Always, Continually, In all circumstances...

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Hello friends,

This is a verse that has been brought to my attention recently and a verse that I, unknowingly, have been attempting to structure my life around. In fact, this verse is something that I challenge everyone to structure their lives around. In order to fully understand what Paul was telling us here, let's break this puppy down!

First, Paul tells us to "Be Joyful Always." That seems pretty self-explanatory, but it's harder than it sounds. It's pretty easy to be joyful, but it is not easy to be joyful ALWAYS. On a daily basis we are faced with trials. From the biggest sorrow to the smallest inconvenience, things happen and the joy of Christ is easily overshadowed. Paul is asking us to put aside those inconveniences and recognize the joy of Christ in all we do. He is asking us to realize that the blood of Christ is what overshadows those sorrows and although it is alright to be sad or angry or upset, it is not alright to let those emotions cloud the joy that is found in the Lord. Be joyful Always.

Next, Paul tells us to "pray continually". Again, it is very easy to pray, it might even be easy to pray daily, but it is not easy to pray CONTINUALLY. In order to truly understand the severity of what Paul was saying here, I decided to look up the word continually in the dictionary. "Not interrupted; steady" How many of us can say that we pray uninterrupted? How many of us are steadily in communication with Christ? I know I want to be, but I'm not. Often I get stuck in the idea that prayer has to be some premeditated, formal experience. That, somehow, my words won't matter if they aren't eloquently spoken. I am slowly starting to realize that if our Lord only wanted formal experiences, he would have chosen the Queen to carry His child. Christ doesn't ask for eloquence. He requires our hearts, no matter how plain they may be. Prayer doesn't need to be formal, or planned. Prayer is another word for communication, correspondence...conversation. Prayer can be in the car with the windows down. Prayer can be during your morning jog or in the shower as the shampoo runs into your eyes. Prayer can be anywhere, anytime. All we need to do is open our hearts and communitcate with the One who is always listening. Pray Continually.

Lastly, Paul asks us to "give thanks in all circumstances." After a holiday created for the sole purpose of giving thanks, a statement like this can seem trite. However, I have a strong suspicion that Paul made this statement far before the Mayflower was even constructed. Giving thanks is not just reserved for the last weekend in November, it is something that Christ asks of us every day. All to often, we overlook the act of being thankful. It is far easier to be upset about things than consider possible positive outcomes. I fear it is part of our nature to be rather pessimistic about our own lives. However, thankfulness is something we should never lose sight of. Now, I don't think that the Lord is expecting you to be thankful when the wind sends that rusty grocery cart careening into your car in the parking lot. And I don't think He assumes that thankfulness will be your primary emotion after The Apprentice gets preempted by the Knicks game. However, I do think that our Lord expects us to realize that everything in this world, every circumstance in our lives is controlled by His hands and, even though we can't possibly understand it now, His hands are perfect. In Jeremiah, God states that He has a plan for our lives and in Proverbs it is said that His plan is the only plan that prevails. For that, I am thankful. Be Thankful in all circumstances.

For this is God's will for US in Christ Jesus.

Goodnight,
TEH

A song for your soul

Hello,

So I have just returned from a 9 hour shift at Hallmark. I didn't know someone could last 9 hours in a Hallmark store, but they can... and I did. There were a few crazy things that happened there today. I will briefly describe a few so you can understand the kind of people there are in this world.

A) A middle-aged, seemingly non-verbal, man with downsyndrome walked in off the sidewalk, made a few laps around our store while shouting some unintelligible phrase that sounded like "Art Logs", and walked right out.

B) The gossip columnist for the local paper, commonly known as the "Red Hat Lady", came in (proudly wearing the Red Hat) and spent almost four hundred dollars on cards and promotional items, but refused to buy a picture frame I suggested for a wedding gift due to the fact that the family in all the pictures was African American. I quote... "They are still fighting segregation in the South, ya know? I'm a Yankee, True-breed!"

C) A nicely dressed woman, pushing 40, came in and purchased a few Hallmark Keepsake ornaments. After purchasing her items, she walked up to our Jingle Pals display (the singing ones on the commercial with the old man) and turned each one of them on, turned, and walked out the door.

