tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8218936029754443722024-03-05T13:23:09.358-05:00Travels of a Lost TexanThese are just random stories as I tell them to my friends... no political talk or deep thoughts just pure fun to make you feel like I am back in the room telling you a fuuny story!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-6959096124012611762011-10-12T09:57:00.003-05:002011-10-12T10:27:43.841-05:00Clay's for Cara<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWMupMJIBXqhMv_5ZuwNAM5vlg8FndvAPoy69Na6BdipdRJynWPvIoygIC7Kk2Kuk8-j9qZFnrpzdawrfU4Wd53FRTlGoogZo-B8HNbdm6xHAFuWAB0Lnyv5_z7Mq796fC-0a0RCTV2yd/s1600/CaraChristmas.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662620133814135954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWMupMJIBXqhMv_5ZuwNAM5vlg8FndvAPoy69Na6BdipdRJynWPvIoygIC7Kk2Kuk8-j9qZFnrpzdawrfU4Wd53FRTlGoogZo-B8HNbdm6xHAFuWAB0Lnyv5_z7Mq796fC-0a0RCTV2yd/s320/CaraChristmas.jpg" /></a><br />Almost two years ago now, I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">received</span> one of those dreaded hone calls you never want. I was actually in the dressing room at J. Crew when the phone rang and thus did not answer. When my friend called back immediately I had that feeling you need to answer. When I picked up I could sense the downcast spirit on Leah already as she began to explain to me the current situation of our mutual friend from college.<br /><br />I met Cara through the Christian sorority we were a part of. We were close through college and she was always someone I knew I had in my corner no matter what. Many of our friends at the time were your typical college gals, crazy, funny, loud, obnoxious and always trying to be in the spotlight. Okay, I may or may not be just talking about myself here but this is one of the reasons I was so drawn to Cara. She was one of those people that when you meet you instantly feel like you have known her your entire life. She was calm, a servant, always willing to let others shine and do what she could to help them do so. She laughed at all my jokes even the ones that were not funny. I tried so hard in college to be what I thought everyone wanted me to be but Cara was one of those friends I always felt at ease to drop my guard around. At 31 I now realize she saw right through my act and toughness and didn't care, her love was unconditional. We spent a good amount of time together as our close knit groups often would hang out and do things together, but part of me always wished I had invested more into that friendship. My soul knew I needed it.<br /><br />In 2003 we both had new <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">beginnings</span>. Mine was starting a new life in Washington, D.C. at my first real job. Cara's was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">beginning</span> a battle with a brain tumor. I remember sitting at my desk when I found out. Shocked. Prayer and seeking prayer through my email network was my first destination for this helplessness I felt so many miles away. I thought of all people to battle this. After much time had passed the Lord healed her and Cara was finally able to walk into the next stage of her life He had called her to as a wife and then a future mother. Both of our lives took many turns before we were able to finally reunite. Through the wonderful world of social media I was able to "keep up" with her and watch all the Lord was doing.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Now</span> back to the dressing room at J. Crew, there I was when the phone rang and Leah began to explain to me the new battle Cara was facing. She told me how Cara had been having headaches all through her pregnancy with Kate. She continued on with the pregnancy and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">delivered</span> a happy and healthy little gal 9 months later but the headaches didn't go away. Soon after that she went in for the tests where they discovered a stage 4 brain tumor. Then the call...<br /><br />I remember being a bit numb, feeling guilty. I had let so much time pass with a friend I truly treasured. I also was in a bit of denial that this would not end badly. I was certain her life had so much to offer, two little gals (Hailey and Kate) and a husband who adored her.<br /><br />It was now 2010, new clothes from J.Crew seem irrelevant and the best cancer <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">health care</span> in the world suddenly seems relevant. I actually lived in Houston by now, which houses M.D. Anderson Cancer Center where Cara came to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">receive</span> treatment. I contacted Cara and Justin to make any resource I had or didn't have available to them. My fix it mentality went into over drive and I wanted to "do my part" spin and toil "to help". In hindsight, toiling is not what Cara wanted. Much like in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">college</span> she saw through what I was doing and yes she accepted and allowed me to "help" where I could but for the most part Cara just kept reminding me just being there was all she needed. So I hung out in the hospital with her one night, had dinner a few others, got a little time in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Boerne</span> at her house. She offered to cook me dinner that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">night</span> but for some reason I thought I was too busy to stay. I have thought of that moment many times and at her funeral realizing there would not be another night for dinner I wish I would have stayed a little longer.<br /><br />We can spin and toil and do all we want to try to show those we care for that we do, but what people really want and what helps the most is you. Just You. Nothing more, nothing less. Just show up and love.<br /><br />It has been a hard lesson for me to learn, and was something the Lord has been and is taking me me through in many different ways. But it is one of the biggest lessons the Lord put flesh on for me through Cara (especially through the last year of her life) is to just love. The last time I saw her before she left Houston to head back to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Boerne</span> I told her I was going to try to move some things around and see her one last time... She just <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hugged</span> me and whispered very faintly in my ear "It's okay. I love you."<br /><br />I can barely type that without crying but it is who Cara was. You knew she loved you. I never questioned that our entire friendship. She never made any grand gesture or anything crazy. She gave us her. She gave us her <strong>whole</strong> self. Nothing more, nothing less. When you spent time with her she was completely present and available. She was real and genuine through and through.<br /><br />Few people have affected my life the way Cara has, and because it is so fresh on my mind I would tell you no one has. Her steadfastness and true faith in the Lord never wavered. Se trusted her God until the very end. I keep a picture of Cara in my bible tucked away at the page which holds the verse; "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7) I don't believe I have known anyone who embodied that more.<br /><br />Cara's spirit of life love and faith were contagious and live on in her family. Who would like for more people to know her and thus her family and friends are in the process of setting up and endowment at M.D. Anderson in Cara's name. It's a huge cost $20,000 but I believe the Lord can do it. There is actually a skeet shooting <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">tournament</span> later this <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">month</span> that will take place to help raise funds. <a href="http://www.claysforcara.com/">Clay's for Cara </a><br /><br />I am planning to take part in it and I pray some of you in the Texas area would as well. If you are interested let me know and we can make our own team! You can also just come out for dinner. Just do as the Lord leads you in this and follow through.<br /><br />But if you learn anything from Cara please learn to love those around you. Be real and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">vulnerable</span>. Do not try to be someone you aren't because you think that is what is expected from you.<br /><br />Just love.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-41193950742622985642011-09-28T21:07:00.008-05:002011-09-28T21:30:08.394-05:00Waco LoftSo I have been meaning to post pics of the new place for a long time! If I haven't said it before the Lord has BLESSED me in Waco! I have my dream ideal apartment and I love coming home every night, which makes the fact that I have not been on a plane since May a lot more tolerable... So here are some pics of the loft! Still have a bit to do but I cleaned it up because I am hosting some friends I've met here in Waco for a dinner party! This will be the first group of friends I will have over for dinner! Very excited! Two things I wanted to do more of in Waco one was read and two was cook... I have successfully tackled cooking now more reading is progressing but...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkB4nfrw8sVdYPh99V9oImBtBkPMexcPVw9hPj2cr25ZMs9SDAWqxai5P1bhWAOZIB6HRiD5cfnKtctn5udk7V2awfNGhjMt_r9-nqwKh0u-z7XJGraNxFy5roQhNmaX2bj6eohijgwmf/s1600/Waco1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkB4nfrw8sVdYPh99V9oImBtBkPMexcPVw9hPj2cr25ZMs9SDAWqxai5P1bhWAOZIB6HRiD5cfnKtctn5udk7V2awfNGhjMt_r9-nqwKh0u-z7XJGraNxFy5roQhNmaX2bj6eohijgwmf/s320/Waco1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657600737106315794" border="0" /></a><br />This is my living room and a bit of the "dining room"<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_ZptcdHx7AfTheTqFS5OH9WlDNhOPnwlbYOeCEBiUqT6JYfjtbunDV-6omBb2fSSSqIhNTN2cgHmHjxwvmZfaImzwkl8ncF7dpfIxIHUaulZFGPv2aAA94YrgfGyWLG1KlGfo9tGwm3n/s1600/Waco2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_ZptcdHx7AfTheTqFS5OH9WlDNhOPnwlbYOeCEBiUqT6JYfjtbunDV-6omBb2fSSSqIhNTN2cgHmHjxwvmZfaImzwkl8ncF7dpfIxIHUaulZFGPv2aAA94YrgfGyWLG1KlGfo9tGwm3n/s320/Waco2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657600553695636066" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Better shot of my living room<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDWF4Aq9sdq8zhgPoruipIQb8T2tAv05ZCnFg7GbY4nS076sdZ51kY2oIAfO_o4JLhaqwCoqIeIGCskY0xVmG4Ot68WRyUaDffqlGXU_Y4oEskvrCQfzpnUA7EBRCtbcXZRl1FJeqyt4n/s1600/Waco4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDWF4Aq9sdq8zhgPoruipIQb8T2tAv05ZCnFg7GbY4nS076sdZ51kY2oIAfO_o4JLhaqwCoqIeIGCskY0xVmG4Ot68WRyUaDffqlGXU_Y4oEskvrCQfzpnUA7EBRCtbcXZRl1FJeqyt4n/s320/Waco4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657599972557711042" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This is my kitchen and a bit of... well not sure what you call the other space...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilTUeqQwcBwh0ofs9KV3KrBivhDA79uuGvrKF9Ro51_LwRcUR-sc2k9rUShCMjAZueDsIen1LAa5Tl_tWZghpomvD3a41faRxeQk3aJGxIipAAmVPWlR18MrylUK-IJ1hW8mTr3TVQ26A/s1600/Waco3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilTUeqQwcBwh0ofs9KV3KrBivhDA79uuGvrKF9Ro51_LwRcUR-sc2k9rUShCMjAZueDsIen1LAa5Tl_tWZghpomvD3a41faRxeQk3aJGxIipAAmVPWlR18MrylUK-IJ1hW8mTr3TVQ26A/s320/Waco3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657599980164495618" border="0" /></a><br />A look into the kitchen form the "dining room"<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvUauPE-xmF_X1ethsmpJ18FMFThY6yBn4Qs9SoQ3ehMx2TcrUMlIe1IHPY5Tsyf5a5cK-q7GWhy7V14Sqli4hV7C-5qmnpC3ykEQURAObU8HKbFLVVvvfuGX48bXK-sVhBK8I54YeEmn/s1600/Waco5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvUauPE-xmF_X1ethsmpJ18FMFThY6yBn4Qs9SoQ3ehMx2TcrUMlIe1IHPY5Tsyf5a5cK-q7GWhy7V14Sqli4hV7C-5qmnpC3ykEQURAObU8HKbFLVVvvfuGX48bXK-sVhBK8I54YeEmn/s320/Waco5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657599620179063314" border="0" /></a><br />Look form the "other area" into the kitchen, entry way and the study<br />(no pics of the study yet... its still a work in progress)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcgIzGZW5zjobWhHcO1d_RkGbotwhOOx4iau6bTL7qoYWeI1w8KESqS37OzRRORKXJA7H5IYCXQQ7oqAtrMmywUmM2mvmB2jZCMNI2OLoL4-x_4xCzSTGISTF_FOxVtfZd5cKtHJV0XN-/s1600/Waco6.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcgIzGZW5zjobWhHcO1d_RkGbotwhOOx4iau6bTL7qoYWeI1w8KESqS37OzRRORKXJA7H5IYCXQQ7oqAtrMmywUmM2mvmB2jZCMNI2OLoL4-x_4xCzSTGISTF_FOxVtfZd5cKtHJV0XN-/s320/Waco6.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657599158353625554" border="0" /></a><br />This is my bedroom looking into my bathroom<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrLeGHAyyF5BjjwfRifw6VO005TQB1LCS2lvzsyCdiYTdiiXXa3IidzTLKrs7CMJlnN5PgrzcYFexF0DXlpl1jBSHOWAx9v14UU248hkB57BBm0XeqyuOmdt6_ciW-sez8acR9WzLJ7XI/s1600/Waco7.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrLeGHAyyF5BjjwfRifw6VO005TQB1LCS2lvzsyCdiYTdiiXXa3IidzTLKrs7CMJlnN5PgrzcYFexF0DXlpl1jBSHOWAx9v14UU248hkB57BBm0XeqyuOmdt6_ciW-sez8acR9WzLJ7XI/s320/Waco7.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657599161674800050" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here is my master bath! AMAZING! Look in the mirror and you will see my...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGlPUb5d3Ri_qyMQq0dtPRBRX-xGEIIvnGr-FdqDkPvRn1OA44dgOnuohu_b5Z2-2YhaZC4VpJmuTHHYaik6J6n83kegGe1UOTl98Inj6K6bS0IjtOQOi_Bwa_aVxQo6_DEOwaiX9Xt8J/s1600/Waco8.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 252px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGlPUb5d3Ri_qyMQq0dtPRBRX-xGEIIvnGr-FdqDkPvRn1OA44dgOnuohu_b5Z2-2YhaZC4VpJmuTHHYaik6J6n83kegGe1UOTl98Inj6K6bS0IjtOQOi_Bwa_aVxQo6_DEOwaiX9Xt8J/s320/Waco8.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657597964604952450" border="0" /></a><br />SHOWER! Its amazing! No need for a curtain or anything! CRAZY!<br /></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-39530041070822056442011-08-29T02:32:00.002-05:002011-08-29T02:40:41.616-05:00As Our OwnLast year my friend Sherry and I undertook training for our first Marathon together, it is something that is on both of our lists of things to do in life. Unfortunately Sherry was injured early in our training but she stayed committed and would still meet me and ride her bike as I ran. (stud friend) Then half way through the training after the 14 mile run last November I fractured my foot. At first I thought a small fracture would not be a big deal and tried to jump back into things as soon as they took me out of the boot. I quickly and painfully learned I was wrong. During that time the Lord was teaching me a lot about healing in my spiritual life specifically the need to take the time and work to properly heal and not just "suck it up" and push through. He did that a lot through the physical aspect of properly healing and rehabbing my foot back to health.
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<br />But then I allowed myself to stay in the healing stage of life and have been favoring my foot and not pushing it to its full potential. I believe we sometimes do this not just physically but spiritually when we are afraid to step back out there and get in the race.
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<br />And then through my friend Amanda I learned about a really neat opportunity to run a half-marathon in support of a young girl in India. <a href="www.asourown.org"> As Our Own</a> is in organization that rescues girls in India who are vulnerable to being trapped into sex-trafficking; which is a severe problem there. Many of these girls are rescued from the brothels where their mothers are enslaved and they are forced to sleep under the beds their mothers are "working" in. As Our Own is an incredible and very credible organization.
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<br />This year they are doing a fundraising effort with runners in 10 half-marathon races across the United States running for 10 girls that have been rescued in India! They are asking each runner to raise $750 a piece (but my goal is to try to double that and raise $1500 for these girls) Please watch the short video below for a bit more info on the campaign.
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<br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/27595751" target="_blank"></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/27595751?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" frameborder="0" height="225" width="400"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/27595751">I WILL RUN</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user4646738">As Our Own</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p></span>
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<br />I was afraid that there was not going to be enough time to train to run a half, then I was worried what if my foot isn't ready... well I can not think of any better reason to toss all the excuses aside than Pashi. She is the girl I will be running for in the San Antonio Half-Marathon in November. And I believe the Lord will get me through it all and across that finish line with His help and your support of Pashi and the new life she has been given. So please stand in support with me in this en devour. We are given so much in America and our kids have so much more than their peers around the world.
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<br />I would ask for as little as you can give even if its only $5 (those add up) or as much as you feel able to give! :) BUT if you have been struck by these girls as I have I would ask some of my running and non running friends to think about joining me in San Antonio and running for Pashi! The more runners we have running for her the more support can go to these girls! And its just fun to have people to run 13.1 miles with!
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<br />Here is a link where you can securely give online. Thank you for your support of Pashi and the girls of As Our Own.
