Linda Post III

Linda's wedding planner extraordinaire, Aimee, had to turn in Linda's contract for the reception site last Friday, so I tagged along. Honestly, the banquet manager there is so nice. We had gone to view the room a few weeks back and although it wasn't fit for my taste (think bright colored carpet mixed with circles and squares and lamp shades right out of the 80's), Linda loved it. And because she loved it, we loved it.

Anyhoo, when we were turning in the contract the banquet manager mentioned how this wedding seems different, more special and so I told her about all the blessings Linda has received starting with the dress and the whole David's Bridal thing and she got all emotional and told us that she actually waived the $1000.00 room charge without telling us - and that she usually never does that, but something about Linda really touched her.

You know, it's not really about the money (although it's the expression), it's more about the heart of these people. One person went up to her at church and told Linda she wanted to pay for her wedding dress. Can you imagine that?! Over and over again we have been blown away by the heart of the people. I'm sure that God has been moving people in this way. It is my hope, and I know Linda's too, that those who have blessed her, would also be over and abundantly showered with the realization of the Love of this God. He is the only one able to free us from our hurts, regrets, addictions, and pain - and to instill in us a peace and a freedom in who He has created us to be.

Linda Post II

I said in my first post about Linda to "stay tuned" because I was sure there was much more to come. Well, little did I know what the heck I was saying! On Wednesday, October 7th, I received the best ever facebook birthday message. The title said, "Your Blog Post about Linda" and it was from a stranger. This is what the message said (Mr. S.R. I hope it is okay for me to post this):

Julianna - I was truly touched by your post about Linda. I work at David's Bridal and would like to do something nice for Linda and her wedding. No publicity, no PR, nothing public! Linda's story is truly inspirational and I would like to make some gesture of thanks for letting us have taken some small part in her journey.

I was with A and Melis in Colorado so I immediately re-read the message aloud to them and within one minute went from shocked, to skeptical, to just call me Ms. Julianna "The Investigator"! After an extensive google search I discovered that this was not only legit, but it was seriously legit. After we realized this wasn't a joke, A, Melis and I all cried in the car as I re-read the message and then re-read the blog post to hear it from S.R.'s perspective. We couldn't believe that such kindness still existed in the corporate world. 

To make a long story short, the amazing people of David's Bridal have offered to pay for the flowers for Linda and Richard's wedding!! Such a blessing can only be chalked up to God. He is seriously working miracles for that girl. :) I've promised my new friends pics of the amazing day we had at David's Bridal so here are a few for you to all enjoy:

Perusing the aisle with our favorite consultant Lucy. Here Linda is describing the pant suit she thought might be appropriate. Lucy threw that idea out the window and put that girl in a dress! woot woot!

Dress #1 Lucy and Linda. See that guy in the background? He was part of the party next to us. By the time we had dress #2 on he was cheering her on.

Linda and I later that day. She was so excited we had to play dress up one more time... Thanks to Betty for the makeup, hair, and jewelry. We've never seen her so radiant, and glasses free. :p

I can't post any more pics because I can't give away the dress. But, for what it's worth, I do want to thank everyone at David's Bridal for playing such an important part in Linda's joy - and then for taking another unnecessary and totally generous step in reaching out to bless her even more. You guys rock.

From There to Here

Last night Aimee and I got the chance to go to the Heavenly Treasures Fundraising Boat Trip! It was quite fancy schmancy and we had fun getting all dressed up. It was neat to see how God has been moving and blessing them. Towards the end of the evening, after dinner, dessert, Bryan Clay, and bidding, David Gaulton got up to sing a closing song as the boat began to dock back at the Long Beach Harbor. His song was talking about being the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Just at that moment I looked out the window and I saw the Yard House sign. I can't quite explain what happened to me but tears filled my eyes...four years ago I was working there and headed towards a life of plenty of money but no substance. And now, four years later here I am on a fundraising boat trip for a Christian nonprofit, about to graduate, serving the Lord through the church, and singing about being the salt of the earth and the light of the world. From there...to here. I can't believe it.

I thank God for plucking me from a life headed towards nothing and placing me in a life where everything is for the glory of the Lord. May I be a good steward of such grace.

(Left to right: Bryan Clay (Olympic Gold Medalist Decathalon) Aimee, Christina and Kiki (HT). This is Aimee winning the grand prize on the boat trip. :) Canada here we come!

