don't trust burt bacharach

im just sitting here jamming out to some good ole' burt bacharach and i had an epiphany. . .

my compadre, that talented old crooner is a hypocrite! yes.
In one song, "What the World Needs Now" he says, "What the world needs now,
Is love, sweet love,
It's the only thing that there's just too little of."

okay. and so then, in "I'll Never Fall in Love" he ventures to say,
"Don't tell me what is all about,
'Cause I've been there and I'm glad I'm out,
Out of those chains, those chains that bind you
That is why I'm here to remind you
What do you get when you fall in love?
You get enough tears to fill an ocean
That's what you get for your devotion.
I'll never fall in love again."

ouch, burt. ouch.
thats quite distant from what the whole world needs, i'd say.
basically, don't take what my pal burt says seriously.
he is a little wishy-washy

see what had happened was. . .

oops.
yes. diet coke explosion.

lesson learned.

a few of my favorite things

when i think about life, i really like it. and there are certain things in life i especially enjoy. here are a few.

Venti Ice Water from Starbucks


Playing in the fountains downtown



passport stamps
although my passport is quite lonely, i really enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes from a passport stamp. its a little splotch of ink that signifies an entire trip to another nation.


diet coke
[this one is in Hebrew. which is always a plus]

my cammy cam. my handy-dandy camera, oh its so faithful


crossword puzzles
oh my, i cannot really explain why it is i so deeply enjoy to sit and rack my brain for a four letter word for freshwater fish, but i do. and i do it on the daily, at least during school.


this book. its one of the most practical encouraging books ever. love it.

dark chocolate. i absolutely love dark chocolate. and hate milk chocolate.
[never had this kind]

sitting outside here:

and that is just a few.

s-e-r-v olution

are you ready?





um, yes sir. if you want to be a part of the biggest outreach in Healing Place HISTORY. . .ill see you Saturday morning at 9 am. its going to be pretty incredible.
especially since I will be serving with some fantastic FRESH Refugee girls. i guess you could say im pretty lucky.

and if you aren't there and you're somewhere in baton rouge this saturday, keep your eyes peeled for some red shirts. your guranteed to catch a few.

haddy birdday

Heri ya Siku ya kuzaliwa!
Feliz Cumpleaños!
Saeng il chuk ha hamnda! [ David Song]

Happy Birthday! to Jason Laird. Youth pastor extraordinaire

ninapenda mti sana

i had a teriffic birthday, really one of the best i've ever had.
Surprise party, dinner and hanging out in New Orleans with some friends (jarred and chris made my birthday really great), and I even had the honor of leading Children's Cup forty days of prayer gathering on my birthday. (thanks mr.dan)
Saturday MORNING (morning being the key word) my mom thought it would be cute to have a surprise party. so its 7:00, im asleep and all of a sudden there are 20 people in my room yelling. Needless to say, I was extremely confused and didnt know what was going on. But, it was great. My mom had tons of breakfast, everything was Disney Princess, we played games, and a couple of people even walked away with starbucks gift cards. not too shabby. The best part? i was 100% surprised.

HA. Tori made me a sign that she thought said "Hey! Happy Birthday Leah!", but in all actuality said, "Hey! Congratulations Leah!"
i love it.

But, anywho. the point is I had a great birthday. mom and steve got me some really wonderous luggage! ah, thats really the only thing i wanted. Whenever i travel end up borrowing luggage or using old beat-up stuff, so its nice to have a set to call my own.

Regardless, i must say that my favorite present i recieved this birthday was a tree.
a tree?!
yes.
a tree.
tori ohlerking knows we all too well. We both share a deep appreciation for trees. I don't know, they are just such magnificent creations.
and Monday night she rolls up to my house with a tree in a pot. I just can't tell you how much i love that girl.
she said, "well i just thought you should have your very own tree!"
[ not to mention the fact she had already given me a GREAT gift. a book called TOILETS OF THE WORLD!] -->
YEAH. i know.
Now i just have to plant my new little drake elm and watch it grow. and everytime i see it, i will think of little miss ohlerking and smile.

luggage, toilet book, a tree. what more could a girl want?

quick question: What is the BEST birthday present you have ever recieved. . .or given?