Well, I was just sitting here wondering what I had been thinking about this week. But I haven't been thinking much to be honest. I've just been sitting listening to others talk. Which is kind of annoying because I should be listening to God or at least thinking about things that are relevant to my life instead of just listening to the stories or gossip of others. I really can't think of anything that I have been pondering over the past 24 hours, which frustrates me. It makes me feel like I'm just going through my day; work, lunch, work, soccer, home. And then when I get home, I'm found in front of the tv or the computer screen. Or both.

But as I sat down to write on this, I went to find the verse of the day. I found this out of Mark.

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." - Mark 9:35

This is the place where I have found myself once again. It's the place where I was at the end of May, on the ground, cleaning mold off siding. It's the place where I was mid-August when I got a job (hallelujah) as an aide in a school district. And it's the place where I am now, an assistant coach who does laundry for the team. It's not my favorite place to be. But I know that I have been in each of these positions for a reason. These places have found me low on the ladder, humbled.

God is teaching me something. I want to listen this week. I want to ponder what He is telling me. I want my days to be abnormal, unpredictable.

Hey - You probably didn't notice, but I've kind of updated my blog site. On the "sidebar," I have added a section that keeps you up to date on the soccer team's season. Also, I've added a link to my photo page, just in case you might be on there... :o) Have a wonderful day!!

How awesome and amazing to worship without electricity. This morning, the power went out in some areas of CS. When I got to church this morning, I was kind of excited when I figured out there were not going to be any lights! I knew that this morning's worship would be extraordinary. It was great to have a wrench thrown in our plans so that God would be our only focus this morning. I wish the power would go out every week.

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker

Psalm 95:1-6

It was a good weekend for the most part.. I mean, it's basically over. We had a tourney this weekend in Austin. It was fun... winning... Unfortunately we won the first game, lost the second, and then won the last two. So basically we got 5th place in a tournament that we should have owned. But what can I do.. nada. So we just wait til Tuesday to play Round Rock McNeil. It should prove to be an intense couple of games. Apparently it will be the hardest games we've played thus far. Hopefully we'll have a good showing and all the injuries that were sustained this weekend (quite a few) will heal up enough to where they can play and not be further injured. It's hard to be around highschool girls again becuse I forget how dramatic and moody they can be. I'll get used to it.

Tomorrow is Sunday, so church is on the schedule and then a night of tv with Extreme Home Makeover, Desperate Housewives, and Grey's Anatomy. We'll see what I end up doing during the afternoon. Maybe a little studying or laundry or somethin.

I hope your weekend was great! And that the upcoming week is blessed!

It's been a blah week. Nothing too exciting.

The roomie got back this week, so the apartment is slightly more hopping. Haha.. there's someone else living here. WHOOP! I have been so excited to have Kat back. We don't really get to see each other because our schedules are kinda weird, but oh well.

I have to leave tomorrow morning early for a varsity tournament in Austin. Hopefully we'll win the thing and just blow the competition out of the water. Yeah, that would rock. We'll see. :o)

There's nothin else to it. Just know that if you live in another city, state or country, I miss you TONS.

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the
Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks
for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and
revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your
heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has
called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his
incomparably great power for us who believe.

-Ephesians 1:15-19a

The Chicken Salad Mystery

Alright. So I found this tub of chicken salad from HEB in my fridge. I know that had been bought over the break because I sure didn't buy it and it wasn't there when we moved in. So I had to run through all the people who stayed at the apartment in the past 3 weeks.

I first thought of Wendy because I knew that she had gone out and bought some icecream and I really had no idea what else she had bought while she was here. I asked her and she said, "i don't remember buying any chicken salad. maybe it was ginger." So that narrowed it down...

Then I asked Ginger if she was the culprit. She answered me back and told me that it wasn't her, maybe it was Kat and Sara. Doy... Sara cooked dinner for us one night and they had gone to the store to buy food. Why didn't I think of my roommate first?

So I asked Sara about it tonight and she told me that yes, they had bought the chicken salad. Her first question was "is it moldy?" Haha...

So I'm thinkin I might eat some this weekend. If I don't get around to it, then yes, Sara, it will be moldy.

Okay, I apologize for the last post. I was trying to do that in a random spare moment, but that moment expired much more quickly than I had planned. Now I have 5 minutes, so I'll try to get in as much as I can.

Christmas was good, not a whole lot to report there. I did get a digital camera via Christmas money so I will be able to put some pictures on here every once in a while.

After Christmas, I was able to get back to the new apartment and get some stuff done around there for the upcoming party. Kat and I threw a New Year's Party with a bunch of fun folks.

Earlier that day I attended Kathrin & David's wedding which was just awesome. I loved being there and being part of that. Ginger and Wendy came in to visit us for New Year's and that was such a treat. I love seeing my friends.. and gosh do I miss them already.

Okay well my break is definitely over. So ... I'll get back to you guys hopefully later this evening. Phew!

