Everything:infravermelho

yesterday 7 of us youth groupers went camping on Hope Island with Justin. I was glad I was able to go since my camping has been lacking this summer, sad. The highlight of the trip BY FAR was when we spent yesterday afternoon hunting and killing CRAB for dinner! I had never had crab before, let alone catching them fresh out of the water and eating them! It was good, took me a little while to get down the taste, but it was really fun cracking the shells open myself [with a little help...] and eating them.

we also went on a walk and saw a couple deer. which mikey successfully shot with a sling shot, so funny.

I also got my BRACES off yesterday! my teeth feel weird.

tomorrow Im going shopping with Storm [random I know] and then I'll be in Renton the rest of the weekend celebrating Matt's birthday with him. Actually, he really doesnt like birthday's, so hold the celebrating.

[dont worry Im not REALLY getting alzheimers]

yesterday was a fantastic day! I went out to Twanoh to hang out with all of my extended family. It felt so good to lay in the sun and ride in the boat. I hurried back to get ready for the play in time. It was a hit! I really have enjoyed the dress rehearsals and helping the guys do their hair and makeup =) hehe.










The play was a real hit. The house was packed and everyone laughed a lot. Molly and I did really good on our lines, and even when we forgot a couple we, very smoothly, [thanks to a little help from RYAN!] got back into them. Afterwards the cast served pie and ice cream to everyone. It was SO GREAT talking to everyone and thanking them for coming, everyone complimented us, and the elders enjoyed it even more because they said they could totally relate to us. It felt really good that everyone liked it. I finally feel like it's worth it now.

While we were serving pie I was really hot, so hot, I said, that I wish I could "Jump in a lake." And it all went downhill from there...











Justin was AWESOME and came with us to take pictures. [we make him feel young again]

I love what summertime brings. Besides the obvious "sunshine, swimming, and complete anarchy" I love the things that we dont notice as much.

I love that summer brings old friends home so you can see them more often [like Nikki and Brian Weza! I miss you guys!]

I love that summer brings us MORE TIME. To do whatever. Blog, read, cook, shop, jog, [yog], or just think.

I love that summer brings us old things that we havent done in a while. Like going to the lake, an outdoor concert, or an all-nighter with friends.

I also love that everyone makes the most out of summer. You dont hear people saying "Man I wish I could just fast forward until fall!" Living in total freedom really puts you in the "Be Here Now" mindset.

I have really been trying to eat healthy this past month. And along the way I am learning that some foods are really amazing. I have been eating as little dairy and sugar as I can, and cut out caffeine completley. These are some foods I have been relying on daily to get as much protein, fiber, calcium, and Vitamin C as I can:

Eggs: Eggs are loaded with nutrients and protein, but not high in calories. And for all you PREG-O'S out there... Eggs have nurtirents that are especially helpful to you such as choline, iron, and folate.

Peanut Butter: I have been eating chunky peanut butter in the morning on whole wheat toast and it keeps me really full. 2 table spoons has 7 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, and only 3 grams of sugar! Peanut butter is amazing!

Kashi Chewing Cherry & Dark Chocolate granola bars: These babies are GOOOOD. One bar only has 8g of sugar, but 4g of fiber and 5g of protein! I love eating these instead of like... a blended mocha. BLEH!

All Natural Orange Juice: Since I'm not eating any dairy I drink this orange juice for calcium and vitamin C [Vitamin C really helps if you have acne because it contains collagen, which helps skin heal faster, FYI]

Nectarines: I think nectarines are my new favorite fruit. I take them everywhere whenever I need a snack [or a boost in blood sugar] and they're easier for me to eat as compared to a hard apple.

Green tea: I think that everyone has heard that green tea has many healthy benefits. I drink it because it has powerful antioxidants in it and has little to no caffeine.

Just thought I would pass along to you what I am learning... in case you were looking for something similar.

I know that some of you MIGHT not be able to tell, but this month has been truly AMAZING for me! God has really been working in me. I recently started talking to him, reading my bible, and doing journaling devotions everyday again. This is after many months of silence on my part.

I can say that I have been feeling so much better lately. I realize now some things that were really putting a hurt on my life. Things like insecurity [probably the number one thing], stubbornness, and just having a negative attitude altogether. I feel the need to apologize to everyone who has been a victim of me in these areas [haha]. Matt got the most of it, but praise the Lord, he still loves me!

Everything has really been a daily struggle with me. Praying everyday for God to bring me confidence, patience, and to only be who HE made me and not long to be anyone else.

Lately Phillipians 4:13 [I think it's verse 13, you know how the Message is!] has really been inspiring me. Paul says it:

"I've found the recipe for being truly happy, whether full or hungry, hands empty or full. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through in the One who makes me who I am."

wonderful.

"Night at the Naz" was wonderful last night. It really felt like back in the good ol' days of going to Floodgate, SNOW, and Beach to dance and praise our little hearts out. Only this time it was different for me, it was BETTER. Because I wasnt just dancing and singing, I was REALLY praising God. With all my heart. I really hope that those continue! And side note to Justin: you have come a long way in leading worship! I'm... proud... of you?

