Blessed with Appreciation

Appreciation: the recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities in someone or something.

In the past few months, I've felt more appreciated in my work as a coach with the DPHS hurdlers, then I remember in my five years of coaching at the college level. At first, I felt embarrassed that I enjoyed the kind words and expressions of thanks so much. How many of us don't love being appreciated?! It is an awesome feeling knowing that the work you put into something or someone was recognized as valuable. In the opposite sense, how awful do we feel when our hard work and efforts go unrecognized and unappreciated. We ask ourselves, "Why am I doing this if it doesn't even matter to anyone?" Of course as Believers we know that all the work we do must be done unto the Lord not for the praises of men. For if we only do it for the praises of men, we will be sorely disappointed when those words are lacking. But the Lord is so gracious to place people in our lives that express their appreciation for us, that validate the value the Lord sees in us, and provide us with words that encourage and build us up. I appreciate (recognize the value in) being appreciated. Remember to tell those you love how valuable they are in your life. It will surely give them the boost they need to keep pressing forward!

Spring Celebrations

Wow. It's been two months! Pathetic, I know, but I do want to share all that has been going on. Since my birthday on March 30th, every weekend seems to be filled with some kind of celebration. I'm mostly glad that I can enjoy all of the festivities this year and not be consumed with track meets! God is so awesome.
First, is my birthday weekend.
Part 1: My sister took me to an indoor racetrack! If the picture to the left is blurry, it's because I was going really fast.

Part 2 was spent with my best buddies at the beach in Carpinteria. The party with freinds and family was complete with pinata! My friend, J, decorated the table for me with beautiful yellow and pink flowers. I hate to admit it but I kind of like pink:)




Part 3: A day with Mom and Pedicures at the spa.

Part 4: Homemade dinner with the family. I love home cooked meals. It was the most celebrated birthday ever. My 30th should be crazy:) No pressure.

After my birthday, the next few weekends flew by. Here's a few pictures of what was going on.
Here's the beautiful table mom set for our delicious Easter Brunch. Thanks, Mom!
We hosted a bridal shower for our freind, Janet. It was a tapas party! My favorite. I just love little snacks.


A bachelorette party for, Janet at a dueling piano bar in Universal City Walk.

And, of course, we celebrated Mother's Day with a coffee run, snacks, and a chick flick. This is my crafty little sign I made for the occasion. I'm still amazed when I have time to do cool crafts..

Next blog...Janet's wedding which was last weekend but I don't have time in this blog. Good night!

Don't Miss Out!

Once again, time has gotten away from me but it's a good thing. This last month, I was able to fulfill one of my dreams of going skiing. My freshman dorm next door neighbor, Lindsey, whom I feel as if I've grown up with, was the hostess of this new endeavor. You might ask, "What took you so long to go skiing?". The answer, like many put off adventures, was because of track. My sister and I joke that we missed out on skiing growing up because my legs were too valuable. And, yes, it's somewhat true. Track season is immediately following ski season and any injury would potentially ruin my season. Don't get me wrong, I was not forced to stay home while all my friends went skiing, I made the choice willingly. So, it's not until now, at 29, that I had a great opportunity and time to explore. Anyway, long story long (as my friend Katee says:)) I went skiing for the first time!

Fortunately for me, Lindsey lives in Denver, Colorado near many major ski attractions. We stayed with friends of hers that live 5 miles outside of Breckenridge. Apparently, Breckenridge is a bit deal for skiiing. I would have been happy with Mountain High for my first trip but God is good and when he wants to bless you He goes big. I took a lesson the first day and skied my legs off the second. Now, I have a slight problem...I love skiing and can't wait to go again.

It's interesting that you can go nearly 29 years missing out on one of lives great thrills and not even miss it. Now, since I've experienced it, I can't get enough. Its also interesting how parallel this is to my walk with the Lord recently. I've been able to spend more time with Him and in the Word and I can't get enough. Think about it. When we didn't have Jesus, we never knew we were missing out on anything. In fact, we were "just fine" in our mind. But when we experience the love, joy and peace He brings. We can't get enough! I can't believe I could have missed out on skiing, but even more important I can't believe that there are people missing out on Jesus.

