rydney's Xanga

In Which we Wish Caden James a Happy Birthday!!!

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:43:12 GMT

Today is a marvelous day. One of the main reasons for this is because 365 days ago, Caden James came into the world - a cute bundle of chunky adrableness. (Yes, I spelled that correctly!)

I love many things about this little guy - his sweetness, his faces, the way he dances to the theme song from the Office, and the fact that he loves cuddles. I also enjoy the fact that he's a sympathy crier - you cry, he cries. It's really good validation. But seriously, I think that's an awesome characteristic for him to already be cultivating!!

He's officially a walker now, so look out, world! And if you're a girl in a coffee shop, you better believe he'll sit and make googly eyes at you and flirt his little heart out. So cute!

Jen, his mom, showed me an awesome thing he does now - she asks him if he's charming and he makes the most adoarable face! It really is TRULY charming :)

I love all the nicknames we get to give him and I'm looking forward to hearing his first words and figuring out what his voice is going to sound like. It will be neat to see what original nicknames he decides to give his additional parents (more like pseudo aunts and uncles).

I have pretty much never met such a sweet tempered child and I love watching his parents (and the Eitels) parent him! I am glad that he is still so squishy and ad-rable. His party is going to be awesome and I can't wait to celebrate him and all of the added awesomeness he brings into the world! Even though he may not remember specifics about this birthday celebration, it's my prayer that he would remember feeling completely loved :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CADEN JAMES! You are one awesome little boy!!!!!

In Which We Discuss Wild Things

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:57:04 GMT

So, I went last night to see Where the Wild Things Are with my mom and my sister. Umm... I pretty much love that movie. It's moves super slow, but the monsters are HILARIOUS!!! And I was beyond impressed with how well the monster costumes worked out - it was literally like the book came to life. BUT it's totally an adult film and not for kids because of the super slow pace and all the humor would fly over the heads of little ones - they also might find parts of it scary. BUT I'm pretty sure I loved it.

Here is a picture I found on the internet of one of the monsters, Carol. He is the main monster, and is voiced by James Gandolfini. It's excellently done! And such valuable lessons gleaned from it. Having a family is hard, but totally worth it.

Here is a picture of some toy figurines coming out based on the monsters - the only pic I could find with all the monsters in it:

These are all accurate except the blue bull, whose name we never find out in the movie, but who is also brown in the movie, not blue. The rest of the characters are (from left to right and top first, then bottom): Max, Alexander, Carol, K.W., Judith, the Bull, Ira, and Douglas.

Go see it; it's quite funny! And if you go on a weeknight, it's only $5!

In which we shout, "SHUT UP! GET OUT OF HERE!" at Satan

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:05:19 GMT

I love my job. I love my job deliriously. Okay, maybe not deliriously, but seriously, at least. There are so many things about my job that rock. One of my favorite perks, besides the people I work with, is the fact that I can hear the classes that are being taugh in the main auditorium from my desk. It's ridiculously sweet!

Earlier this morning, Allen Hood was bringing the Word to the first years and it was awesome! He was talking about how to overcome negative thoughts and the dire necessity of doing so. He actually used the words, "You need to get used to say, 'Shut up! Get out of here!', to Satan. It was Jesus' favorite thing to say to him."

I laughed a little bit to myself when he said it, but then had to sit there for a minute and actually soak in what he had said.

Satan is the Father of Lies. HE. IS. A. LIAR. It's kind of his specialty. And he's subtle about it, but he's not passive about it. He is out to get you. For real. He is out to make you believe lies about yourself, about others, and, most importantly, about God. He will do anything and everything he can in order to separate you from relationship with the One who is the Author and Finisher of our faith, the One who humbled Himself and became a baby, lived a perfect life, died on a cross, rose again, and sits at the right of the Father. Satan wants to separate you from the One who continually intercedes for you, and is orchestrating this whole thing in order to marry you at the end of the age and to reign with you for all of eternity. If I was him, I'd want to separate you from Him, too.

Like I was saying earlier, Satan may be subtle about it, but he is in NO WAY passive about attacking you. He is wildly aggressive and totally committed to his battle plan. He has declared all out war on you the moment you accepted Jesus as your Savior, I guarantee it. If he's being aggressive, you MUST be aggressive, as well. You cannot afford to sit back and passively hope the attack will pass. As long as you are on this earth, it will not pass. There may, of course, be momentary lulls, but as long as the breath of life is in you, you will be under attack.

