Working away...

I've signed in to blogger several times to write a post, but I'm just now getting around to actually writing one.

I'll make it short: I'm not done with my quilt.

When I'm done (hopefully on Thursday or Friday), I will post pictures.

Until then, you'll find me hunched over the dining room table, either sewing stitches on my new sewing maching or making sure the sashing between the blocks comes out right.  Tomorrow I'm going over to Ross and Audra's house to tie my quilt; we're going to tape the quilt to the linoleum because it will keep it all stable and because you don't see needle marks in linoleum.

At least I hope to tie my quilt.

But I must finish it first.

Happy almost New Year!

Made it!

I finished my twenty-fifth book today.  The complete booklist will be up next year; I left it in SoCal.
Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

No idea

I have no idea what my readers actually like reading about on here, so I'll just keep doing what I'm doing, I suppose.

Irene and I on the Santa Monica Pier

1. Today is my best friend Irene's birthday!  I met her when I was sixteen.  She just finished her degree requirements but is going to spend an extra semester in school taking fun/personal enrichment classes.  She's also going to bike across the United States this summer!  Crazy...

2. I've spent several hours sketching, reconfiguring, calculating, etc., all in anticipation of a quilt I'm going to make.  I sure hope it turns out well after all the work I've put into it!

3. I have approximately 120 pages left to read before the end of the year; I think I'll make it. ;)  When I finish those 120 pages, I will have read twenty-five books this year!  I was inspired to keep track of my books because my friend Heather wrote a post about books earlier this year and Amos wrote a post a few years ago.  I also wanted to read 20 books this year, so I'm quite happy that I've gone beyond my goal.  Check back next year to see my list and maybe some comments.

4. It is rainy here in SoCal.  Preparation for my journey to NorCal, I suppose.

5. One of these years I would like to be able to spend Christmas with Amos.  The first Christmas (2008) was terrible.  Last Christmas (2009) he was able to come up for a few days before heading back down to work on Christmas, but this Christmas (2010) he has to stay in SoCal and go to work; he doesn't have enough days off in a row to make it worth it to travel north.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who wants to see Amos on Christmas, though.  Amos won't be able to go to visit his family in Nebraska in January, but we're hoping to go for his cousin's wedding in April.

6. I'm hungry.  Time for lunch!

New every morning

In the midst of disappointments that come in various forms, the Word of the Lord is comforting. :)


This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.
Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.
It is good that one should hope and wait quietly
For the salvation of the LORD.
It is good for a man to bear
The yoke in his youth.
Let him sit alone and keep silent,
Because God has laid it on him;
Let him put his mouth in the dust—
There may yet be hope.
Let him give his cheek to the one who strikes him,
And be full of reproach.
For the Lord will not cast off forever.
Though He causes grief,
Yet He will show compassion
According to the multitude of His mercies.

~Lamentations 3:21-32

Quilt

Well, I have decided to make a quilt.  For years my mom, a talented seamstress, tried to get me into sewing.  I wasn't interested, but I decided finally to make a quilt!  I currently have a handmade quilt on my bed, sewn by my sister-in-law Audra.  When I go North in a week or so, Audra is going to help me pick fabric, and Mom and Audra are going to help me make it!  I'm thinking of dark turquoise, deep blue, jade green, and dark green as the overall color scheme with some cranberry-colored pieces as well.  It's going to be a unique quilt because it's going to include fabric I got in Africa and India, as well as fabric from Israel (I might cut up an old purse or use part of a pillow case, just so I can get Israel in there. ;) ).  I sure hope it turns out well!

In other news, I did not get the job I applied for at the local high school.  It is comforting to know that God made that decision, and He obviously has something different for me.

At tutoring...

In addition to my work as an on-call substitute, I also tutor at a tutoring agency for approximately ten hours a week.  I have one first grader, two fourth graders, two seventh graders, and one fifth grader.  I tutor mostly math and writing, though science and history are also part of my repertoire.  I like my kids, though I definitely prefer teaching in the high school environment.  One of my fourth graders was my tutee last year, and this year I started tutoring his first grade brother, too.  These little guys are so cute and funny.  It is hilarious to watch them be goofy elementary kids who aren't afraid of what other think yet.  I feel like laughing every time I tutor them; sometimes I do laugh, but they don't mind. :)

On Monday I had an interview for a job at one of the high schools in the district, and I will find out on Friday if I actually got the job (please pray!).  If I get this job, I think I am going to drop most if not all of my tutoring so that I can really focus on my teaching and hopefully be hired back next year.  But that all depends on the decision that will be announced on Friday.  I am comforted by the fact that GOD has made the decision, not the people who interviewed me (especially since the interview could have been better; oh well!).

Anyway, here's a little peek at what goes on at my job.

At tutoring today...
Me: "Think of another animal. It begins with M. It lives in Canada."
Student: "Monkey!"

Frequently repeated phrases:
"Stop."
"Please stop."
"Your parents are paying right now for you to [insert misbehavior here]."
"Stop."
"I really don't want to be poked in the eye with your pencil."
"Come over here."
"One of these days I'm going to go crazy, and you'll have to get a new tutor."
"Stop messing around."
"I really don't want to be stabbed in the eye with my own pencil."
"Does that make sense?"
"Please stop."
"I'm going to trip over your chair and break something, and you're going to have to take me to the hospital, which is a problem since you can't drive."
"You are crazy!"
"I don't mind you being silly, but we have to be serious right now."
"Please stop."
"Is that how you spell that word?"
"Please sit down."
"Sit down."
"Don't sit in your chair that way."

And on and on it goes... ;)

Bleargh.

I thought of a good blog topic the other day, and now I've forgotten it.
*sigh*
Happy weekend!

Strange.

Well, it was a rather strange weekend.

Amos and I went up to NorCal for Thanksgiving and had a good time. :)  We left on Friday so that Amos could come, too, but on Thursday I got a cold.  I was miserable for about two and a half days, which means that I kept trying to take naps and we didn't go on any adventures; Amos and I only left Mom and Dad's house to go to church on Sunday.  I wanted to go to Nevada City on Sunday, but then Amos had a headache and slept for a big chunk of the afternoon, poor guy!  We were then going to go to the Capitol building in Sacramento on Monday, but we left later than we had planned, so we just stopped for lunch and gas on the way down to SoCal.

