In January Matt and his parents spoke at the ZOE Conference in Fresno, California. I had a plane ticket that was expiring soon, so I was able to tag along! Matt has been considering some film schools in LA to attend after he graduates, so we decided to fly out a few days early and visit a couple of them. Oh, the stories we have from driving around LA! Thank goodness, my amazingly wonderful brother loaned us his GPS system that Santa gave him. The weather couldn't have been more perfect, and our little rented Chevy HHR had a sun-roof that we enjoyed greatly! We stayed for two nights with the Tippens in their beautiful home on Pepperdine's campus. I'd have more pics, but my camera battery died before our fun really began. But here are a few that we were able to take:

California oranges + amazing view of the ocean = a great way to start your day!


This is the Getty Villa, a museum of ancient art of Greece, Rome, & Etruria. Just down the road from Malibu.

This guy weirded me out.


This guy, however, does not weird me out.


"The Grove"- a fun shopping center with a cool sculpture of angels (relatively cool, of course).

That's about it! Look at me, posting once a month. :)

I promised my dear friend, Katey, that I would post as soon as I received the pictures from our family trip to Red River, NM. So here is a picture story of our trip!

We rented a Yukon for our trip, so that all 5 of us would fit... and we did, barely. Matt's family had a "turtle" that we put some of our luggage in and strapped it on the top of the car. I slept through most of Texas, but then spent the rest of the time playing Sudoku and watching "Battlestar Galactica" with Matt (that's called sacrificial love).

Matt was starting to get a bit out of line on the trip, so I had to take care of that.

This is Ellie (short for Eleanor), Will's new GPS system. She has a lovely British accent and helped us greatly on the road.

We had a couple of stops along the way, because the roads were getting pretty bad. The second picture is of our 3 hour stop at Eagle's Nest!


Home sweet home at the Golden Eagle Lodge.

Will and Matt are excited about skiing... I am a little anxious about my first ski class!

The main ski area, just down the street from our lodge. We loved that everything is so close in Red River!

We had 3 days to ski, so I took ski lessons on our first day of skiing. Here I am waiting in the lift line with the rest of my class. I'd like you to know that I didn't fall ONE TIME getting on or off the lift. It was pretty much the only part of skiing that I did decently.

True confessions: Ski school didn't go so well. My main problem was that once i started skiing, I couldn't stop! I could turn, but then I'd just keep going. My instructer said helpful things such as, "No snow plow!" and "You know, you're not a tiny girl." Helpful, huh? By the end of the morning session I was in tears. I wasn't under any false impression that I am athletic and this should have come easy... I was just so scared that I was going to run into someone else!! (which did happen) My instructer said, "It's going to be ok, just come back in the afternoon." I wanted to say, "Go away!" But after a relaxing lunch, I did come back. I perfected my turns, only ran into one child, learned how to slow down... but never learned how to stop! At least I left the afternoon session with a smile on my face, as seen below. :)

Will and Matt turned out to be great skiers. Matt even disobeyed his mom and dared the Black Diamonds a few times!

I, however, turned out to be sick. I came off the slopes on the first day with a high fever, sore throat, all the makings of strep. Who knew Red River doesn't have a pharmacy? So while the boys skiied on Day 2, I read my books, watched a bit of James Brown's colorful funeral, and took warm naps. Actually-- this is exactly what I was hoping to do on the vacation!

On Day 3 I was feeling better and ventured out with my parents while the boys skiied. We visited the shops and tasted some of the local treats. This was also New Years Eve, so that night we ate Italian food at Capo's and watched the torch parade on the slopes.


On New Years Day, the day we had already planned on leaving, the previously closed roads opened up and we said goodbye (for now) to Red River. Ellie found our way home via detours, as many of the roads were closed.

And there, Key, you have it! For your viewing pleasure, here are some other wonderful pictures from the trip:


*** Thank you to my mom for all of these beautiful pictures!

This was my Friday night crowd...




But this is who I'm going to see in 3 days!

update #4:

I love my job, and I find myself loving it more and more. Suzetta is not only an incredibly gifted children’s minister, but also an amazing person. Many adults have told me that they hoped to be like Suzetta when they grow up- I can’t help but agree with them. She is one of the wisest women I have ever known; she knows when to speak and when to hold her tongue— something we could all learn from. One reason I’m excited about being in the office more without leaving for school is so that I can work with her on a more consistent basis. Being around her I will not only be a better children’s minister, I will also become a stronger woman of God.

Happy Birthday to Carlee Maxine Lane!





Carlee is courageous, angelic, radiant, loving, expressive, and endearing.

I love you, Carlee!

update #3:

A few weeks ago now I wrapped up my 3rd and final semester of graduate school. I have 20 hours in the Graduate School of Theology, and I have no regrets about any of those hours. However I am not going to continue in the program at this time. This decision can be summarized in two words: peace and passion. Over the past few months I have been somewhat focused on bringing more peace into my life. As much as I have enjoyed my classes, I find that they bring more stress and unrest into my life than peace. I also lacked the passion. I didn’t realize this until I began to live with Kaylynn. She’s not a paper-writing nerd, but she finds great excitement in her classes and enjoys the challenge. I cringe when I see the piles of books she drags in. And though I agonized over this decision, I experienced a great peace once I made it, which I attribute to the Lord. I am now looking forward to staying at work for the whole day (not having to leave 4 out of 5 days a week), darkening the doors of Hendrick Health Club more often, and reading books that aren’t assignments (I’m open to suggestions, by the way). Who knows- maybe my extra time will inspire me to blog more!

update #2:

Matt and I have almost been dating 5 months! We have had our ups and downs along this 5-month long road, but I believe that God is continually molding both of us as individuals and as a couple. Our possibly biggest challenge is before us: he left for Nashville on Tuesday morning for the summer. I miss him already, but I'm not worried about it. He'll be in Nashville until mid-July interning for a film company, and then he’ll come back and spend a couple of weeks with a production company in Dallas. His degree is electronic media, and he’s so gifted in many areas within that field. His photography is beautiful and he also loves filming and directing. With so many directions in which he could go, he’s hoping that these internships will provide him with some clear vision of what it is he’d like to pursue. He is also excited about starting a Christian art business for his parents, who are incredible artists. And in the midst of his full-time school and 4 part-time jobs, he still makes time for me and even volunteers in my ministry. Yes, he’s quite a catch.

Christmas Letter, Spring 2006 (a.k.a. Life Update)

Instead of posting a long post that no one will get through (I know I don't read your posts that go on forever), I am going to post a few posts on different areas of my life over the next week. That's right, I am going to post more than once a month! Actually, I already wrote all of them, so it should be easy. :)


Still loving my duplex and my amazing roommate Kaylynn. We live in a great location in Abilene and really enjoy our place. Every morning and afternoon moms and kids walk down our sidewalk on their way to school. In the afternoons the crossing guard parks himself outside our place and smokes a pack or two while he waits for school to be out. (ok, the smoking is actually really gross… there is now a pile of butts on the street… but he’s a sweet man who loves those kids) Some of the kids are from Highland, so it’s fun for me to wave at them when I happen to look out the window.

Oh it is very late and I should be in bed! I just finished packing for Highland's Family Retreat this weekend at HEB camps in the hill country. The warm weather is finally back in town, and it will be even warmer down south. Bring it on! Once again Carlee and Jolee with join me, along with my sweet boyfriend-- I think the girls are more excited about going with Matt than me, which is great! :)

Since it's too late to write anything intelligent, here's a survey for which I was tagged.

Four jobs you have had in your life:
1. Babysitter
2. Greater Gifts (Christian bookstore)
3. Intern (Woodmont)
4. Hostess at Chili's

Four movies you would watch over and over:
1. Runaway Bride
2. Pride & Prejudice
3. Little Women
4. Notting Hill

Four places you have lived:
1. Abilene (1982-1987)
2. Temple
3. Nashville
4. Abilene again (2000-2002, 2004-present)

Four TV shows you love to watch:
1. Extreme Home Makeover
2. Today Show
3. Friends
4. Saturday Night Live

Four places you have been on vacation:
1. Austin (yeah, we didn't do big vacas as a kid)
2. London
3. Rome
4. Florida

Four websites you visit often:
1. CNN
2. Preacher Mike
3. iTunes Music Store
4. Bank of America

Four of your favorite foods:
1. Cheeseburgers
2. Ice cream
3. Burritos
4. Chips and salsa

Four places you'd rather be right now:
1. On my parents couch with my dog, Sandy, under a big blanket napping
2. On a beach in Australia... napping, of course, or reading
3. With Matt
4. Shopping with my mom!

Thanks, Sue!

Blessings to everyone on your weekends!

Hello everyone!

Yesterday, Mimi (Marilyn), Carlee, Jolee, and I headed to Granbury for a spring break trip. We are staying in a beautiful lodge, and just having a blast! Click on the link below to see some pictures of our trip thus far. We hope your week is going as great as ours!

Granbury

To all of my sweet friends, beloved family, and others who lurk on this blog: I need to share something very sad and extremely good with you tonight.

My friend Kerri Lane died this evening. My girls are without a mother, and I cannot imagine what pain tomorrow is going to bring. I was so honored to get to put them to bed this evening and spend some time talking with them before I left them with their Mimi. A new bed was brought in for Kerri today, and Jolee mentioned that she wouldn't get to sleep on it. So with smiles on our faces, we discussed what her new bed must be like, and what it must be made of. We decided it was either wool or clouds. My heart is breaking over and over again- but friends, she was in such pain. I am so grateful that she is HOME and is in no more pain. She is once again the bright and happy Kerri she always was. It was time, and thank you Lord for taking her to be with you.

I know I will write more in the coming days about this. Over the past months I have asked for your prayers for this family. Once again I ask that you pray for these girls, their Mimi, and their dad. I pray that God will bless Mimi and Tony with wisdom and strength; I pray for boldness and softness of heart for Carlee, who is being the strong one; and I pray for peace and understanding for Jolee, who doesn't understand what has just happened.

