CHIPOTLE:

My favorite restuarant. I always get the same thing: Chicken Fajita Burrito Bowl-no beans-peppers and onions-chicken-rice- mild and medium salsa. YUM!!!! Today for lunch we took a bunch of students out who were just hangin around after church-good times

I stole this from Carlee Padot-I'm from 1981 that's for sure!: (I took out all the ones that did not apply to me-I am a dork)

80's Kids


You know you grew up in the 1980's when:

It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.

You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.

You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.

You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side.

You played the game "MASH" (Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House).

You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.

You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON , WAX OFF."

You wanted to be a Goonie.

You ever wore fluorescent clothing (some of us...head-to-toe).

You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.

You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.

You took lunch boxes to school...and traded Garbage Pailkids in the schoolyard.

You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.

You still get the urge to say "NOT" after every sentence.

You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.

You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes.

After you saw "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure," you kept saying "I know you are, but what am I?"

You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up."

You have ever played with a Skip-It.

You remember boom boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder.

You remember watching both "Gremlins" movies.

You remember Alf, the lil' furry brown alien.

You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool...and don't even flinch when people refer to them as "NKOTB."

You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "Saved By The Bell."

You still sing "We are the World"

You tight rolled your jeans.

You owned a banana clip.

Mrs. competition...

My dear friend Rebekah Negrete who got me into the whole pagaent business in the first place recently competed and won the Mrs. California International Pagaent and will be competing in the Mrs. International competition in July of this year. I've been living with her vicariously through her blog and have been thinking these days about the possiblility of competing in a Mrs. Competition...who knows, maybe I'll let her convince me again!

NO MORE DANIEL...BOO HOO!!!

So I'm sure you are all wondering how I broke my fast...

Jared and I drove to Tim Horton's Wed. after lunch and grabbed a Cafe Mocha...I think I could only finish half of it.

Wed. night-Emily bought PIZZA....I had 2 pieces

Thursday-Jared and I had a breakfast sandwich and a cafe Mocha. Well I had a breakfast sandwich-He had 2 and a donut.
I did a salad for lunch because I missed lettuce

Today-Dad brought me a coffee and I had a quarter of a sub sandwich from subway--bread tasted weird.

So that's the deal. I really do want to eat a lot more fruits and veggies then we did before. I am really wanting a tuna melt...maybe tomorrow:)

Daniel Fast-Final Week

Well we are in the home stretch of the Daniel Fast. To think that we actually made it through a vacation on top of just how much more difficult each meal is to plan is pretty amazing. I hope our story can be one of God's strength. I definetly like to eat healthy, however I would not consider myself to be a health nut. I have been pushed to the end of my own self-control (especially being around people eating pizza, drinking coffee and eating cookies) and have learned to rely on my dependance and need for God.
As the fast now comes to the final week, I am almost sad...weird I know...I enjoy allowing God to grow me. I am hoping God will teach me even more now that I have been pushed in this particular area through different venues.
Don't get me wrong though-I have already planned my first meal once I get off the fast...a Breakfast Sandwich from Tim Horton's...what will yours be?

Just kidding...I really really want a tuna melt.....

CRAVINGS:

So last night Jared and I returned from our vacation/conference in Chicago. We had a great time-learned so much! I just wish all of our Fuel Team could have been there with us!

Upon our return-we drove directly to Bedford High School to watch several students from CrossRoads in "Seussical". They did a fantastic job! Chelsea, Lindsey V., Lindesy S., Cassidy, Matt, Alex, Stephanie, Candace, and Jenna all were incredible who's, animals, mayor's wife. turtles, thing, and birds. Jared and I were definetly cheering the loudest! (If I missed your name, insert here and I owe you a coffee)

While we were sitting in intermission, Jared started mentioning the different foods he was craving-such as chocolate...and the more I thought about it, I really was not craving chocolate, sugar, coffee, pasta...any of those things you would think I would be wanting. I have trained my body so much I am beginning to train my mind as well! I think that's a little bit of what Paul was talking about in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
Lord God train my heart and mind during this time

My Restaurant choices:

Boston Market: Spinach, Mixed Veggies, Roasted Potatoes
Portillos: Cobb Salad minus the chicken and bacon, Minestrone soup, baked potatoe
Max and Erma's: Side of Broccoli, Baked Potatoe, Wild Rice
P.F. Changs: Szechuan style green beans, Budda's Feast (steamed veggies, Brown Rice

WILLOW AND DANIEL, DANIEL AND WILLOW

So here we are at Willow Creek-this being my first visit here since their addition-Sharon and Stephanie joined us here for the Student Ministries Conference-and it has been absolutely incredible so far! We heard some really powerful stuff from Bo Boshears specifically about warning signs of a failing leader-all of which were completely true-I really respect him and his wisdom he had to give us yesterday. Darren Whitehead their Sr. High Director also gave a great talk on the cultural shifts and how our ministries need to shift along with it. He gave some relaly practical and great ideas. Donald Miller author of Blue Like Jazz also spoke-he was slightly more confusing-not as focused-however had some good things to say. It probably didn't help that his session was after lunch.

