Happy Hallow... Nothin!

This is the first Halloween that I'm not celebrating. Well, since that one year when we were little that my mom got convicted and decided no Halloween for us. We were not happy. Yeah, that only lasted that one year... lol.

Anyway, after last year's bad experience, I've just decided that Halloween is no longer for me. It's not very God-honering and it's not like I have kids to do things (church festivals) with anyway. I'm over it. I'm staying in tonight...

Since I'm writing, in other news...

I met with the two potential roommates yesterday. It went very well. I can now pretty much replace the "potential" with "future." They were great and we seemed to be on the same page about almost everything. I should be moving in the first of December. I feel like God really has his hand in this and I'm UBER excited about coming back.

Plus, not to sound like a broken record, but I miss my church so much!!!

Oh, last night we celebrated my aunt Jean's 50th birthday in an amazing Old-Hollywood house in the Hollywood Hills. It was pretty fun. My favorite cousin Justin was there, so that was even better. Plus, his semi-reclusive mom, my aunt Patty, came from Pennsylvania, so that got the waterworks flowing.

It really was an enjoyable time with the family. I wish my sisters would have come (they had a Halloween party... tsk tsk. lol), but then again I'm glad they didn't. Because they weren't there I was forced to really be social with everyone, including non-family members whom I did not know. It was overall a great time...

Despite not being part of the "festivities" that come with this "holiday" (emphasis way added), I totally had a productive, full, and enjoyable weekend. Good times!

Oh and one good thing about today: Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner. Yay! =)

"Proverbs 31 Woman"

I so want to be a Proverbs 31 woman. She is the ideal type of woman to be (from Proverbs31Woman.com):

HER CHARACTER AS A WIFE

10An excellent wife, who can find?

For her worth is far above jewels.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her,

And he will have no lack of gain.
12She does him good and not evil

All the days of her life.

HER DEVOTION AS A HOMEMAKER

13She looks for wool and flax

And works with her hands in delight.
14She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.
She rises also while it is still night

And gives food to her household

And portions to her maidens.
16She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17She girds herself with strength

And makes her arms strong.

18She senses that her gain is good;

Her lamp does not go out at night.

19She stretches out her hands to the distaff,

And her hands grasp the spindle.

[...]

21She is not afraid of the snow for her household,

For all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23Her husband is known in the gates,When he sits among the elders of the land.

24She makes linen garments and sells them,

And supplies belts to the tradesmen

HER GENEROSITY AS A NEIGHBOR

20She extends her hand to the poor,

And she stretches out her hands to the needy.

HER INFLUENCE AS A TEACHER

25Strength and dignity are her clothing,

And she smiles at the future.

26She opens her mouth in wisdom,

And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

HER EFFECTIVENESS AS A MOTHER

27She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up and bless her;

Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:

29"Many daughters have done nobly,

But you excel them all."

HER EXCELLANCE AS A PERSON

30Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,

But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

31Give her the product of her hands,

And let her works praise her in the gates.

I will never be a perfect wife and mother, but I'm going to make it my mission to strive to be all of the above.

Lord, please help me in each of these areas... both now and when I am a wife and mom...

What's the world going to throw at us next?

This column by Mike Adams JUMPED out at me, in light of the fact that I myself have recently posted and responded to an ad specifically seeking a Christian roommate. It seems that a woman in Michigan who posted an ad for a Christian roommate at her church has had a civil rights complaint filed against her for discrimination because it excludes people of other faiths.

Seriously?

SERIOUSLY?!

This world is an amazing place, in a bad way. Thankfully (and kind of surprisingly), this type of crap hasn't presented itself in California.... yet. Of course, the good people at the Aliance Defense Fund have swooped in to save the day. It's sad that we as Christians even need an Aliance Defense Fund, but it's a reality. The world is coming up with more and more (and in this case ridiculous) ways to attack us and our beliefs.

I guess we shouldn't be surprised:

Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man. Luke 21:36

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. Matthew 24:9

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Patriotism, whether you like it or not...

God bless these Patriots. Since when is it strange to say the Pledge of Allegiance at a political debate in this country? This world is getting way too backwards for my taste...

