cool

it's 1 degree warmer in antarctica right now than c.springs. Sweet!

granted, it is snowing down there. just foggy here!

8.28.09 yikes.

just to let you know. I love you and am thinking about you.

you, fam. you, friends. golly, i am thankful to share life with you. it's like i wish that we can all meet in the middle somewhere and just celebrate for a week. be refreshed in being with those who love and know us.

some things of note i'd like to share briefly before work:

• NC rocked! period. i'm so thankful for my friends and family who graciously let me slip into their life for a few days. elaboration soon.
• nights are cold here. seriously, i'm sleeping under 3-4 layers...including a down comforter. i'm such a wimp.
• i have only 3 days left on staff at vanguard church. after agreeing to a year commitment it seems good to step down from my position and i'm thankful to be able to train Mark these past few weeks. it's a good excuse to get to have dinner with his fam. his wife patti makes bangin' bread!!
• currently, i am still processing mortgage loans! refinance...purchase anyone??! serious.
• i have had a compassion kid for i think over a year now and i got wonderful news yesterday: HE IS GOING TO COLLEGE!! Isn't that wonderful. Thank you, thank you, thank you Jesus! He lives in Kenya and will be going to school to be a civil engineer. Whooo. I'm so proud of Samuel's hard work and thankful that God sees that and is rewarding him.
• Life is much different and I covet your prayers. I struggle with believing that this will be a good season of life. I struggle with not having joy. It is not fun for me to trust that God will provide a job come Dec. (will have to be a later post) Sometimes things like this can fill my thoughts. There is so much to celebrate and be thankful for in my life, and i don't want to lose sight of that in this new season.

Okay. Late for work. And again, thank you for your love and support. Those near and far. You bless me.

pre nc chat

my roommate's cat just walked across my computer. her name is Bea. she is pretty tech savvy considering anything that i do on the inet is currently full screen.

as you may, or may not have noticed, i've taken a sabatical from writing. i have just tired of talking about the details of my life for the most part. granite, it's not that easy - especially when there are a lot more unknowns than knowns it seems.

in 3 days i travel to nc for a 2 week visit that i am looking forward to. there are only a few things that i have in mind:

• spending time with the mom's and pop's
• seeing friends
• going golfing with uncle bill
• eating fish with uncle bill
• visiting some new mom's that i graduated with...crazy
• having a cookout with fam
• going to the beach
• seeing leslie, lana and kyle at the beach
• going to a fiddler convention in VA
• seeing gramma edith
• visiting wilmington
• getting homemade peach ice cream on HWY 74!!
• Eating biscuit's and gravy
• steak and shake

just a few things.

the reality is that it is okay if none of those happen or if all of them do (and obviously anything in between). i just am hoping for a good time to get to spend time with people that mean a lot to me that i hardly see.

a couple of weeks ago i got the post graduation fear syndrom. PGFS consist of symptoms such as heavy breathing, lack of being able to process thoughts, fickle decision making, and the horrific habit of busying life to capacity in order to avoid accepting reality.

Reality = being fully responsible for bills, jobs, and everything in between. long story short, not so easy to accept...at least not for me.

the past couple of weeks have been full of wrestling with "what to do next" and "okay, so how do i pay the bills." as i attempted to give God plenty of great ideas for my future, i became anxious and nervous and fearful. being unsettled and unsure. great combination.

then in the fullness of His grace He reminded me that all my worry is a waste. all of it. nothing is bigger than my God. not a budget, not a car that needs maintenance, not a relationship. nothing at all. matthew 19:26 says, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

that's true. even if it is hard to believe, it is true. as i get ready to head home, it is with more peace than i would have ever expected 2 weeks ago...

So you again, may or may not, want an update. Well, as much as I don't many details, I plan to stay here in CO for now and until at least the end of this year. Not that I am really thinking of moving anywhere, but potentially come Sep. my job as a loan processor will continue to exist! Also as of Sep. my position as the Director of Elementary at Vanguard will end with my 1 year commitment.

I do hope to grow and continue to build relationships here, while trying to care and love those in NC. (though not always good at these.)

Well...off to NC.

5.27.09 - This post needs pics!!

This day has been quite fabulous. In reverse:

There is a moth frantically flying around in the lamp next to me. Yikes.

I am currently watching Disney's The Kid at 11:20 pm. Why?...because it cost me $16 to rent it for church. Though I am enjoying it because it is a love story and Bruce Willis is an all time fav, this will certainly teach me to return movies on their due dates!!

The kiddos at church ROCK! The 4th and 5th graders under great leadership have totally used their creative gifts to paint much of the VBB decor!

Run on a warm spring afternoon as the sun began to set.

VBB planning. God is so good to provide.

