There better be a good excuse!!

I know, I know...it's been a while. But (yup, here it comes) I have found myself short on blog-worthy topics in my busy (not hectic, though), sometimes mundane life. And I have things I want to show you, projects I'm working on, but they're just shy of being really completely done. But they're great projects and I'm thrilled with how they are shaping up!!
Here's the topic for the day: 6 years. I married my wonderful hubby 6 years ago on the 17th. Yes, that's tomorrow but we're celebrating today. (Note Holly wiping a tear in the picture above - that's why it's one of my favorites!) Year six has been great. We have been completely weirded out by those times when something happens or someone says something and we both have the EXACT same thought/reaction. Sometimes one of us will say it and the other will just exclaim, "That's exactly what I was thinking!" but the really weird times are when we both say the same response at the same time, same words and everything. Crazy.
We have come to know each other's strengths. Mine: spelling, identifying and working out conflict, decorating, cleaning. His: math, anything mechanical, cooking, thinking through problems - especially emotionally charged ones, listening (as long as it's before 9 pm). We have also learned each other's weaknesses and how to accept them, sometimes. I spout off at the first sign of annoyance (as little as a drop of water on my newly cleaned kitchen floor), I am forever late to everything, and I want everything done a certain way (okay, really just my way!). Reed is a major procrastinator and is quite lacking in the gift giving department. I won't go into the former except to say that I know he is working on that and I've seen improvement. But the latter I must explain. If you've ever read or are familiar with the five love languages, you will understand when I say that my major love language is gift giving. It doesn't really matter the cost of the gift, it's the thought behind it that conveys mountains of love to me. If one listens, really pays attention, I give LOTS of clues and talk all the time about what I like and want. I like surprises and such. Reed's pretty good about occasional flowers and I love that - he brought me a bouquet with MaryEvyn not long ago.
Now for our anniversary this weekend, as I said, things have been really busy and we have great vacation time coming up that we're looking forward to, so our celebration has been pushed to the back burner. For me, as well. As much as I want to show him how much I love him, well, it's just been hard. We have not gotten gifts for each other, as agreed, and much to the relief of Reed. It makes me feel guilty because that's how I show love, but as I said, probably just a load off for Reed! And it's really fine, except that it shows what so easily happens to us in our marriage. Life takes over. Dr. appointments, school, parties, play dates, meals, church, friends, family, birthdays, work... it never ends and we must fight this, fight our priorities to make each other a priority. I'm hoping this anniversary and holiday season will renew this real, present desire we have to show our love for each other. It's there and alive and healthy, but if we keep it to ourselves it won't be for long! I am renewing a determination to be a student of my hubby. What honors him? What shows him respect (which is love in man words)? What makes him feel loved? How is his relationship with God and how can I pray and encourage him in it? What else can I do to make his return home at the end of the day one he looks forward to and helps him relax and unwind? I intend to begin taking notes all over again!
I love you, Reed. Happy Anniversary, Puppy!

aDORAble!

Well, Halloween has come and, thankfully, gone. As I write this, my Dora is sugared up, bathed and tuckered out in bed. I will happily ship her off to preschool tomorrow and maybe take a nap! Three parties, y'all!

But here she is in all of her Dora glory! The parties were fun, but this one tonight was a lot to handle. Then I stepped in dog doo. Ugh. I tried to wipe it off on the grass but it still reeked. I had to stay down wind from everyone. Even little Ally was laughingly exclaiming, "Oooooh, poo-pooh! Somebody went poo-pooh!" Yes, thank you, that's me.

She had a great time, though, and was fascinated that all she had to do was ring a doorbell, say "Trick or treat" and they gave her candy! She was, as usual, sad (re: pitching a fit) to leave.

It was fun, but I'm glad it's over. Until next year....

Have you met the teams yet?

Okay, you guys know that I love the Race...The Amazing Race, that is. I love it so much that I put up with ridiculous comments, fighting racers and the obvious attempt for the dramatic by the teams they allow. For instance......
Have you met the teams online yet? Oh, man. 3 words: lesbian episcopal ministers.
Ugh.

Here we go!

