just jenny

Haiti Mission Trip 2011

2011-06-19T21:18:00.028-04:00

If you look close you can see one of the little girls waving hello. I snapped this shot from our hotel balcony into the orphanage. The yellow buildings are the childrens dorms. There are about 10 bunk beds in each.

This is Marsha, our Global Orphan leader. She is showing us the sewing shop they started. They are making school uniforms.

Ashley was precious with the sweet babies.

This is our room. Not bad! We had running water...cold most of the time...and more often than not we had electricty.

Dinner mainly consisted of rice and beans, chicken, and plantans.

Vicki Jenny moment!

Natasha. We had an ongoing joke everytime we saw eachother. She would say, "Hi, I'm Jenny" I would say, "Hi Jenny, I'm natasha." she always laughed at this and would want us to do it again to her friends.

These two cuties always walked over to the gate of our hotel. I would sing the spider man theme song and shoot my web at them.

Sweet KK was amazing in Haiti. The children loved her, and she loved them. My favorite was watching her run around holding hands with them, just being girls.

Some of the livestock you could see from our hotel

Natasha and her friends LOVED singing songs as I would video them. They would play them back and just laugh and laugh at themselves!

Vicki and I trying to lead a sing a long...didn't go over so well the first time.

More KK sweetness.

Jay + David = comic relief for the trip.

Just another day at the spa. Ha.

Camara was hijacked.

My favorite part of the whole trip was coloring with the kids on the orphanage walls with the children.

Marsha, gave the orphanage mothers a transistor radio that was hardwired with the entire bible in creole.

Looking up and watching this boy was my favorite moment, which also turned out to be my favorite picture.

Obviously, David had a very difficult time relating to the children.

She was all smiles all the time.

One boy drew a sad faced sun because it was raining outside.

Camera hijack

This is the little girl that I told most of you about. She is the one that fell asleep on my lap during the service.

This cracks me up. The two things the kids loved the most were our cameras and the mirrors. This is one boy who kept taking his picture in the mirror.

This was the baby of the orphanage. HIV positive. :(

Lunch. and then again for dinner.

The UN.

I'll come back to finish writing the rest of these...

St. Maarten - Day 7

2010-04-22T13:09:00.005-04:00

St. Maarten - Day 6

2010-04-22T13:01:00.004-04:00

St Maarten - Day 5

2010-04-22T12:53:00.004-04:00

St. Maarten - Day 4

2010-04-22T12:45:00.004-04:00

St. Maarten - Day 2

2010-04-22T12:29:00.003-04:00

As soon as we landed in St. Maarten, we could hear the steel drums playing in the airport!

St. Maarten - Day 1

2010-04-22T12:25:00.003-04:00

I finally got all the pictures up...but out of order! I forgot how to blog!!! I'll come back and write in the details later.

2010-03-25T17:17:00.002-04:00

Sorry, but Jenny is temporarily out of service. She is hoping to be back up and blogging when she returns from paradise! Sorry for the inconvenience.

Birthday Bashes!

2009-10-24T07:33:00.006-04:00

I am blessed beyond words by all of my friends and family. How precious they were to celebrate my birthday all week!

Saturday night we all headed up to Aldaco's patio for a dinner celebration. Friends, I will never forget your kindness this evening. Thank you.

Hold on, gang! Year 36 is here! (Laughing, just realized I have on the same sweater in my birthday photos from last year!)

Steph and Jen

Thanks Michele for getting everyone together! Not sure why I'm holding my boob. Guess now that I'm 36, I'm checking to make sure they are still in place.

Cathi, Courtney, and Steph.

Brooke, looking hot only weeks after having a baby!!! (You are setting the bar way to high, girlfriend!)

One evening Ryan and I headed to the park to play. Here we are giving you our best, "CHEESE!"

Casey, Marissa, Ashley, Jessica, and I headed out for sushi one night. Love these girls.

Another year of celebrating life together. I love you Jess. I'm so proud of you and who you are. Can't wait to meet Samuel!!!

Later I followed the gang to Martini's for a little karaoke! These girls are all rock stars. I was so impressed to be sitting with them!

Thanks for a GREAT BIRTHDAY WEEK!

A girl and Her Dog

2009-10-18T16:04:00.007-04:00

Lola and I took off for Fredricksburg today. The day was to beautiful to do anything but! I also felt the Lord summoning me away to be alone with Him. How sweet He is. So is Lola! You would think she was so uncomfortable. She is actually asleep!

First stop of the day, Enchanted Rock, of course.

No one around to take a family picture. Thought this would be somewhat innovative.

Just getting started and Lola is already panting. (okay, fine...so is mom.)

We made it, Lola! Let's eat lunch.

Lola, so not photogenic. Always with the eyes closed!

Told you.

After Enchanted Rock, we ran into Dogologie to get Lola a treat for being so good. Then we headed to the park, laid out a blanket in the sun, and broke out the crossword. Lola, "yeah right!"

Lola, could you move over a bit, you're in mama's sun.

After the park we headed to my favorite place in Fredricksburg, Lincoln St. Wine Market. Having a great glass of wine, soaking up the sun, and checking our fantasy football scores.

Last day in Moscow

2009-09-05T13:57:00.001-04:00

Finally made it back to Moscow at 5am! Beautiful morning at the train station.

Last Day in Vologda

2009-08-20T19:15:00.011-04:00

Our last day in Vologda we all meet at the bell tower in the am and toured around the city. It was a beautiful day!

This is Dasha reading very old Russian on the panals that used to line the icon stages in old orthodox churches.

A Russian tradition for brides is to tour around the city with their wedding party being photographed at all the historical sites. Dasha said this was about an day deal! Phew. We saw several brides this day all over the city. Interesting.

While we were shopping around Vologda we came upon Dasha's church. What a blessing to go in and see her pray for Beth's husband. Beautiful moment.

These clocks were on the wall of the restaurant we stopped at. Some of my favorite places I've been. Thought Angie would enjoy this too!

Bri and Jenny...made it to the top of the bell tower!

About to climb the stairs up into the bell tower. Yes, those little metal rods are holding up the staircase.

Top of the bell tower heading out this adorable door!

Peek-a-boo!

Christine, Lauren, Oleg, Jenny, and Mark in an old theater in Vologda.

My bedroom while in Vologda. The weather was so wonderful, the windows were open the whole time. Pictured is the computer that I was "attempting" to blog from while there. (Yes, I know my suitcase is HUGE. I thought I pack sooo light until I saw that I could fit 3 of Beth's suitcases in my one. )

My last and favorite meal at Dasha's home before catching the train back to Moscow. Notice how beautiful the tomatoes are. All the produce was awesome!

At the train station saying my last good-byes to Dasha. :(

This is all of our host families waving to us. I took this picture looking outside our train window. Very sweet moment. Then some of the girls started doing sign language and singing "Yes, Lord, yes, Lord, yes yes Lord" with big ole grins on their faces. Priceless. Then the train didn't move for another 5 minutes and it was awkward turtle! Ha. You can only wave, smile, and say good-bye for so long. :) Funny.

Everyones teary-eyed faces after saying good-bye to our Russian friends.

Happy to be heading home!

The poor train attendent! Nine americans trying to get our dinner order in speaking terrible Russian. Thank goodness she was laughing with us! Finally, we just snorted for pork and made fish lips for the fish. Beth cracks me up in the picture!

Dasha, are these the train cups you mentioned? Yes, very cool. Even thought about buying them until I remembered that my luggage is probably way over the 150lb. mark by this point! (Turns out I was right.)

Ate plenty of the potatoes! Now had to have a sip of the smooth russian vodka.

Finally made it back to Moscow at 5am! Beautiful morning at the train station.

Sorry for the long delay. I have one last day to get up to complete our Russia trip. Hopefully, this will be in the next day or two!

Quick Insert!

2009-08-12T11:41:00.005-04:00

Here are a few random pictures that I was trying to upload in Russia.

The Good News methodist church is a very small building in the middle of hundreds of Othodox churches. You can see one of the churches behind ours in the photo below. Our church is looked at as a sect or a cult to many there. It has a very tall fence around it without a sign out front. I'm guessing all for safety reasons. This was so hard for me to grasp. Hurt my heart. It made it all that more obvious to me the work that had been done with the previous visits. Lots of patient tender love and care for all the seeds planted. I was honored to see some of the fruit on my trip.

This night we meet up at Good News Church to meet with the russian team that came to Texas a few months prior. It was fun and very encouraging to hear everything they had to say about their time here in Texas and the christian church here in the states. Dasha was even able to sit in for a few minutes! Pictured: Christine, Dasha, Jenny, Lauren, Nicole.

Some of our sweet Russian friends at the meeting.

This is a picture of the children's hospital I couldn't post earlier.

Here is the tea the children's hospital nurses had set up for us. They were so much fun to talk too. They had tons of questions like, "how much do nurses make in america? how much is rent for a one bedroom? etc..."

