Exciting Updates

Hello friends!

I suppose it's been a while since I have given a brief update on Jake and myself!

First, I got a new job! I got hired on as the temporary (so I can look for a teaching Job later) Coordinator of Performing Arts Ministry Teams at Vanguard University. I have completed a week of work, and I love it there so far. In a nutshell, I will be redesigning and creating various Ministry Team programs, like Entourage and Delivery Boys, and getting the program ready to start in October. I will work through the end of June, and I will be on the board to hire someone to take my place. This couldn't be a more wonderful opportunity for me! It's God's timing, and I really think I will thrive in this position.

On the serving side, Jake and I started Small Group a couple weeks ago. I have 6th grade girls, and Jake has 7th grade boys. I absolutely adore my girls, and Jake's group just sounds crazy. We meet once a week, and we get to plan events to bond and have fun as a small group. It's great to come on Sundays and see our students, and to catch up on how their week was, and then see them Tuesday night and just have a good time.

Vanguard's homecoming weekend is coming up- the same weekend as Jake's birthday. Jake is working during most of the events, but I will be there for most of Saturday. That morning I have signed up to run a 5K. Now, I'm no runner, but the run is "Run for Mercy"- a little girl with an undiagnosable disease. Her parents have already put a quarter of a million dollars towards medical bills, and so I want to contribute to what I hope will be a great turn out. My small group co-leader is coming with me, so it should be a fun time... if you don't count the running (: But, in all seriousness, I have started running a little bit to get ready. I started Monday, and also ran Friday and today. Each run I aimed for a mile, and each run I went a little farther. I walked a lot during my runs, but I have already improved my times and have walked less. I may not be a runner, but I am getting to the point where I can run to stay fit and to train for 5Ks. After Saturday, I am going to start an 8 week 5K training program, because my small group girls want to run a 5K together. My goal for that one will be to run without walking at all- hence the training! This weekend will be my practice 5K, then hopefully I will be able to sign up for them consistently!

With Jake's birthday coming up, I have started my planning to make it special. I have a coupon for this really cool barber shop where he can get a shampoo, head massage, and hair cut, all while watching the game on TV. I am going to make sure to get him a Disneyland birthday pin, and he gets to pick where and when we go out to eat. We are having a few people over for the Super Bowl, good friends of his, so I'm going to make some treats and have him blow out some candles! It will be pretty low-key, but I will make sure he's happy, rested, and entertained for the whole weekend!

Jake and I look forward to any time we get to see family, so we will be quite busy in the next few months. Aside from going to Winter Camp with the Jr. Highers, we are going up to Oregon for a wedding, making a trip to the Central Valley to see my Grandma, making more trips to L.A. to visit Albert and his Fiancee, maybe making a trip out to Arizona to visit some family friends, and at the beginning of summer we should have tons of family around for Albert's wedding. I also am going to Indio with my mom and some family girls (:

Overall the next 5 months seem super busy for us... we have a lot to do and a lot to accomplish... I hope we get it all done while having time to rest!

I suppose that's all for now. Jake is napping on the couch and snoring, I'm still in running clothes, and recycling needs to be taken out. I hope you are well, I'm sure Jake and I send you our love and miss you very much (unless you live in town!) Have a wonderful start to your week!