Christmas Break

So I've been in Pensacola for Christmas break..been fun..been interesting..I had never understood why it seemed awkward when people would come to visit..but now I understand..it just feels weird coming back. You've been disconnected from people for so long, that you almost dont know what to talk about when you see them..the only people it's not like that with are those you are/were really close to and/or the people you've kept in touch with. And then there's the whole fact that Im not the same person anymore...I dont think the same things are funny and I just dont have the same things driving me anymore..Im not into the gossipping, complaining, and overall trying to pull me into a depression that so many people seem to engage in over here. But everytime I try to give them any advice, they just get upset and start making more excuses for themselves..VERY frustrating..I wish people would just realize how easy it is to step up and take action in their situations..whether they're sick of being in Pensacola, or sick of their job..it's not hard to find another job or MOVE..so many people are so scared of messing up the will of God in their lives...but if you're seeking God and wanting His will, it's gonna be REALLY hard for you to mess your life up. Even if you do stray off track a little, it's not hard to get back to where you need to be! Im not sure where this whole idea that following God's will is hard or complicated..cuz it's really so very simple. just take a risk..step out and try something...God's not gonna disappoint!

anyway..now that I got that lil burden off my chest, Christmas has been so good..I've had alot of fun with the fam and those few friends that I've kept in contact with. Today I went to my brother's church in Fairhope. His father-in-law, Kenny, is the pastor and he always asks me to play piano and sing back-up, so I was expecting that, but what I wasn't expecting was for him to ask me to come up and talk in the middle of his sermon! It was kinda crazy..I actually got up and preached a little..he wanted me to talk about what we are doing at school and how Im in the prophetic art track..and then I got to tell this really awesome testimony about financial breakthrough..and in the end, it ended up being really fun and really amazing. Just goes to show you that God will use just about anyone to minister..and He doesn't expect us to know everything..but to just give away what we do have, and He'll provide the rest! It's so awesome living like this!! I love it..I love Him!

Stole this from Amber's blog..:)

The Bucket ListHit forward and place an (x) by all the things you've done and remove the (x) from the ones you have not. Then send it to your friends (including me). This is for your entire life!

(x) Been to Europe
(x) Been on a cruise
( ) Gone on a blind date
(x) Skipped school
( ) Watched someone die
(x) Been to Canada
(x) Been to Mexico
(x) Been to Florida
(x) Been on a plane
(x) Been lost
(x) Been on the opposite side of the country
( ) Gone to Washington , DC
(x) Been to Vegas
(x) Climbed a lighthouse
(x) Swam in the ocean
(x) Rolled in the snow
(x) Cried yourself to sleep
( ) Seen the Cherry Blossoms in Washington , D.C.
(x) Played cops and robbers
( ) Been present in a confrontation where guns were pulled
() Been in a knock down drag out fight
() Flown a plane
( ) Owned a boat
( ) Watched grandchildren grow
(x) Recently colored with crayons
( ) Been to the Kentucky Derby
( ) Been to Key West
(x) Been to a rodeo
(x) Sang Karaoke
( ) Paid for a meal with coins only
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
(x) Made prank phone calls
(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
(x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(x) Danced in the rain
(x ) Written a letter to Santa Claus
( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(x) Had a near death experience
( ) Watched the sunrise with someone
( ) Seen the green flash at sunset
(x) Blown bubbles
(x) Gone ice-skating
( ) Owned a convertible
( ) Been in an outside hot tub when it was snowing
1. Any nickname? Alli, Big Al, Al, Bright Eyes, Galactica, Shananana
2. Mother's name ? Patsy
3. Body Piercing ? Jut the ears.
4. How much do you love your job? it's aight..
5. Birthplace? Albany, OR
6. Been to Hawaii ? not yet..
7. Ever been to Africa ? No..but I wanna go sometime soon!
8. Ever eaten just cookies for dinner? yeah..
9. Ever been on TV? Yes
10. Ever steal any traffic sign? yeah..after Ivan, a bunch of them were down, so me and my friends stole a stop sign..haha
11. Ever been in a car accident? yeah,,but it wasn't my fault...
12 Drive a 2 door or a 4 door? 4 door
13. Favorite number? eleven
14. Favorite movie ? there are too many to count..
15. Favorite holiday ? Christmas
16. Favorite dessert? Cheesecake
18. Favorite food? Sushi, Italian, and Greek!
19. Favorite day of the week ? Saturday
20. Favorite brand of body wash ? Bath and body works Coconut lime Verbena
21. Favorite smell? not sure..I like Lucky You, Boss, Ralph Lauren
22. How do you relax? Read, watch a movie
23. How do you see yourself in 10 years? hopefully married..a couple kids..in ministry somewhere..
TAG! You're IT!

