Making Goodness Fashionable...

New Years Resolutions

2007-01-01T06:16:00.000-08:00

I;ve never officially made a new years Resolution before but this year i just seemed to have so many goals popping in my head that i decided to make a list:

Get back into prayer
Read my bible more often
Tithe
Invite some new people to church and youth
Get fit
Stay healthy
Stop eating mcdonalds (or any fast food for that matter)
Find a new Job
Work hard at school for the last semester
Save money
Really work hard at football and post secondary schooling
Keep teeth healthy for early removal of braces
Write more

seems like a lot but im up for the challenge. These are all just off the top of my head so if i think of anymore i'll let y'all know. Anyone else have any Resolutions?

Whats Your Favourite Book?

2006-12-04T20:46:00.000-08:00

tell me. I'm trying to find a good book to read but im not looking for another religious book like The Purpose Driven Life or something (although i did enjoy it) I'm just looking for an awesome novel. so tell me. and tell me why its your favourite.

No I'm not dead...

2006-09-03T00:50:00.000-07:00

I am much alive. Just a little lazy that's all. I know its been since April that I have actually updated this thing but better late then never? Well a lot has happened you could say since April until now, September. I turned sweet sixteen, finished grade 10, got in a car accident ( I was driving too) went to creationfest, attended the most beautiful wedding, went to suicide creek for the first time, and quit football and joined back up again.

Sixteen isn't that great. A lot of kids think that its a big deal until the date gets closer and closer. Yeah you can get you license but I don't even think driving is that great. I've found that since I've turned sixteen nothing has changed at all except maybe my acne and hair length. Most everyone who reads this thing (which I expect is no one at the moment since I haven't updated in forever) knows that I struggle with depression. I have had the choice of counseling brought up to me lately and also medication. Now I didn't want to do either but I guess if I had to choose one it would be counseling. I don't like the whole aspect of feeling different because of a substance I had consumed, and besides, I'm only sixteen! So I have mildly considered the counseling part but still have doubts and aren't too sure about it yet. School starts in a week and as all of my friends don't have to go back to school, I'm going to be a loner again this year in the school scene. Did I mention I hate being sixteen?

This summer I spent a lot of time with people older then me. I have this problem with kids my own age. I usually think that they are immature, have nothing better to do then drink, or just don't understand where I'm coming from. I like being the youngest in groups. It happens so often that people forget my age and treat me like an adult. Every once in a while I snap back into reality (like having to start school on Tuesday) but I try and keep myself in mature crowds. I prefer having biblical discussions with people older then me as well. Even though I'm younger I feel like I can connect better on a spiritual level. Of course I love answering 'God' questions with kids from my class too don't get me wrong, but like I said, I simply just enjoy being treated like an adult.

I got to know Russ Klassen really well this summer which has pretty much been my highlight. I found a person who shares a lot of interests as me and even though we have an 8 year age gap, he treats me like a friend. I don't have many people I can call my friends... But that can be for another blog. I was privileged enough to be apart of the invites to his wedding and I must say that it was the most gorgeous wedding I had ever been to in my life. Joy and Russ are a perfect match for each other and I couldn't be more happy for them. I've witnessed how stressful planning a wedding can be. There is so much to do from the guests, invitations, location, catorers, food, decorations,the photographer, the wedding dress, enough seating, who will be witting with who, the punch, the favors, flowers, and the list goes on and on and on...
in the end two people are wed in holy matrimony...But as you can see there is a price with there 'big day.' oh well.

I know that from the moment you guys read the first paragraph you have all been dying to hear about my car accident! It was actually pretty scary. Really scary. Long story short this girl wasn't paying attention and turned in front of me. Both cars got totaled, my mom hit the dashboard, it was the others girls fault, and I was completely fine and went to creationfest the next day.

creationfest was pretty awesome. Hot, but awesome. I had a real struggle with worship though. I was struggling with my depression and went into the whole thing with a heavy heart, and also came back with one. I know that kind of defeated the purpose of the whole event but I could see that coming from a mile away. I still kick myself for it but tried my best not to ruin everyone else's trip with my crap. There was some pluses to the trip though. Every night sleeping under the stars was phenomenal. That is the one place where I can always see God's beauty and how great and powerful He really is. On the last couple nights we froze to death though which wasn't cool. Apparently it had never been that cold at night. Lucky us.

I just got home from a Starfield concert which was amazing as always. It was in Chilliwack and I had no clue how I was getting there until an hour before the show. I suggest that you all go and pick up they're new CD 'beauty in the broken' amazing lyrics and good sound too. I sound like I work for them or something. So there's my update. I know its quick and I know its not very grammatically correct but it was just a rant, make of it what you want. Leave a comment if you feel, or not. I can promise you I will be posting more regularly now but for tonight that is all.

I go in peace and pray that everyone reading this is blessed.
G'nite.

To Whom it concerns. (or not)

2006-04-08T22:06:00.000-07:00

Its me, Mitch. We haven't talked for some time now and I apologize for the distance. A lot has happened since we last updated with each other. The Walk hasn't been to great. Its almost as if I need to be bashed with a sledge hammer in the back of the knees just to kneel for my savior. I have lately been just watching my life go by slowly every day with an apathetic eye.. Not having a care in the world to help or except help from anyone.

