"Yeah if only it was Saturday..

.. Saturday!"

It is. And it is lovely!
Just thought I would share how why I am loving this day, if you couldn't already imagine:
Makeshift at home peppermint mocha in a penguin mug, christmasy fleece robe, rain, the sound of rain, good music, productive cleaning, taking my time, a great evening ahead and gray skies.
I thought to myself, "It's raining. I should hurry and head to a cozy coffee shop and sit by a window and enjoy the rain." And then I thought to myself, "Wait, I'll just brew coffee, stay in my pjs, and sit by my window."

Here's to hoping you are enjoying this lovely Saturday.

You never know.

When I lived in Vegas and was doing ministry our adventures were often posted on facebook or on this blog. It was encouraging to see how many 'random' people would write in response to what we we're doing. People I haven't talked to in years, people I barely know and people close to me would write things of encouragement or ways they were affected by the stories. It was a blessing to me to see how others we're impacted by the words written.

Erica has already received one of these cool moments. A random person saw a note Erica wrote on facebook via a mutual friends profile and sent Erica a message..

"hi erica,
i saw your note on jordan's profile. the title caught my eye.
I just want you to know what a wonderful ministry that you are starting.
i say this coming from an abusive marriage and where feeling loved is a big struggle. through counseling though i have found my worth in God and that this love that other women can feel and the self worth and all that is so possible.
i will keep you and your team in my prayers.
thanx again for sharing."

You never know how or who you will affect. Often times we don't ever know the impact we make as we journey but moments like this are great reminders that God is at work beyond what we know.

And because while driving this was also a reminder of God at work:


How have you been reminded lately?

New.

New days. New journeys. New starts. New lessons. New challenges. New relationships. New beginnings. New life.

Last week marked the official beginning of a new journey. I am on a new journey with two other amazing women; Meg and Erica. God really has worked in amazing ways to lead each of our lives to be in relationship with each other and our hearts to begin a new journey in ministry and life.

For many different and similar reasons we have a heart for women and a brokenness that so often exist and we can all relate to. We have a desire to be practical love in places that the need is often overlooked or thought of as undeserved. God has called us to love with no bounds. Jesus came for the sick, broken, stuck in sin and alone. We are His hands and feet here.

So after meetings, praying, brainstorming and dreaming.. it's time to give these ideas ground. Last week we went out for the first time to a handful of local strip clubs. We went out with baskets filled with Vitamin Water, lotion, Tylenol, chapstick, bobby pins and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies as well as a Happy Thanksgiving note from us. We really had no idea how we would be received but we were ready to allow God to lead the way, give us the words and open the doors.

God has so much in store than we can imagine or prepare for. In one of the clubs we were welcomed back and the girls loved the basket, were eager to converse, welcomed us again and even gave hugs. We figured we would have the most opposition at this club and yet all the management, bouncers and staff welcomed us as well. We left overjoyed with the great people we met and favor we had throughout the night.

God is already working out great things for future visits, planning, support and more. I really feel blessed to be able to embark on this journey. I am challenged by God's grace and love for His children. I want to be a woman who accepts His grace and love in my life and can overflow to those around me.









So here is to new beginnings new relationships and new challenges. Thank you for all the support, prayer and love so many of you bring. You are valued!

Here I come

It's time for:
Cold weather, adventure and a new city..



This 77 degree weather in Cali in Mid November is not working for me.

Meteors!

It was a sacrifice of sleep and warmth but we gathered, got 7eleven warm drinks and ventured out to darkness (as dark as it gets in Orange County). There were far too many cars driving by but we found a pretty good spot to view the display. It wasn't a 'shower' as far as what we could see but we witnessed some amazing displays of light in the sky. It is insane to think about how much more is out there that we cannot see. It's a big universe and yet you and I matter.

The beautiful display:

Too much light in the sky




That's a Meteor!

Staff Serve Day

This past Thursday all our staff took the day to join the Kaboom Organization and tons of Home Depot and City of Fullerton Volunteers to totally enhance a local park. It went from a grassy park with nothing else to have trees, plants, a whole play ground, swings, benches, wood chips and much more. It was amazing to see how quickly it came together with everyone's hard work. It was also fun to join coworkers in a different environment to give back to the local children and families.

Finally, Oak Glen.

Roman and Delsey have the best tradition of going to Oak Glen once fall arrives. I didn't make it last year but 2009 was not going to pass by without a trip to Glen Oak. So, Calendars out and a month of planning and it happened!

I am aware California isn't know for Autumn colors but I was amazed by how pretty it was. The drive up was beautiful. So rich, vibrant and unfamiliar. It was a fabulous Saturday of apple cider, photographs, friends and exploring the beauty!

Thanks Roman and Dels for showing me the ways of Oak Glen.
And all the photo credit goes to Dels!

Family wagon photo:

The cost of friendship.

"Fifty years ago, the average person had three or more close friends and family members in which to confide. Today, that average has dropped to somewhere between two and one. The world-within-a-world of social networking has its benefits, but it’s also continually drawing us further into an “invent your own fantasy” identity and away from face-to-face relationships. This year, the average American will spend more time with their computer than with their spouse. As a study in the March 2009 International Business News so aptly put it, “Facebook, Twitter users among the loneliest in America.

It’s easy to see why escaping to the social networking world is so inviting. On Facebook, you can hide behind a persona, be any version of yourself you can dream up. Online friends don’t borrow money and not pay it back, gossip or spill Gatorade in your car. They don’t show up at your house after just getting dumped and stay until 2 a.m. when you have to be at work in the morning. Online “friendships” are always efficient.

True friendship demands vulnerability. It requires that you rearrange your schedule, and intentionally plan time to spend with other people with no agenda. It demands choice, as sociologists agree that it’s only possible to have eight to 12 “real” friends, and attempting to manage more relationships than that only ends in a series of casual acquaintances."

You can read more from this Relevant article here.

I think this article brings up some very true points. It is so easy to allow people to see many facets of our lives via social networking. People know what I have been eating, doing for fun, where I have been traveling and more from what I openly display on the web. We seem to be in touch so there is little need for more contact outside of that, right? It can seem that way. It is convenient but lacks a true sense of vulnerability, emotion and depth. Then we find ourselves (or at least myself) wondering why we lack significant relationships. We have replaced genuine communication with stagnant texting, internet chatting and through the grape vine knowledge. There is a loss of face to face conflict resolution, story telling and life sharing. Marriages are torn apart because communication is a lost art. Underneath it all maybe we are avoiding pain, truth and being real. Don't get me wrong, I love the internet and technology. It has many pluses but there are always cons.

I could keep going but I won't. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Do you think communication has changed? For the better or worse?
How are you affected by social networking?
Etc..

DDR

Friday was the 2nd Annual Dance Dance Revelation. It was a lot of work/prep but well worth it. I had a blast and it seems like others did as well. We had a great turn out. There were a lot of new friends and new people which made it all worth it.

Thank you to all who came, brought friends and made it a thoroughly enjoyed night. Great dancin', constumes, laughing and photo taking. And come on, Ian rocked the DJing.

You can see more photos here.



Touring the USA together

Tanaka Farms: Pumpkins - round two

Pumpkin Festival.

Cal Poly Pomona has not only a pumpkin patch but a whole festival to celebrate! Pumpkin treats, pumpkins galore, games, photo ops and much more. It was pretty much, glorious. And I left with pumpkin butter.. Yum!

Who needs children when you have pumpkins?












Balance


Kids, Don't try at home


Stumbling upon a sunflower field might have put me over the top. My favorite flowers which I have searched for a field of just waiting for me to explore them! Perfect.










This concludes my lovely saturday.