Kagneykof #2 Orphange

2009-08-12T09:28:00.008-04:00

Once again, a beautiful tea set-up was waiting for us when we arrived. (Pictured is Bri, Lauren, Oleg our translator, and Janet.)

Another fun filled craft day! This time I helped Bri and Janet at the animal balloon table. My job was to blow up the balloons and hand them off to the professionals to do their magic! I sat under the table to make more room and these boys kept coming down to laugh at me for sitting on the floor!

The boys loved the crafts just as much as the girls. As you can tell they are very proud of their accomplishments!

Texas Bingo was a big hit as well. The children knew us as their "texas friends" and I think enjoyed seeing/learning a little bit about it...or they just loved the prizes at the end of the game.

This was one of the little girls rooms. We were a little puzzled at the lack of personal items being that this is where they lived. Maybe they just cleaned up for us.

The younger children were sleeping during our play time so we didn't get to meet them. However, we got a sneak peek of their common room.

Some of the beautiful faces responsible for this precious garden in the playground area.

After lunch we all headed outside for a game of tag...big hit! Then they all showed off their playground toys. I have some hilarious video of this I will try and upload later.

Farewell friends. I hope you enjoy your Texas hats!

This sweet face was my tag partner for most of the game. After that he just kept holding my hand and then wanted to take a picture together. At one point during our tag game he noticed my shoes came off while I was chasing one of the kids. He was very concerned about this and went looking for them, found them, brushed them off, and brought them back to me, motioning that I can put them back on now and smiled so big. Very sweet moment, especially when you can't talk to each other.

Here are all the remaining supplies that Holly wanted to leave there for the children to have for another day.

That evening when we returned to the church there was a service followed by a farewell dinner for the host families. (Dasha and my chocolate chip cookies, from an earlier post, were a huge hit!) The service brought me to tears as they all sang, "Here I am, Lord" in Russian and we sang right along in English. It was awesome.

I don't have favorites...but if I did, Koyla would be it. He completely won my heart over. I was teary-eyed in this picture because we had already said our good-byes with our best hand motions. Then a few minutes later he came running back in waving to come follow him outside. He wanted his mother to take a picture of the two of us with her camera phone.

Slowly making our way back to the states!

2009-08-06T10:16:00.002-04:00

In an hour Dasha is taking me to the train station to meet up with the rest of the team and head back to Moscow. We should arrive around 6am. Check into hotel, visit monestary, shower at hotel, dinner, and then the ballet! Saturday we will be heading home. Again, bittersweet. :)

I still have 2 days to post and I'm sure more from our time in Moscow coming up. However, I will not be able to blog again until I'm home in Texas. Please check the blog in a few days and we should be all caught up. Thank you so much for your support, comments, and prayers.

Pray for safe travels. We love you all!
Jenny

Childrens Hospital & Meetings

2009-08-04T15:18:00.008-04:00

Welcome to the Children's Hospital! This trip is the first year The Russia Initiative was invited into the hospital after coming on 5 previous trips.
We were instructed to not say anything about God, Jesus, Methodist... So, the team got creative and decided to do a puppet show talking about the Good Shepard. The kids loved it.

The people with the name tags are our team members. From left to right is Christine, our translator ( I feel terrible but I can't remember her name.) and Holly. Holly is presenting "LiveStrong" bracelets to the nurse for the children. She explained all about Lance Armstrong and how he has pushed through, survived, and fulfilled his dream. This was very cool to all the children and I know the were deeply encouraged.

Just a little close up of their sweet faces. If only you could hear their voices!

After the Good Shepard play, one of the 5 crafts Holly and Nicole set up were sheep from a cut out of their hands. Everywhere we have gone the children LOVE THE CRAFTS!!! It is also sweet for us because we can sit close to them, use hand motions and broken Russian to communicate "how to", take pictures together and then look at them, pray over them while the concentrate so hard. Honestly, my favorite, is just laughing and smiling back and forth together. (This sheep was made to go back to some of the children that could not come out of their rooms. On the back reads..."I came all the way from Texas to tell you, I love you!")

Just another precious face we were able to love on all day!

The Pink Ladies. This sweet girl was so much fun to talk to in my very broken Russian, while we were making God's eyes. Later some of the kids had a little presentation prepared for us. She sang a beautiful song in Russian and had an outstanding voice!

The children waiting patiently for Bri and Janet to make animal balloons! BIG HIT!

I just went back through and read the post...I feel I haven't even come close to capturing all that is taking place here. I don't quiet know what to say to convey how beautifully the Lord is moving here. The comments that we receive from everywhere we have been are things like, "your smiles change the room, I've caught myself smiling watching you, you all are a ray of light to us, why would you come all the way from Texas to Vologda just to see us?, Do you have to go?, Do you remember me from last time? I remember you, when will you be back?, thank you for what you are doing for our children...and me." I could go on and on. IT'S ALL HIM. Seeds are being planted everywhere. I know that Christine, Holly, Beth, and Mark are also seeing fruit from previous years.

After meeting with the children we were invited back by the nurses for tea and converstion. I was so encourage by these beautiful ladies. The LOVE the children and love what they are doing. (For some reason I can not download the pictures of our tea. When I return home I will go back through the entire trip and drop in more pitures!)

Mom, Jessica, and Stacy, this one is for you. Bananagrams and chocolate chip cookies in Russia! Dasha, I have loved my time with you!

Quick one! (UPDATED WITH PICTURES!)

2009-08-03T15:02:00.008-04:00

Sorry, I just can't seem to get the Russian commands down! Some of these pictures will be random...I just can't seem to get them to go where I want them! Anyway, this is just another sweet moment with Dasha and her mother Natalia over tea! Yes, tea is everyday...a few times a day...and it's always this cute!

Americans!

After our 4 1/2 hour bus ride we finally made it! This is the orphanage's bus we took up to the camp. Here we are unloading more supplies and food for the children.

When we arrived they had sweetly set our table for tea and lunch. Notice the flowers the girls picked.

Watermelon for snack time!

Carey, we miss you! Love, Nicole & Holly

This boy is using a coal to help burn out the center of the spoon he is making. I was way impressed!

You guessed it...craft time! God's eyes once again were a huge hit.

I'm not sure how well you can tell, but there were a ton of campers! I think I heard about 150 out there. It was quiet the set up.

A few English speaking Russians. Phew! Nice break every once in awhile.

As we were meeting with the kids from the orphanage at their camp, other counselors came up and asked if the "Americans" could come down to their camp. This is a picture with some of the other children. Precious.

(This picture makes me laugh. Just before it was taken, all the girls headed down to the...hole in the ground, to use the restroom. You would have thought none of us had ever been outside. We we all so exhausted by this point that we were slap happy and could NOT STOP LAUGHING. All I (and Christina later confessed as well) kept thinking was that we must look like the biggest bunch of obnoxious idiots! There was a big volleyball game going on right next to us and all of the sudden we heard, "Americans" and they all stopped and looked at us. I didn't want to ask the translator what they said, but I did anyway. She said, "I'm distracted by all of the Americans smiles.")

Last gift before we got back on the bus...TEXAS baseball hats! One of the ladies said that the children love that they have friends in Texas that they know are praying for them.

This was the wonderful bus

This was taken this morning (Tuesday) when Dasha dropped me off at the church.

...and this is the church!

I'm so sorry this is going to be so short. It was such a long, BUT WONDERFUL day!!! I can hardly keep my eyes open so here are just a few things for everyone back home...

David, I saw your comment on the blog and, yes, I will tell Christine she is missed! You are as well. I know she has tried to send you a few texts messages (because others are able from their iphones here) but it says she has no service. She sent a text and waited for a day and then realized it never sent. She was wondering if she needed to have international service set up before hand. She is doing great. We have become very close and have laughed a ton!

Stacy, yes, I will bring Katia back with me and send her to Cali...along with Rita, sasha, tanya, kolya, denise, ana, ... Yes, mom, it was a struggle to leave. More so today than yesterday!

Today we were scheduled to go to an inter-city orphanage to spend the day with the children. Turns out they are all sent away to "sports camp" during a part of the summer for annual maintenance on the buildings. Holly and Christine decided we would just go to the camp to see them. Let me tell you, these two ladies have the biggest hearts I've ever known. We took a 4 1/2 hour bus ride to the camp, could only stay for 2 hours and drove 4 1/2 hours back, yes, all today. Honestly, it was worth every second of it. I will post pictures tomorrow. The team knew the kids were wanting/expecting to see them (they have meet from previous visits) and the team wanted to see them just as well. After we reached the camp and all settled for tea, Holly said to all the children (with our fabulous translators) that while they have been away, they have continued to pray for the children by name and have missed them very much (as Holly held her heart.) One of the older boys very sincerely said back, "we feel just the same." I know with all of the seed planting from previous years, this had to be a pretty profound moment for some of the past team members.

Mark is hilarious with all of the boys. Running around playing tag, wrestling, and chopping wood, they love him. He is sooo in his element.

