Celsius to Fahrenheit

I don't plan on memorizing this chart, but I plan on keeping it handy when I am in the states because a 23 degrees day is not so nice (negative 28 degrees Celsius). Haha.

WOW

So I look back and my last post was at the beginning of the summer. HOW WIERD IS THAT?! The summer has just flown by. Schools have started. University students are moving and starting orientation. Summer is ending. Welcome Fall.

I am at home prepping for YWAM. Packing. Appointments. Visiting People.
WOW. I can hardly believe the summer is over. I didn't think that YWAM would come this fast. Just a couple short weeks away.

WOW!

Camp Email

Encouragement and Prayers have been such a blessing to me, but also to other staff and as well just camp in general. Please pray for us as we begin our first of eight weeks here, that we could be instruments for God's use. Pray that guests, campers, volunteers BASICALLY: everyone who sets foot on camp property would feel the LOVE and SHALOM of Christ.

I'd love to hear what you are up to this summer, whats going on in your life. I REALLY like getting mail at camp and hearing what crazy stories you might have to share. Even if there are any prayer requests, joys, hopes, struggles that I can pray with you for. You can email me (or other staff and campers you may know) at camp's website:

http://countrysidecamp.com/country/email

Love and Blessings.

prom pictures.

I felt like I should post some Prom Pictures. We took these pictures before prom at my friend Tessa's house. She had so many great places to take pictures that it actually looks like we went to a bunch of different places.

Most of the pictures I have are with my friends. My mom accidentally forgot to put the camera card back in the camera so I didn't actually take any pictures on the camera. Here's one we got:

What is Love?

These weeks have flown by! Last time I posted I was just getting over the grossness of exams, and since then have had prom, graduated, AND finished two weeks of staff training!! This is SO CRAZY! haha :)

Life is good though. I love Jesus. I feel blessed.

Staff training was a week of renewal, bonding, and learning. Its funny because last year in kitchen I missed out on alot of the counsellor training stuff because I was in kitchen training. It is cool to see the other side of things now though.

I am so stoked for Special needs week this coming week. I am going to be an actual counsellor! I'm nervous. I'm excited. Special needs weeks are always the most trying weeks, but also the most rewarding.

Jesus taught me this week to be open to Him. He is continually teaching me about his love. Its cool because the theme for this summer at camp is "This is Love" but even before I knew that I was learning about God's love for his children. I see this summer as a grand opportunity God is using me to grow in Him before YWAM and also stretching me and molding me. I know that love is something that all Christians should be challenged with. What is Love? Why do we love? Why does God love us?

This is are theme passage for the summer from 1 John 4:9-11, but I challenge you to read the whole passage (or even Book..don't worry 1 John is not that long :) hehe). What is Love?

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Nightmares.

I woke up three times last night. All three times freaking out that I had to go study for an exam. Then I remembered I didn't have any more exams and was done. This is good.

..And Done

Finally!

:) So Happy :)

Bye-bye Biology

Two down. One to go.

Goodbye Chemistry!

One down two to go.

What would you ask Him?

If you could interview God, what would you ask Him? I saw this inspiring poem in a video a couple days ago and I thought I would share it on my blog.

I dreamed I had an interview with God.

“So you would like to interview me?” God asked.

“If you have the time” I said.

God smiled. “My time is eternity.”
“What questions do you have in mind for me?”

“What surprises you most about humankind?”

God answered...
“That they get bored with childhood,
they rush to grow up, and then
long to be children again.”

“That they lose their health to make money...
and then lose their money to restore their health.”

“That by thinking anxiously about the future,
they forget the present,
such that they live in neither
the present nor the future.”

"That they live as if they will never die,
and die as though they had never lived.”

God’s hand took mine
and we were silent for a while.

And then I asked...
“As a parent, what are some of life’s lessons
you want your children to learn?”

“To learn they cannot make anyone
love them. All they can do
is let themselves be loved.”

