Tuesday, June 28, 2011

I'm a total amateur...and yet again, a Switchfoot concert!

The other week, I had the opportunity to take engagement photos for my roommate and her fiance. They got engaged last month, and my roommate asked if I would want to practice my photography skills on them. The three of us, and my friend Kristi, were all going to the Del Mar Fair to see Switchfoot play a concert. And light bulb! Let's take engagement photos at the fair! I thought I would share some of them with you. I don't have any photo editing software, so these are the raw images.


But, I thought some of them turned out pretty cute. I just love my roommate, and think her fiance is a pretty great guy too. They love each other.

Here are some pictures from the concert too...Kristi and I had backstage passes, which got us these backstage wristbands too. We were stoked.
Switchfoot put on an amazing rock concert...as usual. Kristi, Reny and Don all really enjoyed it. Here are the guys rockin' out!
And of course, Jon's obligatory climbing got him up on those amps. Crazy guy! It was a fun time had by all. Great music, with great lyrics, great friends...and then we got to meet the guys after the concert. (However, we weren't allowed to take picture with them because they were rushed.)
Still, so much fun. The kind that fills my heart, and makes my blood pump even faster, to the beat of the music for a whole week later.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Stirring

I posted a little while ago that my very good friend and roommate's mentor had written a book that I was reading. Well, I am still reading it. It's taken me a LOT longer than I thought. But, I am showing myself grace in this area because I've taken a class this last semester. Anyway, I'm back reading it again. I was told by the author, Preston, it's good to digest it in small bits.
It is so powerful and is having a big impact for me. It speaks so much truth that I feel can really resonate with everyone. It's hard to fully describe the book. But in a few more words, it is book in which gets down to the core of the desire each of us has for purpose, truth, connection with our Father and longing to be known and cherished. All of this takes place within a riveting adventure that two brothers take. I know it has been impactful for many others, and I hope that I can also be used to speak truth and God's greatness and love to others too (which, probablywon't be in the form of a writing...but who knows. I wanted to put up a quote from the book to leave you with, as well as a link to the website to get the book!

Jester explained that he would take advantage of the Prince's predicament by imitating his voice & suggesting thoughts to his as though he was thinking them himself. With any luck, the disillusioned & confused Prince would voice & appropriate Jester's suggestions thinking they were his own. If all went well, he would hear himself say things so powerful that their mere sound would sear a distorted conviction into his psyche, warp his thinking, wound his emotions, and further undermine his already doubtful opinion about his Father, the King.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Orange County Skies Aren't As Blue As The Skies In Colorado

A few weeks ago, over Memorial Day weekend, I was able to take a vacation to Denver, Colorado. And let me tell you, it was a vacation. It was filled with spending time with a good friend, being out in nature, relaxing and making new friends. This is the horse that I rode on. His name is Bam. Short for BamBam. I was a little suspicious when I first got paired up with him, but he actually turned out to be the best horse.

Here Stephanie and I are with our horses after our hour long ride. The funny thing is that we didn't even plan the purple jacket coordination. There was a funny moment where one of the cowboys on the ranch looked at my shoes and said, "Those are some nice shoes. Are they Puma's?". And then "are you sure you want to where those ridin'?".
The next day, we went hiking in Eldorado Park. It was beautiful. Filled with a river, huge rocky mountains to climb, and so much to see. Everything I saw felt like it came out of a postcard...except it was real! Even better!
We also went to Idaho Springs. It's a very small, almost run down, old mining town. My friend Stephanie said it'd be fun to go to, and a friend of hers had taken her to this pizza place called Beau Jo's. We get there and they have this thing called the "mile high pizza". I knew I'd seen it before on the show Man vs. Food...I asked, and I was right! And let me tell you, the pizza was huge! And they had some crazy toppings...like spaghetti and meatball pizza. It was a neat little town.
(the falls, in Idaho Springs, CO)

I also had the opportunity to meet Stephanie's boyfriend for the first time that weekend. And we got to spend a lot of time all together. Aren't they just a cute couple?

Thursday, June 16, 2011

The Vagabond kind of life

For exactly two weeks, I've been living the life of a vagabond. Well, sort of. I've been housesitting and dogsitting for the past two weeks, with only two days off. But, it's been good. I like being able to take care of a home, and to spend time taking care of cute little doggies. I love dogs, and want one of my own. But it's time when I dogsit that I remember that it is a lot of work. It's good to be able to dogsit for periods of time and then be able to leave and the dog is reunited with it's family. It's unbelievable how dogs show unconditional love. One can never get sick of that. They are a constant companion...as a little treat, here is a picture of one of the little pups I've been sitting for. She likes to sleep all cozy under a comfy comforter.

Gwen also likes her walks...a lot!

Another event that's happened, is that my little brother has graduated eighth grade. I know that he still has a long way to go, but I just love him so much, can't believe that he is going into high school, and what a great little man he is!
The whole family!
Can you guys help me out here...I am trying to see any family resemblance between my brother and me.

More updates to come, but it's been a jam packed May, and June has been so far too. One highlight is that I've gotten to spend more time with Suresh from Harvest India (the mininstry I have gone to help in India three times), and RockHarbor has had India week/month and I've been busy helping with that. Man, I just love my India ministries family here, and love having friends from India visit too!