I'm Back!

I don't even know where to begin! 

After the last post, (which was almost two months ago! So sad!) Eric and I spent Christmas in Oregon with our friends and family there. It was a lovely trip. Every time we go back, I miss it a little more : ). 

When we returned from OR, both Eric and I hit the ground running!

I started Cosmetology school at Toni & Guy, and I started a new position at The Apple Store. Needless to say my days off have been few and far between, and unfortunately I've yet to find a good balance between school, work, and the things that I love like blogging! 

Eric has also been working like crazy. We've been hurting pretty bad for money for a while now (like our whole marriage lol) so we are so grateful for work coming his/our way!

I'm going to try and get on some sort of schedule, because I really do love blogging and the blogging community, and I'm eager to write about this new adventure that I've embarked on. 

Out of all these crazy, time consuming changes, I have to say that school is my favorite. It's so wonderful to be able to do something that I absolutely love to do five days a week eight hours a day, all working towards a career that I love and am good at. If you have to work and bring in money, why not choose to do something that's fun?!

Well, I suppose that the purpose of this blog was just to let all of you know that I haven't given up on this blog, or forgotten about you!

Thoughts on the big 25

I'm a quarter of a century old today. Weird. 

Time flies so fast. It feels like I just turned 18 yesterday. But here I sit 25, a wife, dog owner, a home owner, musician, and a lover and seller of all things Apple. I never would've guessed...

As this day goes on, I find myself more and more grateful. It's like I'm being reminded of all the good stuff (I focus on the bad way too easily and way too often). I'm grateful for my family and friends. My husband. I'm grateful for my job and house. Grateful for all the places I've been so fortunate to travel to. I'm even grateful for something as silly as the notifications I keep receiving of all the people wishing me happy birthday on Facebook (I know Facebook reminds you of everyone's bday so it's kind of cheating... but it still makes me feel special!) 


I have to say that I don't think I could've planned my life thus far better. I'm not saying it's been perfect, or there hasn't been pain or trials, or that I've got it all together. But where I am now is a real and authentic place. A place of dependency on Jesus. A place where I surrender my expectations again and again and am surprised by what He has had in store all along. I'm learning that it really isn't about my circumstances, finances, job, or location...but it's about the work that He's doing on the inside of me - He's making me look more like Him and I wouldn't have it any other way.

To celebrate my bday here on the blog, I've put together a little playlist for your listening pleasure. These songs fit my day. They're happy and beautiful and a couple of my favs as of late. I hope you enjoy!

Team Stern

Late last year one of my dear friend, Steve Stern was diagnosed with ALS. This was the man who mentored me as I first stepped into the role of "Worship Pastor". He helped me to grow in that position and challenged me in an amazing way. He counseled my husband in making some major life decisions (aka marrying me!) and has been an amazing example of a husband and father to us and countless others. Bo, his wife, and Whitney, his daughter, walked with me through the first few years of living on my own and have always been there for me, ready to counsel, pray, lend an ear to listen or be a shoulder to cry on.  

Devastated by the news, and saddened to be so far away from him and his lovely family, all I could do was pray, get others to pray, and read Bo Stern's blog.  Bo's perspective and honesty is truly something that I have always admired, but even more so now as she walks through this season with her family. To say reading her blog is inspiring is a huge understatement. She is a living, breathing example of what trusting in the Lord looks like, even when life doesn't look the way you thought it would. I love her and her family with my whole heart and know that Jesus is going to (even already is) do something great through this. What the enemy meant for evil, God will use for good.

It just so happens, that Eric, Jayne and I will be in Bend just in time to participate in The Walk to Defeat ALS. I can't believe the way that our traveling dates work out perfectly, and I'm more than completely honored to walk for Team Stern and the many others who are fighting this battle. I'm asking you to help fight this disease by supporting me as I walk September 10th.  You can make a donation here. Just type in my name and follow the steps from there. 

I'm really excited to help and participate in this way, and you can too!