Back to the Sierras!

Last weekend before Jud started his job, we went camping in the Sierras with his family.

We went fishing in the creek next to our campsite. That was a first for me; I've only fished in lakes before.


Jud & I hiked half way around this lake to find the perfect little spot. We crossed a stream, snow, and lots of bushes. It was amazing, we could see the fish right below us in the clear water before we caught them.


We caught 5 fish total (Jud 3, Me 2) mostly rainbow trout, but also a couple brown trout


Here's Kellie, Caitlin, Riley (Jud's cousin) and Dennis (Riley's boyfriend) just outside the lake. Isn't the snow in the background beautiful!


We had beautiful weather the entire time except for the high winds during the night. It did drop down to 35 degrees the last night. I slept with 3 layers + my mittens and scarf all while sleeping in a severe weather sleeping bag. Let's just say they weren't the best nights of sleep but it sure was fun being in a tent again and hearing the roaring creek next to our campsite.


This is Karin & Bob's dog Mookie. She started to shiver from being cold, so we thought we'd help her out a little by giving her Kellie's hooded sweatshirt. Is that not the most hilarious thing?!

God Never Fails Us (even in the "lean" times)

So.....as many of you know, God has had Jud and I on this amazing journey for the past 6 months. We have been trusting God, waiting on God, praying earnestly for God to provide a job for Jud. At first, we saw it as a time for Jud to find the "perfect" job for himself. But, as time went on, we realized that we needed to leave this up to God solely and let Him choose for us. Our faith was strengthened when we saw God come through every time at the end of each month. We saw Him provide in ways we'll remember hopefully always. He never failed us!

Last week, Jud was called into a 2nd interview for a sales position at this business. And before we knew it...God had provided a job! (And in this economy, we were thankful for any job). But, God does not just settle for something, He chooses the best for our holiness and growth in becoming more Christ-like. There are so many amazing blessings about this job: it is not only a full-time permanent position, but it is owned by a wonderful family, the business has been rooted in Pasadena for over 30 years, it is only 3 miles from home (we feel so blessed to both now work in the same city we live in), and it provides the variety and people interaction that Jud was wired for by God. Jud's first day on the job was today and he loved it! There will be lots of intense training for the next 3 months learning all the details to the carpet and flooring the company sells, but Jud loves learning new things and is great with interacting with people. He has already clicked with Andre who's training him and they even made a few sales today already! I am so proud of Jud for persevering in these past 6 months, trusting in the Lord no matter what. We praise God for knowing what we need when we need it, for providing when we least expect it, and for giving us His best when we don't deserve it. We know this job was from the Lord. Please pray that we would continue to praise Him and thank Him, remembering His faithfulness toward us. May we live our lives and work at our jobs FOR HIM, and HIM ALONE. All glory be to God!

Family & Friends

With the busiest time of the school year done and 6 days officially until summer starts, Jud & I have had more time to see family and friends. Jenni came down from Berkeley after her finals and she got to go church with us, go to our favorite Pasadena hole-in-the-wall Mexican food restaurant, and then her and I laid out by the pool to talk about boys. That was really special. I don't ever get a few hours just to talk with my sis. I miss her a lot.


Last weekend we went over to Nick & Rachael's house for a BBQ and finally got to meet their new son, Caden, as well as Marc & Esther's new daughter, Avery. They were absolutely adorable. Abie & Aaron were also there and they was great fun getting to know them better as a married couple.