Acquire the Fire

WOW! AWESOME! AMAZING! LIFE CHANGING! REFRESHING!

I can seriously go on and on, but my brain is still trying to take it all in! We had an amazing time this weekend with our youth group at ACQUIRE THE FIRE. It was an awesome, spirit filled event. I had been looking forward to this for the past 6 months (when we purchased the tickets); actually I had been waiting for it for 15 years.

The last time I attended Acquire the Fire was in 1993 when I returned home from a missions trip that was done through Teen Mania Ministries which is also in charge of the Acquire the Fire events. All of us who had gone on the missions trips were able to go to the first night of the event which was amazing. It was a great way to finish up a life changing summer.

I had always wanted to send our youth groups to the event, but ATF didn't come out to the west as much as they do now. Plus our church was really plugged into other local and district events with our denomination. So I waited...

Last year our daughter, KA was able to attend an ATF with another youth group. I was unable to attend as a chaperone, but she had an amazing time and came back wanting to go again. When we became leaders of our youth group now, I knew I did not want to miss out on ATF.

This year did not disappoint! I loved the entire weekend. What was even better was our youth loved the entire weekend. From the worship (Unhindered), to the bands (David Crowder, Stellar Kart, Phil Joel, Group 1 Crew), to the speakers (Ron Luce and Mike G.) and the amazing, life awakening drama - this weekend was blessed. Our students left with the challenge to let their voice be heard. What a powerful and often forgotten God given tool - our voice. And it doesn't have to even be our words - they taught the kids to use their voices by making movies, videos, art work, poetry, writing - whatever talent the Lord gave you to use it!

I will be posting some video from some of the events here later, but if you have a youth group at your church, look into going to this event. It is truly life changing for both the students and the leaders. Check them out: http://www.acquirethefire.com/

Tagged - I'm It

I've been tagged by Beloved Mama. I'm always up for a good game of tag!!!

The rules require me to post a six word description of myself and then to tag five co-bloggers to join the fun. So....let's see.....here we go:

Blessed (abundantly)
Passionate (about a lot of things)
Friend
Fun (at least I think so)
Wife
Mom

Sorry, I cheated a bit - just like Beloved Mama - I feel that some things need further explanation!

AND now, for the fun part of tagging!

There's No Crying Over Spilt Milk
Tula Mommy
The List Family

I know...I only tagged 3 bloggers...a couple of friends both near and far!

The Rules (whatever that may mean to you!)
Write your own six word memoir
Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like
Link to the person that tagged you in your post
Tag five more blogs with links
Remember to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play

Yolanda Adams - Victory (from The Gospel)

OK...I am a little early for this week and a lot later for last week, but I had to go ahead and post this because I couldn't get it to work on Saturday (the 22nd) and I won't be here this Saturday (the 29th).

This song is the most awesome song and has been in my head and my heart since I heard it from this movie. Currently, our female students and some leaders, including my girls and I, are putting together a dance for a local festival supporting our local Rescue Mission using this song. It is the most amazing song! I love the words...they are so real and so true for everyone! We have the Victory through Jesus - we don't have to worry, He is our Conqueror!

I got ,got the victory
I got the sweet ,sweet victory in Jesus yes I do He is a mighty conqueror
In him I will trust all my battle's He'll fight
I got ,got the victory I got the sweet ,sweet victory in Jesus
for me He died but He rose on the third day that's why
I have true victory everyday

Verse 1:
Truly I been through the storm and rain
I know everything about heartache and pain
But God carried me through it all
Without His protection I'd surely fall
I been broke without a dime to my name
but all my bills got paid 'cause I called on Jesus name
You can't tell me that God isn't real 'cause
I got the victory and that's why I'm still here

Chorus

I'm not worried 'bout material things I don't have
I just rest 'cause I'm sure in my savior's care
'cause I know that my blessing is on the way
I can't see it right now but I stand by faith
I fought many ,many battle's in His name
I held up the bloodstained banner and proclaim
that Jesus is the Truth and the Light
believe it when I say He will make it alright

Bridge
Yeah I got the victory ,yeah I got the victory yeah ,yeah ,yeah
(And if you have the victory sing along with me)
Yeah I got the victory ,yeah I got the victory yeah ,yeah ,yeah
(Over all of the trials,hey yeah,sing it with me I got the victory)

Happy Birthday to me!

Yes, it is that time again...my birthday. 33 and going strong...well I need to do a little better with my health (like exercise and eat right) but all in all doing pretty good.

While some of you might call 33 young, I work with youth and you might as well call me ancient! I had to laugh on Sunday as we were watching Princess Bride with some of the youth. They were laughing at me because I could practically act out and quote the entire movie. I told them that is what happens when you watch the movie at almost ever sleepover, youth hangout, and late night at someone's house during my high school days. I told them that there were two movies or so that I watched constantly through my high school days (I watched a lot more, but this is what the crowd I hung with watched a lot):

1. Princess Bride
2. Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure

A couple of the youth then looked at me and asked "What is Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure?" I about fell out of my chair. I couldn't believe they had never heard of it...even my children have watched it! I guess that is because I am their mother and I feel that it is a classic - corny/cheesy, but classic.

So here I am 33 - not old by certain people and ancient by others. I guess I will take it...I kind of like being in "limbo" when it comes to my age. I am thankful that God has given me another year to do His work, spend time with my kids and husband, my extended family and friends. Thank you God for being faithful to me even though I haven't always been as faithful to you!

Know and Tell Friday

I can't seem to get the graphics to work, but here is the link and information.

Here is today's "Know & Tell Friday" on ToKnowHimJesus. This is a great way to get to know a little more about me and a great way for you to tell me a little more about you.

Question 1
Do you color your hair (give me some background info on this one)? Yes! Unfortunately the genetics in my family run gray - both grandmothers fully gray in their 20's, Dad had gray in teens. I did not want to color my hair, but when you 20 something and you start having more gray than color, you start coloring. I typically go dark brown with red undertones. I would love to do high lite/low lites, but haven't found anyone I trust to do something like that.
Question 2
What is one thing that you do with your family (or by yourself) to celebrate Easter? We really don't have a set of traditions. We do some Easter basket or Easter gift for the girls. We all go to church and do something different for lunch - salmon, etc. We use to celebrate with family when they were closer, but we are so far away now (cross country) that it is just a phone call.
Question 3
How old was your oldest living relative (still living or in the past)? I think it was my grandmother - in her 80's. I know I have some great aunts and uncles who are still alive, but I have no idea how old they are.
Question 4
What is one thing that can be a "time waster" to you? Sadly....TV. I am a tv-holic. That is my relaxation. I can tune everything else out and just veg. Unfortunately, it is just that - unplugged from everything else in the world.
Question 5
Most annoying bug? Misquitos - They are big and nasty here! My husband must have "sweet" blood because if there is a misquito around, they will find him.
Bonus Questions
Question 6
What does Easter mean to you? That my savior loves me so much He died for me! But the awesome thing is He is not still dead and in some grave - He is alive! He is not still in that tomb where we would go visit as a memorial, I can have a personal relationship with him (and I do!) That is the most awesome thing to me - that God cared enough to die for me and is risen and wants to have a personal relationship with me. It can't get better than that!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG!

The tree in front of my office

Happy 1st day of Spring!

I cannot tell you how happy I am to see the flowers on the trees and in the ground! I love spring! Actually I love flowers, so spring is just a natural favorite time of year for me. Sometimes the season doesn't love me = Allergies. I suffer through it though because it is beautiful when everything is in bloom.

By the time spring has sprung, I am so over all the trees being bare and the gray that seems to be around during the winter. Thank goodness I don't live up North or in the Midwest (sorry if you do) because I couldn't handle all that snow, gray and cold.

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy 1st day of Spring!

Thankful Thursday

I find this almost amusing this week as this has been my heart for the past two weeks. Sunday night, our pastor let his wife and the two elders wives run the Palm Sunday service. We were passionate about a few things we wanted to do for the service: Learning the names of God and having a heart of worship and thanksgiving.

We had testimonies, worship, dance and then I got up to lead a time of thanksgiving. I started off with this scripture:
Psalm 9:1-2
"I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High."

We are a small church and have so much going on to be thankful for. But not only as a church but as individuals. In this week of Easter, we have so much to be thankful for. Jesus gave himself for us. THAT IS HUGE...HUGE! If you have nothing else to thank Him for...that is enough.

What I am thankful for this week:

My husband was transferred to a job closer to our church and where we want to move

Our friends are fully employed after 9 months without jobs

My father in law found a home that is within his budget and will be moving out on the 24th

My children are healthy and doing well in school

The lines of communication at home are doing better - we are all willing to talk and listen to each other

My Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Who Provides)is providing things that we could never even have thought of

My Jehovah Shalom (The Lord our Peace) has made this week the best week ever!

I could honestly go on and on! I have been reminded through these last few weeks of studying and "practicing" that we need to praise God for everything. We are a blessed people and we have a lot to be thankful for! We all have times where we are in a storm and can't seem to find something to be grateful or thankful for but that is when we need to thank Him the most. It is the little things - a beautiful sunrise/sunset, a child's laughter, tears, flowers, clouds - these are all His creations.

He is worthy to be praised!

March Madness

March madness in our house is not about basketball - it is about birthdays!

March is the busiest month next to May for celebrations in our family.

March 8 is my nephew's, March 9th is his dad (BIL), March 10th is my other BIL, March 13th is my SIL and March 25th is mine. This does not include extended family that we no longer "officially" celebrate. This on top of Easter this year has been insane!

I know there are others out there with similar months to ours. I love them all so I don't want anyone to think it is a burden or an issue, but wow...those birthdays came hard and fast this year.

Anyway....HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL MY MARCH FAMILY MEMBERS! WE LOVE YOU ALL AND WISH WE COULD BE THERE TO CELEBRATE WITH YOU.

Have you joined the party yet?

If you have not joined the Ultimate Blog Party hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom, GO JOIN! You can view my introduction/party post below.

It is so much fun meeting new people, getting ideas and there are prizes!!! There are a ton of prizes to be won at the Ultimate Blog Party, my top picks so far are:

#7 - Bead Dangle Photo Tile Necklace Provided by: Elemental Memories
#24 - Blog Design provided by: Sweet 'n Simple Design
#45 - Custom Blog Design provided by: Summer
#67 - Blog Makeover provided by: Shauna

I also like #'s - 3, 29, 39, 56, 59, 78, 79, 91, 98, 113
Can you see a theme for my top prizes? Trust me I know my blog needs help in the design factor.

Go check it out. There is so much going on!

Know & Tell Friday (well better late than never)

Through the Ultimate Blog Party, I found this great Friday "Know & Tell Friday" on ToKnowHimJesus. This is a great way to get to know a little more about me and a great way for you to tell me a little more about you.

Question 1
I have been blogging for a year this month, so my question is what made you start your blog?
I started blogging last fall (Oct/Nov 2007). I started blogging because I helped my pastor start a blog for our church. He wanted a way to pose questions and have people talk back to him. He was going to do it on myspace but I thought he would get more traffic and the ability to pose more indepth thoughts on a blog. (www.adventurelifechurch.blogspot.com)I have also been interested in international adoption for years and have followed many families on their blog journeys to their children. Blogging seemed like such an amazing way to connect with people.
Question 2
Do you speak another language? If so, why or how did you learn it? You think I would with how much Spanish I have taken. I took two years in Jr. High and 3 semesters in college. Growing up in San Diego, I should have gleened some insight. I understand Spanish but I cannot speak it to save my life.
Question 3
Morning person, or night owl (or somewhere in between)? I like to think I am a night owl...I typically go to bed at 11 pm and get up at 6 am (for work). However, when I hang out with the youth group at church, I find that I am neither a night owl nor a morning person. I guess I would have to say somewhere in between.
Question 4
Do you exercise on a regular basis? Ha Ha. That would be a no. I really want to for my health and to lose weight. I am no where close to the weight I was when I got married. I am really trying to make that my goal this year. I am planning on training for the 3-day Breast Cancer walk but I am not sure if I am going to participate due to the timing of the event. But at least I can train.

Bonus Questions
Question 5
If money were not an object what is one thing you would like to do for another person? My husband and I talk about this all the time. We would buy his mom a house of her own. She has lived in an apartment since I met her 15 years ago. She misses living in a home of her own. If we could we would pay off my parents house too.
Question 6
What is one of your favorite attributes of our Lord God? He is faithful. When others let us down around us or even if we let ourselves down, He is the same yesterday, today and forever! I know that anything I am going through, He is going to be faithful to do _______.
Question 7
Have you ever thought about adoption or foster care? YES! As I said in question #1, I follow many blogs about Chinese adoption. It is just facinating to me. I cry with them, I laugh with them, it is just an awesome experience to say the least. I think if we had made the decision earlier, we probably would have adopted when the girls were smaller. But now, it just doesn't seem like the right time. My husband says no more kids. It doesn't mean I can financially support some. My husband & I are big supporters of Royal Family Kids Camp (www.rfkc.org) which send children in the foster care system to a week at camp. Not just any camp, but a Christ filled, loving, life-changing camp. I love this ministry with my whole heart!

THE ULTIMATE BLOG PARTY - Mar 7-14th

It's time to party! I am joining the Ultimate Blog Party. It's a one week event to get your blog noticed and meet some new people.

For those of you who have found my blog via Mr. Blinky and the Party Blog, let me take a quick moment to introduce myself.

My name is Trish. I am a thirty something mom of two almost teens, wife to an amazing man who is my best friend and I work full-time outside of the home.


This blog was set up originally to help keep family and friends "back home" up to date with our lives. We moved from CA to NC 4 years ago and all of our family is still in CA. We called the blog "Our Adventurous Life" not because we are daredevils by any means, we just think of life with our Heavenly Father a huge adventure!

Thanks for checking out this blog. I will post more "cool" party things when I get the time!