Kosovo to Muenster... via The Gaylord

For our anniversary this year (17 years), Tony and I spent the weekend at The Gaylord Texan.  It's a cool, cool place!  Loved every minute of it.  Our room was fabulous!  We dined in the resort at the Old Hickory Steakhouse.  Fabulous!  You may have seen some of my posts about our Fromager ( the guy with the amazing cheeses!) We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  

For those of you who know us well, know won't be surprised that we made friends with our server.  (gasp, I know) She was a beautiful young girl.  Her name tag said Kaltrina, Kosovo.   So...we asked her about how she got here, etc.  No big deal, small talk.  She was precious.  She shared about the war and what it had done to her beloved country, that she and her friends were here on student work for the summer.  She left our table, and we just couldn't stop talking about her.  Before we left, we had talked a great deal.  Even that night she had sent bottles home with us for Owen.  We left a card with her telling her if she'd like to see more of Texas than Grapevine ( they have no car here) to call.  We'd love to show her.  Well, 4 days later she called!  Long story short, we spent the day with her here at our house and talked on the phone numerous times.  We just loved her!  

Today we shared our last moments together as she flew out to finish her stay in the US before returning to Kosovo and her studies in economics.  We will never forget her, Albina, Lola or Tony.  Sweet, sweet people from far away.  Y'all will always be welcome in Texas, friends!! Hope to see you soon.

...and she loaded Owen with bottles she's been collecting from work :)

{Bitter}Sweet September

September...the month when we begin to feel like Summer will finally end! September...back to school is everywhere.  September...football, football, FOOTBALL! September...It's a month I love and and the month that hurts...still.  Remembering is what we do.  We recall information all the time.  Our brains are amazing that way.  We even remember crazy details, like what we wore or what we ate :)

20 years ago--the cutest, coolest guy asked me out...and by the way...he's still the one! (white shirt, denim skirt, at the JCJC vs PRC game)

12 years ago...we moved out of Seminary housing at SWBTS to A-1!!...and moved away from some of the best friends we had ever known. (miss you Smiths!!)

11 years ago...our nation was attacked in a way it had never been before...and we will never be the same. (I was getting dressed for Ladies Bible study when my mom called me)

11 years ago...our sweet second baby left my warm safe womb and flew into the loving arms of  Jesus to wait for our arrival. (13 weeks, amazingly loving Dr and friends...hurt I'd never known)

10 years ago...I was carrying my sweet, Chloe--not too far from delivery--and loving my Mom through Hepatitis C. (Kathy S remembered it had only been one year to the date of my miscarriage and gave me the sweetest card--completely unexpected on my part)

6 years ago...I sat in my Doctor's office content with the place I was in life and accepting that 2 children would be sufficient...I was wrong! :)  SURPRISE! (what would we do without Sweet T?)

5 years ago...God led an awesome couple to FBC Muenster to shepherd that church and shortly after, we followed and have benefited in amazing ways!

4 years ago...I began leading Ladies Bible studies in that same church and continued to share my love for the WORD!

3 years ago...our family journeyed (kicking and screaming on my part) into a whole new domain...HOMESCHOOLING.

1 year ago...I traveled to the home I grew up in to help pack things away as my parents were moving...I walked that drive and listened to 'those' crickets the last time. (too many memories for one post....)

This September as I remember all the good and all the hurt that this month reminds me of, I know one thing has been and still is constant...My God Is Faithful.  He has healed the hurts...or is still healing them. He has filled the voids and multiplied my joy.  A mama's heart never forgets...but it can come to the place that it gives thanks amidst the tears.  Our minds remember, but when our hearts were involved in the experiences, we hold them closer and remember them more deeply...and that's ok.

I'm loving this September....

 25  I will restore to you the years
that the swarming locust has eaten,...
26  "You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
and praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has dealt wondrously with you.
And my people shall never again be put to shame.27  You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel,
and that I am the Lord your God and there is none else.
And my people shall never again be put to shame. 

Joel  2:25-27

***ADDENDUM*** and pondering today... 4 years later in 2016... how this was written two years prior to another very hard September.  The A-1 Dispersal was September.   I know God has a special September in our futures one day... because of the Joel passage above.  ♥

God Speaking...

Once again I trudged myself to the driveway and out on my morning walk/run.  No big results as of yet, and many, many obstacles try to keep me from the thing I desire most...knowing that I did what I needed to, no matter the 'results.'  The gift thus far is my quiet, worshipful time of watching the sun rise.  It's made my 'burden-bearing' much more meaningful... Quiet time to talk and listen and lift up those I love...the ones He keeps laying on my heart♥.  He's busy...Speaking.  This morning Mandisa helped remind me...

 

 Jesus is truly our burden-bearer....

 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Matthew 11:28-30 

But as brothers and sisters in Him, we are called to bear the burdens of others.  Truly a comfort to me to know that others are with me when my burdens are heavy.  Truly a gift to know that I, in some small way, can be with one who bears a heavy, heavy burden.

2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ....9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Galatians 6:2,9-10