Jeremy made this video and showed it to me as the proposal. I had no idea that he had talked to my dad and bought a ring! Totally caught me by surprise!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Freshly Fallen Snow
Who would of thought that when I moved to Dallas I would experience such wintery weather? In my whole childhood in Austin, I think I could count on one hand the number of times I saw snow and that snow was usually barely enough to measure. A few weeks ago my school was hit with freezing temperatures, ice, and snow. It was the coldest weather I have ever been in. We couldn't leave campus for several days, I ran out of "good" food, and got a mild case of cabin fever.
Reflecting back on it, I was rather
annoyed with the snowy weather. Why did it have to come and throw off my whole schedule? How inconvenient it was. How much I wanted to drive to the store and not worry about sliding on ice. But now I realize how often I am annoyed with God's creation as if it were getting in my way. Why must we disconnect ourselves from it so often? Yesterday I made myself lay in the grass, take off my shoes, and just enjoy the beauty all around me. I feel silly for caring more about attending classes and working than taking time to slow down and share in a blessing of cold weather. 
Moral of the story is: take time to enjoy nature around you. Stop and appreciate it. Take a long breath of God's refreshing air that He so freely gives us.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
It has been TOO long!
Life.has.been.busy.
I have been itching to update my blog since things got crazy last semester, but it just has not been at the top of my priority list. Winter break was nice. It was extremely busy, but nice to live in Austin for a bit. I was taking (and still am) an online class, so that made it a little less like a break, unfortunately. My classes at DBU are very good so far, just a little hectic since my online class goes to the end of February. I hope that I balance it all well. There's a lot of things that I can't wait to blog about! They will be a little late, but still interesting I hope.
Happy semester to all you college-goers!
-Amber
oh and p.s. I can't wait for graduation. August 5th, 2011!
I have been itching to update my blog since things got crazy last semester, but it just has not been at the top of my priority list. Winter break was nice. It was extremely busy, but nice to live in Austin for a bit. I was taking (and still am) an online class, so that made it a little less like a break, unfortunately. My classes at DBU are very good so far, just a little hectic since my online class goes to the end of February. I hope that I balance it all well. There's a lot of things that I can't wait to blog about! They will be a little late, but still interesting I hope.
Happy semester to all you college-goers!
-Amber
oh and p.s. I can't wait for graduation. August 5th, 2011!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
His Steadfast Love
Last night and this morning I went to the women's conference at the Village. It was a really great time of fellowship, worship, and awesome teaching. I was unsure at first of how good the teaching would be. Lauren Chandler is ALL girl, with a super soft voice, and she definitely fits the typical female vocalist mold. So, I felt like she was teaching just because she was Matt's wife, but not really because she was particularly gifted in that area. Last night she told us that she would feel much more comfortable behind a mic singing than teaching up front as Matt does. She went on to explain how God had asked her to speak this weekend and said that He would enable her to do it. He definitely did! I was impressed, though skeptical at first. Her first talk was good, but today she brought it. The teaching was centered on Psalm 107, reflecting on God's steadfast love according to that chapter.
.JPG)
"Sometimes He wrings the worship from our hearts" was the statement that Lauren started off with on Friday. She then preceded to go through the different ways in Ps 107 that we come to know God's steadfast love in a deeper way: the desert, prison, folly, and the storm. Lauren talked about how we get to each of those places and how God rescues us out of them. My favorite thing about her teaching was that she constantly cross-referenced to other parts of the Scripture. The whole teaching was saturated with the Word.
.JPG)
Jourdan Burks led worship, Jeff Johnson's fiance, and it was incredible. Look her up on itunes because she is so talented. When Lauren finished teaching today, she led us with Jourdan in a time of worship. It was a really special moment for me because I have a terrible cough, and I was not able to sing the whole time. I sang this time, though, and it felt so great to be able to! We sang some of my favorite songs, and after hearing the profound teaching, there was so much to respond to God with in worship. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to go to this conference, the great girls I got to go with (Gina&Paige), and the awesome privilege of meeting and talking with Lauren Chandler. Whenever I have heroes in the faith, I always want to express to them how they have affected my walk with Christ. The Chandlers have affected my faith and life more than they will ever know, but today I was able to express that to Lauren and encourage her by it. She kind of teared up. It was a special moment. I told her that they had been amazing examples to me and to Jeremy and that I was thankful for their transparency. I am. They are great leaders, and I couldn't ask for a better church. God is showing me His steadfast love through that church, and I am excited for all that He will continue to do and work in me there. Give Thanks to Him for His Steadfast Love.
