Thanksgiving time.

Thanksgiving this year was really cool for me - the morning atleast.. It was different.
It started early with an arrival at a park in Fullerton to prepare foods to serve the local homeless a nice breakfast. It was really rewarding for me to sacrifice some sleep and spend some time towards something worth while. It was really awesome of David (friend from church) to put together such an awesome meal for so many people. Panera was really great in donating a ton of food!

Forward motion

If you haven't heard yet.. I am moving to Las Vegas, Nevada.
You might know that I have a passion for ministry with girls/women who are hurting, in need of real love and a real relationship with God. For somewhere around 4 years I've been stoked about what xxxchurch.com has been doing to make a difference in people's lives, the Kingdom and anyone they come across. Up until recently it's been something I pray about and for, stories I read up on and something that gets me excited; but thanks so God's leading and opening and closing of doors I realized it was time to actually pursue that passion. 

So I applied for an internship.

I feel stupid but I was totally nervous not knowing what would happen and where exactly God was leading me. 

But I am so Thankful and excited to say that as of January 5th, 2009 I will be living in Las Vegas (where x3 recently moved) to be apart of ministry that is revolutionary yet totally where Jesus went and would be. I am not sure how everything will pan out but I am so excited to get involved, grow, be stretched, love, learn and live out my faith and passion. I feel unequipped in many ways but am trusting and listening to God with all the fears, questions, joys, anxieties. 

On November 14th xxxchurch had a vision night to share with everyone who came out from all over and I was there. It was my first trip to Vegas since early high school and my first time meeting 3 of my 4 future roommates a long with other team members. Time is passing so quickly and I will be there soon and while that makes me nervous I am ready to dive in to my hearts calling. Ok, more words than I usually write - a lot going on in my head and heart!

Now Pictures:

Erica and I hit the road:

Almost there:


Arriving:


Our personal greeters and performers: Jonas Bros (The Gross kids):



Elvis was there:


And a Creepy Blue Man:


Alex (future roomie):


Krissee (Future Partner in Crime):


Brandon, Alex, Stephen (Roomies, We're just missing Megan)


Co pilot, photographer, friend


Leaving Las Vegas:




Thanks for reading.. Let me know if you have any questions about this ministry, my journey, etc.
Many more updates to come.

The sound of raindrops

is so soothing. I've got peppermint tea with soy, my knitting project, pajamas and the window open to hear the beautiful sound of RAIN - that's right.. it is really raining in Southern California.

I absolutely LOVE rain, storms, thunder/lighting, etc. I can't get enough of it.

The Media makes sprinkling drops a huge deal. Ok, I'll give them the fact that areas nearby are in serious flood danger because of the serious fires but stories like, "People are scattering in the sudden rain." as they show a man walking slowly down the street with an umbrella that is unopened down his side - not scattering to me! Geeze, we need rain, it's not intense so calm down.

Anyway,
Even though I think it's a little too early to decorate all outside your house with Christmas lights, I am pretty ready to celebrate with festivities:


















Do you have traditions? What are your favorite? I have plenty and I love partaking in them to the fullest..
One being ginger bread houses.. fun, crafty, and tasty.

So Cal Fires

I was out of town for the really intense start of the recent fires but I was back in time to how much is was affecting friends and neighbors. I really didn't think my county would be on fire when I got home. A lot of people I know were quickly evacuated, people all over were gathering to watch, take pictures and share in disbelief. It was hard to take pictures knowing the smoke and ash building up were from peoples homes and irreplaceable memories but I documented a few:

Visions Lighting

Last week I headed to L.A. to take pictures for Visions Lighting. They do huge events and do a fabulous job. Anyway, there was a Nokia/Spike Lee Movie preview premier and Avril Lavigne Concert and Visions wanted some more photos for their website, etc.
It was something different and fun.

Raising the bar..

of awareness and action.

Some stuff to check out:

http://www.opensourceactivism.com/ideas_menu.html
www.callandresponse.com


There is great stuff for awareness, solutions, ideas, etc.

my lovely ladies!

I am blessed to serve with a bunch of fabulous ladies. I've been working with them at Eastside since the summer before they began 7th grade. That would make this year five. It is crazy how fast it has gone by! But anyway, this is definitely an area I have been called to serve in and I love them all and it really does bring me a ton of joy to listen, encourage, pray for, hang out and watch them grow.
On Sunday night we embarked on a ladies night out, dressing up and all! Don't they all look great?




We went to the Old Spaghetti Factory which is great because i LOVE it..!




one of my fellow photography passion sharers!


Hannah wanted to play around too:


How lucky am I?




And to co-lead with such fabulous women:


My Banana is crazy, just like me!


The Cool Car:


We missed a few girls on Sunday but it was great. Food, laughing, feeling all pretty..
Blessed indeed.