Happy Father's Day, Dad...

To the BEST Dad in the world,

Thank you for rocking me to sleep in the middle of the night as a baby, and for praying for me after many nightmares.

Thank you for taking the time to play -- pushing us around in the wheelbarrow in the basement, for building us our 2-story playhouse, and playing with us outside. Everyone in the cul-de-sac knew we had the coolest dad around.

Thank you for allowing me to experience life to it's fullest -- for showing us the world, for paying for many music lessons, camps, and college/university.

Thank you for taking us to church -- for showing us consistancy in attending (even if we were up really late the night before), and for showing us the importance of giving (tithe and time).

Thank you for being a wonderful example of Christ -- for getting up at the crack of dawn to read the Word and spend time praying for us.

Thank you for being at my side on our wedding day, and for letting me be "far from the home I love" with the man I love...

I am so proud to have you as my Dad.

Always your little girl,

Krissy

Big Bear Pictures

Big Bear Night Sky...reminds me of home!

Shaun & Mike (being a dork!) on the Sierra Belle Lake Tour. Yes, Shaun buzzed his head!

One of the multi-million dollar homes on the lakefront. I'll take this one!

Another large, beautiful home on the lakefront. This one is owned by some eligible bachelor (I'm not sure who), but it is 11,000 square feet, and is a VACATION home. Imagine what his real home is like! The tour guide says his real home is 22,000 square feet. Question: What does one person do with this much space?

Mike, Renelle, and Cole. Cute family, huh?

Big Bear Lake

So happy.

On the drive down the mountain—look at all that disgusting smog. Sick.

Big Bear

Hello...I'm back.

We had a great weekend! On Friday night Shaun had a show, so I was able to hang out with some girls (well, I guess we're women now!--how weird is that???) from our Sunday School class. We went and saw "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" -- I really liked it, but then again, I like almost all sappy girly movies! We went out to BJ's afterwards for Pazooki's--large freshly baked cookie with ice cream on top. It was really fun.

Saturday I hung out with my friend Georgena and we did a bunch of shopping. I got some new clothes at Aeropostale, which is a new store here. I got a pair of dark blue pants, tan capris, 2 camisoles, a 2 t-shirts, all for very, very inexpensive. I am a great bargain shopper, I must say. Very fun...I haven't shopped in a long, long time.

We left on Sunday afternoon to Big Bear, which is a mountain ski-resort town about 2 1/2 hours from here. Yes, we do have skiing in California, which is weird because when you think of California you think of beaches and swimming! I had never been there before -- it was SO beautiful! Our friends Mike & Renelle were going up for a few days and asked us to come up with them, which of course we said yes! We had such a blast! They are great friends. Mike & Shaun are brothers from different mothers (ha ha ha, I am so funny) and Renelle & I get along great. We are quite similar! We are so thankful that we met them. We got to go on a Sierra Belle Lake tour around the entire perimeter of Big Bear Lake (28 miles around) and saw the multi-million dollar houses. Unbelievable.

Okay, best part of the weekend -- they have these Bob-sled rides down a hill...wow, I can't even explain it. It was so rad. I must say, we flew down those curves at the speed of light (well, maybe not quite...) but either way, it was fast. A few times as we were going around the curves I thought, "Oh no! If I crash I am going to shatter my teeth!" It's weird that I'm not worried at all about my arms or legs being mangled, only that my teeth might shatter. I'll have to post pictures from this later because my camera was being disobedient at the time and we have those shots on Mike & Renelle's camera.

We came home yesterday afternoon (Tuesday). We were exhausted. We had driven the Jeep there and back with only the bikini top on, so needless to say it was quite windy and LOUD. Driving down the 10 freeway (in my opinion, the WORST freeway in So Cal) for 2 1/2 hours can tire you out real good!

Shaun's not been feeling so hot, and just got back from the doctor's...he's got Bronchitis. Lovely.

Okay, exciting stuff happening in our life...Shaun's starting school in August...we're moving out (again)...I'll write about it another day. I'm too tired.

Happy 5th Anniversary!!!

Chris & Julene,
Thank you for your wonderful example of a godly marriage!
We love you soooo much and miss you like CRAZY!

The Rebel Kristal vents...

I did something bad today.

I got really frustrated with this lady from work. I have been emailing her for the last week and a half, answering all of her questions, finding her prices, giving her a lot of options, etc. She told me yesterday that she would book the cruise with me by the end of the day (finally!).

But, she didn't. This morning, there was a message in my Inbox from her. It said:

thank you for all of your help, but my husband booked
something thru his american express travel agent so
he can use his points.

What? That's it???

Now when this happens (and it happens often!) I typically grab the prospective client's file, crunch the papers all together and angrily toss it into the trash. Then I go through all of my emails and get rid of all information about that person and delete them from my life.

But no, I didn't leave it just there.

