Bye-bye Blogger!

Hello Wordpress! After seeing how many people have wordpress blog, I decided I would check it out. After checking it out...it would appear that it is pretty nice! :D  But I am going to give it a trial run. Go check it out and leave a comment if everything is ok, and you feel comfortable navigating that blog. Better yet, please let me know which one you like best!

Check it out!

Thanks,
HonduranChikka

So I got to thinking, you know I really DO have better stuff do with my time so...I guess this is kind of like an apology for letting you down on the normally great content (I hope) of my blog. I will be posting more um....mature...no...spiritual...no...ok more Allana-like stuff on the next post.

Thanks,
HonduranChikka

Just curious

I think I mentioned in the last post that I had a birthday while I was in the States...well...I got pictures done to celebrate that. Well, actually my grandma took them (she is almost professional) and I fixed them up. 

And now....a word from our sponsor.

*Announcer voice* Taking pictures, but they just don't look right? You love the pictures but the colors off and you don't know what to do? Well, don't worry, I've got you covered. I, here at Allana’s Picture Conversion, personally guarantee great looking home photos, and professional quality. 

HAHAHA

I’m sorta kidding. But I do enjoy fixing up SOOC (Straight out of Camera) pictures to make them look as professional as possible, so if you ever want some pictures fixed up just send them to me…

Now, back to what I was saying: I fixed the pictures that Mawdy (my grandma) took; although another note, she has a real nice camera that made things very easy for me. :D

I like them all, HA, but I am curious which ones ya’ll like best. Why? Uh…just because! :D 

I know you are probably thinking “doesn’t she have something better to do with her time.” Probably.

#1

#2

                 

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

Anyways, go vote in the sidebar. This is going to go through the 25th of December. Remember, it is also anonymous, so no I am not spying on ya'll. Of course if you want to leave me a comment on one or more of the pictures, please feel welcome.

'Til next time,

HonduranChikka

Plane trip to the States and the following days...

...I always have such original titles don't I! HA...

Our trip started out about 8:00 P.M. Sunday: October 16th. Well, that is when we arrived at the airport. Our plane didn't leave until 12:00 o'clock Monday morning, but then, I woke up at like 5:30 Sunday morning, so I really don't know when the adventure started. But I do know that that was a loooooooong night and we didn't make it to Atlanta till 8-9:00 Monday morning...and I didn't get to sleep til late that night! :D But it was worth it. We got to hang out with the Copelands, and we got to see Sis. Zaida and Alex, but...it was a VERY long two days.

On Monday we went up to a neat, old German village where we even saw a working mill that has been there since...uh...a long time ago. LOL Seriously, you guys, it was really old, but I don't remember exactly HOW old. (And know I'm not THAT old either. You know...so old I can't remember anything.) I asked Mom and Dad and they don't remember either, so I feel better! On the way back we saw a neat old-time looking store (Which I heard is really not that old, Sis. Copeland! *wink*), horse drawn carriages, and even an Indian burial ground.

On Tuesday we got up early and drove all the way to close to Russelville, AR to be with my grandparents. We went to church with them on Wednesday, but other than that we really didn't get out much and had a real good time just hanging out at Granny and Papa's. One other thing we did go out for though was family pictures. This is one of the first times (that I can remember) that they came out relatively well in a relatively small amount of time. ( I will have to attach some of them later)

On Friday we grilled hamburgers out on the back deck for my birthday. IT. WAS. COLD.  Ya'll forget that we  have been living in really hot weather lately, and to come back to 50-60 degree weather, well...let's say we never went far without our jackets.

Then Saturday morning we got up early and drove up to the Boswell area to Pawdy's deer camp for an all day birthday celebration...ON MY BIRTHDAY. Do you know how long it has been since I have got to celebrate my birthday on the actual day of my...well...birthday. :D It has probably been a couple of years. Needless to say we had fun. Like the lots of family+a great marshmellow fight+a couple of fourwheelers+some stay-up-late-kind-of-silliness    kind of fun. I'll let you draw your own conclusions. I got lots of cards...and money! WOOT-WOOT! To all my family, you know the whole reason I invited ya'll was the money...right?!?!?!?! :D HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH I am SOOO JUST KIDDING! Oh, and Joe, once again, thanks soooooo much for the baking soda in bathtub.