Last night and this morning I went to the women's conference at the Village. It was a really great time of fellowship, worship, and awesome teaching. I was unsure at first of how good the teaching would be. Lauren Chandler is ALL girl, with a super soft voice, and she definitely fits the typical female vocalist mold. So, I felt like she was teaching just because she was Matt's wife, but not really because she was particularly gifted in that area. Last night she told us that she would feel much more comfortable behind a mic singing than teaching up front as Matt does. She went on to explain how God had asked her to speak this weekend and said that He would enable her to do it. He definitely did! I was impressed, though skeptical at first. Her first talk was good, but today she brought it. The teaching was centered on Psalm 107, reflecting on God's steadfast love according to that chapter. .JPG)
"Sometimes He wrings the worship from our hearts" was the statement that Lauren started off with on Friday. She then preceded to go through the different ways in Ps 107 that we come to know God's steadfast love in a deeper way: the desert, prison, folly, and the storm. Lauren talked about how we get to each of those places and how God rescues us out of them. My favorite thing about her teaching was that she constantly cross-referenced to other parts of the Scripture. The whole teaching was saturated with the Word. .JPG)
Jourdan Burks led worship, Jeff Johnson's fiance, and it was incredible. Look her up on itunes because she is so talented. When Lauren finished teaching today, she led us with Jourdan in a time of worship. It was a really special moment for me because I have a terrible cough, and I was not able to sing the whole time. I sang this time, though, and it felt so great to be able to! We sang some of my favorite songs, and after hearing the profound teaching, there was so much to respond to God with in worship. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to go to this conference, the great girls I got to go with (Gina&Paige), and the awesome privilege of meeting and talking with Lauren Chandler. Whenever I have heroes in the faith, I always want to express to them how they have affected my walk with Christ. The Chandlers have affected my faith and life more than they will ever know, but today I was able to express that to Lauren and encourage her by it. She kind of teared up. It was a special moment. I told her that they had been amazing examples to me and to Jeremy and that I was thankful for their transparency. I am. They are great leaders, and I couldn't ask for a better church. God is showing me His steadfast love through that church, and I am excited for all that He will continue to do and work in me there. Give Thanks to Him for His Steadfast Love. |
| All of us with Lauren Chandler |
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
And He brought them out of their distresses.
He caused the storm to be still,
So that the waves of the sea were hushed.
Then they were glad because they were quiet,
So He guided them to their desired haven.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for His steadfast love,
And for His wonders to the sons of men!
And He brought them out of their distresses.
He caused the storm to be still,
So that the waves of the sea were hushed.
Then they were glad because they were quiet,
So He guided them to their desired haven.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for His steadfast love,
And for His wonders to the sons of men!
-Ps 107:28-31
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Cheesecake?
Cheesecakes are calling to me. I want to bake one!I just can't decide which kind....I have made a lot of different kinds in the past: chocolate, chocolate swirl, white chocolate raspberry, white chocolate peppermint, brownie cheesecake, and turtle (to name some off the top of my head). Pumkin and pecan cheesecakes sound good to me right now. They're just so much fun to make :-)
Now I must work on History of Christianity homework for my quiz at 8am. joy.
-AB
 |
| Ethan and Paige came over for dinner last night, and then we made cheesecake brownies!Yum! |
This week has been a good one, good in the sense that it has been hard, but fulfilling. I am trying to work more diligently in my classes, which is a hard thing for me to find balance doing because I tend to over-work myself for school (this semester I am struggling with the perseverance in academics that has come so naturally in previous semesters). Even though I have been fighting a cold/cough thing, God has given me a great week. I know that He has sustained me through my classes and responsibilities.
This weekend I have the privilege of attending the Women's Conference at the Village (Gina is coming with me)! This is such an exciting thing for me to be able to go to this, and I don't know if I will have this opportunity again. Lauren Chandler is teaching on God's steadfast love, almost a year after Matt's seizure and the beginning of their fight against cancer. She will have a lot to share, I'm sure, from her journey and how it has impacted her faith.
 |
| Turtle Cheescake! |
 |
| This is a white chocolate peppermint cheesecake. I have also made a white chocolate raspberry with this recipe. |
Cheesecakes are calling to me. I want to bake one!I just can't decide which kind....I have made a lot of different kinds in the past: chocolate, chocolate swirl, white chocolate raspberry, white chocolate peppermint, brownie cheesecake, and turtle (to name some off the top of my head). Pumkin and pecan cheesecakes sound good to me right now. They're just so much fun to make :-)
Now I must work on History of Christianity homework for my quiz at 8am. joy.
