staples and cardstock

Oh fair summer, to where have you flown?
my lazy days and lack of responsibility will soon be over, and once again I will be overwhelmed with the cascade of real life. my head is pulled all different directions. annoyed. excited. overwhelmed. not challenged enough. but overall, it is utterly content.

As one from the greater AC metropolis of the midwest might know, California (while exquisite in beauty and bustling city life...) is far on the outskirts of anywhere it might currently be "happening." but my short self, void of proper social exposure and fellowship, emptied my bank account to invest in my relationships from afar. and, here is the result.

This is me and a bunch of girls for a bachelorette party for Kirsten Sauder-Wiegand. I was blessed to be able to hang out with all these girls even though i wasn't part of the wedding and was just "tagging along." But we had a blast dressing up in 80's outfits and making a fun dinner and just being girls!

and



These are the proof that an amazing, nostalgic lego-playing, odyssey-listening evening ACTUALLY took place. and it was epic. We had spent an evening earlier that week quoting Adventures in Odyssey, and decided right then and there we were going to play Legos and listen to our favorite, quotable episodes! It was a blast and definitely brought back memories of our childhood days. it was great to see how many of us have similar experiences. our parents must have all shopped Focus on the Family!




This is me and Kiera Stieglitz (Shane and Laura's daughter) and we had so much fun. she is learning how to talk and her vocabulary is expanding rapidly. I think the country is a great place to raise children, as there are so many interesting things to find on a farm!

and Last but not least, here is home sweet home for me.

The mountains, the sky, the music, the experience. fully california. it encompasses what I have come to know and love. this is my life. I can travel the world over, find amazing places, meet phenomenal people, but coming back home is what brings joy to my heart. Who knows where God is going to take me in the future, and I am open to wherever that may be. But until then, why not love where i'm at!?

Come visit any time.

Oh, and a taste of what's to come. i am starting school next week. and the adventure begins again!

There is Always Life after Death for a Child of God

He started with nothing but a wife, a daughter, a dream, a hard work ethic and a strong faith in God.
and that's where his adult life began.

I entered it after his hard work had paid off, his dreams and prayers were fulfilled far beyond what he could have imagined, his family had grown and his faith in God had not wavered.

He didn't have prestige or fame, but he had titles that meant the world to him and those around him: Husband. Dad. Brother. Uncle. Boss. and most significant to me, Grandpa.

Even though he lived miles and hours away from me, he played a big role in my life. his example of faithfulness in small things, faithfulness in marriage, faithfulness in God...have all impacted me more than I realize.


(Grandpa and Grandma, Alaska 2006)

His love for music and his encouragement to get me started in playing violin are two things that I will hold near to my heart forever especially as they play out in my life.

His health was never 100%, but that didn't stop him from working, playing, leading, singing or praying. His body deteriorated, but his heart and soul belonged to the Lord. He was a fighter, and proved it up until his last breaths upon this earth.

As I sat by his hospital bed, taking in the sight of this once-strong man, now frail and weak, struggling with each breath, a host of memories and thoughts washed over me. Oh how I would miss the sweet gruff voice tell me, when I was in a huff about something, "Now suzy, don't go away mad...just go away."
How my heart longed to once more see him pick up his worn fiddle and by memory play with Grandma, "Now has come the Time of Parting" or "I'll be somewhere listening" and watch him sway with the music.
deep in thought, I barely noticed his hand reach toward me from the bed, and when I placed my small hand in his big, gnarly one, he squeezed it tight and didn't let go.
I flashed back to being a little girl, grabbing grandpa's hand as we skipped out to the car with my brother and he'd say, "here we go, suzy and joe!"

("Freeze for a picture Grandpa!" it was
a typical Grandpa-caught-off-guard face!)

Tears filled my eyes. What precious memories. How I wanted to re-live them again. For him to regain strength and come back to us.

But how could I want him to stay here on earth when he was SO close to heaven! peace suddenly flooded my whole being as I realized how incredibly blessed my Grandpa was! in a matter of days he was going to be seeing Jesus face to face. Talking with God, walking on the streets of gold, and maybe even striking up a song on the violin with the heavenly hosts! I was jealous.

Time will pass, the grief will subside, but the memories will linger, along with the heritage and legacy that he has left for his family, friends and church community. A minister from my grandpa's home church put it well. He said that Grandpa was a pillar of faith who had stood strong for many years, serving God faithfully, working toward the goal of eternal life for the past sixty-some years.

I learned a lot about death this past week. But it wasn't how devastating the loss could be...it was how God can be glorified in the passing of a Soldier of Faith from this sad, dark, hurting world to a place where there are no more tears, suffering or night.

