My Last Fall Semester

I only had one final this semester, which was SWEET, and it was a take-home. I have to say, saving all my electives for my senior year was the way to go!! I got a 97% on my Gerontology final! Next semester, I only have one online class to finish my Gerontology certificate and my senior seminar to finish my major. The rest of my classes are electives. I can't wait! :) I'll be working out 5 days a week, 8 times a week with my three health and exercise classes. I'm hoping to get in really good shape before graduation.

Other than finals this week, I had to say my final goodbyes at work. It wasn't as hard as when I made the announcement, but I will be back to visit, I'm sure. I also went to the Avery House for a tour and the gal that gave the tour is 95 years old. :) I went earlier this semester and didn't get to finish the tour, so I went back. It was really cute and as we said our goodbyes...until I start my new job in January...she gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. It's not every day I get to cherish a moment like that. :) It's people like her that makes me excited to start my career and work with older adults. There was also another resident I saw earlier this week that gave me a huge hug before I left. They're so amazing there and I'm getting excited to start my new job.

Today, I went to the Air Force commissioning ceremony. One of my good friends who I met through ROTC Bible study back when I was in ROTC freshman year was commissioning. I knew 3 of the 4 and saw a few good old friends. It was nice to go. I got a little teary-eyed even though I didn't know everybody extremely well, but it's a momentous occasion for them and it was nice to be a witness to it.

I leave for home Monday morning. :) I sing Sunday night, so I can't leave just yet. I went to the doctor...AGAIN...today and they don't know what's wrong with my throat. I don't have any other signs or symptoms of a cold or strep, but they're going to call within the next couple of days. They already tested for strep, so it's not that, which is good. I just hope we can figure out what it is.

Just Some Pictures :)

Tim's mom took pictures of us in Oldtown a couple weeks ago. I'm just putting some of those up. :) These turned out really cute.

My Birthday Celebration :)

Because Tim had to work tonight until late, we celebrated my birthday yesterday. :) It was a blast! Everything was a surprise, which made the evening even more fun. First, he took me to this cute little Italian restaurant called Canino's close to Oldtown and we had dinner there. It was romantic and I loved it. :) We had free cheesecake and on Tuesday nights they have a dinner special. Our total check was $12! I'm even a cheap date on my birthday. :)

After dinner, Tim gave me my presents. He bought me 'The Dark Knight.' GREAT movie! Also, a coffee mug with a little chicken with sunglasses on it that says 'biker'...because I'm a biker chick...too bad it took me a while to get it. :) He also gave me some vanilla candles. He knows me so well!

Following presents and dinner, Tim took me to Oldtown square and we went ice skating!! I've been wanting to go ice skating for my birthday for years! There was nobody there (probably because it was SUPER cold) and the girl didn't charge us for skates and skating time. It was all free!!! :) Hurray! Anywho, it was a great time and I loved every minute of it. Both of our cheeks hurt from smiling so much...but so did our butts, noses, and ears because of the cold... :)

Today, on my actual birthday, I've had a ton of phone calls, which has been great, but I'm still trying to finish up my semester and get ready to go home. :) My roommate made me a German Chocolate cake and it was heavenly! It will last us the rest of the week because there's only two of us and Tim won't eat coconut. But it was a nice surprise to have something on my actual birthday. All in all it was a great 22nd! :)

Two Weeks Notice

So, today I gave my boss my two weeks notice...:( I was really sad and it was really hard for me to do. I LOVE my job and I love the people and the population I work for, but because of my back I physically cannot do my job duties. I was having a really hard time not being able to give 110%. It's unfortunate, but I needed to for my own health. She kind of knew it was coming because I haven't been the same the last couple of months. She knows me really well and could just tell that I wasn't as happy as I used to be at work. We talked for about an hour today about a lot of things. I told her where I'd be working next semester and that I wanted to stay in touch with the organization. She's putting me on the newsletter so I'll know when activities and events are happening. :) Anywho, we talked and she really feels that I have a heart for people in need, such as the disabled population that I work with now, and I totally agree with her. In the long hall, I do want to work in an independent facility for older adults because I feel that's where God may be leading me. But part of me will always want to work for the needy, so there's no telling where I'm headed in life. The only thing I know is that I want to work with the older population. The decision of where I end up is not up to me anyway. :) I know God has it all in control and I just have to be patient. As for next semester, I'll be the wait staff supervisor at the place I've been interning (which is an independent living adult facility). The head chef basically made up the position for me and wants me to be in charge of scheduling, covering shifts, and training the wait staff. I don't want to continue doing that after I graduate and she knows that, but it's a 20+ hour a week job that will help pay the bills. :) And it keeps my foot in the door at the location if something were to open up. So, I'm excited but very sad at the same time. I just need to say my goodbyes in the next couple of weeks. I'm very emotionally attached to all of them, but I will definitely be keeping in touch. :) Just pray that the transition goes well for me and for the participants.

The Johnston Visit

Last week was a lot of fun! Tim and I went to my high school and saw a few of my old teachers. I saw my old volleyball and basketball coach. He was one of the most influential mentors I've ever had. He's now the Dean of students so he's moving on up. :)

Visiting with my parents and Tim was a lot of fun as well. Tim really likes my parents and that feeling seems to be meutral. Now he just has to meet (and survive) my brother and Kendi. :) He's excited to meet them after Christmas...if he can get time off.

The Johnstons got to meet Tim as well. We all hung out for a bit and shot some guns. The boys really enjoyed that...and when I say boys, I especially mean Tim. :)

I returned to school Monday and it's already almost Thursday! Next week is my last week for classes and I can't believe my semester is almost to an end. It went by SO fast. I just hope next semester does as well so I can graduate. :) Super exciting! I don't want it to go too fast though. I want to enjoy my final semester as CSU.

