Goodbye vacation...

Ok so I know this isn't the most exciting thing to be blogging about but I really want to get back into blogging now that the summer chaos is behind us.

So school started Monday and I can officially announce that I have 24 hours left until I graduate so 12 this semester and 12 next semester and I'm done! As for what I'm doing after that well Im not sure yet. I have several ideas and things Im praying about though so I'll keep ya updated.

Work is still fun and exciting! Ive moved into taking a real leadership role as part of the competitive team coaching staff. I work with some awesome people and am still learning so much from them. I really love coaching, especially the team! I'll hopefully keep you updated with pictures as the competition season starts and progresses!

What I've learned from BJ...

I just read this in a book a friend let me borrow called I Would Die for You about a teenage kid named BJ who died from a disease he got while on a mission trip in Peru. Im only on the 4th chapter but was struck by a blog entry the book quotes that BJ wrote before he died.

"By the way...While even I often have to stop and figure out something that the Bible says that may have previously been contrary to my beliefs, you're looking at the Bible in the wrong way to say that when you find out about a portion of it you disagree with. Instead of only believing the Bible if it matches your own personal beliefs, make your beliefs match what the Bible says, because it has much more authority and relevance than our petty circumstances which bring about unsolid opinions. Many times my beliefs have changed due to finding a passage in the Bible that contradicted my old beliefs, but when this happens, do not assume that the Bible is wrong, assume that you are wrong. Because we are wrong a lot, but god is never wrong."

Now I realize that some of the writing is a little off but he wrote that when he was fourteen! It struck my spirit as a good reminder of how I want to be shaped BY the Word and how I want the Word to be the ultimate autority in my life and belief system.

The new and the old...

This past summer my Grandpa Buck died. Now Grandpa Buck was not actually my grandfather but we called him that because he had been the only positive father figure my mom and her siblings ever had growing up. Technically he was my mom's cousin's husband but was a good 40 years older that my mom...yeah I know weird family anyway... At his funeral I got a revelation that I had known before reblasted on my spirit with a deeper knowledge. There were many older people in attendance and I begin to notice how genuine, true and deep their love for the Lord was. Prior to the funeral, I was introduced to the pastor who conducted it. He was a smaller man who was the pastor of a small baptist church out in Dove Creek I think. According to "greatness" standards, I doubt a little country church fits the bill for "an amazing accomplishment" yet when I shook his hand I was struck by the love, joy and honesty I saw in his eyes. You could just tell by watching him - the man deeply and truly loved the Lord and people! There were many other people there that were like this pastor. Just ordinary small town older folks who loved the Lord with all their heart.

During the funeral -it was the most joyous funeral I've ever attended- several family members told stories, read letters and in other ways honored Grandpa Buck. He was the meanest, toughest, hard working cowboy you could ever meet! Tough and grizzled, a man who sat tall in the saddle and worked til the job was complete, yet he'd start crying talking about how his Savior died on the cross for him. He never met a stranger and if someone gave him long enough...more than a "Nice to see ya and I gotta go"...He'd ask them if they knew his Jesus. As I looked around the crowd I saw so many white haired, tough, faithful "old" children of God who were made out of the same "fabric" as Grandpa Buck.

The current movement in the church seems to be always something about the "new." We say things like "The Lord's doing new things in the body of Christ," or "He's raising up a new generation." What we have failed to realize or have overlooked is that all this new stuff that the Lord is doing is because of our grandparents who have been praying for the last 50 years for a move of God in the earth. We have somehow started to believe that we're special because the Lord is doing new things in us. He's raising up new warriors. While this is true let's not forget to thank the everyday normal, small town people who have been faithfully serving and seeking the Lord for years and years. We're reaping their fruit. Actually if you truly look at it, in a way we ARE their fruit! The Lord honors the new and the old!!!

Be the kind of woman...

...that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH DARN, SHE'S UP"!

Haha Thanks Gran!

Thriftin'

So Friday Sara and I went what we call "thriftin'" haha. We go shopping at thrift stores. Technically we're looking for great "finds" but more often than not we have more fun making fun of the crazy things we come across. Ya know things like dark green velvet wedge heels or sequin smothered wedding dresses or things that we can never quite figure out what they are. Here's a pic of a life size panther I just had to examine. And in spite of all the fun and quirky things we found we both found a couple great "finds" to make the trip memorable and worth it. I found a box that I was so excited about especially since it was only 5 dollars!

Pretty cool for someone who's been to Scotland and loves things that have to do with Texas history. I googled the company and apparently they are the oldest wine merchant in London originating in 1698. They're still family owned after 300 years!! Now that's cool! I'm thinking that the box was sent from England to New York then to Texas in the early 1900's. I emailed the company and asked them if they could tell me anything about it. Anyway its in great condition and will work great as a piece of decor in my room or living room. I also got a rather strangely shaped blue glass vase goblet thing that will be perfect as a candle holder.

Sara has this fetish for overnight bags from back in the day. Or just luggage pieces in general. She seriously wants to buy everyone she sees but has managed to show some self control haha... She did find a matching set of a suitcase and an overnight/toiletry case though that were in great condition and that were redish, which is her favorite color of sorts. Here's a pic of one of them

Anyway over all we had a great afternoon and I would totally recommend going thriftin' to someone as a fun way to spend an afternoon if you're into that sort of thing!

A blast from the past!!

Sara's working on her slide show for graduation so she has a bunch of old pictures scanned into the computer and this weekend while I was home I looked through them all and thought some of them were just so cute or funny that I would share some of them with everyone!

Sara is asleep in over half of her baby pics!! Seriously! Its true!

See!! And apparently she had a knack for making Dad fall asleep too!

See what I mean?!

This is her with my cousin Trait.

haha like most things I'm sure this was totally my idea!

"Look Sara. See what I found!"

"Wow! Really? That is just so cool!"

So I found this picture to be completely adorable!

(For those who don't know this is our cousin, Ty)

Looks like we were playing dress up and the human jungle gym all at the same time.

I actually remember this day. I think that horses name was Joe haha

Take a look at Jonathan...apparently all those candle are quite mesmerizing!

Dad was holding a horny toad in this picture.

Sara's funny cause she looks interested but not brave enough to get too close :)

My great grandparents!

Helping Uncle Donald farm!

Do you say it?!

"Thank you" that is...

Just a thought. I was just in HEB doing some grocery shopping and my cashier was very fast and efficient. Now I didn't have a huge load but I did have several bags of groceries that I needed to purchase and I was checked out and walking out to the parking lot in under 5 minutes from when I got in line. As she handed me my receipt I looked her in the eye and said "Thank you" then looked at the bagger and told him thanks you too. They both did a little double take and smiled back at me as I turned to leave the store. I guess it was their double takes that worked as a reminder for me that I thought would be good to share.

Saying Thank you and looking someone in the eye is such a small gesture that can really say a lot about how you respect and treat people. If you're like me you often mumble a thanks as you're trying to stuff your receipt into your purse and get outta there. Yet taking to time to specifically say thank you to someone can help make their day!! Just a thought...