PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!

Because he is AWESOME!!!!

Okay, let's start with the small stuff: our dryer's broken, and has been for two weeks, so we've been washing clothes and then taking them to the laundry mat. Then today my nephew-in-law (I know, it sounds weird) walked in and started asking questions about why and when and how and all that stuff that mechanically minded people care about. Then he started pulling plugs and low and behold: the dryer works!!!!!!!!!!! The plug that it was plugged into was broken . . . is broken . . . doesn't work . . . whatever. So now, we get to dry clothes here!!! AND, our kitchen facet has been broken, and Mike (my nephew-in-law) is coming down tomorrow to fix that too!!!!

Now for something of medium size: I'm not in San Francisco!!!!! (Read following to understand why.)

Okay, something a little bigger (much bigger really): My dad has regained his senses. He is (mentally) back to his old self, complete with quick-witted remarks and a joy in picking on me. Mom decided that since Dad was no longer A.W.O.L, she didn't need me to go with her to San Fran, and I could get much more done here; so I stayed here and got LOADS of stuff done today, which always makes me feel better!!!!!

Dad say his heart doctor today, and the shingles and his heart are under control, what we're focusing on now is the spot on his lung. The doctors are running more tests tomorrow and then in a week or ten days Mom and Dad are going back to San Fran to see the oncologist about the cancer spot on Dad's lung. It's nothing to sneeze at, but it's nothing to freak out about either.

I'm going to go, I'm on kid patrol. I can't thank you all for your prayers, I know that they made the difference. I love you all!!! Happy New Year!!!!

Natasha

Merry Christmas!!!!

If you have looked at the date and time on this post, you will realize that it's 7 o'clock on Christmas morning. You might ask why any self respecting college student would be up at 7 o'clock on a Sunday, during a break, on Christmas morning, let alone posting on her blog!!! Well, here's the answer: I'm kinda sick, so my head is draining and all the icky gross snot stuff makes it REALLY hard to sleep. AND, I guess there's still enough kid left in me that I have to have something to do if I'm going to wait for the rest of the house to get up!!!

Before I forget: Delsiri, that comment you left brightened my morning, I know that it's true, but it's still good to hear it every now and then!! Thank you SOOO much!!!

In other news: (Although this really just turned out to be a prayer list.)
Dad Update: He had shingles, they are healing but are still very painful. His blood pressure was WAY high, it has come down and has started to even out. He went into the hospital in Chico (Enloe) on Tuesday night, and came home Friday around 3 pm. He has been confused since Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, the doctors said when you have a person of his age, who's sick and you then you take them out of their comfort zone and put them in a place where they don't know anyone and the people are constantly changing, that confusion is not uncommon. This scares my family the most, because we've dealt with the physical before, we know we can handle that. This is the area where we will have to be trusting in God even more. He has gotten a little better as far as the confusion goes, but if what the doctors said was right, then after being home for almost two full days, there should be marked improvement, and there's not, so again, we're having to trust in God and wait for His plan. The last thing is that they did an X-RAY of his long, and found a black spot. They did a biopsy on Friday morning, and have determined that it is cancerous, we don't know for sure to what extent, but the doctors sounded somewhere between hopeful and serious. Please continue to pray for my Dad, the physical is hard but we've done it before, and while it's good to have him home it's also trying to see him in such a state of confusion.

In a recent discussion with one of my best friends, we got to talking about the Lord. He (my friend) has a very negative perception of Our Father, and while I've been trying to lead as an example for years, this conversation was the first real one we've had on the subject. He's very . . . conflicted. This friend is VERY important to me, and I would appreciate your prayers for him also - when we talked, the words were ALL God's, because I could never have gotten through it on my own without breaking down, but God gave me strength - I know that God is in this situation, but please pray for patience and the right words for me, and an open heart for my friend.

My niece has recently decided to be baptized in our church in Gridley!! This is very good news, and I would again ask for your prayers as she starts to learn what it is to live a life for God!!!

Ummm, let's see.........oh, more on Dad. His regular doctors are in San Francisco (for those of you who don't know, my Dad had a heart transplant almost 14 years ago, and it took place in San Francisco, so his 'regular doctors' are his heart doctors.) and they want to see Dad next week. What this means is that I will be going down to San Francisco with my Mom to take my Dad to see those doctors on Tuesday, and I have NO idea how long we will be there. Again, please pray - I'm worried about what they will find, and about how I will spent whatever time is spent there.

I can't think of anything else that's going on in my life . . . one thing my sister always says, "It's never dull around our house!" And she's right, please keep me and my family in your prayers, we appreciate it!!!

Love always,

Natasha

P.S. While all this post is is prayer requests, please feel free to send me yours, I would LOVE to pray for you too!!!

GOD is good . . .

It's true, He is. And I love Him for it. Quick update - things are okay but crazy here. Dad REALLY needs prayer, so if you all would pray for him, I would appreciate it!!! He's having health problems and memory problems and it's just not good, so please pray.

Also, I have a unspoken prayer request (Well, it's spoken, just undefined), please pray that God continues to give me the right words, and that hearts and minds are opened!!!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good morning!!! (It;s 1:17, that's morning!!!!)

Natasha

Home, Home, Home, Home - HOME -

"It won't be long before we'll all be there with . . . 'a lil ole snowflake, Eskimo pie, chocolate and vanilla for you and I! Boom de de boom de de boom de de boom."

I love that movie!!!! And brownie points to anyone besides Rebecca who can tell me what it's from!!!! As you guessed, I'm home, for three weeks. Three long weeks. Christmas, New Year's, recuperation. That's the plan, and lots and lots of work. Lots and lots of it.

That's pretty much all I can say . . . finals are over (obviously), don't have grades yet cuz the stupid site won't work. Allergies are acting up, who's surprised?

Umm . . . okay. So that's all, I hope you all have a great break and I'm sure that I'll talk to you all between now and then. I love you all!!

Merry Christmas, and don't forget the Reason for the Season!

Love in Christ,

Natasha

5 down 1 to go!!!!!!!!!!

I am now at this moment only 2 and a half hours away from being DONE with finals this semester!!!! Granted I don't get to go home until Friday after work, but who cares?!?!? Finals will be done!!!!

Love to all, good luck if you're also taking finals!!!!

Natasha

I'm Sorry!!!

I am TERRIBLY sorry!!! I just got a comment and checked and low and behold it has been 13 days which now that I think of it is not really that long since I posted. But I do apologize, and do to the fact that I have some time right now, it is a rare thing you know, I'm going to update you!!!

