So yesterday I was very much at peace with myself. Student observations are going great and I'm floating down our long hallway toward my Kindergarten classroom when I See a poster for the Community Education Monopoly tournament. I have done this every year we have had it, and I am always a banker. My summer boss did not call me and tell me about it, which was strange for her. She normally does. Well, I called her this afternoon and told her I would volunteer again this year and was looking forward to doing it again. We started talking about Summer's Cool, the program I have worked for the last three years. We talked about the fun things to come, and she offers me the job writing the curriculum for the program. I was floored and excited and took the offer. My resume was about to be beefed up with two curriculum books under my belt, when she asked if I was going to come back this year as a Site Supervisor. I told her I would like to, and that I was not doing school during the summer. Then she casually asked if I would like to have a Director position for the camp. NO WAY!!!!! This is so cool! Something even better to add to my resume! Director of a school camp... responsible for 60 kids and 12 staff members, including 2 Site Supervisors. I must say that I love that y boos has faith in me and my ability to manage and teach children. I accepted of course. I would rather work a 40 hour work week than 30 and get paid almost double of what I was making last year.
First, I must say this came as a shock. Second, this is also a gift from God. The definition of gift can be use many ways. I like to think of gifts as blessings from God that I do not deserve. A struggle that I have is money. My school, and Shaune's Master Degree are burning a nice little hole in our pocket book. It is easier to worry than it is to trust. Money always fall from the sky when we Shaune has needed it most. Shaune has a strong faith that God will always provide when we need it. What I love about God is how he shows you in small ways that you are being ridiculous. When I start to worry about finances, God drops money into Shaune's lap. Whether it is a rel estate job, a dividend check, or some life insurance account that he closed years ago and is paying him out. Whenever I worry where the money will come from, God dangles the $ bills above my head and says "My child, why do you not trust in me to take care of you?" Then, as always, I feel like a complete ass for not trusting in him. I love those little moments when I feel like a donkey. I was starting to worry where the money for my last semester would come from, because coming back t camp as a Site Supervisor would not have paid for it. This job however, will be able to cover my tuition, my books, my 1/2 semester parking sticker, and my graduation robes, invitations and Thankyou cards. Isn't God good?!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Life can be funny...ha, ha
Less than a year before I graduate from college. Most people who go to school as long as I have, have the title Dr. before their first name. I am in the student observation phase and will be student teaching in August. I am going to Hawaii, Germany, or Australia for a two week vacation. After eight years, I will definitely need some R&R.
So life can be funny...ha,ha. Some times God can intervene in your life when you least expect it. It happens when someone becomes content with their current situation in life. Our church lost its pastor two years ago... then we got a new one. It was a traumatic time for people in the church and some people left. There were different reasons why people left. Some did not want to get involved in all the drama, some were extremely heart broken by what happened, others did not feel compelled to stay,etc... But God can do all things through our lives. Shaune and I had planned on staying at Crossroads long until we were good and dead. God had other plans for us though. Shaune best friend Bryce Eubanks got married in a small church which has about 58 members. That is a SMALL church! Shaune and I met the pastor and decided to visit based upon an invitation to come to church with the Eubanks clan. All this happen in May... and Shaune and I have not been back to Crossroads yet. At first, I had some problems with the small church, I was not used to it and the music is mostly Hymns. For some strange reason, we feel drawn to the little church. No one noticed that we had left Crossroad and had not gone to church in a while. It was around VBS time when people started realizing they did not see me around the church. People started calling Shaune and I and the first thing people asked was did we join another church. The answer was always no, and people started to tell us that we had to come back. We had people upset at us and call us heathens because they thought we had deserted our church.
“I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)”
God did exactly that with Shaune and I. We knew God wanted us to stay at this small church. Many of the members are just learning to read the bible within the last 5 years. Many of them have never understood the true word of God. At first I was afraid and wanted to go back to Crossroads...but now I am not so afraid anymore. God has made it clear that he has a plan to use Shaune I here. Shaune had been leading Wed. night bible study for a small groups of 10-12 people who regularly come. He has been asked to teach Sunday school as well. Shaune always knew he wanted to teach, but he thought he would do it in his later 40s. I helped out at there VBS over the summer. Its a big change going from a program of 900 kids down to 25. :) W have been praying for guidance for a while and we finally got it about a week ago. It is painful, but yet exciting. Shanda and I are going to become members at our new church and help it grow. People have been hinting for me to become the Director of Children's ministries there. We had a board meeting today where the church elected members to the board. When they got to the Director of CE, our speaker said the position was open and they have been praying for someone to take the spot. On a side note, I hate it when people talk about you in front of you! It is embarrassing, especially when people are taking about the good things you have done and will do in the future. I hate it when people do that. The body was whispering my name. Every table had my name on their lips, talking amongst themselves saying that I was talented and I should be the one to do it. Something only Shaune, Pastor Bruce and his wife Robyn know, is that I felt called to do it the first moment that I stepped inside the church doors. It was something I had been praying about and had only told those people because it was near and dear to my heart. Well, one thing, lead to another, and God made his presence know and laid His hands on me, and you are looking at the soon to be member of the FMCC church, as well as the soon to be Elder of Christian Education. ( I don't like this title for several reasons. 1st and foremost I think I am too young to be an elder in a church. I feel I need to be an older wiser woman. I prefer to call it Director of Children's Ministries instead. I gets to the point quicker, and tells what I do. So this is God's plan. Lord, I sure hope you know what you are doing. I feel so young, even though I am 26 years old.
