Travels of a Lost Texan

Clay's for Cara

2011-10-12T09:57:00.003-05:00

Almost two years ago now, I received 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.

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.

In 2003 we both had new beginnings. Mine was starting a new life in Washington, D.C. at my first real job. Cara's was beginning 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.

Now 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 delivered 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...

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.

It was now 2010, new clothes from J.Crew seem irrelevant and the best cancer health care in the world suddenly seems relevant. I actually lived in Houston by now, which houses M.D. Anderson Cancer Center where Cara came to receive 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 college 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 Boerne at her house. She offered to cook me dinner that night 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.

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.

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 Boerne I told her I was going to try to move some things around and see her one last time... She just hugged me and whispered very faintly in my ear "It's okay. I love you."

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 whole 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.

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.

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 tournament later this month that will take place to help raise funds. Clay's for Cara

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.

But if you learn anything from Cara please learn to love those around you. Be real and vulnerable. Do not try to be someone you aren't because you think that is what is expected from you.

Just love.

Waco Loft

2011-09-28T21:07:00.008-05:00

So 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...

This is my living room and a bit of the "dining room"

Better shot of my living room

This is my kitchen and a bit of... well not sure what you call the other space...

A look into the kitchen form the "dining room"

Look form the "other area" into the kitchen, entry way and the study
(no pics of the study yet... its still a work in progress)

This is my bedroom looking into my bathroom

Here is my master bath! AMAZING! Look in the mirror and you will see my...

SHOWER! Its amazing! No need for a curtain or anything! CRAZY!

As Our Own

2011-08-29T02:32:00.002-05:00

Last 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.

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.

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. As Our Own 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.

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.

I WILL RUN from As Our Own on Vimeo.

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.

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!

Here is a link where you can securely give online. Thank you for your support of Pashi and the girls of As Our Own.

https://iwillrun.myetap.org/fundraiser/sanantonio/individual.do?participationRef=977.0.144341091

Checking In Real Quick from Waco

2011-07-18T20:14:00.014-05:00

Well I am just shy of living in Waco for two weeks, and I have loved my time here so far. I was excited about the move but I had no idea how much the Lord would allow me to enjoy this new unexpected city!

To say its been a whirl wind would be an extreme understatement! 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. I cannot say enough how much I LOVE my new loft! I mean the Lord has given me the perfect place even down to the little fixtures! He really is better to us than He should be! If I could have designed my own loft I would have designed this one!

My job has been just as great! I am working at Baylor University as their Director of Strategic Partnerships, in the office of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships. 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: Busy and challenged.

I have been seriously impressed with Baylor University and all they are doing there. 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! I could have you here for hours talking about just a few of the programs I’ve been blessed to hear about.

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! Especially when my apartment is set up.

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?

Here is "Tami Taylor" or Connie Britton and mine below... thoughts?

Here is my apartment during unpacking process...

This is the my living room...

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!

This is one of the views from my desk!

Who Say's You Can't Go Home!

2011-07-03T11:52:00.002-05:00

So as y’all know I left out on this journey to find “What’s Next” a little over three months ago. 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. 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.

The thing I have come to love most about the Lord is His willingness to allow us to explore and search Him out. 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. 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. And I am pumped about it!

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. 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. 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. 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. And I was excited about it! (He is so much better to us than He has to be!)

So I started a long interview process that actually began the next day and did not finalize until this past Wednesday. 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. 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. Through this time at home though the Lord has done so much not just in my life but also in some lives around me. Believe me this road has been for me! But its cool to see that He will use it for others as well. 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.

God’s timing is always right and His ways are always for our good. He is the best thing to ever happen to me and the only good that lives within me. He is it!

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. 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. I can’t wait for this new adventure! Thank you to all who have prayed for me and walked with me in this season of my life. I am so grateful for your faithfulness… now here we go!

P.S. If anyone has Waco suggestions churches, places to eat or shop please let me know! I am totally new to the area!

Trying to Put it Into Words: The Village

2011-05-31T15:14:00.038-05:00

I have thought about writing this post many times since getting ready to leave Living Proof. 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. 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. I am just going to let the Lord lead me in writing and trust what He would share.

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. I honestly am not totally sure when I first met Amanda, I kinda just remember her always being there when I arrived to college. We pledged the same Christian sorority in college and were placed in the same freshman bible study. I had no idea that this person the Lord had placed in my life would have such a huge impact. My senior year of college I was blessed to obtain a prestigious internship in Washington, DC. 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. During finals week I was sitting in one of the main eating areas on campus and saw Amanda. 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. 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. After that conversation Amanda became one of the main people I always reached out to in seeking advice when changing jobs. (And when you are in politics that is pretty often)

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Not just their physical efforts but their spiritual efforts as well. They are the real deal. There is no better way to put it. They love the Lord with everything within them, and they love others just the same.

I have been blessed to work in many team environments where you are all striving after the same goal. It’s invigorating and allows you to build bonds and relationships that are rare. But I can honestly say I have never been in an environment quite like LPM. The Lord brought me into a whole new family that has forever changed my life. I was blessed to obtain some new sisters in the Lord, a brother and a handful of sweet mothers. Watching these women do life together challenged me in so many areas of my life. 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. My quiet times will never be the same and neither will my prayer life. 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. 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.

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!) I doubt I will ever get over them. They have affected me in a deep way that is only from the Lord. 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.

Amanda, Her Roomies (Maggie, Mel and Bonny) and I at dinner
(I think this is our Sophomore year at A&M)

This was the 15th Anniversary of LPM (and my first full staff picture)

No one celebrates you or your birthday like LPM! This was my first LPM Birthday!

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

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.

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!

This was the Village (minus Curtis and Amanda) in Israel, a trip I will never forget

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.

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)

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.

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.

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!

Ron was equally as much of a blessing to me. A lot of laughs and a lot of business!

This is typical Rich... That's all I am saying!

This was Beth and I at the last LPL I traveled with her to.
The Lord sent me out on a strong Word from Him!

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.

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!

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.

Nashville

2011-05-28T11:38:00.005-05:00

Well I am bad at this blogging thing is all I can say! But I always intend to do it! 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. (Which side note to say my car hit 50,000 miles this week in 2 years! So if you did not know by now you can tell I love to be on the road!)

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. If you ever get the chance to drive that route I highly recommend it! It was breathe taking and peaceful. 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.

I pulled into Nashville late on Thursday saw a few friends for a bit and then hit the hay! Friday was filled with some fun meetings and catching up with friends for the most part. 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. Which we all should do on that fateful day, without the cross we could never get to Easter Sunday.

Saturday I spent most of the day studying and laying low at a local Starbucks. The draw to this Starbucks, a former college student who I had the pleasure to pour into is a barista there. 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.

Here is my favorite Starbucks Barista, Faith

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. 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. We had a fabulous Easter lunch that was just the home cooked meal this gal needed!

This is the cross at the Village Chapel as the children place the daisies on it

April, Me and Kelly all dressed up for Easter Sunday. Easter requires dresses and skirts

I stayed in Nashville till the morning of Thursday and the week was filled with lots of old friends and meeting some new. 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.

All in all Nashville was a true blessing and it is a town that truly has taken my heart! If you ever have the opportunity to go I recommend snatching it up as soon as you can!

Travis and I after lunch, was a great pit stop on the drive!

Hot-Lanta!

2011-05-07T17:55:00.001-05:00

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. I’m sitting on a plane right now heading back to Houston and so have a little golden time to focus and just relax. So it has been a full last two weeks! I’ll catch everyone up as quickly and as succinctly as I can.

I made it to Atlanta the next day after 13 hours in the car! 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. So the Lord blessed me with a handful of friends calling to check in on me, which made it seem not so scary! I had the distinct privilege while I was in Atlanta to tour and learn more about Walton Communities. If you are ever called to the Atlanta area I pray you will consider their apartment complexes. They run a legit ministry through their apartments making luxury apartments affordable to single moms and families. 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. This is not a room with some tables and computers this but an incredible learning area designed just for the kids. 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. I could write an entire post on how amazing this business is they have begun. 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.

Also while in Atlanta I was able to stay with one of my best friends from Washington Allison. 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. 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! I am so bummed I did not take a pic with her to share here. But most of our time was just spent doing everyday life nothing too crazy…. Except maybe bowling. 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. (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! I put it on everything I can without looking too weird.)

So Jenn and I met up with them after having dinner at an unique restaurant called 52 Seasons. Because who likes bowling alley food. 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. 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. 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! I could’ve fallen on the floor and rocked I was in such a quandary. 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! I could lose my stomach just remembering it but it was worth it!

So I wrapped up Atlanta with an impromptu lunch with someone I met at a conference there in the fall. It was one of those lunches that you look back on and half to laugh with the Lord about. 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. What was to be a quick hi turned into an almost two hour hang out!

So I wrapped Atlanta up with running some more errands with Allison and then got on the road to Nashville! And I will end today there… no need to keep y’all any longer!

On the Road Again

2011-04-18T14:37:00.005-05:00

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!

Well I am sitting in a Tire and Lube center at the Wal-Mart in Marlin, TX in between Ft. Worth and College Station. I love small town Texas and just have to say that Ray and DJ are taking very good care of me here. 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. 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! He is a pretty solid guy so if you are ever by Marlin, Texas I recommend letting these guys work on your car!

So the reason for the update and car work. Tonight I am finishing up what I am calling my Texas tour. 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. I then headed to Ft. Worth for my long time roomie and one of my best friends from college Wedding reception. 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)

So onto what is next for me. 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. 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. 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.

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. I truly am super excited and I am looking forward to the people I will meet on the way. Like the chance to meet DJ here at the Wal-Mart. 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! Thank you for your prayers and I look forward to telling of all the great things the Lord is doing!

Me and my nephews (Gabe and Jeremiah) Getting ready to head to dinner

Old Friends are te Best Friends! College buddies Laura, Me, Sara (THE BRIDE!) and Leah

My friend Linnae and I walking around Southlake Town Center

On the Road!

2010-04-18T11:56:00.002-05:00

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!

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.

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!

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!

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!

My Fit Foods

2010-02-14T14:22:00.002-05:00

So 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 My Fit Foods 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.

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!

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...

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!

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!!!

...And we're back...

2009-06-03T15:15:00.000-05:00

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!
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!

Random News...

2009-04-03T10:21:00.003-05:00

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…

- I accepted a job in Houston, Texas and will be moving there next Saturday!
- 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!
- I now rent a one bedroom, with a study apartment! I feel like and adult now!
- Apartment shopping is crazy and I was glad to have both Jared and Amanda help me figure out Houston!
- 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.
- I am slowly realizing the great expense it is to fill an apartment by yourself! Kitchen utensils and ware did not come included!
- 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…
- 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!
- 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!
- 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!
- Dear Lord protect me when I try to run in Houston or rid me of this crazy habit!
- 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!
- 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!!!
- 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!!!

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!)

Here are a few pics from Reading Rock Stars!

Xavier Garza signing autographs!

Dr. Tuffula teaching the Kids they can create a story

Xavier Garza telling the kids a scary story!

Family Reunions!

2009-03-31T13:53:00.006-05:00

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!

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!

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!

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!

Lined up to fill the plates

Missy did not like hers... so she just ate her plate!

Looking for Money in Aunt Graysons jacket for train tickets

Everyone on and Ready to Ride!

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!

March Madness! AU Style

2009-03-20T09:47:00.010-05:00

Brian going in for a lay-up

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 ;)

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 Kira the Captain of the Lacrosse team, Cynammon the outstanding Volleyball player, Irene former captain of the Soccer team, Mike the captain and Olympic hopeful Wrestler (which by the way he is in the NCAA tourney for wrestling 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.

So when they made it to the NCAA Tourney for the second year 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.

Way to go guys! I am in awe of what you accomplished this year! Not only on the basketball court.

I should credit all the action shots I swiped from ESPN's website...

Frank during the Conference Title game against Holy Cross

Brian fighting hard all the way till the end

Brian and Travis working security for me at the Leadership retreat

I searched and searched but all my pics with these boys have them in their "security" pose!

Travis, Brian, Phillipe and I at the last Gathering last year

Allie's Wedding

2009-03-18T14:28:00.008-05:00

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.

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!

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.

Allie and I at the after party

Patrick, Morgan, Me, Lauren and Christina

The Whole WH Gang

Morgan, Christal, and Me

Laura, Morgan, Allie, and I at the after party

Rodeo Time

2009-03-11T14:47:00.008-05:00

Well 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 Carino’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! Mmmmmm! 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 Annabeth 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.

Little Pink Elephant Annabeth!

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. Mica 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 extraordinary 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 fam and then off to Hot-Lanta 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!!!

Willie, Me and Mica waiting for the stage to be moved out

Kirby (the road manager) and I watching the show

Harry hits 100,000!!!

Team Dickerson Trade

2009-03-05T22:03:00.003-05:00

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 Team Dickerson 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!

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! ;)

Love y'all and congrats!!!

Team Dickerson Today (Minus Hank) Joe, Grayson and Ash

I'm No Pro

2009-03-03T17:04:00.003-05:00

But as I was searching to find a picture to adequately describe what I saw this morning I came upon this...

