hard work now pays off later...

I've been trying forever to write a post! Wouldn't it be nice if it just wrote itself? I mean really? :) There is a lot going on in many different areas of my life. And when I say a lot, I mean a lot. Work, friendships, family, and also working on myself. You know when there are times in your life when some personally difficult things come up, and you have to take care of them. You can't shove them under the rug; you just can't. Just gotta deal with cleaning up what's dirty. It's a time of growing and maturing. It's not easy, but it only leads to healthiness and only benefits me in the long run.

For example, I have a new part time job and I want to be the best that I can be at it. But, that requires a good amount on my part to actually be intentional and do it well. Or, there's been a period of time this summer where my schedule was absolute madness and unorganized stress for me. So, I took control of it and now I'm not stressed by it. Or, learning/realizing that I have never had a good example of being financially wise, managing my money well and saving. To the extent where it's kinda (moderately) slapped me in the face and convicted me to want to do better and get out of that cycle. With the advice of my good friend as well as my roommate, I am getting (what I like to call) "financially buff". Also, I cannot begin to express how simply amazing my roommates are! Seriously amazing! They are looking out for me, have my best interest at heart, are so insightful, believe in me, love me, seek the Lord so much, are so wise, refreshing, have so much discernment and have helped me in so many ways lately. In such a way that blows my mind, and leaves me feeling like I know that they are in my life for a reason and they are so right in tune with God, and God is using them to speak into my life. One other thing that's been working on is getting accountability for getting my butt in gear for grad school an really making progress with being able to meet all the requirements. (Thanks Tselane!)

There is a lot of refining and big things and foundational things happening in my heart, and I am always encouraged during times like these and thankful for all the ways that God is so present in my life personally.

Support...it's what I need :)

Hi y'all! :) I hope you're having a fabulous Saturday. There's been some rain here, but it's made for a great day :) A low key one, definitely but also productive. I know that I've mentioned about my trip to India here. I also wanted to share with you how to give online to support my trip. And I also wanted to post my support letter. Thank you all for reading!

here's the link to my online giving page at chipin.com: http://brittehrhorn.chipin.com/my-3rd-mission-trip-to-india

Hi friends and familly,

I have the exciting opportunity to share with you about my returning to India on another mission’s trip with ROCKHARBOR church! This will be my 3^rd time going to India, and my second time as a leader for the trip. The Harvest India staff, and the people of India are very dear to my heart. Over the past several years, my relationship has grown closer with Harvest India staff-I even had the privilege of having Suresh, the President of Harvest India, celebrate the 4^th of July with my family while he visited the U.S. this summer. I am continually amazed at the work they are doing to show the love of Christ and serve the untouchables in India. And I’ve had the privilege of being on the leadership team at Rockharbor for the past year and am excited about the team I am going to India with.

Our team of 31 church members from Rockharbor will be traveling from December 26^th,,2010 to January 9^th,2011 During our trip we will be: helping provide villages with clean water wells with pure drinking water, giving food and medical aid to the poor, people with HIV/AIDS, and those considered untouchable, hosting a VBS for several hundred orphans, 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.

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 and strengthened 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 return envelope, 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 the overall 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’m so blessed for you to be apart of it alongside me.

Brittani Ehrhorn

(behrhorn@alumni.uci.edu…feel free to contact me if you have any questions)

you put a smile on my face (make the world a better place)

So, I have been completely and utterly busy lately...but in such a good way! I won't lie though, I am going to be needing some rest soon :) I know it will come soon! Anyway, one of the reasons I need rest is because of how stinking hot it's been in Orange County. It's just a few days before October and it's been hitting 90'F. Not right people...not right at all! Anyway, I'm thankful for air conditioning and I know I'm spoiled to have it. Well, I haven't done this in a while and I've been able to get a few great kid quotes lately, so I will leave you with them! I hope you are all having a great week, and staying cool out there!

• I was going outside with a 2 year old boy I sit for and sneezed. I said "excuse me". He then asks "do you know why you sneeze?". I said "well, I sneeze a lot when I first walk outside and in the sun". Then he says "No, you sneeze when you eat too much"... I don't know what food he's eating ... :)
• I take 4 kids home from after school 3 days a week...on our way home I usually take a route that passes a McDonalds...with four kids in the car. For the past 3 weeks each time we pass (or even get near it) the kids yell "turn here, turn here. It's McDonald's!" for 2 miles before and after the establishment. I laugh because I still haven't taken them to get an after school snack there (and I feel slightly mean for not taking them...but people, it'd mess up and make us late for nap time and getting me to my other jobs), but also because I would literally do the same thing when I was little. Except it wouldn't just be McD's...I'd know all the fast food places and hope my mom would turn into one before we got home.
• was taking a pair of 3 year old boy and girl to school with their 18 month old sister. The 3 year old girl did something to her brother where I told her she needed to apologize. She yelled "I'm soorryy". I said that wasn't the right way to say it and I would like her to retry using a nice voice. And then the 18 month old chimes in saying "E-ahh, sorry" (E-ahh is how she pronounces her sisters name). I just had to laugh. The little one was bossing her older sister around and at the same time trying to imitate me. She's got spunk and sass :)
• I had to stop by my house while I was babysitting because I left my phone there. The mom I was sitting for said it was okay. (It was on our way to where I was taking the kids.) I had the kids mentioned above (two 3 year olds and a 18 month old). They came into my house and found my room and all of them crawled on my bed and laid down (shoes on and everything). It was cute :)

