beaches and bikes

since the last time I posted I have been to the beach and back twice, which is an exciting thing for me!  In March our UF staff team went to Orlando for a weekend of relaxing, bonding and potty training(if you were Sam)  It was a great time to be sure, filled with karaoke, swimming, sun burns and a couple of games.  Sam is always entertainment enough.  Here he is decked out in some gear John bought for last fourth of july, in spirit with the theme of backwoods Branson.

and we took it to the beach!  If you look closely you can see skin burning on Jackie's legs!

Another special weekend came at the beginning of this month.  I got away with just me and the Lord all weekend.  I went to a beach condo owned by one of our student friend's parents.  They were generous enough to let me stay there.  It was so relaxing and amazing.  Here are a few of my views.
You know I am not a Florida girl since I opted for poolside on a lounge chair than on the sand.  I am just not used to the sand everywhere for the next week.
John and I had a great Easter.   I was grown up and cooked a full brunch for 7 of us.  And to work off the Risen Lord's Day brunch John and I rode our bikes around campus and discovered the AG side of UF.
nothing like a hottie on a bicycle I always say.

John and I on the Jesus bus in Atlanta

Some of the students joining us for a cookout at Lake Wauberg over the weekend.  Can you believe how beautiful this spot is?  The university owns it and students and affiliates can use it for free . . . volleyball . . . canoeing . . . watch out for the gators!  (A year ago this time my sis, bro and bro-in-law tipped their canoe in this lake . . . it was a good laugh for those not trying to hold a cooler and camera out of the water.)
And of course . . . the token picture of Sam.  He loves to play with his Dad!  

Navs in HotLanta

Last week, 18 of us from UF spent our Spring Break serving at a mission called Rescue Atlanta. RA is a church focused on ministering to the homeless, poor, broken, addicted, outcast, unwanted, etc of Atlanta....not your normal church.

We did all we could to help the church staff (most of whom were once homeless and drug addicted) for the week. We cleaned the walls, scrubbed the showers that are daily available to the homeless, prepared meals, brought food to the streets, prayed for people and spent a lot of time talking with those often overlooked. AND we rode "Jesus Buses" around the city!! (watch the video and you'll know what I mean) RA goes around town to pick up the homeless for church so imagine the 18 of us --mostly white-- traveling around the city in a Jesus Bus to pick up our friends--mostly black! Awesome.

We had a great time growing together as a community and having our hearts opened to those WE often fail to love as Jesus would.

Here's the video recap:

same same but different

This is apparently a vietnamese saying. I am not sure all the origin, except for that it refers to when something is the same, but different.

That is how I feel these days looking ahead.

We are for sure in Gainesville for another year. We are very excited about this. But we will be done with our training in May. So really we get a bonus year with our students and the staff. Same same but different

We are officially staying at our apartment for this upcoming year. I had not considered moving out of this apartment since we moved here. But the idea of renting a house and having a washing machine and dryer a few steps away sounded dreamy. However, we are staying but for a shorter lease and we are no longer the show unit. Mostly we love being the show unit, since it means $100 less on our rent every month. Our property management has just decided not to show occupied units. Shucks. Same same but different.

We are going overseas for 6 weeks this summer. Nothing similar about it, just different. We are SO excited and are going to Charlotte, NC for missions orientation this weekend for that trip.

And Atlanta has been our most visited destination this year. We are going again, but this time for a week to serve the homeless with our students for spring break.

I would love to share more and be altogether more interesting. But there is much to do!

My Sweet Valentines

Most of my life I have spent my valentine days alone or with girlfriends.  It is only in the past years that I have been blessed to call John valentine.  (Our first Valentine's Day he bought me a Chipotle Burrito, which of course stole my heart.)  But as I was thinking about this season of love, I realized that I have two valentines after my own heart.  Jesus and John.  One of our students commented that its not fair for me to have two valentines, and I replied that I have to love one in order to love the other!

What a lucky girl I am to have two knights after my heart!

