Church Work Day

So today was church work day. A bunch of us high schoolers went and helped out. I don't know about everyone else, but I had a blast. I helped out last year(I think...maybe it was the year before...) but I didn't have any friends there with me, so it was kind of boring. But this was way fun. We cleaned out the storage room in the youth house and organized the kitchen so it could be our new "hang out" spot. That should be pretty cool, we're usually in there anyway, but now it's set up so nobody's going to get hot mocha dumped all over them.
I had fun carrying everything on my head. I don't know why I do it...I'm just strange like that, but I was doing it so much that finally Elisabeth started too. I'm such a trend setter.... Ha.
And, after we were done working, I got into a bit of a water fight with James. See, there was a water gun... I thought it would be funny if I got James with it. And so I tried, but then he kinda got to the hose. Needless to say I got soaked, and he was convinced he won. But then I went into the youth house, to put the gun away, and got a cup of water. Well I don't even really drink water, so when I walked out and was standing there "drinking" my water, really I was just waiting. And then James turned around and my water just happened to find it's way down the back of his shirt. Really, I have no idea how it happened...

But it was way fun. Definitely the most fun I've ever had cleaning the church!

Oh My Gosh

If you need a good laugh...

http://www.dumbvideos.com/numanumadance.html

Day of Silence

Today at South some of the students participated in what was called a day of silence. They did it in protest of several things...I'm not totally sure what.(When I asked, the people who were silent couldn't exactly tell me...go figure...) I heard that it was for gay rights, minorities, protesting the graffiti that happened last week at school, and for the people who died during the Holocaust. So I was observing some of them and how people around them acted. Some people sort of just smiled and said "Oh, that's cool" and then went on with whatever they were doing. Some of the people waited until the silent students left before cracking a joke. But some were making fun of the entire protest right in front of the silent students, knowing very well that they couldn't say anything in retaliation. And so I'm thinking... these people can laugh all they want, but at least the others are doing something. When most people want something to change they just grumble about it, or bash the people who are "at fault."
And I think I tend to have this kind of attitude more than I'd like to admit. It seems like it's always someone else taking a stand for what they believe in(like today) while I sit back and grumble about how my non-Christian friends are going to go to hell. I intend to do something, but somehow it just doesn't happen. I don't say what I mean to say, even though I really want to. I don't cut in and tell the kids making jokes to knock it off, even though I'm telling them to shut up in my head over and over again. I don't give my food to the homeless man I see digging through the garbage as I walk by with my Nikes and brand new Old Navy purse, even though I'm screaming inside to give it to him so loudly that I'm surprised that my sister can't hear as she's walking next to me.

So why? Why can't I just do it?

Heck if I know.

Yeah!!

My internet is back up and running!! New and improved, etc. It's great! Haha I can communicate with the world again!

L.A. Baby!

I'm so excited! This summer my church youth group is going to L.A. for our summer missions trip. Last year we went to Vancouver, Canada, and it was absolutely amazing. It was such an eye opener for me. I could go on and on about it, but I already have a post on it.(I would put in a cool link thing, only I don't know how...the post is titled "Oh, Canada" if you feel driven to read it.)
We're going to be working at a place called Harambee Ministries, and I just can't wait to be back in the middle of things working and serving again.

Oh, The Weather Outside Is Frightful...Wait, What?

What's up with this weather?! Just last week it was beautiful, springtime weather, and now it's about 30 degrees out. You gotta be kidding me. I walked by a puddle today that was frozen solid, and do you have any idea how hard it is to golf when you can't feel your fingers? *Sighs* Well, hopefully it will warm up again soon, I don't know if I can handle this much longer. I'm moving to Indonesia if it doesn't get nice soon...it's warm there. And they have good food...and mangos!

It's A Beautiful Day

It is positively GORGEOUS outside! I love it! Spring has sprung. Who can't love this weather? I was actually HAPPY to be walking home today! All I could do in American studies today was look outside longingly. Hahaha it was really hard to focus, but no worries, because the teacher was having just as hard of a time as me(and the rest of the class). And, it's Friday(!) so I have all weekend to enjoy the weather.

