Exploring Yosemite!

If you haven't visited Yosemite, I encourage you to put it on your bucket list!

During our California visit, my family took Trevor and I on a small trip into the gorgeous valley of Yosemite! We climbed waterfalls, hiked trails and enjoyed the warm summer sun! Thought I'd share a few photos with you!

 ( My awesome parents! ^ ^ ^ )

(Giant Pine Cone! ^^^)

(Crazy familia car rides filled with yelling in Spanish and laughter!)

 Happy Summer Everyone!!!
~ Sara

Turning 24!

WOW!
I still can't believe it! Yesterday was my birthday and it was such a great day! I'm more than thankful to be in California visiting my familia! Thank you everyone for your birthday wishes! I really was humbled to receive so many texts and phone calls from friends and family! THANK YOU!!
 Yesterday I got to visit San Francisco with my lovely older sister Flor and my handsome hubby Trevor! The entire day was filled with laughter, some shopping, lunch by Fisherman's Warf and a lot of walking all over. Ha! Overall, San Francisco is such a beautiful city!

 

Again, Thank you every for the birthday wishes! Still can't believe that I'm 24 now, but I'm thankful to be surrounded by inspiring friends and family!

Cheers

-Sara! 

Back in California!

Trevor and I traveled all day yesterday to California and we are so excited to be here! It's crazy to think that I'm back home, but with a HUSBAND this time! Ahh! :)

We haven't seen my family since the wedding and it's AWESOME to be back con mi familia!
It hasn't always been easy living so far away from my family, but whenever God gives us the opportunity to visit, I take it in a heart beat! We're so thankful to be here!

Life can get busy, but don't ever forget your family. I love mine so much! Still can't believe I woke up this morning in California! Today we're off to Yosemite National Park!

Woo hoo!!

-Sara

Summer Evenings

Trevor and I love taking Indie out for long walks in the evenings! Summer is here and we both love our gorgeous new neighborhood! There are so many awesome things in UpTown!

 Street Car Station...

 the Mississippi....

 and some limes Trevor picked up along the way!

 New Orleans has slowly become our new home! This weekend were packing up and venturing off to California to spend time with mi familia! Im too excited! Stay tuned for more pictures in California!!! 

-Sara

Oh Sunday Morning

Sunday mornings have been a bit different for us since we've moved to New Orleans....

Trevor and I have been helping out with set up team on Sunday mornings at 7 o'clock. I must confess,  I'm not much of a morning person, but in the end it's all worth it!

Since we are a church plant, meeting in a middle school gym, we have volunteers that literally transform the gym into a church every Sunday morning bright and early. Immediately after church they tear down, put everything back in the trailer and do it all over again the next week. It's pretty admirable

I have honestly fallen in love with the community within our church.

It reminds me of the book of Acts and how the church came together to help one another. We're all there for each other and believe in a greater purpose for the church. 7am on a Sunday morning isn't easy, but once you walk into that gym and see the volunteers from the church, theres a sense of awakening in the air. And you want to be a part of it!

-Sara

Teaching Team

I never really imagined myself as a preacher or even a bible scholar. When I attended Evangel University I excelled in my Communication classes but when it came to Biblical studies, I always struggled and somehow passed with a C-.  

Ask me what I am doing now?...…

                      I have the privilege of being part of the Teaching Team at Saints Community church, helping pastor prepare for sermons. God has a sense of humor.

 The Teaching Team is made up of 4 people (including myself) who assist pastor in the preparation of sermons for Sunday mornings. Sometimes, an individual from the teaching team will help present communion, welcome guests or preach on a Sunday morning.  It’s cool to think that I have been studying and learning how to effectively communicate, and now I get to use what I have learned in college to help communicate the gospel to people on a weekly basis!

Since we have yet to get internet at home, I go to local coffee shops to work, study and prepare for my meetings with pastor.  Today, I have two guests with me! My handsome bearded hubby…..

                                                                          and Indie!

This week we’re launching our “Discover” sermon series, based on Romans 12. We as a church will be taking a journey and discovering what our spiritual gifts are and how we can use our own gifts to help others. I can say, being a part of this team has really challenged me to read more books and study the scriptures on a deeper level.

(Below: design from the talented Trevor Mark Ekanger for the sermon series)

I've learned that if you think you're not good at something, try to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Try something new! It will make you a better person in the end. You may be better at it than you might think! :)

-Sara