Merry Christmas

Wishing you all much joy over this holiday season! You all mean the world to us!

Love,
The Six Chicks

we have to do this together

Chicks- we have to go on a huge boat together.
Papa's yacht was one thing--but this is sorta different.

Reference the above picture.

We have conquered many things, and this is next.

Missouri- check.
Cali- check.
A wedding- check.
College-check.

Large, ginormous boat-_________ (this cannot be left unfulfilled.)

Here are the top reasons why we have to do this:



They make towel creatures for you.



They give out free champagne!
(And you get to get dressed up!)



They have fun grown up things to do.
Don't worry, we didn't gamble. We just liked the lights.
A casino is like being INSIDE a pinball machine.



You get to get a real tan and cover up the funny streaks from the tanning towelettes.



You get to bump around in life jackets and relive fire drills from elementary school.
A highlight for sure.



You can climb a rock wall.
Or you can watch Claire do it.



You get to lay out in fleeces and jeans when its cold. Again.
One of these days we are going to get the weather/vacation timing right.



You get to watch grown up men compete in a Sexy Legs competition.
Who wants to miss that?



You get to eat the most random assortment of food at anytime.
With our 6 powers combined--we would be unstoppable at the buffets.

I'm telling you girls, we are destined to cruise.


sv

Sarah made me....

I wasn't going to do this, but after Sarah helped me brainstorm, I felt obligated. So, without going into an explanation about the inner monologue I had as to whether or not I will do this tag thing or how silly I think it is, I am just going to go for it. 5 things you always wanted to know but didn't know about Claire Borne.

1. I have a very specific bathroom routine when waking up in the morning and before going to bed at night. I am typically not a routine person, in fact I really do not like routine at all. There are three different ways for me to get to work in the morning and I change up my route daily. However, there is something that is comforting about my morning an evening routines. I love them. I enjoy the consistency. I ALWAYS wash my face, then brush my teeth, then apply tonor, then go to the bathroom, then wash my hands, then apply moisturizer. ALWAYS. This never changes.

2. When I was younger, there were numerous times when I wanted to be a boy. I grew up with two brothers who got to run around without a shirt on and that just wasn't fair. Sure, I got to dress up as a princess and wear my mom's old high school prom dresses, but I couldn't run around without a shirt on and that just wasn't okay with me. So, there were many times when I would beg my mom to let me take off my shirt just in the house. I justified it by telling her that she could call me "Clay", a perfectly good boy name. It made perfect sense to me--that just for that stint of time when I was shirt-free I could easily become a boy named Clay. She appeased me (probably because I am a lawyer's daughter and have great reasoning skills--the apple thing, dad) and allowed me to do it a few times. I loved those days.

3. I tested out of French 101 last summer so that I could order my Aggie ring with my roommates. For some reason it was very important to me to get it in November and I was very upset when I realized that my transcript read 92 instead of 95 hours. (It was because I had to drop p-chem that summer--I still can't talk about it!) So, I asked my advisor what I could do and he said the only option was to try to test out of something. So, being the daughter of a fluent french-speaker, I went to Barnes & Noble, bought some books and proceeded to work vocabulary and grammar worksheets and spend A LOT of time on the phone with my mom brushing up on my french. The test was 5 days after I realized this transcript discrepency and somehow I got the credit. I actually got 4 credits for a foreign language and only paid $25. It was pretty hilarious.

4. My little brother and I can sing Alanis Morsette's "Ironic" alternating every other word and sound like one person is singing it. I know...it's the strangest talent, but we can do it! We discovered this talent while doing the dishes. It was our job to nightly wash, dry, and put away the dishes (which we obediently did every single day without being asked, right mom?). These times of doing the dishes got really boring, so we played games and sang all the time. I guess we just decided to sing "Ironic" (it was a hit, remember?) and alternate words. We kept doing it until we were good at it--remember obedient children doing the dishes nightly is a lot of times on our hands to work on our developing skill. Although we haven't done it in a while, I am sure we could get back into the groove with just a couple of practices! So, when looking for your next party entertainment, think if the Borne kids--guaranteed or your money back!