God has a plan... I am quitting work. This school homework load does not fit in with my work schedule, so we had decided to have me concentrate on homework here at the house. Isn't it funny that after we decide this, the CE thing become more clearer? Now I have more time to write curriculum for the summer and next year. I will be setting up the ENTIRE program from scratch. Toddler, youth, middle and high school groups. God give me strength and do your work through me. Thank you for chosing me to be the vessel for this. More to come later, have to wake up in 4 hours formy 12 hour work day. Will leave work sometime half way through February. Right now I am pulling 12 hour days workingand going to school at Camey elementary school in the Colony and taking 12 hours at UNT. 2 on Monday 2 on Tuesday. Needless to say,I am excited to have more time to write in my blog in a couple of weeks.
Oh, and P.S. I will still be doing bible studies at CBC to ensure my spiritual growth and knowledge. More to come later...
So life can be funny...ha,ha. Some times God can intervene in your life when you least expect it. It happens when someone becomes content with their current situation in life. Our church lost its pastor two years ago... then we got a new one. It was a traumatic time for people in the church and some people left. There were different reasons why people left. Some did not want to get involved in all the drama, some were extremely heart broken by what happened, others did not feel compelled to stay,etc... But God can do all things through our lives. Shaune and I had planned on staying at Crossroads long until we were good and dead. God had other plans for us though. Shaune best friend Bryce Eubanks got married in a small church which has about 58 members. That is a SMALL church! Shaune and I met the pastor and decided to visit based upon an invitation to come to church with the Eubanks clan. All this happen in May... and Shaune and I have not been back to Crossroads yet. At first, I had some problems with the small church, I was not used to it and the music is mostly Hymns. For some strange reason, we feel drawn to the little church. No one noticed that we had left Crossroad and had not gone to church in a while. It was around VBS time when people started realizing they did not see me around the church. People started calling Shaune and I and the first thing people asked was did we join another church. The answer was always no, and people started to tell us that we had to come back. We had people upset at us and call us heathens because they thought we had deserted our church.
“I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)”
God did exactly that with Shaune and I. We knew God wanted us to stay at this small church. Many of the members are just learning to read the bible within the last 5 years. Many of them have never understood the true word of God. At first I was afraid and wanted to go back to Crossroads...but now I am not so afraid anymore. God has made it clear that he has a plan to use Shaune I here. Shaune had been leading Wed. night bible study for a small groups of 10-12 people who regularly come. He has been asked to teach Sunday school as well. Shaune always knew he wanted to teach, but he thought he would do it in his later 40s. I helped out at there VBS over the summer. Its a big change going from a program of 900 kids down to 25. :) W have been praying for guidance for a while and we finally got it about a week ago. It is painful, but yet exciting. Shanda and I are going to become members at our new church and help it grow. People have been hinting for me to become the Director of Children's ministries there. We had a board meeting today where the church elected members to the board. When they got to the Director of CE, our speaker said the position was open and they have been praying for someone to take the spot. On a side note, I hate it when people talk about you in front of you! It is embarrassing, especially when people are taking about the good things you have done and will do in the future. I hate it when people do that. The body was whispering my name. Every table had my name on their lips, talking amongst themselves saying that I was talented and I should be the one to do it. Something only Shaune, Pastor Bruce and his wife Robyn know, is that I felt called to do it the first moment that I stepped inside the church doors. It was something I had been praying about and had only told those people because it was near and dear to my heart. Well, one thing, lead to another, and God made his presence know and laid His hands on me, and you are looking at the soon to be member of the FMCC church, as well as the soon to be Elder of Christian Education. ( I don't like this title for several reasons. 1st and foremost I think I am too young to be an elder in a church. I feel I need to be an older wiser woman. I prefer to call it Director of Children's Ministries instead. I gets to the point quicker, and tells what I do. So this is God's plan. Lord, I sure hope you know what you are doing. I feel so young, even though I am 26 years old.
God has a plan... I am quitting work. This school homework load does not fit in with my work schedule, so we had decided to have me concentrate on homework here at the house. Isn't it funny that after we decide this, the CE thing become more clearer? Now I have more time to write curriculum for the summer and next year. I will be setting up the ENTIRE program from scratch. Toddler, youth, middle and high school groups. God give me strength and do your work through me. Thank you for chosing me to be the vessel for this. More to come later, have to wake up in 4 hours formy 12 hour work day. Will leave work sometime half way through February. Right now I am pulling 12 hour days workingand going to school at Camey elementary school in the Colony and taking 12 hours at UNT. 2 on Monday 2 on Tuesday. Needless to say,I am excited to have more time to write in my blog in a couple of weeks.
Oh, and P.S. I will still be doing bible studies at CBC to ensure my spiritual growth and knowledge. More to come later...
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Husband Graduating
My husband graduates from DBU with an MBA in Buisness Managment on December 14th. I am so proud of him! My birthday was on November 1st. We had lots of fun. It was one of three birthdays in my life time where friends have wanted to take me out to dinner and celebrate with me. I have not celebrated my birthday with a group of friends since my junior year of highschool when my friend Scott Anderson threw me a suprise birthday party. This made me realize how important friends are in a persons life. I have not had many friends in my life, but a few have been there for me when I needed them and they are true friend. Thanks to all of you who have always been there for me. May God watch over you always.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Long Time Gone . . .
So, I finally got a chance to blogg... which I have not done in forever. But now that the bulk of my classes are out of the way, I am finding the time. Shaune and I have been going to FMCC. Flower Mound Congregational Church. It was so sudden when it happened. We are not members, but we have been attending a bible study on Wednesday nights. Shaune and I decided to visit the church after Bryce and Kelly were married. We visited and we never left. It is very different from Crossroads; the only difference is that we have known that this is where we are supposed to be for now. It was so strange. We were not looking for a church and here we end up. God has told us that we need to be here for the time being. I have been doing bible studies at crossroads because out little church only has 40 members, and it is still growing. Crossroads will always be our home church, but this is where God has called us to be for now.
