A Life Well Loved

Maybe One Day.....

2012-01-28T03:24:00.003-06:00

A while back, I saw a post similar to this from Jen. So while I mull over upcoming posts, I thought I would share my list of places I dream of visiting. Because what does it hurt to dream? What can I say, the travel bug has bitten!

Central America:

Guatemala

Honduras

Costa Rica

South America:

Ecuador - Yes Emily, Equador is first on this list. :)

Peru

Columbia

Brazil

Argentina

Antartica

Australia

New Zealand

Papua New Guinea

Europe:

England

Ireland

Scotland

Iceland

Netherlands

Germany

Austria

Switzerland

Poland

Denmark

Norway

Sweden

Finland

Czech Republic

Hungary

Croatia

Bosnia

Serbia

Italy

Greece

France

Spain

Portugal

Romania

Moldova

Ukraine

Cypress

Middle East:

Pakastan

Afghanastan

Saudi Arabia

Turkey

Lebenon

Israel

Jordan

Asia:

Mongolia

India

Nepal

Bangladesh

Myanmar

Thailand

Sri Lanka

Malaysia

Indonesia

Cambodia

Laos

Vietnam

Philippines

China

Japan

Russia

Africa:

Kenya

Tanzania

Ethiopia

Nigeria

Morocco

Zimbabwe

Madagascar

South Africa

Swaziland

Word of the Year

2012-01-17T09:27:00.003-06:00

Let's face it:

- Not every desire will be met.

- Not every encounter will end well.

- Not every event will go off without a hitch.

- Not every choice you make will choose you back.

- Life throws us curve balls.

- People make bad choices.

- Our words can slip out sharp and harsh.

- Our hearts are broken.

- People let us down.

- We take on too much.

- We hold in too much.

- We don't say enough.

- We say too much.

- We don't let go.

- We overanalyze, overreact, and get overwhelmed.

- And life is hard.

But sometimes.....

- The way things don't work out are better than if they had.

- Our realities are better than anything we could have ever dreamed up ourselves.

- People we least expect come though in big ways.

- The thing we feared the most becomes a source of strength.

- Our tears of sorrow become tears of joy.

- When we've been stretched until we fear we will break, we see that in reality, we've grown.

- And as hard as life is, it is a beautiful thing too.

My focus word for 2012 is hope. Not the silly, idealistic hope that Cinderella wakes up singing about or stubborn false hope that can't let go or face realities. It is the hope that:

- at the end of a good day, tomorrow will follow suit.

- at the end of a bad day, that mercies are new each day.

- after things didn't go quite as you planned, maybe one day they will.

- gray clouds have silver linings and our realities aren't as gloomy as we thought.

- disappointments will turn to joy.

- our tears will dry and even turn into laughter.

- in the end, it won't just be good. It will be beautiful.

We all need it - especially me. Here's to 2012 - a year of hope.

2011 Retrospect

2012-01-14T10:38:00.002-06:00

One of the things that I received many comments on when I was in the states was that I needed to update the blog more often. Message received. So two weeks into the new year and I haven't done my obligatory "Year in Review" post. I've been planning on not doing one because, let's face it, I'm two weeks late. Then I ran across Amanda's blog. And since I can't seem to bring much creativity to this table, I'm going to follow in suit. So here are 27 questions about 2011:

1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?

Spend time on three different continents - North America, Africa, and Asia

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't think I made any resolutions so, therefore, I didn't fail. For this year, my resolution is to invest in people more and put action to my beliefs.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My dear friends Jill and Michelle bookended 2011 by have sweet little boys!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
I don't think so. I'm really sorry if you remember some that I've forgotten.

5. What countries did you visit?
Moved to Egypt (not really a visit), Singapore, and America

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
No debt! Thank you AISE!

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June 24, 2011 - accepting a job to move to Egypt

August 21, 2011 - Flying away from my home and family to a whole new life.

8. What was your biggest achievement for the year?
Adjusting to such a different place without any major breakdowns or regrets.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not staying in touch with people better

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had the flu pretty badly and then a nasty case of pink eye. Oh the life of a teacher.....

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Place tickets to new and exciting places.

12. Where did most of your money go?
Relocating to Egypt

13. What did you get really excited about?

Getting to see my family after four months of Skype and facetime.

14. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Constant by Charlie Hall

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
-Happier or sadder?
Happier!

-Thinner or fatter?
Thinner - I now know why so many Americans are obese!

-Richer or poorer?
Richer - in SO many ways! The Lord is providing a way out of debt, a new family of friends, new experiences, and a deeper knowing of him!

16. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Serving those with greater needs than me.

17. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Eat

18. How did you spend Christmas?

Mom, Dad, and I went to worship and then lunch. After a quick nap, we picked up the grandparents. We took them to Dennys and visited back at home. We then joined a friend to see We Bought a Zoo. Great day! About everything important - family, friends, and fun.

19. What was your favorite TV program?
Kept the same old ones - The Office and NCIS; Picked up some new ones - Once Upon a Time, New Girl

20. What were your favorite books of the year?
The Help, Beautiful Outlaw

21. What was your favorite music this year?
Hillsong United, Schuyler Fisk, and Matt Wertz - with a few days of Willie and Wynonna thrown in along the way

22. What were your favorite films of the year?
Midnight in Paris, Moneyball, We Bought a Zoo

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
On my 31st birthday, I had an amazing birthday dinner with my girls and a sister date with my Erin

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
It was a good year. It was everything God wanted it to be. It was everything I needed it to be.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Moving to Egypt would make anyone dress more conservatively.

26. What kept you sane?
Knowing that no matter what happened or came my way, I was not the first one to go though it. People experience things every day that I was going through and not only survived it but flourished through it. Nothing new under the sun......

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Our perceptions of the world are not always the realities of the world around us. In order to know what life is like for others, we need to experience life with them. Only then can we make honest thoughts and beliefs of the world around us. Only then can we honestly love.

Reverse Culture Shock

2011-12-26T07:36:00.002-06:00

While I've been living in Cairo, someone there introduced me to the website First World Problems. It's this website that showcases problems only people in Western, developed coutries have. It cracks me up. I also call it the website of brats. Since being back for a visit, I've been so aware of what a brat I sound like and often find myself thinking #firstworldproblem (yes, I think in hashtags sometimes - don't judge). So here are a few things that have stopped me in my tracks:

- I'm up early on the 26th and want to go hit the day after Christmas sales but my money is in the bedroom my parents are sleeping in. Guess I'll have to put off that shopping list and just hang out in my pjs.

- My skin is itchy and dried out from the heater and I don't have any lotion.

- I think in hashtags.

- Well, I can't use Kahula in that recipe and I don't drink coffee. Wait! I can run to Starbucks for a cup! Or McDonalds, or any other place within a two second drive.

- Frustrated at HEB, I couldn't find the exact ingredient I needed while standing with about 15 other options right in front of me.

- I want to make a new cookie recipe but we still have leftovers of two pies and a sheetcake in the kichen.

- All I've done since getting home is eat.

- So which church are we going to go to on Christmas Day?

Yep - I feel like such a brat!

Cairo Christmas Dreams

2011-12-19T00:01:00.003-06:00

For as long as I can remember, I've had very vivid dreams. Thankfully, the majority of them are good ones. I've woken myself up laughing from time to time. The best part is that I remember them too. I had one about Johnny Rosenauer when I was in college that still makes me laugh when I think about it. So it's no surprise that when Christmas time comes around, I have fun Christmas dreams. I really do love it. However, last night's Christmas dream beats them all, hands down....

I dreamed that we were lighting the advent wreath and talking about the symbolism of each candle. It was so beautiful and my grandmother was lighting each one. As we lit the last one, the candle burst into the loudest song I had ever heard. And it wasn't a sweet Christmas Carol either. It was loud and intrusive. No matter what we did, it kept singing. Since we couldn't get the candle to stop, I roused myself awake. It was the first call of prayer for the day. Basically, I dreamed we were celebrating the incarnation of Jesus to the sound of the call of prayer. And when I heard the call when I got home, all I could think was Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus.

Merry Christmas, Cairo Style......

My First Expat Thanksgiving

2011-12-06T12:43:00.003-06:00

As Thanksgiving approached, it was so bizarre. It almost seemed a non-event because, well, all around us, it was. With the elections and the fact that we aren't in America, it wasn't a big deal. So a few of us got together and decided to make our very first Thanksgiving meal. One of the best decisions I've made in the past three months!

We started Wednesday afternoon by taking our list to our neighborhood market for shopping. Yes my American friends - we shopped the night before. And it was beautiful. And easy. And we found everything we needed. And it was all delivered to us. Don't worry, it's OK to be jealous.

Thursday morning came early but it met us with warm kitchens, delicious foods, and lots of talking/laughter. Everyone spent the day in the kitchen whipping up amazing dishes. I learned how much you can make without the canned foods we take for granted in America. Can you say only two cans used? (chicken broth and cranberry jelly) Oh my goodness, yum! Our table was the picture of gluttony. I learned that I actually do like sweet potato casserole!

As we sat around the table enjoying our hard work, we spent time looking ahead. We all enjoyed it so much we decided to do it again in seven years. We spent time talking and teasing about what life will be like in 2018. There was a serious amount of laughing involved and I feel secure to say that I good time was had by all.

As we ate and laughed, I couldn't help but feel truly thankful. If you would have asked me a year ago, I never would have thought I would be celebrating Thanksgiving in Cairo, Egypt. Yet, here I was surrounded by some pretty amazing girls. I knew Jen was fabulous before coming over but the past few months have confirmed it! Not only is she funny and a great cook but knows how to love people well. I didn't know Emily at all before coming and now I'm so thankful I do! Definitely one of my new favorite people and I'm so glad she stayed one more year. Tessa is my buddy in trying to figure out KGII in Cairo. She has a tender heart and is quick to help out anyone who needs her.

I did miss my family on Thanksgiving but I was reminded of a very important fact. You can have family wherever you are. These girls share life with me here and I'm better for it. But the family isn't limited to them. I've been so blessed to know several different people here in Egypt. They are making me better for knowing them. So for Thanksgiving 2011, I'm thankful for my little Cairo family!

Excuses, Excuses, We Use Them Every Day....

2011-12-06T12:05:00.003-06:00

When I accepted the position in Cairo, one of the things that I was most excited about was the fact that I had an established blog. It was to be one of the strongest ways to keep in touch with those around the world and a way to keep track of this part of my journey. As you can very obviously tell, that hasn't happened - at all. I've been trying to think about why and here's what I've come up with:

1. Time. Yes, this can be said for all of us not matter where we are and what we are doing. However, it's gotten pretty busy here. Thankfully, not all of it is work. In fact, most of it isn't. Building a community is time consuming and worth every exhausting moment. Birthday parties, working out, hanging out, going out, girls' nights, shopping, exploring, softball games, cooking together, and so much more. I wouldn't trade a moment of it but by the time I sit down to share about it, my body is exhausted.

2. Learning a new culture. If the act of building a community weren't exhausting enough, the sheer magnitude of learning your surroundings would be enough to wear you out. When you live somewhere so different, you have to relearn everything from how to walk down the street to how to navigate streets/taxis. You learn that you really could kick some butt in charades because it is your best means of communication while you try to learn bits of the language around you. Plus trying to sleep through the new speakers the mosque got a month ago to further amplify the 5:00 a.m. prayer. It can overload your senses and leave you brain dead.

3. Relearning myself. Moving somewhere so different than all you have ever known will change you. I was warned but not prepared. Everything you know, think, feel, believe, and hope for are filtered through entirely new eyes. Every filter you thought through before is replaced and you start all over again. You feel more confident and sure of yourself. However, you also find yourself different. You know that if you really said what you thought about that facebook status update, it could start a fire of debate so you don't. You know that sometimes, it's better to talk about things rather than write them out because you can't discuss your new thoughts on a blog like you can face to face. You can't share because lots of people will not understand from lack of experiences.

So yes, life is full and good. There are good and bad days - many more good. So I'll try to share more but in the meantime, thank you for understanding!

Singapore - Part II

2011-11-21T11:34:00.002-06:00

Sorry for the break in these posts. Nothing says "Welcome Home" like a week-long cold. However, I'm so thankful that it held off until I was back in Cairo! Now that I can breath and sleep through the night without waking up coughing, I thought I would share a few fun memories of the week. They are random and completely out of order. Thanks for humoring me so I have them for longevity:

- On Thursday, Levi and I were headed home from the zoo when the taxi driver decided to be chatty. He was nice and Levi was playing with the "Cute"s (stuffed animal sugar gliders he got for himself and Caleb) so we chatted. He asked where I was visiting from and I told him Egypt. He looked at me like I was crazy. I explained and he shook his head knowingly. "Yes, you have the Obama accent. It is easier to understand than the Australian or British accent. You open your mouth really big." Um, thanks? Then he said I didn't look American. I looked "European, you know, like Venezuelan". Hmmm.....

- The boys were awesome! Everything we did, they asked if I had done it before or seen it before. I think they found it funny that their normal was new to me. They had a ton of questions about Egypt vs Singapore as well. Do we have ______ in Egypt? Can you ______ in Egypt? However, I think that my favorite moment with them was Thursday afternoon. Jennifer had to leave for a girls' weekend and I was watching the boys until Justin got home. Jennifer had been gone for about three minutes when they decided they missed her and wanted to make her cards. So we went to the school room and made her "I miss you" cards. What is it about four year old hearts that is so adorable? I don't know if you got them, Jennifer, but your boys were really trying to make beautiful cards for you! :)

- One thing I loved about time with Jennifer and Justin were separate "expat" moments. Most revolved around food. With Jennifer, it was in a grocery store. We stepped into the grocery store in Singapore (where everything is imported). As we walked among products from America, China, Thailand, etc I caught myself singing along to the song - Feliz Navidad. I got so tickled! Then a few nights later, we were running some errands for some things I can't find in Egypt. As we were waiting for the light to change so we could cross the street, she pointed out the girls next to us. Apparently Singaporeans love their corn. They had a styrofoam cup of corn they had bought from a street vendor. Corn! Then the next night, I was with Justin and the boys in a 7-11 and something caught my eye. Instead of an Icee, there was a mashed potato machine. I asked Justin about it and he said they are in most 7-11s. Again, I got so tickled! I think it had become normal for Justin but in that moment, he just laughed with me at my surprise. I mean, you go into 7-11 to grab something really quickly and grab a cup of mashed potatoes on the way out.

- On Wednesday, Caleb woke up ill so that changed our day's plans. I wandered over to the Botanic Gardens and spent a few hours there. It was stunning! Flowers, green, and water everywhere! There were several areas that I loved but my favorite was probably the Orchid Garden. So many varieties and colors! When you live in the brown of the desert, you forget how vivid nature can be. I told Jennifer that I was going to feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz when she lands in Munchkinland. This was the first time that happened. I seriously have more pictures of flowers than I know what to do with. The whole time I thought about my grandmother. She loved flowers and she would have enjoyed this one. I can only imagine all she would have had to share. Even now, she would have loved it!

- Stateside, I tend to not wear anything sleeveless because I didn't like I arms. After three months of covering up, I got to exercise what my Cairo Jen calls "The Right to Bare Arms". It was glorious and I didn't think about how they looked once!

Singapore - Part I

2011-11-15T11:43:00.003-06:00

***Up front I have to share that my computer is being difficult so there are no pictures on this post. I'm so sorry! Check out facebook if you would like to see some of them.***

One of the things you come to learn about working in Egypt is that nothing is predictable - nothing. So when Jen walked into my room two weeks ago and said "Welcome to Egypt - we have all of next week off." I wasn't entirely surprised. Thrilled, but not surprised. So we started talking about what to do with our days off and within a day or two, my plans completely changed. Originally I was going to spend the time at an oasis but within a matter of hours, I was booking a flight for Singapore. My lovely friends, Justin and Jennifer Willerton, agreed to open their home to me for the week. Six days later, I was on a plane to Singapore!

When I got there, the Willerton family were waiting for me at the airport. We went outside and all I could say was "Oh my goodness!" over and over again. It was SO green and SO clean! If that was all I could take away from this trip, that would be enough. Thankfully, that wasn't all there was.

I loved spending time with the Willertons. They are such an amazing family! The boys are so fun and respectful. I enjoyed them so much! They were generous, playful, and sweet with their time and energy. I loved every moment with them. As sweet as they were, I enjoyed their parents even more. I told Jennifer that I really enjoyed seeing them be "Justin and Jennifer" this trip. The last time we were able to spend time together, the boys were 18 months and just over three years old. They were in hard core Mom and Dad mode. Now I got to enjoy watching them be a couple and having conversations with them. We were able to talk about expat life, challenges of our individual homes, and catching up on what is happening in each other's lives. They carry Jesus with them and it is so evident when you are with them. It is restful and rejuvinating.

One thing that I deeply love is seeing a diversity of people living and working together. That is Singapore. Nations, religions, and races all intersecting in this one city. Though they do not agree on beliefs and come from different backgrounds, they all live together. I think that we are better for being in places like this. We are stretched to examine our beliefs about all sorts of things. We are stronger in ourselves and our relationships.

And yes, it was GREEN! I never thought I would say that I loved a hot and humid place. However, it was so different from other hot and humid places I've been. It made for some of the deepest and most varied shades of green I've ever seen. I couldn't get enough of it! I never really considered myself an outdoors girl but I enjoyed soaking up every moment of sun I could get. Whether is was Night Safari, the zoo, the Botanic Garden, the sky walk, or just around the city, being outdoors was a joy. It did my spirit good to walk in gardens filled with so many different plants, zoos filled with life, and rain. It is a place full of life!

On the day before I left, a friend asked me if I was excited about my first trip out of Cairo. I told him I was excited about the trip but not necessarily about getting out of town - I'm doing fine. I thought about that conversation as I walked through the gardens. I needed this - green, outdoors, diversity, and most of all, friends that held a common history. Singapore was a gift.

Up next, fun moments in Singapore.....

Pros and Cons

2011-10-21T02:22:00.004-05:00

The most commonly asked questions that I have been asked over the past few weeks is "What do you miss?" and "What are you enjoying the most about Cairo?" I thought I would share the answer to those questions. So in usual Dana form, here is another list post.

We all know family and friends are what I miss most but it isn't the thing that I miss most. The things I miss the most are:

- Convenience (calling a friend whenever I want instead of checking schedules, getting any type of produce at any time of the year, being able to pick things up that I need {oven thermometer, ingredients, things for school, etc}, watching college football with ease)

- Live theater

- Clean air - yes, after this experience, I would classify Houston's air as clean

- Tex-Mex and barbecue

- Green spaces to enjoy being outside

- Rain (no comments, Texas friends - I literally can't remember the last time I saw rain and I hear it's nasty here)

- Organization and predictability

Things I'm enjoying:

- While there is political junk going on, everyday day life is significantly less stressful. I no longer walk around with knots in my back and always feeling like I'm dropping the ball somewhere.

- Not feeling guilty for not having something planned for every night of the week.

- Investing in people/relationships instead of programs

- Traffic is still annoying but so much better when you are a passenger instead of a driver

- Missing the political scene in the U.S.