First off, finals are in full swing now: I had 6 to start with and finish my third and fourth one today, only two left!!!! Music Theory and English 1220 tomorrow, and then I'm done!!! Of course I'm not leaving until Friday, but that's okay because it just gives me time to settle before going home!!!

Besides finals not much else is going on. One of my roommates is moving to a new dorm, and I'm kind of apprehensive about getting someone new.......

I'm excited about Christmas, it's going to be different this year: but I've decided different is good, different is necessary, and different can be good if you let it. I'm reading a book right now on the traditions of Christmas (That might make a good post.....) and how they have changed and evolved over the centuries, pretty interesting!! And it makes me think of how traditions have changed just in my own life. Like when I was little I, being the youngest would wake everyone up. Not so anymore, the past two years, mom has had to come wake me up to start the Christmas festivities. When my grandparents came up for Christmas all the time, Grandpa was 'Santa' and passed out the presents; now I do it. Mom used to do stockings for my sister and I, now I do it for Jocelyn and she does it for me. And I think about traditions that I remember starting; Jocelyn making cinnamon roles at 2 am and eating them fresh from the oven on Christmas morning, eating with Karen and her bunch, going out to eat at a fast food restaurant and exchanging gifts with the girls from school. Traditions are interesting things, and they are more numerous than you would think.

I can tell you one thing for sure: I am ready to be out of this dorm full of lots of girls with issues and loud voices and rude comments. I never thought going home would sound so good, but it does!!! And I get to see people, and hang out with those that I love, it's going to be GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!


This won't be my last post until Christmas, but Merry Christmas anyway!!! And I want to hear from all of you about your traditions and Christmas Plans!!!!

Love always,

Natasha

Random.....

Hey, can I help it if I like snow? It was totally random though, last week it was 60 degrees and then Monday it SNOWED!!! And now it's 44 degrees!!! Complete craziness!!!

Umm....finals start in 12 days...... I have two finals, two exams and a paper due. One of my finals is the week before; and at least one of the exams will be fairly simple.
This weekend we're having a floor gift exchange and a dorm wide christmas party. I'm working this weekend at two games, and next weekend at...I'm not sure how many.
Monday night I'm going home for half an hour - to take pictures for the Church Directory - and then coming back up for a final the next morning.

At the moment I'm taking a break from a 'Nutritional Assessment' that is due tomorrow. I had to write down everything I ate for three days, and then go find how much protein, carbs, fat, vitamins etc was in it. Boring and time consuming. But I'm listening to Christmas music so it can't be all bad!!!

I'm going to go do homework now. Later.

Natasha

SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Need I say more?

Yep, that's right. November 28, 2005 in snowed in Redding, and this crazy girl got REALLY excited about it because she had never been ANYWHERE when it was snowing (that she can remember) and has only played in the snow like twice.

So here are some pictures!!!!
This is me and my roomies in the SNOW:

On the right is my building, Irwin, and on the left is the boys, Thompson.


Isn't it pretty!?!?!?!?!?

So that's the tale I have to tell you - all about a girl who grew up surrounded by the rice fields where it didn't snow!!!!

I hope you all have a very good week and that you are all safe and warm!!!!

Love to all,

Natasha

Thanksgiving....

A time to eat - indeed. But more than that, I time to be home....for FOUR WHOLE DAYS!!!!!!! With free laundry!!! Good food!!!! And my cat!!!!!!!!! I'm really excited!!! But I don't have the energy to be all philosophical at the moment - my allergies act up down here, another 'joy' of being at home.
Other than that, not much is going on: Turkey Day tomorrow, Grandma and Grandpa leave on Friday. Monday school starts again.

I hope you all have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving, and remember that it's about more than just food!

Love all,

Natasha

Sunrise....

I know for some this word brings nothing but horror. For me - it brings thoughts of joy and beauty....and (this morning) wind. I got up at 6:30 this morning and looked out my window. What I saw caused me to immediately get up and get dressed, grab my camera and my id card (Don't want to get locked out at 6:30 in the morning!!!) and run outside. I spent the next 15 minutes standing by the bench thingy (the technical term in terminus apparently) taking pictures. I watched the pink clouds fade to first a soft and then a brighter yellow as the sun got higher. I couldn't actually stay to watch the full sunrise, not only because I had to get ready but because it was REALLY windy and I was FREEZING.
Sunrises, sunsets, mountains, clouds, trees...... God is such a PHENOMENAL artist. And not only does he paint it, but he shares it with us: more so than any earthly artist could, because we live and breathe God's art, we can touch it and taste it....we are God's art.

I love the sunrise. I love being up that early, I love watching it, and I love knowing that I just watched one of God's little miracles.

This is a picture of the sky this morning:


And this is a picture of the sunrise the day after graduation. I won't go into detail - because the two who were there with me know what it means.


I hope that everyone chooses to see the sun rise at one point in your life.


Natasha

Just a note...

I would like to point to the second paragraph of the post I posted (sounds weird...whatever) on October 16th. Read it, and abide by it. I will not give if I do not get, because I don't like to monopolize the conversation. A debate is no good if there's only one person. Update me, or you will hear no more from me.

Feeling very out of the loop,

Natasha

Bloggin....

Ok, I know it's been forever - I really will TRY to post more often. But that's all you're getting: I'll try.

As stated in the previous post, I went home two weekends ago!!! Friday was the game, and Saturday I packed up all of the stuff that was left in my room. If you know me, or have ever been in my room - you know that I like stuff, colorful stuff EVERYWHERE. On the walls and the furniture and the floor. And when I was all done, it looked like someone had just moved in. It was really sad, and I can't wait to go home for Thanksgiving and see what Karen has done with it!! (Karen, consider this a hint to DO something fun in there! I left it boring, and we both know that neither or us are boring people!) Now all my stuff is in boxes and tubs and bags piled in the middle of my parents floor.
Sunday I went to church and that was really fun because I hadn't been to Gridley in a month and a half!!! After church, I rushed home, Becc got there, we frantically loaded the car, and raced back up here. And I mean raced. Really really raced because Becc had to be back for practice. Sunday evening I went out with Joce, and then it was Monday and that means back to class.
Last week was the last week of volleyball.....still not sure how I feel about that. I'm glad that now I will at least have time to sleep, but it's a little sad - that could have been my last week ever. But then it doesn't seem like I've done much of 'volleyball' lately. I mean yeah, I went to practices, (everyone that I didn't have to work through), but I didn't get to go full on hardcore getting icky and sweaty and coming up with bruises and scrapes that turn into scars which make great war stories!! I miss that, I miss being so sweaty after practice that....I won't gross you out with the details, but you get the point.
Other than that....Wednesday was Thanksgiving Dinner in the cafe, and then my prayer group went to Starbucks and carved soap. Friday Krystal and I went to a concert for concert credit (a requirement for all music majors and minors). After the concert there was a moving showing in the cafe, so I went to that with all my roomies and the girls across the hall. Saturday I worked for seven hours, which was AWESOME, at least it will be awesome when I get paid. Saturday night I slept for 10 hours. That's right, 10. That hasn't happened since....................maybe sometime this summer, but I wouldn't count on that. Sunday I went out to lunch with Joce, Rachel and Rebecca. In the afternoon there was a Handbells, Percussion and Jazz Band concert, and I went to that (not only for concert credit but) to see Becc play in the Handbells choir!!! And then I started in on the homework. I feel like I didn't get much done, and I was REALLY tired, because I'm not used to sleeping that much!!! Last night was horrible, I tossed and turned all night, woke up and couldn't go back to sleep. And still had to get up early enough to practice my clarinet before an 8:30 class!!!