Christmas Christmas Christmas!!

Im in Pensacola!! It was quite the ordeal to get here (cancelled flights..lost luggage..fun adventures..haha) but Im so excited to see everyone, so it's worth it! I still haven't got my luggage, so hopefully that comes by tomorrow!!!
Im watching Elf (GREAT Christmas movie..) and making some Christmas treats with my mom..I've been wanting to watch it ALL month, but Sam and Eleanor never wanted to watch it with me :(..so now Im watching it all by myself! Totally random, but in one of the scenes Jovie is eating noodles and it made me want ramen noodles really badly..so I just made some and am taking a break from baking to eat them! lol
It's so good to be back..though I dont really consider this home anymore..Redding has become home and I've only been gone 2 days, but I miss everyone there already..they've kinda become family, you know? Anyways..I've got lots to do tomorrow..Christmas shopping, hanging with Hannah..I need to call Ber and Megs to hang out..and finish up baking..and hang out with Michael..should be a fun day! So, Im gonna go finish baking so I can get to bed somewhat early! :)

Sigh..

I love Christmas time..the air is crisp and clean, there are lights everywhere, and people just seem to be in a better mood. My campus has put up some Christmas decorations ad I get excited everytime I drive or walk past. :) And then today, one of the interns from my revival group gave me a bag of Starbucks Christmas Blend coffee...Im super excited to brew it in the morning! I just LOVE Christmas!!!! 

My Thanksgiving was good..Aaron came in town and fell in love with Bethel (as I knew he would), we went up to Oregon-took some fellow students with us- and spent Thanksgiving with my aunts and uncles. It was a good vacay...I left my brother up there to visit in Oregon, and came home on Friday, then, Sammy, Eleanor, Stephen, Andrew, and I left Saturday morning for LA. We met up with Planetshakers (which is the church Elle is from) and hung out with them for awhile, then went to their show Sunday night. Monday was a fun adventure..we went to Six Flags with the band, but found out soon after that they were closed, so we ended up just heading home, hoping to get back somewhat early so we could finish up some homework. But alas, I made the mistake of falling asleep for 20 minutes while Sam was driving, and when I woke up, we were lost. Now, I dont completely blame Sammy (or Andrew who was supposed to be navigating) because it was VERY foggy and neither of them know California at all..but, long story short, we ended up taking a 2 hour detour through San Francisco (so much for getting homework done!). Overall it was a fun trip. :)

Now this week has been fun...full of homework and crazy assignments...we are learning how to really study the Bible and we had to do this thing caled an inductive study on 2 John. This was the most time consuming assingment I've had yet...it took me a grand total of 4 1/2 hours to do it..it wasnt hard, just long...but it's done now and due tomorrow, so I feel pretty good about that..then on top of that fun work, we also had a Kingdom foundations paper due (which are these papers with about 10 questions on them about a certain subject, and you have to study the Bible, concordances, etc. to find the answers..they're actually my favorite homework to do..I get alot out of them..) Wed., and 2 weeks worth of Bible reading and questions..all in all..it's been a busy week! :) Im definitely ready for the weekend!!

Well, that's all for my update..it's like 2 am and I need to go to bed (I still have some Bible homework to do in the morning!). Good night lovely ladies and gents!

quickie..

Well..just a quick update..school's been awesome...Aaron's coming to visit me!!! He gets here on Tuesday and then we are going up to Oregon for Thanksgiving and taking some of the foreign students with us, so they can experience a thanksgiving :) its gonna be FUN!! So..I'll probably have more time for an update sometime over Thanksgiving break..I love you all and miss you..You ALL need to come visit me..it's amazing! You would love it!! PEACE

The Call California

So Im sitting in my aunt and uncle's house in San Diego watchin Pirates 3 and about to eat some pie made by my aunt. :) Some of my friends and I drove down here Friday to go to the Call (which was yesterday), and we're leaving tomorrow morning to drive back.

