could not have signed tonight anyway. But I was blessed to see him. He will be here Sunday so pray for more translation miracles!!!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night!

The Tortures of a Writer

2008-12-23T01:09:00.000-08:00

I don't really consider myself a writer but for the sake of this post I will refer to myself as one. Many of you know I have written several plays for my church which I then direct and produce for either Easter or Christmas. Well this Christmas Eve is no different. I have rewritten an older play of mine that we performed for Easter quite a few years ago.

Sunday morning I woke up with a mindful of tasks and things that I needed to remember to accomplish. That afternoon was one of our more important practices and so I was beginning to feel anxious. Then as the day progressed and different things happened my anxiousness started to grow. I actually started feeling panicky at some points. I could blame it on a few things that went wrong that day, some miscommunication, and the fact that I felt we were behind in our preparations but it really was not any of those things.

During second service I was in the office working out a few details and just talking to God about my anxiousness. I realized I was not anxious about the cast or crew. I knew they would do a great job. I was VERY nervous about the play itself. What if it turned out to be a flop? It feels like I am taking my baby and showing it to the world, what if the world hates it? God very clearly asked me, "do you trust me for the outcome?" I began to answer as I always would, "Yes, of course," when it hit me that I didn't. Of course I didn't. If I did I would have no reason to be anxious. But my panic, my anxiousness was a clear sign that I did not trust God to take care of this for me. I realized that I was expecting to fail. This was obviously an item for prayer so I spent the rest of my time in the office praying.

Later I had to go to Pastor Pat and ask for prayer as well because I was really struggling with this. The verse "be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and petition let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" kept running through my head. I knew I needed that. I prayed, confessed my lack of trust and asked God for His help.

God has given me a peace. Tomorrow night is our dress rehearsal and then Christmas Eve is our final production. I do not need to worry about how the world will view my baby, because its not really mine in the first place. God has made it very clear that any writing I do that is any good is only through His strength. I cannot write on my own (thats a good story for another post). I have to trust the fact that He has shown Himself through every detail of this play. I have to trust His heart for the people that will see it. I have to trust that even if it does flop He will take care of me. I have to trust.

Nobody Understands How I Feel...

2008-12-16T01:03:00.000-08:00

This is a statement that people often use when they are feeling down. I have begun to realize something about this statement, it is an excuse not to listen to the comfort God has granted. Think about it, anytime you may have said it, or someone else said it to you, it is after someone else was offering comfort.

Granted nobody truly can get in your skin, think your thoughts, and see things with the exact same perspective that you do, but that doesn't mean that they don't have a clue how you feel.

I started thinking about all the times that I have said this and realized that I use it as an excuse to negate encouragement offered. That is a lie from the enemy. It is taking the iron sharpening iron, the comforting others with the same comforted that you have been comforted with, the encouraging others with Psalms, hymns and Spiritual songs and all the other Scriptures about exhorting each other and saying "nope, its not enough."

Please don't negate that which God possibly intended for your help and encouragement. Even David chose not to silence a man who was slandering him because he said, "if he is sent by God then I have something to learn." How much more should we be with something uplifting? Would you look Christ in the eye and say, "You just don't understand how I feel?" If you did, He would extend His nail scarred hand to you and say, "I know the plans I think towards you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope."

2 Years Later...

2008-12-03T00:53:00.001-08:00

Karen came into the office today with a camera. She said, "Look what I found in one of the church Christmas tree boxes." We pulled it out and a small thought started forming in the back of my mind. I looked at the camera to see if there was anything familiar about it but it was wholly unfamiliar to me. We tried turning it on to look at the pictures but the battery was run down. I was still considering this idea that was seemingly unreal to me. Then Karen pulled out a memory card adapter out of the camera case. My idea seemed a little more realistic. We took the card and the adapter and plugged them into my computer. We were looking at pictures of people from church, scrolling scrolling, then there it was...pictures of my grandmother! My idea was correct.

2 years ago I used some bonus money to purchase a camera for myself. I was so excited and loved using my new digital camera. Around this time we had a big windstorm and the wind tweaked my car door enough that I couldn't open it. For quite a few weeks I was crawling in and out of the passenger's side door. Then one day the horrible happened. I couldn't find my camera. After scouring my house, the church and everywhere else we could think of I could only conclude that in my crawlings in and out of the car I must have dropped it in a parking lot.

I was devastated. Have you ever lost something so valuable and had that horrible sick feeling in your gut? I kept all the batteries and cords and such because I was so sick about it I kept hoping it would turn up. About a month later someone blessed me (anonymously) by giving me another camera. I cried and cried. But I still had that horrible feeling every time I thought about it.

So, you figured it out by now I'm sure, that was my camera. Somehow I dropped it into one of the Christmas boxes two years ago at Christmas and it turns up now!!! Praise God!!!

Thankful

2008-11-30T00:22:00.001-08:00

This is a song that the Lord gave me on Tuesday. This really explains what I am most thankful for this Thanksgiving:

I don't deserve Your presence
Yet You desire mine
I don't deserve Your notice
Yet You've seen me throughout time

I don't deserve Your forgiveness
Yet You shed Your blood for me
I don't deserve Your love
Yet You've loved me eternally

Nothing I've done or could ever do
Could make me deserve anything from You
Jesus My Lord and My Savior too
For what I don't deserve, I thank You.

