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Showing posts from April, 2015

30 Days of Blogging - Day 23: Bucket List

...Sup?

Oh yeah... 8! DUHNAHNAHNUH!

Let's talk bucket list.

On my list live the following things:
(As always, not a complete list. Also, not required for happiness, just thing that if I have the opportunity to do, I will do.)

1) Travel to (almost) every continent.
I don't really include Antarctica, but the others, yeah, I'd mostly like to see those.

2) Musical Theater.
I was in the chorus of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat at 10, but I'd really like the opportunity to do something musical related again someday.

3) Build a Treehouse.
This one's pretty straight forward, I guess.  It is pretty straight forward, right? Anyone confused?

4) Get married.
Yep.

5) Go to VidCon.
Google it. I want to go someday. It's nerdy, I'm nerdy... The end.

I always run out of steam on these lists after five things!  It's bedtime, folks.  If you wanna leave a comment telling me things on your bucket list that would be pretty cool. Always looking for new ideas ;)

30 Days of Blogging - Day 22: Goodbye Church [Building]

9! DUHNAHNAHNUH!

Tomorrow we hand over the keys to our church building. It has finally sold.

It's strange, this feeling of happysad...

Goodbyes kind of suck no matter how much you're expecting them, you know.

And, in this case, this goodbye has even been hoped and prayed for for YEARS!

I'm looking forward to this next chapter for my little congregation. I know, from the last time that we were in this position, that these changes in routine really bring everyone together again.

It's going to be frustrating renting a space again, but I do love the space that we'll be in. It has such lovely acoustics :) and it literally brings us closer together. Get it? Because it's small!

God is doing something. We're just trusting. It's all for his glory.

30 Days of Blogging - Day 21: Geocaching

10! (This is the beginning of the countdown DUHNAHNAHNUH)

I just added an update w/ picture to Day 12 so check that out fo shizzle if you are interested in picturing my weirdness.

For today, however, I would like to talk at you about Geocaching.

What is geocaching? Allow me to quote the website.
Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location. 
Facebook has started this "One Year Ago Today..." thing (which explains why so many people have been talking nostalgic-like as of late on my FB feed) and turns out that exactly one year ago today is when I found my first geocache.

It was a tiny magnetic container stuck to the underside of a walking bridge.


Sadly, it has since been muggled (which is the smartypants term for when someone who is assumed to not be a geocacher harms/destroys a cache), but I still walk over that bridge all the time and smile.

I haven't tried to find many caches since, and I only have about a 50% success rate, but it is a really fascinating activity that I would wholeheartedly recommend everyone try at some point.

There are a TON of caches, literally all over the world.







As a reference, this is a screenshot of the livemap of geocaches in and around Grande Prairie.

Every green box thing is a cache.

There are 98 caches in this picture alone, and this whole picture is only a teenyteenytiny dot on the world map.






Try it. It's the most fun and most frustrating futile activity I've ever taken part in, and it's always a gamble what you're gonna get!

Things I wish I'd know (or paid more attention to):

- Start easy, start happy. Maybe with one in a parking lot (it's probably hiding in the base of a light pole).

- Download the app. Also, read the recent comments on the cache to see how recently it was found and if there are any hints.

- Don't trust the GPS on your phone. DON'T DO IT!! It is not very precise and it can only get you to a plus/or/minus amount of meters. I've spent far too much time staring down at my phone walking around like a goof because my phone can't decide if the GPS is pointing to the garbage can in the parking lot or the picnic table behind me or the fence over there or...

- Go with friends, but choose wisely.  DON'T take anyone who gets bored easily. DON'T take anyone who isn't interested (you will not be able to change their mind quick enough, trust me). DO go with someone who has experience, if you can.  And DO go with people you can frustrated with and still have a good time.

I personally think it's a blast and I look forward to more finds in the future :)

Toodles for now my lovelies! I can't believe there are only 9 more days!!

30 Days of Blogging - Day 20: AFOMFT, Random

Two-thirds of the way!!!

Also.... IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN DUHNUHNAHNUH!

