The Rock:

(Side note: I know that it has been a while since I last blogged, but like most breaks, this is a serious moment in the chronicles of my story.)

How many of you have seen the movie with this title? Good movie, but that is not what this blog is about. However, in the movie, Alchatraz was named "The Rock" because no one gets in and no one gets out. What is interesting is that as a Christian, God is my "Rock". He isn't a tough prison, but he is my castle in which I can hide away without worry of invasion. But like The Rock, I cannot escape His love for me. I can step outside of His protection, but whatever I do, no matter how it breaks His heart, He still loves me and has concern for me. How truly awe-striking this thought is.

This thought has been sturred not only by my own personal journey, but also the journey of a close friend. Being home, I get to catch up with my best friends from home and mainly Ryan Brosious. Ry is an amazing guy (I wish you all could know him) that has been my brother for the past couple of years. Right now he is going through a huge test of faith and has taken refuge in The Rock. Ry has been in what I believe to be a God-given relationship for a while with a sweet and cool girl named Ang. The two are not only a perfect match, but she cherishes him. there was one time over the summer that he was not doing too well in the stress department (he has a job that we were worried would kill him) and she called me, being his best friend, to stop in and make sure that he was alright. That meant mounds to him and improved my impression of her (not that she was a bad girl or anything, just added appreciation... btw - this short rabbit trail is the help emphasize a detail). Unfortunately, she has a very bad family background and is going through a hard time. Basicly, her 'rents are not letting her have ANY contact (phone, visits, ANYTHING) with anyone that shows her any form of love outside their immediate family. To me and the rest of the world, this is utterly retarded. It has been a month since Ry has seen her and has help so fast to God. She calls him from school because that is all she's got. Even in the midst of her storm, she gives encouragement to Ryan and urges him to continue relying on God because right now He's all they've got to hold on to in the relationship.

So if you're reading this blog and have an extra minute... send one up to God for Ryan and Ang (also for finances formy India trip and that the US doesn't take Iraq to war before then)... but if you're reading this blog and not in a relationship with God....get that one worked out and THEN pray for them.

Jack of All Trades:

Today was a mix arsenal of the good, the awesome, and the kitchen... I have been busy today... very busy. The morning started out with the thoughts of doing the long awaited Acts questions I got as far as transfering them from the laptop to my parent's phat G4 Badboy...until Brad mentioned that he needed to get to a book store. I totally forgot about that. He had to pick up a book for Wes. Lit. and it just so happens that the author of the book is a Canadian author... so tough luck finding it in the states. However, I have a secret weapon in the war of perservance: Mom. God bless Mom for her unwillingness to give up. She found a place that did not have the book, but promised it's arrival tomorrow by 2:30. At this moment I decided that it would be semi-rude of me to leave Brad hanging with nothing to do. So I said to myself, "Self, we're gunna try something somewhere between the lines of crazy and near impossible. But my friends. I succeeded! I managed to make a backup of Warcraft 3, mainly in case anything happens to the original and also so that Brad and I could play a little over the slip-shod network that I managed to arrange.

Oh, but that is not all my day held.

You see my friends, there we were, all kicking back, havin our faces rocked off by the computer when it hits us... it's lunch time. But fear not, Damien whips out another wonder! From the battle-axe and chainmail of the Warchief to the apron and spatula of the Commander of Cutlery, I changed hats and tackles a new field of war....the kitchen. Armed with the previously state weapons, I whipped together 4 fried ham and cheese, 1 fried ham, and 2 grilled cheese sandwiches and chicken and stars soup for 5 hungry troops in record time. But this was only once battle, the war was far from over! Hours later, I traded the spatula for a large knife and cutting board.... "GET OVER HERE!" I screamed, reaching for the frozen slab of meat. It's cool and cunning layer tried evade my every attack, but to no avail. Clang! Hack! Slack! The damage was done, the steak was slain, leaving me the victor. However, it too, did its damage. The pricking chilled layer numbed my hands.... a temporary disadvantage. But, oh sweet victory, the steak was sliced and the strips simmered in a glorious combination of soy, worchestershire, garlic, carrots, and onions and served of egg noodles. The grand finale in the war was not supper, nor lunch, but cookies. I whipped together a mean batch of chocolate cookies with mint m&m's as a replacement for the chips. Those the kitchen tries with all it's might, the seemingly untamable beast was brought to it's knees.

"Kitchen Devil, today I own you. The day is mine!"

The "Secret Poo":

Ok, so here I am at home.... yes I made it safely with no trouble, except for the traffic snafoo in Portland, but that's of no concern. Anyways, tonight's blog is atributed to the one and only "secret poo", a very juvinal prank indeed.

My first encounter with this mystery substance was last semester. In the process of braving the 2nd floor bathroom, I reach around the door, not thinking twice, and latch it. To my utter shock and horror, I did not feel the cold metal of the stall's latch, but something soft...and brown. I freaked! Never in my life could I imagine a human being that who put their excriment on the door of a stall. Shocked and slightly tramatized, I wash my hands repeatedly! Suddenly my urge to ignore Nature's call for a little. It was then I was informed that the "secret poo" was not poo at all, but the product of a mashed up chocolate chip cookie. Many laughs were had... and my twisted mind brings the joke state-side.

You see, I just happened to have a set of cookies baked in the ovens of BBC.... time for some fun. I know that you all are probably questioning my maturity on this one, but hear me out. This prank is specifically for my OCD sister, who will probably end up washing the seat 7 times, and my hyper-active.... poo-attitude little brother ( I do love them both dearly, but it's pay back time!)

So here is the plan: everyone normally leaves the house for church in the morning before I do. It is normally my task to usher them out the door and do the same for myself. On any given Sunday at home, I would be the last one to arrive for lunch. Tomorrow...I'm not coming home...right away that is. Dad knows about it... from one good joker to another, I had to let him in one it. What can I saw, he brought me up well! So after they all leave, I am going to place the "secret poo" on the seat of the toilet... Also, I'm gunna trick out the desktop of the computer with a picture of the object of abomination and make very clear to video that is on the desktop...explaining the prank....

I think that this thing is actually one of the nastiest things that I've created/seen. I mean, it looks real! All I had to do was add a tiny bit of water and it gives a natural look to it! I am debating whether of not to add a few kernals of tonight's left over corn...for effect... I guess we'll see what happens. But as for now, I feel like a troubled 6th grader! I need sleep! good night all and may I see you on the other side of my coma!