5. I HATE Taco Bell/Pizza Hut or Taco Bell/KFC or (even worse) Taco Bell/Pizza Hut/KFC combo restaurants. I mean I really, really LOATHE them and I refuse to walk into one. I'll go to the drive through if I am really craving a mexican pizza, but it has to be a real necessity. The idea of walking into a restaurant ready for your delicious mexican pizza douced with hot sauce and smelling pizza sauce really grosses me out. Or even worse--smelling fried chicken! GROSS!!!!! How people can do this absolutely blows me away (and sicks me out!). Just thinking about it makes my skin crawl!

There you have it. I don't think that there is any one person who already knew all 5 of these facts. If there is, I really need to work on being more mysterous!

I know you're excited about this one...

Hey Jess, Hay, Cla and La... TAG! You're it!

I'm baaaack

Ready or not....

Here I come!

(man, I love our state.)

sv

Turkey Day love

Happy Thanksgiving Chicks!

I wish I was in 5 places all at once to celebrate with each of you.
I am in the middle of making deviled eggs for our Thanksgiving outreach here.
We have about 20 or so Italians coming to our lunch.
They think its so funny that we have a whole meal centered around a turkey.

Speaking of funny, since I can't be with all of you and laugh til it hurts, I thought I would just let you see this wonderful moment caught on film in Rome.



Its not everyday you see real, live monks.
And on thsoe days you do see them, they rarely run.
I really like that one of them has Nikes on.

Okay, so pretty much I wanted you all to know how much I love you and miss you.
I am thankful for you!!

sv

Moley, Moley, Moley....

I did it! Student teaching is over! To celebrate I went to Tyler to visit my favorite Forge chick! (note our matching tie-dye shirts...HA!)

I owe absolutely nothing to Texas A&M University. In fact, the roles have reversed...

They owe me my certification! Let's see how long that'll take!

Shortly after my last post about how much I wanted to wake up and be able to be the real teacher, I was approached my Lewisville ISD and asked to go into a classroom where the teacher was on maternity leave and, with the long term sub that was not certified to teach Chemistry, teach this regular Chemistry class for 5 weeks! Yeah, I know! God is soooooo good! So, about a week after I wrote that post, I headed down to Flower Mound High School to be "THE TEACHER"! Little did I know what I was getting myself into!

The first day on of my students called me "ClaireBorne".

About half of the students were failing when I got in there.

One of my students had already failed Chemistry twice and has absolutely zero motivation.

All of the football players, cheerleaders, and drill team members were in my classes.

Now to some of you teachers out there, this may sound normal, but you have to understand where I am coming from. At Marcus I taught Pre-AP students who were all in the band and who went and researched Nuclear Chemistry online before I taught it.

Are you kidding me????

So needless to say I had very different kids! But, I grew to love them so much! However, the first test I gave about half of my classes failed!

I wanted to cry.

Instead I gave all of them a retest to bring their grade up to a passing grade and then began to tackle "THE MOLE"! Some of you may remember the mole, and others of you may not, so let me take this time to re-educate you on the concept of the mole. The mole is a measurement of matter and it is Avogadro's number or 6.02 x 10^23. Remember yet?

Well, my kids were scared of the mole. They had heard from their brothers and sisters that the mole made you cry. They begged and begged me not to teach it, but of course, being "Mean" Ms. Borne, I had to! So, I decided to put a twist on it and do what my great high school chemistry teacher did with us and the mole--Make some moles! I know.....sounds dumb, but you wouldn't believe how much they got into it. The project was simple, make a stuffed mole (yes like the animal) or make a t-shirt with a mole on it and make a play on the word mole. My example to them was Tootsie "mole" like tootsie roll. So, they whined and complained like all students do, and then set out to make their projects. Only one of my students didn't do the project--that's really good for these kids! Below are some of the moles:

We have "Mole"sus, The "Mole"ing Stones, North "Mole", Ca"mole"flage, El"mole", Foot"mole" player, Rock'n'"mole", and many many more! The moles were a hit and I get to keep them to decorate my first real classroom! I was thrilled!