John and I did celebrate Valentine's Day all day long.  I got up early to get him some doughnuts and coffee before he got up.  Doughnuts are the way to his heart.  Then we went out for lunch to avoid the crowds and enjoyed a delicious cajun meal in downtown Gainesville.  John continued loving me by feeding me by making my favorite meal for dinner.  Fajitas!  What a glorious day for me to have the love of my life cook for me the love of my taste buds.  

We had a great weekend, and my hope and prayer is that all of you find Jesus as your valentine too!

proud of my sis

Well most of the people who read my blog already know this, but it means enough to me to share with the blogging world, that my sis is a genius and is on her way to becoming a Physicians Assistant.  She was accepted to many PA programs across the US, which getting an interview is a feat in itself.  And she has chosen to go to school in Arizona.  Becca, she is coming to your state and they will need some Arizonan loving I am sure.

I am so proud of her, and her husband Eric for chasing their dreams and putting in the effort required to get where they are going.  Congrats April and Eric!  We love you and are proud of you.

important happenings

I didn't upload my pics in time to share what John got me as part of my birthday gift in my recent postings. He has bought me my sewing machine, the desk on which I sew and now the chair on which I sit and work on the desk on which I sew! What a guy. Its the cutest thing from Pier 1 and I love it. It is my salsa!Also, a pic of the restaurant he took me to in JAX. With my mangomamarita and the guac that knocks your socks off.

This week we had my aunt Lanae and uncle Lanny visit us in Gainesville while they were in Florida for vacation at Disney World. We enjoyed a few hours together on Monday. They owed us a starbucks treat because they bet against the Gators for the national championship. Suckers; you never bet agains the Gators. Just ask Joe and Joy, and Mark Smith. ha, we get quiet the loot for being Gators.

Important to notice though is the transformation Lanny underwent in just a few hours. From betting against the Gators to be being one. It doesn't take long. He left Gainesville wearing Gator gear.

And you wanna know why he became a Gator? Who wouldn't after running into Tim Tebow on campus. A heimans winner and quarterback of the Gators. We were looking at all his trophies and accolades in the stadium minutes before seeing him and getting a pic with him. Only in Gator Country!

Thats right. A Tebow sighting is something to blog about. Of course you know that John was embarrassed to be "the guy" who asks for a pic. So I did. And so John was "the guy" whose wife asks for the pic.

This weekend we are off for our spring conference with all the florida nav students. john is the director so if think to pray for him, our students (all 150 from across the state) and for our speaker Bill to bring the Word.

a recommendation

This is the book I have been reading now for 5ish months.  I am reading it consistently and slowly so that I can really absorb and work through the ideas she presents in this book.  I highly recommend it as Paula takes a look at different aspects of women's hearts and what it takes to be more open and honest about our hearts desires, wounds, needs and joys.  It has been really inviting to read, but has been one of the most challenging books I have read when it comes to being honest about your soul.  I love it.  Not finished, I am only 2/3 done which tells you how slow I am at processing and opening my little heart.  Hope you enjoy it is you pick it up.

birthday month

The only perk to not being with everyone you love on your birthday is that your celebration extends into days and weeks and the whole month as people love you.  This year was the first I did not celebrate in Fort Collins with my fam.  However that does not keep my mom and sister from making me feel special.  Thanks ladies for making me feel warm and cozy in Florida.  

My actual day was spent in Arizona at a wedding.  We snuck in some birthday festivities with free ice cream at 9 in the morning, grapefruit picking, sitting poolside with my brother and sister in law, a nail salon paint job (thanks Paul) and a chicago dog (thanks Pamela). And of course it was a special treat to see Becca the next day.

Once back in florida John had planned an evening in honor of my new age.  Last night we drove to Jaxsonville where there is a Cantina Loredo restaurant.  This summer John and I found this restaurant to be a haven for us in the middle of Branson Missouri.  I had no idea there was one in Florida.  But as we walked along a fun outdoor shopping plaza I saw the restaurant and knew that was were John was taking me.  It is always a little magical and romantic to explore nooks of new cities with my husband.  We love to try new spots and to imagine life there.   

