Life in Saraville

Local Life #1...

2012-01-29T00:45:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Local Life in Saraville #1! As I said in my last post, I've always wanted to be one of those travel people who found great places that others should visit, right? Well, I've decided to "travel" near to home & find some local places to highlight & share with you! Let me put out a disclaimer & say I'm no travel guide or great reviewer, but I hope you'll find this a fun way to find new local places you can check out! (And I'm sorry to my friends who don't live in my area...but when you come visit, you'll know some great places to go!)

First Local Life stop: Steeped in Comfort!

Steeped in Comfort is a beautiful, little tea house in Lakewood, WA (11016 Gravelly Lake Dr SW). Locally owned and operated, Steeped in Comfort offers a large variety of hot teas, pastries, scones & lunch items. Make sure you give yourself enough time to truly enjoy the experience of Steeped in Comfort - there's nothing extrodinarily fancy about it, but it's a wonderful way to slow down & unwind...even if it's just for an hour or so! (And a great place to go for a Girls' Day Out...but more on that later!)

Okay, so I love tea! Hot tea, iced tea, I love it all. And Steeped in Comfort is fabulous for trying out new teas!

Our pot of Yorkshire Gold tea

Black teas, Green teas, herbal teas, you name 'em, they probably got 'em! I went to Steeped with a wonderful friend last Thursday, and we chose their "Yorkshire Gold" black tea. (Note: each person in your party can choose their own tea & you'll each get your own small pot...we just both wanted to try the same kind so we got one large pot!) It was a blended black tea made from 20 different tea gardens. I added a lump of sugar & a smidge of cream...YUM! Next time I go, I think I might try their "Apple & Caramel" flavored black tea: it's supposed to have bits of caramel brewed with the tea. Sounds lovely to me!

Berry Scone...yum!

Can I just say that if you like Chicken & Wild Rice soup, you HAVE to go to Steeped & get a cup there?! It was SO good! :) I got "The Butler's Bite" (pictured below) for $10.95 & added a homemade scone for $1.50 more. The food prices run from around $3 for a cup or bowl of soup to about $21 for a full-fledged high tea, but the majority of items are $7-10.

"The Butler's Bite" (quiche of the day, cup of soup or salad, & a pot of tea)

Remember when I said Steeped is a great place for a Girls' Day Out? Well...it is! Whether you want to have "tea & crumpets" with the girls or you're looking for a place to take your daughter or granddaughter, Steeped is a wonderful place to go! They even have "Princess Maisie's Tea" specifically designed for kids 10 years & under; i.e., kid-friendly "tea" sandwiches are made from PBJ, etc. (Don't worry, gentlemen, Steeped isn't just for girls. You might be outnumbered, but you probably won't be alone if you go to Steeped! In fact, the day we went, there was a dad who brought his 5 year old daughter for a "tea party.")

Steeped in Comfort is open Tues-Sat from 11a-4p. For more info, check out Steeped in Comfort's website: http://www.steepedincomfort.com/ or call them at 253.582.1336.

Oh, one more thing, after you check out Steeped in Comfort for yourself, simply comment on this post & let me know what you think! Happy tasting!

When I Grow Up, I Wanna Be...

2012-01-26T20:58:00.000-08:00

Do you remember what you wanted to be when you grew up? Was it a doctor or an astronaut? A rock star or a congressman? An olympic athlete or an actor/actress? Or were you like me: at some point in your childhood, you wanted to be all of those things...plus more! (Well, I can't say I ever wanted to be a congresswoman...just being honest! 'course I also wanted to be an olympic ice skater, & we see how that one worked out for me...!)

Well, now that I've "grown up," I'd love to be one of those travel people who goes around & tells people about great places to see! :) But since I don't have enough vacation time to travel very far from home, I thought it would be fun to find some fun, local spots and share them with you! I hope you enjoy seeing some local life through the eyes of a citizen of Saraville! And then, if you haven't been to one of these great local places, I encourage you to check them out for yourself! :)

I "Heart" Netflix...and Classic Movies!

