My trip home~

Home was absolutely wonderful! It was the quickest trip I've ever had, but absolutely wonderful. I came back refreshed and overwhelmed with thankfulness with how the Lord blessed my time with friends and family. While I was home, I:
-browsed J CREW and Anthropology (my mom and i laugh because i have such "high class" style, but never actually buy anything! Hey a girl can dream can't she!?)
-had Starbucks almost every day :) yep, it's official, my mom and I are addicted!
-talked wil the wee hours of the night with Caitlin- yes, at 23 yrs. old i still greatly delight in sleepovers!
-drove 15 hours to California
-helped KK get ready for her wedding and honeymoon! Being a bridesmaid is the BEST!
-celebrated my best friend get married to the man of her dreams
-got my hair and make up done for the first time ever!
-fell in love with fake eye lashes ;) did you know you can get almost permanent ones!? i may look into that.
-had many heart to hearts with my mama, and rejoiced that the Lord would bless such an amazing woman of the Lord into my life for my mother
-stopped in P-town aka Portland- love that town- however, it was freezing that night! whoohee!
-drove back to Washington
-coffee date with Olga, my sweet sweet friend
-went on a walk with my Papa
-ate Chipotle, Panera and Olive Garden- ah yes, breadsticks how i love you.


Here are some photos from my trip~

Kaelyn!

This Saturday, my beautiful Kaelyn Kraft will become Kaelyn Foster! Kaelyn is one of my best friends- a true answer to prayer that freshman year of college. I would have transferred had it not been for kaelyn's friendship. We played master's tennis together (haha!) and she was my roomate in Israel. Kaelyn has taught me what living in community looks like, how to be vulnerable and open, and the importance of seeking mentors. I started tearying up just looking at these photos...oh buddy! I can't imagine what i'll be like at the wedding.
Kaelyn, I love you with all of my heart. I can't wait to celebrate this day with you and Dominick- what a JOY it is to see God's answers to our prayers for your husband. What a gift! God is ever faithful. YAY!

oh give thanks!

Isn't this so beautiful! ooo! how i long to go back to Santorini one day-

Jill, a woman I dearly look up to, shared with me today how she's reading this book and the author has them write in their journal every moment they're thankful for- as it happens. So, for instance, if she's washing dishes and she looks at the bubbles and how the light reflects them- they're so beautifully crafted by our Lord- she will stop and write down her thanksgiving. She said she is so enjoying slowing down and giving thanks to the Lord for all the "little things". I have been praying that i would have a thankful heart lately. When we have thankful hearts, it helps us rejoice even in times of heartache and struggle. My list for today:
1. Joe Coffee in big yellow mugs
2. a car that has free gas and can drive to the other side of town
3. Jill's encouragement, love- how she rejoices and weeps with Risa and I
4. The ocean breaking on our drive to see jill today.
5. little children's smiles
6. ACAI BOWLS!
7. my friendship with my pastor Craig
8. Sunshine
9. my daily walks with the Lord- there's this new path I found that leads me to the ocean. I am so in love with this walk- the Lord has met me daily as I cry out to him on our walk- and I see all the palm trees, fresh flowers, mountains, paddleboarders, and tourists learning how to surf.
10. Hillsong's cd "Aftermath"