Shameless Rip Off

Me, the secret and Monday with Banita.

2008-02-12T20:11:00.000-08:00

I have a client that comes into my work. Lets call her Banita (rhymes with..) She, for the record is the one of whom had the appt to receive her weekly "bear hug" to "deal with the issues from when I was dropped by my parents on the floor when I was a pre-verbal infant." I realize that there are so many issues with that last sentence I will not even discuss them in this forum. Except this one, pre-verbal infant!?! Are you kidding me? Anyway, I had told Banita that I would help her out with some chores around the house and filling out some paperwork for her. She has chronic fibromyalgia and just needed some help. Let me just say it was a very long 2 hours. It began with the dream catchers placed around the house and ended with me doing photo cataloging. The highlight was this. I went and was moving a computer monitor for her. Above the monitor was a fake blank check she had written out to herself and her husband (lets call him) Bwilliam. the check read "to:Banita and Bwilliam Stetter in the amount of 5,000,000.00 from: The Universe. Did you get that?! A fake blank check from...bum ba da da THE UNIVERSE. Apparently this is from the Secret, where you put a desire out into the world and the universe is supposed to grant it. Only those who know me personally will have any idea how hard it was for me to keep my mouth shut. This is what managed to creep out anyway.
Me-so...5,000,000.00 that is...exact. Why not 2.5 or 10 million?
B-It just sounded like a good number, we could retire on that.
Just a fun glimps into my Monday night.
-Banita and the lack of the real last name is just in case she googles herself, this would not be a surprise.

Does liking this make me evil?

2008-02-12T19:56:00.000-08:00

Grape stomping gone horribly wrong..or does this make me evil?
Because she is better than I...pals and gals, I give you Dooce.
"This video has been around for a while, and the first time I saw it was at the beginning of last summer when my cousin GEORGE! showed it to me. And I wanted to link to it then, but I felt so much pity for the woman that I couldn't bring myself to do it, although in the privacy of our home we pretty much made fun of her for three months straight. In fact, GEORGE! and I have a running joke where one of us will suddenly interrupt the other one and go, "STOP!" And then make this terrible noise like we've just fallen off a four-foot-high platform. Why am I linking to it now? What has changed? I thought, you know, someone out there right now is having a really crappy day, and maybe when they see this their whole mood will turn right around. You're welcome."

The return

2008-02-10T19:09:00.000-08:00

"I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord, The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death." -Ps 118:17-18

In light of recent events in the past weeks a friend encouraged me to find my rest in the Psalms. I have been making my way through them slowly, trying to unlearn years of speed reading. I have found myself sometimes only able to read a part of a chapter at a time before I become overwhelmed. When I came across the above vs, I was stopped dead in my tracks especially seeing it tie in with the previous chapter that contained "Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you." He is our rest, our joy and our strength. Sometimes he takes my breath away with his goodness.
My friend Abraham had written a song for his son Orisons dedication and contained in it was the line (from memory...sorry Aber, apparently this is nowhere on the web!) I still have a bruise upon my neck from where I was yanked back from the tender rod of God. That is exactly how I felt, there is this bruise, getting it did not feel loving or good. This bruise has shaped the way I see people, sin, the lost, myself and most of all, God. This bruise seems to serve as a reminder of his tender justice yanking me back before I fell. How gracious he is! How marvelous that though outward we are wasting away he is renewing us day by day with grace that is sufficient just for that day. I love him.

Christmas Music

2007-12-20T19:03:00.000-08:00

This year at the D'Agosta family Christmas along with the task of baking cookies I have been given the intense task of making the mix cds. When you come from a family of musicians who each vehemently claim that their music taste is the only one that matters, to say this is a task is no exaggeration. Now, I have worked in retail for years and have had the pleasure of hearing some of the worst music out there (creed, I am speaking of you.) This year I have taken my task very seriously especially knowing that my cookies might be lacking and I need to step it up a notch this year.
Here you g. In no particular order, some music that does indeed, rock.

Sufjan Stevens the 4 disk Christmas album. -A warning, Sufjan is eclectic, it is perfect for your emo family members. For those of you not familiar with the term emo, it stands for emotional rock It typically involving eyeliner, by men. Yes, I also realize that this is an obvious choice that is why I put it out there early.

Beautiful Scandalous Night by the Robbie Sealy Band.

Chanticleer-I happen to enjoy choral music. There is something about a 4 part harmony that I love. I just get lost in it. They are not the best, but its free on itunes this week so i took them up on their offer.

Messiah Part II #44 hallelujah. Its Handels Messiah, it is like the steak of steak and eggs.

Mel Torme-Chestnuts roasting on the open fire.

Fools Rush In -Sinatra (Frank)

Bing Crosby

Steve Green

That is a taste of what will be playing. Any ideas to add? Always open for the suggestions.

for the soul

2007-12-16T20:31:00.000-08:00

I realize that my postings have been more biblically based than humor lately. Jesus is moving in sweet ways in my life and this is where I am at. May you find encouragement.

Isaiah 26:3-4
" You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you,
Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord God is an everlasting
rock."

Is 26: 8-9
"In the path of your judgments,
O Lord, we wait for you;
your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul.
My soul yearns for you in the night,
my spirit within me earnestly seeks you."

who by worrying

2007-12-10T19:20:00.000-08:00

I have been working lately on a redeeming of my alone time. I am to often apt to spend it wandering aimlessly around bookstores buying more than I have time to read or just tossing in a movie. I have been making my way through the book of Luke as of late. In it I came across Luke 12 in which part of the chapter is dedicated to worry, this was quite timely.
My mind began to wonder back to a conversation I had about a week ago with a single friend of mine. She was lamenting this fact and began to talk about her fears and her future. It is amazing how sometimes the Lord can use us to speak the very truth we need to hear ourselves to one another, He is incredibly kind. As we talked I asked the questions "if you knew, for sure, that marriage is not what he has planned for you, what would you do with your life?" Her dreams for what she wants to do are incredible, she desires to change the world.
I was reflecting on that conversation along with trying to think of it in practical terms of my own life. Karla, you who are prone to wander, what would you want to do/what would you dream of if you were totally trusting your God? Worry is an area of sin for me. I want to be reassured, not forgotten, in control. These are the things that I would do and what I dream about.
-I want to see the poor find their rest in Christ
-I would talk to my family about Jesus with tears and pleading, that they would know and love him.
-I want to have kids and adopt. To raise my children to love and fear their God.
-I would support more missionaries
-sit in silence more, be still.
-listen, not be so quick to fill the silence.
-buy less...stuff.
-make more time for people

I am not even sure what I am trying to convey in this post. As I was trying to make this list the only thing I want that keeps coming to mind is, to be known by my God, to be found in him, to belong to him. I have been laboring under this illusion that worrying will add a day to my life, as if, if I don't worry who will. I have a father who will feed and clothe the sparrows, how much more does he love us. I suppose this entry is really just me preaching to my own soul, but I hope it can do some good for you also.

i love this.

2007-11-18T20:09:00.000-08:00

"He has a sovereign right to do with us as He pleases; and if we consider what we are, surely we shall confess we have no reason to complain; and to those who seek him, His sovereignty is exercised in a way of grace. All shall work together for good; everything is needful that He sends; nothing can be needful that He withholds. Be content to bear the cross; others have borne it before you. You have need of patience; and if you ask, the Lord will give it: but there can be no settled peace till our will is in a measure subdued. Hide yourself under the shadow of His wings; rely upon His care and power; look upon Him as a physician who has graciously undertaken to heal your soul of the worst of sickness..... Yield to His prescriptions, and fight against every thought that would represent it as desirable to be permitted to choose for yourself. When you cannot see your way, be satisfied that He is your leader. When your spirit is overwhelmed within you, He knows your path; He will not leave you to sink. He has appointed seasons of refreshment, and you shall find He does not forget you. Above all, keep close to the throne of grace." -John Newton

awesomeness, I think so

2007-10-27T19:42:00.000-07:00

I need to get hip. I am sure there are new things out here in the world wide web but I am often to lazy to look. Or if not lazy, just lacking in time. Tonight I had some free time so here are some things I did.
1) signed up for msn chat. my email is karlarae1979@gmail.com You sign up also and we shall be friends.
2)Someone had just recommended the new tv show "Pushing Daisies" while I was hesitant at first. I know am fully on board and love it. It is actually quite artful and beautiful in its filming style. Abc.com lets you watch all episodes for free.
3) tried to download the office ringtone. failed. I am just not technologically swift, at all. But I do love technology, just not as much as you, you see.
4)In the google search engine I typed in "Awesomeness" This came up. You know what? It really is an awesome web page! I find it insightful, funny, witty and all around wonderful. Enjoy.

Its about time, I've been waiting!

2007-10-24T13:15:00.000-07:00

Oh goody! It is once again time for the annual throw down! Let wiskerino 2007 commence come Nov 1, 2007. If you wish to see the goodness for yourselves, Ladies and Gentleman allow me to draw you to our example Joshua Blankenship

For the record, I would totally support anyone I know joining in on this manly endeavor.

Now it is almost time for mustache may...BRING IT.

por terrible!

2007-10-22T15:43:00.000-07:00

You must check out the youtube video to the left of your screen. Ladies and gentleman may I present to you: Miss Stacy Douglas, doing the best thing ever.

Neuticles

2007-10-22T15:22:00.000-07:00

"because your dog knows what it's missing"
Oh my goodness gracious me oh my.
Neuticles.com

If you hear me use the phrase "Thats better than Neuticles!" And I WILL be using that phrase, you will know I mean it.

New Blog

2007-10-03T15:29:00.000-07:00

It really was time, seriously. For someone who likes things to be astetically pleasing I am amazed I never thought to change my blog until today. I just could not take it anymore.

On a different note I was reading in Psalms today and I found this verse which stopped me in my tracks. I could not help but stop and reflect on it and then share it.

The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
when he delights in his way;
though he fall, he shall not be cast
headlong.
for the Lord upholds his hand.

I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous
forsaken
or his children begging for bread,
He is ever lending generously,
and his children become a blessing.

I really loved the line "I have been young, and now am old yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken." It really struck me as beautiful.
For some reason it seems easier for me to love the Lord in the fall. Maybe it is the colors or the crisp weather but it just seems as though creation is on the brink of something. During this new season I am usually more reflective than normal. Last Sunday I had lunch at the usual (wonderful!) spot and met some new folk. Do you ever just meet people that you instantly want to be friends with? Instantly I was struck with the ackward state of "I like you, do you like me?" Watching Anders run around I was reminded of back in elementary school where you could just say "do you want to be friends" and that was that. Even in junior high, high school and college you had classes together. Now as adults when frankly often I don't even have time for the people I like let alone new people, you tell me how this works. I wonder if it is easier when you have kids, they are on the playground, you are on the playground...
In bible study yesterday we talked about loving the church. Not the institution but the people and then we talked about how painfully hard that can be sometimes. I get so ackward! Does anyone else literally break out in a sweat the minute we are forced to shake hands and participate in the welcoming? This strikes me as wrong, shouldn't I be really happy to meet other believers who most likely love Jesus? Instead I just get painfully shy and try to get it over with and see my friends. I am going to try and get better at this. Honestly what am I afraid of? Am I that afraid of ackward conversation (yes!)? Afterall 90% of my closest friends are people that either didn't like me or I didn't like at first. After all, that seems to have turned out well.

Seeing Jesus in Felicity

2007-09-28T21:08:00.000-07:00

Over the course of the past year I have felt like I have been walking away from my faith. This is not something I desired or really saw coming. It started by getting lax in devotions. Then, rather than praying for the disaster I would just think of it, and get angry that said event even takes place. I felt like although I could see the events of Gods sweet provision I could not reconcile it with all the wrong I was seeing on a daily basis. I hated the hypocrisy of the Church and for a long time I was not sure if I wanted to change it or just get out. I had just become angry and I didn't even recognize myself.

The Lord has been sweet to me. He has put in me the will to delight and praise his name again. This week one of my closest friends lost the baby girl they had been expecting. I don't believe there is a way for me to write that so that I can get across what a gut wrenching loss this is. Danielle has done a much better job of expressing exactly how I have felt all week being by Molly and Aber. I can't do her post justice, I strongly suggest you read it. I do have a few things personally to add though.

Felicity has helped my heart to be captured by Christ again. In writing this I feel like a child trying to sum up a life changing week. I didn't have the right words to say, for most of the week I felt awkward, wanting to fix something I knew in my heart it was impossible to fix. I prayed a lot on my own this week, pretty constantly. It seemed as though I was privy to the worst moments of someones life, everything felt fragile and temporal. I spent a lot of time with Danielle looking at pictures from the hospital. She put together the most amazing photo album I have ever seen. Those pictures, while difficult to look at, taught me the meaning of beauty. The sacrifice of Christ, a mother and fathers pure undefiled love of their daughter, a daughter who has met her creator. Felicity was beautiful. I don't think I will even look at love or think of beauty the same way again. There have been nights where I could not sleep, the images of the pictures replaying in my head. Those were nights of sweet communion with God, where thru tears I met Jesus again. I am forever changed by the short life and death of this child whom I never actually met. I am a new creation because of a all Soverign Christ who works all things for our good even though it may hurt like hell.

Aber wrote a Poem for Felicity for the funeral. It is wonderful.

"Felicity, your mama and I've been prying since you were just a speck
that you'd be saved-that you'd love Jesus. "At an early age," we'd
sometimes pray, or sometimes we would even say, "Very soon."

We didn't know what we were asking for.

Last night, as we tried to fall asleep, for the fist time since we found out you exist, we didn't ask that God would save you. We thanked him
that he had.

The Lord has blessed you and kept you, Felicity. The Lord has made
his face to shine upon you and been gracious to you. The Lord has
lifted up his countenance upon you and he has give you peace.

If you'd been given to me longer, I'd have put my hand on you and prayed that blessing for you every night. But Jesus said "Yes" before I
got the chance to ask.

Yes, I'll bless her. Yes, I'll keep her.
Yes, I'll shine my face upon her and be gracious to her.
Yes, I'll lift up my countenace upon her, and I will give her peace.
Yes, I'll do all this for you. What's more, I'll do it for you now.

I can hardly breathe, Felicity. We didn't mean our prayers to be
answered quite like this. But here we are.

And there you are. Pleaseures forevermore. Your name could not be
truer now.

