12.28.2006

GROUSE.

as alysha said, we were skiing and snowboarding yesterday up at grouse. i probably don't hurt as much as her, [after all, she did ski into the fence] except for i don't think i'll find it very easy to sit down for the next week or two. i tried doing my first jump on my snowboard, it didn't go how i planned. at least i got some air off it.
many memories, much fun, paper plates and getting lost.
"they're probably sending a search party out for us right now!"
nope, it was the complete opposite. thanks boys = )


FACT OF THE DAY: grouse is a bird.

12.25.2006

ddr.

//dance dance revolution.
such a brilliant game.


i think you should read all of it, no matter how long it may be...
[jeremiah 10] Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people [are] vain: for [one] cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They [are] upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also [is it] in them to do good. Forasmuch as [there is] none like unto thee, O LORD; thou [art] great, and thy name [is] great in might. Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise [men] of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, [there is] none like unto thee. But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock [is] a doctrine of vanities. Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple [is] their clothing: they [are] all the work of cunning [men]. But the LORD [is] the true God, he [is] the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, [even] they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens. He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion. When he uttereth his voice, [there is] a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures. Every man is brutish in [his] knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image [is] falsehood, and [there is] no breath in them. They [are] vanity, [and] the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish. The portion of Jacob [is] not like them: for he [is] the former of all [things]; and Israel [is] the rod of his inheritance: The LORD of hosts [is] his name. Gather up thy wares out of the land, O inhabitant of the fortress. For thus saith the LORD, Behold

12.20.2006

12.16.2006

friends.

"False friendship, like the ivy, decays and ruins the walls it embraces; but
true friendship gives new life and animation to the object it supports."
-- Richard Burton



GOD has blessed me so incredibly with true friends.
and now this post is finally coming to an end.

12.11.2006

live.like.there.is.no.tomorrow



[philippians 4:6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to GOD.

i worry way too much. and way too much about nothing. school, life, weather. you are probably laughing already, and if not you will be before the end of this post, because i am so pathetic. yes, i worry about the weather. i worry about my future. i worry about if i am doing enough. i worry about all of the things that i have no control over, and no need to worry over. i don't worry that much about others salvation. and i most certainly do not put others interests ahead of my own.

sometimes i have just got to wake up. trust the LORD, kara! HE plans out all things and HIS will is perfect. kara; dwell in HIS word and spend time in HIS presence. listen for HIS voice. look to HIM for guidance. breath in the showers of blessings HE has given you. i am an undeserving sinner whom GOD does not need, yet HE pouredHIS grace, mercy, and love upon me and the ones i love.

give your worries to JESUS. let HIM be your guide, let HIM hear your prayers, and let HIM speak to you.
live as if there were no tomorrow.

12.07.2006

rainboots.


my rain boots. hahahaaa.
i call them my polkaboots.
i wanted the pink and colourful ones, but they're out of stock.

next stop, TARGET.









HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATTHEW.
iLOVEyou.

12.03.2006

to.mock.is.to.love

new post.
ooh. mcfly. sweet.

this one is for you joe and steve;
way to be selfless [this is a whole joke you know, i'm just mocking you.]

[matthew 25:35-46]
35For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' 37Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' 40And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[f] you did it to me.'  41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' 44Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' 45Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' 46And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."


one more thing.
i've discovered the sczebel motto:
"to mock, is to love"
from the mouths of babes.

oh and:
pray for sam.
and johnny depp.
sam needs help.
johnny depp isn't really johnny depp, he is on drugs.



got whipped cream?

11.30.2006

hbd2u.


HAPPY IN-ADVANCE BIRTHDAY WISHES TO MY FAVOURITE 8-PRETTY-MUCH-9-YEAR OLD BROTHER!


i love you michael.
hope all your birthday wishes come true [within reason].
may the heinz ketchup be with you wherever you go.

