I know, finally...

We have been definitely neglecting our blog the last few months! Once fall started we all got caught up in the busyness of the new season, and have not had much time for updating the blog. There are many things to share, however, so hopefully over the next couple of weeks we will get the Shell Shack Files back up to date.

One of the most recent happenings was the 26th birthday party of the unofficial 4th Shell Shacker Kristin, aka KBaby. (Don't worry, Janai, you both qualify as the 4th Shell Shacker. And I know, you deserve your own post.) She celebrated with a 1920's themed murdery mystery party at her house in San Jose. Unfortunately I was the only representative of the Shell Shack for reasons to be explained in future posts. While Charity and Devon were missed, it was fabulous party - everyone showed up dressed to the nines, and we transformed Kristin's parents' house into the quinetessential 20's jazz club.

See more pics from the party at the Shell Shack Pics link to the right.

Aside from lots of schoolwork and adventures in substitute teaching, only two other significant events have occurred since August. One is that at the end of August my mom and I visited my granddad and grandma in Oklahoma, which was so much fun. I hadn't been back there since junior high, so it was great to be there and see all the Betts relatives. Highlights of the trip were exploring the family history at the cemetery (I know, it sounds morbid, but half of the cemetery are my ancestors), getting a tour of the family farm with my Granddad, and my grandma Louisa helping me get started on the huge project of turning several of my shirts and sweatshirts from high school and college into a quilt. She was also amazing enough to let me leave it with her to finish, and I can't wait to see the finished project in person! Last, but definitely not least, my friend Rachael had a baby boy! Rachael and I have a crazy story about our friendship - we were good friends for three years before we discovered we were third cousins! That means that Elijah Cody VanDorn is my first baby cousin, and I was so blessed to meet him. He arrived safely on September 20th, at 20 inches and 8 pounds 8 ounces. I love him so much already! Check back soon for updates on Charity and Devon's lives! Plus, our 3rd Annual Fall Fun Party is just around the corner!

Perfectly Planned Proposal...

(Don't miss the quiz at the end of this post!)

Though none of the Shell Shackers can claim to be the recipient of a perfect proposal (yet)...we were thrilled to be co-conspirators in a perfect proposal last weekend! Like most great proposals, the true author of the idea came straight from the master-mind himself---some have referred to him as the "ultimate bachelor", while others prefer "Italian Stallion"...to me, he is simply and endearingly "brother."

Yep--for those who haven't heard yet, Tim PROPOSED! And Debra said YES! But like all good proposals, you gotta here the story behind the proposal. Check out their blog if you want to hear their "gah-gah" version....but read on to see how the Shell Shackers fit into the story...after all, why would you be reading our blog if you didn't want to read about US!!?

Roughly 44 hours before the day of romance was to begin, Tim let me in on the secret and his plans to have a perfectly romantic day planned out for him & Debra to enjoy in Big Sur area. He had the locations and details all in his head...and he wanted me to help set up the romantic spots in advance. Of course, I couldn't do this all alone, so I recruited my most trusted event planning partners--my roommates April, Devon and Janai (visiting Shell Shacker the past few weeks)!

So with a bit of pre-planning, we got up early Saturday morning and hit the road with a trunk full of Romantic Ingredients: Bocce Balls, candles, wine, a beach blanket, and lots of roses! We even made sure that we played only the best country love songs on our 90 minute drive--just to set the mood! Our mission: to set up the most romantic beach picnic for the afternoon proposal & a beautifully set dinner table at the restaurant where the couple would have their first celebratory dinner that night. To be sure that we were as under-cover as possible, we even removed the license plate frame from my car...so just in case we zoomed by them on the highway.

Our best attempt at being totally inconspicuous!

First stop: Sand Dollar Beach. Located in the rural Big Sur region on picturesque Highway 1. Closest major city over an hour away and no cell service to top it off! This beach was amazing! Beautiful white sand, clear blue waters, a few surfers and a few more good waves, no crowds, a warm sun, and a cool breeze!We scouted out the most romantic tucked corner of the beach and set up a picnic setting that would make any girl melt! Roses, wine on ice, glasses, Bocce ball...and of course...scattered rose petals! Check out the picture:

We finished just in time to escape before the couple arrived. While they spent the next several hours having lunch and getting ENGAGED, we took a nice little break a few miles down at another beach--where we had a little fiesta/siesta of our own--wine coolers, chips & salsa--and plenty of sun!

A few hours before Tim was expected to arrive at Ragged Point Inn for dinner, we went to set up their romantic candle-lit dinner table. We were a little too anxious and arrived WAY before dinner hour...so we killed some time just lounging, reading & sipping tea.

By the way, the grounds at Ragged Point are beautiful and such a nice place to just chill--I'll definitely be going back!...we even got to watch a wedding on their lawn. (Ironic, I know). So right before dinner, we set up the table...candles, roses, white table cloth...totally stood out as the VIP table in the restaurant! Though I was slightly tempted to hide in the bushes outside the window of the restaurant...just so I could see Tim & Debra's beaming faces...my team kept me in line and we left shortly before the couple would arrive.

Headed home, we hoped all the details fell into place. Later that night, Tim & Debra called with the exciting news of their engagement and the Shell Shackers beamed with the success of our first assisted proposal-- Not to mention the total thrill of seeing our big brother & dear friend, Debra celebrating a new season together! As soon as they got into town, we celebrated with an impromptu champagne toast!

