rocky

"isn't it weird how just a little puppy can add so much pleasure to someone's life?" my dad and i were just watching rocky play around with his new little chew toy, and he topples off the porch and rolls over his big belly, giving us a good laugh. he barks and tries to get back up, but the step is just a little too high for him to jump up.

rocky was "rescued" from under a car by my dad's office. he was just wandering around without his mother's supervision, and at only 6-7 weeks old, we figured he needed a little TLC. he had fleas, worms and this weird parasite that he got a shot for at the vet. but now he's flea-free and ready to cuddle!

i had been wanting a puppy, but just didn't want to shell out the big bucks. you know how when you want something, you start seeing it everywhere? i was thinking about how i wanted a puppy a couple weeks ago as i was sitting on my front porch, and i swear, like 30 people starting walking their dogs right then. haha! it was so funny!

so rocky's a little blue heeler. apparently they are very loyal to their owners. they like to herd things, including people. they're very smart dogs and protective of their owners. they are very active dogs and love to go for long walks on the beach. haha. he's pretty mellow and gets really shy in public places, and when he falls asleep in my lap, he's just the cutest thing ever!

it is weird how just a little puppy can add so much pleasure to my life!

faith

"then i heard the voice of the LORD saying, 'whom shall i send? and who will go for us?' and i said, 'here am i. send me!'"
isaiah 6:8

going green

haha. wow, i don't wanna fall into the popular thing to do these days, which is to go green. but i gotta admit, it's fun to ride my bike! yesterday i decided to ride my bike to work, which is only about 2 miles away. i scouted out my route the day before, taking neighborhood byways as opposed to getting killed on the busy freeways :) one thing to note, when you're in a car, you don't really realize you're going up and down hills, so i was in for a little morning sweat on my way to work the next day! and how's this for perfect timing... the clouds were ominous as i was riding, but my neighbor bill said, "no it won't rain today" and i believed him. i got all the way to work without even a sprinkle and when my friend came in a few minutes later, she was drenched! how's that for good timing! and it was hot and sunny in the afternoon when i left. good for a little afternoon stroll...
and this morning, i realized i didn't have any milk. i'm not gonna drive to the grocery store just to buy milk. so i rode my bike! it was a little harder to navigate with a milk jug on the way back, but i survived!
i might not be saving alot of gas, but every little bit helps... plus i get some exercise, break into a little sweat... it's all good! GO GREEN!

never settle

this morning in the newspaper, i read an article discussing the issue of single women. the author was encouraging aging single women to settle for marriage with an okay guy versus waiting for mr. perfect, because there is no mr. perfect. it really shocked me! i know that some women do think that way, and that "i'm never gonna find mr. right, so i'll just settle for mr. right now." i think this is a scary philosophy. if i were to settle for just an okay guy, and not be challenged daily, goal-driven for the future, or passionate about God and each other, then i would be miserable for the rest of my life, wondering what could have been...

for me, mr. right is not necessarily going to be the best looking guy on the block or the most eloquent speaker, but his passion for the heart of God will be the attracting force.

i want God's best
and i won't settle for anything less

my mission

when i was interviewing for this job, i told carol, my boss, that i want to go overseas and do missions at some point in my life, but right now i know that God has placed me here. he's given me a wonderful job, great colleagues, and a wonderful and stimulating work environment full of people in need. this unit, these patients, these nurses i work with: that's my mission field right now.

i'm thankful for this opportunity. i know that i'm being challenged and helping people everyday. i'm making a difference, even if it is a small difference in someone's life. please pray that i can be a witness of the GREAT PHYSICIAN. the ultimate healer. the miracle worker.

xander

my cousin ashley is having a baby. it's the first baby from my generation so that's really exciting! my mom and i got to go to ashley and stephen's baby shower yesterday! she's got a cute baby bump, and this precious baby is already getting spoiled even before he's out in the world!

his name is xander josiah bird. what a wonderful gift from God! i pray that xander grows in favor with God and becomes a powerful tool used to give Him praise!

what happens in vegas, stays in vegas :)

so my mom, sister and i went to vegas for a little girls week action! it was super fun to chill out after a completing my college education! we shopped, laid out by the pool, went to several shows, spent a day at the spa, and saw the sights!

i think girls week is going to turn into an annual event, so i'm always up for a little pampering with the girls!

here we are eating sushi on the first night.

we got to go see cher! she was incredible for a 60+ lady, all hyper and jumping around on stage! she was a riot! we got to go see the beatles "love" by cirque du soleil. i had to pick my jaw up off the floor a few times. we had great seats for cirque, and julie and i got alot of attention from the performers. at the end of the show 2 guys gave julie and i some pretty flowers as they were ending the show :) it was special!