What I've been up to...

So I know I haven't blogged for a while so here is a synopsis of some of what I have been doing...


Went to Trunk or Treat for Halloween... we were the Incredibles.

Went to Serve Fresno... Our church did a community wide service day. Me and a couple of the girls went to make Thanksgiving dinners for families in our community. We had the highest of compliments when one of the guys working with us looked at the girls and said that their attitude had made his day better. He had buried his brother the day before and was really not looking forward to doing this... but our joking around and laughing with them had made him feel better! What a blessing to learn the lesson of what serving with Joy in your hearts can do for someone else!
Went ice skating in Yosemite with my dad, Betsy and Darren. That was so fun. First time I have ice skated since I was fat... couldn't do it before... but you can just call me Dorthy Hamel now!

I got a puppy... her name is Colby Jack... yes... like the cheese. She is 7 weeks old now. I have had her for a week. She is a shepherd mix. I actually got another puppy and it died being spayed... so I had to pick out a new one. This one is actually not old enough to be adopted yet so I am fostering her until she has had all her shots and has been spayed. She can't go outside for another couple months because of Parvo and Distemper. So she is quite a handful. But she is super cute when she is sleeping!
I went to Alcatraz! I love that place... there is something new to see and learn every time you go. This time there was much more of the island open for us to walk around and see. It was great!
We made Carmel's.... Grandma Shivers recipe. They are amazing and every year people ask us for them.... we made 7 batches. I cooked, my dad and Brandy helped stir and put in pans, my mom, Betsy and Darren and the rest of us cut and wrapped them. It is a fun family time!

And we went to Christmas Tree Lane. It was freezing, and I almost got taken out by about three dog leashes... but I survived and the light were beautiful. I love the Holidays! And Brandy.... p.s. this is NOT going to be a tradition!

I'll try to post more now that things have slowed down a little. Hope everyone had a great holiday season.

And happy wedding to Levi and Eden. I am so sorry I couldn't be there. I hope you guys all have tons of fun and a blessed life! I love you!

Encounter "Ceremonial" Bonfire

So last night was the last night of Encounter Service... at least as it has been. While it was sad, it was exciting to see what this group of people are going to accomplish. We really are such a family and I am looking forward to the monthly (first Sunday night of each month, for those that are interested) services at the Penir's home. So here are some of the pictures I took from the night.

A few things God's shown me lately...

Ok... I've got a couple of suggestions for those of you looking to challenge yourself a little. First is this book... Thinkertoys... Great book! It teaches how to be creative in your life. Especially if you don't think you are creative. Good book! Great Book! Very practical examples to use to grow.

Second is... Valley Bible Fellowship (which has a campus in Las Vegas... Melissa) is the church that Jeff goes to in Bakersfield. I have gone with him a few times and the SPIRIT is definitely there. It is an amazing place to go and worship. First... they have pod casts of the speakers (http://www.vbf.org/) and so far I have listened to most of the ones that are available. They are great... God is really moving there and I would suggest you go check it out if you have the opportunity. 3500 people in one service (4 services throughout the week)!

Second is that someone from that church has shown us mychurch.org. It's like myspace but for churches (Melissa, I thought the people in your church would love this). If you get a chance go check it out. Mine is www.mychurch.org/alyssaburr. Hopefully this will replace myspace.

Betsy & Darren's Anniversary

My sister and her husband have been married a year as of the 13th. So for their anniversary... I took these photos to spell out their last name and am framing them for their house. I saw this idea in a magazine, but thought it would be so much more fun if they were pictures we'd taken. So... here they are.

Common Sense

One of my friends posted this on myspace and I thought it was interesting... so I am passing it on.

Obituary of our friend, the late, Mr. Common Sense:Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

a. Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
b. Why the early bird gets the worm;
c. Life isn't always fair;
d. Maybe it was my fault; and
e. I'm sorry.

Mr. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies like don't spend more than you can earn and reliable strategies like adults, not children, are in charge.His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing government regulations were set in place. Reports of:

1) a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate;
2) teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch;
3) and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student that only worsened his condition.

"Common" lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. His health declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Tylenol, sun lotion or a band-aid to a student, but were forbidden to inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense finally lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses and criminals received better treatment than their victims.Already down, Common Sense took another beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault if you did.

Mr. Sense literally gave-up after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled some in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Mr. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his twin sons, Logic and Reason.He is survived by his 3 evil stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim.Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was even gone.