Whew, the secret is finally out!
I got a call from Reed on Monday who had just gotten word from Chuck about the pledges for the building for our church. It was a "go". I was so happy, but then the dreaded words, "Don't tell anyone!" Oh, man!
So, I've waited and at times, I have had to hold my breath to keep from even broaching the subject! I did have one person come out and ask me if I knew...I just said, "Well, soon we all will!" Ugh...I wanted to spill it so badly!
So, let the boasting in the Lord begin! God spurred his people to pledge over our $1.5 million mark. I'm so excited to see God move through the various stages of this project and man, what a party we'll have when we meet there!
But even now, I know it's not the promised land. There will be a lot of work to be done. A lot of prayers to be prayed. We don't want to become complacent or think that when we move in we have somehow "arrived". May we not sit back on what we think "we've" done and turn in our hospitality/road crew/ministry/service badges so that we can sit and soak!
God's got more great work for Crossbridge to do and I can't wait to watch Him amaze us all. To Him be all the glory!

The Spirit of Aggieland

This weekend I had the enormous pleasure of going to the Texas A&M game with my dad. He is from the class of '67, Reed is the class of '96. Contrary to what most people think and as much as I hate admitting it, no, I did not attend A&M, but I was there every chance I got. I learned the songs and most of the traditions when I was young and became totally committed to the Spirit of Aggieland. Then, in college, many of my friends went there so I would go to as many games as I could and would even drive up for midnight yell practice (that's it over on the left) and then drive home. So I learned all of the yells. I love it and I miss it a lot. There is nothing like an A&M home game!

So my dad and I left after my nephew Kyle's football game (yep, he's named after Kyle Field, of course) and arrived early enough to watch the core march in for review. And guess who was in the reviewing stand? None other than George Bush, Sr. himself! We had already seen Barbara Bush as we were getting on the elevator (she was literally about 5 feet from us!) We had some supremely annoying fans behind us who seemed ignorant about the game, and we did end up losing, but Dad and I had a great time, anyway. The band was amazing as always and I loved reliving it all! Singing the songs, sawing varsity's horns off, yelling 'til your hoarse, kissing for every point scored, whooping for every first down, hissing for the bad calls (roughing the passer, puh-lease!). I tried to take pictures, but it just doesn't do it all justice. These pictures are all from http://www.aggieathletics.com/.

It's an amazing place with amazing people.

I love ol' Arm-ay!!

Gig 'em, Ags!

Well, Hello, again!

Hello old friends
There's really nothing new to say
But the old, old story bears repeating
And the plain old truth grows dearer every day
When you find something worth believing
Well, that's a joy that nothin' could take away.

"Hello, Old Friends", Rich Mullins

Happy to see you, too!
I've had a pretty great week. The weather went from horrifyingly humid to absolutely perfect overnight and we've been blessed by a terrific weekend! For many reasons...but I'm getting ahead of myself. I have many things to share about this past week, but I'd like to share the most dear with you now.
I have been making my way through the book of Isaiah and Tuesday found me in chapter 6, Isaiah's call. A difficult one. "Go and tell my people: 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving. Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes." How fun. No, let me do it, let me do it.... I want to preach to people who will not ever get it, please!! A little later in the chapter Isaiah understandably asks God, "For how long, O Lord?' And he answered: 'Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left deserted and the fields ruined and ravaged, until the Lord has sent everyone far away and the land is utterly forsaken.' Oh, goodie. This message Isaiah receives immediately after seeing God enthroned and His robe (a metaphor for His glory, I have heard) fill the temple and having his lips cleansed by a live coal brought from an angel. I cannot imagine having seen such a sight and longing to share the beauty and reality of it with others only to know that they will receive it not.
This, unfortunately is the unmistakable end for those who refuse the forgiveness and restoration freely offered to them. Now, Isaiah is a tough book, I think, and I will not (nor can I)get into what all this calling means, but I do believe that God makes his gospel known to all in the past He used his prophets and now using us, his saints and that we are called to tell them the news of forgiveness even though some of them will reject it forever. The hard part is that it is all under God's sovereignty and He, alone, directs and permits that which lives and that which dies. We are simply called to go. To pray. To give ourselves to loving and serving others. Jesus died knowing that all of those he died for would not all trust him, not all accept the grace he was dying to give. But, that, also under God's sovereignty, is their choice. Huh? Yeah, I don't know. It's a mysterious blend of both.
What I know: I am called. I am to serve. I prayed this week for more humility in order to do that. My heart becomes so hard to others and to prayer and to the things God loves and it is because my pride begins to swell and I think I don't need Him. So I beg again for forgiveness and humility. I want to always remember who I am: nothing without Him. I reminded myself and read and preached to myself about areas where my pride roamed freely. I was brought back to those God loves: the forgotten, the lonely, the poor, the hurting, the hungry and if I do not see them, love them, then what am I? (try reading Isaiah 56)
So I listed some people that I know, that I love and some people that I need to know and love and some practical ways to serve them. I began by mowing the lawn for my hubby on Thursday and crafting little pumpkins for my daughter to paint (one of her favorite past times these days, that's the pumpkins in the picture up there). But I have more to do. I'll keep you "posted" (how many times has that blogger joke occured?)
Anyways, we are a beautiful church. Sure, we get messy, we get a little off track, we sometimes lose our way, but we are still His lovely bride and He faithfully calls us back to the story He is telling. Of a perfect, holy God who buys us back from the muck we have sold ourselves to and then gives us a glorious purpose to bring Him glory in our lives and to cause others to do the same. As I've served the people of my church communion and celebrated a new chapter of beginnings for where God's taking us, I have seen God at work in their lives. I see Him working now in some of their lives. And I look forward to the change He is going to bring to others' lives. It brought tears to my eyes. All for His glory. He is a great God. What a wonderful life He gives.

