A Mommies Delight and A Photographers Demise:: The iPhone Camera

Since I got an iPhone in the fall, I ALWAYS forget my camera. I use to not go anywhere without "the Beast" my DsLR Canon Rebel. Now, since the iPhone offers a variety of photo apps and can put them online via twitter and FB as soon as it is taken, I have slacked on capturing good, memory book quality photos for the last 9 months. This makes life alot easier for me as a mom because I can just whip out the ol' phone and voila!, a decent picture instantly sent to the world wide web. BUT it has been to my demise as a photographer. My blog has lacked in quality pics as well as my sons photo books. Y'all, I am not talking everyday life events, I am talking once in a life time events that warrant the use of a good camera, like V turning 30, Moving to a new state, T loosing his first teeth and my bro getting married! So I thought I would catch you all up on what the ol' Canon has missed and the iPhone has captured::

Our last night in Fort Worth::


We Moved to Missouri::


Titus' first day at his new school::
My brother got married::




Titus' first "Snow Day" NO SCHOOL!!



Two Switchfoot Concerts



Road trip with Danielle and Mikail to Chicago for Edens Bday



Vernon turned 30 so we went to Portland to Powel's Books!




Easter


Titus lost his two bottom teeth!


A trip to SBU to lead worship with the guys.
Such a sweet time in Bolivar, great memories.



I've gotten to make some fun gifts for friends and children around the world.




Thank you iPhone for coming through for this Mom. Canon, get ready for your come back.

Worth the Buy


This series came out on a web show , Jelly Telly, you could subscribe to and watch online last year. We LOVED watching it and benefited from all that the site offered. It is full of FUN, Church History and Bible Teaching. They take terms like substitutionary atonement, Salvation and Redemption and explain them in terms and with examples that kids of all ages can grasp. It has been such a fun addition to what we are trying to teach our boys! It takes questions like, "where did we get the books of the Bible and Why not others?" and, "How did Christianity spread?" and make them into an easy to listen to, fun church history lesson. Both parents and children will love watching it! I hope you stop by your local Christian book store and get a couple DVD's or order them HERE. You can also subscribe to the website, Jelly Telly. ENJOY!

Happy Easter From The Burger Boys

To Buy Some Time

This is my lame attempt to buy some time on some blog posts that are stirring in my head but have not landed on the screen of the ol' macbook pro.

My monthly reading this year has looked like this::


This Jan-April Reading. I am 68 pgs into Dug Down Deep and May will be this:


No plans after that...what are you reading...I would love to add some to my years list!

Why We Don't Major on Santa Claus During Christmas

But You're Not A Sinner If You Do.
(and how this pertains to Easter)

Every Christmas season we get the question, "how do you guys handle Santa Claus with your children?" Every year I want to write a blog about it but I never have. Mainly I haven't because I get tired of reading all the other blogs that seem to be extreme one way or the other, "You're sinning if Santa Claus is used in your Christmas tradition," or "Not using Santa Claus is robbing your children of imagination and fun during the holidays." I get frustrated and don't want to be among the ranks of either of these two extremes. So finally, this year I decided to wait and post a blog at a neutral season. One that would give people time to think, pray and discern what is right for their family WAY before the season is upon them.

Personally, We, as parents, decided not to major on Santa Claus during the Christmas season, but to Major on Jesus. While we major on Jesus, we still find it fit, since we live in a culture that does celebrate the story of Santa Claus, to teach the boys about Saint Nicholas and how and why people came to know him as Santa Claus, the man who flies a sled and gives out gifts. Now I realize that the original story behind Ol' St. Nick has been twisted into an over commercialized craze that drives millions of dollars towards over indulged consumerism, we still find the redemptive story behind the life of St. Nicholas and see beautifully how it can teach our children The Gospel, as they learn how to give and receive.

We, however, have SOO many friends and a majority of our family, who do celebrate Santa Claus by teaching them about a man in a red suit who sees them and knows if they are bad and good, etc. We, as a family, want to respect them by not blowing there traditions in to shambles by our child blurting out "Don't you know Santa is not real." So we choose to teach them who Santa REALLY was. This way if someone asks them about Santa, in their mind they think a real man, a real story. Now that Titus is older, we joke around and play with his imagination by reading the Christmas stories of Santa Clause, and pretend to hear reindeer on the roof. This is all in good fun, a magical kid like fun, that he knows and can distinguish.

