Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Family Fun!
We had a wonderful time at Mamaw and Papaw's house! My sister Taryn, and brother in law Jeff, and my niece, Anne Blye came as well. We had not seen them since June, so it was great to be with them. Madison and Anne Blye were so sad to say goodbye but thankfully Christmas is right around the corner. Actually, Anne Blye wants to move to New York. She said her grandparents could come visit her, because she just wants to live by Madison! :). Madison is happy that Anne Blye and Edie love to visit her!
We also got to see my Aunt Linda and cousins Billy and Cathy. It is always nice catching up! Sterling and Jeff went bowling with Billy and his girlfriend Nikki. They are no match for Billy when it comes to bowling, but I think Jeff won one game!
For anyone who knows Sterling, he loves playing games on play station! He does not play as much as he used to, but he catches up on lost time when he is with Jeff. Jeff always wins, but Sterling still loves it! Jeff actually brought his 32" TV with him to Louisville, so that they could set it up in the basement to play! Now, that is commitment to quality time with your brother in law :).
We also got to see my Aunt Linda and cousins Billy and Cathy. It is always nice catching up! Sterling and Jeff went bowling with Billy and his girlfriend Nikki. They are no match for Billy when it comes to bowling, but I think Jeff won one game!
For anyone who knows Sterling, he loves playing games on play station! He does not play as much as he used to, but he catches up on lost time when he is with Jeff. Jeff always wins, but Sterling still loves it! Jeff actually brought his 32" TV with him to Louisville, so that they could set it up in the basement to play! Now, that is commitment to quality time with your brother in law :).
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Giving Thanks!
At this very moment, we are traveling through Ohio. You have to love technology today. Internet service anywhere, anytime. We left Long Island yesterday afternoon to head for Louisville, Kentucky. We took Madison out of school early and decided to go ahead and drive halfway, which is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was our first time to drive off the Island, since moving there. It is beautiful. All the beautiful bridges, mountains of trees, 3 rivers of Pittsburgh, and cool tunnels. The drive through downtown Pittsburgh is beautiful! We are excited about traveling home, because it will be daylight on the way back when we pass through there.
This morning we did not drive far past Pittsburgh before we saw the welcome sign to West Virginia. The parts that we saw were so amazing. All of the houses were in clusters far below the interstate. They were so close together.....even more so than Long Island. I guess similar to Queens. They were all different bright colors and looked like colonial houses. I felt like I wanted to reach out the window and pick one up. It was like pieces on a game board if you can imagine. The mountain areas are beautiful and I can only imagine how beautiful they were a month ago before the leaves fell off.
Emma loves the leaves! But she does not like that they have fallen off. She looks out the front door at home and says she is about to cry for the leaves!
The drive through West Virginia was over before we knew it, and we entered Ohio. We will be in Ohio until we reach Kentucky.
We have never been in the North East, except for New York of course, and so it has been so amazing to just drive through Pennsylvania and West Virginia. We will have to come back to visit. But, I definitely want to see Boston and Washington D.C. first.
We are 3 hours out of Louisville and we are excited. There is nothing like going to Mamaw and Papaw's. My parents and sister live in Alabama, but I was not raised there, so it is not my home. I spent a good portion of my days in Texas, but I still would not call Texas home. I was born in Louisville and lived around the corner from my grandparents for 10 years. So many wonderful memories at their house and our church home. I was saved and baptized in my church home in Louisville. But more than anything, I love being with my Mamaw and Papaw. I could not begin to describe how much they mean to me. They are faithful followers of Christ. Growing up, I always thought they were perfect. No one could say anything to change my mind. As I got older I learned they were not perfect, because no one is. We all have flaws. We all make mistakes. But, you know what? They are still perfect in my eyes. They have always been my number one fan. Never critical, always making me feel the very best about myself. My Papaw is a godly man, who walks with the Lord daily. My Mamaw is a true servant. Never have I been around them that I do not see them having their time in the word. They have given us an amazing legacy and I pray I can always be as faithful as the example they have set before me.
I am thankful for so much this year. Our move to Long Island, Sterling becoming a pastor, our family and friends............but something God has been showing me lately is how thankful I am to have grown up in a christian home. I have a mom and dad who have always loved me more than anything. A mom and dad who raised me in a home where God came first. A mom and dad who did nightly devotions with me and my sister. A mom and dad who took me to the church every time the door was open. A mom and dad who were also at the church every time the door was open. A dad who teaches Gods word to others, and a mom who reaches out to others and encourages them. A mom and dad who push through adversity no matter how painful the trial may be. A mom and dad who continue to grow in the knowledge of the Lord every day. You do not realize growing up just how wonderful your parents are until you have your own children. I am thankful for a mom and dad who trained up a child in the way she should go.............and now that I am old.........I have not departed from it. Thank you mom and dad for being all you are to me. I love you with a deeper love and appreciation than I did before.
