For Katy....

10 Things People May Not Know About Me:

1.  I actually have a panic attack when I see a spider.

2. I hate driving, if we had good public transportation, I would be all about it.

3. I cry when I am very mad.

4. I look awful in pastel colors

5. I have an extremely guilty conscious

6.  When I was little I didn't speak English, only Farsi.

7. I am terrified that my mom or dad is going to die and I won't be able to handle it.

8. I have had the same best friend since oh about 4th grade and we have not lived in the same state since 6th grade and our friendship has never changed.

9.  Reading makes me sleepy

10.  I fall asleep every night listening to the news.

7 Things I want to do before I Die:

1. Get married and be a mom
2. Go on a no regret shopping spree
3. Write a book
4. get over my fear of: heights, jellyfish, spiders, scorpions, basically any kind of bug.
5. not let people's criticism effect my outlook of myself.
6. Save all the animals I can.
7. Grow my own vegetables.

7 Things I Can't Do:

1. speak Farsi anymore, except to little kids.
2. eat Brussels sprouts
3. fly or freeze time 
4. write computer code.
5. stop being so sensitive, but hiding it behind my "tough exterior"
6. throw away the clothes in my closet that I never wear.
7. eat meat (or when I ate meat eat any internal organ- liver, chitlins, ect)

7 Things I say all the time:

1. what up
2. Friend
3. whatever
4. ya know?
5. I might 
6. sure

7 Books/Magazines I love:

1. Marie Claire
2. Glamour
3. shape
4. Paul riser- couple hood 
5. he's just not that into you-sex in the city writers 
6. the between boyfriends book- sex in the city writers
7. song of solomon

7 DVDs I can't stop watching:

1. Rent
2. The truth about cats and dogs
3. saved
4. Sex and the City
5. charmed
6. greys anatomy- when i buy it.
7. girls just want to have fun

7 Bands I Can't Stop Listening to:

1. sarah mclaughlan 
2. norah jones
3. dave matthews
4. sugarland
5.  india arie
6. watermark
7. rent soundtrack- not really a band, but whatever

7 People to do this survey:

Currently Reading A New Kind of Christian: A Tale of Two Friends on a Spiritual Journey By Brian D. McLaren see related

Long time no post...so here goes.

Proverbs 17:9  He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

I think a lot.  Pretty much all the time, and there are times I want to stop and I can't.  Sometimes I daydream, sometimes I worry, and sometimes I have these amazing thoughts that I wish I could/would remember.  There are times I want to tell you guys how much you mean to me and I intend to, but life gets in the way.  So, Now I will tell you, I am sure it will not be as eloquent as it comes out in my thoughts, but something is always better than nothing.

I just wanted to say that I love our community.  Its not perfect.  We have our problems, have our conflicts, and our differences.  We each embody different traits, characteristics, and opinions that make our community rich.  It reminds me of the verse 1 Corinthians 12:12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.  We all are are made up of different parts but the body that is our community is enhanced and made more beautiful when we all come together. 

Knowing all of you, and being part of this body has enriched my life in a way I know I can't put into words.  I remember a couple of years ago, when I heard God call me and I recommitted my life to Christ, I sat on my mom's back porch and prayed that God would bring the people into my life that he wanted, because I had done it my way and obviously it had all turned to crap.  I didn't know how my prayer would be answered or if it would be answered at all.  I know he was just waiting for me to ask him for it and for me not to try and do it my way.  I wish I would have prayed that prayer a long time ago, because he brought you guys.  He brought a group of people I never would of thought of and I never knew friendship like this could exist. I have been and continue to be blessed each day I know all of you guys.  Whether you know it or not, you enrich and enhance my life and when I am looking at myself, my problems, and being all around negative, you point me back to the ONE.  Its amazing because there are times I don't even have to say anything, just be around all of you all and I find myself redirected back to the ONE. 

Basically, I love you all.  My life would not be what it is today, my spiritual growth would not be what it is, and I would not be who I am without this community that Jesus is the center of.  So, I know I don't' say it enough, but I think of each of you with love, pray for you when you come across my mind, and thank God for you guys every day. 