Praise be to God for his unspeakable mercies and lovingkindness.... His praise will continually be on my lips....

and they called it young love.

downtown st. paul. the landmark center. three friends touring.

this was the setting.

we had been walking around, enjoying the historical, restored beauty of a building. we were avidly reading the signs and placards about the famous courtcases that took place in the building. Alvin "Creepy" Karpis (one of the most famous #1 most wanted, who actually went to Alcatraz prison). John Dillinger, and his fiancee. and several more. the history was astounding. the experience quaint.


we (it was only me, actually) were lamenting not having brought a camera to document the trip. but little did we know what adventures were in store for us that will only be held by our memories and one camera-phone picture.

near the end of our visit to the center, we came across a little display portraying the postal business also based out of the building. there were posters on the wall, and about eight old-school postal bags hanging under a glass slab. while my friends were reading the posters, i wandered to the bags to see if there was anything inside. the first one had a cardboard space-filler with a picture of old letters on it. slightly disappointed, i looked in the second one. but this one had a few REAL letters and a postcard or two on top! slipping my hand down into the bag, between the glass, i snatched the letters. i called the friends over, and showed them excitedly what i had discovered.

it was a love letter. postmarked november 1929. i felt the excitement well up inside me at the possibility of holding history in my hands.


at first we weren't sure it was real, thinking someone just wanted to make it look realistic. but as we looked in the other bags, there were more letters. from the same year, from the same people.
the next 45 minutes were spent reading and discovering more letters. they were from different times of year, extending into 1930. as we read bits and pieces, we tried to fit together the puzzle of the lives of two young lovers. each letter held declarations of love that to our movie- and book-jaded ears felt so simple and sweet.

here is their story:
to skip, love rube. planning a june wedding in november. she lived in washington, he in oregon. their love was strong. they missed each other like the desert misses the rain. they eloped. deciding to keep it a secret they wrote every day as husband and wife, hours and miles drive apart. they continued planning their wedding for june...for family appearances. phrases like, "there is not even one tiny piece of my heart that i could possibly give to anyone else" or "i miss you more than i ever thought i could miss anything in the whole world" or "i cannot think of anything else but you." their flowery words and heart-felt sentiments were a symbolic beacon for eachother, as they passed the time apart, waiting for the future. they asked advice on daily living and decisions and discussed their innermost thoughts and feelings. we were let in on a little sliver of two lives, witnessing the story that shaped their hearts and lives. i was giddy with excitement to discover the each fun detail of their daily living. it was like an old carol lombard/clark gable film. but for reals. it was touching. we were captivated.

oh to have this kind of undying love. a devotion that bound their hearts together forever. a secret that shaped their early years of marriage. a story that would be passed down for generations. and one that has touched lives of complete strangers, touring a museum.

skip and rube will never know that we read these letters, but their devotion is an example to me of the selfless and undying love of a man and his woman. in another parallel, it reminded me of how i am loved by the Man in my life right now. He rejoices over me (zeph 3:17) and i am His. how often do i tend to lose sight of the precious words of promise and lavishing He has for me. it becomes common-place. a little cliche to hear and give the words of love. but i want to be like skip and rube, declaring love and recieving love with abandon. no reservations. i know for a fact He deserves it. and i am coming to believe i am worthy of it as well. Thank you, my King for loving me.

"...but the greatest of these is love"
1 cor 13:13

life. summer. UPDATES!

I cannot believe the time that has passed, the occasions i think about sitting down to write, and i just don't. So here is a mini-update on my life.

i have finished my first semester at biola, and i loved it so much.it is now summer which means work, traveling and other fun stuff. we had a family vacation with 8 of us for the first time. what fun new dynamics =).i just got back from an amazing trip to mexico.it was the first time i never took pictures or had a sad goodbye.it was as if its just another visiting place and i'll be back for SURE.i fall in love with it everytime.the june gloom is just now fading into beautiful california summer.i love it.i am very content with where God has me in life.and i can see his hand in all parts of my life.

here's some pics from the family vaca:


(back row: joey. johny. amy. krissa. jim. mumzy
front row: me. dad.)



(me.johnny.amy)

just a little story:
So being at the mercy of the random selection for serving on our county's jury, i was summoned to appear in the second week of classes starting back in february.

unable to tear myself away from academic achievement for that long, I regretfully called in and asked to postpone it until june.


(me. regretful of not serving when they summoned)

I strategically picked a date that would land between my 10-day family vacation and my regualr summer Mexico trip. genius, right? i thought so. well my date came around, and as my summons said, i was available between the two dates, spanning a week. no longer, though. what i DIDN'T know was that you call in everyday until they need you. THEN your service starts. *sigh* well i went in and addressed a very disgruntled jury-service woman. and i told her that being a victim of our messed up system, that i would not be able to appear for seven working days following this day, and if she could please help me. just to have a little bit of mercy, because this trip was important to me.