Sourdough Fever

2008-11-18T23:40:00.001-08:00

When we were in Alaska I bought a Sourdough starter. I was so excited because I LOVE baking! Well since then I have been researching sourdoughs and starters and all the amazing things you can do. I now have my own starter that I made myself (maybe it will still be around 100 years from now!) and I have the original starter that I made from the batch from Alaska. Plus some in the freezer (you can freeze it! AMAZING). I am waiting for a day when I have time to bake and I will test my latest batch which I think will have a fabulously sour flavor as the yeast is very active.

Sorry, thats all I have to say for now. I need to update about the worship conference (I have pictures) but I'm exhausted right now.

Lost in Translation Twice

2008-11-07T11:58:00.000-08:00

I was interpreting for Juan on Wednesday night and Pastor Pat used the phrase "May the fleas of 1000 camels infest your armpits" Of course everyone was cracking up, including me. I had no idea how to sign it! Juan was looking at me waiting to see what was so funny and I was trying to figure out how to explain fleas!

On a side note Juan is profoundly deaf, he uses no voice at all. It is very rare when you hear a sound coming from him.

Finally I figured out a way to do it. I told him "You know the bugs on a dog that make you scratch? Well 1000 of those from a camel living in your armpit" He instantly put his Bible up to his mouth trying to stop himself from laughing out loud. Even then a small laugh escaped. It was really funny to watch as he tried to be quiet.

Later in the message Pastor Pat was talking about God's care of us being like nursing mothers. I did fine with that. I just said a mom with a baby. But then he started explaining it. How moms eat meat and then give the baby milk. Fine, I signed that mom's eat and it changes to milk for the baby. Then he started explaining the bond that mom's get because the baby is literally attached to them.

You must understand, sign language is all about pictures. You act out stories and explanations.

I looked at Juan and said, "I'm sorry, a guy needs to sign this for you." He laughed again.

Worship Conference

2008-11-07T11:49:00.000-08:00

I have the honor and blessing of heading to a worship conference in Murietta starting Monday.

For all my family in SoCal, I apologize that I won't get to see you. We are carpooling and the conference begins every day by 7:30 and ends at about 10 each night.

I am so blessed though to be able to go. Things have been very busy here. We have had multiple events happening, sometimes on the same day, so much lately that I had to buy another calendar for the church office. Now we have a 1 year calendar that is the largest I can find (those squares are small even when its several feet by several feet) and a 90 day planner that is normal poster size on the wall. I need them both because the 90 day gives me more room for details while the 1 year allows for more months. Its pretty crazy! So what does this have to do with the worship conference? I am SO looking forward to just doing 1 thing all week! YAY!

Springs in the Valley

2008-10-30T09:10:00.000-07:00

My last post was regarding my concern for this next week. This morning I got up and read October 30 out of Springs in the Valley (compiled by Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman) and realized that I need not fear tomorrow. I need simply do what God has made clear to me to do (eat properly and take those thoughts captive!!!) but the battle, the emotions, the isolated feeling, that battle is not mine! Here is the devotion I read:

"Not yours, but God's" (2 Chronicles 20:15)
There are times when doing nothing is better than doing something. There are the times when only God can do what is needed. True faith trusts Him then, and Him alone, to do the miracle. Moses and Jehoshaphat knew this secret; they knew the same Lord and the same divine grace.

As the pursuing Egyptians trapped the helpless Israelites at the Red Sea, Moses said: "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD . . . The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." (Exodus 14:13, 14)

As the Moabites and the Ammonites, a vast multitude, closed in on Judah, King Jehoshaphat said to the helpless people: "Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD." (2 Chronicles 20:15, 17.)

When God alone can win the victory, faith lets God do it all. It is better to trust than to try. - S. S. Times

Faith Is the Victory that Overcomes
---
The battle is not yours, but God's;
Therefore why fight?
True faith will cease from struggling,
And rest upon His might:
Each conflict into which you come
Was WON on Calvary,
Tis ours to claim what Christ has done,
And "hold" the victory.
- H. E. Jessop.

"Hold thee still." "And this," says St. Jerome "is the hardest precept that is given to man: inasmuch as the most difficult precept of action sinks into nothingness when compared with this command to inaction."

I need prayer...

2008-10-30T00:41:00.000-07:00

A while back I went through a very difficult time in my life. I was struggling with insecurity. God revealed to me that my insecurity was another form of pride. I would be down and feeling insecure so I would seek someone to build me up. When I started realizing it was pride I began to write down Scriptures that showed me how God views me and read them whenever I was feeling really low. It was one of the most difficult times in my life. I was very alone and cried myself to sleep a lot.

As God helped me overcome I would go through spells when it was worse and when it was better. But at least I knew that it was my emotions and I would cling to Scripture instead of what I was feeling.

I remember praying and asking God if I would always struggle with this. I began stashing journals wherever I could so that when I was feeling really low I would pull one out and write out what I am thankful for. Something good about my day. Nothing negative allowed. Well God had mercy on me.