Speaking of lunch-we were actually given the option of a vegetarian meal! Praise God for supplying us with food that fits with our Daniel Fast! For Dinner we all ate at Boston Market eating a bunch of veggies-again a cool answer to prayer. Although I often am thinking about what the next meal will consist of, I am finding that each meal is a true blessing and I want to be more concious of what I am putting into my body and honoring God with it.

I have really enjoyed the devotional book Jared and I are doing together The Passionate Journey by Marty Bullis. Each reading ends with a prayer where you read a line-pray about it-read the next line-pray about it and so on for 4 lines. After the last line of prayer, Jared and I pray aloud together-a wonderful time to connect our hearts to Christ together.

Lord we choose to honor and praise You with this day!

I'm blogging right now from the mac store in downtown Chicago. I know. I am so cool.

Jared and I are enjoying our last day relaxing before the conference starts-we are going to P.F. Changs tonight-that was where Jared took me on our first date so it holds special meaning for us. What a great time this has been for us! Thanks Lord for a mini-vacation!

FROM CHICAGO

So Jared and I actually left for Chicago early-due to the ice/snow storm sweeping across the midwest. We ended up driving right through the middle of it for a little while-but thankfully made it here safely and have been able to spend some good times with Jared's best friend Jesse who is in Chicago for a trade show with his business. Our Willow Creek conference starts on Wednesday so until then we are just relaxing and enjoying a little mini-vacation.

So how to do a Daniel fast on vacation? We have found it to be more difficult then being at home, however we have stayed entirely with our Daniel Fast!

As my best friend Emily put it-it is amazing how much we think we NEED (food wise), and yet when we train our bodies like this, we realize we don't need most of them at all.

It hasn't even been a week yet and already the Lord is showing me things I would not have seen if I weren't taking the time and discipline to meet with Him and sacrifice for Him.

Thanks Jesus for making all things possible through You

PEAS AND CARROTS

That's my lunch today...the last few days have been tough but I am convinced it will get easier as time goes on. Last night at THE ELEMENT (Sr. High Youth Group), we sang a song called "Living Sacrifice"-which really helped me put things into perspective (it's crazy how quickly you lose perspective when all you eat is fruit and veggies).

Sometimes when I hear people and how shocked they are that I taking so much food out of my regular diet. Like I'm making some huge sacrifice. And then the worst of it is that I start to believe it! When we sang Living Sacrifice last night, I started thinking over and over about the sacrifice Christ made for me-wow-a perfect and blameless Son-killed as a sacrifice on my behalf-taking away my punishment and shame.

It makes me love eating these peas and carrots. Thanks Lord.

DAY 2

Well we made it through Day 1 which was actually a complete fast for Jared and I-I did decide to break it last night after church since I have a bladder infection and needed some nutrients. I've of course had cravings for different foods-but I am enjoying challenging my body, mind, and most of all-my faith as we start out this Daniel fast. It's not just "eating healthy"-which I already do-but it is about intentionally sacrificing so I remember Christ more. I even challenged the Jr. High students to choose something to sacrifice during this LENT season, and it turns out that several of the students are joining us!

For my devotions during this time I am reading through a book we received as a staff that centers our focus on Christ. The reading last night was from Matthew 26:1-12

Matthew 26:7-9, 13

"A woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume which she poured on Jesus head as he was reclining at the table.

When the disciples saw this they were indignant "Why the waste?! This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.!"

"I tell you the truth" said Jesus "wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done wil also be told in memory of her"

What a beautiful picture of a sacrifice for Christ.

Lord Jesus may I be ready to give freely for You-understanding that You gave everything for me-I desire to giev everything for you. Amen.

DANIEL FAST

Here we are at the Lenten Season-starting tomorrow. I'm really excited that the staff of CrossRoads and many of the church will be doing a Daniel Fast together. Unlike a fast from all foods-it's fasting from everything other then fruits, vegetables, and legumes/beans, and nuts. This will no doubt be difficult and will cause me to think a lot about what I'm doing and why. I'm sure Jared and I will be creating many interesting food dishes!