Yesterday, Tim and I met his mom in Oldtown. She takes pictures as a hobby, like my dad, and she took a few pics of us. So look for those soon! :) Some of them turned out great! And we got them in before the snow hit. AND I finished all my Christmas shopping!!!! Hurray!

With love,
E

Visiting my Parents

I am finally on Thanksgiving break. I get the whole week off! :) I arrived at my parent's house this morning, just in time for the CSU vs. Wyo game...CSU won by the way!! We're keepin' the boot!

This week will be full of R and R and probably some homework here and there as well. Tim is coming down Monday night and staying through Wednesday morning. I'm super excited for him to spend time with my parents! I think they're going to love him and I think he will love them as well! :) I have a dentist appointment Tuesday as well and Tim and I are going to my old high school to visit a couple of my mentors. It'll be fun!

That's it for now! :)

Christmas Shopping!!

Tim and I did some Christmas shopping this past week/weekend. :) It's exciting because I'm almost done with all my shopping. It's the first year I won't buy presents right before Christmas. Very exciting. :)

School is going well. I can't wait to go home next week! The Johnston's from Texas, whom I've known since I was born, are going to be visiting. :) It will be nice to relax. Hopefully I won't do too much homework. Turns out I don't have any finals during finals week...technically. I have a final online and a take-home final due the week of finals, but it's still not a typical test. I'm very excited about that. I do have a couple presentations due too, but those are all the week before finals. :)

My neck has been REALLY bad the past week. My physical therapist is suggesting I find a chiropractor, but most won't take my insurance. That, and I don't think I could ever trust one. I am absolutely terrified of someone popping my joints and whatnot...Yuck!! But I'll keep praying about it, hoping my pain will just cease.

The Rams may get to go to a bowl game this year!! If we beat Wyoming, we will! Yay!

Tonight, Tim came over for a little while. I had just made dinner for us and I had music on because there was nothing on TV. Tim walks in and he hugs and kisses me and we started dancing...in the kitchen. :) It was super cute. We're cheesy, but I love it! God has blessed me in so many ways and Tim is absolutely amazing. I never thought I could be this happy!

This Week in Erin's World

Last weekend, Tim went with me to my scholarship banquet. It was nice to get dressed up and recognized. It was a long ceremony, but I had the privilege of meeting some important people.

This week definitely started out kind of...:(. I registered for classes the minute I was able to on the 30th, but the one class I have to have to graduate was full. There were 3 classes but only 1 fit my schedule. So, I emailed the professor and asked for an override. She had so many people request for an override that she declined my request. I started freaking out! I called Tim crying and worried that I was going to have to take my senior seminar online. The basic idea of this class is throughout the semester, you do a bunch of grant work and make a huge presentation in a group. If I had to that online, I think I would struggle big time. But by the grace of God, I was checking the website where I register every few minutes and 1 person had dropped out of the session that I needed and I quickly registered for it! So I have the schedule I want and need to graduate. :) I'm actually very excited for the Spring.

Tim and I have been together for 3 months this past week. That's pretty exciting. :) I finished putting my resume and cover letter together and I went to the career center on campus wanting someone to review it with me. The gal that looked over my cover letter and resume didn't really have a lot to critique. :) I was pretty psyched. She thought it was well put together and thought I had a lot of great qualities listed. I can't wait to submit my resume for my first real job. :)

My throat is feeling a little better. I finished all my medication, but I still can't sing. That's the hardest part about laryngitis. I think not singing is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do! And it's only been a week and a half!!! I have at least two weeks left! :( Oh well. A month of no singing versus a lifetime is a big difference. I'll suck it up so I don't permanately damage my vocal chords.

Today I cleaned my room, vacuumed, did laundry, watched football...the usual. Tomorrow will be fun. I have the kidos at church in the morning, the Packers and Vikings game is on at 11, and I am running to the ARC Thrift Store to donate a bunch of clothes I'm getting rid of. That's about it for now. :)

Good news and bad news

Here are pictures from Halloween and when Tim and I carved our pumpkin. :) I love the pic of Rae and Matt as McCain and Palin. Hilarious! And since I can't figure out how to put pictures at the bottom of my post, this is a little out of order). The first pic is of me and the other intern for this semester.

This last week has been super busy. A lot of good things and a few bad things have happened. Let's start with the bad news and end on the good news.

I've had a sore throat for over three weeks now and I finally gave in and went to the doctor. Tim and I were at his brother's house for a surprise birthday party and when we left I started crying because my throat was hurting so bad. It hurts to cry, to swallow, to yawn, to blow my nose...it's ridiculous. So I went to the doctor and it turns out I have laryngitis. :( He looked in my throat and said the inflammation looked like it goes from my tonsils to my vocal chords. I'm not allowed to sing for at least three weeks! :( I'm on the schedule to sing at church next weekend, but that's not going to happen. And I'm one of those people that sings EVERYWHERE! Shower, car, my room with my guitar, church, walking to class, etc. It's been really hard and it's only been three days! But it's pretty serious and I don't want to damage my vocal chords. I'm on steroids for the inflammation and antibiotics for the infection. Hopefully it'll completely heal and I can start singing in December.

Still on the bad news, one of the participants from where I work wasn't picked up by anyone last night. She's 20, but has the mind of a 12 year old. (I'm not sure what her disability is). She's beautiful and has an amazing personality. But since no one picked her up, her family is being charged with abandonment and she has been at the hospital all night and day. We're just praying they don't put her in some kind of institute and give her a ton of drugs. I know she's terrified, so please just pray for her and her safety. This is the same girl that was missing for about a week a couple months ago.

