Reflection

This is my work group from Costa Rica.

Just got back from Costa Rica and am getting ready to walk out the door for Florida...read some of my thoughts on Costa Rica Here!

too busy?

Upon this post going live, I will be in Costa Rica with Andrew, working with many high school students (something I miss) and ministering to Costa Ricans, alongside of Costa Ricans.

I am excited about leaving. I am excited about seeing Andrew.

This post doesn't have anything to do with those things though. Friday night, I met with an old friend. One of the things she said was, "Christian people are so busy, I mean, they are doing good things, but they are just...busy."

This hit me like a ton of bricks. I haven't stopped thinking about this one statement: and we talked for like 5 hours, there were a lot of statements made.

As I drove home I kept thinking, "how is it, that a group of people who make such strong claims on community could cause one of its own to say that we are too busy for relationships."

I mean, I really do see what she was saying...but I am praying that it isn't truth in my life, or in yours. How do we really feel about our relationships? our community? are we too busy to keep up?

One of my favorite things about our move to TX is the fact that we had an almost immediate community. Phil, Jessi, Amber, Vernon, Ethun, Neil, Dexter, Stephen, Bill and Alessandra just to name a few welcomed us with open arms and immediately we had deep friendship. Sharing life is good. Having deep thoughts is great, but discussing them is even greater. Talking about marriage and Jesus with folks is a sweet, sweet thing. I have been blessed to have Ethun, Jessi, and Amber here. Just, ready.

I sincerely pray that I am not to busy to be the same blessing to them...and others.

Now, to our community we left in MO, I really don't want to be too busy for you...so stay on me and you know we love our skype dates so lets schedule some of those!

Miss you!

life lesson I learned through running

I feel like I am pretty good about knowing my limits and when I need "pushing". I am aware of the need to push by the fact that I am really good about being comfortable. I am actually pretty great at getting to the point where I am "good" whether it be spiritually, physically, socially or creatively, and then I sit there. I sit there till either (by the grace of God) God pushes me, through Andrew, a friend, through music, or in my quiet time, to humble myself and accept the stretching that brings growth.

Lately I have been sitting. I have been sitting physically and spiritually. I feel "good".

I have been running between 2.5-3 miles about 4 or 5 times a week, I have been attending Bible study on Thursday nights, reading books, and have been spending time in prayer and the Word...but I haven't been pushing myself.

Wednesday, I was on a run. I was running and my music was playing and the song "arms open wide" came on. I ended up listening to it like 3 or 4 times. I wanted to shout along with it. It was that time when "all of a sudden you hear it differently"

Take my life I lay it down
At the cross where I am found
All I have I give to You oh God

Take my hands and make them clean
Keep my heart in purity
That I may walk in all You have for me

Oh here I stand
Arms open wide
Oh I am Yours
And You are mine

Take my moments and my days
Let each breath that I take
Be ever only for You oh God

Oh here I stand
Arms open wide
Oh I am Yours
And You are mine

My whole life is Yours
I give it all
Surrendered to Your Name
And forever I will pray
Have Your way
Have Your way

Oh here I stand
Arms open wide
Oh I am Yours

And You are mine

I realized that if my Whole life is the Lords, and I really "Give it all"

I will push myself, because God wants HIS BEST for my life, not my "good".

So, yesterday I pushed myself physically. I ran 4 miles...AND IT SUCKED. I can run 3 pretty easily, I ran 3.3 on Wednesday and it felt great, but yesterday, I went further and faster and it hurt. I even had to walk for 3 blocks. BOO! But I know I am better for it and it will help my grow in my distance and endurance.

As far as Spiritually goes. I am working to stretch. Harder, bolder prayers. Reading the Word with more intention. Actually memorizing those scriptures I write down during my reading.

The refining process is almost always never fun, but is ALWAYS worth it!

Take a listen!

Being a Texan...and summer

Well, The thing is that winters in MO are long; long and FREEZING. Did you know that I hate being cold. Like, I truly believe that my bones get cold and they take a long time to thaw.

Upon our announcement of our move to TX, I stated that I am excited to live in a place that is warm and sunny.

We moved in April, had some brilliant 70-80 degree weather for about 3 weeks...some wicked storms around the first weekend in May and then it happened. What happened? 100 happened. 100 has come and hasn't gone. Like it has literally been above 100 degrees every day for two solid months. One day, my car "temperature teller" read 117. NO LIE!

I have come to realize the coolest part of the day is as the sun is rising. This is when I run. If I miss that 6:30-8:30am time slot, I will not go running - because I would die.

Three paragraphs up, I said, "I stated that I am excited to live in a place that is warm and sunny." I may have even said "Hot" in my original statement.

Through many conversations of people telling me "Texas heat is a killer" I made a claim.

I said, "I will not complain about the heat for 1 year."

This is me...not complaining about the heat. today it wasn't supposed to hit 100 and people are actually saying that it is a cold front. WHAT?

Some things I have to get used to:

-Sweaty Back

-Burning my legs and arms on my car upholstery

-Sweaty legs

-growing my hair out so I can put it up

-Drinking extra amounts of water

-wearing shorts (I have worn jeans 3 times total since moving here)

-Not wearing hoodies...which is one of my favorite clothing items.

-being freezing inside places always bringing a long sleeve for indoors.

So, here is the thing. I do love the heat, but I think I am ready for a small break in it. One or two days or like one cooler evening...I would even take the low 90's.

The other day, Andrew and I headed out for a run at 7:30. It was cloudy and breezy...I said, "Wow, it feels great out here, its almost cool."

Andrew laughed at the time, but later tweeted "it was in the 80's #perspective"

I really do like the heat...I am just thinking the snow-peaked mountains of Colorado sound nice this time of year.

I am thanking God we don't have the humidity that MO has, if we did, I may need to complain!

6 years

Six years ago Andrew and I began our wonderful life together. We joined a team. We have prayed for the ability to offer one another the love of the Lord, that unconditional love. We know that we fail one another, but it is not our intention to do so. We are gentle and kind to one another. We are patient with one another and we work to encourage one another. I pray that we have brought out the best in one another. We pray that our marriage can be used as an example to others.

I thank God almost everyday for allowing Andrew and I to serve in this life together. I know that I tell funny stories a lot on this blog, but let me be absolutely serious for a few lines.

Andrew is the Man that I could have never dreamed of. He is honorable, honest, bold, loving, grace filled, elegant, sensitive and NOBLE. His character is admirable and he speaks truth into my life on a daily basis. He loves me in a way that makes me feel feminine and cool, which is kind-of a neat trick. He is supportive. He prays with me, for us, and for our friends...fervently. He challenges my thinking and listens to my ideas. He is funny, and not the kind of funny that just makes fun of other things, but like, smart funny. He is soooo Hott! he is my best friend and he makes me feel like a beautiful, loving wife. I pray that I can be a reflection to him of the Love of God that he is to me.

Six years ago, Andrew and I got married.

Today he got on a plane to Costa Rica for a mission trip...and I am a proud wife...and I will join him next week!

Thank you Lord for the time we have to serve you as one!

I love you Andrew!

Andrew got new glasses.

I feel like I have had so many moments of, "Oh, I need to blog that" but then I forget what it was or how exactly something happened that made it funny. But one thing I know is this. I think I am funny. I have this horrible knack for making myself laugh so hard I cry. This is something I was known for in Liberty. One time Kelley Rowe and I were talking and I claimed the idea "I just know my sense of humor and what makes me laugh...so say the things that I think are funny" or something along those lines.

So this story may not be funny to you, but I totally cracked myself up.

backstory - Andrew is known around our house to have a short attentions span. If we are cleaning and he is supposed to go through mail that has been on the table, he will start at the table and end up syncing his phone or cleaning the bathroom...It is almost comical and has grown to be endearing. I think its hilarious.

Story - Andrew goes to the eye doctor and comes home with new glasses.

s - "How did It go?"

a - "Fine, I think I'm practically blind in my left eye."

"well that's not good...good thing you went to get new glasses"

"Yeah, he also said I have astigmatism"

"What really is astigmatism?"

"Its like when the shape of your eye is a little off and you can't really focus"

"Maybe you have a double astigmatism!"

followed by a really sarcastic wide eyed smile...I laughed hard, he smiled...and probably thinks I am a weirdo!

BTW - Andrew's new glasses look Hot! #Justsayin

Friends...literally, forever.

Last week, Jessie Rochat, used to be Stough, called and told me she was gonna be rolling through town with her Kids, Taylor and Reece. And then she told me Jordan was going to be with her...Jordan is her little bro.

These visits are such blessings to me because I have known all four of these people since they were born. I called Jordan "Jordie" and it didn't feel right anymore, because he is 15 and grown up. He is almost as tall as me for crying out lout!

I love these people so much. SO MUCH. They are my family. They have shared every big moment of my life with me and I know that no matter what happens, I can always count on them to love and support me. I hope they feel the same!

Jessie, Jordan, sweet little Taylor and Reece, Thanks so much for stopping by to see me! I love you sooooo much and am so grateful to have you as my family and dear friends! (I was sad to miss Jake and Gwen, but I will take what I can get!)

FRIENDS!

Matt and Jodi came to town and we had so much fun! It was such a blessing to get to spend time with our dear friends. We did a lot of stuff, and as I am looking through the images to post, it seems a lot of "stuff", means eating.

We did all go running together on our first morning, and then we took a trip to Austin. Here are some photos of our time!

We ran...and then went to BuzzBrews for breakfast. It was so yummy!

There was a break between meals...We went to Ikea...and then we hit "In-N-Out". Jodi had never been before and Matt loves it and Andrew and I love it, it was a no-brainer.

Jodi's first time!

We then headed to Austin. We hung out at Barton Springs and then went to watch the Bats!

After the Bats, we went to Polvo's...my favorite place to eat. The next day (July 4th) we hiked up to Mt. Bonnell.

we met with Matt's Aunts for lunch at County Line BBQ, made a quick stop at Whole Foods, and then headed back to Dallas!

Thanks for coming down friends! We love you so much!

July 1st...The day.

On July 1st, I turned 31. I should say the Wednesday before, Andrew and I were taken out to eat by our friends, Phil and Jessie Dieke, Elizabeth (Ethun) and Neil Mosely, and Dexter Evans. We chose BlueFish (sushi) on Greenville...DELISH! But, I am a dum dum and didn't take any photos.

Leading up to the birthday, I had a goal of running 3.1 miles on my 31st...And I did, and so did Andrew. We woke up and trucked it out. You should note that we are not "runners", so this is "Kinda a big deal". We were met at the end of the run with a house w/ a sprinkler and Dexter Evans ready to go to breakfast with us!

This is us right after the run!

We went to Company Cafe, where I ordered a delicious meal of all kinds of grilled veggies, salsa, on an egg omelet! YUM

I got these beautiful flowers from Andrew..there were 31 of them! (he is the best)

We went and picked up "our daughter"(Jenna Wiles) from the airport. We all went to lunch and got Fro-yo and then we dropped her off at TCU!

We stopped by the Burgers and said hey to them while in Ft. Worth.

The day ended with our friends, Matt and Jodi coming into town. We went to Urban Taco and spent tons of time chatting away.

It was a blessed Birthday and I am happy to say

that I love the life the Lord has asked me to live!