Number 3

So it looks like niece/nephew number 3 is on the way! My sister just told me that she took a pregnancy test and thinks she is about a month along. I know it's a little early to be getting all worked up (especially since she hasn't been to the doctor yet), but I know it's in the Lord's hands and I don't feel like it's wrong to be happy about this.

I'm sure it will end up being another girl, but I'm gonna hope the Lord blesses us with a boy. This family needs a shot of testosterone. =)

YAY!!

Congrats to my sister Kim and brother-in-law Mike!

Jesus loves us all.... Even the dinosaurs....

Hahaha! What the heck? Who comes up with this stuff... and who decides to put it on a cake? Hilarious....

On the move...

So, today I officially started my search for a new place to live. I've found a few people who are looking to rent rooms or share rent costs. I'm specifically looking at different Christian Roommate Finder websites. It looks like the average cost is around $550, which I can totally manage.

I hope I can find something quickly. After only 5 months, I'm ready to get out and SOON. It's just not working for me and I'm sure it's not working for my sister and her BFF. It's constant tension and frustration... most of the frustration coming from me.

Lately I feel like I am the ONLY one who pulls her weight around that house. It has come down to me being practically the only (if not THE only) one who does the dishes, takes out the trash, cleans the house, makes the coffee, feeds the cat, etc. I feel like I have a housekeeping job I didn't sign up for. Then to make things worse, little things, like not changing toilet paper rolls (Really? Is it THAT hard?!), are starting to set me off. I feel like there is nothing fair about this living arrangement.

To make matters EVEN MORE worse than the above, the house is falling apart. The leaky ceiling finally collapsed yesterday. That's one problem among many, including, but not limited to:

• No air conditioning/heat
• Broken dryer
• Broken oven
• Broken water heater

It's like I'm paying to live in a shack! So, as you can see, I really have no good reason to stay. If I go, it only ups each of their shares of the rent by $150, which I know they can handle. I at least won't have that hanging over my conscience.

In the end, I think this will be better. My sister's and my relationship will stay intact and I will be able to return to the area that I've grown to love and my church, which I both miss DESPERATELY.

Now it's a matter of breaking it to my sister...

Loan star state of mind...

I leave for Texas in 2 weeks and 2 days. When I think about that I get excited. I love traveling! I repeat: I LOVE TRAVELING!!

I've never been to Texas, so it's one more mark on the map. Well, actually two new marks because I'm going to two different cities: Dallas and Houston. Pretty cool. I'm also pretty proud that this is my first somewhat-long-distance trip on my own and paid for by me and only me.

Wow. I guess I'm growing up.

I am a little nervous about the whole Ramon situation. If it was up to me, I would go and not be bothered with ridiculous questions about losing my salvation. I would visit with the family and see a few sights, maybe even eat some good food. I know that won't happen though, because it's not up to me. It's up to my good Lord in Heaven, who I have a sneaky suspicion wants me to go speak His truth, even if it means that I may never see or hear from my friend again. Gotta do what He wants me to do.

We'll see. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe this trip will go off without a hitch. I'm just glad I will have a rental car and will be able to come and go as I please..... meaning, I can make an escape if I need to. lol.

Anyway.... It's not all about this whole Ramon thing. I will also be seeing my cousin's daughter and her mom, which should be fun too. They will be showing me around Dallas. They have me on the weekend, so I'm looking forward to doing some fun stuff. Let's see what Texas has to offer....

Yay trip to Texas! Let the countdown begin!

These are the times I wish I had the money for a new camera....

Zombie masterpiece?

No, this is not a post about Zombieland, the greatest zombie movie ever (in case you are confused by my use of the word masterpiece... lol), although I could write a whole post about that. ("The Rules" alone are awesome, but the best part had to be Bill Murray's cameo!)

Anyway, my sister Katie brought home Pride and Prejudice and Zombies for me to read. I'm about 6 chapters in and I have to say I'm not sure if I like it yet. I've chuckled maybe twice. It's definitely different.

I LOVE Jane Austen (especially Pride & Prejudice) and I LOVE Zombie movies, so everyone and their momma has recommended that I read this book. So far the jury's out on whether they work together for me. I'll have to let you know.

