My Own Personal Form of Heroine

If you have seen the Tw*light movie you heard Edward describe Bella as his own personal form of heroine. Well, I have found that I have my own brand as well. I am addicted to seeing a smile on my husband's face. I go to GREAT lengths to see the little "proud look" (as I call it) on his face.
This weekend we bought tickets to the BCS National Championship in Pasadena to watch Alabama play Texas on January 7. If you know me at all, you know that I am a bit of a "tight wad" as some would call it...I prefer to call myself frugal or thrifty and sensible when it comes to finances, but I also know that I have to remember we only get to live once. This is one of those once in a lifetime opportunities for us that I would regret for years if we didn't go.
We are flying out early the morning of the game and then flying back early the next morning...craziness! When Alabama beat Florida, he started looking for tickets just for kicks but he couldn't shake it and I caved. I love mentioning that we are going just so I can see his face light up like a little kid in a candy store. I am not sure how we will top this and what I will do next to get my fix...maybe Alabama will win and I can just mention "that time we saw Alabama win the national championship" and he will get that cute little look on his face that I crave so much.
If you know me at all, you also know that I am a big Tennessee fan so cheering for Alabama will not be easy but I will be cheering for the Crimson Tide and I will be wearing crimson (per the request of EJ). I will probably have to wear orange socks or something just to keep a little dignity.
I will post pictures when we return but you can't use the pictures of me in crimson for blackmail!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

So often I take the blessings God has showered over me for granted and I wanted to take a little time to reflect on all that He has done and given.
I AM THANKFUL...
1. that Jesus paid my sin debt on the cross.
2. for the hope I have because Jesus rose 3 days after His death.
3. for my sweet husband who loves me despite of me.
4. that E and I have the ability to work and love our jobs.
5. for grandparents who brought up my parents with reference and love for God.
6. for parents who have supported and loved me no matter what.
7. for in-laws who accept me as their own.
8. for friends that understand me and laugh and cry with me.
9. for a roof over my head.
10. for my health.
This is only a small fraction of all that I have to be thankful for. When I think of all that I have to be thankful for, I can't help but think of all the people who don't even know when their next meal will come or if it will come in time. I can't help but think of all the people who wonder if the few clothes they have will keep them warm enough to make it through the winter nights on the street. I can't help but think of the beautiful children who don't have a family to support them and love them. I can't help but think all the people who have never been told about the gift of Jesus.
Father Your goodness to me is overwhelming. I can't comprehend Your grace but I am so thankful for it. Help me to show Your love and goodness to those around me and around the world. Open my eyes to opportunities to bless others. Give me boldness to tell the world of Your Son and His sacrifice.

Go Titans!

We had another fun Sunday afternoon together. We went to the Titans game and then roamed around the mall. It was a lot of fun especially since the Titans won! Thanks for the tickets Brian and Ondrea...we had a great time!

A Walk in the Woods

Football season came to an end Friday night. The Purple Tigers lost in the first round of playoffs. While I am sad they didn't go a little further in their season, I am glad to have my husband back. They start conditioning for baseball on the 16th so we have a few treasured weeks together before he starts coming home late again.

We made the most of our first Sunday afternoon together in a few months and took the puppies on a hike. Our town is not very dog friendly. We have this great trail that leads to a really nice park but dogs are not allowed on either...hmpf! So when we want a change of scenery from our neighborhood on our walks we have to drive a good little distance or find another nearby neighborhood. Anyway, we took the puppies to Long Hunter State Park just outside MJ. There was a mile long loop in the woods with a little detour to a quiet beach on Percy Priest. It was so peaceful and the puppies loved the change of scenery.

Open for Business!

On our first day we filled 27 prescriptions which was about what I would have expected. We had a few computer glitches here and there so we spent half of the day on the phone with field support. I got there about 6:15am so I could blow up balloons and get everything ready for the big day. Grand opening ceremonies started at 7:30am and we opened the doors to the public at 8am. I intended to leave about 7pm but because of the computer issues I didn't feel comfortable leaving so I stayed until 9pm, so needless to say I was pooped after that 15 hour day. I didn't have to be there until 1pm today and so I didn't set an alarm this morning and I slept until 11am!!!!!! What?! I haven't slept that late since Saturday mornings in high school! It felt wonderful!!
Today we filled 56 prescriptions and had new computer glitches to deal with but both days have been rather smooth. Now I am off to bed again.

Pictures!

