Mondays are one of my favorite days of the week. Not just because I have the day off. It has become my day of fun adventures, laziness around my house and sometimes pure productivity. This morning I got to start my day off with going back to my working roots, Partyopolis. I worked at Partyopolis for 4ish years as a party host, manager, and in the end I ran the place. If you don't know what Partyopolis is look it up on YouTube.
Partyopolis was such a learning experience for me that I thought while I sit here and work I would blog about it. I've had several part-time jobs over the past 9 or so years but I have never learned as much as I did working here. I learned how to manage people both younger and older than myself. How to give advice and mentor coworkers through crazy customer things and through life experiences. Partyopolis taught me how to run a business in the simplest of terms. How to order supplies, nicely complain to suppliers when they don't deliver, and get things done in a timely manner. Weekly I faced with an upset parent or grandparent and had to quickly learn the right words to say and the right things to do to satisfy them. I learned all about doing paperwork and data entry (which I have come to love). I gained mentors (my bosses) and best friends (Cami). It was an experience and job that will always be near and dear to my heart. It was easy most of the time and I loved having the chance to befriend younger employees and help them through high school.
As I work in my current job at Saddleback I realize more and more that God used Partyopolis to prepare me for church work. Although they are totally different they have a lot of similarities. I work with high schoolers now and I never would have understood how to communicate with them if I didn't have to manage them at Pop. More than half of my current job is organizing, responding to emails and phone calls and doing paperwork (thanks for all those quickbook and email hours pop). Its crazy to look back and see the path God has made. I will always come back to Partyopolis for parties, some extra money for travel, and just to help some friends out =)
Thanks for the learning experience and great job Partyopolis!! I love being "Back to my Roots"
Monday, August 29, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Summer Bucket List
Four Bucket List items COMPLETE....Six more to do by the middle of September.
2) Attend an Angels game: Saturday I spent the evening at the Angels game with my sister and college friend Kayla. It was a great game and ended with a free MercyMe concert!!
6). Del Mar Horse Races with Big Hats: On Sunday afternoon my family and I headed the Del Mar horse races for a day of large hats, good food, and some yelling. We also got to sit right in front of the New Orleans Saints...we were the quiet and just smile fans so no pictures.
10). Finish "The Book Theif" and "Girl with the Dragon Tatoo": On Monday I finished reading "The Book Theif" and LOVED it!! I haven't started the other book, but figured I would celebrate the end of one.
9). Huntington Beach Street Fair: Tonight I went to the Huntington Beach Street Fair with my mom. It really is becoming one of my favorite places to go hang out. I walked away with some great veggies and fruit as well as a great night out with my mom.
2) Attend an Angels game: Saturday I spent the evening at the Angels game with my sister and college friend Kayla. It was a great game and ended with a free MercyMe concert!!
6). Del Mar Horse Races with Big Hats: On Sunday afternoon my family and I headed the Del Mar horse races for a day of large hats, good food, and some yelling. We also got to sit right in front of the New Orleans Saints...we were the quiet and just smile fans so no pictures.
10). Finish "The Book Theif" and "Girl with the Dragon Tatoo": On Monday I finished reading "The Book Theif" and LOVED it!! I haven't started the other book, but figured I would celebrate the end of one.
9). Huntington Beach Street Fair: Tonight I went to the Huntington Beach Street Fair with my mom. It really is becoming one of my favorite places to go hang out. I walked away with some great veggies and fruit as well as a great night out with my mom.
One of the fruit vendors made me this character out of apples...not sure what it's suppose to be
Adios Costa Rica
A week ago I was serving the Lord in Costa Rica, today I'm serving the Lord in Orange County. Although the location is different there are a lot of things similar between the two places. There are malls, grocery stores, fast food restaurants, beaches, poor-rich-& middle class. There are people who love the Lord and people who hate him. People with families and people who have been abandoned. Kids have attitudes towards parents, peers, teachers, and strangers no matter where you go. Skin color, clothing style, style of living, income, economy and politics might be different but in the eyes of God we are all the same.
This trip was a humbling and reassuring experience for me. I've been doing mission work for over 8 years and have seen a lot. I've had my bible thrown at me, people yell in my face, sat on the filthy dirt covered floor of someones home. My eyes of seen poverty at its worst at yet joy in fullest. This trip was different though. I didn't see poverty like I have so many times in other places. I wasn't faced with having to really stand up for my faith and prove Jesus. My eyes saw things that I see in the United States. My heart reached out towards students in schools that I can find in Santa Ana. However God used those things and so much more to reassure my calling to "filthy" mission work. It was incredible to fly in and out of Guatemala city and still have that heartbreaking feeling and longing for those people. I was shown how much God wants me to work in the streets and dumps to save lives (more on that later). I'm still chewing and swallowing on what I've learned so more to come later.
