It is Finished........ well, for the Spring.

Hmm.. alrighty: here we go... some pics of the band.... from our Spring 2007 tour... you've already seen the "performing ones", lol... so here are some goofy ones. The first one is of those that are actually on the stage--minus one--our Cello chica is missing... the 2nd one is just about everyone--our amazing sound tech Terry, Bethany, our "resource distribution" lady (aka, my best friend).. mike, our "monadnock guy" and who else... jess--our "go to" girl... and oh--Tommy--our media guy, and peter, well, andy's bro-- the "go to" guy, lol. I miss everyone already... and hey--just in case you didn't know--"Blogger saves your dreafts automatically!", LOL. byeeeeeeeeeeee.

pics # 2...

Here are a few more... from last weekend, actually. GREAT time... have I mentioned that I really love being in Arise? 'cause I don't think I've mentioned it enough... bye now. :)

Pics #1....

Here's a couple of snapshots (yikers! ;) from our soundcheck/practice at our first event in Waterbury, CT. it was one of my favorite nights of Worship!! GREAT people! :) More pics to come....

How about just being Thankful?

So, I read the following today on Foxnews.com:


Briton Misdiagnosed With Terminal Cancer Sues After Spending Life Savings

LONDON — A man who spent his life savings after being told he had months to live is seeking compensation after doctors in Britain conceded they had got the diagnosis wrong.

John Brandrick, 62, was told two years ago that he had terminal pancreatic cancer. He decided to spend his remaining time in style, quitting his job and spending his savings on hotels, restaurants and holidays.

A year later, doctors at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in southwest England revised their diagnosis: Brandrick was suffering from pancreatitis, a nonfatal ailment.

"My life has been turned upside down by this," Brandrick said. "I was told certainly, by the doctor, that I had cancer, and from that day I lived life in full.

I was told I had limited time to live. I got rid of everything — my car, my clothes, everything."
Brandrick said he did not want to take the hospital to court, "but if they have made the wrong decision they should pay me something back."

The hospital said there was "no clear evidence of negligence" on its part."Whilst we do sympathize with Mr. Brandrick's position, clinical review of his case has not revealed that any different diagnosis would have been made at the time based on the same evidence," a spokesman said on customary condition of anonymity.



I'd really like to know what ya'll think--and maybe even what you would do. I'd like to think that if I was told what he had just been told--that I would just say "thank you!!!" and be thankful for the air that I can continue breathing! (Although, i'm sure Heaven's got some GREAT air. ;)

... and more randomness...

Hello all... here's a few more cowgirl pics. This is my bestest friend--Bethany: the mother of the gorgeous kids that I always have pictures of on here. :)

That's it for now really: first ladies conference went really well. Now it's on to the Teen Girls conference! Woo Woo! :)

Square Dancing...

...so I just remembered... that i posted last year (in SoCal) that i was going to go line dancing... well... that still never happened: but i did Square Dance a few days ago!! Our couples retreat had a square dance: and I can't lie--it was fun! Except... i had to "be the man", which was weird: 'cause all other dances i know (i.e., the waltz, swing): they're always the female dance. anyways... not very good pics: but here's Bethany and I....

.. So yesterday, my co-worker came up to me and sue and asked, "this week is Secretary Appreciation week--we want to take you out to lunch on Wednesday..."-and I wasn't thinking she was talking to me along with Sue... and Mary's like, "Shauna, where would you like to go?"... and it dawned on me just then--that...

I'm a secretary. lol.

Well, the proper name is "Administrator", but i just find that stupid. It's like, you can't call Stewardesses Stewardesses anymore (unless they're male: don't call them stewardesses)... you have to call them "Flight Attendants". Our society is silly.

By the way: a really good book, "The Emotionally Healthy Church"--the author's name escapes me... but we (full-time staff) are reading thru that... and going thru it once a week: phenomenal. I highly recommend it: Be it for a staff or a group--or just for self. It's very eye-opening.... and i've read some eye-opening stuff: so you know when I say that then it's true... Wow. I just sounded very prideful right there: i didn't mean it in a cocky way!

k, done now. Bye all.

Me again!!

Hello all!!

Well, so far: life is still great!!! IT IS SUUUUUUUUUUUUNNY HERE TODAY! oh my word: seriously: my insides hurt from smiling on the inside (and the out) 'cause it's sooooooooooo beautiful!! like, sunny days in SoCal... but different... 'cause it's a New England spring day... which are better. :)

Next weekend I lead my first of two Conferences... Worship Leading, that is. Pretty terrified: 'can't lie. But God is in control: and there must be something Andy sees in me as a Worship Leader to ask me to do two conferences, so there's that. My name is even in the Authentic Beauty brochure! it's Insanity!! (www.monadnockbible.org) I think when i saw that: that's when I actually started getting really scared... kind of solidified it for me...

anyways, so that's about it... i got an international cell plan: so I may be calling some of you soon! so... if your #'s have changed... let me know, lol.

