So much for a "white Christmas"

... but we have a white new year! The new year is being welcomed in with huge snowflakes falling all around. It's so pretty! Too bad it's cold! In fact, I think I'm going to take a walk in it!

Well lookee here!

I have my computer back!!! Andy tripped over the power chord as he was carrying his computer somewhere last Saturday and it broke... (that should be on the tattle blog). He's been using mine a lot -- he still manages to play computer games! Online computer games! Sheesh!!!

Oh guess what? I sent my camera out by UPS the other week (Mr. Freire was really nice and gave me a little "Christmas gift" by not charging me) and Canon fixed it without charge (although their policy says the warranty doesn't count for impact). YAY! So it's being sent through FedEx and should arrive on the 7th around 7pm (according to the tracking thingy). YIPPEE!!! That means I get it back in time for the youth retreat!

I've been so cameraless... I didn't take any pics at the youth days. Speaking of which, they were great! Pastor Tracey preached... Psalm (pronounced Sam) 130 and 131. His whole family came down from Maine (pronounced Meen)! We were invited to the Carlson's the night they arrived, so we got to meet them. Anna is 17 and we got along really well. When I first saw Nathaniel, the youngest, the first thought that popped into my head was "He would be absolutely adorable in a black and white photo!!!" Sadly I didn't have my camera... sniff. But really, he has such a cute face, brown curls... and many people say he looks like a hobbit. (The Traceys love LOTR and Narnia)

Back to the youth days... not many people came. Four years ago when I was in 9th grade, a lot of kids all through high school and into college came. This time, there were only about 5 college students. Oh well... it was still fun. We played games and stuff...

The activity for Thursday was paintballing!!! They went some place in Pennsylvania that had really cool site. It's a huge field with a big castle. (www.skirmish.com) I didn't go because it wasn't worth $35 and being at church at 7:30am. =) Pete Smith loved it and said it was worth the money.

Instead of paintballing, I went to the Carlsons and went bowling with them. That was funness!!! The Traceys were still there... so I spent the day with them. Then I went to Kait's house after prayer meeting. We watched "It's a Wonderful Life." People kept telling me I should watch it and Kait couldn't believe I hadn't watched it before. But now I am educated and I like it! (Except the whole angel deal is kinda dumb and the opening, as Kait says, is "hokey.")

Wayne is getting married today, so Andy and I are going to the wedding (not the reception). Gmother and Gfather went to CJ's for his bday party. I wish I could be in 2 places at once.

The End

Why don't I get lots of comments? Why don't I have long, interesting posts? OH YEAH!!! Because I don't have as much time to waste as Sai and I don't have as many ultimate jeepney experiences!!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHA

I'll post more some time... when I can write... "wala ako sa mood" HAHA! I didn't just say that...

Blah de blah...

So anyway we went to VA on Thursday. Andy was sick so we didn't leave at 6:30 as we intended to. Instead we left around 11ish... it took about 9 hours because there was a ton of traffic. I did 6 of the hours driving.

Last night we went to Richmond! We came in late because there is a conspiracy against us so that we never get there on time *pokes Hannah* =) It was about the errors of Dispensationalism -- definitely up my alley and it was really good! Gave me a better understanding...

We went to the Brackett's house afterwards. Wheeee!!! That was fun.

For Narnia and for Aslan! AND FOR FRODO!!!!!!

Hi.

The end.

Just kidding. I saw Narnia last night at 9:30. 'Twas nice. They changed a few parts, but they did stick to the story. They didn't change anything important! It was a good movie, although there was a lack of the great reverence and awe for Aslan as is portrayed in the book. The Christian message comes out only to those that know the meaning behind it (in my opinion). Other than that, it's just a really good story. At least there wasn't any new age stuff in it! For Disney, they did a good job. By the way, did C.S. Lewis hold to the once saved always saved thing? ("Once a king or queen in Narnia, always a king and queen in Narnia.") Yet, Susan "apostatized" in the last book!

I slept over at Kait's house. We stopped talking at 3am. Hehe. 'Twas fun!

For some reason I thought I had a lot to say, but now I don't. Oh well!!!

We're going to VA tomorrow morning at "6:30" according to Andy. HAH we'll see if he's ready at 6:30. I'm packed... for the most part.

The End

Wheeee...

La la la... I spent the afternoon in front of my computer and the scanner! Yes! Can you believe it? I updated my website! I didn't put anything of college up, though. Oh well!!! Who cares! I'm gonna update the main site eventually if I ever get around to it. Wheee!!! So yeah, the website is ALIVE! YAHOOO!!! Check out the pics!