My computer and my camera have not been friends over the past few months. The computer would only recognize the camera like once every hundred times I tried to download pictures. This morning at 2am I was lying in bed thinking of all of the stuff I have to do for grand opening tomorrow while listening to Kala snore and I received a bit of divine inspiration about the camera and computer, so I got up and removed all of my camera software and then downloaded it all again and so far so good....so I have some pictures from October.

Here are some pictures of our fall decorations. I love the warm colors of fall and wearing hoodies and jeans and building fires and driving down the road looking at God's awesome creation as the leaves change.

EJ's mom was here a few weekends ago and bought us some knock out roses (left flower bed in above picture) for our flower bed. The lady at the nursery said it is near impossible to kill them, so we'll see how long they survive at our house.

Here are some pictures of the pharmacy all set up for grand opening. Nine years ago this month I started with this company and never imagined I would be a pharmacy manager today but here I is.

3 days til GO

We officially open our doors in 3 days!! Oh my goodness! I looked around the pharmacy before I left on Friday and we are technically ready to open. We have everything we need to dispense medication and everything is in order and put away. I can't believe this day has already come. When I accepted the job, I felt like it was so far away and now the day has come.
We have an open house for family and friends on Monday from 6-8pm. Registers will not be open, it is just a time to look around, so all day Monday we will be decorating and putting the finishing touches on everything. Everyday I get less nervous and more excited...I am just ready to get it up and going and bringing some money in.
I have been blessed with an incredible assistant manager. She is a couple years older than me, newly married, and great with patients. We have worked together at another store the past few months and we get along great. She is just as excited about the new store as I am. I am just sad that we won't really get to work together because my days off will be her days to work, but I know that the pharmacy and patients will be in good hands with her there.
More posts to come after grand opening :)

9 days til GO!!

Oh my goodness!!! Next Wednesday is Grand Opening for my new store! YIKES! There is so much to do and so little time! I have been stressing over supplies that I ordered about 2 weeks ago and still haven't received. I called the warehouse today and they said, "Oh we put those on hold to ship with all of your drugs. You should receive all of this tomorrow." What in the world?!? I ordered them 2 weeks ago so I could have all of them put away BEFORE drugs came, but instead we get 14 boxes tomorrow all to be unloaded by Friday. Then Friday I get another shipment...geesh...it's gonna be a long week. All of the hardwork will pay off next week when we open. The store is really nice and I am proud to have a part in it. If you are in the area next Wednesday, stop by and say hello, I might even have a little freebie for you (and I hear Charlie Daniels will be there...if you like that kind of thing.) Now I am going to bed so I can be there at the crack of dawn tomorrow.

6-2

Watertown Purple Tigers won again last Friday night. They played a local rival and the game was not so friendly. The other team played dirty and should have had a kid ejected but it didn't matter in the end because the tigers pulled out another win, 21-19.
EJ's dad, step-mom, aunt and uncle all came to the game and shivered through the cold game. We spent Saturday with them shopping, watching football, and just enjoying time with family that we don't get to see enough.

Content in Christ

Here are some notes from my Sunday School lesson for this week. Hope it encourages you this week as much as it has me.

Joy and contentment are not based on your circumstances.

Phillipians 4:10-11 "I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last you have renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me, but lacked the opportunity to show it. I don't say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." (Paul was writing this letter to the Phillipians encouraging believers to rejoice and be content in Christ's power & God's provision while he was in prison...WOW!)

learned: conscious decision to depend on Christ
As Christians we have to think through messages that bombard us everyday telling us we need a certain phone, car, clothes, etc. Learning to be content requires that we "love God with our mind, heart, soul, and strength." Mark 12:30

content: not to want more
There is irony here because Christians should want more...to be more like Christ, more patience, more peace, more love, Christians should want children to have food, homes & families...
so what does it mean for Christians to be content?
Depending on Christ for every need. Recognizing Christ as the source of all they have. Being able to say, "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. PRAISE the name of the Lord." Job 1:21