Since that class, I have been to four others, and practiced my clarinet for almost two hours. Now I'm sitting in my room updating you. Avoiding my homework, and starting to worry about all that I have to do........

On the flip side, I was reading Ezra, and it is SO awesome to read the Bible, and have stuff correlate with what I learned in World Civ!!!! King Cyrus of Persia!!! I know who he is and I know what he did!!! It's SOOO awesome!!!!!

What else cool happened this week? Hmmmmm..... this week I am going to take and probably fail the English Competency Exam again (Don't panic, I can take it as many times as I need to, and it only has to be completed before graduation.) And then on Wednesday I have a World Civ Exam and my private lessons for clarinet. Thursday looks to be pretty empty, and Friday I have classes and then work and then I'm going down to Magalia for a Missions weekend. I'm WAY stoked about that because I haven't seen anyone in FOREVER!!! And then I come back and then I only have two days of class and then I get to go home for FIVE days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I simply cannot tell you how exciting that is!!!!!! Five days, five blessed, peaceful, food filled (and I mean GOOD food) relaxing and yet totally crazy busy insane days!!! With my parents, and my sisters, and my nieces and great nieces and nephew in law (that sounds odd....but it's true) and my girls from Biggs and an my grandparents and my cats and......I just can't wait.

And now I think that I have avoided my studies long enough. Like I said, I'll try to post more often, but ya gotta leave comments on what you want to know, or I'm going to start writing pages and pages on how bad the food is. Or maybe I'll copy and paste an English essay in, how would you like that?

Love always,

Natasha

Home, Home on the Range

I'M HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am Home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Becc and I drove down (well, I drove but she was in the car) today, we got here about 6:30. Tonight I went to the football game (homecoming - we won!!!!) and tomorrow I have LOTS to do. But I just wanted to share that I AM HOME, and I get to be home for THREE days!!!!

Extremely exhausted but TOTALLY happy,

Natasha

Prayer Request

Hey all!!! Just want to ask for prayer for healing for a friend of mine; that's all I'm gonna tell you but please pray for her!!!

Love ya and thanks!!!!!

Natasha

God is working......and I can prove it.

Hey hey ya'll!!!!! I can not share with you how wonderful I feel!!!! And it's all because God has blessed me this week!!!

First: He got me through midterms - not only did He get me through, He pulled me up!!! I have gotten four of the six back and gotten A's on all of them!!! And let me tell you, that is TOTALLY God!!!!

Second: Nothing has changed in the schedule, but I feel like I have SO much more time than I used to! That might just be today, but I hope that feeling lasts!!!

Third: Everywhere I turn God has shown himself to me this week. Literally, everywhere. I think mostly in the world I see around me - green grass, blue (or even better - pink, orange or purple) skies, snow capped mountains in the distance, beautiful buildings, and beautiful people. Someone will smile at me, and my day will just get better!!! I got a letter the other day, and I haven't been so happy in a long time!!!

It just amazes me how blessed I am right now!!!!! And I just wanted to share that with you guys - to let you know that God is awesome, and sometimes, you just have to be patient. God has been teaching me patience lately, and dependency, and I thank Him for it!!

HE'S JUST SO AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE MAKES ME SMILE AND I CAN'T STOP!!!!!!!


He's awesome, and I hope that you find time, or make time, to look around you and count your blessings - because I guarantee they're there. You have access to the internet or you wouldn't be reading this; do you eat? Sleep? Go 'home'? Do you have clothes on your back and yes, this is a blessing, homework to do? Do you hear? Smell? Taste? Do you feel the rain? You are blessed!!

I love you all and I hope you have a GREAT and BLESSED week!!!!

Natasha

Pictures...finally

Someone blatantly pointed out that I hadn't posted pictures yet. So here are some Disneyland pictures!!!

Me and Darth, isn't he cute?
Me and my wonderful sister Jocelyn!!!


And this is me next to the big N in califorNia!!!

Lead 1100

Hey, so I read this verse for the first time today in my LEAD class, I immediately thought of a few of you (Cough: Jocelyn) and thought I'd share. Enjoy!!!


Proverbs 27:14

"If you shout a pleasant greeting to a friend too early in the morning, he will count it as a curse."

Have a nice day!!!

Natasha

Happenings...

So tired am I!!!! It has been a VERY long week, but now it's over, and most of my weekend is gone too!!! I have midterms over the next two weeks, so that should be interesting. I think I'm going to do all right, but it's going to be another long and VERY busy week.
I was all set to go to bed at like 11:30, and then we had this issue. And then my roommates and I spend the next two hours talking: and it was AWESOME!! It was SO good to just have some time for girl talk again!! But now, it's after two in the morning!!! And I haven't started any of my homework that's due Monday!!!

That's pretty much all that's going on with me. And now my question is, what's going on with you? I'm WAY out of the loop up here - and so I'm asking for updates, through emails and comments alike. A call would do too, although I might not answer because I have NO signal and I'm usually either in class, work, or practice. But really, please keep me updated!! I want to know what's going on!!

Love always,

Natasha Rothchild


"For we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." Hebrews 10:39

God.

One thing I totally forgot to say in my Disneyland post (the longest post in the history of forever) was how blessed Jocelyn and I were over that weekend. Not only did we get to go to Disneyland and California Adventure; but we got there and back safely. We were blessed in the fact that in almost every case, as we got in line for a ride, the lines were either nonexistent or moving extremely fast. We got to do all that we wanted to, and returned with a GAZILLION pictures to remember the trip by. We got GREAT seats for FANTASMIC, fairly good seats for the fireworks, and PERFECT seats for the parade. We got to have dinner with my grandparents, and I got to spend the weekend with my sister. Overall, I feel overly blessed that God allowed us to go, to have fun, and to return safely, although utterly exhausted. So, Thank You Lord for a great weekend, and for getting me through the week since!!