Fasting

Our church in renewing our steadfastness to our calling to glorify God and make Him known, is dedicating ourselves to fasting and prayer this week. We are committing one day to fast and seek Him. I have decided to participate in this but also feel led to do more. I'll be "fasting" from blogville for the week. So, you won't see me here until next weekend. Man, just think of all the time to spend with God without this. Makes ya wonder....
Anyway, I'm excited (and, honestly, a little bummed) but I know God will expand my thinking of Him and increase His glory and my joy. Have a wonderful week. Be His.

Beginning Lessons on Honesty

Well, MaryEvyn learned what I hope will be her first and last lesson in...stealing. Yup, she may be adorable and cute, but she also apparently has sticky fingers!
We were at the school's book fair and I bought a couple of books. We were the last ones and the back doors which we went out, lock after you exit. I was buckling Evy into her car seat and she produces out of her little apron pocket a funny bendable pencil.
"Look, Mama!" she said excitedly, "Isn't this a funny pen?"
"MaryEvyn!" I exclaim, "Where did you get that?" Knowing full well the only place I saw one!
Evy, now sheepishly, beginning to think something is wrong, "...from the little table..."
Me, calming down, realizing that she doesn't really know what she's done and that this is an extremely important "teachable moment": "Evy, did Mommy pay for that?"
"...no..."
"Okay, so if we didn't pay for it, then you took it and that is called stealing." I decided that she needed to know the word, know what it meant and feel the "weight" of it, if you will.
"...oh..."
Well, we couldn't easily go back in, so we kept it until today. This morning she dutifully returned it and apologized. She has also told quite a few people about her "stolen pen".
We had been reading lately about the ten commandments and it was actually kinda neat (in a bad sort of way...) to have an immediate object lesson for her personally. I pray that she will really begin to relate to "God's Special Rules" and learn what it means to live as God intends.

Enjoying Round Top Vicariously!

Okay, I just CANNOT be left out of this any more!
So, even though I did not go to Round Top this year...you just have to see these wonderful pictures of it! (And if you don't know what I'm talking about just go here, or here first.)
My friends have done a great job describing their experiences this fall...so you can check out Round Top posts from Steph, Morgan, and Casey. But I found one that gives a great overall revue of the show here, at Cote de Texas. So, if you missed it or don't know what you're missing, head on over to Jodi's blog and check out what she found! Yummy!!!!!

What did I think I'd be?

I was asked to be a room mother. And it's official...I went to a "Room Mother's Meeting" and everything. I think I should have a badge. But it's got me thinking.

When Evy's teacher first asked me I kinda laughed. "Really? Me?" I just never saw myself as the stay at home, cookie bakin', costume sewin', Bible study leadin', room mother kind of gal. Yet here I am. Doing all of those things!

