The Random Life of a Californian Critter

Thoughts on my future

2007-10-02T01:28:00.000-07:00

Future:

first of all I have to quote a perfect verse for this blog:

Proverbs 16:9 - The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

or maybe two...

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Ok now on to the bloggings...

So I went on a mini-vacation this last week and I did some thinking... (crazy hu? lol)
I have been feeling like, maybe I'm not ready yet to go on with NTM's (New Tribes Mission) missionary training. I feel like I'm not where I would like to be in the way of my Bible knowledge, sure I finished the 2 years at NTBI (New Tribes Bible Institute) but there is still so much I with I understood better!
SO... I had already been thinking that I would like to audit some Classes at EBC (Eternity Bible College... I like acronyms... lol) but now.... I am thinking that I would really like to put in a few more years of Bible training.... so... I am thinking that starting in the fall of '08 I would like to attend EBC for 2 years....

Now this is still in the prayer stage (oh wait everything kind of always is...)
so if you think of it could you remember to pray for me???

I love you my brothers and sisters in Him!

Last weekend!

2006-09-06T22:39:00.000-07:00

So for Labor Day weekend, Lily and I decided to go see her brother and sister-in-law in Chicago!! We took two of our other good friends Valerie and Conni with us!! it was soo much fun (as you can see from the pictures!) we stayed on the Moody Bible Instutute campus, with Del and Ariel (Lily's Fam) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This bites!!!

2006-06-25T18:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I found 5 bug bites on my legs!!!!! I really dislike Bug bites!!

But on a lighter note:
Work is going wonderfully!!! My Manager even told me yesterday that he was impressed!! It's great working somewhere were you are required to be a people person, something I have no problem with! I'm still getting some of the stuff down but that's what you do when you are learning!!! This week I work a little over 30 hours! Which is pretty good for my 3rd week!!! I've probably only worked 33 in the last 2 weeks, and I start getting tips now too!!!! Come by and visit sometime!!!! I work mostly mornings!

Oopsy!

2006-06-20T01:25:00.000-07:00

Oops! I had the wrong date on my "summer ends in" countdown clock at the botom of my page, but I fixed it!

My eyes!

2006-06-18T01:26:00.000-07:00

Wow!!! If the human eye isn't incredible already, God even made them cool to look at!

This was a Random post from your local Californian Critter!

MMM COFFEE!!!!!!!!

2006-06-14T19:02:00.000-07:00

Tuesday was my first day working as a Starbucks Partner!!! The first day is called "First Impressions" for about 2 hours Steve, the store manager, and I sat and went over the basics, then there was the store tour. After some paperwork and reading I got to put on my green apron and go behind the counter!!! As soon as I got back there they were down to only two girls behind the counter, there was a long line of costumers, and a drink spilled EVERYWHERE! I helped clean up, then observed while the two girls made a mad dash to get the line moving, and everyone taken care of. Once it slowed down I got to make some Frappicinos!! It's not as hard as I thought it would be.

Today I had my "Starbucks Experience" class. I went over to the other Camarillo location, where there were 5 other new Starbucks partners from all over the LA area. From 10-2 we went over a lot of different information. We compared a commercial store bought coffee, to Starbucks House Blend, and discussed the difference in the two main types of coffee beans. We talked about the roasting process, as well as the packaging process. We watched a video on the history of Starbucks, and much much more. At the end we tasted 4 different kinds of Starbucks coffee. Tasting includes, smelling, slurping, locating and describing:-) Pretty much it was WONDERFUL!

Starbucks!!

2006-06-10T15:39:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of my place of work!!! I am officially hired at Starbucks! I start on Tuesday! It was a long process, but it is now finished and I am very excited. After summer, when I return to Jackson, Michigan, I have already been given the OK to transfer over to a brand new Starbucks that open(s) this summer!!!! The best part of it all: I get FREE COFFEE!!!!!!!!!!! And a 30% discount!

19!!!

2006-06-08T23:12:00.000-07:00

So Today (Thursday)is my birthday! I am finally 19 years old! On Wednesday, we had a family dinner at Wood Ranch!!! Then a group of us dressed up to go to Dennys at 1am!! But when we got there it was closed for maintenance!!!!! So from Dennys we went to Rolling Pin Donuts!!!!! How awesome is that?!?!? I had my birthday party at Rolling Pin Donuts at like 1:30 in the morning, Dressed up like we are going to a banquet! I know, we are strange, but oh well! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Emily is part of the family, we go to each other's family birthday dinners>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>The Uhaul is the best part!! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>My Birthday Princess Crown from the girls!!!

2006-06-04T21:19:00.000-07:00

It is SO good to be in California!

I have been busy the last week settling back into life in Cali. But mostly I have been busy Job hunting. I have filled out 15 plus applications and have had a few interviews, I have two more interviews this week. And have at least one offer so far. It was good to see everyone at church today. I have missed everyone so much! All the kids have grown up SO much. You don't realize how long you have been gone until you come back and see these kids who were just babies last time you saw them.

2006-06-03T01:11:00.000-07:00

Some of you know that I have been having ankle problems for the past, well, 10 months. I slipped getting into the boat when I went wake boarding last August and twisted my ankle. I finally went to the doctor, (now that I am home in California). The doctor had me take some x-rays, and when he looked at them he came up with two possible answers. Either, I have a extra bone at the end of my navicular bone, or I broke it and when it healed the bone that broke off didn't fuse to the main bone. So now I have to make another appointment with a podiatrist (foot doctor). Sounds fun hu?

HOME!

2006-05-29T00:20:00.000-07:00

So I am back in California now!!! And I must say that I LOVE it here!!!! The weather is perfect and my family and friends are around!!!!

Sunday was a long day of traveling. Everything went well on our drive to Buffalo, NY, and at my first flight was good, I sat next to a Father and his complaining college aged son who watched Anime the whole time. My second flight was a little interesting. I sat on the aisle seat of a center row of 3, but the other 2 people were larger people, so I was slightly squished. My third flight was nice, I sat next to another girl, and we both slept most of the way. It was long an tiring but it is all worth it to be home!