My birthday

I celebrated all weekend. Friday night I went to the Hoppers and we had a little dinner party which was so much fun. And delicious! Saturday I went to dinner with Michele. Sunday I went to lunch with my family and dinner with Mandy. Monday I went to Yosemite Ranch (which I've really been wanting to try) with my family and had an amazing cake! My parents figured out how to make the good cakes they make for themselves with the gluten free cake mix. So I got actual good cake! Best birthday present!

Cheesy Pictures, isn't Brandy cute! Betsy and I, still cheesy
All of us taking self portraits... really is there any other way to take a picture than of yourself?
My mom... I opened the present (which was Bare Minerals. which I love and is usually too expensive for me) I was totally excited... and she missed the picture. So she goes, do it again... and this is how it turned out... kinda retarded. What can I say?And of course, Michele sent me flowers... cause that's what she does. I knew there was a master plan for having her run the shop this week... I get flowers... twice in three days... she's good.
God has blessed me with a ton of people who support and love me and who make me laugh and feel special. I am truly blessed. God is good.

Reading for today

Psalm 11-15

I am so excited... I get to watch the Hopper kids tonight. And tomorrow night I am having dinner with friends for my birthday. Which will be so much fun. While it is not really how I thought I would be spending my birthday... I am very blessed to have friends who step in to cheer me up and make me feel special. Funny how God works things out... maybe not funny... but He works them out. That's for sure!

A psalm and some notes...

Psalm 6-10

So there are the Psalms for today. The last couple weeks have been the strangest. Do you ever feel so certain God wants you to do something? You do it. You feel peaceful. That is when I think the devil creeps in. You still feel like you did the right thing, but your crazy emotions play tricks on you.

I have to keep these verses in the front of my mind and posted on everything I can think of to keep my sanity sometimes. James 3:17 "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." and 1 Corinthians 13:4 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." So anything that I am feeling that is outside of how this explains love and wisdom, must not be love or wise. Sometimes I am so glad that God gave us TRUTH to follow so that I don't have to trust my emotions. I think they play tricks on me sometimes. Pray that in all things we are wise, glorifying, loving and submissive.

This is for you Jena...

Psalm 1-5

So each day I am reading 5 Psalms. It is really interesting. Kind of funny how God uses them to be so articulate about exactly what I need Him to hear.

Lifehouse Video... You have to watch this.

Check out this video

I went with Jeff to his church a few weeks ago and they did this skit. It is amazingly thought provoking. I loved it!

Valley Bible Fellowship

International Talk Like A Pirate Day

ARGH MATEY!

Happy International Talk Like a Pirate DAY!

1. What does a pirate and a gangster have in common?

2. Have you seen that new pirate movie?

3. What does a pirate with a steering wheel down his pants say?

4. Knock, knock... who's there... Interrupting Pirate... interrupting pirate (AARRRRRGGGHHHHH) who (Get it... the pirate interrupted)

1. They both say "Yo Ho"

2. The one rated RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

3. Argh... you're drivin me nuts

Hubbard

Click here to read the News Story.

This morning on my way to work I was stopped in my tracks by the site of an entire community rallying around a local family that has lost two sons in the war in Iraq. The second is to be buried today in Clovis. Yesterday several families spent the afternoon in 100+ degree weather to tie red, white, and blue ribbons around each pole at every intersection the processional will go through. From the funeral home, to the church, to the grave site. That in and of itself is a sight to see. But on my way in I noticed an elderly woman who had clearly gotten up early and was outside in her nightgown. She was putting flags in her planters that line the street where this soldier will be driven to be laid to rest. As I drove I noticed that there were several people up and putting out flags. Along with other business and homes that had already put up their flags and ribbons in support.

I'm not exactly sure why this makes me so emotional. There is something reminiscent of 9/11 when everyone pulled together... looked to God and for a short moment in time. Relied on Him for strength and hope. It is an amazing site to see thousands of people working for the same goal... at this moment it happens to be giving honor to a young man who gave his life (along with 18 others) one day to protect us and our freedoms.

To God be the glory and honor and praise.

Marriage advice...

A while ago... like two or three years ago... I read this book that had a list of questions you should talk about before you get married. Since recently... the issues has come up... I remembered them and pulled them out to review. I realized how good they were... so I am going to post them here.

