Ch-ch-ch Changes

What a week it has been. The past 7 days have been filled with to the brim with changes. “My cup runneth over” takes on a whole new meaning for me. My cup is running over, and I can’t find the turn off valve, and I don’t have enough towels to soak everything up! I have had no choice, but to wade around in it.
     Last Tuesday marked the last morning I woke up in my old home. It marked the last time I got ready in my old bathroom. I really liked the duplex. It was our first home that we lived in only as married people. It was the first home that Dotty knew us and our family together. It was a good place for James and I to be together, and in our own space all at the same time.
     Last Wednesday, the JorMats (pictured) left the state and the lower 48. They started their world adventure. You can read about their adventure on Eva’s blog. I suggest starting on the 1st page. It explains why it’s called The Long Way to Kansas. (I came up with the name.)
     Last Thursday and Friday were days to get all the odds and ends into boxes to get ready for Saturday.
Saturday was moving day! 7:45 the door bell rang and in an instant (actually 1.5 hours) all of our worldly possessions were in a truck and on the move. I am so glad that we hired movers. I think we would still be moving (instead of still unpacking) if it wouldn’t have been for them. Saturday night James had a back spasm, so he was down for Sunday cleaning!
     Sunday I spent 6 hours and two trips to get the last of our stuff & dirt out of 6201 Parkwood Drive. I could have used the help, but I did have a good time. Here’s why. I had time to think and meditate. During my cleaning I was sort of in prayer. Prayer for the next steps in my life, and in our life. Prayer for the JorMats that they are safe and careful, and full of adventure and that they come back to me. Prayer for the new family that will live where we have lived and grown for the past three years. I was tired yesterday morning when I got up, but I am home. (Home, home on the range, where the dogs and the kitty cats play. Home, home on the range…)
     It isn’t as strange as you'd think to be renting your parents house. As a kid I only lived here for 3 months (the summer before I went to school in San Angelo), so this has really never been my home. I have visited a lot over the past 12 years, but with addition of my furniture and things it looks like my home now. Slowly, I will feel more and more like home here.
     I am on an adventure too. James and I have goals too. James and I are striving for adventures that will keep us here for now, but may take us away. I am proud of my family. I am proud that we are all in it for each other.

A Multi-Faceted Jewel

Two weeks ago I was present to witness 7 young people confirm their baptism.  One of my students was even baptized!  Over the past 9 months I had the honor to teach 7 sixth graders  about the United Methodist Church, about  what it means to be a child of God, and how important it is to go into the world to do Christ’s work.

I was so proud to stand up in front of our congregation to tell them that these 7 students were going to be the newest members of our congregation.  I feel so confident that they will be a shining example of Christ’s hands and feet in the world.

This is the second class of students I have shepparded through the confirmation process.  I plan on another journey again this coming September.  I can’t wait. I hope to grow in my faith in the same exponential rate that I have in the past year and half through the past two classes. 

I often am finding myself searching for a mission. I know that my mission is multi faceted.  What I don’t know is how many facets this jewel will have.  I know that the ministry that I have found is one major part of what will define me in my life in the season that I am in right now. 

Is Austin in Texas or in Pennsylvania?

I have been friends with Jennifer since 1981. Since I was born in 1980 that is pretty much my whole life. Jennifer recently had a baby. Jennifer and her husband now live in State College, PA. Both sets of grandparents still live in the Austin area, and when it was time for Austin to be born, Jennifer's mom brought some Texas dirt to place under the hospital bed, so that Austin would be born over Texas soil. I love it! That was about 9 months ago. 

Just this past month Jennifer and Andrew came to Austin (Texas that is) to have Austin baptized. My mom and I were invited to go, and we really had a great time. Not only did we get to see them, but it was a celebration of Jennifer and Andrew's new family. Thanks for letting us be a part of it! Here are some pictures of the fun time that we had.

Where Have You Been?

So, I have been MIA for awhile.  There has been a lot going on, and I hope to share it all with you in the next few posts. 

The good news that I would like to share is that I have gotten a job.  I am working for the same company that I worked for about two and a half years ago.  I am doing the same job I did when I left this company.  Some may say that it is not a step forward, but I think that this opportunity is going to allow me to do what I really have been called to do.  Teach. 

Since September I have been the Volunteer Confirmation Cooridnator for my church.  More on what that really means soon, but essentially I have been teaching sixth grade Sunday school.  I really love the age group, and I don’t think I would mind teaching them in school too.  I really love math, so the connection is made. 

My plan is to work, and get some undergraduate math classes on my transcript, and go through emergency certification.  The plan has been a moving target for a couple of years, so I hope the target stays still for awhile. 

So, know you know the reason I have been absent.  I have a lot to share with you, and I can’t wait for the next post.

This is a Story of the Most Amazing Dining Experience.

James and I decided to go to Texas Land and Cattle for dinner on Friday night.   This place is close to our house, and is reasonably priced for a steak.  We have been going to our local Texas Land and Cattle for about 3 years.  In at least the past year, we have noticed a decline in the restaurant, and as such have been making a lot of steak at home.  We didn't want to cook so we decided to take our chance.

I will start from with the moment that we walked into the restaurant.  We were cheerfully greeted.  I was fighting a migraine, and so the slightest amount of politeness is appreciated.  (Don't you like it when people are nice to you anyway, but especially when you don't feel good?)  The nice woman who greeted us, we found out later, was the general manager.

Our server was Phil.  I think that Phil is THE BEST WAITER I HAVE EVER HAD.  He was so friendly and knew what he was doing.  When he brought our tea, he also brought a carafe.  (James and I should have humps like camels, but ours would be filled with iced tea.)  Every time he walked by our table Phil would top off our tea.  AWESOME! (This was just one of the awesome things he did. Over all A+.)

TXLC has recently changed their menu. There are more things to choose from.  At first I thought that this may not be a good move for their business.  If they can't get a steak right, why would they branch out?  My concerns were satisfied when our food arrived.  James had the rib eye.  It was...DELICIOUS.  I had the chicken fried steak (they call it country fried steak--maybe they want to make sure you know its beef and not chicken).  It was... GREAT!

James and I had an opportunity to let Barbara (the GM) know that the changes she has made were noticeable. This morning, James and I were still talking about what a great time we had.
I highly recommend visiting Barbara and Phil at the Texas Land and Cattle on MoPac at Bee Caves Road. (Click on the link for exact directions.)  I may have to start budgeting for a weekly visit.

Here is your lesson:  If someone does a great job, let them know, and let everyone know too.

Barbara & Phil--You are Pretty & Smart!  Keep up the good work.

PS:  I have sent the link to this blog post to Barbara, and to her corporate office.

Giant Remote Anyone?

One evening last week, I was looking for the remote control.  I looked in all the usual places, on top of theTV, on the mantle, in front of the coffee maker, and on the kitchen table.  No luck. 

"Jaaaaames! What did you do with the remote?"
"I was watching TV on the couch.  Did you check there?"

I ran my hands along the cracks, and nothing.  I lifted up the cushion and this is what I found.

It measures 6" X 11".  Easy to find, but it is a two handed operation.

Thank you.  That is all.

Peacocks

Number 3 on my list of favorite animals is the Peacock. (Dogs & Cats tie for 1st & 2nd.)  The Pavas were here over Easter,  James and I were able to share Mayfield Park with them.

For all of you Austinites, you should really go.  James and I often find ourselves there after an early dinner on a nice evening.  We have seen them with chicks, and we have seen them getting ready to roost.

There are a lot of links out there to learn the origin of Mayfield Park, so I suggest you all Google it.

Here is a slide show and video of our time on Saturday.