11.26.2006

spotlight.


it's snowing, and my power is out! i am in idiotic-vancouverite heaven. yes, we vancouverites are sometimes idiotic when it comes to snow.

well, today was an adventure. driving conditions with other clueless drivers are bad, and to top it off, there's snow on the roads!

so i was just thinking; as we were driving home from an all around crazy visit with friends [that's a generalization, just to let you know joel], i see the coolest thing ever. the odd street light is a spotlight for the snow. and i'm thinking: wow! how cool is that. one of the funnest, prettiest, craziest substances in the whole world, and this little lamp post is shining on it to show everyone [ haha not like we need a street light to see this SNOW]. i thought it looked really pretty. and then i was thinking again; if a lamp post can highlight GOD's glory like that, why shouldn't we? i was thinking about how big my lack of zeal for GOD is. i should be the one putting a spot light on GOD and his creation, not a wimpy little street lamp [no offense to you sir].

anyways, just my random thoughts that i decided to post. thanks for putting up with my ramblings that are like a redheaded dutch woman trying to speak japanese to a dog.

and just to unlameishize my blog; plus this is a good song yet overplayed this evening by miss lysh.

Casimir Pulaski Day -- Sufjan Stevens

Golden rod and the 4-H stone
The things I brought you
When I found out you had cancer of the bone

Your father cried on the telephone
And he drove his car to the Navy yard
Just to prove that he was sorry

In the morning through the window shade
When the light pressed up against your shoulder blade
I could see what you were reading

Oh the glory that the lord has made
And the complications you could do without
When I kissed you on the mouth

Tuesday night at the bible study
We lift our hands and pray over your body
But nothing ever happens

I remember at Michael's house
In the living room when you kissed my neck
And I almost touched your blouse

In the morning at the top of the stairs
When your father found out what we did that night
And you told me you were scared

Oh the glory when you ran outside
With your shirt tucked in and your shoes untied
And you told me not to follow you

Sunday night when I cleaned the house
I find the card where you wrote it out
With the pictures of your mother

On the floor at the great divide
With my shirt tucked in and my shoes untied
I am crying in the bathroom

In the morning when you finally go
And the nurse runs in with her head hung low
And the cardinal hits the window

In the morning in the winter shade
On the first of March on the holiday
I thought I saw you breathing

Oh the glory that the lord has made
And the complications when I see his face
In the morning in the window

Oh the glory when he took our place
But he took my shoulders and he shook my face
And he takes and he takes and he takes

11.25.2006

snow: iLOVEit.


i wrote this last april, up in manning park. and today being the first snowfall of the season, i believe it is appropriate.

"manning park: day one
april 24/06
...the snow here is awesome. to think of how GOD came up with such a beautiful substance is unimagincable. the way it glistens in the sun and turns pink at sunset makes me want to stay here forever. well, maybe not forever..."

"manning park: day four
april 27/06
solo time
...the clouds this morning are gloomy. they hide the light. it's almost as if they were trying to make things miserable. but, they give us a present. it is white, fluffy, and sticky. it sends shivers down my spine when i touch it. their greyness brings sadness, but the gift it drops down blocks out that sadness and makes it a prettier place..."

the snow isn't nearly as beautiful today, and not much of it is left now. but i still love snow. as cold and muddy and ugly as it can be, i LOVE it.


11.21.2006

inchristalone.

i have decided that if i were ever to fall, get lost, or get stuck at the bottom of the grand canyon, i would sing this song. it's quite a good song. and no one would hear me. be glad at that.


IN CHRIST ALONE -- by stuart townend

in CHRIST alone, my hope is found
HE is my light, my strength, my song
this cornerstone, this solid ground
firm through the fiercest drought and storm
what heights of love, what depths of peace
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease
my COMFORTER, my ALL in ALL
here in the love of CHRIST i stand

in CHRIST alone, who took on flesh
fullness of GOD in helpless babe
this gift of love and righteousness
scorned by the ones HE came to save
'till on that cross as JESUS died
the wrath of GOD was satisfied
for every sin on HIM was laid
here in the death of CHRIST i live

there in the ground HIS body lay
light of the world by darkness slain
then bursting forth in glorious day
up from the grave HE rose again
and as HE stands in victory
sin's curse has lost it's grip on me
for i am HIS and HE is mine
bought with the precious blood of CHRIST

no guilt in life, no fear in death
this is the power of CHRIST in me
from life's first cry to final breath
JESUS commands my destiny
no power of hell, no scheme of man
can ever pluck me from HIS hand
'till HE returns or calls me home
here in the power of CHRIST i'll stand

11.18.2006

picotographures.

