Weekend...and Pickles

MMk....so I was telling you all about my good weekend, well after that post I started talking to Simone and we were crying, but its all good. Then...Sunday...I was having the crappiest day...so I opened the Jar of Pickles that Grandma Fern (Raeleens mom) made for me. And they were amazing. I'm on my second or 3rd bowl now...and like...there almost gone, and it makes me want to cry. So I thought I'd take a picture of some....so here it is.

And Also, I got pictures from Raw egg and Chocolate pudding night, so here some of them.

So far so good (mostly)

So this weekend, I have smiled and laughed more than I have since I've been home I think. Last night (friday) we went to the great white north tour...and did some Moshing and praising God....and it was just awesome. The just to add the excitement, we got lost for almost an hour...which I guess was my fault, being that I was the one driving. But I guess thats what I get when my sister is my navigator (just cause Navigator wasn't there), and anyone wh0 knows my sister well knows that...she can get lost in her own room. So yeah, like 12:30 I got home, after driving the other 4 people off. Then today..my mom woke me up at 9:30...and I was so angry, haha....but I had a hair appt. with Ange, so that made it a bit better. And plus, I was having really bad mood swings, mostly with my mom...haha...I guess thats what happens when your a girl. But I felt bad, cause I barely talked at all during my hair Appt. (sorry Ange). Then I came home...after shopping and crap with my mom, and slept for an hour and a half, then got up, and went to youth group...Raw egg and Chocolate pudding night....HECK YES. It was freaking amazing. Got all messy and gross....its awesome. But I should get going.

Bye!

What happens when you give a 2-year-old toilet paper?

This is exactly what happens, he takes it and flushes it down the toilet in one big ball......Oh Xaiver....I love him so!! I miss him so darn much.

Salvation

So, I had to do devotions for Jr. Band and I just finished, and I thought I'd share it with you. So here it is...


Definition of Salvation - a source, cause, or means of being saved or protected from harm, risk

Job 13:16 16This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him.

I was watching a movie at school about Martin Luther. In this movie, Martin Luther said a quote that really stuck out to me. The quote was “Salvation can exist outside the church, but not outside the lord” and it really made me think. First of all, I started by thinking, is the statement true? Then I came to the conclusion that it is true. Think about it, Church is a tool, not a necessity. If someone has a personal relationship with God, and is whole heartily pursuing that relationship, but has been hurt by the church, or can’t make to church very often for some reason, they still have Salvation. You can’t just have Salvation in church, you have to live it, and breathe it. It has to be real, not just a church thing; it has to exist outside the church.

However, a church can have no salvation, if the members in the church have no Salvation personally. If a church is full of members who don’t have that personal relationship, Salvation doesn’t exist in the church or in the lord. If people are going to church to make themselves feel better about there life, chances are, they don’t have true salvation.

If people are just in church because they’ve been raised in church, they’ve been dragged along to church their whole life, that doesn’t give them salvation right off the bat. They have to have that relationship with God; otherwise, their salvation doesn’t exist at all.

Yeah, I decided, I can never just get a typical cold. It always ends up being a sinus infection, a lung infection, Bronchitis or Pneumonia. I just found out today that I have a sinus infection. GOSH! It sucks.

Crystal light Fiasco

Alright, so at camp this summer, I tried dying my hair with Crystal light cause I couldnt find Kool-aid. Here are some pics of the results....

Courtney

Tickle Tickle

Alright, so Some of you know this story, but to be perfectly honest, its one of the funniest stories ever. So, Xavier went into La senza one time with someone. I guess I should tell you, he likes to tickle whatever bare skin he can find on people. Well, there was a girl wearing a mini skirt in La senza. So he went up, reached up and said "Tickle tickle". That is just one of those stories that you have to remember for his wedding. Now everytime I go into La senza I think of that. Seriously, that kids freaking hilarious. I think he was with his Uncle, how embarrassing. I thought you might enjoy that.

Court

More pictures

<---Crystal light fiasco

UGH

Yeah, so this week just sucked. As you can probably tell from the last post. You know, I realized when I was at camp, that I was truly happy, for the entire 2 months I was at camp, it was the first time in like...2 or 3 years that I was truly happy for a long period of time. And its not because nothing went wrong at camp, a lot of things did, camp things and home things, but they still didnt stop me from being happy. Now that Im home, Yeah I smile, I laugh, but Im not 100% happy. I hate it. I've found at school, almost I ever do is Complain, talk about camp, or just not talk at all. And at home, I watch TV, I drive, I lock myself in the office and listen to my music on the comp and at like...9:30 I go into my room, Im pretty much always by myself. And I always find myself thinking about if this week would have gone any better if I was with Rae, Marty and Xavier. And I feel bad, because I love my family, I really do...but we all have weird relationships with each other, and I miss the relationship I had with Rae, and yeah, as much as we still have that relationship, and we will for a very long time, she's pretty busy, running the camp and all, and I have school and homework, and pretty soon church stuff. I want to make sure I dont lose the relationship I have with her, when I start getting bussier (sp?). Sorry, I think all my posts have been complaints, about missing camp. Im really sorry.