I feel like a lot of times, if we are taught anything about counteracting Satan's attacks, we are taught that we must pretty much just grin and bear it - "this too shall pass". I believe that we can live in victory in this age. But only if we call on the name of Jesus. HE is the one who makes demon's flee, not me. Not you. None of us has the power to thwart demons in our own power. So, we need to start saying, "SHUT UP! GET OUT OF HERE, SATAN, IN JESUS' NAME!". And they will flee. The negative voices will be silenced. Jesus has the power and authority, we just need to claim it. Try it. You have authority in Jesus' name. Use it and aggressively step into the battle that is already raging all around you. Tell Satan to shut up and get out. You belong to another kingdom!

Something else Allen talked about today was prophecying over yourself. When you are having negative thoughts, speak the truth over yourself. Actually say truth over yourself OUT LOUD. There is power on the spoken word. Even if you don't feel anything, your words are loosing things in the spirit. Eventually your emotions WILL begin to line up. All things must come into submission to the authority of Christ. This includes your thoughts. I love the idea of prophecying over yourself; just speaking encouragement over yourself. Our words have such power. We have no idea.

In Which I Share Book Covers

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:22:32 GMT

A couple of entries ago, I talked about how I had recently purchased a new copy of Pride and Prejudice. I am currently lending it to my mom, but this is what it looks like. It's quite deliciously cute!

Here are some more Pride and Prejudice covers I like - yes, I actually researched this. I have a lot of free time?

I think the lady in the second cover is actually not dressed in the correct time period. But maybe it's just cause in my head, she never wears a bonnet like that...

You know which book has the most excellent covers? Wuthering Heights. I know! Kind of weird, but I guess it's easier to create cover art for a gloomy novel - gloomy covers just look cooler. Examples:

Less gothic, but still awesome, if not totally connectable covers for Wuthering Heights:

Sweet covers for Sense and Sensibility (probably my favorite covers):

Other random covers I like:

And that, my friends, is the end.

The One Where I Post a Letter

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:45:54 GMT

So, I opened up my inbox this morning and had a bright, shiny email from Mike Bickle, himself. Well, not truly; it was actually from IHOP. But it's Mike Bickle's letter inviting people to onething09 this year, and I thought it was pretty well written, and actually didn't use a ton of IHOP lingo. I wanted to give any of my readers who didn't also receive it (can't imagine there are many, if any of you) a chance to read it. So, without further ado, here is his letter:

Dear Friends,

This coming December, Lou Engle, myself, and the rest of the leadership team at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City are giving a clarion call to young adults. We would like you to join us.

Last year, at onething08, over 16,000 came to Kansas City and 20,000 joined us on the live webstream. As you remember, the conference was a time of focused teaching on the urgency of the hour that we are living in and the necessity of living a consistent lifestyle of abandonment to Jesus.

You are no doubt aware of the crisis in our land: our nation is in serious moral decay, and our national future is in the balance at this crucial hour. Encroaching ideologies are causing great damage to our culture. However, I believe that 2010 can be a year to gain significant ground in the Spirit. We must have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying in this hour.

Many once-sincere, young adult believers have been drawn into compromise—they are being taught false doctrines about the deity of Jesus, salvation, justice, and the very nature of the grace of God. They are falling into increasing compromise and darkness. This is tragic and must be turned around.

Many voices in our nation are muddying the waters: the Emerging Church has something to say; the pro-choice movement has something to say; the Muslims have something to say; the homosexual community has something to say. Above all these, Jesus Christ has something to say.

This year, at onething’09, our theme is: "What is the Spirit Saying to the Church?" As those who love Jesus, we are all desperate to hear what He is saying, and then to obey it. At this four-day conference Lou Engle, Misty Edwards, Allen Hood, Dwayne Roberts, Mark Anderson, myself, and others will be teaching on what we believe the Spirit is saying.

There is an answer to the confusion and deception that is coming from some of those associated with the Emerging Church. We believe the Spirit is raising up what we refer to as the "Praying Church"—a church that loves the truth and has unwavering allegiance to Jesus. The Holy Spirit is raising up such congregations that will do outreach and works of justice that flow from a foundation of prayer and deep relationship with Jesus. This “Praying Church" movement is resisting the false church, which is emerging in our nation today, especially among young adults.