The pics are just me and Bethany's kids. :) Enjoy! (Oh, the kids are Mercy and Josiah.)

just some randomness... I figured it was time again.

just thought I'd post a couple of SoCal pics: the first one--just a pic from my cameraphone of the beach just after sunset... I reeeeeeally miss the beach. It was probably my 2nd favorite part of California... the 2nd: is a bunch of us girls from Ventura that all met a C&C retreat at Big Bear back in November. That was a FABulous weekend...

as for me now: doing pretty well. Crazy that it's Easter all ready... blessings everyone!

Pretty much... just lovin' life!

Alrighty, so... I'm a FACEBOOK addICT! i'm sorry! can't help it!! but since MOST OF YOU NEVER comment.. i keep forgetting to update this for all u that don't do facebook!! So, here are just a few band pics. There just from the weekend retreats... so not everyone in the band is on stage. but I hope you get a bit of an inkling of how much I love my life, lol. :)

And yes.. that's just the weekends that i sing: and now that TEEN RETREATS are over... i won't be singing every weekend. Now it's onto Adult Family Retreats.. I'll actually be leading worship for one ladies Conference and our teen girl, Authentic Beauty Conference: i'm scared out of my mind... but it's a good thing i'm just doing the singing, lol: andy and the band will be right behind me! ;)

and the job: absolutely loving it so far. Basically: one of the coolest aspects of my job is that I make other people's lives easier... which is always neat. Putting stamps on envelopes (for example) may not be the most amazing thing: but when it frees up other people, to do other--more important things.. then how can i not love it? And camp ministry: obviously: changes lives! So it's cool to be a part of that: and camp life, well... if you don't like teens: just wait 3 months, and it'll be family retreat time. Sick of adults: just wait a few months: it'll be the summer, and it will be kids/teens again!! Get my drift?! it's AWESOME for people like me... i'm lovin' it!

and next week: i'll be gone for about 3 days, at a CCCA (christian camping Conference)--and I'll be seeing some Living Waters people!! I'm SO STOLKED!!

alrighty. love ya'll. hope you're doing well.

It's Official!

I am now the new (first, actually) Youth Ministries Administrator, at Monadnock Bible Conference, in Jaffrey, NH! I am VERY excited about this job.... and very nervous at the same time... as it's a big job, and it means working with people that I love: which, can be hard. 'Cause you ... I don't know. Know what I mean though? Anyways...

and I move into my apartment today! I'm so excited! It's a tiny lil' apartment off of my friend's house... you actually enter thru my bedroom, but it's cute anyways. and I's got's me my own washer and dryer... which I'm EXTATIC for! anyways...

well, I just wanted to let ya'll know that. Arise is doing really well. Our Regional Events begin in April... and then in May, and then we perform at SoulFest in August... and then we have Regional Events in the fall... and alllllllllllllll that good stuff...

I will be getting my own lap top... so the updates will be happening more and more frequently. :)

I know... I know ... I know...

sorry all! I know it's been awhile! but I am here in NH, and lovin' it. Minus the cold weather: that'll take 'til like, Spring, to get used to... oh well. AriseWorship is going well! I'll be w/ the team singing every weekend thru march.. so that's exciting.

see? that's all. my bad. I have no energy for computers anymore, lol. I'll update soon again though!

....and I'm off!!

Hey all:

next post will be from New Hampshire!! I leave for LAX in about 40 minutes and fly out in 6 hours!!

bye now!!

1/5/07... um, best day of my life?

Alrighty, so: here we go: the above: (if this comes out right)... me, Terah and and Kim! Some good friends I've acquired thru my home group from Reality Carp... three of us chillaxin' on Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills.

Um... there's a sign on the building that says, "rodeo drive"... for real! I swear.. you just can't really see it. that day was COLD too. I definitely should've worn my Ugs....(and NOT have worn my toque)

And here he is: Mr. Josh Groban himself. (aka: jonathan barrett's twin) I know: HORRENDOUS pic of me: but what do you expect when one takes a shot when one is talking to two people: one of them being INCREDIBLY famous and one of the best singers this world has ever seen?! yup... so that's it: 1/5/07.. pretty much just the best day of my life. And I know... he's human. a sinner that needs Jesus: too bad I couldn't breath or make eye contact or had a tract! LOL!

bye now!

ps... Josh Groban: if you ever read this: i'm really NOT a stalker: i don't know everything about you... I don't really LOVE you... I just: really want to sing with you someday. that's all.