Oh, and might I add that only 7 of my students got a C on the mole test, everyone else got A's and B's! I was so excited that they thought I was on something!

So, I am finished student teaching! I will sub for the rest of the semester and am currently applying for a chemistry position that is open at FMHS in the spring! So, if you think about it, please pray for favor with the district! I really love teaching, and teaching chemistry (I know, who knew?), and I would love the job.

Another amazing feat has been accomplished in the life of Claire Elise Borne! I have all 10 fingernails in tact! You don't belive me? Well, see if you can guess which nail was busted just a few months ago. (Don't cheat and go look at the post from this summer!)
Pretty amazing hunh?

Other than finishing student teaching, there really isn't much news. Most of the time over here at 113 Sleepy Hollow, we hang out, watch LOST, watch Grey's, watch Gilmore Girls, work out, and of course we MISS SARAH! When Sarah is here, this house is full of life and laughter! Although, I have been trying very hard to fulfill that for P and D (yes, I have earned to right to call them that, you jealous?), Sarah just always seems to take the cake. SO, this particular night, we needed her very badly to make us laugh once again...Those of you who know Paula, just picture her laughing her amazing laugh very loudly for a very long time! It was an incredible night. Sarah came through for us, as usual!

Ok, that's it. I'm done! Sorry it's not funny. Like I said, I am not Sarah. Or Heather. I am just a girl, sitting in front of a computer, trying to be funny.

.cb.

FYI

I would like to announce that I posted on our blog.
I wrote it last week... I've been having some picture problems with it.
In the meantime Jess posted!
So, today I finally figured out my picture problems and I posted mine.
Well, b/c it was written prior to Jessica's it has been displayed below hers.
I appreciate bloggers commitment to chronological order.

**Somehow I feel the need to let you know that I contributed to the blog. I'm not the most clever or witty chick and definitely not the most frequent contributor, but I am trying to do my part. So now you are informed...

HH

Hats off to new scenery

I decided to go the extra mile and give you all an update from this chick. I know it's been awhile. My proximity to the internet is hardly condusive to regular email checks and blog updates (10 minute drive with a required female buddy...everybody loves Pine Cove rules and the Mr. T!!--media office).
While I know the girls are familiar with my current setting, I am less sure about the rest of our faithful readers. For you...I will indulge. The pictures above are of my classmates. I am living in Tyler, TX on the Pine Cove Ranch property. I'm a student in a discipleship/leadership in ministry training program called the Forge (http://www.pinecove.com/leadership-training/index.php). I love it....mostly. There are tough things, but mostly really great things. I spend about 15 hours in class a week. These classes include things like theology, book discussion, leadership theories, etc. It's tight to have study material and books that I enjoy reading (and there's a lot..a total of 13 books to read including the Bible in its entirety and memorizing the book of 1 Peter...PRAY FOR ME!). I must confess, though....2 months in and it's getting hard to not fall back into college habits of just "doing assignments to get them done." Also, I live in a house with 7 girls, and 7 guys live next store. My community is pretty consistent...all day almost every day with these 13 new friends. It's good...challenging...but good. A little different than living with my 6 chicks.
I feel like this post-graduation season of life is uncharted waters. Most people I talk to feel like they're trying not to live life as a count down, while deciding what's next. I agree, but I feel absolutely confident that the Lord will use this short 8-month season for my growth and his glory.
Well, I must return to the world of camp and all that it entails.
~js

The Life of a Professional Assistant

I think you all should know what I now do for a living.

By "living" I mean... they pay me a little bit, but to say I'm actually LIVING off of what they pay me might be a stretch. I mean I guess I probably could make it in the real world on my own at this point...but if I have the opportunity for free rent/utilities, etc. I take that opportunity!

My title is: Assistant to the President.

