My weekend in Natoma

This weekend I was part of one of those annoying couples that usually drive me crazy. You know the one I'm talking about. The couple who hold hands over the table while waiting for their food or steal kisses walking down the street. Yep, that was me. And it took me somewhat by surprise.

When I met Titus last fall, I knew he was a special man. Over the past five months he has been pursued me faithfully and I have fallen the man he is and desires God to continue to help him become. There were so many things about him that continued to impress me, that even though I didn't immediately feel that "spark", I knew I couldn't just walk away either. So when we planned for me to take this trip back to visit him and see him at work and meet his friends, I was excited and nervous at the possibilities. It somewhat felt like a make-it or break-it weekend.

Thursday night I pulled into Plainville, KS to meet Titus for dinner. I was nervous and anxious as I got closer. But as soon as I saw him and got out of my car, all of those fears melted away. Now, not only do I have the attraction to the man, I have the "spark" I was looking for. I feel as if I had blinders on so that I would fall for Titus and now those blinders have been taken off and the physical attraction is the icing on the cake.

We continue to pray that God is at work in our relationship. There are many logistics that have to still be figured out. But we are confident that God has everything in His hands and we will continue moving forward and trusting Him.














Titus hard at work at his desk in the morning.
















Then I took over his desk in the afternoon to get some work done.
















Titus coaching his J.V. basketball boys on Friday night.

A Bit Overwhelmed

At the moment I am feeling just a bit overwhelmed from the last week. Overwhelmed in a really good way. I have so many things I want to write about...but haven't had a chance to talk them out first. So, I wait, thoughts spinning in my head.

I have always read just about everything I can get my hands on when it comes to relationships. And last week I watched a program on the science of attraction. I was very intrigued, and want to write something about that.

Then Saturday we had a retreat at church for women. I could not take notes fast enough, and had a couple of conversations that day that may very well be a turning point or if nothing less a defining moment in my life...and I want to share more about that.

But for right now, I will leave with this. I am still convinced that great new things are coming my way this year and I am very excited to share them as they begin to develop.

My Saturday Afternoon

So, today I sit with Marie once again. She is an elderly woman with whom I sit a couple times a month. It gives me good time to read, catch up on work, news, and my blogs. And today, I am trying to figure out what the next few months will be like for me. I am trying to figure out my budget.

This is always a stressful exercise for me. I know it is necessary, but it is something that always frustrates me that I have to go through this alone. Math was never my specialty...I can do it - but it takes so much energy for me. As I sit here and list my expenses and try to make sure everything balances, I wish I could fast-forward 12 months and see the improvement that I know will come. But it is a slow process, month-by-month, to see the positive changes in my finances.

I cannot deny that even though things are tight, and I'm not sure what all is going to come the next few months, I am confident in one thing. God has always taken care of me. So, even when I get frustrated or worrisome, I know that ultimately God will provide.

So, now, I will stop distracting myself with all the fun things to do online, and get back to the hard work before me...math, blah...

A New Season

The past few weeks I've tried to decide if I had anything worth sharing in a blog. I guess the answer was always no. I've felt very spiritually dry the past month. I think December did me in more than I realized. And the start of a new year has been good in that way. But I've felt like I've been spinning my wheels until this past week.

There are some very cool things going on in my life right now, and I feel like I'm making that turn toward a new season in my life. First off, I have found a renewed joy and calling to my job at the church. There isn't anywhere else I could see myself right now. God is doing some amazing things in our midst, and I am thrilled to be here to witness them. But we are also looking to start a Sunday night service, which I would love! And I get to be a driving force behind that. The thought completely terrifies and excites me all at the same time.

Secondly, I have a relationship in my life that is teaching me so much about patience, and God's goodness to me. My time with this person has grown my faith in leaps and bounds. I know prayer is just a phone call away when I need it. Or if I need to vent or cry or rejoice, he is the first person I call. I should just put the number on speed dial.

And finally, I feel like I have moved on from the pain and hurt from last year...or I guess more accurately, I'm moving on. I am shocked at how long this has taken. And I'm still scared to rush into anything new too fast. But for the first time in about 6 months I feel like I'm making steps forward. And that is a good feeling.

I lived in my cool Broncos shirt

Happy New Year! This morning I sit on my couch, the TV squawking in the background. I have taken more time off to relax in the past five days than I have probably all year. It started Christmas Eve night. After a wonderful Christmas in a Stable, I realized I could finally relax and release the tension I had felt for the many, many weeks leading up to Christmas Eve. I spent the next three days sleeping and enjoying conversation with my family and good friend TC. There were a couple of nights that we "kids" stayed up till the early hours of the morning, talking about everything important, and even the frivolous things in our lives.

I learned how important it is to take the time to forget about everything else and spend time with those I love the most. And take care of myself. Catch up on sleep, relax, enjoy good times and good food. But I must admit, I am anxious to get back to work and start the new year. But it was great to live in my Broncos t-shirt and yoga pants for a few days.











Momma, Sarah, & Cody

















This was Cody's idea.















Casie, TC, Sarah & Cody....late Christmas night

I love my cheesey smiles!

With Kristen

Christmas in a Stable

Tonight my heart is full. I am sitting all snuggled up under a blanket, warm, and conversation of my family sitting around the living room. Today, was a great day.

My morning started off cold and tired. I had hoped and prayed that all our months of planning and preparation had worked. All my to do items were checked off, our trucks were loaded, and I was following Ryan to the stable for our Christmas Eve services.

It was a harried morning. Last minute changes occurred, but there were no major catastrophes. After about four hours of setting things up, we started to greet friends, families, and visitors alike to our unique venue. As they walked passed the horses in their stalls, families found their seats and prepared to take in the experience.

The service started off with Dave Villiano on violin. Some of the most beautiful music I've heard. Then the band joined him to start off with some familiar Christmas carols and hymns. The singing was balanced with a reading from the book of Luke and a brief Christmas message from Eric.

And then it was over. Wow. How the day flew. We tore down and loaded everything back into the trucks and drove home. My heart is so full...so thankful. God was at work today in every way. From the weather, to the volunteers, to how smooth everything went, to the very people he brought to the services.

We had so many volunteer who gave of their hearts, their time, their talents today to make this happen. I am always amazed at how our church comes together as a family and makes these events something to truly remember. It was an amazing day. Amazing day!