“To learn that it is not good
to compare themselves to others.”

“To learn to forgive
by practicing forgiveness.”

“To learn that it only takes a few seconds
to open profound wounds in those they love,
and it can take many years to heal them.”

“To learn that a rich person
is not one who has the most,
but is one who needs the least.”

“To learn that there are people
who love them dearly,
but simply have not yet learned
how to express or show their feelings.”

“To learn that two people can
look at the same thing
and see it differently.”

“To learn that it is not enough that they
forgive one another, but they must also forgive themselves.”

"Thank you for your time," I said humbly.

"Is there anything else
you would like your children to know?"

God smiled and said,
“Just know that I am here... always.”

-author unknown

If you want to see it in its video form, heres a link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moBvLFbFdJ4

Dear Backpack

Dear Backpack

I know we are not best of friends.

But could you please hold out for a couple days?

Like I said: I need you to stay strong just a couple more days.

I don't like Chem and bio texts any more than you do.

But we can make it through this.

Sincerely,

Brittany

love never fails.

love never fails.

true love never fails that is.

BASICALLY:

God's love never fails.

there ya go.

Hope not

Hope this doesn't happen for my exams. They don't take it as a valid excuse to why you failed:

Stressed?

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

3 more days of classes.
Then 3 days of exams.

One day at a time

9 more sleeps until my first exam

11 more sleeps until my last exam

14 more sleeps until staff training

18 more sleeps until prom

21 more sleeps until graduation

1 more sleep until tommorow.

Taking it one day at a time.

Roots. Candles. Graduating Class of 2011.

Over the past few weeks I have been thinking alot about graduating. Some of the people that I will stand up and graduate with I have been with for just four years or less of highschool. Some of the people I will stand up with are people I have known since our days in Kindergarten.

I do not know every single person’s plans for after graduation or in the fall. I know of people headed to the states, I know of people staying here in Ontario, maybe some people will choose to stay for an extra year of high-school. Some people have chosen a secular university or college while others are going to be at a Christian one.

I’m not going to say that we are all on the same page in our faith life, but I do know that each one of us knows of Jesus. Each one of us has been nurtured and taught in a faith-based school for some part of our life (whether since Kindergarten or maybe just for grade 12). Christian education has done its best at planting seeds, establishing roots, and growing our faith.

And in a few weeks HDCH will graduate yet another class (this time its ours), and we will stand up and graduate. I know that some of the people at graduation I will never see again. I know that next year we will be separated and we will lose things we have in common. We will have new friends and different study paths. WHO KNOWS? maybe some of my fellow classmates (or me? haha just kidding Mom) will go off and get married in some far off country.

But there’s something that we still will always have in common. We have our roots. We have the knowledge of a Risen Lord and Redeeming Savior. I pray for each one of my fellow classmates in whatever their future holds for them. I pray that we could hold on to and grow in our faith in the years to come. I have confidence that God follows us and pursues us wherever we go, but I pray that we would also follow his will for our lives and pursue a relationship with Him. I pray that people that we meet would notice something different in us. I pray that we could all be shining lights of our Savior.

Carry Your Candle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtIIFJIxdUw

There is a candle in every soul

Some brightly burning, some dark and cold

There is a Spirit who brings a fire

Ignites a candle and makes His home

Carry your candle, run to the darkness

Seek out the helpless, confused and torn

Hold out your candle for all to see it

Take your candle, go light your world

Take your candle, go light your world

Frustrated brother, see how he's tried to

Light his own candle some other way

See now your sister, she's been robbed and lied to

Still holds a candle without a flame

So Carry your candle, run to the darkness

Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn

Hold out your candle for all to see it

Take your candle, go light your world

Take your candle, go light your world

We are a family whose hearts are blazing

So let's raise our candles and light up the sky

Praying to our Father, in the name of Jesus

Make us a beacon in darkest times

Carry your candle, run to the darkness

Seek out the hopeless, deceived and torn

Hold out your candle for all to see it

Take your candle, go light your world

Take your candle, go light your world

Run to the darkness

Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn

Hold out your candle for all to see it

Take your candle, go light your world

Take your candle, go light your world

Take your candle, go light your world

We are a family whose hearts are blazing

So let's raise our candles and light up the sky

Praying to our Father, in the name of Jesus

Make us a beacon in darkest times

Playdough vs. Chemistry

The Playdough creatures came out to play in chemistry the other day as we learned quantum mechanics of the atom. Fun fun fun for everyone.