Disneyland. Allergies. Sisters. Pizza. Kings fans. Too much luggage. Exhaustion

Just a few of the topics I hope to cover in this much belated blog. First off, allow me to say that I am sorry I haven’t posted lately; it’s been pretty busy. Second let me tell you that the last three days have lasted a LIFETIME. Which is good, cuz I’ve been having fun, LOADS of fun, but it seems that it has been a week since I left Irwin on Thursday afternoon!!! And thirdly, I am exhausted, I have no idea if any of this makes sense, or if anyone’s interested or what. So if you care, that’s nice, if you don’t whatever. But this might have lots of typos and plenty of nonsense, if fact, I’m sure about the nonsense part.

To share my weekend in brief with you, we start with Thursday. There were no classes on Friday or Monday, because of Columbus Day. But Dr. Rose, for some unknown; completely unreasonable; ridiculous reason, decided that his English 1220 class had to go see Twelfth Night in Ashland: which means not only having to pay for the ticket, gas, and food, but leaving Redding around 5, the play starts at 8, gets over at 11, finally making it back to Redding around 2 am. Now, on a normal Thursday that would mean that I’d be really tired on Friday, which I am anyway, so what’s new? But nope. Being the psychotic individual that I am, just having the play one weekend was not enough! My sister Jocelyn decided that this year for her birthday she wanted to go to Disneyland. And guess who she picked to go with her?!?!? ME!!!!!!!! And the weekend that we chose to go was Columbus Day weekend. And then Dr. Rose assigned that stupid, uh, time and money consuming play. So what I did this weekend, was go to Ashland Thursday night and get home at 2 am, get up at 7:20 on Friday, drive to Sacramento, fly to Anaheim, go to Disneyland and California Adventure for Friday night, Saturday and Sunday. Get up Monday morning, fly to Sac, drive home to Biggs, do some laundry (the folks don’t charge for it!!!) and then drive to Redding: which is what I’m doing right now, although when you read this I will hopefully already be asleep. (I love my laptop!!!! His name is Jimmy – don’t ask me why, it just is.)

So, I’m extremely exhausted, but I had LOTS of fun!!!!! To break it down a little, but I must warn you, this is very detailed, so well….just deal, my blog: I’ll post what I want. If you are not interested in a play by play, go to or wait for the next post, if you are, take a deep breath and (for those of you who have heard me speak) imagine me saying all of this…. (And don’t hurt yourself laughing at me! I might feel bad….nope, I wouldn’t.)

Thursday Teddy Jo drove Stacy, Sarah (Volleyball girls) and me to Ashland. I sat up in the second level almost right next to Elise (Lives across the hall from me). The play was really cool. Interesting of course to see the way this particular set of actors and actresses personifies Shakespeare’s characters. And the staging, music, and costumes were very amusing. We got home just before 2 am, and Teddy dropped me off at Jocelyn’s. We talked for a little while, got started getting ready to go the next morning, and went to bed.

Friday (this one’s gonna be long!) – We got up and left before 9. We stopped at Win Co for bagels and gum (a must have for any flight and/or Disneyland Trip) and then hit the road. We made it to the Sacramento Metropolitan Airport (it’s actually SMF, but we don’t know what the F stands for.) around 11:30. We parked on the back 40 in economy parking, caught the shuttle to the terminal, and checked in. Ate lunch (Chinese, it was REALLY good!!!!), and boarded the plane: half and hour late. Then we waited on the run way for a while, and then FINALLY took off. Landed approx forty minutes late, and then…..and then there was the shuttle. Oh the shuttle. We got on the shuttle. An hour and a half later we got off the shuttle. It was a thirty mile drive. You do the math, and no, it wasn’t cuz the driver was driving slowly. It was because, first: he drove around the airport twice (this is LAX, it is not a small place), TWO TIMES mind you, trying to find ONE passenger – so not worth it. And then we got on our way, only the driver didn’t know where he was going – and so it took forever. Thankfully, I got a nap, but really – an hour and a half to go thirty miles is REALLY bad. So then we got to the hotel. And my Grandparents were there waiting. They live in Pomona, and we had called them to join us for dinner because we hadn’t seen them since graduation (good times, good times). So they were there waiting for us when we got there; and then we checked in and went to our room – which was no castle. The pictures on the internet were LIES. And then we went to dinner with the Grandparents; which was an adventure (but the steak was REALLY good!!!). And then they dropped us off at the main gate and the real adventure began. Friday night once we got into the park we started with FANTASMIC. And for those of you who don’t know; FANTASMIC is my absolute, most definite, without a doubt, unquestionable, pure, unmovable, implacable irreplaceable favorite of all time. I really like it. I whole lot. We got pretty good seats, or stands as Jocelyn says because we didn’t actually sit, we stood. AND I recorded some of it on my phone!!!! Now I have a FANTASMIC ring tone!! After FANTASMIC we watched the fireworks show that was above Cinderella’s Castle from the lake just in front of New Orleans Square, (very pretty!) We rode Pirates of the Caribbean, and then we headed to Indiana Jones. Indiana Jones is my favorite ride at Disneyland, and it’s got really great music!!! Then we rode the Matterhorn. Jocelyn had been on it before, but every time I’d gone it was shut down. So it was my first time, and I loved it!!!

Then we walked back to the hotel, with a little difficulty and some scrapes and bruises, we made it. And went to sleep, ah blessed sleep. On Saturday, we got up and headed across the street to the Howard Johnson to catch the Anaheim Resort Transit. We got on the bus (Interesting Fact (not my opinion, at all, a fact, I’m just sharing information): There is a shortage of Bus drivers in the LA area because Arnold passed a law that pulls the bus licenses of any bus driver who gets three tickets – even in their personal vehicle. So the bus drivers are not very happy with Arnold at the moment.) The point of that being that that bus was doing two routes, so every time we got on a bus for the rest of the weekend; it took longer than it should have. Ok, back to Saturday. We got to the park and went into California Adventure, and shopped. The BEST thing we got ALL weekend (in my opinion) was Mr. Potato Head. And this wasn’t just any Mr. Potato Head – we got to pick ALL the accessories we wanted, as long as they fit in a special box, for one price. It was SOOO fun!!! I’ll set mine up soon and take pictures and post them!!! Then we had lunch, watched the Muppet 3D thing, (I must say, I was not too impressed with that); rode Tower of Terror, LOVED IT, (haven’t been so scared on a ride in ages) and then we went on Soarin’ Over California. Again, fun stuff!!!! Smells of the sea, the desert, and the orange groves – very cool. The one thing I wish though is that they had a segment on Shasta Dam, how cool it would have been to be able to see it on a Disneyland ride!! After Soarin’ we walked the Paradise Pier, rode the Maliboomer twice, and then the Orange Stinger. We watched It’s Tough To Be A Bug, and headed to Downtown Disney. In Downtown we sat, a lot; walked through the stores, got Dad a shirt that says ‘Old Guys Rule’ and a candle to make our room not stink. Then we went back to California Adventure and road Soarin’ again. Then it was off to Disneyland!! We ate (Bengal BBQ – meat on skewers, LOVED it). We got good seats for the fireworks that night, so I recorded on my camera while Joce took pictures on hers. Then we hit Star Tours, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, and the Monorail before heading back to the hotel.

