Little Miss Rachel

Today Rachel and I had a great time doing house work, playing, going to the groceries, having dinner with my parents and playing some more! Here are some pics.




Earlier, she was playing with her Barbies and was pretending that she was a teacher. She has the routine down for her Sat. night Bible class. She is going to be a great teacher one day!

My Heroes

On Friday, I was able to visit the school that I taught at for 5 yrs. Two of my heroes still work there whom I love dearly... my aunts.

Yvonne is a first grade teacher and she's been teaching for about 20 years. I was so honored to have been her teammate and to be able to have someone so talented to help and support me so much when I was teaching. She has such a wonderful approach to teaching and showing her kids responsibilities in the classroom. She gives her students such wonderful praise daily and has always expected so much from them. She makes each student feel loved unconditionally. As mentioned before, she is a wonderful teammate who would always share her ideas and papers with others. She is known to hand packets of papers to the new teachers each month so that they can have things to use in their classroom. Her projects don't compare to anyone that I know. I am amazed at her wonderful positive attitude towards her students (no matter how hard the child is) and teaching. God has blessed me and many more people who know Yvonne.




Paz is an instructional assistant in the Learning Lab and she also is the ISS(In School Suspension) teacher . She has worked at Carson for 7 years and has worked with almost every child at Carson elementary in those years. She worked in the reading room as a reading teacher for 4 years. She has such a great rapport with the students and teachers and parents at the school. If you have ever met Paz, you know that she's is the friendliest person you could every meet. She'll stop everything just to help you out and always puts others before herself. I am so honored to have Paz in my life. God has truly blessed me and so many others who know Paz.

Words cannot express my love for these women. God has truly blessed me with wonderful women in my life that I can look to for help and support and guidance. :)

Devo from Max Lucado- 9-29-08

Do not lose the courage you had in the past, which has a great reward.
Hebrews 10:35 (NCV)

Is there anything more frail than a bruised reed? Look at the bruised reed at the water's edge. A once slender and tall stalk of sturdy river grass, it is now bowed and bent.

Are you a bruised reed? Was it so long ago that you stood so tall, so proud?...

Then something happened. You were bruised...
by harsh words
by a friend's anger
by a spouse's betrayal ....

The bruised reed .... Society knows what to do with you .... The world will break you off; the world will snuff you out.

But the artists of Scripture proclaim that God won't. Painted on canvas after canvas is the tender touch of a Creator who has a special place for the bruised and weary of the world. A God who is the friend of the wounded heart.

Wearing Mommy's Jewelry

Today while I put on my lotion, Rachel took the opportunity to model my jewelry. ;) She was "wearing" my rings and bracelet.

Cheese! ;)

Look at my drumsticks! She loves those things and will play with them all day long.

Pics of the week

We've been pretty busy this week. I have been trying to keep my camera handy so that I can take pics and blog about what we're doing. Here are a few of the pics.

Tuesday- Ladies Bible Study and Rachel's Bible Class

After class we took pics outside of the church. It's beautiful. :)
Mom and Rachel
Rachel and I
Wed morning and Thursday- Mom and Dad watch Rachel while I work. She's been having a blast with Papa outside (since the mornings have been so nice and cool).
Dad and Rachel

Rachel posing with one of the scarecrows that Mom has put outside for the fall season.

Rachel and I- We're two silly girls! :)

Random pics

I just wanted to post some random pics from the last few weeks. I know that I've not been taking as many pictures and video of Rachel these past few months, so I'm making a point to take my camera everywhere so I can capture those small moments that I want to remember.
On Sunday, Ben and I took Rachel to Raymond Russell Park. She was so happy to go with mommy and daddy together. She even got on the HUGE medal slide! I was totally nervous that she'd fall, but she did very well. The first few times Ben went behind her to make sure that she didn't fall backwards. She wanted to go over and over. The funny thing is, she doesn't like to go down slides that are enclosed (or tubes). It's weird. I always encourage her to go on them, but she stays away from them as much as possible. The only time that she does go down them is when she's with another child. :)
(These pics were taken about a month ago at another park, but I didn't have my camera this weekend.)




On 9/9/08, my Ladies Bible Study started up again and I was OHHHHH, SOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY!! I just love it when I can learn the precepts of God and fellowship with my sisters in Christ. I was honored to be asked to be a table leader in our Precepts class. Here's a pic of my mom (who also joins me in this class) and I on the first day.



A few posts ago, I mentioned that Mom and I had gone to the screening of Fireproof. (Go see it in theaters this weekend.) Anyhow, here's a pic of us getting ready to watch the fabulous movie. :) We sure did have fun talking, eating out and talking and watching a great movie and talking some more! My mom is the best. Thanks Mom for going with me and being such wonderful company always. :)

My Favorite blog today...

Angie, I'm taking your great idea and sharing today what my favorite blog is also.
If you're reading this blog, I hope you can take a minute to read this other blog by Amanada (Beth Moore's daugther). It's touching and eye-opening. :)
If you don't have time to ck out the link, here is a copy of it...