But we did have fun and I got lots of gifts. Well, a few (not counting the money). But one of my favorites was the cookbook that everyone did for me. Everybody brought some of their favorite recipes and combined it into one cookbook. That means that I have like almost 100 of the best recipes, from some of the best cooks. And I know they are good because I have already tried some of them. So if anybody needs some good recipes, just let me know. I got breakfast, lunch, supper, and dessert covered.

That was the first week of our trip, and I have some Agatha Cristie (actually a computer game), or maybe some phase 10 or Ratuki (Yeah, Krysten!). Anyways, I will do my best to update my blog sometime next week.

Until then Bloggie friends,
HonduranChikka

Back to the grind...er...fun!!

Wow, our vacation is coming to an end...and what a trip it has been (although I am not sure that you can call it a vacation). Sitting in a airport waiting for our next and last flight on our way home, I would have to say that I have mixed emotions. Yet, slowly but surely the excitement of being back home, in the saddle (and in my own bed) is winning out. I am excited about all the things that are to come, but I will post about all those things in the future, in the meantime. Travel back with my about three-four weeks, and let's revisit our exciting trip to the states.

(Wow, that was a really good summary sentence, but...it really was no big deal!) Anyways...

You are a like a Kleenex

Today I felt very special, and treasured! :D Why? Someone handed me a Kleenex with a note on it:

You are like this Tissue.

You know why?

This tissue is made mostly for runny noses, but it can be used for a variety of different things.

You are just like that. You are great for when I'm sick but come in handy when I am sad, discouraged, in problems, and needing relief, too! 

I'm am still trying to figure out if it is a compliment! :D But to all my dear friends who read this blog, never forget!

You are like a Kleenex to me!

'Til Next Time,

HonduranChikka

A shout out to Mary

Ok, I know this is really, really, bad....but we are almost through September, and I had NO clue that Mary Ginty had selected me as her blogger friend of the month. I consider Mary a great friend, even though we haven't ever  REALLY had the chance to get to know each other. It feels like we have learned all about each other from our blogs.  Anyways...I am very honored that Mary chose me!!!

You all need to go check out Mary's Blog, she has some of the funniest posts ever.  But...she has some thought provoking stuff too. So check it out.

Thanks again, Mary,
HonduranChikka`````

P.S. So sorry I just now found out.  :D

The day that I shut Lydia's head in the door.

Well, it was a Sunday as I recall. Bright, sunny, and HOT!!!! To top that off, we didn't have electricity. So that means no fans. We did have a wonderful service, no doubt...but I think we were all happy to get in the van and the AIR CONDITIONING!!! Oh yeah!

So we were doing the rounds, dropping people off after church, and along the way we were teasing Josiah. Why? Well, whenever he shuts the van door he always sticks his head WAAAAAY out, then starts slamming the doors. No worries, he always pulls it in RIGHT at the last minute. But we were telling him that one day he was going to miss it (or should a say: mistime it) and get his head. Mom was very sympathetic: "...and when you do...we are all gonna laugh!"

So on the way back Mom decided that we could do hamburgers for lunch, but, we needed hamburger buns. So we stopped off at a gas station, and I was going to run inside and pick some up. I jumped out of the van, turned, glanced to see if anybody was there (there wasn't), and slammed the door.

...Ok...let me rectify. I TRIED to slam the door, but encountered resistence: Lydia's head. Only I didn't realize it was her head. I didn't realize, that is, until I heard. AH! AH! AH! It was like short, sharp screams. It was a frightening sound. I ran back to see what it was and found Lydia holding her and and making her weird "AH!" noises.

Needless to say, she is still alive today. She is actually more than alive...she is just fine. But it shook us all up a bit. LOL

Moral of the story: Don't make hamburgers for lunch on Sundays. If you do...someone will get hurt. JK The true moral of the story is look before you slam a door. Or maybe...don't slam doors at all!

Goodnight,
HonduranChikka

A MUST READ

...well mostly for girls. Thank you, Cara, for writing this beautiful piece. I hope this makes every girl that reads it stop to think. Pay attention to what it says, and let it affect your life.