On the way back down, I drove and Amos asked me questions from a book.  I'm a visual person and was interested in what he was reading, so I kept trying to read the book for myself rather than just listening to my longsuffering boyfriend. ;) Inevitably, there was quite a bit of swerving as we drove down the multi-lane or sometimes two-lane freeway.  I wasn't trying to swerve, but eventually Amos got so nervous that he suggested we stop for gas so that he could drive and I could read!

Needless to say, it worked out a lot better after that. ;)

At the Nevada County Fair in August

Even if something went wrong, which it did.

Two weeks ago my tutoring boss called me in the evening.  He wanted me to pick up some kids from school the next day before I tutored because his regular driver was on vacation.  I agreed to this, and we decided that I would drive the fifteen-passenger van, picking up kids and dropping them off at the tutoring center.  I had never driven such a long vehicle before, but I figured it would be an adventure even if something went wrong, which it did. ;)

I got to the center and one of my coworkers graciously helped me figure out where I needed to go and what I needed to do.  She handed me a tiny key for the large van, and we each headed out on a different route.

When I got in the van, I noticed that the van was very low on gas, but I figured that it would be an adventure if it ran out, which it did. ;)  I really should have called my boss and told him, but I didn't.  I guess the regular driver is responsible for filling up the vans and it had been neglected.

Anyway, I picked up a few sets of kids.  I listened to two kindergarteners and one first grader discuss "cajuzzis" (jacuzzis) and my driving habits.

"Why are you driving with only one hand?"

"Oh, I don't know.  That's how I always do it.  I've been driving for seven years, and I think that's longer than all of you have been alive!"

The little kids encouraged me to speed down a long hill, but I figured it would be good NOT to run over other cars.  I dropped off the first set of kids and headed up the freeway to the next school.  I picked up three girls there (second, third, and fifth grade, I think), and we headed back to the center.

I soon noticed however, that the van did not have as much power as it had earlier in the day.  I heard a few pops and decided to pull over on the shoulder of the freeway.  The girls were a little worried, but I tried to assure them with "It's okay, I think we're out of gas, don't worry!"  Next I decided to get back on the freeway and try to make it as far as I could.  I merged back on, but since we had only fumes, we had no power!  I looked behind me to see a big rig swiftly approaching.  I quickly switched lanes, and we putted and popped up the freeway to our off ramp.

There was a lot of popping now, but we managed to pull into an industrial park only a few miles from the tutoring center.  I decided to just wait here and to call my boss to decide what to do next.  I not only had to get these girls back to the center, I still needed to pick up a few more kids from their schools!  The sun was streaming in the huge side windows of the van, so the three girls and I got out and sat in the grass.

Ironically, I had a voicemail from my boss asking if it was going okay, which it wasn't. ;)  I called him back, got the phone number of my coworker to come pick us up, and waited.

The three little girls were troopers.  They sat in the grass and weren't fazed at all.

I sat in the grass and tried really hard not to split my face with the silly grin that wanted to keep popping up.  I took out my phone and texted Amos:
"Car broke down! We.re out of gas! Haha! :P someone.s getting us tho."  [I didn't want him to be worried.]

I love adventure!  This wasn't my car, none of us were hurt, and I had a story!  This was awesome!

We were rescued in the end and everyone had a crazy story to tell, which we did. ;)

Nothin'

Well, I can't really think of anything to say, so I'll just...ummmmmm...say something.

1. It's almost Thanksgiving!
2. I subbed on Monday and Tuesday and will be subbing tomorrow.
3. Amos needs wisdom for what to do about his almost-dead car.
4. Amos is my favoritest person ever!
5. Favoritest isn't a word, but I'm leaving it.
6. I'm hanging out with Danielle today.
7. Yesterday was the last night of Bible study for the year.
8. My roommate has been gone this week.
9. Have a happy Thursday!

One small fire later...

Two hours, one striped Fab India apron, and one small fire later, I was ready for dinner!  I made two Indian dishes for dinner, and yes, it took me two hours.  I realize that one of these days I will have to choose recipes that take a much shorter length of time, but I was having a good time.  I had both of these dishes in India multple times, and they were really good.

First I made paneer, Indian cheese.  It was really easy: boil milk, add curdling agent, strain, press, and let sit.  Wahlah!  We have cheese!  I used the paneer later in palak paneer, a spinach and cheese dish.
I also made butter chicken.  Butter chicken is a tomato-based chicken dish with onions, spices, and ground cashews.  The cashews are used for a thickener instead of, say, corn starch.  I think it's called butter chicken because sometimes ghee is poured on top right before you serve it.  (Ghee is clarified butter, i.e., what you get when you microwave butter for too long ;) and the butter separates. Ghee is the clear liquid part of the butter.)

In the midst of all of this, I also made cookies!  Yes, I made cookies.  And they worked this time (they worked last time, too.).  I made coconut oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.  Mmmmmm. :)

The small fire occurred when I accidentally sloshed some oil out of a frying pan and onto the hot burner.  There were instant flames, but they died down in a few seconds.  I stared wide-eyed, trying to remember what to do, but thankfully it took care of itself.  It wasn't that exciting, but it makes for a good story!  (I love telling stories, so I was thrilled that something actually caught on fire!)

Adventure is out there, even in the kitchen! ;)

Bocephus.

Yes, that is the name of one of the kids in class today.  How unfortunate!  I started a list of "Terrible Names To Name Your Kid" in my substitute folder.  We'll see how many I get. ;)

In other news, I think Amos is almost moved, a week later!  I really haven't minded helping him, but I hope we can go on an adventure soon that doesn't involve walking up and down the block, carrying boxes.  It's been kind of sad: Amos has wheeled multiple boxes on a dolly borrowed from school, and I've been consigned to carrying a single lamp or a mirror or a box of Tupperware.  Oh well.  I'm glad I have a strong boyfriend.  He even let me ride the dolly quite a ways down the sidewalk one time!  Took me back to my childhood days of my brothers and I riding our dolly down the hill, handle first.  Yes, we were strange.  But it was fun! :)

Tonight has been strange because I actually ate dinner before 8:00 pm.  This never happens.  I always eat dinner later.  I guess I'll have to have a snack later! ;)

Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken

I went to chapel today to hear Bill speak.  It was a great message on Matthew 16:24-27.  Before his sermon, the worship team led TMC in this song.  I highlighted the words that really hit me today.  Unfortunately I didn't find a good version on YouTube for you to listen to this time.
It was as if I had never sung the song words before.


Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken
Henry Lyte

1. Jesus, I my cross have taken, all to leave and follow Thee;
   Destitute, despised, forsaken, Thou from hence my all shall be.
   Perish every fond ambition, all I’ve sought or hoped or known;
   Yet how rich is my condition! God and heav’n are still mine own.
2. Let the world despise and leave me, they have left my Savior, too;
   Human hearts and looks deceive me; Thou art not, like them, untrue.
   And while Thou shalt smile upon me, God of wisdom, love and might,
   Foes may hate and friends disown me, show Thy face and all is bright.
3. Go, then, earthly fame and treasure! Come, disaster, scorn and pain!
   In Thy service pain is pleasure; with Thy favor, loss is gain.
   I have called Thee, “Abba, Father”; I have set my heart on Thee:
   Storms may howl, and clouds may gather, all must work for good to me.
4. [Soul then know] thy full salvation; rise o’er sin, and fear, and care;
   Joy to find in every station something still to do or bear:
   Think what Spirit dwells within thee; what a Father’s smile is thine;
   What a Savior died to win thee, child of heav’n, shouldst thou repine?
5. Haste [thee] on from grace to glory, armed by faith, and winged by prayer,
   Heav’n’s eternal day’s before thee, God’s own hand shall guide thee there.
   Soon shall close thy earthly mission, [soon] shall pass thy pilgrim days;
   Hope [shall] change to glad fruition, faith to sight, and prayer to praise.

*brackets indicate the changes I've seen; fourth verse was left out

How's this?

1. I like the weather today because it reminds me of spring. :)
2. I encountered several strange names at school yesterday: Aubrey (boy), Acquanetta (girl), Bronika (girl)
3. At school yesterday, I met two sisters who have the same last name as me!  They were so excited! They usually only meet people with the last name Myers; they had never met an unrelated Byers before.
4. Amos and I had a misadventure yesterday, but it was still fun and we got to hang out for a long time! :)
5. I got six books from the library today, and five of them are on the Middle East!  The sixth one is about cool things to see and do in L.A.
6. I hope candy corn goes on sale on Monday.
7. California elections are on Tuesday!  I'm going to get my little "I voted" sticker. :)
8. One of my IBEX professors, Bill Schlegel, is coming to California next week!  He'll be speaking in chapel on Monday and Wednesday and conducting a seminar on Tuesday.  Bill is the professor who gave me the nickname Ayelet. :)
9. I have at least two days of subbing next month and hopefully more.
10. Amos is moving this weekend!  This is good for many reasons. :)
11. I just remembered I have a mission meeting to go to tomorrow.

Owl City

One of my favorite musical artists is Owl City.  Owl City is one person, Adam Young, who started making music in his basement and still does, actually, instead of working in a regular studio.  He also happens to be a Christian and a pretty great blogger at times.  Here's one example of his funny style, describing a trip to Office Depot: 

‎"I was trouncing around the parking lot like a space worm..."

Haha! I found that quote last night, and it still makes me smile!  What is a space worm? (I've since found the answer, and it has something to do with Star Wars.)  Why do space worms trounce? Haha!
You can check out the Owl City blog here.
And you can read a good post about "enjoying the journey" here.
And you can listen to one of his songs included in a recent movie soundtrack here.

Reminder

I sought the LORD, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him, and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

The LORD redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.

~Psalm 34:4-8, 15, 17-18, 22

Trust in the LORD, and do good;

Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

Delight yourself also in the LORD,

And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD,

Trust also in Him,

And He shall bring it to pass.

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him.

But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD;

He is their strength in the time of trouble.

~Psalm 37:3-5, 7a, 39

Changes

It's crazy how people change.
Looking through Facebook, I see some people I used to know and I think, "How did you get to the place you are today?"
I know some of their stories...or pieces of their stories.
But how did these people get there?  What terrible experiences have they endured that turned them inward, made them bitter, cause them to them lash out at others, made them lose hope in the future?  How did they come to accept lifestyles they once vehemently denounced?

I've realized recently that it doesn't matter how much wisdom (hopefully wisdom) I give to a friend, only God can change them.
Pray for your friends and family.
It's hard for me to do that, but it's essential.
Pray God will bring them or bring them back in whatever way He sees fit.
Pray He will give them hope.
And pray He will give them courage to change.

NorCal thus far...

Story Number One.

When I wear one of my Israeli t-shirts or my Ayelet necklace, I frequently get comments from strangers.  Checking in at the Southwest counter in L.A. on Thursday night, one of the attendants started talking to me very excitedly.  "Oh, were you in the Israeli Navy?  What's your Jewish name?  Mine is Rachel.  I'm named after a dead relative because you can't be named after a live one.  When do we get our Jewish names?  At our Bas Mitzvah? I can't remember now!  Did you like it?  I don't care what religion you are, there is just something special about Jerusalem, with the four gates.  The Dome of the Rock...where Jesus walked...symbolism...four major religions [where did she get the fourth religion?]...loved it...special place..."

As I was struggling under her deluge of words and enthusiasm, I did manage to bob to the surface and tell her that I had studied in Israel, I was in fact a Christian, I got my nickname from my professor, etc.  I took my boarding pass from the other attendant and headed down the very small terminal to my gate...after I tried to go the wrong way. :P

Story Number Two.

On Friday the little kids and I went to Lincoln to visit Audra and Ethan.  Brenda decided to comment on the fact that I kept driving, so she couldn't write what she wanted to.  I told her that I could drop her off on the sidewalk and she would have a lot of time to draw!  Luke said he would be dropped off, too.

Luke - "If anyone would come up and touch you, I'd say [menacing tone] 'watch out for the big dog.'" (You know where this is going...)

Brenda - "And a big dog comes out and attacks him..."
Luke - "No, the big dog is me!  Ruff ruff ruff!  I'd jump on him and throw him against the car!!"

