africa in a nutshell

how do i describe the last 2 weeks?

 

words that come to mind first are : difficult, rewarding + joyful.

 

difficult:

 

our team was full of champs! when we landed in amsterdam, we found out that the nairobi airport was on fire. so our flights were cancelled until further notice. due to this, we were unable to go to the ethiopian part of our trip. it was devastating + difficult to understand why this was happening? thank God for modern technology though because we were able to wire our ethiopian friends money to still do the kids camp, pastors workshop + all other events we had planned for them.

 

it was also difficult being in the same clothes for days at a time + in airports. but some how, we made it work (even though i'm sure we smelled!)!

 

rewarding:

 

our team was incredible to serve alongside. we bonded immediately + worked great together! it was so rewarding to the change that has taken place over the last 4-5 years of our team serving there! because of their efforts, 50 orphan boys are funded for school each year. the church + the church plants have grown! God is up to something huge in Kenya + it's rewarding to see a glimpse!

 

joyful:

 

while we were there, me + trav walked through some personal devastating news. we aren't ready to share, but we were in a lot of pain. reflecting on it, we were so thankful to be in a place where we were surrounded by so much joy!

 

i'm so thankful for the time we had there. kenya, fountain of life, our 50 boys, thank you. you are just what i needed. and thank you to everyone who supported us with finances + prayer. we felt covered the entire time we were there. so truly, thanks times a million.

 

here are some of my fav snaps of the week!

 

everytime we got on the bus, all the street kids would stand at the bottom + waive us off.

 

kids camp with the slum kids!

 

they get so creative with entertainment!

 

my favorite day! 50 orphan boys getting new clothes. the dressing room became a cat walk! lol

 

my sexy husband leading the older boys in a bible study.

 

5 years ago, we made these shirts as business partners. today, we wear them alongside two of our favorite african brothers!

 

hope you enjoyed.

 

xoxo

hello from Amsterdam!

when we landed in Amsterdam + headed to our connecting flight to find out the Nairobi airport had a crazy fire that burned majority of the airport. if we had traveled a day earlier, we would have been there during the fire. we are thankful for a God who goes before us + protects! so obviously they weren't flights landing in Nairobi so sweet delta has been so generous to us ( travel packs with xxl large white tees - trust me, I needed some clothes!). 

though it has been devastating to experience this + possibly not go to the Ethiopian part of our trip, we trust God had this planned for a reason. so we have learned to embrace His plan with joyful hearts. since we can't do anything about our circumstance - we might as well enjoy where we are + who we are with!

our team took a much needed trip into downtown Amsterdam since we are stranded! we toured, took pix + enjoyed buying some new clothes (we also don't have our luggage). 

I guess I only took one pix on my phone but here's where their union station is. beautiful architecture + buildings, canals for days and a crap load of bikes! I guess 750,000 people live here + there are 800,000 bikes! every where you look people are on them or have them parked in these awesome parking garages! everyone seems so fit! *side note : need to invest in Amsterdam bike! 

the plan is to hop a flight to Dubai + that will connect us to Nairobi! we head out this afternoon!

thanks for the prayers + kind words. we definitely feel them! love y'all + will keep you posted!

less than a month!

we're 28 days out my friends. 28 days until i hop on a plane to meet the kids who stole my travy's heart. 32 days until travy meets me there (he is coming out a little later due to work)! none the less, both of our hearts could burst we are so excited.

i remember when trav first got back from africa almost 3.5 years ago. he could not wait to tell me about each boy he met. he has a special connection with jonathan, one of the boys in the boys home in kenya. he ruined my husband (in the best possible way). 

they bonded the entire week trav was there. jonathan played with him all week but never talked. on the last day, as everyone said their goodbyes, jonathan started to talk to trav. through a translator, jonathan told him that the reason he didn't talk was because he didn't have a dad. 

  

"He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing." Deuteronomy 10:18

we are going for the fatherless, the widows, the least of these. 

please partner with us, in prayer + financial support as we pursue what God has put on our hearts! we are going to show the fatherless the Father's love. to pour into the next generation, serve the locals, create deep relationships, ultimately, show the love of Christ.

we  feel supported by prayers! please keep those coming :)

if you feel led, you can financially donate here:  http://www.charisrescue.com/#!donate/c21dx

we are still in need of about $5500! 

thank you so much for your words, encouraging cards, prayers + finances. it's funding the kingdom. we are stoked on what God is going to do.

we will keep you updated.

thank you. truly. we couldn't do this without you.

been2up.

harper's have :

 

been hangin @ ball games with this stud:

 

 

been getting these when we need a break from the heat:

 

 

been getting ready for this:

what are ya'll up to?!

hope you're enjoyin sweet summer time!

xoxo

a f r i c a

i remember being in college + the joke in our apartment was "you aren't a real Christian until you go to Africa." at the time, 5 out of 7 roomies had been to africa. me + whit were missing out!