2012-01-07T00:24:00.000-08:00

I've got the instant streaming version of Netflix, and I love it! :) It's become especially lovely the last couple days because I've been home sick with a cold. Any guesses on what I've been watching? Here's a hint: they've included actors & actresses like Cary Grant, Jerry Lewis, Audrey Hepburn & Doris Day... :) Well, if you guessed Charade, Calamity Jane, The Producers, & The Bellboy, you'd be right! Ah, I LOVE the classics! How about you? What's your favorite movie(s)?

I Resolve...Well, Maybe...Well, I Hope...!

2012-01-01T15:27:00.000-08:00

Do you make new year's resolutions? I...um...well, to be honest, I don't. Why? Because it seems like when I make a new year's resolution, I go out of my way to break the same resolution as quickly as humanly possible! :)

So, while I don't actually make resolutions, I kinda make them in my head. :) I know, I know, might as well make them "for real" right? Nope, I won't. Hee, hee, then I won't feel so bad if I don't keep them! ;) BUT in an "off the record" sort of way, here's what I want to do in 2012: be a healthier me, both physically & spiritually! Eating better, exercising more, etc...you know, all the normal resolution stuff ;)...but also I'm committing to reading God's Word consistently!

I've chosen to use my church's read-thru-the-Bible devotional books called "LifeWalk" to help me read God's Word daily. So...here we go!

Hello, hello, 2012!

2011-12-31T15:11:00.000-08:00

Hello 2012 and goodbye 2011! Do you ever feel like everyday is exactly the same...yet when you stop long enough to think back on time, you realize you did more than you thought? Ha! Me too! I did some pretty fun stuff in 2011 when I stopped and thought about it. Here's a snapshot of my 2011 as we get ready to start 2012...

In the fall of 2010 (I know, I know, I'm cheating and adding to my year, but it makes sense, I promise!), I started taking classes thru Liberty University Online to work toward my marketing degree. So thru 2011, I've still be working on it...hopefully in 2013 I'll be a marketing pro!

In February 2011, my roommate and I celebrated our 30th birthdays by going on a cruise! It was SO fun! (I thoroughly recommend them now, LOL!) It was a cruise produced by K-Love, a Christian radio station (like Spirit 105.3 in WA). So each night there were 3-5 different concerts being put on by different Christian artists during the cruise....like Bluetree, Tenth Avenue North, and Israel Houghton!

I had the opportunity to go with some of the youth girls @ my church to the Revolve Tour weekend in Portland last spring. Ha, what a crazy, fun group of girls! A weekend of worship, Bible study, laughter and fun!

The crazy group I got to hang out with for the weekend! :)

Then there was the Living Proof Live Beth Moore conference at the Tacoma Dome (I think it was in March?). I do enjoy studying God's Word with Beth Moore's Bible studies, so going to listen to her teach LIVE is such a blessing! And let me tell you, Travis Cottrell and the worship team...bring you to the Throne in worship! Whoa! :)

Ok, really, does anyone other than me think her sweater is just stinkin' cute?! :)

LPL Worship Team

Ok, this one's kinda random, but I got to crew a Hillsong United concert this year! Ha! Hillsong is one of my most favorite worship artists, so...when I heard they were coming, I jumped at the chance to help out!

Ahhh! One day, I'm going to Australia to meet the Hillsong family!!

This summer, I road-tripped to Texas! My practically second mom moved from California to Texas and she invited me to help her move. So I flew to CA and we drove from Bakersfield to Abilene...I don't think much time went by without laughter ensuing! :)

And this fall was the best! My sister-in-law and I planned a HUGE surprise...I secretly flew to Illinois to surprise my brother for his birthday! We didn't tell the kids either, so it was a giant surprise for everyone. It was super fun and way too short of a visit!

My brother, nieces and my cousins who helped pull off the surprise!

Our goofy family (and my niece's boyfriend - he's a cutie!)

I even got to watch my niece @ her arts rehearsal!

And all year, I've been working with the children's choir at my church. I LOVE it! The kids are a blast and although I'm sure I'm teaching them about music and serving God w/their talents, I honestly think I learn just as much from them about honestly, being authentic and loving others unconditionally. What a blessing and responsibility God has given to me! And how cool is it that I get to have it?!

Christmas musical 2011

Well, that's the highlights...at least the ones I can think of. :) Looking forward to all the fun God has in store for me in 2012! “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” —Jeremiah 29:11

Happy New Year!

The end is near...

