let's go to Luckenbach, TX

Luckenbach, TX is a small little nugget in the middle of Central Texas. It is about 30 to 45 minutes from Fredicksburg. If you have not ever been, you should, it's fun. But let me suggest that you google yourself directions so you don't get lost. You see, this was our second attempt to head to Luckenbach. The first time we were SO close but gave up way too soon. At least I thought so but Jeff seemed to think driving for an hour and half to try to locate was plenty of time. To each it's own, I guess. This time I told Jeff come hell or high water, we are going to Luckenbach, TX. Thankfully my googled directions lead us right to it or I would have lost out again. Proof that Luckenbach is a very small town! :)



When we parked, in a open field Jeff was feeling a bit unsure. His first words were "It looks like we are interrupting a private party. I don't want to crash a party." This was the day I gave him a new nickname, "Listen hear, Mr. San Diego, this is how it is done in Texas. We have no rules in Luckenbach, everyone is welcome. So get your butt out of the car and let's go see the sights."

The Luckenbach Post office was built in the 1800's and holds souvenirs and the little bar in the back. Jeff and I talked about how if someone dropped a cigarette butt too close to the building the whole place would burn in an instance. Fortunately we don't smoke so the building was still standing when we left. Hee! Hee!

Here is Mr. San Diego himself enjoying a Lone Star beer. California has wine, Texans have BEER! And he is even wearing his San Diego ball cap. Why have I not bought him a cowboy hat? Probably because he wears a size 7 3/4 hat and that is super huge! {PS. I have been praying for small headed children...}




Later, I played him the Luckenbach, TX song sung by Waylon and Willie. Mr. San Diego said, "What's the name of this song?"

"Luckenbach, TX."

"Hmm, interesting."

Which looking back on this conversation, I think he was pulling my leg about not knowing the song because he is a huge Willie fan so how could he not know "Let's go to Luckenbach, TX with Waylon, Willie and the boys"?

Luckenbach was a fun side trip and one I think everyone should experience at least once.

Posts coming soon...

Jeff is heading back to work tonight which means I am going to have a bit more time to myself and can maybe update the neglected blog

I promise to post about the following topics:

1) Our mini road trip with a pit stop in Luckenbach, TX
2) the latest organization trick I put together for traveling
3) and maybe a random topic or two for old times sake

I will be back soon...PROMISE!

The Supporting Role

Above is Jeff, teaching Children's Church. Sadly I did not have the camera with me to illustrate the story I am about to tell.

A few weeks ago I was practicing with the praise team before church, while Jeff sat out in the pews. It's the same scenario every Sunday I sing. We arrive together two hours before church starts and Jeff sits and watches us practice. I do not expect him to do this but he says he doesn't mind. As I was practicing the other day, I looked out into the audience and saw Jeff sitting contently on the sidelines. I stopped and said a quick prayer to myself for God to reverse the scenario--Jeff serving in his ministry and me sitting on the sidelines, supporting him.

This same Sunday we were teaching Children's Church. During the Hug & Howdy time, I saw Jeff walking behind the row of chairs where the children sit during praise and worship. As he walks, he is smiling and talking to each of the children. A few he is having to quiet down but most are behaving. As I watched, I realized that Jeff is where he loves to be, the back row surrounded by a bunch of children. Later we take the kids out to the playground. For a few minutes, he and I are both sitting on a little bench that allows us the perfect viewpoint of the children at play. One child comes over and Jeff begins asking him about his recent family vacation to New Jersey. This little boy is laughing and enjoying telling us every detail, Jeff is actively listening to every word. While they continue to talk, I realize more and more kids are coming over to talk to Jeff. At this time there are probably 5 kids standing in front of us. I was perfectly happy to sit back and watch the kids and Jeff interact with each other. A few minutes goes by and Jeff says, "Who wants to play a game?" I kid you not, every single child came running over to join in the game.

The game consisted of Jeff taking the kids through an made up obstacle course on the playground. Each child had to finish each stage in order to move ahead. What made me laugh was watching Jeff demonstrate each obstacle for the children. He was in his element. As I continued to sit on the bench, I realized for the first time that during Children's Church I was the supporting player. There is nothing more rewarding than to see your husband thrive in the ministry that God has given him.

Even on Sundays that we are not teaching Children's Church, the kids still come up to Jeff to tell him about their week or the upcoming events in their life. The supporting role is really one of my favorite ministries that God has given to me.

Thank you Lord for all that you have done in our lives.

A Happy 4th of July

Jeff and I had so much fun this year celebrating 4th of July. We kicked off the weekend with fireworks at Jeff's cousin's house. Doug & Libby's backyard is the perfect viewing spot for the firework show.

