Confession

Confession time. I don’t have HD or DVR. I don’t have a Blu Ray player or a flat screen TV. I certainly don’t have digital capabilities. I don’t even have cable. Heck, I don’t even have a decent antenna. I get about 8 channels, three of which are very fuzzy, two of which are in Spanish, and one is “religious”. Come June 12, my TV will sit in mourning, only capable of playing DVDs on the same DVD player I won at Project Graduation 9 years ago. (Wow–did I really graduate from high school 9 years ago?!? Scary!)

My husband would very much appreciate getting a new TV. I am not convinced. We don’t watch TV much and having zero channels will give me more of a reason to go hang out and watch Grey’s at Emily’s house on her giant, ”you can see every pore on someone’s face” TV.  

BUT. I might could be persuaded if my TV setup looked something like this…

 

or this…

 

 

But we all now this is never reality. In reality, you have cables and surround sound speakers, DVD players and stereo receivers. Playstation consoles and controllers– bundles of things Jason insists must be present for our TV to function properly. But, a girl can dream.

Decorating 101

While I already have a rug that really ties the room together, I need something to sit on that rug. For a while I resisted the idea of a coffee table, but it would make the room much more functional and inviting to guests. If you get stuck sitting in the middle of the couch, there is no place to put your drink. And we all know that decorating 101 teaches us that every place to sit needs a place to put a drink. My mom would be very disappointed that I am currently breaking that rule.

Here is what I like…

love the glass top, the oval shape, and unusual legs

so unique!

great detailing, but a little small

nice, clean lines

putting two small tables together is an idea

images via decorology

great shape, but would want a glass top

love, love, love this!

nice size, makes a statement and has a glass top

would add a little frill to my room

too bad you can't see this one very well, but it's a great, simple little table. metal with a glass top.

images via Southern Living

Desires:

1. light and airy, not bulky
2. rounded edges, or at least not just a boring square
3. glass top or some design where the rug is not totally hidden
4. not too big and not too small
5. affordable!
6. natural colors, non-shiny metal, but not super stark black
7. unique

I have already checked out Pottery Barn, Target, IKEA, CB2, West Elm, and Crate & Barrel…nothing at any of those I want or can afford. I am actually hoping to find a table at a consignment store, garage/estate sale, or maybe even out of someone’s house?? Let me know if you see anything…

Wow

Today, while reading about being “missional”, I encountered this question…

 ”if our local church were to disappear overnight, would the surrounding community even notice, much less miss us?”

Wow. What a punch in the gut. Considering our church is looking at a probable location change, this question is particularly relevant to me.

Lord, please forgive us for not being able to answer this question with a resounding yes.

Recent visit

Some photos from my most recent visit with my family…

Sister-in-law, Rachel, with Kyndle Rae

Kyndle and Rachel. Baby Andrew is due in early June!

My brother, David, with Kyndle

Taylor and Tristen at their softball game

Tristen, the pitcher

Taylor getting ready to bat

My dad, the assistant coach, and my brother, Tim, the coach

My Everyday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A sampling of my students’ work.

Harajuku

The other day, while in a store, I saw a display for Gwen Stefani’s fragrances, Harajuku Lovers. I suppose these fragrances are inspired by or named after her entourage/backup dancers, the Harajuku girls. If you are familiar with Gwen Stefani then surely you have seen these four girls. Anyway.

I have never given much thought to Gwen’s backup dancers or her perfume, but I know that she has received some criticism for exploiting the Japanese culture or stereotyping Asian women. My point is not to comment on that since I don’t have much of a formed opinion about the Harajuku girls. Gwen claims she is simply inspired and influenced by that culture and fashion style, which can be referred to as Japanese street fashion. I say all this to tell you, I have SEEN this Japanese street fashion and it is outrageous. I can definitely see where Gwen has gotten some of her ideas and style from now that I have been to Japan. While there, we went to Harajuku (which is  a neighborhood/area in Tokyo) to people watch, knowing that it is famous for it’s over the top sights. We were not disappointed. As we sat on a bench on the street, eating our snowcones, the same girls would walk up and down the street. I suppose to see and be seen. I wish we could have gotten more photos, but here are some pics we did get…

Exciting Opportunity

This summer I will be adding my third stamp to my passport.

