Today, I am thankful for so many things, and I've decided to do a list of one thing for every year of my life...(*in somewhat chronological order...not necessarily order of importance!)
1. I'm thankful that the Lord blessed me by allowing me to be born into a Christian home where I knew of and heard about His love for me before I could even understand it. I am thankful for my salvation at a young age which, no doubt, kept me from a lot of the heartache many experience in life. I don't say that boastfully, but humbly, recognizing God's grace and goodness to me.
2. I am thankful that God blessed me with a husband who loves me, but loves the Lord more. Andrew is so smart and gifted. I'm grateful for the 5 years of marriage God has blessed us with and for the amazing journey we are on now while he works on his PhD.
3. I am thankful for my parents and for being able to personally witness their selfless service to the Lord my entire life. The ministry is more than a full-time job, yet, even in their constant working, our family was always the priority. I have watched them show grace to people who have been deeply hurtful, and I hope that because of their example, I too can be a gracious person.
4. I am thankful for my Dad who has always been my biggest cheerleader and encourager. I am so thankful for the time he took to be my Coach in high school and invest not only in my life, but also in the lives of my friends. I am grateful that he is in better health than he has been and am proud of his hard work.
5. I am thankful for my Mom who is my best friend. She is busier than any other mom I know, yet always managed to keep our home tidy and fix us dinner. She is so thoughtful of others and makes anyone she knows feel special by remembering their birthday or offering sympathy and encouragement.
6. I am thankful that when I was only 3 months old that God moved our family back to Wichita, Kansas. Most people who meet me find out quickly I'm a Kansas girl, and I wouldn't have it any other way. It is home, and there is just no place like it.
7. I am thankful for a close family. I honestly can't imagine a better childhood than the one God blessed me with. I will always treasure our family vacations and the memories made driving to all 48 continental states together.
8. I am thankful for my brother, Michael. It was clear at a very young age that he would be a leader, and the success that God has blessed him with at such a young age in being a City Councilman and now State Senator, has solidified that. I'm so proud of him. He is such a people person, and I admire his ability to make friends.
9. I am thankful for my brother, Tyler. He was the baby of the family, so I often tried to play the mom role, but I'm grateful for the little things like convincing him #14 was the best jersey number, in which he listened to me. I'm also grateful for his sweet wife, Katie, and that when he married her, I gained not only a sister, but a friend.
10. I am thankful for grandparents who were part of my life so significantly growing up. I got to see them on Sunday mornings and nights, Wednesday nights, and usually one or two other days during the week. That gift is one I will always cherish.
11. I am thankful for Grace Baptist Church which is full of people who invested in me and prayed for me my whole life. Very few experience the blessing of the same church their entire life, and I feel so privileged that God allowed this in my life.
12. I am thankful for growing up at Sunrise Christian Academy and the solid education and good friends I made during all of my school years there. I have such fond memories of volleyball and basketball games, road trips and State Championships.
13. I am thankful for my parents paying for a year of Bible college for my brothers and me, and the friendships I made because of that. Many hear the rules of BBC and roll their eyes, and although I too can be guilty of that, it was an incredible year and I made some of my best friends for life there.
14. I am thankful for one of my best friends, Crystal, who I met while we played volleyball together at BBC. We have been roommates and apartment neighbors, and she has been loyal to me for the past 12 years.
15. I am thankful for one of my best friends, Rachel, who I also met at BBC. We spent the summer of 2005 together in Thailand and I will always look back on that summer fondly.
16. I am thankful for my in-laws. I always hoped that I wouldn't have one of the typical in-law relationships where you can't stand each other, and God blessed me by giving me the exact opposite. Marrying into the Albritton family added a best friend into my life, and I'm so grateful for their love and support.
17. I am thankful for the Master's degree God allowed me to pay for as I went. I look back on those years and truly, 100%, have no idea how I lived on so little and yet didn't take out a loan. It is a testament of God's provision.
18. I am thankful that God provided for Andrew to get his Master's degree without paying a penny for it. His hard work allowed him to get his degree without us going into debt, and I am so grateful for that.
19. I am thankful that in the midst of a hard year when we didn't understand why Andrew couldn't find a job, that God provided me with a job that I loved. Watching Link and Hawk was a joy and my heart overflows with gratitude to God for placing them into my life. I miss those boys dearly.
20. I am thankful that God gave Andrew the desire to pursue a PhD and that the Lord opened the doors for us to move to England.
21. I am thankful that the desire to live overseas and do ministry is being played out in our lives right now. Although we are not in full-time ministry, God is opening doors and we are confident He has a plan for us living in England, aside from Andrew's education.
22. I am thankful for the details God worked out in allowing us to move to England. Even though there have been bumps in the road, we have seen God's hand over and over. I am grateful for Kia and Negin, who we had only heard about through a mutual missionary friend, taking us into their home while we found a place to live.
23. I am thankful that God provided us with an amazing apartment. I have been meaning to blog the details of how it was undeniably God who orchestrated us being able to move in here. It is the perfect home with nice appliances and the most ideal location we could have ever dreamed of, had we even known what we were most wanting in a home.
24. I am thankful for the church God has given us in England where we have made friends and are settling in. It is amazing to know we can be thousands of miles away from our regular church routine, yet still praising the same God. It is a good reminder of God's worthiness, that no matter where we are or who we are surrounded by, He deserves to be praised.
25. I am thankful for technology. It is amazing to be living on a different continent than our family and friends and yet still be able to talk, even more than that, to see each other face to face while we talk. It is a blessing that makes life over here much easier.
26. I am thankful for America. I am thankful for the freedom we have and for the little things that we often take for granted. If there is anything we have learned in our time here, it is to appreciate the conveniences of America. Life is just easier in America, and I know I don't thank God for the little things nearly enough.
27. I am thankful for the ability to travel. I love to travel, and since leaving America in September I have been to Nottingham, England; Amsterdam; Paris; London; and Edinburgh, Scotland. I recognize that few people ever get to see other parts of the world, and I am so grateful that God is allowing me to do so.
28. I am thankful for holidays. I have so many fond memories of holidays growing up, playing with cousins at our grandparents house, and eating lots of yummy food. I'm also thankful that even though we're not always together, we can look back and remember the good times.
29. I am thankful for Dr. Pepper. I know it is a silly thing to be thankful for, but I love it. And I can't wait to have it out of a fountain with lots of ice when I'm back in America at Christmas.
30. I am thankful for Kansas Basketball. Again, I know it is quite trivial, but I enjoy the thrill and excitement of basketball, and my loyalty keeps me anchored to Kansas.
31. I am thankful that in 21 days we'll be in London boarding a plane to come home for the holidays. I am excited to be reunited with family and friends and celebrate Christmas together.
I know I am blessed, yet I often don't take the time to be grateful. My prayer is that I will be more thankful and mindful of God's goodness and blessings in my life.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Summer. And Memories.
Before I jump into life in England, I need to mention a few of the highlights leading up to our departure.