Ok. On to good news. Last Sunday, I had the kidos at church and they were so cute! One boy turned 4 this week, so he's moving up to the 4 year old class. :( But he gave me a huge hug before he left. Then, after Sunday school, one of the girls in my class was with her mom and sister (who was previously in my class as well) and she saw me leaving and yelled, "Bye teacher!" I felt so special! It's little moments like that that keep me going back every weekend. Also last Sunday, Tim and I were supposed to have the night off from playing/singing, but a drummer and a backup singer were needed last minute. So, we went and I sang and worship was great! At this point, my throat was still pretty bad and I should've said no, but anyone who knows me knows I have a hard time not singing. Anywho, my voice was about to crack towards the end of the set, but the last song, I was the only one singing. It's one of my favorites and I was worried I wouldn't be able to get through it, but God pulled through and it turned out great. :) After worship, quite a few people came up to the band and told us how awesome worship was! One of our friends said that it was probably the best worship he's had! It's such a good feeling knowing that Tim and I and the band helped bring people into worship with God. The feeling I have when I'm on stage singing out to God and then hearing about people in the congregation who are just filled with God's spirit during worship...it's that feeling that makes me want to lead worship! I really feel God is calling me to do that and I can't wait to see what He has in store.

My roommate is moving out tomorrow. It's not really good or bad news, but it'll be good for her. She needs more space for all of her stuff. So now my other roomie and I just have to find a replacement.

Tim also got a new job and is LOVING it! :) I'm so happy for him. He's a drum salesman at Guitar Center. TOTALLY up his ally; not to mention mine. I love that we both love music! It's nice because if I go visit him at work, I can hide away in the acoustic room and just play away on expensive guitars. :) It's wonderful! That and it's right across the street from where I work.

I turned in my huge term paper this week and caught up with an older professor of mine. She's the professor that influenced me to change my career focus. She's the reason I am doing what I'm doing and I can't thank her enough! She's an amazing mentor and an amazing friend. So that was nice to catch up.

For Halloween, at my internship site we had a big get together for all the locations. Each building had their own room to decorate and the residents came and then all the kidos came. It was a lot of fun. Also, that morning one of the residents I have been giving computer classes to thanked me like there was no tomorrow for all the help I've given him. :) It was nice. Then Tim and I went to a party at the Donor household! They're old friends of mine I met through Cory and Kendi. We stayed for a while. He was a guy from the matrix and I was a cowgirl...but I looked like I was 12...Ha ha! It was fun though.

Umm, today I went to the BYU/CSU game with Mabby...and we almost won! It was ridiculous how close the game was. I was disappointed we lost in the last minute, but only by 3. Oh well. I hope I get to go to the last home game this season because it'll be my last game..as a student anyway. :(

Surprise!

Tim surprised me today with flowers! :) We didn't see each other yesterday and weren't going to see each other until tomorrow afternoon, but he was in town and came to see me. :) It totally made my day! I've been busy doing homework and putting my schedule together for next semester, but his short interruption was great. (The pictures don't really do the flowers as much justice as they deserve).

Speaking of my schedule, I am ready to register for the last time!! I met with my advisor today and I'm STOKED for next semester! It's going to be a nice semester to go out on. I'm taking my senior seminar, one online class to complete my gerontology certificate, the second level of sign language (which I'm uber excited about), ethnicity and the media, volleyball, and racquetball. It'll be fun. :)

Yesterday, I went to the Avery House and got a tour from one of the gals from my internship site. She's 94 years old and is the sweetest thing! A couple months ago, my internship site went on the trolley ride through part of town and she was there pointing out the Avery House to me. It's a historical house and she volunteers there once a month. I told her that I wanted to come see her when she was there, so I went yesterday and she talked my ear off! It was a great time! She was so excited that I had come and she introduced me to everyone. I love seeing her smile! We only toured the bottom floor because we didn't have time to go upstairs. I had class but I told her we'll have to make time to do the rest of the house. I saw her this morning and she said she had a really good time yesterday showing me around. :) We decided that since she only goes once a month, we're going to try and figure a time her and I and another resident can go (because she has a key) and she'll give us a personal tour then. :)

After we chatted for a bit, we went over to one of the rehab facilities and gave out the pumpkins we decorated for Halloween. It was so wonderful giving residents over there these little gifts! Their faces lit up and it was a great moment for all of us. The residents over there thought we were selling them, but they were just a gift and they loved them! They all put them in their windows. So, lots of joy today with interning and my wonderful boyfriend surprising me with flowers. :)

It's Been a Couple of Weeks...

I realized the other day that I haven't updated my blog in quite some time...so I decided today was the day. I had a super long weekend and technically you could say I didn't get a weekend. :( Our church college retreat was Friday and Saturday and I found out Thursday that I was wanted to sing and play my guitar. Because I don't have a guitar that plugs into an amp, I borrowed one, but I calculated that from Thursday to Sunday night, I sang for about 10 hours total. That's a lot in four days! All the practices and the sets we sang, plus Sunday night service for Overdrive, my voice is pretty shot today. I've been drinking hot chamomile tea and water, but nothing is quite helping yet. I didn't talk a whole lot today...which was a challenge. So, Thursday night Tim and I both had practice for two and a half hours, then Friday we had our retreat (plus practice) and Saturday most of the day I was there singing and playing my guitar. Then, Sunday morning I had the kidos in my Sunday school class, went to a dinner theatre with some of the folks at my internship site, went to band practice, and THEN had church. I slept pretty well for the first time in a few days Sunday night. I decided to sleep in and not go to my internship today because I got in so many hours yesterday. It was definitely a nice change. I got a chance to breathe for once.