On September 19, 2009, during our ten-year anniversary, the IHOP–KC staff made a sacred commitment to Jesus to combine our 24/7 prayers for justice with 24/7 works of justice. We are calling campus ministries, churches, and others to also cry out for justice and engage in works of justice. By the grace of God, at the onething’09 conference, we will be speaking boldly and clearly on a number of issues, including the Lord’s heart to combine prayer for justice with doing practical works of justice.

I invite you to join us this December in Kansas City for the onething’09 conference. Registration is free, and you can sign up online at IHOP.org/onething09.

Until He comes,
Mike Bickle

The One Where I Ramble

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:27:34 GMT

So, I'm wicked tired right now. Not sure why - too much sleep last night? Definitely a possibility. Either way, I'm really tired and I've already had two grande coffees (neither of which I actually spent money on! One was from home and one my friend Chloe brought me - we then proceeded to hang out in the FSM lounge for an hour and a half!!) Anyway, the coffee isn't working for me today, which is mostly just sad.

I'm at work, listening to Ian McIntosh. Ummm... I'm pretty much a huge fan. Even though his last name makes me sad. :) A little joke because I so much loathe the Mac store.

I have decided to have a snack drawer at work. Well, I didn't so much decide it, as I brought food with me to work and haven't finished it all. Currently there is an unopened bag of Pretzelfish in there, and a partially eaten bag of Mini Crullers. I'm a huge fan of both of those things. So, if you're ever sitting at my desk and find yourself hungry, you can pretty much bet there's going to be some type of food in that drawer. If you can find it, you can have it. :)

So, I can't stand the Dallas Cowboys. I don't follow football except for the tiniest bit (mostly stuff I have picked up over the years, and none of which actually helps me to understand how you play the game) and I can honestly say I will never like the Dallas Cowboys. You can't make me like them. However, they are currently doing a deal with St. Jude's, which is almost enough to overcome my dislike of them, because I'm such a huge fan of St Jude's. Three teams I root for consistently - the ONLY teams I root for EVER - Washington Redskins (yes, I realize they are horrible - I lived in DC for 23 years, can't help but love them, even though they are pretty much guaranteed to disappoint), Kansas City Chiefs - you can't live out here and NOT support them, and the Indianopolis Colts. Tony Dungy used to coach them, and I totally love them, so I'll always root for the Colts.

I am sort of obsessed with Jane Austen. I was thinking the other day about how I have at least three copies of all of her books. I have four copies of Pride and Prejudice (not including spinoffs/ retellings). I just bought my fourth copy of Pride and Prejudice last week - I was at the bookstore and found an especially fun cover and decided to buy it. It got me started thinking about how you can find most classic books in several (at least) covers. It made me want to start collecting them. So, I think I shall. If I was on my own computer, instead of my work computer, I would post some pictures here. Maybe I will try later. So, keep hold of your thoughts about my love of all things Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice...

Speaking of Jane Austen - I just figured out recently that the book she often references (or has her main characters reference), The Mysteries of Udolpho is, in fact, a REAL book. So, I checked it out of the library and am currently enjoying it quite a bit. It makes me feel kind of awesome to think I'm reading such an old book. Just think of all the people who are no longer alive who have read that book before me!! Jane Austen read it. :) Told you I was the slightest bit obsessed with her. She's so stinking witty. And you all know, or should know, that wit wins me over every time. I love wit. Love it.

Alright, enough for now. I think I'm going to leave work early. Look for another entry later today!

The one about missions organizations

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:32:11 GMT

Maybe I'm just feeling snarky this morning. But I was reading on twitter that "leading mission organizations project from statistical data that the gospel will be presented to all 6,000 people groups for the first time by 2015". Alright, I think this is awesome. For real. Jesus will not come back until all people groups have heard the Good News and had a chance to respond. And I want Jesus to come back ASAP. I miss Him.

However, I feel like I have heard this statistic several times in the past. In 2004, they were supposed to have finished this task in 5 years, which would make it this year. So far, no go. What I do appreciate about this particular version of the statistic is that there's a year attached to it, instead of a time span. For some reason, that makes it seem more reasonable to me. I guess it's still only five years. Oy!

