SBIC, the plague and 2nd decade

12 days left?! no, No, NO! *sigh* good thing I'm coming back very soon :)

So I know, it's been hecka long. Like over a month...my apologies, it's been crazy, amazingly busy up here.

SBIC--

LOVE the group that came up here and it was so nice to see my beautiful sisters Paige and Mo leading the trip. Spring Break was pretty crazy. A group from Gonzaga University came and stayed at the Urban House as they were doing an 'alternative spring break trip'. So with Maddie gone I was in charge of keeping the parties to a minimum and making sure the house didn't burn down. Then only half of my house left for the week, so I was trying to juggle hanging out with SBIC, being on call for Gonzaga when they got locked out (they did, many times) and spending time with the housemates. Let's just say I didn't sleep much (then again when do I ever?). But it was great, I wouldn't have changed anything.

Window washing!

While SBIC was here, we spent some time at City Team (an addiction recovery center for men) cleaning everything as their guys had left on a retreat; we went to Alpha Pregnancy Center (a pro-life stance, non-profit organization that recognizes that the greatest reason for abortions are due to finances). I loved this place! They offer classes for parenting, bible studies, counseling sessions, post-abortion classes and marriage classes.  They also provide diapers, formula, baby clothes, cribs, etc. for families.  I loved that they hold a pro-life stance, however they never turn away a woman that is considering to have an abortion.  They also inform the women of what actually happens during an abortion, something that doctors don't typically share before they perform this.  We had some great discussions and were able to help Alpha out by packaging diapers, organizing clothes and cleaning.

Mo trying to tackle some diapers.

We went to Old Skool Cafe (which is now open for business 4 nights a week! yay!) and due to the pouring down rain (ALL week) we couldn't do too many projects that Teresa wanted us to do outdoors. However, Paige, Nikki, Mo, Danielle and I decided to go out in the rain anyways and weed Teresa's garden for 3 hours. SO MUCH FUN! My 4 layers were completely soaked through and we were all covered in mud by the end, however the garden turned out great and now they can start planted strawberries and mint to use at Old Skool. It was so great being able to spend more time with Raymond, Robbie and Mandi that work at Outpost. We've definitely become a lot closer :)

The kids formed their own worship team :)

Silas' birthday!

I had to do some therapeutic baking when they all left :(

The Plague--

So we all knew that it was bound to happen. Lo and behold, I got sick. The week after spring break was hecka busy with school work, we had 4 papers due ( I know, whoa, hold up there). So about Wednesday I started going downhill, then by the weekend I was at my worst. I ended up having a sinus infection and some crazy lower back pain, along with a lot of weird symptoms. 2 weeks, a lot of pain killers and antibiotics plus an ER trip and a doctor visit later, I'm good to go :)

I did manage to watch both High School Musical 1 & 2 during that time. Oh Zac Efron and your awkward solo on the golf course running around jumping off rocks.

2nd Decade--

I hit the big Two Oh! a few weeks ago.

Quickly, I'm obsessed.

Michelle Obama came to town for my special day as well...

No seriously, that's her car RIGHT there.

Got one of these babies for next year.

On another note, I have completely fallen in love with this city.

When the sun comes out...

Labyrinth at Lands End

And the housemates haven't been half bad either. :)

Half Moon Bay with Kristyn

Bus Stop games: Rachel, Katie, Kristyn, David and Maddie

Haitian Dinner prepared by Vroselyn and her sisters

Half Moon Bay- Rachel and Kristyn

Natasha hanging off the roof.

TARTINE with the matching hipsters

Giants Game! Maddie, David, Kelsey and me.

Kristyn, Vroselyn and I!

I've become a coffee snob. Not ashamed though.

Oreo Truffles and Texas Sheet Cake for Natasha's bday.

White chocolate chunk craisin oatmeal cookies

Research Project

Someone left their pants in front of the house...

Kombucha Brewery Tour!

So now that these pictures have given you the inside to my busyness, here's some words to tell you what's going on now.

SBIC was amazing and I really felt God revamping my passion for 6th Street. I've been praying about this a lot and I've decided to do an internship with The Outpost Church and CityCrossroads for a month this summer! It's going to be a crazy busy summer, but that's exactly how I want it. :)

I went home for Easter, for less than 2 days, and I can't even begin to describe how weird it felt. I didn't hear cars or sirens, the water tasted different, the air felt different, I couldn't compost or recycle anything...  I got to thinking about how little my home really felt like 'home'.  I've realized how much more this city feels like home to me. I feel alive here, I feel happy here, I feel God here. I struggled with this for awhile, of how walking down 6th street amidst the strong smells of urine and the profanity being thrown all around me, feels more at home than Orange County.  I feel like salt on this street, I see a brightness coming from me. I've never seen this at home.

I really feel called to this city, I'm not sure how this will play out in my future, but I trust that God has a place for me here, because this city has worn a very soft spot in my heart.

It's going to be hard leaving the communities I've formed here. My housemates, my community group through Reality and everyone from the Outpost. 

These last two weeks I know are going to fly, but I pray that I can soak in as much as possible.