PRAISE GOD from WHOM ALL blessings flow..

A quick announcement from the Kenney residence, in case you haven't heard yet...

Yesterday Jason was officially accepted into Cornerstone Seminary for their winter quarter. It is a huge praise for us since we have been planning and praying about this for quite some time now and as of late have really felt that God was working for this to happen now. Classes start January 13th and he will be sending in his registration in the next few days. For now he will attend part time classes and full time work (with a 4-10 schedule) and once I can promote up to the next level he can cut back to part time work and full time classes. It should take him 3-4 years to complete the Masters of Divinity program.

This obviously has major repercussions for us in the next few years. We ask that you all would be praying for us as God works wonderfully in our lives. Here are some of the major prayer requests for us...

-The biggest request is to pray for us financially. We will be fine initially, but with the economy in the toilet this requires a leap of faith for us. Getting a Masters is no small investment, especially with such a commute.

-Please pray for us as a couple. As Jason's responsibilities and commitments grow it is harder and harder for us to have time together. Adding seminary is only going to increase this challenge. We are both very committed to keeping our relationship strong and staying close.

-Also, as I mentioned before Jason can go to school full time (which is our desire) I need a promotion, so there are some logistics there that I am looking into.

-Please pray for Jason in his studies as he reverts back to his "school days". I know he will be successful in managing his time and studies, but reliance on God for strength is crucial.

We are both so excited for this new adventure into seminary life. We are ecstatic, anxious, scared and so very grateful. We look forward to new experiences that God has in store.

Having said all that: Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!

In Him,
Jason and Sarah

Family Camp 2008

I almost forgot to upload these. I took a few pictures from Family Camp up at Lake Francis, including the pictues of the "traumatic" falling branch and the "damage" to my car.

Welcome, fall..

One good thing about our apartment complex is that you can really see the seasons here. These are some berries that just recently turned bright orange, welcoming the fall season. Jason says they are the tiniest pumpkins in the world :)

God's creation in nature is pretty spectacular...Welcome, fall...

Alta Sierra Biblical Gardens - Labor Day

On Labor Day (9/1/2008) we visited the Alta Sierra Biblical Gardens in Grass Valley. It was a beautiful hike through the woods with sculptures (stone and wood) of biblical scenes and characters. It kind of went through the life of Jesus. It was pretty spectacular. Pictures to follow...



Note: This attraction is not entirely recommended based on the fact that it has a pretty Catholic sway. Just keep that in mind.

Disneyland Recap...

So I am finally getting around to doing an update of the Disneyland trip. Here are the pictures to start..



Day One - Sat, August 16, 2008:
Flew to LAX. Took forever to get one bag from baggage claim. Had possible celebrity citing. Took a shared van shuttle ride to Anaheim - which took forever. Finally got to hotel and checked in. Went to Downtown Disney for dinner. Tried Rainforest Cafe, but the wait was 60 mins. Had dinner at Tortilla Joes. Got to be early.

Day Two - Sun, August 17, 2008:
Woke up early and had early entrance to the park. Rode Star Tours, Space Mountain, Mattahorn, and Peter Pan. Stopped by Main Street for breakfast and had Mickey waffle. Headed out to park (Indiana Jones, etc). Went to California Adventure. Had lunch. Got Fast Pass for Tower of Terror. Saw High School Musical traveling live show. Rode Tower of Terror. Got Fast Pass for California Screamin. Saw Aladdin Musical Spectacular - had priority seating and got 3RD ROW (it was one of the most incredible shows). Rode California Screamin. Went to Downtown Disney and bought me some flip flops because my feet were torn up. Had dinner in DCA. Saw Electric Light Parade. Went back to Disneyland. Rode Haunted Mansion (gotta do it at night)Starcade and walked around the park. (Park arrival: 7:00 am, Park departure: 10:00 pm - total time 15 hrs)We both got Sun burnt and I swear I suffered permanent damage to my leg muscles. I was in pain for about a week.'

