Updates galore!

The last few weeks have been busy ones! Here are a few photos from some recent Ignite activities. On Saturday, we volunteered with SOLV to help girdle trees in a West Linn park. It was hard, dirty work, but we had a lot of fun working together and goofing off. There were a lot of Tarzan impressions...


Smiting ivy with Shauna


Getting ready to swing


Our group of volunteers


Blazer night! Check out our smashing jerseys ;)

In other news, I (rather unexpectedly) found and secured a gorgeous one-bedroom apartment in Tualatin. I wasn't looking to move out until around June, but the price, location, and circumstances just couldn't be beat. So I signed an eleven month lease and move in next weekend. I'm super excited at the prospect of having my very own, roommate-less place. It's five minutes from work, less than ten minutes from church, and just a short commute to my favorite boy's house. Perfect, perfect.

Today my friend Hitomi arrives from Japan for a three day visit! It's been almost a year since I saw her last, so I'm really looking forward to spending some quality time showing her Portland. This afternoon: shopping and a Blazer game. Tomorrow: Hiking at the Gorge! Yay ;)

And finally...



Thanks to Joss Whedon, I now can't get this song out of my head ;p

St. Patty's day celebration (a few days early...)

Being that Connor's (my friend Kerry's husband) birthday and St. Patrick's day share a general proximity, it only seemed natural to combine both sets of festivities the weekend before each. After all, that's a lot of celebrating to fit in. Best to start early...and start early we did!

Kells went all out for the occasion. There was a huge tent filled with everything Irish. There was so much kitsch; it was like a leprechaun threw up in there. So awesome. ;)


Kerry and Connor were blinding in their Irish-ness


Jessica, Kerry, and I prove that, ten years later, we still got it!


There were maaany silly hats involved, as Connor and Louis illustrate


Fortunately for KC, Kerry brought extras


Still the handsomest guy there-- even in a dumb hat ;)


Kerry and her folks

The greatest love story ever told

This skit was shown at Ignite this morning and I scoured youtube to find it. Gives me goosebumps every time I watch. Such a simple, yet powerful way of illustrating how Jesus Christ closed the gap for you and I.

I've been thinking about the meaning of love and its many different kinds, and the ultimate expression of love that Jesus showed us on the cross sometimes boggles my mind. Someone loved me so much that, in spite of their own stainless innocence, they willingly died for me? And I take it for granted so often...

That's the purest and most profound definition of love I've ever seen, and with Easter time approaching, I welcome the reminder.

You calm the storms, and you give me rest.
You hold me in your hands, you won't let me fall.
You steal my heart, and you take my breath away.
Would you take me in? Take me deeper now?

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

SNL goodness

Happy Hodepodge

Happiness is:

1.) The right fit, with the right person, at the right time <3

2.) A new theme song



3.) New friends...



...and old ones!




4.) Admittedly dorky hobbies ;)


Shaiya

5.) Comfy tees



6.) Sweet smells

Birthday party

Well, better belated than never ;) On Valentine's Day, my sister and I turned 29 and 30, respectively. What better way to celebrate than with friends, family, chicken enchiladas, and peppermint chocolate cake?




Dustin and Juliet


Samuel, Jude, and I show off our tattoos


Game on!


KC and Samuel apparently have the same Wii-focused expression



Juliet is very ginger


Ju-Ju bean shows off his crazy...


...and I show off my Wii boxing prowess! HA! Guess who won that game? :D

Good birthday ;)