Brenda - "You'd try to..."
Jennica - [insert comment on being nice to Luke]

Luke - "No, I would.  I have skills."

Quirks

In analyzing Amos' and my relationship, I think it's good to get the opinion of my friends who know both of us pretty well.  It's easy for an outside person to encourage a relationship when that outsider is caught up in the "You have a boyfriend or girlfriend!  That's so awesome!" mentality. Thus it's important to see if the two people actually get along with each other and make a good team.  Turning to a close friend who wants your best and will give you an honest opinion can give you good insight into your relationship.  Anyway, I decided to talk to a few of my friends about it.
I asked Danielle why she thinks Amos and I go well together, and she gave some pretty good insight that was encouraging. (We both have strong personalities, but I do listen to and respect Amos; he calms me down and I prod him along; etc.)
I asked Kat why she thinks Amos and I go well together, and the first thing she said, while interlacing her fingers for emphasis, was,
"Your quirkies fit!"
Haha!  Too true, Kat.  Too true.

"New updates are now available"

Well, it's a lazy Sunday afternoon here.  This morning Kat and I met Amos at church, then we all came back to my apartment, talked for a while, and had smoothies.  Kat headed off to hang out with Jess, and Amos and I had lunch.  Amos went home for a nap (he's working an overnight shift tonight), and the Michelles and I watched a movie and took naps on our couches. :)  The Michelles are still sleeping, but I'm writing a blog post and listening to some Michael Buble' through my headphones.  I've found that I like listening to music through my headphones sometimes; the sound is fuller than when I just play music from my computer speakers.  Maybe I should borrow Amos' really nice, Sony headphones sometime... ;)  I also just realized that if I use my headphones, I can listen to a song as many times as I want to without driving my roommates crazy! (Hmmmmm, I think this is the twelfth time I've listened to this song?  Or maybe the thirteenth?)
The picture above is from a few nights ago.  It's been hot here in SoCal, but we had huge, beautiful white clouds for about a week.  In the last few days we've also had random showers and thunderstorms.  Unfortunately I missed the thunderstorms; they happened around 3:00 in the morning, so maybe it's good I missed them!  I loved the clouds, though.
I'm finished with my consistent subbing now.  My last day of testing was on Thursday, and then I had a regular sub job on Friday.  I talked to a long-term substitute teacher on Friday and got some good ideas for how to get more sub jobs and/or a long-term sub job, so I have to implement those ideas now!  I'm so thankful that I got to do CELDT testing for a month!  Out of the last twenty-fours days I was available to sub either as a CELDT tester or as a regular sub, I actually worked twenty-one!!!  I also just finished teaching a three-hour SAT class on Saturdays.  I hope my students do well next Saturday when they take the test.  Wow, I have been busy!  Please pray that I'll continue to get work in the coming months.  Right now the only fersure (like my new word?!) job I have is two hours of tutoring per week.  However, I am getting paid in a week for my sub jobs and then in two weeks for my previous tutoring.
In other news, I'm headed home on Thursday to get a haircut and to watch the little kids for a few days.  Mom and Dad need a break and are paying for my plane ticket home for the weekend.  I'm glad I get to fly up because I'd much rather spend an hour in a plane than six hours in a car!  Yes, I will be driving a minivan, making dinner, hanging out with my cute brothers and sisters, recording hilarious quotes, making sure everyone gets to church on time, and cleaning for a few days.  We'll see how that goes.
While I'm gone, Amos is going on a mission trip to Mexico!  A team from our church is headed south of the border to build a house for a poor family.  The house was constructed in pieces yesterday and will be carted down and assembled by a crew from our church.  Amos is one of three or four guys going, so hopefully there are some burly women going, too!
Anyway, that's just a little bit of what has been going on down here.
Life is hard at times, but God is good.

Update: The music sounds REALLY good in Amos' headphones. :)

Busy

Life has been a little crazy around here.  I think things will slow down in two-three weeks, but no guarantees.
Here's what I have going on:

-CELDT testing (last week, two days left!)
-Subbing
-Bridal shower planning for Kat
-Bridal shower for Kat
-Tutoring
-Guest for two-three days
-Church
-Young adults' group
-Ladies' Bible study
-Two-day fall break
-Four days at home watching the little kids
-Visiting Audra, Ethan, Ross, and possibly other people while I'm home
-Kat's wedding

In between I have eating, sleeping, reading, relaxing, etc.  It doesn't seem like a lot until I remember my boyfriend.
Oh yeah, Amos.
I should see Amos sometime, too.  After all, he's the one who keeps me sane.  (No laughing, those of you readers who know him...) We have almost opposite schedules right now.
I'm surviving, though!  I wouldn't change all the stuff I have/get to do, but if Amos could come along more often, that would be awesome. :)

Grieved

Have you ever grieved over someone?
I am currently grieving the decisions made by a friend.
It hurts.
I want to help my friend see that these choices could have lasting effects and that they lead nowhere good, but my friend just doesn't see it that way.

I'm glad God is in control and can see the outcome, because I sure
can't.

Seven

I thought I'd explain the pictures on my blog, since I said I was going to do so.  Most of them are self-explanatory, but bear with me. :)

