180 Oasis Reception

Oasis Reception 2007

It has been a month since I posted anything on here. I guess I've been a little busy. Ill try to catch everyone up with pictures. On Sunday, April 29th, I opened my apartment to my 180 small group for a small "wedding reception" since they werent going to be at the actual reception. I hope they had a good time.

Honeymoon in San Diego: May 5th - May 11th

Honeymoon in San Diego

Our Honeymoon started on Saturday night at a Bed and Breakfast in Michigan. We flew into San Diego on Monday morning.

Our Honeymoon was wonderful. It was absolutely beautiful. Neither one of has ever been to California so we chose San Diego for our vacation. It was a very relaxing vacation too. We originally didnt get a Ocean View room but when we got to the hotel they had upgraded us to an Ocean View room for free. We spent most of the days walking up and down the beach. There was a boardwalk along the beach with little shops and resturants. We did some jumping in the waves too. We water felt really nice. It wasn't really that cold. The weather was warm and sunny the whole week we were there. Steve and I ate Calimari for the first time at one of the beach resturants. It was actually good. I never would have guessed that it was going to be good.

Thursday, we drove around the city and stopped at the Historic District of San Diego. It celebrated the Mexican history of the city. We ate at the best Mexican resturant I have ever been too. The food was great.

I hope you enjoy the pictures. The last night I watched the Sun Set over the Pacific Ocean. The pictures were taken for our Hotel balcony.

Bridal Shower: Sunday, April 22, 2007

My sister and my best friend, Shere throw me a Bridal Shower at my parent's house last Sunday. It was some good times. I'm not used to being the center of attention. It was fun to see a bunch of my friends hanging out together. Shere brought her girls and so did Carole, so Kariana got to make some new friends. We had a cookout lunch with some hamburgers and hotdogs and such. Shere and Erin had everybody play some games then I opened presents. My sister thought it would be fun if I wore a string on head as a tiara. My Grandma made us a handmade blanket. The blanket is really soft. It was a beautiful day to be outside. I went on a short walk around the block with Kariana after most of the guests had left. I hope my wedding day is as nice as it was Sunday.
Here are some fun pictures. It was a good time.

Bridal Shower

Oasis Throughout the Years

Oasis: Kickoff 99	2000 - 2001 School Year	2001 - 2002 School Year
2002 - 2003 School Year	2003 - 2004 School Year	2004 - 2005 School Year

My Hero and Mentor: Judy Gregory

I have been attending Granger Community Church since April 1997. I was a sophomore in high school. It was a tough year in my world. I have been a Christian my whole life but I still felt there was something missing in my life. I had no real purpose in life and felt like if I disapearred no one would really care or come looking for me. A few of my friends invited me to a concert at Lifeline (our high school ministry) and I immediately knew there was something different about the people there. There was a sense of community that I had never felt before. I was surprised at how many people I already knew that were there. That was 10 years ago. I have grown and changed alot since that first night. I can't even begin to thank everything that helped bring me to where I am today.
I want to focus my attention on just one: My mentor and hero, Judy Gregory. She reached 10 years on staff of GCC this week, with several more before that. She is the Middle School pastor at GCC. I have been doing ministry along aside her, either as a student or a leader for almost 10 years and I would not change a thing. This year marks my 7th school year as a middle school leader and I was a Lifeline student for 2 1/2. Together, we've done seven mission trips, 8 Acquire the Fires, seven 30 Hour Famines, 5 New Years Eve Bashes, and so much more, either as a student or a leader.

Her love and committment to her students inspire me to a better leader. She is the ultimate encourager. Whenever I am feeling down and feel like I'm not really making a difference with my students, I can count on her to encourage me. Ministry is who she is. I can't imagine anyone else doing her job. She builds her life into her leaders, training them to be everything God wants them to be. She searches and finds the talent in you that you didnt know you had. I am a better leader today because of her leadership. I feel honored that she is going marry me and my fiance in two weeks. I look forward to 10 more years of ministry, even if I have to do them from afar.