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<br /><a href="https://iwillrun.myetap.org/fundraiser/sanantonio/individual.do?participationRef=977.0.144341091" target="_blank">https://iwillrun.myetap.org/<wbr>fundraiser/sanantonio/<wbr>individual.do?<wbr>participationRef=977.0.<wbr>144341091</a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-48952504923785617632011-07-18T20:14:00.014-05:002011-07-18T20:56:00.240-05:00Checking In Real Quick from WacoWell I am just shy of living in Waco for two weeks, and I have loved my time here so far.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was excited about the move but I had no idea how much the Lord would allow me to enjoy this new unexpected city!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">To say its been a whirl wind would be an extreme understatement!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am still moving into my apartment and would love to put up some pics of the apartment but it is still a work in progress… but I did take a couple of the living room the first weekend on my phone to post on twitter so those will be at the end.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I cannot say enough how much I LOVE my new loft!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I mean the Lord has given me the perfect place even down to the little fixtures!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He really is better to us than He should be!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If I could have designed my own loft I would have designed this one!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">My job has been just as great!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am working at Baylor University as their Director of Strategic Partnerships, in the office of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I started right before our big meeting week (this one) and thus it has been a crazy last week., but that’s just how I like it:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Busy and challenged.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I have been seriously impressed with Baylor University and all they are doing there.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They are truly taking the Great Commission seriously and its exciting to be a part of the team that is working to help more people realize all that is going on here! <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I could have you here for hours talking about just a few of the programs I’ve been blessed to hear about.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’m keeping this one short (I’m sure you are glad about that) but wanted to check in… I will try to post more soon!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Especially when my apartment is set up.<span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">Oh! And my sister cut my hair! I have been wanting to do this for a long time and we were watching Friday Night Lights and I love "Tami Taylor's" hair and my sister was like you can do that... so she did... So what do you think is it Tami Taylor?</span></p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBxlyoA9ae7cTP5YShSE-aPDjHUksCl4b07qGXrCfze30OVkOAaPx1gPkrstaav_8FtFOKwh9nJUvl-P-AFrU3mDnpFWM_fWtBdnqvLG02IJnDBtRAglwpJrC2Y90eMUUFxnP8w0MMgaR/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 114px; height: 171px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBxlyoA9ae7cTP5YShSE-aPDjHUksCl4b07qGXrCfze30OVkOAaPx1gPkrstaav_8FtFOKwh9nJUvl-P-AFrU3mDnpFWM_fWtBdnqvLG02IJnDBtRAglwpJrC2Y90eMUUFxnP8w0MMgaR/s320/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630874447895096450" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here is "Tami Taylor" or Connie Britton and mine below... thoughts?<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJROEHD9bTmCl-_q9cNhpMOWk2OK3N1muCaVaIIc8PWpkw5eOXt2HFOIczOZELpvUkWluwYS-2kiif2baz7TKcAhyphenhyphendF8tRT1EUpUzdbDZJr2ENSmJTD2pzHfvolMWOiz5-WOzQQw_YmJj/s1600/IMG_1641.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 244px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJROEHD9bTmCl-_q9cNhpMOWk2OK3N1muCaVaIIc8PWpkw5eOXt2HFOIczOZELpvUkWluwYS-2kiif2baz7TKcAhyphenhyphendF8tRT1EUpUzdbDZJr2ENSmJTD2pzHfvolMWOiz5-WOzQQw_YmJj/s320/IMG_1641.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630870030389731570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRb-qBhAoEUbpbFrrtrNiHn3rIx9Sm4GZ8sQ1tiiRRDMg6fH4hu8FG77DFrm7yAz5jPUxh_AI3HCnLAlZyxWIDUZrIvoF6S4s0koxQKSFDbSrYRbMvWAYqJupbNyinj-C0hj_0gMGuxf1E/s1600/IMG_1645.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRb-qBhAoEUbpbFrrtrNiHn3rIx9Sm4GZ8sQ1tiiRRDMg6fH4hu8FG77DFrm7yAz5jPUxh_AI3HCnLAlZyxWIDUZrIvoF6S4s0koxQKSFDbSrYRbMvWAYqJupbNyinj-C0hj_0gMGuxf1E/s320/IMG_1645.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630869885049031698" border="0" /></a><br />Here is my apartment during unpacking process...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wdx5-BPjCE9fXa5GxezjyPi7J7NzVBJrEns3NXQtXcmO9xfi-ETLE2ks_hcw9VGDfAt8x4Y9RhfksdPjS2GZz67ASZCZCbn65NkK09D8M6dSngIEQp5r82w3_KgZbLMtlOaOQc1rPipd/s1600/IMG_1655.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wdx5-BPjCE9fXa5GxezjyPi7J7NzVBJrEns3NXQtXcmO9xfi-ETLE2ks_hcw9VGDfAt8x4Y9RhfksdPjS2GZz67ASZCZCbn65NkK09D8M6dSngIEQp5r82w3_KgZbLMtlOaOQc1rPipd/s320/IMG_1655.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630869683910683714" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is the my living room...<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepPCqz2JWWz5mB9GihMD-lvuWlqYBZQXaASkgNSd_KmLGLb-E3AifNtS6ydcVXobkue6_wREM_o8igD5FjLhbFuwMj8QWGcA8dzX0FHL2LuqKDlY5oSkdCQei-WOxETsqOwu_LYawsi-l/s1600/IMG_1656.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVpGgXdhRQoqSnY1ii2AVIZkJk1RmHQ45NMWgzahUdb8aunnJzsUrBRZNrvmFkPkJJYZrqI3Qd6gXic8jdfTyCIMkQfZkTQfdjvvsKAt106wo7UVjXtQsIwjx_tiJjVRR7vlD6L-EZFs5/s1600/IMG_1656.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVpGgXdhRQoqSnY1ii2AVIZkJk1RmHQ45NMWgzahUdb8aunnJzsUrBRZNrvmFkPkJJYZrqI3Qd6gXic8jdfTyCIMkQfZkTQfdjvvsKAt106wo7UVjXtQsIwjx_tiJjVRR7vlD6L-EZFs5/s320/IMG_1656.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630869296054771762" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXOJNrkshGYyojok4IwDJrD6uUaSuPk_jAjmKakreKgCMG9eDl1BTMGk2QwxMRwiwKBfIVw5JSiLl9ijCpq9HLdQz9rUOkmvhZaQVSiC3-eVEUq6wjQMHkw2YNul_zWRRL9O5hLMc2teE/s1600/IMG_1680.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXOJNrkshGYyojok4IwDJrD6uUaSuPk_jAjmKakreKgCMG9eDl1BTMGk2QwxMRwiwKBfIVw5JSiLl9ijCpq9HLdQz9rUOkmvhZaQVSiC3-eVEUq6wjQMHkw2YNul_zWRRL9O5hLMc2teE/s320/IMG_1680.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630869117265979922" border="0" /></a><br />I have been blessed to work in some incredible historic buildings and my current office is no exception... Like I said the Lord is so much better than He has to be!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFw7gXj3WO3vOW18sswUAG-NcI4SJ6JwQ0GxzbnIlkq_vTTj6wPINYaN3dE4xS1TnXRVIUC2gR5iHgvetD2fZqIpnhIEKCUWeWV-FENsRgkkfdc31kVvwQlotT4MzO1nk-uZW4GbONvGev/s1600/IMG_1666.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFw7gXj3WO3vOW18sswUAG-NcI4SJ6JwQ0GxzbnIlkq_vTTj6wPINYaN3dE4xS1TnXRVIUC2gR5iHgvetD2fZqIpnhIEKCUWeWV-FENsRgkkfdc31kVvwQlotT4MzO1nk-uZW4GbONvGev/s320/IMG_1666.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630868929715046930" border="0" /></a><br />This is one of the views from my desk!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5GyvfaysKtL1AfSvq-s6slAYOdgDQw2Jc1Cj6oTd7d-vFIv6VGCh1bvr3w1EJnIHM-BMpVXEkMaapgkXt0GepjluOtem-1dg7GZVrbYFzJ8rs-RWFAt1rB1bQCuBkGMae3JH95oNLaby/s1600/IMG_1680.JPG"><br /></a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-85472284373840619672011-07-03T11:52:00.002-05:002011-07-03T11:56:21.050-05:00Who Say's You Can't Go Home!<style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal">So as y’all know I left out on this journey to find “What’s Next” a little over three months ago.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I knew the Lord was calling me out I just did not know where, so any opportunity that came my way I threw my hat in the ring and asked the Lord to sort it out.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I knew where I wanted to go and that was leaving Texas again for a while, I looked in Atlanta and had a blast with some old and new friends, and then spent a week in Nashville praying the Lord would allow my next step to take me there.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The thing I have come to love most about the Lord is His willingness to allow us to explore and search Him out.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Wandering in this case I do not believe was out of His will but exactly what He had asked me to so that when He presented to me what the next step would be it would be after He had given me ample time to explore what I saw as personally desirable locations.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So after maybe almost 2000 miles on the road He has brought me to a place not even a hundred miles north of my hometown.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And I am pumped about it! </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As I was driving out of Nashville (the city I wanted to be in the most) the Lord allowed a conversation to take place about an opportunity at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The job itself couldn’t have been more perfect but I had to ask; as a single gal in her thirties who loved the city was Waco the right place to be.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And I LOVE my family please don’t hear me wrong in that but I am a independent gal (sometimes to fault) and I like being out and about exploring and so I didn’t know if I wanted to be so close to home.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Well I had about 12 hours in my car after that where the Lord worked on my heart and as I pulled into my apartment complex in Houston in the middle of the night I was convinced this was where the Lord has called me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And I was excited about it! (He is so much better to us than He has to be!) </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So I started a long interview process that actually began the next day and did not finalize until this past Wednesday.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In that time my lease was up in Houston so I moved back to my hometown with a childhood friend, then in with my brother and sporadically in with another friend from DC.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This independent always has a plan girl was humbled because I needed to rely on those around me and I had no plan or timeline to work with.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Through this time at home though the Lord has done so much not just in my life but also in some lives around me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Believe me this road has been for me!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But its cool to see that He will use it for others as well.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If I listed all the Lord has done we’d be here forever and they are not all my stories to share in this public forum but please know they are jaw dropping and even bring tears to my eyes now thinking about it all.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">God’s timing is always right and His ways are always for our good.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He is the best thing to ever happen to me and the only good that lives within me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He is it!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So I move into a new place on Wednesday, start a new job the following Monday and I am looking forward to the new path He has set out for me and all the adventures that are to come.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I know I will meet people who I will love the rest of my life and will change and challenge me to look more like Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I can’t wait for this new adventure!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Thank you to all who have prayed for me and walked with me in this season of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am so grateful for your faithfulness… now here we go! </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">P.S. If anyone has Waco suggestions churches, places to eat or shop please let me know!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am totally new to the area! </p>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-88941125069833760202011-05-31T15:14:00.038-05:002011-05-31T16:21:22.503-05:00Trying to Put it Into Words: The Village<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-font-charset:78; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Times New Roman"font-family:";" >I have thought about writing this post many times since getting ready to leave Living Proof.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But how do you put two years of life changing experiences into one blog post that would not have y’all here reading for weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Well having been gone for a bit now and processing the past two years I firmly believe that it is straight up impossible so I am not going to try.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am just going to let the Lord lead me in writing and trust what He would share.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Times New Roman";font-family:";" > </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Times New Roman"font-family:";" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Times New Roman"font-family:";" >So when I was thinking about it, I had to go back to one member of this village who first impacted me when I was 18 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I honestly am not totally sure when I first met Amanda, I kinda just remember her always being there when I arrived to college.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We pledged the same Christian sorority in college and were placed in the same freshman bible study.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I had no idea that this person the Lord had placed in my life would have such a huge impact.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My senior year of college I was blessed to obtain a prestigious internship in Washington, DC.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Being the only in my family to go to college I was humbled by what the Lord had done and excited to see what He would unfold. But as the days became closer to my departure I was becoming increasingly scared and knew I was going to be out of my element.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>During finals week I was sitting in one of the main eating areas on campus and saw Amanda.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She was getting married that summer and I was bummed to miss the wedding so I went over to tell her I was sorry and we ended up having a conversation that forever changed how I viewed my friend.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Through the conversation I told her I was scared and didn’t know what to expect, Amanda calmly spoke truth to me, encouraged me and prayed with me for that summer.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After that conversation Amanda became one of the main people I always reached out to in seeking advice when changing jobs.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(And when you are in politics that is pretty often) </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Times New Roman";font-family:";" > </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Times New Roman"font-family:";" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Times New Roman"font-family:";" >So of course the Lord would use her to be the link that helped bring me to Living Proof Ministries and the wild ride these past two years has been.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Walking into the building I had no idea what to expect, I had just finished 6 and a half years in Washington, D.C. where even our informal moments were formal.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And not to mention that my last job had been in the Pentagon, which in case you did not know is a much different world than Women’s Ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I knew I would really enjoy working with these ladies but I had no idea of how impressed I would be with the work they did.