I had written not too long ago about a trip that David and I would be taking to California which was a big deal for us because we rarely leave the state let alone leave this town. And usually where we go, the kids go as well and they weren't able to go on this trip. You'd think that parents would be all super excited to get away from their kids and enjoy a few days of no dirty diapers, no whining, no crying, no responsibility. That was not the case for us. I dreaded the thought of leaving them behind and fought in my heart and in my head the choice that I made to go to California for 5 days but I did manage to pry myself away and had an incredible experience. Thought I would share with you a little about my trip.
The purpose of this trip was to attend the Celebrate Recovery Leadership Summit in Mission Viejo. 10 people from Casper attended and we all went ready to learn and ready to bond. :) Some of you may not know what Celebrate Recovery is so I will give you a brief run down of the program.
Celebrate Recovery is a Christ centered 12 step program for ALL hurts, hang-ups, and habits. Many people think of drugs and alcohol when they think about recovery and though Celebrate Recovery does help with that... it is not limited to that. It is a place for ALL hurting people suffering from addiction of all kinds or emotional turmoil where they can get to the core of their pain and find healing through working the program and most of all by building a relationship with Jesus Christ. If you were to speak to people who attend and work the program you will often hear that the people at C.R. are their "C.R. Family". Often times you build bonds with these people as they become your support system, accountability partners and work along side you with like issues. Celebrate Recovery doesn't just focus on healing for adults but also has a teen program (called "The Landing"), children's program (called "Celebration Station"), and a program for those that are incarcerated (called "C.R. Inside"). Thousands upon thousands of lives have been changed through this program with all thanks and praise to Jesus Christ. So onto the summit :)
There is a picture up top in the little collage that I made of the actual conference. A total of 3,500 people from 45 different states came to Saddleback Church (which is the birth place of Celebrate Recovery 20 years ago) for 3 days of learning, growing, fellowship, and praise. There were many impactful testimonies and awesome guest speakers such as Pastor Rick Warren and John Baker of Saddleback Church, Dr. Henry Cloud, and Dr. John Townsend. Oh and the workshops! So many workshops to choose from to get a better understanding of how the program works and how we work as individuals and as a team. The resources provided seemed to be limitless with books, media, and teaching material for programs that were just starting up or that are already running. Needless to say there was a lot to learn and accomplish in the 14 hr days that were planned out for us but all in all the experience was amazing and I walked away with so much knowledge and a better understanding on a lot of things. I have been a leader for almost 2 years but was just recently made the encourager coach for my local C.R. program and so I was ready to learn and soak it all in as I prepare to be a support to all leaders, small groups, and my board mates here in Casper. I can honestly say that blessings have poured out as I have found a purpose by serving others through this program by not just being a leader but also by sharing how Christ has greatly impacted and changed my life and my marriage. There is nothing more amazing than to watch the hurting find peace and healing through a relationship with God and by working the program. Celebrate Recovery is life changing and you should get involved!
I did manage to do other things while I was gone. Note the pic of the yarn. :) David googled a list of yarn stores in Orange County and found one that was not too far from where we were! "Yarn Lady" was the name of the store and I tell ya what.... walking in there was quite overwhelming (in a good way) as I saw an incredible selection of at least $100,000 (if not more) worth of yarn. I spent about 2 hrs in there as I carefully looked over each kind she carried and then proceeded to carefully pick out my treasure. :) I probably will never be back in that store again so I had to make it count! Fortunately she does have a website and you can find it here if you're curious and would like to take a look! Bless David's heart for being so sensitive and giving towards my yarn need. :) I sure do love him for this reason in particular. lol
Another picture that is posted is of San Clemente Pier. Such a beautiful place full of gift shops, pizza stands, and restaurants. David and I walked hand in hand as we explored this new world together. Digging our toes into the sand, dipping our feet into the water and then walking on the pier that extended far out on the pacific ocean. I enjoyed a steaming hot cup of clam chowder at the end with yummy little oyster crackers. Each bite was full of clam and tender veggies and satisfied every bit of hope I had of how good it would taste. We enjoyed looking out as we watched dolphins come up to the surface to say hello and play with one another and as we watched pelicans land on the railing of the pier to observe people and basically beg for food. One pelican almost stole my soda right out of David's hand! lol I couldn't believe it! We walked back to the walkway along the beach as a couple ran to their friends. They just got engaged and I couldn't help but to grin as the couple posed with their buddies with a surfboard right in the middle of them. lol It felt like a whole different world as I observed my surroundings and soaked it all in. For a moment I was envious of the people that lived there and thought of how it must be for them to know that the OCEAN was so close. But I reminded myself Wyoming is beautiful and there is much that I experience and see here that they don't there. So I just enjoyed the moment and thanked God for his creation as I took a breath in of the cool, moist air.
