Legacy Conference...

This week I went to the Legacy conference in Chicago to represent Master's. It was a great event. Pete, Terrence and Hampton were also there for the college. TMC was the main sponsor for the event and we got a lot of face time. Terrence even got stage time to talk about the college (picture below). He did AWESOME.

The conference is geared towards building disciples in an urban context. They had some great preachers who brought the WORD. I was challenged and convicted throughout the week. My favorite speaker was a guy named Paul Washer. I only got to hear him once but he loved the Lord and spoke on the gospel and how we have been justified through Christ. He challenged me on the motivations in my life and if there is anything motivating me more than the gospel that's idolatry. It was so good. Every night they had a different concert and I got to see LaCrae, Shai, Flame and many others. Another highlight was seeing my friend Blair who just got married. On Friday night we hosted a dinner for the college and the four of us all presented. It was a great time and I was so encouraged to see how everyone pitched in this week.

We went to an evangelism event on Saturday afternoon to wrap up the conference and then the guys and I headed to downtown Chicago to hang out. I love the above picture because this was the guys ALL WEEKEND. I have about 4 photos of them on their phones. Terrence was loving "Words with Friends" game. Hampton was texting and Pete was doing all the above. This is on a street corner in Chicago. I had an enjoyable time with these guys. They were good company and I am thankful for thier friendships and treating me like a lady all weekend (and Terrence calling me out when I needed to be called out)! :)

Kutless - Im Still Yours (2009) w/ lyrics

I really like this song. Kelli introduced it to me about two months ago and I've loved it ever since. Was just listening to it tonight and wanted to share it.

My Brother....

My brother makes me laugh....ALOT. I love him too. He did a Dairy Queen run for Becca and I and sent me this picture with the following message, "Dairy Queen run Iowa style." If you know my brother he is definetly the quiet one in the family but he has the most suprising sense of humor.

Kyle is a good husband, leader at church, works hard with integrity and is highly respected. He is also a great dad. I went with Kyle one night to put the kids to bed so I could see their nightly routine. He would pray with them and then we would sing a song together. We put the girls down first and then went and put Mason down. Mason asked for the "I love Mason" song and my brother sang him a song that he had made up for each of the kids. My brother was so embarressed singing it in front of me and we both laughed through the whole thing but it was the sweetest thing.

Of course, I need to mention my sister-in law here because she is really the one who keeps the house moving while Kyle is working. They are both great parents and I enjoy watching the love and fun Becca and Kyle have together....after 15 plus years together. Love you guys and thanks for a great time.

I love my Family....

I really enjoyed my trip home. It was so good to see some friends and family. I got to spend all day with my brother and his family.  I got back to Des Moines last night. When I arrived they had kept the kids up a little later than normal so I could love on them before bedtime. Becca and I sent Kyle to bed and we stayed up late talking and having some good laughs with Kelli on speakerphone.

Today was a great day with church and family. We grilled out, Becca and I got a pedicure while the kids napped and then we played basketball, went on a drive and played in the house. The kids are obessed with Pistol Pete Maravich (this is GREATLY influenced by my brother) so most things we did revolved around basketball and The PISTOL.


It was so great to be with them, play, laugh, and I will be missing them when I go back tommorow!

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Fullan...

Jesse is married!!! The Fullan family is a family I love and treasure in my life. We started getting close about 12 years ago and we have remained close over the years. Even after moving to California we have kept in contact and have grown closer. The boys have been my little brothers and I've enjoyed watching them grow and see how God is using them. I was so excited for Jesse when he called to tell me he would be getting married. He put his soon to be wife on the phone and I got to talk to her and find out why she would choose to marry Jesse and commit to him. I liked her.

It's been fun getting to spend time with this family the last couple days. I love them and am humbled by their love for me, prayers for me and interest in me. I heart the Fullans and am so glad I got to be a part of your special day.

