Going on a Bear Hunt

Have you ever gone geocaching?

This past Saturday, I spent the morning at the park for some much needed alone/regrouping time. While I was there, a boy scout troop came by for a while looking for a treasure. I suppose I didn’t expect that I’d be COMPLETELY alone. After all, I was at a park where practically every Houstonian goes to do some serious work outs, running, golfing, and GEOCACHING.

I’m not sure how much time they spent looking for this hidden treasure when I joined in the fun (I hope they didn't mind...I did my part too by letting them use my pen to sign their names on the log). I tell you what – it was delightful! I’ve now joined in the geocaching world at http://www.geocaching.com/ and you guessed it (there is an APP for that) I downloaded the app to my iPhone!

Have I ever mentioned how much I HEART scavenger hunts? I’m going to have to make time for geocaching!

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Bunny trail: Telling you how much I LOVE scavenger hunts reminded me of last year’s lock-in at church (I CANNOT BELIEVE I DIDN"T BLOG ABOUT IT!). That was a blast! We played all kinds of games, met more people from church and yes – you got it…We did a scavenger hunt creatively named: THE AMAZING RACE! And if you care to guess again – yes! My team won! I perhaps was a bit overly excited but I seriously, SERIOUSLY LOVE scavenger hunts, throw in a little competition and I become a different person! Here are some pictures from that night.

The girls of the winning team!!

My favorite picture of the night!

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Another bunny trail: RUMOR HAS IT...that there is going to be ANOTHER Amazing Race. And my Sunday School class is going to have a digital scavenger hunt! Pretty sure, I'll get a lot of hunting done before the year is over!

Humility

“…humility is not how you dress, it is not the money you make, it is not where you live, it’s not what you drive, it is not even how you look. We’re never once commanded by God to ‘look’ humble. Humility is an attitude of the mind. It is knowing your proper place. Never talking down or looking down because someone may be of a financial level less than yours. It is knowing your role & fulfilling it for God’s glory and praise. I repeat, it is an attitude. ‘Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus’ (Phil 2:5)."

- Charles R. Swindoll, Esther: A Woman of Strength and Dignity

I still have sand in my shoes...

Why the 3 day weekend couldn't actually be a month or two is beyond me! :o) I had a great weekend with friends and family. If we could get paid to invest in the people we love most, I'd be so rich!

Friday: I watched movies with the fam on Friday.

Saturday: Got up extra early to get ready to hit the beach with some friends.

Sunday: Went to church with the family and had friends meet me there. Lunch was delicious. After church I went home to plan the VBS and got a lot of stuff knocked out (well, at least the planning part - now it's the follow through that needs to happen...FAST!). I'm amazed that right after that I got all prettied up fairly quickly and got to a friends wedding before schedule. That in itself was amazing, not to mention the wedding! It was fantastic.

Monday: I ran errands in the morning and then had dad help me pick out some art stuff at Texas Art Supply. As soon as I got home I got to work on this big poster. I got to mix tempera paints to my hearts content!

The weekend was super full. Time well spent. And I'm back in the trenches with sand in my shoes.

That's what I'm saying, only he says it better...

A college professor of mine has a blog
and I like what he wrote.
I think you should read his most recent post.
So here you go...
Dr. Reeves' Blog.

Excitement Abounds!!

At church tonight, one of the guys that I met at P.E.P. who is now in the free world was baptized tonight. So I love baptisms, BUT this one in particular I just wanted to jump up and down and WHOOP WHOOP all over the place.

I've recently been thinking about God's love for us. Particularly, 1 John 3:1

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

And how His love for us changes us. We are LIGHT. Our entire appearance changes. It's definitely true for this guy! It makes me want to sing at the TOP of my lungs!

I LOVE P.E.P. But more than that I love God. He is faithful to finish the work He begins in us.

On another note, the Anderson cousins (my cousins) have been singing with a local rapper - COLCUTZ. I want for you guys to listen to this song...it's good. Sung by my oh so VERY talented cousin Hannah.

Baby Goat

Today our church had the Spring Fling. I, along with some friends and my brother Tim, got to work the pony ride center.

And after all of it was done, I got to hold a baby goat named Vanessa. SO SO very cute!

March Madness

Are we already in the third month of the year? Seriously?! WOW!

Well, I ended the month of February with a bang:

I'm so proud that I had the courage to let go! I have trouble letting go...

And then, we had 80's prom, which was an absolute BLAST!
See more pictures here!

