Family Photo

All my plans and purposes

"Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes, and accept Thy will for my life. I give myself, my life, my all utterly to Thee to be Thine forever. Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit. Use me as Thou wilt, send me where Thou wilt, work out Thy whole will in my life at any cost, now and forever." A Prayer by Betty Scott Stam

Lord, help me to pray this prayer, then help me live it.

Remember

Remember Christ, remember Christ crucified.

T&K Criminal Investigators

Our trusty criminal investigators at work, collecting specimens of the bugs that are still rampaging our apartment. It got so bad that I flew to Phoenix and Eryn and Kris and all the dogs are staying with friends this week. That danged exterminator better get out here quick.

Bugs

Okay, so our house is infested. They are little brown bugs that fly around and get in your drink and your food and crawl all over you. They are literally everywhere. I feel like I'm living in Egypt during the plagues.

The exterminator is coming tomorrow. He better or I'm moving out.

Done

now I can focus on work.

Update

3. check (this project was like trying to keep a slippery fish in hand. i'm so glad it's done.)
4. half-baked. will submit tonight by 9:00pm

counting down to the end of the semester, can you tell?

God With Us

Who are we that You would be mindful of us
What do You see that's worth looking our way
We are free in ways that we never should be
Sweet release from the grip of these chains
Like hinges straining from the weight
My heart no longer can keep from singing.

All that is within me cries for You alone
Be glorified Emmanuel God with us
My heart sings a brand new song
The debt is paid
These chains are gone
Emmanuel God with us.

Lord You know our hearts don't deserve Your glory
Still You show a love we cannot afford
Like hinges straining from the weight
My heart no longer can keep from singing.

Such a tiny offering compared to Calvary
Nevertheless we lay it at your feet.

by Mercy Me

Update

item 1 - check.
item 2 - check.
item 3 - next.
item 4 - after item 3.

Almost done....

It's this stage of the semester where I feel really worn out and ready to be done. Here's what's left:

1. one more finance class on monday
2. final exam for b-law due wednesday
3. team assignment for finance due friday
4. quiz 7 for finance next monday

This semester has been the toughest semester yet - not because classes have been hard, but because school has been an afterthought, a nuisance, something I had to do but didn't want to do. It seemed every submitted project was half-baked, first draft, and my effort was the minimum required to get B-level work done. I'll be glad when the semester is done.

Here's to a better and brighter semester next year.

Faces of the Children

I miss the kids!

Stuffed with small things

"If you don’t feel strong desires for the manifestation for the glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because you have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Your soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great" (John Piper, A Hunger for God, p. 23)

Mexico Top Ten

I spent my Thanksgiving in Reynosa Mexico with friends from church. We spent four days in the colonia building houses, doing VBS and women's Bible studies, hosting a BBQ, and playing with the kids. It was an amazing trip. I'm still processing through the trip in my head, so as I complete that processing, here is a short top ten from the trip, not in any particular order:

1. Challenging the guys to serenade us girls on the way down (because of course guys and girls were in separate cars, because of course we must be gender segregated), and having that challenge returned with an amazing poem which they recited in sync via a 3way cell phone call. It was perfect.

2. Buying 15 hot chocolates, 2 coffees, and 3 cappuccinos at the local 711 for the guys building the houses and trying to get them down the very rough road to the colonia without spilling them.

3. The FREEZING cold. We froze. But it was fun.

4. My truck - have I mentioned that I love it? It handled the rough and muddy roads perfectly and provided warm transportation for my fellow travelers.

5. The kids. They were amazing. It was fun to be a jungle gym for four days and be the recipient of their bright smiles and hugs. They are proof that you don't need money to be happy.

6. The new houses. Our team build three houses in four days and it was so cool to watch them go up. I even got to pound a few nails myself, which was surprisingly satisfying. May these new homes be places of refuge and community for their new owners.

7. Jumping on the trampoline for 1.5 hours with Lauren and Jeremy. It was a fabulous way to get warm! Only at the end did we find out that we were jumping illegally, as only one person was allowed on the trampoline at a time. The motto is: act first, ask permission later.

8. The fabulous taco breakfast after the prayer walk on the last morning.

9. The prayer walk. I think we were all a little awkward about it at first, but as we progressed, it was a good way to talk to God about the weekend, what we had experienced, what was on our hearts, and what we were struggling with. We walked around the colonia in small groups and prayed outloud as things came to mind. Prayer is a wonderful thing.

10. The fresh and cool breeze on the way home. We girls enjoyed a beautiful sunset on the way home and decided to open the windows to enjoy it even more. The sunset was accompanied by a big bright moon. It was perfect (this word "perfect" was the theme word for the trip).