My cousin stopped in!!! WHEEE! I haven't seen him since October! Yippee! It was brief, but at least we saw him. But my grandparents are gone... they're visiting my grandfather's brother.

It's 8:30. I think I'll go to bed early. GO ME!

"In the beginning was the Word..."

I just decided... I like my handwriting when I write using Grandmother's green pen. Hehe. Wala lang...

Anyway I was supposed to go to ECE today but I guess I forgot to tell Andy I would go. Hence he left without me. Oh well... next time na lang. Tonight is a hymn sing at the Davies' house. I think I'll go to it. Oh and I figured out the html to get my links back on! (When I changed my layout, I lost the link codes, but I borrowed them from a different layout and had to figure out where in the CSS they fit. Hehe.)

This morning was good. Pastor Martin preached on John 1. Funny, little bits of Christology from Doctrine class kept coming to mind during the sermon. =) I loved that class and learned a lot! (And I even got an A- which is my only A! Unless of course I amazingly get an A in English) But yeah, you should get the tape.

Some verses to think on:

"There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty." Deut. 33:26

"This is what the LORD says-- He who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: 'Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.'" Isaiah 44:2

"Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

"Shout for joy, O heavens! And rejoice, O earth!
Break forth into joyful shouting, O mountains!
For the LORD has comforted His people
And will have compassion on His afflicted." Isaiah 49:13

"Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts:
'I am the first and I am the last,
And there is no God besides Me.
Who is like Me? Let him proclaim and declare it;
Yes, let him recount it to Me in order,
From the time that I established the ancient nation.
And let them declare to them the things that are coming
And the events that are going to take place.
'Do not tremble and do not be afraid;
Have I not long since announced it to you and declared it?
And you are My witnesses
Is there any God besides Me,
Or is there any other Rock?
I know of none.'" Isaiah 44:6-8

"Get yourself up on a high mountain,
O Zion, bearer of good news,
Lift up your voice mightily,
O Jerusalem, bearer of good news;
Lift it up, do not fear
Say to the cities of Judah,
'Here is your God!'
Behold, the Lord GOD will come with might,
With His arm ruling for Him
Behold, His reward is with Him
And His recompense before Him.
Like a shepherd He will tend His flock,
In His arm He will gather the lambs
And carry them in His bosom;
He will gently lead the nursing ewes.
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand,
And marked off the heavens by the span,
And calculated the dust of the earth by the measure,
And weighed the mountains in a balance
And the hills in a pair of scales?
Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD,
Or as His counselor has informed Him?
With whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding?
And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge
And informed Him of the way of understanding?
Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket,
And are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales;
Behold, He lifts up the islands like find dust.
Even Lebanon is not enough to burn,
Nor its beasts enough for a burnt offereing.
All the nations are as nothing before Him,
They are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless.
To whom then will you liken God?
Or what likeness will you compare with Him?
As for the idol, a craftsman casts it,
A goldsmith plates it with gold,
And a silversmith fashions chains of silver.
He who is too impoverished for such an offering
Selects a tree that does not rot;
He seeks out for himself a skillful craftsman
To prepare an idol that will not totter.
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
Has it not been declared to you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,
Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain
And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.
He it is who reduces rulers to nothing,
Who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.
Scarcely have they been planted,
Scarcely have they been sown,
Scarcely has their stock taken root in the earth,
But He merely blows on them, and they wither,
And the storm carries them away like stubble.
"To whom then will you liken Me
That I would be his equal?" says the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes on high
And see who has created these stars,
The One who leads forth their host by number,
He calls them all by name;
Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power,
Not one of them is missing.
Why do you say, O Jacobm and assert, O Israel,
'My way is hidden from the LORD,
And the justice due me escapes the notice of God'?
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creatover of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired
His understanding is inscrutable.
He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary."
Isaiah 40:9-31

Break is wonderful

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

Well yesterday was interesting. I woke up late, but that was cuz I went to bed at midnight. The youth had gotten back from the Bible study at our house and they all got online around 12 and we got to chat! Joash showed me the cookie he made (he had his webcam on) and Eunice was sending me pictures from the trip to Twin Falls and youth camp. They're all going ice skating on Wednesday and I kept saying that they were being so unfair because they didn't bother to invite me. *sigh* It's the thought that counts and they didn't even have the thought.... =)

In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty's vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.

So after talking to them for the rest of the morning, I got some stuff together to go run some errands. I had some interesting experiences... like attempting to drive out the entrance... *sigh* I also went to the post office and mailed out a package that should have been mailed 3 months ago. That took up a lot of the afternoon. I got back and looked up directions to Walmart and from Walmart to the Carlson's.