School sucks

I woke up this morning, and realized that I have absolutely no motivation to get out of bed, get in the shower, and go to school (after I get dressed of course). I can't figure out why. I dread waking up in the morning, not because its well...waking up, but because I know if I wake up, it means I have to go to school. This summer, I had a million reasons to get my butt out of bed. Now I feel like the only reason I have is because if I dont, I'll get in trouble. I dont get to sleep in on fridays anymore, Im in 2 fricking grade 10 courses, and Im in grade 11. Im a fricking idiot, I cant even pass grade 10 science. All the grade 10s are like, idiots, I swear they do to many drugs and dont even know what 2+2 is. Its frustrating, I cant wait to get out of my grade 10 classes, not because I dont like them, because the grade 10s are so freaking weird and annoying. I have no friends in any classes, and I've tried, OHH have I tried. I spent $125 freaking dollars yesterday on a winter Gym strip, and School pictures, my dad said he'll pay me back though. The only good day of the week was monday, and that was only till I left camp. After that (around 1:30 or 2) it was a crappy day.

Anyways, I have to go...to school...yay (hear my enthusiasm?)
Courtney

This ones for...

Hey Ya'll

This post is dedicated to Xavier and his amazing mommy, Rae. I miss them both so much. That boy is my pride and Joy. My brother asked me today if I was happy to see my friends, and I figured I had to answer truthfully, so I said no not really, and he asked me if I got to see Xavier if I'd have a different reaction, and my answer to that one was...HECK YES. I miss going for walks with Xavier, going to see the Cows, and going on the swings, and down the slide, and I miss waking up to a 2-year-old coming into my room wanting to watch a movie, or play with me, and I miss being in the shower and hearing this little knock, and when Im done in the shower and changed, opening the door only to see him standing there waiting for me to be done.

Now for what I miss about Rae. Sorry if this makes no sense, I can almost guarantee Im gonna start crying, so bare with me. We never really hung out until teen camp, and that makes me angry with myself, because I never really got to know you very well, until 3 weeks before the end of camp, then I spend every evening with you. I miss our late night Girly talks, but I definitely wont go into details on those, hey Rae? I miss random food parties we'd have, when we'd basically base an entire night on food. Aww...Sour Cream and Onion chips, Old dutch baby. And Orange Jones, and cant forget the amazing Smarties Xplosions. Hanging upside down on the couch eating smarties Xplosions, Oh how I miss those days. And all the jokes we cracked about Uncle willis, that he didnt even clue into. How I miss you, and Pineapples....Love you!

I think what I miss the most about it, was being part of a family that appreciated me for who I am, and didnt care when I made a mistake, or anything. Being Part of a family that I felt 100% comfortable with, I dont even get that with my family sometimes. I miss waking up and walking into the kitchen or the living room and have Raeleen Smile at me. I miss trying to find ways to scam my parents into letting me stay forever. I miss Swimming, even though we only went twice. Rae, I never told you this, but I honestly think that you are one of my best friends, and your like my sister. I miss you, and Uncle Willis, and Xavier. I also miss your mom, and Marty's Family...more than anything. Monday night was awesome, just being there with a family I barely knew, but feeling so comfortable. One of these days, we will make the Marshmallow Fly off, I have faith that we will. I should be finishing though, This is basically the hi light of my summer, is getting to spend time with the family. I miss all the staff too, but yeah.

Love ya'll
Court

10 reasons I want to go back

1. In a constant bad mood
2. Always wanting to cry
3. Constantly having family arguments
4. Constantly wanting to take the Van to camp
5. Everywhere I go, I'm reminded of camp, and Rae, and Xavier, and Marty
6. Walking into a room and having people tell me they get the feeling Im not happy to be home.
7. Not being able to tell those people that I am happy to be home
8. Feeling like Im only home for a weekend, but knowing Im not going back tomorrow.
9. Secluding myself
10. Snapping at my family for no reason, other than the fact that I hate every part of being home.


I just want to go back. Rae, if you read this...I miss you soo much, thanks for an amazing summer, I'll be back next year.

