Lindsey, 1952

According to yearbookyourself.com, this is what I might have looked like in 1952.

Pretty weird, eh?

Maybe I'll start doing my hair that way...hmm...

Holy Smokes, it's been forever since I've been on my Xanga! 

What in the world have I been up to??  I've asked myself that more than a few times lately, simply because it's FALL and somehow it seems like summer was never even here. Crazy.  Here's a rundown, I guess, on what's been going on:

• Life is great
• We enjoyed a quick trip home in July. Family time = Good time
• I spent two weekends in Palm Springs. once with Student Ministries staff, once with a few couples, both with people I really enjoy
• I joined the Jewish Center and have been taking a few exercise classes. Nothing will motivate you to get in shape like getting out yoga-ed by a senior citizen. sheesh.
• Lucas has been working on a big project up in Burbank, CA (north LA).  He loves it, and sometimes comes home at the end of the day smelling like worksite (combination of sweat, sunscreen, and asphalt) with his hair all messed up from his hard hat. So cute. There's something nice about smelling like the work you did that day. Something authentic, anyway.  I wonder what I'd smell like? hmmm...maybe it's a good thing spreadsheets and crazy parent phonecalls don't have a smell.
• Trying to get informed for this coming election....you pumped for the upcoming debates??  Jen, you don't need to answer that, I know you are.  You probably have a little "Vote Republican" onesie for that baby all set and ready.

OH! But before I forget, let me mention that we know FOR SURE (barring any crazy, totally unforeseen event) where we'll be moving at the end of Luke's rotation!! Whoohoo!!

Allentown, Pennsylvania.

That's right.  Can you believe it??  I can't.  It's not really real for me at this point, because we won't actually move until May.  But you know, even when I think about it, I'm completely torn.  Half superexcited, half totally bummed.  I'm sure there'll be a lot of ups and downs, as far as that goes, between now and then...so in the meantime, I'm going to enjoy California as much as I possibly can.  This is home, and we've been so ridiculously blessed here.  There's just so much I'm going to miss. I told Luke earlier this year that I was "falling in love with California all over again".  I still am.

Want to see a picture of me running my first 5K??

Not very flattering, I know.....but at least it proves that I did it!  I managed to jog the whole thing, too, with the help of my dear friend and personal motivational speaker, Candice. Actually, light on the motivation and heavy on the lying would be more accurate.  I probably heard "Oh, this is definitely the last hill, all we have to do is make it to the top" about five times.  But I'm thankful for her now because it was a pretty big deal for me.  And it was fun. I mean, after I was done and realized that I wasn't going to die, it was really fun.

Things around here have been nice and quiet.  Luke is still enjoying his job, and now that the High School Mexico trip is over, I'm enjoying mine again too. 

Does it seem like everyone you know either has a baby or is pregnant??  Is it just me? 

Three weeks from now, I will be landlocked in sweet Indiana.  The homeland.  I had a bite of a Twinky last night (curtesy of Small Group snack time designed by my husband), and it so INSTANTLY made me think of my Grandpa Francis that it was unreal.  It's like that high fructose-licious little treat equals love to my subconscious.  How strange.  Can't wait to see him and everyone else I love so much.

What's going on with you??  Five bucks says you're pregnant....everyone else seems to be.

I thought my avid readers (hi mom), might be interested in seeing a video my boss made for Easter Services....

Just click on this link: 

http://www.marinerschurch.org/video/got-it-goin-on.html

***Warning***

Dancing seen in the fore mentioned video is neither a reflection of Mariners Church dancing standards in general, nor Student Ministries dancing standards in specific.

It's Good Friday, and I've got a nail in my pocket to prove that I attended a service....at a staff meeting this week, someone said "You can't fully celebrate Easter unless you take the time to observe Good Friday".  point taken. so before I enjoy Easter weekend with all of it's lilies and life and resurrection and pastels and baby bonnets, it was good for me to take a few moments to meditate on the cross. 

Speaking of meditation, has anyone read "Spirit of the Disciplines" by Dallas Willard??  If you have, Id love to hear what you think of it.  I'll give you my full review when I'm finished.

This weekend we are blessed to be joining our dear friends for their family's Easter dinner,  up in the Central Valley.  I love the Central Valley because it reminds me of home with all of it's vast, flat, farmland.  Also, it reminds me of Steinbeck, and for that I'm always greatful.  Needless to say, I'm looking forward to it. And i'm really looking forward to Luke's return tonight.  He was in Allentown all week, and had a great time, but he's ready to be home for a while.  Have I mentioned lately how much he's loving his job/company?? He is. It was worth the wait in more ways than one.

Time to go...all my love....