Joy: May 2014

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Sarah's Church Shower

So yesterday morning I left Las Cruces at 6 am to catch my flight back to California. I had a layover in Phoenix and enjoyed breakfast and catching up with Uncle Jim & Aunt Annette in the airport! (I LOVE how I can count on them to be there even if they only get to see me for an hour!)

Dad picked me up from LAX and took me straight to Sarah's church shower. I was so glad I was able to come home a day early for this. It was so nice to just attend a shower for once and not worry about anything hosting related! I loved seeing Sarah enjoy herself and her friends. (Johnson ladies you really did a wonderful job!)

Rather than giving prizes to the winner of each game we used a points system and whoever accumulated the most points got prizes at the end. Mom won two points by getting a plate with a bonus on it!

Amy searching for more bonus points!

Sarah J did a wonderful job decorating the tables outside. They corresponded very well with Sarah's wedding theme!

Nika, Val, Bitsy, Hope

Christie, Diana, Teresa, Sarah, Allison

Julie, Jan, Molly, Cherron

Sierra, Bekka, Hannah, Kim

Hannah did a great job leading us in some fun and unique games!

Case in point. =)

Teresa gave a helpful devotion

There is a special story behind this gift. Sarah and Val loved it when they were little and called themselves Spider Sisters. Sarah always asked Val if she could have the book and Val promised to give it to Sarah when she got married. So sweet! 10 years later they are still good friends and Val remembered her promise.

My mom's gift was just the coolest. She made Sarah a bunch of personalized thank you cards to use.

She also gave her one of her home made cards that is adorable.

And a pillow using some of Sarah's living room colours. The other side is the cutest but I don't have a picture of it. The lace on the back is extra from the bridesmaid dresses!

We had such a good time and it was a huge blessing to Sarah and my family!

New Mexico trip!

Josh and I were able to go to Las Cruces to visit his family this past week! The main reason we went at this time was to see his sister graduate from high school. We are so proud of Grace for all her hard work! She attended a brand new school that is for early college education and even though she came in during her sophomore year she graduated and only has 3 credits to go until she can receive her associates degree. This is SUCH an accomplishment and we know that she will keep working hard and exercising her gifts and using them to bless other people and bring glory to God!

(Lukas, Josh, Dave, Uncle Don)

(Ari, Annie, Lynette, Lukas)

(Grandpa, Danie, Grandma, Wesley, Ari)

Some important people made an appearance, on the far right is a favourite teach of Josh, Danie, Ari, and Grace (Mr. Lutz). On his right is the current governor of New Mexico, then the new president of New Mexico State University who used to be the governor and signed the initiative that made this school possible, and next to him is the superintendent of the Las Cruces school system who made the school happen. This was the first graduation of the school and they had a 0% dropout rate!

The choir which sang all very spiritual songs, and there was even a prayer at the request of the principle. At a public school graduation! I was impressed and pleased.