The team as a whole has united and meshed together beautifully. It is obvious the Lord hand picked each member of this team to work together. I loved our time on the bus getting to know each other even better as we shared personal stories about some God moments in our life, family and friends, work, and a whole lot of yadda yadda yadda.

If anyone else would like to leave a message I will be sure to pass it on. Over all, everyone is doing great. Nobody is sick. Host families are wonderful. The Lord has being blessing our socks off by the minute!

Once again, PLEASE excuse the post. I'm too tired to go back and re-read and correct all my errors!

One last thing...we would not be doing as good as we are without all of your prayers and support. We feel it here in Russia, appreciate it, and love it. Please don't stop!

Shalom!
Jenny

Back in Vologda!

2009-08-02T11:06:00.009-04:00

Hello Everyone!

Carey, how wonderful you are to keep my mom sane with all of your "they're safe and happy" posts! You can tell you have been to camp before...your posts where right on! (I loved your comments mom, you know me well. )

Goodness, where in the world do I start. First of all, today was my second shower in a week and first glass of wine! I guess I would call today "bittersweet" because we also said good-bye to all the kids we spent all week with and FELL IN LOVE WITH at camp. Here are a few pictures of our time...I'm sorry today is going to be brief...my eyes are getting heavy.

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO LAST PICTURE AND WORK YOUR WAY BACK UP...still can't read much/any Russian on Dasha's computer! Ha.

This was placed in the middle of our table this afternoon before we left camp. It is sweet bread made with fresh picked berries from the lady who lives behind the camp! So sweet and very yummy!!!

Dinner. Not much else to say on this one!

I've never had more hugs in my life than I've had from Tanya. She was my buddy all week. Every time I turned around I would hear, "shenny!" (Family: Just like baby katie and mary used to say!" I had forgotten that I gave her my cross I had around my neck the first day she asked about it. So today when we were leaving camp she kept tugging at my same but new necklace (that were made for the trip.) Honestly, I was thinking..."I have given her so much and she only wants more "things." Did I make any impact on her at all?" Well, Tanya quickly grew very frustrated as I continued to say, "nee penyee mayoo" (I don't understand) as she kept pulling at my necklace. She called over Masha to translate and this is what Masha translated, "Jenny, I remember the necklace just like this one that you gave me the first day. I will never forget it. Every time I see it I will pray for you. Will you please pray for me when you see yours?"

This picture was taken this morning right before we started worship. People are starting to get teary-eyed because we know it's our last day together.

Hoedown night! Enjoying the campfire just after teaching all the kids (expect the older "cool" kids!) the Cotton Eyed Joe!!! Anxiously awaiting...yes of course...SMORES!!! I think they had about 5 each!

Talent show night!

Tea, coffee, cookies, and jam everyday at 4pm. Yum and fun.

Pin the tail on the Donkey at the Hoedown! Katia, Rita, Sasha, Tanya, ( and Illiad? who ran in the picture last minute holding HIS end where he thought the tail should go!)

Sack races during "sports time!"

Sasha, Katia, Nicole (on team), and Jenny during our fist day of crafts. If I could get ALL of you reading this to pray for Katia, as she is not going back to her foster family after camp, but back to the orphanage. :(

This is the first thing I saw as I walked in the doors...a banner that read, "Welcome to our camp!" in English and 33 precious children waving us in to sit at their table for tea!

We took an hour bus ride outside of Vologda to get to camp. Then we stopped at the bridge and walked another 30 minutes to camp. When we approached the camp all the kids ran outside and met us at the gate yelling, "Привет!" Which is pronounced Pree-veet and means Hello! I fell in love immediately.

After my first shower after 2 days of traveling, I came out to find sweet Dasha in her kitchen. Her mother made some wonderful crepes with some sweet cream to pour over them, topped with homemade jam by her grandmother! Heaven on earth!

St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow. Doesn't it look fake?!!!

I just re-read my first post...please excuse all the grammatical errors!!! In all my future posts in Russia as well!

I love and miss you all terribly!

Jenny

Hoedown, Horseshoes, and Hats!

2009-08-01T14:11:00.003-04:00

“Hoedown & cowboy hats were a hit. Horseshoes & washers. Banya too! Campfire & smores tonite. We are all happy & healthy. Please send notes to families too! XOXOXO”

Dobriy dyen', ya’ll! (or Howdy, as we would say!)

That’s probably what they’re saying over there after last night! The latest text from Holly and Jenny was brief (see above), but the western hoedown last night was undoubtedly a hit! They introduced the Russian kids to horseshoes, washers, cowboy hats, and square dancing. Then, in a purely Russian tradition, they hit the banya! Tonight, they’ll sit around a campfire, toast marshmallows, and make S’Mores, a real crowd pleaser last time I was over there! Holly says everyone is happy and healthy and they send their love to all their friends and family!

Tomorrow, it’s back to Vologda after sharing a church service and one last day at camp. I know there will be tears, from kids and adults alike! But I know that these kids will leave more blessed than they came, and may just end up beginning a new relationship with Christ because of this experience! I can say with absolute certainty, the team has been touched in a way they will never forget!

Keep the prayers coming!

Till the next update (maybe it will be Jenny posting!),

Carey

Russia Update #3

2009-07-31T13:17:00.001-04:00

Hi, Everyone! It's Carey again.

Not much to report, but the team did say that they had a great day of fun at the camp this morning, making dreamcatchers and stickhorses, and sharing bible stories and oil lamp prayers! They’re doing a western theme for all the activities at camp, so there’s lots of cowboys and Indians in Russia! This evening (it’s 9:15PM in Vologda right now) they’re having a hoedown, complete with C&W music and square dancing! That should be lots of fun for the girls in particular – they all seem to be dancers from what I remember!

That’s it for now. I’ll send more when I get it!

Carey

Russia Update #2 (still Carey!)

2009-07-30T12:41:00.002-04:00

Well, just as I thought I wasn’t going to have anything to send, I got a text message from Holly and Jenny! They said the summer camp is great with lots of kids and lots of love! Unfortunately, there’s also lots of bugs! David Chambers and Shirley Derryberry (heading to camp in a week) – be sure to bring bug spray and fly swatters!!!

Other than that, the problems with Jenny’s cell phone continue. She won’t be blogging until they head back to Vologda in a few days. In the meantime, Jen Taylor, Jenny’s friend in San Antonio, has been trying to come up with alternatives to get updates to everyone. I’ll continue to email you (and post them to the blog) when I get text messages.

Thanks to everyone for your continued support, love, and prayers! Please pass this email and blog to anyone who might not be on the list, and let me know --- I’ll add them to the email distribution!

до свидания!

(that’s Do svidaniya or “See ya later!”)

Carey

In Vologda!

2009-07-29T03:46:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone! Thank you all for your patience. I'm sorry for the delay. As you may have read in the previous post, the phone is not working for updating the blog. It looks like my next post will be when I return from VBS camp. I'm sure there will be lots to share!

I can't tell you how WONDERFUL it was to take a shower after 2 full days of traveling and touring! It has already been and incredible time. Funny enough, the train has been one of my favorite thing so far. I stood in awe last night looking out the train window at the sunset, saying over and over, "I can't believe I'm in Russia!" I've started drinking tea over coffee (if you know me, this is a big deal!) and I love it.

This morning we we thought we had until 9am to sleep in! Ha. At 6am the train stopped and someone knock on our door. "Welcome to Vologda!" It was one of our translators. All discombobbulated, we got off the train and into a warm embrace by all of our host families. I recognized Dasha right away. We had been facebooking a bit before I came and she was just as sweet and beautiful as she looked in her pictures. We hurried back to her place where she immediately offered me a shower and a hot meal. I must have looked and smelled pretty pathetic!!! After a shower it was crepes and tea for breakfast and then I was off to sleep! (I had to jump out of the shower to grab my own shampoo. Dasha showed me a whole shelf of good smelling shampoos and such. When she left I went to grab one when I realized they were all in Russian! I thought I should grab my own as opposed to maybe washing my hair with body soap!) Dasha had to leave for work so her mother, who speaks little english (and I even less russian) just made me lunch. Again, I couldn't believe that I was here. That I was sitting in a sweet russian ladies kitchen trying to communicate back and forth and laughing the whole time at eachother. They are so hospitable and I feel very at home here...even though we can barly talk! There is something sweet about that. This lunch is something I will remember for a long time.

I'm about to repack my bags for camp and head out. I'm afraid it will be a few days before we are back in touch. Hopefully, next week I will have more time to download some pictures.

Everyone else on the trip seems to be holding up very well. Please pray for our week with the kids! I keep thinking about words we often hear..."preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words." I guess that is what the Lord is wanting for me this week. I'm looking forward to loving on some kids! God Bless you all.

Jenny

First post from Russia - almost!

