Happy Birthday Duke

Precious Duke,
Happy one year birthday with me and Ray.
I desperately waned a precious puppy, but your father is allergic.
We are certain God brought you to us . . . you without a home and being hypo-allergenic.
What a perfect fit for us!
We love you so much and are blessed by the joy your spirited personality brings to us every day.


The first day we met!


Looking like Trick-or-Treat

Happy Birthday mom and dad.


After climbing your first mountain.

Checking out the new camera.

loving the snow!

We love you, Duke!

Snow Day Sabbath

The Heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.
Psalm 19: 1-4

Today Ray and I are praising God for a beautiful and peaceful snow day sabbath.

Letters To God - Movie Trailer (2010)

I'm so excited for my sister's band Addison Road. Their song hope now is the theme song for the new movie Letters to God (the same company who made Fireproof).

Hawaii

We were so blessed to visit my sister in brother in-law in Hawaii over the new year!

Just a few highlights . . .

Changed.

(I should be studying for my last two finals, but alas, I choose to blog.)

These pictures, what do they mean to you? Anything?
I took these two pictures on a trip to Scotland during college and while I was there, standing at this soul-silencing landmark, I had no understanding of its significance.


Now, I do.


I've been "in ministry" my entire life.There are a total of 11 people in my immediate family(s), and between us, nearly 20 higher education degrees in Christianity/religion/practical theology, not to mention 2 famous Christian singers. Think it's safe to say that I was pretty familiar with seminary before beginning my own journey, and thus not honestly expecting to change much. Pretty much a pro at this by now, right?


Wrong.
And never more thankful to be.


Over the last 16 weeks I have come to know, learn and understand more about the Trinity, what I believe about character of God, the beautiful mess of a Church, and the fallen/fabulous people she consists of.

16 weeks later, I understand the importance of those pictures, the events that surrounded the destruction of that cathedral and its deep impact on Christian history.

After nearly a lifetime of following Christ I can confidently (or maybe just more coherently) explain and identify my theological beliefs.

I use to hate theology. Thought it was annoying and divisive.

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This semester I have fallen absolutely and irrevocably in love with teaching aerobics classes. Turbokick, yoga, spin. My loves.

Teaching brought something to life in me and now I can't imagine my life without helping people discover and maintain healthy, active living.

In the past 16 weeks not only have I learned more about and been invited into a deeper relationship with the Trinity, I have experienced an awakening of my soul, body and spirit to who I truly am in Christ. I have begun to understand that the gifts and passions God builds into us are not to put on the back burner while we try to find a "real" profession that will financially sustain and be socially acceptable, but rather, are freeways to a life of true joy experienced in Christ, as unique members of his kingdom. And although following these passions can be scary, because let's be honest, when you love something you don't want to lose it, the life they bring outweighs the fear.

So, I'm currently in the process of creating (with my Dean's blessing) a completely new concentration on health and family wellness ministries (which I'll write much more about soon).
Man, who knew so much could change in 16 weeks?


So, this is what it's like to be home? I like it here :)