"Were we like that?"

I have always felt a pull towards helping out in the Highschool department at my church, but haven't felt like I was quite ready to take that step, until now. I think my hesitation was, at first, partly to do with my age. I didn't think I could offer any insight to Highschool students when I was barely out of Highschool myself! Then, when I felt I did have some insight to offer, I decided to go off and get married! (which I am VERY happy about, eventhough that sentence may have had you thinking otherwise). :) I wanted to devote some time to nurturing our marriage and relationship. I knew this is where my calling was at the time. But now that Jon and I have been married for a little over a year I am now ready to take the next step (no, no babies yet....not that kind of step!) Next step meaning spiritually I guess one could say. I had a couple of different thoughts go through my head, but the tug on my heart of Highschool ministry became even stronger. I approached the Youth Pastor at our church, Steve (who married Jon and I, and whom I am very close to because he was my youth pastor) and told him I would love to begin helping in the Youth Department. And that is where I am now!

My first task-go on an overnight retreat with 25 Highschool students. HA! I was thinking I would ease my way into this one-but I guess Steve wanted me to jump feet first! I was hesitant on whether I should go, but in the end I decided this may be the best opportunity and God definitely opened some doors so that I could go on this trip.

The retreat was in Morro Bay where it was absolutely gorgeous. After spending a total of about 2 hourse with the students I leaned over to my friend Alisa (who, when I was in Highschool was my leader) and asked "Were we like this?" (meaning, were we this energetic and crazy!?)...she just laughed in my face...I guess that means yes? :)

The theme of the trip was "God is our ultimate teacher, so let him teach you today"-and Steve had the students SIT in 5 different verses. The SIT time was about 10-20 minutes per session and then we split off into small groups to talk about what we had gained from our experience. Although I didn't make deep relationships with any of the students, I do feel that I made some beginning connections, and I hope to grow deeper in those as I continue to work within the Highschool group. I am VERY excited about what God has in store!

I also got to connect and re-connect with (new and old) friends, and I am excited to see where God takes those relationships. It amazes me that God has his perfect timing for everything. I worry, and worry....and worry about certain things-and here He comes to swoop in when the timing is just right. Whether it be a calling to a ministry, relationships, or events in your life-God has His perfect timing for them all.

I am excited not only about about the Highschoool Ministry but also about my own personal relationship with God. Steve showed a unique, yet simple way to cover all the bases of a quiet time that it doesn't become too overwhelming, or even too simple that you don't learn anything.


SOAP...that's right soap! No, not the kind you wash behind your ears with in the shower. This is just a helpful hint on how to have time with God that is a little more structured. It's very useful for first timers, those who have been struggling with where to begin, or for people like me, who are just struggling to keep that daily walk alive; overwhelmed by the daily tasks that the possibility of just one more pushes you over the edge. But not this one- at least for me. I found that the key is to find what works for YOU! So I challenge you-find a way that works for you. Something that won't be too overwhelming. Whether that means getting a devotional book, using the One Year Bible, taking one Book of the Bible at a time, or picking a verse at random. My challenge to you is to get back into the word DAILY!


****SOAP- Scripture (read a passage. Pick one verse that speaks to you!)
Observation (What is the verse saying? What is its meaning, its purpose?)
Application (How will you put this into practice? How will you be different because of what you read today?)
Prayer (Finish with a thoughtful prayer to God)

************get a notebook and begin!**************************


Ready....set....GO!



SHOUT OUT!: (yes, I just used that) Happy THREE years of marriage to Matt & Jenna Sarr!

Disconnected

I have felt a little disconnected lately, but in a good way! Ha!

Let me explain...

By being disconnected I am mostly referring to my lack of internet usage in the past couple of weeks. Although it has been frustrating at times-I have grown to appreciate "me time". I was freaking out for the first couple of days, not being able to update my facebook status! Ahhh! (yes, I'm joking...but there's also some truth in that statement...) But I took a deep breath and the anxiety passed ;) The one thing I have truly missed is not being able to write here. I like being able to connect with people on my blog-but this too has given me some insight. I have always been a journaler (is that even a word?)..and not being able to blog has made me revert back to my old ways of pen and paper. Or for me, FUN MARKERS, pen and paper. So in a way I see that this disconnect is a blessing in disguise.