You will make gains in any project you undertake in bed

This is a jones cap I got, minus the in bed part, but you have to add in bed to the end of the fortune, its so funny. Raeleen got one that said "hide away for a few days...in bed" I laughed so hard, haha. There are so many funny ones. Where did the time go, I keep thinking Im going back to camp in a couple days, like Im just home for the weekend. Yesterday, my parents told me to call if I was gonna be out late, and I had the car, and I was sooo tempted to drive to camp...but then I figured...probably not the best idea. I went and bought the Jessica Simpson CD yesterday, and then it was 2 for 25, so I got the nick Lachey CD too, and I listen to them when I miss Raeleen, because we listened to those CDs everytime we went into town, and we'd always talk about how hot Nick Lachey is, haha. Oh I miss our girly times. Boy do I ever. I had a Virgin Margarita yesterday, and I felt soo bad, because I told Raeleen We'd get Virgin Margaritas before I left and we didnt get a chance. Oh well, when I come back to visit we'll get some, k Rae?

Anyways, I better go. Im gonna go listen to Jessica Simpson.

Court

PS...the pic, is from the Teen Formal, its Xavier and me

Things I'll miss

~I woke up this morning, without a 2 year old coming in and talking to me.
~I woke up this morning, and there was construction behind my house, that never happened at camp.
~I'm gonna shower today, and not have little knocks on the door every couple minutes.
~ Its gonna take me 15 minutes to walk to 7-11 instead of 15 seconds to get to the Canteen, and at the canteen, I could stay in there for hours talking to Rae.
~ Watching full house with Xavier and Raeleen.
~ Teasing Marty about anything I could think of.
~ Cuddling with Xavier while he's going to sleep.
~ Watching Bob the builder and the backyardigans with Xavier asking "whats that?" "Wheres Bob?".
~ Rae and I having our girly moments, when were just so darn giddy, and everyone thinks were crazy.
~ Trying to think of ways I can hide from my parents.
~ Camp church
~ Talking about the latest celeberty gossip.
~ Listening to Jessica Simpson going into town
~ Pool noodle fights
~ Breaking baby's floaty things (haha, Rae and Plunger know all about it)
~ Beverly Hills 90210
~ Driving into town and hearing "TOW (Cow), MIGHTY MACHINE," or just screaming because he wants to watch a DVD.

there are so many things, I cant post them all. Sorry guys!

Camps Over...So sad

Alright so I woke up this morning, and I realized, everyones leaving. However, somehow I convinced my mom to let me stay with the Matermans till Monday, so thats frickin awesome. Im not too sure when Im starting school, hopefully never, but we all know that wont happen. I think Im gonna do this Job again next year, hopefully by then I'll have another baby to watch, Right Raeleen???? Im not looking forward to Monday, I know for sure, that I'll cry. Xaviers been acting strange the last couple days, and I think we realized why today....he knew the staff were leaving. Today, he was just acting really off, and really sad, and with the staff, even the staff he screamed at all summer, he talked to them, and let one of them giv him a kiss, and asked one to sit with him. Im worried about monday when I leave, I left the house yesterday, to go SWIMMING, and he was kicking and screaming apparently. Anyways, BYE!

I will miss him soo

I must admit, I went to camp for a boy. His Name is William. He makes me happy, whenever Im sad, he makes me happy, he always makes me laugh. He likes to help me clean, and do Laundry, and he likes to watch Chick flicks with me, and he's willing to watch Beverly Hills 90210 with me, which takes a real man, he usually falls asleep during it though. He gets mad when other people give me a hug, and he's a real mommas boy. I just cant believe how good this summer has been, this summer I've spend with him. On my days off, I spend time with him and his mom, and we cuddle lots, and he likes to break things, a lot of things. He's such a boy, he loves bugs, and he loves tractors, and in case you didnt guess, he's 2. William Robert Martin Xavier Materman. We all call him Xavier though. Did I scare anyone????

I will miss him soo

Tootsie Wootsie

Oh gosh, camp is so much fun, its the best time ever. Everyones sick, of what else do you expect? Xavier (the boy Im watching) is sooo cute. He learnes stuff really quickly though, we learned this weekened. We gave him some Toilet paper, and he made a massive clump, and put it in the toilet and flushed it, and we had to turn the water off and Skittles had to pick all the toilet paper out. And then, he took a Bob the Builder toy and flushed it down the toilet in the canteen. K, but I cant do this much longer cause this comp sucks and its Slow and its Dial-up, so I should go. Love ya'll!

One Last Post

Alright, so todays the day I leave, so I thought I'd leave you all with one last post. I dont really have too much to say, my dogs pretty sick though, we think he had a stroke wednesday night, and so he's really not doing well...Its pretty sad. But other than that everythings great. I baby-sat yesterday, and yeah.

I'm just gonna post some Pictures, some are of Julia, the girl I baby-sat, some are me, some are from camp...just Random pictures cause I got a bunch on CD yesterday, so yeah.

Here ya go!

