Funny Stuff!

Funny Stuff #1

http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com/

This is by far the FUNNIEST blog I've ever read! I read it at work (since it's a Christian blog, I figured this justifies my procrastination & wasting of precious ministry time). You can hear my laughter throughout the entire church. I never laugh this hard, so my secretary knows what's going on when shrieks & giggles reach her desk through my closed office door.


Funny Stuff #2

Youth & a blank whiteboard. Maybe I'm a little biased because they're my kids & they make me laugh, but they are seriously creative & funny. I often come into my office on Monday mornings to find a new & interesting comment written on my board. Sometimes I think they try to out-do each other with the "burns" they write me. It's all in good fun, though. I know they love me...or do they?

Here's what I'm talking about:






Funny Stuff #3

Children afraid of their shadows.




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Family Goodness

So, family update...Since I don't have a family of my own yet, I get to relish in the great & fantastic news of my sisters. Plus, I'm sure you all want to know what's in the happenings of the Paulsens / Garretts / Bargrens...whew, this is getting complicated.

First, in Paulsen news...My parents will be in town next Thursday morning (Yes, Thanksgiving Day!) to celebrate food festivities, football games, & Macy's T-Day Parade. I CANNOT wait! I am a little sad, though. Neither of my sisters will be joining us, so it's not as special as it could be, but, hey! Celebrate what God's given, right?
I will also be flying down (yes, flying, not driving!) to Orange County for Concordia's Christmas concerts. When I first moved to Sac-town, my parents & I decided we would start a new Christmas tradition of going to the CUI choir concerts. I miss friends & these concerts are incredibly amazing, so it's totally worth it. Plus, I miss the OC beaches & happenings. So, yay Christmas!

In Garrett news...My sis & BIL finally sold their house! Praise Jesus! It's been on the market for a few weeks now & the entire family has been praying for them. With the economy, the house market in Philly is just terrible, so it's such an incredible blessing that they sold! So, I guess they'll be out by the first week in December & moving South. Many praise & adoration to the amazing God who always provides!

Finally, the Bargrens...Technically, my sister is still a Paulsen, but since they set an official date (Oct. 24, 2009), I guess it's totally appropriate for me to just lump them together. They're already attached at the hip, so it's all good. Like I said, they set a date! I guess they also put a deposit on their location...somewhere in Gilbert? I haven't seen it yet in person, but the website is incredibly beautiful. So, yay! Congrats!

God is good all the time!

Nothing else is new. The weather out here in Rocklin/Roseville has been abnormally warm. For a while there, it was always rainy & chilly. But, now the sun's out, the weather's nice. I almost feel like I'm back in Orange County...almost. I already started my Christmas shopping. Good stuff, let me tell you. With all these sales, I'm sure Christmas is going to be good this year. I truly heart sales! OH! And Vera Bradley...hint, hint, Mom & Dad. ;)

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Because I just LOVE Starbucks....and the Church

Can't Get No Satisfaction

Actually, I can...But, I like that song :)

Surprising enough, God has continued to bless me with this heart of contentment.

But, I've really been feeling like He has something bigger planned for me, something other than being just a DCE. Yes, being a youth leader is amazing & a wonderful job & blessing in my life, but I know that God is going to do something BIG in my life. I know that He has bigger plans for he. Don't really know what it is or when it's all gonna' "go down", but I know it's out there.

With this heart of contentment & understanding that God has my back, I've really felt like "moving on" is on order. I've been stuck in this rut of feeling sorry for myself, moping around over my lack of energy or lack of excitement in my life. Instead of continuing this self-destructive pattern, I've decided to change it! I'm going to start to put excitement in my life, my job, my spiritual relationship with God, everything! I think it's about time I kick myself in the pants & get going on my life! After all, I'm the only one who can change it. I mean, God can change it if He wants to, I guess...but, you know what I mean :D

So, here I go!

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I was Tagged

I was tagged by my sis, Jo. 7 interesting facts? Hmmmm.....

1. I don't like my food to touch on my plate. There are some exceptions, such as salad, pizza, beans & rice at a Mexican restaurant. However, I have to be the one to say it's okay to touch. If I make food at home, I use separate plates or bowls. I also have a divider plate I like to use for really messy food stuff. At a restuarant, I have been known to ask for different food items to come on separate plates. Even though this is a big deal, I have gotten a lot better since I went to college where they just throw everything on a plate without the option for requests.

2. I can play the bagpipes with my throat. I learned it in high school by a professional (thank you, Spencer!) I'm sure there's a youtube video out there of me doing it. Haha!

3. I share something in common with my big sis, Jo....I also don't like to swim in natural bodies of water, especially the ocean. I don't really like the idea of having weird sea creatures swimming unknowingly around my feet. I think I've seen "Jaws" too many times as a child. However, I do love the beach! Definitely one of my favorite So-Cal past-times, going to the beach at night to look at the stars. Amazing!

4. I want to have 6 children. I don't know if this is an interesting fact or not, but it's interesting to me. When I was in high school, I wanted to have a dozen children for the longest time. I made this plan to have 12 kids, each born in one month of the year. Then, their first or middle name would coincide with the month they were born in. Ex: January Grace, Nathan February, etc...But, now I've become more sane & want to have 6!

5. I love Starbucks...it's just not the same if I brew the coffee myself. I like the little white cups, the "Way I see It"s on the side & the wonderful smile & service that comes with my cup-o-joe.

6. I punched a guy in the face in college...Okay, so I have this list of "Things to do before I die". One day in the cafeteria, I was sitting with my friends, Will, Daniel & Kelly (amongst others). We were discussing this list of mine, which included wanting to either get into a fist-fight before I die or punching someone in the face before I die. So, Will selflessly agreed to allow me to punch him (rather teach me how to punch). And I did! I punched him in the jaw (it totally made a "contact" sound) & I think I hurt him, even though I was totally girlie while doing it. My foot flipped up & everything like they do in kissing scenes in old movies. Haha! Thank you, Will.

7. I love everything outside. Hiking, canoeing, kayaking, camping, etc. I love the smell of a campfire. If I could be outside all day long, I would be. Nature gives me this amazing peace & closeness with God. I really feel His presence when I'm just sitting on a rock next to the river. Ah, it's incredible!

So, now I tag Kelly (my college roommate), Magali (traveling buddy extraordinaire!), Will (my personal punching bag), Brittney (Acclaimy!), Ken & Ellie (international super DCE & DPM!), & Kaila (my handbell tour roommie)!

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