At the end of May, we were able to spend an entire week at home in Wichita which flew by as fast as a regular weekend trip home, but nevertheless, was a sweet time with family. We celebrated Tyler and Katie's birthdays and I was also able to go on a quick day trip to Clinton, Oklahoma with my mom, dad, and Michael to put flowers on my Grandma Walker's grave. It is hard to believe she has been gone for 13 years. She was a strong woman, yet meek. She did not loudly voice her opinions, but she stood her ground. She was the most talented seamstress. I wish I would have valued her amazing ability more fully when I was young. She made the best chocolate chip cookies and chocolate sheet cake. I miss her dearly. It makes me sad that my memories of her are not as vivid as they used to be, but I am proud to be part of her heritage. At the end of our week home, we celebrated my Grandpa O'Donnell's wedding. This also made me miss my Grandma O'Donnell. She was a strong woman who was fierce. Not fierce in a negative way, but fierce in her love and passion. She was not afraid to voice her opinions, and often did. She was a wonderful cook and made cooking for masses look simple. I'm so blessed that in the summer of 2009 (the year before she died) while we were living in Wichita that I had the opportunity to cook with her on every Wednesday night before church. I miss her deeply. Losing both of my grandmas has changed the entire dynamic of our extended families...what used to mean huge groups of people gathered around the table for holidays, now means finding random times here and there where we can all get together. Holidays are a mixture of sweet memories and sad longings without them, but it has strengthened the ties of my immediate family, which I didn't even recognize was possible until this transition happened.
Back to summer. Most of my summer was spent nannying two little boys who stole my heart. I am thankful for a job that I loved, and even miss. Summer was also spent playing lots of mini-golf with Andrew and my best friend, and occasionally a few other friends. We celebrated the 4th of July with Andrew's family and friends, a tradition that has become a dear holiday. There were the other usual summer fun activities of the pool, dinner with friends, and shopping. I also had a close friend come visit us in Springfield which was a wonderful time. In August, we were home to celebrate Michael's birthday and winning the primary election for the Kansas State Senate! We were back home again to celebrate my birthday in September which was also the day we finished our paperwork for our visas for England! Some sweet friends gave us an awesome going away party- Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest themed! The next week was spent saying our goodbyes and packing for our move. The reality was setting in and we were excited! I did not let myself get too emotional because I knew we would be home in 3 months, and with the tool of technology, I knew I would stay in close contact with my family, and that we would be home before we knew it. (Well, here we are, I'm typing a recap of summer, and we are exactly 1 month away from our flight back home, and indeed, it has flown by!)
At the end of May, we were able to spend an entire week at home in Wichita which flew by as fast as a regular weekend trip home, but nevertheless, was a sweet time with family. We celebrated Tyler and Katie's birthdays and I was also able to go on a quick day trip to Clinton, Oklahoma with my mom, dad, and Michael to put flowers on my Grandma Walker's grave. It is hard to believe she has been gone for 13 years. She was a strong woman, yet meek. She did not loudly voice her opinions, but she stood her ground. She was the most talented seamstress. I wish I would have valued her amazing ability more fully when I was young. She made the best chocolate chip cookies and chocolate sheet cake. I miss her dearly. It makes me sad that my memories of her are not as vivid as they used to be, but I am proud to be part of her heritage. At the end of our week home, we celebrated my Grandpa O'Donnell's wedding. This also made me miss my Grandma O'Donnell. She was a strong woman who was fierce. Not fierce in a negative way, but fierce in her love and passion. She was not afraid to voice her opinions, and often did. She was a wonderful cook and made cooking for masses look simple. I'm so blessed that in the summer of 2009 (the year before she died) while we were living in Wichita that I had the opportunity to cook with her on every Wednesday night before church. I miss her deeply. Losing both of my grandmas has changed the entire dynamic of our extended families...what used to mean huge groups of people gathered around the table for holidays, now means finding random times here and there where we can all get together. Holidays are a mixture of sweet memories and sad longings without them, but it has strengthened the ties of my immediate family, which I didn't even recognize was possible until this transition happened.
Back to summer. Most of my summer was spent nannying two little boys who stole my heart. I am thankful for a job that I loved, and even miss. Summer was also spent playing lots of mini-golf with Andrew and my best friend, and occasionally a few other friends. We celebrated the 4th of July with Andrew's family and friends, a tradition that has become a dear holiday. There were the other usual summer fun activities of the pool, dinner with friends, and shopping. I also had a close friend come visit us in Springfield which was a wonderful time. In August, we were home to celebrate Michael's birthday and winning the primary election for the Kansas State Senate! We were back home again to celebrate my birthday in September which was also the day we finished our paperwork for our visas for England! Some sweet friends gave us an awesome going away party- Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest themed! The next week was spent saying our goodbyes and packing for our move. The reality was setting in and we were excited! I did not let myself get too emotional because I knew we would be home in 3 months, and with the tool of technology, I knew I would stay in close contact with my family, and that we would be home before we knew it. (Well, here we are, I'm typing a recap of summer, and we are exactly 1 month away from our flight back home, and indeed, it has flown by!)
April Showers bring May Flowers.
So, it turns out, I'm terrible at keeping a blog. And it's not even because I have nothing exciting to share. I guess it's because typing from an ipad takes FOR.EV.ER. but then I can't even use that as an excuse as I now have an external keyboard. So now begins the hard part of where to even begin.
As I came back to my blog, this was a post I had started, and never returned to...for 6 months! Whoops. But for my own sake, I'm going to do a quick version of what I think I had intended to share all those 6 months ago.
April began with a bang. KU won their first game in the Final Four against Ohio State and were playing for the National Championship in New Orleans against Kentucky! We had toyed with the idea of going to the Final Four, but my mom and dad couldn't really get away, and I was nervous to spend that much money on tickets, only to be stuck with tickets for the Championship game if KU lost...I mean, I knew they could do it, but this team had already far exceeded expectations for the season, so yes, I did have my doubts. However, they did win and were playing for THE National Championship. In true O'Donnell fashion, we made a trip of it! My dad had to preach on Sunday morning and my mom had to get lesson plans ready for a sub, so they didn't leave Wichita until Sunday afternoon around 3. They came to Springfield, and we (my parents, Tyler and I) piled into our Suburban and drove through the night. The extra space allowed us to spread out and get decent rest when it wasn't our turn to drive. Andrew's sister and her family live on the Northshore of New Orleans, and they graciously allowed us to sleep a few hours and shower once we arrived at 6 am. They had made awesome signs welcoming us and cheering for KU along with us! It was so sweet! I'll never forget this trip. Before the game, we got caught in a rain storm and were soaking wet, but it just added to the insanity of the trip! Although KU didn't win, it was an amazing experience! I am so glad for such spontaneous and passionate family members...the only thing that would have made it better is if Andrew, Michael, and Katie would have been able to go with us. Oh, and KU winning, too, I suppose!
April also meant Easter. And a weekend in Kansas City with my mom, mother-in-law, and best friends seeing Beth Moore. This is also the only time I've ever slept in between my mom and mother-in-law, but it makes me smile every time I think about it. April also meant Andrew's birthday...the last blog I managed to post.
The May flowers began with an actual trip to a seed store in Mansfield, Missouri with my mother-in-law and a dear friend. We bought zinnias and planted them in my in-laws front garden...they turned out to be a sight to behold this summer! Andrew and I spent Mother's Day weekend on a road trip to Dallas with his parents which was so much fun! Then, on May 15, our hard year of not knowing what we were supposed to be doing and wondering why Andrew hadn't found a job came to an end. Andrew did a Skype interview with a professor from the University of Nottingham who was interested in his research proposal, and during the interview, she offered him a place to begin his PhD work under her supervision! We were ELATED! We have always had a heart to go overseas, but we never really knew what God wanted us to do. We knew that this was His will, and were excited to embark on a new adventure. May ended with me getting to be home 3 weekends in a row, which is the rarest of treats for me! It was an exciting time in our lives!
The dark, heavy clouds were being lifted, and we were surrounded by signs of hope. A new adventure. The showers had brought bouquets of flowers bursting through at just the right moment. God is so good. We still don't fully understand why we had to wait so long, or exactly what He was teaching us during that year and 2 days after Andrew finished his Master's, but we are CERTAIN that it was not in vain, and that His goodness goes above and beyond what we deserve.