Love ya!!!
Court

Another Poem...ish

Alright, so I havent posted a Poem lately, mainly because I havent written any lately. And then this morning, I woke up, after 4 hours of sleep, only to find out that in the 4 hours I was asleep, my Dog (the older one, he's 11) had to go the Vet because he couldnt walk very well. And even now, his breathing patterns are all over the place. Sometimes it looks like he's not breathing because there are such long spaces between each breath, and other times it looks like he's hyperventelating. So I sat down at the Piano, and I started to play blessed be your name, and then I started playing other chords and stuff, and this started coming out words and all, so its a song, but yeah....and I think it might have been Gods way of telling me to calm down. So yeah, I did make it up, technically, but God was close by the whole time



When, I see your face,
I wonder why you care so much

When I hear your voice,
I wonder why you love me

But then, I pray not my will but thine
And then, I pray not my will but thine

When I feel your arms around me,
I wonder how you can love me

When I feel your love surround me
I wonder how it can be unconditional

But then, I pray not my will but thine
And then, I pray not my will but thine

And Now I feel your love Surround me
Why are you here?

And Now I hear your voice around me
Why do you love me love me love me?

And Im crying out to you
Asking your forgiveness

And now, I pray not my will but thine
But now, I pray not my will but thine


~Court~

Whos the King of the Jungle? Whos the King of the Sea?

If you were raised in Sunday school, or taught sunday school you might know where my name came from. And if not...it goes like this


Whos the king of the Jungle? OO OO

Whos the king of the sea? bobble bobble bobble

whos the kind of the universe and whos the king of me?

His name is J e s u s And I'll stop there, as I dont remember the rest of it, haha.

Anyways, the point of this, is because, well...I just got "the king of the sea" thats right folks, I got myself a fishy. His name is howard, and its just a cheap like...3 dollar fish, but I love him, and apparently, so does my dog. Everytime I take the bowl somewhere, the dog follows, UH OH. Oh well. Howard is coming to camp with me...YAY. Thats really why I got it. It cost 20 dollars for the fish, the bowl, the net, the food and everything else, so it really isnt that bad. I think I might end up calling him Howard the Coward though, he keeps running (or swimming, I guess) everytime I look at him almost, haha. I managed to sneak a picture though, it isnt very good, but its a picture. So thats it for today!

Court

Hey

Hey guys

Alright so, Im frustrated with people, but thats ok, Hopefully 2 months at camp will help me with that. I was at Jr. Youth group last night (as a leader), it's mostly asian kids, but its really fun. The pictures are of my little buddy, Frank. He's always right by me whenever Im there, haha, its actually quite funny. While I was there, well, afterwards, my parents were in a meeting, so I was there for an hour after, and I was laying down on the bench in our Lobby, and I started playing with the phone cord and the phone fell off and hit me in the nose, which isnt good when you got surgery 6 months before, on your nose. haha, not fun, it still hurts sooo bad, but what can you do? I should go though.

Oh yeah, I may or may not of helped simone get a boyfriend she really wanted!

Court

"this is telus long distance, you have a collect call from "Chad, we need your help Bram"...

Oh dear me, My brother makes me laugh. I just answered the phone, and thats what I heard. I dont know what it was about, because well...Bram answered the phone, haha...it made my day.

Alirght, so my weekend was awesome. I didnt get a chance to hang with Sarah, but thats alright, I got to spend time with my dad. We rode the Roller coaster, and it was freaking awesome! I hurt my neck on it though, and my arms hurt this morning, I have no idea what happened to them, but w/e. We shopped a lot, and we looked around Edmonton. We were driving through old strathcona, and there were these 2 guys getting into it, and they were sooo close to starting a fight, I was so disapointed though, cause they didnt fight.

I get to go to camp next week! And Im gone for the summer, HECK YES. I'll take pictures and try and post them stampede weekend while I'm home. But I should go.

ttyl,
Court

YAY

So, Im in Edmonton with my dad. My mom had some....thing at someones house in edmonton this weekend, so my dad and I decided to come and spend some time together. So far, we've done west Ed, thats pretty much it, we went to the cheap theatre there, and saw Benchwarmers, HILARIOUS! I think I get to see Sarah tomorrow, YAY. Sorry to all ya'll who live in edmonton, I wanted to see like, everyone, but I wanted to spend time with my dad, and Sarah and I started making these plans for a while, so yeah...haha.