That's right, I'm a personal assistant. I do all that comes with being a personal assistant.
Lots of days that means running errands - some very random, some totally normal. I shop for her... I pick things up... I drop things off... I decorate things... I buy things... I return things... I do LOTS of LAST MINUTE THINGS... I send mail... gifts... set up appointments... make reservations...I make note of her likes/dislikes... I research things... I work from one sentence instructions on many tasks... I "make things pretty"... I troubleshoot...making the "impossible" happen (Ha!)...and I tackle large semi-random projects, which brings me to my next point.

Here is an example of one of my "semi-random projects":

About three weeks ago my boss comes to my desk. She says, " Hayley, I have a brilliant idea!!!" I say, "Am I go to be excited about this idea???" She says, "Nope!"

She then preceeds to say something like... I would love to send a bag of the pink M&M's for Breast Cancer Awareness month to all of our employees.

My first thought is--- that's a fun idea. No problem. I will order M&M's and have them sent to each of our 18 offices.

Not so fast.... what she really means is that she would like each employee (roughly 400) to receive a bag of pink M&M's at their home. Yikes....

So I call all the sources I can imagine who might have the pink M&M's ---- none and I repeat none of them could help me.

So, plan B. I call every store in the area who carries normal M&M's and begin to track pink bags down.

Long Story Short.... I've been to lots and lots of Walmarts, Walgreens, Albertsons, 7-Elevens... ( let me note that I had a really fun girl named Brittany, who is in school at North Texas, helping me with this task).

I won't bore you with any more details about the fun of packaging... labeling... stuffing... taping... stamping.

M&M's are heavy and take up more room than you would think.

Now I would like to show you a picture of these adorable little M&M's.
(disclaimer: I couldn't get my actual picture of the 400+ bags to load so use your imagination)

All the M&M's have now been sent. As far as I know most of them actually made it unharmed to their destination before the end of October!

So, there ya go. That's a day( a week) in the life of a personal assistant.

HH

missing you...

this is a shout out from asia to my girls around the globe. i'm sure that austin, corinth, florence, irving, lewisville, and tyler are better off with you there. HOWEVER, i want you to know that i miss you. and... i love you. have a wonderful day!

Just so you know...

Italy loves me.
It's official.

This country loves it's graffiti.
And it loves me.

In a bold, blue-on-plywood kinda way.

We have already discussed how Italians don't do H's.
So we know this is for me.

Just thought I would let your wonderfully caring chick-minds rest easy tonight.


sv

Life, it's a funny thing

Well this is it. My home for the past five weeks and the next seven. I arrive here at 8:15 a.m. and don't leave until 4:30 p.m. (if I'm lucky!).

The real life has come. It is here to stay.

It stinks.

I keep thinking that maybe tomorrow when I come to school, I will suddenly have my own classroom and won't have to follow Mr. Brede (that's my cooperating teacher, you can see his back in the upper right) around all day. That just maybe, I will wake up one morning and won't be a measly student teacher anymore and will instead be a full-blown teacher.

That day has not come yet. It stinks.

I know that these twelve weeks are preparing me for my supposed career in teaching high school chemistry, but I am just ready to start. But there are seasons right? I suppose this is my season to be a litte puppy dog following around a grown man all day hoping that he can shed some insight into teaching upon my inquiring mind. I'm soaking it all in, but ready to be finished.

Which leads me to a whole new topic....

WHAT THE HECK AM I GOING TO DO COME NOVEMBER THIRD?????

Heather Hendrick hit everything that I am thinking about all of this right on the nose.

I know that I have a passion--one thing that I desire to pour everything that I am into--but I just don't know what it is exactly. I yearn to find it. I yearn to be recognized by my passion. So what is stopping me from diving head first into my passion and throwing my entire self into it?

Because I just don't know exactly what it is.

I have lots of things that I like to do and some things that I am good at, but how in the world am I supposed to put them together?

A question that I will continue to ask the Lord to answer. I know that He will lead me to my passion. I just have to wait through this season (and maybe a few more) before that passion becomes a reality. Until then, I will cling. Cling to hope, cling to HIM. I refuse to be mediocre. I refused to be balanced. I refuse to be under-whelmed.

