Recent things:
It’s been a crazy couple of weeks as this school year comes to a close (I’m almost halfway done with college what?) but I thought I’d share some recent design/art stuff I’ve been working on.
I made some business cards for my sweet future roommate, Rae. She makes custom jewelry for her store, ARae Designs.
I submitted a tshirt to Apoc Apparel’s design contest and it’s getting printed! Go order one at apocapparel.com :)
I’ve also been taking a film black and white photography class - super fun. I love being in the darkroom. My little sister was kind enough to model for me, even when I wanted to dress her up in crazy tribal looking makeup! I even got mom in on the modeling thing - I’ll put those pics up when I get them printed.
This is the product of today’s B&W photography class! As you can maybe see, the print is still wet from developing. My phone doesn’t really do it justice and there will be more to come (this is a series) but I just had to put up my progress! This class has been so fun, and I love learning how to essentially “hand photoshop” my pictures. Many, many thanks to Haley Cohen for being my beautiful model. She’s so talented and natural!
I am never making normal cookies again. Target comes through yet again with candy eyes! Emma and I had the greatest time making our snickerdoodles come to life. Speaking of which, the pillsbury box mix is the greatest. Thing. EVER. And it’s probably the easiest recipe in the world.
Wow my life is great.
6 months <3 Who has the greatest boyfriend ever? I do! :)
ships in the night - mat kearney. i’m a fan.
Two hours to go! I decided that I won’t blog at the airport, just to save precious battery on my ipod…I’m not sure if it can last the whole 15 hours.
We had a wonderful last Sunday at Grace. This church has been my home and my family for fourteen years, almost my whole life. What a huge blessing it is to be going on this trip with adults I’ve grown up with since I was five! Through every trial we’ve faced, Grace has been behind my family and I am eternally grateful for the friends we’ve had here. I must admit that I cried when Pastor Scott announced our move. I was so blessed by how many people showed up to help yesterday (yet again) and I was reminded of just how much my spiritual family means to me.
Mom and Katie are taking off right after I do. We need prayer for safe travels for everyone. I know this week is going to be so insane in so many ways, God is so infinitely good!! May he be glorified in everything we do in the following eight days.
Thank you everyone for supporting me and my family and praying for us thus far. We couldn’t have done half of what we did this summer without your help. I look forward to sharing stories with you all and visiting Hollister as much as possible!
mahal ka ni Hesus - Jesus loves you! :) Paalam, goodbye, USA!
Four movies are downloading. Two ipods are plugged in. Music is copying from a cd. Cell phone is charging. My third ipod is charging. My laptop might explode with all the activity! I’m just sitting here, writing in my new travel journal, practically twitching with excitement - and we don’t even leave until 10 pm tomorrow night.
Today has been such a crazy, crazy day. If I had a penny for every time I’ve said that this summer, I’d be totally rich by now. My family and I were SO blessed to have all the help that we did this morning. The men (and women!) of Grace really came through in some amazing ways, and we can now say that our entire house is clean and everything is loaded in a huge moving truck! I hoarded everything that I needed for the Philippines in my closet, with a big sign that said “Do NOT put on the truck!” All of that is now safely in the back of my Tracker, packed and ready to go. We had a little bit of a scare when our cat disappeared for the day and it looked like he wasn’t coming back - but thankfully the second time my mom drove over, he was waiting, inspecting the empty house and freaking out a little. The whole family is now at the Cooks’.
I’m hoping I get one last chance to blog tomorrow before we take off, probably from my ipod in the airport… I can’t even think straight right now because of nerves and excitement! All of a sudden I feel so completely inadequate - but I know that when I am weak, He is strong. I don’t remember if I already shared this verse, but I read this week that Romans 8:26 says “For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” I find that so incredibly comforting - because even as I sit here, at a loss for what to pray for as I head into tomorrow, I know that the Holy Spirit has got me covered :) He knows the souls of the people we’re going to reach, he knows the entire plan, and he’s interceding for ME. How cool is that?!?
Well, seeing as it’s late and I’ve got pretty much the biggest day ever tomorrow, I’ll say goodnight! As usual, prayers are much needed. Love to everyone, and if I don’t blog again I’ll see you all when I return (Lord willing) from MINDANAO!!! Seee yaaaaa :)
Melody
So I kind of fail. I started writing blog posts three times this week, after promising several people to keep things updated…and here it is, Friday afternoon, and I’m just getting around to posting! Apparently, being in SLO makes me super lazy. :)
It has, however, been a pretty busy week. I’ve been playing mom and feeling quite official as I sign syllabi and pick up school supplies for my little sis. I trotted around back to school night like a proud parent, and almost cried when she got out of the car to start her first day of high school. Go figure. My mom was laughing at me because I woke up at 6 am Thursday, worried out of my mind that the alarm hadn’t gone off and she was late for school. Then I realized the sun wasn’t even up yet.
In between, while Katie’s handling her first few days of school, I’ve been hanging at my favorite coffee shops doing quiet time and wandering downtown. The more time I spend here, the more I just want to be a beach bum! A sad aspiration to be sure, but Avila is just gorgeous and the weather this week has been absolutely perfect. I’ve also loved catching up on design work and spending time with friends, especially the ones I didn’t know I was going to run into!
I can’t believe I’m saying this - but I leave for the Philippines the day after tomorrow. Um, WHAT? Where did, like, this whole month go?? We pack tonight, and catch a redeye Sunday night. It’s been so great having everyone tell me they’re on their knees for us. We sure need all the prayers, so thank you to each and every one of you that’s been faithful in that area.
I bought a new journal the other day, just because it had a map on the cover :) It will be perfect for documenting my travels, starting with this missions trip. I probably won’t have internet access while I’m there, but expect a slough of updates when I return! There will be writing and photos, and possibly even video footage! I can’t wait to share with everyone the amazing things I’m sure God is going to do over there. I’ve been so encouraged this week, listening to Emily’s stories about her trip to Africa, and I can’t wait to have my own stories (well really, God’s stories) about Mindanao.
3 more short weeks and then I’ll be back to Poly! I have so many plans for projects, I just know this year is going to be even more incredible than the last. Much love to everyone, I’ll try to post once more before I take off. For now, enjoy the pictures from the past few days!
- Melody