Today I realized how much crap I have to get done in the next couple of weeks. Because this semester is so different than all the others, I haven't realized what all I have to do. I'm not really behind, but because I don't really have any tests, I'm just having to keep up on papers. And this is my first semester with an online class, and it doesn't start until November 1. I'm not sure what to expect, but the text is really simple. It's my class on aging and nutrition so it's really interesting too. It's one of my last credits needed for my gerontology certificate! :) I'm so excited! I'm almost done and it's crazy to think about. The other thing I have to do soon though is to vote and sent my absentee ballet in the mail. It's the first time I get to vote for President...and this is one important election. But no opinions here! I don't like discussing politics, therefore no comment. :)

The more time I spend with Tim, the more I realize how great he is and how I want to spend the rest of my life with him. :) We got into a little argument the other day over something little, but we both talked it out and got over it. But I told him, "As much as you drive me crazy, I still can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you." It's funny how love works. I'm really hoping he can come home with me to see my parents over Christmas break. I found out Friday that Cory and Kendi aren't going to make it because of Cory's job. :( I'm SUPER BUMMED! Hopefully I'll get to see them sometime before school starts back up and they can meet Tim. (I have to get their...especially Cory's...stamp of approval). Anyone who knows my brother knows how protective he is and I've always appreciated that. I just can't wait for him and Kendi and my parents to sit down and really get to know Tim. He's a great guy and I know they'll all love him. :)

My Packers won last night! That's exciting. My Brett didn't, but the Jets put up a good fight. They went into overtime and lost by a field goal. :( Tim and I watched part of the Broncos game tonight, but decided the first half was bad enough and that we didn't want to see the rest. Seeing that they lost 41-7, probably a good idea we turned off the game. Tim was pretty pissed. :( But hey, look at it this way, my Packers and his Broncos have the same record now (with the exception of the Broncos having played one less game). That's good. :)

One more thing...Tim and I need prayer on his future career. He's wanting to possibly become a sheriff deputy, but because he works security now, he's got a lot of cop friends who he's been talking to lately. Almost all of them have had a divorce and we both know is that one of the highest divorce rates are with couples are have one individual within the force. That's definitely not a happy statistic and we're both wondering what we should do. He's passionate about keeping people safe and he's been thinking about starting at the detention center in Larimer, then moving up eventually to a...I can't remember what it's officially called...cop that responds to accidents. We have mixed feelings on this whole idea, but I want him to be happy with his career choice and I want him to be passionate about what he does. I'm passionate about my job and about working with older adults so I don't want to be happy in my career and him be miserable. So there's a lot of research and prayer that we need to do before moving forward. In our situation, both of us need to get used to death, especially if he becomes a cop responding to accidents, and I have to because of the population I'll be working with. Tim has a friend who has books he wants to loan us. Him and his ex-wife were both youth pastors and very involved in church and very godly people. But because of his job, they got a divorce. The books he has, one for the man in the relationship and one for the woman, explain how to handle the job and how to support each other. My book would talk about how I have to be an emotional support for my husband and explains how he may have to distance himself a few times. His book would explain the dangers of the job and how to leave work at work and to not take it home too often. Granted, in any job I think we'd need to do that, but this is a pretty serious job. I think it really depends on the couple too. Just keep us in your prayers. :)

CSU Football!!

Today, Tim and I went to the CSU vs. UNLV football game. We've been to all the home games so far and we're undefeated at home!!! :) Tim said it's because we're good luck. Ha! Once again, the game started out pretty slow, but turned into a nail biter towards the end. CSU was ahead by 13 in the 3rd quarter, then UNLV came back a was leading by 1. It was 27-28 with 2 minutes left in the game. CSU makes a touchdown AND gets the two-point conversion with 9 seconds left. Then, CSU kicked off and recovered the ball after UNLV fumbled and scored another touchdown. Final score: 41-28. :) It was awesome!!!

After the game, Tim and I rode our bikes back to my house and ate at Eliot's Mess. Then, we went roller blading at a skate rink! We totally went oldschool today and had a BLAST! We weren't the oldest people there...which was nice...but we're both really sore and exhausted. We enjoy having a good time without spending a lot of money. :) We're thrifty! It was a great day!

Sad news

Last night, one of the residents at my internship site passed away. :( I never met the gentleman, but everyone really loved him and they were having a hard time today. It was sad. I didn't know him and I feel like I missed out on meeting a great man. He's been sick for some time and slipped into a coma recently after his wife passed away. The director stated that the gentleman was ready to go, so he was at peace and in no pain. A couple people picked him up from our location today and I saw them take his body out with the American flag over him. Just lift him and his family up your prayers.

Many Blessings

Last weekend, Tim and I road up to Estes Park on his motorcycle. Can I just say, "GORGEOUS!!" I had never been to Estes before and I love it! Granted, we got pretty soaked on the way up because of the rain, but it was totally worth it. :)

I've been talking to the Activity Director at my internship site about applying for jobs within Columbine Health Systems. I'm super excited to have connections and already have my foot in the door because of my internship. I am currently putting my resume together in one of my classes and I can't wait to send it out! It's exciting...growing up. :)

This weekend, Tim and I will have been together for 2 months. Time flies when you're in love. We are planning on going to the CSU football game and then roller blading at a skating rink on Saturday. That sounds like fun, eh!!?? :) Then Sunday, he plays drums and I sing Sunday night.