We never need to pray for you again-only about you: Dear Jesus,
thank you for Felicity."

life, ext

2007-09-13T15:34:00.000-07:00

I have been re-reading Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller again as of late. It is a book that I always seem to go back to when I am feeling far away from God. It is a book that, rather than smother me with guilt about not being the "best Christian I can be" (which I already do, so I really don't need a book to draw that out. Thank you.) Rather he challenges me to look at the root problem of my sin. It is refreshing to hear an author acknowledge his own depravity and even tell us that he has an issue accepting grace. I find him engaging and challenging. Here is a sample of the book that has been resounding in my soul.

"We dream of Christ's love for His bride reading like Romeo and Juliet; two equals enflamed in liberal love. I think it is more like Lucentio's pursuit of Bianca in The Taming of the Shrew. That is, the groom endearing the belligerent bride with kindness, patience, and love.
Our "behavior" will not be changed long with self-disiplin, but fall in love and a human will accomplish what he never thought possilbe. The laziest of men will swim the English channel to win his woman. I think what Rick (his pastor) said is worth repeating that by accepting God's love for us, we fall in love with Him, and only then do we have the fuel we need to obey.
In exchange for our humility and willingness to accept the charity of God, we are given a kingdom. And a beggar's kingdom is better than a proud man's delusion."

+If those of you who know about it could pray: The interview is tomorrow. I am as prepared as I can be, now it is up to the Soverign God. Just pray it would be overwhelmingly obvious if this is a good match, both for them and for me. Thanks!

2007-08-20T18:19:00.000-07:00

I have been marveling in the beautiful provision of the Lord the past few days. Words fail when describing how hard these past few days have been. I feel tired, lonely, desperate and just simply sad. Jesus has provided amazing friends who manifest his love in such a way that I am left speechless when trying to sum them up.

I was with my friend Sarah on Friday and she was asking how things were after the breakup. She asked me if I liked being single again. I was struck with two options, either lie and "save face" or just answer honestly. I chose the second and her response was incredible. She allowed me freedom of thought. Sometimes I think that we as singles are supposed to put on this brave front and act as though we are pleased with this stage of life even if we feel like this is a bitter cup. Now I do believe we are called to be content in all things, and the Lord is allowing me to find contentment in his precious name again. I am left wondering, what is with this facade that I want to put on. I do not want to dwell in anger or go down this road of bitterness. I think that I am afraid that if I do not put a funny spin on this break-up then I am just boring people with my talk and my tears might only bring an uncomfortable silence. This is closing me off from the kingdom, from Christ and from the people that he has brought into my life. I wonder if other single people feel like they are a bother? Is it just me? Sharing sin, real sin the kind that is not at all pleasing to look at has only brought freedom in the past. Bringing sin into glorious light is the only way to grow relationships deeper that I have found.

Last Sundays sermon brought such a sweet reminder of Grace. When Peter is chosen to be sifted God tells him, Peter I have prayed for you, after you deny me 3 times and you turn again may you strengthen your brothers. That is a loose paraphrase, left the bible in the car. Still, how incredible that I have a God who prayes for my strength to be strengthened, or that I have a spirit who interceeds for me with groanings far to deep for words. This God is beautiful to me. My soul adores him.

One the same note as the 2nd paragraph, I was talking to my roommate Holly and Matt tonight and we came up with some thoughts that I would like to share. Some back story to begin. I have never been one of those women who believe that my life begins when I get married. I have lived an amazing life and I have loved it although it marriage is something that I desire. I moved in with Matt and Holly instead of getting my own appt because I really thought I would end up in TX. I felt sure this was for transition only. When (my former) Matt and I broke up one of the first things that entered into my mind was shame. I am 28 years old living with some friends in a spare room. Why don't I grow up and get an apt? Holly and I discussed that tonight. It has been an amazing blessing living with them and sharing life. Single people have an incredible opportunity to minister to their married counterparts (and not just through bad dating stories that make them glad they have found someone!) and married couples to singles. I believe we sequester our selves off waiting until we become "better Christians" before we truly live in community. Suprise, you will never be better. Sanctified, yes. Better, no. The thoughts just came up that oftentimes we can hardly stand to think of our spouses seeing our sin, but we can accept that, heck we even signed up for that. But for a stranger or a friend, that is a level of intimacy we are not used to. I guess I can only speak for expierence but as hard as living in community has been (and trust me, sometimes it is painful) they are some of the sweetest times of intimacy and love that I have ever gotten the opportunity to be involved in.

That is it, a glimps into my overworked brain this week. Hope everyone is well.

Anatomy of a Breakup

2007-08-08T18:27:00.000-07:00

Here is whats up friends.
-I am back in Mpls. It has been an interesting and amazing time. I have never doubted it but I have the best friends in the world. (Ya'll are absolutly incredible!) Mpls has been a different city than I remember, in the best ways. I remebember not really knowing my place here, feeling ackward. I had friends and a direction but I was feeling sort of disconnected. Now I am realizing that I am not the girl I was when I left. I feel more secure, more grounded. Things have changed here, rightly so, you can't expect peoples lives to wait for you for 2 years. But now instead of expecting things to stay the same I am loving just living life and being enfolded again. I am most richly blessed.

-I work as a executive assistant for a local massage company. I love it. I work with some amazing people, I just found out 1 of them is a believer and we laughed at the face that a few years ago we would have told everyone right away that we knew Christ. Now, we love Jesus and we don't want to reflect badly on him! Basically it was worth the stress of no job to wait for this one. Actually my manager asked me to think about helping her open another francise and possibly running the old store.

-I am applying for school at Hamline Univ. I would love to finish my bachelors and there is an amazing program to teach English as a second language. We shall see, here is hoping. FAFSA, just for your information...my love for you is totally TOTALLY contingent on you giving me money. Just so ya know.

-Matt and I broke up. It was really hard (especially the breaking up, getting back together and then breaking up again in the same day!) I have nothing but respect for him, he is an amazing man. Our lives were just not going in the same direction. I don't think I need to put my relationship details on the internet!

Is that enough for the last 3 weeks since I moved!! Oh actually, Chris Fink (friend of 10yrs) took me on a bikeride around Mpls last night. It was amazing! 11pm, the lights of downtown, photography, it was amazing. I will be buying a bike...soon, very soon. Anyone want to go? Mpls is a photographers dream. Aside of the road construction, I love it here.

ummm also 1 confession while I am at it. I bought (a few) comic books. I went to this store "Big Brain Comics" highly recommended by the way. I had a $50 gift certificate, I asked the guy there what to buy. He recommended "Summer Blonde" by Adrian Tomine, he was right. Then he asked me out. I am beginning to wonder if I have a stamp on my head. You know, I dated one guy who loved comics now...I am one of them. But, I am not. I am not.

Trashed?

2007-08-08T18:14:00.000-07:00

I feel confident in saying that I shall be posting more than say, 1 post in the last 6 months! For now, enjoy this posting that Christina Teichroew (an amazing wedding photographer in her own right!) posted on her facebook from the New York Times. This one is my favorite

It come from http://www.facebook.com/share_redirect.php?h=fa5641d6a5ac4cc6d5e6842f63c712f2&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2007%2F06%2F10%2Ffashion%2Fweddings%2F10trash.html%3Fex%3D1339128000%26en%3Dc7f4b16320865921%26ei%3D5124%26partner%3Dfacebook%26exprod%3Dfacebook&sid=2393442027 where the NYT took photos of brides who are right up my alley and would rather do something amazing and lasting with this dress rather than look at it in a box. Not that there is anything wrong with that! Enjoy.

David France!

2007-06-08T16:41:00.000-07:00

ok, so if you are a fan of the following...
violin
hip-hop
violin mixed with hip-hop
David France and his insane skills
or just awesomeness in general check out.http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

-I went to bbc with David for some years...he has an amazing heart for Christ, and he is a wonderful man-

whaaats happening

2007-06-08T09:32:00.000-07:00

Well I am glad you asked.
Life here in the Noog' has been moving at a moderate speed. I feel like I should say things are crazy but really every day is about the same with some slight variations and I am really enjoying it. I am going to post again next week so for now lets enjoy the bullet points shall we?
-I am in love. He is wonderful both for me and to me.
-I am moving back to Mpls on June 26th.
-My birthday is June 28th, I will be 28...ohh golden b-day. We should celebrate with presents.
-I NEED TO SELL MY CAR!!!! HOW HARD IS IT TO UNLOAD AN 800 DOLLAR CAR THAT RUNS GREAT!!!
-I have a week and some change left at work.
-I am sad about leaving the Noog'
-I have learned more about faith, grace, and Christianity working among drug addicts for 2 years than at 25 years in a suburban church.
-Those 25 years at the suburban Church gave me a wonderful foundation for preparing my heart.
-I don't know where I am going to Church when I move back.

For those of you who pray:
-sell car.
-get job (Thanks to Emery I have an AWESOME resume.)
-the boy
-longer term housing.

See those of you who actually read this still soon!

gots myself tagged

2007-06-01T09:44:00.000-07:00

Well, well, well. I got tagged. What does this entail you ask? Read on my friends, read on.

I got tagged...
Here are the rules: Each player lists 8 facts/habits about themselves. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

I hate not exploring all aspects of the "special scenes" of movies before I watch them, it is really actually painful.
I sang at the opening on the Mall Of America with Bel Canto Voices. We sang Minnesota Morning and I had to wear an ugly blue dress with a bow on my butt. I did however get free rollercoster rides.
I hate rollercosters.
I read the last 2 chapters of books first.
I like steamed broccoli but HATE cold broccoli.
I sometimes cry when I'm awake after 11pm.
I get emotional for no logical reason at all! I am type A, so as you can imagine this angers me to no end.
I can spend an entire day in B&N reading and eating a chicken sandwich, combine that with a walk and the boy and throw a movie in the mix makes me happier than you can know.

EMERY
LEEANN
MATT
JOSHUA
AARON
ANIE

Couch Surfing

2007-05-21T09:46:00.000-07:00

I had lunch with Howell the other day and we began talking of travel. The one thing I dislike about travel is hotels, they feel impersonal and as if I am really a turist not able to fully immerse myself in the culture. This website may change that. Couch surfing, simply genius. You sign up, get verified through a check and balance system and begin to restore your faith in humanity. Seriously, how great! You can catch a plane to Peru and you have 358 "friends" allowing you to crash on the couch (FREE!!) and willing to take you to a pub to meet their friends. You immerse yourself with your guests, do some dishes, save some cash and not look like a total fool with a fanny pack and glassed over eyes with fear. I am totally down for this, once I am in my own place consider me "surfed."

photo de (soon to be) Mrs. Blankenship

2007-05-12T06:28:00.001-07:00

Try to Blend In
Originally uploaded by Joshua Blankenship.

So, there once (still is) this boy named Joshua who moved out to TX to be with this girl (Mandy.) He takes pretty pictures, you should check out his stuff. Once he gets married he claims there will be a store to buy some stuff. Me, color me skeptical, but if it happens it will be radicalness personified. This photo is one example of the stuff he shoots.

Imagini

2007-05-10T14:23:00.000-07:00

Thanks Emery!
This is really cool, it is is like a visual DNA. There are really amazing pictures also, mine really sums me up.

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

N.T. Wright

2007-05-05T19:45:00.000-07:00

I was surfing the net and reading up on blogs that I love. Came across this quote on Jonathan Dodsons blog by N. T. Wright, enjoy, be convicted.

The point of of following Jesus isn't simply so that we can be sure of going to a better place than this after we die. Our future beyond death is enormously important, but the future of the Christian hope is such that it plays back into the present life. We’re called, here and now, to be instruments of God’s new creation, the world-put-to-rights which has already been launched in Jesus and of which Jesus’ followers are supposed to be not simply beneficiaries but also agents.

N.T. Wright, Simply Christian

-hey, can anyone summarize for me what the deal is with Piper and N.T and the "new" Pauline epistles? I have just heard mumblings of it down in the Noog.

Brother Ron Fender BSG

2007-05-02T11:26:00.000-07:00

This is a letter written by "our monk" Brother Ron Fender BSG (brotherhood of St. Gregory.) I post this on the Internet because it is so true, my co-workers are incredible. I have never worked at a workplace before where they actively shun gossip. I am most blessed.

"TO MY CO-WORKERS-
This morning, as I sat in our staff meeting, I looked at the faces of my co-workers gathered around the table. We are, in all honesty, an eclectic rag-a-muffin bunch of people. We get tired and frazzled and sometimes, truly overwhelmed. We see things that most people pray never to see. We deal with things that most people choose to ignore. We try our best everyday to love the unlovable and to bring hope to the hopeless. Not everyone has the capacity to do this work and I believe we recognize a kindred fire in one another. I further believe that this is the Light of Christ. I see a bumper sticker around town that says: Reality Bites. I take this to mean that reality is very un-cool, man. I second that emotion. We live in some really crazy times and there are people bleeding and dying every day. The globe is warming, the war is raging and the homeless...well, don't get me started. But, as the summer bears down on us, and reality rears its ugly, sunburned head, I find comfort in the amazing people who come here day after day, each one committed to doing whatever they can to make someone's life a little better. The staff members here at the Community Kitchen will never be famous, or wealthy. But, when I come to work every day, I am in the blessed company of saints. Why do I call them saints? Because they are cheerful when it would be easier to be miserable, patient when they want to scream, and they come here everyday when it would be so much more pleasant somewhere, anywhere else. Our reality is hard, but it does not bite."

I really love my job, despite, or perhaps because of how hard it is. Please be praying as I prepare to move that God would raise up the perfect job for me. Please pray for the transition, for my co-workers, for a replacement and for all the small things to make leaving easier. These people have made more of an impact on me than they could ever know, they have changed my life. They are now my family, I love them.

The Office part duex

2007-04-29T05:18:00.000-07:00

So, when you join the website known as facebook you can join groups. Basically these groups are made up of things you enjoy and I believe anyone can start one. Anie started one in reference to her shoes even called "Chacos rock my face off." I digress, I am a member of one called "I am a little bit in love with Jim Helpert" you know, from the office. They asked us to write in our favorite Jim quotes and one girl posted the longest although funniest diatribe I have witnessed. Enjoy, try to picture Jims deadpan face, it makes them all the more classic. By the way, the one with the nickles...just simply beautiful.

