**1**
Last week was the beautiful wedding of my dear friend Jennifer and her now husband Josh. It was a gorgeous day, the ceremony and reception were perfect, it was amazing to see this incredible couple begin their journey of life together, and it was such an honor to get to stand with her as they made their vows. Congratulations Jenn and Josh, I love you both!
**2**
I left LA immediately after the wedding (I actually had to leave the wedding a bit early) to jump on a plane up to Seattle, and I'll be here until tomorrow morning. On Sunday after church I met with the elders of Bethany Pres to be interviewed (essentially, it was more of a conversation than an interview) to test my readiness to move to the next round in the ordination process (called candidacy). It was such an encouraging meeting, I truly love this church and how incredibly committed they are to the process of discernment. They chatted with me for about an hour, then they send you into the hall to talk about you and vote on whether or not to let you go to the next round, and then call you back in. I was a little worried because it seemed like I was outside for a lot longer than I expected! When Pastor Dan called me back in he apologized and said they actually had so many good things to say about me he finally had to cut them off and call for a vote so I could come back inside, which was a very humbling thing to hear. They were SO encouraging and went on and on about how much they have seen me grow over the past three years, and how excited they are for this next phase of ministry.
**3**
Becoming a candidate isn't just a 1 step process however, Sunday was only the first of 3 interviews/conversations with different groups of people to decide on my readiness. In about an hour I meet with a group of about 10 pastors and elders from around the Seattle Presbytery (all the churches in the Seattle area). If they approve me I meet in two weeks on May 18th up here with ALL of the members of the Seattle Presbytery (about 200 pastors/elders) and they get a chance to ask me some questions about who I am, my sense of calling etc. That one definitely feels the scariest, but I was comforted a bit to find out that Pastor Dan is going to be the one moderating that particular part of the Presbytery meeting, and will be the one screening/fielding questions for me, which made me feel SO much better! At least it isn't a total stranger who doesn't know me!
**4**
Being back in Seattle has been so wonderful, even if it's been so much colder than a normal May! I've had great time catching up with friends, walking Greenlake (in the rain!) with Missy yesterday, enjoying Thai food with Darbee, catching up over dinner and ridiculously TV shows with Heather, having coffee with Julia (one of my mentors), and getting to have breakfast with Lynn tomorrow before I go. My heart is full, hearing all that has happened in the lives of my friends, and being back in this place I love so much. Not gonna lie, I would be thrilled to find a job up here somewhere!
**5**
We just found out my cousin Jason and his wife Stacie are expecting a little GIRL in September, which makes me very happy :) I like babies, doesn't matter what gender, but little girls are just exceptionally cute :)
**6**
Last Wednesday we had a bridesmaid picnic on the beach with Jenn which was SO beautiful and so fun, definitely a relaxing way to sit, chat, pray over her and enjoy God's gorgeous creation before the chaos of all their families arrived!
Me, Becca, Kristen, Jenn and Robin
**7**
One of the best parts of being back in Seattle? The COFFEE! Amazing coffee, not Starbucks, from local independent coffee shops. I'm in heaven.
Becoming a candidate isn't just a 1 step process however, Sunday was only the first of 3 interviews/conversations with different groups of people to decide on my readiness. In about an hour I meet with a group of about 10 pastors and elders from around the Seattle Presbytery (all the churches in the Seattle area). If they approve me I meet in two weeks on May 18th up here with ALL of the members of the Seattle Presbytery (about 200 pastors/elders) and they get a chance to ask me some questions about who I am, my sense of calling etc. That one definitely feels the scariest, but I was comforted a bit to find out that Pastor Dan is going to be the one moderating that particular part of the Presbytery meeting, and will be the one screening/fielding questions for me, which made me feel SO much better! At least it isn't a total stranger who doesn't know me!
**4**
Being back in Seattle has been so wonderful, even if it's been so much colder than a normal May! I've had great time catching up with friends, walking Greenlake (in the rain!) with Missy yesterday, enjoying Thai food with Darbee, catching up over dinner and ridiculously TV shows with Heather, having coffee with Julia (one of my mentors), and getting to have breakfast with Lynn tomorrow before I go. My heart is full, hearing all that has happened in the lives of my friends, and being back in this place I love so much. Not gonna lie, I would be thrilled to find a job up here somewhere!
**5**
We just found out my cousin Jason and his wife Stacie are expecting a little GIRL in September, which makes me very happy :) I like babies, doesn't matter what gender, but little girls are just exceptionally cute :)
**6**
Last Wednesday we had a bridesmaid picnic on the beach with Jenn which was SO beautiful and so fun, definitely a relaxing way to sit, chat, pray over her and enjoy God's gorgeous creation before the chaos of all their families arrived!
Me, Becca, Kristen, Jenn and Robin
**7**
One of the best parts of being back in Seattle? The COFFEE! Amazing coffee, not Starbucks, from local independent coffee shops. I'm in heaven.
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