So tonight...I just felt like going "hot tubbing", so I went over to our club house area and jumped in. It was only me around...so peaceful! Clear sky, a little chilly in the air, and smoke rose from the hot tub when I turned on the bubbles. How relaxing!

This is our pool...way too cold right now!!

The hot tub, however, is still hot :) Although, it could have been hotter tonight if I had my way!

Looks welcoming doesn't it?

There were only a few things missing.....all of you guys!!!!!!!

Empanada Man a couple of minutes from my apartment....went back here tonight for some more empanadas. They are just sooo good!

oh mondays...

Today has actually been an excellent Monday. Even though I could not sleep last night...mind's going 100 miles per hour...still trying to figure my life out, but only God knows my future, so I just need to stop! HELP!! :)

Started at 7:30 this morning, which means I'll be getting off at 4 today. How great! Finished the tax return for 2008...whew...gonna get the 2009 done too!! Catching up on life is nice. I didn't realize how far behind I was...or rather, I knew how far behind I was on everything, but didn't know quite how it was affecting me and how it was simply robbing my joy.

Arnhild might come and visit me in Nov or Dec. That will be so great!

Can't wait to go to Minnesota tomorrow night....and I am really looking forward to Christmas this year. Will be a great family celebration, as always, but more special to me because I've been gone. I'm praying for snow...you think that's possible in Diö??

So we had our first service at the new building yesterday. It was a full house, combined service at 10am and charged with total victory, fast music and shouting, raising hands....yes, VERY charismatic!! We did several Israel tunes, which is always nice :) Again I Say Rejoice, Moving Forward...Father You're Glorious by Jonathan Stockstill (Sam you should check that one out for your church...great song!)

I still don't have a fridge...it's a little bit frustrating, but on the other hand I have enjoyed some really cool restaurants in the last few weeks. The other night I got a coupon in the mail for EMPANADA MAN! I was like...oh yeah! Being reminded of when we had a refuge camp in Sweden and aboout 150 people from Chile stayed with us one summer. They cooked up a storm and would come over to our house and bake/make authentic South American Empanadas. The beef kind with boiled egg in the middle. Well, I found Empanada Man just a few min from my apartment, and walked in finding it full of people. There was a soccer game on. Argentina was playing. Found out the owners were from Mexico and Argentina. I decided to stay and experience. There were lots of guys in there with the Light Blue and White soccer shirts on...shouting in Spanish and reacting to what was happening in the game. There was one table left in the corner where I sat down and enjoyed my three empanadas...I chose three different kinds - Spinach & Cheese, Chicken & Beef - the beef one was definitely a favorite. It felt like I was in South America...super cool!!

I am looking forward to cooking some though. I am determined to learn how to cook real well this year! Gonna try it over and over again until I get it! Gonna learn all of mom's common recipes, some of Anna's and Mia's, and find some of my own that will be particular to me when I have people over. I got all my baking stuff down here too, so you know I'm gonna be learning how to bake bread and cinnamon rolls. Oh yeah...build it and they will come, right? And who are they....that would be my husband and kids! Might as well practice being a home maker and then I can just continue once I am blessed enough to form a family one day.

Other than that...just enjoying catching up with myself and also loving the mountain view on my way to and from work every day. We have mountains in both directions and not too far to the beach, as you know!

I do miss you guys. Can't wait to see you and hug you and just hang out!
Much love,
Your Jeanette

MISS YOU TODAY!!!

So, yeah....I really do love it here in California and I know I'm supposed to be here, but today, I really miss you guys! Feelin a little lonely and looking forward to going to Minnesota in 2 days...YAY!! Then...next stop, Christmas in Sweden.

Love you lots!

Unbelievable!!

So...I found this great deal on Craigslist just the other day. A 3-seat couch, IKEA coffee table and side table, 32-inch TV, floor lamp and a glass door TV stand with 3 shelves for..... $125. Can you believe it?? So I basically have all I need now for my apartment down here. Just gotta find a keyboard too and start writing!! I've already borrowed a queen size bed that I can use until I leave here next summer. My car gets here tomorrow and then I get to unload MY own kitchen stuff that the sisters to graciously packed in my car before the truck picked it up for transport. I'm excited to see some of my own things....will make me feel a little more at home here in the apartment.