Vanity: A Costly Obsession

'Til next time,
HonduranChikka

Back to life...

What a wonderful time I had up in Canada!! Truly incredible. Yet, when I arrived home the sweat, a chirp, and full day of school welcomed me back to the real world. The sweat was from...well...I let you guess.  (Hint: I wasn't nervous). The chirp well...some of you may have heard about the two guineas we um...adopted...well...I guess they got lonely. LOL And to be honest it was way more than ONE chirp...try 13 chirping voices ALL AT THE SAME TIME! Makes for great rest...NOT!! HA! And then last...but certainly not least was the full day of school. Now you are probably thinking...every day of school is full. Well, you are right, but then again your wrong. Let me explain. In the curriculum we use, the is 36 weeks of worked to be accomplished in one year. I am a year behind, so my dear mother had a fantastic idea. Lets cram 36 weeks of school into 17!!! Doesn't that sound like a GREAT way to solve our problem??? :D Anyways...I will need your prayers...and it is not as bad as it sounds...I just like to exaggerate things for the audiences' sake! (You know you enjoy it)

Anyways. Until next time.

Stuff to look for in the days ahead:

The day I smashed Lydia's head in the door
The baby guineas
and...
um...
....
lots of other great things!!

LOL,
HonduranChikka

Ok, I am finally back to the blogging world!! LOL It is like a breath of fresh air. It has been too long... Thank you once again, Bro. Tyson! I LOVE the new computer! It is nicer than mine.

I am also FINALLY home. To...ummmm...Kayla's Mom...cause I can't remember you name!! URG...hate it when that happens. I made it home without any problems...except sitting in an airplane for an hour and a half before taking off!

Anyways...new stuff coming soon! :D

'Til then,
HonduranChikka

Someone better thank the Wakefields...

...for putting me on their missionary friends list! WHY?? Because it got me blogging again (if only for a moment). It is very embarrassing to see Allana Schreckhise, missionary to Honduras...ONE MONTH AGO!!! WHAT!!! That can't be so...here I am. I have no idea what I'm going to post about...but don't doubt it...  Today. I. Will. Post. ...even if it kills me. Now the heat might do that before Blogger does, but either way...I am going to post. When I get done I am going to look at the Wakefields blog and my name will be right at the top!!! HA  Take that, Allana! (Sometimes talking to yourself can help!) :D

Well, in other news, the aprons are off! If you have no idea what I am talking about, don't worry about it. But, RIOT is looking more and more possible. Now, I haven't bought my ticket yet, and I haven't landed yet, and I am DEFINITELY not at RIOT yet so...no promises yet!!! LOL But, it IS definitely looking more and more possible. And I will say this...I AM SOOOO EXCITED!!!  Getting the aprons done and sent is definitely a load off my back. Thank you to all who have contributed to my fund! I really appreciate it. I better not start listing names because inevitabley (sp?) I will forget someone!

Great things have been going on in our church and youth group. New people are coming, and unfortunately some are going, but on thing is sure: No matter who is here or not here, God WILL raise up a church in Honduras. He is already doing it! :D There have also been a  couple new daughter works opening up, more contacts and possibilities...I am excited! The best part is, I get to be a part! I can't really imagine not being here.  So...FUTURE HUSBAND, if you are reading this, TAKE NOTE!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I'm only kidding, Dad!

Well, I think it is enough for now! Oh, and, post ideas would be appreciated! Just email: allanatohonduras@gmail.com  (Original I know, but at least its not name@gmail/yahoo/hotmail.com...talk about originality!)

'til next time,
HonduranChikka

Weeds

Weeds

The other day we had a church workday at the...well...at the church. (Where else would you have a church workday?). One of the jobs that was given to me throughout the day was to pull weeds. Ha...one of my favorite jobs....not...but it made me think. (and if you're part of my family you are probably thinking: uh-oh...LOL...don't worry...it's a good thing this time....I think)

Have you ever noticed that weeds can grow anywhere??? They are the most annoying of all plants...and they pop up in the most annoying places...normally right where you want to plant that garden of daffodils. They grow without you feeding, watering, or caring for them. I mean seriously is there any other plant that lives for our despising looks and lethal chemical concoctions? Most PEOPLE couldn't survive the way we treat the weeds that grow in our gardens. I wonder if they would die if we were to constantly water and care for them.

