I'm SO SORRY....

So...as I was watching GLEE this week they did a song called 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina'...from the movie Evita. I couldn't help but remember the first time I saw that movie. It was 1996 and I had the sweetest kindest boyfriend named Tim. As far as highschool boyfriends go you couldn't do better then Tim. All the girls wanted to date him and I was the lucky one for 2 years who got to hang out with the kid. Well, Tim and I had a deal when it came to movies...he would pick one then I would pick one. He never complained about what I picked and I never complained about what he picked. I don't remember appreciating that at the time, but I do now (guys can be such whiners about movies).

Of course being a 16 year old girl I was SO EXCITED for Evita to come to theaters. I mean it had great music and MADONNA. Now call me naive or completely uneducated, but I had NO IDEA Evita was going to be ALL music. I thought it was going to be a regular movie with a few songs thrown in....BOY was I WRONG. It was almost 3 HOURS of song and dance. A few times I remember looking over at Tim and catching him sleeping or in his own personal 9th dimension of Hell. To be completely honest...it was horrible. Do I love the music in Evita? YES...do I love Madonna...Yes...but OMG THREE HOURS of it and I was ready to set the place on fire. We could of walked out...but if you know anything about me...know this..I DON'T walk out on movies. The movie has to REALLY be sucking for me to walk out. My mindset...I paid $10 or so bucks to see it...I'm going to get my money's worth of the crap.

Anywho....back to topic. As Tim and I left the theater that day in Windsor Locks, CT there are a few things that stood out to me...

1. Tim still didn't complain. (I swear that boy was a saint)
2. I promised myself never to see a movie because Madonna was in it again.
3. Tell Tim you're sorry.

Therefore...it's late but here it is...I am SO SO SO SORRY that I wasted 3 hours of your life Timmy Dear. Those are precious moments you can't get back. I mean I'm sure we would of just hung out at FRIENDLY'S instead or something...but still EVITA was pure torture which you didn't deserve my sweet friend. I can only hope this was a moment in your life so traumatic you completely washed it from your memory. As a I'm Sorry tribute I have attached the only good part of the movie Evita. Watch this and you've just saved yourself 2:55 minutes of your life.


Side Note: The story of Eva Peron is really VERY interesting...I recommend Googling her...amazing complicated woman. I'm mean she died young, her husband had her mummified, laid in repose in a glass casket while the whole country of Argentina mourned her death...THEN had to hide her body from thieves. That's just BEYOND interesting...HISTORY CHANNEL I LOVE YOU.

Best Boy Band EVER...in the history of Cruises.

So much fun...

My Hope...

I'm about to get real personal so WATCH OUT. I had a much needed reminder today. As I was exploring different Internet venues I ran across a news clip about Owl City's Adam Young covering a praise & worship song 'In Christ Alone'. First of all, I was excited because I love Owl City. Second of all, I love that song...so the mix could only be magic. Music has a way of speaking to me more then a million sermons. So, I listened to Adam's cover version and found myself tearing up. It's so beautiful and reminded me where my Hope truly lies. When life has turned it's back on me, when my friends are nowhere in sight, He's always there....just waiting...waiting for me to seek Him, to Love Him, to find my strength in Him. I can almost hear Him sometimes...'Melinda, let me in. Let me share your hopes and fears. Let me show you how much I love you. You're worth it. You can trust Me.'

We try so desperately to run from His Love, His Grace and Mercy..don't we!? We tell ourselves we don't want it...need it...trust it...so we reject it...I reject it. But there is a line in this song...that hits me to my spiritual core..slaps me in the face and it's the lyrics 'No power of Hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand'. That means even when I reject His Love I'm still in His hands. During my most difficult hours past, present, and future I'll be held by the One who knows everything about me and yet still wants me. I'm defined by the One who made me...who Loves me...and who Died for me....in Him my Hope is Found...in Him I'll dedicate my Life.

I'm not a religious fanatic...I'm a Believer...A Woman of Faith...A Child of Hope...A Daughter of Love....

Interview with the Devil...

This is a FUNNY video about the very unfunny reality of church division. I hope this makes all of you laugh, then think about how we behave towards each other in the church....

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35

E.T.