p.s., anyone recognize the lyrics that are in my title? :) I know, I know. I love songs and music, I just can't help it! :)

Sleeping Soundly (An Ode to Fall)

I love Fall. Today is the first day of the season...and it's such a wonderful one. It warms my heart. It means back to school. It means change. It holds the days when I can sip a Chai Tea Latte or curl up with a blanket to watch a movie, actually wear a warm coat, feel a crispness in the air, eat yummy soup, wear closed toed shoes a little more often and see glimpses of leaves changing color. There are also the beautiful holidays! :) Halloween, Thanksgiving...and of course my birthday (just in case you were wondering) :)

But, do you want to know why I am loving the Fall so much right now? Because of the glorious sleep that it brings me. I know, sleep is a weird reason to like Fall. Let me explain. I love sleeping where it's very dark, and with the temperature being slightly cooler. And lately, these conditions have been perfect. So, I've been getting good nights rest and actually sleeping in. I normally have a problem being able to go back to sleep if I happen to wake up early for some reason (no matter what time I go to bed, I wake up early). Lately, though, I've been like a bear hibernating and I sleep right on through until my alarm goes off. Heck, this weekend I even slept in until 9am on Sunday! It took me a few days to adjust to the Fall weather, but now I am loving it (and the great sleep it is bringing me). So, here's to you Fall! Hope you are all enjoying it to!

in the clear

I guess that there was some problems with my blog design. The website I got it at couldn't have all the html codes anymore. But I was able to upload a file with the code on it. And I had no idea about this because I hadn't checked my blog in a few days. Anyway, sorry if any of my (few) readers couldn't read/get to my posts. It's all better now...and I thought it was time to change up the design so I did :) And look, I blogged twice in 1 week! :)

What's been going on/update/stream of consciousness

Wowzers...It's been about 3 weeks since my last post. Where has the time gone? There is definitely a lot that has been going on in my life...but what's new. I'm excited about it all though :)

I've been getting even more involved with India ministries now that our December team has met each other, and things are picking up with the trip. But seriously, the group of women that I'm coaching/shepherding through the trip are such a blessing to get to know, are amazing Christ followers, are so fired up about going & are such a great dynamic together (we have a college student, a special education therapist/teacher, a lawyer and an engineer--and then me, the nanny/student). They are a wonderful bunch, and I'm having so much fun with them and getting to know them and all prepare to go on this trip together. For example, I had my first meet up with one of the girls on Monday of this week and we hiked for 2.5 hours but the time went by so fast and we had such good conversations and I'm so glad to have learned more about the people I'm shepherding. I've also been amazed at how awesome the leadership team is (in general) & how great we are coming along planning for this trip and working together. I've said it already, but it's been a joy and a blessing to be in ministry with the leadership team (those actually going on the trip as well as those staying "on base" at home). These are partially the reasons that I have not been posting because I have been busy

with these things and have been trying to be intentional with the relationships & community in my life...you know, the real life people kind ;) ...nothing against the world wide web communities/friends, because I love that too :)

This past (Labor Day weekend) has also been a blast...and consisted of a little something I like to call the "away-cation" (to be said like "vacation" except take away the "vay" and substitute "away"). It was absolutely lovely :) My friend Stephanie was going to be in L.A. to house/cat sit for her brother & sister-in-law...my friend Cynthia was going to be in the production of Ragtime in L.A. on Saturday night. It was a match made in heaven. Stephanie and I left Orange County in the late morning on Saturday and made it to beautiful Playa Vista in time to soak up some sun at the relaxing pool (I even took a cat nap and read some of the book "No Mercy"!!) and also go to the cute/small but totally awesome farmers market. Then we went to dinner and saw Ragtime. It was a delight to see Cynthia perform so well in it, as well as watch a great play. Anyway, we spent the night in L.A. and the next morning went on a walk to Loyola Marymount University (which was only about a seven minute walk from Stephanie's brother's place). It was a little interesting and brought up some interesting emotions to walk the campus because I was suppose to go there for my undergraduate education....but I digress. Here are some pictures

just to show you for fun :)