Day Three - Mon, August 18, 2008:
Sleep in. Arrived at DCA around 12 pm. Got Fast Pass for Soarin over CA. Had lunch. Rode Soarin over CA. Went back to Disneyland. Saw the Tiki Room. Got FREE anniversary pins from City Hall in Main Street. Went on Jungle Cruise. Enjoyed the park. Pirates of the Caribbean. Waited 1hr and 15 mins at Blue Bayou to sit right along the water for our anniversary. Had romantic candle lit dinner. Got free dessert. Enjoyed the park. Saw fireworks show. Left park.

Day Four - Tues, August 19, 2008:
Trip to Universal Studios. Took bus ride to Universal City. Left 8:00 am, arrived in US at 10:30 am. Did The Mummy Ride and Jurassic Park - which got me wet and TOTALLY freaked me out. Did Backdraft to dry me off (I literally looked like I jumped in a pool). Had lunch. Enjoyed other attractions and ride (Tram ride, Simpsons ride, House of Horrors, T2 experience, etc). Visited City Walk briefly. Took bus ride home. Had Denney's by our hotel for dinner. Went back to hotel room and immediately fell asleep.

Day Four - Wed, August 20, 2008:
Day of rest. Slept in until lunch. Got McDonalds from next door. Took a nap. Took a swim. Took a shower. Headed to Downtown Disney and ate at The House of Blues. (Tokio Hotel was apparently was playing that night). Bought some souvenirs. Went back to hotel. Went to bed.

Day Five - Thurs, August 21, 2008:
Last day in park. Hit Fantasyland at park opening. Waited 60 mins for Finding Nemo (previously Submarine ride). Went to DCA and rode the water rapids ride. Went back to Disneyland. Had lunch. Saw last minute rides and attractions. Went back to hotel to rest. Returned to park for dinner (hot dogs and Mickey pretzel). Saw bits of Parade of Stars down Main Street. Rode the Disneyland Railroad (my little tribute to Walt, who loved trains). Watched lights on Main Street come on and said goodbye to the park. Went back to hotel and went to bed.

Day Six - Fri, August 22, 2008:
Accidentally overslept. Rushed to pack. Checked out and ate Continental breakfast. Took shared van shuttle ride back to LAX. Waited for 20 mins to check in. Shuffled through security. Had lunch (CPK). Switched gates. Got on plane. Took off. Landing gear did not retract. Landed in LAX. Got OFF plane. Waited for new plane. Switched gates. Visited bookstore. Switched gates again. Got on new plane that worked (Original departure: 12 pm Actual departure: 2pm). Flew home. Greeted Drake. Had dinner with my folks. Sorted laundry. Enjoyed sleeping in own bed. :)

Overall it was an amazing, crazy, exhausting, scary and thrilling trip. I only wish we went for two weeks. It was awesome. God was amazing in provision and we are so happy to have passed our first year of marriage. Such great blessings from God.

Hope all is well with everyone. More later.

In Christ,
Jason and Sarah

Sad news...

Upon return from our vacation, we learned the sad news that after a long battle with heart disease my family's cat passed away on Thursday night. We adopted him from some friends when he was about eight weeks old back in 1996, which would make him twelve years old. This is a huge loss for me personnally as I was very attached to him. I was only eleven when we got him and I fell in love instantly. He has been my best friend and a faithful companion over the years.

Over the past few years he had increasingly been suffering from a heart murmur, unfortunatly this could be causes by a number of things and the cost to run all the tests was just too much. When given an ultrasound, we found that the lining between his two heart ventricals was enlarged and was given a 'moderatly severe' diagnosis. Slowly, his condition grew worse over the months. As of late, his condition took turn for the worse and we knew his time was eminate. He will be greatly missed by my family.

Oreo
1996-2008
We love you and miss you.

Home at last!

We made it home safe and sound! We had an amazing time. It was exhausting and at the same time a blast. There are more pictures and videos yet to come (it might take a while because there were over 160 pictures including the one above and about three hours of video to sort out). But it will all come sooner or later!

We had a very romantic first annaversary and an awesome vacation. More later!!


-The Kenney's