California Lockdown

Locked-Down

California has been locked down pretty tightly.  In October, we were allowed to move around a little more freely.  Alana and I caught word that Disneyland was making some moves to re-open so we headed down to Anaheim to check it out for ourselves....

First, we stopped by Knotts Berry Farm.  The Marketplace was open but it was deserted.  I pulled my mask down to smile for a picture and immediately was reprimanded by a worker from the Marketplace.  "Keep your mask on at all times!" he yelled.  Here are some pictures of the Marketplace area and an empty Knotts Berry Farm.

 

Then we headed over to Downtown Disney, which was open!  Free parking, by the way.

  

It was bustling with people which was so nice to see.  I took some videos walking through Downtown Disney.  

I was sipping on a lemonade (I had purchased there) as I walked downtown when again, I was reprimanded.  "We ask you to stand to the side of the walkway while you enjoy your beverage," barked a cast member.  That was when I left.

We headed over to Newport Beach and enjoyed a nice walk along the beach.  We finished up our Orange County trip with some shopping.  Can't go wrong with that!

So what else have we been able to do during lockdown?  Here are some pictures...

Segway Rides...

Bike Rides...

Walks...

 

Making mom pose for pictures... 

California goes back and forth between being locked-down and super locked-down.  Even though I feel like my freedoms have been taken away, I feel secure in the freedom that comes with living for God.  I think back to the moments when these pictures were taken and can only be thankful!  

Psalm 104: 24 "O Lord, how manifold are thy works!  In wisdom hast Thou made them all; the earth is full of thy riches."  Overall, if there is a place one has to lock down in, I venture to say California is a pretty good spot.

Dad's Birthday

 

Happy Birthday Dad!  

September 16th was a Bible-preaching, ice-cream loving day.  So thankful for my dad and all that he does for our family, our church, and our community.   

He shares his birthday with a little boy in the church named Isaac.

Happy Birthday! 

Happy Birthday, Alana

~Enjoying the California Coast~

Summer is beautiful here on the coast.  The weather is so comfortable and the scenery is breath-taking.  The coastal views just never get old.  I enjoy driving to the near-by Pismo Beach to watch the waves, walk the beach, and breathe the fresh air.  It is therapeutic and a great place to de-stress.

~Alana's 30th Birthday~

We went to Mandalay Beach to enjoy a resort stay, biking, hiking, and good eating.  We found a Brasilian Restaurant called Mocequa which was delicious!

 

Covid-19 Impact

Covid-19 Pandemic

Thank you to all who have sent cards and well-wishes!  I am working as a nurse during this Covid outbreak and my work environment has certainly changed!  Fortunately for us in California we have enough space and sunshine that we are not likely to see the surge of cases right now we originally feared. 

    

Passed NCLEX-RN on April 3rd!  

I submitted my application to test back in December.  The application involves fingerprinting which I did at the Lompoc Police Department.  The fingerprints were never sent to the Board of Registered Nursing.  Rumor has it that their equipment malfunctioned.  I had to re-submit the fingerprints which delayed my processing by 2 more months.  Finally, the authorization came one week before the shut-down.  I scheduled my test and then 2 days later received a notice that all the testing centers were closed due to the shut-down.  I was not going to be able to test until June 3rd.  Two weeks later, the testing centers re-opened for medical professionals only and I was able to test.  It was a shorter test too and I passed in 60 questions.  Thank God!  

Easter Sunday 2020

Church closed with the exception of a few present for recording

Check out gospellighthouselpc.com

Sunday School Boys

Revisiting Texas

Revisiting Texas

March 2020

It has been 10 years since I graduated from Texas Bible College.  I cannot believe how much my world has changed since those days spent in Lufkin, Texas.  Despite the years that have passed and the changes that have taken place, I still regularly reflect on my days spent in Lufkin, Texas.  

There is no place like East Texas.  You can find a Pentecostal church on nearly every corner, the hospitality is unmatched, restaurant options are abundant, and the American Spirit is strong!  I was really missing Texas.  So, off I went to revisit this special place...

I flew into Houston, grabbed a rental car, made my way to Saltgrass Steakhouse then stayed overnight in Humble.

The next morning I got ready and made my way to Lufkin.  I forgot about something that happens to hair-dos in East Texas--humidity.  I forgot that I would often repair my hair throughout the day while I lived in Lufkin.  I also didn't think about buying humidity-defying hair spray.  Oh well.  

I met up with Cara and Sarah, my dear friends from TBC.  Thank you both for taking time out of your schedules to spend time with me.  I had such a good time.  We caught up on each others' lives and picked up just like we were back in those TBC dorms!  

Such a wonderful time

The next day I took a walk through Crown Colony.  This had been my Saturday tradition.  This is a beautiful housing development on a golf course.  There are beautiful pine trees all around.  

Time for some sweet tea....

Delicious

I stopped by the campus.  So many memories....

I saw this sign...Crawfish time...?

I chickened out.  Went with gumbo, hush puppies, and boudin instead.   

Ralph and Kacoos with Cara

Great Louisiana-style food

The next day was Sunday.  It was off to the Mettlen's beautiful church.  I managed to get there on time despite staying up until about 3 in the morning chatting away with Cara.  It happened to be the night we turned our clocks an hour ahead...

Sister Mettlen and I

Brother and Sister Mettlen

Sunday Night with the Crosswhites at their miracle church!

Feeling loved

Made it back to my hotel room without getting lost.  That is amazing.  

By the way, I stayed at my favorite hotel in Lufkin-- the Best Western.  It's the best hotel in town!

The next day these two sweet girls saw me off.  They brought me a bag of treats for my journey back home.  

Back to the Houston airport

Thanks, friends, for such a wonderful trip....

Back to work--time to fight against Corona virus!