Merry Christmas!

well hello...i must say it feels like i haven't blogged in a while. the reason is because we have been busy(but who isn't) and also because i haven't felt like it. It's Christmas time and I have felt like doing other things. Since the last post this is what has happened....

- I turned 24.
- We went to New York and walked 500 miles (like the song) while we were there.
- Started leading a homegroup.
- I finished my first semester of grad school.
- I started a mini-mester for school to get 3 hours credit.
- Had the annual Sudan Christmas cookie decorating contest(which Jason and I did not win).
- Jason went on a 24 hour long shift with a firefighter for the Ft. Worth FD.
- Had lunch with an Iraqi family for a good 2 1/2 hours.


I guess thats about it that is worth noting. December has been quite the busy month. But I am so excited to go home to Houston to be with my family to celebrate Jesus! With all this business, I feel like I truly had been distracted from the reason why this time is so great! Jesus...that's why. I know we hear it all the time... "Jesus is the reason for the season" and it sounds corny, but it is so true. The cold weather, the candles, the sweets, the snow(or not), the music, time with family...none of it compares to Jesus and the freedom that he brought when he came into this world. I hope all of you have a great Christmas and I pray that you feel God's nearness and love this season! Here are some pictures from some events mentioned above for your viewing pleasure...

Powerful Testimony!

Today I discovered a website-- www.Iamsecond.com. It is awesome. I found a video from a former member of the band called Korn. I remember hearing a long time ago that one of the band members became a Christian, but I was never sure if it was true, and frankly, it was hard to believe considering the music that Korn created. Anyways, this video tells his story about his encounter with God. Oh my, I cried. It is awesome how God revealed his love to this guy, Brian. I mean, I was crying when I watched the video. I hope it blesses you today and reminds you of the love of the Father. PLEASE watch the video. The link is below...I still haven't figure out how to post a video directly on the blog, so just copy and past the link into a new broswer. Enjoy!

http://www.iamsecond.com/#/seconds/Brian_Welch

Our first child (aka- a new dog!!)

Hey guys! Here is the newest addition to the family!!! He is a cockapoo (cocker spaniel/poodle). He is adorable and I can already tell (from the 4 hours I've known him) that he is a people dog. He likes being around us and now I think I will feel really guilty if/when I leave him here alone. We'll see how that goes. Oh yea, his name is Spud! Isn't he so cute?! You should come by and meet him! We'll keep you posted on life as a parent! Haha!

DUP reunion!

For those of you who don't know what the DUP is, let me tell you! The DUP (which is short for duplex) is a group of college roommates that lived together on 11th street in Waco! But there is so much more to it than just roommate-ship. It cannot be explained with words...only experienced. OK that sounds really weird, but it's the truth. Anyways, we had a DUP reunion in Waco this past weekend and everyone was there but Rachel--who is interning with IJM in Bolivia right now, so her absence was excused. (DUP reunion 2009 Rachel??)Kate came down from Colorado, and it was so fun to have her back in Texas! Enjoy some pictures from the weekend! Also, Jas and I are getting a dog this weekend-- stay tuned for PICS! I am so excited!

I love Homemade Pizza

Actually, I just love pizza in general. But I really enjoy homemade pizza because it is fun when you can make the pizza yourself. Now, I have in no way perfected my pizza making skills, but I did want to share a recipe that has become a common meal at the Sudan apartment. I also like to take pictures of food...so that is why I have a photo of the pizza. Strange? Perhaps, but thats ok. Here is the recipe for the dough (because once you make the dough, duh, you can put whatever you want on it silly.)

Whole Wheat and Honey Pizza Dough

INGREDIENTS
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon honey
1 TBS. of Olive oil (or however much it takes to make the dough "work")

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
In a large bowl combine flour, wheat germ and salt. Make a well in the middle and add honey, olive oil, and yeast mixture. Stir well to combine. Cover and set in a warm place to rise for a few minutes(10-30 minutes...depends how much time you have).
Roll dough on a floured pizza pan and poke a few holes in it with a fork.
Bake in preheated oven for 5 to 10 minutes, or until desired crispiness is achieved.
Put desired toppings on the dough and cook for 10 to 15 minutes or til it is done.

