Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Being Sick

Do you think when God wants you to slow down sometimes he makes your nose extra runny, your head extra achy, and your body extra tired? Or do you think that is all part of our fallen world, full of festering viruses and bacteria??

Well either way I have been begrudgingly taking short days of work this week, 2 hour naps in the middle of the afternoon, and avoiding large groups of people as much as I can. I failed at that today as I was at Arroyo Grande High School pestering my wonderful students and buying sponges at Walmart avoiding pressing my security pin at all cost as I saw 10 other fingers press the same numbers I was about too come upon. I used plastic to do the dirty work! I am not sure if my body has absorbed enough vitamin c and echinecea, but if someone didn't know what I was taking they would probably thing I had an issue with pills.

My nose is chapped entirely, it even started to bleed a little bit. I thought the dentist told me to put gasoline on it today, but she said vasoline. Vasoline leaves such a greasy residue I didn't want someone to spot me from down the street because my nose is glistening.

Enough about my sob story, we are officially moved in. The transition out of the old house was a little bit rockier than we had hoped, given we have not received our wonderful security deposit back. But after spending atleast 15 hours of painting the house back white we just didn't have time to clean enough. That would not go unnoticed though and my sweet Michael went back the day the new couple was moving in, a little bit awkward and inconvienant. As is life at times. Yet, we are cozily starting to nestle and get the hang of living in our new place. I love it here! I feel like we have already had more people over in this house than in our Shell Beach house over the past 6 months. I believe the Lord heard our prayers and only time will tell even more as his plan unfolds. I am thankful for this new, exciting, and beautiful transition. Michael and I have explored the dunes and taken runs on the beach numerous times. We have hit up La Tapatia market for $1 tacos. And have been able to enjoy a lot of the teens I work with on the street, playing basketball, or eating in our home. I am only 5 miles from two of the schools I work at during the week and 3 miles from Arroyo Grande High School. Michael is constantly zooming off down Hwy 1 on his motorcycle to go to class. Which he got a 91% on his second Anatomy test. I keep telling him he is a natural and the ladies better watch out because Michael Paine in scrubs....dang!!

Exciting news, I got accepted to Antioch University for my M.A in Clinical Pyschology to become a Marriage Family Therapist. I am very elated and will start in the Fall.

Michael is running in Paso Robles for a 5k race this weekend. And I am going to be tackling the Lake Lopez triatholon next weekend April 4th. Praise God for our health.

Life is full....

beautiful complex and a gift to be embraced

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Praise Jesus

Praise Jesus for little miracles like the Hill's baby today at 12pm!!!

Please join us in praying for this new life the Lord has willed to come into the world.  


Our Life

Here it is a nut shell...

Jen's life:

Hang out with high schoolers talk about reproductive organs, birth control, relationships, eat chips and salsa

Hang out at the gym 2 hours a day

Work out high schoolers at the gym

Pack the house

Can't sleep

Downloading dance music for my triatholon workouts (one of my goals this year was to do a triatholon. I am doing it April 4th!!!)

OH yes I am addicted to selling things on craigs list (hence the green desk)

Michaels life...

Sleep

Eat

Work

Run

Study

p.s we move this weekend if anyone wants to help that would be amazing!!









Sunday, February 22, 2009

Our House

Our Little House




We have been married for a little over 7 months and we could not have been more blessed than to have spent our first season of being married in Shell Beach. After several months of searching and applying for various rentals the Montecito house basically fell into our lap. The kitchen table we found off craigslist led us to the house we live in currently. It has been such a cozy place with so many great memories together as a couple and in community with our friends. We actually fit 15 people in our family room one time, for dinner and a worship night. I am sure the whole neighborhood heard us singing! After a couple months of conversations, praying, and mulling over lists of pro's and con's of moving we decided to move about a week ago. We are moving to Oceano March 6th. We quickly got approved for this new home right next to Oceano Elementary school. After about a week Michael said "lets do it!" In many respects it is a step of faith for us as our rent is much more, we are desiring to have a roommate, and we want to open our home to whomever wants a warm meal and some fun company:) Well, this is the short version of this transition but if you want to talk more about it we'd love too. Michael needs to use the internet to get instructions on how to fix his motorcycle now...bye!!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

innocence

You are loved
You are beautiful
You are priceless
And not forgotten
There will be a day
A house on a hill
Just for you
No more pain
No more fear
A warm blanket
& bread
Just for you
But until that day
You are loved
You are beautiful
You are priceless
And not forgotten


Monday, February 9, 2009

Haiku


Falling Fast Down Down

Wet Puddles Fill the Cold Street

New Growth Awaits Us

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

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! 



Hands Wide Open

Hands Wide Open
Learning to give, love, risk, and trust with hands wide open.