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...

Roses, Racquets and Wrecks

2009-03-03T10:30:00.007-05:00

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 Team Dickerson 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!

Ash and Haley our Party Planners

Ash SO upset with the ending she decides to eat her rose in protest!

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!

Jenn Showing off her "V" for Victory

Yes we know... 4 games... to my ZERO!~ (Stupid Jason)

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.

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!

And by the way I am loving my new iphone as it allows me to take great pics every where!

Multi-Tasking and Starbuck's

2009-03-02T13:55:00.007-05:00

Well 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.

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!

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.

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?

Michelle “Jax” Jackson signing off…

Our Names Forever Written on the FreeB!rds Brick

Leah Balancing Will and Getting Ready for Church
(Me just taking pictures...So Helpful!)

Jada all dressed up and ready for Target!

Steph Balancing Lunch, and Catching up!

Oh How the Tables Turn

2009-02-25T10:49:00.000-05:00

I 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.

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…

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!

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!

Keep Austin Weird!

2009-02-24T11:42:00.003-05:00

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…

- 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!

- 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!??

- 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!

- Its stinkin 70 degrees outside on its way to 80! WHAT! Its still February! WHOOP!

- 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!

- 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!

- 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!

- 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!

- 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!

- Well the other day driving back to my office I saw Leslie 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!

- 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!

- 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!

Life Changes and Rest

2009-02-18T11:23:00.001-05:00

Well 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!

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!

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.

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…

Cozumel!

2009-01-25T13:12:00.003-05:00

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!

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!

4312
43 ... We worked for the 43rd President of the United States
12... We are friends from A&M and thats the 12th Man!

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!
Love y'all!

Lost Texan? Well Maybe Not Anymore!!!

2009-01-15T14:30:00.004-05:00

Well as many of you know, my life is changing here very soon and very significantly. But there is some good to all this... The change will bring me home to Texas!!! WHOOP!

Yes, tomorrow is my last official day of work, I then head out to Cozumel for vacation!!! What what! And then back to pack, attend my old roomies wedding, then start the long drive home back to Texas! I will be working in Austin as the new Director of Operations for the Texas Book Festival! A non-profit Mrs. Bush started when she was the First Lady of Texas!

But did you catch my vacation in there! Can I tell you how stinkin excited I am to head to the beach! My friend and I are calling it our Funnymoon. (That stands for Fake Honeymoon) because we are heading to the Wyndham Cozumel Resort and Spa for 6 days of an all inclusive vacation!!!! Since prices are so cheap right now, we upgraded to the private side of the resort and then upgraded within that to their nice suite. The room description on the hotel website stated it had a terrace with a hammock and then direct access to the pool. So I thought walk out side have our hammock and then walk a few feet to the pool... OH no folks! Direct access to the pool at the Wyndham rolls like this.... You walk out to your terrace with you hammock then you have your own PRIVATE pool out which then has a WATERSLIDE into the main hotel pool!!!! WHAT!!! Yeah you heard me right! A water slide from my room into the pool... people this is AWESOME! I have no words to describe how much I am looking forward to this trip!!! I will post pictures later to make you all jealous!!

Over view of our section of the hotel

up close view of our private pool and water slide!

Driving In Circles!

2008-12-15T16:50:00.004-05:00

I know I owe y'all a post on my last Gathering... I have written something a few times but its actually harder than I thought... so an easy one... Something I won't miss! DRIVING IN CIRCLES!

If there is one thing I will not understand its the circle intersection. They claim it is supposed to be better than regular intersections and more efficient but this is just not true! You get one person in that mess who does not understand the circle (I am usually that girl) and the whole circle can become grid-locked and it can be one of the most stressful moments of your driving life!! I have lived in DC for 6 years now... and one thing I will not miss is driving in circles especially DuPont Circle! (If you looked at the photo do not be fooled by the lack of cars... I think they photo shopped them out) Its as bad as you think it would be and I avoid it at all cost. IF I HAVE to drive around it, I usually have to prepare myself in prayer and relaxing thoughts of my happy place (Texas) to get through it... but alas I usually end up screaming like a little girl the whole way through and crying to my destination and having to gather myself before I enter where ever I am going...

So this brings us to this morning, I had a VERY important event to be at this morning and thus ran directions last night from my computer to the site. Calculated a time to leave added an hour for lovely traffic and I knew it would be sprinkling outside so all DC-Metro area drivers would be acting like it was the end of the world and the horrible 2 hr commutes I had to endure last week would rear their ugly heads. I immediately saw the words I did not want to see "enter DuPont Circle Roundabout" I almost started crying last night, but looked at the map and thought I had a plan... Well as many well laid out plans it was to no avail for me this morning because indeed it did sprinkle and indeed all those driving around me forgot how to do so and thus entering on to 495 was not doable with the back up and I had to by-pass heading to my own demise in the circle.

Now one other note was I knew I could get there without the circle if I went over the 14th street Bridge. But the problem here is that this bridge has been rated the WORST for traffic by AAA for the last 3 years... so I was throwing the dice of getting there on time, I would be lying if I did not think about taking the bridge and dealing with the traffic and being late, so you know how much I hate the circle. But my better judgement and need for a job talked me out of it and I headed across the Key Bridge to my doom.

I had been prepping myself the whole way, praying that God would give me a sweet blessing and open up the circle so I could breeze right through. These thoughts were quickly squashed as I came upon my entrance to the circle and there was a water main break! WHAT! Water EVERY WHERE! A dump truck and many utility trucks in the road, I could feel the fear rising, I mean what more did rush hour in the circle need but a dump truck and water every where! Adding in the still fact that it was drizzling, and the people of Washington had still lost their minds! Seriously it was literally the perfect storm and I thought why not just drive over the circle and through the park, but the last time I did that a few park benches and tourist had to pay and the police have told me no more for that.

The best part is you get a yellow arrow to tell you to cautiously enter the circle, because even the light knows how horrible it is. So I sucked it up and entered the circle. My body tensed and my eyes darted in every direction, as you never know where these cars are coming from. I tried to follow the lines and stay in the right lane, I moved like the frogger dodging buses and pedestrians. And in no time I was through and safely on the other side of New Hampshire Ave! WHEW! So I was a little angry as I thought all these years and I finally over come this stupid circle! Well don;t plan to see me going through again unless I have to, but I feel better knowing that once just once even under the WORST conditions, I won.

1 Point Michelle
436 - DuPont

AU Christmas Party

2008-12-02T00:21:00.008-05:00

So its the beginning of the end for me with the Gathering. This is the amazing ministry on American University's campus that the Lord has allowed me to be a part of for the last 5 years since it was started. And tonight I will attend my last Gathering Service. it comes with mix emotions, as I look to tonight, I am excited to spend one more night of worship and learning from the Lord with these amazing college students but sad that this will be the end. We are a small ministry compared to most so you really get to know all your students and watch them grow and develop through college. So not to speak too soon... last night was our annual on campus Christmas party and it was a huge success counting the fact that the AU Men's Basketball team was hosting their first home game of the season... and we still packed our room out! WHOOP!

There was the Annual Gingerbread House competition that I was a judge for, the wonderful voices from the AU Gospel Choir were there... still trying to get that video to upload... there was food fun and merriment all around! It was a great night hangin with these guys and I look forward to being with them one last night tonight... okay I am ending this before I start crying...

Wonderful Sarah and I

Powdered Cookies are the BEST!

My Cuz and Brother Tymon!

This Years Party Planner! Sarah!

Amanda, Sarah and Julie!

Gingerbread Houses!

Rachael trying to win my bias!

Our Gospel Choir Director for the Night! Aiyo!

The Gals Hanging out!

Thankgiving!!!

2008-11-27T21:49:00.004-05:00

So I spent this Thanksgiving here in DC, maybe my last and it was a good one... Joe did almost all the cooking, Turkey, Greenbean Casserole, Stuffin, and the crucial Cranberry Sauce. Kyle made 4 count them one, two, three, FOUR pies for the four of us! He baked them ALL from scratch... Apple, Pecan, Pumkin, and Buttermilk... they were AWESOME! Ashliegh and I got it easy, she made another homemade Apple Pie, it was too awesome! And I made my family's famous Mash-potato's and Brown and Serve Rolls... ;) It was an awesome meal, and some good fellowship with three other wonderful Aggies and Texans!

Happy Thanksgiving All! I pray this day finds you with family or friends and enjoying a lot of good food and fellowship. I have a lot to be thankful for this year, and the wonderful friends and memories that are wrapping up here in DC is just the start of it. Its been a weird last month, realizing that the last 6 years is coming to an end, and everything that that brings with it... but there is still much to be done and be thankful for. Saturday a bunch of folks from work are getting together for our own special Thanksgiving meal, and I am looking forward to that.

Now if only I could get the Ags to BTHO TU... then this Thanksgiving would be perfect... A girl can dream can't she.

Joe and all his good food!

Kyle and His Pies!

Hank... waiting for something to fall!

Ash and her great Apple Pie!

My Famous Brown and Serve and Idaho Instant Potato's.

The Gang Getting Ready for Dinner

This means good meal... Kyle and Hank Sleeping with football on...

Fish and Monkeys!

2008-11-17T18:54:00.014-05:00

So yesterday we headed out to Gamboa Resort to have some fun in the wonderful Panama Rain Forest! It was all set up by the folks we are working with here and they went above and beyond! We started with some fishing in the Gatun Lake (which is the man made lake from the building of the canal and connects the two sides). Two of the ladies on our team have never been fishing, so we had a lot of fun with that! And I caught 6 fish! Ralena one of the first timers caught 13!!! Crazy!

We then headed over to Monkey Island to check out the local monkeys where we learned South American Monkeys have tails when African Monkeys tend not too. They jumped on our boats scared us a bit but once we got through it I fed one of the monkeys! There is a short video at the bottom!

We were then supposed to head to a canopy tour of the rain forest but since it is the rainy season it started to pour on us! And rained for the rest of the day so we just had a wonderful brunch and headed back to the hotel. I am keeping my fingers crossed that we get back and can do the tour. So here are a bunch more pics...

Michael getting all bug sprayed up!

The Rain Forest

Sondra, Michael and Kristin "Flashy" Us as the Cruise Boat did, I forgot to mention in the other post it was a Sr. Citzen tour so the ladies who flased were at least 70 yrs old... Wade stated he never thought someone could wear more clothing when they lifted their shirt!

Wade and I heading out to Fish!

Ralena Fishing for the first Time!

My First Catch of the day! He was a Fighter!

Wade's Little First Catch of the Day...

Wade showing off our boats spoils! All done in an Hour People!

Ralena feeding the Monkeys

Wade put his poncho on wrong when the rain came...

The Team Wet Tired and Ready for Brunch!

Panama!

2008-11-15T12:08:00.023-05:00

So some as some of you know I have been working in Panama the last three days... and all I have to say is that this place is awesome! I had no idea how amazing t was down here, its like a slice of New Orleans an Miami and Brazil! It is hot and humid thus my hair is not happy, we were put up in a hotel with a casino! So its pretty interesting the folks we see around. We also came during the rainy season... so from about 11 am to 2 pm each day it rains! Sometimes its a drizzle and most of the time its a serious Texas downpour! Which is also great for my hair!

The people have been veru nice and must speak English, but luckily Wade is here so even if they don't he gets us through pretty safely. Which breings me to the team we are with! Its a great group some new faces to me but it is really fun to have Wade and KK here! We headed to the Panama Canal today and watched a cruise ship go through which is supposed to be good luck. It was VERY funny watching a shore FULL of people taking pictures and I think just about every passanger on the ship out taking pictures the other way! One woman got a bit ahead o f herself with her friend on the pool deck and lets just say she left nothing to the imagination, and the biys were very respectful and covered our eyes and theirs which made the Panaminian men mock them... but Wade instructed them this is how a respectful Texan gentlemen operate. There is a lot of fun to be had here in Panama and I have 6 more days to go! Tomorrow we are heading out to the rain forest the folks we are working with set up an awesome tour for us, and I am hoping I get to zip line over the canopy, I REALLY want to do it and our folks did not put it on their schedule for us. I will tell you more as it hapens and those who are on my e-mail list, I will send out more details and so really cool pics I can not put on the world wide web once I am back in the states!

The Canal from our Plane

KK grabbed a bottle of water... only to take a big drink and find out it was coconut flavored!

Streets of Panama~

Wade and I were very confused about this sign...

The Mire Flores Canal Locks

Our whole team at the Locks

Wade driving a simulated boat through the locks

Carol ordering us a pizza for when we get on the other side!

Wade and I trying to manuever the Locks

I'm confused...

Downtown area

Wade and I at the Ministry of Foriegn Affairs

Me with one of the Guards

Our Team at the Palace Gates

Wade giving his speech

Dicing into some THICK Queso!

Phi Lamb Invades DC

2008-11-10T17:12:00.026-05:00

So this past weekend Washington, DC was invaded by 6 ladies from Phi Lamb at Texas A&M… They landed late on Thursday and took off late on Sunday and left a lot of folks staring in their tracks! It was so great to have these ladies in town, they are 5 of the 7 officers of Phi Lamb and one roomie, and they cane to hang with me this weekend and see the sights and the city. It was a little culture shock to them, and completely to the folks of DC. Laughter, bright colors, and lots of hugs are looked at with confused faces and concerned words. But these ladies did not leave any of those items in Texas!