For this special occasion (and also just because I feel like it), here are few of my random favorite things from today:
-- Frisbee Golf
-- Frozen Yogurt
-- Board Games
-- Graph Paper Doodling
-- My Church Family

That's mostly it. Five is a nice number of things in a list anyway. Goodnight world!

30 Days of Blogging - Day 19: Quote of the Day

"I'm weird. Well... you're weirder."
-- my mother, to me.

Yes. Can't you just feel the love?

Just joking :) I love my mother and if SHE hadn't qualified her first statement, I probably would have. 

And she tried so hard to keep a straight face so that made it totally worth it!

I am most certainly the weirdest person I know.  And my mother, apparently, agrees :D

I'll try to make a more thought out blog post tomorrow, but for now... Toodles!

30 Days of Blogging - Day 18: Creativity

Still sick...

Nearly forgot that I even had to blog today.

What to say, what to say, what to say?

Hmmm...

Did you know that I'm a very creative person?

There's a lot of forms of creativity that I couldn't do to save my life, but the ones that I can do I sure wouldn't enjoy living without.

I can crochet, knit, knook (knit with a crochet hook), sew, cross stitch, papercraft, and design. (And more, I'm sure, that I just can't think of.)

I can paint so long as it's solid things like walls or geometric prints, but don't ask for a flower or sunset.

I can draw so long as it's on graph paper or it's very simple, but even my stick figures don't look like stick figures sometimes.

I don't go a day without creating in some form, and I don't think I would want to.

Creativity is one of my favorite things.

That's all I've got for today. If you'll excuse me, I have more sickness to go sleep off.

30 Days of Blogging - Day 17: Cursive Typewriter

I've been sick today and I don't even think I could make a fancy blog post if I tried.

Instead I will just tell you that someday I want to own a cursive typewriter.

I didn't even know they existed til yesterday, but now I do, and I wants one.

They cost a pretty penny (or you know, more like 20,000 pretty pennies, at least), but they're so pretty.

And the cursive typing is enough to make my nerd heart sing in happiness.

I mean... See for yourself!

30 Days of Blogging - Day 16: Zodiac

Perhaps my promise of silliness returning today was premature; what I have in mind is a little more on the serious side.

I have a confession (of sorts) to make.

A couple days ago when I googled an idea for what to blog on, the post I ended up posting was actually the second one that I typed up.

The first was in response to the prompt, "What is your zodiac sign and how does it match your personality?"

I thought, "Ha! This should be a goofy one! Why not give it a whirl?"

So I googled it. And I spent far more time on astrology websites than I ever have before.

Far too much time, I think now.

I was bouncing around between the websites and the blog post, making a list of all of the things that were true to my personality and the (admittedly, surprisingly few) ones that were not, when it just... started to feel uncomfortable.

I didn't understand it at the time so I just deleted what I had written and literally changed the subject, but I've had some time to think about it and I'd like to share what I've come up with.

Going into that post, I was under the mistaken impression that I would find mainly things that were wrong.

What, in fact, ended up happening is that a lot of it was shockingly right.

I found myself going from site to site just trying to find something that was false, and it was proving to be kinda hard.

I didn't (and really, really still don't) agree with the theology on the sites, but the bullet points about "me" were hard to argue with.

There was a lot of truth on those websites.

And the truths there wanted me to believe them, believe IN them.

But the Holy Spirit in my heart reminded me that I have witnessed real Truth, and those "truths" couldn't measure up to it.

The Truth I know is one that does not reduce "me" to a set of predestined bullet points, but one that sets the real me free.

A Truth that speaks of grace in the face of my real depravity; of the Truest form of love in spite of my real sins and shortcomings.

It offers me a peace beyond all understanding.

Those websites couldn't do that.  The truths there left me confused and burdened.

I don't like to feel that way, but over the last few days as I have reflected on those feelings, I'm grateful for them.

They have shown me that I have forgotten how lost I was before I was found; how hopeless I was before there was real grace.

Nothing in the world can offer me anything better than that.

