California # 4 - Missions Conference

So once again I'm afraid I have no pictures! I really should have thought this out, the whole Photo Reflection thing. But in any case let's get on with my trip to California before anymore time goes by!

After the Missions day at Santa Barbara, I headed south to Murrieta California for the Calvary Chapel Missions Conference. This year I particularly looking forward to it as I would be attending it as a full guest and not just for a day as in past years. Plus my dear friend Annie Johnson was coming down from Minnesota to the conference!

Now Annie and I met in Germany, oh so many years ago. I can't remember exactly when but it must have been in 2005-06 because I wasn't living in Siegen anymore. Right away, we knew (I did at least) that we were kindred spirits but we never seemed to have enough time to become great friends. With scattered and quick opportunities throughout the years we have become great friends. We would find ourselves in a same place for a day or two and make a point to hang out. She is wonderful! So I was really glad to get to spend a whole week with her at the conference.

The conference runs from Monday to Thursday with loads of speakers and workshops. It was such a blessed time. Not only to hear great teaching, but to see people who I hadn't seen in years! I kept bumping into people! The most amazing was problem my roommate from my time in Mallorca Spain, who now lives in Arizona, but came to the conference! Or wait, a girl from my first semester in Germany who now lives in Texas was there! Crazy!

Each day was filled with amazing meals, meeting new people, seeing old friends, making new connections, inspiring and enlightening messages, amazing weather, and the presence of God.

One things sticks out the most to me that is from one meal, either a breakfast or a lunch, Annie and I sat at a table with 6 girls all under 11. I have a real heart for kids growing up in ministry as I was a pastor's kid from the womb! I asked them what they liked about being a missionary kid and this is what they said:

Katie (10) - Helping people

Trinity (8) - Helping poor kids

Rachel (7) - She likes Sunday School and Church time

Lindsey (11) - Building houses for poor people

Savannah (10) - Helping others and telling people about the Gospel

I about cried! It was so encouraging to see these young girls loving the fact that they get to share in the work of God where their parents serve.

Another missionary daughter, shared with me her song journal where she wrote a chorus for a Psalm. She hadn't shown it to anyone yet! It was the sweetest song I have ever heard! Her heart of praise to God at 10 years old!

The whole week was like this, just wonderful stories and testimonies.

I must confess I did skip a few sessions to relax or nap! But it's supposed to be a relaxing time!

Then I dropped Annie off to catch a train in Oceanside and drove further south to San Diego to meet up with my dear friend. But that will wait for next time and I promise I have pictures of that!

Reflections of Cali # 3 Video Link Edition

So where were we....

Oh yeah Christmas!

So after Christmas I was just visiting friends, going to the prayer meeting in Santa Maria, I went to midweek study in Thousand Oaks; did some shopping and eating frozen yogurt. I was also preparing for Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara's mission Sunday on the 2nd.

But first New Years!

Unlike most people I know, I actually really like New Year's. I find it very anthropologicly (word?) interesting. Here is mankind, who has created a system of tracking time and when the allotted "year" is over mankind celebrates the passing of time and the future all at once. But I have yet to have an amazing New Years. :(

One year I did go to San Francisco, but I had to work the next day which meant I had to get up at 6 am to drive back down to Santa Barbara. Bleh! Then my first New Years in Ireland was fun, but I was with a bunch of people who aren't really so excited about "New Years" so it was more of a holiday party. Fun but not what I was hoping for.

So this time I decided to make New Year's great! Anyone who has known me from my early adult years know I love 80s music. I just can't get enough! ;-)

So there is a place in Hollywood that always has a big 80s New Year's bash. This was what I wanted. I convinced my good friend Bri to join me, even though she said she is not so much into dancing. This just shows you what a great friend she is! SO Bri was on board! Then my brother Nathan lives in LA! A place to say! No one wants to drive 2 hours back to Santa Barbara after dancing all night! Plus how fun to celebrate New Year's with my bro!

So Bri and I drove to LA, to Nathan's house. Then spent a good 2 hours getting all done up with Nathan's girlfriend Cera. I am such a girl because I love the "getting ready" part of an evening our. We teased our hair, adorned loads of jewelry and tried on many variations on the same outfit! Nathan was a dear and went and got pizza for us!

We took to metro to Hollywood Blvd and made it to the club with 5 minutes to spare for the discount early door fee. And then we danced the night away! It was so much fun! We cheered the count down, danced some more and then took the metro home! A good night! A great New Years!

Bri had to work in Santa Maria in the evening so we left LA at about 11. I went home and took a nap! Then went straight to work on my presentation for Mission's Sunday.

I was given the great opportunity to get up before the church and share about what I'm doing in Ireland. Santa Barbara, supports so many great missionaries and many were there so I knew it was a big deal that I got the slot. Unashamedly I know the pendulum swung my way because of my father but as a missionary, any opportunity to get your face out there is appreciated. My dad told me in the days leading up to it, "Aan-Sofie it's got to be good."

"I know dad, I'm working on it."

"No, it's REALLY important that you do really well on Sunday."

"Oh... okay...."