Another thing that has been happening lately is some family stuff. My aunt (my moms sister) was in a car accident Aug 30th. She was pulling into her town-home complex making a left hand turn because the oncoming traffic was stopped and was also letting her through, but a car came speeding by in the side of the right lane and hit her. She actually has no physical injuries/scrapes/bruises, but she is however paralyzed on the left side of her body. All the scans/tests show no brain damage and that there is nothing "wrong" so to speak. In the last week and a half she's made a lot of progress and can move her face, toes, shoulder and elbow on her left side. She also gotten little nerve impulses in her back and can sometimes move her whole left arm, but has yet to move her left leg. Yesterday she got moved from the hospital to a rehabilitation center. She had a pretty good day there today and it's suppose to be this intensive and very helpful rehab center, so we are so thankful for that. As all this has been taking place, I have really strongly felt the need/call for prayer. So, will you join me in prayer for my aunt? I know that it is only because of the prayer that has happened thus far that her body has had the restoration thus far. Pray for healing on her left side, and specifically arms and legs. God is alive and His power is in full force. I know this because I've been witness to other big healings that have happened in the name of Jesus Christ within the last few weeks. Thank you, and I will keep you all updated! :)

Well, thanks y'all for reading this lengthy post, but I hope that it satisfied your reading pleasures :) And I promise, I won't wait so long to write again!

It's a start! :)

A little victory on my side of the blogosphere :) I actually am writing a post in less than two weeks after my last one. Man oh man, it's been a crazy week. I am amazed though at how much God has provided tremendously. I've had a good amount of extra time off this week and was a little worried about I'd be able to make up the work that I was missing; and amazingly my schedule became filled with plenty of work. Also, I've been having an awesome experience with the India Ministries. Awesome time planning for the December trip, awesome to have a community in the ministry of serving India, awesome to meet together to pray and worship our Maker, and I'm learning and growing a lot by participating in this ministry & growing close with people you are doing ministry with and speaking into each others lives.

It's also been interesting because since the last time I blogged, I haven't been able to register for classes to finish my pre-req's for grad school. I'm bummed...it's not fun to go through this tons of times. Feels like I'm a hamster that keeps spinning in it's wheel not really going anywhere. A couple friends of mine have encouraged me to look for options out of state--specifically the Pacific Northwest because it doesn't seem (very tempting Steph & Ashley, very tempting :)

Onward and upward...I have had some time the past week or two to begin reading a book that I am very excited about. I'm excited about it because a dear friend of mine (who is also my roommate since April) is very involved and invested in this book. It's written by her mentor and very good and dear friend. She is also basically the Publicist for this book...however, this is all done by volunteering her time. Because the author as well as the group of people involved with the making/publicity of this believe in spreading the message of this book that much, what they believe can be done through this book, and because of the impact the writer of the book (Preston Gillham) has had on their lives. It's been so rewarding to even hear/witness all of this firsthand. I've started reading the book and am impressed. But, I would love for you all who read my blog to read it for yourselves. Here's the website to the book, where you can also download a FREE (!!!) digital copy! Amazing! For the link to the free electronic copy or info about the book and author click here or click on the image below. I will definitely be writing more about the book as I "chew" on it more and also get more into the meat of the book as I'm sure I'll have some things I've gotten from it and would love to share (and also hear from you if any of you'd like to read it as well and discuss it with me! I think that'd be awesome!!!)

For lack of better words of my own, here's the books synopsis:

No Mercy is a sweeping adventure of life, love, trust, and desire—an odyssey asserting that real life is more than meets the eye.

Hank Henderson thought he was going on vacation to Montana, but his brother had something else in mind. Hank’s life soon dangles on the precipice of disaster.

Disoriented. Injured. His resources depleted, Hank is caught between powerful forces. One is dark, aggressive, and powerful. The other, of questionable integrity, appears Hank’s only option for freedom.

From his placid fishing of Malden Creek into a dungeon of double-dealing, Hank crosses swollen rivers, scales blizzard strewn heights, and discovers more than he bargained for in an unlikely ally.

His hope dependent upon a hesitant trust, Hank gambles to emerge from a transformed person.

Many blessings!!!

THE.BEST.DAY.EVERRRR

This is just about one of the best stories ever (well, for me at least). While I'm telling you this story, just picture the band Switchfoot and feel free to put in your favorite band ever. That is the correct context of how awesome this was for me :)

