Sunday, July 27, 2008

Happy Birthday To Jered!!

Yesterday was Jered's birthday, and although we were exhausted from our long week at camp, we went out with our super good friends Ryan and Ashley last night to celebrate. Jered and I got dinner at a little mexican restaurant and then the four of us went out to Concordia Ale House to have drinks and play pool. We had a really great time! I'm so lucky to have Jered and to have good friends to be able to do ministry and celebrate life with. I'm very blessed!!

The two of us

Our "We just won four games of pool" faces

I'm not sure what he was laughing at, but I LOVE this picture of him!

Jered's "It's my birthday" face

Me and Ashley

This is the way that I play pool-Jered points to where I need to aim....

...I bust out the one-eyed pirate face to get it right...

...and then I laugh at the fact that it actually worked! :)

Ash and Ryan--so cute!

Wildhorse Canyon-The Happiest Place on Earth

This last week I, along with five other leaders, took 35 students from Young Life to Wildhorse Canyon for summer camp. All year long we've been pumping up camp, telling students that it will be the best week of their lives. I had high expectations for the week, knowing that God was going to do some really cool things. At the same time, it never crossed my mind that this could be one of the best weeks of my life. I've had the fortunate experience to travel a lot and have been on some AMAZING mission trips. I never really viewed this week as a mission trip; until we went that is. This week was defintely in my top five best weeks of all time. Almost all of our kids come from unstable homes, many not living with two parents, if any at all. They have been taught that they can't trust people because nobody has ever been there for them. They have been through things in their short lives that I wish nobody ever had to experience. Many came in with their defenses up, their protective wall of "toughness" up and on guard at all times. We were fortunate enough to have some sort of a relationship with most of the kids, so the walls that they had built were already lowered to an extent, although still definitely present. Young Life is very intentional about the activities that they plan, when we do certain things, the way that we eat, the speakers that they bring in and the volunteers that they have. They want the kids to experience Jesus all day and night, from every aspect. The first night all of our kids were blown away that we all sat at tables of eight together and were served food by volunteers their own age. Many of them have never had a family-style dinner. I was able to see the kids blossom throughout the week, open up more and more and begin to let their walls drop. By the end of the week we were able to see eight out of 16 boys start a relationship with Christ, seven out of 14 girls start a relationship with Christ, many re-dedicate their lives and each one change their mind about Jesus in one way or another. All of those who had done this camp before said that it was by far the best week they had ever had at Wildhorse. We asked God for a miracle and he came through in a big way! Thank you SO much to all who prayed. This wouldn't have been possible without all of your prayers!!
Ps. To those who care, I survived the mountain bikes (with only one fall...although it was into the middle of a ridiculous bush that thought both of my legs would be a good snack), the ropes course (in the heat of the day and I thought that I would die from heat exhaustion and the fact that I was tight-rope walking a million feet off of the ground), the ridge runners (where I got lapped twice...whatever) and the swing. It was stretching and I was out of my comfort zone A LOT, but I loved it!!

















Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Oh how I love the beach!

This last weekend my family had their annual trip to the beach. It was a really fun, relaxing, WINDY time! :) And thanks to Jake and Ty for keeping me thoroughly entertained. And I quote Ty, "Can I hit you Bec?" "Um, no." "Well, can I hit that guy?" (as he points in our like 80th cousin four times removed from France's face) "Um, that guy has a name and no you can't hit him." "Oh." Really? What a funny kid! You can read my sister-in-law's blog for more funny things about the boys, because let's be honest, they do and say funny things about every five seconds.

My cousin Kim's little twins Jackson and Olivia.

Ty on the beach

Jake

Jered (who will be mad at me for putting this picture up because I guarantee that he thinks it's stupid, but I like it:) So there.)

My brother and his two boys

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

So sometimes...

...you go to Fred Meyer, only to have a homeless man invade your space while taking some deodarant from the shelf, using it and then sticking it back. Ew.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

My Best Friend's Wedding

Literally. Another bites the dust!! This last weekend my best friend got married and it was such an amazing day. Erica and I met in the 7th grade and have been the very best of friends ever since. She's the type of person that just makes life better. I don't know what I would do without her in my life!! She married an amazing guy named Ryan who she has been with for almost nine years. It was about time for them to tie the old knot! It was a beautiful day (despite the tears and snot running down my face during the ceremony!)and I was priviledged to be a part of it. Love you both!!