Quote Board

For those of you who did not have the privilege of living on the Loft, you may never have experienced the joy of a "quote board." We had one and it was a blast. We (and by we i mean jessica and sometimes lael) would put quotes on a board and people would have to guess what movie the quote was from.
A few of us were gathered last weekend and we were lamenting the loss of our quote board, so i thought i would get a post going to start it back up.

Now I will give you a hint for this first one, it is a tv show.

" Stretchy pants, why those are the greatest things in the world. If i were you i would wear them every day, every day!"

One more... this time a movie.

"The human head weighs 8 pounds."


any guesses?

65 kids, 3 houses, lots of food

There is nothing like planning and executing a progressive dinner for a junior high youth group to bring stress into your life, but it is so much fun.
I didn't know much about the concept of progressive dinners before this job, but now i would say i've learned a thing or two.
Thankfully we have several families with houses big enough to host about 90 people, and lots of parents who are willing to make dishes and serve at homes.
The parents here are amazingly supportive and helpful.

Anyway we ate, played games, ate, heard a great talk from robbie, ate some more.
All in all it was a pretty succesful venture, one i am glad does not have to be repeated for an entire year. Now it's off to write thank you notes for the tons of people who helped make this happen for us
I have done the progressive dinner
I have seen the Nutcracker ballet
I have had a small group Christmas party
and I have already finished my first shopping for christmas presents adventure...
Christmas is coming. I love december.

A conversation that defines my life...

Lorelai: "What should we have for dinner tonight?"
Rory: "Probably something healthy since we ate junk all weekend."
Lorelai: "that's not true. We had lettuce on our burgers last night."
Rory: "But we took it off."
Lorelai: "it left it's essence."
Rory: "There was lettuce essence on our burgers? and that satisfies our vegetable requirement?"
Lorelai: "For the month."

UGH!!!!!!!!! The evolution of abortion terminology ticks me off

Remember when we were called "pro-life" or "pro-choice"?
Then instead of pro-life it became "anti-abortion". and people who support abortion are now "abortion rights activists."
Instead of "unborn child" it became "fetus"
Instead of the argument being about the life of the child in the womb, it became the "woman's choice" for "her life"
Or abortion should be legal across the board for that one in a million pregnant woman whose life is threatened by her pregnancy.
Today I was reading an article about the Supreme Court case on the Partial Birth Abortion Ban.
The term "partial birth abortion" is actually used in the law they are debating aout and the author of the article says things like "so-called partial birth abortion" or "the medical procedure that opponents call partial birth abortion" or "late term abortions."
I say Bullshit. Abortion activists spend time thinking up names and terms that make what they are doing seem noble and right. Or at least cushion the horror of the actual procedure so people think it is okay.

As someone who believes in the sanctity of human life, and that life begins at conception my anger burns toward the whole situation. These are children we are talking about here. Infants, babies. They are not "unpersons"
or "prepersons." In Rome they used to leave children out for wild animals to get if they didn't want them. Here we just try to get it done before the child is born so we don't have to face the child whose life is being taken.
I know that the people who are reading this are going to agree with me, so i'm not really doing any good, but i needed a place to vent my anger and frustration.

Thinking about my niece, it makes me sick that so many women in america never get the chance to know their child because of abortion, and they suffer the guilt and the consequences of buying into the lie that abortion is a "woman's choice for her body" and not the murder of an unborn child.

Weighing in at 7pounds 10 ounces, 20 and a half inches long...

is Avery Elisabeth. She was born Saturday, Oct. 28 @ 5:34 pm.
It was a long, hard day for mother, baby, and dad who was a good coach. But she is finally here and she is soooooo beautiful!!!!!!!!!!
I am sure there will be many pictures to come so look out for them.

I am now officially an aunt. It's pretty much the best job in the world. Can't wait to bore you all with hundreds of pictures. She is the first grandbaby on both sides so she is bound to be spoiled.
i will hopefully be going back to the hospital to see her soon...

Congratulations to Matt and Shannon, who are a little busy and incredibly tired at the moment. They are so blessed to have a healthy, happy (for the most part so far) baby.

A tribute to Christian entertainment for children (or at least the good stuff)

I was reading my friend Megan's post yesterday about the Wee Sing songs from when she was a kid and it reminded me of how much i love Judy Rogers.
Anyone remember her? She is pretty much the best. One of my favorite songs is
Isabelle the pig
"Isabelle is a pig with a ring in her snout. You can dress Izzie up but you can't take her out. She will jump in the middle of a big mud puddle cause Isabelle is a pig"
And "Go to the Ant" and "Alligator Shoes" and all kinds of fun songs that i miss singing.
Another thing i still love is Psalty the singing song (i can't remember if it's song or psalm) book. I mean who doesn't love a song book that speaks, teaches kids lessons, and helps them learn to praise Jesus? My favorite, that i listen to occasionally would be Charity Churchmouse. You know, the one where the Charity thinks she is bound to be a gospel singing star but can't play the songmobile because she isn't actually praising Jesus with her heart.
Ah, good times.
I know i'm rambling but can i just say how much better this is for kids than kidbop or kidbop praise songs? i don't know if you've seen the commercials for kidbop--where they take current popular songs and have kids sing them, take out the bad words, and sell it to kids. Well, now they've done it with praise songs---they've made them all like technobeat, or faster rhythms and the kids are dancing around and singing on the commercials.
You just can't beat Psalty, Judy, G.T and the Halo Express, and Veggie Tales. Why would you even try?

