DELAYED FLIGHT--Will we make it home???


So we received a call early this morning that our flight out of San Fran is delayed by an hour and a half-cutting our next flight out of Chicago really close..like 30 minutes close. The next flight out of chicago doesn't leave until the next morning! Do you think we'll make it home for Church tomorrow?? I HOPE SO!!!!

Merry Christmas to us from Papa!

Papa gave Jared and myself some Christmas money to spend as we choose. So after buying clothes and shoes and a few snowboarding things, we got the grand finale...

Photo of the hottest man ever!

Why My Husband is the Most Amazing Husband


So Jared and I are celebrating Christmas together today since we will be in Cali. with his family on Christmas day. Since we decided our Snowboards would be our Christmas gift to each other, we decided the only other thing in our budget would be the stocking stuffers. Sounds like a good plan huh?

Well today I had a hair appointment at Reve to get my hair shaped up for our family pictures. Jared and I had seen this promotion at the mall for Reve where if you bought a $100 gift card, you received a free cut. So here I've been debating on whether or not it's a good deal...and so I asked advice from my bestest friend Emily--who gave me some excellent advice. DO IT! Well no sooner had she told me it was a good idea then she was telling me not to do it...she convinced me not to buy the gift card and I just decided to forget it and pay for the regular hair cut.

Little did I know that Jared was scheeming....very sneaky! He bought the gift card for me as an extra Christmas surprise! Thanks for spoiling me Jared-You're the best!!!

Christmastime is here...

Sometimes I wonder if heaven is going to be like Christmas, you know that amazing anticipation you have when you wake up in the morning...

NO CHURCH SERVICES TODAY


In light of Blizzard Bill's instructions to us all, we don't want people to leave their homes, so we have cancelled both services this morning at CrossRoads... Sad sad day.

Also, the Gift Wrapping Fundraiser we had planned at the mall is no longer happening due to the weather.

Now Jared and I are wishing we were still boarding!! Pictures of that event to come!

(The picture is a live shot from the Toledo Airport)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME!!!!

So I already know what my Christmas gift from Jared is...and vice versa-we found these sweet snowboards at Dick's Sporting Goods-several hundred dollars off the board and bindings! Since Jared is already an avid snowboarder, and he likes to do crazy things, I also asked him to purchase a helmet so he doesn't kill himself while jumping off of something. So here our amazing snowboards are sitting at home in our office...and we are just dying to try them out! So...road trip!

We are headed to "Bittersweet", a small "mountain" on the other side of Michigan-We leave later tonight!!! I can't wait!!!

I'll be sure to post some picture of the massive bruises I'm sure I will get from the fake snow this weekend:)

Check out me and Jared and our nephews Evan and Aaron!!!!


http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1310388549

NO SURGE TONIGHT!


We are having freezing rain all day-therefore, we will not be having Sr. High SURGE tonight Dec. 9th.


Sorry everyone-I don't want you high schoolers driving around!

MILEMARKER

So today I set a new mile marker in my running "career".

8 miles!!!

If someone would have told me a few years ago that I would be going that far that fast, I would have never believed them!

Marathon---HERE I COME!

Thoughts on Communion:


Tonight at CrossRoads we will be remembering Christ through the sacrament of Communion. As the time approaches, I've decided I want it to mean more then something we do once a month (plus I was asked to give a devotional tonight on it).

You see, taking communion is a time where we "remember" Jesus and what He has done for us (Luke 22:19). My deal, is that I understand the price Jesus paid, all He went through--and boy do I appreciate it--but I've got this problem with letting go of those things I know He has already forgiven me for. I know I probably sounds crazy--maybe I'm the only one who feels this way--but the guilt that I feel I carry around sometimes seems to suck the life out of me!

And then I read this from "Grace for the Moment" by Max Lucado (we're tight)
"Regardless of what you've done, it's not too late. Regardless of how far you've fallen, it's not too late. It doesn't matter how low the mistake is, it's not too late to dig down, pull out that mistake, and then let it go-and be free. What makes a Christian a Christian is not perfection but forgiveness."

