Tumbling Thoughts

So on my way to work this morning I was listening to a sermon by Neil McClendon from Houston. He has such a simple and great way of expressing truth. I love the fact that he doesn't care to soften his message to make it comfortable or easy for his "flock." So listen if you can - he's great - he's challenging. The podcast is on iTunes - it's free.

So back to the message. A few times a year the reality of eternity and it's never ending state sinks in and I get an incredible sensation. I can't even really describe it. It just makes me step back and view my life from a different perspective.

I've been challenged to look at what satisfies me, what takes up my time, what I fill my life/time with. Combined with Stephanie's study on Hosea - I have been challenged to change the way I love...

Do I love to get love back?
Do I love so the other person will like me or feel special?
Do I love because that is what God calls me to do? For his glory?
Do I love with alterior motives? Any alterior motive?
Am I loving my husband?
Am I loving my neighbor?
Am I loving my family?
Am I loving my friends?
Am I loving how I want to love, by my definition or God's?

I am so greatful that the kindness of God draws me to repentance. That his love has sought me out.

Then I Met You

So... I really like this song. Somewhere along the way I realized this could be sung about a woman, but from the beginning I always thought he was talking to Jesus.

"Then I Met You"

by The Proclaimers from Sunshine on Leith

Thought that I'd be happy

Gonna be so happy living life alone

And never sharing anything

Thought that I was finished,

Thought that I was complete

Thought that I was whole instead of being half of something

Thought that I was growing, growing older

Wiser, understanding why this world held nothing for my spirit

Thought that I was destined, destined to be nothing, destined

To be nothing in this world and then

I Met You.

I Met You

Thought that God had failed me

Thought may prayers were useless

Thought that he would never give the chance for me to praise

Thought the book was written

Thought the game had ended

Thought the song was sung and I could never sing another

Thought my faith was misplaced

Thought my back was broken

Broken by a weight that I was never fit to carry

Thought I knew this city, thought I knew all about it

And then one night I went to Morningside and you were waiting

Then I Met You

Introducing Ezra

Hello all. I wanted to introduce you to my fabulous nephew, Ezra. My husband, Mr. Wylie, is holding him. I figure it's never to early to start practicing.

Nothing to say...

I don't really have anything to say, but I feel the need to post something before too much time laspes. I believe that some of my struggles with writing is that I let time pass, and then I feel like I better write something good to "justify" the amount of time that's passed. Anyway, all that to say, I am hoping to write more... even if it's just passing thoughts, current events or random opinions.
Thanks for reading. I'll be back soon, hopefully with something good. Until next time.

Talk About Crazy...

Hi, everyone. Let me just recap the past few weeks in our household. Our toilet starts to leak - my wonderful husband figures out the problem (after a few frustrating attempts from multiple parties), and he manages to fix it with little trouble. Our AC goes out during what could quite possibly have been the hottest eight days in the month (all triple digit days). Then the truck's engine light comes on - alternator must be replaced. Finally, our dishwasher leaves us a nice puddle in the kitchen... Wonder what's next?
It's been crazy.... this is all on top of Quincy visiting along with a few other family members, dog/house sitting, friend's getting married, and mom starting her pool workouts.
OK. I know this isn't much of an update or thought provoking stuff - but I'll tell you what, we've made it through everything and still have smiles on our faces and are thankful for the lives we live. I think God's teaching us something. Wonder what's next... I'll keep you posted.

Changes... What next?

So the past few weeks have challenged me to take a look at all the things that need to change in my life.
First: Busy. Stephanie once wrote a post on her blog about being busy. I agree with her. Busy is not what I want to be. I am beginning to despise the word and the description of my life. I want to have time - not just for me, but for people, relationships, quiet, rest and so much more. So much more BUT NOT BUSY.
Second: The job. I don't know all the details and how it's all going to work out, but I believe that next year will be different from this past year. In some ways, I am very happy about that, and in other ways, it is hard to go through unknown change.
Third: Family. We are all converging on Texas. Some of us permanently. The folks are finally in. They are unpacking and getting settled. Slowly but surely. My brother, his wife and my nephew are all coming to visit. It's going to be an exciting time. This will be my first time to meet my nephew, Erza, and my parents' first time meeting their first grandbaby/son.
The things to come. I am starting a new Bible study on Hosea. I'm learning to cook - almost each night. I'm hoping to start working out more. I am prioritizing longer quiet times and study times. David and I have agree to start cutting out t.v. We've agreed on no t.v. one night a week - with that number growing each month.
Things that have recently changed - our bedroom set, my computer, my reading, church, my diet, grocery shopping, shower head, guest room, pillows, green tea, friends getting married. OK, that's the quick summary.
Until next time.

April!

Hello everyone!

So the month of April was a whirlwind. It started off with a fabulous concert - The Boss. It was my first "real" concert, and I loved it! It was better than I could hope for. I would totally do it again, and again, and again... you get the idea.

David surprised me with a surprise happy hour with our work friends. We both had Good Friday off, and he took me downtown for a lovely drink outside... which turned into more and more people showing up that we knew. It was great.

The following weekend, on my actual birthday, David and I went to Fredericksburg. We stayed in a lovely guest house and walked all over Fredericksburg - then enjoyed a fabulous dinner. Mine included one of the best steaks I've ever had - even though it was drenched in a stick of melted butter. We then indulged in over $20 worth of fudge and candy... Don't worry! We didn't eat it all at once. We actually still have some in the fridge, if you're interested.

I have pictures to show... I just don't have them downloaded. I am also going to start trying to log out home improvements. We've already done a few things, but there's more to come... I will have to try and get before and after shots.

So work has been incredibly busy. They weren't kidding when they talked of non-stop calls, never ending work, grumpy people, long days and sore muscles. Supposedly, there are only a few more rough days left - though some say it's more than days, more like weeks. I choose to be positive (when I can), so I'm going with days.

This month is also going to be full of fun things. I have a fabulous wedding shower and wedding to attend of my dear friend Sarah. My parents are moving to Texas. My grandmother is moving to California. My busy work is going to end (early or late, it's still in MAY!). I also get to meet with my friend/sister Stephanie so we can celebrate our birthdays... These are all very happy things to me.

OK. I feel as though I've rambled on enough - but I knew it had been too long since I had last written. It would be much longer if I waited till I had all my thoughts gathered coherently.

Thanks for reading...