It is about time, Katrina. Took you long enough!

I can't even describe the peace and pleasure that fill me when I am alone; when all is perfectly still. I prefer it to a room full of laughter or the center of a warm embrace, to color, to music, to sweet-smelling things. It's beautiful. There isn't anything like it.

".. voyaging at midnight over moonless seas."

This is me--crutchless and raw. Do with me what You will. Take me where You please.

You quiet me with Your love,
Oh Lord ♥.

Hale-bopp: the comet that stole my heart.

Those beautifully pale green eyes see right through my cheeky grins. I can't keep a darn thing from you. As my mouth drips much drool of confession after terrible confession, I feel more relieved than I had anticipated. You have never judged me, nor do I fear you ever will. You always seem to understand even the things I haven't said. And you have great faith that what is happening is for my own good.

Hayley Jade, you are the best real Bible-believing Christian white girlfriend a girl could ever have. So glad you're mine.

"Katrina? Like the hurricane?"

Oh, yes, honey. You have no idea.

(More Project Ethos pictures to follow)

Mama said, "Enter into silence and wait for hope to appear."

♥

happyblessedhumbled

The bird that snagged the seed!

After a day peppered with sweet moments with the Lord, I intended to come home and tell of the delicate yet extravagant way the Lord has been romancing me lately. Then I was going to spend some time reading and have a light but awesome work-out.

Instead, I am home entertaining a million butterflies who just ambushed my insides. Well, I can't really say they attacked me because I pretty much gave them the thumbs up. What I can/will say is that I seriously need to pee. My bladder is empty but with this feeling in my gut, I could wet my bed for weeks. That I probably will.

(If you're a first-time reader then disregard this/me because none of this/me will make sense to you. And, no, I don't literally need to pee.)

Now if you'll excuse me, I am going to release some pent-up energy and hit the treadmill pretty hard tonight. Goodbye, my sweet 7lbs!

If you know wussup,

..I've decided today that it makes me want to pee in my pants. Thought I'd share.

(Edit:)

Took Franks to Melrose so we could find her a birthday outfit, which we did. We spent hours browsing and bought everything worth looking at, which wasn't too too much. &even if we got a $55 parking ticket, darn-near died of walking in the heat, and experienced an intense caffeine crash by 8pm, we had such a fantastic day. It's nice to be in good company. Also, noticed this mural for the first time.

painted on Melrose/Spaulding

(photo credit: Bohemian Brainwork)

Three Samsons, a Tuason, and a whole lot of laughter

Watched some Flight of the Conchords last night and got the best ab work-out of the century.

#5. Ships in a Bottle

Resumed session at a hotel with my little green-eyed monster today. His parents told of the fire incident that took place at their home last week. Thankfully, no one was hurt (physically). The bad news: they lost 100% of the things in the session room/garage, and 40% of what was in the house. It's going to take 4-6mo before they can move back home. It's tragic. My heart and prayers go out to them.

On a separate note, I swallowed dozens of butterflies yesterday. Sometimes I feel as though they're gone, but then they start whirling inside me again. I can't decide if I'm tickled, gonna throw up, or gonna pee in my pants. Ah. Does it move you inside out? Baby, I don't wanna know.

#3. Here comes the...

@4:20pm.

(Then again at...)

@10:36pm.

"Babe, tumataba ka ba?"

If my dad didn't notice my haircut but noticed the weight gain, then that is a mighty good sign.

Topper, I know you're reading this. I hope you're proud of me :). I'll be 15lbs buffer when you come back from the PI. I only have 8/15 more to go!

Project Ethos 2010

I copped my tickets today :). Eee!

yourlackofbraincells=myheartattack.

I never realized until now how many stupid decisions you make when you're without me. Oh, honey. I am praying and hoping you will wake up very soon. I know you, and I cringe at how careless you are being. I'm tempted to apologize for "abandoning" you and for the brutality of my silence. I know that you cling to your arrogance and do stupid things because I have left you wounded. But honestly, honey, I've little to no remorse. You are a grown man-- man of God, even-- and should be able to buck up and wipe some dirt on it. I know you feel you've already lost so much, but you could lose everything else if you don't focus on the Lord right now. "Let not our longing slay the appetite of our living." Come on, I know you're better than this.