*Sometimes when I make the dough, it gets crumbly for some unknown reason, but if you put more olive oil in it that usually helps. If anyone can fix this crumbly problem, let me know.

Enjoy!!!

New friends

As some of you know, Jason and I live in an apartment in Dallas where a lot of refugees from all around the world are resettled. About 800 to 1,000 are resettled in the Vickery Meadows area of Dallas each year. We've lived here since August and we've slowly seen several Iraqi (and some SouthEast Asian) families move in around us. There are always some really loud soccer games going on outside our balcony. Its awesome...we've really come to love living here at the Biltmore.

Anyways, today on our way to doing laundry we met two Iraqi guys named Thouray and Akil. Jason and I met Thouray about a week or two ago while he was playing soccer. He was so nice and eager to make friends. He knocked on our door about a week ago looking for Jason and he wasn't here. Since then, we had been trying to keep our eye out for him since we didn't know exactly what apartment # he lived in. On our way to the laundry room we saw him and he yelled out at us. He told us that this was his apartment and he invited us in. We sat down and got to know Thouray and Akil a little bit while the laundry was in the wash. They offered us drinks and we just talked-- as much as we could. Thouray just arrived in the US two weeks ago and Akil just one week ago. Akil didn't know much English, but Thouray knows enough to carry on a conversation. It was fun to get to know these guys and here a bit about them. They really seem eager to make friends and said they haven't met many Americans yet.

Please pray for Akil and Thouray. We are excited to get to know them more and to show the love of Christ with them by serving them in any way that we can. I have been praying to encounter refugees and that God would provide creative ways to serve them here, so if you could pray that too that would be awesome! Jason and I really want to have them over for dinner to show them some good American or Tex Mex food. So will see what happens!!

El Presidente

Jas and I went to Waco this weekend for Baylor's homecoming and we went to our old church in Waco. He had a great sermon on the election of our future president. I thought I would share (for those of you who didn't hear the sermon) as it won't be long until we know who was won this whole deal...

The sermon really focused on what WE need to do as believers...how we should respond and how we should live our lives. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

No matter what happens tonight (or whenever they figure out who the new president will be), does not change what we as follower's of Christ should be doing. We must continue to pray, humbly seek God, and repent of our sins. This is the calling we have received...and if we are faithful to submit and obey, He has promised us that he will heal our land. So tonight, let's cling to those promises. Whether McCain or Obama wins the race, we know that ultimately our hope comes from our merciful and loving Father and not the Presidential figure. That's a good thing...

30 Million a week!

I saw this video of Campbell Brown on CNN about McCain and Obama's negative campaign ads. I'm just saying...I like her way of thinking. And I don't think her idea is all that crazy. I think we'd all benefit from not hearing or watching anymore negative ads this election season....check the video out!

John 15

John 15 (the vine and the branches) is one of my favorite metaphors in the gospels. what a creative and truthful way to illustrate the Christian's relationship with Jesus! i resonate with what the scriptures say about abiding in Jesus. i wouldn't be able to follow Him if i didn't (or He didn't allow me to) abide...this world is too dark, too sinful. I was going to try to break down this scripture and what not, but who am I kdding, I am no Matt Chandler! Instead , I found this poem in one of my books. This poem sums it up nicely, way better than I can say... sorry it's kind of long, but stick with it! It's good!

Only a Branch

'Tis only a little Branch,

A thing so fragile and weak,

But that little Branch hath a message true

To give, could it only speak.

"I'm only a little Branch,

I live by a life not mine,

For the sap that flows through my tendrils small

Is the life-blood of the Vine.

"No power indeed have I

The fruit of myself to bear,

But since I'm part of the living Vine,

Its fruitfulness I share.

"Dost though ask how I abide?

How this life I can maintain?--

I ambound to the Vine by life's strong band,

And Ionly need remain.