>>^^ going OUT of IN-N-OUT

>>^^ going IN to IN-N-OUT



^^matthew got arrested...for card cheatin'

11.13.2006

ARIzona.

already, the posts about ladies conference are coming in. i'm sorry, but i'm running out of time on my computer and i must get back to the sun and pool to work on my tan, so if you wish to know more about this amazing opportunity i had at the conference, you'll have to wait. ask me later.

i just want to share my favorite quote by miss carolyn mcculley, not only a woman of GOD, but an excellent speaker, storyteller, and comedian.

"do we want thing thighs? yes, we do! but we only want them if it meant we got them walking besides our brothers and sisters, carrying their burdens."

hahaa such a great weekend. full of fun, laughter, and great messages and teaching. it was like a giant slumber party.

so much fun down here in sunny phoenix. yet i miss the movie rain.

11.07.2006

avian beauty.


so here's my REAL post on beauty. my other one was just a quote. i know it will sound really lame to everyone, mostly the guys, but i don't care. i want to say this. so listen or not. but i think you should read it. after reading aly's post, i remembered once again what real beauty can be. avian beauty.

i met a little girl named ava. she is the most adorable three year old [well they're all to die for] i know. ava has big blue eyes, she is content and happy, and she has crazy curly hair that goes whichever way it wants. cute as a button; well cuter actually. and she is beautiful. i think that her most beautiful trait by far though, is her innocent mind.

you realize that beauty is distorted and photoshopped, but then you have no answer for what real beauty is. well, i think that one definition is beauty from the mind. not in the hands of magazine editors, not in the eyes of tyra banks, and not in the images we see pasted across the media. real beauty is inside a child's mind. kids have the most unique way of thinking. ways that adults can just not comprehend. to a child, colour is unimportant amongst playmates. to a child, glory, fame, and wealth are just words. and to a child, GOD is so big, so strong and so mighty there's nothing our GOD can't do!
why can't adults be that way? why does colour of skin cause separation among GOD's children? why have we become so greedy and self-centered that we are fighting with our neighbors? why is it that we have lost our fear and love for our MAKER? why can't we just be a child again? content, happy, and unaware of the greed, war, and hate? why must we care so much about what the other is doing, causing rivalries and what not? why can't we just look out for one another with compassion? is this not what the word of GOD speaks to us about?
remember beauty is what is inside of you, beauty is an innocent heart.

[matthew 5:44] But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"

ava sees nothing wrong with the world. it's just her, mommy, daddy, als, photosynthesis the cat, and her FATHER in heaven. the real things, the things that matter most. where's our avian beauty?

11.04.2006

faith.

[faith] : confidence or trust in a person or thing; belief that is not based on proof.

confidence or trust in a person or thing; yes. we trust in GOD, that is our faith with GOD.

belief that is not based on proof; no. we believe in GOD because we have proof; proof in HIS word, proof in our lives, proof of HIS grace.

i heard an excellent message on faith. it wasn't complicated or deep really though, it was simple. and so good to hear. it was a reminder again of how great our GOD's love for us is.

[some of my notes from the message last night]
the human race greeted CHRIST with sneers and spit, hardened hearts, and we ignored HIS calls; yet HE still loves us so much. JESUS' love was not just a pretty thought or empty words, it was dropping blood, enduring pain, and bearing the weight of our sin. JESUS' love is not human love - it is GOD's love. a love that we can not understand. we love ourselves more than we love the ONE who gave HIS life for us, undeserving sinners.

wow. i don't know about you but if someone can love me that much, i want to know HIM more.

