Give Thanks

Sometimes life feels so empty and hopeless, or we are hurting so bad that we feel there is nothing we can be thankful for. This is simply not true. God wants us to give thanks not because He needs to hear it but for us- that we take a moment to step back and look at where we are. Yeah bad things happen and are no fun- but there is still something in your life or around you to be thankful for. How much better is it to look for the positive instead of dwelling in the negative? We need to remember to give thanks.

We also need to give thanks when things are going well. At these times it is so easy to look to ourselves as the instigator of the good things that are happening- that because we are so great, we got this life figured out, we are smarter, quicker, better- that is why things are good. When we give thanks in this case, we are remembering that it is really all from God- in this case, giving thanks can keep us humble.

I don't know which category you fall into right now but it is important that we remember to give thanks in all situations. Take a few minutes to watch this video. After it is over- spend some time really thanking God for what He has given you.

I dreamed a dream

Too often we look at the outside and make judgements on people. There are generalizations that are easily made by the way that we dress, wear our hair, etc, that are ok. Things like, "oh, they are wearing a Steelers jersey, they must be a fan." Or, "they are dressed punk/rock, they must like that kind of music." How we present ourselves definitely matters especially if we want to stand out from the world so our lives beg a question about the God that we follow. Those kind of assumptions are ok- our clothing and appearance choices are statments that we are choosing to make. The kind of judging I am talking about is different. I mean when we look at someone and we use that cursory glance to decide whether or not a person is valuable. That is so not what God says. In 1 Samuel 16:7 it says "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." I wish we as people would be better at looking at the heart. Too often we write someone off as unimportant or insignificant simply based on our outward assesment of them. Or we think overly-highly and idolize someone based on their apperance which leads to aonther kind of problem with worshipping someone other then God. But when God sees people, He sees something valuable, made in His own image. It is an important thing for us to remember. I think this video represents that idea well. I can't embed it so you will have to CLICK HERE to follow the link.

Let me know what you think.

Puzzle

I love games, they are such a great way to relax and challenge your mind. My favorite types are the puzzle/adventure style games where you have to use logic to either advance to the next level or use logic to advance the storyline. Both are very enjoyable.

Naomi sent me this fun eye quiz. I like this kind of stuff too. It is a challenge- I think the "N" was the hardest one. Can you find them all?!?!


Here Goes...Can you find the B (there are 2 B's)?RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
RRRRRRRRRRBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
RRRRRRBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Once you've found the b 'sFind the 1
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII1IIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Once you found the 1...............Find the 6
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999969999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999

Once you've found the 6...Find the N (it's hard!!)MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMNM
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Once you've found the N...Find the Q.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOQOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

How did you do?

Gettin' Hitched

2 weekends ago my little sister got married. It was crazy but fun. She and her husband are both into theater stuff and they had a Hollywood glamour wedding. People really got into it with cute hats and gloves, jewelry, and fedoras all to look kinda 1940's. I was in the wedding and my husband walked my mom down the aisle- so I don't have any pictures of that. The only pics I do have so far are those he was able to take so hopefully I will get some more soon!

It kind of hasn't really hit me yet that she is married. She and her now husband have dated for a long time and it is not like things for me have changed really. Neither of us were still living with my parents so its not like she isn't at home anymore. It will be weird once her name gets changed over. You probably didn't know this but it doesn't change the day you get married. The marriage certificate has to be mailed in and recorded then you get it back then you change your social security card and they mail you a new one then you change your driver's license and they mail you a new one then you can change your credit cards, car titles, library cards- anything that had your old name on it. It is quite a process because if you know anything about government and bureacracy, you know they are anything but speedy.

So the next family gathering will probably be the same as before except now they are married and of course there is all the post wedding stuff- more opening gifts and getting more pictures, seeing the video and all that fun stuff- I really can't wait for more pictures.

So enjoy- my sister's wedding:

The Lost Generation

I got this really cool video from my grandma and I think it has a really cool message, make sure you watch the whole thing.


I am age-wise, on the beginning of what is aften called the "Lost Generation." More specifically my generation was called Generation X. As Junior Highers, "Lost" term more applies to you and people your age. I do not believe this is accurate. Each generation will make its own way. In their youth the "Greatest Generation", your grandparents and great grandparents- those that were a part of WWII, was called a bunch of degenerates whose moral depravity would sink the nation. How wrong those naysayers of the 30's and 40's proved to be. Each peer group makes its own path and it starts with individuals- people like you deciding to stand up for what is right and not allowing people to pidgeon-hole them into a "type." 2 Timothy 4:12 says "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."
Now go and live it.

If you can't tell

I like dogs. I think they are so cool. Dogs always think the best of you. They are so unconditional with their affection, doesn't matter who or what you are, your dog will love you.

I always wonder what is it in dogs that make them act heroic. There are plenty of cases of dogs saving their masters- considering how loyal and affectionate they are, that almost could be expected. But dogs also save strangers and even other animals. Why? What is in them that creates this rescue-attitude? I got this cool clip that shows one dog's crazy bravery. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Caught Unawares

I got this sweet video from my uncle and I thought I would share it all with you. I also included a video of people's reaction to the dance- I like in particular what that last lady had to say. I have always felt that I am a "stop and smell the roses" kind of person, one that looks for little things of joy in everyday life. I think I do still do that to some extent but I am not as good at it as I used to be. I am lucky that on my way home from work there is this part in the road when I am close to my house that you can see the ocean as you are driving. Beautiful- you can see the lagoon too and when it is really clear, you can also see those islands that are off our coast that I don't know the name of(why don't they teach that kind of stuff in school?). I always remember to stop and say thanks at that point of my drive but I want to think abot that kind of stuff more. I don't want to let my circumstance dictate my mood, rather I want to be a joyful person and therefore see joyful things around me. Does this make sense? I do stop and smell the roses, maybe I just need to spend more time in gardens.