I got to go to Canada! After Alli and Simeon left for their honeymoon, 7 of us girls went up to White Rock, British Columbia for dinner. We (thankfully) had no problems re-entering the U.S. with driver’s licenses–though the border patrolman told us that next time we need to have the proper documents (Especially us from California since “illegals have licenses there too”).

Now I have been to 5 countries: Mexico, France, Tunisia, Canada (and the U.S.)!!

Well, almost Canada…Lynden, Washington is about 2-5 miles from the Canadian border (I keep hearing different numbers). Guess who doesn’t have her birth certificate or passport?! Sad! So close! I will probably have someone drive me up there to see the border, still, because I’m a dork.

I just wanted to post about my day yesterday–which was quite crazy.

My alarm went off at 4:30am. I hit the snooze, and when it went off again, I must have accidentally turned it off. Next thing I know, it’s 5:17am–I had to be out of the house by 5:30am!

I took a one minute shower, took care of the cats, packed up and left by 5:32am. Amazing what you can do when you have limited time!

I got to Glendora a few minutes after 6am, and Mindi and I left for the airport. Got there on time. Said goodbye to Mindi, grabbed my stuff and went up to security.

As soon as I get through security, I realized that my phone and keys were in Mindi’s truck, on the dashboard, where I had left them. I try to think about whether or not I can survive without my phone this weekend–because I knew that the people who were picking me up had to get ahold of me, etc…

I decide I can’t live without it, run to a payphone and call my Dad to get Mindi’s number. Call Mindi, no answer. Then I hear my name over the loudspeaker, calling me to go downstairs.

Mindi brought my phone, my keys, and STARBUCKS to me! She was like “I thought you might need these!” Thank you so much, Mindi!

So that was how my day started. I then had 3 hours of flying, 3 hours in a shuttle from Seattle to Bellingham, an hour of waiting for my ride, and then we made it to Lynden an hour before the rehearsal.

It was a crazy day, but well worth it. It has been so awesome to be with Alli and Katie again (my roommates from D.C.). Alli is going to be such a beautiful bride! Out of all the weddings I’ve been to thus far in the summer (this is #4), this is probably the most beautiful one yet. They have ALL been absolutely gorgeous, this one is just unique and I think it’s more like what I want in a wedding. I’ll take pictures today.

Anyway, lots to do before the wedding!

We had 8 kids tonight! Slowly but surely things are looking up. It’s been hard for the kids to transition from Mark and Jenn being there all the time, to them suddenly not being there…but the Lord is doing great things.

Tomorrow night is high school night, and I have a feeling that we’ll have more kids there as well. Last week we had three and I was ecstatic!

Today, Chris, Jenn, Mindi and I went to the mountains and fished…well, Chris fished because Jenn and I didn’t have a license, and Mindi didn’t want to fly fish.

Anyway, it was so great to spend time away from it all (even cell phones, because we had no reception!) with dear friends. They have been SUCH a blessing to me! When I told them that I really just needed to get away and recharge, they agreed to go with me. Good times! I’ll post pictures soon.

Mindi and I ended up driving “the long way” home, and had a great time driving all around the San Gabriel mountains. We drove for a couple of hours and eventually made our way back to Glendora.

By the way, I think I might want to get a fishing license…supposedly, it is a very relaxing pasttime, and I truly need some relaxation in my life! I don’t eat fish, but I know lots of people who do, so they’d benefit (if I caught any, lol)…I think my Red Neck friends are beginning to rub off on me…but that’s okay!

Oh yeah, and I think I want a truck now, not a car…a big diesel truck–lots of power! 🙂

Natasha has a blog now– http://www.natasharothchild.blogspot.com

Check it out! I’ll put her link in my sidebar soon!

Last night, our worship team from church sang at a prison for men between the ages of 18-25. The last prison at which we sang was for boys, 13-18. What a difference! The men there, however, responded to the worship like nothing I have ever seen. God is truly the center of a few of those men’s lives, especially one named Joel. He is going to go into the ministry in January (he gets out in December), and I know that God is going to use him to do mighty things! The prison is rough, and very violent–from what the chaplain told us. But it was so humbling to be there! Lots of spiritual warfare, but the Lord protected us all.

This is week two of housesitting–this time in Orange County. I’m taking care of two cats, ages 14 and 15. Next week is easy–PLANTS. 🙂

Hopefully, I will have a “day off” this week–Mindi and I are talking about going to the mountains one morning this week, to get away from it all. We’ll see if my schedule will allow such an excursion. 🙂

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak…” –Isaiah 40:28 (I think)

My pastor’s wife yesterday gave me the greatest verse (or portion thereof), and I just had to post it on here:

“If any man come after me, let him…” 🙂

HAHA. I thought that was great. It’s not really the theme verse for my life–not at all. I could care less about that right now, because I’m so stinking busy with everything else in life!

VBS Day 1 is done–and it went well! Praise God!

The birds have to use potholders to pull worms out of the ground.

The trees are whistling for the dogs.

The best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.

Hot water now comes out of both taps.

You can make sun tea instantly.

You learn that a seat belt buckle makes a pretty good branding iron!

The temperature drops below 95 and you feel a little chilly.

You discover that in July it only takes 2 fingers to steer your car.

You discover that you can get sunburned through your car window.

You actually burn your hand opening the car door.

You break into a sweat the instant you step outside at 7:30 a.m.

Your biggest bicycle wreck fear is, “What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death?”

You realize that asphalt has a liquid state.

The potatoes cook underground, so all you have to do is pull one out and add butter, salt and pepper.

Farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying boiled eggs.

The cows are giving evaporated milk.

Ah, what a place to call home.

(For those who don’t know, the average temperature in Red Bluff during the summer is between 105-110. It’s pretty miserable, and that’s where I spent 11 years of my life. I got this in an email, and had to share because, sadly, many are TRUE!)