Changes

We have been covenant members at The Village Church for about a little over a year and have been going there for a little over two years. We live in Frisco, but it is worth the drive. We had friends going there already and we were looking for a change as far as churches go. We wanted something deep, challenging, and mission minded. Not at all saying where we were at was not, but we had fallen into going through the motions church-wise and needed a way out. Sometimes I feel that way in Frisco in general. It's easy to get stuck in the motions of everyday life and forget that there are things that need to be getting done out in the world. I think it's just the suburban lifestyle mindset, another post for another time. (And a disclaimer...I am thankful for our house, George's job, Texas, Frisco, etc.)

Anyway, once we started to go to The Village it seemed to click for George and I, that we both knew this is where we wanted our kids to learn and grow in Christ and where we wanted to be truly challenged to change in our walk with Christ. We went there not specifically looking for a popular church with a popular pastor, but it just so happens a lot of people saw the same thing we did, or I should say we saw the same thing as a lot of people already saw since we came on the scene later than a lot, therefore making this a popular place to be. People obviously wanted to be discipled by a great leader, so therefore The Village and Matt Chandler are popular in a good way! It was really neat to us to see that the church was still in a fairly small older building. It was good to see that The Village put a lot of thought and prayer into ideas before they spent money on it. They finally decided that having several services was not the way to go anymore so the Lord led them to an empty Albertson's building close to the current building. After time, prayer, raising money, construction, and much more, the church is now being held in the new building during two services on Sunday mornings.

This morning was our first time to go and it was different in so many ways. We started getting used to going to church either Sunday or Saturday nights. But we enjoy Sunday mornings as well. We obviously like the new building with more space and a great kid's classrooms although it will take getting used to feeling like a big church with the large sanctuary and so many more people in attendance at one time. And part of us will miss the old building.

The main thing is that we are missing our lead pastor Matt. He is recovering from brain surgery to remove a malignant tumor and is about to undergo chemotherapy to treat the rest of the tumor that was unable to be removed. We pray the Lord restores him and brings him back to the pulpit or other form of ministry. The Lord is using this opportunity to teach everybody involved. The Lord is sovereign. The Lord knows all and sees all. Time is different for the Lord than it is for us. The Lord's will is happening and He is to be glorified in everything. We pray for the Lord's will and His timing. Matt is a cherished teacher and is teaching many even now in this challenging time of change.

Before my trip to Vietnam I felt like I was having a growth spurt in my spiritual life. I had a few dreams and was led to books that taught me new things. One of the dreams I had a Greek word was said to me and I remember thinking I needed to remember it when I woke up. All I could remember was the word "dynamite". So I looked up the Greek form and found "dynamis". That was the word in the dream! Cool. And then I studied up on it and found some really neat things that pertained to the power of the Holy Spirit. I revealed this dream to the other member of my mission trip and the pastor leading the trip mentioned that it means change and I hadn't thought of it that way yet. I am motivated to keep learning and seeing what the Lord was and is teaching me about this.

Anyway, all this to say, The Lord is at work, things are changing, the Holy Spirit is working in the lives of many.

I'm blogging because I got a nap today :)

Some of you may have wondered what Brandon dressed up as for Halloween this year. I'm finally posting pictures! I got this cute cool little outfit ninja suit when I was in Vietnam. So glad he had something to wear it for! Rockin it with the paci.




We went to FBC Mansfield's fall festival. Brandon had fun making up moves to the music!

P.S. This is a pic from last year :D

P.S.S. He is so cute and fun!

Our little family in the Pumpkin Patch

Fall Pumpkin Patch Picture 2008

Fall Pumpkin Patch Picture 2009

So neat to see how Brandon has grown in a year!

More on my trip to Vietnam

It feels like it has been more then two months since I went on the mission trip to Vietnam. It was a great trip and I miss it whenever I take a minute and think about it. The kids were so neat to get to know and I wish that I could see them and ask how they are doing. Here are some more pictures and a video of the kids singing a song.

The toddlers and babies were so serious and of course cute. The one on the left wanted to be held and did not want to let go of us. I wish adoption was easier and that it was open for Americans to adopt from Vietnam.


Here is another baby that I would love to give a home! My heart aches for these children. I pray the Lord guides their paths in life and they are loved and protected whether it be in the orphanage or with an adoptive family.


Lunch in town.
Busy Hanoi
I'm actually surprised the motor bikes are stopped at this light.

We traveled to Ha Long Bay for a night on a Junk. I took so many pictures. This is one of the most beautiful places on earth.




We hiked up and were able to capture some pictures from above. Breathtaking.



We got to Kayak! I've always wanted to do that. Janet and Frank in the picture above.




Sonja, one of the team members, decided she would kayak too.


The boat, a.k.a. Junk, that we stayed on.

I highly debated whether to share this picture....hmmm maybe I should still delete it. lol. We were wanting a good picture of us jumping into the water but it just didn't happen. So here is THE picture capturing us jumping in. And yes, we decided to hold hands like we were 9 years old as we jumped. That whole day was pure joy, we truly felt like kids. Running around having fun, feeling God's love. Free. Pure. Amazing Love.



Me, Frank, and Analiz, the "kids" on the trip. None of us knew each other before the trip but now we will all be friends for life. Brothers and sisters in Christ.


That is a place that I would love to go back to with George and our kids some day! Or leave the kids with the grandparents while we go ;)

Post from the phone

I have been wanting to blog but just have random tidbits to talk about right now and I can't find the camera cable thing to upload pictures to the computer.

I downloaded this new app to blog from my phone but I don't think I can add pictures to it. And I also just downloaded shazam, I need to get caught up with all this app stuff, I kind of miss my old phone that I could just call or text from. Oh the good ole days without all this technology...

Oh also George and I have been thinking about combining our blogs but we are not sure yet. I think we would just have two different sets of posts, like a his and her, but on one website location.

I am still thinking about applying for the Pin Show and designing and making a line of clothes...but I still need a direction to go on. Still trying to see how my major can glorify the Lord. It's so easy to get caught up in wordly things when it involves the clothing industry.

This week my goal is to get up earlier and get in the word and in prayer more. Staying at home is hard and I need direction and guidance on how to be productive around the house while taking care of an active toddler! How do the women that have it all together do it? Even the ones that have it mostly together?

I am so thankful for my husband and son!

Have a great week!

Maybe, Just Maybe

I would like to do this...

@ this link


AND


this...



(hope they don't mind me taking a pic from their website...)

@ this link

The Architect's Son

Just some fun recent pictures I wanted to share of father and son!