A Most Wonderful Surprise!

Friends from Abiding Love many years ago came to Abiding Love on the day after Christmas. It was awesome as Jill was giving the message that day, and the friends are her godparents. We had burgers and fries after church before the Falkenbergs went on to their hunting lease near Llano.

L to R: Stephen, Timothy, Mark & Jennifer Falkenberg, Tom, me, Rachel & Jill

History of "Women Alive!"

On Tuesday, the question, "Did we do a study on the book of Hebrews?" came up, and I thought the answer was no, but I researched my records, and the answer is still no. But from the question I compiled the following history of our group's studies! So, here it is:

We began our study group, “Women Alive!” on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 with a book study guide, A Modern Girls Guide to Bible Study by Jen Hatmaker, which included studying passages from various parts of the Bible. Then, using Jen's suggested schedule, we studied the books of 1 & 2 Peter and Ruth. We concluded the year with Road Trip by Jen Hatmaker.

In 2008, we studied Acts, Romans, Philippians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1, 2 & 3 John, and Jude using the journaling strategies learned in A Modern Girls Guide to Bible Study.

In 2009, we continued using the journaling strategies learned in A Modern Girls Guide to Bible Study for our studies of Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, and 1 & 2 Corinthians. In the fall, we studied Giving to God by Mark Allen Powell in conjunction with a church-wide ministry appeal. In December we had miscellaneous Advent devotions.

In 2010, we began a 2-year schedule of reading through the Chronological Study Bible (RKJV). We have completed reading Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, and just began reading 1 Kings on September 7th. We have also read many Psalms and Proverbs 1-9! Whew!

May we all be wiser after this!

A Day Off

A day off from work is good for the soul. Probably the heart rate and blood pressure too! My sometimes quarreling dogs are at my feet laying side by side on a blanket while I pay bills online and catch up on this and that.

I'm only a little sad today because I won't be with Tom and Rachel when they meet up with some old friends from back in the 80's when we moved to Austin--Doug and Deb Sorensen. May their reunion be fun, joy-filled, and a highpoint of Ragbrai!

It is fun to tweet and blog! Sometimes it's hard to comprehend...

Twitter

Okay. I opened a Twitter account a few days ago so I could Tweet with the rest of the world! My handle is "postoakroots" which gave me great satisfaction as it seems to validate my humble beginnings in a little community called Post Oak. I'm sure my blurps will be sporadic, but never-the-less the opportunity to express my thoughts is at my fingertips!

Fence

Our most recent accomplishment has been to put up an iron fence to keep the deer out of our newly planted garden!

One more thing

I almost forgot. The garden looks great because of the rain last night and last weekend! But the most exciting thing was a little tiny tomato. I know. It's late. But we had to wait for the fence to be built before we could plant the garden. The deer have already visited our front flowerbed next to the sidewalk two times since the rain we had Friday night, and today is Tuesday! The deer resistant plants are working pretty well, only a few leaves missing on one Black-eyed Susan, two blossoms chopped off the Verbena, and a few missing petals on a Zinnia! I hope I added to their deterrance (sp?) tonight by sprinkling some ground red pepper on them.

Thawing Out

I just realized a short while ago that my feelings have been slightly paralyzed. My previous posts from almost a year ago help me understand why. Also the memories of going to Houston around this time last year are uncovering the loss that I have buried for self preservation and protection. For going on.

I miss my friend Marilyn often, yet I have a deep peace inside knowing that she is no longer suffering from the struggle to breathe, the sore throat, the lack of strength and energy, and the list goes on. She never gave up the will to live and be well. She had an iron faith. She was a dear friend and I miss her. My peace comes from knowing that when I leave this earth we will meet again at the feet of Jesus. No more sickness. No more weeping. No more frozen feelings. But pure joy! It will be a glorious day!

Meanwhile, may I fulfill the purpose God has for me here on this crazy earth.