Physical therapy has been nice. It is more like massage therapy and stretches once or twice a week. She has been working mainly on my neck and my back. My muscles are so tense and tight that my physical therapist is shocked. She is blown away at how tight they are. She could work the whole hour on my neck and barely make any progress. BUT, it's a slow process and I'm hoping it really works because my parents are paying the copay every time I go and I feel guilty, so hopefully I won't have to go for too long. Anywho, God has given me many blessing and I can't wait to see where my life is headed. :)

Ms. Elderhaus Goes to Prom

The Elderhaus play was Friday night and it went GREAT! Two of my co-workers wrote the bulk of the play, the participants made their input, and I took over one co-worker's spot and was a director and an actress in the play. I got to play a maid, an exercise instructor/maid, and I was part of the prom scene. The play was about an older woman who had never been to a dance and her boyfriend of 50 years goes to a day program that was holding a prom and she got invited. (Elderhaus has a "Senior Prom" every year and that's what the play was inspired from). She had 3 sisters who each wanted to go, but the most important thing to her was that she found her red dancing shoes. Throughout the play, the main character is trying to find red shoes and she never finds them, but her boyfriend surprises her at the dance with her perfect shoes! :) It's hard to explain if you don't know exactly what I do and the program I work for, but it was amazing! Tim went and sat with the ladies I invited from the Winslow (my internship site-an independent living center for older adults). Him and the gals talked and had a great time. The best part of the night...well, one of many...was the last scene was the actual prom scene and I was a maid/wallflower at the dance and so I grabbed Tim from the audience (he WAS warned beforehand) and we shared our first dance together. :) But another high point in the night was when one of the participants wanted to give Tim a hug and he did so. She was crying tears of joy after the show and she gives the best hugs in the world! Tim said his cheeks hurt so bad by the end of the night because he was smiling so much! The ladies from the Winslow really loved it and want to come again next year. :) The whole show was a success and the participants were having SO much fun. I wish everyone could have seen how happy they were! I cried on my way home because I was so proud of them and their hard work. And I was so happy because Tim really connected with the ladies and the participants. :) The picture is of us after the play. (I can't post pics of the actual play because I'm not sure if the participant's families would like that...I'd rather be safe than sorry).

Other than that, life is going GREAT! I'm super busy...as usual...but things are going well. The weeks are going by SO fast, it's ridiculous! School is going well. My sign language class is AMAZING! I'm learning so much. My internship is going pretty well also. I sang Sunday morning again and had a blast. I haven't worked with the kidos in two weeks so I miss them a lot. One of the girls turned 4 this week so she's moving to the 4-year-old class. :( She will be missed, but we're very excited for her and she is stoked to move up to the big(ger) kid's class.

The Fall has Finally Arrived

I love the fall! With temperatures being in the 60's and early 70's. Mmm, it's beautiful! :) I've been really busy lately with school, work, internship, church, Tim, physical therapy...the list goes on. But I'm doing well. :) My internship is going really well. I love it! The Elderhaus play is tomorrow and I can't believe it! The participants are so excited and I've got a few residents from the Winslow coming too. They are very enthusiastic to come and support Elderhaus. I'm very appreciative of that because not many in our community know much about Elderhaus or they just don't want to take the time to find out. But I'm stoked to see our turn-out. Umm...I sang last Sunday for all 3 services, 2 different sets. That was fun! I get to sing this Sunday again for the 2 services in the morning. I love singing on the worship team! It's been such a blessing. And I've been talking to the main worship leader and he's holding a 'Worship Leader Class 101' this fall and he wants me to be a part of it. I've been telling him about practicing my guitar and wanting to play on stage so he's setting up a class and I'm SUPER excited to be a part of that! I really feel God is calling me to lead worship and I'm hoping I get the opportunity to do so at the Vineyard.

I've been spending a bit of time with Tim...because he's amazing! We went on a picnic Saturday and played frisbee. Then we went put-put golfing. We had a really good time. I have a list of things that I've always wanted to do on a date and he got one a while back when we went paddle boating, but he hit two in one day on Saturday! He's a keeper. :) I was thinking the other day back to when Cory and Kendi were newly engaged. Cory was away training and Kendi and I went to Texas on our amazing roadtrip. Kendi missed Cory like crazy and was counting the days until she got to see him again. I thought she was bonkers at the time, but I finally get it. I get how you can be so in love with someone that everytime you see them, you're on top of the world and as soon as you part, you want to turn around or call them. It's like that with Tim. I've never been so happy and so relaxed in a relationship before. It's just pure joy that he brings to my life and I can't wait for my entire family to really get to know him! I'm posting some pics from our day of fun. :) We couldn't stop laughing in a couple of them! :)

New Hair Cut

So, I cut off about 4 1/2-5 inches of my hair yesterday...I'm not used to it yet and am missing my long hair, but it'll grow out. These are my before and after pictures. Tim really likes my hair short, so that's good. :) I just needed a change, so I went for it. I'm posting these pics for Kendi. I think once it grows out a little more I'll like it a little better. It's just hair; it'll grow back. :)

School thus far

Well...I noticed that because I'm a senior, I carry myself differently on campus now. Not in a cocky way, but because I'm confident as a college student and in who I've become in the past few years. I used to be very self conscious about how I looked, what I was wearing, if I looked dumb tripping or falling off my bike...which I still do trip and fall often...but I don't care about what anyone thinks. That makes me happy and proud because I've learned to be confident as a woman of God. I surprisingly received straight A's and a $1000 scholarship last semester and God showed me that I AM a good college student and that I CAN be successful.

I am into my second week of school and I'm so excited! I am enjoying my sign language class more and more every day. It's so interesting and fun. I love it! My internship is going well also. I am at the Winslow, which is an independent living facility for older adults. I hung out with a 94 year old woman this week and she's phenomenal! She broke her hip a year ago and is walking now hardly using a cane. She healed so quickly and she's just a blast to be around. I play Skipbo with her and a gentleman as often as possible.