Life is Fragile

Jeremiah 10:23 "I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own, it is not for man to direct his steps."
Luke 12:22-23
Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or about your body, what you will wear. life is more than food and the body more than clothes... Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?


The word "life" appears more than a few times in the Bible. Many times it is referring to eternal life, or life in Christ, or Christ as the life.
The reason i mention it now is because we, as humans, easily forget how fragile human life truly is. I am probably the most guilty of believing that i won't really die. Death is unreal to me, even though i have lost more than a couple family members.

Yesterday there was a twelve car pile up in my hometown. One of the guys who died in that accident was a couple years behind me in high school and we had participated in several musicals together in our early teen days. We were not close, but we were acquaintances. I think he was 20 or 21 years old. He was engaged to be married. So he left behind a fiance and his parents and many others who knew and loved him i am sure. I know there were at least two other deaths and possibly three from that accident. As if that wasn't disturbing enough, i found out yesterday that the lady who has been training one of the horses i take care of died in a car accident over the weekend. She was 31. The last conversation i had with her was when we were both at the gas station grabbing snacks. I still have her business card. My heart aches for their families and friends.

What these kind of deaths, these untimely, tragic deaths make me do is face where my trust really is. Am I trusting Christ in my life, for my life? Or does the way i live my life suggest that my trust is in something else, maybe myself, maybe the safety ratings of my car. Maybe i lull myself into a false sense of security by lying to myself---ignoring the reality that many young people die in all kinds of ways. I don't have forever to live for Christ on earth. I have the days he has given me and i have no idea when those run out. I hide behind my "shyness," and use it as an excuse not to be bold for Him. My days are numbered by Him, but i have no idea how long i will be here and if he took me today would i be able to say that i had redeemed the time. That i had used the time He gave me to show Him to others?
I don't think so. Can you?

4000 Women, starbucks coffee, and crowded food courts...

That's about what my weekend was. Can you imagine 4000 women in the same building, let alone in the same room for an entire weekend. I mean we didn't stay in that room the whole time but we sure spent a lot of time there.
The PCA Women in the Church conference was this past weekend in Atlanta. Let me just tell you, it was great.
Let's see what words i can come up with to describe it...

Overwhelming: people i hadn't seen in 13 years, great speakers but way too much challenging information to take in in less than 48 hours, did i mention 4000 women?

Fun: i mean who can't have fun with all those wonderful Demop ladies?

Exhausting: not so much sleep, 7 hour and a half sessions from friday night to sunday morning, getting lost in atlanta on the way there, getting almost killed in atlanta on the way home (not really but i always feel like i could die any minute when i am in heavy traffic moving at high speeds).

Awesome: Indelible Grace-Kevin Twit. Let's just say the worship was amazing. Wade Williams did a great job as well. And i am officially a fan of Ginny Owens.
And don't even get me started on Paige Benton Brown. The first thing i did when i got to my computer monday was google her name to see what other talks might be available. i haven't found anything yet but i am still looking...

I think that about sums up my weekend. So how was everyone else's???

Chasing The Wind

I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my work,
and this was the reward for all my labor.
Yet when i surveyed all that my hands had done
and what i had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

Just a reminder to myself that i am not here for my own pleasure and accomplishments. I think it is something i tend to forget often, which leads to not being content in who, what and where i am.

Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing i desire besides you.
Psalm 73:25
How do you go about making this statement true in your life? I know i have desires for earthly things, and the problem is that a lot of times i allow them to overcome my desire for my Savior. How do you fight back when you've allowed the desires of the sinful nature to invade?

Wide Right? Not This Time...

I must admit i was a little skeptical as we headed in to the "orange bowl" Monday evening. I am a pessimistic football fan. My theory is, if i expect them to do bad then i won't be disappointed when they do. And let's face it, the Florida State football team has given us fans much cause for heartache and disappointment over the last few years. But, this is the second year in a row we have beat the Miami Hurricanes in the first game of the season by three points.
I was not impressed with the team that played the first half of the game, but i certainly think they stepped up to the plate and got the job done in the second half.
Now, if you're like me, you're probably a little worried that we aren't going to make it out of our streak of losing 4 (5 last year) games a year.
But my goal is to turn into an optimistic football fan.
I mean Drew Weatherford has a whole year of experience under his belt to help steady his nerves this year. Buster Davis is pretty much all over the place---I mean if i had been choosing player of the game he would have been it for sure. De'Cody Fagg wasn't so bad himself.Our kickers did a pretty decent job. Now if we could just do something about our lack of creativity on offense...

