When The Time Is Right

So, as many have heard, Roberto and I are engaged. WOW! 2009 has started off with a BANG. I’m so excited that I can hardly think normal. It is truly one of the best feelings in the world knowing you are going to be spending the rest of your life with the one you love. We have been together about 2½ years now and together we have had the opportunity to meet many people, enjoy time with family, take trips with friends, move to San Diego to plant Seven SD and most importantly, serve the Lord throughout our relationship. I know this is the beginning of a great life together and I look forward to the weeks ahead. I know planning a wedding is exciting but can be tough so please keep us in prayer as we will need it. Thank you to everyone for sharing in the excitement. Please enjoy. These are couple of my favorite pictures.


Old Town, San Diego


New Years 2008, The Rehrers


High Desert Church

And here is the photo that started it all...
"The ROB and MJ"

Be Back

HEY World! Okay, so I have totally neglected my lonely Blog. But lets just say it has been for good reason,if that is possible. But, I am still around and plan to be updated soon. And yes, I hope to include new pictures. Which reminds me, yesterday I thought I lost my camera which would have been absolutely terrible. But lone and behold it was in a bag of mine, thanks goodness. Not to mention, I did get my car towed yesterday from a parking spot in the apartment complex that I'm living at now. That cost me $210.00. YES...two hundred and ten dollars. It almost seems so unreal that it happened, which could explain my calmness... So, as you see life has been moving fast and I will be back after this weekend in Vegas. My cousin David and Eunee are celebrating their marriage ceremony in a cute little chapel. I'm really excited to spent time with family! So, this blog is bascially to let you know I'm still around! Hope to update soon.

Iowa Friends

After a long fight and a two and half hour drive...our friend, Lee made it to San Diego. Rob and I were so excited to hear Lee planned a trip out to California. The only difference this time was that Lee had a surprise...he was bringing along his beautiful new fiancee, Alissa. So this week we had the pleasure of seeing Lee in what was about a year and meeting his new wife to be. By the way...Alissa is great and we love her already! Rob and I were able to take them to Old Town San Diego for a Mexican dinner, then over to Sunset Cliffs. One of my favorite places for a sunset, but I was a bit sad because the clouds rolled in and there went the anticipated sunset. Bummer, but it was still very gorgeous. After leaving there, we took the two new engaged couple on quick drive through San Diego's Down Town and over the Coronado Bridge. Rob and I have learned that on a clear night you can see a the heart of San Diego. Very amazing view. I'm really glad that we were able to spend some time with Lee this week and meet his new wife to be. Congratulations Lee and Alissa. We'll be seeing you soon...this time in Iowa.

Camp Able

The alligator is my friend…He can be your friend too! I rather see him in the bay then see him in a canoe… Yes, yes…you’re wondering what the heck does that mean. The alligator can be my friend? Well, that was one of many songs that I learned to sing at camp this summer. Many of you know that I was working at Camp Able and it was my first year ever! I did it and loved it. This camp is designed and setup to allow kids and adults with special needs to experience the joys of spending a day, week or more at the beach. Some campers were there for a long as a month. Of course, they went home at 3:00pm but returned the next day at 9:00am ready to do swim and sail all over again. As a counselor, I was able to help campers choose activities ranging from bay hikes, bay swimming, canoeing, sailing and wild side swimming and that’s to say the least. And an added bonus, I was able to meet some very inspiring, passionate, caring people. Everyone who was able to come out to camp this year whether they worked or volunteered became a critical element to our team effort. Thanks to all the counselors for being such amazing teachers and examples of what camp looks like. Thank you to all the volunteers for all your commitment to help where we needed it most. And thank you to the supervisors who gave direction and leadership that made camp possible. We couldn't have done it with out the love, excitement and energy that everyone brought to camp. So if you want to find Camp Able next year, don’t look far… just look toward Coronado at the Silver Stand Beach. We’ll probably be singing…”Have fun in the sun, for everyone, that’s the way it is…”

Graduation 2008

I'm happy to report that I'm graduating from California State University,San Bernardino. My educational journey has been long yet rewarding in so many ways. Over the years, I had juggled the complicated question:"What will I do when I grow up?" Well, I can't say that I have come to the conclusion or come close to answering that question, but I'm confident that this is only a stepping stone in where and how God will use me. Through this journey, I have learned that the completion of one goal doesn't mean that you have arrived at your destination but that it is only the beginning of a new one. I think that God didn't design our lives to feel like the job is done. At least for me, I know there is lots more to plan and look forward to. But I feel a peace knowing the Lord is working in me and using me for His plan. It was the apostle Paul who said,"Not only so but we also rejoice in our suffering because we know that sufferings produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character hope." Romans 5:3&4.
CSUSB has been good to me. I was privileged to study under some incredible professors and meet a handful of great fellow colleagues. After graduation, I will be working at a summer camp at Coronado Beach in San Diego for 9 weeks. During that time, I am excited to continue serving at Seven SD and of course, spend some nice afternoons with my BF, Roberto. I'm excited and a little nervous as to what's next but I know God will continue to provide.
A special thank you to Roberto for designing the fantastic announcement. I would also like to thank my lovely friend Mindy for going to school early one morning to take the photos.