Other than that, I'm enjoying spending time with Tim. He's so good to me and we are just happy being together. There's no stress and no awkwardness. I've never been this happy before in my life! :)

Senior Year

Summer has come to an end and I have begun my last year of college. :) It is pretty exciting. My semester is going to be SERIOUSLY BUSY, but I love when I'm busy. I have a feeling that God is going to truly bless me this semester. I'm looking forward to see what He has in store. I'm taking a sign language class and my professor is deaf. He's hilarious! It's the quietest class I've ever been in and I love it! :) I also started my internship today. I have to complete 14 hours of volunteer work a week, but I'm stoked. Today, I got to participate in their social hour where they (the residents) are served wine and cookies. It's an independent living center with a 5 star chef. As an intern, I have to treat it as a job. I'm praying that I will get a job offer like previous interns in the last couple years. I just know it's going to be an amazing experience! :) Other than school, work, interning, spending time with Tim, volunteering every weekend at church, singing in the worship band, leading worship for my new Bible study, letting my fractured toes and my fractured wrist from 2 years ago that's acting up heal, and trying to get a doctor's appointment for my back...I'm not really up to a whole lot. :) Ha ha!! Yeah right! (Hence the reason why I am not playing softball this fall). OH! And I got a hold of a football ticket for the CU/CSU football game (biggest rival) this Sunday! I don't even have to pay for the ticket!!!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!!!!

He Loves me!!

Tim told me he loves me Monday night! :) It was cute. He said something along the lines of he didn't know what he did to deserve me, but he doesn't want to question God on it. Then I tell him that I wish he wouldn't say that kind of stuff and he says, "I'm just saying that I love you, Erin." :) I said it back. I actually wanted to say it a while ago, but I wanted him to say it first. He told me when we first started dating that when he tells someone he loves them, it isn't an every 5 minute thing. It's well thought out and meaningful, so I know he means it when he says it. I could tell by his eyes too that he really meant it. Earlier that night, he asks me if he could be completely honest. He told me that he feels God has put us together to be more than just boyfriend and girlfriend in the future. I agreed and neither one of us was weirded out by that. All in all, he's amazing! :) People think it's crazy how fast we fell for each other, but sometimes that's just how things happen.

Last night, a group of friends of mine all went out to Sundance. It's a country line dancing club and I used to go with Kendi and Cory and all their friends all the time. Well, my roommate got drunk, we left an hour and a half from what we planned, and I ended up crying on Tim's shoulder because I was so frustrated. Long story short, my roommate turns to alcohol and smoking when stressed and she's been really stressed lately...REALLY stressed...My other roomie and I don't drink much if at all and we're really getting tired of her getting drunk often. She gets really rude and completely inappropriate. That experience made me miss Cory and Kendi more so that I already do. :( But she has some issues to sort out. I got frustrated more just because she feels she doesn't deserve to ever be happy and if those around her are happy, she gets jealous. I'm not letting that influence my relationship with Tim and how we act around her (we could be sitting on the couch watching TV and she would glare at us) what-so-ever, but I just wish she would wake up and realize that there are good guys in the world (unlike her ex) that would treat her better. I told her last night that there is a guy out there that will give her everything she deserves. She just doesn't believe that and she wants attention from everyone else. I just have to continue praying for her and for her heart to heal. She needs God and she's turning to alcohol. I think she may need more help than she's willing to admit.

I'm loving life!!

So, work was a little crazy this week. Two of the big bosses had a meeting with a couple gals from United Way (they give us grant money) and both ended up crying by the end of the meeting. The staff still doesn't really know what's going on, but pray that things turn out fine. I got a call from a co-worker telling me about this and I was at Tim's house. I started crying because at that point, we thought the gals were from state and weren't sure if our program would still be running in a week or two. Tim and I just sat there. He held me while I cried and told me that it's in God's hands, which is SO true. It's just so comforting to hear it too.

Other than that, Tim has been spoiling me lately. :) He lit candles for me the other night. We were talking and he said, 'Your best feature is when you smile, your eyes light up." I smiled and made the joke, "It's probably just the candle light." Then he said, "Erin, it could be pitch black and you would light up any room." I melted of course. :) It's cheesy, but I love it. He tells me I'm beautiful all the time and what's great is I actually believe him. He looks me in the eye and I can tell he really means it. :) Being a girl who has struggled with confidence my entire life, it's nice to finally feel worth something and wanted. We spend a lot of time together now. He told me the other night that he wished we would've started dating sooner so we had more time. With school starting, we may or may not spend much time together, but we both feel and know that God had this timing just right and we have no doubts about that. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us. I've never been this happy before in my life!! :) :)

:) :) :)

Life has been full of activities in the last week. Tim and I are always doing some activity. Yesterday we went paddle boating and played frisbee in the park. :) Summer is almost over for me and we're trying to fit a few things in before classes start. I can't stop smiling and I still have butterflies when I'm around him or even when I just think of him. There's really not a whole lot to say (mostly because Kendi is the main person reading my blog and she already knows all of it), but I finally have someone who completely spoils me. I'm not quite used to that yet, but I can easily say that falling for this guy is not a hard thing to do. God has truly shown me that I deserve to be with someone who accepts me for me. He likes to introduce me to everyone, which makes me smile. :) Anywho, my life has been going well. Work has been stressful lately because my boss's soon-to-be daughter-in-law had her baby (at 17) two nights ago and she (my boss) is having a hard time coping. We can only pray for them right now. A lot is going on, but in God's hands things will turn out fine. Other than that, I'm just working and waiting for school to start. :)

God's blessing

Wow! I don't know why things turn out the way they do, but God really works his magic sometimes. :)

As you may know, I was in a relationship a little while ago with my best friend and things didn't go so well. But in the last couple days, God has shown me that there was another man in my life that's been there for me. I didn't think I would move on so quickly, but with God by my side, somehow I did. (D (name not mentioned) and I broke up a couple months ago). And while I was with D, it gave Tim, my boyfriend, time to grow up a little and be content with being single. See, he's a twin and his bro just had his first baby. I didn't want to get into a relationship with someone who may have been desperate to find happiness as well. But we got to talking the other night and I realized how there are so many things we have in common and that he was finally happy with who he is and where he is in life. :) That's a big deal!! Anywho, lots of exciting things going on!