Superbowl and Super-rumble

So the Seahawks lost...I would talk about how disappointed or excited I am...only I don't follow football(or any sport for that matter) and really have no feelings on the subject. Well, except that I feel bad for Venisa, who lost a bet to her dad and now has to buy him anything he wants from Coldstone.
But, the middle schoolers had a big superbowl party and I helped out, and had a blast! We had like 85 million pieces of fried chicken(ok so it was more like 100, but that's still a lot!) nachos, and wedding cake(Mal and Jeremy's). There were lots of balloons and(go figure) lots of helium...and middle schoolers. I think I've said enough...
Ok, so when Malory took Venisa and I to go get the chicken with her, we noticed that the highschoolers took our balloons out front. They were all on James' house and car and stuff, so Venisa and I stole them back. Of course, they saw us(me acutally) and so Logan and Andrew came back into the church and took off with some more of our balloons. Venisa decided we should wait a while before going back to claim what was ours, so we made a nice little sign that said "Balloon stealers go to Hell." Well, it did originally, but then we crossed out "Hell" and put "er...Heaven" and then signed it "With love, Chelsea & Venisa" (It was on two pieces of paper, so when we stuck it on James' window we had to make sure it had "balloon stealers" first.) So, we head outside to put up our little message and get our balloons back and who do we see but 3 or 4 guys out there with a broom(of all things) and an airsoft gun(Logan had the gun and I think Andrew had the broom). So Venisa and I head out there anyway and manage to get the sign taped to the window, and even get a balloon. Once we get back inside we decide if we can't have to balloons we'll pop them. We head back out armed with scissors, and I swear, it was like clash of the gangs or something. It was so freaking hilarious. Logan, Andrew, and Tim(I think?) are walking toward us all wannabe-gangster-like and Venisa and I continue forward with our scissors hidden behind our backs. We get to them and they're tryin to figure out what we have. Well, Logan sees what I've got and he turns around and says something like "OH CRAP! DON'T LET THEM GET TO THE BALLOONS!" I thought I was going to die, I was laughing so hard. So anyway, we get into this "rumble" in the church parking lot. Haha we were messin around...I got shot in the foot and Andrew had the gun pointed right at me but he wouldn't shoot. I even told him to, but he wouldn't do it. So we were messin around and Venisa accidentally kinda stabbed Andrew. Oh man, did we feel bad. But he said he was fine(a few times). We managed to pop almost all of the balloons, so mission accomplished, plus a few scrapes and such. But I totally had a great time! It was so dang fun.

I Am Never Drinking Again. Ever!

THE most traumatizing thing happened to me! I was just sitting at the computer, minding my own business, and I grab my glass and take a drink of my nice iced tea. My eyes are drawn to the odd looking, lone bubble floating in my tea. With horror, I realize that that "bubble" has 8 legs!!!!! I have a big, white, spider(!) floating in my DRINK. My first thought was to throw my glass as far across the room as I could, but seeing as how my house is ceramic tile throughout, I figured that would be a bad idea. So I quickly set my glass on the counter(it's still there, I won't touch it) and went to brush my teeth like 3,000 times. So this, my friends, is why I am never drinking again. EVER!!!

P.S. I HATE SPIDERS
P.P.S. I HATE SPIDERS!

Thank You God

Today has just been totally great. I've just felt so awesome all day long, it's amazing. It's like I'm on a God high or something. I guess it actually kinda started last night and snowballed...in a good way, not bad.
So last night at church was really great, just all around. It was my first night singing on the highschool worship team, and, as I've mentioned before, I always have a really great time on Wednesday nights. And I just got to totally unwind and have a good time and listen to questions be(almost) answered. And I feel like I really had a good connection with God last night. Then this morning, I somehow managed to not only get up on time, but I was ready to leave early. I got to school and managed a B on my Spanish final(much better than I was expecting once I actually took it). So then, feeling pretty good but harboring a little dread concerning my score on my biology final. I get to class and finally gather the courage to ask my teacher what I got, completely expecting a failing grade, only to learn that I got a 122, tying for the second highest score out of everyone. I would have been satisfied with that, but then later in class the teacher tells us he graded on a curve, so instead of the original 150 points, it was now out of 120, leaving me with a score of 101%. I tell you, that was a total God thing. Today was a total God thing. Thank you God.