Don't get me wrong. I'm happy to do it. I mean, now that I'm doing it, there isn't anything I don't like about it. Quite the contrary. I love bringing happiness and love to people just by baking cookies (half of which I consume). I love being able to stitch up pillows or a bag, fix a costume for a friend, or make a duvet cover for my daughter.

Here's the thing. When I look at my life now, it's just not what I thought it would be. And what's funnier is that I don't think I could tell you what I did think it would be. But I know that when I found myself in a meeting for room moms, I felt weird. Like, how did I get here?

I always wanted to teach. I really love teaching. I do. I probably will not be able to stay away from it for long once we feel God wants me to work again. I feel that teaching is my spiritual gift, as well, which is one reason why I love student ministry. So, when I thought about my "future" when I was a high schooler, I don't think I went much past teach elementary school and get married. From there, I don't think I ever thought what I would do or be.

It could be that it's rather foreign to me because growing up my mom always worked. The "stay-at-home" moms that I knew were rich and their kids came home and had milk and cookies while they watched one TV show, then they sat at the kitchen table and did they're homework while Mom made dinner. Those kinds of moms.

I just didn't think it would be me. That I would want that normalcy and ooey-gooey sweetness.

But, honestly, as I live this life that God's given me, there is not one thing I would change. It's just weird to be the "adult" Erin now. The "Mommy" Erin. "Wife" Erin wasn't so strange, but this new thirty somethin', suburban livin', Outlander drivin', boo-boo kissin', room mom is a new league. It's a good one and I've got great company here. And I see God's amazing miracles and grace every day.
So where are you? Haven't the boundary lines fallen for you in pleasant places; surely we have a delightful inheritance! (Psalm 16:6)

Gratitude

So, I, too, saw this post on fellow blogger/friend Jessica's blog and thought (along with Casey) that I would take her up on her challenge to list some simple things I am thankful for at this very moment. I also thought that since we are called to be thankful in all things, that I would include a few things I am not usually thankful for, but I will find a reason to be thankful for them now. (Ummm...what?) Like this...
I am thankful for:
* the pile of shoes by the door : my family is all at home and resting and comfy
* the laundry waiting to be folded : I have plenty of clean clothes for me and my family
* it's quiet : Evy is sleeping peacefully in her room, resting for more fun to be had, a quietly ticking clock
* soft light : the glowing lamp on my desk, the setting sun, a lazy fan overhead
* furry friends : a squirrel (one of many) jumps nervously along the yard looking for....who knows?
* neighbors : the promise to help get rid of bagworms (poor pecan tree!), dinner when Reed's gone, a mission field
* this computer : gateway to a bigger world (do I overstate?)
* youth ministry : hard but fulfilling
* football : the game starts in less than one hour - gig 'em Ags!!

For that last reason, I must bid adieu (and Evy is up, so that quiet one is out the window, too!). This has been fun, you should try it!

The Company Picnic

Well, I finally got Reed to take us to his company picnic. He's an engineer (that's the short answer). So we were chatting with MIT grads, a whole bunch o' Aggies (my personal faves) and one lone t-sip (one who attends that other Texas school). Anywho (I hate that word!), Reed just seems to have such a hard time mixing his work people with his personal, family people. He always acts so weird! He says it's just an odd melding of worlds. I think it's a good thing. (He probably does to, it just doesn't come naturally.) The picnic was so near to us this year and he had no real excuse so I pretty much made him get tickets.

We had a good time. I met a few new people and heard a couple of new stories, there wasn't a lot of computer, geeky talk that I don't get. In fact, we mostly hung out with other parents of kiddos Evy's age and she had a fantastic time. It wasn't too hot (it was cloudy and humid, though) and there was a lot to do!

Lunch - first things first!

On the tire swing with a new friend!

A pony ride! (not her first, but cute nevertheless!)

Evy also had a cherry sno-cone, popcorn, a petting zoo, a ring toss game (she still thinks that's big fun!) and a new friend named Kaleigh. But this little clip, friends, was my favorite. This is from the "jumpy", as we call it, that was by the pavilion where we ate. Very funny.

Aren't we cruel?! ;-)

YEA!! It's finally done!

