Blog Roll Monday: Jason Maupin and Elevate Industries

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Elevate Industries is the ministry of Orion and I's good friend Jason Maupin. Jason is Orion's best friend from Oklahoma and it's been awesome for me to get to know him and His wife Jessica these last few years. They have been great friends to us.

Jason travels the U.S. doing school assemblies, camps, and conventions talking to student's about right choices, living for the Lord. He's got an amazing testimony that is impactful and inspiring.

It's exciting to see your friend's doing exactly what God's created them to do, and this blog is a sneak peak look into what he does on a daily basis.

Check it out, and if you need a speaker for your youth group, camp, or school Jason is your pick! :)

House Sitting, Pageants and Visiting Friends.......

Orion and I have been house sitting for our Pastors the last six days, we've enjoyed days in the private pool and lots of cable t.v! We don't have cable right now so we were definitely spoiled. We only set the alarm off twice this time, and made it through the rest of the week.

If you haven't heard yet, I'm starting my own local pageant here in Glendale. I'm super excited about giving back to the community and getting involved with the Miss Arizona Program. I've been busy planning all this past week, getting our website up and looking for potential sponsors. I'm happy and excited to announce that I've got some great sponsors on board to help and meeting with a few more later this week. Our pageant is set for Feb. 13th, 2010. I've got 6 months of planning....good thing cause I still need judges, auditors, a venue and a whole slew of other things. If you know of someone who wants to compete or get involved send'em my way!

Last Friday, Orion and I attended a students' play. We had a great evening cheering on one of our own, great job Ben! We're missing our friends Jason & Jessica this week, they are in FL for the week doing ministry stuff. Monday, we were able to meet up with my Youth Pastor and his wife and have lunch. It's been two years since we saw them at our wedding, so it was good to meet up and catch up. I'm really excited to be living closer to them now.

This week is already flying by, I can't believe it's Wednesday! The apartment is finally together and I'm ready to start posting pictures. Look for them later this week......

Toodles.....

Miss Glendale Scholarship Program

I've had the privilege for the last two years, to work under some really great mentors in the Miss America/Miss Minnesota pageants. I started out my journey wanting to give back to a program who has given me so much. I wanted to make an impact, just like some amazing women, and directors have made in mine. To encourage and show people that Miss America is so much more than a crown. It was during this time that I learned a lot about, and learned what kind of director and local pageant I would want someday.

I'm excited and proud to announce the Miss Glendale Scholarship, will crown its first title holder in February 2010. I'm excited for this opportunity to start a local in Arizona, and bring my passion and what I've learned to this new program.

If you are interested in becoming a contestant, volunteer or sponsor feel free to contact missglendalepageant@gmail.com

More details to come, but for now check out http://www.missglendale.wordpress.com

Our First Visitors:

I got an unexpected phone call this afternoon from my Mom! It's not unusual for us to talk multiple times a day, but she told me some really great news today that I didn't expect to hear..... SHE'S COMING TO VISIT!!!!

I know.... I almost peed my pants!! But not just her.... my Grandma too!! My Mom is flying my Grandma here for her birthday. My Grandparents used to live here in Arizona so she'll be able to see friends while she's here.

They are coming next month, and staying for a week! I never thought we'd have visitors so quick, but I am really excited!!!

(Just a few pics of Me & Mom)

Weekend Round Up:

Friday, after a really long day and a stressful week I was ready to do something low key but fun. Hubby promised he'd take me to see this movie, if I promised that I'd go see G.I. Joe with him. So Friday night we went and saw The Time Traveler's Wife. Usually I like reading the book a movie is based off of, and then going to see it. But in this case I didn't read the book, and was equally excited if not more to see this movie. I love, love Rachel McAdams. It's an interesting twist on your typical love story, I really like the movie. A lot! Hubby was confused in some parts of the movie with all his time traveling and such. Anyone else see this movie this weekend?

Saturday, was a work day in the Worley House. We made a trip to Lowe's for paint. Made our first official grocery shopping trip and stocked the fridge. Started painting the dining room but didn't finish. I snuck away for an hour or so to go dress shopping with some of my youth girls. Then came back just in time to get ready for dinner at a couple's home that goes to our church. We're meeting all kinds of new people these days which is a lot of fun.

Sunday, we went to church. And then we came home to get ready for Sunday night's connection group kick-off event. I made a bunch a goodies for the party before heading off to set up for the event. It was a great end to a really busy, but very fun weekend.

It's Monday and the Hubs has the day off, I think finishing the painting and swimming are on the agenda for today! Happy Monday everyone!!!

A little preview.....

Here's a little preview of what we've been up to this last week. We're moving into our new place, and making it ours. I knew that I wanted the new place to be very different than our house, I didn't want them to look at all the same. So with a new color palate we're working with it's transforming into something special. I'm excited about it, I'll post more soon.

I've been M.I.A. for the past couple of days, I apologize. But, after just a week I'm feeling like I'm getting my feet on the ground here and getting into a routine. I'll be blogging more, and hopefully more pics of the place will be on the way. Stay tuned.

Saying Good-bye

Big thanks go out to my friend Elizabeth for throwing Orion and I a going away party. I can't say enough good things about this girl, and I'm really thankful for her in my life. Come visit us soon.
Me & Elizabeth
Elizabeth, Me and Tricia
Very yummy!
Packing up the truck, it was a really tough task for the boys. I'm thankful that Jason came up to help. Otherwise, I don't know what we'd have done. Thank you Jason.

Jason and Orion drove the truck to AZ, while I flew! Genius idea!

We've been in AZ a little less than a week, and I know many of you are asking for pics of the new place and I promise I'll get there, they are coming soon.

There's so much to do when you move, and for the most part I'm unpacked. But, I'll post pics when I get it all unpacked and we get situated. Promise, stay tuned!

Hello, Arizona!

We're here! Finally, it's a little hard to believe. I got off the plane this afternoon and was excited to step outside and feel the 100+ degrees! 

It's a little hard to believe that just a month ago we were here interviewing, hoping, praying and dreaming about what God might have for us here. God really had a plan in all of it. He had a plan for these last few months, preparing us for what would be next. Looking back I can see that, and see where he was working in us. 

And now, we're here. Everything we own sits in the back of a Penske truck, we get to move into our apartment Friday. Then, I will truly feel like I'm home when we have a place to call our own. 

Orion and his friend, Jason drove the two days here with the truck and Bentley. Lucky me, I flew!

Bentley is adjusting to the heat...heck, I think we all are! 

Orion picked me up from the airport today, and I said "pinch me" we're living here! It's just that awesome and crazy all at the same time. 

More to come soon.......

Seven

Two weekends ago, I went with my future Sister-in-law Jess and the rest of her bridesmaids to go dress shopping. Now, this will be my seventh time being a bridesmaid in a wedding! I thought the last time was the last wedding I'd be in but I was happy and thrilled when I was asked by Jess to be in her and my Brother's wedding next summer! Sunday morning, the dress shop made an exception for us and opened the store especially for us. So we got the while store to ourselves to try on dressed, and see Jessie in her wedding dress. So fun!
This is a picture of our dresses in platinum. This is probably one of my hands down favorites! I love the shape on this dress, and how it flatters everyone. I also love the sweat heart neckline. I'm super pumped to wear this dress!

Save the date for Sam & Jesse 7-10-10!

Goodbye, Minnesota!

I can't believe it's August 1st already!! We'll be in Arizona in just a matter of days! This week has flown by so fast. Someone asked me the other day if I wished Orion and I had more time here before moving? My answer to that was "no." Now, don't get me wrong I love my friends and family tons and I've loved the time I've spent here. But, when it comes to moving on and starting a new chapter I'd rather have it move quickly and not drag out. These past two weeks have just been the perfect amount of time to pack, see people, and visit the places we love most here in Minnesota.

We pack up tomorrow, and head to Iowa to see my parents. Then Orion & Jason will be leaving on Monday for Arizona. I will fly in a few days later to Arizona.

I try not to say good-bye to people because I know most of these people I will see again. It's never good-bye. Just a new adventure, and I'll see you later.

I personally, have a few things I would like to say to those I love about our time here in Minnesota:

Becky, Eunice & Sara- We will always be BESA! No matter what our friendship is there. I love you.

Jessie- Oh, how I will miss you! Thank you for being my friend and a strength to me during one of the hardest times in my life. You were a rock for me, and I am forever grateful for your friendship over these last years. Love you.

Eric- Thank you for being such a great friend to Orion and I both. We are so blessed to have you in our lives. Can't wait to see you get married!! We love you!

Tory, Elizabeth & HPC- Thank you for taking Orion and I under your wing and teaching us, and giving us valuable pieces of advice and guidance. We are thankful to you for being our Pastors and friends.

Elizabeth- I can't even begin to express how much I love you. Watching you grow into an amazing young woman and being apart of your life has blessed me so much. I am honored to be called your mentor and friend. I am so proud of you.

Scipioni Family (Sandy & Tom)- Thank you for loving Orion and I and welcoming Orion and I into your family and home. We love you.

Kathy- I can't believe just two years ago you took me under your wing and we began what now I will call a great mentor ship & friendship! Thank you for teaching me, molding me and being my friend. You have been there for Orion and I so many countless times. Through a hard period in life. I am forever grateful for you and your friendship.

Sara Larson- I am so happy to say that you are in my life. I've loved watching you grow and be apart of it. You are an amazing young lady with lots of passion and so much to give. I'm blessed to call you a friend. I wish you all the best as you continue on this journey God has you on, and know that you will be in my life for keeps!!

Stacie- You are one amazing lady! You inspire me, and challenge me. Thank you for always giving advice and being willing to help. I am grateful for a friend like you.

Orion and I are so excited about this next BIG adventure in our lives! We knew that Minnesota wouldn't be our home forever. But, we are thankful for the time that we've gotten to spend here, and for the life God gave us while we were here. The people he placed in our lives were for the right reasons and purpose.