FINALLY Some Pics from Texas!

Girls are rare in this family.
Isaiah, Alexus, Elias, and Nana

Elias and Abuela

Elias and his new baby cousin, Josiah. He loved that baby!

This is not in Texas, but it is cute! This is how he prays.

Cousin Zack rocking Elias (Nana is in the background). He did not want anyone but Zackary to rock him that night!

Last Week in Review

-Gus and I are actually going away on a very short trip for our 5th anniversary, which happens to be the 19th. It is the first time we are going away together (just the 2 of us) since Elias was born. We have secured great babysitters and are super excited!

-Elias continues to learn new words all the time. The latest "big" word is "dyn-O-mite"! He pronounces it just like that and learned it from the Larryboy theme song. This song is one of his new obsessions, and he requests that I sing it 10-15 times each day!

-At the park the other day he found a locked door that went to some mechanical room. Upon finding the door was locked he ran over to me and said "I nee tees" which translates to "I need keys". I gave him my keys (because who could resist that sweet request) and he tried to unlock the door. I am still shocked when he uses complete sentences even though he does it quite frequently. However the sentence ALWAYS starts with "I nee" or "I want" and ends with one of the following: "Bob, Boz, cookie, cup, daddy, choo-choo, meow, tees, wawer, bubbles, ball, dis (paci), Bri-Bri, or eat-eat".

-At the same park he went to the picnic table climbed up and sat down. He then folded his little hands, closed his eyes, said some gibberish that I could not translate, and then yelled out "Amen"! I almost started crying in the park!

-I've been looking for a part time job. I need something super flexible and low to no stress. Seems like a tall order, but we are praying about it and know that God will work everything out!

One of those nights

Tonight's service was so great! Well, actually it is always great (I mean how can it not be great when your in the very presence of God?!), but it was so encouraging for Gus and me. During the worship/prayer time a group of our Gravity people (that's our college/career ministry) gathered around us and said they felt led to pray over us. About 5-6 gathered really close, laid their hands on our shoulders and begin speaking words that brought me to tears. I could not believe the things they were saying. I actually thought, "Are they really talking about me?" They were thanking God for putting us in their lives (which is funny cause I always thank Him for putting me in theirs), thanking him for all we had done for them, and just going on and on. I was humbled, which is not unusual around such awesome people, and I began to thank God for what he has done in and through me. If anyone sees anything good out of me it is because of HIM. If I do anything good for anyone else it is because of HIM and what HE has done for me. HE has made me everything I am and continues to use me despite my many faults and shortcomings! It was a very touching moment.

Later I was able to talk to one of our students about a lot of stuff she is struggling with and all that's going on in her life. In situations like this I always think, "OK God you are going to have to help me out because I really don't know what to do or say." I just listened to her and shared some of the same struggles I have had. She then gave me one of the greatest compliments I have ever received. She said, "You are just so real!" I guess I am, NOW. I've done the fake stuff. I've put on a smile and told everyone it will be okay and no big deal. "Just walk in faith" I would say even though I found it difficult doing this myself. It is hard when people expect you to always have it together and to always have the answer. I really struggled with this in the past, and it continues to snare me sometimes. However the past year I have felt such a freedom to just be "real". That is what people want more than anything: from themselves and from others. It is also what God wants from us! Faking it only brings more grief and guilt.

God reminded me again tonight what a privilege it is to serve Him and to be called to love and "be real" with these students of Gravity!

And just to make you smile I added this pic! It is my very favorite of Elias! Man, this kid is cute!

A Not So Light-Hearted Post

Usually my blogs are just info on current family happenings, but this one will be a little different.
I was reading a story in the paper about the raid made on 3 local restaurants that led to exposing 50 illegal immigrants. A man was interviewed about it and said he would never eat at that place again. He then went on to say "what is this world coming to". Wow! Really, sir, the world's greatest problem is 50 (or 100, or even 100,000's) illegal immigrants! What about the fact that 16,000 children die EVERY day due to hunger and malnutrition? Have you heard about the worldwide food shortage? What about the 1000's of children (some as young as 3 or 4) and women who are caught and used as sex slaves throughout the world? What about the people, including U.S. travelers who keep these sex traders in business? What about the millions of Americans who can't afford health care? What about the mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, and children who have lost loved ones in the war we are fighting? I could go on and on and on and on, but I will spare everyone. I am seriously astonished by this man's comment. I wonder if he has even ever met an immigrant (legal or illegal). Does he actually know what sacrifices it takes to come to this country (legally or illegally)? Does he even consider what circumstances brought them here? Was it to escape death? Or extreme poverty? Or oppression? But many Americans don't even stop to think about it. They don't take time to realize the immense blessing it is to just happen to be born on American soil. If illegal immigration was the world's greatest problem, this would be a much better world to live in! We really wouldn't have many complaints!
I'm not sure if anyone will even read this, but I'm sure some will disagree and that is okay. One more reason I love America!

Home Sweet Home!

We finally made it back Thursday night (after spending 6 hours in the airport). I hope to post some pics soon, but I have a huge "to-do" list awaiting me. Being gone for 2 whole weeks is great, but it is a big adjustment getting back into our routine. We already miss our family and can't wait to go back for Thanksgiving. Elias asked for Nana as we were getting in the car at the airport. He also keeps asking for "Bubbas" (this refers to Isaiah, Darion, and Zackary) and "Sissy" (Alexus). I'm sure the time will fly, and we will see them soon! As for us, we are starting potty training Monday. Well, Elias is anyway. Gus and I are pretty well trained.

(Almost) Blown Away

We have been in Texas for over a week now and things have definitely been interesting! The first day the wind was blowing about 30-40 mph and it was 103. The next night we had a bad storm come through. The winds reached over 80 mph with hail and rain. We were watching the news waiting for the tornado sirens to go off so we would head for the cellar. Suddenly the electricity went off and the winds (they are not calling it a tornado, but it did major damage like a tornado) hit. We huddled together in the hallway until it was over. The aftermath was astonishing! Entire trees were down, roofs torn up, and my mom's trampoline was blown at least 50 yards away. We were left without electricity for 2 whole days and nights! Just imagine no air conditioner or fan and 100+ degree weather! That makes for miserable conditions. We did make it through, and things have been going well. Elias is loving all the attention from his grandparents and is having a blast playing with all his cousins. I am enjoying the time and although I will love getting back to my house, I know it will be very sad to leave!

Weekend in the Smokies

We spent last weekend in the Smoky Mountains with our Gravity (college and career students) group. There were 19 of us. Everything was great! It was the first time we have left Elias for 2 nights! I was a little nervous for the first few hours, but I calmed down because I knew he was perfectly taken care of. Brianna did a great job with him, and my mind was at ease to enjoy the time away. We went to the highest point of the Smoky Mountain National Park. Beautiful! We then had a picnic along a gorgeous river. Unlike last year, I managed to not fall in the water! Our cabin was literally amazing, and I think everyone had an awesome time. I must say going on a trip with college and career students is much more relaxing than taking high schoolers! We tell our Gravity students that they are adults and if they make stupid decisions or do something idiotic, WE will not be held responsible! WE will not have to explain their choice/decision/actions to their mommy or daddy. It is all up to them! Of course, it seems as though stupid decisions/actions are less frequent (although not totally absent) after graduating high school. At least for most!