What would YOU take??

What do you pack when you're being told that there is an emergency evacuation of your apartment complex? The first thing I turn for is my baby blanket. No joke. Before I even think about saving the life of my beloved cat Rocky, I choose to rescue my 23 years-and-8-month-old ratty old baby blanket. Seriously, it is my prized possession. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my cat, but there's just something about that dang baby blanket...

Ok, but seriously, I was trying to quickly get ready for my 12:00 staff meeting, anticipating Jenna's arrival any minute, when I get a text asking if my house is on fire. To which I quickly reply "no...." but run to the door and fling it open to find that the entire hillside across the street from my apartment is engulfed in flames. Fire trucks line my street, and screeching police cars are everywhere. My heart begins to beat uncontrollably... I soon find out that all of Hilltop Drive has been ordered to evacuate immediately. I'm not sure of where the fire is exactly, how it started, or why we're being evacuated, but I am sure of one thing: I'm not supposed to drive for another 3 weeks... So, I begin throwing random things into the first bag I can find, starting with my baby blanket of course! Then I start thinking of somebody, anybody who can bring me, rocky, and my blanket to safety...

To make this SUPER long story a bit shorter, Kristena saved the day, however I never had to actually evacuate my apartment. They lifted the evacuation before they got to my side of the street. They contained the fire, and no homes were harmed in the process. It was a pretty exciting day, that's for sure... HUGE planes flying right over my head, full of water... it was intense. I found this picture on the Record Searchlight web page... it was taken just down the street from my front door... crazy.

Oh the joy...

... of medical bills. Let's just leave it at that, shall we?!

scattered thoughts

I realize I have so much to blog about, but can't quite figure out how to mold all of it together. There's lots going on right now... we dropped off backpacks to Cypress Elementary School today. I was just overwhelmed by all of the smiles. The teachers were blown away by our generosity. God is so good. I can't wait to see where God takes our relationship with this school. Some of the kids there literally have nothing... I think this is so exciting for me because this is truly my passion in life. I adore children, and I love building relationships with them. Their minds are so simple and pure... I think this day makes my top ten best ever.... just seeing all of those smiles... it was great!

Another thing that is on my "blogging to-do" list is my big move... I'm moving from my one bedroom shoe-box-of-an-apartment to Emily and Brett Faulknor's lovely and amazing house. Two other girls and I will be renting the Faulknor's house while they are living in San Diego. God totally hooked us up with this house. It's perfect, and it totally just fell in my lap. THANK YOU FAULKNOR'S!!! So, obviously I'm stoked to move, but it's just super hard for me to get anything done because I'm only allowed to lift/carry 5 pounds due to my back surgery two weeks ago. I know I have people ready, willing and able to help me move, I'm still struggling with the whole asking for help bit. I want the help, and need the help, but I just don't want to be an inconvenience to anybody. So, at this point, about half of my house is packed up (thank you Danielle and Sarah!) but it's totally stressing me out because my house is in a complete state of disarray.

On a lighter note, I have to give a huge shout out to Cassie Cable. She's amazing. Seriously. Last night, she sat at a table covered in glitter, glue sticks, construction paper, stickers, foam letters, fancy shape puncher things, markers, colored pencils, and craft supplies galore and helped the Stirring Kids and the J.R. High team decorate 250 beautiful cards to put in each backpack for Cypress Elementary School. Cassie came up with this idea, and she totally made it happen. We were able to deliver a bundle of amazing cards to each teacher to give to each student. This was such a creative way for the kids at the Stirring to show Gods love to these other children. We were all wishing somebody had brought a camera to capture this crazy event. Also, a huge thanks to the Stirring Kids team who cleaned up all of the aftermath of this creative disaster. I think more glitter ended up on the floor than on the actual cards... go figure!

One last thing... I realize this blog is quickly becoming too long... sorry. Today I've decided to take a much needed break from television and music... after hearing Sean Gafner speak last night about really getting face to face with God, and getting in the silence to hear His voice, I realized I am constantly surrounded by noise. Whether it's from the television, my iPod, the radio, my friend, my phone... it's all around me all of the time. I need some silence to hear His voice.... and to really get close to Him. Sometimes silence is difficult because you aren't sure what God will reveal to you in those quiet moments, but taking the time and listening to his voice is something I know I really need to do.

Ok, that's all for now. I'll leave you with a picture of my disaster of an apartment... ugg, maybe I'll just walk around with my eyes closed for the next two weeks... could get dangerous!

Prison Break Season 3

Best. Show. Ever. I got the series in the mail yesterday, and stayed up until 3 a.m. watching it. Not only was I SO tired all day long, but I was also dying to know if Michael Scofield would break out safely, and if Lincoln would rescue LJ in time. I'm telling you, this series is beyond suspenseful.... it's borderline addicting. I love how Michael is always one step ahead of everyone. He is possibly one of the smartest tv show characters ever. On a different note, my back is feeling great. I helped out with prep-ing the Cypress School backpacks today. Recovery is treating me well... and it's providing me plenty of time to watch Prison Break!!

Battle wounds

Here it is ladies and gentleman. I officially got to take my bandage off of my wound today. I must say, it's a bit larger than I thought it would be, but the doc did a great job of stitching that puppy up nice and neat! I go in on Monday to get the stitches removed... I hear that hurts. I'm feeling good today. I keep over-doing it, and really paying for it later in the day. Today I went shopping with my mom, and thought I was Super Woman or something... I just don't know my limitations yet. This whole thing is frustrating and new to me. I can't even lift up my water bottle. Ridiculous. I even broke the rules to take this picture. Shhhh, don't tell anybody! Ug, this whole surgery thing sure gives me a headache! I hope I at least have a sweet scar to show off to my kids one day... Ahh the joys in life :) I'll post another pic once I get the stitches out.

FINALLY!

So my surgery was a success. I'm so glad to have it behind me. I've been in the hospital for two days, and have had countless visitors. I feel so spoiled, it's unbelievable. My back is feeling great. It's still pretty hard getting into and out of bed, but for the most part I'm back to my old self. Thank you to everybody who's been praying for me. I can totally feel the Lord with me right now. And thanks to everyone who's stopped by to say hello. I really appreciate all of the company and familiar faces. I love you all and can't tell you how blessed I am to have such an amazing community behind me in such a scary time. I hope that the recovery process continues to go smoothly, and that people keep on stopping by! Thanks again!! Love you all.