2 days and counting

December 28: Didn't eat as much as I wanted to in order to keep my metabolism up...but at least I didn't eat much crap.  Took all intended vitamins & supplements. Jogged/walked 1.6 miles with Clay...of that I think he said we jogged .6...which is WAY more than I would have ever done without him there.  Did not spend time in the Word.

December 29:  Again, didn't eat as much as I should have metabolism-wise, but didn't eat too much junk either.  Took all intended vitamins (including the fish oil packet), but did not drink enough water.  Hip Hop Abs for 30 minutes followed by Windsor Pilates for 20.  Some time 

in the Word earlier pondering Body Systems (I'm in charge of Science and we start the Skeletal System next week), and am headed to read another chapter in The Search for Significance.  

I promise not to bore you with daily updates...I'm just excited I actually managed to do something this week!

The First Day...

After a rather rocky ending to 2007 - an overwhelming break-up and Mimi's passing - I could not have imagined that 2008 would be so remarkable.

On New Year's Day I was all but offered a position with Presbyterian Children's Homes & Services that resuced me from what had slowly evolved into a toxic work enviornment. January 20, the night before I began work at PCHAS, I went on my first date with Clay Dixon. Seven days ago we celebrated 11 months. I have learned so much from and with

him - he is truly medicine to my soul. In February I began the very long process of applying to teach. In May I was offered at 5th grade classroom....and in August I officially began teaching. In between those milestones I made new friends, had a great time celebrating birthdays and weddings, had an amazing puppy for a few short months, and have had the opportunity to get my finances in order.

As blessed and amazing as 2008 was, I have been ignoring, for quite some time, that I am in need of some maintenance: physical and spiritual. I am now ready to start this difficult process. My hope and goal for 2009 is to be healthier in all arenas. To be content where God has me, but to be actively pursuing growth in areas within my control.

So here are the steps to achieving said goals:

• Daily, non-negotiable time in prayer, meditation and the Word. No matter how crappy I feel about myself that day, how unworthy Satan tells me I am, or how much I don't "feel" like a Christian in the moment.

• Moving my sedentary body for at least 3o minutes a day. I would LOVE to be able to run a 5K this year.

• Eating healthier, as gluten-free as possible, consuming more water on a regular basis.

Updated Sites

I have come across some new blogs and new websites you might enjoy. Check out my udpated Blogs and Favorites sections. 

New Favorites:

• Perspectives Class in Austin & Perspectives on the World Christian Movement 
  
  These 2 links are part of the same organization. The parent group is Perspectives on the World Christian Movement. There are classes all over the world, and having taken this class for graduate school credit 2 years ago, I strongly recommend it.  All believers are called to be on mission with God...not just a select few who may be called to live in huts in Africa. Pardon the lack of adjective diversity - but this class will truly change your perspective on the Christian walk.
  
  
• The Star of Bethlehem
  
  There are no words to describe how incredible our God is. This presentation by Rick Larson of College Station, TX will give you walk you through God's poetry in the sky. Working from 9 "clues" or criteria listed in the Matthew account of the Star, Mr. Larson uses astronomy software to show the world just what was in the sky not only at the time of Christ's birth, but 9 months before at his conception, and then 33 years later on the day of his death. You will walk away from this presenation speechless and in awe of our Creator.  I have the DVD if anyone wants to borrow it.
  
  
• His Hands Taiwan
  
  This one has been on my page for a while, but I'll take this chance to formally introduce you to it. My cousin, Trena Campbell, is a labor & delivery nurse by training. Her family moved to Koashiung, Taiwan a few years ago to work at Morrison Academy. During her time there, the Lord sensitized her to the high abortion rate in the country and impressed upon her the need for someone to show these women His love and comfort. His Hands is a ministry that reaches out to women who find themselves with unwanted pregancy. Similar to Life Care Austin, and Austin Pregnancy Resource Centers, His Hands offers counseling to mothers considering abortion, and care for those who choose to see the pregnancy to term.  His Hands also has a home to temporarily house moms and their children.  From the His Hands site on their Vision:

At the very heart of His Hands is the vision to build relationships. Our primary focus is to build relationships with Taiwanese women, through crisis pregnancy intervention, prenatal education, and childbirth. We believe that by building relationships we will become a place of refuge and hope where we will be able to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Basketball

This weekend Clay and I went with his parents to see Texas v Michigan State and A&M v LSU at the Toyota Center in Houston. Those of you who know me know I don't care one iota about basketball, but it turned out to be a great day! The tickets we were given were 2 rows off the court. It is a totally different perspective when you are close enough to hear what the coaches and the players are talking about. Here are a few pictures from the day. Keep in mind I was not zooming for any of them.

One more random observation: I think A&M's Elonu is a nice guy. I don't know why, but his facial expressions throughout the game just make me think he would be ok to hang out with. And he is a BIG dude.



Texas & Michigan State

LSU warming up

Elonu = 6ft 10in. That is 17 inches taller than me.

Yep. Yep. Yep.

Holy Night

Strongly recommending this sermon (Oh Holy Night: The Reckless Love of God) to any and all believers. Matt is preaching on the lyrics of "Holy Night" in preparation for Christmas. In his estimation (though I butchered the words), next to "Come Emmanuel" the most theologically sound Christmas song ever. You will never sing the song the same again, and you will never read the story of the Prodigal Son (now to me known as the "Recklessly Loving Father") with the same emphasis again.

We got through verse one last week. The first time I sang "Holy Night" was for Madrigal in high school. Even then the words "long lay the world in sin and error pining till He appeared and the soul felt its worth" moved me to tears thinking of my Savior's love. Now, delving deeper into that meaning is even more awe inspiring.

I hope you'll listen, and check back next week, or join us at the Stone for service on Sunday, to jump into verse 2. Also, if you are in Austin for Christmas Eve we will be having 2 services (5p & 7p) at the school...and yes, we will be singing "Holy Night". I was blessed enough to attend choir practice yesterday in preparation for it. Amazing!

Malachi 3:3

**Edited 12/16/08

I received the below article in an email and I am uncertain of its origin, but I found it encouraging. I am finding myself more and more thanking my Father for loving me enough to send me through the fire. He disciplines and refines those He loves. Amazing. Honestly, I have felt very much in the heat of the fire lately. I know others who are close to me are in the fire as well. What a comfort and a reassurance it is to know it is because my Creator wants me to be more like Him.

Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.' This
verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement
meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

She asked the silversmith if it was true that, He had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, He not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the
entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the
flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?' He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

Chew Boo

Is no longer with us. And my heart is broken.