It threatened to rain most of the day yesterday. Through the clouds I saw both the sunrise and the sunset through my rearview mirror as I drove to Santa Barbara and back. As long as I'm headed somewhere I want to be, I like driving. It gives me time to think and listen to music. The best time to talk to me on the phone is when I'm driving. You can have all of my attention.
In Santa Barbara I had lunch with someone who's story I was eager to hear more of. In the late 90's he and his wife read a TIME magazine article about the growing AIDS pandemic in Africa and decided they had to do something. Driven by their conviction and a clear sense that God was inviting them in, they moved to South Africa in 2001, taking their 3 young kids with them. Their story blossoms from there as they put one foot in front of the other. He could have talked for hours about the beauty and tradgedy their were emersed in and the ways that God redeemed lives and broke systems of racism, hatred, poverty, and despair. I am forever inspired by what happens when someone allows their heart to break for the things that break God's heart breaks for. It seems this is where the really good stories always start.
Break my heart.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
So, This is The New Year
Hey Family and Friends! Welcome to our Blog! For the last 15 years, we have sat on the side lines while other friends and family sent christmas cards, updates, blogs, etc. Well, we are ready to get in on the action! Here is a snapshot of 2008 - where we have been and what we have been up to.
SLIDESHOW
http://picasaweb.google.com/Natalie.Bodenhamer/OURSLIDESHOW#slideshow
CHRISTMAS 2008
We scored a huge tree at Home Depot and spent an afternoon decking the halls with Cor
i and Tex (our roommates). The few days before Christmas, we stayed in Newbury Park with Ashlee, Mark and Mary Jo having fun and celebrating. Christmas Day, both sides of our families got together in Irvine at Natalie's Dad's house. It is so great that everyone get's along and loves being together!
BOSTON
I tagged along with Natalie to Greenbuild 08 in Boston. Who knew it could be so cold in November. I spent the days walking the Freedom Trail and looking for a pair of gloves I could afford to buy. Natalie had the privilege of hearing Desmond Tutu speak (I couldn't get in) and was touched. Check out Tutu's God has a Dream and a children's book, God's Dream.
CAMPING
One of our favorite things to do is go camping with our friends. Our most recent trip was to Jalama in November with the Haacks, Jesi's Mom (Sue), Irvines, Murphy and Darren & Kaylie. There was no surf to speak of, but plenty of wind. Our tent doubled as a kite. I ran over Haack's surfboards with the truck, Natalie and Lynzi took Greyson on a 30 mile hike on the beach and as always, we cooked amazing food and had fun by the fire.
FUN TIMES
We are so lucky to have such amazing friends and we all hang out as much as possible... which is a lot! I (Natalie) still have the same great friends that I did growing up and have added to the roster a few WINNERS too! They make my life a wonderful place!
Isaac and his friends mostly surf and when that is not working out, they hit the skate park. Thankfully, many of Isaac's friends are married to many of my friends, so we totally lucked out! We love our friends' kids and they liven up the party all the time. Jonah Haack (big one) and Greyson Irvine (little one) are featured here...
SLIDESHOW
http://picasaweb.google.com/Natalie.Bodenhamer/OURSLIDESHOW#slideshow
CHRISTMAS 2008
We scored a huge tree at Home Depot and spent an afternoon decking the halls with Cor
i and Tex (our roommates). The few days before Christmas, we stayed in Newbury Park with Ashlee, Mark and Mary Jo having fun and celebrating. Christmas Day, both sides of our families got together in Irvine at Natalie's Dad's house. It is so great that everyone get's along and loves being together!
BOSTONI tagged along with Natalie to Greenbuild 08 in Boston. Who knew it could be so cold in November. I spent the days walking the Freedom Trail and looking for a pair of gloves I could afford to buy. Natalie had the privilege of hearing Desmond Tutu speak (I couldn't get in) and was touched. Check out Tutu's God has a Dream and a children's book, God's Dream.
CAMPING
One of our favorite things to do is go camping with our friends. Our most recent trip was to Jalama in November with the Haacks, Jesi's Mom (Sue), Irvines, Murphy and Darren & Kaylie. There was no surf to speak of, but plenty of wind. Our tent doubled as a kite. I ran over Haack's surfboards with the truck, Natalie and Lynzi took Greyson on a 30 mile hike on the beach and as always, we cooked amazing food and had fun by the fire.
FUN TIMES
We are so lucky to have such amazing friends and we all hang out as much as possible... which is a lot! I (Natalie) still have the same great friends that I did growing up and have added to the roster a few WINNERS too! They make my life a wonderful place!
Isaac and his friends mostly surf and when that is not working out, they hit the skate park. Thankfully, many of Isaac's friends are married to many of my friends, so we totally lucked out! We love our friends' kids and they liven up the party all the time. Jonah Haack (big one) and Greyson Irvine (little one) are featured here...
My sister Starr has two kids, Luke and Lacy and we LOVE them. Luke is 4 and Lacy is 2. It is so fun to be the fun-loving aunt & uncle... no spankin's from us! Just cookies and fun! Here are a few cute pictures... there are so many more, if you can imagine.
SAMOA
Check out the Two Tickets to Paradise post... coming soon
PANAMA
We went to Panama in August with Rock Harbor. The Haacks and other friends went too! We met wonderful, wonderful people and Isaac lucked out on great surf. It is so beautiful there and we really hope to go back.
UTAH
Chas and Janet hooked us, the Haacks and Irvines up with an amazing trip to Utah! We scored some of the best 4 days of powder at Snowbird, Park City, Powder Mountain and Brighton. The jury is still out on whether we had more fun on the mountain or playing the Natalie Game. 
Jesi came down with the stomach flu as we were leaving, but none of us could imagine the trip without her and we begged her to get on the plane. In less than 48 hours, she was ripping it on the mountain... she was sweet enough to spread that flu goodness around to all! We love you Jesi!
1/2 MARATHON
Jesi, Kelly and I ran the OC 1/2 Marathon in Jan 2008. My personal highlight was the training... running with my best friends is so much fun (and really thereputic!) Jesi is now training for a full marathon! Thanks to Case and Julia for meeting us at the 6 mile point to root us on AND remind us that we were less than half way there. Love you girls!
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