This isn't about us; it's about you and your future. I caution you as a sister in Christ from the bottom of my little nervous heart(!).

Shelah Heraldo (a.k.a. "Princess")

The mention of her name will always result in my abrupt interruption of the conversation, as I must immediately explicate just how much I adore her. I seriously can't help it. So, as you can imagine, running into her the other night at the Guppy Tea House was a disaster (in a good way). The boys and I were already on our way out, so after the encounter I was incessantly gushing to them about how much I love her.

I wouldn't trade my sister-in-law for the world, but I'm not gonna lie about my Princess obsession. In a-whole-nother life, I wish I had a brother who would marry her.

Hello, world.

I've got a new peace in my heart and the old pep in my step. Pleased to meet you. Wanna tackle?

Off camera: N&K show, Season 2.

n: he's really funny, pretty cute, and smart.
k: oh, wow. I didn't expect him to be smart. we like that.
n: well, not smart but he has his bachelor's degree..
n: and it's not like he talks like a peasant or anything. he talks like we do.
k: a bachelor's doesn't say much, but the latter is good.
------
k: ...well, yeah, you know i love him and stuff but--
n: i like how you say you love him.
k: well i do. you know that.
n: yeah, but you talk about him like he's a piece of candy.
n: you say it so casually like, "Oh, I love candy."
k: i'm extracted from the situation, nicole. do you seriously want me to go back there?
n: no, you're right. go on, go on.
------
k: she's not cute.
n: yes she is. you're just mean.
k: no, here. you know how there's the kind of girl who other girls envy and want to look like? then there's the kind of girl that guys go for?
n: yeah.
k: she's the kind that guys wouldn't go for but a girl might think, "I want to look like her."
k: well, I wouldn't want to look like her, but--
n: see, you're just mean!

Take time to appreciate the itty bitties.

Just want to share some of the little things I'm thankful for this morning.

1) swimming in blankets on a slow morning
2) scripture passages that speak so strongly to me that I have to pause to whisper things to the Lord between each sentence I read.
3) an empty house; sweet silence
4) a precious little surprise breakfast from pops
5) the way my hair falls just the way I like it

(Edit:)

I am most especially thankful for the time I spent with the Lord this morning in Deuteronomy. I found myself reflecting on the "wilderness mentality" of the Israelites. Imagine being delivered from the hands of the Egyptians and being promised a land so lush that it would surpass their wildest dreams. All they had to do was remember the promise, trust that God would pull through, pick up their feet, and start moving. It must not have been long 'til they forgot the game plan. They complained, longed for the familiarity of Egypt, and took up idols to occupy their time/hearts. They were ungrateful for what God had done, and impatient and doubtful about where God was going to take them. A trip to the Promised Land that could have taken days instead took 40 years. Oh, Israelites.

I don't want to go back to Egypt. I'm tired of these idols. I'm ready to get moving and forfeit the 40 years of wilderness. Canaan, here I come! Thank you, Lord :).

See ya later, shnooks.

Choose life.

In recent days (more like lifetimes), the severity of my pride and foolishness have surfaced. I have found that in my attempts to avoid hardship, I had skirted blessings and broken the heart of the Almighty Blesser. I had chosen things false and things fleeting to pacify myself and create the illusion that I, in fact, was in control of my own life. Funny how I wasn't ever convinced that my plans would work out. I just wanted to take the gamble. And I wanted to put off doing the "right" thing.

I was going to continue in this way even after realizing how defiant I was being. I told myself that I refused to do things the difficult/proper way; that I would rather take the visible short-cuts than to have to endure the uncertainty (in terms of length AND outcome) of this journey. God spoke to me through this passage: I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live (Deuteronomy 30:19). And there, in the stillness of the guest room downstairs did I finally hear Him loud and clear. I knew in an instant that I was faced with a choice to respond with obedience or with delayed obedience, which is a fancy term for disobedience. Excuses were no longer welcome.

So, I decided to let go of my pride and my fears. I want to do things His way, though it will be probably be difficult. And even if it might almost kill me, at least I'll know I responded to God's call.

You win.

I'll believe you meant every terrible thing you said. And that your eyes weren't longingly focused on my every move. I'll be convinced I didn't hear your insides shatter through the phone. I'll pretend not to see your handprint on the terminal glass.

Sige, love, panalo ka na.