So today we had the last service in our current building. The 11 o'clock was FULL!! Great music, beautiful spirit and just charged! The pastor spoke about 5 things that will keep us from getting to our promised land...
Rebellion - Discouragement - Complaining - Fear - Unbelief
So true!

I can't believe how much time I have on my hands since I got here. I don't feel stressed, I get things done, I relax, I explore. Oh, how I needed this! Tonight as I was driving back from picking up the couch and coffee table I was in awe of the view. Aliso Viejo is a little elevated, so coming back towards "the valley" where I live I saw all the lights, mountains in the background and a full moon on a clear sky. There was a dark blue glow over the whole valley and then lights everywhere. So beautiful!!

Well...another week awaits. It will be a busy one, but I have every evening off and every Fri and Sat. So spoiled right now! Will be unpacking boxes all night tomorrow! You know me...will unpack until it's all done!

Singing out...
Love you!

Starting to see some things...

So, why is it that God is trusting me with money right now? Lots of money!! It just hit me today that there's gotta be a reason for that. I want to be faithful to him in all I do, in the little and in the big! First Channel 10...in charge of the whole business office just like that...lots of money and a huge responsibility! And now I'm getting a better grasp of what I'll be doing here, and realizing that they are trusting me the same way here. I will be handling lots of money...issuing checks, paying bills and purchase requests, overseeing tithes and offerings... hmmm...

God truly knows the big picture. We are so small and incomplete next to him!! This job wouldn't have been possible for me had I not worked at Channel 10. My experience at Celebration helped me while working at Channel 10 and will certainly help here...more than I could have guessed. God makes it interesting by making our lives a puzzle. It takes time to figure out where all the different pieces go, but the picture the pieces are intended to paint is absolutely beautiful!

Keep laying your puzzle...God is the cover of the box with the full picture on it, and all you gotta do is trust that picture and lay the pieces where they go. The peace in your heart will guide you!

Meeting Israel Houghton

Me and Israel in San Diego after the concert tonight

Lord You are good and your mercy endureth forever...

He was even better live. WOW!!!

We all got to hang out in the green room afterwards. Back stage passes!

These are some of my new friends

Dave, Dannie & Chris

The gang with Israel

and Pastor Sergio De La Mora of Cornerstone Church in San Diego

---

As you can imagine, I am just blown away right now. What a night!! Can't believe that I got to see Israel LIVE after all these years. I've been listening to him for like 10 years now. You all know how much he has influenced me etc. I asked him tonight if he's ever been to Sweden and he hasn't. Gotta do something about that!

Not only was tonight amazing musically, but the Spirit of God was so present. I cried like a baby when we all started singing..."You make all things new, yes You make all things new and I will follow You FORWARD!" The church was full and the atmosphere was charged!

I was truly changed tonight. I felt God all over me several times...physically.

He is renewing me, changing me, loving me, healing me.

"It's a new season...it's a new day...a fresh anointing flowing my way...it's a season of

power and prosperity...it's a new season coming to me!"

All moved in!

Hello hello!

Well...I'm all moved into my new apartment in Lake Forest, CALIFORNIA. Feel so good! Now I just need some furniture too :) Kara (pastor's daughter) let me borrow a queen size bed and sheets and a comforter. Bought some towels and cleaning supplies. Just finished cleaning the whole place...smells like Pine Sol, oh yeah!!....and just prayed for the whole apartment. Pledged the blood of Jesus all over my place.

By the way...you know I love this :)
This is my new address and phone number:

26571 Normandale Drive #28A
Lake Forest, CA 92630
(949) 331-8359

Can't wait to start cooking etc. My car is being transported from Minnesota in a few days and it will be packed with some of my kitchen stuff!! So excited!!! Tomorrow night is the Israel concert...should be good.

Totally blessed by the way...went into the office to pay rent today, and wanted a cookie. As I was reaching for it I glanzed at a paper that was laying there....$100 off at move-in if you're a teacher. Well, I am!! Told the lady, and she gave me $100 off right on the spot! Pretty cool huh? That pretty much paid for these last few days in Sept since I moved in early. God is so good!!

Thought I'd send some pictures from the place here. You guys are welcome anytime!!