Anyway, that was the comedic segment of today's entry. Now onto the real deal. As you may have guessed by today's title, I want to talk about music. Shocking, Im sure ;) On the drive home from work today, I was listening to the local Christian Radio station. 95.5 has chosen to play all Christmas music all the time till the Holiday, and upon hearing a pretty schmultzy "heart of the holiday"type song, my eyes filled with tears. That kinda creeped me out, because I am not one to cry much at all and especially not at schmultzy "heart of the holiday" type songs. Anyway, it got me thinking about how much music really has an effect on my emotions, my soul. All throughout my life I have identified with music. In 8th grade, Alanis Morrisette seemed to know exactly how I felt with her power ballad Perfect from the Jagged Little Pill album. Sophomore year, Jewel knew the bittersweetness of 16 year old "love" with Foolish Games and I still talk about how Sara Groves can sing my heart far greater than I ever could. Some people find themselves in film, some in literature, but I find my heart, I find myself in song. Socrates once said, "when the soul hears music, it drops its best guard." That, for me, is one of the best descriptions of the power that music has. With song, it is possible to open a door in the heart of the listener and once inside, it can beautify. Sometimes, in my sessions, I ask my clients what they feel like after participating in an up-beat sing-along or playing along with 50's rock-n-roll. Once, after listening to a classical piece an older man responded "I felt like I was flying". Now, although I'm not 100% what he meant, his answer is yet another illustration of the power of song. Music has the power to transport us, to take us to a different place. I couldn't even count the number of times that, in the midst of worry or loneliness, a certain song has lifted me to a better place. Although those are two inherent assets of music, the miracle that takes my breath away daily is the connection music can give our hearts with Christ. That connection is what makes the other miracles of music possible. The healing you feel as you sing with your Wednesday night youth group or the all-encompassing joy that freely flows between the four walls of the chapel on Sunday mornings. THAT is the real miracle of music and THAT is a miracle that I couldn't be more thankful for.

"You are the music while the music lasts" T.S. Elliot

Goodnight,
Tempa

Happy Thanksgiving

Hi friends,

So, Thanksgiving is definitely not one of my favorite Holidays. I think it ranks fifth, under Christmas, New Years, Fourth of July, and Halloween (in that order). Thanksgiving is a generally boring Holiday, it has never been a big deal here in the Haines house. I hope I get married some day so I can pump up the proverbial jam. I mean, I'm looking forward to having a big thanksgiving dinner with a lot of kids running around and football in the background... heck... I'd like football in the back yard. I want to have a Thanksgiving where I get excited when the doorbell rings cause you don't know which guest it will be and where the out-of-towners bring their Christmas presents because they won't be back for a while. I want a Thanksgiving where there are decorations and fall scented candles and where there is a kids table where the eldest cousin still has to sit, even though he's 20. I'm looking forward to a Thanksgiving where the post-dinner tradition involves ridiculous amounts of board games and ice cream, not to mention coffee type beverages. My perfect Thanksgiving will be the one where I close the door behind the last relative and/or friend and turn around to a house that has been perfectly worn-in from the days events, only to begin planning for the year to come. THAT is Thanksgiving!

I don't really have much to post about tonight, I guess. I have had a pretty busy week, so I haven't been around to update. Hallmark is a CRAZY place during the Holidays! Also, I am really working on getting a job so I don't have much free time at all. Granted, that is no excuse to leave you all hanging ;) So... in honor of of this wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, I have composed a short (and not too meaningful) list of things that I, Tempa Elizabeth Haines, am thankful for.

* Telephone correspondence
* Reality Television
* Blooper Reels
* Mod Podge
* Down comforters
* Slightly tinted lip balm
* The word "balm"
* Christmas music
* Friends reruns
* The movie Serendipity
* Digital cameras

Like I said... not too meaningful. If you'd like a more sentimental list, please refer a few blogs back and you can catch a much longer, much more intimate list there :) Ok, well that's about it from me. One Month till Christmas! At this time 2004 years ago our friend Mary was mighty pregnant! Poor Joseph was probably running out to get her some pickles and manna right now.

