insta-family...

You know those toys that look like giant multi-colored pills, you place them in water and overnight they become a sponge-like shape? Well that describes the last few months for me. Kevin mentioned it the other day and I thought it was a great analogy...instantly overnight my life has gone from one single thing to instant family...wife and step-mom in one dose!!! It really is amazing.

I know many of you have wanted to see photos of the wedding and such, and they are on the way but for now I am posting a few for you to view and give you a snap shot of the day. If you are not on facebook then these will be new photos:)

My beautiful niece Victoria takes credit for these photos and her website and blog is a must see.

Falling...

i love the season of fall..i always have!

The colors, the smells the warmth inside homes...there is something very peaceful about the vibrant colors of the trees. Fall is always my beginning of a new year......most of my transitions, moves and biggest highlights in life have happened in autumn.

I am celebrating my 31st birthday next week and I am overwhelmed at the way this past year has flown by and been so full! I am always amazed at God's faithfulness and hand but especially this past year it has been even more illuminated. Not just because I have fallen in love and am getting married to an amazing man (which is wonderful) but more than that...God has allowed me to walk in a few dreams I never thought possible and experience a richness of life that my heart has craved for years! The people I have met over the last year have stayed etched on my heart, the profound highlights and moments between me and God, the ability to love deeply again, the full trusting of who God is as Father, and so many other sweet moments!

I have been thinking a lot about when Jesus called Matthew and told him to simply.."Follow ME!" Matthew left everything he knew..money, identity, ability, control, pride, and routine and followed a man into the unknown. I admire him for that, I admire his ability to trust even though he barely knew Jesus. I admire his humility and letting go of who he was to embrace a life that was very unclear! I have to think with following Jesus he had a sense of adventure, a sense of letting go of expectations and an ability to start from scratch to be a new man. Even now as my heart and life begin to settle in Milwaukee I pray that I would Follow HIM, that I would embrace the unknown with this man, Jesus and allow him to lead my family into his Kingdom, His greatness, His identity and His Life!

Pictures by the Bayou

My niece Victoria has started a photography business in Mobile, Alabama...Kevin and I got to strike a pose for her last Sunday! Check out her site!

Exciting News...

Hello everyone...

I realize it has been a while since I have written an update email...but the last year can be summed up in one word..."serendipity" Although the events have not been by chance or luck but firmly by the hand of God taking me from place to place! I left Whistler, BC last year on August 25th..not knowing where the road would go. I began my journey in Utah with some dear friends, I worked at Starbucks and took a much needed sabbatical while being emerged in Mormon culture..very interesting! In April I moved to Colorado to work alongside Ben and Robin Pasley and Blue Renaissance Creative Group www.entertheworshipcircle.com As of August of this year I took the journey north to MIlwaukee, Wisconsin! Why Milwaukee??? Well in the midst of this past years journey, God had it in his heart for me to fall in love with a wonderful man named Kevin Troyanek!!!!!

To be honest it was the last thing I expected on this past year's road but it was the very turn I was ready to take! I have been here in Milwaukee still working with Starbucks, learning about the community and spending time with Kevin and his two kids ( Chris and Maddy)! We have a great church, Mercy Hill www.mercyhill.org and the city of MIlwaukee is culturally diverse and full of art and music...of course I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!

What's the plan now???

I am happy to announce we are getting married on November 7th of this year, with a small ceremony surrounded by our family and a few close friends! We both could not be happier and are excited for what God has in store!!!

We had some photos taken this past weekend and I will post those soon!!!

I know many of you have still been supporting me financially during this past year and I wanted to say Thank You for continuing to believe in the plans of God for my life! Your prayers and encouragement have been amazing! I did want to let you know that your donations are not able to go through YWAM-Maui any longer for tax deductible receipts, as I am no longer on full time staff with them!

A few have asked about my new address so here it is...

132 East Montana Ave
Milwaukee, WI
53207

My phone number is the same 828-398-9544, my email is abbieorpia@gmail.com.
I will also try and update my blog with more photos and thoughts.

Again thanks so much for your love, friendship and constant encouragement! I just want to remind us all of a verse out of Psalm 27...
" I would have lost heart if I would not have believed that I would see the goodness of God in the land of the Living!!!"

much love...
Abbie

..."there's no place like home"...

...Dorothy chants while clicking her red ruby slippers at the end of the magical tail of the Wizard of OZ. The story of four unique character's finding themselves and the bits of graces that were missing in each one's life! I watched the end of the movie the other night with Kevin and Maddy and I found it ironic that after all this time the one I related too the most was Dorothy. I have been on my own yellow brick road the past few years trying to find my heart, my courage, my wisdom and most importantly a place to call home! So now I am in Milwaukee surrounded by a new family and I feel more at home then I ever have.

My only response is to wrap my arms around this big God of mine and with tears rolling down my face say THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh the faithfulness of a loving, good God is a bit astounding at times!!!

So for my new address as many have asked...here it is:)

132 East Montana Ave #4
Milwaukee, WI
53207

My phone number is the same and so is my email!!