The Ramblings of Jules

Powerful Testimony

2009-04-23T09:22:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful God brought me back from the grip of this world, BUT the only way that was even POSSIBLE was the fact that I opened my heart to the change that God had for me. The only way that I will be able to thrive on the path that God has for me in his perfect will is if I continue to have an open heart to God's changes. This video spoke to me. I hope it speaks to you as well. His name is Brian Welch and he was the lead singer (I think) of a secular rock band by the name of KORN

Putting God First

2009-04-20T18:24:00.000-07:00

Did you ever think?

2009-04-17T09:12:00.000-07:00

This is very disturbing

2009-03-30T22:15:00.000-07:00

I know this video is long, but it watch the entire thing. It is disturbing.

My First Essay

2009-02-19T07:31:00.001-08:00

I wrote my first essay last night. It wasn't hard after I started writing, but to get myself to start that first sentence, MAN! It was like pulling my own teeth!

So, today is the peer review, I will let you know how it goes. Here it is to read though:

My God Experience

If you have ever stepped into and Apostolic Pentecostal church service, you will notice immediately that it is unlike any other church service you have ever or will ever attend. The experience is one you will never forget, from the friendly, smiling people to the upbeat, soul stirring music, to the unabashed, straightforward preaching. Being raised in an Apostolic Pentecostal church, I was privileged to experience this first hand for the majority of my lifetime. Two years ago, I had a God experience that changed my life. Everyone that has ever experienced the presence of God will never be the same. It is a life-changing experience that will either change you for the better or, if not acted on, it will be a nagging thought of “what if” for the rest of your life.
Being at church and experiencing the presence of God is refreshing, uplifting and even strengthening. There have been many times that I have gone to church after a long day, exhausted to the point of falling asleep and just from experience of the praise and worship service, I am energized and awake during the preaching. Many of these times I hear something that will help me through either a current problem or help me to understand a problem from my past.
Two years ago, I turned my heart back to God. Even though I had been raised in church, I hadn’t really gotten the revelation of who God really is; what it means to truly be a child of the King; what it’s like to be a love slave for Christ. From that night until now it has been a journey that I wouldn’t trade for anything else I have experienced in my life this far. That experience has changed my thought process, how I deal with different situations, my attitude, the way I dress, and so much more. I am noticeably different.
In the essay “Salvation” by Langston Hughes, the author relays a description of what his Aunt Reed, and other adults in her church, says it is like to receive Jesus into his life. Although the essay doesn’t say that whether or not he received Jesus, the description is very telling. Receiving the Holy Ghost, Jesus, is a lot like Hughes’ description, although I wouldn’t put it the same way. The feelings I had when I received the Holy Ghost were joy, elation, like I was walking on air, as if I was a new person, that nothing in my life that I had ever done wrong mattered anymore, and so many others.
Living a changed life has made all the difference in the direction my life path is going. I went from living with my ex-boyfriend and participating in an un-wholesome and dangerous lifestyle, to going to school, working and being in a loving relationship with a man who shares my deepest hearts desire to serve the Lord with all my heart for the rest of my life. My God experience wasn’t a one-time thing, it is an everyday occurrence for which I wake up every morning anticipating what God has in store for me. Who will I cross paths with that I can share this boundless joy with?

I am actually in class right now. So gotta go!

Another New Car & Valentine's Day

2009-02-17T12:05:00.000-08:00

I'll start with Valentine's day. I almost didn't have one. Only by the kindness of Margi, putting up the deposit for a rental car, did I have one. She is so awesome!

Bobby, Mariah, Jasi (Jazzy), Andy and I had a great time. Jasi got cuddly toward the later afternoon and I got to hold her & feed her & rock her to sleep. Awww =)

(I actually got a semi-normal picture outta him. It's a miracle!!)

So, after a great afternoon, I get home and there is a box on my front step. It looks fammiliar...like the one that I got for Christmas. Hmmm.....
I was on the phone with Andy at the time....and guess what? Yes the flowers were from him. He didn't even give me on hint that he had gotten me flowers. Little runt!
(Aren't they beautiful?)

Well, last but most certainly not least!!! I have my new car!! My other one decided to die on me, as you know. So now I have a (as my mom would say) "Spicy" New Car. It is so very nice. And it has a moon roof!!!!!! So what I wanted. YAY!!