I'm on twitter (if you actually go to my blog website, you'll see this), and one of the twitter accounts I follow is my favorite local radio station 98.7. I've found it very useful to follow music artists, radio stations, clothing stores etc online. They give away free stuff, have special discounts on things and much more. On Tuesday night last week, I was dogsitting and doing schoolwork on my computer. I go and look at my twitter page to see that 2 minutes prior 98.7 posted that whoever calls in and knows the lyrics to any Switchfoot song can win meet and greet passes at the US Open in Huntington Beach. It was about 10:30 at night and I have had some experience winning things on the radio before (such as Las Vegas accommodations, 4 annual passes to Magic Mountain...) so I thought I might actually have a chance because not very many people are listening to the radio right now, also not very many people who follow 98.7 on twitter would be checking their twitter right then, and the twitter post was only 2 minutes old. Anyway, I called up and got through and won! I was jumping up and down, and so excited! I tried to keep my expectations in check because the DJ doesn't really tell you anything about the things the radio station is giving away, he/she simply tapes you for the recording of the winning and then takes down your info for the promotions department to call you. I've been to the fan club meet and greets before where you go through a line and simply say hi to the band, take pictures and move along. I thought it would be the same. I was still soooo excited, because the last Switchfoot concert that I went to I didn't get to go to the meet and greet because it was in their hometown before their big Bro AM surf competition and so many fans come to the concert and meet and greet, and it didn't seem worth it to pay the money to get the meet and greet passes.

Flash forward to Wednesday evening. I knew that the Switchfoot concert was the next day at 4:30. I'm wondering if the meet and greet is before or after the concert, and if I could somehow make arrangements to get off babysitting early if the meet and greet was early. I get a call from the radio station saying that the meet and greet is at the beautiful Shorebreak Hotel and it's before the concert and I have to be there at 3:15. Ok, time to start planning. I am about to call the family I sit for when they text message me saying that their schedule has totally changed and being able to leave at 3 would work perfectly. I can hear the hallelujah chorus...and all because the concert/event is literally in the neighboring city next to where I live and work! So, my friend Stephanie & I get to the hotel and find out that the band will be playing some songs for us. We walk towards the elevators and see Jon & Drew from the band and ride the elevator with them and talk with them. We get to the suite where we're all gonna be hanging out, and there are only about 8-10 other people there! And we're all hanging outside on the balcony that overlooks the ocean...then Jon & Drew just start playing for us. Right in front of us! It was awesome. And then, one of the radio station employees had asked us to switch seats at the beginning because we were sitting where he wanted the guys to sit. But he told us to "come get him afterwards and I'll hook you up". I thought, "sure, ok...whatever. They'll give me a t-shirt or something". As we leave, Steph says "I'm gonna go see what the guy is gonna hook us up with". And let me tell you, I'm glad she did. He gave us backstage passes to watch Switchfoot during their free US Open concert. And Steph & I weren't going to go because we need that it would be way to crowded by the time we could make it there (since it was the US Open and was already a madhouse, and because it was free). It was so awesome! Just about the best (Switchfoot) day ever! :)

stream of consciousness post & the funny things kids say!

what a crazy two weeks...I've been really busy with working, school, being apart of India ministries, family birthdays & a little hiccup with my car. But, I am amazed at how God has put things in my path to make me stop & depend, seek and rely on Him. And also, how wonderfully God has provided. He is amazing! School is going well. I'm taking a nutrition class that I'm enjoying a lot. Lots of cool things are happening...I am able to see so many ways that God is working in my life.

Something very cool things that happened this week was celebrating my dad's birthday on Friday; and after we got home to my parents house my dad wanted to go for a walk around the neighborhood. I wanted to go with him...it's always fun to walk and chat with my dad (especially on a a lovely evening, and on his birthday none-the-less). He is so awesome to talk to, and just gets you fired up! I left encouraged, stretched & on fire at the same time.

Also, last Sunday I was volunteering videotaping the sermons. After the 7pm service, this good looking young man with an English accent comes up to "The Booth" (the back of the church where the cameras are and music mixing equipment etc.) and introduces himself as a pastor from South Africa who is in the States for 6 weeks meeting with churches to gain knowledge/wisdom for his own church in S.A.; He had all kinds of questions about how the services are put together and organized and planned etc. He was so enthusiastic and wanting to seek knowledge. We also talked about South Africa and how I have two friends there right now with an organization called Bridges of Hope, and he knew about it. I also told him about an dear English teacher I had who was born & raised in S.A. and would travel back every year. And there were several times she would speak Afrikaans to us in class. She was an exceptional teacher who I have lots of memories about her class. It just so happens that the person who is in charge of the weekend services (Jen) had just come back to the Booth...she is normally so busy that she doesn't do that, or she isn't at the 7pm service. I took a chance and introduced the two of them to each other. We talked for a while more and I could tell we were all excited & the S.A. guy was so humble & so awesome to talk with. After he left, Jen thanked me for pulling her aside to talk with him, and we both though it was totally God that all that happened. It was so cool to be used by God in that situation, and to be apart of seeing how big He is!