I will live a passion-filled life.

.cb.

A moment of silence please...

Above you will see the remains of my phone. May she rest in peace.
This phone served me well up until last night. She died in the Walmart parking lot by an accidental dropping.
I got this phone after I dropped my other one in the toilet. Remember that?! I must have abusive tendencies with my little phones.

I am now going through phone counseling, but in the meantime that means that no one can call me. Actually the full truth is that the bottom half is fully functioning, so you can call me I just won't hear you. Notice the nice blue light in the picture. And I can even call you, and you can hear what I say, but on my end its very lonely. Claire and Hay and I played fun little games with it last night.

I leave today for Italy! Yea! ---So really this whole phone thing happened at the perfect time. And my sweet friends decided they wanted to help earlier today by getting all my numbers out of my phone and put them in an excel spreadsheet so I could have them overseas. How helpful and perfect, considering the death that would take place later. Jesus even cares about my cell phone!

Well, seeing as there is a red blinking light on the working part of my phone that means someone called me. (Brookie, if its you, I am SO sorry! )

Thats it. We decided this blog was for the daily happenings. So there you go, my very mundane, but tragic experience.
Man, there are all kinda hints that I need to leave the country.


sv

Brookie's Birthday Review

Hey! I just thought I'd let you all in on how my birthday went. I absolutely LOVED hearing from many of you. The e-mails, messages, notes, and packages were so much fun! It's not quite the same when I can't see some of my best friends in the world..... but, I had a great 36 hours (Thailand & Texas combined) of birthday fun. :)

The night before my birthday began here, I had dinner at a couple's house that Katie and I eat at every Sunday. It was absolutely wonderful! Sharon made me an aaaaamazing black forest cake. Sooooooo yummy! You'll also see my wonderful Thai birthday hat. (Hay, it reminded me of you!)

On my actual birthday I went to school to teach... b/c that's what I do here. Above my door was a wonderful sign that made me very, very happy. It read "Happy Birthday Miss Brandon." It took me a couple periods into the school day for me to notice it amongst all of the "vote for me b/c i'm cool" student council papers everywhere. I can't believe the school already knows me as a Texas Aggie.... it's fun though. I've had to do a few of our yells upon request.... which of course I thought was really fun.... everyone else just thinks I'm crazy. Anyway, I received a few unexpected, wonderful presents from my students as well (Victoria's Secret lotion, a pretty journal, and chocolate)!!!

Then, Katie and I went out to eat with Tommy and Beverly. They took us to a very nice Thai restaurant where I had my absolute favorite: Pad Thai. mmmm---mmmm---- good. I then had incredible mango ice cream to top it off.

That about sums the birthday bash up. I mostly enjoyed hearing from so many of you! Thanks so much to all of you for making my day special!

a week of growth and another year older

Calling all chicks! Hello!

Now that I am done with training, this whole going overseas thing is starting to feel very real.
My team really is so fun. (read about them on my blog)
I has so much fun learning about living abroad and meeting new people. Specifically alot of cute boys. You can ask me about that later. :)

And since yesterday was my birthday, I thought I would tell you how fun being 23 is.
So far I really like it.
My facebook wall has never seen so much action.
I got to experience what it would be like to be the super popular kid in high school.















My parents had taken me out to dinner before I left for Colorado.
We went to the French Room in the Adolphus Hotel.
Fancy-schmancy.

For your mental picture: more silverware than you could possibly have use for. Waiters laying your napkin in your lap for you--because heaven forbid you do that yourself. Little crystal bars that your knife rests on so that you don't sully the tablecloth. And the most scrumptuous food that has ever passed your lips.

It was fantastic.
See, now I am 23 and mature enough to handle a restaurant like that.
I have arrived.

So for my real birthday (last night), my mom, sister, adopted sister Claire and Hayley took me out to dinner.
We had mojitos.
The night was a success.





(this little cocktail has lime and mint and sugar in it and whoever invented it should recieve an award)










sv

Out of Hiding!

I did it! 13 weeks at Pine Cove, DONE!

