4 days off ........... ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.............

I just finished my 2 weeks of nights yesterday (friday) morning and now I have 4 days off. I look forward to them because 2 weeks of nights usually drags on. Somtimes I think the clock is going backwards when at work!!! ha ha. This set of 4 days off is the first in a long time that I haven't had any major plans. Candice called yesterday morning shortly after I got home and asked if I wanted to go along to Neepawa later on for Aaliyah's 4 month check up. I said sure! So then I ended up staying there for supper and most of the evening - which was good because I'd wanted to get over there again one of these days. Today (saturday) I'm meeting Nancy & Dallas in Portage for supper - this we've also wanted to do for quite awhile. I think today calls for a nap too. Nights sure drain you out. You'd think after 8 years of nights/days you might get used to the nights but it still drains me. I don't know how some people get only a few hours of sleep and then work all night. I can sleep all day but its just not the same as sleeping @ night (like most 'normal' people do). Tomorrow afternoon/evening there's a games afternoon happening at Kristine's place. Should be a good time. Mom & Dad left this morning to go to Melinda & Justin's, they'll be staying out there til tomorrow. Perfect time for a party.....ha ha. No I won't be having one, although it is tempting. Supposed to be a nice weekend, good thing cuz I'm sick of this freezing cold weather. I want to wear my flip flops again!!!

I don't do much for excitement. Eat, sleep, work, day off, repeat.....that's about what it is. I enjoy getting together with friends but it just seems like we are all so busy and time keeps going by faster and faster.

I tried posting from my BlackBerry but I can't. Apparently you sign up to do mobile blogging, if you live in the States. Maybe that will change one day.

Well, enough babbling for now. Should get my butt off this chair and sweep and vacumn.

Have a great weekend ya'll!

Where has Lily been????

Well to tell you the truth, right here. Just not in the blogging world. I moved home @ the end of June 2009 so I now have dial up and a SLOOWW computer. I do have a laptop and I take it to the library in town and use the high-speed there (b/c I don’t have a dial up modem in my laptop, although I have thought about buying one). But when I’m there it’s spent downloading songs, browsing Facebook and looking @ other people’s blogs. Lol. I have a crackberry (a.k.a BlackBerry) so I’m going to have to see if I can blog from there.

The last 6 months of 2010 were rough. Grandma Klassen passed away very suddenly and unexpected May 26. She was in the Portage Hospital with some fluid on her lungs so she had a drain tube in. Grandpa had taken her in on the Monday of the long wknd (the 24th). He’d talked to the nurses the morning of the 26th and they said yep she’s doing good. So he decided he’d have lunch @ home that day and then head in after. My 2 Uncle Jakes had gone to Portage to see her that morning – visiting hours started @ 11 and they were there just before. The nurses were just finishing up their rounds and they heard Grandma talking. And all of a sudden Code Blue was called. Nurses & doctors came running from every direction. And at 11:26am God called Grandma home. I think that was the longest emotional week of my life. August 18 I lost my 2nd cousin Diane Unrau to Cancer. We talked pretty regularly, probably almost every day, on MSN when I had high-speed. Every time I’d see her she’d always say “how’s my Lil doin?” and then give me a big hug. September 23 Aunt Mari passed away, also from Cancer. Charlene had just got married 5 days before in The Pas – Aunt Mari was not there though b/c she was too weak to travel. Thanks to everyone who prayed for me – I really appreciated it. Don’t think I would’ve been able to get through this all without them. Cancer is an evil thing!!

In November I helped produce a play called Doc’s Holiday. It was a Christmas Comedy Dessert fundraiser for the Hall in Gladstone. At times I wondered how it was all going to go over but it went over great and they want us back again next year.

Haven’t been up to much more than that. I get the pleasure of standing up for one of my best friends @ her wedding this June. And I also have a few other weddings to attend as well. Plus there’s a whack of babies being born again this year. No biological nieces or nephews yet *ahem* - still waiting in that area. That’s ok. They’re still young.

I’m still @ Simplot. In my 8th year there. Amazing eh? Considering I wanted to quit on my 2nd shift. Ha ha. I love it out in the Scale house – get to talk to all kinds of people. And when I say all kinds, I mean ALL KINDS. Become pretty good buddies with some of the drivers - at least I think so.

Prayer Requests & Praise Items

Prayer Requests:

There are so many of my Family and Friends and other people that I know, that are going through difficult times right now.

*Diane Unrau (my 2nd cousin) just found out 1 1/2 weeks ago that she has Lymphoma and a growth on her lung that turned out to be cancerous as well.

*Jeff Beaulieu (a friend from work) just lost his wife TJ a week and a half ago. She was 28 and they have 3 young (8, 6, and 4) kids together.

