running, backpacking, and moving

I have not written in a while so but I am in the airport waiting for a flight so I have a little time.

Students Run LA (running part of my life)
I have been mentoring kids in my neighborhood at a local high school and training with them to run the LA marathon. Yesterday I ran 18 miles, a first for me. I really have started to love running and i love the mentor part so it is the perfect fit.

WWLT
Currently I am on my way to a Womens wilderness LT. A time in the Smoky mountains to pray, fast, and spend time in solitude with the Lord. I also get to see some dear friends in the process too. It has been something i have wanted to do for a long time and it has been such a gift to go at this time in my life. It reminds me how much the Lord knows what we need before we do. :)

Moving
The week i get back I move into my new apartment with a new roommate. I will still be in the same area just different apt and roommate. Our new home is more then i even prayed for. We have already meet neighbors, which is a huge gift. I have been wanting something like this the whole time i have lived in LA. I feel like my first 3 years i had this somewhat but not to this level. Really being involved and a part of a neighborhood is something I have desired and I already feel it happen at a deeper level then ever before and it is only the start.

So that is a real quick update on what is happening with me.

I pray you are all doing well and would love to hear from you. i may not respond right a way but i will eventually. :)

when it rains it pours

That is a very true statement for me this next two weeks with visitors. So much so they even overlap a lot. My brother Lucas and Angela his wife are going to come visit from NM Thursday-Tuesday, then Kayla (a girl i mentored this summer) is coming into town on Sunday for a week. While she is still here a mission group from NM will be coming and to top it all off my sister Annna and a friend of hers Amber will be here at the same time. The mission trip, Annna & Amber, and Kayla will all leave on next Sunday. It is going to be a little crazy for those 10 days. I love people to visit it is just a little crazy when they come all at the same time.

being towed and the kindness of others

Yesterday i was helping a friend do flowers for a wedding she agreed to do. I got to her house around 9am. I parked in a place that was ok to park at until 4pm so i thought i was ok but time got away from me and i forgot to move my car at 4pm. at 4:18 i got a ticket for $78 dollars and then they towed my car. so i had to pay an additional cost of $243.80 so a grand total of $321.80! that is kind of harsh! but i really felt such kindness of others yesterday. a friend of the girl i was helping do the flowers took my to try to get my car. we where not able to get it last night though because we got there at 7:15pm and they closed at 7pm. but it was so nice of this guy i don't even know to try to help me out. He even gave me $40 to help toward the fund to get me car back and would not let me pay him back. The friend i was helping do flowers for also gave me a little so I will end up paying only $231.80. that still sounds like a lot but it could be worse. all i could think about last night was it could be worse. i was blessed to have people help me out to get my car back. i know have it again safe and sound. there are so many worse things that could happen. while i was waiting i saw a guy packing up his things and moving them using a bike cart because he had been evicted from his apt. i have a place to live and friends to help me in times of need. I have a wonderful God that will help provided for me in ways i don't even know. I am so blessed!

ps the car in the picture is not mine

Zoo

Danyelle

Auntie Chrissy

Beth (new mommy) and her little angel Danyelle

look at that chin or should i say chins

Auntie Shalom

all the cousins

Derick is such a good cousin

Daddy Daniel and his baby girl Danyelle

Last week I went to visit my new niece Danyelle and family in New Mexico. It was so fun to see everyone and just relax with family. No special event or holiday, just hang out with family. I got to hold Danyelle so much! She is six weeks old now and since I was visiting everyone let me hold her as much as I wanted. When you have a big family that loves babies as much as we do, usually everyone is fighting over the baby so it was a nice privilege to have. I also got to spend the day at the zoo with my nieces and nephew and hold Matt, my cousin Rachel’s baby all day. There is something magical about going to the zoo with little kids. Their excitement and wonder at everything is contagious.

so i am not sure what happened to January? I can not believe i did not write on this blog even once. i wrote a lot of blogs in my head but they never got down on paper or i guess you should say the screen. (cheezy yes) they were some good ones too that kept running through my head but then i would get busy and the day would pass and well you know how it is.

I am doing good, again in an exploratory stage, really seeking God on direction. Looking at what He wants my focus to be. Asking why I am doing what I am doing? Am I living for Shalom or God? I pray I am a light and I am making a difference not just existing. sometimes it feels like i am just existing. :\ i really have been having some good times with God and really feeling His peace and strength. We have such an amazing God words really can not describe how blessed we are.

so i just wanted to write and let you know i am here still.

ps i have a new niece!!!! Daniel and Beth had Danyelle Michelle Kindle Sanchez two weeks ago. she is beautiful! i will have to post some pictures soon. hopefully i will get to see her in person soon too. Daniel and Annna have been doing good sending me pictures and video's to help me not feel so far away. thanks guys

thanks for all your prayers it over!

you can tell how tired i was and am from all the spell mistakes in the last post. but it is all over and we helped 1259 children or something like that just tonight. we will also be able to help some other children in mexico and other organizations so the total will be over 1300 this year. about 300 to 400 more then last year. i will write more later but right now i must sleep. thanks for all your prayers. and merry christmas!