Oprah's National High School Essay Contest

Ok...so in case you didn't get this from the title, Oprah's having an essay contest and my English teacher is making us do it. She says that while she's in the hospital(she's the one with cancer) watching Oprah she wants to see one of us on tv. Ha! It won't be me! But it's sorta easy for my class because here's the topic: "Why is Elie Wiesel's book Night relevant today?" Well my class just recently read Night, if you recall, I even had a couple posts on my thoughts of the book. So now we're doing essays on it. I considered posting mine when I finish, just to see what you all think, but it will be long...really long. Probably too long for my blog...so we'll see. And I would be writing it now...only I'm having writer's block. Hahaha...

End of the Spear

First off, let me say that End of the Spear was an incredible movie. What really made it...real for me was watching the movie and then going directly to a seminar where Steve Saint(Nate Saint's son) was there talking, and guess who was with him? Mincaye, the very same man who led the spearing raid of 5 missionaries in 1956- one of them being Nate Saint. The whole story was amazing, and then really seeing him and hearing stories about his people(the Waodani Indians) was really neat. Haha, we even saw a video clip of Steve and Mincaye blow gun hunting in Central Park.

But I think what really struck me was this. **Spoiler warning, for any of you who don't know the story**

In the Waodani culture, it was Steve Saint's right to avenge his father's death by killing Mincaye. Now, I don't think I could bring myself to kill someone, but Steve Saint not only let Mincaye live, but they're friends. How hard would that be? Being friends with the man who killed your father? As much as I'd love to say I'd be able to do it in a flash...I don't honestly know. I watched a movie or something over the summer, and there was this tribe of people who they talked about. And in that culture, if someone killed a family member of yours, the murderer would have their hands and feet bound and they'd be thrown into the river. You were the only one who could, if you chose, jump in and save them. Could I do it?? I don't know.
But even more amazing, Mincaye knew that Steve would grow up and have the right to kill him. What does he do? Does he try and kill Steve, just to get rid of the threat? No. Mincaye takes Steve in while he's a kid and teaches him the skills he needed to survive in the jungle where they were living. Now that is a life changed by God...

My Many-Subject Post

First off, I've decided that I'm very contradictory. It seems like for everything I feel, at the same time I feel the exact opposite emotion. Happiness and sadness. Confidence and doubt. Clarity and confusion. Forgiveness and...not-forgiveness(?). Calm and anger. One always ends up overruling the other when it comes to my actions, but it's a very...hmm....mind boggling feeling.

On a very different note, my English teacher has breast cancer. She told us yesterday during class, but we weren't supposed to say anything till today so she could tell her other classes. She's being very positive about it and she sounds sure that she'll be back, but if you all could keep her in your prayers...

So, last year(I'm being so random tonight) in youth group we got the Gospel of John in the Message version or whatever, and I hadn't really read it all...I'd sorta glanced at it, but I started reading it the other day and I'm totally hooked. I love how much easier it is to understand than my NKJV(New King James Version)

Ok, so I think this is all the randomness I'll make you suffer through tonight because I'm finished saying all I can think of...and I have a certain song from French Kiss running through my head and making me laugh...so I'm done for now.

Wednesday Nights

Ok, so I love Wednesday nights. I always have. Wednesday nights are like my little oasis in the middle of the week. They're a time for me to unwind and have fun and learn more about God, and they totally keep me from needing a room with padded walls. Seriously, if I didn't have that break from life I think I'd lose it completely(not to say I haven't a bit already). And I love how I can have so much fun and learn a lot at the same time. It's great.....

