Pumpkins, Candy Corn and Good Friends....FALL is here!

Everything is Amazing and Nobody's Happy

This is so worth the 4 minutes of your time. So so funny. And so so true.

Learning: really good but not always easy....

Let me first start by saying, I think learning is always a good thing, but not always an easy thing.

:: It feels like grad school is kicking my butt...but I'm trying my darndest to kick back. In the end, I will win. I know this.

:: It feels like it's been a REALLY long year. I feel like so much has happened--and so many things I never expected would happen (both good and bad). I think I'll have to take a whole day towards the end of December to reflect on all that God has done and taught me this year.

:: I am looking forward to the holiday season and want to embrace what's left of this year for all it's worth.

:: There is a man by the name of Jerrod Bradley who has come into my life, and he was an unexpected blessing. This man understands what it means to love God and love people like few I have met before. He understands what it means to give and accept grace daily and he challenges me in ways I've never been challenged. And he's my boyfriend. And I like him. A lot.

:: I think August and October are by far the busiest months in my life. August came and went, now it's just a matter of getting through October. Busy with lots of good stuff, yet still busy.

:: Being busy is a drug and I may need to go to rehab...

:: I went to the fair this year and ate tacos, cinnamon roll and gelato. Umm Umm Good!

:: Dani and Mallorie stayed at my place for a few nights and it made me feel like I had roommates. They would be really fun roommates :)

:: Seasons come and seasons go and to that I say, PTL (Praise the Lord!) Some seasons I can't wait to be over and others I wish I could stay in forever. But just as their is great beauty in the weather seasons changing, there is also great beauty in the changing seasons of life.

:: My birthday is coming up and I'm going to be 25. 1/4 of a century. So 1/3 of my life is over, although I hope to live past 75.

:: I've ate more chocolate and candy in the past two weeks then I have in the past two months. And next week won't be good either... You only live once, right?? :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIM!

Today is my brother's birthday. He is 27. TWENTY SEVEN! It seems like just yesterday I was 5 and he was 7 and we were running through the sprinklers in our front yard. I love him so much--more then he knows I'm sure. He has taught me more then he'll ever know and has been a true example to me of what it means to love people without judgement in such a genuine way. He's so much like my mom--in so many good ways.

He's one person I can't be mad at or stay mad at very long. He just has this way about him that makes it's so hard to be mad at. Trust me, growing up we had our share of fights, but as we've got older I have learned to appreciate so much about who he is and the wonderful brother he is to me. His hugs are so comforting and just talking to him can make any day better--his light hearted laughter is so refreshing.

Happy Birthday Tim! You are greatly loved by so many!

She's Home Now...

Jesus called this beautiful young woman, Katie Friesen, home with Him last Thursday, October 1st. She was a junior at Fresno Pacific where she was loved by MANY. Those who are grieving her loss do not grieve as those who have no hope--Katie had hope and her hope in Jesus was evident.

These song lyrics have been on my mind a lot: "Til He returns or call me home, here in the love of Christ I stand". Katie truly is standing and basking in the LOVE of Christ right now.

Christ called her home and often the journey one begins when a loved one dies is full of more questions then answers. Even with the many questions, there is rejoicing together in Christ knowing it's not "goodbye" but rather "until we meet again".

"Til He returns or calls me home, here in the love of Christ I stand"

Food for Thought

"We have not been promised extravagant housing, but we have been promised His presence. We often find ourselves in spaces that seem the last spot on earth we would have picked to insert ourselves, engaged in things that we never imagined ourselves having to do, but we can know this comfort: that wherever we are, we are in the very residence of God and this is sweeter and greater than anywhere without Him."

–David Crowder

Nina and Scott Shaver

It was a BEAUTIFUL day full of GREAT memories...

Prayer Request for G-ma

My grandma is in the hospital right now and has been there for the past four days. She went in because she had become extremely nauseated, stopped eating because food made her feel sick, would throw up any food she did eat and the consequently became quite dehydrated. The doctors have run ample amounts of test on her, yet there has yet to be any further understanding as to what is going on. All of us are praying that it is nothing major and that she'll be back at home soon.

She was diagnosed with cancer for the second time about 5 months ago and has gone through radiation treatment since then and that in itself has been a bit of a rough road for her. We're all pretty sure the cancer is being stubborn and still lingering in her body.

I talked to my grandpa the other day on the phone and asked if he needed anything and he replied with, "Nope, all I need is for grandma to come home..." The love they have for one another is indescribable.

So my family and I covet your prayers right now as we continue on this journey of wanting grandma to be back home and feeling much better. I'll surely keep you all posted.