"Where first my life was given,

In the spot where I am set,

Upborne and upheld as the days go by,

By the stem which bears me yet.

"I fear not the days to come,

I dwell not upon the past,

As moment by moment I draw a life,

Which for evermore Shall last.

"I bask in the sun's bright beams,

Which the sweetness fills my fruit,

Yet I own not the clusters hanging there,

For they all come from the root."

A life which is not my own,

But another's life in me:

This, this is the message the Branch would speak,

A message to thee and me.

Oh, struggle not to "abide,"

Nor labor to "bring forth fruit,"

But let Jesus unite thee to Himself,

As the Vine's Branch to the root.

So simple, so deep, so strong

That union with Him shall be:

His life shall forever replace thine own,

And His love shall flow through thee;

For His Spirit's fruit is love,

And love shall thy life become,

And for evermore on His heart of love

Thy spirit shall have her home.

-- Freda Hanbury

I hope you are encouraged and thankful for this beautiful picture of our relationship with Christ!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars!

OK, if any of you people are fans of sweets and/or cheesecake, you will love this recipe (Thank you, Duff)! It is amazing! It is just as wonderful as the name sounds. Enjoy!



Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars

crust
1 1/2 cups graham crackers crumbs
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup (4 oz) miniature semisweet chocolate chips

dough
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
3 tbsp granulated sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup (6 oz) semisweet chocolate chips

filling
10 oz cream cheese, at room temp
1/4 cup sugar
1 lg egg, at room temp
1 tsp vanilla extract


1/2 cup semisweet choc chips

make the crust -position a rack in the middle of the oven to 325 degrees. butter a 9 inch square baking pan and line the pan with a piece of parchment paper that is long enough to extend over two opposite sides of the pan. butter the paper.

in a medium bowl, stir the crumbs and melted butter together until the crumbs are evenly moistened. stir in the chocolate chips.
press the crumb mixture evenly over the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of the prepared pan. bake for 6 minutes. transfer the pan to a wire rack. leave the oven on.

make the dough- in a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla until smoothly blended, about 1 minute. decrease the speed to low and add the flour, mixing it just to incorporate it. stir in the chocolate chips. set aside. (FYI- the "dough" will be crumbly with a different texture than normal cookie dough, just go with it. feel free to ball up the crumby mixture and just throw it on top of the cream cheese layer).

make the filling-in a large bowl, using clean beaters, beat the cream cheese and sugar on low speed just until smooth. mix in the egg and vanilla, beating just to blend them in. pour the cheesecake batter into the crust. drop teaspoonfuls of the cookie dough over the top of the batter. bake until the top feels dry and firm and looks set if given a gentle shake, about 30 minutes. transfer the pan to a wire rack.
put the third of a cup chocolate chips in a small heat proof bowl or the top of a double boiler and place it over a saucepan of barely simmering water (or the bottom of the double boiler); the water should not touch the bowl. stir until the chocolate chips and melted and smooth.use a teaspoon to gently drizzle thin lines of melted chocolate over the top of the bars. cool the bars completely in the pan, about one hour. the chocolate topping will be set when the bars are cool.

loosen the sides of the bars form the unlined sides of the pan and use the ends of the paper to lift the bars from the pan. use a large knife to cute the bars into 16 pieces, wiping the knife clean as needed and slide the bars off the foil. the bars can be covered and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. serve cold or at room temp. (they are stiffer and more "bar" like when cold, just pointing out the obvious).


Viola!

improvement

hey, my back is slowly feeling very better! thanks for those who prayed. It still hurts when I twist, but hopefully that will eventually go away. ok, enough about the back...thats a boring topic, but i did like the pic I posted....a bearded stick man.

anyways, i just made chicken tetrazzini. i hope it turns out tastey. I have been enjoying my days off when i don't have school(i.e-today). thats usually when i attempt to make a good dinner. and then i can usually take the day slow and study leisurely. this will change next semester when i take 14 hours with an internship. i just found out i have been assigned to intern at Dallas Central Ministries. Check out their website. (http://www.centraldallasministries.org/), but i have to have an interview and after that it should be official...unless the interview goes horribly wrong. I am pretty excited about it though! i'm sure i will learn a lot.

