PA part two

Jana and I saw these really neat looking mum decorations outside a cafe, so she bought a pumpkin and some mums and we proceeded to make one to put outside their place after church on Sunday. The neighbor kids joined in and we had a pumpkin carving fest...too bad Houston doesn't have a fall, I think I would enjoy that season very much...we don't really have a fall in Arizona either. Although, I did buy two pumpkins the other day (they are currently baking and will be made into pumpkin bread today) and Home Depot had mums...after the PA experience, it seemed a bit odd to be buying a mum while still wearing flip flops, but hey, you gotta be thankful for what you have :).

Pumpkin guts...its been awhile since I have done this



Jen put a sailboat on her pumpkin...although we all thought it kinda looked like a Cyclops pumpkin...


Jana and I and the finished project. Isn't it pretty?


Oh, this is Scott and Jana's dog, Sophie. She's a sweetheart.

Adventures in PA!

So I am currently in Lancaster, PA visiting my good friends Jana and Scott. I haven't seen them since their wedding almost a year ago, so it has been a TON of fun catching up with them and with their family out here. I flew in on Thursday night and on Friday, Jana and I played tourists shopping at the Kitchen Kettle Village (yum, apple and pumpkin butter!) and I dragged her to several quilt shops...I've got a new project in mind and I was actually able to talk to some of the ladies in the shops and discovered that my project won't be as challenging as I thought!

Okay, I really look like one of those red/purple hat ladies...but I was just trying on an Amish hat...

We joined Jana's family and Scott's brother and his wife Heidi at the Shady Maple Smorgasbord that evening for dinner...about as much Dutch food as you can imagine. Sooooo good. Today we took the train ( I love trains- I really wish Houston had them...or rather Texas in general) into Philadelphia so I could be a tourist. The big ticket items were to see the Liberty Bell and for me to re-enact a few scenes from "National Treasure". No, it's not my favorite movie, but I was really looking forward to being a bit goofy and running around Philadelphia :)

Me, Jana, and Scott waiting for the train in Lancaster

Jana and me on the train (we have a long train history :) )

Reading Terminal Market

Me re-enacting the scene in National Treasure where the girl is hiding in the flowers in the Reading Terminal Market and Riley comes up behind her and scares her....

Me in front of the Liberty Bell...I was unintentionally blocking the crack (thanks Scott for telling me..- it was also a lot smaller than I expected, the bell, not the crack)

Okay, remember the scene in National Treasure where they go into Urban Outfitters (seen above) and then look at the time on the clock tower on a $100 dollar bill using a water bottle? Well....

(okay, no, I wasn't looking at a $100 bill...but that's not the point...look, I even got the leather jacket on! :) )

After touring the Mutter Museum of medical oddities (slight gross, yet slighty fascinating...) we high-tailed it to the Rodin Museum (see The Thinker above) before catching the train back to Lancaster. Fun times!

Random

I am too tired to post anything of scintillating interest...but I recommend the movie "Fireproof".

Mud Run!

So, because of Ike, the Hi-Fi Tri on Galveston has been canceled. So, instead, I am signing up to do the Mud Run with a group of gals from work. It's a 10k obstacle course...in the mud! Running and getting dirty, sounds like a recipe for fun!

And of course, my half-marathon training will start soon... :)

My head has exploded...

So I walk into my apartment and...I HAVE POWER AND INTERNET!!!!!!


WAHOOOOOOOO!


Praise God!

Perpetually grinning now :)

Home tomorrow!

I am so excited! I am going home tomorrow! Still no power, but I figure I can "tough" it out for awhile. The gym at work is open for folks without power to charge cell phones, use the internet, and shower, and it is only 3 miles from my house. My friends, Christina and Paul, have also opened up their home to me (and I will be borrowing their camping stove) and they live about 15 minutes away (trying to conserve gas!). Work opens on Monday.

Today I whiled away the hours camped out in a bakery reading through a stack of books and drinking the never-ending cup of coffee :). Then I stocked up on dry goods, water, and ice. I'll be home-sweet-homing it this time tomorrow night.

I am so thankful for Angie and Andrew housing and feeding me for the past week. They are great friends and have been wonderful company. Thanks guys!

Girls Group Excitement!!!

I am so blessed to have the opportunity to co-lead a group of AMAZING young women at our church with my good friend Pam. I've blogged pics of these gals before, but I am going to give some more detail on what we do, 1) because I have the time :) and 2) Because I am working on stuff for it right now and was just so excited about it that I had to share.

My friend Pam, who is a 3rd year medical student, and I have busy schedules. Duh. This year, 4 of our "older girls", those that have graduated high school and are now in college, are going to continue to help us out and also gain some new responsibilities.

We're adding 12 new girls to our group! Holy moly! That makes a total of 24 girls, if everyone is able to come. Yikes! We're bringing in some younger girls this year too- a few twelve year olds- but they are ready.

The whole point of this group is for these girls to have an opportunity to walk out their walk with their peers. What's a "walk" you ask? Once someone accepts Jesus Christ as their savior- ie realizes that they are a sinner and need forgiveness, asks for that forgiveness, and receives forgiveness, and begins living their life for God and not for themselves, their "walk" with God begins. It's a lifelong walk of being disciplined, receiving joy, learning, and growing closer to God and becoming more like Him. This groups gives the girls the opportunity to discuss Biblical lessons, apply them to their lives, pray for one another, and start holding each other accountable with other girls near their own age.

Some of the topics we are going to be covering this year are the following (in no particular order):

The Gospel and What This Group is About
Evangelism
Friendships- with both Christians and non-Christians
True Beauty and Modesty
Persecution- The Cost of Being a Believer

Our girls will also be put into prayer groups, led by one of the 4 older girls I mentioned. Here they will be discussing what they are reading in the Bible, making prayer requests, getting to know one and another more, and ultimately seeking to glorify God.

I am just so excited about this next year of Girls Group. I learn SO much from these girls. Even I take notes during our meeting as they share unique perspective and wisdom. So, if it pops into your head during your prayer time, please pray for our group- that Pam and I will be diligent and dedicated to working with these girls, that God will grow us together as sisters, and that He will be honored through our actions and words. Thanks! :)