-AB
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Kleenex, Coffee Dates, and Road Trips
One of my favorite things in the world is letters. I like to write them and receive them. Today there were 2 letters in my mailbox :-) and a mysterious package from my sister Rachel. It turned out to be a mini-kleenex box. She sent it to me just for fun. I smiled.
Last weekend Gina and I went over to Randy and Kristy Stephen's house because Gina needed to interview some kids and adults together for her children's ministry class. It was a wonderful night and especially refreshing to talk about ministry and its purpose. We had so much fun and hope to hang out with them more in the future! 
Yesterday Jeremy, Zach, Josh, and Brenda came up here to go to a Thousand Foot Krutch concert. Jeremy just came to spend time with me. It refreshed my heart and soul. One of my assignments for Philosophy was due at 12am last night, so I made myself finish it earlier in the day, and then I really enjoyed my time with Jeremy. We ate at Taco Cabana, which was filled with Rangers fans (go Rangers!), and then had a coffee date at Starbucks. mmmm.
It is raining outside right now, I have the town home to myself, and I am going to spend the day doing something very important...nothing!I haven't had a day where I did nothing in a long time. Now, clearly I will do something, but I don't have to. Phew. What a relief after these past few weeks.
-Amby
p.s. Monday is one month till Thanksgiving. Bring on the Turkey and Macy's Parade!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Take Time to Watch the Ducks
I wish I had something crazy interesting to write about, but sadly nothing comes to mind, and I am updating simply for the sake of updating.
Though I have tons of ideas for interesting blog posts, it is difficult to find time to sit down and write.
time.
My sister said to me recently that the world would be very different if everyone could control time. I said I would hate it because my life would be a mess, even messier than now, but she was more open to the idea of being able to stop time, slow it down, and speed it up. Not that she thinks she would be better at it than God, but just that it interests her. Thoughts?
I am doing much better this Wednesday night than the last. Last Wednesday I hit my breaking point. I am not sure exactly what threw me over the edge, but sadly I think it was a lecture that was poorly structured and poorly presented in one of my classes. It put me over the top in my frustrations with school. I love my school and enjoy my classes, but I was completely overwhelmed with all of my papers, tests, quizzes, and various other assignments.
Two wonderful friends at work noticed that I wasn't exactly doing "well" and took time to talk with me about why school is weighing so heavily on me this semester. They reminded me that I must take time for myself, to rest and just "be" rather than "do." Great advice I'de say! The next day I sat down by a lake, sort of, outside my town home. I just sat there and watched the ducks. It was wonderful. Yesterday I started slipping into that same overwhelming feeling, so I quickly escaped to the lake and watched the sunset. Nature soothes and calms me. I love it. It helped a lot to sit out there.
Take time this week to watch the ducks :-)
I wish I had pictures to make this post super cool, but they are all on my phone :-(
-AB
Though I have tons of ideas for interesting blog posts, it is difficult to find time to sit down and write.
time.
My sister said to me recently that the world would be very different if everyone could control time. I said I would hate it because my life would be a mess, even messier than now, but she was more open to the idea of being able to stop time, slow it down, and speed it up. Not that she thinks she would be better at it than God, but just that it interests her. Thoughts?
I am doing much better this Wednesday night than the last. Last Wednesday I hit my breaking point. I am not sure exactly what threw me over the edge, but sadly I think it was a lecture that was poorly structured and poorly presented in one of my classes. It put me over the top in my frustrations with school. I love my school and enjoy my classes, but I was completely overwhelmed with all of my papers, tests, quizzes, and various other assignments.
Two wonderful friends at work noticed that I wasn't exactly doing "well" and took time to talk with me about why school is weighing so heavily on me this semester. They reminded me that I must take time for myself, to rest and just "be" rather than "do." Great advice I'de say! The next day I sat down by a lake, sort of, outside my town home. I just sat there and watched the ducks. It was wonderful. Yesterday I started slipping into that same overwhelming feeling, so I quickly escaped to the lake and watched the sunset. Nature soothes and calms me. I love it. It helped a lot to sit out there.
Take time this week to watch the ducks :-)
I wish I had pictures to make this post super cool, but they are all on my phone :-(
-AB
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