This trip was a humbling and reassuring experience for me. I've been doing mission work for over 8 years and have seen a lot. I've had my bible thrown at me, people yell in my face, sat on the filthy dirt covered floor of someones home. My eyes of seen poverty at its worst at yet joy in fullest. This trip was different though. I didn't see poverty like I have so many times in other places. I wasn't faced with having to really stand up for my faith and prove Jesus. My eyes saw things that I see in the United States. My heart reached out towards students in schools that I can find in Santa Ana. However God used those things and so much more to reassure my calling to "filthy" mission work. It was incredible to fly in and out of Guatemala city and still have that heartbreaking feeling and longing for those people. I was shown how much God wants me to work in the streets and dumps to save lives (more on that later). I'm still chewing and swallowing on what I've learned so more to come later.
HSM trip #2 team =)
Monday, August 15, 2011
Costa Rica from the eyes of students!
Costa Rica 2011 by Jon Bixby
Hello!
I have had an unbelieveable experience here in Costa Rica! Costa Rica is very different from the U.S., the drivers here in Costa Rica are absolutly nuts! I though LA drivers were bad, but not anymore. Alright, lets do this.
For me personally, this is my first mission trip, and it has been a very, triesome, thrilling, and unbelieveable experience to say the least. Ever since we left Ministry Office 2 at Saddleback Church Sunday night, it has been one wild ride. The whole LAX experience is something I will not forget for a long time.
On Wednesday, (Van 7 with AC) we visited Pastor Aruther´s chruch, and after meeting him, he took us to the school that the church is supporting. We prepped the school for painting but we not able to actually paint that day due to lose of time, and planted some tree´s around the school.
On Thursday, we went back to the same school, and then started painting and planted some more plant´s and tree´s. In the process of planting however, we stumbled upon an ant hill. These were no ordinary ants, these ants would bite you, and then that bite would leave a nice little bump that would soon later start to itch. They were lovely little creatures (lol). Matt took one for the team and got right on in there with the ants to place the plant in the hole in the ground and pat it down. His leg´s did not look pretty, and was covered in red bumps. After painting the school, and planting, we all came back to the hotel to play some games (Monopoly Deal is everyone´s favorite), relax, and just talk to each other. Around 11pm that night, we all piled into our van´s, and drove to Pastor Giovanni's church where all the HSM Student´s and Pastor Giovanni's church staff went out to the streets and served the homeless, ill, and sick. It was an experience I will never forget for the rest of my life. On the van ride back home, and into early early Friday morning (2-3am), student´s talked about what they witnessed and the whole the experinence in general.
Friday (same day) was a very emotional day for the students. Actually, both Thursday and Friday were emotional days for all of us. Ever since the experience with feeding the homeless late Thursday night, I could feel God starting to change and mold my heart. In the morning we visited a Senior Center where we talked, and danced with them. We had a great time! After the Senior Center, we went out to lunch, and then drove a orphange for disabled children where we just loved on them, held them, fed them, and prayed over the children. Many tears were shed while at the orphanage, it was an emotional experience. In the evening we all went to Pastor Aruthers church where all our students, and Pastor Aurther´s staff all came together and had fellowship together. We played games, ate, chatted, laughed, and just had an awesome time being together!
On Saturday, we went to "JHoly" which is a theater runned completey by students. In addition to it being runned completely by studens, all their plays are linked to Jesus Christ. It was an awesome experience. After JHoly in the morning, we drove to go help feed the homeless but it started to down pour, and I mean it poured hard! So since we couldn´t feed the homeless, we drove back to JHoly to play games, and ate. After lunch, we went to Pastor Rudy´s church where they were hosting a " Wild Wild West" Mother´s Day celebration for all the mothers where everyone was dressed up in Wild West outfits. After the event was over, we helped clean up and set-up for their church service. In the evening we went back to JHoly to watch one of their play´s, this play in perticulalr involved no words (which can a good thing when you can´t understand what they are saying when speaking in their own language).
(Sorry for the long post, almost done :))
Sunday (Yesterday) Morning, two van groups went to drove to Pastor Giovanni's church, and one went to Pastor Rudy. The two groups that went to Pastor Giovanni's church taught a lesson on respecting and honoring your mother to Junior High, and High School Student´s. Each of the van groups shared something different about repsecting your mother, and honoring her. After the first group went up and spoke, our van (Van 7), started off by singing the song "Jesus Loves Me" first in English, then in Spanish with hand motions.
...to be continued later
Hello!
