Brooke and Trever are getting married in 10 days!!!!!

Brittany and Taylor are engaged!!!

This is old news now, but I thought I should post about Brittany and Taylor's engagement.  On May 30th, Taylor took Brittany out for the day to celebrate her 23rd birthday.  While they were out Taylor proposed to Britt at the same beach where they spent a lot of time in the beginning of their relationship.  After he proposed he took her to one of her favorite restaurants on the Balboa peninsula.  The fun part is Taylor made plans for all their friends and family to be at the restaurant for what we thought was a surprise birthday party. 

When they showed up we all yelled, "surprise and happy birthday".  Brittany instantly started sobbing.   I thought it was so cute she was so excited we were all there to celebrate her birthday, but what we didn't know (except for, of course, the parents) was that we were there for a surprise engagement party too.  

Brooke looked down at Britt's hand and to her surprise there was a ring.  She turned back to me to say, "Brittany has a ring on".  We looked back at Britt to confirm our suspicions and at the same time Taylor whispered in her ear, "they don't know you are engaged".  Brittany instantly put out her hand and you can only imagine the screams that were heard.  

Taylor did an amazing job making the day so special for Britt.  He picked out the perfect ring and pulled off an incredible proposal.  Also, for dinner he had the restaurant make a personalized menu.  The menu was filled with all of Brittany's favorite things.   If you want to read the story from Britt's perspective click here. 

This was right when Brittany walked in. 

Showing off the bling!

This is the traditional sister engagement picture.  Whenever one of us gets engaged we take this picture, but the newly engaged girl puts her hand on top. 

Britt's bridesmaids.

The happy couple.

Britt and one her best friends and now engaged at the same time!

Congratulations Britt and Taylor! I can't wait for your Christmas wedding!  The picture below wasn't from the day he proposed, but I thought it was a cute picture of the soon to be "Mr. and Mrs. Neece".

Travis Ryan!

Our God is so good. His ways are definitely not our ways.

Travis' CD just came out this last week. It really is a testimony to work of God in our lives. As of 3 months ago, there was no budget for a project to record a CD. We had dreams and hopes, but ultimately everything happened in God's timing. In a matter of weeks, God provided all that was needed in order to do this project. There are so many stories to share of how God brought so many wonderful people to be a part of this. The purpose of this CD isn't to bring fame to Travis nor is it to bring riches. The purpose was to write music that was theologically sound and that was all about the glory of God. If you would like to purchase a CD you can either do so by contacting Travis or myself... or you can purchase it off i-tunes as of July 15th.

Trever Hoehne did the photography for the album.  He also took the pictures below which I took off of his blog. Here is a sneak peek of the Travis Ryan album cover.  Also you can check out his new blog by clicking here. 

Giaretta Baptism

A couple of weeks before I left for Rwanda, Travis was able to baptize some of our friends here in San Clemente. They have been in our small group for the past 2 years and we really have grown so close to them. You can read about them in one of my early posts. It was such an awesome experience, because they decided they wanted to be baptized in the ocean. So, their families and our small group met up one Sunday night to witness them being baptized. Here are a few pictures from the night.  And you must know the water was about 61 degrees!

I love this picture.  The joy found in the Lord...

Mike Colon Photo Shoot

So, about 2 weeks ago we got a call from a good friend, Michael Norwood. He is friends with an amazing wedding photographer, Mike Colon, who is actually known for shooting celebrating weddings. Mike needed a couple to model for a photo shoot. He has workshops were photographers from all over the country come to learn a few of Mike's techniques. In the afternoon, he will take the photographers out for a live shoot. They went all out for this shoot including hiring people to do hair and make-up. The dress actually came from the same boutique I purchased my own wedding dress from.

It was a really interesting experience because we had 18 photographers following us where ever we went. Several people around town were asking if we were famous and we actually had several people take pictures with their cell phones. We haven't received the pictures yet from Mike Colon, but here are a few of the pictures we found on some of the photographers blogs. I will post a few more when we get the CD with all the pictures. Too bad we didn't have 18 photographers following us on our own wedding day;)

Bathroom turned studio

Living with a musician has so many perks.  For one, I get to regularly listen to live music.  Two, I get to hear the songs as they are in the process of being created.  And three, my bathroom serves as more than just a bathroom... it often serves as a studio for creative moments.  

Travis has provided beautiful music to fill our home, but it is much more than music.  It is music that points us back to Christ's salvation and glory.  I have come to appreciate these bathroom moments in our lives.  I have learned from watching Travis that the times God teaches us the most are the times we are often most alone with Him.  

Tonight Trav led worship at the Saddleback worship conference.  During the service I watched and listened to Travis pray a simple, beautiful prayer.  I have heard him pray a million times before but tonight I could not peel my eyes away from him.  All I could think was that I was literally watching the hand of God on him... the anointing of God.  There are moments and glimpses of times when it is so evidently clear that God is working.  Tonight was one of those moments.  I can't help but to think that if it were not for those bathroom times alone with God, we would miss out on moments like tonight. 

Travis, thank you for making God first in your life.  Thank you for being an example of a man giving his gifts and talents to be completely used by God.  Thank you for taking the time to sing to our God and to create music that sings His praises.  Thank you for not playing for audiences, but playing to our Creator.  Thank you for making time to be alone with God.  I see God in you.  I have watched God work through you.  And I am excited to see what God has in store for you.  I love you Travis!

Hofschroer Weekend

Travis and I met while going to school at California Baptist University. We have so many friends and wonderful memories from our time there. Two of our favorite friends are Chris and Amy Hofschroer. Amy and I met my freshmen year of college before we had any boys in our lives. We had "kindred spirits" with each other. We walked through good times, bad times, sad times, and everything else life brings. Throughout our four years at school, we intentionally met once a week to keep each other accountable towards our goal of living lives that bring glory to God. It is these kinds of friendships I cherish more than any other.