Ok God, I've learned my lesson: not to be obsessive over the internet and take those moments you give me for granted. To take some time for ME!

.......

can I have my internet back now? ;)

ok, ok I guess I can hold out a little longer.


So, I have many stories to share, but I don't want to overwhelm the senses with my amazing adventures and realizations in the last couple weeks. So, you'll just have to wait.

COMING SOON:

Sewing...yep, I finally started (and let's just say pockets aren't as easy to sew as one would think...), a retreat to the beach with a bunch of highschoolers (more fun than it sounds!), a little baby named "Paige Ellen" (you'll wanna see those pictures for sure!), and, drumroll please, a little trip to the big land of TEXAS! yeee haw!

Y'all come back now, ya here!

Pink Toenails & Scones...

Title scare you a little? Yeah...those two probably should never be in the same sentence again...but I couldn't resist :)

The other morning I went over to my parents' house and made scones. I was unsure of how they would turn out, but I seemed to even surprise myself with these tasty treats! First I found a basic scone recipe from AllRecipes.com (my favorite site for cooking & baking recipes). I found a couple that looked yummy, but couldn't decide on which recipe to follow. Finally I made a decision (woo hoo!..if you know me this was obviously quite a process...the hardest step was actually making a decision on which recipe to use). Anywho-I had 3 different recipe screens open on the computer and once I had picked the winner I started baking away. Come to find out later that I had actually used a completely different recipe than that which I had chosen. HA! That's what I get for being so darn indecisive I guess. However, these turned out great! I added some dried cranberries, orange juice, and orange zest (the orange I forgot to buy at the store that morning so I pulled over and picked one off of our neighbors tree...shhhh...don't tell) (: They came out of the oven and were quickly picked off one by one. Even laney bug liked them! Success!

Here's the recipe for any of you that want to venture and make your own!

3 Cups all-purpose flour
1/2 Cup white sugar
5 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 Cup butter
1 egg, beaten
1 Cup milk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter. (or you could pour it all into a food processor)
   
2. Beat the egg, put in measuring cup, then add milk so that the total of both is 1 cup (this is a variation I found that makes the dough not be too wet). Stir into flour mixture until moistened.
3. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead briefly. Roll dough out into a 1/2 inch thick round. Cut into 8 wedges, and place on the prepared baking sheet. (I separated dough into 2 sections then rolled out and cut..makes smaller scones that are easier to eat).
   
4. Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.

Feel free to add in whatever you want! Some variations I found were Cranberry Orange, Lemon Blueberry, Chocolate Chip or anything else you can think of that would be tasty :)

...oh ya...the toenails. Aren't these the cutest little pink toenails you have ever seen?


I painted Delaney's little toes right before they moved (ya, I'll blog about that one later-I'm still in denial about it..) She LOVED them-every time someone new would walk into the house she would lift up her feet so they could see her toes. hehe. :)

Family Beach Trip 2010

My Mom and Dad decided last fall that we should start an annual family trip. What better place to enjoy family and relax than the beach?
We traveled over to Cayucos on a Monday and stayed til Saturday. It was such an amazing trip (aside from the puking and flu symptoms that little Laney gave me), having all my side of the family together-especially since Garrettt, Jill and Laney are moving to Texas soon. The beach was sunny all week...yep, ALL week. Usually Cayucos is hit or miss..some days sunny(after a long morning of fog), some overcast and chilly. But nope, not this week. Mr. Sun decided to come out and shine every day from sunrise to sunset-all week long.
Beautiful!

And of course I took my camera. Here are a few shots from our vacation.
I'm sure more are to come ;)

Jonny and I at the tidepools in Cayucos

Little miss beach princess herself

My sis found these cute little hermit crabs

Delaney Rae LOVED the ocean

Family Beach Trip 2011 here we come :)

Patience is a virtue....