Goodnight all,
Temp

artsy

Long time...

Hey there,

It's been a while since I've written. I've been rather busy the last week seeing as I seemed to have accumulated quite a few hours at Hallmark. I'm back 1st thing tomorrow morning. I dont really have much time to write right now, but I wanted to let you all know that I haven't forgotten about you. Perhaps I will write more later, but if not... I'll be around tomorrow and fill you in on my less than exciting life :-)

Blessings,
Tempa

I have included a picture I took the other night. I'm gonna do something cool with it, but I dont know what yet :)

Happiness is...

Hi friends,

It's crazy, I know, but I have something else to talk about tonight. I told you my creative juices would get to flowing again =)

Anyway, tonight... I want to talk about happiness. It may seem like a trivial subject to discuss, but I'm not just talking about the 9-5 smiles... I'm talking about actual contentment. Throughout my entire life, people have told me that I was a happy person. My first grade teacher wrote "Tempa is always so happy. A joy to be around" in the comment space underneath my check minus for penmanship. My high school voice teacher once told me that I was "happiness personified", and in college, people often grew suspicious if I happened to be caught without a smile. I don't think it is presumptuous of me to say that if you asked someone to describe me in only three words... "happy" would be one of them. Unfortunately, that is not what gives me the authority to speak about the often cliched emotion. Although, I have always been able to find the (sometimes deeply hidden) silver lining, I am not without my fair share of cloudy haze. Although I am, and always have been, happy... I wasn't always content! I have never known true contentment until just recently and although I am not positive of how exactly I got to this new-found state of mind, I do know who it is that brought me here. Christ. Through scripture and conversation, I have learned sooo much about true contentment and it would be unfair of me not to share that knowledge with you.

In Philippians 4:11-12, it says, "...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation..." We have all had our fair share of ups and downs, our highest hills and our lowest valleys, but even in the, dare I say, crappiest times of our lives... we need not lose hope. We need not lose "happy". Hebrews 16:5 tells us to "be content with what you have" because our Lord will never leave us. Joshua 1:5 states "Just as I was with Moses, so I will always be with you." Those statements are not said in passing. Those are promises and promises that we must hold to in order to understand contentment. There is a lot in our world today that could easily dampen our spirits. There are countless trials, no matter how small, that seemingly stand in the way of true happiness... but those obstacles are shattered when faced with the sovereignty and faithfulness of our Lord. It is only in understanding that faithfulness that we find true Christ-centered happiness. It is only in embracing His sovereignty that we recognize and inherit contentment.

In short (although nothing I write is short), contentment is about realizing that we are not the ones in control. It's about taking a deep breath, letting go and realizing that the One who created the world is the same One who knows what our tomorrow looks like. It is about facing trial with a smile and realizing that we are never truly alone. I am, was, and always will be loved intimately by the One who created this universe... and that truth makes me happy.

Here's to happy~
Tempa

My list of the "little things"

Hello,

Lately, I have been talking a lot about the "little things", daily wonders that we all too often take for granted. Here is a list of some of my "little things"..........

Sunsets
Childhood inhibition
Imagination
Milkshakes
Birthdays
Silence
Swingsets
Freshly cut grass
Harmony
Yellow Roses
Praying for someone
Goose-Bumps
Morning coffee
Conversation
Barefoot
Walks at Dusk
The cold side of the pillow
Silent laugher
Candle Light
Nervous butterflies
Classical music
Hearing "I love you"
Chilly mornings
Thunder Storms
Saying "I love you"
Hooded sweatshirts
Learning something new
Singing in the shower
Silence

Firmly in His grip,
Temp

Honestly??