What a lucky girl I am to be surrounded by people who make me feel treasured.  Thanks fam and friends, and thank You Lord for placing these in my life and for giving me abundant gifts in this life and eternity.  Here we go 24!

New Year New Look Right?

Thankfully I read other peoples blogs, and they remind me to switch mine up.  

these pics have nothing to do with a new look, except for the new babes that have entered our lives the past year.  We took these Teten pics on a blistery Christmas Day.  We are pretending we can be outside in  sweaters.  Fun crew eh?

my little orange blossom

So the Teten brigade jumped into a van and headed south for a wedding of Matt Brunk. It was a trip filled with memories and laughs and cold dips in Arizona pools. One of my highlights was getting to see Becca who now lives an hour from Phoenix. She was willing to drive down to see me after work on Saturday and we enjoyed tasty beer and food at the Yardhouse. A restaurant that holds great memories for John and I. It was such a special treat to get a few precious hours with my Becca and catch up. She is a dear friend and I am so glad it worked out to see each other since we have lived far away for three years now. Becca's beer was named Orange Blossom and that is how she became my little orange blossom. Yay for friends in desert places.

my neices

this christmas was the first time John and I got to see our precious nieces in one room together. We could not handle ourselves they were so cute. John's ultimate dream was not realized though, he really wanted to hold both babes in his arms. Oh well. Maybe when they are like 4! Here are some pics of them together and with their mommas.
I love this pic for obvious reasons. I wasn't even there to witness this, but Vivian is wearing the outfit that Pamela and I picked out for her for Christmas.



these babes are just amazing. And I admire their mothers for how much they have transformed their lives in order to care for such little ones. I am jealous for more time with them.

Posin's with the fam.

This was a quick little photo shoot my sister arranged as a gift for my mom.  It was freezing outside so we are trying our best not to hunch in frigidness.  But I love some of the ones Eric took.  Take a look.

a Savior is born

what a joy to be in Colorado, surrounded by family and fun and some of the best foods ever.  what a great opportunity to give and look forward to a new year.  all of it is so good, but what is so great is the real hope we have in the Savior born two thousand years ago.  He came to redeem the world to Himself.  And those who see with their eyes ad hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and turn, He will heal them.  I am so grateful for my Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer, praise His holy name.  

Merry Christmas to everyone.  He is the reason for the season.  

all praises to my God and King

the angels have been rejoicing over this heaven-bound soul. My friend Nikki (left) who I have been living life with for the past three years has been loving her roommate Colleen (right) and telling her what she knows about Jesus. Over the past three years Colleen has been curious yet uncertain about taking a step toward Christ.

The other day as Colleen was walking on campus she understood she was a sinner who needed a Savior for the first time. Praise God that He knew what it would take for her to see her need. And now she is my sister, my Kingdom neighbor, and I cannot wait to see what God has for her. What an amazing God I know and love. That He would reconcile me and Nikki and Colleen to Himself through sending His son. His very own Son bears the marks of His love for us in his hands. Thank You Jesus. Your love is incredible.

travels and thanksgiving

I am often reminded of my lack of blogging by my sister. I cannot believe a whole month has gone by right out from under me. In the past two weeks we have traveled to Tennessee and back and Georgia and back and plan on being in Wisconsin, Colorado and Arizona in the next three. Ahh. I am having a hard time feeling like it is the Christmas season with all of our busyness. I haven't even decorated our apartment since we have hardly been home.

But we have plenty to be thankful for. We had the privilege of spending our first thanksgiving in three years with family. We drove to Knoxville with Josh to spend the holiday weekend with David & Pamela, Nick & Katie, Caryn, and Lindsey . . . and then Ryan & Katie joined us for an hour or two on friday!

This is all of us at the park. We all are CSU alumni and met in Navs. How exciting to have God bring us together for thanksgiving in Knoxville. Who would have known?


We ate lots of food, played games, talked, cried, worshipped the Lord, drank coffee, laughed and drank more coffee. John and I loved staying at David and Pamela's apartment where the graciously made their home our home for a couple of days. After thanksgiving we decorated their apartment with Christmas delight.

