Joy: Creation

We are just about half way through our time here in Fort Collins, and it’s been a blessing on so many levels. I feel like I’m learning so much about myself, and that God has had me in the most beautiful dance of convicting me of sin and ugliness in myself, then showering me with grace and love, and surrounding me with beautiful people who love the Lord and love me- some who really have no reason to. There is a lot I could say, and my sincere intention is to share more here over the next couple days and weeks now that our classes are over and time is a bit more available.

For today, I wanted to share some photos of some of the beautiful sights we’ve seen lately. I was putting pictures on my computer this afternoon and had the thought, “Okay, we have spent time (not to mention live) in some of, what has to be, the world’s most beautiful places in the last month.” I realize that some people never get to hike and live and walk and behold such beautiful and glorious things. So, I feel thankful and privileged.

AND, starting today I started a “My joys” book- a journal full of things I’m thankful to the Lord for. Have heard that living in gratitude is a real heart, soul, and mind changer. I’m down for that. The images here are certainly included in my joys! En-JOY!

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, 
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 
 what is mankind that you are mindful of them?” Psalm 8

Yay for May...

This fast-paced blogging world is TOO fast-paced right now. I mean, I think I'm getting ahead by blogging a whopping 6 times in April and then here I am in the middle of May with nothin’. Reality check, though: There are FAR more important things in life than the vain pursuit of you knowing about my life. But with that being said, I’d love to tell you about my life… hehe.

May is consistently one of my favorite months of the year. It’s just solid. From the beginning of wedding season to birthdays galore, to celebrating moms and graduates antsy for their diploma, it’s just gold. I love being born in March- I kind of have March pride, but I’m pretty sure you May people know that you got it goin’ on. Here is a pretty unexhaustive list of some highlights of May so far:

Staff Retreat: The retreat officially started in April, but since it ended on May 1, it gets May status. We trekked down to Oxnard for the 2-day Pacific Southwest Regional Retreat. It was a real blessing. I would describe it as: fun, refreshing, relaxing, encouraging, reflective, and necessary. I am lucky enough to have some really close friends also work for Campus Crusade, and thus, this retreat and others like it are the PERFECT excuse to chat for hours sans husbands (though we love them, re-living the girl power status of college days is so fun). On top of old friends, the new just add to the fun. We love our team here in San Francisco, and all around we work with such a high caliber of people that we respect, enjoy, and learn from. It’s seriously such a perk.

 

Birthdays! Though we’ve celebrated others from a distance (hey, birthday boy Mark St. Pierre!), we have gotten to part-ay with a few friends for their birthdays in person. Both Erin Cox and Eva Van Horn turned 24 this month and it’s always so fun to celebrate your peeps. Erin’s parent's house is quite possibly the coziest and most welcoming home you’ll ever enter and so any excuse to go hang out there is welcome. Add that to celebrating the birth of dear Erin and it makes for a great Saturday, May 7. We are so blessed to have close friends from college live in the Bay Area. We celebrated Eva on Monday and had a girl’s night of Indian food, cake, and gifts. Her adoring husband was MIA for the week, so we took care of the birthday girl in his absence. We are equally as blessed to have new friends to celebrate and spend time with.

 

SLO! En route to Oxnard, we got to stop and spend a night in the “promised land”…good ol’ San Luis Obispo. Now, while (most days) I don’t want to live in SLO anymore (kinda), I LOVE visiting. I got to visit with my dear friend Kellye and hear all about her life, which is so much of what my time is SLO was even about- chatting over coffee at the Nautical Bean! We visited Tammy at Upper Crust and just feel so loved that we still matter to her and that it is still a place that feels like home. We ate at Firestone and Pizza Solo and had Yogurt Creations. We got an Old West cinnamon roll in Pismo. (Don’t judge me for how much we ate.) It was lovely. Matt and I are going to be really annoying to our kids when we take them to visit someday…”We used to walk on that sidewalk!” and “I love that gas station!” I would love to re-live college. But I know I can’t and so I’m thankful that what I have instead is a whole lot of great memories, a great place to vacation that feels like home, and some quality friends that will last a lifetime.

The end of the school year. I’m not happy it’s over in the sense that I won’t miss our students or that I don’t like doing ministry. Moreso, it was just a great last two weeks of ministry, and an encouraging and full and emotional and celebratory ending to the year. More on this another time, but we have had so many moments of being overwhelmed as we are taking this time to look back on all the amazing things God had done, and his graciousness in allowing us a glimpse into it. We were so busy last week wrapping everything up with students, but it was so worth it. I cried a lot. But in a good way. In thanks and celebration.

And, great news, it’s only May 12^th!

