What's your story?

I got the great privilege of being able to share about my Spain trip/experience at church on Sunday morning. I got to share about why I went and what it was like, the positives and negatives, and how God taught my heart in it, and the struggles of returning home, and how I *must* carry forth the changes as I move into the future. It was a great opportunity to share what God has done and can do in His world!

As I was preparing for this over lunch with the three preachers, we talked about the importance of sharing your story with fellow brothers and sisters in the church. The positive benefits of telling someone else the things you've been through, the struggles and blessings, and the way God has changed your life through certain circumstances. I know this to be true because not only have I enjoyed sharing with people about Spain, but since I've started sharing, so many people have come up to me and wanted to share their stories as well!! I had a cancer survivor share with me the awesome strength she felt in Christ even though the doctor's appointment kept presenting bad news! I heard from a teacher who spent many years as a missionary in Mexico. I could tell his heart was still in it! Wanting to go back! I've heard about a man who learned the power of prayer through a trip to Thailand.

Keep sharing!!! It allows you a chance to process the information, praise God because of it, and possibly encourage someone else who needs to be reminded of joy and peace!

SEE IT!!

I just saw this movie. I thought it was great! If you've ever looked at biology or chemistry or physics or the Sandia mountains turn pink at sunset and thought it was just too beautiful to imagine darwinian evolution made it, intelligent design is for you!

Slow Down!!

My week in Vegas was great. There's something special about the sights and sounds of Las Vegas. I think it has to do with the energy in the air. Driving from Hoover Dam about midnight, and rounding the mountain until you're almost in view of the city lights is remarkably full of excitement! You can see the glow of the city from about 70 miles away and you're just waiting and waiting for the white neon sign to rise up from over the mountains. A superficial manmade sunrise. We got our pictures taken with a real Vegas showgirl, dined at a fancy banquet at the Wynn Hotel and Casino, worked our tails off at the Zia booth at the Arabian Breeder's World Cup Horse Show, and even got to indulge a little In 'n Out burger.

The beginning of the set up.

















The final set up.


Brother and Sister all fancy.


I chatted with Deborah about San Miguel, Mexico, her beautiful jewelry, and life in New Mexico. Visit her webpage at www.deborahvaughndesigns.com if you're interested in some beautiful authentic jewelry for yourself or your wife!







We got home on Monday and I'm very thankful that I decided to go to the softball double header, because if I had been in bed at 10:30pm, I had a very good shot of being hit by the stray bullet that decided to fall out of the sky, through my bedroom roof, and land under my bed. Mom and Dad said they heard "something" but it wasn't until I got home and saw the pieces of ceiling on my bed that we panicked. Turns out it was a bullet, the hole in the roof confirmed it. The nice policeman that came by said that it was unlikely it would have killed me had I been laying there.

Ho hum

I haven't written in a while. I think it's because I don't have anything new or exciting to share! I let my car stretch her legs out on the open road this week on a trip down to Odessa, Texas. Visiting with Esther gave me a renewed spirit. (She moved down there while I was in Spain, and she wasn't going to get a chance to come up to Alb. any time soon, so I went to visit!) We hung out, did some work, I got to meet her friends, have some girl talk, and I got to experience Odessa in its splendor. I enjoyed showing her all my photos from Spain and telling stories that go with them. That's been my favorite part since being home. The people who are genuinely interested in hearing, and those who are willing to take the time to sit down and actually listen. =) Her youth minister at her church joined us, so that was fun. I remember when she first got hired as the Children's minister down there, and we were excited because we were both working in our "first" ministries. I think we've both learned that whether it's a good situation or a bad situation, God can use us and we can learn. Always.

I've also been sharing little anecdotes from Spain with the youth group at church. Every Sunday night, Ben gives me the opportunity to share. I've talked with them about my first few hours in Spain being lost at the airport, and I shared with them about going "fishing for men" with Pilar in the plaza. Tonight I'm going to talk about how I got to mix and pour cement Casas por Cristo style in Spain. How God can use all the gifts and experiences we have to serve Him. How we are uniquely built little people who have so much to offer Him. I enjoy these times of sharing because the room full of mid and high schoolers are actually quiet. They listen. I think it's out of genuine interest. That's nice.

In regard to what I'm going to do next, I think getting a job and staying in Albuquerque is lowest on the list. We'll see. I think in order to make a true decision, I have to seek God more. Until I get my act together enough to do that, no decisions can be made.

This week I'm off to Vegas to work a horse show with my brother. We're driving. Total of 7 days. I'm supposed to put five dollars on Red for Barb. Any other bets?