Love Does {the Book}

I love people.  And I love God.  And if you like either of those things even a little bit, then you should read this book.  I’m being serious.  I heard about it exactly two weeks ago and I read my brother’s copy {thanks bud} and want to read it again.  Just for kicks. 

I love people a lot.  And I love seeing how God changes hearts and then transforms lives.  I love hearing other people’s stories {hence the blog world}.  And I like to read.

Those things are wrapped up altogether in Love Does.  This book is an easy read, and it uses the word “whimsy” which is just perfect.  The chapters are short, so don’t worry if life is busy I promise you can fit a read in.  It’s a mix of stories that make you laugh out loud in public places and others that make you think deeply.  And there’s a range of topics {yes, even BB guns make the cut} that all come back to God’s love and loving people.  Because love does.

I have to say it has put a radical spin on my imagination.  I’m dreaming again; big dreams.  I’m dreaming impossible{s} and I am so excited to see how God changes those and if he makes them realities! 

What are some big impossible{s} that you are daring to dream?  Are you willing to share them?  And willing to hope that they might become realities?

These are my own personal opinions that I shared with all of you because I liked this book and I think it’s worth a read.  No endorsement.

First Days

Source: fromainsleywithlove.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

I get nervous on first days.  And I had one of those said first days this week.  I started an internship and I feel blessed beyond blessed.  I’m learning what it means to be in the corporate environment and in a software company.  Software is way over my head, but I’m learning the lingo.

I work with some awesome people.  It’s great to hear and see the ways that so many different backgrounds can create such a great working place. 

Needless to say I got over my nervousness.  I decided to be confident in what I know and ask about what I don’t.  It’s a place to learn and so that means stepping out of what is comfortable and asking lots of questions.   

Here’s to new starts and being uncomfortable!  What has pushed you out of your comfort zone this week?

Child's Play

Last week was full with kids. 

 I was little on overload by Sunday afternoon.

 I love kids, but I had not been around that many, of that age, for that long in a while.  Our church put on sports camp which is a sport filled VBS.  Kids are put on teams according to the sport they chose; cheerleading, soccer, or basketball.  I will be honest and say I don’t play basketball.  So the last two years I’ve been a substitute coach for soccer or cheer.  It is so very fun to love on kids {and then you get to send them home to their parentsJ}

I got to hang out with sweet Maddie during the day and then lots of elementary kids at sports camp and then 4 toddlers on Monday.  Tuesday Maddie and I hung out some more.  Later it was off to coaching a cheer team of five girls all going into kindergarten and first grade.  They were the youngest cheer team and the five year old needed undivided attention.  Wednesday was the youngest soccer team of rowdy boys.  Oh how I love first graders and the things they say!  Thursday I was back with the littles {toddlers}, although there was only one for me to give my full and undivided attention to.  On Friday it was back to the cheer squad and the adorable five year old. Sunday morning I was with the preschoolers for Sunday school.  Such a fun age, but tiring. 

It has been so nice to love on kids.  I didn’t know how much I’d missed little hands,

eyes full of wonder,

smiles of discover,

and a warm body in my lap. 

What have you been missing that you’d like back in your life?

Movable Feast

So I was trying to be on a roll this week. 

I prepped my posts, and tried to have pictures for every single one. 

But alas, yesterday, no post

And today, well we’re up and running…at 10am

And this is why I love grace

God knew I wouldn’t have any adventures to post if I posted them all this week! {hehe}

There are some cute kids coming up next week…But for now a picture overload for the weekend!

This is the best kept {not so} secret in San Jose.  Some great food being loaded up and moved around the Bay Area.  It comes in the form of food trucks, but it is called gourmet.  It is delicious! 

If you live in the area you should check it out or start one in your own area.  Here are some pictures I took when we went last week:

http://www.mvbl.org/

What did you honestly think when I put food truck and gourmet together in the same sentence?

Like Family

Do you have those friends that are like family?  I have a few friends that come to mind, but one family in particular.  When we were young we all looked alike too, so other people would always ask us about our ‘siblings’!  We were always making up stories, dressing up, romping in the yard, or jumping in the pool.   

Megan and I have been friends since I was born…literally.  She came to the hospital when I was born, and it was friendship at first sight.  Sort of, I mean neither one of us really remember it.  We only know because we have the picture to prove it.  People always are shocked when they realize that we have been friends for that long.  We now go to the same University and we were brave enough to live together last year.  They always tell you it’s dangerous to live with your good friends, but we’ve enjoyed it. 

