Haiku

Falling Fast Down Down

Wet Puddles Fill the Cold Street

New Growth Awaits Us

Friendship: Weekend in Lake Arrowhead

Our Fun weekend in Lake Arrowhead...

We are so thankful for our friends in Orange County! I (jen)  have been friends with this group of people since I was 15 when I first became a christian.  I can't believe we have walked through life with each other for almost ten years.  I remember when I first became a believer God flooded my life with amazing believers who had passionate hearts to worship Him.  My high school years were a foundational time in my walk with Jesus.  I learned about the realness and closeness of God.  I discovered my gifts.  And I learned what it meant to be free in worship and prayer.   I truly can say I experienced a taste of heaven in worshipping my Savior.  God has provided so many amazing people in my life throughout each season and I am so thankful for the friends who have been there in every season. I love you guys! 

How do we love?

We learn to love like Jesus Does

Selflessly

Sacrificially

Fearlessly

Nonjudgmental

Wholeheartedly

Unconditionally

Generously

First Annual FLO (forever loving orphans/others) Futsal Soccer Camp 2009

Beach Day


Grace Bible Gym

Bill Cozby FlO Trainer

James FLO Master

Stinky Cheese Trainer

January 5th-9th was the First Annual Christian Futsal Soccer Camp in Arroyo Grande. Dana Mcgregor, pro soccer player from the area had a vision to raise money for Iris Ministry's Orphanage in Sierra Leone by running a one week soccer camp for 7-15 year olds in the area. Two weeks before the camp started 22 kids were signed up, on the first day of the camp the number had doubled! Dana kept saying when you give it up to the Lord He blesses it! And wow did God bless this week. Dana rallied together a group of men after Gods own heart, who are skilled in soccer (either having played on college teams or professionally) and facilitated a five day camp with 4 dozen kids. It was such a picture of Gods heart. 8 men coming together as one, loving and building up children. The last day they had a soccer and surf day, which was full of music, play, and laughing. Throughout the week testimonies, biblical principles, and sharing the gospel were interwoven. My heart was continually rejoicing through the week being able to photograph and help out at the camp. Michael had an awesome time being with the kids and helping facilitate the players. Thousands of dollars was raised that week and I know more fruit will come and has come from the camp! Praise Jesus!

Memories from Christ Mas!!

View from the condo in Coronado

Museum of Modern Art

The New Addition Josiah Michael Paine

Tandemning in Coronado

Paine Family Christmas

Brotha's!!@!


Forever working towards grace and love

Accepting one another for who they are

Memories of the past and present collide into emotions

Imagining the possibilities of a life together as one

Learning to see things eye to eye

Yet through it all they are bound by the power of family

Ropes Course December

Here are some photographs from a day in December when I was able to take 15 of my students to experience a ropes course day at Cal Poly. Some overcame their fear of heights, some gained skills for working with others, and some gained insight into their strengths. What could be more empowering than seeing what you are capable of!

January 2009

Time does pass you by. Not only the years but the hours and minutes of each day. December was a full month for us. I went to cambria for a girls weekend with my old roommates. Michael spent an entire weekend making my christmas gift, while I shopped for presents and decorations for the house. We spent three days in Oceanside and four days in Coronado with the Paines...including the new addition Josiah Michael. He is becoming more and more beautiful and he truly has one of the most delightful dispositions of a baby. We then traveled down south to spend christmas day with my family and enjoyed the rest of our time in orange county with family and friends.

Michael got a GPS watch the garmin 205. And I got some cash...to enjoy my favorite store anthropologie. Michael has been running again almost every other day with his new watch which records his pace, elevation, time, and distance. I used it yesterday on a run pretty much up hill 3/4 of the time....so you could imagine my pace:)

We enjoyed the New Year with the Ouimette's eating BBQ, stuffed mushrooms, and beans. We laughed, played, and competed to the finish line.

I finished my first semester in the Lucia Mar School District, which was saddening, yet exciting thinking of all the relationships I have built. I know next semester I will be an even better educator as I continue to learn more about education, teenagers, and variety in curriculum.

This week Michael is spending his mornings helping a friend run a soccer camp for 8-13 year olds. 8 men and 40 kids....you could only imagine. The camp is a fundraiser for a future orphange in Africa as well as for Iris Ministry's in Mozambique. And I start classes again tomorrow at Mesa Community School.

Another exciting year ahead...