I did get a chance to play in the ocean but it wasn't at San Clemente Pier. I can't remember the name of the beach for some reason but we went there our first night in California. I ran out, full force into a wave only to have my feet taken out from under me and carried along with it. They don't call it salt water for nothing! lol It was fun though. All of us for a time were children again as we jumped into the waves, decorated ourselves with seaweed, and collected rocks from alongside the beach. Not to mention the collection of pebbles that collected in my clothes and poured out onto the bathroom floor as I pealed away the layers to wash the massive amounts of sand in my hair and that covered my body. I couldn't pass up the chance to swim in the pacific!
And of course the last picture is of me and David. :) That pic was taken while on the plane and on our way home. I can't help but to smile as I look at my sun kissed skin and David's sun toasted skin. :) Might I add that the lighting from the plane window was perfect thousands of feet in the air? Of course! lol
Did I knit on the trip? YES I DID! On the plane and at the summit. :) I completed on project and worked on a scarf that I've had on the needles for a few months now. Figured I wouldn't be bringing anything to complicated seeming as how I would be distracted often and I think that was a very good idea because with as much as my brain retained... there is know way that I would have been willing to work on a complicated pattern that would actually require me to think.
What else did I do? I ate at Krispy Kreme!!! That was a nice treat :) I was shocked to see that they were still open at 10 pm! lol Oh Caren, so unhealthy to eat anything so late at night but I must say that it was well worth it!
Well, I guess I've written enough but figured I'd make it lengthy since it's been a while since my last post and I just got back from a trip :) I hope you all have been doing well over the past couple weeks and appreciate you checking in to and reading my blog. I love and appreciate all of you. In fact... so much that I will be doing a giveaway, so keep your eyes pealed!
Love you All!
The purpose of this trip was to attend the Celebrate Recovery Leadership Summit in Mission Viejo. 10 people from Casper attended and we all went ready to learn and ready to bond. :) Some of you may not know what Celebrate Recovery is so I will give you a brief run down of the program.
Celebrate Recovery is a Christ centered 12 step program for ALL hurts, hang-ups, and habits. Many people think of drugs and alcohol when they think about recovery and though Celebrate Recovery does help with that... it is not limited to that. It is a place for ALL hurting people suffering from addiction of all kinds or emotional turmoil where they can get to the core of their pain and find healing through working the program and most of all by building a relationship with Jesus Christ. If you were to speak to people who attend and work the program you will often hear that the people at C.R. are their "C.R. Family". Often times you build bonds with these people as they become your support system, accountability partners and work along side you with like issues. Celebrate Recovery doesn't just focus on healing for adults but also has a teen program (called "The Landing"), children's program (called "Celebration Station"), and a program for those that are incarcerated (called "C.R. Inside"). Thousands upon thousands of lives have been changed through this program with all thanks and praise to Jesus Christ. So onto the summit :)
There is a picture up top in the little collage that I made of the actual conference. A total of 3,500 people from 45 different states came to Saddleback Church (which is the birth place of Celebrate Recovery 20 years ago) for 3 days of learning, growing, fellowship, and praise. There were many impactful testimonies and awesome guest speakers such as Pastor Rick Warren and John Baker of Saddleback Church, Dr. Henry Cloud, and Dr. John Townsend. Oh and the workshops! So many workshops to choose from to get a better understanding of how the program works and how we work as individuals and as a team. The resources provided seemed to be limitless with books, media, and teaching material for programs that were just starting up or that are already running. Needless to say there was a lot to learn and accomplish in the 14 hr days that were planned out for us but all in all the experience was amazing and I walked away with so much knowledge and a better understanding on a lot of things. I have been a leader for almost 2 years but was just recently made the encourager coach for my local C.R. program and so I was ready to learn and soak it all in as I prepare to be a support to all leaders, small groups, and my board mates here in Casper. I can honestly say that blessings have poured out as I have found a purpose by serving others through this program by not just being a leader but also by sharing how Christ has greatly impacted and changed my life and my marriage. There is nothing more amazing than to watch the hurting find peace and healing through a relationship with God and by working the program. Celebrate Recovery is life changing and you should get involved!