Forgive me, God, for coming to this place of taking your peace and hope and grace and the security you offer though Jesus Christ for granted.  May I continue to be reminded that these are your free gifts to me, and my mother didn't raise me to be ungrateful.  Help me, Holy Spirit, to seek an attitude of thankfulness, not entitlement; to live gratefully, not expectantly.  Thank you for your mental protection when I go off unprepared for the spiritual war that I will face.  Thank you for continuously teaching me.  I love you, too.

30 Days of Blogging - Day 15: Spoilers

HALF WAAAYY!!!!

Whoop whoop!!

Can we talk about spoilers? Thanks.

Please, let's all (yes, including me) expand our understanding of what a spoiler is.

Just because you don't actually say anything about the plot does not mean that what you are saying is not a spoiler.

Don't say it made you cry, or that you didn't see the twist coming, or that the ending left you frustrated, or that it was the BEST movie/TV show/book EVER!

In fact, if you know that the person you are talking to is planning to watch/read whatever you are talking about, just don't say anything. Don't. Say. Anything. Don't even let your emotions show, just avoid the whole subject.

Whatever spoilery thing you say or do (even accidentally) will make that person go in with expectations that they wouldn't have had if you had just done nothing.

Have some patience; wait until they've had the chance to experience it as you did.

Please and thank you?

After -- if it's me anyways -- we can totally nerd out on our shared unspoiled experience.

This has been my public service announcement, tomorrow we will return to our normally scheduled silliness, I promise :D

30 Days of Blogging - Day 14: Favorite Thing on the Internet Right Now

That this video and this video became THIS VIDEO

And that that song is now being performed LIVE by a group of very, very talented people that I really hope I have an opportunity to go see perform someday if they ever do another tour (especially if they come to Canada)!
http://edwardspoonhands.com/post/116832393125/youtube-fan-adict-you-got-batman-entirely

The internet is an amazing thing sometimes :)

That's all for today, Lovelies. Whoohoo two weeks down! This makes me so happy!

30 Days of Blogging - Day 13: Never Have I Ever

Whew! Today was a long and busy one; full of good things, but even good things can be tiring.

I'm so tapped out that today I'm going to turn to google to give me a blog prompt.

*googles blogging challenge prompts*

Hmmm.... "What's one thing you've never done that most people have?"

Sure, why not.

I've never been on a date.

Ta-da!

Is this sad? Possibly.
Is it bad? I don't think so.

It just hasn't been.

The last time I was even asked out it was to the school dance and I was 11 and they (yes THEY) were 12. The two boys asked me at the same time while our grade 5/6 split class was walking to the school library. I thought they were waaaay too old for me and that I was waaaay too young to be dating.  I said no.

Gosh has it really been nearly 14 years?

I can easily say that a year hasn't gone by since then that I haven't wanted to go on a date.  But at the same time, looking back, I'm glad I didn't have the opportunity.  Well, maybe glad is the wrong word, but I feel a strange sort of gratefulness that I didn't have to deal with the complications of relationships before I had an understanding of emotions, and communication, and trust, and my value, and how to give grace, and basically just how complicated it can all be.

I feel like I have a decent grasp on it all now, but not a year has gone by since that fateful trip to the library that I haven't looked back and seen yet another thing that I have learned that will equip me for later.

But, you know, anytime now would be great; I can continue to learn in the field and figure it out as I go, I'm sure! :)

Latergators.

30 Days of Blogging - Day 12: I'm Weird, Episode 2

Et voila! We have arrived at Day 12!

Why is that exciting?  I have no idea, but here we are so lets enjoy ourselves!

On this grand(ish) occasion, I present to you...

3 [More] Ways That Emmi is Weird
(still, not even close to a comprehensive list)

1.  When I wear headphones, I play with the cord in my mouth
Gross, I know.  I don't MEAN to do it!  And when I notice I (usually) remove it.  And I don't like chew on it or anything!  I just wrap it around one of my canines and let it hang out there.  Why am I even telling you this?  Seriously, I'm an odd duck folks.

2.  I won't turn down your Facebook request, I will just let you hang out in limbo forever.
Sorry.  (This doesn't actually apply to anyone reading my blog, probably.)  Somehow it feels less permanent and insulting (even though they probably won't know) to just not do anything.  I'm kinda picky about the people that I'm friends with on Facebook.  So, yeah, I have 12 friend requests pending (presumably) forever. Hey! One of them is my Uncle! ...oops.