The first picture was taken in London in June 2004.  I was on my way to Zambia, Africa for a mission trip, and my team had an eight-ish hour layover in England.  We took a good chunk of time to tour the city.  This is one of the first things I saw when I came out of the Tube.  Incidentally, England was my first foreign country.  I was seventeen.
The second picture was taken in Jordan in March 2006.  Several friends and I visited Petra, Jordan as part of our travel/study break during our semester in Israel.  I wish we had had more time there.  This is at the end of the Siq, a narrow crack that ends in the stone-carved, rose colored city.  I was nineteen.
The third picture is from my actual mission trip in Zambia in June 2004.  This little girl was standing in the doorway at one of the schools where we conducted our program.  I like this picture because it is so "Africa" and because the little girl is so cute.  This trip to Zambia really opened my eyes to poverty in the world.  I was seventeen.
The fourth picture was taken in Israel in February of 2006.  This was my first time going to Israel and my first time on the Temple Mount.  I've now been to Israel twice and been on the Temple Mount twice.  Israel is the place that sticks with me the most.  It is where I got one of my favorite nicknames (Ayelet, Hebrew for "gazelle").  It's also a place of endless adventure. I love Israel, though recently I've come to see that she is not always right and that Palestinian Christians are hurting because of some of her actions.  Nevertheless, Jerusalem is my favorite place in the world, at least so far.  I was nineteen and twenty-one.
The fifth picture is obviously from Egypt; these are the pyramids at Giza, outside of Cairo.  This was my first stop on my travel/study break in March 2006.  Some of my favorite memories of Egypt include riding rickety, old bikes in Luxor, galloping horses across the desert sands, and eating a stuffed pigeon.  I would love to go back to Egypt some day.  I was nineteen.
Last but not least is a picture from my recent trip to India.  India was just a few months ago, July 2010.  The picture on the background of my blog, behind my posts, is also from India.  India had its challenges, though on the whole it was one great adventure.  I loved the foreign culture and I loved working with PMI.  It was encouraging to see the church actively involved in the community.  These two kids are part of Pathshala, a program designed to help slum kids get ready for school.  Many of these children can be sponsored.  Part of their support is put into a fund, and the fund will be used to pay for these children to go to university when they are older.  This support will hopefully break the hopeless cycle of slum life for these and many more kids.  I was twenty-three.

I've come a long way and gone a long way in the last seven years.  I'm excited to see both where I'll be and where I've been in the next seven.

Modeling, 101: Results

Well, there you go. We were models and these are some of the results.  The first one looks ridiculous; my foot does NOT look like that.  I think Amos is cute. :)  The last one is my favorite.

Photo credit: Jennifer Beal Photography and Brian Baker Photography

Prepare

I was all prepared to write a post, and then I forgot the topic.
But OH!  I just remembered!

I like to multitask.  I try to do several things at once, such as eating breakfast on the way to school (okay, that's 'cuz I don't get up early enough) or doing two different things with one hand each (think stirring something on the stove while putting something else in the sink).  I also water the plants, turn off lights, and lock doors while brushing my teeth at night.  I've tried to think of something to do while I'm drying my hair, but so far I've only come up with reading a website.
;)
Random, I know.
Have a good Thursday!

Random acts of writing

So, I have attempted to write about my job three to four times now, but I think I'm going to skip it.  I think I'll share some verses instead.

Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
-Psalm 116:7


"For I have satiated the weary soul and I have replenished every sorrowful soul."
-Jeremiah 31:25


For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.
-Psalm 103:14

Modeling, 101

Well, tomorrow will bring a new experience.
Amos and I are going to be models.
Yep.
We are.

Apparently a guy from church needed some models for a small workshop.
Amos volunteered us and we're helping out tomorrow.
Should be interesting, if nothing else.

Have a good Labor Day weekend!

Rabbit trails

"Well, if you can't tell that my blog has been updated, then you must be blind.  And if that's the case, you probably aren't reading my blog at all. In fact, you can't even read *this* sentence, unless you have a website reader.  Do they have those?  That's a good idea if they don't."
If you have never talked to me in person before, that is what I sound like.  Rabbit trails and random ideas.

Another rabbit trail...I found this piece of bread that
looked just like a bunny!

Anyway, my blog looks different.

I thought about changing my blog a little while ago and decided to do so yesterday.  I've worked on the new design for about four hours now, and I think Amos has worked on it for an hour, too.  He's very good with computers, especially with the help of google.  Ahhhhh, google.  What would we do without you?
Amos recently redesigned his own blog.  Today I saw part of a post that he is writing, and I am eager to read it, whenever he finishes it. Amos was writing about a chapter of Nehemiah that our pastor covered a few weeks ago.  It should be good!

So, there are some changes to my blog, and I thought I would explain them.

• I decided to go with a blue theme because I like blue.  I also like green.  The blue, green, white, and dark gray all look good together, so that is my color scheme!
• Amos helped me with the images.  He put the pictures in the blog title together into a collage.  I took each of these pictures on different trips to foreign countries.  I'll explain the pictures in another post.  He also helped me with the background image.  He found the point in the html text where I could paste my own picture.  I kept pasting pictures, trying to find one that worked.  I finally cropped a picture that I had taken in India and pasted away!  It looked really good on my computer, but Amos couldn't see it on his.  He fixed the photo for me, I pasted it one more time, and it's all good!
• I split up my links into two side bars because I liked the look, plus I didn't like having one really long side bar.
• I made the posting area wider.

I hope you like the changes!  And if you are blind and your website reader is dictating this post to you, I hope that you can visualize my blog and that you like it, too. ;)

Pet peeves

Happy flowers to break up the negativity

I can't say that I really like the word "peeve", but oh well, I'm going to use it anyway.  I know this is a strange post, but I don't want to try to force something thoughty right now.  Soooooo, a list of Jennica's pet peeves. :)  Some of them are understandable, some of them are weird, and some of them are silly.  Some of them are probably also unreasonable, but...oh well. :)

Pet Peeves
-Frizzy hair
-Movies where the heroine's life is suddenly transformed for the better when she gets rid of her naturally curly hair and goes to straight!
-Slow drivers who won't get over
-Whining
-Kids who don't stand for the Pledge of Allegiance
-Expensive essentials
-Naked babies (Why do you want people to see your kids without any clothes on???  I don't get it.)
-Moms who think they are teenage girls still

I'm sure there's more, but that's all for now!  Sorry for the boring post.  I WILL write something more interesting soon. ;)

Why I don't like (most) chick flicks

My roommates were watching a chick flick yesterday, and quite honestly, I found the movie very annoying.  The movie was "Bride Wars" with those two girls...ummm, Anne Hathaway and Whats Herface... (I have to look at the box) oh, Kate Hudson.  I was taking a nap in my room for part of the movie, I watched little bits here and there, and then I hid in my room with a book.  So annoying.
Now don't get me wrong, I do like some chick flicks.  I like "Sweet Home Alabama," "The Women," and "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton," plus a few others.  I like those three each for a different reason, but  that's beside the point.