To which she responded, "and thats my problem, why?" ugh. remind me NEVER to be a government employee. it might make me mean and jaded. so anyways. she told me to call as soon as i was back from mexico. i did. they wanted me. the lady said, sorry, you're at the mercy of the judge now. So i prayed lots and felt slightly stressed that i wouldn't be able to get out of serving. tragically i have aNOTHER trip planned for later this week and so i am really hoping this all works out. i have a back up or two if they can't be reasonable:
1. Vengeance is the Lords...he will repay.
2. tell them my theory: if the defendent made it this far already, even if he's not guilty for this, he must be guilty for SOMETHING. so i go "guilty" every time.
3. i am a criminal justice student at at private Christian university.
bailiff calls. we file in. hear ten other people's hardships on why they can't serve. i am the last. my heart is pounding. i stumble over calling him "sir" or "your honor." i don't trust my voice. it sounds more confident than i feel. i tell the judge my problem. he laughs. my stomach drops. he asks if i can postpone my trip by a week. feeling a burst of confidence, i try being witty. "its a non-refundable ticket, and i am but a poor college student, sir...err. your honor." the coutroom erupts in snickers from fellow jurors, judge and council alike. the judge pulls council up to consider requests. my heart is pounding. will they let me off? i watch their faces for positive signs. they all nod. judge returns to his leather thrown behind his "Judge Pluim" plaque. he looks right at me and says "Suzanne K, you are hereby excused from serving on this jury. thank you for your service and willingness to join us today." my hear soars.

i walk out in a daze.
and they say there isn't proof of a God. ha.

they were so wrong.

xoxo.

Reunions.

God is good. And works in amazing, mysterious ways.
A while back I had a post about my great Uncle, Bill, and his friend Gene. I wrote about witnessing and facilitating their tearful reunion after many years. That in and of itself was a miracle. http://suzyklotzle.blogspot.com/2008/11/faith-of-our-fathers.html

As our late friend, Paul Harvey would say, "And now...the rest of the story."

This last friday, Bill passed on into Glory, to be forever with His Lord. After over 8 decades of a full, godly life, God called him peacefully Home. He hadn't been in very good health the past few months, and although it was hard to say goodbye, Bill was ready to go. He died in his home, surrounded by family who loved him. God is good. As any who knew Bill would attest, he loved people. From his buddies at McDonalds to his grandkids; His life insurance clients to his church family, Bill didn't know a stranger. And he was loved by all who knew him.

Anyways....
My mom called me this week asking if I knew where Gene lived so she could tell him about Bill's passing. I couldn't remember exactly, so she decided to go knocking on doors. At the first one she went to, no one answered, so she went next door. A younger man answered the door and my mom asked him if he knew where Gene lived. He said that Gene lived next door, but unfortunately, he had passed away this past Friday.

This was the same day that Uncle Bill went Home too.

And if they thought this reunion in my Pasadena driveway was joyful, it was nothing compared to the one they had on the streets of gold, at the feet of Jesus. I can only imagine.
God is good.

xoxo

"The True Confessions of Suzanne Klotzle"

not every 19 year old girl has transferred too many times, adapted and actually thrived fairly well. But I am just such a girl, and my story is worth relating. You see, I didn't know that fateful day that when i stepped my not-so-dainty, converse-clad foot on this adventureland they call a college campus, that my life would NEVER be the same again. Had any mouth told me, i would have never believed them. Had any dictionary defined it, I would have laughed. But now, i can only tell you with a solemn affirmation that only comes from direct and personal experience, how deeply this journey has affected me. And be warned, this is no story of "A bad boy" nor of "What Katy Did." But in it contains content that will rival the very stories of the Dread Pirate Roberts. And with that, I begin my tale.


I would continue as such, but alas... you just can't tell a story of a college in "Charlotte Doyle" style!

Ahhh the updates. I tell you, so much has happened in the month or so since i posted last.
First of all, I am halfway through my semester, and have finished up three of my five midterms. This week is "Missions Conference" Where we have wednesday-friday off of classes, but we go to seminars, sessions, global awareness country walk-throughs. I am actually going to be "acting" in one of these country sketches. I am representing Burma with a few other people, and we talk about what is happening over in that country. It should be interesting.
I wish i had pictures to share, but I just don't! I have been too busy LIVING my social life, instead of documenting it! Too bad for you, you'll just have to come visit me!

I have been getting along with my roommate quite well. And we have fun being girls and laughing late into the night about dumb stuff! Oh and if you think that college has lost its drama, think again. It is just like high school, all over again. but with kids who think they're drama is legit and justified. and being the expert transfer student, i get tossed in the middle of it and try not to get too involved =D (yeah right!) As my favorite line goes: When drama comes knocking, there is nothing to do but open the door and welcome it in!"