" For the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Adventure

If you could go any where...where would you go? It can be more than one place. I don't want to limit your mind to one place...it's just not realistic, plus it's good to have options.
I would love to get back to Italy or visit any where in Europe...

Rome


The Spanish Steps


Venice


Hawaii


East Coast
Old Civil War Sites

Easter 2008!

It was nice to spend Easter in San Diego this year. By Saturday afternoon, my parents had arrived and we took them for a nice visit to Old Town San Diego. We walked through the cemetery, checked out some little authentic shops and sat down for a tasty dinner at the Cafe Coyote. I was really excited for the homemade flour tortillas.
Sunday morning Seven SD Church had its first Easter Morning service. Everything went great. But most of all it was so nice to be able to celebrate Jesus and all he has done for us. Thank you Jesus!!

Thankful

This last Friday night was spent with many friends!! It's amazing how our God will bring together people who make your life that much more meaningful! Over the last year, there has been a lot of transition in my life. Many which have taken up much of my time and efforts. School, church ministry, boyfriend, family, dog, etc... Many friends have also moved and started jobs, schools and ministry in varies new places. Even over the far distances and with busy schedules, it's encouraging to know that you have friends who continue to be make the trip and continue to be there for you. This weekend was a birthday celebration for my boyfriend, and I was really happy to share in the festivities with very important people God has placed in our lives. Weekends like these just remind me how blessed we are with great company. I know that many amazing friends weren't able to make it but I just look forward to the next time I see them. May God continue to bring us closer, grow us more and bless us as a church family.

Busy, Busy, Rest...

This weekend as Seven SD Church finished with it's fourth preview service, I felt very excited. I'm excited for Seven SD to be meeting every week and even more exciting to be praying and anticipating all the people who are going to meet Christ through this church.

This weekend, I sat in the kid's service and I was able to listen to the lesson. And through that lesson, I realized how God was preparing the children for the busyness of life. Even at a young age, it was important to teach kids to take that day of rest. Whether it be from homework or daily routines, it's important to make time for God. The lesson touched on the six days of creation and then how God allowed for the seventh day to rest. God knew, we as people, would need that. As the new year progresses, I hope to work hard, stay motivated but remember to rest. It's important to be rested and ready, God will use you. I love to know that even through the most basis concepts of the Bible, God can teach us the most important things in life.

As friends came in to San Diego to help out for the service, we were able to catch up, laugh, be silly, and enjoy each other's company. A few of us ventured to Downtown for dinner and went to a Mexican restaurant called Los Pancho's. Roberto and I love that place. It had live music and created quite the dining experience. We were also able to take some time to appreciate the great weather at the beach too! San Diego has lots of diverse activities within reach.
God is good! May you take time to rest this year!


"Roberto,that shirt really brings out your eyes"

Bringing in the New Year!

Happy New Year! It's 2008. It's going to be a great year with lots of new adventures. I pray God will use me to do great things for his people and continue to make me more and more like Him. This year: Keep God number one, be a good servant to others and encourage those around me. Among other many tasks, these are somethings I pray God will strengthen me in.

A verse that keeps me motivated. Romans 5:3&4 says "Not only so, but we rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character, and character, hope."











Roberto and I had great time at the Rehrer's Home.
Thank you for friends, food and board games!

A Sunday Drive

These are couple of the cool sites that I have
been able to see while visiting my boyfriend in
San Diego. We had a fun drive from Chula Vista
to Coronado and back.









Don't you love my great photography skills...right.
I love it! =)

Successful Seven SAN DIEGO

Seven SD is now onto it's third preview service. This past weekend was amazing and I'm really happy to say that I could be a part of Seven SD at its' earliest days. There was a specific joyous feeling that sweep over me this weekend when I thought about how God was using so many of us to do his work. It's so exciting to me to really understand and appreciate the importance of serving others. In this, I hope that it helps to pave the road so that people are ready for what God has in store for them. It hasn't been easy. It's been tremendously tiring and time consuming but I know it's worth it.

One of my passions is to see a person who is going through life not even aware of the idea that they have a choice to make. Accept Christ or not...Hmmm. What does that mean? I can completely relate to that idea and to the person who doesn't even realize that they have a Heavenly Father who cares and knows who they are. I was that person and not until a friend from a previous job that I worked at caught my attention. It wasn't that she approached me..It was that I approached her. I saw something different and began to ask questions. It all went up hill from there.

It was in 1 John 1:5 when the Bible says "...God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." and in 2:17 "The world and its' desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God will live forever," that helped me understand how God was changing my life.

Seven SD Kids

I hope that through Seven SD that there will be people like me that will come and see something different and instantly want to know more about Jesus. Sometimes it's like a bright light and there's no turning back. Thank you Jesus for saving me.

This shows how tired we were..okay, so it was posed for the shot.

Thank you to all my family and friends who were able to make it. I so happy you were there!