As I came back to my blog, this was a post I had started, and never returned to...for 6 months! Whoops. But for my own sake, I'm going to do a quick version of what I think I had intended to share all those 6 months ago.
April began with a bang. KU won their first game in the Final Four against Ohio State and were playing for the National Championship in New Orleans against Kentucky! We had toyed with the idea of going to the Final Four, but my mom and dad couldn't really get away, and I was nervous to spend that much money on tickets, only to be stuck with tickets for the Championship game if KU lost...I mean, I knew they could do it, but this team had already far exceeded expectations for the season, so yes, I did have my doubts. However, they did win and were playing for THE National Championship. In true O'Donnell fashion, we made a trip of it! My dad had to preach on Sunday morning and my mom had to get lesson plans ready for a sub, so they didn't leave Wichita until Sunday afternoon around 3. They came to Springfield, and we (my parents, Tyler and I) piled into our Suburban and drove through the night. The extra space allowed us to spread out and get decent rest when it wasn't our turn to drive. Andrew's sister and her family live on the Northshore of New Orleans, and they graciously allowed us to sleep a few hours and shower once we arrived at 6 am. They had made awesome signs welcoming us and cheering for KU along with us! It was so sweet! I'll never forget this trip. Before the game, we got caught in a rain storm and were soaking wet, but it just added to the insanity of the trip! Although KU didn't win, it was an amazing experience! I am so glad for such spontaneous and passionate family members...the only thing that would have made it better is if Andrew, Michael, and Katie would have been able to go with us. Oh, and KU winning, too, I suppose!
April also meant Easter. And a weekend in Kansas City with my mom, mother-in-law, and best friends seeing Beth Moore. This is also the only time I've ever slept in between my mom and mother-in-law, but it makes me smile every time I think about it. April also meant Andrew's birthday...the last blog I managed to post.
The May flowers began with an actual trip to a seed store in Mansfield, Missouri with my mother-in-law and a dear friend. We bought zinnias and planted them in my in-laws front garden...they turned out to be a sight to behold this summer! Andrew and I spent Mother's Day weekend on a road trip to Dallas with his parents which was so much fun! Then, on May 15, our hard year of not knowing what we were supposed to be doing and wondering why Andrew hadn't found a job came to an end. Andrew did a Skype interview with a professor from the University of Nottingham who was interested in his research proposal, and during the interview, she offered him a place to begin his PhD work under her supervision! We were ELATED! We have always had a heart to go overseas, but we never really knew what God wanted us to do. We knew that this was His will, and were excited to embark on a new adventure. May ended with me getting to be home 3 weekends in a row, which is the rarest of treats for me! It was an exciting time in our lives!
The dark, heavy clouds were being lifted, and we were surrounded by signs of hope. A new adventure. The showers had brought bouquets of flowers bursting through at just the right moment. God is so good. We still don't fully understand why we had to wait so long, or exactly what He was teaching us during that year and 2 days after Andrew finished his Master's, but we are CERTAIN that it was not in vain, and that His goodness goes above and beyond what we deserve.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Birthday Boy.
Today, April 25, is my husband's birthday. So this blog is in honor of him- my best friend and spiritual leader.
Michael Andrew Albritton, Junior, I'm so grateful/thankful/blessed/overjoyed to know you. Here is a list of some of the things I love about you...
*On a superficial note, I'm thankful you go by Andrew because it would be confusing calling you by the same name as my dad or brother. ;)
*You are wise beyond your years. And I'm thankful that the wisdom you possess is from above and not earthly wisdom.
*I am thankful that in the midst of such a trying and difficult year that you have remained faithful and devoted to our Savior, and me.
*Your persistence in finding the good in circumstances often frustrates my pouty attitude and reminds me of Romans 8:28...thank you for that.
*Your smile is infectious. And the best around. :D
*You are so smart, but not in an arrogant way. (For those who might be reading this blog that don't know how we met, it was in a Latin class, and I referred to him as "the little brainiac in the front row." {Note- he is younger than me, and was only in high school at the time. Weird, I know. But we didn't start communicating or dating until 4 years after this class...so it wasn't weird by then.} ;P)
*You are a loyal friend, who forgives easily.
*You are a nerd...and have no problem owning it. XD
*You are patient with me everyday, even at my worst.
*You bring out laughter in me when I would otherwise be crying.
*You remind me frequently to have "mercy over justice." Which you are so much better at than me.
*You love to study God's Word and discuss it with your dad and my dad.
*You are a movie lover, but not obsessed. And for as little as I like movies, I appreciate that balance.
*You are a night owl...like me.
*You are a loving son and respect your parents.
*You embraced my family as your own, and are a true friend to my brothers which is one of my proudest things to say about you.
*You became a Jayhawk fan for my sake, and along the way found yourself enjoying the games.
*You are humble, yet confident.
*You drive the coolest car around.
*You are a writer and an author of numerous pieces that have tremendous potential.
*You are a willing servant who rarely says "No" to a request for help, even if you don't know what you're doing. aka- Kingdom Cup Kids Soccer ;)
*You invest in people who might not be invested in otherwise.
*You are an avid reader which means there are always new topics to be discussed.
*You are a conversationalist, through and through. ;)
*You never care what you look like, but always look good.
*You vowed, "for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, til death do us part." and you have been completely faithful to that vow.
*You are genuine.
*You are funny.
*You are supportive.
*You have never given up on trusting God's plan, even though at times it has not been evident what that is.
*You don't love to celebrate, but you humor me, and let me make a big deal out of things.
*You are the real deal...there is nothing about you that has to be hidden.
*You are a dreamer.
*You are creative.
*You are a hard worker, and somebody is going to be lucky to have you on their team.
*You are well-educated, and on your way to becoming even more so.
*You remind me that circumstances that seem overwhelming will not last forever.
Thank you, Andrew, for being a husband I could go on and on writing good things about...you are all of these and many more.
I honored your request and did not plan a surprise party of any kind inspite of not having any family to celebrate with us this year...but it was difficult. Because I do love a good party! So you're welcome. :)
Happy birthday, Andrew! I love you!
Michael Andrew Albritton, Junior, I'm so grateful/thankful/blessed/overjoyed to know you. Here is a list of some of the things I love about you...
*On a superficial note, I'm thankful you go by Andrew because it would be confusing calling you by the same name as my dad or brother. ;)
*You are wise beyond your years. And I'm thankful that the wisdom you possess is from above and not earthly wisdom.
*I am thankful that in the midst of such a trying and difficult year that you have remained faithful and devoted to our Savior, and me.
*Your persistence in finding the good in circumstances often frustrates my pouty attitude and reminds me of Romans 8:28...thank you for that.
*Your smile is infectious. And the best around. :D
*You are so smart, but not in an arrogant way. (For those who might be reading this blog that don't know how we met, it was in a Latin class, and I referred to him as "the little brainiac in the front row." {Note- he is younger than me, and was only in high school at the time. Weird, I know. But we didn't start communicating or dating until 4 years after this class...so it wasn't weird by then.} ;P)
*You are a loyal friend, who forgives easily.
*You are a nerd...and have no problem owning it. XD
*You are patient with me everyday, even at my worst.
*You bring out laughter in me when I would otherwise be crying.
*You remind me frequently to have "mercy over justice." Which you are so much better at than me.
*You love to study God's Word and discuss it with your dad and my dad.
*You are a movie lover, but not obsessed. And for as little as I like movies, I appreciate that balance.
*You are a night owl...like me.