Corrie Tenboom and her sister, Betsie, were imprisoned for their efforts in an underground sanctuary for Jews in Holland during WWII.
Corrie and Betsie smuggled a Bible into the camp and traded it back and forth during the day. If the guards found one or caught anyone having meetings, they were to be executed.
Corrie describes a typical evening in which they would use their Bible to hold worship services: "At first Betsie and I called these meetings with great timidity. But as night after night went by and no guard ever came near us, we grew bolder. So many now wanted to join us that we held a second service after evening roll call. . . (These) were services like no others, these times in Barracks 28. A single meeting night might include a recital of the Magnificat in Latin by a group of Roman Catholics, a whispered hymn by some Lutherans, and a sotto-voce chant by Easter Orthodox women. With each moment the crowd around us would swell, packing the nearby platforms, hanging over the edges, until the high structures groaned and swayed."
"At last either Betsie or I would open the Bible. Because only the Hollanders could understand the Dutch text we would translate aloud in German. And then we would hear the life-giving words passed back along the aisles in French, Polish, Russian, Czech, and back into Dutch. They were little previews of heaven, these evenings beneath the light bulb" (Ten Boom 1971, p. 201)
Why were no guards coming to check on them? Betsie excitedly told Corrie, "I found out for sure, Corrie. I overheard two guards. The guards will not step foot in the bunkroom because of the FLEAS!!" Thank God for the fleas!" she exclaimed.
WOW! Thank God for the fleas?! These women had joy even in the worst circumstances...
so if joy and contentment aren't found in circumstances, where can we find them?

Phillipians 4:12-13 "I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content-whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me."

The last verse is often used to motivate people to do things especially in sports, but what Paul was really saying was that Christ gives us the strength to deal with whatever God calls us to do. God gives us what we need when we need it.

'Many years ago when a seminary professor was battling cancer, one of his students visited him in the hospital. "I don't know how you do it," the student said. "I don't think I could ever endure what you're going through." The professor replied, "Of course not. God hasn't asked you to. God does not give dying grace on non-dying days."'

Failure to understand this truth can rob us of our joy because we'll spend a lot of time wondering "what if". What if a loved one dies? What if I contract a terminal illness? What if I lose my job? What if? What if? Those thoughts lead to worry and crowd our joy. In Matthew 6:28-34 Christ told us not to worry about what we will eat, wear, or drink...not to worry about tomorrow, but seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all of these will be provided for you.

Don't be content with your relationship with God but seek Him and you will find contentment in life (or as the old hymn says...the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.)

KNOWN-Lifeway Christian Resources

A Convert???

I am happy to report that we stayed dry at the game on Saturday! It rained until about 30 minutes before kick-off but didn't even sprinkle the whole game! We had a great day of hanging out with each other that we haven't had much time to do since football season started. E even wore a Power T!!!! Look out...is he converting? hmmmmm...

Fort Wayne and Football (Take Two)

Last weekend in Fort Wayne was so awesome...the only complaint I have is that the visit was too short. I got in Saturday afternoon and hung out with the girls a little before the show. "Wash Your Troubles Away" was soo cute. All three girls did a great job!! Misty had a duet with the villain of the play and it sounded awesome. Chali was a natural on stage, she would make eye contact with me and give me a little wink or smirk and go right on singing. She played an orphan and had to beg for money in the audience.

I gave the girls each some roses after the show (When I told Chali I was coming to the show she informed me that people in plays get flowers when it is over, so I figured that was my hint. ha!) Sunday was the girls last performance. I got to stay backstage with Karis. It was a lot of fun. Then Sunday night we had family movie night where the girls each got to pick a movie at the store and we all ate some junk food while cuddling on the sofa. I had to leave early Monday morning to catch my plane and it never gets easier to leave my little rockstars.
Yesterday I ate lunch with my two oldest nephews then picked them up from school to go to Uncle E's football game. This is what I saw in my rear view mirror while stuck in traffic...never a dull moment!

We walked to BK for an after school treat while my car was getting some work. When we went to pick up the car they said your front tires have NO tread and we recommend that you get them changed before getting on the interstate again...nice 'cause we were leaving to go to another game at Muddy Creek County about an hour down the interstate. I called WallyWorld and they had 2 tires in stock so we dropped the car off and walked to a pizza place for dinner. This is what I saw when I turned around once in the halloween aisle... nothing like hanging out with an 8 year old, they sure know how to make you smile.With all of the car delays we finally made it to the game about mid way through the 3rd quarter, and the boys were so cute and proud of their Uncle E. Liam thought we were going to watch him play so when he saw him coaching with a headset on and everything he was beaming with pride. Everytime EJ would move, Liam would say "Is that Uncle E, right there?" He was so cute! The Purple Tigers won 38-0!!! So that was exciting for the boys to see Uncle E win. ('09 record 4-1) We got home and watched a movie while the boys fell asleep then we were pumped about watching their flag football games this morning but they were canceled due to rain.
Rain, rain, go away so we can watch some football today! We have tickets to the UT game and unfortunately that means we sit rain or shine in our seats. I am excited about the game but not the rain. Hopefully we won't get too drenched.