The beat is addicting...LOVE IT....Katy Perry!

Tribute...

So...lately I've realized I have 2 completely different mindsets on LOVE. It's like 2 different people live inside my head. One of my mindsets is very realistic and jaded. I have been told over and over that I'm bitter/jaded from past experiences. I'm a wall that even Superman couldn't get through one person told me. My second mindset (I call my Daydreamer) is a pure romantic. If you noticed the books I read, my favorite movies, the music I love most, you would see how romantic I really am. I have a inner battle in my head with these mindsets. Of course, the realistic rational mindset always wins out, but my Daydreamer desperately hopes for a win someday.

You know that day....the day when everything you ever thought negatively about men are proven wrong. The day you meet somebody that has more substance then a toothpick. A man that doesn't always say the wrong thing...but the right thing. I'm not looking for perfection...just someone worth looking for. Someone who knows and understands that this crazy jaded hurt woman...is just the outside defense for a young girl who dares to dream that fiction someday becomes reality.

Until that time comes if ever...my heart belongs to the leading men of my books and movies....ONE such man I recently discovered (thanks to my big sister) in a AMAZING movie made back in 2004 called 'North and South' which is a book by Elizabeth Gaskells. Anyway, Richard Armitage is a AMAZING English talent and ain't hard on the eyes.... Below is a tribute one of his fans did for him. It made me smile...therefore it's attached below. Check out the movie 'North and South' also...LOVE IT.

All the Above..

Eat, Pray, Love

"I have a history of making decisions very quickly about men. I have always fallen in love fast and without measuring risks. I have a tendency not only to see the best in everyone, but to assume that everyone is emotionally capable of reaching his highest potential. I have fallen in love more times than I care to count with the highest potential of a man, rather than with the man himself, and I have hung on to the relationship for a long time (sometimes far too long) waiting for the man to ascend to his own greatness. Many times in romance I have been a victim of my own optimism."
— Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love)

So...can anyone tell why I love this book so much? Go see the movie...or read the book.

Worry About You...

New band I'm lovin' even though this video is a little cheesy.

The Journey to Tubetopia...

Braeden's eyes twinkled like blue diamonds as he looked out of the water on his mission to swim up stream like the great salmon. Just another day on the Shenandoah River in our quest for Tubetopia. What is Tubetopia you ask? Well...Tubetopia is the name of a perfect tubing experience. Just chillaxin' while floating down the river...algae free...bug free...sharp rock free...with hopefully a cool beverage in hand.

After church this morning me and a few of my friends decided to go to a bonride/cookout on the Shenandoah River. Of course...the main reason to attend was because of the tubing option. Well...due to the fact that we're girls and we take a long time to do anything we missed the 3pm deadline to go tubing. Hearts were crushed...dreams were shattered...UNTIL two nice guys offered us their tubes and to drop us off up the river. THE DREAM was SAVED...TUBETOPIA was now once again within our grasp. Oh....if we only knew what was to come. So...2 of us got into a Jeep with one guy and the other 2 got into the truck with another guy. It didn't take too long before me and my friend Keri realized we should of rode in the truck instead of the Jeep, because lets just say our driver had been pre-gaming. To those who don't know what I mean when I say 'pre-gaming'...I mean he was 2 sheets to the wind...DRUNK DRIVING PEOPLE. There is NO DRUNK DRIVING in TUBETOPIA!! As our driver drove all over the road and we prayed for God's protection...I realized this might be the last 4th of July I'll ever have. LORD...if I make it out of this vehicle with this crazy crackhead of Your Creation...I promise to recycle more and kiss babies...I promise to call my mom more and not telepathically swear at people that cut me off in traffic....the list is endless Lord.

Well...the Lord must of took me seriously and answered our prayers, cuz we JUMPED out of that Jeep safe and sound. We're FINALLY on our way to Tubetopia. Sadly, it didn't take long before the algae and dragonflies descended upon our floating paradise. If I wasn't pushing algae out of my way..I was trying to keep mating dragonflies from using my knee as a motel. The water felt great and the sun was nice and hot...but sadly I couldn't help but think Tubetopia was lost forever. Well...we finally made it back to camp..had some amazing shredded pork and little by little forgot about our disappointing adventure. But when it's all said and done...we had a great time pushing away the algae....teasing the frisky dragonflies...and most importantly watching our amazing Braeden's blue eyes sparkle like diamonds as he braved the rushing liquid elements.