God of This City

Sunday morning my little family slept a little later than usual, swung by Shipley's Donuts and headed to church. Sunday school had been cancelled, which is totally a bummer because I love that part. I'm such a fellowship person.

We entered the sanctuary and it was slowly filling up. Two weeks ago our church had just started meeting in the sanctuary again after a five-month exodus into the chapel, fellowship hall, and gym while it got a much-needed renovation. That first Sunday back in the new sanctuary was incredible. It was so exciting and there was a wonderful spirit of praise and thanks to God. We sang Chris Tomlin's "God of this City" and proclaimed that "greater things have yet to come, greater things are still to be done in this city." We sang it loud and proud.

The very next Sunday there was no church because of the hurricane. Then there was Sunday, September 21 - only our second service in the newly renovated sanctuary. I cannot adequately describe how different the mood was in the service this week. Quiet. Somewhat broken. Sweet. Humble. Sober. Unsure. Pastor Gregg poured his heart out to love on us and shepherd us. His sermon was directly related to the hurricane and he talked about what we can learn from it. Three things will stick with me. For some people, this was a correcting storm. For others, it was a perfecting storm. And God wants to use it to shave the silliness off of our lives. When Curt and I went to the mall last week to get Baby's two little outfits after the ultrasound, I can't tell you how ridiculous and obscene it felt. Were we really at the mall when there was so much devastation everywhere? I think that is what a lot of us are feeling right now. I'm sure it will wear off for most Houstonians, but hopefully it won't wear off for the Church. I certainly don't want it to wear off for me. I really need it. This is something I feel God has been doing in my life for the past little while and I want to see the work made complete.

I remember when we were in England how different the elderly people were from everyone else. They had survived The War. Many had been shipped off from their parents when they were kids to live in regions of England where they would be safe from the fighting. They had been through a ton in their young years and they were not caught up in the silliness of the present-day culture. They made do with little and they didn't need extravagance. This way of being was not attractive to me at age 24. I wanted very much to project a certain image and to have as much as I could of what the world could give me, while having the things of God, too. (I'm not talking about things that are plain sinful as much as things that are permissible, but not beneficial.) I so appreciate God's patience with me at every stage of life. I also appreciate that He changes me. I am getting ever-so-close to my thirties and I'm happy that in 13 months I'll cross that line with a different heart and mind than that of my 24-year-old self. I will say the same as I enter my forties, I'm sure.

Pastor Gregg exhorted us let this storm do its work in our lives - to let it be more than the inconvenience that it's been for most of us. Honestly, I haven't even been inconvenienced all that much. As he asked the congregation how many were still without power, the vast majority raised their hands. I was stunned. My cross to bear has been a tiny one. Still, He has allowed me to take a look at my own life and see the silliness, and to gaze at what matters. I want to learn this lesson.

That morning we sang "God of This City" again. We did so loudly, not as proudly, but full of faith. As we sang, images of our damaged region flashed across the whole front wall of the sanctuary. Our words went up as a prayer to God. While we worshipped in our lovely new sanctuary, we knew that only a few miles away Second Baptist Church was meeting outside. Part of the dome at the top of their beautiful sanctuary had been ripped away during the storm and the damage was extensive. They are out of their sanctuary indefinitely. The body of Christ in this town is having a moment with the Lord, y'all. How I pray that the fruit will be sweet and that everyone who lives here will get a taste...and see that He is good.

God, You are the God of this city. You're the King of these people. We feel broken by You but loved at the same time. Like today when I had to give Jackson a spanking for locking me out of the house while I fetched the groceries, but he clung to me for a long time afterward. I know You love us. You are not done with this city. Strengthen the remnant. Build up Your Kingdom here, Lord. Posted by Amanda at 2:50 PM

Wii Fit "Running"

Here's a short video of Rachel doing a short distance "run" on the Wii Fit. ;) She's just shaking the remote for the most part, but she gets a kick out of making the Mii person trip and fall. It's funny!

Fireproof

Yesterday, I went with my mom to a screening of the movie Fireproof (If you click on the link, you can find many wonderful resources) written and directed by Alex Kendrick and his brother Stephen Kendrick. All I can say is.... GO SEE IT! Opening night will be on Friday, September 26th. I am going back to see it with Ben on opening weekend. I want to help promote this film because of it's wonderful story that is true and pure and full of HOPE in the LORD. We need to have more movies like this out on the big screen. :)

Out of the mouths of babes (or at least their music)

Rachel and I have been listening to a CD of worship songs for children in the car. There are many songs that many of us have grown up with like... This Little Light of Mine, I'm Gonna Let It Shine... He's Got the Whole World In His Hands... Amen... Michael Row Your Boat Ashore...etc...

Well, I was really pondering and some what worrying about the whole Ike situation coming on shore (earlier in the week, it was going to hit closer to SA). As Rachel and I drove I was listening to the lyrics of some of her songs and it was God speaking to me through them. I know it's kind of silly, but God really knows how to get my attention.