In any case, I have learned that i LOVE the academic integrity here. The professors are so dedicated to my education and it makes going to class easier, and i have found I don't dread each monday. (except that my first class starts at 8. I've reminded myself not to be ambitious when planning next semester's schedule...10:30 DOESN'T mean i'm lazy, it means i'm smart!)

And people ask me if i can sleep ok, and let me bring peace to your worried minds... i can sleep just dandy. I have found that when one doesn't turn in until past....their previous curfews..they tend to be able to sleep anywhere. and quite soundly.

Hmm...what else to say. OH YES! I work at the mimi's in Downey, about fifteen minutes..with no traffic. which happens to be never on the 5. So, its about half hour... I love it immensley, and I am able to practice my spanish, which is exciting. And aside from my new manager reminding me that i'm only there as a favor to my old manager, they have accepted me quite finely.

Well, i hope that the update satisfies you for a little bit. I really shoudl stay on my writing. but with keeping a regular journal, and journals for two classes, an extra copy of my life story just doesn't seem necessary until it becomes published...

changes!!!!!

AHH! I can't believe its been so long since I've written! And things have completely changed for me. I finished finals at Cal Poly, and they were my LAST finals there. I had a very busy Christmas time with lots of family and friends that extended well into the new year! I may add more pictures of that later, but it seems as though you would all be interested in my newest endeavor! A NEW COLLEGE! In case you are just joining me on my journey, I have transferred to Biola University, which is a private University about 45 min from my house in La Mirada, CA. I DO live on campus here, and am loving it! Actually, as i sit here in my dorm room, waiting to go to my crime technology class, I am really thanking God for the doors he opened. So, here are pictures with some narration.

This is Simon, all packed [there actually ended up being
several more boxes than wouldn't fit, so it took a few trips.]




This is the hall that I live in. It is called: Hope Hall.
I live in Hope South. I am on the fourth floor, and
my window is the second one from the left of the pillars.
It is the biggest hall, i believe, and looks more like a hotel
outside and inside. We actually have key cards! And it
does extend to the right the same amount as is shown here.




This is the name of Hope South 4th floor:
The Attic
My room is right there to the left.




This is my roommates side of the room.
Her name is Jamie, and she is pretty great.
We have spent some late nights just talking
and getting to know eachother. She is very sweet
and a very godly girl. God definitely loves me!
She also keeps her side of the room pretty neat
and it inspires me to keep mine tidy as well =]
For those of you who know me well, this is quite
an interesting challange.




This is my bed. They are "captain" height
which works for the dressers to fit underneath
but I have to jump to get into it at night =]
I am getting more things on the wall, but this
was taken RIGHT when i moved my stuff in.




So in the rooms, we each have a wardrobe and
desk in addition to the bed, bookshelf and dresser.
It happens to be more than enough room
especially if you include the other empty space
under the bed! I found out that you can decorate
quite a bit, and i've already moved around my
furniture! I'll get more updated pics a little later!



This is the fountain near the center of campus.
There are people there most of the day who
talk, study, play guitar, and just hang out.
It is quite the social spot, so i don't go there
if i have some real studying to do. =]



This is the bell Tower. Those are real
bells and they do really play. They play
at 9:30, noon and one other time, but
i'm not sure when it is. Sometimes at
noon they play hymns instead of just
chiming. But they are VERY loud, so
I try to avoid being RIGHT under them
when they go off =]

Little facts:
~Hope is a rival hall to Horton Hall which is where many
of my friends live. I just choose not to get involved in the dynamics!
~My friend does a segment on the Biola Radio station once a
week, and I was the guest last night =] We talked about
politics and how we view the country in light of what we
believe and what God says about nations and leaders! It was an experience!
~We are the EAGLES!!!! our colors are red and black [I just
found this out the other day!]
~The cafeteria serves icees and tater tots! It has completely
made my eating here quite enjoyable. I have had an icee at EVERY
meal so far! haha. its the little things =]
~Easy Mac and Instant oatmeal are essentials for late-night
snacks after the caf closes =]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Anyways, there is a little update on my life, now you know where I am!
This transition has been VERY smooth considering all the changes and
that I am joining the middle of the year! But if you could just pray that
God continues to smooth the path before me as I begin to form and build
relationships. That I can continually keep my eyes on Him and that this time
in my life can be shaped and grown and strengthened!
Thank you all for your love and support! Its a lot of fun!

