Jesus could come back any time now.

Perhaps while you are reading this blog.

Are you ready to go? 

Would you be left behind?

Just something to thi

Here's another one that I did. 

Guitars are really hard to draw if you didn't know that already.  Oh, and seriously, if anyone wants to try one, it would actually make me happy.  Or maybe suggest a drawing for another one or another bible verse. 
 

So I was driving to work going a few miles over the speed limit when a trucker flashes his lights at me.  I slowed down to the speed limit, and as I expected, there was a state trooper sitting on the side of the road just waiting for a speeder.  Well I'm very grateful to that trucker man.  That ever happened to anyone else before?  I'm sure that noone else speeds.  Maybe I'm talking to the wrong crowd.  Oh well.  

So  I'm thinking about starting a little project on the side, because I definately need something else to do right?  NO!  But if anyone else wants to help out that would be cool.  Might even start a website or something.  I've messed around with an already made background before by adding a Bible verse to it, but this time I made my own background by drawing a picture of the guy, scanning it, and then coloring and putting finishing touches on it with GIMP.  I think that it would be neat to start making fly backgrounds with scriptural applications on them for desktops and such.  If anyone else is interested in helping out and having a little fun, then be my guest.  We could make some really cool ones.  Here's my very first one...


Opinions anyone?   Oh and the BV Backgrounds stands for Bible verse Backgrounds.  Name for the site maybe?  Who knows. 

Well today was a whopper of a day.  I got up late because I didn't hear
my alarm.  I got stressed out thinking of all the things that I need to
get done, but won't have time for.  I tried to get off work for a bible
study that I was supposed to play drums for the worship for, but was
unsuccessful.  I had to replace the tags for my dad's car at a place in
the square that I drove all over looking for (he gave me the wrong
directions on accident).  I stood in a really long line for what only
took several minutes to actually accomplish once it was my turn, only
to find out that I could have used a drive thru to complete the
transaction in half the time without the wait.   I went to work and was
placed in a position that I've never worked before, and had to learn on
my own.  I stayed late closing with Danielle and #2 (the manager),
because I felt obligated to help with what was supposed to be my job
until the owner switched us at the last minute.  I say all that to say
this.  Every day people post about how bad they have it unless their
day was practically perfect.  Well.  My day didn't exactly have many
high points at all, but imagine if my post read something like this
(which is all true)......


Today was great!  I got some extra sleep because my alarm clock allowed
me some extra sleep.  I ended up not getting to do the gig tonight
because I had to work, but I do need the money anyway.  I drove around
for a while in the square trying to find the place to renew your tags. 
I asked this really nice guy how to get there, and he showed me exactly
where to go.  When I got there, I was in heaven, because it was very
air conditioned, and the lady at the desk was really nice to me. 
Everything there worked out fine.  I met up with Steph, and we went to
Wal Mart and messed around, and then went to my house to watch a movie
with my brother.  I needed some time with her.  I had to work tonight,
and I got to get plenty of hours there.  I had some good conversations
with people, and I think I brightened some peoples days.  All in all I
had fun today.


Now didn't the second version make you happier?  I don't know.  I guess
that I'm just sick of people writing how depressed and bad they have
it.  Life isn't fair a lot of the times.  The Bible says very clearly: 
"In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing."  Now I
know that I'm guilty of this alot.  I don't wanna be though.  Let's be
positive.  Being negative makes us no different than the rest of the
world.   Making sense to anyone?  Is it just me?

I know this is long, but just remark pretending like you read it.  ;)

So I'll start with the bad news.  Tonight I was working drive
thru by myself near the end and that is quite a chore in itself.  Well
a pair of guys came through in a truck.  Their order took a while,
because they came around closing time when everything was cooked to
order.  So it was raining outside and I had handed everything out but
their food.  When I came back around the corner it appeared as if the
guy had backed up a little bit.  When I opened the window, his
windshield wiper came flying across the window and shot a good deal of
water at me.  The guys immediately sarcastically stated "Oh s***!  I'm
sorry bro."  His friend was sitting in the passenger seat facing the
other way obviously hiding his laughter.  Some peoples kids.  I found
it someone difficult to say, "No problem, man.  You guys have a nice
night."  If it weren't for the temperence of Christ, how many people
would I have punched in the face?  Plenty.  And you?

On a lighter note.  Steph and I were having a fun conversation
about how our grandparents spoil us even when they can't afford it, or
don't have the means.  Certain grandparents of ours dote on us with
food, while others do it with costly items.  How do your grandparents
spoil you?  Oh, and what do you wanna be called when you become a
grandparent?  Anyone else thought of that yet?  I know it's a little
early for me to be thinking about grandkids much less children, but I
like to plan ahead.  Well that's about all I have for now.  Remarks?

    So basically while Steph was just messing around with doing some photo editing, she ended up being better at it than I am.  How cool is she?  Check these out!