Here's why I don't like (most) chick flicks:
1. The girls are almost always stupid.
-In "Bride Wars," the girls attack each other in mean, spiteful ways just to get what they want.  And then they make up at the end (of course) and nothing has changed (really?!).
-In "Leap Year," Amy Adams keeps assuming that the nice guy is doing nice things for her just to get something from her.
-Somehow the bad girls and/or bad guys turn good, and because of it, they get the person they want.
2. The movies are not realistic.
-You can't just pick up where you left off; there are a lot of hurt feelings to work through even after you forgive someone.
-There is no such thing as fairy tale romance.  Love takes work.
-The "perfect guy" does not exist.
-The "perfect girl" does not exist.
-You never see the hard, boring, day-to-day stuff in chick flicks.
-One incident changes everything.
-You meet someone and one week later get married.
3. The girls in the movies are not realistic.
-Everyone has bad hair days.
-No one can be that cute, that poised, that friendly, that whatever, all the time.
-I never want to meet the girls in those movies because they are usually jerks.
4. Chick flicks can make you discontent, if you let them.
-Why can't my life be like that?
-Why can't I look like that?
-Why don't they have any problems?
5. Chick flicks nowadays tend to have sketchy scenes.
-Apparently you can't know if you like someone/if the relationship will work unless you sleep with them.
-Apparently no one is interested in watching a sweet movie if it doesn't have some scene in it.
-Apparently girls like seeing their counterparts engage in this behavior?
-Apparently this is normal and not something to be ashamed of.  Am I the only one who squirms at this stuff?

I think chick flicks are annoying because...
-that will never be me.
-that is not real life.
-the characters are stupid.
-I think about them too much.

Anyway, this is not very carefully thought out and it sounds like I'm ranting, but that's my input. :)

Tuesday

Well, it's Tuesday.
It does not feel like Tuesday, but it is.
Yesterday, I thought it was Saturday.
It was not.
As long as I don't forget important things like I have to tutor today, Dr. Halstead needs his pictures by Sunday, and I need to e-mail some people, I suppose I'll be fine.
Happy Tuesday!

Nephew

Hello, readers, I would like you to meet my nephew, Ethan David Byers.  Isn't he cute?!

Awwwww, so cute!

This is Ross and Audra's little baby.  He's two weeks old today!  Ethan likes to sleep, but we got a few pictures with his eyes open.  He will probably have brown eyes because both Ross and Audra have brown eyes.

Amos and I got to hang out with Ross, Audra, and Ethan last week.  While Audra was busy and Ross was taking a nap, Amos and I went to the store and got lunch for everyone.  When we got back, I was in the restroom (TMI, I know), but I heard Audra talking to Amos.  I came out to see my very tall boyfriend holding the very small baby. It was cute. :)

Hangin' out with Amos

Later Audra's mom came over to help out a bit.  Amos had never met Audra's mom, and when she walked in, he was still holding Ethan.  He didn't volunteer to let her hold Ethan, so she was stuck talking to this guy she'd never met before who was holding her new grandson and not giving him up! I thought it was pretty funny!

Because I live six hours away, I won't be able to see him as much as I'd like to.  When he gets bigger, though, we're going to go on some adventures.  Actually, right now he is small enough to fit in a suitcase...hmmmmm... ;)

Hangin' out with Aunt Jennica!

Cooking...

So, I was thinking of sharing a recipe with you, but then I thought, "I don't want to write out all the steps, make sure I have the correct proportions, test the recipes again to make sure I did it right, edit, re-edit and re-re-edit the recipe, etc."
Instead, I thought I'd just give you my cooking ideas with the ingredients listed and let you experiment with the proportions, process, temperature, cook time, etc.  Hopefully it doesn't irritate people that I'm not giving instructions.
So here we go!  I have TWO recipes to share with you.  Please let me know if you try either of these. :)

Honey Ginger Chicken
-Asian food-

Olive oil
Chopped bell pepper

Chopped onion
Cubed chicken breast
Soy sauce
Finely chopped raw ginger
Water
Honey
Salt
Ground black pepper
Garlic powder
Corn starch

Non-Traditional Grilled Cheese
-American food-
French bread/ciabatta bread/roll
Butter
Sliced Monterey Jack cheese
Sliced onion
Sliced bell pepper
Rosemary

Again...

Today I am reminding myself that
contentment
is something to be
learned,
worked at,
and fought for.

Sometimes with milk, usually with honey, always with sugar

Well, I'm sitting here with an Agatha Christie mystery and a glass of chai, and I was thinking, "I really like 'beverages.'"

I'm not sure why, but I really like different things to drink.
Here are some of my favorites:

Coffee - it needs to have milk and to be sweet and strong
hot, cold, frozen, lattes, mochas (but not too strong on the chocolate), cappuccinos, macchiatos

Tea - it needs to be sweet and strong
iced tea, Thai tea, black tea, Ceylon tea, chai, fruit flavored tea, some herbal tea, sometimes with milk, usually with honey, always with sugar

Smoothies - they need to be sweet (do I see a theme?)

I mean, I like real chai

yogurt, mango, strawberries, fruit juice, pineapple, berries, etc.

Lemonade - it needs to be sweet and sour
fresh lemonade, strawberry lemonade, raspberry lemonade, peach lemonade

Things I do NOT like to drink:
Weak coffee or tea
Powdered lemonade mix
Soda (occasionally I like it with pizza...but that's about all)
Green tea
Caffeine

And I'd just like to say, "Sometimes with milk, usually with honey, always with sugar" sounds like a great title for a cooking blog. :)
I like it. Anyway.

Travel bug...

Well, I'm back. From India AND from San Diego!
India was awesome.
San Diego was awesome.
NorCal is going to be awesome.
Today my nephew Ethan was born!  Amos and I will be headed up to NorCal to see him next week!  I've seen some pictures of him, and he's very cute.
Anyway, for some reason I have not been very motivated to write since I've returned from overseas.  Never fear, I will pick it up again...just probably not today. ;)
In other news, I applied for a teaching job here in SoCal. Please pray that I will get it if it is God's will!!!  Looking at it from my standpoint, it seems to fit my needs and situation really well.  Please pray, if you think of me!
Other than that, have a good Thursday!

Happy birthday???