2011-12-28T22:47:00.000-08:00

...the end of 2011, that is! It's hard to believe 2011 is just a few days to being over. And with the close of 2011, comes thinking about what has happened throughout the year. Hmm...this is going to take some thought! Stay tuned while I think about 2011...be back soon! :)

Festive! :)

2011-12-20T22:27:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I've realized that I like the word "festive"! It's' just so...festive! So I try to use it...often, LOL! But here's a video clip/song I thought extra festive...enjoy!

12 Days of Christmas...

2011-12-20T14:34:00.001-08:00

Ha! Just found this...happy Christmas! :)

5 Days 'Til Christmas!

2011-12-20T00:41:00.000-08:00

Wow, five days 'til Christmas & all of my Christmas presents are WRAPPED! Yay! Ah, now to clean up the house & get ready for the fam to come by on Christmas Eve...

Does your family have any Christmas traditions that you keep? My family has always opened Christmas presents shortly after midnight on Christmas Day. Growing up, my dad worked swing shift, & he rarely ever had Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day off...so, our folks decided to do the Christmas "thing" right after he got home from work instead! We'd all stay up waiting for dad to come home...and then wait for him to shower...and then wait for him to eat dinner...and then...present time! :) Even now with all us kids as adults, if we're together on Christmas Eve, we often open presents at midnight!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-17T16:40:00.000-08:00

Wow, I can't believe it's already the last month of 2011! And I can't believe it's been so long since I've blogged...! But here we go again. Let's see how this goes...Merry Christmas!

A Year in Review: March 2009

2010-02-01T23:48:00.000-08:00

The family's coming to town! Woohoo!! My brother came to visit with his wife, their 2 kids & his mom-in-law this month. They drove out here from Illinois...took them 2 full days to get out here. They spent most of the time sightseeing as a family, but I did get to spend a day or two with them. While they were here, I went to Snoqualmie Falls with them, and then...all the way to Forks, WA! My older niece is a Twilight freak, so when they decided to come visit, a visit to "Bella & Edward's town" was a necessity. Personally, I hadn't read the books or seen the movie yet (yeah, I know, totally uncool) so I didn't much care...as long as I got to spend time with the family, I was happy. Or so I thought...until I realized it would take almost 4 hours to get to Forks from Snoqualmie Falls! Yikes! Didn't see that one coming. But we finally made it to Forks. We wandered around for about an hour and drove on to LaPush, WA. As we wound our way around to LaPush (which is on the Pacific Ocean), we turned a corner and the entire 4-hour drive became worth it--around the bend was the most gorgeous view of the Pacific Ocean I have seen in a VERY LONG TIME. Waves crashing against the rocks. The sun setting over the water. It was so beautiful! We spent some time playing on the beach, letting the girls dip their toes in the icy cold waters of the Pacific. The girls had never been to the Pacific Ocean before, so that was a fun experience. And then...we came home. The only problem with a long drive TO someplace is the long drive BACK from it! I had my younger niece with me and she slept the whole way back. So it was just me and the radio station, 100.7 the wolf for company! :)

My Seattle 3-Day training began this month! Connie & I signed up for the 24-week training schedule with the 3-Day coaches. So we started walking in earnest this month and logging our miles we put in. They say that before it's all said and done, we'll have put over 600 miles in...hmm, wonder if that's right? We'll have to see...!

A Year in Review: February 2009

2010-02-01T23:47:00.000-08:00

...psyching myself out about the 3-Day Walk...

A Year in Review: January 2009

2010-01-30T01:19:00.000-08:00

2009 started without much pomp and circumstance. Pretty typical month of a seemingly typical year. Ha! Or so I thought…

In January, my sweet friend and walking buddy Connie and I went to an informational meeting. We drove up to Shoreline, WA for an info meeting. What about, you ask? Well, this little thing called the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk…and that, my friend and visitor to Saraville ended the “typical” part of my January 2009! I’d kinda thought about the 3-Day before, but I didn’t have a heart connection to it until that meeting. Hearing the stories of breast cancer survivors, family members of those who lost their battle against breast cancer and people who’ve literally walked in the shoes of a 3-Day-er…that gave me the heart connection! So after a lot of prayer, I decided to join the “movement” so to speak. Yup, I paid my $95 registration fee and officially joined the 2009 Seattle Breast Cancer 3-Day!