Much love

There it is! 28A

Välkommen!

Looking from the bedroom out into the living room

Looking into the bedroom

From the bedroom into the bathroom area

Looking from the bathroom into the bedroom

WOW!

What a service today! I was in tears most of the sermon. I love Pastor Phil's heart and the beat of this church. Totally on the same page and my whole Spirit is just resonating with what they're doing here. I can see more and more clearly that there is a reason why God brought me here. Pastor Phil introduced me to the whole church today as part of their team. I am about to meet up with Kara (the pastor's daughter) to sign a lease in Lake Forest at Westridge Apartment Homes. Great area!!

You need to hear Pastor Phil preach. Go to www.lifechurchonline.com and check out his last few sermons. They are great!

From the moment I walked into rehearsal this morning, the Holy Spirit was all over everything. The worship team, the band, Jason...what an atmosphere! God's presence was so strong during rehearsal, Jason was on his knees and we were all blown away. Thinking of course...where's the people? They should have been here for this! I'm starting to understand this scripture: "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom!" As you know I'm a bit of a control freak, but lately God has put me in situations where I am completely unable to control things around me and I'm learning to relax and just let go. It is a wonderful eye opener! Can you imagine a relaxed Jeanette? What would that really look like?

Pastor Phil is preaching about moving forward right now and it is so fitting for where I am in my life. The sermons rock me to the core and move me to tears and conviction! We do a song called Moving Forward by none other than Israel Houghton...who by the way I will see in concert Tue night :) ... I know I already told you that :) ... and it really spoke to me today as I was on stage leading worship with people that truly worship. They're good musicians too, with great attitudes, but most of all, THEY WORSHIP!!! What a difference the anointing makes...I always knew that in theory, but to see it like this...a unified team worshipping God using their talents for him, humbly. How powerful!!

"What a moment, You have brought me to, such a freedom, I have found in You, You're the healer Who makes all things new...Not going back, I'm moving ahead, I'm here to declare to you my past is over, in You all things are made new, surrendered my life to Christ, and I'm moving, moving forward! ...You make all things new yes You make all things new and I will follow You forward!!"

Several people got saved today and we did a song called "Power of the cross" ...."is in the blood of Christ..." "I am redeemed, I am set free, I am complete by the power of the cross" Powerful lyrics! It all just flowed today. We were all in sync...the different pastors and our whole team. A beautiful experience and I'm just humbled to be a part of it all. I need to get to a new place with God in my life...not going back...was gonna say that first, gotta get back to where I once was...NO!!! Moving forward now into something brand new!

In the next few weeks, we will be visited by some of the world's most famous preachers. It's amazing! For our opening service, Joel Osteen from Lakewood Church will be here. Rick Warren from Saddleback Church is preaching at and doing the dedication of the new building. Dr. Oral Roberts is preaching next week and laying hands on our pastors...passing the torch. One of the church's core values is this: There is no success if there is no successor! From the scripture that talks about "Go into all the world and make disciples..." Pass the torch! Everyone should have a Paul in their life (someone they're learning from) and a Timothy (something to teach).

I am just so excited, so blessed and so humbled by this experience. I have so much to learn. To become the leader God's called me to be, I must learn to serve and that's what I'm here to do!

Come here already, so I can share this experience with you!

So...I've decided...

Hi all!

So, I've decided to go with the "real" apartment. 10 months is a long time and I have a feeling I'm going to have quite a few visitors while I'm here. Already have 3 on the list...Jonathan, Scotti and Darrylyn. Any other takers?? Whitney & Sam? Racheal?? Come on over to paradise. Mom and dad...you HAVE to come!! I can't promise a perfect bed, but I'll make you some good food in my kitchen. Dad...you were right, privacy is really important. Racheal...you were right, I really need a kitchen!! Mom...you helped me find this place! You are impossible!! Total favor with finding homes!! Thank you Thank you Thank you!

Feel such joy and peace today. Totally overflowing!! Gotta get to bed...leading worship tomorrow with Jason. Excited to move into my own place. Will probably take a trip to IKEA...there are 2 of them here :)

God is good!

Actually...

I'm quite okay today...okay about not getting married! Started out the day with a half hour deep tissue massage here at the hotel and now I'm heading to Corona Del Mar to look at two studios.

