Learning new ropes

Jordan and I are in the midst of learning what it looks like to work day in and day out for "the church." Let me say its deeper and wider than I could imagine. Your heart is daily pushed and moved. We are thankful for these opportunities but it's all in strides.

What moves me the most right now are the high school students I get to share life with. Our church has been called to 40 days of fasting and breakthrough. So in our student ministries we asked each student to write down what they want to cut out in order to make room for more time with God and the answers were surprising...

FACEBOOK
GOSSIPING
TV
PHONE
INTERNET
MUSIC
CURSING

As much as these ideas relate to myself at 16, I also felt so disconnected. This present generation is SUBMERGED with technology! Whether they want it or not, our students are burdened to keep their lives online and not in our faces. I don't have a new deep revelation to this idea we are watching take over. I just want to reassure you, it is happening.

Being on the front lines of working with students I refuse to sit back and let technology limit our relationships and depth. I hope to get back to you with a plan...

I love these kids but they are dealing with too REAL and too BIG of issues to hide on the internet. Most of our students this year alone with struggle with someone close dying of cancer, someone dealing with depression and suicide, and then we always have drug and alcohol abuse.

I do find encouragement in the new relationships I have made and seeing other selfless adults give their time. I am reassured our time is not in vain just hearing students pray for one another.

Thanks for listening.

Here is some fun I had illustrating this semesters theme--->

First Date

Our first REAL day off together and all I can say is I AM IN LOVE.

Jordan and I finally stayed in town, sleep in, met up to work on our wedding, and finished the day on a hike in San Luis Obispo and a movie in Arroyo Grande! I needed this space in time more than I could ever have known. I needed to be reminded of who I was marrying and why we were working so hard. My hope has been revived and my energy refreshed. We talked about how many changes we have made over this past year and how many more changes are ahead us. We talked about how we have been so taken care every step through.

As always we dreamed once again together. One of my favorite parts of our relationship and friendship is how easy it is to dream together. Of what the world could look like, of how we hope to be inspired, of new travels and new adventures, of new challenges.

But today we are back in the grind and its moving fast. I am forced to see the beauty we found in the open air back in our offices. Good luck to all of us...

(Jordan took this photo of wild horses we saw on our hike.
Welcome to the small town of san luis obispo)

Almost there

(jordan in the studio)

I am sorry to have such a gap of time in my update on the J+K frontier but life swept me up and I am finally coming of its grasp. Jordan finished camp and started the next day in the studio recording his new EP. While I have been learning the ropes of what it is a Youth Center Director actually does. We are both extremely happy and even happier for each other. But it does come at a price. Distance has been hard and our relationship has seen its share of exhausting distances. This distance for me has seemed brand new, I have never wanted to create a physical home for myself. So with this new passion and longing comes the bending and breaking of a lot of things I was holding on to and hiding from when you never really unpack your bags. From having to buy my own can opener to needing a toilet scrub brush to having to make time for yourself even when you live by yourself. My god, I never knew there where so many angles to this thing! Ha!

Well friends and family, I am proud to say God has given me the grace to unpack my bags, look inside and finally throw a lot out. Emotionally, spiritually, resentfully, humbly...I am doing it. I long so badly to grow in this time and not just be waiting on the door step for Jordan to come home. Its work growing up! Ha...but seriously. Even making decisions, doing the "right thing", all that sometimes doesn't feel as good as you thought.

On the less sobering side (onto the excitement) Jordan will be finally setting his feet down up here with me Saturday! His job and boss are all lined up and Time has finally smiled on us. God is so GOOD. Jordan has been stretched and encouraged through this project in the studio. We can't wait to share these new songs with you, your family, your stereo, and our world! Here are some photos I caught in the studio....

(jordan, justin, and dwayne layering claps)

(dwayne and jordan "lock it in")

Movin' on Up

Hey everyone! First so sorry for not writing sooner but with no internet this has gotten tricky. You should know that I am moved in to our new apartment in Grover Beach (which is 1 minute from Pismo Beach, which means 2 minutes from the BEACH!).

Enjoy some pictures.

