I love California. Always have. Always will. It was 85 degrees when I was there (Which is almost 30 celsius). Perfect weather.
Pismo Beach
Loving the sand in my toes.
Everyone is all about Organic everything in CA. Katy took me to an organic fast food resteraunt. The food was actually incredible! And they even had like 8 different flavors of ketchup!
I moved around a lot when I lived in CA. So I drove around and took a snapshot of each house I lived in.
1101 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo. Age 7-9. I got to go to school for the first time when I was in third grade! I was home schooled before. No home school jokes!
Ok, I actually didnt get to this house cause I got busy, but found it on google maps. 1925 Corralitos Road, San Luis Obispo. Age 9-11. Changed to a new public school for 4th and 5th grade.
404 Pecan Street, Arroyo Grande. Age 11-17. I think of this as the house I grew up in. Started attending Coastal Christian School. 6th-11th grade.
166 Alder Street, Arroyo Grande. Just a few streets over from the last house. My senior year of high school was here. Got our dog Copper as a puppy. It felt like I didnt live here for very long. Actually I didnt. Just one year. 12th grade. Then I went away to college at Multnomah.
Last time I was at Robyn's house her house was robbed and everything stolen. We were determined to have a less dramatic time together. So far... it's been pretty dramatic. Her dog Rodeo had a gun held to him by a police officer that showed up at Robyn's house looking for some Felon. Then Robyn's brother was in an almost car accident that shook him up pretty badly. Then the garage door started crumbling and almost fell down onto her car. We were stuck inside for most of the day cause we couldnt get the car out of the garage. Then her mom's husband ended up in the hospital. Oh did I mention at that Robyn's roommate had an elevator fall three floors at her work?
Im in North Caroline in a coffee shop with Robyn. The music is loud. We are sitting at a table with someone we dont know. We are trying to focus, but it tough.
Katy and I have been friends since we were 6 years old. In fact when we were little we would go to church and stare at the pretty girl leading worship and be in awe. Now Kate is the worship pastor at that same church we used to go to. Last night, I went to that church, for a night of worship and the opening of their new church building.
A few more pictures of my time in Portland. It went so fast!! There were so many people I didnt get pictures of... Bri, Judy Glantz, Melissa, the Donovans, Blevins, MacMurrays, Willafords, Dean Karen, Aaron and Katie, Danny...
Joel and Andi McMartin and their little boy Ethan. They are being trained by New Tribes Mission to go out on the field sometime soon! We ate lunch and talked. It was nice! Joel's sister Becca is a friend of mine from JV.
Heidi Chris and I went to Mcmenamins for dinner and watched Madagascar. We had a fun time, then drove home in a blizzard of Portland snow!
This describes pretty much every afternoon in Portland. Anna and I would get together and tell Slovenia stories. We are writing them all out so we dont forget! At this coffee shop we made friends with a little girl and she took our pictures. She was four.
I had every type of weather in Portland. Snow, ice, rain, sun, and even a rainbow!
I got some new books at Powells so I happily read most of the trip.
Now on to my CA adventure! The weather is beautiful. Pictures and videos to come soon...
Ive only been in Portland for two days, but ive been doing lots of things! Anna and I met in Starbucks yesterday and talked for an hour. Then Sharon Mormance and Laurel Jenkins showed up and we talked and talked and talked. Totally oblivious to the time. We were tired of sitting in Starbucks, so we went out for lunch and talked a bit more! The total was over 7hrs with these girls. It was so fun to talk about Slovenia. Sharon and Laurel will be moving there in the next year with their husbands and kids. Later that night Heidi and I made coffee milkshakes and watched Prince Caspian. It was fun girl time!
The day after Christmas I braved the cold wintery Seattle world and met up with my two dear friends! I found them in the mall and we walked over to Starbucks. We didn't have a lot of time, but it was really great to catch up and hear a little bit of Slovene. Then we realized that Vec was having their Christmas party!!! So we called and chatted with the group.
On my way home I called again and got to talk a bit longer to some friends at the party. It was a wonderful day! And yes I took these pictures from the Bordners website. Thanks guys!!
I had three goodbye parties as I was leaving Slovenia! It's taken me a while to post pictures--life was a bit crazy. But now I am snowed in with no where to go and so I have a bit more time.