Wednesday nights: my anti-insanity

Ok...What to say...

I'm feeling confused at the moment. That's kind of all I have to say...but I haven't posted for a while so I figured I'd say something...uhm...yeah, my life is boring...nothing new...ok, I'm done before I say something about the weather(the official "nothing to say" topic)

Back To School

Today was the first day back to school...better than I expected, for the most part. Sure, waking up was stupid, realizing I had tonight to read half a book was kind of unexpected, but overall it was a good day. My classes were decent, I think the teachers wanted to be there just as little as I did, so class was pretty laid back today. Biology was freaking hilarious...we were supposed to be talking about photosynthesis, but ended up talking about Hooters and some guy my teacher knew who apparently felt no pain(we heard a story about him falling off of a roof and landing on his butt with a hammer in the back pocket and still being able to play at football practice).
On a different note, if anyone asks me my age I get to say 16 now! But I'll probably say 15, because I'm smart like that. I guess it hasn't quite sunk in yet. 16....two years and I'll be headed off to college...crazy...

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!

First of all, I hope you all had a merry Christmas! Mine was very different this year.

I went to the coast with my mom, dad, and sister and met up with Tom(my dad's twin), Kumi(aunt), Alex(cousin), and Kumi's parents, who are from Korea and speak nearly no English. There was a definite language barier. I felt kind of bad because they would try to tell us something and we wouldn't understand, or the other way around. Although I have to admit, it was a tad amusing when Alex, who is only 3, was trying to call his grandpa in for dinner...in English. He just kept yelling "COME IN FOR DINNER!!" over and over again. But he's a smart kid, even if he does use Korean and English in the same sentences(his teachers will have fun with that later on). Honestly though, how many 3 year olds use the word "awful"? So, anyway, it was pretty cool because I learned some new things about Korean culture, and anything Asian in any way interests me. I learned that when you toast, you go under their glasses to show respect, and if you want to be really respectful you hold your glass with two hands. Alex would bow whenever he said "thank you" to them. I almost learned how to say "thank you" in Korean, I said it once, to Kumi's parents, but couldn't quite retain that bit of info.

So after we ate and exchanged gifts and stuff we went back to our hotel and stayed the night there and then set off in the morning, to grandma's house we went to celebrate Christmas with my mom's side of the family. Of course Raynel, my uncle, teased me about Evan, and Alyssa and Tia were inquiring as to who my boyfriend was, but it was fun. I saw a short video clip of Raynel, trying to go off of a skate ramp(I thought he was going to face-plant into a tree...he came very close), on Tia's cell phone and I was laughing my guts out. And then there were all these pictures where it looked like he was doing some really awesome jump or something, but really he would just jump up and someone would throw the skateboard under his feet and take the picture really quick. They looked pretty convincing, so it was funny. Most of my gifts there were books(Raynel told me not to bother reading them because they would all be movies eventually anyway, but I'm a bookworm) and CD's. My second Christmas was just as good as the first, I love being with family.

So then, *as you all moan and say "my eyes hurt!!"* my mom and dad and sister and I did our own little Christmas on Monday with just the four of us. Nothin beats homemade doughnuts first thing in the morning. My sister and I got my mom a toaster, and she was thrilled. We went picture crazy because my mom got a new camera. My dad was surprised with a tool chest thing(you expect me to know what it's called?) and a table saw. Sarah got a new golf bag, and I got a new bookcase, which is very good. And, although this wasn't a Christmas present, I get to move the big Indonesian fan hanging on our diningroom wall into my room, which is perfect, because it will match perfectly. So I'm excited about that.

And now I want to say HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! Even if I am a few days early...

