Eating Elephant and other Ramblings..

Finally, a moment to record a few thoughts. It's a shame, really, that I've missed so much blogging lately. God has been doing some incredible things in my life and I just haven't had time to write them down.

For starters;

I am working on my Beginning Ministerial Internship. This is a class that I am working through with Pastor Doug, and also starting a mentoring relationship with a woman pastor in our section. I'm halfway through the internship and it's already been impactful on my life. One of the biggest issues we've learned about is the issue of pride, and how this can be such a huge stumbling blocks, especially it seems for pastors. I've been praying about this issue in my own life for several months... It's always exciting to see how God prepares you before He schools you. :)

The biggest highlight thus far in this experience was definitely getting to preach on Women's Ministries Sunday. That was such an honor; terrifying, exhilarating, and addicting all at the same marvelous time!

I'm simultaneously finishing my last certified level course; Prison Epistles. This is proving to be another difficult course. But the challenge is always rewarding. The crazy thing is, as I finish this class I'm applying for credentials and starting the testing/interviewing process. (eeee!) Nothing makes you analyze every past mistake and misstep like applying for ministerial credentials! Just filling out that application was a lesson in humility!!

I honestly can't believe I'm already to this point. It seems like just a couple months ago I received my calling at youth camp and nervously phoning Berean to enroll for classes. The past nine months have been challenging and overwhelming at times.. In fact I reached a breaking point in November where I really had to receive a pep talk to keep going.. But God is faithful and He proves Himself over and over to me!! He sent just the right person to speak into my life and refresh me. I finished that course strong, and even accepted my only sad little B+ on a harder than average class.

I seemingly gain momentum with each course and at the halfway point I could begin to ascertain my progress. It's a bit like eating an elephant, you just have to keep eating elephant, one bite at a time, even if there reach's a point that you begin to wonder why you like elephant in the first place. LOL.

The reality is, as you near the end of the process, (or at least the first level in the process) you realize how very worth it it's been. I'm there. I look back at the last nine months and am floored, amazed, and blessed by the personal spiritual growth that God has done in me through these classess. It makes me so grateful!! I'm excited that I have two levels to go, because I am not ready to say goodbye to this season of my life. I say that, and some days I am ready to pitch a textbook to the wall, but most days I love it!!

Beyond school...

Photography has been really awesome lately. Thus the missing blog posts. All my spare time has been consumed with editing. I had six photo sessions last weekend. I've busted my rear and edited 3 of them, have a good start in the fourth. Last night (after about 9 nights of five or hours of sleep) I hit a wall and laid on the couch at 7:45pm. Rob looks at me and said "what are you doing?" I said "I thought I'd watch some tv." and he replies "You don't do that." He was so surprised to see me set down for a few moments, I guess because I never do. At 9:30 I crawled upstairs and into bed, out within a few minutes. I think it all caught up with me, slept like a baby last night.

I've got another session this weekend, so another week or so of insane editing and I should be caught up. But it's so worth it. You see, a couple weeks ago we paid off Rob's car. That's right, now we own two fully paid for vehicles. :) Again, I sing God's praises, He is so faithful! We started paying extra on his car in October. We had $7000 to go. And God honored it. Six months later it's finished. Now we are working on building our savings back up. This is unbelievable if you know anything about Rob's and my financial history. We got married extremely young and have made just about every insanely stupid financial choice you can make. The year that Ike hit we were taking Financial Peace University classes - one week in and Ike passed right over our home. We evacuated with $200 to our name and a credit card that was too close to credit limit. I vowed that week that we were going to turn things around. And by God's grace we have. I give Him all the praise and glory for that!!

I don't know why I am being so transparent today. I guess it's just reading all this scripture about having our lives point to Jesus. If you look at me and see anything worthwhile, I implore you, it's because of HIM..

I exist because of His mercy. I have talents and giftings because of His creativity. I serve out of love for Him. I work and love and photograph and smile out of thanksgiving and appreciation for all that He has done in and for and through me.

I pray that this is the case for you as well. And if it isn't, it's not too late. Take a moment to understand your sin, your depravity that separates you from His righteousness. Realize His tremendous sacrifice on the cross, that paid the price for sin. Understand that He is reaching out in love and offering you relationship with Him. Repent, turn from your sin, cast it aside, and accept the new, better, life that He offers; both now and with the hope of glory. And let Him flood your life and heart and mind the way He has mine.

A Weekend With the Tindols...

We had such a blast hanging out with these folks again this weekend. I was so blessed that they'd come so far and spend four days with us. It was Jen's birthday, so we celebrated in style with fettucini alfredo and strawberry salad and garlic rolls, topped off with earthquake cake. yum. And the major highlight of the weekend had to be Sarah's water baptism. It was so neat that Bart and Jen and Ethan and Grace could be there to share in the experience. What a precious time we all had.

