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This past weekend we got together with our best friends from Tx State in Hunt, Tx (outside of Kerrville). The Patchells have a Young Life donor with a house there and allowed us to spend the weekend. It was awesome!!! Right on the Guadalupe river, it was secluded in a valley surrounded by trees and was so peaceful. The boys enjoyed hanging out with the Patchell’s son Jackson, who is a bucket of energy and fun. They swam a lot and hung around the house. The girls went on some nice walks/runs and hung around a lot as well. Apparently Max Lucado has used the house to get away and write, and I could see why. It’s definitely a place to kick back and enjoy God’s creation!

Sorry it has been so long since my last post. I have been super busy with school and various other activities. I needed to post some pictures of our summer happenings.

This past weekend we stayed at Aaron’s grandparents beach house. It was just the immediate Smith family – 8 adults, one toddler and four dogs. We were able to visit with Steve, Kerry, Ginger and Valerie for half the day on Friday. We enjoyed a tour of Galveston on a Duck boat, a day on the beach and great food! Enjoy the pictures, Aaron had fun playing with our new camera.

July 12th- We headed to Dallas Love Field at 5:00a.m. We had a layover in Albuquerque then headed to San Diego. We arrived around noon, picked up our rental car and traveled to the McCown Inn (McCown-our friends last name). They were great hosts and have a cozy and nicely decorated condo 20 minutes from the airport. That afternoon Aaron and I enjoyed walking around Mission Beach. That evening we went to a great seafood restaurant with the McCown’s and enjoyed dinner with a view of the bay.

July 13th- Sunday morning we helped set up for All People’s Church. Our friends are on the church plant and we wanted to jump in and help wherever they needed us. They are meeting in a middle school auditorium near the neighborhoods they minister to. After church we ate some lunch and spent the afternoon at La Jolla beach.

July 14th- Our friends had the day off so we spent the day at Coronado Beach with them. We had a great day relaxing! On a sad note, Aaron lost his iPod on the beach and it was never turned in .
We ate dinner with the McCown’s and had fun watching one of our favorite movies Nacho Libre with them.

July 15th- Aaron and I enjoyed La Jolla so much we went back for another day. For lunch, we hiked around looking for Wahoo’s a local seafood place known for their fish tacos. We loved Wahoo’s so much when went back another day as well. In the evening we went on a outreach with the church. We met different people and asked how we could pray for them.

July 16th- We spent the day at the San Diego Zoo. The zoo had a lot more hills than we expected, but it was absolutely beautiful!That evening we visited a lifegroup  near San Diego State campus. We were able to meet more people in the church. We enjoyed a time of eating, worshiping, a short teaching and praying together.

July 17th- Disneyland!!! It was one of my favorite days! I had never been before and looked forward to the all the shows and rides. One of our favorite rides was the Jungle Adventure, it had giant boats that took you around a simulated Amazon river with different animals. Throughout the day I was shocked to see upset kids at Disneyland, they were hungry, tired or both. I thought this would be the best day of their little kid lives, I was expecting smiling faces just like the commercials but then I remembered this isn’t heaven. There were even a few kids and families who cut in front of us in line, I wanted to kindly tap them on the shoulder and tell them, “ there is no cutting in line at Disneyland” but I refrained. Don’t get me wrong I did see lots of happy families and kids throughout the day. The parade was another highlight. I remembered a time when I wanted to be a Disney cartoon princess and would dance around my living room. We were bummed when they canceled the fireworks show due to strong winds, but all in all it was a great day.

July 18th- Another beautiful day at La Jolla beach, Aaron loves the beach!

July 19th- We went ocean kayaking in the morning. The water was warmer than the air. We rented a kayak for two hours, because we didn’t have a guide we couldn’t go inside the caves but we were able to get 25 ft. from the entrance of the caves. We watched the sea lions for 45mins and saw some leopard sharks. We met up with my cousin and his wife for dinner. It had been a few years since I’d last seen them so it was great to catch-up.

July 20th- We set up for church, a lot of the leadership team were out of the country at a mission conference/retreat. After church we headed to the beach for the afternoon. That evening we went to the Crab Catcher, it was voted as one of the best restaurants in the country for its seafood. The food was fabulous and the view over looked La Jolla cove.

July21st- Enjoyed a nice breakfast with the McCowns at their house. We packed and left for the airport around noon. Twelve hours laters we arrived safely at our house at 12:15 a.m.
We had a wonderful vacation and are very thankful for our time and rest in San Diego.

This is the third week of my summer vacation and I’m loving it! I’ll start teaching summer school next week but for only half the day. This week I am studying for the GRE and painting our guest bathroom. So far this summer I’ve enjoyed lunch dates with friends, naps, working out at Gold’s and did I say naps! Aaron looks forward to my summer break because it means less house cleaning for him and more homemade dinners.

Last week I was part of a week long Writing Academy, it stretched me as a student and teacher of writing. I learned lots of great ideas for the classroom and had a chance to publish a piece of work. Each participant of the class was asked to write and submit something for our classroom anthology. I have to admit, I was a little nervous at first but once I started it was a lot of fun. Here is the poem I submitted. Enjoy.

Conversations

Lord, I love to come and talk with you, to a place you and I can only go; to a place I can sit and rest awhile, from the daily highs and lows.

Your voice is such a needed thing, one I cannot live without; I look to hear you everyday, whenever I’m about.

Your presence is so constant and never, ever changing; it will always produce in me some finite rearranging.

I love to sit and talk with you; you are my heart’s delight.

I know within your loving arms, everything will be alright!

Our fellowship together is so sweet and true; there’s always a calming spirit whenever I’m next to you.

My requests, to me, seem redundant and often over-played;

but you are just delighted that I talked with you that day.

Saturday: We went to eat at one of our favorite restaurants in Waco, Showgun, a Japanese steakhouse. From there we went to Cricket’s and played shuffleboard, pool and fooz ball. We ended the evening with ice cream!

Sunday: We went to Cameron Park and enjoyed the beautiful day by walking, reading, listening to music and napping. We worshiped, prayed and sought the Lord’s direction together to wrap up such a wonderful weekend!

I have to brag on Aaron just a little…..we had said no gifts but Aaron decided to buy me a massage and facial for a day, I love this man!! We are so blessed and thankful for the three wonderful years we have had.