Not that I was going to do a lazy job but I sudden'y realized the gravity of the situation. David Guzik had given a speaking slot to his daughter. If I bombed, it would reflect poorly not only on myself but on my father's judgement and decisions. So I went over and over my text. Saturday afternoon I did a dry run in front of my parents. They said it was great. My dad gave me the nod of approval and I continued to work on my videos and table decorations.

Sunday came, I wore my new dress, curl my hair and read furiously over my notes. I was so anxious as I walked up the steps to the podium. I had decided to have a slideshow of Eoin and me playing while I spoke. Partly to just show people what I do, but also so that they would look at the video and not me! It worked! I was nervous but as I spoke I was more confident. When you are sharing something that you are so passionate and invested in, it is easy to speak. So I was done, my dad gave me a hug and I walked back down, took my seat and breathed!

I had to do it once more for the second service but I was much more confident then.

In between services and after the last one I manned my table in the lobby. I had "lucky" Irish pennies to give out, prayer cards and smiles! I got to speak to many people who had special needs kids or work with them and they were touched by what I do. Since many americans have Irish roots I met several who were glad to hear what God is doing in Ireland.

All around I'd have to say the day was amazing! God blessed me so much, my hard work paid off, and the church was encouraged to hear my story!

You can see my presentation at the link below. It's the whole service. First another missionary speaks, then my dad, then me about 33 minutes in:

http://www.calvarychapelsb.com/videos.php?q=view&id=733

Next up Missions Conference! (but that's for the next post!)

Photo Reflection of Cali #1

I have to admit two of the things I was most looking forward to on my great big trip to California the past Christmas were 1. The Beach and 2. Driving.

True there is coast and beaches in Ireland but they are not the same. It is almost never hot or even sunny. You would never dream of getting in the water. When I lived in California I would make it to the beach a couple times a month. Even it just to sit and watch the waves. Being near the ocean make me feel closer to God somehow and being in California, especially Santa Barbara is just glorious.

So nice! And this was December!

Then there is DRVING! I actually don't drive in Ireland at all. Once I moved someone car back and forth while they were on vacation but that is it. I can drive, I can even drive manual cars so that's not the issue. But I'm actually terrified to drive in a right-side driver car. The pedals are the same but the shifting feels totally weird. I know all it would take is practice but since I can't afford to have a car here anyway, why bother! So I was very happy to come to California and drive! And not just get from A to B but to drive the short stretch between Ventura and Santa Barbara. I think it is the prettiest drive ever. I'm sure there are ones more lovely but not to me!

This is the view while you drive!

Combine it with some great music and nothing makes me more content!

Oh yeah! I'm driving!

So this is post one of my trip! I finally got my pictures sorted and I can't wait to start reminiscing!

Hello!

Greetings to all of you who may be checking my blog for the first time! I hope there are a lot over you since I just got back from a trip to California where I handed out over 200 prayer cards with this web address on it!

I am back in Cork, Ireland and I must admit I am still adjusting. Don't get me wrong I love being here but it is so cold! I mean cold! And I'm told it had actually warmed up the last few days! And then there is the time difference... 8 hours ahead of California time! My second night I didn't fall asleep until 6am! That would be 10pm CA time. I'm getting better but jet lag is not fun. Usually I'm able to will myself into submission to the time reality I am physically in but not this time!

I have many things to do:

Update email contacts

Missions Newsletter Update

Sort through photos

Meet with Pastor Mike

Call my parents

Go grocery shopping

I plan to get all this an more done this week! So to all you newbies, expect an email from me in the next week! And some more posts as I sort through the photos and events of my 5 week trip!

Thanks for reading!

Time well spent!

Well after 5 weeks in California I'm heading back to Ireland! All in all it has been a really good trip. Holidays with my family, missions conference, visiting friends, family and churches. All good stuff! But I am eager to get back to my life and work in Cork. So please pray that I make all my connections including my train from Dublin to Cork. And pray that I'm able to transition easily back into the time zone, the weather and work mode!

Thank you all for your faithful prayers!

California #1

So this a welcome to those of you have have picked up my prayer card. Welcome! I have had this blog since being in Ireland but am sorry to say was not so great at up dates.

It's the typical self conscience blogger deal; "No one wants to hear about how I went to the grocery store." "Who reads this thing anyway" "No one cares".

But since being in California I have realized how loved and prayed for I am! You do care! So my New Year's resolution is to blog more. (I did make this last year, but lets be honest most resolutions take a few years to stick! ;)

So thank you to all of you who have been praying for me and who intent to pray for me in the future! I can truly attest to the blessings of God in my life over the last year and I know it is largely due to those who have been faithfully praying for me (shout out to Calvary Chapel Santa Maria Monday night missions prayer group!)

Right now I am siting in my dear friends house in San Diego after the Calvary Chapel Missions Conference in Murrieta. I will visit a bit then head back to Santa Barbara. I am really tired but it the good kind of tired. The tired that comes from talking to amazing people all week. Meeting new friend and re-connecting with old ones. So I'm going to keep this one short but expect more to come!