Top 10 Family Vacations of all time............ assuming I didn't forget some.

10.Silver Lake- Silver Lake is a lake in Michigan that gets very deep very quickly. It also has some huge dunes on one half of it. My brothers and I (and of course Mitch my best bud) would climb the dunes all day and then run down them onto the water that went from 4 feet deep to 12 feet deep in just one step. One time mitch, matt, and I decided to walk on the other side of the dunse where there were more and more dunes. We walked a whole lot farther than we thought and by the end of it I thought I would collapse from thirst. BUT my most memorable moment was when mitch and my cousin John started wrestling which ended with John getting numerous sand wedgies while screaming for more. Hilarious.

9. Colorado- We took a trip when I was in 7th grade to the United States Air Force Academy. We were going to my cousins graduation and Colorado is absolutely gorgeous! The Academy is so awesome and any time that I am with my father's side of the family it is so fun. It was really an awesome trip. And watching Get Smart for twenty straight hours wasn't too bad either.

8. Washington DC and Gettybsburg- When I was in elementary school we visited both of these places. Gettysburg was by far my favorite of the two. My father would tell us all these different stories as we walked around the battlefields and the two main hills (their names escape me big round top and little round top maybe?). It was very cool to listen to the stories of Pickett's charge and the Union general's (his name also escapes me) final bayonet charge. DC was also very cool. Seeing all the monuments and visiting the smithsonian was very cool. My most memorable thing from this trip was looking out over the large field where Picket made his charge and wondering to myself "Man that would have been easy to shoot them".

7.St George's Island in Florida- When I was a freshman in high school my family took a trip down to St George's island in Florida. We stayed at an absolutely awesom beach house. It was so cool. possibly the most memorable thing from the trip was having my cousin John (from Canada) go with us. IT was a very fun trip. Staying in a huge beach house with our own pool and jacuzzi (which was colder than the pool) for a whole week, the beach a stone's throw away, Awesome Awesome trip

6. Destin, Florida- I do believe I was in 8th grade when we went to Destin. We stayed at the Jetty East condo's. This was also an amazing trip. This time we flew down instead of driving. The condo had just a couple bedrooms, but it was very roomy and comfortable. The pool was just three floors down and the beach was right outside our door. We also had tennis courts that lighted up which was sweet. The most memorable thing from this trip was Matt's obsession with collecting crabs, and Badger telling everyone that he would willingly sunburn himself bc he claims he would have a sweet tan after. The last half of his vacation was ruined because he couldn't move he was so red and burned.

5. Hawaii- My 6th grade year we took a trip to Oahu. Awesome Awesome trip. Climbing Diamond head was very fun, and of course the beach was amazing. Pearl Harbor was a very sad but awesome experience. Still being able to see the ship floating in the shallow harbor was kind of scary. The 7 hour layover in a freezing LAX airport was not very fun but still worth the trip. The most memorable thing from this trip was two things. 1.) I was introduced to snorkeling on this trip and wow is it amazing. You have not snorkeled until you have in the coral reefs at Hawaii. And 2.) We were driving in the car and Badger tried to punch my leg, but punched his own leg instead and yelled "Oh my gosh that is the hardest I have ever been punched. MY leg hurts so bad right now". he finally felt how I felt. Still didn't stop him.

4. Vermont- When I was told that we were going to go on a trip to Lake Champlain with a couple of my Dad's brothers and their families I was not so pumped. And after seeing that the camp had no power I really was not excited. Yet, once I started to hang out with Tim, Aaron, Jake, Pat, my little bro, and all the rest it was so fun. Fort (Mckinley I believe) was really cool to see and going swimming in Lake Champlain with my cousins was awesome. I think my two favorite memories from this trip were 1.) Every night we would have at least three or four skunks in our camp. One skunk went into my Uncle's tent, but they were like used to people or something. And 2.) Following the ways of my father and telling Corn Man stories (Like Ghost Stories, its an inside thing) was very fun. Also this trip made the song Ocean Avenue by Yellowcard for me.