Let it go and be free...Let it go and be free...

Psalms 103:11-12 says "For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west." and then i read this other amazing verse:

Romans 8:3 "So God did what the law could not do. He sent His own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins."

So here I go...let go...let go...because God wants me to move on.

4, 6, 5, 7

So running...I really like it. I think my favorite part about running is pushing myself to accomplish something I never thought I could! Since college I've run 2, 3, maybe 4 miles, but not on a regular schedule, and I didn't really like it that much-it was more of a punishment for eating ice cream. Since Jared is really smart and everything, he's helping me come up with a training schedule that will push me so we will eventually do a Marathon in the spring! So this week-it's 4 miles (today-at a 7.5 min-8 min mile pace), Tuesday 6 miles, Wednesday 5 miles, and Friday 7 miles! Yee haw!!!

One Year Later

Our First Anniversary-it is truly amazing all that can happen within a year. For me, I've seen more growth and changes within myself this year then ever. Living with your spouse is definetly different from a college roomate. There is so much adjusting and responsibility increase. The joy level in my life has probably increased most of all in my life. It is so amazing to me how much joy my husband makes me feel on a daily basis...how special and loved I feel when I'm around Him...and how I feel more beautiful then I've ever been because of Him.

I know at the core of my being that it is Christ who completes me, fulfills me, and brings unending Joy. And God has added a beautiful gift to my life in the last year-the Joy that can only come through a marriage founded on Him.

Through this year, as my love for Jared has grown, so has my love for the Lord. It's in our faithfulness to eachother that I see more clearly the faithfulness of God. This marriage covenant that represents the very covenant God has made with us is an incredible blessing that I know is not only meant to bless me or Jared, but all those around us.

I look forward to celebrating 1 year of marriage this weekend as Jared sneaks me away to some secret place. But even more then that, I look forward to all God has in store for us to be and do together in the future.

LIKE JONATHAN

Don't miss this FREE concert this SUNDAY night

6:30-8:30

All 9th-12th Grade Student are welcome to join us!!!!

Just a few more:)

TEAL/AMERINE FAMILY PICTURES

Taken and edited by non other then my bestest friend Emily Smith-check out her blog www.smithgalleryphotography.blogspot.com

SMALL GROUP FOR H.S. LADIES


So Becky W. and I are starting up a Small Group for 10th-12th grade girls. It will be meeting every Monday night from 6:30-8:00. STARTING TONIGHT!!! (Brownies will be there --so should you)
We will meet at 8150 Jackman Rd. #17. It's in the apartments right by Bedford high school. The 1st Building 1st door.

If you don't come-I will cry.

ALL 6th-12th Grade Students and leaders! Please join us next Wednesday Sept 26th from 6:45-8:15 for a time to worship God together.

IN THE ATTIC
CrossRoads Community Church
6960 Sylvania-Petersburg Rd.
Ottawa Lake, MI 49267

So my Best Friend Emily and her husband Andrew have do photography together. And it's pretty much amazing. I've added her link to my blog and here is a taste of their work at our wedding almost a year ago!

So I've officially picked up running again...or maybe for the 1st time. I'm not really sure if training for Miss Azusa counts because I did that to lose the nasty pounds.
I've been consistently running 4-5 miles about 3-4 times a week. Jared and I would love to do a marathon together and I think we may as well do it while we're young and childless! Maybe sometime in the spring?

Kicked Bells Palsy in the Butt!


That's right-after only about 3-4 weeks, my Bells went long gone! Praise Jesus! So thanks for your prayers-and thanks Dr. for the Steroids!

YOU CAN NEVER BE TOO CAREFUL

This is how amazing God is:

Our fall Kick off for FUEL has been out of control insane!

Over 100 kids the 1st combined night-75 at our first AWAKEN on Sunday morning in the Fireside-and a Servant Leadership Team that rocks my face off!