I didn't remember that today is my birthday until I saw several posts on my Facebook wall.
I guess I'm getting old.

In other news, today is also Amos' mom's birthday.  Happy birthday, Barb!

In other other news, Amos and I are going on an adventure!  Should be fun!  He's keeping it a secret (mostly), so we'll see what happens.

Only one more day in July!  That's just crazy...

Link...

I'll be updating this blog while I'm in India...easier than doing two...check it out! :)

I'm here!

India's hot.
India's humid.
India's awesome.
Spirit of Adventure!  I love travel, minus the plane ride.  Soooooooo long.  I did not appreciate the fifteen hour flight, but I did survive.  Barely.
Looking forward to attending English classes tomorrow at some point to see how it's done in another culture.  Should be good.
;)

Fore!

Well, I leave in just FOUR days!  Amos got my big suitcase down for me last night, so I'm ready to start packing.  My roommate Jen was surprised that I would start packing already.  She packs the night before she goes anywhere. I tend to pack more like her now, but I wasn't always that way.

When I was younger, I loved summer camp.  I would pack so far in advance that I would have to take my clothes back out of the suitcase as I needed them!  When I was in college, I would get frustrated and upset if my dad didn't pack my car trunk the way I thought should be packed. (I'm sorry, Dad!)  

However, I have loosened up on my packing perfectionism.  When I went to Israel the second time, I kept poor Katharyn awake with most of my packing the night before (I think it was around 11:00 at night!).  Busyness - going to class, going to work, hanging out with people, making food, sleeping, etc. - has forced me to pack closer to my departure date.  Also, since I have had my own room for only three to four months out of the year for the last six years,  I don't think it would be right to take up my half of the room plus part of my roommate's just so that I can pack early.  However, I do think that relaxing my perfectionism has taken a bigger role than busyness which in turn has taken a bigger role than roommate crowding in my decision to pack only a little bit earlier than my estimated leave time.

ANYway, all that to say that after I look for some shirts for India, I am going to come back and start packing my bags...'cuz I'm leavin'...on a jet plane... ;)

In other news, yesterday was good for several reasons:

1. India was five days away!

2. I was finished with my lessons and had turned them in to the substitute teacher on Thursday!

3. Amos and I have been dating for eleven months!!! :D

4. Though I was exhausted and sad yesterday for no reason, Amos was very comforting.  He is so kind and patient.

5. Luke, Lexi, and Gio were adopted one year ago yesterday!!!  I love them all so much!  Mom and Dad took all the little kids out to dinner to celebrate. :)

Well...

I have eleven lessons left to write.  I sure hope my substitute teacher can understand what I'm trying to teach and more importantly, can get it across to the students!  Oh well, that is not in my power...I will keep plugging away. I doubt I will complete all of the lessons today, but we'll see.
In other news, I have complete four things on my list of things to do before I go to India! Yea! :)
Lunch time then back to work...

To do...

Well, it's almost that time!  I'm leaving for India in NINE days. It still hasn't sunk in.  I was talking to my mom yesterday, and I told her, "I think I'm going to wake up on the 14th and go 'I'M LEAVING THE COUNTRY!!'"  We'll see if that actually happens. Hopefully my suitcase will have gotten the memo and will be ready to go. ;)
I believe I have a hundred things to do before next Wednesday...but I don't think I even know what all of those hundred things are!

However, here are some of the things on my To Do List, since I know you are soooooooo interested ;) :
Work
-teach two classes (writing and science)
-tutor my favorite student and possibly his little brother
-plan eighteen lessons to cover the rest of the summer classes (math and writing) :P
-come up with homework/projects for the rest of the summer classes
Packing
-get my large suitcase out of my small closet
-find a place to put my suitcase until I leave
-make sure my shampoo, conditioner, etc. isn't going to leak everywhere
-pack my external hard drive
-pack my little bear last minute
Church
-attend last India meeting
-attend church
-serve at church picnic
-deliver last-minute funds to church
-go to another meeting
Money
-withdraw spending money
-pay utilities
-pay car insurance
-pay loans
-buy batteries for my camera
-make a Walmart run
Miscellaneous
-complete an application I started a month ago
-ask someone to water my plants while I'm gone
-clean my room
-eat all of my food so it doesn't go bad
-play Frisbee
-go swimming
-hang out with Amos
-renew my driver's license and get a new picture
-go the grocery store
-call several people
-find a few books to take with me
-clear my camera
-talk with Amos a lot
-set up India blog

Here is a picture of Amos and me from several months ago.
On Friday we will have been dating for eleven months!  

Think he'll miss me while I'm gone?

Every Promise of Your Word

I like this song by the Gettys.  If you click the title of the song below, you can listen to it on YouTube!

"Every Promise of Your Word"

From the breaking of the dawn to the setting of the sun,
I will stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
Words of power, strong to save, that will never pass away,
I will stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
For Your covenant is sure,
And on this I am secure—
I can stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.

When I stumble and I sin, condemnation pressing in,
I will stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
You are faithful to forgive that in freedom I might live,
So I stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
Guilt to innocence restored,
You remember sins no more—
So I'll stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
 
When I'm faced with anguished choice, I will listen for Your voice,
And I'll stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
Through this dark and troubled land 
You will guide me with Your hand
As I stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
And You've promised to complete
Ev'ry work begun in me—
So I'll stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.

Hope that lifts me from despair, love that casts out ev'ry fear,
As I stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
Not forsaken, not alone, for the Comforter has come,
And I stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
Grace sufficient, grace for me, 
Grace for all who will believe—
We will stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.

Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2005 Thankyou Music

A good busy...

Lester is here from Canada!  We've been hanging out and having a good time.
Between Lester, Amos, church, teaching, sleeping, etc., things have been pretty busy!
I hope you're having a good summer, now that summer has officially begun as of three days ago, June 21st!

When sorry isn't enough...

A few months ago I was reading a blog that I won't list here. The photographer had recently married, and she was writing about the last few months of married life. She got to the point in which she said that her husband has "learned to bring me a present" when he makes her mad.
[Insert Jennica yelling] DAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!

NO.

NO.

How is that forgiveness? Why wouldn't a simple, "I'm sorry; please forgive me" be enough?  Must you even hear an "I'm sorry; please forgive me" before you give forgiveness?
I say no.

Also, bringing presents to appease the angry spouse/friend/family member/employer/whomever is NOT forgiveness.

Several thoughts:

-Why would you want that present sticking around? Every time you see that...thing, whatever it happens to be, you are reminded of the time that person made you mad or hurt you and you chose not to forgive him or her. Really?!  I would hate to have that over my head.

Friend: "Oh, this vase is pretty, where did you get it?"
You: "Bob got that for me when I got mad at him. He's learned well."

That is not forgiveness; that's withholding forgiveness, restoration, acceptance.

-Presents as prerequisites for forgiveness means that unless a present comes, forgiveness will not be granted. Then, you are not only unforgiving, you are also bitter because you didn't get a present!

-Withholding forgiveness makes the offending person feel as if he or she cannot meet your expectations and thus is not worthy of your love. This is a very hurtful form of rejection.

-No matter what someone else does to you, you have to live with your own response to the situation. You can make the situation better or worse based on your reaction.  Maybe they will never know that they hurt you, or maybe they will never care that they hurt you.  You have to forgive anyway.

-The Bible says that we must forgive, for we have been forgiven ourselves.
"And be kind  to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God in Christ forgave you."
Ephesians 4:32
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection."
Colossians 3:12-14

-Forgiveness is the gospel!  I was reminded of this in church a few weeks ago.  I was suddenly hit again with the truth that God has forgiven me.

ME.

He forgave my sins not because I deserved it, not because I came and groveled, not because I gave Him a gift trying to convince Him that I was worthy.  He forgave me because He loves me, in spite of my faults.  He knows that I am dust and loves me anyway!
"For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."
Romans 5:6

Shouldn't that be our attitude?
Shouldn't we too forgive others, whether they knowingly or unknowingly hurt us?

Forgiveness is at the heart of love.
Undeserved, unreserved, unending.

Jesus, Thank You

The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend
The agonies of Calvary
You the perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son
Who drank the bitter cup reserved for me

Your blood has washed away my sin
Jesus, thank You
The Father’s wrath completely satisfied
Jesus, thank You
Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table
Jesus, thank You

By Your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near
Your enemy You’ve made Your friend
Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace
Your mercy and Your kindness know no end

Lover of my soul
I want to live for You


Music and Lyrics by Pat Sczebel, Sovereign Grace Ministries

Happy birthday...

I didn't realize it until a few days ago, but my blog is four years old as of May 14th!  Wow.
I started this blog after IBEX because several other people had blogs during IBEX.  I think I'm one of the few who maintained mine.  I didn't start a blog at IBEX because several people had them and I didn't really want to jump on the bandwagon, plus I was busy.  However, after IBEX, I thought it would be a cool way to stay in touch with people, plus I would be able to keep it up better once I wasn't distracted with the foreign adventure that is Israel.  Of course there is now Facebook, but I've still kept this up! *pats self on the back*
Anyway, happy belated birthday, little blog! :)

Going green...in more than one sense...

So, for Amos' birthday, I got him a frog.  Scratch that, I captured a frog.  One of his frogs.  For his birthday.
I brought said frog up to NorCal with me so that I could give it to Amos for his birthday.  I packaged up the frog, a granola bar, a secret message, and some little notes for him and gave him the box on Wednesday, telling him not to open it till his birthday, which was on Thursday.
Amos called me the day after his birthday, so I asked him if he had opened his present.

J: Did you open your present?
A: Yeah! It's kind of funny, the frog you gave me looks a lot like a frog I have at home.
J: *sounding disappointed* Really?
A: Yeah.  They're kind of the same color, but the one you gave me is soft and kinda furry.  Mine was hard and kind of scraggly.
J: *laughing to self* Really?  Oh.
A: Yeah, they are a lot alike, but they aren't exactly the same.
J: Oh, okay.

If he only knew then what he knows now... ;)  He's a good sport.
Oh, and I did get Amos a few real presents.  He has a nice dark blue polo shirt and a funny aqua blue shirt. :)
Happy birthday, boyfriend! :)
[Note: My blog is being weird/dumb.  I decided to use the new blog editor, but it doesn't let me edit very well!  Sorry for the weird font sizes.]
[Edit: It was a stuffed frog, not a real frog. ;) ]

Thoughts...

I like making these collage things...

In memoriam..

Happy Memorial Day!

Amos and I are in NorCal and about to head out to the park with family...should be good. :)

Norte

Well, I'm gearing up for another trip up north. Yes, another friend is getting married this weekend. Actually, I know a few people getting married this weekend, but I was only invited to one wedding. ;)

This next week has the potential to be crazy with driving up on Friday afternoon, picking up friends, stuffing six extra people in my parents' house, driving winding roads, going to the wedding, going to church, sending friends off, Memorial Day, hanging with Amos for a few days, watching the little kids for Mom and Dad, sending Amos off, missing Amos' birthday, going to a baby shower, and finally flying back down.

All in eight days.

Plus I need to tutor, mail letters, get shots, find my visa info, do laundry, collect recycling, clean out my car, pay my loans, clear pictures from my camera, eat, sleep, hang with Amos, etc.

Life. It's busy.

In-dee-uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I leave for India in about seven weeks! It's crazy! I'm pretty excited!

I have almost all of my support, so that's pretty great. We have another team meeting tomorrow, and last Sunday we had a team+family/significant other dinner. It was really fun. We got to talk to each other, get to know each other better, and have some great Indian food. I think I'm going to go to the little Indian grocery store nearby soon to see if they have some stuff to make chicken tikka masala. It was really good! :)

Redirection

I'm working on a post about forgiveness, but it's taking a while.

Instead of forcing that subject right now, I thought I'd ask a question.

If someone were to follow you around for a week, what patterns would they see? This is not a post to make you feel bad about doing fun things, but think about it.

What would they see?

I know for me, they would see a lot of Facebooking (seriously, the thing is addictive). However, I'm also happy to say that the mystery person would see other patterns, such as reading my Bible.

What would your mystery person see?

For now...

a picture.

Later...

a thought.

(For the very curious, I took this picture of my purity ring last winter. The quote came from a recent conversation with Amos.)