Recently I found out that I am lactose and soy intolerant. So I changed my diet and started taking an Enzyme that helps me digest the little that I still get in my diet (milk and soy are in EVERYTHING). What I discovered through this was that when I have milk or soy in my diet my emotions get all out of whack! The Enzyme helped a TON with that as well. I found this out because I forgot to take my Enzyme and the next day I was an emotional wreck and I was right back in my insecure place. It happened again yesterday.

I would like to ask for prayer at this point though because I am out of Enzymes as of tomorrow morning. I went today to buy more and the one and only place in town (I tried 4 other stores) that carries it is out until next week. This means that I have to go on a very strict diet and I will have to go through a very emotional week this week. Even though I know the cause it will still be difficult so I am asking for prayer. Specifically that I will not cheat on my diet (its hard because milk and soy give me a "high" so to speak, which is why I crash emotionally afterwards) and that I will not use my diet as an excuse. Just because I know what helps doesn't mean that I can't still control it with God's help. Its still wrong of me to base everything on my emotions, its still prideful for me to seek to be built up by others and not look to God's Word for who I am, its all still sin. So please pray for me this week that I will honor God.

A Very Great Honor

2008-10-28T00:57:00.000-07:00

My cousin has recently been posting about a dear friend of hers that is now with Jesus. Reading her posts has caused me to remember some of the times that I have had the honor of taking part in the Celebration of Life services of different families. Some I have known very well and was mourning right along with them, and some I did not know and prayed to be used as a tool of God in their lives as they mourned.

Prior to ministry I had attended 1 funeral in my life. That was it. Just 1. I was terrified of losing someone close to me simply because I had no idea what it would be like. Obviously I do not want to lose anyone close to me now but the thought is no longer a terrifying thought. Now I understand the whole idea that death is a part of life and that we have the hope of heaven.

One thing that I have been pondering a lot lately is the fact that I am beginning to look forward more to doing funerals than weddings. Since I am in full time ministry I have had many opportunities to participate in both weddings and funerals. Weddings are beautiful and amazing and I love them. I love being part of making someone's day what they always dreamed it would be. But they are soon over, they are forgotten, they are not life changing for everyone involved, only for the Bride and Groom and maybe some family members.

Funerals on the other hand have shown me that they can be life changing. I have seen more people change their lives and start living for God after a funeral than after a wedding. I have watched more people learn to be more caring and work on their relationships after a funeral than after a wedding. The honor of being part of the day is the same. Whether its running sound, turning on the lights or simply hugging someone who is hurting, I know that God can use me as His arms to hug His children who are mourning. There is something hugely humbling about being used of God through a death than there is for a wedding.

Don't get me wrong, I still love weddings and I don't wish pain on anyone. But given my choice, I would prefer to be a funeral director rather than a wedding planner. Strange to say but it is true. If you think I'm crazy it may just be you don't understand. But think of it like this...have you ever had a life changing painful time that brought you so close to Jesus. So painful that you would never want to relive it but so intimate with Christ that you never want to forget it?

Its like that.

One of My Top Ten is Now the Norm...

2008-10-22T23:57:00.000-07:00

So what was previously on my top ten experiences of my life has quickly become a norm for me. Tonight was the 3rd time I interpreted for my deaf friend Juan. He has been going to the library and studying ASL and we are communicating now. During service I was able to truly relax and enjoy my time interpreting, I slowed down a lot and didn't feel a rush to sign every word Pastor Pat spoke but was able to convey more of the concept. After service Juan and I were able to talk and visit. I think I will finally be able to start asking some of the questions that have been driving me crazy. For instance, I haven't a clue how long he has been in the states or what brought him here. I don't know what type of Mexican Sign Language he knows (or else I would be studying as well). I am very curious what part of Mexico he is from and what brought him here. And so on.

I forget who it was that said that this is truly the gift of tongues at work. I agree. Please keep praying for miracles. I need fluency and he needs understanding. I truly think he is a Christian because of the joy that just exudes from him. Several people have commented on that. Also, because tonight during our closing song he was worshipping. It was absolutely beautiful to look back and see him with both hands raised and eyes towards heaven just worshipping. Praise God!

Alaska Cruise Day 4: Skagway

2008-10-11T22:43:00.001-07:00

Ok, these posts are getting old so I will make this one shorter. This day we went to Skagway where my mom and I were going to take one of the infamous Alaska train rides. We loved it! Afterwards I got my first towel person which was a huge blessing!!!!

On My Top Ten of Crazy Experiences

2008-10-08T23:00:00.001-07:00

Worship practice was getting a slow start because of some sound issues. So, when Chris came up to me at about 6:30 stating that he needs my translating skills I was somewhat taken aback. Chris speaks Spanish fluently so he didn't need me there, all I could think was Sign Langauage. Chris helps oversee the children's ministry so I couldn't help but wonder why Chris had waited until the last minute to have me translate something for the kids. These were my confusing thoughts as we walked out of the sanctuary. Then Chris explained, "theres a guy here that I think needs food but he's deaf so do you think you can talk to him?"

A little more back story here, the last time I signed with a deaf person was about 9 years ago. Since then I have signed with a few hearing friends but that's different because we can always revert to talking when we don't understand each other. I haven't been in a formal classroom in about 10 or 11 years. To top that off, 10 years ago I was not very good. I was ok with classroom sign language but in real life conversations I struggled.

