Tithe Rap

Oh my goodness...this is so funny!

Video

Interesting video this is...I kind of like it though...

Block Party 2009

This isn't that great of a slideshow as I was really just putting one together to get the feel for things for when I get to make the kid's camp one in a few weeks. But, I thought I'd let you see some of the pictures people took and I like the song so you can listen to that. :-)

Block Party 2009 from Ashley on Vimeo.

Thoughts

Getting ready to start my vacation. I guess technically you could already say that I have started as I am sitting in the airport. But, I say I don't start until I'm having fun with people. Traveling is not fun to me. At least not alone.

I am looking forward to my time away. I definitely need it. My book that I was reading, I hit 10 out of the 11 points on being stressed. I think that was a sign that I am stressed!

For this vacation all I should have to do is one discussion board. I have other stuff to do if I want but it is not a necessity yet. I worked my butt off to get everything done. Unfortunately a couple of interruptions occurred.

Random observations and thoughts from the airport:

People are funny in how they wait.

There are a lot of men in here right now.

The pilot across from me is very intent on what he's working on.

He seems confused though, he keeps putting his iPod in his ears, then taking it out and calling random people.

I've heard him state his e-mail address at least 4 times now.

My plane leaves in an hour.

They'll start boarding in a half hour.

I've got some distance left to walk to my gate. I'm never in any hurry.

The pilot across from me is not piloting a plane today. He's riding.

They have nifty hats they get to have.

I wanna fly a plane.

There's a guy here that looks like Aaron Crabtree...it's bugging me because I keep swearing it's him.

If I kept Aaron's number, I would have texted him...oh wait, I can facebook him!

I feel ADD here at the airport.

I had to pay 7 dollars for a hot dog. That's freaking insane.

The dude who gave me my hot dog has been serving the general public here in this airport for 17 years.

Juan just stole my trash...that's fine...but he took my napkin I was using as a kleenex..not fine with that one.

They are moving a plane backward right now right outside the window...God is so cool that he gave someone the idea and initiative to build a plane.

Rick (the pilot) doesn't seem as impressed or as in awe as I am with it.

I think people waiting at the airport should have to keep their shoes on.

If you're still reading this...I am highly impressed.

Random Update: Church Thoughts and Life

1. I totally nailed my elbow into the brick wall today at work...(yes, I was rushing and it's my fault!) I've been in pain all afternoon evening...it doesn't bend nicely now...very sore.

2. I registered for my final two classes today for my Masters degree...I am almost done!!

3. I give props to pastors. Writing a sermon every week...they are my new heroes. I've been working on one for days...yeah, I don't even have the intro done, this is way too hard!

4. Philippians 2:1-11 has a lot of "stuff" in it...at least in a sermon I don't have to talk about the Kenosis Theory.

5. I really want a video camera...I take gifts. :-)

6. Been saturating myself with "One Way" kid version...trying to really know the song for kids camp coming up soon.

7. I found TWO teachers for kids camp...been searching for one..God is blessing me.

8. I need a water day coordinator...my kids are fun...anyone wanna volunteer?

9. Had a couple of "upsetting" times this week already in missing my grandfather. People are starting to talk about him more...I don't think I'm ready yet.

10. I've gone 13 days without something now...won't share what it is...but it's a really good thing to stop.

11. Why can mom's always do everything so much better than kids? No matter how old the kid is?

12. I really want to see Night at the Museum 2. Anyone wanna go?

13. Been trying to figure out an easy way to type with a hurt elbow...this is not working out too well.

14. The spell check on my Mac keeps saying I'm spelling the ...'s wrong...that bugs me. Is there a way to turn that off?

15. My friend is talking about the sunset. That makes me want to go down to the beach and watch one.

16. Beginning to wonder if I am too critical on things. I don't try to be critical, but I see lots of room for growth and change. I know that can come across as being critical, but I'm not stating what I see as problems for a negative purpose but to try and figure out a solution.

17. I was told that some "church shopper" people were coming to the church on Sunday. I'd be interested in hearing their thoughts. I remember when I did that for a church in the town that I went to college at. You can read about that experience : here, here, and here.

18. Wow, looking at those posts I was still not a fan of the "friendly factor" and the easy "confusion" of the church...perhaps it's more of a me thing than the actual church. I should look into that..although, I think the pathway to get into the church does say a little something about how it's not well marked and intimidating to be finding out where to go. Perhaps I should take it upon myself to just stand near the first gate and say "good morning" to people and ask if they need directions.