It was then that I realized....Tubetopia lives in all of us...it's all how you make it. You can either choose to have a Tubetopiain' time...or bask in the disappointment of witnessing WAY TOO MUCH insect love. I choose the glass half full approach...the next TUBETOPIA experience will probably be CAVE TUBING in BELIZE in November...wish me luck as I brave the mysterious caves and avoid those shameless foreign insects...:-)

Going to the Chapel...

Well, it’s a done deal my good friend Ben got married this weekend. I’m so excited for him. He is hands down one of the most amazing men I’ve ever met and to see him so happy just melts my heart. I was giddy from morning to night because my friends dream came true. He was marrying the love of his life and if you told him a year ago where he would be this past weekend he would of laughed in your face. Ben was our Seinfeld, but this weekend he married the beautiful Jessica who is just perfect for him. She loves him so much and as his good friend that’s all I could ask for. It just goes to show you just when you think God has forgotten you and you’ll always be single, He surprises you. I remember a year ago sitting down with my friend and him thinking that very thing. I told him then God had someone amazing around the corner for him and I’m so glad I was right. Jess is far more then anything Ben could of dreamed of and I look forward to knowing her better. God is faithful…and He doesn't forget about us even if it feels like He does. Oh...what a happy day when you realize He had your back the whole time. Here are some videos of that happy wedding day. It was a beautiful day in Carlisle, PA….a beautiful day to get hitched and BURNED…that sun was HOT. I felt so bad for the guys wearing black tuxes. There are certain events in life where it's better to be a girl and WEDDINGS are one of them. :-)

You may now KISS YOUR BRIDE...


Their first dance...


Such a happy HAPPY DAY....Love ya Benny...

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME...

I LOVE going to baseball games. Now, do I really pay attention to the game? No...BUT I still have a great time. Between the food, atmosphere, and company it always makes for a fun fabulous day. Below is a video of one such event. Say what you want about me and my friends...we know how to have a great time. :-)

Wake me Up...

One of my favorite bands will always be Evanescence. Her voice is so haunting which makes their music addicting. Of course...they're first CD is AMAZING, but like many artist tend to lose their awesomeness in their 2nd and 3rd CD. BUT...that being said here are 2 of my favorite songs of theirs. Bring Me To Life and My Immortal....hands down I still get goosedumps from these songs. I guess that means I can still identify with them...

Bring me to Life..


My Immortal...

Between the Lines...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Jane Austen and any rendition movie companies like to put on my TV of her books. Of course...the BBC always does the best job, probably because they're British and understand all too well Jane's masterpieces. You'll find 'most' women love Jane for the heroines she writes. They're strong women who for one reason or another thinks they'll never find love, mostly because they're women of character who stand behind their beliefs even if it cost them the men they love. But, the most wonderful part about Jane's books are they always end how they should. The strong heroines always learn how to be wiser and the men they love always fight for them. They always see the value in such women. What woman could resist such a author?! A author who doesn't lessin' her heroine to find love...but empowers the heroine to challenge it.

I've been thinking alot about women who lessin' themselves on a daily basis in order to help empower the men in their lives. Oh...what a better world we would have if more women embraced their true strength to challenge their men with love and in doing that empower men to be stronger. No one should ever feel like they need to lessin' themselves to be with someone.

As a true Jane fan, I can identify myself to almost every heroine she created...but if I'm being honest EMMA and Marianne 'SENSE & SENSIBILITY' is where I see myself most. What Jane Austen character are you?

Emma ~ This rendition is great. Emma loves being in the middle of everything. Highly recommend...


Sense & Sensibility ~ I think I've seen this movie a hundred times. To love and lost...just to realize losing isn't always so bad. My heart dreams like Marianne...yet tries usually in vain to guard like Elenor. Such a good movie...


My favorite Marianne scene...Kate Winslet is amazing. After realizing she lost the man she loves she walks in the rain to his estate, which almost kills her. Don't worry like I said before, losing isn't always a bad thing. :-)


So, can anyone tell I watched Jane Austen movies all weekend? Oh...if life could just be a book. :-)

Cong Abbey....

