OCTOBER 2011 TRIP

In October, I got to take a trip to Southern CA – the beautiful Santa Clarita Valley to be more specific … and a little of the San Fernando Valley as well. This was my first trip since I moved home, and it was a wonderful blessing in so many ways. The primary reason for the trip – a wedding! (And not just anyone’s wedding … Polly’s wedding! Woot woot!) My 4 day weekend was filled to the brim and included the following:

• Laughing so hard on the car ride from the airport that I’m pretty sure Jenn almost wrecked the car once or twice due to lack of visibility from tears in her eyes (I’d mention one of the things we were laughing at but you’d have no idea what I was talking about, and I’ve been told by a source that if you Google it … well, it’s not entirely appropriate. But don’t worry …. Google doesn’t know what I’m talking about either). Love you, Jenn!
• Tears of utter happiness at the sight of Polly
• A bridal shower (an absolutely beautiful one, I might add)
• Last minute packing and moving
• An early morning breakfast
• Little sleep
• 3 different places to sleep (in 4 nights, haha)
• Discovering I enjoy arranging flowers
• Manicures (Confession: I love getting a French Manicure! I feel so stinkin’ pretty and girly with my nails done … LOVE it!)

Yay for a pretty French manicure

• Did I mention the lack of sleep yet?
• 2 different 2 hour stays at Chick-Fil-A in 1 night and I didn’t even eat there … yeah, go figure
• Lots of laughter – especially in my 4 hours at Chick-Fil-A
• Golden Spoon!!! YuM!

BTW, we're at Chick-Fil-A! I wasn't kidding about how much time I spent there!

• The “Low Hotel”
• Church of the Canyons – Pastor Bob, many sweet friends, my little Sunday School kids!
• Coffee with a friend
• Lunch at Aroma with a friend
• Dinner with my “Southern CA Parents” at my favorite Italian restaurant in SoCal – La Piccola Trattoria. I may or may not be best friends with the chef … he kinda makes me a special dessert.
• Leap Year – so great!  Rita, I LoVe laughing with you!
• A stop at GTY – my how things have changed around that place. Like half the people in Customer Service are new. Guess that’s what happens over the course of 2-3 years.
• Children’s Hunger Fund.  I felt a bit like a celebrity in the hallway … pretty nice! My CHF peeps, it was SO wonderful to see you. I miss working with ya’ll! And not gonna lie, I think I mostly miss laughing with you guys. I’m glad “the new me” doesn’t bake so I won’t be entirely forgotten!
• Just realized I kinda forgot an important thing … Polly and Brian’s wedding!!! (It was kind of a big deal.) Definitely one of the best weddings I’ve ever been to. I loved everything about it. I mean, ya’ll fed me Porto’s potato balls for cryin’ out loud. Super great catching up with people at the reception! (Ash, I am SO thankful for the time we had that night! Love you, friend!)
• Aroma with my sweet Kristin (oh boy, just remembered what I ate that day … Peppered Beef Sandwich. Can we say delicious??)
• And we’re back at the Sacramento Airport … the new terminal, I might add. Yes, I saw the gigantic red bunny and rode the tram and felt like an idiot for having no clue until my arrival at the airport that there was a brand new terminal – apparently I’m a bit out of the loop. Oh and also, when I flew out of Sac, I had one of the most awkward experiences ever … let’s just say snake skin sandals, Vegas, and awkward humor … we’ll leave it at that. {Awkward turtle!}

Does anyone know why this large rabbit is greeting guests in Sacramento??!

• Lack of pictures. Sorry, I wasn’t exactly going picture happy with my phone.

Overall, the trip was everything I hoped for and more. God was so kind in giving me a trip full of laughter, fun, serious and encouraging conversations, opportunities to serve, and sweet time with friends! Thanks to everyone involved in making my weekend visit so grand!

DECEMBER 2011 TRIP

So I had this nostalgic desire to go to a Grace Community Christmas concert this year, and my mom and I decided to drive down for a weekend. Super fun weekend spent with great friends. God’s grace and good gifts were, once again, so lavish! I’ll simply let a few pictures do the talking.