It was a breathe of fresh air for me to be able to show off all the great things about this city after a week here that was no fun at all. To have 6 faces who enjoyed and appreciated every inch of this city was a lot of fun! They kept me up to date on the play by play of their journey here, when they left College Station, when they got to Houston and then a phone call from the plane before they took off. As they landed the squeals started… I had to rent a big mini-van (why do they call them mini when they are not so much) to tote everyone around… Lets just say this was an experience all of its own. And since I now am a member of Team Dickerson, I thought it best not to subject the great couple to six college girls, so we rented a two bedroom suite at the Marriott (thanks Dad) and had a blast there!

They got the full tour of everything and anything there is to see here. And they were constantly amazed at the color of the leaves and kept wanting to play in them. They took LOTS of pictures 921 to be exact, and lots of video… What was really awesome was we had lunch Sunday afternoon after church with my AU college students. It was awesome to see students I am privileged to pour into on opposite ends of the country and opposite on so many other issues, hang out and laugh over a meal… What a blessing! It was a jammed packed weekend and trying to give it any justice in words would just not do! I loved having them here every minute and missed them the moment they stepped out of my crazy mini-van for their plane home… Can’t wait for our next trip ladies! Love you, Katie, Alex, Sassy Chappy, Hannah, Fingers and Faith.

This is just a SMALL sample of the pics as I said 921 were taken... these are a few of my favs!

Katie on the phone telling me they are taking off!

Greeting the girls when they arrived

Getting excited about the weekend!

Please notices Hannah's bag which is only for 3 Days!

Me "Driving" a Mini-Van!

Alex a little scared by the driving and Katie amazed at the Lights...

Everyone trying to help me drive! I could not see anything!

With the Bosses Boots and Saber from A&M

Holding their own Press Conference

Spelling out USA in my office building lobby.... DC was not ready for them...

Taking them to DC MUST Ben's Chili Bowl!

Places their orders at the counter

My Roomies and Steph came to join us for dinner

Diggin In to Ben's Famous Half-Smokes

One of 50 or so photo shoots in the leaves

Big Night Out!

Alex and Hannah realizing its a bit colder in DC

My Friend Kate took this as we were walking around the reflecting pool

One Last Photo Shoot before they got on the plane!

Faith, Katie, Sassy Chappy, Me, Fingers, Hannah and Alex

Heading back to Texas... Miss them already!

Hangin Tough!

2008-11-05T19:35:00.016-05:00

So last summer I got a frantic call from my oldest sister that she had the perfect girls weekend and I NEEDED to attend! She practically squealed on the phone when she told me the New Kids on the Block were doing a reunion tour and we HAD to all go! Now my sisters and I were all fans when we were younger, each claiming our favorite boy band member (Me = Jonathan, Rae = Joey and Missy = Jordan) but we had never been able to attend one of their concerts. This was her shot! We were going to go! So I told her I was in and let me know when and where. So we grabbed my sister-in-law one of my BFF's from High School and my Mom of course! (Because seriously if we were recreating childhood here, we could not have gone without her in the first place!) My sister got up SUPER early one Saturday morning to get us tickets to the San Antonio show, because with distance and my travel schedule it worked out the best. It was quite funny hearing from her afterwards I guess she was so nervous she did not get tickets that she actually bought tickets twice! Then she was trying to sell them and so on and so forth, it was quite the ordeal!

But alas we had our tickets, right off the floor a perfect spot I thought if you were not going to drop the serious dough for the first few rows. And began to make our weekend plans. We secured a Two floor Marriott suite to hang out in, and I secured my plane ticket to Texas. And off we went! The day started off with us all in the car heading down to San Antonio with a strict only 80's and early 90's rule on the music. Lots of laughter and singing along... but what made it even funnier is my sisters car does not have an IPod hook up so she brought her stand alone speakers and placed it on the dash board, a bit ghetto but totally worked! Once we got to San Antonio we checked into the hotel, did our hair, changed our clothes and headed off to indulge in some Mexican food! It was glorious to be home! (I do not eat enchiladas outside of the state of Texas, no one else does them right, so why waste the money!)

Off to the arena we went! The place was PACKED with 30 something women! We saw about 25 women who were doing a mini high school reunion, lots of ladies busted out their old shirts or made shirts! (I tried to convince everyone to do a puffy paint craft project but no one seemed to have the time) My sister-in-law and I decided to wait in line to get the BIG buttons with their faces on it and t-shirts! I just got a Jonathan button which I later wanted to throw to the ground after he was sporting his political shirt during the concert, but I got over it... When the concert started the place erupted in screaming! I did not know that 30 yr old women could still hit that note but oh my gosh I thought I was old because I totally had to put on ear muffs a couple of times! The guys did all their old steps, everyone sang along, even Mom! And danced too! it was all we had all hoped it would be! We were so stoked to make our first NKOTB concert!

At the end my sister decided she needed a shirt, so we had to fight the crowds to get to the front, I had to laugh because my initial thought was you should be fine getting a Large or Extra Large because the Smalls and Mediums usually sell out first... ummm then I forgot the stadium was filled with women our size and not teen size... and thus two tables later no shirts to be had! Oh how times have changed!

We drove home blasting the music and singing along, got to the hotel and chatted a bit but then crashed! Mom woke us up early at like 7 am to get breakfast and head back to Austin, I told everyone you knew we were old when no one complained and it was a Saturday morning...

It was an amazing night and short girls weekend, that I will forever treasure! Childhood dreams coming true with your amazing Family does not get much better than this ladies!

Our Group... Jenn, Rae, Missy, Mom, and Grayson

Rae, Jenn and I and the stadium full of screaming 30 yr olds! (If you look over our heads you can see the guys...they came out to the middle of the crowd to sing!)

Grayson and I sporting our Buttons and her shirt! (She still is tiny so was able to get a shirt!)

The same ol Boy Band Moves and Songs... to Melt your Heart!

Here is a little video to keep you Hangin Tough!!!

VOTE!

2008-11-04T09:28:00.003-05:00

President George W. Bush fills out his ballot for the 2008 election during the early voting process from his Oval Office desk at the White House Friday, Oct. 24, 2008. Ballots cast by both the President and Mrs. Laura Bush were mailed back to Texas.

White House photo by Eric Draper

Everyone needs to get out and VOTE today! Let your voice be heard and if you don't you are allowing someone else to choose for you! Therefore you do not get to complain once it is all over. Wait however long you need to! This is important people! The President took time to VOTE so I am sure you can as well!

On another note if you vote and let the good people at Starbucks know they will give you a free cup of coffee! And at least at my Starbees the new Christmas cups are out!!! That always makes me happy!

VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE

Women's National Team and my Beijing Soccer Ball!

2008-11-03T11:48:00.017-05:00

So this summer while I was in Beijing my two new BFF's endured the craziness that was the Olympic store to get me an Olympic Soccer ball! When they got there Ju Ju called me to make sure they got the right one, there was a red one, a silver one and a gold one... she wanted to make sure I got the perfect ball! The background noise sounded like the place was under revolt and kids were way too hopped up on sugar! But I told her which one (the gold of course because I was certain our Team would bring home the Gold!) So Cody and Ju Ju retrieved the ball for me and I was OH so happy to get it!

In September Jenn flew up to travel with me to Philly to watch the Women's Team take on Ireland in their Achieve Your Goal Tour! The Lord completely covered us that night as when we walked up to the stadium I had my Beijing Soccer ball tucked under my arm, not hidden in any way and Jenn had one as well, we presented out tickets and continued in... On the other side this Dad looked at us in shock and asked how we got our soccer balls in... I told him nothing special just walked, he told us they were making everyone bring theirs back to their car! What! We took the subway 20 minutes so that could have been BAD! I think it was our good looks... so I got a handful of signatures that night and all was good!

Then I saw the team was playing in Richmond, its a much smaller stadium and a lot more opportunities for signatures... so I grabbed my friend Lauren and we headed down for the game! A friend here is actually related to one of the players husbands so made a call and Lindsey Tarpley came and sought me out after the game! She was very gracious signing the soccer ball and helped me get other signatures and a lot of pictures! So here are some photos from the night now I have a wonderful Gold Soccer ball thanks to the hard work of Cody and Ju Ju! And now I have all but 3 of the entire Olympic Teams' Signatures on it including the alternates and coach! (The three I am missing are back in college, so maybe I will make some college tours! who knows!) Here are a bunch of pics!

My Good Friend Cody! At the Great Wall in Beijing!

His wonderful Wife Ju Ju who we realized is my long lost Twin!
(I realized we somehow did not get a pic of all three of us all trip! At least on my camera...)

Lindsey Tarpley and I

Carli Lloyd and I (She scored the winning goal of the Olympics!)
(Check out my cool Soccer ball!)

Tarps BFF Heather O'Reilly and I

Aly Wagner and I

Captain Christie Rampone and I

Heather Mitts and I (She was super jealous of my soccer ball and tried to buy it off me!, she said when they went to the store there were not any there and she was super bummed! Thanks again to Cody and Ju Ju!)

Natasha Kai and I

Angela Huchles the hometown Hero!

Lori Chups and I

Nicole Barnhart and I

Brianna Scurry and I (She was the Goal Keeper in '99 who made the awesome saves against China in the World Cup!)

Rachel B and I

Back to Phi Lamb

2008-10-29T08:57:00.004-05:00

(Katie, Alex, Me, and Courtney... TIRED!)

So this year I was given the great opportunity to step back and be involved again in Sigma Phi Lambda. The Christian sorority I was a part of all through college that I really credit to developing me into a more mature christian woman. I made my best friends through this group and had a lot of laughs! So when I received a phone call this summer to see if I "had time" to be involved in the Alumni Council for the A&M chapter I told them "have time! what! Of course I have time!"

First it was great to see how the Lord is moving me out of leadership in the Gathering an organization I have loved for so many years, and helping me out with giving me another way to serve college students, who He has given me a deep passion for. He never moves you from one ministry without giving you another way to pour out and that is so awesome!

So as a part of the Alumni Council I get to pour into three of the officers Alex the VP, Katie the Secretary and Courtney the crazy Pledge Trainer (they told me we would get along, but I don't see it...) These girls and even the other 4 have become a great part of my life this semester and I look forward to all our chats. Last month I had the great privilege to speak at their fall retreat and share with them a lot of what the Lord has taught me since I left A&M. It was a great event and I will post some pics on that soon. (as soon as I get my camera back! ~ Which is also holding the pictures to the awesome NKOTB concert that I have yet to tell you about!)... But I digress, lets just say I did 3 talks in 14 hours... 8 pm, Mid-Night and 7:30 am, and was super sick, and on top of that I TOTALLY forgot about this college thing of not sleeping. So I did not got to bed until almost 3 am... see when you are 28 this is the perfect storm for a body crash! It was almost worse on my body than a campaign! So the photo up top is the four of us getting lunch after the retreat... man do I look ROUGH on so little sleep but hey it was a great night and some great food, with a lot of bonding and some embarrassing moments only we could love (**wink, wink Alex**)... nothing is right when you are running on such little sleep... I love you girls and I am looking forward to seeing you and the others in less than 9 days!!!

A Little Bragging...

2008-10-29T08:21:00.002-05:00

So my friend Shea was covered by CNN recently and they have a little video essay on her. So I had to brag, she is great and we used to travel together a lot. Once we had Thai food delivered to our van parked across the street from the resturaunt because we had to stay in the van. It was Shea's idea she is always thinking on her feet! So click the link and hit play in the middle of the screen.

Team Dickerson

2008-10-27T08:26:00.004-05:00

Well folks, with the ending of my lease this month, and that whole, not knowing what I am doing next things hanging over my head... I had to find a place to live and one that would not make me sign any crazy lease, or pay a ridiculous amount of money and so on and so forth... so after much searching (and by much searching I mean I was having lunch with Ashleigh and said stink I need to figure out what I am going to do and she said you are moving in with us, and I was all okay...)

I have landed on Team Dickerson, there were many teams looking to pick me up for the final three months of the season, but alas the Dickerson's won! Ashleigh and I were in Phi Lamb together in college and both lived in the wonderful world that is the L Building in Scandia Apartments! Shout out 12 L! And we reconnected when her and Joe moved to the DC area a couple years ago. It has been great having another Aggie friend here, and living with them will be even better! So get excited for lots of fun Dickerson posts to come! The best thing is they have a Lab named Hank who is very sweet! So I get a dog for a few months! WHOOP!

Grand Central Station... and Quiet Times?

2008-10-21T16:04:00.004-05:00

Lets be honest (I mean y'all know me, no one else reads this) I am a little weird... well lets just say weird. One of my favorite things about extended time in New York is being able to do my quiet times at Grand Central Station! Quiet and Grand Central Station is a bit of an oxy-moron, I know. But when I was growing up someone showed me this picture of Grand Central Station that just struck me. I loved it but was not too sure why.

