Hi all!! Hope everyone is doing well!! These past weeks have been a whirlwind, but looking back they went way too fast. The last week before I left for my vacation was THE longest week in human history!! I worked the Sunday before because I was taking the following Friday off.
Work is going good. I am leaning a lot. As you all know, because I wouldn't shut up about it for the longest time, I was not fully enjoying my experience here in Atwater. One of my old CI's from school told me,"Your experience is what you make of it." And as much as I could not STAND the man that gave me this advice, it is all too true. So I called a friend of mine who's wedding I attended, and prayed with her. I thank the Lord that He gave me such amazing friends that love the Lord and we can share out struggles together. I love you Renae!
Anyway, after we prayed and as I was driving to work and crying out to the Lord, "Why did you allow me to come here?? I know you have a purpose for me, but please show me what it is so I don't keep driving myself crazy!" I love how God answers me in such subtle ways that if I didn't know any better, I wouldn't see His grace weaving itself in my life so beautifully. The Bible tells us to , "Let your light so shine before men that they see your good deeds and glorify the Lord." God was showing me that that was one reason why I was there.
Being in a nursing home is VERY depressing! So I try and bring a little light to a dark and depressing situation. The awesome thing about working with the elderly is that most of them have some sort of faith and they love to share it. I have had a wonderful opportunities to share with them and reassure them that God is in control of their situations.
But...Onto the good stuff...Renea's wedding!! I was able to work half day on Thursday so I was able to leave around 1:30. Being that I didn't "accidentally" get on the Bay Bridge this time, I made it there by 4ish. Praise the Lord, there was no traffic. It was just a beautiful drive. We checked into the motel and got ready for the rehearsal at the Community Center in Mill Valley. The rehearsal went very well! Got to snap some shots with the bride to be in the midst of the chaos!
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| So beautiful! |
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| The happy couple! |
After the rehearsal, we all went to the most A-mazing restaurant in San Rafael, San Rafael Joe's. I had the best Salmon ever, so if you are ever up there, I suggest you stop in. We all left the dinner before desert was served because we were going to have a desert of our own! Because I had a new car, I like driving, and had the most room, we all piled into my car and drove to San Francisco. We had a lingerie party at an underground desert wine bar in San Fran! I'm not a big wine fan, but deserts, yes! I forget the name of the dessert I had, but it was 13$ and took what seemed like FOREVER to make.
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| All the girl's at the party. |
Onto Friday! All us girls in the Bridal party went to get our hand and feet done up for the wedding. Such fun to spend this time with the bride.
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| Finger's done! |
My dress was a little too big up top, Renae's neighbor who is an amazing seamstress offered to alter it for me on Friday. It was a great time. I found out that she used to be an OT (Occupational Therapist) and worked at Rancho Los Amigo's in the 70's! How cool is that! We had such a great time chit chatting about rehab, and how things have changed over the years in the therapy world. What an awesome opportunity I had! She had my dress all fixed in less then an hour and I went back to the motel to get ready for the evening. Renae's future sister-in-law was hosting a barbecue in their honor that night.
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| The happy couple at the barbecue |
Finally...the wedding day came and at the end of the day it seemed to just fly by. I was told later by one of the groomsman that I cried the entire ceremony. I didn't even realize it. He sang to her as she came down the isle and they wrote their own vow's to each other. I was just so happy for her. They were tears of joy. Here are a few pic's of the glorious day!
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| This lovely lady put together the most beautiful wedding! |
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| The Matron of Honor, Erin and I. |
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| The beautiful cake |
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| Cutting the cake |
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| A view of our dresses |
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| The bride and I! |
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| Mr and Mrs. Allingham!! |
The rest of my vacation went WAY too fast. I left Sebastopole around 7:45. I decided that I wanted to take the 101 all the way down the coast, since I've never done it before and I hate the 5. It's so boring and flat! It took me like 9 hour's but it was so worth it. So much scenery and windy road's that it didn't feel like 9 hour's. When I got into Santa Barbara, I pulled off to a Vista Point and said hello to the Ocean. I am a true SoCal girl!
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| Beautiful View |
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| So worth the stop! |
Once I entered Carpenteria I hit traffic and I knew I was in SoCal. It's funny the things that you miss when you are away. But after 10 minutes of sitting in traffic I had my GPS find me some side street routs.
