Today was spent decorating the church for Vacation Bible School (which starts on Monday). I am SO exhausted from the past 3 weeks, and I know that it isn’t going to get better anytime soon. At least I will have some quiet time in the next couple of days, because I’m housesitting for one of my most favorite people. Just me, the dog and the cat. 🙂

Speaking of housesitting, that’s something I’m doing for three weeks in a row starting today. Three different houses. It’s pretty cool! I get to stay in people’s houses for free, and usually get to eat their food. It’s awesome! Occasionally I am also paid for staying in their house, which is such a great concept to me. 🙂

Anyway, my grandparents and two of my youth from NorCal arrive tomorrow, and I am totally excited. They are going to be such a blessing to me!

Must relax soon…I’ve been so busy and so tired for the past month or so that I’m afraid I might get shingles again…it’s only been a little over a month since my last “episode” with them…so I must be careful!

Back to work…

Okay, so here’s what I know about the rally for those who are curious.

It is this Saturday, July 23rd. I believe it is in Sutter. I’d call someone like Duane for more info–but you’ll have to get his number from someone else. I’m not going to post it on here. 🙂

Also, I don’t know about August or September–I think the plan was to have one every month, but I’m not sure.

Hope that helps you guys who are curious!

Here are my pictures from Mission Camp… and youth camp… and our drama “Shine…”

Here is a link to HALF of my pictures from Tunisia…

And here are pictures from Todd and Paige’s wedding…

Wow…I knew going into this situation that working with this youth group would be difficult, as all of the kids are very hurt by the loss of the previous youth ministers…but I didn’t realize they were taking it so hard. I had 4 kids last night for junior high (usually have 15), and NONE tonight for high school…

Please pray for me…I am at a loss! I don’t know the best way to reach these kids and to guide them…but God does!

This is going to be a tough summer…

I am really looking forward to the next few days–I’m staying with Mindi, and we always have a great time. Yay!

Other than that, life is good. Another wedding this weekend! 🙂

Wow…I am finally back in the “real world” after eight amazing weeks in the mission field (Tunisia and camp)…I am SO exhausted, but it has all been more than worth it. Camp was phenomenal! The youth that we had at “Mission Camp” (week 1) were absolutely incredible and a total inspiration to me. I love them all dearly and cannot wait to see where the Lord leads them!

Last night was my first wedding of the summer (5 more to go!). Todd and Paige are now married! It was a beautiful wedding, and I am so excited for the two of them. Leslie and I ended up as guestbook attendants, and were seated at the head tables. It was so fun!

Today I was asked to sing at my roommate’s wedding in August, in Washington (near Canada). I am SO honored and excited! It will be such a great experience to see her, to see other friends from D.C., and to bring music to this wedding. I’ve never sung at a wedding before!

Other news: I was asked to be the “Interim Youth Director” at my church in Glendora for at least two months. This is going to be extremely challenging for many reasons. It is a paid position, which relieves some of the financial strain I have been feeling…but it is going to be difficult!

More to come…so many thoughts running through my head about everything. Life is WONDERFUL!

Today was a great birthday, filled with non-stop events (not for my birthday!).

I spent the past three days in San Jose, at the annual Southern Baptist “State Youth Conference” (SYC). It was my 8th or 9th conference, this time as a counselor. Unfortunately, my youth group from Glendora was unable to make it up to the conference because of mudslides and snow that closed the roads out of Los Angeles. So, I stayed with my best-friend Duane’s youth group and hung out with them. Jeremy Camp led worship, and it was an awesome experience, as always.

Pictures below.

I’m so exhausted, I really don’t know how I’m even still awake! We drove 3.5 hours today, stopped at the Jelly Belly store in Vacaville, then headed home. My mom made one of my favorite meals for my birthday dinner, and it was great. 🙂

I just can’t believe that I’m 22 years old! It doesn’t seem possible! May this new year be just as wonderful as 2004, and may I continue to grow in my walk with the Lord and in my growth as a person.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Tonight was amazing. Our youth group had an early Christmas party that was quite unique. Someone generously offered to take our youth on a “dinner cruise” through Huntington Harbor (I think that’s what it was called), on their private yacht. It was SO awesome!

The only way I can think to describe the area is to say that it is like Venice: there is one giant main waterway, with many other smaller waterways branching off like streets. Along these waterways are multi-million dollar homes (which right now are decked out for Christmas, and it was SO awesome!), each with at least one yacht…

It was beautiful to see all the lights, especially because they reflected so beautifully in the calm waters of the harbor.

