Need to Breathe

so this is the first time in two weeks that I've been able to really sit and have any time to myself. there have been so many deadlines coming at me all at once for work, but I think I've finally made it to a point of at least getting caught up. I've still got many deadlines looming over my head, but for right now, in this moment I can take a deep breath and breathe. its a nice feeling. I really do love what I'm doing right now. I enjoy making flyers and getting to put my creative abilities that the Lord has given me to work. I like putting things together to create a new picture. I know that with time and practice even creating will come a bit easier. this time around I was re-creating many of our brochures and flyers. for a while I was just relying on what was already there, but sometimes starting over with your own ideas is best.

this weekend I tried some vegan cookies. these are the first ones I've attempted, but the result was very good! so good, in fact, that I'm going to continue to try recipes for healthier desserts. I guess now I know what I can do with my free time on the weekends! haha.

I've been a vegetarian now for over 5 years and the more I stick with it, the more I realize that the desire to eat meat fades with each passing year. I like the challenge of thinking about my meals, and what I need to eat to make sure my body gets all it needs. I'm learning a lot about being a healthy vegetarian, because lets face it, we can all get into slumps and even though we are doing things to be healthier, realize that we are eating too much of the wrong foods.

I'm quite proud of my cookies though.

I'm very excited that 24 has a new season. I know, it can be predictable, but its still jack. i'll never forget the song that jonathan wrote about how jack bauer stole his friends. i can admitt to being a bit obsessed over tv shows now and then, but i guess i will always hold a special place in my heart for 24 because i first started watching it on tour. that was one of the best times of my life, so its natural for me to hold memories from those days in higher reguard.

they are finally ending prison break. i knew it was coming, or at least figured it should be. there was really no where else to take the story. they had fought the corrupt people only to be fooled by other corrupt people, so yeah, it had a great run, but its time to end the running.

ok, well these are my ramblings for now. i think my mind is going all over the place because it doesn't quite know where to focus now that its not being consumed by 5 different projects at once.

it is almost time to go home for the day. and tonight is family dinner night, and one of my new favorite shows, FRINGE. So it will be a good night. :)

History Has Been Made

We gathered around a computer today in the office here at camp to watch history being made. The overall mode is hopeful. I still have my concerns from the last post, but as you hear Obama's words to our country today, you realize that with God first, our Nation can still overcome its obstacles and unite together for the good of all humanity.

Let's be thankful today, that it appears we have a president who will do what he can to better our nation. Let us pray for him and his family's safety. Let us remember, our God, who is still in control and let us remember to serve God first.

Be happy and share in this time with all of our country and look in hope to God to lead our new President, Barak Obama.

Barak Obama Day

I wrote this for the Bay Shore Camp Blog this morning, and thought I would post it here as well.

Well, that is what it seems like, and while I do share in the thought that it is a great day in our history to watch Obama get sworn in as the first African-American President, I do have a few thoughts.

I was reading some comments about a video that was posted by celebrities pledging their service to the new president and it got me thinking about how far this country is going to separate itself from God. Celebrities and those that follow everything that comes out of California are looking for a leader, someone to show them what their standards should be, only instead of looking to truth, they are looking to a man. And eventually this MAN is going to fall short of their expectations as a god figure. God, the only one we need to give us direction is the one that we seem to be forgetting in all of this.

If we are Americans, then we should stick together, under God, thru thick and thin. Isn't that what our pledge of allegiance says: "One Nation, Under God" Then why are we turning to what those with the most money have to say. Why are we letting the media influence us in a way that says Obama is the salvation our country needed and our Nation finally has hope because we were all smart enough to vote him into office. I have nothing against Obama and I know that God has placed him in office for this time in our lives, but that does not mean I have to start looking to him instead of God.

I hope that as we celebrate this day in America that we can remember where our HOPE comes from: Jesus, the one that came to this world to save us.

We don't need a president to tell us how to live our lives. What about those that have been trying to "Go Green" far before Obama was thought of as our next president. Why is it now that people are so willing to get involved and offer their support. Why not before? Why is it that people can't seem to stand together no matter who is in office? Why is it that we can only care about the environment if our president does? This election was won far before we ever voted. Why? because Celebrities and the media had picked their winner. They wanted someone who would represent them and their agendas.