- Trying new foods

- Being a bit more adventurous than before

- Walking places

- Laughing at myself and everyday life around me - a lot

Ten Signs You Don't Teach in the States

2011-10-12T14:29:00.003-05:00

- You know who is at work because everyone in on facebook

- Along with facebook, your internet history includes youtube and you don't have to be nervous about it.

- There are staff trips that leave from the school in which people bring their own "pop".

- If you don't get your students to the bus quick enough, you might interrupt their driver's prayer time.

- Your instructional time in anywhere from 1 1/2 - 3 hours per day.

- You don't flinch when a child looks at you and says "What!?" when you've told them to do something.

- Your students need to "make toilet".

- You have to send a note home to parents (of 4-5 year olds) that students must be able to "clean themselves" after using the restroom before coming to school.

- NCLB and RtI have no meaning on your campus.

- The attendance policy states that if a child misses 20 or more days, they MIGHT have to go to summer school to be promoted to the next grade.

A Year Later, I'm Still Captivated

2011-09-29T02:08:00.003-05:00

A year ago this weekend, I went to Colorado for the Captivating Retreat. It was a truly life changing weekend. When I shared about it a year ago, I kept it pretty light. Right now, some dear friends are coming together there again for the advanced weekend. As I pray for them, I remember this sweet word from the Lord.

On the flight to Denver, I told God about all of the things I hoped for and if I only got one of them, that would be enough for me. And I meant it with my whole heart. God, being who He is, not only did everything that I hoped for, He did more. Just because He can. Just because He loves me. I so wish I could sit down with you and tell you all about it. I can't. However, there is one part I have to share. It can't be held in.

During our Covenant of Silence time on Friday night, we were to spend time asking God a few questions: What do you say about me? How do you feel towards me? By what name do you call me? This was something I had been desiring to hear so badly over the past couple of years. God has led me out of what was known and expected of me. The repercussions of that have been more blessing than I have ever hoped to know coupled with more pain than I knew was possible. This pain was tied to past areas of injury that were still healing. I needed to hear from God, especially in these areas.

Throughout our time that night, the Lord spoke very healing and sweet words over my heart. However, I couldn't hear my name. We were given a white stone to consider in reference to Revelation 2:17. ( I will also give to each of them a white stone with a new name written on it, which no one knows except the one who receives it.) I held my white stone, rubbing it with my thumb. I could feel my name right there but I had no idea what it was. I would get a word or phrase but it didn't feel like my name. Sweet but my spirit didn't respond to it. Then it came:

Wild Woman

I knew this was it because two things happened immediately. 1. My heart leaped and a giggled slipped out of my lips. 2. I heard in the back of my head, "That's not me." Thankfully, I was able to recognize what just happened - it was the first thing my spirit responded to and it was the first thing that was attacked. I sat with it a moment asking God if He was sure. "You know me. I'm a 30 year old, single, first grade teacher that loves to sit in bookstores and drink hot tea. Wild Woman? I trust you but I don't see it." God told me He knows. He's sure. We weren't finished but He sent me to bed.

That night, this Texas girl woke up with very cold toes. I slipped on socks but was wide awake. God was ready to finish this. As I laid in my bed with just God to keep me company, this is what went down:

God: What are you struggling with?
Me: The "wild" part.
God: What does wild mean to you?
Me: Edgy. Crazy. Sporty. Extreme.
God: That's adventurous. Not wild.
Me: What does wild mean to You?
God: Look around. These mountains that take your breath away. These aspens you are falling in love with. That stream you sat by earlier. The stars that you've been waiting to sit under. All of that is wild. That is my creation. It is strong and beautiful just as I made it. It is exactly where I want it. It is under my care. In my hands, it is perfect in every way. There is nothing that can make it better aside from Me. That is what wild means. Untouched by man. You, Dana, are my Wild Woman. Made be Me - In your beauty. In your strength. In My care. You are untamed, wild beauty.

I'm thankful God is an emotional God. I'm thankful He understands the need for tears. I'm thankful He allows us to process things in bits. I'm thankful He is sweet to continually reveal the layers of what He said that night. He has shown me more of what wild means to Him.

Now my white rock sits in Cairo, Egypt. When I glance at it and see the words "Wild Woman" written on it, I smile. There is still a part of me that shakes my head at that. No one but God would call me wild. Maybe that's part of the reason He chose it. But when I sit with it, when I remember, it takes my breath away.

Lessons Learned in Cairo

2011-09-26T15:38:00.003-05:00

- It is possible to become pretty instant friends with some amazing people.
- It is possible to feel the need to protect someone even though you speak two completely different languages.
- It is possible to no longer be surprised by things.
- Sometimes it takes moving around the world to become more clear about what you want to do with your life.
- Sometimes moving around the world shows you that your dreams aren't limited to a place.
- You can break old habits and learn new ones.
- You can keep in touch with the dearest of friends even after you move away.
- You can learn how to use chopsticks in a country with no Chinatown.
- You can learn that uncertainty isn't as scary as you thought.
- Your normal can change but in the end, its OK.

Confirmation

2011-09-17T05:03:00.002-05:00

June 15, 2011 is a day that I will never forgot. I remember I got up about 9:00 because it was the first day of summer vacation that I had to sleep in. Between appointments and Grandma's latest trip to the hospital, rest just hadn't really happened yet. I got out of bed and went through my morning routine. As I was finishing up, I decided to jump on facebook and there to my surprise was a message from Ms. Jen Cates. There is was an open position to teach Kinder in Cairo with her. You can go back and read all of the details but I thought I would share a bit that I left off now.

I remember reading Jen's message and just knowing that if I responded yes, I would have the job. I can't explain it but I knew more clearly than I have known anything in a long time. I remember sitting with my hand on the keyboard drumming my fingers on the home row of the keyboard and just staring at the screen. I would start to type my yes and a million questions flooded my mind - uncertainties, the unknown, the what ifs, the what I'll be missings. Then I would erase it and type but no and everything in my would tighten up - as if it were the biggest mistake of my life. I had to get out of my head. I had to remember that no matter what I decided, if it wasn't aligned with God, what was the point. So I stopped and prayed. I felt the need to turn on iTunes and let it randomly choose a song. The one that came on was "I Will Follow" by Chris Tomlin. It brought me to my knees. My what ifs and all of that didn't matter. What mattered was my willingness to go where the Lord was opening doors. So I prayed something that I never prayed before. I asked that for once I not look eight steps down the road but to take the first with my eyes on the Lord. So I sent in a yes. The doors started flying open and seven weeks later, I landed in Cairo.

Fast forward a bit. The first few weeks were good but a big rough. It took three weeks but I was finally able to visit a church. The worship leader was good and everyone was so kind. We were wrapping up service and it was announced that we were going to learn a new song. He started playing and the lyrics to "I Will Follow" came on the screen. Tears, ya'll. I tried not to but there I was, the new girl crying in church. It was contained well but not stopped. It was a reminder of why I'm here. It doesn't matter the momentary circumstances, I've been sent here. It was a beautiful and humbling reminder.

A Riddle Seems Appropriate

2011-09-16T03:48:00.010-05:00

What has four triangular faces, a square base, and five verticies? If you don't know, this won't let you by:

That's right! A pyramid! Two weeks ago, we saw not one, not three, but six of them up close and personal. I've seen them in pictures, on TV, in movies, and nothing - NOTHING - prepared me for what I was about to see.

We decided that the pyramids were a must when we arrived. After much hemming and hawing, we decided to go on a Friday since most people would be at Mosque. Smart move. We arrived at about 9:30 in the morning so we could beat the heat. First stop, the camel guy. Yep, we had the name of a camel guy. He helped us buy our tickets and took us to meet the beasts. The were T.A.L.L. To get on them, they would sit all of the way down and we could cimb on like on a horse. Then the drivers had us lean as far back as we could. The camel would climb up into the standing position as we rocked back and forth. The threat of a face plant seemed very real to this girl! I've never been so thankful for Jackie Hutton teaching me to stand in a saddle. However, once we were up and moving, it was smooth sailing for us. The camels were tied together in groups of five. Here is my camel who I lovingly named Clyde.

The nice thing about our camel guy was that they took us in the back way. We couldn't see anything for a while. In fact, it looked like we were getting further away from where the pyramids were. Then we turned the corner and there they were. The driver stopped the group, we leaned back and everyone avoided falling off. We got off and the pictures began.

The guys - Gavin, Marco, Colton, Adam, Matt, and Brad

The girls - Denise, me, Jen, and Anne

On a side note, notice the difference in the clothing of the guys and girls. In Egypt, we are definitely the more covered of the two. I miss shorts. Alot. However, on this day, guess who got sunburns and who did not. :) Ha!

After everyone got a few pictures that we were wanting, we got back on the camels and started moving closer. The pyramids looked big from a distance but this was unreal. The closer we got, the bigger they seemed to grow. We went by the smaller one first but didn't get off. And just to be clear, small is a very relative term. However, as we came around the corner, I got this shot. It is probably one of my favorites of the day.

There it was, the biggest of the pyramids. It was massive. We were advised not to go in as everything inside had been moved to the museum. Instead, we decided to enjoy the lack of people there.

First thing we did was climb the pyramd. We didn't get very high but still - we climbed a pyramid!

It was tiring so I decided to take a seat. Check out the size of those "bricks"! But this one just doesn't do it justice.....

so we zoomed out a bit.

(Can you imagine how loud it was when those bricks fell off of the pyramid?)

As we were at the pyramids, the Friday mid-day call to prayer sounded. However, since it was Friday, their holy day, it wasn't just the call to prayer. It was the hour long reading of the Qur'an. We were at the pyramids, overlooking the city of Cairo, and from speakers all across the city, we could hear men reading the Qur'an in Arabic. It was so surreal. There we were, standing overshadowed by the past and listening to the present. How much has changed, how much has remained, and how much is to come. I felt very small.

After playing at the pyramids, we decided it was time to go see the Sphynx. We started walking over before we remembered that we had camels. So we went back and rode them down.

Just so you know, riding camels on sand is great. Riding camels down rock pathways is scary! They were sliding and slipping all over the place and we were a good 8 - 10 feet in the air. I was riding the lead camel and was thinking I was over-reacting to the sliding I was feeling. Then I noticed the other nine got silent as we went along. Needless to say, we were all pretty nervous. However, we made it down and saw the Sphynx. Not quite as big as I had always imaginged but there it was in all of its glory.

Me and Denise in front of the Sphynx (which I apparently think of as a girl because I keep wanting to type "her"). While we were there, several people were taking fun pictures of them "kissing" the Sphynx. All around us were children giving us advice and moving us around so we could get the perfect shot. It was a bit annoying - not only because they were in the way but also because they wanted tips for their "help". So, we got our pictures, remounted the camels, and went home. Two and a half hours of sun, sand, and wonders of the ancient world.

Cairo: The City of Overstimulation

2011-09-16T03:08:00.002-05:00

I know it's been two weeks since I last posted. Sorry. That is the funny thing about Cairo - while we've only been here about four weeks, it feels like four months. That isn't a bad thig, just how it is - we all think so. There has been so much going on that sitting down to post seems to have taken the back seat. Things are either super busy or I'm so overloaded that nothing can come out. So on this quiet Friday morning, I thought I would just share some observations.

Cairo is a loud city. Loud. The Egyptian people don't know what a conversational voice level is. It constantly sounds like they are trying to get each others attention arcoss the room when they are three feet away. The funny thing is that most of the time, they are just talking. The cars honk all of the time. All. Of. The. Time. The thing about it is that all of the honking means something and you learn very quickly what they are "saying" to you while they honk. Egyptians like their music - especially turned up loud. I've actually had to ask taxi drivers to turn down the music. The calls to prayer sound five times a day. From speakers. All around the city. They are fading into the background but they are still there. Especailly on Fridays when they read for an hour. The streets are built up on all sides so that all of the sound travels as through a tunnel.

Cairo is a crowded city. You learn very quickly that walking on the side of the road means almost rubbing up against cars parked on the side. Taxis drive within inches of you and you just get used to it. People are everywhere - not quite like Times Square but constantly there.

Cairo suprises you every day. Some mornings you get up to go to work and find a small lake at the bottom of your road so you have to walk through sand, rocks, and piles of trash to get to the bus. Taxis will "fail", kick you out, and then speed off once you pay them. You go to the pyramids and see emaciated or rigored animals all along the way. You find yourself interacting with local people very differently than you thought you would - especially men.

And living in Cairo is so beautifully different than anywhere else. You learn the beauty of fresh produce (even if it isn't the best season quite yet). You learn to love not having a car. You learn how to quickly love and appreciate new people - some of which you may not have interacted with in your life before here. You learn that despite what you've known before, it is not only acceptable but encouraged to invite yourself to people's homes/events. You learn to crave the community of like minded people and the joy of learning from those so different from you. You learn to expect the unexpected and just go with it. Everyday you feel the pride of just doing it - jumping in with both feet. You lay down at night and think, "I can't believe I did it." And every night, "it" is something new. At the same time, you lay down every night and feel humbled. You don't know it all, you can't do it all, and you still have a lot to learn.

Ramadan and Other Misconceptions

2011-08-29T14:52:00.004-05:00

Since arriving, people have been asking me how I'm doing. I'm doing pretty well but overall, I would have to say that I am on cultural oveload. It isn't bad enough to make me homesick (it's called the honeymoon period). However, I am exhausted each night from the shear overload of things I am observing and learning. Between Egypt and Islam, it's been a culturally learning experience.

When we arrived in Cairo, we knew that we would be hitting the ground during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. I didn't know anything about it but that was changed quite quickly. All I knew was that it was a month of fasting. Since landing, I've learned that it is the celebration of the month is which it is believed that Mohammad first received the Quran. Each day from sun up to sun down, people fast from food, water, and work. The hours of business change and everything is closed down. Most people stay home to sleep, pray, and read the Quran. As we walked around looking for apartments, setting up life, and learning our way around, we have been hiding in corners and ducking into buildings to drink our water. Only certain places were open to eat. It is a respect issue. Then when the sun goes down and the last call to prayer of sounded, everyone breaks their fast with a meal called Iftar. The streets are EMPTY and quiet. Then once everyone eats, the city comes to life. Businesses open and people play, work, eat, worship, and go about life. It is like the season of Christmas in most Western countries. There are lights and bright lanterns everywhere. Mosques are lit up in blues, greens, and reds. At the end of Ramadan (tomorrow), the feast breaks and brings on a four day holiday called Eid. Everything will shut down and people will go on vacation.

(The mosque on my street. Excuse the spots, its the flash reflecting off of the sand in the air.)

In terms of living with surrounded by those who are Muslim, there are a few misconceptions that I've learned about. The biggest one would be the calls to prayer. I expected that five times a day, the city would stop and everyone would prayer. Wrong. The call is sounded five times a day (and yes, it is loud) but the city keeps going. Taxis keep driving. Businesses that are open keep serving customers. Realitors keep showing spaces. Life keeps going but the reminder is there.

I've also learned something interesting. On Ash Wednesday in the Catholic faith, you get ashes on your forehead. In the Islamic faith, bowing prayer is such a focus that on their foreheads are callouses that look like the ashes. But the callouses does rub off. It's almost easier to tell who is more devout than others.

During our orientation yesterday, we heard the overview of Middle Eastern history from the Middle Eastern point of view. The focus was on World War II and the current string of revolutions. Very interesting to hear the other side of the story that CNN doesn't present. I won't share much here because I don't want to start a debate but if you're interested, let me know.

There's so much more. As I shared earlier, cultural overload of learning new things. Another day I'll share what I've learned about Egypt itself. Until then, ask what you want about what I've shared. I may or may not know the answer. If I don't, I'm in a good place to find out.

Settling....

2011-08-23T08:13:00.002-05:00

Well, I've offically been in Egypt for 42 hours and it has been busy! So far we have been on a tour of the part of town we are living in. It isn't that big but seems huge since I'm still adjusting. I keep thinking that this is all of Cairo but I know I am wrong. Mind boggling! I'm starting to get my bearings a bit but I know it isn't a permanent since of stability because.....

We've been apartment searching and we found one! I say we because I have also found a roommate. We were a pretty good match in terms of what we were looking for. She's a sweet girl and we are getting a beautiful place. I'm very happy with it for a couple of reasons. I'll just be honest, it's a nice place. Not only is it nice but I'll be in the same building as my friend Jen who recuited me to come. Super excited about that! We go to negotiate terms and sign papers tonight. Then they will have about a day and a half to clean. We go shopping on Thursday to get what we need for settling in and will move in that night. That is, if all goes well. I'm learning that Egypt moves at its own pace. I'm going to have to adjust to that a bit more. I think that once we are in and are making it more of a home, things will feel a bit more settled.

I'm doing OK with home sickness. It hits a couple of times a day but I don't let myself dwell on it. When I'm overwhelmed or if I see pictures, it seems to hit more. But overall, I'm doing better. I'm crying less. That may change once I get to Skype but for now, email is GREAT! I've met some really nice people that I'm excited about. Some I feel more comfortable with than others. I know it will get there. It's just hard establishing a new social life - especially when you are initially an introvert but open up more as you get to know people. Some here have been very easy to talk to so that's helpful. I'm just hoping that we'll stay in touch once we are spread out to our new homes rather than in our current little bubble.

So there you go. Less than 48 hours in and things are going pretty well.

Timely Words

2011-08-15T22:56:00.002-05:00

Last week, my family packed up and spent the week in Ruidoso, NM. When asked what I wanted to do before heading to the dessert, it was a no brainer - beautiful mountains. Don't worry, pictures will follow. There were many things I hoped for and was more blessed by what I got. Because He is God, His ways are always better than mine. Instead of star filled nights, we got a cloudy sky that intensified one of the brightest full moons I've ever seen. Instead of afternoon hikes in the mountains, we got daily showers that made the greens vibrant and the air smelling as clean and thick with pine.

Before getting the Ruidoso, I was praying to hear from God. It's a kind of big season in my life and I wanted to hear from Him. All week I waited for it but it was not His timing. On the last evening, Mom asked what I needed to do this week. I was going over my lists and was internally getting overwhelmed with a touch of panic. So I spent some more time that night on the balcony waiting to hear from the Lord. In fact, it never came in the mountains. It came in the car on the way home. My niece had received a tiny tea set to play with her princess toys. On the way home, she was trying to "pour tea" into the smallest cup ever and then help the closest Disney princess drink it. Needless to say, this isn't the easiest thing to do for a two and a half year old. I tried to help her by showing her that the tea pot could clip to her car seat straps and it wouldn't fall. She did not think this was a great idea. She wanted it off immediately and Aunt D could not get it off quick enough. As I tried to unhook it, she tried to help me get it off quicker. I finally had to explain that it didn't help. Her sweet fingers were getting in the way of what I wanted to grasp. And as much as I love those sweet fingers, I couldn't get it done. I finally had to simply say, "You have to let go so I can help you."

Punch in the gut.

As I we were driving back, my lists and plans for this week were mounting in my mind. My anxiety was beginning to grow - could I get it all done? So much to do with increasingly less time. I very simply felt the Lord say, "Dana, you have to let go so I can help you."

Ouch.

That's what I do. I make plans and lists. I get an idea of how I think things will go and I set my nose to the grindstone. The fact of the matter is, God sees how it works. He sees the timing of things and the best way to do them. If I can remember to get out of His way, He can/will help me. He's ready and willing.

