Variety is my spice of life

Today, I spent time with two young moms and their children in our church. Brittany is 4 and Lauryn will be 2 in October.

Yesterday I went to my Dorcas Circle. It meets once a month. We pray for missionaries and read their newsletters. The lady on the end in blue and the one in the middle with sunglasses are on our volleyball team. LouAnne just gave up surfing five years ago when she got swimmers ear. They have all lived in this area for most of their lives.

We are planning to send this blanket and two more like it to widows in Ukraine. These ladies are so full of life. They always make me laugh.

My Mom's visit to California

Mom and I went to Disneyland while she was here. She loves it there and I can never go too many times. We went on rides that were shady and had short lines. It was a wonderful day. It takes about 45 minutes to get there. The weather here has been in the 70's. Mom is planning on moving here in March when the lease of her apartment is up. She realized that a major factor in feeling good is the weather. We are blessed with incredible weather. We have many people her age in our church and they all loved her.

Another New Baby Born at Church

Carmen Burnanski was born last week. Rosa, John, and their 4 year old Brittany attend our church. Rosa was a doctor in Mexico. Her husband John is an American. Rosa delivered Carmen in the chair next to the delivery bed. She was delivered by the nurses 15 minutes after they got to the hospital. The baby is only 3 hours old here.

Our First Wedding Shower

Frank and Mayra will be our first wedding in the church. They have been dating for 8 years. Frank is in school. He wants to be a history teacher. Mayra works for a company in Westwood, near UCLA.

We had Margarit and Patricia, two of our college girls, sing "Going to the Chapel". Everyone loved it.

In the background you see can see our sanctuary church.

Kirstin in Alice in Wonderland

John and had the great joy of seeing one of the teenagers in our church dance in the Ballet of Alice in Wonderland. The performance was just magnificent and Kirstin Marshal(age 13 ) was adorable.

Visit from Ron and Onilla

Ron and Onilla came for 3 days and 4 nights. We visited the beach and the Ronald Reagan
Presidential Library. While we were there, Michael Reagan, Reagan's adopted son just happened to arrive at the bookstore. We met him.

John and Ron went to the new Angels Stadium.

I introduced Nilla to Ikea.I know Heather will be thrilled. It was so great to have such extended time together.

Ron even fixed our sprinkers and front door. We love them!

Graduations in California

Today we went to a graduation of one of the guys in our congregation. Danny graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a degree in history. He has been diligent for a long time. He and Angie are a precious couple. We then attended a barbeque at their condo near Huntington Beach. It was very special for John to be introduced to all of their friends and family as the their pastor. We are making wonderful memories at with these dear people.

Well, I am determined to learn how to blog. Our life in California is rich with new friends. Let me to introduce you to some of them so you can rejoice with us. John is doing well as the shepherd of this Redeemer Flock. I never dreamed this place existed. Yes, there is traffic, but what do you expect in Paradise!

Corrie and the girls were here for 6 weeks. Corrie took my place on the volleyball court one Monday. Jenna made friends with one of my favorite babies, Lauryn Kim. Lauren's daddy, Oak, is an elder in our church. Her mom and I love to go to Farmer's Market on Tuesdays. We sometimes eat Korean food after picking up great fresh produce.. This baby is actually learning to eat with chopsticks at 18 months.

Day with Joni

I borrowed a van and took seven ladies to a luncheon in Calabasas, north of Malibu. It is the PCA church where Joni goes. She was the speaker and was very inspirational. Funny that I was the driver, since I was the only one who had never been down that road. I do love the adventure of driving in California.

Eunice, Curtis Schweitzer, and Redeemer's latest New Members

Eunice Stephens came and visited me for an entire afternoon. We drove around the peninsula for some amazing views. What a blessing she has always been to me.

Curtis Schweitzer held his senior recital as a composer major at Biola University. John and I both attended and were amazed by his great talent. Curtis was one of my third graders in the second year I taught. What a joy to remember a little third grade boy and now to see him all grown up. Life is moving fast.

We had our second group of new members join today. Margarit is Armenian and was also baptised. She has become so special to me. She is a sign language interpreter working on her bachelors degree at Cal State Northridge. She comes on Saturday night and spends the night so she can be closer to our church on Sunday morning. I never knew how much I loved Armenian food. She is an amazing cook for 23 years old.

We had a picnic in our fabulous backyard for the college and career group. Mike, in the blue shirt, also joined the church. He is a young engineer just out of Grove City College in Pennsyvania. Looks like God even gave me Tiger back. :) Evie, holding Shammy, is our church administrator. The guy next to her in the shades is our cool music director.