Let's just say that the last few weeks are not some that I would like to relive anytime soon. A few bright spots included celebrating our anniversary and Mike's birthday but neither of those were done right because of the "other" stuff that has been going on.

In the last few years though I have found an outlet that allows me to be creative and help others make memories. Mike and I decided when we moved here that we needed to find something we enjoyed doing together. We ended up buying a camera and several lenses. Since that time we have had the priviledge to take some good friends out to capture special moments in their lives. With each photo shoot I learn something new and can't wait to go out again. Here are a few glimpses of what we have done recently.

Prayers

Since several other post never found their way to being published in the last few months, I thought I would share a few prayers that I read tonight.


God help us to live slowly;
To move simply:
To look softly:
To allow emptiness:
To let the heart create for us.
Amen



In order to be truthful
We must do more than speak the truth.
We must also hear the truth.
We must also receive the truth.
We must also act upon truth.
We must also seach for truth.
The difficult truth.
Within us and around us. We must devote ourselves to truth.
Otherwise we are dishonest
And our lives are mistaken.
God grant us the strength and the courage
To be truthful.
Amen

Birthday Week

A few years ago I decided that one day was not enough when celebrating birthdays. It just doesn't seem right that we should only have one special day a year. I decided we should celebrate birthday weeks. I love the idea of celebrating a person and what they mean to you. When I met Mike and introduced him to this concept, he didn't get it so a few years ago I had to give him a birthday week so that he could understand what I meant by birthday week. This year was his year to try to make up for the last several and he did an awesome job. Let me clarify a few things.....celebrating birthday week doesn't have to mean spending alot of money...it just means putting some thought into it to make it meaningful.

Sunday, May 6, started my birthday week. I got to open a few cards and a card from my husband. Mike has learned that when I say I want a card, that doesn't mean just signing his name but writing me a note or a letter. I know this means that he has taken time to sit down and think about what he wants to write. On Monday (my actual birthday) I was awoken with birthday greetings. I went to work and about 9:30 got a surprise visit from Mike bringing me flowers. A couple of my coworkers took me to lunch and made a big deal about my birthday all day. After work we went to eat at a fun restaurant. Tuesday's gift was a book that I have been waiting impatiently to be released and dinner with some dear friends at the park. It was perfect. Wednesday I was surprised with a gift certificate for a pedicure and massage, two things I have been longing for since the marathon. The rest of the office took me to lunch on Wednesday and gave me the princess survival bag. We laughed alot and enjoyed our time together. Thursday I volunteered to keep our friend's baby not knowing that Mike had invited some friends over to celebrate. Thankfully, it all worked out and I got my cookie cake too! :) Friday, we headed to a family retreat and it was a wonderful weekend of relaxing and enjoying the outdoors.

I was so proud of my husband because I knew he had put alot of thought into making the week special for me. He is the love of my life and I wouldn't want to enjoy birthday week with anyone else.

Getting Healthy

After running the half marathon I thought I would have lost some weight but that didn't happen. I think part of the delusion is when you run that much you are hungry and it doesn't seem to be a big deal when you have that dessert or grab a burger with a friend. So I haven't gained alot but I have lost alot either. After losing quite a bit a weight back during my senior year of college it has gradually snuck back. So I want to start thinking again about my portion sizes, etc. Sandy talked yesterday about this blog that was creating a challenge and I decided to jump on the bandwagon. If you want to check it out click here.

The road to the Half-Marathon

10 days ago now I conquered something I have wanted to do since 2003. The summer before my senior year in college I decided that I needed to take control of my life. I had just been through a rough semester and knew that this was possibly my last year of school before the real world. I was doing a summer internship at a church in Houston and decided I wanted to learn how to do ministry and take care of myself at the same time. One of the downfalls of ministry is that it can be totally consuming and you quickly find yourself sacrificing yourself for everything and everyone else. That summer, despite the busyness, I committed to getting healthy. That began by transforming my eating habits and getting exercise. I started walking/running about 35-40 minutes 5-6 times a week. My goal was to run 2 miles in 20 minutes with those that were going on Trek later that summer. By the end of the summer I had changed my habits....I was exercising and eating really well and it showed. I felt better - more energy, happier, and more confident. I hoped that I could maintain this change as I went back to school for my last year at Lipscomb. Amazingly, I started getting up at 6am several mornings a week to run and my fitness level grew. This was one of those first times I had put my mind to something and stuck with it. That winter I thought I would try to run a half marathon but school, work, and weather just didn't allow me to train like I needed to. Fast-forward several years and running sporadically during the last couple years through grad school. My sister and I were talking several months back and she encouraged me to train for a half. She told me she would run it with me. I knew it would be good for me to have a goal and I agreed. In the back of my mind, I sorta doubted I would follow through but then several people found out about it. It's still a little hazy to me how it all happened but 10 days ago I ran my first half-marathon. It was one of the toughest things I have done but it was so rewarding at the end. I know that through the encouragement of friends and running partners I achieved my goal. I couldn't have done it without several that were willing to meet me and run early in the morning or on Sunday afternoon.