well, i hope everyone has a nice "fall" day today! happy birthday to my little sister, Whitney! She turned 20 yesterday! weird....

random ailments

That is the story of my life...random ailments. for now, my random injury is a hurt back. i've never had back pain, and i hope i don't even again after this deal is over. please pray for my back if you think about it. it hurts and it's really annoying/frustrating. i am going to try to get in to see a dr today if possible, but im not sure, so it would be awesome if it would just get better on its own. so if you think about it at all...pray! thanks!

my best friends wedding!

let me start off by showing you some of Ike's left overs in my home town. Jas and I went home(my home) this past weekend to visit my parents and to go to my best friends wedding. i took the pictures on a sail boat...because Ashley's wedding was on a sail boat, so i got a good view. please take note of the big yacht merged between these two houses. boy was that a sight. even though its been three weeks since the hurricane, its going to take a while to get things back to where they should be-aka: no boats in peoples yards. Also, i took a picture of the Aquarium restaurant--where Jas and I had our rehearsal dinner. it was flooded, but i heard that Kemah is working very hard to get the board walk up and running again. it will probably be a few months though. the depressing pictures are first, but then I am ending with the lovely, fun ones from Ashley and Kyle's wedding. it was at sunrise on a sailboat(with a pirates flag, argggh) in Kemah. we left the dock at 6:30 am. it will probably be the earliest wedding i've ever been to. but it was so special and i am so glad i was there! blessings to the newly united Evan's family!

the swell season!

Jason and I went to see the Swell Season (aka- Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova) at the Palladium Ballroom on Monday. It was really fun to go to a concert together. And Jas and I really like the move "Once" and so it was awesome to see those two really talented muscicians share the stage. they were jiving....jas and i secretly sang/played and recorded "falling slowly" on my camera once. it was hiliarious. we were saying that we should have put it on you tube. oh my, that would be embarassing. but seriously, we should probably start a husband-wife band. would you come to one of our concerts?? OK, well i did record glen hansard singing one of the songs and the video is below. i love it when he gets really intense/screams. its awesome. anyways, enjoy!

adoption: think about it!

I know most people that read our blog probably aren't in the life stage of adopting children, but hey thats ok. there are thousands of children in texas that need permanent adoptive homes. i used to be the caseworker for several wonderful kiddos that need homes! feel free to visit http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Adoption_and_Foster_Care/ to scan through the Texas Adoption Resource Exchange for foster kiddos around the state that need homes. Even if you don't want to adopt, be aware of the need...so you can share it with others who might be interested. I am writing on this subject because three sweet children were on the tv show titled "A child to love" and I wanted to share it with you guys. Please visit http://www.the33tv.com/pages/achildtolove to go to the right and click on 9/15: Makayla, Kindall and Randall.

There are thousands of other kids just like Makayla, Randall, and Kindall that need homes!

weddings and enchiladas

...that's what we have been up to lately. Jason was in his buddy John's wedding this weekend, which was really fun! Jason, John, and Clay (another groomsman below) have been long time friends at Baylor so it was fun for them to get together. And I got to hang with Clay's wife, Monique, which was a bonus! We are looking forward to getting to hang with John and Meredith since they are going to be living in Dallas once they get back from the honeymoon!

Also, since it's  the beginning of school and I'm not working I've had some down time to cook, which I love. I have been experimenting with new things and it's been fun. I am realizing how much I like to cook when its not a stressful task I feel like I have to do when I get home from work. I made some chicken, corn, and spinach enchiladas this last week and they were tasty! Bon appetit!

Blog #2 of the week!

I am so pooped. I just cleaned out our old apartment for a good two hours or so. I have a headache and all I want to do is sit...and then take a shower....sitting. I went and worked out at the Y before cleaning, so I guess that makes it a double wammy of tiredness. But I cleaned that mug up and locked the door and I slid the key underneath...we will never enter that apartment again! Weird! But we are getting settled into the new apartment and it feels somewhat more homey. We need to finish hanging pictures up and that should help.