*Jodi Morgan (daughter of my friend Mark from work) has Wagners Disease. Just yesterday they found out shes not in remission yet and shes actually getting worse. They put her on the pill that will make her loose her hair and who knows what all. That pill is like Chemo.

*Sharon Isbister (a lady from MacGregor) is awaiting a liver transplant.

*Grandma Klassen is still recovering from her face lift. She had a tumor removed from her cheek 2 years ago I think and they burnt her face so bad that she has a big square burn mark on her face. The left side of her face was really sagging so this time (this is the 3rd time they've done this face lift) they took a piece of muscle from her thigh and put it in her cheek. This was done on July 6. Then on July 27 she was to have knee replacement surgery but they had to cancel the knee surgery because she got a bad infection in her cheek and ended up staying in HSC for 2 days. She was looking forward to having her face fixed and hopefully be able to walk for my sisters wedding. She still had bandages on her face and probably will still have to for awhile.

*Dad...they still can't find anything wrong with him. So frustrating. He is working part time at the Wash Stop in Portage and enjoys it there.

*Dad's Aunt Tina just passed away on Monday afternoon. Funeral is this Friday.

Praise Items:

*Melinda (my sister) and Justin Delorme are getting married in like 23 days. I can't believe its coming so fast. Pray for them as they start their new life together and that we can get everything together and ready for the big day. Pray for me also....going to be a little tough watching my little sis get married but I'm hoping to get through the day with out to many tears.

*My cousin Karl and his wife Tracey are expecting for January 2010! So excited for them. Pray that Tracey and baby will stay in good health and that she'll have a smooth delivery.

I'm sure there are more things but I can't think right now...its 3am and I should be sleeping. Feel free to comment and add anymore prayer or praise items.

Hope you all have had a good summer.....whatever summer we've had.

Stole from Tiffany and Sonya

*DONE AT 3:30AM Tuesday July 21/09*

First the rules:
1. Respond and rework. Answer the question on your blog. Replace one question that you dislike with a question of your invention and add one more question of your own.

2. Tag other people

Now the questions:

What are you wearing today? Black shorts and a green tank top

What's for dinner? Mr. Noodle Soup beef flavour

What would you eat for your last meal? pizza and homemade chicken noodle soup

What relaxes you most? texting, surfing the internet

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would it be? sleep lol

What language do you want to learn? I'd like to speak low German fluently like I used to

What do you love most about where you currently live? cheap

What is your favourite color? green

What is your favourite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe? sweats

What were you doing 10 years ago? 99 hmm...guess I was getting ready to start high school

What are you going to do after this? twiddle my thumbs

What are your favourite films? Mrs. Doubtfire

What are your favourite books? I'm not a reader

Do you collect anything? nope

What makes you follow a blog? if its interesting

What was the most enjoyable thing you did today? slept all day but I think I slept to much

What makes you comment on a blog? whatever lol

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? relax

What is a talent you wished you had? hmm good question

Who is your favourite actor? Robin Williams

Other than Blogger, Facebook, Twitter, etc. what are your most frequently visited websites? Portageonline.com

What was your favourite subject in school? Computer Class

As a child/teen how did you envision your adult life? go to school to be a broadcaster, definitely never thought I'd be working at a factory but I love my job here now

How much time do you spend on your average blog post? 5-10 mins

If you could, would you want to control the weather? ya

Tiffany's Question: If you could have any job/career you wanted, and money wasn't a factor, what would it be? Broadcaster/DJ

Sonya's Question: What major event are you really looking forward to? my sisters wedding...Sept 19, 2009

Lily's Question: What is your favourite restaurant to eat at? Mongo's, Olive Garden

I'm tagging everyone who is reading this. Leave a comment letting me know if you're doing this so I can check it out!

Love Instead of Law.....

So I was reading the newspaper one night online at work. And I found this. I would've posted it earlier but I got busy packing, moving and cleaning my apartment. I had about 3 weeks to do it and I managed to do it. Read it and post your comments on what you think. I thought it was interesting. And yes Tiffany I'll try to blog more.

Love instead of Law:
Religion is a system of rules that often takes over when there’s no relationship.

People who are fixated on the legalities of religion and measure other people’s Christianity by the clothes they wear or other superficial means, usually do so because they lack a meaningful relationship with Jesus. On the other hand, when someone has a vibrant relationship with God, they’re likely less concerned about the rules. That’s because they’re in love, and they willfully and joyfully do things that please Him.

Think of it this way. When you go to a football game, you expect the players to be playing by the rules, but not necessarily studying the rulebook on the sidelines. They know the rules are important, but they also know being an authority on the rules pales in comparison to being a skilled, passionate and committed player.