2009-07-28T21:38:00.003-04:00

Hi, everyone! This is NOT Jenny posting! Actually, I'm Carey Dietert, husband of Holly Dietert (mission organizer) and father of Nicole (team member), and dutiful "ground crew" here in Austin. I got word this afternoon from Holly and Jenny that the team made it to Moscow safely and happily, toured a bit, and were settling on board their train to Vologda at around noon today, central time. For those who are counting, that's 9PM Moscow/Vologda time! Holly said it was time for making their bunks, sharing a devotional, then bedding down for a nice "relaxing" nap on the 9 hour train ride north.

Now, the reason I'm blogging instead of Jenny --- that rented phone is still not working to update the blog! So, Holly and Jenny had to use Holly's phone to send their messages. Jenny did say to pass this message along: Jen Taylor, PLEASE HELP!!!

That's it for now. Hopefully you won't be hearing from me again, but instead be able to read blogs from Jenny. However, if the phone won't cooperate, I'll be back to keep you up to date!

Keep the prayers coming!

Carey

ITINERARY & FLIGHT INFO for RUSSIA

2009-07-26T11:19:00.006-04:00

T minus 24 hours!!!

Tuesday July 28th
Arrive in Mocow, Delta flight 46 at 11am.
Tour of Red Square and Kremlin
Dinner
Depart from Moscow for Vologda, train 60 at 8:20pm.

Wednesday, July 29th Arrive in Vologda at 9:10am. Few hours to unpack, take shower, etc., 10-11am depart for Vacation Bible School Camp at the orphanage.

Sunday, Aug 2nd
Back from the camp around 4-5pm, evening with host families.

Monday, Aug 3rd
Orphanage #3, 6pm "conversations" with the UMC.

Tuesday, Aug 4th
Orthodox camp, central regional hospital visits.

Wednesday, Aug 5th
Kadnikov orphanage, Church service, 6pm farewell dinner in the church

Thursday, Aug 6th
Depart Vologda for Moscow, train 59 at 8:55pm. Moscow - Touring, packing suitcases, time with host families, departure!

Friday, Aug 7th
Arrive Moscow at 6:01am
Check in at Izmaylovo Hotel, Breakfast, Trip to Sergiev Posad, visist monastery, lunch, boat ride down Moskva river, dinner.

Saturday, Aug 8th
Depart Moscow for USA, Delta at 12pm.
Home in Austin at 8:05pm

FLIGHT INFO
27 JUL AUS TO ATLANTA 10:45AM - 2PM
27 JUL ATL TO MOSCOW 4:15PM - 11AM
08 AUG MOSCOW TO ATL 12:55PM - 4:35PM
08 AUG ATL TO AUSTIN 6:41PM - 8:05pm

Flying Delta. Sorry that I don't have the actual flight #.

Getting closer!

2009-07-23T22:12:00.001-04:00

Okay, yes, I'm in! I had to rent an "international phone) to do so. Its NOT a blackberry so I will be smart texting from a regular phone. Some of the post may be brief while at the camp, however I still plan to update everyday! Once I get back to Dasha, my sweet host friend, I will be able to give you all the fun scoop!

Welcome to all my new Terry Town friends and family! Please feel free to leave comments and I will get them to your loved ones ASAP!

I'll post the itinerary tomorrow!

Shalom!
Jenny
Sent on the Now Network� from my Sprint® BlackBerry

2009-07-20T13:32:00.001-04:00

Just a test to see if I can post from my phone while in russia!
Sent on the Now Network� from my Sprint® BlackBerry

Loooola...la la la la Loooola

2009-06-29T10:46:00.004-04:00

I used to laugh at people that said their pet was a "family member." Now, I soooo get that. Lola has been my tag along buddy now for 1 1/2 years and I've loved every minute of it. Yes, even the chewing up of my favorite heels, her eating my socks and throwing them back up, that she’s taken over the entire back seat of my car with dog hair and nasty half gnawed on bones, that she refuses to “COME!” when I’m already late, that she takes up 90% of the bed at night, and well…I could go on and on. Even in all these crazy moments, it has been comforting, healing, and so much fun to have my pal with me.

Which brings me to why I am posting today. Over the last month or so, I have been feeling convicted about having such a big dog in my very small apartment. Especially in the summer time when I can’t take her with me. I feel like I’m being selfish by keeping her, but honestly, a good part of the time when I’m not at work, she’s in her kennel. This makes me very sad and I know it’s not good for her. Courtney and Brian Garrison, who have 2 dog “family members” have agreed to take Lola for a time. I dropped her off this past Saturday and I will say, it has been much harder than I thought it would be. However, I know she is in good hands, running outdoors in a big back yard with other dogs…the way it should be. For this, I find much comfort and am so grateful. Thank you, Court & Brian.

I love you, Lola!

Lola's first day HOME!

...at the dog park meeting new friends.

"Come on mom, hurry up!"

...this is how we'd roll.

...she even climbed Enchanted Rock. What a dog!

...like most labs, Lola loved the water.

...most often my view.

...annoyed that I'm taking pictures during her nap time.

...ask Ryan to say "lola" sometime. Cutest thing ever. This trip was so funny because Lola kept licking Ryan's head and all Jess and I would hear from the back seat was, "NO Lola!"

...boot camp for Lola with Daddy Paul in Dallas.

...Lola at the Loft.

Happy 4th LOLA! You are the best dog ever and I love you very much!

Last two days in Hawaii

2009-04-04T12:24:00.005-04:00

Every morning we headed down to the breakfast buffet, we would see these wonderful paintings and pick one out for the blog. This one was above our heads the last day.

Then we decided to head into Ka'annappali to spend a few hours there. We started off Sunday morning with church on the beach. It was wonderful to sing praises to the Lord overlooking His beautiful creation!

It was fun to watch the "passer-bys" reaction to different things the pastor was saying.

Then we headed to black rock to scuba!

Angie watched over our stuff and soaked up the sun while we swam in.

As jessica commented, "nice scuba hair!"

This picture makes me laugh. This was the very start of the rest of the day laugh attack! I think the sun had gotten the best of us.

Angie, this still makes me laugh out loud. I truly don't think I've ever laughed so hard. We all had tears running down our faces!

This meal was the best sushi I've had...ever. And wouldn't you know...I can't remember the name of the restaurant. That's what I get for waiting so long to finish posting!

Love you Es! Loved blogging in bed with our rum and cokes!

Angie, I loved walking down into the lobby every morning to find you drinking kona coffee and enjoying your quiet time. You are so good at living and appreciating every moment!

Great vacation girls!!! Where are we headed next?!

Maui Day 5

2009-03-25T11:05:00.006-04:00

Back to the Honolua Store...this time with the girls for breakfast and some shopping.

After breakfast we decided to put the top down and drive around Kapalua. Jess, I showed them where you got Maui'ed. I forgot how beautiful it all is. Angie and I decided we are going to get married here too! (Yes, I'm driving and taking a picture. :)

Back to the VIP tent! It was still a bit windy and cool so we covered up and watched some crazy reality show on VH1.

This is our friend Anthony who helped us all week. We kept running into him and his family in Lahina for dinner too. Fun guy.

We had to head back to our favorite place of course...Longhi's.

for some great music (playing "One" by U2)

and their famous Longhitini's.

Then we ran across the street to watch the sunset.

Esther loves old books, so I knew she would love this old bookstore. Best shop on the island.

Lahaina Galleries and Vladimir Kush are some of my favorite art galleries to visit in Maui. I think that Esther had mentioned Elizabeth and Rick liked this picture.

No story with this guy...we just thought he looked fun.

Of course we had to show Esther the Banyan Tree! My favorite.

Maui Day 4

2009-03-21T03:22:00.008-04:00

ALOHA!

This has become our morning coffee hang out.

Every morning this Red Crested Cardinal joins us for breakfast.

Want to know what we did all day....you're looking at it!!! Seriously. :) It was awesome.

Esther walked down to the ocean so I secretly followed her to catch this shot.

This is our hotel view walking back up from the beach.

Around 4 we decided to have a little cheese and fresh fruit picnic.

We are total sun junkies! We were the last ones to leave the tents.

Fun dinner at Cheeseburger in Paradise. We sang along to all the songs and ate lots of fried food. :) Jess, the same guy that played the night we were here for your rehearsal dinner party is still here. He said hi.

After we got home from dinner we got into our comfy clothes and started to crawl in bed. Then Angie and I decided we still had a little left for the day and headed down to the lobby to chat and listen to the music. Thanks Angie, that was fun.

...just in case you didn't catch how big the glass was!

Publish Post

(Rainy) Maui Day 3

2009-03-20T01:36:00.007-04:00

ALOHA! Well, today's forecast was rainy and overcast. We decided to stay around the hotel for some personal rest time.

Day 3 started out with a great workout over looking the ocean in the newly renovated fitness center. What a way to start the day...taking care of mind, body, and soul!

Angie had a something totally different in mind for taking care of her mind, body, and soul...she headed to the spa! Nice job, Ang!

I, of course, pulled out the crossword, comfy clothes, Enya on the ipod, and sat in the hotel lobby overlooking the ocean.

