Already There

I love how songs/music can meet you right where you think you are. Like hearing a sermon on Sunday and feeling like the pastor was speaking directly to you. I get that same feeling sometimes with music. I got the new Casting Crowns album a couple of weeks ago and have been listening to it non-stop. The song I keep going back to is Track 4 - Already There. How comforting to remind myself that the Sovereign Lord already knows how the pieces of my life will turn out. When I feel like I am going through a season of challenges or trials (my uncomfortable refining process) I am reminded God has a purpose in everything He allows. His purpose is always for us to be and look more like Jesus. In our trials we always have the choice to stay close to God or wander away in anger. Praying in my weakness of personal trials that they produce character and not self pity, perseverance and not impatience, hope and not despair.

From where I’m standing
Lord, it’s so hard for me to see

Where this is going

And where You’re leading me

I wish I knew how

All my fears and all my questions

Are going to play out

In a world I can’t control



When I’m lost in the mystery

To You my future is a memory



‘Cause You’re already there

You’re already there

Standing at the end of my life

Waiting on the other side

And You’re already there

You’re already there



From where You’re standing

Lord, You see a grand design

That You imagined

When You breathed me into life

And all the chaos

Comes together in Your hands

Like a masterpiece

Of Your picture-perfect plan



When I’m lost in the mystery

To You my future is a memory



One day I’ll stand before You

And look back on the life I’ve lived

I can’t wait to enjoy the view

And see how all the pieces fit



One day I’ll stand before You

And look back on the life I’ve lived

‘Cause You’re already there

You’re already there

When I’m lost in the mystery

To You my future is a memory

‘Cause You’re already there

You’re already there

Standing at the end of my life

Waiting on the other side

And You’re already there

You’re already there

Vacation Part Five - Natural Bridge Zoo

Vacation Part Four - Fly Fishing

In my waders!

Bryan guiding me

Bryan and me

Eric and me

I recently went fly fishing for the first time at a Sales Retreat for work. I loved it! I loved the challenge of the art of fly fishing, I loved quiet outdoors and taking in God's creation. My brother and his friend Bryan are quite the fly fishermen so they took me to the Rose River in Madison, VA and we did some fly fishing. I am thankful for common interests and hobbies my brother and I share and I love spending time with him. These days our time together is rare so I take advantage of our opportunities. Eric is extremely talented in so many ways and I have always been and will always be a proud big sister!

Vacation Part Three - Gorgeous Lanscapes

Harrisonburg, VA

Harrisonburg, VA

Jacks Shop Rd

Madison, VA

Ruckersville, VA

Hot Air Balloons in Charlottesville, VA

Vacations Part Two - Exploring....

Strolling through downtown Culpeper

Mommy tried to get a photo op with this wagon...didn't quite work as she planned

Mommy's favorite shop in Culpeper - Pepperberries!

Love my little lady

Turkey Time

Visiting the animals at Yoders...one of our favorite stops

Vacation Part One

We vacationed this year in Virginia visiting my family and friends. It was so nice and relaxing to be able to spend over a week and to not feel rushed. Eric and I really enjoyed watching Grace and Brock actually play with each other and enjoy each other's company. Of course the star of the show for Grace and Brock was PaPa! These two love their PaPa and can not get enough of him. If my dad was not in the room they were both asking, "Where is PaPa?" Here are some great shots of these two sweet cousins. Brock affectionally calls Grace "GiGi." While we are in VA, Grace is GiGi!

The American Dip

Tonight we let Grace discover ketchup. We gave her ketchup to dip her nuggets in. As you can tell she enjoyed it. She enjoyed it so much the papi even got a dip. I can not tell you how much we are enjoying every milestone with our precious daughter!

Favorites

Grace is 20 months old and thriving! With the move and so much going on we made it to her 18 month old appointment yesterday. Grace is in the 60 percentile for height and head circumference and 40 percentile for weight. The doc said she looks great! Below are some of her favorites right now.

• Tomatoes (yes eats cherry tomatoes like candy)
• Rice
• Grapes
• Fruit Snacks (which she calls snacks, snacks!)
• Pacifers (Grace calls papi's)
• Preschool/Mother's Day Out
• Twirling in circles
• Dancing any time she hears music
• Coloring
• Reading books
• Elmo
• Trains (choo choo's)
• Climbing stairs in our new house
• Pool (loves for daddy to hold her, jump in pool and go under water)
• Praying (especially saying Amen!)

Words With Friends

I had a conversation with a co-worker this week, and he shared with me how the Lord has radically changed his life in the past couple of years. He told me how he was going through a season of anger and how his anger was taken out on everyone around him. He was miserable going through the motions. He shared with me he came to know Jesus and not know religion at a church but a relationship with Jesus. He shared with me how he and his family joined and became active in a Bible believing church. He shared how one of the pastors has poured into his life in a mentor role. He went on share with me how he is using the strengths and gifts that the Lord has given him to bring Him glory!

I asked him how did he find this church? Were they fumbling through the phone book and came across it? Did they see a billboard and decide to drop in? Did they get a piece of literature from the church in the mail?

He told me...his son's friend father invited them to their church at football practice. As I was listening to his story I became very convicted of not inviting people to church as I should, so they can hear the words of life that can radically change their life as it has done for my co-worker and his family. Even if it is in a casual setting and you may never cross this person's path again.

This week Grace and I went through Sonic drive-thru. The cashier at the window was smitten with Grace, imagine that! I rolled down the back seat window and she talked to her. Of course after they see her, comes lots of questions and another opportunity to talk about adoption. It took a while for our order which gave us lots of time to talk. I told her we were new to the area and she asked me why we moved to Bryan. I told her about the church we were called to and I invited her to come visit. That seems so simple right? Why do I not take advantage and do that more often? I also had our church business card with all the info that I gave her. Eric has encouraged me to frequent Sonic drive-thru and work to build a relationship....that's easy....Cherry Lime-ade! :)

Today I had a very friendly dental hygenist for my dental cleaning. I think you probably know where this is going.....we talked as much as you can through my entire dental cleaning. Very nice girl right out of dental school, new to the area too and here's the question, why did you move to Bryan? As I was leaving I invited her to visit the church and said I would love to see her again.

As I am going about my day....these opportunities present themselves. It is not something I have to search out. God knows how He's wired me, social butterfly and always eager and willing to get to know people. I love it and thrive on it. My prayer is that I will be sensitive and obedient to the opportunities God gives me and use my natural gifts - engaging people and getting to know them to share the words of life.

Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

Exploring Downtown Bryan

Reading Books



Grace wanted to point out his ears



Of course we had to take advantage of the photo op!



It's hot in TX

 

Real men carry diaper bags!



Yummy dinner at PaPa Perez



As Eric stated the stores are very Heidi-like! Love the downtown area!