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

After successfully finding my way to Walmart and getting what I needed there, I went to the Carlson's! There was one section that I goofed on and had to turn around. That took a little bit of time, but I wasn't lost. =) I eventually got to their house! Andy was already there.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

Mrs. Carlson was making dinner and Sheryl and Andrew were bouncing all over the place. Julie had asked me to bring some videos of stuff from the Philippines. I finally showed them the video message of the Dizons and other clips around church and Cebu. Mrs. Carlson got to see some of the women and the kids, which was cool. Oh, I also saw the music video that the cousins on Mrs. Carlson's side had made. It was really well done... very nice! It inspired me to make a music video, but I don't have a camera or actors. Haha!!! But I hope to be making another movie with Alexa for the missions conference.

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

Kuya Gabby arrived a little later and we ate dinner and had devotions. They have an advent tree where they put up little felt things and read a passage corresponding with it. For example, they put up the Lion and the Lamb and read a passage in Isaiah. It was an interesting idea. Sheryl and Andrew had their hands up for every single question. Those two are quite the energetic kids!

Even down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.

We watched a little more of the videos and then talked for awhile... Sheryl and Andrew had already gone to bed. We said goodbye to Kuya Gabby who is going home to the warm weather, MCBC, Cebu... all that good stuff. I wanted to fit in his suitcase. Sniff. His flight was at 8am this morning. Mrs. Carlson asked him what time he would be at the airport. "7:45" =) I haven't been around all that much, so it was nice to be able to go over to the Carlson's and see them.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeaor to shake,
I'll never, no never, no never forsake.

Anyway, this morning I sent in a repair request for my camera and took very interesting pictures of myself with the webcam to send to my parents... and... shtuff. So I'm off now to find something profitable to do. See ya!

Can't seem to figure out how to link the blogs like you're supposed to... but anyway, check this out: Andy's Blog

I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek, more earnestly, His face.

'Twas He who taught me thus to pray,
And He, I trust, has answered prayer!
But it has been in such a way,
As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour
At once He'd answer my request;
And by His love's constraining pow'r
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry pow'rs of hell
Assault my soul in every part.

Yea more, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

Lord, why is this, I trembling cried,
Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?
"'Tis in this way," the Lord replied,
"I answer prayer for grace and faith.

These inward trials I employ,
From self, and pride, to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou may'st find thy all in Me."

CHRISTMAS BREAK!!!

The semester is over! Wow! Time flies! I took my last final today -- OT History. There was a "Christmas gift" question for us too.

"Who was the man to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, through the desert, write the law, and die at the age of 120?"A. Saddam Hussein B. George Bush C. Donovan McNabb D. Donald Trump E. MOSES (A little Christmas gift for you)

Hehe, that was fun. Hey guess what? After a whole semester of constantly getting lost coming back to NJ, I finally think I've conquered it! YAY! It took a whole semester too. Actually, come to think of it, that is really pathetic.

Rachael gave me a Veggie Tales CD for Christmas. Tee hee... ways to annoy my brother over break!!! Yeah I'm behind times -- discovered Veggie Tales in college! Oh well!

I had a lot of fun with my cousins! They are so cute! I was able to come back to NJ Monday afternoon after Doctrine. (By the way, after all that studying, I still got an 87! I think I might have done better if 15 questions hadn't been taken off the test) I got to spend all Tuesday with the kids! I spent most of the time with Kayla. I also drove her down to the West Caldwell library. We were there for about 2 hours. Twas fun. I was going to go to bed early, but ended up sleeping around 10:30 because Kayla and I were talking. Hehe. Hope I can visit them in the spring!

I left for school Wednesday at 6:30am. The math test was pretty easy. I basically spent the day in my dorm... Elizabeth and Katie were eating lunch in the lounge so I joined them cuz they were watching "Beauty and the Beast." Ahh, memories! Then I hung out in Rachael's wing. I was studying and taking pictures. (Kendra is leaving so Rachael is making a picture frame thing for her... took some hysterical pics!) For dinner, I ate in the lounge with Sunhee and Ariel cuz Ariel wanted to see "Fiddler on the Roof." We had wanted to do it for a while now, but only just got to it last night. They really enjoyed it. Then I took more pics of Rachael's wing and then went to Sunhee's room and slept over there with Ariel. We studied for OT first.

This morning I took the test, packed up, and went back to NJ! Break has officially started. YAY!!!