Sunday we went to the Rainforest Café for lunch, and then rode the monorail into Disneyland to start our final day in the Happiest Place on Earth. We did kiddy rides today: Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, King Arthur’s Carousel, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, the Tea Cups, Alice in Wonderland, and It’s a Small World. Then we walked through Toon Town and Frontier land, finished up the shopping and got pretty good seats for the parade. After that we rode Indiana Jones again (I told you I really like that ride) and Pirates (that’s Jocelyn’s favorite) and then we got on the Storybook Land Canal Boats just as the fireworks started. So the driver lady stopped the boat and we sat and watched the fireworks on either side. The best part was that this lady had seen this show over 100 times, literally, so she knew every word and every cue for the fireworks. After the fireworks we finished up the ride, and then we rode Space Mountain (I like that one too J ) and then Indiana again, and then we rode Splash Mountain. By this time is like 11 o’clock, but we hadn’t ridden it yet, and it’s just kind of a must at Disneyland.

Monday. Today has seemed to last FOREVER. I got up just before 8, Grandpa was supposed to pick us up at 9, but he showed up at 8:25, so we rushed to get ready, and got out the door at five after nine. We made it to the airport safe and sound, checked in, and waited for an hour and a half. We got on the plane, took off (that is what naturally follows boarding). We watched part of pirates of the Caribbean on the way, and once we landed, another Adventure began. We got some lunch (steak quesadillas – WONDERFUL!) and then got our bags, and then we headed out to the car. The problem was, (here’ the adventure part of today.) we couldn’t find it. It was hiding. But SMF has this really cool thing were you can call this number on a courtesy phone, and give them even just part of your license plate number, and they’ll tell you exactly where your car is; so that saved us. We finally got to the car, got it loaded, and then we couldn’t find the parking ticket. We made it to the check out (for lack of a better term), were (PRAISE GOD) not charged for the lost ticket, and started home. We got into Biggs around 3:20, and unloaded most of the stuff that was in the car (I had brought stuff from my dorm to leave at home, and of course my laundry). We passed out presents to my nieces (fun hats) and my parents (Mom – giraffe stuff, what else. And Dad – a shirt (Old Guys Rule!!!), Disneyland’s Official CD, and a soda sleeve with the Disney 50^th sign on it.) I did my laundry, and packed my immense amount of stuff and got it all in the car, and headed out. Only not really cuz we stopped in Oroville (food) and Chico (more food) and Corning (gas) and now were only a mile outside of Red Bluff!!! Of course I started this after getting food in Oroville, and have been diligently typing (making SEVERAL mistakes (hurray for backspace) – Mom, mean secretary lady, if you see any typos, I don’t care, I’m tired.) ever since. And let me tell you, we are really tired. The slightest thing makes me and Jocelyn just fall to pieces. Good times good times. (And as she watches me type this, she says “Help! Help! I’m in pieces!!!”) And I have to confess, by the time this is done, I will not have worked on it just from Oroville to Red Bluff.

One because my batteries dying, and two because I skipped whole portions because we couldn’t remember, so when I get home, I’ll fill those in, and it will all make sense. Well, hopefully it will all make sense. And if it doesn’t, that’s just too bad, because I’m so tired now I can barely think. So I’m going to go, and when I get back to Redding, I’ll finish this, and then I’ll post it. And considering that it’s two and a half pages not finished, it’ll be the longest blog post in the history of ever. Oh, and for those of you who asked for updates, consider this it. Unless you want me to copy and paste it in an email to you, which I suppose I could do.

So all of that, well, the last paragraph, was written in the car just before I shut Jimmy off. Since then, I have unpacked all of my stuff, made my bed (I took my sheets home to wash them) put EVERYTHING away, and I think finally settled down. So now I’m going to go to bed - but before I do, I realize I forgot to cover some of the things mentioned above. Disneyland is obviously taken care of; I’ve been really bad about taking my allergy pills lately, and I’m started to pay for it; my Sister is AWESOME and I love her!!!! In Oroville on the way to Redding tonight, we stopped and I got a pizza from Pizza Hut, so pizza for me!!!! The Kings Fans thing was because I saw someone with a sticker, and the luggage thing – not only in trying to find the car this afternoon, but in getting all my stuff back into my room!!! Now, I’m really going to bed because I’m tired, and I have an 8:30 class tomorrow, and it’s 10:53. and I’m tired.

Love you all – yes, that means you.

Natasha

P.S. With any luck the next blog will be PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!
P.P.S. I think this is the longest post in the history of forever!

Well......

So I was going to title this post 'Updates'..... but I seem to do that a lot. But I couldn't come up with a better title. (So if you have some ideas on titles, leave a comment!! WITH your name!!!)

So, to the updates. Classes are going well, really well actually. I did well on my first World Civ test; midterms are approaching and I think I might make it through. My roommates rock, my floor is pretty cool. We had our first Freshmen Class Meeting tonight, that was REALLY crazy!!!!! Volleyball is going well, we got quite a workout today, let me tell you. All my laundry is clean, I'm down two and half bucks, but I have clean clothes!!!

The best part is that I have Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday classes to get through....and then I'm OFF TO DISNEYLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For three days with my sister!!!! To have an absolutely WONDERFUL time in celebration of her birthday and cuz I wanna!!! (Evil laugh....) I'm really excited, but kinda nervous, Thursday and Friday are going to be crazy, and then I come back on Monday and jump head first into it again!!! But who cares!?!?!??! It's DISNEYLAND!!!!

I think that pretty much covers it.....my great niece is one month old as of yesterday. And I know two very special people who will be celebrating a birthday this weekend. Ah hm, cough cough Rachel Cox and Rebecca Milco. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Oh! I almost forgot. So I had a computer scare tonight, I couldn't see my screen, it was totally black, and I was freaking out. But God was teaching me patience and faith in both Him and the HP support system, which amaze me. So the problem is solved, and I am extremely happy about that, let me tell you!!!! YEAH GOD!!!!!!!!!!!! He's one pretty cool cat!!!

