Just thought I'd share of few of my favorite things, as of late.  Its very random, I promise, but lots of good stuff.  So, for you time-wasting, website-puddle-jumping joy.... here ya go!Rachel Ray's Stuffed Steak with Proscuitto and Spinach
The entire menu is just outstanding... stuffed steak with proscuitto and spinach, sauteed crimini mushrooms, warm cherry tomato salad.  Delish!

Our decision to move to California was not an easy one.  But one of the things that made it easier (though NOT a factor in our decision-making process) was the fact that several of our dear friends from college already lived out here and worked at the same church.  Even though we may not hang out as much now as we thought we would, it has been such a huge blessing to have great friends here.  While we loved our NC friends that were new to us in NC, there is a certain comfort and familiarity with people who know you from an additional time in life.  In this case, it is friends who knew us from college, and now who know us out in "the real world."  We work together, we live in the same town, and we just do life together.  I have been reminded how sweet that fellowship is this past week by our dear friends, Tommy & Shiny.  Tommy &  Sean are both in the missions department, so they work together closely every day, but Sean and I are also in the same small group with Tommy & SHiny and one other couple.  This past weekend, after church on Saturday (which have I mentioned how much I LOVE going to church on Saturday night?!), Shiny invited Sean and I over for a home-cooked, made-from-scratch Indian dinner.  Two words for you: YUM MEEEEEEEE!  Delicious!  Here's a pic of our fantastic fare:

I was really off on some of my nomination predictions!  See for yourself:Richard Jenkins

Yes, yes, i know what you're thinking... Christmas has already come and gone... isn't that the most wonderful time of the year?  While Christmas is wonderful and I enjoy the good tidings as much as anyone, the most wonderful time of the year will be upon us in just about 6 hours... that's right friends... that is when the nominations for the 81st annual Academy Awards will be announced!  I will no doubt have to crank up my date nights at the movies in order to fit in all of the noms for the top ranked categories.... best actor/actress, supporting actor/actress, and of course, best picture.  I've tried in the past to watch ALL the nominations, and well, between my tight pocketbook and the boring foreign films, I fell slightly short of that goal.  So I'm sticking to the most important ones.  Some flicks I definitely anticipate being on the list are as follows:

Here's another review on Mad Church Disease... I'm getting more and more excited to read it!  I'll let you know my thoughts as soon as I read it... Release date: 01 Feb.  I want some of you to read it too so we can actually talk about it!  Its super cheap on Amazon pre-order (<---- That's even a direct link to order it... so no excuses~!) right now... less than $12.  :-)

I thought that was so funny! Very well done! Especially if you watched WW. Whoever did that is brilliant!

Ok, I feel the urge to opine (thank you Bill O'Reilly for that vocab word. I now use it at least weekly) for a moment on the upcoming inauguration. So I didn't vote for the guy, and I'm not a big fan of many of his stances, but he will very soon be our leader. He still needs our prayers. Even though I think the hero worship is ridiculously out of hand and the hollywood/tabloid droolers make me ill, I will still pray for the soon-to-be-leader of our country. If he can turn this country around, and bring hope to those who were hopeless, more power to him. I only hope and pray that that his journey in the White House will bring him closer to and more dependent upon the Christ he claims to know. Many things will change with this new administration. Some will be better (in some opinions) and some will be worse (In others' opinions). Either way we have to stand behind this man and pray for him with all our might. We are living in historic times. I look forward to the day I may possibly hold my child (regardless of his or her race) and tell him/her about this moment in history-- a moment that signifies yet another breakdown of preconceived notions and prejudices. A moment that makes what was once thought to be impossible, possible. A moment that will make everyone equal. So even though i don't agree with everything Mr. Obama stands for, I am very much looking forward to next week's historical inauguration.

My love for Survivor has never been a secret.... I LOVE IT!  And I have always wanted to audition to be on the show... talk about the ultimate life experience!  I've tried to make application videos, and can never get anything good enough to send in .  Well, my friends.... there is an open casting call for Survivor next week, in my town.  !!!!!!  So, I think I am going to do it.  Why not right?  I just have to fill out this uber long application, then show up!  Honestly I think I'm pretty plain jane vanilla, but I also think I can be interesting and fun... I like people and I am very competitive!  I don't like to give up, and its been a while since I've done something that scared me.  So I think it is time to do this.  And if I never get farther than the open casting call, at least I can say I did it, right?  :-)

So, I came across this on ysmarko's blog (from Youth Specialties).  (**So we're not exactly youth people anymore... we're missions people... but who says missions can't be youth or vice-versa!?)  ***By the way, you should totally bookmark his blog... has tons of great links and interesting stuff all the time.*** OK~ enough side tracks... back to the point....

No more photobooth.....

Look at this verse I saw.... it is the calling of Jeremiah, Jeremiah 1:5--->

I am extremely interested in this book....anyone heard or read it??

I've heard some people say. "Your husband's a pastor... he doesn't really work."  Well, if that thought has ever crossed your mind about any pastor you know, let me assure it is not true!  I just laugh at the statement nowadays... Here's a glimpse at what lies ahead for Sean and I this week....

I was trying to work on some design stuff this morning, but there was a little furry blog hindering my hand-to-keyboard movement.  I was wearing Sean's robe (which is Duke's FAVE) and he was just so cuddly and cute... had to take a picture....