1. Socioeconomic background:
2. Intelligence:
3. Formal education:
4. Verbal Skills:
5. Expected roles for both persons within the marriage:
6. Views about power distribution withing the family:
7. Desired number of children:
8. When a family should be started:
9. Child rearing views:
10. Political philosophy:
11. Views about smoking, alcohol, & drugs:
12. Amount of involvement with in-laws:
13. Sense of humor:
14. Punctuality:
15. Dependability:
16. Desire for verbal intimacy and ability to be intimate:
17. The role of conflict and how to resolve it:
18. The way you handle anger:
19. How friendships of the opposite sex should be handled:
20. Expected amount of privacy and how it should be handled:
21. Level of ambition:
22. Life goals:
23. Attitudes about weight:
24. Religious and spiritual beliefs and preferences:
25. Amount of church involvement:
26. Family's spiritual involvement:
27. Hobbies & Interests:
28. Types of music enjoyed:
29. Energy level for physical activities:
30. Sexual drive & sexual interests:
31. Amount on income to be spent or saved:
32. How money should be allocated:
33. Amount of money to be given away and to whom:
34. Degree of risks to be taken with investments:
35. Attitudes about cleanliness:
36. Ways of handling sickness:
37. Health standards:
38. Interpersonal and social skills:
39. Amount & type of social involvement:
40. Geographical area in which to live:
41. Size & Style of house:
42. Type of furniture & decor:
43. Amount & type of travel:
44. How to spend vacations:
45. How to celebrate major holidays:
46. How much time to spend together:
47. When to go to sleep and when to get up:
48. Temperature of home:
49: Activity during meals:
50. Television programs preferred:

So this is the list...
And on this note... for the family who wants to know... (p.s. John did a really good job of asking questions to take back to Michelle and Melissa)... best job by a guy I've seen. Usually they ask questions like... "Do you like him?" and if you say yes.... that's the end of it. Anyhow... Jeff (my boyfriend) is amazing. I can't wait for all of you to meet him. He loves God, he's funny, he thinks I am amazing... which is funny to me... but wonderful, he has raised a funny, God loving son who has a good head on his shoulders. The kids all seem to like him... along with everyone who has met him so far. Impressing the kids is a big deal. They are hard to win over... especially Brandy. He's just all around a blessing and I am enjoying the adventure God has us on. So... that's it... pretty much. God is GOOD and definitely in control.

Happy Birthday John

Well, today is John's birthday... he is married to my cousin Michelle. And he is the dad of the cutest kid EVER... ATTICUS! I'm sure God is doing big things in your life and I hope God moves in big ways this year for you and your family! I love you guys!
P.S. This is the only picture I have of him.... I think he's doing the robot.

Two things...

One... Proverbs 13:12 "Hope deferred makes the heart sick. But desire fulfilled is the tree of life." I would like to hear some opinions on what this means. Is it as simple as it sounds? Does anyone have a thought, if so please leave me a comment.

Second... my new favorite artist Sara Bareilles... check her out! Or here sarabmusic.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELISSA!

I thought I would say happy birthday through RUBEN! Because honestly... there's nothing like a little Ruben! And us... laughing in the background! I hope you have a great year! You are an amazing cousin and I'm so glad I'm related to you. You make me look good! I love you! MOVE TO FRESNO!!!!!!

P.S. Her birthday is August 14th, I'm posting it today so everyone can get a head start on leaving her birthday comments on her blog!

Empowering Lives International

Our Africa team made it safe and sound. If you want to keep up to date, they are going to be posting updates on the eliteams.blogspot.com (Which I have set as a link on the right). Keep them in your prayers!

Quote of the day

For our employees I sometimes find quotes I like and post them around the office to inspire our staff. This morning I was looking for a quote and I came upon this one by Herm Albright.

"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort."

How funny is that???? God quickly reminded me of the verse Romans 12:20-21 20

"On the contrary:'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Ryann's Trip Photo Book!

Photo Book... ok here it is... the photo book of our trip. P.S. Some of you that read this need to come out here for a visit so we can take an adventure of our own! Love you!

Ms. Brandy Lynne

Brandy has gotten the opportunity to go to Brazil this fall on a missions trip. She is so excited about this opportunity. She will need financial and spiritual support. For this... I thought the best place to go is those of you who love me and her! I know many of you have done missions work and know what it takes. Any support you would like to commit to would be a blessing. She is looking for financial support and more importantly 10 prayer partners who will keep her constantly in prayer as she has committed to go. You know how the devil can work when you commit to doing big things for God. I love you all! God is GOOD!

Bridal Shower

Saturday was one of Michele's Briday Showers. Mike's mom had a personal chef come and try to teach us to cook. It was funny... I think he had a little crush on Katie... who tried as hard a she could to not get stuck behind the counter.




Ah, the sisters... Michele is obviously so happy! Megan & the baby... cut a zillion tomatoes.