I am talking 4 classes this fall and I graduate next December. Shaune and I are in the processes for looking for a house. I am trying to go and visit Robyn in March for spring break. I am a Site Supervisor in the ESD program for Castle Hills Elementary school, and Shaune and I are celebrating our 3rd year of marriage in April. We will start trying to have children in a year, and my grandmother on my mom’s side is having shoulder replacement surgery. WOW! That is a lot. There is so much more going on, but that will have to wait another time. God is good right now.. and that is all I have to say
P.S. I have skype if anyone out there has it and wants to talk through it.
I am talking 4 classes this fall and I graduate next December. Shaune and I are in the processes for looking for a house. I am trying to go and visit Robyn in March for spring break. I am a Site Supervisor in the ESD program for Castle Hills Elementary school, and Shaune and I are celebrating our 3rd year of marriage in April. We will start trying to have children in a year, and my grandmother on my mom’s side is having shoulder replacement surgery. WOW! That is a lot. There is so much more going on, but that will have to wait another time. God is good right now.. and that is all I have to say
P.S. I have skype if anyone out there has it and wants to talk through it.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
SOmething WOW!!! and different . . .
More to come at a later date. . . Will clarify the situation about the other church at a later date . . . possibly at a the end of the summer is when we will make our final choice.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
I am now posting again!!!
HA! HA! This semester is finally over! WOO HOO! I made 4 A's and a B. Sweet bliss. I am currently training te LISD's new Summer's Cool staff with my team members. This summer will be lots of fun. I was given a good staff. I am very greatful to God for that. This summer I wil be taking one University class each month while I am working. I don't think that it will be too bad, but we'll just have to see. The summer camp curriculum that I wrote turned out wonderful. Everyone loves it and they have expressed an interest in me writting mext years curriculum. God has blessed me with so many wonderful opportunities. I have decided to brush up on my guitar playing this summer. I laugh at this because I broke my aucustic guitar a year or two ago. It was not a good one by any means, and the bridge just decided to pop off one day. So I am currently using a guitar that I have never played on before. SHaune recieved it as a gift YEARS ago, but it is a slammin guitar for it kind. I am playing an electric guitar. :) Who would have though. I will have to buy another classical or accoustic guitar when the time comes later on.
Two weeks ago Shaune lifetime best friend go married to an awsome woman. I am really happy for the both of them. They make a famtastic couple. One of the best memories that I have about Bryce is this. . . We were joking around about the wedding and how stressful planning a wedding can. I jokingly told him that they sould elope an blow all the money and time they had put into the wedding already. Byce, very seriously, said nope. I have been waiting for this day for a while. I want to see her all dolled up and walking down the isle in her wedding dress. Iw ouldn't miss that moment for the world.
When a man says such sweet things about the woman he loves: that is a true man.
Congrats two the two of them! I love you both!
More to come on the blogg, I promise. . .
P.S. sorry about the spelling.
Two weeks ago Shaune lifetime best friend go married to an awsome woman. I am really happy for the both of them. They make a famtastic couple. One of the best memories that I have about Bryce is this. . . We were joking around about the wedding and how stressful planning a wedding can. I jokingly told him that they sould elope an blow all the money and time they had put into the wedding already. Byce, very seriously, said nope. I have been waiting for this day for a while. I want to see her all dolled up and walking down the isle in her wedding dress. Iw ouldn't miss that moment for the world.
When a man says such sweet things about the woman he loves: that is a true man.
Congrats two the two of them! I love you both!
More to come on the blogg, I promise. . .
P.S. sorry about the spelling.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Spring Break
It is 11:34 p.m. Sunday night. An hour ago I finished the last of my midterm tests. So far so good. Still have A's in all five of my classes. I have to get a head start on a ton of papers due in April during my spring break. I have 20 4 pages and up papers due in April. I also have a book drive to participate in when I come off of spring break. My anxiety level is hitting the roof just about now. I am going to get two massages this week to help reduce my stress levels.
Shaune and I bought a new 07 Nissan Altima this week. We have been experiencing car trouble with the Mazda and we decided it was time and with his current rising in the home selling business, he needed a car to drive clients around. It is beautiful.
Shaune and I decided that when I graduate depending on money, we can do one of two things. I can celebrate my graduation by taking a trip for two to Hawaii, or flying solo back to German and spending some time there with friends and making new ones. I hope its the latter of the two, but I realize that Shaune and I will be needing some time together as well. It is hard living in the same house and not being able to see your husband. We make it work though. I look forward to seeing him late on Tuesday and Thursday nights after class, and getting to spend time together on the weekends. We spend our weekends up at his office. I work home homework and he works on projects he needs to finish. We work side by side. Just having his presence there is great.
Shaune got his tux for the Eubanks-Burr wedding coming up on May 12th. I am so excited! Will write more later! Love you all and miss you lots!
Shaune and I bought a new 07 Nissan Altima this week. We have been experiencing car trouble with the Mazda and we decided it was time and with his current rising in the home selling business, he needed a car to drive clients around. It is beautiful.
Shaune and I decided that when I graduate depending on money, we can do one of two things. I can celebrate my graduation by taking a trip for two to Hawaii, or flying solo back to German and spending some time there with friends and making new ones. I hope its the latter of the two, but I realize that Shaune and I will be needing some time together as well. It is hard living in the same house and not being able to see your husband. We make it work though. I look forward to seeing him late on Tuesday and Thursday nights after class, and getting to spend time together on the weekends. We spend our weekends up at his office. I work home homework and he works on projects he needs to finish. We work side by side. Just having his presence there is great.
Shaune got his tux for the Eubanks-Burr wedding coming up on May 12th. I am so excited! Will write more later! Love you all and miss you lots!