The Call was exhausting, but completely worth the 12 hour drive. Something people coming together to purposely fast and pray for our nation is so absolutely beautiful. It wasn't easy (fasting never is for me, especially when there's kids behind you eating wheat thins..haha), but I feel like we had breakthrough in many ways. It was amazing. And since it's on my mind, let me just encourage anyone reading this to vote come Tuesday. Not only are we voting in the next president of the United States, but we are deciding the future of our country, of our lives. Every choice that is made on those ballots will affect you in some way, and if everyone who thinks that their vote won't make a difference would stand up for what they believe in and vote, then it really would make the difference. That's all I have to say about that issue..the end. haha

Today, we went to the beach and just walked around and hung out..I have to say that Im so thankful for who came with me..we're a fun bunch..lessee..it's Andrew from Canada, Joel from Virginia, and Janelle from Hong Kong/Indiana :) We had such an awesome time today...just hanging out and looking at shops..there will probably be some pictures posted on facebook by either joel or andrew..so check em out :) We found a really good mexican restuarant and watched the sunset, then we came back to my aunt's house and she made us spaghetti (a great reprise from dorm food!). It's been a great day, and Im not really looking forward to the long drive home tomorrow, though I have missed some of my dorm mates, so I.ll be glad to see them again! :)

That's all the time I have to write today, Andrew wants to check his facebook..lol. Sorry if some of this was scatterbrained, Im still a little wore out from yesterday.

doobie doobie doo..

so I GOT  JOB! I am now employed by PacSun...it's pretty exciting and seems like it's gonna be a fun job. So that's pretty awesome! God just keeps providing for me and it's so incredible. The other day, someone shoved $600 in an envelope with my name on it under my door, but when my roommate opened the door, there was no one in the hall. Crazy, huh? And then I got a couple checks in the mail this past week (completely unexpected) and then I got this job. God's really showing me that Im where Im supposed to be and He's gonna provide for all my needs. My faith is getting built up and Im finally realizing who I am in Christ. That I am a daughter of God..did you catch that? A daughter of GOD..that's huge! I dont have to beg God to take care of me, He wants to do it and is going to do it because He is my Father and He loves me. I have authority over all things because of who He is. I find my identity in Him. It's so amazing..I love it. People need to realize who they are, so many of us walk around in this daze thinking we are nobodies, and there's nothing we can do to change the world around us, but that is a big fat lie that satan has told us to keep us from ruining his plans. We are princes and princesses, sons and daughters, world changers!! And when we start to realize that, we begin taking back the power that we have given to satan..that's why he tries so hard to make us believe that we are not worthy, we are too small, we are too weak to change this world. But, that is completely untrue..we are more than conquerors in Christ, and whatever power the enemy presumes he has has been given to him by us. He has no power..the only way he is empowered is through us and our unbelief. I really wish that you all could be here, cuz this all makes a whole lot more sense when Kris talks about it! But that's  little bit of what I've learned here..Hope you enjoyed it..:)

Little more of an update...I have my first REAL shift at pacsun tomorrow, so hopefully it works out..I have to tell them that Im not going to be able to work Thanksgiving week (which Im a seasonal associate, so they may not be too happy with that..) cuz MY BROTHER IS COMING TO VISIT ME!!!!!!!!! :) woot..so be praying that everything works out!

anyway..I know that Amber and Cary are the only ones that really read this, so this is for you two..I love you guys and I miss you so very much!! Cary..call me..I miss the sound of your voice..I dont think I talked to you this past weekend :(...And Ber...CALL ME BACK!! We've been playing some CRAZY phone tag and I really want to talk to you!!! You both are so amazing and I love you so very much!!

Wow...

So I FINALLY have time to sit down and write a decent blog (this in hopes that somebody doesn't come bursting into the stairwell where I have found some internet..haha). 