God is so faithful. Thinking about His goodness and all He has done for me and mine, reminds me once again that it's all about grace.............Amazing grace how sweet the sound!
Happy Thanksgiving to all our family and friends!
This morning we did not drive far past Pittsburgh before we saw the welcome sign to West Virginia. The parts that we saw were so amazing. All of the houses were in clusters far below the interstate. They were so close together.....even more so than Long Island. I guess similar to Queens. They were all different bright colors and looked like colonial houses. I felt like I wanted to reach out the window and pick one up. It was like pieces on a game board if you can imagine. The mountain areas are beautiful and I can only imagine how beautiful they were a month ago before the leaves fell off.
Emma loves the leaves! But she does not like that they have fallen off. She looks out the front door at home and says she is about to cry for the leaves!
The drive through West Virginia was over before we knew it, and we entered Ohio. We will be in Ohio until we reach Kentucky.
We have never been in the North East, except for New York of course, and so it has been so amazing to just drive through Pennsylvania and West Virginia. We will have to come back to visit. But, I definitely want to see Boston and Washington D.C. first.
We are 3 hours out of Louisville and we are excited. There is nothing like going to Mamaw and Papaw's. My parents and sister live in Alabama, but I was not raised there, so it is not my home. I spent a good portion of my days in Texas, but I still would not call Texas home. I was born in Louisville and lived around the corner from my grandparents for 10 years. So many wonderful memories at their house and our church home. I was saved and baptized in my church home in Louisville. But more than anything, I love being with my Mamaw and Papaw. I could not begin to describe how much they mean to me. They are faithful followers of Christ. Growing up, I always thought they were perfect. No one could say anything to change my mind. As I got older I learned they were not perfect, because no one is. We all have flaws. We all make mistakes. But, you know what? They are still perfect in my eyes. They have always been my number one fan. Never critical, always making me feel the very best about myself. My Papaw is a godly man, who walks with the Lord daily. My Mamaw is a true servant. Never have I been around them that I do not see them having their time in the word. They have given us an amazing legacy and I pray I can always be as faithful as the example they have set before me.
I am thankful for so much this year. Our move to Long Island, Sterling becoming a pastor, our family and friends............but something God has been showing me lately is how thankful I am to have grown up in a christian home. I have a mom and dad who have always loved me more than anything. A mom and dad who raised me in a home where God came first. A mom and dad who did nightly devotions with me and my sister. A mom and dad who took me to the church every time the door was open. A mom and dad who were also at the church every time the door was open. A dad who teaches Gods word to others, and a mom who reaches out to others and encourages them. A mom and dad who push through adversity no matter how painful the trial may be. A mom and dad who continue to grow in the knowledge of the Lord every day. You do not realize growing up just how wonderful your parents are until you have your own children. I am thankful for a mom and dad who trained up a child in the way she should go.............and now that I am old.........I have not departed from it. Thank you mom and dad for being all you are to me. I love you with a deeper love and appreciation than I did before.
God is so faithful. Thinking about His goodness and all He has done for me and mine, reminds me once again that it's all about grace.............Amazing grace how sweet the sound!
Happy Thanksgiving to all our family and friends!
Monday, November 13, 2006
Reunions!
I have had a reunion of many kinds lately! This weekend my family on my Dad's side is having a reunion. Reunions are always fun! A chance to catch up with people you have not seen in a long time. I would love to be there with my mom and dad at my grandparent's house especially. But, it just did not work out for us. However, God has made it possible for us to drive to Louisville for Thanksgiving! Anytime I can go home to my Mamaw and Papaw's house is a treat! But, Thanksgiving is even better! I am so excited!
Another reunion this past weekend was not the kind I enjoy. I received an email from classmates.com trying to get me to join for my next high school reunion. I was not interested in the offer, but I did check to see if my favorite teacher was on the list! Chuck Bennett! He was my choir director my sophomore, junior, and senior year. He was new to Richardson High School that year, just like the rest of us sophomores. The choir program was the pits compared to the rest of the district, and it was his job to turn it around. He was the best teacher I ever had. He was not just a teacher, but a friend and encourager. He had a 3 yr. old daughter, Victoria, who I adored. She and I became very close! I loved kids so much and I loved spending time with her especially because she was so precious. I remember taking her to see the premier of "The Little Mermaid" the day it came to the theatre the first time. Mr. Bennett made a huge impact on my life, one that not too many people even realize. I visited him a few times after graduating but lost touch eventually. I have tried to find him many times over the years because I wanted him to know how much he and his family meant to me. I never had any luck. When I got the classmates email, I thought I would try again. When I googled his name and some info I knew about him, I found a web page from North Texas University listing his name on the "Friends We'll Miss" list. I was shocked and in disbelief. I thought it could not be him. I researched the Houston Chronicle, where he last lived, and found an obituary. On April 11, of 2001, he was driving to work (choir teacher still), and was broadsided while running a red light. He was killed instantly. It broke my heart. More than anything, I think I felt so sad because I found out 5 years too late. I wish I had stayed in touch and had known so that I could have been at his memorial. I spoke to someone who told me they had to have two memorial services for him in order to hold the 1000's of people who attended. I am not surprised because he was a wonderful christian man, father, and teacher. I will always remember Mr. Bennett.