He's got the whole world in his hands...
He's got the whole wide world in his hands...

God is in total CONTROL... DON'T WORRY!

I've got the peace that passes understanding

Way down in the depths of my heart!

Peace that passes understanding is what GOD and only God can bring during the storm and during times that are wonderful. He's always with me.

Such encouraging words from God just lift me up and help me to remember to TRUST in my LORD and lean not on my own understanding.

(Proverbs 3:5-6)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Wii are family! ;)

A few weeks ago, my twin brother, Lee came to visit from Norfolk, VA. He's in the Navy (if you don't already know that). :) I'm so proud of him and what he's doing for our country. It was so much fun to have him here for a week. :) He came on a Tuesday night and was over the next day for dinner and some fun! We played the Wii that night. It was so much fun to see my family just enjoying each other, and being silly at the same time. My belly ached from so much laughter that we shared on those fun nights that we all go together. My mom commented that my brother and I seem to just leave where we left off last each time we see each other again (which is only once or twice a year). :) I miss him so much already. I am a little more sad that he's gone this time because I know that he'll be gone for 7 months on deployment. I am praying for his safety and for him to have a closer relationship with the Lord. I ask that you pray for him also, if you can. Thank you!

Lee and Mom playing a game of tennis. My mom LOVES that game! :)

Dad trying it out. He kept telling us how to do it from the sidelines, but as soon as he tried it out, it wasn't so easy to do! ;)

Knock out!

Cheese! I had to add this picture just because! ;)

Jen, Lee's girlfriend, joined him a few days later. Here she is trying out the Wii. She and mom were having a friendly competitive tennis match! ;) (Look at how serious my mom is!)

A Rachel Funny

Today, I received a catalog in the mail from Collections Etc. I love the things that they have in that catalog. I rarely buy from them, but I still love to look at the catalogs. Rachel was looking through the catalog with me this afternoon and was commenting on how she wanted me to buy some candles. *The candles that she wants to decorate our table with. She said that she wanted them for her birthday so she could blow the candles out. ;) *Pic of Rachel blowing out her candles this past summer.Then she paused for a few seconds and said, "No, I know! I want to buy them for you mommy so that you can put them on our table and they can make the table look pretty!" So cute! I was so impressed with her idea because we don't have any candles in our home as decoration. I guess she's just really paid attention to other's houses that we've visited! ;)


She continued to tell me that she wanted to buy me various items. I told her that she was so sweet to want to get me those things. I asked her how she was going to buy them... she replied, "I have money in my piggy bank; I can use that to buy that!" Oh my! ;) I told her that she was very thoughtful, but that I like to look at these things for ideas, not to buy. :)

My little girl just amazes me each day with the things that she comes up with! ;)

Friday, Sat, and Sunday---- Busy, busy, busy!

Okay, so everything is backwards starting from Sunday to Friday, but I've run out of blog time! Time to do my bible study! :) 1 Peter 5: 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (A wonderful scripture that I've been referring to more this week!)

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On Sunday, we celebrated my mother-in-law's b-day at Texas Land and Cattle. She was so happy to see her family twice in one weekend! :)

Yaya reading her card that Rachel had decorated for her!

Me, Rachel and Ben

J.J. and Heather

Rachel and Uncle J.J. playing games on his phone.
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww- Papa Richard and Yaya
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On Saturday, we had our family come to celebrate Uncle Lee visiting from Norfolk, VA. He and his gf, Jen are going to be deploying on Sunday the 7th for 7-8 months. We are so happy that they were able to come to see us before they left! :)

Jen, Rachel and Uncle Lee

The girls and Lee(top left- Coco, Aunt Gloria, Aunt Gloria, Mom, Jen, Lee, Tia Paz, Aunt Grace, Michelle, and Tia Lilia; bottow row- Me and Rachel being carried by Uncle Lee)

Me and Ben- He was so sweet to bring Rachel to church while I brought my brother and Jen. He then took care of her for the evening so that I could stay a bit longer and hang out with the family! He's so wonderful!

The guys- Uncle John, Uncle Rick, Lonny, and Uncle Robert
More guys- Uncle Rene, Uncle Ashley, and Uncle Virgil Rachel, Papa, and Uncle Lee

Best Friends Forever! ;) Kelly and Melo
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Friday night, we had a blast celebrating Uncle J.J.'s 30th birthday at Stonewerks. It was a surprise b-day given to him by his lovely wife Heather and our wonderful mother-in-law, Yolanda. Here's Rachel showing off her pretty party dress. :)
Mommy & Rachel :)

Uncle J.J. and Rachel

Aunt Heather and Uncle J.J.

(Don't you just love the cake... it was a hard hat shaped cake! Yummy! BTW, I should have never told Rachel we were having cake b/c as soon as we go there at 6:20, she was asking when we were going to have cake, which was about 9:45!) ;)