Sunday, July 30, 2006
33 and the truth about us...
Today was so much fun! I got to go to club 33 (In Disneyland) with my friend Sarah, her sister Rachel, and friend Melanie. 
Sarah got us in with her work account and we decided to celebrate both our b-days (they are 10 days apart) one last time before I move. It was a great. Sarah and I have been friends since seventh grade and have been through a lot together. We were just reflecting on how amazing it is to keep friendships going for so long. I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to have longstanding friendships. 
There is just something about being able to know someone for so long, you know their history, their good and bad moments, and can call their shots. Its a comforting feeling; being known, that never really goes away even though time goes on and things change. Here are some pictures of us on the balcony and in the club. :) Thanks to you Sara for being a far better friend than I all these years. I love you!Danielle Renee at 9:17 AM
Saturday, July 29, 2006
It's Official!
I received an e-mail from Linda today explaining that I'm officially accepted and I can begin raising funds for Spain. :) So it begins...... :)Danielle Renee at 1:38 AM
Thursday, July 27, 2006
One Step Closer...
Today I had my interview for Spain with Linda 
and Jackie at FMI. It was fun and a really great opportunity to talk with some amazing ladies. This was one of the last steps I needed for Spain. I will hear back this week on my official acceptance and more details of what I will be doing there. Then I can start raising funds and the visa 
process. Whoo hoo! Finally!! It's been a seven 
month journey. I'm excited to see everything starting to fall into place :) More details to follow. I better start brushing up on my espanol :)Danielle Renee at 10:05 PM
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
A delicious birthday....
Well,
this was one of my favorite weeks of the year, my birthday week! I had to blog about this because I thought that it was embarrassingly great. 
It has become apparent to me that everyone that knows me well is aware of my great love for all things sweet. (dessert of course) It all started off on Monday when I went to Santa Barbara with my dear roomie Shyla. We shopped, ate, and enjoyed the beauty of SB but
primarily we went there for birthday creme brulee. Yumm. SB is one of our fav places to go and last time we were there we stumbled across Opal, 
this awesome little restaurant that has great creme brulee. Here is the before, and after.Then Tuesday I received three e-cards from my parents one of them being this one. I had a tasty brunch with Melissa, and a lovely dinner with some of my friends here in LA. At the end of our
evening there was joy, in the form of cheesecake. Then I was off to sleep so I could wake up for work at 3:15am!
On Wed Lisa Parks was the greatest and made me cupcakes that I happily shared with my apartment. The sprinkles were the greatest hit, they lasted two days :) Thursday my roommates Lindsey and Honey Rose took me to the melting pot
and here are some pics of our great time. So apparently my secret is out. If you want to make me happy, here is one of my love languages.... he he..... But seriously thank you to all my friends and family who made my birthday so special for me. I feel so loved. You guys are the best :)Danielle Renee at 12:51 AM
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Moving Home Baby
That's right! I'm moving back to Nor Cal August 5th. I'm going home to save money for Spain and New York :) I will miss all my friends here in So Cal, I love you all so much!Danielle Renee at 1:27 AM
My adventures in New York City
I am finally able to write about my trip to New York and New Jersey. It's been a crazy few weeks with all the changes in my life, most of which were sparked by this trip.It was a ten day journey into the
heart of inner city life and into the depths of my heart. I learned so much about life and myself. I had to trust my heart and be confident in the things I believe God has called me to do and be. In some ways it was a living picture
to me of the strength that God has created in me to make me crazy enough to move to the chaotic, beautiful, dirty, enchanting city. Hanging out in the streets with people from all walks of life, serving the homeless, the druggies, the angry, the hopeless, the kind, made it impossible for 
me to not be changed. One more lesson in my pursuit of understanding and embracing raw humanity. These pictures are not mine, unfortunately I didn't have a camera and these pictures are from a friend I was with one day in New York, and the ministry websites. 
I have no pictures of NY or of the activities I was a part of or all the freakin amazing people I met there.The majority of my trip I was in Elizabeth NJ which is about 20-30 from NYC by NJ transit (which is like BART or rapid traveling subway trains). I stayed with the amazing Yuschak family (Paul (above right), Karen, (left and above) Kat
y (couldn't find a pic), and Becky(left). They are a part of City Tribe Church where I spent most of my time. If you want to see what they are all about check out Citytribes's myspace or website. (Watch the video!) They truly impacted my life and kept me sane on my trip. Their story is i
incredible, and so are their hearts.I spent a lot of time with The New York City Relief ministry at the Hope Center and out on the bus. (Read that ;) seeing what a lifestyle of Inner City Ministry is like and learning the ropes. I loved it! There is so much need and tons to do.
I also got to spend time with the foursquare leaders
that brought me out there. (Linda Abdoo & Sharon and Art Snow{to the left}) Spending time with such amazing people that share the same heart for ministry made me feel like I was already family. They do sooooo much, I have so much to learn :) Lastly, I got to spend time with my friend from school Beth Anna who moved out there a couple of years ago to plant a church. She lives in the city and we spent a lot of time talking about real life living in NY and moving out there. We had such a good time hanging out and her Dad that just happened to be visiting. :)My Itinerary :
Friday: Red eye flight to Syracuse NY. Learned how to play Texas Holdem from my neighbors on the plane.
Sat: Arrived at 12 pm picked up by the fabulous Linda Abdoo. Took a much needed nap, went to dinner.
Sun: Sunday Service in Rome NY, Fathers Day with the Abdoo Fam.
Mon: Driven from Rome NY to Roselle NJ, to Elizabeth NJ.
Tues: NYC Relief Bus: Bronx NY, Dinner in NYC Hell's Kitch
enWed: Hope Center, Patterson NJ church launch with Evy! Mediterranean dinner in Patterson.
Thurs: NYC tours, dinner, back to NJ.
Fri: Chestnut St Church, Chestnut St Community School, NYC Relief Bus Elizabeth NJ
Sat: All Day Speaker Jam Jefferson Park NJ, launch of Hip Hop Church
Sun: Sunday Services (one and two) Chestnut St Community , lunch, Church plant in Bronx NYC.
Mon: Goodbyes and Airports of hell
Tues:Arrive home 24 hours later, no luggage, all kinds of drama.
The End!!!
Of course there is more but I'm done typing!!! I think this is the longest post ever. If your still here thanks for reading! So, all that to say, God willing, I'm planning on moving to NYC after Spain. The city and it's people are calling my name.
Crazy. :) Us usual subject to change....
Danielle Renee at 1:00 AM
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Previews.....and Disclaimers
I have finally caved, my need to be connected with the outside blogging world has got the best of me. I do have to say that I've intended to start this for a few years but I had no time. I'm out of school and I have no excuses, besides I miss everyone too much. My apologies to those friends of mine that I've neglected... but the time has come! I hope now I can stay in contact with all of my friends no matter where in the world you are, or I am :)Other news I'm finally getting a digital camera so I can prove I'm alive, as well as to keep you posted of my adventures of whatever scale. Come back here for more.....
Welcome to my new world, if I know you and I don't have your link or know that you are on blogger leave me a comment so I can keep track of you!!!!
Danielle Renee at 10:35 PM