In no way do we or will we look DOWN on any family who chooses differently. To each its own. We feel strongly that the Lord will guide you in your holiday traditions and will let you know how to celebrate Him, if you just seek Him about it.

Here are a few reasons we landed on NOT majoring on Santa::

1.) Christ is NOT Boring:: often adults think, because of childhood experience, that the story of Christ is boring and not amazing. This is SO FALSE. What could be more EXCITING and FULL of WONDER than GOD becoming MAN! Seriously.

2). Lying:: honestly this would have made our decision. We both felt strongly about not lying to the boys. So in this we decided to tell the Truth, both about JESUS mainly and then about the life of the REAL Saint Nicholas. (in as best we know)

3.) Confusion: we thought it was a bit confusing for the boys to distinguish between a God who knows all we do, is always there and always giving good gifts to His Children and a Man who knows if we are bad or good and gives us gifts accordingly. This seemed to be hard to communicate the difference as adults so we thought it would be hard to explain to kids.


With all that said, here are some ways we DO celebrate Christmas::

Shepherds Pouches:: I have talked about these before on my blog Here. I got this idea from a book by Noel Piper called Treasuring God In Our Traditions. These are bags that the kids (an adults) get on Thanksgiving. They are to be used to hold money. Money that is earned. Each family member saves money all month. Then on Christmas Eve night after the Christmas Story out of Luke is read and some songs are sung, we put the pouches under the tree. The next morning when the kids wake up, the money from the pouches are gone and a display is set up to show where the money went. Here is an example from this year:: our money went to get Christmas presents for the Children in Morobo, Sudan.

Advent Candles:: we light one candle a week until leading up to The Jesus Candle (a big white pillar candle in the middle) that is lit on Christmas morning when they wake up. This is a fun way to build anticipation.

Jesus Tree and Ornaments:: We have a Christmas tree we call the Jesus Tree. Each day of December the kids get to open a number on the calender box we have. In each number is an ornament with a name of Jesus on it. We get it out, read it and they get to put it on the tree.

_________

Gift Giving:: of course we give many gifts to one another and celebrate with giving!


Now, how this pertains to Easter:: We get the same question in regards to the Easter Bunny. Now, to my knowledge, there is no real person the Easter Bunny represents that we can draw on and help in teaching about this. So this is what we do. We major on Jesus. We have fun with eggs and such but make a BIG deal out of the Resurrection. We give gifts and celebrate as big as we can. We go on Easter Egg hunts but try to make them just a fun recreational event, not a major part of Easter.

Here are some fun things we do::

The Jesus Candle:: The Jesus Candle from Christmas comes back out at Lent. We keep it lit (as much as possible) Then on Good Friday we blow it out and tell the Crucifixion story. We keep it blown out until Easter morning. I try to have it displayed in a way it is the center of what they see when they wake up.

Palm Sunday Sheep Search:: On Palm Sunday we start a search for the Sheep. I hide a stuffed lamb around the house. Then tell the boys how in Jesus' time, the boys of the house would go out searching for a lamb for their family to give as an offering. Then the search begins. We do this over and over all week. During the week the questions start popping up about, Why a Lamb? What does this have to do with Easter? etc. Great fun teaching opportunity.

Gift Giving:: Our pastor in Irving has had us over for Easter every year since 2006. Every year we eat an amazing dinner with their family. After dinner, Pastor John sends us all out on a search. In his house, EACH person has a bag full of gifts. Even the adults! The first year we went to the Durham home, we walked away so blessed. We had so many conversations about how we want to make the Resurrection of Christ celebrated just as much as His birth. So this will be our first year not in the Durham home. We are praying through who and how to we are going to give gifts in such a fun memorable way.


WOW. that was alot. If you stuck with me, thanks. If not, I understand...I rarely read long blogs either! ha!

Bottom line:: Our kids still have hearts that are filled with greed, our family still struggles with the pull of consumerism but our advise is:: Seek Christ, Honor Him and He will guide you in your Holiday Traditions.

We have some sweet friends, Christine and Zack, that are adopting:: PLEASE take time to stop by and order an awesome shirt that will go towards their adoption cost, or you can place a donation instead!

