Big Bear

We decided to leave the sunshine in the valley, to experience a little snow in the mountains this weekend. Seriously, we can lay out on the beach and then drive an hour to go snow boarding. Crazy. The original plan was to head up with 8 college leaders on Friday night, but the heavy fog and mudslides made for bad driving conditions. We settled for some BJ's spinach dip, avocado rolls, loaded potatoes and a triple chocolate pizookie. "What is a pizookie?" you ask. Well, let me inform you.

BJ's Triple Chocolate Pizookie: A rich chocolate cookie featuring chunks of Ghirardelli chocolate. Topped with two scoops of double chocolate ice cream with Ghirardelli chocolate chips and a Ghirardelli SQUARES dark chocolate.

Come Saturday morning we were on the road again. We packed down the 4Runner with 2 couples, 2 dogs, and luggage for 4. Needless to say, it was a little cozy. The winding roads forced me to middle seat, but I was able to make it through the mountains without getting too car sick. It was so great getting to have a short winter experience. We sure have enjoyed the warmth of Cali, but we miss having seasons. The retreat was busy, productive and a ton of fun. It involved hours of planning, discussing and vision casting for the college ministry at CCV. We ate great food, told funny stories and continued the long process of building community.

Update

Hi there! Things have been busy, busy, busy. I have officially started my new job at APU and am still adjusting to the 9-6p work day. Although not much has been going on, there are a few changes that are worth mentioning.

1. We are moving! I know it sounds insane since we have been living here for just 5 months, but since we moved to California, we have both wanted to live in Glendora. We love the old town area and visit it all the time. I am a regular at the local coffee shop (they know me by name!) and Patrick and I would frequently drive around town looking for "For Rent" signs. Coincidentally (oh, what a funny word that is), we came across a great place within walking distance to downtown. Seriously, it was completely by accident. The place is adorable. It is comparable in size to where we are now, but it actually has a bedroom. It was built to be a mirror image of the front house, which makes it super cute. It is going to be nice to have a free-standing, tiny house. We are moving in a few weeks and I will be sure to post pictures as soon as we get settled.

2. The word is in: Patrick will be speaking regularly at the 808: College and Young Adults service at CCV. I am so proud! Along with my joy, I ask for your prayers. Speaking regularly to a group this large is a huge responsibility. Pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit and protection from both pride and attacks (of the spiritual nature).

This Momentary Marriage

As fast as you can, go to this website and order this book by John Piper. READ IT. Patrick and I just started reading and discussing this book together and it has forever changed the way I view our relationship. Piper writes specifically about marriage as a momentary gift and about the infinite greatness of it's meaning. I have always recognized the difference between the world's view of marriage, and my own, as a Christian. I have never, however, recognized the chasm between my own conception and the Biblical view. Buy it. Read it. Live it.


"....how much more will the magnificence of marriage in the mind of God seem unintelligible in a modern Western culture, where the main idol is self; and its main doctrine is autonomy; and its central act of worship is being entertained; and its three main shrines are the television, the Internet, and the cinema; and its most sacred genuflection is the uninhibited act of sexual intercourse."
This Momentary Marriage, p. 20

Celebration

We have had much celebration the last few weeks. Christmas seems like a good place to start. This was our first Christmas away from family....and definitely our warmest Christmas yet. We started our own tradition this year, with cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning and a movie that night. Patrick and I joke about how our Christmases have gotten bigger every year. Our first year we each got each other one gift, our second Christmas was two gifts each, and this year was a higher limit altogether (although the limit is still rather small). Patrick got a stylish and reliable Swiss watch. I got an alloted amount of money to spend at the store(s) of my choice. I hit up Forever 21 and stocked up quite a bit of clothes. We received a Garmin GPS, a necessary accessory in L.A., from Patrick's parents and a generous amount of money from mine. One of my favorite presents, however, is this amazing popcorn maker we got from Williams-Sonoma.

We enjoyed Christmas lunch at The Vines' (Patrick's boss if you don't know) house. I contributed my first-ever homemade sweet potato casserole and some tasty mac-n-cheese (a new recipe I just found....delicious!). It was good practice for the day when we will host large family gatherings....I can't wait! I figure I can master 1-2 dishes a year until I have it all down. We finished the day with a trip to AMC to see Yes Man! Although Jim Carey is hilarious, we suggest saying NO to Yes Man. Call us sticklers, but there was some unnecessary crassness.

Although it wasn't a Christmas present necessarily, we also became a two-car family over the holidays. We have been making it with one car since we got married, but have finally had to break down and buy another car. We spent much time brain storming, checking Consumer Reports and analyzing our budget....and we went with the 2000 Toyota 4Runner. We plan on sticking with the Toyota and Honda families. It sure is a beauty! We love it and are confident that it will last the 7 years we need it to. We have included some pictures for your enjoyment.

New Year's came quickly. Leslie Fike (college roommate/friend from FL) flew in and we hit some tourist spots in Hollywood and Beverly Hills. We were sure to not only visit the Harry Winston store on Rodeo drive, but actually tried on a ring. Bling baby. Straight bling. We rushed into every store we could to see if we could "run into" a celebrity.....but no success.

New Year's Eve was crazy. We spent the night in Pasadena at the "Huxford Suite" (thanks Huxford family) and rang in the New Year on Colorado Blvd. with about 1000 other people. It was so weird counting down on the west coast via the rerun of the ball dropping on the east coast. I must say....not as cool. We rose early the next morning to witness the much acclaimed Tournament of Roses Parade. It was crazy insane....very elaborate. And would you believe that the Science Hill High School Band was there all the way from Johnson City, TN--home of our beloved alma matter?!