Love to all, and I'd love to hear from you!!! Lemme know how God is working in your life and how I can pray for you!!!

Natasha

Emails

I just got a comment from someone who was not happy with an email I sent. To that person: I'm sorry, I don't mean to offend anyone, ever. But I would like to know who you are so that I can apologize and we can talk, so if you want to, you have my email address, please email me. I would like the chance to defend myself, and discuss this situation with someone who is not at the other end (the vicious end) of this spectrum. Please contact me. Thanks.

Natasha

Um. Yeah.

Hola. K. Well. Sorry it's been so long, but I've been REALLY busy!!!

I've been working for two weeks now, and I really like it!! I understand he cataloging system now, and I know where almost everything is. It's really fun to be able to help people!!!

The baby (Maddie) is 22 days old, and still as cute as ever!!! The 19th was my daddy's 66 birthday, so I called him and sang Happy Birthday over the phone!!! Jocelyn and I came home this weekend; I have a wedding to go to ( Duane and Corinne are getting married this evening), and we wanted to see the baby and we're having a Birthday party for Dad.

I have TONS of homework to do, and laundry and stuff. BUT I got to go shopping yesterday!!!! And that was really fun, Becca and Jocelyn and I went to Old Navy......my weak spot. But it's all good, and very cute!!!!

I'm still in all those classes, and actually doing a fairly good job, I think. It's extremely crazy, but it's getting better, a little more of a routine. My favorite classes are my Music Theory and Music Theory Lab class!!! I know some of the stuff, or at least know the surface stuff. But to get down into the why and how and be able to build up what I know about the language of music is AWESOME!!!! Then there's English, we just finished Twelfth Night, and I actually liked it! World Civ would be my second favorite class. There's LOTS of notes, three pages typed per day, and a fair amount of reading. But it's so cool to look at the historic world from a Godly point of view. And then...let's see....what else? Studio and private lessons...interesting to say the least. It's fun, but kind of embarrassing. And then, on Thursday, I went to my first practice with the Shasta Band, and it was AMAZING!!!! Like over 100 people!!! Think about that and then think about the fact that last year we had 15 in my High School band. And we're playing great stuff, like Seventy Six Trombones from The Music Man, an arrangement from Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Somewhere from West Side Story. I got the Freshmen Rep position, only there was two spots, and only two of us ran, so. I won't start actually working for athletics until basketball starts, but that's just around the corner. And honestly, I can't wait!!! I actually like stating, and it'll be fun to not have to run the clock AND do the book.

I think that's all I'm doing.....I'm not really sure, I can't remember.

Anyway, I miss you all and hope to hear from you!!! Leave me a comment (and your name!) or send me an email!!!!

Luv In Christ,

Natasha

P.S. TIM!! We sang Be Thou My Vision in chapel on Wednesday!!!!!

Updates of the general kind part two...

K. Well. Lets see. I start my job in the Start-Kilgour Memorial Library today in about 11 minutes. I got out of class and came straight over here because class was supposed to get out at 12:50 and I had to be here at 1. Only to get here and realize that it was only 12:30. So I decided to come check my email, browse through some blogs, and post.

So, yeah. I start my job in 10 min. And I'm nervous, because I'm not 100% sure what I'm doing. I'm excited, money is always a good thing when the bill on my Simpson account is more money than I've ever had (not counting financial aid). AND, I have another job, only it's seasonal. I'm going to stat for the Basketball Teams. I don't know for sure which ones, or when. But I signed all the paperwork and got all the stuff done, so come season, I'll be back doing what I love!!!

Quick side note, I know I mentioned this earlier, but when and if you leave a comment, please sign it. I just want to know who you are, so I can either harass you about what you said, thank you, or defend myself. And if you have a name that lots of other people have, give me a last name or some sign as to who you are please. Thanks!!!

In other news. I am currently enrolled in 17 units. With 10 classes. Yep, that's right, 10. 6, count them six, 1 credit courses. 1 two credit course. And three 3 credit courses. That's 17 units. PLUS I'm the student rep for my floor (IRWIN 2nd FLOOR ROCKS!!!!!!) and I'm running for Rep of my Freshmen class. And I'm still practicing with the volleyball team. And I'm working for Athletics and the Library. And I will shortly be part of the Shasta College Band (that's one of those units), and I'm in private lessons for my clarinet.

And I still need sleep and food, not to mention actually going to those 10 classes and doing the homework for those 10 classes. It's going to be a BUSY semester!!!!!

So, if you have the time, please pray for me for patience, diligence, and rest. And if any of you have a prayer request, simply leave a comment (include your NAME, or don't, I mean, you don't have to, but at least leave a call sign or something equivalent so that I can have something to call you) and I will pray for you. Everyone who asks me to pray for them, will be prayed for every day, I guarantee it.

Love always,

Natasha

P.S. This is a VERY long post!! And don't forget to check out the pictures of my great neice!!!!

MADDIE!!!!

So, here she is with favorite great aunt!!!!!!

Actually, she probably doesn't even know
that I exist, but she's still just SOOO cute!!!

Baby!! Mail, Comments

Baby!!!!!
Meet my GREAT niece!!!! Really, I promise, my niece's daughter!!! Madyson Grace, born on Friday the 2nd, with her GREAT grandpa, Garry (that's my dad!). Isn't she adorable!!!!!

Mail: For all those of you who got an email about my address, I'm stupid, it should look like this.

Natasha Rothchild
c/o Simpson University
2211 College View Dr.
CPO Box # 506
Redding, CA 96003


Comments: To the person who left that anonymous comment about how cool my site was, thank you. I'm not trying to be rude, but your site needs help if my Simpson University Internet blocked it for content. Check out the 10 Commandments, Exodus 20, and if you wanna meet this really cool guy I know named Jesus, lemme know.

Classes.....

So I just had my first college class!!!! Music Theory Lab I. And, I must say, I liked it. Dr. Foster is an understanding guy, and he's going over the basics first!! So hopefully I should be able to get back into the groove before we start hardcore stuff. There's also some people in the class that aren't musicy people, so I actually know more than they do, (which sounds horrible I know, but I was really worried about being really stupid, and here I am supposed to be a music minor!).

So far life at Simpson is AWESOME. Yes, I'm sleep deprived, but what's new there? My roommates are awesome, and I'm meeting new people and learning new things.

I hope life's going great for all of you, lemme know what's going on!!!!

Tash

Roommates.....

It's okay, though. I have okay roommates. Actually they're better than okay. Well, at least right now they're better than okay. In a few weeks I might not think so, but at the moment, they're all right. Sheng, Jennifer, and Melissa. Irwin 208. That's us!!!!!