Thoughts for a Monday…

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Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. – 1 John 4:1

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Last week the film “Invisible Children” was shown around Abilene, including Highland. If you have not seen it, please figure out a way to get a copy in your hand then share it will all of your friends. I was excited to see it, because such there was such a hype surrounding the movie. However that hype also made me wonder if it was just another film that was going to give you a “missional high”- one that would make you want to go out and sell everything you have for about 5 minutes… then it would lessen as rationality sets in. Well… after seeing it, the wheels in my mind were certainly turning about the ways I spend my money and what I could do to save more of it But the movie has also stayed with me throughout the weeks. The interesting thing is that most of the men and women that were interviewed are Christians. That fact wasn’t the point of the movie, but it was mentioned. What hit me the most was that these people (including their government officials) truly believe that no one else in the world cares about them. They feel very alone in this nightmare and really believe they are alone. A lot of people may see this movie and want to head over there as fast as possible to share the gospel. Well our African brothers and sisters know the gospel. They just aren’t experiencing the love.

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This is Lectureship week here in Abilene. It seriously takes over the whole town, because all of the hotels are booked, restaurants are packed, and traffic on the north side of town is busier. I never care, though, because I love it. I always see people that I haven’t seen in at least a year. And how having lived and been involved with church and academia in Temple, Abilene, and Nashville, I have so many connections and it’s so fun to randomly run into people (which can literally happen after a keynote lets out and everyone is scurrying around Moody). The people that come in for this from hundreds of miles away are so cute! I can picture myself someday rolling into Moody with my walker and adjusting my hearing aid so that I can be fed by the men (and maybe, someday, women!) who will be leading the generation after me. Until that day, I am glad to hike up the stairs to the top of section S to hear Dr. Money and other fine men not only dream of unity, but bring unity to reality.

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Here’s a picture of some loyal GSP fans from Sing Song on Saturday night...

I’ve decided to come out of retirement. It seems that there are at least two girls that still faithfully check this little site, and I suppose my friendship with them is worth at least one post. It’s not that I don’t enjoy blogging… it’s just hard to jump back in after getting out of the groove. I’ll do my best to get my groove back!

So things in my life have definitely changed since my last post. I’ll just use this post as a life update, and then I’ll get back to randomness in the future…

In December I passed all of my classes and even got to keep my scholarship! Christmas was great, because it was one of the few times that my parents, my brother and I were all in the same room for more than a couple of hours. I also traveled to Nashville for New Years and spent some quality time with friends and families. I guess should mention that I began dating a very wonderful man during this month. We’ve been dating for almost 2 months now, and it seems like I’ve known him for years. I will share more about him soon!

In January I started my classes again, cut back on my hours, and switched my degree plan back to the Masters of Christian Ministry. I had been contemplating this switch since December, but was hesitant. So many people were very encouraging of my pursuing the MDiv, and I hate to disappoint. But in the end, my purpose in being in graduate school isn’t to obtain some fancy degree. I just want to grow and learn, and that has been happening greatly since my entrance into graduate school. I’d also like to graduate before I’m 30, and I don’t really want to give up working. I think once you’ve tasted the sweet nectar of ministry, it’s hard to go back. So I’m back to the MACM and loving the idea of graduating in the next few years!

Now it’s February, and Highland has a new children’s minister! Her name is Suzetta, and she has been involved in Highland’s children’s ministry one way or another over the past 20 years. Over the past few months she has become a friend and guide to me, and I’m so excited about working with her! It has been a priceless education for me to be in the “Big L” position in our children’s ministry, but I am so ready to step back and learn from her.

So with my job improving, school being less stressful, and dating the greatest guy in Abilene, my life is just super. How’s that for a comeback post?

(Also, I spent a lot of time with Carlee and Jolee over my break. We pretty much have a standing Friday night date, and look for other times during the week to hang out. I love loving these girls! Please remember their mom, Kerri, in your prayers. She is teaching me, and the rest of Highland, so much about trust and faith right now.)

It has started.

This afternoon, while browsing for some q-tips at the Super W, I heard a grandma say to her granddaughter, "Be good, Santa's comin'." She had the sweetest, most Texas grandmotherly tone, but it struck me as silly and got me thinking as I decided between walmart-brand and Johnson & Johnson. What if I told a child in my kindest, most Katie-like voice, "Be good, Jesus is comin'." Wouldn't that be a little more accurate? But you have to admit, it sounds a lot more ridiculous. To all of you parents out there, please test this on your child for me and let me know how it goes.

Back from a wonderful, quick trip to Echo Valley, part of the HEB Encampment in the Texas Hill Country. Highland held their bi-annual family retreat, and I took Carlee & Jolee as my family. We were only there for about 23 hours, but we did lots of playing, swinging, eating, canoeing, worshiping, laughing, and fellowshipping. People thanked me for bringing them, but it was truly the treat for me. Once again, pictures from my weekend...

Gypsy Tea Room

Gypsy Tea Room
Originally uploaded by princesskt82.

Chris Thile

Chris Thile
Originally uploaded by princesskt82.

Sara & Sean Watkins

Sara & Sean Watkins
Originally uploaded by princesskt82.

"Anthony"

"Anthony"
Originally uploaded by princesskt82.