I know in my last blog I mentioned that school is awesome, but didnt really expand on that. I will do so now :) School being awesome is an understatement. I have never been in an atmosphere where so many people have the same heart, same passion for God that I do. It's literally life changing. Even now, as I sit in my dorm stairwell, there are people in the common room playing music and just worshipping God. And this is a constant thing..there is always someone praying, someone worshipping, someone crying out to God to change our nation. I love this atmosphere. I feel like I've grown so much in the past 3 weeks, more so than I have in the past 3 years. Classes are incredible..Bill Johnson teaches as does their associate pastor Kris Vallotton (who is one of the smartest people I have met..some of the classes he's taught blow your mind!). Right now, we're basically just learning who we are in Christ and what that means for the world. :) I want everyone to come and experience what Im experiencing..I am truly falling in love with Him like I never have before. 

We have been put into revival groups (there are 10 groups of about 70) with a pastor and 3 third year interns over them. I have to say that I have been put in the best group ever. My revival group pastor (or RGP), Trisha, is the head of the prophetic arts here at Bethel and the interns are amazing. Karen is like our group mom, Dan is our party planner (and a freakin awesome man of God...he's available if any single ladies want to move out here and snatch him up..lol), and Michaela is the coolest girl ever..I now have 3 families..my blood family, my dorm family, and my revival group family..:) I love it! 

We just got back from our school retreat (which since there are 700 of us, we had to split it up by revival group..so mine and 2 others went Wed-Fri) and it was alot of fun getting to know people outside of school..we played games, ate, had some pretty amazing services, and just hung out. Yesterday, a bunch of us started a soccer game that had so many different countries represented.it was crazy..let's see if I can remember them all..New Zealand, Australia, Norway, Iceland, England, Ecuador, Canada, the US, and Alabama (haha). It was alot of fun, but it got a little rough..so I definitely have some battle wounds...haha! I met some really awesome people though so it was worth it! :) 

One downer so far (and I should have been prepared for this..) is that it seems everyone is looking for a spouse. It's hard to get to know guys without feeling like they're scoping you out as their future wife or something. It really sucks. So I've decided that unless God clearly tells me to, Im not even going to allow myself to get interested in anyone. It's hard cuz there's some really great guys, but I find that it's made things easier in the area of building relationships. I have met a couple guys that we've clicked and become friends AND their safe cuz one has a serious girlfriend and the other is 27 and isnt really looking either. :) YAY!

I dont really know what else to write..dorm life is so much fun..we all get along (for the most part..lol) and just have lots of good times together. We go to the lake, study together, and just do life together. It's been an amazing experience so far and I only expect it to get better. :)

Short update..

I dont have much time for an update..but just to let everyone know..Im in school and it is freakin AWESOME!!! I love it here..the atmosphere is so amazing and God is really moving in my life. I am all settled in at Simpson dorms..I've made a few friends here and I'll try to post pictures of everything as soon as I can find the time! That's all I can write right now..I gotta go get me some lunch and go job hunting!

little update

Well..I have made it to the west coast. At last. And I have found time to sit down and write a blog. FINALLY! lol
The problem here is that not many people have wireless internet I can connect to..and it's even harder to find a computer with hi-speed internet..but at long last I have found one in the home of my aunt and uncle..hallelujah!
Just to give you guys an update on what Im doing, Im in Oregon visiting some friends and family before I move on down to Cali. It's been fun so far with adventures from the beach to battling rain at an art festival in Portland. The beach was beautiful..though it rained there as well, it was an amazing view from my friend's condo. The cool thing about the Oregon beach is that there is an ocean at your front and mountains at your back..I love it. :) Then, today I went to an Art festival with my Uncle Bill and Aunt Carol. It rained, so we didnt really get to look at too much art before leaving, but what I did see was really cool. Then, we went to this place called Noodles & Company for lunch. I think I have found a new favorite restaurant. Im hoping that Redding has one. haha! It's still raining now as I type away in the back room of my uncle's house. I love Oregon rain..it puts a chill in the air and a fresh smell of the outdoors in the atmosphere. It's so different from Florida rain...there's no humidity in the air, just the smell of raindrops and the feel of a chilly breeze.
Im not sure what my plans are for this week..my friend is supposed to be moving back home from Washington tomorrow, so hopefully we'll be able to get together. If you're in Florida and reading this, know that I miss you ever so much and Im counting down the days to Christmas when I'll hopefully see you again!

Disappointment

I just found out that the guy who wrote that healer song faked his cancer. How sad is that? He lied for no apparent reason other than to get money. Here's the article telling about it...

