Economic Plan

Here is a good article about Obama's plan that passed in the House (with no Republican support) and is on it's way to Senate. I agree that there are a few unneeded portions in this package, but being the math nerd that I am, I added up the one's that I couldn't see directly stimulating the economy and it came to 7 billion. 7 billion is a lot, don’t get me wrong. But 7 billion out of 900 billion isn’t the worst idea in the world. My take? I wish Obama would trim things out like global warming research (which is a good thing, when we have money for it), and maybe even cut back on things that will directly stimulate the economy, so we don’t have 900 billion to add to our debt. I guess the national debt was this bad before once. It wasn't even during the Depression...it was post WWII. So that makes me feel better. Let’s pray that this does something good for our economy and that the President, House and Senate would refrain from unnecessary spending until we can afford it.

Liar (liar) if were keeping score

Yeah, I hate that band, but the lyrics seemed an appropriate title for this post. Upon reading the Portland Tribune this morning, I found myself a little upset. For those of you who don’t live in Portland, our mayor was found to have lied about his sexual relationship with a younger male. Originally he claimed there were no relations, now he is claiming that they did have sex, but it was after the boy was 18. Technically nothing (by the information we now have) is illegal about this, but the mayor did lie. This article was basically saying that everyone lies, doctors, lawyers, politicians....so we shouldn't be too hard on this guy. I don't know what kind of society we now live in where we are OK with people lying to us, that we merely accept it. I mean I am not going to be the first to cast a stone here, I am guilty of lying too; but it shouldn’t just be excused. There is a difference between forgiveness & repentance and just excusing someone. Arghhhhhh!!!!

Bible Study kind of kicked my butt last night (in a really good way). I have been making myself physically sick with anxiety about a few personal relationship issues. Friends always quote the "be anxious about nothing" verse, but I feel like it is over used. Well last night that verse was put into a whole new light for me. We learned about the 2 aspects of Faith: faithfulness and trust. We learned that the opposite of trust isn't untrust, but rather anxiety: we are not only not trusting God, but essentially replacing Him with fear. And God has not given us a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, of love and a sound mind. His Power will give me strength to have a difficult conversation. His love will help me do so in a way honoring to Him. The sound mind that he offers helps me from being neurotic. I feel a lot more equipped. Please pray with me that I encompass all of these things, especially tonight and the weeks to come.

Person of the Week- Week 6

Lindsay (and Zac) Bascom

As many of you know, Lindsay has been my best friend since I was 6 years old. She and her husband Zac have been married for about 7 months. They are people of great faith. No matter what kinds of curveballs are thrown at them, they trust in God. They are dedicated to finding ways to grow more in Him and sacrifice a lot to do so. They are wonderful friends and I am so thankful for who they are in my life. Here's to you Linds and Zac!!!

4 steps

5 steps forward, 1 step back. Bummed Obama reinstated the abortion funding, but what can you do? From how I look at it were still 4 steps ahead. In a perfect world I would have expected 5 steps forward, but that perfect world won’t be here until our President is Jesus :)

After reading Briana's post, I realized how much I talk about politics....that and theology. I think I work out all of my ideals on this blog....perhaps that’s why I love blogging so much. I like to have my friends see me work things out and have them there to comment in case they have something to say. It’s really comforting

So I am randomly going to Seattle tomorrow. I get to see my dear friend Ange. I am so excited to catch up. Ange used to work at Open Doors with me and now she works for World Vision. I never realized how close you can get to your co workers until working there. I guess you are spending a 1/3 of your life with them.

Its going to be a really lazy Saturday today. I haven't had one of those in awhile. I plan on staying in my P.J.’s while do chores, doing things on my to-do list and wedding planning. I got Evita in the mail from Netflix so maybe I can convince my roommates to watch that with me :)

Clean Up

I know it's only Day #2, but I am beyond ecstatic with Obama's clean up. Adios Gitmo, hello fair relations between Palestine and Israel (even though Hamas is still pissed...can’t please everyone I suppose) and a stern message to terrorists ("for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you."). My President is fulfilling his major promises on his second day.....I honestly didn't think it would happen. I am in a state of amazement to be honest. Still have to wait to see what his actions will be with Iraq, the economy, healthcare and education in this country, but let’s just say on Day #2 I am already pleasantly surprised by the results. Yeah!!!!

Person of the Week- Week 5

Barack Hussein Obama

I know this is a bit cliché, but it had to be done. History was made today. A man who, 150 years ago would have been a slave, 50 years ago wouldn’t have been allowed to drink out of the same water fountain as me is now the 44th President of the United States. I admire his hope and pray that his ideals put into action will help turn this country around. He has overcome many obstacles and offers an exciting outlook on the years to come. Heres to you Barack Obama!

Last night I was thinking about what now former President Bush must have been dwelling on last night. 8 years on a job and then it is done. I saw a movie about Truman with the actor who played Lutenit Dan in Forest Gump. Anywho historically Truman and Bush have equally low approval ratings leaving office. The movie portrayed how silent life was for him post Presidency...after such an overwhelming term. I wonder if the same thoughts portrayed of Truman will be going through former President Bush's head.

This weekend I had the opportunity to road trip down to So Cal with Brian and Corri for Coop's wedding. It was epic....we thought that the trip would make our weekend super short, but it was actually seemingly lengthened. Coop's wedding was wonderful and I had a great time seeing friends and family. It was a great time.

I get to see Jerry in 11 days and get to marry him in 144 days. I am the most blessed girl on earth!!!!!

His Kingdom

The streets of my once busy city,
Are empty and bare,
There is no one in the restaurants,
Shops, Movies, anywhere

Where employees once stood,
There is no one to be found,
A once thriving business,
Has plummeted to the ground

Why am I so fortunate?
To have kept my vocation,
To have enough to eat,
A warm house, enough for our wedding and vacation?

The economy has been getting more and more real to me and makes me crave a perfect heaven compared to this imperfect earth. I was thinking about that time a few years back at the Lazy W for leadership retreat. It was a night of worship with the Holy Spirit's presences so tangibly there....words can’t even describe how amazing it was. We worshipped for hours and it still didn’t feel long enough. We used the gifts of the Spirit, spoke into each others lives. It was amazing. A little taste of what heaven is going to be like. I cannot wait for that Kingdom. But until then, I pray the Lord uses me here on earth, so more can be part of this awesome experience. Open my mind and heart to the ways You want to use me Lord! Please use this imperfect servant in mighty ways, as only you can. Refine me I pray!

Person of the Week- Week Four

Jay Ditto

Having a crappy day? Having a good day? This guy will always be there to say something to make your day a lot brighter. He is one of the most encouraging people I know. Everything he says is heartfelt and he genuinely cares about his friends. I appreciate the way that he takes time to read others blogs etc, to know what they are going through at that exact moment in life. He is one of the best examples of Christ I know. Heres to you Jay Ditto!!!

Do Everything as Unto the Lord

I know that work has been struggling financially for awhile....I mean when you are a Christian Non Profit reliant solely on donations; you are going to be affected majorly by a bad economy. I knew that we were doing some major cut backs and had a feeling the job cuts were next. Today it became a reality. 7 of my co workers were laid off, 1/5 of our office. I think our whole office feels it more than most would because we are truly like a family. I thought that I would certainly be among them, since part of my job title includes the word "assistant", but God spared my job.

From what it sounds like, my boss cut back in some major areas to keep my job. I am so thankful and feel so undeserving. I am so thankful to have a job, yet I feel guilty in a sense...7 of my dear friends are jobless. I empathetically ache for them.

We were told that these would be the only cutbacks in the foreseeable future. I pray that is the case. This has been a big wake up call for me in a few ways. I have decided that I am not spending anything more until I am at a surplus with my savings. I will be debt free (minus student loans) by April because I do not want to have that in case anything else was to happen.
I also am going to do all that I can to improve upon my work ethic. It isn't that I have a poor one; I actually think I have a good one. But I want to have the best work ethic.

This morning as I was walking to work God put that verse "Do everything as Unto the Lord" in my head. I prayed and told Him I would strive to do that in work today. It is amazing how He prepares our hearts.

In happier news, I found out that as soon as I get accepted in Grad School, Jerry's boss will speed up the hiring process so he can hire me in res life. I am so excited. It is part time so I can still work for Open Doors, but I will also be working in my dream job :) I will be going to school full time as well. I am really excited!!!