Ok, so needless to say I was slightly nervous but thank God I didn't have much time to think about it. I went up to him and began signing. He was obviously having a hard time understanding. Then he said something and I struggled catching what he was saying. Finally I realized he was telling me he's from Mexico.

Another side note, Sign Lanuage is not universal. I learned American Sign Lanuage which is one of several sign languages in USA. Mexican Sign Language, while similar to ASL, is a different language with different signs and grammar rules.

So, then Chris, who is fluent in Spanish, wrote down ?puedes leer? (can you read) and showed it to him. He said a little. It was crazy. I was signing, he would understand a little, he would sign I would understand a little, Chris would speak and see if he could read lips in Spanish, then write...etc. etc. etc. It was quite confusing.

The miracle however, was the fact that he was sitting through service, I sat near in case he wanted to try and have me translate. Halfway through he asked me to sign and so I did. Remember, my signing skills 10 years ago were average, add 10 years of forgetfulness, a gentleman who signed a different language and the fact that Pastor Pat was teaching on the validity of the Bible and the Tribulation. Not the easiest topics to sign!!! During this time, he was nodding and understanding and repeating back some of the things I was saying. God was performing a miralce!

As soon as service was over...still couldn't understand each other. It was totally amazing!

Please pray for him. I do not know if he knows the Lord, I do not know if I was signing things properly enough for him to understand but I am trusting God for that. Pray that he understood what God wanted him to. Pray that he will be able to find a job and get his feet under him.

Thanks!

Day 3: Juneau

2008-09-29T18:12:00.000-07:00

Day 3 of our cruise began with something I had never experienced before...ROOM SERVICE!!! OH YAY! It was fun! Well...ok...honestly it wasn't that exciting because the food was kind of blah and eating it I was a little rushed as we had to be off the ship soon. But it was fun to try it for once!

Once we had eaten and the five of us were off of the ship I was finally able to snap a picture of this sign, which I kept seeing in all the ports and thought was hilarious!

So we arrived in Juneau and were headed to our excursion of Salmon Hatcheries and the Mendenhall Glacier. This is a photo of us as we were waiting for our bus to arrive. We had the best bus driving...but more about that in a minute.
The following video is of the Salmon Hatchery. It was my most favorite of all our excursions. I had not really expected much from it and it turned out to be very fascinating. One thing I did not say in the video was that if you buy salmon you should look for salmon that says either Alaska Salmon or Wild Salmon on the packaging. The reason for this is that it is illegal to do Fish Farming in Alaska, so you know for a fact that if it comes from Alaska it has not been farmed. Fish farming is bad because they raise the fish in little nets and the fish aren't in a natural habitat. This causes the fish to get sick so they inject them with antibiotics (steroids too???). So Alaska Salmon is not only more humane it is going to be free of any man made junk.

Inside the building of the Salmon Hatchery there were many crazy creatures to look at. These were some of the coolest aquariums I have ever seen!!!

These particular creatures they had in little tubs so you could feel them. They don't always have them in these little cages.

You might not be able to tell from this picture but this starfish has many legs. You can see younger newer legs growing like nubs in between the older longer legs. I had never seen this before. These thigns looked like octopi. They were pretty crazy!!!

From there we went to the Mendenhall Glacier. I preferred the Hubbard Glacier but this one had some unique features. It was kind of eerie looking though!

They had some trails outside of the Mendenhall Glacier building. Some of them were closed off due to bear activity. This is a nice little sign that was right outside of the building. Can someone please explain the significance of the date, other than the fact that it was a day old?

Our bus driver was an adorable young girl (ok, not that young). She had a very dry sense of humor and we all really liked her. She was young but her driving was very good. Towards the end of the trip we were sitting at a stoplight and the bus engine stopped. She started saying, "oh my goodness, I'm so embarrassed!" None of us knew why until she said, "I was trying to turn off the windshield wipers and turned off the bus instead!" We all laughed and nearly 2 minutes later she finally had the bus started again and we were off!

Back on the ship we had to get ready for dinner. Prior to that though we tried to take a picture using the auto shoot mode on my camera. I cannot upload all the pictures to tell this story properly without getting into trouble with my family so I must apologize for the lack of visuals. The first picture I didn't think to use the autoshoot so we decided to retake it. Then my mom felt that she was too fat looking so we reshot it. The third picture I messed up and wasn't in it, the fifth picture my mom and aunt both said they looked too fat so finally I realized no one would be happy unless they were covered, so....

This was the night that Alissa was wearing her strawberry pajamas. The reason this is important was because this was the night we met our head waiter (our waiter's boss). From this night forward he would always come looking for his "little strawberry." He was very sweet and loved Alissa. Of course, everyone on the boat did. Especially at dinner, we had a late dinner so I don't think they were expecting children and everyone there would always ask about her if she wasn't there. The waiters would always bring her milk and food and ask if she wanted anything. They would all try to talk with her but she's a little shy of strangers. It was cute.

I HAD to put this picture in. I'm not sure what was in her mouth but boy I don't want any!

This is our waiter. He was very nice, somewhat shy. He didn't do that many tricks or anything for us but I still really liked him. He was always very good and pleasant and would laugh and get embarassed pretty easily.

Of the trick he did, this was one of them. This was to show us how the ship's stabilizers worked. Though, I'm still not clear on the stabilizers, this was amazing. Yes those were normal sized toothpicks. That was a pretty amazing balancing act!!!

Ok, to end this day I had to put this picture in. They both look so adorable! Mom and daughter!

My Precious CC

2008-09-29T09:45:00.000-07:00

We have started a new type of relative in our family. Second cousins are CCs (Cousin Cousin). My CC Nathan is a beautiful boy of 3 years old. Somewhere around 2 years old Nathan was diagnosed with Autism. I could not describe the journey that this took his family on without pages and pages and possibly a book (maybe his mother will write one someday) of explanation. But after a completely whirlwind of lifestyle changes, therapies, prayer prayer and prayer this video was made.

Day 2 Part 2: The Amazing Ship

2008-09-18T22:18:00.000-07:00

The long awaited Day 2 Part 2 is here! Aren't you excited??? The second half of the day we explored the ship. It is an amazingly large ship with 13 floors! Our cabin was floor 3. We were above the water level so we had a great view. But let me start at the top.

Floor 13 and 12 merge in some spots. Like the outdoor swimming pool. There is also a mini golf course (9 holes), a climbing wall and a random fake rock with a hole in the middle.

Floor 11 had the buffet restaurant that was where we ate most of the time (every day around 3 we would have soft serve ice cream, nachos with some AMAZING sauce, and play cards). This was also where the spa and the gym were. Or was that floor 5? I'm not sure anymore. I'm getting mixed up. Anyway, we explored from the top down, played golf and exhausted ourselves until it was time to get ready for dinner. It was fun!

That night we went to the club and had virgin margaritas which were YUM!

Nerds, Part of a Balanced Diet

2008-09-16T16:26:00.000-07:00

Pastor Pat gave me a box of Christmas Nerds. I have been sitting here eating them. I was on the phone and I separated them by color and size, in pairs of two. Then I counted the pairs and ate until there were equal amounts of each color. As I eat them I have one on each side of my mouth (that truly is something I ALWAYS do...I have to have the same flavor on each side. Thats also why I separate them by size. Size is more important than color because the amount of taste and the colors taste the same). Now I will figure out how to finish the rest but WHATINTHEWOLRDISWRONGWITHME?!!!

I do this with skittles and MnM's too...

If I have an odd number the last one gets bit in half so I can still be balanced.

You Are Amazing God

2008-09-07T22:08:00.000-07:00

How I wish I could describe the awesomeness of God. He is more than I could ever dream of. The fact that He loved us enough to provide salvation for us truly does blow me away. Then the fact that He gives us His Spirit and helps us through our daily walk is astounding. But I don't even have a word for the last part...He calls me His friend. 'Lil ol me. Briana. The crazy one that is weird to the point of annoying. The one who doesn't do much. Just lives her little sheltered life. She's not famous, or talented, or even a Spiritual Giant or anything. Nope, simply a plain Jane that struggles her way through every day of trying to die to self and live for God. That girl, that simple girl, is the one the God who created the earth and all its fullness, the starts and the galaxies, the far reaching universe and who knows what else beyond, He calls her His friend.

Truly no words can describe my astonishment. Nor can I gather that I even truly fathom the amazingness of this fact.

All I can say is, "Lord help me to be all that You have created me to be. More of You and less of me."

Day 2 Part 1: The Hubbard Glacier

2008-09-05T23:10:00.000-07:00

The Hubbard Glacier is not a port but it is a cruising site. Your boat never stops moving but you get to get pretty close to it depending on the weather (how much ice is in the water). We started off the day by finding a good spot with a view and camping out until we got to the glacier.

We spent a lot of time waiting, playing cards, eating, waiting, waiting, waiting...

While we were waiting lots of ice started floating by. Some small little pieces and some huge! But mostly small.

This is not the glacier but a mountain that looked amazing!

This is a very zoomed in picture of the glacier.

I kept zooming out until I got to the widest possible. The glacier is amazingly blue and gorgeous! I loved how blue it was. The water was kind of murky because the silt in the glacier gets into the water as it melts.

Jessica and Alissa together, Jess is the cutest Mom!
This was funny because I kept trying to get a good pic of my mom and my Aunt like this and it was not working. Finally they were like, we are done! And I said, "One more" and it worked that time!
Thats it for the Hubbard Glacier. Stay tuned for our next episode where we explore the ship!

Day 1 of My Cruise...

2008-09-04T19:13:00.000-07:00

Hello all and aren't you glad that I am going to give you a day to day description of my cruise?! Its actually going to be very cool. There will be 8 posts regarding this. I will show pics of the places we went and explain what it was like. Don't get bored! It will be fun!!!

Day 1 We were mostly traveling. For those of you who don't know we were starting in Seward Alaska which is North and working our way south to Vancouver Canada where we would end. So day 1 we were traveling from Carson City to Seward Alaska...it took ALL day.

Funny story, that morning I was shaving my legs and the shaving cream splurted (yes thats a word) all over and got in my eyes. I immediately started flushing my eyes out and my big concern on my mind? Blindness? No, I was thinking "gosh I hope I get to drive to the airport!!!" Silly me.