Trying this again...

For whatever reason I have had the urge to blog now for several days. I am one of those people that love reading blogs but have a hard time posting myself.

On Sunday mornings, Mike has been teaching a class on the book A Pilgrim's Heart by Darryl Tippens. The premise of the book is thinking about spiritual disciplines that we tend to overlook or not practice very well. The conversation has been interesting and challenging. The first few weeks of topics have included Emptying, Welcoming, Resting, and Befriending. All of these things are challenging to me. I want to live an intentional life that strives to rest in the presence of God and befriend others.

In many ways these four topics are connected. Our culture today thrives on busyness. A result of this busyness seems to be surface relationships. We fear letting others know us too well for fear that they might judge us. But yet I think we keep ourselves busy because we are longing to find connections with people.

God designed us to live in community with other people. He did not call creation good until he created Eve for Adam. Jesus appointed 12 disciples to be his community and to be community for each other. I know that the community that surrounds me through faith, family, and work are indespensable. It would be even more difficult to exist without these communities. The relationships that are cultivated with these people continually challenge, encourage, and support me throughout each day, week, month, and year.

Yet it is so difficult to welcome and befriend. I have to allow these communities to do serve these roles. Others need community just as much as I do. My calling as a Christian convicts me to welcome and befriend, yet I struggle so much to do this. Where do we find a balance of reaching out but also needing to be surrounded by our own communities.

I pray that God will continue to cultivate in me that ability to reach out and befriend others especially those that are not like me.

What do you think? Where do you struggle with this?

Anniversary and Birthday

This week is a special week for me. Mike and I celebrated our anniversary on the 26th and just three days later we get to celebrate Mike's birthday! In honor of these events, I feel it only appropriate to write about my best friend and husband.

It is hard to believe that we have only been married for 3 years. I don't know that I can remember what it was like to not be married. The last three years have been some of the best in my life. I remember before Mike and I were even dating telling my mom that I wanted to marry someone just like Mike Darling. He always seemed to be different than all the other guys I knew. Something about him was really special. As I got to know him more I would have never imagined that he would have chosen me to spend his life with.

Here are a few things that I LOVE about Mike:

1. He encourages me to be a better person. He isn't afraid to call me out about a bad attitude, etc.
2. In that regard he has a way of making me laugh when I am in a bad mood. It isn't easy to be mad around him.
3. He always has a song in his soul and usually is spreading it to those around him.
4. Mike has a calming spirit on those around him.
5. If Mike is talking to someone he is giving them his full attention, regardless if it means he is not able to do other things he was supposed to do. People know that he is listening and he cares by the way he treats them.
6. I have been overwhelmed and blown away by the way he has taken on the responsibility of full-time ministry. It truly feels like his talents are being unleashed.
7. His gift for leading others in worship is incredible. I feel his enthusiasm while he is leading.
8. He works hard for our little family and always tries to go the extra mile.
9. Integrity is something embodied in Mike. He is one of the most honest, trustworthy people I know.
10. He always has a kind word and a blessing for those he encounters from the bank teller to the waitress at the restraunt.
11. Little kids LOVE him. When he is gone all the kids ask, Where's Mike? Where's Mike? I can't wait to parent with him someday.
12. He is willing to help around the house with whatever needs to be done.
13. He never lets his arthritis be an excuse for why he can't do something. He endures alot of pain most days.
14. He has a heart for faith formation. He is great at not berating someone when they do something wrong but using the moment to examine the kind of person God wants us to be.
15. He loves me unconditionally and puts up with all my baggage!
16. Mike can be really silly and light-hearted or really serious depending on what the situation calls for.
17. He continually reminds me that God will provide when I may be stressing about something!

I think this list could go on forever. I am so thankful for my husband who has chosen to live his life to the glory of God. I admire and respect who he is and waiting anxiously to see what this journey of life holds for us in the months and years to come.

Happy Anniversary and Birthday Mike! I love you!