[Michael reads off complaints filed by Dwight]
Michael Scott: OK, so Dwight, in your own words: "Someone replaced all my pens and pencils with crayons. I suspect Jim Halpert."
Michael Scott: Everyone has called me "Dwayne" all day. I think Jim Halpert paid them to.Jim Halpert: [to camera, laughs] Yes. Five bucks each, and it was totally worth it.
Michael Scott: This morning, I found a bloody glove in my desk drawer, and Jim Halpert tried to convince me I committed murder. I think he may be the real murderer.
Michael Scott: Jim Halpert said there was an abandoned infant in the women's room, when I went to save the child, I saw Meredith on the can.
Michael Scott: This morning, I knocked myself in the head with the phone.Jim Halpert: [to camera] That actually took a while. I had to put- uh, more and more nickels into his handset until he got used to the weight, and then I just took them all out.
Michael Scott: Every time I typed my name, it said "Diapers".Jim Halpert: [to camera] Just a simple macro. You know, these actually don't sound that funny, one after another. But he does deserve it, though.
Michael Scott: By the end of the day, my desk was about two feet closer to the copier.Jim Halpert: [to camera] Yeah, I just moved it an inch every time he went to the bathroom, and that's how I spent the entire day that day.

Update

2007-04-26T09:43:00.000-07:00

Robbie has been moved to critical condition. When our Monk saw him the other day he was in a lot of pain so they had shot him up with "a lot" of morphine. From what we have heard he will make it. Now it is time to pray that this would only intensify his prayers and ministry, not break it.

"whom have I in heaven but you, O Lord, and earth has nothing that I desire beside you. My flesh and my heart may fail O Lord, but you are the joy of my heart."

Side note: I saw a 3 year old (zeniah) fall off of a couch today. Right after he yelled, "Pimp down, I is a pimp and I am down." I busted out laughing. Zeniah made my day.

Robbie

2007-04-25T09:36:00.000-07:00

I am not sure how this is going to sound, all I know is that I am frusterated, scared and really angry and this seems like as good as venue to release these emotions as any.

I came into work today and within 15 minutes we just got dumped on. It is the end of the month, money is out which means there is no money for crack, emotions are high, things were tense at the mission. Our monk came in to the kitchen and called a prayer mtg for a man named Robbie. Robbie is a former client of ours that had gone to the Salvation Army Shelter (about 3 blks from us) to recover in their respit room from kidney surgery and from a broken leg. He had become something like an institution there, moving from a client to a full time volunteer. He is a sweet, kind man who would (and has) given the clothes off his back. Since the Salvation Army is usually full and there are no empty beds, Robbie has fashioned himself as a protector, or people and of the building. Yesterday he was taking his morning walk arounds and about 6am (still dark) he saw the spark of a lighter and a stem of a crack pipe. He called out "Hey you can't do that here" and before he knew what was happening he was jumped. He was beaten so badley he is in emergency care bleeding internally, and with a ruptured spleen. Because Robbie only has one kidney and his immune system is already "stressed" this has put him at a place where he is fighting for his life. There is also some foreign object, they think a tooth chip that was swallowed during the fight and they are worried about a puntured lung. They don't think he will survive this. Again, someone was checking on everyones saftey and now he is fighting for his life. I am grieved.

I was reading habakkuk 3 during lunch and God has been such a comfort.

"16I hear, and my body trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters into my bones; my legs tremble beneath me. Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon people who invade us.
17Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 19 GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places.

In this senseless tragedy may we see the provision of the Lord, needless to say there has been major ramifications here, if you can pray for him and us.
++side note: I sprained my foot, not important but it hurts and it needs to get better so I can work efficiently, please include in prayers++

finally, sorry this is so rambled, I am at lunch break and I just sat down and wrote.

a stunning portrait

2007-04-06T19:14:00.000-07:00

this blog has been an incredible blessing to me. The author works in non-profit with the homeless and he manages to shed light to it that I can only dream of. Spoken with a sweet spirit, a gentle rebuke and a true love of Christ, this blog tells of daily life within the homeless community. My favorite part is the scriptures that point to social justice. Read this blog, be blessed. It has been manna to a hungry soul.

literally without speech.

2007-04-04T09:19:00.000-07:00

Christian Clowning-a how to video tutorial.
Here We Go (this is Kevin Cawleys blog, it is part way down, you will see it. It is worth the effort.) Honestly, I really feel for the elderly after watching this. Can you imagine not having anywhere to run? Spoken by someone with an actual phobia of clowns, yes clowns and fish. I rock.

I can't help it, it is like a traffic accident and I can't help but look. Brought to you by the letter G for Godtube. Don't quite on the video before you get to the part where it states "Do not fulfill requests from patience, if they ask you to help them out of bed, or into it, the best rule is...DON'T DO IT!" (Thanks Kevin, now I feel like I need a shower.)

NO NO NO!!!

2007-03-28T09:39:00.000-07:00

There is not seriously something called Godtube! Yet another really pathetic way at cashing in on the idea of someone else and making it "Christian." I refuse to rant, I am just going to state that I don't like this one bit. NOT ONE BIT. Godtube...seriously?

Because I can

2007-03-22T06:18:00.000-07:00

For those especially sad days where the feeling of "I miss Karla" is so strong you almost don't know what to you with yourself, I would like to offer a suggestion. Buy me a tee-shirt of of this website. You get to support some independent workers for social justice, make me happy, and see me in a cute t-shirt, we all win.

By the way, there are some big things a brewin in this life of Karla, there are a few people more important than the whole of the internet to tell first. Just wait for it, you will not be led astray.

ti(red)

2007-03-07T09:36:00.000-08:00

"Join us in rejecting the ti(red) notion that shopping is a reasonable response to human suffering"
AMEN! I have been pretty quiet on this topic until now, I am done. I am sick of everywhere I go (Sprint, Gap ext...) assaulting me with this glorified view of AIDS. When I use the word glorified I mean glossed over, almost not real. I understand Bono's platform, he wants to draw attention to a world wide epidemic, I applaud him for that. I even get that teenagers who mistakenly believe that they are untouched by AIDS want to look really cool and support social justice. I don't care about your fashion, I do care that the money you spend at the mall can in some way go to the relief of this horrifying disease. Where I start to get really angry is when a campaign that you spend 110,000,000 on has only brought in 18,000,000. Do you even have a clue how much that money could have eased suffering?
(I realize I am ranting, but I just wanted to write and not censor.)
I don't know, my heart is just heavy. How do you cause people to relinquish the hold that money has on them? How do you bring the issues of Human Trafficking, Homelessness, Foster Care, Adoption, AIDS, Addictions, ext...to light and have people really understand how they can make a difference. Does it take seeing the pain that the above issues bring to light? If we talked to someone with AIDS or who has been in the foster care system for 12 years, would we get it then? I am reminded of a conversation I had over Thanksgiving with my friend Terry. At that time Terry had fallen back into Alcoholism and had been drinking mouthwash, not eating, and was constantly shaking. He came to us and said he wanted to die but that God just wouldn't let him go. All he wanted to do was go home (heaven.) Michael (boss) and I had a long talk about really what did Terry have to live for. The man is 47, he has no family, he does not exist to them anymore. He can't drive, he lost his license in a few to many DWI's. He lives at a mens shelter and he know Christ and of what he knows of him, he believes he would be much better off at Christs side than here. He is right. This might be obvious to all of you but it took me a while. All I saw was the pain Terry was in, I just wanted it to end. God can use Terry's addiction, he can use a foster child that has been "forgotten" in the system, he can use Bono's cries for justice. God has not abandoned those in pain or those who want to call attention to it.

I guess to sum up, I do dislike the Red campaign, I will not be sporting a shirt but I guess I feel like it is better than nothing. I want to hear these issues spoken in the day to day life, even if it is by two vapid girls in the Gap dressing room. I also wish that instead of buying the tee-shirt that we would all donate to International Justice Mission, but you can't win them all. May the God who is the author of Lamentations 3 use the cries of the addicted, lonely, hurting and lost to not only bring Glory to his name, but to comfort others in the same state.

The Office-Americana

2007-03-05T09:00:00.000-08:00

A conversation that took place with my friend Howell earlier today:

Me: Although I love the American version of The Office, I simply don't get the Brittish version. I just mean, sometimes I think I am to smart for the American version and maybe to dumb for the British one. It's a little painful.

Howell: Is it the dry wit that gets you?

Me: Nooo, I don't think so. I enjoy the painfully ackward situation as much as anyone. Darn it, much like the perfect pair of jeans the perfect t.v. show elludes me.

43 Things

2007-02-26T09:39:00.000-08:00

I was meandering my way through the World Wide Web the other day and stumbled upon something called 43things. It allows us (users) to list 43 things that we wish to accomplish, being your typical "type A" I like lists, alot. I think I am on only 32 but I wanted to give ya'll a chance to see what my dreams are, along with allowing your voyer tendencies to come out and explore the site for yourself. What would be on your list?

Sweet.

2007-02-19T09:22:00.000-08:00

Many, many of you (friends) are having children, some more than others. This is about the coolest thing I could ever get you. I, Karla Rae D'Agosta am going to give you the gift of non-crappy childrens music (cue clapping.) Can you even imagine it? No more "Mommy and Me" or "Musicgarden" instead children lullaby renditions of U2, No Doubt, The Pixies, Bjork, and RADIOHEAD. I am so happy I almost passed out and I don't even have kids. I must admit, this is really a gift for myself though, because I swear, one more baby einstein video and I will do bodily harm. That is not a threat, simply a warning.

2007-02-12T09:49:00.000-08:00

I really just love this photo. I scammed it from Jason Kovacks, check out his blog. Even though I have not seen him or his lovely wife in a few years I am inclined to believe that they indeed still rock. In addition that their children are absolutly adorable.

The genius of Mac

2007-02-11T19:12:00.000-08:00

This is funny on multiple levels, one being that while it was dowloading (on someone elses dell computer) it asked me no less than 3 times is I should "cancel or allow." I love Macs, Dell...you can just leave me alone. I do not like your kind.

Music

2007-01-28T11:51:00.000-08:00

Since I firmly believe that music does wonders for the soul, I am here to do your soul good.
God to Itunes and buy "Animal Years" by Josh Ritter. Or at least download (in this order) Good man, Wolves, and Bright smile.
If you do not trust my music taste try him out for yourself. Head to Youtube and type in the man himself.
Honestly, no album has moved me more in the past 5 years. Let me know what you think. And for Liz, ignore the cd I played at your house, in hindsite it was bad, this is not. My music taste I still insist, rocks.

Photographic Styling of

2007-01-26T09:23:00.000-08:00

Mr. Bill Sullivan.
"At the moment that the subjects passed through the turnstile, unknown to them, I took their picture stationed at a distance of eleven feet." An ingenious portrait of humanity.
In the first row my favorite is #12, second row I love number 24, third row number 33 strikes my fancy and in the fourth row numbers 37 and 39 are fantastic. What are your favorites?

Vain narcissism

2007-01-24T16:21:00.000-08:00

Here we go again, Mac goodness part duex.

quotes, quotes and more quotes

2007-01-24T09:15:00.000-08:00

In any sort of good conscience I cannot recommend the website (thingsmyboyfriendsays.com) based on the fact that you would get fired (or at least written up) for viewing it at work. Basically this girl and her boyfriend live together and she has taken quotes of his and put it up on the web. Again, this is my warning that if you choose to go there I only provided the warning and the weblink, what you do with this information is your own buisness. I did however think of your young eyes and really, these are the best ones. Enjoy!

E's financial planning.
"You shouldn't buy me things. Save your money for unicorn rides or whatever it is girls spend money on."

Birthday.
me: It's my birthday soon. You'd better get me something pretty.
e: I'll get ME something pretty, and you can play with it.

It ain't over.
While watching Luciano Pavarotti on television:
"Is he wearing a cape? Aah, the fat guy outfit par excellence."

On his first million.
me: So you're going to buy me a pony, right? e: No, I'm going to buy ME a pony. Made of gold. With rockets. me: And then with the rest you're going to buy me a pony, right?
e: I don't think there will be anything left after I get my gold rocket horse

The best things are said while lying in bed.
"Know what I love about you? No, love's the wrong word. Know what I HATE about you?"

Explaining what my problem is.
"A small part of you is made of RETARD

Biguns.
me: I think my boobs are getting bigger. It must be all those bovine hormones you've been stirring into my food.
e: Yes. I got them off the internet. From biguns.com.

Vegan bread.
me: So you're all right with vegan bread? e: I wasn't aware that there were any animals in bread, unless grain has become a form of life that must suddenly be preserved. me: I'm going to make you a meal that's nothing but vegan bread, yellow mustard and flat Coke. e: Why don't you just cut off my thumbs and call it a complete evening

Photo Booth

2007-01-22T18:50:00.000-08:00

Don't know if you are hip to the new Macs but Sember sure is. We had a blast the last two nights being completely and utterly vain and stupid. Enjoy the fruits of our labor. Or not, see if I care. More to follow...stay tuned kids.

About a Stone

2007-01-19T20:58:00.000-08:00

time? approx 6pm. where? car after eating Imperial Gardens "Pu Pu Platter + Happy Family"

boy: I am so full!
girl: no doubt, if I go to the bathroom I will lose about a stone.
boy: (insert longish pause) do you know what a stone is?
girl: no...
boy: yeah, its about 14 lbs.
girl: ohhh...(laughs)

Emery is in town and our friend Laurie has just joined the fun. Welcome back good friends. Tonight Emery and I hit Pier 1 to buy a wedding gift (from 4 of us) for Brian and Susan and then hit the 70% off Parisian sales and went to get my ears pierced. Declined the later when we found out it was $26. I am the girl who got my nose pierced in India for 25c. Then we drove to PF Changs for dinner, declined to wait in the 2 hour(!!!!!!!) line and headed over to Mac Grill. The wait there was 1 hour, this is Chattanooga...I was not even convinced that we housed enough people for a combined 3 hour wait. So we took ourselves to Imperial Garden which was full but not booked. Went to Terra Nostra and met Kayb, Vincen, Laurie and Sarah for some drinks. Laurie and I are waiting at Emerys now, the resteraunt closed an hour and a half ago and they are still there talking. We are off to blissful sleep. Have a good night ya'll, I'm out.