Well, time to go catch up on all the homework that I have been neglecting these past few weeks. Yes I said weeks. I know. I just dug my own grave. I'm going to go and try to get out now. =)

Hope you liked the update. =)

Let Go & Let God

2009-02-12T22:18:00.000-08:00

How many times have you heard that phrase "Let Go & Let God"?
Me?.....I can't count anymore. =)

These past two years have been "LG&LG" moments everyday. What could be so bad with that you ask? Well, let me tell ya! If you DON'T "LG&LG" you are in for a bumpy ride! Oh yes! If you try and control the situation, Gueess Whaat?? That's right, you LOOSE control!
Can you tell I am speaking from experience? =)

So lets just bring you up to date over the past two weeks since my last post.
Let's see. I got an adorable car, which turned out to be NOT a good car. Last week on the way home from church, I was on the phone {on my Bluetooth =)} and I hear this "pop" underneath my car. I figured it was something that came from the road and hit the bottom of my car. When I get off of the freeway and turn onto 30th, it starts revving weird when I take off. I didn't really think anything of it until the next morning I start my car to go to school and Whaddya Know! It starts gushing out dense white smoke...that doesn't dissipate (go away), instead it smokes up the entire street until you can't see the end of it. So, of course, FREAK OUT TIME comes into play. I call my sister to see if her car insurance plan has road side assistance that will tow my car to the automotive shop. Nope, and of course, being the smart cookie I am, I DIDN'T get that on my car insurance plan because, you know, when will I ever need that? Oh....only less than a WEEK after I put the car in my name! I mean I don't even have the official title yet, for Peet's Sake!!! {That was a plug for Peet's Coffee & Tea, for all of those who needed the hint. =)~} Soooo, That was my wonderful Wednesday morning. As the morning progressed, I called my Uncle's automotive guy and had my poor little hunk of junk towed to his shop. He calls me by the end of the day and tells me that my head gasket blew & I have 2 options:
#1 Replace the head gasket for $1800 OR #2 Buy a new engine for $2500

WHY!?!?!?!?! WHY ME!?!?!?!? I just bought this stinkin thing less than two weeks ago!(At the time) Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!

So after getting a rental car at 4PM, I am driving up to Auburn and Garfield (where Pat's shop is-Automotive Guy @ Pat's Little Shop Of Wrenches), balling my eyes out on the phone with Andrew. We pray for peace and God's will to be done and I start to calm down.

OH! Wednesday was supposed to be my 1st day on my new job! That was great having to call in and say that I can't start today because the car that I bought specifically for this job decided to die on me.

Thursday I am still figuring out my options considering I have no more money to spend on a car. Miracle of all Miracles, my Uncle volunteers to lend me $1000 toward a car fund & so does my Dad! I didn't even have to ask! God was already starting to work on my situation! My mom's side of the family has the "family practice" of NOT lending money to anyone. So that is the Miracle of all Miracles, well one of them. Oh yes and I officially started my job that day too. (Exactly one week ago)

Friday, I talk to my Uncle and I decide that since Pat is giving me the option of selling my HOJ (Hunk Of Junk) to him for $1000, that is what I will do.

Sunday afternoon, Maria and I go car shopping. We went to probably 6 different used car dealerships on Fulton Ave. and everything was $4000 or more. Talk about discouraging. So my Uncle, bless his heart, goes looking for a car for me. He finds a Ford something-or-other. Now Ford's are not an option. They are HOJs to the MAX. So when I tell my Uncle that I don't want the Ford, well....let's just say he was disappointed. Around the time that I talked to him, Maria stopped to pray. She asked God to lead us the perfect car, that was about 3:40/45ish. When I dropped her off at home, she got onto Craigslist around 4:15 or so and saw this cute '94 Honda Accord, 4D, Red Wine color. So cute. She e-mails the gal and finds out that the car is still available. When she looks at the time that the car was posted...Get This! It was posted at 3:45PM!!!!!! Can you believe it!!! I have had God answer prayer, but not in the same exact minute the prayer was uttered!!!! So, Maria is about to send her an e-mail back to set up an appointment to view the car and she is led to say "I will bring cash for the car tomorrow morning". The girl is leaving the country to go on a volunteer aid trip (I can't remember the name of the organization), so the car won't be available until Monday the 16th, which is the day she is leaving.
So last Monday morning, we go see the car. This little car is absolutely beautiful. It has a moon roof, which I asked God for, and it is a 5-Speed. It has impeccable interior and only a few minor cosmetic stuff on the outside. The paint job looks like new. When we get to talking to the girl, she tells us the trip she is going on is to, get this, HONDURAS! (For those of you who don't know, I am half Honduran. I was just there in August 2007!) Totally crazy! and SO Totally a God thing.

