When did church picnics get so intense?

Gone are the days of blankets and hot dogs. We went all out today with an amazing spread of burgers, sausage and tri-tip!


Per usual, my girlfriend and I rushed out during the last song to get first in line for the food. And I really don’t see anything wrong with that. I guess that’s just the type of person I am. I filled my plate with tri-tip, baked beans and salad and sipped on an old favorite—


There’s really not much better in life than an ice cold Dr. Pepper. I never really cared for Diet Coke or Pepsi, but there’s just something about Dr. Pepper that I love.
All together:

I made some new friends and somehow, after chatting for five minutes, volunteered myself to help lead a new post-college bible study. I have some youth ministry training and it sounded like a good idea at the time.
Except for the fact that my youth ministry training won’t really benefit me after all since the group is going to be made up of people my age. Oh well.
So, if you live in Sonoma County and want to be a part of our cool new group, email me. Please? If no one shows up I will probably cry and right now it’s only like the four of us. I promise I won’t make you drink kool-aid or anything. Unless you want to…. and that’s a different story.
Hope you’re having a good Sunday!
LisaR
June 27, 2010 at 3:15 pmhahaha…kool aid. Good luck w/ your bible study! What an awesome opportunity!
Evan Thomas
June 27, 2010 at 3:27 pmchurch picnics always have the best BBQ. I need to get more religious, if only for the eats
Lisa (bakebikeblog)
June 27, 2010 at 3:27 pmwow that is one fun picnic!!!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
June 27, 2010 at 3:33 pmI love church picnics! Yours went all out…that’s insane (in a good way!
)
You’ll be great for the church bible studies! 😀 I would totally join if I was nearby. 😉
Stephanie
June 27, 2010 at 3:34 pmdiet dr. pepper is def a southern thing!
Julia
June 27, 2010 at 3:42 pmIf I lived closer I would be all over that bible study group – I’m sure you’ll be a fantastic leader! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Meg
June 27, 2010 at 3:44 pmA MOON BOUNCE SLIDE?!? Yesss!
What a wonderful get-together for Jesus!
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run]
June 27, 2010 at 4:01 pmWhat church do you attend? Just curious since my fam in Sonoma are church-goers : )
jenna
June 27, 2010 at 4:05 pmSpring Hills Community Church on Fulton road 🙂
Megan @ The Oatmeal Diaries
June 27, 2010 at 4:10 pmDiet Dr Pep is hands down the best soda out there!! Followed closely by Cheerwine if I’m feeling particularly southern. And I love how you snuck out during the last song for food.. totally justified!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing
June 27, 2010 at 4:15 pmGood luck!! And yeah… there’s just SOMETHING about Diet Dr. Pepper that’s pretty much amazing.
Ashley
June 27, 2010 at 4:15 pmHa ha…when I was little I’d always weasel my way into the front of the line at church potlucks. And now at work I always end up starting the line when we have functions involving food. Nothin’ wrong with that… 🙂
Brie @ Brie Fit
June 27, 2010 at 4:18 pmIt’s true; Diet Dr. Pepper really DOES taste more like regular. And that is a fantastic thing.
Staceyhttp://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/
June 27, 2010 at 4:20 pmWow that’s an all out picnic. Is that a blow up water slide, that’s so cool.
Ellie
June 27, 2010 at 4:25 pmI wish I didn’t live in the midwest and could be apart of your bible study. I’d love to find a post college bible study! Good luck-keep us posed and how it’s going!
lucianna
June 27, 2010 at 4:39 pmdr. pepper has such a superior flavor compared to coke or pepsi!
Sara @ myfancytuna.blogspot.com
June 27, 2010 at 4:46 pmHaha, I’m guilty of leaving during the last song to rush to get in the lunch line….move over, old folk!
That’s cool that you’re leading a church group…can’t wait to hear about it!
Rebecca
June 27, 2010 at 4:52 pmDr. Pepper is awesome! The picnic looks like so much fun!