This picture is my new shoelaces that I got at Parable in Red deer, I was so excited, cause well...Their pink, and thats a big deal for me, a lot of people can back me up on that, I've never been really into pink till this year, but I only like little bits of pink at a time, haha. Oh yeah, and they have Crosses, YAY. Im happy today, lol. But I should go

ttyl
Court

WFSC

WFSC stands for Watch For Slow Children, which is a bit of an insider, but quite hilarious. I picked up Simone tonight, and we just drove around, went to Timmy ho's (Tim Hortons) and then to petland, and then we went to Arby's...to pee, haha. Then we just drove, we were driving and stuff for probably 4 hours, and then we were gonna go for dinner, but her mom invited me in for dinner, so I went and had Chicken with them. MMM...it was quite good. But when we were going into the Arby's Parking lot, there was a sign that said "Slow Watch for Children" and I read it wrong, and well...you get it now Im sure. Then when we were at petland we were gonna get a fish, but decided not to. But when I got home I was like..HMM...I should get a fishy for camp, so We were trying to come up with a name for it, a name that reminded me of Simone, because Im gonna miss her sooo much while Im gone, and she she was like...WFSC! But we decided against it...Simone, we'll share the fishy ok? Still trying to come up with a name, but Im gonna go visit Laura at Petcetra tomorrow and maybe look at fishies. YAY. Tomorrow is so busy though, Im going out with Joey before she goes back to edmonton, and Im hopefully going out with Ashlee from my church, and I have to shop for camp stuff, Maybe fishy will be part of my camp shopping. Who knows! Anyways, thats my story.

Love ya'll
Court

HMM

UNFAITHFUL (Rihanna)

Video Code provided by VideoCodeZone.Com

I heard this song on the radio yesterday and I came home and found it on the internet, and I havent really stopped listening to it. I was thinking, It kinda relates to our relationship with God. Everytime we're doing stuff God doesnt like, or approve of, its almost like you're killing him again and again, and he knows your doing it, and you know he knows, but he doesnt want to tell you to stop, and he won't leave you. He's leaving the decision up to you. I may be way off in this, but its what I get when I look at it from a Christian point of View.

Court

If the Link doesnt work, heres the Lyrics.

Story of my life Searching for the right But it keeps avoiding me Sorrow in my soul cause it seems that wrong really loves my company Hes more than a man and this is more than love the reason that this guy is blue the clouds are rolling in because I'm gone again and to him I just can't be true and I know that he knows I'm unfaithful and it kills him inside to know that I am happy with some other guy I can see him dying I don't wanna do this anymore I don't wanna be the reason why Everytime I walk out the door I see him die a little more inside I don't wanna hurt him anymore I don't wanna take away his life I don't wanna be... a murderer I feel it in the air as I'm doing my hair preparing for another day A kiss up on my cheek He's here reluctantly as if I'm gonna be out late I say I won't be long Just hanging with the girls A liar didn't have to tell Because we both know where I'm about to go and we know it very well cause I know that he knows I'm unfaithful and it kills him inside to know that I am happy with some other guy I can see him dying I don't wanna do this anymore I don't wanna be the reason why Everytime I walk out the door I see him die a little more inside I don't wanna hurt him anymore I don't wanna take away his life I don't wanna be... a murderer His trust I might as well take a gun and put it to his head Get it over with I don't wanna do this Anymore (anymore) I don't wanna do this anymore I don't wanna be the reason why Everytime I walk out the door I see him die a little more inside I don't wanna hurt him anymore I don't wanna take away his life I don't wanna be... a murderer (a murderer) No no no no Yeah yeah yeah

UGH!

K, so can I get some prayer on wednesday? I have my science Final, and I need to get a really good mark, which to be perfectly honest, isnt likely, I havent passed a single test in science yet, and Im so confused, and Im almost in tears because I think Im gonna have to take grade 10 Science again next year, which I guess isnt a terrible thing, but..UGH...I just need to be calm I guess...clear my mind...but its just so hard! I just wish that it didnt have to be so hard! Oh well. I have to go. ttyl


Court

Yeah...just so ya'll know, this face makes me smile , even when I feel crappy, like right now for instance. Jenn, you have a beautiful baby, and your so lucky!

This is just for Jenn!

K, Jenn...I took these pictures just for you!

I went to See Ange today, and told her I wanted it a little shorter, kind of a trim, and then I told her I trusted her, and this is how I left. I love it though. It feels soooo weird! Jenn, I thought you especially would enjoy these pics. It made me miss you more though!!!