Well, I will leave you all with some funny kid quotes:

• a 5 year old girl I sit for is very witty and spunky...I was helping her get ready for bed and wash her hair and when I was going to rinse out conditioner and told her to "look up at the sky". She immediately said "it's not the sky, it's the ceiling". The next time I helper her wash her hair, she said the same thing. She'll correct me every time I say "look up at the sky", so now I just say "look up at the ceiling".
• a 2 year old little girl & 5 year old her sister were telling each other they were pretty at the dinner table and then asking if they thought other people were pretty (their mom, grandma & friends etc). Half-way during dinner the 5 year old was upset about having to eat a quesadilla with beans. The 3 yr old looks over at her sister and says "sister, it's okay. You're pretty". It was her little way of saying don't worry sister. Don't sweat it.
• the 5 yr old mentioned above was talking to me about her friends dog. I ask what kind of dog it is. She says "I can't remember. It's either a really small Chihuahua, or a bull dog"...my thoughts were "that clears things up" :)
• one last one :) ... the 5 year old again, was playing and her 3 year old sister took something of hers and she gets upset and says "you can't play with that! It's from Marshall's and it's special"

A great cause, great deal, and great tee's!!!! Get your Haiti tee's!

Friends of mine (who I've mentioned before on this blog) are selling tees to help fundraise for their sons adoption...they are able to receive a grant for support they raise, but they haven't met their goal yet! So, they are selling their tees at half price! They're great tees. I have 2 myself & love them! Lets support this awesome family, awesome cause & awesome little boy who has been adopted! :) Also, if you live close to me I can save you on shipping by getting your shirt for you and we can plan to meet up & I can give it to you (because I sit for this family throughout the week).

Here's their post from their blog...click here or on the photos for the t-shirt shop link:

Okay, internet friends. Now is your chance. We are having a major - MAJOR - sale on our Haiti tees. Special price, just for you!

$10

Because:

a) Our matching grant from Running for Orphans ends in ONE WEEK and we are still under our goal.
b) We might have ordered a few too many t-shirts.
c) I would like to allow the children back into the garage without fear of them being crushed by the T-Shirt Boxes Tower of Doom.

So . . . $10 a shirt. Pretty much at-cost, because these things aren't doing anybody any good in our garage. Much better that they be on YOU - reminding people to continue supporting Haiti.

HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY TO NINA!!!!

Her nickname is Nina....and she's my older sis :) She's loving, caring, fun, beautiful, talented, creative, smart and a no non-sense kind of lady. She's definitely a combo of both my mother & father...take it or leave it :) She's the first born of our little (but kinda big) family, as well as the first grandchild on both sides of the family. Sometimes we butt heads because we're different in a lot of ways (though we definitely don't butt heads as often compared to when we were younger). But we both know how much we love each other...no matter what. It's been fun to share a house together for a little while this year, and share a time when both of our best friends ask us to be in their weddings taking place this year. Hope that this year is filled with lots of fun, growth & even more blessings & joy than the last. LOVE YA SIS!

Cheers (to friends and many blessings)!!!!!

It's been a while since I've last posted...I don't want it to be like that. Nope. I like to be able to write & have a conversation about things going on in my life, to keep people updated & have a little fun while doing so. And at times, being able to do all those things moves from being a higher priority, to the lowest priority.
A perfect example of this is when I am in finals week of an intense 6 week summer session, and I'm in a wedding the weekend of finals week, and when my car breaks down on the way to the wedding in the desert (not "middle-of-nowhere" desert, but desert nonetheless and an hour and a half away from my house). Needless to say, it all worked out. I was out of a car for a week and then a wonderful, lovely & generous couple who I am lucky enough to call friends came to my rescue and let me borrow their car (because the husband is in a band & touring Europe for a month. You know, nothing big). I only needed their car as a loaner car for about a week because my parents neighbor (who is especially skilled in cars) did all kinds of tests on my car and concluded that all my car needed was a new thermostat. When I took it to Pep Boys they said my head gasket needed to be replaced and a few other expensive things that was going to cost $1800-$2000...insane! (I normally don't get worked up about things, but I am seriously so tempted to somehow contact Pep Boys & let them know I'm unhappy about their diagnosis of my car & that I had to pay $ for them to look at it and diagnose it completely wrong!). I'm so glad that I waited to get a second opinion. I am seriously amazed at the community that I am surrounded by! The week that I was carless, my mom drove me around as well as my sisters and couple of my good friends. I even had a friend who seriously absolutely rocks take a project to school for me on the last day. She drove out of her way to go to my school, and then also went in and gave my professor the project. Then, to have friends let me borrow their car, and also have another friend fix it! Wow! God is so good, and has blessed me with good friends! And, I've also had so many families I sit for offer to drive me and also try to find a loaner car for me! Thank you everyone! :)
Anyway, that chaos seems to be over. I am so thankful for it working out and God providing so much! Currently, I am working a good amount but finances are really tough right now (between 2 weddings I've been in, dealing with car stuff, paying for classes & books & parking permits, and not working as much because I had class), so if you could all be praying God continues to provide and allow me to be in a good place financially. Also, pray that my car continues to work well with the new thermostat, and that it really is what the issue was.
On one more note, I am so pumped about the India ministry that I am apart of. God really has put India on my heart and I am so blessed to be apart of it, and to be in a community of people who want to serve in the India ministry as well. And I feel like I am really just beginning to get to know everyone and grow even deeper and make great friendships! We are currently conducting interviews for the December trip & have a lot of great people who are wanting to go! It's going to be a great team & a great trip!