When I got to Burbank I first saw mom, and then I went outside and Gregg pulled up on his bike in full uniform! He got off his bike and gave me a hug. When he came inside to help me get my bags, people where all confused as to why there was a cop helping this girl with her luggage. It was funny:-) Then daddy pulled the truck up to the curb, I was so excited to see him! He was the only one on my family that I didn't see this semester.

So all in all, IT'S GREAT TO BE HOME!

Goodbye Canada...HELLO CALIFORNIA

2006-05-27T21:49:00.000-07:00

Well, my time here in Canada has come to an end. It has been wonderful, but California is calling my name. Tomorrow morning at 8:00 am (5:00 am California time) Nrom, Debra, Canaan and I will leave the comfort of our house (well it's not my house...) and head off to a different country. About 4 hours later, after crossing the Canadian/American boarded, and stopping for some lunch we will arrive in Buffalo, New York. At approximately 2:15 I will fly out of Buffalo and arrive in Atlanta, Georgia 2ish hours later. Another hour later, it's off to Salt Lake City, Utah where I may search for a coffee shop and will most likely fail. (Ok so that may not be true, but I will find a lot of caffeine free soda). And again, 1 hour later I will fly into the sky again. Another 2 hours on a plane and then...........BURBANK CALIFORNIA!!!!!!!!!! You know the story from there...Get my bags, smell the Californian air, find my family and it's off to my house!!! Once in Camarillo I will happily smell the beach air and know that I am HOME!!

Oh I Love this Boy!!

2006-05-26T12:04:00.000-07:00

I'm still up here in Canada, and loving every moment of it. There is just something special about holding a baby that is related to you! Canaan and I have had lots of bonding time! Yesterday Norm went out with his brother Kenny to check out a car, so Debra and I made dessert and watched a movie!

How strange is it that both of my sisters are married and one of them has a son! I still don't even feel like I should be old enough to be in college! The thought that I am going to be 19 in 13 days!

Then again, I don't feel like I can still be the same age I was when I first went to NTBI. I have done SO much growing since then that it seems like I must be older than 18. OH WELL! Life is RANDOM

3 cheers for LONG hair!

2006-05-25T00:14:00.000-07:00

so last June I cut my hair for my High School graduation, and well I got cut off a little more than I wanted. It was hard at first, then I really liked it. But now...MY HAIR S LONG AGAIN!!!!!!! I really do love it when it is long!!! Ok so this post was just becuase I should be sleeping, but felt like posting instead:-)

Last June

Now (it's the best picture I could find)

A little experience

2006-05-24T10:04:00.000-07:00

So last night I was in charge of waking up and feeding little Canaan Joshua Copeland. It made for some great bonding time, except that he slept though most of it! Figures, just like a baby to sleep! :-) I even took a nap with Canaan yesterday. Norm took a picture but I refused to let him put it up on blog! It's nice to be able to help Norm and Debra out while I'm here. I wish I could do more. Debra's working hard on making curtains for their Jungle Camp house! It's really cool to be able to see all the preparations for Jungle Camp. I wish I was going to be around to see their actual house, I guess pictures will have to do!

I will miss it ALL

2006-05-22T12:14:00.000-07:00

I am going to miss school SO much!! 11 1/2 weeks till I go back!! I am going to miss the girls in my dorm!! Our dorm had a lot of names:
Outer Limits -it's official name
Coffee house
Outer Limits Coffee House
Outer House
Out House - our least favorite

The double map in the hall! I loved staring at this MAP!

Amanda Dalgardno (soon to be Towle) and I!!! I'll miss that girl!
Lilirific (Lily) and I, I WILL MISS THIS ONE THE MOST!!!!!!!!! We have requested to be roommates again next year!!! Hopefully I will get to see her in July!!

So many Good friends were made, some I will see again next semester, some I won't see again till Heaven, and some I will see again somewhere down the roadBut for now I am MORE than happy to go back to California!!!!!!!!! See you guys soon! And don't hog all of the sun, I WANT IT!!!

School's over, Let's flee to Canada!

2006-05-21T16:46:00.001-07:00

So school is out for the summer! It was a stressful end of the semester, but a lot of fun too! A lot of projects, homework, tests, cleaning and packing. We had to have our entire house clean and all of our stuff packed up by 8:30 on Friday morning. It was SO weird and sad to see the house so bare. Graduation was on Friday, there were lots of tears and goodbyes, but it was a lot of fun too.

After graduation everyone either left the school or hung out. A group of us went to Dennys, It was fun just to hang out without the stress of getting school work done!

Saturday came and and one by one, everyone left. It was sad, but it was exciting as well. I'm already looking forward to next semester.

I have asked to be on leadership here next semester!!!! I will tell you all more about that some other time!

But now my RA and I (Jamie) are up in Canada visiting Norm Deb and Canaan!! I will be up here till Sunday, then I will be back in Cali!!!!!! I can't wait to come home and see everyone!!

2006-05-06T13:42:00.000-07:00

I feel like I just got here! I can't believe that I only have 8 class days left!! Two weeks, but I only have 4 class days each week! It's going to be a bust two weeks! I have a Big project due on Monday, and another big project due on Wednesday! And next Monday I have a 3,000 word paper due in my 1 Corinthians class!

The thing about these projects are that it's not the same as when you do a paper or project at a "normal" school. Here it's such an awesome experience because you learn SO much from these projects!!! And not just head knowledge, but stuff that is going to help you glorify GOD!!!!

that's what keeps me running!!

in a week we will begin al the cleaning and packing! We have to clean out all of our stuff and clean the whole house! It's a bigger job for my dorm because we have the whole house, not just a dorm!

WOW

2006-05-02T13:07:00.000-07:00

So I have officially been unblocked and I can now post, comment and everything!!!! But.... I probably won't be updating it so much until I get home. I have a total of 5 books that I need to read in under 3 weeks!!! And other Homework as well, including a 3,000 words paper!!!! So in other words, right now I shouldn't even be posting:-) OH WELL!

I can't believe that I am just about done with the first half of my Bible Training, and 1/4 of the way done with the NTM training!! For you who I haven't been able to tell, I have some AWESOME news!!

