A Retrospective Look

So.. we completely forgot we had a blog..

It wasn't until my mom created a blog and sent me to it that I saw that we had a blog ourselves. Amazing how we tend to forget those kinds of things.

So, our last post was from January of last year...

A lot of things have changed since then.

First off, our first daughter is due today. Yes, today. We're going to be parents by the 13th (i'll be induced on that day).

Second, we're into our second year of marriage and we bought a house. It's such a nice feeling to know that the place you live in is your own. We painted the bathroom and what was to be our daughter's room - but as of last night is now our bedroom.

There are just so many things that are different this year that it's amazing. At this point, Justin has a new job and i'm not working or going to school. Just being a full-time housewife and mom. And contrary to popular belief, I love it. I actually have time to make bread and keep the house clean and spend an entire day doing nothing. All this will change in a matter of days, but i don't mind.

I'm thinking about using our blog as a way to show off our daughter to the family and share stories and pictures without having to put it all on Facebook. Because Facebook is incredibly annoying.

A New Beginning

This is a year of new beginnings..

Last week, a friend sent me an article written by Rabbi Daniel Lapin, about the whole idea of a New Year's Resolution. About the difference between change and repeat. Because every year, we have the same resolution. "This year i'll... loss weight, eat better, exercise, get a tan, play more a sport, ect, ect". But it's the same thing year after year after year after year. When are we actually going to break the pattern and change something?

This year, Justin and I are going on our second year of marriage.

This year, I got a tattoo.

This year, we will look fear in the face and laugh, joyously.

This year, I will not be held back by the fear of another miscarriage.

This year, despite the situations we find ourselves in, we will not shrink back into the monotomy of the day to day scene where we can no longer feel life.

This year, we will live and love freely.

This year, I am resolving to no longer live in fear and calamity, but instead, live in the joy and grace and love of my Abba. I will let him draw me closer and hang onto His every word rather than shrink back into my flesh because I find that it's "too difficult".

I will love my beloved with every breath I have until I have no more breath to breathe.

I am resolving to change, not repeat this year. Because when I repeat, I get bored and give up.

I'm probably going to gain a few pounds this year instead of loosing them, but in reality. I don't care.

School starts tomorrow. And this year, I'm going to go to every class..

We'll see how long that lasts..

-Danielle

Like Leaves Falling From the Trees

I hate not being in control. It really freaks me out. I like to know when and where and why everything in happening. And slowly, i'm seeing that i've never been in control. And lately, I feel even more out of control than normal. I'm not even sure what day it is anymore. The days have begun to run together into one long singular day full of ups and downs, highs and lows, ins and outs.

And so the month of August is upon us. And with it - weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and even death..

As Justin has put it, it's definitely been a long weekend. So much has happened in such little time that it seems so surreal. We have experienced the death of my grandfather - Luther Frank Hedrick, on Thursday. Then the "exciting" events that followed that. (That's him on the left. On the right is his father, Luther, who's 92. And as much as a smarty-pants as ever.)

Driving to Mesquite with my mother-in-law to exchange my sister-in-law's wedding dress, then family photos in Waxahachie the very next day. Not to mention that we looked at a house today that seems like a great deal - even though a lot of work, AND to top it off - Justin finally got a new job.

But I know that God has great plans in store for Justin and I and I have to keep reminding myself that all of his plans will come into place in time. (Note* in his time, not ours) =)

Oh. And school starts in two weeks. Yikes. But i'm going back to part-time at work, so, yay? And so I feel like leaves falling from the trees. I can see what's coming, but i'm not sure which way I'm going to turn, how fast the wind is going to blow, or if it's going to take me somewhere other than where I plan on being. All I know is eventually, i'm going to hit the ground somehow.

August Rush

Peace and Grace,


"For I know the plans I have for you..."


It has been an interesting couple of weeks since I last wrote a blog. I have gone from the downs of cancelling travel plans to the high of moving in a month. In between I have been able to reflect on what God has been doing in my life, my wife's life, and our future steps. The main message that He has been providing is resting/trusting in who we are in His eyes, while he puts the pieces together. He has already finished the work, the journey is now resting in His goodness. So as we continue to pray in anticipation of our move and next steps, God sings a song of fresh air over us, of peace and assurance.