Miss you all!

I was supposed to get married today...

Since I know only family and very close friends read this, I can be honest right now. You can be honest in a blog, right?? Well...it kind of sucks to be completely alone in a hotel room in a brand new place where I don't know anyone on the day I was supposed to get married. Cried a few tears, watched a movie about love and kind people...just thought I'd share that! Please pray for me today, and for Andreas.

This whole situation is overwhelming and you're probably sick of hearing about it over and over again. But who else can I go to but you guys? You know me well enough to know that tomorrow I'll be fine again...actually, will probably be fine already today sometime :)

So anyways...California is great! Excited about finding a place to live, get situated and start work. Love you guys!

Light Therapy

This guy was the official greeter of Laguna Beach. From what I understand, he was a homeless man who everyday stood at this corner and greeted everyone. Well...now I'm waving to you guys. Love you and miss you!!!

East Coast Highway in Corona Del Mar.
This is where I will be looking at 2 different places tomorrow!

Corona Del Mar, CALIFORNIA
Looking over the Balboa Islands and the beautiful Pacific Ocean

Oceanview Drive or something like that in Corona Del Mar

That's my hotel on the hill there

The Ayres Hotel in Mission Viejo, CALIFORNIA
Room 190 baby!!! :)

It is amazing what a little light can do. I have not seen a cloud since I got here. I might wake up some mornings wondering what in the world I'm doing here, get worried and a little scared sometimes, but as soon as I get outside all my worries disappear! The sun shines from a deep blue sky, it is warm and just pleasant! Beautiful mountains in the background and clean streets.

Today I put an apartment on hold in Lake Forest close to the new church building in Irvine where we will be moving to in about 2 weeks, and tomorrow I'm going to look at 2 different places in Corona Del Mar, plus another one from the outside in Newport Beach. Also found out that there are hotels that rent out studio apartments. No security deposit, no credit check, no monthly fees, all utilities included plus TV and internet. Gonna check that out Mon morning. Found lots more options today while looking and feel much more confident.

It also feels good that I talked to Börje today and worked everything out. Prayed and felt peace about taking a leave-of-absence from Channel 10. He was ok with that too. The church here and I have agreed that this is a 10-month deal to begin with...probably through June of next year...we'll see what happens. It still felt good to secure a job in Sweden should I wanna go back after this year away in this beautiful place on earth. The plan is that I'll be working with Radio 10 / Praise FM in Scandinavia. This means I get to keep my computer and I even get some paid vacation next summer. Feels so good!

In the background in my hotel room right now, Guy Penrod is singing some songs from his new album. Turned on TBN tonight just to check it out. Found out that it's right here in Santa Ana, CALIFORNIA, about 17 min from Life Church. Cool!

I feel so blessed. Tonight they had a wine tasting in our court yard here at the hotel, with LIVE music and free 5 min massages. Oh yeah...just came back from one! Feel so relaxed!! Also got some bruchetta (made me think of you Whitney) from a local great Italian restaurant. My buddy in the hotel restaurant noticed that I went back and forth for some juice in the breakfast part...he waved me over and put my juice in a glass with ice and a lime. "That's what friends are for", he said. He's a cute little hispanic dude that served me the best flan I've ever had (not that I've had that more than like once before :), but it was great!)

Yeah, I'm spoiled!!

It will feel good to find out where I'm gonna be staying and get into a routine with work and everything I'd like to accomplish while I'm here. Write a book, write some new songs, study, and just REST REST REST!!

HUGS from your very own Jeanette in Californa.

Come see me soon!!

Some pics

Laguna Beach at night

Nate, Lori, Debbie, Nettan right by the Pacific Ocean

Eating Alaska King Crab in Laguna Beach

My hotel room!

The courtyard of the hotel I'm staying at!

I love this place!!

Well, I have to say...I love California!