We here in Sugar Land, particularly north of 59, have been waiting and watching for a long time for this day to come. The much anticipated overpass of Hwy 6 over US90!! It is finished!

I moved out to Sugar Land about 10 or 11 years ago and lived way north on Hwy 6 near Bellaire. I was attending Sugar Creek Baptist at the time and therefore, had to cross the railroad tracks (grrr...) and the very busy and over-trafficked 90 way too often. Even then I was wishing, hoping for an overpass.
I now don't have to go over the tracks at that intersection very often but I do travel out 90 very often and I sit and wait along with the many others for my turn in one of the TWO lanes, to get through.

NO MORE!!

Last night we went out to eat with my in-laws and I'd been watching them putting what I thought to be "final touches" on the overpass thinking surely it would be open any day now. So I asked Reed to go home that way so that we could check on progress. Sure enough up and over we went, waving to the rushing traffic below! Yea!!!!

Now, truly, we are the best place to live, right? ;-)

Beware: Personal Conviction Ahead!

I know we see the pumpkins at the grocery store, I am soaking up every beautiful fall magazine with images of fall and I watch the weather with so much vain anticipation ("fall" in Houston...ha!). But here, in my heart, it's pruning season. God has been steadily talking to me lately about the good things He has given me that I have allowed to become ultimate things. Really just a euphemistic way to say "idol worship". I seem to revisit this idol often. And though my spirit would love to get rid of it once and for all, the thought of it pains my flesh. My ultimate thing, friends, is my home. I want my nice pink wingback chairs to be my nice, matching country french red plaid chairs. I want my peeling paint side table replaced by the beautiful carved wood nesting tables I found online. I want new curtains, new bookshelves, a remodeled "mud room" and and and...
The lie is that once I have _____________, I'll be happy. I'll be satisfied. I type this, I read it and I know it's a lie. But when Satan whispers it in my ear, I believe every word!
We recently visited Reed's grandmother in her retirement home. It is very nice. She has her own little apartment with a small kitchenette, sitting/TV area, little bedroom and bathroom. She can cook if she likes but there is a warm, inviting, all-the-work-is-done cafeteria right down the hall. It is a simple life she leads. She has pared down her belongings and her activities to what matters. Church, friends, family. All she wants for Christmas or her birthday is just to be around her grand and great grandkids to watch them laugh and play. It's hard to think of another thing in the world to get her. She has no need to shop. She is perfectly content.
We will all end up in a similar situation at some time. Why do I feel the need to accumulate, decorate, shop, fill up my calendar (and my daughter's), when these often have no Kingdom ground to be gained?
Of course this can be taken to extremes. I'm just saying that that's exactly what has happened in my heart. It has become an extreme. When it is quiet around me, my thoughts are not on heavenly things, but rather on my silly home. It's a great house! Full of wonderful, warm, happy things. Baskets, plenty of food, this amazing computer, warm beds, fluffy towels and more dishes than I could ever use in one meal! And yet, all of these things that I think I own, can, if not checked, begin to own me. So I'm choosing to refocus. With God's grace, lots of Bible reading, friends praying for me, and a little self-imposed "fasting", I am choosing to turn my heart's attention back where it is truly satisfied and complete. I am learning.
Philippians 3:8-9 I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

Missing Rich

His music career began in 1983 when Amy Grant recorded his song, "Sing Your Praise to the Lord".

He went on to create nine original albums.

In 1995, after the seventh album, he took off to go to an Indian Reservation in Arizona to teach music to children.

He always performed barefoot. That was his way.

He was greatly impacted by "The Ragamuffin Gospel" by Brennan Manning, and his band was "The Ragamuffin Band."

He had a simple faith, a simple life.

His passion and his calling from God was music. Creating it, singing it, teaching it, sharing it, all for His glory alone. I once heard that he was reluctant in the early days to record his own music because he had such a rough voice, but then felt that God's name would be praised and who was he not to be a part of that. So he sang.

He was so humble, such a servant and very uncomfortable in any kind of spotlight. I heard a story that he was at an awards dinner and after only being there a few minutes, he was spotted in a waiter's jacket serving dinner and drinks to all of the attendees.

He wasn't flashy, not all that good-looking. Wore everyday, unremarkable clothes, just to be covered and comfortable. He was natural.

