Women of Faith 2010

by Holly

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! This wasn't a song we sang at the Women of Faith conference this past weekend, but it definitely could have been. I was blessed with a prize package including 4 free tickets, 2 hotel rooms for 2 nights and front row seats for the conference of my choice in 2010 and I chose the Shreveport/Bossier City conference. I took with me three of my closest ladies, Erin who I always attend WOF events with, my mom and my aunt. We flew to Dallas on Thursday and Erin picked us up for the drive to Shreveport from there. Our first blessing- missing by seconds a horrible car accident where a drunk man was weaving in and out of traffic and tailgating every vehicle he came upon. After my heart stopped racing when he passed us (I was driving), it was about 5 minutes before we found his car flipped in the median. He was okay, probably b/c his drunk body was so relaxed. That could have been us, but God had better plans for us that day.

The weekend was filled with laughter that we all needed, a break from the dailyness of our lives, and special moments of sharing together in what we are learning from our gracious God. The conference was amazing, as it always is, and the speakers seemed to speak right to our hearts, with words that encouraged and lifted us up and showed us the power and grace that only He can give. I won't even begin to pretend that my tears didn't flow freely, and Erin was even amazed that I cried within the first four minutes of being there. :) The praise team was singing "You are God Alone" which just took my breath away. As if the amazing speakers weren't enough, including guest speaker Andy Andrews whose books I highly recommend, we were blessed with concerts by both Mandisa and Nicole C. Mullen. Front row is where you need to be for these ladies! Wow! If I were a person prone to charismatic praise, this would have been the time and place. I'm not, but I did enjoy it immensely and purchased two CD's that I'm listening to even now.

I took so much away from this conference that I can't begin to put it all down here, but one quote that I am holding tight to is "If you are breathing you are still alive, and if you are still alive, you have not yet fulfilled God's purpose for your life." This doesn't mean you aren't doing what you are supposed to be doing, but that God may have a time/purpose/place/person you are supposed to be there for that has yet to come. Wow. We are not here just randomly. He has directed our steps and is with us for each one of them. May you be blessed today by His holy hand!

Erin, Holly, my mom Keri and my aunt Bobbi- waiting for the conference to begin!

Erin and Holly- these smiles didn't leave our faces much at all!

Patsy Clairmont, who is hilarious and inspiring. I'm reading her book "Kaleidoscope" which is a humorous walk through Proverbs and how to apply them to your own life.

Nicole C. Mullen. I first heard of her during nursing school many years ago, when her song "When I Call on Jesus" touched my heart and carried me through those rough 2 years. This was the second time I'd seen her at WOF and I cry every time. The kids are boys and girls she mentors, teaches to sing and dance but more than that, disciples to follow God's calling for their lives. They are an inspiration themselves.

The stage, about 10 feet away from our seats. Here's one interesting note- this CenturyTel Arena is used for their ice hockey team and the ice was covered with rubber mats that didn't quite cut the cold or the melting ice seeping through the cracks! Our floor seats let us enjoy that on a very real level!

Gay Divorce

By Justin

Story from Associated Press

Yes I am going to go there.  Currently circulating around our great State is two cases where gay people who were married in other states, where gay marriage is legal, are requesting divorces from Texas courts.  Problem is the voters of this State in 2005 approved by 76 percent an amendment to our State’s constitution that defines marriage as between one man and one woman.  Now we can argue all day on this amendment and get nowhere.  But frankly I am annoyed.

Most people want to make this a case of equal rights.  In my head it has nothing to do with equal rights.  It has to do with a basic understanding of law.  In these United States of America marriage is defined and governed by the states.  Each state creates its own set of laws and rules on how that is to occur.  In Nevada you can get married on a whim.  In some states blood tests are required.  In Texas you need 24 hours.  Also in Texas, you must be a man and woman.  Like it or not it is the rule of the land in these parts as decided by 76 percent of that balloting cycle’s voters. 