JOSH GROBAN!

I MET JOSH GROBAN! AND IF YOU KNOW ME AT ALL: YOU KNOW I'VE LOOOOOOOOVED HIM SINCE 2001! ANYWAYS... looooooooong story short: he was eating lunch at the same diner ("disguised" though: hat, scrubby face, facing the back of the restaurant...;) as my friends and I, in Beverly Hills.... and I was TOTALLY nervous and was like, heart beating 100mph and sweaty palms and EVERYTHING: and that was BEFORE it was suggested I go meet him. anyways... so, my friend Terah and I went. got a couple of pictures (this one was taken before we went up to him)... he was REALLY nice, intruduced us to his brother, lol.... it was great. minus the fact that my friend didn't store the photo of him and i on my camera phone... and I could barely look at him because I was SOOOOOOOOOOOO NERVOUS. anyways: there's a picture of him and i: but it's on my friend's phone.... so you'll have to wait a couple of days. anyways,... yeah. so there's that. bye now!! (oh yeah, he's the one in the red hat)

19 days...

... I think. I THINK that's how many days left... numbers aren't my thing though.

so, Christmas was good: not gonna' lie though: it was sad. Have any of you awoken on Christmas morning by yourself? Not looking for pity here: truly, I'm not. But it was a really weird, overwhelming feeling: that I don't wish for anyone. anyways: but it turned out to be a good day!! that afternoon, I went to my friend's house and ate AMAZING food and watched movies allllllllllllll afternoon and evening: it was good!! (and one learns all that they're truly thankful for....)

So... we have these winds here, called the Santa Anna's: and yeah: they TOTALLY remind me of PEI winds... gotta' be at least 30-40 mph.. and with those winds come warm weather: so it's TOTALLY beautiful here. Usually will rain during the night: so you wake up and it's all crisp and clear and windy and nothing but BEAUTIFULness and the ocean is ABSOLUTELY spectactular.

yup: no lie. the #1 thing I will miss the most is:

the OCEAN.

I'll Be Home for Christmas... If Only In My Dreams...

Hello all!!

So, I have about an hour and a half of work left (no worries: I'm on lunch break:)!!! SO excited for some time off... and just chillaxin' in my apartment for the last few weeks that I'm here... watching WAY too many movies and WAY too many episodes of Gilmore Girls. :) and probably even going to be eating WAY too many carbohydrates, lol... as macaroni and cheese is always the easiest thing to make, lol. :)

Anyways: so thanks for the prayers regarding a place to be for Christmas! I'm going over to my favorite family's place... so I'm STOLKED: Christmas Eve may be a bit lonely, but it's all good. I have 4 Christmas movies to watch: So Christmas Eve it is! LOL!!

The Talent Department has reached some pretty hott goals: One of them having the reward of a VERY nice STEAK dinner in Beverly Hills (check it out: http://www.lawrysonline.com/theprimerib_beverlyhills_gen_info.asp ) on the 15th: So that's where I'll be on my last night in California!!

Can't believe I leave so soon!! Just 7 days of work left... I have a women's retreat that I am STOLKED to attend in Murietta Hot Springs, CA from the 5-7th, and what else: I don't know. that's it I think. Anyways, it's JUST CRAZY. I'm soooooo excited to go see Bethany! and HOPEFULLY: see you ALL (PEI'RS) in just a few months!

If you're ever droppin' thru NH... give me a call!

Good Evening World...

Hey all.... back again...

well, basically: just here to say that I leave in exactly 4 weeks.

that's a bit much for me... seeing as I have half of my life yet to pack and ship off... only to pray that it by a miracle gets there... every package... safe and secure... not that I have much.. but I do have some stuff....

so no pictures today folks.. but I did spend most of the day in a quaint little area known as BEVERLY HILLS, CA. I went with some friends from work to go to the new HandM (I think that's how you spell it): anyways, its a European store w/ amazingly awesome prices for folk like me... :) and then we went to the Hard Rock Cafe... (never been to one), which we discovered is to actually be closing Dec. 31st... and being shipped to a different location in LA... how sad, eh? Anywho... and oh! then we drove down the famous Rodeo Dr... I felt like I was supposed to pay just to drive down it--it's that glitzy!! ;)

So, that's about it. Works going well... so that makes me happy. My final home group was last Thursday... that makes me REAL sad... but oh! At work we had a "tiered" incentive... and it began w/a personal goal: and for each person that reached their personal goal: was to receive an ipod!! So, guess who did last Thursday?! that's right: ME!!!!!!!!! and we also reached another goal: So, off for a niiiiiiiice Steak Dinner in Beverly Hills... the night before I am to fly out!! :)

Closing remarks: please be praying about my Holidays... wee bit sad.. and just who to spend Christmas with... thanks all. :)

...discombobulation... as usual.

