Blessings from disappointment

Today was a huge disappointment for a lot of people when OU was ranked above Texas in the BCS. When I first found out I was really bummed...but no matter what happens there is a bright side. I was in Austin off and on this past week. I also read several articles about Jordan Shipley, Colt McCoy and even Tech's Graham Harrell. They are all strong christan men who have their faith as a priority. Colt and Jordan both attend Westover Hills Church of Christ where I grew up. I even caught a glimpse of Colt at church today. Jordan recently went and talked to the Westover Youth Group.

Anyway, the point of all this is that while I was wallowing in self-pity because my team didn't get the bid to go to the Big 12 Chamionship, I realized that this disappointment could be a great opportunity. If Colt and Jordan (as well as other UT players) are the type of men that they have the reputation of being then I believe that they will handle this situation by relying on their faith and still finding joy in Christ. What I have prayed for is that the other players will see how they respond and that seed will be planted in their hearts.

Don't get me wrong, I really really really hope there is still a chance for the Longhorns to go to the Championship. - I did read an article that says that have a slim shot if Missouri beats OU http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/01/sports/ncaafootball/01side.html?_r=1 - But even if they don't even play in a big bowl game, its ok. God is bigger than football. I feel kind of stupid writting about this because in the grand scheme of things this is just one college football season. But even if it seems silly, God can use this situation to further His kingdom and I'm sure that he can use 2 Longhorn football players who Him.


I really just like this picture....

Vacation Part 1

Over the summer I got a free plane ticket and have been planning for months what to use it on. I decided that I wanted to go to Austin for a few days and also spend some time with some friends from college.

Last Friday I flew to DFW and was able to spend 2 great days hanging out with JB Shilcutt and Kasey McCollum (we forgot to take a picture!). We had such a great time together. These girls were my two very best girl friends in college and I have missed them!

After that I stayed with Josh's parents and went to Pleasant Ridge on Sunday morning (my birthday) then I drove to Austin. Josh's mom was kind enough to let me take her car. I stayed with my Aunt and had a really nice visit with her.

Monday I had breakfast then set out to get reaquainted with the city I spent the majority of my childhood in. I lived a lot of different places but I onsider Austin home. I haven't really lived there since I left in 2000 to go to college. Austin has changed a lot since then - they now have toll roads and huge highways out near where I lived - that used to be all country.

I was able to get around with out getting completely lost. When I was growing up there was a road that my family drove on the way to church on Sundays. When we moved to Austin the first time (I was about 8) we named this road "The Dip Road" due to the multiple fun dips that we would try to get my parents to speed up for. The dip road (it's real name is Old Spicewood Springs Rd) is one of my favorite roads in the whole world to drive on.


Monday afternoon I went up to Westover Hills Church of Christ (where we went when I lived there) and had a great time hanging out with Rick McCall - my old youth minister. He's now in a different ministery role at Westover but I will always thin of him as my youth minister. It felt so good just to be able to sit and talk with him - there is something very comforting and familiar about it.

After that I started driving towards down town and the UT campus. I didn't get to go everywhere that I wanted and missed not going to some of my favorite stores and things but I ran out of time. I walked around the UT co-op and campus - the Hex rally before the A&M game was that night so there was a lot going on.

I took this picture of the Capitol and then played with it a little on the computer...



Monday night I went to dinner with a group of old friends. More about that next time!

Government Spending

This will be short since most of you will have no idea what I am talking about but...I went to a meeting today with Denver County and some of the CPA (Child Placement Agencies). One of the directors of Child Protective Services with Denver County was talking to us about all of the data they have right now. There are so many kids that need homes - either adoptive or foster and the county/state/country etc doesn't have the money. There isn't enough money to pay for foster parent training, quality care for kids or even money to finalize adoptions in court. It is so sad to me that the country is bailing out automobile companies and not the child welfare system. There are kids sitting in shelters or residential treatment centers because there isn't anywhere else for them to go. I know I see more of the impact of all of this because I work in the system everyday, but it should be something that everyone cares about. With the economy in the state it is in, more and more families are deep into poverty which more and more kids are coming into the system with less and less money to provide quality care for them. Denver told us today that they have hiring freezes and several, what I would consider, necessary positions. That means the workers and staff they do have are overworked and kids fall through the cracks. It's all a huge mess and these children are the ones who are suffering.

I'll get off my soapbox for today. Thanks for listening.

27

There were actually a lot of ideas I thought of for things to write about today. One is about my crazy hectic day so far but I thought I would wait to see what else is going to happen.

Since my birthday is Sunday I thought I would write about that. I didn't want to write something cheesy (no promises though) so my idea was that since I am turning 27 I would write 27 cool things that I have done and 27 more cool things I want to do.