*You are a loving son and respect your parents.
*You embraced my family as your own, and are a true friend to my brothers which is one of my proudest things to say about you.
*You became a Jayhawk fan for my sake, and along the way found yourself enjoying the games.
*You are humble, yet confident.
*You drive the coolest car around.
*You are a writer and an author of numerous pieces that have tremendous potential.
*You are a willing servant who rarely says "No" to a request for help, even if you don't know what you're doing. aka- Kingdom Cup Kids Soccer ;)
*You invest in people who might not be invested in otherwise.
*You are an avid reader which means there are always new topics to be discussed.
*You are a conversationalist, through and through. ;)
*You never care what you look like, but always look good.
*You vowed, "for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, til death do us part." and you have been completely faithful to that vow.
*You are genuine.
*You are funny.
*You are supportive.
*You have never given up on trusting God's plan, even though at times it has not been evident what that is.
*You don't love to celebrate, but you humor me, and let me make a big deal out of things.
*You are the real deal...there is nothing about you that has to be hidden.
*You are a dreamer.
*You are creative.
*You are a hard worker, and somebody is going to be lucky to have you on their team.
*You are well-educated, and on your way to becoming even more so.
*You remind me that circumstances that seem overwhelming will not last forever.
Thank you, Andrew, for being a husband I could go on and on writing good things about...you are all of these and many more.
I honored your request and did not plan a surprise party of any kind inspite of not having any family to celebrate with us this year...but it was difficult. Because I do love a good party! So you're welcome. :)
Happy birthday, Andrew! I love you!
Friday, April 6, 2012
March.
So I totally dropped the ball on posting lately. And it wasn't even because I didn't have anything to write about because it has been an eventful month! But first I'll explain a little about why I LOVE March. And due to my delinquency in posting, this post will probably be extra long, so brace yourself. Or just stop reading now...I'm doing most of this post for the sake of my own memory anyway. :0
March Madness. The Big Dance.
I LOVE it.
At a very young age, I began playing basketball. It quickly became a love of mine. Not only playing, but also watching. I became a HUGE fan of Kansas Basketball in junior high, and my loyalties still remain. College basketball (although "corrupt" in some regards) is (in my opinion) one of the purest forms of teamwork I've ever been a part of or witnessed. Don't misunderstand that statement. I LOVED every bit of my high school basketball experience, and wouldn't trade it for anything. We were back-to-back State Champions! But coming together as a team wasn't all that difficult. Many of us had gone to school together since elementary, we were blessed with supportive parents and we were bonded together as sisters in Christ. It was a unique experience, and being part of that team is one of my favorite parts of growing up. But creating a team out of individuals who do not share common education experiences or socioeconomic statuses or zip codes is something that I love to witness. In fact, because of this strong affection toward college basketball, I always thought I wanted to be a college basketball coach. I was blessed to be part of the Lady Bears program while attending (Southwest) Missouri State University, which I LOVED. It was an incredible experience. But it also made me realize that I did not want to live, sleep, eat, and breathe college basketball which is what coaching requires. Being part of an NCAA Division 1 program, I realize the time and effort that goes into making a team, and March is the culmination of it all. So this is a glimpse into why I look forward to March. But sometimes the expectations of March can leave me "heart broken" (which I know is a very dramatic choice of words, but just go with it) and wishing it wasn't over. It's the uncertainty and the possibilities that make March one of my favorite months. And March 2012 did not disappoint. But it was more than just the Madness that made it memorable, so here are some highlights* (meaning I'm restraining myself from including the everyday mundane details of work). ;)
*March 2-4, Andrew and I took a road trip with his parents. We enjoyed shopping and eating on the Plaza and going to see the Jayhawks play on Senior Night! It was such a FUN weekend away! KU clinched the Big 12 regular season championship (by 2 games!) for the 8th STRAIGHT year!
*March 7-10 was the Big 12 Tournament. KU lost in the semi-finals which was a disappointment, but I was hopeful it might be a catalyst to end the season well...
*March 11 was Selection Sunday and KU was picked as a #2 seed in the Midwest Region. As far as I could tell, this was a good fit to make an extended run in the Big Dance...
*March 16 was the first test for KU...against Detroit. Win. Still alive. Still dancin'.
*March 17 is always a fun day for our family because we are Irish. And my mom came to Springfield to spend part of her Spring Break with me!
*March 18 was the 2 year anniversary of my Grandma O'Donnell passing away and I couldn't stop wishing, selfishly, that she was still here. After church, my mom and I drove down to Branson and did some shopping at the outlets. We love our retail therapy! Later that night, KU had it's second test of the tournament against Purdue and it didn't look hopeful for the majority of the game. But the last 45 seconds, the Jayhawks pulled ahead and won. Still dancin'. Sweet 16!
*March 23 was the next game for KU against North Carolina State. They were playing in St. Louis and I had the opportunity to buy tickets for the games there, but I was prudent and resisted the urge. The Jayhawks once again pulled from behind and won. Still dancin'. Elite 8!
*March 25 was an epic game for KU with a rematch against our former coach, Roy Williams, and his North Carolina Tar Heels who we beat in 2008 on our way to the National Championship! Win. Still dancin'. FINAL 4!
*March 29 was a reprieve from basketball. Andrew and I drove over to Tulsa for the day with his parents. Our reason for going was to see the Pioneer Woman for the release of her new cookbook, but the boys roamed Barnes & Noble instead of joining us. Sybil and I loved meeting Ree Drummond and having her sign our cookbooks! She was so nice and personable- I have video on my iPad of our interaction as proof!
*March 31 was KU versus Ohio State. The Jayhawks had already played the Buckeyes in December and won...but OSU was without their star player that game, so there was a bit of added pressure coming into the game. We had friends over to watch with us, and it was an intense game! KU pulled it out and finished out March strong. Win. Still dancin'. National Championship Game!
-It was at the conclusion of this game that plans started falling into place for my parents and Tyler and I to head to New Orleans for the Championship game! Andrew's sister and her family live on the North Shore of New Orleans and they had kindly offered to let us stay in their home. But this post is about March and beyond this point, it was April, and the details of what followed are crazy enough to merit its own post. I promise I won't wait a full month to post again and it will be less of a play by play of my life- and the Jayhawks. But it was necessary, for my sake, to do so for March.
Rock Chalk Jayhawk!
March Madness. The Big Dance.
I LOVE it.
At a very young age, I began playing basketball. It quickly became a love of mine. Not only playing, but also watching. I became a HUGE fan of Kansas Basketball in junior high, and my loyalties still remain. College basketball (although "corrupt" in some regards) is (in my opinion) one of the purest forms of teamwork I've ever been a part of or witnessed. Don't misunderstand that statement. I LOVED every bit of my high school basketball experience, and wouldn't trade it for anything. We were back-to-back State Champions! But coming together as a team wasn't all that difficult. Many of us had gone to school together since elementary, we were blessed with supportive parents and we were bonded together as sisters in Christ. It was a unique experience, and being part of that team is one of my favorite parts of growing up. But creating a team out of individuals who do not share common education experiences or socioeconomic statuses or zip codes is something that I love to witness. In fact, because of this strong affection toward college basketball, I always thought I wanted to be a college basketball coach. I was blessed to be part of the Lady Bears program while attending (Southwest) Missouri State University, which I LOVED. It was an incredible experience. But it also made me realize that I did not want to live, sleep, eat, and breathe college basketball which is what coaching requires. Being part of an NCAA Division 1 program, I realize the time and effort that goes into making a team, and March is the culmination of it all. So this is a glimpse into why I look forward to March. But sometimes the expectations of March can leave me "heart broken" (which I know is a very dramatic choice of words, but just go with it) and wishing it wasn't over. It's the uncertainty and the possibilities that make March one of my favorite months. And March 2012 did not disappoint. But it was more than just the Madness that made it memorable, so here are some highlights* (meaning I'm restraining myself from including the everyday mundane details of work). ;)
*March 2-4, Andrew and I took a road trip with his parents. We enjoyed shopping and eating on the Plaza and going to see the Jayhawks play on Senior Night! It was such a FUN weekend away! KU clinched the Big 12 regular season championship (by 2 games!) for the 8th STRAIGHT year!