Well folks,

I hate to be that girl who always says the same thing... but again, while listening to Sara Groves... her lyrics explain my thoughts better than I could on my own. Yesterday, I talked a little (or a lot) about how I have been rejoicing in the "little things". Today, I visited Saragroves.com and listened to these words sung by a voice that only God could create:

It's the everyday miracles that keep my hope alive
It's the way You move in little things that help me survive
And I know You move in greater ways
But this is great enough for me
What You do with my everyday is amazing

That woman, I tell you! Does she know me?? Do we talk ever?? Are we friends, and I just don't really remember ever meeting her?? Who knows... but I do appreciate the fact that she shares so much of herself and that so much of herself is similar to me.

Well, I have quite a bit on my mind tonight. If you know me, you know that's not out of the ordinary. Since I don't think that discussing how I should wrap my best friend's Christmas present would interest you at all, I'd like to talk a little bit about desire. No, not like animal-instinct sexual DESIRE. More like human-instinct societal desire. You know the kind of desire I mean. The kind that makes you start choosing names for your first-born child during high school trigonometry. The kind that causes you to create wedding notebooks from magazine cut-outs your junior year of college. The kind that makes you even the tiniest bit envious when you hear about others engagements or positive relationships. Yeah... THAT kind of desire. It is THAT kind of desire that get us, especially us girls, in the most trouble. We play house as children, we spend weeks (sometimes months!) planning for our proms, we begin to feel unwanted if our left hand isn't diamond-clad by the age of 23, and we spend countless wasted hours planning for a future that may or may not be ours. All this because that's what we have grown to know. That's what society tells us. Well...although society is often useful for choosing fashion trends and pop icons... it's not ideal in deciphering what's best for our lives. For that... I'd recommend a little book you can get almost anywhere called The Bible. God tells us a lot about desire, both positive and negative. In Deuteronomy, He tells us not to desire anything that belongs to our neighbor. This is a tough concept to grasp considering our neighbors stuff somehow always seems to be a bit nicer than our own. Our friends' lives always seem to be headed in the "right direction". Our friends' lives always seem...well.... better. Their relationships are better, their careers are better, their families are better. I could go on... but I think you got my point. In Jeremiah, God tells us that he has a plan for our lives. A plan for us to prosper and a plan for success. We're not gonna make that plan happen with our neighbors stuff, that stuff is for THEIR plan. My stuff, no matter how mundane or dingy it may seem, has been given to me with purpose. Continuing on in Jeremiah, The Lord tells us that when we seek His truth with our whole hearts, that plan is put into action. Psalm 37:4 states "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." I'm beginning to fear that this rant is becoming mostly miscellaneous thought placed into verbose sentences. With that, I will leave you with a verse that has become a part of my nightly ritual. I'm one that wrestles with this whole desire thing (Yes, I did make that wedding notebook from magazine cut-outs just 2 short years ago) and these verses have given me a bright glimpse of what's to come.

"You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. " Psalm 145:16-17

Love in the little things~
Tempa

Song of Solomon 2:7

I never knew there was chicken in this soup?!

Hey there friends,

I know that I usually start these blogs with some long-winded, semi-humorous intro... but not tonight. Tonight, I have a headache and I have a date in Dreamland in about a half hour. Therefore... I'm gonna just jump right into this proverbial pool and get my blog on!

I'm eating chicken noodle soup because I'm not feeling too great tonight. That's what usually happens when the weather changes. Stupid seasonal allergies! Right as I lift my spoon to slurp the first curly noodle, I laugh... because isn't it just funny that chicken noodle soup has become the be-all-end-all of American medicine?? I don't really like chicken noodle soup, but yet at the first sign of being under-the-weather I crack open a can and slurp up it's medicinal goodness. You have a headache?? I'll get you some soup. Awww, he broke up with you?? You need some soup. Oh, you lost your left Achilles tendon in a freak roller skating accident?? I'll whip up some soup. I'm wondering what it is about this soup that makes everyone head for their pantries and who first chose chicken noodle soup to be the food of medicinal value. I am also realizing we should be grateful that whoever it was didn't choose cow tongue and a little upset that he didn't choose Pizza rolls.