Mom & I exploring the ruins/graves of Cong Abbey. It was a slightly rainy day in Ireland that day.

Taste of St. Patrick

Ok...It's about time I post something from Ireland. Here is a video of me and mom at St. Patricks.

Ireland 2010

I know it's about time I blog about Ireland. I've been waiting because I couldn't decide if I wanted to write about what I journal or wing it. I've decided to wing it. It was a amazing trip. Ireland is a beautiful country full of interesting characters who didn't disappoint. I do have one confession though... Irish & British men know how to dress and groom themselves, but EVEN with that they didn't come close to our good lookin' American boys. Mind you...I WISH American guys would pay more attention to the latest fashions like European men. I went to Ireland with high hopes and came away very disappointed, finding the Gerard Butler's & Jude Law's are NOT the norm.

To say Ireland is a breathtaking country is a understatement. It really did remind me ALOT of Lord of the Rings, which makes since because the author was thinking of western Ireland when he wrote those books. There were certain places in our journey I could of sat and stared at all day. Just standing on the edge of the coastline wondering how many generations have done the same thing before me. You feel very small in those moments and amazed that our God could create it all. When I'm standing by the ocean or looking at natural beauty that's where I found God the most. He's in every detail and I can't deny His presence. I think that's why I love traveling so much. I love discovering my Father everywhere in everything. So, the only question I have is what's next. I really want to go to Italy, Greece and back to the Holy Land. So much to see...I better start saving the pennies again.

THREE DAYS....

THREE DAYS until I'm on vacation...THREE DAYS until I'm on a plane headed to the Celtic land. I've waited 30 years for this and I'm going to enjoy it!! I want to cry just thinking about it. I worked hard and God has blessed me with this reward. My 30s are going to be full of travel and adventure and anything else exciting. :-) I feel like a 10 year old girl finally tall enough to go on the big roller coaster...nervous, excited, in awe that it's finally here. I'm ready...totally and completely ready for the next decade of my life. Let's just see if everybody else is...

How to Speak with an Irish Accent...

Irish Toast of the Day!!

But the greatest love, above all loves,
Even greater than that of a mother,
Is the tender, passionate, undying love
Of one beer drunken slob for another.

WELCOME MARCH!!

Dear March,

I expect a lot from you this month. I expect warmer days, good times, and life changing events. Since you are the month of my birth, I thought I would acknowledge you with a new blog layout. I'm sorry about the ugly orange banner at the top of the screen, but for the life of me I can't figure out how to get it off. Now, March..you are very special to me this year because I'm turning 30. I know, I can't believe it either. So, in the middle of the month I'll be going to Ireland to celebrate my birthday with the Celtic people. I need you to give me wonderful weather and good-looking Irish men while I enjoy my stay in the Celtic land. Also, please keep the pollen away so my allergies won't attack me during this wonderful month of the PISCES. :-)

Thanks in advance (fist bump)!!

ROCK ON!!
Melinda

Breakeven...

Anybody who knows me knows I love 'Heartbreak' songs. I think I identify with them the best. I have alot of experience with being taken for granted, abused, and forgotten. So due to those things I've had my heartbroken over and over by people I've naively trusted. That's why I'll always feel a common bond with those who have walked that same road and lived to tell about it.

This new band I LOVE is called 'The Script'..they have a song out called 'Breakeven'. The leader singer said in a interview when they were writing this song they thought about when you're in a relationship and it slowly goes south..someones heart is always broken more than the other. One cries themselves to sleep...can't eat...loses themselves in grief for awhile...while the other one's getting on with their life like nothing happened. Stating simply when a heartbreak's it don't break even. I love it..it's so true. So enjoy the new band I love and to my fellow brokenhearted friends...The heart is similar to your bones..they might break every now and then...but when they heal (and they always do), they come back stronger.

Snowmageddon 2010 ~ Day 4

Cupcakes in SnowFlake Purgatory..