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you ever wonder about the work that is done at Living Proof Ministries I can guarantee you that those ladies and Curtis put everything into the work they do there.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not just their physical efforts but their spiritual efforts as well.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They are the real deal. There is no better way to put it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They love the Lord with everything within them, and they love others just the same. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Times New Roman";font-family:";" > </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Times New Roman"font-family:";" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Times New Roman"font-family:";" >I have been blessed to work in many team environments where you are all striving after the same goal.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s invigorating and allows you to build bonds and relationships that are rare.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But I can honestly say I have never been in an environment quite like LPM.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Lord brought me into a whole new family that has forever changed my life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was blessed to obtain some new sisters in the Lord, a brother and a handful of sweet mothers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Watching these women do life together challenged me in so many areas of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Lord used each and every one of them to speak into my life, and bring me to a greater understanding of Him and how we are to pursue Him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My quiet times will never be the same and neither will my prayer life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I truly do not know how to express my gratitude to Him for these lives, neither do I know how to properly explain to anyone what the Lord did in my life through them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The best thing I could tell you is that He used them to bring me closer to Him and fall more in love with who He is and who He can be in our life if we allow Him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Times New Roman";font-family:";" > </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Times New Roman"font-family:";" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Times New Roman";font-family:";" >Even if I never see a single one of their faces again (and that is not the plan so don’t get any ideas ladies!)<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I doubt I will ever get over them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They have affected me in a deep way that is only from the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So before I cry here in Starbucks I pulled some fun pics from my two years to give a small view of my time there.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Times New Roman"font-family:";" ><br /></span></p> </div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60f5dYVVXeCKKL9S6CHIQAv7dYx3Cs1FMTVOpsjkyGzhqrhDnjTzrKXoH_NA9UHtLnmZZwsv7yYVaADXWwxAP5b2NNYcE59hZLWX481P8usiIs5nl3k6mzUEz044lTpD_5j1flryVx4rH/s1600/Other%252BRoomies.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60f5dYVVXeCKKL9S6CHIQAv7dYx3Cs1FMTVOpsjkyGzhqrhDnjTzrKXoH_NA9UHtLnmZZwsv7yYVaADXWwxAP5b2NNYcE59hZLWX481P8usiIs5nl3k6mzUEz044lTpD_5j1flryVx4rH/s320/Other%252BRoomies.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612981836081887570" border="0" /></a><br />Amanda, Her Roomies (Maggie, Mel and Bonny) and I at dinner<br />(I think this is our Sophomore year at A&M)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8C42Y05GGPXIF3DTIh1SzmV2FwYE5uI9655AbO9bdpOXMPc7jNYMRLdjNyK3WU-l9S1_AofI7S6wAE6y3M0hmXOM9UFADTlNo4Y0VBxiG9OT_fqu7TM8CHFAD43OO_bLaKAYABlXZcFCn/s1600/CIMG7161.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8C42Y05GGPXIF3DTIh1SzmV2FwYE5uI9655AbO9bdpOXMPc7jNYMRLdjNyK3WU-l9S1_AofI7S6wAE6y3M0hmXOM9UFADTlNo4Y0VBxiG9OT_fqu7TM8CHFAD43OO_bLaKAYABlXZcFCn/s320/CIMG7161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612981783310046690" border="0" /></a><br />This was the 15th Anniversary of LPM (and my first full staff picture)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-o-25r3mUP9nZ9yBxMHKqx70MNAs_m6Q64l-Bx3ynC-hu1MxlUV2Dy3_siiczJSXi3F_Xy7Fo_0gLhkNrasfiW4ZzBo6-3QdK_lq86E-RBPT1sD88HndW1bRE-eXHcNlbjG4MFzU0ZiRa/s1600/CIMG7345.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-o-25r3mUP9nZ9yBxMHKqx70MNAs_m6Q64l-Bx3ynC-hu1MxlUV2Dy3_siiczJSXi3F_Xy7Fo_0gLhkNrasfiW4ZzBo6-3QdK_lq86E-RBPT1sD88HndW1bRE-eXHcNlbjG4MFzU0ZiRa/s320/CIMG7345.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612981714239107058" border="0" /></a><br />No one celebrates you or your birthday like LPM! This was my first LPM Birthday!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvsuZhwAkt5eKBEhp2T1EWxAvUrN-YOet_um0k9l7mRvOY1AYZk_clIt9xoo8ahyGssLz-30R4K0xMHnl_UwLf0OyjNAYppRzYT5FBiBXDJgv6iL5bl4MePd2HdDMai28UI4WpQCGbyYl/s1600/IMG_0543.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvsuZhwAkt5eKBEhp2T1EWxAvUrN-YOet_um0k9l7mRvOY1AYZk_clIt9xoo8ahyGssLz-30R4K0xMHnl_UwLf0OyjNAYppRzYT5FBiBXDJgv6iL5bl4MePd2HdDMai28UI4WpQCGbyYl/s320/IMG_0543.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612981616752025218" border="0" /></a><br />No LPM highlights would not be complete without Starbucks. I grew to love coffee more here and a lot of fun times happened over coffee<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gqDoPLKpHYCd6mZGU7vKSHdEncD7KuBxlH1mKC35Bq0_PIyurPW7_80-6crrbQ7mVacf0br-m9FG3ByOdR52x3IZrGeP5xC2SosuLUoiaCbewDTGESGwMFFXa9Xh8thgtZ6oV4oYtOqh/s1600/IMG_1238.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gqDoPLKpHYCd6mZGU7vKSHdEncD7KuBxlH1mKC35Bq0_PIyurPW7_80-6crrbQ7mVacf0br-m9FG3ByOdR52x3IZrGeP5xC2SosuLUoiaCbewDTGESGwMFFXa9Xh8thgtZ6oV4oYtOqh/s320/IMG_1238.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612981524402825026" border="0" /></a><br />And no one goes to lunch like LPM! Everyone together just about everyday trying to fit in one car. If nothing else happens in your day lunch was always an adventure and so memorable.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFD79wj4ElWmJOTdcSK2qOA1qqNSCYc_LTO3gvnMyFz42qNCEt2JIWnVpiKTw3zxdRpxTtgznaZd-iwe2GG0EXctvF9VhxIoRc78ZByoQZyOx-e_o6uufnluGh3IPwQKEjMl6QpThNZOw/s1600/LPM+Fun+012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFD79wj4ElWmJOTdcSK2qOA1qqNSCYc_LTO3gvnMyFz42qNCEt2JIWnVpiKTw3zxdRpxTtgznaZd-iwe2GG0EXctvF9VhxIoRc78ZByoQZyOx-e_o6uufnluGh3IPwQKEjMl6QpThNZOw/s320/LPM+Fun+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612981368106309394" border="0" /></a><br />A highlight was a road trip to and from Austin in a 15 passenger van and lots of rain, I was blessed to drive for Di's daughters wedding. It was a blast!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI28lyiSumB07z-OZwxK8ENH5s2k7G4gBKmTK1VWh611yVkbfCew_XLkBFt0bCk4pXNE8uUb1M74BUoQ5M0DFZ2rWRaPmf5Kl36d-09Nylc7_DCUkCveigwdLYKwkuK7LNGVt2jdmIVBtK/s1600/Israel_433.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI28lyiSumB07z-OZwxK8ENH5s2k7G4gBKmTK1VWh611yVkbfCew_XLkBFt0bCk4pXNE8uUb1M74BUoQ5M0DFZ2rWRaPmf5Kl36d-09Nylc7_DCUkCveigwdLYKwkuK7LNGVt2jdmIVBtK/s320/Israel_433.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612981199253341794" border="0" /></a><br />This was the Village (minus Curtis and Amanda) in Israel, a trip I will never forget<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6XDiIpFlcEw42fuTmMhUbbc_aOHFX61lTQbof0u6qVkvUumBDoo2MMuEy19kaMpgXJbiAYcRWRMzxqXs4gjQw9SBcfGVbrqof0V0WzaivffxNngHX-uddoSHwgLgIlk-9pNpKGCmKbOJH/s1600/DSC_3580.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6XDiIpFlcEw42fuTmMhUbbc_aOHFX61lTQbof0u6qVkvUumBDoo2MMuEy19kaMpgXJbiAYcRWRMzxqXs4gjQw9SBcfGVbrqof0V0WzaivffxNngHX-uddoSHwgLgIlk-9pNpKGCmKbOJH/s320/DSC_3580.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612981015871193042" border="0" /></a><br />This picture was one of the most stressful times in my LPM days... sitting in front of the group and Beth teased me that I was going to need to find Obidiah... oh the pressure. I still flinch when that book is mentioned.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvpaAQw-3X0wK1OZHMtF80yAc-fGgJb-tAgtR7f8cF4Bm14VlIjTvJn3CGNzea3fFrAjqDzOtiYdSIF7FJtMc4PHVU7zUi8JttnIbTAwP_YS76LFI_UJ1IUdK1RrcPJ2qGHljL2rOJ8au/s1600/IMG_0829.JPG"><br /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeg8j9wow9m2-0dEVwrNc_DaZPb6d2pJgJgyLiIq9OpscQ7Rica4Goj5vYMWNik9DoWE2cqID5hHSA9-OUfLyQMmfn3PQ3bqpRU2Xj0m8ZotvX-EQ1QHY7HiltgcTlSm1BqQlED4Firjj6/s1600/IMG_0829.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeg8j9wow9m2-0dEVwrNc_DaZPb6d2pJgJgyLiIq9OpscQ7Rica4Goj5vYMWNik9DoWE2cqID5hHSA9-OUfLyQMmfn3PQ3bqpRU2Xj0m8ZotvX-EQ1QHY7HiltgcTlSm1BqQlED4Firjj6/s320/IMG_0829.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612980233429108994" border="0" /></a><br />Even everyday tasks are a blast at LPM! This was when the ladies spent all morning putting together some furniture and then moved it up in the tiny tiny slug! (I also had to get a pic of the slug in there! No tribute would be complete without it)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AwmZvBDlrzF1RuKPvZicuEt1k_TZuUOIcxUSRWjBlA7NHlFRBj9DoWygHrKnZXRltlBQq2T4lP6Z8bauwExisZZjIGfKoKG8FkrD62hwynWhX0NdGTFXruwqglx4SfXHiBGfZZpSVy6f/s1600/SANY0419.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AwmZvBDlrzF1RuKPvZicuEt1k_TZuUOIcxUSRWjBlA7NHlFRBj9DoWygHrKnZXRltlBQq2T4lP6Z8bauwExisZZjIGfKoKG8FkrD62hwynWhX0NdGTFXruwqglx4SfXHiBGfZZpSVy6f/s320/SANY0419.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612980114235646066" border="0" /></a><br />No one celebrates like LPM celebrates, I have so many memories from all sorts of celebrations with them. This was our Christmas party this past year.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuz7Nsjk0m2dK9L3hWAubrO6P4z51YOMsFNvXtBObMCBQTJTkQaQUyShSKmLAaQgl6aHZpcvpGfxz6mFKr5OEqE8kl_NkdxzD7AhiuugRQqxF_VVrQArPnoTU0RYeGNq0tizLtX_1BjO8a/s1600/IMG_0597.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuz7Nsjk0m2dK9L3hWAubrO6P4z51YOMsFNvXtBObMCBQTJTkQaQUyShSKmLAaQgl6aHZpcvpGfxz6mFKr5OEqE8kl_NkdxzD7AhiuugRQqxF_VVrQArPnoTU0RYeGNq0tizLtX_1BjO8a/s320/IMG_0597.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612979960996302594" border="0" /></a><br />The Road! Traveling was one of the duties I loved best for so many reasons. One small one was we usually had a lot of laughs on the way back! This was the day of Beth's heroic actions that saved many people in the Atlanta airport from slipping and falling.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVi65iQ9eiRoGgAbfRc2V46xNYhb50x2gVvV4BpADpgh2XWOo4GPxdXIBmBBp1Rjl16mTjRURHuv0PTZ4IhRKXvXIzztM7dHYf2XoGariWgBkpMzmJKSC_FfvWWBbBzsfLce6RKB9BqDlp/s1600/DSC_3850.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVi65iQ9eiRoGgAbfRc2V46xNYhb50x2gVvV4BpADpgh2XWOo4GPxdXIBmBBp1Rjl16mTjRURHuv0PTZ4IhRKXvXIzztM7dHYf2XoGariWgBkpMzmJKSC_FfvWWBbBzsfLce6RKB9BqDlp/s320/DSC_3850.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612979874012181442" border="0" /></a><br />I wish I had a picture of all the event coordinators at Lifeway! A unique group of women who I will miss just as much! Life on the road with them was always a blast! This is Paige (IGoM) and I in Seattle, she rallied to take a late night ride to the 1st Starbucks and the Fish Market for me!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOACrioX0OtOujz0_Mn3c5iq6MXdChqllPOCDWBi3igS_Cxs45T-v5c6cckomElMcATF8Y56y4CkBcCakDjwl2P33D6DUERaNHY72Kd6BUDR0ZbgeCBJj1uV6Hc29xt2-jrFw7hrT5Qsa/s1600/DSC_4647_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOACrioX0OtOujz0_Mn3c5iq6MXdChqllPOCDWBi3igS_Cxs45T-v5c6cckomElMcATF8Y56y4CkBcCakDjwl2P33D6DUERaNHY72Kd6BUDR0ZbgeCBJj1uV6Hc29xt2-jrFw7hrT5Qsa/s320/DSC_4647_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612979775083904978" border="0" /></a><br />Ron was equally as much of a blessing to me. A lot of laughs and a lot of business!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieudweow7ndSylIto2VcVA5jvzJC5ezDT-sA3jYaf34IJN5TnsB0bmCXh4Q3pzc9eUKERwggio6Z2g06-_ibDpALg1NfYsPzG1DiUQYuXTMQ3IAhDfdpdFqJhrk9fmAyIBHUv3kCwNw-eB/s1600/IMG_1191.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 242px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieudweow7ndSylIto2VcVA5jvzJC5ezDT-sA3jYaf34IJN5TnsB0bmCXh4Q3pzc9eUKERwggio6Z2g06-_ibDpALg1NfYsPzG1DiUQYuXTMQ3IAhDfdpdFqJhrk9fmAyIBHUv3kCwNw-eB/s320/IMG_1191.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612979708682638210" border="0" /></a><br />This is typical Rich... That's all I am saying!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIibHsxqJy3G66p3WNNV_Vg8mrtqebDQt5NT7AgGmYLgKupnnIsL_AmuBfH-cvSqAovANAD70xkGxr7ii4wO7wz-GBoO8R6h5lYz0Xpw7CGwYg3sK2rlHLLg7LlfksebumhGmgfey0yOYh/s1600/DSC_5309.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIibHsxqJy3G66p3WNNV_Vg8mrtqebDQt5NT7AgGmYLgKupnnIsL_AmuBfH-cvSqAovANAD70xkGxr7ii4wO7wz-GBoO8R6h5lYz0Xpw7CGwYg3sK2rlHLLg7LlfksebumhGmgfey0yOYh/s320/DSC_5309.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612979648047121058" border="0" /></a><br />This was Beth and I at the last LPL I traveled with her to.<br />The Lord sent me out on a strong Word from Him!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HFYsv5Knlbf436CazwkgKVoS2FThnjam3ATswc4qj6t1k_wEt8BHoctJFTzajEzG00RpqAKETDtykhDPHkgLjfc85MWDLc0mIEpo6-HyRGudk9nsjcnk6GbgfL8LgKl6nwSYDbE-1vkw/s1600/DSC_5325.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HFYsv5Knlbf436CazwkgKVoS2FThnjam3ATswc4qj6t1k_wEt8BHoctJFTzajEzG00RpqAKETDtykhDPHkgLjfc85MWDLc0mIEpo6-HyRGudk9nsjcnk6GbgfL8LgKl6nwSYDbE-1vkw/s320/DSC_5325.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612979580103800034" border="0" /></a><br />Travis and the Praise Team. Again no words for how much of a blessing these folks are. They have ruined me for worship with anyone else. They are gifted and bring you into the Lord's Throne Room like no one I know.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6Z6l8y0qZ0t-bn4D3Oxdu591uxYE36ruG8JI2iOdZMYcMXvim7pY6ZqAX0sA7lau97fkUDF5ae-kWUdp_lcE-7XPRhMxv5VwCjsPjRNwPhk80boLNoFQW7kmGT-uCohJlT85p4_M-BsR/s1600/SANY0408.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6Z6l8y0qZ0t-bn4D3Oxdu591uxYE36ruG8JI2iOdZMYcMXvim7pY6ZqAX0sA7lau97fkUDF5ae-kWUdp_lcE-7XPRhMxv5VwCjsPjRNwPhk80boLNoFQW7kmGT-uCohJlT85p4_M-BsR/s320/SANY0408.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612979492422113474" border="0" /></a><br />I had to bring this to a close with one of Amanda and I. This was a fun moment at the Christmas party for so many reasons!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNpa7dN6zvUEP6G2UB6uoL5wVTYUrQdJ0-9SI1fqfIWp9b3Ossea9UORHJH6dsHv2HUXaKpnfHePBnzwoc_N3AL5HzkDH2x6Qbv5joOrXWb1YRa36LLv6B9nEgxk13n8lMfwHLXdwBWvB/s1600/IMG_1524.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNpa7dN6zvUEP6G2UB6uoL5wVTYUrQdJ0-9SI1fqfIWp9b3Ossea9UORHJH6dsHv2HUXaKpnfHePBnzwoc_N3AL5HzkDH2x6Qbv5joOrXWb1YRa36LLv6B9nEgxk13n8lMfwHLXdwBWvB/s320/IMG_1524.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612976423281188178" border="0" /></a>The ladies who were there my last day sent me out like this, standing shoulder to shoulder. I am crying even now sitting in Starbucks remembering this. I have been blessed to serve along side them these past two years. And I know if ever I need these ladies for anything, I need to just call. I love them so and will take them with me where ever the Lord brings me from here.<br /></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-10642809405784276312011-05-28T11:38:00.005-05:002011-05-28T11:46:45.380-05:00Nashville<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-font-charset:78; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-font-charset:78; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal">Well I am bad at this blogging thing is all I can say!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But I always intend to do it!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There is a lot to catch you up on but I would hate to jump over my week in Nashville during my last road trip.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(Which side note to say my car hit 50,000 miles this week in 2 years!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So if you did not know by now you can tell I love to be on the road!)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So after a couple of days in Atlanta and lots of fun with friends I jumped back on the road for one of the most beautiful drives to Nashville.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you ever get the chance to drive that route I highly recommend it!