OK, i'll get over it. I do want to say one last thing...
GO NOLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Matt...

As i am stuck upside down in a child's tube (you know the kind that has leg holes--like wearing underwear with a big tube attached to it) in the deep end of a friend's pool, Kicking my legs as hard as i can to try to turn over this is my brother's attempt to save my life...
Matt in a very calm, nonchalant manner sits down next to mom and says, "Mama, Erin's drowning. Mama, Erin's drowning. Mama, Mama, Mama, Erin's drowning...
"Mama, Mama..."

"What Matthew? i'm talking!" Mama exclaims frustratedly.
"Mama, Erin's drowning."
Splash. My mom, after i had held my breath for about 5 minutes (that may be a slight exaggeration) jumps into the water fully clothed to save my life.
To think without Matt's extreme concern i might not be here today to wish him a happy birthday.
( i know that story is much funnier in person but i hope you found it amusing).

MY favorite Matt story, however is from when he was about three or four years old (correct me if i'm wrong on that).
He was mad at Mom about something and if memory serves correctly it was that He didn't clean his room as he was told so Mom wouldn't let him watch Woody the Woodpecker. And the story begins...
"I'm going to tell Daddy!"Matt informs Mom indignantly.
"Go right ahead,"Mom answered thinking he meant he would do so when dad got home. So mom proceeds to check on me, cause i was a baby at the time (In case you were wondering I don't actually remember this event, but i do love hearing the story).
Anyway.
When Mom returns from my room she realizes Matt is missing. So she, being the good mother that she is, looks everywhere for him and then it dawns on her... He is on his way to tell dad that she won't let him watch Woody Woodpecker.
Immediately she calls daddy and tells him what's going on. He jumps in the car and starts to drive home from the church. Now there is a pretty major road between our house and the church and dad caught Matt right before he got to it.
Now imagine a little boy, 3 or 4, on a mission to "tell on his mom" getting caught in midflight by his dad.
Dad leans out the window and says "Whatcha doin?"
And Matt, looks in the backseat of dad's car, sees his raincoat and answers, "lookin for my raincoat."
I mean we always knew he was a bright one, especially when he started talking in full sentences at the ripe old age of 8months, but this just takes the cake. I didn't know little kids could think that fast.

Matt, i hope you have enjoyed the walk down memory lane. I love you very much and am so proud of the son, brother, husband and soon to be father that you are.
I thank the Lord for you, and for the relationship we now have. I hope you have a wonderful birthday. Celebrate it--spend time with Shannon and Avery.
I love you.
love your one and only sister who you are stuck with for life,
erin

Sidda Lee

I am now the proud owner of a 7 month old black lab. Her name is Sidda Lee. I do not have any pictures yet but i am sure i will soon (sorry mom i know you are disappointed). She is adjusting rather well to her new home, but she does not like to be left alone in the house.This morning she was pacing back and forth with her stuffed animal in her mouth whining because she knew i was leaving. I am planning on taking her to a soccer game this afternoon to show her off. She is beautiful.
I am not someone who likes to refer to their animals as members of the family, but i must say that having a dog so young is kind of like being her mom. She sleeps in my bed, she has stuffed animals, she likes to test you, she is learning new things every day. SHe is quite fun. I hope you all get to meet her one day.
She makes my apartment much less scary.
I am sure i will be posting tomorrow since it is a certain family member's special day...

Long time gone...

As the summer draws to a close i am resuming my position as church secretary for 15 hours a week (the other 25 is spent with junior high kids). So, that leaves me with a little bit of time to post on my blog.
I have had many complaints from a few select family members about my nonposting status, but i truly have been too busy and my computer has been broken and i couldn't justify using my boss's work computer just to post.
So, What's going on in my life? well i am moving out of the Erickson's. Today is moving day!!! On the one hand it is incredibly sad because i love that family soooo much, but on the other hand it's great because i am finally going to be out on my own. It is so weird. My parents are coming up today to help me move. I have no furniture, except for my bed and dresser and an old chair in the living room. But i am still so excited.
I hope all of you can visit me at one point or another. Don't expect anything too fancy because i do live above a barn and am responsible for the four horses in the barn.
I think what i am most excited about is the dog i haven't gotten yet.
ANy suggestions on what breed? i am leaning towards a lab.
well that's really all for now. Just wanted to let everyone know i am still alive and around.

Oops...

