Be Encouraged by

Real Friendship

A friend loves at all times,

and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 17:17

Friendship is a wonderful thing. I cannot imagine a day going by without talking with my friends...Ralph Waldo Emerson asserted that there are two cornerstones to friendship. One is truth, the other is tenderness. I agree. To love someone, we must know they are truthful with us. Love is built on respect and respect on trust. Truth and tenderness must go hand in hand because if they try to stand alone, one will be too hard and the other too soft.

I would add a third element that is essential to friendship-freedom. We can love others tenderly, be completely truthful with them, but unwittingly want them as our own. We find ourselves hurt if they do things with other people and we're not included. If we don't encourage them too be free (even of us), there is no real friendship. When we hold on to anything too tightly, it dies.

Luci Swindoll, I married Adventure

I'm From Nebo, North Carolina

How many of you out there have heard of or discovered FACEBOOK? Well, I have and it's allowed me to re-connect with friends from elementary all the way through high school. One of my friends had this posted on his FACEBOOK page and I just had to share it with you. Now, how many of you know there is a Nebo, NC? Doesn't everyone know there's a Nebo, NC? Apparently not. Watch the first video in the video bar to the right of the screen. The first part of the video is the host, Zach, doing stand-up or something from a public bus. You can skip that part, or just let it play so you don't miss the interview with Danny De Vito. It starts immediately after the bus part of the clip. This is really just too funny. LOL. After the Danny De Vito interview you can close it and stop watching. Enjoy!!!

Oh yeah, just in case you can't get the video to work, here's a link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOiqG-dQVnE

Be Encouraged by the 23rd Psalm

The Lord is my Shepherd = that's Relationship!
I shall not want. = that's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. = that's Rest!
He leadeth me beside still waters. = that's Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul. = that's Healing!
He leadeth me in paths of righteousness = that's Guidance!
For His name sake. = that's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death = that's Testing!
I will fear no evil = That's protection!
For Thou art with me. = that's faithfulness!
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. = that's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. = that's Hope!
Thou anointest my head with oil. = that's Consecration!
My cup runneth over. = that's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life = that's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = that's Security!
Forever. = that's Eternity!

Around the House

Yesterday was not a good day for Aaron. First, he was very hard to get out of bed, then he cried when I told him he had to go to school. He said, and I quote, "I want to play with friends that don't speak Spanish." LOL! Kids are so honest, aren't they. SoI felt bad for him and let him stay home. Then, Richard and I drug him all over McAllen why we ran some errands, then we went home and started some chores. While I was cooking, he went to his room to watch cartoons. I went to get him for supper and he was sound asleep. It was only 6:30. YIKES! I decided to just let him sleep and see how it went. I was afraid he'd never go back to bed on time if I woke him up then. Around 10:30 he woke up and asked for something to drink and went back to bed and didn't get up again until 7:00 this morning. Poor Baby was tard (tired for those of you not familiar with the southern version of it).

Then there's Petey. My very stealthy, Pro-athletic, hunting, descendant of a lion who thinks he's hiding. I never said he was smart.

And last, but not least, there's sweet, precious, should've-been-a-moma-dog, Zoey, who loves her stuffed chipmunk that she got for Christmas. She carries it everywhere, from room to room. She really is very gentle. She even grooms the silly animal much like a moma-dog would do to puppies. not so much the licking, but the nipping at fleas motion.

So that's all for now. Have a blessed day.

Be Encouraged

On of my favorite songs growing up was "Consider the Lilies". I used to sing it in church with the preachers daughter, Kim. I never really listened to the words until a few years ago when Richard and I were taking the Crown Financial Bible Study. We learned that not only will God provide for your every need, but as long as you have the faith that he will, you shouldn't worry about whether or not he will. But worry applies to more than just your financial situation. For me worry encompasses so much more. Matthew 6:25-34 Tells us not to worry, so don't. I know, easier said than done. Trust me, I'm living proof, I'm a worrier. But this is something I am having to learn to do less of. So be encouraged by God's word, and don't worry, Be Happy.


Matthew 6:25-34
Do Not Worry

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Austin City Limits

Austin is BEAUTIFUL! It has rolling hills and TREES!!!!! I miss trees. Well, trees that are taller than my car. Anyhoo, We had a great weekend. I ended up not going to the breifings with Richard because there were none for me, but that's okay. Igot a little much needed down time for me! I hung out in the hotel room, which was downtown and about two blocks from the Capitol building, and then did some sight-seeing.

Here's the hotel we stayed in, The Sheraton, very NICE, compliments of the TX Army National Guard.

Here's the view from our room. We were on the 10th floor and couldn't get a good picture until I went for a walk. Apparently Austin has done a River-Walk thing down town kinda like San Antonio and although I never saw anything about it, I think this was part of it.

This is an old church I saw while walking to the Capital building. I 'm fascinated how old buildings and churches like this are right in the middle of a modern city. They look so out of place, but I think it adds to the beauty of the structure itself. I really love old churches anyway, especially ones with architecture like this one.

This is inside the Capitol building. When you look up into the dome, you'll see this spiral staircase. I was intrigued by it. I was way up at the top way above where the public can go. How cool is it though?

