Happy Days

Happy Days. So last Friday I got notice that my thesis had been cleared from the Thesis Office and was ready for our department director's signature, before going to the bookstore for publishing. Well today everything got complete and I went to the bookstore, paid my fees for publishing and copyright, and turned in my thesis. It will not haunt me any longer until 6mo from now when I get a UPS package with my copies. Happy Days are here again!

Retreating with a Test A Mint

No, it's not a retreat to the kitchen for some mint chocolate chip ice cream; although that sounds quite refreshing. Last Friday I loaded my packed bags and headed off with my dear friend Debra and my new friend Dena for a weekend to my first ever women's church retreat. Our retreat committee had been planning and praying for a break that would refresh our souls. The retreat served as a great opportunity to meet new friends, take an in depth look at God's beauty, and relax in the natural hot springs and Russian spa. I also was invited to share my testimony (thanks to Phyllis); my journey that God has taken me through and my relationship with Him along the way. The retreat theme was based off Psalm 90:17 "And the BEAUTY of the Lord our God be upon us..." Discussions and speaker content revolved around what true beauty is compared to the world's distorted view of beauty. True beauty is not your physical appearance: your waist size, your bust size, your height; nor is it ego, accomplishments, or how much money you're worth. For true beauty is found deep within the heart and soul where the Holy Spirit resides, and is viable through our eyes to the depths of our hearts. True beauty is motivation, humility, brokenness, and confidence in Christ. It is perseverance, character, hope, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. The retreat was refreshing like mint chocolate chip ice cream. It was unfortunate that I was ill during the trip with some viral stomach flu; I continue to make a slow recovery. Believe me; I'd love more then anything to stuff my tummy with mint chocolate chip ice cream. Please look back for added pictures to the slide show below. May the Beauty of the Lord be upon you this week and through out this year.

Women's Retreat

Soup & Survivor

So many of you've been asking, since you know we have soup & survivor every Thursday, where is that picture of survivors James & Ozzy? Well finally you have them: James the gravedigger burial service owner and Ozzy the free lance writer photographer. Girls wipe that drool off you mouth!

Pirate's Dinner Adventure-End of Tax Season Celebration

Taking the Break out of Spring Break

A most amazing start to my week off vacation was spent with my beautiful cousin Alexis, who was in town from out of state for a volleyball tournament. Some of you may remember her singing the Lords Prayer with her mother and grandmother at our wedding reception. It has been nearly 5 years since then, so it was a pleasure to have her in town visiting. We enjoyed watching her team play and then being her tour guide after her tournament ended. I think she enjoyed it too, especially after running into James and Ozzy from Survivor in Venice Beach. Unfortunately, I was at work and missed out! I worked a few days during break as it's crunch time for tax season and quite chaotic. I also attended my biannual cardiology appointment with my brother, which went fairly well. Doctors remain concerned about my high heart rate, but will continue to monitor. Bryan and I enjoyed trying out a few new eateries up in Westwood. Towards the end of my vacation I spent time helping my best friend after a medical procedure and visiting with friends of Jay's family from Canada. It was unfortunate that during their stay the 7 year old got appendicitis requiring an appendectomy and extra support from us in getting the patient medical care and helping to care for the 5 year old sibling. Needless to say he and family are doing well. We also celebrated my dad's birthday with a bike ride to breakfast in the park. Writing about my break doesn't do justice in showing just how busy it really was. I look forward to our church's women's retreat where I will have real time to relax in the hot springs or by the pool and putting the "break" back in Spring.

Spring Break

Just Within View

Its a most exciting feeling when you begin to make plans and purchases for graduation. It's an incredible feeling; surreal in fact. As I walked into the graduation fair I couldn't believe that graduation is almost here; just within view. Its a strange feeling looking at my name on my graduation announcements that are ready to be mailed; it almost makes me superstitious. As I prepare for the social work job fair, it's yet another reminder that my journey of obtaining my MSW degree is ending. Its exciting, scary, and sad all at the same time. I have realized in spite of the stress, I enjoy being a student and will miss it, but yet I look forward to becoming a professional and doing great things that I know God has in store for me. I'm grateful that the journey of learning is never over!