His Abundance

January Blessings...

FLO (Forever Loving Others) Second Annual Soccer Camp 

The Campers 

Beach Soccer, on the last day

M.P's Birthday-this hike was where he first shared his intentions with me:) 

My New Job

Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be the glory! 

Abundance is an extremely plentiful or over sufficient quantity or supply; overflowing fullness. 

 

There are several things I am learning right now.  One, He is good, His hearts desire is to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think! Two, His timing and plan is better than my own! Three, He knows me, He really knows me! 

At the end of December I was hired  to work with foster teens as the California Youth Connection Coordinator.  As I continue to work for the county in various avenues as a health educator, counselor, and now a foster youth advocate I am burdened by the deep needs in San Luis Obispo county.  This gem in California a tourist attraction to many and a nesting place for retirees; has hurting people.  And I feel honored to be a hand in Gods grander picture of loving others.  It has been a great fit for me in more ways than one. 

 

Another Abundance has been in school.  Michael and I both got into our nursing pre-requisite classes at Cuesta.  There were 30 people crashing Anatomy (what I am taking) and 40 people crashing Physiology (Michael's class).  We have both been thoroughly enjoying learning and are continually amazed at the workings of our human body and how perfectly God has created us.  I am starting to get new eyes for myself (in other words a greater appreciation for how I have been made).  I have to tell you, I am not academically disciplined but oh man is the holy spirit dumping on me because I am like a magnet to my book:) Much prayer has gone into pursuing this possible future path for me and I am experiencing His presence in the midst of it.  

Of course another Abundance was Michael's birthday.  Which for those who haven't seen the post for that, it is below! 

And the last of many Abundances this month was FLO ministry.  A group of godly men committed to Jesus and loving others coached, encouraged, and gave testimony of Jesus in their lives for a week in January at the second annual FLO soccer camp.  Children were prayed for, dumped in the ocean, chased after by Stinky Cheese (aka Michael Paine) and 'oh yah' played soccer:) Overall it was huge blessing to everyone involved.  

more to come...He is good! Pray Big!! 

30 Glorious Years

Michael Paine turned 30 today!  He was born on 8:47am in Culver City weighing 4lbs 14oz.  He had big blue eyes and blonde hair.  He hasn't changed a bit, well maybe besides weighing 4lbs 14oz!  I can't describe how heavy the Lords presence has been on the planning, preparing and executing of Michael's birthday celebration.  This process has reminded me of our Heavenly Fathers desire to be involved in the details, even silly birthday scavenger hunts.   I really cannot take credit for the events that have involved his birthday I would like to think I am really creative but I have to give the person who knows Michael the best the credit, his Abba.  One afternoon it was particularly clear in Shell Beach and I felt this pull to hike the ridge.  As I was climbing higher and higher I began to pray for Michael and intertwined with prayer and holy spirit ingenuity ideas began to come for Michael's birthday, thus leads me to his birthday.  Come along with us as we take you through senior Michael's big day! 

Friday evening I planned a romantic five course meal titled Michael's Birthday Specials for two.  Under a starry filled sky and the glow of candles around us we satiated our palettes into the night.  Later in the evening a few friends came over and we all lifted up Michael in prayer covering him in the Lords blessing and praising the Lord for this life he has made.  There were several things the Lord really spoke to my heart about Michael when I was praying.  One was Michael is a picture of David in a lot of ways.  He is a warrior, a leader, a freedom seeker, joyful like a child, extreme, and a man after Gods own heart.  I am honored to be Michael's provision in this lifetime:) 

Saturday morning we woke up to some home cookin french toast.  Michael wanted to open one of his gifts, a book with over 50 people who love Michael with written memories, encouragement, prayers, and pictures (Thank you!!)  We brought it on our Scavenger Hunt to over 30 places on the central coast from Orcutt to San Luis Obispo.  I chose some of my favorite photo's of the day.  The Hunt ended with Michael putting a puzzle together (30 pieces) of a photograph from his brother and sisters laws flat in Hong Kong.  The last gift a surprise plane ticket to Hong Kong to stay with some of the people he loves the most Jason, Christine, and Josiah!! 

Birthday Dinner at our House 

Our Romantic 5 course Meal

The Menu

Set the Mood 

"The Book" thank you everyone for writing such beautiful messages!! 

The first Paine residence on the central coast

the old AG pharmacy 

Oceano Sand Dunes

Michael has spent many times out on the dunes running and praying

Bernardos now Doc Bernsteins 

New Mascot, "Michael Paine" 

He worked here when he was 17, new poster child for Klondikes

Judkins Middle School, trying to break into his old locker

Our morning bible study stomping grounds 

Pismo Heights Star Gazing hill

TJ's where I knew I wanted to marry Michael 

Sea Canyon 

Shell Beach

the end of the scavenger hunt Michael had to crack the puzzle

Hong Kong here he comes!!!