This case is not unlike other rules we abide by.  Seat belts are mandatory on a state level in 49 states.  As you drive across this great Union, you are required to abide by the laws of that state, not the state you are from.  The same is true for homeowner’s associations.  In Texas, you are required by law to be told of an HOA upon signing an offer on a home.  You agree to live by those covenants when you buy the house.  If you didn’t read them, that isn’t the HOA’s fault that is yours.

So this case is simple to me.  You chose to leave the State in which your marriage was valid and legal and opted to move to a State in which it is not.  Please save our (yours and mine) tax dollars and stop pressing the courts to do something they should have to in the first place. 

Now if we want to discuss gay rights….

April 15, 2010

By Justin

Why is it that every April 15th the news feels the need to report on last minute tax filers. I realize that there is really nothing else going on in the world to report on. I am sure they can’t devote that three minutes of some poor sap standing by the main post office drop off to any other issue. And I guess honestly I care that you are such a procrastinator that you waited until the day of to do your taxes anyway. And who does their taxes on paper anyway (besides Jenise)? Haven’t you hear of taxact.com? If you are filing an extension, shame on you. Pay your taxes already.

To the poor sap on the news sorry? If you need story ideas email me.

Easter 2010- Its more than just about a bunny!

by Holly

I believe that this Easter has been more meaningful for me than any other in the past. Not that I haven't enjoyed Easter's past, or that I don't have great memories of time spent with family, but just that I'm in a different place spiritually than I have been before, and so I was able to more fully embrace the true reason we celebrate Easter. We have gotten more involved in our church here in Lubbock, are working on developing some good friendships and have become more servant hearted, as that is a huge focus of our class and the church itself. And the rewards of that greatly overshadow any inconvenience of the service itself. But back on topic.

Our church had a Maundy Thursday service on Thursday evening before Easter. I've never attended one of these and didn't really understand what it was about, but I did this time. Justin was at a work dinner and Eli was at a birthday party, so I went alone. There wasn't a huge crowd, but a decent number, and I sat with a few of our friends that had come. The point of the Thursday service is to recognize and celebrate the Lord's supper, the night that Jesus taught his disciples to eat the bread and drink of the cup, in remembrance of Him. So after a moving service, we did enjoy the Lord's supper. I left feeling spiritually uplifted and full of hope, which is the whole point of why Christ died for our sins.

On Sunday morning we attended the early service and Sunday School so we could drive to Friona and spend the day with my family for lunch and to celebrate Tyler's 5th birthday. But the Sunday School lesson was on Abraham and how he listened to, obeyed and trusted God's instruction to sacrifice his son Isaac on the altar. God stopped him at the last second, and instead revealed a ram to offer as a sacrifice instead. What an amazing story of trusting in God. Could you do it? If God asked you to sacrifice your only child, could you trust Him? As if that was not powerful enough, then liken that to God sacrificing His only Son for our sins. That's right. Yours and mine. We did this. Wow. Who can hear that and not be overwhelmed. That is the right word for me right now (and yes McNeely, I did borrow that word from your Easter post). Overwhelmed not b/c of worldly pressures or worries or obligations, but overwhelmed that I don't have to worry about any of that b/c Jesus died and rose again, for me.

Thank you for reading, if you stuck with me that long. I did enjoy Easter celebration with my family and watching Eli's delight in finding and opening eggs, the goodies my parents gave him, and the fun he has with his cousins. That's like my favorite childhood memories of Easter. We were always with my cousins and my grandma always gave everyone a chocolate bunny. This is the first year she didn't and although I'm almost 32, I was a little disappointed. :)

Enjoy these fun pictures and see how our Eli is growing!


Eli on Easter morning.

Easter morning family picture.

Hunting eggs with Jared and Tyler.

Jared on his motorcycle and Eli with his Big Wheel, which he calls his 'bicycle'.

Tyler on his battery powered motorcycle.