That's me and her in DP, Texas.  Someday we'll head down there.

This is her and I at her lakehouse.  I haven't gotten to see it yet.

This is just us on a beach hanging out. 

And this is my favorite.  I'm chillin with the crew of Tintin. 

Isn't she just awesome?  Thought I'd brag on her. 

So.  I have decided to post this on both my xanga and on here since
some of you neglect to travel to my xanga.  I have joined the
technological people and have jumped into dual moniter usage.  I really
just get a kick out of seeing my mouse and windows travel between the
two.  I highly suggest trying it for fun.  Wanna see what it looks like?

Aren't you proud of me?

Honestly guys, I really wish that I could write a new post that's nothing like my xanga one, because I haven't updated on here in a while, but it's late, and I really don't feel like it.  So I have put on here an easy to use link that will take you straight to my most recent happenings.  Hope that you enjoy it!


Russell's Newest Xanga Post

Hello all.  Today was and will continue to be (Lord willing) a good
day.  I woke up and ran, and then I went and picked Randy up from camp
and took him to the Starwood Amphitheatre for that Warped Tour, and
then I came home, and then I went bowling for Steph's brother's (Drew) birthday.  I didn't do so hot on the alley, but we went to the game room and I played that Marvel vs. Capcom 2
game, and I got the high score all by myself, but then they started
getting almost impossible.  So I started to acquire help from Steph as
she helped press the buttons on the right while I controlled the person
and pressed the other four buttons.  We got to the final round, beat
the first guy, beat the second guy, and then got slaughtered by the
third guy.  I would dare say that it is impossible to beat that last
guy.  Oh well.  I was just proud of myself for getting that high
score.  That's the first time that's every happened to me at an arcade-
you might be thinking that that's not much to brag about, but I still
think it's pretty cool.  So yeah.  Tonight I'm picking Randy up from
Warped Tour after it ends at midnight, and I am taking him back to camp
where I will be staying the night and coming back home in the morning. 
What a day!

This message is hidden unless you highlight it.

I Like Steph Shoemaker a lot, I love Jesus and wanna be more like Him, and my friends and family are AWESOME!

Edit:  I realize you can probably see this message if you check the little "New Friend Entries" box, cuz it's probably light blue background.......cheater.

Alright.  This announcement is on behalf of my parents.  CCCF stands for College and Career Christian Fellowship.  What's happening is that on this Saturday night, and several Saturdays throughout the summer, we are having a shindig at my house for all college kids and those that are gonna be seniors in high school (for a smooth transition just like AP classes).  We're just gonna hang out, play some games, and eventually have just a little prayer around the camp fire at the end.  This isn't affiliated with any church or denomination in particular.  It's just an opportunity for the college kids and the close-to-college kids to have some fellowship and be around some other Christian individuals.  I hope you guys can make it, cuz it should be lots of fun.  Just bring a lawn chair and we'll take care of the rest!  Oh, and it's from 6-10:30pm.  

So I will change this up a bit.  Disposable camera's bother me, because I don't wanna waste film, so I rarely take pictures, because it's like I'm saving pictures for something good.  I have like three sitting in my room with four or five pictures left on each.  But when I have a digital camera in my hands, it seems like I can be at ease and take lots of pictures because 1) it will hold more and 2) if you take a crappy picture you can just erase it.  But yeah.  So if anyone has a digital camera that they wanna sell to me for cheap or would just like to donate then that would be awesome for this poor old college student.  Haha.

Just one more thing to add to my wish list.  This is one of the only plausible ones though.  ;)

This is crazy!  I hope that it works for you like it worked out for me.... and this is Russell by the way.  Not some stupid forwarding thing.....

Calculator

Do you know what would be an awesome birthday present?  Everything being simple like it used to be.  I know that won't happen, but life wouldn't be fun without complexity and complicatedness would it?  That's where the Holy Spirit comes in.  ;)

So I've decided to not cut and paste the exact blog from my xanga just in case there are any people like me that have more than one (I doubt it but...)  Hey.  A Rod does so this is for variety's sake:  Um.... Life is going really well right now.  I'm gonna be workin at DQ and with my mom (I'm doing that today and making about 95 dollars for 5 or 6 hours) and might also be doing some clarical work for her boss if she needs it.  Steph got home yesterday which was AWESOME!  I love getting to see that girl.  It was good to see everyone at FWC last night.  Everyone seems to be doing really well.  God is good.  He's showing me new stuff all the time which is exciting!  Now leave me some remarks.  

So I got a new phone today.  It's actually the same one as my old one
except that it works.  So when she tried to transfer the numbers, they
wouldn't go.  So I apologize if I don't have your number.  I would
actually appreciate it if you guys would call me or text me so that I
could have your number.  Please. 

Well, I just got home and I already have a lot to do.  Here's what my agenda is lookin like.