IKEA.

Went to IKEA tonight with Em and her two friends. We walked through the entire store I think. I discovered that IKEA has everything! I was tempted at one point to jump of the stairs into a bin of pillows below, but I resisted. Then I saw an ice cube tray in the shape of fish, so I bought it (cause Fish are my favourite animals). Em, Amanda, and Ange bought some stuff for their house...one of which was a large framed black and white picture with a red bike. We did self checkout and then Ange went to go get her car so we could load everything.Everything fit into the trunk except for the picture. Ange and I were going to hold that on our laps in the back. We faced just one problem:

The Picture wouldn't fit into the car. We tried every which way. Through the trunk. Through the Front seat. Ange even thought about breaking her car a bit so that it would fit (They REALLY wanted this picture). As we tried to get it into the car, Em went and bought us all ice cream (very cheap IKEA ice cream).

So we contemplated as we ate ice cream. My idea was to drive with it on the roof and hold it with our hands then just drive back roads. They all thought that was a bad idea (I liked it and still do like the idea..haha)

Finally we called up Pacha and he came with the pickup truck. Problem solved. haha

It was a fun time.

And another random fact: the girl Ange went home and when she got there, her boyfriend proposed! CONGRATS ANGE! (and boy)

and I am excited for my Ice Cube Tray.

Lacrosse

This Picture was supposed to go along with the Lacrosse post. This is me and my friend Grace after our very short season of Lacrosse.

COW

We dissected a cows eye today in biology.

Counting down the days left of this course.

Lacrosse

Yesterday I joined the Lacrosse team at my school.

Today was our first game (an probably our only game).

We held up pretty well for a team that hasn't practiced all that much together.

We ended up losing 3-0.

It was SO FUN though! I hope that we have a chance to play another game (slash I hope that wasn't our first AND last game of the season)

Brains

Dissected a Sheep brain today. NBD.

Pollywogs

Yesterday me and Habunta went and caught Pollywogs. We were right down getting dirty in the pond. We managed to catch one. We also saw a turtle. The End

email@hot.com

today my dad was taking the email from a customer:

JINSERTNAME@HOT.COM

While he was trying to explain that the customer was "Jay-Underscore....at Hot-dot-com). Instead of an underscore the J was underlined. Instead of lowercase letters, all the letters were CAPS lock. I also discovered that rather than "--@hot.com" he meant "--@hotmail.com". We cleared it all up and the email was sent and received on the other end:

j_insertname@hotmail.com

Dad. You make me smile. I love you.

No time like NUN time

So Last night was the last night of Bell choir for this semester and to finish off our year we had our last performance at a Nunnery slash Convent.

I was excited for this for a variety of reasons:

1) I had never seen a Nun in real life before

2) Nun's are referred to as "Sisters". This makes me smile because in Kentucky we would always refer to each other as "Sister" or "Brotha" in a Kentucky accent

and 3) Of course, I just love Bell Choir (whether its a practice or performance; Convent or "Nun" (hehe...punny joke)

When we first arrived, I was struck by the beautiful grounds of the convent. The grass was green and the gardens were beautiful. The Convent was a tall, stone building. I was surprised by how big it was. I thought that it was going to be a small building with 10 or so retired Nuns living there, but we learned that retired nuns from all around the world come to live there. There was one from Germany and England. I'm not sure how many actually reside there, but I would say around 50 nuns came to hear us play.

