Shanifer Anniversary

God has done some amazing things in my life over the years and this is definitely one that stands out so clearly to me. Six, years ago I joined the Outlet, my Sunday school church group and about two years in wanted to step up to lead in an area (I was so NOT in a place to lead and I'm sure God knew that cuz I missed the meeting at the Anderson's house).

Fast forward a few years later, a few steps of obedience and a call to step out of my comfort zone and volunteer to organize an Outlet Women's Social (God challenged me in more ways that one with that - some of you know the pray out loud in front of people story).

A few weekends after that, I was at a birthday brunch for Hollie Vogel at Allison Bowers' house and we're all standing in line to get some food and I'm talking about ideas for the upcoming event and Jen randomly asks in front of all these girls, "hey do you want to start doing the Social activities for the Outlet with me". Without thinking, I'm like "sure". Later on the drive home, WHAT WAS I THINKING??? I HAVEN'T EVEN HAD THIS OTHER EVENT. WHAT IF I CAN'T DO IT? WHAT IF I'M NOT GOOD AT IT? I HATE SPEAKING IN FRONT OF LARGE GROUPS - I CAN'T DO ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE OUTLET. Well I stuck by my original response and the rest is history...

So three years ago today, Jen and I met for the first time to plan our first Outlet Social Event - Battle of the Sexes. She had been planning events prior for a few years. It happened to be St. Patrick's Day so I had already been planning to make corned beef (tradition of my family since I was little), rice and cabbage. Every year since on or around March 17th we "celebrate" the Outlet that brought us together, our friendship that grew out of all this and of course plan a few things non-Outlet related now since we've both stepped down from those leadership positions. One thing to note, after year 0 celebration, no more corned beef as Jen discovered she really didn't like it. Year 1 was Reed's (near Ralphs) which has since closed down and last year we went to a hockey game cuz she had free tickets. This year we went to BJ's (using the gift cards...).

Here we are over the years...

Battle of the Sexes in the old Outlet room (March 2006)

Outlet Poker Night - one of our largest attended events (June 2006)

Grub in the Gundo (October 2006) - I think it was sometime around the planning of this at Shannifer was jokingly created.



Outlet Halloween Party (2007)

Outlet Christmas Party (2007) - my last event

Mammoth Trip - 2008

Sheri & Tim's wedding - 2008

SOS bible study Christmas dinner - 2008

March 16, 2009

So we've gotten a bit older, shed a few pounds, learned to team together for an event - Outlet events, friend parties, JOF events (not so sure others love this as much as we do), and became really great friends. Love ya Jen!!!

Shannifer Party Planning may some day come to fruition.

Happy St Patty's Day everyone. Don't forgot to wear Green.