I'm taking a break from SGS. Wish I could meet more SGSers in California. I have enjoyed chatting with you all and will miss the shout box - sO entertaining! Fondly, Christine

I love, love, love the outdoors, the ocean, the desert and especially the mountains. I love a good hail storm every once in a while too. I enjoy hiking and am fascinated by rocks, minerals, and astronomy. The pattern, texture and tones in nature persuade me to photograph, but it is just a hobby.

Other interests: Museums, Observatory, Live Music (Philharmonic and more), Live Plays, Bikes on the beach, in the desert & in the mountains, Campfires, Theological discussions, lectures and debates, want to learn how to play chess.... love to laugh...

Was planning to do a comic strip here between the rooster and the hen. Never got around to it, but maybe later?



I am very thankful. Understanding the Doctrines of Grace has helped me to learn more about my faith without the interfearance of always wondering if I am doing enough. In the same breath I am free to do good works without wondering if it is "sincere enough" - and I don't have to worry about being on a "works trip" either. When you have the correct grid of understanding about the Gospel and about Grace, it is amazing how much lighter one can feel. Thanks be to God.

Note about "being sincere": I tend to think overall I am a very sincere person - I realize I am a sinner, of course, but I also believe being in Christ we are blessed with the fruits of the Spirit. There was a time when I was attending non-denom that I was still confused about grace. I would be at home by myself - make a quick meal - pray over the food before I ate it, but then stop and think, "was I paying attention to that prayer when I said it?" ... or ... "OK, I was paying attention that time, but did I just ramble the same old thanksgiving prayer ?- should I re-word it somehow?" ... or ... "OK , turn off the TV, that's better.... uh, I'll re-warm my food after this prayer...." At that point I had one foot out the non-denom door, but it would still take me a year or so for the full transition. This might sound strange to those who grew up in the church, but when you know nothing about Christianity and do all you can to read and read and read, many might conclude (when attending an Arminian church)..."Hey! That's not the Gospel!" Just to be clear, I think saying grace and being thankful for God's provision is great, but I do not have to sit in front of cold food thinking I'm going to get it right this time... oh so funny....

It has changed quite a bit because of many schedule changes in my life over the last few years. Currently I have quiet time right before work.

Jesus...because He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. In the Word he displays this in so many ways - over and over - from birth to resurrection

I love Luke 4:16-21 - might sound silly, but I wish I could have been there... espcially knowing what I know now. And He begun to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

Also John. I love what he has written in his gospel about the Word, the True Light and the Word becoming flesh. Also in his epistles, he sounds very caring, full of truth and kindness.

I am content being single, but I do so by keeping very busy - haha.

I know I prefer to be in a committed relationship that will lead to marriage. If for some reason I do not ever have children of my own, I would love to adopt, accept another's children in marriage, or (even as a single) be active in volunteer work with orphans.

1. Good listener

2. Good sense of humor

3. Loyal

4. Adventurous

1. What I understand about God and His Word and what I have yet to learn. This includes my relationship with my church family, who I am so thankful for.

2. My Mom, Brother and my Sister-in-law; I love them so much (my posted photo is from Thanksgiving 09, where Mom, my brother, his wife and I were all being silly for the camera. What a great day that was).

3. God's handiwork; mountains, forests, meadows, ocean, desert the cosmos, etc., etc.... it is all so breathtaking to me and I never tire of admiring it and discovering new things about it all.

I like "FUNNY" - if you tell good, corny jokes or have that creative, deadpan delivery - I LIKE IT.

If you have a good sense of humor, I will become your best audience. More please. :)

Besides a good sense of humor, the people I get closest to are those whose strengths are honestly, loyalty and kindness. These are strengths of mine, so when I come across people like this, we usually have the greatest conversations and most memorable times together. Just to be clear though, I don't mean all sugary sweet like a classic Disney animation - there's room for a little edge, but I think that kind of banter is an artform developed within a relationship over time (no hitting below the belt - yet - haha - just kidding).

I like people who are observant and good communicators - although I am extremely patient, I have trouble with those who keep everything to themselves and then seem to think others ought to understand their "little hints" (and then they are disappointed when you do not). I do not like guessing games unless we are actually playing a good trivia game that requires guessing and a point system and a winner at the end - haha.

....might add more to this later... (hey, there's a soap box here.....)

My brother. He is two years older than I and has has been one of my best friends my entire life. We really are good buddies.

At a very young age, both of us lost a father figure through divorce and were not really grounded as Christians (raised "Catholic"). I can remember my brother, even in Junior high, looking for better, male role-models in his life. I realize this was God's hand, but it is still remarkable to me. Good men recognized my brother (and still do) and were instrumental in his life path. My brother is an honest, hard working man, who is full of talent and drive in a way that honors God. He is recently married to a woman who adores him (as he does her) and will continue as a Godly man, seeking what the Lord has planned for his life as a Husband, son, brother, friend and father if God wills.

I prefer to keep this general and would share more later with a person I might resume a relationship with...

I have never been married so I have not had to deal with divorce or children (although I love children). I completely understand much about divorce though, because my parents did. I have fully processed my thoughts and feelings about it and understand marriage can be a huge blessing with the right person and tremendously difficult with the "wrong person". The only significant relationships I've had ended mostly because of bad timing or a lack of clear communication about the future.

(Scripture, Movies, Books, People...)

SCRIPTURE:

Psalm 29

Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones, Give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. The voice of the Lord is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The Lord is over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; The voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars, Yes, the Lord splinters the cedars of Lebanon. He makes them also skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth, And strips the forest bare; And in His temple everyone says, "Glory!" The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood, And the Lord sits as King forever. The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.

Psalm 145

¹I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. ²Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. ³Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. ⁴One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. ⁵I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. ⁶And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness. ⁷They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. ⁸The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. ⁹The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. ¹⁰All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee. ¹¹They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; ¹²To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. ¹³Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. ¹⁴The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. ¹⁵The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. ¹⁶Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. ¹⁷The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. ¹⁸The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. ¹⁹He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. ²⁰The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. ²¹My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

MOVIES (a few):

Les Miserables (90s film), Glory, Amadeus, Into the Wild, Into Thin Air, Touching the Void, The Education of Little Tree, Dances With Wolves, Slumdog Millionaire, The Importance of Being Ernest ('90s?), Much Ado About Nothing ('90s), Aviator, A Beautiful Mind, Shawshank Redemption, Titanic (90s film and documentaries), The Royal Tenembaums... silly, silly > > > Scoop, Bottle Rocket, Lost in Translation, Zoolander.....

BOOKS:

PEOPLE:

Very diverse work history - the more significant / longer-term were:

Imaging for Prepress/Printers for about 13 years. I love photography and photoshop, so this job was truly enjoyable. The industry went through many changes though, and I always knew it would not be a life long career.

Started a career change back in 2003. I educated myself and worked within the field for about 4 years. It was not a huge success for me and not a professional fit after all. I learned a lot, have a state licence, and just chalk it up as a good experience.

I now work as a Lab Assistant in health care. I am finishing an externship in Phlebotomy and plan to do this also. My education continues, so I will work my way up in the Lab environment. I am very excited and passionate about this industry. I found a career again, that I truly enjoy.

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