We made it to the airport safe, flew to Anchorage where we got to experience something you guys have not got to experience for several years...my Aunt and cousin were there right when we got off the plane! I miss the pre 9-11 days. They flew into the same airport at the same time so they were able to come find us. We all went together and got on the bus that would take us 2 hours to Seward.

Isn't she precious? This is Alissa Grace, my cousin's 18 month old. She went with us and she was a joy! Takes after me of course!

We made one stop to stretch our legs and then we finally got to Seward to board our ship.

We had a little time to explore and settle. What we had to do once we got settled was to Muster...which is where they make sure you know the safety procedures if you have a Titanic type experience.

This Mustering called for us to put on our life jackets...hence these lovely pictures that I HAD to include!!! The above is my mom.
This, of course, is the lovely Alissa. She was not too happy about her life jacket!

This is my cousin Jessica in her lovely orange hue.

And this is my Aunt Bev wearing her gorgeous ensemble.

Immediately after this we had our first dinner on board. It was fabulous.

During dinner at one point I looked out and realized we were moving! We had embarked on our All Girl Mountain Fest! At least, that's what my souvenier shirt calls it! Not much to tell after that...I will continue this series later with Day 2. Or at least day 2 part 1 because we did so much and saw so much every day that it was amazing!!!

Sick Kids

2008-08-16T16:20:00.000-07:00

Babysitting the kids again and I am getting some good mommy practice. All three kids are running fevers. I don't mind that I am watching them while they are sick it is just heartbreaking to see them like this. They are all three sleeping right now. I have two that need medicine but I don't have the heart to wake them up.

Don't worry, they aren't real bad or Sylvia would have never left them home.

How do you mother's handle it? Seeing your poor little one so tired and feverish that they aren't comfortable?

Anyways, thats all for now. Just wanted to share.

Olympics

2008-08-14T23:09:00.000-07:00

Every four years I begin to walk around a bit differently. I start to twirl a little bit more, and point my toes every so often.

I no longer wave at people I know, I salute them by raising both arms straight up in the air.

Curbs become a place to try moves.

Its amazing how watching a few Olympic games suddenly make me feel that I have missed my call in life. Perhaps I am great at something. Perhaps I have a hidden genius that we are not aware of. Perhaps, just perhaps, one of those obscure sports is actually my claim to fame, I just have to find it and tap into it.

Have you ever wondered why we aren't good at things we don't like? What if my savant skills were in running? I would hate doing it but I would be great at it when I did. That would be a bummer.

So maybe its good that I haven't found the one area that I could win an Olympic gold, maybe if I did I would hate doing it and then feel like I should, just cuz I could.

And again...

2008-08-11T22:40:00.001-07:00

Well...it happened again. The last post was regarding what happened on Thursday and this one regards Friday. Friday morning we found someone had thrown a rock through one of the front doors, also broke one panel of the other door and one of the side windows. Here are pics from both days:

Where's the Fear of God

2008-08-07T22:10:00.000-07:00

The church was vandalized last night. Someone decided to throw some rocks through the fellowship hall windows. Chucked them hard enough to get some glass all the way on the other side of the room.

Its such a shame. We live in a day and age where a church has to have an alarm system. Thats just sad to me. Back years ago people would have been too afraid of God to touch His house. Now days there just isn't any fear of God. I am praying that whoever did that will be curious enough to see our reaction to show up Sunday. That would be kind of cool if they came and got saved.

I would have posted pics but I left my camera at church.

SWC 2008!!!

2008-08-04T00:10:00.000-07:00

Spirit West Coast 2008 was amazing! God truly blessed our trip. It began early, before I even left for work on Wednesday. I got a call from Danny and Elaine that they had forgotten the girls' wristbands (basically their whole ticket for the week) and could I please go get them for them! We were the last car to go up so praise the Lord we (Karen and I) had to work and didn't go up with the rest of the group!

This is a picture of Karen driving. Its actually from the trip home but I drove on the way up so I have no pictures of that. We took my car and everything was smooth.

While there we heard a couple of really great speakers, Sean Dunn and David Nasser. Sean spoke on dating in one of his teachings, he was very good with how he addressed it. Really focused a lot on making sure that your relationships start off with a spiritual foundation. He said that if the other person doesn't love Jesus more than you then they are not worth it. In his second teaching he was talking about living a life completely committed to Jesus through truly being set apart in prayer and lifestyle. It was very well delivered and very relevant for youthful ears. He has a book called "The Warrior Way" that I would like to read.

David Nasser came to America with his parents as a child as a refugee from Iran. His family was all Muslim. He talked about his testimony of his journey to salvation and how he was disowned and kicked out of the house after his conversion. He spoke a lot on how for him things were black and white. He was either going to become a Christian and live like one or not. He spoke on how difficult it is for the youth of today who live in a gray and white world where it is difficult to see the need to take a firm stand and live strong for Christ. He was very good and spoke well on the compromise of America without it coming off as negative.

My favorite bands are always based on their heart for God. Usually an awesome band will either have led us in worship or spoken about the meaning of a song.

Building 429 had some amazing hearts for God. The new song, Always, on their new album which is about to be released was absolutely beautiful. I hope the story behind it is in the CD. They truly are passionate about Jesus.

