Apparently "updee" means something like "peace to all people" or "hello" or "goodbye" or something along those lines...I learnt that friday night from my new friend Blaire. He's the blackest white guy you'll ever meet. Really nice guy. I'm not a very dedicated 'blogger.com'er, woops. The theme for my church this year is "The Year Of Prayer". I didn't like the theme all that much at first because it's such a broad theme. Entitling a whole entire year "the year of prayer" is so...well, it's just so...regular. I mean, everyone knows that, as Christians, we should always pray...so why state the obvious right? But needless to say, I continued going to church despite the rather odd label for the year because I love Jesus. And, of course, God did what He seems to do a lot. He made me realize that I was really wrong. Using the theme "the year of prayer" is pure genius!! Think of everything that my pastor will be able to do with that, and all the things he'll be able to engrave into our hearts and minds.
There's something about a service where the pastor speaks about showing God's love to others that never fails to keep my attention. This is what my pastor spoke on today. He encouraged the church to be a church that accepts ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE!! He told this story of a scrubby looking teenage boy that had come into a church one sunday morning. The young man had piercings and tattoos all over his most likely unshowered body. He entered late and as he walked down the isle everyone in the congregation began turning their heads to stare. He continued to walk down the isle to the very front of the room and sat on the floor right in front of the stage where the pastor was preaching his message. I'm sure, if you've ever attended a sunday morning church survice, you can picture the awkwardness that would come of this. The already silent congregation grew even more silent as everyone either stared at the boy in utter amazement or flat out tried their best to pretend he wasn't there. Then suddenly from the back of the church one of the older gentlemen that was very proper (ya know, wore a suit every week and what not) and very respected in the church got up from his seat and began walking to the front. A few mutters broke out in the crowd because everyone of course was interested in what he might do. As he reached the front we walked directly to the boy's side and sat down next to him, and there he sat for the entire service. That story amazes me. Not because there was some life-changing outcome, because we actually don't even know the outcome, but just because of the love. That older man didn't see himself to be any better than that young man. I think that friendship is such a powerful thing. Can you imagine what it would be like to be going through one of the hardest times in your life and not have a single friend in the world that cared? Or to realize that you have done so many wrong things in your life that you probably don't even deserve to be forgiven for and to have nobody around to tell you that you ARE forgiven? Cuz I can't. So come on guys, show the love. How does that song go..."Jesus, friend of sinners...Jesus, Jesus, friend of mine..."
Oh, and shout out to Google Girl! You are my sunshine. I'll always be here for you!

On sunday the pastor of my church spoke on the times in our Christian walk that seem so blah...almost like being a Christian has become boring because nothing appears to become of it. That's exactly what it's been like for me the past couple of months. I guess there's not really words to explain it. At times it feels pointless because I continue to serve God (and there is nothing that would ever change that), but I just don't feel like I'm really doing anything outstanding. The message on sunday encouraged me because pastor Scott basically said that we all go through it at one point or another, and all there really is to do is to keep on keeping on. I'm so thankful for God's voice. That's one thing I know I can always count on. God speaks to me everyday. "Have faith that when you call my name I'll be there. I'll be right there." Hmm...what song is that? If you can tell me you win.....my unconditional love.
And someone tell me this...do you believe that in the end everything works itself out the way it's truly supposed to be? Really think about it. Boggles my mind sometimes.

There's this guy that lives in Winnipeg. His name is Mark and he's #8 on my myspace friends list. I've never actually met the guy, but he found me on myspace and added me so now we've been messaging back and forth a bit. He recently posted a blog that contained a variety of random things (which was hilarious, I laughed my ars off) and at the end of the blog he stated that he wanted to discover where Valentine's Day originated from....SO he has just posted a blog that contains the full story behind Valentine's Day. Now, what I'm going to do is copy and paste his blog onto my blog for all of you to read, because it's really good. Shout out to Mark if you're reading this....you're super cool! So here goes...

"A little research led to the solution of my Valentine's Day conundrum. We all know there was a saint Valentine, but what significance did this man have on the world? And why do we celebrate it today? First off, the date February 14 was in fact the date of his death. But why is it so important you might ask? Well Valentine was one of the first Christians of his time. And at the time Christianity was frowned upon. Therefor this resulted in his incarceration. Valentine was imprisoned to await his execution. As he waited in his prison cell, he began conversating with a jailor’s daughter. She too shared his views of Christianity and believed it was unjust to be executed based on it. Their friendship grew strong and on the day on his execution, Valentine left her a note ending in "From your Valentine" So on February 14, 269 A.D. Valentine was asked one last time to renounce his Christianity. He once again refused and was killed on that very day. It wasn’t until the 1800's when Valentines Day was commercialized and made popular. Tradition have transpired on that day for hundred of years, but today we know it as a time to share our love. So that’s my Valentine’s Day summary. And yes it’s entirely in my own words."