I understand that 2 new posts in one day is a bit much for the chicks, but on top of Brooke's AMAZING Thai/Aggie adventures today I must proclaim that Loop-Da-Loop has left Tyler, and I, Jessica, have returned to the place I call home, Friendswood, TX.

I have had an amazing summer. It was absolutely crammed packed with challenges, physical exhaustion, lots of SYSCO foods, approximately 100 families, 34 amazing high school girl campers of my very own, a HUGE BLUE POOL that I learned how to clean on my very own, lifeguarding EVERYDAY (my hairdresser's going to LOVE THAT), lots of amazing new friends, and continuing to learn how to serve the Lord with all that I have. I've been dressed up very silly (fortunately slash unfortunately my girls were terribly good at Bible memory), I've crawled around on my hands and knees in espionage forest more times that I can count, I've celebrated medieval knights, switcheroo, christmas in july, no siesta fiesta, caveman clash bash, camelot knights, dock rock, and zoot scoot, worn a yellow and orange Pine Cove opening day shirt and jumped like crazy to greet campers all in the name of Jesus. I've learned in a new way what 2 Cor. 12:9,10 means about boasting in my weaknesses. I've seen a lot more of mine this summer and recognize that the only way I've run this race has been through the unbelievable power of our savior. Being blessed to have my hands in the lives of high school girls for a mere six days only to let them go out into the scary world every Saturday, I've learned a lot about how hard it is for me to trust the Lord. He was so faithful to provide oppurtunities for the gospel, new friends, and beautiful scenery. In the end, it was amazing - amazingly hard, amazingly fun, amazingly stretching, but AMAZING.

As most of you know Tyler, TX will soon become that home, but for four whole weeks I'll be residing here in my parent's home (that's awfully weird--"my parent's home" we're getting so so old) minus a birthday party and bachelorette party in DFW and some partying in Austin for sis' birthday. My days will be filled with rest and relaxation. I'll play on my new computer (happy graduation, jess! love, mom and dad), and of course Mom's made about 10 appointments for me - you know those last minute appointments that parents make when their kids are no longer going to be in their care/dependent.

It is insane to me how dispersed we are all becoming. I miss my girls. Brooke's post today made me excited for her but a bit teary at the distance between us. I love you guys.
~js

Howdy & Hullabaloo

This past weekend I went on a staff retreat with Grace staff and their families. I walked into breakfast and saw one of the Thai teachers pictured above. I thought--- awww she's wearing an Aggie shirt, I miss A&M. Then it dawned on me.... I'm looking at a Texas A&M shirt (which seemed all too normal), but I'm in Asia! Then I had a freak out moment and talked to my new friend and found out we had mutual friends! Aggies for Christ sends a group here every couple years. THEN, a couple days ago I was walking home with Katie in the pouring rain as a car slowly passed us. My wet little ears heard "Hullabaloo, Caneck, Caneck" coming from their horn! They knew I was an Aggie and through me for a loop---- my brain doesn't know what to do in these situations! Well, I love you all and think of you often (not just when I see Aggie shirts or hear Aggie sounds).

A Honeymoon, a Marriage and a new found job

Well Yes- It is me- I am finally updating the blog- I have emerged from my cocoon of newly-marrieddome and am publishing a post to give a little update-
First of all- Thank you to all of you who took part in the wedding- It would not have been the same without every one of you being there- second- married life has been wonderful thusfar-I am learning the art of living with a boy instead of living with 5 girls- there are way less dishes to do and the washing machine is always free to use whenever I need it- but it has been an adventure!
Above are a few honeymoon pics that I wanted to share- It was a wonderful time!
Also the grueling searching for a job is finally over! The Lord has been faithful to lead me and I have been trying my hardest to walk by faith in the light that I have so I accepted a job yesterday at a PR firm in Dallas located in the third tower offices of the Galleria! I really like everyone that I have met so far and am excited about the fall! Football season has just begun so that means that Brice's plate is full now- He loves it though- It is going to be an exciting season- You must come watch a game if you would like.
We continue to seek direction as to where the Lord will lead us next, but for now we just want to be faithful with the people and places that God has called us to right now- The Lord continues to remind us that "all flesh is grass" and to really take advantage of the moments that He gives us and "make the most of every opportunity"-
Well there is a little snip-it of life in the Helton Home- I will update again and give you an inside peak of the wierd sleeping habits of my new husband- he will love that!

ps- i couldn't figure out how to turn this so either turn your head or turn your computer! Thanks!

reading for fun. what a concept!?