As I got into college I took saw the picture again and the Lord showed me something in it. You can see the people moving about and going through their lives and then from the windows the light shines in illuminating the place. At that place in my life the Lord needed to remind me no matter how busy or crazy things around me got or that I myself got. His light was always shining down on me guiding my path and my way. So Grand Central Station became this amazing place of encouragement to me even before I ever saw the place!

I did not get to see it until 2005 and when I did I loved it and have ever since. Now every time I am in New York, I like to go there grab my bible, my ipod and a Venti Extra Hot No Whip Mocha from Starbucks and meet with the Lord. In the midst of the business of Grand Central Station the Lord stops me and reminds me He is the light on my life nothing I accomplish or do it, but Him and Him alone, and He is the one guiding and leading me. Its just more proof that the Lord will meet us no matter where we are!

Hidden Treasures!

2008-10-20T19:21:00.003-05:00

Well I could go into how insane my last couple of weeks... well lets be honest last few months have been! I think I could count the number of times I have stayed in my own bed on my fingers! So these last two weeks were pretty crazy to say the least, I have just landed in NYC and this is the sixth city I have been in in 4 days!

So last night I got back from Texas at 11 pm in Baltimore, when I realized I had left ALL my heels at work! AH! I had to fly out for NYC at 7 am, so I had to swing by the office which put me home at 12:30 am, after showering and packing my head did not hit the bed until almost 2 am and my head was lifted at 4:45 am~ The day has been pretty uneventful flight was good, lots of meetings and some random hiccups in things... i.e. someone dropped my computer and now I have a nice crack through the screen! Hoping it gets fixed soon! But I was wiped and not out for a night on the town with friends...

I opted for a lonely New York Night (which is a good thing) I had my heart set on walking around the city for a bit since it is such great weather and then getting a burger at my favorite burger place in town! Corner Bistro! While walking I struck up a convo with one of the door men on 5th Ave and casually mentioned how I was looking for wad to a comfort burger but was not in for the long haul to downtown... He then enlighten me on another wonderful burger spot!

To be honest to hear him explain getting there you would think I was going to a speak easy... but so you go down 57th Street till you reach the Le Parker Meridien hotel, walk through the door through the bar, into the lobby, and then look for the VERY narrow hallway that just has a neon burger lit up over a door at the end of the hall and there you have it The Burger Joint one of the best burgers I have had! No sign no credit cards and nothing but burgers and fries! It was awesome and all that I could hope for so I am passing the tip onto you! When you get to New York, you must go by the Corner Bistro if you are downtown, but when you hit the upper West side... hit up the Burger Joint! They are made to order and awesome!

Back By Popular Demand!

2008-10-15T12:18:00.002-05:00

So I am back... I realized how much this helped me to keep up with folks and life is slowing down a bit I think I have time to post... So check back I will try to update some pics and post something good soon! Hopefully now I won;t have to flood e-mails! Love y'all!

Sad News

2007-11-19T09:44:00.000-05:00

While it has been a real joy keeping everyone up to date on my personal life via this blog. Through a lot of prayer I just think with my current job situation this blog might not be the best thing right now. So it is with a sad heart I inform you I will be removing it completely by the end of the week. Now I will go back to sending more regular updates on all the fun things here to my friends via e-mail. So if for some reason I don't have your e-mail or if you are an old friend that has been keeping up with me via this blog I do want to keep you up just not so the whole world will be kept up too. So leave me a comment with your e-mail and any other contact info you want to pass on and I will add you to my list. I will not approve the comment so it will never post and everyone else can grab your e-mail too! ;)

Sorry to have to change this guys! It really has been fun finding random folks via this blog but it is for the best. I will continue to check in on those of you who have a blog so you will still get stalked from me that way!!! ;) And if you are one of my blog friends I have linked please make sure I have your e-mail so I can keep up with you and keep you in the loop!

Love y'all!

Surprises!

2007-11-09T10:06:00.000-05:00

So last night we had a surprise baby shower for one of the ladies in my bible study Jenn. It was a blast of a night hanging out catching up and talking babies. There was lots of food and laughs to go around and watching all these women in my living room I just sat there and thought how blessed I was by each of them.

See you have to understand my study formed in the Fall of 2003 with 15 girls all single and working in the city. We were the renegade study as we deemed ourselves because we formed it outside of our church but we all attended together. We met the first night at a cute Italian place in DuPont circle and me being the ever on schedule girl began to get anxious as no one was arriving. I was already settled I was not happy with this study and I missed my girls in Texas. Soon Suzy came around the corner and greeted me with one of the warmest smiles and apologies for being late, within minutes ladies started pouring in and we were seated at a long table trying to meet everyone. I ended up on the end with the other youngin at the table Deb O. We had a great night of fellowship and I soon learned these ladies would be a life saver for me. Since Deb O and I were the babies in the group the ladies were very quick to take us under their wings and care for us. Many times when I could not afford to eat one would take me out to dinner, or swing by lunch to me at work. I had a standing invitation to just about all of their homes for meals whenever I needed it and a place to crash if I ever got stuck with long hours in the city.

These ladies sacrificed to make me feel at home. They let me spend holidays with them. I was able to attend special occasions with their families, and then they started to get married. It was joyous how our group started with only one married gal and one gal dating someone and now over half are married and have kids! One specific thing I remember so clearly is at one point in my job I had a week where I was SO crazy I literally wore holes in the bottom of my shoes from the amount of walking I did. I had told Jenn about this when she called me one day in the office to check in on me. Next thing I new they had dropped off new shoes to me so that I could keep working and not get my feet soaked since it was raining outside. There are SO many stories I could tell of praise to these women this is just one.

I can remember specifically the times ladies would enter our group for prayer request and start to talk seriously or not so seriously about a boy, and the next thing I knew we were attending their weddings. As our lives changed so did our group slowly some ladies slipped out and we added new ones in, and did life together with them. So last night we honored Jenn, (she and I are the final two from the original group) she is having a little girl in just a few months and we gathered together all the ladies we could from the bible study over the years that lived here in town. And as we were sitting there talking I just looked around the room at the ladies who have shaped my life here in DC. They have prayed for me, rallied around me, encouraged me and supported me through some of the hardest times in my life. I know if I even need something these ladies are the ones I will call. They took me as a scared gal straight out of college intimidated by the city and everything it held and turned me into a Godly woman who can live out her faith in the work place. I owe a lot to these ladies and they may never know how much they mean to me. Each one holds a very dear space in my heart and I am so blessed to know them and so excited to see where God will take us all in the future.

Diaper Cake Candice made... (all week I thought it was going to be something edible)

Jenn comes in very surprised!

Gals from the original group! Jenn, Me, Jess, and Amanda

Ladies in the Current Study

(Jeanie, Beth, Jodi, Michelle, Jenn, Me, Kelli, Suzanne)

VOTE!!!

2007-11-06T09:30:00.000-05:00

In case you did not know today is election day people! It is one of my favorite days of the year as I get to exercise a civic duty that has been given to me by the sacrifice of so many soldiers! And they are fighting right now for others to also be able to vote! In the last Iraqi election many folks who decided to go to the polls did so at the expense of their safety in that many attacks took place on people heading there not to mention the women alone!

So I promise you that extra stop in your day, the almost no line to get to the polls is nothing compared to what so many had to go through to allow you to go vote. So go and vote! There may not be any BIG folks on the ballot this November but your local Judges, School Boards, State legislatures and many more all need your support! So go exercise your freedom today and VOTE!

H-Town and College Station Pics!

2007-11-05T17:37:00.001-05:00

Weekend started off with a little Lupe Tortilla in H-Town

Steph and I

Crazy Cristina and I

Morgan Family and I

Grace and Kristi

Yell Practice Gang

Jamie Lee and I

Future Yell Leaders!

Joe and I doing the push ups

Let the Kiddos Invade!

Sabrina, Victoria and Savannah!

Lee Family... Not sure why they look so scared!

Waverly, and Whitney and I

Boone Family

My Best Friend from High School Emily and her boys

My Gals! Renee JUST got engaged! Was a sweet surprise to see them!

The new extended Family! Congrats Renee and Justin!

My Bro and the Boys at the Game

Rachael at her first College Football Game! WHOOP!

Heather and I

Tristie and I

Kerri and I (Thanks for letting us invade your home!)

Did not get a one on one pic with Jared but thanks J-Rod for driving us around!

MIA!

2007-11-05T16:35:00.000-05:00

Okay I am sorry for being so MIA recently but it was all for good! I have recently accepted a new job!!! I am VERY excited and looking forward to the new challenge. I will stay in DC and not head to a new city but you just never know where I may turn up next, what is that a Big Apple in the distance or is it just getting Windy in here!

So on top of all the interviews and grueling process of the new job I also got to travel back home and hang with a lot of good friends and a lot of new babies!!! One of my favorite things in life is that while it is very weird and peculiar to me to think of babies, I DO love my nieces and nephews and just because there is no blood there does not mean my good friends little ones are not related to me… scary I know but I love being an Aunt! You get them all hopped up on sugar you are the hero and then you send them home! What is wrong with this plan! While in Texas I got to travel back with my good friend Rachael and Jodi was to come but a very sad sequence of events and two missed planes and she was stuck in DC.

After some good time in College Station catching up with friends and some good Aggie football even if we did not win… I headed to New Orleans for some business. We worked our tails off and to be honest it was one of the BEST business trips I have gone on. Our team to work with was awesome and gelled just right. So despite all the crazy antics and lack of info we pulled of a few great events! Whoop! Then I got the chance to head over to a special project Emeril Lagasse is helping with and taste a lot of his famous food and hang out with him for a while. It was awesome the food was good and that guy can hug I will tell you what!

Once back in DC after some plane fiascos myself, I slept for 9 straight hours it was AMAZING! And then headed to an 80’s party with my college students only to have to leave early to attend my roomies 30th birthday! It has been a FULL last week and a half and I will post pics up as soon as I can!

The Chao

2007-10-18T12:44:00.000-05:00

Oh my… well I have just experienced one of the best meals I may have ever had in my entire life! I am so overcome with food I can not work and had to write this post. My boys and I here at the office have been talking about going to Fogo De Chao ever since Dave went there in the spring. But things always came up and we kept putting it off. Today Dave surprised us and said we are going today… What! Are you kidding me! I have not prepared! I planned to fast before hand, have a serious work out in the morning… wear stretchy pants! Here I am in my normal suit with no room to breathe and have had breakfast and dinner last night and you want me to go today! Well to be honest despite my lack of preparation it was not hard to convince me.

Once we arrived it was all I had prayed it would be. They are working on the outside area and thus it does not look like a gem from the outside but once you grace the doors you see the goodness that is the Chao. The atmosphere is awesome, not too stuffy but still nice. The waiters are dressed in traditional Brazilian garb and are some of the best in all of DC. The whole idea of the Chao is meat on swords! Basically is kinda like Tres Amigos with the little flags you raise when you are ready for food. Except a bit classier. There is a salad station that is amazing with all sorts of salads, cheeses, vegetables, spreads and breads and well you get the picture. Then they bring you wonderful warm cheese bread, fried bananas, crispy hot polenta and seasoned mashed potatoes and they keep refilling these if needed. So if you go with two big boys who played college ball like me you don’t have to worry about loosing all your food. Then come the servers…

It's so glorious, Dave was a bit sad we were seated near the kitchen but I thought it was the best, you could see the waiters come rushing out of the kitchen swords of meat in hand. It was quite a sight, they come out in droves ready to serve and rush to your side to ask if you want one of the 15 cuts of beef, pork, chicken, and lamb that they have. They then slice it right there onto your plate and the next sword walks up. When you have enough on your plate you simply turn over your disk to signal you are good for now. My plan of attack I left mine up till I saw each of the 15 meats and chose a small to lets be honest medium selection of each. Whew! It was intense and amazing! The meats are awesome and mouth watering. The waiters were gentleman and ladies, and took care of your every need. Its how a restaurant should be run. If you can go to the Chao I HIGHLY recommend it as there are many there in Texas! Okay I am going back to my food coma…….

Cierra Video

2007-10-15T09:55:00.000-05:00

Please go check this out on Johns Blog... it is awesome! I am so proud of our students!

Volleyball and Early Morning Movin

2007-10-15T09:05:00.000-05:00

Well I would like to start off with the great news that this morning was my first morning back in the gym and it was glorious! Everyone was asking how I was and excited to have me back. It was a great work out for what I can do right now and I am SO EXCITED about getting back into the routine!

But that is not what this blog is about. This weekend was very eventful and except for the Aggies and Cowboy’s losses it was an awesome weekend! Friday night a crew of Gathering folks rallied to go and support our good friend Cinnamon in her return to the AU Volleyball court! It was a great game and the ladies killed Lafayette quickly!

Saturday morning we were up bright and early and headed out to serve Cierra’s family and help in the moving process. It was awesome watching the students rally around this family and serve them in ways that truly went above and beyond! I am constantly amazed at the heart of service these students have! They are some of the best Rock Stars I know!!!

The Gathering Cheering Section!

