DC*B

Okay my friends....that's right....they're back with a new cd! The David Crowder*Band has released their B-side version of Collision. If you're unfamiliar with the DC*B, just call my cell phone and listen to the ring. You'll get a preview of their music. Or, you can go to MySpace to hear a little of the new cd!

They're coming to Colorado on July 30th (Estes Park)...and then returning in September for their make-up concert with Third Day.

The new book comes out September 12th called Everybody Wants to go to Heaven but Noboday Wants to Die.

"Death does not win. It is not the end. It's the beginning..."

Check them out!

Moving...

Well folks, the Monroe house is emptied, cleaned, and closed for the year. I still can't believe it's been a year since we all moved in. It doesn't seem like it's been that long...but the dust piled up on the blinds sure did indicate that that was true. Nevertheless, this has been one of my most favorite living situations ever. The girls were all amazing, and I'm really going to miss our little set-up. Cleaning, however...not so much fun. I guess it just re-affirmed the fact that I will probably never own a large house on my own, cuz I never want to clean like that! I guess I just better be able to afford the cleaning person to go along with the house itself if I ever decide to purchase a living accommodation such as a HOUSE.

Moreover, I am so thankful for all my family who put in the effort to help me move on out and then into my new living situation--the Dolph residence! It's just amazing how the Lord provides for our needs in ways we'd never expect!

I am tired after such a long day of moving and cleaning. Time to enter the sleepy tomb with the esleeping companion...also known as my blankie. Pleasant dreams!

Saint Patrick's "Breastplate" Prayer...

I am very enthrolled by this beautiful prayer. I guess I like it because it covers the basics of our need for Christ to meet us in the little things...and the big things. I decided I wanted to type this word for word instead of copying and pasting it in...in hopes that it would sink in that much more. "What do you want to sink in?", you might ask...well, basically, I want the Lord's presence and my desperation for Him to be felt always. I've noticed lately that I forget where I need to be with respect to God. I need to be right as His feet.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial,
Through the stength of His resurrection with His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of Doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radience of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptations and vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft and idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.

Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Chirst when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of creation.

Status In Life

Unemployed...again...but enjoying the summer time and yoga!

There's one thing really good about being unemployed right now....IT'S SUMMER TIME! I get to play in the water, relax by the pool, go to the mountains for a hike/picnic, hang with friends who are leaving soon (ahhummm...Sarah), move out of my house, figure out a new place to move into, maybe get some initiative to paint...the options are endless. What's most important though is it won't be COLD! It's going to be nice and hot the entire time, and that makes me really happy.

Another new thing in life is finding yoga because of my most recent employer. I have been enjoying the various series by Rodney Yee. In my day I first start off with his Yoga AM then (while it's still the morning) go to Yoga NOW AM (with Meriel Hemingway). Starting with the Yoga NOW AM is just too much when I first wake up...gotta have a little more gentle, mellow session to wake up to. Then, before bed, I do the Yoga NOW PM with Rodney. I haven't gotten all hard-core about it (mats/straps/bricks), but I know I will soon. I just enjoy it so much! Plus, the good news is I think it's even helping my back get better! So, it's awesome.

Online Dating...

What's it all about really?

Well, I for one, am not convinced that it really, um, does the trick if you know what I mean. There's all of these match-ratings, but has anyone really done the math to see if it works better than, or at a minimum, as well as bar-hopping? Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that bar-hopping is the way to go to meet guys/girls. But that seems to be the popular choice in our society these days.

As for me, I'd really want to meet someone who goes to my church. But, that is like trying to find needle in a haystack! Actually, that's not even an accurate description, because if you're trying to find a needle in a haystack, you know that the needle is in there! I'm not so sure there's any single 20-somethings attending my church. That's right...I'm convinced the male Gen-Xers have abandoned the Church entirely.

Back to online dating though. I have a profile on one of those coupling databases, but not a whole lot happening there. I do have one friend...so I can't say it's entirely pointless. If I didn't, I might get to the point where I'd believe that there was something wrong with me--like I'm not kew-L or something. I don't really think I can put myself in the 'ugly' category either, but I guess there's always another person's opinion.

Anyhow, if you know what I'm talking about, send a comment, a shout-out, an 'amen!,' or a 'you're totally wrong JOY!'...whatever you think, let me know! I'm curious. I'm starting my own polling here. I want success stories, horror stories, or 'it just didn't work out' stories.

We'll get to the bottom of this online dating thing soon enough!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie

This is dedicated to Mikey. I personally prefer TMNT 2, but this one is good too. Turtles are a way of life for a three year old. He knows them all by name, color, and weapon: blue is Leonardo carrying the swords; purple is Donatello with the bow-staff; orange is Michelangelo with the numb chucks; and red is Rafael with the 'pokers' as Mike calls them. Luckily for me, I was well versed in Turtle-lingo due to my own affinity for the hard-shelled fighting team. Maybe some day, Mike will have the pleasure of teaching my kids about the wonders and beauties of "T-Ninja Turtles."

"I LOVE being a TURTLE!"

The Evolution of Dance

Please friends, take the time to watch this awesome spectacular condensed version of American Dance. You will laugh, you will cry...well, maybe not cry, but you'll LAUGH hysterically!

I'm going to be a STAR!

Well, maybe not quite...but close enough. Today at work, they filmed the employees as they were "working away." It was cool...I got to be a filler at desks that were empty. Now, where do you think they're going to use this footage? WHO KNOWS?!? What will probably end up happening is the flat screen tvs that you see when you first walk in will have shots of your's truly along with my co-workers. Today's kinda a distracted day.


P.S. Happy National Donut Day!