I will try to update on a regular basis all God teaches me during the fast as well as different food ideas for those of you who are joining us. There is a bunch of info at our church site-check it out!

All for Jesus because I am following Him-

Angela M. Amerine

YOUTH GROUP IS ON!

Although Bedford Public Schools closed today-we are siding with Toledo Public and Sylvania-

YES THERE IS YOUTH GROUP TONIGHT!

Can't wait to see you Sr. High students-I know you've been bored sitting at home all day!

6:45-8:30

DRIVE SAFE PLEASE:) Better yet-have your parents drop you off:)

The Four Troopers who went to both Jr. AND Sr. High Winter Camps!

WINTER CAMP 07

Well after 2 weekends of Jr. and Sr. High Winter Camp-I am still alive to tell the story. So that's what I'll do!

2 weeks ago we took 35 Jr. High students to Somerset Beach Campground-some serious good times-including bringing several new students with us and getting them plugged in-students tubing down the hill at full speed-students walking across the frozen lake-playing broom ball-and seeing students grow closer to God and each other.

I had to take the next weekend off (otherwise I would be hooked up to an IV)-this decision made by mistakes in the past-thank you Jesus!

This last weekend we took 37 High School students to SpringHill Camp in Evart MI-wow-wow-wow! Everything about the weekend was incredible-the tubing hill-the food-the unending flow of hot chocolate-the programming-and the...everything! Not only did everyone have an incredible time-but each and every student grew closer to Christ-they all had a story-were really affected by the Speaker Brett Ray-AND 2 students made 1st time commitments to Christ! YEA JESUS!

The leaders Jared, Paul, Ryan, Stephanie and Kim all went above and beyond the call of duty! Espcially those who pulled double duty on Jr. and Sr. High camps-Jared, Paul, and Steph!

Most of all-Props to God-who does what He does best-Changes lives.

WINTER CAMP 07

Well this is my first Winter Camp at CrossRoads Community Church--we're having a great time at Somerset Beach Campground--right now the 30 students are at the Christian Family Center in Adrian MI with the other leaders while I snuck out for a quick coffee pick me up surprise for the leaders:) We're enjoying the SNOW, Iced over lake, sleeping in the cabins, gaining friendship, and learning more about Who Christ designed us to be! Can't wait to see what the Lord will continue to do!

What We Do At Work (while we are working diligently for Jesus)

Look. I updated!

Christmas party pics!

Christmas at CrossRoads

What a blessing to serve at such an amazing church who is willing to do whatever it will take to bring others to Christ! The last three weeks of "entering christmas" have been extraordinary-I have been so honored to have been a part of it all.
I am so excited for this weekends Christmas Eve services! They will be exciting, as well as meaningful.
Thank you Lord for sending Your Son for Us. We celebrate You!

Having only been engaged for 5 months and being married for one-it meant it was time for us to send my ring back to Robbins Bros. where Jared bought the ring to have it checked for our warranty.
Let me tell you-it is a scary thing to send your engagement ring across the country!

Everything went fine, and I finally got my ring back today! However-DHL the delivery company was supposed to have a "signature required" as it says on the package. Naturally. I came home at lunch time and what did I see? THE BOX SITTING AT THE FRONT DOOR!

Maybe Robbins Bros. wants to re-consider who they ship through...

Raking and then Running

Sunday after church we had our very first

RAKE N RUN

as Fuel Student Ministries

What was so cool about it was that the event was not a fundraiser. It was simply a chance to be Jesus to others. And you know what? 30 jr. and sr. high students showed up while it was SNOWING to rake yards for people they didn't even know!

It was an awesome time and Jesus again showed us that He is the coolest ever!

Wedding Pics...

BY POPULAR DEMAND---HERE ARE THE WEDDING PICTURES OF A LIFETIME!!!!!!!

So What are YOU thankful for???

example:

-peanut butter
-bbq sauce
-CrossRoads
-Rice a Roni
-A car
-The Price is Right

For the MOON

Just a few pics from the honeymoon-in Gatlinburg TN-where we had our own little cabin in the woods! It was pretty amazing!
The pics are from:
1) our cabin
2) in gatlinburg in a giant chair
3) hiking in the woods
4) the dixie stampede

Three things I am truly thankful for:

1) Grace found in Jesus Christ

2) My absolutely incredible husband JARED!!!

3) The opportunity to serve at CrossRoads

Slow Down...

I think each person should be reminded to do this at least once a day. Not once a week, or once a month. We all need to just slow down.

Life is far too short to rush through it all.

It's in those moments when I slow down enough when I hear God's voice.