Birthday Bests

 

1. Beard nets during our tour at Celestial Seasonings.

2. The old white man, who after having a five minute conversation in fluid English, asked us so nicely, "What country are ya'll from?" to which Aimee answered just as politely, "We're from the country of Los Angeles!" I laughed so loud, I just couldn't hold it in. Oh, rural America white people.

3. Sensitivity Antennas

4. The Bloody Good Chef's Salad and the Mahalo Sandwich from the awesome restaurant Dish. Oh, and how can I forget the best snickerdoodle cookie EVER, dense, soft and yet slighty crispy on the far edges YUM YUM - perfection.

5. Eating lunch in Chautauqua Park near Colorado University. It's just amazing to be sitting in a park surrounded by snow capped mountains and gentle squirrels (not to be confused with the l.a. kind of crazy assertive squirrels).

6. The yellow house on Pine and 11th.

7. Aimee's crazy driving (sorry blue car, we didn't mean to park THAT close).

8. Redstone Meadery Tour and Tasting - and the "I'm so Colorado" tour girl whose voice reminded me of the stoners from Venice.

9. Happy Hour at Brasserie Ten Ten! Gruyere and jamon crepes, hummus with grilled pitas, frittes with garlic aioli, brie & peaches with roasted garlic and crostini's all for a whopping $12!!! Eat your heart out Melis!

10. Altitude and everything that does to your digestive system.

11. Dutch apple, peanut butter chocolate, vegan pumpkin spice (yes, don't judge it was actually good), and red velvet with cream cheese frosting cupcakes from Boulder Baked.

12. Aimee & her Crack, and her amazing skill at getting us to and from places.

13. And the ultimate was my two favorite girls in the whole world singing happy birthday and sharing cupcakes with me. I just love them both so much.

Because of them and those of you who sent Bday wishes it truly was a Birthday Best. Thank you!

 

Linda

Many of you have heard the joyous news of the impending marriage of Linda Isbister and Richard Flach. To say we are excited is quite an understatement. Here's a recap on some of the best moments to date:

1. The News
I was late to bible study about a month ago. I decided to stop in anyway to say hi to everyone. It was truly divine intervention that made me stop by. It was over by the time I got there but Linda called me into the old library for an announcement. My heart dropped because, well with the cancer and all, you never know what news is to come. When she told me that Richard had asked her to marry him I screamed and then I cried. Yes, I actually screamed and yes, I actually cried after.

What people don't realize is that Linda has been asking God to provide her with a husband for over 30 years. Her heart's desire has been to love and be loved by a man. She has never been unconditionally romantically loved by a man. She has struggled with loneliness and self-worth. She has never been truly appreciated by a man for her outward and inward beauty, her spiritual gifts, her gentleness, her devotion to Jesus, and her heart for people.

God has promised to take care of those who love Him, and to provide them with the desires of their heart. Linda has an incurable cancer in the later stages of her life, and yet God chose this time to answer her prayers. I know that God heard her aching heart and knew just the man for her.

2. The Dress
Last Saturday, on a whim mom, linda, Aimee, Melissa, and I decided to head to David's Bridal in Torrance to see what's out there. When we walked in a few people in the entrance had the look of shock on their faces when she was the one to sit down and fill out the bridal paper work. Linda hasn't been treated very well by people, and although she didn't see them, Aimee and I did.

All of our fears washed away when we met, Lucy, our bridal consultant. She took one look at Linda and joyously took her under her wing. Linda was not only worried that they wouldn't have anything in her size, but she was concerned that people would think it was silly that someone of her age would be shopping for a wedding dress. Lucy, in her own unique way, gave Linda permission to enjoy the experience. She was amazing.

She tried on three dresses. By the time she was putting on her third dress, the entire shop knew Linda's story. No, this was not an anniversary party. Yes, this is her first marriage. Yes, she has cancer. The best part is that all the other brides there, and all their parties were so excited for Linda. Everyone, including the other consultants were rooting for her. And when she came out in the third dress we knew it was "the One".

I can't really explain the moment that happened right then. But Linda looked in the mirror and was silent for ten minutes. She just kept looking at herself. I asked her if she was okay and she said to me, in a way that was so in awe of what she saw, "I really do look beautiful, don't I?" She could barely believe it. It broke my heart. It was like she had never believed that she was that gorgeous until that moment.