I am so blessed to be here! The church put me up in a hotel that's gorgeous...they're paying for all food and taking me out to these incredible restaurants with $20-30 plates and dessert. I am totally spoiled!! Been looking at a few places today. Found some studios under $1000. It is ridiculously expensive here, so to even find something under $1000 is a miracle. It's because of the market that they've dropped the price. Looked at some studios, about 500 sq ft or so...and they're normally like $1200. Crazy!! Also found a pool house in Corona Del Mar, very close to the ocean...went by there today, the owner is out of town so I won't be able to see it until Sat. Utilities and WiFi included, plus I have the option of getting it furnished...private pool and spa access and walking distance to the Pacific. Went down there tonight and walked around a whole lot and then had dinner at a pizza diner. Super cozy!! Total beach town with tons of little shops everywhere...lookout points, beach, marinas...it's so gorgeous!! A dream!

It hasn't hit me yet that I'm here. It is so unreal. I got a rental car at least, so I've been able to drive around and get to know the area. It is huge here! Talk about big city. I think there's about 14 million people within an hour radius of me :) It never ends...there's stores, restaurants, banks, shopping centers...everywhere!! Some areas are quiet beautiful with the mountains in the background...picture perfect looking palm trees and perfect weather every day. Clear blue skies...haven't seen a cloud since I got here. Sunny, sunny, sunny everyday, and hardly any humidity! I love it!!! Getting some serious sun therapy...so happy! I've started a new trend...I talk to myself in the car as I drive around this place. Exclaiming how grateful I am to God...over and over again. Thank You Jesus....thank You Jesus....thank You Jesus!!!

Sunday service was great! Nate and Lori were here and we all led worship together. Great band and great people in general. Very friendly and humble. There was no sense of anyone feeling threatened. Yesterday I was welcomed into the staff. Pastor Phil and Jeannie are really cool...I really like them. This morning they flew on a private jet to Tulsa, Oklahoma with Dr. Oral Roberts, who is actually a member of the church here. He is already 92 and this week he turns over the university to Mark Rutherland, who's been the president of Southeastern the last few years. They also know Joel & Victoria Osteen, Rodney Howard Browne, Jim Reeve and TBN people personally. Cool connections!

This coming Tue night I got a free ticket to go see Israel Houghton LIVE in San Diego. There is also a conference down there that the whole staff is going to next week. I am not really following what's happening, but I'm starting to realize God sent me here. Totally took me out of a situation and is just pouring his love out on me right now. Time for healing! Time to grow up a little....and take responsibility. Time to figure out what I believe and also figure out what I want out of life. God will bring destiny to me...doesn't matter where I'm at. He will find me! I know I'm supposed to be here right now...joy is surfacing again and I'm just so thankful! I laugh out loud in the car...crack myself up...enjoy the beauty around and sometimes I just can't believe I'm here and how blessed I am.

Let's see...what else? Been trying to load some pics, but it's not working. Don't wanna use facebook right now, so I'll have to think of somewhere else to post them. Maybe on our website? I'll figure something out!!

I do miss all of you! I am doing so great here and I'm excited to get started with work and get into a routine. There is so much I want to do...read, explore, study, write music, find a keyboard, go to the beach, swim, work out, take walks, write my book...God has given me 10 months to do just that. I'm forever grateful!!

I'll keep you posted on my housing. Will know by this weekend where I'll be living. It will be either Lake Forest (very close to Irvine and the church) or Corona Del Mar (right by famous Newport Beach and the beautiful Pacific Ocean)

Please keep me in your prayers.
I love you so much!!

RIPTIDE

Last night I went to dinner with Nate & Lori. We went to an Asian restaurant called Riptide. It was great! It was one of those when they make the food right in front of you. Had never been to a place like that before. It was quite a show, and our chef did a great job. Set fire on the food, threw rice at all of us to catch in our mouths...I caught mine! Oh yeah!! I had the best Filet Mignon I'd ever tried. Yummy! Also tried a crunchy roll...fried sushi. Super good!

Appetizer shrimp was the best...wow!!

I'm definitely eating enough while here, so I started today with working out in the hotel fitness center. Put my Bible up on the stand and finished the Gospel of John. Have to say that is the best combination...the Word of God and some good exercise that releases a lot of endorphins. Makes you happy!

Today we are going to the beach. Will probably check out Laguna Beach and Newport Beach...two of the most famous beaches in the world. They are both within 1/2 hour of here. I'm excited to see some more than just my hotel and restaurants around here. I will post some pictures later tonight.

Love you and miss you!

A little time away...