FBCL Kids’ Choir started back up for another semester of fun and music! This spring we’re planning to present Jimmy and Gail Getzen’s “Kings, Dreams and Schemes: The Adventures of Daniel”! Fun stuff—we’ve got drama auditions planned for the last week of January. We’ll see how many budding actors and actresses we have this year…

Yikes, It's 2010!

2010-01-14T23:31:00.000-08:00

Wow, okay, so I'm not a good "blogger"...I'm not sure where the last year went, but the last post on here was February 2009...and now it's January 2010.

BUT, I know a ton of crazy stuff happened in 2009, so I'm going to try to catch the year up to start fresh in 2010. :) We'll see how we do this weekend... Wish me luck!

What is Truth?

2009-02-12T00:13:00.000-08:00

Do you REALLY believe that what you believe is REALLY true?

Hmm, find out at a Truth Project class. Go to www.thetruthproject.org for groups meeting near you! If you live near Lakewood, WA, come to our class on Sunday nights from 5-7 PM now through May 3, or Tuesdays from 12:30-2:30pm now through May 5. Both classes are held at First Baptist Church of Lakewood (5400 112th St SW, Lakewood 98499).

Do YOU really believe that what YOU believe is REALLY true? If you're not sure, check out The Truth Project from Focus on the Family.

Those were the days!

2009-02-12T00:06:00.000-08:00

I went to Target yesterday to pick up a couple things, and while I was there I wandered back into the Valentines aisles... I remember bugging my parents to buy the "cool" valentines so I could give them out to my classmates in elementary school. And the mailboxes we would make in our classroom the day before Valentines Day! So much fun! But the best part was after we'd done the customary walk around the classroom on Valentine's Day to "deliver" all our valentines and we'd come back to our own mailboxes and pull out all our valentine mail!! Ah, those were the days!

Psalm 121...a little differently!

2009-02-03T22:36:00.000-08:00

Psalm 121:1-8 (A song of ascents)
1.I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from?
2.My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3.He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber;
4.indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5.The LORD watches over you-- the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6.the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
7.The LORD will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life;
8.the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Check out this awesome version of Psalm 121 by Pastor Roger Archer at Puyallup Foursquare Church in Puyallup, WA:

It's February!

2009-02-03T22:33:00.000-08:00

Oh my goodness! I can't believe it's already February! Only 11 months until Christmas! I actually got a planner for 2009 and sat down one night and started adding in everything I already know about for my 2009. I've got stuff written down into August already! I'm hoping it'll keep me more organized...but only time with tell, huh?

Oh well, have a happy February all!

Goodbye 2008 -- Hello 2009!

2009-01-01T00:06:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR from all the citizens of Saraville to you & yours! It's been a quiet night here in Saraville--and quite lovely if I must say! My original plans changed due to not feeling 100% today (bummer!! but hopefully it'll happen on Saturday instead!). So, I watched some tv, napped on the couch, made a yummy mexican meal, and even baked my very first blackberry pie! Now I have 364 days until I have to make another one (don't want to bake too many pies in a year, ya know! We can't become too domesticated here in Saraville...LOL!).

It's hard to believe a year has come and gone, but it has as quickly as the year before it. Now my question becomes, what do i want to do differently in '09? I can think of a couple things...can you? One of them is memorize more Scripture--memorize it more deliberately, I guess. Hmm, what else...?

While I sit musing about 2009, I'll leave you with a picture of my BEAUTIFUL blackberry pie (and it even tastes almost as good as it looks--not as good as mom or grandma's though!).

HAPPY 2009!!!

I Love Seattle!

2008-12-28T22:31:00.000-08:00

I love Seattle! Really, I love big cities, but of the big cities I've been to, Seattle is at the top! And I don't know why, but when we're coming up I-5 North, and we make the big bend into the city, seeing the skyline & the space needle just makes me happy! Don't ask me why 'cause I couldn't tell you, it just does!

The space needle is a part of Seattle Center, so when I walked around the Center today, of course I had to take a picture. It's amazing how the city can be so busy--filled with people, cars & buses, talking, laughing & drinking their Starbucks--yet you take the elevator to the top of the Needle and it's almost like time is standing still. Things just seem a little calmer looking at it from another perspective. Hmm, deep thought for all of life. Sigh. I love Seattle.

