Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas! (:

This outta put you in some Christmas spirit (:

Saturday, December 22, 2007

I used to sing this song all the time

One of my favorte things in life..

..is finding nice strangers when you really are not expecting them. Like today, for example, my dad and I were doing last minute Christmas shopping at Michael's where I was getting cute little picture frames for my friends (great deals, mind you). We went to the check out line and the cashier guy didn't look too friendly and had a look on his face like he wanted to get out of there. I was a bit distracted by his dread(dred?)-lock filled head also. I almost felt a little bad for him for some reason. Why does he look so sad? I thought. Right when we're leaving he says this, "One thing to remember for the rest of your life...NEVER dye your hair, please." At first I didn't get it, I thought he meant don't dye my hair because it might turn out looking like his or something. I thought he was just being random, and looked at him a little funny. But then he gave me a big smile and then I understood he liked the color of my hair, and thought it was pretty. "Oh, thank you," I said. "Have a merry Christmas," he said. This taught me that looks don't make a person, it's their heart that's the most beautiful. It was just a nice little comment, but it really made my day. I love it when this happens. (:

Thursday, December 13, 2007

For Taffy













Lea, you're so stinkin' cute!

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

famous!famous!famous!

it's been 2 and a half weeks, and i've seen a hecka lot of famous people.

first, let's start at the beginning - Hillsong.
second, last week i saw Hillary Clinton leaving Saddleback.
third, Jennah Bush, Francis Chan (he counts too, in my book).
fourth, i was at a charity thing and met Dick Van Dyke and saw Ryan Sheckler and Tony Panicci. Ryan shaved his head! he looks like a pigeon!

so, that's one band, and 6 individual people. that's a lot for 2 weeks. even though i only met one of these people, i think it's still pretty dang cool!

Sunday, December 2, 2007

oh, george of the jungle

i love this movie. i'm currently watching it on channel 28 and it's fantastic. i haven't seen it in forever.

two favorite lines:

ursula - "what do you call that thing?"
george - "buttflap."

(george watching a coffee commercial)
commercial - "coffee that brings us together, when you're in loveee."
george - (jumps up) "now george understand! george get coffee, then ursula, WANT GEORGE!"

hahha oh i love you, george of the jungle.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Finally, Wedding Pics



getting ready

the flowers


the flower girls


me and Naomi


me and Amy (Jason's sister)


Grammy!


Jenny and me...the Maid of Honor and Matron of Honor (:


lacing her up


almost ready!


the final touch


my beautiful sister/best friend/bridee <3


walking down...starting to get teary eyed haha




watching her walk down...all of us were starting to bawl just a little bit.


Nani and daddy






precious, i know


the reception



the lovely new couple! Mr. and Mrs. Jason and Jennifer Byers


<3


best friends/greeters!


Nani and the Elliott's with their precious newest addition, Gabrielle!


seriously, THE cutest picture ever! I love you brother and sissy <3


the bro and sis again


Jenn #2 (brother Justin's girlfriend), Jenn #1 and Justin


me and cousin Sarah


their first dance




the three redheads! Naomi, me and cousin Jennah!


father daughter dance


Justin and Gabrielle!

And that's it for now, I'll post the professional ones when we get them... (:

Monday, November 26, 2007

FUEL

So. Friggen. Amazing. I loved every minute of it, and I finally wasn't distracted by the people in the audience, or anyone standing on those bleachers with me...it was just me and God. My one and only God, the King of the world, the one who gives me grace when I don't deserve it, my Savior King.

Loveee Fuel!

Friday, November 23, 2007

(:

All new songs on my playlist! Yay!

Hillsong lovin'

Okay, so I'm going to tell you about my wonderous experience going to the Hillsong concert last Sunday. So at 2:30, there were a ton of people gathered at church who were all going to get rides together in about 5 cars or something. So we drive for like an hour to West Covina.

So, since we have about 3-4 hours before the concert starts, we walk about a block or two down to this Taco/Burrito/fries/a lot of things place and me and Andrea and Lauren went to 7/11 and got some Ben&Jerry's Ice Cream (delish) and after everyone ate for about an hour, we went back to wait in the line for 2-3 hours.

So we finally get into the church, and they tell us, "no, it's full. you can't get in." So, basically the whole group ran up this random staircase that someone opened and we all run down after security decided to join us. We ran to about every entrance to where Hillsong was to see where on earth we could get in. No luck. My heart literally sank. All that driving and waiting for nothing. No Hillsong. It's all over.

But I wouldn't let that get me down after I heard Ali, Nikki Adams, Chelsea, Lauren and a few others had persuaded themselves in. No way! So some girls ran out and tried to lick their stamps and stick them on us, but it really didn't work on anyone except for Jade. Matt Adams was like the only guy that got in, and tried all he could to get the remainder of us in (which didn't work either), but bless his heart for missing the concert to try and help us.