We looked at Katie's wedding pics as the guys played some disc golf. Although we are scattered geographically, we are all learning to trust God in our various situations of life. Most exciting of all is the little Hamilton growing inside Katie (far left)

Also noteworthy is that John and David dressed alike!

great weekend!

Last weekend was so much fun. Most of our weekends are but last weekend was exceptional. We started it by playing Settlers of Catan with two couples from our church. Everyone ganged up on me as I gained more and more points until the win was stolen from me. But it wasn't enough to ruin the weekend.
The next morning I went to a Champagne Brunch for a new for the fouth time mom. Delicious food, fun atmosphere and girl time.
Then, late that day I swindled a deal with Jenny from AT&T (this was really exciting until tuesday when the wrong phones arrived and I spent 2 hours with Sean from AT&T trying to figure out what Jenny was thinking.)
So I was still thinking we were getting a great phone deal and John and I headed out on our date. We ate at Macaroni Grill and just had a relaxing time.

Soon Sunday morning came and we decided not to attend church but to play hookie hookie hippo. We rode our bikes to the grocery store and John make banana pancakes with cinnamon apples.
Later we got our hobby on and John fiddled with his bike as I tackled my apron for the first time this semester. I was delighted to see the end in sight and I finished that 2 year long project!
Of course I wore the apron to make a dinner of mashed potatoes and apple-pear chicken with the last bottle of Abbey left from New Belgium.
That apron did not leave my body all night long. I needed to make sure I did not spill while reading and watching TV!


I realize that food plays a big roll in making my life so good. I am thankful for a weekend to remember.

been to Colorado and back

I got to go back to Colorado for a weekend a couple of weeks ago. It as so much fun. Despite the fact that all of my treasured toiletries were taken from me at security because I was trying to save money by not checking my bag. While being distraught over my products, I arrived at my gate to find they were boarding already. I thought I was early, but I boarded nontheless. Only to find some man in my seat. After much confusion about seat assignments, my neighbor looked at my ticket and asked me "Are you are the right plane?" " Of course," I replied "we are headed for Houston (my layover,) and he said, "no, we are headed for Newark." So I frantically grabbed my things thinking for sure they would be locking me in soon. But I called John and we laughed together at my troubles. Eventually I made it to Colorado and enjoyed a great weekend.the reason I went home was to surprise my newly 18 year old brother for his last regular season home football game where he would be recognized on the field with his family. However, when I arrived at DIA, Brandon was there to surprise me. He had overheard April spill the beans about our plans. This is one of his senior pics that Eric took of him. What a stud.

They won the game which was important. They are undefeated!

I had so much fen being a part of this moment for my brother. He has worked so hard for years to be where he is at. And it has been so hard not to see him play every friday night and root him on. But I got to be there once, and it was amazing.

We also celebrated Brandon's 18th birthday. He has grown to love sushi as much as I do and so we went to his favorite and my favorite place in the world to get sushi, Suehiro. My parents are not so much into the sushi, but they grinned through it and might have made a few faces. I loved being with the fam.

We also saw some of my cousin's soccer games, we ate at the token spots, Lucilles and Big City. Obama was in town the same time I was, it was nice of the future president of the united states to plan his schedule according to mine.

Updates will come, as Bro is now in the playoffs and is ranked #2 in the state.

update

Wow! Thanks for praying for the retreat any of you who did. It went so well. You know it was a good retreat when the biggest problem was not ordering enough t-shirts.

The women I meet with are still talking about Deb's messages. It was such a blessing to be able to worship with women and learn about God's intricate design for us.

Women embracing God's design for us is a huge part of my heart in ministering to women. And this weekend was a perfect time for the Lord to reveal to soft hearts His love in fashioning them. Great is the Lord.

Women's Retreat

Would anyone join me in praying for our women's retreat this weekend?
Pray for Deb as she speaks three different times about God's design for us as women.
Pray for open hearts of college women and staff as we hear from God's Word.
Pray for relationships to build.
Pray for me as I direct the thing.
Pray for God to be ultimately and beautifully glorified by our gathering.

Thanks, I will let you know how it goes.