So, God has been doing amazing things in my life lately. Without going into some drawn out soapbox about exact moments and experiences, I'll tell you that, lately, I have been realizing how blessed I am. Noticing the daily things, ya know? Sunsets, phone calls, lowered gas prices... the little things. When you look at all that, it is soo easy to see that the essence of our God is love. Honestly, I've been fearful that the amazing ability to recognize "the little things" will somehow escape me and I'll wake up a bitter, jaded 22 year old girl who wants nothing to do with swingsets or milkshakes. I've been fearful that the joy I've found in all the "little things" would somehow disappear, but it hasn't and I'm beginning to think that it won't. It's like riding a bike. Once you get it, even if you stop for a while, you won't ever let it go. On top of that, I'm starting to realize that somewhere... rooted deep within that joy... is something incredible planned for my life. Something that, even if I tried, I couldn't fathom on my own. Something that, no matter how much I wish or how anxiously I await, will be executed only in God's perfect timing. The best thing about this joy I'm finding, is that it is accompanied by an amazing sense of peace. Peace that let's me know I'm gonna turn out just fine. Peace that makes letting go of the comfortable a little less painful and makes embracing the unknown a little more comfortable.

I wish that peace for you.

Love in the little things~

Tempa

Aurora Borealis

Northern Lights. Tonight is the night to see them, I guess. I thought since I am living farther north than ever before I might be able to catch a glimpse of the illuminated phenomenon, but as of yet... no such luck. I've never seen them before considering I have always lived in fairly close proximity to a major US city. Also, because I've never really cared to look. Tonight... I cared... I looked... but I didn't see squat!!

Ok, well in order for you all to fully understand the next topic of conversation (actually, it's a continuation of the previous topic) you have to realize that throughout High School and pretty much until, like, yesterday... I LOVED, almost to the point of obsession, Dawson's Creek. I know every episode (with the exception of the later Boston-set college ones) front to back and average about 85% accuracy at deciphering the episode before the credits are over. Anyway... although I am slightly ashamed to admit this... I can probably relate anything that is happening in my life to something that happened on Dawson's Creek. So... when someone mentions the Aurora Borealis... I can't help but think about the episode where Joey starts dating A.J. and misses Pacey's theatrical debut to spend the night in the arms of her new-found college beau viewing the Northern Lights, something girl-next-door Josephine had never seen. She ends up feeling guilty about skipping out on her friends, (mind you she is developing feelings for Pacey--which you come to find out later on in season 3, but I TOTALLY called it at the cliffhanger of season 2!!) and leaves the date with AJ early to attend the cast party where Pacey is. At the conclusion of the episode, Dawson shows up in Joey's front yard to apologize for sending her drug-pushing father to jail for the second time, and while sitting on two rather dilapidated white wooden lawn chairs and discussing the irony of the present situation, the two "friends-for-life" teens finally view the long-awaited Aurora Borealis.

So... that's my schpeil. I'm stickin' to it! I hope you are having a good week and I'm sure we'll talk (well... I'll talk, you'll read) sooner than later!

"I don't wanna wait for my life to be over..." (paying homage to a great memory of my teenage years)
Tempa

It's official...

I'm a nerd! I just shed a tear or two watching Trading Spaces. I have sunk to a new low, ladies and gentlemen. I can understand crying a little at Extreme Makeover Home Edition, but Trading Spaces... honestly Tempa.. WHO ARE YOU!? :) Again... blame it on the rain (and by rain I mean menstruation).

Ok, well the Hallmark open house wasn't as bas as I thought it would be. It was mighty crowded, but the people were a lot nicer and calmer than I had expected them to be. Needless to say I wasn't as chipper and energetic as usual due to the continuation of the extreme headache, but most of the customers I dealt with personally were fairly nice and didn't put up too much of a fight if something didn't go their way. I never really understand people that do that. Maybe it's because I have worked retail since I was 16 year old, but I don't get why customers get mad at the salesperson. Everyone knows that the in-store staff have nothing to do with the selection or availability of items. There's always a higher-up that runs the show, yet some customers find the need to get all up in people's faces about things. I just don't really get it. Oh well. As long as I'm never one of those people.

