Michelle's Graduation!

This weekend I had the opportunity to see my little sister graduate from college. It was amazing to see the culmination of the last four years of her life. The weekend was full of family, friends, laughs, and smoke?

We flew in to Burbank and then drove north to Santa Barbara. We knew that there was a wild fire in Santa Barbara (the second one in 6 months) but we had no idea what to expect.

This is what we saw from the freeway coming into SB.

Our fist night we went to Michelle’s track and field banquet, it was a little long but fun.

Little did we know it was going to be dinner and a show.

The next day we woke up covered in a thin layer of ash that had come in through the windows overnight. After breakfast

we went for a walk on the wharf …

Then headed to the beach,

where Michelle and I compared skin color

I’ll let you be the judge about which looks better.

Friday night was Michelle’s baccalaureate, which had to be moved from Westmont to Santa Barbara City College because the campus had to be evacuated. It was a beautiful service in a beautiful setting.

Saturday morning was commencement, it was so incredible to watch Michelle walk across the stage, and she was so beautiful!

After the ceremony we went to a potluck with Michelle’s friends

and then went out to a nice dinner with the family.
Sunday morning Michelle, dad, and I woke up early to watch the sunrise,

it was too foggy to really see anything, however we did not complain about the fog because it helped so much with the firefighting efforts.

We went to church and then out to lunch, after lunch we went to the beach again for a little bit and then it was time to go.

But not before a quick stop in Summerland in which Michelle showed off her amazing avocado picking ability.

It was such a great trip and having gotten the chance to take Michelle to college for her freshman year and then to get to be there for her graduation was something that I will always keep close to my heart. I’m now home missing my sister with lots of memories, some great pictures and a wicked sunburn.

Christmas Day

Oh how I love Christmas time! Not only is it a time to celebrate my (our) savors birth, it is also a time that I get together with all my siblings; which is something we don’t do enough, because we are not all in the same state. I missed some family last night because of the snow and ice on the ground, I was bummed however I had a great night with Joe and my close family. I am so thankful for my friends and family and that we have this time of year when I can look back and reflect and be thankful.

When your hut is on fire...

I was sent this via email by a few friends, which means you have also received. However on the off chance you haven't seen this it is a great little story...

*When your hut is on fire...*

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?' Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! 'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied.

*The Moral of This Story:* It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground it just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

*P.S.* You may want to consider passing this on, because you never know who feels as if their hut is on fire today.God Bless

Ode to my sweatpants

If I could I live in my sweatpants 24 hours a day 7 days a week I would, they are soft, comfy and warm. Any day that I can come home and put on my sweatpants and keep them on until I go to bed is a good day. I don’t think I have any piece of clothing I love more than my sweatpants. Yesterday I got to spend all day in my sweatpants, and it was the best day I’ve had in a long time. I love them and they love me. Thank you sweatpants for being so good to me!

Love

Love; the definition:
1. a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.
2. a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend.
3. a person toward whom love is felt; beloved person; sweetheart.
I have so many people in my life that I love or have loved; so many people that love me. Sometimes I feel like I have so much love in my heart that I might burst. I am so deeply grateful for the feeling of love, the ability to love. Sometimes I think that with all the pain and hurt in the world that love is the only thing that keeps us alive. As more people come in to my life and I get to know them and I let them in and come to love them I feel so blessed, how does one person get to have so much love in their life? If you’re reading this and you love me, thank you. Know that I love you too!

Whoa, sex

At church we are doing a sex series. It’s great, informative, a little uncomfortable at times, but for the most part, it’s great. More than about sex the act it’s been more about relationships and how sex comes in to play in the marriage relationship; like I said informative.

Last week something that came up was arguments, and how there is never a winner when it come to arguments. I argue to win, I think I always have, it’s the way we did it growing up. However I see how it’s not productive in relationships.

In the car on the way home from church last week Joe and I were talking and I mentioned that I like to win, he told me that he’d seen that, then he told me that when I’m trying to make a point my tone can come across as demeaning. I can see how this is how I can come across, and I want to change it.

I’ve been thinking about this all week and have been trying to see it in my daily life. However I’m having a hard time, I need to pray about it more. Today I asked Joe to point it out when I do it. I know that this could be a bit of a slippery slope but I feel like it’s what I need, for now.

Growing and relationships, I’m finding, can be hard, but so worth it.