Sunday Tables

About a month and a half ago my dad called and asked me if I would write some thoughts about the Lord's Supper. If you know my dad then you know that he likes to push boundaries. I asked what he wanted it for and he told me that he had started thinking during worship what one of his "sister" in the faith would say given the opportunity. After procrastinating several weeks, this is what I sat down and composed:

Sunday Tables

Fried Chicken, laughter, Roast, amazement, potatoes, joy, vegetables, togetherness, homemade rolls, relationships. These words evoke special memories of gathering around a common table after church on Sundays with family. In my own family it was my grandparents table. The table itself may not be anything special, but the memories that have occurred around it make it priceless. The nicks and scars in the wood give the table character. Tables have given us moments of triumph and seasons of sorrow and allowed for a common experience.

As a child we gathered at my grandparents table often on Sundays for lunch and time with family. It was a time that we caught up with one another and shared with one another. We excitedly told stories and recalled memories. Stories brought laughter and tears. We shared both a meal and our lives together.

I imagine the disciples had a lot of memories about the tables where they had dined throughout the years. I wonder when they realized that their most special memories would be of the meals they shared together. I can hear them reminiscing with one another, “Remember that time when we were on the hillside and Jesus turned that boy’s lunch into a feast for everyone. And what about the Pharisees unbelief when they found out where Jesus was having dinner ... they were outraged! And then there was that night in the upper room when we enjoyed dinner and fellowship with Jesus and he gave us parting words. What incredible experiences!Jesus demonstrated many times that the table he communed at had no regard for social status, economic prosperity, race or level of education. At His table there is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, slave nor free, for we are all one in Christ. He has prepared the table before us this morning full of mercy and grace.

Without even realizing it, the gospel was being shown to me at my grandparents table. We communed together, young and old, without any regard for who brought what food. Often others we were welcomed at the table with us. We worshipped the Risen savior as we broke bread together. We celebrated renewed life and lamented our sorrows. We shared as the body of Christ. These memories give me a glimpse of the meal that Jesus had with the disciples.

Jesus demonstrated that community is important and that it is difficult to journey these roads alone. Together as a family we gather around this table just as you will shortly gather around the lunch table. Some of us will be in a celebratory mood and some will be lamenting. Either way, at this table there is room for everyone. Welcome to the table of the Lord.


A few weeks later I was home for my sister's graduation and had the opportunity to go back to my home church with my parents. My dad had asked if he could give the table talk that Sunday. Mom and I were very nervous about how he would handle it, but I couldn't have been more proud. He got up and shared that he had been wondering what one of his sisters in the faith would share given the opportunity. He commented that he didn't wonder very long before he went and asked and he wanted to share what she wrote. He proceeded to read it.

I really hadn't expected to feel anything knowing he was reading my thoughts, but I was surprised. In those moments I felt honored that I could participate in worship that morning and give a word that was diffferent than we normally hear. I felt validated in my abilities to think and write in a way that could edify the church body. Suddenly, it was as if my gifts were being used in the corporate setting. It was a new experience and one that made me feel things that I can't quite put words too.

I grew from that experience and am so thankful for my dad and his wonderings. He gave me the gift of participating and experiencing alongside him.

He Lives

He is Risen! He Lives! Those words are easy to say but hard to totally grasp. Yet, things in nature are coming to life. It is amazing to me to see how quickly the trees go from barren to producing beautiful deep green leaves. My tulips and plants quickly come to life and bloom. The crisp morning air has a serene quality to it. The gentle breeze that catches the scents around you. The wonder of little girls who hear puppies or see flowers and are amazed by the smallest movement. The miracle of new life on a day when we celebrate resurrected life. All of these things give refreshment to this life that we live. If we truly had the wonder and joy of the children, how would we be transformed?

May your life be full of wonder and joy!

Nothing

Everyday I think about blogging but when it comes down to it I just don't feel I have anything very bloggable to say right now. Hopefully, that will end soon but I don't know. Until then...

Seasons

As Spring approaches I can't help but feel excited when I am outside. I was talking with someone yesterday about how neat it is to think about the design of the seasons. Spring and Fall are my favorites by far, but all the seasons represent something in our life. Winter seems to represent those seasons in our lives that are barren and cold. We may feel we don't have much energy and just want to hibernate. Along comes Spring and we begin to feel renewed and refreshed. We find energy to tackle life again. We are ready to dance, rejoice, and recognize the blessings in our lives. As the heat gets more intense we are refined by Summer. We find joy but also get worn out at times. Fall allows us to cool down as we enjoy the results of those refining times in our lives. Sometimes in our lives, our seasons may not always follow the pattern that weather seasons do, but I imagine that we all identify with seasons of our lives that parallel to seasons of weather.