Back through the clouds

So recently I had a little dry spell. You know, one of those times where your like, "Hello, God? Did you forget me." or "What am I doing here?" or "What's Your plan because I'm not feelin' it?". Anyway, I'm sure we've all hit that time. But just like the rainy weather and clouds have cleared this morning, so have the clouds that covered my heart. I had an amazing "spirit-filled" day yesterday. You know, one of those days where you love everyone, nothing bothers you, you have patience for everything and the confidence to approach any challenge. Yeah, FYI, that's not "normal"...that's the Lord! So, inspired by David's Psalms, I was compelled to write my own. I thought I'd share it. Hope it encourages you to wait through the storm (which is not easy, but worth the end result.)

Oh Lord, that your Spirit would live in me always.
With your Spirit I have the confidence of a victorious army.
With your joy in my heart I can approach a situation with calmness.
With your peace the most difficult circumstances seem like nothing.
WIth your Spirit I love and have the patience of a loving mother.
Lord, do not leave me.
Better is one day in your Spirit then ten thousand elsewhere.
You truly are the God of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control.
Your love never fails!

Have an amazing "spirit-filled day"!

My Work Commute

When I tell people my schedule of driving from Newbury Park to Santa Barbara about 4 times a week, I get the same reaction: "Oh, that's alot of driving" and "Doesn't that get old." The truth is, over the last few months, I've really enjoyed my "long" commute. I had the opportunity in the last few weeks to take some pictures to illustrate why this drive is not so bad. I think those who thought this drive might be burdensome will change their opinion. The first picture is the sunset I witnessed while driving back to N.P. in the early morning. I pulled over at one of my favorite points in the drive, down into Summerland from Montecito. I'm so glad I got myself up in time to see it
I've also started taking a Perspectives Class at church on Tuesday nights. I took this picture outside of Ventura at sunset on the way to Carp.

The last pictures, I took at sunset on the cliff of Shoreline Park. J and I had just finished our yoga stretching routine at Shoreline and before I got back into the car to make the drive to N.P. I stopped to enjoy the view. It was absolutely incredible. I can't beleive how many sunsets I missed being consumed in my last career.

Hello 2009

On New Year's Eve I celebrated another Goodbye but this time to 2008! My sister and I had about a dozen people attend our annual party. This years theme, "Last chance to wear your Christmas P.J.'s". Although we had some brave participants, we were disappointed that not everyone shared our excitement and enthusiasm for Pajama Parties. That's OK because it left the door wide open for me to win the "Cheesiest/Ugliest P.J." award. And my prize? A block of cheese which will not be enjoyed due to my intolerance for lactose. Bummer:(
Blythe was the lucky winner of the "Most Christmas Spirit" award and Janet...well, she got the "Party Pooper" award for her lack of creativity. But she did part with a great box of "Fiber One" bars. Yummy! We love you, Janet:)
The rest of these pictures speak for themselves. It was fun. Thanks for coming Rachel, Blythe, J., Dale, Kelly, Laura, Jason, Brad, Janet, Garen, John, Mike and J.D. Glad to have brought 2009 in with you.

Goodbye good friends.

Before 2008 came to a close, our tight knit group of friends had to say goodbye. Sunday evening "J" hosted a goodbye party and worship night for my friends Luke and Bethany. These two amazing people have been a great example of what it means to live by faith. After Luke's job was terminated, Luke and Bethany followed God's leading, sold nearly all they had and are now off for three months of training in Kona, Hawaii and three months of serving with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) in the Middle East. Chick on their names above view their blog.

Although it was a party for Luke and Bethany, the six week old newcomer got most of the attention. She knows how to work a room of suckers:) Here's Raegan Mae with all her fans.