Greek nor Jew

With the Gaza situation worsening, I find myself getting more and more pissed at American Christians who blindly take the side of Israel because they are God's chosen people. Just because they are God's chosen people, doesn’t mean that the government is pleasing God or doing the right thing....look at the Old Testament and you will find numerous stories of the people of Israel doing things that displeased God. Now I am not taking a side here, merely pointing out that both sides have things that they are right and wrong about.

Spiritually we need to acknowledge that Colossians 3 states that there is Greek nor Jew in the Kingdom of God. He loves us all equally...we are all his people. When people hate Palestinians they are being racist in the name of Zionism. Stereotyping Palestinians in this way is not only dangerous but morally wrong.

Politically we need to understand feelings on both sides. Yes the land of Israel has been the Jew's for thousands of years. But in recent time, Palestinians have inhabited it. Since 1948 they have experienced Eminent Domain in the harshest sense....the land that was theirs for years has dwindled down to the Gaza strip and a small piece of land called Palestine. Compare it to what the White man did to Native Americans. It was their land first...we took over. The land was their’s...but it would suck for everyone in America if we were forced off of the land we had known all our lives by Native Americans....wouldn’t it?

Anywho...I don’t have the answers...this wont be solved until Christ’s return. But I can say that God loves all his Creation, on both sides. Since he has this kind of love, it is wrong of us to pick sides.

Person of the Week-Week 3

Jerry Fuentes

I know that I am a week behind, but this is better late than never, right? I have elected my wonderful soon to be husband as person of the week for many reasons. He is such a servant (driving me, my sister, my friends all over so cal the past 2 weeks), has an amazing heart (the ability to honor God by forgiving and love everyone) and he has the ability to make me laugh beyond control. He is my best friend and I am so thankful that he will be my husband in 5 months.
Sorry I haven't been commenting on anyone’s blogs lately. I have been in so cal for the past two weeks and rarely went online. I had a wonderful time. It was sunny (just what I needed) and I got to see almost everyone.
I flew in on the 22nd and got chick fila with the fam. The next day, I went shopping at the Mission Viejo mall with Serena and Katie (like old times). We met up with the boys at CPK later that night. I spent Christmas Eve and Christmas with the fam. They all seemed to like their gifts. The day after Christmas I got coffee with Briana and she gave me lots of good wedding advice. I then hung out with Skylar and Katie. We spent the night at Kristin Lattorelle’s (so much fun). The next day was Jerry’s sisters wedding....so much fun. The following day I went to church with my family, played monopoly and went to the beach for a bonfire with them. The day after that I took my GRE....scored a 980. Its more than enough to get me into both schools I am applying to, so that is great. Jer and I met up and got Claim Jumper for his bday. I then went to my grandpa’s to spend the night. We watched the Sound of Music. The next morning I walked to the bus and missed it by 30 seconds. Normally I would have been a little annoyed, but it was ok because I was right at the beach and hung out for 30 mins. I had never realized that the bus from Vanguard went right to the beach. That would have saved me a lot of parking hassle the past 4 years. I rode the bus straight up to Open Doors and worked the day there. It was wonderful to see everyone. That night a few of us from my old youth group got together at the harbor house. New Years Eve day I hung out with the fam and that night I went to Kaytie Clary’s party, then Jerry's old friends, then Kyo and Corris and then to Michelle’s to spend the night. The next day we hung out with Skylar and Katie and then I watched the Twilight Zone with my family. The next day Jerry and I did premarital counseling with Bill. It was one of the best experiences for me. I learned a lot and gained a better biblical understanding about certain situations in my life. We then met up with Kaytie Clary and Roxy and drove out to Jerrys old church. We look over the church and dance hall and are very excited :) We are able to do all of this for pretty cheap too :) We had dinner with Dez for her birthday and then went to Melissa and Grace's. The following day was our 3 year anniversary. Jerry and i bought our wedding rings and then he took me to The Melting Pot and then we saw Yes Man (I thought it was great). The next day Katie and I took the train to see my grandmas in Burbank. Skylar picked us up after and we went to Hollywood and Ameboa. We then met Jer at Skosh's and then hung out with Corri and Kyo. My last day I spent with my family playing monopoly and cards. It was a great time off. :)