Classical Music- The Universal Language

This week was incredibly (I don't even know what words to use) emotional. Ray and I walked, cried, rejoiced and morned with our entire community, as we said 'see you again' to one of the most authentic Christ followers I have ever know and a pillar of this town. Warren Ferguson was his name. Because of Christ's love for him, Warren fell deeply in love with Christ and ardently followed him with every breath, smile, laugh and touch. The legacy of his life will be forever etched into the history of this town and the hearts of all who knew him. He and his wife had the most beautiful, grace-giving, soulful-loving marriage I have ever seen. As I continue to process what this town has gone through in the last several days and how God has revealed himself through it all, I'll tell you more of their awe-inspiring story.

Even after Ray had been going non-stop for days, last night he took

me on the most perfect date I have ever been on in my life.

It began with a short trip to Dallas for dinner at our favorite gluten-free establishment . . . Chipotle, of course. Then we headed across the highway to my most loved Dallas destination, The Meyerson Symphony Center.

Last night was quite an adventure. The orchestra played the score to Planet Earth while the audience watched segments from the documentary. Being admirers of both the BBC series and the symphony, it was a magical evening. The composer of the series flew in from London and guest conducted the DSO, which made the concert all the more exciting.

Now I'm off to bed, and plan on holding my husband and little closer tonight.

Amazing

One of the most beautiful stories of how perfectly God made our bodies I have ever read.

http://buildingmommymuscles.blogspot.com/

Soft Reminder

Everything will be okay,

lift up your hands and pray.

We'll walk this valley hand-in-hand

and follow God to the promised land.

This phrase has been sweetly repeating in my soul today; bringing rest and restoring hope.

Praying you find rest today as well.

Happy Birthday . . . The One where I'm day late!

Lauren Kelly Moore Venable

Creative, Courageous, Crazy Red-Head

Lauren, what an incredible woman you are. I know no one else who would have the courage to drop out of college as a sophomore, and with reckless abandon begin her own business with nothing but passion and a Macbook. Everything you think of comes to life, and everything you touch turns to gold. I hope on your birthday (because it's your birthday, meaning you get to think about yourself all day long) you are reminded how truly unique and special you are; a limited edition. It has been my pleasure to be your friend and get to cheer you on as you take over (I mean, help grow) one of the largest industries in America. No matter how many days it's been between coffee dates, I treasure our ability to be incredibly vulnerable and honest about life. I excitedly wait in great expectation to see where your passion for God and your art takes you and James. Much love to you on your Birthday week, sweet friend!

p.s. I searched and searched for your 'Fozzie the Bear' picture and will replace the current picture with that one as soon as I can find it!

p.s.s. Ray is currently singing you a spacial Birthday song. He loves you too.

p.s.s.s. I faintly hear Joey crying out, "Why GOD, Why are you doing this to us?! We had a deal!"

Steroids. . .

. . . I think our garden may be on them.

Today's zucchini

First tomato of the season!

We named it Bob. Not after the cartoon, after my sister.

GFDOTW

Also Known As: Gluten-Free Discoveries of the Week.

I recently had a conversation with the new Fitness GA at Baylor, Pam. I fell in love with her instantly. Pam has a child living the GFCF (gluten/casein free) lifestyle, and she knows her stuff. She asked if I had noticed with the gluten now out of my system a heightened intolerance to lactose. Pam then went on to explain that both gluten and dairy are made up of six amino acids, and when placed by one another you can clearly see three of the amino acids in both gluten and dairy are identical to one another. Thus, most people who are allergic to gluten are allergic to dairy. Although my body has been asking me to part ways with dairy for awhile I just can't walk away from cheese! Not yet at least.

We have begun reading two books this week that I highly recommend: Going Against the Grain, by Melissa Diane Smith and Wheat-Free Worry-Free, by Danna Korn.

In Melissa's Going Against the Grain, she presents some of the most insightful and simultaneously terrifying information I have read in all my personal research.

"Kenneth Fine, M.D., director and founder of the Intestinal Health Institute in Dallas, Texas, an internationally renowned gastrointestinal researcher and a pioneer in our understanding of gluten sensitivity . . . Fine has developed a much more sensitive test that can detect cases of gluten sensitivity that aren't picked up with standard blood screens" (76-77). "Here are the shocking results of his reserach so far: The genes that seem to make a person susceptible to developnig gluten sensitiveity are exceedingly common: They're present in 60 to 70 precent of the population. At least 50% of the population is gluten sensitive; that's 140 million Americans" (77).

In Danna's book Wheat-Free Worry-Free, she gives one of the best compiled lists of common misdiagnoses I have seen thus far:

-Anemia

-IBS

-Psychological Dysfunction

-Diarrhea

-IBD

-Diabetes

-Spastic Colon

-Ulcers

-Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

-Weight Loss

-Allergies

-Gallbladder Disease

-Thyroid Disease

-Colitis

-Cystic Fibrosis

-Lactose Intolerance

-Reflux

"Additionally, people are often misdiagnosed with fibromyalgia, carbohydrate malabsorption, recurrent abdominal pain, and other conditions" (37).

Word on the dirt road . . .

well I can't say street . . . we don't really have those here.

No matter, the word out there is that Ray and I have a better garden than any of the local farmers. At first I was positive they were just trying to be kind, you know like when people say "Ohhh your baby is sooo cute," but are really thinking, "holy mess that's an ugly kid."

BUT.

I'm beginning to think maybe they are telling the truth.

zucchini, over a foot long!