CUTE KIDS

Ok, this is what English class is like (thankfully it's OVER):









And snow! And dorm Christmas party!

Becky + going to NJ + driving alone = lost

Why can I follow directions to any other place except New Jersey where I kind of live!!! WHAT IS UP WITH THAT?!?!?! I got lost again! I was trying to be smart but ended up being moi estupido. We won't go into all that... if you really want to know how I got lots of cars honking at me at the toll booth, email me and I might tell you.

So yesterday was a snow day. I went to Widener University and visited Carrie. Wow, the campus is so different from PBU. First of all I wasn't expecting guys on the first floor! In PBU guys are only allowed in the lounge (if there are 3 people there) with special permission from the RA or during open dorm. Plus their dorms weren't set up like a house as ours kind of are. (We have a lounge downstairs... and it's a much smaller dorm.) It's a nice campus, but I'm glad I'm at PBU. It's smaller... and we have bathrooms in our suites...

Um... yeah! So today I took my English final. It was cool. We had to write about when people really become adults. I had a lot of fun with it.. I think I was the only one who used 2 blue books. I really got into that topic (all about how many youth today are legally adults but are actually still kids). Then I got "Even a child is known by his actions by whether his conduct is pure and right" stuck in my head so I had to pop "Hide Em In Your Heart" into my player as I drove home. *sings*

I baked a lot when I got home... and I did laundry. Now I need to write for Doctrine (I forgot about it. BAD) Toodles!!!

"But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;" Isaiah 43:1-3

"But Zion said, 'The LORD has forsaken me, And the Lord has forgotten me.' Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me." Isaiah 49:14-16

"...and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20

SNOW DAY

Hi peeps! We have a snow day. It's sad... cuz we don't have doctrine now. We only read his notes. Sniff!!! I love that class. I studied in the library with Nick and Sunhee. We talked too much. But it was fun. Then Sunhee and I went to the mall. I was looking for Christmas gifts and I also found heel thingys for my shoes.

I finished my paper for English class. I also taught my lesson for teaching Bible. I was basically the most blah teacher ever. Hehe. Oh well, I got a 91.5 on my lesson which I think gives me an A for the class. In English class we had a spelling bee. Yes, we had a SPELLING BEE. And people can't spell in college. Sad.

I have reading to do and stuff... not sure what all I'm going to do today. Chris said we could play in the snow. We tried sledding with garbage bags the other day. Didn't really work but it was fun.

I could probably write more but I need to shower. HAHA bye

"Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable.
He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary."
Isaiah 40:28-31

It SNOWED

You know that white stuff? It's called SNOW. Because I'm lazy, I'm going to copy and paste from an email to David!

Well I had an interesting morning! I looked out the window and there's white stuff everywhere! We got about 2 inches of snow last night. Anyway I went outside to heat up my car and scrape all the snow off... then as I started out of school, my breaks were locking up and I was skidding all over! The roads were too bad and I have no experience driving in snow, so I turned right around and went back to school. As I was driving back up to the dorm parking lot, I passed Benaiah (the guy from the Philippines). He said the shuttle for Calvary Baptist would come at 9. So... I decided to go to that church. It was basically pretty shallow, although the Sunday School was a little better than the morning worship. They are starting a new series in the Sunday School -- about apologetics and they're using a book that I know Trinity has in the book room. But yeah... it was typical... but at least it wasn't loud!

We had a fellowship lunch afterwards. That was ok... but yeah, I came back not feeling that fed. The roads are better now so I'm going to risk driving to Warminster in the evening. I called Grandmother and Grandfather about it and also Pastor Wasson who said it should be ok. It's just like rain on the road now. I realize after going to a church like Calvary how much I appreciate Trinity and all that... yeah. I need to charge my cellphone though.

Last night was the "Night at the Oscars." It was ok... everyone got all dressed up and stuff. I wore my Filipinana thing. But yeah... basically it was boring. I almost wished I had stayed in the Eagles nest with Chris and Dan (Chris is in my dorm). They played games and watched "The Incredibles." (HAH the movie that brings nightmares... "I like movies...") But yeah it was interesting. There were only 2 movies submitted. The RA white slip one was great. They should show that to prospective students. =)

Anyway, open dorm was Thursday. It was good! The other wings were decorated really well. Ours was a Scrooge Christmas. One of these days I'll get pictures up on photobucket, but right now I'm too lazy. Oh well!

"... for the Lord your God is he who fights for you, just as He promised you. So take diligent heed to yourselves to love the Lord your God." Joshua 23:10b-11