Our new address is:
251 S.Oak Park Blvd #7
Grover Beach, CA 93433

Jordan helped me move in on sunday and then turned around back to camp to finish his last two weeks of Forest Home. Through your prayers and encouragement he has had an amazing and unforgettable summer. He is tan and bearded but refreshed in our God, in music, and this next generation.

(2 bedroom, 2 bath, fireplace and balcony)

(jordan praising God for our new studio/guest room)

To be honest, I actually love this town, my job, and the people/family that have consumed me since the day I moved back. But in the same breath it just doesn't feel complete without Jordan here. We have worked for almost three years to get this opportunity, so its odd to have another month before Jordan can join. God is good. I know he brought us here and I know we are where we are suppose to be. I even know that God can use this time for his glory. I have seen it in how much free time I have to commit myself whole heartily to this job and this church. I guess also odd in being that so many others are in a moving time as well. It seems that all my best friends are moving in some way. Change has this way of bring out a new side of yourself; vulnerable and willing. For me a lot less stubborn and finally actually asking for help.

The biggest move this week has been for Jamiee Renfrow. She left this world after what was hopefully a life saving operation to give her new lungs. Jordan and I both knew Ronnie Renfrow her husband, since they both attended Point Loma. They have been married, I think, over a year now and both really active at a church in San Diego. Her move from this earth has changed me more then my physical move this week. My heart breaths heavy for such a loss in such unseen time. It makes me cleave for my husband, even though I know he is doing the Lord's work. It makes me cry in silence to think of losing someone so dear after plans of forever. It makes me scream to think why. It makes me laugh to think who am I. It makes me remember what life who for and quick it is.

So in all my joy this week there has been a sobering renewal of my priorities. To let everyone know how much they mean to me. To work to the best of my abilities with the best attitude. To give to those I can reach. To appreciate my family and girls. And to strive for the best marriage to my best friend, to let him know me and care for me.

Cause you just never know when you're movin' on up.

Oh the times are a changin...

Hi! This is our new attempt to keep our friends and family connected to our every changing lives. Jordan and I are excited to bring you headline news about us, others, and the world.

Top Story today comes hot of press from Jordan and Katrina! We are excited to announce our new full time jobs at Pismo Beach, CA New Life Community Church! Jordan will take the roll of Worship Assistant and I will be the Youth Center Director. We could not be more thrilled at this new opportunity to start our new marriage in this beautiful town. But of course this news might seem bittersweet when I also tell you that means Jordan and I will moving from San Diego to Pismo Beach in the next couple of weeks. We have been wrapped up in care by this new community and we are more then willing to change our circumstances to start these new positions. We will miss San Diego immensely but we believe its time for change.

Jordan has now lived in San Diego for almost 6 years and I have lived here almost 4. Together in this time we both graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University, met best friends, lost best friends, went to great shows, enjoyed splendid views, and fell in love with all San Diego has to offer. We went on our first date here in Coronado, riding a tandem bike and watching the red bull airshow! We both had great internships here, Jordan with George Williamson and me with The AjA Project.

If I could tell San Diego thank you for anything it would be: "Thank you for opening your doors of culture to me" I have seen some of the greatest artist, some great bands, some great religions, some great languages, some great leaders. I feel so privileged to have lived here as long as I have. I still am surprised how loud the airplanes are and love the sound of the coaster sweeping by. I have explored OB, Balboa Park, and University Heights and I will miss it all. BUT I will not miss the wait for parking, eating, and traffic.

Jordan has worked as the Worship Leader for the contemporary service of First Church of San Diego for around three years now. Its been such a pleasure and learning experience! We have met lifelong friends and seen this beautiful service really grow. Jordan and I owe a deep thank you to every member of this service for letting us be part for so long! We will miss you and our prayers are with your future.

All in all, we are excited and humbled at such a quick change. By the end of this year, we will have new full time jobs, moved, and gotten married! What a wonderful God that has us in his plan, Jordan and I could have never dreamed this one ourselves. Thank you for caring and thank you in whatever part you played to get us to this point. We hope you don't stop caring and praying for us.