ANIKA HOLST

2007-01-18T09:50:00.000-08:00

My friend made the paper...look....isn't she pretty?
http://www.startribune.com/614/story/917837.html

Post Holiday Lovin

2007-01-04T17:11:00.001-08:00

Men, are you in need of some post holiday lovin? May I advise buying this shirt. I imagine it will work kind of like having a copy of "Pride and Prejudice" on your bookshelf, the ladies, they will melt. Shirt actually says "Attention ladies, I enjoyed the Notebook." Click image to enlarge and see for yourself.

Reflecting on the Holidays

2006-12-27T11:49:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about what to post on the topic of Christmas, grace and thankfulness lately. I remembered Jonathan Christmans blog posting of a year ago and knew that it could summ up my thoughts exactly. Thanks Jonathan, for sharing your thoughts, heart and elequence with us.

For Jesus Christ, the gospel, gift of faith and the grace to repent, peace with God, hope in life, a passion for the years to come, a vision for the future, forgiveness of sins, mercies new every morning, grace in time of need, God’s attributes – all of them- chiefly His unconditional love and faithfulness, union with Christ, the Bible, my family, the family of God, friends who love Christ, friends who love the world, the nations and all ethnic peoples who worship Jesus, cultural diversity in the family of God, diversity in worship expression to Jesus Christ, the nations who do not know our savior, missions, the privilege of sharing Jesus with the world, spiritual illumination, the Holy Spirit, the conviction He brings, His comfort and consolation, His intercession, His constant guidance and leadership through the word of God, yes, but also through his consistent promptings, biblical fellowship, worship, extended times of prayer, bible studies, small group, Spirit-saturated books, rich devotional puritan literature, modern-day life-imparting authors, theological teachers who produce doxological students, the ESV translation of the Bible, William Tyndall and John Wycliff, Christian martyrs, heart-driven preaching, engaging worship music, urban-minded churches, underprivileged people who teach me about my selfishness, Isaiah 58 and the heart of God, the wisdom of men before me, godly examples of biblical Christ-exalting families, virtuous women, feminine modesty, church history, families oblivious to worldly comfort, the tender love of a mother, faithful pastors, humble men, shepherding fathers, visionary Christians, Tim Keller, missional churches, expositional preaching, biblical theology, food to eat, pastoral oversight, Martin Luther King Jr., life-losing and life-giving missionaries, a vision and theology for racial harmony, the Lord’s day, joyful Christians, feasting and celebrating at the Lord’s supper, persecution, salvation of sinners, testimonies of grace, Baptism’s, Spirit-filled corporate prayer meetings, careful exegetes, the gifts of the Spirit, fathers who do not abdicate leadership, women in the church who minister in such vital ways, child-like faith, kindness of God leading to repentance, Grudem’s systematic theology, sleep, the Reformation and all of its leaders, the adoption of children, freedom of religion, radical Christian lives, radical churches, freedom from sin, slavery to Christ, Christian hedonism, well-ordered churches, George Eldon Ladd and realized eschatology, friends who will not waste their lives, friends who are not wasting their lives, an open ear from those outside of Christ, the example of Christ, Sunday morning prayer meetings, the promises of God, anticipation of Christ’s return, and the sufferings of this age which cannot compare to our eternal weight of glory. Need I say more? Isn’t it great to be a Christian?

amen.

The Hotness of Modesty

2006-12-19T09:28:00.000-08:00

Sarah Vendsel, my lovely friend has bought me my favorite Christmas gift of at least the past 2 years. I was actually giddy with excitement. I wore this snappy number to work and to the grocery store yesterday. The problem with this is that people do not understand irony. When you are wearing your hair in a pony tail wtih gap jeans, you do not look cool enough to pull off the "I am a Christian but I am such an awesome one that does not need to proclaim the love of my Lord on my shirt...but ohh, look at me, I just did." Not nearly cool enough. I kept getting looks like "bet she's backward," or "short bus.." My self esteem took a serious blow, but not enough. The question is, which of your events will the "modest is Hottest" shirt make an appearence? Emerys belated birthday, ummm yes. Now you also can let your giddiness begin. Do not look over the verse which, in my humble opinion is the best part.
"The parts that are unpresentable are treated with a special modesty." to quote Liz "oh goodness gracious me."
DO NOT MISS THE OTHER POSTING OF "REDNECK CHRISTMAS" it begs commentary.

Redneck Christmas.

2006-12-19T09:13:00.000-08:00

I wrote a long explination. I don't need one. I live in TN...this is about 25 minutes from my house. Sweet Lord.

After gasping (audibly) I laughed so hard I gagged.

Leda and beyond

2006-12-17T17:21:00.000-08:00

A few nights ago I locked myself out of our house. Let me set the scene for you. There I was eating pepermint ice cream with raspberrys and watching buffy the vampire slayer season 4. Just in case you don't know me and you read that last sentance, no I am not a dork and 300lbs. So, I decided since I ate the ice cream, I should go running. I get ready, decide to leave the door open and go out to my car for a second and...yes ladies and gents I locked the door sans keys. SUCK. Long story shortened...
skip ahead 45 mins...
Scene: Ian and Ledas. Ian is helping me call locksmiths and showing me his new contraption. Ian has just been diagnosed with a pretty severe case of sleep apnea (where you stop breathing for more than 10sec during the night.) It looks like Darth Vadors mask, I mean, if I knew what that looked like... Anyway, his incredibly kind, beautiful wife Leda was on the couch. I have never seen Leda look so tired, she was hardly keepin herself awake. So, Ian was explaining the contraption and he informs Leda that he will need help putting it on at night. Leda without missing a beat responds.

"No, no you don't. Single people must have sleep apnea!" I snorted with laughter. I am not sure the humor translates to the internet, but alas, here you go. That said, Leda is great, beautiful and one of my top 3 favorite people in Chattanooga. Enjoy your vacation Leda, thanks for letting me crash at your house.

Saftey Jesus.

2006-12-14T09:17:00.000-08:00

"I reckon this: the idol of the nice god, the safe god, has done more damage to biblical faith-more damage to people coming to faith-than the cariacture of the tyrant god ever did. The despotic god, howling his rage, wielding punishment with both ransacking destruction and surgical precision, at least inspired something in us. We were afraid. We wanted to appease. But this Milquetoast-Pampering deity is nothing but a cosmic lackey, an errand boy we call on to make our golf games pleasant or to help us escape reality for a little while and them summarily dismiss. Worship him? Revere him? Die for him? Believe that he died a curel and bloody death for us? You must be kidding." -Your God Is To Safe (Mark Buchanan)

"Is-is he a man?" asked Lucy.
"Aslan a man!" said Mr. Beaver sternly. "Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea. Don't you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion-the Lion, the great Lion."
"Ooh," said Susan, "I thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion."
"That you will, dearie, and no mistake," said Mrs. Beaver, "if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're rather braver than most or else just silly."
"Then he isn't safe?" said Lucy.
"Safe?" said Mr. Beaver; "don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the king, I tell you." (Narnia)

A man at work was telling me how his mother had 16 children and I was listening patiently all the while thinking how that would be my hell. Don't get me wrong, I like children and would even like my own, but not 16, heck, not even 6. Alas, I digress. The thought actually crossed my mind that I would rather be in hell than have that life. I didn't say it out loud, but it was in the back of my mind and now it is haunting me. What a comercialized view of hell I must have to even consider a thought like that. Do I really believe in Satan, or do I chalk him up to a dime store teenager with satin horns. It was almost enough to bring tears to my eyes. Not even considering that children are a blessing from the Lord. Anyway, this has put my brain into overdrive.

How do I view Jesus? When I am walking with him all other things seem to fade away. I get glimpses of his glory and I know that I can sit, worshiping my King forever. It is like that worship song says "I long to be where the praise is never ending, yearn to dwell where the glory never fades. Where countless worshippers will share one song, and cries of "worthy" will honor the lamb." Yet, when I am not...I find myself giving God a way out. If I pray for someone I will leave it open "if it is your will" or making excuses. I know this is disjointed, it is my lunch break and I just felt like writting...but I am just praying that the Lord of the harvest will break this box I have put him in lately. He is the Lord of the Exodus, Lord of India, of Africa, of unbelieving family and friends. He is majestic, beautiful, worthy, glorious and breath taking. May this be our image of our savior, may we see him clothed in glory and honor, victorious, and may the simplicity of his birth be a vessle for us to see the magnitude of his life.

I am sure I will write before Christmas but I just want to use this one paragraph to write to the cameroon team.
As you are sent, know that it is my joy to come along side you in prayer. There is a King who is longing to see the nations worship the glorious Trinity. It has been written that "every tounge, tribe and nation WILL know the Lord." You have an amazing privilage to teach, encourage, love and honor those you come in contact with. I believe that Jesus is preparing each one of you in amazing ways and I can't wait to hear how he will reach the people of cameroon, and encourage the missionaries through your presence. Go in peace, know that you are loved.

John Mayer+meaty baby=my mind.

2006-12-07T15:30:00.000-08:00

You know it's time to post again when you are getting internet spam in your comments section! That has never happened, I would say I feel unpopular, but well, I deserve it.

Instead of catching ya'll up on whats happening in the South I think I will just type tonight and let everyone (all 4 of you who still faithfully check this) just free flow.

I am listening to John Mayer and I am forced to agree with Erick Taylor that he indeed "rocks." I have been in denial for so long thanks to that "rockin the halls of my highschool" song that when I finally tuned in, 7 years later..I am forced to admit it, I love it. The song "Waiting on the world to change" has just been an incredible voice of my generation. All that random information so you will be able to audibly understand my mindset while I am typing this post.

It is really amazing how things are comming together, not just this trip but in life. About 4 weeks ago I was burdened with my debt. This is odd because I had been running from it for years and why now is a good question. I obtained a copy of my credit report and have proceeded to contact everyone on that sheet and begin payments. Now the total due is only around $6,000 but for the first time I am excited to bring this area of my life under the Lordship of Jesus. I am such a strict budget it is really funny. It is nothing like the Donaldson $10 a week entertainment, but I am not far behind. I am paying off of 3,000 in 7 months. I believe what really spurned this process was realizing that I had been talking about the mission field for so long and I was not acting on the one thing that could free me up to leave. It is almost as though I had been holding on to this as a crutch. I am excited for whatever the Lord leads now, if that is the field then amazing, if not, for the first time I can wait. I remember in a sermon that Piper preached about 7 years ago now, where he was walking in MN in Feb and it was about -20. He said that it made him think that maybe he might want a vacation. Then, in the Piperest of voices, he said he started dreaming of Heaven. After a while of that and looking around at all the work that needed to be accomplished he said "I can wait for that" meaning his vacation. That is how I am feeling about life right now. The Lord of the Harvest, wherever he was called us, an office building, our homes and families or the field is such an amazing provider. May we wait, trust and pray that we can catch a vision of our Lord and Heaven that can cause us to fall deeper in love with him. In that vision let us be encouraged that we are where we are supposed to be knowing that God who is soverign over all will be working all for the good of those who trust him and are called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28 paraphrase.)

Other news, parts of the Holsts (Dan, Liz and Anie) are going to Cameroon at the end of the month for a missions trip. They are connecting with the Baptist Theo. Seminary. May your presence breath new life into those you minister to. I love you all and will be laboring in prayer with you and for you and for the younger ones left home! Liz, you might want to get out that child harness and strap the Mayor in until you get back. Who is watching them?
Other, other news: I just met with the leader of my foreign missions commitee of NSF and we are planning a trip to Cameroon in late spring!! Sweet.

check out YouTube.com. Seriously, there is this clip of a laughing baby, not usually my sense of humor I know. But this baby laughs like a meaty old man. I had tears streaming down my face. Just type in baby laughing or something not so stupid.

peace out, yo.

Painful

2006-11-06T09:39:00.000-08:00

Ok Internet, I have been a bad friend. Life has been crazy and blogging about it just has not fit in the schedule of exhaustion. Pitiful, just sad. Now tonight is 50cent Tacos at Amigos and half price Margaritas (makes life just a little more bareable, eh?) feel free to join the festivities if you are in town.

Here are some random things that when I am lacking for things to write about I will expand on.
1) A Monk almost saw me going to the bathroom.
2) I have gotten a car.
3) I am just been offered an internship in social work in Bay of St. Louis (recently ranked #1 murder capitol of the U.S.A.
4) I am "planning" on moving home (Mpls) to finish the Nurture program or finish school at Bethany College of Missions...maybe. This will "take place" in June or early July, please be praying for a place to live and a job. AMMENDMENT: NO TO BETHANY. I AM 27 AND I WOULD BE SHARING A 2 BEDROOM APT WITH 8 GIRLS. NOT THE ONLY REASON, BUT DEFINETLY NOT A REASON TO SAY YES.

Ahhhh, to sum up. I work... a lot. I see Ian and Leda, they go to bed at 8:30 pm same as I do. We pretty much rock.

I will say that I read this and I laughed out loud. I went to the gym the other day and this pretty much sums up my experience, only I was a casual bystander (Who visably snorted.)

ohhh

2006-10-25T09:28:00.000-07:00

Yes please.

Happily Ever After? Not if you're Russian.

2006-10-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

I think I just got hit on in Starbucks. If by "hit on" your definition includes a 47 year old man, who got to the door, LITERALLY gave himself a pep talk and then came up to talk to me. The minute he opened his mouth and I was assaulted by the Russian accent I had to fight the urge to put up my hand and say "Russian? Yeah, no but thanks for trying.

This brief post is in no way meant to discourage men from talking to strange woman. For all he knew it was the perfect scenario, I was alone and on my laptop. If it had not been that his accent was like getting bludgeoned with dull mallets and he was twice my age I bet we would have lived happily ever after. It did make me feel pretty though, it was appreciated and my carnal albet evil nature to post about this is simply for laughs.

Embrace the Space.

2006-10-18T09:43:00.000-07:00

There is something special that happens in those moments when you can sense that something is off and you don't have time to question exactly what that thing is. I thought the older gentleman who was fulfilling his community service hours was just a close talker. You see, I attract these, close sitters, talkers ext. That is ok. I have dealt wtih this and more and thanks to Molly I don't even get nervous anymore when someone cries in my presence and needs a hug. She taught me that, when someone is crying you go in for the hug. She did not however inform me of what to do when a man leans so close to my mouth when I talk, that I have to fight the urge not to say the following. "This is America, I have my bubble (insert giant arms swinging motion) and you have your, embrace the space. " So, after 5 hours of frantic work I realize that he is not a close talker at all...he is almost deaf. Of course he is, obviously. So, I am at work, literally yelling everything I say to this man. Some things are just better when they are yelled, "PLEASE! JUST LEAVE THE POTATOES ALONE, COULD YOU COME BEHIND THE LINE? PLEASE!! It was a great stress reliever.