In the meantime, here's an excerpt to get an idea of what this book entails:

"In a few days Mr. Bingley returned Mr. Bennet's visit, and sat about ten minutes with him in his library. He had entertained hopes of being admitted to a sight of the young ladies, whose beauty and fighting skill he had heard much; but he saw only the father. The ladies were somewhat more fortunate, for they had the advantage of ascertaining from an upper window that he wore a blue coat, rode a black horse, and carried a French carbine rifle upon his back--quite an exotic weapon for an Englishman. However, from his clumsy wielding of it, Elizabeth was quite certain that he had little training in musketry or any of the deadly arts."

This guy...

Our President is really something else... and so is this website. Too funny...

Defining Socialism...

Quote of the moment (from the article Climbing Out of the Communist Faith):

"Socialism is a utopian plan to build what cannot be built, to realize what is only illusory, and to destroy what works even if the result is chaos and death." -Ismael Hernandez, ex-communist activist

Chick-Flicks don't help...

I need to stop watching shows and movies laced with romance. I'm starting to live vicariously through people that aren't even REAL! All it does is make me feel sorry for myself. I literally want to break down and cry because I eventually start feeling an overwhelming sense of lonliness. *sigh*

I've been streaming the first season of Roswell on Netflix. Man! They sure got intense when it came to the love (or lust?) between the two lead characters, Liz and Max. There was one whole episode where they were literally making out in every scene.

I couldn't take my eyes off of it. LOL!

Do you know how long it's been since I've kissed a guy? Over 3 years! 3 LONG YEARS!!!

Watching this mess doesn't help me. I see these kids making out and I'm literally jealous. JEALOUS! Then the pity party begins.

Lord, help me.

"Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD." Proverbs 23:17

"Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual mmorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." Colossians 3:5

Stuff Christians Like

I'm so buying this book: Stuff Christians Like

Apparently it is a hilarious book based off of a hilarious blog. Here is a review from the publisher:

Sometimes, we fall in love on mission trips even though we know we’ll break up when we get back. Sometimes, you have to shot block a friend’s prayer because she’s asking God to bless an obviously bad dating relationship. Sometimes, you think, “I wish I had a t-shirt that said ‘I direct deposit my tithe’ so people wouldn’t judge me.”

Sometimes, the stuff that comes with faith is funny. This is that stuff.

Jonathan Acuff’s Stuff Christians Like is your field guide to all things Christian. In it you’ll learn the culinary magic of the crock-pot. Think you’ve got a Metro worship leader—Use Acuff’s checklist. Want to avoid a prayer handholding faux pas? Acuff has you covered.

Like a satirical grenade, Acuff brings us the humor and honesty that galvanized 450,000 online readers from 199 countries in a new portable version. Welcome to the funny side of faith.

Can't wait! I'll let you know how it is when I'm done with it....

Forgetting the creamer for a sec...

I got a letter from Human Resources. My apps were accepted and I have a secretary test lined up for next week. I'm sure I'll do fine. Last time I was in Band 2 and I don't expect to do worse than that at all... especially because my knowledge of County practices has grown a lot since I last took that test.

Please, please PLEASE, Lord, help me out. I know I'm a brat and don't deserve it (see last couple of posts), but I really need to be utilizing my skills in a broader capacity. Pleeeeeeeeeeez-uh...

Yesterday was day 4 of Jillian Michael's 30-day Shred. Like I said previously, this workout is no joke. I definitely already feel more energetic and slightly leaner. I'm definitely going to give this thing all I got. By the way, my ENTIRE body is sore. I'm talking about muscles I never even knew were there. This is so gonna work...

I haven't heard from Ramon at all since his brother asked him to ask me whether I believed that I could lose my salvation. After all the reading I've done on their "church," I can pretty much guess that they are "advising" him not to speak with me because I don't believe what they do. I did ask him, via an FB message, if we were still on for me visiting him in Texas and he said yes. I'm guessing they are preparing to try to "talk some sense into me." What they don't know is that the Holy Spirit is also preparing me to talk some Truth to them.

Either way, I believe this will probably be the last time I see Ramon. I know they are sucking him into these lies as I type this. All I can do is trust that the Lord has a plan and that He will reveal His Truth in His time to this entire family... It's just very distressing...

I signed up for LIFE groups and even spoke with the leader the other day, who seemed really cool, but then I realized that I have signed up for a day and time that will completely conflict with my Invisalign treatment. Gah!

So now I need to call this lady, break it to her that I can't be a part of her group (and she seemed so excited too), and try to get myself into another group. Ay ay ay! I really need to start carrying a calendar around with me. I always manage to double-book....

I just want some creamer!! (Updated)

Okay, I took down the FB post. I know it was dumb. I was frustrated and upset.

I'm just tired of this. It's not just about coffee and creamer. I feel like their mommy who has to take care of everything. I'm no one's mom!!! (Well, not yet.) Grow up!

GROW UUUUUUUUUP!!!!!!!!

I just want some creamer!!

I get up EVERY DAY and EVERY DAY I make the coffee in this house. One time I didn't because there was no creamer. Next thing you know the roommate is leaving passive-aggressive Facebook posts about how she's having a bad day and "to top it off, the roommates drank all the coffee." Really? How about checking to see that it was never even turned on.

Well, now I've left my own passive-aggressive status update:

Kristina misses how her dad always had creamer available in exchange for me always making the coffee.

Yeah, we are out of creamer.... or should I say that I am out. I've bought creamer the last two times in a row and it's been sucked dry both times. I asked my sister to buy some yesterday and nothing. I even got attitude about it.

I wake up and there's nothing there but regular milk (I'm lactose intolerant!!) and a creamer way at the bottom of the fridge that the roomie bought... for herself and only herself.

These are the jewels that I live with. And they wonder why I'm already ready to move back to Pomona...

United States of Islam?

I personally would love an American Muslim's reaction to this YouTube video of a Muslim Cleric stating that the flag of Islam will one day fly over the White House.

Anyone from CAIR? Yoohooooooo..... Anyone?

Spiritually and physically out of shape...

So I signed up for a LIFE group through my church out here, Shepherd of the Hills. It's a women's Bible study group. The leader, Nancy, called me today and we are meeting for the first time next Friday. I'm excited. I needed this. My spiritual life has been lacking since coming out here and I just need the fellowship of other believing women. I miss MY home church, Calvary Chapel of the Chino Valley, SO MUCH, and I definitely plan to go back within the year, but for now I really need to hunker down and get involved in the time that I am out here.

Thank you, Lord, for pushing me to take the leap. I don't want to waste the time You are giving me...

In other news, I'm back to trying lose some weight. Thanks to the fill-in Big Boss at work always bring evil snacks in, I have put on AT LEAST 5 lbs... maybe more. Not cool. So, I've been trying to get on the elliptical and do some pilates. Trying is the operative word.

Well today, at WalMart, something drew me to the fitness aisle. I started looking at the workout DVDs and I found Jillian Michaels' 30-Day Shred. It was only $9, so I got it. I know from the couple of times I've seen the Biggest Loser that this lady is hardcore.

No joke. I popped that DVD in and almost the entire time I wanted to scream, "Shut up, Jillian. I hate you!" LOL

OMG.... this workout is literally non-stop. No breaks. It was horrible and great at the same time. She says that the reason it's that way is so that you can get a lot done with your body in the 20 minutes and especially within the 30 days. I believe it. I almost passed out. Hahaha!

I'm so not giving up though. This whole body is way too jiggly. I'm letting Jillian whip this fatty into shape!

Wish me luck... Now time to take a nap so I don't pass out during my sister Katie's birthday dinner tonight. Korean BBQ... Mmmmm.....

The claws of false doctrine...

So my friend Ramon was saved last week. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. That is so wonderful.

BUT.... There is bad news.

He has been sucked into a church that I now strongly believe is a cult.

Let me go back to the beginning...

Last Wednesday, as Ramon and I were talking on the phone, his brother asked him to ask me a question: "Do you believe that salvation is once and for all?"

I answered a resounding yes. Then there was silence, followed by Ramon telling me that his brother "made a face." Hmmmm....

Then I started having a very sinking feeling. The Holy Spirit was stirring within me. Something was not right about that question. Time to do some research on their church, The Potter's House Christian Fellowship (not to be confused with TD Jake's church, The Potter's House).

