Sunday, October 19, 2008
Night of Catan
Last night, we had my friend Stephanie (who survived all 3 levels of Kodaly training with me during the past 3 summers!) and her husband Randy over for a great time playing Settler's of Catan! This was the first time the 4 of us have hung out together, but we all decided it definitely won't be the last...since Dave is determined to beat Stephanie at this game! Yes....Stephanie was the first girl who has *ever* beat Dave at Catan! 
"You Never Let Go"
Though we've never written directly about our infertility on our blog, most of our friends and family know that we have been struggling to have a baby for over 2 years. For a number of reasons, October is an especially hard month for us in this process, though we had a powerful morning at church today. We both feel overwhelmingly blessed to be a part of such a loving & supportive church family.
During this morning's services, our pastor, Brandon, took time for people to pray for those who are struggling. Since I was singing at church this weekend, I was in both services today, and I was absolutely overwhelmed that sweet friends of ours came to lay hands on us and pray during both morning services. It was such a precious time. Though our burden is heavy, it is such a blessing when others share it with us. After the time of prayer, we all sang the song, "You Never Let Go," which has become so meaningful to us during our journey. These words are our hope and prayer during this time of waiting.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back, I know You are near
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth
Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You
During this morning's services, our pastor, Brandon, took time for people to pray for those who are struggling. Since I was singing at church this weekend, I was in both services today, and I was absolutely overwhelmed that sweet friends of ours came to lay hands on us and pray during both morning services. It was such a precious time. Though our burden is heavy, it is such a blessing when others share it with us. After the time of prayer, we all sang the song, "You Never Let Go," which has become so meaningful to us during our journey. These words are our hope and prayer during this time of waiting.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back, I know You are near
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth
Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Homecoming 08!
I am so glad that I was able to make a quick trip to Indiana for Homecoming! I flew in on Wednesday night, and Emily picked me up. We tried, unsuccessfully, to find the only Caribou Coffee in Indy, and after 45 minutes, we gave up and just headed to our hotel. We spent the next day shopping at Castleton (what's better than a day of shopping with Em?) and finally headed back to Taylor late in the afternoon...just in time for Airband!
Loralee and I went to Airband together. It brought back so many funny memories of Taylor! My sister's group, "Daft Punk," won 3rd place!
I met Dr. Rediger for coffee the next morning. We had a wonderful time catching up, and our hour together went much too quickly. I am always so thankful for what an amazing encouragement & mentor Dr. Rediger has been to me over the years.
On Saturday afternoon, Em & I made our first trip (of 3 for the weekend) to Ivanhoes...yes, I completely blew my no sugar/no grain diet for a mint chocolate chip cookie shake!
I drove to Ft. Wayne on Friday night to meet Michelle. After a great time catching up over dinner at FlatTop Grille, we went to visit her parents. I spent many, many weekends at their house during my time at Taylor, and I feel that they are my second set of parents.
Michelle and her husband, Jeremy, ran the Chicago Marathon this morning, & they were featured in an article in the Saturday edition of the Ft. Wayne Gazette. We read their great article while sipping coffee on Saturday morning!
I hadn't seen Stephen & Joy since their wedding 3 years ago, so, of course, we had an amazing time catching up over lunch at Cracker Barrel. How I miss these friends!
I also had a great time catching up with my freshmen year roommate, Sarah! We hadn't seen each other since graduation, which was much too long!
Saturday afternoon & evening was consumed with music major reunions...we had so much fun reminiscing our days in the music building together!
(left to right: Drew, Becca, me, Loralee, Stephen, Cat)
(left to right: Dr. Rediger, Dr. Robertson, Stephen, me, & Joy)
And, my trip ended with a very late night (only 2 hours of sleep for me!) of setting up a Facebook account after much persuasion--mostly from Stephen & Em!
I had so much fun staying at "The Mansion," the house where my sister lives this year! As always, the time flew by much too quickly, but I am so thankful that I got to spend these past few days with these friends (and Em!) who mean so much to me!
Loralee and I went to Airband together. It brought back so many funny memories of Taylor! My sister's group, "Daft Punk," won 3rd place!
I met Dr. Rediger for coffee the next morning. We had a wonderful time catching up, and our hour together went much too quickly. I am always so thankful for what an amazing encouragement & mentor Dr. Rediger has been to me over the years.
On Saturday afternoon, Em & I made our first trip (of 3 for the weekend) to Ivanhoes...yes, I completely blew my no sugar/no grain diet for a mint chocolate chip cookie shake!
I drove to Ft. Wayne on Friday night to meet Michelle. After a great time catching up over dinner at FlatTop Grille, we went to visit her parents. I spent many, many weekends at their house during my time at Taylor, and I feel that they are my second set of parents.