Key demographic

2006-10-15T12:13:00.000-07:00

Well, I have found my key demographic of men. I went to the laundry mat the other day to watch my laundry get cleaned and I got hit on a total of 4 times in an hour. Yes, I am saying this to brag. No, actually I am not annoyed... feelin pretty. No need to point out that my men were hanging out at the "Suds n Go" on a Friday afternoon at 2ish. I understand completely and ya know what...still feel pretty.

Derek es no mas

2006-10-15T11:57:00.000-07:00

On Thursday October 12th Derek (my scooter) died. His death was painful (for both parties!,) quick and completely debilitating.

I was coming home from work on Thursday and had just reached the Bilo (grocery) and I began the inner monolog of debating if I wanted Indian tonight or tomorrow when...WHAM. I slammed into a stopped car at a stoplight at 22mph to be exact. Now, I am a mindful driver and I want to use the following information to support my statement. You see, the light had turned green and traffic had begun to move, so I just slowed down a little. There was a man at the front of the line who slammed on his breaks to make a turn he almost missed. The entire line hit each-other. Enter scene Karla, I come zooming up and only see the green light, do not see others stopped and slam into van in front of me. I should say I did a face plant off of the back of a van, helmet cracked. Yes, I was wearing a helmet, a full motorcycle one to be exact. Gotta protect the money maker. So, no broken glass, no broken jaw, no broken anything. Just a bruised rib and a messed up knee. DAN AND LIZ, I am excited for your new bike, but I also want your children to have parents! Be careful, I like you and don't want you dead.

It has been amazing how God has already begun to provide. 1) The roommate was leaving out of town the next day and I had access to her car for 5 days if needed. 2) My friend Jared, the only person in TN I know with a truck "happened" to be at Blockbuster picking out a movie, wasting time, and he stayed with me for the entire duration. he also went to go get my license at my house to show the cop (You don't need a special/any license if it is under 50ccs.) 3)My friend Leda works 2 miles from me at the same horrifically early time of 5:45 am and I can get a ride there and take the bus back. 4) There is a possible car in the works. 5) I am ok...very thankful. 7) The man I hit is not pressing any charges he said "thats what bumpers are for, to be hit." And I don't have insurance on Derek, so I am out of luck but I also don't have to pay. Finally, number 6. My job could not be more understanding. They are wonderful and giving me a few days to get better without any guilt.

So...thankful, happy and in good spirits. Please keep me in your prayers and if you know anyone who is selling a car for cheap or if you know anyone to wants to give their car away...call.

more mpls photos

2006-10-11T15:02:00.000-07:00

Home and after

2006-10-11T13:45:00.000-07:00

Mpls is basically a deceiving state. There are 3 weeks out of the year that are so amazingly, breathtakingly beautiful that you kick yourself for leaving. Never mind the fact that the other 49 weeks are pretty much crap. It is hard to sum up my trip, I can't say it felt like I never left and I am happy with that. The friendships that were fairly surface have faded away after a year and a half and the ones that have remained...you are family to me. Thank you Holsts, Tomlinsons, Pipers, Finks, my parents and all others that put their lives on hold to host me. Ps-Erin Moore and Amber you two are the best "dead prostitutes" that I have ever seen, words cannot express how much I treasure our 16 year friendship. (They actually played dead prostitutes in a small film, I am not just being crass.)

Back in the Nooga. Just pray for the Community Kitchen, there are staff changes, shortages and all of us are maxed out and holidays are quickly approaching. Some of you are clued in to other things to pray for!! KEEP PRAYING!

I will post other pictures soon.

Check out Scott Andersons blog (http://www.jscottalexander.blogspot.com) for a wonderful John Piper "Fresh Words" article. Thank you Scott and Piper, it was good for my soul especially with what is going on at work. I was blessed and hopefully so will you.

I am reading through Isaiah and I wanted to post this.
"But now thus says the Lord, he who formed you, O Isreal; Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, YOU ARE MINE. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cursh and Seba in exchange for you. BECAUSE you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you. I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my fame, whom I CREATED for my Glory, whom I formed and made." 43"1-7

afterthought...Holst, Erik and I (I speak for him) Challenge you to the formal rematch, giddy up partner, its go time. Ummm, ahem, Ani, I am sorry I thought you were the reason we were losing...that was wrong of me. :)

CHRIS FINK!

2006-10-03T13:02:00.000-07:00

Christopher Robin Enoc Fink-
This is such a random shot it is laughable. In case you google yourself...DO YOU HAVE MY CELL PHONE IN YOUR TRUCK!?!?!? I AM STUCK IN ATL. YEP.....STUCK.
karla

Who's bad?

2006-09-28T13:47:00.000-07:00

http://www.foolishblog.com/extras/piperisbad.mp3

-this is the best thing I have been sent in a year (apart from the laptop). Shout out to Gus

secret shame

2006-09-25T11:28:00.000-07:00

I would like to admit something, I think it is time. The topic came up at work today of secret shame in relation to tv, movies and music. Queen was mentioned along with Billy Ray, some hard core rap was thrown in ext. When I said mine the room actually stood still and one person gasped. My favorite song, hands down, is "thank God I'm a Country Boy" by John Denver. I know every lyric. It makes my heart glad. My tv shame is Jem and the Holograms. Don't hate, frankly Synergy and the misfits were the best character development I have seen in a while. Whats your shame?

how much he loves her

2006-09-23T10:01:00.000-07:00

I was going to title this posting "whipped" but I decided that was crass. Although really...please. My sisters husband Erik actually takes their cat "lieger" for walks at night. My sister goes running, Erik the philosophy teaching, mountain climbing, sarcasm dripping man takes the cat on a walk. Just stretch your mind to imagine their neighborhood, it is rich white people. These people I am guessing own big golden retrievers and SUVs. I bet they think he ROCKS. Did I mention the cat is on a leash? Also that that cat actually gets dry ice to cool it down when it is hot because they do not have air conditioning. That cat has it better than me. By the way, if this post is not tickling your funny bone, read it slower because it is you, not me.

wow.

2006-09-19T13:45:00.000-07:00

I went onto google and was looking for shirts or posters on the civil rights movement today, I stumbled upon the above.
I just want to say that it made me sad. We will never be as perfect as our Christ as we are totally depraved but often times I wish our faith didn't need to be broadcasted with "modest is hottest" tee shirts or "whitty" wordplay. I just think we need to see Jesus and so until that time, we fast and pray and cry maranatha, come quickly Jesus.

Top 5

2006-09-17T09:22:00.000-07:00

It is one of those days here in Chattanooga where you do not wish you were anywhere else. It is 80 degrees outside, a slight breeze and unless you have sun repelling skin like myself you are basking in the glow of cancer. I am sitting outside right where a huge elm tree used to stand, before it was hit by lightning in coolidge park watching children run through the sculpture sprinklers and just enjoying the day and then I decided to blog. I have been at a loss of what to blog about lately, just thinking that my life was not interesting enough to post on the internet then I remembered I have opinions, lots of them. There is a book called "No one cares what you had for lunch 100 things to blog about." I now give you my opinion on number 33 entitled "what are your relationship deal breakers?"

Before I dive into this post I have to say that God has a way of giving me things that I do not want and bending my will (often forcibly) to his. Some examples, I have always said I would never visit (living didn't even enter into my thought process) in the South (especially not AK, TN or AL,) I had no heart for muslim ministry, I did not like jobs in service, I do not (for the most part) enjoy meeting new people, I never wanted to live in the inner city and I loved America. Now, take notice of how things have changed. I live in TN, I taught a muslim family English and I love learning about the culture, my life is now a service ministry, I am constantly meeting new people and putting THEM at ease, I moved to the inner city in Mpls and it took root in my soul and I desire to live overseas or at least visit a whole lot. Right..here is hoping that the deal breakers in dating do not end up that way. One more thing, these are my, I meet you and within 4 seconds I know I will never date you, top 5. With that said, lets begin.

1) Almost nothing gets on my nerves like a german/russian accent. Really, I can barley stand it. I am sure they produce intelligent, kind people but when they talk...I want to bash my head into a wall. Those of you who know me can not find one Russian friend I have ever had, it is the accent, it is proven how much I don't like it by the fact that it is number 1. Bring on the hate mail, I am just warming up.

2) Velvet/shinny shirts. What, are you Danny Devito? Seriously, the Gap, they have a men section. I want no part of this Right Said Fred, I'm to sexy for this fabric. Just stop it.

3) Chewing tobacco...e w w w.

4) Excessive complaining/why me. Oh my goodness. Shut up. We just met, I do not care if you hate your boss/life/family. And basically, to sum it up, I am guessing they are not so fond of you either.

5) Long Hair on men. Wookie. It just creeps me out, get a haircut hippie. Now, I love the shaggy look (not the cartoon shaggy, but the Owen/Luke Wilson shaggy.) That being said I am going to add in general maintenance. No one is offended if your chest hair does not wink at us from inside your shirt. shudder.

So those are mine. I just found out that I am shallow. What are your top five?

bleeding eyes.

2006-09-14T15:51:00.000-07:00

If we are referring to the world in general, I am of average to slightly above in the intelligence department. I like reading and I can even understand what I read. The real question I want to pose to you Internet is this. HOW can I be so smart in some areas and SO incredibly daft in others. It took me 2 HOURS to download the Itunes 7.0 today. It is supposed to be as easy as pushing a "download" button. Inside my head, my brain was bleeding. I then realize after numerous calls to apple support that my computer has a "Software Update" button which does it for me so I do not manually need to install Satans birth-child known as itunes. This is sad, really. I love itunes! It allows me to download project runway and gives me all the updates on I ever need on what is hip, now. I really do love it, although I hate updating things because I do not know how and we have all seen how skilled I am at linking. Good goodness. That is all I have to say. Well, that and I will be home in 12 days!!!!!! I am seeing my favorite people, eating more Indian food than one girl was ever meant to consume, and watching my sister run (my favorite way to enjoy the sport of running.) If I do not post for a while forgive me. I am working 9 days straight leading up to the trip, although I have a 6 hour wait for my flight in ATL so I am sure I will post about people watching in the airport.

mess o stuff

2006-09-07T13:34:00.000-07:00

I am aware that I am a bad friend Internet. I do not pay attention to you like I should and I promise that I have never sent any of you flowers, although I have never really sent any of my actual friends flowers either. hmmm, note to self, be more pro-active. I digress, I have been meaning to post but what I want to post about seems to elude me, that is to say, yet again I have forgotten how to link. Yep, that darn hyperlink just simply does not exist and that is not my fault. Really, I consider myself smarter than the average and why on earth I cannot grasp this simple task makes me want to beat my head in. Frustration to the max. So, you will need to trust me and go to youtube.com and type in Obediah Parker and you will realize that his rendition of HeyYa by Outkast is one of my most beautiful things you will have heard in a while I guarantee. Let me know what you think.

My mind has been racing lately. I went on my friend Jonathan Christmans blog (you can get to it on the left hand side of this blog) and saw his photos of India and I just began crying. I have been pushing foreign missions out of my mind lately telling my self that this is where I am at, I am doing missions, how else can I prepare? I have been running from what God has called me to. It is an odd thing to be happy where you are at and see the good things that the Lord has provided and yet long with a longing almost too deep for words to be somewhere else. He has enlarged my heart for the nations and I am really trying to just be faithful where I am called at the moment.

Contrary to the popular belief I want to say that I have not forgotten about long term missions. I am here, learning how to serve the homeless and God is showing me more about his character through them than I could have ever guessed. I have grown to LOVE these people. I think in the tinniest idea of how parents can have their heart broken and be frustrated and angry beyond words by their children and yet would do anything for them. They daily challenge me with their questions and in turn I feel like I am asking for big answers from God. Questions like What is the Church?, What is helping and restoring dignity vs enabling? I also feel like I am ashamed of the church often times. I really don't know of many churches who really would honestly love the prostitute. They are not pretty, when you have been on drugs for 18 years and on the streets you rarely know how to behave in a manner that you get you by in a suburban church or really anywhere in public. I am learning that before I moved here I wanted to outcome of Pauls ministry without being willing to pay the price he paid.

I have struck up a friendship with 3 unlikely people and since I will be referring to them you should get an idea of who they are.
Jonathan: He is a wiccan and he read my tarot cards the other week. I was nervous because I have an unhealthy interest in that stuff so I just avoid it. He was the one who took almost a full weekend to show me my computer, never complains when I ask him to do something, always is kind, and is open to all things, all people and is gay. Jonathan and I have spoken a lot about God vs his High being. He asked me on my view of tarot and I explained that I believe that that has power and not the kind of power I want to tap into. He read my cards and we started talking about if things are predestined to occur or not. That tarot reading (that I prayed right through it) became the best witnessing opportunity that I have had in the last 10 years. Jonathans heart is vulnerable, he is not sure about heaven or hell, and he is hurt by almost everyone around him. Jonathan will say that being homeless is the best and the worst thing that has ever happened to him, he wonders if God has abandoned the people on the streets. Please pray for Jonathan.

Silas: Imagine a 70 year old white man with a tattered cowboy hat, a flannel shirt (red checkered) and tan pants and you have silas. I have met both of these men because they stay at the mens shelter and have to work in the kitchen with me on the weekends. Silas cannot read, he lost that ability after years of drug use caused a stroke and a hemorrhage and I believe there was an operation. Before this happened Silas loved to read the Puritans (seriously!) We bonded over the favorite book "a bruised reed." Silas had Robbie another gay male read him a chapter a night. Recently I found a bunch of old John Piper tapes among others and some men chipped in and bought him a tape player for him to listen to some solid theology. I have never seen an old man so happy. Now that I am thinking of it, if any of you have any old tapes (the sermons are free online available for download) and you would like to bless some others like Silas give me a shout out. Anyway, Silas has a troubled past, lives with 4 other veterans, has little to no Christian community and truly teaches me that "A bruised reed He will not break, and a faintly burning wick He will not quench;. He will faithfully bring forth justice." Isaiah 42:3

and last Nikki. Nikki has been a prostitute and a crack addict for 18 years, and she, with her first breath will tell you that the Lord sustains her and she has been clean for 4 days. She was clean for 2 weeks but then she used. Just imagine, it took my breath away to think of this. She has used crack/cocaine everyday for 18 years, she has been without it for 4 days. Nikki brings me joy. I have never seen her not smile or heard her complain. It also doesn't hurt that she tells me that I am beautiful daily. This woman talks loudly, speaks about Christ more joyfully that I have ever heard. Nikki does have believers in her life, her pastor and his wife visits her every other day, they pick her up, take her to church and they are proud of her. I love this woman and I know that this one, if she falls, has the power to break my heart.