ttyl,
Court

What an exciting week

K, sooo...This week was pretty good. Nothing really out of the ordinary, until it got to yesterday, oh and Camp last weekend too. So, Yesterday, I got home from school, I hung out for a bit, had dinner and everything, and I signed onto msn and Simone was on, so I asked if she wanted to go out, and I'd pick her up. So I said I'd pick her up at 6:30. so at 6:20, I attempted to leave my house, when I started the car, I started driving away, and I looked over at my brother only to see him waving me over. It turns out, I skided (sp?) past his car, and took some paint off of it. He wasnt mad or anything, he didnt really care. My parents weren't home, so I left, Picked Simone up like...5 or 10 minutes late, and we went to the mall...and one of her friends works at a car wash, so we went to see him and he gave us a free car wash. So we then came to my house, and I believe my words were "Umm...Mom, Dad, I washed the Car, for free....And I scratched it" I was sooo scared, I was scared I was gonna lose my driving privlages, but they said to learn from it, and that its only a car, and at least I didnt get hurt. I was so relieved, but I still felt soooo bad, when we were at the car wash I was hoping it would take the paint off, but it didnt, it made it more visible. But w/e. We figure it can come off with a little work. So I figure I'll try and figure out how to take Paint off, and do it myself, since its my fault, does anyone have any suggestions? Anyways, the Pictures attached are some of Camp, and some of yc, YAY!

Court.

Dedicated to the Clusters

Well, my dear clusters, your all gone, your in heaven now. I will miss you dearly, every part of you, even the BATS...EWW. You've brought many good memories, and I love you.

Thanks for the memories!

SMILE

Alright, so a few people said I should smile...so here. Just for you! Horrible picture I know, but there ya go.

SoI've been in a really good mood all day, dont really know why, maybe its because I have 2 days of school left. Im pretty well done everything, except exams and stuff. And they were only 42 minute classes today because we had an awards ceremony, and a down syndrom kid graduated, which is weird only because our school is only grade 10 and 11 this year, but it was really cute, cause he was so excited and everyone was cheering and stuff, it was really cool. I almost cried, haha, Im a softy when it comes to kids and menatally handicapped kids people.

I so get to go back to camp this weekend, on sunday, because my sisters going so I get to go with her. Anyways, Im gonna go

Love you all!
Court

If God stepped on your house, wouldnt YOU run out

The quote in my title comes from camp this weekend. We were walking along, by the craft hall, for all of you who have been to Pine Lake, and I went and stepped on an ant hill, Cruel I know, and I said something stupid like "hey look, you step on it, and all the ants run out" well, My friend came back at me with "COURTNEY! If God stepped on your house, wouldnt YOU run out?" It was funny, sorry if it didnt come out funny! K, for everyone who didnt know, this weekend was camp staff training weekend, which was basically to get to know each other, which was really good, I think almost everyone already felt like they have another family. It was hard to say good-bye, but I think it helped knowing we'd see each other in 3 weeks, haha. 4/5 pictures in this post are of the cluster, and what we, or construction people, did to them. Yes, we painted/drew on the remains of the clusters, which were 1 and 2 B and and councellers room in both. We wanted to write messages to God, or to campers. One of my mesages was thanks, because I have had so many memories to thank God for that come from those clusters. We stood and watched them take them down last night, for like...45 minutes, we stood in awe, no one really knew what to say, well there was only like, 5 of us that watched in the group I was hanging out with, but I know of at least 2 other people that watched. I cried, a couple times this weekend for the clusters, then last night, I realized that I should be thankful to God that I got to make the memories built in the clusters, not that they're taking the buildings down. My sister also talked to me and reminded me that the clusters arent where the memory remains, the memory remains in your head. Thanks Leash!!

The weekend was actually amazing. We played a few games, sang, Lee anne Vanduinen (the DYS) did most of the sessions devotionals, and Peter did one. Oh Gosh, we played this game "I've never" and it was different than the one I played before, what it is, is someone stands in the middle of a circle and says one thing they've never done, and everyone who has done it, has to run to a different seat in the circle, and the person in the middle has to try and sit as well, and whoevers left has to say what they've never done. Apparently, in one of the groups, someone saidf "I've never been in a relationship that came from camp" or something to that affect, every single person in the circle got up, every person. Crazy. Anyways, this post is long enough, but here!

If you have a bible, throughout the next week or 2, you should try and read Nehemiah, it was the scripture on which the weekend was based, and if you dont have a bible, or access to one, let me know and we can get together.

Love ya'll!

Just one thing to say!

GO HURRICANES GO


(to the tune..) anybody but edmonton, aaaanybody but edmonton, aaaanybody but edmonton - Composed by Bob McLeod, my daddy, but sung by anyone.

PS...Jesus is better than hockey

GO JESUS!!!!

Good times

The above pictures are my social time...well spend. I think anyways. I was pretty bored, and I write on my arms when Im bored. I cant drive for well, 2 days now I guess, cause my mom and sister took the van to medicene hat, and Im already going crazy. Oh well.

I go to camp on friday!!! Im so excited!

I dont really have much to say, so thats it!

ttyl

Well, I don't post many pictures of myself that are half-decent, so this one is close enough, haha. I have a hard time smiling for pictures, I get so self concious of my smile. Ever since I was little I never liked to smile for pictures, Smiling any other time is one of my favorite things to do, but not in pictures. Thats why I often have weird faces or my dress lifted up in pictures. There Jenn, I put that one in just for you!

