grace eventually.

They come every year, sometimes early December, sometimes later but they always creep in...my annual Christmas blues. I really don't know why, but around this time of year I sink into a period of sadness. I do love Christmas, the lights, the food, the cold weather (when it cooperates), the awe of remembering Christ's birth... It will pass...it always does. In other news, I...

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I thought I would post some pictures of my Christmas tree! My friend, Anne, said it looks like me! I must say, I do love it!On another note, a little birdie told me that today is my dear friend and life-long mentor, Lora's, 60th birthday! I ran into her at Starbucks today and I had no idea! Party if up, girlfriend! So glad...

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So what's up with it snowing in TX and a good portion of LA but not Ruston! Earlier this week I traveled to The Woodlands to visit my best friend, April, and celebrate her 30th birthday a little early. It was in the 70's everyday until Wednesday when it was time for me to drive back to Ruston. Everyone kept telling me to...

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Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I pray you all enjoy friends, family, food and the fall colors! For those of you who haven't heard, please pray for the Cantrell family. Marty was in a very bad car accident last Wednesday morning and is still in ICU in Shreveport. He's doing very well considering he was in a head-on collision and had to be pulled out...

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Here's the video from our Cardboard Testimonies a couple of weeks ago. It was an incredible experience and for the first time in a long time, it made me really excited to be a part of this church! God has already used my own personal story to speak into the lives of others. For that I am grateful! ...

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These are this year's fall pics. My what a difference a year makes! It's nearly impossible to catch them all looking and smiling at the same time! Last year she wasn't even walking yet! Grant was not cooperative for these but Garrett loved playing peek-a-boo with Avery!Avery was a ladybug for Halloween...so cute! This is what Avery does now when we tell her...

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This is one of the coolest, most powerful things I've seen in a long time! We're doing our own on Sunday. ...

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I wonder what my life would look like if I didn't work 2 jobs. Would I have more time to take those walks I plan for every morning but am too tired to get out of bed? Would I have more time to read, to pray, to catch up on all my friend's blogs, to blog myself? Would I spend more time with...

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I just found out today that one of my dearest friends, Kari Godel Curtis had her second baby, little boy Everett, 2 weeks ago! Kar, I hope you don't mind that I'm posting your very first family photo:) Kari and I met in May of 1999 in Chicago. We both accepted a position as summer hosts for Center for Student Missions (CSM). At...

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I initially came to my blog to actually reflect further on what the Lord is teaching me, but alas, I'm distracted by the bike lady that is sitting across from me sniffing her wheat soy milk. Now typically I don't like to stare at people, but this lady is something else. She rode up to Starbucks about half and hour or so on...

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I've recently been reading Restless Faith by Winn Collier. If you haven't ever read anything by him, I highly recommend it. He's one of those authors that I love because he's honest about those things that we would rather not wrestle with...like faith. In this last chapter that I read he talks about how we prefer to focus on those whose faith led...

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I started a blog post about 2 weeks ago, right after I got back from vacation, however, I was using my used/new to me macbook and I couldn't figure out how to manipulate my pictures the way I wanted so I gave up. I figured since I was all alone in the office after work hours, I would attempt again. I must say...

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Sunday in worship I was overwhelmed with missing my friends from seminary. Finding the space to worship has been quite a challenge since I started working in the church. Andy, my pastor, and I have had many a conversation about it. Sunday, for us, is work. Now don't get me wrong, the act of worship is never work but it's everything else that...

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My friend, Hannah got married this weekend. It was beautiful. She's only 20 which seems so young to me but then again, I know I wasn't ready to get married that young. After the wedding I went back to the hotel where some friends were staying. Now many of my friends these days are younger than me...Starbucks tends to hire college students. I don't...

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I got the right size lightbulb for my bedroom! I finally got the light fixtures up in the bathroom AND I decided to do a little more painting to jazz up the wall! I also painted the medicine cabinet door...my favorite shade of blue!I think I'm finally finished with all my home improvements. Of course, the painting wasn't planned until after I got the light...

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Today I put on my home repair cap and changed the light fixture in my bedroom. Now I realize I'm only renting, but I really hated the one that was there before. I discovered in looking at old pics that I never got one of this atrocious monstrosity that stared at me each night when I climbed into my bed. You'll just have...

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You should really check this out...especially if you're looking for an easy way to decorate a room! It did wonders for my boring old wall! ...

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I stole this from Camillei am: a white mocha chip frappuccino.i think: too much.i know: that my computer is going to die soon.i want: to go to the beach.i have: clean hair.i wish: all of my friends lived in the same place.i hate: that gas is so high!i miss: my friends from seminary.i fear: that I may never get married.i feel: tired after a long week.i hear: a banjo.i smell: coffee.i crave: peach...

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Lately I've been thinking a lot about space, creating space for worship, for play, for stillness. I love that whole concept of creating space. I think if I could do things differently I may have majored in something that allowed me to explore that more in-depth. Last weekend I pulled out my camera and just went around town and took pictures. I'm realizing...

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Last night I babysat 2 precious little girls that I've known since they were born in KY when we all still lived there. They are your typical little girls, into pink, pretending they're princesses (which they are), and fairy tales. As we snuggled up on the couch to watch Cinderella, I couldn't help but roll my eyes and wonder if watching these types...

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Thanks to my friend, Steve, I got those lyrics I was talking about on my blog Sunday.Shaken by the truth that You are GodNo deed can bring You pleasureOr word add measureTo who You areI lift my heart in worshipTaken by the truth You are GodSilenced by Your virtueSurrendered and in aweOf who You areBless the Lord with all that's in meBless the...

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During my 2 days off I painted a wall in my bedroom! I love it! During my 2 days off I painted a wall in my bedroom! I love it! ...

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This morning I actually got to worship at church. It's funny how when you work at a church, it's really hard to find that sacred space for yourself to worship. Responsibilities and tasks seem to trump it every week for me. This week I was determined. I wish I could find the lyrics to one of the songs Scott sang this morning...it pierced...

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I always forget how much I love Louisiana in the springtime. I think it's because it lasts for a millisecond then dreaded summer hits. I'm crossing my fingers that since we had such an odd winter (snow) that maybe this summer will surprise us and we won't reach the 100+ humidity range. I'm not sure what the Lord was thinking when he created...

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Thank you to so many of you who've been asking about my small group this week. Only 3 of us were able to get together, one of which I already knew, but it was still good. I tend to work better in groups of 3 anyway. This week I met Notosha. Not only are we around the same age and single, she's the...

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One of my biggest struggles since I've been back in Ruston is finding a place where I belong...a group of friends that I can totally be myself and hold me accountable to my sinful self. This week I ran into an old friend, Brandi, in Starbucks. I was delighted to see her since I knew she had recently moved back to Ruston as...

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I know it seems like I've disappeared. I haven't. I just can't seem to remember the all too important task of blogging every week. I'm going to try to do better. Promise. In the meantime, I must go back to work. I know it seems like I've disappeared. I haven't. I just can't seem to remember the all too important task of blogging...

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I finally took some pictures of my apartment...now that I've been living in it for over a month. I love it...except for the high utility bill. Everything is electric so I'm not sure what the summer holds!The frontThe backKitchenKitchen and Living RoomKitchenLiving RoomView from front doorBathroomBedroomBedroom again ...

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