I guess I just decided to post this random tirade because, Jesus loves the poor. He aches for the broken and I am realizing just how busy I have been trying to clean myself up for him and others. So run to him friends... find rest for your weary souls and stop trying to be someone else. I am going to leave you with lyrics to a song that sums up the problem of prostitution better than I could ever put into words, may it bring us to our knees in prayer:
What would you do
If your son was at home
Crying all alone on the bedroom floor
'Cause he's hungry?
And the only way to feed him
Is to sleep wit' a man
For a little bit of money
And his Daddy's gone somewhere
Smokin' rock now
In and out of lock down
I ain't got a job now
So for you this is just a good time
But for me this is what I call life

don't worry, I am aware that because this is a serious post I will get no response but I hope that is not the case. Comment, how else will I know anyone else has an opinion!

no paragraphs

2006-08-24T15:28:00.000-07:00

My blog seems religiously against obeying my command to put into place paragraphs so no comments on the post! I tried, maybe my blog has joined a cult. JESUS LOVES PARAGRAPHS.

You know what I miss...

2006-08-24T14:44:00.000-07:00

BREATHING OUT OF BOTH NOSTRILS. I have been laid up with the flu/cold. I am not quite sure which it is, I would describe my symptoms but I would still like to keep some of you as friends.
What does everyone else do when they are sick, because really, I am quite sure my teenage years really affected how I want to act today. I want to preface this by saying I really am sick and I actually did spend the day 85% in bed and 5% eating popsicles and 10% cleaning my room. Alas, I digress. When I was a child I tried everything to get out of going to school. I am trying to write as honestly as possible knowing that my parents and sister read this blog, but it is time, I am cleaning out my closet.
The art of skipping school is a time honored tradition, I consider myself quite skilled at said art. It worked to my benefit to have had two parents that work. My father traveled a lot, so to make my illness believable I would begin my slight complaining by stating that I felt kind of ill, but I could handle it a few days before dad had a trip planned. I had to know that mom needed to to be at work so as you can imagine, this took quite a lot of planning. After confirming their absence I would plan out my day. It involved obscene amounts of tav, movies, books and candy. I liked to refer to them as "mental health" days. I really don't think I was fooling anyone but lets let me pretend eh?
As a teen coming of age during Ferris Buellers Day Off how could I not micromanage my day. This was before cell phones so don't count me out yet. My father would call on occasion but you could just tell him you were asleep, you see he loved us and therefore believed us. My mother was a whole different ball-game. Connie (madre) would call at "random" intervels, the only way to bypass this was to feign an interest in work and learn her schedule. She was a teacher so asking about classes were your best bet. Once you had that down you had to assume she would call around lunch time (11:10) and you needed to be available around 1:40 also, so about 11:00 and 1:35 I would cough until my throat was raw so when I picked up the phone I wasn't exactly lying. You see, I was in pain.
So I didn't gain 45lbs from the candy I would grab my bike and ride the mile and a half to the local convenience store and then ride around for another couple miles, but not long enough for my absence to be missed or for the incredibly freakish suburban neighborhood watch to kick it. Connie had spies you see, our elderly neighbor Doris and the neighbors in the back yard...all on her payroll doing her bidding. Doris had a weak spot, she had migraines and pulled her shades down, I exploited this to all it was worth (I loved Doris like a grandmother by the way, but you have to do what you have to do.) Anyway, it worked best to get this energy out of the way early so you were available to take the calls, but if not you could always call and explain that you didn't feel well and just wanted to tell someone who cared, that usually works but you run the risk of her rushing home. After the energy is exhausted you have the rest of the day to relax and forget all about that test.
How I loved these lessons of life. I view these tips as necessary for a generation dependent on technology, go simple, works every time. I hope you all are well and enjoying breathing out of your nose and mouth, I will join you in your relief in a few days.
Ps: I love you Mom and Dad and I am sure you always knew when I was lying but thanks for giving your kid a much needed break in the year. And if you post anying mean I will bring out the big guns... I ain't scared

Ichthyophobia/throwing blows

2006-08-17T12:55:00.000-07:00

For all of you doubters, I TOLD YOU IT WAS REAL. To find an impressive name for your petty fears, go to aboutphobias.com A fear of fish, granted I will give you that it is called the "unspoken" fear. And I do find it hysterical that of course my fear is put into the category of "an intense fear that poses no actual threat." Of course it it. Now, I am scared of only a few things but I do not enjoy the many things and here is a random smattering:
Fish, snakes, mullets, animals dressed as humans, pigeons, oh...ohhh people who go trick or treating a day AFTER halloween (who do you think you are, you only get 1 day of free candy!) when people call sandwiches "sammiches," southern pronunciation, keannu reeves and his crazy eyebrows and I think, I am pretty annoyed by those who see that I am only 5'1'' and stand in front of me in a concert. That is just not neighborly of you.
I realize that this post may give you the impression that I am not in a good mood today, actually that is very untrue. I was just surfing the world wide web and I found out that my annoyances are quite inline with the average urban hipster, and I ask you, who does not like to find their nitch.
Since this is my blog I would also like to take a moment and apologize to the United States Postal Service (an open letter)
To who it may concern:
I am sure this is a simple case of karma retribution that all my mail has been lost lately, dating back to the time when I blamed you for my laziness in sending in bills. I can deal with that, after all, fair is fair. And I suppose to really get back on the right foot I shouldn't say you lost "all" my mail. After all, to be fair I should specify that you only seem to lose the mail that has any significance. Really, I noticed that my request for a J. Crew catalog processed fine as did my request slightly bitter letter involving Taco Bell. But, when it comes to birthday cards, bills, student loan payments you seem to be at a standstill. Forgive me a moment while I address the internet, (See post : MaryBeth, I suck) Internet, I sent my sister a check, it just got returned to me. Back to you postal employee, you see my sister whose birthday I forgot recently moved. I did put the new address on the envelope. Granted, I forgot the Unit J part. Would it have been that hard for your employee to walk up and notice that Mary Beth Goltz lives at unit J? I know you have comfy uniforms now, I saw project runway, get down with your drawstring pants and please deliver my mail. While I am at it, my roommate is starting to not trust me to mail things! I mailed rent, it was missing, I mailed a car lease copy, it "fell off the back of the truck" ext. I suppose I should thank you though, thanks to my near refusal to use your services I have 4 stars by my ebay name because I don't send checks, I only use paypal. They think I am fiscally responsible. I am sorry for my rant, but it must be heard. I hope you (individually) are well and that we can get past this. I am ready, just tell me where to send a box of cookies (they will be ordered through and paid for via...the internet.)
love,
Karla

Part Deux

2006-08-04T14:07:00.000-07:00

I just got back from running (I think I have been inspired by the sisters marathon.) For the first time I actually enjoyed it. There was a certain freedom that came, save for the sweat that occasionally pooled in my eyes and made me cry. My breathing was constant and deliberate and simply focused. While I ran, (I walked some) I thought about my response to the Boyd sermon. I finally feel ready.
I want to begin by asking what is the one thing that you want to hear Christ say to you, besides "Well done..." Really, what do I want to hear from Christ? I want words that are balm of Giliad to my soul. I want to never doubt. I want to realize that all the hypocricy in the church that makes me want to leave is not him, it was never him, it was just imperfect humans doing what we thought was right. What I really want to hear from Christ is that he loves me, that I can never push him away no matter how hard I run. While I cognitively understand that I will be standing before a all loving God, but how often I distance him. Meaning, I claim Christianity, often Republican, always American as a label. I have forgotten what it means to be a daughter of the Prince of Peace.
During my time in India they asked us not to call ourselves Christians because of the negative ramifications of the word. Many of the people we met thought of America as a Christian institution, and they associated America with Britney Spears and Madonna. Our hearts melted when we saw someone who had never heard the true gospel of Christ and those lies that they bought into were dispelled with the true gospel. Often I get so tied up in debating theological nuances (often important ones!) that I forget where my anchor is tied. Scott Anderson actually brought up most of the points I was going to, so I will exbound on what he has written in the comments section of the first Boyd posting.
I do agree with much of what Greg was speaking of. Listening to the first part of this sermon series on the podcast during his prayer he seemed to know something was stirring he kept asking for intersessors. Lets take a moment and speak of the last presidential election, I am going to give my views and I realize that this was such a hot button topic that people still don't speak of who they voted for unless they enjoyed the tar and feathering. My name is Karla Rae D'Agosta and I voted for George W. Bush. Do I regret it, no. I have NO clue what it is to be that man. I do not believe that he is happy about the war, I believe he is a humble, prayerful man who has a job that I do not envy. He is a sinful man who needs prayer as we all do.
What do you do, really!? All we fed is this line, if you are a Christian you vote for Republican. Republican party+against abortion and gay marriage=Christian vote. The same way it is almost always said that the Democrat party is for the inner city and tax breaks. Which implies that the Democrats are for the slaughtering of innocent lives and all for the alternative lifestyle marriages and Republicans hate the poor and view them as a wast of funds. Absolutely insane. Our founding fathers began with a good idea (constitution) and they realized that it relied on strong morals to make this country work. I cannot be sure, I need to research this more, but the majority of them were not believers correct? Why does it suprise us when the actions of our country don't line up with the bible! America is under this false idea that we are God's chosen ones on the earth, I believe because we have mercifully been without any major (I am talking Tsunami and Rowandan and Sudan levels here) battles on American soil. This thinking is killing us, and Boyd is right to point out where our citizenship resides and the cross is big enough and God is supreme enough to welcome us all. Alas, I digress.
I, as a believer in Jesus Christ consider myself a citizen of Heaven first, and a resident of America. I pray for my nation and those we are at war against. I love the unborn and pray feverishly for the mothers and the children. I pray that people are released from the bonds of homosexuality and find freedom as all of us under bondage need freedom and a propitiation for our sin. As believers, our religious views will slam up against our political views, Not every pastor we meet preaches the bible and so to think that our president /party will encompass our specific beliefs is silly. Let this sermon series, let our Lord inspire us, rather than to fight to take up a path of peace. Follow our Lord and not look for cues from our culture.
And...I am done. For now. Wait, come on Greg...homosexuality is not ideal! What! Don't back down now, 1,000 members just left, you preached from the bible, stand up. Thats all, its just that one sentance REALLY rubbed me the wrong way.

Mary Beth, I suck

2006-08-04T09:52:00.000-07:00

To my dear sister...
So, I am guessing it does not matter to you that I called the day before your birthday and the day after. It is amazing how forgetful I can be. Ok so, the check and the card went off in the mail today and like dad says "Cash covers a multitude of sins in this family."
Unbelievable, really! I call grandma and grandpa every week now, even on vetrens day and I can't remember your birthday, come on self, buck up. It is the same day for 24 years now. I suppose that now the title of einstein can now be mine. I am sorry, I suck. Well good thing you are in marathon training and can take your frustration out on the road or something. I love you.
karla
To everyone else,
crazy busy, lack of carbs is making me dizzy I think. Actually I have been trying to find time to actually listen to the Boyd sermon and not just post off of that article. I might have to do the later. I will say that Donald Miller and Derek Web have a interesting pod cast on exactly this subject (Is America a Christian nation.) All you need to do is type in Donald Miller under podcasts and it is cast 2. Stay tuned, I will write soon.
By the way, Scott, you found my blog! Welcome, it was great to see you posted and are not one of what I like to refer to as "lurkers." I am guessing Liz told you. Way to go Liz, I need all the recruiting I can get.
See ya'll in 54 days. Are any of you going to the conference?

Greg Boyd

2006-07-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

1,000 of Greg Boyds estimated 5,000 member church walked out on his sermon titled "The Cross and the Sword." What is your reaction to this? Should the United States still be declared a "Christian nation" should we steer clear of the political right? Namely, just because someone says they are a christian and say they are against abortion should they get our vote? This article stirred a lot of emotions in me, I want to get a discussion going before I post my reaction. What do you think? http://articles.news.aol.com/news/_a/disowning-conservative-politics-is/20060729195809990004?ncid=NWS00010000000001

Kyrie Eleison

2006-07-23T11:05:00.000-07:00

Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy on me.

I feel often times like I could give Paul (apostle) a solid run for his money in the whole "chief of sinners" catagory. I am horrified at how quickly I believe Satans lies. I look for earthly validation to tell me that I am good enough. I am torn between the desire to write about my sin in depth, be transparent and expell it from what seems to be the depths of my soul. Then again, I am aware though that this is the internet...it is not fun to boadcast your depths for the whole world.
I am noticing lately how I look at sin, not as something that is waging a eternal war for my soul and has the power to send me to hell away from my savior. Rather, I see it as something to indulge in, feel bad about for a time, and then when I think I can get away from it do it again. This is a war for my soul!! Christian, WAKE UP. Sleeper, awake! I feel fast bound in sin and lazy in my fighting. Last night which should have been a wonderful night out with friends, I found myself sulking, frusterated and angry. Instead of falling before my father, I allowed the indulgence believing that this is fine...and totally justifiable. "the heart is sick, who can understand it..."
May we as believers of grace find grace and mercy for what we seek in our Saviors side, may we fight the fight of faith knowing that there is an eternal weight of Glory at stake. May we trust that he will provide for all our needs when it is for his Glory and our best, and most of all...may we never forget that we have a great highpriest who is sympathetic with our desire and a Spirit who interceeds on our behalf. Lord, this is true, help us to believe it.
I was singing this song today in the car on the way to church and then we ended up singing it there, let the words wash over you and bring true repentance and grace in the side of our Lord.

Thy mercy my God is the theme of my song,
the joy of my heart, and the boast of my tongue.
Thy free grace alone from the first to the last,
has won my affection adn bound my soul fast.

Without thy sweet mercy I could not live here.
Sin would reduce me to utter despair.
But through thy free goofnesss my spirits revive,
and he that first made me still keeps me alive.

Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart.
Which wonders to feel its own hardness depart.
Dissolved by the goodness I fall to the ground
and weep for the praise of the mercy I've found.

Great father of mercies! Thy goodness I own.
And the covenant love of thy crucified Son.
All praise to the Spirit whose whisper deving,
seals mercy and pardon and righteousness mine!

before you get a new roommate

2006-07-13T09:10:00.000-07:00

I found this while "surfing" the world wide web yesterday. Coming from someone who has had OVER 20 roommates in her short life span (27 years) this seems like the process I am going to put my next one through. Although, for the time being, I am quite pleased living with the Kaybs. But, dear God...I was laughing out loud. Enjoy. Signs that you are not my new roommate

Its that time of year again

2006-07-12T09:44:00.000-07:00

The time is fast approaching, the Desiring God conference is afoot and that means 7 days in Mpls. 7 days spent drinking Caribou apple blasts, walking around lakes, enjoying non 100+ temps, listening to favorite pastors and seeing friends. I have a little calander at work with the count down. So, while I am going to Mpls to relax my younger sister is going to be there the same weekend to run the twin cities marathon. I am shocked we are related. Who in their right mind would want to run 26 miles is beyond me. My thought on the subject can best be summed up by remembering a conversation I had with my friend Aber about a year and a half ago. I had asked him and his wife Molly to go hiking, he paused, asked me if we could drive where we were planning on hiking to. I told him that this was possible, yes. He then proclaimed something along the lines of, well then why would we walk if we can get there faster driving. I do not want to give off the incorrect view of Aber, he and Molly are trim, attractive people, and generally enjoy the outdoors. I think he was tired, anyway he perked up after he was told of the old time ice cream "Shoppe" in "town." Alas, I digress. My sister runs, I don't, and I am very proud of her and can't wait to see her crossing the finish line lathered up in icy hot smelling like a sweaty old man.
So, the question remains...houseguest anyone? I know bethlehem will be asking you to host families and the benefit of me is, only one small girl with a rental car. Looking forward to seeing all of you.
Sorry there has been an extreme lack of posting. I just had a review at work (Got me a raise!), parents were in town (it was so wonderful to have them!!!) and just life has been really busy. Hope everyone is well.

Animal Magnetism

2006-06-28T09:45:00.000-07:00

Derek and I had an "incident" yesterday. Derek is my scooter, for questions I refer you to the fine cinematic masterpiece Zoolander. Anyway, Derek y Karla were out scoping the hood, (this is the point where you imagine me, the bike helmet ext... ) I turned around a corner on 48th street and I saw a 5 year old kid in the middle of the road. Now, I am no good at guessing kids ages for all I know he could have been 2 or 10. I digress, a small being none the less. Now, I am a solid block away from him and I went to go around him. This involves me shifting some body weight, and a look accross my face kind of like Michael Jordan (before he became the baseball player) when he had talent and played for the Bulls, when he is making a jump shot. Only on a 5'1'' white girl...with a helmet. Seriously, tongue out the whole nine yards. Here is this kid and as I am getting closer you can see the realization of "Oh my God, this spaz is coming right at me." He stood his ground, I unintentionally stood mine. As I got closer and closer I yelled in a voice TOTALLY unlike my own "Kid, get out of the way!!!" I voice raised about 3 octives. Maybe I don't need voice lessons to expand my range, apparently fear is a powerful motivator. All of this to say, kid is fine, Derek is still in recovery and me, I am taking turning lessons.
Today, I found a $80 Ann Taylor scarf in a recycle bin at work, it TOTALLY made working on the birthday worth it.

Craziest week ever

2006-06-27T09:56:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is my birthday. If any of you (hint hint...) are intown on Friday night say...7pm ish we are celebrating my new age at Emerys (Matt and Kristed, S and S have all details.) It is a bring your own dead animal to grill and your own beverage adult or kiddie. Good ol southern fun.
On to the good stuff. The parental units are ariving in town on Thursday. If anyone has been here and can offer anything for them to do aside of "Hey, there is downtown, yes it certainly is an impressive block and a half radius" let me know. We are doing the Ruby falls, Rock city thing.
Hope everyone is well, will write more when not frazzled!! Oh, I did lose my ebay auction for a great anthropologie shirt. I had it for 10 (a 60$ value) and someone swooped in in the last 4 (4!!) minutes and upped my bid. It ruined my day till I remembered that I had a laptop. I am so easily amused it is scary.

speechless

2006-06-21T09:29:00.000-07:00

It has been a crazy week. We had visitors from MN (Dennis and Margie Haack the writers of Ransom Fellowship) my parents are comming next week and then you know, life. Sorry for the lack of posts but there will be a TON of them soon. Why you ask? Because I have been GIVEN a apple I book laptop. I am in shock. My wonderful friends Matt and Holly Tomlinson called the other day and offered to send me their laptop and a I Pod. The computer is 3 years old the the IPod 2. Really, it caused me to worship.
I was talking to Kayb (roommate) and we were just stunned by Gods goodness. A laptop is something I have wanted for a VERY long time. I have often thought about going into more debt to get one but that didn't seem smart at all if I was still looking into the mission field. An Ipod was a distant dream that I simply wanted. For no good reason, I wanted it...badly. The Lord, who is kind beyond measure in all circumstances no only provides for our needs but also for our wants. I am thankful that I have a high priest who allows me tell him my desires. Although I must say, I NEVER thought God could do this. Really...2,000 of electronical equipment?!?!? I couldn't say "thank you" enough, I was speachless.
When I moved to TN it was a general chorus of "why?" I was the ringleader of my chorus. If you are planning on going to the mission field you do not leave my old church. It has a amazing missions program with rigorus and necessary training headed up by someone that has all my respect. They are one of the top 10 missionary sending churches in the USA and the preaching...it is hard to beat. But when God calls you to go, you feel like you get no rest untill you follow that call. He has shown me more about my sin, depravity, lonliness and his all abundant sufficiency and grace that frankly, I am more in love with him than ever. So, thank you my Lord and my God that you have not forgotten me. I am in awe of your majesty.
oh, Liz, send me your email. I have some news (internet...I don't think we are there yet.)

Petrified Glee

2006-06-16T09:28:00.000-07:00

Are any of you aware of the look a puppy gives you after you throw them into the swimming pool with encouraging noises of excitement? It is a look that can most closely be identified with the look on my face when I ride my new scooter. It is hysterical. Because I am "special" I have not broken down (or won my ebay auction) and gotten a motorcycle helmet so I am using a bike helmet. I am one step, and not a small one away from needing stickers on it and having to tell strangers that "yes, I am a big girl. I do have a lisence and no, it is not revoked. I AM BEING ECONOMICAL." I just tell myself ... 85 miles to the gallon, you get great millage, you are cute and do not die. Basically the don't die part comes into play on turns. Simply put, I suck. I have no concept you see at "leaning into" turns. I am scared, I am a wuss. I am a petrified wuss on a 35 mph scooter in VOLS orange with a bike helmet. OH Good sweet lord, I am a dork.
Another note involving my geekiness. I will be in attendance at the 2006 Desiring God conference in Mpls MN the last week of Sept. The topic is God and postmodern culture, we get to hear speakers of such caliber as Tim Keller, John Piper and Mark Driscoll. I am really looking forward to this event! It will be great to see friends and hear these pastors whom I very much admire. Hopefully I can organize a TN chapter and make a trek up there. Hope you all are well, I will post again after my first scooter accident, should be soon.

Trauma

2006-06-02T12:16:00.000-07:00

Today a group of 18 teenagers ranging from 11-15 came to the kitchen under my watch. Let me preface this post by saying how tired I am! I didn't know listening that many people at once could be so tiring! Well I took 5 girls and had them do various activities, pulling cans, making sandwiches ext... They were the "cheerleader" types, all perfectly friendly and willing to do whatever I asked but you could tell there was something a brewin under the surface. At the same time these girls were here a mother daughter team that comes every week (I love them) arrived and the daughter (Jen) was immediately incensed at the cheerleaders. They didn't say a mean word to her, but she was looking for reasons to hate them. I started talking to her and realized how much she gets picked on by this same group every day. It was amazing. Her anger transported me back to junior high, I had never been so miserable. Yet, highschool came and you move on. I am just wondering in my 5 minute break, what was your highschool experience like? How would you deal with the demons that plagued you. Gotta tell you, Jen is going to need therapy.

VOLS vs VOLES

2006-05-31T09:25:00.000-07:00

Who would win in a fist fight? the question begs an answer, the VOLE or a VOLS?

Unbelievable

2006-05-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

This post will be especially loved by Liz and Molly.
It is incredible and totally believable if you are as sports stupid as myself. So, I ordered the scooter and it is orange and cream. See the post on the scooter and plug in orange where the lime green is and you will understand what I mean. SO, I was at church talking to a new girl I met. We were discussing the safety hazards of the scooter because our pastor had broken his wrist falling off of his. (Since I WILL hurt myself, this is guaranteed, I will post pictures of my injures.) She asked me what color it was, I said "orange and cream, kind of like a creamcicle." She replied "Yeah, or like the Tennessee VOLES, you know the football team." OH. MY. GOSH. My face just paled in horror. Now, in addition to living in TN I apparently support them in all things sports related and to show my support, I HAVE PAINTED IT ON MY SCOOTER. Here is hoping that the VOLES scooter will stop all the rednecks who speed from indulging in their desire to put a point value on the girl in the scooter and take me out.

Gettin out of the bizznas

2006-05-24T09:38:00.000-07:00

Oh the stupidity of people when they fly. Having worked for 2 different airlines a total of almost 4 years does not make me exempt. It is almost as though I get temporary amnesia. "Sure! I have no problem paying 8$ for a sandwich which consists of 2 slices of bread and your pawltry turkey, AND I get to bring it on the plane!! Sweet." Or how about, I am sorry, I know I am 3 hours early for my flight, but WHY is it not up on the board? I am ashamed at my stupidity, yet at the moment I would like to think I am better than these people...Why Amercians should not be allowed to travel.
More than half of the stuff I post is a direct rip off from Joshua Blankenship. There I said it, I will say it again, I ain't scared. Actually, I am. Your moustache is out of control! Moustache May/blankenstache

Finally

2006-05-22T19:03:00.000-07:00

Some may say "its about bloody time." To those, "yes...yes it is."
Now, those who are talking about the amount of time this has taken are the same that will point out the obvious problems with the scanner.
I DO NOT have tinted glasses. Lets just clear the air on that one. And the photo looks better in person, but in general, no complaints. Happy, kind of like a clam.

Really...really?

2006-05-22T14:53:00.000-07:00

I was in blogosphere, trotting along, dare I say it...Almost merrily. I came to Joshuas blog where he had managed to find a web site hosting to folks protesting the Divinci code. The American Society of Tradions, Family and Defense
wish to make it easier for you to find a protest nearest to your location. Now, I am willing to admit I know almost nothing about the book or movie. I know that it proclaims that Jesus slept with Mary M. and that resulted in a child, and some sort of secret crazy catholic offshoot ext. I don't believe that the following will be a popular opinion but I am posting it now. I already have a hard time with the fact that I believe in a triune God, a virgin birth and a salvation by a God man. I do know that I love this Christ, Jesus and the Holy Trinity and my doubts are swept away when ever I get a glimpse of his holiness in worship. These doubts are not what I want to focus on. Basically I just don't find it worth my time right now to read it. I would read it if a friend of mine who was questioning the faith asked me to though. Anyway. You really think a protest is going to stop people? I would go over just to see what the commotion is all about. I don't think you will see me waving my picket sign for this one. Although you never know, I also said I would never move to the deep south, look where that landed me.

Part one

2006-05-17T09:57:00.000-07:00

this is how I often view sin. It is not pretty, I am scared to let Christ be the propitiation for my sin, to let the Godman take my place and to find him infinatly sweeter than the fleeting moment of pleasure that sin offers. This is part one of a section of the "Great Divorce" by C.S. Lewis my favorite author.

"I saw coming towards us a Ghost who carried something on his shoulder. Like all the Ghosts, he was unsubstantial, but they differed from one another as smokes differ. Some had been whitish; this one was dark and oily. What sat on his shoulder was a little red lizard, and it was twitching its tail like a whip and whispering things in his ear. As we caught sight of him he turned his head to the reptile with a snarl of impatience. "shut up, I tell you!" he said. It wagged its tail and continued to whisper to him. He ceased snarling, and presently began to smile. Then he turned and started to limp westard, away from the mountains. "off so soon?" said a voice. The speaker was more or less human in shape but larger than a man, and so bright that I could hardly look at him. His presence smote on my eyes and on my body too like the morning sun at the beginning of a tyrannous summer day. "Yes. I'm off," said the Ghost. "Thanks for all your hospitality. But it's no good, you see. I told this little chap," (here he indicated the lizard), "that he'd have to be quiet if he came-which he insisted on doing. Of course his stuff won't do here; I realise that. But he won't stop. I shall just have to go home."
"Would you like me to make him quiet? Said the flaming Spirit-an angel, as I now understood.
"Of course I would," said the Ghost.
"Then I will kill him," said the Angel, taking a step forward.
"Oh-ah-look out! You're burning me. Keep away," said the Ghost, retreating.
"Don't you want him killed?"
"You didn't say anything about killing him at first. I hardly meant to bother you with anything so drastic as that."
"It's the only way," said the Angel, whose burning hands were now very close to the lizard. "Shall I kill it?"
"Well, that's a further question. I'm quite open to consider it, but it's a new point, isn't it? I mean, for the moment I was only thinking about silencing it because up here-will, it's so damned embarrassing."
"May I kill it?"
"well, there's time to discuss that later."
"There is no time. May I kill it?"
"Please, I never meant to be such a nuisance. Please-really-don't bother. Look! It's gone to sleep of its own accord. I am sure it'll be all right now. Thanks ever so much."
"May I kill it?"
"Honestly, I don't thing there's the slightest necessity for that. I'm sure I shall be able to keep it in order not. I whink the gradual process would be far better than killing it."
"The gradual process is of no use at all."
"Don't you think so? Well, I'll think over what you've said very carefully. I honestly will. In fact I'd let you kill it now, but as a matter of fact I'm not feeling frightfully wee today. It would be silly to do it now. I'd need to be in good health for the operation. Some other day, perhaps.

Jesus=straight white dude?