Cinnamon and I

The Country Car Waiting for Direction

Tymon making Jeff carry the load

Jeff and Tymon

The Gals Movin Boxes

The guys moving the TV... not sure what Jeff is doing?

Aaron trying to make Cierra do all the raking!

Tired from moving and ready for lunch!

Alessandra and Sarah with a pizza pile as big as her!

The whole Gathering Moving Team (minus Phillipe and James) with Cierra and her Mom

Little bit crazy...

The ladies who set everything up... Alessandra and Sarah with Cierra

No words... Jeff and Aaron being awkward...

WOW

2007-10-10T09:05:00.000-05:00

I really don't know what else to say but WOW! I sat last night speechless at the faithfulness of God. Not that I ever doubted Him to be faithful to our prayers because I knew He would provide exactly what we asked for. But even when you know God is going to take care of it, the moment He does is still amazing and leaves you awe struck. I know I say that often about a Tuesday night but there is something about watching these students coming together and worshiping and serving their campus that always gets me choked up. I love these students and care for them more than I can ever express and do realize that they are the Lords and He is just allowing me to watch them for a while.

Our students have partnered with an organization called the Sparrow Club to sponsor a child by the name of Cierra who has been battling cystic fibrosis her whole life. They are working to provide her family with basic needs and assistance and watching them rally around this little girl last night was amazing. The worship was what I think a glimpse of what heaven will be like. It was as if the students could not sing loud enough to express their love for the Lord, and then as Mike began to talk I started my Tuesday ritual of counting to see where we are. Now please hear me when I say it is NEVER about numbers for us but it something we love to see Gods faithfulness in. If we were back with just three students or one for that matter I would be just as happy to be there. But my prayer for this semester was to break that 100 mark. And last night as I began to count I thought I miscounted and started again because as I finished just one side I was already well into the 50's. We ended the night with 101 souls in that room and I was in awe of the Lord. Because these 101 souls were there to worship God and see Him move. They did not come because we were giving out free burritos or anything else they were there to meet with the God in heaven and He brought them there so He could meet them face to face.

Standing in the back of the Kay center last night and seeing all that God has done over these short years not only on our campus but the fact we are on 5 was amazing! John and I were speaking to two potential volunteers and they asked how many more campuses we thought the Gathering would spread to. And we both just said we had no idea God was going to spread us to 5! So who knows! its awesome when you see the Lord bless a ministry this way, and I love that our volunteers and John always give Him the praise never trying to take any of the credit. I am blessed immensely to serve in this capacity and I am so excited to see where God has us going! Who knows but one thing I do know, He is going to continue to show up in a major way and I can not wait to see what He does next Tuesday!

Oh other cool thing, on our churches prayer guide for the month of October, the entire church was praying for The Gathering as a whole yesterday! So we were extra blessed that it fell on the day of our service! PTL!

I would be lying if I said these images were from last night, sadly I took no pictures but did get some video... but these are from a couple of Tuesday's ago. Still gives you a glimpse of what amazing students I get to hang out with!

Line by Lines and Babies?

2007-10-09T11:50:00.000-05:00

Friday night I was able to have a fun night out with some old co-workers. It was my friend Allie’s 30th Birthday and it quickly became a work reunion! I was so pumped as I saw so many shining faces coming through the door. We grabbed a table in the back and started in on a long night of catching up and laughing at so many old stories! Some how the conversation turned to our home towns. One fellow lost Texan was there and we began to talk about how weird it was to us that all of our friends were mothers. Some twice over and even a handful 3 times over. Not that we are not happy for our friends because believe you me I love my friends kiddos! They are the cutest! But to us in this stage of our life it just seemed weird.

Christal quickly realized that once we moved back to the homeland it would probably not be too long till we started families of our own. We both paused at the thought of being the oldest ladies in Mothers Day Out. And what our play groups would look like. Then we decided the only way to fix this problem was we would all have to live close by to each other again and have babies at the same time so we would have each other. This then became a somewhat scary thought for our children realizing we would probably set up time with line by lines. (These are to the minute detailed schedules) That we would provide briefing papers for all the mothers in our group on our chosen play destination such as the rate of accidents, how far it would be to the nearest hospital, and any info on big projects and play days the location had done in the past and their success rate. Maybe a few bios and resumes of the Gymboree Instructers. You know the norm info you get before going some where.

This was beginning to look much like my good friend Bonny Kate’s wedding. Now you know I have been in something like 17 weddings and all have their own unique flare. But the best thing about BK’s wedding was the schedule and material she sent to all of us before hand. I had my line by line in hand and knew to the minute where I needed to be thus allowing me to schedule time to see others. I had all my briefing materials as to where I would stay, the distance from the Marshal home to the church and such. It made my wedding experience go much smoother and BK’s as well. So I feel that her wedding in Texas is a small glimpse of what ours may look like and then what our wonderful playgroups will look like.

I laugh now, but I think my kiddos may either hate it or love it (which can be scary on their own.) But I will say there is a lot of good in a detailed line by line and a lot more in a detailed briefing paper. It stops all those pesky surprises and you know what you are walking into. So all that to say I am looking forward to continuing to do life with these ladies, I think it is rare to find this many fun women in the environment we live in and I am glad I have each one of them with me. They are driven, organized, prepared, professional and then on the off time very crazy and a good time. I have to run now to begin the briefing papers on our potential future husbands so we can begin the interview process asap our time here is running up!

He Does Exsist

2007-10-05T13:12:00.001-05:00

We had heard rumors of this man lurking around the city, not just in our TVs. Many friends had stated they had sited him but none had proof... then lo-and-behold there I was sitting and enjoying some nice jazz with some friends when he starts casually walking by us. Two of my college students were sitting with me, Candace was prepared and had her camera. so we jumped and asked for a picture from the guy who swears he can get you all the governments money!

Candace, Matthew Leskow (Question Mark Guy), Me, and Sabrina

Here we go Again!

2007-10-03T08:29:00.000-05:00

So I feel like recently I have just been posting catch up posts, and here is yet another. I am sitting here with a VERY Venti Mocha and trying to get myself awake to write this and then dive into the pile in front of me of work. So I am procrastinating! And I will put another side note in there. I LOVE my folks at the Starbees by my office. They are a great team and are always having fun and encouraging. But not in a over bearing I want to kill you this early in the morning kinda way. I was in Philly this past week for work and the Starbees there had a staff that looked like they were just as asleep as I was and not happy to have to serve me coffee... No fun!

But I digress so here is some pics of things going on... a couple of weekends ago my good friend Jared came up to visit and we headed to Annapolis to tour the Naval Academy with one of his hometown friends, and then go to the navy vs. Duke game. While this was a HUGE change from my Kyle Field days it was an amazing campus and the game atmosphere was fun! The we headed down to the harbour to have some good seafood, and then to the city for a little dessert! It was good times by all

The Group out for Dinner at Cactus Cantina!

Jared's friend John toured us around the Academy! Its amazing everyone should go see it! Especially the chapel!

Jared, Me, Cristina and Matt at the Game

We hung out with one of my former students Des for dinner

Then my good friend Shari and I got together to tour the monuments as she and her husband have headed back to Texas and there was still some sight seeing to be done. The fun part was one of my campers from when I was a camp counselor in Texas moved up here and contacted me so we had dinner and hung out as well!

Shari, Me, J'aime and President Lincoln

Then I headed to Philly for some work and was able to have dinner and a relaxing girls night with my good friend Kate!

Then it was off to our churches Fall Retreat! 500 + singles drove down to a Young Life camp in South West Virginia for a weekend away of great teaching and some of the best worship I have ever taken part in!

Our little group getting ready to head into a talk

John Speaking at Retreat

Me and the Gathering Gal leaders from George Mason

Old Friends are the best friends Beau, Me, Amanda and Jerry after breakfast one morning

Me and the guys before the last session

My good friend Dan and I

Me, Beau and Lauren late one night

Catching Up!

2007-09-20T08:48:00.000-05:00

Okay so I have been bad with catching everyone up on things happening in my life... the whole point of this blog. Well I looked at my calender last night as I was setting something in for next week, and realized by the end of this month I will have had just one night to myself! And that was last week and I had to run errands! So sorry I have been bad but I promise I have been busy! Here is some quick looks at the fun September has held!

For Sara's Birthday she wanted to host a dinner party at our house...

She prepped and did all this herself because she had a picture in her mind what her party would look like! So it was fun having all the friends over for a nice relaxing meal.

The Gathering kicked off this month in full effect. This is the "Sisters" as we are called hanging out the first night!

Little pic of our after service fun!

We had a Gathering Leadership Retreat for Students and Volunteers at Jodi's Rents Lake House and my favorite part is there is a Sonic close by!!!! So we stopped for a little Cherry Limeade Goodness!

The Girls enjoying some bonding time, making fun of the boys

Me and My "Cuz" Katherine

There was a serious Ping Pong Tourney which I reffed.

The Gals decided to jump in the water for some late night swimin!

For Labor Day Jodes and I headed down to Florida for my annual summer trip and hit up Miami and Key West

We saw some interesting people...

And some interesting vehicles... Nothin Runs Like a Deere

Enjoyed some time with out Snorkel Guide

Sadly when you snorkel you just can't look to cute! ;)

Then we headed to Key West for dinner and sunset

As we left Key West this is what we saw... we were confused on how this system worked?

So that is some of the fun I have been having. Jared comes in town this weekend and we are going to head to Annapolis to catch a Navy Football game. Will post on how that goes. And I am going to try to get some sleep and Michelle time very soon! Miss y'all!

It's a Great Day to be Alive!

2007-09-17T14:04:00.001-05:00

Well its 2:45 pm and I just got a large latte from the coffee shop. Why you may ask, because I am a tired as I think I may have ever been in my life. Well I take that back there are a couple of times where I think I may have been a bit more tired, but right now I am giving them a run for their money. So literally for the past three weeks I have gone non-stop without what feels like a moment to myself. I have had something every night of every week for the last three weeks. It’s all been things I love, hanging with friends, chatting with college students, work functions. But as hard as this may be for some of y’all to believe I NEED Michelle time. Time with just me, and I have been truckin through with none of that for a very long time right now, and have now added no sleep on top of no Michelle time.

This weekend I was certain would be different. I tried to ensure that it would, and alas it did not work out as I had hoped. While again I truly enjoyed all I got to do, I was still tired and still wanting alone time when Sunday rolled around. So I was a tad sad when I realized that my time I thought would be a break was gone. I pushed through Sunday as I would any other day, happy to be where I was but desperately wanting to be somewhere else (i.e. my bed!) As I headed into church I was rushed, I had lost track of time and asked Jodi to stop for coffee on the way so I would not dose off during the prayers (you’re laughing because you know you do it!) And those who know me know how anal I am about schedules and time and the like. So I was flustered upset to be there late, upset at myself because I had caused us to be late! But as I rushed in barely taking time to acknowledge friends, I turned the corner to where we usually sit with the college students and my eyes fell on a row and a half of students piled in and worshiping the Lord! I almost wanted to go into tears then, but gave a line full of hi-fives to show my joy and entered into one of the best times of worship I have ever experienced. God just stopped me and reminded me that all of this is His. Everything, even my time and my sleep, all His. He chooses when to allow me these luxuries and He chooses when to pour me out to where I think there is nothing left to give. I was rejuvenated in a whole new way during worship and it was awesome. As the sermon began (it was good and I did take notes) I began to look around me at the folks there. The students I am so honored that God lets me serve and the friends that help to sustain me and put up with me when I think there is nothing left. They usually get the brunt of me because I try never to be short or tired around the students so they are the ones who endure my frustrated tired side, and still love me. It is for that I am thankful.

Then my best friend for the past six years and roommate for the past 3 and I and our other roommate Nicole went to grab dinner and coffee to celebrate Sara’s birthday. It was a refreshing and joyful time of fellowship. We headed home to meet our other roommate Selena and had some good laughs trying to take a roommate picture. I had one of the best quiet times I have had in a long time last night and it was so refreshing! I awoke this morning still tired but yet more alive and awake than I have been in a long while! My morning and afternoon has been filled with many blessings and promises fulfilled by the Lord. I may be exhausted and worn out but to be honest that just physical junk. I feel like I just finished one of the best work outs ever! I am ready to keep trucking through till I actually get that day of rest… when will it be not sure… every night has something already booked this week into next, but I know it will come when it is needed and I will be pumped! I love the people God has sent to support me in my life. And I could have never walked the road I have walked without them. Spiritually, physically and in my career. I am so thankful of the blessings of my friends! Here are a few of those DC faces!

The Gathering Leader and Student Leader retreat last weekend!

Jodi and I this weekend

And then there are my roommates... uh I have no words for these girls. Lets be honest if they live with me you know they have to be crazy! We may or may not have turned our quest for a roommate pic into a roommate photo shoot last night! I LOVE these girls! And could not do my life without their support and love!

Sara and Nicole ready for their photo shoot!

Um yeah we can not be serious...

Ah we are sweet... Me, Nicole, Selena and Sara seated

Happy Birthday Sara!

Do you really think anyone should have allowed us to have coffee this late at night...

