San Bernardino & San Diego, California

Guess where I went this past weekend (well not this PAST weekend but LAST weekend)?

That's right... CALIFORNIA (my favorite state... not).
This past weekend I decided to go to California and visit my most awesome friend Lauren Weeks! She's been in the process of moving from the mountains near San Bernardino to San Diego so I thought what the heck why not lend a helping hand and help her drive her stuff the two hours south. Lauren had been working at a Christian Camp for the last, well, over a year now, and now is feeling called toward other opportunities. I love the girl.

The drive there was something amazing. It took me just about 9 hours to make it to San Bernardino and then it took us another hour and a half to two hours to go from SB to San Diego. I drove it alone in my little Subaru (naturally) and, like any other kid who has never seen the desert or any rocky mountains other than those I have here in Utah I was freaking out at how strange the terrain was. I took a million pictures for those of you who have also never experienced the "wild west". Here you go: (scroll down if you want to just skip them and continue reading)

Utah on my way to California



















Arizona ( There was only about 20 minutes of Arizona to drive through but it was my fav part!







































Nevada
















































California

































When I finally got to Alpine, where I was meeting Lauren, I got a chance to hang out with my friend Chris. Lauren still had a bit of a drive ahead of her so I chilled with him and talked music for a bit. I really missed that kid. I met him last year or so when I went to Alpine and stayed for a few days during spring break. I got a chance to snowboard there and write a little
music all the while enjoying free food and houseing thanks to the awesome people who work there. They are truly followers of Christ. Chris and I became friends right away because, I think, not many others working at the camp appreciate the same kind of music that we like haha. ANyway it was killer to spend some time with him. He is one of the coolest guys I know and gives me hope and a little reminder that there are amazing good Christian men everywhere- you only have to find them:)




I got to spend a ton of time with Lauren. She is so amazing. I always learn so much when I hang out with her. Lauren is like the definition of "Roll with the Punches". That girl is on fire for the Lord and I can only hope that some day I can be as much as an example for the Lord as she is. I love her so much and I miss her even more. She was already living 9 hours away from me and there I was helping her move 2 hours further away. Oh well. She's AMAZING. That's all I can say- here, see for yourself!

Lauren introduced me to many cool people (as always). I'm so glad I got a chance to spend some time in California. Yes I know I know... I always talk about how much I HATE California. Technically I do dislike California but let me tell you, Lauren and her friends shed their light on everything they touch, see, smile upon. California isn't that bad knowing Lauren and her people are there.

She took me to a Church called Tiphany. It was amazing. She used to call it her "Hardcore Church"... only upon going to it with her did I understand why. All of a sudden I found myself surrounded by tons of rock and roll kids in a crawlspace that looked more like a venue than a church (i later found out it was used as both). I got a chance to listen to one of the most passionate ministers speak about the future plans for his family and his church. His name was Tommy and he started the church a few years back not even knowing he was starting a church. He began just by ministering to the lost and broken kids who felt uncomfortable at their parent's church. Next thing you know the kids are calling his weekly ministering their church and it all sprouted from there. He seemed to have a good head on his shoulders and the best part was he was a "hardcore kid" haha. No joke, the man started hardcore dancing during his lesson that night to explain something he had said. I was like YESS! haha.

As it turns out I ended up at Tiphomy at the strangest time. See, Lauren and I weren't even going to GO to that church until something happened with Lauren's ID and she couldn't go to work on Sunday. When we were discussing what to do with the new free time we were facing since she coudln't work she jokingly said "we could drive back to San Bernardino and go to my hardcore church." I just couldn't let it go. I was like yea dood what is 2 hours right? She had to go to the dmv up there on monday anyway and I would seriously rather leave from SB than from SD because it would shave 2 hours off of my trip home on monday. We figured we were crazy but we went anyway. What a good decision.

I guess Tommy and his wife Krissy were announcing to the church that night their plans for the next couple months. They have decided that they should move to Salt Lake City because Tommy has a daughter that was born many years ago that he wants to take responsibility for. They told the church this past Sunday about their plans and about what they will be doing the next few months before they leave (they are moving April 1st) to secure good leadership for the Church. We prayed over the new leadership team and everyone seemed to be in high spirits. It was strange.

OK, wait... SALT LAKE CITY?! These amazing Christ-loving people after my own heart are moving to SALT LAKE CITY!!??!??!?! Ok let me tell you, reader, real quick HOW GOD WORKS:

When Tommy's wife, Krissy was up talking infront of the church about the plans and how she is supportive it was aparant that she was a little nervous and scared. California has always been her home and she is moving to support her husband. She is in school and doing other things with the church and I could tell she was a little freaked out. I talked to them and some of the other leaders afterwards. I just wanted to pump everyone up about how cool SLC really is and how much I love it. I told Krissy that I would prepare a place for her and maybe even build her a bicycle. Everyone freaked out. They were like "huh? YOu are here? AND today? This is cool!" I had a few kids come up to me who were very close to Tommy and Krissy and tell me that they were praying about me in hope that someone could be their connection. I guess they don't know many people in SLC- especially people who want to get pumped up and involved. They all thought my being there was a sign that everything will be ok. How crazy. I love how God works things out!! THANK GOD Lauren went to that church! Now I have something exciting to look forward to in April. Tommy is also in a sweet band- check them out- they are called Sleeping Giant. Yea, Facedown Records, no joke.

Let me just add one more thing in there. I have been praying to get some answers for the music side of my company Veritaz Productions. Nothing seems to have been adding up latley. After I met Tommy I think more things will be adding up. We will probably be shooting a video for their first show in Utah in early April after they move. This will provide us with an example of our work for our music festival tour this summer. Until now I didn't have a plan or the right band for that. I didn't want to use an unsigned band but at the same time I didnt' want to use a band that had been signed for a long time. His band has JUST been signed to Facedown so it would be the perfect example. Now I just have to raise a little money to get the crew out here. I'm so excited. God does things so well... even IF it's all in HIS time. haha.






So ANYWAY.. That was my trip in a nutshell. The only other things that happened were I got to meet more of Lauren's friends... Davey and his boys ruled... that's him to the right huggging Lauren. One of his bandmates starts his "car" with a knife. haha...I saw a snail for the first time and dood those things are huggeeee and they have the coolest eyeballs of the animal kingdome (if you can even call those things eyeballs). I ate at this rad 50's diner on my way home and had a King Kong Club sandwich.. (one wonders why they don't continue with the K motif and spell club with a "K" until um.. you write it out... and um.. nevermind haha). I bought my house mate Jenee a bullett keychain and drove on a road called "Ghost Town Road"... enjoyed more of the desert and made it home in one piece. Werd up. Long enought post right? Ok I'm done:) Just scroll down and see the proof of my writings hahaha.