Esther made her way to the lobby as well, however, was much more productive finishing lesson plans for her students. I felt guilty for about 30 seconds...then not so much.

As they day progressed and my stomach started to growl I headed over to the hotel restaurant for a little sandwich...FOR $18!!! No matter which way I looked at it, I just couldn't justify spending that on a cold sandwich. I decided I would walk up to the Honolua Store around the corner from the hotel. Well, it started to rain hard as soon as I walked out, so I asked the valet to get the car. He said, "just take ours" and threw me the keys to the Ritz Escalade.

I felt like I was walking into the store at camp when you were a kid. It had old rickety screen doors that I loved.

You will also be happy to know that I got a wonderful hot panini sandwich for $6.50! That's more like it.

Across the street was this sweet chapel.

Waiting for Angie to return, we decided to make a rum and coke while we updated our blogs in bed! Great way to spend a rainy day.

Later the three of us headed back to the lobby for some dinner and palm tree painting!

My favorite picture and favorite meal so far. The sushi here is wonderful. I think we've had it 3x in the 2 days that we've been here.

Walking back to the room we past this in the window.

Mahalo!

Maui Day 2

2009-03-19T03:41:00.006-04:00

Good Morning! We've been talking about the Ritz brunch for days...it's finally here! Maui tradition...Mimosa's!

I included this picture for some before and after pictures in the tanning department. So clearly, this is the "before." Every morning they bring a new sample smoothie to the table. Today was strawberry cream smoothie! Yummy.

Angie caught wind of the VIP tents and insisted we get one for the day!

Obviously, Esther and I strongly disapproved!

Big time! This tent is way cooler than I am! Sofa, flat screen, fridge, personal server, fan, and SHADE!

Nothing but blue skies!

View from our tent. It's whale season, so every once and awhile we would see the water blow and move where the whales were. Later this evening we talked with a local that said there are so many whales that you could walk on their heads from here to the next island!

Forgot to mention wireless Internet.

I loved this view. Honestly, the background reminds me of a scene out of The Goonies. If you're a true goonies fan...you get this!

This was taken after a day by the pool and showers. Ready to head to Lahina of dinner.

First stop...Kimo's for Wicked Wahine's. Tradition.

Funny story, remind me to tell you later.

Evans, look at your beautiful bride!

We had a WONDERFUL meal at Lahina Grill which is new to Maui as of the last 8 months. Everyone that we asked recommended this and Sansei. We are headed to Sansei on Thursday night for karaoke...should be some great blog material!

I think Esther should paint these flowers that are at the entrance of our hotel.

Home again, home again...back to our swanky hotel lounge...that we haven't enjoyed...yet.

Night!

Made it to Maui!

2009-03-18T02:09:00.004-04:00

Well, after 9 hours of flying time...we finally made it!

This is this morning at 9am...we were so giddy!
(Sorry, this post is going to be short and sweet because I'm exhausted! )

I'm not sure if you can see the two ladies next to Esther, but they were hilarious!!! Dressed head to toe for St. Patricks Day.

The beautiful Ritz-Carlton in Kapalua. View of the lobby and restaurants from our balcony.

Pool and ocean view (which I'll get a better picture of in the morning)

We made it...and had cabana boy take our first picture! We would have taken it in our super cute convertible, however, it was raining when we got here!

Where blogging and quiet time will be taking place!

Great sushi dinner at the hotel and then straight to bed.

Love you all! See you tomorrow.

Last full day with Grandpa

2009-03-11T21:49:00.005-04:00

Mon Ami...I loved this place! Grandpa and I came here the night of his birthday. It is a gorgeous restaurant and the food was wonderful.

I obviously can't figure out the flash on my camera. I was trying to capture how big and beautiful the place actually is.

Look at my handsome date...we had a great time together chatting away all night!

...but then he started getting crazy so I had to take my date home! :)

Another beautiful morning at Grandpa's.

Tim came and picked us up to go have lunch at the CIClub while their ladies are away on a cruise. Tim, I also set up a blog for Grandpa. www.gogosilver.blogspot.com Help get him going on it!

Bike ride in Ohio!

2009-03-10T17:25:00.011-04:00

During Grandpa's nap I thought I'd head out on a bike ride to clear the head a bit and work off some of these meals!

JUST ME...

MY BIKE...

AND THE OPEN ROAD...

This is one of my favorite parts of coming to Catawba Island Yacht Club...the guard post. Isn't it funny, the things you remember and love as a child?

250 boats all stored away for the winter. I don't think I've ever seen it like this.

On my ride I noticed a ton of trees that looked like this. Maybe the snow I guess.

Everywhere I rode it looked like a movie set. So picture perfect...even in the winter.

Sorry about the wind noise in the middle of the video...it's only for a few seconds.

Day 2 & 3 in Ohio

2009-03-10T14:54:00.009-04:00

When I woke up this morning, Grandpa invited me to "come be apart of his daily routine." So, we jumped in the golf cart and headed down to check the mail. As my body and my mind were turning around to head back to the house, Grandpa gunned it (in true grandpa style) and said, "we're going this way" and headed straight down a path I'm not sure was really a path!
Is he the coolest looking Grandpa or what?!

This is the back side of his neighbors house...ALL THESE YEARS I had no idea. It looks like a sweet little one story from the front. I'd love to be sitting in the screened in porch area (far left) with a fire, coffee, and a crossword!

Now that's a good looking grandpa! If he's not up in the front room reading the wall street journal, I can usually find him here...playing solitaire!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUNCH with Kerry Stiles and his wife and daughter. It was a wonderful lunch...we talked about Freakonomics (the book), Christian Science, Emme, The Loft, and Obama...all over a fried perch sandwich and some cake!

After lunch Grandpa took another detour and we headed down memory lane!!! Man, this place looks a whole lot different in the winter. All i could think about was the summer of '96. I started to panic as I stood in front of that ticket booth with all my luggage, waiting for the ferry to take me to Put-in-Bay island for the next 4 months of my life! I kept waving to my grandma who had dropped me off to assure her I was good and very excited...I was freaking out! It looks so harmless now.

I can't believe how much ice is still here. We stopped for a few minutes to watch these guys take off to the island across the ice.

It looks like they are in the water with some ice floating around, but it was dense and they are actually just sitting on top of the ice not moving. We stayed for 45 min waiting for them to take off...which I got video of. I just realized how uninteresting this must be to most of you! Ha. I love this stuff.

When we got back to the house I noticed this picture at the back door. Isn't Emme beautiful. It really made me miss her. I was eating breakfast this morning in the kitchen and read one of the many framed sayings she has around the house. This one said, "Housework makes you ugly. -Edith" Cereal came out my nose.

Grandpa turns 89!

2009-03-09T15:14:00.007-04:00

I'm hangin in Ohio with Grandpa this week to celebrate 89 wonderful years! Auntie and Uncle Don couldn't decide on a chocolate or vanilla cake so...wa la!!!

Look who else came to the party! The parents made them take a break from play time for lunchable snack time. Check out those smiles!

who in the world would want to stop playing at Grandpa's house?!!!

Stacy, it was great to see you and briefly catch up. You're doing a great job!

Jessica and Stacy, remember this. It's the only thing I could ever beat dad at. It's still a big hit. Notice the kids have cape's on! It brought back so many memories of being with the cousins. Remember always crying when we would leave eachother...it happend again saying goodbye to Mary!

Is this the best or what?!!! I was in heaven all night! Left to right...Harrison holding Karrington, Lucy holding Elizabeth, Noah, Jenny, AJ, and Joe!

I missed the sun setting behind grandpa's house, but it is still a beautiful shot.

Bubba, remember when I was sharing some grandpa stories before I left. I told you about the picture he took...I told it to you wrong. :) The real story is the US had just taken over this base and obviously the German's had to get out rather quickly. This particular German pilot left this portrait of himself behind the door. Grandpa liked it...so he took it! Next to it is the silk map that I also told you about that he had framed. (Bubba, glad the camera worked out...it was good to see Christopher and Spiderman also! Thanks again for Lola...she'll love the walk! )

This is the side of his house that has a little dock at the bottom where you can sit and fish!

Happy Happy Birthday Grandpa! We all love you very much and I'm honored to be apart of this day with you!

Thank you Grandma, Auntie, Uncle Don, Mary, Doug, Stacy, Jason, and all the kids for coming out! It was WONDERFUL to see you all. I guess I'm going to have to call Chris and really get this reunion thing going!

What's been going on the last 2 months of my life!!!

2009-01-19T12:04:00.004-05:00

Yeah!!!!!

5 out of the 7 girls in my Acacia group are prego!!!

Linda's son Madison got married and had the most beautiful wedding and reception at the Argyle.

Seriously...beautiful wedding.

Lola is still in her puppy days.

The Walkers had us back out to the river. Sweet Bruce.

I loved all of your Christmas cards this year! Thank you for sending them. I brought them up to the loft so I could see you everyday!

While the Arnolds were in town we headed to Guerne, TX for little dinner and some Reckless Kelly!