So, I have talked a little bit about being nervous and anxious about getting a job. That hasn't really changed much, but while reading the Bible this past week, I came across a well-known story. I have read and heart this story a thousand times, but it has never before applied directly to my life. This time, somehow, it did. I'd love to share this connection with you, because, more than likely, it connects with your life, too. The story is found in Exodus 3:1-6. Moses is out tending his sheep like usual, but for some reason he takes his flock to the other side of the pasture on this particular day. So he comes upon Horeb (the mountain of God) and he sees this Angel and a bush that has recently exploded into flames. Moses could have easily just written it off as some creepy stress-induced hallucination, but he didn't. He left his flock and checked out why the bush wasn't actually burning (although it was on fire). So, as soon as Moses turned his attention to the bush, The Lord called him by name. When Moses replied "Here I am", the Lord then proceeded to talk directly with Moses. Ok, so how does that correspond with our lives, you ask?? Well... God knew Moses well enough to know where he took his flock, he knew Moses well enough to know how to grab his attention and God knows me (us) that well too. He knows where I'll be tomorrow (and forever) and he knows how to get my attention. I think that God will use any means necessary to draw us and others closer to him. That truth is shown countless times in the Bible, some examples are found in Job and with Joseph and his brothers. Moses saw this bush burning and instead of ignoring it, he investigated. That's what God asks of us, too. When He grabs our attention, whether it be with a potential relationship or a lingering theological question, the Lord allows us (and asks us) to investigate, to find the truth... to find HIS truth. Just as Moses left his flock to see what was going on... we are asked to put aside daily life and spend our time with Him. Just as Moses responded "Here I am", we are asked to do the same. When God sees that we are seeking the truth with our whole hearts(Jeremiah 29:13), He will reveal that truth, and His will, to us! Isn't that the greatest thing!?! We serve a God who is gracious enough to allow us to seek the truth for ourselves. We aren't just given the answers, we are able to grow and learn and slowly, but surely, be filled with His absolute truth!!

Ok, well that was far more than I had anticipated writing tonight, but don't say I didn't warn you!! I hope your weekends are going well!

Goodnight,
Tempa

Random Thought:
I have forgotten about this random thought addition for a few blogs now. Sorry!! I'll start it up again.

Top Five favorite over-used cliches from my childhood:
5) Rad!
4) How Ruuuuude!
3) Eat my shorts!
2) I've fallen and I can't get up.
1) DUH!!! (or Doy! depending on the sarcastic intent)

Weekend has arrived!

Hello there,

I thought that maybe when this election ended all this political smack-talk would end too. That must have just been my optimistic nature talking because it hasn't... At all!! I voted for Bush because his views on things that effected my life directly (and that I cared about the most) were more similar to mine. Although he could use a few grammar lessons and more than likely some sort of personal voice coach, I admire his faith and his willingness to speak about it. Kerry's not a bad man. He actually has a lot of good points, but not points that I, personally, cared too much about. I think that people (of both political affiliations) should just stop their crapping and realize that what's done is done. There's no need to yack about it for the next 4 years. Who knows if it was "the right thing"? Who knows if it was "the wrong thing"? No one... except for God, of course... so let's quit our crapping and support the man that the majority of our fellow American's want as our national leader. And in all honestly, if all these people are upset about specific issues (education, job security, constitutional bans...etc....) they should get off their lazy American tookus's, stop waiting for one guy to do all the work, and start making difference themselves!

Anyway, that's enough of that. Moving on...

I have such a headache tonight. Which doesn't shock me in any way considering it is the 1st week of the month! Not only does that mean 3-4 days of hassle for me, it means 3-4 blog entries full of long-winded, over-emotional, sometimes illogical rants for you! Compliments of the Menstrual Cycle!!

I have to work tomorrow. It's Hallmark's National Christmas Open House. It should be interesting to say the least. Crazy women in their 50's eating shortbread cookies and drinking cider while browsing the Keepsake Ornaments and getting crumbs in the Christmas cards. Luckily, I don't work till 4. Hopefully I will miss the super energetic pushy crowd that will be waiting for the door to unlock come 10AM asking about the non-existant early bird specials. The evening crowd is always far more subdued. I think I will always be a part of the evening crowd.