*March 7-10 was the Big 12 Tournament. KU lost in the semi-finals which was a disappointment, but I was hopeful it might be a catalyst to end the season well...
*March 11 was Selection Sunday and KU was picked as a #2 seed in the Midwest Region. As far as I could tell, this was a good fit to make an extended run in the Big Dance...
*March 16 was the first test for KU...against Detroit. Win. Still alive. Still dancin'.
*March 17 is always a fun day for our family because we are Irish. And my mom came to Springfield to spend part of her Spring Break with me!
*March 18 was the 2 year anniversary of my Grandma O'Donnell passing away and I couldn't stop wishing, selfishly, that she was still here. After church, my mom and I drove down to Branson and did some shopping at the outlets. We love our retail therapy! Later that night, KU had it's second test of the tournament against Purdue and it didn't look hopeful for the majority of the game. But the last 45 seconds, the Jayhawks pulled ahead and won. Still dancin'. Sweet 16!
*March 23 was the next game for KU against North Carolina State. They were playing in St. Louis and I had the opportunity to buy tickets for the games there, but I was prudent and resisted the urge. The Jayhawks once again pulled from behind and won. Still dancin'. Elite 8!
*March 25 was an epic game for KU with a rematch against our former coach, Roy Williams, and his North Carolina Tar Heels who we beat in 2008 on our way to the National Championship! Win. Still dancin'. FINAL 4!
*March 29 was a reprieve from basketball. Andrew and I drove over to Tulsa for the day with his parents. Our reason for going was to see the Pioneer Woman for the release of her new cookbook, but the boys roamed Barnes & Noble instead of joining us. Sybil and I loved meeting Ree Drummond and having her sign our cookbooks! She was so nice and personable- I have video on my iPad of our interaction as proof!
*March 31 was KU versus Ohio State. The Jayhawks had already played the Buckeyes in December and won...but OSU was without their star player that game, so there was a bit of added pressure coming into the game. We had friends over to watch with us, and it was an intense game! KU pulled it out and finished out March strong. Win. Still dancin'. National Championship Game!
-It was at the conclusion of this game that plans started falling into place for my parents and Tyler and I to head to New Orleans for the Championship game! Andrew's sister and her family live on the North Shore of New Orleans and they had kindly offered to let us stay in their home. But this post is about March and beyond this point, it was April, and the details of what followed are crazy enough to merit its own post. I promise I won't wait a full month to post again and it will be less of a play by play of my life- and the Jayhawks. But it was necessary, for my sake, to do so for March.
Rock Chalk Jayhawk!
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Mom.
The word mom (typically) stirs up a myriad of thoughts and emotions. It is different and personal for everyone, but for me, it is one of my most treasured possessions. Let me introduce you to my mom, who I affectionately call momma quite often.
Peggy Sue Walker was born on February 25, [(19--) I know this date, but today IS her birthday, and I don't want to publish her age without her consent and this post is a gift for her.] to Basil and Florence Walker. She was the baby of her family with an older brother and sister who were just over 1 and 2 years older than her. She was raised in a loving family who faithfully taught her the importance of being frugal, and tidy, and to love the Lord. She wore clothes that her mom made her by hand which she did not particularly enjoy, but knowing how much time her mom spent tailoring these outfits to her perfect size must make her look back on this season of life with a fondness not many people my age or younger will ever have the privilege of experiencing. They would all wake up early on Saturday mornings and wash the family car(s) and complete household chores. On Sunday after church, they would eat lunch (often a roast, potatoes and carrots) and then make pallets on the living room floor and all take a nap. It is a life that is much different than the life I experienced growing up, but these things (and many others) shaped her into becoming an incredible mother for my brothers and me.
My mom and dad were in the youth group together at Grace Baptist Church. They did not get along, and, according to their youth pastor, were bound to get married. They dated and broke up more than once, but I'm not sure how long that cycle could have continued because they got married at the ripe old age of 19. They were both attending Baptist Bible College during the era of rules that can be deemed nothing less than legalistic. Their conclusion was they should just get married because it was difficult to find a chaperone for the allotted date night and they didn't want to pay any more fines for talking to each other from across their designated sidewalks after 1 PM...
My parents married on December 3, 1977 and my mom officially became Mrs. Peggy O'Donnell. They struggled financially through college often eating cans of green beans and microwave popcorn for dinner. Side note, my dad's parents were planning to pay his way through college, but when he told them he was getting married, they told him he'd forfeit their assistance if he did...love won, hence the financial struggles. My mom was an excellent student, and only received one B throughout college. It impresses me to think of her hard work juggling studying, working and being a new wife.
My parents moved to Ottumwa, Iowa right out of college. My dad was the Youth Pastor and my mom worked at the small Christian School. It was here that I came onto the scene...but it was a short stay for me. We packed up and moved home to Wichita when I was 3 months old, as my dad became the Youth Pastor at the church they both grew up attending. We worshipped with both of my parent's parents every week which will always be one of my favorite things about growing up. In 1984, due to some difficult circumstances within the church, my dad was asked to become the Senior Pastor. My parents were voted in with overwhelming support and this young couple became the spiritual leaders of many people twice their age, many of whom had been their Sunday School teachers when they were kids. This fact alone leaves me in awe of my parents. Probably because at the age I am now, they had already been in this position for 4 years.
My mom is an amazing Pastor's Wife. She does it all, and does it all well. ALL meaning- teaching Sunday School (for children or ladies), VBS, nursery, coordinating ladies' events, AWANA, leading Bible Studies, counseling women, choir, helping with church-wide meals, making hospital visits, keeping our missionary letters up to date, helping with the bookkeeping when needed...the list could just keep going, and these are only the church-related things. But she is best, and I mentioned this in another post, at encouraging people by remembering them with a card. She is like no one I've ever met when it comes to remembering people's birthdays! She has a true gift for this and it is a ministry, I'm convinced, in which she could not be replaced. But it's not only birthdays, it's also sympathy cards, get well cards, encouragement cards and thank-you cards. People know that Peggy O'Donnell cares because she takes the time to put pen to paper and tell them...a lost art. And if there is one thing that could be said of her, it's that she cares, sometimes too much. She is a people-pleaser to the core. She wants everyone to be happy and get along. She wants to be liked and appreciated...and she is! My personality is very different than hers, so I admire these qualities she possesses recognizing my need to find a better balance.
Here's the thing about moms...they remind us of how much we're loved and how much they're praying for us...and that's one of the saddest parts about my mom's mom being gone. We miss Grandma Walker oh-so-much. We talk about how different life would have been these last (almost) 12 years she's been gone. But we can't dwell on these thoughts. We have to take life a day at a time and trust in God's faithfulness through the difficulties.
One of the things that I love most about my mom is how much she loved my Grandma O'Donnell. We all know you're supposed to argue with and dislike your mother-in-law, and granted there were times I'm sure this was the case, but for the vast majority of the time, my mom and Grandma were best friends. This is a gift that they modeled before me and now I have a mother-in-law who is one of my best friends because to me, that's just how it was supposed to be.