I have been to Barnes and Noble many many times this summer...wandering aimlessly looking at the books that inspire me to read! To read for fun...to read to learn...to read because I can!

I have only purchased ONE book this summer. Here's where you come in. I would love to continue adding to my library. I feel like my Christian Living type library is doing ok and there are plenty of books that I've been meaning to read, but at this point I'm looking for a good story to mix it up. Shallow, maybe? Fun, Yes! SO, to all our faithful readers I have a question...

What book(s) would you recommend to me (and others) for a good read? I'm not really interested in the kind of book that requires me to re-read each paragraph. I did that enough in college.

Thanks friends!

HH

Vanilla ice cream with a scoop of perspective

This is Mrs. Virginia. She has been my friend this summer.
On Sunday, her assisted living facility hosts an ice cream social.
I attended.
Vanilla with caramel and sprinkles.
I think assisted living is the way to go. You don't lift a finger in that place.
She's 85 and I really like her alot.

Here's the thing about being 85, you still feel young, yet your body totally disagrees. Mrs. Virginia is still trying to wrap her mind around that. What a strange place in life. At church we are studying Ecclesiastes. Besides being hard to spell, its full of some pretty hard truths. Most of life is like running a treadmill, same thing over and over, with no real purpse. Now, don't freak out on me. I understand that Jesus gives us purpose. Praise the Lord! Life is not worth living without Him, and Solomon very seriously tries to get that point across, but he first shows how everything else in life is totally worthless, "all is vanity."

This whole message has been weighing on my brain lately and along with support raising, preparing to live in another country, and saying goodbye to sweet, sweet friends, its been pretty heavy.

I want my life to matter. I want what Jesus has done in my life to effect others. I want to live like I don't belong here.

There is an ongoing battle in my brain between wanting comfort and security and routine and the unknown, the unpredictable, and adventure. Will these two sides of my brain ever reconcile? Not any time soon, it seems.

Hanging out with Mrs. Virginia makes me want to live life to the fullest, so that when I am 85 I can look back and see how the Lord has worked in my life. And Matt Chandler makes me want to run far, far away from living a rut-filled life.

"For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?" (Ecc. 2:25)
Lasting enjoyment, the kind that really matters, only comes from Jesus. I have often wondered how people get through the hard times in life without this knowledge. To know that "all things work together for the good of those who love Him," where would I be without that promise?

So, Solomon- thanks for being so stinkin wise. Thanks, Jesus, for giving me purpose and joy. And thanks, Mrs. Virginia for being 85 and still asking, "what can I do?"

sv

Have I told you how much I love Italians?!

Since this has been the video addition to our beloved blog, I thought I'd jump on in.

Plus, I wanted you guys to see this sooooo bad!!

The summer has flown by and I am close to being done with my support raising (praise the Lord)! and my heart is aching with the desire to go to Florence and start ministry!!

This is the testimony of an Italian who was saved last summer with Crusade. Gosh, I love these people so much and cannot wait to be there!!! In Jess' phrasing, it makes my heart race just thinking about doing minsitry there!




Get this video and more at MySpace.com



p.s. isn't he adorable?
p.s.s. I have bangs now--get excited! (I thought about writing about my bangs, but then Italy won out. I know, I know tough call)


If you think of me please pray for the students in Florence and for receptive hearts and for my last 15% to come in so I can actually go.....thank you so much!! I love you all.

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I wish they all could be California girls...

In light of the blackmail by the one and only mastermind of the chicks' blog, Miss Sarah Page Vierling, I would like to finally post this "Said Blog". I highly doubt that it can live up to everyone's anticipation, but I will do my very best to update you on my life here in Sunny San Diego.

