Jason's side of our story

Here's an Ice-Breaker... I'm getting married!!! As some of you may know, I met Liz at the Christian Surfer's International Conference last September in France. The first morning I got up for the dawn patrol and was supposed to wake up my buddy Casey (from Virginia Beach). Casey had relayed his room number the night before, but my mind was drawing a blank. And, the room numbers were hiding in the dark to make matters more difficult. I knocked on a likely door (praying to have Casey answer), but Liz pops her head out. From outside, I ask if Casey is there? She says one second, and comes back with Katie from England, who is definitely not Casey! Embarrassed, I quickly slip into the dark. I remember thinking: wow, she'?s even beautiful in the morning!

My buddy Dave took the beating for my next opportunity to meet Liz. A couple UK surfers, an Aussie, Dave, and myself had a memorable surf session the next day. Needing to get back to the conference, we were changing into civilian attire swiftly. Dave was attempting to get water out of his head, but instead nailed the edge of the car door with the back corner of his head. Blood squirted out immediately and he was about to pass out! We wrapped a towel around his head and he recovered like a champ.

Once we arrived back at the conference, we were looking for the doc. Instead we found Liz, and since she was helping with administration of the conference, this was a good thing. Since Dave was looking fine, Liz and I began to chat. We found out we were both from the same neck of the woods, which was a bit strange since we were in France. We were just beginning to see how aligned our dreams were as well. And as they say, the rest is history! So thanks Dave!

Liz grew up on a farm SE of Tacoma, WA. She spent quite a bit of time in Portland, OR where she went to Multnomah Bible College. When I met her in France, she was a finishing up a missionary internship in Paris. Oh yeah, she speaks French fluently. Ending her internship early, Liz arrived back in the NW in October, and we began dating shortly thereafter. It quickly became obvious that she was the one. If I was given the opportunity to pick out my future wife, I would have ended up with Liz. She's everything I ever dreamed of.

Be sure to download our journal of a recent trip to France at my website.

It looks like we're going to be having a small wedding ceremony on the beach in Oregon, August 25th. Then we'll party with all our friends!

back in the saddle

So I'm back to life in Lincoln City. I've survived a week at the bux, an interview for a promotion, and have been hired. Training starts next week as I plunge into my second week. Feeling pretty stoked about it all.

inf mono

I finally can say I live in Lincoln City, OR. I work at the LC Starbucks and survived my first 2 days learning new faces and how to find things in my new store. So far, the people I work with are very nice and I'm excited about being here. I do however miss my old friends up at the Puyallup store.

One funny story came about on my second day as I worked the front bar. A man and his son came through the lineup and I recognized the father from somewhere but couldn't place him. As I handed him his drink I asked where he was from. "Seattle." Oh, "I'm from Puyallup." NO!!! Then I realized it was one of our regulars up at 176th! We chatted about my transfer and how the store was changed up there since the recent transfer of several partners. Small world.

Heading back to Portland for the weekend, Jason and I decided that I should see a doctor for my sore throat and fatigue. So Sunday morning we spent 4 hours waiting around at the urgent care. After a throat culture and blood test (I was a brave girl and didn't faint), and more waiting, the doctor came in and said I had mono. I've been condemned to the bed and couch for a week.

I must say this was probably the most frustrating news I could have received at this time. I am adapting to a new place, new store, and planning a wedding. You have got to be kidding!!! So Jason brought me home to his parents house with a paper from the dr saying "acute tonsillitis/ inf mono".

the pack

So I'm rounding out the job of packing up my life belongings and shortly, we'll be loading them into the cars and taking off for Portland. We have to spend a day there and go to a few meetings before continuing on to Lincoln City. I'll start calling drinks again on Friday at the Starbucks in LC.

Menke/Hernandez family + Kyle

Menke/Hernandez family + Kyle
Originally uploaded by spigs.

I said "yes"

I had a busy "weekend" last week. I had a chance to squeeze in a couple days between Starbucks shifts for a trip to Portland. Jason and I had a couple meetings with friends on the schedule and I, a photo shoot. Friday the 29th happened to be the busiest day of all. After endless errands, a lovely lunch and coffee with friends, Jason and I finally sat down to watch the footage from our recent trip to France. It was a long show but full of fun memories and precious people. As the movie closed out, the scrolling text thanked God for the exceptional trip and me for making it so special. Then it said Jason had something to tell me and ask me. I couldn't believe it- I wasn't expecting a proposal at that time! Jason told me how he felt about me and then from one knee, asked in french if I would be his wife. I said yes and we went to tell his family who had been 'oh-so-carefully' spying on us. That evening was a flurry of family and smiles as we celebrated.

Now, I'm busy again with Starbucks, emailing, and dress shopping. I'll try to keep everyone up to speed but don't be surprised if the emails start coming from Jason and I, or if you start hearing a ton about Christian Surfers with whom Jason and I hope to serve.

moving

I'm moving. I'm moving to Lincoln City. I'll work at Starbucks. I'm invited to live with the Barrett Family. You can familiarize yourself with Michael Barrett the father, pastor, surfer here. Its coming up so fast and I have so much to do to prepare myself.