Boston Christopher Vincent visit. Matt and Tricia's second and most recent addition to the Vincent fam. Tricia is also a quality George Strait fan along with being a mother of 2 now! Quality.

A work day that consisted of a 5 minute break to watch the Thunderbirds for the Airforce graduation. Wow. (I'll have to post pics of this for sure!)

Wonderful P-team meeting! I can't believe the ladies that i get to sit at the table with every week. This week they gave me a graduation gift...any guesses?? hint..think country! I'll just spill: A CAST IRON PAN! This blessed my socks off. Seasoning instructions were included i think. No worries ma.

Morning at home. Couch. Coffee. More coffee. Jesus.

Guess who was in town??!!?

That's right!! The Edwards themselves!
Dad, Mom, Devin and Angela all decided to "fly the bird" (as Devin says) and come out to celebrate graduation with me.

Even though there really was lots to celebrate! Shall we elaborate?

1- Livermush! The real breakfast of champions and God's gift to the North Carolina Native!

2- Dad and Mom flew in on their 26th Wedding Anniversary! WOoo!...we could stop there I think. But let's continue...

3- We got to see a red fox on Pike's Peak...he looked hungry and kept staring a Devin!!

4- It rained the whole time almost, but at 9,000 feet we drove through sleet which Mom sure thought was fun!

5- Devin let his hair down!! Whoop whoop! Sure was a special night...

...you guys remember the "undertaker?"

6- It was so wonderful to have the fam here for graduation!

Degree is a B.S. in Business Marketing. Somewhat surreal and fancy sounding.

I sure love my fam. We had a great time going to dinner, visiting hot springs, riding up 13 out of the 19 miles of Pike's Peak (it was snowing on top), cooking out, and just being together. It is really neat to do site seeing and visiting places that we have never been before. I do still look forward to being able to spend time in NC with them soon again.

My roommate Raleigh graduated also as a Master in Sports Medicine. Her attire: a hooded gown and matching cap, a white rose for rememberance, an award which she humbly accepted for the most outstanding sports medicine student, and a smile to top off the excitement of graduating!! I'm so proud of her.

Hi all.

I had a post in mind this afternoon. It'll have to wait.

There was a 5th grader at my church who decided to email me a youtube video. It's a video about a professor at USC whose life was changed at the drop of a peice of chalk. The link is below.

Chain letters aren't really my thing. Whatever it is, i'll read it, but I'm not up to send an email to 10 people to "see what happens." Honestly, that kind of makes me nervous. And I justify that my life is exciting enough to defer.

As a watched this video, I was blessed by the faith of this young girl. She received the email from her friend...who is the same age!! I love this. I love the thought of these young girls talking about Jesus and encouraging each other to faith and love.

So I watched the video (which you may watch), and tried to imagine myself with such courage and faith as that boy. Surely I would stand up! Right?! Then I began to read the comments. First, I was shocked. Then really shocked.

Then, I thought, "They are talking about God like that! The very God that I believe in and talk to. My friend and Savior." Man, that's not okay.

In the email, the girls were saying that you should watch this because it makes you think. It really has caused me to. God does not need to me to help defend Him. But i think that it is a very real question to ask, "Will i stand up for who I believe in?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piuoGb-Nhfw

marshmallows should be a dairy product.

Easter thoughts

As you drive west on Austin Bluffs Avenue there comes a point where bluffs and buildings and bridges cease; there you are over taken with a clear view of the rocky mountains. It's in that moment I attempt to take it all in that those mountains are HUGE! Key word attempt.

This morning was unexpectedly cloudy. I couldn't even see the mountains from my house, which is the norm. Kind of wanted a morning out on my own, time to be with just me and my coffee and think or not think.

I was thinking about today, Friday. Good Friday. Somewhere around 1,977 years ago Jesus was dying on the cross. I was just thinking about that. Not knowing how to think best, I just decided to read a little bit about Jesus' last days. He told lots of stories about heaven, about the costs of being a disciple, about faith and prayer.

It was like a got caught up in His life and was in this story with Him, watching Him heal and speak, and tell the Pharisee's and Sadducee's what's up. He's amazing. I felt there. His words convicted my heart as He spoke to those around Him, His compassion and love, His justice and truth. He brings hope.

Even though i'm not sure the point to all those words, I held onto that time as I left the coffee shop. I felt warm and moved and started driving home under a cloudy sky headed west on Austin Bluffs Avenue to some tunes . Know where this is going?

So I get to "that spot" and look out to where the mountains had been covered this morning and even though I cannot see the mountain peaks the sun is shining is the west and onto the Garden of the gods. What your supposed to think in that moment, i don't know. But the thought that came to mind is "the sun is rising soon." Thank you Jesus! Oh Easter.