~In October 2006, Guglielmucci revealed how he had gone to the hospital for a series of tests which revealed that he had "quite an aggressive form of cancer". He said that it was this diagnosis and moment that inspired his song Healer:
"I just went home. I knew I had to go home and needed to get alone with God," he says in the video. I walked into my studio at home and for some reason. . . I sat at a piano and began to worship. I sang that song from start to finish. I was crying. I just realised that God had given me an incredible gift and I realise that song was going to be my strength."

On August 20, 2008, it came to light that Guglielmucci admitted he had lied about ever having cancer in the first place. Allegedly deceiving his church and even his own family.
Australian Christian Churches vice president Alun Davies gave a statement that Mr Guglielmucci had admitted to fabricating his illness:
"Representatives of the National Executive for the Australian Christian Churches recently met with Michael Guglielmucci. At this meeting, he read a statement indicating that his claim to have cancer was untrue." His credential with the Australian Christian Churches was immediately suspended.
So far Michael has not yet released a response to this matter, however according to The Advertiser (Adelaide) Mr Guglielmucci may release a statement on the situation soon.
Shortly after the news broke of this alleged fraud, videos that showed Guglielmucci speaking openly about his cancer and also featured various footage of him wearing an oxygen mask while leading worship were removed from Youtube. Messages on Youtube in place of the removed material indicate that Hillsong Publishing was asserting their copyright of the material in having the videos removed. However, Hillsong Publishing had not previously asserted their copyright for the video on Youtube featuring Guglielmucci and his song "Healer", which had recently reached as high as 300,000 views. Since the news of Guglielmucci's alleged fraud, every other attempt to host the videos has been met shortly thereafter by Hillsong asserting their copyright to have them removed.
It has been revealed that Guglielmucci suffers from a pornography addiction and that he'd "been living a double life" carrying a tremendous amount of guilt.
The Australian Christian Churches instructed Guglielmucci to go to police, who will investigate what has happened to money raised during his cancer deception.
People close to Guglielmucci have revealed that he'd hung around in doctors' waiting rooms as part of a web of lies to convince followers that he was dying of cancer. "He never even saw a doctor. He went to hospitals and clinics but hung around the waiting rooms"~

What's really sad is that his wife and family were duped as well. Now, Im not posting this to make him out to be a bad guy..he obviously has some issues and needs help to work through them and I am going to continue praying for him. But, it's sad how many people were deceived and how easily. I had always wondered how people (especially Christians) were going to be deceived by the Antichrist, but now it's obvious how easy it really will be. People believe almost anything without looking into it and investigating it for themselves..I mean he kept people believing for 2 whole years that he had cancer..and not just the masses, but his own wife and family! It is very sad and we need to keep him and his family in our prayers. My heart is breaking for his family..this must be a tough blow..to think for 2 years that you were going to lose a loved one, and to be praying for his healing only to find out it was never real..but mostly, my heart is broken for him. He needs Jesus now more than he ever has, and I dont think anyone reading this would talk bad about him, but just in case, before you go spewing venom, remember that even though he has been lying, God still loves him and His heart is broken because His son has fallen hard.

I've said it a few times, but keep him and his family in your prayers...they most certainly are in need of it.

school

So I leave in 3 1/2 days to move all the way across the country..away from my family, friends, and everything I know..to go to school. Why, you may ask, am I moving so far away to go to a bible school when there are plenty of good ones that are closer? The answer is I don't really know. 

Don't get me wrong..Im sure that this is where God wants me..Im just not really sure why California is the place He finally chose. 

I have to be honest with you..Im scared out of my mind. First, comes the worry of finances..I dont even have half the money I need to have..I dont know if Im going to be able to get a job that will give me enough money to survive..Im in need quite a bit. And then, this whole moving out business is a first for me. I've been packing up my room and just watching as, slowly, my room becomes more and more empty is freaking me out more than a little. I realized that, whereas, I probably wouldn't be happy staying here, I would be comfortable. I've spent my entire teenage life here..I have so many memories, I know this town like the back of my hand (pardon the cliche)...I would be VERY comfortable living here the rest of my life. But, then the Lord quietly reminded me that a comfortable life is not what Im meant to live. That I had told Him I would go wherever He sent me and I would do whatever He told me to do. So with that little rebuke on my mind, I have decided that I may not fully understand and it may be scary and a little (or alot) uncomfortable, I will do whatever He tells me to do and I will go wherever He tells me to go. 

