Story Time

First I want to say a quick HAPPY SABBATH to everyone and a special hello to all of my girls at Southern. Tina, I miss going across the room and getting your fashion advice (even though I never took any...hehe). Emily, I never did ask you, but I borrowed a few things (smiles). That was cool. Lisa(movie night in your room was the best!), Melissa (my crazy cool gym-master roomie), Liz, Christina(my almost roomie - *tear), Alison (Birthday Buddy!), Renee (Queen of the seas, or swimming pool), Katie (keep our carmel-apple tradition alive), and all you boys, maybe I'll give a hello next time!

The Latest Happenings
Last weekend was our annual family campout. Usually we go to Canada or Glacier Nat. Park, but this year we decided to be a little more intense and go backpacking. It was only a two mile hike in to a really beautiful lake. On the way up the mountain, we spotted the coolest moose with a huge rack and a long, scraggly beard. We was only about 20 feet from the trail. We looked around to find the tree we would throw ourselves behind if he decided to charge. But no such happenings.

We got to our campsite and did all the great things that camping brings: pitching tents, roasting vega-links (for those vegetarians out there), trying to stay warm and finding our bathroom amoung the trees. It's all great. However, when you have to sleep in the same tent as your brother, it can prove to be a little ify. But I guess his snoring could have been a blessing to keep the bears at bay. We'll never know...

I woke up the next morning, upzipped the tent, and just had to laugh. Here we were up a mountain, trying to have a relaxing time with the fam (or pads as Renee B. likes to say) and it is snowing! Keep in mind this is late summer. Overall it was a worthwhile trip, except for the soping wet shoes, but a little shocking about the snow.

Here's today's verse.
"Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life;
don't for a minute lose sight of them.
They'll keep your soul alive and well,
they'll keep you fit and attractive.
You'll travel safely,
you'll neither tire nor trip.
You'll take afternoon naps without worry,
you'll enjoy a good night's sleep.
No need to panic over alarms or surprises,
or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner,
Because GOD will be right there with you;
he'll keep you safe and sound.
Proverbs 3:21-26

I'm a bit of a worrier. So when I read this, it gives me a little more comfort in knowing God's in control of everything. It makes me strive to think clearly and gain wisdom to keep my nerves calmed especially with all the destruction going on in the world. God's coming is just around the corner and it's SO exciting!

Memory Lane

The men in black are figuring out where we are...

This was a fun time when we had three working cars! Emily's pooped out on us at some gas station late at night. Cramming tons of luggage and bodies into two vehicles is definitely a memorable experience.
Surfing the waves of Pismo Beach.

Since I don't have my camera to post pictures, I thought I would take some from the past and do a little reminiscing. These are pictures from the road trip after my high school graduation in 2004. The gang included Aaron Hayes, Phillip Sherwood, Emily Wilkens, Danelle Smith, Aaron Vizcarra, Caleb Nelson, Melissa Ekvall, Dustin Billington, Ryan Yeo and myself. However, once we got to Ryan's house in Pismo, we picked up two new travelers, Amiee (Ryan's friend) and Katrina (Ryan's younger sister). Fun times, huh guys?

On another note, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREW VIZCARRA! You are now 16 years old...What are you gonna do next?

Rabbit, Rabbit!

That's right...I got you (the reader) along with Aaron Vizcarra, Dustin Billington and Ryan Yeo on speaker phone this morning. I'm feeling lucky already. HI DUSTY! HI YEO DAWG! That one's for you...

Well, my camera is still on the loose somewhere. If any MIVODEN STAFF are reading this that are still at camp...you might find it somewhere there. Call me if you do, thanks! I would have posted a really cool picture of me in my new scrubs. This week I have been volunteering at a dental office in town. The dentist goes to our church and is actually Ashley's father-in-law. :) It's kinda weird saying that...Anyway, I've gotten to do a whole bunch of assisting. It's so fun! Wearing the mask can be a little suffocating (Danelle and Emily can reminisce with me how in Borneo that mask was killer hot to wear) and the glasses sometimes get fogged up because of the mask. It doesn't seem to be a very efficient means of dentistry, but the girls (the dental assistants that are coaching me) said I'd get the hang of it. I wash my hands a million times a day and my A&P skills seem to be helping me out while I learn the tool names...Fun times. Remember that Danny Lamberton while you're taking that class! Study, study...wait...this is Danny I'm talking to...nevermind.

In other news, I wish I could show Aaron & Andrew Vizcarra my car after I gave her a good shining today. I washed the outside, the tires, rims, vacuumed, cleaned windows inside and out, and polished the dash. Oh heck yeah! I even filled up the winshield wiper fluid! Yeah, I think you two will be the only ones interested in that news. hehe
More later...hopefully with pictures, pray!