Big changes

A lot has happened in the last 3 weeks. A LOT! I started working at the pre-school I am suppose to teach swim lessons at this summer. I have sooo enjoyed the last 3 weeks there. I'm officially in love with all 3-4 year olds. Its such a fun age and they are just too cute and sweet. Sadly, my last day is on Friday.

So here is the big News...we quit out jobs and we are moving away from Houston in 2 weeks. Crazy, I know, but we are so excited and feel so relieved to get out of here for a time.

So where are we going? We are moving to work at Camp Tejas in Giddings, TX. I worked there for 3 summers and enjoyed every minute of it...nearly ;). We are so excited that we get to work out there together, grow more in our walks with God, and just get to be out in the beautiful nature that God has created for us. Did I mention that we are really excited??

So right now we are packing, getting rid of a bunch of stuff, we are going to make a quick run to Alabama for a few days to see my family. Then we'll come back and have a fun Stella and Dot party, garage sale, say some goodbyes, move what we can into storage and then off to Camp Tejas for 3 months. We have a busy couple of weeks, but we are really excited.

If you feel led, we would love some prayer during this time and this summer. Please pray that the Lord will soften our hearts and make us very teachable and humble this summer. Pray that I will trust in the Lord for all things and not let my anxiety take hold of me. Pray that everything would go smoothly in moving, sale and donating out stuff.

I'll be updating periodically this summer to let everyone know what is going with us, so check in to see our adventures!

Not the best, but pretty good

BEST POEM IN THE WORLD I was shocked, confused, bewildered As I entered Heaven's door, Not by the beauty of it all, Nor the lights or its decor. But it was the folks in Heaven Who made me sputter and gasp-- The thieves, the liars, the sinners,The alcoholics and the trash. There stood the kid from seventh grade Who swiped my lunch money twice. Next to him was my old neighbor Who never said anything nice. Bob, who I always thought Was rotting away in hell, Was sitting pretty on cloud nine, Looking incredibly well. I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal? I would love to hear Your take. How'd all these sinners get up here? God must've made a mistake. 'And why is everyone so quiet, So somber - give me a clue.' 'Hush, child,' He said,'they're all in shock. No one thought they'd be seeing you.' JUDGE NOT!! Remember...Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car. Every saint has a PAST... Every sinner has a FUTURE!

Day 4

Completed day 4 of the shred. Its getting a wee bit easier...so thankful that Simeon is doing it with me. Hope everyone has had a great Saturday.

3 job possibilities...really?!?

I had my interview today for an ESL aid position. I was super nervous and I felt way under qualified...it went okay. I had a difficult time understanding the principle, but aside from that I felt good about my responses. So, I was kind of surprised that he called me 4 hours later to ask me to come in for a 2nd interview on Monday!!! I still don't feel super stoked about the position, but I feel so excited that I could actually qualify.

I did hear back from the other school I interviewed at for the swim instructor job this summer and guess what.... I GOT IT!!! I'm so excited!! I love being outside so much and it will give me some great experience with teaching kids to really see if I want to continue down the road of teaching.

So for now I will continue working at Starbucks and then transition over to swim lessons come May. We'll see what happens with this ESL position...

Now for the shred...

Peace

The Shred...

Yesterday I started the 3o day shred. Its a rear kicking exercise program!!! My hubs and I just finished and we both feel like we could pass out. And get this...its only a 20 min. workout! We are pathetic! My goal is to really stick to my guns and do the work out everyday for 30 days. I'll let you know if I keep to it ;)

In other news I finally have a job! I am now a barista at Starbucks. I also have had another interview for the summer as a swim instructor for little ones...I really hope I get it because I would love to have an excuse to be outside everyday playing in the water with kids. AND...I have another job interview tomorrow for an ESL teaching position. I also have 2 other prospects...but they are still prospects. I'm so thankful to finally have so many opportunities. The Lord has been so good to provide for us just with Simeon working. My sweet husband has been so encouraging and patient while I figure out what I want to do. None of the things above are really what I want to do long term, but they are going to help me get there (more about that later ;).