I received braces a few weeks ago and have been hating every second of them. I can hardly open my mouth because of the slicing pain they leave on the inside of my cheeks. I previously talked about me getting braces and honestly thought that the decision was to not get them but to my surprise the orthodontist convinced the mother. Its ok I just wont smile. Yesterday I got two of my teeth pulled to make room for my eye teeth and my head is booming. I have been terribly ill the past couple days and I'm only getting worse. I feel like my lungs are going to fly out of my mouth everything I cough.

I have been working tons the past couple of weeks and I actually got promoted. I have only been working at McDonald's for four months and received employee of the month in March, and on Monday they promoted me. You could call it an accomplishment I guess. I'm just happy that I'm making a descent wage now.

The Thailand team has decided not to go this year. We figured if it takes 30 grand to get there then it would make more sense to not go and give them all that money. We had recently received an email from one of our contacts over there saying that their "homes" (more like shacks) are being broken into. Kids form the neighborhood are throwing rocks at them and shooting firecrackers at their property. I didn't know that you can actually steal from kids who have literally nothing. I miss them dearly and it has been extremely hard to not see them this year. But the way that I have looked on the situation spiritually is that God took something that so many of us on the team loved and asked us, "are you willing to give it up for a while and trust me ?" none of us could understand why but he asked us to give it up, which we have, and already we are seeing some amazing results over there. Their car broke down so they are looking for a new vehicle. Unlike shirts and dental, cars in Thailand are the same price as here. This will be a bit of a challenge but God will provide and already has started to. The team has decided to go for a month next year and make a crazy big project of it. I'm stoked for that and now have creation fest to look forward to this summer.

And finally it is my birthday in two weeks. I will be sixteen. I don't know if I'm excited yet. Kind of dreading the fact of getting older. All of my friends are getting jobs now and some are even moving out to their own houses. Scary thought of growing up. As I child I idolized peter pan because I never wanted to grow up. I still do wish I was peter pan some days. The days where I am overwhelmed with stress and "personal" battles. But for now I will leave my update at that. Take of it what you can, and hopefully I will post again soon.

2006-03-06T23:20:00.000-08:00

Self-confidence? Try self-loathing

2006-03-01T22:17:00.000-08:00

In my planning class we had to an evaluation on ourselves and our traits. First we had to do a personal evaluation and then get a friend to do one on us and finally an adult. There was the usual types of traits such as energetic, hard-working, kind, humble, modest, perfectionist, precise, etc. It was all easy until I came to the dreaded, "self-confident." Now if you are one to know me, you may find I am not the easiest critic when it comes to judging myself. I don't have very much self esteem or self confidence and it highly effects my relationship with Christ. I do wish I was able to love myself, and that I was able to take a compliment without feeling unworthy. People at school see me as the cheerful one. The one making sure everyone is happy and trying to at least act like everything is "Okay." Even when I have the scum of all days I find that it has become a natural reflex for me to respond to the question "How are you?" with the lying remark of "oh I'm good." Very few understand why I have the problem of self-loathing. I could probably say that there is only man who knows some of the main reasons why I cant stand myself. With this being a part of my daily routine, it has become an addicting lifestyle I cannot let go of. I know my relationship with our savior is jeopardized but it seems to be something I just cant let go of.

I noticed that on the sheets I received from my friend and the adult that had to check what my traits are, they both left the box "cheerful" unchecked. Seeing the way others saw me kind made me look at myself differently. Somewhat of a judgmental sight but not the same kind of judging I give myself before muttering the words "I hate you." I understand that I cant keep living like the way I have because eventually I will not only start repelling myself but I would start to repel the ones I love and turn into a very too-himself-kind-of-person. I don't want to see it come to that but know that the journey up ahead will be extremely hard and I will probably fail a few times, but I'm going to try and stay strong.

Who is The man we can Jesus?