Thursday

-Clean out van and make it look pimpin

-Clean garage for the folks

-Maybe clean up the room if I have time

-Go to OHS's talent show


Friday

-Go jobhunting


If anyone knows of any good jobs or anything, let me know cuz that
would be awesome.  Also if anyone wants to hang out and do something
that doesn't cost a lot, I would be more than happy to join in.  Maybe
watch a movie, or play the animal game or something.  Peace!

So I called the car place today, and they had to order a hub from the Dodge place, so my van won't be ready until tomorrow!  How cool is that?  I'm afraid I'm overstaying my welcome here.  I don't know exactly what I'll do, but I'll figure something out.  I really need my phone to start working again.  

So a lot has happened to me this past week.  I went and visited Steph
this Wednesday through Friday, and when I got back to Lee on Friday, my
tire was smoking really badly.  I had it towed to a shop and they
looked at it today, while I attended Lee's Graduation, and saw the
coolest RA, Josh Rice, graduate and then take off to go back home for a
month, and then to move on to Mexico to follow God's will.  I got a
call from the repair place telling me that they were sent the wrong
part, so it won't be fixed until Monday, so I'll be all alone here
until Monday.  I wish my cell phone was working.  It's all good though,
because God kept me safe driving when my tire was barely hanging on.  A
back wheel bearing malfunctioned and my tire started slanting inward. 
The axil ended up grinding through the tire and barely hanging on.  I
have a lot to be thankful for.  If anyone wants to talk online about
anything, I'll have plenty of time, so just let me know.  Otherwise
I'll just have to entertain myself with movies and videogames.  God is
always good no matter what you think in your head.  Pray for my car and
me this weekend.  

So this weekend was AMAZING! 

Friday immediately after my voice lab, I got in my car and drove to Fayetteville, GA, and met Steph, and Brittany, and Brittany's front door of her house.  Steph's hair was SHORT!  It looks so amazing though, and I love it.  So that night we settled in and ate tacos.

The next morning we went to Six Flags over Georgia!  It was amazing!  First we tried out the new ride Goliath, which wasn't at all liked SF cracked it up to be, but then we made a better decision and went to a couple of other rides, that made up for it.  A few very memorable ones were my #1 favorite, the epitomy of greatness, the LOG FLUME!  I think that I shall have one built in my backyard when I can afford it.  ;)  The second coolest one had to be Superman, where you actually laid on your stomach and flew around!  That was another amazing ride.  Then at the end of the night we rode this roller coaster called the Scorcher,
where you stood on your feet and rode it, and it had some incredible
loops and cork screws that made it a rush!   Then we went home and had some luscious lasagna.   Then we went outside and made a fire, made some smores, and sang some songs around the camp fire.  Jake and I stayed on the living rooms couches that seemed to swallow you with comfortability. 

Sunday we went to B's church where the praise and worship was awesome and the message was really good.   We went home, ate some barbecue chicken and watched some Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and then we had to part.  I was very sad, because it seemed to short, but all good things must come to an end.

Special thanks to Brittany's parents for putting up with us, and her mom for making some delicious food, and to the inventor of the Log Flume and all of it's splendor.

You may now call me Music Major Russell Rodden.

So just last Saturday I auditioned not only for the school of music, but also for the VOICES OF LEE!  It was pretty crazy.  You can learn about what happened here.  I am confident about the school of music, but not so much about the Voices.  My audition went well, and I even got a song stuck in their heads, but they are just so good.  I just have been praying and wouldn't mind you guys praying about the situation.  If I made it I would be travelling with them all summer, but they would take quite a financial burden off of my back for the next year.  It's been a dream of mine to be on the Voices of Lee, but I am trying to keep humble and not get my hopes up.  That's all I've got for now.  Later folks!

So I haven't become a pro at it yet, but I have been messing with pictures with a program called GIMP.  I enjoy it but I think that it takes me longer than it's supposed to.  ;)

Well a lot has happened the past couple of weeks.  I went back home and saw Steph two weekends ago and had a good time just hanging out with her and her broham.  

We had lot's of fun watching movies and hangin out with the home folk.  Last weekend I went camping with my entire family and had lots of fun there too.  My family is lots of fun and we had some good meals too.  This week is the beginning of Cinderella!  Everyone should come see it.  It's this Thurs. Fri. and Sat. at 7:30, and the next week on the same days but at 7:00.  You guys should come see it if you get a chance.  I'll be one of the chorus members, so you could come see me.  Anyway yeah!  I love you guys.  Sorry I haven't updated in a while.  The spring break trip was a blast.  You can read more about that if you're interested on my xanga or go to Jonathan's site and click on pics to check out all that we did.  Good times.  Later guys!  Um....you guys could comment if you want to. Make me feel loved.  I know I don't update often, and this is no way to encourage me to.  Where are my readers?