Helping Middle School Students Take Their Next Step Towards Christ...Together!

Wednesday!

I was sick this week from Sunday to Thursday morning. I dont think the stress of having to drive in tons of snow Wednesday helped much. I'm so glad that is gone. I have been trying to catch up on my sleep and get less stressed. Nurse Wendy told me I'm not allowed to be sick at my wedding. She is so awesome. I am so glad she is my co-leader this year.

This Wednesday was Steve's birthday but we celebrated it on Tuesday because I have Oasis on Wednesday. I felt horrible all day at work on Wednesday so I decided that I wouldnt make it through Oasis. I believe this is the first Oasis I have missed during the school year since I began doing Oasis in the fall of 2000. I haven't seen my girls in 2 weeks since last week was Spring break. I miss them tons. I hope they had a great night.

Here are this weeks questions:
1. What are some words that you would use to describe Jesus?
How is He like you and not like you?

2. Have a student look up and read Galatians 5:22-23:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Did you use any of the words in this passage to described yourself?
Did you use any of these words to describe Jesus?

3. If you had to pick the one you're the strongest in of the nine (love, joy, peace.), which would you choose? If you had to pick the one you're weakest at out of the nine, which one would it be? Why?

4. These are words that will describe us as we become more and more like Christ. But, let's just say that they don't very well right now. What could someone do to get better in one or all of these areas?

5. Have a student look up and read Romans 12:2:

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

One way we can get better is by renewing our minds. What do you think that means and how would you do that? What do you see in this world that Paul is warning us not to do or be like?

6. What is one thing mentioned that you could do to renew your mind that you could practice at school tomorrow?

How do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years? I know that seems like a really long time from now but you are starting your foundation now. Things you are doing now can and will effect your life in the future, either for the good or not. You have a choice to decide today what you stand for. What will define your life?

Easter 2007

I'm dreaming of a White Easter....Huh?...What? Don't you mean White Christmas? No, I case you didnt know it actually snowed here on Easter. I was talking to my best friend's dad last night and he said it snowed there on Easter too. He lives in Dallas, TX. He said it got down to 32 degreess last week. That is just crazy to me. Hopefully, it will warm up soon.

I spent Easter relaxing around Mishawaka. Steve and I went to Granger for church. I have been goin gto Granger CC for almost a decade and this was my first Easter service. Usually, I go out of town for Easter. It was an interesting experience. Third service was really packed.

After church, we took a nap because I wasn't feeling good and was tired. Steve worked on his budget while I napped and he cleaned my apartment a little. We are still working on making my apartment look nice since my sister moved out. We are starting to combine all of our stuff. He moved most of his kitchen stuff into my apartment. We put the stuff we think we are going use in the cabinet and packed the othe stuff away. You don't realize how much stuff you have until you have to pack it. Between the two of us, we have alot of stuff. We are planning to have a garage sale this summer after we get married so we can downsize a little in the kitchen area.

How much are you worth?

Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.
(Matthew 10:29-31)

How many times are we 'down in the dumps' and feeling pretty worthless because of circumstances beyond our control? Life can sometimes be unbeatable, but other times it gives us a 'beatdown'. Perhaps this week you know exactly what I mean. Good thing our worth isn't based on our circumstances or behavior, if it were I would have zero hope.

Check out this story and see if speaks to your heart.

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?"

Hands started going up.

He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first let me do this."

He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air.

"Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty.

"Now who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.

"My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.

Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value in God's eyes. To Him, dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to Him. Psalm 17:8 states that God will keep us 'as the apple of His eye.'"

The worth of our lives come not in what we do or who we are, but by WHOSE WE ARE!
(courtesy: Mikey's Funnies)

Questions:

• Who or what determines how good you feel about yourself?


• Have you 'checked in' with God lately with your issues and problems? Why or why not?


• What is one way you could show your thankfulness to God for His love this week?

Moving Day For My Sister!