Polly, THANK YOU! I totally love my pineapple ornament! Made me smile every time I saw it on my tree!

The Christmas concert was super great! Yay!

What's Christmas in SCV without a little Ash Court Christmas bling??

#1 – A firm handshake should be an absolute must upon hiring a salesperson. My interest in purchasing their product diminishes when I’m greeted or left with a wimpy handshake.

#2 – I may give up eating ice cream and frozen yogurt during the winter; it’s too cold! Now please understand, I love ice cream. So this is a huge dilemma I’m working through here people!

#3 – Have you ever thought the following: “I wonder if I’m a horrible dresser and my friends aren’t honest enough to tell me the truth?”

#4 – I love PK Sushi. Yes, I have mentioned PK Sushi in a previous post, but it’s just that good.

#5 – If I were to be locked in solitary confinement, I know – without a shadow of a doubt – that I would go insane.

#6 – What happened to the first 15 days of December??? How can Christmas possibly be in just over 1 week??! I thought I was doing so well with Christmas shopping and cooking … but no. I’d like an extra week, please.

#7 – I’m pretty sure I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve been out for coffee over the last few weeks. Weird.

#8 – I love Christmas music, but I get tired of it. I feel horrible that I just admitted that. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t stop listening to it! The problem is, there are only a certain number of times a person can listen to the 20 renditions of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “White Christmas.” Unfortunately, some artists butcher these marvelous songs. And I just get in the mood for deeper truth than lines like … “Silent Night, Holy Night” (was it really that silent?) and “Santa Claus is coming to town” (please don’t even try to substitute ‘Jesus Christ’ in there … you’ll just make my blood pressure rise).

#9 – God became man. That just kind of blows my mind. Christ is “the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power” (Heb. 1:3a) … and He was born as a baby. Humility.

#10 – “Pain is the gift that no one wants but that everyone benefits from.” – Doug Rutt (Pastor at Christian Family Chapel in Jacksonville, FL – great series on Christmas available on their website)

Oops, I forgot #11 – go to the WordPress Homepage … and wait for it …it snows!!!

It's just so wonderful and Christmasy!!

We decorated the house too, and it’s so festive and pretty. Christmas is officially here!

First up – Pastor Bob Childress and Church of the Canyons. I am so thankful for the time I was able to spend at this church under Pastor Bob. I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate him – his shepherd’s heart, his love for the Lord, the way he handles the Word. He’s a blessing to many. His sermon on waiting from the life of Moses in Hebrews 11 was such a huge blessing when he preached it in March that I listened to it again this week (and that wasn’t the first time I’ve re-listened to this message). You can listen to it here (the March 13, 2011 sermon).

I’ve been listening to Pandora this week and was introduced to a new song that I LOVE. I shared this with my mom last night, and I can’t tell you how many times she’s listened to it. The song is called “Promise of a Lifetime” by Kutless. I wanted to share the words on here, but I think it’s under a strict copyright or something. Everywhere I found the lyrics online had them blocked, and I couldn’t copy them. So … go to YouTube and listen to this beautiful song. I just think this song is such an incredible expression of the heart of someone hurting. It’s “brutally honest,” as a professor of mine used to say. And it brings hope by pointing to the unfailing promise we have from the Lord … He is with us and will not leave us nor forsake us. I was blessed by Psalm 66:20 this week: “Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!”

Along the lines of music … I’ve also been enjoying Andrew Peterson this week (thanks to Chris and Mindy – so awesome to see you guys!).

AKA - "The Christmas Album of my Childhood"

You see … I love the Carpenters’ Christmas Portrait CD! I grew up on it. What proves I grew up on it? The fact that our copy is a cassette. Yes, that’s right, I am that old. So I’ve wanted to get this beloved classic for some time … but I haven’t. Well confession time … it didn’t happen this Christmas either. Because when I went to Wal-Mart last night, who gave me a surprise greeting in the Christmas music section?? MICHAEL BUBLE!!! I was so excited I could hardly stand it! I have been waiting for a real Christmas album from him. No, his 6-song CD entitled “Let it Snow” did not count. You have to have more than 10 songs on a CD in order for it to be legit in my not-so-professional opinion. So the long awaited album is here. This is like … right up there the day the Josh Groban Christmas album came out. Well, almost. I have pretty much not stopped listening to it since last night. I am totally loving it, and I think you should go buy it. And who would’ve thought … Michael Buble and Shania Twain?! Amazing combo!