MOI is another one that was a surprise for me. Alicia knows the lead singer, Moi, and suggested I go see them. MOI really is an up and coming worship band that is really beautiful in heart.

Aaron Schust was our discovery last year and this year he did not disappoint! He sings almost all worship and just blesses my heart when he speaks. His focus is all on God!

Newsboys is always a favorite of mine when it comes to worship. They truly have a love for God and it is obvious that they are in the Word and growing. The show was somewhat shorter this time but we still enjoyed it.

Todd Agnew is good. He's not my favorite in style but he spoke before almost every song, explaining why he wrote it and how it touches him. Awesome stuff.

As for the rest I really enjoyed Tobymac and Third Day. They put on a really good show and it is some cool music though not on my top list when it comes to the above criteria. Not that they don't have a heart for God...they just don't really talk about their songs to let you see that heart. But I do enjoy their shows.

There are many more stories, like how I got this picture of the crab. But for now I must go to bed. Just got home tonight and I am TIRED!

Apartment Blessings

2008-07-30T08:17:00.001-07:00

Now that I am moved and settled into my new apartment I have been so blessed with the honor of having a few guests already. I know the title of this made it sound like an apartment blessing but we did that when we moved me in. Pastor Pat and several of the guys were there and I said, "hey, we are all here now lets just pray." So Pastor Pat prayed and asked God to use this place to be a place of refuge and reaching out.

It has truly been a refuge. I can come here and relax and rest in the Lord. He is SO good to me! Now its becoming a place of reaching out. Recently I had over two couples that are friends of mine. They did not know each other and one couple does not know the Lord. So we were talking and visiting and the two couples really hit it off and were even able to give some marital advice to my unsaved friends. Then we played Imaginiff (if you haven't played that game it is really fun and funny!).

It was a wonderful blessing to open up my home and, hopefully, be used to help someone know a little more about how we Christian live.

Love to you all!

My Best Friend

2008-07-22T22:49:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to one of my oldest friends...uhhh...I mean...HAHA!

For those of you who don't know Alicia she is a dear...well...actually she's pretty ornery but I love her because of it :)

We met when I was 11. That means we have been friends for 17 years. 17! Thats almost a whole adult! Like a kid that was 1 when we met is now an adult!!! YIKES!!!

We have been friends through thick and thin (whatever does that mean anyway? Unless its referring to weight it really doesn't make any sense), through boyfriends and breakups, through laughter and tears (more laughter than anything). Its amazing because we are SO different. I am flighty and she is practical.

Have you seen Sense and Sensibility? I would be Kate Winslet and Alicia Emma Thompson (wait, does that mean I have to marry some old dude? Ugh). Or I am Giselle from Enchanted and Alicia is Sally Fields in Steel Magnolias.

Actually Alicia has her own Giselle side to her, she just doesn't let everyone see it.

I love my friend, and I love that God has allowed me 17 wonderful years of friendship. I can't wait for heaven when I can move in next door to her (hmmm...Alicia sorry, that's my heaven...what would that be for you?).

The No Diet

2008-07-22T13:38:00.000-07:00

The No Diet is because I have to now say no to lactose and no to soy. Do you realize that everything has Soy in it? So I will be saying no to everything. Which means I will get really skinny. Its a great diet!

Seriously, I believe I am Lactose and Soy intolerant and am going to cut it out of my diet. Right now I am slowly working at cutting it out since I need some alternatives in the meantime.

I found this bread at the store that has no lactose or soy. YAY! Plus some deli meat and some slice rice cheese (this has traces of lactose and soy but for me that is better than no cheese at all). This was my sandwich for lunch today and it tasted pretty good. I noticed a small difference at first but thats mostly in the bread. The meat obviously was fine and the cheese tasted normal. YAY!

It may turn out that cheeses, or certain cheeses are ok (many LI people can eat cheese) but I don't know for sure because yogurt seems to mess me up too and the cultures in Yogurt are supposed to still be ok for LI folks. So we will see. My goal is to get to where I can go 2 weeks without any Lactose or Soy and slowly introduce certain types back in and see how intolerant I am.

How will this work on the cruise? I might have to just not worry about it on the cruise :)

The Light Show

2008-07-19T23:59:00.001-07:00

Do you know, living alone has its advantages. One of those being that I believe I see a side of God that you married people possibly miss out on. That being the fun side that says, "hey Bri, remember those glow sticks that Debbie gave you? Pull them out tonight and get your camera!"

Off they go!

2008-07-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

If I remember right, this picture was taken after I got sick. Thats why I look somewhat tired. I was weak from losing so much weight (5 lbs in 24 hours) and the kids couldn't help but still want to be held. It was a blessing though, wouldn't change it for the world!!!

Tonight we all met at the church to see the El Salvador team off. Let me begin by saying that I have a complete peace about staying. I know it is God's will this time. Praise the Lord! I stayed because both Pastor Pat and Chris went so I am here to hold down the fort. Pastor Pat told me not to sell the new church for anything less than 5 Million. I told him I would start at 10 and work my way down. :)

It was strange not going though. I think because I understand exactly how they are feeling. At this moment their plane should be taxiing to the runway and taking off. They are feeling a mix of excitement, sadness, thrill, nerves and so many other juxtapose emotions.

