With Glad & Sincere Hearts

When I came to Davis, the first thing I was determined to do was work with the youth group. The only people I knew when I moved to Davis was Bryan's friends who had warmly accepted me as their own, but volunteering at the youth group was my own effort to follow God's calling and to make my own friends. And I did. I met some amazing people--kids and leaders alike.

I met Joseph, Emma, Dash, Steph, Sara, and on and on. They became part of my community--bringing with their own flavor and personality to the table.

I met Joseph, who's understanding surpasses all. I always felt that if when I was having a bad day, that it was ok to say so to Joseph. I met Gary, who has the best sense of humor and a huge heart to go with it. Emma, a free spirited woman, who puts her whole being into people and baking. Dash, so encouraging and thoughtful. Sarah, who exudes joy and also is the best at skits. She and I can banter on for hours about nothing and it be hilarious. Charlotte, her creative insight and eye for beautiful things. Steph, witty, kind, and the one that gets all of our visionary ideas into an organized movement. Sara, my co-leader, stable in character and honest to a tee. And these are just the people I first met. More came bringing their own beautiful personalities.

I've learned that something happens when you put a group of people who are passionate about ministry together. We dance. We danced all the time.

It was a celebration of living life together.

I was reading through Acts and read this passage:

"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people."

I read this feeling thankful that [albeit a small glimpse] I am a part of something as beautiful as this passage. Dancing in celebration of something bigger. Giving freely to anyone who had a need. The breaking bread, the glad and sincere hearts, and the praising God. Not all the time. There were times when we danced when mourning needed to happen. That was a valuable lesson. And there were times when we needed to praise God and lay down our critical opinions. Another valuable lesson. Most likely, we have much more to learn, but my heart is thankful that I had you all to learn that with.

And now two of them have left and another to go this fall.

I want to encourage you guys that your community is still with you. That we are actively praying for you and excited as you become a part of another life giving community bestowing on them what you have lovingly bestowed on us. Know that each visit home will be full of glad and sincere hearts breaking bread with you.

And for those of us still here in little Davis. God is working--in us and through the lives of our high schoolers and junior highers. Let us continue to focus on the "apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" and our community will thrive.

Sara & Joseph's Farewell Party

Harvest Time!

It's here! The point at which every farmer looks forward to. The point at which they actually reap what they've sown. It's harvest time! Bryan is crazy busy working every point of daylight. I would complain about hardly seeing him, except for the fact that he brings home mouthwatering food. If you've never had an organic peach or apple straight off the tree--then you don't know what you're missing. At this point I'm eating about 5 apples a day and Bryan is eating about 20. Haha!

Here are some of the other foods we are harvesting...

Coco's Sweet Pear Tomatos--Bryan's boss was a tomato breeder and this is his perfect tomato named after his wife =)

Basil! Almost every meal we make has basil in it. Pesto...Mmm!!

The following is Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil. It makes a rich wholesome tea. It also doesn't have that bitter taste that teas get if they are over steeped. It's full of antioxidants and wonderful for lowering blood glucose levels, as well as cholesterol.

In a whirlwind of travel, as soon as we got home from Oregon, we were off to our dear friends' wedding. I absolutely love how every wedding has it's own personality and energy. Nate & Kelcie, you guys did a great job! The place was beautiful and I don't think I've ever danced EVERY song at a wedding before =) Can't wait for you both to be our neighbors!

Fish Camp according to Bryan's Awesome Waterproof Camera

Every year in Southern Oregon, the Pellissier Family does this thing called Fish Camp, where we raft down the river all day fishing and camping. It's like a family reunion with too many people to count =) Anyways, here are some pictures with Bryan's camera...

Bryan's beautiful Grandmother, Dianne

Once we float down the river, Bryan's grandpa picks us up and sends us back to the top of the river again. Do you see what the School Bus is called? =)

Goodbye, Portland!

Voodoo Doughnuts

We were told that Voodoo Doughnuts was a must see when we got to the city, but every time we would pass it there would be a long line all the way around the building to get in. Even at 8 am or 11 pm?! So Bryan and I decided that we would go on our last day, a Monday, thinking that Mondays have got to be slow.

We woke up early, got on our tandem, and biked to Voodoo. To our dismay the line was still way out the door [kind of like the lines you find at Disneyland]. So Bryan and I thought, "it's either now or never", so we stood in a 45 minute line.

I don't think we knew what we were getting into because as we got to the front ready to order our doughnuts, we realized the menu had hundreds of options.

Anxiously, I told the cash register man, "uh, uh, uh, can we just get a box of your favorite doughnuts?!" So as the man is boxing a dozen, Bryan realizes that there are 5 gallon buckets of day old doughnuts for only $5 [I think he was more excited about the bucket than the doughnuts].

Seventeen dollars later, we exit with a box and a bucket--both overflowing with doughnuts. We find a picnic table, choose our first doughnut, and bite in, only to remember that we don't really like doughnuts.

When I was little I LOVED doughnuts. Once I told my grandparents that doughnuts and Jesus were my two favorite things. We both haven't had them since we were young and with all the excitement of a 45 minute line and the rush of ordering, we forgot that.

We also forgot milk. Bad choice. And, we forgot that we biked there, so with the bucket on the handlebars and the box in my arms, we tandemed our way back to the car. Every time my knee would hit the bucket, a doughnut would pop into the air and onto the street. It must have been a sight to see =)

My face in pain from having no milk.

Don't worry, these doughnuts didn't go to waste. Later, Bryan's family made rolled pork loin with a doughnut stuffing [it was unbelievably good] and then a bread pudding with homemade ice cream on top =) Thank God, for them. We had no idea what to do with that many !