Okay, so it's been a really long while since I last blogged... I'll try to sum it up for you...

For Christmas weekend, Mom, Ross, Brett and I drove out to Midland for a few days to spend with the family. It was fun! We went to church and did the whole Christmas dinner thing. We drove home on Tuesday and I started getting the apartment a little more settled. I finally got the last of the stuff out of the house and got things arranged.

I just ran out of time -- soooooo I'll have to do this later ... haha.. yeah ...

As my mom says, I'm procrastinator-extraordinaire. It's just the truth. It's 12:30 on Monday afternoon and I should be moving stuff... but what am I doing? Yes, updating my blog. Be thankful that I care that you know what I've been up to. :0)

Okay - so this past week has been fun. Wendy came in town last Tuesday night. And it's been non-stop hangin out grouped with work, soccer and the moving process. So here's what we've been up to ...

Tuesday: Wendy, Julie, Kellie and I went and saw RENT. So good :)
Wednesday: I had to go to work that morning, but left early and came home and tried to pack some stuff up. Wendy and I went out to dinner at Wings then came back and watched tv and talked.
Thursday: I had work. Then Wen and I got some stuff moved from the house to the apt - probably the most productive I have been so far in this move, went to Freebirds for lunch, moved some more, I had soccer practice, then dinner at home with Mom and Wendy, followed by more tv time.
Friday: Last day of school for the semester, Faculty luncheon, moved some, went to On The Border with Kat and Wendy, watched a movie
Saturday: Went to IKEA with Mom and spent wayyyy too much money, put together some furniture, went to dinner with Wendy, Kat and Andy at TGIFriday's, W,K & I went around town taking goofy goofy pictures, stayed up til 3am
Sunday: Church, lunch at Cotton Patch with Wendy, Kat and the Don, nap, Tim's memorial, drove to Round Rock for church, ate dinner with Wendy and Andy at Pok-E-Jo's BBQ, drove home, hung out with those awesome kids (Colleen, Kyle, Val, Denise, Will and Ben) along with Kat, Wendy and the Don, stayed up til 2am

And now it's Monday... and I'm being so anti-productive on this moving thing it's not even funny. I gotta get some shoes on and turn off the computer. Only a few more days until Christmas!! We leave Saturday morning for Midland and we will return Tuesday.

Merry Christmas everyone !! I love you all !!

So.. I've been moving. That's why the lack of updates. Also, soccer takes a lot out of me so when I come home I do next to nothing. If I get the chance, I'll take pics of the new apt and post them on here.
Wendy came in town earlier this week, so that's another reason for not posting - we've been hangin out and having fun and whatnot. She's been a big help to both Kat and I during this move. I know that I'm nowhere near done so it's going to take a few more days. There's also the possibility that we won't have internet or cable until next Thursday. Seems kind of silly.. I guess I should be able to do without both, but when all of my friends are gone, most of my entertainment is gone too. It will be a good time to watch some movies, hang out with my mom and/or dad and get the apartment into a settled state. Oh yeah, and get ready for Christmas packing, etc.
It's kind of odd that I only have 2 weeks off for Christmas this year. I'm so used to having 3 weeks at least. It's all good though.
Sorry if this post is lacking in energy - I'm sorta tired and just trying to get the info out :o)
Ginger gets home next week!!! This is something I'm pumped about. It's been weird not seeing her at all for the past ... 4 months. Only 4 months?? Yikes... Ah well, I'll have all my friends in one state for at least .... (it's too late to be figuring out this math..) 5 days is a good round guess. I'm sure it's more than that.
I'm off to dream land! Mom and I are going to Houston tomorrow for a short period of time so I can get some furniture for the new apt :o) Yay!

This was my away message for Saturday night ... it pretty much explains a lot .. :o)

apt 67.
scandalous photos.
dreaming of weddings.
taking skank kat's pants off.
shakira.
julie's truck.
ashley's 20th.
dirty dirty music.
christmas lights.
dancing with walmart santa.
saran wrap.
tortillas.
great friends.

THIS IS WHAT FUN (since i'm not in college..) IS ALL ABOUT!!

Here's a flyer that I was asked to make in memory of Tim. There are also a few pictures down of him earlier this semester. They're of him and his buddy Tanner.. (Tim's on the left)

an update to earlier:

Well, today was a very interesting day. Our class today was super low-key. A bit of tension this morning with kids coming in, emotions being shed, a general state of shock. There were random people there, counselors to offer an ear, distraught kids, shocked teachers. We didn't do a whole lot; watched tv, watched a movie, had lunch in the classroom, made Christmas ornaments for their parents and looked at pictures of Tim.

This blog is slow going because I don't want to face it. I don't want to face the fact that my student, my friend, my homie Tim Pratt is never coming to school again. I don't want to think about how he died, I don't want to think about the things people say or said, I don't want to think about the way this has affected our school and I don't want to think about how this is going to affect me. I have no clue. I think this is the first time I've cried all day. I am really good at putting up a front, but get me alone with my thoughts and I become a teary eyed, sniffling ... person.

