Thankful for: Major Minute

Point Loma has a new event this year
just for undeclared students.

It's called Major Minute.

And it's an event for students who are openly still searching for a major.
It's a place where they can come to hear recent alumni
share minute-long anecdotes about their own experiences.

Last month, I had the honor of speaking at this event.
I wasn't sure quite what to expect,
but it ended up being a great casual networking event
and a wonderful chance to hang out with the students
(and watch the gorgeous Loma sunset!!)

While I'm not necessarily passionate
about Computer Science majors (my major!) specifically,
I have a very tender place in my heart
for the process of processing vocation.

I firmly believe that not only has the Lord gifted us each uniquely,
but that He has also placed a call on our lives.
I believe that the way that we work
says far more about our walk with the Lord
than the way we worship.

And I believe that this event was not just a great opportunity for the students,
but also a reminder to reflect on my own journey.

Lord, thank you for continuing to lead me through this process.
And thank you for the desire you've placed in these students' hearts
to pursue a life that glorifies You.
May Your Spirit speak to their souls as they seek You
and may their ears be open to hear Your guidance.

Praying for Katie

Katie is a friend of one of my college roommates.
and earlier this month she was diagnosed with Lymphoma.

I don't typically post prayer chains on my blog,
and I actually don't know Katie at all,
but something about her story tugs at my heart cords.

Please pray for her.
and please donate.

The Lord is doing a mighty work through her.

Good-bye Oggis. Hello Cafe McLeod

Aubrey introduced me to one of the most amazing appetizers ever.
Unfortunately, Oggis has since discontinued their
absolutely delicious fried ravioli.

I thought I would never have it again
until I found this recipe on Pintrest.

Per Aubrey's wise advice,
I added jalapeno juice to try to spice it up a bit.
But that didn't really work.

Next time, I'm thinking a little red pepper might do the trick.

But regardless... they were still pretty tasty.
and because I found ravioli made with mozzarella and chicken
(instead of ricotta)
I was able to eat a couple with my salad!

All Edumacated

This pretty girl earned her Master's degree last weekend

and we had the honor of celebrating with her!



Congrats, E!
{And thanks for lunch M&M Trine}

Oh that music

On such a gorgeous afternoon yesterday,
I snapped a few pictures
before meeting some old college roommates
at one of my favorite places to get drinks.

The view is gorgeous. The food is yummy.
The live music every night swoons my heart.

And of course the conversation was wonderful.

And now... for the weekend!
(in a few more hours)

Woo Hoo!!

Goosebumps

Have you been cheering these guys on?

Way to go SDSU!!

A Visit from the Past

With Christmas fast approaching,
I thought it fitting to share this snippet from my journal.
I wrote this two years ago, about this same time of year.

I had been taking an Old Testament class throughout the fall semester.
For months and months, I had studied the people of Israel
and had been longing for a Savior.
That year, I had been preparing for Christmas for four months or so.
A special memory I continue to cherish.

Sometimes I just need a From:Self/To:Self reminder...

"I went to my last lecture ever today.
It was Old Testament. Dr. Steve Rodeheaver. And it couldn't have been better.
Well, maybe if I knew at least one person in the class. That would have been cool.
Because it was the last class before the final, he did a review.
He told the story of the OT, what God did from Genesis to Jesus
and what He's been doing ever since the fall.
He's bringing us back to Him.
He created a holy people that He reconciled to Himself.
He used that people to bless all nations.
And that's where I fit in.
I'm His beloved, worthy of His blessing and His salvation.
What a beautiful truth to hear as I walk out into the world.
That's where my identity is; it's in what He's done and what He continues to do. "

A Cider Celebration

I stole this picture off Jordanna's blog.
And I'm about to steal her story too.
Read about Cider Celebration here.

Little Letters: December Edition

Dear Husband, thank you from the bottom of my obsessed-with-Christmas heart for putting lights up, hanging our wreath, lighting the fire and always making sure to turn on our Christmasy goodness before I come home from work so I can walk into a little piece of Heaven each night.

Dear Cookie Decorating, you're the bomb.com. For a moment there, I thought you were possibly more fun than actually eating the cookies. But then I came to my senses.

Dear Cider Celebration, the hubs and I look forward to you every year. Point Loma is overflowing with musical talent. Plus, I dig the free cider.

Dear December Nights, we partake in your fantastical activities every year. A Mikovits Family tradition. Can't wait to chow down at the Prado and walk the streets of Balboa Park taking in Christmas in all its glory. Cold weather + Christmas Music + Family + Delicious Food = Magical.

Dear Sherman Girls, I'm really looking forward to baking cookies with you pretty princesses this weekend.

Dear Schanakers, is it Monday yet. Please come over and play with us. We miss your faces.

Dear Papa, it's almost your birthday. Can't wait to shower you with love.

Dear Surprise, I'm excited for you. Shh!

Dear Christmas Party at the Sarettes, three words: I can't wait. You sure know how to party.

Dear Jordan and Alana, finish up school already and get your butts out to California. It's time to spend some more quality time in the same time zone!

Dear Future of Forestry, the hubs and I can't wait for your Christmas show. Our calendars are marked. Our tickets are bought. Rock our socks off.

Dear Christmas weekend, you are going to be awe-to-the-SOME. We have family coming in from all over the place. We've got plans to spend time with them left and right. Games, food, church, snuggling, gift exchange. Can't. Wait.

Dear Paid Holidays, brilliant. Just brilliant.

Dear Little Tree in our Room, I love you. You make our bedroom glow oh-so-lovely.

Dear Living Room, you're the place to be this holiday season. You're filled with Christmas spirit, a crackling fire, twinkle lights galore and the love of my life.

Dear Baby Jesus, you're the reason for the season. The bang for my buck. The apple to my cider. The earmuffs to my freezing cold lobes. Thank you for leaving your Throne. I am ETERNALLY grateful.

Dear Jug Dish, I can't wait to exchange gifts and stockings. I think you're really going to like your gift this year.

Thankful for: The Cross @ Loma

Today, I'm thankful for: The Cross @ Loma

I stopped there last night
after I dropped off Amra.
It was just around sunset
so I thought I'd catch a quick glimpse of the Cross.

Beauty Defined.

I wept as I gazed upon the Cross,
and the backdrop of God's creation.

How thankful I am
for the work of the Cross,
for the beauty of creation,
for my years in that place,
and for the chance to return.
If only for a moment.

Happy Birthday, Ali!

Well, it's that time of year again.

Time for a sweet friend's birthday!

Happy Birthday, my dear Ali.


I am so thankful to call you my friend.
So thankful to meet you for coffee dates.
So thankful to hear what's on your heart.
So thankful to learn from your business savy-ness.
So thankful to have been your roommate.
and so thankful that you're in San Diego for another year!

I love you, birthday girl!

NC Top 10

1 Beautiful Bike Ride around the lake

2 Yummy Home-cooked meals and rounds of Mexican train

3 Ice Cream Cones

4 College visits: UNC, NC State, Duke, Liberty

5 Cities visited: Apex, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Durham, Staunton

6 Bug Bites

7 Different animals on the farm

8 Hour Road Trip

9 Hot coco chocolate chip cookies

10 Delightful antique stores and two Christmas ornaments to show

Pictures to come, of course...

Life of a Nomad

For some reason, I was laughing today
as I thought of the different places I've lived
over the past couple years.

Let's tour, shall we?

Freshman Year.
Point Loma. Klassen Hall.
Sophomore Year.
Point Loma. Finch Hall.
Junior Year.
Downtown San Diego. The Grande South.
Senior Year.
Point Loma. Liberty Station.
Marriage - Year 1
Rancho Penasquitos. Our First Apartment.
Hmm.. that wasn't as fun as I thought it might be.

But I did realize why I was laughing.

I used to live in a hot pink room.
What the?

I Miss Crafting

I dug through a tub of old pictures last night.
A tub that smelled exactly like my Sophomore dorm room.
A tub bursting with college memories.
A tub that took my heart down a nostalgic road
that ultimately resulted in a deep need to express myself.

This wasn't the kind of project that was well planned out.
Rather, it was the kind that gathers odds and ends from the craft room
and throws them together almost half haphazardly.
It was one of those projects that you practically rush through
simply because your emotions are flowing so wildly.

And what is it you may ask?
Just a simple picture of a simple lighthouse
that contains countless memories.

It's a little picture of home.

And I am thankful for that season.

A Nice Evening Together

Today, Jeremiah and I turned a not-quite-as-planned morning
into quite a very-lovely-little-date afternoon and evening.

We hit the pool for a quick dip,
visited our friendly neighbors,
and then headed down to Point Loma
to spend some quality time together.

We grabbed drinks from the Living Room,
strolled hand-in-hand down the dirt pathway along private beach,
swung on an old wooden swing together,
enjoyed shrimp & crab fondue at the Brig on Shelter,
watched the sun set beautifully over the cliffs at Young hall.
and ended our evening out by catching up with old friends.

I'm so thankful to live in such a gorgeous city,
with incredible friends and a rockstar of a husband.
It never [ever] gets old.

In My Deep

Tears.

Not one glistening on my cheek.
But millions gushing from the depths of my eyes.
A wailing of sorts.

It happens when I think about Point Loma.
Not just the school, but the city too.
When I drive down Rosecrans or Talbot or Nimitz
When we park our car at NTC.
When we enjoy a local eatery.

My deep, my inner being
mourns the loss of that time in my life
Intensely.

Is it just me?

The Engraving

Speaking of that boy from tennis,
I have "I <3 that boy from tennis"
engraved on the inside of my wedding band.

It reminds me of where we began.
It reminds me of our light-hearted and youthful spirits.
It reminds me of the fun we have together.

It reminds me that God answers prayer,
that He provides faithfully,
and that He rewards those who wait on Him.

It reminds me that God has a sense of humor.
For I always knew I'd meet my husband in "college."

That Boy from Tennis

Dear Jeremiah,

Last night we sat in bed eating snow cones and "Remember When"ing about tennis class, our first date, high school prom, dropping me off at college, and getting engaged. I loved growing up with you. And I'd prefer if you didn't go out of town on business trips.

Love,
That girl from tennis

Alice in Wonderland

One of my classmates from Point Loma

styled this absolutely lovely Alice in Wonderland-themed photo shoot,
featuring a friend of mine from high school.

What a small (and fabulously gorgeous) world this wonderland is.Great work, Krystel and Ari!

Girls Day

If I'm honest with myself (and the rest of the blog-o-sphere, frankly), I get emotional almost every single time I go down to Point Loma. It doesn't matter what I'm there for, but as soon as I drive down those same streets and see those same sights, I well up inside. Memory after memory is triggered as I remember what a unique and special time college was in my life. A major factor in that is my friends; I am so thankful for my friends.

Every couple months or so, some of my old roommates and I get together for a much-needed girls day. Jay and I started our morning with Starbucks and a conversation-filled drive up to Newport. We enjoyed the surprisingly beautiful weather as we walked along the pier and down the boardwalk before meeting Ali and B for lunch.


We ate lunch at the cutest little old-gas-station-turned-cafe and snagged gellato as we perused a handful of antique shops and swapped stories in Old Town Orange. There is something so special about a group of friends who can live completely separate daily lives yet come together and share such a treasured bond. I had so much fun laughing and hanging out with the girls. I am so thankful for their friendship!


Good luck at the farm B -- I can't wait to come visit you in September!