Ok, so I'm writing this blog a day late, but if you knew the day I had you wouldn't blame me. Well, it wasn't that bad...but I was tired and I had a visitor last night so I didn't feel like it. Yesterday, I woke up early and checked the Internet for metro updates. I found like that the buses in my area weren't running so I was stuck at home for another day. Most of the morning I was checking work email, updating a few projects and completing ethics training. Chewy was not happy the laptop was in my lap instead of him, but he handled it with dignity...for a poodle anyway.

So, mid afternoon I decided to embark on a very ambitious journey. It was finally time to finish un-digging my car. This is where the day really goes in the crapper. Me and the poodle head out but not before I steal a shovel from my neighbor. I get to my car and it has hard packed ice snow up to my windows. I put Chewy in the car on the passenger side and roll down the windows. He likes to watch me do manual labor. I would just like to say my hands were NOT made for manual labor. Now, I like to go on & on about how wonderful it is to be single, but after 2 hours of digging my car out... I was seriously contemplating prostituting myself out in marriage before next winter. Until the blisters on my hands heal it will probably remain up for consideration. Very few of my friends with boyfriends or husbands will ever feel my blister pain. I guess this is karma saying my single freedom still comes at a cost. The cost yesterday was 5 blisters on my girlie hands.

Anywho, I was able to finally get out, but not really go anywhere because the roads are still so bad. I took my sore self back home to my apartment, made dinner, and cupcakes. I had a very nice surprise when my friend Alex was able to come over and enjoy my cupcakes. We watched the end of The Bachelor...Alex explained his desire to date 25 hot women, while I stated Jake was a tool and those girls need to just go back to their underwear modeling. Seriously...23yr old models, crying about how they're never going to find 'The One' makes me want to shoot my face off. Luckily, for ABC I'm a remote flipper and I like making fun of those girls too much to completely ban the show. Anywho..off topic. After Alex left I set my alarm to get up for work in the morning and went to bed. I woke up this morning feeling like a 80 year old woman. I don't know if it's because I was SuperWoman yesterday and kicked Ice Snow's butt or because my butt needs to be in the gym more...either way Snowmageddon officially won this war. And sense our Good Lord has a wonderful sense of humor about Northern Virginia's love of snow, He's decided to drop another 10 or so inches on us as I speak. So, it's safe to say my adventures in SnowFlake Purgatory aren't over quite yet.

Snowmageddon 2010 ~ Day 3

I'm such a bad mother. On day 3 of Snowmageddon I am beyond restless. Chewy is very content just sleeping all day. Every now and then he'll want to take a bathroom break, but other then that he's content sleeping. I on the other hand can't stay still. I'm up, I'm down, I'm randomly spinning around....no really I am. Anywho, around 3:30 I decided to walk to 7/11 half a mile away with Chewy. So, I prepared the poodle with his boots and walked out the door. People just love my dog and I'm such a proud momma when they come up and love on him. He deserves alot of attention. He's a sweet loving little poodle, but I was a horrible mother today.

Half way to the store I noticed Chewy was trailing behind me. At first I thought he was just tired but when I actually stopped and asked him if he was ok. YES...I asked him if he was ok and he started crying. He's holding up his back paw, then front paw, and really crying. I picked him up right away and he shirked. I put him on these stairs beside the sidewalk we were on. I realized I put the socks on too tight and they were hurting him ALOT. I went to take them off and Chewy just yelled everytime I touched his feet. I was on the verge of tears. Yesterday, he was in these socks and everything was fine. Today he's freaking out and people are walking by asking if he's ok...because YES he was causing a scene. I don't blame him though, my pup was in major pain. After removing the socks (which took FOREVER) he hopped around a bit and finally started walking normal again.

We made it to 7/11 and I realized Chewy's not allowed in. Does that stop me....HECK FREAKIN' NO. I'm not leaving my dog tied up outside. Someone might try to steal his sissy little tail. So, I pick up my little dog and carry him inside. With one arm I hold Chewy while in the other arm I grab a Vanilla Coke. There were ALOT of people in that 7/11 too. I was more then a little surprised. On the way back to the apartment Chewy is beyond tired and I'm not going to lie I was too. It's all uneven snow so my feet were hurtin'. I think I pulled a muscle on the top of my foot too. When we finally got home Chewy was running to my apartment door. Since then he's been sleeping on the couch. BTW: His feet seem fine now...mine on the other hand are a different story. Ok...back to the Super Bowl. Go COLTS!!