My sweet friend Amanda wrote a post titled "If desire and readiness directly affected a woman's fertility, how different would our lives be? " (on behalf of two of our other sweet friends, Kay and Michelle) in order to spread the word for Christine and Zack. You will be blessed by stopping in and reading it, and while your their...buy a cool shirt!

Here are some pictures of my sweet friends I stole from the site ::

Christine and Zack

Michelle, Christine, Kay and Amanda

We are so excited for y'all and can't wait to meet who the Lord has chosen to be your child!!

B A L M O R H E A

Austin based band, Balmorhea, released their new album:: Constellations :: on Tuesday. This music is in a class all of its own. Here is a little taste:: and the cute crazy haired guitarest might be my cousin:: wink::

Balmorhea "Untitled 1" from Retread Sessions on Vimeo.

Get it on iTunes HERE

Take 3

Monday night I got to see Switchfoot for the third time since September. This evening will be remembered for years to come, if not a lifetime. It was full of excitement, anticipation, anxiety, tragedy, pain, hope and song.

Since I am a member of The Friends of the Foot, the bands fan club (go ahead laugh, i am secure in my fan-ness) I get "meet and greet passes" to all shows and am able to go to sound check. The funny thing is, I have NEVER done it. I always chicken out. I mean, what am I going to say to them..."umm, hi, your music is amazing and I stalk you because of it." seriously. The only time I have ever spoke with the band, and I have had my fair share of times, I talked about how their new album at the time (Learning to Breathe) had so many undertones of the CS Lewis books I had been reading. We had a great talk about how their dad read them CS Lewis every night growing up. It was a great chat. I walked away and felt like a moron...and have never spoke to them again.

Vernon, who is NOT a concert goer, decided he would come to the show with me this time. He is also Switchfoot fan and more specifically a Jon Forman fan. When we found out our great friends, Sarah and Andrew, were coming in from KC for it, he was in forsure. Vernon, knowing how much I chicken-out, said he would go in to the meet and greet with me (because I get two passes to all shows). The sound check was superb and fun. They guys came down from the stage and just hung out with all the FOTFers for about 45 min. We got to tell them how they have impacted our lives, writing songs about the hard things and about redemption. These guys are our age, married and have children. I was in awe of how sincere they were, how honest and open they were and how kind they were even to the 17 year-old over excited girl who had drawn them a picture and talked their ears off. These guys are legit.

We got the best seats in the house...literally, center of the bar, no one in between us and our view of the stage . This was the first concert I have EVER been to that I sat....talk about restraint. But there was NO WAY in the world we would have gotten Vernon to stand in the pit with all the jumping, yelling crazies. It makes me laugh just thinking about it!

We got settled for the show and we were enjoying the opening band when Vernon's phone rang. It was a friend who would normally call my phone instead of his. He said, "should I answer?" because it was loud. I said, "she probably wants us to let her hear a song, I'll call her on one of her favorites." But Vernon decided to pick up and go to the back to get the call, "just incase" ...and I am so glad he did.

This call was one you never dream you will get from one of your best friends. The worst of the worst tragedy was explained to him on the phone. He walked back to our seats stunned and told me what had happened. We immediately began sending out texts to friends for prayers. Our hearts were so heavy.

It was now time for Switchfoot to come on. We were deciding if we should leave and get packed to go to be with our friends, or stay and enjoy the show. We knew we could not head out that late in the bad weather. So we stayed, hearts heavy for our friends, excited for the show and every emotion in between. Each song, filled with hope and reality, loss and redemption ministered to my heart as I processed the news we just received. Lyrics like::

It's no accident we're here tonight
We are once in a lifetime
All is not lost
All is not lost
Become who you are
It happens once in a lifetime

and::

these are the scars
deep in your heart
this is the place you were born
this is the hole
where most of your soul
comes ripping out
from the places you've been torn
and it is always yours
but I am always yours
hallelujah!
I'm caving in
hallelujah!
I'm in love again
hallelujah!
I'm a wretched man
hallelujah!
every breath is a second chance


This night will be remembered for years to come as we journey through this tragedy with our friends. Thank you Switchfoot for being a part of the process, even though you have no idea.

And on a lighter note, our friend Sarah who came with us is and AMAZING photographer and all of the above are her pics from the night. Love you Sarah and Andrew! What a great evening!

