Summertime and the livin' is easy

So I realized I hadn't posted any pictures from our many trips this summer. Here's a quick synopsis...

In June we went to Wisconsin to visit my Grandma Morgan who is turning 90 this September! It was really good to see her! We hadn't seen her since our wedding, 2.5 years ago-it was long over due.

Port Washington


Me and Grandma


Picture on the cliff


After spending a few days at Grandma's, we drove up to Eau Claire/Chippewa Falls to see Matt, Patrick's brother get married. It was a SMALL town. In fact, at Valerie's bachelorette party (in Chippewa Falls), one of her cousins said, "Oh! I would never move to Eau Claire!" I said, "Why? What's wrong with Eau Claire?" She said, "It's too big!" I think the pause from me showed her I could not comprehend what she had just said. Too big. Hmmm, ok.

It was great to see the Jones clan again, even though not everyone could make it. I've always appreciated these extended family get togethers on both sides. I guess because I realize how blessed we are to have two amazing families. From what I've heard, not everyone can say the same. It sort of makes me wonder what I will feel like when I'm in our parents' shoes; seeing all of my children get married and adding on to the family. Must be bittersweet, emphasis on the sweet :)

Here are some wedding pictures...

The happy couple


Jones Family


Handsome groomsman


Siblings


I think Colby took this picture


The now larger Jones family


The reception after some apple pie, or apple cider, I can't remember what it was called :o)


The weekend after we got back from Wisconsin we went up to Christopher Creek for Fathers Day with my family. This was our first time to Christopher Creek and it was gorgeous! We went kayaking, hiking, and spent some quality family time.

Going kayaking


Kayaking is my new favorite sport. I went out for hours by myself! It was a blast! (And got the worst sunburn I've ever had)


Lovebirds


Simply gorgeous


Happy Father's Day Dad


After two trips we were spent (physically and financially :o) and took it easy for a couple of weeks. Then we couldn't stand the heat anymore and decided to head out to California for the 4th of July. The weather was absolutely incredible. The high was never more than 80 and the low was in the 50s! I was actually a little chilly because who from AZ would think to pack a sweater in July?! A wonderful time was had by all.

Wine tasting in Temecula with Amy and Dave


Took the dogs to the dog beach (although we didn't take pictures there. This is at Newport-it was CRAZY on the 4th!)


And of course fireworks


It's been a great summer, I'm sad to see it go. But things are looking bright for the future. Patrick continues to move his way up through Wells Fargo, and I'm teaching one choir at Phoenix Christian HS, and volunteering (for now) at Streetlight. PLUS! Patrick's friend Eric is getting married in a couple of weeks. More weddings coming soon!

I have one thing to say...


Shower hair clog-0 Andrea-1

Streetlight Update-It's All About Attitude to Change Your Way of Thinking...

I was instructed by a friend ::ahem...Rachel...:: to give an update on Streetlight and what all is happening with that venture. Here goes (for you Rachel, and for all other blog readers :o)

This summer I started volunteering with whatever Streetlight needed. So far I've done paperwork, organizing and some financial planning. Financial planning? What do you mean Andrea? I'll explain. Streetlight is set up on the model that pays only a very small group of head staff members and the rest either volunteer or are community supported. Community supported staff are just what they sound like: people who work and are supported by the community. Right now there is not yet a system set up for those who need to raise funds (aka fundraising...but I'm going to stay away from that word because of the negative connotation). I'm putting together a very rough draft of a system that could be used for community supported staff. It sounds easy, but is very thought provoking and time intensive. First of all, being a faith based organization, biblical reference must be the basis for the system. In other words, everything we do needs to come back to the idea that its what God says about finances, not because we think it's a good idea. (Like our ideas could be better thought out than God's anyway!) Secondly, attitude is a huge factor in finding donors. I could write for days on what I just learned from these DVDs I watched about donors that contribute to non-profits. The basis is this: you're not paying me, you're giving what God has given you through me so that I can work for the cause we both believe in. In the interest of time I'll give a short example. So let's say you work for a homeless organization, and you talk to someone who is really catching the vision of this organization. They feel a burden on their heart to give to this cause. They're giving to a specific person so that person can do the work for this organization. But it's a partnership, it's not give me your money and pray for me. Instead it's a specific person who is called to that specific field, and another who contributes to it, but both share together in the growth, need and happenings of the organization. It's a huge shift of thinking for me personally in a great direction. No more Little Rascals, "People! We need your money!" God will provide for you abundantly, and use people in the process. But he's really interested in relationship. And this partnership makes way more sense than what's been done in the past. Please don't misunderstand, I did the very same thing before my attitude was changed. I just didn't see any other way.

But wait, here's the best part! Before I thought, "here is my ministry...I'm going to help people A." Now my thought process is, "here is my ministry...I'm going to help people A, AND people that have partnered with me are going to be apart of this as well, AND lived a transformed life through giving!" I know, I'll give you some time to let it sink in. So really all people are benefiting from the interaction that's going on. Remarkable idea God, I couldn't have thought of it better myself :o)

Can you tell I'm excited about this!?! So that's what I've been doing lately regarding Streetlight. My next item of business is to put my creative awareness ideas to work.

I cannot find words to describe the joy I feel in my own growth through this transformation. I have left the norm (my norm) and I'm gearing up to work in the unknown, the darkness, the brokenness. This is what I was called to. Praise God that he shines the brightest light in the darkness! I have already had moments of panic, moments of fear, and it's not to say everything is roses-but I hold on to a God that never fails. If eternal joy could be in a single person, it is in me. I guess it was always there, I just needed to let it go and let God.


Check these websites to find out more about the growing problem of child sex-slavery here in Phoenix.