I have had an unbelieveable experience here in Costa Rica! Costa Rica is very different from the U.S., the drivers here in Costa Rica are absolutly nuts! I though LA drivers were bad, but not anymore. Alright, lets do this.
For me personally, this is my first mission trip, and it has been a very, triesome, thrilling, and unbelieveable experience to say the least. Ever since we left Ministry Office 2 at Saddleback Church Sunday night, it has been one wild ride. The whole LAX experience is something I will not forget for a long time.
On Wednesday, (Van 7 with AC) we visited Pastor Aruther´s chruch, and after meeting him, he took us to the school that the church is supporting. We prepped the school for painting but we not able to actually paint that day due to lose of time, and planted some tree´s around the school.
On Thursday, we went back to the same school, and then started painting and planted some more plant´s and tree´s. In the process of planting however, we stumbled upon an ant hill. These were no ordinary ants, these ants would bite you, and then that bite would leave a nice little bump that would soon later start to itch. They were lovely little creatures (lol). Matt took one for the team and got right on in there with the ants to place the plant in the hole in the ground and pat it down. His leg´s did not look pretty, and was covered in red bumps. After painting the school, and planting, we all came back to the hotel to play some games (Monopoly Deal is everyone´s favorite), relax, and just talk to each other. Around 11pm that night, we all piled into our van´s, and drove to Pastor Giovanni's church where all the HSM Student´s and Pastor Giovanni's church staff went out to the streets and served the homeless, ill, and sick. It was an experience I will never forget for the rest of my life. On the van ride back home, and into early early Friday morning (2-3am), student´s talked about what they witnessed and the whole the experinence in general.
Friday (same day) was a very emotional day for the students. Actually, both Thursday and Friday were emotional days for all of us. Ever since the experience with feeding the homeless late Thursday night, I could feel God starting to change and mold my heart. In the morning we visited a Senior Center where we talked, and danced with them. We had a great time! After the Senior Center, we went out to lunch, and then drove a orphange for disabled children where we just loved on them, held them, fed them, and prayed over the children. Many tears were shed while at the orphanage, it was an emotional experience. In the evening we all went to Pastor Aruthers church where all our students, and Pastor Aurther´s staff all came together and had fellowship together. We played games, ate, chatted, laughed, and just had an awesome time being together!
On Saturday, we went to "JHoly" which is a theater runned completey by students. In addition to it being runned completely by studens, all their plays are linked to Jesus Christ. It was an awesome experience. After JHoly in the morning, we drove to go help feed the homeless but it started to down pour, and I mean it poured hard! So since we couldn´t feed the homeless, we drove back to JHoly to play games, and ate. After lunch, we went to Pastor Rudy´s church where they were hosting a " Wild Wild West" Mother´s Day celebration for all the mothers where everyone was dressed up in Wild West outfits. After the event was over, we helped clean up and set-up for their church service. In the evening we went back to JHoly to watch one of their play´s, this play in perticulalr involved no words (which can a good thing when you can´t understand what they are saying when speaking in their own language).
(Sorry for the long post, almost done :))
Sunday (Yesterday) Morning, two van groups went to drove to Pastor Giovanni's church, and one went to Pastor Rudy. The two groups that went to Pastor Giovanni's church taught a lesson on respecting and honoring your mother to Junior High, and High School Student´s. Each of the van groups shared something different about repsecting your mother, and honoring her. After the first group went up and spoke, our van (Van 7), started off by singing the song "Jesus Loves Me" first in English, then in Spanish with hand motions.
...to be continued later
CR from the eyes of students continued =)
From Katie Purcell¨
Yesterday was intresting... We all woke up and went to church to taeach our lessons to kids. My group and Danielles group spoke to high school students. Some people told stories out of the Bible and others told a story from their life. I told part of my testimony... Its was probably the hardest thing Ive ever done. First, because I HATE speaking infront of people I think its the worst thing known to man, also because Ive never shared any part of my story before. AC said I should because my story could help other people and also help me a lot too... Then after all of that we came back to the hostel for lunch and just hung out, because we had to go back to church at 5. The service was the longest service Ive ever had to sit through! It was 3 hours long and there was no lesson... They just played games and sang songs that were like 15 minutes long each! It was cool to see how they worship because they sing the same songs just in Spanish. Then after church we went to this BEAUTIFUL restraunt to eat. It was at the to of the hill and we could see the city plus... And the food was good... Well Ive all been eating the same thing everyday, some form of beans and rice. So it all tastes the same. I cant wait to get home and eat anything but beans and rice! Well today were heading off to Jaco so this will be a new adventure!