(Disclaimer: Please don’t think my life is awesome, perfect, or better than yours, by the way. I don't think it is. I think that’s the worst thing about blog world. I want to share good and fun and exciting things in my life with you, but I fear you’ll think that I think my life is somehow better or cooler. I assure you it’s not, though I’m really thankful for a lot of things. Every once in awhile I need that reminder about other people’s lives, so hope that helps any who are like me!)

Lately I'm Lovin'...

My friend Kristy does a post on her blog every once in awhile where she lists things that she’s "lovin’" at the moment. Being the undulating, fickle, every changing creatures that we are, it’s always kind of interesting to stop and think of what kinds of things are bringing us most joy “lately”. So here's my top 10 list (in no specific order) for whatever it's worth to you! (And I do realize this is slightly vain and of very little consequence in light of eternity...but it's also kinda fun :)

Soy Milk.

It is seriously so good. I’ve been using it in everything and sneaking a chug or two throughout the day, too. Don’t tell Pedretti Ranches. It’s just a phase, I’m sure.

Nail Polish.

Never been one for always having my nails painted but I’m diggin’ it right now. I walked to Walgreen’s the other day and bought some really cheap nail polish, but SURPRISINGLY, it is really lasting. I’m always like a year late on trends, and I know I’m totally out of season for this, but I especially am loving wearing dark brown, purple, and grays on my fingers. I'm even headed to the nail salon tomorrow for one of maybe two pedicures I've had since our wedding!

My new journal.

It feels more organized and I’ve been putting quotes that I like or Scriptures that stick out over the top. Here is one such quote:


"The correct perspective is to see following Christ not only as the necessity it is, but as the fulfillment of the highest human possibilities and as life on the highest plane." -Dallas Willard

New Volcano candle.

Confession: I have never purchased a thing from Anthropologie. I lovvveee so much that they sell, particularly their home décor and kitchen section, but it’s just a little on the pricey end for me. I have been wanting the Capri Blue Volcano scented candle for the last four years, no joke. My time arrived. Got this little beauty for my birthday from my dear friend Eva who knew I’ve had my eye on hers. I haven’t burned it yet because I don’t want to use it up too fast, and yet, because I’m not burning it I haven’t gotten to enjoy it. Dilemma. I’m that way with gift cards, too. I don’t use them because then they’ll be gone, but the point of a gift card is to use it.

Screwtape Letters.

I read this book once in high school (I don’t even think I finished it) and it was a bit of a chore to get through it. I don’t think I was really “there” yet. But I am so enjoying it and have found it to be very insightful and challenging. C.S. Lewis is seriously brilliant. 

Taking a nap here.

This little patch of sunlight streaming in makes for the best naps. I’m not the biggest nap-er in general, but I’ll even just lay here for a few minutes to let the sun warm my legs. Taking this picture of myself from a laying down position nap position took a few try-s. 

Netflix.

Not only do we pay $10 to watch on average 3-4 movies a month via DVD, BUT instant streaming is the bomb. We have watched all of "Parks and Rec" Seasons 1 & 2 recently and love it so much. I have historically hated tv, but this show makes me laugh out loud big time. The characters are so loveable and quirky. I have also been doing “The Crunch Fat Burning Dance Party” workout circa 2004 and it’s a kick. Dancing in my living room is about the only thing that can get me to work out consistently. 

This recipe: 
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/cooking-live/creme-brulee-french-toast-recipe/index.html


Another shout out to Ev. 99.9% of the time when I leave a meal at the Van Horns I email Eva within the next 24 hours for the recipe. This time was no exception. I ate this for the first time over a month ago, made it once since then and have been dreaming of it ever since. And it's SO easy.

Lincoln Lawyer.



We saw this movie and realllllly liked it. I'm a Matthew McConaughey fan, in general (sue me), but I thought this movie was one of the better ones I've seen in awhile. I can, at times, have really terrible movie taste though and I wouldn't say I'm the best critic, but the reviews agree with me on this one, so I felt confident enough to share with you.


People using their gifts for the Kingdom.

Kind of a big one. But, recently I have had such an appreciation for people who have very specific gifts, abilities, knowledge, skills, and talents and use them for the the common good and to grow the Kingdom. Christine is a student in our ministry who is an incredible ceramist. I own a beautiful bowl, necklace, and vase all made by her and given to me as gifts. She is honestly incredibly sweet. For the Orphan Scholarship fund, a project we are working on within City Cru, she made close to 50 necklaces and we have been selling them to raise money to send orphan students to college in Honduras. They are selling like crazy. Also, our friend Jordan, is an gifted and knowledgeable salesman and businessman. He has been helping Matt and one of our students work on raising money through various corporations who might be willing to donate. He is meeting with them, setting up conference calls, wrote a sample letter, etc. There are tons of other ways that I've seen this play out whether it's musical talent, baking/cooking, acting, writing, etc. These are just two examples that I'm lovin' lately.   

