Have you ever played the "what if..." game? You know, like "What if I would have done this instead of that?" or "What if I would have gone here instead of there?"
For example:
--What if my parents never moved from Ohio to California?
--What if I was the first born and then had a younger brother?
--What if my mom didn't transfer me to a differnt jr. high and I didn't get to know Jen or Derek?
--What if I had a different youth pastor in jr. high/high school who didn't encourage me to go to FPU?
--What if I went out of town for college?
--What if I never chose to live on campus during college?
--What if I never changed churches and never started attending The Well?
--What if I was born two years earlier or two years later?
Oh the "what if's" of life...
What if...
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Wedding #10...
I had lunch with my dear friend Steph on Saturday at Chipotle. It was a great time of catching up and hearing plans of her up and coming wedding (well it's not until November, but time always goes by so fast!) She lives in Turlock now so when we do get time to catch up we try and milk it for all it's worth.
As we were chatting she asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding--I felt honored to be asked and gladly accepted. Steph is one, who in my opinion, has done some long hard work of the soul in figuring out more of who she is and who God has called her to be. I am very excited for her and her fiancee, Drew.
She is getting married on November 22nd. Sadly though, the wedding falls on the same day as Derek's 25th birthday! But he's looking to postpone his party so I can be there, right D? :)
So this marks wedding #10 that I will be blessed to be apart of.
--Once a flower girl.
--Once a candle lighter.
--Four times being a bridesmaid.
--Four times being the guest book attendant.
I am surely blessed with many friends--and I think I now have more married friends then single ones! But it's always a joy to share in the special day with the couple!
Yeeaa for Steph and Drew :)
As we were chatting she asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding--I felt honored to be asked and gladly accepted. Steph is one, who in my opinion, has done some long hard work of the soul in figuring out more of who she is and who God has called her to be. I am very excited for her and her fiancee, Drew.
She is getting married on November 22nd. Sadly though, the wedding falls on the same day as Derek's 25th birthday! But he's looking to postpone his party so I can be there, right D? :)
So this marks wedding #10 that I will be blessed to be apart of.
--Once a flower girl.
--Once a candle lighter.
--Four times being a bridesmaid.
--Four times being the guest book attendant.
I am surely blessed with many friends--and I think I now have more married friends then single ones! But it's always a joy to share in the special day with the couple!
Yeeaa for Steph and Drew :)
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Slightly Bizarre...
Are they about to kiss or what? Maybe I'm the only one who sees it, but when I first saw it, I thought it looked really weird.
"The Bucket List"
I saw this movie yesterday and I cried. It's good and funny and it makes you think. I'd recommend it. And if you like Jack Nicholson, then you should really see this movie. Good stuff.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Beyond Cold...
Yesterday, in Green Bay, Wisconsin it was -3 degrees for part of the playoff game between The Packers and The NY Giants. But with the wind chill factor it was -23 degrees. Not 23 degrees but NEGATIVE 23 degrees! I told my mom I think I would have passed out due to the cold.
I'm cold when it's about 40 degrees outside...so I can't imagine what it would be like if it were 63 degrees colder than that!
It was days like yesterday that I was happy to be living in California...it was 63 degrees in Fresno, and I can handle that.
I'm cold when it's about 40 degrees outside...so I can't imagine what it would be like if it were 63 degrees colder than that!
It was days like yesterday that I was happy to be living in California...it was 63 degrees in Fresno, and I can handle that.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Donald Miller Is Coming to FPU...
Donald Miller will be speaking at at FPU on Thursday, April 17th from 8am-2pm. Tickets are $40/person and includes breakfast and lunch. Here's the link to get tickets for those interested click here for the link to buy tickets and register online.
Here's an excerpt from his book "Blue Like Jazz" which I have been re-reading lately. Thought it might wet your appetite for those planning to join me on April 17th...
Here's an excerpt from his book "Blue Like Jazz" which I have been re-reading lately. Thought it might wet your appetite for those planning to join me on April 17th...
