Desert Song

"All of my life, in every season, you are still God, I have a reason to sing...."

-from Desert Song by Hillsong United

Christian and I are both in our last semester of graduate school, and we are faced with many choices about our future.  We are no different from many people our age....we are wandering through the desert of life, wishing that God would speak to us, like he did Moses, and tell us exactly what to do. However, I am daily working to embrace the conviction I have had in the past weeks: it doesn't matter.  No matter what our future holds, the fact remains that we are blessed right here, right now, and, in every season, God's love is enough.  

Two things happened this weekend, which both humbled me and further convicted me of this truth.  A cab picked me up bright and early at 5:15 AM on Friday morning to take me to the airport.  My cab driver, a slight man with a dark, wrinkled face and kind eyes, told me about his humble beginnings.  At the young age of 16, a family friend drove him from Mexico to Austin, and he was left to fend for himself, with $1.oo in his pocket.  He spoke no English, had no friends, and certainly had no means of getting either of those things.  God must have been looking out for this man, because the very first person he approached not only gave him a job, but also paid for him to learn English.  He ended up working for this "stranger" for 20 years, and he eventually married an Austinite and raised 3 children with her.  Don't tell me that God didn't plan that. 

Even more touching than this man's story was a story that I heard at Stream in the Desert this weekend.  A highly successful family from Rowanda was forced to flee to America, barely escaping death.  Do you think that that was in their plans?  To drag their five children to a foreign country?  To give up a high paying job to become a custodian at a hospital?  To leave behind their friends and family, only to find that those most precious to them had been slaughtered?  God forgive me for not being content with the life you have given me.  I am blessed beyond measure.

So things may not work out the way that we plan them.  So what. If I'm really honest with myself, it is simply my own pride and desire to impress the world that drives my desire to see my plans come to fruition.  I have to know....I HAVE TO know....that God has a purpose for my life that far exceeds the one I have for myself. Lord help us all remember that in every season, regardless of circumstances, you are worthy of honor and praise.  

Mini the Van

(1992 Dodge Caravan--Not the actual Skidmore mini, but it will do)

My earliest memories of car rides include a white mini van with gray interior.  However, my mom's life really started when she traded in the white and gray mini for a white and gold wonder wagon.  That's right.  The egg shell white paint of our new van was beautifully accented with gold hubcaps and a matching gold pin stripe.  Shelby and I would frequently leave school and walk half way up the big hill to meet our pimped out ride and it's owner (my mom).  We never missed our ride because there was a small rock stuck in the front right tire that would announce the coming of the skidmore mini.....CLACK..CLACK..CLACK.......just in case we couldn't spot the gleam off of the hubcaps.

The white and gold goodness on wheels carted us around for many years, only to meet a tragic end.  It happened in the parking lot of my dad's office.  Shelby was singing a tune with great gusto, and as part of her grand finale, she grabbed the handle of mini and passionately slid her door open.....right off the track...and onto the ground.  I remember looking at Shelby with disbelief, but this was quickly followed by a solid minute of laughter.  Mini was injured and we needed to act quickly.  Luckily, my mom had a couple of bungee chords in the trunk, which she skillfully used to secure mini's door to the middle bucket seat.  Mom was bound and determined to save mini...so determined that she ordered Shelby and I to sit in the bucket seat DIRECTLY NEXT TO the hanging door.  We were instructed to HOLD ON  to the door TIGHT as we puttered down the highway at a painfully low speed.  Never mind the fact that a speed bump would have resulted in our certain death.  We were committed to our hooptie.

Mini was repaired, but, sadly, the parking lot incident was the beginning of the end.  Here's to you mini.  Thank you for serving us in style for so many years.      

"You could bring your instruments..."

Allison and Randy Fuller came to visit us this weekend. Randy, being the wonderful husband that he is, surprised Al with a trip to Austin for her 26th B-day. I have to say, I have never been someone's birthday present before, and I felt so honored! The weekend was filled with good conversations, good food, and LOTS of laughter. We talked, went shopping, watched the OU game, ate at our favorite Austin restaurants (The Omlettry, Frank and Angies, Santa Rita), had table-top smores at Halceon, jammed on the guitar and piano (well, at least Randy did), and worshipped at Austin Stone Church. I told Allison that I felt like it was my birthday because I had so much fun. It's not very often that you find a friend who finds joy in all of the same things as you! As my mom told Allison, we are "heart friends," and I couldn't agree more! I am so thankful for the Fullers; every time I am with them, I am encouraged and challenged in my faith. Thank you, Randy and Al, for your commitment to Christ; you are a wonderful example to me and Christian, and we are so thankful for your friendship. Thank you, also, for your appreciation of awkward comments. Christian and Randy deserve some kind of special award for marrying me and Allison! God has blessed me and Christian with wonderful friends, and I look forward to many more memories with the Fullers!

Palin Mania!

I consider myself a moderate when it comes to politics. In fact, I am ashamed to say that I have never voted...I frankly never cared enough to get off the couch and stand in line. During this election period, I once again found myself on the fence. I was a voucher-hatin', baby lovin', anti-universal health care gal with a passion for social justice. Like I said...a moderate. HOWEVER, I recently fell off the fence and into the Alaskan wilderness. That's right. A small town mayor from the "Last Frontier" has won my heart. She's a mother of five (including a special needs child) who made her debut in "politics" as a member of the PTA...you've gotta love a hockey mom who cares about education reform. Yes, I admit that I shed a tear when listening to her acceptance speech; women have come a long way in the 88 years since we earned the right to vote. Thank you, Mrs. Palin, for inspiring me to care again.

Lakehouse '08!

I am so thankful for the friends that God has blessed me with! It was a perfect weekend.

Walk it out, Shelbs!

My little sister is in Africa right now being Jesus to kids. I miss her dearly, but I am so proud of her desire to do God's work. She told me that she has been teaching the kids to dance and they love it! Please pray for her as she continues to serve and love others.

I was missing her today and thought that I would post this video in honor of her. It has no significant spiritual meaning, but Shelby and I both think it is sick (in a good way). Seriously hilarious...you must watch!

Check out what my kids are doing (it's working now)....