So – at the start of every month, I look at my goals to see where I am. Boy, I am behind!!!

• I’m doing alright with reading. One book a month. Not bad. I'll save the list for the end of the year.
• My projects are at a stand still...oops. I should probably get on it. Starting tonight, or something. I'm inspired by her...
• I AM TICKET FREE. Let’s hope it stays this way.
• Weight – up and down. What’s new? Running, although I’m still hating it, makes me feel good in the end.

Things that didn’t make the original list that I’m happy about is:

• I’m journaling more.
• I’m definitely spending more time with people which has been GREAT…I just need to get some balance I think. I'm an introvert in the sense that I get energy from being alone...so balance is needed.
• I'm memorizing scripture!

This month is exciting because:

1. I get to see Peanut Preston Paget for the VERY FIRST TIME!
2. I get to go to the Prison Entrepreneurship Program Class XI Kickoff with my friend Jeannie!
3. I’m going to meet my BFF Jennifer in Dallas!
4. And my friend Jessica has her housewarming party which will be exciting to celebrate!
5. BRACKETS – need I say more? Thanks Beyer for introducing me to basketball fun!

ROCK-tober

October has been like the elevator business. It’s had its ups and its downs.

Oct. 3-4, Mosaic Fall Retreat. My Sunday School Class had a "retreat." It was a NICE dinner and AMAZING dessert prepared by our Martha Stewart - Jeannie. We carved pumpkins. Played some Sharades. Stayed up until I couldn't handle it anymore (11:30pm for me). And the next morning, we had breakfast, bible study, etc. It was really nice. See Pictures Here.

Oct. 5-9, I was in DC. I got to do fun things like:

1. Spend more than enough time at Union Station.
2. Stopped By St. Matthews Cathedral where JFK’s funeral services were held.
3. Took the over-rated Double Decker Tour. It was good for my grandmother otherwise money not wisely spent. I say – get a map, comfortable shoes an start walkin!
4. Went to the Holocaust Museum (Not sure this qualifies as “fun” per se).
5. Evening walk around the National Mall – I am still and forever will be amazed by my grandmothers endurance! We chilled at the Washington Monument for a bit. Sang silly songs and laughed at each other…or was it with each other…I can’t remember.
6. A visit to Mount Vernon! THIS WAS MY FAVORITE…I felt like I could be Elizabeth Bennet walking through the hilly landscape to visit Mr. Darcy – or something.
7. A walk through the Arlington National Cemetery. Saw the changing of the guards and a really HOT guy in uniform. Thought it would show extreme disrespect if I slipped him my number.
8. After Arlington Cemetery, we walked to Iwo Jima. Kind of funny that the President of Slovakia was there. Secret service told to me stay on the grass. I barely even touched the pavement…

I went back to work on the Friday the 10th.

Oct. 16, Without asking for my permission my brother Tim turned 17 years old. I gave him a cool wallet for his birthday. I still owe him Korean food. MMmmmm, can’t wait.

Oct. 18, Annual Pumpkin Carving Party. While I was in college I carved my first pumpkin and LOVED IT! Every year my friends would get together to carve pumpkins. When I came home I thought – UH HELLO! This would be fun with the FAMILY! This tradition started in 2007 and will continue till kingdom come! It’s my favorite party to host for the family. Talk about TONS OF FUN! The pumpkins are amazing…and some of us still face pumpkin carving challenges, but I won’t single anyone out (one of my cousins ended up cutting their pumpkin in Half!!). Oh - and I totally have to share with you a Pumpkin Ice Cream Recipe! It's SOOOOO delicious!

Oct. 20-25, Crazy week at work. Parties, Seminars, Board Meetings, lots of food. I did sneak in some fun with friends! (snort, snort) And Saturday the 25, was my Sunday Schools second Flag Football game. I and another friend decided to be team “moms” since we weren’t playing. Fun stuff – and AMAZING PLAYS!

Oct. 31, Dressed up as an 80’s girl. And went to Long Point’s Fall Festival.

Nov. 1, HoeDown. My church has an annual hoedown for the singles ministry. It was A TON of F-U-N!

I'll post pictures...It's amazing I even got this post out.

Vacation Bible School, 2008

This week I have some "vacation" time. I spend my mornings preparing for the day and then we have the VBS in the evenings. I wanted to show you guys the sanctuary where we all get together before splitting up into our classes.This is the full view from the main entrance.
This is a close-up of the "beach"


And here are tiki torches with the motto of this years VBS.