This is what you see when you look straight up into the dome. I had to zoom in on a zoomed in picture to see the letters around the star. Very cool and breath-taking.

This is the floor in the middle of the building. You obviously have to go up a few floors to get a picture. If you stand on the star in the middle and look up you'll be looking at the interior of the dome. The entire building was awesome. Richard and I were just taken aback by the architecture and the thought of the history that has happened there. The staircases were massive and the windows were huge. You just really have to see it with your own eyes to appreciate it.

Before Richard and I went to the Capitol building, I went to the visitors center while i was walking to get information of tours and things. Even the Visitors Center was a historical building. It was 30 years older than the capitol. I didn't get a picture of it, unfortunately. This is the view of the capitol from the visitors center.

What an awesome weekend getaway. I wish we had a little more time to see more of the city. maybe next time.

Aaron's First Day of School

Can you believe it? Aaron finally started pre-school today. Yeah! He was so excited he didn't even want to eat breakfast this morning. He's not much of a breakfast eater anyway. But he had a great day . He went right in and sat on the carpet with the other kids and never looked backed. Literally. I tried to tell him goodbye 3 or 4 times and finally his teacher, Ms. Martinez, called on him to tell me goodbye. I thought I would cry, but I didn't. He was so cute this morning getting ready. He brushed his teeth and I combed his hair, then he was ready for his new Bakugan backpack (It was the only one that was his size that didn't have wheels on it. Wheels are not alound for the smaller kids). When I picked him up,Ms. Martinez said he did really well and had a great day. When I asked him what all he did today his reply was, "Spanish." I asked if he learned any spanish words and he just said, "Just spanish." I do believe he'll be speaking a second language before the summer gets here. At dinner he wanted to know how to say Mommy in spanish so I told him "momasita!" so apparently that's what he's thinking of calling me now. we'll see about that!

Road Trip!!!!

Yeah!!! Richard and I are going on a road trip! He's got drill with the National Guard this weekend, but instead of going to a regular drill, he's been invited to attend a conference type event in Austin , TX for potential OCS (Officer Candidate School). I'm so very proud of him. The great thing is, I was invited to go as well. Apparently they are suppposed to have briefings for the spouses as well. So after scrambling to find babysitters, which is a challenge in itself since I only have as many friends here as I do fingers on one hand, we're going on a road trip to Austin. I hear it's a beautiful city so I hope to bring back lots of pictures and stuff to talk about. Wish us safe travel and I'll see ya later...

Be Encouraged by

Falling Forward

"The Lord upholds all who are falling."Psalm 145:14 nrsv

When I was a little girl, my father was just about the best daddy any daughter could have. (Still is.) He gave me a great picture of the heart of God by always coming the moment I called (or at least that's how I remember it). Therefore, I had a deep trust that my daddy always had my best interest at heart. One day, however, he tested this trust. I was up on a low roof and my dad was on the ground when he asked me to jump into his arms. I stood with my toes at the edge of the roof and could feel myself swaying. I was terrified. Then Daddy said, "Sandi, you're gonna fall either way. If you fall backwards, I can't help you. But if you fall forward, I'm going to be able to catch you."
That is exactly the picture I want you to hold in your mind if you are struggling in any area of your life. If you are wounded by circumstance or the betrayal of others, if you are in despair about your marriage or your children or your future, if you are being swayed by temptation, you probably feel like you are falling. Go ahead and fall, but fall into the arms of the one who can save you.

Sandi Patty
Falling Forward
Excerpted from A Grand New Day: A Full Year of Daily Inspiration and Encouragement © 2008 Women of Faith, Inc. All rights reserved.

Scrapbooking Tradgedy Recovery

I guess working on Andrew's project helped get me back in the scrapbooking mood. Yesterday I dusted off the supplies and put pictures down on 34 pages in Richards army/Iraq album. Notice I only said put pictures down. I really can't journal with out him and he didn't want frilly pages. So the pages are, as I have been calling them, "naked", but at least the picts are down and out of the way. now all I have to do is get him to journal with me and put page protectors on, crop the welcome home stuff and i'll be done with project #1. I need to start a list of all the scrapbooking projects I need to start and finish so that I will stay on track. I'm so excited that I'm almost done with Richard's album. I think he is too.

Scrapbooking Tradgedy

You know when you take out your scrapbooking supplies and find them covered in cobwebs and dust that it's been waaaayyy tooooooo looonnggg since you scrabooked! That's what I found today. I brought out my stuff to help Andrew with a scrapbooking school project and realized I need to bring it out more often. I think that's what I'll make my resolution to be this year...to finish some scrapbook projects. "This shall be written for generations to come." Psalms 102:18. I borrowed that from my Creative Memories consultant's page. I love that there is even scripture to support our scrapbooking addictions. Isn't God good? Happy scrapping!!!!

Happy New Year

I hope every one had great New Year celebrations, safe and happy. We had a quiet evening at home watching the ball drop in New York at midnight which was only 11:00PM here. Kinda takes the joy out of watching the ball drop when it doesn't mean the new year for you, huh? Anyhoo, today we went to South Padre Island and spent the afternoon on the beach. What a great way to bring in the new year, reflecting on the year just past and looking ahead to the year at hand. What will the new year bring? We'll have to wait and see.