Well, through all of this craziness, my landlord has been such a blessing. She let me borrow her car for the past two days and is letting me borrow it tomorrow as well. AND above all of that, since I won't have a car available on Valentine's day she is willing to put up the deposit for a rental car so that I CAN have a car for that day!! She is the best!!!!!!

OH Yeah, I can't forget to tell what happened two and half weeks ago on Sunday. Andy and I consecrated a deeper commitment to God. Since then, everything has been thrown our way. The day after, Andy gets up from praying and can't move because it feels like he dislocated a rib. Then on the morning of my car fiasco, he gets not so good news. Then so many other things. My goodness! Guess what Devil? NaNaNaNaNaNa! (C.M. Style)

WOW it's late. I gotta go to bed. Good night everyone! Hope you like my crazy life! lol

My Bee-U-Ti-Ful Car!!!

2009-02-03T10:49:00.000-08:00

I have my car!!!!! After two years (in March) of not having a car, I have one! YEE-AAH!!!! It is the prettiest car ever! And it Kicks!!! (Skylerizm) Oh Yeeah!
I am so excited to have wheels!!!

I have to say Thank you to all the people who helped me hop a ride with them to church and other places. My sister's, Mom, James & Emily, Kate & Phillip, Kim G, Nichole, and.....if I forgot you, I'm sorry. Oh yes, and Andrew for letting me steal his car for like a month of weekends. =)

So here is my beautiful baby. Doesn't have a name, but I picked a gender. =) She is Bee-U-Ti-Ful!

Well, time to hop off to my Math quiz!

Have fun people!

A Blessing In Disguise

2009-01-15T16:10:00.000-08:00

{Click on the Blog Post Title to see the video}
So I have been thinking lately, about how things took a turn last year. I thought at first, it was for the worst...BUT Who am I kidding, I'm the one that prayed for it.=)
I had been praying for a few years to be able to go to school full time. Well, when I stopped working for the State, I thought I was in for a trip to Hates. In actuality I was in for a rough ride to fulfilling my dream. Now I am proud to announce I am going to be attending school full time this semester. (12 Units, Yipes!) For all of you veterans out there, no making fun, OK? =) This is scary, yet Awesome! This video made me think of how much God has allowed me to experience and learn in the past year.

The Calm Before The Storm

2009-01-14T12:56:00.001-08:00

My Goodness! It has been an insane past week and a half! The last six services we've had at The Rock Church have been amazing, awesome, powerful, prayer filled, joyful, homecoming, non-preaching because the power of God fell, and so much more!
OK UPDATE!!! My two (self-adopted) brothers are Home!!!!! Brian and Brad were away from home (church) for a while, but now they are back. Talking to their Dad last night he said that there has been a significant change in attitudes since they prayed through on Sunday night! More Good News! Andrew's brother and sister-in-law (to-be) prayed through as well! So awesome! Almost the entire church body was in the back corner of the church praying for them. It was amazing! I can't wait to see what happens in the next service!

(Promotional Plug) For those of you who haven't signed up yet, sorry it might be to late. Tomorrow night, Friday night and Saturday morning, College and Career is hosting a Dave Ramsey Financial Seminar. It's only $15! Which includes a meal on Saturday. Anyways, that is going to be awesome. Hope you can make it!

So, now to the boring stuff of my life. =) I joined a gym! Yay! To anyone who Enjoys working out, can I ask....ARE YOU INSANE??? I mean once I'm done it feels good to know I am working towards a goal, but REALLY? It is quite painful. I come home sorer than a pig shaved of it's bacon. I pulled some kinda weird muscle I didn't know I had the last time I worked out and I was sore for like 4 days! Although, I,m seeing a little results, I can't wait until I reach my goal, so then all I have to really do is cardio majority of the time, which isn't so bad.