I was frustrated! I had spent at least 5 hours on her total--I found her what she wanted, and she booked through someone else? So this time, I responded back. This is what I wrote:

Quick question -- did you have the intention of booking
through your am ex agent all along, and did you just use
me as a gopher to find out some information?   It just
bothers me because I spent a lot of time corresponding
with you over the last week or so, finding cruises to your
liking, prices, etc, and now you book through somewhere
else?  That's just not fair play.

Enjoy your cruise.

I wasn't sure if I should send it or not, but Shaun said, "Go for it...you're frustrated and she deserves to know!" So I did. Can I say that it kinda felt good?

So I went downstairs to enjoy my breakfast, and when I came back, there was this reply in my inbox:

quick question for you... who is your supervisor?

Oops. I suddenly realized I had made a great mistake, and my boss, Mark, might be mad at me for tarnishing our company's rep. So I called the office and spoke with Alex, one of the guys that works there, and I told him what happened. He laughed! He said, "Way to go, Kristal! Mark does it ALL the time...that is awesome. Way to stick up for yourself!"

So I called Mark on his cell (he's in Florida today) and told him what happened. He said, "Oh, you were mild, Kristal! Don't even worry about her...tell her to call me, and I'll stick up for you to the bitter end! Once she's done talking with me, she'll wish she had just dealt with you! I'll tell her, 'How are my agents supposed to make a living when they waste their time with people like you? How is she supposed to pay her rent?'"

Whew!...relief. But I still feel kinda bad--it's not like me to be rude to people. At the same time, I feel brave though. I won't let people take advantage of me because I am a nice person and sometimes I don't know how to say no.

Lord, forgive me for my attitude and for speaking out of turn.
Grant me grace to deal with each situation as it comes.
May I shine forth Your light even when I don't feel like it.
Help me to work hard at what I do.
Help me to trust that You will provide the clients and money as You see fit.
Make me a strong woman because of Your strength in me.

All About Me...this looked like fun

I found this on a blog I frequently visit (I don't know her, I just read her blog!) and decided it looked like fun!

1. What time did you get up this morning? Ummm…9:30am…Shaun had to leave early this morning to work and I didn’t reset the alarm…

2. Diamonds or pearls? Yes, please.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? “The Longest Yard” with Adam Sandler, but I really want to see “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”

4. What are your favorite TV shows? Survivor, Amazing Race, American Idol – I admit it, I really like reality TV!

5. What did you have for breakfast? Frozen waffles that I made a couple of weeks ago and a cup of coffee with milk & Splenda

6. What is your middle name? Erin

7. What is your favorite cuisine? I love Italian, Mexican, and Mennonite too!

8. What foods do you dislike? Olives and Sushi

9. What is your favorite chip flavor? Salt & Vinegar, and Ketchup (but we don’t have it here!)

10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Oh, this is a hard one…NOT! Nichole Nordeman’s “Brave”

11. What type of car do you drive? Either our beat up 1995 Forest Green Suburban (called Larry the Cucumber) or our white 1989 Jeep.

12. Favorite sandwich? I love Egg Salad…but really anything. I love sandwiches!

13. What characteristic do you despise? Cockiness and Ignorance

14. Favorite item of clothing? My new brown long lacy tanktop from Mervyn’s and my linen green capris from Charlotte Russe.

15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Indonesia to see my sister, brother-in-law, and my adorable niece & nephew!!!

16. What color is your bathroom? Both of our bathrooms have sage green walls with accents of tan, white, and blue. (Of course there’s the odd purple, pink, or even red towel that gets mixed in!)

17. Favorite brand of clothing? Old Navy or American Eagle

18. Where would you retire to? Palm Springs or Hawaii

19. Favorite time of the day? I love mornings (when I am awake) but I love evenings too when I get to spend time alone with Shaun

20. What was your most memorable birthday? I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad one!

21. Favorite sport to watch? Hockey…go, Canucks, go!...although they are never on TV down here!

22. What laundry detergent do you use? Tide or whatever is on sale

23. Coke or Pepsi? Coke, Diet Coke, or Coke with Splenda

24. Favorite movie? While You Were Sleeping, The Notebook, Count of Monte Cristo, Fools Rush In

25. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Uh…I answered that before (see question 19)

26. What is your shoe size? 8

27. Do you have any pets? No, but I really want a Pomeranian, and Shaun wants a Golden Lab…no space right now!

28. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with your family & friends? No, I am not pregnant.

29. What did you want to be when you were little? A cash-register (I meant Cashier!) and a Mommy

30. What languages do you speak? English, some German

31. What is your pet peeve? When people drive with their high-beams on, and when the mattresses and sheets are not lined up on the bed

Freedom in the Fire

I was just reminded today of a song I wrote back in 2000, when I was going through a really hard time. I had made a decision at the end of my second year at Multnomah Bible College to take a year off and wait for future direction from the Lord. I absolutely loved Multnomah, but more than that, I loved the relationships I had made and was so sad to say goodbye!

