So I just got an email telling me that I have entry into the Chevron Marathon in January. Seriously? I was #2456 on the waiting list. Pretty sure it's 8 weeks out and too late. There's just nothing cool about that.

Let me know by Sunday if you want my entry. I think it works for the half too...

Happy 28th Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

"Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." Ruth 1:16-17

"Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless – cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus." 1 Peter 4:7-11, The Message

If you're in Dallas this Saturday morning and don't have plans, come join us at City Hall for the Dallas Help the Homeless WalkAThon to raise awareness and support steps being taken to end chronic homelessness in our city. Find out more here.

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Also, if you haven't seen this video, take 8 minutes and watch how God has changed the lives of these individuals.

Cardboard Testimonies

Little Man is growing up!

Here's to many more memories of a
bug collecting...
dog chasing...
yak hunting...
dot eating...
bathtub splashing...
juice drinking...
backyard running...
book reading...
tractor riding...
hug giving...
hallway dashing...
Hermie watching...
body tackling...
family visiting...
big smiling...
bed bouncing... Wyatt Cody!

Love you! Aunt Gretch

Gua·ran·tee [gar-uhn-tee], noun, verb:
1. a promise or assurance of a particular outcome or condition
2. to secure
3. to ensure for another
4. to engage or protect
5. to promise

There are no guarantees in this life. No, that's not a startling revelation, but one that I have observed many times this week: I have several friends that have lost their jobs: income and stability are not guaranteed. I have a friend whose family is battling sickness and pain: healthy bodies are not guaranteed. I have a friend who may be uprooting and moving to a completely different town within a short time period: future plans are not guaranteed. I have a friend who is spending his life savings on a lawyer in order to retain custody of his two daughters: rights are not guaranteed. I have a friend who continues to struggle with unanswered questions from a relationship that ended months ago: worldly promises are not guaranteed. I have a friend who is fighting the balance of witnessing to his family and choosing to distance himself from them in order to live a Godly life: family is not guaranteed. And that's just THIS WEEK!

"Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

"When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory." Ephesians 1:13-14

But I have a friend who sent His Spirit as a promise of what is to come, an inheritance and a home: and that is guaranteed.

This has been a weird week... and there's two more days left of it.

Low-fat Pop Tarts are not as good as the regular ones. Sometimes you just can't cut corners.

I've recently come into some 'forced vacation time'. Figure that one out... Therefore, I'm looking for an adventure to embark on. Let me know if you have any suggestions. Stipulations? Affordable (by affordable I mean C-H-E-A-P; no out of the country excursions just yet). Somewhat purposeful (perhaps another Bucket List item? I should post that...).

I'm very greatful for friends that know the stupid things I've done... and don't judge me.

I totally rammed a shopping cart in the Target parking lot today. Bummer. (No worries, not a mark on the Stealth.) But it reminded me of the episode on the Office where Dwight runs into a fence in his rush to go save Michael from the George Foreman 'grill burn'. He receives a concussion from the impact, and thus begins the all-time funniest episode, The Injury.

Know those moments when things seem so overwhelming that you think you might be crushed from the weight of it all? Yeah.

I'm a huge fan of hand-me-down clothes. Especially anything that expands my wardrobe to something other than jeans and tshirts. (Thanks, Emily!) Now, what goes with corduroy? 'Everything' is not a valid answer.

And finally, today is my 1 year anniversary working at Vertis (not including freelance time). How have I survived that long? A question I ask myself daily. Cheers!

One day I will stop bragging about how cute my nephew is. Today is not that day. I don't think tomorrow will be either (while we're being honest). Here are some pics from the Birthday Bug Bash in Abilene this weekend.

caterpillar cupcakes


bug juice and bug catching jars


Grammy T and Grandma Jen setting up the table


story time with Miss Katy


hunting bugs




face painting by Grammy T


the grasshopper dance




the Bugland book


a new ride




some family shots