Summer 10

Here's how it played out...
It all started with a puppy - the cutest puppy ever... that didn't let me sleep for 3 weeks!



so... she went to stay with Grandma who of course fell in love with her just like I did. Who knows if I will ever get my puppy back. Pippi Longstocking (that's her name) went to June Lake with the family in July.

Then there were Dodger games... and a Barenaked night at the Greek (barenaked ladies that is).


A super fun week on the Delta with my dream girls - "Peanut Boater Jelly Time!




Then John Mayer at the Bowl

What a fun summer... exhausting... but fun.

new pictures of my place

I've been promising new pictures of my house for quite a while - so here they are...

A new point of view...

Again... sorry for the silence. I think I was waiting for inspirational greatness and ended up settling for nothing else to do on a day stuck at home sick. It's been a roller coaster ride of a year and I'm still growing and learning with each new day. New city, new church, new home, new friends, new places to discover, and most important a new perspective on life.

In Donald Miller's new book, "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years", he describes our life as a story, making us the characters in the story. Characters who need an inciting incident in order to truly jump into the exciting story God wants us in.

"Humans naturally seek comfort and stability. Without an inciting incident that disrupts their comfort, they won't enter into the story. They have to get fired from their job or be forced to sign up for a marathon. A ring has to be purchased. A home has to be sold. The character has to jump into the story, into the discomfort and the fear, otherwise the story will never happen."

I believe that's where I was - comfortable but not really a character in a good story. God pushed me into His story big time! It was painful and uncomfortable (it still is sometimes) but so worth it in so many ways.

Psalm 40:1-3 "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God."

Thank you to all of my dear friends who supported me and loved me through the past year and a half of craziness. I hope I have the opportunity to show you the same love and support throughout your story.

Finally a new post!

Sorry it's been a crazy few months! I had my head (literally and figuratively) stuck in a book (I'm on my second trip through the Twilight series - almost finished again!). I know I'm a little obsessed. : )
I found a place to live - finally - it took everything I had to find the perfect place. Here are some pics...

front of my place
front house

my street - Ave. C 

the yard outside my house

living room

What a beautiful waste of time!

I spent the past few days engrossed in Twilight! What a great and strange book - I will start the second one today.
So much fun to spend an entire day in a book. An indulgence that I never allow myself. I am having so much fun! : )

I got a job! and a new bag!

God is good ... all the time! He not only provides but redeems! I found a job - Rolling Hills Covenant Church. I will be working with High School students (a whole lot of them). I don't start until June so I have some time to rest, prep, and move up to LA to start a new adventure. Thank you all for your prayers and support! I am so thankful to be on the other side!

I got a new bag to celebrate . . . ain't she pretty?

She came with a yellow squirt gun - I love Harveys!

Got him!

Ding Dong . . . the big fat rat is dead!

Hallelujah I can sleep again 

I broke the silence . . .

Life has been crazy the past two months to say the least. I no longer work at South Shores Church - I was laid off last month (most of you know that). I feel like I've been on a roller coaster of emotions from hurt and disappointment in leaving my friends, church family, and most of the all the amazing students I worked with, to relief from stress involving the possible lay off and no longer feeling trapped. Freedom has new meaning to me (every girls retreat theme has been a bit prophetic in my life). So I'm searching for a new job - which is no easy task in this economy. I've resigned myself to finding employment out of church ministry for a while, at least until the economy bounces back a bit. I refuse to take a sub par ministry job just to stay in ministry. God can use me wherever I end up. 

On another front - I have a rat reeking havoc in my life. We've trapped him in the walls of my house, however, he keeps finding his way into my space. This is a problem on many levels. One - he keeps pooping on all my blankets (this grosses me out more than you know). Two - he's chewed holes in a cashmere sweater, a silk sweater, and several pairs of my underwear. Three - I can't sleep knowing he's on the loose. I go to extreme measures to make sure he can't get into my room. We've set traps everywhere and he doesn't touch them. I hate being outsmarted by a rat, especially one with expensive taste. Ughhhhhh

Advantages to Stormy weather

We don't get much stormy weather in Southern California so when it happens we get stupidly excited. Christmas night I was driving home late from the movies with Di & Matt  and it was 36 degrees outside - we were excited. Cold but excited. 

Then yesterday was one of the prettiest days I've ever seen (at my parents house). They live so close to the mountains but can rarely see them as clear as yesterday. 

I started to compare the stormy weather with my own life. It reminded me that when God allows stormy weather in our lives - it's dark for a while but it always gives way to a clearer view of all the beautiful things He's blessed us with. I'm looking forward to the view on the other side.

follow-up comments on last post

No that wasn't a typo on my last post (Mark). I was referring to my 24th birthday ten years ago. Sorry I wasn't very clear - my thoughts were still in process. Thanks to those who understood my insanity (Dawnielle) love you!