This morning I got to go spend some time with some of my favorite IOWA friends. I've known Chad and Powers (Chris) for years. Before I moved out to California I spent most of my time with Powers, Chad and Stacey. I've known Powers since junior high and he was one of my best friends in high school. We've kept in contact all these years. I got to know Chad in college. Chad married Stacey who became a close friend and the four of us hung out a lot. Powers got married a few years back and they just had a baby who I got to see for the first time! She is precious. Since my trip home was so quick Stacey offered to make breakfast so we could spend a few hours together. Thanks for being so accomodating. I love you Guys!

Chris and I with his new daughter Taylor! The miracle baby! :)

Me and the Stacey's!

IOWA...

Today was my first day back in Iowa. I got in at 11:00 PM last night and my sweet Sister in law, Becca, came to get me. I just love her. She is a great mom, wife and a good friend to me. When we got back to their house Kyle was anxiously awaiting our arrival acting like he was passed out on the couch. We had a good time talking until 1 AM! I am going to highlight some favorite parts of my day:

1. Waking up to Madison, Mayah and Mason wanting to cuddle with me in bed (even though it was 6:45!).
2. Getting see my new nephew McClain. He is so cute!
3. Mason asking me if he could come to my wedding, me explaining to him I'm not getting married, and then him going upstairs to pray that God would let me get married. He REALLY wants to come to my wedding
4. Mayah making up a song and singing it to me about how much she loves me.
5. Suprising my Grandma for a quick visit.
6. No 100% humidity like yesterday!
7. Getting to have dinner with my mom and dad tonight.

8. Going to the Fullans to hang out before the big wedding.
9.Singing with Aaron while he played the piano.
10. Getting to meet Sean and Jesse's soon to be wives.
11. Getting to lay in my cozy room at my parent's house while I type this.

Tommorow is more fun and friends!

I HEART the Schenks!!!!

Tonight I got to spend time with my old Office Manager (aka a GREAT friend)! Megan was back visiting from Texas and I got to meet up with her, Brady and their new addition Riley. I LOVE this kid. He is seven months old, so tiny and chill. He looks identical to his dad, Brady. He was so tired after 8 hours in the car but he was still fun and amusing.

It was fun seeing Megan as a mom. We worked together for 5 years and she became such a great friend during that time. She moved to Texas a year ago and it has been fun staying in touch with her this year and hearing how God is using her.


I LOVE you Megan and am thankful for your friendship in my life. You are a blessing and forever friend!

This morning Kelli, Ivy, Tiffany and I decided to go to some garage sales looking for some treasures. I have been looking for a black bookcase for all of my books and I haven't found one yet. We drove around for a couple of hours looking for good sales. The three of us decided we would put all of our finds on our blogs.

I didn't find much. My best find was an older hymal. I paid $1 for it. I've been looking on ebay at old hymals as I've been wanting to do some craft projects with old hymns. I love this one as it's antique looking and just what I was looking for. I also got a Cooking Light magazine.

The other two books "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and "What to Expect the First Year" are the ones that you are probably wondering about. :) I bought one of these books for a friend a year ago and it cost me almost $20. I got both books for $1.50 and they look brand new so I thought you never know when it might come in handy!


If anyone finds a nice black bookcase let me know. Still looking!!!

FREEDOM, FAITH, FRIENDS, FOOD and FUN on the Fourth...

Today was a day to celebrate our freedom here in America, reflect on all of those serving our Country and fighting for the freedoms that we tend to take for granted. Going to church on this holiday made me reflect on my freedom in Christ and what a blessing it is to know Him. I've spent a lot of time with the Lord lately and this day was another sweet reminder of how blest I am to have my hope in Him!

Tonight I spent time with some sweet friends (another blessing). Lynn had some friends over for the evening for some good food, fun, fellowship and fireworks. We barbequed and had a great time. The kids loved the fireworks and had lots of sugar to keep them up! The picture above is Tiffany after the kids threw all their confetti on her...such a good sport! :)

I also got to do one of my favorite things....Cuddling with my sweet Tater Tot! Thanks Lynn for a fun evening.