He wrote an article for Release magazine for six years. They introduced his column like this: "He's a poet, a scholar, a gentleman, and yes, just a little bit off-center. But that's why we like him..."

He was very profound.

"The will of man will not ultimately prevail against the will of God. It is the will of God that we should know Him as He has revealed Himself and that will has not only survived the arrogant attacks of scientific and "enlightened" men, it has (even more miraculously) thrived in spite of our best intended, though sadly misguided, attempts at "rightly dividing" that seamless robe of revelation.

So let us press on with no faith in our own understanding and nothing but faithe in the Truth that is too great to be diminished by our feeble minds and too great to not transform us."

And here's another: "When we were kids we sang for the joy of singing, we colored and cut and pasted for the fun of doing it. We ran for the love of running and laughed and got scared and saw the world as a real place full of real dangers and real beauty and real rights and wrongs.

And if the cross is more than a symbol (and it is), and grace is more than sentiment (and, thank God, it is), if Jesus Christ is really God's revelation of Himself and not the product of human imagination (and He is), then we will become the children we once were and must become again. Stables will be temples, stars will be guarantees, 'the trees of the fields will clap their hands and the mountains and the hills will break forth in singing...' We will pray and run and work and give ourselves over to faith. And God will be our Father and His Kingdom will be our home, for we will be those children we once were, and 'of such is the Kingdom of Heaven'."

His songs moved me. They still do. "The stuff of Earth competes for the allegiance/I owe only to the Giver of all good things. So if I stand let me stand on the promise/ that You will pull me through/ and if I can't, let me fall on the grace/ that first brought me to You./ And if I sing let me sing for the joy/ that has born in me these songs./ and if I weep let it be as a man/ who is longing for his home." ("If I Stand" on Winds of Heaven, Stuff of Earth)

I had the opportunity to meet him once. He was so humble and unassuming. Some of my friends asked him to sign their tapes (yep, it was looooong ago, kids) and he signed each one simply, "Be His".

I admired him so much. His simplicity, his ease, his way of communicating. His way of highlighting the things in the world that point to Him. He was amazing, as were his songs. Truly inspired, I believe.

He died ten years ago on September 19. He was 41.

I heard the news and wept. There were four memorial services held in his honor. One in Nashville, one in Wichita (where he lived for many years), one on the reservation in Arizona, and one at Compassion International Headquarters. I had my own little memorial service, too.

The words to one of his later songs, "Elijah" still make me tear up. "When I leave I wanna go out like Elijah/ with the whirlwind to fuel my chariot of fire./ and when I look back on the stars/ well, it'll be like a candle light in Central Park./ and it won't break my heart/ to say goodbye."

I still miss him. I still listen to his music and delight to hear it on the radio (sometimes KSBJ playing ancient music is a good thing!).

I look forward to meeting him again.

P.S. I found a great little story about him here.

And this one is an absolute classic. Rich and his band doing "Screen Door" (a great song in it's own right) a capella using cups for rythym. Ya gotta see it!

Just a Quick Funny Story...

before I forget it...
So, tonight, MaryEvyn is eating her peas (one of the few veggies she'll still eat). All she had on was a diaper because she was waiting for her prized Dora pajamas to come out of the dryer. Since it wasn't an official 'family meal' and she was the only one eating, we had just dumped out and nuked half of a can of peas and she was eating that with her ravioli when somehow some of the juice from the peas sloshed out and onto her. This is what we hear:
"AHHHHHH - MommyDaddy - I spilled the pea water!!!!!! Get it OFF!!!! PEA WATER!!"
Very funny indeed. (Unless you're the one sloshed in pea water, I guess!)

Can Anyone Explain Houston Weather to Me?

