Thursday, July 26, 2007

Our Apartment




Here is where we are staying and the path we walk everyday to head out to the city. Fuller is only a half a block away...We have really enjoyed walking and meeting people along the way...we have several stories and God is really teaching us about opening up our lives with those around us...not just to those we call friends. I knowI won't want to be walking around Austin in the crazy heat...but I pray that God will prepare ways that I can seek out those around me more in Austin. We head home Saturday....we've loved it here, but looking forward to going back to Austin!

Our Date!

Albert Einstein's apartment...

We got to go on a date to Madeleines! It was awesome! Across the court yard were apartments and the one pictured is where Albert Einstein lived...

Back to the Ole Routine


We are back at the ole routine we started last week...walking Stew to class, walking around ourselves and hanging out with the people and places we find. Usually we like to grab one of Stew's classmates for lunch or dinner. Tom is seen talking to Stew. He works with Innervarsity in St. Louis. He has an amazing story of how God took a hold of his heart.

This night was dinner at Rubio's..$1 fish tacos! And yes my kids ate it! There is an outdoor mall with many restaurants downtown. After dinner we strolled around and found a water fountain! Wesleygrant assumed it was like the water park in Memphis and went right into it! He was soaked!! Other kids followed...we went back today. Soaked from head to toe! It was fun!

Sunday, July 22, 2007

A Sunday with the Kim Family



We got to attend Newsong Church this morning with our friends, Tony and Erin Kim. Tony Kim is on staff at Newsong and it was so good to reconnect. Bryan Loritts, our friend/pastor from Fellowship Bible Memphis, preached there this morning. The kids had a blast with the kim's kids, Ella and Hayden. It was so fun today!! We love you, Kim family!!

A Day at the Beach!!!

"Mommy, I buildin sand castle with daddy..."
Sally was our cheerleader from the sand

Wesley Grant's first time to experience the ocean!



We headed to the beach today and found a spot that wasn't crowded. The kids had a blast...Wesley Grant was covered in sand, head to toe, when we were done. Sally sat on the towel like a princess eating pretzels until we noticed she was sharing with all the seagulls....yikes! But we surrvived and had a great day!

Friday, July 20, 2007

Humility

I am reading a book- "Humility: The Journey Toward Holiness" by Andrew Murray. What an intimidating title, yes. I am in a discipleship group with some ladies who serve much in our church in Austin. It has been filling my cup for many reasons. We are all wrestling with the things this book is bringing about to our minds and hearts. So, I am reading in a chapter today and find this statement:

"We may find professors and ministers, evangelists and Christian workers, missionaries and teachers, in whom the gifts of the Spirit are many and manifest, and who are the channels of blessing to multitudes, but of whom, when tested, or close interpersonal relationships reveal their true characters, it is only too evident that the grace of humility, as an abiding characteristic, is rarely to be seen."

WOW....

and this one:

"Until a humility that rests in nothing less than the end and death of self, and which gives up all the honor of men as Jesus did to seek the honor that comes from God alone (which absolutely makes and counts itself nothing) that God may be all, that the Lord alone may be exalted - until such a humility is what we seek in Christ above our chief joy, and welcome at any price, there is very little hope of a faith that will conquer the world."

WOW again...


Shanda and Rachel....i know you sing with me on this one!

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Another day in California






Though the jet lag is going away, our days continue to look the same...but we are LOVING it! We love being with Stew and having lunches outside in the grass...Stew and i also got to go on a date last night! Thanks Brian for watching the kiddos!!! We are truly enjoying being a family and living the simple life....I hope this will change some of our complicated habits we have in real life and cause us to look at the more important things of life. "Pa" and "Nana" - all these pics are for you! Enjoy!

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

California!






So, after my birthday weekend, i am jet-lagged or really relaxed and having a hard time adjusting to the 2 hour time difference (i mean come on!!)...i feel like i'm in Africa all over again....or maybe Spain...but today was a better day...we decided to walk somewhere for lunch to keep me from falling asleep. =P We are in walking distance from everything we need. Our days so far look as follows: We walk daddy to class and then play around the trees....walk home, take a morning nap...eat snacks...walk to go get daddy for lunch...walk home, take naps...eat snacks...walk back to get daddy and head to bed as soon as we are done with dinner...kind of boring. =) But maybe we will have more exciting days ahead...for now...it is good to just stroll along with the day and enjoy being with daddy! It is so beautiful here!!

Monday, July 16, 2007

THE BEST BIRTHDAY SURPRISE!!!