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was breathe taking and peaceful.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I kept trying to take a picture of the mountains next to the valleys or the water but there was just never a safe way to get one so alas you will just have to imagine it. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I pulled into Nashville late on Thursday saw a few friends for a bit and then hit the hay!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Friday was filled with some fun meetings and catching up with friends for the most part.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was blessed to attend a silent Good Friday Service at The Village Chapel that really made you stop and take in the day and think.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Which we all should do on that fateful day, without the cross we could never get to Easter Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Saturday I spent most of the day studying and laying low at a local Starbucks.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The draw to this Starbucks, a former college student who I had the pleasure to pour into is a barista there.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I had not seen in a year and a half so it was a true blessing getting to hug her neck and take her to lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> </div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejCPmKj8oOr8TO6tOLj6fbGqeUXupLTvMMOA_ivh9pxgF0BnHySz4ggmI2uJZFGMANR7cuDL7y9HNw9uW5yme91RqJQRmceRbhjHyWPeFGnmdKfO3tQM9jCF5-qXQ7d6jr7Jsw0DxHOSk/s1600/faith.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejCPmKj8oOr8TO6tOLj6fbGqeUXupLTvMMOA_ivh9pxgF0BnHySz4ggmI2uJZFGMANR7cuDL7y9HNw9uW5yme91RqJQRmceRbhjHyWPeFGnmdKfO3tQM9jCF5-qXQ7d6jr7Jsw0DxHOSk/s320/faith.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611808115991600370" border="0" /></a><br />Here is my favorite Starbucks Barista, Faith<br /></div><br /> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-font-charset:78; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal">Sunday we went to the very early service at The Village Chapel and I was extremely blessed to watch the children of the church fill the holes in the cross (from nails that were nailed in it on Good Friday) with daisies.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I had never seen this done and it was one of those moments that make you just stop and see the change of the pain of the cross on Friday to the joy of the cross and the empty tomb on Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We had a fabulous Easter lunch that was just the home cooked meal this gal needed!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyEIJmmRvgH51eZHtBRzHjGVHirHICikgvVMg1YRrQbzR7Mt3Og0HIFcOxdHJBk2bqYCm8YA0vzc3oSGc7wEQQbGhSl45D5o17DRb-T0LOBhhQ-SDDrrNxzibhT4MN6Qfpf3qZUwJ56LB/s1600/IMG_1563.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyEIJmmRvgH51eZHtBRzHjGVHirHICikgvVMg1YRrQbzR7Mt3Og0HIFcOxdHJBk2bqYCm8YA0vzc3oSGc7wEQQbGhSl45D5o17DRb-T0LOBhhQ-SDDrrNxzibhT4MN6Qfpf3qZUwJ56LB/s320/IMG_1563.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611807884226083730" border="0" /></a><br />This is the cross at the Village Chapel as the children place the daisies on it<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VdJd4SFK_CA8SuNSvJxqNb4z1itO-xRvsI_foNE2hUorCg_5dr7C37uc08UzRi3mg2mRxI1VOAACe0PD9gUh50Gilrn-4PurUTjtmqJQkns7maPAjTv895uf3_ATx5JnnswGmUjLdkcJ/s1600/IMG_1562.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VdJd4SFK_CA8SuNSvJxqNb4z1itO-xRvsI_foNE2hUorCg_5dr7C37uc08UzRi3mg2mRxI1VOAACe0PD9gUh50Gilrn-4PurUTjtmqJQkns7maPAjTv895uf3_ATx5JnnswGmUjLdkcJ/s320/IMG_1562.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611807692371298690" border="0" /></a><br />April, Me and Kelly all dressed up for Easter Sunday. Easter requires dresses and skirts<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-font-charset:78; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal">I stayed in Nashville till the morning of Thursday and the week was filled with lots of old friends and meeting some new.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was blessed to break up the 12 hour drive back to Houston with a stop for lunch in Jackson, TN with Travis Cottrell and his team there at Englewood Baptist Church. We had some great sushi and a lot of great laughs… although I did miss seeing his lovely bride Angela.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">All in all Nashville was a true blessing and it is a town that truly has taken my heart!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you ever have the opportunity to go I recommend snatching it up as soon as you can! </p> <br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuRRCe_ckOmVTSo37aNX_jofRjUEQpzX7gsvVv-gKoaGSwGUnijc_ZK6n_X-wvKaK60wxnPO4xCzrk04AiHPO3RaE4i1tQWUYUFihnkKW551sNPTrlSdOEUOi2bLNLIOXr1tlmvrKnRR4/s1600/IMG_1569.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuRRCe_ckOmVTSo37aNX_jofRjUEQpzX7gsvVv-gKoaGSwGUnijc_ZK6n_X-wvKaK60wxnPO4xCzrk04AiHPO3RaE4i1tQWUYUFihnkKW551sNPTrlSdOEUOi2bLNLIOXr1tlmvrKnRR4/s320/IMG_1569.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611807581242466274" border="0" /></a><br />Travis and I after lunch, was a great pit stop on the drive!<br /></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-27692276711769094212011-05-07T17:55:00.001-05:002011-07-05T11:33:52.609-05:00Hot-Lanta!<style>@font-face { font-family: "MS 明朝"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria Math"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }.MsoChpDefault { font-family: Cambria; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal">So I am still working through trying to be good about this again… I have a hard time thinking that anyone really wants to hear more than 140 characters about my life.<span style=""> </span>I’m sitting on a plane right now heading back to Houston and so have a little golden time to focus and just relax.<span style=""> </span>So it has been a full last two weeks!<span style=""> </span>I’ll catch everyone up as quickly and as succinctly as I can.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I made it to Atlanta the next day after 13 hours in the car!<span style=""> </span>I actually enjoy a little alone time in the car and road trips so it was a small blessing until the road became very dark and I realized I had not brought a flashlight with me in case I broke down.<span style=""> </span>So the Lord blessed me with a handful of friends calling to check in on me, which made it seem not so scary!<span style=""> </span>I had the distinct privilege while I was in Atlanta to tour and learn more about Walton Communities.<span style=""> </span>If you are ever called to the Atlanta area I pray you will consider their apartment complexes.<span style=""> </span>They run a legit ministry through their apartments making luxury apartments affordable to single moms and families.<span style=""> </span>They not only do that but then they have an entire bottom floor of one of their buildings at many complexes turned into a after school program for kids that is run by the Atlanta Youth Project.<span style=""> </span>This is not a room with some tables and computers this but an incredible learning area designed just for the kids.<span style=""> </span>They get of the bus a teacher meets them leads them into their grand room and they have a devotional and then start on homework and snacks and much more.<span style=""> </span>I could write an entire post on how amazing this business is they have begun.<span style=""> </span>I was truly inspired by every person I met as they were not concerned with the bottom line of the business but the lives of the people they served.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Also while in Atlanta I was able to stay with one of my best friends from Washington Allison.<span style=""> </span>She has been with me through so much and I laugh a lot because many of my funny or embarrassing stories of DC include her as one of the main characters.<span style=""> </span>She is one of those close friends that you know so well that when you arrive at her house at 1 am in the morning from driving all day she just opens the door and walks back to bed… In a good one but I did give her a little hard time about that!<span style=""> </span>I am so bummed I did not take a pic with her to share here.<span style=""> </span>But most of our time was just spent doing everyday life nothing too crazy…. Except maybe bowling.<span style=""> </span>Her husband had organized a work team outing for them to go bowling so Allison asked if I wanted to come along since she would be the only girl there… So I did and brought my friend Jenn as long as well.<span style=""> </span>(Two things you should know before I go any further is you don’t already…. 1) I am a bit of a germaphob and 2) I have developed an incredible addiction to buffalo sauce!<span style=""> </span>I put it on everything I can without looking too weird.)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So Jenn and I met up with them after having dinner at an unique restaurant called 52 Seasons.<span style=""> </span>Because who likes bowling alley food.<span style=""> </span>But when we get there Allie has all manner of buffalo wings on the table but the kicker is there is no sauce on them its on the side for your dipping pleasure.<span style=""> </span>I tried to remain strong but to no avail, I began eating a wing and realized it was so of the best sauce I had had.<span style=""> </span>Now comes the tough part we began bowling… Germaphob with her hands all over a bowling ball and some of the best buffalo sauce right in front of me… To make matters worse I had no hand sanitizer!<span style=""> </span>I could’ve fallen on the floor and rocked I was in such a quandary.<span style=""> </span>But I pushed through and ate some tater-tots dipped in the sauce and just prayed the Lord would protect me from the bowling alley germs!<span style=""> </span>I could lose my stomach just remembering it but it was worth it! </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So I wrapped up Atlanta with an impromptu lunch with someone I met at a conference there in the fall.<span style=""> </span>It was one of those lunches that you look back on and half to laugh with the Lord about.<span style=""> </span>Once Tara and I got to talking we realized how many folks we had as common friends and how much our life was so similar.<span style=""> </span>What was to be a quick hi turned into an almost two hour hang out! </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">So I wrapped Atlanta up with running some more errands with Allison and then got on the road to Nashville!<span style=""> </span>And I will end today there… no need to keep y’all any longer! </p>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-37141415050812776792011-04-18T14:37:00.005-05:002011-04-18T14:44:38.756-05:00On the Road Again<style>@font-face { font-family: "MS 明朝"; }@font-face { font-family: "MS 明朝"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }.MsoChpDefault { font-family: Cambria; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal">So I love that almost a year ago I posted on here an update and hoping to be better about updating this bad boy… alas that obviously has not happen because here we are a year later until my next post! </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Well I am sitting in a Tire and Lube center at the Wal-Mart in Marlin, TX in between Ft. Worth and College Station.<span style=""> </span>I love small town Texas and just have to say that Ray and DJ are taking very good care of me here.<span style=""> </span>DJ came in and told me he has never seen so many bible verses in one car and asked b=why I had so many.<span style=""> </span>Then after chatting a bit he told me he is currently supporting his wife, parents and grandmother and they all live in one house he is fixing up himself!<span style=""> </span>He is a pretty solid guy so if you are ever by Marlin, Texas I recommend letting these guys work on your car! </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So the reason for the update and car work.<span style=""> </span>Tonight I am finishing up what I am calling my Texas tour.<span style=""> </span>I headed to Austin stayed a couple of days to hang with family take my nephews out to dinner and see my niece Grace be baptized.<span style=""> </span>I then headed to Ft. Worth for my long time roomie and one of my best friends from college Wedding reception.<span style=""> </span>Sara got married in the mountains in Montana this February and not many folks were able to get there so we had a little Texas celebration on her behalf! It was a blast getting to celebrate her and Joe’s marriage and getting to catch up with old friends! I also had a chance to hang out with a couple of old friends while there and now I am driving to College Station to hang with the Phi Lamb girls (DJ just came out and told me my tires needed to be replaced… darn that’s another $260 but I know they needed to be done soon and would rather be safe than sorry when I am out on the road) </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So onto what is next for me.<span style=""> </span>The Lord recently led me to head out in search of where He will have me serve next. He has been more than gracious and done amazing things in my career so far.<span style=""> </span>So even though it may seem a little overwhelming stepping out in this economy I completely trust Him and I am looking forward to what He has next.<span style=""> </span>Tomorrow morning I will get up and drive to Atlanta, GA to meet with some friends and see if the Lord opens a door there. I will be there Wednesday and Thursday and then drive up to Nashville to do the same thing there. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">These are not the only places I am looking but two that the Lord has continually brought to my heart and mind so I trust Him with those leanings.<span style=""> </span>I truly am super excited and I am looking forward to the people I will meet on the way.<span style=""> </span>Like the chance to meet DJ here at the Wal-Mart.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>I will do my best about being good and updating things on this blog. It is the best way I have found in the past to keep people I love in the loop!<span style=""> </span>Thank you for your prayers and I look forward to telling of all the great things the Lord is doing!<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMQ3HJL2uuGCqYSpa0heFgwBkfehc9lzQ7XaVubKXpzL3-h6U4qygeU6djj3ijozB3uv_qKRHv7Vu1W02CUxRqDQKp3zlYfGs2Hc0kYS4fPh-wLH_tucS0NyBQ5yI_iiWUaiqsJSOwqHn/s1600/IMG_1542.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMQ3HJL2uuGCqYSpa0heFgwBkfehc9lzQ7XaVubKXpzL3-h6U4qygeU6djj3ijozB3uv_qKRHv7Vu1W02CUxRqDQKp3zlYfGs2Hc0kYS4fPh-wLH_tucS0NyBQ5yI_iiWUaiqsJSOwqHn/s320/IMG_1542.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597011295203586866" border="0" /></a><br />Me and my nephews (Gabe and Jeremiah) Getting ready to head to dinner<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmShBNwqt1MRITuEDADtDmo8HuaHoCsk2QE7llb0QHn4A2h56gX7gnVZUjIl1LoUQ48RbQq-Gc0HYbUhALBBBy1xYkmityElIShbvSB4OEZHHiJd6DkxvZtvQw7PxmgZDJjNVk9GxE1O2/s1600/IMG_1547.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmShBNwqt1MRITuEDADtDmo8HuaHoCsk2QE7llb0QHn4A2h56gX7gnVZUjIl1LoUQ48RbQq-Gc0HYbUhALBBBy1xYkmityElIShbvSB4OEZHHiJd6DkxvZtvQw7PxmgZDJjNVk9GxE1O2/s320/IMG_1547.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597011164143459842" border="0" /></a><br />Old Friends are te Best Friends! College buddies Laura, Me, Sara (THE BRIDE!) and Leah<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmucIKWrDCIXvK2H0LKjqKd5sEPwqs_bs6VPFcamOfyBTOkYMW6WXRrdcQrMiHrCijWKmUFDxgx-fSFUS6mYEekHaqTvH3BtxFM2dR44q9aOFOW8Yry0rQW33plWEFDa4VGEIIyKzJBZzO/s1600/IMG_1550.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmucIKWrDCIXvK2H0LKjqKd5sEPwqs_bs6VPFcamOfyBTOkYMW6WXRrdcQrMiHrCijWKmUFDxgx-fSFUS6mYEekHaqTvH3BtxFM2dR44q9aOFOW8Yry0rQW33plWEFDa4VGEIIyKzJBZzO/s320/IMG_1550.