Guayaquil

On June 22, I leave for Ecuador on a mission trip with about 8 other people. I will be in Guayaquil and Quito for 10 days assisting local missionaries with various ministries. Among other things, we will be helping with a medical clinic, assisting as needed with a new house church, and working alongside a missionary lady who works with former prostitutes from the streets.  I am very excited about this opportunity and look forward to participating in my first international mission trip.

Quito

I think there is great value in going on short term mission trips, especially when working alongside local missionaries and established ministries. Not only does it provide the visitor with an eye-opening look at the global cause for Christ, but allows Christians to uplift, encourage, and help missionaries who live in a culture not their own day in and day out. Many missionaries depend on the labor that comes from short term mission trips. I am happy to be able to assist the people who have dedicated their lives to full time mission service in other countries. I am equally excited about meeting the people of Ecuador, loving on the children during VBS, and showing Christ’s love in every way possible.

If you would join me in praying for this trip, I would be very appreciative. Here are some specific requests:

• Travel safety and no trouble entering/exiting the country
• Health and stamina for group members, protection against unfamiliar bacterias and sicknesses
• For our hearts to be softened and turned toward the people of Ecuador
• For the communication barrier to be overcome and that we are sensitive to cultural differences and customs
• That our team can be helpers alongside the local missionaries and posses a true servants heart
• That we will be aware of the needs around us and open our eyes to the opportunity to share God’s love and the message of Christ

Additionally, if you would like to help me make this trip financially possible, I could gratefully use your help. Please send any financial contributions to:

Providence Church

3845 N. Garland Ave.

Garland, TX, 75040

(Please write “Ecuador” on the memo line of your check).

Thank you for your prayers and support! Please check back in early July for posts and pictures about the trip.

A Special Kind of Love

In the past couple of weeks I have known two families that have had placements in their homes. Just a few more months and the adoptions will be complete and 5 more children will have a forever family. Two different stories, but both with a special kind of love.

Meet the Aguilera family…

Isabella Aguilera is one of my students and her family has just adopted three boys from Nigeria: 12-year-old Gideon, 10-year-old Gaberial and 5-year-old Iyaji. This adoption came about from a medical mission trip that dad, Dan, and son, Dylan (who was my student for the past two years) went on to the Ministry of Mercy orphanage. Their plan was never to adopt, but after coming back home, Dylan (9 years old) could not forget how Gaberial had asked to come home with him. Now two years later, not only Gaberial, but also Gideon and Iyaji, have a new home in the United States.  The Aguileras are also trying to adopt a little girl from the same orphanage, which will make them a family of 9. For more information, please visit Zoya Ministries.

Meet the Camp family…

The Camp family (we go to church together) is made up of dad Eric and mom Missy along with daughters Brittany, Allison, Mariah, Mackenzie, and Madison. Already a large family according to the world’s standards, this wonderful family decided to open their home to two brothers currently in the state foster care system. On Thursday the placement of Jonathan and Malik will be final. They have found a forever family with the Camps. About a year ago, Missy first got the thought of adoption from watching a special segment of A Child to Love. After months of paperwork, training classes, preparation, meetings, and waiting God has provided two additions to their family. For more information visit Texas Adoption Resource Exchange.

Praise the LORD for these two families and their willingness to step out of the box and make a difference in the life of a child. What makes these adoptions even more special is the age of the adopted children. Many older children (5+) stay in foster care for years because people typically adopt babies and very young children. But, children never outgrow the need for parents.

Bibliophile

Bibliophilia is the love of books. That would make me a bibliophile, because I am indeed a lover of books. Fiction, non-fiction, kids books, pop-up books–you name it and I probably like it. Or will at least give it a go. I have a vast array of interest when it comes to books and I am always looking for the next good book.

Oh, and when I say I love books, don’t underestimate that statement. We are in the 5th month of 2009 and I have read over 25 books (non-required…as in, not including ones I have had to read for school) this year. I am thinking this is probably above the national average. In fact, I just googled it and according to the Washington Post a 2007 survey indicated that 1 in 4 people went the whole year without finishing a book. That’s really sad.

So here are few I have read this year…

• Bold, Fresh Piece of Humanity by Bill O’reilly
• Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ by John Piper
• Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper
• The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer
• Unlock the Einstein Inside by Ken Gibson
• The Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer
• The Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers
• Maximum Ride by James Patterson
• Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks
• Sunrise Song by Catherine Palmer
• The Heart’s Treasure by Catherine Palmer

Right now, I have 3 new books (well, new to me) on my nightstand…

• Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
• Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson
• Peace Like a River by Leif Enger

What do you like to read? Any recommendations?