We had hot chocolate as we cruised the harbor, then a wonderful dinner, and a “white elephant” gift exchange. My gift is HILARIOUS…but what can you expect from junior high boys?! 🙂

Anyway, it was a great study break…much needed! And, it was great to spend time with these wonderful youth…

Two papers and three tests until Christmas break! 🙂

Wow–what an evening…tonight, my youth group led a “Prayer Labyrinth”, which ended up being such an incredible experience. I’ve done several of these before–but this one was at a time in my life when I needed this experience with the Lord perhaps more than ever.

I washed feet for the first half of the event, which was so humbling. Each time someone came through, I read from John 13:3-17, about Jesus washing the disciples’ feet….and just pondering the thought that the God of the Universe humbled Himself to wash the filthy, dirt-covered feet of His disciples was so amazing…SO astounding…

From there, the people had a mini Passover meal…

The path then led them to a room where Psalms were being read (Psalms 5, 8, 23, 138 and 139)…time to just adore the Lord by hearing these words of wisdom and adoration.

…and then to a room of “confession”, with pictures from the Passion constantly scrolling through on the wall…and a wooden cross, where you could nail your confession/prayer to the Lord…this was an amazing experience as well…

(Each room was only lit by candles, providing an intimate atmosphere, with music softly playing in the background)…

From there, each person went to the “Vinegar tasting” room, where they had a chance to taste something similar to what the soldiers gave to Jesus…it was really horrible!

The next room was a room for Communion…

Then a room for “Artistic Expression”, where you could express to the Lord your adoration through paint and paper…so awesome! The paintings are in the youth room now, as reminders of this evening.

Last was a room with prayer (adoration, supplication and thanksgiving) and worship…I ended up taking over for Mark (in leading the worship) so that he could go through the labyrinth…and it was so awesome to just worship the Lord as people came in and out as they felt led…by candlelight…

It was a night of healing for me…a night to spend with my Maker, asking Him to continue the healing process…Some doors closed for me today, which will help tremendously in that process, and I was able to begin to work through some of the things that have been separating me from the Lord…

What a night…what a Savior!!

As I read this verse this afternoon, I couldn’t help but ask God what these desires are, or are going to be (I don’t believe that this verse means that He will grant your every desire–but that He will put desires in your heart)…because this summer, as I began to live for Him more and more, He took so many of my passions and desires away. I know that He will reveal to me in time what desires He has for me–it’s just so hard to wait! I must keep delighting myself in Him and in His Will, for only then will He give my heart desires.

But what do I do in the meantime? My passion and excitement for politics is pretty much non-existent–the product of one day this summer. God completely removed it from my life in a matter of minutes. Why? I have no idea–except that right after He changed my heart regarding politics, He began to speak to my heart regarding youth and youth ministry. He reminded me of the experiences I had in Pennsylvania, Glendora, and Northern California…many faces, many memories…and He put a great desire in my heart to work with youth–possibly as a career. A complete change…new desires in my heart…renewed (and greater) passion for youth.

These past few weeks have been very tough on me…on top of the typical stress from school and emotional issues in my life, I’ve been going through a spiritual valley, of sorts, where God has been “silent” in my quiet-times, in my times of prayer…He has spoken through sermons, Bible studies, etc., but has not spoken directly to me in quite some time. And I know that is okay–it’s just hard. And this verse quietly reminded me today that God is still here, holding my hand. He is preparing the way for me–I just have to follow.

One last reflection:



How can I use my talents and gifts in such a way that they bring glory to God?

Francis Chan reminded us today in chapel that nothing we have is ours…God has entrusted us with HIS resources–breath, life, talents, money, personality–and we are supposed to invest them. Like the parable of the talents–we are not supposed to just bury our gifts, or to use them for ourselves. We need to invest what we have been given, so that these resources can bring God glory.

This is something that I will consider daily–am I using my music for my own pride or for the Lord’s glory, since He gave me this wonderful gift and deserves ALL the praise? Am I using my money wisely? Etc.

I am going on an overnight retreat with the women in my church tonight, and I am really looking forward to the fellowship, the learning, and the laughter. I pray that the Lord will continue to teach me what He wants me to learn, no matter where this journey is leading me.

PS–Check out Duane’s post today, it is remarkable and so applicable to each of our lives.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by

such a great cloud of witnesses,

let us throw off everything that hinders and the

sin that so easily entangles,

and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,

who for the joy set before him endured the cross,

scorning its shame, and sat down at the right

hand of the throne of God.

Consider him who endured such opposition from

sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

–Hebrews 12:1-3

My wonderful helpers!! Bella, Chris and Lesa — VBS 2004.

So, except for one thing, this is a great picture! I won’t say what that one thing is…

These two were life-savers during VBS, and helped me all week with the rowdy bunch I had in class. What wonderful youth they are!

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