When we walked into the room where we were going to be playing, there were a few nuns there just hanging out. There were a few on the computers playing Solitare and one was playing Bejeweled. This made me smile. Many of the nuns that came were not wearing their Habits (this is the head piece) but a few were wearing them and their uniform.

The performance was the best one we have had yet! The nuns were all so cute and appreciative. They loved that we could come. Elizabeth always asks the audience if they have any questions. The Nuns asked very good questions and several of them came up afterwards and tried out the bells.

My very favorite part was when the Nuns sang us their blessing after we were finished.

Several things I learned were:

1) I have probably seen a Nun before because they look like any other senior

2) I want to become a temporary nun sometime because I think it would be an incredible experience bonding with these women who have dedicated their lives to the Lord. I want to Marry Jesus and I want to hear the stories of other women who did too

3) I'm really going to miss bell choir next year.

Bell choir is always looking for new members... :)

Such a Season

What a good Season! Boston Rob won.

Boston Rob played the game with such (side note: i love the word 'such' because it is 'so much' wrapped up into one little word 'such) strategy. Rob had SUCH strategy.

He deserved to win. I think he earned it.

Not to say that other people didn't play a good game or deserve to win.

I would have loved to see Matt win. It was so cool to see a man so in love with the Lord playing the game of Survivor.

I'll add that there were many great moments in the reunion show: seeing all the cast after they have watched the entire season waiting to find out who won, seeing David propose, seeing Rob and Amber with their two daughers (I remember the season Amber won! haha), hearing more about Phillip the ACTUAL federal agent...but maybe the best part of the reunion show was when Russell and Rob shake hands. Everything is all wrapped up...it is now completely clear who is the stronger player between the two (Ange, I threw that comment in for you especially) I don't think Rob will be back. I do think Russell will be back. Is Russell a changed man? If he returns, can he win?

O Survivor. Thanks for such a great season. Such a great one.

Rebel

Decided to be a rebel today and skip biology class:

200 people were missing from my school today (from a school population of less than 500 you really notice). Many people were missing from each of my classes. So...

Families Class: Work Period

Chemistry Class: Work Period

Biology Class: Watching a dumb movie that has nothing to do with what we are learning about (Mr. P was gone...so that was the extent of what he left the substitute with "Planet Earth" Videos)

I had so much other stuff that I could have done during this time (for instance Chemistry homework). I decided that my priorities did not include going to biology to waste my time.

So I skipped.

You could call this a rebel move. The first time I ever skipped a class.

But I texted my mom saying,

"I'm skipping Biology...Just thought I would let you know"

Maybe not so much a rebel move. HAHA.

Spare Time

So I titled this blog post "Spare Time" not because I have alot of spare time. Actually Spare time is extremely few and far between.

But when I was on Spare the other day after working on homework the entire time, a few of my friends and I decided to take a few pictures.

(I hope they don't mind me sharing a few with you)

Recognize any of my RIDICULOUS friends? hehe. If they made you smile, they make me smile too.

98%

Someone just said that we were 98% done highschool.

This made me VERY excited

Crazy

Something I have learned about myself is that I can become a little crazy sometimes.

For instance, sometimes when I eat oatmeal (especially Quaker's) I am off the wall. When I drink coffee I laugh alot.

Sometimes I start rambling on in a Nacho Libre accent, and sometimes it is more like a 5 year old child. I write a birthday card in Dutch to my immigrant friend that when translated it reads "You are a Watermelon in a Garden full of Peas".

I know several phrases in Dutch Sign language including: "I am not a big fan of dead moose at the side of the road"

If you catch me at a moment where I am really REALLY laughing my hardest, I throw my head back and just laugh. I also love when other people laugh, so the comedian side in me comes out just to hear the music of other peoples laughter.