Yesterday was intresting... We all woke up and went to church to taeach our lessons to kids. My group and Danielles group spoke to high school students. Some people told stories out of the Bible and others told a story from their life. I told part of my testimony... Its was probably the hardest thing Ive ever done. First, because I HATE speaking infront of people I think its the worst thing known to man, also because Ive never shared any part of my story before. AC said I should because my story could help other people and also help me a lot too... Then after all of that we came back to the hostel for lunch and just hung out, because we had to go back to church at 5. The service was the longest service Ive ever had to sit through! It was 3 hours long and there was no lesson... They just played games and sang songs that were like 15 minutes long each! It was cool to see how they worship because they sing the same songs just in Spanish. Then after church we went to this BEAUTIFUL restraunt to eat. It was at the to of the hill and we could see the city plus... And the food was good... Well Ive all been eating the same thing everyday, some form of beans and rice. So it all tastes the same. I cant wait to get home and eat anything but beans and rice! Well today were heading off to Jaco so this will be a new adventure!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Costa Rica Day 1
The past 48 hours have been a world wind! I´ve slept on a plane for 2 hours only to be woken up by the captain announcing we had not taken off yet and we would be departing the plane. I´ve shutted 21 students to and from an airport 3 times. Watching students fall asleep in a hotel lobby. Played lots of card games while waiting to hear about when our flight would get rescheduled. Learned a dance routine in a hotel lobby. Boarded another plane Tuesday morning and finally landed in Costa Rica Tuesday afternoon. Its been crazy and tiring but fun at the same time.
Today our groups were split up and we finally started some ministry. My group went to a city called Hereda where Pastor Rudy does ministry. Rudy is incredible!! His passions and dreams for ministry tugged at my heart so much today. His church does ministry to the homeless, the crippled, the church outcast and so many others. Rudy has a passion for those that others don´t except, he sees the potential in people that is sometimes hard to see from the outside. He took us on a prayer walk through a 300 acre, tall grass land where his church will one day have a building and beautiful campus. Currently his congregation is making huge sacrifices to work on gaining ownership of the land. A couple of stepped in HUGE ant hills...and fought off some knarly bugs but it was great! We then had an incredible lunch of pollo, arroz, and frijoles (chicken, rice and beans). I´m pretty sure I could eat this kind of food for the rest of my life!! The rest of the day was spent at a private school. My students taught a lesson based on the Parable of the Seeds (we simplified everything for students) and rocked it. Kris and Emily H shared their testimonies and did a great job at showng how God can work through the people you surround yourself with. It was a great day of simple ministry and we can not wait to go back tomorrow and work with Rudy.
I´m loving being here and loving being with students. They are already making huge sacrificies and breaking out of their comfort zones tons! Its awesome to see the work God is already doing in and through each of them.
Its also great to have my little sister. We´ve never had a chance to really do ministry together as adults so this is incredible. She is such a good leader and was a huge help to me as we figured out airport cancellations and whatnot. I´m so proud of her and how God has changed and shaped her. Love watching students fall in love with her...she incredible!!
More to come....sorry for the aweful grammer and spelling (this keyboard is super stiff)
Today our groups were split up and we finally started some ministry. My group went to a city called Hereda where Pastor Rudy does ministry. Rudy is incredible!! His passions and dreams for ministry tugged at my heart so much today. His church does ministry to the homeless, the crippled, the church outcast and so many others. Rudy has a passion for those that others don´t except, he sees the potential in people that is sometimes hard to see from the outside. He took us on a prayer walk through a 300 acre, tall grass land where his church will one day have a building and beautiful campus. Currently his congregation is making huge sacrifices to work on gaining ownership of the land. A couple of stepped in HUGE ant hills...and fought off some knarly bugs but it was great! We then had an incredible lunch of pollo, arroz, and frijoles (chicken, rice and beans). I´m pretty sure I could eat this kind of food for the rest of my life!! The rest of the day was spent at a private school. My students taught a lesson based on the Parable of the Seeds (we simplified everything for students) and rocked it. Kris and Emily H shared their testimonies and did a great job at showng how God can work through the people you surround yourself with. It was a great day of simple ministry and we can not wait to go back tomorrow and work with Rudy.
I´m loving being here and loving being with students. They are already making huge sacrificies and breaking out of their comfort zones tons! Its awesome to see the work God is already doing in and through each of them.
Its also great to have my little sister. We´ve never had a chance to really do ministry together as adults so this is incredible. She is such a good leader and was a huge help to me as we figured out airport cancellations and whatnot. I´m so proud of her and how God has changed and shaped her. Love watching students fall in love with her...she incredible!!