2006-02-25T19:17:00.000-08:00

Advocate (1 John 2:1)
Almighty (Rev. 1:8; Mt. 28:18)
Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; 22:13)
Amen (Rev. 3:14)
Apostle of our Profession (Heb. 3:1)
Atoning Sacrifice for our Sins (1 John 2:2)
Author of Life (Acts 3:15)
Author and Perfecter of our Faith (Heb. 12:2)
Author of Salvation (Heb. 2:10)
Beginning and End (Rev. 22:13)
Blessed and only Ruler (1 Tim. 6:15)
Bread of God (John 6:33)
Bread of Life (John 6:35; 6:48)
Bridegroom (Mt. 9:15)
Capstone (Acts 4:11; 1 Pet. 2:7)
Chief Cornerstone (Eph. 2:20)
Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4)
Christ (1 John 2:22)
Creator (John 1:3)
Deliverer (Rom. 11:26)
Eternal Life (1 John 1:2; 5:20)
Gate (John 10:9)
Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11)
Faithful Witness (Rev. 1:5)
Faith and True Witness (Rev. 3:14)
First and Last (Rev. 1:17; 2:8; 22:13)
Firstborn From the Dead (Rev. 1:5)
Firstborn over all creation (Col. 1:15)
Gate (John 10:9)
God (John 1:1; 20:28; Heb. 1:8; Rom. 9:5; 2 Pet. 1:1;1 John 5:20; etc.)
Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14)
Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20)
Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14)
Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; 5:23)
Heir of all things (Heb. 1:2)
High Priest (Heb. 2:17)
Holy and True (Rev. 3:7)
Holy One (Acts 3:14)
Hope (1 Tim. 1:1)
Hope of Glory (Col. 1:27)
Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69)
I Am (John 8:58)
Image of God (2 Cor. 4:4)
Immanuel (Mt. 1:23)
Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42)
King Eternal (1 Tim. 1:17)
King of Israel (John 1:49)
King of the Jews (Mt. 27:11)
King of kings (1 Tim 6:15; Rev. 19:16)
King of the Ages (Rev. 15:3)
Lamb (Rev. 13:8)
Lamb of God (John 1:29)
Lamb Without Blemish (1 Pet. 1:19)
Last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45)
Life (John 14:6; Col. 3:4)
Light of the World (John 8:12)
Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5)
Living One (Rev. 1:18)
Living Stone (1 Pet. 2:4)
Lord (2 Pet. 2:20)
Lord of All (Acts 10:36)
Lord of Glory (1 Cor. 2:8)
Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16)
Man from Heaven (1 Cor. 15:48)
Mediator of the New Covenant (Heb. 9:15)
Mighty God (Isa. 9:6)
Morning Star (Rev. 22:16)
Offspring of David (Rev. 22:16)
Only Begotten Son of God (John 1:18; 1 John 4:9)
Our Great God and Savior (Titus 2:13)
Our Holiness (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Husband (2 Cor. 11:2)
Our Protection (2 Thess. 3:3)
Our Redemption (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Sacrificed Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7)
Power of God (1 Cor. 1:24)
Precious Cornerstone (1 Pet. 2:6)
Prophet (Acts 3:22)
Rabbi (Mt. 26:25)
Resurrection and Life (John 11:25)
Righteous Branch (Jer. 23:5)
Righteous One (Acts 7:52; 1 John 2:1)
Rock (1 Cor. 10:4)
Root of David (Rev. 5:5; 22:16)
Ruler of God’s Creation (Rev. 3:14)
Ruler of the Kings of the Earth (Rev. 1:5)
Savior (Eph. 5:23; Titus 1:4; 3:6; 2 Pet. 2:20)
Son of David (Lk. 18:39)
Son of God (John 1:49; Heb. 4:14)
Son of Man (Mt. 8:20)
Son of the Most High God (Lk. 1:32)
Source of Eternal Salvation for all who obey him (Heb. 5:9)
The One Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5)
The Stone the builders rejected (Acts 4:11)
True Bread (John 6:32)
True Light (John 1:9)
True Vine (John 15:1)
Truth (John 1:14; 14:6)
Way (John 14:6)
Wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24)
Word (John 1:1)
Word of God (Rev. 19:13)

its been a while

2006-02-17T15:59:00.000-08:00

I know that it has been a while since I had last visited my blog but I have an excuse! My computer hasn't had internet for almost a month now so I have never had the opportunity to talk. I see a little update is appropriate for now. I just finished y first semester and practically failed every class. Not to be big headed about this but I actually am a bright person. Even when it comes to school. I just have a problem of motivation. If I am not doing well with myself or God I get sloppy and lazy and don't even bother to do my homework. But I have been sick of being given the lectures of grounding and discipline , sop I'm planning on doing better this semester. You could even call it turning over a new leaf. But my relationship with Jesus right now isn't as great. At the moment I am comfortable. Now comfort isn't a good thing. As a supposable "disciple" for Jesus and his word I should be striving for more, never being satisfied, and pleading at the word of God. But lately it hasn't been that way. I know it should be but its not. I have been coming to some harsh realities from my past that have caught up with me and its not a pretty picture. But then there's my nephew Tyson. A reminder of God's miraculous power. God's signature of amazement. He's getting dedicated on Sunday, and I pray that He will be given amazing gifts and be a strong man of God when he is older. This post is pretty much just a ramble. Its been hard for me to stick to one subject but for now ill just leave it at that.

Tell me if it fits

2006-01-21T00:13:00.000-08:00

Your Birthdate: April 28

You have a Type A personality so big it makes other Type A's shrink away in shame.
You never shy away from adversity - and you love to tackle impossible problems.
Failure is not an option for you, and more than a few people are put off by your ego.
You tend to be controlling, and you hate leaving anything up to chance.

Your strength: Your bold approach to life

Your weakness: You don't accept help

Your power color: Bronze

Your power symbol: Pyramid

Your power month: October

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

I Hate My Job

2006-01-15T01:18:00.000-08:00

I hate my job. The restaurant is like a miniature high-school. Everything I turn around there are people whispering and gossiping about other employees. There is about a bagillion separate cliques and people are so two-faced. The drama of some is enough to make me want to smack them on the back of the head. Because of it being the best fast food chain out there, we have to be very quick and efficient. The older people are the worst. If they end up sitting there for more then 3 minutes they just let loose. The customer can tear you apart. They can literally turn the best day you have ever had into a day of hell. So much stress comes with having to make the order fast and perfect without fault. Usually when I ask to go to the bathroom, I go to the small room, shut off the lights, and just sit behind the door in darkness. I feel like crying at times. I hate it when I let myself get to me (weird I know). Tomorrow after church I'm planning on applying at the springs. Better wages and I don't have to talk to customers. I hate my job.