xoxo

heartcry

sometimes, i think far too much. i go over and over in my head...like a broken record, trying to find a little piece of a situation i might have missed. that maybe if i re-think it ten million times, what i did wrong or what i could have done differently will somehow magically appear and i'll be able to have closure. is that all i'm searching for? closure? but for what... i am convinced now, that all i really want is for me to feel ok and comfortable. a wise friend once told me that we are taught today to run and hide from hurt. it is so important to me to assuage my wounds. make them go away. find "closure" so that i stop hurting. but this isn't the journey i'm on. God isn't there for me just to be my red-cross nurse, staunching my open wounds after a battle. he needs to be my buddy, fighting along side me, holding me and letting me cry on his shoulder when i recount all my losses.
i just can't wrap my head around allowing myself to hurt, but to place into gentle, capable hands. will that really help me feel any better than thinking myself dizzy?
isn't it interesting that sometimes we want to know so bad...and then when we find out, it devestates us to no end. what is that in us that makes us want to know the depth of the brokenness? i would be open to hearing what you think about this.
i don't mean for this to be an "emo" blog...but i have been thinking myself crazy these past weeks and am learning slowly that hurt doesn't need to be swept under the rug. and maybe closure is a selfish thing... maybe its not my privilagage or secret to know.

somewhere in the back of my mind i hear the gentle voice whisper through my whirlwind of thoughts, "my ways are beyond your ways..." and i can barely hear it because i am so sure that i know whats best. afterall, it is my life. i do live it everyday. ha. but he created it. sometimes it makes me laugh to see how blinded i am.

God, hear my heart cry. i place my hurts, my fears, my desires, my confident attitude...all of it...in your hands. even if its hard to believe it right now, i choose to know that you care so much for me. i pray that i may learn to hear your consistent voice through my buzzing thoughts, to know that you have never left or forsaken me, but that i have muddled the airwaves with my self-centered pride.
thank you for second chances and for a love so great it chose me, with all my righteousness resembling something akin to dirty rags.

xoxo

no tengo un "title"

oh oh oh! guess where I am!!!!
mhm you got it. school.
hehe, you'd think i'd just move into the library, sleep under the desk, and chill here to write my blog posts.

Well, the Christmas holidays are rapidly approaching and with them comes a flurry of activity and a sense of packing so much into this short month. I can hardly believe it is December, because the weather is only now getting below 75 during the day. and i mean its hitting a mean 68...its killing us.

alright. tidbit time:
*Got back from the most amazing Thanksgiving in Mexico. stats [aprox]: 175 people. 6 Turkeys. 30 lbs of sausage in the stuffing. 15 bags of cranberries. 20 pies. 10 boxes of butter. and about 4 days of preparation.
It was intense.
*FINALS WEEK IS NEXT WEEK! this is exciting because I can hardly wait to be done with this quarter.
*I am going to be moving, because I am switching schools. I just finished my application process. But moving is a big deal, i have never moved. Its sorta scary, and exciting and sad all at the same time.
* I cannot wait until Christmas because all my cousins are coming out to visit, and i love good quality cousin time. no lie.
*I am quitting my job when I move, and that is sad. i love my job.

Ok, well my life wasn't as eventful as i thought. But anyways.
hope this wordy blog doesn't bore you. and you skip over it cuz you're favorite type of blogs are the ones with pictures only. i mean, seriously...if you went to the library, would you go for the berenstien bears or moby dick?
yeah. thats what i thought.

...i should add some pictures.
...but I won't because you should enjoy the power of the written word!
To God be the glory today! in all we say, do and think about!

Lyrics to my new favorite song:
"Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, your glory goes beyond all fame
and the cry of my heart is to bring you praise,
From the inside out, Lord my soul cries out..."
[Inside Out-Hillsong United]

[this is mexico, photo by emily kieser]

=] happy friday!
<3>

...there will be a dawn.

[v.1]
the lights go out all around me
one last candle to keep out the night
and then the darkness surrounds me
i know i'm alive, but i feel like i've died

and all thats left is to accept that its over
my dreams ran like sand through the fist
that i made
i try to keep warm, but i just grow colder
I feel like i'm slipping away....

[chorus]
After all this has passed...
I still will remain.
After i've cried my last...
there'll be beauty from pain
Though it won't be today,
someday i'll hope again,
and there'll be beauty from pain.
you will bring beauty from pain.

[v.2]
my whole world is the pain inside me.
the best i can do is just get through the day.
when life before is only a memory
i wonder why God lets me walk through this place

and though i can't understand why this happened,
i know that I will when i look back someday.
and see how You brought beauty from ashes
and made me as gold purified through these flames.

[bridge]
here i am, at the end of me
trying to hold to what i can't see.
i forgot how to hope, this night's been so long
i cling to Your promise...
there will be a dawn.

[beauty from pain-superchick]

xoxo

Faith of our Fathers.

I am at school. so what else is new... I have a midterm this afternoon and I am SO ready for it. It is in history. Have I told you blog-reading populous how much history fascinates me? Well, allow me...please, do.

