Extraordinarily Blessed

I have returned from retreat with a cold but am nonetheless grateful for the experience. It was such a blessing to just be able to spend time with friends in fellowship and encouragement towards one another. After the retreat I just cannot stop noticing all of the blessings that surround me. My life is so amazing and I have so many people in it that make it so. I also came back with a greater appreciation and love for my local church. I was very encouraged by a sermon that was said by Vitaliy Pelikhatyy about knowing what your calling is. Before, I was worried that I wasn't following God's will because I didn't choose nursing for my career or am not married and taking care of children. This sermon encouraged me in knowing that where God has me right now is where He wants me; and where I will end up in five or ten years is where He will want me. I also realized that I don't have to wait until I finish my Bachelor's Degree or get married to be doing something important for God- that what I am doing right now is God's work. I am so amazed by how He orchestrates everything so perfectly and takes care of His children- Our God is an awesome God. I am so grateful to Him that He placed me in the environment where He knew I would be able to grow most. 

A little about the happenings at retreat- my friends and I got to Poulsbo early so we can explore the city. There was an instant attraction to the small town and its beautiful marina. We had a delicious dinner after which we headed to the docks to capture some stellar shots. We then got ice cream and headed to our retreat destination. We had three days to enjoy there during which we kayaked, stargazed upon shooting stars and made up plenty of inside jokes. On Monday evening I had the awesome experience of riding on a ferry across the Puget Sound! It was magnanimously beauticious!! The city lights were at first just glistening on the far horizon, but became ablaze as we approached them. We had a late night snack of mouth watering clam chowder from Ivar's and said our goodbyes to our Seattle brothers and sisters. On our way home we were accompanied by heavy lightning and encouraging conversation. I loved every moment of it. 

Life after retreat has been awesome as well. I hung out with my good friend Vika Sokolova and when I got to her house, she had put together a beautiful, candle lit tea party in her backyard; surrounded by tiki torches!! It was magnificent!! On Thursday I got together with my cousin Nina to check out a coffee shop that we had long had our eyes on... and it didn't disappoint. Latte Da proved to be modestly exquisite. We decided to enjoy ourselves in the outdoor sitting area where shortly a downpour joined us- we thought we would be okay because the area was covered but we were wrong and ended up getting soaked because of the thin material hanging above us- we thus abandoned our original plan, went to my house, dried ourselves off... and went shopping instead. It turned out to be one of those 'Remember that one time when we got soaked at Latte Da' moments that we will remember always. Anyway, I won't bore you with anymore stories that are only special to me and instead will just leave you with a few pics. Enjoy and Blessings. PS. I was listening to Christmas music the whole time I was writing this blog :) I gladly await the chilling cold that is just around the corner.