I don't do breakfast foods. At breakfast time my favorite thing to eat is leftovers from the night before. From Chili to pizza I will eat it for breaky. (Let me just note that my Dad thinks this is absolutely crazy---for those of you who don't know though: He's the Egg Man)

I don't have facebook. Some people think this is crazy. In fact I used to have it, I got rid of it, and to all you facebook addicts: Life is better without it! Immma Tellin' Ya. It sounds crazy. I know.

While other peoples favorite animals are dogs, cats and horses, mine is a fish named Nacho Crub Dos. I call him "My little Man". I used to have another fish named Nacho Leesha Tobias. I trained him to come to the top of his tank when I shook his food. Some people (I won't mention any names...you know who you are) think I'm crazy. But its true. (Feel free to call me a fish whisperer...HAHA jusss' kiddin')

I'm in a Bell choir=Pretty Crazy

I dance in my kitchen. I sing in my Shower= Pretty Crazy

Crazy Crazy Crazy..

AND...

Next Year I am going to a DTS. Its crazy. I am crazy excited. Its going to be a LIFE-CHANGING experience. Some people say I am crazy for going to a discipleship training school in September. It's not your regular, "Where are you going after highschool answer". I have had a few people tell me that I should be going to nursing right away. "A smart girl like you should be continuing their education". Because to some it seems UTTER CRAZINESS, they ask me why I am going...

WELL. You could say I'm Crazy about Jesus. That's Why.

It's Crazy Love.

Okay. I admit. I'm Crazy.

Nineteen

Happy Nineteenth.

You are amazing! I love you tonnes!

Best Friends Forever.

Hope you have a great day

May Four

"MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU"

Its National Starwars Day (Also known as Luke Skywalker Day)

Happy Starwars Day!

MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU!

The Double Dream Feet Dance

School is extremely busy at this point in time. I found this video that makes me smile and laugh everytime I watch it. It is now the video I watch when I need some smiling despite the circumstances (SDC) as I work on a lot of homework in Families, Chemistry, and Biology and more Families (and so on...)

Double Dream Feet. Its funny. Its Rediculous. Its outrageous.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L1tr0PIx20

Watch this video. It will make you smile.

Safely in the Arms of Jesus

5 Years ago yesterday David went to be with Jesus.

I know he is having a party.

Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?

Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

And with your final heartbeat

Kiss the world Goodbye

Then go in peace and Laugh on Glory's side

And Fly to Jesus, Fly to Jesus, Fly to Jesus AND LIVE

David, you hold a special place in my heart. I have memories of spending summers playing with you and William. You taught me how to play Frogger and I helped you search for bottlecaps. One of the hardest things I think was saying goodbye, because we would rather have you here with us. But I know you are free from pain. I know you are home safely in the arms of Jesus. I am sad when I miss you, I am overjoyed to know you are in Glory. I Love you Forever. See you soon.

And They Lived Happily Ever After...

Today the buzz was all about the Royal Wedding. Prince William got married to Kate Middleton this morning. Some people got up early to watch the ceremony. When I got up, it was playing on the T.V as we were getting ready for school.

What's all the fuss about? Some people honestly could care less. "Its just a wedding" I heard some people say today. This is true. It is just a wedding. I am not one to make a big fuss about celebrities. They are just two people trying to get married. I wouldn't go out to but the souveniers of Prince William and Kate (T-Shirts, Cups...You name it).

But really. It is pretty cool to say that you saw a real Royal Wedding. The ending to popular fairy tales..."And They Lived Happily Ever After". The story every little girl dreams about: meeting a Prince and falling in love.

Some people say "Its just a Wedding" and "I doubt it will even last"... I say: "Why not dream a little?"

God Watches Survivor

So it has been a while since I have Survivor Ranted. And I have only seen the first 20 minutes so far. But seems as I have been missing a pretty cool season!

At Redemption Island, Matt entered the challenge at peace to go home. He said he would be there as long as God wanted him to be there.

