Remembering someone I never knew

I can't sleep...well I slept for all of an hour or so, but I went to lay down, and restlessness took over. So I gave in because I felt maybe I need to surrender to whatever it is God is trying to get me to pay attention to. Somehow I was drawn to Andrew's blog, where is posted two links to Marko's blog. Marko has been dealing with 2 deaths. One of a pastor in TX who was electocuted (sp?) during a service at church. The other death is the 2 year anniversary of Mike Yacconelli.

I first heard of Yac through a Youth minister I knew when I was working in the Orange Diocese. I was told by Jaymes, to get my butt to a YS convention because Yac was amazing, he had a way of helping you reach into your soul, yet not taking life so seriously. Yac helped you just be the silly, crazy goofy YM's we all started out being and rejuvinated your passion for the youth we serve. I was so pumped after hearing Jaymes talk about the YS convention, that I quickly went back to church to see if it was in my budget to go to St. Louis. It wasn't...for some reason or another!!!!!

At these conventions (and my YS friends can correct me if I get anything wrong) Yac would talk to those gathered there...and we're talking THOUSANDS of people. 6 days before he died, he talked about the Christian life being like a roller coaster. I don't think he could have hit the nail any harder on the head. As I was litstening to the clip I cried...over a man I NEVER MET!!!! A man who helped me realize that amidst my disorganmized ways at times of doing what i love doing...it's ok cause I do it for my God and not to get the pat on the back. I don't do it to hear "You're doing a great job" I do it to hear the laughter of the kids, the smiles on their faces and to watch them go into the church and kneel before their God. It's not about me....it's not about how many kids show up, it's about Jesus being real to the 5 that show up one day and the 20 that show up another.


"If I were to die, right now, as I was falling to the ground I would look at every one of you and go " what... a.. ride...what a ride" (Yac- 10/24/03)

I came to my own conclusion. My faith journey is like Space Mountain. Loud, confusing and sometimes disorienting in the beginning, full of twists and turns and the best ride of my life.

Rest in Peace Yac and thank you for showing us grace and love even after your death!!! (and thanks for helping bring the love of my life to me!!!!!)

???

I don't know what to blog about!!! To blog about all the poop going on at work would just anger me and I am trying not to let it bother me. I don;t share my pastors vision and at this point if I get fired...so be it. I'm not banking on getting fired, but hey I won't be surprised if it happens either!!!

So if you can leave a comment and give me something to blog about....fantastic. Fall Festival ius Sunday so I'll likely blog about that. Until then...i can be reached at Disneyland.

Writing about whatever pops into my head

Well the last post was about the "Sweet Victory" but let me tell you that it was short lived when my Angels lost the Series on Sunday!!!! My friend Mike has a theory. He says that because they changed the teams name to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, that the Angels will never win a World Series again, until they change it back. He says it's a curse. To some extent, yea maybe it's true, but they couldn't get to the WS even when they were the Anaheim Angels 2 yrs ago!!!! Dang Angels!!!!

Since moving I have been living like a person who has recently moved, with good reason right? Yes, well it's been almost 2 months and I am tired of looking at the last few boxes. So I went and looked on Saturday for an entertainment center and a computer desk. Finding an entertainment center that is not going to break the bank and had a box that I could lift (as all my friends were busy Sat and could not help me) was a challenge. Plus if it doesn't match I am sure there will be H to pay from a few friends. Truth be told. I SUCK at decorating. But anyway I did get a computer desk (for less than $50) and I found an entertainment center I like. I just need to get the "thumbs up " from my "decorators". The desk came from Staples and had to be dragged up the stairs from the carport (which HURT bad but worked my glutes) and into the house and then I had to put it together. The end result?



Not bad huh? Well, I sustained an injury. The darn screws they give you that you lock in with these crazy locking type deals (I can't remember what they are called) anyway the screws were being difficult and not going in right and at one point my phillips screwdriver slipped and stabbed my thumb. It hurt like a !!!! I'm happy to have the computer on a desk and not on an end table with me sitting on the floor!!!! Plus it gives me a place to display pics and Disney memorabilia!!!

Derek is in MS this week helping out with the clean up and what not from Hurricane Katrina. He has posted some pics on his blog and when he sent them to me I asked him if an earthquake hit. The streets are so torn up that one of them is literally on it's side





It amazed me how much destruction this hurricane caused. Derek said when they got to one house they moved some tree branches and such off it and out ran an orange cat!!!! I told him he needed to go back and feed it. Unfortunately he won't have a chance. Monday and Tuesday they worked on cleaning out a house, tearing out insulation, taking out the outlets etc. He says they will help the homeowners clear the place out but frm there it is up to them to rebuild. I asked him if they will get money from insurance and he said no. The insurance is claiming that the flood did not cause the damage...ok yea whatev. Why have homeowners ins then? Good God!!!!