A Win at Podunk County

After work last night I drove to EJ's game at Podunk County...I mean Pickett County. I was listening to Ethel (our GPS) and trusting her to get to my destination but when I drove up I was sure she was wrong. She led me to the baseball field but at a closer look there was a football game going on in the outfield! Little league I was sure, but on a Friday night? I drove closer and saw the Purple Tigers so I decided I was at the right place. I wore my rain boots and it was a good thing because we were standing in a pond...yes standing right there on the pitcher's mound, there were four small sets of bleachers but if you sat on them the only view of the game you could see was the backsides of the players. It was an adventure to say the least. The Purple Tigers won 44-6 and they are now 3-1. YAY!! If you are interested in joining the adventure of high school football with me, come on up any weekend and we would love to have you!!

Now I am on my way to the airport to see my Tony award winning nieces in their debut musical at the Fort Wayne Children's Theater. Okay, I may be exaggerating a little but I hear they are naturals on the stage and I can't wait to see them!!!!!

Funk

I have had 'the funk' for almost two weeks now. Before I left for Destin I had a little chest congestion but was almost over that when I got home. But EJ had 'funk' when I got home and he graciously passed it to me. Thursday I called into work and went to the doctor (something I have not done in my nine years at wally world!) She said I had an upper respiratory viral infection that should pass but wrote a rx for an antibiotic just in case it didn't go away in the next few days. Friday I felt much better and even had some good quality time with my girlfriends from college. Saturday I was tired but I thought it was from staying up late with the girls. Yesterday I felt almost as bad as Thursday again and today is not much better. I got my rx filled yesterday and I am really hoping it does the trick over the next few days because my body is exhausted from fighting this!!! Tomorrow is the usually one of the busiest days of the year at work so I really need to be on my game, please pray that God will heal the funk today while I rest at home.

Don't You Love It When God Hits You Like A Locomotive

So I was getting on here to blog about my crummy week and whine about the battery in my car that won't start and then I checked my sister-in-law's blog and through her blog God reminded me that I am so blessed beyond what I could possible deserve. I have a home, a family, a car (that might not always start when I want it to but I have one none the less), a job, two pets, friends (the best in the world I might add). And above all else, I have Jesus because people in my life took the time to share Him with me. Please click here and go to my s-i-l's blog and watch the videos from today.

Titan

We spent almost every minute of time since I have been home looking for a steal on a truck for EJ. After some wheelin' and dealin' we bought EJ a Nissan Titan last night. He is so cute in it. He has this 'new car smile' on his face when he drives it.... and for our moms, aunts, and sisters that read this and think a truck wasn't practical if we are gonna have kids anytime soon, we thought of that so he got a king cab.

Adventures in Destin

Wednesday night after work I set off on a journey that had twists and turns I wasn't expecting. We prepared my car for the journey with new brake pads, an oil change, a new battery and some fresh epoxy to hold the bumper on. No, really, the bumper has been hanging on for dear life for about a year now.

I arrived at my parents' house about 11pm and crashed. I left the next morning at 7am for my road trip (which isn't as much fun by yourself...even if you crank up the music and sing at the top of your lungs...it's still more fun with a car full of friends or the love of your life by your side). After a few hours on the road I had to "rest" and I was a only a few miles from EJ's aunt's work so I took a little detour to surprise her which was fun. About 30 minutes down the road it began raining and raining then it began to pour. I got a break in the storm long enough to pull over and get some Rain-X for Hagdalina(that's the name EJ gave my car). That stuff is like the difference between night and day...I hit another storm and didn't even have to use my wipers unless I was in town in stop-and-go traffic.

But anyway...I arrived safe and sound in Destin on Thursday afternoon for my friend Sarah's wedding on Saturday. We went to preschool through high school together playing softball and basketball. She recently moved to New Mexico so I don't get to see her very often. Friday, all the bridesmaids took the bride to get nails done and then we went out to eat before hitting the beach for a bit. Here's where the story gets a little interesting...

Sarah and I and two other bridesmaids were staying in a condo in Destin and then the groom's sister was staying with all of her family in a house in Navarre (about 45 minutes from Destin). We left the beach Friday afternoon and the four in Destin took showers then I took Kelly (the groom's sister) on to her house where the rehearsal dinner was so she could shower and change clothes before dinner. We were about 5-10 minutes away from Navarre driving with the windows down...
and I said "Do you hear that? It sounds like I've got a loose belt."
To which Kelly replied, "Yeah. Do you smell that?"
To which I replied, "Yeah. Smells like somethings burning."
To which we both replied, "OH MY GOSH!!!"
Smoke was billowing out from the hood. So I pulled the car over but when I tried to turn it was really hard to turn the wheel, so I thought 'Great! The power steering has gone out!' Oh, don't I wish it was that simple.