"Faith is not a leap in the dark, it is a step in the light."

11.01.2006

philippians 4:6

[philippians 4:6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to GOD. (ESV)


something i need to work on.

10.27.2006

true beauty.


"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone." -- Audrey Hepburn.

10.24.2006

faith.


And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, "MASTER, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away." And JESUS answering saith unto them, "Have faith in GOD. For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, 'Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea'; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." [KJV]

?//mark 11:20-24.

10.21.2006

just a taste.

here is just a taste of EUROPE. but trust me, these pictures are nothing compared to the real thing.





EUROPE 2010 [or a little bit later] here i come!





[1 Samuel 12:24] only fear the LORD, and serve HIM in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things HE has done for you.

10.18.2006

new post.

because so many of you have advised me to create a new post, i will. but only because i feel as though i have to do this in order to please those who are reading.
haha just joshing.


"patience is awaiting GOD's time without doubting GOD's love." -- author unknown

today i looked through pictures. very satisfying. kind of like creme broulee. but anyways, i miss summit to sum it all up [oh haha]. it took a lot of patience on those long, grueling hikes in the [at many times] thigh-high snow. nevertheless, i loved that experience. it was absolutely amazing. the pictures aren't enough to explain. but these are just two out of about a thousand [i lost track at two] that i love.

the first one is on our second day of hiking.
the last one is after reaching the bojo summit on the third day. we had fun in that little shack big enough for one, but somehow we fit all fifteen of us in there. some of us were going a little crazy. that's jo and graham. i miss them.

well, before this gets sappy i better end it. i'm sorry, but it's for the best. trust me.

see you later alligator.

10.15.2006

my favorite things.


we bonked heads right when the camera timer went off and we started laughing. "in the moment" picture. ^^

these are a few of my favorite things;
haha i could sing them...

- rain boots
- september 21
- planning a vacation [taking one too]
- power outtages
- the pitter-patter of raindrops lullabying me to sleep
- great hair days [rare but excellent]
- the strong, welcoming fragrance that hits you when you walk into STARBUCKS.
- the theory that ice cream makes it all better
- guys who aren't afraid of chapstick [ahhaaha]
- watching the moon play hide and seek
- watching GOD make the impossible happen
- sontaneosity [is that a word?]....randomness//when the unexpected happens
- movie rain
- watching the colours change through AUTUMN
- puddle jumping
- laughing till your tummy hurts and milk comes out of your nose
- the beach
- bathroom buddies
- the intensity of a close basketball game
- "in the moment" pictures
- deep talks with close friends
- the thought that GOD has someone waiting for me

10.12.2006

pray for ian.

i have been told by several different people already about this wonderful young man named ian murphy. ian was in a terrible car accident september 30, and since then ian, his friends, and his family have gone through a number of trials. ian loves the LORD and his family and friends strongly believe that if his life was taken in that accident, he would have gone to be with our FATHER. and, although he survived the crash he is still in very serious condition and hasn't made much progress in the last couple of days. doctors have just declared that he is in a coma. they gave ian a tracheoscopy, to help him breath. i don't know much about it, but from what i can understand, he can't breath deep enough on his own. what else i know [that isn't very much], he has had surgery on his knee [which was very badly crushed to pieces], his arms [which were both broken], and i think that there is still surgery to be done on his vertebrae [C7] in about six weeks. he also has a high fever that they are trying to keep down with tylenol. even though he is in a coma, he has responded to various stimuli [ie. yelling, rubbing, pain...]. thank the LORD that progress has been made in ian's condition and that his life was spared in the terrible wreck [which took rescuers 45 mins to get him out of his car].

i just wanted ask anyone reading this that you join everyone in prayer. words go a long way. prayer is powerful. GOD has done and continues to do miraculous things.