As part of this journey finding a career that I can support, raise a family while enjoying what I do is critical for me. I have always loved 2 things: teaching youth and working with water utilities. As I prayed for what to do, God began opening doors to pursue the waterworks career. I have experience in this field and good connections with family. I went to a family dinner last week, my grandparents were in town, and after we ate, I talked to my grandfather about how realistic these expectations were to jump into this field. Now before I showed up that night, an internal feeling told me to call and see if they were doing anything that night. Of course, in my family all the time. =D. So I left that evening with a positive feeling about this and as I looked up the website and figured out what I had to do, my Papa called me again to meet for lunch. we met up and he informed me if I sent him my resume and talked to a couple of water offices, he believed a job was possible very soon. I can not described the jubilation i felt afterwards and thankfulness towards God for unfolding his plan before my eyes clearly. Pray for me as I follow each step with patience and diligence!


God is good and He shows me everyday love beyond expectations or any hope. My lovely wife is about to begin school this fall, so with all this happening it comes as a shocker. My number one goal is for her to finish school this fall(associates FYI!!!) and continue to support her in pursuit of a career. I love my wife and the last thing I would do is make a choice without her. That is something else God has reminded me of this past week. As a leader, my actions will reflect onto her and from her. I have had a terrible attitude and hate towards my job and over the last few weeks I have noticed the same feeling towards her job, also when coming to our relationship in Christ, I believe that he is good and he is providing daily but if I don't show her that, then why should she believe it? As her husband and leader, I must show Christ, love, and trust--otherwise, why should she? This isn't a struggle, or should be. I must lead. I must love. I must trust or therefore she will follow the wrong reflection of our loving Abba. I need her to lead, to encourage me in our choices, but where can encouragement be if there isn't joy and peace?


Please continue to pray for us as we make our next steps and keep our eyes on God. Also pray that my Texas Rangers continue to win, so I can go to the world series. ;D

In Christ,

Justin

Cliff Lee Syndrome

Peace and Grace,

God is funny. A year ago, I was dating for the first time and living in Mineola. Now i am married to that wonderful woman and in Tyler, preparing for Mineola again. Hopefully. :)

Currently I am Suddenlink communications, struggling everyday. I find that ironic though. Is this place really a struggle or do I put myself in that frame of mind to forget that is place is nothing compared to Christ in me. How do we forget that? I think because we try so hard to find the perfect job, house, and other things that we think we can "improve" and "change". Norman Grubb said it best that “… self-improvement is both a sin and an impossibility.” There is no struggle, just a loss of the fact that I am loved.

"come my beloved, come and let me look upon your face"

He loves us so deeply, and to forget...is...undescribable. So as I sit here and continue to do a job, that I don't enjoy, I focus on God's love for me and who I am in Christ.

Also, for anyone who knows me, I am huge sports fan. At this moment Baseball season is getting into the meat of it's schedule and my Texas Rangers traded and got the top picther in basebal, Cliff Lee. I looked at Danielle the other night and said I am so happy, I may have a man-crush. She looked at me and laughed. Yet! It is true, I believe in my team and we will win!!! In somewhat the same sense, God looks upon us with uncontroled joy and he says "you are mine"

I am grateful for my wonderful wife, and family. I am grateful for community. As Dani said previously, this is a month of rest and I am looking forward to a house and community once again. So pray for us as we prepare for where ever God guides us, and for rest. On a side not, I am jealous--Jason and Kathy--I wants to go to Colorado for a bit and release my inner bear(yes, my wife calls me bear)

in Christ,

Justin

July Greetings From Danielle

It's. So. Hot.

Mind, i'm a Texas girl. Heat doesn't bother me. But humidity? That's a different story...

July has been such a strange month for me. Justin and I are coming up on our 8-month anniversary. Yeah, not as exciting as a one-year, but it's pretty cool to know that we're almost there. =)
Not to mention that our lease is up in September, so this is really our last month of just chilling before really cracking down on finding a new place in August. Plus, this is the first semester i've actually taken off from school which is kind of weird to me. After all, fall starts up August 23rd.

July overall has just been a chill month compared to most. I feel like I should be more prepared for August, but i'm not. We have weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, school, jobs - everything begins anew in August and it hasn't even occured to me yet. I'm just.....enjoying the moment.

This month has truly opened my eyes to how blessed I am. One of my requirements for my class in June was that each week I found something twelve new things that I was grateful for:

I'm grateful for my wonderful husband who loves me regardless..

I'm grateful for a loving family from not only my side, but the best in-laws anyone could ever ask for.

I'm grateful for a job that lets me finish my degree.

I'm grateful for the coffee shop community and all our friends who love us and support us in everything we do

July in short is a month of opportunity and relaxation. My cup overruns with peace and reassurance. In times of crisis, I cry Abba and I know that all will be alright.

For August... well.

I'm asking where's the canary yellow hat?

Peace.

danielle