Biggin.


Being the great mother that I am, my poor second child missed both his 15 month and 18 month check up. This is his 20th month of life and he finally got to go to a check up. I guess this wouldn't be all that bad if we weren't doing the Alternative Vaccination Schedule. He hasn't been immunized since his 14th month. We will be doing some monthly visits to catch back up and stay with the regimen.

Justus weighed in at almost 31 lbs and measured 35 inches tall. He is in the mid 90th percentile for both. He is so big. Everywhere we go I feel compelled to explain that he is only 20 months so they don't expect him to respond like a 3 year old because he looks like one!

Justus is a fun, easy going guy. He has the BEST belly laugh! He loves to have fun and is mostly interested in balls and bats and anything his big brother is doing. He enjoys our Ugandan drums and plays them everyday. He stacks them, bangs them, fills them with toys...all sort of things. He is adjusting to life in MO very well. He has a few little friends, Lina and Eli. Lina is a bit younger than J but...she could be the cutest thing I have ever seen. I love her. love her! Eli is a sweet little boy that is almost exactly J's age. He was adopted by a sweet family in our small group and he is just precious. And I must not forget, Mikail Kuntz. I still can not believe we live close enough for J and M to be friends! YAY! I am excited for these friendships to grow.

Justus is not very interested in his letters and colors but loves his shapes. This is the opposite of our hyper verbal first born. He is way more interested in tackling, running, spinning and being social. This boy can play and play and play and play! He is SOO FUN!

We talk about his friends from Texas and are excited to see them in March. Bear, Klaire, Shawn and Gabe....seriously we must have a play date!

The photos have been lacking as of late, so I will do my best to bring them back!

What's On The Menu Monday

If you are new around this blog, each Monday I post what we will be eating for the week. This method of planning has helped out so much in our budget. Just sitting down for a couple minutes looking in the pantry and refrigerator then making a menu BEFORE heading to the store. This allows me to cut appropriate coupons, make a complete list and NOT be stuck each afternoon racking my frazzled brain about what we should eat. So here is what is up for this week:

Gluten Free Build Your Own Waffles with Scrambled Eggs and Turkey Bacon (Erin be proud "bye bye pork" ;) : just mix up a gfree waffle mix, warm up the waffle iron and let each person choose their flavor. ex. blueberries, peanut butter, chocolate chips or even sprinkles! This is lots of fun and the kids love it!

Split Pea Soup : I got a split pea soup mix from my mother-in-law (Robyne) for Christmas. I have been hoping to make it and just haven't yet.

Ahi Tuna Steaks and Quiona : you prob get tired of seeing these steaks on here, but we love them and they are sooo easy and SO good for us. This will be my first time to make Quiona, I am a little nervous, but I have brown rice as back up.

Fish Taco Bowls: or something of the like. I have a lot of talapia and Mahi I need to use.

Black Bean Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches: the sandwiches will be Ezekiel Bread with soy cheese

Things I will try to bake::

Gfree brownies (TJ brand are the BEST!): i am making these to go with the new Ice Cream we bought today at TJ's...YUM.
Almond Meal Banana Nut Muffins


We will be gone Friday and Saturday for Eden's third bday so the menu was small this week. ENJOY!
What are you cooking?

Bob Kauflin's Post :: Open the Eyes of My (Face), Lord

The post I am coping below was posted by Bob Kauflin who is the Director or Worship Development at Soverign Grace Ministries. He is a renown author, song writer and worship leader. He is training the next generation of worship leaders through his books and his blog. I always enjoy reading his blog and his book Worship Matters is a must read for all worship leaders and pastors. (or even people interested in the topic)

For years now I have had COUNTLESS conversations over the topic of worship leaders closing their eyes as they lead. I spoke with a number of people in congregations who "dont get" this or are completely distracted by it. They think "if they are suppose to be leading us why are they not "connecting" with us and helping us/leading us." To which I would agree. The role of the leader is to engage the congregation and invite them into the Praise of the Living GOD. Like Kauflin in the below post states, there is times for closing your eyes. Its not a do or do not issue.

ANYWAY:: I would love for you to read this article and discuss through commenting! ENJOY


Open the Eyes of My (Face), Lord by Bob Kauflin

Paul Baloche’s song, “Open the Eyes of My Heart,” has been sung by millions of Christians throughout the world. It’s a song based on Ephesians 1, asking God to open our spiritual eyes that we might know him better.