I still made lists for this week. I'm still being responsible with my time. However, I'm not stressing over them. I'm willing to let them go if needed. It will get done with the Lord's help.

What's in a Name?

2011-08-06T21:48:00.003-05:00

As you may or may not notice, the name of the blog has changed. I've been reflecting on a lot of things in the past few weeks and in that reflection have come to realize its time to refocus this place. Authors change their titles time and time again. I'm no Jane Austen and this is no Pride and Prejudice but it's my writing. So why in the world would I choose the title "A Life Well Loved"?

When I look at my life, I am overwhelmed by the amount of love I have experienced. If the only love I had ever known was that of God, it would be more than words could ever say. He has captured every tear that I've cried and shared in every joy I've experienced. He's given me life at no cost to me and at full cost to Him. He has opened doors of opportunity and taken away what could have been the greatest pain in my life. My ashes have been exchanged for beauty. He didn't give me just His love, He gave me more. I've been abundantly blessed with a family that supports me, fights for me and along side me, and embraces me - scars and all. I've been given friends who live life with me for better or for worse and find joy in it along the way. All of these people loving me enough to push me to be more than I am. They challenge me to rise up to be more like my Jesus. I definitely have a life in when I have been loved well.

Yet, a life well loved isn't just about people. It's about the journey we're walking. I've learned what is means to look back on my life and to embrace it. I've learned how to love those moments when my heart was shattered so that only God Himself could mend it. I've learned how to love and appreciate more deeply those moments that felt like perfection. Life is made of both. Looking back, mine is one in which I wouldn't change a moment. Every tear and every laughter have brought me to now. It is a now that I am so thankful for.

So what do we do when we have experienced such great love - that of God, people, and life itself. You give it away. This is where I am - the living gift of love. At the end of it all, I want to look back and know that this life was lived for the fullness of those around me. I want this world to be a better place because Jesus did something beautiful through this ball of flesh that I find myself wrapped in. I want it to be more that a life well lived. I want it to be a life well loved.

Following Up

2011-08-02T22:31:00.002-05:00

A couple of posts ago, I asked people if there are any unanswered questions in regards to my upcoming move. I know you've all been waiting on pins and needles but even if you haven't, here you go:

Do you know where you'll live?

- I know the area of town that I will be living in. I'll be in a part of the city that is home to many expats. When I get there, I'll have someone to help me find an apartment. This is very exciting for many reasons: For one thing, I'll be surrounded by others who understand the transition to another country. Also, my friend that I lovingly refer to as my recruiter will live there. Finally, not only will I have the opportunity to interact with the Egyptian culture but hopefully a few others as well.

When do you leave?

-August 20th

What special items are you taking to give you a little comfort from home?

- Mainly photos in frames. I'm taking a few other small knick knacky types of things that have sentimental significance (a cross made by a life long friend, a willow tree angel from my sister, etc). That's mainly it.

Do you have any thoughts, questions, anxieties about your spiritual life in Egypt?

- Jen has been so helpful in regards to everything Egypt - including this. She has not sugar coated this aspect of life at all. I am fully expecting this to be one of the most challenging times of my walk with the Lord. This born and bred Bible Belt girl is literally about to enter a whole new world. I'm a bit nervous about it but as with all things Egypt, more excited. I know that with the challenge comes the growth. Jen has a church community there that she has plugged in with and has "introduced" me to some of the girls at the church. It really helps knowing that I already have someone to call as soon as I get there. I am also hoping to have the opportunity to build relationships with those of the Muslim community that I'll be living in.

Trade-Offs

2011-07-27T22:15:00.003-05:00

Thanks to everyone who asked questions. I'll get back to you on the next post. As it usually happens, as soon as I say I don't have anything to share, something comes to me. So.... here are some trade-offs that I have learned from my recent move:

1. Getting rid of an obsene amount of "stuff". The trade off? - Having a better understanding of not only how I view material possessions but what could have been a better use for that money. Lesson learned.

2. Going through each photo and document in my home page by page and picture by picture. Took LOTS of time. The trade off? - Remebering the good and purging the things that weren't so important after all. That and being thankful my bro-in-law has an awesome shredder at work because I burned mine out. Note to everyone reading - shred your stuff immediately!

3. Watching everything I own that wasn't sold, donated, or trashed go into tubs. The trade-off? Simplicity. Enough said.

4. No longer having my own place to live. The trade off? - Getting the best "roommates" ever for a whole month. And already missing them after 36 hours away.

5. Sharing a room with a toddler for a month. The trade off? - Greeting each day hearing, "Aunt D! Want out - Hold you!" Translation? The cutest little boy ever wanting to be scooped up and played with. Yes, please!

6. Being surrounded by toys everywhere you go. The trade off? Watching my niece's imagination come alive. She's so pretty! Don't believe me? Click here.

7. Finishing the biggest physical part of this transition. The trade off? Enjoying time with everyone you love the most instead of spending hours in the warehouse of an apartment. Freedom!!

Taking Requests

2011-07-26T22:29:00.002-05:00

As is most likely expected, my mind is pretty occupied with Egypt. There are other things going on but Egypt is all consuming. Since that is going on, I am having a hard time thinking of things to blog about. So...

I'm taking requests. Is there anything you want to hear about - Egypt or another topic? Do you have any questions about Egypt I haven't addressed? Your wish is my command. Let me know and I'll see what I can do....

The Road to Egypt - And We're Off!

2011-07-16T17:27:00.006-05:00

Since accepting the position in Cairo, it has been a whirlwind. Having never left the US means that this has all been not only busy but also new. Aspects of it have been overwhelming but never anything less than exciting. Especially when other people hear about it. I think the word that I have read/heard more than any other has been WOW! It makes me laugh every time. I've also been pretty surprised by how little people know about the world. One person asked me if they eat cows in Egypt since they worship them there. They then quickly followed it up by saying how lucky I was going to be because if anything goes wrong with my computer, that is where all tech support is outsourced to. Really!?!?! My other favorite response has been, "Oh! I've always wanted to go to Europe and now you'll live there!" Ummm....Not quite.

More seriously though..... It has been an adventure already. It's been quite fun. Along the way, I've had scattered moments of wondering what I've gotten myself into. I've had things come up that make me wonder about God's timing. I don't understand it but I trust it fully. In His faithfulness, God has provided answers all along the way. I just wanted to share some moments that I personally want to preserve so that when I look back, I remember them all.

Other than telling my boss about my resignation, the other big task before me was getting my passport. After a few hits and misses, I decided to make sure it happened. I was told to be at the post office e.a.r.l.y to be sure I got in line. So that morning, I got up e.a.r.l.y and was at the post office at 5:45. In the morning. Alone. I definitely had my appointment that day! As I waited, I was working on one of my lessons for bible study. Eventually, another lady came in and sat by me to wait. We started talking about why we were getting passports. She was trying to take her family on a cruise. She was also very sweet and encouraging about Cairo. At 7:30, the sign up list went out and we were appointments one and two - at 10:00 a.m. So I left to take care of some things and came back at about 9:30. She was already there and we starting chatting again. At one point, she said the following to me, "I brought something for you. I hope it is OK. I saw you doing your bible study this morning and thought you might like this." She reached into her purse and pulled out a three page prayer. Her aunt had gone through cancer several years ago and this prayer was something she prayed throughout her treatment. The prayer was all about praying against the enemy and his plans. A prayer of spiritual warfare. She said that since I'll be living in a foreign country for the first time, she thought I could use it. I didn't know what to say. It was so thoughtful and seemingly random. Only God. We were called in for our appointments at the same time. I went first. When I got up to go, she came over and gave me a hug. She told me that whenever she gets her passport, she'll pray for me. Whenever she uses her passport, she'll pray for me. Even though she knows I'll have people praying for me, she wants me to know I have strangers praying for me too. God, You leave me speechless....

_____________________________

There have been some days where getting ready to go have been downright overwhelming. I remember one day I got my list of things needed for my work visa, professional file, insurance, retirement contributions, and housing. I started crying. The night before I had finally sat down and made a list of things I needed to do to shut things down here. Now I had multiple "to-do" lists and an apartment to pack. Overwhelmed! That week I was supposed to go to a meeting for Houston Project, drive a cat to Flatonia, empty my classroom, drive to San Marcos to get a service record, and get another load ready for the parents to take back. Within a matter of hours, three of the five things were cancelled. God gave me time. It was a much needed, greatly appreciated gift!

____________________________

I have been doing a month long sort of my belongings. Do I trash/recycle/sale/donate/store with the Johnsons/store with the folks/take to Egypt? It has taught me a lot about treasuring material possessions. I told someone the other day that all I could think about was the amount of money I spent on things that I don't need. It has totally changed the way I view shopping - for anything. Last night, I started feeling a bit panic-y. I was looking around my apartment at the stacks of boxes and the growing empty spaces. I found myself thinking that my life was in tubs. God gently told me that it isn't my life that's in tubs, just some stuff. I'm going to live my life, not store it.

______________________________

I have been praying over the past few months about finding a way to serve my city. When Houston Project was announced, I learned that my Sunday Bible Study would be in the 5th Ward, not the place I had been previously. I was SO excited! It would be closer and it was in a better location for follow up and involvement. I was psyched! Then I got a new job. :) This week, I really was thankful to be a floater/administration team member. It was amazing! I found myself asking God why would He give me a place to serve and fall in love with so close to leaving. He reminded me that He isn't leaving that place. He's there. I can go back again when I'm here but until then, I could pray His Presence not only into the apartment complex but into the people as well. After all, He doesn't just need my hands to do His work. He needs my heart to be willing to do as He asks. For this area, He asks me to pray. I can do that from Cairo.

The Road to Egypt - The Rubber Meets the Road

2011-07-10T12:06:00.002-05:00

As summer break began, I was anticipating many things about the first two weeks of summer. I usually set those two weeks aside for selfishness, laziness, and getting caught up on sleep/rest. Then I get productive with everything I don't have time to do during the year. I was having a hard time relaxing and letting go of my anxiety about the school year I had just finished and the pressure of the one to come. To help with, I decided to have lunch with a girl I know. She has been blessed with a job but she too struggles with not being in the right place for her.

As we sat in a very crowded Panera Bread, I remember talking to her about how she manages to keep working in a position that didn't seem to fit. We didn't talk about it too long but listened patiently as I shared my concerns and was encouraging when I shared my goal of applying to work overseas in a year or two.

The next day, my grandmother fell and broke her hip. We spent the next few days in the hospital with her and had a spontaneous weekend with the parents. Week one was gone without the selfishness, laziness, and getting caught up on sleep/rest.

During that week, I was listening to a bible study about believing that God has been with us all along. There was a point that rooted itself in my mind and I couldn't shake it off. It said that sometimes we are wisest to hurry over when God calls us. We should be prayerful but pray as we take steps, not just sit and pray. Move and act on it. I was really thinking about Thailand and wondering if I had made the right decision. The decision to stay put never totally settled for me but I knew Thailand was wrong. I wasn't sure what was going on.

Week two of summer began and things started off the way I was hoping it would. I knew I was moving from my bee-infested apartment and was so excited to find a place that was amazing! The week was going great.

On Wednesday morning, I woke up and got starting with my morning. At about 10:30, my phone beeped that I had an email. I hoped up the laptop and the following facebook message was sitting in my inbox from my friend, Jen Cates:

"So... we have to open another KG class for next year. I'm think he hasn't hired anyone yet, but before I said anything to the director, I thought I'd ask if you were interested...? It could be 1st if a 1st gd teacher moves down instead."

I sat and stared at the screen on and off all morning. That quote from the bible study immediately came to mind when I read it. I know why it took me hours to get back to her. I had a knowing. I knew that if I put it out there, I would get this job. I don't know how I knew but I did. So I prayed and did something that is very difficult for me. I took the first step without thinking eight steps down the road.

That afternoon, I went over to Erin's house to "use her computer". Once the kids were taking naps, we sat down and I told her what happened. She listened and was very encouraging. When Gregg came home and the kids went to bed, I let him in on the news. I wrote my resume and off it went. My Johnson family were so encouraging and prayerful for me. My sister praying for my heart (thankful for a female heart) and my brother-in-law praying for adventure (thankful for a male heart). It was/is the best of both worlds. I swore them to secrecy until my mind was made up.

Over the next week, Jen was amazing to answer my questions that I sent her daily. I have never been overseas but here I was thinking about a HUGE move. She was patient and never made me feel like I had a silly question. As the answers came, so did an unexplainable peace. By the time I talked to the director, I had made a decision. He offered me the job and gave me until the end of the week to get back to him. It was time to tell the folks.

Erin and the kids went with me to surprise them in Pleasanton. I was nervous and to ease my jitters, Erin and I made up silly excuses for just showing up. We went with the ice cream dinner after church. They played along when we got there for as long as we did. After dinner, the kids were content and happily playing in the living room. The four original LaMores sat at our breakfast table where we had eaten nearly every dinner together growing up. I shared my news with the folks and over the next 30 minutes they listened, not one interruption or question. When I was finished, my dad stood up and said, "That sounds cool, Dana." Mom just shook her head yes.

I was shocked. No, I was S.H.O.C.K.E.D. Not one protest or question. The Lord had provided the words that they needed to hear. That night there were some tears but more from distance and love than anything else. Vacation plans immediately began because we all knew a vacation was a must.

The next morning we loaded up and drove back to Houston. Mom and Dad would follow the next day for a belated Father's Day celebration. We got back around lunch time and I went up to visit the grandparents. I told them what was happening and Grandma was so excited - clear as a bell as she shared about how much she loved traveling and learning new cultures. Grandpa was shocked but very sweet about it.

That night, I got to Metro extremely late due to dinner with Grandpa. Thankfully, that meant I didn't have to wait log to tell my closest friends. They knew of the possibility but they didn't know my final decision.

The next day was Friday. I officially accepted the position to teach Kindergarten in Cairo, Egypt for the next two years. I felt better that the decision was made and the director knew. God had overwhelmed me with peace, excitement, and more support than I knew what to do with.

But He wasn't done yet......

The Road to Egypt - The Rearview Mirror

2011-07-06T23:01:00.004-05:00

Just as in every time God does a mighty work in my life, I can alway look back and see how He has been preparing me for quite some time. The way to Cairo is no different.

This past year at school was a difficult one. From the beginning of the school year, it held its frustrations and trials. By the time I went to Colorado the first weekend in October, I was already burnt out. Throughout the year, I became increasingly bothered by the way that public education was turning. As we began looking towards next year, I did not have the same anticipation of a fresh start that I usually had. I felt dread, especially with all of the changes due to budget cuts.

In the midst of the ever growing frustration and discouragement, a few things began to happen. While I was in Colorado (Sept 30 - Oct 2), one of the sessions really hit close to my heart. The last session focused on the need to be a part of the larger story. We spent time talking about the fact that wherever we go, the Kingdom of God goes with us and He lives His life through us. One of my favorite quotes from that morning was to the effect that even the smallest person can change the course of the future. At that moment, I knew that there was a big change coming in my future. I didn't know what or when. I started asking my small group to pray that whenever that time came, I would be prepared to follow God without fear or hesitation, no matter what it looked like.

Fast forward to the spring. I was growing increasingly discouraged and frustrated with the state of education. I didn't understand it because my school was/is the best I have ever worked in: amazing adminstrators, wonderful coworkers, sweet children, and an overall campus of diversity and respect. However, some policies and expectations are a lot to handle. I felt the urging to do the bible study "Believing God". It was a bible study that pushed me to look at my level of faith and the realities of God's character and activity. Each lesson addressed very specific things going on in my life almost day by day. I've never had a study that pushed application like this one did.

Another study that I was involved in was my Sunday Bible Study, Roots. We were spending time in the book of Ezra talking about how we learn from history and how we react to the world around us. How would God have us relate to our world in a way that reflects Him?

In the middle of the study, the first hint of what was in store came my way. I was blocked into a parking spot when a woman I hadn't spoken to in quite a while called me. Her brother is a director of a school in Thailand and he was in the States recruiting teachers for the next session. I wasn't really feeling it but I thought I would see what happened. We kept missing each other and never touched base. Even though it wasn't to be, it really got my mind going. I had some reservations in working there. I decided that if I were to ever work overseas, I wanted to work with native students - not Americans living overseas. I decided that I didn't want to be responsible for raising my own support (another post for another day).

As the spring semester went on, things at work got more and more tense as budget cuts were being made. As stressful as it was, I was blessed with favor by my principal. I ended up requesting a position change and he granted it. I felt incredibly blessed. The next year was going to be everything I was asking for.

Even through there was favor there, I still didn't have peace. I was feeling the need to teach something more than just towards a standardized test. I was tired of being stretched too thin to be more than I was physically and mentally able to be. I was exhausted every single day. I couldn't shake Thailand. I didn't regret not going. I was thinking about the need in other countries for more than just academics. There was a need for learning that would bring about change. Just a couple of weeks before school let out, I had dinner with some of my favorite friends. As we waited for our dinner to arrive, I let the girls know that I felt that I was being called to teach overseas in a year or two. They were amazingly supportive.

Three days later, my mom randomly asked me if I have ever considered teaching internationally. Completely out of the blue. I almost swerved into another lane.

The last week of the school year came. It was sweet with the kids but crazy in every other way. On our work day, I attended a meeting about the next year's schedule, the lack of support teachers, and the highest standards I've ever worked under. I was so overwhelmed, all I wanted to do was cry. It was only by the grace of God that I left that meeting without quitting.

I walked out that day so excited about a summer of no plans. There would be time to relax, step away, and not think about anything important for at least two months. That was June 3.

Announcement Time

2011-07-03T09:41:00.004-05:00

Yes, it has been very quiet here on the blog-front. Yes, I have been very busy (and secretive). Time to let the cat out of the bag.....

I have accepted a kindergarten position in Cairo, Egypt. It is a two year contract and I'll head that way in about seven weeks. It all happened very quickly and I'll tell the full story in more detail over the next week. It really is a God story. It is incredibly exciting and very overwhelming at the same time. I'm busy with tons of preparations while trying to squeeze in as much time with people as possible. There are so many things I'm looking forward to.

So prayer request time. I know there are the general ones for culture shock, safety, relationships, etc . Right now I'm going to focus on the next seven weeks.

- Pray for energy and motivation to get the packing done. I've had so many people offer to help which I greatly appreciate! However, its something I really have to be involved in myself. I get overwhelmed by the huge sort: sale, trash, store with the parents, store with the Johnsons, or take to Cairo. Thankfully, only three more weeks of this part of it!

- Wisdom with my time as I'm trying to balance packing, appointments, people, and responsibilities.

- Balancing the excitement of going and the reality of temporary good-byes.

- Sleep - being able to shut my brain off as well as just getting enough.

- To set aside time with God each day. He's making this happen and making His presences know all over the place. He is my stablizing peace right now. I just don't want to get so overwhelmed by the process that I don't spend time with Him.

- If you've moved overseas and know of something in the preparation time that I'll need prayers for, pray as you feel led! You know better than I do what the next few weeks physically and emotionally look like!

Thanks to everyone in advance for your prayers! More of the story to come soon!

One Picture

2011-06-18T18:33:00.003-05:00

I finally found a recent picture that I liked enough to share and wrap this thing up. I'm with the cutest niece in the world waiting for the carousel at the zoo. Incredibly hot day but so fun! Thanks, Erin!

