Going Green

Today my brother, Jeremy, took me to the cafeteria in the business building that he works in.  It is a completely organic cafe and I felt like a total yuppie eating there.  My organic salad was served in a biodegradable and recyclable bowl.  

The best thing, though, was this...

Merry Christmas 2008

Joyce

Today I received a phone call from a woman who lived alone and had no food in her house.  She was unable to get any herself because of her medication and the fact that she was in a wheelchair.  The person who was supposed to be coming to bring her food never showed and she was without a meal for a while.  She asked us if we could help.  I was the only one in the office, so I was unsure of what we usually did for a case like this.  I remembered the money that kids raised for VBS that was in my drawer for this exact purpose!  I picked up a couple students, Josh and Mikey, and brought some groceries over to here.  She was such a wonderful woman, and we were so blessed by her joy and thankfulness.  The Lord provides the needs of all of us.  Joyce was my reminder of that today!

WARNING!

I was out with a couple of students today and we saw this sign.  Either Easter is being celebrated really early, or the city of Irvine has too much time on their hands. 

Done and done!

I graduated on Friday from Biola University!  3 1/2 years of great professors, passionate preaching, close community, crazy adventures, 1,000's of pages read, hundreds of papers typed, and lots of money spent!  I could not have had a better college experience.  I am especially thankful for the friends and family that supported me financially, emotionally, and with many prayers!  All I got to say is "BYE-ola!!!" 

Orange County?

Update From Me

Okay, it has been so long since I have blogged (I feel like I have been saying that all semester!) so I guess I'll just do an update with all of the things I wanted to blog about in one post.  Let's start from the most recent and move backwards....

Youth Group Christmas Party!!!  We decorated gingerbread houses, made ornaments, had a white elephant gift exchange, and wore ugly sweaters!  My sweater was homemade and absolutely scrumptious! 

Earaches and Doctors...  So my earaches came back really strong this week.  I went to my regular doctor (now for the 2nd or 3rd time for the same thing) and he still didn't know what was going on, so he recommended me to an ENT specialist.  They determined that I probably have TMJ (a jaw disorder) and it's pushing up against my ear, and if there is wax in it, I experience a lot of pain and itching.  So I need to clean out my ears about once a week and rest me jaw (ear soft foods, massage it daily, and try not to yawn...is that possible?).  The craziest thing was the table with morbid instruments in the ENT office. Take a look!  

LivingSpaces!!!  This is my new favorite place.  Kaitlin and I frequent it about once a week or so.  We have already bought a loveseat for the condo and we are still looking for a couch.  However, what keeps us coming back is the free Starbucks coffee and homemade chocolate chip cookies!  Seriously!!!!  It's the best date ever!!!

Joy Joy Joy!!!  Last Saturday was Pacific Church's annual Christmas Choir Dessert Theater.  It was such a nice evening, and I decorated a table that Kaitlin and I hosted.  Watch out Marth Stewart! (I must watch too much HGTV!) 

Well, that's about it.  I can't wait for a delicious meal tonight at Mastro's with Kaitlin's family and grandparents!!!  And, oh ya... I GRADUATE TOMORROW!!!!

Desiring Silence

I read Mark Driscoll's blog today about silence and was really convicted.  I want silence so badly right now, especially after doing a paper until 3am and waking up late for a 8am meeting and rushing from there to class.  The semester is officially over for me (except a few papers I need to turn in via email) and I graduate next Friday.  I hope that I am able to enter marriage at peace and rest (I'm sure the Caribbean shores of Anguilla will help with that...YAY HONEYMOON!). Until then... 

Hang in There...

9 days until Graduation.

One month until our wedding!!!

Tree Shananagins

TOO MUCH FUN:

AS CLOSE AS WE WILL GET TO A CHRISTMAS CARD:

CREEPY/CUTE?:

I FELT BAD FOR THE SHORT ONES:

SISTERS:

JAMIE STUCK BEHIND THE TREE:

THE FINAL TOUCH:

Reenie, The Christmas Elf

While looking for Christmas trees, Reenie really got into the jolly spirit and danced.  She also warned me not to back up into "Doug" (a douglas fur tree) while I was filming her.  Let her know what you want Santa to get you...she'll put in a good word for you.

Tantrum

I really just want to blog right now (or go to bed), but I have to write a 5-7 page paper and 4 sermon outlines.  Then class at 9:30am before 3 meetings.  

Yes, I am complaining.

On the list for this week...

• Finish January curriculum
• Super-staff meeting
• Guy's Group
• Kick off Christmas Revolution series at Youth Group
• Write 2 papers
• Read Speaking to Teenagers by Doug Fields 
• Obtain Marriage license 
• 3 Meetings on Thursday
• Pre-marital session
• Ministry weekend in LA with Joni and Friends (Disability ministry weekend)

6 Months

Today marks the 6 months that I have been working at Pacific Church of Irvine!  I have loved every minute of it.  The community is very tight-knit (something that other churches I have been to do not have), the people are fun, and the body of believers seem open to learning and trying new things.  There are so many people I appreciate and Kaitlin and I could not ask for a better place to be in this point of our lives!  So, with 6 months down and many more to go, God bless PCI!