My mom has many other titles, and if I tried to list all of the things she does at Sunrise alone, those of you who have read this far would just give up. But she is an adored teacher and she loves her students. She also sponsors several extra-curricular activities, meaning the hours she works are far more numerous than what she gets paid. But she doesn't complain. She also serves as a City Council member in Bel Aire (and we like to watch her on TV when we are home!).
As you can tell, my mom is anything but lazy. She is the busiest lady I know, yet if you ever needed something, she would make time for you. I'm so thankful and blessed that she is my mom. I am grateful for her love and example and her friendship. I'm thankful she taught me how to be a bargain shopper and be organized. She is simply amazing. I think I could type all night long about how incredible I think she is, but in closing, I'll sum it up with this thought: "The truth is, even if she weren't my Mom I would go out of my way to be friends with her."
Happy Birthday, Momma! I'm SO thrilled we get to celebrate your day being together as a family. You are the BEST and I love you beyond words (even though I used quite a few!) :)
Peggy Sue Walker was born on February 25, [(19--) I know this date, but today IS her birthday, and I don't want to publish her age without her consent and this post is a gift for her.] to Basil and Florence Walker. She was the baby of her family with an older brother and sister who were just over 1 and 2 years older than her. She was raised in a loving family who faithfully taught her the importance of being frugal, and tidy, and to love the Lord. She wore clothes that her mom made her by hand which she did not particularly enjoy, but knowing how much time her mom spent tailoring these outfits to her perfect size must make her look back on this season of life with a fondness not many people my age or younger will ever have the privilege of experiencing. They would all wake up early on Saturday mornings and wash the family car(s) and complete household chores. On Sunday after church, they would eat lunch (often a roast, potatoes and carrots) and then make pallets on the living room floor and all take a nap. It is a life that is much different than the life I experienced growing up, but these things (and many others) shaped her into becoming an incredible mother for my brothers and me.
My mom and dad were in the youth group together at Grace Baptist Church. They did not get along, and, according to their youth pastor, were bound to get married. They dated and broke up more than once, but I'm not sure how long that cycle could have continued because they got married at the ripe old age of 19. They were both attending Baptist Bible College during the era of rules that can be deemed nothing less than legalistic. Their conclusion was they should just get married because it was difficult to find a chaperone for the allotted date night and they didn't want to pay any more fines for talking to each other from across their designated sidewalks after 1 PM...
My parents married on December 3, 1977 and my mom officially became Mrs. Peggy O'Donnell. They struggled financially through college often eating cans of green beans and microwave popcorn for dinner. Side note, my dad's parents were planning to pay his way through college, but when he told them he was getting married, they told him he'd forfeit their assistance if he did...love won, hence the financial struggles. My mom was an excellent student, and only received one B throughout college. It impresses me to think of her hard work juggling studying, working and being a new wife.
My parents moved to Ottumwa, Iowa right out of college. My dad was the Youth Pastor and my mom worked at the small Christian School. It was here that I came onto the scene...but it was a short stay for me. We packed up and moved home to Wichita when I was 3 months old, as my dad became the Youth Pastor at the church they both grew up attending. We worshipped with both of my parent's parents every week which will always be one of my favorite things about growing up. In 1984, due to some difficult circumstances within the church, my dad was asked to become the Senior Pastor. My parents were voted in with overwhelming support and this young couple became the spiritual leaders of many people twice their age, many of whom had been their Sunday School teachers when they were kids. This fact alone leaves me in awe of my parents. Probably because at the age I am now, they had already been in this position for 4 years.
My mom is an amazing Pastor's Wife. She does it all, and does it all well. ALL meaning- teaching Sunday School (for children or ladies), VBS, nursery, coordinating ladies' events, AWANA, leading Bible Studies, counseling women, choir, helping with church-wide meals, making hospital visits, keeping our missionary letters up to date, helping with the bookkeeping when needed...the list could just keep going, and these are only the church-related things. But she is best, and I mentioned this in another post, at encouraging people by remembering them with a card. She is like no one I've ever met when it comes to remembering people's birthdays! She has a true gift for this and it is a ministry, I'm convinced, in which she could not be replaced. But it's not only birthdays, it's also sympathy cards, get well cards, encouragement cards and thank-you cards. People know that Peggy O'Donnell cares because she takes the time to put pen to paper and tell them...a lost art. And if there is one thing that could be said of her, it's that she cares, sometimes too much. She is a people-pleaser to the core. She wants everyone to be happy and get along. She wants to be liked and appreciated...and she is! My personality is very different than hers, so I admire these qualities she possesses recognizing my need to find a better balance.
Here's the thing about moms...they remind us of how much we're loved and how much they're praying for us...and that's one of the saddest parts about my mom's mom being gone. We miss Grandma Walker oh-so-much. We talk about how different life would have been these last (almost) 12 years she's been gone. But we can't dwell on these thoughts. We have to take life a day at a time and trust in God's faithfulness through the difficulties.
One of the things that I love most about my mom is how much she loved my Grandma O'Donnell. We all know you're supposed to argue with and dislike your mother-in-law, and granted there were times I'm sure this was the case, but for the vast majority of the time, my mom and Grandma were best friends. This is a gift that they modeled before me and now I have a mother-in-law who is one of my best friends because to me, that's just how it was supposed to be.
My mom has many other titles, and if I tried to list all of the things she does at Sunrise alone, those of you who have read this far would just give up. But she is an adored teacher and she loves her students. She also sponsors several extra-curricular activities, meaning the hours she works are far more numerous than what she gets paid. But she doesn't complain. She also serves as a City Council member in Bel Aire (and we like to watch her on TV when we are home!).
As you can tell, my mom is anything but lazy. She is the busiest lady I know, yet if you ever needed something, she would make time for you. I'm so thankful and blessed that she is my mom. I am grateful for her love and example and her friendship. I'm thankful she taught me how to be a bargain shopper and be organized. She is simply amazing. I think I could type all night long about how incredible I think she is, but in closing, I'll sum it up with this thought: "The truth is, even if she weren't my Mom I would go out of my way to be friends with her."
Happy Birthday, Momma! I'm SO thrilled we get to celebrate your day being together as a family. You are the BEST and I love you beyond words (even though I used quite a few!) :)
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Sisters.
Growing up, I was the only girl with two brothers...and I LOVED it! I mean, really loved it. When my mom was pregnant with Tyler, I remember desperately wanting a little sister. But then it was a boy, and I recall my realization of what it meant to be the ONLY girl. And the oldest. It was bliss. For me. Not my brothers. They didn't love me pulling the older sister/mom card as often as I did. I was daddy's girl, momma's (bargain!) shopping buddy, and the older sister of the best two brothers in the world. But the title of this blog is sisters, so I'll come back to all of those others later.
When I moved to Springfield, our church gave us college students adopted families. My freshman year, I was placed with the sweetest couple who were so generous and loving. They took such good care of me and were so encouraging. The next year, I was in the midst of a weird transition from BBC to SMS (now MSU), and found myself without a place to live. That's where the sisters part begins. A family in our church opened their home to me without even knowing me. What was more amazing was how they opened their hearts to me. At the time I moved in, their girls were in 2nd and 4th grade. It was so fun to get to know them and just be together. I soon moved out, only to move back in the following fall, along with my two roommates while we waited to move into our townhouse. Throughout this time, they were never officially assigned to me as my adopted family at church, but we quickly began calling each other such. And for the first time in my life, I had sisters. They included me in family birthday parties. While I was working with the Lady Bears, I would have to come back early over Christmas break before New Years, so I would spend it with them. It was a special bond that made my time away from home more bearable. They made me feel at home, but most of all, loved. When they would travel, I would sometimes get to keep the girls at their house. This was a big deal for me because I realized there were others who could have done this, but they let me do it. They were the first to introduce me to the lake, and the girls and I would tube until exhaustion. And then there was the summer my roommate was getting married, so I once again moved back into their home. And they were so gracious about it. I would try to be responsible and pay rent, but those checks were never cashed. And over the years, there were truly too many meals to count that they provided for me.