Capturing Spring

There are few things as wonderful as a sunny, warm San Francisco day (maybe a sunny, warm San Luis Obispo day. We have surely lived in some great places.) Fall and Spring are my favorite seasons (though, I reallllly love summer, too. I'm not good at picking "favorite" things). Alas, spring finally arrived over the last few weeks and it has been truly wonderful. A beautiful day, the sun shining, a warm breeze, and blue skies can seriously do wonders for my soul. I think living in San Francisco makes you appreciate sunny days so much more because, let's get real, you see less of them than many of our fellow Californians. I like that I have a stronger and more sincere appreciation for the sun nowadays. I'm hoping the sun starts to appreciate me and gets me some color soon, too!! Just thought I'd share some photos I've taken on the go over the past couple of weeks as I've been happily welcoming Spring!

 I think clouds are so beautiful. Particularly when there is a brilliant blue behind them.  

On a walk at dusk. Dusk is my favorite time of day. Don't hold me to that, though. Again, I don't do favorites very well. I love looking over the city from a high point near our house.
 

Reading at the park. Sneak attack on Matt.  

This park is literally a 10 second walk from our house. Maybe 15 if a car doesn't let you cross at the crosswalk. Rude. I am really thankful for that. I love going and watching kids play there- which I realize is super creepy- but it reminds me of childhood, simplicity, carefree-ness, and they are just so darn cute. 

I take great pleasure from warm days. 

"This is the point of all pleasure... Pleasure says: “God is like this, only better; don’t make an idol out of me. I only point to him.” -John Piper

I can't imagine how pleasurable Heaven will be. Like a warm SF day forever. 

Birthday weekend haps.

I write to you for the first time as a 24 year old. That’s still so young, huh? I feel older than that, but well, I’m not. 24 it is, and I'm lookin' forward to a new year of life. I had a great birthday weekend and wanted to share just a few pictures from it. 

First, on Friday, Matt threw me a surprise party. I...was...shocked. It was seriously the most surprised I have ever been, maybe ever. We went to dinner for Thai food beforehand with our dear friends Jordan and Eva. Jordan's birthday was earlier in the week so we were both on the birthday train. Dinner was fun enough for me. I love spending time with the Van Horns, but no! That wasn't all. Our plan as far as I knew was to go back to the Van Horn's for cake and ice cream with a few other friends, but little did I know it would be thirty other friends. It was a joint party for Jordan and I that Eva and Matt had put together and it was such a blessing.

 This is my friend Alex. She's great and made me homemade ice cream and fudge. We work together and I'm SO glad. 

 Look who made it out to San Francisco for the occasion! I was so excited to see these old friends. I thought I would be seeing them the next day for our own little celebration but they made it out for the surprise, as well, and it was so fun to have blend my worlds a bit. 

 Waidley's. Love 'em. 

 This is my dear, sweet friend Eva. I love her. She was the hostess with the mostess and party planner extraordinaire. Again, love her. 

 Our awesome sign. 

 There's Dusty. Always the life of the party. 

 This guy really spoiled me all weekend and made one very happy birthday girl. He really kept this a secret, too. Totally respectable secret keeper. 

 Friends.

The second event of the weekend was a de-lish brunch with some friends from college (and from the present, but you know what I mean). We had egg casserole, creme brulee french toast, bacon, fruit, coffee and juice. It was so fun to host them all at our home and to spend some time together all together like we haven't in awhile. 

 We missed you Bethany, Kimmy, and Lyss!

Matt also made a surprise appointment for me to have a Thai massage, which I was a little nervous about at first, but it was AMAZING. He knew just what I would want for a gift. We went to dinner that night at "The Richmond"- a classy restaurant in our neighborhood. It was lovely and classy and I wore a dress, which is usually only confined to weddings. On Sunday, we went to church and to a flea market I've been wanting to go to. My parents and Sunnie and Cory came over later in the day. We went for a walk- one of my favorite things in the world, especially around our house- and then went out to dinner. 

Walkin'. 

All in all, it was an incredibly restful weekend. I'm thankful for good friends- and to have "made new friends and kept the old". I'm thankful for good food. For Matt and a husband who works hard to show me how much he loves me and make me feel special. I'm thankful to live close to my parents. And for people who call, text, facebook, and snail mail me for doing nothing but being born. I'm thankful to live in a beautiful city. I'm thankful to be alive and to be created as "his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (ephesians 2) Here's to 24 and another year of adventures!