beth0329

I can't believe it's already April. This year is seriously going by way too fast. At the end of May I'll be graduating and then only a few more weeks after that I'll be moving out of the Pink House. Crazy. And then today was a flurry of future excitement. I heard from Andrew Marin, as I mentioned in my last post and then I met with Nick Jones from CareFresno this afternoon. There's an apartment in South East, the same apartments I've been interested in, that CareFresno has spoke to and their opening up a 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment free to anyone who wants to do ministry there. I am so STOKED! God is soo good. I seriously have been meaning to look into this since October but continually put it off and instead of just leaving me in the dust, God just takes up the mantle and insures that I do His will. He seriously blows my mind! Now I am just really going to be praying about the folks at my church and their willingness to join me in this venture. Nick said that it would be good to have 2-3 volunteers each day of the week that I do the after school program. That seems like quite a few people and lots of commitment! Please join me in pray.

Oh, and guess what else! I may get paid to do this! CareFresno is partnering with AmeriCorp; I sadly am not completely understanding the program but it consists of the church investing money into Americorp and then them investing into a leader, that would be me! to learn under CareFresno and minister at the apartments. But, that is ultimately up to my church since their the ones who would be investing the money. A part of me doesn't think they'll do it because we're low on finances right now, but we shall see.

On Sunday morning I'm off to Catalina to study the book of Amos. Five folks from the PH will be there! That should be really fun. And it's just going to be really nice to get away again for a whole week. Away from the computer, cell phone, school, responsibilities and just be able to enjoy nature, friends and time much needed with God. Can't wait.

Oh yea, and my birthday was great. I'm so glad I was able to go up north. I think if I would have stayed in Modesto I would have been sorely disappointed, those folks didn't represent very well at all. Thankfully I got a phone call from Rosanna on the day of and some facebook messages but that's about it. But while up North I think I just really got some lovin that I needed. My mom and I arrived on Fri. night and just talked a little with Papa and Shelley and then went to bed. On Sat. we just chilled in the morning. I went on a short bike ride with papa and Albert, then my mom, Shelley, grandma and I went to a baby shower and that was fun. Then that night got to just enjoy spending time with the family watching a cute Disney film. And then woke up on my birthday to my most favorite breakfast made by Shelley; ham and potato casserole, plus homemade gravy and biscuits! Mmmmm. So delicious. And then had all the folks at church sing Happy Birthday to me and 2 others who had their birthdays near mine...then after church we invited everyone to one of my favorite restaurants in Redding, a Chinese buffet. Lots of people ended up coming with us which was really good. I just love spending time with people. If I could I'd seriouslygather up everybody I care about and have us all live near one another. I got a few gifts; a cute mug from Marilyn, The women of the bible from Carol, some money from Nancy and Dwight, a gift card from Borders from my mama, money from grandma and grandpa and then 2 books and a picture frame from papa and Shelley, plus some amazing cards full of love. It was just a great birthday weekend with the people I truly care about the most (not to say I don't care about people outside of Northern CA, but these folks hold a really special place in my heart).

Okay, well I've rambled on for quite awhile and it's already 1 in the morning. So, i'm off to bed. Goodnight y'all.

Blessings.

My birthday was on Saturday, March 29th. My mom and I headed to northern CA on Friday afternoon. Let me just quickly tell you why northern CA is so very important and special to me. Two years ago, summer 06 I was planning on going to Guatemala on a mission trip with IV. By June I was completely funded and I was leaving in July. My old pastor Nick and his wife had moved to Redding earlier that year and we had been really close. He had been my pastor since I was 12 and I spent many a summer at their home. So, they invited me to come up for a week and perform a few songs in sign language at their new church, which they would just go on and on about. And since I was going on a mission trip they also told me I could do a short spiel about Guatemala and ask for prayer supporters.
I end up going to this church; a small building but an amazing group of people. I literally stood infront of that small church of about 40 people at the time, my knees shaking infront of these big bad biker guys and their wives, signed my first song and saw them all in tears. It was amazing and I ended up leaving that day with $700 to buy personal necessities for Guatemala!
The day I was there was also Father's Day and I ended up signing a song by Big and Rich (a secular country group) called "Live this life" and a part of it talks about a girl in a wheelchair who is ignored by people but she spreads her little wings and flies home. One of the main men of the church, an elder, named Don was really touched by the song and I found out that his daughter (in her mid-30s) had been diagnosed with cancer and spent many months in a wheel chair. When we came back that night she had passed away and I ended up coming back a week later to perform that song during her funeral. That is how fast I became family in that church. They all fell in love with me and I fell in love with them, especially the pastor and his wife, Paul and Shelley. I could go on and on about all of them!
But, since that would take hours, I'll just say that they threw me a BBQ birthday party the day of my birthday and here's some pictures of the day! It was a blast!!






Blessings.

As of about 8 o'clock this morning I turned 22 years old. Crazy. Right now I'm just sitting here relaxing before we have a BBQ later with my church family. 

I kinda think birthdays are a little sad now, not because I'm getting older because I could care less about my age but because birthdays used to be soo much fun when I was little. It seemed like the whole day was all about your birthday and the presents and the friends. It was just so festive and fun, now it just seems like another day but with a special party and I bet as I get older that will disappear too. Sad but still, birthdays are exciting and it's good to know that several people thought about me and left me notes or called. My dad even called at like 9 this morning to wish me a happy birthday! And every day for the past week he sent me "happy pre birthday" texts! So that felt good.

But later I will post pictures of my party. 

Blessings

Here's my pre-birthday celebration with Daniel. It's just a couple of pictures but we had yummy spaghetti, amazing conversation and beautiful flowers for me :)

Ohh, and I got a new hair cut so just compare these pictures with my Easter pictures. It's not a drastic change but you might be able to tell if you're observant.


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And now I'm leaving for Northern California to visit my church family and spend my birthday with them. I seriously cannot wait. I need to get away and be with people who truly love and care about me. I know there's people like that here but it's just different up there, it's like I'm at home after being away for a really long time when I get there. Cannot wait.

Blessings