Well, this week was my first week of graduate school! It was great! I am excited, but I am also realizing that I am going to have a full load of papers and reading. Hopefully I can balance school and work...once I get a job. But for now I am enjoying being jobless! I don't have to go to school 'til next Wednesday since labor day is Monday! wahoo. So I will enjoy a few days off and do some reading for school. It's exiting to learn about social work as I have no educational experience on the topic, so I feel really excited about reading my text books right now. That will probably die down as the semester rolls along, but I hope it doesn't! I am exited to be passionate about this career path. It feels good.

Like I promised...here are some pictures of recent happenings!


Our anniversary!


Sudan fam reunion!

The First Anniversary!

On August 18th Jason and I celebrated our 1st anniversary!!!!!!! We had so much fun reflecting on our first year of marriage...funny memories, high's, low's, lessons learned, etc. We also looked to the future and talked about where we'd like to be in 5 or so years. (Our parents will be happy to know that yes, babies are in that time frame). But the night was really special. We kicked it off with dinner at Cuba Libre, then went home and Jason had a whole deal set up. We watched our wedding ceremony DVD and exchanged gifts/letters. And then Jason proceeded to sing me a song he wrote for me! It was so sweet! Of course, I wasn't allowed to look at him while he sang it because he was too nervous...haha. He is hilarious. It was awesome though and I am excited for the many years we have ahead of us!!

In other news, there has been A LOT going on here lately. August 22nd was my last day working at CPS. It is weird to me that I don't work there anymore. When I left the office on Friday I didn't feel overly sad or overly excited that I was leaving. I just felt that I was moving on and that this was the next step in my life. I am thankful for that experience and all of the lessons I learned. I will miss my kiddos and co-workers, but I am excited to be a student again. I really feel that I have made the right decision to go to school full time. At times, I really feeling guilty or I was telling myself that I was a quitter for not hanging in there at CPS, but I know God has affirmed me several different times of this next step and I am grateful for that.

I will post again soon of my school experience (yesterday was my first day) once I've gone to all of my classest this week! I know I've been a slacker in the blog world lately, but the ending of a job, starting school, 1st year anniversary, and moving apts has kept us busy....Oh yea, and I will post some pics from the annual Sudan Family reunion we had on 2 weeks ago! adios!

In honor of...

the DUP!!!!!

Favorite song and video!

"Shadowfeet" by Brooke Fraser.... I have no idea how old this song is, but I like it! Brooke Fraser is one of the singers from Hillsong. She's awesome. I can't figure out how to put a video directly on my blog, so just go ahead and click the link below. Don't be lazy....just do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4KiGN1j1No

Have a good day! Jason and I are going to see "Swing Vote" tonight. We'll let you know if its good....

Life is crazy...

Welp, its been a while since I last posted...I know you all are very sad about that (actually, I'm sure most have not noticed). But life has been so busy lately!! I can't believe it is almost august! That means Jason and I are about to pack up and move apartments, I am finishing up at CPS on August 22nd, and I am starting school on the 25th....and then will eventually find a new job! So many changes. I am excited for the changes, but I'm not gonna lie, theres alot goin on there.

Lets see, what have we been up to...Jason was in a wedding last weekend in Fort Worth. It was really fun to see Jason's dear friend get married. And Jas looks cute in a tux. Oh, Jas and I played "house" at Christy and Jordans for about two weeks while they were in Germany. That was really fun...we watered the plants and I swept alot. Good times. We have made homemade pizza twice...I want to become really good at making pizza. Like I want it to be a staple in the Sudan home. I have a recipe for a honey wheat dough that I want to try...but I'm afraid that I'll only want it to taste like California Pizza Kitchen's honey wheat dough, and I know that is not possible because that is TOO good. Hmm pizza dough, what an exciting topic for a blog.

Hmm what else? Oh, I went to the dentist (I wanted to use my insurance that I've had all year before I quit my job) and I freakin have a cavity. Suck! I go to to get it filled this Friday. We'll see how that goes...

