Youth Group ULTIMATE Birthday Party: Summer Kick-off!

On Wednesday, Pacific Church of Irvine's Youth Group celebrated EVERYONE'S birthday with ONE HUGE BIRTHDAY BASH! It was so much fun and was an excellent way to kick off the summer.

We had a ton of great birthday things: awesome decor, poker table, face painting, balloon animals, cotton candy, popcorn, party punch, cupcake decorating contest, musical chairs, hot potato style pass the present, limbo, and goodie bags (with summer ad promotions for youth group, of course)! This was the night we unveiled the PIC Youth Yearbook 2008-2009 as well and they were a hit!

Students brought a lot of new friends, which was awesome! The volunteer involvement was off the charts! I felt like I was actually able to mingle with students because each station was manned by an excellent person who had it down!

Funny moment of the night: The face painting station kind of became a "do it yourself" face painting. Students had crazy artistic talent...well, if you consider abstract talent!

Here are some photo highlights:

Our awesome Senior Pastor, Seth!

Some festive volunteers!

Mark dealing poker with the students!

Pass the present!

Can't see real well, but he got his face painted like Phantom of the Opera!

Balloon (art/animals/intestines)!

Kaitlin taught/forced the Jr. High girls to interpretive dance!

I just love our adult leaders!

No words.

Yep.

Forget Blackberries!

Earth's crammed with heaven,

And every common bush afire with God;

But only he who sees takes off his shoes;

The rest sit around it and pluck blackberries.

(Elizabeth Barrett Browning)

God's Chisel

So This One Day, I Ran Into Blythe...

And we took pictures of clothes we liked, but didn't buy.

You should read her blog.

My Senior Pastor/Boss!

Summer 2009 is Approaching...

Volunteer Rally Video

A week or so ago, we showed this video in church to get volunteers for youth and children's ministry.  After a sermon on The Church and The Body of Christ, this is what Pacific Church of Irvine saw.  After service, we had 25 people sign up!  Praise God!

One Year on Staff at PCI

Today--June 1, 1009--marks exactly one year of me being on staff at Pacific Church of Irvine.  It has been a really cool year.  One that has been surprising, exciting, difficult, draining, filling, fun, and well worth it!  I am so blessed to be at our church and I have come to love it and the people there.  Here are some ministry memories in my first year!

• Youth Sundays
• People Hunt
• Ninja Warriors Night
• Beach Days
• You Tube Series
• Vacation Bible School
• Centrifuge Summer Camp
• Youth Room Remodel 
• Bonfires
• Pumpkin Patch
• Glow: All-Nighter
• Lunch with Students
• Pumpkin Patch
• Christmas Party
• Super-Staff Meetings
• Crazy Love
• Student Leadership Retreat
• Rooted, Growing, Serving, Sowing
• Guys Group
• Valentines Spaghetti Dinner
• Beach Cleanup
• 4 Your Friends Outreach
• Church Picnics 
• Old Skool Lego Bible Stories 
• Identity Series 

jumbled thoughts [life update]

• I am not a fan of social networking anymore. Blogs, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter have given everyone their 15 minutes of fame.  Now that EVERYONE is special, NOTHING is special.  People have no attention span and no real community.  We are an "instant coffee" society. There is nothing like smelling the whole beans, grinding them, making the coffee, and enjoying it.  Same with community.  
• I'm excited for our vacation to Chicago in a bit, especially since we'll be there over the 4th of July! A city vacation is unconventional, especially because we're such beach lovers, but I love this city and Kaitlin hasn't been there.  Kaitlin's family is going at the same time and her sister is going to look at some colleges.  Can't wait for Chicago Deep-dish pizza from Giordano's! 
• Kaitlin are professional dog/house sitters I guess.  We have 5+ "jobs" this summer and more still in need. Crazy, but so nice. It's like a mini-vacation. Plus we can earn money to go on an actual vacation! We start our first job on Saturday. We are praying that we get to babysit (okay, DOGsit) Muffin again!!!
• We're celebrating Reenie's birthday on Friday at Mastro's! Best steak EVER..can't wait!
• I am learning the richness of my identity in Christ! It is beautiful.  I'm unpacking a lot of crap but also discovering so much joy in my true identity, not the one I have forced myself into.  God is good!
• I think I like running again.  It's probably because of the sun.
• I freaking LOVE Sprinkles Cupcakes in Newport Beach.  I constantly crave them now.
• I haven't bought Starbucks in a couple weeks now. Can you believe it?!?! I have set out to prove Kaitlin wrong.  Though, there is nothing wrong with people buying it for me!!! ...(hint, hint)...
• The youth group summer is completely booked.  I can't wait.  It is the busiest/greatest season of ministry! 
• Kaitlin is almost done with school for the semester...only 1 more week!
• Here is my blog post form one year ago today. I am happy to say that I am not in that place right now. 
• High school guys small group at the pool and jacuzzi is a good idea. We have a lot of fun and good conversations. 

National Day of Prayer

Join us at Pacific Church of Irvine for our experiential prayer room.  Each station acts as a catalyst to help you pray for the World, our country, our community, personal needs, and then take communion.  The prayer room is open today from 8am-8pm.  Join us for a prayer walk at 9am, 12pm, 3pm, or 6pm!