2010 has come to an end

And I rejoice in that. On to bigger and better things in 2011!!!

Looking out for me

I hung out with my bff tonight. She's the best. She knows the desires of my heart so well and has taken them on herself as her own desires as well. I rejoice in having a best friend who really is always looking out for me.

Love Tank

I had lunch with some of my old coworkers, who are also great friends, today. It was a super fun time of catching up, laughing, and eating. I rejoice in spur of the moment plans to get together with people you love dearly, but don't get to see very often anymore. I left the restaurant feeling like my love tank was very full :)

Baby Sitter

I hung out with my lil girl Ava today. Man my best friend is blessed. She is seriously so adorable. I rejoice in the fact that I have such a cute kid in my life and that I get the chance to spend time with her so much. She definitely gives me my baby fix :)

Uncles

Both my uncles on my mom's side, her brothers, are here visiting from out of town. Today was a fun day hanging out with them and mom, dad, gram, and sisters. We went to the beach and arrived just in time to see the sunset. We ate dinner at Five Guys, a place I've been wanting to try for awhile. We played an array of board games. And most importantly, we laughed a lot:) I rejoice in having extended family members who I enjoy spending time with.

A Savior Was Born

And today we celebrated that. What better thing could I rejoice in???

Traditions

My fam spent the evening at my Aunt's house. Something we've done every year I can remember. I love seeing my cousin's kids. Such cuties. We ended the night at home by doing "Christmas Twirl". I rejoice in being part of a family that has lots of amazing traditions.

High School Volunteers Christmas Party!

Tonight all the high school volunteers from church were blessed with a yummy meal, a nice gift, some amazing bon bons, and great fellowship. I rejoice in the opportunity to serve with great people AND the blessing of being fed, given gifts, and shown appreciation for something I love doing!

Missionary Friend

I had lunch with my friend Nancy, who is a missionary in Guatemala, today. So good to hang out and catch up and hear about how God is working in her life and also share the same for myself. I rejoice in the chance to spend time with someone who we both are able to be real and honest with each other, even about the hard things.

Baby sis...no longer a baby

Tonight we celebrated my baby sister's  21st birthday (even though it was a couple days ago) with a few good friends. I rejoice in having a sister who is one of my best friends. I rejoice in the way God is working in her life. I rejoice in the way she makes me and all those around her laugh on a regular basis. I rejoice in the fact that the 8 year difference between us is almost never noticeable, especially now that she is officially an adult:)

A Good Tired

I'm exhausted. And it's because I've worked full shifts the last 2 days at work. Something I have gotten out of being used to. So tonight I rejoice in work hours and the income that goes along with them.

Living Nativity Guests

Three of my friends came to the Living Nativity performance tonight. One of them I've been inviting for years. I rejoice in persistancy and patience. And the Lord working...

The Show Must Go On

It's Living Nativity weekend at my church. What is Living Nativity you may ask? Well it's only one of the coolest presentations of the Christmas story that I've ever seen. But, it's supposed to be outside. And it's been pouring down rain for the past two days. So, we've moved inside. Not quite as cool, but still an awesome and humbling show. Tonight I rejoice in the fact that I am blessed to be a part of a church that is flexible...and willing to do what it takes to make things happen...and who comes together in order that we can be a blessing to our community.

Last Night

Tonight I rejoice in the completion of yet another class. I'm getting so close to the end...

Free Books

So my new roomie told me about this cool new website and last night I signed up for it. Today I've had 4 of the books I posted on it already requested. I rejoice in the fact that I'm going to get 4 new books to read. For free!

"Hi Robyn!"

Just watch the first few seconds of this video and you'll know what was the best part of my day. And I'm sure you can guess what I rejoice in and why:)

Burnt Mole

My friends oliver and laura are great. I am so thankful for them and their amazing friendship. Tonight I rejoice in last minute dinner plans and the chance to laugh at the silliest of things. And for them always welcoming me into their home and feeding me yummy food. I especially enjoyed Oliver's egg nog creation topped with "burnt moles" aka torched marshmallows. He comes up with the greatest stuff...

Christmasy Things

I didn't blog yesterday:( But, it was a good day with lots of things worth rejoicing in. Like going to a friend's fun work Christmas party. And seeing good friends from my old job.

This morning was a great day of learning, serving, and worship, including the singing of this song, that literally moved me to tears. I rejoice in the chance for community and corporate worship.

After church I had a fun Christmas celebration lunch with my young adults small group peeps at this yummy restaurant.  I rejoice in good food and great people.

I ended the day with an amazing Christmas concert put on by all the Cal Baptist choirs, featuring my personal favorite, my Rach. I rejoice in good music and the chance to reflect on my Savior's birth.

Today was a good day...

Pajama Bama Rama

Yes, that is a real name. Ha ha:) It was an event we had at church tonight, where the parents could drop off their kids for 5 whole hours and get some Christmas shopping done or whatever else. And the best part??? Everyone got to wear their pj's!!! I rejoice in a fun night with cute kiddos!

Easy

All my homework that was due in class and the quiz I took tonight were all really easy. I rejoice in a super easy day school wise.

Ugly Sweaters

Tonight was the youth group Christmas party. It was so much fun. I rejoice in the joy that comes from being together, ugly sweaters that makes us laugh, yummy treats, talented students, and most of all, the reason for the season.

 Our yummy spread, made mostly by the youth girls, which you can read about here

 A cute little cookie couple :)

 Amazing decor

 I have a weird look 'cause I was scared of the balloon that had just popped

Christmas Decor

Tonight I rejoice in the happiness that Christmas decorations bring me and the fact that I finally finished decorating my house today. Here's a sneak peek into some of my favorite parts...

The tree in the bright light

 and with it's lights(it's kind of blurry but I think it looks cool)

 I rejoice in and cherish this ugly ornament because I think it is one of the last things my grandma gave me when she was still healthy-minded

 I rejoice in that pretty garland because, I made it. That's not really normally my forte so, I'm pretty proud:)

 And, I rejoice in those super cute pillows. The two on the outside were made by Ashley . She made them for the boutique we had a church a couple weeks ago and I totally loved them. My mom bought them for me and surprised me with them :)

Veggie Chili

I really like my new roomie:) I rejoice in the fact that God brought her along at just the right time. And, bonus, I think she's a good cook...at least it appears that way from the taste of the veggie chili she mad today...

Baking

Today the youth girls had a baking day. We made lots of yummy goodies for our youth group Christmas party on Wednesday. And, more importantly, we had a great time! I rejoice in the bonding and fun to be had over a bit of sugar, flour, and butter (among other things).

Operation Christmas Child

 This was by far the best part of my day...

 There's just something about the joy that comes from serving other people. Operation Christmas Child is an amazing ministry that sends shoebox Christmas gifts to kids all over the world and shares the gospel message with them at the same time. Today I had the privilege of helping out in their processing center. I rejoice in the kind of tiredness that comes from a job well done. Because I am definitely that tired tonight:)

Cookies!

I love Thursdays every other week when I get to help out with t.o.t.s. at church. All those kiddos are so darn cute! Today we decorated Christmas cookies and it was really fun. I rejoice in the chance to spend fun time with such adorable kids.

Youth Group Fun

I love fun nights with the high school students at church. Tonight was one of those nights. I rejoice in a great night of youth group. And in a great post youth group leader meeting. So blessed to serve with an amazing group of people.