I have decided that I am going to go on with the NTM training!! After I finish my 2 years here at the Bible School I am planning of going to finish the Missions training with New Tribes Mission!!!

There is a big possibility that I will take a year off between the BI (Bible institute) and the next step of training! I will go more into detail about the training when I actually have time, but for now you can check out the NTM website, the NTMC website or the Copeland's website (they are currently in training)

LOVE you all!!!

Check out the countdown clock at the bottom of the site to see how many more days till I go back to Cali!!!!

I love Spring!!

2006-04-22T09:46:00.000-07:00

I've been unblocked!!

Here are a few pictures I took the other day around the school!!!!
(I can still read your comments, I just can't reply to them)
Let me know if you can't see the pictures

SO SAD!

2006-04-21T10:04:00.000-07:00

So I can no longer access my Site through the School's Wireless Internet. Anything that ends with ".Blogspot.com" has been blocked and the school cannot unblock it. So I am sorry to say that I may only be able to update is a few more times before I come home. I believe that there is a countdown clock at the bottom of the site that shows how long till I come home!

about 5 more weeks!!!

2006-04-20T11:51:00.000-07:00

Home (NTBI)!!!

2006-04-06T22:31:00.000-07:00

I am back from Canada! It was SOOOO much fun!! Canaan is so precious! I love him to death!!!! (I'm his favorite aunt, or so I say) It was awesome to see my mom, Debra, Norm, Kathleen, Gregg, and my Aunt and Uncle!!

Debra is doing such a good job at being a mommy!! I don't think it has really sunk in yet that Canaan is my sister's son!! It just doesn't seem like we can be that old yet!

Mom went home to Cali today! Daddy is VERY happy that she is coming home!!

Gregg and Kathleen fly back to Cali tomorrow. The three of us drove mommy to the airport today and then came back here to NTBI. We are going out for breakfast tomorrow, then they leave around 2:00 pm.

It was wonderful to see everyone, but now I must start to focus on reading and other homework before Emily comes out!!! I have till Monday to read a LOT!!! I am very excited that Emi's coming out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New Laptop

2006-04-04T19:11:00.000-07:00

So I got a new computer last week! And my brother-in-law Norm reconfigured it and set it all up for me! GO NORM!!!!! It's pretty sweet, it's a Toshiba Satellite A100, we didn't realize that it was going to be teal until I got it, it took a while but it has grown on me! So hopefully I will be a little more willing to blog, It doesn't take as long to load pictures and publish my blog!!!! Alright well I better go surf the internet for a couple more hours before I go to sleep. I Love Spring Break!!! Wish I could have spent part of it in Cali...:-(

2006-04-03T20:46:00.000-07:00

Last week we had 80s day!!!! I didn't realize that it was 80s until breakfast, but thankfully I already had planned out what I was going to wear. It was a lot of fun, Amanda, Sarah and I took pictures after lunch, it was so fun to take pictures in the playground, I felt like such a kid!

Spring Break!

2006-03-31T19:24:00.000-08:00

Spring is Here! It is Spring Break at NTBI, and I am in Canada!!!!!! I have now seen my nephew, Canaan, and am very HAPPY about that! He is SOOOOOO cute and I am so glad that I get to spend the week here with them!!! Kathleen and Gregg flew into Detroit on Thursday and on Friday after classes we drove up to Canada! Mom is still here too! Sadly Dad had to go back to Cali last Monday, so he is not here:-( We miss him very much:-(

Well, I am here till the 6th then we drive back to Jackson, and Kathleen and Gregg leave on the 7th. That gives me till the 10th to get ahead in my homework so that I can spend all my time that week with Emily! She is coming to visit from the 10th till the 15th!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am SO excited!!

I'll post some pictures as soon as I can, I have a new computer, and I don't have everything set up on it yet.

LOVE you all!!

AMAZING RACE Jackson Style

2006-03-25T11:57:00.000-08:00

So today we had NTBI's version of the Amazing race! WE had about 15 teams of 4-6 people. I was in an all girls team that we called "PACAZ" standing for Pennsylvania California and Arizona, the states that we are all from. The CLA (Campus Life Activities) Did a really good job in putting it together! We drove all around Jackson, from the YMCA (Rock wall), to the School (Swimming pool, and Puzzle), the library (Unscrambling letters to find the name of a book), the Fire station (Put on the jacket and pants, then run up the 6 flights of stairs of the training tower, and then back down), and MORE!!!!! It was a lot of fun! Our team got 7th place, not too bad when you realize that we went to the wrong place one time and had to find out where were supposed to go! Oh yeah, and for one of them we had to eat a 28oz jar of Peanut butter, and at one point I went to take a drink and It wouldn't go down so I couldn't breath, and my body made me choke it up:-( Over all though, it was AWESOME!!!!

Which are you?

2006-03-21T10:10:00.000-08:00

For the most part there are two kinds of people:

1) Willing to go, but planning to stay
2) Planning to go, but willing to stay

Which is a better plan?

Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

CANAAN!!

2006-03-19T18:04:00.000-08:00

CANAAN is here!!!!! he was born at 8:17 pm Eastern Time!!!

Canaan!!

2006-03-19T08:34:00.000-08:00

There will most likely be a baby in our lives sometime today!!!!!! Debra is in Labor and Canaan is on his way!!!!! Check out their site

SUN :-)

2006-03-12T22:10:00.000-08:00

We have had like the weirdest weather here this entire winter! I don't think we have had more than like 3 inches of snow at one time this semester! The cycle goes like this:

Flurries for a day or two
Sun - all the snow melts off by noon
rain
flurry
sun
flurry
rain/sun

we have had thunderstorms the last two nights, and the days have been in the 60s

it's crazy!!!

oh, and it's supposed to snow on Tuesday or Thursday!

My Hair!

2006-03-07T14:40:00.000-08:00

From ^ to.......................^

So on Saturday I dyed my hair!!! (The front box is the color I used)

It's not permanent, but I don't know if it will wash out all the way!

I am a brunette!! I will post pictures as soon as I get them from Amanda.
She lightened her hair and I darkened mine!!