On Friday I had a package delivered to the house while I was out looking at a reception place. I had been expecting this but was so happy to see what was inside. Shay's mom made me the COOLEST blanket. She said I am supposed to share it with Derek...heh heh, ok!!!!


I have never seen Mickey material like this. I used it for the first time this week when we had our rain/thunderstorms. Speaking of rain. I enjoyed the weather Sun-Tues and I am sad to see it end. It is supposed to be in the 80's this weekend :( I want fall to take over. I want cold weather. Ah well.

I suppose that is all for now. This weekend will no doubt bring lots of news. I need to look at reception locations still, so I'll likely be reporting on that too. Anyway. Have a happy humpday!!!!

Sweet Victory

I don't ever want to hear that my boys have not proven themselves as a true team. What Cracks me up are the excuses I am hearing as to why the Yankees lost. Most noteably from Jason Kruk on ESPN...."The Yankees had tired hands" Yea ok. Whatever.

I am soooo proud of my Angels!!!!! Keep up the good work guys!!!!! I hope you guys beat the Sox, but if not, hey at least you have shown the world that you are a good team.

And now few words from our Blogger

So much to type but not enough time to get my thoughts together. I wrote down some thoughts while I was on the plane so I will share those as well as others:

The plane? Yes, I spent a few days with Derek and his family. I left on Wednesday. We had a parent meeting for Confirmation 2 parents and students. That ended at 8:30pm. My plane left at 11pm. I got to Dirk's, changed...in my car and he got me to the airport at 9:45pm. Luckily there was no wait to get my boarding pass (as I was not checking baggage) and no wait to get through security. YAY!!! So I got a hamburger from Mc Donald's, caught the last inning or two of the Angels/Yankees game 3....YANKEES SUCK!!!!! Then I was on the plane. Derek picked me up, it was raining, he was in his PJ's. Very cute. It was so incredibly wonderful to see him, to be in the familiar surroundings of his house, to see Midnight and to drink sweet tea!!!! and now...the thoughts of the trip:

Northlake Mall. This is a new mall that is approx 15 minutes or so away from Derek's house. People were waiting outside the doors at 2am for free ipods on opening day a few weeks ago, but really, this Mall did nothing for me. At least they could have tried to compete with Concord Mills!!!!

Humidity: Just sucks...and that is all I have to say about that

Derek; is the greatest man that has ever lived. How he puts up with me is beyond me!!!! I love him more and more everyday and you know what? He bought me Cinderella!!! YAY!!!! I love you so much baby and I can't wait until we do not have to count on fingers anymore, the amount of times we have to say goodbye to one another!!!!

Wal-Mart Supercenter: Is so much fun to go to with Derek at midnight. It is becoming a tradition now!!! LOL

Nieces: Please excuse me if this is a tad long, but it was what I wrote while I was on the plane. This was by far the stand out part of the entire weekend. Not that spending time with Derek wasn't memorable, That goes without saying. But there were just some serious stand out moments that I had with these three girls that I was not expecting to have happen.

"I love you Katie"
"Don't leave me"
I know you are thinking, "aww sweet! She and Derek had happy, lovey dovey moments and then a bittersweet farewell." No......ok, WE DID, but the above words were spoken to me by his nieces during my short trip to NC. While the last few visits with Derek have primarily been focused on the two of us, I found that his trip took on a different "feel" so to speak. With the engagement behind us, my focus now is on planning our wedding, the impending move and of course, deepening my relationship with my love. The excitement of being able to countdown the goodbyes on 10 fingers (or less) and building relationships with his family. His mom and I have begun to build our relationship with phone calls and picking colors for a quilt she is making for us (though she has promised a cat quilt for me..tee hee). His sister and I grow closer each visit, and his sister in law and I exchange emails frequently. However, my interactions with his nieces, astounds me. We spent 30 minutes or so on the computer on Friday looking at Jr. Bridesmaid dresses and hairstyles. When all of the grown ups were sitting at the dinner table, I found myself wanting to go eat with them at the other table, worrying that they felt left out. I love hanging out with A & K and having picnics with R. These girls have truly touched my life and I am so excited to be their Aunt. I can't wait for them to come over to make Christmas cookies, go to recitals, concerts (being that A is in band now), sleepovers, parties and all the other girlie things. Poor Derek. His days are bound to be filled with phone calls about boys (they will need someone to talk to about how silly they are), prom, lipstick colors, and the never ending stream of "girls nights". These life changes not only mean that I get to marry the craziest, silliest, goffiest, most spectacular man alive, but I also get to be and Aunt again......now 8 times over!!! God is Good to me.