My sisters have grown into two beautiful girls, inside and out. And I'm so proud of who they are becoming.
Morgan, the youngest, is tender-hearted, and a natural with kids. She is a senior in high school and very well respected among her peers. She has one of the sweetest dispositions I've ever been around, and I'm proud of the way she leads by example. She has a few quirks that my husband blames on me, and that brings my heart great joy! I'm excited to watch her future unfold, as I know the Lord has an amazing plan for her life.
Ashley, the oldest, is fun-loving, and a risk-taker. She is moving to China on Monday to study abroad. I'm so excited for her! She is going to experience and learn so much while she is away, but we are all going to miss her and her passion (interpretation= drama)! ;) There was a short period of time when I, as a big sister, would worry about Ash. But I could not be more proud of her heart and desire to serve the Lord. I have no doubt that He has a great adventure in store for her life, and I'm looking forward to the outcome.
I'm so thankful to the Lord for allowing me to experience life with sisters. I am grateful for the way He orchestrated my adoption into the Wilson family and the joy they have brought to my life. It is hard for me to believe I've been part of the family for more than half of the girls' lives. It has been a blessing too much for words, but I tried.
When I moved to Springfield, our church gave us college students adopted families. My freshman year, I was placed with the sweetest couple who were so generous and loving. They took such good care of me and were so encouraging. The next year, I was in the midst of a weird transition from BBC to SMS (now MSU), and found myself without a place to live. That's where the sisters part begins. A family in our church opened their home to me without even knowing me. What was more amazing was how they opened their hearts to me. At the time I moved in, their girls were in 2nd and 4th grade. It was so fun to get to know them and just be together. I soon moved out, only to move back in the following fall, along with my two roommates while we waited to move into our townhouse. Throughout this time, they were never officially assigned to me as my adopted family at church, but we quickly began calling each other such. And for the first time in my life, I had sisters. They included me in family birthday parties. While I was working with the Lady Bears, I would have to come back early over Christmas break before New Years, so I would spend it with them. It was a special bond that made my time away from home more bearable. They made me feel at home, but most of all, loved. When they would travel, I would sometimes get to keep the girls at their house. This was a big deal for me because I realized there were others who could have done this, but they let me do it. They were the first to introduce me to the lake, and the girls and I would tube until exhaustion. And then there was the summer my roommate was getting married, so I once again moved back into their home. And they were so gracious about it. I would try to be responsible and pay rent, but those checks were never cashed. And over the years, there were truly too many meals to count that they provided for me.
My sisters have grown into two beautiful girls, inside and out. And I'm so proud of who they are becoming.
Morgan, the youngest, is tender-hearted, and a natural with kids. She is a senior in high school and very well respected among her peers. She has one of the sweetest dispositions I've ever been around, and I'm proud of the way she leads by example. She has a few quirks that my husband blames on me, and that brings my heart great joy! I'm excited to watch her future unfold, as I know the Lord has an amazing plan for her life.
Ashley, the oldest, is fun-loving, and a risk-taker. She is moving to China on Monday to study abroad. I'm so excited for her! She is going to experience and learn so much while she is away, but we are all going to miss her and her passion (interpretation= drama)! ;) There was a short period of time when I, as a big sister, would worry about Ash. But I could not be more proud of her heart and desire to serve the Lord. I have no doubt that He has a great adventure in store for her life, and I'm looking forward to the outcome.
I'm so thankful to the Lord for allowing me to experience life with sisters. I am grateful for the way He orchestrated my adoption into the Wilson family and the joy they have brought to my life. It is hard for me to believe I've been part of the family for more than half of the girls' lives. It has been a blessing too much for words, but I tried.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Home.
Being a Kansas girl through and through (no bother that I was born in Iowa before my parents returned home to Wichita), I have always loved the cliche Wizard of Oz quote, "There's no place like home." Because it's true. There is no place like home. There are fewer places in all the world I'd rather be than in my parent's home...and I've been blessed to do my fair share of traveling (see previous post for reference). I'd probably choose an extended trip with the family somewhere fun (maybe Alaska or Hawaii to finish out our 50 states goal), but I'd still look forward to the familiarity of our home. I guess because it is safe there. And bursting with love. And comfort. That is what my parents have made our home- a haven. I "left" home and headed off to college when I was 18. I'm 30 now. Yes, there were summers I was back, but for the most part, I've been gone. But...I still call it my home. Why? Because life there is sweeter. And the memories are dearer. And the laughs are harder. And the love is purer.
I also love the cliche saying, "Home is where the heart is." I remember feeling this way when Andrew and I were dating. He had my heart and it was overflowing with love and comfortable. Just like home. Andrew and I have realized that we might not always have the luxury of living near family or even close enough to make an unexpected trip home because of difficult circumstances. But, when we are together, we are "home." We have no idea if we will ever have a permanent house of our own because we are not quite sure what the Lord has in store for us. But we will always have a home. Because that's where our hearts are. And there's no place like it.
One of my favorite songs is Feels Like Home and the lyrics simply say, "It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me. It feels like I'm all the way back where I come from. It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me. It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong." This song reminds me of my best friend, Crystal, because it was on a CD that she used to play when we lived in our town house during college. Her friendship is like home to me. It's real. And comfortable. And full of love.
Home also reminds me of heaven. Both of my dear Grandmas lost their battle with breast cancer and "went home." I miss them terribly. There are so many reasons, but mostly because they made home sweeter. They epitomized the saying, "Home, Sweet Home." They were amazing women of faith who I try to emulate. I fail miserably at that. I long to be like them, and can't wait to be home with them. Heaven must be the sweetest place we could ever dream of being...Home.
I also love the cliche saying, "Home is where the heart is." I remember feeling this way when Andrew and I were dating. He had my heart and it was overflowing with love and comfortable. Just like home. Andrew and I have realized that we might not always have the luxury of living near family or even close enough to make an unexpected trip home because of difficult circumstances. But, when we are together, we are "home." We have no idea if we will ever have a permanent house of our own because we are not quite sure what the Lord has in store for us. But we will always have a home. Because that's where our hearts are. And there's no place like it.
One of my favorite songs is Feels Like Home and the lyrics simply say, "It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me. It feels like I'm all the way back where I come from. It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me. It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong." This song reminds me of my best friend, Crystal, because it was on a CD that she used to play when we lived in our town house during college. Her friendship is like home to me. It's real. And comfortable. And full of love.
Home also reminds me of heaven. Both of my dear Grandmas lost their battle with breast cancer and "went home." I miss them terribly. There are so many reasons, but mostly because they made home sweeter. They epitomized the saying, "Home, Sweet Home." They were amazing women of faith who I try to emulate. I fail miserably at that. I long to be like them, and can't wait to be home with them. Heaven must be the sweetest place we could ever dream of being...Home.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Road Trip.