Talk to you again sometime in the hopefully not so distant future.

You know you're a bible school student when...

2006-02-27T20:47:00.000-08:00

...Your everyday vocabulary includes:

Anti-Dispensationalist
Apologetics
Animism
Amillennialism
Biblical Genre
Dispensations
Dispensationalist
Dispensationalism
Dispensational pre-millennialist
Exegesis
Eisegesis
Eschatology
Epistemology
Existential
General revelation
Hermeneutics
Naturalism
New Covenant
Pantheism
Post millennialism
Prolegomena
Progressive revelation
Pre-millennialism
Syncretism
Semantic range
Special revelation
Theist

Or the phrases:
Author’s intended meaning
In a literal–grammatical hermeneutic, context is key.
What is your world view?
Oh! I am so excited about Doc. II Class!!

Or if you know what LXX stands for

I could go on, but I will stop there :-)

I hope you all still love me

2006-02-25T10:12:00.001-08:00

So I am SOOOOOO sorry it has been SOOOOOOOOOO long since I have posted. I am barely ever on my computer anymore....

This semester has been SOOOOOO much different than last. For one I have finally made it into the NEW TESTAMENT!!!!!! I love my classes right now!!!

I am taking Life of Christ, Prophets, and Doc II Theology!!!! I think my fav right now is Doc II!!!!

Well I really should be working on my homework for all of those SO... I love you all and will talk to you all S......... ok, I don't know when I will talk to you all again:-)

I'm going to be an Auntie SOOOOOOON!!!!!!

It's been like.....12 days:-)

2006-02-09T20:44:00.000-08:00

So life is GOOD!!!!! Busy as you can probably guess by the fact that I haven't posted in like forever!!!!

Yesterday I started a class that I have been looking forward to for a LONG time!!! "Life of Christ" I am SO excited, it is taught by one of my favorite teachers, and I have heard that it is one of the best classes!!!

Today was "Day of Prayer"!!

I really realized how much I have been neglecting my prayer life lately. I pray about the hard times and decisions I have to make when they come up, but I haven't been taking enough time to stop and simply talk with God. It was so good just to go into the girls bathroom/shower room, get on top of the lockers:-) and talk with Him!!!!!

Stop&Think

2006-01-28T20:33:00.001-08:00

Go Here and watch this Movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stop&Think

or go to the main site:
Just stop & Think

HMMMM

2006-01-24T15:04:00.000-08:00

So... It's January, I'm in Michigan...But where is the SNOW!!!!! It's SO crazy! Right now it is 43 degrees outside and almost NO snow! ( It's 43 in Camarillo too) It's SO crazy. It's weird but it's kinda fun not having to deal with the snow. It's only snowed twice since I have been here this semester. (which is really weird for this time of year)

but anyway... I need to get back to reading Jeremiah, for my prophets class, and reading my 50 pages for Dispensations!!!! I LOVE YOU ALLL and MISS you TOO!!!!

2006-01-18T13:14:00.000-08:00

I start Psalms class tomorrow!!!! Here are some verses that stood out to me as I was reading:

1:1-2
How blessed is the man who does not
walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the Law of the Lord,
And in His Law he meditates both day and night.

(This Psalm was written by David David when he was running from his son)
3:3
But You, O Lord, are a shield about me,
My glory, and the One who lifts my head.
I was crying to the Lord with my voice,
And He answered me from His holy mountain.

Psalm 8
O LORD, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the
earth,
Who have displayed Your splendor
above the heavens!
From the mouth of infants and nursing
babes
You have established strength
Because of Your adversaries,
To make the enemy and the revengeful
cease.
When I consider Your heavens, the work
of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have
ordained;
What is man that You take thought of him,
And the son of man that You care for him?
Yet You have made him a little lower than
God,
And You crown him with glory and majesty!
You make him to rule over the works of Your
hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
All sheep and oxen,
And also the beasts of the field,
The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea,
Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
O LORD, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth!

No tears allowed!

2006-01-16T00:45:00.000-08:00

Well, it's almost that time:-( :-)

My flight takes off in exactly 30 hours. It's bitter-sweet. I am SO excited to get back to school and see all my college friends again, but I am sad to be leaving my family and friends here, as well as the sunshine.

But most of all I am Super Excited to get back to my classes!!! I LOVE going to a school where I look forward to going back for more than just the friends!
Well I have to finish packing and it's getting late!

Title

2006-01-12T21:56:00.000-08:00

NEW POST:-)

Again, I LOVE California!

2006-01-08T23:02:00.000-08:00

Since I have been home from Michigan, I have been realizing more and more how much I love California!!!!
On Saturday we went to surfer's point (Beach), we walked an the board walk and watched the massive waves, and the surfers who caught them. Then, after my camera died:-( we walked on the pier and cheered on some surfers while never getting bored of watching the waves!!!!! Then it happened!!!! The sun began to set! It was SOOOOOO beautiful!! It set right behind the Channel Islands! It was INCREDIBLE!!!
Then today (Sunday) a bunch of us from church went to another beach I think it was called Mondos (Correct me if I am wrong) A bunch of people surfeit while others watched and played!! Then it happened Again!!! And this time I got pictures!!! SO here you go!!!

(Rear-view mirror)

2006-01-07T21:41:00.000-08:00

Hi Critter
- Anonymous

SUN

2006-01-06T12:10:00.000-08:00

Another Altered song by Christy

Oh the weather outside isn't frightful, and the sun is so delightful.
since we've no place to go, don't let is snow, don't let snow, don't let it snow!

:-) I love California!!! It's 84 degrees outside right now!!!! It's 27 but feels like 19 in Jackson, MI. Thankfully I have till the 17 to enjoy Cali weather!!!

Spike needs a Hotel!!

2006-01-04T15:15:00.000-08:00

Check out my New blog devoted to finding a sitter for my turtle:-) All About Spike

I <3 California!!!!