It's amazing what a little time away can do for a person. God is truly in the spaces! I feel so refreshed only after a couple of days here. I have to admit the first few days were a bit scary, mindboggling, crazy and a big WHAT????? is going on?

I'm doing a lot of soul searching, getting clarity, taking care of some things in my life, making decisions without being afraid, allowing myself to heal.

I will get a lot of answers in just the next few days, and then I'll know more about what the next few months will look like. I'm excited about just getting time to think, write, take care of things I've procrastinated. I've already updated our website and helped dad with stuff I never got around to at home. Right now, this very moment, I love being here!!

About to have lunch...Panera....then later, tonight dinner with Nate & Lori. Beach tomorrow and then church Sunday. 9am & 11am services.

Thank you for all your prayers. I really want God's will in all this and will pursue that with all I am! I know there's a reason why I'm here right now.

Much love!

Getting a better feel for it here...

So, last night was rehearsal! Great band, ok singers that need a lot of work, totally different style of music than I'm used to...actually very gospely, soulful and Israel-like...hard stuff. I had to work a little bit to get it!! Need that I guess :)

Sunday I will be leading a couple of songs. Looking forward to it, at the same time as I am so sick of all this stuff...leading a band, making sure the singers are singing the right notes, working at making the music sound great for all the people that will come Sunday... there's gotta be more to life and ministry than that!! Admitting that I've been somewhat turned off to this whole deal by being at Celebration all those years. Sweden has certainly changed me, though I still appreciate good music on stage, don't get me wrong. Sometimes I just wonder what's the point of it all. Why do we spend hours and thousands of dollars making our churches look great and sound great, when all that time could be spent building relationships...well I guess that's one reason for having a church in a way, but you get my point? We practice hard, collect money for buildings, and could it be that maybe sometimes we miss it! Don't know...just a thought. Sure, I can see how I could help this worship team. I could take the singers and make them sound much better, but for what? Are more people gonna be saved because our worship team sounds better? Will Tom or Julie who came to church that Sunday just because they need a friend or someone to talk to about their life chaos care if we sing the right notes or not, or if the tenors are flat?

I truly think I needed to get away for a while, I'm starting to be able to think again and I'm excited to have a little time for me. Re-evaluate my own motives and catch God's vision again for my purpose here on earth. California is absolutely beautiful!! Clear blue skies every day, about 80 degrees and it never rains here. Maybe 3-4 days a year. There are no mosquitoes. Amazing!! Last night Nate and I sat in the court yard for hours, just talking, playing guitar and singing, making music and just enjoying the beauty. We were sitting on couches outside around a fire pit. There is a fountain in our court yard, so we could hear the water too. Fire, water and wind.... I felt the wind, but where does it come from? Where is it going? I was reminded once again that that's what it's like to be led by the Spirit! Where am I going? Well, I've realized I'm not a row boat, but a sail boat and I've put my sail up. The wind may take me wherever.

Then there's another thought I have... What is this about being afraid of making a decision?? I've reached the conclusion that I am petrified of making decisions, because I'm so afraid of making the wrong one. Afraid of how that might affect my life and my calling. Could it be this simple... just make a decision, using your common sense without compromising the Word of God and then trust that God will be with you in your decision. Are we missing out on now by avoiding making a decision...living in regret of what's been and in the belief that the future is always going to be better somehow than now. Now is all we have!

I will probably have some conversations this weekend about my future here. I had my interview with the business manager yesterday, and she loved me. Pastor Phil told me so himself. Didn't even realize it was an interview...I just chatted with her. A 60-year old black lady named Hodges. What I need to know now is how much I will be making, if it's full-time or part-time, and I will be able to have a comfortable life here with what I make for it to be worth it. They've already said they will help me get my stuff down here from MN. They know it's a temporary thing for me and they're ok with that. I just need to figure out if this is what I want right now and then just make the decision and stick with it. God is with me!

The culture is so different here. It's like I'm in a different country almost. Many Mexicans, Cubans, Colombians, etc. What I loved about the people last night was their attitude. Drummer and bass player were so tight, but they were super humble. Came up to me and thanked me, praised my voice, and said they wanted constructive criticism...that's not usually what you hear from a band member you just started working with. Loved that!