Really, now. I have experienced a lot of things living in Houston all of my life. I have seen flags on a pole go from blowing like mad in one direction only to change and go the complete opposite direction all while sitting and eating lunch.
I have entered a building in short sleeves and departed a few hours later only to be met by freezing cold.
I have endured hurricanes...and I've fled from them, too (Rita, anyone?) I remember Alicia as one of the worst, by the way.
I do understand how our weather changes at the drop of a hat. But can anyone, anyone explain yesterday's "tropical storm"? I put it in quotes because I'm not convinced there ever was one!
I watched the news and listened to the weather yesterday at about 9am. Nothing. Then I get a call from a leader telling me there's a tropical storm that's headed for us that evening! So I turn on the news and sure enough, the telltale red, yellow and green swirls on the radar right off of Galveston. Schools are closing and Frank is telling us how it's going to dump all of this rain. Okay, okay, I think, I'll cancel student community group, for pete's sake!
Did we get a drop of rain? No. I even understood that it was supposed to linger for days: "Expect rain all day Thursday, Friday and Saturday..." I heard. I awoke this morning to a blue sky, a few puffy white clouds and not a hint of rain.
That was a first. How did a tropical storm hit only a few miles from my home, skid across Houston, even, and leave me dry? If anyone knows Frank personally, I'd like a word...
I'm not complaining, really, just befuddled. That's a new one in my book!

Reed comes home tomorrow, so do Phil and Cynthia - YEA!!
Have a great weekend, everyone!

Can a Three Year Old Learn to Serve?

So, my mom has this kind of "secret" ministry. It's something she chooses to do, simply on her own, to serve. She doesn't talk about it much because she enjoys doing it just for God, just for those she serves. Great idea and I'm so proud of her. She goes to a retirement home and helps the sweet little old ladies (and a couple of men) play Bingo. It's great - except those days when I ask her how it's going and one of those sweet ladies will be coming to Bingo no more. She has become their friend. If a regular doesn't show, she'll visit them. Many times they don't show because their health has taken a turn for the worse or they have lost a friend themselves. She has prayed with and for them, attended funerals, and even just stopped to visit a friend's relative (unbeknowst to them) because she heard that they were there. It's really beautiful.
Well, with Reed being gone this week, I usually visit my parents for one evening. Sometimes I spend the night. I've made a lot of plans for this week (to keep me busy while he's gone) so tonight was the only night I could make it, but that's her ministry night. Then it hit me. We could come along! They would LOVE it! Evy would LOVE it! My mom would LOVE it! I would LOVE getting to talk with them and share my little girl's sweet smile with them! Mom agreed it was a great idea, so we were off.
It was truly a fun time. The ladies were so sweet! Funny Wilma who says that she just can't seem to hold on to those little Bingo chips in her hands and so they fall all over the floor. She jokes that she should just play on the floor since that's where all her chips are! She was so glad to have Evy as her little picker upper! Sweet Jane with her long white hair falling around her shoulders who told me at least 15 times over the hour, "You sure do have a cute girl there!" Same words, same inflection. "Thank you," I said 15 times!
They have their own grandchildren and great-grandchildren but they live far away most of them, so they don't see them much at all. Evyn was more than happy to be their "stand in" for the night! She joyously covered her Bingo card with chips, crawled all over the chair, ate pink yogurt that a floor nurse gave her, picked up stray Bingo chips and said, "Thank you," to all their compliments over and over again!
It really was great!
It got me thinking. I would love to continue doing something like this. I mean, there's a retirement community just down the street from us. I love that she could learn to serve. Learn a respect and love for the elderly. Appreciate what they have to offer and not take her own great-grandmother for granted (which she doesn't, but, y'know...) So, I'm just wondering tonight what that could look like. I don't know if she could play Bingo for an hour every week, but surely there's something else. Taking pictures, artwork, maybe just visiting...I don't know.
Any ideas? Would you like to join in?

This Time It's For Real!

Well, like it or not, this is really it.

I know, I know...I already wrote about getting rid of her nummies. How she was big enough and I was confident that not only was she ready for it, but I was too. Well, then there was strep...and a host of other reasons. I think one of the big reasons was that we still actually posessed the nummies and she knew it. This time, there's no playin'. It's for real.

She was down to two nummies. One, the pink one with the butterfly, was her favorite. Only last week it finally succumbed to her little teeth and created a hole. We told her that that meant that it was now unsafe and she couldn't have that one anymore. We got rid of it and she never even complained about it. "Hmmm....," I thought.