3. Camp Pendelton- Any time I go to California and see my father's family is always memorable. This trip was so fun because all day we would go to the beach and run around like chickens with our heads cut off. We would always meet at least once a day with everyone else and talk. The waves were huge ( I was in elementary school) and hanging with the cousins never gets old. This is where I first fell off of a bunk bed while I was sleeping. My most memorable moment from this trip was that one night everyone went to the beach to meet and talk with each other but, of course, no one told me. I got stuck looking for them with a beach cop or something and when we finally found them I had to stop my crying and climb out of this cop car to get to them Imagine my shame.

2. Petoskey- Since like Elementary school my family makes anually trips to Petoskey Michigan. Petoskey is absolutely gorgeous. Riding to Petsokey one day is always fun. We usually make a stop to run up a flight of stairs in a park that go up this big hill. And also riding into harbor Springs which is the rtichest city I have ever seen. Parts of it I am not high class enough to even look at. There are so many different memories from Petoskey that I am going to have to make a seperate post about it. Stay tune.

1. And the number one best Family Vacation is ................ California- Every year when I was little we would go to California in late summer and spend boat loads of time. We would stay at wrightwood where we would daily go swimming and go climbing in the Mountains. The cousins would get into groups and then perform skits for the uncles and aunts. The year that we had a forest fire and my mom found a leaf that was pure black and ash was falling everywhere and I thought it was snow. Or sometimes we would go to Yucca Calley and play hide and go seek in my grandparents huge backyard. There were hills (as a kid they were mountains) just outside the front door. There was a museum in the valley that was really cool. Making trips to Joshua Tree and exploring was soooooooo much fun. All in all my fondest childhood memories were sculpted in California with all myh cousins and siblings. BUT my most memorable moment out of them all was playing Bonanza with my cousins and siblings in the back of my grandparents house in Wrightwood. One time this guy came over and yelled at us because we were apparently being too loud. I could come up with a thousand more and if I have time and some motivation I may just add another post about my times in California as a kid. That would also be long and would include things like sleeping on the deck as the older people ate root beer floats. Or the time that a cactus got hooked to my leg. OOOOOOOOO thats a good story. I will save that for later. Matt saved my life though. Or at least thought he was. What a nice brother. I'm getting a happy feeling just thinking about all these trips. I am extremely happy that my father and mother took us on trips. It is something I will definitely continue if God ever vlesses me with children.






Unfortunately I must come up with my least favorite family vacation. Of course, this vacation was the only one that I can think of that was not all pure fun. And that is.........................................Interlochen. Interlochen is a campsite on Duck Lake. Don't get me wrong I used to love going thre, but then I got swimmers itch, (as did my mother) and that was excruciating. I hated it. We have not been to Interlochen since. BUT thank you Dad and Mom for allowing me to have so many awesome memories. It is a huge blessing.

Top Ten Best Sports One-Liners

My favorites are the two tiger woods ones and the number one.  Very funny

Save the trees and kill the children.

One of my favorite quotes in a song is Casting Crowns song O Little Town of Bethleham.  In the third verse they sing of our country and it goes like this. 

 United States of America looks like another silent night.  As we are sung to sleep by philosphies of save the trees and kill the children. 

I was on facebook today and one of my friends from high school was doing a survey that they wrote a note about and one question was what are your thoughts on abortion.  Their answer absolutely ripped open my heart.  And of course this person always talks about equality and love and save the earth.  But the babies well we can murder them.  They are not humans anyway.   This was their answer:

Explain what you think about abortion

Do it.... especially if you dont want it, and are going to put it up for adoption.  There are way too many people in this world to go around.....we dont need more unwanted babies.

My Car

My fiance said that this song reminded her of my car.  

What I'm gonna do with my life

This song represents what I am thinking while I study for these stupid exams.

NO EVIL?????