So when i posted that last time i completely forgot that the entire covenant college alumni community could access my blog now. Oh well.

So, i think i can officially announce this, since matt and shanny have already emailed all their family and friends but they are moving. And the best part is that they will only be about 30 minutes from me. I am so excited. I haven't ever lived this close to my sister-n-law (also one of my best friends). We've always been at least 4 hours away from each other (and a lot more than that this last year).
so i am completely pumped. Oh, and i'm excited about being that close to matt too. now all we need to do is find a job for jenise in the area...
that's about all i had to say. i am actually procrastinating since i have to teach sunday school and no brilliant ideas have come to me yet. i've been working on it since monday. anyway. i'm off to work on it some more.

I have changed my name to "single"

OK, there is a definite theme developing in my life. A few weeks ago i was hanging out with my friend and co-worker, Lydia. She was telling me that there is this song that makes her think of me when she hears it. It's by Leann Rhimes and it is called "something's gotta give" here are some of the lyrics "Jenny's got a job, a cat named Jake, 31 candles on her birthday cake--next year. thought by now she'd have a man, two car seats and a minivan. but it still ain't here...something's gotta give me butterflies, something gotta make me feel alive," etc...
Now i realize i am only 23 and i have plenty of time, but i kind of agreed that this is a song i identify with. So i went with it and downloaded it from itunes and then proceeded to make it the song i listen to when i am frustrated with my single status.

Well Monday i was hanging out with two of my girls and they were telling me about this other song that reminds them of me. It is called "Single." SO they made a cd of it and gave it to me. I've only listened to it once but it's about not needing to be on someone's arm to be important and whatnot.

I am starting to worry. I think my singleness is like my defining factor now. Pretty soon i think people are going to start introducing me like this: "This is erin.she's single" Part of it may be that when my junior high girls suggest guys i should date i always have excuses like "he's too short" "he's too tall" "he's too attractive" "he's not athletic" "i don't like his facial hair." (i don't actually base my decision not to date guys on these things but it is easier to make it light hearted with girls than to take their suggestions seriously).

It's all very amusing. And in the midst of it i realize that except for a couple of months two summers ago, i have always been single. I don't know how to be "with someone" and it is kind of scary. I already did the thing where i dated someone because i convinced myself i liked them, only to realize later that it was because i was tired of being single and i don't want to do that again.

So i guess what i am saying is that it is kind of funny and kind of depressing that i bear that label. but until God drops the guy in my lap i am working to be content in my singleness (and i think i will be much better at it when i move out of the Erickson's and finally get a dog.--marc won't let me have one while i'm in their house).

My life as a hostage negotiator...

Imagine having the confidence to walk into a situation where you will most likely end up shot, and yet not wearing a bullet proof vest, or carrying a gun. Imagine sitting down on the floor near a very emotionally unstable man, who is dying of cancer, has dynamite strapped to his chest, a gun in his hand and a vendetta against the bank he has invaded. Then imagine making small talk with the man for five hours until you finally decide he will not be talked into a peaceful conclusion so you have to very discreetly signal your team to blow the front doors while you concentrate on reaching the trigger in the man's hand so he doesn't blow up an entire block (and you with it).
That's what Kate O'Malley does. If you have ever read the O'malley series by Dee Henderson, aren't they great? If you haven't well you are missing exciting stuff. I remember the first time i read the book wanting to be her so badly. Yet i couldn't imagine living with the constant danger she was facing.
I started rereading this book last night and i was struck by the risks she takes. The funny thing is that she does it confidently, knowing she might lose her life and she does not believe in God. I want that kind of confidence. Some might call it foolishness, but imagine if we truly feared nothing what our impact on this world might be for the Gospel. Yet most of the time i live in fear, not even being bold with kids who have grown up in the church and heard the Gospel all their lives.
I think my prayer is that i would love boldly, and loving Christ involves risking/giving away our earthly lives to His purposes.
I don't know, just some thoughts.

Did you Know

- coconuts kill more people in the world than sharks do. Approximately 150 people are killed each year by coconuts.

- in 1969 it was illegal to celebrate Christmas in Massachusetts
-you are about one centimeter taller in the morning than in the evening
-the Bible is the most shop-lifted book in the world
-a toothpick is the object most often choked on by Americans
-females learn to talk earlier, use sentences earlier and read more quickly than males (the exception to this rule being my brother who apparently talked in paragraphs at 8 months)
-80% of millionares drive used cars
-a giraffe can clean its ears with its 21-inch tongue

I am teaching sunday school, was looking up some interesting trivia to share with them and couldn't pass up the opportunity to share it with you as well.
I am sure you thoroughly enjoyed it.
Since i haven't posted in a long while i figured it was about time. There's not much to say except my parents are coming up today and i am excited. we are going fishing tomorrow (Lord willing) which i haven't done in ages. I'll let you know how it goes...
I believe the last time i went fishing with my daddy it was on his boat(Uncle Jim's old one) and he accidentally busted my lip with his lure. ah, fun times.

