Glorieta with Friends!

We had such a wonderfully relaxing weekend at Glorieta! The weather was absolutely gorgeous and the company we kept was so nice. There were only a few of us since several couples had to cancel at the last minute. We were sad more couldn't join us, but we really had some great conversations and got to know each other better! Below are some pictures from the weekend.

My friend Mikea and her baby Kenlee.

This is Logan, Adam and Mikea's oldest son. He was sleeping after walking around Santa Fe. His face doesn't show it, but we were buds all weekend!

We were walking around and found this bull with a name tag on it's nose that said Cliff! We had to get a picture of it.

Hannah and Joe! I cannot tell you how thankful I am for their friendship. God knew we needed them when they moved from Brownwood to Amarillo.

The FBC Lodge at Glorieta. Nice joint!

This was our whole group: (L-R) Joe, Hannah, Mikea and sweet baby Kenlee, Adam holding Loga, Me, Cliff, Liberty and Frank)

Cliff and I in Santa Fe. Baby is growing and kicking more all the time! Cliff hasn't felt it move on yet, but I am thinking he will very soon.

We ate lunch and walked around Santa Fe most of the aftenroon on Saturday. The weather was perfect!

Glorieta

Today I only work half day and then Cliff and I are headed to Glorieta, NM with our Sunday School class. It is a small group going, but it should be a really relaxing weekend. I am looking forward to being out of Amarillo and just hanging out! I'll post pictures of the weekend adventure.

The Imitation of Christ: Thomas A Kempis

I have been reading this book off and on for the last month or so. It was loaned to me by our associate pastor. He randomly tosses books my way. I think I am going to have to get me a copy of this one because it is one of those books that you could read over and over again and glean more wisdom each time. Today I am pondering this chapter titled 'Of the few who love Jesus' cross.' It begins like this:

"Jesus has many lovers of his heavenly kingdom these days, but few of them carry his cross. He has many who desire comfort, but few who desire affliction. He has many friends to share his meals, but few to share his fasts. Everyone is eager to rejoice with him, but few are willing to endure anything with him. Many follow Jesus up to the breaking of the bread, but few pursue the shame of the cross. Many love Jesus as long as no difficulties touch them. Many praise and bless him as long as they receive comfort from him. But if Jesus hides himself and leaves them awhile, they either complain or fall into a deep depression."
and the chapter is ended with this:
"No one is richer, no one more powerful, no one more free than the person who can give his whole life to God and freely serve others with deep humility and love."

I wonder what my life would be like if I lived out this kind of love for Jesus. How would my life impact friends and family and those who I pass by each day if I lived this way. What about our churches? I imagine a church full of people who love the cross of Christ more than themselves. People who care less about gossip, less about fashion, less about programs and more about their neighbor who has never heard the hope of Jesus.

I am so thankful to God for showing me his transforming power at an early age, not only in my own life, but in the lives of those close to me. I am convicted though that I now live a very comfortable life and do not look for his transforming power with great expectation. It is not that he has ceased to be the miracle worker, it is me who loves myself and my comforts too much to live a life expecting great things! My own desires to fit in and live a mediocre life have blinded me from seeking Jesus everyday. I forgot that I am an alien in this world.

20 Week Picture

Today I am officially 20 weeks pregnant. I am feeling great. No sickness or pains. Baby is growing normally. I was going to post a few sonogram pictures for everyone to see, but the pictures remain sitting on Cliff's desk. I don't know how to scan them in so there they wait for him to scan. You'll probably just have to come to Amarillo to see those! I am posting a picture of the growing belly with much reluctance. While I feel good, I hate looking at pictures of myself. Pregnancy has definitely not been good for the self esteem, but I know that lots of family have asked to see pictures lately. So here you go...


I've had two people tell me that they think we're having a girl. Of course I have to ask, "Why do you think that??" You know what they said?!?! Essentially, I have grown a big butt and big hips. Awesome, huh? Needless to say, I'm praying often that God would remind me about what really matters. I know he made me beautiful and he is knitting together a new life in me. I can be thankful for the changes when I remember that!! I'm growing a thick skin through all of this!

So take note, when you see a pregnant woman...just tell them they are beautiful and don't make any guesses whatsoever. Only God knows if it is a boy or a girl, we're all different so leave it at that!

