Los Angeles Dream Center

In early October, Ty and I got to lead worship for some of the most passionate men and women I've ever encountered. '

It was not a Sunday morning; it was 7:00 Friday morning.
It wasn't in a church; it was in a gym.
The seats weren't any pews; they were metal folding chairs.
The people weren't in dresses and slacks; they were wearing jeans and black t-shirts.
There was no worship band; just one guy, a congo and a guitar.

There was no facade. It was Spirit of God.

We were at the Dream Center.

Our new friends, Steve and Brooke, invited us out because Steve was teaching that morning's chapel. I am not exaggerating when I say God has explicitly anointed and had favor upon the efforts of the Dream Center. In a place where desperation would be understandable, it does not exist. 

For the drug addict, the at risk teen, the pregnant mother, the starving family, the homeless men, women and children, the rescued sex slave, the Dream Center of LA bleeds hope. 

Hope that only comes from Jesus. And I am honored, honored to be in the same city as these folks. ~

More information on the Dream Center:
How it Started
Write a Letter to a Rescued Girl
Youth Center
Adopt a Block

Hello, From Los Angeles

The last time I wrote, I was sitting in my one bedroom, suburban apartment with the windows open so I could hear the birds chirping. My dishwasher was winding down and I had a side list going of all the grocery store items that kept popping in my head. 

Now, I am sitting in my one bedroom, urban apartment with the windows open but sounds are less birdie and more conversations and car horns. I don't have a dishwasher and I don't keep a grocery list because Whole Foods is a stones throw away. 

There are things I miss about my little hometown, some major differences from the big city life. Like:

• People in LA walk around in their gym attire, all day long, as if their life is one giant workout.
• The movies lie. People don't wear cowboy boots here all the time. Just me. Fantastic.
• TV lies. The chinese theatre, where all the movie stars imprint their hands, isn't glamorous at all. It's a nasty place where your booty gets grabbed and college students are trying to make their over-priced rent.
• In Temecula, my apartment occasionally got a whiff of a clean cut lawn or a smoldering fire. In LA, my apartment gets whiffs of car smog or the mary jane. (I wish I was kidding. Don't tell my mom.)
• You only see your neighbors on the weekends, and even that has been an occasional "walking" conversation about where to eat and shop. 
• You can walk everywhere. I think we've driven maybe twice this week.
• If you smile walking down the street, you're weird and probably a murderer. 
• Sidewalk arrests are normal. Don't worry. 
• The food selection is to-die-for. For example we ate at Hole in the Wall the other night. That was the name of the place. And it was one of the best burgers I've ever eaten. 
• Beach people are different from the city people. Don't mix them up.
• I was born to live in this city.  

We are enjoying every moment of this move. 

I have met some amazing and interesting people, and though it seems like everyone is skeptical of everyone here in LA, I think there's some good friendships in there somewhere. 

I really think this city will shape me, for the better. I think it is going to affect (in a good way) every part of my life: my marriage, my (future) children, my worship leading, my philosophy, my theology, and the way I see the world. 

It's only been 2 weeks and I have been both stunned and surprised at my new life. It's not all glam and glitter, that ended the night I ugly-cried over not finding and apartment, but it's good. It's very, very good. 

Thanks for sticking with me on this journey and I promise not every post will be consumed with LA-isms. #maybe 

- - - - -
**PS. NAKED: The Truth about Marriage series is coming up, have you asked your anonymous question yet?! Do it! 

Places to Eat in LA | Moving Days

Santa Monica Countdown | 2 Months

I just recently told some friends that one of the things I cannot wait for in LA is how late the  restaurants stay open. Currently, we live in a family town, so everything closes up shop about 9PM. McD's and Taco Bell are pretty much our only late night options. And those have consistently been bad choices. 

Also, I love to eat food. I love the taste of crepes with dark chocolate chips, pasta with secret family recipes, little chinese-hole-in-the-walls, and sugar free pastries with rich bold coffee that melts in my mouth. But the problem is that I don't know where a lot of those places are.

Tell me! I need your help!

Have you eaten or drunken at an amazing place in Los Angeles?
What do you recommend?
Any quickies on your "Go-To" list? Date night ideas??

Post a link or the name of the restaurant and city in the comments!  

My only current Go-To is Elysee's Cafe in Westwood. This chocolate croissant (picture above) is to die for. 

Thanks mucho!

Coffee Shops in LA | Moving Days

Santa Monica Countdown | 3 Months

Not sure what the near future holds for work yet, but I'm gearing up to be self-employed and in search of some work spaces. 
I have a quaint home office (aka. my kitchen counter + a bar stool) so most of my work is done at our local coffee shops. And if there's one thing I know about LA, it's that people drink coffee. Lots of it. I've done some research and found some cute/work environment shops in the area that I can't wait to visit! 

But this is the part where you recommend your favorite coffee places in the LA area that are tried and true. Ready. Go!

-Leave the name of your favorite coffee shop or a link for it in the comments.

Things I Can't Wait to Do in LA

Santa Monica Countdown | 3 Months
I'm getting anxious. Not the bad kind of anxious where you begin to doubt your life choices and back track on decisions. This is the good kind of anxious, where you begin to pack way too far in advance and start figuring out how you can sell everything you own to make those extra pennies. 

Yes, I am that kind of anxious. I guess excited or antsy would be better word choices. There are so many things I cannot wait to do in the big city. So many places I want to discover and tell no one about. (Who are we kidding? We both know I'm totally going to blog about them!) So many fascinating people to meet and befriend. 

I may be overly romanticizing this move but would you please just let me bask in this? 

Life will hit hard, soon I'm sure. So for now, I will dream of what could be. In pictures. 

I can't wait to ride bikes through the city. I know it's going to be considerably less glamorous than this gorgeous picture but I'm still excited. Now on to Craigslist to find a bike. ^^^

I've already been scouting out the local bakeries and coffee shops to frequent. Thank goodness LA peeps are so health freaky, there's a TON of sugar free pastries out there. ^^^

Walking and texting doesn't change from Suburbia to City life. It just gets a little more risky. haha. I can totally see myself making that face. ^^^

Not sure if they use taxis in the city, but I'm thinking about getting these just in case. Plus, they're yellow! ^^^

I can't wait to stare at this at least 50% of my evenings. ^^^

Soon and very soon.

Big Announcement // Moving to the City of Art & Intellect

We're moving to the city of art and intellect. Oh, and the beach! 
Some of you may remember this post, where I talked about a dream being born in my heart to move to the beautiful city of Santa Monica. That was three months ago. And now we're packing and planning to be moved by the Summer. 

Moving out of my hometown is something I've romanticized about, like a big wild adventure waiting to happen. But never in a million years, did I think I would actually be presented with the opportunity to do so, and more than that, take it!

But it has presented itself and yes, we are taking it. 

Our expectations are low and our needs high, but Ty and I know that this move symbolizes another level of trust for us. Trusting each other and trusting God. We are moving out of our comfort zones into a big vast sea of possibilities; possibilities of failure and success. 

The possibilities of failure keep us timid and questioning; but the possibilities of success compels us to take the jump. 

There is so much more I want to share with you and I will do so every Thursday for the next 6 months (from now until our move and maybe then some). The segment will be titled "Moving Days", documenting our season of packing, letting go, and the tall tales of moving to the big city. 

Above all, please pray. Pray that God would have His way in our lives as He moves us and creates new opportunities for us to meet and minister to people along our journey. 

That's all for now. Happy Sunday!
**Ps, if you're in the LA area of Cali, send me an email and I'd love to connect with you!