Go Beach! (and some fish)....

....nope, I couldn't come up with a better title. I tried (not too hard).

Annnnyway, last week I had the opportunity to go with the AVID kiddos to CSULB and the Aquarium of the Pacific. I absolutely LOVED taking these kids on a tour of my college. Playing tour guide was actually more fun that I could have imagined (perhaps I should have done that in college). I did run into many of my old coworkers--so good to see them!

The kiddos seemed to love the college--warmed my heart! They also quite enjoyed the aquarium.

Matthew, my dear cousin, LOVES seahorses. :)

We got to touch the jellies--I was a bit nervous!

 I LOVE otters--they are like the puppies of the sea!

There you have it! If you're amazed at my mad picture taking skills, don't be. It's not me that's awesome, it's an app called Camera+. It's free. You should get it. You too can be an "amazing" photog. Enjoy!

100 Posts = 100 Things for Which to be Grateful!

This is my....drum roll please...(ok, that was pretty lame considering I already gave it away in my title) 100th post!!!!

Can you believe it? You probably can...I'll stop babbling now.

Anyway, in honor of my 100th post, I decided to create a list of 100 things for which I am grateful. Here they are in no particular order (except the first three of course...):

1.     God

2.     Jesus

3.     Holy Spirit

4.     Family

5.     Friends

6.     The Bible

7.     Living Grace Community Church

8.     Crying until I laugh

9.     Forgiveness

10. Eternal life

11. Music

12. Hope

13. Good long conversations

14. Long walks at night

15. Bakersfield nights

16. Dewar’s cookies and cream ice cream

17. Dodgers baseball

18. 3^rd period prep

19. Sushi

20. Orange chicken

21. Big smiles

22. Not setting my alarm clock

23. Guidance

24. Healing

25. The Olympics

26. Gymnastics

27. Random text messages from friends

28. Writing

29. Little gifts/notes

30. Breakfast

31. Traveling

32. Easter

33. Being high up in the air

34. Poetry

35. Reading

36. Old books

37. Tears

38. Taking pictures

39. Roller coasters

40. Target

41. Being with friends

42. Pedicures

43. Hugs

44. Christmas

45. My FC

46. Love

47. Forehead kisses

48. Nicknames

49. Journals

50. Traditions

51. My pillow

52. Stars

53. The moon

54. Children’s books

55. Babies

56. Finding things I’ve been missing

57. Babies’ laughter

58. Good movies

59. Learning new things

60. Prayer

61. Clean sheets

62. My home group

63. Wisdom

64. Laughing until I cry

65. Sunsets

66. Disneyland

67. Romania

68. Cross-body purses

69. Smith’s cookies

70. Doodling

71. Coloring books

72. Theater

73. Jesus Calling devotional

74. Sharpie Pens

75. Running into people in random places

76. Singing as loud as I can in the car

77. Swings

78. Painting

79. Baking

80. 4^th of July with my family

81. Puppies

82. Blankets

83. Ice water

84. Writing and receiving notes

85. Trying new things

86. Elephants

87. Helicopters

88. Good grammar

89. Diet soda

90. Sweatshirts

91. Listening to people’s stories

92. Growing

93. Rainbow sandals

94. Water sports

95. Dancing when no one is watching

96. Road trips

97. Old photographs

98. Teaching

99. Watching a kid “get something” for the first time

100.                Memories

Did you actually read that entire list? Thanks! I'm impressed.

Now, for what are YOU grateful? 

One More Month!!!!

In one month from today, I'll be checking out of Warren Jr. High and boarding a plane to fly to ROMANIA!

Have I told you lately how excited I am?

I am excited to see old friends...

...make new friends...

...hold some dear children...

...share God's love...

...laugh until I cry

...cry until I laugh...

...grow...

...be challenged...

...be changed.

I am excited to work side by side with the incredible servants of God who are in these orphanages day in a day out--like these guys:

I am excited to be a part of this culture, rich with tradition--like this civil wedding:

Can you tell by now how excited I am? :)

I have raised about $1,100 so far, and I still have about $1,500 to go. Would you prayerfully consider being a part of my team (whether through prayer or financially) so that God may touch and change more lives?