One of my favorite things to do is travel. Growing up, my parents gave us (my two brothers and me) one of the greatest experiences a child could have (in my opinion)...we traveled. A lot. Here's a list for perspective:
-All 48 continental US states
-Mexico
-Canada
-Israel (and Jordan)
And one of our most treasured feats is visiting:
-All 30 Major League Baseball Stadiums (a few have since been rebuilt)
And, I have done more international traveling:
-Ecuador (Missions trip in 2005)
-Thailand (lived there during the summer of 2005 after the Tsunami)
-Indonesia (visited in 2005 during my time in Thailand)
-Burma (my mom and I went in 2006 and did a women's retreat)
-Bahamas (our honeymoon)
I love traveling. I love having a date on the calendar to look forward to. I love getting everything perfectly folded and placed in my suitcase. I love the memories that traveling allows. I love flying. I love sleeping in the car. I love eating at new places or places I love but we don't have near us. I just love it all. But, I do love coming home, too. It's just the overall experience that thrills my soul.
This past week, we made a road trip..."we" being Andrew, Sybil (my mother-in-law), and myself. We packed our bags and hit the road for Louisiana to visit Andrew's sister's family. Both of Andrew's parents are from Louisiana so, since 2007, this state has been a frequent road trip locale. I will confess, Louisiana has had to grow on me...I didn't love it, at first. But I do love to see family, so I always look forward to that aspect. And this trip included a new city which made the trip even more exciting!
We arrived to Mandeville on Friday night and were reunited with our family, including our nieces who we affectionately call our "Southern Belles" (Isabelle, Annabelle, and Mirabelle). On Saturday, we caravanned over to Baton Rouge (said "new city") for a swim meet. It was the first time I had seen the LSU campus, and it was impressive. The swim meet was exciting/crowded/noisy. But it was fun to cheer on our little competitor. We stayed in a great hotel and ate at some delicious restaurants. Oh, and shopped at some of my favorite stores- J. Crew and Anthropologie. I found some GREAT deals...which is one of my very favorite things to do! It was such a fun trip! The only negative is that we were on the go so much we didn't have a lot of time to just sit and visit.
Being with family IS my very favorite thing to do. I'm so grateful we had the opportunity to go see our family and enjoy being together...it was a visit long overdue. I am so thankful the Lord has given us genuine love for each other. And although I wish they lived closer, I still love a good road trip, and this was a GREAT one!
-All 48 continental US states
-Mexico
-Canada
-Israel (and Jordan)
And one of our most treasured feats is visiting:
-All 30 Major League Baseball Stadiums (a few have since been rebuilt)
And, I have done more international traveling:
-Ecuador (Missions trip in 2005)
-Thailand (lived there during the summer of 2005 after the Tsunami)
-Indonesia (visited in 2005 during my time in Thailand)
-Burma (my mom and I went in 2006 and did a women's retreat)
-Bahamas (our honeymoon)
I love traveling. I love having a date on the calendar to look forward to. I love getting everything perfectly folded and placed in my suitcase. I love the memories that traveling allows. I love flying. I love sleeping in the car. I love eating at new places or places I love but we don't have near us. I just love it all. But, I do love coming home, too. It's just the overall experience that thrills my soul.
This past week, we made a road trip..."we" being Andrew, Sybil (my mother-in-law), and myself. We packed our bags and hit the road for Louisiana to visit Andrew's sister's family. Both of Andrew's parents are from Louisiana so, since 2007, this state has been a frequent road trip locale. I will confess, Louisiana has had to grow on me...I didn't love it, at first. But I do love to see family, so I always look forward to that aspect. And this trip included a new city which made the trip even more exciting!
We arrived to Mandeville on Friday night and were reunited with our family, including our nieces who we affectionately call our "Southern Belles" (Isabelle, Annabelle, and Mirabelle). On Saturday, we caravanned over to Baton Rouge (said "new city") for a swim meet. It was the first time I had seen the LSU campus, and it was impressive. The swim meet was exciting/crowded/noisy. But it was fun to cheer on our little competitor. We stayed in a great hotel and ate at some delicious restaurants. Oh, and shopped at some of my favorite stores- J. Crew and Anthropologie. I found some GREAT deals...which is one of my very favorite things to do! It was such a fun trip! The only negative is that we were on the go so much we didn't have a lot of time to just sit and visit.
Being with family IS my very favorite thing to do. I'm so grateful we had the opportunity to go see our family and enjoy being together...it was a visit long overdue. I am so thankful the Lord has given us genuine love for each other. And although I wish they lived closer, I still love a good road trip, and this was a GREAT one!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Realist.
I like to think of myself as a realist. My husband calls me a pessimist. We are basically the same as my parents in this aspect which I love. My dad is the eternal optimist. Seriously. Which is why he is the best pastor. He always sees the glass as full. Andrew always sees the glass as (at least) half full, sometimes completely full. The fact that he was so similar to my dad in this regard is one of the things that immediately attracted me to him.
I am a lot like my dad in a lot of ways, but so like my mom in this category of being a realist, as I like to call it. My mom, although not a categorical optimist, is one of the most thoughtful and encouraging people on the planet. She sends out birthday cards to every. single. person. in our church. She sends sympathy cards to people she hasn't seen in years. She sends notes of encouragement to ladies who are hurting. She sends thank-you notes for every gift she receives, big or small. She has modeled before me what it means to trust God's plan, even though it doesn't make sense. I appreciate these things I've learned from my mom.
So I am not a dreamer and I don't always focus on the silver lining. But, the reality of the situation is, God is good. I have a hard time focusing on this truth. I tend to ask the questions, "why me?" "why us?" "why not us?" when it appears as though God's favor is being poured out lavishly on others while we sit here searching desperately for a job and direction for Andrew. I get discouraged. A lot. But then I am reminded by the optimists in my life of God's goodness. The things that we have been blessed with are outrageous. We have parents who support us and love us in too many ways to list. We have a roof over our head. And cars to drive. And iPads. And iPhones. And more shoes than will fit in my closet. And on and on. And even though I have health problems that can be overwhelming at times, I'm not dying. I could choose to be pessimistic about why we are where we are. Or I can choose to be realistic about how blessed we are.
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. (Psalm 27:13, 14 KJV) I am choosing to claim these verses. Patience is not my favorite, but His Word is true, and I will wait.
If the Lord brings us to your mind, please pray this for us. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV)
I am a lot like my dad in a lot of ways, but so like my mom in this category of being a realist, as I like to call it. My mom, although not a categorical optimist, is one of the most thoughtful and encouraging people on the planet. She sends out birthday cards to every. single. person. in our church. She sends sympathy cards to people she hasn't seen in years. She sends notes of encouragement to ladies who are hurting. She sends thank-you notes for every gift she receives, big or small. She has modeled before me what it means to trust God's plan, even though it doesn't make sense. I appreciate these things I've learned from my mom.
So I am not a dreamer and I don't always focus on the silver lining. But, the reality of the situation is, God is good. I have a hard time focusing on this truth. I tend to ask the questions, "why me?" "why us?" "why not us?" when it appears as though God's favor is being poured out lavishly on others while we sit here searching desperately for a job and direction for Andrew. I get discouraged. A lot. But then I am reminded by the optimists in my life of God's goodness. The things that we have been blessed with are outrageous. We have parents who support us and love us in too many ways to list. We have a roof over our head. And cars to drive. And iPads. And iPhones. And more shoes than will fit in my closet. And on and on. And even though I have health problems that can be overwhelming at times, I'm not dying. I could choose to be pessimistic about why we are where we are. Or I can choose to be realistic about how blessed we are.
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. (Psalm 27:13, 14 KJV) I am choosing to claim these verses. Patience is not my favorite, but His Word is true, and I will wait.
If the Lord brings us to your mind, please pray this for us. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV)
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