slugging along

i feel like a slug..or a slob. maybe a sluggish slob. anyway, it's been a month since i've gone running and i can see how it affects everything. my attitude, energy, and spirit feel stretched thin. i know that it isn't all because i've been neglecting exercise - i was really sick for two weeks, and then the emotions and stress of christmas more than likely had much to do with it. shopping for ten teenage girls isn't exactly a breeze, but it was really fun watching them open all their gifts.

i'm also on my way out of here. in just about two months i will be making my next big life change. as excited i am about seeing where God will have me and with whom, there are a lot of heart strings being pulled as i'm transitioning away from this ministry; and some anxiety about what i'll be doing next. as of right now, i am fairly confident of moving to orlando, fl to live with the most amazing woman i know - my best friend, christy - and "re-establish" myself in the states...get a phone, car, find a job and church (important things like that). i'm also eager to see where my and trevor's relationship is going - something that's difficult to discern when we're an ocean apart.

so i just talked with my friend, matt, and we're going for a run in 30 minutes. he's good at helping me process stuff, confront me where i'm wrong and point me back to scripture. maybe that's been what's missing, not running! i'll have to ask him if we can go for coffee instead of running. :)

happy birthday, dad

i'd like to give a shout out to my dad for his 54th birthday! for giving your life foremost to God and following His plans for you and our family. for walking by faith into new territories to spread the love of Christ. for submitting to church leadership and being a church leader. for raising us children in the way we should go. for making both Erin and i daddy's girls - curling our hair and letting us curl yours; taking us on dates to McDonalds; playing the guitar so we can sing and dance around you; letting us both sit on your lap, even now; and wishing to "talk" to any guy that shows interest. i've especially enjoyed the conversations we've shared the past few years as we're honest about our walks and struggles with God and praying for oneanother as brother and sister in the Lord. you're strong, adventurous, hard-working, humble, teachable, patient (excluding traffic), generous, disciplined, sacrificial, encouraging and very present. so many kids miss out on having their dad's around, but like the apostle Paul, you've been a drink offering poured out in love on us, and i am so blessed. I LOVE YOU! happy birthday!

merit jane

thanks for all the props on how cute trevor and i are, but

i think merit has us beat by far. look at all those teeth!