The new love of my life...

There are only two children in my family, my brother and me. My brother and sister-in-law have been in seminary for almost a year. A few weeks ago i got a call that made me pretty much the happiest woman on earth. I am going to be an aunt!!!!!!!!! Shanny, my beloved friend, is two months pregnant with their first child. I absolutely cannot wait. I don't think November will get here fast enough. Now those of you who know me and how much i love children can probably imagine how unbelievably excited i am and how ridiculously spoiled this child is going to be. Imagine being the first grandbaby on both sides. THis child will probably never learn to walk because we'll just want to carry him around and play with him all the time. I don't think there is a child on earth who is loved more. So congratulations to Matt and Shannon. And to mom and dad who get to be grandparents (don't you feel old?). And to me, because i just get to be the cool, fun aunt who dotes on her niece or nephew. ok, i'll stop rambling now. YEA! What do you think of "Aunt Rin"?

I love the Beach...

Now i am not one for laying out. And though most of my extended family lives within 20 or 30 minutes of the beach i don't spend much time on the beach. So, i was a little worried about a whole week of staying directly on the beach with 8th grade girls. BUt i must say it was a blast! We had great weather most of the time. It was warm but not hot so we could lay out in the sun and read or sleep without sweating to death. The water was too cold to swim. My bathing suit only got wet once! We played our share of frisbee although the wind and our lack of talent sometimes made this difficult. I attempted skim boarding and have a nasty bruise/scratch from the very graceful fall i took.(although now i am determined to learn how to skim board) We ate ice cream pretty much every day. We played DDR (dance dance revolution) a lot. I read a lot, much to the dismay of several girls who claim that they "never read, unless it's magazines or school work."
And i have come to the conclusion that i need a condo on the beach. It was so relaxing. Even if it had rained everyday i would have been content to sit inside and stare at the ocean, or go out on the verandah and breath in the scents.
Ok. enough bragging about the beach.
Oh, but we did kind of get stalked by two guys who were staying in our condo, and the lady who killed her pastor husband was found in Gulf Shores which is where we were.
NOt to mention that all of us but two dyed our hair, and several of us got tattoos (henna of course).
It was a walk on the wild side for me.
So that's what last week was like. this week was much more business as usual.
HOpe everyone's doing well.
Tune in soon for some very exciting news...

A Little Story...

A long long time ago, when i was still in teenage angst i went on a little trip to see my friend Jenise (who is pretty ridiculously cool in case you were wondering)at her awesome school FSU. As it turns out i was not the only one going to visit her this particular week. Some preacher's kid i had never met before who i felt had no right to be friends with my friend Jenise was going as well. Now this may sound a little harsh but to defend myself, this girl was thinking the same thing about me. Her name: Shannon. So we go to pick her up at her house, and you should know at this point i am committed to not liking her, but the first thing i notice is that she's really tall. I think that's cool b/c when i was a teenager i was taller than pretty much everyone i knew (except katie kirkpatrick). Anyway in the two hour drive we had we didn't really talk to each other at all. But somewhere between the ride in the car and about 7pm that night we became friends. Not just casual friends but like instantly past the acquaintance, hang out every now and then stage to the tell all, be girly together, email each other every day kind of friends (yes, sadly we lived 5 hours apart).
So the three of us did some major bonding, and even got kicked out of Gap(aww what a fun memory). Then we returned to normal life and we all lived apart from each other. naturally Shannon, Jenise and i found ways to hang out. one particular way was when we went to Tampa with Shanny's youth group the next year for spring break. I won't tell much about this story because ultimately it holds embarrassing memories for me. Anyway our friendship continued until she started dating my older brother. It got a little rocky for a couple of years, just cause it's weird when one of your best friends is dating your brother because you don't necessarily want to hear about the kisses and whatnot. (not to mention that my brother has always felt more comfortable sharing things with me than i have felt hearing them).
So anyway, to wrap this story up, they got married almost two years ago. She is now officially my sister (in-law) and we have thoroughly enjoyed being related. (and don't be thinking that Jenise isn't part of the picture anymore because she's always been a part of my family. I actually thought we were cousins til i was like 13 and she's pretty much the coolest one of us all).
Why do i tell you this story? because today is Shannon's birthday!
I love you Shannon. I am so thankful that we met and became friends. And you have no idea how glad i am that you are the girl my brother chose to marry (because as you know all his other girlfriends were dorks)I hope you enjoy this little trip down memory lane.
Happy Birthday!
OH, and now i get to post a picture since that's what i do for everybody's birthday...

Happy Birthday...

Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear Katie,
Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!!!!