I am sitting here in the computer lab waiting for my lovely fiance to get out of class so we can go home (different homes.  I have no car though so she is my ride).  As I sit here I thought I might as well maximize my time, so I decided to listen to Ravi Z instead of play neopets (that and the fact that I would be whipped if seen playing neopets in the lab) and he was talking about why he can't be an atheist.  He was talking about the moral law and then he said this from Richard Dawkins:

"Dawkins has gone so far as to say we have to deny the reality of evil if our argument is 

going to stay."

WOW.  Any person in their right mind knows how evil this world is.  Sad that someone would rather deny evil than recognize Christ.  Or at LEAST recognize that there is evil and that there absolutely HAS to be a moral law.   The time is 10:47 (Rush Limbaugh voice)

Top Ten Speakers

Another thing I will be starting is my "Top Ten Lists". This list will consist of my top ten favorite people I have ever heard speak.


10. Matt Johnson- He was a music leader at Camp Barakel in Michigan where my old youth group used to take trips to. He was absolutely incredible. He was very passionate and reached me personally.

9. Pastor Cal Emerson- He was my childhood pastor at Northgate Wesleyan. I loved pastor Cal very much and I enjoy when I have been able to go back and listen to him preach (although it has been probably half a decade since I was able to). It is very easy to tell how much Pastor Cal loves people. I always enjoy talking to him, and enjoy listening to him.

8. Pastor Scott- My pastor up in Mt. Pleasant. He is a hilarious guy who most definitely has the gift of humor. He also definitely has a heart for the Lord. He enjoys teaching the Word and I certainly enjoy listening.

7. Mark Driscoll- ahh good ol Driscoll. I must admit I very rarely listen to Driscoll, mainly bc I don't have the time to listen to a whole sermon. Still, when I do listen to him I fervently enjoy his passion for Christ. He is a very funny man and has most certainly encouraged me to become a more manly man.

6. Allistar Begg- Begg is an absolutely awesome speaker. I subscribe to his podcasts and I have thought upon sermons such as suffering and anxieties (especially the latter). I don't know if it is the accent that draws me in, but something does.

5. Jerry Goinea- (not sure how to spell the last name so I will refer to him as Mr. G) Mr G was my favorite teacher of all time. Everyone else hated him because he was so strict, but I absolutely loved him. He had such a passion for Christ and desperately wanted to share that passion with his students. He is the one person that helped me the most in my beginning months of being a Christian. I would ask him questions and talk with him about struggles. A great man and I wish I could tell him. (The only reason he is not higher is because him speaking was not as fun. English teacher yuck)

4. Tom Harmon- I personally believe that I am came to Christ during one of his sermons. Listening to him was absolutely amazing. He had such a knowledge of the word and he was incredibly entertaining.

3. John Piper- THE MOST PASSIONATE GUY I HAVE EVER HEARD. No matter what it is John Piper will put all his passion in it. His knowledge is amazing, and the way that he answers questions and struggles is amazing. He never answers without serious thought. And every answer he lays out with love and thoughfulness. Amazing speaker

2. Ravi Zacharias- Kudos to dad for turning me on to this guy. He has such a knowledge of both Western and Eastern culture. I can't get enough of Ravi. He just has incredible knowled of, not only Christianity, but other religions too. I have never listened to Ravi and not come away without an incredible amount of knowledge. Shows how much smarter he is than me.

1. Dad- I don't know what it is, but there is just something about listening to your father speak. I think there is just an added bit of personal feelings to it. I believe that he is one of the most passionate people I have ever met. Maybe it has something to do with the glory of sons is their fathers, but my father is who i enjoy listening to the most. I don't think he knows it, but my favorite sermon ever is by him. it was one of our first years at Graham and he spoke on 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. (Don't get cocky dad. ha ha ha)



*At the bottom of every top 10 will be my number one LEAST favorite.


Number 1 Least Favorite Speaker......................................Joel Osteen. even before I knew that he preached the prosperity gospels.