I could not be more happy for both of them! As a little sister who adores her big brother and would have nothing but the best for him--I can earnestly say that he is fortunate to have found a truly quality woman! Debra is definitely the "real deal"and I am really looking forward to having her as a sister-in-law! It has been so neat to see how God has brought Tim & Debra together and it was such a blessing to be a part of their special day!

QUIZ: Which one of the Shell Shackers has had a lifelong dream of hosting the TV show "Perfect Proposals"--all about helping guys arrange their perfect proposals?

Click here to find out: http://youtube.com/watch?v=QacZTWjaKnM

Cheers to Coop!

OK, I can't resist giving major cheers to one of my dearest friends, Jen Cooper (AKA: Coop) for coming to visit the Shell Shack this past weekend! This was her first time experiencing the Shell Beach life as we know it! The Shell Shackers LOVED having her!

A few of you "locals" got to meet Jen this weekend, which was thrilling for me--I love the "fusion" of my friends!! And she totally LOVED you guys! As matter of fact, I think ya'll were so entertaining that she barely got a word in edgewise!

Since Jr. High, Coop has been a treasured buddy and like a sister to me...so the insight she has on my life is invaluable--not to mention the embarrassing stories about me that she is always excited to share with my more "current" friends!
One of our endearing nicknames (given by our HS friends was Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum)...some things never change...here's a pix of us this weekend:





After one conversation with Jen at dinner on Saturday, I think several of my friends were re-introduced to me as the "stubborn as cumbers are bitter" girl..... Jen has a way of reminding me of my past in a way that makes me laugh and thank God for how much I've changed for the better BUT how some of the best roots have stuck with me at the same time! Thank God for friends that give us perspective on where the Lord has brought us from!

Weekend Highlights:
* Jen arrives after a 6 hour drive through the arm pit of CA.

* Saturday AM coffee at the Bean ....and bike ride tour of Shell Beach.

* Enjoying the "warm" weather at Avila on Saturday afternoon...which wasn't quite warm enough for Jen, coming from 90 degree weather (fully clothed, wondering how the rest of us girls were too "hot" for clothes in the mere 70 degree weather).

* Fun dinner & games at the Shell Shack Saturday night.

* Sunday church, then Firestone for Lunch

* Wine Tasting in the afternoon--sweet tastes at Kelsey in Sea Canyon....


then soakin' up the breath-taking views of Laeticia Vineyards (compliments of Sara)...

* Downtown stroll Sunday evening




















* One last late night chat before bed on Sunday.



It was hard to see Jen go this AM, but we're already planning the next visit!

Shout-out to Coop & the Yucca girls!..Amanda, Jen & Amanda! Ya'll better come for a visit soon!!



Although the Shell Shack blog does not endorse any particular Match-Making endeavors, this is more of a public announcement:
Jen is one of the wittiest, funnest, humorous, loving, genuine, smartest, beautiful, fabulous, seriously God-fearing women out there! Guys, she's a catch and she's currently SINGLE!
...and she's gonna kill me for writing this...but I owe her after the info she divulged about me this this weekend! Plus, you can't hide the truth!

strength in a dry place...

Joshua 1:9 " Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." I feel like there should be an exclamation point at the end of this verse because it is filled with so much passion and authority. This past week has been filled with a lot of disappointment and hurt...I lost my job and am feeling at a loss of words and feel numb at where I am suppose to go next. I have worked hard my whole life. I have had a job since I was sixteen and up until this point had never been fired. So to be unemployed is humbling and frustrating. Every morning I take comfort that the Lord hears my prayers and this verse has resounded in my heart each day...that the Lord commands us to be strong n HIM. It is just not a statement but a command that we must take to heart and no matter what the circumstance we stand strong in the Lord. Last night I went to Be Aroma and the Lord reminded me of how far he has brought me and that He is not going to forsake me even though my future is unclear. It was a shock to get fired but I know God's choices don't always make sense, but they are never haphazard or random. The repeated lesson I have learned over the past six months is to trust God even though it might not make sense or I might not understand why, we are called to trust in all faithful God.
" Your name is the rock I cling to.Your strength is the power that lifts my head. Your presence is the tower I run into.Your song is the light that shines in my window. After the rain has fallen and the clouds have moved away, Your sweet name is all that remains." - lyrics from Eli Stewart

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, APRIL MAE!

A bsolutely fabulous
P retty in Pink
R idiculously amazing inside & out!
I ncredibly fun roommate
L oving, caring, loyal & genuine woman of God!


Happy Birthday, to a friend I treasure so MUCH!

--Love, Charity

Resurrection Sunday

Just wanted to wish you all a blessed Easter!

PS I am still planning to recap my El Salvador trip, so check back!

El Salvador Update

We made it to El Salvador! Getting here was a little bumpy - the flight from LA was delayed, which made our 9 hour layover closer to 12 hours, and then the hotel didn't have our rooms ready when we arrived, despite our early checkin arrangements, which meant we sat around and waited for 2 hours after traveling for over 20, but after a good night's rest we are adjusted. Today we helped at the church's children's festival, where we served breakfast to about 75 kids the church has ministry programs with, participated in a skit for them, played soccer, and had a crafts fair. It was so fun - the kids are so eager to get to meet us, even with the language barrier. After the festival we had free time and headed to the beach, and tonight we went to the Saturday night service and helped with the Sunday school classes. Tomorrow we go to the orphanage outside of town to help there. I will try to post again later this week!