Evermore

2007-09-11T22:46:00.000-05:00

This morning I awoke at 4:45 am to watch the Women's National Team take on North Korea. It was a tough match and they tied, not what I was hoping for to start the morning. I took some time acknowledging the day and what it meant for so many in our nation today. And was a bit perplexed what this day might bring me. There were many random happenings that sent my day to very sad and then very happy and back to sad.

By the time my work day was over I was WIPED but I knew it was time to get myself into shape and head to American U for The Gathering. (The college ministry I work with) Spiritually I have had a very difficult last few weeks. With many struggles and past junk coming back at me. I was wondering how our night would go. On my way to campus I received a text message from a former camper I had led while I was in college. She is the first student I had become extremely close with who walked away from the Lord. Its heart breaking for me to know she does not believe in Him anymore but I am glad that God has kept us connected. Just before we were getting started for the night one of the students informed me that another student I have had the privilege of leading, that now has also stepped away from the faith would be showing up to say hi. It was a great reunion as I am always so happy to see her face but at the same time sadden as she walks away from the Lord. I met this person when the Gathering first started on campus with just three students. (I got to see two of them tonight) And as we were standing out side of Kay I told her to look around at what she helped create for all these new students. It was kinda a cool and very sad moment.

John spoke about making sure we carve out time to do exactly what God has created us to do that we are passionate about. And as many of life's big decisions are weighing over me again and I feel overwhelmed with responsibility, it was amazing to stand in the midst of this ministry I have had the honor to serve with for the last almost three years. God could do all this without any of us but He gives us the privilege to be a part of it. As 83 students (27 being guys) stood in worship to the Lord, I could not help but cry in awe of God. This weekend I looked at my situation with earthly eyes, and only saw my current hardships. And even asked the Lord if He was sure He really wanted me leading these students and volunteers. Tonight God said nope, I want to lead them but I want to do so through you. I have brought you through these last three years and look how I have blessed and molded this ministry. Its not about me and my struggles, its all about the Lord. Sometimes we just need to be reminded of that. I love these students and I am SO blessed an honored to serve them, and get to love on them. Watching them praise the Lord tonight and looking at so many faces I have seen mature into strong Christian leaders from just a few short years ago. Its amazing. God can take whatever you give him and multiply it despite us and our failures. In the Spring of 2005 3 students and a handful of volunteers got started at AU and now in the Fall of 2007 83 students, and 11 volunteers met together tonight to worship God because of their vision. Its pretty awesome!

Here are the Lyrics to Evermore (the Worship song that made me stop tonight)

Lost for words with all to say

Lord you take my breath away

Still my soul, my soul cries out For you are holy

And as I look upon your name

Circumstances fade away

Now your glory steals my heart

You are holy You are holy Lord

Evermore my heart, my heart will say

Above all, I live for your glory

Even if my world falls I will say

Above all, I live for your glory

With all my heart I'll say I'm living for your name

With all to give you praise

We're living for your glory Lord

True Story...

2007-09-04T15:25:00.000-05:00

So there I was enjoying a perfectly great vacation when Jodi and I walked into a local Winn-Dixie (that's a grocery store for those who do not have a local one) in Key West, FL. We headed to the back to seek out their ladies room... I was the first through the door, as soon as I walked in I was certain we opened the wrong one and turned back and checked only to find we had in deed found the Ladies Room. To which Jodi asked why I was so unsure and as she stepped through the door she almost fell on the ground laughing. We had to get a picture because no one would believe us if not! Just imagine people if we did not know each other... this would be very awkward! I'll give 'em this, at least it was really clean!

Women's World Cup Schedule

2007-08-30T09:02:00.000-05:00

I know you were all concerned but the full schedule and TV schedule for the WWC has now been posted! Make sure you tune in or set your TiVo to watch the WNT take on the world and bring home the cup!

Phil. 4:8

2007-08-28T09:37:00.000-05:00

Mindy and I my Sr. Year of High School

“Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.” Hebrews 13:1

Well today is the one the only Mindy’s 31st birthday. I told her last year that once she crossed into the 30’s this would be a hard time in our friendship thus we decided 31 was official 30’s giving us one more year to hang out so since this marks the end of an almost 11 year friendship I thought an ode to her would be fitting… obviously I am kidding. But on this glorious day of her birth I thought I would give a shout out to the most influential person in my Christian walk.

Not enough people in this world are blessed with someone like Mindy to pour into them, and that I feel is a tragedy. God knew I was a “special case”… ;) and thus He sent her to me my Junior year of high school at church camp. I could go on about just the way the Lord orchestrated it, and how He knew I needed someone in my life at that moment, and how He sent me someone who would not take the PC answer of “I’m Fine” or some watered down version of what was really bothering me. That’s one of the best qualities of Mindy she does not let me just skate by what’s bothering me, or not give her the full truth of what I am struggling with. She will sit there until I let it all out and then tell me the practical things I need to do to get through it or wipe it out in my life.

But I digress… she has lived a life where she has walked strongly with the Lord all of her life, not that she does not struggle but she has a pretty amazing track record in my eyes. She is bold enough to call me out on the junk in my life, and loving enough to let me just vent about silly things in my life. She has taken more than the required hours of her life to pour into me and help develop me into the Christian I am today. As I said I have known her since I was a junior and therefore she has been putting up with my “drama” for a while. All with a smile and a beautiful heart of service. She takes my phone calls at all hours, and talks me down from any thing I see as out of control. And reminds me of the important things in life. Through all the years she has not lost sight of me and has kept me close which is something I am truly blessed through.

She has a spirit that totally trusts the Lord no questions asked, and she selflessly serves people around her like no other. Even as she raises three beautiful children, she still pours into girls in her local church. While she was sick and in the hospital during her last pregnancy she was reaching out to the women there, and the women who contacted her to pray for her, she actively sought out how she could pray for them. I daily pray I could have more of her heart of service to others. She has a passion and conviction to walk strong with the Lord no matter what the sacrifice is, and she never sees the worldly things she gives up as a sacrifice but as a blessing to not struggle with. Its that passion and acceptance that draws folks to her, and that the Lord uses to pour into so many others. I knew over 10 years ago when I saw her at church camp there was something different about that counselor. I observed her all week long and knew that if I was going to be a Christian I wanted to look like she did. While I obviously strive to look more like Jesus everyday, I truly believe He gave me an earthly example to mimic in Mindy. And as I get older and begin to mature in my faith I think I may look more and more like her and then I look and she has grown even more. And she is so humble about it, she is the perfect example of a Paul’s spiritual leadership of follow me as I follow Jesus.

I could go on and on truly and pray that every person could have a Mindy in their life. Someone who pushes them constantly to look more and more like Jesus, but at the same time are loving enough to help us up after we fall, or protect us when we are hurt. I thank my Lord every day as I remember Mindy. And today on the day of her birth I am extra thankful.

Love you Mindy and pray that this day blesses you ten-fold of the blessing you have not only been to me but so many.

Mindy and I last year in DC

Women's World Cup!

2007-08-27T10:35:00.000-05:00

Get excited people because the Women’s World Cup is just around the corner! I have watched the Women’s National Team long before it became popular in 1999 with the famous Brandi shirt incident. This year there were plans to attend the World cup in China with my long time soccer friend Jennifer… now she has decided to go and be an adult and buy a house and thus $ for a plane ticket, hotel and game tickets are not easy to come by… so I will watch this World Cup from the comfy of my home. It is rumored to be Kristine Lilly’s last World Cup and so I wanted to be there to see her win her maybe last… but she has got a lot of spunk in her and I am sure (really praying) we will see a lot more games from this player.

Last fall the WNT came to Richmond, VA and I was faced with my first chance to see them play in person. My Mom and my Sister were gracious enough to help out and get me a seat on the field to see the game. I purchased another ticket and my good friend Kate and I drove south to see the team. Kate was a trooper... the whole way she was calming me down as I was so excited to see them play in person and have the chance to finally meet a player I had admired since I was 14. I am sure having kate tell the story of our trip may be a bit more funny because she had to deal with me. My prayer team rallied for me and began praying even before I had the tickets and when the team first took the field who would walk right in front of me… But non other than Kristine Lilly! It was AWESOME! I totally believe God cares about even the small things in our life and He knew that I would totally die over that when most of the world may not even know if they were holding a conversation with her. Kate and I had made a sign that stated “We Love Lilly” and proudly displayed it at the end of the game praying she would walk over to our side to sign autographs… and who did she walk up to first… you guessed it non other than Me!!!! It was awesome!

Well all of this to say I hope that you will get a little World cup fever this September and cheer The Greatest Team You Never Heard Of (side note this team has not lost a game in almost two years!) on to claim yet another World Cup Title. They are currently ranked #1 and I am sure they will not disappoint! They have a blog up and going to keep you up to date on all things WNT and you can also check out Kristine Lilly’s page and her personal journal entries at the bottom of her page. I included some pics below of our adventure last year to Richmond.

Kristine Lilly and I
Kate and I showing off our Great Seats!!!

Kate, Me, and Kristine

Aly Wagner and I

Me, Kate Markgraf, and Kate

Me and Leslie Osborne

Their Back...

2007-08-20T09:48:00.001-05:00

It’s my favorite time of year… really always has been all my life. It’s the return back to school. Now do not hear me wrong in this when I was in school I did not like the return to classes and home work and such… I loved seeing friends I had not seen all summer. I am a hugger and I love that first hug when you see someone you have not seen in a while. (aside note this is why I love flying so much… because there is that great feeling when you come through the door and the person you came to visit is there waiting for a big hug.) I love reunions. Thus I love the start of the school year.

This Friday marked the first day students were allowed to move back into the dorms, and they kept coming all weekend long. I was able to see so many faces I loved and had missed all summer. And I loved the fact that this year we are starting The Gathering with a new vision. One that turns everything over to the students to run. We as volunteers will just be mentoring and discipling them in their walks with the Lord and their own path to spiritual leadership. So this weekend I was able to watch them take their first steps in doing it all their own, as they served their fellow classmates in helping them move in. I took a few pictures and took the girls out to lunch, but other than that it was all them.

I am excited for the semester ahead of us, and the hearts of service and the passion for the Lord that is rising up in this generation of students. And this group on American University’s campus. Pray for us as we embark in bringing the name of Jesus to this campus and this city. I can not tell express in words what it is like to watch these students serve their campus and each other. It is a humbling position the Lord has allowed me to stand in and be a part of. And I am so excited about what He has in store for us this fall semester! Praise the Lord for His provisions!

Early Mornin Move-In Crew

Candace Helping Out

Travis and Brian flirting with cheerleaders instead of movin... ;)

Everyone Attacking One Car

Julie, Sarah, Cinnamon, and Candace at Church

Me and Some of the Girls at Church!

Back in Texas

2007-08-15T09:27:00.000-05:00

My Grandparents have just celebrated 50 years together and all of their immediate family kids, grand-kids and great grand-kids gathered together to surprise them for a little family retreat in Flint, Texas. I was blessed in my good friend Heather offering to pick me up when I flew into Dallas. She was just about to the airport when she stopped for gas and her car would not start again! After much struggle she called me and I took a cab from the airport to the gas station. We awoke her brother from one of his last summer sleep in days to cross town and pick us up. After the tow truck showed up four hours later we headed off. Now do not be discouraged as if you have ever had the chance to hang out in small spaces with the Chapman’s it is never a let down! We did have a lot of fun waiting and rushing. We then met my two friend BK and Ashley for a quick bite at Panera and a chance to catch up with both gals. Then it was on the road again to meet my rents who were then driving out to Flint.

Sadly I did not get to bask in all the greatness of the resort we were at, as the heat and the traveling was pretty tiring on me after surgery. So much of my time was spent in doors and such. But it was still a great time with all my family. It was the first time since I was in high school that every member of the family was able to be there at the same time. There was A LOT of good food to be eaten, and a lot of fun conversation to be had. You know how crazy families can get, well mine is from New Orleans so we are just a tad crazier! And loud I might add. When my Step-Dad was driving me back to the airport there was a moment when we both realized it was unusually quiet almost eerie after all that chattering.

My Grandparents are great they have built a wonderful family and taught us the value of our loved ones. They have endured a lot to be where they are today and worked hard to ensure their children had more then them and our parents worked hard to ensure we had more than they did and now my siblings are working hard to ensure their children have more. I just love my siblings, we are all so different but that is what makes us great. We ban together and I know I always have them to count on. I could not ask for a better pair of sisters and a brother. So here are some fun pics of the trip…

Ash, BK, and Me

Me, Jordan and Heather fun in the Car!

My Grandparents! 50 Years!

The Shirts Grayson Made for the occasion

Grandparents and their Grand-kids

Grandparents and their Great-Grand-kids

My neice Sabrina the Diva

My Brother and I

Our Fam (minus kids.... hey who is watching the kids?)

Cousins Rockin the 50 Year Shirts!

Sabrina and her new Cinderella Doll to play with!

Savannah Excited about her new doll!

Papa Showing Victoria how to braid the dolls head... this was too cute to not get a picture!

This was great Savannah came in the room and said "Daddy! Puppy!" and Bear just dropped immediately and she climbed on her puppy!