3.  When I'm bored (and even sometimes when I'm not), I put things on my head
Again, without thinking! Especially if it is box shaped, but I really will do it with most anything.  Am I holding a roll of tape?  On my head it goes.  Do I have a book in my hands?  Up on the head!  Have I just emptied a laundry basket or a fruit box?  You guessed it, it's up there.  This has become so commonplace that my family doesn't even notice it anymore.  A while ago, I had a whole conversation with my mom while I had an empty laundry basket on my head AND SHE WASN'T EVEN PHASED!

I keep telling people!  I'm weird; we all just need to accept it and move on :)  Everyone ends happy.

Byebye for now!


Edited on Day 21:
I just now had the thought to update this, but only after I had been sitting here talking to my dad for several minutes with a cucumber box on my head. Why is it on my head? Because it was empty and just sitting on the table between us. I saved it from it's loneliness, so I ask you instead, why not?

Yes, of course, I took a picture.  Yes, my eyes are slightly cross-eyed and my face is ridiculous.  Do you have any idea how hard it is to take a selfie while balancing a wide box on your head?  It is quite difficult.

I could have tried again (and gotten a better result, preferably in landscape form), but my dad was making fun of me and I had already interrupted our conversation (that was progressing just fine while I had a box on my head) to take a picture so I though it was wise to just leave it at this.

In case you were wondering, yes, I continued to wear it for quite some time :)

30 Days of Blogging - Day 11: Cool Runnings

Cool Runnings is a great movie!

That's really all I have to say :)

If you haven't seen it, I don't know if we can still be friends.

Just kidding! We can be friends, but know that at some point I will probably make you watch it.

If we're in that kind of relationship where
1) We even watch movies together, and
2) You don't mind me picking the movie.

If you have seen it, let's watch it together sometime anyway!

Just tell me when :)

30 Days of Blogging - Day 10: Semicolon

I'm a big fan of the semicolon, but today I saw it used in a whole new and exciting way.

(No, this is not a boring language post.)

(I'm sorry if you got excited thinking this was going to be an awesome language post.)

This morning on Facebook, a friend who has struggled with depression linked to this:


Which I immediately fell in love with.  I realize that it's primarily intended as an anti-suicide thing, but the nerd in me appreciates the fact that a semicolon isn't always just a choice to not end; it's also to connect.  And in doing so, bring more understanding of how to perceive both sides.

I'm not currently depressed, nor was I ever diagnosed with anything, but I don't think anyone is spared from sadness, or loss, or loneliness, or heartbreak, or worry, etc.

We all need the reminder that the darkness is not going to last forever; it doesn't even have to last til the end of the sentence, and understanding the hard times is easier when you consider the good also. Whether that's the good that may come, or the knowledge of past hurt OVERcome, or just seeing that there are two sides to the current cookie and you have a choice of which side you choose to focus on.


Throughout the day, the glimpse of this on my wrist reminded me to choose the bright side of whatever situation I found myself in. It was really powerful, actually.

I suspect that I will do it more often than just today. Especially on hard days.

It made such an impact on my headspace that I actually, momentary considered it as a tattoo.  I have always appreciated the concept of having a meaningful tattoo, but I have never seriously considered it to be something I would ever want. Until today. Maybe. The jury is still out.

That's all for today, darlings. Toodles!

30 Days of Blogging - Day 9: Plastic Spoons

Am I the only one who think plastic spoons are designed really dumb?

Like the ones that you can get everywhere; molded plastic, stupidly shaped, rough-edged-cut-your-lip pieces of junk!

No other plastic utensil is that poorly designed, why is the spoon so dumb?

Forks have perfectly, smoothly molded tines (though admittedly, occasionally too dull for actual food-stabbage), why are there so few smooth edged spoons?

And the shape! Whose idea was it to design them so that you are forced to cut your lip to use them?

It's dumb. And so is this rant. And so are my useless lip wounds just because I wanted to enjoy some Tim Horton's chilli.

:) silly rant over.  Goodnight!

30 Days of Blogging - Day 8: Blegh

So... today is nearly over...

If someone were to ask me right now, "Hey, use one word to describe today!" I would most certainly say, "...Blegh."

It kinda sucked to be honest.

No real solid reasons. It was just one of those days that just leaves you feeling discouraged and unaccomplished, you know?

I've made it through days like today before, but honestly, at the moment, I can't remember how yet.

God and crying, probably.

And the spoken word piece in the Bellarive song "Tendons (The Release)" and reading some Romans.

// Romans 7:21-25a // I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. //

30 Days of Blogging - Day 7: But God...

// Ephesians 2:1-5 NLT // Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil -- the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) //
2:4 We were dead in our sins, but God . . . We were rebels against him, but God . . . We were enslaved by the devil and our sinful natures, but God . . . These may be the two most welcome words in all of Scripture: "but God." God could have left us spiritually dead, in rebellion against him and in bondage to our sins. But he didn't. He did not save us because of, but rather in spite of, what he saw in us.  In addition to thanking him for what he has done for us, we should also show humble patience and tolerance for others who seem unworthy or undeserving of our love and compassion. They may be spiritually dull, rebellious, and even antagonistic toward God. So were we; but God loved us anyway. Can we do less for fellow sinners? 
This is one of my favorite passages of Scripture and it's accompanying study note in my bible.

This face-to-face understanding of how desperately we are (were) lost in our depravity without the love of God and the sacrifice of his Son has been a favorite for years, but it has come back to mind again recently.

I think too often when we talk about the concept of "becoming a Christian" we lose the focus of how utterly sinful we are, and how undeserving of anything from God we are (let alone TOTAL FORGIVENESS!). But God! Not because of anything we have done or CAN DO, but because of who He is.

// Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT // God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. //

Our ONLY part (seriously, the only thing that we are even able to do) in this whole shebang is belief. And even when we hadn't believed yet (or even after when we've screwed up), he gave his grace freely anyway, because this is His party and he can save if he want to.

But the other thing I feel like we too often mess up in this whole "we're all Christians" thangy, is the truth that we are ALL sinners, even still.  Christianity isn't some magic "Sin Be Gone Forever" potion! It is a daily thing. A daily dying to self and sinful desires, and embracing the power of the Holy Spirit that we have been freely given, in order to be able to make a stand against the sin in our lives.

WE LITERALLY CANNOT DO IT WITHOUT HIM!!

No one can. And that's kind of my point. Everyone -- from you and your family and neighbors, to your enemies and the worst of sinners that make pat yourself on the back and think "Hey, at least I'm not doing that!" (self-righteousness is a bad look on you, I promise) -- is a sinner who God has ALREADY loved so much that He stepped in to pay the ultimate price.

Our sin is no different in it's separating-from-God effect than the sin of the next guy or next after that. Show them love and extend them grace, tell them that God is a God of Buts (on second though, maybe don't say it quite like that...) don't condemn them or persecute them for their sin (their lifestyle or their beliefs).

That's not our part in this whole shebang.

// By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. //

30 Days of Blogging - Day 6: Recent Enjoyable Tumblr Posts

Lazy day today (especially considering I'm late again :P)

Here are 5 Tumblr posts that I recently found interesting (and also, some of the only posts I've actually reblogged because I'm new to Tumblng and I keep forgetting to not just be a stalker).






Tooooodles, Darlings

30 Days of Blogging - Day 5: AFOMFT, TV Shows

In today's episode of A Few Of My Favorite Things... TV SHOWS!!

Specifically, currently airing TV shows that I am keeping up to date on.