Ya God-you are so amazing and I can't WAIT to see what You are going to do for Your kingdom this year!!!! Thanks for letting us be a part of it!

BROTHERLY LOVE

So as previously stated in my blog, I got Bell's Palsy when I was down at IYC in Tennessee with the students a few weeks ago. First off, I'd like to give a props to God-my face I believe it 100% better! That's right!

Secondly, I feel I must give credit where credit is due-and I'm talking about brotherly love-literally. You know you are truly loved by your siblings when they are willing to take a picture like this with you:


Now that's love.

CHASER IS HERE!

The long awaited arrival of the newest addition to our family is here!

We picked Chaser up on the way back from DTW at the Dearborn Animal Shelter-we've had a fantastic few hours with him, and everyone who has met him has been impressed by his friendly response to people (He did GREAT in the car!)-and he goes to "relieve himself" outside already!!! Praise Jesus!

I'm sure we will have regular updates!

F-L-O-R-I-D-A

Well here we are-in Ft. Walton Beach FL-This is Jared's 1st time in Florida (makes sense since he's from California) and my 1st time here with the love of my life! We've been having a great time going to the beach, swimming at the pool, and "playing tennis" in the morning-trying to beat the heat at 7:30! The reason I said "playing tennis": because it's more like Jared serving me a perfect serve, with me returning it 5 ft. over his head. We got our exercise just by chasing that stupid ball around the court!

Probably the best part about this quick trip has just been hanging out with my parents-we've missed them over the summer-I'm excited for them to come home!

For now however, we will continue to enjoy the white sandy beaches:)

3 Weeks:


After 3 weeks my facial movement has improved so much! I feel particularly blessed after hearing several stories of people who never recovered from Bells Palsy-now that this is my second time around I am so grateful to have recovered 100% last time and hope to this time as well. I would say I'm around 90% better right now-I can still see and feel the muscles not quite as strong in the right side-but it's really coming along!
YEA GOD!!!

2 weeks of Bells Palsy:


After 2 weeks I am shocked at how quickly my face has been recovering. It is not very noticeable as most people have been telling me-although of could I can see and feel the spots which are not as responsive. It's probably most noticeable when i try to raise my eyebrows or laugh. Part of the healing process has been a LOT of face twitching (my eye, lips, and chin mostly) which thankfully is not painful-just annoying:)
God is so faithful and good and I am thankful for this opportunity to grow!

Thanks for your prayers!

Bells Palsy after 1 week

MRS. INTERNATIONAL!

One of my very dear Friends Rebekah Negrete JUST WON the Mrs. International Pageant!!!! I can not think of a person more deserving! She will be an absolutely amazing ambassador for Christ!!! Congratulations Rebekah! I'm SOOOO proud and happy for you!

Why not a second time?

One of the major events which occured at IYC 2007 this year, was my sudden second bout with Bells Palsy. Monday night Jared and I went to the ER in Knoxville TN (some very nice people there in Knoxville) to receive my 2nd diagnosis of Bells Palsy in 9 years. So after being on Steroids for a week, and an anti-viral as well as using more eyedrops then ever to keep my eye from drying out, I am doing ok.
The good thing about Bells Palsy-It doesn't hurt.
The stupid thing about Bells Palsy-It is hard to eat and drink, and I currently can't taste much of anything.

The good thing: God is so good and I am so thankful I know He is with me and who defines me, not this Bells Crappola!

IYC 2007

What an amazing time! 25 students from CrossRoads joining thousands of other Free Methodist Students from across the US-
Highlights from our Group- Fuel Student Ministries:

5 First Time Commitments
Several Re-dedications
Countless commitments to be fully God's!

Praise Jesus!

VACATION!!!!!