Hey Katie,
I hope you are having a wonderful birthday. If i had a picture of you i would post it on my blog, but don't have a digital one. Sorry. I have filled out your card, and it even has a stamp on it but i haven't made it to the mailbox yet. I just want you to know that i am thinking about you on your special day!
Happy Birthday!
ps. what does it feel like to be 23? i need to know cause it's sneaking up on me fast.

trying again...

well i wrote this whole long post a few minutes ago but then i was trying to deal with a lot of calls on the office phone and look something up at the same time and i lost it.
So this is going to be a shorter, less enthused version of my original post.
I am writing because i was talking to two of my very dear family members the other day and they informed me that they were bored with my blog because i hadn't posted in a few days. So, Matt and Shannon, this is for you...

I am incredibly tired. Once my sleep pattern gets off track (i.e. staying up past midnight two nights in a row) i have a hard time getting back into the rhythm of things and falling asleep when i should.

Saturday i had the joy of babysitting for two different families, one in the morning and one in the evening. It was my first time to babysit the kids i kept in the morning. They were almost three and almost one. I had to take them to a birthday party for the little boy's friend. It was a bunch of three year old boys and their moms. i was so self-conscious, but i think it went okay. THe little girl was precious, and the little boy was good for the most part, he had his moments of complete toddlerhood.

I haven't had to teach sunday school in a few weeks and i must say i am thoroughly enjoying my time off. Sometimes i can get excited about my lesson but the last time i taught was horrible and i am still recovering from that. Thankfully it will be at least a couple more weeks before i have to be back up in front of the class.

I have been watching a lot of FRIENDS in the last few days. I forgot how witty and hilarious that show is. I have been watching the first two seasons, and i always know what lines are coming next so i laugh before the characters even say them. I think the second season might be one of my favorite seasons. I know the show has more than its share of inappropriateness and i hate that, because it is sooooo funny.

Sorry i don't have any exciting news to share, it's pretty much the boring every day me stuff right now. Although, we did get two cats this week. And we have big machinery in our back yard because they are trying to level it out and build a new porch. I am taking the two girls in the family i live with on a date this weekend. We are going out to dinner and a movie. I am excited, although i haven't told them we are going yet.

well, i think that's about all i have. I am having a really really tired moment right now, so i am just going to post a random picture and then sit at my desk and stare into space for the next three hours! c-ya.
Shannon i hope you are feeling better soon. It stinks to have the flu!

For the Heck of it...

Sometimes i want to post just for the heck of it and that's what today is. I don't have anything particularly specific to say so i might do a little rambling.
I got to go home this past weekend for part of a missions conference. I loved seeing everybody but i get really frustrated that my time is always so short and i always manage to leave somebody out or say the wrong thing. My friend Amanda, who is going to Spain for a couple of years, was speaking and i got to introduce her and pray for her twice. I think i am starting to get a tiny tiny bit more comfortable being up in front of people. For some reason a classroom full of junior high students is way more intimidating than a sanctuary full of all ages, or a fellowship hall full of women.
I think i am scared that i might be called to the mission field. I say scared not because i am not willing to go, but i think i am less willing to give up such ready access to friends and family and comfort. Which makes me take a look at my heart and realize i am not fully trusting and delighting in God.
On the flipside i could also see myself doing youth ministry long term (maybe) or working with young, scared, pregnant women; or doing ministry to battered women and children. Any way you look at it i feel that i am called to some type of ministry. It's just a matter of what it will look like.

I have had to face a couple hard things in the recent past (as in the last couple weeks)--one with a dearly loved friend, and one with a dearly loved student in my youth group. I've realized that there can be joy in anguish. In both cases i was driven to my knees before the Lord, helpless to do anything without His strength. In both cases i had hard things to say and a fear of how they would be received. In both cases, even when i was miserable about what it might mean for me, i found a peace that GOd is in control and that He can use me even when my words are too many, or my words are wrong. He is sovereign! (not that it takes away my responsibility but it sure lightens the weight on my shoulders).

On a much lighter note, i got my haircut this weekend and i am in a love-hate relationship with it. sometimes i love it and sometimes it drives me crazy. If i wasn't so self-conscious i would seriously consider shaving it all off.

I would like to say Happy Birthday to my friend Damien! Now his birthday was actually yesterday--but i am not totally behind because another friend and i drove to Atlanta yesterday and went to lunch with him to celebrate. We had fun, I hope you did Damien!!!!!!!!!! I think i have a picture of you that i am going to try to post now if i can find it and that will be the end of this very long post...

Ever been bored?