Josiah Venture always does a really good job at saying good-bye to their missionaries. Dave Patty stood up front with me--and Johnny, Brooke, and Lori (THANKS GUYS!!) and everyone got a chance to say what they appreciated about me and what they will miss. People said the most beautiful things. Thank you so much to each one of you. The time was precious.
I was not expecting this goodbye party!! SURPRISE!!!! My dear Lucy and Neja and a few others invited so many of my dear friends to the Patty's house and surprised me!! So many people came. It was an incredible surprise. THANK YOU!
My Slovenia team had a Christmas party and a special goodbye time for me. They gave me the most incredible gift. Each family gave me a small gift to put inside this cool looking box! Every gift had meaning, a story, or represented something. Could have been the best gift Ive ever received.
Ive made it to the states! We've had a ton of snow and ice here. As Im writing, my Dad and brother Caleb are trying to put chains on the car so that they can make it to church. Ive actually been in bed the last two days with an awful cold. I think Im graduating to the couch today.
Im reading Le Miserables by Victor Hugo and knitting and watching old re-runs. Thats pretty much my life these days.
Oh I did spend a few days with the Grandparents. Grandma and I got to pray together, watch Pride and Prejudice, and we all played the card game Pinochle.
Incredible food. Dear friends. American football--which I did not play. The JV Kids Talent show---I think it gets better every year! And saying goodbye to people I love oh so much. It was a wonderful Thanksgiving.
My pumpkin pie!
Gathering to give thanks.
Fun people and great food.
David Eiffling, Luka Patty, Abigail Woodard
Noah Ellenwood and Caleb Patty
Laurel Jackson, Hayley Ellenwood, Me, Meagan Jackson
JV Kids Talent Show!!
Saying Goodbye...
These sweet girls dedicated a song to me and Becca McMartin.
On a different note Hannah Ellenwood and Tyler Patty dedicated a song to Nate and Emily.
Nate and Emily!! She got to watch the entire show.
Nicholas Pitcher had a way cool talent!
Jacob Hash and his incredible juggling talent.
Who knew Tyler Patty was a Backstreet Boy?!
A final picture of me and the ducks. We missed the Runzo girls!!
My apartment is almost completely empty. No more couch and pretty chair. Most of my kitchen stuff, bedroom stuff, bathroom stuff, gone. So weird. And I still have till Tuesday before I give my keys to my landlord. So empty.
A bit more about Malta, just because it was so great! Thank you to all of you that sent me notes and cards. It was so encouraging to be loved on by so many of you. I felt like I was treated like royalty this week!! The hotel was incredible, Malta gorgeous and the CHN staff fantastic! I only wish it could have been a few days longer...
View from my hotel room.
The waterfront of Valletta the capitol.
With Krista Ashmen, a friend from college who is serving with her husband in Sweden.
The group of us! Zvonko and Dubravka. Seba and Glorija. David and Katka. Me and Krista. Thank Jesse for taking this picture!
Jesse, Krista and I in Valletta.
Standing in front of the small island where the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked.
Katka and I in the city of Mdina. A quiet sweet walled in city.
Walking the quiet streets of Mdina.
:) That was a lot of fun Krista. I wont forget that!
Amazing waters on the island of Gozo.
Not the safest thing Ive ever done. But it sure was fun! This was in the Count of Monte Cristo.
Ive lived in 8 cities.I love lattes.I love to ponder life.My heart beats CA.I love sunshine & sand in my toes.I love curling up with a book I love flip flops & tank tops.I love worshiping my Jesus.I love to journal.I love meeting people & hearing their stories.I love photographs that hold memories.I love sitting in coffee shops on rainy days.I love sitting around the dinner table with my family.I love big hugs.I love reflection.I love dreaming big dreams.I love seeing people walk in freedom.I love being at rest.I love chocolate from Europe.I love cobblestone streets.I love grandparents.I love meeting someone & knowing you're destined to be good friends.I love that God's Word reveals my soul.I love watching the 6hr version of Pride and Prejudice.I love things that feel soft on my skin-including peaches.I love finding an old note from a friend.I love tears that come when I realize how deeply God the Father loves me.I love laughing so hard it hurts.I love talks around a camp fire.I love camps in castles.I love knowing my future is in the hands of my God.I love laughing with teenagers.I love car rides when the sunroof is open.I love singing loudly.I love when the seasons change.