Random Facts

2007-08-13T09:50:00.000-05:00

SO KC tagged me a while back and then Whit and Betsy just recently to know 8 random facts about me. Sorry it has taken me so long, I have been a bit crazy but non-the-less to help fill that stalker instinct in all of you and since obviously my fans demand it here we go…

The Rules:

1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.

2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.

3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules.

4. At the end of your blog, choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.

5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Now the moment you've all been waiting for...My eight random facts and/or habits:

1) This is new but weird the water cooler in our office is actually boiling right now people! Weird I know. The hot spicit instead of just heating water that comes out of it is currently heating the entire bottle and the water inside is actually boiling in the large bottle so much so it is shaking the bottle… have we unplugged it NO! We are waiting to see if it will pop the bottle off… ;)

2) I LOVE Slurpees in the Summer! Something about that ice cold frothy beverage just sends me into a earthly heaven. I enjoy the Coke flavor the most but will settle for the Cherry if Coke is not available. Then I like to get a Taquito (Monterey Chicken to be exact) I know people never thought someone actually bought food off that roller but this girl does. It reminds me of the beach and the ocean. After early morning swims or swims anytime breakfast/lunch is usually a Slurpee, Taquito and pending on how much of a water work out I got… a bag of Salsa Verde Doritos which are also my fav! Ah Miami will be there in just a few weeks!

3) I LOVE the beach… I know it’s not random but still after that last post I am just thinking of the beach. With my Dad still in Florida this is a good thing for me because I go at least twice a year. For Christmas (because White Christmas is ALL about White Sand and NOT snow!) and then usually in August with friends. A trip to Key West is taken at least once a year, and that island never gets old to me! If I could pick a vacation spot I am ALWAYS hands down the beach! But I actually love less crowded beaches or the beaches in the very early morn… Running on the beach, because it gives my calves the best work out EVER! And just laying on the beach. I will always choose beach over lake, but I still love the lake as well… okay I am addicted to water!

4) My friend Yale calls me MP3 Player… many people take this the wrong way but I actually enjoy it… its my first good nickname other than my last name… which does rock but this one is pretty original. So for short I sign out my e-mails to Yale and that group of friends usually as MP3!

5) I have never been stung by a Bee! And I plan to keep it that way!

6) I am also addicted to collared shirts… for all you who wonder why I wear them so often… A girl once told me one day when I walked in with a collared shirt, that I looked great I said thanks, she then said “the collar makes your neck look thinner”! WHAT I was in high school people I had a thin neck, but now the girl in me is always conscience about how my neck looks… thus collared shirts.

7) I am right handed in everything I do… except eating. My Mom thinks its survival of the fittest because at home growing up my brother sat to my right and would often spread out when he ate and would eat off my plate. So block with the right eat with the left.

8) I once talked to Tom Cruise on the phone! I was in the 4th Grade and living in California, my BFF at the time, Dad is a big time Hollywood financial guy and Tom called their house to talk to him. I answered and had my few glorious moments with the old Hot Tom! Ah… Later in life I actually got to see him in person but that was crazy Tom so not as fun.

So that’s it… Now I tag Amanda, Maggie, Whit, Steph, Ashley, Martha, Emily and Anitra!

Michelle Update

2007-07-30T23:34:00.000-05:00

It has been a while since I have posted. Just wanted to let everyone know I made it successfully through surgery and I am on my way to a good recovery! My Mom was in town for 10 days to take care of me! WHOOP for that! And my friend Amanda said it best if blogs were anonymous this would be the perfect time to tell A LOT of funny stories. (surgery can be very humbling and funny!) But this is not anonymous thus those stories stay off the world wide web!

But other than my Mom being the super Rock Star she is! (I think that's the first time I have given out the super rock star title, saw the fun blog Amanda and would approve you giving your sister Rock Star status...) I have had many friends in the area help and come and keep me company through the recovery! Mad props to my friend Kell for flying my Mom out! Mad props to the Weatherton Fam for letting Mom and I crash at the lake house to recover... even though I slept about 90% of the time, it was good for Mom! And all the friends who have changed their schedules to bring me dinner, drive me around, or just come and sit and hang out with me! And not to mention all the folks who sent flowers and e-mails to show support and love! I truly do have some of the best friends in the world!!! Will post more pics when I can but until then love y'all!

One Last Hoorah

2007-07-16T11:13:00.001-05:00

So some of you know and many of you do not but this week I am going in to have surgery to fix back problems that have been with me almost all my life. While I am very excited to get this done a major down side is I am going to be laid up for at minimum two weeks and then I will not be able to work out or do most good activities for another couple of months! So this past weekend was very crammed with a lot of stuff to make it one good last hoorah for a while!

Well earlier in the week I was able to go to dinner with one of my favorite crazy libs Deb O! Deb and I moved to DC about the same time and were the two youngsters in our bible study. We were in bible study together for a few years and then our group split off. Well she is headed back to Cali to work in San Fran so a few of us got together to say good bye at Cheesecake Factory! It was a blast lots of fun stories and things to catch up on! Congrats Jenn on being Prego! Can not wait to see little baby B! And best of luck Deb O as you head off to the left coast!

Then on Friday Jodi had the unfortunate experience in wrecking her car while she was waving to her brother she randomly saw on the road, so Friday night I drove her and her Brother and his wife Katie down to the lake house for a birthday dinner in honor of Rock Star Katie! It was a lot of fun and with the four of us in Harry we were able to take the HOV and save a lot of time and have a sweet time or worship in the car once we hit the back roads. It was good because Jodi and Andrew are both good singers so they totally drowned me out. Then Jodi and I stayed up late chatting with Mrs. W about all sorts of girl stuff, and getting ready for my surgery, because Mrs. W will be taking care of me afterwards and they are letting me recover at the lake house. My mom will be there as well so I am going to be totally gushed over!

Due to some dead lock traffic and a later than planned departure from the lake house we missed a great event and I was actually very sad to miss. Sorry Linds! But we did arrive in Northern VA around 8 pm and headed to go see some friends of mine perform in a little show. Everyone has a handful of friends they can totally be themselves around and let down all guards. Sadly a majority of those friends for me live in the great state of Texas. But the wonderful tour buses brought in three of them on Saturday and Jodi and I went and hung out with Rex, Willie and Mica and got to watch the new show! Mica had an amazing solo during the show and it was fun to watch her work the crowd. Then we all just laid low sat around and caught up only to end the night with a late night dance party on the bus… it was very humorous! We also had to park far off so at the end of the night the guys thought it would be good to get a golf cart to take us back to the car, well since there was no one around they just jumped on and off we went… it was a matter of moments when we realized there were two golf carts chasing us down and they followed us all the way to my car. I was just waiting for the sky news chopper to come in and cover the late night low speed chase. Um yeah I would like to emphasize low speed. Sunday brought some more hang out time with Jodi, then off to church and a benefit for the Gathering which I think brought in some good dough!

So now I have a couple of days to get everything set before I go under the knife… so I may be missing for a while but I will let you all know I am doing A- Okay when I am through

Me, Jenn, Deb O and Amanda

Mrs. W participating in some late night Girl Talk

The Band Performing!

Mica's Solo

Jodi and I at the Concert

Willie, Me, and Mica

Jodi and I and all the Guys getting ready for Dance Party!

Rex and Willie stealing the Golf Cart concentrating on their low speed chase

Me and the Fugitives!

I Dig Jesus!

2007-07-16T10:17:00.000-05:00

So I was tagged by my good friend Amanda to list out five things I dig about Jesus! I think I was tagged because of how holy I am or that humility is my spiritual gift. Or that wisdom runs deep in my bones… well if you don’t know me obviously I am joking! But I thought with my recent circumstances this was a great way to give major props to the main man in my life Jesus! So here goes ( I did not read Amanda’s before I wrote mine because I did not want to be swayed so if I repeat Manda I am sorry)…

These are the rules:1. those tagged will share 5 things they dig about Jesus…2. those tagged will tag 5 other bloggers…3. those tagged will post a comment here with their name and a link to their “dig” Jesus list…

1) Obviously Salvation! He loves me and wants to give me the best life ever and I have to do nothing at all for it other than accept His grace and sacrifice on my behalf! (Romans 5:8) You would be surprised to know I mess up… I know crazy huh… but I have done my fair share in sinning and because of that I was totally not on the list to get into heaven. But just because Jesus loves me, He paid my debt of death for my sin (Rom 6:23) when I deserved none of it. And the best part, He doesn’t ask me to do anything in return! Seriously! I just have to accept His grace! Now I am totally on the list for heaven and of all the access lists I get to be on this is by far my favorite and most prestigious!

2) He LOVES ME! I do not want to offend my married friends here but I am just going to come out and say it. Jesus loves me so much He wants me all to himself right now! Now two things can be derived from this statement one this is a late twenties single girls excuse to be single or I am so messed up God has a lot of work to do before I can marry. Both Not True! Seriously y’all it’s a very cool thought that right now the God of the universe wants me all to Himself! Once I get married and believe me I am totally for that one day, my heart will be different I will start having a family and others in there. But right now is a sweet time I will never get again where its just me and God. And He wants it that way or I would have someone else in this life. And to be honest all the crazy things I have done and get to do in life I LOVE that He is the one I share it with! Pretty cool huh!

3) He knows every detail of my life and has orchestrated things to bring me to this moment! Y’all this is cool! All of my life God has specifically designed so that I would be just where I am today! Things in my life struggles and victories all played a major role to bring me to this point in my life. He knew I would move to DC and obtain the job I did, and he orchestrated tons of things in my past to have that come about! WHAT! I know seriously! Even His plans for history as a whole has played a key role in my life and bringing me here. So these huge events that affect everyone He also made them so they would affect me individually to bless me and develop me!

4) He works all things together for His good! (Romans 8:28) This is huge for me, because this means even when I mess up and I do wrong against God. He can still use that mistake for HIS glory! I know! Because I mess up a lot and I hate to tarnish His name but He is SO much bigger than me! And He can work ALL things to His glory no matter how much I mess up or someone else hurts me! He uses it all! And when satan thinks he can get the best of me, God is all “I don’t think so” and uses his plans to make God look better! I love that!

5) This one I am going to leave broad because seriously can anyone name just five things they love about God! So I will make my #5 be that He created it ALL! All of this is His. He spoke it into being and He will take it out when need be no matter if it is me, or my little puppy or the entire earth! Its all HIS! None of this is made by anything but God! EVERYTHING goes back to Him! There is nothing more I can say on that because its so huge, I have nothing, have done nothing, seen nothing that did not come from Him and Him alone! WOW!

So go ponder how BIG our God is! Every authority is in place because of Him! Everything is where it is because of Him! Whoa! So there is my five and now I tag… Emily, Steph, Betsy, Martha, and Whitney!

For Betsy!

2007-07-13T11:26:00.000-05:00

When I posted all the old pics before I got in trouble with Betsy for no pics of her. We have known each other since high school thus she is my blog friend I have known the longest and I gave her no props... sorry my friend hope this makes up for it. You would enjoy I searched high and low for our posed scaffolding picture... but alas could not find it again so here is one from our fatefull trip to Taleo when my car broke down and we were stuck in that old gas station with the town locals having their morning coffee together! Lots of fun that day, and we were squished in Brad's truck the rest of the way! Many funny stories from the trip alone. So here is the pic of the three of us when we finally made it there!

Me, Brad and Betsy

The 4th Goes On Forever

2007-07-09T10:19:00.000-05:00

And the Party Never Ends! So after leaving the lake house last Sunday night, I headed back home to endure a couple of days of work! My good friend David Dixon was in town for a few days so Tuesday night I went and retrieved him and we headed down to the lake house for a bit more fun! I will have to say out of everything that took place in that day and a half I think Dixon being beat by a 4 foot 11 inch girl in a tubing competition was my favorite part! We enjoyed a lot more food, a lot more sun, a little volleyball and some great times on the boat. Dixon and I headed back to DC on Wednesday night watching fireworks on our way up the highway, and headed to the great American time of baseball on Thursday! My sweet friends Ryan and Shari Langerhans treated David, Jodi and myself to some great seats to watch the Nationals take on the Cubs. Wish I could tell you the Nats beat the Cubs but they did not, Jodi and I have concluded it was because Ryan did not start and will be writing a stern letter to the team manager about this. After the game we met up with one of Dixon’s helicopter pilot buddies for a little Salsa dancing and fun! Lets just say I was not prepared and this white girl was wearing flip flops, but I made it look like I knew what was going on! Dixon headed back to Texas the next day and I headed back to the lake house for this past weekend.