While we were picking weeds the phrase on everybodies lips was: Make sure you get the roots. Why the roots? Well, they say (although I couldn't say if it's true), that weeds can regrow from those roots. It doesn't matter how many stems and leaves you pull off the top. It doesn't matter if you can't see anything above ground, if the roots are under there...hey...it's gonna come back!!!

Is that the way it is in our spiritual life/garden? Wait, what???? Yep, weeds in our spiritual lives. You know those things that pop up right where you want to plant your daffodils of good works. You've just cleaned a big area in repentance, God has given us the courage to change, and you walk out to that big cleared out area...and right smack-dab in the middle is a big clump of grassy weed of stubbornness...or...well...you fill in the blank. Most of us at this point just want to scream!!! I mean, do you know how hard it is, sometimes, to weed those things out in repentance?!?!?!?!? Ummmm...like I said....it's everyones favorite job! Ha

Before we go on...let's break this down. What are some types of weeds in our lives?? I will give you a personal example. I have this thing called dreams. LOL I am pretty sure most of us...at least the girls...have those. I believe that God gave us the ability and the permission to dream...but...we have to be careful with those. Because sometimes there are moments when those dreams don't intersect with the divine plan of God for our lives. Then it becomes a weed. When you get ready to plant that I-will-wait-on-the-Lord seed there is that weed of but-I've-always-dreamed and... Yep, there it is rearing it's head. So what do we do???

Pull it out! Oh, and where do we pull it out?? Come on...don't tell me you've already forgotten. HAHAHAHA Pull it out by he roots. It's not enough to get most of it. It's not enough get all that's on top. See we learn to pull the most obvious parts so that nobody can see...but underneath the roots are still there. It may be unseen for the moment...but when you least expect it...POP...there it comes up again!!!!

Another thing about weeding...it isn't a one time job...unfortunately. It isn't enough to go over it once...sometimes you gotta go back and do it again. Many times just because it is hard we don't do it. It takes too much work and it's just a little weed anyway. Ok, leave it a couple of weeks and THEN try to pull it up. It's already ten times harder to get rid of it. If you have the it's-too-much-work mentality, then you'll never pull it out and it will take over your garden...or your life.

There is one good side to the continual weeding. If you don't have weeds...then the good works (or daffodils) that you've planted can grow. When there are no weeds in your life, then your good works...or even the Holy Ghost doesn't have to fight to live and be seen in your life.

So, in closing, it's not in vain. The weeding will pay off. Don't give up. Rather, when you see your little daffodils starting to fade away...HEY...hurry and get out there and weed!!

Sent from my iPod

To all Mom's:

I was going to save it until Mother's Day, but I couldn't wait that long. All you busy, frazzled, or otherwise moms need to read this.

I'm Okay - Rabona Gordon from "Chicken Soup for the Soul"

The house is a mess, the dishes are dirty.
I'm too old for this stuff, I'm well over thirty!
The car is not clean, my hair is a wreck,
And I've already spent Friday's paycheck.

The laundry needs washing, the kids are too rowdy,
And I never have time for a leisurely: Howdy.
With all that I do, its never enough,
It's nevery quite finished, it always looks rough.

I looked in the mirror and what did I see?
A harried old stranger, where I used to be.
The hurrier I go, the behinder I get,
Today is tomorrow, and I'm not caught up yet.

My kids are growing at such a fast pace,
That I'm missing their childhood for the sake of this race.
I work and I clean and I cook and I say
Hit the books, clean your rooms! There's no time for play.

Well, the Lord for some reason, chose ME with care
of three of His children, but I'm rarely there!
I've GOT to slow down lest theres nothing to show
For my role as their mom when they pack up and go!

I'm only one person, but look through my door,
What appears to be one, divides into more.
I'm a chauffeur, a cook, a planter of trees,
A teacher, an umpire, a mender of knees.

Sometimes, I forget that deep down inside,
There's a lady with feelings, and last night she cried.
She gets tired and lonely, and feels taken for granted,
She wants to see blooms from the seeds that she's planted.