I passed!!!!

Yesterday and today I took a class and was getting qualified to give medications at work! :) I passed with a 95% today! I was excited. I am now a Qualified Medication Administrative Person (QMAP). Working with the population I do, many of them need medications once to four times a day. I'm just excited to finally be certified. It took long enough! I've been employed since November. :) That's not unusual though. Work isn't exactly the most organized facility. :)

Today has been kind of a 'blah' day. I don't feel well at all, but I took a nap and am watching 'Turner and Hooch' with Tom Hanks. Hopefully I'm well enough tomorrow because I have my volunteer work at 8:45 a.m. For now, I'm going to take a shower and lie down some more. I hope everyone is having a great day!

New Batman Movie

So, work yesterday went pretty well...Because of my foot brace deal-e-o I had the group that stayed inside most of the day. To be honest, it was nice because we had the AC all day. :) We made a display for our handmade jewelry and cards and took pictures of it for our work website. Then we made more jewelry and one other person helped me organize one of our cabinets. It was still clean today...we'll see how long that lasts. :) Anywho, after work, my roommate/co-worker and our boss went to Jason's deli where our other roommate met us there. We ate and just hung out. THEN we went to see 'The Dark Knight!' If you haven't seen it yet, DO IT!!!! It's one of the best movies I've ever seen. At one point in the movie (I won't tell which point in case you haven't seen it), I decided Batman might be a little cooler that Spider-man. I know those of you who know me and my love for Spider-man just got your breath blown away by that comment! The main point I am trying to get to, is go see that movie! It's fantastic! :) After that, the roomies and I came home, all enjoyed a Mike's Hard Lime and watched 30 minutes of 'Napoleon Dynamite'...one of my favorites, and then we all went to bed.

And now I will tell you about today. :) This morning was a great start. I was driving to work and I just started thinking about God's plan for me and how excited I am! I started smiling because I know he has a man that will sweep me off my feet and I'm stoked! (For those of you who don't know, I just got out of a pretty crappy relationship situation...basically, I deserve better...). God just gave me a little reminder this morning and I just smiled. :) It was a good start. After I got to work, because it was a record high today we decided to stay inside. So, we played games in the gym and then board games and cards later on. After lunch, we took some people to Wendy's to get Frosty's for everyone. :) Just before that, one of the older ladies fell and hit her head on the asphalt. We called 911. She's fine but we took the precautions to take care of her.

The best part of my day at work was one of the guys, P, always gets so excited to see me...EVERYDAY! I love it. Sometimes when I'm tired, I get aggravated but I truly do love his enthusiasm. Well, I'm not going to be at work tomorrow because of a class I have to take and today he kept saying, "Erin, I can't wait til Monday." I said, "Why Monday P?" "'Cause I get to see Erin!" I smiled. That's the best part of my job is the love these people have for all of us. Two others, L and C, gave me big hugs today. L kissed me on the cheek and C kisses my hand all the time. :) After what I've been through lately, having so much love come from those around me is so reassuring and it makes everyday worth all the heartache. (I even have P 'trained' to be a huge Green Bay Packers fan! :) :) :) :) :) My mission in life. He greets me every morning, "Erin, go Packers!!" "Packers are number 1!" "Brett Favre is the best!" I love it!)

After work, I went to the pool for a short period, read some of my book, called an old friend, worked out, made breakfast and lunch for tomorrow, did some laundry, and organized all my paperwork. I even practiced my guitar, plucked my eyebrows, and painted my toenails. :) All in all, today was a productive and pretty great day. :)

X-ray Results

So, these pics of my toes are really creepy...but they are definitely more purple today. I went into work today and my boss made me go to the doc on workman's comp. I got x-rays done and the results were a tuft or a nondisplacement fracture. My second toe is the only one fractured. A tuft fracture means that the very tip of my toe bone, not the joint itself, is what's fractured. Everything is in line so that's good. :) But I have to keep them taped together and wear a flat shoe brace the doc gave me. Either way, it takes 6-8 weeks to freaking heal! :( That sucks! I'm hoping I can still drive the buses at work...

Anywho, that's pretty much all that went down today. Nothing too exciting. Just got a lecture from my boss about how we, as employees, are just as important as the participants. They really care about us and she was "lecturing" us about how we are valuable and needed. It's nice to hear. :)

Oh, and apparently my bank account just went negative...piss!! AND I got charged an overdraft fee...my day is NOT going well.

Change of Pace

Okay. So I've been posting notes from church...but that's kinda boring sometimes. My sister-in-law, Kendi, has asked I write about my daily life. I think that's a great idea. And yes, I explain the weird picture of my toes...creepy!

So, I am going to tell you about the best job ever! I work at an adult day program and I work mostly with traumatic brain injury and handicapped individuals. Today, I got paid to go to a park for a picnic and then to the mall to window shop. :) While unloading the bus at the park, the lift came down on my foot and I think I broke at least one toe, if not two. It hurts like crap! You can't really tell in the pic but let me tell you...holy cow!