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Yesterday's photo. Eli, all tuckered out and ready for bed. Such a long and filled weekend, but all good stuff. :)

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Saturday's photo of the day, from the Speed The Light Walk To Drive (we walked so missionaries could ride). San Jacinto Section raised over $2000, so that was pretty sweet! My kiddos played on the playground and enjoyed our 67 degree weather, thank you Jesus!

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feel His peace.

(ps - looking at this photo closer, you can see the budding leaves on the tree in the foreground. Thank You Jesus!! I am SO ready for spring!)

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My amazing son and his usual antics. My favorite part about his dream home might be a tie between the arcade and the pizza kitchen. Oh to be 9 again. :)

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Actually sharing two photos today, since it's my blog and I can do what I want. :) Sarah asked me to staple these papers together yesterday and I happened to glance down and notice that it was math and it was right. Then I flipped to the second page (took a moment to mentally check it) and my goodness if the little stinker didn't have that huge problem correct as well!! Definitely worth photographing. She's in kindergarten!

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My kids have the most amazing creative minds. These are their interpretations of a castle. Eli's is above, Sarah's below.

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As promised, here are my sweet valentines. :) They were good sports, especially considering how crummy Sare still feels.

Also, here are a few more fun surprises from the day...

One of our students made us this lovely card. (can you feel the love??)

And I think I mentioned that Rob and I co-spoke on Wednesday night. We did a lot of really cool illustrations, but the one we closed with was about waiting for your true love, God's mate for your life. I talked about how often times you will have a lot of relationships before you find the right one. And in those leading up to relationships, you'll think it's the real thing, much like it's easy to convince an inexperienced jewelry owner that a CZ is the real thing. But when you find the right relationship, the real one, all the previous relationships will look like cheap imitations in the light of the real relationship. Like a diamond compared to a CZ. When you compare them side to side, you can tell the light and the fire and the quality of a diamond is far superior to that of a CZ. I encouraged them to wait for their diamond, not to sacrifice their purity for a cheap imitation. I passed out a large fake stone on a white ribbon with the date stamped on it, to remind them of it, and then compared it to the ring on my finger, comparing the value; 12 stones for $2.5o at Hobby Lobby or $4000 at a jewelry store. It was pretty cool.

Anyhoo, one of our students grandparents came in at the tail end of our message, and was so impressed with it. She sent this gift home to me this afternoon. So sweet, isn't it? (I love our job)

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Yesterday's POTD is from Sarah's perspective. I found her mismatched family of Pollies on the side of the bathtub last night. And I know from previous questioning that she would tell me that they are posed for a family portrait. :) I only wish I had photographed it the time before, she had about 15 Pollies arranged in the corner of the tub, each windowed beautifully. I was inspired, large group photography is tricky! (of course, it's easier when their smiling faces are painted on!)

About todays Picture Of The Day, I can't wait to take it. I always take this annual photo, have since the first year Sarah was born and Rob was at school all day. (I think it was his 12 hour day when he didn't even see the kids) Anyway, now it's a tradition and it's so fun to see their growth each year!

You can find more old Valentine's pictures here, and here. For some sad reason, I haven't blogged them all. bummer.

PS- please contine to pray for Sare, she's still under the weather with lesions on her throat. Probably returning to the dr. tomorrow if she doesn't make dramatic improvement in the next 24.

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very uncooperative child yesterday. This is supposed to highlight her necklace, my cheap knock off of a necklace she spied in Fredricksburg, TX last July. It cost $58 and mine cost under $10. Needless to say, it's big and clunky and she loves it!

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Youth Life Group Super Bowl Party. We had a lot of food and a lot of fun! Love my kids.

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Caught this precious moment today at lunch. Love how she's squeezing and he's not that into it. :)

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I have a thing for salt and pepper shakers. If you've seen the movie Fireproof then you'll understand why. If you haven't seen Fireproof, well, you need to. :)

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Yesterday went by very fast and I literally only took 2 photos. But I've been meaning to share this artwork over our bed for a while. These photos are from last years anniversary pictures. I placed them on painted brown canvases, and then embellished them with Prima flowers and metal paper trim. Very simple, but it's some of my favorite art in the house. :)

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Getting ready for the day this morning, I was praying about the Holy Spirit. I pumped my face lotion onto my hand and it came out in this shape. Cool, right?

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Monday's Photo of the Day. Eli's bible verse box. It has little cards in it with his favorite verses written on them. He decorated the outside himself, but my favorite part was what he wrote on the bottom of the box. This kid is pretty special

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A quiet night at home. feeling blessed. enjoyed time with the Tindols and Mom. Forgot to pick up my camera before they walked out the door, sadly.

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Got a little scrap on today. At least shopping, anyway. Found some great deals and took a fun photo besides. :)

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Happy Mama. Meeting her at the airport. The beginning of a great time.