Praying, praying, praying!

Hey everyone. I know this is a bit divergent from posting about India, but would you all join me in prayer? A family that I and my family are close with need prayer while in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. This family I know is adopting a sweet 3 year old boy from Haiti. They've been trying to adopt him for at least 2 years now and have visited him several times a year. The wife/mom of this family flew to Haiti last week with their 10 month old daughter to visit their little boy. The good news is that all 3 of them are okay. The wife/mom and the 10 month old were staying in Port-au-Prince at the house of a family who are missionaries that they've become close with through the adoption process, and amazingly their house survived the earthquake without destruction. The husband/dad has been in contact with his wife up until about 9am this morning--she & the family she's staying with seem to have lost phone and internet connection. Can you please pray that they restore contact, and that somehow the wife gets the news that her husband has schedule it so she can fly home with MFI Missionary Flights tomorrow at 4pm. (He's been trying to spread the news in everyway and with anyone who she might get in contact with...but at this point he doesn't know if she is aware of this and where she's at). But the good news is they are okay. Also, if you feel inclined to do more than pray, please give to the orphanage their son will have to stay at...it's suffered damage and they need supplies. Here's info. xoxo!

Heartline Ministries (click the link)

and here's their family blog if you're feeling more invested in hearing updates

35 hours later & 4 airports later...I'm back in CA

Hi everyone! Sorry for the absence. I got into L.A. last night at about 8:45. We traveled for about 35 hours because we had to take weird connections to Dubai and then Munich, Germany to get back because of the chaos of London being frozen (and a lot of Europe). Anyway, it's just so nice to be back. I was on cloud 9 when we got news on Sunday that we had tickets booked to leave! It was really interesting to be in a hotel not knowing when you'll check out. But it was actually a really nice hotel. We had a buffet breakfast and dinner every day. I got to work out at the gym. And we got to go into Hyderabad for a few hours 1 day to shop at what I can best explain as a swap meet. Our team help up pretty well being in the hotel if you ask me. On Sunday we held our own church service and sang songs at the hotel in their courtyard in the back. We made friends with a good amount of the staff there. And contributed to the hotels funds because I bought gifts at their gift shop, as did many people on the team, and many people got massages and other spa treatments. (For the record, I wanted to get a pedicure because my feet we're in their best condition after walking in dirt with sandals for almost two weeks but I resisted because pedicures were $20--I now know that nice hotels in India have the same prices as the US). Well, I am going to write a continuation blog soon about the rest of the trip. I promise for a post soon and pictures.

updates while I'm here in India still....

Hey everyone! So, right now I'm stuck in India until at least tomorrow (Sunday) and looks more like Monday. Because of major blizzards in the UK our flight has gotten cancelled and we aren't sure yet when we're going to be able to leave. And we're stuck in our hotel because we can't go into the city because of political things happening. Don't worry though, we are perfectly safe here in the hotel and the accomodations are good and we are all together just hanging and praying on the Lord. Can you keep us in your prayers about the weather and our flight and our travel agent being able to work out miracles to get us home and soon! Since I have a lot of free time expect another post soon about the last part of the trip, as well as any updates!
India love!

Happy New Year!!! (and more about India)

Sorry I haven't written on my blog in a while. It's been busy but I've had an amazing trip so far! London town was great! We weren't there for long but I was able to see Trafulgar Square and I also had authentic fish and chips...anyway, onto my (second) journey to India.
We got to India late because our flight was delayed...then we drove by charter bus for a little over 8 hours to get to Harvest India (HI). Right off the bus (literally) we met David Trotter and his family who were visiting HI at an HIV/AIDS camp. There we gave food to to those with HIV/AIDS. Then we visited the RH orphans and they danced and sang for us. Then we went to Suresh's for diner and then we went to out hotel to sleep.
The next day we did a leper camp where we gave food to lepers. Then we went to a flood relief camp where there was total India chaos distributing clothing and kitchen supplies. We were there for a while, and it was amazing to give these people much needed necessities,as well as see how the village is being restored and working together and connect with the people (they were happy were there and showed us their roosters and then made 2 of them fight.) The flood was visably really bad. We then did an outreach that night where I played one of the main characters in a drama. Some of the kids laughed when i pretended to be drunk in the drama. There were a lot of people who decided to follow the Lord that night.
The next day was New Years Eve. We visited the construction site of a HIV/AIDS home HI is building called Hope House. It will house 50-100 people with HIV/AIDS in their last days. It was sort of emotional to me because of the implication of the project and my heart for those living with the condition (because who would want to suffer from that ?). Anyway, we then went to one of HI's eldely homes I visited last year. I was amazed again at the hutspa of these women spirits and faith. Truly amzing women...and they remembered me and told us all kinds of stories and songs and wanted to take lots of photos. Then we did a medical camp where some people gave kids and adults medication for things like cholera and malaria...at the same time some team members did that I actually got to play with some of the villiage children and teach them songs and they talked to me and also taught me how to count to 10 in Telagu. Then we rested for a little bit at the hotel until we got ready at Suresh's house to wear our sari's to the New Years Eve celebration with the orphan children. We performed the Lifehouse "Everything" skit for them and then webt outside to watch homemade Indian fireworks. What an experience! Having six kids surrounding and wrapped around me talking to me and admiring the fireworks together. One girl asked me if I was a housewife? Yes that's right. Afer that we served them New Years communion. An amazing experience where the bread just kept flowing to pass out.
I know that this is a long post so I'll end it here and perhaps tomorrow post again the rest of the trip so far. XoxO

Absent, but here...

Hey all. I'm here in India and I have a free second. Right now the best way to read what I've been doing is is going to www.rockharborindiateam.com. Everything is going well! Will have my own update soon!

Good thing my parents don't read this blog :)

This Christmas I came up with the idea (yes, it was my idea, not to toot my own horn or anything) to get my parents professional photos of me and my siblings. My friend is a stellar photographer and agreed (so generously) to take our pictures this past weekend. We all got along, had fun and are really really excited about these pictures! And, right now I can only share them on my blog because my mom & dad don't really read my blog too much (and it's only 2 days before we're going to show them the pictures). Here are just a few! Enjoy!

A little less than 4 days away!

Here are some things going on...some good things

• I am in full force India mode...finally. I got my (huge) luggage out of the garage along w/ my sari's and punjabbies and getting set to go!
• Yesterday I got fitted for my bridesmaid dress for Lauren's wedding and we ordered the dressed. They're very cute (and getting into one has made me want to loose weight)
• I feel like I've been going a little crazy still like a chicken w/ its head cut off; but I'm not feeling like that too much lately, and I'm holding on and am so close to the finish line. It really is hard to tie up loose ends and get everything done when you're going to a foreign country for 2 weeks. :)
• Yesterday, some people from the team got together and prayed over a lot of aspects about the trip and specific prayer requests from each member of the team. It was so great to be in prayer together
• I am so excited about this trip!...with the last thing mentioned, I was sick and am feeling better (thanks to prayer and the Lord!)
• I got the most recent update about an hour and a half ago and I am now at 68% done! Woo hoo!
• I'm excited to see family for Christmas! It'll be awesome
• The British Airways strike isn't happening! Woo hoo!
• I've really been in the Christmas spirit (something that's a big step for me in the past years!)

A lot of happenings happening...12 more days...no wait, maybe only 11 more days!

There are suppose to be 12 more days!!!! 12 more days! I can't believe it! In 12 days I should be all packed, and getting on a plane for a 2 week trip to India! It's definitely a cool feeling because I've been reminded in the last two weeks about where I was this time last year and how I (and the team I was suppose to go on) learned that our trip was being postponed until an unknown date. I say there are suppose to be 12 more days, because the funny thing is that there's a little kink in our plans right now, but something that is actually being worked out. We actually got news today that our airline (British Airways) are planning a strike from Christmas until New Years. Perfect timing, right? It looks like our travel agent is able to book us a new flight with a different airline if that happens...however, British Airways will only allow to transfer flights if the flight is cancelled, which we won't know ahead of time...so hopefully it won't be difficult to find 32 seats on a flight to India if all of this does happen. The cool thing is that if we do change our flights we'd get to spend two extra days in India! That would be awesome! If you all could be praying about this for us and for provision and peace and God's perfect hand in all of this.

