ECUADOR 09!

Tonight I'm leaving to go on a short term missions trip to Ecuador with the high school group from Calvary Church. Please pray for us as we have a few days of travel ahead of us to get down the Oncelet River and through the jungle to our final destination of Borbon. A few other prayer requests:

Safety
Health
Team Unity

And most importantly that our team can show everyone we come into contact the love of Christ Jesus!!!! Thanks, and I'll see you when I get back!

Summer Time

I can smell summer...can't you?

Huntington Pier

Today my friend Alex and I drove all around Orange County taking pictures of major O.C. landmarks to show his friends back in England. We ran into some of the most interesting people. But it's hard to complain, considering it was one of the most beautiful days we've had in awhile (this is why I love where I live). I'll post more pics later.

Our entertainment today @ the Huntington Pier...what song do you think he's listening to? Alex votes Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" while I think it has to be the HSM Soundtrack. What do you think???

Yess.

Almighty God.

Thank you for allowing an awesome 5th/6th Pastor to speak directly to the hearts of High School students.
Thank you for those students whose lives change drastically because Chris called them out.
Thank you for breaking their hearts, and encouraging them to step out in their faith.
Thank you for being a forgiving Lord who never forgets us.

Amen.

Redemption

So after all my problems with my computer, Apple sent in my computer and discovered that it was completely broken. Yesterday I got a completely new computer in the mail. What a humbling experience. After all my complaining Apple went above and beyond to fix the problem, and therefore are redeemed in my eyes. Thank you Apple Inc!

Apple Store

My computer is broken and therefore I have been spending a lot of time at the Apple Store. This frustrates me in many ways...

1. When I have a problem with my computer, and go to the Apple store, I am, for some reason, turned away every one of my first visits. This has happened THREE times. Gosh, just help me already!

2. When you go to the Genius Bar no one tells you that the "geniuses" technically cannot help you with certain things due to possible lawsuits. Genius bar, do you really think I'll sue you for putting in a different hard drive than the one that was in my computer, when I was the one who asked you to help me in the first place???? Which leads me to...

3. Why doesn't Apple provide internal hard drives with larger storage space? And...

4. If the "geniuses" at the Genius Bar were the ones who told me to "oh, just buy a new internal hard drive" for $100 dollars, then how did they FORGET to tell me that if I put in a different internal hard drive than the one that my computer comes with that the Apple store could not help me?! Ever. Thanks genius.

(The person helping me at the Genius Bar also told me where to buy the new internal hard drive online, and I trusted him enough to buy it online from one of the computers in the store with him standing next to me. ASSHOLE.)

5. FACT. The "genuises" at the Genius Bar are awkward and sometimes too harsh when explaining "simple" technology to idiots. Would the idiot they were referring to be me?

6. Am I the only person who didn't know you could go to the Apple store and be given a free lesson on how to use your computer?

7. The "geniuses" at the Genius Bar need to communicate more with each other and really start actually helping people.

I have an appointment tomorrow @ the South Coast Apple store. Let's hope I get lucky tomorrow and find a true Genuis.

What would you do....

IF YOU WON $165,000????

Last night I went to the Lakers game and saw the most amazing thing. At half time the Mirage in Las Vegas sponsors a half court shoot out for money. Every time I've gone to the game the person who is chosen misses the basket BY FAR. When a person misses the basket the Mirage adds $5,000 to the overall pot.

WELLL....last night this young male student from USC who was chosen MADE THE HALF COURT SHOT!!! His one shot made him $165,000 in 30 seconds! I've never seen the Staples Center more crazy! Everyone was on their feet clapping and cheering in disbelief, including the Lakers, and the guy couldn't do anything. He just stood there, expressionless, motionless. He was definitely in shock, I mean, I would be too if I won $165,000!

So it got me thinking, what would I do with $165,000???

GIVE IT ALL AWAY of course! (My Dad would never let this happen but let me dream!)

Giving is always on my heart. I wish I was a millionairess so I could just give away all my money and just help everyone. It's something I definitely struggle with all the time, even more so right now because I dont even have a job. Witholding what I know the Lord has blessed me with is something that is so hard for me, even if I dont have anything. I feel guilty either way. If I could teach and not get paid for it, but just help students reach their academic potential, I would. If I could babysit for families and not get paid, I would. If I could coach volleyball and invest in the lives of these girls and have them appreciate my coaching, I would. If I could tutor all students and make them feel more comfortable about school and actually for once feel good about themselves, I totally would. If I could just live my life and not need one more thing just so that my friends and families could get what they want or need, I would.

So how would I allocate my winnings if I made that half court shot?? Let's see, after taxes you could probable get about $100,000 from the whole deal. I would give back to all the places that made me who I am today:

$10,000 --> Calvary Church general fund
$10,000 --> Calvary Church emergency needs fund
$10,000 --> Voyagers Bible Church general fund
$10,000 --> Voyagers Bible Church building fund
$10,000 --> Hume Lake Christian Camps
$10,000 --> School of Education at LMU
$5,000 --> CCS
$5,000 --> Foothill HS
$15,000 --> To my Mom (ALL will go to Acres of Love)
$15,000 --> To my Dad (Mom might convince him to give to ACRES too)

What would you do with all that money????