Many blessings! XOXOXOXO

Putting it out there

So, I had quite an eventful weekend the past couple of days...going to my friends wedding that I was in, my car overheated & needs some major repairs (or I need a new car)...this sums it up...it's hard for me to put this out there; but if anyone is willing to help, or know anyone who could would you be so kind as to let me know???

I am in a bind...in need of a loaner car for any length of time in the next few weeks. My car literally broke down & overheated in Victorville this weekend and I can't get repairs done just yet due to costliness of it. Is anyone able to loan me a car (a spare car or a car if you're out of town for any time). I'd be so grateful and willing to compensate somehow

They got nothing on you baby

So, on my brothers birthday last month I took him to his youth group (because his birthday was on a Sunday) and hung out with him afterwards (which included taking him to his favorite restaurant Wingnuts). During that time, I got this jewel. Folks, this is why I love my brother. He takes control of the radio in any car he is in, and finds a good song he feels he can dance to. :) Never a dull moment with my Bubba. I love him so! (p.s., we were basically at a stop light for most of the video, and the other half I was paying attention to driving and just holding my camera out. p.s.s., don't mind me and trying to say something clever...couldn't even spit out "break your moves out") :)

Conversations with a 5 year old put a smile on my face

These are little morsels of funny goodness that I remembered from a conversation with an adorable 5 year old I babysit for (I will call her "H")


H:Will you ever have children? 
Me: Yeah, probably 
H:...so that I can watch her, right? Because I really only like to play with girls

H's mom was expecting a baby.  H had already named it "raindrop", and would not even speak of it being a boy.  To her, there was no way the baby would be anything but a girl.

H & I were sitting at the dinner table as she was eating dinner.  It was a big window that looks the backyard.  H started to make up this story about how there's a hummingbird living in an orange tree in her backyard and says"she Is a healthy bird who had healthy babies. We had a doctor look at her".  And remember, her mom was expecting a baby.  Funny girl :)


p.s... I changed my layout.  What do you think? 

A Washington D.C. picture post

If you couldn't tell, I am currently taking classes and also been busy working a lot.  Both of these things mean that I have no time to blog.  So sad, I know.  I like blogging...it's such a unique process to write and formulate my own thoughts and to actually sit down in order to do all that.  Of course, I'd also like to have more people viewing my blog/getting feedback but c'est la vie...even if it's for my own enjoyment it still serves a good purpose.  Anyway, I have some more posts I will publish soon.  But first I wanted to share about my trip to Washington D.C.

Getting to D.C. and back home proved to be a chore (to say the least).  Once Stephanie & I got there it was quite the city though.  It really isn't that big of a city, and yet it is so rich in beautiful architecture, land & history.  It seems like you can almost never run out of things to do there.  In the 3 days we had there we got to do a lot.  I personally had a wonderful time, even considering the heat and humidity.  Here's what Steph & I did: visit the National Cathedral, National Air & Space Museum, the Vietnam War, WWII & Korean War Memorials, the Washington, Lincoln & FDR Monuments, Arlington National Cemetery, Georgetown, National Gallery of Art, tour the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts and the Capital.  Oh yeah, and also view the White House (from the outside).  If you couldn't tell, I love American History (just for fun, I took at least 3 history courses in college.  That was after A.P. US History in high school) :)

This is a very poor picture quality image...however, this is the "we've been trying to get the D.C. for 10+ hours and now we're finally making it" smile :)

Here are some pics of the Capital:

one of the 1st US Senate rooms

And some pics of the National Air & Space Museum

(oh yeah, and did I tell you I know how to fly?  Let me know if you'd like me to take you anywhere!)

He is no longer a pre-teen!

My brother (who I lovingly refer to as Bubba) is 13 now!  Thirteen!  Holy cow Batman...where does the time go?  Not to get all mushy but I remember the day that you were born Bubba.  I was in 5th grade.  It was a Friday...but a very special one; because it was your birthday & because we had "Colonial Day".  I was torn between getting to go to school & participating in the festivities of Colonial Day & dressing up like a Pilgrim, making candles & apple juice & bread the old fashioned way, and many many more fun things that define 5th grade at St. Joachim School.  Not to mention, my love of history has been with me since a young age & fifth grade was no exception.  But, I wanted to get a chance to see you with our sisters.  Thankfully, I have an awesome grandma & dad who worked it out that I could go to school for half the day and then my dad would take me to see you.  Unlike some family members, I had been excited from the get-go about you...but I know for sure that we all could not imagine life with out you.    You were a surprise & a totally awesome one!  You are full of joy, an amazing baseball player & pitcher, goofy fun, have an awesome heart and are very smart!  I love you!!!! <3

