Hilltops and a Valley of Vision: March 2010

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

ready for summer

The last couple of days have been delightfully warm here in Houston, and Abigail and I have started frequenting our local park. Yesterday, we walked around the small lake, enjoying the sounds of children playing, birds chirping, and a soft wind. Then Abigail enjoyed the toddler swings, evidenced by her many smiles and giggles. And we finished off our trip to the park by going down the slide. She still doesn't know what to think of dirt, grass, and woodchips, and her new walking skills land her on this unfamiliar ground all too often:)

We're both ready to make good use of our apartment's pool this summer. I'm hoping that at the end of April/beginning of May, the water will be warm enough. Sunscreen, swimsuits, sunglasses and sippy cups full of water here we come!

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

i am ready

I am ready for my hubby to home. Yes, he only left this morning, and yes, I know that I don't normally get to see him during the day. But I miss him all the same. He will be all over the country this week; he is heading to Ohio today and will be in Louisiana before heading home to Houston. And his girls will be here in Houston, planning Easter weekend fun as we anxiously await his return.

I am also ready for Easter. I am ready to hear, "He is risen," and reply, "He is risen, indeed!" And I am ready to proclaim His death and resurrection until He comes again. I am so thankful that I can leave my sin - pride, selfishness, jealousy and a host of other nasty things - at the foot of the cross. Grace IS amazing.

And though I am never ready in my own strength for life's twists and turns, I know that He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Friday, March 19, 2010

i am blessed

I am blessed.

Rodney and I often sit back and reflect upon the blessing of family. We both come from two loving families, and over the years we have witnessed and experienced grace, joy, forgiveness and blessing lived out everyday in our homes. Now we have the privilege to be the Gospel to our own little girl. And let me tell you, we need grace and forgiveness everyday.

Just this morning, I woke up annoyed at my hubby for hitting the snooze. And yet, the Lord was using my husbands sleepy head to get my sorry self out of bed. I have struggled in this lenten season to get out of bed. I have missed several days in the last 2 weeks, but am reminded about grace. I opened the Word this morning to Isaiah 52 and 53. The Lord took me to my Savior this morning and showed me His grace.

I sat down to share our week with you, but needed to get that out of the way first.

We had a GREAT time with my family! We went to the Houston Rodeo on Sunday, and Abigail enjoyed the animals, crowds and the fireworks at the end of the rodeo. On Monday, we went to a local microbrew, St. Arnold's, and took a gorgeous three mile walk in Memorial Park. Tuesday we lost Rodney to work, so we went shopping at the Outlet malls. And we finished their trip outside on Wednesday, taking walks in a local park, along a bayou and around our apartment complex. It was a great day, made even more enjoyable by fresh barbecue, Mexican food, chips and queso and Blue Bell Ice Cream.

Mom and Dad, I love you so much and am already looking forward to the next time we get to see you!

And of course, here are just a few of my favorite pictures from their visit.

here we are at the rodeo