Monday, February 05, 2007
Long Time No Post
Last time I posted was when I was in Germany. We got home ok. We nearly missed our plane. It was a good flight back, but much culture shock. I discovered that I have a lot of European in my personality. I miss Germany. If I wasn’t married I so could have moved over there. Thinking about it makes me sad. The countryside was great and so were the towns. Shaune and I made some friends there and one of them *Max* we three became very close. Shaune still laughs about the Cosby kids (inside joke). Hopefully we will be back in Germany with friends in a year or two.
My gosh! We came back on a Thursday night and Shaune and I both went back to work on Friday. The very next Friday, we married off my sister on January 13th. The wedding was done in black and white and it was BEAUTIFUL! I now have a brother-in-law who is almost 7 feet tall. Blake, you are so cool. I am glad because my sister married into a great and godly family. God is the center, which drives them all. I'll post pictures when we get them back.
The Monday after the wedding, we started school. School is REALLY kicking the tar out of me. I know I have said it before and have whined about school, but all the other semesters are nothing compared to this. I am taking 5 classes (15 hours) and am working three days a week. I and writing curriculum for a Summer camp, and have 50 hours of observation and volunteer service to do. I almost quit my job, which was making me very sad for a few weeks. I love my job and do not want to quit. I was blessed to have opportunities open up and my boss is working with me. Apparently, I am valuable to them and I am being given opportunities that not many people have been given the luxury of having. I am truly blessed. My days and night are now filled with TONS of homework. I am taking a break at 1:35 in the a.m. from doing homework to post this. I have 20 four to five page papers due in April. LITERALLY. This does not include the regular schoolwork, or online work, or service and observation hours that I have to complete. Blogging may be slow for this semester, but I want to try to keep up with it. I laugh at myself sometimes. So close to graduating, but yet so far away it seems.
We are going to look at buying a house again either this summer or in the winter. We finally were able to get the guy downstairs to turndown his TV. News on my grandfather: his prostate has enlarged. They did a test to see of he would be a candidate for radioactive seeds, but they can't do it because he has an enlarged prostate. A prostate should be the size of a walnut or a little smaller. His is the size of a tangerine or a small orange. Prayer is needed for this. My grandpa is 80 years old and the only option left is radiation. I don't think this is a good thing at all for his age. My family is worried.
Women's retreat decorating is going great! I am really excited with our theme this year and look forward to not being sick, or having my bathroom flood the suite downstairs. I have deepened some friendships as the retreat planning goes on. Will post more later!
My gosh! We came back on a Thursday night and Shaune and I both went back to work on Friday. The very next Friday, we married off my sister on January 13th. The wedding was done in black and white and it was BEAUTIFUL! I now have a brother-in-law who is almost 7 feet tall. Blake, you are so cool. I am glad because my sister married into a great and godly family. God is the center, which drives them all. I'll post pictures when we get them back.
The Monday after the wedding, we started school. School is REALLY kicking the tar out of me. I know I have said it before and have whined about school, but all the other semesters are nothing compared to this. I am taking 5 classes (15 hours) and am working three days a week. I and writing curriculum for a Summer camp, and have 50 hours of observation and volunteer service to do. I almost quit my job, which was making me very sad for a few weeks. I love my job and do not want to quit. I was blessed to have opportunities open up and my boss is working with me. Apparently, I am valuable to them and I am being given opportunities that not many people have been given the luxury of having. I am truly blessed. My days and night are now filled with TONS of homework. I am taking a break at 1:35 in the a.m. from doing homework to post this. I have 20 four to five page papers due in April. LITERALLY. This does not include the regular schoolwork, or online work, or service and observation hours that I have to complete. Blogging may be slow for this semester, but I want to try to keep up with it. I laugh at myself sometimes. So close to graduating, but yet so far away it seems.
We are going to look at buying a house again either this summer or in the winter. We finally were able to get the guy downstairs to turndown his TV. News on my grandfather: his prostate has enlarged. They did a test to see of he would be a candidate for radioactive seeds, but they can't do it because he has an enlarged prostate. A prostate should be the size of a walnut or a little smaller. His is the size of a tangerine or a small orange. Prayer is needed for this. My grandpa is 80 years old and the only option left is radiation. I don't think this is a good thing at all for his age. My family is worried.
Women's retreat decorating is going great! I am really excited with our theme this year and look forward to not being sick, or having my bathroom flood the suite downstairs. I have deepened some friendships as the retreat planning goes on. Will post more later!
Monday, January 01, 2007
Pictures
These are pictures of us in the Swizz Alps and down and around Badenwilder Germany. The picture of the street is what Robyn sees out her bedroom window! Here the castle is lit up at night!
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Germany Days 1-3
On December 23rd at 7:50 a.m. we arrived in Zurich Switzerland. We drove from there to Robyn’s flat in Badenweiler, Germany. It is like living in Vail Colorado. It is so beautiful being tucked away in the mountains of the Black Forest. The town is closed down for three days for Christmas. In Germany, they celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve and summon people to church by ringing the large bells inside the bell tower. They go off at all times during the three days and they hold several mass services. When we came today we took a short nap and were invited to tea. Unfortunately we could not go to Robyn’s friends house because we had jet lag. (Just a tiny bit.) Later on during the day, *Max*, a friend of Robyn’s who is around our age came to meet. He made us WONDERFUL (I can’t say wonderful enough!) vegetable soup which was made Kosher because he is Jewish. *Max* is very cool and fun to hang out with. Robyn and *Max* bought a “Charlie Brown” Christmas tree and decorated it before we came. Because we had the tree we had to wrap gifts as soon as we got there. Robyn was VERY shocked when she realized how many presents were under the tree. She opened some Christmas cards from her family and friends as well as her food gifts. We were going to go to mass, but we ended up crashing early.