Two Songs

2011-06-10T00:46:00.003-05:00

These are not the two best songs ever written or even my two favorite songs. However, these are two songs that make me smile every time I hear them:

1. New Shoes by Paolo Nutini

2. It's All Been Done by Barenaked Ladies

Three Films

2011-06-08T11:08:00.002-05:00

Three Films:

1. Lars and the Real Girl

2. Hitch

3. Becoming Jane

Four Books

2011-06-07T13:59:00.003-05:00

Four Books:

While the Bible is the obvious number one, I've decided to go with four books that are high on my recommended list.

1. The Book Thief - Best piece of fiction ever written

2. Sacred Pathways - Helped me understand my brothers and sisters in Christ all the better

3. Pride and Prejudice - How could it NOT be on this list!?

4. Radical - The beginning of rewiring my mind and heart

Five Foods

2011-06-06T21:20:00.003-05:00

Five Foods:

1. Pineapple

2. Green Beans

3. Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt

4. Berries

5. Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Six Places

2011-06-05T12:56:00.003-05:00

Six Places:

1. Colorado/the mountains - Where my soul finds rest

2. My bed - We're taking some time to get reacquainted after a busy couple of weeks.

3. The Johnson's house - where my favorite people live

4. Huntsville State Park - where I go when Colorado is too far away

5. Guadalajara's - Where I unwind with the girls (and the guys about once a month) on Friday nights

6. My kitchen - When I have a new cookbook, this is one of my favorite places to be.

Seven Wants

2011-06-04T14:04:00.002-05:00

Seven Wants:

1. A passport and stamps to put in it

2. To figure out what I want to do besides teaching

3. My apartment to pack and move itself this summer (hey - a girl can dream....)

4. Season tickets to Broadway Across America or TUTS (or both)

5. To write a book

6. Enjoy some rain soon!

7. In honor of Rock of Ages last night - I Wanna Rock!

Eight Fears

2011-06-04T00:06:00.004-05:00

Eight Fears:

1. Statues - The bigger they are, the scarier they are.

2. Octopus - They are creepy smart and, well, just creepy.

3. Being a disappointment to others.

4. Ending up alone.

5. Flying cockroaches - The ones that crawl don't bother me. When they fly, that's a whole different story....

6. That I'll be a lifelong teacher - not really a fear but something I'm starting to dread.

7. Falling - Heights are fine. Falling from those heights is scary.

8. That when I die, my life would not have furthered the kingdom of God or left the world a better place.

Nine Loves

2011-06-02T22:23:00.005-05:00

Nine Loves:

1. God

2. family and friends

3. aspen trees

4. an amazing book

5. laughing really hard

6. a clear night sky with stars as far as the eye can see

7. a good pedicure

8. seeing dreams come true

9. my future family - I don't know who they are but I adore and pray for them already

Ten Secrets

2011-06-01T21:51:00.005-05:00

Since I've become sporadic with my blogs, i decided to steal this from my friend. I thought it looked fun. Hope you will enjoy it!

Ten Secrets:

1. Even though I'm no longer a vegetarian, I still feel guilty every time I eat any kind of meat.

2. I often struggle with putting my beliefs into action. My heart is in the right place but often my hands and feet don't follow. God and I are working on it in major ways.

3. I regret not sticking with anything as a child - dance classes, softball, Girl Scouts, athletics, art lessons.....

4. I am equally an introvert and extrovert. Sometimes it makes me feel like it sends mixed messages to people and they don't get to know the real me.

5. Whenever a speaker talks about how we all have spiritual children even if we don't have any children of our own, a small part of me dies.

6. I would love to get my masters but I have no idea what I want to do. Everything continues a career in education (which I don't think I want too much longer) or requires another bachelors degree first.

7. My inner thrill seeker is itching for my next adventure. I now want to climb a mountain.

8. I find ironing therapeutic. I love the rhythm of the back and forth while making things look better. it feels productive and calming.

9. As curious as I am about things long past, I am thankful that I don't know all of the answers to my questions. I think it is God's way of protecting me.

10. I've always wondered what it's like to get tackled wearing full football gear. I'll never know....

Year Eight, In the Books....

2011-05-29T11:41:00.003-05:00

While the end of the school year is still a week away, you will be glad to know this will most likely be my last post of the 2010-2011 school year. I hadn't planned on doing a recap post but thanks to Completion Ceremonies on Friday, why not.....

This week I spent a lot of time getting ready for the ceremony. Thinking of awards for everyone took some time and then there was the end of year movie. It was fun but it drove my inner perfectionist nuts! After more hours than I would like to admit, it let it go. There was also room decoration which meant the obligatory talk about how to act during the ceremony. We also had to have a talk about how Ms. LaMore was going to be wearing a dress for the first time this school year and it wasn't going to be a reason to freak out. This discussion was based on the glasses incident in January when I lost a whole day of teaching to kids staring at me instead of doing any work at all. So after a week of prep, we were ready to celebrate!

Friday morning came and I was ready. We got in and settled. We reviewed how things were going to go, what good behavior looked like, and how to show appreciation for each other appropriately. That was the last thing that went as planned.

First, I opened the classroom door and let the parents in. Apparently I should have sent a note to the parents that I would be wearing a dress because they freaked out more than the kids did. One dad went so far as to look me up and down, repeatedly smile and wink, and to tell me in a low voice (and much too close to me) that I should wear dresses more often - with his wife right beside him. A.W.K.W.A.R.D. It also confirmed why I don't wear dresses to work.

We finally get everyone inside and seated. The kids were super excited about seeing their folks. Seriously, they reacted like they hadn't seen them in a week. Once they settled back down, I started to do the welcome. About half way through, one of my girls gets up, collects her three best friends, and goes to the back of the room to get a picture from her mother who whips out the camera and starts shooting away. Seriously!?

We get them seated and start the awards. Just as I was about to start the second award, a huge cockroach decides to join us in the middle of the floor. Oh the joys of working in an old school. All of the kids start yelling and crawling over each other to get away or get a better look. I'll let you decide which were the girls and which were the boys. Overly Attentive Dad steps in to be heroic and take care of the bug.

Once we get them settled down, we got going again. We got to one of my students who has a disablilty. I was talking about what a joy he is to our class and how he makes us all laugh. At this point, one of his peers in the back decided to give an example of something funny that he does and starts to imitate one of his stems - right in front of the child's parents. I wanted to melt into the floor.

Once I got him to stop, we were able to go through the rest of the ceremony relatively easily. We all cried during the video (even though I knew what was coming) and had snacks. While the kids ate cookies and juice, there was lots of picture taking and visiting.

At one point, I noticed a couple of girls crying. I went over to check on them and my heart broke. They were sobbing because they don't want to go to second grade. Why? Because they don't want to leave me. In my eight years of teaching, this has never happened to me. What made it so hard was that I love these girls - L.O.V.E. them! I usually don't do this but I pulled them on my lap and we just sat together. I let the parents entertain their kids but we just sat and cried together. I reassured them I would still see them next year and that we still have all of next week together. One went to her mom and was OK. The other was inconsolable. I finally was able to distract her but as the day went on, I would catch her crying over and over again. Lots of hugs and comforting words were shared.

As bad as this is going to sound, I kinda needed that. To say that this year was not an easy one would be an understatement. I loved the kids but the politics of teaching really got to me. And thanks to the great state of Texas, next year isn't looking any better. I needed a reminder of why I do this job. I needed a reminder of why I come back year after year. I got it - in two pair of tear filled eyes with arms that wrapped around my waist, not wanting to let go. I got in in a smile that snuck out when I told one how proud of her I am for her reading and speaking up. I got it in a hand that held on like I was her last bit of hope. It wasn't what I expected when I started the day but it is what I got.

And I'm thankful.....

Happy Mother's Day, First Grade Style

2011-05-06T18:12:00.002-05:00

Today in my classroom, we spent a large amount of time working on cards for our mothers. Honestly, we are in the middle of an insanely two weeks so it snuck up on yours truly. So today, we focused and made cards telling the top ten things we love about our moms. As I was directing the seven year old love, I gave examples about my mom and decided that this adult heart wanted to love on her mama in the way only a child can. So without further ado...

The Top Ten Reasons I Love You, Mom:

10. I know my mom loves me because she reads me.... - everything! I remember growing up that you loved to read to us. No matter what, if we put it in your hands, the story was read. You made reading fun and important. I not only loved that you read to us but you enjoyed being a reader yourself. This has been something that has impacted me more than just about anything as an adult. You not only loved to read but you made me love it too. You made me realize that by giving someone a love for reading, you can change the entire course of a person's life. For that, I love you!

9. I know my mom loves me because she helps me .... - keep overanalyzing things to a minimum. In my nature, you know that I look at everything from mulitple points of view. You know how to ask the right questions to bring me back into focus. You know how to lovingly tell me to let it go, I'm reading too much into it - in good and bad ways. For that, I love you!

8. I love when my mom sings.... - songs to my niece and nephew. Growing up, you would sing us songs that no one else knew - A: Your Adorable; I Love You, A Bushel and a Peck; The San Antonio Song (that hasn't been sung yet but it's just a matter of time). You have this love of singing and you share it with us. I love these songs because they feel intimate. No one knows those songs but us - like a secret love note from you to us. For that, I love you!

7. I know my mom loves me because she takes the time to... - share the gift of touch. Your touch is unlike so many others: rubbing our eyebrows, playing with our hair, rubbing our feet, or just the amazing hugs you give. Each one would be weird from anyone else but from you, its soothing and special. For that, I love you!

6. I know my mom loves me because she makes me laugh by.... - your insane love of the Spurs. Growing up, you didn't care two flips about this basketball team and now you L.O.V.E. them. I roll my eyes when Manu "sends you a message on facebook" but the truth is, its just down right funny. I laugh when I call you during basketball season - especially during the play offs - and one of the first things I get is a run down of the game the night before. I laugh that you are so excited about a Manu t-shirt. If you would have asked me to believe this even ten years ago, I would not. But for that, I love you!

5. I know my mom loves me because she... - saves things for me between visits. Whether you keep Jeopardy games and concerts saved on your DVR or just see an article in the paper you think I will like, it tells me that you think about me even when I'm not there. You not only think about me but know what will catch my attention. That's because you pay attention. For that, I love you!

4. My mom takes care of me by.... - taking care of herself. The way that you desire a good life for yourself sets such an example for me. Whether it is a physical, emotional, or relational need, you make sure you are well. Sharing in your successes with you is an indescribable feeling. Knowing that you are making yourself and your life a priority so you can enjoy life with us takes care of me too. For that, I love you!

3. I know my mom cares because she.... - takes the time to talk multiple times a week. Even if it is just listening to a crazy student story from the day, you are always willing to stop and visit. Not only do you listen but you pay attention and remember what I say. You know my weekly schedule and ask how things are going. I know that I am your priority because you take the time to know about me and about my life. For that, I love you!

2. I know my mom loves me because she works hard to.... - make sure we know we are loved. I know I am loved in the simple things like making sure you have treats we like when we come visit. I know I am loved when you worry about me coming home alone at night even though at my age, you had a six year old and a three year old. I know I am loved because I know you pray over so many areas of my life. I know you always have and you always will. For that, I love you!

1. I know my mom loves me because she is the best mom in the world!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I love you!

Thanks!

2011-04-24T21:43:00.004-05:00

This weekend I spent some time in Pleasanton with my folks. It was a good time. Dad surprised me by taking my car to get the headlights cleaned and a full tank of gas. So appreciated! Our iTunes/iPod tutorials went well. Mom and I did some shopping and talking. Girl time is always good with her. Lots of time for all three of us to visit. I survived the "church of the Spurs" on Saturday night and finally got to meet my friends' sweet baby this morning.

No trip to Pleasanton would be complete without a trip to Wal-Mart. I REALLY don't like Wal-Mart and only go when I'm visiting the parents. Since I don't like it, I don't give it the time or energy to look nice going there. So when I walked in to grab something for Mom on Saturday, here is how I looked: no make-up, pony tail, glasses, t-shirt, and yoga pants. Not "People of Wal-Mart" worthy but Clinton and Stacy would have had a fit! So I put my head down and focused on getting what I needed so I could leave quickly. As I walked through the produce department, I noticed from the corner of my eye a man putting out tomatoes. He was an older man that was about 5 inches shorter than me and quite stout. His teeth were not in the best shape. We met eyes for just a moment so I nodded and smiled a quick hello. He stopped what he was doing, looked me straight in the eyes, and said, "You have a pretty smile." I thanked him and kept on going.

As I grabbed the couple of things Mom needed, I noticed I was smiling a lot. It's amazing that one sentence from a random stranger can make you feel so good - especially when you know exactly how you really look! While it may not have come from someone expected or hoped for, that compliment totally made my day.

So to the produce packer at Wal-Mart, thanks for smile. Apparently it was very needed.

Ezra 3 - Roots Style

2011-04-17T20:49:00.003-05:00

Last fall, it became pretty apparent that I was needing to change Sunday Bible Studies. I had heard about a new one starting up called Roots. I went a few times and knew that I had found the place I needed to be. I've been there about 5 months now and love it.

Currently we are going through the book of Ezra. We are taking two weeks per chapter and discussing the historical and theological lessons we can learn from the Israelites as they returned to Jerusalem to build the temple. We are a very discussion based class. Tonight was no different. We had a lesson in chapter 3 (obviously) in which we discussed the roles of sacrifice and worship. Ezra 3:3 says that the Israelites literally had fear ON them. No one wanted them there and they were in constant danger. So how did the Israelites respond? They did not build walls of protection. They built an alter to sacrifice on and then to worship. They recognized the need for God's protection over what they could physically do themselves. Our discussion questions were really good and very thought provoking. I'll be thinking about them all week long. In case you want to join my pondering, here you go:

1. What about God requires sacrifice?

2. What can God's response to sacrifice teach us about Him?

3. What does it mean that Christ did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped (Phil. 2:5-11)?

4. What did it cost God to humble himself and become obedient to the point of death?

5. In preparation for Holy Week, how does understanding the cost of God's sacrifice inspire you to respond in worship (Romans 12:1-2)?

Growing Young

2011-04-10T22:45:00.003-05:00

Every other Wednesday, I have dinner with my grandparents at their church. We visit for a while, go eat at their church, and then visit again at their house. It is good to see them but I often feel a little weird about dinner at their church. It feels like I'm showing up for the food and that's it. I know the grandparents like it so we go. This past Wednesday, I was actually really excited to go to SBPC Wednesday night supper - it was All American Night.

As odd as it sounds, I L.O.V.E. this night. Every year, the men take over the meal on the Wednesday after Opening Day of baseball season. They are an older congregation so the men are all nearly old enough to be my grandpa. They really do go All-American. The meal is hot dogs with ballpark fixins and sides. They have apple pie for dessert. They walk around with little paper hats and drinks on serving trays yelling "Cold (root) beer!" They toss cracker jacks and peanuts at your table. Abbot and Costello's "Who's on First" played on a loop while we ate. When the meal was over, we played baseball trivia (provided by AARP) at our tables and sang a rousing rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" while a sweet little old man played his banjo. They had a list of the best baseball movies on each table and they put together a decent list (for the most part).

The best part of the night is watching these men really get into it. While each man had gray hair (if they had any left), they were just little boys again. Each one of them were remembering the game they love. Each trivia question didn't just get answered, they got explained and stories were told. Their voices may have warbled but they were full of enthusiasm. They were highly engaged and making a night of it. I imagine that this is what "The Sandlot" kids will look like in their sixties and seventies.

I don't think we ever outgrow our inner child. I truly believe that no matter how old we get, there's still that little kids who wants to play. That night, I have no doubt that those men would have given anything to slide into home for the winning run or struck out the last batter in the bottom of the ninth to win the game. They were itching for it. Though our bodies age, our spirits never do. I saw it Wednesday night. It was in the twinkle in their eye.....

TraffickJam 2011 - Houston

2011-04-03T23:01:00.003-05:00

TraffickJam 2011 is coming to Houston! On May 7th, individuals nation wide will participate in a walk-a-thon aimed at helping to eradicate human trafficking (specifically young children) in South East Asia.

Official Website: http://www.traffickjam2011.com/

TraffickJam Houston FAQ:

1. Why should you participate?
Everyday, children (specifically little girls) are sold to be used and abused by men - most in horrific circumstances. We can do something to stop this. By raising awareness and funds, we can step in and help a child escape this life. We can stop trafficking.

2. What is the distance for the walk?
The goal/route is 10 miles but feel free to walk what you feel comfortable.

3. Is there a cost?
Yes and no. If you would like to purchase a shirt, the cost is $15 to a contact person by April 17th. Email one of us and we will meet you to collect your shirt money This is not mandatory to participate. To help raise funds, here is the requested information: Ask ten people to sponsor you a dollar per mile. Basically, ten people donate $10 for a total of $100 per walk participant. Again, not mandatory but recommended. Anything we can give will help these children! All donations will be collected the day of the walk.

4. What should we expect on the day of the walk?
We will meet in the parking lot at the corner of Memorial Dr. and Memorial Mews (Between Hwy 6 and Eldridge south of I-10) at 7:30 a.m. We will be collecting funds and distributing shirts at that time. The walk will begin at 8:00 and will last as long as it takes you to take your walk.

5. Given the nature of the event, is it family friendly?
YES! All details are given on the official website for you to see there. The goal on the day of the walk is to raise awareness and unify for those children who do not have a voice. Bring your best friend, a stroller for your kids, and a leash for your dog Walk to get your cardio in for the day or take a long leisurely stroll.

6. Will water be provided?
There are water fountains throughout the park but participants are encouraged to bring a bottle of water with them.

7. What if I can't participate but want to donate funds?
Contact one of the individuals above and we will be happy to help you with that OR visit the website to donate online. Also, consider sponsoring someone you know that is walking.

If you have any other questions, leave a comment and I'll be happy to visit with you! We hope to see you on May 7th! Also, feel free to invite anyone you know that would like to participate! We would love to see as many people love these girls as possible!

The Key to Finding a Man

2011-03-31T21:27:00.002-05:00

I saw this on a friend's blog. It is an enlightening two and a half minutes as to why I'm still single. This is obviously the key to finding the one!

The Missing Link

2011-03-20T14:43:00.004-05:00

I've been in a bit of a blogging freeze. Everything I have to write about seems too personal to put on a blog and everything that is OK to put on a blog gets trumped by something coming up that is too personal to put on a blog. It's happened again but I'm going to try to give you a new post. I've been told its time. :)

This year, I have really struggled with my job. I still love my students but the politics, changes, and parenting (of the students and parents) is starting to get old. If I could just teach my students, I would still love it. For now, I'm not. I've questioned myself as to why its so difficult this year as opposed to past years many times. I've gone back and forth but here's what it comes down to:

There are so many more important things kids need to know that what I'm teaching them.

I'm sure we have all heard of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Basically, if their basic needs are not being met, nothing else will make an impact. If they do not have food, shelter, love, and security, then I'm basically running in circles. And that is what I feel like I'm doing this year - running in circles. It's making me tired.