I finally got to my dad's house about 6:45 or so and surprised my nieces! The were so happy to see Aunty "Ree". I drove in on the 23rd, which was my Dad's official Birthday, so my dad was barbecuing. One of his favorite pastimes. In this picture, Julia and Isabel are chomping down in some ribs.
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| Olivia is such a great poser |
My sister had a brilliant idea of putting 61 candles on the cake for my dad. By the time she got to the right side of the cake, the left side had melted!
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| Call the fire department! |
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| Happy Birthday Daddy!! |
Monday:
I went to LLU in the morning to visit some Professor's. What a great chat we had! It's crazy where God has taken me in a year. This week (Sept 23-29) marks a year since I graduated from LLU! Blows my mind just thinking about where I've been since then! Later that day I drove down to Palm Spring's to see my Grandma. Spent awhile with her visiting and got to see my favorite Uncle and his crazy cat!
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| Love my Grandma! |
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| Jake is very protective of his comb! |
That evening I got to have dinner with one of my many "other mother's" that God has blessed me with. She hasn't been feeling too well lately, so it was even more of a blessing that she was able to meet with me. Thank you Jesus for our time together!
Tuesday:
I spent the night in Palm Spring's and drove back to Riverside Tuesday morning and met up with my little brother who took me out to lunch. I took my mom out to the most amazing pizza place in Redlands, Gourmet Pizza place. Another place I highly recommend! Then I went to ice cream with my friend Netanya from LLU. The best ice cream I've ever had. They make each cup individually with cream, sugar, and flavor, then flash freeze it with liquid nitrogen! Talk about yum!
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| A la minute Ice cream parlor in Redlands! |
Wednesday:
Spent the day in Murrieta. Had breakfast at Mimi's with an old coworker/great friend. A two hour breakfast is the best way to start the day! She even brought me flowers! So sweet. I've never gotten flowers just because! Then I drove to the Bible college to meet up with some friends that I haven't seen in quite awhile. Then we all went to lunch and had a great visit. At lunch, some other friends joined me when they had to get back to work. I love long conversation. Being that I am so "isolated" up here, I forget how much I love deep conversation with friends. That night I got to go to my home church in Temecula. I always watch them online, but it was such a blessing to see them all in person and get to give real hugs!
Thursday:
I drove down to Irvine to have lunch with the wonderful people at StaffRehab. Love, Love, Love this group of people. I know that I've said it before, and I will say it again, God spoiled me when he dropped this company in my lap. I was so happy to see everyone that I neglected to take pictures. But Sara took one of me! Look what was waiting for me! I feel loved!
After lunch I went to Calvary Costa Mesa and got to visit with my friend Jasmine. I love talking with her and sharing what the Lord has been showing/teaching us since the last time we saw each other. We only got to chat for about 30 minutes but it was a spirit filled 30 minutes!
I was supposed to have dinner with another friend that night while I was out there, but she had to cancel. It kinda worked out for the best though because I ended up having dinner with my aunt who I hadn't seen in about 6 years or so. Maybe longer. It was nice to catch up.
Friday:
Chill day. Took my mom out to lunch and then met up with my step-mom and sister later in the day so I could treat her to a pedicure for her birthday. That night I got to see a friend that moved out of state. She was the little girl who lived next to my dad years ago. Now she's all grown up and having a baby!!
Saturday:
I got to take care of my nephew all day! Lucky me. Took him and my two other nieces to the park.
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| Julia, Ryan and Olivia |
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| Ryan and Julia |
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| Gave him chips at the park. Love this face! |
Later that day they had a combo birthday party for my dad, 9/23, my sister, 9/24 and me, 10/13. My sister made ice cream cone cupcakes instead of a cake. They were a hit.
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| He ate the whole thing in like 2 minutes flat! |
Sunday:
Drove back to beautiful Atwater. Didn't take as long as coming down, but it was a boring drive. After all was said and done, I had driven about 1500 miles and my car's "maintenance required" light came on. Time for a check-up!
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| They have light's for everything theses days! |
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| Total mileage for 10 days; 1514.9 |
It was a great trip and I loved seeing every one. Being down there made me realize how much I miss them. But I am where God has me and that's what important. Every one keeps asking me how long I will be traveling for. My answer is always the same. I will continue traveling until God tells me to do something else. Every day is an adventure and I like it that way!
Until next time...