Dreaming of Sugar Plum Fairies...

2008-12-28T22:07:00.000-08:00

...because I scored tickets to the Nutcracker in Seattle! Yup, i won the "Name Game" on Spirit 105.3 FM & won 2 tickets to see the Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker. Wow! It was amazing!!

I went today & we ate and walked around Seattle Center, then went to McCaw Hall for the performance. I love going into large performance halls & theatres. The atmosphere is practically magical & enchanting. Our seats were on the main floor (Row S, even!) so we were able to see all the seats & people all around--the box seats along the walls were pretty cool!

Oh, and since we were on the main floor, we went down to look in the orchestra pit. Poor musicians, they must feel like animals in a zoo each night of a show! And yet, even though I felt bad for those musicians...I still took their pictures!

They also have this great bistro/restaurant in the Hall & you could pre-order your intermission food & snacks. I know, crazy yet awesome! :-) So...need you ask? Of course, we pre-ordered food!

It was so much fun. And now, with sugar plum fairies, the Mouse King, Clara, and the Nutcracker Prince swirling around in my head, I can say that I have truly been to the ballet!

Merry Almost Christmas!

2008-12-09T22:56:00.000-08:00

Hey all! It's 16 days till Christmas, I think. Or at least that's what some of my choir kids told me today when I saw them. The kids' choir totally WOWed me last weekend. Last Sunday was the kids' choir musical at First Baptist Church of Lakewood, and they did a fabulous job! I felt like a proud momma to 19 kids on Sunday night! :-)

And now it's time for a break! We'll start back up again in January, and get ready for our spring musical...I can't believe we're already talking about spring and Easter and such! Craziness!

Well, have a fun December & a Merry Christmas!

FBCL Children's Musical--You're Invited!

2008-11-24T23:15:00.000-08:00

You're invited to my church's Children's Choir Christmas musical: "The Great Late Potentate"! I help direct the kids' choir at FBCL, and in less than 2 weeks, they'll be performing their Christmas program. It's awesome...but I suppose I might be just a wee bit biased...nah, not me! LOL!

An amazing friend is taking pictures for me, so when I get 'em, I'll try to post some. But if you're in the Lakewood, WA area, I hope you can come! We'd love to pack out the place for the program!! Here's the details:

The Children's Choir presents The Great Late Potentate
Sunday, December 7 at 6 PM
at First Baptist Church of Lakewood
Lakewood, WA
For more info, call (253) 582-1000

Give Thanks...for what?

2008-11-24T23:05:00.000-08:00

So it's Thanksgiving week. And no doubt mothers around the country are running around with shopping lists a mile long that need to be filled before Thursday--a day when probably the most consumption of turkey happens in the US of A. Then hours of preparation commence to be followed by 30 minutes of eating...then snoozing in front of the TV for the rest of the evening, with spurts of football watching, of course. But why do we all do it? What is it that makes Americans throw everything aside to cook a turkey & bake a pumpkin pie on one specific day? We say it's "a day to give thanks," but is it? Really? I mean, that's a good answer but do we really believe what we're saying? And if that's so, then why do we be nice for just ONE day, just to go back to griping and complaining because that giant truck took up two spaces in the Wal-Mart parking lot so now we have to park 4 miles away at the Day-After-Thanksgiving Sale? Are we really thankful? Am I really thankful?

Hmm, just food for thought as you continue preparing for this special holiday week...Enjoy your Butterball, and Be Thankful. For Real.

Ever "Dressed Up"?

2008-11-01T01:01:00.000-07:00

So yesterday was halloween. Pretty quiet night for me...I went to dinner & a movie with some friends. We got to the mall for the movie, and the cutest pirate was there...the most adorable 3 year old ever found in a pirate costume! Along with some pretty cute princesses, superheroes, lions, tigers, and bears...oh my!

So, did you ever dress up for halloween? What's your favorite costume you ever wore? Did you ever make your own costume? Spare us no details here in Saraville! (I remember being a '50s girl--complete with poodle skirt, saddle shoes, white shirt & sweater tied around my shoulders!)