Snowmageddon 2010 ~ Day 2

So the day is almost over and I sure am tired for doing pretty much nothing all day. Here's how Day 2 went down...

The Poodle and I woke up around 9:30am and chillaxed while watching the History Channel. I just love the history channel. Anywho, below is a picture of Chewy Chillaxin'...

After a few hours of not really moving I decided I was bored and wanted to get out of the apartment. Before I decided to venture out I had a few things to prepare for first. One, put a load of laundry in and two prepare Chewy for the outside elements. If you read yesterday's blog you'll know that Chewy had a incident with frozen paws, so today HAD to be different if our mission was going to be a success. I may not be in the military, but I truly believe in the No Man (or Puppy) Left Behind motto. :-) So, how did I fix the problem? That was easy...I got some old ankle socks put them on Chewy and used hairbands to keep them up. It worked perfectly and Chewy couldn't of been happier. Below are a few pictures from our adventure to find my snow buried car.

We're just walking out my apartment to my car. Chewy is sportin' my socks. :-)

If you can imagine..my car is at the very end of this street. It was easier to walk in the road...Chewy could only hop so long on the sidewalk.

As I was in awww...of all the snow...Chewy got tired and made a rest stop.

Chewy poses with his snow boots for the camera. I would just like to say that even though Chewy looks crazy, his paws never bothered him. We met a sweet couple on our journey who loved his boots and thought he was the cutest dog ever. To that I said...Well, YEAH Captain Obvious. :-) NO, I didn't say that...but I thought it.

Chewy and I finally make it to my car...it's the car buried under all the snow right in front of Chewy. We had to jump over three feet of snow to get to the passenger side. I brought my keys this time and put Chewy in the car while I proceeded to TRY to clean it off.

Chewy jumping over the snow to get to the car.

In the process of trying to undig. Chewy is waiting patiently in the car. Not really...have you met my dog?!

I finally give up and open the door to get Chewy. White snow was all over the inside of my car.

I FREAKIN' GIVE UP!! It took me FOREVER to get even that far. At this point..I'm craving a bubble bath and hot tea.

Now we're finally heading home at the top of the hill. I had my nice bubble bath with scented candles and a book. It was wonderful...I can't believe how tired I am though. It feels like I've been skiing all day or something. I'm wondering if metro buses are even going to be running on Monday now. The roads are so bad even plow trucks are getting stuck. There is a 7/11 down the street about a half a mile. I'm thinking about taking Chewy on another adventure tomorrow. I'm almost out of milk and it could be fun. :-)

Side note: I saw people skiing down South Washington today. So crazy!! lol Also, just took Chewy outside...we've gotten 6 more inches since I cleaned off my car this afternoon. Snowmageggon continues....and OH CRAP....my laundry is still in the dryer..LATTAS.

Snowmageddon 2010 ~ Day 1

So it Begins....Day 1

So, I come to you today as a observer to the Blizzard 2010. I decided to document my adventures because honestly...what the heck else am I goin' do!? My story begins as I disembark the metro bus coming home to take shelter from the impending blizzard. As I stepped off the bus on South Washington Street I decided to walk by my car which already had 2 inches of snow on it. You see, I live off of a adjacent street but my road is VERY hilly and my poor Corolla just doesn't play well in the snow. South Washington Blvd is one of the first plowed so my theory was to un-dig my car every few hours and it won't be so bad come Sunday when I need to escape.

I cleaned off my car and walked the .25 mile to my apartment. I started watching a 'Bones' marathon (seriously that show rocks) and ate my Chinese I picked up on my way home. I decided this snowed in weekend was going to be different. I'm not going to allow myself to be trapped in my cute little apartment with my poodle. Me and Chewy are hitting the streets this weekend. I specifically waited to get his haircut so I wouldn't have to worry about him getting to cold while out and about. After all, Chewy is a dog and they're made to be outside alot, right?! Well, we'll get back to that topic. Anywho, around 8:30 I decided it was time for me and the poodle to go clean off my car... a .25 mile away on South Washington. This is where it gets interesting....

