Day 4 and amping on life

Day 4. =) We woke up had another epic breakfast.. Did I mention how amazing my Mom is? Well after a good breakfast and a little bit of work, I was pretty set on getting us in the water. Even though the day before was prime - I had high hopes we would get some swell. I was beyond bummed my Dad wasn't in the water with us because I know he would have loved it. But I called Micah and had the troops ready. We were all strapped up from the day before so all we did was hop in the car and head up to the beach. And yes! the swell was still good.

All dressed up NW style.

After to ritual coffee sipping, swell watching, surf deciding moment - we were suiting up. It was pretty classic how we were all dressed - so of course we had to document it. Another classic moment was the reaction of my "home town crew". It was like they were sizing up the new "crew" in town. Like I said before... bringing people to my home town is always a bit interesting and especially introducing them to those I used to cruise with. Well long story short. They watched them suit up, paddle out and catch a few waves before they decided -- okay they aren't that bad.
 

So honestly having my two lives accept the other was a moment I won't forget. I think ... I know it was huge for me to see them realize.. oh.. this isn't just a phase -- this is Julie's life. So with the east winds, solid surf, warm water and straight up fun in the surf it was time to get back to things. I loved how each day had a little fun and relax mode with loads more of ministry and God moments.

 

I honestly don't think we will ever separate :) 

 

Ninja style.

We headed home for some hot cocoa (made my Renee) and more amazing food. We were loaded back in the car within 45 min and on the road to Eugene. It was now time to hit the college years. We drove down the I5 for 3 hours and only stopped for some pumpkins and ice for the party. We got to the Rileys and ohhh boy was I excited. Brayden and Mikayla met us at the car and they just swung their arms around me - I love them!

The Riley house is always a sanctuary of relaxation and coziness.. but again for some reason I was worried a bit about how the team would feel. I don't know why because again they felt at home. It was pretty big for me to have the team along for any of this trip but the Riley's was one stop that was a must and for a good reason.

 

Home away from Home

John and Steph were really the first family I met when I went off to college at UofO. I would say with quite assurance they are a big reason that I have sought God out the way I have. When I went to school in Eugene my grip on God was pretty loose and my respect for others was some what interesting (namely because I wasn't so good at trusting people). So instantly John and Steph took my in to their family and not only loved on me but challenged me big time. In a real and caring way. They both stretched my comfort levels and pushed me to be not only bold in my faith but own it because it's a privilege to be a child of God. I still remember the first time Steph challenged me to pray out loud. Yeah I was 21 and still was super uncomfortable to pray out loud. John would constantly challenge me with the way I loved others and especially within the relationship I was in at the time. And the best part was Mikayla and Brayden (their kids) were a huge influence on me too. Literally the whole family.

I think the most amazing testimony I was challenged with within the Riley's life is simply that... their life. They showed compassion and love in a way I had never seen before. Their door was always wide open and their ministry was with "us". College kids that had nothing to offer and needed lots of help. Seeing a family live out their call in life, using their passion for people and their relationship with Christ to influence their community in a irresistible way. It was infectious. I held tight to that. To the realization that I need to grab my passions and attach my relationship with Christ to it. I needed to - no matter what - be living life as a missionary - because our missions field is where ever we are. Being a missionary isn't just sitting in the dirt, in some random village in Africa, eating rice and loving on kids. It's life. And I got to see that lived out right in front of me. The whole family - Mikaela, Brayden, John and Steph - the lived life with God beside them, knowing their call was to love on college kids and it was impacting Eugene in a way - much larger then I'm sure the understand.

So with that said. Having my mentoring family meet my life beyond the boundaries of Oregon was big for me.

 

Mikayla, Renee, Me and Charis =) 

 

H and J =)

 

Charis, Me and ReRe

 

Steph, Me and Stephie. 

All of these photos is from the pumpkin party that Steph set up and I was overjoyed with being able to see old friends and new ones. It was a good day and we made some epic contacts and God allowed us to pray for people and just simply love on them as well as us be encouraged.

I knew God was going to use Eugene in a way I didn't expect but for sure the encouragement from this night was beyond what I had imagined.