Wait...more than watchmen for the morning

2008-11-01T00:45:00.000-07:00

I saw the movie "Fireproof" tonight. GOOD MOVIE. If it's still in a theater near you, I totally encourage you to see it. This YouTube video is one of the songs played in the movie with the actual movie clip played as well. The song struck me & I made my movie-going comrades sit thru the entire movie credits so I could figure out what song it was (thanks, girls & Brian! I so appreciate it!).

I just finished a Bible study on the Psalms of Ascent & Psalm 130's theme is on waiting on the Lord: Ps. 130:6--"I wait for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning--more than watchmen for the morning." And it's interesting, in the Hebrew, the word "wait" in these verses means to wait with expectation. That it's not just "sitting there" waiting, looking bored out of your mind as you peer into the skies looking for God to do something. But it's waiting, expecting God to work and to "show up" in the situation--all the while, as you wait, you continue to do what you already KNOW to do.

Ok, all that to say: love the movie, love the song. So I had to share:

I Luv Concerts!

2008-10-27T00:41:00.000-07:00

So I went to a great, loud concert Saturday night with the girls @ Overlake CC. The Christian bands there were VOTA, Tenth Avenue North, and Sanctus Real. Did I mention the concert was loud? In case I missed it, it was LOUD. Everyone's asked me who the bands were, and I couldn't remember any of their songs at the time! Well, I didn't know VOTA, but they're from Lincoln, NE (where my fav. NE buddy Katie lives! Hi, Katie!). Tenth Ave. North does the song "By Your Side" (great song about God never leaving your side no matter where you are), and Sanctus Real does the song "The Face of Love." (There's a great song from their newest CD called "Lay Down My Guns" that you should totally check out too!) Did I mention the concert was loud? Anyhoo, here's a few pics from the concert (a huge thanks to J for the "front of the mosh pit" photos!!):

Tenth Avenue North

Sanctus Real

Sanctus Real

Newest Fashion Craze!

2008-10-12T00:48:00.000-07:00

Hospital gowns & pajama pants are all the rage for everyday use. Like strolling down the hall, for example. But I'm thinking they need to come with more strings to tie them with, or it could get a teeny bit drafty...

Three words...Black Forest Cake!

2008-10-12T00:41:00.000-07:00

So I found the yummiest cake the other day! It's from Safeway (my local grocery store) and it's called "Black Forest Cream Cake" (according to the label). It was amazing!! I got it Friday for our Bible study group because one of our girls' birthdays is this week (Happy Birthday, Michelle!). And it was GOOD! I couldn't resist taking a couple pics of it--don't be jealous, just go buy one! Does anyone know how to make that cherry filling part in the cake? I thought I'd try to make one, but I don't know what the filling is. Anyone? Lemme know!

Fab Song!

2008-10-10T00:06:00.000-07:00

From the moment I heard this song on the radio, I've had a love/hate relationship with it. Love: because it's an amazing song with lyrics that are SO good & such a prayer of mine. Hate: because it's an amazing song with lyrics that are SO good & should be such a prayer of mine! It's called "Give Me Your Eyes" and it's by Brandon Heath. Part of it came to mind after I blogged my last entry, so I googled it to find the lyrics & found this music video. If you have 4 minutes, watch it, listen to the words, and see if your heart agrees...or see if you're like me and your heart should agree... Lord, there's so much more than my world of "Saraville." Please give me Your eyes that I may see...

If you can't get the video for some reason, lemme know & I'll post the lyrics. It's amazing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTsYAZvHsEQ

What If...

2008-10-09T23:26:00.001-07:00

I just finished reading a book by Terri Blackstock called "Miracles." Terri Blackstock is known for her suspense/mystery Christian fiction novels, so when I saw this book on sale, I jumped on it (well, not literally--but figuratively, ok?). I started reading it and realized it wasn't what I would consider a "typical" Terry Blackstock book. Instead it's 2 books in one & they are both about people who suddenly wake up with "miracle gifts." Or at least that's what we'd call them.

The characters can suddenly hear people's deepest feelings--where the soul itself cries out. And they can supernaturally point out someone in a crowd who is hurting and needs true unconditional love. The characters realize that God has given them, for a moment of time, the ability to see, hear, feel, what He sees, hears, and feels towards humans--his creation. They begin to use their "gifts" to reach out to people who are hurting and begin to see how Jesus is what they needed all along. And then just as quickly as they got these "gifts," the gifts vanish. At first, the characters think they cannot be used to reach other people any longer but then realize they had these gifts all along--they are gifts of the Holy Spirit.