I don't remember the last thing he said to me, or the last thing I said to him. I don't even know if I told him goodbye yesterday. But I remember how he was yesterday. Yesterday was a good day. He didn't get in trouble, he earned his Pepsi. In weightlifting, he was goofy Tim who just wanted to make faces at himself in the mirror. He bench pressed his max yesterday, 45 lbs. He worked hard yesterday and made me smile.

Y'all please pray for the Pratt family. If you could only begin to understand their life... if I could only begin to understand...

Jennifer is in guarded condition in ICU, the other survivor Courtney is out of ICU in stable condition. Our school is in shock, and grieving. Pray for us!

I love you guys.

Please pray for our school. Last night, one of the students in my class died in a car accident. His sister is in critical condition; please pray for her. Another Consol student died and two other girls were also involved in the accident. This is the extent of my knowledge. But please be in prayer for Consol, for the students, for our class, for our teachers, for me. I don't know what is going to happen today, but I know that the rest of this week is going to be hard; the rest of the semester is going to be hard as our students slowly come to understand the "circle of life."

Lord, I don't know what to think right now. I don't know what to feel. But Lord, even if I can't understand, help me to be strong for others. Help me to do what I do well and be there for them to listen, to cry on. Lord, take care of him - "Now I know only in part, but then I will know fully."

Hahah... Wendy is hilarious. She puts one word, "procrastination" into such eloquent wordage!

Well, this week has been insane. Not necessarily a bad insane, but insane nonetheless. Soccer tryouts started this week and that was fun but hard. It has been wearing me out physically and giving me some stress, but I'll get used to it. :)

Today, Dec 1, is World AIDS Day. There are statistics everywhere telling us about how this disease is running rampant. And it frustrates us because we feel so overwhelmed by the sheer numbers and widespread devastation of it all. But, unfortunately for me, as I listened to Oprah tonight on the Late Show, she said something that made a lot of sense to me. (And for the record, I was watching David Letterman, not the Oprah Show...) She said that the world is not doing its part. The world could make a huge difference if every person just did what they could. Not what they feel like, but what they can.

Like the body of the church, we are called to use our gifts according to the grace given us. (Romans 12:4-8) This includes so much!! Paul says to give according to our faith, whether it is baby faith or mature faith, as long as we are sharing the Word of God, nothing is lost! (Philippians 1:18) Paul says serve, teach, and encourage. He says to do all of this generously, diligently and cheerfully!!

So if we do what we can, whether that be through vigilant prayer, traveling to give a personal hand and smile, or to give monetarily, do what you can. But do it generously, diligently and cheerfully. Give to the orphans and widows in their distress -- our world, and through your serving in love and kindness, you will serve God! (James 1:27)

Have a wonderful weekend!! Happy Holidays!

Brother Ross and The Don are my heroes!

Yesterday they went out and replaced the battery in my car! It got me home! Unfortunately, this morning, it wouldn't start. BUT the problem was that (last night) as they were tightening a bolt, it punctured the battery, forcing a leak in the battery, and so the bolt was basically sitting in battery acid all night long. Earlier today I saw the bolt and it was insane how much it had been eaten away. So Ross replaced it again for me. It's good to have little brothers and good friends!

Anywho, I'm super tired right now. I'm pretty sure I could fall asleep before 11 tonight for sure. Today was good - soccer tryouts have begun! It's gonna be fun and interesting to say the least! I think I started a bad thing when I called Katie "Jockstrap" and Stephanie "Booger" .... let's hope it goes no further. As for me, I'm Coach Satellite. Since they gave me that nickname, I might be entitled to call a few of them "jockstrap" and "booger" among others as they come to me. ... I still don't think "jockstrap" is appropriate, but it is funny. :o)

Tomorrow is more tryouts. I'll be sure to have more layers for tomorrow because apparently, and this is news to me, it gets colder outside as the sun sets. Who knew? Did I miss the memo? haha.. Tomorrow is also Gilmore Girls. I doubt I'll make girls' basketball. We'll see. I'm pretty wiped as it is. Chalk it up to me staying up last night til close to 1:30am.... I'll live.

So I came up with a little list for Thanksgiving... So in no particular order:

• God's grace, forgiveness and love
• family
• a roof for free (to me)
• something to eat
• friends who really do care
• friends who night not care
• a job that pays enough
• a job that I can't stop talking about
• cellphones and phone cards
• airplanes
• time
• cameras that capture memories
• my health
• computers that connect the world
• co-workers and students
• emotions
• laughter
• tears
• political freedoms that I wish the rest of the world could share
• the little things in life

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, near and far.

what a stinkin awesome weekend.. seeing one friend, hearing another and making new ones.. :o) rock, rock on.

more to come later ...

Happy Birthday Wendy!!

YOU ARE 24 YEARS OLD TODAY! haha.. you're old... hehehe...

I love you!