While at the mall, one of the participants, C (name disguised), went into Victoria's Secret and went straight to the panties! And C is a guy! But his favorite color is pink so I think he was drawn to that. :) He also went into one store because Shakira's "My Hips Don't Lie" came one and he started dancing to it! The BEST park of the day was when we went to the pet store and one of the workers brought out a puppy for us to all hold and pet. It was a peekanees (I have no idea how to spell it). He was kissin' on everyone and they all got super excited. :)

Last week my roommate and I (we work together) got inducted into the Red Hat Society as Ladies in Waiting. It was cute. I even have a certificate. :)

Christiantiy: Unedited-Treating People Right

Teaching from Rick Olmstead on July 20 at the Vineyard.

The Museum of Tolerance is a museum that is dedicated to the loss of the Holocaust. It is set up to where there is a door for people who think they are non-prejudice and a door for those who think they are prejudice. The entrance for 'non-prejudice' is not an entrance at all. EVERYONE has their own prejudices against a variety of people or things or personalities or what have you.

Common Prejudices
-Appearance: Favoritism-so many men/women get the job or the woman or man because of their appearance. Our world is prejudice and favors those who "look the part."

-Race/ethnicity/nationality: We don't often value people that are different. If you can't value someone, then you can't respect them. If you can't respect them, then you can't accept them. If you can't accept them, then you can't love them.

• Rick told a story about a white pastor who, when a black Christian knocked on his door, would not even let the man inside. The pastor told the man to go pray and see what God has to reveal to him. About a week later, these two men run into each other and the pastor asks the man if he had prayed. He replied with, "Yes. And God told me 'I've been trying to get into that church for years and I still can't get in.'"

-Achievement: Typically, America looks at those who have accomplished more as more successful. Look at Hollywood. Those with more movies and more success have 'achieved' so much. But we need to look at those around us that aren't famous and look at people for who they are, not their status in society.

-Age: In our world, the young don't trust the old and the old don't trust the young. We're either too young or too old. In Timothy, there's a verse that states "Don't let anybody look down on you because you are young..."

James 2:1-4, 8-9 "My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also come in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, 'Here's a good seat for you,' but say to the poor man, 'You stand there' or 'Sit on the floor by my feet,' have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thought?"..."If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers."

Romans 2:11 "For God does not show favoritism." -It's as simple as that. So why do we do it?

• Jesus treated everybody with dignity and value
• The lepers were even loved and Jesus was willing to touch them. He saw everyone as a human created and loved by God and who has a purpose.
• The place in our world where there should not be prejudice is the church, but the church can be on of the most prejudice places to be...which is VERY unfortunate.
• People need to be treated with dignity, respect, and value.
• Prejudice works both ways: You can be prejudice towards the poor AND the rich.

James 2:13 "Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!"

Steps to be a doer of the word

1. Accept people for who they are. Romans 15:7 "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."-We can accept somebody without approving of their lifestyle. For example, Christians often don't accept those within the gay community, but why can't we just love them!? That's one of my biggest issues with the church nowadays but that's why I love the Vineyard! I have gay friends and love them very much, but I don't accept their lifestyle. That doesn't mean I can't love them like God loves them.
2. Gold Rule. Matthew 7:12 "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."-Church isn't just for believers!! Christ's own disciples didn't know what to believe for 3 years and they were walking by His side!
3. Love! Love unconditionally whether they love you back or not. Jesus had no enemies because of His love for everyone. John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." Love doesn't happen accidentally. It can draw people to Jesus.

Rick then told a story about a young college man. He had wild hair, weird shirts, and, well, looked like today's typical college guy. He lived across the street from a middle-class church and he decided one day to go and visit. He showed up a little late and there were no seats available and everyone was starring. The young man, Bill, decides to sit down in the isle up front. One of the deacons, who was 80-years-old, started moving towards this man. Everyone thought he was going to ask Bill to leave or hit him with his cane or something. Turned out, the deacon, with difficulty, sits down next to Bill, puts his arm around him, and worshipped with him. He loved him. The pastor then said, "You will never remember what I'm about to preach, but you will never forget what you just saw." That 80-year-old man was the only accepting man in that church and when everyone never expected it, he loved the young college man that didn't fit in. THAT'S what church should be about.

Christianity: Unedited

This is from a teaching by Rick Olmstead of the Vineyard Church of Fort Collins on July 13. I really enjoyed it. :)

From James
-James was one of those guys that showed people by his actions that he's a Christian instead of using words.
-People don't realize how strong actions are. It's true: actions DO speak louder than words.
-Talk is cheap...so "walk the talk."

James 1:19-21 "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you."

-When you have sin in your life, you can't hear through the filth

James 1:22-24 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like."

"The only way you will grow up is if you see things that need changing and do something about it." -If you look in the mirror and see perfectiong...you're not looking hard enough.

James 1:25 "But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does."

-Don't be just a 'hearer.' Be a 'hearer' and a 'doer.'

James 2:14-18 "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to hime, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone, will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds. Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do."

-Be more than a believer. Be a follower.

-Most people want their life to reflect something good. You can share your faith and not live it, but it's ideal to live it.

James 2:19-20 "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?"

-Many people in our generation don't realize that the devil believes in Jesus. Like stated before...talk is cheap.

-Faith is not determined by how much we do. It's by what we do.

Rick told a story about how someone can change a 220 volt wire and be affected by that shock because it's so powerful...but God is SO MUCH more powerful!

"If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"

-Jimmy Carter

A New Beginning

Well, I have been through A LOT these last couple of months and not many people really know much of what has happened. Long story short, I fell in love and got my heart broken by someone who I still hold very close to my heart but I know that God has a plan for me and I just need to be patient once more and wait to see what is to come. I'm going to be using this blog to post a bunch of notes from teachings at my church and to just lay out my thoughts. Enjoy and continually pray for what God has in store.