(my friend Misti & me at the bay in Galveston)

It has always been my thought that Texas is one of those places you should visit at least once in your lifetime. I am here to announce that I HAVE BEEN TO TEXAS!! (And survived.) Yeehaw!

From Houston to Dallas/Ft.Worth and beyond, I spanned nearly the whole state of Texas from top to bottom during my week and a half visit. Which included some great Texas experiences like eating brisket, learning the two-step, swimming in the moonlight (far from being romantic, I assure you), riding a horse, and hearing MORE than enough country music. Of course I can’t forget to mention the daily trips to Sonic (there’s one practically every mile), cows and horses and pickup trucks everywhere, and plenty of Texan talk.

(I am still trying to figure out why in the world they say “put up” for “put away”. Weird.)

Here’s a few glimpses from the camera lens until I get the rest of my shots into an album and the video edited to a bloggable length…

Me ‘n Thunder

More roadtime…me, Heather, & Misti

Sam Houston really is larger than life…

Misti, Tim, & I…

Signature Sound in the historic Will Rogers auditorium

Little somehow-we’re-cousins, Taylor & Macy…less than 24 hours and they were plastered to me…

My mom with Uncle Bill & Aunt Dot

Our yearly birthday tradition….mother and daughter…tea for two.

On this day in 1986 my sister Hannah Michelle entered this world. At that time twenty years ago I could never have foreseen the years ahead – the laughter, the fun, the love and at times the tears that we would share together. All I knew looking at this little pink bundle of life was that God had answered my wish for a sister. I was now officially a big brother. My life would forever be changed.

Since that day much has happened. We spent many happy hours together – and a few hours that weren’t so happy. (Ah, the joys and travails of siblings!) As the years have passed our relationship has deepened. We are not just siblings, but friends.

Hannah has truly been a blessing in our lives. She is sensitive, caring, creative – and the ham of the family (she deserves a lifetime award for putting up with all the teasing from her family. ;) ) I pray God will bless her path wherever He may lead her in life.

~A proud and loving big brother

For My Sister

Sisters are special
from young ones to old.
God gave me a sister
more precious than gold.

We shared many secrets,
the same mom and dad,
we shared lots of good times,
don't think of the bad.

Our memories we'll cherish,
with love without end,
I'm glad you're my sister,
I'm glad you're my friend.

~Author Unknown

The most adorable, huggable, kissable, speed-crawling, giggling bunch of smiles there ever was, my cousin Madeleine…

  "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

-Revelation 21:3-4

Grandma passed away late yesterday afternoon, with all four of her children and four of her six grandchildren around her. It was peaceful, though heart-wrenching. We sang a hymn, read a scripture, and held each other through the tears as we said goodbye to someone so very dear to our hearts.

Life will never be the same again. How we were blessed to have had this precious woman in our lives, to have loved her and to been loved by her. It will take me a long time to even grasp that she is truly gone. But this was God's time…her mission on earth was accomplished, and we can rejoice in knowing where she is, and who she's with.

Thank you – each of you – for your love, prayers, and thoughts. It means so much to all of us and is such a comfort to me. Please continue your prayers – we need them. God is right here beside us and He will get us through every hour and every day.

Because He lives,

Hannah & family

Some of you know that my brother and I have been living with our grandma in PA this spring/summer helping her out. She had been doing good after her cancer surgery in March, and was on her way to becoming her normal self again. However, Thursday morning she fell and hit her head. Long story short, it resulted in a blood clot that irrepreably damaged her brain before anything could be done. She is presently in a deep coma, and not expected to live much longer.

This has been a huge shock for all of us. Please pray for strength, peace, and comfort as we face what lies ahead in these next days. Especially for my dad – this is very very rough for him. We hadn't expected to have to let her go this soon. It is one of the hardest things in the world and I'd rather be doing anything else. Yet we trust God's will and timing…His ways are above ours. I know Grandma is ready and waiting to see the Lord, and that heaven holds SO much more than this old place.

Thank you so much.

~Hannah and family

 Everyone knows you as a man of honor
I am glad to know you simply as a friend
You have always taken time to be my brother
And I'll be standing by you in the end

 But I will never put you on a pedestal
I thank the Lord for everything you do
I'll be there to pray for you and for the ones you love
I believe that He will finish all He started in you

~*~

 I will be an open door that you can count on
Anywhere you are, anywhere you've been
I will be an honest heart you can depend on
I will be a faithful friend

(Faithful Friend lyrics by Steven Curtis Chapman and Twila Paris)

This being Father's Day, I was planning to tell you all the wonderful things about my daddy. How he is an example of true greatness and godly manhood, how he has loved, guided, and protected me. I was going to tell you what crazy humor he has, what fun times we have together doing ordinary things, and how much I love just being with him. I was going to tell you that even though I'm nineteen, I still hold his hand and sit on his lap, and feel special when he winks at me.

I'm not a person to have heros, but if there was anyone I would ever call "my hero", it would be my daddy. Steadfast and strong, faithful and true. He is always there for me, and he will always have the trust of my heart.

That's what I was going to tell you.

But then I found this country song. And when I read the lyrics, I knew this was all I really needed to say after all…

When I think of people in my life who model true greatness, my mom, Diane, is among the first. I have learned enormously not only from her intentional instruction, but by observing her character. Though there are many things I respect and appreciate about my mom, there are a few key areas that stand out to me as worthy of recognition in her life.

First of all, her commitment to God and following His will. She willingly left behind her own pursuits to embrace the life of a stay-at-home wife and later a homeschooling mom. Talk about going against modern cultural expectations! I appreciate my mom’s sacrifices for our family that continue even today. In countless ways she has given of her time and effort, and  remained confident in her calling. She always reminds and encourages me to make my own relationship and obedience to God of prime importance.

I respect my mom for the example she is in godly womanhood. She has showed me that inner beauty is of more value than outer beauty. She consistently exhibits honor and respect towards my dad and goes out of her way to please and assist him. She has taken care to be a wise mother and a healthy cook. :-)

My mom displays genuine care and sensitivity for the concerns of those around her. She graciously gives of herself, be it praying and sharing scripture, recommending a helpful book, writing emails with godly wisdom, or consistently sending birthday cards. And she is always available to listen and give me advice, whether I have a pressing problem or just need a good girl talk.

What I especially appreciate about my mom is her unconditional love towards me, something which I honestly don’t deserve or understand. I’ve been most unlovable many number of times, but she is always forgiving and merciful. She has always made me feel completely accepted, and in fact, she delights in being with me! By this she is a tangible, active representation of God’s love in my life.

I am gratefully aware that I need my mom just as much now, at nineteen, as I did as a little girl. More than being my mom, she's my best friend and a gift from God. We have the absolute greatest times together that I wouldn't trade for the world! 

Because of my mom's faithfulness, I have reaped many blessings and learned many lessons that I hope to pass down to my own children one day. Because of her, I know what true greatness looks like…Because of my mom, I know that a woman of noble character is truly worth far more than all the rubies in the world.

Happy Mother's Day, Mum. I love you!!