Thank you my King for your provision and how

much you love your children. Please guide us

in the way we should walk and help us to keep

our eyes on you in everything we do. May we

seek, do and serve all for your glory and not

for our own. You are so faithful and good Papa.

love,

your daughter

Good Night!

Houston home

We have now been living in Houston for 6 months...crazy! Its been a great adventure so far and we are excited to see what more our King has in store for us in this crazy bustling city we now call home.

During these last 6 months I have been unemployed. I complained a lot at first, but then this whole staying at home cooking, cleaning, decorating, painting and being uber craftsy really grew on me and now I'm beyond words grateful for this time I've had to process and explore new things. With all this creative time and energy our house became my canvas. I found myself changing something everyday or coming up with new ideas to avoid having to go out and buy something that is not what I really wanted. So here are some pics of our casa.

Kitchen window looking out into the backyard

Dinning room

Dinning room from the living room

I made this rug from 2 coffee bean sacks :)

ART ROOM!!!

Simeon's office/ guest room

Tree I painted for Simeon

I refurbished the night stand...it took forever,

but I think it is pretty darn cute now

not a great photo...

Simeon's awesome desk. We found this super cool door on one

of our curbside scavenges :)

These mason jars were my grandparent's that we re-purposed for our bathroom

Simeon's Aunt and uncle gave us this beautiful cargo

hutch along with 2 sofas and a bed! We are so thankful!

Kitchen!

Our bedroom

"Hinds' Feet on High Places"

" Love is beautiful, but it is also terrible-- terrible in its determination to allow nothing blemished or unworthy to remain in the beloved." The Shepherd

I have had loads of time to read this summer.  One of the books that I read early in the summer was very impacting to my life.  The quote above comes from the book, "Hinds' Feet on High Places."  The book is allegorically written.  The main character is "Much-Afraid" and her journey to "The High Places."  Words cannot express how much I felt myself identify with Much-Afraid.  I use to find myself fearless and invincible.  I did not think twice about going to overseas, I knew it was what I was suppose to do.  I felt so confident and assured that I was walking in the right path  and that I had no reason to fear.  I knew my God would protect me and if anything did happen I knew whole-heartedly that he is Sovereign and that I would be with him in life or death.  However, I have struggle this last year, year and half with fear.  At times I feel that it could overtake me at any moment.  I don't understand why this feeling of fear has grown so strong.  Is it because I've finally reached that age of knowing I'm not invincible any longer?  Reading the story of "Much-Afraid" helped  me to understand that I don't have  to be afraid and even when I am afraid the Great Shepherd still loves me and does not think any less of me.  He longs for me to reach and live in the High Places.  He longs for me to trust him and understand, accept and share his love.  He wants to give me Hinds Feet so that I can not only endure difficult situations or times, but grow and have an overwhelming confidence that He is with me always and has equipped me to be His daughter and therefore do what I am called to do.  God loves me so much that he is NEVER going to stop sifting the things that are not from Him out of me.  His love does not give up.  

While reading this book I sat in front of my easel.  I felt so inspired and full of joy, love, peace and just plain freedom that I had to create something while God is continuing to create in me a new heart.  This is probably one of my favorite paintings I have ever done.  Its nothing special in appearance perhaps, but so many tears and epiphanies are painted in each stroke of my brush.  I haven't painted anything for myself in very long time...I have felt limited in creativity because I always have commissions that I need to work on and therefore I'm dependent on other peoples creativity to get my hand moving.  So this painting represents freedom to me.  Freedom from fear and disappointment.  It also reminds me of God's love for me and how he is continually washing me over with new colors of brilliance and beauty.  As much as I don't want to part with this painting, I think its necessary to continue to live in freedom.  At times I feel that I won't be able to recreate or even create something new or old.  The more I give or sell my paintings the more I have to depend on God to give me ideas or bring me people with ideas.  So this painting is for sell for $200.