Happy Thanksgiving!

I am apparently not cut out to be a serial blogger. I dropped the ball on my Gratitude Series months ago. Not to say I'm not thankful - I'm just really bad at keeping up with my blog.

Here's a few things that will one day get a blog to further explain my appreciation:

Hello Somebody says HELLO RWANDA!

A word from our friends at HELLO SOMEBODY: 

Hello Somebody is launching a new website and web campaign. In our first year, our goal was to provide a million meals for hungry children all over the world. After completing that goal, we were charged with the challenge, what's next? As we move forward as an organization, we will be promoting sustainability through food and education.

Gratitude Entry #4 Clay

My husband is a rock star. Somehow he always knows exactly what I need and manages to give it to me. He leads me well, and I know he will lead our family well when we begin to grow. He keeps me balanced.

Gratitude Entry #3 - Africa

:::part of the Gratitude Series--for info on the series click here:::

I have felt called to Africa since I was little. In 2006 the Lord opened the first door for me to spend time there. Oh, how I fell in love with that continent. 

2011 Summer Reading

Here's what we're reading this summer. What are you reading? What should we add to this list?

Google image

Gratitude Entry #2 - Austin

:::part of the Gratitude Series--for info on the series click here:::

I grew up in a very, very small town. As in, two stop lights (I think there may be a couple more down towards the "new" Wal-Mart now).

In high school, no one was encouraged to go to college anywhere other than Lamar, Sam Houston or SFA. Not that those aren't great schools...but there are many, many more universities in Texas, the nation, the world. I followed suit and applied only to Sam Houston (though I did get out of the box enough to visit then Southwest Texas University in San Marcos...but it was terrifying to think of being that far from home with no friends).

By October of my freshman year I knew that Huntsville was NOT the place for me, and started making arrangements to transfer to A&M or UT-Austin. Thankfully, the Lord had plans for me to land in Austin.

(Photo found on a Google search for "Austin city scape" at www.fazzino.com/mixed-media-original-art-paintings.htm)

Gratitude Entry #1 - My Job

Welcome to the first installment of 30 Weeks of Gratitude. These aren't going to be a in a particular order...just an opportunity to verbalize and take account of a few of the many blessings in my life.

30 Weeks of Gratitude...

Coming soon!!

I am turning *shudder* 30 tomorrow! I am less than thrilled about this birthday (it may be silly but that is where I am) so I have decided to write about the top 30 things I am thankful to have or have done in my 30 wonderful years on this earth.

Picture grabbed from a Google search for "gratitude"

Cheesy? Probably. But it's coming so be on the look out :-)

Summertime!

I can't believe the year is over. I had an amazing class this year and I will miss them dearly. That being said, it is TIME for a break :-)

Meet Africa New Life!

*Press pause on the playlist at the bottom of the blog*

Here is a little taste of Africa New Life Ministries in Rwanda. Many of the photos were shot while we were there November 2010. All pictures taken by humanitarian photographer, Esther Havens.


Meet Africa New Life! (slideshow) from Africa New Life Ministries on Vimeo.

For more information visit www.africanewlife.org.

"You can't change the world, but you can change the world for one." Founder of ANL, Charles Buregeya

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Proverbs 31: 

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
   she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
   and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
   and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
   her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
   but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

There is so much  more to remember about Mom...but here are a few things that have washed over me during the last few weeks.

Sarah in Kayonza

We got a picture this week of our little girl Sarah in Kayonza, Rwanda. She received the bedding and food we left for her. We are so excited to have in our lives and look forward to how God impacts both her family and ours through this relationship.

Light the Streets

Watch this video.

Light the Streets from Africa New Life Ministries on Vimeo.

Now click here to see how YOU can help.

I came that they may have life and have it to the full. John 10:10b

Please help. And please share this message. God is trading beauty for ashes in Rwanda. Join Him.

PJ Party

On Friday the 5th grade team hosted a PJ party for our girls at school. The theme of the evening was identity. Where do you find your identity? Are you lost in the Performance Trap? Always needing to have the best grades, projects, play, musical performance, work presentation, paper...the list goes on. Are you an Approval Addict? Always searching for the approval and acceptance of peers, parents, teachers, bosses, boys (or girls)?

Retreat

I am thankful for Sabbaths. I am thankful for time away. It's hard to do...to get quiet and still. But it is so good!

We had a great time with the Andreanos. We caught up on each others' lives...the good, the bad, and the beautiful. We also spent time exploring the quaint square in Wimberley.

Hanging out in the small park on the creek that runs through town.

Being silly in front of a little church in town :-)

Andreano-Dixon Marriage Retreat 2011

What: Time away and unplugged from the world.
Why: To pour into our friendships, marriages, and relationships with Jesus.
Where: Cozy, cabin on one of Central Texas's myriad waterways.
When: NOW!

We'll be plugged back in by 11am Sunday. Peace.

 This isn't where we are but I wanted a visual...ironically enough, when I searched "Central Texas Lakes Images" this was the best one...and it's from some drug rehab site. We are not in rehab this weekend. :-)

Jesus In Every Book of the Bible

Taken from the blog "Radical Discipleship" but the video is the YouTube link.

The words of his script are below. Whether you have been walking with Jesus for years, just trusted Him yesterday, or don't have a relationship with Him at all, I hope you will watch this in its entirety.

Today

What a beautiful day! My morning started with time in Hebrews with good friends, waffles by Claire V., coffee from one of my moms, and my students having ALL done ALL of their homework!

I am blessed! Please pray for Clay today. He has his first presentation as he works towards his teaching certification.

Also, if you have not yet listened to the sermon series on Heaven and Hell, do your soul some good and start it today. If you aren't longing for Heaven and the Lord's presence, you will be by the time you are done!

xoxo

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. Hebrews 1:3 Thank you, Jesus, for sustaining me.

Hebrews

Today I started a study of Hebrews with some wonderful friends at school. It has been much too long since I have been in a systematic study of the Word with others who can spur me on and offer their insights.

14 Months

We note babies' progress and age in terms of months, so I decided today to keep track of our marriage in terms of months.  We are a 14 month old family. What a wonderful 14 months it has been!

Today we said goodbye to our first home. Despite all of the reasons we have been chomping at the bit to leave, it was still a little sad as we walked out of our "home" for the last time this afternoon. It was our haven during the first year of this new chapter of our lives. Clay prayed a sweet prayer of thanksgiving for our time there, and blessing over the tenants to come. And then we closed the door and headed down that windy road of Barton Creek Boulevard one more time.

My parents graciously helped us incredibly over the last week - cleaning, packing, hauling, unpacking, cleaning, the list goes on...

We love our new place - pictures to come soon :-) AND we have a spare bedroom...with a bed! So let us know if you're coming to town!

xoxo

min

All pictures: Move in  day - November 2009!!