Women of Faith

If you have never heard of the Women of Faith Conference, you need to google it immediately! It was brought to my attention by my favorite new friend, Lindsay. She spear-headed getting a group of young women to attend the WOF Conference, and it turned out to be an amazing weekend. Just the company alone was fabulous.

The speakers included:
Stephen Arterburn
Patsy Clairmont (my fave!)
Natalie Grant (close 2nd)
Nicole Johnson
Marilyn Meberg
Nicole C. Mullen
Sandi Patty
Anita Renfroe
Luci Swindoll
Sheila Walsh

All these women brought something different to the table and I took away something unique from each message . It was also great to hang out with the amazing women I went with...we are definitely hanging out more and making WOF an annual tradition.










Another highlight of the conference for me was hearing Natalie Grant for the first time. Hands down she is one of the most talented singers I have ever heard before in my life! I am so thankful that God has given her such a special gift in which she uses for His glory and not her own. Here's a little taste of Natalie Grant...

Natalie Grant "In Better Hands"

Labor Day Weekend

Things have been so hectic recently I haven't been able to blog about my labor day weekend! In so many words it was simply amazing because not only did I get to attend a wedding for my dear friend Kirstie Mitchell (now Kirstie Walker) but I also got to celebrate my Dad turning 52 in Newport and Oceanside! Let me just tell you, my weekend was not lacking...

On Friday night our family went down to my Grandpa's house on Lido Peninsula for dinner and a duffy ride around the Balboa bay. My Dad's two sisters joined us, so it was a real family affair.

On Saturday night I had the privilege to attend Kirstie Mitchell's wedding to Josiah Walker. The wedding and dessert reception was at Calvary Church in Santa Ana. To be honest it was probably one of the most fun weddings I have ever been to at Calvary. Kirstie looked absolutely gorgeous and the ceremony was beautiful! During the reception there was a lot of mingling and there was even a photo booth you could take pictures in so that Kirstie and Josiah could remember who came to their wedding. Can you guess which picture I gave them to keep?

For the first time: Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Walker!

On Sunday and Monday I was in Oceanside with my Dad for his 52nd birthday. We lounged around, tanned, swam in the water, threw around the frisbee, and played bocce ball. It's a tradition to not only celebrate my Dad's birthday over the Labor Day weekend, but also my Uncle Casey's and our neighbor Mike's birthdays (that are in September and October, respectively). It was all fun and games until Uncle Casey stuck his cigar in the cake. What a jokester!

I can't even count to that...

When discussing how my Grandpa Bob was turning 80 this year my five year old cousin, Mateo, exclaims, "Woahh. I cant even count to that. Nope". In July we had about 60 people at our house in Tustin to honor my Grandpa and celebrate his birthday. It was a nice day, and it was fun to get the entire family together, as well as some of my Grandpa's closest friends. My cousin Katelin is a photographer and photographed the entire day. We just got the pictures back, and not only am I in awe of her amazing photography skills but also what a momentous time we had reflecting back on my Grandpa's life. He sure has been through a lot and I feel so blessed to have him in my life. He has taught us so many life lessons, and I'm so glad I can keep learning from him.

Here is some documentation of "Bob's 80th".

Grandpa Bob

Dad, Aunt Debbie, Gramps, Aunt Kim

The Granddaughters

The Grandkids and their Grandpa

All the Grandkids with Grandpa and Grandma

Grandpa and LaVerne

Jared and Ryan

Mateo

Playing tag with Mateo

Grandpa and Alyssa

She always has to look so much cuter than me

Cake...mmm.

Andrew and Marisa

Missing LMU Friends

My friend/old roomate Laura came down to Orange County from San Jose to visit last Friday. I was so excited to see her because I hadn't seen her since Malia and I had moved out of our L.A. apartment. The reunion was complete when my friend Allison drove down from L.A. to go to dinner with us and then go out afterwards. It was so fun to all be back together and catch up on each other's crazy lives (cause, you know, a lot can happen in 3 months). Malia and I are staying in Orange County, or as long as we know we are, Allison is living in L.A., and Laura is moving to Limerick, Ireland on August 31st to do a master's program over there at the University of Limerick. Luckily, since Jessica and I are going to Europe for a little over the month in October/November, I'll be able to visit Laura in Ireland since I'll already be over that way. I'm already getting excited.

The picture from left is Malia, Allison, Laura and I at another Hot N' Swayze performance in a friend's backyard.

There's No Place Like Home

Last Saturday the High School group returned from Hume Lake and let's just say it was the BEST homecoming EVER. Without going into too many details it was the most trying week for me, emotionally and spiritually, and I am so glad that it is over. Overall I learned that God has a plan in any circumstance and that I just need to give everything to Him, because I can't do anything on my own.

On a better note, while up at Hume I was able to hang out with my friend Jocey, who is working up at Hume this summer, and who recently signed on to work full-time up at Hume. Although I was so sad to hear that she wasn't going to be coming back to Tustin, I was more excited for her that she finally knows what she is going to be doing these next 3 years, and that God has opened these doors for her up at Hume. I have to admit I am somewhat jealous that (A) she has a job, and (B) she gets to work and live up at Hume Lake. We were even able to bike ride up to the house she'll be living in while working up at Hume.

I have to say that even though it was a tough week, the Lord truly blessed me with an amazing staff that was so encouraging and really lifted me up during a hard time. Jocey, Jessica, Alyssa, and Katelyn really encouraged me up at Hume while I struggled with my cabin. Mark Adair was also someone who really lifted me up when I wanted to go home and was in hysterics. I am completely grateful for these people who put a smile on my face when I was completely hopeless.

All I have to say is the LORD IS GOOD.

Here are some snapshots from the week.

My Cabin

My Small Group

High School Staff

My Best Friend, Jessica

My friend, Whitney, who is working up at Hume this summer

Together since Calvary: Alyssa, Jocey, Me, and Jess

My cabin on crazy spirit day!

My best friend, Jocey, who is working up at Hume indefinitely

My Cabin