12.23.2009

70 to 20


Today I'm going to go from 70 degree weather to 20 degrees. And yes, I'm SO excited about it! My family and I are all meeting in Chicago for Christmas this year. Up until I was in junior high we spent every Christmas in Chicago (I lived there until I was 10 and then 3 or 4 years after that we continued to go).

I'm so excited about this trip for many reasons: 1. My siblings, nieces, and mom and I will all be there, which is in itself a huge accomplishment considering we live so far away from each other 2. We are staying in a condo downtown 3. I'll most likely have a snowy Christmas considering the forecast for every day is "snow" 4. It's Chicago - who wouldn't be excited about that? 5. I get to run in 20 degree weather =) Yes, I'm serious. I LOVE it!

I'm so ready to be there. I feel like I should start making bets on how delayed we are going to be tonight BUT I'm going to be hopeful and say that we will be on time =/

I encourage you, in this busy week as you are with family and waking up to little kiddos running around, that you get away to be with Jesus for 15 minutes alone each day. Just 15. Our pastor encouraged us with this on Sunday - that we will press into Jesus and what He wants to say to us and how He wants to use us for the rest of this week.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the almighty. I will say of the Lord "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust."

12.21.2009

Merry Christmas to me…..

One of the things that I wish I could change is my bed. For some reason I can't seem to get my bed to be as comfortable and pretty as I hope and imagine it to be. I bought my quilt (from Anthropolgie) right after graduation, and I'm totally in love with it. It was the one thing I bought for myself for graduating college…. and of course all of the other money went into a deposit for my first months rent to my condo in Nashville.

Anyway, it's been super frustrating trying to get this bed to be what I want it to be. I've had to just kind of let it go, b/c for some reason I just don't want to spend a bunch of money on trying to make it look right. I always talk to my super creative mother about how I can change it, and she always has such great ideas. Well, on Saturday I get the most beautiful thing in the mail: A BOX FROM ANTHROPOLOGIE. If you know me at all, you know that I am completely in love with that store. I know there are a lot of people who are, but seriously, I feel like I love it the most. I never get sick of frolicking around in that magical place. I don't even have to buy anything. I just love looking. If I could have my home look like a store, it would be Anthropologie. I have to admit as well that if there is a time that I covet, it is also in that place. Lord help me!

So……… guess what was in the box? A bedskirt that matches my quilt! FANTASTIC. My mom is so incredible to get this for me. Such a wonderful Christmas present! My bed is one step closer to looking put together. I took some pictures so you can see. Pardon the totally unprofessional pictures…..


Cute, huh? I think so. Thanks Marmee! I love it!

12.16.2009

My seeester


So I wanted to introduce you to my sister's blog this morning. I think she is one of the best writers and I'm so excited that she has FINALLY started her long overdue blog. Her post this morning was just what I needed today.. memories of my parents. I will never get tired of reading about them. So hop on over and check out her blog for today…...

12.11.2009

Going to my homeland…..

Well, today is the last trip of the year.. for work at least. We are headed to Memphis today and will be there until Monday morning. Pray for Priscilla.. she is speaking 6 times. Yes, 6. Twice on Saturday and 4 times on Sunday. mercy! It will be great though. We will be with Life Church all weekend - I'm excited about meeting these people. I've actually never even been to their church before, so it will be fun to be worshipping with different people than I normally do back home.

My boss gives me a hard time b/c he says I see my family more now that I live in Dallas rather than when I lived in Nashville. Which is true. But I LOVE it! I'm going to hang out with Nicole and Jay and my sweet little nieces tonight and hopefully my mom as well.

Have a great weekend!

12.10.2009

Pics from OKC



I wanted to show you some pictures from this past weekend. It was our last Lifeway event for the year, and probably my favorite of them all. It was just really fun, and incredible teaching. I'm sad that I'm not going to see my friends for a long time, but at least we got some good
pics….
best part of the weekend: Michelle and Miss Beth gave me TONS of honey packets (long story)
can you tell how excited I am?

(eating breakfast Saturday morning)

(top row: left-right, Michelle, Miss Kay, Miss Beth, Priscilla, Paige
bottom row: left-right, Stella, Pam, and me)

(Michelle, Paige, and I being ridiculous at the photo shoot)

(I love my boss)

12.04.2009

Ooooooooooooooooooooooklahoma

We are about to hop in the rental car and head straight up 35 to Oklahoma City, all 7 of us. Jerry, Priscilla, the two older boys, Karis who is taking care of the boys, and Rachel and I.

We are expecting about 9,000 women at this Deeper Still event. I feel like God has given me the word "interrupt" for this event. When you are planning large events such as this one, you have a very detailed schedule, you know exactly what will happen at every single minute of the program, and everything is very organized. It's really at nightmare when things don't go according to schedule. However, I feel like God wants to somehow interrupt our plans for this weekend. (I'm definitely not telling the Lifeway team that ;) ) But seriously, I do hope that God has full reign on our schedule this weekend - that He will come in all of His glory and amaze us by His presence. I need a revelation from Him this weekend, and I'm praying the same for the speakers, as well as every single women, and the few brave males, we are in attendance.

I'm sad that this is the last Deeper Still for the year, so I plan to soak it all in. You can go here to see how to keep up with us this weekend.

have an awesome Friday!

12.03.2009

Welcome to December


I have to say that December is by far one of my favorite months. I love it for several reasons, but mostly because it means fireplaces, hot coffee and tea drinks, good family time, and pumpkin cookies!

I love to focus on what this season REALLY means and how we can celebrate the birth of our sweet Savior. My sister sent this to me and I wanted to share it with you. I hope you can join in the reading for the Advent and Christmas season. I'm a few days late, but if you start today, you will start with First Thursday of Advent.

Enjoy! And let me know if you do the readings and what you learn from them.

(sorry it's so small)

12.01.2009

Austin

Mom and I had a blast in Austin this weekend! Such a cool city. Here are some of my favorites from the weekend:

1. Just hanging out with my mom - we talked and walked and ate. It was so great just being with her

2. Kerby Lane Cafe - can I say "yummmmmmmmmmmmm"? The pancakes at this place are incredible! not to mention the Migas. We went to the original one on Kerby Lane, obviously, and it was so cute. It's a little house and has such a great atmosphere. I liked it better than Magnolia =/ shhhhhhhhhh

3. All the trails/greenbelts. This is an outdoor city and I love that! tons of places to go running!

4. The stars EVERYWHERE - I don't believe there is a building in this city that doesn't have a star somewhere on it. Mom and I were just laughing at how much Texas pride they have there. And they should. But it just makes me laugh.

5. And last but not least, we got to see my brother and sister-in-law and my sweet little Ana on our way back to Dallas. I couldn't leave seeing them out =) love you guys!

There were way too many things to do in such little time. Next time I go I want to go to the Alamo Drafthouse to have dinner and watch a movie, go to a museum, and go to a TEXAS football game. I think that would be so fun. Until next time Austin…..