I <3 history. American history mostly. Our country is SO amazing. I don't know how many of you listened to Obama's acceptance speech last night, and as far as speeches go, it was a pretty swell one [someone should hire me his ghostwriter for my next speech class]. anyways, I was particularly struck by a part where he was talking about a voter in the south who was 106 years old. and he mentioned all the changes she'd seen our country go through. it was so amazing to me. i actually got chills listening to it. [this does not mean i'm an Obama supporter, he just gives good speeches.]
But I realized how rich our country is. Sad, deteriorating, full of sin and sinners, with more debt than Bill Gates has money...but still pretty rich. And we can read all about what makes our country great in any text book. But I think the most amazing thing is when we can sit down and hear first-hand accounts from people who have lived through the events that have shaped and molded us.

segway.

I had an pretty terrific experience the other day, following this same flow-ish. I had gotten home from school and this elderly man was out in his bright red motorized scooter taking a little jaunt around the block. he stopped in front of my driveway and in my head i was thinking, "I hope he doesn't want to talk...I just want to go inside and sleep." But he looked at me and asked me if anyone in my house knew a man named Bill White* [*last name changed to protect the innocent]. When I informed him that not only did we know him, but he is my great-uncle, I could tell he was pretty excited. He proceeded to tell me that he worked with Bill and they were good buddies. He spent the next twenty minutes re-living the good old days when him and Bill would eat pie and share a cup of coffee when they had good days and bad. I was now instantly fascinated by this talking history book right in front of me. I also felt ashamed of my attitude earlier. The man's name was Gene, and he knew he was going to die soon and wanted to see Bill before he passed away. Both men are very old and sick and with Bill living a good 45 min. away, the chances of them seeing eachother were slim. But Gene still asked me to give Bill his phone number and address and see if we could work something out.
The very next sunday, my mom was having potluck and who was coming over but Bill and his family. I had hoped Gene would be around, but couldn't get in contact with him. That afternoon, I was upstairs studying and my mom calls me down. Turns out, Gene had been riding by on his scooter and my mom stopped him to see if it was the same man. And at that same moment, Bill was driving down the street with his daughter. The reunion of the two was joyous and brought a tear to my eye.
Here is a picture of the two men:

Both Bill and Gene are men of God and I am continually amazed at how true the Scripture is when it says that the older should teach the younger because of their wisdom. Listening to them talk and share of their lives gone by and their hope for their eternity with Jesus is inspiring and makes living life all the more worth it.
There are so many of these people in the world, who have lived life and have learned hard and valuable things from it. I challenge you, as well as myself, no matter our age, to take advantage of those around us who have been there and done that. It wasn't on a whim that God allowed overlapping generations. This was on purpose. So lets grab the proverbial bull by the horns and dig a bit deeper into the mysteries of life by hearing firsthand experiences.
Sorry this one was a bit wordy =] enjoy.

xoxo

hmm. who would have thought.

So i guess this means I get to do random questions as well! YAY ME! There's supposed to be seven. but shhh i'm gonna sneak one in before i share my random seven... ok, here it is. ready? i love...let me emphasize, LOVE answering random questions.

Ok.

Tidbit #1: I read, re-read and re-re-read books. [up to like four "re-'s"] i just get so much more out of them the second, third, fourth and fifth times i read them. Some books are just worth it. I never get tired of them. I love the characters, the story and everything else about them.

Tidbit #2: as much as i love sunshine, i LOVE rain and cloudy days and wind. It makes me want to curl up in bed and just listen to the rain. I love bundling up and wearing jackets and scarves and gloves. [even though we don't normally EVER get to that point in california...this is why I have farmed out my brothers to REALLY cold areas of the country. they thought it was for their job or their wives jobs...but no. its a conspiracy. i did it. just to satisfy my cold-weather fettish]

Tidbit #3: I dislike a lot of things "normal" girls are supposed to like. and in WHAT rule-book do we find this? i don't like chocolate, shopping, shoes, decorating, etc...

Tidbit #4: i could go to work at a restaurant for the rest of my life and never EVER go back to school. and be totally and completely ok with that.

Tidbit #5: i hate walking up stairs one at a time. i always skip one. Because...well...its not cuz my legs are long. mostly because it goes faster. and is less tedious. i don't know. and when i go down stairs, i tend to not step on the last three...i just sort of jump.

Tidbit #6: As much as i wish i had grown up with sisters, I am glad i didn't. i love my brothers. And now i just get rad sister-in-laws to do all the fun grown-up girl stuff with. and we don't even have all that sibling stuff to get in the way! YAY!

Tidbit #7: sometimes i talk in text-message language. I'll say "brb" [be right back], "idk" [i don't know], "btw" [by the way] and some other ones. it bothers people. it bothers me. but, but it just sort of happens. maybe i should to to TA [Texters Anonymous].