I love our prayer meetings...

2006-01-11T14:40:00.000-08:00

An unusual rant

2006-01-08T13:50:00.000-08:00

I wish I had a magic paintbrush. A paint brush that didn't need only a canvas to create wonders on. But a brush that could flow its colors onto thin air. If the skies were grey, I would paint a deep blue sky with a sun shining bright, and when it comes for the day to end I would make sure a phenomenal sunset would show itself and remind people that its ok, God is listening and is hear to comfort. When I notice someone not feeling their best, I would paint them the loving truth of Jesus Christ and the promise we have been assured because he died for our sins. Food would be painted for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, and warmth for the underprivileged. With my magic paint brush I would create a cure for cancer, HIV, AIDS, so the people who don't deserve these things can regain their lives carefree. I would make new constellations in the middles of the night sky, use my imagination to create new stories for all the stars. I would make the blind see, the deaf hear, and the cripple dance for joy. The shame and insecurities of this temporary time on earth would be lifted and a bountiful amount of joy will be spread among all the people. We would never run out. My paintbrush would take away the embarrassing past. It will lead people to knowing we are forgiven and what matters is not what we have done or who we used to be,but our action of today that we do to make up for them by being a disciple of the Lord and spreading the word of Jesus Christ our savior. I would do wonders with my magic paintbrush, and believe that it is being used every day. Every second God creates miracles with his magic paintbrush he holds in his hand. Although right now I'm acting as a stainless canvas. God is putting all his love and healing on me but at the moment I'm just letting it rub off. His stains of holiness aren't sticking properly right now. Its nothing I cant fix but it will be a matter of time.

2006-01-02T15:45:00.000-08:00

AM: MITCH
I KNOW: not enough
I WANT: to be caught when i fall, to feel God, to scream at the top of my lungs, to be in thailand, to be able to please my parents.
I HAVE: secrets too embarrassing for me to tell my closest friends even though they have told me thiers.
I WISH: that we were back where we were and that instant of a second lasted forever.
I HATE: so much
I MISS: being able to think about myself and smile, youth, God, thailand, the way i used to be
I FEAR: God
I HEAR: angels urging me to take those few steps needed
I SEARCH: happiness
I WONDER: what heaven is like
I REGRET: not going and enjoying myself just because i'd rather dwell on myself
I LOVE: YOU! God, my mentor, and certain people who know who they are
I ACHE: in my heart
I CARE: for those that feel left out
I ALWAYS: try my hardest to help you through whatever it is your struggling with, even if it means hurting myself
I AM NOT: tall haha
I DANCE: everytime im by myself (and sometimes more)
I SING: all the time
I CRY: out of anger
I DO NOT ALWAYS: forgive
I FIGHT: the devil
I WRITE: thoughts or things i find to be witty and useful in the future
I WIN: when i give it my all
I LOSE: when i give up
I CONFUSE: people reading this
I LISTEN: to jesus when im willing to
I CAN USUALLY BE FOUND: by myself reading my bible
I NEED: affection
I AM HAPPY ABOUT: God putting up with my crap and still willing to take me back
I SHOULD: break free

something new for a change

2005-12-29T12:31:00.000-08:00

You Should Get a MFA (Masters of Fine Arts)

You're a blooming artistic talent, even if you aren't quite convinced.
You'd make an incredible artist, photographer, or film maker.

What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

Not worth a title.

2005-12-20T01:38:00.000-08:00

At church service on Sunday I stopped for a moment during the worship to look around. Everyone around me was pouring out to God all their sorrows and giving everything to him with their hands raised to heaven and their eyes closed tight towards the sky. Most said it was exactly what they needed and it couldn't have been any better. I wasn't satisfied. I didn't enjoy the service. Right now I have this issue that's tearing me up from the inside out. I have sorrow towards myself. I have this thing with compassion. I get an odd "high" out of being sad. I enjoy it when people feel sorry for me. I live off of people wanting to comfort me. Because I an issue with sorrow and self esteem (in other words, self-hate) I convince people that I need help, and open a door in their mind telling them that they are the ones to help me. I fall in love with these people because I crave the comfort and am convinced that I cant find it in the Lord. Real Godly eh? These people who open themselves up to me, who sacrifice some issues in their lives to try and help me solve problems, the kinds of people who give me the most perfect advice and are happy to help me soon leave. They realize my games. They understand that I'm too comfortable in the hell situation I have put my body and mind in and know that I'm to stubborn to budge and at least try and lean towards fixing my problems. I have brainwashed myself into thinking that if I get rid of the burdens life is isn't going to be as good and that I'm not going to keep having these people who care come across me. I know I have to confess. In that service I was given THREE opportunities to fess up to God, to ask for forgiveness, just to make things good. For only milliseconds at a time did I consider doing it, but Satan just whispered back "you need people to need you." These people that I fall in love with leave and I beg God for them back but do I deserve them? No. And as you might see I know exactly what is going on and know all the solutions to fix it, but its a matter of me being able to follow through and fix it. Its a matter of me getting that boost into the path of righteousness. Now I sit here and cry myself to sleep, waiting for the angel to come to me and force me to forget all my wants and focus on my needs. This is not worth a title.

