West Coast Conference 2012

Hello everyone! I am back! If you did not know, I just got back from a 10-day trip to California. 

For my birthday last month, my friend Kassia surprised me with a plane ticket to go see her! I was completely shocked but so excited! I also got to go to WCC. I'll be putting up pictures of my trip, but thought I'd start out with WCC, since that is what everyone is wanting to see. 

This was my first time to go to West Coast, and I must say, I loved every minute of it!! One of my favorite parts was just sitting in the lobby and watching people come through the hotel's sliding glass doors. Eeeeeek! I was on the edge of my seat, waiting to see who was next. I got to see so many friends I haven't seen in years and also met lots of new people. 

(Thank you to all the people who stopped me to say they read this blog and think it's funny and entertaining. I just wanted to hop up and down and clap my hands--it made me so happy! It is nice to know that someone is enjoying this. Really, it made my day each time.)

Of course the services were so so good. I love English preaching! I really enjoyed the song services, too. They sang all the old hymns, which I love. Sadly, I did not know hardly any of them since we tend to sing mostly in Spanish down here...haha! However, I did learn one verse of Thank God for the Blood. I had it stuck in my head all week! 

I gave my heart, my life, my all to Him who drank the cup of gall. 

To raise the guilty from the fall and take their sins away! 

It really impressed me to see the people so touched by these old songs. They probably sing them a lot in their home churches, but they were still moved. I watched people in the congregation sing with tears streaming down their faces, run the aisles, and shout their hair down...all while singing these old hymns. It was pretty awesome.

Alrighty...now for the fun part: pictures!

 Tuesday night we went out to eat with friends. It felt so good to see everybody!!

Cheesecake Factory

Cherie, Me, Jacob, Kassia, Sammy, Caleb, Denae, and Roy

 Wednesday afternoon we went over to the Radisson, where everyone would be staying for the conference. There was a lot of hugging going on as everyone was seeing each other for the first time. It was great! The first person I saw walk thru the hotel doors was Bro. Schreckhise. I was so excited to meet him!

I love this lady! Sis. Erlene Dordy--she and her husband pastor in Yuma, AZ. She is one of the sweetest, kindest ladies I have ever met. She has always stood out to me in the crowd as a lady who obviously loves God and is full of the Holy Ghost. It is hard to explain, but she's just different from the rest!

 Bro. PJ White singing

I have to admit, it was really hard for me to get into the first service, I was absolutely giddy with excitement! LOL! I had to restrain myself from looking all around me to see who was there.

After church the first night, Cherie brought me up to her room for a mini birthday party! Haha :)

She had gotten me a birthday present and I'd brought her back some Mexican candy. 

 

Love this girl! 

Me, Kassia, Megan, Monica, and Megan

 Monica and I...this girl is from Texas and is the cutest thing! Her and her sister, Megan, came to WCC for the first time, and goodness, they are fuuuuuunny girls!

Kent escorting his grandma to church :)

Mary and myself

Me and Anali

Finally got to meet this beautiful lady! Mrs. Kendra Thaler!

She is so sweet, I've waited long enough to meet her, that is for suuuuure! 

Bear hug! 

 Got to see Mr. Noah Brouse, of course dressed to the nines!

He's SO TALL. 

At Nordstrom Rack 

Kassia, Elias, me

Sis. Avendaño, Lily, and myself

Me and Cherie :)

 

 

Meesterrr Austin

At the minister's banquet...

It was so sweet, I thought there'd be a line we would have to get it, but nope. Elder Morton's church made the food and served it. I was really impressed. Plus, cheesecake was for dessert and that's my favorite!! 

 

My little buddy! 

This was the first time I'd seen him in a few weeks; we missed each other tons! 

 

Sis. Jade and myself...I love this lady!

She's my hero! Heehee :D

 

 

Me and Brittany 

Jacob, Kassia, and me

Cherie and I acting silly

 

On my "to do" list for the US, I wanted to try a Pazookie. I'd seen pictures of it on Instagram a LOT, and it looked soooooo delicious!! However, the night everyone went to BJ's was the minister's banquet. :( It was a tough decision, but we decided to go to that instead of BJ's. 

Later that night, I was sitting in the lobby having a good time with friends when someone dropped a bag into my lap. 

Marvin had brought me a Pazookie!!!!!!!!! 

It was honestly the nicest thing anyone has done for me in a long time!! 

(Like earlier this year when he bought me and 8 of my friends a caramel apple...HAHA!)

If you want to get on my good side.....AMERICAN FOOD IS THE WAY TO GO! Haha!

It was sooooooo huge, I absolutely couldn't eat even half of it by myself so everyone got to share it! 

 

I think that was my favorite part, feeding it to everyone ha! 

 

Me and Erynn, Pacific Coast Camp counselor, extraordinaire!!

Logan's Roadhouse--Kassia and Britt being obnoxious from afar! ;D

Me, "the Bible", Marvin and Jacob doing what we do best:

SOCIALIZING! :D

Sis. Meade can SAAAAAANG! 

 

Me, Brittany, Reagan, and Cherie

 Telling secrets at Cheesecake

They sat us outside at Cheesecake Factory one night. There were heaters in between each table and  candles everywhere. It was so perfect! But then it started to rain :'( 

Kassia is so funny, she had this beautiful dress on they her mom made...when it began to rain she started grabbing the cloth napkins from all around her and throwing them over herself. Haha!

 

I asked Brittany to take a nice picture....So I guess she did!!!! Mwahaaha!

 

Back to the hotel to continue FELLOWshipping...ha! 

I was so bummed, I got to the youth night, sat down for 5 minutes then they dismissed. Aauugh! 

I'm enjoying seeing everyone's pictures from WCC. I had such a good time!! 

~Bethany~

P.S.--If anyone knows of some people that sing those old gospel hymns...I'd love to know who! Leave me a comment, I really want to learn these old songs!