 

whit + her husband went last year + they L O V E D it! so i was the only "non - christian" left out of the college roomies.

 

this summer, my friends, i'm becoming a Christian (joking) + heading to Africa with my sweet travy!

 

i could not be MORE stoked!

 

we will be going with a foundation called : the charis foundation.

 

travy went with them almost 4 years ago when we first started "talking/flirting/dating/flying to see each other". lol it's a place where his heart is + i cannot wait to share in this adventure with him!

 

 

{i mean please, what a BABE!}

 

the Lord is opening doors + we are walking through them! just wanted to ask you to partner with us in prayer! we will be in Kenya + Ethiopia from August 5th-17th. cover our team in areas of travel, ministry, strength, building relationships with churches, kids camps, church plants, etc!

 

i cannot wait to be used as a vessel during this trip. we are honored + humbled to serve such a good God!

 

thanks for your encouragement, love + support!

 

xoxo

phx: spring training

most of you might know, but in case you don't - it's spring training season baby! this means, that MLB teams from all around the country meet in arizona or florida for the month of march + train for the upcoming season!

 

since my husband was in college, him + all his best buds would go out for a weekend; enjoy some games, the sunshine + each other!

 

now that some are married/dating, the wives/girlfriends have been invited! it's my 4th spring training + can honestly say, one of my favorite weekends of the year!

 

here are my highlights:

 

 

{@ the angels/marineers game.}

 

traveling with good people is the best. these are all good people.

 

 

{dinner out @ salty sow in scottsdale: go!}

 

this man is not only my best friend + husband, but he is the funniest person i know. i love how he has made this a tradition that i get to be a part of!

 

 

1st annual man-lympics. they were 7 events, 10 dudes, 7 cheerleaders + a whole lot of fun!

 

 

some of the crew after whiffle ball! trav's team {team awesome} was down 0-3. however, they made a comeback + tied it during whiffle ball! the final event, they dominated in! nice work team awesome. special shout out to: danny {MVP}!

 

 

 we made a mean mexican meal! everyone was hands on in the kitchen. margaritas, guac, yummy rice, carne asade.

 

 

the losers of man-lympics. they had to wear sports bras to the game sunday for the first three innings. they made their pictures taken, rainbow snowcones ordered + i'm sure great tan lines!

 

the weekend was incredible. thanks to all who made it out + possible. can't wait for #STAZ2014 + the traditions that will live on!

 

happy spring! xoxo

vacation!

we bought tickets for CABO!

{source}

 

i'm SO excited! i've never been before + neither has trav. we were talking about it the other day with out friends, the marcus' + the guys decided to book the trip!

 

i've been looking up pix of the all inclusive (which i've never done all inclusive before) + i'm out of my mind stoked!

 

{source}

 

i'm ready for sunny beaches, poolside sparkling water, massages, tons of food + rest!

 

if you've been to cabo, or done all inclusive, send your recommendations this way.

 

may can't come soon enough!

 

have a great week ya'll!

xoxo

ny resolution 1: spontaneous trips

i was sitting at work, dreaming of traveling {which i do often - i'm not the only one right?!}. then i decide, i'm going to book tickets to see our friends in redding!

{source}

within 30 minutes, tickets booked, confirmations made, spontaneous trips to be had!

hope ya'll are still crossing things off your new years resolutions lists! always a work in progress, but let's be real - it's only january 10th! we can't be slacking yet :)

hope 2013 has been good so far!

can't wait to share some new exciting news for ya'll! big things happening!

xo

christmas vacation: vegas/brian head style.

Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year (welcome to the club right?!). the birth of Jesus. being with family. eating incredible meals around the table. laughing. opening gifts. drinking hot toddy's (oppps!), i meant hot coco's ;).

we were able to take a couple extra days off and head up to vegas early. here is a little re-cap of an incredible time in vegas + utah! (warning: there are a lot of pix!)

 runnin' rebels game (trav's first one!)

a thompson baby sandwich. little london + jet jet. two loves of my life. (neice+nephew)

utah time! snow mobilin' with my babe!

some cuddle time by fire place! loved every minute with the thompson's!

back in vegas! got our hot coco + bailey's and hit the water show. (this is one of mine+trav's favorite spots ever. he asked me to be his gf at olives - a restaurant that overlooks the water show {insert awwwww :) } ).

bellagio has the most beautiful Christmas decor.

my mom's first experience at bass pro shops (an outdoorsman's paradise)! it's one for the books! proud of you mama g. you handled that store + showed it whose boss!

now it's christmas morning! london got a bike! watch out world!

jet is just happy to be a michigan fan! he loved eating the wrapping paper too :)

thompson's christmas tree! with smash's beautiful frames!

christmas dinner with our family, the sacca's! could eat every meal in this gorgeous home!

game night! this got a little heated between some couples (who will remain annoymous), but was a wonderful way to wrap up the weekend!

as you can tell, it was a full week, with no dull moments! from basketball games, to snow, to hot dates, to quality family time, to shopping, to games, to presents, to family! one of my favorite christmas' yet!

hope ya'll enjoyed your time this Christmas.

xoxo 

celebrating!

life is so full + rich. sometimes it nice to take a moment + soak all of that in, especially when celebrating life.

i've been celebrating trav for the last week and a half and it has been FUN! the week leading up to his birthday, i got him {small + useful} birthday gifts everyday. examples: golf balls, stuff for fishing, surprise starbucks at work, etc.

i decorated the house the morning of and had a healthy start to the day with a donut run for birthday breakfast.

unfortunately, we weren't able to meet up for lunch, but we continued the celebration for dinner! we ate at this yummy spot in pasadena called il fornaio. {most handsome 27 year old!)

i loved having the night with him. we ate good food and i was able to tell him some things the Lord shared with me that he was going to do in his 27th year of life. that was special. and that yummy looking dessert was icing on the cake!

then we went shopping and got some cute new birthday clothes.

we didn't stop the celebrating after the actual day... we continued it for a weekend in palm springs. we were surrounded by some great friends, bomb food, and a beautiful location!

i planned a surprise birthday dinner after the guys golfed 36 holes on saturday! thanks to the help of the wonderful ladies there, we set up a great party!

our yummy spread: steaks, grilled corn, garlic mashed potatoes + mac+cheese.

for dessert: funfetti cupcakes + cigars for the fellas.

my spontaneous "photobooth" {this pic ended up being the only pic taken there that night!}

serious guy time - bonding over cigars.

thankful for this great weekend. celebrating, relaxing, rejuvenating, and lots of eating!

xo

story time sunday: wedding.

4 years out of college, spread all over the country, in different places in life, but still have the same bond. my college roommates are some of my best friends.

we were blessed to be able to spend a long weekend together to celebrate our sweet friend crissa's wedding.

just imagine, girls trip (we mostly left the hubbies at home), six of us sleeping in the same room (we couldn't leave each other's sides!), crying tears of joy, having heart to hearts, cooking, decorating, exploring, but mostly laughing and making memories that will last a life time!

it was a beautiful wedding and crissa made a stunning bride! tim- you are a blessed man (but i know you know that!). it was a joy to be apart of it.

here are some of my fav pix from the perfect chelan weekend!

xo

nash.ville.

what a perfect weekend with my best, candice. we had a wonderful time, enjoying the fall weather, laughing. a lot!, having some serious heart talk (so good for the soul), eating amazing food, hanging with her new man, and meeting all the wonderful people nashville is full of! here's a glimpse into the goodness:

(climbing in trees, ginger beer 3 hour heart to heart lunch, farmers market, cute franklin)

(cutest BFF bracelets)

cnadice danielle: love you. thank you for some more amazing memories.

xo

(cross #6 off the bucket list!)

st. diego!

(finally) posting san diego trip pictures! we had a fun long weekend! i'm so thankful these two cuties get the beach house every year for the family to be reunited at!

(papa&nana)

(all the cousins- in birth order!)

we have a blast hanging on the porch, watching everyone on the boardwalk, listening to music, eating some good food, playing games, sand volleyball, long bike rides, sara's tacos and catching up with some sweet friends.

(congrats to ash&matt on engagement!)

(my future nephew- tristan! he's gonna marry london!thanks anya and angelo for hangin with us. we so enjoyed being with you! xo)

(my best friend-whit and her hubby! they spent all day saturday with us and we could not have had more fun! thanks for coming down mittman's! we LOVE you!

(eating chips&salsa all day- everyday there.)

any of you beach it up this summer?! tell me about it!

xo