Feeling Old

I came across this article entitled, 48 Things That Will Make You Feel Old and I have stolen some of my favorites that actually did make me feel pretty old. Enjoy!

This is what Ferguson from "Clarissa Explains It All" looks like today.

 

She's 30...and married.

 

 

 

You will never be able to drink this again. Squeezeit's haven't been sold in over 11 years.

 

 

Kids born in 1995 graduated from high school this year.

 

 

20 years ago.

 

The Backstreet Boys are 19 years old.

 

 

Was I nine when I saw this in the theatre?!

30 years later, you can carry all of this in your pocket.

 

 

 

 

 

Jonathan Lipnicki then and now. (Whattt...this makes me feel really old!).

 

 

These were the top 10 shows 15 years ago.

 

A new episode hasn't aired in 8 years. So sad.

 

 

Ryan Gosling was on "Are You Afraid Of The Dark" 16 years ago.

 

A new episode of "Are You Afraid Of The Dark" hasn't come out in 12 years.

 

 

The "Problem Child" kid looks like this today. Woah, kinda scary.

 

Where is the Love?

I am not ashamed of my faith.

 I am not ashamed to call myself a Christian.

However, I am ashamed of Christians treating others as less than human and 

giving judgement and condemnation instead of love. 

A new YouTube video has surfaced of a North Carolina pastor condemming gays and lesbians. He even goes as far to say that we should "Build a great, big, large fence - 150 or 100 miles long - put all the lesbians in there. Do the same things for the queers and homosexuals and have that fence electrified so they can't get out." (You can read the full article here). This makes me sick. The hatred this 'pastor' is spewing is appaling. As a Christian I am disgusted by others who claim to be followers of Christ and yet completely disregard all the 310 verses in the Bible that talk about love. 

Homosexuality, right or wrong, does not give anyone justification for hate, especially Christians.This is not about my view on homosexuality, because frankly in this case it doesn't matter.  This is about the extremely poor witness that is displayed by other Christians when they say hateful things. The message of hate by this pastor and many others 'Christians' across the globe is not Biblical. Jesus taught a message a love throughout his time here on earth. He left us with a clear guideline for how to love others, not judge them and not condemn them.

John 13:34-35 states, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." Love people. Jesus knows we are his if we show His love to others. Others know we are His if we show love. When people show hate and condemnation for others like this pastor, people think we are His and then associate Jesus with this type of behavior, when the reality is Jesus would be despised at it.

1 John 3:16 states, "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." Lay down our life for our brothers. This doesn't say 'lay down our life for those who are the same of us and have no record of sin'. Jesus didn't say 'only lay down your life for those that are straight, non alcoholics, those who attend church every Sunday, etc, etc.

Matthew 7:1: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way that you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you." This one is pretty clear. Jesus said not to judge anyone else!

John 13:15: "For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you." This pastor and others like him are not leaving an example that Jesus would be proud of. Jesus would never speak hatred to others. The example that Jesus left was of pure love. Hatred does not exist in love so anyone who treats others in such a way are not following the example that Christ left.

I am not ashamed of my faith.

I love Jesus and live each day to glorify Him.

Although this love is not always perfect, I do my best to love

others daily and show them Jesus through this love.

I want to show others, despite their lifestyle or choices, Christ's love which is free from

my own judgement or condemnation. God is the only true judger.

I want others who view Christianity in a negative light to know that not all Christians believe the way this pastor does. The majority of Christians believe in loving others and accepting them for who they are. They look at this pastor and are ashamed, just as I am, about the way he is treating others.

I want to be an example of Christ's love.

I hope other Christians do the same, because if not we will never be able to show the

world the heart of Jesus. A heart full of love, generousity, compassion, patience, and forgiveness.

The Food List Challenge

Although this challenge started as a Facebook Application I have adapted it for this purpose! This is a list of 100 foods to try before you die! Although I didn't know what some were, never plan on eating others, and adore a few of the listings it was fun to think back to when I had some of these fine cuisines!

Enjoy!