I don't want this to seem like I am being negative - I think this accomplishment is huge and really exciting! It's just a little hard to totally trust this because I've heard the same thing before. But here's to hoping this time, it's true! That thought is both breath-taking and frightening. That means the endtimes could start as soon as 2015. That means Obama could still be President when the Tribulation starts. Interesting thought. That means I could be 31 when the Tribulation starts. Weird thought.

How do you feel about this news?

The one about the flu vaccine

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:23:23 GMT

No, I haven't gotten the flu vaccine (which I keep wanting to spell 'flue'). No, I don't know where you can get it. Actually, that's a lie; I do know where you can get it - can you say Costco? (which used to be called Price Club; it took me FOREVER to stop calling it that - I think that's why I remember it so well!). Anyway, I haven't gotten the flu vaccine and actually have no current plans to get said vaccine. It's not that I'm anti-vaccine - I actually tend to think it's a good idea to get them. It's not even that I have no health insurance - I think it's $25 to get the vaccine at Costco. I just kind of think this whole flu epidemic has gotten way blown out of proportion this year. So I'm taking a stand against the man. :) Just kidding. But I do think the flu is really not any worse this year than in previous years.

I'm starting to rethink that philosophy after listening to KLOVE this morning on my way into work. There was a statistic about H1N1 (ok, seriously? That's possibly the world's crappiest acronym EVER! It does not flow off the tongue with grace and ease. You have to pronounce each symbol individually, which rather defeats the purpose of an acronym. Though, I guess technically 1) this isn't an actual acronym - it's the official name and 2) science doesn't particularly care about ease of pronunciation - have you looked at drug names recently? You need a degree just to pronounce them correctly!). Anyway, back to the statistic - about twice as many kids have died from H1N1 as die annually from the regular flu virus. Point of contention: kids wasn't defined. However, there is grace for that because it's a radio station and not a science program. That's a fairly fear inducing statistic. If the flu vaccine (either the regular one or the one for H1N1) were readily available I would probably think about taking it. But, in order to get the H1N1 vaccine I have to promise them my first born child (which I haven't even fully decided to have at this point) and even then there is no guarantee. I might be able to get it at some point in the future if students/ school workers are mandated to receive it (I currently work at a university). I feel sort of nervous about the potential for getting it because I live with two little kids (almost 5 and almost 3). This, on the one hand, makes me feel more like getting it, because if they get it, chances are high I will catch it from them (when I used to work with little kids every summer, I caught strep throat each time, without fail - and hardcore strep throat, as well - I got it so bad one time I was spitting up blood and when I went to the doctor's (for the SECOND time - I always go too early and the test comes back negative) they thought I had mono.

Anyway, I live with little kids and might catch it from them. However, if I get the vaccine, and they DON'T have it, they might catch it from me. Which would be bad. Because none of us currently has health insurance.

All that to say: I really do believe the whole situation has been blown out of proportion majorly. But perhaps not as marjorly as I initially thought.

Two Songs that have been moving me lately

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:35:28 GMT

The first is by Jon Thurlow and is called Inexpressible:

I have various trials

But still I rejoice

'Cause it's proving my faith

It's a faith more precious

Than gold

Though tested by fire

That results in praise

When He returns

Though I haven't seen You

I love You

Though I do not see You now

I believe

And I greatly rejoice

With a joy inexpressible

It's inexpressible

I will obtain the outcome

Of my faith

It's the salvation

Of my soul

My friend read that I was talking about this song in my last entry and she works screens for Jon and got the lyrics for me! Thanks, Kristine :)

The second song is by Sanctus Real, and is called What You're Doing:

It's time for healing time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time to make right what has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
And all I can do is surrender

(Chorus)
Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something Heavenly

Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Reevaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow Your will
Or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is You want from me
I give everything I surrender...
To...

(Chorus)

Time to face up
Clean this old house
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say for so many years
Time to release all my held back tears

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You're up to something bigger than me
Larger than life something Heavenly

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but now I can see
This is something bigger than me
Larger than life something Heavenly
Something Heavenly

It's time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out

This is my quote for right now. I may have already shared it, but here it is again:

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:54:47 GMT

The only way she could learn trust and obedience was to have things happen which she could not understand. That is where faith begins - in the wilderness, when you are alone and afraid, when things don't make sense...

It's from Elisabeth Elliot's The Path of Loneliness.