I just went to see the movie Coach Carter at a local movie theater with a WHOLE bunch of freshmen. It was one of those "MANDATORY" orientation activities that aren't really mandatory. It was actually better than I thought it would be. Jennifer and I went with the intention of sitting in the back and making fun of it. But then we were both really tired so we didn't. Her and I played a game this afternoon called Kick Ball Slip-n-Slide. Yep, you kick a big bouncy ball, run the bases, and, you guessed it, slide into home via the tarp sprayed with dish soap and water. (Anyone remember the slip-n-slide at Mount Hope that left that HUGE mark in the grass on the hill?)

Anyway. Tomorrow is chapel and good stuff like that. We're going to the Turtle Bay Muesem, I'm actually looking forward to it, and I don't have to pay, which is exciting. And then Monday we meet with our Advisors, and plan our four years at Simpson out a little bit. I'm excited about that, getting to meet my Advisor and see if my schedule is TOTALLY wrong, which it probably is.

Anyway, I'm leaving now. Nothing to do and lots of time to do it in.

Later,

Natasha

Room MATES!!!!

You'd think with a title like that that I would be using this to whine and cry and moan about my roommates. But I don't have any yet. That's the point, actually. They will be here tomorrow. And I'm nervous. These are the three girls that I will be spending a good chunk of the next 8 months with, I'm really nervous. I won't even me here when they get here!!!! I'll be at the tournament. Isn't that exciting? Anywho, just like that last night in my bed at home, tonight is the last night that I have the room all to myself. Which I think is a good thing, I was starting to get lonely. And I was starting to feel too possessive over 'my room', it's not 'my' room, it's our room. The 'our' just isn't here yet. But, they'll be here tomorrow for better or for worse.

It could be that in the very near future I will be posting about my roommates, the question is, Good Post or Bad Post? That is the question. Or is it? (PBJ)

Love in Christ

Natasha

Disco Ball......

I was recently told that I should have a disco ball. So, where do you get a disco ball? And how big of a disco ball should I get? And how much do they cost? And, WHERE would I put it?

My ROOM!!!!!

So, this is my room. My bed, my mommy made me that afghan! My fridge, yes Jocelyn I finally moved the dresser out of the closet. My hutch thingy, filled to the brim with stuff. And wall stuff (pictures, who's surprised?). And can you see all those cords? ANNOYING!!!!

That's the closet, you can see a little bit of the fridge if it helps you picture it. And then there's wall that you can't see in the first pic, I like that poster. Its the 'And He Shall Be Called...Jesus Christ' poster.

Volleyball......

I got redshirted. I practice, but don't play, ever. I'm going to work hard and work out for the whole year, and hopefully make it next year. Later.

I'm ONLINE!!!!!!!!

Written Wednesday Aug 24, 2005

Ok, so! My internet is up in my room. So you can email me or whatever. I'll be on instant messenger every now and then! Please pray for me for practice and stuff. Also, my niece is having a baby anytime in the next two weeks, so pray for her too!!! Thanks!!!

Tasha (A.K.A. PBJ, Skippy, Natasha Jo...)

Written Tuesday Aug 23, 2005

Hey ya’ll!!!! Well, lets see…what to say…. First off, I have shin splints!! And they hurt really bad! I’m icing them before and after practices, and our Assistant Coach (Who is a physical therapist) wraps my feet before each practice. I also have blisters and permanent tape lines on my feet. However, I remember now why I say that I love volleyball. It’s because I do! Honestly! I’ve forgotten how much I love running around, serving, diving, passing. I missed being on a team, I’m just SO happy that I’m back in that atmosphere. And the fact that Simpson is a Christian college just makes it even better!!!! Although (of course) there are some girls who insist on joining the rest of the world, I know that at most of them walk with the Jesus that I know. Just for information’s sake, I can’t text until like Thursday or Friday, and I can’t usually get calls in my room. Sometimes it’ll work, and sometimes I can call out. But sometimes it doesn’t. And sometimes I’ll be sitting here and then all of a sudden my phone will ring! With a voice mail. It just doesn’t make any sense. BUT, if you call me and can’t hear me, be patient, I’m running outside so you’ll be able to hear me in a minute! I can’t really think of anything else, I’m going to post pics of my room soon. It’s all done! I’m totally moved in! Stuffs up and organized and everything! Anywho. I’m gonna go, I hope to hear from ya’ll!! Often, and plenty. Keep me up to date!!!! I’ll have internet in my room in a few days, (although I don’t know when I’m gonna be able to post this, so…..) and I’ll be checking my email often!!! Miss ya’ll!!!!

Your local (or not so local – Carrie!) college student!

Natasha Rothchild

Written Sunday Aug 21, 2005

Okay. So. I’m in my dorm room. All by myself because none of my room mates play volleyball or soccer (which is good because it means that I won’t be with someone 24/7 for season.) It’s an odd feeling really. But it’s awesome at the same time. I have my space (Which for the next two weeks is the whole room!) and I get to do with that space what I wish. My sister kindly took my new sheets home and washed them for me. Hey Mom, we didn’t think to have her take the comforter (also new) home too. I’ve got clothes all over the place, but the shelves are almost organized. The hope is that I won’t hit my head when I wake up every morning. We have practice at 8 tomorrow morning, breakfast at 7:15. We’re running two-a-days, each two hours for the first three days, then it’s official. So we’ll know on Thursday. Anywho, I’m going to go now. I’m tired, and I have a big day tomorrow.

Lata!

Last night home.....

It's a strange, odd, yet exciting feeling to be sitting here knowing that this is the last night that I will spend in my bed, as my bed. Tomorrow I'm off to Simpson. Yes, I'll come home every now and then. And yes, I'm sure that I'll sleep in the bed that's in my former room; but that's just it, my former room. Everyone says that as soon as you graduate, that very graduation night, you are now a freshmen in college. Some say that after you're registered, and have your classes, your officially a freshmen. Others say you have to make it through orientation weekend. It doesn't really matter. The point is, after tomorrow, there's no turning back.

It's a little disconcerting. Odd. Strange. Cool. Exciting. And tiring.

Yep. That's all that my brain will do right now. Lata!

2 days left.....

That's right.

Tonight.
Tomorrow.
Saturday.
Church on Sunday.
And then I'm gone.

Hey all!

Just a note...

I'm packing, almost all the way packed. And I'm getting excited (Although still bummed - PBJ) about moving in. I think that I actually get to move into my dorm room on Sunday, instead of just a dorm room. It means that I will be totally settled in and at home when everyone else gets there on labor day weekend!

