New pics of Miley…

   

 

Weekend Warrior

Sometimes it’s good to be back at work in order to get some rest.  This past weekend was one of those that left me dragging.  It began with the Sparkle sleepover (supposed to be a camp-out, but Mother Nature didn’t like that idea).  There’s always that crew that stays up the entire night!  Here they are: Michelle, Jessica and Jennifer managed to do just that.  We had some awesome leaders come hang out.  And God bless the Kaisers who gave up their house for the night to make it all possible!

After only 4 short hours of sleep and getting all 25 girls back to their parents safe and sound, it was off to Renee & Jesse’s new house.  They were really blessed with a great find!  We picked up Miley so Renee could do some unpacking.  (We definitely got the better end of that deal!)  On the other hand, it’s hopeless!  Miley only has eyes for her Pops.  She doesn’t even acknowledge me unless Doug tells her to when he’s around!  Now, that’s bad!  I guess I’ll just have to capture those special moments when he isn’t home. 

Then Sunday, Renee & Jesse gave Miley her first birthday party.  It was a great day.  She seemed to really enjoy opening gifts, playing with her new toys, entertaining the crowd and especially her cake.  It was a fun day for everyone…except poor Renee who caught a bug.  Here are a couple of pics of the party.     

  

UPDATE on Patches and Sunrise Earth:  Patches has gone on strike.  She has decided that she isn’t going to show any interest in Sunrise Earth as long as the camera is out…it’s just lounging for her (and no, she isn’t having kittens!). 

Sparkle

We are getting ready for our last Sparkle of the year!  Yep! It’s almost summer again!  As we (some of the Sparkle leaders) began preparing our last lesson of this year, we started thinking about all of the lessons up to this point.  WOW is all I can say!  We truly have one amazing group of leaders.  [If you are not in Sparkle, each month a different set of our leaders teamed up to give a snap-shot of one of our core values (Purity, Unity, Relationships, Excellence) and how we could "sparkle" in that area!  Even some of our high school leaders joined in the teaching!]  All of these leaders through their actions and dedication are such a great example of these values!  A true picture of being in this world, but not of it!  I am so proud of each and every one of them!  Hats off to all of them! 

If you see one of them this week, give them a big hug!  They deserve it!

One!

This little princess was brought into our lives just one year ago today.

What a wild adventure it’s been! 

I never thought you could love someone as much as your own children.

..then came Miley! 

This year has flown by quicker than one can imagine.  Now she’s walking, speaking her first words, and so much more.  I cannot wait to see what the next year holds.  So much to discover and learn. 

Happy Birthday Miles!

Patience

Patience is not one of my strong points.  Give me the facts so I can make a decision and run.  I am not sure if that is good or bad, but it’s me!  I’ve developed some patience over the years raising two daughters.  Believe me, that requires loads of patience!  …but God’s still working on me.

I am so glad God picked this day and age to place me on the Earth.  The technology we have amazes me.  Recently I’ve had some things taking place that I have no control over, and today I had the pleasure of having an MRI to try to get some answers as to what’s happening…more waiting.  :)   I say pleasure because I am fortunate enough to have this option. 

I am completely humbled as I think of all the people on this planet that have medical issues with no way of finding out what is wrong.  Wow!  I cannot even imagine.  For some in our own city, it’s from lack of health coverage/finances.  For others it’s just that they were born in remote regions of this planet where they have no options and no way of getting any relief from their pain or illness. 

I am so thankful that God has placed me right where I am!  I wonder why He picked me to be so blessed?  I guess I might be able to find some patience inside after all!

The Seed

One seed in particular has been the topic of many sermons throughout time.  The mustard seed.  A couple of random facts:  It’s cholesterol-free.  Yellow ones have 53 calories per serving which you can burn off welding for 17 minutes (who comes up with this stuff?).  Despite it’s tiny size, the black ones actually grow into trees of about 12 feet.  

This week, faith has been God’s topic in my life.  God’s been speaking to me about great people who had tiny mustard seed faith with HUGE results for His Kingdom.  Random people in my life have mentioned things about faith this week…seeing things through God’s perspective and not my own.  No doubt, God is speaking loudly in my ear.  Then I go to HP Women Life Group yesterday morning and what does Mrs. Ann talk about?  You got it!  Faith and your season. 

OK, God.  I get it.  I will step up the faith area.  I won’t be weak! 

Jesus, please increase my faith.  Give me faith like Noah when he built that huge boat while no one understood.  Faith like Moses as he led the Israelites out of Egypt dispite their disobedience and complaints into the wilderness.  Faith like the disciples had as You healed the sick before their very eyes as the Pharasees tried to discount Your power.  Faith like Paul after his Damaskas Road experience as he went from persecutor to believer.  No doubt, Lord.  Each began with faith the size of a mustard seed!  Show me the view from Your perspective and grow my faith to Your-sized faith!  God sized faith!

Sparkle’s last event…

That’s right. Can you believe it?  Sparkle’s almost over for this year!  We have one event left before our end of the year celebration.  Oh, the suspense!  I wonder what we’ll be doing.  I almost forgot…I know what we’re doing!  But I’m not tellllling!  Bet you cannot guess what our last event will be?

Here’s a couple of pics from this year:

Navigate/Saturate

In case you have not heard yet, Navigate and Saturate are the place to be this summer!  If you have not already signed up, then go do it now!  Don’t wait.  You don’t want to miss out!  OK, you can stop reading now.  Really…go sign up!

Seriously, why are you still reading this??  ….go, leave.  Go sign up!

The Good Stuff…

So tonight I had the pleasure of hanging out at Starbucks with two of the coolest Refuge chicks around:  Victoria and Emily.  Seriously!  What could be better than good company, good coffee, and the Good Book!  We sat outside until we couldn’t see anymore.  (I think Starbucks must be conserving electricity because at 8pm, they still didn’t have the outside lights on.)  Back to the Refuge chicks… These chicks unselfishly give so much of themselves to Sparkle and the other life groups at Pathfinders.  In fact, I don’t think Victoria and Emily have missed a Sparkle this year!  Pathfinder girls, you’re in for a real treat because they are teaching this week at Sparkle.  Woo Hoo!  Get ready for an awesome word!  You’re gonna love it!!

Victoria and Emily, I love you guys!  You are the best!  Sparkle wouldn’t be the same without you!  Thanks for everything you do! 

PS - You guys have to get a blog!

Sunrise Earth Adventure of the Day…

There’s a group of islands half way between California and Australia in the South Pacific known as the Society Islands.  You might recognize the name of one of these famous islands which is a hotspot for vacationing newlyweds:  Tahiti.  

Today Patches journeyed to the Society Islands to make the acquaintance of the hermit crab of Huahine (another of the Society Islands).  He was a little shy and didn’t speak, but he had lots of friends chillin on the beach with him.  Patches decided he was a little uninteresting since evidently the ‘cat got his tongue’, but the waves were cool.

 

The Society Islands are also known for their bungalows over the water.  It’s really beautiful, but I’m not really sure if I would want to sleep in a bungalow over the water after looking at the waves above.  Patches says she definitely isn’t fond of the water!

 

Tomorrow….we’re off to New Zealand!