It's finally time.

Sweaters, scarves, jeans, hot chocolate, festive treats, clouds, rain (please), fireplaces, mountains, leaves, boots, blankets.. I could go on. But judging by everyone's facebook status' today I am not the only one excited-- Fall is here and finally feels like it is here!

Here's to Fall and all it brings!







Ps.. I haven't been blogging much because I have had a lack of photos to post. But, from now on it'll will be more random thoughts, topics, photos, life and more. Not sure if that will be interesting to you but I'm gonna keep typing.

four years of briefing

I love traditions. I do Holidays and occasions with full effort - decor, treats, attire, etc. And you always have to document with photos. Looking back on past years of repeated events is so great.

One thing that has happened for the past four years is the annual young adult trip to Forest Home (see previous post). For the past four years we have gathered our group to take a picture together on the 'small bridge'. I looked through my hard drive and found the collection.

2006


2007


2008


2009


Being a part of the Young Adult Ministry has been such a blessing. I've grown close to so many people, learned a lot of about serving, the challenges that come with it and seeking God and His will through it all. We are blessed with such a genuine and growing community, Ian and Julia and all their heart for the ministry and the people in it and being able to see growth and passions lived through those around us.

I love you all.

Moments

A cool breeze, mountains, community, solitude, late nights, endless laughing, stars..

All things that make little moments more significant. They make me stop, take it in and enjoy. Forest Home was a great weekend to get away with amazing people (new friends and old), worship and quiet our lives. I love the mountains. Going off roading was a great time of enjoying the scenery, getting off to an isolated area and being a little scared for my life. The weekend was super bonding for our church community and it was a great time of personal reflection, conviction and growth for me. I am so blessed to have so many people who love and support me and are on this journey with me. I really am honored to be part of such a genuine and growing community of people truly seeking Him in their lives.

Shades:














freedom

I've been pondering True Community. It has come up in many different contexts and conversations lately - Goals, a lack of, an abundance, etc.

I hear some cities are horrible for it, "I've lived here for years and haven't made a friend." Or "I have so many great friends that it can be hard to stay connected with all of them." And so on.

I don't know what it looks like for you, but to me community is a complex thing. Everyone has different expectations, desires and needs. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with how blessed I am by people in my life. Sometimes I feel totally empty no matter how many people I am around or how great the people in my life are. This can change quickly. So I ask myself, "When will I be consistently satisfied with the community taking place in my life?" I definitely do not have it all figured out but I do know God calls us to be dependent upon Him and one another. Him first, others second. He calls me to shift my focus to those around me; no matter how different or alike, how easy (or hard) they may be to love or if I will get anything in return.

Honestly, that is my goal. I love people (or I desire to). I thrive off of social interaction, busy rooms and real conversations. But in those times I find myself unsatisfied I find the answer of why in the fact that I've got it out for order. Being around people, helping people, phone conversations and facebook interactions will not do the trick. I have to first be seeking God in my life in order to experience community or love those around me. When I am not engaged in my relationship with God my other interactions are based on routine and selfish motives, not of genuine desire or overflowing love. This may sound basic and I hope it is for you, but I need reminding.

So rambling aside.. I am finding some time to myself. Time for reading, listening, writing and processing; giving myself over to my creator.

In my place:


Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2

leaves.

So I'm home. Although I am happy, being sick hasn't made for an enjoyable return.

I am grateful I was able to go to high school camp. My girls are seniors now! This is year 6 with them and I am honored to have spent so many years in their lives.

The camp group (minus hannah)


before she left. it was bright inside.


the rope course crew


super seniors


on the lake


hammock time


At this last summer camp I was reminded of our first summer camp together in 2004. We played the same camp game this year we played the first year. There were just as many over the top hilarious moments. This camp was different in seeing how much the girls desired to listen to God, encourage each other, confess, grow and be who He wants them to be. Priorities are different now and it is so exciting to see the growth in the their lives. We looked back at the last 5 years, prayed over hurts and healing and enjoyed eating, talking, relaxing and being crazy together. I am encouraged and blessed to be a part of their journey.

So Vegas didn't end the way it was planned to but I am humbled to see how God has moved me away from my plan and towards his. I had a plan in my head about how life would look for me upon returning but as I made the journey back that plan began to reroute. So thanks to Jesus and some great people in my life I will start a new job tomorrow at my church. I really am honored to be chosen and working with so many people I love and respect at a place I love so much. I am excited. More to come on this!

Goals for today:
rest and feel better, finally see (500) days of summer, be reunited with yogurtland, get organized and enjoy some new music.

Summer is over. That is weird but lately I have been day dreaming about Fall - festivities, leaves, pumpkin flavored treats and sweaters. Mhmm!

Leaving Las Vegas.

Today is the day. Moving day.
I'm almost all packed. I'm fueled up. I'm ready to load the car (okay I might not be ready but I am trying to be).

Today involved one last Einstein's Bagels trip with Rach, packing/errands and now some downtime followed by one more make up photo shoot.

Then it is just me and the 15 south.

So we had to take pictures with the other side of 'The Sign'. "Drive carefully, Come back soon." Why thank you, Las Vegas. I have mixed thoughts and feelings but it's time to part ways for now.





peace out




PS -
If you want to take a trip to Vegas, let's do it!
It is only 89 degrees right now which is Vegas loving me back.
If you know how to take pictures do not let a random tourist take one for you - they never turn out well.

Good bye.

knots.

Two signs I am stressed:
-knots in my stomach
-knots in my shoulders

Right now I sit at my Coffee Bean in Las Vegas with both signs. I am making a list of things I need to do/gather before I leave, people to say bye to, last hoorah events to be had and deciding when to actually leave.

I am leaving las Vegas earlier than originally planned, earlier than I thought two weeks ago and now earlier than I thought yesterday. Ya know.. why plan? Plans are ever changing. I am trying my best to go with the flow. Making decisions and putting my foot down where needed are not my strong points. I'd rather do what you want than what I want. I am working on a happy medium.

All that to say - time to load up the car one last time, run final errands and enjoy the next 24 hours or so. Woah, weird.

Last night Rachel and I found some adventures while taking a few final pictures of LV. Lot's of traffic, purse snacks and high winds all amount to laughing and good times.

View from the airport:







Seems like not long ago we arrived and took pictures with the sign:


To be continued with parting thoughts and images.