We went to South Meadows today. It was really good. I dont think my mom knew what to expect. Everything that happened was stuff that Alicia and I have told her would happen. Just like, no Uniforms, and coffee and snacks and stuff, just a really relaxed atmosphere, and I dont think she quite understood quite what we were saying until she actually saw it, which isnt a bad thing, when going to traditional army, Its hard to understand it, I even have a hard time sometimes, but I really like south meadows. I've thought about switching, but its so hard, my family is glenmore. My church family are at glenmore. And although most of my friends go to south meadows, I feel like I have a good support to fall back on at glenmore, just because they've seen it all, they've seen everything from my first sunday at church after I was born, to my first steps to my first words, and my first period and everything. I gave my first testimony there and stuff, and as messed up as some things may be at glenmore, I can't see myself leaving anytime soon. And it isnt to say that South meadows doesnt have that support, I'm not saying that at all, this is just a personal thing, so Im not trying to offend anyone in saying this. Anyways, thats what I have to say.

And I'll leave you with this "everyone hurts, but not everyone feels pain"

"Gosh! You guys are retarded!"

For those of you who don't live in TV world, the above line is from the funniest movie ever created, the one, the only...Napolean Dynamite. Heck YES! Oh dear, my sister and I rented it, we got the special edition, and we were watching the special edition, and we were watching the special features at the end, and it showed the guy who played Napolean Dynamite, and we decided how to rate guys. I told my sister that Earthquakes were measured on the RICTOR scale, and we decided guys had to be rated on the VICTOR scale. For everyone who doesnt know Victor, he is the hottest guy ever. He's the Program director at camp this summer, and he's amazingly hott, so yeah.

So I went out with Simones family the other day, and accidentally ate a pepper and cried, totally unintenionally, but thats alright, it isnt the first time I've made a fool out of myself in front of people.

OOO...can you all pray for friends of my family? Their mother just passed away, and it really sucks.

I'm sooo excited to go to florida, and ride on the hollywood tower of terrors, its the most amazing ride ever.

I go to camp soon...YAY

ttyl!!!!

Another song

I dont know if you've noticed or not, but music has a HUGE influence on my life. Not really the people that sing the music, but the words. I was listening to this song on the way to Edmonton, and started thinking about the words.

Well I just heard the news today
It seems my life is going to change
I closed my eyes, begin to pray
Then tears of joy stream down my face
With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everythingWith arms wide open
With arms wide open Well I don't know if I'm ready
To be the man I have to beI'll take a breath, I'll take her by my side
We stand in awe, we've created life With arms wide open
Under the sunlight Welcome to this placeI'll show you everything
With arms wide open Now everything has changed
I'll show you love I'll show you everything
With arms wide openWith arms wide open I'll show you everything ...oh yeah
With arms wide open... wide openIf I had just one wish Only one demand
I hope he's not like me I hope he understands
That he can take this life And hold it by the hand
And he can greet the world With arms wide open...With arms wide open
Under the sunlight Welcome to this place I'll show you everything
With arms wide open Now everything has changed I'll show you love
I'll show you everything With arms wide openWith arms wide open
I'll show you everything... oh yeah With arms wide open....wide open

What this means to me, is that, it doesnt matter what God gives us, good or bad, or even if we're unsure if its good or bad, we HAVE to accept it with Arms wide open, no hesitation, no wondering "if we did this differently" or anything. Lifes scary, but what other reasoning do we have to be on earth than to show people how to deal with things in the correct way? It's alright to be scared, its the human thing, but its how we deal with that fear. I think the guy singing this song is dealing with it in a good way. He's scared, and he talks about how he doesnt want his son/daughter to turn out like him, but he's still going to be there. It shouldnt matter how much the situation might change your life, you still need to accept it.

Take a look

The band Thousand Foot Krutch sings the song "breath you in" and they played it at yc this weekend and I started thinking about how it should be everyones prayer. Take a look at the lyrics!

"Taking hold, breaking inThe pressures on, need to circulateMesmerized and taken inMoving slow, so it reasonatesIt's time to rest, not to sleep awayMy thoughts alone, try to complicateI'll do my best, to seek you outAnd be myself, not impersonateTried so hard to not walk awayAnd when things don't go my wayI'll still carry on and on just the sameI've always been strongBut can't make this happen'Cause I need to breathe, I want to breathe you inThe fear of becomingI'm so tired of runningAnd I need to breathe, I want to breathe you inI want to breathe you inI'm going in, so cover meYour compass will, help me turn the pageThe laughing stock I'll never beBecause I won't let them take meTook awhile to see all the love that's around meThrough the highs and lows there's a truth that I've knownAnd it's You"

Its amazing.