And finally, here are my photos from the trip.

Light

After night comes day.
Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

from the movie Amazing Grace and Romans 12:9

Encourage one another with these words

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

I Thessalonians 4: 16-18

Friends

Is any pleasure on earth as great as a circle of Christian friends by a good fire? C.S. Lewis

Frogs, stocks, and a quiz

So I was studying down at Mozart's last night for my finance quiz upcoming. It was a gorgeous evening and I had a table near the water. The frogs were croaking softly while the water lapped gently against the deck.

I was deeply engrossed in calculating the cost of equity for Bootstrap Bill's company, when I started hearing: "if you invest in my t-shirts, our stock will go up this much (arm's waving widely) and I can retire early." All this was said with much animation and a really loud voice (and lots of cigarette smoke).

I guess I found the contrast between peaceful nature and man's attempt at money making a bit humorous. And being that I was studying finance, my ears perked up to that conversation a bit more quickly than normal.

The conversation continued, as well as the smoking, and I came to a stopping point in the quiz so I headed home.

What if

we really prayed like this for our friends?

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as the walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1: 9-14

Psalm 103

verses 11- 19

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
But the steadfast love of the LORD is from
everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children's children,
to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.

Twins

My sister and I dressed like identical twins for the halloween party we went to. It was super fun! We even had our twin scotties with us, as you can see from the photo. It's great to be a twin.

Won't Back Down

I am on solid ground. When all is lost, all is left to gain. You ran off the darkest night. You gave me second life. And kept me in this fight.... some of my favorite words from Mat Kearney. Here's the rest of the song:

You woke the morning up
Running off the darkest night
The longest light I've seen

Here goes a chance I know
Cashing in on all my chips
Let all my ships come fly

These days, a little bit longer than the last
And all of your ways, a little bit stronger than the past
And your light, found my bottle in the night
Kept me in this fight, gave me second life

And I won't back down
I won't turn around and around
And I won't back down
Doesn't matter what comes crashing down
I'm still gonna stand my solid ground

You found me once and for all
I laid it down in the sinking ground
The hopeless undertow

Singing out the gentle sound
Rattling through my smoking screens
My broken dreams last night

Hallelujah ripped through my veins
I heard the hammer drop
My blood in the rain
Hallelujah came like a train
When all is lost
All is left to gain

Hallelujah

I have felt God's hand and His comfort. He is good, our Shepherd who restores our souls.

More Northeast Adventures

I'm back from my trip to the northeast. This picture was taken on a hike we did on Saturday, up Mount Tom near Woodstock, VT. It was a 4.5 mile hike and absolutely beautiful. I went a little picture happy and came back with 250+ photos.

It was a great trip, not only because of the beautiful scenery I got to capture on camera, but also because it was a reunion with old friends. These friends know me well. It was good to catch up with them and have long talks over Pumpkin Spice coffee with the kids clamoring in the background.

The rest of my trip consisted of:

• Taking 400+ photos of kids and colors
• Going on the hike up Mt. Tom
• Touring the VT countryside with Barbara and seeing a bunch of covered bridges
• Playing Chinese checkers and losing badly
• Hearing a sermon on the importance and philosophy of praise music in church
• Long talks late into the night every night
• A discussion on world events and politics with Chris (and our mutual conclusion that the news makes us depressed)
• Soaking up the crisp fall air and wishing I could take some of it back to TX with me

This was my 7th trip back to VT and NH. I hope it will be the 7th of many more trips to come!

Northeast Adventures

I'm visiting good friends up in NH and VT this week. My time here has consisted of the following:

• Waking up to four adorable blond kids begging me to get out of bed
• Taking pictures of the four adorable blond kids
• Climbing apple trees while on a conference call for work
• Drinking tea and pumpkin spice coffee to stay warm
• Staying up late talking with Bethany and Chris
• Catching up with Barb on the way back from the airport
• Soaking in the crisp fall air
• Playing hide and seek last night before bedtime
• Reading books to the kids to try to settle them down (sorry Bethany)
• An early morning pillow fight this morning

More adventures to come, I'm sure... will keep you all posted

First Annual Fummer Festival

I had a super weekend camping with friends at Guadalupe State Park.

I started the trip worn out from my week and badly needing a break from my laptop, cell phone, and homework. I ended the trip remembering that God is big - much bigger than anything I'm worried or concerned about.

Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Psalm 148:3-4

For more fun, see our top 10 on Tiff's blog. I'm eternally grateful for Marianne and Jeremy rescue efforts on my behalf. And I plead the 5th on any incriminations in Tiff's recount of the weekend.