"In a recent radio interview I was sternly asked by the host, who did not consider himself a Christian, to defend Christianity. I told him that I couldn't do it, and moreover, that I didn't want to defend the term. He asked me if I was a Christian, and I told him yes. "Then why don't you want to defend Christianity?" he asked, confused. I told him I no longer knew what the term meant. Of the hundreds of thousands of people listening to his show that day, some of them had terrible experiences with Christianity; they may have been yelled at by a teacher in a Christian school, abused by a minister, or browbeaten by a Christian parent. To them, the term Christianity meant something that no Christian I know would defend. By fortifying the term, I am only making them more and more angry. I wont do it. Stop ten people on the street and aske them what they think of when they hear the word Christianity and they will give you ten different answers. How can I defend a term that means ten different things to ten different people? I told the radio show host that I would rather talk about Jesus and how I came to believe that Jesus exists and that he loves me. The host looked back at me with tears in his eyes. When we were done, he asked me if we could go get some lunch together. He told me how much he didn't like Christianity, but how he had always wanted to believe Jesus was the son of God."
I haven't seen this movie yet...but I'm going to...soon.
I hear it's a tear jerker...get your tissue ready.
"Just Let It Be..."
Wise words from my BFF. I was telling her about a recent happening in life and her words were ones I needed to hear: "Just let it be Bec...it is what it is...just let it be..."
Monday, January 14, 2008
Two Weeks Late...But Still Worth Reflecting...
1)What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before? Went to my first NBA game. Went to Mexico for the first time. Bought my first NEW car. Watched a friend run in a ½ marathon. Got a massage. Went to Las Vegas—twice!
2) Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I didn’t make any. But I did this year…though you’ll have to stay tuned until next year to find out what they were for this year… did that make any sense?
3) Did anyone close to you give birth? No one that comes to mind right now…
4) Did anyone close to you die? No. Praise The Lord.
5) What countries did you visit? Mexico.
6) What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? A better grasp on how to effectively manage my time. And be more organized both in my office and at home.
7) What date(s) from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory? December 20th – the day I drove my new car off the lot. And December 2nd.
8) What was your biggest achievement of the year? Coming one step closer to learning what it means to be content in life.
9) Did you suffer illness or injury? Nope. Again, Praise The Lord.
10) How many weddings did you attend in 2007? Five. And I was involved in three of them. And three weddings are already on the books for 2008...
11) Whose behavior merited celebration? My RAs. They were (and still are) amazing.
12) Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Appalled and depressed are pretty serious things… I can’t think of anyone in particular.
13) Where did most of your money go? Eating out.
14) What did you get really, really, really excited about? Going to Vegas for the first time!
15) What song will always remind you of 2007? "Big Girls Don't Cry (Personal)" by Fergie. It was ALWAYS on the radio.
16) Compared to this time last year, are you: Wiser? I hope so. I feel I gleamed some wisdom this year. Healthier? Yes, I feel healthier. Richer? That depends on what constitutes being “rich”…
17) What do you wish you'd done more of? Read.
18) What do you wish you'd done less of? Cared what other people would think.
19) How did you spend Christmas? With the fam at home.
20) Did you fall in love in 2007? “Fall in love” I’m still not even sure I know what that means, so I’m going to have to go with…no.
21) How many one-night stands? Seriously, is this a question? None.
22) What was your favorite TV program? The Biggest Loser.
23) Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? I'm not a hater I just crush a lot…
24) What was the best book you read? “Sex God” by Rob Bell.
25) What was your greatest musical discovery? Keith Urban.
26) What did you want and get? A new car.
27) What did you want and not get? I can't think of anything...
28) What was your favorite film of this year? “Juno.” (I’m pretty sure this came out in December of ’07)
29) What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? Dinner with friends. And I was 23...
30) Which celebrity/public figure did you like the most? Ron Paul :)
31) How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? Whatever I would wear I had to feel good in, or else I would feel crappy the rest of the day.
32) What kept you sane? The Good Lord. My BFF—J.lo and other good, close friends.
33) Who did you miss? My brother.
34) Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007. You can’t please everyone—you simply can’t. You must be true to yourself and hold tight to the convictions you have and never let go…
35) What did you gain this year? A few new bills to pay…
36) What did you lose this year? A few pounds…
37) Who was the most interesting new person you met? Matt.
38) Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
”Hold onto 16 (or in this case 22) as long as you can…changes come around real soon that make us women and men…”
2) Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I didn’t make any. But I did this year…though you’ll have to stay tuned until next year to find out what they were for this year… did that make any sense?
3) Did anyone close to you give birth? No one that comes to mind right now…
4) Did anyone close to you die? No. Praise The Lord.