I'll definitely be at the rally on the 27th, and I'm good to go for Sunday morning. I will be doing a car wash on the 27th as a fundraiser though, so if you live anywhere near Redding, bring your car, and your parents car to my car wash. I'll let you know when I know where it is!

I think that's all. I'm not sure. I may come back on in 10 minutes and post something new, ya never know!

Updates of the general kind....

First off, the last three days have been crazy! (Can I get an 'AMEN' from the 10 other people who lived through it?!) Little sleep, awesome people, good times. It was GREAT!

The rally is now on the 27th of August at Antelope Home Fellowship! Hope to see you all there!!

I'm moving on the 21st ( :) :( ) into the dorms, and starting the volleyball camp the next day. Orientation is the 2nd - 5th (which is when most of you will be at Josh Fest, have fun!!). And classes start on the 6th. Again, please pray for me for volleyball, as well as finances and what God wants me to do after Simpson.

I think that's all...oh. Envelopes will be present at the rally, for those of you who have come to expect them. Later folks!

Music...

Hey all! I just got my guitar!!! The UPS man (or woman, I wouldn't know cuz I was at work) brought it to my house yesterday!!!! My fingers hurt, but they'll heal - actually, they'll get all callused, and that's the point!!
Just wanted to share my good new with everyone! Have a nice day!!!

Pretty....

Just one example of God's AWESOME artwork.

More Cool Jesus Stuff

I know, I just posted about worship and singing and all that good stuff. But this week is Migrant Ministries Week at the camp in Yuba City, and the college/high school group from Downey Ca is here. They have some serious musical talent and lead worship today, it was so much fun!!! Gridley First Baptist had a guitar, no wait, two guitars, and....make sure you're sitting down for this part....a DRUM SET for Sunday Morning Worship!! Can you believe it!?!?!?!?

Anywho, it was really fun, and I'm looking forward to hearing them again. If you get a chance, pray for them, it's going to be a busy, tiring, and yet awesome week!

Summer Missionaries Anna Polson and Terra Bullis are also doing Migrant Ministries, so keep them in your prayers as well!

Cool Jesus Stuff

God has blessed me with a good memory, and the chance to learn music of several different styles. Thursday morning I was at work with my mom. She had me making enrollment packets that I do every year. I was in the library putting 500 packets together, all by myself. At first I wished that I had CD player or something of that sort. And then, I had a thought, or I guess really it wasn't a thought, it was an instinct. I started to sing praise songs, hymns, camp songs, kids songs. Any song that popped into my head came out my mouth. I got to stand (at work mind you) and praise God. I was not only praising God during the work day, I was worshiping on a High School Campus. It was so phenomenally awesome, I can't describe it.

I was almost angry when someone came in and I had to stop singing. I continued to sing in my head, but I could no longer raise my voice to God. Speaking about praying and worshiping on campus brings me to another point.

At graduation, the top ten or eleven people of each class are given part of the program, to speak, sing, or whatever. I chose to give the invocation. After the graduates had all filed in, before anyone sat down, I moved to the mike, and prayed. I prayed on at the graduation of a class from a public high school. And I never thought twice about it. I was excited, nervous. I was pumped because my older sister said the invocation at her graduation. I was thrilled because I got to share a verse that had recently calmed several fears of mine.

Proverbs 16:3 says "Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed."

I love that verse, and I got to share it will my class, and somewhere between 400 and 500 people. And I didn't even think about how lucky I was until someone mentioned it. A family friend (I've known him all his life) came up to me at the party and said "That was SO cool!! Tasha you did AWESOME!!" And I was like, "Thanks, what are you talking about?" And, completely astonished, he said "You prayed. And I public school's graduation." I said, "Oh, yea, cool huh?" I'd never thought about how lucky it was that I got to do that. I took it for granted. But there are places in the world where the mere mention of Jesus' name is punishable by death. And worse yet, in the United States, in the land of the free, there are places where Christians can't pray in public. It amazes me, saddens me, and makes me ashamed to think that I took for granted a freedom that soldiers have fought and died for. Especially since my nephew, a Marine, just went to Cuba for four months.

This doesn't really have a point, but think about all the freedoms we have, and what the price of those freedoms was. 'Free' for you just means someone else paid for it. We are 'free' because soldiers fought and died. And we are 'free' because God sent His Son to die for us. 'Free' for us has cost countless men their lives....it should be something that we are grateful and appreciative of.

The next time you voice a prayer out loud, or sing a praise song out loud, think about that.

Volleyball......

Well. As some of you know I'm going to try out for the Volleyball team at Simpson in 18 days. I've been working out in the weight room at BHS (My mom is the secretary and I work there so I have connections.) But they are redoing both the gym and the multi floors, and the only way into the weight room is through the gym or the multi. So, I'm out of a weight room. Bummer. My arms hurt. I made good use of my last day in there.

So, if between the 21st and the 1st, you feel the need to take a moment and pray for me, I'll be sweating like nobody's business in triple digit weather in Redding. I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

......

Seeing as how I just started this thing today, there's really not much in it, so I feel like I need to post something because it's all bare and stuff.

I'm sitting here on my computer in my room. (Interesting I know.) Listening to Chris Burgan's CD called Love, Hope, Faith. It's a GREAT CD, and I got to hear some of it live!!!

There's so much that I need to do today, but last night I decided I was going to start a blog, and that's almost all I've done today. I got up and mowed the lawn, and moved stuff in the carport. But that's about it. Except that I took Dad to Chico. So I really should get some of the stuff on my list done. I just don't wanna.

Okay. I'm going to go to work. I'll just leave you with this:

"In the beginning there was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God." John 1:1

So, get in the Word.

This Summer I......

• Graduated on June 10th
• Did VBS at Gridley 13 - 18
• Missions camp started on the 21st
• Youth camp started on the 27th
• Came home on the 1st of July.
• Spent two weeks with my niece Tate
  
• Did VBS in Glendora 24 - 30
• Went back to work with Mom 8/1

I get to go back to Glendora on the 12th to perform SHINE! with all my AWESOME Mission Possible Ministries team. And we are hopefully performing it on the 21st at Red Bluff.....the rally's on Saturday night, we get an all night worship service, and then do SHINE! for Antelope Home Fellowship. And then......

I start two hardcore weeks of Volleyball Tryouts and Simpson. Orientation weekend is the 2nd - 5th. Classes start on the 6th. It's going to me a crazy week, but I'm looking forward to it.

It's one of those completely exciting and totally bummer things all at the same time.

Day 1

Well, this is the first time I've tried this blogger thing...so we'll have to see how it works out.

Post One done.