If you are at all interested, please read on:

Dear Family and Friends,

            As we all know, time sure does fly! I can hardly believe it, but it has been six years since I last served in Romania—a country that is, and forever will be, dear to my heart. My heart leaps with excitement to inform you that I again have the opportunity to travel to Romania with Children to Love International (CTL). I will serve and help meet the physical, mental, social, and spiritual needs of orphaned and abandoned children living in Romanian government orphanages and those at risk of entering them.

            Our trip is scheduled for June 1-12, 2012. During this time we will travel to Bucharest, Romania to help CTL share the gospel with 600 orphans and support and encourage the CTL national staff. Amazingly, the team will be led by Victor Popa, who grew up in an orphanage in Romania and was raised through CTL’s ministry. Today Victor serves on the Board of Directors for CTL in CA.  He is also pursuing his Masters of Business at Cal Baptist University in CA. God certainly works in incredible ways!

            As thrilled as I am to be able to serve God and the people of Romania this summer, I definitely cannot do it alone. I am asking you to prayerfully consider being a part of my support team. I will need you behind me in prayer and financial support to make this trip possible. I need to raise $2,800 to cover the costs of travel, lodging, food, housing, and health insurance. My deadline for raising this support is May 20^th—just around the corner. I am asking you for a gift of your prayers and whatever amount of money you are able to share. I greatly appreciate your support in both areas (and of course, all of your financial gifts are tax deductible!).

            Please partner with me as I serve this country that is so near and dear to my heart. My prayer is that we can bring the gospel to more children like Victor—in hopes that hundreds and thousands of lives, in turn, will be touched and changed now and in the future. If you choose to be a part of my support team, please send a check to Children to Love or visit http://www.childrentolove.org to make a donation online (please designate “Amy Erickson’s trip to Romania” on your check or online). If you are unable to send financial support, but can partner with me in prayer, please email me and let me know.

Thank you for your consideration in joining my team and touching the lives of children and staff in Romania.

Amy Erickson

erickson.amy.e@gmail.com

Children to Love

P.O. Box 9575

Bakersfield, CA 93389

Let the Countdowns Begin!

What am I looking forward to in the upcoming days, months, years? Read on!

How many days until:

3--Long Beach. I get to go with our AVID classes to CSULB. I'm excited to show these kiddos my college and share some of my memories with them. Not to mention, we get to go to the aquarium afterward!

32--Kiddos' last day of school. I can't believe it--it feels like the year just started.

33--I leave for Romania! Read more about my trip here!

68--Mama and I head out to Washington D.C. and New York. I am so so so so excited. What MUST we do while we're there?? Comment and let me know!

86--American Idol tour. Well, we haven't purchased tickets yet, but it seems like a good idea. Right? Anyone want to go? :)

88--THE OLYMPICS!!!!!!! This is the part where I will not leave the house, not answer my phone, and not turn on the computer. :::obsessed::: Read more about my obsession here!

313--Brother's wedding! I CANNOT wait for this day!!! Read more about him and his awesome fiance here!

What are YOU looking forward to in the upcoming days, months, years?

Why I’m NOT on E-Harmony (or any other dating site)

I get asked this question a lot: why don’t you join (insert dating site here)?

The simple answer—I don’t want to.

So, of course, that answer is always followed up with more questions…

Do I think there’s something wrong with online dating? Not if you do it with wise discretion, no. I’ve known lots of people who have done it and are happily married or happily dating, and I’m seriously so happy for them.

Am I afraid of it? Nope, I wouldn’t say I’m afraid. I would say that it just doesn’t appeal to me.

Why doesn’t it appeal to you? I’m not a “dater.”

Why aren’t you a “dater?” Don’t know. I never really was. I’m not opposed to dating (I've even told a few people lately to feel free to set me up if they come across anyone that'd be a good match), I’ve just never made it a practice to get to know or go out with multiple or many (or any) guys.

Then how are you ever going to get married? Only God knows that one.