Proverbs 27: 17 As iron sharpens iron,
       so one man sharpens another.

Currently Reading Wise Girl : What I've Learned About Life, Love, and Loss By Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Sheryl Berk see related

Well, I'm 28 now.  28, sounds so big. I feel like I should be an adult or be acting like one.  What have I learned in 28 years.... I will try to list some things, hopefully I have picked up some useful information in  28 years....

• When you have a makeup product that you really like and try to use sparingly, you will drop it and waste half of it, so just go ahead and use it the way you want too.
• When you have to go to the bathroom really really bad, there will be no toilet paper.
• Taco Bell bean burritos are the bomb.
• There will always be people who don't like you for one reason or another.  Nothing you do will change their opinion.  Better to just move on.
• Someone will always be around when you fall down, spill something on yourself, or just make a total ass of yourself.
• Half of the clothes in my closet I don't wear and bought because either they were on sale or they are too small and I was hopeful about losing weight.
• If you are going to be standing up for long periods of time don't wear high heels.
• Hanging out with old friends is fun and reminds you of where you have come from.
• Your family and closest friends will always be there... No matter if you are an ass one day they might get mad at you, but they always love you.
• When you flat iron your hair and are trying to look cute, it will be really humid or rain.
• Ginger ale really does help when you are nauseous.
• I don't like to paint and if I do paint, it will be everywhere it is not supposed to be.
• No matter how hard I try, my car will not be as clean as I want it to be, or my house.
• gnomes come into my house at night while I am sleeping and knit dog hair into all of my clothes so it won't come off when I use a lint remover.
• I am clumsy.
• I usually regret the things I say or do. :D
• Bills suck.

Ok that's all I have for now... guess I have not learned that much over the years.  Maybe I will learn more this year. 

Currently Listening The Other Side of Something By Sara Groves see related

Things I am thankful for...

1.  My friends and family- You mean so much to me.

2.  My doggies- The entertainment and love they provide is priceless.

3.  Being able to walk, breathe, think, and read.

4. Jesus. Jesus.  Jesus.  Jesus.   2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."

5.  Spinach Enchiladas

6.  Having everything I need, even though I get stupid and upset about my wants and overlook that my needs have been met and continue to be met.

7.  Shooting Stars- I feel like it's like God telling me a secret.

8.  Thunderstorms- no better time to be cozy at home.

9.   Saturdays- because I can sleep in.

10.  Music- the way it can put into words so many things I feel.

11.  Waking up an hour early and realizing I can go back to sleep.

12.  Having a bed, a home, a car.  So many people don't.

13. Having food to eat and water to drink.

14. The weather being amazingly warm and sunny!

15.  comfortable pants- there is nothing better in the world.

16.  My sister showing up for Christmas and talking to my mom.

17.  My heratige and culture.

18.  Being finished with school!!!!

19.  The ocean.  The amount of peace I feel by the ocean is unreal.  Its like God is showing me how small I am and how big HE is.

20.  Being healthy.  There are so many people in the world whose health is suffering. 

Just thought I would share some of the things I am thankful for.  Have a great day people.  I love you all.

Full of Grace

Sarah McLachlan

The winter here's cold and bitter,
It's chilled us to the bone.
We haven't seen the sun for weeks,
Too long, too far from home.
I feel just like I'm sinking,
And I claw for solid ground.
I'm pulled down by the undertow,
I never thought I could feel so low,
And, oh, darkness, I feel like letting go.

If all of the strength and all of the courage
Come and lift me from this place.
I know I can love you much better than this:
Full of grace, Full of grace, my love.

It's better this way,
I said,
Haven't seen this place before.
Where everything we say and do,
Hurts us all the more.
It's just that we stayed too long
In the same old sickly scheme,
And I'm pulled down by the undertow,
I never thought I could feel so low,
And, oh, darkness, I feel like letting go.

If all of the strength and all of the courage
Come and lift me from this place
I know I can love you much better than this:
Full of grace, full of grace.

I know I can love you much better than this.

It's better this way.