There is always HOPE...and David

Some see a hopeless end, while others see an endless hope. ~Author Unknown

"Did someone bring the favors to the reception? Why aren't the flowers here yet? Are the inserts here for the program? Where's my purse? Where's my engagement ring? Where's my phone? Can you take a picture of me with the veil over my face? I still need to pack! What about the runner, who's doing it?" 

The bride, who was supposed to remain unseen until she walked down the aisle, was roaming around the wedding premises checking on everyone/everything. She was forced back to the bridal room several times. It's the coordinator/organizer blood flowing in her. She just can't help it.

"Krissie, I'm getting married!" ~Hope exclaimed excitedly the night before, and all the nights before.

"Remember, you're the bride. You're not a bridesmaid," David had to keep reminding her. 

"My family is more surprised," after being asked if his family is excited. "They never thought I'd ever get married." ~David, a high school teacher. And here's just a few of the things they both enjoy: jazz, the outdoors, photography, and they're both detail-oriented.

"I've never seen a bride SO happy," a guest commented with delight. She was beaming indeed.

"When I get married, I will take care of my man. He will be loved!" Those were words of Hope (notice it's "when," not "if".) She just knew she'll be married. It's just a matter of "when." The time has come.

"Do you believe in miracles?" were Hope's opening line for her Thank You speech. Everyone agreed with an uproar of applaud that filled the room. After their first dance and the money dance, she led/taught the guests how to do the Hustle. "Do the Hustle..."  What a fun wedding.  Two years later, they're still in honeymoon stage.  It's truly "Worth the Wait."

Happy 2nd Anniversary, David & Hope!

KITCHENEERING 101

I coordinate our church's kids camp (this is my fourth year and loving it!)  This year I served in the kitchen during camp having adult conversations.  If you really know me, the kitchen is not my most favored place.  I would easily abandon cooking (cleaning up, I can handle) to anyone who prefers to do it.  But because I'm a mom, I practically live in the kitchen.

Don't get me wrong.  It's not that I can't cook nor am I afraid to tackle the job. As a matter of fact, I spent one whole summer in France in the 80's helping missionaries in a French Kids Camp doing...guess what?  Domestic work! From 5am till 10pm, I was in the kitchen, and other parts of the campground, with young people volunteering from all over the United States. You see, if need be, I can really whip up a very nice meal with all the trimmings. It's just that I'd rather be shooting, sewing, crafting, scrapping and blogging.

I do have a hardworking and dedicated husband with three ever-growing, always-hungry kids who need to eat. And so far, I don't think I do a bad job supplying them with just that. For my own consolation, our children's pediatrician unsolicitedly commented, "I wish all my patients are this healthy. Perfect weight for their height.  They're just growing perfectly." Of course, I know I can do better with my cooking skills.  David, on the other hand, is a culinary expert. I stay out of the kitchen when he's in charge.  I come in when he's done to clean up the mess.

With all that jargon, I simply wanted to share images from the kitchen with our camp cooks, Loree and Jan.  They were simply amazing at what they do.  They're patient, kind and loving.  I miss them already.  I'm getting hungry as I write this!  I also had the pleasure of working closely with other moms from different church groups.  Needless to say, I truly enjoyed my stint as a kitcheneer where I kept my point & shoot camera in my apron to document such simple moments.

Cookery has become a noble art, a noble science; cooks are gentle(wo)men. ~Robert Burton

He provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy. ~Acts 14:7

With Jan (Loree's mom) and Loree (right) • Amazing cooks • Taken very early in the a.m.

Moms from all walks of life (l-r: Julie, Gina, Louise et moi) ready to serve a very hungry mob!

Hunger is the best sauce in the world. ~Cervantes

...by their fruit you will recognize them.  ~Matthew 7:20

Blessed are those who...thirst for righteousness for they will be filled. ~Matthew 5:6

Tell me what you eat, I'll tell you who you are.  ~Anthelme Brillat-SavarinFervet olla, vivit amicitia: While the pot boils, friendship endures. (Meaning the wo/man who gives good dinners has plenty of friends). ~Latin ProverbVegetables are a must on a diet.  I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie.  ~Jim DavisWe have had enough to eat and plenty to spare, because the LORD has blessed His people. ~2 Chronicles 31:10
Pastor Paul, from SF, helping Loree with the BBQ on a HOT day!
Here's some of the FABULOUS dishwashing crew!  Young, strong and beautiful. THANK YOU for doing a fantastic job!

Pastor Paul, from Cottonwood, and the rest of us, kitcheneers, enjoy our meals after serving the children.

"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these...you did for Me." ~Matthew 25:40

And these women and men did just that...so glad to be a part of it!
BUT that's only from the kitchen. You should see what our camp leaders did for/with their precious campers for the entire week.  They were with them 24/7. Talk about selflessness...

Ocean Love {one}

The SEA hath  NO KING but GOD ALONE.

~Dante Gabriel Rossetti, The White Ship

For as the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the Glory of the Lord. ~Habakkuk 2:14

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop. ~Mother Theresa

I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. ~Genesis 22:17

These photos were taken at different times at several venues (Bakers Beach, Ocean Beach, Batanes Islands, Boracay, Camp Pendleton).


I, the Lord, define the ocean's sandy shoreline as an everlasting boundary that the waters cannot cross.  The waves may toss and roar, but they cannot pass the boundaries I set. ~Jeremiah 5:22

DANCING

...with the feet is one thing, but dancing with the heart is another. ~Author Unknown

SWIMMING {two}: GIRLFRIENDS ON THE BLOCK!

Friendships born on the field of athletic strife are the real gold of competition. Awards become corroded, friends gather no dust. ~Jesse Owens (4 time Gold Medalist in Track and Field at the 1936 Olympic Games)

After each game, I want to be able to say: I gave it all I could, I gave it my best. ~UnknownDaly City Dolphins vs. SFRP Manta Rays

I think sportsmanship is knowing that it is a game, that we are only as a good as our opponents, and whether you win or lose, to always give 100 percent. ~Sue Wicks
If you have a lane, you have a chance. ~Author Unknown

TEAM stands for:

Together Everyone Achieves More

The best teams have chemistry. They communicate with each other and they sacrifice personal glory for the common goal. ~Dave DeBusschere

Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it. ~Tom Landry

Teamwork means more “we” and less “me”. ~Unknown