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!