A walk down memory lane...

I never should have been at UCCS. It was the last place I thought I would ever end up. It is in Colorado Springs and there was no women's soccer team...two big red flags! I was supposed to be at some big D1 school living the soccer dream but God had other plans, plans that He did not run by me first. So here is the story...

My first year I ended up at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, CO where I played D2 soccer. Soccer was my life, my God, my everything. It was the reason I got up everyday despite the depression and loneliness that overtook my life that year. I felt like such a nobody in that town, at that school, on that team. It took a toll on me and I went through an identity crisis and hit rock bottom. Soccer was no longer fun anymore, well I mean soccer AT Mesa State was no longer fun. So...I left.

Transferring schools is a pain but I HAD to get out of Grand Junction. I wanted to go to CU Boulder and finally play D1 soccer...my dream. I applied, got in, found a place, and registered for classes. One problem...I could not afford to live in Boulder. So...I ended up at UCCS and living at my parent's house.

I told myself I would be at UCCS for one year and that was it. One year and I would transfer to another school to play soccer...you know, live the dream. So...I gave in and went to UCCS for one year. I got two jobs to help the time pass quickly. I was determined to get out of there so I purposefully avoided making any friends...you know, I didn't want to get attached to anyone to a point where I couldn't leave. It was a lonely year and I was so glad when it was over....so glad!

Now I could pursue my soccer dream. I chose UNC in Greeley. I applied, got in, found a place to live, registered for classes, bought books, and moved to Greeley. Three days before classes started I found out that I was not eligible to play college soccer that year due to NCAA rules. Oh well, I thought, I already had a place to live and was moved in. God had other plans. A day before classes started I drove back home and swore I would not be going back to Greeley (I will not go into detail here, but basically I freaked out!). That night I re-registered for classes at UCCS and dropped all my classes at UNC. I moved back home and paid rent for four months on a place in Greeley that I never lived in. AHHHHHH...not back at UCCS!

As depressed as I was to be back at UCCS, I was determined to make it work. I needed friends; I needed a community; I needed something to cure my lonliness. So...I went to Campus Crusade for Christ and that is where God met me. I got serious about my faith and serious about facing my past. It was here where God changed my life. He brought some of the most amazing people I have ever met into my life, many of who are still in my life today. At times it was not easy but right now I stand here and tell you: thank God I ended up at UCCS.

This past Saturday was UCCS Cru reunion day and it was so awesome to reunite with these people who had such a huge impact on my life. Meet my friends...

So much to say...not enough time!

I have so much to blog about--so many things to say about new and old friends. But, I was out way later than I should have been so I'm gonna have to write another day. Check back soon!

"While You Were Sleeping"

Oh little town of Bethlehem
Looks like another silent night
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
A giant star lights up the sky
And while you were lying in the dark
There shines an everlasting light
For the King has left His throne
And is sleeping in a manger tonight, tonight
Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
For God became a man
And stepped into your world today
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping
Mary shivers in the cold
Trying to keep the Savior warm
Born among the animals wrapped in dirty rags
Because there was no room for Him in the world He came to save
United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we're sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we're lying in the dark
There's a shout herd 'cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night
America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
Will we be sleeping
United States of America
Looks like another silent night

-Casting Crowns

Annual REI Christmas Party!

Tis the time for the REI Christmas Party! Usually the party is at Jack Quinn's but due to the economy, we could not afford to have it there. So, we had to settle for the store, which meant no alcohol...oh well...the food was soooooooooooo good! We all brought either a dessert or a side item. I made a meringue topped southern banana pudding and of course needed help making it!

Here is a pic of my pudding and my friend Gina's apple pie!

Below is Carson, Gina, Me, and John.

So we got these sweet Titanal trekking poles this year for our Christmas presents and of course we had to fight each other with them...what else do you do with trekking poles?

This is Carl and I...new hire who played football at Azusa Pacific in Cali...great guy!

1 Peter 5:6-11

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all of your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen."

I needed to hear this today!

Time for my list...

Hannah's blog has inspired me to produce my own list of "guilty pleasures," so here they are in no particular order...


1. Text Messaging: I have gotten way to good at it, especially while driving (so bad, I know!). I would much rather talk to people on the phone, but texting is an easy and fast way to communicate when you don't need to have a full-length conversation with people.

2. Oh the world of Facebook! I have enjoyed re-connecting with people and keeping in touch with friends. I have also recently discovered the world of Facebook chat and I will admit that I have stayed up way too late chatting away...but it has been well worth it!

3. Coffee!!!!! There is nothing better than the infamous caramel macchiato (sp?) at Starbucks but, hey, I will take a good mild black coffee too!

4. Can't foget about BEER! I appreciate a good brew every once in a while...not gonna lie! Guinness is probably my favorite right now!

5. My crazy, silly dog Brandy! I love her to death but I do realize that she is only a dog and I will admit that sometimes I give her a higher status than she deserves. Sadly, I do struggle with the age-old question, "Your dog and a stranger are drowning and you can only save one, which do you save?" My reply is, "That will never happen so I am not going to answer!"

6. Shopping, especially at REI! I am a pretty picky shopper in that I only shop at a few stores but man, if I am in those stores I sure know how to shop! I am a bit of a outdoor gear and clothing snob and it does not help that my place of employment feeds that passion!

Isaiah 40:28-31

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

So Blessed...

Lately I have been reflecting on the enormous blessing it is to work with friends, not just co-workers but true friends. How awesome it is to show up at REI and know that not only will I be working but I will also be hanging out with friends...and I get paid to do it! So here is a post going out to all my REI friends and those who I have met through REI (some don't work there anymore)! In no particular order...


Wow...what a bad pic! Sorry it's all I got...Gina is a new-hire and we cannot work together cause all we do is talk and get in trouble...hehe!


Jess and Mel (both have moved on from REI)! Awesome Christian chicks!


Chris Condie...so sweet!


Kristin Martin...so crazy but you gotta love her!


Michelle (middle) and Patty (right)...michelle has moved on from REI and Patty still kinda works over the holidays...her and her husband moved to Jackson, WY...yes I will be paying them a visit, who wouldn't?


and oh yes...one of my favs...Shannon Koenig! Love her!


Andy Cowan...my climbing buddy!

Can't forget Faith!


Tracee Stewart...one of the most awesome chicks I know and an amazing Christian!


Jill...we were hired together in April 2007. She no longer works at REI but lives in Denver and we stay in touch!

Shannon Garvin...the funniest person in the whole wide world (and the most gullable!)!

There is plenty more that I don't have pics of. Our Christmas party is this Sunday so I will be proactive with the camera.