Excuse me a moment while I talk to Polly … I totally thought of you when I first heard the album and especially their version of “White Christmas.” I believe you’ll love it. Oh, and it also took me back to your single days when I was your roommate and we would blast “I Just Haven’t Met You Yet” in your car. Those were the days … but guess what, you met him! (actually, you knew him while we were singing that song) No more single days for you … CONGRATS.

Back to our originally intended broadcast … actually, that’s all I got. Go listen to this great, old school Christmas album!

YAY for Buble and Christmas!

1. I was a cheerleader … for a year. Should I be honored or concerned that most people are shocked to learn or be reminded of that?

2. I used to love horses – I had them on my walls! They are not there anymore.

3. I learned to show dogs. Yes, show dogs – you read it right the first time. Do you know how to properly hold your arm and how to hold the leash, trot alongside a dog and control him/her, or how to set the dog in the correct stance for the judge to look at them (and did you know you have a very short amount of time to get them set?)? Yeah, I didn’t think so! And do I remember those things now … not very well. It was a short phase.

4. I LOVE sushi! My current favorite place is PK Sushi in Rocklin. So D-to-the-L-to-the ICIOUS! The waitress and I are now on a first name basis – it helps that she wears a name tag. Tried a new roll last night – Double Shrimp. I’d call it one part shrimp, two parts deliciousness-in-my-mouth!

5. I don’t love weddings. Did you just gasp? I know … how un-girly of me, right? Now don’t get me wrong (especially those of you who are about to get married – YAY – and those who’ve had me in your wedding). I LOVE weddings when my dear friends that I love are getting hitched! And I enjoy being involved in weddings and helping out at receptions and all that jazz. I’m just not the type of person to randomly drop in on a wedding of people I do not know … unlike some people I know, and even call dear friends.

6. I was blogging because I was counting down the minutes until I could print my boarding pass!!!

On a bit of a more serious note – these blog posts found their way into my inbox a few weeks ago. Thank you, Desiring God Ministries. I thought they were a good read, and I appreciated them. Enjoy if you so choose to read them: John Piper’s explanation of why he exercises Part 1 and Part 2.

So I wanted to buy tickets to see Josh Groban MONTHS ago – like the day they went on sale. But I didn’t know who I’d go with, there was a slight possibility of me moving to Sacramento so I wasn’t comfortable buying tickets for the LA show, yada yada yada. Well obviously, I moved to Sacramento. So I thought, perfect, I shall see him here. By the time my mom and I finally landed on going for sure and which tickets we wanted (floor seats), they were sold out. It was a couple weeks before the show after all. So I began my Craigslist adventure. And let me tell you, I was scared to death! But I found what seemed to be legit floor seats and I realllllly wanted them. So I contacted the guy … concluded he was a normal person (at least on the phone) and picked a place to meet to purchase said tickets. I mentioned to the guy putting our floors in that I was buying tickets on Craiglist for a concert, and I asked him if he had done anything like that. He proceeded to tell me about the last time he bought tickets to the Kings vs. Lakers game – he got to the game only to find out they were fakes. This did not give me courage to go buy my Josh Groban tickets! I was literally a wreck. I was so scared they were gonna be fake or the man was going to kill me in the parking lot of Jack in the Box. My sweet mother came to my rescue so that at least we’d both be killed getting the tickets instead of just me. Thankfully, the guy was totally nice and not a con artist and very patient with my craziness of trying to figure out if he was a convicted felon. I believe this all occurred one week before the concert. Fast forward a week.