Fun times.

and construction on the loft kitchen addition has finally started!!!!

Esther and Evans had a baby!

2009-01-13T12:18:00.004-05:00

This little piggies name is Olive and she's 7 weeks old...I want one!!!!

Antioch Community Church

2008-11-19T14:32:00.003-05:00

A few of us girls took off for a Church Planting - Church Conference last weekend in Waco, Texas. Check out Antioch Community Church.

We stayed at a cozy little Bed & Breakfast just around the corner. We had the entire house to ourselves, so we took total advantage of the fireplace everynight for dinner and again for morning quiet time!

Meet Dutch. He served us breakfast each morning, said grace, and then stayed and joined us for the meal. Neat man.

Megan, Teresa, & Linda...thanks so much for an awesome weekend. CANT WAIT UNTIL WORLD MANDATE 2009!!!

Christi Hinkebien's Shower

2008-11-19T14:29:00.001-05:00

Acacia Pumpkin Party Below

2008-11-19T13:31:00.003-05:00

There is a new post under the 5K post that's been up forever. I cant get it to post as the most recent. (I created it awhile ago) So, scroll down if you want to check it out!

5K Walk/Run THIS SATURDAY

2008-11-05T12:19:00.002-05:00

Soul 2 Sole is a family friendly, green event that celebrates the stewardship of our community, our family, our bodies, and our environment.

Come out and join us THIS SATURDAY!!! www.loftsoul2sole.com

We're ready for you!

Acacia Pumpkin Party

2008-11-03T12:19:00.005-05:00

Okay, I know I'm waaaaay behind on all my posts lately. Lots more to come!

Meet my Acacia (small) group! Mel and Wendy had a pumpkin carving party for us all.

Mel also made some DELICIOUS pumpkin spiced cinnamon rolls! Great job, Mel!

Christi Hink partaking in some of the yumminess!

Jaden and Ben.

Adam and Stephanie ( and baby Sofia on the way!)

Good job on the Spurs pumpkin, John Hink! Maybe this will help them a bit.

Great job on the Sofi pumpkin Adam. Thanks everyone for a great evening.

Fall Festival 2008

2008-11-03T11:26:00.003-05:00

2nd Annual Fall Festival at the Loft Coffee House. Matthew Garrison...cutest lion ever.

CourtneyGarrison...cutest mom ever!

I was able to face paint most of the evening on pretty princesses and power ranger faces!

Surprise!!! Look who walked up!

Sorry, I just can't get enough of these two!

The Chili Cook-Off was a big hit this year. Great job Scott Giese on some excellent Elk Chili!

"Crazy Church Lady" Jen Taylor.

Bouncy castles, cotton candy, cake walk, chili cook-off, face painting, fishing, worship, and lots more...all FREE! We had a great turn out. Raenette...you are a rockstar. Thanks for the giving our community a place to go on this evening.

First Fire of the Season!

2008-10-28T09:06:00.004-04:00

2008 First fire at the loft this year!

2007 Flashback...Same men's group.

Ryan, you asked...you shall receive!

2008-10-23T16:41:00.004-04:00

Star Wars in The Loft. Glenn Green and Little Steven.

I love that Dancing Queen is playing in the back ground.

Waffles & Stories

2008-10-19T14:13:00.007-04:00

Just another Saturday around The Loft!

There's waffle bar for little sisters...

and big brothers...

daughters and dads...

husbands and wives...

great friends...

or just about anybody hungry for a waffle!

There is also lots of work to be done! Meet Mark (who loves the camera) About a year ago, Mark came into the coffee house on Saturdays for some service hours he needed to complete. When he finished his hours, we said our good-byes and told mark to come back and visit us anytime! Mark showed up the very next Saturday, not to visit...but to volunteer his time! He worked hard that Saturday and every Saturday after that for the next few months. Mark is now paid staff on our Loft team!

This is Mike...Mike comes into the coffee house, not just on Saturdays, but EVERY morning for over a year now. Mike is a Jack of all trades! Here he fixing our garbage disposal that decided to die just before waffle bar clean up! Thanks Mike for all you do around shop!

There's other work to be done as well. John (our youth pastor) has been taking advantage of the great weather lately while he works for a few hours on Saturday. (No waffle for this guy! He's running in Rock & Roll Marathon this November! Go John Go)

The view from our kitchen window...John never misses an opportunity to sit with his youth friends.

And of course, there are always tons of kids running around the play ground at the loft! Meet Steven. Steven was born just days before the Loft's grand opening party. This is a picture of how old the loft is!

Lately, I've let Lola hang out on the back porch of the Loft which she LOVES!!! Everyone that walks by gives Lola some lovin...especially, her good buddy, Chloe!

Discovery Zone

2008-10-17T20:32:00.003-04:00

Every year Discovery Zone comes out to the Loft Coffee House for fellowship, worship, and to help kids discover God's call on their life.

Rusty Freeman (pictured second from the left) gathers kids all over the San Antonio area. They meet out in the tent behind the loft. We love having them here and feel blessed to be apart of such a great ministry.

Serious stuff. I now realize I should have taken the picture AFTER everyone arrived.

Of course every year Discovery Zone requests our outstanding pastries and coffee!
Thanks for the T-shirts Rusty!

Thank you friends and family!!!

2008-10-15T14:12:00.006-04:00

Thank you to all my friends and family for another great birthday! I was humbled all day to be showered with such love. The day started out with my loft family. Robin brought me a STRAWBERRY MOUSE cake. YUMMY...made for a great breakfast!

Robin (my friend from The Foundry Coffee House that has been helping out while my loft team is in Turkey) Mike, Randy, and little Steven were just a few that helped me eat cake!

THEN, Lucy showed up with a RED VELVET CAKE!!! Guess I'm having breakfast again!

Guess who wanted in on the party? LOLA. She couldn't resist the sweet smells coming from inside...the next time the door opened, she came flying around the corner! Good thing the health department didn't come to the party!

A good friend of mine called some girls together to celebrate into the evening. All I could think about was a Bellini and Margherita Pizza...so we headed to Carrabbas!

Courtney, it meant the world to me that you stopped by during such a busy time. You are in my constant prayers and thoughts throughout this time! You are going to be awesome!

Yes, sweet mom made Banana Cupcakes again! I love you mom!

Jessica, once again, I love that we get to spend our birthdays together. Wouldn't change these moments for anything.

2007 Birthday Flashback.

Michele and Jen, my red necklace friends.

I love this picture...Jess, you're a great photographer!

Thank you all for coming!

Okay, for anyone that blogs...there is no explanation needed for this picture. If you do not blog, there is a running joke amoung bloggers that we are just out to get "good blog material!" Here is my own mother caught in the act!

If you read my mothers blog (Nama and Poppy) this picture makes since to you! Love you, Court!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESSICA!

2008-10-13T23:49:00.003-04:00

The Magnolia House for breakfast with the family in honor of Jessica's birthday!

Then the ladies split off for a total girlie girl day!!! Eating, shoe shopping, make-up shopping, home decor shopping, and then more eating!

This picture reminded me that I promised I would update you on my "no shopping for 6 months" project. Which may seem really funny, being that I just told you we spent the entire day shopping! However, I am happy to say that I have not purchased anything in the last 5 months! I have one left! The two exceptions...I can buy anything I can get at HEB (and not the Plus store) and I did shop during my vacation in London. These shoes were very tempting though...Ha!

Jessica, I love you so much. Had a blast today with you and mom. I love that we get to celebrate our birthdays together! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Take a trip to Turkey!

2008-10-04T13:41:00.005-04:00

A majority of my friends (yes, that's them climbing!) left for Turkey this past Tuesday. They are following Ray Vanderlaan (Follow the Rabbi, That the World May Know) throughout the country for the next 17 days. Brooke is already doing a fantastic job blogging everyday. If you want to keep up with this incredible trip, click here on Ben and Brooke's Blog.

Quick overview of the last week!

2008-09-29T16:17:00.004-04:00

Stacy and the family came in to town for Amanda's Knocke's wedding. While they were here Dad decided to take all the grandkids to the Circus! The most fun was watching the kids all night...especially this little tornado! Stacy, forgive me, but she reminds me of the dentist's daughter in Finding Nemo in this picture with her pony tails!

Amanda's wedding was beautiful!!! I can't believe my camera battery died right in the middle of it all!

Next, Jessica and I headed up to Dallas to see Daddy Paul and Sharon. We took Lola and little Toot too! All was well until Lola would get bored and start licking the top of Ryan's head...to which Ryan would reply, "No!"

It was boot camp '08 for Lola with grandpa! Apparently, I'm not as tough as a mom as I thought I was. Lola is like a new pup...thanks Dad!

Meet Luke William Woodman!

2008-09-16T12:41:00.003-04:00

After a day and a half of labor, Michele gave birth to one very HANDSOME baby boy! 6lb 13oz. Michele invited me to stay during the delivery...most amazing thing ever. So beautiful. Sort of still speechless!