God is good at bringing laughter from sorrow! After hearing of Mr. Bennett's death, I looked up some old friends from my church youth group in Richardson. I was able to find David and Shannon Dugger, and it was good catching up and hearing how God is working in their lives. Another friend of ours, Julie Morgan, got my contact info from the Dugger's and emailed me today. She filled me in on so many of our friends from church. It was great to hear from her. We talked about planning a class of '91 Youth Group Reunion next year! She is going to gather every one's contact info so we can set a date! I am very excited to catch up with everyone and see what God is doing around them. What a wonderful reunion that will be!
Another reunion this past weekend was not the kind I enjoy. I received an email from classmates.com trying to get me to join for my next high school reunion. I was not interested in the offer, but I did check to see if my favorite teacher was on the list! Chuck Bennett! He was my choir director my sophomore, junior, and senior year. He was new to Richardson High School that year, just like the rest of us sophomores. The choir program was the pits compared to the rest of the district, and it was his job to turn it around. He was the best teacher I ever had. He was not just a teacher, but a friend and encourager. He had a 3 yr. old daughter, Victoria, who I adored. She and I became very close! I loved kids so much and I loved spending time with her especially because she was so precious. I remember taking her to see the premier of "The Little Mermaid" the day it came to the theatre the first time. Mr. Bennett made a huge impact on my life, one that not too many people even realize. I visited him a few times after graduating but lost touch eventually. I have tried to find him many times over the years because I wanted him to know how much he and his family meant to me. I never had any luck. When I got the classmates email, I thought I would try again. When I googled his name and some info I knew about him, I found a web page from North Texas University listing his name on the "Friends We'll Miss" list. I was shocked and in disbelief. I thought it could not be him. I researched the Houston Chronicle, where he last lived, and found an obituary. On April 11, of 2001, he was driving to work (choir teacher still), and was broadsided while running a red light. He was killed instantly. It broke my heart. More than anything, I think I felt so sad because I found out 5 years too late. I wish I had stayed in touch and had known so that I could have been at his memorial. I spoke to someone who told me they had to have two memorial services for him in order to hold the 1000's of people who attended. I am not surprised because he was a wonderful christian man, father, and teacher. I will always remember Mr. Bennett.
God is good at bringing laughter from sorrow! After hearing of Mr. Bennett's death, I looked up some old friends from my church youth group in Richardson. I was able to find David and Shannon Dugger, and it was good catching up and hearing how God is working in their lives. Another friend of ours, Julie Morgan, got my contact info from the Dugger's and emailed me today. She filled me in on so many of our friends from church. It was great to hear from her. We talked about planning a class of '91 Youth Group Reunion next year! She is going to gather every one's contact info so we can set a date! I am very excited to catch up with everyone and see what God is doing around them. What a wonderful reunion that will be!
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Friday, November 03, 2006
Full House!
We have a busy weekend ahead of us! Bryan is arriving this afternoon from Katy, Texas. He is on staff at FBC Katy, which is our sponsor church. He is responsible for making Sterling's business cards, all our advertisement, and the wonderful post cards for the Joe Tanner Event. He is coming up to help Sterling continue to pass them out and help in any other way he can. Sterling is planning on going to Passion with him in January. He will be here through Monday. We are glad he is here. My wonderful friend Mandy, from UBC in Clear Lake, is coming tomorrow and staying through Tuesday! I am so excited for her visit. She worked with Sterling in the student ministry at Clear Lake. She is very special to us! She is coming to help us with whatever needs we have and to just spend time together. (We are hoping to persuade her to move here very soon :)!) Joe Tanner of course arrives on Monday to get ready for the Astronaut event on Tuesday and Wednesday! He is speaking at Madison's school on Wednesday. Her teacher is so excited. And Madison feels very special that Mr. Joe is coming to her class. She hopes Mr. Pat can come someday to her school as well. When Emma got her shot at the doctor this week, I explained to the doctor that Emma did not like bandaids. Emma quickly told the doctor that Mr. Pat had princess bandaids for her at his house! She misses her Mr. Pat! We are also happy to have another Emma visiting us this weekend. We met Emma at the North American Mission Board Interview. She is a student missionary with NAMB in Manhattan. We grew very fond of her in a short time. She is so sweet and has a wonderful heart for the Lord. She is coming on Saturday for dinner and to meet Mandy and Bryan! Busy weekend....Busy week ahead.....lots of opportunities....lots of fun! Keep us all in your prayers!
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