Wow

I found this book in my school library and I thought it looked pretty good, so I checked it out. It's called "Diary of a Teenage Girl: It's My Life" and I'm having such a hard time puting it down. I really feel like I can relate to what the main character is going through. Not her experiences, really...just the way she's feeling. Consider the following...it's an excerpt from the "diary"

"Wednesday, October 10 (ok, so no one's perfect)

Today in psychology class we learned about codependant personalities and now I'm afraid I might actually be one-- and let me tell you, it's not a pretty picture. But the good news is this personality disorder is preventable and curable, and I'm thinking if I nip it in the bud (not to mention going to God for help) I might be able to beat it. So what is codependent? At first I just thought it meant someone who depends on others too much, and I suppose that's partially right. But it's more like someone who thinks that they need to take care of everyone else and fix everything else to the point where their whole identity is tied up in caring and worrying about others. Sound familiar? And eventually they neglect themselves so much that they have no joy in living, and then they tend to just make everyone around them miserable with their guilt trips and meddling.
Well let me tell you, that's NOT what I want for my life. Not at all. No sireee! Now I'm trying to understand the difference between a person who is just naturally helpful and caring and one who's truly a codependent. And I'm just not sure exactly where I draw the line in myself. And I must admit that over just the last year, I've made myself almost sick with worry about others from time to time...

DEAR GOD, PLEASE SHOW ME THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REALLY HELPING SOMEONE THE RIGHT WAY AND BEING CODEPENDENT. I THINK IF MY CARING AND LOVE COMES FROM YOU, I'LL BE OKAY. BUT I'M JUST NOT SURE I KNOW THE DIFFERENCE. PLEASE SHOW ME HOW TO LIVE MY LIFE IN A WAY THAT IS HEALTHY AND PLEASING TO YOU. AMEN."

-Dairy of a Teenage Girl: It's My Life, pgs 162-164

There is so much more I would love to put up...but I would suggest just reading the whole book. I'm really really liking it. There's also a big summer mission trip she goes on, which I can equally relate to. Amazing.

Mission Statement

So last year in invert, we all came up with mission statements. It was really cool, helping everyone do theirs and listening to them help me with mine. I was happy with the end result.

My mission statement: My life will be centered on the needs of others.

I like it. I want it to be true...but what if I can't make it happen? People come to me with their problems, and I love that they trust me enough to do so, but all I can do is give them my opinion. I'm not a trained couselor, what if I say something wrong? What do I do when I really don't know what to say? My grandma almost went to the hospital this morning because she kept blacking out. How can I help there? I'm not a doctor. I don't know how to help people get better. There are people dying all over the world from hunger. What can I do to help that? Sure, I do the 30 Hour Famine, I do what I can, but I can only do so much. The needs of others are beyond my power.
I don't know why I started thinking about this now, but it's bugging me. I can't do all that I would like to, and I wonder...what if I can't live up to my mission statement?

It's...Christmas Time...I Guess...

Don't get me wrong...I love Christmas. Anyone who knows me knows that. It's just that all I can think about right now is all of the people I met working at Mission Possible in Vancouver. I wonder what they think of Christmas. Do they dread it? Or, despite their poverty, are they able to enjoy it still?
Christmas is the time to love. It says so in songs, on cards, and people talk about it...but Christmas seems to be the most selfish time of year. People get so caught up in getting, and decorating, and baking, and writing Christmas newsletters...the list goes on. These people I met this summer don't have the option of getting caught up in that. Maybe they get caught up in how they're going to make it through. Just how cold are they right now? Why should I get anything for Christmas if they don't?
I've always thought of the holidays as being so happy, but can they still be just as happy when you can't give your kid that doll she wants, or you can't make a big Christmas feast, or you can't roast chesnuts over a warm fire?
My life is so...easy. Sure, things can get crazy and stressfull preparing for holiday stuff, but the dominant feeling is still happiness. I look forward to Christmas all year long, because all I've ever known is a 'Merry Christmas' my whole life. But what if Christmas isn't so merry after all? What if it's only merry if you have the money to make it that way?
I can't even count how many times I've heard "Money doesn't buy happiness." But if that's true, why is our culture so focused on getting stuff, getting money? Has our world made that statement false? Have people lost all sense of real happiness? What really makes people happy these days?