Weekly Tips

2008-09-09T17:38:00.005-04:00

I cooked dinner over at mom and dad's the other night, hoping to share with them a healthier way of eating...like my sweet friend Elizabeth has shown me. Basically, anything that comes in a box - bad, anything that God created - GOOD. I'm sharing this with you, because on the Soul 2 Sole website, she has some wonderful "Weekly Tips" that so helpful! Thought I'd share them with YOU now!

Lola and the bike...pretty much my life right now!

2008-09-02T14:31:00.005-04:00

Lola & I had a great Labor Day! I had breakfast at Le Peep with the Mays & Tootles. Then headed out on a VERY hot bike ride, and out to The Walkers to grill out!

Isn't Lola the cutest!

After the long bike we headed over to Jim & Lucy Walkers for a little Labor Day BBQ! Their neighbors had the right idea!

As long as I've had Lola (8mo) we've never been swimming. So, we were sooooo excited to get into the river. She was a bit shy at first and then couldn't get enough!

Up above, Lucy, the cute hostess in the pink, and Randy's mother chatted while...

...Jim grilled chicken, hot dogs, and corn!

"Can I have some?"
Lola, ran all over their back yard. She must have covered the entire 2 acres a hundred times. Needless to say, when we tied her up and headed back up to the house for dinner, Lola wasn't very happy. However, mommy is soooo smart to buy the leash with a hook on it...you can attach the leash to anything and keep her right where you want her. (You will see why I went into such detail about a leash shortly)

Mrs. Southern Living brought out all of her fancy items for our BBQ buffet! She is an excellent hostess...everything looked picture perfect!

Apparently, nobody puts mayonaise on their hot dogs except for me. We decided she didn't need to make a whole mayo bowl for one person. However, she couldn't let it go without a SL trivit!

So, about that leash! We all finally fixed our plates, said grace, and sat down to eat when we see this! I'm not sure if you can tell, but she's holding it in her mouth!

Free at last, Free at last!!! More running around after dinner. Isn't this a beautiful place?!

Yup, that's a deer leg.

HOPE YOU ALL HAD A HAPPY LABOR DAY!

Riverside's 5 annual Baptism in the river.

2008-08-25T12:53:00.001-04:00

Rye Bread gets a fohawk!

2008-08-25T11:13:00.004-04:00

My sweet precious nephew Ryan, aka "Rye Bread" got a hair cut in this super cool little car!

His mom isn't as big a fan, but I loved the fohawk! It goes great with those long eye lashes!

Is it just me, or is he the cutest kid ever?!!!

"That's not funny, Mom!"

Girls night out...sushi style!

2008-08-23T15:59:00.001-04:00

Grey Holiday...you have been a blessing to many!

2008-08-21T10:25:00.000-04:00

Grey Holiday...last concert! :(

2008-08-20T19:02:00.002-04:00

As many of you know, I'm a huge Grey Holiday fan. Well, tonight is there last night to perform as a group! I'm headed to the concert shortly. Very sad moment for Jenny.

Michele's Shower for Baby Luke!

2008-08-11T16:01:00.005-04:00

We had the best time preparing to shower Michele and Luke! Thank you Jessica, Millie, and Tallie for the cup cake decorating party! Everyone loved them.

Brooke, I have acacia peeps too! Wendy, Jess said you look beautiful and Christi looks great prego!

Of all the diaper cakes, this topper is my favorite! Target is the best!

Michele, recieved a ton of fun things to put on Luke's wall. When do we get to have a decorating party for Luke's room? You point and I'll hammer!

Look at all these pretty girls! What a fun time!

Michele looked so beautiful at the shower. I hope you enjoy all your gifts!

I was supposed to be writing down all the gifts for Michele...obviously, very distracted! Thank you Jen T and Lacy for keeping me in line! No telling whose going to get a thank you card and what your will be thanked for! Ha.

Cathi gave a very heart felt toast. I know Michele felt so blessed by your words, Cathi.

Gina, your home is beautiful and welcoming. Thank you for your hospitality...you should be an interior decorator!!!

Michele, I hope you enjoyed your special day! We all love you very much!

The Loft's Soul 2 Sole 5K and kids 1K Walk/Run

2008-08-11T00:16:00.004-04:00

www.loftsoul2sole.com

This November 8Th The Loft is having a 5K walk/run "Soul 2 Sole" event at Guadalupe State Park. Many of us have received the same scriptures in Nehemiah and feel the Lord is calling our community to "rebuild" our wall. We feel very strong that we are not to create another "program" for the church, but to prayerfully understand how the Lord is wanting us to move forward in this. We believe that He is calling us to become better stewards of our families, our bodies, our community, and our environment! This event is MUCH MORE than a 5K. Our main focus is the next 3 months leading up to the event. Ask the Lord what part of your wall needs rebuilding. Ask what your part is in this and MOVE in that...just like Nehemiah did!

If God is calling us to Love Him, Love Others, and Serve the World...let's come to Him strong in mind, body, and soul. Think how much more effective we would be for Him!

Be in good health, and it will be right with your soul. 3 John 1:2

Much of my blogging fan base (ha ha) is not here in the San Antonio area. However, please feel free to go through the website and pick YOUR fitness level and click and print your training schedule. Walk/run with your entire family, meet up with your neighbors, move towards a healthier life style...GO READ NEHEMIAH! It's oh so cool.

The Pageant Wave.

2008-08-08T09:07:00.003-04:00

Brooke teaches "the table" of regulars to do the pageant wave! Can you believe this is my job?!!

Look who came into town!

2008-08-07T22:42:00.005-04:00

Ryan and Lauren made it to San Antonio...FINALLY! The Millers looked like sunkissed beach bums! Lauren, I'm looking forward to breakfast.

Awkward boy hug.

The gangs back together again...even if it was for just a brief moment! It's great having my brothers around!

Flashback to 4 months ago at Ryans going away party. I like the longer hair, Ryan!

Happy Birthday Lizzy! Thanks for letting us celebrate with you! Joanie, I'm glad we were 30min early...it was great catching up with you!

The best part of celebrating at mexican restaurants!

Tori worked for the Loft for over a year and has recently taken some time off to get ready for college! Time off to Tori means lots of Young Life camps and continued "cabin times" at the loft. You go sweet shepard!!! Look at all those girls!

Sweet Ryan at La Ha!

2008-08-04T01:17:00.000-04:00

Over the last week I...

2008-07-28T20:08:00.008-04:00

...got to see, hang out, catch up with Mel Berch and the Tootles at the BJ's Brewhouse opening party!

...got to hang out with my good buddy Holmes at Brix 29. (Not sure what's going on with the 80's do!)

...headed over to Elizabeth & Rick's house for dinner and a little Soul 2 Sole planning. Elizabeth whipped up this delicious AND HEALTHY dinner for us with a side of bubbly!
...saw a beautiful sunset at the Rosenblums!

...got to watch Elizabeth & Rick decide if they just pulled up weeds or all the newly planted flowers the gardner just put in!

...saw my pastor try to kiss John while wearing his daughters ladybug raincoat!

...I was happy to see Brian and Matty pop into the Loft for Waffle Bar Saturday!

...was suprised to see who else showed up for Waffle Bar...Tom, Jana, Mom, Tim and his two beautiful girls!

...couldn't stop talking about how much Anna looks like Gretel from the Sound of Music!

...laughed every time the girls would run up to touch the bug and run away screaming!

...went to La Ha with a group of friends and played with Ryan the whole time!

The Foundry - Opening Day!

2008-07-14T14:54:00.008-04:00

Welcome to The Foundry! Riverside Community's (my church) mother church, Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, decided to open a coffee house similar to the vision of The Loft. (I'm sure there is an easier way to say that!)

So, Esther and I headed down to lend a helping hand through this very exciting and tiresome road...bringing back many memories all the way!

Flashback to 3 years ago with Esther, Sarah, Emma, and I in our Loft aprons not long after the loft opening.

Darrell Smith and friends came out to play for the Friends and Family night this past Sunday.

"To The Foundry, Love your Loft Family!"

The Foundry is committed to outstanding quality and only the best on their menu!

All Foundry Coffee is Fair Trade and Certified Organic. Their coffee is ground only moments before brewing! Yummy...fresh and hot!

Lilly's Cookies is providing all the pastries for the coffee house. She is opening her bakery right next door!!! I'm not going to lie...this makes me very jealous...I'm sure it will hit home tomorrow as I drive 25 min ONE WAY to pick up the loft's baked goods! However, I'm very excited that it is going to smell WONDERFUL in the Foundry once the bakery is up and running!

Not only are they serving the best coffee syrups around, they've included some sugar free flavors as well!

Say Hello to a few of the Foundry workers!

They are displaying art around the coffee house by local artists. Cindy and I met this artist about a month ago when we were shopping at Mission Supplies (restaurant store) for some equipment. We explained to Hector, the cashier, all about our vision for The Foundry and our ideas about local artists when he said, "I'm one!" He came in to hang up a few pictures before Sunday's Friends and Family night...and stayed all night! God is already at work!

