The New Schoon's

Our trip to Baton Rouge was spectacular. We had the best time. Our hearts were filled and refreshed. We met all of Allison's friends that we feel like we have known for years. We have anticipated this day for years and it was all that we ever hoped and more. Allison and Chad's group of friends are fabulous. They are servants. They encourage and edify each other openly and have fun doing it. Seriously y'all, it was such a wonderful experience to be around her community of friends.

Here are some Bridals I got the privilege of taking early Friday morning::





Allison was a beautiful bride. Chad was a humble and precious groom. Every part of the weekend was centered on Christ, full of thankfulness and worship. The Wedding was perfect. I was more than honored to be a bridesmaid.

Video Recap

California!!!! from Amber Burger on Vimeo.

Song on Video:: Oh! Gravity by Switchfoot

We had so much fun! This is just a little taste of what all we did in our short 40hours in Southern Cali. No video or cameras allowed at the show...so no footage of the main event but plenty of the rest! I will write all about the show when my mind is working a little better :) !

I am the Second Man Now

I am sitting here listening to my beloved Switchfoot playlist. Its full of my fav Switchfoot songs...its amazing. Totally my love language. I am excited about its growth come fall with their new album. But all that is beside the point. Except that the song that is playing now is 24. The lyrics took me back to this last weekend and all the Lord did in my heart.

"I am not who I thought I was 24 hours ago...You are raising the dead in me, I am the second man now."

I went to Houston this past weekend to lead worship for an event for single women. It was so precious and dear to my heart because I spent so much time as a single women in that very church and in particular the very room we used was the room in which I spent many a day hearing the Word of God taught. I can't imagine my life now if it wasn't for those days, for those times of nearness with the Lord. Feeling very nostalgic as I always do when I go to Houston, I woke up early Saturday morning and took a drive. I went to Uptown Park Starbucks where I use to work and was a 'getaway' place for me. The Lord did so much in my heart there. Just pulling up I was moved by His nearness to me. Then I drove down Silber and pulled into the Mission parking lot. Did a u-turn and headed to HFBC where I sat in the parking lot and bawled like a baby. During the drive I turned on KSBJ (God Listens :)). The songs that came on were as if God planned the playlist for me. I was moved by His faithfulness. His faithfulness to change me. I kept noticing along the drive how many things had change. In my heart I knew that was a word for me. I began to think back at who I was then and by the grace of God, I hardly know that person. He has refined me, changed me, moved me and humbled me over and over. He has so faithfully taught me time and time again. I love that the Lord changes us. Yes and Amen.

The majoirty of my time in H-town was spent with two of my all time BFF's Amy and Allison. I can not tell you how much this was water to my weary soul. Just sitting with them encourages me. They have seen me change from that young single girl to this old mother of two and have loved me at every stage. Friends like these are priceless. I don't tell you two enough how thankful I am for you. I love you both dearly.

Leading up to the weekend I prayed that this person:

would come out. I really didn't know if that was possible. It's been years since I had the chance to lead in this capacity. I was thankful that the Lord does not need talent or precision to be worshiped and praised. He is so Faithful. Amen.

One of my favorite parts of life right now is watching my sweet friends become moms. I am not sure why, but it brings me overwhelming JOY to watch as the Lord blesses them and teaches them how to mother their sweet children. With this said a blessing that I received while in Houston was seeing Becky and Laurel. I love that little Laurel. She is so precious...seriously love her! And seeing Becky is always a joy. Then I got the privilege of going to the parent commitment (baby dedication) of little Judah Altic, Annabeth Jones and The Smith Kids. I was nearly crying the majority of the ceremony. I kept remembering back to 2000 and random memories of SBU. It was surreal really. I was taken by the graciousness of our God to be so giving to my sweet friends. They have wonderful marriages, ministries and families. Kay, Amanda and Star, you guys are amazing mommies. Your children are blessed to have you as their mother. Thank you Lord for your kindness to my sweet friends.

Last but not least, I LOVED spending time with Janelle on the ride down and back. Janelle, your friendship is so dear to me. Thanks for pulling us in and making us feel a part of things here. Thanks for always being honest, sharing your heart and always being up for fun! You are a blessing to me.

Change. Old being made new. Faithfulness. Thankfulness. Beautiful.

