tapiocapuddin

The degree I’m working towards is a double major in theology and education. When people hear the education part, they assume I want to be a school teacher. I do, but not in the way they’re thinking. My hope is to get married, have children, and be able to home school them. My mom and I have often discussed the possibility of it one day being illegal to home school your children without credentials, thus the degree. I never thought that would become a reality so quickly. Many of you have probably heard by now that home schooling has been deemed illegal in California by a court in Los Angeles. People like HSLDA and Roy Hanson are now working on the situation, but I think it has shocked a lot of people, like me, into realizing how much we take our freedom for granted. Please be in prayer for the people fighting this and that God would be glorified in this case.

You can find more information about the court decision here and sign a HSLDA petition to have a depublishing of the case here.

Labels: Life, Prayer Requests, School

Many of you have wondered where this photography blog is that I've mentioned here and there. Well, for those of you interested, you can finally see it without having to have an e-mailed invite! It's a work in progress, but I'm making more effort in my photography business. So hop, skip, or jump on over to my site: Northern California Lifestyle Wedding Photographer!

Labels: around the web, Life, Photography

Dad: what'd they say he'd do?

Me: What? Oh, I don't know. I was just looking at the picture and thinking it wasn't a proper profile picture.

Dad: *laughs* You're just a photographer.

Labels: Life

It's amazing sometimes how God answers prayer. My family has been looking into buying a grand piano for some time now. My sister is majoring in music, and my mom and other sister play as well. We wanted at least a certain size, something built soundly with a good tone, and affordable. Well, the first two aren't hard to find, but the last one seemed to make it almost impossible. To keep the story short, my mom found a piano that seemed to fit our needs on ebay, but it ended up selling for more than what we wanted to pay. She just happened to checking ebay again and saw the same piano was up for sale again. The winner never ended up paying, and the owner needed to get rid of it, so here was a second chance for us. This time we won the bid for half the price it was sold for the first time! Our quick visit to see and pay for it was kind of unbelievable. Now a beautiful Steinway piano sits in our converted music/photography room. We say it's our miracle from God!

Labels: Life, Music, Prayer Requests

This is late, but the Desiring God 2007 Regional Conference was amazing! It was held in west Sacramento at a friend's church where it was rumored they redid the lighting just for the conference! The topic was the Pleasures of God. If you've ever heard John Piper before, you know he's an incredible speaker. He is so passionate about what he believes that it carries over to the listeners. You can tell he knows God intimately . Yet he somehow causes you to forget about him and just be delighted in and focused on God! Thankfully for all those of you who weren't able to attend, you can download the audio and video sessions! I'll be posting more pictures from the conference on my photography site.

Download Links:
Session One Audio
Session One Video

Session Two Audio
Session Two Video

Session Three Audio
Session Three Video

Q&A Audio

Labels: around the web, Free Offers, Godliness, Life, Living for God, Photography

Chenoa and I met while attending the Institute of Photographic Studies in Texas. She's from Canada, so we had fun finding out we both were Rebelutionaries! My sisters were also there for the first week of classes, but they were talking to my roommate while I said my goodbyes and got this picture taken. Miss ya girl!

Labels: Friends, Fun, Life, Photography, Vacations

I don't know how to even begin describing the past month of my life. God is incredibly wonderful to me! My family was finally able to get broadband. Now we're not sure how we ever lived without it! On top of that, my parents bought me an iPod 80GB classic! The biggest blessing though was being able to attend the Institute of Photographic Studies (IPS) in Dallas, Texas. You ever want to do the impossible? IPS was that for me. I finally had to surrender my hopes and dreams to God believing at the time that His answer to me was "no." Then almost two years later I find myself (and my sisters!) sitting in class being welcomed to a week of intense and insanely awesome classes. This doesn't even begin to tell you all that God did in my life on that trip. His goodness is overwhelming!

Labels: Godliness, Life, Living for God, Photography, Prayer Requests, Technology, Vacations

Check out what I'm doing this week. I've been living an unexpected blessing from God!

Labels: Fun, Godliness, Life, Photography, Technology

Just when you think you've seen God's glory displayed, He finds another way to make you gasp in awe. Lunar eclipses aren't anything new, but last night was my first time to really see one. My mom and I drove to the office parking lot in town to watch and photograph the event. It was amazing to see the moon change so drastically in such a short time! I haven't had time to Photoshop them yet, but I was so excited to see how they turned out that I just stuck them together in collages.

Labels: Life, Photography

To catch up anyone that's interested... God answered my prayers about CYIA. It was one of the best years. Everyone agreed that we had the most competent and dedicated staff ever seen. It was great working with them because they wanted to do well and took on more responsibility to do it. I was so proud of them! My classes and small group also went well. Thank you for praying.

The week before the 4th of July the Ds' mom, Cheri, had a stroke. It was scary as they could not find out right away what was wrong, and she was in a coma. My family took care of five of the children for a week as their mom was with her mom in the hospital. Cheri is now awake, but the stroke was a rare kind with devastating effects. She is aware of what is going on around her, but is unable to take care of or feed herself. She is living with the Ds while her husband makes the house wheelchair accessible. Please keep the Ds and Cheri in your prayers.

Back around January we got an e-mail from some missionary friends in South Africa inviting us camping with them. We thought it was a joke until we realized the place they mentioned was real, and they would be home this summer. My parents went camping with them way back before I was born. This time it included my sisters and me and their children's spouses and children. It was neat to spend time with them up in the redwoods at Prairie Creek. A bizarre thing was that some friends from Burney were camping there too! Just have to tell you about a hard thing we did. One morning we hiked 5-6 miles to Fern Canyon and the beach. But unless you have those extra hours to spare, driving and just hiking the 1/2 mile is a fine option in my opinion. :-)

Last week was an unexpected blessing. A local, professional photographer friend needed an assistant as he took senior portraits. I got to help him and learn tricks of the trade while getting paid!