5) What countries did you visit? Mexico.
6) What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? A better grasp on how to effectively manage my time. And be more organized both in my office and at home.
7) What date(s) from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory? December 20th – the day I drove my new car off the lot. And December 2nd.
8) What was your biggest achievement of the year? Coming one step closer to learning what it means to be content in life.
9) Did you suffer illness or injury? Nope. Again, Praise The Lord.
10) How many weddings did you attend in 2007? Five. And I was involved in three of them. And three weddings are already on the books for 2008...
11) Whose behavior merited celebration? My RAs. They were (and still are) amazing.
12) Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Appalled and depressed are pretty serious things… I can’t think of anyone in particular.
13) Where did most of your money go? Eating out.
14) What did you get really, really, really excited about? Going to Vegas for the first time!
15) What song will always remind you of 2007? "Big Girls Don't Cry (Personal)" by Fergie. It was ALWAYS on the radio.
16) Compared to this time last year, are you: Wiser? I hope so. I feel I gleamed some wisdom this year. Healthier? Yes, I feel healthier. Richer? That depends on what constitutes being “rich”…
17) What do you wish you'd done more of? Read.
18) What do you wish you'd done less of? Cared what other people would think.
19) How did you spend Christmas? With the fam at home.
20) Did you fall in love in 2007? “Fall in love” I’m still not even sure I know what that means, so I’m going to have to go with…no.
21) How many one-night stands? Seriously, is this a question? None.
22) What was your favorite TV program? The Biggest Loser.
23) Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? I'm not a hater I just crush a lot…
24) What was the best book you read? “Sex God” by Rob Bell.
25) What was your greatest musical discovery? Keith Urban.
26) What did you want and get? A new car.
27) What did you want and not get? I can't think of anything...
28) What was your favorite film of this year? “Juno.” (I’m pretty sure this came out in December of ’07)
29) What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? Dinner with friends. And I was 23...
30) Which celebrity/public figure did you like the most? Ron Paul :)
31) How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? Whatever I would wear I had to feel good in, or else I would feel crappy the rest of the day.
32) What kept you sane? The Good Lord. My BFF—J.lo and other good, close friends.
33) Who did you miss? My brother.
34) Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007. You can’t please everyone—you simply can’t. You must be true to yourself and hold tight to the convictions you have and never let go…
35) What did you gain this year? A few new bills to pay…
36) What did you lose this year? A few pounds…
37) Who was the most interesting new person you met? Matt.
38) Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
”Hold onto 16 (or in this case 22) as long as you can…changes come around real soon that make us women and men…”
Sunday, January 13, 2008
We All Have A Story To Tell...
"There was never yet an uninteresting life. Such a thing is an impossibility. Inside of the dullest and roughest exterior there is a drama, a comedy and a tragedy." -Mark Twain
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Turn Down The Volume...
I've noticed that often times when I'm driving on the freeway I usually don't have the radio on. When I'm driving on the freeway and there is very little traffic, I love to just think as I drive. It's quite freeing in a lot of ways to be able to set aside time to think and pray and not have to have noise going on all around me. There is enough noise in this world that surrounds me so when I have a chance to turn down the volume and enjoy a noise free environment, I take it for all it's worth.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Mr. Eric Clapton...
It's not always easy, but sometimes it's necessary...
"One of the most beneficial things I've ever learned is how to keep my mouth shut." -Eric Clapton
"One of the most beneficial things I've ever learned is how to keep my mouth shut." -Eric Clapton
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Why do...
people drive 60mph in the fast lane on the freeway? I'm still trying to understand this one...
Monday, January 7, 2008
Pay Nothing Until 2008...
I posted before about how I write "Thoughts From The Throne" each week for women on campus that are then posted up in the bathroom stalls in the dorms. Clever, I know. Here is a clip of the one I wrote today...
"When I was in college I always enjoyed the start of a new semester because it gave me an opportunity to start fresh. New classes, new professors, and another opportunity to try and be on top of my work. I would always say, “This semester I’m not going to procrastinate and I’m going to do all of the assigned reading…” That usually only lasted for a few weeks, but at least my intentions were good.
Along with the start of a new semester comes the start of a whole new year. I can remember years ago watching furniture commercials on TV that would say “No payments until 2008!” and thinking that was so far away…and now here it is. At the start of this year I found myself reflecting on last year and all of the events and memories that encompassed it.