And I wish I had more of it! God is really testing me on this one lately! I have no patience whatsoever! I want to know things NOW, I want things to happen NOW, and I DON'T WANT TO WAIT! NOW, NOW, NOW! I'm beginning to sound like Veruca from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. "But I want it NOW!" And because of this I see how ridiculous I am sometimes with my impatience. This has been something I've struggled with my whole life-but God has taught me some good lessons through learning patience. Some being very difficult to come to terms with, and others becoming bits of knowledge that have helped me along the way. The one thing I tell myself over and over is that "God knows what is best for my life-He will do what is right for me. He knows what will be best in the long run." I know this to be true with all my heart and I constantly pray for God to give me peace about certain situations-but then an hour later my mind is buzzing with all the same confusions, impatience, and trying to figure out answers or solutions! It's not that I don't trust Him with my life, it's that I have a hard time letting go completely....of not knowing what is going to happen. I have learned that when this occurs I need to just take a breath....close my eyes....and lift it all up to God again, and again, and again.... This has been a constant battle with me this past week...but I know God is teaching me the virtue of patience. I pray that I will begin to possess this quality more than I have in the past.

....thank you for reading my ramblings....

Paige Ellen

I can't believe I haven't posted about this bundle of joy yet! I feel as if it was just yesterday that Jenna Rae was telling me she was pregnant in my kitchen...time flies!


Isn't she just amazing!? My friend Jenna had her first child, Paige, on June 14, 2010 (only one day past Jonny and I's first anniversary!). Jenna went into labor early Sunday morning, June 13th. Her mom called to inform me that Jenna was having contractions. The first thing I wanted to do was jump in the car and take the 2 1/2 hour car ride over to SLO. But...it being my anniversary and all...I decided not to jump the gun. I remember my sister's birth lasting a while, so I decided to wait until she at least checked into a hospital. I am glad I did this. I got to spend a wonderful day with my hubby-AND it turned out that Jenna's labor was a whopping 42 hours! Yes, you read that correctly..FOURTY TWO hours! Sheesh...

But out of that Jenna Rae now has a BEAUTIFUL baby girl, who could not be more perfect. I am so proud of Jenna and her hubby Matt. They were wonderful during the whole process, and I am so very thankful to have been a part of such a time in there lives.

Jon and I had scheduled a camping trip for the weekend after all this happened (for our anniversary). But guess where we ended up instead? Yep, the coast! I knew Jonny couldn't stay away for long. He had to meet this new arrival! So we zipped on over to the coast and surprised the new mommy and daddy with a visit. I'm so glad we did-we had a wonderful weekend with time to ourselves-and then some time with the Sarr family :) I will never forget watching Jonny hold her for the first time...a huge smile on his face. And when we drove back to where we were staying he looked at me and said...."I love her". :) I knew he would fall in love as soon as he held her, because that is what happened with me.

Congratulations Matt & Jenna on your beautifully and wonderfully made Paige. Jonny and I are so happy for you-and look forward in sharing a lifetime of memories with you two...I guess three now :) I can't wait for our turn to dive into such an adventure, and I know you two will be right there beside us, supporting in every way!

How does your garden grow?

Our garden has turned into a jungle overnight! Yikes! We are beginning to see the "fruits of our labor". Today I went out to water and came back inside with 4 crook neck squash, 10 cherry tomatos, and one giant zucchini. I am so happy that our little garden is doing so well. This is Jonny and I's very first garden on our own. We were wanting it to do well, and it did. Yippee! My Papa will be so proud when he sees it. He is our biggest competition when it comes to gardening. My Grandpa has zucchini, squash, peppers, tomatoes, corn, green beans, potatoes...you name it-he has it. I have always had a love for being outdoors-maybe that is because my Mom absolutely loves gardening, and my Dad is a Landscaper. It was destined to be. Thank you Mom and Dad for giving me such a wonderful love of the outdoors and its simple pleasures.