I put Chewy on his leash and head outside. I walked out my front door and it's just breathtaking...so beautiful. It's amazing how beautiful something so annoying can be. Anyway...Chewy goes hopping along...he has to. He's short and the snow is up to his belly. One of my wonderful neighbors is outside trying to stay ahead of the snow and shoveling, so Chewy & I stop and chat for a few. Then we go along our merry way...



We had a fun little walk to the car...down the hill, up another slight hill, across South Washington and Hello Toyota. My car had another 3 inches on it. I started getting the snow off and suddenly my puppy started whining. I looked down at my snow covered poodle and suddenly I realize....NOT all dogs are made for this kind of weather. My pitiful little poodle was holding up his back paw and crying for my attention. So, what did I do? Well, I reached into my pocket for my car keys, so I could warm Chewy up in the car, but soon realized I left my keys in my apartment. CRAP!! Snow is coming down like crazy now...I have a whining poodle and I STILL have 3 inches of snow on my car. I pick up my sissy dog, cuddle him in my coat, and proceeded to get the snow off my freakin' car. A older gentleman was shoveling the apartment sidewalk next to my car when he saw I was holding my poor little shivering dog in my arms. I told him I guess poodles weren't meant for blizzards. He walked over gave Chewy a 'awwww poor thing' then turns to me and says, "Poor little guy, I know want he's going through. I was a dog in my past life." To that I said..."wow...you must of been a good dog because God gave you boots and gloves this time around." :-) The older man laughed and said, "Why Yes He did!" So, as I walked back to my apartment in the snow up a hill with a silly poodle in my arms I couldn't help but think...I Love This Crazy City and MAN I WISH I didn't laugh so hard at those doggy boots I saw at Petsmart. They really would come in handy right now, even if I look like a crazy pet owner. Please rest assured, my devoted blog readers...Chewy is fine. Half way back to the apartment I put him back on the ground where he very happily hopped up the hill then did what he does best.....Picture Below.



You're Welcome!! :-)

ROBBED...

Anybody who knows me knows I love movies. I love all kinds of movies from comedy, to action, to horror, so when I find a movie that I think is creative genius I say so. SO...here it goes. Inglorious Basterds is one of the best movies put together in recent years. It keeps you guessing while entertaining you the whole time. Now, if you're someone who hates violence, this movie isn't for you. I on the other hand enjoy a good action scene and this movie delivers.

So, why am I writing today? Because I believe with all my heart that Brad Pitt was ROBBED this year from a Oscar nomination. Can this guy get a break? I'm not the biggest Brad Pitt fan but the man is a amazing actor. I mean, forget about the hundreds of kids and his crazy 'life' partner. The guy has put out amazing characters after amazing characters. He rocks all of them and none of those movies would be the same with any other actor. Yet, year after year Brad Pitt gets snubbed by the Academy. So, on behalf of the fans who feel he's under appreciated I say..."You're Best Actor in our book Brad! Keep bringing those awesome character's to life and maybe somebody Hollywood will get a clue and give you your Oscar! Until then, I'll see you at the movies!"

Spoiled

So today I was thinking…I have a dog that adores me, a family that loves me and great friends who tolerate me…which lead me to the conclusion that I’m spoiled. I have a roof over my head every night, warm blankets to keep me warm, and plenty of food in the frig…which has marked me as blessed. I have a great job with people I love working with in the most amazing city in the world (DC, I know I’m bias)…which is rare in the professional world. I am so spoiled I can hardly stand it. Now, most of the people reading this could probably say they are blessed with all of the same things more or less….so why do we concentrate on all the things we don’t have? For example, I don’t own my place, I’m not debt free yet (college loans ugh..), I haven’t traveled all over the world, and I’m still single. These are the major issues in my life.