Laura (Starloz)
June 27, 2010 at 4:57 pmI’ve never liked Dr Pepper. I think it tastes like medicine!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
June 27, 2010 at 4:58 pmThe bible study sounds like an awesome idea. I bet you will meet some more great people!
Jil @ Peace, Love & Munchies
June 27, 2010 at 5:00 pmWow – what a picnic! and love Diet Dr. Pepper!!
Brynne
June 27, 2010 at 5:04 pmOk, we definitely never had bouncies at our church picnics. Jealous. And I l.o.v.e Diet Dr. Pepper – you’re right, it’s better than any other soda. So refreshing!
Cynthia (It All Changes)
June 27, 2010 at 5:09 pmI always wish there had been a ministry like this for me post college. I didn’t really fit in with the college kids and didn’t fit in with the “adults.”
Whit
June 27, 2010 at 5:12 pmI was a part of a bible study in high school that only had 4 high school girls in it, and it was one of the best experiences of my life! Don’t fret if you don’t have huge numbers, it’ll just mean you guys get to know eachother really well 😉
Diana @ frontyardfoodie
June 27, 2010 at 5:34 pmHaha I feel you on the church picnic changes! Ours are ALL out now! Still fun and lots of interaction with awesome people. I hope you find tons of great people for your Bible study!
Kim
June 27, 2010 at 5:51 pmYou’re going to do great. I would attend your Bible Study if I didn’t live in Alabama.
Liz
June 27, 2010 at 5:51 pmHave you ever had Moxie? It’s from Maine. It’s sort of like Dr. Pepper on steroids… an acquired taste. But you’ve got to try it!
Leanne
June 27, 2010 at 6:21 pmCompletely agree with you on the diet DP, it is so good and such a good treat every now and again.
KatieTX
June 27, 2010 at 6:22 pmI see only one other person that agrees with me…I cannot stand Diet DP….I love coke zero and other diet drinks, but something about Dr. Pepper tastes so weird. I am also from the South, so I am severely outvoted. Oh well!
foodandfarm
June 27, 2010 at 6:23 pmthat is a crazy big church picnic… gotta love the summer!
Paige (Running Around Normal)
June 27, 2010 at 6:58 pmDiet Dr. Pepper is really the only soda I kinda like!
Good luck with the study!
Nora@LiveLifeEatRight
June 27, 2010 at 7:07 pmhahaha love it! I would totally join in if I was on the west coast! Good luck!
Jan
June 27, 2010 at 7:39 pmJenna,
We are planning on visiting Healdsburg over Labor Day weekend. Do you have any hotel suggestions, things to do and places to eat? Much appreciated.
Jan
Lori Lynn
June 27, 2010 at 8:28 pmThat’s one cool church potluck! Glad you had fun. 🙂
Amber K @ sparkpeople
June 27, 2010 at 8:39 pmHey, at least you just skipped out on the last song.
At my church they do the singing first, so the very last thing is the final prayer. We have had to leave early before and nothing looks as sinful as rushing out as the pastor is praying!
Kerri Beth
June 27, 2010 at 8:39 pmI remember having the cheap huge ice cream buckets at our church picnics. Definitely no water slides.
Em
June 27, 2010 at 8:44 pmIf I lived close, I’d definitely be at your study! 🙂
If I can ever be helpful with resources, ideas, etc – just let me know!
Heather (Heather's Dish)
June 27, 2010 at 8:58 pmgirl, church picnics are the BOMB 🙂 if i were out there I’d come join your group 🙂
Candice
June 27, 2010 at 9:08 pmI think it’s awesome that you volunteered to lead the study – if I lived in your area I’d be there for sure! Can’t wait to hear how it goes.
Kelly
June 28, 2010 at 5:31 amThat’s awesome Jenna! I always helped out with the kids in church but working with your own age groups seems scary to me for some reason. I hope you have a lot of people show up. If I didn’t live thousands of miles away I’d come! 🙂
OK Chick
June 28, 2010 at 5:32 amNo shame, in being first in line!! 🙂
jenna
June 28, 2010 at 5:54 amoh wow!! what a fun church!!! lol and the food looks super good too!!!
AnneW
June 28, 2010 at 12:00 pmYour study sounds fun! I’m about an hour away and still in college, but I might be able to come a couple times!