Christmas

Daley Ranch, Escondido

Matt gave me the honors of blowing the flowers for our photo shoot

Lucky Lady

Paine Boys

Grandma's 90th birthday lunch "she insisted on the gyro's!"

the birthday girl, going strong

We had a full two weeks in Southern California this Christmas and New Years. We spent a few days with my family before christmas tying last minute details together for the holiday while avoiding the crowds at the malls. One of my families traditions is to go out christmas eve for a fish dinner and to come home and open one gift. Of course one gift usually leads to a couple more as my excitement heightens as I see each expression of gratitude and surprise as each gift is open. Michael and I usually try and bless my parents with a date they have never been on before, this year we got them tickets to Cirque De Solei! Christmas morning we enjoyed homemade cinnamon rolls and had brunch with my family. We ended up bringing in the New Year with my parents as well and of course Michael ran outside at midnight with the rest of the high schoolers on the block, hooing and hollering :)

The second week of our trip was with the Paine's in Oceanside. Michael's oldest brother Matt flew in from Denver and we pretty much harassed him the whole time:) Matt has a witty and sarcastic sense of humor which I play off of a lot! We enjoyed a lot of family time together and had several classic moments.
-singing Happy Birthday to Jesus & fighting as to who would blow out candles

-gerry decking herself out in her biking gear for our bike ride along San Luis River to Oceanside Beach

-the Paine's overtaking the Flores's on our Sunday Soccer Tourney

-Matt always having an opinion about the movies we watched (he actually left one time because he thought it was so bad, lol)

-the Paine boys devouring an entire cake, 2 dozen cookies, and a 9x12 pan of gerry's jello dessert

-grandma turning 90 and still being as feisty as ever. At one point this very handsome elderly man came into her party and I asked her if that was her boyfriend. She looked over yonder and said, "which one?"

-scrabble slam most nights

-Hiking Daley Ranch

Thank you family for being such a blessing in our lives. It never feels like quite enough time together:) The Paines were missed in Hong Kong this year!

Majesty

Cozy

the storm

morning after the storm

holly berries 

our drive down the mountain

Our friends invited us back in June to go to Lake Tahoe with them over December.  But because of the packing and unpacking of our lives for five months we decided it wouldn't be the best time.  Yet when they asked us again four days before they were leaving the spontaneous species that Michael is could not say no.  After rearranging some plans and Michael looking over his work and school responsibilities we decided why not go to Tahoe when the first storm of the season rolls in.   Warm fires, Good Earth Tea, scrabble, weight machines, sleds and tubes, snow boots and mittens, and of course an all you  can eat sushi dinner occupied our attention for the five days.   We are grateful for their friendship and love that we share the common bond of Jesus.

Tahoe snowed over 2ft while we were there and in the evenings would drop down to the single digits.   The heater was cranked to 70 degrees the whole time and I would have to look outside to remind myself where we were.  Being surrounded by snow capped peaks and forests satisfied my reverent heart towards the King and it seemed like all else slipped away amidst the white wonder.  Praise Him for his creation! 

Thanksgiving

Homemade Stuffin

The Cooks

Buffet Line

Dried Cranberry Sausage Stuffing, Green Bean Casserole, Mash potatoes, Yams

Turkey Secret: Cook it with the breast down so the white meat is more moist

Dining 

Last Day at Gopher Glen

the branch was longer than him! 

Stanley, our special thanksgiving guest

Michael, Mom, & Dad in Avila 

Traditionally thanksgiving is celebrated on Thursday, as a student you love the fact this  means more days off and more free time with friends.  As I have grown older I have began to appreciate more quality time with family, maybe it is the mere distance that makes me press into our short lived hours together as well as the paradigm shift from 'its all about me' as a teenager to the reality of my parents as humans having needs and desires just as I do.  Thanksgiving came to us this year in Shell Beach, which has always been a little dream of mine to host the family holiday, cooking and decorating to create the perfect cozy atmosphere.  Both sets of our parents came up from So Cal, but unfortunately the Paine's were sick the whole weekend so they didn't fully get to enjoy the holiday:( We were glad you were here though! We spent a lot of time enjoying the outdoors on several walks nestled in the oaks and along the beach.  We had dessert around the bond fire on our patio and watched Stanley as the entertainment while he got into mischief.  My goal was to cook everything from scratch and not be in the kitchen all day on Saturday.  With my moms help we managed 4 1/2 hours in the kitchen and I have to say I was very proud of the end result.  Sharing our thankful hearts this past year with over stuffed bellies ended the evening on a good note! 

If you are interested in any of the recipes I used, go to Real Simple Thanksgiving Recipes.   Looking forward to another Paine-Devlin Holiday!