Sticker value

I thought that it would be really funny to write about some of the random/interesting bumper stickers I've seen while jogging or walking (to the park) with kids I babysit...enjoy

• "Gas Hole" located on the gas tank of an old truck
• "who would Jesus bomb?"... a very interesting political statement & I would like to know the logic as to why this person put a sticker that says that on their car
• "I'm only speeding because I have to go poop" (which also includes a little drawing of poo)
• "reading is sexy" ...this was on a car w/ a Washington license plate (because I thought it was important that it came from a Washington car--haha)

Tees for Haiti

Good friends of mine (who've I've mentioned on my blog) have created some awesome t-shirts to fundraise for their Haitian sons adoption as well as Heartline Haiti (an organization in Haiti doing amazing work post-earthquake).  They have lots of different designs and come in sizes from infants to mens to maternity... Check these great tees out!  

45X

Notice the title?  Does anyone know what it means?  Just curious...any ideas?  I can tell you.  I'm quite the expert about 45X.  It is part of my story.  One of the things that I've been wanting to share about is my story.  It is truly something that is embedded in the fabric of my heart, mind and soul.  This is not normally something that I tell a lot of people.  But recently I've felt this push or inclination to share, to be vulnerable, and open.  Because I've seen lately the good that can come from that.  Let me elaborate...

I was born with a condition called Turner Syndrome.  It is a chromosomal disorder that occurs in females, where they are born with a missing sex chromosome; meaning that usually a person should be born with 46 chromosomes but I was only born with 45.  (Hence, the science jargin for missing your 46th chromosome is sometimes called 45X.) If you are male, your last two chromosomes (your 45th and 46th) are XY; and if you're female your born with two X's (XX).  I however am missing my last chromosome.  This abnormality is called Turner Syndrome because the person who described it was a doctor named Henry Hubert Turner (as with any medical condition) :).  In case you were wondering, this means that I was born female (with all the female parts)...you have to have the Y chromosome for a fetus to begin to grow male parts (fyi).  About 1 out of 2,000 to 3,000 females are born with this chromosomal abnormality.  Amazingly, my body can function without a 2nd X chromosome (the 2nd one is really only there to recognition of sex...even in females with a normal XX, the 2nd X really doesn't do any work.  I've learned this in my genetics/science classes).  Anyway, it does have medical implications though.  A lot of females born with Turner Syndrome have heart conditions, endocrine (hormonal) problems, physical abnormalities like webbed feet, broader diaphragms, short stature.  I'm quite fortunate to not suffer from many of these, and none of which are serious to my health.
My parents found out very shortly after I was born that I had Turner Syndrome (TS).  One of the tell-tale signs on the probability that I might have TS was that I was a shorter baby, and had swollen feet.  Tests were done and confirmed that I in fact was missing my 46th chromosome.  My parents found out that one of the things that came along with me having TS was that I have one kidney that is shaped like a horse shoe, and instead of a tri-cuspid valve in my heart I have a bi-cuspid valve (meaning a special valve in my heart that is suppose to have 3 flaps to open and close, I only have 2--but the two still completely cover up the valve like it needs to be).  One of the leading & highly knowledgeable doctors with regards to TS was at Stanford Childrens Hospital and my parents chose to have him as my physician; so about once a year we would visit there.  Dr. Neely is someone I will always remember.  He was a great doctor, and someone I look up to still.  He was only slightly older than my parents, but he had red hair just like me.  And he also had a daughter my age who had red hair.  It was sort of a neat similarity & connection to share.  Well, I don't believe that I had much medical care before I was about 5 or 6 except for tests & normal check ups with my endocrinologist.  I was definitely not as tall as my peers but it wasn't too concerning yet.  But in first grade, when I was about six we started the discussion of me taking growth hormone during my elementary & adolescence school years when growth should be taking place.
I remember between 1st & 2nd grade visiting Stanford Children's Hospital with my mom & dad.  The nurse who we had known for a while, Louise, was amazing at teaching us how to administer the growth hormone and even let us practice on her (with a saline solution of course).  The doctors would figure out, some special way, how much growth hormone I should start out taking...then about every 6 months to a year it would be adjusted and increase slightly based on my growth/that fact that it was was working well/and trying to maximize my growth plates still being open and this being a critical time for my body to grow to a normal size.  I remember going for this doctors visit too where I would start taking growth hormones, and the doctors wanted an x-ray of my entire body to see my bones (etc) before I started growth hormones.  It was the summer going into 2nd grade and I had just gotten my ears pierced about a week before.  This was a huge deal in my family because the Ehrhorn girls had a rule (to please my grandpa) that we had to wait until we finished 1st grade to get our ears pierced.  I remember being worried about having the holes from the piercings close so I didn't take them out, and in my x-ray the bones are white (as normal) and there are black dots on my ears where my earrings are.  I've also had to have several echocardiograms to monitor my heart and make sure that everything is still going great with it (which it is) and I've never had any problems with it...no problems exercising, functioning normally, etc.  My mom and/or dad & I would go up to Stanford about once a year for routine check ups and to update my growth hormone regimen.  I would look forward to our yearly or bi-yearly trips with just me and the parents.  It really made me feel special and is something I hold dearly to still :)  Very early on, my parents made the decision that we would only tell our family about me having TS.  It was difficult to keep having to take growth hormone replacement a secret; I still can't decide what I would have done as a parent.  Because it is a whole heck of a lot of explaining to do to elementary school aged friends that could go badly.  Anyway, I also remember when I was about in 4th or 5th grade I started to give myself growth hormones all on my own.  That was a big deal.  And it helped my parents out a lot.  I would only have to take it once a day, but we decided to do it in the evening.  This wasn't always easy to manage if I had a sleepover or if my parents were going out and we had a babysitter.  When my parents were still having to give me the growth hormones themselves, sometimes they wouldn't get to it in time before the babysitter got to the house so they would have to remember when they got home that evening before they went to bed. The tricky part to that is that I would 99% of the time be asleep and they would have to give me growth hormone in my thigh.  I have always been such a sound sleeper that I never (ever) remember waking up to them maneuvering me to give me the growth hormone.  But several times they would tell me that I would talk in my sleep and say things like "ouch, that hurts" or something to that effect.  Sounds about right :)