Honorable mentions:
- Agent Carter (Because it's not currently having new episodes, but it better be getting them eventually! And you had better bet I will watch them as soon as they do!)
- Agents of Shield (I'm behind because I was so sad Agent Carter was done.)
- Sherlock (As soon as it's back, imma be allll over that. Duh.)
- The Musketeers (It flits on and off my radar every couple of weeks, but is currently off of it,)

Shows I sometimes wish I was keeping up to date on again, but haven't watched for a while:
- Castle
- NCIS
- The Walking Dead
- Perception
- Murdoch Mysteries

But back to the real list... in no particular order:
- Survivor
- Arrow
- Flash
- Bones
- The Big Bang Theory

And finally, some of (because I can't think of them all, and some are probably best left with my younger perspective of them) the shows that aren't current, but if they were, I would probably watch at least the first episode:
- Friends, House, Gilmore Girls, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Chuck, 7th Heaven, The Mole, ER, Joan of Arcadia, and definitely more, but I'm tired of scrolling through the internet in order to remember them.

Goodness, TV is a bit of a life sucker isn't it...

On that happy note, goodnight :)

30 Days of Blogging - Day 4: Youth Ministry

Apparently the lesson from day 2 didn't fully sink in yet... Especially taking into account that on Fridays I'm rarely home before midnight thanks to Youth. Case in point... It is 1:40am and I'm finally home.

So technically I missed making a post on day 4, but I haven't fallen asleep yet so the day isn't really over.

I'm gonna let it slide.

Anyways, what I really want to talk about today is the Youth Ministry. I've mentioned it on the blog before, but I don't think I've ever really explained anything about it.  Allow me to timeline it for you now...

2002
12 year old Emmi joins the Youth Group. She's young, she's shy, and she's going through a lot (at least it feels like it).  This year she misses a lot of school because of still unexplained health issues and ends up dropping out of the public school mid-semester and opting for correspondence.  Youth, though she doesn't feel like she fits in, becomes a very important part of weekly life.

2003-2007
The Youth ministry is an ever evolving thing, with Youth Leaders changing out semi-regularly and the Youth themselves growing up and out of the age bracket. Young Emmi grows up too and gets progressively more and more involved in different ministries at the church. She becomes less shy, though it still pops up every now and then, and life continues to be tough, though when isn't it, really?

2007-2008
Eventually the new batch of youngens grows up into the age bracket, but the gap in ages is uncomfortably big (at least it feels like it). But Leaders are few, so the older girls, myself included, become the Senior Youth and we proceed to be our own leaders. (It seemed like a good idea at the time...). I really enjoyed this quasi leadership thing, though in retrospect, I was sorely unqualified.

2008-2009
Young Emmi is finally 18/19 and begins to be involved as a leader-in-training for the Junior Youth. Which is to say I showed up, because there really wasn't much training being done. The leadership in this time was strong. It was awesome.

2010
We lose a lot of youth and leaders to church switching. In the spring I begin to think I'm too young to be taking on as much leadership as is suddenly being expected of me, and I share this with my fellow remaining youth leaders. God must have had other plans though, because within a month suddenly I was the ONLY 'senior' leader left. For the remaining month and a half before summer, me and the older youth were just figuring it out as we went.

2010-2012
I find myself being the 'most experienced' youth leader that we have.  I make it work. Each year I'd get a new batch of bible school student, and we figured it out. There were always a couple of months where the college students would be done their schooling (and thusly, off on their merry way) and the senior youth, myself, and whomever felt called to be involved would make sure that the Ministry stayed alive.

2012-2014
I become the official Youth President.  There are many months where I am literally the only leader. I learn more than ever before what it means to rely on God.  I rarely feel like I'm the leader the group needs or deserves; I just happen to be the one it has. I do my best. I develop more meaningful relationship with as many youth as I can, and truly this of period of time is the utmost highlight of the whole experience. I was (and still am) not even close to the ideal leader. But this period gave me the opportunity to actually devote my time to the youth and not to having to manage a bunch of here-today-gone-tomorrow college students, and my life was filled with the blessing of friendships with a lot of awesome people.

2014-now
I've handed over the reins to the next up-and-comer (sad to say, he probably feels the same way I felt in the position) in preparation for leaving (eventually, someday, hopefully).  I'm still there, doing mostly the same things, just less involved in the planning and responsibility.

It has been on my mind a lot lately how the last several years were certainly life-changing and totally invaluable to my growth and the growth of a lot of the Youth, but at the same time, I wish it could have been different.

More training, stronger/wiser leadership, less apathetic youth and leaders, more gospel fire.  I don't even know.