In my house we were never allowed to say that we were bored. If we did let it slip our mother made us do housework which we hated of course. So anytime i hear the words "bored" or "boring" i cringe. (and when my junior high girls say it i offer them the opportunity to come clean my room which-- for those of you who haven't seen it and don't know--is quite the chore.
Lately the only time i have even been still enough to have the opportunity to be bored i have been so tired i couldn't even form a coherent thought. isn't it interesting that sometimes i am so busy i can't even think straight and sometimes i look at my week and think "what am i going to do to fill it?"
All that to say that right now i am voluntarily bored. My mind is too tired to think enough for me to read my book (), and I am sitting at a desk answering the phone which only rings once every little while. There's definitely something to be said for stillness.
That said i am going to check out the news and eat some more gobstoppers. Later!

What the...Princeton!!!???

I would just like to brag on one of my best friends. She is a lovely person. Very small and cute. She is very personable (everybody loves her). She works in the nursery at our church. Her job is to work with Habitat for Humanity. So she is good with people, she has a heart for the poor (or an avid interest in community development), and she was a Maclellan Scholar at Covenant College. SO, why am i singing her praises on my blog? because she just got accepted to Princeton's graduate school program!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Isn't that amazing?
I mean just to make it fair to the rest of us you would think she'd have to be ugly, or not good with people, or mean and snobby. But no, she's not any of those horrible things.
She's wonderful and smart and we are so so so proud of her! So here's to Becky Holton, who Covenant College will be more than proud to claim as an alumnus (is that right), and whose friends are all excited that we might now have an excuse to buy Princeton sweatshirts to wear around and dream about being smart enough to go there.
We love you Becky!!!!!!!!!!

procrastination at its best...

So last week i was supposed to teach Sunday School, but i was hitting a brick wall with the material so i just prayed really really hard that the roads would ice over and sunday school would be cancelled. IT was!!! BUt that still leaves me with the problem of having to teach this week. The more i look at the passage, the more i think i am understanding what it is saying, but i still am having a ridiculously hard time figuring out how to put it on a junior high level. You know, add games, movie clips, acting---helping them see how the truth of this particular passage does and should affect the way they live their lives.
I do realize on some level that teaching the Word of God is a joy and privilege that i am unworthy of, but most of the time i focus way too much on the burden of helping them understand and don't trust in Him to work through me. Guess that's an area i have to work on.
I think i am going to post some pictures just for the fun of it... I don't think any of them are too new, but i am seriously avoiding planning sunday school. so here goes...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Hey everyone. Happy Valentine's day! I think i have found a new peace (at least for the moment) with this holiday. For those of you who have significant others i hope you celebrate well together and have a lot of fun. For those of you who are unattached, please remember romantic love isn't the only thing we have to celebrate today. So, tell your family and friends that you love them and do something nice to show them you care!
I love y'all.
Happy Birthday Megan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!

Ah, the life i lead...

So i had a long, but wonderful weekend. And yesterday was my day off. So i didn't set an alarm, thinking i would probably wake up around 9 and get the day started slowly. Wrong. I woke up at 11. It was ridiculous. I usually hate waking up that late because i feel like i've wasted half the day and it usually leaves me feeling icky. BUT apparently i needed it because i felt pretty good. It was the first time in a long time i didn't have a real agenda for my day off. i kept thinking about all the things i should be doing and resisting the urge to do them. I haven't decided if that was good or not. Although i did do laundry, which i am sure eased the mind of the family i live with, since i haven't done laundry in quite a few weeks. I am a firm believer in holding out until absolutely everything has been worn at least twice (except underwear and socks).
I have to teach Sunday School this week and next week. And it is not easy stuff. We are in Romans and this week i get to teach on identifying our idols of the heart. That's a pretty heavy job. especially since no one really enjoys taking a good long look at their sinful heart (i know first hand).
I have to say though, i am not absolutely dreading teaching as i normally do. I think this must be the work of the Spirit. Because my nature is to stay as far in the background as i can get. I was definitely one of those kids in school who never talked in class (except of course for my history class in high school because i had the best teacher in the world and i was comfortable around him).
I know, i know... You're thinking why is someone with that kind of personality doing youth ministry? Well, it is a very stretching occupation at times. I have learned to be able to approach new people instead of waiting for them to approach me. I think i am also learning that it is not the end of the world if things go wrong and my face turns blood red. (Although at that precise moment i always wish it was the end of the world).
And I love my job! I think i am totally inadequate and there are a million things i wish i did better. But i still love being able to hang out with these girls. There is nothing like the feeling you have after having a really good conversation about Jesus with one of my girls. I love the true honest times, and the ones where they share insight they have that i haven't even thought of. God is truly amazing.

lots of disconnected thoughts right now. I am really just procrastinating on planning my sunday school lesson. Pray for me! i need it.

The Lord's Resistance Army(LRA), ever heard of it?