During this time, God reminded me of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (in Daniel 3) and how King Nebuchadnezzar had declared these three men to be thrown into a fiery furnace because they refused to bow down to the golden idol. When all three were thrown into the fire (which was so hot that it killed the soldiers who threw them in) there was fourth figure that appeared--some say it was the pre-incarnate Jesus. I believe it was the Christ.

These men had been faced with the biggest decision -- to either bow down and worship the idol and LIVE, or refuse and DIE. Little did King Nebuchadnezzar know, but Shad, Meesh, and Abed had God at their side (the only True and Living God) who delivered them from the worst circumstance imaginable because of their great faith! These men were determined to trust and have faith in God despite the situation that they were faced with...and in the fire they were in the presence of God.

I don't know that I've explained the story too well, so I recommend reading this story yourself -- Daniel 3:1-29.

Anyways, this song was inspired by this story and the circumstance I was in. May it bless and encourage you today...(you know who you are)...

Freedom in the Fire

all these burdens that i carry
are so heavy on my heart
i do not have the strength
to face them alone
it's so easy to question You

i feel the fire burn around me
i am so scared of the flames
but i'll just close my eyes
and trust You
God, just draw me near to You

when i look in Your eyes
i find my peace
there i find my resting place
and i know that in time
i will understand
there is freedom in the fire

Father, take my life
and let me understand
more and more every day
that in the these trials
i face your refining fire
molding me to be like You

so burn, Holy Fire
burn it all away
burn, Holy Fire
for in the fire
i see You

when i look in Your eyes
i find my peace
there i find my resting place
and i know that in time
i will understand
there is freedom in the fire

yes, there is freedom in Your fire

(by Kristal Sawyer, 2000)

Monday Stress

Hope everyone had an excellent weekend!

We had a great one--Friday night we had our friend's Rom & Georgena over for dinner. Shaun grilled Salmon and Chicken topped with Sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and basil. Delicious. We had some other stuff too, but I seem to always talk about food on this blog, so I'm going to leave it at that (for now). We then went to see "The Longest Yard" with Adam Sandler...it was actually pretty funny, although I'm not one to jump up and down about sports movies (especially football). We always have a great time with Rom & Georgena!

Saturday morning we slept in and went on a long walk together. I had to be at church at 4:15pm cause I was on worship team for both services Saturday night. It was fun--I sang backup on the offertory song with Steve Mills (the Saturday night worship leader) called "Please Come Home" which he had written for his brother who has turned his back on the Lord. The chorus went:

Please be a prodigal
and come home tonight
Please be a prodigal
and give up this fight
Run to the Father's arms
Just to hear Him say
"You were lost, but welcome home today"

Steve's a great songwriter (although his style isn't my favorite) but this song I loved. I got to belt out the harmony on the chorus(es) and Shaun said it sounded great. The song meant a lot...I was thinking about my Aunt Cori the whole time.

Sunday morning we went to our Young Married's Sunday School and then in the late afternoon went to a Summer Kick-off barbeque at our leader's house. Good times.

Today's back to work...my boss has been stressing me out because he tells me I need to make more money. Obviously the reason why he wants me to make more money is because HE wants more money (he gets 50% of everything I make!)...ARG! I have been thankful for the sales I have made and God has definitely provided for us. I know I need to be a strong sales-person, but as a Christian I think the way you do sales is (or can be) so different than a non-believer. For example, a non-believer has no problem being a jerk to people or telling them lies to make a sale. I sometimes think I am too nice of a person or have too big of a conscious to do sales because I often feel like I am pressuring people way too much. I guess not, since my boss thinks I can and should make more. Ah...what is a good balance???

someday

Shaun and I have been in a “transition” stage lately, the details of which I can’t discuss on this blog quite yet. We’re doing amazing, but God has just challenging us to rethink our future dreams and plans. There has been some questions and us wondering why things happen the way they do. So the other day we were driving, and we had on the new Nichole Nordeman CD “Brave” (amazing, by the way) and this song came on.

SOMEDAY

i believe in the rest of the story
i believe there's still ink in the pen
i have wasted my very last day
trying to change what happened way back when

i believe it's the human condition
we all need to have answer's to why
more then ever i'm ready to say that
i will still sleep peacefully
with answer's out of reach for me

until someday all that's crazy
all that's unexplained
fall into place
and someday all that's hazy
through a clouded glass
will be clear at last
and sometimes we're just waiting
for someday...

we are born with a lingering hunger
we are born to be unsatisfied
we are strangers who can't help
but wander and dream
about the other side

every puzzle's missing piece
every unsolved mystery
more than half of every whole
rests in the hands that hold you
for someday...

until someday all that's crazy
all that's unexplained
will be beautiful...beautiful
and someday all that's hazy
through a clouded glass
will be clear at last
and sometimes we're just waiting
we're waiting for someday...

-- nichole nordeman's "brave"