Catching up...

So I recognize it has been a couple weeks since I've posted any stories so I will try to give a brief random overview.

Moving... I have successfully relocated and LOVE my new place. It is quite amazing and we are blessed to live here. One of its best qualities is it is quite so I have been sleeping a whole lot better. We are down to our last dozen or so boxes so there is light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to being settled in.

Living room before furniture.

Backyard.

Walk for Grain... Last Sunday our church family did a 5K walk to raise money for families in Burkina Faso, Africa. I don't have the total number raised at this point but am very thankful to the family, friends, co-workers, and my employer for the generous donations.

Friends hanging out before the walk.

Angels v. Dodgers... Today I got to enjoy the Angles / Dodgers game from right behind 3rd base. Awesome seats, great friends, and though it came down the the last pitches of the last inning the Angels were able to pull off the win.

Hans, Amy, Chanda, and Mark (Three Dodgers and an Angel)

Beach Cruisin'

Though I didn't get to spend Father's Day with my dad (which would have been ideal), Southern CA did offer me quite a lovely day. My friend Esther and I jumped on beach cruisers and biked down along the water. It was the kind of day that made me thankful for the wonderful city I get to live in. I did discover though that taking pictures while biking can be hazardous. After almost hitting the pavement a few times and taking Esther and her bike with me I decided to put the camera away and avoid the road burn. I will work on my biking-camera skills for future posts. :)

Cruising down the street (and yes, I do have a shirt on even though it doesn't show up here).

Esther rockin' it on her bike, Friday.

The last picture that snapped before the near face plant on the bike path.

Walk for Grain

In two weeks I will be participating in a 5K walk to raise money for a program called Walk for Grain. My church partners with families in Burkina Faso, Africa and this year the community of subsistence farmers faced the worst crop failure in decades. So, along with many friends and families from my church we will be strapping on our tennis shoes and raising funds to buy grain for families facing famine. A $26 bag of grain will feed a family of 5 for one month. If you are interested in more information and / or would like to support this cause please visit the web site:

http://www.walkforgrain.org/

For me, I have a special place in my heart for Africa since my travels to Malawi years ago. Though I haven't visited Burkina Faso myself I know the importance of crops for those who farm merely to feed their families, like many of the women and children I met. Personally, I too often forget how blessed I am to have food each day, and not only that but a variety of food available. The thought of depending on the crops I farm for survival and then having those crops fail, leaving me with nothing is something I have a hard time wrapping my head around. It is a true reminder though to be thankful for the blessings in abundance that I too commonly take for granted each day.

Movin' on...

The rumors are true. In just under 3 weeks my roommate and I will be loading up our possessions into a moving van and waving goodbye to our current residence (big sigh of relief if you have ever heard the stories of our obnoxious neighbors). We found a place that is adorable and only 2 blocks from the beach. We are counting down the days and knowing what lies ahead makes packing a little less horrendous. So, for now my life is full of boxes, packaging tape, and the bliss of counting down the days until we can call our new place home.