It's in those moments when God's Word becomes real to me.

It's in those moments when I remember my first love...Jesus...

It's in those moments when I discover who I truly I...Because I see more of who God is.

Today I'm slowing down.

Married for Life:

What an amazing feeling after 25 years of praying, 2 years of friendship, a year of dating, and 5 months of planning-Jared and I are now husband and wife. And I couldn't be happier! This is now how life is for both of us...and I look forward to loving Jared more and more each day and each year we are alive here on this earth.

We had the most incredible wedding in the world-most of all because we were blessed by God's presence and the presence of our friends and family-so many who flew here from around the country (and a few from Canada too). We wouldn't have changed a thing about anything!

Jared and I are just amazed at how blessed we are-by each other, and by those supporting and loving us. Here are just a few of the amazing pictures Emily's husband Andrew took at our wedding: and we just went through a HUGE stack and narrowed it down to 104 pictures...yikes!

our engagement pics

10 More Days!

So here's the deal,

Jared and I get married in 10 days...pretty much that is the coolest thing ever!

Our friends start getting here in less then a week-which means I'm trying to get everything completed for work before they get here...

I can not wait to see my friends and get married-and I've been thinking recently about how quickly it is all going to fly by.

Before we know it, Jared and I will be another married couple in the world. Our party will be over, and everyone will be focusing on someone else. Not that I am desiring more attention, because I am not...However, it just puts life in perspective once again.

I can not imagine a more incredible person to spend my life with. Every day Jared amazes me more and more. I delight in knowing him and being known by him. He is one of the most amazing men I have ever met in my life. Thank You Lord for such an incredible blessing in my life!

THE BRIDE BLOG:

Well, Jared and I are getting married in just over 2 weeks! WOW! Praise the Lord that it is so close! Our 5 month engagement has gone by fairly fast thankfully-I am really glad it wasn't any longer then that...I don't know how people can be engaged for a year or more-GOO!

Not only am I thrilled beyond belief to become Angela Amerine-there is just so much that entails the happiness and joy I find in that honor.

Jared and I are also becoming overjoyed at the thought of seeing our family and friends again who live across the country from us. I am particularly excited to see Mom, Ryan, Jesse, Janelle, Melissa, Sari, Dan and Annette, Papa, and the Zahnizers. I am doubting I will sleep much the week of the wedding, but hey-you never know:)

Personally as the Bride, I am finding myself more humbled every day that Jared would select me and ask me if I will be his bride for our entire lives. Life with him gets more exciting everyday, and I delight in seeing him be the man God has made him to be. I feel undeserving of Jared's love-and that is because i am. Some people try to convince me otherwise, but I know that there is nothing I have done to deserve unconditional love. And it reminds me so much of Christ and His love for us. I do not deserve the unchanging love of Christ-and yet He offers it so freely! Thank You Lord!

I am so thankful now for this opportunity to experience more and more of God's love in my life as Jared and I come together to become one in just over 2 weeks!

I Have Been Blessed by:

~Seeing Jared everday and planning our wedding which is in 2 weeks

~Finally seeing my Best Friend Emily almost every day again after 3 years of not seeing her more then a few times a year

~My parents opening their house to me before I get married and just watching tv or hanging out with them

~Being able to see my bro and sis and nephews so much more!

~Mark and Mary Cryderman who have gone out of their way to make us feel comfortable here

~The Jr. High and Sr. High students here who make me laugh and feel appreciated

~A wonderful church body-as well as church building facility to do almost anything in!

~The awesome place that Jared already moved into!

~The great people who have been so kind and supportive although they do not know us that well.

Things I miss about CA:

~I miss walking into Jared's house, and spending hours keeping Jesse from doing his homework.

~I miss when Robert was friends with me and we would sing "Here I am to Worship"

~I miss singing with Ryan every single Sunday and not even having to plan out or think about who is going to sing what part

~I miss all my roomates: Janelle, Lindz, Sari, Liz, and Carina

~I miss going to Classic Coffee with J

~I miss getting $20 full pedicures

~I miss the students in Long Beach-especially those in Jr. High

~I miss Melissa asking if she can randomly stay the night at my place

~I miss Sandra and Rebekah and their smiling faces and listening ears

~I miss the close access to the beach, mountains, Disney, and a lot of other things

~I miss going up to Livermore to hang out with Jared's fam.

~I miss when my roomates would jump on me to wake me up.

~I miss watching movies with my roomates on the big blue couch

Wow-I guess I'm feeling sentimental right now...

Van Blocks our Way Home!

