Weekend at the Dorens'

I was delightfully stolen away form MTI this past weekend by my Aunt Tracy. I spent the weekend exploring the small mountain town of Salida, riding bikes, visiting the farmers' market across the street, and cooking lots and lots. And of course, great family time!

Riding to the health food store with Sara and Aunt Tracy. Sara was so kind to share her pink cruiser with me all weekend!





Merry-go-rounds do still exist!!! Shortly after cousin Casey and all his friends proved why they are now outlawed in many parts of the country.





I love swings!!!

Summer/Fall Update

Sorry to those of you who tried to send this to through email, but it didn't work. I'm still trying to figure out the new program and haven't quite figured out all the kinks. But now I know how to put the newsletters up here in the blog, so you can always find them here or on the sidebar.

You can click on the link below to download my latest newsletter.

http://krystaleanne9.googlepages.com/SummerLetter.pdf

We're off.... Kind of

These last few weeks have really affirmed how truly blessed I am. I was privileged to spend the last few weeks traveling to visit various friends and family across the country, as well as spend time with my family and friends in Visalia. Each visit was filled with lots of laughter, catching up, and planning for when people come to visit in Costa Rica. Thank you to all of you who opened your home and made your schedule flexible so we could hangout.

Today Cailah and fly out to Colorado Spring for 3 weeks of training at MTI (Missionary Training Institute). We will both arrive absolutely exhausted, but thoroughly filled up with love from all time with our friends and family these last few weeks. We are both really looking forward to our three weeks of rest and preparation in Colorado. We have heard wonderful things about MTI and can't wait to experience it ourselves.

Thank you for all your prayers, especially for the process of saying goodbye. The time that I've been able to spend with loved ones has been truly joyous. I know that I will see many of you in the not too distance future, as you already have plans to come and visit. It's much easier to say, "See you later" than "Goodbye".



Please continue to keep me in your prayers. 1) That we would be open to all God wants to do in us during our time in our Colorado. 2) For the continued process of saying goodbye.

Goodbye Dinner in Visalia

This is my last week in the Central Valley. On Sunday I will bid goodbye to my wonderful "hometown" for the last two years. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here, and will not soon forget the joys the Central Valley has to offer. But before I leave we must have one last family dinner. If you are anywhere near the central valley this Wednesday (Sep 10th), please stop by for a great evening of food and fellowship.

On our way...

I'm down to two suitcases of belongs to carry me through my last two months in the United Sates. On Thursday we load our shipping bin with all the rest of our earthly belongs and a whole bunch of books and supplies for our future school. It was amazing! We only had 2 hours to load the bin and we were worried about everything fitting. We got all the boxes and bins loaded in less than an hour, despite the sweltering 105 F. And to our amazement we had tons of extra space. I had enough time to run back to my house and pick up a giant bookshelf to take down. We were so blessed to be able to take down everything we wanted to. I know when I'm really missing home I will appreciate having those familiar pieces with me.

If you want to check out pictures from our packing extravaganza paste this link into your address bar... http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2051889&l=3f089&id=68603376

I also bought my plane ticket for Costa Rica. I leave October 20th and fly to New York where I get to hangout with my brother, Benje, for a few days before flying down to Costa Rica. I really wanted to see Benje's new place and spend time with him in New York before I moved, but I didn't know how I could afford two tickets. But God completely provided. I don't know why, but it was over $300 cheaper to fly through New York, than straight from Sacramento. Not only does this work out perfect, but it also saves a ton of money!

Big Time in Texas!

Last week my cousin Andrew Rigsby married his beautiful bride, Lauren. My parents and I flew back to Texas and met up with Benje for the wedding. It was so wonderful to spend good time with my Uncle Ricky, Aunt Janet and cousins. I was afraid I wasn't going to see them before I left the country. But we were blessed with four full days of hanging out, telling stories of when we were little, and eating tons of food!!! While I've always loved my family in Texas, I can't say it's ever been my favorite state, but this trip it really proved itself to have a lot to offer. Though I don't know when I'll be back in Texas, I'm glad to know I'll get to see some of my Texas family again before I leave when they come out to California in October.

As a bit of a side note: One of the my individual highlights of the trips was the new experience of flying first class! My mom had a reward ticket for me on the way out there and then Uncle Ricky used his miles to upgrade my flight on the way out home. It was a blast; I felt like a movie star. Hot towels to wash my hands, glass tableware, and decadent carmel ice cream over hot brownies. Oh wow! Thank you Mom and Uncle Ricky!

Lake Isabella

If you actually know where Lake Isabella is, you must be wondering why on earth would anyone choose to vacation in place like that! I must confess it is my most treasured vacation spot in the world, not for it's scenery, but for the amazing company. Every year since my parents were newly married, they and two other couples have been hanging out at this desert lake outside of Bakersfield. Each year we expectantly look forward to the first week in August when we get to hangout with the Wilsons and Cooks at Lake Isabella. The time I've spent growing up with these two families has had a profound impact in shaping me into the person I am today. It was so wonderful to be able to spend this past week with them. It was a week of encouragement and confirmation of my call to Costa Rica. Plus, lots and lots of laughter! In the next few years, I'm really going to miss our week at the lake. I'm trying to convince them to relocate our annual get together to Costa Rica. At the very least, I hope Uncle Will brings a group down from his church in Chico!

The Crew: We were much smaller this year since many of us older kids now have grown-up responsibilities and jobs (Kevin, Benje, Lauren, Karlee, and Blake) or are newly married (Noelle)


The muscle men. Notice the beautiful, tree-less backdrop and pea soup water. The algae was in full boom!



It was a long day of wake- boarding and reading in the sun!