I feel that I am on the edge right now between seasons. I am ready for Spring to take over my life and rejoice in what the Lord has done for me. Where are you right now?

Catch Up

Ever feel like there is tons of stuff going on and then not very much at the same time? That's my life lately. A quick recap....

Winterfest - It was a fun experience, however it is crazy. Definitely not my idea of a relaxing weekend, but we got to know alot of the kids better. On our way home, it started sleeting. We drove the last 3 hours in heavy snow. NOT FUN when you are responsible for 30 teenagers that aren't your own. However, as a result of that snow I had Monday off work and Mike stayed a few days longer.

Scrapbooking - It can be such a long and tedious process. I have a book that I have to have done in 2 months. I am going to have to kick it into high gear. I spent most of Friday night having a low key night at home working on that. I only got one page done!

Saturday - I was sooo looking forward to just having a leisure morning. Topaz was up at least every 30 minutes sick during the night Friday. Ugh. Needless to say I ended up waking up many times during the night and very early Saturday morning. I also ended up with 5 loads of laundry from it. However, saturday night I escaped and went to a cooking party. It was a lot of fun. We made salsa, fajitas, quesadillas, and fruit pizza. I met a couple of people I didn't know that are about my age.

Sunday - These are always crazy days. Since Mike works for the church, I feel I do to at times. I haven't had a relaxing Sunday in a long time. The problem is I still work Monday thru Friday too. After church I had a meeting, had a break, and then was back at church dealing with stuff. However, I got to enjoy dinner with lots of fun people and got to know a couple that has been visiting the last few weeks.

It is getting warm here and staying light longer. I love this time of year. It is so renewing and refreshing.

Something Fun

Just came across this and was curious what it would say. Guess it pegs me well since this is what I do. However, some days this is not what I want to do. I get really tired of having to end my relationships with people when they walk out the door. My real dream is to work beside my husband in family ministry. This way I could walk beside people as they deal with turmoil and be a friend but use my skills to enrich and teach about healthy families within a spiritual framework....Maybe someday!

Your Career Type: Social

You are helpful, friendly, and trustworthy.Your talents lie in teaching, nursing, giving information, and solving social problems. You would make an excellent: Counselor - Dental Hygienist - LibrarianNurse - Parole Officer - Personal TrainerPhysical Therapist - Social Worker - Teacher The worst career options for your are realistic careers, like truck driver or farmer.

What's" Your Ideal Career?

Weekend Recap

-Friday night I enjoyed a progressive dinner that was designed to allow our church an opportunity to bring friends and have fun together. It was hectic in the days leading up to it, but went off without a hitch Friday night, snow and all.

- I had a sleepover for two girls (18 months and 7 years old). The little one woke up puking about 6:30am Saturday. Talk about an unexpected experience. We both changed clothes three times before we dozed again for a few hours.

- Experienced a local flea market with a friend....not sure it will be a frequent shopping stop. Later enjoyed a stroll around the mall. Children's Place was having a HUGE sale. Both of my friends found great deals. I love buying for kids even though I don't have any, but resisted the temptation this time.

-Hosted my small group for lunch Sunday. Enjoyed a nap while watching the Olympics.

-Watched Grey's. This is my hands down favorite show right now. I was so shocked at many different points. I was cracking up at Dr. Bailey's new term.

-Low key, but fun. The next few weekends will be really busy and I will be ready for a low-key Saturday.

Tag..........

Maybe this will be more interesting....

Four Jobs I've Had:
1. Waitress at Cowboy's BBQ - it was my very first job when I was 15 1/2.
2. Youth Intern - Atlanta, GA; Pensacola, FL; The Woodlands, TX
3. Baby Gap - This was a great job. I got a discount at Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic. This was a definite perk. I am constantly thinking about doing it again in the evenings. Mike keeps telling me NO.
4. Therapist at the Christian Counseling Center - My first real job!