Me, Rachel and Shanda at Selah Inn

So, as many of you know, Stew and the kids and I were due for California...We had a long week of car trouble and preparing to go. We loaded the car the night before and were ready to head out for the 20 hour drive and excited about fun, as Stew said he had many birthday fun surprises on our way out there! Well, we left Austin at 8:30am and stew gave me my first birthday envelope of the weekend. I opened it and my whole perspective on the next 3 days changed in an instant! It was a plane ticket bound for Dallas, TX and I was to leave in one hour!! WHAT?! "Yes, my sweet." Stew said..."This is long overdue and much longed for, for you..the kids and i will be fine...you just go and don't ask questions." I didn't know whether to cry or laugh...i did a bit of both...he was going to drive to california without me?! with the kids?!! So i packed a small bag in the parking lot of the airport, gave a few instructions for the kids and got on the plane...i knew nothing more, but had a few more envelopes and instructions. Two precious friends met me at the airport and we were off for my birthday weekend all planned by my husband!! WOW! I never knew what was coming next, but all of us got pampered unbelievably well!! From dinners, to shopping sprees and Starbucks in between, it was incredible! And we got to stay in the greatest bed-n- breakfast suite in east texas, "Selah Inn". You all must visit it once in a lifetime! =) So, I am 30! My birthday was actually Sunday July, 15th.

I arrived to meet stew and the kids in pasadena, california late Sunday night...and stew started school this morning. Stew has more energy than i and he and the kids had a GREAT trip! WOW! I am still overwhelmed! We are all here in California and i am still pondering the deep love of my husband, children, friends....and it all has pointed me to one thing...the deep deep love of my God.

A week ago, I read a comment a friend of mine had left on a blog regarding our friend who was just diagnosed with cancer...and Melody, who left this comment has been going through cancer herself for a year now....It was from the Message, Ephesians 3:14-21 and i longed to truly do as the prayer prayed, not only for others but for my own life...

My husband is so great....my friends are so great....but still God and God's love is greater....this post is to give thanks to my husband and friends, of course, but never to turn you, the reader, into comparing your week with mine...celebrate with me, yes, but i want you to consider God's love...how deep it runs...how great it is for His children and my prayer for you is this verse...i pray that all of you will experience God's love....from a husband, friends, but perhaps in some other way....and know the great and Almighty God. I got to talk to a little boy on the airplane last night as i was coming to california...a 5 yr. old...and he said, "See those clouds...is God bigger than that?" "Yes, sweet Sebastian, God is bigger." The child's question is often my question.....is God bigger...Big enough? Yes, He is!! Wherever you are this is my response.....I leave you with the Message passage:


"My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit--not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength--that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all the Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. God can do anything, you know--far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! . . . Glory to God . . ." (Ephesians 3:14-21, The Message).

My darling beloved...Michael...I love you so much and cannot thank you enough for the continued reminder you give to me of God's great and unconditional love...I love you! You are my hero!!

Rachel and Shanda, I had such a blast and love you ladies so much!! You too are wind in my sails!! You made turning 30 the best!! Thank you for everything!!

Melody, thank you for your living example to me of God's love and the challenge to look at that through all things! I love you, friend!

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Turning 30!!!



So, a HUGE surprise came last night when Jenny Rose showed up my house and took me off to an amazing restaurant! CHEZ ZEE!! And what awaited but 10 more beautiful ladies to wish me a HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY! Of course, i was overwhelmed as I was surrounded with so much love. These women blow wind in my sails. And are a continual reminder of God's love!! I love you ladies!! Thank you so much!!!

The Cereal Swiper




Lately we have noticed that Sally is always watching to make sure she gets just as much as her brother does...especially with food. So we were eating a snack yesterday afternoon and sally was real quick to see if her brother had more than her....and just when he got up, she tried to snatch some cereal and "even out" the proportions....crazy girl!

Friday, July 6, 2007

Happy 4th of July!


So we spent the 4th of July being crazy on sweet tea (we are starting sally early =P) We took the kids in their pj's to see the fireworks. Wesleygrant still wakes up and says, "Let's go see the fireworks, mama!" I told him we have to wait another year...and he said, "Okay, now can we go?" Have a great weekend!

Texas History Museum

We took Elizabeth and Joe to the TX history museum...i felt like i was in junior high again learning my tx history...it was fun though. Elizabeth and Joe left and continued on their journey...next stop San Antonio! Have a great time you guys! We miss you already, but are eating the wonderful cookies and playing with all the toys you gave us! We love you guys!

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Aunt Sissy and Awesome Joe are here!



Stew's sister and brother-in-law came in town last night on their tour of Texas. They came with many gifts to share. Wesley Grant finally stopped asked for "his birthday" party. Thanks Elizabeth and Joe! We love you guys and are so glad you are here!!

Monday, July 2, 2007

Sally's Baby Doll


Sally looks way too old in these pics! But she has her first baby doll and has been successful at eating the hair and poking at it's eyes....=) Happy Birthday Sally!! We love you!!