Similarly, the most exciting Christians aren’t the ones consumed by the rules. They’re the ones who are passionate about Jesus and know how to live to the fullest.

When it comes to studying the Bible, think of it not as a rulebook but as a how-to manual for discovering a relationship with Jesus and living an abundant life. Understand the rules play a small part in developing this relationship.

In fact, you can obey all the rules of the Bible and be a lousy Christian. It’s all about your passion and commitment to Jesus.

Make no mistake, the Bible is the most amazing book on the planet. It is a divinely-inspired text written by 40 authors under the inspiration of God.

Yet it runs second place to having a great relationship with Jesus. Good doctrine is important. But if you’ve got great doctrine and no relationship with Jesus, the laws are all you’ve got.

And when you’re focused on the rules, you become judgmental and self-righteous, which is contrary to experiencing an amazing Christian walk.

Here are a few final thoughts about love instead of law:
1. Jesus isn’t fixated on the rules and neither should you. Rules are great, but they don’t get you closer to God. You need to focus on the relationship first. Jesus doesn’t care about the clothes you wear or how many piercings you have. What matters to Him is your relationship.

2. Judging others is a sign of focusing on the rules. If you read your Bible, go to church and live a good Christian life, but judge others for their sins, it’s likely you are putting the law above love. When you’re focused on a relationship and are in love with Jesus, you love other people too. That means you have compassion instead of judgment.

3. There is a debt you can never repay. Jesus forgave you and paid the price for all your sins. In return, he simply wants you to have a relationship with Him and for you to love others. This is something you are to do for the rest of your life.

4. When you focus on the relationship, the rules become easy. When you love Jesus, it’s easy to have a healthy self-worth and love others. And when you love yourself and others, you’ll want to live your life to the fullest, take care of others and treasure life for all it has to offer.