I successfully was able to get up and ski behind the boat. Now the silly part on this is Mr. Weatherton has been patient in trying to teach me to ski and I have been using a pair of skis that were purchased for a tall guy so they are a tad big and I am so awkward with them in the water. So Friday night I attempted and got up for a small moment then BAM! Hit the water hard many times. So Saturday morning when we were loading into the boats, Mr. Weatherton said let me grab these other skis they will help. I thought nothing of it till Jodi jumped in the boat and said aren’t those the skis you taught me to ski on Dad? I was all then why haven’t we been using them all along, and Jodi laughed and said its because she used those when she was 5! WHAT! I was skiing on BABY SKIS! Well I shoved my foot in there and wouldn’t you know it on the first time I got up! WHAT WHAT! And skied behind the boat for a while. I am now a believer in the Baby Ski! The rest of the weekend was much of the same of the rest of the week, boats, water, laying out in the sun, and oh yeah lots of good food! Jodi and her mom made my two favorite desserts that I love, Mrs. Weatherton’s famous Chocolate Chip Cheese Cake! And Jodi’s famous peanut butter chocolate chip cookies! Then on the drive back we picked up a little Sonic, I ordered a large drink not remembering that large at Sonic can sometimes mean enormous, but non-the-less I was happy and delighted to have my fabulous fluid! I have enjoyed my week long celebration of this great nation and I am looking forward to the next 4th of July!

Courtney Schooling Dixon on the Tubes!

She took in him out 4 out of 5 times!

Dixon and I

Shari, Jodi, Myself and Dixon at the game

Jodi, Me, and Rachael enjoying Smores and Worship

Jodi's Mad wake boarding Skills!

Jodi, Me and Tiff with Baby Skis!

Jodi and I on the Boat

Our Trusty Boat Driver!

Me Skiing!!! WHOOP!

Tiff, Jodi, Bri Anne and I on the Dock

Me and my Favorite Weatherton Desserts!

Jodi mocking my Big Sonic Drink!

The Begining of the 4th of July Party!

2007-07-02T09:23:00.000-05:00

So lets be honest we all know I LOVE a little celebration, or to be truly honest a lot of celebration! I will take any small event and make it a reason to through a good shin dig! So 4th of July, our nations birth! Of course we should have a party! But thank the Lord it falls in the middle of the week this year which allows the party to last a tad longer than I can usually over extend it!

This year is the first time in 5 years I have not spent my fourth in the city in my usual way. The 4th is Jodi’s favorite holiday and that is because her family throws the best 4th of July party at their lake house. It has been a tradition in their family since before Jodi could walk, and thus has grown to a lot of folks and a lot of fun. So this year the party stretches from this past weekend till next.

So I headed down to Lake Anna late on Friday night to experience my first ever Weatherton 4th of July extravaganza. The team of Mom’s that had assembled were awesome, I am talking breakfast, lunch and dinner made for you and it was amazing! The Dads ran the boats and took us out tubing since the water was so choppy and there were so many boats skiing was not really an option. Tubing was a blast; I think Jodi may be a professional tuber and never told me. I did not think there could be an art to the tube, but lo and behold she proved me wrong. Watching her and her brother or friend Joel out there put any of my crossing the wake and catching an inch of air to shame.

We laid out in tubes by the dock and chatted, I may or may not have fallen asleep on the dock while I was intending just to dry off from being in the water, and became as red as a lobster on my chest. I got the meanest splinter in my life in my left foot and still carry some of it in there even now as after over an hour of “surgery” the whole thing could not be removed without putting me under general anesthesia. We also went out in the boats on the lake for the fire work show on Saturday night. The folks on the pontoon thought they had it good and we were stuck in the little ski boat, but then when theirs died in the water and we had to tow them back in, in the dark we were glad to be on the ski boat! It was humorous to watch the whole processes but Mr. Weatherton is a pro and got everyone in safely!

I included some pics below of the fun, and will post more later this week. Heading back down there Tuesday night with my friend David who is in town for the week! And some other friends, and then back the next weekend! Lots of fun and time at the Lake! WHOOP!

Bri Anne, Melissa Tiffany, Me and Jodi

Tiffany not happy to be in the tube but still truckin through!

Jodi and I getting ready to tube

The Girls on the Boat

Jodi and Joel planning and intense tubing move

Joel out!

The Wonderful Mom's that cooked for us all weekend!

Heading out to see the fire works

Hard to see but this is us towing in the pontoon, with a ski rope as we had nothing else to use!

So FUN!

2007-06-29T08:45:00.000-05:00

Hey I am so excited there are a few long lost friends catching up here with me! So FUN! So in that spirit I wanted to attach a few more pics... Had three more CDs to go through last night... sorry indulge me but enjoy and laugh a little! Some may not seem special to you but each pic I put up here has a great story or a special memory for me! I had and still have the BEST friends a gal could ask for! I encourage everyone to look through old photos... it will make you smile!

Special thanks to the person who explained the Rhino!

Kelli, Me, and Erin! My Accountability my Senior Year and the source of LOTS of laughter

Kris and I... I had been trying to get her out of the meeting ALL night finally did so made someone take a picture!

This was not planned Kelly and I just woke up got dressed and realized we had on the EXACT same outfit!

Shout out to Casey! One of the funniest people I met in College and the Girls who sadly had to share a wall with my apartment!

Jenn and I getting our Aggie Rings! Another one of my FAV people!

There is too much to go into here but this was a hilarious night! At Amy's Ice Cream in Austin with Andrea and Kristi

Um No explanation...

And this may be the most famous picture! This was the beginning of a retaliation for things done to our Cracker Jack Sailor by our neighbors house. It's become now a famous prank I pulled and probably my all time favorite. This was after the first night of swiping things from our neighbors house! Love y'all Kat and Whit!

Memories...on the corner of my mind...

2007-06-28T13:12:00.000-05:00

Pretty water color memories of the way we were, scattered pictures...

Okay enough with my singing, so I was SO sure we had pictures of the little escapade spoken of in the last blog, and so I spent all night going through pictures. I take A LOT of pictures, and my father was very generous a few years back and scanned in ALL my college pics for me since I did not have a digital camera then. So last night I went through all these pics, and it took me forever because I had not looked at some of these in FOREVER. So I decided I would share a few for your viewing/ laughing enjoyment...

Here are the great Roommates Amanda, Maggie, Me, Mel, Bonny (our Sophomore year)

Here we are our SR yr getting our Aggie Rings (I actually did not but was there for support)

Angie and I letting blood rush to our heads!

Steph, Me and Jess on Fall Retreat 99

One of my favorite pics, Renee, Me and Kendall Fall Retreat '02

Sara and I Study Break '00

Silver Spur Coaches at Camp Summer '99

Study Break Spring 2002! Our House was FULL!

Christy, Nicole, Terri, Me White Sands New Mexico Summer '99

Emily, Me, Tammi, Island Party '00

Andrea, Me and Kristi! Winter '01!

Crista and I Phi Lamb Meeting!

Emily and I on the Rhino! (seriously this was in our neighbors front lawn!)

Camp Safari Pic... (Sorry KJ)

Leslie attacking me with tape on Pledge Retreat '01... I believe I did something to her sleeping bag... just saying...

Kerri and I ready to Leg War! One of my FAVORITE games!

Steph and I on top of Enchanted Rock!

Prayer Team!

Kelly, Me, and Sarah at the Capitol Dome in Texas!

This is my favorite pic, I told my Mom if I ever go missing this is the one to send to the news stations... not sure why I like it so.. but some reason I think its good! One of my campers took it Summer of '99 and sent it to me

Good Times

2007-06-27T15:18:00.000-05:00

So all you who know me… and that’s all you reading this b/c I don’t think I reach the world of those who don’t know me… anyway, know how much I love to play a good practical joke. Next to serving the Lord it’s what I live for. Actually I think it is one of my spiritual gifts. Seriously how would y’all laugh as much as you do if we were not friends… I mean not only am I good for your spirit but I am good for your abs as well… it’s all in my service e to you. But I digress…

Earlier today my good friend Amanda wrote a post about friends reading her blog, for some reason it got me thinking of a lot of good Amanda stories, mainly because I think the very funny side of Amanda that has always been there has been able to shine through magnificently on her blog. Well as I was reminiscing on funny stories including Manda I thought back to the first time I saw this funny devious side come out in her.

In college I sorta began to plant myself in Amanda, Bonny, and Melissa’s apartment. One night I was over there… I think we were to be “studying” but you know with me around that NEVER happened. Well if I recall correctly I was describing some jokes I had played on my roommates and the like, and Amanda piped up and was all “Melissa is out of the house let’s do something to her room.” (Note: Melissa this should clear me of any wrong doing of that night) So we went with the classics, flipping the bed, changing out the drawers, all sorts of random little stunts. We stood there in her room trying to think of more fun things to do when all of the sudden Amanda piped up with MUCH excitement. Not sure if she was inspired by the time I made the bed of my friends truck a fish pond, but Melissa had two candles on either side of her bed (it was hard for me to describe these holders so there is a picture below of the basic idea.) and Amanda practically screamed lets put fish in the candle holders! Bonny and I looked at each other and laughed and we all jumped in the car and headed to Wal-Mart.

Amanda picked out her two favorite Beta fish and we headed back to the apartment to enact this brilliant plan. We removed the candles, filled the holders with water, set the bags in for and hour and then released the fish! It was very humorous to say the least when Melissa realized there were two Beta in her room where her candles should be. I think she got home so late that night she just left them in there. Can’t remember the names of the fish but I do remember being very impressed with my friend Amanda and her humor. I like to think I had a little to do with that wild streak… But I promise I am usually a good influence on people! Seriously… quit laughing!

Imagine the stem shorter and prettier and then the holder bigger...

BIG Sale!

2007-06-27T09:55:00.001-05:00

If you do not already know John Piper is having a big resource sale today and tomorrow! ALL of his books are just $5! There is NO limit and I believe Bibles are on sale as well! What What!

www.desiringgod.org

Old Friends are the Best Friends!

2007-06-26T09:06:00.001-05:00

Old friends really are the best friends. Last night I was able to catch up with some folks I used to work with when I first moved to the city. One of the guys from the office is getting ready to head back to Iraq to work with the Inspector Generals office there. He worked over there for a year and a half as the coalition was changing and power was being handed over to the Iraqi people. He has now signed up to serve for another year maybe more to help ensure things run smoothly there. Mike is a pretty inspiring person to say the least.

But it was a fun evening as all of us have now left our former place of employment the last leaving only a short 8 months ago. We all surpassed the normal time line for employees at our old office of 14 months with the shortest stint being a little over 2 years (that was Mike and not sure if you can count it short since he left to serve in Iraq), the longest being 6. We laughed as we remembered crazy stories or things we went through, stories y’all have to hear me tell except there were 8 of us telling the same story last night. We joked about things we would do to keep us laughing while we worked there, like changing where we would sit in meetings we ran just to throw people off. You would be surprised how much just changing a seat will take someone off their game when they are used to one set up.

I learned a lot from all of these people. We were the room to come to when you needed something done so everyone loved us, and we were the room that often told folks they could not do things they wanted to so that made them not like us but never tell us because soon they would need something else. It was interesting time and great time to work. When I first started there I worked a bit over 3 straight months till I had my first day off (folks this includes Saturdays and Sundays) but everyone was right there with me. So we may have spent a lot of time together and we know each other, just a bit. I love each and everyone of those people. And when I am asked if I will ever return to my old job, I always tell people even if I did it would never be as great, as we had the best of the best on that team and you can’t replace that. Yes the place will always be magnificent and it obviously still runs with out us, but it was a special point in time, a special sequence of people. Not everyone is so lucky to work in a place they are passionate about but even a smaller amount of people get to work in a place where the 100% respect and love the folks they are working besides. I have never found a situation like that again (not that I have had a ton more time to look) but I am unsure if I ever will.

Good luck and Godspeed Mike!

Room One Crew Minus a Few

Mike and I

John and Little Kendal! (She's totally waving to us!)

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

2007-06-25T10:36:00.000-05:00

This weekend John organized an outing for the college group to watch the Nationals take on the Cleveland Indians. It was an eventful game filled with lots of fun and merriment. But the best part was about a couple of months ago or so a high school friend of mine Ryan Langerhans was traded from the Braves to the Washington Nationals! He and his wife and I all went to school together from Middle school on and were in the same youth group. So it was fun to have a hometown face in the city. it is also fun because I have yet to go to a game here in the city so this was the first time I was able to see him play not on our high school field.

But the students totally thought it was the coolest thing since they had a random personal connection so one of the players. We made signs and had a “Langerhans’ Fans” section of our very own. Sadly Ryan did not start on Saturday as they were checking out some guy from the minors but that did not stop us from trying to get our section to chant to get Ryan on the field and they all went crazy when he came in to pinch hit. Shari sent me a text message and said that she could see us from the Friends and Family box… which I thought was way fun since we were totally in the nose bleed section! Yeah we have team spirit. Sadly though the Nats lost in the 9th inning by one run. And then we endured one of the longest metro rides in my time in DC. Two trains broke down on our ride home and already over crowded trains had to unload and load onto other over crowded trains. It was not comfortable and it was brutal to have to watch all the students. I know they are college students but still you have 18 students with you, you want them to be together in a line and all in eye shot… I was stressed to say the least.

Me, John, Bethany, Ryan and James

Britney, Rachael, Kira, Brian, and Dave

Ryan's Cheering Section

We like to think it is from the large support of the fans Ryan was able to come in and pinch hit... it also may be because he is very talented...

Some of the guys confused why we are unloading yet a second time!

Rachael and I tired and annoyed

Random picture I know just thought it was funny this was HALF of Jodi's burrito from last night, it was as BIG as her HEAD!