So here we were, making great timing back from Niagara Falls...Jared driving-dad in the front, and me and mom in the back. We were in an area where they were doing construction on the south bound lanes, so the traffic was all in the northbound side-a lane each direction...we were still moving at a pretty good pace...when traffic stopped...completely...for a long time...
After about 15 minutes of waiting by our car, we saw there was a broken down aerostar mini van (much like the one pictured) about 15 cars ahead.

Of course, traffic was now backed up for miles and didn't look like it was going to move any time soon-remember, there is no way anyone can get around this van because there are cement barriers on either side of the lane.

So Jared and I decide to venture up to the car to see what the deal is-plus Jared is a genius and knows lots about cars.
Turns out that for some reason the van was placed into park and was stuck in it! There was no way to push it or anything! A truck driver was in the front seat trying to help fix it, and my wonderful fiance decided to poke his head in to work his magic. Not more then a few minutes went by (and I'm convinced with Jared's help), the car was finally out of Park! Jared and I ran back to our car-only to find my parents visiting with the surrounding cars as everyone was chillin out in the lane...

Good times...

Niagara Again and for the first time...

We just got back from a quick trip to Niagara Falls where my grandparents live. Jared, me, and my parents traveled up there on Friday right after work...of course not without a huge ordeal of driving over a used needle (syringe style) in the Meijer parking lot...Jared coming to save the day, and us ending up having to drive up there with the Focus...

One of the great things that happened was that instead of us having to get a hotel (which is just complicating since we are not married yet), we were able to stay at a friends house which is not far from my grandparents. We all had a blast-the many stops at Tim Hortons...and Jared seeing the Falls for the first time...and for me, though I have been there many times before, standing there with the man I am about to marry in just over 6 weeks was the most incredible feeling in the world! It was especially exciting because this was probably the last trip we will take before we get married-so next time-we don't have to worry about rooms and all that stuff:)

Yay for Niagara Falls and my grandparents and my parents and JARED!!!!!!!!!!

What do you do when...

So for those of you who go to CrossRoads and were in church on Sunday-hopefully you remember a story about a girl named Sophia-my relationship with her-the hardships she had...

She just sent me a e-mail telling me her dad (foster dad) is in a coma...and she has been placed in a new home...

I plan on staying up most of the night praying...for her, her 3 other sisters, and her dad...

7 WEEKS AND 4 DAYS!!!!!!!

It's true and I can hardly believe I will be the bride walking down the aisle to the man I will spend the rest of my life with. God couldn't have planned it any better!
I still can't believe we are counting in weeks now! Pretty much most of the plans are all in place...photographer...reception place..dress...shoes...even the minister;) Jared and I are priveleged to have my dad perform our wedding ceremony for us...Jared and I manage to spend plenty of time together and just enjoy each others presence. In the midst of starting up youth group and moving and everything else-God is just holding everything in the palm of His hand and things are not too overwhelming (though I may have my moments).

We are so excited for the wedding (yes:) But even more so...for marriage...as it was created by God-meant to be a symbolic representation of Christ's love and relationship to us.

Now all I have to do is learn how to sign my soon to be new name...

Angela Maureen Amerine

Change, Change, and more Change-it's all good

I have quite a few friends who totally struggle with change in their lives...change of any kind. What I've come to realize is that change is just a part of life...everything around us constantly changes...everything except Christ that is. So I've made a resolution with myself...I will embrace change my entire life through...whether it's moving, or turning another year older. And I rejoice and embrace in the unchanging God that I love and follow!

So with the many things that have been going on-this is why I have not updated my blog in forever:
July 20 marked my last day working at Light and Life Christian Fellowship-man I still miss those Jr. High student!
July 21 I had a wedding shower at RB's! Janelle and the girls did an amazing job and it was a really fun time with some great friends! Man I miss them too!
July 22-24 Jared and I visited with his mom before we moved out here to Michigan. We definetly miss her.
July 24 Jared was baptized by Steve Gerali: a very personal and wonderful time celebrated by me, his mom, Jesse, and the Z's.
July 28 My parents had flown out to CA and drove across the US with me and Jared! We brought a heat wave all the way with us to MI!
August 2 my second nephew was born! Aaron Morgan Teal entered the world to know Christ and love Him with us! I love him so much!
August 4 marked my first day of work at CrossRoads Comm. Church as their Student Ministries Director! I am overjoyed to be working there!
August 10-11 Jared and I drove over to Grand Haven for my friend Lindsey's wedding, where I sang at their beach-side wedding

And a whole bunch of other stuff happened here and there too! And here we are! Thanks God for Change! I embrace it all!