Jr. High Kidnapping!!

At the crack of dawn on Saturday morning,(6...but hey, its a Saturday) Jason (the Youth pastor)..had this cool idea to "kidnap" some unsuspecting junior highers that were soundly asleep in their beds...(insert creepy laughing sound)So, Of course we were totally in!!!

First we pick up Natalie!

Then Renee & Rebekah


Followed by Vincent...

Then Janelle

and Justin...

and Sara

On to get Isaac...no picture...
Then, on to Dennys for breakfast!!!



The BEST part, for me, was seeing where all the kids live and getting a peek into their world. I have to admit it was pretty cool seeing them all "messed up and tired" looking to, but in all fairness I specifically didn't wear makeup...just to fit in with them! (I won't mention the fact that I didn't wash off my makeup from the night before, so in truth I had a little on my eyes)

So, here is my breakdown of the morning:
Janelle: not a morning person, does not like surprises...
Renee: orders her food by pointing at it on the menu:)
Rebekah: Doesn't like scary movies
Natalie: her house smells like Thanksgiving and Christmas...sooo yummy
Sara: is very cultured in her food palate
Justin: is into computers
Isaac: likes to always look his best
Vincent: likes to listen to Kutless and Reliant K
Junior Highers: Love em, love their energy, love their eagerness to let you know them!
Myself: At least 3 cups of coffee before I "lighten" up in the am...
Trav: The most consistent man you will EVER meet
Jason: likes Tai food, has a HUGE heart for the youth
Krista: isn't a morning person either, gives her all at everything she does:)
Jessica: luvs her brother and has such a sweet relationship with him...reminds me of my brother and I


What an amazing way to start our day!!!

About my Father

Luke 2:48-50
Mary, understandably hurt that Jesus had chosen to hang back in Jerusalem and leave them to worry about His safety, asked Him (Jesus) a question vs. 48 "Son, why have you treated us like this" His response, "Didn't you know I had to be in my Fathers house?"
The words "had to" some from the Greek word dei, meaning something that is "inevitable in the nature of things"...Father and Son had the same nature, Jesus was drawn to God, not as a believer, but as an overpowering magnet---two pieces of the same whole.

Have you ever just watched a father and son (or daughter) together? The way they walk, talk, or their mannerisms? They have so many of the same qualities. Even the slightest way they hold their head when they speak, or the way they look when they are concentrating...The same nature, the same heart, the same passions. This happens naturally when you spend so much time with someone.

I desire to have the same nature, same heart, same passion as my God.
Am i drawn to God, am I pulled in His direction with magnetism, do I yearn/desire to "be about my Father"? Will I leave all others and seek Him out, just to sit at His feet and listen?
Answer: Yes and No...

My hearts desire is to be about God. Not about my own agenda, not about ministry, not about ME....BUT
My flesh desires to always be first, be the cutest, have the best...and always be win. (I'm very competitive)

As a Christian (by my definition) I am a walking "conflict". Always wanting to do one thing and knowing you should do another.
There is a daily decision for me to parallel my life to the Lords,to love as He loved, to give as He gave, to sacrifice as He sacrificed, to forgive as He forgave , to embrace as He embraced

Today, I am just burdened with the realization that my flesh is sometimes stronger than my heart, and it saddens me that I fail. Newsflash: I AM NOT PERFECT!! Nor do I want to be, with perfection there is no learning and the day I stop learning about the Lord is the day I become ALL about ME...

So I will continue my journey...Being about my Father...
Love as He
Give as He
Sacrifice as HE
Forgive as He
Embrace as He
My hearts desire is to be about God, not my own agenda, not about ME.

Sweet treats and Smiles!

We are currently preparing to go meet with a new Doctor, one that will hopefully assist us in starting our family. We are a little apprehensive about the appointment...unsure if I will get all my questions answered, concerned about the outcomes of all the test..just plain worried.

