Sun without rain

"God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way."

I really don't know where this quote came from, but as cheesy as it may be, I like it. Southern California is sun without rain, but why is it that we little humans think we deserve that? We think that everything should be flowers and rainbows. I forget so often that this world is not supposed to be anything like heaven. For believers this is as close as we will ever get to hell. That should comfort us and yet at the same time warn us that there will be a fair amount of suffering in this world. The words of our Lord through the Apostles are so encouraging:

"God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under His mighty hand by casting all your cares on Him because He cares for you. Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour. Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To him belongs the power forever. Amen."

Oh I have been so busy... I miss my bible. I miss my Friend, my Saviour, my Lord.

Break out those cowboy boots!

I would have broken mine out if I actually had some that fit. You know how you buy something in high school thinking it fits you when in fact its 3 sizes too big? Well so it was with my ten dollar cowboy boots. So when my sweet husband (who doesn't really care for country music) came home with two tickets to see Lonestar, I was thrilled! ...until I pulled on those boots and realized how ridiculous I looked. So we went sans cowboy boots, which was fine cuz we probably would have looked silly anyways in Los Angeles :) But we had a blast!!!!! And I think Matt's coming around to country ;) I'm keeping my fingers crossed anyways...




If you ever have a chance at tickets for the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills - do it! Its a great little place. Food was good and it was so fun to see the band so close and with such a small group of people (compared to anything else you can find here in SoCal)

Abortion

This was shown to me recently and I just have to put this out there. It breaks my heart. I will NEVER understand why "womens rights" supercede the value of these childrens lives! This is what Obama wants to lift all restrictions on; if you are pro-choice - this is what you support. WAKE UP. PAY ATTENTION.

The video is graphic I won't lie. But this is what happens. Watch it. Don't turn it off because it makes you sick or sad.

Fire Update

Here is the current view from our front stairs. Right now the winds are blowing North-West and we're directly North so our hope is that it passes us right by but there are many people who have lost their homes, including probably a friend of ours (they are waiting to hear because 90% of their community was burned and they are not sure if their's was in that percentage). It's odd for us to think that this is just "normal" for Southern California and sort of expected. It seems like so many times within a year the same homes are threatened and the same areas are burned. Does it ever end? All freeways in Santa Clarita are closed. Matt was supposed to go to a professional development class in LA today but he never made it because there seriously is no way to get there, even surface streets are closed. Anyhoo we are fine and just "enjoying the show."

Quite creepy to see the freeway with no cars on it since it's been closed.

Pray that the winds die down!!! We are just watching and waiting knowing that God is in control.

Visits and Weddings

   We love weddings... love love love them. It's especially fun when the couple are dear friends and we've been waiting for this for a while! Anyways... we flew back to Rhode Island for Matt and Ashley (Tortora's!) wedding :) Since my Matt was in the wedding we went out early and took care of some logistical things in the days leading up to Saturday. The day was BEAUTIFUL! A perfect fall day in New England with colorful leaves and the temperature at about 65... perfect. They were sooo happy. It was so wonderful to hear them recite their vows to one another with such conviction. It brought tears because their vows were similar to ours and I remember crying through mine, as I did through theirs hehe. Congratulations you two! Hope Mexico was great ;) 

   The rest of our time back there we spent with friends and family. Jeff and Jen have beautiful twins that we had a blast with. So much so that my father-in-law felt the need to tell us not to get any ideas just yet :) But come on...don't they look like they are having fun with Everett? 

   On our last day we drove into Boston and walked the Freedom Trail with Matt's dad. It covers I think 11 historical sights around Boston, everything from Boston Commons that has been there from the very beginning to the grave of Paul Revere, Sam Adams and others. It's so much fun to be somewhere with so much history. California - we have been deprived. 

   This may sound odd coming from a girl who grew up in California, but I LOVE the East Coast. I love the seasons. I love the crisp fall weather where I can wear a sweater and not be sweating by noon. Oh and hello - scarves! Summer is pleasant and GREEN. Christmas = snow. Spring is the only season I've yet to experience back East but I hope to remedy that soon. Perhaps living there would end my love affair with the area but for now... we're in the honeymoon phase :) 

Look at how pretty the colors are!!!! 

The happy couple... so precious. 

Yay for friends that haven't been seen in too long! We had a great time and we hope to see you all soon! 

Ella - twin #1

Everett: twin #2... see don't they look like they're having fun? 

He'll make such a good dad someday...

Question: why is his name most often thought of in relation to beer? Sad...

In case you can't read that... John Hancock! Cool eh? 

This is actually Mr. and Mrs. Franklin... Ben Franklin is buried in Philly