In other happenings...I've been feeling a little bit not entirely myself lately. I use to get weird hot flashes (because of my lack of hormones---but that's another Oprah...or blog post I guess) and they've happened a few weeks ago (and lasted about 2 weeks)...and yesterday at the team meeting I got teary eyed at two different points (they were emotional points, but still, I am not a teary eyed and emotional type of girl). And for some reason, the thought of dating and marriage has been on my mind a lot and I am usually strong in that area. It's been neat to have talks with friends about the subject though, and be encouraged and have a lot of great single (girl)friends! I love you all! It is truly a desire of my heart to be married, and I am still not getting worked up about it and making it my life aspiration to be a wife, and I know that God has this amazing amazing (so amazing it needs 2 amazings) for my life. But for some reason the subject has been on my mind a lot and a desire to be dating/married. I am a firm believer that being a wife or any of the things that come along with marriage do not make you any more of a woman than someone not married. Marriage is something that I hold important value in, because it is a gift God has given us, but I want it to be right and for the right reasons. So, I am living, learning, growing and maturing as a single woman, and maybe someday God will bless me with a husband who he has made for me. That's the end of my ranting. Anyway, that's what's been happening. Thanks y'all for reading my blog...I love it when you comment :)

Too funny not to share

I had a crazy busy day babysitting yesterday, but I am so blessed that I have work. :) And some funny things came out of it...more funny kid stories/sayings

• Long story, but I was driving back to central Orange County from San Clemente because while I was babysitting I was shuttling kids around. I had a 5 year old boy and 3 year old girl (siblings) in my car. There wasn't a lot of gas in the car and we were just heading home. I was gonna get off at the very next exit to get some when the 3 yr old goes "Brittani, I have to go potty really bad...I'm gonna pee my pants". So I "okay, we're going to the gas station right now. Can you hold it for 1 more minute? Don't go potty yet" and think to myself "well, I guess this is where we're gonna get gas afterall"---and I know, I know...a gas station bathroom; but hey, it's a 3 yr old girl with a small bladder and it's San Clemente. How bad can the bathrooms be? Anyway, we get off the exit & there's a gas station literally right there. We go inside the convenience store and the bathroom is inside of it. Just one stall...we all fit in and while the 3 yr old's going to the bathroom the 5 yr old boy goes "Brittani, I saw lots of candy out there...(pause)...I like M&M's". I think to myself, "mental note, if I ever go by candy with kids again I need to shield their eyes". I ended up buying them a little treat. :)
• The same 3 yr old girl wanted to use a flashlight in the living room and make the room dark to see the light. We close the blinds and she turns the flashlight on. And she talks about the light and makes up a little song. Then I say "I can teach you a song about a light" and she says okay so I start to sing "This Little Light of Mine". It's a kumbaya kind of moment. Then the 3 yr old girl starts to scream it and sing it silly. I say "oh, I want to hear your pretty voice" and she sings it normal. Then her 5 yr old brother says "that's the spirit"...I'm pretty sure they had watched a Christmas movie recently and heard that and he thought "This Little Light of Mine" is a Christmas song. Too cute
• Another little 3 yr old girl I watch has been using the phrase "there's a wild animal on the loose"...and it's really funny to me because she says it just like the guy in that old Fandango commercial. (Right? Anyone know which one I'm talking about? Maybe it's an inside joke between my friend Lauren & I :)

One more update...only 24 more days until I leave!

I wanted to post this again. I'm going to try and figure out how to put the chipin.com widget on the side of my blog but so far I've only found instructions that put the widget in my post. Thank you for looking at my blog and reading! Here's info about my trip again :) I didn't receive an update this last week (probably because of Thanksgiving) so everything is still the same. Thank you so much to those of you who have supported. I appreciate it so much! Many blessings!!!



Hi friends & family,

I have the exciting opportunity to share with you about my returning to India on another mission’s trip with ROCKHARBOR church! I first want to thank you so much for supporting my trip toIndia in March; this December I have the chance to help lead a team of 33 ROCKHARBOR members going to Andhra Pradesh, India this December. The first trip to India was truly memorable and we were able to accomplish great things. It was such a blessing to be able to interact with the people on staff at Harvest India as well as help build relationships with people in remote villagesl we were able to supply them with food, clean water and share our faith with them and that we want to give because we have been given so much. It was also eye opening because I saw first hand the cast system as well as the poverty and great need in the country, which Harvest India is trying to make strives to improve. Now I have the unique privilege of helping lead a trip.