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597011052241482114" border="0" /></a><br />My friend Linnae and I walking around Southlake Town Center<br /></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-68163111783037036942010-04-18T11:56:00.002-05:002010-04-18T12:09:02.664-05:00On the Road!So I promised I would try to be better about this again and alas I have not, I promise this time things are a changing! I have been at my favorite place ever... and that's actually on the road! I haven't been in my home for a weekend in in over a month and will not be here the next month... but I could not be happier! <br /><br />Was in Tucson and ate a lot of In and Out burgers! Then headed home to Austin and Llano to spend Easter at home with my family! (Funny thing is I have been blessed to be home the last 4 Easters because of all sorts of different reasons but mainly weddings.. weird I had not made it home in 7 Thanksgiving but made it home over half of the years I was gone.) But I digress... It was awesome to be home with the all the nieces and nephews and heard the great news that we will be joined by one more family member this year!!! WHOOP! mu oldest sister Rachuel is pregnant and all the family is convinced Baby B is a boy... I'm still not to sure but I am SO blessed and excited to be an Aunt once more.<br /><br />Then last Friday I hoped one plane and headed to my second home Washington, DC! I was so blessed to spend 5 days there catching up with friend and some of my favorite college students in the world! That trip is set for a whole other post so check back!<br /><br />I was able to get back in time for a LPM Birthday lunch and celebration, pretty sure no one does birthday celebrations like the lovely ladies at LPM! I actually paid to make sure I got back in time, because I could not imagine not getting to celebrate with them! So I was in Houston just long enough to empty my suitcase, wash the clothes and then put them back in to head out a day later for Tampa, Florida. It was an amazing event there and like no other I had been able to take part in. The Lord did so much and we were all so blessed! Then I received a double portion and Continental upgraded my ticket to First Class for the way back, and we happened to be on a large plane so our seats pretty much laid flat... so we laid back to say the least! <br /><br />Will be home for about 5 days and then head out to Atlanta! Looking forward to a great event there but also looking forward to seeing my good friend from DC Allie! Will check back in soon with some pics and more from DC!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-12284676379365810792010-02-14T14:22:00.002-05:002010-02-14T14:35:39.043-05:00My Fit FoodsSo some of you knew but many of you did not that last month I took part in a serious challenge here in Houston. My friend Lauren introduced me to this wonderful place called <a href="http://www.myfitfoods.com">My Fit Foods</a> here in Houston. (They are only currently in Houston and Austin) And they have a 21 Day Liver Cleanse program. They state that a average woman loses 8 to 12 lbs by just following their eating schedule. So I thought this would be a perfect way to kick start losing those pesky lbs I gained after surgery and never lost.<br /><br />So when I went in to sign up I found out they were hosting a challenge to see who could lose the most weight in the 21 days. My nutritionist told me she thought I only had one other person that would give me a run for my money. Well you know me and competition... I LOVE it! So knowing I could win a prize of $500 of their food kept me 100% on their plan! No cheating here!<br /><br />So the whole idea is they prepare you "clean meals", no preservatives, no grease no nothing! They provide you with all three meals, two snacks and supplements for the bargain price of $500. (So if I won, I won all my money back!) The meals are FRESH and not frozen! They are packaged for you in the perfect portion, and they plan everything out to make sure you are getting all the right nutrients and the right amounts each day. So twice a week I would go in and pick up my fresh meals, Luz, my nutritionist would meet with me see how everything was working and adjust what she needed to. It was SO easy...<br /><br />Well on top of that since there was a prize to be won you know I kicked it into gear at the gym! So at the end of 21 days, eating only their food and hitting the gym 6 days a week... I lost 23 lbs!!! WHAT! 12% of my body weight! The second place GUY lost 8%! I was so excited when Luz called to tell me, she said wait there is more, more? Yep, Luz told me I not only won for my store but out of the hundreds of folks doing it in the Houston area!!! And was the only person to hit the double digit weight loss! WHAT! So I won $1000!!!! I could not even believe it!<br /><br />So would I recommend My Fit Foods... Heck Yes! The meals are surprisingly good, I had almost no meals that I did not like. And many that I LOVED!!!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-63776396902779490142009-06-03T15:15:00.000-05:002009-06-03T15:16:06.137-05:00...And we're back...I keep doing this to y’all! I promise I am still alive and kickin just been on the road and moving so had no internet for a while and so on and so forth. A lot has happened since the last post too much to put into one, so I won’t! <br />So I moved to Houston and live on the north side, just next to Cypress. I am finally living by myself and I would like to just say I think EVERYONE should be required to live by themselves at some point in their life. It is the BEST thing sliced bread! I have a one bedroom with a study and have filled the place already! Have been able to host one meal already for Alex and Katie, and had some girls over for a “sleepover” yeah I am in the sixth grade. It was fun though!<br />I then went to DC and had a great time there getting to see a small handful of folks. I was there with work so was unable to see too many and then the Lord brought me back to Texas abruptly. My step-dad Dale was in a major motorcycle accident and I flew home as soon as I could. He was totally protected by the Lord through the whole process as he was not even wearing a helmet AND they LEFT him in the road y’all!! He shattered his nose, his knee, broke his wrist and big toe. He has a few big gashes and a lot of road rash. But Praise the Lord he will make a full recovery it will just be a long one. <br />I was able to make it to Oregon for the first time. I saw Terri Taylor who I had not seen in 10 years!!! And then saw my sweet friend Sarah get married it was such an amazing time! I hiked to the top of a water fall that was a mile high and then hiked around Mt. St. Helens in Washington! It was awesome! <br />I came home for a couple of days and then headed to Jackson Hole, WY for work for a night which was amazing! Then drove across the state of Wyoming (which is breathe taking ). I then made it back to Houston just in time to see my dear old co-worker Tessie get married, and head to Austin for Memorial Day with my favorite vets. <br />I am home again for a bit but about to celebrate my 29th birthday! A LOT has changed in this last year but it has been amazing! I am hoping to get some pictures up soon and promise I will try to get better at this updating thing! Love and miss y’all!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-81518450743979740932009-04-03T10:21:00.003-05:002009-04-03T10:25:04.314-05:00Random News...Well a lot has happened here recently I think I should update everyone on as well as a lot of fun randomness. So here goes…<br /><br />- I accepted a job in Houston, Texas and will be moving there next Saturday!<br />- With the move I obviously needed a place to live… so after one Sunday afternoon with Jared and a Monday night with Mom and Amanda… I officially signed on my first place that is ALL mine! <br />- I now rent a one bedroom, with a study apartment! I feel like and adult now!<br />- Apartment shopping is crazy and I was glad to have both Jared and Amanda help me figure out Houston!<br />- I also bought an apartment full of furniture (way to go Rooms-to-Go!) as I have never furnished anything past my bedroom and I left a lot of that furniture in DC.<br />- I am slowly realizing the great expense it is to fill an apartment by yourself! Kitchen utensils and ware did not come included!<br />- Also with the move my Mom thought it would be a good plan to bring down all the boxes I stashed in her attic after High School and College…<br />- Going through them while funny (Dear Lord why did you my friends and my family allow me to go out dressed like that! Feathered bangs… never good…) is also tedious and VERY time consuming! AH!<br />- I was in the Valley all last week for Reading Rock Stars! It is a program put on by the Texas Book Festival for under privileged or rural schools that brings an author or two to the school to speak to the kids and then leaves them with a signed book. It’s a blast watching the kids faces! <br />- While in the Valley I attempted my long run getting prepped for the Blue Bell 10 K I am running in a couple of weeks (when did I get so out of shape I have to train for a 10k!) and almost died from the heat and humidity!<br />- Dear Lord protect me when I try to run in Houston or rid me of this crazy habit!<br />- I also got to catch up with a fun DC friend while I was in McAllen for breakfast and then have dinner with one of my craziest DC friends in Austin that night! Good times my friends good times!<br />- Wednesday night was a big benefit dinner I helped plan here for the Texas Book Festival it was a wild success and a lot of fun! Go to Fleming’s folks! These people were great they did an amazing dinner for over 50 people FREE of charge to us! All of the money folks paid to attend went straight to the Book Festival and it was awesome!!!<br />- Yesterday Heidi and I went for lunch on Iron Cactus’ up stairs patio while we were basking in the good weather and conversation the wind picked up and swept our chips up and over the ledge on the people below! It was one of the funniest things I have ever seen!!! <br /><br />Okay I am sure there is a lot more random to share but I have to get back to work! If you want to come and help me pack this weekend I am turning down no lovely hands, if you want to help me move next into my awesome pad PLEASE do… oh wait did I mention my apartment was on the 3rd Floor! (its good to have good guy friends and a brothers with big friends! Whew!) <br /><br />Here are a few pics from Reading Rock Stars!<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrI-CZtoLBM4S0frP6-qzMOvHuq-JAO5iuT0pGK0X0878cggL77CLoS6JuiUwHWvb6Z286-bc1HjdXNtRcfthyZrgRzjJUN24s8LGPxs_ZcoFt0JSIV_S9llLGXB2lKOIDAT7kQR-Tsarc/s1600-h/2009+Valley+RRS+047.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320486106584439938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrI-CZtoLBM4S0frP6-qzMOvHuq-JAO5iuT0pGK0X0878cggL77CLoS6JuiUwHWvb6Z286-bc1HjdXNtRcfthyZrgRzjJUN24s8LGPxs_ZcoFt0JSIV_S9llLGXB2lKOIDAT7kQR-Tsarc/s320/2009+Valley+RRS+047.jpg" border="0" /></a> Xavier Garza signing autographs!</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsua1ZTqzyrxHmEakunhlRXbLErg1_Aa5uGdSeqJ7dZEUV5CqpxdFHDC_Cuh-721SxFMLmD9HDmNH7jXJnu0k0SyS39P7WonBrNQ1OmvxdAEBzboYcAmPwt81td2sNXxUAvxjRh35sEE8x/s1600-h/2009+Valley+RRS+090.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320485930463891858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsua1ZTqzyrxHmEakunhlRXbLErg1_Aa5uGdSeqJ7dZEUV5CqpxdFHDC_Cuh-721SxFMLmD9HDmNH7jXJnu0k0SyS39P7WonBrNQ1OmvxdAEBzboYcAmPwt81td2sNXxUAvxjRh35sEE8x/s320/2009+Valley+RRS+090.jpg" border="0" /></a>Dr. Tuffula teaching the Kids they can create a story<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwVqdbIttk7g_DfSRaraHpkKbFF-F9KjjveV75_vrMQMkNDj7aaEeZFjfMuGUhIWVdk4aS0hOq8gi57JnfKVasD1i2YuvgVHl7bM0ghLz2iOL642hEAjwh5ulAyFNQNHhj9w5bZ72LBEU/s1600-h/2009+Valley+RRS+064.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320485798426690082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwVqdbIttk7g_DfSRaraHpkKbFF-F9KjjveV75_vrMQMkNDj7aaEeZFjfMuGUhIWVdk4aS0hOq8gi57JnfKVasD1i2YuvgVHl7bM0ghLz2iOL642hEAjwh5ulAyFNQNHhj9w5bZ72LBEU/s320/2009+Valley+RRS+064.jpg" border="0" /></a> Xavier Garza telling the kids a scary story!<br /><div></div></div><br /></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-80336514532773446422009-03-31T13:53:00.006-05:002009-03-31T14:19:47.298-05:00Family Reunions!<div align="left"> </div><div align="left">When I was a kid we used to go to my Step-Dads family ranch every Thanksgiving and Easter for what was a twice a year family reunion. I loved our time out at the farm and its where I learned to ride a horse, shoot a gun, and drive a go-cart to a truck to a car! It is a place I have very fond feelings of as I love when homes are FILLED to the rim with family so much so that there is no way everyone could fit in the house so you spill out onto the porch and lawn and where ever else. And you can’t really hear anyone because everyone is talking so loud and is so excited!<br /><br />They were always filled with amazing food, and the women of the family usually gathered in the house trying to work the maze that was casserole dishes and trying to figure out the jig-saw puzzle of getting all the desserts to fit on one table and the food on another… and where are the drinks going to go! The men in my family usually gathered outside and talked about the latest rifle on the market, the cattle on the ranch, the new truck someone got or something manly you know… The kids we ran around in the open field in front of the house, or we would walk to the creek and shoot cans or sticks as they floated by, or take the dune-buggy to the old gravesite that was on the property and try to scare each other. It was always good times and always we would sleep the whole car ride back because we were zapped from the day!<br /><br />During Easter the adults would always hide eggs all over the field in front of the house and then the kids would be set loose in waves pending on ages to grab what ever they could. Sadly sometimes the men thought it was funny to hide them in dried cow patties, but usually those had money in them so we sucked it up and lifted them up looking for the “golden eggs”. Gross now, but it was a small price to pay for that dollar bill in those days! <br /><br />So since I moved to DC I have had to spend every Thanksgiving in DC and almost all my Easters as well. If I was home for Easter I was here for a wedding and could not attend the festivities at the Farm. But this year there is a turn! I am home in Texas and looking forward to Thanksgiving and other holidays with the fam! But this past weekend my Cousin Christina organized a Family Reunion in New Braunfels. I was so excited to be able to attend and the food did not disappoint, neither did the desserts! The funny things was all of the sudden it was my cousins, sisters and I in the kitchen organized to jig-saw puzzle of dishes, and getting everyone to line up. We were now the ones hiding the eggs for the hunt, and making sure the kiddos stagger properly so the littlest ones have a chance. We were not at the farm so we did not put any under “cow-patties”, but we did put a few under the guys hats… It was an awesome day of catching up, eating and playing with the kids, but just another sign that we are growing up… STINK! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQQ_6OtI1ma20pBdNlOarVBbgi9W-yfN5XplE5VM9zWCKdQOgw7MGaQJYoxnGpdV0DZOQXhDdKdpTWbVLd_aSU-6VB3e6TP3kU4XhYdkjuFoNznX1pyE2CaF3liyICliHlF64LCO1ctXs/s1600-h/food+line.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319427636446007314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQQ_6OtI1ma20pBdNlOarVBbgi9W-yfN5XplE5VM9zWCKdQOgw7MGaQJYoxnGpdV0DZOQXhDdKdpTWbVLd_aSU-6VB3e6TP3kU4XhYdkjuFoNznX1pyE2CaF3liyICliHlF64LCO1ctXs/s320/food+line.JPG" border="0" /></a> Lined up to fill the plates</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8ySfaj2Yp47Y3-nD6snXeaRhQsiHiIG31jAiyv6AufU7qhNtxLFQFuh3BqTGG4-fZYYp9zlbGlw7q-LHNTU9cUU618C2OFIyAvZXNC8Og0r_eddNCHcl6VyPYxhkkIjd6k6gU8tFIWce/s1600-h/plate.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319427493773669042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8ySfaj2Yp47Y3-nD6snXeaRhQsiHiIG31jAiyv6AufU7qhNtxLFQFuh3BqTGG4-fZYYp9zlbGlw7q-LHNTU9cUU618C2OFIyAvZXNC8Og0r_eddNCHcl6VyPYxhkkIjd6k6gU8tFIWce/s320/plate.JPG" border="0" /></a>Missy did not like hers... so she just ate her plate! <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHigO_Fi8yAFTGKyupASnMmtbU-7V4D0ocjWZvNULDQc_ZSQwQaUWveD4qreHO5YnDrf5EU7q8zI5pkt3_HhOWqAEQcthDie39lDYEEw2H0Oi9CW1e5qfJgTUB-os1ReZCDUbj2kDqLYrj/s1600-h/paying+for+the+train.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319427284492259010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHigO_Fi8yAFTGKyupASnMmtbU-7V4D0ocjWZvNULDQc_ZSQwQaUWveD4qreHO5YnDrf5EU7q8zI5pkt3_HhOWqAEQcthDie39lDYEEw2H0Oi9CW1e5qfJgTUB-os1ReZCDUbj2kDqLYrj/s320/paying+for+the+train.JPG" border="0" /></a> Looking for Money in Aunt Graysons jacket for train tickets<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tRIPa5LDtAkZvVFEZee6XgtZ3bvVom2GRT94izPWIBM7mTCxH5M_ABhVG9l1mbriAz0ypUxErb2abJ48-ZUWgwr-tN61ftgnEhrkDh3dvwPQwEwfy4HXVbMOpFzPjeRJV4O18aALKnpC/s1600-h/train.