Stick and stones....well actually, just sticks

4:30am was the time that we had to wake up to make our flight to Kansas on Thursday morning. The airport was the busiest we had ever seen with travelers flying to all different parts of the world to see family and friends for Christmas. Our destination was Wichita, Kansas to join the rest of the Sandersons for the holidays. Apparently not too many other people wanted to go to Kansas this year because once we made it past the incredibly long line to security, we found ourselves at a very sparse gate where the plane is so small they board everyone at one time. We made it onto our flight in time and it was smooth sailing all the way to Wichita. Kyle and I had to pack three suitcases to fit all our clothing and the many Christmas gifts we brought for everyone. Once we collected our bags we found Debra, Kyle's sister, faithfully waiting for us right outside the baggage claim. As we were driving home we enjoyed the beautiful scenery thanks to the huge ice storm they had just a few days before. Here are some pictures of the Sanderson's house.




That night we enjoyed just hanging out with the other half of our family that we dont' get to see as often. The next day we slept in and went to Roy's for lunch. I wish I got a picture of Roy's because my description surely won't do it justice. They told me it was a BBQ place and so being a Southern California girl all my life, I was picturing a place like Rattler's or Wood Ranch. Well, Roy's was more of a backwoods southern BBQ. It was the tiniest place you'd ever seen with only a few sit down tables very close together. You wait in line to order your food with a very simple menu...BBQ, BBQ, and more BBQ. Oh yeah, they had BBQ beans as well. The lady who took our order knew the Sanderson family well and was as sweet as pie with her dainty southern accent. She took our order and added up our total with a hand held caculator. I can't remember the last time I saw someone do that! I ordered a half a BBQ brisket sandwich and boy was it delicious! With it's small town charm and delicious food, I can surely see why this place is a favorite for the Sandersons. Thanks again to the ice storm, we spent a good part of the afternoon picking up huge branches that had been splattered all across the Sanderson's yard. You would not believe how much the trees were demolished from the storm. It took Dad, Kyle, Debra, and me a good few hours just to haul the large branches to the front of the house where the city will pick them up later in the week. We didn't even attempt to pick up all the sticks that now cover the lawn and driveway. Here are some pictures of it.

Christmas Time Is Here!

My favorite time of year is the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I love the cold weather, hot drinks, Christmas lights, holiday aromas, Christmas carols....you name it! I LOVE Christmas! Poor Kyle has to patiently endure me as I get in "all things Christmas" mode. He does a good job of getting into as best he can:) We have decided to make it a tradition to get our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. So, on Friday we headed off to Target (we are a poor seminary family you know) and purchased ourselves a stunning 6 foot Christmas tree. Okay so it's not the prettiest tree you've ever seen with it's large gaps all around and needles falling all over the place, but it's ours and we love it! We enjoyed playing the Carpenter's Christmas CD as we decorated with the few ornaments that we have. I was able to get all our Christmas shopping done that morning and much of the wrapping finished so we even have gifts under the tree! Teamed up with our stockings hung on the wall (for lack of a fireplace), white lights bordering the inside of our apartment, and wreath hanging on our front door, we are definitely in Christmas time mode. Here are some pics of us decorating our beautiful tree:)

Our 1 Year Anniversary

On November 11, we celebrated our one year anniversary! The Friday before our anniversary, we went out to dinner at Chevy's for some yuumy Mexican food, and then we went to Pantages Theater to see the musical Wicked. We both really enjoyed the show and had a great time together. On our actual anniversary, my parents treated us to a nice brunch at The Smokehouse. We planned on watching our wedding on DVD after that, but our plans were interrupted when the power went out at our apartment. We were able to watch the DVD a couple of days later though. Then at bible study the next week, we had to feed each other cupcakes in honor of our anniversary! Here are some pictures. We are so thankful for the past year. The Lord has truly blessed us by giving us each other.

Belle and Tigger

More of my adorable niece and nephew!

Shelby as the most beautiful Belle!

And Jason as the cutest Tigger!


And I'm really not biased! Don't you agree that they are the cutest children ever? :)

JD

My sister just sent me these pictures of Jason and I had to post them!

Shopping for Time

Our little book club will be beginning our next book, Shopping for Time by the Mahaney girls in just a couple of weeks. This is a very short little book and yet it's topic applies to every detail of our lives! We are excited to learn how to be better stewards of our time and yet I think we're all a little scared of the high standard we know this book will remind us of! So let me know if you want to read along with us!

A Hospitable Heart Opened

Well, we have officially finished our book. I definitely enjoyed it, some chapters more than others. This chapter on Lydia seemed very short to me, but I did really like it. One line I underlined in this chapter said, “Lydia was a remarkable woman who appeared suddenly and unexpectedly in the biblical narrative, reminding us that while God’s sovereign purposes usually remain hidden from our eyes, He is always at work in secret and surprising ways to call out a people for His name.” I think one thing that has really stuck out to me in every chapter we’ve read, is how from a human perspective, it is almost surprising to see the women He has chosen to follow him. A young teenage girl to be Christ’s mother, a demon-possessed woman to be one of His most adamant followers, women who struggle with deep discontentment and selfishness—women just like us! How gracious God is to choose any of us to follow Him! None of us deserve it yet God has given us the most wonderful gift imaginable—salvation!

I have been so reminded of that precious gift as we’ve read this book and also have hope for the unbelievers in our lives who do not yet know our Lord, but who are just as much candidates for His grace as we were! This chapter really focuses on how God was the one who opened Lydia’s heart. How foolish I am to forget that at times. And once the Lord had opened up her heart, she was so faithful and obedient. What an encouragement this chapter was!