Wildlife is really Wild

I left Thursday for the Wedding of the Year. Sarah and Justin are now one and I'll post pictures in the future. It might take a few weeks though. I'm leaving tomorrow for our 8th grade road trip. I'm excited because I get to hike around Yosemite and it's beautiful and fun and refreshing to be out of the valley. I'll come back Saturday to head to Marisa and David's wedding and then maybe some rest. Oh wait, probably laundry because I'm leaving Sunday morning for Hume Lake. Our high schoolers are going to camp and they needed another counselor. I'm so lucky, I know. I'm very excited for the next 2 weeks. After that I hope to do some local traveling. The new car is handling very nice. I've taken over a thousand miles already! Okay, pictures will come in abundance later.

I ain't ridin' dirty

It's done...Car shopping is over. Saying goodbye was a bit hard on me but my last drive in the Escort to Oxnard was a good one. The air conditioning even started working again. Maybe it was her last plea with me to keep her. I have to say, she cleans up well and I'll miss her. BUT for the moment I'm in love with my Honda Civic. I wasn't looking to buy such a nice car and thought I couldn't afford it either. Come on, I'm in ministry and you all know how that is! But I sent David (my ferocious step dad) in to the bargaining table and he came out the winner. The dealer wasn't so happy. He thought he was gonna have it easy, a single female, alone on the car lot. He thought he saw a sucka, boy was he wrong. All I'm saying is I better marry a man who can work a deal like my stepdad. So there you have it, I can now take road trips and not fear breaking down which means every second I have right now is going to be spent on the road. The first trip begins tomorrow as I head to Morgan Hill to watch Sarah and Justin tie the knot. I love those kids. San Diego and Running Springs are on the top of the list, don't you worry. Just let me know where I can sleep:)

The new ride. Now I can come visit you where ever you are! Yes, even Texas you Ashdowns!

Do I look like Dad?

Do I look like mom?

The Exodus

I have a lot to say but no patience to write about it all.

In short, 2 of our 4 pastors are being called away from our church. Change and transition is an adjustment for all. It always seems like a pastor leaving a church is a bad thing but I've been able to see the positive in this. While I'll definitely miss these humble men I'm excited to see what they do and what God does here.

I think I may have found the car I want to buy. It's a big decision in my life right now and I don't know why it's such a big deal. I think because by me buying this car I'm committing to staying around for a few more years. I'm also possibly applying to grad school. I've decided to bite the bullet and just go so far into debt there's no way out.

I'm preparing for Ethiopia and I really just wish it was time to go. I'm excited.