Afterwards we celebrated at Coffee Bean and then headed to Henry and Betty's to show them the dress. We put everything on again and Betty did her hair and make up. Henry said later that watching Linda he realized it was the first time she has ever felt like she was worth it. And because of that gentle heart, Henry treated all of us to dinner, and celebrate we did!

Linda later told me that Saturday was one of the best days of her life. Nobody made fun of her - strangers were rejoicing with her, and she got to experience something she never thought she would ever get a chance to do.

I feel so lucky that I was privy to that moment. I praise God and thank Him for not only fulfilling the deepest desire of her heart - but for allowing her to feel whole as a beautiful woman of God.

3. Richard
There could not be a better match for Linda than Richard. He was scheduled to come visit Thanksgiving weekend, but that 'ole fool couldn't wait that long and surprised Linda by flying in last weekend. Aimee and I took Linda to pick him up at the airport and the first thing he did was give her a smack on the lips and a huge hug. Those big Texans! While we waited for his plane to arrive, Linda was so so nervous. We were sitting down by the exit doors and by the time he had arrived she had found herself standing by the entrance doors! :)

Richard lost his wife earlier this year. Linda and his wife, Judy, were best friends for a long time. Before Linda moved out here she lived with Richard and Judy for many years. Richard says that he has always had a brotherly love for Linda. But about a month ago he was talking with Linda on the phone and the Holy Spirit spoke to him and told him he loved Linda in a different way. And boy has he embraced that calling! The amount of declarations of love and cute nicknames I heard while he was here was sickening!! =) haha!

I know this is a long post - and I'm sorry as I know they can be cumbersome to read. But as the months leading to the wedding come upon us, I know I will have many more stories to add about Linda and Richard. Growing up in the church, I have seen many people fall in love and many people get married. But, by far, this is the greatest wedding I have ever witnessed because it is a story of hope, of faith, of God's provisions, and his ultimate care of those devoted to His glory.

So stay tuned!

oh yes, and P.S. I'm a bridesmaid!! woo hoo!

Our Celebration of 3.

This past Thursday was September 24th. According to the calendar, there is nothing significant about this day, but in my small world there is - Josh and I hit our three years of being "Josh and J".

The very first post for this blog was a nod to Josh and our one-year dating anniversary. As I re-read that blog I was struck with where we were then and the path we have taken till now. We are the same people, yet we are not the same. We've had our first fight...and a few to follow since then, we've cried together, laughed together, rolled our eyes at one another, and have learned to appreciate what the other appreciates. We have been through death and life, we have comforted and supported. We have gained weight and lost weight. We have exposed the side of us that we don't show to people - and yet in all that we still remain "Josh and J".

I often hear seasoned marrieds say that their love for the other person has changed, and yet deepened beyond what anyone could have imagined. I know Josh and I haven't even begun to experience that joy but I do know that I appreciate more today who he is as a person than I ever have before.

At Davey's wedding this past weekend, my cousin Stephen gave a phenomenal best man speech. One thing he shared that he has been learning in his married life is you can either give life to your spouse or take it from them. And as Josh has given me life, I too hope that he can say I have done the same for him.

Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire

God is stirring something within me.

On the way to Kauai, Aimee was reading a book that kept making her tear up. She blazed through it so fast by an hour into our flight she handed it to me and said it was a must read. On the way home I opened it up - and it's changing my life. Not in the big, huge so obvious type of change - but the kind of change that starts from the inside and hopefully radiates out.

Jim Cymbala, pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, wrote "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" to give a testimony to what God has been doing in his church and community. The Holy Spirit preached to me through his words.

This is what stuck out to me most(the following is mostly in quotes):
When we get serious about drawing on God's power, remarkable things will happen. Even if we grow listless and lukewarm, still Christ says to his followers: "Here I am, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice & opens the door, I will come and eat with him, and He with me. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" -Rev. 3:20-22

Although this message was addressed to the Laodicean Christians, whom Jesus had just finished scolding, for he was grieved by their lethargy - yet he still offered his renewing love and power. He always forgives.

It seems like what we are dealing with today is a lack of dependence on God's power. In revelation, the churches were mainly scolded for their lack of spiritual vitality, fervency and closeness to the Lord. I am in favor, as were the Apostles, of asking God to stretch out his hand and manifest himself.