In my class, I have students on behavior charts because they are so attention driven that they do anything to get my attention - because they don't get it at home. I have kids that freak out when I'm not there because I'm the only adult that is a constant in their life. Some students don't know what a dad looks like. Other students have parents that ask me how to raise their child. I'm single with no kids! What advice do I have to give that carries any weight?

These are the important things - love, food, shelter, and security. Instead, I'm stuck making sure minutes are met on computer programs, filling out mountains of paperwork, and trying to plan about 20 different activities a day (for once, I'm not exaggerating). So as much as I want to meet these basic needs, I can't. Since those needs aren't met, nothing else matters. I know how I sound - like a grump. I really do love my students this year but feel like I don't have time to show it.

Above all of this, I see the most important thing missing - Jesus. So many of them have no idea. I have the most important person they will ever need to know and my hands are tied. If they ask, I answer. However, I can't look them in the eyes and share the greatest learning there is. Some of them talk about Him time to time but overall, its nothing real. This year more than any other, that is deeply bothering me. I can teach them about a plant but not about its Creator. I can teach them to add and subtract but not about the Multiplier of fish and bread. I can teach them how to read but not about the One who read in the temple courts. I can teach them to be good people but not about the One who sat on a mountain and taught social justice. I can love them but I cannot tell them about Love in the flesh. I can be a teacher but I can't tell them about the greatest Teacher.

So at the end of the day, what was it worth? I'm not saying that teaching is a bad profession. I still believe that knowing how to read and problem solve can change a life. But what good does it do if they still don't know Jesus?

With Everything

2011-03-05T22:35:00.002-06:00

Last night, Erin and I got a glimpse at what I hope and pray a bit of heaven will be like. We worshipped with a band that has deeply effected both of our lives - Hillsong United. OH! MY! GOODNESS! I didn't want to do a list but I'm having difficulty putting my experience into words that flow.

Hillsong United gives us the most honest, heartfelt songs to worship with this side of heaven. You can't sing them half heartedly. They will undo you and rebuild you at the same time. These men and women know who God is, what our freedom in Him looks like, and the responsibility that comes with that freedom. I know God loves them because He uses them powerfully.
Lord willing I get married one day, I want him to be a man that has the passion for Jesus that these people have.
I don't care what anyone says - The presence of God is tangible. He absolutely inhabits the praise of His people!
I love watching God love my sister. I love watching my sister love God. I love loving our God with my sister.
As powerful as "With Everything" has been in my life, singing it last night took it to a whole new level. I can't wait to sing it when I am not bound by my humanity.
I already miss worshipping with them. ALOT!

Loving Jesus Through Country Music

2011-02-13T22:21:00.002-06:00

As I have mentioned previously, I have found that not having TV makes you less relevant to those around you. I've done a few things to help with that including listening to a country radio station on my drive to work. They actually report news and keep me pretty up to date with what is going on. Besides, country music is my guilty pleasure. I like many types of music but there is something about a good country song that makes me pretty happy.

The other day I was driving down the road and heard the song I Run to You by Lady Antebellum. As I listened to it, I fell in love with it. It's been a tough school year and the lyrics were something I felt my heart singing to God. I don't call Him "baby" so I just sing "Jesus" in its place. Hope it encourages you today too!

I Run to You by Lady Antebellum

I run from hate, I run from prejudice

I run from pessimists, but I run too late

I run my life, or is it running me?

Run from my past

I run too fast or too slow it seems

When lies become the truth,

That's when I run to you

This world keeps spinning faster

Into a new disaster so I run to you, I run to you Jesus

When it all starts coming undone,

Jesus you're the only one I run to, I run to you

We run on fumes, your life and mine

Make the sands of time slippin' right on through

And love's the only truth

That's why I run to you

This world keeps spinning faster

Into a new disaster so I run to you, I run to you Jesus

When it all starts coming undone,

Jesus you're the only one I run to, I run to you

The Full Story

2011-02-13T21:49:00.002-06:00

Since I hate those blog posts that are super vague and because Mindi asked (I'm really hard to convince), here is the story of my worst first date. I need to start off by saying that since this happened, I have talked to this man a few times. He is a nice guy and is very happily married. I mean no ugliness to him at all.

I met him on a Sunday night when he was visiting the church I was worshipping at the time. He was passing through for work and we seemed to really hit it off immediately. We did the long distance getting to know you thing for a few months when he decided to come visit for the weekend. As much as you can get to know someone online, it's so not the same! So for starters, it wasn't just a date. It was a weekend. The story itself is long so I'm going to bullet point this thing. There is more than I am sharing but I'm leaving several things out so not to share things that are not mine to share.

- He brought me a gift. It was a box with a collection of every thing he saw over the past couple of months that reminded him of me - notepads/cards, windshield shades, key chains, cds, etc. It was a bit overwhelming but not as overwhelming as what he told me he wanted to bring me: a nice ring from a jeweler - two months after meeting and spending only a matter of hours face to face. I think he said something about emeralds and the only reason he didn't was because he didn't know my ring size. I told him he was wise to listen to his friend and NOT do that.

- He wanted to meet my parents so we met up with them in a small town midway between me and them. Part way through dinner, he started reciting a ballad he memorized using over 20 different voices. Turns out he was a voice actor on the side. It was not what I expected. Then he started sharing his life history with my parents. Several of the things he shared was new to me as well. It was in depth and very detailed. Since the table was needed, was went over to the Wal-Mart, set up camping chairs in the middle of the aisle, and for the next hour, he finished telling his story.

- Since we were both single, he stayed at my apartment and I stayed with some friends. After he left I went home. All over my bedroom were notes - on my light switch, in my closet, under my pillow, in my drawers, in my cd player, etc, etc, etc.... One on the light switch was OK but all over the room was a bit much - considering he has to go into drawers and closets to put them there.

So at the end of the day, a nice guy that I'm glad found someone else to make him happy.

Reflecting on Bad Dates

2011-02-11T22:54:00.003-06:00

After a long week, I usually do one of two things. I either go home and crash or I meet up with some friends for Mexican food. I prefer the second and got to do that tonight. So much fun and I do love these girls. We are all single so often dating comes up - well, it always comes up. To give us some credit, it comes up in various forms. One of my favorites is the first date horror stories. They are the single woman's battle scars. We moan and groan at these poor, clueless men. We laugh at the bullets we've dodged. We shake our heads that this is reality instead of something from a bad movie.

Tonight, when it was my turn to share, I told my fall back bad date story of the guy who played with his face fat and refused to talk all night long. Believe me, it was painful. We all shared and had a good sigh that we survived to tell about "it". However, I found myself sharing another story after that. Since blogs are public and there is the very slight possibility that he may have access to it, I won't go into all of the details here - I do believe in some privacy no matter how bad it was. Let's just say that as I heard the words coming out of my mouth and saw the horror on my friends' faces, I knew that this was THE worst date ever. I know that I am prone to exaggeration but this time, there was none of it. It was THAT bad. My parents were even witness to some of it so they can vouch for me. At the end of my retelling, they all stared at me and said, "You win!"

As I told the story, I found myself thinking, "Did that really happen? Did I really experience that? What in the world!?" It was one of those things that while I was going through it, things didn't seem that bad. But hearing myself say it, watching others react to it, looking at it nearly 10 years removed, it was that bad! It was a good reminder that sometimes being single is a huge blessing!

"Snow Day" in Houston

2011-02-04T12:47:00.004-06:00

I know that many of you have seen this on facebook but it is too funny! What makes it even better is that my friend's husband actually made it! He works for Michael Berry and this is totally his sense of humor!

Persistent or Stubborn

2011-02-02T21:33:00.003-06:00

This year I didn't make a New Year Resolution. I know myself well enough to know how that will turn out. Instead, I've been seeking what the Lord will have for me this year. He's been faithful to reveal some threads that are already running through. I know some areas He is choosing to work though in this season. For some, I'm glad they are easy. For others, I'm glad I have a year to see how this will play out because I think they'll take that long to work through.

One of the common threads I've seen is asking God to increase my "want to". Let's just be real here - there are things we all know we need to do but don't really want to. I was talking to a friend of mine on Sunday about an area of my life this applies to. Her response was to ask God to increase my desire to let it go. Unless I want to turn it over, my hands will be firmly grasped around this one desire. Only after I want to let it go will I be able to give it to God. Grrrr..... only because I know she is right.

I find this very convicting and very confusing at the same time. I see in scripture the example of the persistent widow and read verse that tell us to ask, seek, and knock. Then I also see scriptures about dying to yourself to live more as Christ. So how do you know which applies to you? I've wondered this for years and am still wrestling with it. When we are being hopefully persistent and when we are being just downright stubborn? The last thing I want is to be fighting the will of God.

Maybe I'm the only one out there that struggles with this. In a way, I hope so because I would love to learn from your wisdom.

Update for Jen

2011-01-30T21:07:00.002-06:00

I just got an update via facebook (Thank you, God, for social networking) that my friend Jen is going to leave Cairo on Monday morning her time and head to Cypress. So thankful that she will be in a safer place for the time being. Keep those prayers coming, friends. This isn't looking to be over any time soon!

Prayers for Egypt

2011-01-29T10:56:00.003-06:00

I'll have to admit that for years I've not kept up with the news. To state the obvious, it is scary and depressing with very little unbias. I've been happy to keep my head in the sand. Then a few months ago, I made the decision to get rid of television all together. Only then did I make two important realizations: 1) It is hard to be relevant when you have NO idea what is going on in the world or in entertainment and 2) You really can get a lot of the news from commercials. In an attempt to be able to carry on a conversation with anyone, I decided to make CNN my homepage. I'm surprised to say this but I'm really glad I did! Especially this past week....

I've been keeping an eye on what has been going on in Cairo. I'm no expert and I most likely can't even hold a decent conversation about it. But I know what is going on - I've seen video and read articles about it. But CNN isn't the only place I'm getting updates. You see, I know someone who lives there. Her name is Jen and she teaches at an international school there. According to a facebook post via her mom (internet is completely down over there right now), she is hunkered down in a friend's second story apartment because there is gunfire outside her first floor apartment windows and teargas. Until the past day or two, she has been removed from the protests and now they are knocking on her door. She has been in contact with the American Embassy but has been told there are 70,000 Americans in Egypt. Her chances of getting out are not looking too good.

So today I ask you to pray for Egypt. Pray for the protesters and the government. Pray that Mubarak will do the right thing. Pray that the nation can withstand this.

But personally, pray for my friend Jen.

Back Where I Come From

2011-01-25T21:46:00.002-06:00

This week, part of our bible study homework had us reflect on our childhood. I've been thinking about things I remember and I thought I would share a few memories. Thanks for walking down memory lane with me:

- We always ate dinner together at the table. Every night. Not many people can say that but we would wait until everyone was home together before sitting down at the table to eat. However, every once in a while, my very wise parents would spread a round table cloth on the floor of the living room and we could eat dinner while we watched a movie. It was like an indoor picnic. Who can blame them? Do you want primary and elementary aged kids eating on your living room carpet?

- For years, part of our bedtime routine was a bedtime story. Usually Mom did the reading and one of us would pick the book. For a short time, Dad read to us. We took turns with whose bed we would read in but each night, Dad read us a chapter of Old Mother West Wind. I don't remember much about the book but I remember loving Dad reading to us before bed.

- After my first year of camp, my family picked me up and we headed from to Texas Hill Country to the Rocky Mountains. We drove the whole way. To pass the time, we had books, games, colors, walkmans, and all sorts of other distractions. What did we do? We sang camp songs the WHOLE. WAY. THERE. AND. BACK. My poor father.....

- One time, the city came out to drain the fire hydrant on our street. They opened it up and that water came gushing out. Erin, Casey, and I ran inside to tell Mom and next thing we know, Mom is snapping pictures of us playing in the fire hydrant. Probably not the most sanitary but so much fun!

- My whole life, my grandparents have slept in different beds. Including when they came to visit us. I loved it. My parents, bless their hearts, would either have to give up walk ways in their bedroom or their entire closet to make pads for Erin and I to sleep on. The closet was the best.

- Many summers when we were little, Mom would pull the card table out and we would put together a huge puzzle while we watched movies. For days, we would work on that thing until we finished it.

- The year we got a Nintendo for Christmas, I was pretty excited. Shortly after the ground rules for the game were laid, we dove in. Later that night, I woke up to a quiet house but a glow coming from the living room. I peeked around the corner and there say Mom, taking on the fireball spitting Venus Fly Traps.

Beautiful Heartache

2011-01-13T22:16:00.003-06:00

This is going to be one of those lovely vague posts that everyone loves to read. I'm sorry in advance.

There is a people group that has been burdening me the past few weeks. They have actually been on my mind on and off for years but this time it is different. It's a heavy, heartbreaking burden that increases daily. I think about them all of the time - ALL. OF. THE. TIME. As I lay in bed, thoughts of them send me to sleep. When I wake up, they greet me with the new day. The children's eyes, the mothers' hands, the fathers' brows. Their home looks nothing like the city around me but in my mind's eye, I see it clear as day. They make my everyday seem insignificant/vacant. It's almost suffocating. In a way, I want it to stop because it seems too much to bear. At the same time, I don't want it to stop. It feels meaningful and important. But....I don't know what it means. So what do you do when your heart breaks (aches) for someone you've never met? What do you do when you're waiting? How do you go about everyday life when they are all you can think about?

Oh Lord, quiet my spirit and give me ears to hear....

Only an Hour and a Half?

2011-01-02T22:32:00.002-06:00

A few weeks ago, our minister delivered a message about scripture - where it came from and its importance. You can hear the full message HERE. In it, he shared a statistic that really has stuck with me. At the adult average reading rate, it takes 70 hours to read the entire Bible. It only takes 18 hours to read the entire New Testament. That is an hour and a half a month. What!? That is all? I am sad to admit that I did not read the entire New Testament last year (let alone the whole Bible). However, I often watched more that an hour and a half of TV a day or read an entire novel in a day. I was (and continue to be) fully convicted.

At the end of 2011, I don't want to make the same confession. This year, I am going to go through the entire bible using a chronological plan. As I have glanced at it, it only ends up being about 2-5 chapters a day. That is all! So far, I'm please to tell you that I am on track and have kept up with the daily reading. :) I would love to hear from you now and then to keep me accountable. If you would like to join me, feel free to look HERE at the schedule.

Let's not waste our time this year. It only takes a few minutes a day. Let's let the scriptures master us in 2011.

December 31, 2010

2010-12-31T10:28:00.003-06:00

2010 has turned out to be quite a year. Despite some very trying seasons, I will remember it as one of my favorite so far. Here are a few of the events that made this year so memorable. Most link to a blog post about it:

Participating in my first protest

Taking my first skydive

4th of July party

Houston Project

Moving back to first grade

Experiencing support in trying times

A life changing weekend in Colorado

Paintballing for the first time

A sweet Christmas season

In between events, I got to experience so many special "everyday" things. Talking about our precious Lord with Erin so often, loving on two adorable Johnson children, dinners on Friday nights with friends, growing a deeper understanding about love through my grandparents, gaining a greater appreciation for family, and a stronger desire for God.

The greatest lesson of this year was the importance of listening: to God speak, to breaking hearts, to great joys, to prayers, to people's passions, to each other. Not only listening but patient, open minded listening. It amazes me how important the act of keeping quiet can be. It's humbling and changes you. I still talk a lot but much less than I did this time last year.

Thank you, Lord, for standing stone moments that marked this year. Thank you for letting us see you move and do your work. Thank you for experiences that draw us so much closer to you. Thank you for the joy you brought us. Thank you for the tears you cried with us and dried for us. Above all, thank you for your presence with us, for going before us, and for pointing us all back to you. Praise you for the gift of 2010! All glory goes to you!

My Favorite Gift

2010-12-26T21:51:00.003-06:00

A year and ten months ago, I visited Houston's First Baptist Church for the first time. I remember dragging my feet to go because I was scared - Not because I was concerned about not liking it or not knowing anyone but because I knew that I would love it. What would that mean? What choices would I have to make and how would they be received? What would my response to others be? More specifically, what would my response be to my family? I knew it would be hard but I went. I loved it, like I knew I would. Telling the family was scary and it has definitely been a growing process for us all. When I first told Mom and Dad, I told them that I would love for them to come visit with me but I wasn't going to pressure and bug them about coming. It was an open invitation for any time they were here. I never asked again but hoped and prayed for the day I would be able to share where I am now. Friday night, it happened.

Christmas Eve came filled with visiting, playing, and cooking. However, at 5:00, there we sat in the in Worship Center: Gregg, Erin, Liz, Mom, Dad, Bladen, and me. I felt like it was already Christmas morning and I was five years old again. We were sitting in this place that has grown to mean so much to me. On stage were the worship leaders that I worship with every week. We heard a message by a minister that the Lord uses in my life weekly. All around us were the body of believers that walk out this life together. All things and people that I have grown to love. On that night, I sat surrounded by all of these familiar things side-by-side with those I love most. It was a beautiful service - scripture intertwined with song only briefly paused by a wonderful reminder of what our response to Christmas should be. The kids did great. We stopped. We sang. We focused. We worshipped. We. We. We. All shared with my family. They got to experience a taste of this place I love. I got to share this part of my life with them. I got to show them the heart of where I worship. It was sweet.

Of everything that I received this Christmas, that service together was the best gift I was given. There are a lot of things that I have been hoping for in life. Not many of them have come to be yet but God was sweet to fulfill this greatest hope this Christmas. A nearly two year prayer answered - my family together at HFBC. Just once was all that was needed. They came because they love me. They came to see this part of my life. They came.

Hope fulfilled and prayer answered.

The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. - I Thessalonians 5:24

The Hope of His Presence

2010-12-22T13:06:00.003-06:00

In a couple of days, we will be celebrating Christmas. This holiday has grown to have deeper meaning to me each year. The past few months, I have been looking forward to Christmas a lot - the music, the lights, the joy of children (my family and students). However, this isn't even the part of Christmas that has captured my mind and heart the most.

A few weeks ago at Celebration, there was a section in which the prophet Isaiah sang of the lost state of Israel and the coming of a promised Savior. It immediately shifted to a scene of the Jewish people throughout the 400 years of silence between the prophecies and the birth of Jesus. I've thought about this scene a lot over the past few weeks. I've known this fact for years but can you imagine? Nothing from God for 400 years. That would be like not hearing from God since before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. Nothing. Silence.

What would that be like? Everything promised met by what must have seemed like nothing. All of the hope of generations of people unrealized in their lifetime. They heard the stories and promises from their grandparents and parents. They told them to their children and grandchildren. They looked and listened in hope. For generations......

Then He came.

Not what they were expecting. Not what they were looking and longing for. He was all they had hoped for and more. While they would not see it, He was fulfilled promise, realized hope, God Himself. While they were looking for a king, God left Heaven and brought His presence to us. Our Emmanuel.

I think of Anna and Simeon - two of the first to see their hope fulfilled. Both were promised to live to see salvation. In comes this infant promise with His teenage parents. Both praised God, blessed the child, and left knowing they had been in the presence of God.

In case you haven't figured it out, hope and presence are the themes of this season for me. We can all say that the past few months have been sprinkled with things that have brought joy and pain. I'm no different. I've experienced disappointment, exhaustion, doubt, injustice, joy, beauty, and laughter. There have been times when hope has been hard fought for but there aren't many better things to fight for. There have been times of experiencing the presence of God so closely that the only thing keeping me on this earth is this flesh my spirit is wrapped in.