Braces

2005-12-06T15:41:00.000-08:00

I have many insecurities. Some you would never know because I try my hardest to hide them, but others are too strong for me to cover. One that I'm quite fussy with is my teeth. My overgrown fangs that nearly lunge out when I look in the mirror. I hate to have my eye teeth removed when I was eight because my dentist told me it was blocking the teeth next to them from growing back in. I was fine with this but I didn't realize that at the age of 13 they would start to grow back and I would begin to look like "The Count" off of sesame street. Its kind of ironic how I got them removed so my inside teeth could have space because when my eye teeth started to come back the inside ones were now crowding them. Now I am told that I need braces but I am afraid that if I get my braces with they just create more insecurity? Yes I would have straight teeth for the rest of my life but I don't know if I would be happy leading up to that. Any comments or suggestions?

Mitchel killed down to Mitch...

2005-11-22T22:22:00.000-08:00

Life has been a little hazy lately. Confused with my adolescents and insecurities I find myself constantly just staring into the skies and asking the age old cliche question, "why?" Why have I been put on this earth? Why don't my teeth align straight? Why was I made the way I was made? Why aren't I ever satisfied? Why am I so selfish? Why can't I be happy? So much is tossing and turning in my mind that I cant even come to the senses to even write what I want to on here. I know I haven't been blogging lately and really regret it. I feel that when I posted regularly it was easier to keep a strong walk with God and that I was given accountability with whom ever my thoughts reach out to. Now its just blah. Stripped away to nothing more then a question. Why is it so hard to find your spiritual gifts? I know there's a billion of books out there that all "propose" that they can tell you your gifts but I just cant stay tracking with them. And I know what your all thinking. Your all saying "Mitch, your still young don't worry about these things. In time you will find out, maybe when your older." But why has God places a blazing fire into my heart at this day and age if he wants me to find out things later. ahh. I cant even type. You all probably cant even understand what I'm saying. That's ok. This is more for my sake anyway. What I'm trying to really say is that lately I just don't get it. I don't get God right now. You know me and the big guy usually connect but not right now. Its as if when he's talking to me it gets lost in translation, like IM either hearing it wrong or not at all. Life's gonna be slow for a while, real slow unless I smarten up. I need to be broken. stripped. Mitchel is killed down to Mitch.

Baby

2005-11-15T22:23:00.000-08:00

Ok so I haven't been blogging in a while and I do realize you guys have become bored with me but ever since I wiped out all of my post I haven't really been feeling anything lately. Really bland. But some exciting news is happening. My dear sister Rea had her child on November 14, 2005 at 4:58 am at my place. The baby arrived as a boy (which I called from day 1!) and he weighed 6 lbs 6.5 oz. It was a quick labor with no complications which is always a blessing. I know for a fact that this child will be a child of God and even through the trials leading up to this pregnancy and during it, every child is a Gift from God. He has been blessed with a loving family and abundant love. I never had a little brother and always wished I had so I'm seeing this as "my chance". My chance to lead him and be an example, my chance to help him and take care of him. His name is Tyson. Tyson Alexander Allen. Thank you for all of the prayers throughout my sisters pregnancy and all the love and acceptance you have shown her. The Allen name lives on...

photo time

2005-10-30T21:48:00.000-08:00

I have finally figured out that the simple image button on blogger made you capible of posting pictures. so i am going to be posting a series of photos from thailand. this one is not really of me doing anything. a few of the guys and myslef had to build a sump fltration to get rid of all the flooding which resulted in me getting extremely muddy. this is the front view.

2005-10-30T21:40:00.000-08:00

squeeky clean jill. well as clean as we could get her

2005-10-30T21:38:00.000-08:00

worship

2005-10-30T21:37:00.000-08:00

agape kids scratching at avis for some birthday cake.

2005-10-30T21:36:00.000-08:00

rodger jordanna and I with the two most beautiful girls i have ever met

2005-10-30T21:34:00.000-08:00

mud madness. this was actually when we just got cleaned off

2005-10-30T21:33:00.000-08:00

jill and jordanna baking in bangkok

2005-10-30T21:28:00.000-08:00

jordanna and I cooling down with a swim from the heat.

2005-10-30T21:27:00.000-08:00

more muddy mitch. or "Mitss" as the thai's would say it.

2005-10-30T21:24:00.000-08:00

tannat.
this boy would sprint to me everytime we saw each other and holding him just made nothing in the world matter. he made me happy. and gives me the strength to stay happy some days. i have this photo in my locker

2005-10-30T21:21:00.000-08:00

mutanoy.

this girl was 14.
she came up to my ribs,
and she was the one that jordanna was talking about at church saying "i'll see you in heaven"...need I say more?

2005-10-30T21:19:00.000-08:00

2005-10-30T21:15:00.000-08:00

a little innocent baby elephant...yeah right. the thing thought i had some bananas to feed it and when it found out i had none left, shot me a good one right in the marbles with its trunk.