(Click on the Picture to view the pictures bigger)

The next morning we celebrated Cousin Britt's first birthday which was duckie themed. Tim & Brandy filled the pool with rubber ducks, it turned out to be great fun for the little cousins to throw at each other. Baby Britt is such a honey with kissable cheeks, the best babies in my opinion are the ones with...kissable cheeks. At the end of the party, Brandy and I jumped in the pool with our clothes on, it was too hot not to.

We finished off the 4th with a cookout at the in-laws house. Every party has a pooper and this year's pooper was the little nephew. He is still the cutest littlest nephew yet.

By Sunday, Jeff and I were exhausted. After church we went to see Public Enemy...Sunday Movie matinee's are my favorite summer tradition. I ended the weekend falling asleep at 9 and slept until 7 that morning. Yep, I was tired but the weekend was chalk full of laughter and fond memories..

Happy Birthday America and Cousin Britt

Happy 4Th Of July!

This weekend is jammed packed full of 4th of July celebrations. I can't wait celebrating America's freedom, watching fireworks and spending the weekend relaxing.

Happy 4th of July everyone!

Let freedom ring!!!

Waving My White Flag

I have been working on a little ditty called surrender. Oh man, it hasn't been easy but it something that has to be done. I must surrender to the LORD'S PLAN FOR MY LIFE AND NOT SUSAN'S PLAN.

A friend asked me almost a year ago, "What will you do if you never have children?" In my head I thought to myself "Whatever, it will never happen. We will have children." Out loud I said, "Move ahead with joy, I guess, because I will not be a bitter, barren woman." And we laughed at the thought of me becoming bitter and the word barren. Yet, it has been my biggest fear thus far in my life. Bitter and Barren are strange words to me.

Hang with me please.

By no means are you to read this post and think Jeff and I are giving up on children. But I must tell you this in order to get you to the point I am trying to make. Sometimes life does not turn out the way we choose. If Jeff and I had our way, we would be spending this summer decorating our new home with hopefully a little one on the way. None of these things have happened though, so we are learning to move ahead.

Questions I find myself working through...Does it mean that God is not there because the Clomid didn't work? NO! Does it mean that He cares for us any less because we are still in a holding pattern? NO! God has shown us over and over that His hand is guiding us every step of the way. Over the past three years, Jeff and I have grown closer in our marriage and both of us would say that our quiet times have been sweeter because of the waiting period. To God be the glory great things He hath done.

But let me tell you about what God is doing in my heart, today. One, I am realizing that I don't need to plan the next detail or sit wondering about the what ifs, I can live fully even if the wait seems long (or if the wait goes on forever). I have found that I am more relaxed because I am not allowing the hope of a house or baby to be my ultimate joy. My ultimate joy is living in the moment, serving God fully and giving Him the reigns for every aspect of my life. I know one day I am going to look back on this season and shed a few happy tears. I can look back even now and shed a few happy tears because of all that God has done in our hearts. Again, to God be the glory great things He hath done.

Is it easy to let go? Hell, no! (Sorry I just had to say it with that amount of force.) But has it been rewarding? Hell, YEA it has! (Sorry, last time I say it like that, promise)

And to make this post even more hippity-hoppity-all over the place. When I was in high school, I was introduced to Rich Mullins music. I heart me some Rich Mullin's tunes.

One song, above all has stuck with me to this day. It's call Hold Me Jesus. There is one line that I have chewed on many times in recent weeks, it so describes what I am going through.

Surrender don't come natural to me

I'd rather fight You for something I don't really want

Than to take what You give that I need

And I've beat my head against so many walls

Now I'm falling down, I'm falling on my knees

Last night I did something I have been meaning to do for sometime now. I went to my home Church's prayer garden. There is a section of open field where three crosses stand in the sun. I grabbed my camera so I could document this journey. Last night, before the sun went down, I sat at the cross and sang, "I Surrender All." I didn't really care if anyone heard me or saw me worshipping there. It wasn't about how I looked or sounded, it was what was going on inside my heart that really mattered.

When all was said and done, I left that garden a changed woman. I fully surrender to the Lord's plan for my life. Kids or no kids. House or no house. I rest in His plans for me. It feels good but strange at the same time. I was quite comfortable carrying that burden around with me these past few years. But not anymore, I am freed from the need to do things my own way. God, you are fully in control with whatever this life leads.








All to Jesus, I surrender. All to Him I freely give. I will ever love and trust Him, in His presence daily live. I surrender all. I surrender all. All to thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.