We woke up around 11:30 on Christmas Day and had chocolate filled scones (bread) for breakfast as well as German coffee. Starbucks has no idea how to make coffee after you have tried the coffee they have here. It is delicious. It took us about three hours to open gifts. Robyn said this was the most presents she had received in her entire life. It was a very emotional time for her and she cried a WHOLE LOT! This picture was of her face after she opened her large gift, which was a new laptop computer, sent from a very dear friend. We had her shut her eyes and pulled off the blanket that was covering it. She stamped her foot on the floor and screamed “OH MY GOSH!” This is very big because everything in Germany is quiet. There is even a “no running electrical appliances after 9:00 p.m. and between 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.” clause written in the apartment units in her town. This is how seriously Germans take their peace and quiet. Right after she opened the computer, her friend called and they chatted for a while and she cried some more. God is so amazing. She cannot believe how he has provided for her. God is so good. We milled around for the rest of the day and Shaune got to work setting up her new computer and transferring her files to it. This was perfect timing because she though Shaune was going to come and fix her old computer which only had 4 gigabytes of hard drive left on it. This new computer has over 100 gigabytes of RAM. So not only did God provide a new computer, but he send someone who could fix her old one and set up her brand new one. God has really made his presence known. Tomorrow we are going to Colmar, France. WOO HOO!
Today is *Max*’s birthday! He turned 22 today! For his birthday we went to Colmar France. We visited the Weihnachtmarkt which has little carts parked in a square and sell their wears. There were tons of Christmas item, and a lot of stuff that looked American. Well, at least I knew I could get it in America for a cheaper price! We ate at a French café that we were lucky enough to find open. What was strange about the experience is that all though there are tons of Christmas decorations around and everyone wishes each other Merry Christmas and goes to Church, so many people do not know God. Over half the people who come to mass on Christmas do not know Jesus and who he was. It is so unbelievable. But when Robyn translates, or you hear people talking it is very apparent that Christ is just another person to talk about. Movies like “Nativity” and “The Passion” are not big here because since religion is not big here, it is not a big deal when the movie comes out and there is nothing to argue about in the papers. After lunch, we drove back to Germany and into the Black Forest mountains. You know the post cards that show pine forests covered forest and every branch is dripping with ice? That is what the mountains looked like. It was so BEAUTIFUL! It was breath taking to think God has set this scene. We drove to a restaurant in the mountains glittering with ice and had black forest cake for desert. I did a lot of thinking in the mountains. After dinner we drove home and walked to Belvedere castle just up the street. At Christmas time they outline the castle in white lights. We walked up into the ruins and look out over the top of the castle you could look all the way into France from the top. The sky was black but the cities were lit up with lights and you could hear the church bells and make out the outline of all the church steeples. It was amazing. Switzerland, France and Germany are beautiful. Tomorrow we will be going to a Roman bathhouse with *Max*. He loves to swim. It is only 17 Euros to spend the day have a hot spring bath, sauna, and swimming. I am so excited! Shaune and *Max* have come fast friends and have a lot in common in mannerisms and dreams. Both are passionate about what they believe in. They are great conservationists. Will write more about Germany and the bathhouses tonight as well as publish pictures!
*Names have been changed to protect the innocent incase of a court of law*
We woke up around 11:30 on Christmas Day and had chocolate filled scones (bread) for breakfast as well as German coffee. Starbucks has no idea how to make coffee after you have tried the coffee they have here. It is delicious. It took us about three hours to open gifts. Robyn said this was the most presents she had received in her entire life. It was a very emotional time for her and she cried a WHOLE LOT! This picture was of her face after she opened her large gift, which was a new laptop computer, sent from a very dear friend. We had her shut her eyes and pulled off the blanket that was covering it. She stamped her foot on the floor and screamed “OH MY GOSH!” This is very big because everything in Germany is quiet. There is even a “no running electrical appliances after 9:00 p.m. and between 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.” clause written in the apartment units in her town. This is how seriously Germans take their peace and quiet. Right after she opened the computer, her friend called and they chatted for a while and she cried some more. God is so amazing. She cannot believe how he has provided for her. God is so good. We milled around for the rest of the day and Shaune got to work setting up her new computer and transferring her files to it. This was perfect timing because she though Shaune was going to come and fix her old computer which only had 4 gigabytes of hard drive left on it. This new computer has over 100 gigabytes of RAM. So not only did God provide a new computer, but he send someone who could fix her old one and set up her brand new one. God has really made his presence known. Tomorrow we are going to Colmar, France. WOO HOO!
Today is *Max*’s birthday! He turned 22 today! For his birthday we went to Colmar France. We visited the Weihnachtmarkt which has little carts parked in a square and sell their wears. There were tons of Christmas item, and a lot of stuff that looked American. Well, at least I knew I could get it in America for a cheaper price! We ate at a French café that we were lucky enough to find open. What was strange about the experience is that all though there are tons of Christmas decorations around and everyone wishes each other Merry Christmas and goes to Church, so many people do not know God. Over half the people who come to mass on Christmas do not know Jesus and who he was. It is so unbelievable. But when Robyn translates, or you hear people talking it is very apparent that Christ is just another person to talk about. Movies like “Nativity” and “The Passion” are not big here because since religion is not big here, it is not a big deal when the movie comes out and there is nothing to argue about in the papers. After lunch, we drove back to Germany and into the Black Forest mountains. You know the post cards that show pine forests covered forest and every branch is dripping with ice? That is what the mountains looked like. It was so BEAUTIFUL! It was breath taking to think God has set this scene. We drove to a restaurant in the mountains glittering with ice and had black forest cake for desert. I did a lot of thinking in the mountains. After dinner we drove home and walked to Belvedere castle just up the street. At Christmas time they outline the castle in white lights. We walked up into the ruins and look out over the top of the castle you could look all the way into France from the top. The sky was black but the cities were lit up with lights and you could hear the church bells and make out the outline of all the church steeples. It was amazing. Switzerland, France and Germany are beautiful. Tomorrow we will be going to a Roman bathhouse with *Max*. He loves to swim. It is only 17 Euros to spend the day have a hot spring bath, sauna, and swimming. I am so excited! Shaune and *Max* have come fast friends and have a lot in common in mannerisms and dreams. Both are passionate about what they believe in. They are great conservationists. Will write more about Germany and the bathhouses tonight as well as publish pictures!
