Pieces of New Jersey

The time has come for the list. What list, you ask? Why, it's the list of things that are classic New Jersey that I wanted to experience one more time before leaving the east coast for a year. The list is in no particular order and there are a few things that made the list but didn't get photographed so they are going to start off the list.

• Say hi and bye to friends and family (if I didn't make it to you, consider this my personal virtual hi and bye)
• Take a dip in the ocean/beach it up
• WAWA!

Stuffing my face with delicious hoagie!

Peach tea, smokey turkey with honey mustard and spinach, and of course pickles on the side

• Have dad make french toast! This one was made with peach bread from the Amish market, thanks to Kim for the bread!

• Ride my bike and watch the sun set over the bay.

• Surf Taco! Baja bowl as modeled by Jamie with Kevin in the back using the magic new soda machine (it's touch screen and has magical selections)

• Eat some pork roll! Yeah, I enjoy a piece every once in a while so I officially got my one piece a year in, the rest of the pan was for dad.

• Get stuck in traffic on the bridge while it opens! Okay, that wasn't really on my list of things to do but as it turns out, it did in fact happen in the last few days and is pretty much a standard of living on the island, so here it is none the less.

• Go Kayaking down to the lighthouse. The current was crazy strong but we made it all the way.

  

  Look, we're holding the lighthouse in our hands, sort of...

Just chillin' in the back bay

Dad and I managing to pose nicely for a photo.

• And last but not least, by any means - Go to Sonic with Jamie. Seriously, it was delicious. While I realize there are Sonics around the country, it just won't be the same without Jamie or a nuclear power plant in the background.

I've come to realize that a lot of things on the list involved food, and you know what, I'm okay with that. Food is delicious and I'm not apologizing for enjoying and savoring both it and the people with whom I got to experience the joys of eat these amazing foods. With that, I leave you with a picture of my last dinner at home - Roy Rogers biscuits with honey, scallops, and tofu noodles.

Also please note the awesomeness that is my dinosaur pasta scooper from Ikea.

As my time winds down until I leave for orientation (down to hours in fact), I am so excited to be starting my journey that I am sure will be filled with epic adventures as well as God's love, wisdom, and guidance.  Colleen and I leave tomorrow for orientation in NY where we will spend a week before parting ways on Monday when I will fly out to Montana and she will be driving to New Orleans so please keep our travels in your prayers. 

PS Just thought you should all know that I am also super excited to be spending a full week with Colleen before we depart.  You are all probably jealous of me that I get to spend a week with her (and if you are not, you should be) but I have to get my Colleen time in too before we leave. So here's to one last road trip!

The Countdown Begins!

First of all giant thank you to all who supported my fundraising campaign! My current total at last count is 2500 of the total 3000 I need to raise so a giant woot for reaching my initial goal of 2000! For the visually oriented of those of you, here's a graphic representation. And in case you don't recognize the shape, that is in fact the shape of Montana, but of course you all know that right?

If you haven't received a thank you in the mail yet, it should be winging itself to you shortly through the postal service. So while you wait, here's a picture of me making the excited face for you with the opportunity to give you a virtual high five; just place your hand to the screen and bam, instant high 5!

So I officially head out to orientation in one week from today. While it seems crazy that the time is finally coming when I will be out of the state for a year, I am unbelievably excited to be starting this journey and promise to update much more frequently. In my final days in the state there are some quintessential New Jersey things I want to enjoy once more before leaving so stayed tuned in the coming week to find out what makes the list but feel free to leave some comments on here if you have some suggestions.

Katie’s going to Montana! Help support a Young Adult Volunteer!

Dear Friends,
     I am excited to share with you that I have been chosen by the Presbyterian Church (USA) to serve for a one year commitment as a Young Adult Volunteer.  I will be serving in Chinook Montana which is a small town of about 1500 people and is located about 30 miles south of Saskatchewan, Canada.  Throughout my year, I will mainly be working with the 7th through 12th grade youth to encourage them and help them understand how to live a life that reflects Jesus’ teachings.  Though the details are not finalized on exactly what that will entail, I will possibly be helping out with the weekly youth group, teaching bible study, helping with a weekly prayer breakfast, tutoring, and mentoring. 

     “Brothers and sisters, I beg you, present yourself a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to our God” (Romans 12:1).  This is one of my favorite passages and as I go out this year to serve, I seek to live out that challenge in living my life so that God will find it pleasing in his sight.  After graduating from college in engineering and not having a clue where my life was going with different doors being shut, I ended up spending a lot of time helping out with the middle schoolers at the Presbyterian Church of Toms River.  Through my time with them, I have probably learned more from them than I have ever managed to teach them but I will forever be grateful for that time.  In part, it has helped to know that God does in fact have a plan, that God can and will use our time and talents in the here and now, even when we question our own abilities.   As I continue to discern where life is taking me, I am ecstatic for this opportunity to go out and use the gifts God has given me while continuing to learn and grow.

     Through my year as a Young Adult Volunteer, I will be a part of a group of 70 other young adults that will be serving at 16 different sites throughout the United States and globally.  As part of my commitment, I am required to raise $3000 with $2000 raised by July 1 which, as I’m sure you know, is swiftly approaching. 

How can you support me?
Your Prayers: Pray for me and the people whom I will live and serve this year.
Your interest in my year of service: Follow my experiences through reading my blog online (right here! Good job finding me!) or ask me to speak about my experience when I return.
Your Financial Gifts: Give a tax-deductible contribution as a one-time gift or in installments over the course of my year of service.  You can give online or through check.  Please include “Katie Brendler E052125” in the comment box online or memo of checks with checks made out to PC(USA).
    online:     http://www.presbyterianmission.org/give/E052125/
    sent to:    PC(USA) P.O. Box 643700 Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700

     If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me through email, phone, or blog. Or if you want more information on the program check http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/yav/

    In the wise words of the apostle Paul, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you” (Philippians 1:3).  From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your love, time, and toil in making me into the person I am today, enabling me to go out and serve.

    In Christ’s Love,

    Katie Brendler