2006-01-02T15:33:00.000-08:00

A 10+million dollar house, one of many on this street, my Dad is doing the cabinets for the house that is being built next to this one, it has at least 4 stories!

on the other side of the street from the 10+ million dollar houses
same place
From the freeway! (Stop and go traffic!!! Yeah Cali! lol)
hmmmmmm SUNSHINE!!!!! It's GOOD!!
Ah! It is so good to be home in the Sunshine. Like right now!! It stopped raining and now the sun is shining!!! And everything looks so crisp!! It's a little too windy, but oh well!

These are some pictures I took on the way home from SLO (San Luis Obispo)

Some of them are taken from on the freeway going anywhere from 1-75 MPH (oops the speed limit if 65, but we had a cop in my car!)

I love driving up and down the coast!!! It is SOOOO beautiful!! Ocean on one side and hills on the other!! or hills on both sides!!! LOVE IT!!!

BUSY but GOOD

2005-12-29T23:31:00.000-08:00

I never has a big brother growing up:-( And now tat I have TWO, well...............

and these pics are when only one was there!!!!!!!!!! Oh well I LOVE them!!!

Life has been busy but really good!!! It has been wonderful to have the whole family here for the holidays!!! All the "Kids" (Kathleen and Gregg, Deb and Norm and myself) spent a few days at Kathleen and Gregg's house and had a great time hanging out, shopping and getting adjusted (We all went to the chiropractor, he's a friend of Kathleen and Gregg's)
Christmas was wonderful!! God is AWESOME!!!! Not only was there a baptism at Church on Christmas morning, but on the 26th I found out that my cousin became a Christian this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And then yesterday I found out that another one of my friends accepted the Lord as well!!!!!!!!!!! HOW AWESOME IS THAT!!!!
Well there isn't much more I can say, especially following that last comment!!

My Awesome Friends

2005-12-19T16:50:00.000-08:00

So on Friday almost everything was going according to my prediction from the last post. Mom had called me earlier to let me know that she wasn't feeling good and that she wasn't going to make it to the airport, and that she would be waiting outside with Abby (the dog) when I got home. That was fine, I understood that a long car ride isn't the best when you aren't feeling too good.
Once I landed I got a message from Dad saying that he would meet me down in baggage claim, and not to worry if I couldn't get a hold of him by phone before then. I called him and got his voicemail, I figured that I would try one more time just incase, I though It would be good to let him know that I had landed. That time I got a hold of him and he said he would meet me down in baggage claim.
It was once I got to the revolving doors that lead to the baggage claim that the rest of my story started to change. I looked back and forth at the faces in the crowd on the other side of the glass, I didn't see dad but I did see a very familiar bright red/orange sight, I took a double look and realized that It was indeed my best friend, Emily!!!!! (she's in the picture with me) I got through the revolving door as fast as I could and gave her a big hug. After a second of walking I asked her if my dad was there as well. She told me that he was in waiting for my bags, so we went into the baggage claim room.
Once we were in thee baggage claim room I looked around for dad and again, I didn'r see dad, but instead other familiar faces. I saw Jade and Bree first. Next I saw Matt, then I turned around and there was Steven, then Anna and Cailin both came running up to me!!!!!
It was said to have been the "Best Kept secret in all of Camarillo." Mom and Dad were still back at home and I was a Very surprise and VERY happy girl. My friends had made a big sign that said "Welcome home Christy" :-)
The ride home was much fun! The Camarillo lights still welcomed me home, and instead of going straight home we stopped off at Denny's for some grub. I finally made it home close to 2:00 am. Mom, Dad and Abby were all happy to see me:-)

It has been SO good to be home. Hanging with friends, being home with Family, walking outside and enjoying the Californian Sunshine!!!!!!
And tonight it got even better!!!! Norm and Debra are here!!! The whole family is together again!!!!!

I'm Coming HOME!!!!!!!!!!

2005-12-15T15:33:00.000-08:00

I'm ready, my bags are mostly packed and we will soon be given the OK that our house is clean enough and we will be "checked out." Next I will find my way over to the Sullivan's house for Hot Chocolate with some others! Then it's off to play in the beautiful white powder, There is so much of it! In the morning Lily and I will find ourselves in a world of pancakes and eggs, located across the street, a final Roomy Shin-dig! Finally after a few, long "goodbyes" and perhaps a few tears, after making a sack lunch in my usual place of consumption of food, Amanda and I will find Rachel who, along with many stories and laughs, will drive us to DTW. At the airport after we check in, Amanda and I will find a coffee shop, sit with hot cups of our favorite beverage, and reminisce on the last 4 months. We will call another mutual friend, Michelle, the third of the three, and see if she has found her way to DTW yet and if she would like to join the reminiscing. Then, at about 4:30 I will depart from the wonderful company and find my way to gate B8. It is there where the journey begins. I will board my source of transportation. after a few hours of flying I will land in the lone star state, where I will find my next gate, check the details, search for a small coffee shop where I will get a bite to eat, and call my mother. Then, around 9:45 Texas time I will find my way back to the gate I had found, and board another plane that will take me to my final destination. Next, after a few more hours, and hopefully a few good conversations with the people sitting around me, telling them the AMAZING things about my Sovereign Daddy, I will look out the window and see sections of the ground glowing like an overly lit Christmas tree. It will be then that it hits me, I AM HOME! and those lights are the proof, LA county! As my heart races and then skips a few beats, simply from the excitement of being home, the wheels of the aircraft will hit the ground. finally after what seems like 2 long hours pass the seatbelt sign will be turned off and all the people around me rise up from their seats, and like a blur they will all find their belongings and gather their children. Finally I will stand up, grab my pillow, backpack and computer, I will find my way down the crowded isle and off the plane. Once I emerge from my residence of the last few hours I will take a deep breath of the LAX air, I'm home! I will follow the others and the signs and find my way to the escalator that leads down to the baggage claim. It is there where I will search the faces, a daughter's smile will spread from ear to ear, and my mom will start to cry. Mom, Dad, and daughter together again, all locked together by the squeezing arms of the other. From then on nothing really matters, we will find my bag, dad will roll it to the car while mom and I hold hands. I'll have my backpack and mom my pillow, (A true Rutledge girl never travels without her pillow). In the car we will talk, traffic won't be too bad, well at least for LA. I won't be able to stop talking, and mom and dad won't be able to stop listening and asking questions. Then it will come about 45 minutes to an hour later, the welcoming committee of Camarillo will be seen. As we come to the top of the grade, the lights of Camarillo shine so bright in a way that just seems to say "WELCOME HOME". 10 minutes later I will walk into my house where Abby, my precious puppy (who isn't exactly young anymore) will greet me. Deep breath, HOME!!!

