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.