Well, this Saturday, I finally did it: I finally mailed my FIRST 3 BOXES back East... poor Bethany/Andy who have to carry them to their place.... ahaha... insanity. It was amazing actually, how much relief it actually took off my back. and I have some friends from work that are going to be looking at my bed, lamp, chair, etc.... seeing if they want it: so then neither I, nor my roommate and her fiancee will have to worry about all that stuff. I'm just really thankful I didn't buy anymore than what I did... and it's weird ya' know (well, technically a Divine thing) on how I didn't buy MORE... 'cause I could have. I never bought curtains... I never bought a frame for the painting that my room is based on... i never... well, honestly: I don't own much, to be realistic. Not for a 24 year old woman.

wow, 24.. I'm like, almost a quarter of a century old... that's a bit much really.

tomorrow night I have an Office Christmas party to attend here at the Pierpont Inn (the above is supposedly a night view from it: I've never been there: even though it's like a 5 min. walk from the house... but it IS one of those fancey places where only tennis players go;).. anyways. I'm quite excited. only problem being is we're doing a White Elephant Gift Exchange: and I am, like, TOTALLY NOT a girly girl: and I hate shopping and have NO idea what to get a person: never mind the fact that you don't know if it's a man or a woman that's going to receive it. and gift cards--well: I know others are doing that ... ahaha.

Well, that's about it for now... I think I'll dive into the book I'm reading by Frank Peretti, "This Present Darkness"... and, if you ever get the chance: "Blue Like Jazz"--it's an eye-opening book. It's real: and that's what makes it hurt so much when you read it. It's amazing.... I don't agree with everything: but that's not the point. It challenged me. Definitely a 4-Star book in my eyes.

Just a wee bit of an update... sorry!

well, the above is Diana: She was one of my Young Con. recruits that I had the privilege to see perform!! Below: is Koby and I--I spent Thanksgiving with him and his family..... I love them!! Someday.... I'll get more pics of that family, LOL!! :)

Just remember that today is DECEMBER 1st, which, = THE FACT THAT I LEAVE NEXT MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! SO much to do... so much lazines.... and too much sickness. :( BLAH!! Is the flu goin' round where ya'll are?

So, that's about it. The new Arise cd is to be released just after the new year... so I'm pretty excited about that!! The office Christmas party is this coming Tuesday--I feel so OLD--now that I finally get to attend a company party!! ahaha...

and Bev--UPDATE. gosh... at least after your WEDDING this coming month..., Erin... miss ya' LOTS... Shirls--EMAIL. and jonny b: I'm SO pumped you went to Everest man. I'm LOVING those pics!! and to the rest: aw... I miss you guys!! Hopefully I'll see you this Spring or Summer.... :)

A Wedding and Christmas... :)

Alrighty.... these kids: yuppers: love them. This is Koby and Sophie... They are my friend Stephanie's kids... Her eldest son was the cause for the wedding, lol... as he and my friend Terah wedded at, you guessed it, 10:15 am... INSANE, I tell you, insane. No, it was actually, quite breathtaking. I should have taken a picture of the wedding: 'cause it was so elegantly beautiful: with all of Santa Barbara in the background, but of course... I had shut my phone off for DURING there ceremony:) Anyways... so yeah... these are my kids. Love them. I get to spend Thanksgiving with them... so that's QUITE exciting... we're all going to go watch Santa Clause 3 at the movies!! INSANITY! I LOVE IT! :)

The following is regarding Christmas... well, and fall and winter. So basically: I love the weather here... I really do. Getting to wear flip flops and sandals pretty much all the time.. but guess what guys: I've come to miss the rain... and the snow... AHHHHHHHHHHHH. can YOU believe it... 'cause I can't. I just miss the "essence" of... well: everything. It will be like 3pm in the afternoon: and I can just picture all of the leaves that have fallen: and the smell of freshness and OXYGEN.... and the future coming of snow... but there is none to be had here. So: even though I am a HUGE fan of NOT listening to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving: I have begun to listen to Christmas music already. I made that decision yesterday. I had wondered why people are "christmasy" already out here: and I think that's why: they have to put themselves in the mood!! ahhhhhhhhh. craziness. well, must flee. love ya' all.