This weekend I was watching some of the coverage on Haiti and I couldn’t stop thanking God for His blessings in my life JUST THE WAY IT IS. I’m glad I don’t own my own place yet…I’ll appreciate it more when I do. I can’t say I’m glad I’m not debt free, but I CAN say that I know that responsibility has taught me a few hard lessons which I’ll teach my children some day. The world isn’t going anywhere so I can always save to go on one of my dreamed adventures (Ireland in March :-) ). And lastly…I’m so glad I’m single. I’m unlike most girls who feel incomplete without somebody. I feel 100% whole…I find singleness a blessing from God, but only if you take advantage of it. I have freedom that sadly a lot of women don’t. I love that freedom and someday I’ll turn in a little of that to the right guy, but for now I’m not stressing about it. I’d rather be single and happy…then trapped and alone in a unhappy marriage. So, you see….the things I could complain about aren’t really issues.


The people of Haiti on the other hand are in a horrible unimaginable situation. It looks like deaths are going to hit 200,000. 200,000 THOUSAND!! The people of Haiti already had a horrible roll of the dice to begin with, so after the earthquake it’s a devastated nation. Look what happened to America after 9/11 and that was 10% of what the Haitians lost. So, as I watched this coverage on my television unroll I couldn’t think of one thing in my life to ever complain about. How could I, when I’m watching a people will REAL problems being pulled from building after building? So, this blog is about putting your small issues in perspective…thinking outside yourself…and thinking of ways to reach out to someone with REAL problems. I love how my frontline community and office are having fundraisers for Haiti. I’m hoping to be involved as many as possible whether through financial support, service or prayers. Let us pray diligently that God will restore these people like He restored Job (“You will pray to Him, and He will hear you” Job 22:27) and that His glory will shine through all of their sadness.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, through the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” Psalm 46:1-2




This is the only drinking water most have.



Natalie lost both her parents.





Father, send your strength and comfort to your people during this hard time. Restore their hearts, mind, and bodies while they rebuild their lives. And may we always strive to reach out to others in love through service to You. Thank you Lord, for Your many blessings to one underserving spoiled child.

Frontline..Isn't that the party church?

One thing I can't stand more then anything is a fake person. But not just any fake person...a fake Christian person. The reason?? Because they're not just giving themselves a bad name, but all of us who strive to be a genuine vessels for Christ. Now, nobody is perfect by any means but its so frustrating to see friends partying like it's 1999 on Saturday night then lifting their hands in praise Sunday night. If that sickens me...I can't even imagine how that breaks the heart of God. Didn't He ask us to be different? Aren't we suppose to be a Light in the world? I can't even tell you how many 'Christian' parties I've been to where I see 'booty' dancing...excessive drinking...and 'OMG What is she wearing?'

So...THIS is for my Frontline community!!!

'The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.' I John 2:17

WHERE the HECK is the accountability?! I've seen small group go out partying together. I've been small group leaders dirty dancing on top of bars. I've seen myself running out of 'Christian' parties because the environment was choking me. Now, we're not suppose to judge the world because they don't know God...BUT we ARE suppose to judge one another. So...all of you quiet Christians who feel the same way I do, but don't want to be seen as judging need to start speaking out. We're suppose to hold each other accountable. When someone is 'fake' in our community we should be calling them out. They are discrediting our Savior's name and what He died for. We are in a community that high fives the immature. We're NOT in college anymore..it's time for us to grow up and cling to the responsibilities we've been running from. BUT most importantly it's time for us to be SERVING... Serving our community...not just going on GI trips. Those are wonderful..but what are you doing after the trips? McLean Bible needs willing servants every week and it's shocking how many Frontlines aren't involved. Frontliners who are at every party..every dance..every activity...but run if asked to serve. If as Christians we're suppose to be Christ like...that means we're suppose to serve. Serve others like He did...that means it's serving FIRST and fun activities second.

'For it is not those that hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, BUT it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.' Romans 2:13

Now...I know this blog seems harsh, but honestly it's coming from a place of love. As I'm speaking it to you, I'm speaking it too myself as well. It's so easy to get caught up in the fun frontline activities that we forget the REAL reason we're even there. Frontline isn't there for us to always have party buddies. It's a community that should be challenging each other to grow up...not encourage the opposite. Men start leading like you were called to do. Women stop falling victim to what the world says you should be...and start becoming power houses of the faith like Deborah. BUT...the most important thing we need to start doing is stop being FAKE. Your actions show where your heart is...and lets be honest most of our communities hearts are on Saturday Night and faking it for Sunday. So...where does change start? It can only start with us....

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them."
Isaiah 42:16