I started thinking, what if...? What if I stopped long enough to pay attention to the people around me? What if I looked up and actually LOOKED into that woman's eyes as she sits down at the Wendy's restaurant? What if I took the time to listen, to really listen, when I ask someone "How are you" the next time? What if I allowed my heart to break as I drive by the street corner where that homeless man is standing begging for money? What would happen? Would I see just a teensy sliver of what God sees? Would I hear just one conversation--just one cry of desperation--that God hears? Would I feel the most minute inkling of what God's heart feels every moment of every day? What if...?

Skip-Bo for one!

2008-10-09T23:13:00.000-07:00

Remember the card game Skip-Bo? It's still out there--a card game standard like Uno or Phase Ten, I suppose. Anyway, it can be a long game, and I've always loved it...but haven't found a ton of people who'll play with me. BUT I found a great way to play by myself (and not at a card table switching seats back and forth)! Drumroll, please...

It's a computer game called "Skip-Bo Castaway Caper." I found it on a website called www.gamehouse.com. It's so fun! It's the regular Skip-Bo game--you just play it against the computer! Hooray! Now I don't have to beg someone to play it with me!

Of course, once the free trial is used up, then I'll have to fork over some cash if I want to keep playing...

What is "worship"??

2008-10-09T09:17:00.000-07:00

Quack, quack! We're the Puddleducks!

2008-10-02T23:18:00.000-07:00

Here's the Puddleducks! Our soggy group of "ducks" walked in the 4US fundraising walk benefitting the CareNet & Life Choices pregnancy center organizations. The event was held at Pt. Defiance Park in Tacoma. It was a ton of fun (even in the rain!). Our group raised over $200, and the entire 4US event (biking, running, & walking) raised over $100,000!!!! Amazing!

We look so official with our race bibs on! :-)

Some of the brave people enduring the weather for a great cause (of course, the week coming up to this walk, the weather was beautiful and sunny...don't you know it!)

Me & Arnetta enjoying our umbrellas

One of the Puddleducks' fans!

On your mark...get set...GO!

Woohoo! Here come some Puddleducks!!

We all made it! Go team, go!

Giving Hope to Our Community

2008-10-02T22:59:00.000-07:00

Saturday, Sept. 6, the women's ministry at my church (First Baptist Church of Lakewood) had a ladies' brunch. Following a baby theme for the brunch, all the decorations were baby-related, including this adorable Diaper Cake pictured here! Yup, it's make out of newborn sized diapers all rolled up individually and then rubberbanded together into layers. Is that not the cutest thing?! I'd never heard of one before, but I would totally make one for a baby shower or something now! At the brunch, we heard from the director of the CareNet Pregnancy Center in Lakewood, WA.

Very cool what CareNet does! They're a Christian-based organization that reaches out to women & teen girls who find themselves pregnant unexpectedly. Many times, these gals come into the CareNet offices ready & willing to have an abortion because they just don't know what else to do. The counselors at CareNet meet with the gals, give a FREE pregnancy test, and counsel with them and answer their questions. If the pregnancy tests come back positive, CareNet will give them free ultrasounds so they can actually see their babies. It's some amazing rate like 96% of women who have an ultrasound done at CareNet choose to carry their baby full term, many of them choosing to raise the child rather than give him or her up for adoption! So cool!

Want more info about CareNet? Go to www.care-net.org and check them out! Really, there's CareNet offices all over the US!

$45 and not ONE treat!

2008-10-02T22:50:00.000-07:00

Boy, being an adult & going to the grocery store isn't always what it's cracked up to be! Had to go to Safeway (the grocery store right by my house) tonight after work. And picked up what I needed. That's great, right? I mean, I got everything I needed to get through the week.

So what's the problem? I spent over $45 & didn't get a single "treat" in any of my bags! Just the necessities--you know, milk, bread, fruit & veggies, some meats, yogurt for breakfast... I know, I know, those of you out there with kids are freaking out 'cause I only spend $45, but you gotta understand I'm flying solo here, so $45 is a lot for me. So, let's get back to the issue of not getting any treats! I mean, not even a single candy bar or cookie! Boy, sometimes being the "adult" is the pits! :-D

Maybe next time I'll need to put "Reeses cups" on my grocery list...