I did manage to do other things while I was gone. Note the pic of the yarn. :) David googled a list of yarn stores in Orange County and found one that was not too far from where we were! "Yarn Lady" was the name of the store and I tell ya what.... walking in there was quite overwhelming (in a good way) as I saw an incredible selection of at least $100,000 (if not more) worth of yarn. I spent about 2 hrs in there as I carefully looked over each kind she carried and then proceeded to carefully pick out my treasure. :) I probably will never be back in that store again so I had to make it count! Fortunately she does have a website and you can find it here if you're curious and would like to take a look! Bless David's heart for being so sensitive and giving towards my yarn need. :) I sure do love him for this reason in particular. lol
Another picture that is posted is of San Clemente Pier. Such a beautiful place full of gift shops, pizza stands, and restaurants. David and I walked hand in hand as we explored this new world together. Digging our toes into the sand, dipping our feet into the water and then walking on the pier that extended far out on the pacific ocean. I enjoyed a steaming hot cup of clam chowder at the end with yummy little oyster crackers. Each bite was full of clam and tender veggies and satisfied every bit of hope I had of how good it would taste. We enjoyed looking out as we watched dolphins come up to the surface to say hello and play with one another and as we watched pelicans land on the railing of the pier to observe people and basically beg for food. One pelican almost stole my soda right out of David's hand! lol I couldn't believe it! We walked back to the walkway along the beach as a couple ran to their friends. They just got engaged and I couldn't help but to grin as the couple posed with their buddies with a surfboard right in the middle of them. lol It felt like a whole different world as I observed my surroundings and soaked it all in. For a moment I was envious of the people that lived there and thought of how it must be for them to know that the OCEAN was so close. But I reminded myself Wyoming is beautiful and there is much that I experience and see here that they don't there. So I just enjoyed the moment and thanked God for his creation as I took a breath in of the cool, moist air.
I did get a chance to play in the ocean but it wasn't at San Clemente Pier. I can't remember the name of the beach for some reason but we went there our first night in California. I ran out, full force into a wave only to have my feet taken out from under me and carried along with it. They don't call it salt water for nothing! lol It was fun though. All of us for a time were children again as we jumped into the waves, decorated ourselves with seaweed, and collected rocks from alongside the beach. Not to mention the collection of pebbles that collected in my clothes and poured out onto the bathroom floor as I pealed away the layers to wash the massive amounts of sand in my hair and that covered my body. I couldn't pass up the chance to swim in the pacific!
And of course the last picture is of me and David. :) That pic was taken while on the plane and on our way home. I can't help but to smile as I look at my sun kissed skin and David's sun toasted skin. :) Might I add that the lighting from the plane window was perfect thousands of feet in the air? Of course! lol
Did I knit on the trip? YES I DID! On the plane and at the summit. :) I completed on project and worked on a scarf that I've had on the needles for a few months now. Figured I wouldn't be bringing anything to complicated seeming as how I would be distracted often and I think that was a very good idea because with as much as my brain retained... there is know way that I would have been willing to work on a complicated pattern that would actually require me to think.
What else did I do? I ate at Krispy Kreme!!! That was a nice treat :) I was shocked to see that they were still open at 10 pm! lol Oh Caren, so unhealthy to eat anything so late at night but I must say that it was well worth it!
Well, I guess I've written enough but figured I'd make it lengthy since it's been a while since my last post and I just got back from a trip :) I hope you all have been doing well over the past couple weeks and appreciate you checking in to and reading my blog. I love and appreciate all of you. In fact... so much that I will be doing a giveaway, so keep your eyes pealed!
Love you All!
Caren
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