I came to San Diego to fulfill my dream of being a California girl about 2 months ago. I moved into an apartment in Chula Vista (about 7 miles from the Mexico border) and I had a job lined up to be a rock climbing instructor. Currently I am living in La Jolla (about 29 miles north of the Mexico border) and am working at a coffee shop and nannying for two little boys. Funny hunh?

The coffee shop that I work at is on the beach--literally the shop opens up to the ocean! That's the view from the back porch of the shop.

It's tough working here. Watching the beautiful sunset 4 days a week and hanging out with quirky Californians is rough. Stare at this picture below for 10 seconds. Now close your eyes and picture me behind that counter making latte's and mocha's and limiting my uses of "y'all" (I have to fit in somehow you know--everyone still thinks i have an accent). Do you think I fit? I do--or at least that's what I have to keep telling myself!

My nannying job is not as great as the coffee shop job, but i make it. My employers are not the best employers in the world and I am basically at their disposal--they use me when they need and don't when they don't and i'm supposed to be available whenever they need me. So pretty much everyday that they don't need me (and even some days that they do) I go to the beach. Oh, and did I mention that the beach is only 3 miles away from my house?

Speaking of being 3 miles from the beach, I forgot to mention why I am now living in La Jolla. There is a family that I know from Woodleaf, The Kings, who just moved down here from northern california. Their furnature hadn't even arrived yet when I came up here to visit them since I hadn't seen them in 2 years. Carolyn immediatly asked me to move in with them for the rest of the summer. I totally thought she was kidding, but apparently she was not. After Lauren's wedding I moved up here and am now living in Molly's room--she's 9. The King's have 4 girls--Morgan, Mallory, Maddie, and Molly--all of which sport "THE SWOOP" very strong! Coming soon...a video documenting the glory of all that is "THE SWOOP". Stay tuned.

Oh yes....and I'M A BLONDE NOW...well sort of!!!! I'm sorry Lauren and Jessica for deserting you to the second kitchen. I am ashamed. The point of this "said blog" was supposed to be to show off my new hair do, but it has turned into much more. And, i was supposed to also put in fire engine red streaks in my hair, but we sort of had a mishap and my hair almost turned orange. So, blonde it is. This is one of my new friends, Emily--she has not replaced the dear chicks, don't worry. But she is pretty great and I know could fit right in with all of us! Y'all would love her--I promise...Mikey approved!

Mikey also came to visit me this past weekend. Emily insisted on taking some pictures at the lifeguard towers in honor of Marissa and our mutual love for the TV show where it all started! HA!

I must say that i am loving my time out here. I love the family I am living with, I love my new friends, I love the coffee shop, I love the beach, but I wish that all 5 of you could be california girls with me.

So there.

No more threats.

No more hatred.

Here is your said post.

I hope it was all you hoped it to be.

It probably wasn't.

But Sarah will probably leave a witty comment to fulfill your need for laughter.

Hendrick boys....just give me a few more days to get your video. I promise some really cute girls modeling a really cute do!

And it is finished.

Claire "Liar, Liar Pants on Fire" Borne ,

I thought we had an agreement.
Where's the goods?

Sincerely,

Sarah "Bored to Tears without a new blog entry" Vierling


This will serve as blackmail until said post arrives.

Mr. and Mrs. Brice Helton

Well, we did it! The first of the chicks is married! The weekend o' wedding was fantastic and oh so fun! From bachelorette party to luncheon to rehearsal and to the ceremony everything was beautiful, sweet, and perfect.


Lauren was the most beautiful bride and the chicks were proud to wear pink for their beloved La.















After a fabulous party of dancing (Brice, Brice Baby....), cake-eating and laughing the chicks said goodbye to Lauren and she and Brice were whisked off to their honeymoon.


So, here's to Lauren and Brice--we love you so much!
And Brice....welcome to the chick family.

I like this game...good one Brookie!

I am growing a new fingernail...



Guess who I am!