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319427170668360434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tRIPa5LDtAkZvVFEZee6XgtZ3bvVom2GRT94izPWIBM7mTCxH5M_ABhVG9l1mbriAz0ypUxErb2abJ48-ZUWgwr-tN61ftgnEhrkDh3dvwPQwEwfy4HXVbMOpFzPjeRJV4O18aALKnpC/s320/train.JPG" border="0" /></a> Everyone on and Ready to Ride!</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7q0xGLcF1QKle2hrOwRePc0ZBwEJ9RKOKuByY7gRcEcryYCCW0ViW_5BFlj2MgqZdal2DCElxHB9N8aeZSId7FeTzx5AZlD5nUyzmGjr4fkplWXzSCvYq8Yl1yZk4QtwilpYLAsVa65B3/s1600-h/loot.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319427065049568722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7q0xGLcF1QKle2hrOwRePc0ZBwEJ9RKOKuByY7gRcEcryYCCW0ViW_5BFlj2MgqZdal2DCElxHB9N8aeZSId7FeTzx5AZlD5nUyzmGjr4fkplWXzSCvYq8Yl1yZk4QtwilpYLAsVa65B3/s320/loot.JPG" border="0" /></a> The girls showing off their Easter Egg Hunt Loot... Savannah was just glancing at ther loot she is not sad but Sabrina's face was too good not to use this photo!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-85238151208734348752009-03-20T09:47:00.010-05:002009-03-20T11:50:16.563-05:00March Madness! AU Style<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYWr_GJnNv33xjP1z6c0-QzycIj-IpZEuHSzBTyofQEP0wrC0fIFIp8UBVIoR_N12e9CMS-sPlP6reYYBvY0e43DuUZAImtlMOmuuSf0E43VfQdSm2ry8DKDG9er7cEcz-qI9hhbCdKG8/s1600-h/Brian.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315282121295872210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYWr_GJnNv33xjP1z6c0-QzycIj-IpZEuHSzBTyofQEP0wrC0fIFIp8UBVIoR_N12e9CMS-sPlP6reYYBvY0e43DuUZAImtlMOmuuSf0E43VfQdSm2ry8DKDG9er7cEcz-qI9hhbCdKG8/s320/Brian.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p align="center">Brian going in for a lay-up<br /></p><p align="left"><br />It's March Madness people! And unless you live under a rock you are aware of ALL the College Basketball going on! Now playing basketball most of my life makes me a lover of the sport... not "good" but a lover lets clarify... And I love March, I love watching these guys and gals battle it out to be the best! I wish every sport had a Championship run down with as much hype as College Basketball! But lets be honest if they did I would NEVER get any work done... just like I am not now ;)<br /></p>So as you all know for the last 6 years I lived in Washington, D.C. and for the last bit over 4 years of that I worked with the college ministry at my church on American University's campus. It has been one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had in my Christian walk working with these students and I have been blessed to know many of them since their first year in college. Well one of the best ways we have been able to work to impact this campus is through the student athletes. Many on our leadership are also on leadership within their teams. We have <a href="http://www.aueagles.com/sports/w-lacros/mtt/sonberg_kira00.html">Kira</a> the Captain of the Lacrosse team, <a href="http://www.aueagles.com/sports/w-volley/mtt/burns_cynammon00.html">Cynammon</a> the outstanding Volleyball player, Irene former captain of the Soccer team, <a href="http://www.aueagles.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/cannon_mike00.html">Mike</a> the captain and Olympic hopeful Wrestler (which by the way he is in the <a href="http://www.aueagles.com/sports/m-wrestl/recaps/031909aaa.html">NCAA tourney for wrestling </a>and knockin them out... literally! He is still undeafted this whole year!) the guys on the Basketball team have stood out amazingly from the beginning. They started a study with the other guys on the team and have poured into their team like no other. And I am constantly amazed at the heart these guys have for their campus and their sport.<br /><br />So when they made it to the NCAA Tourney for the <a href="http://www.aueagles.com/">second year</a> in a row I was ecstatic for them! I went with friends to a restaurant to watch the games... Our boys were a 14 seed up against a 3 seed... no one thought they could do it... by half time they were up by 10 points!!! And into the start of the second half they had a 14 pt lead!!! By then I had my whole table routing for them and against their brackets... it was funny as everyone else was watching the TU game and my eyes were glued to our boys. So I would yell out and clap when the rest of the place was silent and everyone would look at me like I was crazy. I wish I could say our boys pulled out an upset last night but I can't. What I can say is those guys faught the entire game and never gave up. According to the polls they should have been walked all over... and they weren't. I was sad Brian and Frank could not get a W their senior year, but still so proud of the game they played and the season they had, I only wish I could have been there with them in Philly.<br /><br />Way to go guys! I am in awe of what you accomplished this year! Not only on the basketball court.<br /><br />I should credit all the action shots I swiped from ESPN's website...<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwo6v_b_TZ4MSBVZJGrPZYVJ09z61NKccD45O3jdrMmi7SiyQiL8qK-NOefXOQwT7ngJakfXTEr5geqkdFjWUbwcg3UW7ybXtDVCvZ9B_ljRkbhEZFufMnt5exJ4E563p6aZuYUH20dQBp/s1600-h/Frank.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315282074750357074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwo6v_b_TZ4MSBVZJGrPZYVJ09z61NKccD45O3jdrMmi7SiyQiL8qK-NOefXOQwT7ngJakfXTEr5geqkdFjWUbwcg3UW7ybXtDVCvZ9B_ljRkbhEZFufMnt5exJ4E563p6aZuYUH20dQBp/s320/Frank.jpg" border="0" /></a> Frank during the Conference Title game against Holy Cross<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCF1xsvqKvx2mM9i3yEnRkStZhsVKZGIO-NCG4Bw2aC8xqh-y5VK4XPAPK_W-8XRtn8T6iSjSpWFwOF7vj5mL8SrHdqf0A5vSihgtpE1CkAbGgjo4iUTFbKTdZDQpH-OCCVG6joXuTxc08/s1600-h/Brian+fighting.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315282012591840018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 230px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCF1xsvqKvx2mM9i3yEnRkStZhsVKZGIO-NCG4Bw2aC8xqh-y5VK4XPAPK_W-8XRtn8T6iSjSpWFwOF7vj5mL8SrHdqf0A5vSihgtpE1CkAbGgjo4iUTFbKTdZDQpH-OCCVG6joXuTxc08/s320/Brian+fighting.jpg" border="0" /></a>Brian fighting hard all the way till the end<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tbT0e3rLMxHd_zYk5Ernar0DnfY0XSvJ8Gz4oK9EAhCwJ70GmxpxjoKfFPCK-IqkkvEk6fyKMp5sxGR2sZSYRapOyEzobBin9Bbu2XjFqVsN_-BUfrC2haunJATHWCwelKKpXuAS7ONB/s1600-h/Brian+me+Travis.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315281940937175410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tbT0e3rLMxHd_zYk5Ernar0DnfY0XSvJ8Gz4oK9EAhCwJ70GmxpxjoKfFPCK-IqkkvEk6fyKMp5sxGR2sZSYRapOyEzobBin9Bbu2XjFqVsN_-BUfrC2haunJATHWCwelKKpXuAS7ONB/s320/Brian+me+Travis.jpg" border="0" /></a> Brian and Travis working security for me at the Leadership retreat<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2TqCbWFjXsasAYi1C9w3QUbaE0gMUnY2XPPFcoKT6of9Nch1Miq065orcE0N8_EirCjwJjC6CaCSIEHnI8PUlAcO5IwfyL4OcUswhl5Wo_FaiTqP65RWa-oJv327SIkc9yzC39MycoKV/s1600-h/Security.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315281873407155282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2TqCbWFjXsasAYi1C9w3QUbaE0gMUnY2XPPFcoKT6of9Nch1Miq065orcE0N8_EirCjwJjC6CaCSIEHnI8PUlAcO5IwfyL4OcUswhl5Wo_FaiTqP65RWa-oJv327SIkc9yzC39MycoKV/s320/Security.jpg" border="0" /></a> I searched and searched but all my pics with these boys have them in their "security" pose!</div><div>Travis, Brian, Phillipe and I at the last Gathering last year<br /><div></div></div></div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-71368697856645096072009-03-18T14:28:00.008-05:002009-03-18T15:31:21.578-05:00Allie's Wedding<div align="center">This weekend I headed down to Georgia for my friend Allie’s wedding and a mini work reunion. Allie and I worked together when I first moved up to DC, and she was a huge help to me as I adjusted to life in the big city. She showed me how to properly don my scarf or wrap, she bought me dinner when my little government salary would not, she let me crash at her house when ours was invaded with mold, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. All to say Allie was crucial to me in my time in DC and I am not totally over exaggerating but I am pretty sure I would not have been as successful or lasted as long as I did with out her friendship.<br /><br />The other best thing about Allie, was she did not just do these things for me but so many others. Her house was the center of most of our entertainment, she hosted us for anything and everything under the sun. She was very intentional about hanging out with folks and connecting people. So her wedding brought everyone back together and it was another fun Allie event. I have now officially been gone from DC for a little over a month and a half, but it seems like forever! So it was a complete blast to see so many faces I was used to seeing just about everyday, when we all worked together it was some of the most fun I have ever had in a job and I do not think I could ever replace that experience with another. We were blessed to watch history take place before our eyes and every person I worked with was grateful for the position the Lord had blessed them with. We worked long hours and rarely saw daylight outside of the office, but it never seemed to bother any of us because the work was meaningful and the people were amazing. Allie and her roommate Carrie decided once to go above and beyond and “advance” my surgery for me a couple of summers ago. Basically Allie talked Carrie into letting her wrap her from elbows to shoulders with an ace bandage and made her perform a series of tasks and then sent me a report telling me how I could accomplish these after surgery. My favorite line of the e-mail was “Carrie found it hard to answer the phone, even when I threw it at her”… and the sad thing is that was not a joke people!<br /><br />Well I could go on and on about each and every person I was able to spend time with this weekend and why I think they are some of the most amazing people I will ever know. But I will sum it up in this, they were my family when mine was far away. The fed me, clothed me and looked after me for many years. They were the people who helped me through some hard times and people I knew and still know I could trust with all and any of my secrets. They are giants in my life and I am so blessed the Lord brought each of them to me. It was a great weekend and I am looking forward to many more in the future.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHCU1uBmSR6JhFti-FiHSyVFn8N4ic23QdRYfD1KegeQ31aF4os7qGq6l-ib-Ty4y7zsqLtBAcUFFVJNrTM1jTUlsaPwf4XlD8SwqlIERAKpRifGneJZ-2xPKj4tyutskpJ9zmnXtBm1t/s1600-h/Allie+and+I.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314627469259921026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHCU1uBmSR6JhFti-FiHSyVFn8N4ic23QdRYfD1KegeQ31aF4os7qGq6l-ib-Ty4y7zsqLtBAcUFFVJNrTM1jTUlsaPwf4XlD8SwqlIERAKpRifGneJZ-2xPKj4tyutskpJ9zmnXtBm1t/s320/Allie+and+I.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>Allie and I at the after party</p><div align="center"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanulwOr5p5AafIrwj4kpfiDMuTNnb9cDXYVe9N3oJif255dapBeajVyPOGZIlp_q5oCLg7OJLf_xhcGqwnNda-MzAjFkOk2F67OsIrw4i80qlhzDMDGDyiVk2yRT6i-i2nTWRtLxdIgxv/s1600-h/reception.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314627416863501090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 294px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanulwOr5p5AafIrwj4kpfiDMuTNnb9cDXYVe9N3oJif255dapBeajVyPOGZIlp_q5oCLg7OJLf_xhcGqwnNda-MzAjFkOk2F67OsIrw4i80qlhzDMDGDyiVk2yRT6i-i2nTWRtLxdIgxv/s320/reception.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div align="center">Patrick, Morgan, Me, Lauren and Christina<br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNeHABK8HzVwj4yNKK9hztQGAMxgaORRbAG5l80J-KzadcqlTaAENJC02SZvN_IHCqNzujF73HiNf1ggzLAMSYpA41LBXQUV8_oMT_HoI1FUaNS8Q_QnfebF90i9qnzfLayy3fd2yK_or/s1600-h/WH+Gang.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314612686915649810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNeHABK8HzVwj4yNKK9hztQGAMxgaORRbAG5l80J-KzadcqlTaAENJC02SZvN_IHCqNzujF73HiNf1ggzLAMSYpA41LBXQUV8_oMT_HoI1FUaNS8Q_QnfebF90i9qnzfLayy3fd2yK_or/s320/WH+Gang.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>The Whole WH Gang </p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDd90P9G_TsuSLYXAM9iUrxt2Jl_6df67_Dk9UHoUw4KXMGnz6YZYHB-VMJZlcy4QVZzFA4TqihFpul_wNvZJ3ipZm-l-Pr9IJePABuP7Z7Xp6NXqygo1iXSsRXOFoLaO2Xi7uuV4kTWt/s1600-h/Morgan,+Christal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314612470918326866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDd90P9G_TsuSLYXAM9iUrxt2Jl_6df67_Dk9UHoUw4KXMGnz6YZYHB-VMJZlcy4QVZzFA4TqihFpul_wNvZJ3ipZm-l-Pr9IJePABuP7Z7Xp6NXqygo1iXSsRXOFoLaO2Xi7uuV4kTWt/s320/Morgan,+Christal.jpg" border="0" /></a> Morgan, Christal, and Me<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66g_dHmuwM_VIJCCkNFgm54FSyQnmbs2OObvSxX6QOXQUUjxbqRx-myLpPXS16TPr6VPaG92-wbrHN0DV2x5FFhDepUlBC74dBvsMvHBLdpegFeucNMosfJ-W7L-osAZ87mis4yjNK8lO/s1600-h/after+party.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314612113832905042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66g_dHmuwM_VIJCCkNFgm54FSyQnmbs2OObvSxX6QOXQUUjxbqRx-myLpPXS16TPr6VPaG92-wbrHN0DV2x5FFhDepUlBC74dBvsMvHBLdpegFeucNMosfJ-W7L-osAZ87mis4yjNK8lO/s320/after+party.jpg" border="0" /></a> Laura, Morgan, Allie, and I at the after party<br /><br /></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-54795206809300335072009-03-11T14:47:00.008-05:002009-03-12T16:08:05.833-05:00Rodeo TimeWell Monday night I left work a bit early and headed down to H-Town! Some friends of mine were playing at the rodeo and I had not seen them in far too long… like a month! ;) But since I was getting in on Monday night I figured I should grab some good friend time! So Amanda and I headed out for dinner at Johnny <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Carino</span>’s (my first time since I have been home… I figure its okay you know with the diet and all because I was with another girl, and she had actually worked out that afternoon) So I enjoyed some of their awesome pasta and bread! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Mmmmmm</span>! Then headed back to Amanda’s to hang out and my plan was to spend the night at Kristi’s. Well I forget that everything in Houston is an hour away and around 10 pm I realized Kristi’s house was way far and I was meeting with some other friends in the morning that were practically next door to Amanda… so luckily I have a patient and good friend who decided to let an evening visitor become an unexpected house guest! On the plus side I got some solid <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Annabeth</span> time where I was able to explain the importance of the Pink Elephant to her... so I think this cutie is set for a future in politics.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xKvm4UCgHvbTo1UhzDqsgoMb0zMkCbPjbLKKDCF_nIhDdjwaXo24qwbgIaVfmV9Nn2nbw2bHH_32t4RSWkYY4HlzAMHA5XDYZG0TUQkGKc5smBQtQx8NiDkYJalgmTj-p3L3f5MVU8Nl/s1600-h/pink+elephant.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312020194965511522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xKvm4UCgHvbTo1UhzDqsgoMb0zMkCbPjbLKKDCF_nIhDdjwaXo24qwbgIaVfmV9Nn2nbw2bHH_32t4RSWkYY4HlzAMHA5XDYZG0TUQkGKc5smBQtQx8NiDkYJalgmTj-p3L3f5MVU8Nl/s320/pink+elephant.JPG" border="0" /></a> Little Pink Elephant <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Annabeth</span>! </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">When I headed over to the rodeo the next day the nice lady when I walked in, pointed me in the wrong direction and then a string of other first time volunteers sent me all over the rodeo grounds looking for her. <a href="http://www.micaroberts.com/journal/entry?id=21">Mica</a> just had major knee surgery so she could not walk to me and we were on the phone both totally not knowing where we were trying to find each other. Finally Kirby came out with a search party of golf carts because Mica was convinced walking the half mile to me was smart... not so much! So finally I found her we were escorted back to the dressing room where we stayed for almost 10 hours!!! I just have to say I love a friend you can spend over 12 hours with really not doing anything but talking and still not get sick of them! It was just me and her and a good number of random visitors sitting in a room but it was so good to just catch up, or just laugh at stupid stuff like the mascara blog that was on her face, or my ripped shirt! Dang it! I stuck around for sound check and it was pretty cool to watch since the staging is so different with the rodeo. And planned on leaving before the concert, because they did not even start till after 9:30 pm and I knew I would be tired if I stayed, but that rarely works and I was convinced to stay and I am glad I did. I love watching these guys perform and its so cool to watch someone do something they are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">extraordinary</span> at and they love. So Kirby and I braced ourselves on the rodeo railing and watched a bit of the show. I hung out an hour or so more then headed back to Amanda’s because as I realized if I stayed at my friend’s in the city I would have to fight traffic in the morning, so Amanda won again (should we really call this winning?)… again surprise house guest! But luckily I snuck out by 7 am in the morning and man was I tired! Texas has slowed me down I can not keep up with my old self! On the ride back to Austin Harry and I hit the 100,000 mile mark!!! WHOOP! Its been a good 100,000 miles with this little guy! So tonight I leave for Dallas, more friends and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">fam</span> and then off to Hot-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Lanta</span> for a wedding/ old work reunion that I am OH so looking forward to! So catch y’all next week with some good pics from Atlanta!!!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2BJBSoTOUUPOReRkp06uPhieIzCsALB3Yjzfum7zyBvSZIM_aW8dk3WCbuiHgwe9soS_dPJ_q7ngOF7m7XdooF-cmGYZ1L6lU1a2iitkzVLvZ79f3bXkZHlIkPYJEMvwyET3aT16y11z/s1600-h/gaang.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312019960028868850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2BJBSoTOUUPOReRkp06uPhieIzCsALB3Yjzfum7zyBvSZIM_aW8dk3WCbuiHgwe9soS_dPJ_q7ngOF7m7XdooF-cmGYZ1L6lU1a2iitkzVLvZ79f3bXkZHlIkPYJEMvwyET3aT16y11z/s320/gaang.JPG" border="0" /></a>Willie, Me and Mica waiting for the stage to be moved out<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqwkwzIxZLT_y01FX6__PycWskRrAHh_x8DmL9Q_NVx4SDzss3T35dfYJ7RRAKLCGaJgDRWVsTdwDJVMJ4Ez13Ucf6rmepqovPXdWly420JKc31hBoc2slJOtr7UOOMkIPZ8C0I7NOveU/s1600-h/kirby.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312019606061557778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqwkwzIxZLT_y01FX6__PycWskRrAHh_x8DmL9Q_NVx4SDzss3T35dfYJ7RRAKLCGaJgDRWVsTdwDJVMJ4Ez13Ucf6rmepqovPXdWly420JKc31hBoc2slJOtr7UOOMkIPZ8C0I7NOveU/s320/kirby.JPG" border="0" /></a> Kirby (the road manager) and I watching the show </div><div align="center"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_EZPPztsog-zNuX1MfvuUclIIUhzGa4uowlmsRI-gEGm269KKPe5LzbspY_oxKZzUXxgSI_d3iW8isialCKESETEFNDvAqtsRadrLgcsb4KQP9TmDHkcPmcOwHrfcEcxUHbDJr9gbtBq/s1600-h/100000.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312019453611582434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_EZPPztsog-zNuX1MfvuUclIIUhzGa4uowlmsRI-gEGm269KKPe5LzbspY_oxKZzUXxgSI_d3iW8isialCKESETEFNDvAqtsRadrLgcsb4KQP9TmDHkcPmcOwHrfcEcxUHbDJr9gbtBq/s320/100000.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Harry hits 100,000!!!<br /><div></div><div></div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-70473059791067550782009-03-05T22:03:00.003-05:002009-03-07T10:56:03.148-05:00Team Dickerson Trade<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCt3v4EcFW4pSeZ3bmGoHlJoJcK9e0ERr5oeQ_716pR840BjVCC9pUNAZMH-gQXeMLLOCYXphwAdGMs-zzVaCtmVpY7zpISUZF9ppyEaA2n5nhjyWrGENm5-gwewyeMnNm72zUrhuteUNf/s1600-h/team_D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCt3v4EcFW4pSeZ3bmGoHlJoJcK9e0ERr5oeQ_716pR840BjVCC9pUNAZMH-gQXeMLLOCYXphwAdGMs-zzVaCtmVpY7zpISUZF9ppyEaA2n5nhjyWrGENm5-gwewyeMnNm72zUrhuteUNf/s320/team_D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309905844992476050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is a WAY overdue post! But I wanted to get these two pics before I did so. I was blessed to be recruited onto <a href="http://www.teamdickerson.blogspot.com">Team Dickerson</a> in October and the months that took place afterwards were a lot of fun! I already told Joe that my future husband was going to have to go through some sort of training with him before we got married as he is one of the biggest servants I know. And having Ashley around was a lot of fun because she is one of the funniest people I know as well. Together they make a great pair and were so generous in opening their home up to me in such a crucial time of their life. They were prepping for a new edition to the Team and their first baby edition. it was a blast living there and they were so patient with the hours I kept and all my traveling. It was very sad to leave but after I had been home I while I received the above picture in the mail, framed and all!<br /><br />See this was their Christmas card and one morning when I was leaving I saw them there and was shocked and appalled I was not on the card! I left them a post-it telling them no worries I had helped out and inserted my face on all the cards. So after I left Joe took a pic of me from Philly actually and superimposed it onto the Christmas pic. (I promise I am not hiking my leg up on Ash!) And sent this to me! So the whole team was in the pic! It made my night and made me miss them more! I Loved every day living with them and will miss them a lot. But they have a new edition to the team. They traded me out for a newer and cuter model. Little Grayson is in the world and he came at the right time so Kyle never had to bring that boiling water! ;)<br /><br />Love y'all and congrats!!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBICZ-eVE0SLBZvv-Dh0yjSf9Mv7IY7MY29hHbno3lYQEkoPYK__MjtGHJ_FVMBqUCYx-TVLnmKF8914uXD1USUfjkTF2xV9Qaqj0H26wJ1rCnSfNn5ekvoVkYAjCrUD-6-GfEcvyDNy5/s1600-h/IMG_0970.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBICZ-eVE0SLBZvv-Dh0yjSf9Mv7IY7MY29hHbno3lYQEkoPYK__MjtGHJ_FVMBqUCYx-TVLnmKF8914uXD1USUfjkTF2xV9Qaqj0H26wJ1rCnSfNn5ekvoVkYAjCrUD-6-GfEcvyDNy5/s320/IMG_0970.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309905541025389394" border="0" /></a><br />Team Dickerson Today (Minus Hank) Joe, Grayson and Ash<br /></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-77107935955312113472009-03-03T17:04:00.003-05:002009-03-03T17:08:48.082-05:00I'm No ProBut as I was searching to find a picture to adequately describe what I saw this morning I came upon this...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pKrGnIsgSB_NqiSRhCtIqURA72JnRddCbnm0SNmBObmGAEHN96ATuX6OxvHmtSkydFiUa6R6z0j4VNwnLnSl21pMYrRcHZ-L_8XSN31oMJyjgJ1T3GatUH23IDppovSGDEE5SIfoMJ4R/s1600-h/baby+b.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309086128661177362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pKrGnIsgSB_NqiSRhCtIqURA72JnRddCbnm0SNmBObmGAEHN96ATuX6OxvHmtSkydFiUa6R6z0j4VNwnLnSl21pMYrRcHZ-L_8XSN31oMJyjgJ1T3GatUH23IDppovSGDEE5SIfoMJ4R/s320/baby+b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>This is some tennis star showing you can still lead an active lifestyle after having a baby... I think that is a true statement but maybe playing tennis with your newborn strapped to you and balls flying by his little head is not the smartest move or way to advertise this... I mean has this kid ever played with Jenn... she hits me often with a racquetball and I think she would still show no mercy if I had a baby strapped to me... maybe that's my next experiment? Hmmm... </div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-17095420321475825822009-03-03T10:30:00.007-05:002009-03-03T10:53:48.002-05:00Roses, Racquets and Wrecks<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Fp-AaxShG-cSVLEyMyNPUDEbnQ8FtsnqsVP8GGZfy2-HrQCKlsq0DrsKgOWqwlKylhyphenhypheny9hPL3qIlDEmrQnx5ojKecXzk0u0U-T4nD5nmdobxSMXjJXBtuF-WxInZRuPjhspmxkS4YV7o/s1600-h/angelinajolie-family.bmp"></a><br /><div>Okay it’s a “W” not an “R” but its close! And “W’s” are always something good! ;) Anyway… so last night I took part in something I can only blame my time with <a href="http://www.teamdickerson.blogspot.com/">Team Dickerson</a> for. I attended a “The Bachelor” Season Finale viewing party… Yes I have never watched the show before. I mean I had seen a couple of episodes when I was at friends houses but never was intentional about it. But one thing Team Dickerson taught me was the beauty of reality TV… Dancing with the Stars is another Team favorite… So luckily I have some pretty cool friends here and Ashley and Haley organized a great watching party. They reserved a back room at The Daily Grill (one of my DC favorites so glad its here in Austin) And had a beautiful table set up with a rose for each girl. So it was a fun night even if I thought the ending of the show was a little trashy… It was so bad Ashley could barley take it… Seriously Jason, Seriously!<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvE7ir7cQYjfglAo74O4GKGxljBzMs4ZeI9TTzc3DSHZnTcZ8obtQ53Pb8_4oWT6z0ezMujLI2zkTQ1NkCWceG4y_x5Cq7auObzPeQMwql8rCzs3SwKgkVGx8DzdPkWJKsYHeG-JRvU-Tw/s1600-h/roses.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308985814407687362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvE7ir7cQYjfglAo74O4GKGxljBzMs4ZeI9TTzc3DSHZnTcZ8obtQ53Pb8_4oWT6z0ezMujLI2zkTQ1NkCWceG4y_x5Cq7auObzPeQMwql8rCzs3SwKgkVGx8DzdPkWJKsYHeG-JRvU-Tw/s320/roses.JPG" border="0" /></a> Ash and Haley our Party Planners</div><br /><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusQx-SwbOR9tvuEQVrCmhrk7wNKjxfzRvdOqijrgxZbRnoOWl4We6A9-UTA1ePhPMcpB4gNfRqFwNQken-6ovLpyt5eR9FRQRJOIWCpfUDEr3hGjLAJBbhMES-U-FmEVC23ABVfIRKF0v/s1600-h/ash+rose.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308985724460275090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusQx-SwbOR9tvuEQVrCmhrk7wNKjxfzRvdOqijrgxZbRnoOWl4We6A9-UTA1ePhPMcpB4gNfRqFwNQken-6ovLpyt5eR9FRQRJOIWCpfUDEr3hGjLAJBbhMES-U-FmEVC23ABVfIRKF0v/s320/ash+rose.JPG" border="0" /></a>Ash SO upset with the ending she decides to eat her rose in protest!<br /><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">So this morning when my alarm went off at 5:20 am to go meet Jenn for racquetball I was not so chipper as I was the last morning round. So I blame Jason for making me stay out so late last night and not sleep well! I was so upset for both Melissa and Molly… this show is NO GOOD! Any way, so I got up and headed to the gym, not feeling so well and it showed. I had awaken a sleeping giant already from boasting of my win last week. And Jenn let me have it this morning… she won ALL 4 games! I was SHUT OUT! I hate being shut out! I did hold my own though and the last three games were close… first one not so much… So now Jenn is up on me 11 games to my 8… I have a lot of work cut out for me on Thursday morning. Luckily we are playing again at 5 am… so she will get less sleep and I will get her then! </div><br /><div align="left"><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIPuRQXbFC_1gXefhyphenhyphen3Zejfmeom9xwOpxlgBia0k-c9c4S1n9KqDaedlZUi_gW9zcwV6DDWbM0rCpz6MyJXYVT5PoZ4IRrIqDEjrjCj0-4oa6euA57fQ5JdBWgDSJ24dTFauywHTronFN_/s1600-h/Jenn+victory.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308985432654657122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIPuRQXbFC_1gXefhyphenhyphen3Zejfmeom9xwOpxlgBia0k-c9c4S1n9KqDaedlZUi_gW9zcwV6DDWbM0rCpz6MyJXYVT5PoZ4IRrIqDEjrjCj0-4oa6euA57fQ5JdBWgDSJ24dTFauywHTronFN_/s320/Jenn+victory.JPG" border="0" /></a> Jenn Showing off her "V" for Victory<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsDXjM2__V3V2D0drlViLVYsyQtsYfo5_fqfifoaxpyLKbVRaIEvbtaKQNBTSXgfOx6JV4giV_3EWm41OOroClU2McsXxkd52252dbQnpN0_uPfj9yDlHySlqODep6xfJHJ0s25YvZ9_Q/s1600-h/4+-+0.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308984676697182610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsDXjM2__V3V2D0drlViLVYsyQtsYfo5_fqfifoaxpyLKbVRaIEvbtaKQNBTSXgfOx6JV4giV_3EWm41OOroClU2McsXxkd52252dbQnpN0_uPfj9yDlHySlqODep6xfJHJ0s25YvZ9_Q/s320/4+-+0.JPG" border="0" /></a>Yes we know... 4 games... to my ZERO!~ (Stupid Jason) </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="left">Then later in the morning as I was heading into work, I thought I needed to stop for some Starbucks I was still dragging even after my morning beating. So I stopped at this drive up one not far from my house and just off the interstate, the drive up line was packed so I parked and got out to order. This worked supremely into my favor as one of God’s great creatures walked up to order his coffee. Suddenly I was awake and alert and standing up straight, weird. He struck up conversation immediately asking me if I was heading south. I told him I was and he told me it was not a good idea and started to tell me all about the traffic woes on 35, so he walked over and asked where I was going, looked it up on his phone using google and told me a route that should get me around the traffic. (I should admit that there were two other women there and he was not at all concerned with their commute.) We chatted a bit longer and I tried to pretend the guy was not trying to hand me my coffee… STINK! I should note here I am so glad the guy at the counter did not ask for a name as I would have by law been required to give my Starbucks name and not sure telling him my name was Jackson would have allowed me the attention I got. So we bid our good-byes and I thanked the good Samaritan with my phone number… Just Kidding! But I may need to stop there more often now… I am suddenly finding room in my budget for my mocha in the morning. </div><br /><div align="left"><br />And one last note I just had to add in here, was as I was walking in this morning from my car (we park in a church garage) I saw one of the art of multitasking moms walking in to drop her kids off… I really do hope it was one of the mother’s day out things, she had one strapped to her in some sort of carrying case, and one in each hand, who I think neither were more that three years old (which please take that assessment with a grain of salt as I do not know how to judge kids ages, I was shocked this weekend that Jada was only two, y’all she talks and runs around and everything…), and she was carrying a bag full of stuff! I lifted my mocha in her honor and took a swig and thanked the Good Lord I was single! </div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /> </div><div align="left">And by the way I am loving my new iphone as it allows me to take great pics every where! </div><br /><div></div></div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-43189148447118746292009-03-02T13:55:00.007-05:002009-03-02T14:12:48.378-05:00Multi-Tasking and Starbuck'sWell this weekend my dear friend from D.C. flew in to interview at the Bush School at A&M. He was going to rent a car and drive but I told him it was ridiculous for him to spend that kind of money when I could just drive him and stay the weekend in College Station… Let’s be honest does anyone ever really need a reason to visit Sweet Home College Station… I think not.<br /><br />So Friday afternoon we took off around noon and headed for the Promise Land. I dropped Kyle off for the beginning of his weekend long interview conference and I headed out to meet friends of mine. I stayed with my friends Leah and Brad and their little guy Will. They were shocked to see that Will’s crying in the morning did not even stir me… I told them this was yet another reason the Lord had not called me to the motherhood… my child could be screaming bloody murder and I would just be soundly asleep in my bed dreaming of who knows what. I had some great time with them and it was just fun catching up. I also got to see my old roomie Steph and her little lady Jada. Who has to be one of the most adorable ladies I know! We had a lot of fun shopping at Target and getting all the basic necessities of life. But I will say one thing I learned from both of these ladies, was the art of multitasking. Now before this weekend I would tell you that I was one of the best multitaskers out there… I had it down and was seamless in the juggling act of putting on an event or running an office whatever the tasks that day might be… but when you see a Mom (and I have seen it before but I think back to back Mom incidents made me appreciate it more) juggle life and a one or two year old little guy or gal, you see it as a true art form. My favorite was when Steph and I were praying and the entire time she knew exactly where Jada was and how she needed to be corrected, without ever breaking her concentration on the Lord. I had to chuckle to myself as I have never seen it done before… I confessed to both Leah and Steph that part of the adjustment to life back in Texas was babies. THEY ARE EVERY WHERE! It is so different than DC where they are few and far between. Luckily I have 5 nieces and nephews or I would be ALL out of sorts! So I tip my hat to all you Mom’s out there for all the work you do! I could never do it to say the least!