Apparently in our attempt to ready the car for it's journey we didn't think to check the radiator cap (like we would have ever thought the check that...geesh!) So the radiator cap (a $3 part at any auto parts store) was bad causing lots of terrible things to snowball under the hood of my car causing the engine to overheat to the point that the aluminum pistons in my engine melted and fused together. So I called EJ to emphasize how glad I was that he decided not to come on this trip with me (please hear the sarcasm in my voice!) But oh yeah...he was winning his football game...yay (please hear the lack of enthusiasm in my voice!). This was our conversation when he called me that night....
EJ "Hey! We won!"
Grace "Hey! My car died! Really, died! I'm leaving the piece of junk here! Do you wanna come down here and pick me up and come to the wedding tomorrow or do you wanna book me a flight home? I'm leaving the piece of junk down here seriously."
EJ "Wha..wha...wha...what!!!!!!????!!!!! What do you mean 'your car died'!? How dead?"
Grace "Dead! Breathed it's last! And by the way...never ever ever are you sending me on a trip by myself!"

Is it awful that I couldn't enjoy his win? I feel a little guilty about it now but just a little.
So I bought a duffle bag and cleaned out my car. My sweet friends are bringing all of the bags of junk I took down there and all of the junk from my car to me when they leave on Thursday. I'm mailing my title to them and they are taking it the salvage yard to pick up a check (that hopefully will cover my flight home.)

The flight home is another adventure in itself...I had a little encounter with Maurice at the ticket counter when he threw my ticket in the trash and told me he was putting me on standby. That was not a good decision for him after the weekend I'd had and after I was already stressed from my gate being changed from C to A to E to B at the Atlanta airport (good thing that have a tram)...but I won't get into the details of that story....I'll just tell you, Maurice lost and I made it home to my honey and cried on his shoulder as soon as I saw him then I think I was asleep in the car before we were officially out of the airport.

In the end, Sarah and Thomas were married and Hagdalina gave us all a memory that won't soon be forgotten.

The moral of the story:

The temperature gauge on your car that you think is a waste of dashboard space is just as important to watch as the gas gauge even though it doesn't move very often.

What Really Matters

"I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you can determine what really matters and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."
Phil 1:9-11

Football & Relaxing (but not together)

EJ's football season officially began Friday night with their first game. They lost by a not very pretty margin but the good new is...EJ looked so cute down on the field with his little headset on. I am so proud of him and all that he has accomplished and I was beaming on Friday night despite the loss. Next Friday is a home game, if you are interested in coming. I won't be there though...

...I will be in Destin (I know, bless my heart!) One of my very best friends is getting married Saturday on the beach. I have to say I will miss my husband while I am gone (even though we don't see much of each other during football season anyway) BUT I am hoping for some good relaxation time at the beach on Thursday. I am not usually the type of person that likes to just chill out on the beach...most of the time, I'd rather be doing something active, but I have been so busy and a little stressed out in recent days th atI am rather looking forward to doing nothing with the fourth and final book in the Twilight series on the sand under my umbrella, ella, ella..ay! ay! ay!

memories from a penske truck

I was driving down to Alabama for the weekend last night and I passed a big yellow penske truck. This sent me down memory lane for the majority of my trip south. It was not quite two years ago that we loaded up our yellow truck and headed east from Memphis. We have been so blessed!!! We are in house that truly was a God send and we have two jobs that don't feel so much like jobs because we enjoy what we do. It is such a peaceful feeling to know that you are right where God wants you and we are right where He wants us for the time being.
I was going to post more memories but my sleeping babes just woke up from naps and Mama Zannie is on her way home from work so we are off to the animal park.

Rejoice in the Lord Always!

Yesterday was a long hard day at work. From the minute I walked in the door to the minute I left an hour and a half after closing I was stressed out and a little frustrated to say the least. About five hours into my day at work, one of the technicians who is not a believer walked up beside me and said "Smile, Grace. The day is half over." I immediately was overwhelmed with conviction of my attitude and thoughts. I had let the 'troubles' of life get in the way of my walk with Christ and it showed to the non-believers I am trying to reach every day. I pray that my attitude yesterday does not hinder the non-believers I work with from seeing Christ despite me.
On my lunch break I sat in my car and prayed and I remembered a passage from Francis Chan's book Crazy Love that I will share with you. Be careful in reading any further, especially if you are a type a personality like me that tends to get 'stressed' over life's little things, because this will hurt your little sensitive toes.