I loved this poster because I say "spreading the love" all the time!

Meet our new Foundry friends, Trader Jack and his helper Lee. Trader Jack had a stroke over 3 years ago and lost his ability to speak. Lee has been helping him out ever since. It was beautiful to see Lee watch a few slight hand moves from Trader Jack and know exactly what he was saying. They assured us we would see them EVERYDAY as his home is just around the corner!

We're back!

2008-07-14T14:39:00.006-04:00

This picture cracks me up...have you ever seen somebody smile while they were frowning? I think this is because as sad as we were to leave London, we were just as happy to be come home. This is our last cab ride in London, headed back to the airport.

Thank goodness for "emergency girls night out" once we got back into town!

Angie, Michele, and Cathi...I had a great night at Sol Luna with you! Think we should schedule this at least once a month

London Day 9! Last Day :(

2008-07-10T13:39:00.012-04:00

It's our last day of holiday and we're going out with a bang! We decided to go to Bath, England on the Old Pullman Train! Below I inserted what we read online back in London. It sounded right up our alley!!!
Your journey takes you to the historic city of Bath. The hot springs first attracted the Romans to build the spa of Aqua Sulis, and the remains of the baths and other archaeological finds can be seen here. In Saxon times, King Offa founded an abbey at Bath, where King Edgar was crowned in 973. Bath's fashionable heyday came in the 18th century, when Beau Nash regulated the bathing and constructed the assembly rooms and theatres. Today, Bath is Britain's best preserved Georgian city.
A delicious Brunch with Bellini will be served on your outward journey. On arrival at Bath you will be met by guides who will accompany you on a coach tour of this delightful city taking in the sights of the city and the famous Roman Baths and Pump Room.
The Roman Baths and Pump Room are one of the best preserved Roman sites north of the Alps, where hot mineral water rises from a spring at a temperature of 46°C. Explore the beauty of the Ancient Roman's architecture and art, and don't forget to sample the spa water from the Spa Fountain in the Grand Pump Room.
There will be a little free time for you to explore Bath on your own or, alternatively, you may prefer to spend the whole time in Bath at your leisure. You are asked to make your own way back to the station (approximately 10 minute walk).
On your return journey to London Victoria, after a glass of champagne, you will be served a four course supper with half a bottle of wine.

Meet Mommy Bear and Pauly Wally...our suite mates!

The meals were wonderful, the view was gorgeous, and our company was a blast!

I feel terrible I can't remember his name. Doesn't he look like an actor they hired just to fit the part?! He was darling.

I took a picture of the map they gave us at the beginning of the trip. These are all the villages we traveled through.

3 1/2 hours later we made it to Bath! All of the buildings throughout the city were made with the same yellowish stone. It was beautiful.

Part of the package included a ticket into the bath food festival. We thought since we only had 4 hours in Bath that we would just check it out and then walk back into town to see the city.

Good thing we decided to go! We loved it! This picture was before we even walked in. I asked the first people we saw if they would take our picture (because it looked like a movie set.) When she replied, I said, "Oh, you're from America!" She said, "Yes, we are with the Food Network to do a show on the festival!" How cool is that! Maybe they will use this glamorous shot!

There were booths everywhere with all the most famous chefs and restaurants in the surrounding areas. This was a wine class someone was doing...we decided we didn't have time...we would just drink it.

All the booths had free samples. If I remember correctly, Angie bought a whole bag of these!

She was also a fan of the "Tea Pot Man!"

I myself, was a fan of all the great coffee and new coffee technology. Maybe work will pick up the tab!

Before we headed out, we stopped in the VIP tent (not because we are very important people...just came with the package) for our complimentary glass of champagne! We felt so Hollywood on the red carpet!

So, I found my first apartment over in England! How do you like it? This should do until I find my permanent home! This is actually The Royal Crescent. It is now a hotel!

We headed back down into town, wondering the streets, and looking for all these baths every one's been talking about.

...still wondering...

I'm not sure if you can see, but there is a guitar there on the ground in his invention...it actually sounded beautiful!

Found them!

The only way to see the baths without taking an hour long tour was to eat in The Pump Room and look through the window.

I'm not sure why it keeps doing this every time I post a video. Anyway, they are all the same video. Things to notice in the video...I say, "5 piece quartet" and the lady in the back ground is going to be me at age 50, journaling in some foreign country!
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Angie was loving this moment! I was loving the cheese.

So this is it. Gross! However, still very cool. I thought they all came and just took baths in these. I didn't know that only the very wealthy used them. They were like the fancy spa's we have today, to them. I like ours better.

After our cheese and wine, we went over to a little fountain in The Pump Room. For 50 pence you could drink the bath water! Okay, this is really gross...but how could we NOT do it? So, we each got our glass of bath water...hot, stinky, and murky bath water. They told us the people believe that it is also healing water. I told them only Jesus heals. In the window you can see the fountain where the water came from. Below me is the bath.

These girls were practicing in the street for a huge festival they were having the next night.

Zoe is a local artist. She had a beautiful picture of the Royal Crescent for the low low price of 200...that's $400.00 for us!

I have always loved the street signs that look like this! Sort of like the one I ask Craigg Woodman make for the Loft.

I remember this moment when we got back to the train station...it started to hit me that we were going home the next day. But for the blog's sake, I put on my best smile!

Bye Bye Bath!

Back on the train.

It seemed like a dream to have have just walked through Bath, and to now be looking out over the country side, with a great bottle of red, and fun new friends!
For dinner we had strawberry soup (cold) with champain poured in. Yummy! I'd never had anything like that. Great soup for summer!

And then my favorite...cheese! You can't tell in this picture, but the steward is looking down at Angie who just spilled red wine on her white linen pants!

Riding back home with our new friends was one of the highlights of our day! They were SO MUCH FUN! We each made fun of eachothers accents, celebrities, money, and music. We had such a blast that even after our 3 1/2 hour trip back ended, we sat there still...singing Police songs and dying laughing.

If you two are reading this, I would love your email. I have some more hilarious pictures I'd love to send to you! Thanks for making the end of our holiday so perfect!

When we returned to London we had big plans to celebrate this 4th of July evening in Trafalger Square. We went back to the hotel, packed our bags, and crashed out!

London Day 8!

2008-07-07T10:00:00.011-04:00

Here we are...2nd to last day in London! I realized that I had not included this coffee shop yet in my posts. It is called Pret Manger and they are all over England. This one is right next door to our hotel. We often ran in for a non fat latte and peppermint tea.

Warning: PG-13! We were waiting to cross the street next to the bus stop when this popped up! "OH! They can't do that!" I think we were both blushing.

We had to get in one VERY touristy picture!

Just another snap shot at how gorgeous the day turned out to be after a light shower.

Here is our beautiful flower arrangement in our not so clean room!

Another great day for biking!!! Here we are waiting for gopedal.com to drop off our bikes off in front of our hotel. In the bag is our picnic for the park!

This was a truck driving by as we were waiting...Woohoo! Go London Go!

Okay, the bike guy finally showed up and we were off! We rode for a bit and then parked it right here in front of the water for our picnic.

We took the fruit we got at the market yesterday and bought some cheese as well. Best meal of the holiday!

As we were eating our picnic, I couldn't stop taking pictures. Doesn't this look like a postcard? (Minus the girl with her suitcase...I never did understand that. We often saw people walking through the park with suitcases...maybe it was a short cut :)

Beautiful day in Hyde Park, great picnic, with bikes...what could make this any better?

A NAP!!! (cracking up...I know you all are wondering if I took this picture!)

We crashed out for almost an hour! I woke up a bit dazed and confused...and cold.

That's because another shower was blowing through! So we quickly packed up our picnic and ran for cover!

Thank goodness there was a park coffee house just across the way! You guessed it...one non fat latte and a peppermint tea please!

And we waited for the rain to pass.

Perfect time to map out our bike ride!

AND WE'RE OFF!

I think this is one of 2 pictures I asked someone to take of us. I realized my arms weren't long enough to get the bikes in the picture! We both had a permanent grin on our face! I think we sang the Sound of Music all day long riding!

You can't tell here...but we're singing!

Angie fell in love with this English man giving roller blade lessons to kids. He just finished stuffing the cones they skate around into the kids helmets. The the girl in the middle in the sweetest English accent said, "Please may I have some pink horns!" Double click to get a better look...so cute.

It's hard to see, but across the way is Princess Diana's Memorial.

Guess who's in the flowers again.

Wet, cold, and hungry (again) we decided to head back to the hotel. One of our favorite meals was (dinner) appetizers in the hotel lobby. Angie loved the shrimp tempura. Jenny...corn nuts!

Here is another wonderful shot of our very clean room.

When I talk to most of you that have been keeping up with the blog, you mention how funny the pictures I'm taking of ourselves are...and how long my arms look! Thought you would like this picture!
Tomorrow is my most favorite day! (and last day) :(