Please pray for them through the next 10 days. Pray for me as well...I am holding down the fort remember!

Women's Retreat

2008-07-13T20:43:00.000-07:00

No pictures, I'm sorry but I forgot my camera. Maybe I can get some later from our unofficial church photographer.

What an amazing weekend. Psalm 103 was the theme, "Bless the Lord, Oh my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name!"

One thing that stood out to me was the meaning of the word bless: to yield, to adore, to congratulate, to salute and to thank.

Bless the Lord, yield to the Lord, adore the Lord, congratulate the Lord, salute the Lord, and thank the Lord O my soul, and all that is within me, bless, yield to, adore, congratulate, salute and thank His holy name!

He alone is worthy.

Safely Moved

2008-07-01T18:24:00.000-07:00

As a single gal I have times of being alone, and feeling vulnerable. Not always, but in certain situations. Sometimes for no reason, just because I'm alone. When I am with my father there is always the security that everything will be ok. It doesn't really matter what the situation is around me, I can relax and be at peace knowing daddy is in control (sounds like a spiritual application is there!).

Today, however, daddy wasn't able to be there and God showed me that He always protects me. Several of the men from church (5 to be exact) had met at my apartment at 6 a.m. to help me move.

At about 6:30 I was upstairs with Pastor Pat and I hear some yelling outside. There was a guy out there yelling profanity at the guys downstairs helping me move. Apparently he was angry that we had woke him up (honestly we had not been all that loud. No more than anyone else in the neighborhood at one time or another. I have lived here three years and never had anyone complain about me being noisy where plenty of others has caused problems. We were not whispering but we weren't yelling or anything). Pretty soon the whole neighborhood is up. They all told us that he was pretty much crazy (so obviously we hadn't bothered them).

The part that started getting scary was when Eric told me what he had said to them. He talked about me and called me some profane names. He knew we were Christians and mocked us with that. The guys handled it very well, though Danny, when the guy started talking about me, was very upset and Eric talked him down a bit. Danny is an ex gang member. Had he not been saved when this happened...well...Danny may have turned that guy's other cheek for him.

So Eric, having heard a lot of what this guy was saying about me, got concerned about me coming back alone to clean. So they basically decided I shouldn't come back alone.

We went to my new place (much much much nicer neighborhood and I met my neighbors already they are about 80ish and adorable!!!) and unloaded. When we finished there I stayed to unpack and Pastor Pat left to go drop off his trailer. He decided to grab Kelly, his wife, and go clean for me at the old place so I wouldn't have to go back at all.

He and Kelly arrived at the old place and the guy started yelling at him again. Using what can't really be described as colorful language since he basically only used one word over and over. He wanted to start a fight with Pastor Pat and was getting in Pastor Pat's face (just inches away) trying to egg him on. As they were leaving the assistant manager came out and asked Pastor Pat to call the police so that they could get a police report filed on this guy.

I walked away from this somewhat shaken up but feeling very secure knowing that any of those 5 guys was ready to deck that guy for my sake. The fact that they didn't was not unprotectiveness but being Christ-like. Its nice to have many men in my life who will stand up for me. Makes me feel very safe.

I will post pics of my new apartment when I get more unpacked!

VBS Photos!

2008-06-29T01:34:00.001-07:00

Well JoAnn did my work for me! Here is her website of photos!

Calvary Chapel Carson City 2008 VBS

The Blessings of God

2008-06-27T19:47:00.000-07:00

Recently a comment was added to my blog, you might have read it, from a girl...no a woman...named Brittany. I met Brittany 10 years ago when I went on a missions trip to Ireland. Can it really be 10 years ago now? My goodness how time just keeps marching on. Brittany was a sweet little thing that I got to spend some time with while I was there. She was more of a missionary than myself. She jumped right in and worked with the kids, helped out wherever she could and was just darling to watch. Myself, I was an awkward kid just becoming an adult who didn't have a clue how to just jump in.

Anyways, hearing from Brittany was a pleasant surprise. I went to her site and found that she is now a woman of God. Some things haven't changed. She looks to be very involved with her church community and loving and serving the Lord.

My brother had some pictures posted on his church website a while ago that showed Zach Ruiz, guitar in hand, worshipping God. You could tell he was worshipping just by the closed eyes and expression on his face of adoration.

Its times like these that make me so grateful for the God we serve. I can't tell you how many times people tell me, as if reassuring me, that one day I might still use my teaching degree...What they don't understand is that its not about what you are doing, its about who you are doing it for. When you are in God's will for your life and you realize that, embrace that, and live it to the fullest you are so much more blessed.

And in 10 years you may see some beautiful fruit of it!

I can't say that Brittany was fruit from my labors, and I taught Zach in Sunday School, but I'm not trying to claim that fruit either. Its simply seeing the fruit in the entire orchard, if that makes sense. You step back and see how much God can change a life in 10 years. Where God takes people. Taking children and growing them into Godly adults.

I cannot tell you how blessed I am.

So if there are anymore long lost acquaintances, friends, children I babysat or taught in Sunday School, people I met once on the street, by all means...tell me where you are at now and how God has worked in your life. I would love to hear!