That said..Im still scared..Im still worried..but I trust that God will never do anything to hurt me and that He will always take care of me. He has never failed me before...

Healer

You hold my every moment

You calm my raging seas

You walk with me through fire

And heal all my disease

I trust in You

I trust in You

I believe You're my Healer

I believe You are all I need

I believe You're my Portion

I believe You're more than enough for me

Jesus, You're all I need.

Nothing is impossible for You

Nothing is impossible

Nothing is impossible for You

You hold the world in Your hand

I love this song..it was written by a guy who has cancer. The first time I heard it, it was on a Hillsong DVD, and this guy got up on stage, pulling his oxygen tank behind him, and started to play this song. It was amazing. If I can find the video of it, I'll try to post it.

Olympics, Wedding, Friends=My Weekend

The Olympics have begun. I wait every 4 years for this..call me a nerd, loser, whatever, but I absolutely LOVE the Olympics. Friday night I caught the end of the opening ceremonies (which my brother found a video of the whole thing, so as soon as I have time, Im watching that..) and even what little I saw was AMAZING..then all day Saturday I watched them until I had to go to a wedding (tell you more about that in a minute)..and today I've been watching them every chance I get, which the USA did an awesome job on the 400m swim relay..it was nuts..we were behind by a full body length, and the last guy to go just sped it up the last few meters, and won by a fraction of a second..it was amazing. I LOVE the Olympics..Im telling you..it's a serious addiction. haha. Believe me..you will hear more about them in the next couple weeks..

But back to the wedding on Saturday, my friend Hailey got married. It was a beautiful, very small wedding in Gulf Shores, AL. I, sadly, got there a little late (just in time to see Chad pronounce them man and wife..), but the reception was a blast. There was food, dancing, and people I hadn't seen in ages..a very good mixture of things! I got to see Tara, who was one of my mentors and whom I haven't seen in 2 years, and Amy, who I just love... it was totally worth the drive :). We danced the cupid shuffle, the electric slide, and all those fun line dances. We ended up not leaving til after 10. It was great! :) Then, we (Jessica, Cary, Melissa, Hannah, Michael, and I) went to Hooter's- it was my first time there- and I must say that they are terribly overrated. The food really wasn't that great...I will probably never have the desire to go in there again. Didn't get home till 1230-1am, then had to get up early to go to church.

Church was awesome...Kenny didn't even preach, we just prayed and worshipped. A guy came down to the altar to get free from drug addiction, some other people got set free from smoking, and we prayed for the children and youth. It was really good.

Then, tonight, I went over to Amy's house for her birthday and hung out with a bunch of people i don't really see too often anymore. Chad, Sabrina, and Macie were there (it's always fun to see them..) and then Jarron came in around 11. We played games, watched the Olympics, I taught them all the cupid shuffle lol, and we just hung out. It was good times..I'm gonna miss these times of just hanging out at Jeremy and Amy's house..but Im seriously, looking forward to moving...it's only 2 weeks away!! I'm so excited!! 

Well..that's the end of my weekend..Im gonna go to bed now cuz im tired and I have to get up and go to work tomorrow..boo. I wish people would pay me for being a nice person..that I didn't have to have a job, but that I could just walk around and random people would give me money for being nice. That would be awesome!! haha! Anyhoo...until next blog.. PEACEOUT!!

numb

Tonight, as I drove to and from work, I came to the realization that something in my life needs to change. I live most of my life for myself and I've almost forgotten to work on my relationship with God. I never seem to have time for Him anymore, and it's spiritually killing me. I want so badly to change, but I don't. And Im not really sure how. All I know is there's more to this so called Christian life I've been living, and I am on a mission to find out how to obtain it. Whether it be through just spending more time with Him or giving my entire life to focus on Him. Im ready to finally surrender..Im sick of living this hypocrisy and I want to be free. 

I love you Jesus. Forgive me for becoming numb. Please become the love of my life again. Consume me, Lord. I can't live without you.

first post

Wow..my first post on this blogger thing..I feel like I should say something deep and inspiring (as to make a good first impression), yet words fail me. So, I guess I will save my deep, intellectual thoughts for later and simply say hello.