Things I have accomplished (good or bad) in 27 years:
1. Made it past 17 without my mom killing me - that is a huge accomplishment.
2. Flown a Cessna Airplane.
3. Met someone famous - George Brett
4. Gotten to the point where my siblings and I are friends.
5. Grown to be over 5 foot - my family wasn't sure it would happen.
6. Gotten my wisdom teeth out in Mexico
7. Fed baby lion cubs
8. Learned to take a shower in under 8 minutes.
9. Wrecked a few cars.
10. Went to prom and actually danced.
11. Had several spinal taps (I don't recommend it)
12. Got a tattoo.
13. Moved to another state where I didn't know anyone except my husband.
14. Been snorkeling
15. Preached - or at least taught a lesson
16. Ridden in an Ultra-Lite plane
17. Graduated from college
18. Learned to be at least a decent cook, some things are actually pretty darn good
19. Married a wonderful man!
20. Thrown a surprise party for someone
21. Rock climbed
22. Held a steady job that I am good at
23. Been to several countries on mission trips
24. Broken a bone
25. Climbed mountains
26. Sold cards a made for an actual profit
27. Not killed myself doing something stupid (but fun)


Things I still want to do in the next 27 years:
1. Get a Master's Degree
2. Live overseas
3. Go on a several day long backpacking/hiking trip
4. Write a book
5. Scuba dive
6. Go in a hit air balloon
7. Become at least somewhat fluent in another language
8. Be able to earn extra money selling craft projects
9. Learn to spell the words appriciate and definitly - see I can't do it
10. Stop worrying about how I look
11. Have a baby.
12. Have another baby.
13. Maybe even have another baby.
14. Go to Italy
15. Learn to do a shoulder stand and crow in yoga
16. Get rid of my asthma
17. Be able to run at least a 5k
18. Adopt
19. Have neater handwriting
20. Teach a class at NCYM for youth minister's wives who also have a life
21. Go to Yellowstone
22. Get my husband to buy my sparkly jewelry
23. Sky dive
24. Stop getting in trouble for being too blunt at times
25. Buy a house
26. Surprise my husband
27. Memorize the Book of James (so far I have chapters 1 and 2 done)

Global Warming

This is the first year that Josh and I have been in Colorado that it is not freezing cold and snowy by now. We got some snow at the end of last week but it is all melted by now. Today the high is 67. Tomorrow the high is 75 - near a record! Normal I love warm weather and am sick of the cold but this is getting a little strange. I am having a hard time getting excited about the holidays because it's warm outside. I have been looking forward to making things like beef stew, chicken noodle soup etc but it's weird to do that when it's warm enough that I can wear a t-shirt on a walk. I used to think it was cool to wear shorts on Christmas but after living in Denver for 4 1/2 years I have gotten used to the cold, blizzards and snow.

Maybe this is global warming, maybe it's just a weird year. Either way - every should try to conserve energy so that Denver won't get as hot as Texas!

Zumba

Last night I took a Zumba class for the first time and it was AWESOME! There was a 30 minute class before my yoga workout so I decided to go. It combined a warm up, toning and cardio all in the form of latino dances. The instructor told us not to worry about if the steps were right and just to have fun. Zumba combines Latin rhythms with cardio exercise to create an aerobic routine that is fun and easy to follow. The name Zumba is derived from a Colombian word meaning to move fast and have fun. Zumba uses a variety of styles in its routines, including cumbia, merengue, salsa, reggaeton, hip-hop, pop, mambo, rumba, flamenco, and calypso and Salsaton. Music selections include both fast and slow rhythms to help tone and sculpt the body. We had a blast - like being in a club except in nasty workout clothes. If you get a chance to try it you definitely should. 24 hour fitness has regular classes - just FYI. It's fun but hard work - my butt and legs are hurting today!

Retreat

We had a great time in Estes Park on the youth group retreat. The theme was Desperate and while it was great, I think the concept was a hard for the kids to grasp. We talked about how God was desperate for us and a relationship once Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden of Eden but that with Jesus' sacrifice his despair was removed. He has done his part so now we respond by being desperate to be in relationship with him. One of the examples that Josh used through out the weekend was having an asthma attack. When someone (he used the example of me) is having an asthma attack they are desperate for air, nothing else matters but being able to take a deep breath. One of the things he had a few of the kids do is to do 10 jumping jacks and then try to breath through a straw with their noses plugged. It's pretty similar to asthma - try it sometime just for the experience. That's a super short recap.

Besides all of the lessons we had a ton of fun playing various games and activities. The weekend was a blessing for everyone involved. I know that God was working through the lessons and small groups. Another interesting thing was that by Saturday morning I had completely lost my voice and was feeling pretty sick. I mean, I could (still can) barely whisper. I hated not being able to sing during the worship times but my lack of voice definitely added humor to the weekend. Enjoy some of the pictures....


Hanging out


some of the girls after dinner


One of the small group times


Evan with the Expectation Goblins - they will get you if you don't follow the rules/expectations.


The whole group

UYG Retreat

Each year one of the highlights is the UYG (University Youth Group) retreat. Since it is a small-medium sized group Josh plans the retreat as High School and Middle School together. It is a great time of fellowship, learning, play, prayer, and lots of laughing. Josh always works really hard on these retreats.

