{WITH A} grain.of.salt

Aww, July is almost over! Such sadness.
I have to do my Heritage post....

Okay, so I and some of us older ones flew in to Denver on Tuesday. Why? Because
A) Airfare was more reasonable and
B) Hello, Mini-Vacay before the conference!

We ate tacos at a trendy little place then rested/took naps at our hotel (lol) then went to 16th Street Mall in Denver. There we encountered a protest (against police.... while police were escorting them. Irony.). Then as we tried to go to Ross, the protest started getting outta hand and the police pulled out guns (someone said they were the kind with rubber bullets). We ducked into Ross and then we were all commanded to go down to the basement/housewares department. THEN we were told that they were closing the store so everyone had to leave. Craziness. Thankfully at that point, the protesters were gone. We then ate yummy Italian food.

Wednesday, we had brunch and then drove the hour south to Colorado Springs.

Pulling up to church, I was Shocked that apparently there were no more parking spots. We had to park on the side of the street! I have never been to a conference that had such a packed out first night and I had never seen Heritage so crowded. Even Elder Johnson said so! lol!

One reason I was super excited about this year was the lineup of all speakers over 70 years old! Apparently, everyone else was excited about this too. Also, I was glad that the kids in my church worked hard and were able to come for the first time.

So basically... we had CHURCH. Like, some serious CHURCH. Every service was incredible. We had to get to church a good hour or more before prayer to get a decent seat. And when I say decent, I mean on a pew (as opposed to a wooden/metal chair) kinda towards the back. I dislike being in the back but hey! I was happy. The time before prayer was fellowship time. Mary took a cute selfie of her and I but she hasn't posted it yet *COUGH COUGH*.

So many other bloggers detailed the last night of service with the tongues and interpretation. It was exciting for my group because my pastor had been doing a Bible study series on the gifts of the Spirit and to see those two gifts manifested in a conference setting was pretty awesome.

A few things that resonated with me:

Mary mentioned that the elders emphasized that they have confidence in the next generation to carry the torch. Honestly, in my mind I was thinking, "Really?!?!" It was extremely humbling to hear such well-respected men who have gone through so much say this.

There was such a hunger for God in the place. It was so strong and helped me to believe that my generation just may be capable of carrying the torch.

It is SO Fitting to me that this Heritage was unique and beautiful. Just so you know.... if you haven't checked the headlines lately, the world has gone crazy. If you haven't heard the latest, the church world has also gone crazy. To see people flock to hear elderly men of God in the times that we are living in? Incredible. It does not surprise me God saw fit to bless that conference the way He did.

a few pics....

Honestly, my Colorado pics mostly comprised of... wait for it.... Bunnies.
(Almost) every time we walked to and from our hotel, there were 2-5 bunnies eating or chillin', enjoying the weather. They were out there even at 2am!! It was SO CUTE. I squealed every time. I'll just share one pic.

This was taken by Dakota Owens. I saw it on Instagram and I asked him if I could use this. A picture of all of the preachers!


Me and my awesome friend Jennie (yasss, Jennie & Jen!!) on the last night during fellowship before prayer. Her pastor (Elder Jackson) PREACHED on Wednesday night!!

[if Mary posted the pics that we took, they would've gone here]

ahhh, twenty-fourteen! you have arrived!

well, I kicked this year off right by attending 5 services in 3 days, haha. Conqueror's was wonderful. very strengthening services! the theme that Jesus chose for the preaching (ha!) was getting a hold of God and growing in Him. incredible! all services ministered to me so much.

and of course, what's a conference without being with old friends and making new ones?! everyone was so kind and friendly! awwww can ya feel the love????

i'll let Mary go into great detail with some of these pics, because I'm SURE she has more to add!
we certainly did have a blast!

first of all, went to bed around 1-ish am on 1/1/2014, got outta bed 3:40-ish am to be at the airport at 4:30-ish am for my flight that would leave Exactly at 6am.

so to sum it up, i was pretty much exhausted.

Mary, Teresa and MJ picked me up and then Mary fed me coffee and biscuits and gravy and we then sent a pic to tease Anali and Hanna .

I'll let Mary elaborate about the lack of purse but abundance of hair accessories! and also the "shoutout to the youth group"!

Last week, my little church celebrated our 20th anniversary! Yayyyyy!

It was pretty awesome and let me tell ya, I have a new appreciation for anyone who puts on a conference because my word, there was a lot of work involved!

Like, beginning in the middle of the year, there were a lot of renovation projects going on in the sanctuary and fellowship hall. I wasn't apart of much of those, mainly because I lack the skills to add trim to walls, redo windows, lay carpet, etc.

But the days of the conference, there was also much work to be done.... mainly in the kitchen area. It was exhausting. I think fully recovered after going to bed around 8pm on Monday night. But you know what? It was so worth it when you consider the great presence of God there and the phenomenal preaching.

WED NIGHT - Elder Keith Hood, Atlanta, GA - "Out of Egypt But Not Out of the Woods"
* Three surefire ways to never get out of the woods:
   1) Forget what God has done for you
   2) Listen to the wrong voices
   3) Allowing a spirit of rebellion to get a hold of you
* Amidst the whining, complaining and negativity, Caleb and Joshua did not let the multitude sway them though they were greatly outnumbered.

THURS NIGHT - Evan. Scott Kerr, Jr., Canton, OH - "The Quality of What We Bring Still Matters"
* The scriptures describe God being offered polluted bread and blind animals for sacrifice. How do you know when you're giving God your best? When you put your heart into it.

