L.A., Olivia’s 1st Birthday, catching up with friends, & the Haughey Wedding

Santa Monica Pier

L.A., Olivia’s 1st Birthday (again), catching up with friends, and the Haughey Wedding

As a family, we are bonding together making the transition to living again in L.A.  Although we are living at the Silverio’s (Brian’s parents in Cerritos, LA) we have also had the privilege to house hop in Westwood. We spent our first week back at the Sullivans’ while they are in Ireland visiting family and friends.

This was great because we were back in our old stomping grounds- THE WEST SIDE! We went to our Church, Mosaic- and saw just about EVERYONE! That was a highlight because there were so many faces and embraces to greet us. We also went on a beloved hike in Temescal (just before you hit Malibu),

and enjoyed WALKING our favorite streets in Santa Monica and Westwood. Trader Joes’ grocery run felt like a touch of heaven, and the perfect temperature that makes LA so great was soothing to our souls. We were so blessed to have met baby Hanna, Andrea and Yan’s new baby girl. It was amazing to see what has been going on in everyone’s lives while we were away.

we got our car back! wheels!!

We spent our second week with Lory and George who happen to be two of the most AMAZING people in our lives. They are taking a missions trip to Vietnam and then traveling part of the world – departing us Feb. 2nd. It was a blessing to share with them our experience while they gear up for theirs. We know God will do miraculous things in their lives, as they have been such great friends to so many people- and are family to us. We also had small group (married couples bible study) with Lory and George and were so touched to see how many couples are keeping it real attending small group and blessing each other’s lives. All of you in small group that supported and encouraged us while we were away- we say again THANK YOU!

It was a thrill to have the honor of attending Chris Haughey and Cindy Norman’s wedding here in LA. Chris (the guy we lived with in Honduras and the founder of Tegu) looked so happy to finally be united with his bride Cindy, and Cindy was glowing with smiles and looked beautiful beside her groom.

It was a great wedding, and Olivia stayed home with her grandparents, Tita Nicole, and Tito Sean- soooo we Bri and I partied it up! There were so many familiar faces, and best of all we sat with Nate (Tegu’s designer), his awesome date Jennie, and Kyler ( an amazing friend from Mosaic) so needless to say we absolutely enjoyed ourselves with dancing and friends.

Mama Olly (Brian’s Mom) gave Olivia a 1st birthday celebration party at Chuck E Cheese, and all family and friends here in LA had a chance to party it up together. It was also a great time to re-unite! Olivia had a great time, although she mostly looks surprised and confused in most photos! She was amazed by how many people, games, and animated puppets there were. She also has a slice of pizza in her hands throughout the entire party- which is pretty funny.

As we enjoy our family and friends here, we are reminded each day how God generously gives us with love,fellowship, and meets all our provisions- where ever we are. We love the community that we built in Honduras (missing you all greatly) and love the community that welcomes us with open arms here.

The question everyone has for us is “so are you staying in LA? Have you found a place yet??”

Hmmm. We just have no absolutes in our lives right now. We are on a “no plan – plan” or better yet a “God’s plan- plan”. Brian and I decided that where ever we are guided to go, we will go happily. We love our LA, but are open to new destinations and adventures. Brian is interviewing, and I- well I am keeping the family together, adjusting us all to new schedules, and different environments.

We are doing pretty good! Our next step is to process our time that we spent in Honduras. To understand what how it changed our lives, and to feel deep in our souls the transformation that has taken place within (an without-scars to prove it).

That question we hear all the time “so how did you like Honduras? Why did you come back? Are you staying?”

Well, we need to answer those questions ourselves before we can communicate them.

So we are taking some time in the Mountains to snowboard, and rejuvenate, talk, and reflect. Our personal “retreat”.

We will be updating you all soon, and communicating what this has all meant to us 