Our team will be traveling from December 26th to January 9th. During our trip we will be: helping provide villages with wells for pure drinking water, giving food and medical aid to the poor and those considered untouchable, aiding the pastors in evangelist events to reach many villages with the hope of the Gospel and also giving support and hope for a better life to a local orphanage Rockharbor sponsors.

This trip we also have the unique opportunity to help with flood relief efforts Harvest India has been leading because of the devastating floods that have hit southern India.

Our first and most important support needed is prayer. We are asking for prayer:

·For our team safety while traveling, and during our time in India
·That we are spiritually prepared for any spiritual battles that may be encountered
·That we may share the Gospel boldly & with the love that Our Savior Jesus has shown us
·For unity, support, flexibility and compassion within our team
·That people we meet will have hearts prepared to receive Jesus as their Lord & Savior, and One True God
·That all the team members will be able to raise the financial support necessary to go
·That the pastors, church planters and people of India will be encouraged andstrengthened as followers of Christ.

Secondly, there is a need for financial support if you feel called to also participate financially. I have committed to raise $3,500. If you would like to make a donation to my trip or know of others who would, please make donations payable to ROCKHARBOR Church. Please do not write my name or the country anywhere on the check. You may use the included returnenvelope, which is already addressed and indicates that the donation is for my trip. If you use your own envelope, please mail it to: ROCKHARBOR Church

Attn: India/Brittani Ehrhorn
3080 Airway Ave. Suite A
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Please note that donations are tax deductible and are non refundable. All donations will go towards theoverall cost of the trip, and any excess funds will first help to cover the team’s costs and secondly will be gifted to the ministry we are going to serve.

Thank you all very much for your support of this ministry; I am so blessed for you to be apart of it alongside me.

Brittani

Little Moments Like That

I just wanted to share this. On our way to the Switchfoot concert a neighbor stopped me & my brother and asked me to babysit 2 days later... then, literally on our drive I got another call to babysit for tonight. I was happy about getting the jobs. And when I got off the phone (on my bluetooth of course) I said to my brother..."God is so awesome". He said "yeah, He is". I said that just that very morning I had been praying about work and asking for providence for times that I was slow (because this week was looking slow for babysitting). And then I got asked to babysit Tuesday...and then Bubba said "and the neighbors asked you for Sunday too". He amazed me at how he totally caught on and made me even more aware of how great God is. :)

Sweet Melodies

This is yet another Switchfoot concert post :) But this one is a first...because I got to take my 12 year old brother...and because they played their brand new CD Hello Hurricane! And, the concert was super close (Just in Anaheim). Bubba (my nickname for my bro) & I got to see all the guys at the meet & greet as well as see them do their sound check before the concert. (I won't mention the part about us waiting for a while in line, and then wait a long time for the concert to start, though. No. I will focus on the best parts of the evening.) However, the concert was AMAZING! At the end Bubba & I basically got seranated at the end when Jon crowd surfed and stopped right by us and sang for 2-3 minutes. The guys are truly talented as well as funny and genuine. They all loved the fact that it was Brad's first concert when we met them. And they sang/played for 2 hours straight! Anyway, I also had a fabulous Thanksgiving. It was a change of scenery because we spent actual Thanksgiving day with my dad's dad & stepmom. We never do that...we usually celebrate the weekend before with them. But my uncle & cousins were able to come as well (which is hard because of my uncle's work & my cousin spending time with their mom). The part that would have made it over the top would be having my older sister there with us, as well as my dad's other side of the family and my mom's side of the family. But I'll get to see all of them in just a few short weeks for Christmas! So, I want to put this out there again because I haven't been able to find a way to put it on my sidebar...but this is the ChipIn widget where people can help support my trip and all the activities/ministries the team & I from Rockharbor will be doing! (See below for my support letter). xoxo

Thankful

After putting the ChipIn on my website and mentioning it on a very wonderful and popular blog's forum, I have had people comment on the forum as well as support my trip. I truly feel blessed to have people who don't know me give to my missions trip. Talk about a Christ centered community! I pray many blessings on all of you who are praying for me and supporting me! There's still more to go, so if you know of anyone or any businesses that can help it'd be great if you could let me know!