For all my fellow students out there....Holla! =)~ Hope you have been enjoying your month off from school, all of us that are on the semester system. For Cesar and all those who go to UC Davis, sorry buddy that you already had to start school. I still have a 6 days. MUAHAHAHA! Just kidding. I actually can't wait to get back to school, I'm bored and being lazy just makes me feel, well, lazy. And that is not a good feeling. It just leads to more laziness and procrastination, which I am the queen of by the way. So, yea, not a good thing. =)

Soooo, I am supposed to be, emphasis on "supposed to be", getting a car the second week of school. YAY! It looks like that is pretty for sure, but it's all in God's timing right. I mean I've kinda been carless for almost two years, I think it's about time. (hint hint, God) =)~ By the way for those of you who don't know, God has a sense of humor. He wouldn't have made Andrew if he didn't. lol Just kidding Andy....sorta. =)~ (yes, I AM sticking my tongue out at you) hahaha

Public Shout Out to Misha, David, Cylas and Roma. I miss you guys SOOOOO much, I can't wait to see you in March. I'm gonna look hot by then Mish, better watch out, you might have some competition for skinniest in the family. lol
For all of you who don't know Misha, she's a hot mama. Well she is a mama, too, but yeah.

Well, gotta run to the gym to work on my flabby self. Hope everyone has a great day!!

(I really gotta put more picture's on here, don't I?)

Are you stronger now then you were back then?

2008-12-22T20:31:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about when I first came back to church. Every little thing and at every turn I was thanking God for his many blessings or "casting my cares upon him". Somewhere over the past two years, I seem to have lost some of that closeness and intimacy. Where did it go? I have been asking myself this question a lot lately. Certain circumstances recently have started me thinking along those forgotten intimacies of my renewed relationsip with God. I am finding that I have been discontented with my current spiritual walk as well as my relationships. I have been saying to myself....There has to be something more, something deeper than what I am feeling or doing. I want my life to have meaning...purpose...reasoning behind my motives and desires. Where did that go? How did I loose that along the way? Most importantly, How do I get it back? or at least incorporate it into my life now, if I didn't before.

Yea, I have a semblence of a prayer life and I read my Bible everyday, but where is the depth of my walk with God like I have always desired? When will I get there? or at least feel like I have gained some ground?

So my question of "Are you stronger now then you were back then?" comes to mind. When I first came back to church, and my faith seemed unshakable....was I just a seed that fell on shallow ground springing up almost immediately only to die away quickly? or did one of those delicate little roots take hold of something that was stronger than I.....something that has strengthened me over the past two years into a Godly and righteous woman. The example I have always wanted to be, as Sister Wilson is.....am I finally becoming that person? Is this really the time that God promised would come to pass? If it is....I know there are many more battles to fight, but I know that the little root that found strength in the soil of God and his word, is never letting go no matter what storms may come.

Prayer changes things.....

New Babies All Around!!

2008-12-08T18:55:00.000-08:00

Everyone seems to be having babies!! I have a new niece as of November 27, 2008 at 12:04AM (EST). There are at least 3 or more new babies in The Rock Church alone.I was at the hospital for the latest one to be born this morning!!

I don't have many pictures, but that is because I was asleep on the waiting room floor majority of the time. =) The Emary clan and a few of Mariah's family members were there, and majority of us stayed until 4:00AM until we could see Mariah and baby Jasmine Capri Emary!!! She was born at 3:17AM as an 8lb 13oz, 21 inch bundle of joy!!! The Emary clan, Seth Lewis and I didn't leave until almost 5 o'clock. So I didn't get home until 5:30 this morning. Needless to say, I didn't go to school, I didn't wake up until 11:03AM. =)