"I used to believe that in this world there are two kinds of people: natural worriers and naturally joyful people. I couldn't really help it that I was the worrying kind. I'm a problem solver, so I have to focus on things that need fixing...
"But then there's that perplexing command: 'Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!' Phil 4:4. You'll notice that it doesn't end with "...unless you're doing something extremely important." No, it's a command for all of us, and it follows with the charge, 'Do not be anxious about anything' v. 6...
"When I am consumed by my problems-stressed out about my life, my family, my job-I actually convey the belief that I think the circumstances are more important than God's command to always rejoice. In other words, that I have a 'right' to disobey God because of the magnitude of my responsibilities.
"Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives.
"Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip of control.
"Basically these two behaviors communicate that it's okay to sin and not trust God because the stuff in my life is somehow exceptional."

God is good and I had the opportunity last night to apologize to the technician for my sour expression earlier in the day. I was able to tell him of the goodness of God and how I know that nothing is too big for God to handle.
I pray that I will be obedient to His command to rejoice and not be anxious. I pray that I will lean on Him and trust Him fully in every aspect of my life, even in the 'little things'. I pray that I will be more focused on spreading the gospel than anything else during my time on this earth.

Seattle

We have returned to normal life...whatever that is.
The rest of our trip was fantastic. We are planning another trip within the next few years because there was so much we wanted to do but didn't get a chance to do...like hike at Mt. Rainier, hike in the rainforest at Olympic National Forest, and go to Victoria BC.
Here is the rest of our trip...
Thursday
EJ and I toured Safeco Field where the Mariners play

and then Qwest Field where the Seahawks and the Sounders (soccer) play.

Then we went with Mom & Dad to the Woodland Park Zoo and the Space Needle.

Friday
We went to the Pacific Science Center and watched an imax movie about Lewis and Clark (which was a nice rest from all of our walking). Then we went on a harbour cruise.

After that we ate at the the Crab Pot where I ate my first and last oyster.

Then we went on a sunset ferry ride to Bainbridge Island...

it was a perfect evening to see Mt. Rainer.

Then we went to the Space Needle to see Seattle at dark.
Saturday
We met Scott and Sherrie to go to Snoqualmie Falls.

(The new title picture was taken on the hike down to the falls.)
That evening we had a get together with some old friends from Meadowbrook.
Sunday
We went to Meadowbrook then sadly had to leave.

To see more pictures of our trip, click on the link below.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2352179&id=9425876&l=f67477db1b
If that doesn't work...sorry...the pictures really are beautiful!

Vacation Update

We are taking a break from all of our activities and enjoying a night in the hotel so I decided to give a little update so the post next week won't be a novel.

We had a lot of fun in Idaho...who knew it was so beautiful !!. I had driven through Idaho when I was younger but didn't enjoy the beauty or I was in the wrong part of the state to see the beauty. Thirty of my relatives on my mom's side of the family met at a resort community called Tamarack in Donnelly, ID on Wednesday. We had two large chalets, one for the younger folks and one for my mom and her siblings and spouses.
Thursday we loaded up the majority of people and went for a hike down a mountain to Blue Lake. It was absolutely gorgeous. We were hiking among wildflowers in shorts and t-shirts among mountain tops with snow still on top...it was incredible.

Twelve of us went white water rafting down the Payette River on Friday. It was a lot of fun and a beautiful scenic float when we were weren't paddling for our life. Then that evening we went into McCall, ID to walk around the lake community and EJ went ice skating with our cousin, Lake.

Saturday morning we packed up, some of the group went home and the rest of us went to my aunt's house right outside of Boise. We don't get to see them enough so we had a good visit with them until we left on Monday.

Sunday morning we went to Common Ground Biker Church at The Busted Shovel Bar & Grill in Meridian, ID where my uncle is the pastor. We had an awesome morning of worship. After the service my uncle took me for my first motorcycle ride on his Harley. I was scared before we left but once we hit the open road I was completely at ease....I loved it!!!
Monday morning we flew out of Boise to Seattle. That evening we went to a Mariners game with Meadowbrook Church. I have a few handfuls of memories from our time in the Pacific Northwest and many of them include fellowships with Meadowbrook so that was a lot of fun. EJ got to meet some of the people that he has heard about for years and the Mariners won...yay!