I've been busy with India stuff...we've been having extra drama team meetings. Things are coming along. I had a fun birthday weekend. Three friends & I went to Palm Springs overnight (after I found a really great rate on a small villa). I'm very excited to spend time with my family tomorrow, because I get to see my sister (who's in town from school in Chico) and my Nan & PopPop! Then, on Friday I'm taking my brother to see Switchfoot at the House of Blues, and I have my meet & greet pass! It'll be a memorable concert for him! I think that's everything. Oh, and it is looking pretty good for me to be able to get into some more classes next semester while I wait for graduate school. I am so thankful for so much! Can you think of something you are thankful for?

A Trip Update :) (Good news)

Hi everyone! So, I recently got an update about my support for the missions trip to India & I have raised $1160! YAY! The support is coming in a little more. I am still needing more support and wanted to be able to post this ChipIn widget again. I hope that this gets a response. And again, feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. These donations are tax deductable and really will help our team and Harvest India help the people of India after the floods. And, I've attached my letter again at the bottom on the post. Thanks again for all your prayers, support and thoughts! Many blessings!

Hi friends & family,

I have the exciting opportunity to share with you about my returning to India on another mission’s trip with ROCKHARBOR church! I first want to thank you so much for supporting my trip toIndia in March; this December I have the chance to help lead a team of 33 ROCKHARBOR members going to Andhra Pradesh, India this December. The first trip to India was truly memorable and we were able to accomplish great things. It was such a blessing to be able to interact with the people on staff at Harvest India as well as help build relationships with people in remote villagesl we were able to supply them with food, clean water and share our faith with them and that we want to give because we have been given so much. It was also eye opening because I saw first hand the cast system as well as the poverty and great need in the country, which Harvest India is trying to make strives to improve. Now I have the unique privilege of helping lead a trip.

Our team will be traveling from December 26^th to January 9^th. During our trip we will be: helping provide villages with wells for pure drinking water, giving food and medical aid to the poor and those considered untouchable, aiding the pastors in evangelist events to reach many villages with the hope of the Gospel and also giving support and hope for a better life to a local orphanage Rockharbor sponsors.

This trip we also have the unique opportunity to help with flood relief efforts Harvest India has been leading because of the devastating floods that have hit southern India.

Our first and most important support needed is prayer. We are asking for prayer:

· For our team safety while traveling, and during our time in India

· That we are spiritually prepared for any spiritual battles that may be encountered

· That we may share the Gospel boldly & with the love that Our Savior Jesus has shown us

· For unity, support, flexibility and compassion within our team

· That people we meet will have hearts prepared to receive Jesus as their Lord & Savior, and One True God

· That all the team members will be able to raise the financial support necessary to go

· That the pastors, church planters and people of India will be encouraged andstrengthened as followers of Christ.

Secondly, there is a need for financial support if you feel called to also participate financially. I have committed to raise $3,500. If you would like to make a donation to my trip or know of others who would,

please make donations payable to ROCKHARBOR Church. Please do not write my name or the country anywhere on the check. You may use the included returnenvelope, which is already addressed and indicates that the donation is for my trip. If you use your own envelope, please mail it to: ROCKHARBOR Church

Attn: India/Brittani Ehrhorn

3080 Airway Ave. Suite A

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Please note that donations are tax deductible and are non refundable. All donations will go towards theoverall cost of the trip, and any excess funds will first help to cover the team’s costs and secondly will be gifted to the ministry we are going to serve.

Thank you all very much for your support of this ministry; I am so blessed for you to be apart of it alongside me.

Brittani

Support for my trip to India

So, I have decided to make a ChipIn account where people who visit my website can donate any amount towards my missions trip to India where we will be donating food, clean water wells, doing flood relief and bringing hope that Jesus has given me to people in India. Thank you all for your support, thoughts & prayers

You can help!

So, for those of you who haven't noticed, I have put ads on my blog; my idea is that I could use the money that I get for having them on my blog to go towards what I need to pay for my missions trip to India. I tried not to get too many on my blog or ones that were shady :) Anyway, one way that you can help raise money for my trip this way is by checking my blog frequently; also, if any of the ads are something you would even like to look at because you are interested in click on them (because there's more money to be made by clicking the ads). I just thought I would use my blog for something to help raise money for my trip since I do have one because fundraising has been very difficult this year. Also, I could really use some help coming up with businesses who would be up for giving taxable donations to fundraise my trip (or even the team as a whole). If you have any ideas, please let me know!!! Well, working hard and focusing on the Lord. Love & shalom to you all :)

And again, here is my support letter:

Hi friends & family,

I have the exciting opportunity to share with you about my returning to India on another mission’s trip with ROCKHARBOR church! I first want to thank you so much for supporting my trip toIndia in March; this December I have the chance to help lead a team of 33 ROCKHARBOR members going to Andhra Pradesh, India this December. The first trip to India was truly memorable and we were able to accomplish great things. It was such a blessing to be able to interact with the people on staff at Harvest India as well as help build relationships with people in remote villagesl we were able to supply them with food, clean water and share our faith with them and that we want to give because we have been given so much. It was also eye opening because I saw first hand the cast system as well as the poverty and great need in the country, which Harvest India is trying to make strives to improve. Now I have the unique privilege of helping lead a trip.

Our team will be traveling from December 26^th to January 9^th. During our trip we will be: helping provide villages with wells for pure drinking water, giving food and medical aid to the poor and those considered untouchable, aiding the pastors in evangelist events to reach many villages with the hope of the Gospel and also giving support and hope for a better life to a local orphanage Rockharbor sponsors.

This trip we also have the unique opportunity to help with flood relief efforts Harvest India has been leading because of the devastating floods that have hit southern India.

Our first and most important support needed is prayer. We are asking for prayer:

· For our team safety while traveling, and during our time in India

· That we are spiritually prepared for any spiritual battles that may be encountered

· That we may share the Gospel boldly & with the love that Our Savior Jesus has shown us

· For unity, support, flexibility and compassion within our team

· That people we meet will have hearts prepared to receive Jesus as their Lord & Savior, and One True God

· That all the team members will be able to raise the financial support necessary to go

· That the pastors, church planters and people of India will be encouraged andstrengthened as followers of Christ.

Secondly, there is a need for financial support if you feel called to also participate financially. I have committed to raise $3,500. If you would like to make a donation to my trip or know of others who would,

please make donations payable to ROCKHARBOR Church. Please do not write my name or the country anywhere on the check. You may use the included returnenvelope, which is already addressed and indicates that the donation is for my trip. If you use your own envelope, please mail it to: ROCKHARBOR Church

Attn: India/Brittani Ehrhorn

3080 Airway Ave. Suite A

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Please note that donations are tax deductible and are non refundable. All donations will go towards theoverall cost of the trip, and any excess funds will first help to cover the team’s costs and secondly will be gifted to the ministry we are going to serve.

Thank you all very much for your support of this ministry; I am so blessed for you to be apart of it alongside me.

Brittani

See, I told you I'm a thinker

So, I thought that I would share with you all some of the things that I've been learning

- after having journaled & read in the morning several times in the last couple weeks, I had the revelation that it's much better for me to do that and have the rest of the day to sit, stir about, process, gain insight, hear from God in regards to what I read in His Word as well as journaled about...this all of course instead of reading & journaling before bed and then sleeping soundly through the night and not remembering what I did. Shocking, I know :)

- I was spending time with a mentor figure in my life last week and during our conversation she tells me how she was at a Bible study and learned about how much Jesus prayed...that's all she had to say and I totally got it. In my own mind I could think of a bunch of different times in the Bible where Jesus chose to connect with his Father and be restored as well as intervene. This was so cool to me and such a huge reminder to me.

- The other day while the little girl I was watching (of course I was babysitting) was having some issue about wanting something at home while we were at the park. I said "it's okay...we can go home and get it. But you have to be patient". Now, to be honest I don't throw that word around a lot with the kids I babysit for. But when I did it struck me. Like a "hello!" in front of my face. Aren't there times when God is also probably like, "Um, you are the one who didn't want to bring this with you or do this and now you've changed your mind. Of course you're going to have to be patient to go through the process. It's just down the street. Hold on." Maybe I assume to much, but I would bet God thinks the same way with us. Using patience to remind us how to not get worked up, to trust Him, and to seek the purpose of His journey in it too. I've obviously dealt with a lot of these situations with kids I watch, so it just clicked even more because it's almost common sense. Doesn't it also coinside with values that you (or I) would want to teach our kids in real life? Funny how that works.

Well, just also want to say that I picked out a new design for my blog, and based on my liking of birds and owls this was one of my top 2 choices so I figured hey, I don't know how long this bird thing for me will last so I'll use this template first. Haha. Thanks to Kelli for your suggestion :) Oh, and tomorrow Steph & I go to Jimmy Kimmel Live to see Swithfoot! YAY!!!

Peace, blessings & love

Female blogger, seeking some blog creativity & inspiration

I just worked 13.5 hours today babysitting. It went well but due to the father getting sick today (including throwing up) while the mother was in the hospital recovering from having a 2nd baby, and having delivered via C-section just yesterday there was no one expect be to stay around and put the 2 year old girl to bed. Anyway, I'm exhausted and will be getting to bed very shortly. (And I am also hoping that I will not catch anything and that he doesn't have the flu). However, I am looking for ways to spruce up my blog. Do you all have any ideas? Or can anyone help? And feeling uninspired and like I don't know where to begin. But I do know that I've had my blog for a year and haven't changed the look. Help, please!
xoxo

So much time and so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it.

I am up earlier than I need to be this morning...I don't have to babysit for another 2 hours. For me that rings of "the perfect time to blog". :) There are quite a few things going on. My preparation for going to India is in full swing. We had a team meeting on Sunday that went very well! And then after the drama team for the trip met and we had a pretty good meeting as well. And today, I am getting my one and only immunization I need for this trip, I am very excited about my birthday because a few on my friends & I are going to spend the night in Palm Desert on my birthday (which is on a Saturday this year)! I am so looking forward to this because I literally can't remember the last time that I've been able to get away (even if it's just for the night). And Palm Springs/Palm Desert is such a relaxing and enjoyable place for me because it reminds me of fun times & holidays when my grandparents use to live there. I am also excited for this month because I get to see Switchfoot twice! First at a mini-concert they're playing at Jimmy Kimmel Live, and then at the House of Blues Anaheim! YAY (because they have a new CD out and this tour that's all they are singing)! Anyway, in other exciting news, my little sister is coming home for Thanksgiving! She wasn't planning on it until literally two or three days ago. I'm glad I get to see her! An update for India is that my support is very lacking this trip. Even with my own deposit & the funds from the house concert with Molly Jenson I am only at 13 or 14%. The good news though is I know people are excited and supportive of me going, and even in these hard economic times, if I don't receive all the support (like I did last year) I am working a lot & saving to pay for the trip. I am trying to also think of more creative & fun ways to fundraise, so if you've got any ideas send them my way. (I'm thinking at this point I'm going to try to contact businesses to see if they can donate.) I am also having faith & trusting that God is good and faithful and will provide in some unique and awesome ways. With that said though, after talking with the family that I babysit 4-5 days a week, they are not going to need me as much come January. So, I feel almost as if babysitting has definitely helped provide work but it has sort of masked the fact that I need to be looking for a "real job". But I am sort of looking forward to that because I will have set hours so I can go to class; and when I've worked in a business before it's definitely not as draining to me as running around with a two year old or even a three & five year old so hopefully my studies and energy for school will increase as I will be taking a class or two come January. Well, that's all for now. Peace & much love. xoxo
p.s. -- ten gold stars to anyone who knows what movie I'm quoting in the title of this post

More of the funny things kids say! :)

Here are some funny things the kids I've been babysitting have been saying/doing:

--I was playing outside with a three year old boy. He is super sweet and cute. He somewhat randomly asked me if I was a mom and I replied nicely "no, I'm not a mommy yet". And he seemed to have moved on. But, about an hour or two later he brings the subject up again and says "you're a mom, right?". I said "no, I'm not a mommy. Your mommy just wanted me to play with you and watch you". Then he points to my chest and says "but you have those things, and that makes you a mom".

--I was walking a little 2 year old girl (almost 3 year old) to the park and I start to sing The Beatles song "All you need is love"; she is really good at remembering songs and loves to sing the ones I sing to her (such as "you are my sunshine" -- an inspiration by Molly Jenson). She starts singing along at one verse of "all you need is love" and sings it throughout the rest of the day.

--Upon babysitting yesterday (Monday) a little 3 year old girl who lives literally down the street from me, her mom tells me how on Halloween (which was Saturday) she kept asking to go Trick-or-Treating at my house. I love Em. She is so stinking cute!

--I was helping watch some kids at my parents house while they had a group of couples over for something. I got out the movie WALL-E. One of the little girls says "I like the fat people in that movie". I asked myself, "is that PC". Haha. Oh, and there were 3 girls and 3 boys that I watched and not a single boy watched more than the first 2 minutes of the movie. They had ants in their pants.