By now, I was fed up, and my ride was asking everyone who was still trying to get in if they wanted to just go home. No, I still had to get in. Then Bo was saying, that it would be a better story if we went out to the parking lot, and had our own worship, rather than just sitting here trying to get in, and not worshiping at all. I understood what he said, and gave in. Alright, it would be a better story, I thought.

So about 10 of us are walking out to the parking lot, until we see that a huge garage-looking thing is open. We had passed by this before, and it had been closed, so we all ran for it. Thank You Jesus! For some reason, only 4 of us ended up getting in the door that said "please keep closed at all times", which was me, Nikki Lalague, Emily and Bo. We walk in and go down a hallway, and right when we turn to our left, we see it. Lights, instruments...Hillsong. Only, we weren't looking at them from the front, but from the side. "You guys...are we backstage?" Emily said. It was true, we were backstage, and no one who was working there seemed to care. They were simply watching us. We stood there for about a minute, then turned back around, went back down the long hallway, down another long hallway and then reached two ladies who looked like they worked there.

"Um, we're kind of lost, can you lead us to the concert?" Nikki asked one of the ladies. "Oh, of course! Just follow me!" I wanted to hug that lady. She led us right into the room where the concert was and for the whole next 45 minutes to 1 hour, listened to the amazing Hillsong, and I heard my favorite song, Hosanna. I was so captivated! I didn't want it to end, but it did.

I may not have seen the whole concert like I had planned, but I got a pretty good story out of it, huh? And I wouldn't change it at all.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

World AIDS Day. HIV/AIDS Youth Summit

Most of you already know, I'd like to tell you all about World AIDS day that's on Saturday, December 1. There will be a summit at Saddleback church for it from 9 AM to 1PM on that day teaching everyone about AIDS and what we can do to help. There's also a kickoff at Saddleback on Friday night from 7 PM to midnight. I know what some of you are thinking...

"But, I don't go to church.."
"I know nothing about AIDS, what help would I be?"
"I don't go to Saddleback."
"It'll just be a waste of my time."

It would be such an awesome opportunity if you went! I'm not saying you have to, but think of it this way:

8,000 people die everyday because of this horrible disease. That's about 3 high schools combined. EVERYDAY. Are you okay with that? Wouldn't you want some way to prevent that or help? It's easy, go to the summit! And the whole point isn't about if you go to church or not, but just to say you care about AIDS and you'd like to help. I don't know that much about AIDS, but that's one reason why I'm going to this conference...I want to learn more, and learn how I can help!

There will be amazing speakers like Rick/Kay Warren, Jenna Bush, Francis Chan, Shaun Blackeney, and John Thomas. You will also hear testimonies from people that actually have AIDS.

If you want to register, go to www.purposedriven.com/youthsummit

Please think about it. It's only $15. You can help change the world!

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

HILLSONG CONCERT!


THIS WEEKEND IN WEST COVINA AT 6:30 PM!



MY MOM WILL ONLY LET ME GO IF OTHER PEOPLE GO

WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO COME WITH ME?

Monday, November 12, 2007

Oh Chi Alpha, you were amazing

Chi Alpha was so much fun and I'm so excited and happy that I went.
The favorite things:

- My amazing cabin..# 15!
- Playing baseball for the first time in forever (and hitting every pitch! Oh yes, I guess my one season of softball finally paid off)
- The incredible workshops and speakers and their captivating messages.
- The OUTSTANDING worship! Gets me every time..I just lovelovelove worship, and I love seeing people you'd never think would get that into a song, and then totally going all out and seeing them rock out and loving Jesus through the music.
- Hanging out with all the awesome friends.
- Meeting new friends.
- Seeing unexpected people that I totally didn't know were coming like, ANNIE SUMMERS!
- Making bracelets at 12 AM with my cabin girls (thank you Chelsea!)
- Watching people make complete fools out of themselves in the LOSER Dance Contest...most hilarious thing I have ever seen.
- Seeing others grow in their faith with God.
- Seeing myself grow in my relationship with God.
- Cuddling with Rachel Styffe at the freezing cold outside Chapel this morning.
- McKee Prayer Chapel and going to Insperation Point for the first time.
- Watching 17 guys squish together on a tiny little platform around a tree at the ropes course...yes, 17..I really was impressed.
- Taking jumping, leaves, and just fun pictures with everyone!
- THE COLD WEATHER AND WEARING MANY LAYERS OF CLOTHING! YES!
- Long conversations and catching up with the lovely Krista Ward.
- Making my second leather bracelet at the Arte Shoppe.
- Singing all the old N'Sync songs and dancing on the bus ride home with Krista.
- Just loving Jesus. He made everything up there possible, and I loved every minute of it.

I will post pictures, and I promise I will post them from the wedding too, I'm so sorry I'm late with those, but they will come, just wait.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Tagged by Mariah!

in 3 words or less...
1. Where is your cell phone? next to me
2. Who is your boyfriend/girlfriend or Husband/Wife? no one!
3. Where is one of your parents? kitchen
4. Cheesecake? yuckk!
5. Your favorite thing to do? laugh, be myself
6. Your dream last night? can't remember
7. Your favorite drink? Starbucks (a lot of that) and many more that are just so tasty!
8. The room you're in? brother's
9. George Bush? don't care about politics
10. What you're good at? not sure right now
11. One of your wish list items? things to get better
12. Where did you grow up? Orange County, California
13. The last thing you did? ate yummy Wahoo's!
14. What are you wearing? Jeans, sweater
15. Who stole your sunglasses? I don't know
16. Ketchup? yes
17. Your computer? hp laptop
18. Your life? could be better, hopefully will soon
19. Your mood? a little down to be honest
20 Your next blog? wedding pictures hopefully (sorry for the delay!)
21. Your car is? still in my mind
22. Your summer? I was never home!
23. Your relationship status? single
24. Your favorite color(s)? aqua, yellow, red
25. When is the last time you laughed? Hannah Montana or Suite Life of Zack and Cody

I tag whoever wants to do this, and I am sorry for not posting the pictures from my sister's wedding, I've been really busy! But I will soon.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Oh happy dayy!!!!

Today and tomorrow we don't have school! So exciting! For me, it's a really good thing because my sister's wedding is this weekend and I was sure that I'd get loaded with homework this weekend and won't have any time to do it, but it all worked out!

Though I have to agree with Heather, because I do have mixed emotions about all of this. That the reason we're missing school is because of the fires. :( I really hope they stop soon.

Styffe's: I'm so glad you guys are okay! God truly saved you all!

Okay, totally random and stupid...

...but, I had to tell you anyways. So, I'm in my Biology class on Tuesday morning, bright and early (or in our case, smoky and early), and my teacher IS NOT THERE! Ohh happy day, Ms. Hogan is gone! She's probably my least favorite teacher only because 1) she makes really dumb jokes she thinks are hilarious 2) if you ask her a question about some really hard homework or something, she'll make you feel totally stupid and give us an attitude like we're supposed to know all of this stuff, etc., etc.

Anyways, she was gone on Tuesday, but then I found out why...she and her husband were staying at home because she lives in Irvine and they wanted to make sure that the fires wouldn't burn their house down. Okay, okay, now I felt bad for her, I mean I would be totally scared right now.

So the sub walks in, and she goes, "Well you all seem like a nice bunch of kids! What's your teachers name?" And all of us were quiet, until some kid in the back, says kind of loudly, "MRS. JOYCE HOGAN SCHNEFF!" (she still uses her maiden name and hooks it on to her husbands last name)

Ha ha ha ha! Oh I don't know about you, but I laughed very hard.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Fires

AH! It's so scary right now, knowing that these fires are so close.

Earlier today, my mom and I were driving to FUEL at church because we had not yet recieved the e-mail about it being cancelled since we were gone a long time before that. So we pull up to Saddleback and right behind it are gargantuin flames! My mom and I just stared. I ran up to Wildside tent and no one was there, like I thought, but it was so crazy standing right next to the tent, no one around, and just staring at the rising flames right behind our church.

About 10 minutes later when my mom and I drove home, we went to the highest point in Canyon Crest and met up with my family and our family friend's the Markowitz's. We could see everything from there.
It was so crazy. Looking down, we saw the fire in Foothill ranch, spreading as the wind would speed up. Then out of no where another random fire started, right before our eyes. I really never thought anything like this would ever happen to us. It's the type of thing you see on the news every week, but not to me and my friends. I know a few people who've had to evacuate and it's so freakin scary to think about.

Please pray for everyone!

Monday, October 15, 2007

Gloomy, grey, dark, cold = LOVELY!

Okay, so today was amazing. As in the weather. THAT was amazing!

Today I actually got to wear a sweatshirt, jeans and my UGGS, which is an outfit I haven't seen on myself in ages!

I love the cold weather, and really hope it rains soon! (:

Monday, October 8, 2007

Dear Heather Leith,

Thank you so much darling for describing how to do the upside-down exclamation points and question marks for Spanish. You explained it perfectly and I totally understood it, but my keyboard didn't like the idea of me wanting to flip over its precious !s and ?s. Oh but don't worry, I will make it someday. It will be war.

Yours truly,
Jordan Gunderson (:

Homecoming Pics!


















Yes, Capo Homecoming was amazing! Soooo much fun! 3 of my best frineds from Tesoro came to it, and one best friend from Mission came also, and we had so much fun! I have 5 best friends, and only one of them goes to my school with me. Really unfortunate, I know. Homecoming was the first time we'd all been together since June! It was so fun all being together again and I think that was my favorite part of HC. Oh, and stopping at Taco Bell to get cinnamon twists after eating at Cosmo's. Good times.

Our school looked amazing with all the decorations! Too bad I'm the worst dancer you'll ever meet. I really do not like dancing. So yeah, I tried to hide in crowds of friends who were all bunched up dancing, just so no one would be able to see me bouncing up and down and occasionally a little sway of the hips. But it's okay. I had a great time anyways. (: