HAWAII HERE I COME!

So today has been especially great because one of my very best friends, Chawna, and I just booked a flight and hotel to HAWAII!!! I have never been to Hawaii, and to be honest I would be elated to go on any vacation now - I can't wait to relax. We have no plans, other than to relax. It is truly going to be a treat!!!

Here is where we will be staying...

The Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa - Marriott

CMTA Conference

WOW!!! What an information filled weekend I have just had. I spent Friday and today at the Children's Ministry Teaching Association's annual convention for church leaders. It was absolutely phenominal!!! I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. I do have to say that I don't think I can fit any more information in my brain at this time, I am on OVER LOAD!!! I was fortunate enough to enjoy this weekend with a few of my extremely faithful volunteers, Tracy, Kathy and Tim (my boss even came for the day yesterday!!!) It was such a great time of fellowship, worship, and learning. I can't wait to bring all my information back to the volunteers and see what the Lord does through all we have learned these 2 days.

Last night we had an evening session with some awesome worship and an incredible message delivered by Nick Vujicic, Life Without Limbs Ministry. What an inspiring, moving and powerful testimony he has to share. One thing that struck me as being such an amazing thing, was that he delivered an incredible message with such power from a body that society would not say is powerful. God is the power that speaks through him! He was such a source of encouragement to leaders in the church and I am so thankful for the message he spoke.

God is so good, and I am confident that He has HUGE plans for the Children's Ministry at ShoreLife church. I am so excited to see how He moves not only through the lives and hearts of the volunteers, but also through the lives of our kiddos. I am pumped and ready to go!!! Please pray for our Children's Ministry and just that we would stay on track with the BIG picture in mind, to bring children to the feet of the cross and proclaim Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior!!!

The Circus....on Vicodin

My wonderful, fabulous, loving, supportive and fantastic boyfriend wanted to surprise me with a congratulatory present for getting my dream job!!! I have always wanted to go to the Circus. So, on Friday (April 17th) Bryan and I were driving on the freeway when we saw signs for Circus Vargas, I expressed interest and the conversation was over. When we got back to my house, he said, "Babe, yes or no?" Not knowing what he was talking about, I just said YES! He replied with, "Then we are going to Circus Vargas tonight at 7:30pm!!!" I was elated! So I continued to ice my cheeks in hopes that some of the pain and swelling would go away, unfortunately the pain remained so I had to take a Vicodin on our way to the Circus. We found our seats, which were phenominal by the way, we had 2 seats front row, right at the ring on the ground. The first words out of my mouth were, "There is nothing like a circus while on Vicodin" Everything was spinning and crazy around me. What an experience. Bryan was so wonderful though, we were taking pictures and he felt the need to smile like me so I wouldn't feel so alone - needless to say our pictures are painful to look at.

The night was full of laughter and fun. It was such a nice treat and a wonderful surprise. We aren't spontaneous very often, but it is so much fun every once in a while! I was nearly giddy like a child, it was GREAT!!!

Chipmunk Fever

So Tuesday, April 14th I got all 4 of my wisdom teeth taken out. I never thought I would get sick of ice cream, pudding and yogurt but man o man I am craving a good In N' Out Burger!!! Last night I was actually able to eat chili and a potato (even though I had to mash it to the point of being a puree I thoroughly enjoyed it).

Today I am struggling with what doctors call "Chipmunk Fever" - ok maybe they don't call it that but they should. It is pretty terrible. Thankfully the pain isn't that bad, I just look terrible. I will be in hiding until this swelling goes away - you can thank me later.

Good Friday

~John 19:16-30~

16"So he then handed Him over to them to be crucified. 17They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. 18There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between. 19Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It was written, "JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS." 20Therefore many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin and in Greek. 21So the chief priests of the Jews were saying to Pilate, "Do not write, 'the King of the Jews'; but that He said, 'I am King of the Jews.'" 22Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written."

23Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier and also the tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece. 24So they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to decide whose it shall be"; this was to fulfill the Scripture: "THEY DIVIDED MY OUTER GARMENTS AMONG THEM, AND FOR MY CLOTHING THEY CAST LOTS." 25Therefore the soldiers did these things. But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, " Woman, behold, your son!" 27Then He said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" From that hour the disciple took her into his own household. 28After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, " I am thirsty." 29A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth.

30Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, " It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit."

Jesus paid it all

All to Him I owe

Sin had left a crimson stain

He washed it white as snow

Fun filled day with some great friends!

Today one of my really good friends, Vallie, visited me at Biola and brought Ty and Britain - her adorable kiddos. We had such a fun time hanging out, enjoying some delicious lunch, some yummy ice cream and watching kids explore a college campus for the first time. I never knew how much fun bunk beds could be until I saw Britain and Ty enjoy them emmensly in my room. Things I have never thought about before that makes me adore the minds of children were exposed by a few great questions,

"Why don't you have any toys here?"

~Britain~

"What is the name of this hotel?"
~Ty~

"Does your mom live here too?"

~Britain~

The best part of this picture is that Britain took it! She was taking the most hilarious pictures! She is going to be a photographer one day!


I love the little things in life! I truly enjoyed my time with them today!!! What a gorgeous day to spend in the sun and who better to spend it with then people you just love!

Newbie

So this is my very first time posting a blog. I am envious of those who have record of their thoughts, ideas, praises, excitements, prayer requests and Hallalujah moments. I am going to try my very best to make this a habit and to record my daily happenings.