The Lord's Resistance Army is an unimaginably violent rebel group in Uganda led by a man who brings together a potent mix of Christianity, Islam and Witchcraft. He uses his ridiculous reason to motivate his army into attacking and brutally killing many of their own people, and abducting enormous numbers of children to be brainwashed into full fledged murdering members of the LRA. The paper thin defense for his actions is opposition to the Ugandan government. I think one article says he claims to be cleansing his own people, the Acholi. The tragedies that are in progress and have already occured because of this group are too numerous to count. Only the Lord knows fully the trauma these people are enduring. The main victims of this brutality: women and children. I am linking an article and hopefully a website that will help you find out more about this fight.
Why am i writing about it, you ask?
Well, a ninth grade girl with a beautiful heart for missions, has recently heard of the plight of the Ugandan children. They are being beaten in horrible ways i cannot even describe, raped, mutilated, threatened, abducted and forced to kill one another in brutal disgusting ways. They are brainwashed and turned into soldiers, many of them no older than eight to fourteen years. I will stop describing it now because the article i am linking (and the ones linked from that page) will do a more adequate job of describing exactly what is going on.
I am telling you because my heart is now involved and we (the ninth grade girl, her friends and schoolmates and families in the area) are trying to think of creative ways to raise money and awareness for an organization that is trying to raise 20 million dollars in order to provide safe, clean places for these children to sleep, food for them to eat (many of them survive on less than one meal a day), and education that they aren't getting because of this war.
There is a dvd that i would love to show you (except i don't have a copy). It is a documentary by three guys who just decided to go to the Sudan and film a documentary. They went with no organization and no money. They came back on a mission. It is a powerful dvd. I think their website is www.invisiblechildren.com
Please check it out.
IF you have creative ideas for raising money we would appreciate your input!
If you have the space on you prayer list these kids need your time in prayer. So do the leaders---pray for true salvation for the Rebel army leader and his followers. Pray for the mission to help these kids. Pray for protection for the children from the cruel reality that is their world. Pray for relief and rescue for those already abducted and turned into murderers. And pray, for awareness throughout the Christian church.
Thanks.
Here's the link: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/001/18.30.html

Happy Birthday Gran!

Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday dear Gran,
Happy Birthday to You!

Sorry Gran, i know this is a day late, but late is better than never right?
I hope you had a wonderful birthday. I love you very much.
Thanks for being such a great grandmother (and even letting me call you Granny for a few years there). I can't wait to see you again (hopefully soon).
I love you!
love, erin

Ignorance is bliss... or is it?

"When wisdom enters your heart,
And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
Discretion will preserve you:
Understanding will keep you
To deliver you from the way of evil..."
Proverbs 2:10-12a

I read Proverbs two this morning, and i was struck by the entire Psalm. For many years i was content to accept what others told me about Christ and the Word of God. I did not seek wisdom for myself, nor did i seek understanding. So as i read this morning i was thoroughly convicted and convinced, that seeking God through His Word and through prayer (petitioning Him to grant you wisdom and understanding and knowledge) is not only something we should do it is something we have to do (both on our own in personal relationship with Christ and with fellow believers in fellowship and accountability).I've heard it all my life, but there's something about coming to that point where you make the realization for yourself when God opens your eyes a little bit more and lets you see things you haven't seen before, even though it's been right under your nose. Proverbs speaks very plainly about "fools" and their aversion to wisdom and knowledge. For a long time i guess i was a fool.
These are my weighty thoughts for the day. Hope you find something of worth in them!
As my Gran writes at the end of each of her emails...
PTL!! (praise the Lord).
-rin

Where did my Christmas break go?

It would seem that it is now January of 2006. For all of my proclaiming relief that i am no longer a student i sure do miss the two and a half or so week breaks for Christmas and New Year's. I got 3 days off outside of the actual holidays this year. Although i will say i accomplished a lot in those few days. I got to go to St. Louis and see Matt and Shannon. I got to be in my own home for Christmas day and do our traditional Christmas lunch with our friends from church (which was great). I got to go to Mississippi with a group from the church i work for and do relief work for a couple of days. We painted, and somehow i think more paint ended up on me than on the walls (thanks to some very mischevious teenage girls!)And i got to clean my room, which for any of you who know me will know that is quite an accomplishment. I also have been reading nonstop since i got like 12 books for Christmas, and was already in the middle of another series i had to finish. I love reading. But i let it take over my life, which i could afford to do in college to some degree, but i can't so much anymore. The only thing really missing from my break was the annual trip to Panama City to see my family. I miss y'all so much! sorry i couldn't be there, but know that i was thinking about you!
Anyway, I hope you all had a wonderful time celebrating the Birth of our Lord and Savior! And ringing in yet another new year, which only means we will all turn another year older and learn things we didn't ever want to know. Just kidding i am totally excited about seeing what God has in store for me and y'all as this year swings into gear.
Until i find the time to post again...
Isaiah 40:28-31 (some of my favorite verses, brought to my attention by my beloved Papa, because they were his favorite)