*Names have been changed to protect the innocent incase of a court of law*
Sunday, December 17, 2006
5 Days and Counting
Getting ready to go to Germany has been wow. I never though getting ready for Christmas and getting ready to go on vacation would be so tiring! It is a good tired though. In 6 days at this time I will be on an over night flight going to Zurich Switzerland. I have never been anywhere out of country for this length of time before. I am so excited. I will miss my family and friends and the together time that we send at Christmas. But I will be with another family member for Christmas. I am truly bessed that God is giving me this chance. God is so good. What can I say . . .
I plan on blogging while in Germany and posting pictures, so stay tuned!
Six days and counting . . .
I plan on blogging while in Germany and posting pictures, so stay tuned!
Six days and counting . . .
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Celebrate!
Today I feel, happy, sad, joyous, relief, and excited. I have finally made it past my crunch week and have a week to myself. I have things I still have to get done during the week, but I can do then whenever I want. There is no set time for when I have to do homework, or when I have to lesson plan. I can do it when I want this week. I can also focus on other tings ahead of me such as getting ready to go to Germany! My family is so excited for me and my grandparents took it quite well. This will be the first time I have NEVER spent Christmas with my family. I will be in beautiful Germany with a beautiful friend and my husband. Maybe even skiing in the Alps. Who knows, I still have to go and buy an exploration book to see what there is to do! I am really looking forward to seeing what God has created behind these American walls. We live in such a free world with loads of privileges where we can see and speak about God freely with our friends. I have never been to a place where the majority of people do not know God, or where I do not speak their language. It is hard to fathom at times being in a sea of people where I am the only one of the few to know Christ. This excited me very much. For once, I get to be the stranger. I am excited to me different people and have a guide who can speak German. We will have to go different places and try out her translation skills! Ohhhh I am so excited to see what God has behind these walls. This country is all I have ever known and I LOVE to travel and long to see the world that God has created. 27 days and counting!
Saturday, November 11, 2006
I have decided that there are several distince "friend" gaps in your life.
1) When you get married and all your friends are still single. They never call you anymore, or you get married, waite three months, call your friends and they do not return your calls or want to peruse a relationship further than what it was.
2) When you move from being married to being married and having kids. There is a lifestyle change here. When you don't have kids it is hard to be around couples with kids because they treat you different. Or, it is hard to be couple friends because they are just at a different stage of life than you are and you stop hanging out with one another.
3) When you go from elementary school to middle school, or middle school to highschool, or highschool to college. Any of the friends that you have made that are in a different grade fade away because of the different times school starts and gets out, as well as it is not cool to hang with someone from a lower grade.
4) Moving to a different city and then moving back. If you do not keep in contact with your friends when you are not living in town, then when you move back the person may or may not assimilate you back into their life.
It seems hard to have close friends, especially when a person is not a phone person. I hate talking on the phone. I like going places with friends, e-mailing, or talking on the phone every couple of weeks. Small talk on the phone is ok, but I do not like long conversations. I just don't think much gets done when you are on the phone so long. There are friends, whom I consider friends, that I do not see anymore because of these life gaps. It seems when you lose touch for a little bit of time and you talk to someone that they do not have an interest in being close friends as it was before.
Don't get me wrong there is always the other side of the spectrum where the above is completely wrong. Sometimes life just seems so busy. It is always nice to have a couple of close girl friends. I think that why I love blogging so much. I know I don't type much sometimes, but I love being able so look online and see how my friends, and my old friends are doing. Life is always changing.
1) When you get married and all your friends are still single. They never call you anymore, or you get married, waite three months, call your friends and they do not return your calls or want to peruse a relationship further than what it was.
2) When you move from being married to being married and having kids. There is a lifestyle change here. When you don't have kids it is hard to be around couples with kids because they treat you different. Or, it is hard to be couple friends because they are just at a different stage of life than you are and you stop hanging out with one another.
3) When you go from elementary school to middle school, or middle school to highschool, or highschool to college. Any of the friends that you have made that are in a different grade fade away because of the different times school starts and gets out, as well as it is not cool to hang with someone from a lower grade.
4) Moving to a different city and then moving back. If you do not keep in contact with your friends when you are not living in town, then when you move back the person may or may not assimilate you back into their life.
It seems hard to have close friends, especially when a person is not a phone person. I hate talking on the phone. I like going places with friends, e-mailing, or talking on the phone every couple of weeks. Small talk on the phone is ok, but I do not like long conversations. I just don't think much gets done when you are on the phone so long. There are friends, whom I consider friends, that I do not see anymore because of these life gaps. It seems when you lose touch for a little bit of time and you talk to someone that they do not have an interest in being close friends as it was before.
Don't get me wrong there is always the other side of the spectrum where the above is completely wrong. Sometimes life just seems so busy. It is always nice to have a couple of close girl friends. I think that why I love blogging so much. I know I don't type much sometimes, but I love being able so look online and see how my friends, and my old friends are doing. Life is always changing.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Birthdays and WEIRD thoughts
Shaune and I celebrated his 28th birthday on October 18th and mine on November 1st. I am now 25 and it hit me that if I live to be 100 then I am already 1/4 of the way through my life. For some reason I have been thinking of this a lot lately. I know I have said, You're only as old as you feel." and "I will never grow old" ... but today I start wondering if I have used my 1/4 of my life to serve God as best as I could have. I mean, everyone can always be better at something, but sometimes being an imperfect being and always falling short can be SO tiring at times. When I look at what I wrote it sounds so funny, its like a mini midlife crisis. There are loads of things I could have done better. . .