Because we are practically sisters, it seemed only natural to spend father’s day with her family.  We grilled lamb chops and had fresh fruit and veggies.  And for dessert the berries from the other day made their appearance.  Yum! 

And we worked it all off with some ping-pong and spike ball.  Spike ball has become a game that is the new activity around San Luis Obispo.  {It’s an edited version of volleyball and it fits in a drawstring backpack.}

I love spending time with this family and I am so glad that we got to celebrate our dads together.  What do you do to celebrate Father’s day?  Do you have any friends that you call family?

{Friends are the family you pick yourself}

Sometimes and Always: Berry Edition

We made this deliciousness on Sunday!

Source: morganmoore.typepad.com via Haleigh on Pinterest

I am linking up with Megan on this warm day for her series of Sometimes and Always.  We got a heat wave here last weekend and so we went on our annual berry picking adventure.  The place where we go {It’s tradition} is south and near to coast so it was cooler than being at home!
  

Sometimes: I think I’ll just eat one more

Always: yeah right…what was I thinking?

Sometimes:  I make myself pick only the blackest of blackest berries

Always:  That takes too long and I end up with a few red ones

Sometimes: I dream of what I’ll make and other times I decide to figure it out later

Always: I know there is deliciousness coming soon

Sometimes: I think ‘we’ll go home right away and make jam!’

Always:  It is way too hot.  We’ll make jam…soon

Sometimes: I talk with friends or my momma as we pick berries

Always: It is way more fun to listen to other people.  They say the funniest things {out of context of course}

Sometimes: I think that berry picking is easy and not dangerous

Always:  I come home with some scraps; those bushes have some sharp thorns!

This is one of my favorite summer traditions and it helps that it tastes yummy too!  I used to come home covered in berry juice, but I’ve tamed my ways and look more presentable afterwards these days!

Hope you are enjoying summer!

Getting Organized

Source: bhg.com via Haleigh on Pinterest

I’ve been getting organized.  But don’t look too closely.  You see, I organize for me.  Not for other people to be able to find it.  And then there is the fact that before it gets better, it has to get worse.  Unfortunately, many of the things that I want to get organized are going to be a full blown explosion before they look nice, neat, and tidy. 

Welcome to my world, the explosion. 

When I was young I would not get rid of anything.  Everything had sentimental value and I wanted to remember everything.  My pile or pail full of stuff {because let’s be honest that’s really what it was} I considered neat.  “It was all in one place!” I would contest.

The wonderful thing is that people change.  Tidy takes on a whole new meaning when you are responsible for all your things and when you move all your earthly belongings every year.  Organized grows into its meaning when you realize that you can’t take everything with you.  It’s a good thing people change.

Sorry, you don’t get to see my still yet unpacked mess.  But someday it will be all nice and neat.   And then maybe I’ll show you.  But for now it is using the purging and organizing in hopes of making more changes.

Source: hauteindoorcouture.blogspot.com via Haleigh on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Haleigh on Pinterest

Happenings

Here’s what’s been going on {in no particular order}:

I moved…back home for the summer {don’t get too excited}

And rearranged my room in SLO; I moved many a bed let me tell you

My brother had prom

And then he graduated from high school {yikes!}

Awww aren't we cute

My other "brother" {so proud of you D}

I went through finals, but I think I came out ok

I learned how to operate a tractor…for class!

I made my way to the beach twice this week, which is impressive

I worked, don’t let the things above fool you!  One of the things I did was the event for the retired faculty and staff of the University; it went amazingly well

My two roommates graduated

I’m looking for a job at home

I’m really excited to make some changes around here and become a little more consistent!



And this is what you get when you tell us to look excited

It's Just Life

I found myself saying this when I was told the other day "thank you for helping me pack today..."

It’s what I do.  Not because it’s expected.  Not because I’m told to or I feel a duty.  I do it, because its life.  It’s living out what we believe and think and feel. And sometimes life gets messy.  I’ve learned how messy life can get.  I guess I feel like I’ve been in a state of exhaustion for weeks.  I’m "perky" and alive, but I’m tired of saying "I’m just tired".  I'm tired of having excuses and complaining.  I am so thankful that I get to live life with people who take me as I am and that I get to help them pack, and walk the bluffs by the ocean with them, and eat yet another chocolate chip cookie with me {even though I've had way too much sugar these last 2 weeks}.

I am so thankful that we have communities and fellowship that live life with us.  Life is an adventure and I'm so thankful I get to experience it with others