Tuesday morning we went to the aquarium, strolled through Pike Place Market then went on a tour of underground Seattle. We learned about how Seattle was formed as a city and saw some of the original city that was built at sea level...then raised to prevent flooding while keeping the original city intact underground. On our walk back to the hotel we stopped at the first Starbucks which looked like just a little local coffee shop because that is what it started as. We then drove to Tacoma and had dinner with some precious friends from back home. It was so good to hear how God is working in their lives and using them where they are.

Jon, Valerie, Scott, Sherrie, EJ, Grace, Dwight, Zannie Today we drove around Redmond which is where we lived when we were out here. We showed EJ our old houses and schools and took him by a local dairy that makes YUMMY ice cream! Then we met some friends for lunch...ice cream then lunch, that's what I'm talking about! We showed EJ Microsoft and Nintendo headquarters. When we got back to downtown Seattle we went to the Experience Music Project which is a museum of music history and we saw the King of Pop's white glove and jacket that he wore at the Motown Festival where he introduced the moonwalk. EJ enjoyed the sound lab where they had drum sets, guitars, keyboards, mixers, etc to play...luckily they closed at 7pm or we would have been there ALL night.Tomorrow we are touring Safeco Field (where the Mariners play) then touring Qwest Field (where the Seahawks play). After that we plan to go on a cruise of the harbor weather permitting. That is it so far...more to come when I get home.

I'm Licensed and Going on Vacation

This post is definitely going to be random because I am in a hurry but here goes...

Sorry for the delay in posting about my test results...I passed both tests!!! I found out today that I am a licensed pharmacist. My company congratulated me by putting me at the busiest store in the district tomorrow on my first full day on my own to close all by myself...geesh! But that's okay, cause Wednesday morning at the 0dark-thirty..we are leaving for vacation!!!! I am so pumped, we are flying out with my parents to Boise, ID for my mom's side of the family's reunion. Every year, one of the four siblings in her family hosts the reunion on the Fourth of July weekend. Then we are flying from Boise to Seattle on Monday for a week...so no posts for a couple of weeks (not that that's unusual for me).

I have some real books to read on the plane...NOT text books or review books and definitely NOT pharmacy law books!!! I have Crazy Love (that I bought at a yard sale for $0.25) and I am so excited to read it...I have read the foreward by Chris Tomlin and had to stop and ponder my walk with Christ after only the foreward so I can't wait to see what God will show me in the rest of the book. And I picked up the first in the Tw*light series. I am so excited about reading for pleasure...yippee!

On a completely different note, this past weekend EJ was at a "conference" in Myrtle Beach and I had our 8 year old nephew to come hang out with me for his birthday weekend. This kid is so much fun and quite possibly the sweetest and most polite 8 year old ever!! He really makes you feel good about yourself too...he is like a life coach/cheerleader. I picked him up Friday evening and told him the weekend was all about him and we could do whatever he wanted. He said "Like roast hot dogs over a fire" I said absolutely!!! Then he said..."or actually can we go to the gas station and get some snacks instead"...I said of course, how about we do both!!! I think I would have said sure if he'd asked to go to the moon...but he didn't. He just asked to go to the pool and go bowling...easy enough. We had a lot of fun and I would post pictures but I don't have time to download them because I have to finish packing...maybe next post.

Bon Voyage!

While I'm Waiting

As you already know, I took the law portion of the boards last Friday. The past week has been excruciating for me as I wait to get my results. Usually after I take a test, I can move on with my life and forget about it but this test was different. Before the test I felt like I knew the material but I was really nervous because everyone says it is a tricky test. I felt your prayers as I went in to the testing center...I was very calm and relaxed when I sat down, but about 30 minutes into the test I started freaking out! I would say a little prayer and continue until the next freak out then say another prayer...this pattern continued for the remaining hour of the exam. When I left the testing center I forgot about the whole God is in control thing and I started crying. I felt sure that I failed...I still don't have my results yet but I know I can rest in the assurance that His plan is best whatever the results may be (but as you will read...I didn't pick up on this simple principle quickly). See God is teaching me to trust Him and teaching me patience this week while I wait.

