Well it happened. I have nothing to write! So instead of me sharing with you... how about YOU share with me! :) Lately my prayers have consisted of a lot of me. Is there something I can be praying about for you? Share your thoughts by commenting or emailing me.

Since pretty much the last time I kept this blog up was while I was living as an Aussie, I thought I'd give all 3 of you who read this an update about my life.

I am living in Abilene, Texas, with my wonderful parents and working part-time as an assistant in the Children's Ministry at Highland Church of Christ. My original plan was to move back and begin working on a Masters in Education. However, one lesson I have learned during my 22 years on this earth is to not get too comfortable with the plans we make. The Lord definitely had something different in mind for me. And it's so great! I LOVE my job! Shelley Neilson is the children's minister I work for, and it really is a priviledge to get to work with her. Not only is she extremely knowledgable about children and families, she is theologically trained and understands the spiritual implications of this vital ministry. The other people I work with in the office are also incredible. Though it's only 19 hours right now, there's a pretty good chance that those hours will increase within the next couple of months. That's definitely something to be praying about!

This is the first time in 17 years that I haven't been a formal student. Growing up I was a HUGE reader. During my childhood summers, the reading program at the library was more exciting than church camp or family vacations! However starting in about 8th or 9th grade, reading for fun started to decline because all of the assigned reading I was receiving from school. I'm not sure I read more than 4 or 5 books throughout my college career that I chose for myself. Now I am once again discovering the joy of reading! I won't lie- I am a slow reader. Especially if it's a thinking book, such as a non-fiction book about history or theology, etc. It just takes me awhile to process what I read. Nevertheless, I am really loving reading again. So far I have read "A New Kind of Christian," by Brian McLaren and "The Anointment Child," by Francine Rivers. I highly recommend both books! Currently I am reading the sequel to "ANKC", "The Story We Find Ourselves In." So far it is really good and makes me think back to some classes I took at Lipscomb. (Yes, I have even been thinking about Biblical World and Critical Intro!) The other book I am reading is "The Purpose-Driven Life," by Rick Warren. If you haven't heard of this book, you must live in a cave with internet service. I am not very far into it, but it hasn't been the world-rocking book that I heard it to be. However I do think it is good and has a very great message for lots of searching people. I have a "wish-list" going of books that I plan to read in the future. Let me know if you have any suggestions of books to add to this list! :)

And finally... Houston may have lost tonight, but there is still one more chance! At least if this underdog doesn't pull through, the Empire was taken down by the Red Sox. That is beautiful. Go Astros!

How could I not blog after tonight's amazing games?!? First the Sox take down the Evil Empire (thanks to Mike Cope for that nickname), and then the Astros become victorious for the 3rd time in a row!!! Can I get a hip, hip, hooray for the underdogs? I know that many people who know baseball much better than I do realize the great historical importance of a World Series game between the Cards and Yankees. But I just think it would be even BETTER if it were the Astros and Sox!!! A girl can dream, can't she?

By the way, my mom, my friend Sarah, and I went to the movie theaters and saw "Shall We Dance", with Richard Gere, Jennifer Lopez, and Susan Serandon. When I hear that JLo is in a movie, I typically try to avoid that film. However she is really good in this movie, and I highly recommend it! (Besides, Richard Gere is the romantic lead... do I need any other reason to see it?) I think it could even be a good date movie, because I'm pretty sure that guys will like it, too.

Go Astros!

So the Astros are down by 2 games and they face the Cardinals again tomorrow night. Some people have teased me for rooting for the Astros, being that I am typically a Rangers fan and NOT a fan of the city of Houston, but I would like to defend my choice. First of all, I am a Texan, therefore I will side with the Texas team. Second, the owner of the Astros, Drayton McLane is from my hometown, Temple. I have met the man! But here is my most important reason for cheering on Houston- they are the underdogs. I almost ALWAYS root for the underdogs. When the expected champion wins the game, what fun is that? Where is the excitement? I love it when the underdogs take home the trophey and prove that they can do it! And (here's where I make an attempt at getting deep) isn't that a theme we see throughout scripture? How many times does God use the underdog to accomplish great feats? How would God's power been seen if He were always on the side of the strongest man or most powerful nation? So as the Astros once again warm up for their game tomorrow night, I will proudly be supporting them. Go Astros!

OK- I give up! Or maybe I give in. Many people have asked me to keep up this blog, and I have been very hesitant to do so. Why? Because I don't have anything to say!! Well, at least not anything interesting, in my opinion. However I really love reading other people's blogs, even if I don't know them. And many times they are not saying anything important or ground-breaking... so I decided that maybe people out there really would like to read my nonsense. And maybe every once in a while, it might be something interesting. :)

No promises, but I will try to make this at least a weekly thing. We'll see how it goes. I definitely invite you to post any comments that pop into your head. Go Astros!