I grew up going to the beach almost every weekend, swimming in my backyard every day during the summer time, and dealing with 60 degree “cold” weather in the “winter.”
I grew going to church- Calvary Church of Santa Ana to be exact. I’ve been through every program, went to every camp, volunteered in every ministry, and even ended up working there for 2 years. 21 years in total.
I spent 7 years going to school in the Tustin unified school district, and 2 years in community college five minutes away from the beach.
My first date was at Disneyland. I loved taking day trips to Hollywood, San Diego, or Santa Barbara. And my favorite spot was Ruby’s at Balboa Pier in Newport Beach.
I can remember countless bonfires, parties, game nights, movie nights, all nighters, study sessions, slumber parties, and more within the bounds of Orange County.
I’ve been to a lot of going away parties for friends moving off to college. Then it was time for mine. Moving away from here was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I knew I was supposed to go to Portland for school, but it also meant saying bye to family and friends, moving out of my childhood home (never cried more in my entire life), and never having a “home base” in California.
A lot of people fumble around their words when they talk about my “home.” It normally goes something like this:
“Oh hey! You’re home! I mean… you’re back! Because I guess your home is Oregon now…”
OR
“Wait… where are you living when you are home? I mean… here? Didn’t you move out of your house?”
OR
“When do you go home? I mean… back to Portland. I guess your home is here, right? Or is Portland feeling more like home? uhhh…”
Although I have spent two years in Oregon and have made so many wonderful friends and have a community of people there that I love and that love me… California will always be my home. And we don’t have to put air quotes around it this time. Yes, my house is in Oregon, as well as all of my stuff, but the word home is more than where your material possessions are, it is where your heart lies. It’s where you come alive. It’s where you have dozens of memories from dozens of years. It’s where you love to live! It’s the place that makes you happiest, or proud to be a Californian. Well, the secret is out- that place, for me, is here in Orange County.
My first time back here after moving to Oregon was a wake up call. I realized how blessed I was to grow up in a place like this. I definitely took living by the beach for granted and never knew how much I needed the sunshine.
It may be no secret to some of you and to others this will come as a shock, but it has been really difficult these past two years. For anyone that has had to relocate or move to another city, you know how hard it can be. Maybe it was because everything was new- you have to start completely over. And yes, that can be exciting to some, but for me it was a daunting task. I had no friends around me that really knew how I ticked or what I needed when I was sad, frustrated, angry, or in need of celebration. Maybe it was the lack of sunshine- this past year we spent almost 9 months in rain and clouds (I’m so low on Vitamin D that the doctor has me taking 1000 IU daily). And maybe, yet probably, it was because I struggled with doubt and worry, and depression and anxiety. If given the choice to go back 2 years and change my decision, I wouldn’t. I would do it all over again. God has exactly where He wants me, and as hard as it has been, I will become a better person and follower of Christ because of it.
In my visits coming back home, I have felt like I have left my anxiety and depression in Portland. It’s weird. Hard to explain. But when I come back home, I feel known. I feel like I can breathe. I feel like myself.
I feel at home.
And that’s what I’m feeling now. I’m so thankful to be home.
I’m here for 7 weeks. Why? This is where I have spent 21 years creating community, family, friends, and an epic amount of love. It is RICH every time I get to reunite with one of my girls or catch up with a family friend. I treasure every relationship that I have down here and want to go forward into the World Race with this community right behind me. I want to share with them, pray with them, and just hang out and make sure they know how much I love and appreciate all of them! I’m back in Portland in August for my last semester of college and then I’m off to the World Race for 11 months- I wanted time with my family and my home before I leave.
I need some beach, I need some sunshine, and frankly, I need money for fundraising.
I am planning a big fundraising event July 16th at Calvary Church of Santa Ana, and if you are reading this, you are more than welcome to come! I’m excited for performances, food, games, fun ways to donate, Q and A’s, and just being able to see all my supporters face to face instead of behind a computer screen. This is where my community is and I want to do something for them as they support me on this journey.
So, to my California community,
Whether I know you from my childhood, jr. high, high school, college, church, dance, volleyball, camp, work or you’re the random person I met at In-n-out, you are appreciated and loved. Every single one of you. I’m excited to be here and hang with you for these next 7 weeks.
And on another note, I took a 16 hour road trip to get down here… with my dog.
Call it practice for World Race vlogging, call it road trip boredom, call it adventures with my dog, or even just classic making a fool of myself… call it whatever you want! But hey! I went on a road trip with my dog down to Orange County and documented it. Check it out. Here are some screen shots of the video to give you a little idea of what it’s like 
ENJOY ;-P