Yesterday was a busy day. I spent most of it cleaning. I was waiting for Steve to come over after he finished working on his car. He is still trying to fix it. Church was great. Rob always has a way to say exactly what you need being hearing right then. I started my cleaning yesterday in the kitchen. I started some dishes then detailed cleaned the fridge. I took out all the food and cleaned all the shelves with bleach to make them really shiny. Then I put all the food back in.

My sister moved out of my apartment yesterday. She is moving out a month earlier than we had planned so it is going to put an extra strain on my budget. That's ok, though, I guess. I will work something out. We had fun moving all of her stuff out and back to my parents house. She is moving back there until she can find somewhere else to live and a roommate to live with.

Afterwards, Steve and I went back to my apartment and cleaned a little. I washed all the rest of the dishes that were in the sink, had maintenance fix the dishwasher, and moved some furniture around. Steve moved the futon that was in the living room to the 'spare bed room', formally known as Erin's room. He moved the TV in there too, so now we have a little TV room. Tonight, we will probably work on cleaning the living room before we watch 24. It wouldnt be Monday without 24. I still have to pack up most of my stuff. I still have time though.

We are still looking for a house to rent for after we get married. We have had a few prospects come to our attention. We just have to sit down and make a decision. It is going to be a busy month. We have most of the big details done. Now it's just getting the final details on everything done. Only 5 more weeks left! :)

Wedding Planning: Only 36 days left!

Doesn't that look peaceful. Steve and I booked our honeymoon this weekend. I am so glad that is finished. It takes a huge load of stress off knowing that that is planned. We bought the plan tickets, rented the car, and booked the room. We are going to California just South of San Diego. From the pictures on the website it looks really nice. We are going to be right on the beach of the Pacific Ocean. I will take tons of pictures, don't worry. I bet it is going to gorgegous. Please pray that we have great weather for the weekend of the wedding and for the week after. Also please pray for safe travels since I really don't like to fly.

The only big things we have left are finalizing the reception, finishing my wedding ring, and getting a final count for the reception once we get all the RSVPs back (Hint Hint! for those that havent turned in yet. :) ). I'm sure we will think of things as the day gets closer. I still have to figure my hair and little details like that but those shouldnt take to much time. I have to work on cleaning and packing my room this weekend. I'm making a pile/box of garage sale and sell things so hopefully I can make a little extra money before I move. You don't realize how much stuff you have until you have to move it. Money is going to tight for the next few months, but I suppose thats what happens when you get married. Steve and I are putting ourselves on a strick budget so we can squeeze as much out of the next months incomes that we can.

Praise God!

It's almost all back. It has been a real nightmare trying to get all my money refunded back to me. Two of my banks/accounts have refunded me all the money that was taken. I'm just waiting for one more. I'm so happy because now I have the money I need to pay for my wedding ring, our honeymoon, etc. I had almost $2500 taken from 3 different banks. It has not been a fun experience. I am so thankful for Steve. Without him I dont know if I would have made it through. He was always there at every moment. He took time off work to go to BMV and the social security offices with me when i had to replace all those indentification cards. He came with me to all the banks when I had to tell them what happened and fill out all the paperwork. He went with me to the Police Department when I had to fill out the police report. He made a bunch of phone calls and all this time he is also making wedding plans so I could relax and don't have to worry about that too. He is an amazing man. I feel like I'm the luckiest girl in the world that I get to marry him.
This experience is almost over. Then it's on the next adventure. I know that God has been with me the whole time. Sometimes it's hard to see or hear from God when you are in the experience. I know that when it first started I was really stressed and didnt know why it was happening. I dont I'll ever have a reason but I didnt let it shake my faith. I just kept moving through the storm until God got me out on the other side.

Praise You in This Storm by Casting Crowns

And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

Oasis Update: March 21, 2007

Oasis: March 21, 2007

The Gift series is over. I know I have said it before but I'm so proud of this students. They were went over and above to help the children at the YWCA and the animals at the Humane Society. We didnt have Eagles Nest time this week which made a few of my girls a little sad but we made it through. We had a celebration for the projects instead. Judy showed videos of what each group did and talked about each group. All of the students did a really great job on all the projects. Some Eagles Nests split up into a guys group and a girls group but we kept ours all together since we don't have many guys.

