My One Year Mark today

Yep, it's true. I arrived to California to start a new life here exactly one year ago today. Funny how life turns out... just never the way you think it will or expect it to sometimes. SO much has happened in the course of just one year... even the fact that I'm ordained now!

As I led worship this morning, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude to be in this place. Wow. Just, wow.

With all the ups and down of this past year, I pray that keeping my heart focused on God and what it is that God calls me to do that I will continue to faithfully minister to this church and continue to root myself in this place.

Thanks for the love ya'll. It's been a good year.

Rich and Emily are married!

And I was lucky enough to share in their special and SUPER FUN day. :)

CONGRATS TO MY COUSIN RICH AND OUR NEW COUSIN EMILY!!! LOVE YOU BOTH!!

VBS 2009

It's been a while, but my life has been consumed with VBS (Vacation Bible School) for the past few weeks in terms of prep and execution, but today was the last day!! HALLELUJAH! It went really well and I'm so thankful for all the volunteers and the kids that came!!

I pray you all are well!

sharing a poem

Nothing So Wise
Jeanne Lohmann

There is nothing so wise as a circle. -Rilke

The arc of an egg
bends hands
to shape prayer,

the shell
unbroken,
the heavy yolk
floating.

Our fingers
curving always
inward, become a cup,
an open bowl.

Prayer is
circumference
we may not
reach around,

space for all we cannot hold,
the rim of Love toward which we lean.

We're back!

We have officially returned from an incredible time of service and building relationships! It's a busy time playing catch-up/keep-up for me now, but thought I'd post a few pics. Hopefully I'll be able to write something more reflective soon!!

I really love these youth and this church!! Praise God for being able to do exactly what I love!!

Headed to Wyoming...

I can't believe it's already the third week of June!!!!

This group of lovely youth and I will be headed out this Saturday, June 20-27th to Wind River, Wyoming on a youth mission trip with YouthWorks to a Native American Reservation to be in service for a week. We know that we will be working to repair homes, do yard work, etc. and work with their kids program they have going there.

Keep us in your prayers!! Most of them have never been on a mission trip or even away from home that long, and this will be my first time leading a trip. I'm blessed because they are a GREAT group of girls with a lot of energy and respectful attitudes.

Anyway, it'll be a while before I update again! Trying to play catch up/keep up while I'm gone.

Thanks for the prayers in advance!

woah.

Last night, I ran (okay, more like a jogging pace), 4 miles!

I do not know how/why that happened, but I think I hit a runner's high and just kept going and going, and it was AMAZING!! I NEVER thought I'd ever say that nor will I probably say that again anytime soon... but it was freakin' SWEET!!

I'm just proud of myself and had to share. :)