To Best Friends and Loved Ones

2008-12-01T16:08:00.000-08:00

I have been feeling a little melancholy lately. When I was younger the Holidays were a time to look forward to. We would all gather at my Grandma's house in Hollister, CA and have a fantastic time of being with family. Now, 9 years after her passing, it seems like it has all fallen apart, but then again it hasn't. My family may not be all in one place geographically, but we are in our hearts. My family is always one phone call away. For those of you who have gone on before me, I miss you so very much and I can't wait to get to Heaven to see your faces and hug you. That will be the most joyous day. This past Thanksgiving Holiday, I had the wonderful opportunity of spending time with my best friend in the whole wide world =) and his family. It was definitely an experience. I was woken up on Thanksgiving morning by a HUGE dog climbing on the bed and stuffed myself silly for the rest of the day. We all played video games and got loud with each other for not playing the game right. =) So, for those of you who don't know who my best friend is ...Presenting Andrew! Here is a crazy video of us being weird one night...actually him being weird, I couldn't bring myself to act a fool on camera, Sorry! =)~ (Although I do look like an idiot) So this Holiday season, I am thankful for my best friend, his family, my family and my friends, that I have in my life. I wouldn't have been able to get this far without all of you! Love ya'll bunches! (or as Margi {my landlord} would say) Lots O' Love

Just Breathe

2008-11-20T09:37:00.000-08:00

Can you say whirlwind? It has been a crazy last few months. My goodness, I haven't posted in 2 1/2 months! I'm a terrible blogger. =)~

Let's see, in the past two months, I have started school, joined choir, become heavily involved in bus ministry, established new friendships =), gone deeper in my walk with God, worked on my current relationships with my friends and family, and so much more! OK, so that doesn't seem like a lot when it is written down, but OH if you could read between the lines or walk with me everyday, you would understand how AWESOME God is and how much he has been working on me.

For example, these past two weeks have been a trial and a half, and it's just the beginning. My overwhelming desire, especially since I came back to church (almost) 2 years ago, has been to become like Sis. Wilson. I often pray that the annointing and spirit of Nanny come upon me so that God can use me greatly in his kingdom. Especially in the past two weeks, well almost 3 weeks now, have I been praying that. And OOOH BOY! have I ever been tested to strengthen my walk with God so I can become. God has been dealing with me to embrace my "Leah" so that I can receive the blessing of "Rachel". For those of you who didn't hear Bro. Cody Marks' message on Tuesday, PLEASE get the CD, it will be well worth it. It really spoke to my heart.
Every experience I have had and will ever have is to the glory of My Savior and the furtherment (if that is even a word) of his kingdom in my life and those around me.

As I mentioned, lately I have been struggling with embracing my past experiences, and in a recent conversation with my best friend, I had to grab myself by the collar and say that if I hadn't gone through those situations, I wouldn't be the woman I am today and I wouldn't be able to help others through similiar situations or just be there for moral support.
When I am down and needing a sounding board my Dad and best friend and there for me. Thank you! I you two SO MUCH!!

Yesterday, I talking to a classmate of mine, Roma, about how a lot of people won't be friends with rich kids because they feel that a rich kid has no real life experiences. ~Rich kids have everything spoon-fed and handed to them on a silver platter, how can I relate with them if I have had to work for every little piece of happiness or fulfillment in my life.~ Have you ever heard or thought this? The same thing can be felt by those of us, as children of God, who have either left church and came back or who haven't been raised in church (about those of us that have been raised in church). I am thankful for the experiences in and out of church I have had, because they make me stronger in the Lord as well as in my own self.
For example, my sister's have been in church all their lives and have never left, on the other hand I left and came back. Who is to say that they are better than me or I am better than them? Don't you understand that we are all equal in God's eyes? Our experiences shape us to become who God wants us to be, so that he can use us in many different ways. My sister's can relate to young people from our generation that have been raised in church and are struggling with their walk with God more that I can, but then again I can relate with those young people who have left church and come back and are struggling with the things of this world that are trying to drag them back out of church.
What it all boils down to, is (PAY ATTENTION) keep your walk with God strong. If you start to feel like you are slipping, go to your family member (biological or spiritual) and ask for help. The Bible says to "Confess our sins, one to another...". This doesn't mean go gossip about your problems, or vent for an indeterminate amount of time...this means to go to someone you trust with you spiritual problems and ask them to pray with you and for you, and to help you stay on track and to be accountable for your actions as a representation of God, and in my case The Rock Church.

OK, So I feel like I am Dr. Laura right now =). That is not what I am intending. I hope that someone out there is encouraged to become more than who you are right now. There is always upward mobility in God's kingdom. "Read your Bible, Pray everyday and you'll grow, grow, grow!"