Many will celebrate the birth of a baby this weekend. It's so much more than that. It is God's fulfilled promise of salvation. He closed the gap that stood between us and God. He not only brought the forgiveness of sin but He destroyed the barrier between us and Him. We now have full access to Him! We can come to Him and He longs for it!

My prayer is for the joy of hope - that we would not lose ourselves or give up to discouragement in this life. My prayer is that we would be open to seeing God's fulfillment of our hope and not being blinded by our expectations of what that would look like. That we praise God, bless Jesus, and long for the presence of God.

Emmanuel has come! He is here! He wants to be your fulfilled hope and He wants you to know His presence. This is the message of Christmas.

Seeing First Hand

2010-12-12T14:43:00.002-06:00

This poem was written by a man on staff at HFBC and was used in the Celebration presentation this weekend. It is lengthy but beautiful as it tells the whole story. Enjoy in this beautiful season:

Seeing First Hand by Stephen Smith

To say the scene in Bethlehem that night

was "only the beginning" would be a vast understatement.

For as the years passed, the boy grew.....

He would escape with his parents to Egypt

He would return to settle in the home city of Nazareth

He would be trained as a carpenter.

He would see his world differently than others

He would answer his teachers' questions with amazing clarity

He would love his earthly parents.

And all the while, there....Mary and Joseph

Seeing first hand the story unfold as the angels promised.

Even as the confines of his earthly body expanded,

So too, his spirit expanded to grip the reality of his calling.

For as the years passed, the man grew......

He would hear the voice of his heavenly Father

He would see his mission come alive in his heart

He would go down to the water to John the Baptizer.

He would stun the wedding party in Cana as the water turned to fine wine

He would open the eyes of a blind beggar

He would change the life of the Samaritan woman forever.

And all the while, there.....Jesus.

He would see first hand the story unfold just as his heavenly Father promised.

Even as the palm branches fell under the feet of the humble King,

He knew the mind and heart of the religious leaders.

And as the days passed, the crowds grew.....

He would wreck the moneychangers' stalls in the temple

He would join his disciples for the Passover meal

He would journey to the garden to pray and prepare.

He would be traded to the guard for a kiss

His hands would be bound

He would be tried and mocked before the religious council.

He would stand before Pilate

He would be tested with the whip

He would be paraded through the streets.

His hands and feet would be nailed to a wooden cross

He would be wounded for the sins of the world

Then....

He would take his last breath.

And all the while, there....his brothers and disciples

Seeing first hand the story unfold just as Jesus had foretold.

But to say the scene on the cross that Friday

was "the end of the story" would be to end the matter much too quickly.

For this "end" was no "end" at all, but a brilliant beginning

And as the day dawned.....the light grew.

And the light shown in the darkness

and the darkness could neither explain it, nor blot it out.

And all the while, we, who have known nothing BUT the night,

Have had our eyes opened and we behold His Resplendent Face.

He would rise from the grave...

He would ascend into heaven...

He would save the world.....

Smiling in the Rain

2010-12-05T21:27:00.002-06:00

This morning my car broke down. On the way to church this morning, it just started downshifting on its own and without reason. Well, I'm sure there is a reason. I'm just a girl that doesn't know much about cars. For me, this is a very scary thing. Something I don't understand or know how to fix. In other words, the potential for a bad day. However, it turned into a very good one. So, since I like lists so much, here are all of the reasons why the car breaking down wasn't such a bad thing:

- I was on the access road, NOT I-10, pulling into a parking lot.

- I was running late for church so there were no other cars around me.

- I got ahold of Erin on her phone which she usually leaves at home on Sunday mornings.

- I got ahold of Erin (and therefore Dad), as they are saying goodbye to get back on the road to go back to Pleasanton.

- Once I was able to talk to Dad, we were able to figure out what to do in a sensible way that I couldn't see before.

- Dad was able to rule out scary things that could be wrong with the car.

- I got to meet an interesting Lebanese man for 20 minutes to whom I will never speak again.

- I got to spend some extra, unplanned time with Mom and Dad.

- I got a day to relax at home with no guilt whatsoever.

Without Direction

2010-12-01T21:04:00.002-06:00

This Monday my fall bible study came to an end. We spent two and a half months working through the book of Titus. If you would have told me that this book would be so incredibly challenging, I would have scoffed at you. And I would have been wrong. It was hard connecting sound doctrine to sound living. I know these lessons are not over yet and there is still a lot to learn.

One of the weeks was spent on the roles of members in the church - older and younger men and women specifically. As we talked about it, we all started to notice a common longing. None of us have mentors. By this I don't mean someone we look up to. None of us have someone who has intentionally decided to come along side us to show us what life looks like in the next stage. We don't have an older woman to invest in us - teaching and sharing the wisdom that they could share with us. No one inviting us into their homes or to meet with us regularly to share life with. On the reverse side, we don't have anyone we are mentoring either. No one younger than us to invest in, meet with, and possibly share what little wisdom we have. It is sad.

When did this happen? I know that in attempts for churches to help people walk out life together, we have allowed ourselves to be sectioned off into our own corners - college students, singles, newly marrieds, young families, youth groups/parents, empty nesters, "golden agers". However, the beauty of mentoring/discipling is being lost. We are becoming more and more isolated within ourselves with little direction from those who have been there and done that.

I know it isn't just my generation that is feeling this loss. I have a dear friend that is in her early 50s. She has lamented several times that she would love someone to mentor her. Yet, she doesn't have that someone. I'm not innocent in this either. Teenagers scare me to death (not joking or exaggerating here) and I don't know many people in college. I could be doing it but with who?

So I find myself wondering what the next step is. How do we fix what has been broken? Where do we find the wisdom we so desperately crave?

My Thanksgiving List in Pictures

2010-11-22T22:45:00.006-06:00

I have decided to make a list of a few of the things I am most thankful for this year. So in no specific order here is a post of blessings from this year:

Multiple Times to Get Away From It All

Aspen Trees and Mountains

My Sweet Niece

My Adorable Nephew

A Job

Loving Parents

Adventures in Paintballing

Amazing Women in a God Filled Weekend

A Sunday Bible Study to Do Life With

A Brother to Laugh and Learn With

Adventures in Skydiving

A Best Friend Who Happens to be My Sister

My God Who Loves Me More than the Eye can See, the Ear can Hear, or the Mind can Conceive

What a Way to Start a Week

2010-11-14T15:42:00.003-06:00

This morning we started a study on John 4 at church. Gregg was talking about how our needs are never met, our thirsts are never satisfied, until we take them to Jesus. Anything else we take our needs to are our idols. Then he made a statement that kicked me in the gut. If this were all he said, it would be message enough:

We often do not lay our idols down at the foot of the cross until they break our hearts.

Ouch....

Who Needs Mr. Wizard?

2010-11-11T20:49:00.002-06:00

A few months ago, a flyer showed up in my mailbox at work. It looked neat but we had just recently received an email that professional development funds are less compared to in years past. So I recycled it until my favorite co-worker suggested asking for funds. We asked, were told yes, and off we were to see Steve Spangler at his science boot camp.

oh. my. goodness.

I had no idea what I was in for. Seriously, amazing! I had no idea who he was until I walked in and saw the display table. There it was, the mentos geysers. Yes, he is THAT guy who introduced the world to dropping a mentos into diet coke. He is THAT guy who frequents Ellen and does crazy things in and around her studio. And more importantly, he is THAT guy that has given me some excitement about going to work again. Yesterday, I spent seven hours with the man and this morning, I woke up excited to go to work - for the first time in months. I cannot wait to work on these things with my kids!

So incase you have never seen the amazingness of Steve Spanger, here is a short 3 minute clip of some of his best of moments from the news station he works with in Colorado. I saw many of the experiments that are on it and then some other amazing ones. Enjoy and if you want to see more, look him up on youtube. You'll find lots of fun stuff!

Opening my Fist

2010-11-09T22:01:00.004-06:00

God is doing a lot of stuff with me right now - reorienting my mindset on many different issues, giving me object lessons, making me rely on Him so much more... There have been common themes throughout it all. Try to guess what this one is:

Over the summer, Erin and I went up to Canton. I had never been before and the time had come to remedy that. So much fun! While we were there, we stayed with Erin's in-laws. One afternoon, CaLyn was putting some things away and she pulled out a glass cake stand. I mentioned that I thought it was pretty and the next thing I know, she is giving it to me. That was not my intention at all - in fact, my mind was thinking that Lord willing I ever get married, that would be something I would need to register for because I don't have a need for one at this time. However, it made it's way into my home. Erin shared with me that this is how CaLyn is - if you like it, it's yours. Now, I'm going to be super careful what I verbally admire of hers!

About two months ago, Erin shared with me a blog she has been following. On it, one of the posts was about how this woman was reorienting her mindsets as well. One of her new rules was that she will never buy anything she wouldn't give away to someone else. It really resonated with my spirit.

So here's the theme - Letting things go. And by things, I don't mean that ambiguous term in which we loosely through around "Just let it go already!" I mean actual things - money, stuff, time, self...

Lately, God has been laying it upon my heart that what I have isn't mine. It's on loan for a time that only He knows. My home, my finances, my time - all of it. I am not the owner but the steward. Somehow, this feels like a much bigger responsibility that owning it. There are expectations, standards, duties at stake here. The weird thing about it is that even though it feels bigger, it is freeing too. I don't have to fret about what to do about this or that. I can ask Him and He will direct me. Here are a couple of examples of object lessons that have been given to me as I've started changing this mindset.

- I've been crazy busy to the point that something new being added to my calendar may be written in through tear filled eyes. So this past Sunday, I canceled some plans to enjoy the afternoon/evening just relaxing by myself. On Saturday, the opportunity came up to have a cousin come in to stay on Sunday evening. Honestly, my mind sounded like a three year old, "I don't want to share my home! I don't want to share my time! I just want to relax! By myself! With no responsibilities!" As my inner toddler ranted and raged, a calm still voice reminded me, "That apartment is not yours. This time is not yours. It is a gift. Steward it well." Oh yeah. So I opened my home and was so blessed by it. Because it isn't mine. It is a loaner to share - for His glory.

- Last weekend, I went to Half-Price Books to help de-clutter my bookshelves. I didn't get much but more that I had the 15 minutes before. On the way home, I stopped by Walgreens. As I was going back to my car, a man that frequents a few of the corners in my area was sitting by the door. We said hello as I booked it to my car to get ready for the above guest. As I got in the car, that cash was burning in my purse. I had a place for it to go - my share of the breakfast my grade level was providing this week. But the conflict rose - this man I know by sight who was using the Walgreens as his couch or muffins for a staff of 60 employed women. The inner debate was long and loud. In the end, the women got it - not the one who needed it. In my ears, it keeps ringing, "It's not yours. This money is not yours. It is a gift. Steward it well." Whether the decision I made was right or wrong is neither here nor there. The voice and the reminders are all that matter at this point - conviction, not condemnation.

I'm not talking about being a doormat here. I'm talking about knowing what is and isn't mine. I'm talking about using what I have been given to bless. I'm talking about one of the biggest paradigm shifts I have ever had. At the end of the day, this is what I'm starting to take to heart: If I can't let it go, what truly is my "god"? If I hold on to it with a death grip, what does it say to others about the "god" that I serve? If I open my fist, who truly is my God? If I turn it loose, what does it say to others about my God that I serve?

At the end of the day, when all is said and done, I want to have five talents, not one.

Looking Back

2010-11-07T21:20:00.002-06:00

One of the things that I love about the Old Testament is the emphasis God places on remembrances. Events, scriptures, days, God in all of His wisdom sets forth times of remembrances. People hold feasts and celebrations, write scriptures of their doors and heads, and they set up standing stones. These last ones are my favorites. Standing stones that Israel used to retell the stories of God's triumphs and glory. When we look back, we can see so much of God and what He has done.

This blog for me has been post after post of standing stones. Maybe I'm the only one who goes back and reads former posts on my own blog. Maybe it's vain but I don't think so. For four years, I see the roads God has led me down to His glory - Silly little joys that He has allowed me to share, precious moments that are near and dear to my heart, struggles that He has brought me through, and His praises - they are all there.

As I was looking at the side of my blog tonight, I noticed something very different. There have been significantly fewer posts than in years past. So much has happened that He deserves praise for. So much is happening that He will get praise for. However, until it all comes to be, it stays where it belongs - in my heart. Something sweet between me and God.

So thanks for your patience in a remarkably quieter year. Please be encouraged to look at what God has done in the past few years. Look at your standing stone moments. Remember them and praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Permanent Static

2010-10-26T20:19:00.002-05:00

When you live by yourself, there are a few things that you do not feel alone. The most common is to turn on the TV. It is someone's voice that engages you through story. However, if you aren't careful, if can become almost an addiction. It is something that you can use to numb yourself, to check out and not deal, or to just replace responsibility with. It is sly too. It makes you start to accept things that you otherwise wouldn't because it slowly draws you in through entertainment. I can say these because I am speaking from experience. It happened to me.

Two weeks ago, I made a decision - Get rid of cable. I called and cancelled it. I bought an antenna and what do you know but it didn't work. I had every intention to go get a more powerful one after work today so I boxed it up and placed it by my bag last night. But....

This morning I was brushing my teeth, a thought crossed my mind - what if I just didn't have TV? Really. Let's just think about this -

Last week before the antenna was purchased, I got so much done. I'm getting back so much time.
I'm never home to use it.
All of the shows I enjoy (except one) are online. I can watch them anytime I want with minimal to no commercials.
I can't "accidentally" pick up a new show.
My mind is sheltered from so much!
Time is given back to me - for God, for others, for reading, for being domestic.
TV watching is now a social event is which other people are involved.
All of that money is being put to better purposes.
My home is now truly a place to relax fully.

So I took the antenna back today and didn't get a stronger one. My TV is officially set to permanent static! It feels really extreme but freeing at the same time. I don't know how long this will last but for the time being, TV is for DVDs only. So if you need to disconnect for a bit, come on over! There's so much we can do together!

I think I'm about to learn a lot about listening....

My Beautiful Aspens

2010-10-17T17:02:00.004-05:00

Even though it has been two weeks since returning from Colorado, I have thought about it multiple times daily. One of my favorite memories that touches my heart more than any other is that of the aspen trees. Most of the pictures here, I did not take but they are what I saw - what my heart fell in love with.

One of the things I was looking forward to the most about Colorado was seeing the fall colors. We don't have a fall here so I was ecstatic to see what it looks like in other places. As we were driving up, this is what we saw. This is Mt. Yale - across the valley from where we were. Needless to say, we had the same view. The second picture is Mt. Princeton - where the ranch was.

It was breath-taking, to say the least. One thing we talked about was that God uses His creation to show off His beauty. He uses it to woo us to Him and to show His love for us. Who needs a dozen roses when you can get something this beautiful, right? Their long, white trunks were so smooth and soft. And just to prove how wonderful these trees are, just check out their leaves. To me, they look slightly heart-shaped. We saw them on hikes and they littered the grounds where I chose to spend my quiet times. When you are working through things and God is breaking down those areas only He can rebuild, its nice to be surrounded by hearts to remind you of His.

The ones most immediately surrounding us had only just started to change. In fact, we saw one tree change from pure green to almost completely yellow over the four days we were there. It was amazing. However, the green was beautiful too. The leaves are almost transparent. As the sunlight would shine through, every shade of green would twinkle at us. My favorite color is green so you know I was delighted! It almost seemed as stained glass.

What made the leaves twinkle shades of green in the light was the wind. A slight breeze would blow and the leaves would lightly twist and dance in the breeze. The sound was like no other - almost like a stream. They clapped for their Maker. As if their celebration in the air weren't enough, their shadow would dance too. It almost looked like the flutter of butterfly wings on the ground.

In case you can't tell, I grew to love these trees very quickly. I see the Creator in them. He used them in powerful ways to minister to me over those four days. When I think about Heaven, I hope a portion of it will be sitting in a grove of aspens, talking to Jesus. I think He looks forward to it too.

Captivated and Captivating

2010-10-09T22:27:00.003-05:00

Last weekend, I was blessed beyond measure to attend the Captivating Event put on my Ransomed Heart Ministries. I've thought for a week about how to blog about these four days and even now, I am at a loss for adequate words. God blew open the doors of healing, love, and redemption as He never has before. I know it wasn't Him that changed but me. I came ready to work and worship and He met me there. And, just as He told us, He began a good work and is carrying it through to completion. Even though I left a week ago, He continues to work in those areas I need Him most. Even a few moments ago, He reminded me of the sweetness of His freedom. He leaves me speechless. My life and my worship is forever changed.

The weekend was deeply personal - intimate even - and sharing it all here just doesn't feel right. I am holding it close, as a treasure to be fiercely protected. However, I was to encourage you to take a look at the book. I'm happy to share my story so email me or we can visit when I see you next. Until then, here are a few images of the weekend. Each really is worth 1,000 words to this heart:

Looking out across the valley area. You can't see it with my little point and click camera but there were ribbons of yellows and oranges that brought the soul to life.

The six girls I bonded with. They are more loved than they will ever know!

With a beloved aspen tree. I think God made them just for me. Be looking for a future post about the greatness that is God's gift of the aspen tree.

This was taken from a bridge where I sat during one of our quiet times. It's song soothed my spirit.

As a woman who has been ransomed and redeemed, you can be strong and tender. You speak to the world of God's mercy, mystery, beauty, and his desire for intimate relationship. You are inviting; you can risk being vulnerable, offering the weight of your life as well as your need for more because you are safe in God's love. You labor with God to bring forth life - in creativity, in work, in others. Your aching, awakened heart leads you to the feet of Jesus, where you wait on him and wait for him. The eyes of his heart are ever upon you. The King is captivated by your beauty. (Captivating, pg 217)

When I Became A Christian

2010-09-26T19:14:00.003-05:00

My bible class teacher shared this poem in class today. It's a little long but worth the read.

When I Became a Christian, by Adrian Plass

When I became a Christian I said, Lord, now fill me in,
Tell me what I’ll suffer in this world of shame and sin.
He said, Your body may be killed, and left to rot and stink,
Do you still want to follow me? I said, Amen! – I think.
I think Amen, Amen I think, I think I say Amen,
I’m not completely sure, can you just run through that again?
You say my body may be killed and left to rot and stink,
Well, yes, that sounds teriffic, Lord, I say Amen – I think.

But , Lord, there must be other ways to follow you, I said,
I really would prefer to end up dying in my bed.
Well, yes, he said, you could put up with sneers and scorn and spit,
Do you still want to follow me? I said, Amen! – a bit.
A bit Amen, Amen a bit, a bit I say Amen,
I’m not completely sure, can you just run through that again?
You say I could put up with sneers and also scorn and spit,
Well, yes, I’ve made my mind up, and I say Amen! – a bit.

Well I sat back and thought a while, then tried a different ploy,
Now, Lord, I said, the Good Book says that Christians live in joy.
That’s true, he said, you need the joy to bear the pain and sorrow,
So do you still want to follow me? I said, Amen! – tomorrow.
Tomorrow, Lord, I’ll say it then, that’s when I’ll say Amen,
I need to get it clear, can I just run through that again?
You said I will need the joy, to bear the pain and sorrow,
Well, yes, I think I’ve got it straight, I’ll say, Amen – tomorrow.