Michelle and her husband, Jeremy, ran the Chicago Marathon this morning, & they were featured in an article in the Saturday edition of the Ft. Wayne Gazette. We read their great article while sipping coffee on Saturday morning!
I hadn't seen Stephen & Joy since their wedding 3 years ago, so, of course, we had an amazing time catching up over lunch at Cracker Barrel. How I miss these friends!
I also had a great time catching up with my freshmen year roommate, Sarah! We hadn't seen each other since graduation, which was much too long!
Saturday afternoon & evening was consumed with music major reunions...we had so much fun reminiscing our days in the music building together!
(left to right: Drew, Becca, me, Loralee, Stephen, Cat)
(left to right: Dr. Rediger, Dr. Robertson, Stephen, me, & Joy)
And, my trip ended with a very late night (only 2 hours of sleep for me!) of setting up a Facebook account after much persuasion--mostly from Stephen & Em!
I had so much fun staying at "The Mansion," the house where my sister lives this year! As always, the time flew by much too quickly, but I am so thankful that I got to spend these past few days with these friends (and Em!) who mean so much to me!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Birthday Fun!
Here are a few pics of my birthday festivities! Dave was able to be in town for my birthday, which made the whole week even better! I woke up on the morning of my birthday to THIS...
Poor Dave--I had been begging for a glass door for our front door for several months now, but I really didn't think that was what he got me. He had hidden it in our attic and got it down while I was in the shower that morning. I don't think he had ever heard so much screaming...especially at 5:30 in the morning! I was so excited!
On Thursday night, I met many of the ladies from Keystone at the Cheesecake Factory! I had never had the avacado eggrolls before, but they are definitely my new favorite! In case you don't know her, this is my precious friend Heather, who arranged for many of my friends to all give me personal charms for a James Avery bracelet. It was truly a heartfelt gift and one I will truly treasure! (I should note, for Dave's sake, that he took me on a fabulous shopping trip to my favorite store--Ann Taylor Loft--before dinner at the Cheesecake Factory!)
Dave & I continued our celebrating on Friday night with dinner at Brio in Southlake. We had such a wonderful time being out together...plus the food, and especially the desserts, were fabulous!
On Saturday night, I had my family birthday dinner at my parent's house! As is the tradition in my family, the birthday person gets to pick the menu...so, of course, I picked my mom's "famous" (if only to me) tater tot hotdish & baked corn. Dave surprised me with an ice cream cake from Woolley's...so good! :)
This picture is for all my friends who think I am crazy to wear gloves while I do dishes...now I can do it in style! These are called "glam gloves," and, even better, they're pink!
I'm so thankful that we live so close to my parents...I couldn't love them any more!
And...my uncle Jon & cousin Nate--so glad they are both now "official" Texans!
It's hard to believe another year has passed...and while it has definitely been a difficult one, I am so thankful for all my family & friends who love me so much, and, even more, a God Who has an amazing plan for our lives, even when we don't understand what it is. We are truly blessed.
Poor Dave--I had been begging for a glass door for our front door for several months now, but I really didn't think that was what he got me. He had hidden it in our attic and got it down while I was in the shower that morning. I don't think he had ever heard so much screaming...especially at 5:30 in the morning! I was so excited!
On Thursday night, I met many of the ladies from Keystone at the Cheesecake Factory! I had never had the avacado eggrolls before, but they are definitely my new favorite! In case you don't know her, this is my precious friend Heather, who arranged for many of my friends to all give me personal charms for a James Avery bracelet. It was truly a heartfelt gift and one I will truly treasure! (I should note, for Dave's sake, that he took me on a fabulous shopping trip to my favorite store--Ann Taylor Loft--before dinner at the Cheesecake Factory!) 
Dave & I continued our celebrating on Friday night with dinner at Brio in Southlake. We had such a wonderful time being out together...plus the food, and especially the desserts, were fabulous! 
On Saturday night, I had my family birthday dinner at my parent's house! As is the tradition in my family, the birthday person gets to pick the menu...so, of course, I picked my mom's "famous" (if only to me) tater tot hotdish & baked corn. Dave surprised me with an ice cream cake from Woolley's...so good! :)
This picture is for all my friends who think I am crazy to wear gloves while I do dishes...now I can do it in style! These are called "glam gloves," and, even better, they're pink!
I'm so thankful that we live so close to my parents...I couldn't love them any more! 
And...my uncle Jon & cousin Nate--so glad they are both now "official" Texans!
It's hard to believe another year has passed...and while it has definitely been a difficult one, I am so thankful for all my family & friends who love me so much, and, even more, a God Who has an amazing plan for our lives, even when we don't understand what it is. We are truly blessed.
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