What I found was quite disturbing. This website really breaks it down. Here are the most troubling doctrines:

· You will learn that God has appointed your pastor to have authority over you and that you must be submitted to him in order to be in a right relationship with God. (So your pastor is the Head over you instead of Christ now?)
· You will be taught that The Potters House members are your real family and that you don’t need any other friends or family members.
· You will be taught that the fellowship is the greatest move of God on earth and that other churches are inferior and luked out, not possessing the special purpose/anointing the fellowship has.
· If you don’t go on church outreaches, attend every service in a week long revival, or be a part of everything the church does, you will not be treated like you fit in and your walk with God and commitment to God will be questioned. Even over the pulpit. (Fear and isolation tactics.)
· You will subtly be presented with the doctrine that you were saved by faith but now maintain your salvation by works. (Totally contradictory to what the scripture says about being saved by grace through faith and not by works. WOW!)
· You will be taught that if you were saved in a fellowship church in a certain location, then it was God who planted you there, and you are called to stay there for the rest of your life, with the exception of being sent out to pastor. (So you have to stay even if what they are teaching is contrary to the word of God. You are shackled to that fellowship.)
· If you consider leaving the fellowship, you will be told that you will likely end up backslidden, loose your salvation, live under a curse, have your family destroyed, or at minimum that you have lost your destiny in God. (So God isn't really in control?)
· People who express doubts or disagree with fellowship standards or the way the fellowship operates are considered rebels. (Cult much?)
· If you voice disagreement with something your pastor says or does you are considered to be practicing witchcraft against that pastor and they will threaten to turn the witchcraft back on you and something horrible will happen to you, thereby silencing anyone from questioning their practices.
· You will lose almost all, if not all of your friends, if you leave. People who were your friends will no longer associate with you for fear that you will defile or work some kind of “witchcraft” against their minds that might make them backslide or leave. They often believe that a spirit has deceived you into leaving and that by associating with you, that spirit will get on them.
· You will find out that all those who leave are consistently slandered. The church believes that those who leave are running from accountably, are bitter, or in rebellion. There is simply no way to choose to attend church elsewhere with their blessing and your reputation in tact. (You are not free to seek the truth out anywhere but there. Talk about control.)
· You are taught that if you don’t pay close attention to your salvation, you will loose it, like you can loose your salvation the way a person looses a set of car keys. (Again, fear tactics.)
· You have to ask your pastor's permission to date and marry. (Again, the Pastor is not God or the Holy Spirit who is to guide and direct you.)
· You will be discouraged from dating any Christian who is not a member of the same fellowship.
· In order to participate in church ministry you can not go to movies, own a TV, or watch any kind of movie in your home.
· You can not be in ministry and have a beard. It is said that if you have a beard, “you are hiding something”, even though Jesus had a beard.
· You are generally discouraged from fellowshipping or co-laboring with Christians outside the fellowship.
· The church has a practice of returning curses 7 times worse on people. (Wait. What happened to "bless those who curse you?")


If you are reading this and are a praying person, please lift my friend up. I wanted his salvation more than anything, but I didn't want him to get sucked into something like this. These people believe that you can lose your salvation through sin. They are living under the bondage of legalism. This is not what Christ died for. He loved us more than that. God is not a petty god who just plays around with us. He gave us a gift.... When we are saved through faith (NOT WORKS), our names are PERMANENTLY written in the book of life. Nothing can take that away (Romans 8:38-39)

Lord, please use your Holy Spirit to shield Ramon from the lies of the enemy... Give me the words to speak Your TRUTH at the appropriate time. Thank you, Lord.

Happy Chappy...

So we celebrated my niece Kaylin's 3rd birthday over the weekend. Our planning paid off once again and the kids had a great time as princesses and knights.... more knights than anything. lol.

Kaylin had a great time and she got a very very special gift: A brand new puppy! It was very exciting. Check out her reaction face below (3rd pic).

Overall it was a great success. We decorated cupcakes, did crafts, played games, broke a pinata, and pigged out. Good times!

Happy birthday, my little Kaylita. Tia loves you with all her heart!

I can't believe this kid came into our lives only 3 years ago. Feels like she's always been here.... =)

Kaylin's Birthday Banner... made by her Tia Kristina =)

"Mirror, Mirror on the wall..." Don't you just love the gloves? =)

"Wait a minute...."


It's a puppy! I don't think she realized just yet that it was all hers. lol