More to come....sorry for the aweful grammer and spelling (this keyboard is super stiff)
Monday, August 8, 2011
Long Day!!!
Well I have been in and out of the LAX airport now 3 times since I was suppose to leave last night for Costa Rica. I have 22 exhausted but excited students resting on a hotel lobby floor and 4 tired but invested and joyful leaders. After sitting on a plane for almost 2 hours last night our flight got cancelled. We then had to wait only 2 hours for a shuttle to take us to a really nice hotel where we would proceed to sleep for 5 hours. Its now 5pm and we are still in California. Despite the long day and tired draining emotional beings, its been fun to find some joy and laughter in our students. God is really blessing us with some more bonding time as Satan is testing our patience, endurance and self-control. We have laughed a lot as delierous students say the funniest things at 5:00am. Here are some pictures from our Costa Rica adventures so far =) Please continue to pray for our trip as we now plan to leave at 2:00am on 8/9
finally on a bus to the hotel at 5:00am
Nothing like a little game of MOW to pass the time in the hotel
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Costa Rica or Bust!!
After months of planning, data entry and training I am off to Costa Rica for 10 days. Part of my job is partnering with our event coordinator, Phil, to lead and plan mission trips for our high school students. Tonight I get to start seeing all that work come to life when I take off on a plane with 23 students and 3 other leaders. I'm excited to introduce students to my heart for the people of Latin America and to show them what it means to live out Matthew 28:19-20
Expect some updates soon and check out the HSM trip blog for updates from our students:
http://hsmcostarica2011.blogspot.com/
Expect some updates soon and check out the HSM trip blog for updates from our students:
http://hsmcostarica2011.blogspot.com/
most of our time will be spent in the city of San Jose and Jaco
Leave a Legacy
This past Friday I attended and participated in the 2K4Kids annual dinner and auction fundraiser. We spent countless hours the week before preparing baskets and boards for the 100 plus auction items that came in. The night was then filled with loving friends and family who either knew my cousin Kari or have been impacted by her legacy. For me it was a kind of a wake of call.
2K4Kids is a foundation set up in honor of my cousin/mentor/friend Kari and her daughter Keira who passed away in a tragic car accident four years ago. It gives 10-12 college scholarship a year to students in the local Murrieta Valley. We also this year gave away hundreds of backpacks filled with school supplies, created a club that doesn't community outreach, and supported the building of upgraded playground equipment. Anyways as a current youth leader I was filled with joy as this years scholarship recipients took the stage. As the tears streamed down my face I realized just how incredible my cousin was. Four years later she is still impacting the lives of high school students. And then it hit me...she is still impacting my life!! As a high school student she pushed me to be better at school and strive towards success so I could get into college. She helped me with all my college essays (I was horrible at it and needed major help!). I went to college at her Alma Mater and on move in day she helped me meet one of my great friends Ashlee Barret. Kari was faithful at sending me packages of candy and random goodies to lift me up during finals. She is one of the reasons that I understand how important it is to pour into students when they are in high school. Kari helped mold me early on into the youth leader and friend I am today. I am so thankful for her leadership, love, trust and encouragement!!
The fundraiser was tons of fun. Here is a glimpse of the excitement.
2K4Kids is a foundation set up in honor of my cousin/mentor/friend Kari and her daughter Keira who passed away in a tragic car accident four years ago. It gives 10-12 college scholarship a year to students in the local Murrieta Valley. We also this year gave away hundreds of backpacks filled with school supplies, created a club that doesn't community outreach, and supported the building of upgraded playground equipment. Anyways as a current youth leader I was filled with joy as this years scholarship recipients took the stage. As the tears streamed down my face I realized just how incredible my cousin was. Four years later she is still impacting the lives of high school students. And then it hit me...she is still impacting my life!! As a high school student she pushed me to be better at school and strive towards success so I could get into college. She helped me with all my college essays (I was horrible at it and needed major help!). I went to college at her Alma Mater and on move in day she helped me meet one of my great friends Ashlee Barret. Kari was faithful at sending me packages of candy and random goodies to lift me up during finals. She is one of the reasons that I understand how important it is to pour into students when they are in high school. Kari helped mold me early on into the youth leader and friend I am today. I am so thankful for her leadership, love, trust and encouragement!!
The fundraiser was tons of fun. Here is a glimpse of the excitement.
just a little sister love
the sign says kindness....this is pure kindness right here =)
Thursday, August 4, 2011
DIY project
Recently I completed a little DIY project for my room to spice it up a bit and add a place to hang all my jewelry =)
Before: pegboard, a cheap mirror
Finished! just a taste of my jewelry collection
Next project will be decorative pillows for my living room and bedroom.
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