Well, I need to shower because I just went on a long walk on Katy Trail in the Texas heat, so I've got some layers of sweat on my skin that need some washin. BUT I will leave you witha cute picture of me and my nephew from our fam reunion over the 4th... enjoy!

Good Song

Here are the lyrics to a song Jas and I have been listening to lately...
convicting, yes? But it's very good and carries a lot of truth.

"Rich Young Ruler"
By Derek Webb

Poverty is so hard to see
when it’s only on your tv and twenty miles across town
where we’re all living so good
that we moved out of Jesus’ neighborhood
where he’s hungry and not feeling so good
from going through our trash he says,
more than just your cash and coin
i want your time, i want your voice
i want the things you just can’t give me

So what must we do
here in the west we want to follow you
we speak the language and we keep all the rules
even a few we made up
come on and follow me
but sell your house, sell your SUV
sell your stocks, sell your security
and give it to the poor
what is this, hey what’s the deal
I don’t sleep around and I don’t steal
I want the things you just can’t give me

Because what you do to the least of these
my brother’s, you have done it to me
because i want the things you just can’t give me.

Hi...I'm Alex, nice to meet you.

...This what usually can be heard at my annual family reunion...where I don't know very many people. Jason thinks its hilarious that I don't know many of relatives, BUT I don't see them but once a year...and sometimes I am not able to go to the reunion so I might not see this side of the family but once every two or three years. So this fourth of July, Jason and I headed down to Burnet (technically Llano/Bluffton), TX and re-met some cousins, swam, sat around, and ate alot of bbq. The 3 day weekend was much needed and really relaxing. Jason played "sea monster" with my 3 year old nephew the whole time...I'm pretty sure he likes Jason more than he likes me. Whatever, I'm OK with it. Here are some pics of the wonderful weekend...

Me and the sis!

me and jas!

my mom and sweet ashtin!

grumpy ashtin!

No longer a blogger Virgin!

I don't know really what to say on here. So, I guess I will tell you what is on my mind....my wife. I absolutely love everything about her. Right now she is actually on the phone on a conference call for work, but I know she is craving to hang up and hang out with me.....seriously....she loves spending time with me. I don't know how, I even annoy myself sometimes, but she seems to really like me....and I think I really like her too. She just got her haircut and she looks absolutely gorgeous......welp thats the end of my blog.

Jason

Celebrity Morph by MyHeritage

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity

I thought these were really funny...mostly Jason's. Please enjoy...Also, pics from the 4th of July family reunion coming soon!

Celebrity Morph by MyHeritage

MyHeritage: Celebrity Morph - Vintage photos - Ancestry search

We don't have cable...

but we do have the internet. And this is a good thing. Jason and I have a little hobby. We enjoy finding funny videos on hulu.com or on youtube. Mainly hulu.com though...which is a great website for watching video clips, tv shows (such as The Office), and movies too! Anyways, here is a recent one we found from SNL. Here is a link to a stupid video we recently found...

http://www.hulu.com/watch/11203/saturday-night-live-digital-short-the-mirror

Ahh, Andy Samberg is hilarious...
feel free to browse around hulu and find other hilarious SNL videos, such as blizzard man, another one of our faves.

Birthday Celebrations!

Hello all!
I just wanted to inform you guys that Jason recently had his birthday! Jason turned 23 this past Tuesday(the 24th)! It was awesome because we both were able to take off work, which was really nice to spend the day together. We went down to his lakehouse and swam and had a grand 'ol time. We also watched Sweet Home Alabama on their tiny 12 inch tv...basically it was great.

Also, on Sunday the 22nd I threw Jason his first surprise birthday part too, which was surprisingly a success. I say surprisingly because Jason was planning on arriving to Blake and Amy's early to go jogging around their neighborhood. Thankfully he was distracted by a friend and the surprise party plan fell into place. bruwhhaha (evil/sneaky laugh). He was surprised and had fun I think...I got his these neat shoes for his birthday too. Can you see Jason wearing these?? http://www.sneakerhead.com/318020-041.html I wasn't sure if he would like them, but he did so I was glad. It's hard to come up with good gift ideas when there are all sorts of occasions that require gift giving (or at least we feel like gift giving is required)....Anniversary's, Birthdays, Christmas, Valentines, mother's/father's day, one month anniversary's. Just kidding on that last one. But you catch my drift...