Then amidst all the turmoil in the mind-bending pace,
My little ones look at me square in the face...
And just when I need it, they, all in one day,
say: Momma, I love you, and then...I'm OKAY!


So for you Moms sometimes think it isn't worth it! Just remember to be OKAY! Easier to say then to do, I'm sure! I love all you moms! This world wouldn't be the same without ya'll!

God Bless,
HonduranChikka

P.S. If that poem was of encouragement I would love to know...just leave me a comment! *wink* I gotta get my comments somehow!

Blonde moment #130,200,000...etc.

I said we needed to go see the embassil (which sounded like embecil) at the embassy. Got it confused with the consul at the consulate. HAHAHAHAHA Realized my mistake right away...but TOO LATE! Everybody was already rolling on the floor!

Just a little note...

...to say:

NO!!!!! I HAVEN'T FALLEN OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH!!!! 

(Just in case you were wondering!!!  :D) 

I have noticed though that in my absence of new material some people have gone through all my OLD posts...and RE-commented!!! AAAAAGH!!! Do you know what it is like to go into blogger and find FOURTEEN unmoderated comments waiting on you?!?!?!?!  For that matter do you know what it is like to go in and see ALLL  those comments and think it is from lots of people that have been missing you and are all commenting about where you have gone and such...and you open them....and to your dismay...apparently someone was a little bored...and...well...you get the picture! :D DANAE....DON'T EVER DO THAT AGAIN!!! AAAAAAH! By the way...that is Danae B!!! Oh...and...by the way...I was pretty much just kidding...but...it probably would be a good idea not to do it again anyways! :D 

Buenas Noches a todos! (Go to Google translate...I am tired to give an interpretation! :D)

HonduranChikka

So, first of all, I know that today Is Tuesday not Monday. I also realize that y'all are still waiting for the answer to the picture question. Well...here it is!! I was quite surprised to see only one comment (thanks, though, danae!! :D) But, even though you apparently don't want to know, I am going to tell you anyways!!! LOL. Aren't I awesome!!! (Don't answer that!!) anyways...the moment that ya'll HAVEN'T been waiting for:

I was unable to reattach the pic. Sorry, folks!!

This picture was taken on: 10/20/2008

'til next time,
HonduranChikka

Friend of the Month: January!

So, I know what you are all thinking: Um...Allana, this is February! I know, I know! But being the completely organized and focused person that I am, I didn't interview her! Sorry! But I did it now! So... Anyways! Here is last month's post, a great friend of mine! Love her to death, although I never get to see her! :D So, without further ado...

Cara Wilkens

HC: So, tell me a little bit about yourself.

 

My name is Cara, I'm 15 and my birthday is January 10th! (Everyone should probably write that down. I accept cash, check or a nicely wrapped gift! Haha, jk) I'm 5' 4" and I'm the youngest of three girls. My oldest sister is 26, married and has two daughters: Natalia (3), and Kinsley (4m). I'm so proud of my adorable little neices!:) My middle sis is 23 and not married, she lives at home and is my shopping buddy and fashion consultant! We argue every now and then like sisters do, but overall we have many fun times and memories together! I received the Holy Ghost at the age of seven, at a Jr Youth Camp! This June, I'll have had it eight years. :)

 

Random facts:

 

I live in the VALLEY OF THE SUN--Phoenix, Arizona, and I honestly love it!:) It gets HOT in the summer, but it's just part of living in the desert. And you DON'T have to shovel sunshine! ;) I definitely don't mind that it doesn't snow here, we have gorgeous winters without it! Another reason I love AZ is my church: my Dad has pastored a church here since I was 1 year old. I can't imagine life without it. As a matter of fact, it mainly is my life. I'm always involved in some project or another for Sunday School or whatever, and it's just the best. My most prized possession is....Maybe my guitar?:) I LOVE music! I'm sorry, if I'm around you I'll try to hold it back but sometimes I forget and start singing in spite of myself. Lol;) I like to have music on no matter what I'm doing, I work better with it. I'm currently learning piano and guitar! I play the guitar until my fingers turn purple, and then I bang on the piano some! It's QUITE amusing right now because all I know on the piano are a few basic chords and so when I practice it's like the same chords being banged out in the same pattern over and over again! Lol! I just KNOW my family is so glad I'm practicing C, F, and G! ;)

HC: What are some of your favorite foods?