2005-10-30T21:12:00.000-08:00

trampoline time. the label says we were only allowed 300 pounds at MAX...oops

2005-10-30T21:09:00.000-08:00

more sump

2005-10-30T21:07:00.000-08:00

some of "the guys"

2005-10-30T20:43:00.000-08:00

these guys are what keep me going. they are my day-to-day motivation. i miss them to death and cant wait to see them next year.

2005-10-30T20:41:00.000-08:00

more later

I am officially a McDonalds employee

2005-10-22T14:08:00.000-07:00

Cream of Wheat

2005-10-16T17:35:00.000-07:00

Cream of wheat. That is What my title was GOING to be before I WAS 10 FEET AWAY FROM A WILD BEAR!!!! I was planning on coming into my house and blogging about how boring life was going right now and that I wished I had something to jazz it up a bit but then I was approached with an unexpected and scary situation. I was at one of my school mates house with my neighbor and my neighbor was driving me home that night. Right as they dropped me off in front of the driveway I was walking to me door with my head looking at the ground, and when I rose my noggin there was a HUGE bear. It was right at my door-step too. I was about ten feet away from it before I realized that it was actually there. About a split second later I found myself sprinting down my road to my neighbors house praying to God that it was gone and not chasing me down to kill me! My neighbors weren't even in they're driveway yet when I arrived down at their house after my dash. I was running so frantically with my backpack and clothes in my hand (I didn't have time to put it on my back) that when I got to their car I slipped and rolled in front of it almost getting ran over, resulting in them slamming on there brakes. I immediately got started to smack on their windows for them to roll them down. I just screamed, "there's a Bear at my door!! Let me in let me in!!" We drove back up to my house and the bear was gone but we phoned animal control just to tell them about the sighting. Apparently there has been tons of sightings right in my neighborhood. My 10 year old sister Gianna was leaving for school the other day and there was one right in the driveway in broad daylight. I felt bad for her last night because I woke my whole family coming back into my house and this morning my mom told me that Gianna was up all night with night-terrors.

anyway besides all the bear talk life HAS been pretty bland. I've been getting more involved with the youth group. I'm get so excited for it nowadays. I think this is because I just blanked myself out last year a lot. But because me and myself are not at war I've been able to concentrate on others and not so much myself. I still am having difficulties figuring out my main gifts or even further put, my "purpose." But its been hard focusing on anything other then Jordanna Lately.

Right now she is in isolation. She cannot leave her room, if you want to visit her you have to wear a medical gown and I think mask, and she is not aloud more then 2 people visiting at a time. The doctors say that a certain percentage of people have this bug living inside their intestines. You could go a whole life not worrying about this, but from all the anesthetics she's been taking it woke up the bug and it has been attacking her body. This is apparently contagious and the doctors don't want us sick or getting her more sick. So a large dose of prayer should be prescribed so please keep continuing with it.

Mixed.

2005-10-02T14:45:00.000-07:00

Today was an off day. My head is just zooming a mile a minute. I've been worrying about jordanna so much lately and i dont know if you guys heard me pray at church but i was hardly able to talk or even think straight because of how much ive been pondering. I usually am very good in front of crowds but not today. I just want to think. Comunnion was good though. I have never taken it as seriously as i did today but im glad i was able to focus on some things in my life with all the fuss going on. Its funny right now how i am able to still find the joy in things. a year ago i would have probably not wanting to talk to anyone and complain but now im just trying to stay focused on God and keep up the prayer.

A little bit of a set back

2005-09-26T22:46:00.000-07:00

Jordanna wasn't as good today as she was yesterday. She's been getting a few more stomach cramps (the real painful ones) and actually threw up today. She's back on the IV and has been able to eat actual meals. Today she had meat balls, rice, and beans so its good that the solids are being served to her body now. She also even had a bit of a bowel movement, but the nurse said it wasn't enough to be considered one. Although this is good because it means that her digestive system is working again and it cant be too long before she's better and has a full movement. Continue to pray and have faith that God will take her through this. More tomorrow.

Doing better

2005-09-25T19:10:00.000-07:00

Jordanna is recovering quickly! Today she was telling us that she felt the best today. She had her IV removed and is now just taking either pills or maybe shots for medication but im not completely sure. She is hydrated but still hasn't had a bowel movement so pray for that. She has been enjoying clear liquids such as water, pudding, apple juice, broth, and lots of popsicles. The recovery is becoming fast but she can still not be released until there is a bowel movement. Not much today but more tomorrow.

Jordanna the sequel.

2005-09-24T22:30:00.000-07:00

Today was a good day. Jordanna looks light years ahead of even what she looked yesterday. So far what we have hoped and prayed for has happened. jordanna had the tube removed today and is now able to consume clear liquids. I actually got to see them remove the tube just like the staples and this was really something. Before she had it removed Kim, nicolle, and I were all just talking and Kim started going on and on about food. Now jordanna who has been laughing and making jokes and really enjoying herself today suddenly jus yelled out, "I cant take it anymore!" She beeped her little button for the nurse and asked the nurse if she could remove the thing. It had already been done sucking out bile and was just in her for no reason right now so the nurse asked around and came back with some good news of removal. She told jordanna to take a deep breath in and when she exhaled she has going to take out the tube in one big swipe. Jordanna was nervous and grabbed the nurses hand a few times but eventually the whole thing came out. Immediate relief was put on jordannas face. The nurse said she could have clear liquids and that included popsicles. I have never someone enjoy a popsicle so much I their lives. Lick by lick her smile just got bigger and the giggles louder. It was an extremely happy moment in the hospital and reminded all of us that its ok now and it can only get better. Melody bought jordanna some chicken broth also which jordanna also loved. Her pattern of eating is going to be off for a bit and some of her organs are still infected with also no bowel movement so much prayer is still needed. More tomorrow.