I saw another one of those sunsets tonight. The kind that God paints specifically for me to see. Since we are on the verge of winter, the sun is setting early. 5:00 sometimes! Tonight, on my way to work, I was awed by beautiful streams of pink and orange fading into the denim sky. There wasn't a cloud to be found and the bright red sun was fading under the horizon of newly barren trees. I almost feel silly describing it to you because I know I can hardly do it justice. As I was driving, I wished I had my camera with me so I could document the sight and share the beauty of God's Canvas with others. Oh well, you'll just have to take my word for it and/or see it for yourself sometime :)

Ok, this headache is starting to get the best of me and being that it is nearing 1:30 AM I should really head upstairs and get to bed. I hope you all have wonderful weekends! I think I may go and see "Ray" sometime this weekend. I've never been to a movie by myself, but I think I'd be OK doing it. Here's hoping...

In Him,
Tempa

20 Million Loud...

Hey there,

So, I just heard that 13% of America's voters today were from the 18-23 year old age bracket. That is just soo great!! It is encouraging that the youth of today aren't allowing the fact they are young get in the way of their right to be heard. Even if you think your vote doesn't count... even if, technically, it doesn't... it's your right to be heard and voting will do just that!! Anyway, I had to wait for about 45 minutes to vote this morning, but some other counties in Ohio had 4-5 HOUR waits! Isn't that crazy!! It's soo great though!! People are getting out and standing up for what they believe in. Whether that be Anti-War, Pro-life, family values, or job security... they are all important and if they are important to you... than voting is the best thing you can do for yourself (not to mention your country!) It's kinda crazy to be here in Ohio right now. It's like the "meat and potatoes" of the nation for the next day or so. The Ultimate Swing State! Intense!! Anyway... here's hoping one of these rich guys wins both Ohio and Florida tonight then we can nip this whole drawn out election process in the proverbial bud!!!

Well, it's been a while since I have updated this blog. I apologize to anyone that has shed tears (or clothing) over the issue. I'll try and be quicker with my banter! I know it may seem horrible to say, but I don't have much to talk about right now, either! My Halloween went well. I used to LOVE Halloween. I still do, but there's just not much fun to be had as a 22 year old single with no kids and no friends around. Well, here me now my friends, once I live around people I hang out with, I will throw some SERIOUS costume parties!!! I spent the duration this years Halloween hiding out in the basement considering my Mom was answering the door dressed as some sort of creepy monkey and talking to the unsuspecting trick-or-treaters like a possessed Troll doll. The kiddos seemed to like it, but it seemed a little over-the-top to me.

SIDEBAR: Puff Daddy (P.Diddy, Puffy, Sean Combs, S."Puffy"C., whatever he would prefer to be called these days) is on MTV talking about how votes in America right now are as "tight as a frog's ass". Good Sean. Good analogy.

The job search is still in full-swing. I just had an interview for a full time MT job in Wausau Wisconsin. I would really like it, I think, but they seemed upset I didn't have more medical background (most of my therapy training has been educational or behavioral). I just got an Email from West Music in Iowa City about wanting to schedule an interview with me for their full time MT job. The location is better, but I'm not sure about the job itself. I don't really know the population I would be working with there, but I'm surely willing to find out!! I only have 7 weeks left of this internship (which, by the way, is CRAZY!) and I'm starting to wind myself a little tightly about this job thing. I just really really want to have a job come December 17th and I want to get this new chapter of my life started. Plus I am getting pretty tired of my friendships only thriving after 9PM and on weekends. (get it?... that's when cell phones are free... cause I don't live near anyone...so I only get to talk to people...and it's cheaper to only talk then... get it?) So, long story as short as possible... I'm kinda nervous about getting a job.

""Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 5:3

Anyway, I need to head to bed. I have a busy day tomorrow. Work at Hallmark 10-3, sessions from 5-7:30, and I teach a voice lesson at 8:30. Sheesh! With this kind of time management, maybe I should run for president!!

In His Grip,
Tempa