pray for ian's doctors, that the LORD will guide their hands in surgeries and other medical procedures needed to be done; and that through this ordeal they will see how awesome and merciful our GOD is. pray for ian's close friends and family, for comfort. i can't even imagine how hard it is for them not having their best friend, son, and brother around and not knowing what his condition will be the next day. finally, pray for ian. that GOD will once again perform a miracle and mysteriously heal ian and fully restore his health. i saw the pictures of ian, laughing, smiling, having a good time with the people he loves. pray that he will once again, and very soon, just be ian, laughing, smiling, and having a good time next to the people he loves and never wants to let go of.

praise GOD for the miracles HE has already done, everywhere. for you, me, and ian.

www.prayforian.com

10.10.2006

vernon pictures.


^^yes. tubing in OCTOBER.



^^my solution to the bathroom bargers.





^^i am a PROMISE.


10.08.2006

vernon.

so, we're back in vernon again. i love it. i used to call it a hicktown, but now i kinda like it. well, i kinda love it.

it's been so much fun up here with the family. twenty of us, as of last night. well, twenty and two ninth's...my auntie andrea is pregnant. the picture clock on the wall will finally pass 10 o'clock. pretty exciting. the only problem with this many people is that we are staying in a three bedroom house, with one finished room in the basement [thank goodness], two bathrooms, and a kitchen with a capacity of six. but, hey, i'm not complaining. i love this tight kind of living. and i'm used to it. i lived in one room and half a bathroom with my family for three months with only half a roof over our heads, i think i can handle this. although, i got a little frustrated this morning getting ready for church when everyone had to go to the bathroom at once while i was trying to wash my hair. even though i tried to come up with a solution, they all pretty much walk past it. but the whole 20 people in the house thing is great for close bonding too. there's so many funny moments. and complete randomness. but it's good to laugh.
well, we've played games, went tubing at minus-zero water temperature [which was fun, despite the fact that sarah and i went through a wave instead of over it..], and we've caught up with each other since the last time we saw everyone. it is superb. i love hanging out with my cousins, even though i'm the odd one out [being the oldest and without someone my age], it's so fun just to hang out with them all. i don't get to see them as much anymore, so it's nice when we can get together.

this morning we went to my grandparent's church up here, the smallest church i've ever been to. no more than 40 people, hahaa. and the ten of us grandkids sang "i am a promise". my mom and her twin, my auntie linda, sang it when they were younger at their church. at first, i was like, "NO WAY." but i realized that i wasn't doing it for the people in the church, i was doing it for my gram and for GOD. i also realized that only about half of the church congregation was going to be able to hear us sing it. let alone remember us if we came next sunday.

anyways, just thought a new post was needed. we just finished thanksgiving dinner made by the fam and it's almost time for dessert. my gram is the best dessert maker. pies, cheesecakes, butter tarts, candy...you name it, she'll make it. and she'll make it good.

by the way, pictures coming soon. can't load them on this computer...

9.27.2006

unique.


Our neighbors garden is so pretty. But when I went over there the other day, I found a patch of white flowers, with one pink one in the middle. It was different, and it made it look so unique and beautiful. It reminded me of the verse found in Romans 12. It says that we shouldn't be of the world, but to show the world what is the good will of GOD. We should be just like this pretty little pink flower. Set apart, different from the rest, unique because of our faith. We need to stand out! Sure, she might get lonely sometimes being the only pink flower, but she's always going to have GOD by her side.

Rom 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

By the way, I named her Ayanna.
Sorry Als, you can't have that name now. =P

9.25.2006

take my life and let it be.


Take my life and let it be,
Consecrated, Lord to Thee

Take my hands and let them move,
At the impulse of Thy love
At the impulse of Thy love


Take my feet and let them be,
Swift and beautiful for Thee
Take my voice and let me sing,

Always only, for my King

Always, only, for my King

Take my love, my God I pour,
At Thy feet it's treasure store

Take myself and I will be,

Ever only all for Thee

Ev-er, on-ly, all for Thee



by francis havergal & mozart.