My mom’s back went out; we were devastated that she couldn’t go. My cousin Heidi ended up getting to go with me, which was such a blast! We attended our first Josh Groban concert together at the Staples Center in LA when we were in college. So, once we got through the door and I knew my tickets were real, I had such an amazing time! And let me tell you, never again will I sit anywhere but the floor at a Josh Groban concert. Oh boy … he’s just such an amazing musician … and comedian. But the coolest part (ahhh) … he was like 5 feet away from me at one point! I could have tackled him (not that I would ever do something like that because that’s just ridiculous, but … just sayin’ … I could’ve!). And the dude who sold me my tickets? Yeah, he was 2 rows behind me on the aisle and he shook Josh Groban’s hand. And what did I do? Shook the man’s hand afterward, duh! So that’s right, I have shaken the hand of a man who has shaken the hand of Josh Groban! I didn’t wash my hand for … about an hour. Oh and I realized what I want to be when I grow up … an amazing musician who plays in Josh Groban’s band! How fun would that be?! OK, I’m really starting to sound like a crazy stalker fan … and I promise I’m not. I’m just gonna let the pictures do the talking now …

Opening act over ... can't wait for Josh to make his appearance!

Our seats - so great!

He came so close! And he took the old couple next to us up on stage!

Good-bye Josh ... we love you!

The degree of separation between me and Josh Groban was narrowed by about a million. I shook the hand of a man who shook Josh Groban's hand!!!

Which shirt would YOU buy??! Haha, just for clarification ... I DO NOT and NEVER WILL own a tshirt with Josh Groban's face plastered on it.

The end of July and first weeks of August were a bit stretching. But the results were beautiful and the ways the Lord provided were incredible beyond belief! My dear mother has needed a new oven for awhile now. She was still using her 28 year old, original with the house, not working quite right anymore oven. Long story short – she had one in mind that she REALLY wanted, we ended up finding an awesome guy at Sears who found us a super great deal, AND her Sunday School class pulled off “Operation Oven Mitt.” What might that be you ask? They collected money for my mom to get the oven of her dreams – double oven, woohoo (almost as spectacular as a double rainbow)! Such dear people!! We also got laminate flooring throughout the entire house (minus the bathrooms). They are beautiful and we’re thoroughly enjoying them (sorry I don’t really have a picture of the floors; you can see a pinch of them below). And again, God provided AMAZING deals. So without further ado, welcome to my kitchen!

Yay for the beautiful, new double oven!

Cookie Time!

Why just the other night I made cookies in the lower oven! Hey, there are 2 missing! Quick shout out to Polly – it’s your recipe and I ended up making them TWICE last week and I miss you like CrAzY. I’d like to state for the record that I did NOT eat them all. I’ve made them for other people … and enjoyed a few for myself, of course. They are weight watcher cookies after all people! I’m practically getting more fit by eating them.

This is the second time I’m sitting at Starbucks in the last 2 weeks trying to write a blog post. When everything in your life has changed and you haven’t blogged in forever and a year, it’s a daunting task to sit down and write! I mean, where would I begin? What would someone actually find interesting from the past 6 weeks of my life and care about reading? Would you like to hear about my 4th of July and the fun of kayaking, yummy food, a bike ride, fireworks so close debris was falling on us, and homemade cookies and milk? Maybe you’d like to hear about my first few weeks of work – how overwhelmed I have felt, how I made my first bulletin misspelling the week my pastor asked me to add an announcement about my working in the office (including my picture), how the copier and I have not been getting along at all (although, I think we’re starting to make progress, but I could be wrong)? Perhaps you’d rather hear about the chaos of my house – moving things over and over and not being settled, stuff being moved out, new floors going in, my bed being in the middle of my room while waiting for new base boards, purchasing a new oven and dishwasher? I would like to proclaim to the world that as of yesterday, our house is in order (and looking so beautiful!) and I unpacked the last of my boxes! HOORAY! What a relief! Would you find it interesting to read about the copious amounts of Big Spoon Frozen Yogurt that my mom and I have consumed, how many times we’ve eaten homemade popcorn, apples, and cheese slices, and how we can’t wait to start cooking and entertaining now that the house is in order? (I got to cook the last 2 nights – so fun … and yummy! recipes to come!) Or maybe you’d like to jump in on the conversation regarding my decision of purchasing a road bike – tested an amazing Cannondale last week that I really want (oh, and I have the peddles and clips thanks to my friend!!). If you’re into working out, perhaps you’d be interested to know that I miss my membership at LA Fitness like crazy; like I might literally go insane!! I would kill to be in Spin Class with Amy (the best instructor of all times) tonight or Saturday morning!! And if you’re in Southern CA – maybe you’d like to hear about how much I miss you (believe me when I say “I DO!”). And if you’re in Northern CA – maybe you’d prefer to hear me say that I’m so glad to be home and near you again (please know that I am!).