My newest discovery has to do with my heritage. While visiting a relative, I found out I'm not as German as I thought. I posses English blood, and ancestors that came over from England to America in the 1600's!

Right now I'm attending the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy in Chicago. I'll just say the experience has been interesting. I'm looking forward to the second music conference and hopefully seeing Abby!

Well, this summer is going by way too fast. I have been accepted to Liberty University and am all signed up for DL classes. It's exciting getting everything together and heading towards the last phase. Now I just need a Liberty nalgene bottle to replace the PHC one that got ruined in the dishwasher. :-)

Labels: Life, Music, Photography, Prayer Requests, School, Vacations

The time has come. CYIA camp is right around...tomorrow! Please pray for us. Pray for:
-safety in arrivals
-male leadership
-students' hearts to be open to God
-unity among the staff
-protection from sickness and Satan's attacks
-my classes (managing a 5-day club, counseling, demo club organization, super club)

I truly covet and appreciate your prayers!

Labels: Life, Missions, Newsflash, Prayer Requests, Young Adults

The actor that plays Martin Luther in the movie "Luther" looks like Mike Bibby. This was pointed out to me at the beginning of the movie...

Labels: Life, Sports

For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did… John 13:15

I’m taking this verse way out of context, but I wish my professor had said this to me. I've having trouble connecting concepts I need to complete assignments. I’m so glad Christ is not vague! The example is set before me; the Bible is my guidebook. Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Five papers down, one paper and two exams due next week—it’s week 8 of 16.

Labels: Life, School

This weekend I learned that you're never too old to trip.

Labels: Life

Regenerated Radio
Square Talk Radio has now been transformed to Regenerated Radio--part of Regenerate Our Culture! There are new shows up with topics for the future ones posted. I'm still amazed at how they put this together!

Updated Sites
It seems like fall is bringing in the urge to revamp. Both The Rebelution and New Attitude are sporting new skins with lots of neat features! At The Rebelution, be sure to check out all the great articles on the Resources page and make suggestions for ones that just have to be added. My favorite feature at Na, besides the free sermons ;-), is the ability to upload pics for their possible usage on the site!

Contest
If you're into free stuff (who isn't?), enter this contest to win a package of over $700 worth of Vision Forum stuff!! To enter, guess how many new products will be in their new catalog. For rules and details on how to enter, go to Life in a Shoe.

The Outdoor Bible
Yep, it's tear-resistant and waterproof! Not only is it great for camping trips, but project Light of the World 2006 is helping to get them to our troops!

New Blog
Teens On Their Knees is a blog for sharing prayer requests with each other. I'm not sure who's in charge of it, but I think the idea is great.

All you have to do is leave your request or praise as a comment. You are more than welcome to remain anonymous if you would like. And if your request is a little more personal, you can always email it to us: TeensOnTheirKnees@gmail.com.

Then be sure to prayer for all the requests as they're posted!

Good News
Last month I was blessed to get a dream lens for my camera! It's a Canon 70-200 2.8L IS USM. The lens came right in time for the wedding I photographed a couple of weeks ago. Keep on the lookout for pics!

Sad News
There is now only one teenager left in our house. :-(

Labels: around the web, Life

Are you ever amazed at God's blessings? I am! This past week is a good example. Not only did I survive camp, but I had an amazing time doing it! The stories I have would last me until next year (at least at the rate I've been posting lately ;-)!

Of course some parts were harder than others, but I could see God's hand working to conform us more to His image. I loved teaching all my classes and am only sad I had to cut my counseling class in half. God is so good. And to think I seriously considered not going back...

My heart is burdened for the lost like it hasn't been in awhile. I came back home to hear of a tragic death that happened while I was away. Reality is that death takes no vacation. Praise Jesus that through Him we overcome! Please join me in praying for those who witnessed this tragedy, and that someone would take this opportunity to share the gospel with them.

I'll be posting pics on my camp pic site, so check back later to see my week captured in time!

Labels: Life, Missions

*Writing while on her way out the door!* Christian Youth In Action 2006 is here! The students are arriving tomorrow and will be going through intense training until Friday, June 23. Please pray for my sister and I as we teach. Our counseling class is a core class for leading a child to Christ. I will also be teaching a review class every day as well as putting together the last day's big event. Pray that God would speak through me! I know He is going to work this week--especially through the difficulties that are sure to come! I'll see you on the other side!

Labels: Life, Missions

Like any good AF brat, I love the Thunderbirds! This elite squadron is the best of the best when it comes to flying. Last October I got to see their demonstration for the first time (other times don't count because I don't remember them! ;-). They were amazing! So when I heard they were coming again, I made sure to get a good spot this time to take pictures! You might be interested to know that three of the six pilots are said to be Christians! So turn on your patriotic music, grab a seat if you're on dial up, and get ready to wish you were there! In honor of the precision of the F-16, I present the Thunderbirds!:

(Special Effects done with Photoshop Elements)





They fly from only 18'' to 3' apart!





















Be sure to find out when they're coming to a base near you!

Labels: Life, Photography

God has taken away from me my dreams, my plans, my ambitions, my friends, my books, my movies, my clothes, my time...and my sin.

And what He replaced them with is far superior and greater then I could ever imagine. It's not a life of self-fulfillment, but one of glorifying Him. After all, who am I? Only one asks,

Amazing love! How can it be,

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?


(Reflections on God's call to be different in the world, and His grace in my life. My house did not burn down. :-)

Labels: Life, Living for God

Sweet home California! Update to come. :-)

Labels: Life