YC 2006

Well, my family and Simone went to YC 2006 in Edmonton this weekend. It was one of the best experiences of my life. 16 000 other Christian people all praising God. Amazing. Soo many good times with my friends too! We didnt know soo many people we knew were gonna be there, but we ended up hanging out with a few people, and it was awesome. I accidentally threw my slurpee at Krystal yesterday. And yes, it honestly was an accident. I went to pretend to throw something at her and forgot my slurpee was in my hand, haha....just happened it be the one time I've ever had a slurpee with no lid, SORRY KRYSTAL! But yeah, it was really was amazing. The God stuff and being with friends. One thing I found cool, was that saturday night, the Oilers one (which really sucks!) and the whole place went crazy, everyone was screaming, and everything and that lasted about 2 minutes ish. Then Chris Tomlin got up to do his concert and after every song God got a louder cheer. And it was amazing to see everyone so excited and enthusiastic about God.

I'm gonna share some points miles Mcpherson shared with us.

There was a tight rope walker over niagra falls, and he asked the crowd if they believed he could carry a barrel full of sand across the tight rope, and of course, everyone said yes...and so he called a kid up, and said if you believe in me so much, get in the barrel, and he dumped the sand out. If you didnt catch the point, its to say that we're not just supposed to say we believe and hope he doesnt make us do anything scary or big, but be ready and willing to do anything and go anywhere.

A party when Christians are sharing with non-Christians its called a marty (said with a british accent). Its called a marty because of matthew 9:9-13.

Bible =

Basic
Instruction
Before
Leaving
Earth

There was a lot more as well, but I dont want to make this TOOOO long.

We saw bands such as:
Hawk Nelson
Thousand foot krutch (tfk)
Audio Adrenaline
Newsboys
Grits
Chris Tomlin
and Tree 63 provided the worship.

At the Chris Tomlin concert I experienced the weirdest thing ever. I felt something telling me to fall to my knees, and I hesitated for a while, trying to figure out if God was actually telling me to do it, then I finally did it and something came over me, I felt like...a new person. Maybe what I needed to do to help my spiritual life (as other posts have mentioned, my struggle with devotions etc) was to listen to God and do what he says, and ever since then I feel like I did when I gave my life to God when I was 13. Its Amazing. God is the most amazing God ever.

I just wanted to share a few of my experiences. Hopefully I'll get some more pics from Sarah, and post them.

Love ya'll (Krystal, I'm a black person!)
Court

Poor Poor Jeweller

My puppy, Jewel, started her first heat this week. She seems sooo confused, like she has no idea whats happening to her. She's such a sucker for attention right now. She'll come up and put her paws around you and give you a hug, its sooo cute, but I feel so bad for her. She's so, mopey (sp?) and yeah. I kind of like her like this when she has no energy, but still I feel bad for her.

On a happier note! My sister and I had like....the best night out tonight. We went to the mall, and laughed non stop. It was one of the best times we'd had since she got home from aussie land. Thanks Leasher!!!!

one things for sure

I miss soooo many people! I totally hate when you get to see someone for like...a couple hours, or even a couple days, but then they have to go home, or you do, and when you say good-bye, you feel like crying. I feel like crying so often, because I miss someone. It isnt very often that you miss everyone you dont get to see too often all at once, it's more...you miss between 1 and 5 people at a time. Sometimes, I wish...everyone lived really close together, so you can see everyone all the time. I just want you all to know, I miss you. The one thing thats for sure, is that there a lot of people in this world I love, and I can't express that enough, I just wish everyone knew how much I cared about them. If you're reading this, please know that I care about you, I love you all!!!!

Great weekend...

Alright, so friday! My dad picked me up at school, and he had the dureski kids with him. The dureskis are as my mom calls them, their adopted grand children. They are 1, 6, and 8. I love them sooo much. My sister was watching them for the weekend so we helped her out. But yeah, we went and hung out at their house for a bit, then I went and took my drivers test again, and...I PASSED!!! So yeah, I've been driving a bit. And then I went to Tammy's baby shower, which was sooo fun. It was awesome! Then yesterday we spent all day with the kids. we went and played in the creek and stuff, at fish creek. And then today was church and then....fish creek, again. playing in the creek, haha. It was amazing to sit there, in the creek, yeah, we sat in the middle of the creek, and just watch the kids have sooo much innocent fun trying to catch the minos, and throw rocks into the water, and Julia, the one year old, trying to throw these big rocks. And then I sat there for a while looking around. Everywhere you looked, there were trees, or water, or sky, or kids, or rocks. I had to thank God for everything he gave us. We really take advantage of what we have. I'm really sorry I almost missed it by getting too distracted. Anyways, thats it for now.

ttyl,

Court