He said, Look, I’m not asking you to spend an hour with me,
A quick salvation sandwich and a cup of sanctity,
The cost is you, not half of you, but every single bit.
Now tell me, will you follow me? I said, Amen! – I quit.
I’m very sorry, Lord, I said, I’d like to follow you,
But I don’t think religion is a manly thing to do.
He said, Forget religion then, and think about my Son,
And tell me if you’re man enough to do what he has done.

Are you man enough to see the need, and man enough to go,
Man enough to care for those whom no one wants to know,
Man enough to say the thing that people hate to hear,
To battle through Gethsemane in lonliness and fear.
And listen! Are you man enough to stand it at the end,
The moment of betrayal by the kisses of a friend,
Are you man enough to hold your tongue, and man enough to cry,
When the nails break your body – are you man enough to die?
Man enough to take the pain, and wear it like a crown,
Man enough to love the world and turn it upside down,
Are you man enough to follow me, I ask you once again.
I said, Oh Lord, I’m frightened, but I also said Amen.
Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen,
I said, Oh Lord, I’m frightened, but I also said, Amen.

Weekend Between Retreats

2010-09-25T22:42:00.003-05:00

Last weekend, we had our fall class retreat. We went to a ranch house about 5 miles from the trailer that we lived in when I was pre-school aged. Such a good and needed time! We spent the weekend in the book of Lamentations learning about suffering and what to do with it. It was hard but beautiful. God provided an object lesson the week leading up to it so it was timely as well.

Later this week, I am headed to the great state of Colorado for a women's retreat in the mountains. I cannot begin to share the level of anticipation and excitement that is growing within me! The content, the setting, and meeting with my God. I almost feel like I need to pinch myself to make sure it is real!

So as I sit between retreats, I am looking at where I am. I told Erin tonight that I feel like a punching bag right now. Attach after attach, it isn't slowing down. First the object lesson. Now are the constant struggles that ebb and flow with life in general. Right now, they are all coming in at full force. On one hand, it is difficult. On the other, I feel really excited about it. We are not attacked until Satan feels threatened. So I look forward to a second retreat - full of work and full of grace.

Until then, enjoy some pictures from last weekend:

Kim and me relaxing - our traditional retreat picture:

I learned chess on the back patio:

Our homework/quiet times were spent on the river just behind the house (the "splashes" on the water is the rain coming in):

Part of our group from the weekend:

Warrior Princesses

2010-09-11T10:02:00.002-05:00

In a few weeks I am headed to an encampment just outside of Buena Vista, Colorado for the Captivating Event by Randsomed Heart Ministries. Captivating is the book that John and Staci Eldredge wrote about the importance of our female hearts to God. In it, they present that at the very core of who we are, women have three longings: to be romanced, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure, and to unveil our beauty. It is about our relationship with God and how He so perfectly molded our hearts in His perfect way. It is about how we can know God through our perfect design and how we can be known by Him. I can identify with all of these but right now one is screaming at me. And I don't know what it means.

Lately I have had a restlessness growing in me. I've had the desire for something new - an adventure, if you will. I'm not sure why. Honestly, the thought of adding anything new to my already overflowing plate is daunting. But I'm feeling it. The need for something greater. Something bigger. Something that will push me as a person. Something....... I'm feeling that itch of "There's got to be more to life than this." Don't get me wrong, I love my life. I spend my days with six year olds who have already given me more stories to tell in three weeks than I got all of last year combined. I live 30 minutes from my sister/best friend and her family. I have parents that lift me up in prayer and take phone calls about nothing. I worship with a body of believers that are changing my eternal life for the good. I have friends that know what it means to laugh with those who laugh and mourn with those who mourn. I have a roof over my head and every need met. But there has so be something more....

I receive emails daily from Ransomed Heart with excerpts from various books. When I opened my inbox today, it hit me in the gut. This is it:

Women are often portrayed in stories and tales as the "Damsel in Distress." We are the ones for whom men rise up and slay dragons. We are the "weaker sex"; said to faint at the sight of blood, needing to be spared the gory details of battle whether on the field or in the market place. We are the ones waiting in our flowing gowns for the knight to come and carry us away on the back of his white horse. And yes. There are days when a knight in shining armor would be most welcome. We do long to be fought for; loved enough to be courageously protected. But there is a mighty fierceness set in the heart of women by God. It is true to who we are and what we are created to do.

Women are warriors too.

Redeemed women of God have tender, merciful hearts, backbones of steel and hands that have been trained for battle. There is something incredibly fierce in the heart of a woman that is to be contended with, not dismissed, not disdained, but recognized, honored, welcomed and trained.

Stolen Video

2010-09-04T17:19:00.002-05:00

I am stealing this from a friend's blog to share. Kevin Anderson has been battling bowel and liver cancer for the past 11 months. This is the video he made for his wife's birthday. Amazing.....

Rachel's Birthday Video from Kristian Anderson on Vimeo.

Worst First Date Ever

2010-09-02T22:17:00.003-05:00

When single women get together, often the topic of conversation turns to guys. Sad but true. It's only a matter of time. It happened recently. I met up with three other ladies for dinner and it took two hours but there it came. So in order to make it a little different, one of the girls decided we should share our war stories (i.e. worst first date stories). Mine ranked up there but my friend's story took the cake. It didn't happen to her but to a minister she heard speak. It's too good not to share. Enjoy and be thankful it wasn't you!

He was a single minister in small town Wisconsin (I think) and "of course" needed a wife. So the sweet, well intentioned ladies of his flock decided to set him up with a nice girl they knew. He picked her up and went to dinner in a bigger town about 20 minutes away. The food was good but that was about it. No spark. At all. And it was mutual. So they finished their meal and left the restaurant. Apparently while they were eating, a pretty good sized snow hit. They were having to drive slow so the trip was lengthen. His date decided she needed to go to the restroom and could not wait. She asked him to pull over and please not look in the rearview mirror. He found a safe spot, pulled over, and behaved like a gentleman. However, after 10 minutes of waiting, he decided to see what was going on. He opened the door and discreetly made his was to the back bumper. She was SO thankful he got out because.... Instead of "hovering" she decided to balance her toosh on his bumper while she relieved herself. On a snowy night. In Wisconsin. So what happened? Her rear froze to his bumper! So there she sat, bare-bottomed, freezing, and stuck! We all know not to yank when your tongue freezes to something but what about your bum? After some quick brainstorming, they came up with a solution. There was no other choice really. When you stop and think about it, it was the only logical thing..... Melt the ice. Yep. She looked away as he peed on her/the bumper to melt the frozen connection she had made with his car! She dried off, got dressed, and he took her home. Eventually, he married her too. After going through such a thing, I guess you are bonded for life. But really.....

Can you imagine!?

Class of 2022

2010-08-28T08:40:00.002-05:00

Made it through the first week. In some ways, it went great. In others, it was OK. The important part is that everyone survived and the tears were few (4 kids cried this week and I only cried once). I know some people love the first week but I don't. I would like to just get in our routine and get to work. The training and "breaking of the students" is not fun to me at all! I'm a week closer to teaching now! Here are some stats about my class for the 2010-2011 school year:

- 12 boys and 8 girls

- 6 nations are represented in my 20 kids (U.S., Mexico, India, Pakistan, Scotland, and Africa-I know not a nation but I haven't figured it out yet)

- By race, I have 7 White children, 7 Hispanic, 4 African American, and 2 others

Favorite realization of the week:

- According to the getting to know you activities, my class if full of kids that are mathematically minded, artistic, athletic cowboys/girls who love to dance. Yes, they are 6....

Copy Cat

2010-08-21T09:30:00.002-05:00

Earlier this week, Erin blogged her always, sometimes, never list. Now I'll take a turn:

I always:

- write in bulleted lists whenever possible

- want to beat my brother-in-law in whatever game we are playing

- dream

- count steps when using stairs

- love a good hug

- make a new recipe when I invite people over for dinner

- rub my eyebrows to help myself relax

I sometimes:

- wish I had a house

- think to myself out loud (often with great emotion)

- use Starbucks as personal incentive to get to work early

- miss my French Horn

- want to learn to fish or play golf

- consider deleting my blog

- think about chopping all of my hair off again

I never:

- stop reading in the middle of a chapter

- cook with Velveeta (gross!)

- take a sick day unless I'm actually sick

- go to the grocery store when it's raining

- chew gum

- can keep a secret from my sister

- pass up a chance to hang with the Johnsons

Hiking With(out) Dad

2010-08-14T22:21:00.000-05:00

Today I decided to run away for a few hours. I was needing to get out of the city and my mind wandered to Huntsville State Park. I hadn't been to a state park in years. The thought of getting away from anything related to my normal life appealed to me greatly so off I went.

I'll tell you, just the act of driving out of the city limits makes a world of difference. It feels like I'm stretching my legs and letting out a deep breath I'd been holding all at the same time. The park was perfect. There were no signs of people anywhere. I only saw a handful of people on the trail. Exactly what I needed.

As I hiked, I thought about growing up. We went through a few years when going to the state park was a pretty regular thing. Mom would pack a cooler of food and we would head off to any number of parks. We would drive the park, eat, and take off down (or up) a trail. As we got older (and busier) we stopped going as much. However, the last few times I've been, Dad and I would take off together - just the two of us. We would hike and talk more then than probably any other time. It was something I looked forward to.

Today, I thought about Dad a lot. I thought about his little hiking reminders when my toe would catch a root, my fingers would start swelling, or there would be a steeper part of the trail. I thought about what we would talk about - work, church, family, God, something we were reading, or the occasional guy whose name he had started hearing. I thought about how we always stopped at the prettiest place on the trail to just be quiet and enjoy the beauty around us for a few minutes before moving on. I tried to guess where on today's hike that would have been. I found a few spots I thought he might enjoy. I wondered if he had hiked that trail in college. Every time I passed another hiker or a biker and said hello, I could hear his "howdy" in the back of my mind.

It's funny how even though someone is miles and miles away, they can be with you every step of the way. Maybe next time I go, he can come too.

Time

2010-08-09T23:44:00.000-05:00

So its that time of year again - I've already spent quite a bit of time in my classroom. It's almost finished and looks pretty good, if I do say so. Lots of warmly decorated, empty space to hang up learning as we go. My favorite part so far? A bulletin board outside my room with owls/moons (to be labeled with student names) that says "Look Whoo's in First Grade". It's simple but too cute.....

As glad as I am to be getting this done early, I'm already thinking about time. How quickly the summer went. How I'm not quite ready for it to be over. How to readjust to getting up with the alarm. How to balance work with the rest of my life. And on it goes.....

Last school year (and this summer, to a degree), my schedule was packed. My calendar is already filling up for the next two months. Craziness! So this is my personal prayer as this school year starts: That God will show me what activities to hold on to and what to let go of. That He show me where to make room and how to prioritize my activities. Where to spend my time and where to rest. I'm having to let go of some good things to make room for the better things. And sometimes resting is better.

Now if I can only practice what I'm preaching.... :)

A Time for Everything

2010-07-26T15:58:00.000-05:00

The past couple of days, I'm just been hit by the ebbs and flows of life. On Thursday, we got the devastating news of a family who lost their child two days before he was due to be born. Devastating doesn't even feel like an adequate word. So some of us gathered together to pray with them last night. My life group was meeting as well so we excused ourselves after some time. As I was driving away from the house, I was overwhelmed by how surreal everything seemed. Here was a family whose world had just been shaken so strongly. Yet, all around them, everything was going on as if nothing had changed. Errands were being run, gas was being pumped, and dinner was being made. When we got to life group, we visited about everything and nothing - laughing and eating to our heart's content. It almost felt like a completely separate world. Then I went to Erin and Gregg's house to visit. We talked about upcoming plans for the week and weekend. Again, we laughed at how "funny" Erin is and how Gregg just can't keep a secret (with no help from yours truly).

When I was finally driving home, I couldn't help but think about how complex life is. All around us, people are making plans, celebrating great joys, and mourning deeply. I kept looking at my fellow drivers wondering which it was that they were doing. The truth is, you never know what someone is dealing with. I think that so often I have read Ecclesiastes 3 selfishly. I will go through all times in my life and God will make everything beautiful in its time. While there may be truth in that, I think I missed a big point. I missed that these aren't definable seasons with beginnings and ends. They are going on all around us all of the time and we just don't know it. They change moment to moment and person to person, interwoven all around us. You just never know what someone is dealing with.

It humbles me....

Channeling Julie Andrews

2010-07-20T13:39:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I was able to experience one of my favorite things. I LOVE when the sun is shining and it is raining lightly. It's perfect! Rainbows come from days like this and even if they don't, I just love sunny, rainy days. As I enjoyed the sun/rain, I got thinking about other things that I love. Just thought I would make a list. Feel free to add on to it or share your own:

- the smell of fresh cut grass

- a gentle breeze on a warm day

- a sweet little voice saying "It's D!" and singing "Sing Swee' Ni-gale Awwww...."

- the face of a little boy eager to get some solids in his mouth or taking a lunge across the floor

- folding yourself into clean sheets

- holding hands

- the smell of a bookstore

- pretty toes after a fresh pedicure

- coming home to a clean house

- rainbows

- the perfect song that you haven't heard in a while

- laughing until you can't breath

- the sound of a river

- discovering a fantastic new recipe

- a long, safe hug

Houston Project 2010

2010-07-17T10:03:00.000-05:00

Last year I joined the Houston Project for the first time. It was a HUGE learning experience for me and God opened my eyes to so many different things. It was pretty mind blowing. This year, God still did some amazing things but as all annual experiences go, it was different.

Again I worked with the three and four year old group. They are full of such sweetness you want to scoop them up every time you get the chance. Since most of our kids are either Bhutanese, African, or Hispanic, they all have those deep, chocolate brown eyes that you can stare at forever. And their smiles just melt your heart - even if most of their teeth are silver.

Unlike last year, I was not able to go all five days. On the fourth day, I missed it due to prior commitments. It was a blessing because the night before, I was wide awake from 1:45 - 4:00. So what do you do when you can't sleep? Of course, pray. The kids were on my mind so they were the focus of my prayers. I was telling God about how last year was so much about how big He is and how much He can do if we are just obedient to go where He needs us. So I asked Him what this year is about - not just for me but for us all. I kept hearing the word, "joy". The more I prayed and thought about it, the more "joy" made sense: His provision of strength, the joy from the kids and from the volunteers, His joy over the week, it all fit. So when I went back on the last night, I soaked in every last smile, giggle, ah-ha moment, and bead of sweat that ran down our faces for the sake of these people. Yes, it was a joyful week.

I do want to share one story. This sweet little man is Hope. His family is from Africa but his English was almost perfect. He stole my heart pretty quickly. A little ball of energy and full of desire to participate, he made driving 45 minutes to the site each day easy. Thankfully, he took to me too. Sorry I don't have one of his sweet face. It might be better because you would melt if you could see those eyes!

As I said, I was gone on Wednesday so when I got back on Thursday, I went to collect our materials from the apartment. As I opened the door, he walked out. His whole face lit up and he held his arms up to be scooped up (which I did, of course). He touched my face and said, "My teacher's here! Where were you yesterday? I missed you." I told him that I missed him too and was glad to see him. The conversation immediately turned to bubbles, balls, and could he carry our class sign but he would not let me put him down or stop touching my face. I could have stayed in that moment all night.

Thank you, God, for little boys like Hope.

Take a Bow

2010-07-12T09:08:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday, I took my friend Kim to see Wicked. I've seen it before - several times. In fact, this was time number five. Yes, you read that right. However, if you have seen the show, you know that it is the type of show which you want to share with people over and over again. It was a great cast and it just never gets old. Especially when you see it with someone for the first time. All of the laughs and gasps are just fun.

I've mentioned it before but I've really grown to love the standing ovation. Not for me - I would hate the attention. You've seen me selling tickets, helping with costume changes, but never on the stage. Not my thing. I'd rather be backstage! For those on stage, it is one of my favorite times of the night. After months of hard work - acting, singing, choreography, and being on the road - they do their thing in front of a packed house. To say thank you, the audience shows love - lots of it. Clapping, whistles, hoots, and longevity of it all. On Thursday night, it was one of the best I've ever seen. From the time the curtain when down, people around me are literally leaning forward of the edge of their seats to just dying to get up and show some love. When the time came, you couldn't keep them in their chairs.

It isn't my place but when that happens, I can't help but feel a swelling of pride on my chest. Seeing people appreciated and to experience such recognition for their hard work just makes me feel proud of them. Then they get to take their bow. It's great. I can't even imagine how a parent would feel.

Reason number 4 why live shows are so great - the standing ovation!

Oh What a Night...

2010-07-05T10:09:00.000-05:00

You know how some days just exceed your expectations? Yesterday was one of those days. Nothing huge happened but it was just a really good day. Church was amazing but that will be another post later this week. This one is about the less meaningful but fun-filled evening.

Several of my friends took advantage of the long weekend and got out of dodge. The few of us that were still in town broke up into various groups and hung out for the 4th. My friend, Jennifer, opened up her house to about 10 of us. The guys grilled out and the girls made sides. There was lots of eating involved but someone was gracious and didn't subject any of us to the horror that is always mid-bite pictures. After dinner, we played some games (some of us aren't smarter than 5th graders but we do know the physics of catching grapes in our mouths with various changing variables) and cleaned up before heading out to the fireworks.

We all piled in the back of our friends truck and rode to watch the fireworks. You would not guess that it was July last night. PERFECT weather! We all kept saying how we couldn't believe how nice it was. When I got home, I checked the weather - 81 degrees! On July 4th! In Houston, TX! When does that ever happen? Add a light breeze and clear, star-filled skies and you've got our amazing night.

The firework show we went to was a dud but behind us, there were about three HUGE shows going on. We just turned around and watched them from a distance. They were gorgeous. I bet they went on for about an hour and it was non-stop. So instead of one right above us, we watch the horizon explode in color all around us. We enjoyed it and decided to go there next year. We headed back to the house for desserts, silliness, and Catch Phrase. Then it was time to head home. It was a great 4th!

This just shows you the amazing guys I know - They volunteered to do this without anyone asking:

Before leaving for fireworks, the great Catching the Grape in Your Mouth event commenced. We all rode in the back of this truck to the firework show so it became about doing it in a moving vehicle with wind and curves. Childish maybe but definitely entertaining for all. We all played but my pictures are not attractive at all. Use your imagination.

Here we are waiting for the fireworks to begin:

The girls stayed in the truck and laughed at the boys playing frisbee in the very muddy field around us.

Erin's Not the Only One....

2010-06-22T11:30:00.000-05:00

Two years ago, we had the lovely opportunity to experience Hurricane Ike. Seeing as I live alone, I decided (after some convincing on my sister's part) that I would go to her house with she and Gregg. At some point, we decided to go to bed since nothing was going on. We all stayed in Erin and Gregg's room because I'm a scaredy cat - girls in the bed and Gregg in the recliner. In a matter of hours, the storm hit. Gregg and I were up all night. Being the smart individuals that we are, we would either lay there wide awake or stand at the window watching to storm. We traded spots at one point so her could "get some rest". Who do you notice missing from this story? Erin. That is because my sister literally slept through a hurricane. She has received ample teasing on that subject.

