So, if I just ended the story at present-day, why is there a "part 2," you ask? (Okay, so maybe you don't ask. But I'm going to pretend that you did.)

Because I just have to explain how crazy and wild and wonderful this whole thing is. I never in a million-zillion-trillion years would've thought that I'd become a Christian. Not just a Christian, but an "involved" Christian. A "passionate" Christian.

Ten years ago, if someone would've told me that, I would've squirmed in my seat. I would've looked in the other direction, and felt a little embarrassed, and wanted to take off faster than you could blink. Zealous Christians were, well... zealots. They were Bible-thumpers. They were women over 50 who baked pies and sewed quilts and didn't swear. They were married to men who didn't drink and didn't gamble and who were stern and grim-faced. They sang songs and lifted their hands up and prayed at dinner. They quoted Bible passages out of nowhere, like they were commenting on the weather. They were, well... weird. I didn't want to be weird like that (I was weird enough).

But surprisingly, I'm not embarrassed at all. I'm still me. I still drink wine with dinner. I still swear when I drop things on my toe. I still order take-out and watch raunchy comedies and listen to My Chemical Romance. I still tell poop jokes to my friends.

Nothing's changed, except for the fact that I am humbler. I pray to God in thanks for all the great things in my life. I'm aware of the things I do that are sins: little white lies... taking His name in vain... coveting something someone else has... etc. And then I pray for forgiveness because I feel badly about doing them. I work harder to not do them in the future. I feel more charitable, so I am nicer to those I'd usually get frustrated with. I feel SO much more joy, and have so much more abundance. I smile and laugh all the time now -- more so than I ever did. I donate more and want to be generous with others who are in need. And the most important thing is that I do truly believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and that for that reason, I can be forgiven for what I do today.

Some scoff, and laugh, and call me "nuts." They call all of us "nuts." But look around you. Try to tell me that God isn't missing from our lives. Look at our children, and what's on TV, and what's on the internet. The lack of morals and conscience in this world is astounding. There is such a lack of worry and guilt and remorse for what's out there. I see twelve-year olds wearing thongs that hang out over their jeans in a mall. I see raunchy movies that are labeled PG-13, which have content that NO teenager should be seeing -- at all. I see a complete lack of respect for our elders. I hear 8 year-olds swearing, and singing 50-Cent's lyrics. I can't get away from the ads for breast-enlargements or Botox injections or Viagra. I went to Google image the other day, looking for photos of holly to put into Photoshop for my new blog masthead. I typed in "holly" and you wouldn't believe what I got for results. I was horrified! Kids use Google images all the time! I showed Randy, and he said, "Wow, look... your Safe Search is even turned on!" It's better today -- maybe it was a glitch or something. But man... let's just say I saw some close-up spread-eagles, and lots of oral sex. I was dumbfounded.

I was at the mall last weekend, and I was just in awe of how commercialized it was. I used to love the mall. Yet I couldn't help but to feel sickened by the sheer materialism of it all. Godiva baskets for $90? Dress boots for $130? Sweaters and shirts for $80? I kept walking through, picking out an occasional item of clothing that caught my eye, and then standing there in disgust over the $100+ price tag that was on all of it. It almost became a joke, because I couldn't find one thing that I liked for under $50 -- and I probably went into about 12 or 13 different stores. (It wasn't like I was only shopping at Nordstrom). I was with a friend who really wanted to do some "serious" shopping, and I felt badly because I just wasn't into it. People (i.e. tweens) kept pushing me out of the way... I couldn't hear above everyone's cell phone conversations... I was tired of seeing $30 candles and $50 ornaments... the whole thing was just a downer.

Anyway, if you're still reading and have a few extra minutes, I really encourage you to watch these videos. No, I promise they aren't preachy or reprimanding. They aren't judgmental or frightening. They're just a couple of great videos that stayed with me long after I had watched them. I thought they were pretty cool -- and so very true. I hope you enjoy.

--The first one is a video of a transcript. Logan is a 13 year-old boy who lives on a ranch in a very small town in Nebraska. Logan listens to Christian Radio station 89.3FM KSBJ which broadcasts from Houston, TX. Logan called the radio station distraught because he had to take down a calf . His words have wisdom beyond his years. Since airing the audio of the phone call and now the making of the video clip, it has taken on a life of its own. People are forwarding it all over the world.




--This feature is from an unknown author and has been circulated on the Internet. The parallels of the state of our nation and the purposeful removal of God from public life is so powerful.



And for all of you aren't religious and/or aren't the least bit interested in Christianity... don't worry. Tomorrow I'll resume with an entertaining post -- complete with photos from my past.

:0)