Another update on jordanna

2005-09-23T21:07:00.000-07:00

I visited jordanna for a quick period of time today but have a bit of news to share. Today jordanna is talking more then just one word sentences and is even singing a bit. The tube has become more comfortable and the bile coming out is almost clear. She has had over 2 liters of bile taken out and hopefully will have the tube removed tomorrow. We have found out that her pancreas, bladder and liver are all infected and the removal of bile has been relieving the pressure greatly on all of them. Hopefully she will be able tog eat the day after tomorrow. She had her staples removed from the appendix wound. Everyone left the room because they didn't want to see it but me being Mitch was very interested. The nurse let me watch and it was very interesting. The wound looks very good now and the doctors tried to make the incision as small and as low as they could so it isn't that bad. Altogether jordanna seems a bit happier today. Thanks for the prayers and please continue with them. It seems jordanna is looking forward to eating and having the tube removed so its awesome how she's keeping a positive attitude towards this. More tomorrow.

A quick update

2005-09-22T20:45:00.000-07:00

I just came back from the hospital again today. I left as soon as my football game finished today and wasn't able to spend much time at the hospital but I got a good hour and a half before they kicked me out. I'm surprised that me and Linda never see each other there. I guess we're always there at different times. Like Linda commented on my previous post was that jordanna is starting to fall into a bit of depression and it is getting extremely hard to see her like this. They figured out that the tube she had in her stomach getting rid of the bile was in WRONG. Jordanna even asked the night before if it was wrong because they told her it wasn't going to hurt but it still did. Today there is not as much pain on her throat and nose as there was yesterday but there is still some. She rates it on a scale of 1-10 a 5. Lost of Bile is coming out and its starting to clear and become more watery so that we can call that a blessing and an answered prayerI i feel that it can only get better from and still ask all of you to be constantly be praying for her. jordanna is a trooper and is going to come out of this in amazing health. Sorry I havent been blogging much about thailand but that will come after jrodanna gets better. More tomorrow.

A jumbled rant

2005-09-21T21:37:00.000-07:00

Sorry for not posting lately. Ever since I found out about jordanna last Saturday I've been spending every spar minute I can manage being by her side. Yesterday I missed school to be with her. Seeing her lying fatigued on the bedside is very much sad. She was on morphine all day yesterday (well she had been since she's been in the hospital) but with morphine you cannot take any within a four hour time period. But the morphine wears off after about 3 hours and 45 minutes so for fifteen minutes we watch her go through excrutiating pain. I can almost not stand being there at this point. Its her daily routine to have morphine and scream and cry like a helpless child for 15 minutes of hell...And there's nothing I can do.

one of the hardest situations that I cannot handle is one where I am not able to do anything to help. The absolute most I can do is squeeze her hand and pray like the dickens that God would remove the pain. At one point I even recall asking God to take all the pain Jordanna was having and transfer it through me. I cant handle seeing one of my best friends struggle. You might as well have been taking a sledge hammer to my gut and called it even. Throughout the whole time she cries I'm just sitting there balling my eyes out at the same time. I'm like a walking tear duct around there. And you know that you've been to the hospital when you have the hospital memorized. This post isn't getting to a huge point right now but I just ask that you guys could all take time to pray for her. I went in today and she had a tube going in from her nose all the way to her stomach to take away the bile. She is extremely uncomfortable and very sick of being in the hospital. I have had to see so many needles go into her arms that I want to stop the nurses before they do it now. Puke is also another factor. Today she vomited so much that I again cried in anguish wishing that it was me. Because of the tube she hasn't been able to sleep, but in one of the most innocent voices today she asked me to read to her. She had a woman's novel that she just started so I read out loud for her. Throughout the time she seemed more comfortable and relaxed. She actual fell asleep long before I stopped reading and I didn't notice. But thankfully she got a good half hours worth. I guess I was able to help out a bit, but still please pray for her. Pray for wisdom and speed on the doctors behalf that they would figure out what is truly wrong with her. Pray also for faith on her behalf and to know that she WILL pull through. And finally for her family in general. They are there non stop spending the nights and missing meals so pray for strength on their behalf. Be back with her updates.