Well, Jared and I just got back from our first vacation since our honeymoon-a week spent at Yellowstone with his family-and it was amazing and so stinking relaxing.
Here's what our week looked like:

Friday: Woke up at 4:30(AM) and my bro Alex took us to the airport. Flew out to Salt Lake City-picked up our cool rental card (saturn SUV)-shopped (my loving husband bought my 2 shirts and a dress!!!) ate at Olive Garden and checked into our hotel. Jared family all got in around 8:00 p.m. and we ate at one of my favorite places-BUCA DI BEPPO!!
Saturday: We drove 4 hours to our cabin at Henry's Lake in Idaho right outside of West Yellowstone in Montana-We were in the middle of no where and I loved it! We concluded the day by getting groceries and playing games together
Sunday: Jared and I went for a walk to the lake and encountered a REAL LIVE MOOSE! Only about 100 ft away! Then we drove out to West Yellowstone and shopped and hung around town for most of the day
Monday: All of us (me, Jared, Mom, Papa, Dan, Annette, Tommy, Tom and Cheryl) drove through Yellowstone and saw Old Faithful and some other really cool places-and BUFFALO!
Tuesday: Went for a walk (no moose this time), put puzzles together and ate Dinner at a friends house and played games
Wednesday: Drove out to Jackson Hole Wyoming for a day of shopping, a rodeo and fireworks off the mountain!
Thursday: Jared and I decided to take the afternoon and rent tubes and float down a river for 2 and a half hours-my favorite part!
Friday: We all went horseback riding:) Good times
Saturday: Said a sad good-bye to everyone and flew back home at 1:00 am on Sunday

God is so amazing-I love his creation so much!

OUR 1ST VACATION:

Jared and I will be taking our first vacation together (since our honeymoon of course) next week. We are going to a place called "Henry's Lake" which is right on the border of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming-right next to Yellowstone. Not only do we get to spend an entire week with his family who live out in CA, but we get to do the preceding activities!

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

STAFF OUTING:

So last week the executive staff at CrossRoads had a "staff outing". This day proved to be one of the most memorable (exculding the doll house) times I have had with the staff.
We started out having a wonderful lunch at Adam's Fav. J. Alexanders. I enjoyed the largest grilled chicken salad known to mankind.
We then had a beautiful stop at the Toledo Art Museum. Each of us chose several paintings which were our favorite-and take everyone else on a tour of our fave's. After a few exciting brushes with the docents-we actually made it through alive!
We then moved on to a beautiful drive along the beautiful Maumee River-down to Perrysburg-we all chose mansions we wished to live in-
After an awesome dinner at the Navy Bistro-I was so stuffed from lunch, I only ate soup! Oh ya-and chocolate cake:)
We then finished the evening off at a late night mud hens game. It was truly incredible. I'm sure we were some of the roudiest rabble rousers in the stadium!
Thanks everyone for the awesome memories!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"Be JOYFUL always, Pray CONTINUALLY, Give THANKS in all circumstances...for THIS is God's will for you in Christ Jesus"

One of my favorite verses.

PRAY FOR MITCH (PFM)

My friend Mitch-man we go way back. Our parents were friends before we were even a glisten in their eyes. And when I lived in Spokane WA, Mitch made sure I had a good laugh and friend to hang out with. He loves God. Lives in So Cal-moved there right when we left. Serves at an FM church down there. Is 27. And has just been diagnosed with Leukemia. His family is posting daily videos on YOUTUBE to keep all of us posted-he may have started Chemo today-hopefully by tomorrow.
Please pray for him-Even if you don't know who he is. Cancer sucks-but God is bigger then that-so let's pray that the Lord will remove this disease and will continue to bring everlasting strength, comfort, and peace.

LOST:

I don't know how I will possibly wait to see the next season of LOST until February! Thanks to my bro Alex, Jared and I are totally addicted (in a healthy way), to this show. I even dream about it!

Season Finale Highlights:

-Hurley saving the day with the van

-Jack telling Kate he loves her (ahhhhh:)

-Patchy-does he ever die?

-Charlie's death---I cried. seriously.

-Jack FINALLY punching Ben in the face

What is to come in the future!?! What is going on! Will they be able to change the future!? SO MANY QUESTIONS!!!!!!