Well, there's lots to say...
I miss you all and appreciate your prayers. Really need them!

Love you!!
Kram,
Eran Nettan

American Food

So...I am chronically full since I got here and just disgusted!! Forgot how terrible the American food culture is. Tonight tipped the scale. When I first got here, a burger and fried sounded good, so Kara took me to In and Out, a famous Californian burger place. Yesterday was great food with the pastors...but I still got real full. Today, like I said, totally tipped it! I am officially disgusted! For lunch we went to this diner or burger place... was so full! 1/2 a Hickory Burger, 1 Shrimp Taco, fries and a shake. It was a late lunch, so by dinner time, I just didn't wanna eat!! But they came and got Nate and me and took us to another diner. Urghhh...

It was the one dinner in my life that I enjoyed the least. I was on jet lag...super tired, not hungry, but I ordered a sandwich anyways and was able to barely finish half of it. I was looking around the table and noticed how big the portions are. I looked again and for a moment I was taken aback by the gluttany... the table was full of baskets of fried goodies... muffins, fries, sodas etc etc. There were two 14 month olds by the table, and it sickened me watching their overweight moms let them just eat fries with mayo or ketchup... they were messy around their mouths and I'm just thinking about what time it is. They should be in bed...not out at a greasy restaurant destroying their beautifully made bodies. I looked up from the toddlers and noticed their moms doing the same thing...stuffing their face with greasy fingers, focused and already looking at the dessert menu. I'm being harsch, I know, but I have to admit, in this sense, I AM NOT AN AMERICAN! I will not do this to my kids. We will have family dinner at my house!

By the end of the feast, the table was an absolute mess and I felt like a total mess on the inside. So full I could hardly think. Thinking of how I would have felt if it had been a home cooked meal with vegetables. Fresh and cold water from the tap in a calm and homey atmosphere.

Anyhow...just needed to get that out!

Exhausted...

Well, I made it through my first day here. It is almost 10pm and I'm exhausted. Just came back from dinner with Pastor Phil and Jeannie. They are wonderful people and they're really taking care of me. Not only is the hotel room incredible, but everything I buy, food etc, I give them the receipts and they reimburse me. Jeannie took me to Target and to a grocery store...there's no Rainbow Foods, Cubs or Publix here :) ...and bought me water, snacks, all kinds of stuff. I did buy a camera today so I'll be posting pictures soon!

I feel so blessed right now. Don't really feel like this is my reality in any sense, but it will be a great place to be during a "break" ... we'll see what happens and how this all unfolds. It sounds positive right now and they all seem to like me so far. In my mind this is definitely temporary, but such a blessing right when I needed to get away! I miss all of you terribly, and I know we'll work together again. In the last few weeks I keep running into families who work together, and I've realized it's just the best thing there is if you're able to do that. So lets figure something out already!! Let's build up something where we all could be involved!

Going to bed now... I really like it here. It was about 80 degrees outside today. Clear blue sky and low humidity. I took a long walk. It's very hilly and I ran out of breath very quickly. Should visit that fitness center down the hall. Found out there's about 13 million people within an hour radius of us here...WOW!! Drove by Saddleback Church tonight. It is HUGE!!

Well...I'm sure there'll be lots more to tell tomorrow! Listened to that message today, mom and dad, that you told me to check out. Amazing!! "What's in a name." Looking forward to getting some good teaching here every Sunday.

Signing out for now. Love you and miss you!

First day in California

Sitting in my hotel room at the Ayres Hotel in Mission Viejo, CA. Kind of thinking to myself, where am I? What in the world is going on in my life?? A thousand thoughts run through my head about what's happened in the last 10 months. I'm missing the comfort of being around family, my awesome apartment in Diö... hating that I'm not in control of what's happening right now. Anything could happen this week, and I guess it's a great opportunity to learn how to let go of control. Trust God completely!

But you know me...I'm already thinking....what if I don't get this job. Should I go to MN? Shoot...I shouldn't have brought two suitcases!! :)

At the same time, I'm excited to be here. Like I said, anything could happen!! Meeting with the pastors later today I think, and then tomorrow Nate flies in. Rehearsal Thu and service Sun. I have this hotel room until next Mon. After that, I know nothing!!

Keep me in your prayers!
Much love!!