Since Trav and I have graduated and moved to San Clemente, we have come to appreciate even more the treasure in having friends that really know you. I love that I don't have to explain to Amy any background stories to understand current issues...because she already knows those background stories. I love that by just a glance I can gather what Amy is thinking, because I have heard her share heart many times before. I love that I got to be a part of watching Chris pursue the affections and love of Amy. I love that on their first valentines day together they let me crash their party. I love that I got to stand next to her on their wedding day as they made vows to each other before the Lord to protect the sacredness of married. I love that Amy and Chris were there as Trav came into my life and that they both stood there as Travis and I exchanged vows. But most of all, I love that Amy and Chris are a couple who are in the pursuit of becoming more like Christ no matter the cost.

Needless to say, I love spending time with the Hofschroers. A couple of months ago we planned a weekend for them to come and stay with us. This has been a annual tradition since we moved here, but this year it was even more fun with the additions of Gunner and Sadie. Last June Gunner joined our family and then one month later Sadie joined the Hofschroer fam. 

We spent the entire weekend just hanging out and talking. Some of our festivities included a morning walk along the coast to have breakfast across the pier, shopping in all the boutiques downtown, one late night in the jacuzzi, playing with our dogs and of course, we introduced Sadie to the ocean.  Here are a few pictures from our weekend together:

The Hofschroers

The Girls

The Boys

Sadie loved the swimming in the water.  She wasn't even at all apprehensive towards the waves. 

The now traditional Collins/Hofschroer family picture.  
The picture isn't from our weekend together,

  but I thought it was a cute one of us at Brookie's shower. 

We love you Hofschroers!  Thanks for being such wonderful friends. 

We can't wait to see what the future holds. 

I'm back!

Well, I have actually been dreading catching up on my blog because so much as happened since the last time I posted.  It is the same feeling I have when I decide to journal the events that take place on a mission trip only to find my detailed nature has me swamped with a time consuming project of journaling.  Thus, the reason I have been avoiding blogging recent events.  I have decided the best form to deal with my issue is the "one step at a time" method. My goal is to post once a day until I am caught up...that is right I just said it once a day (I must admit I now feel as though I have some sort of online stalker or "anonymous" form of accountability).  

The following are topics on my "to do" list:

-Hofschroer weekend

-Giaretta's Baptism

-Rwanda Trip

-Brittany and Taylor's engagement!!!

-Brooke's shower

-Shannon's shower

-a silly way to make money

-San Clemente summers/childhood summer memories

-"contentment"

To start I thought I would just post a few fun pictures from this weekend. 

Travis and I spent a lot of time at the beach this weekend especially since on Saturday it was 90 degrees in San Clemente!!!  For those of you who don't live here, I must tell you this is highly unusual for our town.  Since we typically only have weather in the 70-80 degree range in the summer and it normally is accompanied by a nice ocean breeze, no one in San Clemente has air conditioners in their homes...including us.  On these kinds of days, the only solution is to cool off in the water. 

One of my favorite things about the summer is spending time at the beach and then getting nice and clean before heading to a relaxing night out.  

After our Saturday afternoon swim, we came home, showered and then we were off to grab some tacos at Wahoo's before we headed to the movies.  While at eating our tacos we asked for the server to take a picture of us.  The funny thing is it took the guy three tries to take the picture because he wasn't holding the button down long enough (and I don't think he really understood our directions given in English).  So, not only was it awkward that we were taking a picture in Wahoo's (basically labeling ourselves "tourists"), but it took him 3 times!!! I am sure the table behind our server got a good laugh out of it because for about 5 minutes we were looking their direction smiling.  Note to self: always be sure the one whom you have asked to take your picture understands English and if this luxury is not an option...hope for the best. 

   

Then after church this morning our small group decided we would grab some pizza down town. After lunch we realized we all had the same plan for the rest of the day....go to the beach.  So, we decided to spend the afternoon together and surf!  We were pretty excited because Trav and I have lived here for two years and we still don't know how to surf.  And after my near death experience, last fourth of July, I have been a little apprehensive. However, two of the guys in our group have surfed before and were willing to share both their boards and their knowledge. The good news is we both got up and we have come to the realization this might become an addiction for us.  It was so much fun and we high hopes to some day have boards of our own. 

 

 

Rwanda!

I am leaving with a team of people from Saddleback for 9 days in Rwanda.  Please be praying for God's name to be glorified on this trip.    I will update you all with details when I get back.  

I've been tagged

Four jobs I've had:

1) Waitress
2) Lamborghini Spokes Model
3) Outside Sales
4) Mortgage Loan Officer

Four movies I've watched more than once:
1) Sleepless in Seattle
2) Radio
3) The Notebook
4) How to lose a guy in 10 days

Four places I've lived:
1) Anaheim
2) Victorville
3) Riverside
4) San Clemente

Four TV shows I watch:
1) American Idol
2) Lost
3) America's Next Top Model
4) The Office

Four places I've been:
1) India
2) Italy
3) Brazil
4) Nicaragua

Four people who email me regularly (doesn’t include blogging comments):
1) Mom
2) Sisters
3) Debbie
4) Trav

Four of my favorite foods:
1) Mexican
2) BBQ'd Chicken or Steak
3) Ice Cream
4) Fresh Fruit

Four places I would like to visit:
1) Rwanda (leaving in 2 weeks!)
2) Israel
3) Thailand
4) Spain

Four things I'm looking forward to in the coming year:
1) Brookie's Wedding
2) Trav's CD being released
3) Learning to surf
4) CBU Girls Weekend

Four friends I'm tagging:
1) Brooke
2) Summer
3) Cyndie
4) Julie