Leon Fontaine
Springs Church
June 14/09 edition of the Winnipeg Sun

1. I'm 23 years old
2. I grew up in an old school
3. I have a brother
4. A sister
5. And in September I'm getting a brother in law
6. I also have a few non blood "sisters and brothers"
7. I survived a week without my phone
8. Not sure how I survived that week with out it considering I'm a textaholic....should join TA (Textaholics Anonymous)
9. I love Taco Salad
10. Went to Austin Elementary from 1990-1999
11. Then joined the MacGregor kids at the MacGregor Collegiate 1999-2003
12. Graduated in 2003
13. My dad is Dan
14. My mom is Susan
15. I love Lipton Chicken Noodle Soup...I could live off that stuff...maybe I should try it....lol
16. Lasagna is awesome
17. Been working at Simplot for 5 years and STILL love french fries
18. Looked at them from Oct 2003 until January 2008
19. And now I just make sure the plant has enough to stay running. lol
20. I got my tonsils taken out in January 2007
21. Was off work for 2 weeks because of it
22. They told me packaging was nice and quiet those 2 weeks I was gone...deep down inside they missed me :)
23. Everyone wondered how I survived not talking for a couple days, I laughed at them and said I talked as soon as I woke up in recovery...lol
24. I've had my heart broken way to often
25. The next guy better flat out tell me whether he likes me or not, no more of this beating around the bush and playing games with my heart like the last guy (I'll save his @$$ and not mention his name, some of you probably know who he is lol)
26. I have 7 cousins, 2 cousins by marriage and 5 2nd cousins on my moms side
27. And 15 cousins, 2 cousins by marriage and 1 2nd cousin on the way on my dads side
28. I have a cousin Jonathon (from dads side) in Heaven who was a still born...he'd be the same age as my sister I believe
29. Both grandparents are still living on my moms side
30. Just my Grandma left on my Dads side
31. Grandpa Bueckert left us in November 2002
32. I attended the Sommerfeld Youth
33. And sometimes the Austin Youth too
34. Attended the Sommerfeld Church up until fall of 2008
35. Started attending the West End Community Church in October 2008 and I like it there so far
36. I have some friends and family that I hardly ever see and I feel bad because I love them dearly
37. I love going to Winkler to see my friends there.
38. I'm "auntie" to a couple of kids
39. My goal is to marry someone with a shorter last name to go along with my short first and middle names. ha ha
40. Guaranteed when I go to Winkler I'll go to Smittys at least twice during my time there, unless I go just for the day
41. I wish I could head out to Saskatchewan for a visit again
42. I have friends all over the place and wish I could see some of them more often than I do
43. I love having late night text fests....boy I've talked about almost everything
44. I love my green old navy hoodie that I've had for like 3 years at least. Its nicely broken in and sooooooo comfy
45. I might have to put a lock on it once Anita moves in he he. Just kidding
46. I love Cottage Cheese Perogies too............ohhhhhh yum. I could eat some right now....yes I know its 5:30am
47. I'd love to see Casting Crowns again
48. I listen to all kinds of music
49. Newsboys live are AWESOME too and I'd love to see them again.
50. Ohhhhh we're half way there is our night theme song at Simplot (at least it was when Andy Scora and I worked together)
51. I have 218 contacts in my phone.
52. I don't call all of them on a regular basis but my cell is my walking phone book
53. I'm trying to quit drinking pop and eating chips
54. Once Anita moves in we're going to work out together
55. I'm really sick of my hair
56. I was going to shave it off in August of this year for the Charity Baseball Game between Simplot and McCains
57. Then my sister decided to get married in September
58. I've died it almost every normal color and don't know what to do next
59. It'd be nice to have a personal hair stylist
60. And a personal chef
61. Thought I'd be a broadcaster when I grew up, guess I haven't grown up yet. lol
62. I love Facebook
63. I also love MSN too
64. If I had a million dollars I'd go on a nice long trip somewhere warm
65. I should make a hashbrown casserole one day....its so good
66. A girl trying to find Atlantis is my song
67. Anita might have to put a lock on her Burbank Hoodie when she moves in so I don't steal it. ha ha ha
68. I work 12 hours shifts
69. I work days and nights
70. I wish that they'd figure something out with my Dad so he could get back to his usual self
71. I'm 5' 6.5" tall
72. I had never got a ticket until Jan 7/09....ran a red light because it was to icy to stop and now I have to hand over $190.80...but I might fight it
73. I like to do spur of the moment things
74. I have glasses
75. Right now I have blonde hair that is in need of a root touch up or different color...not sure which yet
76. My Pure Seduction perfume smells amazing...I got it from La Senza
77. I love eating Spitz.....the Ronnies brand are the best
78. I like to talk on the phone
79. I have my ears pierced
80. I don't have any tattoos
81. I'm not good at Math
82. I love meeting new people
83. I like to give hugs
84. I like to get hugs back
85. I don't like backstabbers
86. I hate when I go to the bathroom and someone has peed on the toilet seat! EWWW! "If your a sweetie, wipe the seatie"
87. I try to drink lots of water
88. I have 3 emails that I check regularly...2 more often than the other one
89. I have a few different nicknames: Lil, Lilybird, B
90. I love New Years cookies
91. I've never been a fan of boiled potatoes
92. I got to be the MC at a wedding at 2 different weddings
93. One of my e-mail addresses is the same one I created in probably Grade 8 that's why its so lame
94. I hate clothes shopping
95. I like to sit in hot tubs
96. I like to go to the pool, even though I have no idea how to swim
97. I've been a bridesmaid once
98. I've sat at the guest book twice
99. I've also been a candle lighter
100. It tookd me 2 night shifts to make this list, and e-mailed it to my home e-mail so I could post on my blog

Forgiveness

I was doing my devotions the other morning and I came across this awesome Poem. Thought I'd share it with you.

Forgiveness:
Psalm 51:1-4
1 Have Mercy upon me, O God, According to your loving kindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. 3 For acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. 4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight – That You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.

While searching for a way to explain God's forgiveness to my children, I found I couldn't improve upon David's metaphor: Divine pardon feels like a thorough cleansing in a warm and wonderful bubble bath.

Set your sophistication aside for a moment....and revel in forgiveness with the heart of a child.

Thanks for listening to me, God;
I need to talk to you.
I know You love Your children,
Lord,
No matter what they do.

And though I try to do my best,
I know I always should --
But I'm not perfect or grown up;
Sometimes I'm not quite good.

Right now my heart is cold
and stained
With dirt and grime and sin.
I need forgiveness bubbles, please,
To make it clean again.

If You was my heart again
And rinse away the stain,
The wicked things I've said
and done
Will go right down the drain!

My heart feels very dirty, God --
Won't You please scrub it bright?
When You forgive me once again,
My heart will be snow white.

Please help me keep my heart clean,
Lord,
And teach me to do right.
Help me keep my heart forever
Shiny penny bright.

But if I happen to mess up
And need another scrub,
I know You won't forget me, God;
Just plop me in Your tub!

Lots of folks don't understand
Forgiveness from above;
They don't know how my heart feels
When it is bathed in love.

When I am sorry, You forgive;
The problem doesn't matter.
When my ugly heart is brand-new clean,
My ugly feelings scatter.

I'm growing up, and as I do,
You'll help me through my troubles.
I won't outgrow my love for You
And your forgiveness bubbles.