What a wonderful time to think about Jesus. Who He is. Though I am not going to be home in NC for Easter, my friends and family have been near my heart.

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter weekend.

Spring '09

Nights alone here at 314 are few and far between. They're always odd in the beginning as I find myself at home making the only noise of the house minus the occasional gust of the wind. I tend to scurry around cleaning things i've never cleaned, listen to random cd's, kick around a ball outside (which is mildly entertaining compared to all those years of having a "pitch back" when I played by myself), and the like.

It's not so bad though after being settled in. I remember one night last Spring being alone, drinking hot chocolate, and just thinkin' and readin'. Wonderful night.

Tonight as I eat dinner, blog and reminisce it's hard to avoid the season of Spring and of "birth" that is easing it's way in. When two friends have babies on the same night i'd say Spring has sprung.

The Birgy's are a family that I have babysat for a few times and know through church. They have a little boy, Abram Daniel, to add to the family of 3 girls.

I love how one of the first questions that came out of Celia's mouth was, "Mommy you think that you will have another baby," less than 24 hours after giving birth. We all laughed.

Also, I noticed some green around the yard. And maybe some blooming on the crab apple.

Mom said it was getting green in NC. That's exciting!

I look forward to seeing Dad, Mom, Devin and Angela when they come out for graduation at the end of May. Really, really look forward to seeing them.

Tonight I was microwaving nachos and my tomatoes caught on fire. Can you believe that?

Mom emailed me a couple weeks ago and told me that I should wear more makeup. I discovered today that she keeps having dreams that I am getting married.

We are possibly getting a foot of snow over the next couple days. Any ideas for snowmen? I'm thinking a surfer snowman would be fun.

Easter Sunday is coming soon. Wow. 2.25 weeks.

Shout..sing...dance

when i think about the Lord

how He saved, how He raised me

how He filled me with the Holy Ghost

how He healed me to the uttermost

when i think about the Lord

how he picked me up

turned me around

how He set my feeton solid ground

it makes me want to shout

hallelujah!

thank you, Jesus!

Lord, you're worthy

of all the glory,

and all the honor

and all the praise!

Hallelujah!

thank you, Jesus!

Lord, you're worthy

of all the glory,

and all the honor

and all the praise!

(ephesians 2:4-7, 2 corinthians 5:17)

-shane and shane

Ummm...hi

There is hardly an easy way to begin after a month+ separation from the world of blogging and faithful readers. In attempts to ignore all awkwardness i opt to plunge right in. Bare with.

Time in NC was amazing. Hardly anything was like I thought it would be; but perfect. This time, more than any time back, I was able to spend time with Dad and Mom...and Devin for that matter. Then the day before Christmas Gramma Edith ended up staying with us for a few days. Some of my favorite sayings from her:

Mom: Tomorrow morning we are going to get up and play dress up. But Gramma, you don't need to. You are already pretty.

Gramma: I know. What is wrong with me?

She couldn't see me putting salt on her food. I asked her if that is enough.

Gramma: You didn't even put anything on there. I wouldn't do nobody that'a way.

Gramma: I love you. You are so pretty. Oh, thank You, Jesus. Thank You, Jesus.

Along with great family, was time spent with great friends. A highlight was one day in Asheville, NC, where my friend Amanda met up with me and my friend Kristina for a day going down the Blue Ridge Parkway, going to the Grove Inn (to see gingerbread house contest results), and lunch. I can't tell you how much that time was both refreshing and laughter filled. Oh boy...how funny.

After home, was CO for a day to get packed again before heading to Galveston, TX. Here we...

...spent about 9 days cooking food and doing home repairs for those who needed due to the destruction that Hurricane Ike did this past September. It's hard to know where to start, but here are a few pictures in attempts to share.

These are from the first house we were at. The Garcia's had been doing prison ministry in this home for 30 years. Living and raising a family in it for more. Mr. Garcia is in early-middle stages of alsheimer disease now. Inside their house, they received over 2 foot of water in the second floor. Even though the outside of the house looks somewhat okay, there was mold damage in most of it. If you piled debris within 6 ft. of the side of the street the city would pick it up for free. Even that was certainly a blessing for these families.

Even Home Depot hasn't repaired their damage.

Will and Matt moving sheet rock.

And then, a couple weeks ago Leslie came to visit us CO folks. I always count it as an absolute treat to have her here. She excused my many appointments and made the most of our time together. Like doing normal things: eating lots of grits, staking "lord of catan" rights, trekking to calhan for Rocky Mountain Oysters, and willingly walking Chandler with me. Which made me think her and how blessed I am to see her so often as I walked him again the other day.

It saddens me to think that this could even begin to do justice of the past month. It doesn't. God is doing amazing things. I am so thankful to be apart of them in the slightest ways.