1. Abalone

2. Absinthe

3. Alligator 

4. Baba Ghanoush

5. Bagel & Lox

6. Baklava

7. BBQ Ribs

8. Bellini

9. Birds Nest Soup

10. Biscuits & Gravy

11. Black Pudding

12. Black Truffle

13. Borscht

14. Calamari

15. Carp

16. Caviar

17. Cheese Fondue

18. Chicken & Waffles

19. Chicken Tikka Masala

20. Chile Relleno

21. Chitlins

22. Churros

23. Clam Chowder 

24. Cognac

25. Crab Cakes

26. Crickets

27. Currywurst

28. Dandelion Wine

29. Dulce De Leche

30. Durian

31. Eel (only in sushi!)

32. Eggs Benedict

33. Fish Tacos

34. Foie Gras

35. Fresh Spring Rolls

36. Fried Catfish

37. Fried Green Tomatoes 

38. Fried Plantain

39. Frito Pie

40. Frogs' Legs

41. Fugu

42. Funnel Cake

43. Gazpacho

44. Goat

45. Goat's Milk

46. Goulash (hopefully the kind from elementary school counts!)

47. Gumbo

48. Haggis

49. Head Cheese

50. Heirloom Tomatoes

51. Honeycomb

52. Hostess Fruit Pie 

53. Huevos Rancheros

54. Jerk Chicken

55. Kangaroo

56. Key Lime Pie

57. Kobe Beef

58. Lassi

59. Lobster

60. Mimosa 

61. Moon Pie

62. Morel Mushrooms

63. Nettle Tea

64. Octopus

65. Oxtail Soup

66. Paella

67. Paneer

68. Pastrami on Rye

69. Pavlova

70. Phaal

71. Philly Cheese Steak

72. Pho

73. Pineapple & Cottage Cheese (I'm not a fan but I have tried it)

74. Pistachio Ice Cream

75. Po' Boy

76. Pocky

77. Polenta

78. Prickly Pear

79. Rabbit Stew

80. Raw Oysters

81. Root Beer Float

82. S'mores

83. Sauerkraut

84. Sea Urchin

85. Shark

86. Snail

87. Snake

88. Soft Shell Crab

89. Som Tam

90. Spaetzle 

91. Spam

92. Squirrel

93. Steak Tartare

94. Sweet Potato Fries

95. Sweetbreads

96. Tom Yum

97. Umeboshi

98. Venison

99. Wasabi Peas

100. Zucchini Flowers

47 out of 100...not too bad I suppose, but I've got some work to do before I die!

Two Years Ago Today

Two years ago today...

(In case you are curious what we are dancing to!) 

Hubs and I have been married for two years! It is so exciting to think about how wonderful the past two years were and how many more wonderful years we have to look forward to! Year one had it up's and down's as we learned to live with one another, learned to fight with one another (and we had a few pretty big fights over that first year), worked through some stressful circumstances, and got into our routine as a married couple. Looking back over the past two years I feel like year one was a year of learning. Year two was a year of enjoyment. Not to say there weren't struggles we worked through, but overall it was a great year of simply enjoying one another and loving being married.

Being married to Coy has been the greatest blessing in my life. I am constantly amazed at the gift of marriage and how God designed Coy and I to fit one another so well. And marriage is a gift...one that should never be taken for granted. Although it's a little cliche' I can truly say that I love Coy more and more with each passing day. I love our life together.

Today marks the beginning of year three and I can't wait to see what this year holds for us!

What a Savior

This morning on my way to work I heard Laura Story's What a Savior song on the radio. It was one of the moments where the song and the message came at just the right time. I turned it up and sang the words at the top of my lungs...not caring who saw me or what they thought about it. It was one of the moments where I was reminded just how great God is and how worship doesn't have to take place within the walls of the church but can happen all of the time in my daily life. It was a great to start my day in the presence of the Lord when I was least expecting it!

"Jesus You are stronger
More than any other
Hallelujah what a Savior
Jesus You are higher
My soul's deepest desire
Hallelujah You are Savior"

In case you haven't heard the song or in case you need to hear it again like I did...

Cinco De Mayo, Racing, & a Wedding

This past weekend was so full of things! The weekend kicked off with a Cinco De Mayo party at work Thursday afternoon. It was topped off with amazing authentic Mexican food and a mariachi band! It was a great way to start the weekend! One of my best friends came into town for the mini marathon and we spent a low key Friday night catching up! Saturday morning Coy and I got up early to go cheer my friends on at the race! I was so proud of both of them! It was Adi's millionth race, but her second one in a row with a sweet babe in her tow (in her belly), she is champ. Christy ran her first race and I have so much respect for that - because while I have no desire to ever run more than 3.1 miles at one time I admire her for being able to train and get out there and finish!

We raced back home afterwards to get ready for one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever been to! My 'boss' was a gorgeous bride. It was a beautiful ceremony followed a great time amazing food and dancing! The live band was a highlight and the same mariachi band that came to my work party on Thursday showed up a little while to celebrate the actual Cinco De Mayo date!

Sunday my body decided it had had enough to I laid on the couch all day after a goodbye breakfast with Adi before she headed home!

It was a great weekend...hopefully I can rest this week!

Yummmm!

 I loved these guys!

 Woke with these two sweet things Saturday morning!

 So proud of this baby mama! Doesn't even look like she broke a sweat!

Waiting for Christy to cross the finish line!

 Yay!

 The Columbia Club was so gorgeous!

 This shot doesn't do her or her dress justice!

 Coworkers!

 I loved this live band! And loved dancing with hubs to it!

 Love him!

I took 14 shots trying to get the monument in the background! This was the best

I could do!

An 8 Year Old's Explanation of God

This was written by an 8 year old boy from Chula Vista, CA. He wrote this as part of his third grade homework assignment! Someone later published it!

Enjoy!
(Sorry for the different colors of text...I couldn't get this fixed!)

'One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make That way he doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.'

'God'ssecond most important job is listening to prayers An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off.'

'Godsees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting his time by going over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have.'

'Atheists are people who don't believe in God.  I don't think there are any in Chula Vista . At least there aren't any who come to our church.'

'Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God.  They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him. But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and Godsaid O.K.'

'His dad (God)appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard work on earth so he told him he didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps his dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important.'

'You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.'

'You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God!

Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway.'

'If you don't believe in God,besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but Godcan. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids.'

'But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases.

And...that's why I believe in God.'