At first during the challenge it seemed he was not trying. But he pulled through and was the first out of the three to win the challenge. Mike got it next sending Julie home.

I thought Jeff's comment was pretty cool:

"God's not finished with you yet!"

But what I thought was really cool was when Julie was commenting on getting out, she said that she was in the game to win the million dollars, but she said she is walking away with a lot more. Matt's faith in God has been an inspiration and shes going to start going to church!

Some people think Survivor is a dumb show (I won't mention any names..but you know who you are..haha ;)

But I think its pretty cool how God is working through Matt in the Reality T.V show of Survivor. Who knows how many lives have been touched by Matt's faith.

So I guess God watches Survivor too :)

Roller Coaster

Today could be best described as a roller coaster day

There were ups and downs. The morning was an up: got to sleep in (to 7:30 but still better than getting up at 6). I had the morning off today and I spent it in the quietness of my house.

I was studying for two tests. This of course was the downer of the day. At lunch I went to school and faced first: a Chemistry test, then 81 minutes later: a Biology test.

I'm Really quite unsure how these tests went, but I am sure that after they were both done, the day was a bit better. A load was lifted.

And Like I posted earlier, it is Survivor tonight.

I have survived the Roller Coaster of today. Tommorow is a new day.

Survivor

So tonight is SURVIVOR and I get to watch it again! I'm excited. Juss' Sayin :)

The Dress

Last night me and the girls (aka Mom, Em, and Kat) went shopping. I knew I needed to get a prom dress sooner or later so i decided to look for it.

I have to confess, I was not the happiest shopper. I am already not a big fan of shopping, let alone shopping for a dress.

I tried on some dresses. I was quite unsure that I would even find a dress. I wasn't thrilled on going to prom. I had no idea what kind of dress I was looking for. (To be completely honest, my mom bought my grade 8 grad dress in my absence) This was my very first dress shopping excursion!

One of the stores we went to only allowed one person per change room which was quite inconvenient for zipping up dresses and taking them off again.

"This ones too short"

"That is too frilly"

"I like it...but its way out of my price range"

"I dont like the way this one fits"

"this one feels awk" (love the word awkward shortend to awk...jusst sayin')

... and finally I found THE DRESS.

The dress I will wear to my Prom. One night that I will spend with the friends and classmates I have spent four significant years with. At first I wasn't thrilled to go to Prom. I mean...if you know me, its not my thing..AT ALL to dress up for fun.

But I'm a bit more excited for it now. Its that night that we can all be together one last time to hang out. We will see each other in a couple days after at graduation to say the official "Congrats" and "Goodbyes" and the "We will keep in touch" and "All the Best"...

BUT..at prom lets have a blast! Let's finish off Highschool with laughs and memories and a night where we can shine and have fun :)

...as for the dress that has made me to go on this Prom rant...

I GUESS YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT TIL THEN TO SEE IT :)

My Dumb Blog-Anniversary Edition.

It was a Tuesday. In fact it was exactly a year ago from today. Tuesday April 20th.

I started this blog.

Not knowing if it would be a success. Expecting it to be a fail. But trying it for a year.

And here we are.

I have to say I have loved having "My Dumb Blog". Its been a place for rants, a place to jot something funny that happened that day...song lyrics...what God has been teaching me.

I just thought I would recognize "My Dumb Blog's" first anniversary. No big Deal or anything.

Hymn Sing

Em and I were Listening to some hymns tonight. Heres some excerpts:

Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord, to thee.

Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love.

Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee.

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior's love for me!

Then Sings my soul

My Saviour God to Thee

How Great Thou art!

How Great Thou art!

E’er since, by faith, I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.
And shall be till I die, and shall be till I die;
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.

Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Highest praises, honor and glory
Be unto Your Name
Be unto Your Name

Some glad morning when this life is o'er,
I'll fly away;
To a home on God's celestial shore,
I'll fly away

I'll fly away, Oh Glory
I'll fly away
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by,
I'll fly away