Sooo....for the record, I used to hate Valentine's Day, until today. It used to always be a day that reminded me I was alone, but now I just don't care. I mean, of course it sucks to be alone, but knowing what the day really represents has completely changed my perspective. That was good Mark, you're my hero.

I've just decided I don't like boys anymore..........fewijoapdsujfkclvnjkdalfuioacjkvlcdsjgfijsdklfjs!!! So there is no boy in my life...apparently there never really was. I just don't really like them anymore. I'm not gonna explain cuz, ya, I don't feel like it...but seriously, when you say something, MEAN IT!!! Please, for everyone else's sake, mean it!!!!
But much more importantly, I have an interview at Starbuck's tomorrow at 3:30...that's right all you hardcore CPC coffee drinkers, I know your jealous! They even gave me any drink I wanted while I filled out the application, for free!! They're looking for daytime staff, which is perfect for me....hellooooooooo Starbuck's!!! I also might be getting a job at this place called Convergys. It's a call in centre and they pay $9/hour, so I definitely wouldn't be mad if I got that job too.
So yes, that's my life as of right now. I'm doing well, very well. I still love Jesus, and I still love all of you.

I have a crush on this boy, his name is Ryan. That's a really bad picture...we discovered that he doesn't take the greatest pictures because all the other ones are worse than this. It's funny because my brother's name is Ryan, and the name of the last guy I dated is Justin...which is the name of my other brother...weird. Oh and don't worry that's not my beer, I think beer is absolutely revolting and anyone who enjoys it must have burnt their tastebuds off. But yeah, that's him.

Meet Toby. He's my cousins dog, they live just down the road from us. Their whole family is in Florida right now so I am dog sitting for 10 days...I get to use their Avalanche truck in exchange for taking care of the dog. I thought that was an alright deal. Toby looks like a little rat. I don't really like little dogs very much, and he often gets annoying, but it's funny how little dogs have this way of forcing you to love them because they're so cute when they curl up on your lap and make little whining sounds. Toby is sleeping on my lap right now as I write this...that picture was taken about 3 minutes ago.
Now for my new years story...so me and a few of my friends got a hotel room at the Holiday Inn, it was a great time. Earlier on we had some other people come to hang out (like the boys, ewww), but most of them left after midnight. It's 11:59 pm with 10 seconds until 12 and we're all standing in the room watching the tv. We start counting down, "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1..." we get to zero and everyone starts chearing, kissing, and whatever else. I'm standing beside my friend Ryan that I've known for a little while now and we're chearing and smiling, and then suddenly he turns to me and says, "will you go out with me?", and me not really expecting it says, "um, what? Seriously?", and he says, "yes. For real."...and so I took a second, thought to myself "he's a really cool guy" and then said "yes!" I guess we're not really friends anymore, lol. That's not really a detailed story, and in most cases I would be kicking myself right now because that was mostly a spontaneous and extremely caught up in the moment answer...but I figured, what the heck. And the weird part is, it's turned out pretty good. We go together oddly well, and I really like the guy. I'll post a picture as soon as I get one. And that's my story. I can now consider myself spontaneous and fun...and if it doesn't work out, I blame new years.
I miss you guys!

I think I should write a blog, because I haven't in a gnol time. I wrote long backwards just now for no good reason, and I was lovin' every second of it. I would just like to inform you all that I'm...oh wait, no I'm not. But I am glad to tell you that I...wait, no I didn't. Well last night my...no, no she didn't. I got nothin' guys. Life is good though. I hope no one takes offense to this, but I'm happy at home, and I am glad I'm staying. Gotta be honest. I haven't felt this happy in awhile. I've even made some new friends since I've been home. AND my new friend Ryan wants to come to church with me!! I'm actually SO excited!
But yeah, I got an iPod nano for Christmas...it's no big deal. lol, yeah I love the thing. I miss everyone, for real.
I just fixed up my resume, so now I must go in search of a job. Fun, fun. News years is totally in like 3 days!