23.

Today was Alyssa and my 23rd birthday! We went to Disneyland because you get in FREE on your birthday...I love anything free. Jessica Hogg and Lindsay Guard came with us, as well as the two cute little twin boys Alyssa nannys. I hadn't been to Disneyland in so long, and it was so different going with small children, but I had a blast! The weather was perfect, in the mid 80's with a light breeze, and the park was barely crowded. It was the PERFECT day to go if you ask me.

After Disneyland we had a family dinner at Roma di Italia in Old Town Tustin, and then Alyssa and I went to EDL at Calvary since we are both on staff. I dont know if it was just because I was having a great day, but EDL tonight was awesome. I am so glad that I went even though I was tired from my long day. When we got home we opened presents and had the most delicious apple pie ever! (Thank you Erin!).

Alyssa and I thank all of you who called/texted/emailed/facebooked us to wish us a happy birthday. You are very appreciated!

Two Points for Honesty

Tonight I read a good friend's blog and was so touched by her writing that I actually cried. How did this happen? Honestly. I feel like what she was saying identified with so much of the Christian walk, especially with something I am dealing with right now. I was so encouraged by the passion that just radiated through her words. Ugh. Katelyn Sherman is my hero. Thank YOU.

Volleyball: Game 2

On Thursday, we had our second volleyball game. We played Covenant Christian School in Orange and we dominated. At first our team struggled a bit, but we came back to win both games. I just love these girls and how they push through anything and everything. I keep praying the season continues to go as well as it is right now.

Lord, please protect these girls. Give them the strength to push through difficult times, and to seek their strength from you. Thank you for every single one of the girls on this team. Bless them tremendously.

PRIDE

Am I prideful?
Is pride a weakness that I struggle with?
Does pride affect the things that I do (or don't do, for that matter)?
How does pride blind me from reality?
Can pride prevent me from listening to, then hearing what God wants for my life?
If I am prideful, can I be humble as well?

Volleyball: Game 1

I just have to take a moment and brag a little bit.

Alyssa and I are coaching the Junior High JV volleyball team at Calvary. We have been practicing for two weeks now, and today was our FIRST GAME! We played Bethany Christian School and we WON. It was our first game and we actually won! I'm so excited for our team and each girl on it. The girls really came together today and did so well. I'm so proud of them!!!!

All I have to say is that the Lord is so good. This past week I have been really nervous about actual games, and the Lord really put it on my heart to just give my worries to Him. Now that our first game is over I know that I didn't need to be worrying because God is in control. Whether we win or lose I know that is what the Lord intended. I love that it took thirteen Junior High girls to teach me such a small lesson.

Stay tuned to see how the rest of our season goes...

Jessica and Steve's New Year's Eve Wedding

On New Year's Eve one of my best friends got married to one of the most amazing guys I know. I am so happy for Jessica and Steve, and I feel so blessed to have been able to be a part of their special day. The wedding was officiated by Matt Doan at Calvary Church, and the reception was held in the Reigel's backyard. The whole night was so beautiful and a whole lot of fun. The night was a true celebration to the end. They left today for Hawaii for their honeymoon, so be praying for their safety!

Here are a few snapshots of the night. The last four are from the Foto Cabina (which is always a lot of fun). Enjoy!

The Beautiful Bride


The Bride and Bridesmaids at a park in Yorba Linda


The Bridesmaids at the Santa Ana Train Station


The Reigel's Backyard. Steve and his Dad built the dance floor over the pool. (Too bad it cracked in the middle of the night when all the high schoolers where jumping to the song "Shout".)


My seester and I.


Nathan, Jocey, and I


Some of my small group girls at the reception.


I love these Foto Cabina pictures!


With the Bride and Groom.


Jocey.


Eric.


Alyssa.


My Parents. Aren't they cute?

Christmas Break?....Break from what?

This was my first official Christmas without being in school and, to be completely honest, it was kind of weird. I feel like "Christmas Break" is more exciting when IN school, rather than out of school...obviously. I really just cant wait to get a teaching job, and I don't think I have ever been more excited for school to start next fall.

Although, I did have fun over the holidays. Check it out..........

FAMILY CHRISTMAS






"WEAR HIGHSCHOOL" CHRISTMAS PARTY AT THE PETTITS



THE HARTS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY

The great thing about working with high schoolers is...

1. You get invited to their AWESOME birthday parties.

Sarah and Chantelle's SUPER HERO Skate Party




Micah's Scavenger Hunt Birthday

(I made Micah this sign for her birthday)





2. They have GREAT parents.

Recently our small group and their moms threw an amazing wedding shower for Jessica.






Some parents even "got down" at Jessica and Steve's wedding.


3. You NEVER know what to expect.





I have to admit, Jessica and I are so blessed to have such an amazing group of girls in our Life Group. We love them so much!!!!