I'm back!

I can't believe Impact '07 ("The Mighty") has come and gone. I got home last night and am still recovering from the lack of sleep but it was well worth it. It was incredible, as always.

There's no way I can explain in this post what the overall Impact experience is like. Those of you that have been before might be able to understand. Living and working so closely with the same people for 10 days makes you feel like you have a new family. It's extremely hard to leave when the time comes. I got very attached, needless to say.

God presented himself this week as usual. He spoke to me in ways that I wasn't always proud of. I was even more convicted of the fact that I'm absolutely terrible at handling my emotions and as a result, can unknowingly put my relationship with Him on the backburner. That's hard to know. I feel guilty but am determined to fix it. I feel my faith is stronger. I am more confident than ever that God answers prayers and it excites me to wait and see what He's going to do in my life.

I'm going to post some pictures (or try to at least). Enjoy!

P.S. I broke down and joined facebook so if any of you are on, find me! You can also see the whole album of Impact pictures!

Late Breaking News............that I am NOT very happy about.

Well, this may be the answer to ending my obsession with Taylor. Click here to get the scoop. If you want to see the gross pictures, click the "splashnewsonline" link and scroll down. Yuck!

My thoughts: She's NOT even pretty....at all!

I'm still here.....

Life has been super busy the past several days but I have to take the opportunity via this post to praise our AWESOME God. He has shown himself to me so much lately. It's left me feeling very much undeserving and in awe of how absolutely amazing He is. I've prayed for things recently and God has answered my prayers even more perfectly than I knew to pray them. I prayed for joy and peace when it seemed impossible to find them. God provided. I simply don't know how to thank Him or how to show Him how honored I feel to be His daughter. He's incredible, friends! I'm so richly blessed.

In other news- School's out for the summer! I went today to finish up a few last minute things on the "to-do" list so I am officially done now! It hasn't hit me yet. I really don't know what to do with myself to be honest. Camp Invention is a week or so away then I'll go straight to Impact. I can't wait for that!

Have a great weekend!


P.S. Oh yeah- Yea for Jordin! I'm excited she won. And, I'm excited that I will be seeing her and the other top 10 contestants Thursday, July 12th! It's the third annual American Idol Concert Road Trip. I'm pumped!

Beach Pictures

I took 18 pages worth of pictures. I tried to put a link to Shutterfly but it's asking for me to log in. I love you all but I'm not going to publish my password on this blog! So, you'll have to settle for a few samples! We had a blast and enjoyed every second.

Beach Bound!

We leave for the beach this afternoon! Please keep us in your prayers- that we will all have safe travel and enjoy our time together. Many, many pictures will be posted when I get back!!!!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Try this!

I have found a new favorite drink! I was introduced to Fuze during Impact last year. I had never heard of it or tried it before then. It tastes wonderful and the best part about it is it's good for you! There's only 10 calories per bottle and it's very, very low in sodium and carbohydrates, and there's no aspartame! It contains lots of Vitamin C and even has ingredients that are supposed to help you lose weight and boost your energy. There's Chronium (a trace mineral for an intense boost of energy), Super Citrimax (known to suppress the appetite and reduce the converstion of carbs into fat), and L-Carnitine (an amino acid which boosts energy through more efficient utilization of oxygen).

I have been looking for places to buy these drinks since last summer, but hadn't had much luck. I found them in one gas station, but never in Walmart or other grocery stores. I was in Sam's the other day and was shocked to see that they had cases of Fuze for sell! If you try it, let me know what you think!

P.S. When I went to the website to get more information, I found this picture! See, even Ryan likes them!

Randomness- Warning: It's blunt

I haven't blogged in a while. Even today, I don't have much exciting news going on to post. So, I just thought I would write about several random thoughts I've had over the past week or two.

1. Thank goodness Sanjaya is gone. I have to admit, I did feel sorry for him after seeing him so upset when his name was called. I'm sure he's a good kid-just not one made to be a finalist on American Idol.

2. I have officially decided who I want to win American Idol......Jordin! I absolutely love her. After she sang Martina's song last week, it sealed the deal for me. I still love Phil, Melinda, Blake, and Chris. I would be okay if any of them won. Lakisha is just not a favorite. I think 90% of the reason she's in it is for the money.

3. I went to another wedding Saturday. I say "another" because 30 year old single women just don't love going to weddings anymore. I've seen it all and heard it all, my favorite songs have been used up, what were my original ideas years ago have all been taken, and I'm just ready for my own!! It was a beautiful wedding and actually one in which I thought the bride and groom were good for each other and will probably have a happy, fulfilling, God-centered marriage. Good for them......Gag- God is good though, and He's teaching me many things that I need to know before that time comes (if He so chooses). Until then, I'll just keep praying..........

4. Speaking of the wedding and being single...help me out on this one everybody. My mom is at the point to where she would marry me off to even Sanjaya if she had the choice. She's ready for some grandkids and she will go to whatever lengths she has to to make sure that happens! I'm so just kidding! All joking aside, she's wonderful about it and prays more for Cort and me more than even we do for ourselves. But, she's always quick to remind me that I need to "put myself out there" and "flirt". Now, how old does that make me feel? Hello, am I still in junior high? Anyway, at the wedding the groom was getting ready to throw the garter. All of a sudden, mom starts talking to me about the single guys out there (whose ages averaged about 15 probably) and how cute she thought they were. She literally wanted me to go out there and introduce myself and talk to them. What in the world was I to do? Speak up and say "Excuse me, but can you put your wedding reception on hold while I go and meet these guys whom I could be given jailtime if I were to go out with anyway??" I mean, come on. What did mom think would actually come of that anyway? They would look at me like I was crazy and I would feel stupid. What ever happend to guys being the ones to do the pursuing???? I know I can't expect to sit at home on the couch and have Mr. Right show up on the doorstep, but seriously. I am NO GOOD AT THIS! I hate it, hate it, hate it. I hate being set up, blind dates are my worst nightmare, and I want so desperately to skip to the night he proposes. Is that possible? Some days I wish we lived in the days of arranged marriages. In many ways it would be so much easier.

5. Cort runs the Country Music Half Marathon this weekend. Pray for her safety, energy, strength, and motivation. I'm so proud of her.

6. I went to see In the Land of Women last night, with Meg Ryan and Adam Brody. I have a new little crush here. I never watched him on the OC but I wish I had now. He is precious!!!! The movie was pretty good. The plot wasn't really deep and not very obvious, but nevertheless, entertaining and cute.

Look at those dimples, and eyes, and, and, and, and................