I like Asian, Italian, Mexican....There's an amazing Japanese food place here that's one of my all-time favorite restaraunts. If you've never had a Las Vegas Roll or fried rice with spicy mayo, you're just missing out on life. Come see me, and I'll take you to get some!;)  

 

HC: What are some things you enjoy?

 

Definitely reading. I have quite the collection of books, and I'm always adding to it. As a matter of fact, I'm going to a huge booksale this weekend and I'm really excited about it! I like shopping on www.half.comfor books, and finding new authors. Give me a few good books and I will sequester myself in my room and you won't see me re-appear for a long, long time. ;) I also like to SHOP! Shoes, clothes, you name it, I like finding cute stuff to wear. Me and my sis frequent the mall often. I spend a lot of time on the computer: shopping online, blogging, re-modeling my blog, or just reading all my favorite blogs: spending time in blogworld.

 

I take on a LOT of different, random projects. Those that read my blog probably remember a post from a few weeks ago about ALL the many things I want to accomplish this year. Every week it's something different...I could go insane trying to get everything I want to do, done. I always have 1,000 different thoughts swirling through my brain. This year my focus is on God, Fitness, and Music. Oh, and I'm also re-decorating my room, growing an herb garden and learning how to cook--among many other "little" things. Haha!

 

Hanging out with friends: my FAVORITE thing to do! Laughing until my stomach hurts and I'm crying is the BEST! I always like to have a good time, and be loud and crazy every now and then. I have the best friends in the world that I share those times with! They're always making me laugh! I have friends in many places all over the world and that's definitely the way I like it. And it's one of the reasons I attend a lot of church conferences...I like to socialize! You can NEVER have too many friends, and I love them all! I even know one CRAZY chikka from Honduras, and I count her as one of my best friends! Wierd, huh? ;) lol.

 

HC: What are some things you DIS-like?

 

Umm...negativity, pessimists (Be optimistic! "If you can't change it, you can laugh about it!"), arrogance, manipulation, bad spelling, and insects.

 

HC: Can you tell us about an embarrasing moment in your life?

 

So I have about A THOUSAND incidents goin through my head right now. Everyone THINKS I don't embarrass easily, but that's because embarrassing things happen so often, I've learned how to act in these situations. Haha! ;) Let me see...the other day I was in the car with our young people drinking a Sobe, and someone made me laugh, and I choked, and couldn't breathe, and the sobe came out my nose ALL OVER ME and I was choking and snorting and IT WAS NOT PRETTY! And instead of helping they all LAUGHED and took pictures...HAHA! That's just a recent, very small incident. I have many, many more that you can come to me personally and hear if you must. ;)

 

HC: Who are some great people in your life?

 

I have the most amazing people in my life. My Dad is also my pastor, and I look up to him a lot. I've seen him reach beyond what was neccessary to touch someone else's life, many times. My Mom is my confidante, a prayer warrior, and has a compassionate heart like no one else I know. Not to mention countless other incredible Pentecostal Ladies I look to as role models, and the Men of God and Heroes of the Faith, in my life. So thankful for my Apostolic heritage!

 

HC: What is your biggest goal in life?

 

To completely use my life to touch as many people as possible, to be completely immersed in the work of God. This quote sums it up: "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'."

 

'Til next time,

HonduranChikka

P.S. Make sure to leave her a comment and congratulate her! Love ya, girl!

150 posts!

YEAH!!!! This is the 150th post! I am sooo excited! :D Either that, or I am just feeling random! LOL So in celebration of that I am going to post a random picture!

Can you guess how old this picture is?

This is a contest without prize! LOL
All you have to do is try to guess how old this picture is! OR about when it was taken! (I know you are all thinking: Um...   Humor me, please.  ...if you want!)

The answer will announced on Monday!

Just because...

Just because these friends mean soo much to me! Just because it is a great picture...  And just because it is my background picture...  And just because I thought ya'll ought to be to share in the moment! :D

'Til next time,

~HonduranChikka

P.S. They are single...I can get you phone numbers and...well...shoot me an email!! *wink*