So now you know! and don't you For-GET- IT!
<3

...estoy perezosa

its true. i am completely and totally lazy. I am sitting at school, in the library. it is new, and there are rows and rows of computers here on which to do research and write profound things. but am i doing that? no. of course not. I am so unmotivated its almost funny. but hey, at least i'm not like the guys across from me all sharing earbuds and laughing at an unidentified screen trying, unsuccessfully, to be subtle. tragic, really. THEY should be doing homework too. and if they don't have to, why should i? see. my logic is really quite flawless.

College is a fascinating thing. being around hundreds and hundreds of students who come and go from class to class..."learning." some far more motivated than others. And just now, as in twenty seconds ago, this guy next to me just asked me to watch his stuff while he went somewhere. i am actually quite flattered that he trusts me... I mean, in this place, you can really trust no one. I don't mind telling you that i have absolutely NO interest in snagging a snack from his well-insulated lunch cooler, or copying his utterly fascinating spreadsheet of physics data. i guess one doesn't have to be super trustworthy to watch his things. unless they were science and insulated-lunch-box geeks.


Anyways, back on point. This place is a myriad of people, buildings, ideas, lifestyles, religions, shapes, sizes, gpa levels and so much more. And here i am, so small...so utterly unknown and uncared about, and yet so significant to Someone who matters most.


This building is the CLA building and is really only known as "The Pointy Building." I think it is one of our greatest accomplishments. And its architecture is quite amazing, when you walk around it. but everytime i see it, the point drawas my head up and seems to be a beacon pointing to heaven. The day i took the picture was cloudy, but on a day like today when the sky is perfect blue and the sun is shining brightly and the breeze is blowing, It seems as though someone's grand architectural scheme is my reminder of who to thank for the day and all the blessings it holds. I am continually in awe of how amazing life is. I was thinking the other day that in the midst of trouble, doubt, and terrible days, God provides little signs to me to show me how much He loves me. Things like a full moon setting in the Western sky, clear mountains reflecting the sun with a pink glow, a dog who loves me unconditionally, a text from my dad asking how my day is going, a cluster of bright purple flowers, my favorite song on the radio. And so often i miss them, or don't see them as a gift. And then i wonder why God doesn't care and leave me here to figure out things on my own. mmm how silly i am sometimes.
take five and enjoy the moment in time, right now...discover the little gifts God has been leaving you today. The ways in which he's telling you He cares about you and wants you to know that truth about Him.
xoxo

summer.

The second one in a MONTH! this is a very exciting thing. like. super exciting. Ok. Now that I am finished having a victory celebration. I shall write more deeper stuff. [<-- is that gramatically correct? I was homeschooled, so its ok =] This post is solely for the purpose of showing you how the most perfect s'more is in fact made. [just as a side note, i do not enjoy s'mores as an actual food...but the idea is quite scrumptious. and i DO enjoy creating such a delectable delicacy as this.]


This is me. through the haze of smoke.
roasting the perfect mallows.



These are the perfectly golden
Mallows... oh they are SO
beautiful.


Here is the flawless assembly of the
scrumptious s'more.



This is a happy me posing with the s'more
which i will not eat. but would be happy to
share with the population of s'more eaters.



Now if you would like to know the tried-and-true way for the assemblage of a s'more, i take you to the true masters....
...and i quote,
"This is smores stuff. First you take the graham. You stick the chocolate on the graham. Then, you roast the mallow. When the mallows flaming, you stick it on the chocolate and cover it with the other end. Then, you scarf. "
-Sandlot



kids. TRY THIS AT HOME. [with permission from your parentals, of course =]

<3>

[I did take this one, but not the one on my
previous post...]

...where has the time gone?

I do apologize for the reaaaalllly long break in writing. I always get inspired to write something and then when i actually get to the point of siting down and typing, i feel lazy, and uninspired. its tragic, really. So in the last few months, a lot has happened...in that slow, summer sort of way.

lets see.

• I went to denver to visit my friends, one of which who is now engaged to be married. Another one...joins the ranks. =] [<3>
• I went to Six Flags!
  
• I have kept a pretty steady 5-day work schedule
• My oldest brother got engaged [jimklotzle.blogspot.com] and so i'm getting another sister! welcome krissa!
  
• I aquired a new truck! YAY! i bought it from my grandpa, and have enjoyed being a vehicle owner for a month now =]
  
• My best friend moved to Cairo, Egypt for the school year, which is both exciting and sad.
  
• not much else. i guess a lot hasn't really happened.
  

