Micah and I are in California!

My sister Rachel is graduating tonight. She has worked her way through 10 years of school, work, school, moving, school, work, school, and travel to get to this point. She will have a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics. How cool is that?

For this long-awaited and momentous occasion, Micah and I flew out to CA for the week (we miss you back in MI, dad)!!! It has already been a jam-packed 30+ hours of talking, laughing, eating, laughing, sleeping (minimally of course, we're on vacation, and there are more important things to do!), hanging out with friends and family...

Micah and I jump-started the trip with a little Express plane from Grand Rapids to Chicago airport on Monday night. Micah and I were in the last row, and due to our carry-ons and nature of the slowness of traveling with a toddler, we were the last passengers off the flight. We thanked the pilot on our way out and said, "good job." He invited Micah into the cock-pit!! I whipped out my camera and watched my little pilot in training (?) :-) as he pushed buttons, steered the wheel, and talked over the intercom.




Tuesday moring started bright and early and we got to have breakfast with Papa Sovilla before he left for work. Then Micah and I went to Joy Missionary Circle with my mom (a precious group of women who faithfully pray for missionaries and meet up once a month). I used to attend back in high school...it was so good to see these women again, and bring Micah along too.

On the heels of Joy Circle, I got together with two of my very dear childhood buddies, Beth and Jennifer. After a bite to eat at the famous In & Out (we don't have those in the midwest), we just enjoyed one another's company! Talking, catching up, speaking of our dreams and goals ahead, and just being thankful to be together. And, as is the case with two boys in tow (Jennifer's son and my own), we found our way to a local park so they could run off some energy while us gals chatted more. The time ended too soon...


Then last night I got to eat out with my sis' Elizabeth at a cute little cafe. We got a chance to catch up on details in life, and just enjoy having gramps and gramma at home to watch our kiddos. Moms out on the town, just the two of us!

Now I'm home with the cousins (Micah, Anne and Lillyann), while grandma and Elizabeth get a chance to attend "Sharing Day" at Bible Study Fellowship today. I'm looking forward to my own "Sharing Day" next week at my class of BSF in MI. God has really used this year studying the Gospel of John to focus my eyes on His Son Jesus more. Jesus is the best, and loves us so much!!




Tonight starts the graduation festivities with the commencement ceremony and a grad party tomorrow night...before you know it, I'll be back on plane...I'm thankful for the time I have here right now. God is good!