I love all of you so much! I don't know what I would do without my family, biological and spiritual.

All I can say to anyone who is struggling right now is, Just Breathe! Take a deep breath, say a prayer (START YOUR DAY WITH PRAYER AND BIBLE READING), and walk in God's AWESOME love!

Oh School, Why Are You So.....

2008-09-05T17:25:00.001-07:00

I finally started school the last week of August. Woo Hoo!!
I am so excited! It has been a crazy ride to get here but it is so cool to be able to say that I am a full time student. (dorky, I know)

For the past week I have been at the Sac State Campus every day (except today) "manning" the booth. WHOAH is it hot out there! I officially have tanlines! (on my feet from my fli flops, my forearms from my sleeves and a ring around my neck from my shirt) lol Needless to say I look a little weird. =)
It has been a crazy time trying to keep up with everyone's changing schedule. I am so blessed to have a schedule that allows me to be there a lot for the booth. It's fun, aside from being sticky and hot =), to meet new people. I have made friends with a lot of the people from the Sig Ep (short for something greek) fraternity and their sorority counter part (I can't remember the name). I can't wait until I go to CSUS, I am going to have a blast!
_______

I want to say Thank You to all the people that have been there for me when I needed support or just someone to talk to in the past (almost) 2 years since I came back to church. (Wow, it really has been that long) I have come quite a long way from who I used to be and am still growing. It's amazing what God is doing in my life daily.

Tituba of Salem Village

2008-07-19T19:53:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading "Tituba of Salem Village". (Great Book) It depicts the hysteria around the Salem witch trials from an "accused" point of view. It really made me think about how much dishonesty is in our world. A very good friend of mine just came through the trial of her life in which she was accused of doing something that she didn't do (& never would have thought of doing). She was cleared of all charges!!! Thank God for his blessings. On Wednesday I am going to be having my State hearing in which I have to dispute allegations against my character & behavior in a previous job. It amazes me how easily people accuse others of things that didn't happen or distort a situation that did happen into something bad. I am so thankful that I have God on my side. I'm not exactly sure what to expect when I get there, but I know that God has his hand on the situation & whatever the outcome, it is what God allows to happen.

I have been reading (& listening to) some great books lately. "Dark Light", "Honeymoon", & "Beach Road" by James Patterson. "The Spider King", "A Horse Called September", & "Tituba of Salem Village". All in the past month! Can you tell I have been bored? lol

Well, I hope everyone has had a great week & weekend. I had a fun time today at out reach!! (hint hint) For all of you who missed it. Next week is prayer at 9:30 and Outreach at 10:00. Hope to see everyone there!!

Restless

2008-07-16T23:49:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been quite restless. I am anxious for the school year to start, but more so I am anxious for my State Hearing to take place on the 23rd. I now have a lady, whom I worked with, who is willing to speak on my behalf. She has already spoken with my Union Representative, Janet Crean (Crane), and I am meeting with her tomorrow for lunch so we can go over the information that she is willing to refute, if she is called upon. I am so excited! It has been a real rollacoaster of thoughts, emotions, and dreams. Sheesh! The dreams I have been having! Some are so crazy I wake up thinking I am in that reality. (Very weird feeling)

As of late I have been establishing a lot of change in my life. Such as the way that I present myself, what I am eating (it is hard to change one's diet quickly), exercising regularly, getting up early and being productive in my daily habits, reading my Bible every morning & night, and so much more. My thought process has been a special focus of mine. I have been so intent on changing it, I have been prone to recurrent headaches upon waking in the morning. This morning especially. It was so bad this morning that I elected to stay in bed and do nothing. It probably made it worse, but that's what I did. =)

For those of you who happen to read this, and are privileged enough to be going to the 1st Annual P.E.A.K. Youth Conference in Tulsa, OK. Are you excited or what!?!?!? I can't wait until we get there! I feel like I have been waiting for this since I came back to the church, even though I didn't know it was going to be happen until this year.

Speaking of the past few years, so much has happened. On January 5th, 2007, I moved out from living with my ex-boyfriend to living on my own (and since then I have moved 4 times, YUCK), and started my new life in the revelation of who God truly is to me. I have never had revelations like what God has given me in the past 18 1/2 months. Since the beginning of the year, it seems as if God speaks to me daily in tha still small voice of his. (Isn't it weird how sometimes thoughts that resound in your own voice seem somehow divine?) Even in the smallest things like what people say, or (for instance) today I was reading "The Spider King" which is the story of Louis XI of France. In the story it relates how he suffered from seizures. A rare symptom that occured after a two of the (recorded) seizures was a feeling of pure bliss and an attitude of complete positiveness. Nothing could go wrong and no one could perturb him out of this blissfulness until the "spell" had passed. (I wrote all that to say this) At a time when he was almost at war with the Duke of Burgundy, he went to meet with the Duke & parley (negotiate) terms of a treaty to bypass war. His blissful attitude completely confused the Duke & his advisers. The result of his positive attitude confusing the Duke saved his life from the mistake of entering the castle ungaurded.

I guess what I am trying to say is that having a good attitude seems to effect the outcome of any negative situation in a positive way. I have been learing that quite soundly as of late. =) Even if the result seems like it foils human plans of success, I have come to rely on the fact that whatever happens, it is because God allowed it to. The result is all apart of God's divine plan to teach me a lesson. =) In each lesson that I learn, I become more inept to deal with each increasingly difficult situation that comes my way. By the time I am in my retirement years I will be writing books on the lessons I've learned. =)

Yipes! It's almost 1 o'clock!! Gotta catch some ZZZ's! Hope you enjoyed my ramblings!

The blessings of God are many!

2008-06-25T22:06:00.000-07:00

OK! I haven't posted in almost a month! My goodness I am lazy! lol

Since then, I have a new candidate to take my apartment! A lady named Amy from Redding. She is really nice & just got a job at Shriner's Hospital. She came to see the place yesterday & really liked it. She is turning the application AND the credit check fee to my landlord on Friday!! YAY!! She was in town today with her mom apartment shopping & came by to show her mom that place. She told me that out of all the apartments she had seen she liked this one the best. All of the were either complete dumps or in raunchy neighborhoods. (YAY!! She likes my place!) lol So that is cool!

Another cool thing happened! As a lot of you know I lost my job with the State of CA in February. Well, I contested it & a few days ago I got a letter with a hearing date!! July 23rd @ 4pm!! Tomorrow I go to meet with a Union Representative so that she can look over my paperwork & get things in order for the hearing. The original Union Rep I had was a very brash lady. She kinda scared me. lol Well she works part-time now so she isn't going to be my union representative any longer. =)
I am excited, things look like they are changing for the better!

AND NOW! For the best news of the day!!! (drum roll)
MISHA AND CYLAS ARE COMING TO TOWN THE DAY OF MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!! They are going to be here a week from Friday! (7/4/08)
I can't wait! Just in time for me to move into my new place, which is one block away from Maria & a block or so away from the best C&C directors in the World! The Wilder's!!!

Well, my fingers are about to fall off from typing. lol
See everyone tomorrow at C&C!

Turning Frustration Into Faith

2008-06-05T16:08:00.000-07:00

As many of you may know, I am in the process of moving, or at least trying to. =) In the past two weeks I thought I had someone lined up to take over my place. She changed her mind at the last minute but said her cousin wanted to take the place. They were supposed to come see the place last night, but never showed. Needless to say I was a litte frustrated & worried. Hoping they just didn't show up and nothing happened to them on the way up here.

SO, this morning I got a call from a really good friend of mine (at 7:00!), when I told her what happened, she reminded me that everything happens for a reason. Since they didn't show up, it was most likey for a good reason. They could have been crazy people or God had someone else in mind to take my place, I should not be frustrated & rely on God. Something she said is SO true: "Whenever we try to control a situation, that is when we Loose control." After we got off the phone I prayed that God's will be done in this situation. I got onto Craigslist and started looking for a new candiate. I e-mailed this guy who lives in AZ and is moving out here for a job. A few minutes later I got an e-mail from him asking me to call him immediatley, he was very interested. We spoke for a while and he wants the place!! God is so awesome! I don't want to count my eggs before they hatch, but it would be so awesome if this happened.

I woke up frustrated but when I left for work I was thanking God for his blessings and favor. The power of positive thinking! lol How many times have I heard that? =) It works!