So thats for my newsy stuff. Now on to the deeper stuff =]

I have reached the realization that life is good. there is not much in my life that God hasn't touched and blessed. I am learning so much, growing and counting it ALL joy!
Another truth that I am learning is that God cares about our attachments to things. I have a strong connection to my dogs, my truck and notes the people write to me. And while these things may seem simple and even trivial, what they ARE doesn't matter. God cares about my attachment and how it affects me. When one of those attachments gets broken, He is there to hold me close and cry with me. That makes Him so much more personal. HE hurts when I hurt. and He promises to comfort me and heal my hurts. Oh what a God I serve. I recently had someone ask me why do I believe in God? Because I have felt this power. I know what He does for me. And there is no justification for not believing in Him.

Cristo Me Ama

I went to Mexico once again in the end of June, and it was a trip unlike any I have ever taken! I was not part of the workteam that went down [Taylor Sunday School] and I was not summer staff. I was simply visiting to work or help teach summer school. My brother, Jim lives down there for the summer and so i was visiting him as well as the others at Casa Vida y Esperanza.

I had some experiences on this trip that included:
-Teaching time to children who do not speak your primary language using flashcards, hand signals and your limited knowledge of their language.
-Acquiring food poisoning from an unknown source. [I have not been that sick for about six years.]
-I learned that chickens can lay green eggs.
-Children with water are merciless.
-There are some pretty large creatures there in the summer, including massive toads, gargantuan spiders and monstrous lizards.

Here are some pictures from the week


Candi! She has come such a long
way since she came to CVE

Federico, Me and Lili. We had lots of fun
playing games and conversing in our
various languages.

There was a kids v. staff water fight after the
first week of summer school. I do believe
that the kids won, completely and totally.

Michelle, Maggie, Lupita and Jose...

The sunset right before the lightning and
thunderstorm. So beautiful!!

The Plaza

The Church buildings

Josue and Angel
[I was with 3 of Ruth's kids while
she and Manuel were in Los Angeles
with my family!]

Angel taking a nap. This was a common
occurrence in the afternoons.

the hens who lay green eggs and should
fear for their lives...who knows when they
will become Friday night dinner!

Announcement!!!!

Believing that this union was arranged for them for a reason,

Tylee-Ry

and

Buddy

along with their parents, Suzanne and Xavier (respectively)

would like to announce their commitment to have a litter of purebred puppies.

The anticipated arrival of these bundles of joy will be approximately in late August.

If there are any of those out there who would be interested in investing in a puppy

RSVP to Suzanne.

We greatly appreciate the roles you have played in preparing both of these canines for this big step in their lives.

summer is HERE!

This, my friends, means that I have all the time in the world to consistantly blog. WOOT! Actually, funny story...
At work the other night i was serving this great table, and they asked me about how long i'd been working or what i was doing in school...and I told them and then the man was like, you should keep a blog so we can read about your school process and stuff, sounds interesting! And I was like, well about that...I do in fact have a blog...buuuuut its not about school. and then there was this awkward pause like, well are you going to give it to me? and needless to say, i did not.
ok, maybe you'd have to be there, but it was funny.

So, my job is going wonderfully. I love it, in fact. Who knew that seeing hundreds of people a day would be right up my alley. :] My managers tease me relentlessly, and I am in the midst of the drama. Restaurants have drama. lots of it. But aside from all that, I am getting to practice my people pleasing skills along with my kitchen conversational spanish. I suppose its good to get whatever practice i can, but I'm not sure how far "da me un plato por favor" or "no quiere lechuga o tomates en su hamburgesa" is going to take me in communication. But, I am in fact, becoming quite polished in my restaurant talk. and as a result have picked up some phrases that to this day i'm still not sure what they mean. I just know that all the cooks laugh when i use them. and I assume they are not as clean as the driven snow...

There are many things that happen in my days at work that are both exciting and scary and just overall learning experiences.

-A lady collapsed in the bathroom and I had to go in and help her out
-Little 94 year old men who flirt with me and actually get up and do a jig in the middle of the restaurant...just for me.
-A lonely man who talks to me for twenty minutes about knots. And how wonderful they are. And how to tie them. in Everything. [yes he did demonstrate] He does not, in fact know how to tie a hangmans noose knot. He didn't see the use for knowing that.
-A lame/desperate guy who steals my super expensive pen and leaves me a note with his phone number on it saying to call him if I want my pen back.
-stupid busboys who thought it would be funny to poke a hole in the bottom of the styrofoam cup in the dispenser and watch as some poor unsuspecting person [aka me], tries in vain to fill up her cup with liquid, only to have it magically never reach the top. he thought it was hilarious. I...did not.
-The regular guys at the counter who insist I look like Ally McGraw...who is Steve McQueens wife. They in fact, now call me Ally.

All the good times in this business are worth the rough times. Seeing hundreds of people a day can really give you a diverse and well rounded view of the world...We do see it all.
I am continually stretched and grown as I face challenges of working in and among those who are dragging me down, pulling me away from my goal to glorify God. But I have been able to stand strong with His help.