Recent Life Updates

I just realized I've posted more posts this year than last year...and it's not even September yet! Just a quick update on my life and random thoughts recently:

• We've started on going for evening walks. I don't know why, but this makes me feel like a grownup. Maybe because it seemed like there were always adults going for walks around dinner time in my neighborhood growing up?
• Last weekend our church had a baptism service at Black Lake. The weather was actually warm enough to play in the lake afterwards, too. Here are a few pictures I took:

• We saw Rise of the Planet of the Apes earlier this week. It was pretty good. By the end I was emotionally attached to the main ape (Caesar) and the main character.
• The other day I tried an ice cream substitute made out of coconut milk. It was really good! I'm excited to try their other flavors 
• This weekend looks like it will be a good one! Here are a few things I'm looking forward to (in no particular order) 
1. The Garlic Festival in Chehalis is this weekend.
2. Blackberry Blast this Sunday at church.
3. AND My mother-in-law is coming up to visit!

Impossible

Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'! - Audrey Hepburn

One of my friends posted that quote on Facebook a couple of hours ago. It reminded me that during the day-to-day journey of becoming prepared for your future, at present it often feels like there's just no way. To a teenager it can seem impossible to finish high school and become a self-supporting adult. To a young adult it can seem impossible to provide for children through college and still have resources left for retirement. Along the way "impossible" transforms into, "I'm possible!"...but it is usually hard to see.

All of this reminds me of a recent Newsboys song:


I can't see myself without You
With You I get strength to do things I've never ever dreamt in a million years
I'm unstoppable 'cause You're here with me
Unbelievable how I can believe how powerful You've caused me to be, yeah


See only You got me flying with eagles, walking on water
With You I can do the impossible
Jump over mountains with one single bound
I've found out I can do the impossible
Do the impossible


No other soul could have saved me
I feel You in every heartbeat
You're incredible, invincible - so easy to see You've strengthened me
I'm out of this world, oh yeah, now that I'm with You
I'm unbreakable, there ain't no way I can lose


See only You got me flying with eagles, walking on water
With You I can do the impossible
Jump over mountains with one single bound
I've found out I can do the impossible
Do the impossible


'Cause heaven is at the end of this road
Me and You, now I know I'm not alone
You're pierced in my heart, You're not just in my head
This is what makes You the best


See only You got me flying with eagles, walking on water
With You I can do the impossible
Jump over mountains with one single bound
I've found out I can do the impossible
Do the impossible


No other soul could have saved me
I feel You in every heartbeat

It's That Time...

It's that time of night again. That time when I want to stay awake, but I really know I should go to sleep. The result of which is usually me writing about random things.

We went to the Tacoma Rainiers game with the youth group tonight. It was a lot of fun! I totally forgot to take pictures, though...and my camera was sitting in my purse. Maybe next time? Regardless, we still had a great time hanging out, watching the game and seeing fireworks at the end.

I've started re-reading the Circle series by Ted Dekker. It's a fantastic trilogy. Well, technically there's a 4th book too, but I never got around to finishing that one. I just couldn't get into it...anyway, the original trilogy is so good! I don't want to give too much away, so I'll just say that it's worth your time to read. If you want to know more, read the description on Amazon (I don't think it gives away any spoilers).

I've been rewatching Star Trek: The Next Generation on Netflix recently, too. That's also been fun. I remember so much from childhood, but understand so much more now. It adds another level of depth to the characters I met as a young lass. Plus it takes me back to when a roommate from college and I watched them (although I don't think we made it through all 7 seasons).

I'm going to cut myself off from writing random thoughts and updates. It's time for bed. I have plans to be productive tomorrow and I want to see them come to fruition!

A Great Wedding

Matt and I spent most of this past weekend up in Seattle for my friend's wedding. In case you were wondering, I had a lot of fun. In addition to getting to celebrate one of my best friends marrying a really great guy, I got to see friends from college I haven't seen for a while.

I loved pretty much everything about my friend's wedding. She was an absolutely beautiful bride. The ceremony was a combination of a traditional Lutheran service and personal touches (mostly through music); the pastor's homily included a few personal touches as well.

The reception was at a nearby Sons of Norway hall, which is pretty much awesome in itself. In addition to that, they had Kransekake, a traditional Norwegian cake, plus strawberry shortcake. Before dessert, though, we were given the chance to eat our fill of delicious appetizers, pizza, a pasta dish and chicken.

All three toasts were great. I especially liked how her sisters tag-teamed it, and how a friend from college used pictures to make her toast even better.

Another fun part of the reception was a photo booth they had set up, complete with ridiculous costumes for guests to wear. What a fun idea! One of my favorite accouterments was the bicycle helmet we spray-painted gold back in college when we dressed up for the midnight premiere of Star Wars Episode III.

And then there was the dancing. This wedding would not have been complete without a fair share of dancing, and it did not disappoint. In addition to the standard couples dances and the mixture of crowd favorites and slow songs, there were a few songs that required specific dance moves; I love how everyone joined in. On those specific songs, the entire dance floor was mirroring each other: scooping up salmon, jumping in the line, etc.

All in all, a great wedding.

Cookies Or Sleep?

I'm debating internally right now. Stay up later and bake a few cookies (we have cookie dough in the freezer) or be responsible and go to bed right now. I'm leaning more towards going to bed, but that might change in the next few minutes.

Lately I've been entertaining myself by playing Carmen Sandiego on Facebook. I've noticed my geography has really been getting better and it's a basic activity that doesn't require too much brain power. A fun feature of the Facebook version is they import your friends list so you actually get to catch people you know. Earlier this evening I caught a couple of friends from California.

So at the moment I'm playing on the computer, watching a movie and debating in my head. Cookies or sleep? I think I'll make the responsible choice and go to sleep...

...well, after one more Carmen Sandiego case :)

Someday I Want To See...

Israel! Okay, I know I haven't done one of these posts in a while (looking back, the last one was in October 2009 - wow). Anyway, I would love to visit Israel for a couple of reasons:

1. It just so happens one of my best friends from high school lives there. Just from her talking about what life is like for her, I think it would be really eye-opening to visit an area so different from the communities I've personally experienced.
2. I think it would be a great way to put various Bible stories into perspective. I'm more of a kinetic learner, followed by visual, so physically seeing and experiencing the region would go a long way for me.

Matt and I actually talked about visiting Israel on our honeymoon, although it didn't work out. Maybe someday we'll have an opportunity to check it out, though. 

Have you ever been to Israel? What are the must-see or must-do locations & activities you experienced?