I LOVE GETTING DRESSED UP!!!

2005-12-13T11:37:00.000-08:00

Ok so Friday was our Christmas Formal here at NTBI!!!! It was SO much fun to get all dressed up and hang out with friends!!! The staff decorated the gym, It was SO beautiful! We had Karaoke and Student Feud (like Family Feud) It was such a fun night, except walking from my house to the school with heals and in the SNOW! Coldies! Afterward while we were still dressed up we went and saw the Chronicles of Narnia!!!! SO MUCH FUN!!!

Michelle, Me and Amanda!!

The Guys

Roomies!! Me and LilyThe Girls!

Jon, Elyia and Don

(I think Jon had a little too much punch)more of the guys, Seth and Mick/Phil
The cute couple, Amanda and Jamie The NTBI choir! (not really) Sam and Michelle

Ann Arbor

2005-12-12T21:02:00.000-08:00

Michelle, one of my best friends here at NTBI, turned 19 on the 4th and so on Saturday the 3rd we went to Ann arbor, about an hour away, to go to Starbucks, and a few other stores. It started to snow so it was SO pretty, but SOOOOOO COLD!!! We had a Lot of fun!! Check out the awesome pics!!!

Canada!!!

2005-12-12T20:23:00.000-08:00

Ok here it is, I am finally posting about my American Thanksgiving in Canada!
It was MUCH fun, I have missed Deb and Norm SO much! It was so awesome to get to see them and Deb's tummy where Canaan resides!!! I gave him the "talk" about his giving mommy so much pain, but I guess he didn't listen to me, cuz he continues to bother Deb.
It was definitely an eventful weekend!!
I was viciously attacked by a flaming Pop-tart, (ok so it was just burnt) The frosting on this pop-tart melted, and some of it got on my skin. (the picture doesn't show it very well, it looked really bad, especially after a few days) I had 9 burns on my fingers in all, but the blisters have finally hardened and peeled away!!
On the same day Norm broke the glass on their front door! It snowed a lot, but it was nice! Even though I was in Canada I still got to have a turkey dinner with all the others a the MI (Missions Institute).
Check out Norm and Deb's Site to keep updated

Concerts Rock!!

2005-12-10T12:40:00.000-08:00

Shane & Shane and David Crowder!!!! WOOOT WOOOT! Talk about a great concert, and with good friends too. It was so awesome to be able to get out on the weekend and go to a concert, and Starbucks to!!!! A REAL Starbucks!!! So if you guys don't know who David Crowder, or Shane and Shane are, you need to. They are some of the BEST worship singers I know!!!! Plus just look at the pic of David Crowder!!! He ROCKS!!!! (oh yeah and this was like a month ago)

Poor da Sista

2005-11-17T15:22:00.001-08:00

So Little Canaan is giving Mommy troubles:-( Debra (my sister) is 22 weeks pregnant now, but Canaan (The baby) is blocking the tube coming from her kidney. Check their website for the details. Please keep them in your prayers!

Reminiscing in past times

2005-11-14T21:05:00.000-08:00

So since we keep talking about water camp I thought I would put up some more pics from that week!!!!! AWWW YEAH, GOOD MEMORIES!!!!!!!!

Good Morning Jade!! (nice hair)

Super duper Friends!!!

LOL!!!!!! LOL!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!! (nice hair)

The Umpa Lumpa (or however you spell it)

The Rehydrater!!!!!

If you're confused Check out a much earlier blog

LONG time no blog

2005-11-08T19:22:00.001-08:00

So I don't have time to say much cuz I really need to sleep. I am waiting to put some clothes in the wash and I feel bad that I haven't Blogged lately:-( well I have a lot of work this week, I went away this weekend so I missed a good three days of Spirit Work (homework) time. It was a GOOD weekend though. 7 of us went to Wisconsin to see a friend of ours. It took about 10 hours driving each way!!!! It was crazy fun!!!!! Well I must be off, I am going to get a little extra sleep tonight!!!!!

boy oh BOY!!!

2005-10-24T16:04:00.000-07:00

So my sister found out that she is having a BOY!! I am going to have a little nephew!!! WOOOT WOOOOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Check out their site

WOOT WOOT! DORM CHAPEL!!

2005-10-20T20:48:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry it has taken me SO long to get a new post up:-( I apologize, life has been BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!!!!! But, I don't know what to tell you guys about.... hmmm..... Oh, I know!!

From Back Left: Sarah, Rachele, Jamie, Joanna, Candice, LeAnn, ME (Christy) Lily, and Amanda)

OK so today we had "Dorm Chapel" that's where instead of going to the chapel for chapel, we meet as a dorm. So anywho... Since we didn't really have much that Jamie (My RA) needed to go over with us, we went out for coffee instead!!!! YEA!!!! So we all piled into the cars and set towards our destination. We went to this new place called "The Lilac Tree" It was muchly cutely (very cute)!! But it was obvious that they had opened recently:-) I ordered a Cafe Americano, one of the easiest drinks to make, and I pretty much had to tell him how to make it...LOL But I still think it would be awesome to work there. But I am not planning on getting a job anyway. At least not until I get my car out here for my Junior and Senior semesters. Ok, well I really should Get to sleep, it's 12:20:-) Love you ALL SO much!

I GUESS I WILL POST SOMETHING!

2005-10-01T23:05:00.000-07:00

Hey all!!!! Sorry it has been SO long since I have posted, I have been pretty busy. But it has been a good busy!

Well, I thought I would let you guys know what has been going on lately. (I know you're all thinking "It's about time!")