If I had to describe the last month and a half in one word, I’d choose this word: sanctifying.

Don’t you just love it when life goes easily, according to plan, smooth like butter? I LOVE it when life is like that … and that’s not exactly how I’d describe the way things have been. I feel a little like nothing has gone according to my plan lately … and that’s a problem. But the problem is with me. You see, I want to live for my own little kingdom – where I control every little detail and everything goes exactly as I want it to. Circumstances and people all sync with my master plan. But … God’s Kingdom operates quite differently, and He delights to graciously, lovingly, and kindly remind us of this. And thankfully, He’s shown me that I love control and ease way too much. And I’ve had to remind myself that, “… his [God's] focus isn’t so much on what you will experience and enjoy, but on what you will become. He is committed to using every tool at his disposal to rescue you from yourself and to shape you into the likeness of his Son” (Paul Tripp). So that means moving, being unsettled, starting over, changing churches, remodeling the house, buying appliances, making new friends and rekindling old friendships, being new, living in a mess, not getting to go on vacation to a beautiful island in Florida, and learning a new job are all tools in God’s hand to make me more like Christ. How amazing is that?! God’s love chisels the imperfections out of me and purifies the dross out of my soul. Easy? Painless? Enjoyable? No way! But the end result … wonderful, freeing, God-glorifying, joyful (not to mention so much more pleasant for those around me).

Can I quote Paul Tripp again? His book A Shelter in the Time of Storm (which the above quote was also taken from) has been convicting, encouraging, helpful, refreshing. I highly recommend it! This portion greatly spoke to my heart the other day, so I’ll leave you with his words …

Trust in God isn’t a thin hope in some not very sure outcome. Hope in God is rather a present investment in a future guarantee. What God says will be done. What God has promised will come to pass. His word is reliable because in his grace he wants to bless us, and in his power he has the ability to do anything he has promised to do. When you live with his promises in view, you live with confidence, courage, and unshakable hope. You then become free of anxiety and worry. You become free of vain attempts to manipulate people and situations in order to get what you want. You place yourself in the hands of a sovereign God of grace who knows exactly what you need, when you need it, how you need it, and where you will need it. And because your Father is good, he will never turn a deaf ear to your cries, and he will never abandon you in your hour of need. No, you won’t always understand what he is doing, and you will be tempted to think that he has gotten his timing wrong, but the more you entrust your life to him, the more you will experience his faithful grace again and again.

BUT … here are a few of the wonderful things I have in store for me … MY FAMILY, friends, my home church, awesome ministry opportunities, my cousins, homemade popcorn with my mom (i just can’t seem to make it for myself), my sweet Allie who’s moving back too, bike rides along the river, my family, BBQ (yum), dinner parties, Karen’s Bakery, midtown, game nights, cheaper tax (I’m real excited for this), 1 mile commute (I can’t begin to exclaim my excitement), Lucca’s, the piano, and did I mention my family?

My last day at Children’s Hunger Fund will be next Friday. It’s definitely a bittersweet thing to say good-bye to these sweet people I’ve come to know and love over the last 15 months. I will miss it here. I had the opportunity over the last week or so to be involved in a really fun and awesome project – our new Back to School video. Please watch it, because it’s so great and you’ll love it! (And I may or may not be starting a new career in teaching, haha)