Last night T and I were educating ourselves (by reading Fertility for dummies..courtesy my mom) and we were so encouraged! We were encouraged by a nice easy list of "must ask" questions and some simple tips for enhancing our appointment experience. I wanted to share a few of the tips, they can apply to any Doctors appointment:

1. Make the receptionist/front desk person your friend. Call them by their name
and always smile! Unfortunately the front desk staff has a big impact on your personal experience, they are your avenue to the Doctor...So treat them as so!!
2. Bring little "sweet treats"!! No office will turn away a little snack!
3. Always say "thank you" when you are taken back to the exam room, and when you are leaving the office...Leave a good impression EVERY time:)

We feel a little bit more prepared, with our list of questions in tack...our insurance referrals updated, and of course our smiles ready to go!!
Our appointment is the Monday the 20th, so please keep us in your prayers!!
We will keep you posted!

Over the 4th of July, we went to Chandler, Arizona to visit T's grandpa!! We meet up with T's parents and brother and just hung out together! It was soo hot, way to hot for me...over 100 EVERY day, but had a really great time together.

One day we went to a "show" at the Casino, and then we went to Jakes, a huge buffet and arcade! We all played like kids, and took turns on the Dance Revolution! Turns out T's dad has the best rhythm of all of us!

We spent a lot of time in the pool, played a lot of cards, and watched a real lightening show one night!

Thank you so much to grandpa & Carolyn for letting us crash your place:)

10 Things You should know about ...ME!

1. I LOVE my eye color!!
2. I can only fall asleep at night if I am wearing earplugs
3. I married my best friend!
4. I LOVE ketchup, but HATE tomatoes
5. I am afraid of heights
6. My 3rd toe on my left foot is longer than all the rest of my toes
7. I've never been stung by a bee
8. I count my deodorant strokes every morning, and put an even amount on each side
9. I have flown in an airplane one time...to Phoenix
10. My middle name is JOY!!!

Grad Party & Bonfires!!!

On Friday night we hosted Alicia and Sergio's graduation party!! The star of the night was definitely "Rockband"...I've never seen T rock it out on the guitar, or Alicia on the drums and Rachel on the Mic!!



We had amazing food!! Thank you to Balt for cooking for 40 people, it was worth the wait!



Then on Saturday it was over to Doheny Beach for Trent's B-Day celebration!! It was a beautiful day, perfect for volleyball!! Our team won 3 out of 3!! Woo Hoo go team Covey!



Happy Birthday Trent, we are so proud of you! You are so talented and what is so amazing is that you use your talent to serve the Lord! You have so many opportunities available to you, yet you have the wisdom and the patience to wait on the Lord and seek what He wants you to do. We are so excited for what the future holds for you and encourage you to always seek Him first!!
We love you! Your passion for life is contagious!!

Go Angels!!!

T got us 2 tickets to the Angel game on Monday night in the dugout suite!!
It was my first time going (to the suite) but T had been before and just couldn't pass up the opportunity!!!

I felt like such a celebrity walking into the suite...you literally walk into a huge "lounge" area...where the nice woman puts a invisible stamp on you, seen only by the "secret black light" :) It's so James Bondish...(maybe not)



So while T watched the game anticipating the Angels' every move, Mindy and I had fun people watching, eating and keeping our eyes out for random flying balls:) I really love the atmosphere, I love to see the families together, the dads explaining to their sons the score, or why the players wear that funny covering on their legs when they are batting, or why the players put certain weights on their warm-up bats..(which I actually found out...are their actual bats)and of course I had to have a hot dog and I usually get the huge ice cream cookie...but apparently that's a poor man snack because they didn't offer that in our first class seats:)



So a HUGE thank you to West Coast Firestop, and of course to my girl Mindy for giving me an unforgettable night, and tons of laughs!! Mindy, we totally have to hang out again, you make me laugh so much!! Thanks for making the night "fly" by!



All that was missing, was the Angels actually winning!! There is always next time!
Go Angels!! Woo Hoo