Four Movies I've NEVER Seen: (I am tweaking this one because I rarely watch movies so this will be much more interesting)
1. Lord of the Rings Trilogy
2. Star Wars
3. Harry Potter
4. Most of the Classics

Four Books (Authors) I could read over and over:
1. Francine Rivers
2. Karen Kinsbury
3. Penelope Stokes
4. Lauren Winner

Four Places I Have Lived:
1. Muskogee, OK
2. Nashville, TN
3. Abilene, TX
4. Paducah, KY

Four TV Shows I Watch:
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. ER
3. Oprah
4. Today Show

Four Places I've Been on Vacation:
1. San Francisco
2. Europe
3. Egypt
4. Gatlinburg, TN (honeymoon)

Four Websites I Visit Daily:
1. Blogs
2. US Bank
3. Google
4. More Blogs :)

Four Favorite Foods:
1. Fajitas
2. Brownies and IceCream
3. Pineapple
4. Italian

Four Places I Would Rather Be Right Now:
1. Greece with Mike
2. Shopping with unlimited funds
3. With my family in OK
4. The weekend with Mike

Just the routine...

Absolutely nothing seems to be going on right now....It is pretty much the same routine everday. So that doesn't leave me much to blog about. But I will try to come up with something...

-My friend Megan came to hang out with me Friday and Saturday. We went to the gym Saturday morning and then walked around the mall before she headed home.
-Sunday was church and small group. Since my small group met at lunch I joined another small group that night.
-Topaz is definitely a spaz and is experiencing doggie adolescenthood. He will be experiencing a small surgery in the near future. :)
-He is REALLY enjoying the attention but hates the extra time he has to be in the kennel. He is ready for things to be back to normal.
-I actually cooked dinner last night. I haven't cooked a real meal in at least a month. (I still eat, but have a few families that have me over almost EVERY night)
- I tried to start gathering our tax stuff up to take to the accountant but it was overwhelming so I abandoned that project for another day.

Maybe I will have something more exciting to report later....but for now, it's all I've got.

3 More Days

Only three more days until I get to see my husband. Can you tell that I am looking forward to it? But the exciting thing is that not only do I get to spend the time with him, I also get to see MANY friends that I miss so much. I am really looking forward to catching up with our small group, some of my best friends, and whoever else I happen to run into. It will be great!

This past weekend was pretty quiet. I hung out with a family from church Friday night. They are so kind to invite me to dinner EVERY night. I really feel at home with them. Saturday, I laid around all morning and then went to the gym for a few hours. I spent the afternoon and evening cleaning. Sunday morning was spent at church and then at the gym and cleaning some more. I hosted our small group Sunday night. We are switching groups now, so I look forward to that as well.

I am looking forward to getting a few projects completed in the next few weeks. There seems to always be something waiting. I want to learn more about my camera and get a good jumpstart on my sister's scrapbook. Mike and I were dreaming about learning lots and being able to open a business one day. I would really love to do that as a side job. Now I just have to figure out how do everything with it.

Back to work this morning and definitely looking forward to the short week. Thursday I will be headed to A-town. Hurray!

Weekend

It's finally the weekend....I am ready for it...One more hour!

Where do I start....

Sometimes, I avoid blogging because I can't narrow down what I want to talk about. Kinda funny when I think about it. If I would just start writing I wouldn't have to narrow it down.

It's amazing how life continues to move and change. Since the last time I blogged, so much as happened. We enjoyed Christmas with both of our families, two severe colds which knocked us out for several days, a fun New Year's Eve party, Texas winning the National Championship (Mike was VERY excited about this), cooking dinner and celebrating one of my best friend's birthdays, painting another plate at "The Clay Chamelon", sending Mike to Abilene, and finding my routine again.

Topaz and I have had a great week. We have walked most evenings and enjoy the time to catch up with a friend or to just listen to my IPOD. I finished reading "Three Weeks with My Brother" by Nicholas Sparks. It was an excellent story about his life growing up interweaved with the story of traveling around the world in 3 weeks with his brother. I highly recommend it.

Sleeping through the night has been the most difficult part of the adjustment. Within the past year I have noticed that anytime I expereince a change in my life I have difficulty sleeping for a few days and then I tend to settle in. Last night was the first night that I didn't wake up until 5am (my alarm goes off at 5:30). Hopefully, this will resolve itself soon. One positive about this is that I get to go to bed when I want. It's not as if Mike won't let me but it seems that we always are doing something when he is here and it is at least 10pm before we make it to bed. I really like to be headed to bed about 9pm and then read for a few minutes before turning the light out. It has been 3 years since I have been able to do this. Shortly before Mike and I started dating. It also helps me to be able to get up by 5:30 to go run or work out. We'll see how this schedule holds out for the next few months.

Picture Update on Topaz...

Here are a few sweet pictures of our labradoodle, Topaz...