Sorry, still getting organized!

2008-10-01T21:52:00.000-07:00

I'm having fun blogging about the little things going on in Saraville! But I do apologize if for a little while my blogs are out of order in a "timeline" sense a little bit. I'm trying to catch visitors to Saraville up, and I've already found some other funny, serious, reflective, happy...umm, yeah, that's all the adjectives I can think of right now...things to share right now too. So, hold tight, Saraville visitors! Eventually we'll all be in the same month!

Rockin' the Boat!

2008-10-01T21:46:00.000-07:00

Ya know that ferris wheel at the fair that looks like a bunch of umbrellas going around? Well, you can't fall out of them by rocking them too hard. I know 'cause Arnetta tried! Although she didn't succeed in rocking us out, I got a fun little video out of it! It's kinda hard to tell 'cause it looks like I'm the one moving, but it's her trying to rock our little umbrella car...

Just don't be late...Do the Puyallup!

2008-10-01T21:37:00.001-07:00

I love the fair! I love fair food, I love fair rides, I love fair games, I even sometimes love wandering through the exhibits!

But I especially love going to the fair with Arnetta (in the pic)! She is like a giddy little girl when she gets on a fair ride. Seriously. No joke. As soon as she sits down, she starts giggling...and the giggles don't stop until she gets OFF the ride! The very first time I ever experience this giggle was when I went on this ride called The Super Orbiter. At first I thought there was something wrong or she was nervous, but nope! she just LOVES rides! In fact, she loves rides that I wouldn't even want to go on in my dreams! This year, when we went to the fair, she'd ask, "How 'bout that one?" and I'd just look at her and say, "Go ahead. I'll be here when you finish!"

But it was a fun year at the fair! I even won a prize at one of the fair games (you know the one you have to line up the water into the clown's mouth & pop the balloon? yeah, that one). I didn't eat an elephant ear this year tho...or a scone (the scone place was closed by the time we got ready to leave). Bummer! Better luck next year!

LOTS of locks of love!

2008-10-01T21:24:00.001-07:00

I finally did it! I finally cut my hair & donated it to Locks of Love. Locks of Love is an organization that takes donated hair & makes wigs out of it for children that have lost their own hair because of long-term medical hair loss like alopecia areata. To donate hair for the wigs, it must be at least 10 inches long. Hair lengths less than 10 inches can still be donated--they sell them to other wig-making businesses and use the profits to help cover the expenses of making their own wigs. To find out more about Locks of Love, go to www.locksoflove.org and check it out!

They're Not Talking to Me...

2008-10-01T21:04:00.000-07:00

I found out this weekend that my sister's friend from work decided she isn't talking to me for a few weeks! The only problem? ...We've never met!

Yup, that's right, a person I've never met isn't talking to me. And it's all because I went to a Chris Tomlin concert on September 11. Of course, the concert was a "you-have-to-somehow-win-tickets-in-order-to-go" concert, and I got to meet said Chris Tomlin, but still, the silent treatment? From someone I don't know? Oh, that cracked me up when my sister told me that! Too funny!

But hey, it's cool. I went to an amazing concert & sat in the front row (look you can see Chris' shoelaces in this picture!) and had a blast with my singing buddy Marisa! Loved it & would do it again in a heartbeat...even if it meant someone I've never met won't talk to me!

Greetings from Saraville!

2008-09-30T01:07:00.001-07:00

Greetings & Salutations! So I'm new to the "blogging" realm, but I'm realizing that people often ask me: "What are you up to?" or "What's new in your life?" And usually, I reply, "Not much...just working, eating, and sleeping when I can!" However, I've come to the realization that this response is a lie.

Actually, I'm doing quite a bit. It's just that when I go to answer those poignant questions...I get a brain freeze & suddenly my life consists of little more than work, food, and sleep!

So, hopefully blogging "life in Saraville" will help my poor little brain out! I hope you have just as much fun hearing about life in Saraville as I will blogging about it! Oh...and PLEASE leave comments for this member of the Saraville community! It's always fun to have visitors in town!