I am getting so excited about the holidays! Cliff and I sat down over the weekend to map out holiday plans. I need to get organized on gifts for Christmas because the next few months will be hectic with lots of travelling! I can't wait for Thanksgiving. It is going to be awesome to spend time in Glen Rose with the Clary bunch! Then the next weekend I have lots of family coming in for my graduation. And then Christmas is just around the corner after that! Fun times to come, I'm pumped!

20 Minutes

I have 20 minutes left of my Friday afternoon at work. Today has not been too terribly long. I've watched 2 episodes of Mercy and 1 episode of The Office online. A little over 100 minutes of tv time. I've checked facebook an inordinate amount of times and read all of your blogs. :)

I've also been taking stats on phone calls since 2pm. My little yellow post it note reads 14 total calls and 4 actual people stopping by. And here's the break down of why people called or came in:
3 scruffy looking guys with packs on their backs wanting bus tickets - sent away cause Tom is out
1 walk-in needing Judy I think

1 call for Jeff
1call for Judy
1 call for Donna
2 calls with no one on the other line
2 calls from same lady wanting to get a gift to Robby's son who got married a week or two ago. Robby has Friday's off.
1 or 2 sales calls that I hung up on immediately.
I didn't start recording the reasons for the calls until about 3 or so and I can't remember the ones I didn't write down.

Actually, keeping stats was kind of interesting. I think I'll continue and see what I find. :)

I really am very thankful for my job! Who gets paid to watch tv online?? I mean come on!
The previous account just shows you what one must do on a Friday afternoon when they are a receptionist at a church. Fun times!

Right after work I'm headed to payless to see if I can find some cute shoes. I found a coupon on Debbie's blog for 50% off my entire purchase. Something Oprah did. Thanks Debbie! I'm hoping for a successful trip. :)

Weekend plans: It will be a quiet weekend for the most part. Cliff's not feeling great so I am going to fix dinner and then we'll probably watch a movie. Saturday will be a day of cleaning and then we have to be at the fall festival tomorrow night. The costumes are cute...the masses of people kind of make me cranky, but overall I'm sure it'll be a fun time. Sunday will be church, church and more church...maybe a nap in between.

Bring on the weekend! I'm ready for some rest and relaxation.

Must See

If you are friends and family and know Aaron and Patricia you must go see their web site at http://www.donaldsonfamily-lifewithdakota.blogspot.com/. You will find the cutest pics of Dakota!

Happy Birthday Lerin!

The adorable munchkin that you see below is four years old today! Lerin had her birthday party at the Park's Mall on Saturday. It was a carousel party and it sounds like she had a blast. Robbyn informed me this morning that her next birthday party was going to be at the mall as well. They had pizza, birthday cake and got an all day pass to ride the carousel! Sadly, Cliff and I had to miss it, but I am determined that me and this new baby will be making all of my neices birthday parties in 2010!


It is hard to believe that it has been four years since Lerin made her appearance. It is hard to describe all of the things that run through my mind when I think of her birth. She was the answer to so many prayers and such a miracle to our family! Her birth represents a fulfillment of God's great promises and a wonderful blessing to us all after many years of struggle. She is a miracle and I am so thankful to God for showing his mighty power all throughout our lives. She has brought much joy to all of our lives! She keeps us all laughing with her antics and adorable words.

This picture of Lerin and Trish is one of my all time favorites! She was such an adorable baby and has grown into a beautiful little girl! I remember the wonderment of her birth and how cute her little nose was!!


Below are two pictures of her that was taken just a few weeks ago. Lerin has such an exciting imagination and never lacks for energy. She loves life and remembers every promise made to her. She loves surprises and loves that she is old enough for school, dance and choir at church.

I feel like I have missed out on so many fun days of her life, but I am unbelieveably thankful to call her my neice, my family! She is now the big sister to her two adorable little sisters, Robbyn and Aleigh. I know she will be a great leader for her family. I pray that she would accept Jesus with her childlike faith and that the Holy Spirit would give her understanding of his mighty strength and love! I pray that she will be protected from the scary and hurtful things in this life, but more than that, that her heart will be hidden in the one who knows her future!

Thank you Lord for giving us such a prescious gift four years ago!!