I found myself reflecting even more yesterday afternoon as I attended a funeral for a friend’s mother who recently died after an eight month battle with cancer. The funeral was completely devoted to glorifying God for the life He gave, for the children she raised and for the people she blessed in her 48 years here on earth. As I sat at the funeral I couldn’t help but think of how quickly life can change. Eight months ago this woman was completely healthy—but life doesn’t always go as we plan and she is now at home with her Heavenly Father.
I woke up this morning feeling somber with my heart heavy. I continued to grieve for her husband who lost his wife and for her children who lost their mother. “It’s just not fair” I would think, and it’s true--it’s not. But we we’re never told life would be fair. In the midst of sadness I cling to the promise that the Lord knows and understands far more then we do or ever will—and we’re not called to understand but to trust.
If you haven’t done so already, take time this week to reflect on last year. If your year was anything like mine, there were times of great joy and heartfelt pain. Both the joy and the pain are valuable to reflect on as they are imperative to our growth as followers of Christ. In the midst of pain it’s often difficult to see how the Lord can create beauty from it—but He can and He does."
"When I was in college I always enjoyed the start of a new semester because it gave me an opportunity to start fresh. New classes, new professors, and another opportunity to try and be on top of my work. I would always say, “This semester I’m not going to procrastinate and I’m going to do all of the assigned reading…” That usually only lasted for a few weeks, but at least my intentions were good.
Along with the start of a new semester comes the start of a whole new year. I can remember years ago watching furniture commercials on TV that would say “No payments until 2008!” and thinking that was so far away…and now here it is. At the start of this year I found myself reflecting on last year and all of the events and memories that encompassed it.
I found myself reflecting even more yesterday afternoon as I attended a funeral for a friend’s mother who recently died after an eight month battle with cancer. The funeral was completely devoted to glorifying God for the life He gave, for the children she raised and for the people she blessed in her 48 years here on earth. As I sat at the funeral I couldn’t help but think of how quickly life can change. Eight months ago this woman was completely healthy—but life doesn’t always go as we plan and she is now at home with her Heavenly Father.
I woke up this morning feeling somber with my heart heavy. I continued to grieve for her husband who lost his wife and for her children who lost their mother. “It’s just not fair” I would think, and it’s true--it’s not. But we we’re never told life would be fair. In the midst of sadness I cling to the promise that the Lord knows and understands far more then we do or ever will—and we’re not called to understand but to trust.
If you haven’t done so already, take time this week to reflect on last year. If your year was anything like mine, there were times of great joy and heartfelt pain. Both the joy and the pain are valuable to reflect on as they are imperative to our growth as followers of Christ. In the midst of pain it’s often difficult to see how the Lord can create beauty from it—but He can and He does."
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
A New Year...
I feel as though 2008 is going to be a year full of change. As I reflected on 2007, I didn't feel that I endured that much change--not sure if that's good or bad. And actually, when looking back, I wish I would have grown more then I feel like I did.
I mean, I did grow in a lot of ways, but I feel now more then ever God is calling me out of my comfort zone and calling me out on things in my life--both the seen and unseen things.
I feel as though change is coming in different ways. Change has already occurred in the lives of a few friends within the past week--4 engagements and it's not even a week into the new year yet!
And sadly, after battling an aggressive form of cancer for months, a friend lost his mother today--talk about change. So much change has and will continue to penetrate that family.
But I was reminded today by a friend, "In order to grow, things much change and in order to change we must learn." You can't grow without changing and you can't change without learning...they all go hand in hand...
And 2008 is going to be magical, right j.lo?
I mean, I did grow in a lot of ways, but I feel now more then ever God is calling me out of my comfort zone and calling me out on things in my life--both the seen and unseen things.
I feel as though change is coming in different ways. Change has already occurred in the lives of a few friends within the past week--4 engagements and it's not even a week into the new year yet!
And sadly, after battling an aggressive form of cancer for months, a friend lost his mother today--talk about change. So much change has and will continue to penetrate that family.
But I was reminded today by a friend, "In order to grow, things much change and in order to change we must learn." You can't grow without changing and you can't change without learning...they all go hand in hand...
And 2008 is going to be magical, right j.lo?
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