And then I get the typical response—don’t you think God could use something like online dating to introduce you to your future husband?

Of course I think he could! I know He could. 

However, I also don’t think that e-harmony is the end all.  God can use e-harmony. God can also use whatever method He wants. He is God…

Well, what if your future husband is on e-harmony and you miss out on him? Really? REALLY? You really think that because I don’t go on e-harmony, I’ll miss out on my husband. Please.

Don’t you think you have to put yourself out there? God’s not just going to drop the perfect man on your doorstep. You know what? He just may. I’ve seen it happen. (He basically dropped Nathan on Nicole's doorstep. You can read more about them here). 

So I go back to my “simple answer”—I just don’t want to.

This isn’t to say that I will always have that response. Maybe God will change my heart one day. Maybe God will use an online dating site to introduce me to my future husband (in the future). But, until I “want to,” until God prompts me to do that, I’m perfectly content to wait and trust in his perfect timing.

Only God knows what the future holds...

....e-harmony

....being set up by a friend or family member

...meeting someone at church

...my doorstep

Two things are for certain, God is sovereign, and I'll keep you posted. :) 

Quite Like, Rather Dislike, Round 1

Yes, Nicole, I stole your title--isn't copying one of the highest forms of flattery? (Read the post that inspired mine here!) Because Nicole is just so cool and her posts are so entertaining to read, I decided to try one of my own.


Quite Like:


Panda Express--it has become my tradition to get a Panda bowl for lunch every Friday, but let's be honest, I could eat it far more often... (aaaand I'm pretty sure they all know me now). :)

My Bleach Pen Tee--how can you not love a super soft, super comfy tee with your own design? Seriously, I'm pretty sure I wear it at least once a week. And, I'll admit, I purchased a few more V-neck men's undershirts today to bleach. They'll be great for Romania (andeveryotherdayoftheyear), right? (Read about my first bleach pen tee here!).

My bed--'nough said.


Rather Dislike:


My Black Steering Wheel--I discovered it just today! Ok, I'm sure I knew that it was black before today, but I FELT it for the first time today. Welcome to summer, Bakersfield! You Bakersfieldians know how it is--take my breath away and drive with the tips of two fingers until the air kicks on hot! Must--get--windshield--screen-NOW! Ouch...

Yes, that does say 98 degrees. :/

Shorts Season--sooo not ready for it. It's not just that I dislike wearing shorts or shopping for them, but I really don't like seeing OTHERS wear them! I can seriously do without your butt cheeks peeking out with every step, your larger than usual thighs making your shorts creep up into the unknown, and your muffin top spilling over the stretched out fabric. Gross. And those who are thin enough to wear short shorts? You still aren't leaving enough up to the imagination, (so to speak) and it ain't pretty! 

Inconsiderate People--welcome to Earth. The world does not revolve around you. 'Nough said. 

Hope you enjoyed my stolen-title-post. Shall I write more in the future?

100 More Days...

...until the 2012 Olympics in London. Eeeeeeeeek! I can hardly contain my excitement...

Photo Credit

Let me tell you what....I've got the Olympics in me. 

I caught Olympic fever as a child and it. is. raging. 

I'm hard pressed to find anyone as Olympic obsessed as I am. I'm quite pleased that my friend Ashley feels the same way. We may or may not have already started planning viewing parties, medal tally charts, Olympic cakes, clothing, and the like. 

I'm not sure how I caught this fever, but I don't ever want it to go away! Of course gymnastics is my favorite sport (and my mind is reeling with which five girls will be chosen for the team--did you read that? FIVE...only five!...I'll be on edge until the team is announced), but I'll watch it all. I'll love it all. 

I'll laugh.

I'll cry.

I'll scream. 

I'll cheer. 

I may even throw things...

...if it comes down to that. 

I love the emotion, the determination, the drive, the hope, the success, the stories, the dreams. I love it all (have I made myself clear yet?). :) 

For your viewing pleasure (and to perhaps pass on a bit of the fever), here is a montage of the gymnasts from the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Enjoy!

How excited am I, you ask?

Photo Credit