Gutting houses...with junior high kids

This last week I went with my junior high kids from church down to New Orleans. We spent 3 days gutting houses, and it was the most rewarding experience I've had in a long time. It was really amazing to see these kids work so hard and selflessly serve these people. I think it's amazing how much I learn whenever I set out to serve others.

Our first house to gut!

Amanda & Madison - 2 of my small group girls

In front of the pile of stuff at our 3rd house.

 

Unchangeable

You are not a god created, by human hands,
You are not a god dependent, on any mortal man.
You are not a god in need of, anything we can give.
By your plan, that's just the way it is.

You are God alone, from before time began,
You were on Your throne, You were God alone
And right now in the good times and bad,
You are on Your throne, You are God alone.

You're unchangeable, You're unshakeable,
You're unstopable, that's what You are.

You're the only God whose power none can contend.
You're the only God whose name and praise will never end.
You're the only God who's worthy of everything we can.
You are God, that's just the way it is.


I was standing in church a couple of weeks ago as we were singing the words to this song thinking about how amazing it is that our God is unchangeable. No matter how much craziness and change is going on in our little lives, God is there and He is constant. I am so humbled by that in this phase of life where everything seems to be so up in the air. I am so thankful that I worship a God who doesn't change and whose truth for my life remains the same through it all!

Ode to Natalie

One of my dearest, and most wonderful friends is embarking on a wonderful adventure tomorrow. Miss Natalie is moving to Nashville! I have to admit, part of me is jealous that she is stepping out & being so adventurous. I know God is going to do some really excited things. Of course, she will be missed here in our neck of the woods, but that just means that there are many trips to Nashville in my future! Watch out Nashville - here's what you have coming!

Getting in Shape

So, since I moved to my new apartment I've been considering buying a bike because we have these great bike trails and I have all these friends who have bikes who I could ride with. Wednesday at work we got this email saying that everyone was getting an extra $500 in their paycheck because it's the end of our year. I decided it was time to buy the bike. This is my bike - I think, or the closest I could find to it on the internet:

Last night I took it out for a test short test run, even though all my bike friends are out of town or studying, and it was so much fun. I haven't ridden a bike in so long, but I like it so much better than running! I think I might actually be able to work on getting myself some exercise....what a concept!

What a Trip!

I am, unfortunately, back from Maui now and it's back to the real world. Sarah and I had a great time. For those of you who don't know, I traveled with my dear friend Sarah Sherman for her job, and it was absoutely wonderful and relaxing. The plane ride there & back was my least favorite part, but I can endure that for a real vacation from work! We got in Friday afternoon and she did some work and I just relaxed and then we went out to dinner with some of her triathlon participants. That is where we saw this fabulous sunset. On Saturday Sarah had a little work to do, so I layed on the beach (I mean, someone has to do it). Then that afternoon we drove into Lahaina'i to do some shopping and some more touristy things. We walked around and did some shopping and ate at one of Sarah's favorite Maui restaurants. It was a really neat island town (in the picture below). Sunday was race day, so Sarah had to work that day. I lazed by the pool for most of the day . That night we went to the victory party for the triathalon. It was really fun to get to see what Sarah does when she's at events.

Me & Sarah at the victory party






Monday morning was my favorite part of the whole trip. We woke up at 2 am and drove 2 hours to get to the top of the volcano to see the sunrise. It was really quite incredible. We drove up the mountain to 10,000 feet, and the clouds were down at 5,000 feet, so when the sun rose it was up from behind the clouds. The pictures don't do it justice. But here are a few to try. It was beautiful. It was terribly freezing up there, so we were all wrapped up in the hotel blankets.

Me & Sarah waiting out the cold before the sun came up