are you from london!?

us annoying americans thought this was funny to ask of english people in our bad english accent. we lived up to our loud obnoxious reputation. it started on the plane - sitting in first class. we are always the youngest people in first and always the most excited. im sorry to whomever we may have disturbed but we just didnt want to waste any of our time in first class sleeping!
the short adventure consisted of myself, crazy lindsay, matt meyer, a sweet girl taylor - and some lovely english friends sarah, matt, a couple of chriss and a rich. we definitely could have used a few more days, but im not sure if we could have afforded it. both nights (yes we were only there 2 nights) were amazing. the first we experienced the london eye with a perfect sky, went to different little pubs, met people from south africa, pranced oh the cobblestone, ate kebabs, played cards and shared stories about our different lives with our new friends. i think we went to bed at 4:30am. the following evening was spent marveling at the astounding talent of priscilla ahn and ray lamontagne. i was only able to hear one song of priscillas but will see her again some day. hopefully. we wondered around the historic little town of nottingham and met up with sarah's friend matt who managed this really cool serene cafe/music venue/bar. we drank tea and listened to music as he told us stories of robinhood.
the next day we took a train from birmingham to london, subway to the airport, flew from heathrow to jfk to slc to den. longest day and a half ever. it all seemed like a dream really. a good dream.

the times they are a changin'

i have wanted to write many entries but have just been too busy. doing good stuff - like hangin out with my mom and aunts and uncle and little sister in florida. i wasnt sure what i was signing up for but i really enjoyed the craziness of my extended family whom i love :) and bonding time with my mom and especially my little sis. then i had a 3 day trip with a lot of time in san fran so that was fantastic. and ive just been hanging out with my new roommates. making covenants and talking about how life will be living together and serving each other. we first named the house the 'hive' because of our bees, but then changed it to 'the orchard' because we all have apple comps. so all is well in the commune - just loving it.
in the mean time i constantly wonder what i am missing out at the guida house. what if dominic is throwing up again? did he get his new tooth in? what funny things is vinny saying? dante is painting his room, emailing and having sleep overs. did i miss out on chicken tortilla soup? i sure hope not.
its an adjustment...because as fast as those little guys grow, i feel like i cant even blink (see country song..."dont blink"). and as for my sister and i we are the closest we have been and there is nothing like catching up and having coffee together or going on a walk with the kids. and mike works his butt off to make it all possible. making time to wrestle with the boys or cuddle with the wife.
i miss it.
but im so thankful to see a family love and grow and do life. and feel apart of it. there is nothing like it.
i love you guys and i mean LOVE...
thanks for having me.

im moving in with my best friend's husband...

and my best friend. and another couple and their cute baby boy. and perhaps some other people. oh and a dog. yep. for now we have 6 people (including the baby) who are passionate about this communal living thing. im really excited. we are moving into hannah's parents house, and hannahs parents are moving to the mountains. so fun changes for everyone. i just pray that the lord will teach us and grow us together and that we can just love in his name.

acts 4:32 all the believers were one in heart and mind. no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. with great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the lord jesus, and much grace was upon them all. there were no needy persons among them.

if you know anyone else who wants to come live with us or needs a place to stay at any point, let me know.

(oh and the title of this post is from a similar title of an article in relevant magazine a while back...clever)

so this is the new year...and i dont feel any different

happy 2009! time goes by too fast.
new years eve is one of my least favorite holidays. you always feel like you have to be doing something really cool or else your whole next year is gonna suck.
this year was fun though, i went to hannah and josh's and josh made some yummy enchiladas! mmm. we played games and snuck in the hot tub and it was a great new years eve.

i am all about setting goals and making lists...so here are some resolutions (they are pretty similar every year...shoot)
1. complain less
2. eat healthier
3. spend less at starbucks
4. run more
5. become a yoga master (yoga bible study?)
6. visit 5 new countries
7. start a commune
8. read more classics
9. join a bible study
10. substitute teach
11. go back to school maybe
12. own less
13. give more
14. love deeper

almost unbelievable

for god so loved ME that he gave his one and only son...for ME. so that i WILL NOT perish, but i will have EVERLASTING life with my savior.

like my nephew dante would say...thats AWESOME!

thank you lord for sending your son. for me.

to spend or not to spend

my friends and i have been pondering the meaning of christmas. and how it relates to the way most people celebrate it. getting together with family - good. eating yummy food - good. worshiping jesus - good. but there is so much more that we (my friends and i) have been consumed with. consumerism.
i thought this video/website was interesting.

top 5 christmas songs

what are yours?

here's mine.

1. please come home for christmas by the eagles
2. oh holy night
3. carol of the bells
4. baby its cold outside
5. oakridge boys christmas

soooo good....

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!


Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!