This weekend is the 2008 retreat and the theme is Desperate. I'm excited to see if, and how the kids will latch on to the idea of Desperate - that God is desperate for us, that we should be desperate for Him etc.

One of the fun traditions that we do is the clothespin game. I introduced Josh to this game after we played it during a team planning day at work a few years ago. Everyone writes their name on 3 clothespins. Then throughout the whole weekend everyone tries to clip clothespins on other people without them knowing it. If they catch you, you have to take the pin back. It's funny when people are wearing hoodies or baggy shirts and pants because in a matter of minutes their backs can be covered with pins. At the end of the weekend we use the pins to guide a time of encouragement.

Here are some pictures from last years retreat....




I'm so excited to see what fun adventures this year holds. I will be praying that God will speak to our hearts, open our eyes and stir our souls. May Satan and all of his distractions and temptations be kept far away this weekend. Lord, teach us what it is to be truly desperate for you.

The power of smell

I have always thought it is interesting how smells can make us recall memories even more than other senses. As I was thinking about that I wanted to try and write down some of the smells that I relate to memories.

Homemade bread and Pecan Pie - My Mamma, my dad's mom, was an excellent cook. We spent almost every Thanksgiving at her house in Brownfield, TX - a tiny west Texas town where my dad grew up. I loved being at her house becuase when I was younger (an she was younger) she made homemade bread every morning. SHe past away a year and a half ago and those smells will always remind me of her.

Prell shampoo - This was I guess one of the shampoo's we used when I was little. I distinctly remember getting it in my eyes. It hurt a lot - I think it hurts way more than any other shampoo.

Bath and Body Works Moonlight Path - I think a lot of you will be able to guess what I am going to say it reminds me of...Melanie Knox. I know her married name is Melanie Larson, but this reminds me of Melanie in college when she was still a Knox. Even if she doesn't use this as religiously as she used to, this scent will always remind me of her.

Evergreen trees - One of my favorite Christmas traditions my family had was that every year we would go to a Christmas tree farm and cut down our own tree. My siblings and I would run all over the property, find trees we like, then try to remember which tree it was to show everyone else. It almost always came down to everyone voing between two trees and all of us wanting to be the one that found "the" tree. Any live tree smells good, but ours always seemed even more fragrant because it was fresh. I love it. I keep trying to tell Josh that this is a tradition we will start.

My perfume - 8 by Abercrombie - When Josh and I were dating I mentioned that I was needing a new perfume. One weekend I was in Arlington for something (my siblings were there for some reason too). It wasn't a special anniversary or anything but Josh surprised me with a bottle of this perfume. He picked it out on his own because he liked it. Josh would spray it on his blanket or on a little beanie baby moose I got him in Alaska before I left to go back to Abilene (I know, it's cheesy). The bottle is almost gone and I am needing to find another special smell since they don't make this one anymore.

Campfires - There are a lot of things that remind me of my mom, but campfires of one of the big ones. My mom loves to burn a fire in the winter - she can hardly wait until it gets below 60 so she can have a fire. Whenever we were camping when I was a kid, my mom was the one who would always build the fire. I think I get that skill from her.

There are a lot more smells that evoke memories but I have a sore throat and need to go to bed. I would love it if you would share some of your smells that remind you of things.

Election Day!!

Today is November 4th - election day. I voted this morning and I hope you did too. BUT, I really don't care who you voted for. I don't think because you are a Christian you have to vote one way or another. What I do care about is how we as Christians handle today and the days to follow.

In the high school class at church Sunday the lesson was about community. Josh talked and let the kids talk about the election and who they thought should be President, then he asked if Jesus would be a good President. Basically it came down to thinking that Jesus would not want to be the President. At the end of class I think I kind of spoiled Josh's closing point, but my comment was that it doesn't matter who wins today. God can work through anyone and any situation. I don't think that the country will be in ruins if specific individuals win the election. I don't think God is affiliated with a certain political party anyway, even though it seems that as Christians we assume that He is, or that we should be. GOD IS MUCH BIGGER THAN POLITICS! I do believe that our job as Christians is to pray and to pray a lot. We should pray for whoever is elected into a position of authority. We should put aside our individual ideas about who should win or lose display love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. What a tragedy it would be if Christians had the reputation of being bitter if our candidate doesn't "win" and we hold a grudge instead of coming together as a community.

So today, I encourage you to exercise your right to vote. But I also encourage you to not berate, belittle or begrudge anyone who does not agree with your political views. Even more so, I encourage you to be display the characteristics of Christ as we deal with this election. Be prayerful, loving and forgiving to all and be mindful of who we represent.

A Time of Mourning

On Saturday night something tragic happened - the #1 Texas Longhorns lost to Texas Tech. The first half was miserable and the Horns didn't play well at all. Then during the second half they were able to rally and scored to get the lead with 1:29 left in the game. Unfortunately that was enough time for the Raiders to score again and win. Heartbreaking to say the least. But, it's ok, it's not over.

To Colt McCoy and the rest of the team: Don't give up yet. I still like you and will still root for you.