FRI AFTERNOON - Elder Dennis Garza, Madera, CA - "Establishing an Apostolic Hermeneutic"
* Hermeneutic - the art and science of interpretation 
* We need to know what to affirm and what to deny.
* Rebellion and unbelief get in the way of revelation. Carnality affects interpretation.

FRI NIGHT - Elder Nathan Dudley, Junction City, KS - "Wandering Stars"
* The only hope for a wandering star or for one influenced by one is much prayer.

quick pic snapped of my Pastor, Sis. Pace and the Garzas on Sunday

Back home for now!

I had a lovely time in CA. Gosh, I never would've dreamed that I would have been on a plane this month but it happened and it was a nice little break! My days were filled with eating, shopping, driving and Church! Great combo! :) Los Angeles, Pasadena and Fontana for Bro. Frazier's meeting.
Shout out to Bekki, my sweet and gracious hostess!!

Also nice to spend some time with friends and to meet new ones! A few pics:

Goo Mah-nin!

First of All, Happy WCC Week to those of you attending! I sent that in a text to my favorite {only!} Josephine yesterday... :D. Stay up incredibly late, laugh till your stomachs hurt, do your hair in record time and be on time for prayer before service!! Gosh, I kinda sound like a mom. Anywho, I hope my lovely friends have a great time! Awwwwww, I'm gonna miss out on this 2nd Heritage Reunion, LOL!

Meanwhile, over here CHURCH has been pretty fabulous, doncha know! I live in a part of the country that is along the infamous Bible Belt. There are lotsa beautiful churches but the downside is that everyone and their grandma and their Dog thinks that they're already Saved. So it Really touches my heart to see people come with humble, hungry hearts to learn about God. A young couple came with a baby a few weeks ago and the Friday before the wedding that I previously blogged about, we did a small wedding ceremony after church! So now the wife has the holy ghost and the husband is seeking it. I love love love it So Much!

This weekend, we had Elder Jimmy Lee with us and it was so good. There's nothing like gleaning wisdom from a good elder and his wife!

My heart goes out to the northeast dealing with the effects of SANDY. Thankfully, my family over there has fared well but many people were not so fortunate. I am wary of how donated funds are used but I encourage people to donate blood! There's a blood shortage and if you are healthy and not toooo scared of needles, it would be a great gift to give!

Also, pardon my seeming irreverence but the name "Sandy" doesn't connotate a storm that left death and destruction in its wake. It sounds so nice and happy. Like, Katrina sounds like a catty woman but maybe that's only because I once knew a human who was a catty Katrina. I can't think of a bad Sandy. Anyway, I digress. It'll be interesting to see how Sandy affects everything that happens tomorrow.


Soo, you know what tomorrow is? Right? It's ELECTION TIME. Ughhh. Let me tell ya, Jen is so looking forward to 11/7/2012. That's the day after this madness. MAKE IT STOP!!  I find it really hard to get impassioned about any of the candidates. I think the party system is so flawed and I find it difficult to completely agree with any of them. And it's so divisive! I love harmony and unity and all that jazz. Conflict bugs me! People want to engage me in political discussions. I either poke holes at the inconsistencies that I see or I just pretend that I've lost the ability to speak. Soooo done with it all. Thank God the end is near.

Might I interest you in some of my Pinterest Political Propaganda???? say that 3 times fast! alliteration is fun!

right?!?!

long as I got King Jesus!!

This is my personal favorite! COOKIES!!!!!!

Happy Monday!

Youth Alive was only 2 services but they were 2 intensely power packed services! Seriously! There was an awesome presence of God during both services. I'm so thankful for Bro. Jones allowing God to use him.

Special THANK YOU to Sis. Kathy for being an absolutely Incredible hostess! Love her SO much! She is truly a wonderful example of the woman I aspire to become someday.

*ahem* which brings me to the infamous chair incident.... OK so Sis. Kathy cooked this amazing pasta dish and I was sitting down to chow down and this happened.....


Uh-Huh! Yeah! I was in a brief state of shock initially but it was Hilarious!!! Bro. McElhaney informed me that this chair was put out to unsuspecting guests (not really!!). And then later on, I apparently got even by messing up the electricity in the house! Ahhh, good times!

Soooo Thursday, Michelle wanted to go to a Belizean restaurant for lunch and we did! And it was soooo good!

Mich in garnaches eating bliss

my food was soooo plentiful and sooo good! oh and that bean dip was to die for!

So I saw some frens!!! Hi frens!

Finally met Kendra!! She's so awesome! We text often but met face to face finally!
OH fun fact! I remember seeing Kendra for the first time on stage at my 1st Youth Alive in Knotts Berry Farm (2009) and thinking that she was so cool to have natural hair. True Story! I wasn't natural at that time, haha!

Happy to meet Courtney and Misha and Carisa!! And I had a mini Heritage reunion with Jedidah and Anali!

moi, Courtney, Kendra, Misha, Anali, Carisa, Michelle @ Poquito Mas!

Misha and Courtney are a HOOT!!!!

See, Courtney was making me laugh while taking the pic "1....2.... 5!!"

TAKE TWO! Kendra and I!

We're American!

We are Too!!

Bekki and I! My other gracious cook last week, haha!

Frens! Me, Michelle, Anali and Melissa

Aww, wish I could've gotten pics with the Bell Gardens Belles! and Kim! and Crystal! and others! So good to see you all though!

And what's an LA trip without la playa?

Zuma Beach

I'm in my happy place

Santa Monica Pier

This is the ghetto version Mickey and Minnie. They were having to hold up their ears and they turned their bodies every time I tried to snap a picture.

Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade