In the Valley

Below I have listed the lyrics to the song that Michael sang at church on Sunday. The bible refers to the "valleys" in our lives as being times of difficulty and trial. It is easy to fall into the wrongful mindset that we deserve or that God has promised an easy and happy life. If God works, "all things together for the good of those who love him," then it is in our sorrows and joy that He reveals His will for our lives. The imagery of this song demonstrates why it is sometimes necessary for Christians to go through difficult times. God promises that these difficult times will make us more like Christ and will teach us to trust Him. I wish that I could trust to the point that I find joy at the start of every difficult situation, but I am a sinner. I look to emotions and material possessions to satisfy. Despite this, God became flesh and came to this earth and then lived the life that I could never live. He faced the same temptations that we face and lived a life free from sin, and then willingly gave His life so that our sins would be erased. Whatever it is that you are facing today I pray that you may find His grace in the valley.


In the Valley
Words and music by Bob Kauflin
As recorded on Valley of Vision

When You lead me to the valley of vision
I can see You in the heights
And though my humbling wouldn’t be my decision
It’s here Your glory shines so bright
So let me learn that the cross precedes the crown
To be low is to be high
That the valley’s where You make me more like Christ

Let me find Your grace in the valley
Let me find Your life in my death
Let me find Your joy in my sorrow
Your wealth in my need
That You’re near with every breath
In the valley

In the daytime there are stars in the heavens
But they only shine at night
And the deeper that I go into darkness
The more I see their radiant light
So let me learn that my losses are my gain
To be broken is to heal
That the valley’s where Your power is revealed

Let me find Your grace in the valley
Let me find Your life in my death
Let me find Your joy in my sorrows
Your wealth in my need
That You're near with every breath
In the valley

© 2006 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI).

New Years Eve

In celebration of the new year, we went to dinner at Cuvee Restaurant in Napa, Ca. The evening starting with a 3-course prix fix menu and a glass of champagne. We were joined by our good friends Jillian and Jeff Harrell and Chris and Monica Ready. There is no better way to start the year off right than with good friends and good food. This is the first year that Jillian and Jeff have lived in the Bay Area and we are thrilled to have them so close.

After dinner, we headed over the Chris and Monica's to wait for the dancing to start. It is sad when a group of twenty-somethings can't make it until midnight without feeling sleepy. Around 10:30 we headed back to Cuvee for some more champagne and DANCING!! Jillian and Chris were the stars of the evening with some excellent moves on Jillian's part and some interesting ones from Chris! It is great to have such wonderful friends in our lives. We hope that everyone has a memorable start to the new year and may 2008 be everything that you hope for.

Seattle

For my 27th Birthday, Michael surprised me with a trip to Seattle, Washington. After pretending that we were headed south, he finally clued me in that we would be going somewhere colder only a few days prior to our trip. On the way to the airport I found out that we were headed north and that my parents were going to join us. I was super excited!!! The next morning we headed to Pike's Market for breakfast.
After breakfast we wandered into the very first Starbucks!!! It is amazing to see this little coffee shop tucked away that started a major coffee empire. We didn't, however have any Starbucks coffee on our trip. There were too many other yummy choices!!

The next day we traveled to Snow- qualamie falls. It was amazing to experience in the rain. Later that day we drove up the pass and saw snow!! The weather was crazy so we were all thankful for the rental car which happened to be a Hummer. Some of the other activities that we enjoyed in Seattle included walking along the waterfront, consuming the best clam chowder that I have ever experienced at Duke's and falling in love with the quaint neighborhoods in Queen Anne. Except for the rain we were ready to pick up and move north after this day!!

Michael made reservations at an amazing restaurant overlooking the water for my birthday dinner. We enjoyed good wine and good conversation with exceptional service.



Our final morning in Seattle we found a quaint little bistro not far from our hotel. After our meal we took a final stroll along Pike's Market, visited Beecher's Cheese, and enjoyed one last cup of coffee at Seattle's Best off of Pike Street. I still have dreams about the Mocha Trio!!

At the airport, my mom enjoyed one last taste of Seattle before we headed home. It was an amazing weekend. Oh, I almost forgot. We did visit a Starbucks at the airport and at the Space Needle. I have never consumed so much coffee in my life. Now that is my kind of city.

Our History

Michael and I met in 2003 through a mutual friend. Michael was finishing up a lunch date and I was arriving for a girls weekend. Michael ended up spending the evening with a bunch of girls and we engaged in a mock-game of Elimi-date. Guess who won? We officially started dating that summer after our first date in Yountville. Even though Compadres is no longer at its original location, it will always have a special place in our hearts. After a year of driving back and forth between Gilroy and Fairfield, Michael proposed.

On June 26, 2004, while sitting in front of the fire at The Napa Rose located in the Grand Californian Hotel at DISNEYLAND, Michael asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. Then he slipped a ring on my finger and it was official!! However, the surprises were just beginning.
Before I had time to process exactly what had happened, Our families surprised me at the restaurant. It was an evening filled with great food and excellent wine. Disney pulled out all of the stops and presented us with champagne flutes with crystal Mickey heads, white chocolate castle favors, and a private dining room. Our families spent the night at the hotel and then we ended the weekend with another day at Disneyland.

I started planning the wedding when we returned home and finally settled on July 30, 2005. The wedding was held at First Presbyterian Church in Concord, Ca. My youth pastor performed the ceremony and we were blessed to be surrounded by 200 of our closest friends and family members. My sister Heather served as the maid of honor and Michael's brother Bryan took over the role of Best Man. Two of my oldest friends, Penny and Jillian, my college roommates, Jenn and Steph, and my college friend Courtney stood by my side on this important day. Michael was surrounded by his oldest friend Barry, his cousins Jason and Josh, and his college friends Aaron and Luke. Michael and several of his friends formed a worship band and played several songs during the ceremony. I walked down the aisle to Cindy Morgan's, "Make Us One," the same song that was used by Steph and Luke and later Jenn and Chris.

The reception was held at Shadelands Art Center in Walnut Creek, Ca. Michael sang Stephen Curtis Chapman's, "I Will Be Here, " to me while my father's best friend played my grandfather's guitar. It was a moment that I will never forget. The dancing went on for hours and the cake was a hit. We purchased it from a bakery that my parents had found when they were young and living in the area. We were finally whisked away to The Lafayette Park Hotel where we spent the first night of our honeymoon and then left for Tahoe the next morning.

We spent a week lounging by the lake, eating at fantastic restaurants, and enjoying the hot tub and pool at the Marriott Grand Residence. Our final night was spent on a sunset champagne catamaran ride across the lake. Our honeymoon was perfect!!
Several months later after we were settled into our married lives we adopted Khai and our family, at least for now, was complete. Today we enjoy everything that life in the Napa Valley has to offer. Many weekends are spent wine tasting, wandering around downtown, visiting some of our favorite restaurants, or at home in front of the television with a home cooked meal and a good bottle of wine. God has brought two amazing couples into our lives through our weekly bible study and Christ is helping us to create accountability and friendships. Michael is involved with the worship at Grace Church of the Napa Valley and we both help with the youth group, Highlife. We can't wait for the many adventures that God will bring into our lives in the years to come.

Quote of the Week

"The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do." - Walter Bagehot

As an educator, I hear "I can't" on a daily basis. Now you are probably thinking that I am referring to my students, and yes I do hear this phrase from time-to-time. However, this phrase seems to most often originate from teachers. Anyone familiar with the current condition of public education will find this easy to understand. Teachers are bombarded daily with political programs designed by individuals with no educational background and that can be frustrating. In response to national, state, and district mandates many educators have adopted the attitude that there is no changing the students we have under current unrealistic expectations. Too often I allow myself to fall in line with this way of thinking. I look at the 168 faces that I have been trusted with educating and I feel the pangs of failure. I allow myself to entertain the idea that I can't help them to succeed.
Then, I take a step back and allow myself to see the success of each individual student. When a student takes the time to approach me for help, I would never respond with "I can't" so why do I allow myself to think it? ALL STUDENTS CAN LEARN!!! I know this to be true, but I allow myself to forget. The government may not make this task easy, but it is never impossible.