Beach Reach and my tan looks great

I spent the entire day at the beach yesterday. It was great! My cheeks got rosy but my tan is doing fine. I'm about as dark as an Ethiopian now. Maybe I'll fit it :) I started the malaria meds today and I'm curious to see if I have the strange dreams I did last time. I used to think the news reports about people killing and doing other insane things while on these meds were false but after taking the meds for 2 months I can see how it would jack you up. Don't worry, I'm sure I won't doing anything crazy in the next month or so.

This morning Emily and I got our nails done and I've decided that I'm gonna start recycling to treat myself every month to the nail place. It was so relaxing. That plan will probably change once I get back from Ethiopia. That place has a way of putting things in perspective.

Abort operation Pondi Pines

It's a no go folks. Sorry about that but I spoke to Nikki yesterday and it just seemed like it would be a rushed visit and what not. I promise to come up as soon as I get back from Ethiopia and I plan on staying a few days. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me. I hope those bratty twins aren't at jr.s week this year.

Curse Heather Nunn

Why is it that you can stop crying and now I've started. Remember, I'm the tough one! Pondo Peeps, can I visit this weekend?

Wess called

I got a phone call from my great friend Wess in North Dakota today. He told me to stop being a weenie and start being a servant. So here is my apology for being so stupid. Gosh!

I wanna be like Mike

You don't hear that slogan much anymore but there is a reason I've brought it back. Mike Misfeldt is a volunteer staff member in Wildlife and has become my all time favorite co-pilot while driving vans. This guy is just hilarious. Wess, you and Kaleb would crack up at the things that come out of his mouth.

While we were in Yosemite we stopped at Glacier Point. From this point Half Dome is right in front of you and the waterfalls surround it. It's amazing. There is also a map of what you are seeing posted in front of the view point. Mike walked up to the map and pointed out Half Dome to us. The people around thought he was an idiot, who wouldn't be able to just look out and see that the huge rock in front of us was Half Dome? But it provided thousands of laughs and made me think of something those crazy Missouri kids would do. I guess you had to be there.

Road Trips Galore

The 8th grade road trip went extremely well. Nate and I sat back on Saturday morning before the students were awake and were amazed by everything God did and used us to do. I'll post pictures sometime in the next few months :) That's the way life is feeling right now.

We started off in Chatsworth and went to Santa Barbara. We got lost and told the kids we were going to Neverland Ranch. They weren't so excited about that idea. We did a team building exercise at the pier and had lunch quickly. We then drove to Pismo beach where we spent the day and evening. It was such a nice beach, I have never felt sand like that before. We had a bonfire and Nate taught. We spent the night in Atascadero and drove to Yosemite the next morning. That was one of the highlights of the trip. I stood in awe of what God has created. I'll post funny stories later. We spent the night in Sonora and split guys and girls for Friday. This was the most challenging day for me. I was overwhelmed by God early that morning and cried for a good 15 minutes. I also had to teach that day and that was so important to me. As I prayed before I started I just started crying again, things sat so heavy on my heart. We paddle boated, rock jumped and had a BBQ at the Milnik's home. It was so great! The best part about the trip was seeing kids overcome obstacles they didn't think they could do and the way they had to trust the other kids to help them out was awesome.

I spent the day at Knott's with Wildlife yesterday. Whew, I'm reminded of Dr. Krabbendam when I say I feel like I've been hit by a mac truck. I had a good time with students and more and more I think Jr. high students are alright :)

In danger of disappointment

I saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory last night. The Oompa Loompa sorta freaked me out. I think they got the choreography from Dance 360 because I definitely saw the raising the roof on one leg move. It was a good movie with even better company. I might be setting myself up for disappointment but what's life without the risks right now?

The road trip kicks off tomorrow and Nate and I spent an hour in Costco. He cracks me up, I love shopping with him. He almost took out an old lady with the cart but made friends with Thelma who handed out samples of veggie chips. We are pretty much the best shoppers ever, we had $20 left over.

I have to pack, run some errands and hopefully hang out with cool people. We'll see. I can't wait to visit Yosemite this weekend!

Back from Hume and hitting the road again

Here is where I apologize to Aaron and the Pondo peeps for not yet making it for a visit. I promise to get up there this summer, it just might be late in the summer. Man, summer isn't long enough!

Hume Lake was great! I got beat up and worked out but it was all worth it. Our cabin was at the top of the mountain and we had 8 girls for 6 beds. I slept on the floor and got eaten up by something while I slept all week. I had a great cabin of girls and I got to spend time with Joshua friends. I came home with a black eye and jacked up knee, I take recreation serious...Or I fell really hard. The theme this summer is "We like sheep" and it was hilarious! I enjoyed the opener and the videos all week but I mostly enjoyed and appreciated the message conveyed through it all. It was such a great reminder that I am a dumb sheep in need of a shepherd. All week I was pointed back to the shepherd and His amazing love for His flock and the goodness He has in store for those who follow His lead.

I'm heading out Wednesday for a road trip with 8th grade leaders and I'm so stoked for this event. I'm sure I'll come back exhausted but at least I'll have a week before heading out to Ethiopia. There's so much going on right now but it's all so exciting.

No time to breathe

This is gonna be short. I've been BUSY as I recover from Hume (which was awesome), my injuries (I got a black eye) and plan for the 8th grade road trip next week. I have a message to write, meals to plan and some team building stuff to get done. Life hasn't stopped and even though it's tough with family and work I'm loving every minute of it right now. I feel like I'm on the brink of something great and I can't wait to be pushed over the edge.

I miss you Pondo peeps and hope to visit soon.

Camp

A week of Hume Lake.

A week of blue eyes.

A week of him still not knowing.

Wicked

My mom and I spent the afternoon walking Hollywood Blvd. We had dinner at CPK with the Hollywood sign overlooking us, true celebrity status right there ladies and gentlemen. We shopped and walked and walked and walked. I had such a good time with my mom and it was fun being able to treat her to dinner and a show.

Wicked was awesome! I love live theatre. My mom asked where I "got cultured" and I said UCSD. That's what the diploma is mostly about. Not so much the academics but the life lessons learned. The show was great, mom had a good time and I found this cool store called American Vintage. I picked up this cute quilted skirt, not really Alyssa but I'm rockin it.

I can't wait for the HLCC!