I Love Pumpkin Bread

In my sister's spare time, she makes delicious things for George and me to eat. The latest is her pumpkin bread, using an old recipe from our mom. It's perfect for fall and is a great late-afternoon snack.

Eryn has consistently made baked goodies every week this summer - things like her famous chocolate chip cookies, banana bread, german chocolate cake, fresh bread, and ginger-bread cookies. I've become very spoiled.

And now that the weather is turning, I need to get back to running every day.

The Tractor Supply Store

Today after our girls' lunch after church, four of us went out to the Tractor Supply store so I could do some necessary shopping for the horse. You all think we went to check out cowboys, but you are wrong.

We had a fun time gabbing on the way out there and all the way back, trying on cowgirl shirts, (I got my horse-shopping fix), gawking at the endless variety of law mowers, noting the smell of sweat feed wafting from the store, and admiring the miniatures of tractors, meercats, foals, and other random objects.

Back in the land of the living

I've been sick all week.

It's ironic that this post follows the "Offerings" post. Being sick and confronted with bodily frailty reminds me with how very little I have to offer God on my own.

"The only thing that I can give You
Is the life You gave to me."

It is only what He gives that we can give back to Him.

Offering by Third Day

Magnificent Holy Father
I stand in awe of all I see
Of all the things You have created
But still You choose to think of me

Who am I that You should suffer
Your very life to set me free
The only thing that I can give You
Is the life You gave to me

This is my offering, dear Lord
This is my offering to You, God
And I will give You my life
For it's all I have to give
Because You gave Your life for me

I stand before You at this altar
So many have given You more
I may not have much I can offer
Yet what I have is truly Yours

This is my offering

A Good Birthday

So my birthday was last weekend and it was a fun-packed event. Here are the highlights:

• the Mat Kearney concert
• my new ipod
• Mom comin' into town
• Amanda comin' into town
• Elizabeth comin' into town
• a great sermon at church
• a hike down to the greenbelt
• lunch with friends at Trudy's
• volleyball
• picnic after volleyball
• Kelly's hypothetical cupcakes

Be Serious

Here are some photos of Mr. Darcy doing one of his tricks. He takes his job very seriously.

Recent photos of Fancy

Attitude

It takes very little energy to be negative.
It takes some energy to be positive.
It takes a lot of energy to combat negativity.

I like Mat Kearney

A lot. His tone is refreshing and his lyrics have meaning. Here's one of my favorite songs:

Girl America:

My girl america is just a youth is this world
her smile is more precious than the sparkle of pearls
and though her age reads she’s just a young girl
the age behind her eyes show the pain that she’s swirled
through the hand that’s been dealt though it’s quiet as kept
the weight was all felt last night when she slept
and as she crept into the dreams of the things of her past
seems to have grown so fast, way beyond her own class
though they're right there with her, her brothers and her sisters
a natural born leader even when her peers dis her
my girl, she’s at a crossroads, people praying for her
some are preying on her magazine ads, sex, drama
smoking marijuana, longing for a father to call her, ‘daughter’
she’s part of a generation longing for reconciliation
and this future that they're facing and this poison that they're tasting
my girl, i know this love that your chasing

my girl america’s crying when she’s lying on her bed at night
i can see that she’s screaming when she’s dreaming for her freedom
my girl america’s dying while she’s trying just to stop this fight
don't stop believing, my girl america

boys with hungry eyes have been beating her door
telling her that’s what she’s for, trying to rob at her core
then leave calling her a whore, but still she knows there’s more
i know she knows there’s more because there is a voice she can't ignore
‘cause it was founded in the foundations, from the day of her creation
in God we trust engraved on the treasures of her nation
and the void that the boys can’t fill
with the tipping of the bottle or the popping of the pill
but still most of her friends don't care as they glare
ready to drown down the funnel as they frown down the tunnel
they stumble and the tumble breaking down into rubble
my girl america, stop can't you see
it’s not the circumstances that determine who you're gonna be
but how you deal with these problems and pains that come your way
it’s for you that i pray with hope for a brighter day
and so i say, your deliverance is coming

faith like a child from your first birth
you left it in the dirt on your worst hurt
and i see each tear and every scar
the hands that have held you where you are
and i can see we've strayed so far
a king born under that morning star
as a crown of thorns was placed to erase
each tear that’s touched your face
and his palms and sides where pierced with spears
he hung in love just to draw you near
my girl, out of this whole world
can’t you see this is where we started

Done

with this semester of school. I'm tired. Woke up this morning feeling like I got run over by a mac truck. Looking forward to a change in pace over the next couple of weeks.

Work

A wise friend told me this: "Work with order and intensity."

I like it and want to apply it to all that I do.

Princess Valiant!