First of all let me say that I am having an INCREDIBLE time here!!! The weather isn't quite as nice, but I have enjoyed it from time to time. We have had some awesome thunder storms!! One day when it was raining, a bunch of us all ran outside and had a awesome water fight, which may have included a few acorns as well:-) That same day we had much fun playing in the mud!!! But now the fact that I was made to live in California is apparent the mornings have been cold and the days well, It's been cold!!!
(I heart California)

The classes are SO much better than I thought they would be, they have been tough at times, there is a lot of reading, but they have been awesome. Right now I am taking hermeneutics, which is a class that teaches you how to be able to study the Bible and get out of it what the author was trying to say. By definition hermeneutics means "the science and art of
Biblical interpretation." It's been really GOOD!
My favorite class is probably "Evangelism in the Post Modern World" it's been really cool, the first part of the class was just the basics of different worldviews, and how to identify them, as well as learning the basics of some approaches to evangelism!!!!! The second section is teaching us the in depth way to approach evangelism, dealing with worldviews, especially how to understand their worldview, showing them that their worldview is insufficient to explain reality, and then presenting the truth to them in a way that they would understand!!!!!

I am making so many friends here! I can't believe that I have been here for 61/2 weeks! WOW!! Well I hope that the next time I post won't be in too long. It shouldn't be!

2005-10-01T10:33:00.000-07:00

POLL

2005-09-17T19:15:00.000-07:00

Ok so make sure you vote in the poll!!! I just stuck a few random names on it, so vote for the person you think is the most random!!!!! (if your name is on there please don't vote for yourself)

I should put something here

2005-09-12T16:31:00.000-07:00

Here is my roommate, Lily!!! She is the same age as me (18), acuddly she was born about 9 days before me, and get this, in the same hospital as I was!!! CMH Rocks!!!! She is also from Cali, but she lives about 45 min from Fresno.
We were both so tired the other night, but we ended up talking till like 3 am! Lily Rocks!!!

Here is a random picture of some of the best books ever!!! I have really been enjoying them, and my classes!!! (Top: "How We Got the Bible")

Oh and, of course, the best paperweight ever! Penguins ROCK!!!! (BTW do you want that back Jon?) "Cute and cuddly boys, cute and cuddly"
Madagascar is SO TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!!

Check out Jon's Blog

2005-09-06T19:08:00.000-07:00

Wahooooooooooo!!!! So this weekend was so much fun! Getting covered in mud, climbing trees, getting to know some new peoples! And getting to know other people better. Getting bitten over 40 times by mosquitos! (Oh, wait, I didn't like that part....) singing praises to God with friends!!!! (And people I didn't know) taking a shower under a trickle of water, then finding the biggest spider I have ever seen (in person) taking a shower with me! Gross!!!!! Well here are some pictures I took I hope you enjoy!!!!!
Oh yeah, so the trip was like a family retreat for one of the churches, that one of the girls from our school goes to, and about 15 of us from NTBI went!!!! It was AWESOME! This picture is of myself, one of the girls from school named Briana, and two of the girls from the camp!!! Charisa and Megan
There is a monkey in the tree, well there are two, but the other one (me) took the picture

College Friends (Yes I have some)

2005-09-02T12:42:00.000-07:00

Meet Jon!

Let's see.... Where do I start? hmmmmm, if you have read the comments, you have already met Jon, (Comment name: Ink03her3nt) Jon is my "Random" friend, he also went to *PNG with *NTM at the same time as Norm and Debra.
Pretty much the two of us are as random as a milk lake with oreo tubes being pulled by monster trucks (Yes Jade your e-mail a while back inspired the two of us)
*Papua New Guinea, *New Tribes Missions

Meet Sarah:

Sara is one of my housemates!!!!! Also the houses beloved coffee provider. Let's see... On Wed morning she received the best package any of of could have imagined, In it was, her COFFEE MAKER!!!!!!!!!!!! We pretty much had a huge celebration! WOOOT WOOOOT FOR COFFEE!!!!!!!!!

Let's see...Who's next....RACHELE!!!! Rachele is a Michigan girl, she lives not too far from Jackson, which has been nice for her since she has been sick lately:-(

Well, I don't think I have any other people pictures, yes, I know I am

SOOOOOO behind:-( I have lot of other people you must "meet" but first I need to take more pictures!

LoVe YoU aLl So MuCh!!!!!!!!

Milk Lakes, oreo's, and Monster Trucks!!!!!

2005-09-01T21:51:00.000-07:00

Let's see..... A while back Jade (Babe) sent me an e-mail and in it she mentioned something about going to float on an Oreo in milk, or something like that, so Jon and I got thinking, and.....Well......This what we ended up with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Yes that is real milk, and real oreos)

"A Day at Lake White"

That was a close one!

OH! That's got to hurt!!

Looks like everyone is up and running again!!!!!

Yup!!! What a day!!!!

Well, it is past my bedtime, and I have a test tomorrow.....:-( so I better scadaddle:-) byes to you all!!!!!!!

OK!!!!!! GOOOOOOOOSH!

2005-08-30T21:11:00.000-07:00

Alright, well all of you have been bugging me to post some new stuff. I'm sorry that I am SO busy. (the truth is that I have time but normally I go to the lounge instead, hmmmmmm maybe I should just start taking my laptop to the lounge and doing both at the same time.....hmmmmm)
I must say thank you to Jon, "Ink03her3nt" who I will introduce to you all, hopefully tomorrow. (I am going to post a "College Friends" blog) I am thanking him for delivering some much needed coffee to me today!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been coffee deprived here. (Dear Mom, please send coffee (Not really don't worry mom:-))) It made the day "Perfect"
well so far I don;t think this blog has made much sense, but oh well, I LOVE being random. :-) If it weren't so late I would search the internet for some incredibly random picture and post it, but ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ, oh sorry I think I might have fallen asleep for a few seconds there!!!!!

Byes!!!! blog at you all soon.

Commenting

2005-08-24T10:33:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys but I am having trouble with "Comment Spam" so from now on if you comment it will ask you to do a word verification, it's just one added step, but hopefully it will keep spammers away.

Outer Limits

2005-08-22T12:28:00.000-07:00

Well here I am in Michigan!! I can hardly believe that I am a "college girl!" It has been easier than I thought it would be adjusting to life over here. I miss everyone back in Cali, (thanks for the calls, e-mails, and posts) but I am have a great time getting to know the people here! We played Ultimate Frisbee on Saturday!!! My team won! And then the freshmen and Staff played Bunko yesterday!!
My house/Dorm is called the "Outer Limits" (It was called the "Hilton" last year) There are nine girls in all!! Two of the girls are from central California! One of them is my roommate, Lilly, she was probably born in the same hospital I was, like 9 days before me. lol:-)
Orientation started today, (Boring) And classes start on Wednesday.
(The pictures are of my house)

The weather here has been different like every day. It's been humid, I woke up to a thunder storm one morning, and today it has been cold.
Oh yeah and there are fireflies!!!!

CAMP ROCKS!!!!

2005-08-19T20:07:00.000-07:00

WOW Camp was awesome!!!! It was a great week! I am so glad I went, I had so much fun hanging with my friends, getting to know them better, (sleeping in the bathroom) getting closer to God, and getting to know myself better!
It was awesome to have a final week with my friends before I left for college!!! I have So many memories I will keep forever!!! And I got better at wake boarding!!! I'm still not great, but I'm better:-)
It was a great preparing to leave week! It gave me a week of friend time and helped me realize that no matter where I go, even though I am leaving my friends in California, Jesus (My Best Friend) will always be with me!!!

I Heart California!!!

2005-08-04T22:46:00.000-07:00

Finally!!! I feel like I have been beach deprived!!!!!!! But on Wednesday my wonderful friends called me up and asked if I wanted to go to Zuma Beach!!!! I hadn't been to the beach yet this summer, so of course I wanted to go. The waves were awesome we got in some great Boogie Boarding time!! One time Cailin and I both caught the same wave, but we were a little too close to each other. Cailin and her board ended up on top of me and my board! Well that was AWESOME!! And then Today after VBS, a bunch of us went to the beach again!!!!! After that we went back to the Young's house and went swimming. TOO MUCH WATER!!! But we had much fun!! I am going to miss everyone here in Cali SO much when I go to school:-(

(Check out the new and improved Switchfoot website)

16 Days!

2005-08-01T17:22:00.000-07:00

16 days left!!!!!:-( :-) it's CRAZY, I can't believe that I am going to leave for college in like 2 weeks!!!!!!! I leave on Sunday to go to Lake San Antonio for a week of camping and water sports!! I can't wait to go wake boarding!!!! I am so glad I get to spend a week with some of my friends before I leave!

Comments

2005-07-31T15:54:00.000-07:00

I finally got it set up so anyone can post a comment. Sorry I didn't have that earlier. Love ya guys!!!

Russia!!!

2005-07-27T21:34:00.000-07:00

Well, since I didn't go to Russia this summer:-( I thought I would post my favorite picture that I have taken from Russia!

WAHOOOO

2005-07-27T16:16:00.000-07:00

Well, on Tuesday I went with the youth group to Six Flags Magic Mountain!!!!! It was muchly fun. The lines were so short! We only had to wait about 45 minutes for X!!!! Normally you have to wait like 4 hours:-( We went on Viper, and when we got off we realized that there were only like 6 other people in line so we just got back on!!! I also went on Goliath and Scream twice!!!
Deja Vu was finally open!!!! (It has been closed like the last 4 times I have gone) And we only had to wait 10 minutes!!!!! Doug (my youth pastor) and I were the only ones brave enough from our group to go on. (Even when we were strapped in and about to go, Doug was having second thoughts) It was SO much fun.
I went on Roaring Rapids twice and got SOAKED both times!!! It felt so nice since it was so HOT out!!!
I have a "play pass" (season pass) to six flags, so I didn't have to pay! That made it even better:-)

(Left: Goliath Right: Deja Vu)

24 Days!

2005-07-24T00:21:00.000-07:00

WOW!!! I leave for college in like 24 days!! It's crazy. I can't wait!! I am SO sad to have to leave all my friends and family here in Cali. I will miss my church SO much, I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!! But I am SO excited to start a new chapter in my life! Here is my schedule for the next month:

Life goes on pretty much like normal (Except all the packing and stuff) until Aug 7th when I leave for Water Camp at Lake San Antonio!!!!! I can't wait! it is going to be SO much fun hanging out with all my "kids" and friends!!!! Oh yeah and all the water sports!!!!!!I get back on the 13th. After that it is a mad rush to finish all my packing. I leave for college on the 17th. CRAZY!!!! Debra (My pregnant sister) is going to pick me up from the airport!!!! She is going to help me get settled in and finish buying all my supplies. Then school starts on like the 24th.

Till my next post
-out

In the oven

2005-07-21T11:34:00.000-07:00

There's a baby in her tummy!!!!! And boysenberries in their hands:-)
It's the happy couple!!!
We sent Debra boysenberries from our garden so she can make a pie, but it seems that's not the only thing in the oven:-)

I'm going to be an Auntie!!!

2005-07-19T16:02:00.000-07:00

Ever since Debra and Norm got married I have been bugging them about when they are going to give me a niece or nephew:-) So I finally on Saturday we got a call from them, and the are pregnant!!
The due date is 1 week before my spring break, so it is perfect!!! Check out their site for more info!

I decided that I am going to be the favorite Aunt:-) But don't tell Kathleen or Dana.

My House!

2005-07-19T15:56:00.000-07:00

As some of you know, my Grandpa went by my college to drop off some of my school supplies. Well when he got there he found out that I wasn't going to be living in the dorms in the main building where most people do. Instead I am going to be living in one of the houses on campus that has been turned into a Girls dorm!!!! One reason this is SO exciting is that I will have a kitchen!!!! Which means I can BAKE!!!! (I would go crazy if I couldn't)

Hey Everybody

2005-07-19T10:27:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys!
Welcome to my Blog!!!
Since I am going to be leaving for school on the 17th of August, and I am going to miss you guys SO much, I thought I would set this up so you guys can keep up-to-date with my life:-) I will try to update it as much as I can.

And please feel free to add a comment, I want to hear from you guys too!!!!

LOVE YOU ALL