<br /><br />I also got to hang out with some fun college gals too. I have been blessed this year to work with the current Phi Lamb officers and have loved every minute of hanging out with these ladies. They are a sweet group of gals and a lot of fun to goof off with. This weekend of the many things they taught me they taught me about the importance of a Starbuck’s name… as someone who should hold stock in the company and someone who has been successful to cut herself off the daily Venti, Extra-Hot, No Whip, Soy Mocha’s (mainly because my salary can no longer support it) you would think I would know about the Starbuck’s name. But I did not, I think the reason I did not is because my Starbuck’s ladies and gents were always SO good in DC always knowing my drink and having it ready for me as soon as they saw my car pull up every morning. Ah… I miss my ladies… But anyway, here they ask for names as you order your drink, and thus the Starbuck’s Names were created. It started with the idea they should be one syllable and easy to spell but that is no fun so they switched it up to just fun names. When it came time to decide what my name would be Courtney looked deep into my eyes and came up with Jackson. Jackson? I immediately said this would have to be a pending name until we had approval from Jackson’s mama that it was okay to carry as my Starbuck’s Name, a few confusing text messages later with Amanda and I was set to go. I am working on the nick name Jax and will let you know if/ when Courtney allows that to happen but so far she is pretty set that the Lord has shown her Jackson… so Jackson it will be.<br /><br />So what is your Starbuck’s name… you may need to call Courtney in to help, its one of her spiritual gifts… discerning your Starbuck’s name… that’s biblical right?<br /><br />Michelle “Jax” Jackson signing off…<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxryNMt0osCla4tcN32rP3eCnVRM_O94meFHay6WBoe4-EIZPqx9qoYU21Vb8QpznMcV74tLeW-l-KQc0DL8nNYWCn-Ne0SgQufB6gOSItvEhW0aCn-kKL-fygTvCMbcooyLnJifZnIS0/s1600-h/brick.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308668217788909602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxryNMt0osCla4tcN32rP3eCnVRM_O94meFHay6WBoe4-EIZPqx9qoYU21Vb8QpznMcV74tLeW-l-KQc0DL8nNYWCn-Ne0SgQufB6gOSItvEhW0aCn-kKL-fygTvCMbcooyLnJifZnIS0/s320/brick.jpg" border="0" /></a> Our Names Forever Written on the FreeB!rds Brick</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIciBsgKIsLSWWigdTNz0a_waVW9WJKzDEb3PaIGVCnpEGn24M_uH6SaEScu-hjJ_TaJPRodKaDNGpeuB8c_vSQaU4r-iHNV_nzPcKEfoChsq3zLQuOSXomP9wj9kGqMSR1t7fy1ZTSmwO/s1600-h/Leah+and+Will.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308668168064722802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIciBsgKIsLSWWigdTNz0a_waVW9WJKzDEb3PaIGVCnpEGn24M_uH6SaEScu-hjJ_TaJPRodKaDNGpeuB8c_vSQaU4r-iHNV_nzPcKEfoChsq3zLQuOSXomP9wj9kGqMSR1t7fy1ZTSmwO/s320/Leah+and+Will.JPG" border="0" /></a> Leah Balancing Will and Getting Ready for Church<br />(Me just taking pictures...So Helpful!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreeTii4QEkL2_8f86U4P3vcSqwTThAsH7AJ-mcWpQl6vxpQigS8NEwyV1rd11nkqgTMmmny14EJNPnGFE2R69XalIj7kefH3t6OnT33wzizcuFbaE4FawsbFwxEE9NQcybEmHWtE_cDPS/s1600-h/jada.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308668089171987234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreeTii4QEkL2_8f86U4P3vcSqwTThAsH7AJ-mcWpQl6vxpQigS8NEwyV1rd11nkqgTMmmny14EJNPnGFE2R69XalIj7kefH3t6OnT33wzizcuFbaE4FawsbFwxEE9NQcybEmHWtE_cDPS/s320/jada.JPG" border="0" /></a> Jada all dressed up and ready for Target!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghK17olKWWGnfCo6oiUHxykC1Ecv1juZQoMIS7XWf7Vedmt4NAac1QuK58unIRVd2QD0CInyqBbrKMCjVydV-CEqXl0JFm8H6Tw8qVpAJnLUSX0zTZkZhGUR1ZatNBE36cMPtiLo6rt92C/s1600-h/Steph+and+Jada.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308667390436080130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghK17olKWWGnfCo6oiUHxykC1Ecv1juZQoMIS7XWf7Vedmt4NAac1QuK58unIRVd2QD0CInyqBbrKMCjVydV-CEqXl0JFm8H6Tw8qVpAJnLUSX0zTZkZhGUR1ZatNBE36cMPtiLo6rt92C/s320/Steph+and+Jada.JPG" border="0" /></a>Steph Balancing Lunch, and Catching up!<br /><div></div></div><br /></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-29202295836317182862009-02-25T10:49:00.000-05:002009-02-25T10:50:05.717-05:00Oh How the Tables TurnI told you it would happen, and I even warned Jenn, but nope she did not want to listen to me! This morning we walked onto the Racquetball court at crisp 5 am, Jenn was up on me bad; 6 games to 4. And I told y’all yesterday this gal is a primo athlete! She is the kind of person you love to watch play because it comes to easily to her and its just cool to watch someone master a sport, any sport really, with just picking up the ball, or racquet in this case. <br /><br />I turned Jenn onto racquetball when we were in college and we started playing at our hometown rec center. I had taken a class at A&M to learn and Jenn just bought a racquet and some glasses from Academy and whipped me the first time! Really, Really! I thought for once I could take her but alas she is forever the better athlete. But then the clouds moved to my favor and the Lord shown His light of blessing upon my racquet. I met Zain, he stumbled into my court in DC when I was at the gym just hitting the ball around by myself. On a side note, Zain is one of the most amazing people I have ever met, when he was 16 his parents took all the money they had and put Zain on a plane from Pakistan to America by himself people! He was going to attend college! He landed in NYC only for a layover, then he jumped on another plane that took him to Beaumont, Texas, he says it was the craziest experience of his life, to have his first American experience be NYC, and his immediate second Beaumont? He was VERY confused! But I digress… <br /><br />Zain is also an amazing racquetball player and through the year or more we played together he kicked my butt often! The only times I beat him was after he had come back from traveling and we played the games where I was handicapped 10 points (FYI you only need 11 to win). So anyway through Zain’s training I got better, then I got to play with Ben and Alex, both two amazing racquetball players as well who always kicked my butt and taught me a few tricks of the trade! <br /><br />With this you think I would be unstoppable, but people you do not know Jenn, she is stinkin super human when it comes to sports. And I am a bit out of shape… so she had been kicking my butt since I got back. And I warned her things would change if we played in the morning… and change they did! The first game was brutal! She slaughtered me 11 to 3! What 3 points that’s it… I think I had to wake up though because I went on to win the next 4 games! WHOOP! And now the record stands at Michelle: 8, Jenn: 7! So we play again Tuesday morning bright and early! And I will let you know how it goes… I mean if it goes in my favor of course!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-87684700902672638772009-02-24T11:42:00.003-05:002009-02-24T15:59:25.070-05:00Keep Austin Weird!Well I have now officially been home 3 weeks today… and while I do miss DC and some of the benefits of life there I am learning to appreciate the slower pace of things, and enjoy myself here in Austin. Here are some highlights…<br /><br />- As I said I get to wear jeans in the office everyday… so naturally that meant I needed new work clothes and since work clothes were now jeans I got to buy new jeans… this is my favorite thing to shop for next to athletic equipment! LOVE IT!<br /><br />- Also while I may still have to sit in traffic driving into the office, it’s a whole new experience then in DC… now if I put my blinker on 9.5 times out of 10 the person in the other lane will slow down or stop so I can get in! WHAT! REALLY! I can come in just because I signaled! I am so confused!??<br /><br />- And I love that when you let someone in you get the standard Texas Wave saying thank you! I’m sorry what! You are waving to me just because I did what I should be doing… Weird!<br /><br />- Its stinkin 70 degrees outside on its way to 80! WHAT! Its still February! WHOOP!<br /><br />- Because of the point above, I now get to run outside… this is another one of those favorite things of mine, and not only outside but my new office is just a few minutes from town lake! So I get to run around Town Lake!!! NICE!<br /><br />- Well while runnin around Town Lake is fun… I will say I have to adjust to Texas bugs again… not that DC did not have bugs, but there are nats everywhere! I swear half my dinner at night is those stinkin nats I inhale while running. YUCK!<br /><br />- And while we are on the subject of running, I now have my old racquetball buddy back. An old high school teammate who may be a better athlete than I am hands down but with the training Zain, Ben and Alex gave me in DC, I now give her a run for her money on the court! While she may be up on me at this moment in games won, 5 am Wednesday morning will change her fate, see I am used to getting up that early! HA!<br /><br />- You may be wondering all this running and racquetball… well Michelle has gained a few too many pounds since surgery a couple of summers ago… going from 30 or so miles a week to NONE for a year was very painful on my tummy and then we had the sad news strike in November and I turned to chips and salsa and all the sorts to cope… Not so good… So anyway! I am on a losing weight kick! And in a week and a day I have lost 3.5 lbs!!! WHOOP! Now I know you are thinking Michelle some of that is water weight, and I know, but its weight non the less and I do not discriminate in my pounds, and neither should you! NICE!<br /><br />- And loosing weight in Texas is HARD!!!!!!!!! Losing weight in DC, not that hard because there is not AMAZING Mexican food or Southern food on every corner! OH my weakness! Seriously people losing weight in Texas should be listed as cruel and unusual punishment… why when I have been deprived of so much good food for so long, can I now have it right in front of me and I can’t take a bite! I feel like Eve in the garden! (And FYI after this experience I don’t judge her anymore) WHY!<br /><br />- Well the other day driving back to my office I saw <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leslie_Cochran">Leslie</a> on a bicycle… it was enough to not make me want to eat for the rest of the day… so thanks for serving Leslie! AH!<br /><br />- My home church! Oh how I love my home church! Its so good to be able to go any Sunday I want and be surrounded by people I have known forever and who know me. I love sitting under our Pastor Mark’s teaching and having good ol Allen around. PTL!<br /><br />- And last but not least the friends! I love being able to see so many of your faces in person when we talk now… And we are not even on Skype! I love the hugs and signs of affection people give and no one is weirded out by them. I love being able to just decide I want to see someone and then be in driving distance to go and do it… Its awesome! LOVE Y'ALL!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-57997858642067453922009-02-18T11:23:00.001-05:002009-02-18T11:23:58.366-05:00Life Changes and RestWell the last time I checked in I was sitting by the pool in Mexico drowning my sorrows in the sun, food and great company… and maybe a margarita… But that’s beside the point… After my job ended in DC, I took a short vacation with a friend to forget about the fact that the lives we had known and loved for the last over 6 years + really were now over. In a blink of an eye, we went from important to unemployed. So we left to be in denial and sleep a little too!<br /><br />So once I got back from Mexico, I packed my car (after a HUGE ordeal of getting it fixed which led me to walking over 7 miles to my car because everyone I knew had jobs and I did not and thought I would save myself the $30 or so in a cab fee…) My Step-Dad drove up to DC (talk about awesome) And we packed his trailer and started the two day drive to Texas. It was good, I got some solid time alone in my car where the Lord help to prepare me for the major life change that was coming. I decided to play through my entire “Purchased” play list off my ipod… which got me to Waco!<br /><br />We made great time on the first day so I asked if we could stop in Nashville for dinner, since I had never been to Nashville I thought it would be fun… So I sent a text to a few of my friends who spend a lot of time there to get a good recommended local place to eat. My friend Mica who I’ve told you about texted back and said she knew the best place for dinner… Her House! She said they just got back in town that afternoon and would love to see me, so I told her only on the condition she did not cook for us and I would pick something up. So I grabbed some Bar-B-Q and we headed over to her place. We ended up sitting at that table and talking and laughing for a good 2 and a half hours. It was such a blessing to get to catch up, Mica was mad we were not staying with her, but I had already booked a hotel room about and hour from there so we continued on. The next morning I thought we should leave early so we could stop in Memphis and go to Graceland… weird but I got shot down! So we made the long drive back to Round Rock and got home around 9:30 pm. <br /><br />So I have been home now for a couple of weeks and to say its been an adjustment would be an understatement. It’s a major change in life, and pace and all that jazz. While I am super excited to be home, and time with my family whenever I want it practically is such a blessing. It takes a lot to unwind you from the daily life of DC. To start I no longer get up at 4:30 am… now my alarm goes off at 7 am and I get to hit snooze once… I also no longer wear suits to the office, I am in jeans and a relax button down shirt as we speak. I no longer get off work anywhere between 7 pm and 9 pm (or later), I am usually done by 5 pm or earlier. Rather than getting home between 10:30 pm and later, I make it home most nights anywhere between 5:30 pm and 7 pm (if I had dinner with a friend) and I am in bed by 10 pm or 11 pm. It sounds good on paper, but it actually has been a tough adjustment… But I know the Lord has something for me here, even if it is to teach me how to rest… so I will do that I will rest and figure things out. The job I am working now is a contract position so I am looking for my next move, I am praying the Lord will show me what it is and what I am to chase down soon, so this Lost Texan is home for now, but we will see what is on the horizon next…Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-821893602975444372.post-48534413719834204152009-01-25T13:12:00.003-05:002009-01-25T13:19:12.003-05:00Cozumel!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiNpCOJa5ypbYMUSuu1h-T1t7eN_IVTRq4nkF80kQjKkD6lyw48ly0L-11udc48MYpH0jEQEBWCu0p5Gb3BbFRJcpqGZApLLi1wfhpBpV54QD4y-cYp7KboLaJawWH4x0-fUr9rsVTMBf/s1600-h/Photo+140.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiNpCOJa5ypbYMUSuu1h-T1t7eN_IVTRq4nkF80kQjKkD6lyw48ly0L-11udc48MYpH0jEQEBWCu0p5Gb3BbFRJcpqGZApLLi1wfhpBpV54QD4y-cYp7KboLaJawWH4x0-fUr9rsVTMBf/s320/Photo+140.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295295966611913554" border="0" /></a><br />Well I have been in Cozumel for a few days now and including today have two days and a half left! Whew its a hard knock life here. Every morning I have to get up, have breakfast brought to me, then lay out at the pool till I decide its time to sit in my hammock by my private pool! This morning we went snorkeling through the Cozumel reefs (some of the best around we are told) and when we got back a European couple stole out LOUNGERS! What! We marked them with our stuff and all as we were told but alas it did not hold. So now I have to stay in my private pool till another lounger opens... y'all my life is HARD right now! <br /><br />I am totally kidding obviously and know I am so blessed with this awesome vacation. I have relaxed and done a lot of nothing but sleep, lay out eat and run... We did not get the water slide from our pool because our room is level with the hotel pool, so our private pool just bleeds into the hotel pool. (The picture above is taken with my computer from my hammock...) But this is awesome because the folks in the slide rooms let everyone use them if they want. And but luck of the Lord we have the BEST room number ever!<br /><br />4312<br />43 ... We worked for the 43rd President of the United States<br />12... We are friends from A&M and thats the 12th Man!<br /><br />So HOW could we in our right minds switch rooms! All is well and I will update everyone later... funny thing I am so relaxed that I have literally only take like 3 pictures! So unlike me! <br />Love y'all!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193333309982362907noreply@blogger.com1