Family Weekend!!

Red, Mom, and Michael came to visit Richard and me a few weekends ago!! We had such a blast spending time with everybody in Nashville. They arrived around 6 o' clock Friday night, which gave us just enough time to eat our barbeque sandwiches and visit the Grand Ole' Opry before hitting the sack.

The next morning I had to convince everybody into trying a yummy fish taco from the local Fish Market. Unfortunately, they were not very impressed- I guess I can't blame them too much because the place does kinda have a strong fishy smell:0?! Oh well, maybe that's why I like it ... it reminds me of good ole' Louisiana!! Next, we decided to join all the locals and tourists alike on the streets of downtown Nashville. Let me just say, my brother was quite the tourist!! He absolutely loved it- and we all loved seeing how much he loved it. He thought he had to have everything from the belt buckle, the cowboy hat(s), the Hank shirt, AND the music- He came to Tennessee a Rockstar and left a Cowboy in a true Nashvillian fashion.

Last but not least, I wanted to take my brother (and the rest of the crew) to the Jack Daniel's Distillery in Lynchberg, TN. Although I am not a supporter of drinking OR Jack Daniel's, I have to say that visiting the distillery is quite a unique and enjoyable experience. The humorous thing is the distillery resides in a dry county; therefore, they serve lemonade at the end of the tour rather than the expected Jack Daniel's:0. How funny is that?!

Well, after much fun, momma's homemade soup, and experiencing a little bit of what Tennessee had to offer, it was time for the family to return back to sweet Louis and Ana. Oh how I look forward to their visits?!

Girl of a Sailor Man

My dad was in the Dauphin Island Race last weekend! This was his 2nd year to participate in the event- and let me just say...this is what this man lives for!! As a teenager trying to find his purpose and place in this world, my dad remembers praying and asking God to give him a hobby- something to be passionate about, to love, and to glorify Jesus through. After a few months of praying, a co-worker invited him to go sailing with him. Ever since that moment, my dad has absolutely loved this sport. I remember growing up and going to dad's house every other weekend. Those weekends were spent on the lake IN a sailboat- I learned that a little thing called "wind" was a very important part of God's creation during that time. Sorry, back to the race...Dad's team won first in their class Saturday!!! And, FIRST OVERALL in the Sunday race!!!! YAY!! I love my dad very much and I hope he has many more Dauphin Island races to come!

The Crew

My dad is the handsome fella in the gray shirt.

p.s. His bottom lip isn't normally fire engine red. At the very end of the Sunday race, he got hit by the one of the poles on the sailboat which resulted in a trip to the ER. As they say, "Like father, like daughter."

What Would You Say?

For those of you who knew me during college, you know that I spent many of nights confined within the walls of the Frothy Monkey. I had many bible studies, pondering sessions, dates(?), cherishable conversations, chess matches, and sips of Jones Soda on the benches of that coffeehouse. For a few months during the summer between my undergrad and graduate program, I met with a friend named Megan Peters every week at the Frothy Monkey. I enjoyed many of the conversations I had with Megan; however, one sticks out in my mind above all the rest. One night she challenged me to answer the question, "Who is God to you?" using approximately five key points. Although I had talked to God often, and thought about him even more, I had never really sat down and considered who He was to me. Sure, I had a picture in my mind about what He looked like (such as the cartoon-like pictures you see at VBS and Children's Church), but I had never really thought about describing him with words and verses and thoughts. After a week of searching through my bible and digging through my thoughts, this is what I came up with:

1. "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalms 4:8
2. " You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, O Lord; Listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me." Psalms 86:5-7
3. "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak..." Isaiah 40:28-29
4. "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world." 1 John 2:2
5. "God is love." 1 John 4:16
6. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet was without sin." Hebrews 4:15
7. "The Lord is my shepherd..." Psalms 23:1
8. "For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe." Psalms 61:3

This week, I encourage you to think about 5 or so things God means to you too. Yours will probably look completely different yet very similar all at the same time. If someone were to ask you, what would you say?

17 Random Things (only because I couldn't think of 25!!)

1. I crave the feeling of pink sand under my feet.
2. I heart anything berry (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries).
3. I dislike cleaning nooks and crannies.
4. I want 3 children (2 of my own & 1 adopted). And yes, I already have their names picked out!!
5. I have a passion for children with special needs.
6. I lack self-confidence; however, I delight in being myself.
7. Jesus Christ is my Hope.
8. I'm usually the one at the table that asks all the awkward personal questions- simply because I enjoy learning about people.
9. I seem to live each day two times (once in reality & again in my mind at the end of the day).
10. I have an extremely hard time following movies; therefore, I am usually asleep within the first 30 minutes.
11. I love to read, but never do because I am afraid I might miss something.
12. I am very loyal to my friends and family.
13. Each day, I strive to see people through the eyes of Jesus.
14. I love to window shop.
15. Lemon pie makes me happy in the summer; pecan pie warms my heart in the winter.
16. Although I am quiet, I love to be around people.
17. I've never been good with cliches- I often find myself starting with one and ending with another.