This is the song I've been singing Him since my return:

Where He Is and Where He Is Not

Vernon left yesterday, along with a team from The Village Church, for Sudan. This is his first trip of the year and he was very excited. He called today from Uganda and said the flights were great and they were at their hotel. Everything was going great so far.

As for back home, he is not. When he is gone his presence in our home is greatly missed. I know I say this every time but it really does NOT get easier the more he goes. Often times people say, "well I guess you are use to it...since he goes all the time," to which I nod and smile. But really, "use to it" would not really do adequate justice to the emotions that I feel every time he departs. I LOVE what we do. I LOVE Sudan, the orphans, the widows, Bishop and the gang at EPC but I LOVE my husband too. That last kiss at the airport is never easy...but its worth it. The Gospel is worth it. The Name of Christ being made know to the Nations is worth it.

I would ask you to pray for the guys as the travel. They will be updating the Village Blog HERE if you would like to follow along(this blog will have other post besides just theirs). I will try to update the His Voice Blog as much as I can. I would also ask you to pray for my boys. I use to get the brunt of the Spiritual Warfare leading up to our trips and during them, but since we have had children it seems to be shifted towards them...night terrors, restlessness, bad dreams etc. This in turn wears on me.
I was overwhelmed yesterday as I felt a peace flow across our home upon our return home from the airport. I could literally feel the prayers of our church and friends. So those of you who are praying THANK YOU!!!

On a different note, there is another place Vernon is not. That is the Desiring God Pastor's Conference. Every year in February, for a brief moment(VERY BRIEF) I wish I was a Pastor! So I could get into the conference. So since I can't, I blog stalk it. I wait patiently as each speakers notes are posted and mp3's are up....I know I am a nerd....but I love good Theology and great Preaching...I'm a sucker for it. So if you are a sucker like me...GO HERE and listen and learn! The messages are SOO good!

Northwest Missouri Tour

We had a great trip to Missouri. We spent 12 days in MO visiting family and visiting churches in order to raise awareness and funds for the His Voice for Sudan Orphanages. It was a GREAT trip. The Lord did some incredible thing through churches we visited. We had a blast seeing family, visiting friends and meeting new people.
When we come to MO each fall, my mom gets all my family together to have a big party. This year the theme was "safari." I grew up close to most of my cousins and we are all close in age. So our children now are all close in age so it makes for ALOT of fun getting together. My Grandma is the best party thrower. It is always so much fun for the children. Each kid got assigned an animal and all for their party favors went along with that animal. She even brought a LION PINATA! So fun! This time with the fam was a definite highlight, here are some others:
* Seeing Sarah and Andrew and meeting there Awesome youth!
* John Summit suprising us in Liberty. (and talking to Steve Pullen on the phone!)
* Vernon's first four-wheeler ride! (the pastor from FBC Stanberry took Vernon out for a day to experience rural life...a new experience for a city boy!)
* Going to my nephew walkers academic bowl meet.
* Going to watch my nephews play football.
* King City's homecoming- the first King City football game I have gone too since I crowned the queen who came after me NINE years ago.
* Seeing "the girls" at the KC game. Jo, Dana, Janeen and April...i do love you girls!
* Seeing by Bro and Sis.
* Staying with Danny and Malory. (and taking her prego pics...she is so cute!)
* Seeing my childhood BFF, Danielle, and her family!
* Staying with the Kearns'
* Meeting the people of Stonebridge.
* Seeing Ang and Jeff and watching Micah walk!!!! (he can not possibly be old enough to walk!)
----i am sure there are more highlights...but for now....Missouri friends and family ... We love you and miss you!
Here are some pics of the party:

My nephew Sawyer at the party.

Titus taking a swing at the Pinata.

The kids collecting the candy from the pinata.

Nicholas..he is so cute!

My bro and sis playing with Justus.

Check Engine

The last week of my life has been rather eventful...to say the least.  I had amazing plans to pack up the boys on Tuesday and head to Houston.  In Houston we were going to stay with our dear friend Amy, who is always such a delight and refreshing to the soul.  Titus was going to get to play with his BFF Jackson. Jackson's mom, Star is a dear friend so I was going to have so much fun chatting and catching up.  I also dreamed of a play date with Michelle and Amanda, visiting HFBC, a visit with The Parker's and the Altic's, Uptown Park Starbucks, Fuzzy's and going to Metro Live and surprising my sweet friends, The Dodd's, who would be leading worship that evening. But God had other plans.  