The sweet ladies at the testing center told me that I should know something within the week. I have heard from other recent grads who received their results three days after they took the exam...so Wednesday I began anxiously checking the mail. I was hoping it would be there Wednesday but really didn't expect it...so when it didn't come I wasn't heartbroken. Thursday morning I woke up confident that I would get my results in the mail that day. I went to work at 12:45 after giving EJ strict instructions to check the mail box at least hourly, keep the blinds open so the dogs would bark when the mail truck came around, and to text me immediately with the results. Our mail usually comes around 2:30 so at 3:00 I started calling/texting him every 30 minutes until 5 pm when I realized that the mail wasn't coming Thursday. Sure enough...our mail man did not come down our street on Thursday...why? The only reason I can think of is because God was teaching the resident at the end of the cul-de-sac to trust Him...sorry neighbors. (So Dad, your Father's Day card will come on Monday because our mailman didn't pick it up on Thursday because God is teaching me to trust Him.) Anyway, back to the story... this morning I was still having trouble trusting Him so I called the post office to find out if I should come pick up my mail today (because I knew that my results were in the mail yesterday) and he assured me that my mail would be delivered and that I didn't need to come down there to get it. So today the mail truck came by at 12:30 (remember the mail usually comes at 2:30 and I went to work today at 12:45) so I ran out to the mailbox and thumbed through only to find that there was no letter for me and God had to remind me, yet again, that He is in control. I think after 3 days of worrying and anxiety, I learned.

I am so disappointed in myself for allowing this to consume me this week. Why can't I let my love for Him consume me in the same way...that I would rush to the lost people to tell them the story of Jesus like I rushed to the mailbox. That my compassion for the lost and hurting would compel me to pray for them every 30 minutes like I texted/called EJ every 30 minutes on Thursday.
Father, forgive me for being so selfish this week and thank you for reminding me to worship while I wait and to serve You while I wait. Help me to remember to not be anxious about anything but to pray about everything.

This song was playing on the radio when I got in the car on my lunch break on Thursday after realizing the mail wasn't coming. I know that it is talking about Jesus' return but it rained down conviction on my selfish soul.
While I'm Waiting by John Waller
I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve you
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I am waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

Kala & Bama

Kala has entered the world of womanhood. Last Tuesday night we invited a young beau, Cal, to our house to meet Kala. He was beautiful but didn't care much for Kala. So Cal's owners introduced Kala to Cal's daddy, Bama (whose owner's have another boxer named Allie..get it Allie Bama...sickening I know). Bama and Kala hit it off right from the start. They have had two dates so far and are meeting again on Sunday afternoon. So mid-August we should have some pretty little puppies. I am so excited but a little worried for my baby.

Here are some pictures of their second date (nothing to graphic though).

Walkin' In Memphis

So our computer is finally fixed (sort of) and I am stealing a little time away from studying to show pictures from our weekend in Memphis for my long awaited graduation. I will make it short and sweet though because I really need to get back to studying (I take the law portion of my board exam on Friday at 5:15pm so please pray for me!!)

I had to be in Memphis Wednesday morning for graduation/exam review, then that afternoon we checked into our room at The Peabody -"The South's Grand Hotel". I will have to say that they just don't make 'em like they used to. It was built in the 30's and has all of the beautiful woodworking and details of an old hotel. Here are some pictures of the lobby and the famous Peabody ducks. The ducks live in a penthouse suite on the rooftop and come down the elevator every morning at 11. They waddle down a red carpet and hop in the fountain in the lobby and then they waddle back down the red carpet every evening at 5 to go up their suite for the evening. It is really cute to watch.

This is the lobby ceiling.

Thursday morning EJ and I met my parents and my brother at Graceland. My mom went to Graceland years ago when my aunt graduated pharmacy school but at that time Elvis lived there. They were walking by the gate and Elvis was on a horse in the yard and she got his autograph on my aunt's graduation program, so this time we all went back and toured the home. It was worth the money...there are a lot of interesting facts and memorabilia.

(Takin' Care of Business)

(The Jungle Room)

If only it were purple...EJ could wear it to games!

After Graceland we made a little detour on our way back to the hotel to get some Bruster's!!!! It was so yummy...mmm, chocolate raspberry truffle!!

Thursday afternoon was the Hooding Ceremony. EJ's parents, sister, and aunt & uncle were all able to come, as well as my college roommate Kristen and her husband Brad.
Me in my hood

After the ceremony we all went out to eat at Texas de Brazil, a Brazilian steakhouse that continually brings out different cuts of meat and you eat until you pop. Another college roomie, Mindy, met us there to celebrate.
Then Friday was the real deal Lucille. I finally graduated!
Proud Mom & Dad
After graduation we went to eat Dyer's Burgers on Beale. It's a little burger place that uses the same grease as when they opened in the 50's or something like that...anyway it was good.Then we went to a Redbirds game.
Saturday afternoon on our way out of town we made one last pit stop at Bruster's again. I sure do miss my rainy days in Memphis!It was such a fun and memorable weekend!