19. This is a long random update list.

Bridge Church-Walking In

This is a video of the set up at the church from the parking lot into the actual building.
I am not a fan with how it is. It's actually a pretty lonely walk, not very inviting, and I think the signs need to be more visual.
My first time going, I was pretty nervous about where to go, but I kept pushing forward and went inside.
I think at all the key points, they should have a person standing there smiling, greeting, and asking if you know where you're going.
If you're a first time visitor there, you feel all alone, and it's tough to get welcomed. John is now in charge so getting greeted at the door is much better when he is there.
But, if you're a first time visitor I might now know where my kids are to go, in fact today was the first time that I saw a sign up for the 1st through 5th grade area. That if there would be greeters at the key points, then they could also take a person to the proper kid area so they can easily see where their children are to go.

Anyone have any other ideas on how to make it better? I am open to sharing with them on what to do.

Sorry for the poor quality and for the shakiness, it was hard to walk and not shake. But, you get the gist of what's going on.

Church Pictures

Took some pictures at church this morning on how it's set up. I also posted a video on the walking in. I like seeing what I perceive to be a problem and try to create solutions. I've been really stirred about the the lack of feeling welcomed coming in, and the lack of clear signs happening. It was not easy for me to know exactly where I was going the first time I entered the church.

This is where I normally sit. It's hard to see the screen. It would be great if they had two screens, one on the left and the right, and bigger. :-) (Or I could just sit closer.)

That's the donut, coffee, juice, and water table. I didn't know it existed until I had Jaxon with me one day.

This is the information table...I think. Today was the first time I ever saw it. Normally people are standing in front of it. I'm sure it has some important things on it, but I am not familiar with it so I really don't know.

Oh man, this laying of the wires in a walking area scares me. I'm so worried that someone is always going to trip and fall. They should duct tape them down and in a straight line. They could also protect the cord from ever being pulled out by taping it around in a circle. That's one trick I learned working in LA as I travelled around California, Nevada, and Arizona for six months giving presentations in schools.

This is where the kids get signed in for kidzworld. It was the first time I saw this table today. I don't know their sign in process but I went out the door looking to see where I would pick my kid up. If I ever had to leave early, I wouldn't have any idea as to where my child was. I could only find one sign. That sign was right outside the door when I first walked out pointing me to the left. I took a video of that too looking to see where I would start to pick Jaxon up soon, but I never found another sign to show me.

I just thought that looked tacky. Having the one sign up against the trash can. I am not sure how to solve that one since the sign doesn't have a stand but it still seems tacky to me. Even if they just move the trash cans to the back corner during church, then moving them back for the school kids it would look lots better. They can prop the sign on a wall or get a stand.

A Possible Calling in my Life...

I think I am at the age and at the point in life where I want to start figuring out more of what I want to do. 

As I am going towards finishing up my Masters degree (be done in October!!) I have been thinking a lot on what it is I could do after I receive in. 

My first thought was to go and do one more degree in Human Services so that I become a bit more well-rounded in the field, but as I've been finishing up this degree I have become more and more interested in taking a break. 

I don't know what I am to do but I have always wanted to teach in some capacity. I never knew (and still don't) in what facet but it's always been a goal of mine. 

I have noticed that I love teaching older people verse children. I enjoy engaging in conversation with my peers or adults in order to grow deeper with what it is we are learning. 

I haven't been in a place to teach in a long time. I have really been missing it. I filled my life with other crap but I haven't felt like I've been thriving in anything since then.

One of my classes this semester is "Ministry of Teaching". I didn't know if I'd like the class but I took the advice from someone I know and he said it'd be one of the easier classes out of my four choices. I don't know if it's easier or not but I've been really trying to keep up on it. I had a paper due yesterday, and my professor graded it and left some comments that were really encouraging to me. 

I received a 100% on my paper, and the professor stated: 

"Your interaction with the questions shows excellent insight into the teaching/learning process. You have the perspective, priorities and attitude of a good teacher. I appreciate your reluctance to get ahead of yourself but I think I am seeing a maturity and communication ability that would help you pick the skill up readily. Your writing is clear and compelling. Thanks for a great read."

That was huge for me. It really lifted my spirits and is beginning to re-ignite my interest in teaching. I don't know where I'm going to be led, but I am excited to see what happens. I honestly do hope that teaching in some way is in my future but for now I'm just going to keep pressing forward and see where God leads.