1) Be a better daughter
2) a better wife
3) a better student
4) better house keeper
5) better listening
6) better at keeping my mouth shut
7) better at letting things go
8) better at spending my tome wisely
9) better servant
10)better friend
12)having more patience
13) better at being on time
14)better at not keeping track of my mistakes. . .
Sometimes I wonder at the things God will show me in heaven that I did not recognize here on earth. And then I remember not to think of things such as this. Worry about fruitless stuff like this will only keep me from the tasks at hand. Proverbs 11:28 says a life devoted to things is a dead life, a God shaped life is a flourishing tree. Romans 8:6 says Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open , into a spacious free life. Is there such a thing a being to God focused? Can you try to focus on God so much that you learn not to listen? Obviously that if the person is truly focused on God the right way your cup will never empty. If the person is worrying about being to focused on God the the problem lies within ones self, not with the focus on God. Does a mind ever rest? Does the body? Life seems to happen so fast that we keep wanting more. The more one task masters the more time one will have to do good. But what good will one do if one does not rest? Life is filled with double edge swords. The mind is a funny thing is it not? So many rabbit trails, so little time. Thinking of things that one could do better or thinking of all the sacrifices one has made for the good of another is not a wise thing to do. Being bitter is a human bodily emotion. It amazes me that the body can still feel this but the soul feels so differently knowing you have given up something to God. See Brit . . . Christians have problems with the mind too. We are not perfect beings. But you know what? I'm ok with that. People post your thoughs on my weird comments. What do you make of them?
1) Be a better daughter
2) a better wife
3) a better student
4) better house keeper
5) better listening
6) better at keeping my mouth shut
7) better at letting things go
8) better at spending my tome wisely
9) better servant
10)better friend
12)having more patience
13) better at being on time
14)better at not keeping track of my mistakes. . .
Sometimes I wonder at the things God will show me in heaven that I did not recognize here on earth. And then I remember not to think of things such as this. Worry about fruitless stuff like this will only keep me from the tasks at hand. Proverbs 11:28 says a life devoted to things is a dead life, a God shaped life is a flourishing tree. Romans 8:6 says Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open , into a spacious free life. Is there such a thing a being to God focused? Can you try to focus on God so much that you learn not to listen? Obviously that if the person is truly focused on God the right way your cup will never empty. If the person is worrying about being to focused on God the the problem lies within ones self, not with the focus on God. Does a mind ever rest? Does the body? Life seems to happen so fast that we keep wanting more. The more one task masters the more time one will have to do good. But what good will one do if one does not rest? Life is filled with double edge swords. The mind is a funny thing is it not? So many rabbit trails, so little time. Thinking of things that one could do better or thinking of all the sacrifices one has made for the good of another is not a wise thing to do. Being bitter is a human bodily emotion. It amazes me that the body can still feel this but the soul feels so differently knowing you have given up something to God. See Brit . . . Christians have problems with the mind too. We are not perfect beings. But you know what? I'm ok with that. People post your thoughs on my weird comments. What do you make of them?
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Cool Things About Family
It is a traditional Saturday morning her at the Corbett household. Shaune and I went to go watch the Southlake Carole Dragons play football last night. We left at halftime when the score was 31 to 7 in favor of the Dragons. I have had two BUSY weeks of nothing but non stop homework. I had 4 tests, 3 HUGE projects, and many late nights due this past week. Friday was such a relief. Saturday I get to spend cleaning the house up. But what was cool was waking up. Yep, this is me you are talking to. I have been dubbed the nickname bearcat because if you wake me before I am ready to get up, or if I did not ask you to get me up, I am moody. But today was cool. My dad called me on his cell phone from Seattle Washington where his whole family is. After I talked to my dad a while he passes the phone of to my uncle George. George is my dads twin brother. In pictures when they were children you couldn't tell who was who. George is very funny and loves to make people laugh. He is always fun to be around. He teased me about "The Early Bird Gets The Worm" because he and my dad wake up at 4 in the morning while I get up at 10. Everytime I talk to my uncle I remember all the fun things we have done together. We toured his base that he works on, had dinner at Anthony's where I ate muscles, camped in the mountains where the real bathroom was hidden and he tricked my dad into going to the bathroom in a God forsaken outhouse (THAT WAS HILARIOUS!), magic tricks, the pink pig who walks and scrunches his nose (they have a huge stuffed animal collection) which I am now the proud owner of one too, and my wedding which he came down here for. I love it when my dad and George get together.. They are so much fun to talk to. He also lived in Germany for nine years :) and was excited to see the blogg of A Mutating Missionary and all her wonderful pictures. Waking up with a smile on your face is so much fun. This morning has been so cool. I am so blessed to have such great family.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Reality Check . . .
Its hard to face those moments when God lets you know just what your life is looking like at a certain moment in time. This week I realized how negative my emotions can be when I do not relieve stress from my body. Last week, after our return home from Hot Springs Arkansas, I got a massage on Wednesday. The woman was WONDERFUL!!! (massage envy in copell, ask for michelle) She could see how in pain my body was and as I was lying on the table we were talking. During this time I began thinking. After the massage I felt so relaxed . . . the most I have been in a LONG TIME. I felt relieved, happy, mellow, and not so negative. I started seeing how negative I can be when my soul and body are in pain. This coming week is going to be spent in time with God. There are those weeks when I just need to be held by my father and repair and recuperate from all of the worldly things around me. It is amazing how the outside world can affect our attitudes.
On a happier note, my younger sister is engaged! The date is January 13, 2007! Congrats to them and I'm proud to say that my soon to be brother in law is a great Christian man! We're lucky to have you in the family!
On a happier note, my younger sister is engaged! The date is January 13, 2007! Congrats to them and I'm proud to say that my soon to be brother in law is a great Christian man! We're lucky to have you in the family!
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Just Thinking . . .
Today begins my long day of classes. It is 4:00 and I have been here at UNT since 9:00 this morning. I will be here until 8:20 tonight. Good news today. Our investment house sold!!! Woo Hoo! Next investment? A house for us to really live in. More good news. The cancer has not spread. My grandpa has a better chance of surviving prostate cancer. Even better news! I am going on vacation to Hot Springs Arkansas and I am hoping to see the passion play there! (provided that it is not sold out)Read a good book called "Perfect Trust." Very short and to the point on trusting God to handle your life. It was really good tabernacle material (2:00 a.m. bath tub reading for a week straight)Everyone had a special place where they like to curl up with a good book. The environment must be just right inorder to sit, read, and reflect. My place just happens to be the bathtub between 12:00-2:00 a.m. Where are your special places where you like to sit, read, reflect and talk to God.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
NEED PRAYERS!!!!
This is the first time I have revealed this to anyone besides Nancy's answering machine today at church. Three days ago I found out that my grandpa (who just turned 80 in July)has prostate cancer. The doctor did a bone scan on Wednesday to see if it has spread. We get the results hopefully on Monday. This is a crucial test. If the test says it had spread, my grandpa will only have a few years (maybe) to live. If it hasn't spread he can get shots which will shrink the cancer and he could live over 15 years. The doctors have decided that he is to old to operate on, so the shots are his only hope. My family is very tight knit, so this is affecting everyone in their own way. My grandma cried a lot right now, she is still recovering from a knee replacement in April. What horrible timing for this to happen. My mom is trying to be strong as she is the one in our family that is in Texas that can come to their aid and watch over them. This puts loads of stress on my mom with work, and trying to move her mother down here. (Grandparents are divorced) Me, I think today it finally has sunk in. When I was talking to the answering machine it was the first time to really talk about the reality of the situation. Shaune knows, of course, he's been keeping up with this who ordeal, so we have never really had to talk about it. But today was my first time to really hear myself speak the words and face the reality that my grandfather may be dying. (*tear*) I guess I just always imagined that my grandparents would be here to see their great-grandchildren and watch them become toddlers before they passed on. Please pray for the recovery for Charles P. Lewis. I added him to the prayer chain today, and with radiation treatments and such I will be helping my family again and staying on my toes forever moving. Just when I though I would be getting a break too. Thanks for your prayer everyone.
Friday, August 18, 2006
New Job?
Somehow I seemed to have developed a small business on the side of ESD. I don't really know how it happened. One wedding led to another wedding and before you know it, I am helping 3 people plan their weddings and have another possibly on the way (my sister). The last job that I undertook I am being paid for. I have really enjoyed getting to express my creative side in many different ways, (and I get to do a bunch of crafts and don't have to pay for them!) and help people get what they want for a steal of a price and a small fee for me. Shaune is helping me to develope a business contract for future clients that I might have. Could this really be a side business? I don't know, I guess we'll just have to find out.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Business is the Way of America (and me)
August is Minichurch month in my church. Its also start up new bible study times. One thing that I do not like is all the women biblestudy times are during the middle of major college class hours. For the past 3 years I have only been able to participate in 5 short term women's bible studies. No Joy, no classes offered by CBC. This is sad, I wish they had a class time offered on Wednesday night or Sunday morning for Women. Shaune and I were flipping through the classes offered and we found a few offered for men on Sundays, but none for women. Kinda strange, kinda sad. Oh well you can't please all of the people all of the time.
Shaune and I have decided to try out a new class on Tuesday nights. Monday night we usually attend minichurch, but the last summer semester we have had to take off for school, and sadly, we will have to take off for school for the Fall as well. School makes everything so difficult. The class being taken: Love and Respect It ends around Thanksgiving and it on the only day that both of us have nothing going on. I'm looking forward to it and I think he is to. New people to meet and get to join his soccer team.
Wedding Planning may be in my future. I have my hand helping to decorate two weddings and had someone in ESD ask me to be her paid wedding planner. I think that is way cool. There might be another under my belt before to long. My sister graduated from SFA last weekend and her boyfriend of forever (Blake) just got a big promotion. They live almost 2 hours from one another. Wedding bells may be in their furure (I say spring or Summer). SO much to think about so little time. I haven't decided to accept the planning job yet, but we'll see. You know, I just now titled my blog so maybe by looking at it I will take a break from all extra curricular activities.
Been cleaning the house for a week now. Almost done. Few more days yet! Mom is excited to see the photo book from Germany. Will show her this weekend!
Shaune and I have decided to try out a new class on Tuesday nights. Monday night we usually attend minichurch, but the last summer semester we have had to take off for school, and sadly, we will have to take off for school for the Fall as well. School makes everything so difficult. The class being taken: Love and Respect It ends around Thanksgiving and it on the only day that both of us have nothing going on. I'm looking forward to it and I think he is to. New people to meet and get to join his soccer team.
Wedding Planning may be in my future. I have my hand helping to decorate two weddings and had someone in ESD ask me to be her paid wedding planner. I think that is way cool. There might be another under my belt before to long. My sister graduated from SFA last weekend and her boyfriend of forever (Blake) just got a big promotion. They live almost 2 hours from one another. Wedding bells may be in their furure (I say spring or Summer). SO much to think about so little time. I haven't decided to accept the planning job yet, but we'll see. You know, I just now titled my blog so maybe by looking at it I will take a break from all extra curricular activities.
Been cleaning the house for a week now. Almost done. Few more days yet! Mom is excited to see the photo book from Germany. Will show her this weekend!
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