I'm praised (for lack of a better word) for my commitment and steadfastness, and the impact I've had on the youth.

But I can't help but wonder how much more could have been done if the years had not gone as they did.

I'm equal parts sad, and proud, and encouraged, and scared, and satisfied, and disheartened, and worried, and hopeful.  Which is a really annoying headspace to be in.

I love my little youth group, I hope I've done and continue to do them well.

Until later today, Lovelies.

30 Days of Blogging - Day 3: AFOMFT, Driving

Say hello to my new type of post:
A Few Of My Favorite Things

Today's Episode: Driving

I love, love, love driving!

I love short drives, and road trips, and taking the long way on purpose!

I love driving standard and feeling the car attached to my feet!

But even more than just driving (okay, not more, but very close to the same, which is to say, a LOT) I love the things that happen in the car.

Some of the best conversations I've ever had have happened in the car. Seriously, I love in the car talks.

Music sounds different. And I usually like the things that stand out differently in the car. (Not to mention I am unashamedly a belt-it-out-in-the-car singer which probably helps.)

The camaraderie of road trips, and travel buddies, and the car filled with everything but the kitchen sink and feeling so cozy until you get out and realize how tightly you were packed in, then feeling so weird when you re-enter until a couple kilometers down the road when you've finally settled back in. (Lather, rinse, repeat at every stop.) (Just me?)

I also really enjoy watching vlogs where the person is just talking in the car. I don't know why I like it so much, but I do. Almost enough that maybe someday I'll try it. Who knows?

But mostly I really love being behind the wheel. I'm savoring this joy of my singledom and the liberty it gives of allowing me to always (or at least, frequently) be the driver. Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll find a guy who doesn't mind taking turns ;)

But now it's certainly bedtime and I must go dream of road trips with a vague manshape. Will he be in the passenger seat sometimes? We'll see :D

Goodnight, Lovelies!

30 Days of Blogging - Day 2: I'm Weird, Episode 1

Lesson learned today:
When you have an opportunity to write your daily blog entry in the middle of the day, do it. Otherwise you will only have 30 minutes until the day is done and you will feel rushed.

Aaaanyways, on with the (rushed) show.

I am very weird. This is a fact.

3 Ways That Emmi is Weird
(not even close to a complete list, trust me)

1.  I prefer my pop flat.
Seriously. I have a friend who now just immediately pours my pop in a glass and stirs it for me. It's strange, I know, hence why it is making this list.

2.  Sometimes I crush my potato chips.
On purpose. I like the texture. And also, more chips! Who doesn't like more chips? I'm just going about it in an unorthodox way...

3.  I like to watch all the movie credits.
It takes a village to make a movie and every single one of those names is someone who played a valuable role. I think that's really cool.
Bonuses: you get to hear good credits music, sometimes there's a secret at the end, and you get to be the last one leaving the theater which is my favorite because I'm short and crowds make me feel a little claustrophobic.

That's all for now lovelies :) I'm sure there will be more weirdness from me in the next 28 days!

Toodles!

30 Days of Blogging - Day 1: Why [not]?

I'm gonna do a thing.

I hope it works.

I hope I can follow it through to the end.

Blogging once a day for 30 days.

Starting in the middle of the month because I'm a rebel like that and Pinterest can try to make Blog Every Day in May sound really tempting, but mostly that just sounds like procrastination.

"Why?" you ask, "What's the point?"
-- Something like this has been floating in my head since I first got into Youtube by following the author Jackson Pearce while she did 30 Days of Vlogging.

-- It sounds like an interesting creative challenge.

-- I like to write things. That's why I started a blog in the first place.

-- My head is random. This challenge sounds like it may lend itself well to random.

-- But mostly, I just keep thinking "Why not?" and not having a good answer.

So here goes. This is day one. (I contemplated making it day zero, but that seems like needless addition work for me. That would be silly.)

This is going to be an adventure. Put on your seatbelt and get ready for a bumpy ride. This will be unpredictable and unplanned.

I don't know about you, but that just so happens to be my favorite kind of adventure.

Until tomorrow, my lovelies.