When I was 15 years old & a sophomore in high school I had one last x-ray of one of my growth plates.  It was almost closed, so after a few more months of taking growth hormones I didn't need to anymore.  I grew to be 5' and 3/4'' and am in the top 90-95% in height for girls with TS.  Along the way, I've also had to take hormone replacement in order to jump-start puberty (which is the case with all girls who have TS).  When I was 17 & a senior in high school, I got word about a TS camp that was being held in Colorado the summer after I would be graduating.  I had never met anyone else who had TS (at least that we were both aware of) and thought it would be an absolutely amazing experience to meet about 50-60 girls who have TS, as well as have camp counselors who have TS.  It was am amazing experience to meet all these wonderful girls.  I've made friendships that I know will last a lifetime.  In addition to all that, we got to stay at Colorado State University for a week, horseback ride everyday for a week, white water raft, swim etc.  There was a wide range of girls with TS there, from 11 years old to girls in the mid twenties.  But on the other hand, it was saddening to see some of the problems that other girls were born with that I was somehow fortunate enough not to have.  And some girls had just found out a few years prior that they had TS and any medical treatment to get growth hormone treatment etc would be helpful but not as beneficial and intuitive as it was for me since I started at such a young and ideal age.  This just made me even more passionate about going into the medical field as it was the summer going into college as a bio major.  I wanted to (and still do) be an advocate for girls with TS & their families who do not have the resources or financial ability to seek the best medical treatment to overcome some of the obstacles that come with having TS.
I am so fortunate beyond belief for having absolutely amazing parents who sought the best for me, and having a supportive family behind them.  I know that there have been many personal, financial and many other sacrifices made in order to get all the care that has helped me tremendously.  It's because of them that I am so motivated, strong, and can handle the hard things in life.  They've taught me from example that it's not about falling but rather how you pick yourself up...and that in order to make the best of things, to be proactive, optimistic and move forward in life in tough situations. And, the outstanding and knowledgeable doctors and nurses that have been consistent in my life truly have been inspirational. I have always had the mindset that I am the way that I am for a reason.  God made me this way for a reason.
About two weeks ago, Steve Carter gave a sermon about how God's blessings occur at the same time that evil and hardships can occur.  And it was just an echo of how I feel about having a chromosomal disorder.  There are many things that have been sucky because of having TS... having to deal with all of this from a young age, the medical treatment I've had to have, still having some physical ailments (like a bad back, migranes and having to take some sort of medication all my life), probably having to adopt a child instead of having one of my own, etc....But I feel like I am in a position where I've had nothing but the best situation for having TS...like I am an expert on it and I can do so much good to help others with TS...and my heart is forever changed for adoption and I am thrilled to hopefully have a family of my own one day that God has planned for me knowing that I wouldn't want a child any other way than to adopt.
Phew, what a post.  It's definitely something huge for me to share this...as well as write all of this.  It can come with a lot of stigma (at least in my mind it can...being labeled as having a chromosomal disorder) and can be easy to not want to share in such a big way.  But I did.  My hope is that this post can be a used in order for people to have more understanding towards each other, that it would be encouraging to all, create a place of community...and maybe, just maybe, be a place where TS girls can find each other for the first time and connect (and maybe share stories and form friendships)  :)  Because we are all in this together, right?  I'd really love to hear your responses, questions, comments etc!

I will leave you with this...beautiful & so true

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,I know that full well...All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" Psalm 139