GCC is entering a new phase with this new building project. This is the first project that had the students directly involved in it and i think it went great. Hopefully, my students learned a little about what it means to serve and give of yourself. Ask yourself...How do you want to me remembered? I want to be remembered as someone who spent her life serving other people. I can't wait to see what lies around the corner. What new adventures are in store for me and my girls, and guys too of course.

Pampered Chef Bridal Shower

I had my first Bridal Shower yesterday. It was pretty fun. There were alot of my parents friends (they are friends of the family), my grandma, both of my sisters, and some of Steve's family. Three of his sister-in-laws and his mom came. His sisters each brought one of their kids. It was a party. I got to help the Pampered Chef lady cook. Yeah!

After the party, I drove down to Wakarusa and hung out with Steve for a little while. I made him dinner since he hadn't ate yet.

We have gotten a lot of RSVPs back so far. I'm starting to get really excited. It's only like 47 days away. I am so ready to be Mrs. Stephen Pitney.

Oasis: The Gift Series

My students never cease to amaze me. I am so proud of them. They really took ownership of this project. They took their time (about 3 weeks), their talent, and their resources to really bless the children of the YWCA. Oasis supplied $120 and they could do whatever they wanted with it. They decided to make some pillows and gift bags for the children staying at the YWCA and to donate some toys, blankets, etc to the animal shelter.

Here are some pictures of them in action. We are delivering the items to the YWCA this afternoon so I'll put up those pictures too.

Oasis: The Gift Project

Give your life with an attitude of generosity. It feels really good to help other people but it also blesses God's heart.

Matthew 25:40 (New International Version)
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

I got my new drivers license today. It didnt take as long as I thought it would but it was still not fun. Especially since I have to go back the DMV after May and get a new one with my new last name. I'm waiting for life to settle down. Any idea when that will be?

Invitations went out this weekend so that is one less thing to do. We are going to work on planning the reception and finalizing the rehearsal dinner this week. Then it's honeymoon planning time. We have an idea of where we want to go but we havent pinned it down exactly yet.

It has been a really long couple of day. My purse was stolen was work sometime Wednesday and someone went crazy with all my debit cards. It has been pretty stressful trying to get my money. I'm not as concerned about finding our who did as I am getting my money back. The worst part is that my emergency fund and our honeymoon funds are gone. Hopefully I will be able to get them back before we leave.

Please pray for me and Steve as we try to get our stuff back together. My drivers license and my Social Security cards were in my purse, as well, so I get to do a bunch of paper work next week.

Today is going to spent at Cici's Pizza with my students and Steve and work tonight. Second Saturday was today but i wasnt able to go to it because Steve and I had marriage counseling but I'm meeting them for pizza.

Looking forward to things getting better...

Weekends...

They never seen long enough. This weekend I started back at Fazoli's just for some extra income. We weren't that busy all weekend. The extra money will be nice though. The goal is to be out of debt by the time I'm 30.
Wedding planning seems to be coming along quite nicely. Invitation will be going out this week then we can check that off the list of thing to do. That is going to feel great. Once the invitations are out the next task is getting the order of the cermony and the reception completely organized. We still have to finalize our wedding ring order and order them. Money seems to tight right now but not unmanagable. I am working on moving all my bank account over to one bank then he is going to transfer all his money in that same bank. So we will have our money all at one bank, instread of the current three.

Steve is still trying to fix his car. He is having trouble finding out what is wrong. Everytime he fixes something he finds another problems.

I spent today after church making purchases for our Eagles Nests project. I can't wait to see what kinds of things they put together.

Oasis Update

I am so exited about this current series at Oasis. We are a series called "The Gift". We are encourging the students to look beyond the walls of GCC and do something for somebody else. I am so proud of my students. They have come up with some really great ideas. We kicked off the projects last night. I can't wait to see what they come up with next week.