Thursday, May 29, 2008

Lost 3 Hour Season Finale Tonight

Yesterday was a beautiful day! After I got home from work Kathleen and I went for a nice bike ride and then played some bean bags in the backyard for a while. In the evening I got some freelance work done and wrapped up my day by having a nice chat with Dan on the phone.

Nothing too special about work today. Got pretty much all my work done at church, now I'm just filling my time with random projects to try and get ahead. I'm also working on stuff for the Spaghetti Dinner... so I'm keeping busy. I'll have more freelance work to do when I get home.

Tonight I am excited about watching 3 hours of LOST! If you're not into LOST you're totally missing out! Hopefully tonight we'll get some answers and a few clues as to what next season is all about. Each season tends to have a different sort of "theme." This season was all about how the Oceanic 6 get off the island. Wild!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Memorial Day Weekend Activities

This weekend sure felt long! Dan got out of work early on Friday, so I got to spend a little extra time with him at the start of the holiday weekend. Saturday morning Dan and I took advange of the $5 movie deal (any movie before noon) and went to see Prince Caspian. Totally worth it! While this movie didn't match up with book quite as smoothly as the first, it was still very well done. Later that day, Dan and I walked over to Irish Fest being held at Gaelic Park. There we met up with Sean along with his sister and brother. Nora was volunteering, so we stopped in to visit her from time to time. Oh man, you know it's summer when you're eatting carnival food! Dan and I chowed down on roasted corn, cheese fries, and the always popular funnel cake! Kathleen drove home on Sunday. It's great to have her home! We cooked out on Sunday and then Kathleen, Dan, and I went for a bike ride to McDonald's for ice cream cones. Monday was a very laid back day. Not much happened, but it was a nice relaxing day. We played some bean bags in the backyard and took a trip to Culver's for some ice cream.

The spaghetti dinner is rapidly approaching! Please be in prayer for the following: weather, food, volunteers, the program, safety, Phantom Ranch, set-up, health inspection, praise band, our special guest Rocket, and the students who will be given an opportunity to attend Phantom Ranch thanks to this memorial scholarship! God is at work and we are all doing our best to do our part.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Rocket

I cannot express to you how excited we are for this year's Something from Jessie Spaghetti Dinner! A lot of planning goes into this event each year and this year is no exception. After we sent out support letters we started to get replies a couple of days later! We spend the whole year planning and praying that God will give us the money we need to send the students that He wants to attend Phantom Ranch this summer. Each year He amazes us by multiplying gifts beyond our wildest dreams! Keep on praying for this fundraiser, this is all for God's glory!

This year I am pleased to announce that Rocket from American Gladiator will be our special guest at the Something from Jessie Spaghetti Dinner on Friday, June 6th! Last season on American Gladiator he won the for the men's division and has returned this season as an all new Gladiator known as Rocket! So be sure to bring your camera! Rocket [Evan] is a former camper and staff member at Phantom Ranch, the very same camp Jessie was a camper and staff member at. Friends and Family, I invite you to come on out and get to know one of the newest Gladiators as we celebrate the goodness of God and the ministry He has blessed.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Kaylin and Reece's Wedding

Sunday, May 18th Dan and I went to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin to whitness the marriage of Kaylin and Reece. I've known Kaylin since we were both on staff at Phantom Ranch, back in 1999. It was a beautiful cemermony! The bride was absolutely gorgeous and the groom was so handsom! They make a lovely couple! Anyway... onto the reception. The Reception was at the Riviera right on the lake. It was gorgeous! The whole place was very well decorated... there was live music, great food, a delicious, well-decorated cake, and fun party favors! I got to spend some quality time with some camp friends while we were there. Sarah, Rose, and Windy (along with hubby and daughter) were in attendance. I took a ton of pictures, so if you'd like to see more you can view them on my Facebook profile. I didn't post all of my pictures but you can see a lot of the best ones!

Rose, Sarah, Me, Dan at the Reception

Friday, May 16, 2008

Good Day, Sunshine

Today is a bright and beautiful day! I went for a nice bike ride this afternoon. It is a nice time for me to clear my head and organize my thoughts. Today I thought about one thing: Jessie. Well, I thought about the dinner and about the book I have started... both in memory of Jessie. Although, at times my mind would drift and all I'd be thinking about were the trees, flowers, and wild animals along my bike trail.

This weekend we have the Mother-Daughter luncheon at church. My mom and I are planning on attending. I haven't gone to one of these luncheons in a long time. I wonder if they're still the same. On Sunday my friend Kaylin is getting married! Dan and I are attending, along with our friend, Sarah. I haven't gone to as many weddings as I did last year, but as always I try to attend as many as possible to support my beloved friends!

Dan is at work right now. He'll be by after he hits the gym. This evening we're going to the mall to do some needed shopping. I plan on stopping by the Apple store so I can ask some final questions before I purchase my new computer.

I am excited to see some positive responses from my Facebook Something from Jessie Event. Facebook users, be sure to check it out and invite your friends! This event is open to the public and we would love to have you join us!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Something from Jessie

I am very excited to announce that on Friday, June 6th at Parker Road Bible Church we will be hosting our annual Something from Jessie Spaghetti Dinner. This event will help raise money to send inner city students to Phantom Ranch Bible Camp in Mukwonago, Wisconsin. There will be a spaghetti dinner, lots of desserts, live praise and worship, a Moonwalk for the little ones, and more! Come one, come all and help send a hopeful student to Phantom Ranch Bible Camp for a summer they will change their lives forever! Last year on Jessie's birthday (August 3rd) I took a trip up to camp during Phantom Ranch's Urban Camp week with Jessie's mom (Melanie) and aunt (Patty). It was a blessing to show them how much of an impact Phantom Ranch has on these students. It was a wonderful way to spend Jessie's birthday!
If you are unable to attend but wish to make a contribution please contact me and I will see to it that your donation reaches the event cordinator, Patty Westergren (Jessie's aunt). Please be in prayer for this event as support letters are being mailed out and many details are still being finalized.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Back to Normal

I'm no doctor, but I'm pretty sure that it was the Vitamin K that was making my skin so irritated. I haven't been taking my Vitamin K supplements for almost a week and I feel so much better! It already feels like forever since I've had a bad itch attack! Praise God! Special thanks to Dan... he was the one who "diagnosed" me.

I actually left work on time yesterday. I've had so much on my plate the last couple of weeks I've been putting in a lot of extra hours. No matter... I got a lot done for the church and that's what really matters.

Yesterday afternoon I went for a bike ride to the post office to send a little package. It was a good idea... a nice to way to save gas and to get some exercise. Too bad it was really windy. The whole way there I was fighting against the wind, but the way home was rather pleasant. I've been slacking as far as my diet goes, so I could use a challenge.

Last night I met up with Dan so that I could give him his GRE book. He had it delivered to my house and it finally arrived on Monday. He takes the GRE next week, Wednesday. Pray for him!