Fast forward to last Friday. It was about 7:00 in the morning and my phone chimes that I have a text message. A friend of mine was checking on me because of the apartment fire she saw on the news. I told her it was another apartment (I have four other complexes around me) because I would have heard the fire trucks if they came. As I laid there waking up, I heard the ominous sound of helicopters flying over repeatedly. So I decided to get up and check it out. As soon as I opened the door, the smell of smoke was overwhelming. I stepped outside and just a couple of buildings over, a HUGE fire was raging. Turns out that the office building was engulfed in flames from the inside out. Suffice it to say that about 7 fire trucks were onsite for this one. Big fire! The fire trucks had been sent out before dawn and guess who slept through it all. No cause has been released to us yet so we are waiting to see how it was started. I know where to find video of the fire but it would share my address. Sorry folks.

The moral of the story? I can no longer tease my sister about sleeping through a hurricane.

A couple of pictures of the building. Note to anyone thinking of doing this: Don't take pictures of the crime scene when a security guard is watching. It makes for some very suspicious looks.

So Far This Summer....

2010-06-18T15:32:00.000-05:00

Lately a lot of people have been asking me what I am up to this summer. My evenings are pretty full (Tuesday night is the only free night during the week) but my days are very flexible. I have some fun things coming up but I don't want to ruin the upcoming posts. So in the meantime, here are some things that are filling my days:

There has been a little of this:

A lot of that:

Today I decided to don my new apron:

and make my very first homemade apple pie! This may become the summer of baking/cooking!

Good Day, Sunshine

2010-06-13T14:54:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I joined some girls and we headed to Galveston to celebrate a friend's birthday. This was my first event of the summer and it was such a good time.

First stop was the beach. We got there and had a quick picnic lunch. After PB&Js with some fruit, we lathered up with sunscreen. I was especially careful to make sure this was done properly. Seeing how I am white as can be, I used SPF 70 (yes, 70) on every inch that needed it. Repeatedly. With friends helping to reach my back where my arms could not. And this is after an initial coat before leaving Houston. Once it soaked it, we hit the waves. Well, actually the waves hit us. It was a red flag day so we only went in up to our waists. Often we were in deeper water due to the swelling of the waves. It was a blast. We stayed in for a while jumping on waves, floating with the rises and falls, drifting with the current a bit, and just having a good time together. It was fantastic! We got out, dried off, reapplied the sunscreen, and I wrapped up in a towel so I wouldn't fry. Eventually, we decided to head out so we hit the showers and drove over to The Strand.

Touristy as it may be, The Strand was fun. We were exhausted so walking from shop to shop was a good way to kill time until dinner. First stop was the ice cream parlor/candy shop. So yummy on a hot June day! We walked in and out of every boutique and gift shop on the street. I wasn't planning on buying anything until we went to the last shop called "Christmas on the Strand". Yes, after a day at the beach, I bought two Christmas ornaments. They were too cute to pass up. They are red and are painted like bandanas.

After The Strand, we met up with some other girls we know for dinner. We had the best waiter. He knew how to earn a tip on a table of 11 girls. :) As we were leaving, one of them noticed that I was looking a little pink but we both bushed it off. After all, there were multiple coats of SPF 70 (yes, 70) throughout the day.

When I got home I wanted to go straight to bed but decided to take a shower to get the rest of the beach off of me. That was when I saw it. My cute new ornaments were not the only things red that came back to Houston. Grrrrr...... To top it off, this might rank up there for worst sunburn to date. At one point, I rolled over last night and it woke me up. I didn't make it to church this morning because what you see below is all I can wear. Thankfully my legs are not bad. It's the upper body that is hating me right now. If you look closely, you can see where the straps of my swimsuit were.

The pictures don't do it justice!

Both arms looks like this up to my neck. You can't tell here but my fingers got a bit burned too.

So I've decided not to head to the beach again for a while. It's too bad because it really was a great time! The sun just doesn't have any love for me. For now, I'm just loving me some aloe vera and remaining thankful it is summer so I don't have to go teach tomorrow!

The Boss of my Heart

2010-06-11T13:50:00.001-05:00

The following prayer was posted by Scotty Smith on Monday. It really stuck with me so I thought I would share it with you:

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Dear Lord Jesus, today, like every day, somebody or something is going to gain the upper hand on the attention, affection and allegiance of my heart. My heart will be ruled… that’s an indisputable fact. Some entity will be the “boss of me.” It could be my bitterness, pettiness or cowardice. It could be evil masquerading an angel of light. It could be overbearing or aggravating people. It could be my lust to look like people on magazine covers. It could be my greed to have a little more. It could be religion or my hatred of religion. It could be old regrets or new fantasies.

But, by faith, right now… I choose your peace as the ruler of my heart… as the “boss of me”… as the centering and sending power for this one day. And who knows peace better than you, Jesus? You are the Prince of Peace! On the cross you secured God’s peace with me and my peace with God. The enmity and hostility between us have been obliterated and eradicated. Peace with God is now a legal right of mine… a done deal… a settled issue. How can I not overflow with gratitude, as this day begins… and continues?

Jesus, please make this legal right a personal delight—an actual power mightily at work in my heart today… and in all my relationships. For you are not just calling me, but US to peace. Yours is a much better story than simply a tale of calming down my restless, wandering heart. Yours is a story of reconciling love. You make enemies friends. You humble stubborn people. You soften hard people. You gentle angry people.

Because you have forgiven me, I will choose to forgive others. Because you have forgiven me, I will choose to ask forgiveness from others. Because you are at peace with me, I will do everything within my power to live at peace with others. So very Amen, I pray, in your holy and persistent name.

Year Seven - Done!

2010-06-07T15:22:00.000-05:00

Friday afternoon I checked out with my principal to close out my seventh year of teaching. What a crazy thought! Already seven years. Wow! The last two weeks were insanely busy and I am now on to slower days. I'm not reflecting on it too much since I had plenty of time to contemplate during the craziness that was the end of the year. So in regular Dana fashion, here are some retrospective thoughts about the past ten months:

1. Never get comfortable where you are. This year was the most uncomfortable, stretching position that I have ever been in. It has taught me how to work with difficult people, how to see things from another point of view, and how to advocate like I've never done before. None of those were easy things but as the year went on, it became so. It stretched me as an educator and person. I would LOVE to be back there as soon as I can.

2. God will never ask you to go somewhere He won't walk with you. While it was not the valley of the shadow of death, I had some pretty intense anxiety at the beginning of the year. He not only got me through it, he grew me to relax, trust him, and enjoy it.

3. What doesn't make sense at the time always turns out to have meaning in hindsight. This I knew but needed a good reminder. When I was told I was being moved to "the trailers" (Comp Ed), it felt so out of the blue and didn't make any sense. In hindsight, here is what I see:

- There were lessons I needed to learn personally and spiritually I couldn't learn anywhere but back there.

- I couldn't have stayed with the Johnson's after Bladen was born if I had been in the classroom.

- I couldn't have helped out with the grandparents like I was able to if I had been in the classroom.

4. Sometimes, we all just need someone to believe in us to help us succeed. At a meeting at the beginning on the year, the district level person over my department reminded us that 80% of our job is emotional. I've never seen that to play out as more true as I have this year. Giving love and confidence can make a kid soar as much as imparting information. At the same time, some kids need more than we can give. We just have to love them until we can get them the help they will need.

5. Most importantly, never be anxious about working with people who are different from you. My team was so different than any other I've ever had. There was a co-worker I was most concerned about working with. She ended up being my favorite person on my team. Even better, God used her the most to teach me about his love. Another co-worker and I grew pretty close. She told me on Wednesday that as soon as a spot opens up on her team again, she's getting me back. I told her she better follow up on it! You never know the impact someone is going to make on your life or you on theirs.

What a Weekend

2010-05-23T22:10:00.001-05:00

I am exhausted. I am so looking forward to crawling into bed. However, it will wait a few more minutes. Honestly, if you look at what I did this weekend, you wouldn't think much of it. Yes, I got a lot accomplished but there was down time too. Most of the days were spent alone with my evenings filled with good friends. However, when you get alone with God, he does some pretty heavy duty stuff. He deals with the stuff you are pushing to the side. He knows that laundry needs to be aired and he sure does take care of it. However, he doesn't just leave it at that. Once those spots are cleared out, he puts things on your heart. And this weekend, he sure did that. While I may not understand some of it, he has given me some hard things to sift through and pray over. So that is what I'll be doing for a while.

Getting alone with God - it is the best kind of exhausting there is!

Glory Be

2010-05-15T11:42:00.001-05:00

We all go through seasons of learning in our lives and I wanted to briefly share where I am right now. This theme is being played out in Sunday morning Bible Study, daily recall, and in my reading. I'm not going to spell out the specifics of how it applies to my life as of yet because some of it is still rolling around in my head. I'm sure you will see if unfold as time goes by - at least I hope you will. For now, this is a brief excerpt from John Eldredge's book Waking the Dead. I hope it encourages you:

Back in the beginning of our time on earth, a great glory was bestowed upon us. We all - men and women - were created in the image of God. Fearfully and wonderfully made, fashioned as living icons of the bravest, wisest, most stunning Person who ever lived. Those who have ever seen him fell to their knees without even thinking about it, as you find yourself breathless before the Grand Canyon or the Alps or the sea at dawn. That glory was shared with us; we were, in Chesterton's phrase, "statues of God walking about in a Garden," endowed with a strength and beauty all our own. All that we ever wished we could be, we were - and more. We were fully alive.

I daresay we've heard a bit about original sin, but not nearly enough about original glory, which comes before sin and is deeper to our nature. We were crowned with glory and honor. Why does a woman long to be beautiful? Why does a man hope to be found brave? Because we remember, if only faintly, that we were once more than we are now. The reason you doubt there could be a glory to your life is because that glory has been the object of a long and brutal war.

No Wonder....

2010-05-10T20:31:00.000-05:00

Since I am in the midst of writer's block and it is time to update the blog, you get to read yet another school story. Don't worry, you only have a few more days to have the possibility of reading student stories. :)

I have two third grade girls that I work with for intense math intervention. Last Wednesday, we walked into my room and I noticed that one of them (L) was staring over my head instead of at what was before her on the table. Here is how the conversation went:

L: *deep sigh* I just feel so sorry for them.

Me: For who?

L: (pointing behind me to a nursery rhyme poster) Jack and Jill....

Me: Why?

L: All they wanted was some water. And they got really hurt!

Me: You do know that it is a poem, right?

L: Yes, but I still feel bad for them. Who would you rather be, Jack or Jill?

Me: I don't know, sweetie. What do you think?

L: Jill, definitely Jill. I mean, she just took a tumble. Jack busted his head open. I'd rather scrape my knee than break my skull.

Me: How long have you been thinking about this?

L: All week. That is why I haven't finished the multiplication chart yet.

Me: I see.......

TAKS Observations

2010-04-29T18:27:00.000-05:00

When you have NOTHING to do but watch students take a test (knowing your career and teaching certificate are on the line), you can have some pretty random thoughts. I have two.

1. Can you imagine being OCD and having to take a standardized test? Imagine having to bubble in all of your answers on a scantron. Torture, I'm sure!

2. Pretzels are the WORST snack to give out during the TAKS test. First, the eat them like a squirrel. I had no idea it takes so long to eat one pretzel! There are many ways to prolong it:

- Bite off each curve individually. Then eat the remaining branches one at a time.

- Lick all of the salt off of them and then proceed to the technique above.

- Bite each pretzel into a letter. Examples: A, B, C, D, J, K, M, R, S, V, W,Y Also, they can be bitten into a teardrop.

- Eat all the way around the outside of the pretzel (like a layer) and then go the other way to finish it off.

- See how many nibbles it takes to finish one. Whoever takes the most wins.

All are disgusting and delay the inevitable. My personal opinion - pretzels should be banned from the testing environment. Why not, everything else is!?

Creepiest Dream Ever

2010-04-22T22:23:00.000-05:00

Seriously - I win. This week I had the creepiest dream I have ever had. Some people I have told about it have laughed thinking it funny. Some have shared my my creepy feelings. Yet, others have surprisingly told me they have had a very similar dream. Usually I'm not into dream interpretation but this one has me curious. Here it is:

I'm a part time nanny for a dentist who lives on the first floor and has his practice on the second floor. One day as I'm getting ready to go into work (still a teacher as well as a nanny), my teeth start falling out. So I try to tell someone but every time I talk, the teeth left in my mouth crumble into little pieces. I can't call my assistant principal to tell her I'm not coming in because my teeth are alternately falling out and falling apart. On top of this, the dentist I nanny for won't see me. I don't know why but he won't. So I try to get an appointment and can't.

That is when I woke up. I immediately felt for my teeth. It so wasn't funny. Here it is two nights later and I still remember every vivid detail of the dream. I could feel it all! So creepy!

Too Good Not to Share

2010-04-20T18:14:00.000-05:00

I have a friend that just cracks me up. I had to share what he wrote on his status update because it was oh so funny. In advance, you are welcome.

I wondered this morning as I sat here quietly eating my danish....What do they call a danish in Denmark? In my head I think they just refer to it as "bread". That would be a confusing conversation. "Danish?" "Yes I am, grew up here." "No, do you want a danish?" "No, I have a wife and she's from here too."

Home

2010-04-16T13:22:00.000-05:00

A few months ago, a friend of mine wrote a blog about how she was homesick. She moved to Egypt to teach school on a two year commitment and, at the time, has been there for about six weeks. As I opened her post and read the title, I expected to find lines about friends in Houston, places she missed, and the comforts of America. I should have known better. She has a heart for Cuba and it is her ultimate goal to move there permanently. She wrote that as much as she was enjoying Cairo and does miss Houston, her heart is longing to be where it fits best. While she has never lived there, being there fits.

I find this very interesting. While I see all kinds of spiritual significance to this small post, I'm not going to go there today. I know - you're shocked. Dana's keeping it light. It doesn't happen too often so you can relax and enjoy. :)

I can totally relate to what my friend was saying. Last weekend as I was in Austin, I felt at home. Everything in me relaxed because I was where I love and long to be. I love the abundance of independently owned businesses, the laid back atmosphere, and the lifestyle. I love the accessibility of the hill country while being surrounded by the healthiest city in Texas (tenth in the nation). Right now, that is not the path that has been set before me but one day I hope to find myself in a house in Austin (or somewhere very like it). I love everything about it. So as I thankfully continue with my day in Houston, I long for home.

What about you? Is there a place that feels like another home to you?

Taking a Flying Leap

2010-04-11T20:28:00.001-05:00

Last winter, I was trying to think of something big to do for the big 3-0. I wasn't too sure what to do but it was looking like a trip somewhere. Then one day I got an email from my friend Adrienne. She is Miss Adventure all the way (at least in my eyes she is). She had some photos of her at a trapeze school and I wondered if she would be up for skydiving. However, I felt really awkward asking someone to jump out of a flying airplane so I mentioned doing the trapeze. On me of little faith. Of course, Adrienne mentioned skydiving and the plan was made. So after months of anticipation, we met up this weekend to take the big jump.

It was amazing! I really think everyone should do it once. My instructor was wonderful - over 4,000 jumps under his belt. On the plane ride up, we got attached and he told me what to do and expect. When it was our turn, we walked up to the door and we were off. We did a back flip out of the plane and went into a 120 mph free fall. He tapped me and let me pull the chute. We slowed down and got to really enjoy the view. It was so beautiful! Watching others floating and spinning below me was so fun. He showed me how to steer and spin using the toggles and then let me control our path for a while. At one point I felt like I was floating through the middle of a movie. I heard him say, "I'm going to be the first guy to take you on a walk through a cloud." Next thing I know he is steering us in and around a cloud! It was very cool! He has the perfect line built in if he ever wants to sweep a girl off her feet!! We made a very gentle landing and exchanged a hug. I was over too quickly but it was so worth it!

Adrienne and me

Me before the jump

Me after the jump (obviously enjoyed it)

On the way back to Austin, I told Adrienne this jump felt very freeing. I know that there are a lot of things I have wanted to do but chosen not to because it didn't fit who other people think I am. I think this is one of those things. Most people I know would not pick me to skydive. I'm the dependable, responsible, two feet on the ground type of person. However, I just jumped out of an airplane! And it felt great! I am finally ready to stop limiting what I do base upon what I think others will expect and think. I loved the jump and am now ready for the next thing. The options are endless - a solo trip, zip lining, parasailing, hand gliding, and the list goes on. So keep your eyes open! You never know what I may come up with next.....

Poor Captain Von Trapp

2010-04-04T21:10:00.001-05:00

I've been wanting to watch The Sound of Music lately. It reached the point that I set it out but just haven't set aside three hours to sit down and enjoy it. Tonight, I noticed it was on TV. It has been playing as I have taken care of some things around the apartment. Of course, there are certain scenes that you have to sit down to watch.

As I was working on dishes in the kitchen, the gazebo scene with Captain Von Trapp and Maria came on. I couldn't help but wonder, am I the only one who feels bad for Captain Von Trapp in this scene? I mean, he tells her he loves her and she doesn't say it back. Then, he goes to kiss her a second time and instead of letting him, she starts singing. Am I the only one who feels he gets a little jipped? I don't know any guy who would be prefer a serenade to a kiss. Don't get me wrong, it's a sweet scene but really? Poor guy.

Maybe its because she was a nun.......

The Woes of a Single Woman

2010-04-02T23:15:00.000-05:00

God is good and I am very thankful for the life he has given to me. However, there are a few things that are slightly annoying being single. These aren't things that truly are important but they can really get irritating at times. I've obviously managed fine thus far. So without further ado, here is a list of the top seven things that are better with someone around (couldn't think of three more to make it an even ten):

1. Sometimes zippers on the back of dresses are very hard to close.

2. Jars can be very difficult to open.

3. Cars are beyond my comprehension.

4. Grilling out is a favorite but eludes me completely.

5. There is no one to blame when the apartment gets messy.

6. The act of doing taxes and dealing with insurance companies is an act of trust in God each time it happens.

7. Apparently men shoot straighter than women. Sometimes the clarity and "to the point-ness" of a man is appreciated.

A Year Later

2010-03-28T15:44:00.000-05:00

What a year it has been. A year ago, I decided to visit Houston's First Baptist Church just to check it out. A co-worker recommended a class and it was a perfect fit. After six months of juggling two bodies of believers, I made the decision to worship at First. Making the decision to make this move has been one of the most difficult, beautiful blessings of my life.

In the time being there, I have learned so many lessons so far. I thought I would briefly share the things that I have learned and am continuing to learn. Here is what the Lord can do in a year:

- Learning the love of the Lord for me more deeply

- Learning the love of the Lord for others more deeply

- Learning freedom in both of those loves

- Seeing unity in the body of Christ across denominational lines

- A deep respect and appreciation for a strong foundation in Christ

- The difficulty of trust it takes to let someone follow where the Lord is leading them

- Learning to trust the Lord in all things

- The need for community

- The power of prayer

- The understanding of scripture afresh

Each of these lessons are significant on their own. Together, it changes your life and how you are interact/love others. I can't wait to see how the process of learning these things plays out over the days to come. Today, I am so thankful for what has past and anticipate with eagerness the days to come.