Now today, we went to Brenham to see Steph and B and had a great time. We took all of the necessary napping acoutrements, of course. As we were leaving, I scooped them all up off the bed, into the bag and we were off. I pulled into a gas station in Katy because A. She was squealing about needing a potty (though when I actually pulled over, got out, and started to unbuckle her, realized she had already gone potty, apparently unbeknowst to her, I guess - very glad for that change of clothes I've been toting around in that silly bag for months thinking it was unnecessary!), B. I needed to go to the potty, and C. I needed gas in the car. We take care of all of the mentioned items and as we're taking off she begins asking for the nummy. I, as always, tell her it's only for naptime so she can't have it now. Even as the words are coming out of my mouth, I am beginning to wrack my brain to remember if I grabbed it. I searched her bags and things. Nope. I debated telling her now or later. Decision: get it over with. She seemed to take it okay, actually. "Hmmmm....," I thought again. "We'll see how tonight goes."

Here's another "Hmmm...": at school she sleeps perfectly fine without it...AND tonight we had to go straight to community group from Brenham and when I went to pick her up, all of the girls had been put to bed, including Evy...without the nummy!

So, here it is 10:30pm and I've barely heard a peep. She complained a little about it but we talked about it, I prayed for her and so far, so good. She has yet to shed a tear about it.
More of that bittersweetness. Yea...no more nummy! :-) Awww...no more nummy. :-( No more cute little sucking noises and the unmistakable way she talks with it in her mouth. Yet more of the baby gone. Can anyone tell me when I will get used to these steps?!!!

What "Lonely" Means These Days

Have you ever heard that little factoid about the Inuits (or someone like that) having, like, 50+ words for "snow"? Why? Because it is their life. It is such a part of every day and can be experienced and, therefore, described in so many ways. For me, personally, I have really no knowledge of snow, so snow is just snow.
Now, I'm a word person anyway. I like writing, I enjoy good, descriptive writing (like Catherine Newman down there in my link list - she's awesome!). I like the idea of being able to say what I mean succinctly because there are exact words for it. It irks me that we use the word "love" to describe so many truly different emotions. The love I have for pizza does not rival that of Vargo's chocolate mousse. And even that does not rival the love I have for my husband, and that is even different from the love I have for my little one. But this sorry little language of ours is lacking in this sense.
Another one: lonely.
As in, "My hubby is away and I am lonely." The typical response is, "Well, come on over!" "Let's have dinner." "Call me anytime!" While I really do appreciate these invitations for the sincerity and thoughtfulness with which they are delivered, they do not solve the problem of loneliness. Not this kind, anyway. It is not a lack of friends. It's not really boredom, either (though that comes into play at times). This loneliness is the result of my heart's soul mate being away. Not only is he not present, he is mostly unreachable. He is 7 hours ahead of us and that gives us maybe one uninterrupted, quality phone conversation per day. And usually either I am exhausted or he is.
He is my one. He knows me and shares my life with me. We are intertwined and interdependent (whether he says so or not!). He is the only one who knows our financial struggles and woes in actual amounts. He is the only one who revels in a good, funny Evy story like me because he is the only other one who loves her as I do. He is the one who "gets" my vision of student ministry. He is the one who gets me off of the couch and going to community group when I don't want to. He is the one who really knows why I don't want to go and gets that, too. He is the one I want by my side at school orientations, birthday parties, family dinners, and the first A & M game of the season. Because he gets it.
I want to tell him about the movie I saw, the fabric I love, the annoying thing Evy did, the beautiful way she suddenly whispered, "I love you, Mommy" in my ear today. Yes, I can still tell him these things, but he's not here to experience it with me. He's not here to kiss me, smile and say with his sweet brown eyes, "I know."
I know you know these things when you offer to have us for dinner, to stay at your house or to go out or to call. I know you know what it's like to be surrounded by people, friends even, yet still feel alone.
I miss my hubby.
And to think, God gave him to me as a shabby foreshadow and hint of the love He has for me and the soul mate that He is for my heart. This is my main reassurance that I am not alone. I have gone to sleep before with my Bible just to have a physical knowledge of His presence. I need Him even more than my hubby. I know this is one possible lesson in all of this travelling. That I would not become independent or fully capable without my hubby, but that I would become more dependent upon Him. That's my prayer.
I love you, Puppy, and I can't wait for this to be over. I am praying for you and longing for the day we are together again. Talk to you soon.