I pray for Obama, not just because he is our next president, but because so many people have put him on such a high pedestal, because so many people are looking to him to "save" us in these times. I don't know about you, but as a people of God, I think its time that we start waking up to the reality that our country is wanting less and less of God and His Truth. We need to pray for our country and for Obama and for the Lord to continue to keep His Spirit here in America, a country that is becoming set against him.

Psalm 121
"I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."

Let us not be swayed by all that we hear and see on TV or from sources other that God's WORD. Let us look to HIM in this time, for He is our help. He is our Truth. He is our ultimate authority.

Beware of those so willing to give themselves to serving a MAN, and not GOD.

Obama is just a man, and like all men he cannot please everyone at all times. So yes, be hopeful that better times can come because Obama is now our leader, but stay grounded in the Word and Truth that God is still God, and we are not. And let us come together to support and pray for those in leadership and to not get caught up in the game of who's better. We have been given Obama as our president, so lets be like Jesus and continue to show love to all of those around us and believe that God can use Obama to help lead our country in these times. All of us can be used by God if we are willing to be His servants. Let us live and die for something Greater than ourselves.

COLD

we are bracing for the coldest week of winter so far. its nice waking up and seeing everything coated in white frost, but its not fun getting out in it to go to work. yesterday i tried going out to take pictures but only lasted about a minute before yielding to the cold.

i'm so excited that 24 is back on TV. last night was part 1 of the two day opener for the season. i can't believe that tony is a bad guy. at least this will add a little excitement back to my life on monday nights, especially now that prison break is done with its season.

one thing i am getting excited about is "the shore". Leann has put together an event for sr high youth and their leaders. its a great opportunity for youth groups to come out and make use of our facilities, make new friends, hang out with friends from camp, be blessed and meet with God. Jan 31 marks the first one, and we will be having "the shore" every last saturday of the month. its exciting to be able to get involved with an event that ministers to youth. please pray for God to move in and thru all of us on that night, that His purposes would succeed.

2008 in review

ok, so i'm actually glad that 2008 is over. its been a good and busy year, but i'm ready for something new and i feel it coming, i'm just not sure what that is. it may very well be my attitude is changing my outlook for this year. i'm not one for making new years resolutions, but this year i have decided to be more positve. it used to come so naturally for me, but i have realized that i have slowly let that side of me die down, and i want it back. i want to enjoy each day for what it is and i want to begin a new adventure. now, not ever adventure means picking up and going somewhere, i believe a new adventure can also be a state of mind. i've always tried to live a life of no regrets, and so far so good. but as 30 years have come and gone, i want the next 30 years to have meaning beyond myself. i want to be able to look back and still have no regrets. so this year, i'm going to be happy again, and i'm going to be happy at work, and know that my job is truly a great one and that i am surrounded by great people. who knows what this new year will bring, but i feel that there is a change in the wind and with that is going to come a great new adventure!

some of my top fav's of 2008

music top 8:

8: We Shot the Moon - Fear & Love
7: The Wedding - The Sound the Steel -EP
6: Anberlin - New Surrender
5: Lovedrug - Sucker Punch Show
4: UnderOath - Lost In the Sound of Separation
3: Anathallo - Canopy Glow
2: Haste the Day - Dreamer
1: Oh, Sleeper - When I Am God

Movie top 5: (i don't get out to the movies like i used to, so instead of writing a list of ones i'd still like to see that would probably make this list, these are the ones i've seen and liked)

5: Bolt
4: Kung Fu Panda
3: Iron Man
2: Chronicles of Narnia - Prince Caspian
1: The Dark Knight

TV top 5:

5: Amazing Race (i would love to be on this show one day)
4: Bones (is always great)
3: Prison Break (definitely redeemed itself this past year with a great season 4)
2: Lost (confusing as ever and great! this too had a great season 4)
1: Fringe (this is my new must see show, but i find it kinda creepy how the mysterious black man that comes to visit Hurley and send a team to the island in Lost is also the mysterious guy from Fringe that seems to know all the answers but doesn't tell them, yet...)

ok, i suppose that will have to do it for now.