2006-05-14T13:34:00.000-07:00

The otherday I went into a Christian bookstore and I was gazing at the merchandise aisle. There was one shirt that said "modest is hottest" yet another pair of socks with crosses up the ankle. What are we doing! Really, what are we as a community doing? Would Jesus be offended as to what we have made him? Would he (as many churches suggest) hang out with upper middle class straight white folk? Where would he be found. I am realizing over and over that instead of having our culture come under the authority of Christ we are trying to bend him to our culture. What makes me most angry is that the "idea" of Christian that we have thought up frankly...sucks. We individualize the gospel, and as Gary so eloquently put it "we treat God as a spiritual fitness trainer" using discipleship and mentoring to uplift me to be my "Christian best."
I want to pray the way Colossians 4:2-6 commands: "Pray for us, that God may open a door for our message.." God open the door for your word to flow forth to the Nations, may they not be diluted by what we want you to be, but let your authority, power, goodness and mercy transform lives. Christ may our conversations be full of grace, may those we encounter know to whom we belong.
I will unpack this further, just wanted to throw out some of the ideas mulling in the head. I am so thankful that my old church and the new one have a solid kingdom mentality where the gospel is not self focused but on Christ.
Also, these verses have found new sweetness as he has been restoring the joy of my Salvation again.
"Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me
Cast me not away from your presence, take not your Spirit from me
restore unto me the joy of my salvation, uphold me with your Spirit." Ps 51

Quotes from the Monk

2006-05-12T09:36:00.000-07:00

I walked into the Monks office today and saw this quote. I love it except the word excuse, I am still pondering what I would put in its place.
"The praises of the sick and broken
excuse the silence of the healthy and whole."

happiness on the web

2006-05-10T09:30:00.000-07:00

Here are a few videos/random things to keep you occupied on this dreary day in TN and on other more...good days elsewhere, enjoy, I know I did.
Afro Ninja (I DID IT!!! I FINALLY LEARNED HOW TO LINK.) Thank you Peter Schaefer whoever you are!)
Notes to Self The elusive Joshua Blankenship
Fruitful waste of time Thanks to Matt Donovan I spent my lunch hour making my likeness in a South Park character.
StarWars Triumph the Insult Comic Dog visits the folk waiting in line for the "new" movie. I laughed for about a week straight at different intonations and intervals.

Also, I got a promotion. Now, my job titles are the following. "Assistant director of the Chattanooga Community Kitchen" and "Coordinator of Womens Shelter." You however, can call me Karla.

Cheese is my Kryptonite

2006-05-09T09:57:00.000-07:00

I knew it. I always knew it, I am lactose intolerant. While I am stating this fact I must also bring up that I am not intolerant to lactose I am hostile towards it. It HURTS me, bring on the world of soy dream, soy cream(an oxymoron), and the like. Please you must refrain on posting about the loss of pizza and cheesy items, I love milk and I might tear up.
Things that have happened since I posted last (you remember basically a millennium ago.)
I worked 74 hours last week alone. I stayed at a women's shelter volunteering and hearing their stories. They were incredible. In reality it was a week in which I learned more about drugs, their forms and pricing than I ever needed to. The Lord sustained each day and really, grace is sufficient unto the day.
The Lord sold my car. Seriously. I am not usually one who attributes everything to "The Lord" (to be said in a breathy voice to catch my drift(although maybe I should be, discuss amongst yourselves.)) You see, it has been rather rainy lately around here. I have been thinking more and more about the useless Saturn taking up the grass in our backyard. I decided to sell, by decided I mean that I thought about it and then proceeded to do nothing. This man Keith came by yesterday to build us another bathroom in the house and noticed it in the backyard. Keith inquired as to if it was for sale, "yep" he got in response. So, 3 hours later Keith brought his friends a lovely Russian couple and 24 hours later the car was sold. The car which has a broken headgasket, needs a clutch and new front brakes and dings sold for $950. They knew what was wrong when they bought it, I aint frontin.
Today I went on the web to look for motorized scooters (Yes, I am that cool) and I found one for $899 that if delivered to my door already assembled would set me back 1,059. Sign me up. What do you think?

Community Kitchen

2006-04-19T14:30:00.000-07:00

The Job.
I am now employed by the Chattanooga Community Kitchen. I don't really feel like writing the basics of my job, I more want to write about the things that happened today. Alas without the background info it would be useless or at least you would not get to see the contrast of amazing spiritual light with the corruption of what Satan can do with minds and bodies in the grips of addiction without the background.
I love my job. Each day I get to come to work and see dedicated brothers and sisters in the Lord laboring to transform minds, emotions and physical circumstances for the Glory of Jesus. My official job title is "Assistant director of the Community Kitchen." A fancy word for cook, fight breaker upper, receptionist and sometime therapist. It is amazing that I have found a job that strives to restore dignity to the poor. We are lucky to serve them and I am lucky to know them. I know I am being brief on the specifics so feel free to ask questions and I will do my best to answer them.
Now, about the day. I am know daily in contact with 100s of people who have no bed, are mentally ill, who are under bonds of addiction and who know more about the nature of Jesus grace than I could ever grasp. I saw a man today who was jumped last night by another man he shares space with after the man returned strung out on crack. His head was bleeding the police showed up. J's response when asked if he wanted to press charges "Naw man, he didn't know what he was doing, that's not really him, we all get carried away by our demons." Over 300 people humbled themselves to accept help from a 26 year old girl who could only give out a sack dinner. R volunteers 10 hours a day because that's the only way he knows how to stay clean. T cried after a 4 day drug binge about how she is never going to mean anything to anyone and on my way to the library I saw her buying drugs. But I see couples trying to help eachother out of the bonds of addiction, A just got a puppy and to see her laugh, I imagine that is how Jesus looks. To top the day off I got a marriage offer and told that I would always have the best bed in the shelter.
I feel like I could write a book on what I am thankful for. On the very top of that list is that God has chosen to reveal his love of people to me by allowing me to serve.

On a total different note: Hope you all have a wonderful Easter! I missed hope but on Saturday night we had Easter Pad Thai with 11 wonderful folk at S and S. One of the twins (E) put on faux kitten ears and stayed up way past his bed time charming all of us. Then on Sunday K, E, B, H and I hit church and then K cooked an amazing meal. After some downtime K, J and I went to miller park and watched kids in the sprinklers and then watched "Best in Show." Hope your day was filled with family, friendship and adoration of the King.
-Hey, have the just one letter for names gotten annoying yet? They were annoying me while I was writing them, but I am lazy. I will in the future only use them to protect the identity of the clients of the kitchen. By the way if you know of any good jokes I could use them. They eat them up and I am about out.

Jonathan Edwards

2006-04-06T14:36:00.000-07:00

Who doesnt like a little Jonathan Edwards? Give it up, yall for Yale is launching a new Jonathan edwards online site with tons of previously unaccessible manuscripts made available. For more go to:
http://edwards.dev.oho.com/
(oh how I wish I new how to link!)
If you are down south and feel like a good time, join the Dead Theologions Society that meets at Erlanger hospital at 6:30am. It's early, but the solid theo and the Greyfriers coffee gets your blood pumping.

Are You Experienced?

2006-04-06T14:10:00.000-07:00

I just got back from the DMV of Tennessee, whoop whoop. I have been a bit apprehensive about my relinquishing of the old MN one and really embracing my life as a Southerner but alas, the NEW JOB (more later) requires it.
I am not sure how to write this so that ya'll get the true heaviness of this next statement.
IT. IS. THE. BEST. PHOTO. OF. ME. EVER. TAKEN.
I need to put this on dating cards or something. I am going to scan it on the blog instead of that haggardy white girl photo up in the corner but I am going to need help with that. Fo Sho this makes me look like a 9 on the hotness scale. Seriously, the man behind me in line uttered the phrase "That picture is spectacular, I mean you are pretty, but really..." I left grinning, how often do you leave the DMV grinning? First let me say that the first photo, not so alluring. In fact, I looked spastic and I had a line of people behind me. The fun lady that had the photo that anyone would question anytime I did anything that might press the boundaries of the law did not want to budge and give me a new one. I threw out a line. "Maam, (after looking at her left hand and seeing she was single)I am 26 and single, I need a fighting chance. This was not said in a whinny tone, rather matter of fact. She look it again and it is obvious I am pleased. Enjoy the fruit of my labor my friends...Enjoy. (it will be put up in the next few days.

Eep

2006-04-03T09:58:00.000-07:00

That was the noise that just escaped my mouth in the public library. But that noise does in no way extinguish my joy regarding one of my favorite musicians OF ALL TIME comming to the Chatt town. I had convinced myself that moving from Mpls and becoming a sudo-southerner ment that I would no longer be on the pulse of music. Try to refrain from the posts yelling at me that I am an hour and a half away from the mecca known as Nashville.
Have you died of suspence yet? RICHARD BUCKNER, for those of you whom that means nothing to, go out and buy "Bloomed." It is dark, lonely, beautiful and sorrowful. It makes me a more creative person. Also, come fall we are getting a "Costco World Market" I feel certain that these two facts are evident of Gods love for the South.
By the way, I don't know how life is in your neck of the woods, but it has been 75, sunny and clear here. I have taken numerous walks along the bridge, painted a kitchen,worked my magic with some mulch, helped to throw a birthday party for the roommate and lit sparklers...that has been within the past 48 hours. What did you do?

Taking away

2006-03-24T11:43:00.000-08:00

The Lord gives, the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord.
For I am the Lord, your comforter, I have called you and I will answer.

Jesus,
My ever present help in times of trouble, thank you for my Savior. I am blessed beyond measure that I have the honor to sit and your feet and weep when I feel tired, weary and finished. Thank you that you are the finisher, that these trials are not hidden from you, nor are they things that I must walk through alone. Thank you that in valleys you do not withhold good things. Lord keep your truths etched into my soul. Let me not forget to whom I belong.
Hold me, for oft I forget.
Also, Praise HIM for the restoration of relationships. For He is good in all things.

Hey if any of you are in the Chatt town and desire to do something with me that involves no money...(ex: planning things that take no money, petty crimes, painting, swimming) just call me up, I have loads of the free time.
I will not be so cryptic tomorrow. I just wanted to say to all 6 of you who read this, pray, then rejoice at the bountiful grace to be found in the beauty of the Lord.

I got tagged

2006-03-20T19:00:00.000-08:00

To quote Kevin Cawley "I got tagged and I played along." Enjoy my existence thus far summed up in a delightful yet strenuous quiz.
FOUR JOBS YOU'VE HAD IN YOUR LIFE
1. Golf Corse (I sold beer to old men out of the back of a cart at 15. That's not legal is it?)
2. Target Security (Hysterical, I couldn't have sucked worse.)
3. Coffee shop sherpa. (Many times, many places.)
4. 3 days at Foot Action. (I got fired...)
FOUR MOVIES YOU COULD WATCH OVER AND OVER
1. Better Off Dead
2. Bottle Rocket
3. Cool Hand Luke
4. Addicted to Love (you can't always be cool!)
FOUR CITIES YOU'VE LIVED IN:
1. Minneapolis MN
2. Chattanooga TN
3. Midland Mi
4. Omaha NE
FOUR TV SHOWS YOU LOVE TO WATCH
1. Amazing Race (Best if seen with the Hyatts)
2. Lost
3. Gilmore Girls
4. Extreme Makeover Home Edition. (You would have to be made of stone not to cry!)
FOUR PLACES YOU'VE BEEN ON VACATION:
1. Cabo San Lucas
2. Rocky Mountains
3. Boundary Waters
4. India
FOUR WEBSITES YOU VISIT DAILY:
1. Molleigh
2. Emery
3. Dooce
4. Kevin

FOUR OF YOUR ALL-TIME FAVORITE RESTAURANTS:
1. Little T's (hole in the wall mexican that plays punk music that serves amazing Queso.)
2. Matts Bar and Grill (home of the Juicy Lucy. You melt cheese INSIDE the hamburger! God bess this establishment. Also, you can only order 6 things, including beer.)
3. St. Clair Broiler. Great memories, Word to Matt and Holly.
4. Mollys kitchen. (Not a restraunt, a great friend with great Southwestern Pie.)
FOUR OF YOUR FAVORITE FOODS:
1. Indian (Butter Chicken.)
2. Kerala Coconut Chicken (Charlotts)
3. Moms pasta
4. Pork Chops (I just love them, ok?)
FOUR SCHOOLS YOU'VE ATTENDED
(Oh so many)
1) Katherine Curren elementary
2) Minneapolis College of Art and Design
3) Concordia University
4)Chalmers Center
PLACES I'D RATHER BE RIGHT NOW:
1. Heaven
2. Minneapolis
3. The Wilco concert that is happening in Atl
4. Camping and canoeing (somewhere warm, I don't care where.)

Mecca?

2006-03-20T18:47:00.000-08:00

Is the Starbucks a Mecca for the celebrities of ages past? Within the last 6 months I would like to share whom I have met.
Lets see there is Vanilla Ice (Rob Van Winkle.) How do we sum up Rob? Crazy hair, sullen and drinks a vanilla latte. I chuckled to myself, well, if I am honest I chortled and with everyone around me...and...via text msg.
Pauly Shore. awesome...almost made me to happy for words. He busted in and skipped past the line and just ordered coffee. But the best part about my fellow vertically challenged friend? He wore a shirt that said "Pauly world."
Tonight we had the Harlem Globetrotters, they are...in a word...tall. Very, very tall.
Who remembers a little show called the Facts of Life and Living Single? Yes ladies and Gentleman, Kim Fields (Dude, it was Tudie!!!) was in the Starbucks with 2 HUGE body guards. Also a man who I only know as Overton (from Living Single) was with her. All of us were dying to ask if it was a reunion and if the Queen (you know..Queen Latifa) was in the house. We refrained and made her the soy no water no foam chai she requested.

anyway, can't wait to see who shows us next week.

What the crap?

2006-03-16T11:10:00.000-08:00

I was just leaving the library frustrated (see post I made not 10 minutes ago) and what catches my gaze? A woman, with (are you ready for this!?) a child and they are held together by what looks to be a glorified leash! HA! He is walking as though this is perfectly normal. Does this activity take place up North or only in the South? Really, the child was Anders age, so Liz I must ask. When Anders is being disagreeable do you put him in a harness and then snap him to a leash? I can only hear the mayors response in my head, but I bet it would be classic.
that's all, just thought you would like to know.