Monday night around 11pm I got a text saying that a good friend of ours from Midland had had a stroke.  Through the course of the night I got other texts about how he was progressing. I thought since I was totally packed and ready to leave the next day, maybe I should go to Midland instead.  The next morning, things were looking up for our friend, Kyle.  He had survived the night and they were hopeful.  I was told so many people were there supporting his wife, Karen.  So I decided that I would just go on to Houston and have fun.  As the day went on, my heart was heavy, I finally got a chance to get away and pray and read and I felt as if God was telling me to wait and not go anywhere.  So that's what I did.  I waited and waited.  I got the news that Kyle was doing worse, but still I felt God was telling me to wait.  The next morning I got the news that Kyle had passed away, but still God was telling me to wait.  So I went on with my normal Wednesday. As Wednesday went on, would you believe that BOTH of our cars Check Engine lights came on!  That was just the confirmation I needed to stay put.

That evening, I packed up the boys and headed to church.  The entire time I was there I sensed God encouraging me and using me, as if to continue confirming my waiting.  On the way home from church I got a call from Midland. It was my dear friend who was just widowed.  She was wondering if I would sing in the funeral.  With out hesitation, I said, "Absolutely, the boys and I will head out first thing in the morning."  As soon as I was asked I sensed God releasing me us to GO.  So Thrus. morning I put the boys and all of our stuff in the car and headed out ....with the Check Engine light on.  Amazingly, we made it just fine. Amen.  

I got there in time to drop off the boys and go to the visitation.  I rode with my sweet friend Jenny and was abundantly blessed by her honesty and depth.  I love talking with her.  At the visitation I witnessed my dear friend Karen display for all of us what it is to grieve with hope.  She was the most beautiful widow I have ever seen.  She was so raw and honest, full of hope and strength, yet she was so sad and weak.  She was the same Karen everyone has always known, her faith is so deep, even the worst circumstance did not change her.  She was who she is.  

They had been married 41 years....we celebrate our 5th tomorrow...I can not imagine the loss.

So this morning we gathered for the funeral. I hope I can say this with out it sounding funny but it was perfect...perfect in every way,  an amazing representation of the life Kyle lived.  I sang at the end of the funeral a song of hope and prayed over the family.  I was so honored to be a part of the service.  

After the service I packed the boys back up and headed back to Fort Worth.  A normal 4 hour trip took us 6 hours.  (We hit a bad storm so I pulled off.  Then we had to stop to feed Justus.)  Needless to say I am totally exhausted, physically, emotionally and mentally.  As I pulled out of Midland, I was thinking through all that had happened and I began to pray.  Just then I looked down and my Check Engine light was OFF....

Yes and Amen.

Honored and Privileged

These were the two words I kept thinking during the Desiring God Conference this year. I was so honored to be able to sit under the teaching of such incredible Saints, whose lives have stood the test of time. Each of them spoke on the theme, Stand: a call for the endurance of the saints. Each of the spoke from different angles and passages but all with the same plea: Endure until the end....make the Name and Renown of the Lord known until your very last breath. It was Dr. Jerry Bridges, Dr. John MacArthur, Randy Alcorn, Dr. Helen Roseveare and Dr. John Piper.
Two of the speakers are personal Heroes of mine, Dr. Helen Roseveare and Dr. John Piper.
Although I have sat under Dr. Piper's teaching for years, through Passion, DesiringGod.org, DG Conferences, many a cassette tape and now many a CD or Mp3 download, I had never had the privilege of sitting under the teaching of Dr. Roseveare, and honestly, outside of quotes in biographies of her life, I had never heard a word from her. But oh the joy and privilege it was to here her speak, possible for the last time in such a setting.
Here are some photos and downloads. All the messages are free to download! (the audio or video!)Dr. John Piper teaching on "Growing Old to the Glory of God"
Dr. Roseveare taught on Psalm 27. One Thing I know, One Thing I do and One Thing I ask.

Here is a link to where you can listen to all the messages...don't miss out on such great wisdom and encouragement!

Along with the amazing teaching, we got to spend great time with some of our favorite people. Vernon's sister Phyllis, Danny and Mallory Dyer, Zack and Jen Atchley and Mary Ellen Atchley. It is always a highlight of our year to meet up in MN for this event! We love you guys!
The gang minus me.The gang minus Phyllis.