Thailand: Thoughts from the mind of Mitch Allen

2005-09-05T14:16:00.000-07:00

I am back. I arrived Saturday afternoon after 36 growling hours of travel and overlay but it is all good because I am safe at home now. Thailand in my opinion had to have been the absolute best thing I have ever done in my life.

this post is hard to talk about because my mind goes about a mile a minute thinking about all that has happened and I cant quite explain it the best I'd like to but I'll give it a shot. My outlook on life has for sure changed. After staring death in the eyes and seeing the most dreaded worst case scenarios in every direction you cannot help but see things differently. I know for sure that I will never look at money the same. I wasn't even a big spender before I left but being there has shown me how much of a materialist I am. Its not understandable to me of how we can complain about something that might not be up to "our" standards when somewhere on another continent it could mean the world to somebody. Seeing kids who wont let the restrictions they have been given by AIDS or HIV keep them from happiness just blows me out of the water. Sometimes I'm left complaining about the most insignificant things and telling myself that I cannot be happy yet there are kids in Thailand who have done nothing wrong except have the bad luck of either being born into AIDS or being raped and been given AIDS.

Thailand has changed the way I look at the phrase "I'm hungry." We don't know what it feels like to be hungry. Kids who go for almost a day without eating their one meal of rice are hungry. The cripples on the side of the road who have been rejected by society and are given no chance know what it is like to be hungry. And even though there are starving people, they would give you their meal in a heartbeat to be polite. How can this be? Are we that greedy?

We brought some kids who had never been inside a mall or food court before and take them for some ice cream. They didn't understand what ice cream was. They thought that meat on a stick was anything better then what they had. They literally chose meat on a stick. After we finally explained what ice cream was it made me teary at the fact that we cannot even compare to these kids. I am so incredibly well off that it makes me sick to my stomach. When we went to get food before that happened I helped a young boy my age get some food. When he got his huge platter of food he was so excited to eat that he went to the closest, filthiest table to him and ate. Even though he was eating in pure filth of the people around him, I hadn't seen him that happy the whole trip. He ate his meal so fast it felt like it would be a crime not to get him another one.

we had been donated a trampoline before the trip (that got lost in the airline but we recovered it eventually) and decided to give it to BBF. I have never seen anyone appreciate a trampoline as much as these kids have in my life. The simple joy of jumping had put a smile so bright on their faces, you would have though they just won the lottery. They were so unknowledgible about this apparatus that they took it down when it rained because they thought it would ruin it.

we played soccer with the kids every night. Only a lucky few had cleats. Most only had no grip runners and the unfortunate only had one show on their kicking foot. Before we left we made sure everyone of those boys had new cleats. It blows me out of my socks to see how again something that almost anyone from Canada would take for granted can put so much happiness into ones life and would be in their memories forever. I only wish that I could do this for every kid there. I have way more sympathy towards the organizations such as world vision and make poverty history. This post has given you most likely no assured idea of my outlook towards this but it should give you some. If you want to more detailed answers to some questions, just email me. I would be more then willing to answer anything. Thailand has been so incredibly amazing that I would do this again in a heart beat. More to come later...

A better understanding about myself...

2005-08-13T15:09:00.000-07:00

I am back from camp for good now. The days there left me a bit lonely and stressed out at some points. Even though I had made some life-long friend's I didn't really understand that until it was time for the Goodbyes. At one of the bible studies I had there on the last day I came to a better understanding about myself. I have always questioned why I was loud. Why the it always seemed my volume button was broken. And then at one point in the study when we were all taking a minute to think about the simple things we are good at and how they can be used to predict our future purpose and plan for God, it hit me. God has blessed me with a voice to speak the word and teachings that are recited in his book he has given us. He wants me to use my people skills to preach the scripture to the broken and ones feeling unworthy. He has big plans for me. He has helped me to accept myself and not judge and hate every single little part in my life. So what if I don't have a girlfriend, I'm young! So what if I'm not the tallest person, I am the most athletic in my grade. I love myself and want to look deep into the word right now and just praise God for sending his son to erase my faults. God thinks I'm Rad. And you too! God is madly, no, PASSIONATELY in love with each and everyone of you who is reading this post right now. He wants you to share his word and become a disciple to all of man-kind. Take today to praise Jesus and all he has done for you. Thailand is in 5 days. I'm stoked and am confident that God will use me in amazing things when I'm down there. God bless.

Ok so I'm Back

2005-07-31T00:41:00.000-07:00

Please hold the applause. In case you did not notice I wasn't blogging for a while. No no, my comments just didn't disappear and the site wasn't just down, I actually gave up. I became to personal and for now on will not allow things to get to out of control.

Right now all I can say is BLAH, grey, hazy. I don't know what's what at the moment. But I do know that camp rocked. I went there for yet another week and the people I have met are amazing. Friendships and relationships have been formed and I feel most thankful to have some bliss. I know what I need to do at the moment. I have decided to start from scratch. Everything new! New posts, new template, new email, new underwear (well, that I need) and most importantly, a new ambition, a new way of living my life when I wake up in this almost perished earth. I will now wake up each morning not to impress others, but to live for Jesus! J-E-S-U-S YES! HE IS THE KING OF ME!! Tomorrow is a new day. I go back to camp on Tuesday for another two weeks and then I'm off to Thailand! 18 days! Can you believe it? I'm am destined for transformation. A nice look to the stars, the Sun, and the clear blue sky's is enough to keep me going and say,"wow, God loves me."

will blog again when I return.

PS
Annette if you read this would you be able to help me with site meter and haloscan? this will be the last time I promise!