I know that a lot of the time it's hard for me to rely on God instead of myself & trusting him to work things out for the best. Lately I feel like I am continually asking something of God and not giving enough in return. Has anyone else ever felt that way? Maybe that is a stupid question since God can do anything....

Well see everyone at Coffee Break tonight!

Survival In the Event of Disaster

2008-05-25T07:01:00.000-07:00

Read this article: http://green.yahoo.com/news/ap/20080524/ap_on_re_us/environmental_survivalists.html

I don't know if this will happen or not, but it made me think about the fact that we are in the end time. Now is the time to ready ourselves spiritually, for those of you who haven't. Take a leap of faith into God's arms and run into a life of love with him. It is becoming more evident the example that The Rock Church leadership has portrayed is the way that I want to live. They are truly happy with themselves, they are being fulfilled by fulfilling God's purpose, and they want for nothing. If this does happen before the rapture (BIG IF) I know that God will be whom I rely on. Of course I will be growing my own food...Thankfully my mother taught us girls how to have a garden when we were younger. (I'm jealous of Misha's garden) lol

OK Enough Glum! It was just a thought I had about our world at this time. Get out there and plant a garden, whether it be physically or spiritually, watch what you plant grow as you care for it. It's a great feeling!!

See Ya'll at church!

P.S. These are Zoo Babies of 2008 SO CUTE!!!!
http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-srv/gallery/0805_ZooBabies/index.html?jumpToPic=0

The last one depicts me perfectly in the morning. LOL

Leap of Faith

2008-05-24T18:49:00.000-07:00

I have been talking to my family and a few good friends about the direction my life is taking recently. I have come to this conclusion...I can either leap in faith and know that God will be the ground I land on or walk in the same rut I have been slowly climbing out of. Talking with someone today, they gave me advice of figuring out which direction I want/need to go...I need to work on myself first before I become who I want to be. Funny how I was writing that I want to become this certain type of person in my (secret) journal yesterday. =)
My sister's and my Dad have been such a great help to me in getting myself to start becoming who I truly desire in my heart to be.

I can't wait until the end of the month!!!! My night job ends and I get to go to Tuesday night services and C&C again!!!! YAY!!! I have missed them A LOT.

I am thankful for all the lessons that God has taught me in the past year and a half and is continuing to teach me, but I am SO ready for things to start changing. I feel like they are... you know the good feeling you get when things seem to start working out and going smoother? I finally got it! Last wednesday when I was going to the McKinley Park to go walking. I just got this floaty feeling and the day seemed to get actually get brighter.

So to anyone who is reading this and has been feeling like nothing is going right....I know that you may have heard this a thousand times, but....everything works in the end. God has a purpose for what is happening right now, you may not see it right now, but you will. I am learning the lessons that I didn't want to learn before...they are harder to learn right now then they would have been if I had listened when I was younger =) but they are definitely sticking this time around. lol
You know the way gum sticks to your shoe and you LEARN from then on to look where you step? OK bad example, but you get the picture.

Thanks to everyone who has been there for me and telling me what I need to hear even though it's hard to hear at times.

OK....time for another (almost) midnight stroll. hehehe

By the way,

I am a
Hydrangea

What Flower
Are You?

Thoughts....

2008-05-15T00:50:00.000-07:00

I was talking with my Uncle today and our conversation made my mind start to work overtime.
I have so many things that I want to do. I want to get involved with the community that is why I want to get a degree in Political Science (Government). I also want to get a degree in Psychology because I want to be able to know why people do what they do. So I am thinking of Maybe getting a Masters in Political Science. I really want to make a difference in my community. I am sick and tired of the way society is, I want to change it, as much as I possibly can.

Like Maria said on her blog (http://www.fmlmusack.blogspot.com/) "I would have to say that hard work and perseverance is the key to success." I am so thankful the church family and immediate family that I have. I have needed them so much in the past year and a half. I don't know what I would have done without them.

I just came back from a walk to McKinley Park. It is a beautiful night. It was a nice to be alone with my thoughts out in (city) nature. I think I will go for more "midnight strolls" more often.

Well, I am finally tired.

Happy Birthday to my Friend Emil! He is turning 23 tomorrow.