I am SO EXCITED, I get my braces off a week from tomorrow! Okay... I felt like, 12 years old when I said that sentence. THAT is really my main point of excitment this week? yah okay... im 12. But come on!

this week will be good:

tomorrow: mason lake day, HOLLA!

wednesday: painting Lauree's room

thursday: ortho appt., play dress rehearsal

friday: play [you need to come!]

saturday: play, then cast party

sunday: molly + youth band is leading worship and Justin is preaching! =)

monday: absolutley nothing

tuesday: hello braces free face

I have recently been reconsidering graduating early. As much as I would LOVE to graduate this year, I really dont think I can handle the strain, as the class schedule is borderlining on impossible. So I will do Running Start this year and then continue it next year. I do like the idea of moving out at the end of next year, however. My mom said she moved out when she was 17, and she wouldnt protest to me doing so either. Maybe move up to Renton or Seattle and continue community college? I'm not really sure, and I'm not in any rush to figure it out, don't worry. I'm just pondering the future.

For those of you who attended art night GET THIS: Justin and I have just recently been discussing combining Rock for Sudan with an art night theme. With a special t-shirt focus! more details to come... oh yah, and PLEASE tell everyone you know about Rock for Sudan, I can't do it all myself! thanks! =)

so... just thought I would catch all of you up on what's been going on in my life lately!

I feel discouraged because the carwash was more than UNsuccessful today.
I feel discouraged because 3 people came to help me and we quit early because we were all tired.

I feel discouraged because I am practically screaming at the top of a hill but everyone just keeps walking by me with their ears closed.

I feel like I am just getting CRITICISM CRITICISM CRITICSIM from the people closest to me. And the other people who arent as close to me are just giving me fake promises and encouragment.

I am ready to give up.

I havent posted a blog in a while. This past week Matt and I have been doing Rock for Sudan stuff. I am having a car wash tomorrow at the AmPm/Arco gas station from 10-2. I'm hoping to make enough money to buy all of the t-shirts for Brian. He's going to make them for me to sell at the concert.

So far things are [mostly] coming along. I have yet to get over the speed bump of filling up all the band spots, but I'm not worried. Matt has been a big help since he is totally connected with a lot of bands.

If you want to come help me tomorrow at my car wash I would REALLY appreciate it, I DO NOT have enough help.

I got to work this morning and looked at the schedule. I had been scheduled for NO more hours [excpet this Sunday which I already knew about] for the whole month of August.

Then I see a note for me on the wall. It says something like "blah blah blah, one of the girls isnt going away to college anymore so I can't give you anymore hours until another spot opens up. Sorry, blah blah blah"

well this was a nice waste of time.

bowling with the YOUth church tonight was really fun - I REALLY enjoy summer youth group activities even though there's no "YOUth Church".

a more important thought:

I really love the sense of community that is forming around the YOUth Church and c3, fostered mostly by Justin. [I know you're not supposed to glorify one person in GOD'S work, but he IS doing A LOT of work here!]

Invite-your-friends things like "Island lake days", wednesday night bowling, film+theology, the up and coming "Art night", Rock for Sudan, and "A Plane to Somewhere" put on by the Shelton Community Theatre, all make me really excited for things to come in c3 and for this community.

[click on the c3 link to see more details about all these events]

I really do see c3 as becoming a community center that attracts youth. to be honest with you, I think a lot of community centers go un-used because even though their target is a positive enviornment for youth, their activities/culture/mindset are not.

I mean come on....

art night?

open mic?

community theatre?

ROCK FOR SUDAN?!

this will get big.

Last night I fell asleep at 4am. WHY WHY WHY?! I could not figure out WHY I could not go to sleep! I havent been drinking caffeine and I was exhausted! This afternoon I looked on the bottle of headache medicine I took around 10pm last night and the main ingredient: caffeine.

I get UNIMAGINABLY bad head aches every evening/night and I dont know why. I guess they could be trying to cut out caffeine, but why only at night? They hurt so bad.

Tomorrow I am going to church because Justin told me I should and sit with him and Kristi.

Sometimes I'm really glad people don't give up on you. Even if it's just one person.

this week has been one of the greatest weeks for me in such a long time! besides the fact that Makenna head-butted me last night and gave me a bloody nose [ouch, it still hurts].

I have been doing a devotioni everyday and actually praying. I have been reading bit by bit of Corinthians 13 and writing out ways that this applies to mine and Matt's relationship. I can already notice a difference. I am happier, more patient, and a lot more secure, which are all things that I REALLY struggled with before this week. Matt has noticed a difference too. I really am a lot happier.

On Wednesday me, Kristen, Molly, Nikki, Lauree, and Judy all went to the place Lauree was house sitting at for the night. Nikki was telling me things that would help clear up my acne. Things like not eating sugar or dairy, getting more pro-biotecs [yes those are mini robots!], and using a more natural skin care routine. So yesterday I went to Fred Meyer and bought lots of organic fruits, veggies, a super drink called Kambucha [which has real live-cultures and is considered magic in the Himilayans], and nothing containing dariy or added sugar. I also bought some burts bees Garden Tomato face soap and toner, and a blemish stick. I'm really looking forward to how my new routine works out, I'll keep you updated!

Justin and I met on Tuesday to discuss Rock for Sudan and decided this years' concert would be at c3 again. I immediatley started e-mailing bands to book and so far we have The Mary Celeste [a local shelton rock band!], Elijah Grindstaff [AMAZING acoustic act!], Truce [some of the nicest guys], and Slowly we Survive [who is way into the cause, and aimed at an older crowd. like late twenties +]

Needless to say I am excited! and a bit anxious about pulling everything together in a month.