more to come...

Wednesday

This morning when I was getting something to eat before work, I saw a disgustingly ginormous spider. I was suddenly wide awake and wishing I could jump back in bed, hide under the covers, and scream like a girl. Instead, I grabbed my trusty friend: a can of Black Flag (my shoe wasn't even big enough to smash the darn thing). Bye bye creeper.

This afternoon, I ran a red light. On purpose. I was waiting for the left turn light to change to green...and waiting and waiting. The traffic going all other directions got to go four times (yes, of course I counted how many lights I sat through...what self-respecting citizen wouldn't?) and the line behind me was getting longer. I was talking myself into running the light when the lady behind me said "just go." So I did. Left on red. Smile for the camera. I just joined the most-wanted list in Small Town USA.

I would also like you to know that I started something new and you should be so proud of me. I have been getting up earlier than usual so I can work out before I get ready for work. Booyah. My health situation has got to change and I decided maybe I can beat these terrible feelings out of me. Hence the exercise. So far, no major improvement. But I will to do it anyway, which makes me feel tough. Except when that alarm goes off in the morning, I'm pretty sure the only thing I am feeling is grumpy. Make that Grumpy with a capital G. I think God finds humor in my morning mess. :) Random question: have any of you ever done your workouts with your eyes closed?

Wyoming: check

When Kaley and I were in Colorado a few weeks ago, we had a free afternoon so we jumped in the car and headed for Wyoming. We were so close to the border, we simply couldn't let this grand opportunity slip by us. I wanted to say that I've been to Wyoming.

So, ahem...

I have been to Wyoming.

Alright, please look closely at the above picture. What do you notice about my hair? Perfectly straight. Another reason why I find Colorado so beautiful. My hair likes the air. It has never been that straight in my entire life and never will be again...until I go back. :) I have been back almost a month and I only tried straightening my hair once since then. It was a complete and utter disaster and I vowed that I wouldn't do it again until, well, maybe the end of summer.

Kaley and I had such exciting adventures that afternoon in CO/WY. The details may never be disclosed to the general public, but they will live in our hearts forever. Sister moments aren't always fully appreciated by those outside the moment and its hard to explain why something was hysterically funny at the time when everyone else is looking at you like you are crazy. There was, however, one place that we didn't get pictures. Kaley, when we go back, I think we both know where we will be headed at the first opportunity.

Trivia: Wyoming is the least populated state in our nation. I believe it.



Our roommates: Diane and Ashley Morecraft from Illinois.

Eric and Leslie Ludy. We stood in line for a looong time for their autographs and a picture. What an amazing ministry they have! I am so grateful for them and the discipleship work they are doing. 



Monday

I worked another nine hour day and then came home and fixed a nice dinner of home-grown potatoes, home-grown green beans, and home-grown hamburger (all compliments of my grandparents) and topped it all off with fresh, homemade oatmeal cookies. Then I cleaned up the mess, did a little studying, and went for a walk. The housework, laundry, budget, and checkbook will have to wait for another day. Oh for the energy of a two year old.

P.S. the word-of-the-day from my finance textbook is "backwardation"

confessions of a mountain lover

"All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to His blood...

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were an offering far too small,

Love so amazing, so Divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all."

Isaac Watts

I don't think I could ever get tired of the mountains. They are absolutely stunning and take my breath away every time. *awestruck wonder* It was love at first sight for a 15-year old girl, and years later I am still not over it. My confession: if I had to leave Oklahoma, I would want to live in Colorado...near the Rockies.

Just look at this little guy!! How adorable! He had a bunch of friends out with him, but they all went scurrying underground when we came along.

Dear God, thank You for the mountains. I love them. You are pretty much amazing. Even if I owned a majestic mountain range or two, it would be an present far too small for You.

P.S. Do You have mountains in heaven?

Ellerslie

Last weekend, I got to go to a conference with my sister. It was the Set Apart Girl Conference at the Ellerslie campus in Windsor, Colorado. I had been praying that God would renew my heart and mind because I knew I needed it. Desperately.

The conference was a kick in the pants. And a tremendous blessing and encouragement. I was reminded of my position in Christ and the truths that I had grown up with and walked in before. Somehow, somewhere along the way on this dusty journey I had slipped. My jeans were torn and my knees got a little skinned up. I needed the reminders. I found renewal and refreshment at the feet of my King.

I am so grateful that Eric and Leslie Ludy spent the weekend pouring into us and discipling us. It was life-changing, life-giving for me. I have a fresh perspective, I was transformed, I found healing; God is so faithful.

Here are a few pictures of God's beautiful country!

This is the Ellerslie campus, with the Rockies in the background.



We got to watch a couple girls get baptized in the lake.

I have more pictures to post, so I hope I get a chance to put them on here this week!