The Apostles prayer for the church in the book of Acts says, "Enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness!"

2 Timothy 1:7 "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline."

We just started The Apostle Project - an experiment of 12 people who are striving to be bold in their faith within their communities. The purpose is to change the way we're living so it focused not on what we have to do - but the people God puts in our lives as we do those things. We are reshaping our vision to be Kingdom focused. I can see now that it takes much more than a change in cultural norms, it takes the work of the Holy Spirit - and we get that through prayer. I am asking the Lord to discipline my prayer life and to reshape the desires of my heart. For I am restless to do more for Christ. And I now know that this is the answer.

Go Apostles go. I am praying!

Recap of the BEST WEEK EVER

A made the most profound statement in regards to our vaca last week:

"We're terrible travelers, and GREAT vacationers."

Case in point our tumultuous departure. If you live near LAX the "rules" that they set regarding the time of check in don't really apply to you. We all know that it is quite unnecessary to be there three hours before your plane is scheduled for take off.In fact, A and I have found that one hour and fifteen is usually the optimal arrival time needed in order to ensure check in (for all those who are lame-o and don't print online), bag check, security check, bathroom stop, and starbucks run.

What we didn't take into account for this trip was the inefficiency from our airline carrier, DELTA.

Now, I will not make this into a huge rant about the terrible service, inefficiency, outdated computer systems, rude personnel, and overall worst-airline-we-have-ever-traveled-on type of post, however I will say that when I turn around after pleading with the Delta lady (who was struggling with the power trip associated with the short person syndrome) to allow us to get to the security check since our plane had boarded ten minutes prior and they were shutting the gate, and then after her rude response turn and see my sister begin to cry... Well, I will say this - I am the younger and more (if not most) protective sister you will ever know and my inner fury knew no bounds. After being cleared by a gentle TSA man, A and I huffed it to the end of the entire terminal to barely make the closing door. Sweaty, crying (A),and infuriated (me) we took a deep breath and prayed our vaca would be much much sweeter.

With that said, I can honestly say that this was hands down, by far, the best vacation I have ever been on. Not only was Kauai relaxed, under-developed, completely friendly, beautiful, and removed, but t also had the three components that made our trip what we have dubbed "The Trip of a Lifetime":

1. Our Accommodations
A and I stayed at the Princeville Westin Ocean Resort Vacation Villa Hotel. I didn't quite know how good it was going to be when I booked it from Costco, but man did we score. Absolutely the most amazing five star ISLAND GEM I have ever experienced. Not only did we walk into a stone floor, granite countertops, full kitchen, two shower head shower, jet soaking tub, plush living room, complete with glass utensils and a normal sized fridge, dish washer, and washer and dryer, the softest two bath robes you can even dream about, and a complimentary umbrella in case of rain - but the grounds (two of the top rated golf courses in the world), restaurants, and staff were all five star. It made coming home after a day on the island a pleasure.

I am a self-diagnosed germophobe and not having to worry about wearing shoes in the hotel room or in the shower or stressing about the nasty comforter on the bed, etc. was so...freeing. A and I were relaxed and so so happy.

2. The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook
Our great friend Shin offered his rad Kauai guidebook when he heard we were headed there. We didn't realize how crucial this would be to our vacation success. There was no way that we would have experienced Java Kai, our Kayak/Hike/Zipline extraordinare tour, Ocean snorkeling trip, Hanalei, Anahole, Kapa'a, and every dive restaurant that we read was a real gem. Thank you Shin!

3. My Traveling Companion
I've said it before, but I'll say it again - there is no one greater to travel with than A. Maybe it's because we're sisters, but I think it's mostly because we're our mother's daughters. We are like-minded when it comes to what it means to relax, what makes it enjoyable, how much we're willing to spend, and how much we're willing to exert physically. She's truly just the best person in the world to go to the best place in the world with. I was the driver and she was the navigator - and it could not have been a better relationship. On top of that, she's the only one I can share a bed with and still be completely comfy. :) Love you A - thanks for the best week ever.

The mosquito bites, dealing with an early checkout, time crunching with Alamo, and rushing to and from the airport were nil...I can't even complain about it because anything negative was totally overshadowed by the awesomeness of our trip. It was so good, I'll even throw our rough start in there as well.

BEST WEEK EVER.