Anybody have any fun plans for 4th of July?? Jas and I are headed to Burnet (it's Burnet durnit can't you learn it), Texas for the annual family reunion. It's a fun reunion where I don't really know many people at all except for a few. But the lake is really beautiful and my nephew will be there and I haven't seen him in a long time. I will for sure take a lot of pictures and post them! Be on the look out!!

lounge lizard

well guys, its officially 8:23 pm on a Tuesday night and I am showerd, in my PJs and in bed. Oh it feels so good! Am I the only one that loves to be clean and in bed??? It is seriously one of my favorite things. Whenever I am freshly showered and in bed I just have the urge to roll around in my sheets and just totally take in the moment of the cleanness and freshness. Its awesome. If any of you don't know what I am talking about....I'm sorry.

I don't feel like I have anything too profound to say tonight (not like I normally do, haha) but I am just wanting to keep up with my blogging commitment. I can't abondon this thing yet. It's too soon. All I got on the agenda tonight is just a bit of reading and then going to bed early. So I though I would stop by to say "hello". I'll leave you guys with a good verse that I've read this week. I've been reading in James (which happens to be one of my favorite books of the Bible) and I love it.

"For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment." James 2:13

This verse is just going back to the principle that God has called us to love our neighbor as ourself. If we show partiality, God sees this as a sin. It is challenging to me to try to allow God to help me see ALL people the way He sees them, and not with my wordly, prejudiced eyes. I just want to be a merciful follower of Christ. I want to bestow mercy and grace upon others as Christ has done the same for me. Easier said than done, but I am encouraged today as I read James because at least I know God has called me to this. And I find comfort because even when I fail, He still loves me and lifts me up to try again. He knows I can't do it on my own. Actually, He just knows. Ahhh, I love it.

Happy Tuesday!

Just your average Monday...

Today is Monday and right now Jas and I are just lounging around the apartment doing our own things (I just ordered his birthday present online!). We went to the lakehouse for the day yesterday and Jas and I got burnt to a crisp. I did not put sunscreen on and this was pretty much the first time my skin has been exposed to the sun since August when Jas and I went on our honeymoon. Good one dummy. I must suffer the consequences. But the lakehouse time was fun! We rode on the jet ski and Jason and Blake were pretty obnoxious. They were a bit too rough on it for my taste. If you know me, then you can imagine a high pitched screech coming from my mouth yelling at them to stop. But I ended up surviving...

Well, tomorrow I have orientation at UTA and I will be able to register for classes afterwards. I don't know what I'll be taking...some intro classes I suppose, but I am excited!! Also, once I start school I'll need to have a part time job. Any suggestions? I've got a Starbuck's application right now, and I've also tossed around the idea of Crate & Barrel. I need some help...feel free to comment on any good work places!!

We're Back!

Now that were settled back into normal life, I thought I would share about our trip to Washington. It was awesome!! Washington is so beautiful and green, which I guess is why they call it the evergreen state(well, it just says that on the license plate). It makes me wonder why I live in Texas. FAMILY (and friends)- that is the only reason I am staying here people. But anyways, we had so much fun exploring the state and getting to see the fun city and beautiful nature! We feel so thankful that we had the chance to take a vacation since we might not be able to do that later once I start school and the finances will be a bit tight. Here are some of the things we did on our trip: hiked(we saw a river otter!), took a lot of pictures, ate a lot, lounged, people watched, watched tv, walked in seattle A LOT, went to a folk festival, visited with friends (Angie and Jordan) and rode the city bus! It was a good balance of being active and relaxing, which I enjoyed. I know Jason said he wanted to post about it so, so I'll leave it up to him to explain more details if he wants...
Here are some pictures from our adventure!