Arrowhead with the Guties!

We had such a great weekend with the Gutierrez family!  We put on a fire, sipped tea, walked the village, put on a fire, read, watched movies, put on a fire, listed to John MacArthur, played a game and put on a fire.  Yes, the theme of the weekend was a warm, crackling fire.  We had it going all the time and most of our activities were near the fire.  It brought us together!

It is a blessing to be able to get away for a weekend.  Slow life down a little and enjoy the fellowship of good friends. I'm so thankful the Lord has placed them in our lives. 

So much to catch up on!!

My Comeupance!

After all the blogging about the fortune of being an eyewitness to the misfortune of others, I finally received my comeupance.  I FELL!!  I was out for a run and tripped over the spikes that usually tell a car to stay out.  However, this time they told me, "you had it coming!" So yes, I hope someone was out there having a good chuckle when I landed flat on the ground without warning.  It was a pretty good fall!

Two birthdays!  

The first week in November is full of birthdays of very special people in the lives of the Poladians. 

Happy Birthday Michelle!

What a special person.  She has taught me compassion through her obvious care for others that has no boundaries.  She has taught me how to be joyful, her heart is overflowing with joy from the Lord.  She has taught me how to cook!  Thanks for the many delicious recipes you have shared. Cheers to you friend - we pray your life will be used greatly by the Lord! You have definitely made it available.  We love you Michelle!

Happy Birthday Alex!

We love Alex!  We are so thankful for the work she is doing in Russia to bring the gospel to a lost country.  I have admired Alex from the time we met and she led a small group I was in.  Her love for the Lord is so strong and her knowledge deep.  She seeks after Him with passion and her life reflects obedience.  We miss you like crazy Al!  Happy (belated) Birthday! We continue to pray for you!

Happy Birthday Mama!!

This past weekend we went home to celebrate my Mom's birthday!  What a special lady!  We had a lot of fun celebrating this year.  It started on Wednesday with a trip to the Nokia Center to see Carrie Underwood.  Melissa and I surprised Mom with the tickets.  She was shocked, which made it more fun for us!  Carrie puts on a great concert and we had a blast.  Oh, and I saw a girl fall down off the curb on our way out. I waited to make sure she was ok before chuckling :) 

Then on Saturday we went to the UCLA v. Oregon State football game.  Mom cooked up a storm so we could have a tailgate party, which Matt and I missed because we were walking through every parking lot at the Rose Bowl looking for them.  They were kind enough to save us some! Unfortunately the Bruins lost, fortunately we had chocolate chip cookies in the car for the drive home. Unfortunately the line for the shuttle back to our car was about 500 miles long, fortunately my Dad had not left yet and picked us up on the side of the road for our own private shuttle ride.  

Happy Birthday Debbie Cooper!  We love your ability to laugh and have a good time, your kind heart, and your selflessness.  Your support gives us comfort and your smile brightens the room.  We pray that the Lord would bless you and make His face shine upon you in this new year.  May you seek after the knowledge and wisdom found in His word and may He give you grace and peace.  WE LOVE YOU!!!

Beachcomber and Fall Fest

BEACHCOMBER

Auntie Noralea and Auntie Barbara came down to Irvine for a visit!  We were so excited to show them around and take them to church with us.  They treated us to a delicious breakfast afterward at the Beachcomber!  Aaron came too. You must go there if you are down in Newport Beach.  It was right on the water and so delicious.  We loved it!  Thanks so much Auntie Barbara and Auntie Noralea!

FALL FEST

For Halloween our church puts on a "large scale community event" for anyone to come and enjoy!  It was so great - there was candy, costumes, climbing walls, In-N-Out, Taco Bell, kettle corn, game booths and a lot more and it was all free!  We volunteered to help and were put on bathroom duty!  Here is Matt at his command post!  

We had a great time and are thankful for our new friends the Primicerios and the Kroekers for helping us pass the time at the potties!