But I wonder if those of us who lead congregational worship shouldn’t be asking God to open our physical eyes, too.

Why do leaders close their eyes so often? Not just for a few moments, but for 5, 10, even 15 minutes. I’ve seen leaders and vocalists keep their eyes shut from the first note we sing to the final “Amen” of the closing prayer.

There are definitely some good reasons to close our eyes. We want to shut out distractions. We want to focus completely on the words we’re singing. Our hearts are deeply moved by God’s mercy and we respond in humble adoration.

But are those the reasons we usually have in mind when we close our eyes? Are we even thinking about what we’re doing? Or why we’re doing it?

Maybe you’re like me. Maybe you find yourself closing your eyes when you lead for one or more of these not-so-good reasons.

• we want to look spiritual
• we think the Holy Spirit likes closed eyes more than opened eyes
• we don’t want to look at the faces of people who seem apathetic, concerned, confused, or angry about what we’re doing
• we’re battling fear of man and the easiest thing to do is just pretend that no one else is around
• we don’t want to see who walks out of the room
• we’re discouraged by the dwindling number of people showing up on Sundays
• we’re imagining that this is our own personal encounter with God
• we don’t remember the words to the next verse
• we can’t think of anything better to do

Not to mention that worship leaders who shut their eyes sometimes look more like they’re in pain than in God’s presence.

Corporate worship has a horizontal aspect that glorifies God. We’re to teach and admonish one another while we sing “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Col. 3:16). We’re to “strive to excel in building up the church” (1 Cor. 14:12). At the same time we’re singing with gratitude in our hearts to God and very aware that he’s present with us. Both directions — horizontal and vertical — are important to consider if we want to benefit fully from our time together.

That’s why I’ve come to think that more often than not, it’s better for me to keep my eyes open when I’m leading people in singing God’s praise. It’s not that I don’t ever close my eyes. I do. It’s just that in recent years I’m becoming more aware of the good reasons to keep them my eyes open:

• I can see how people are responding (or not responding) and adjust what I’m doing accordingly
• It’s easier for me to communicate to people how the truths we’re singing are affecting me when I look at them
• My heart is encouraged when I see people who seem to be genuinely engaging with God
• I can share the joy in Christ I’m experiencing by looking at the other musicians
• I can communicate directions more clearly to the team
• I’m more aware of what’s happening around me
• I can see what I’m playing on the piano
• I can read the lyrics to the song

Don’t hear what I’m not saying. There are plenty of legitimate reasons to close our eyes when we’re singing songs of praise to God. I just don’t think Scripture says that has to be our default.

To put things in perspective, having our spiritual eyes opened is far more important than having our physical eyes opened.

But maybe it would help us and those we lead if we did a little more of the second.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

EXCITING NEWS::

no i am not preggo:: WE HAVE A NEW WEBSITE!

I have mentioned here and there on my blog posts that I have had a lot of deadlines as of late and

HERE

is the end result!

PLEASE stop in and let us know what you think!

ps:: i did not forget WOTMM this week, infact I thought alot about its since I got to buy a fair share of RED MEAT this week because Vernon is in MN. I am a type O blood type and require 4 servings of red meat a week....not easy to do when your husband is type A and is not allowed to have ANY! needless to say, Titus, Justus and I will be having a lot of hamburgers the next few days! YUMM.

A Few Of My Favorite Things

This is non-exhaustive and in no particular order list of things that the Lord has allowed me to enjoy today, this very random day:

• Seasons: Thank you Missouri for coming through on this. Winter is a beautiful thing.

• Venti Ice Water from Starbucks: its triple filtered goodness.

• Kind Cranberry Almond Bars

• Ghiradelli Dark Chocolate Carmel Squares

• This Book: It has been such a good way to start the year.

• For The Love of God Blog: this goes along with the Bible reading plan I am doing.

• Audio ESV Study Bible Online: I LOVE listening to the text as I read it.

• @allisonrichmond's tweets

• Texting my NEPHEWS: what in the world. i am old. (well technically this was the other day but everytime I go to my texts and see their names I think it is funny that they are old enough to text me!)

• Working for His Voice For Sudan and getting to stay home with my boys. (hard to balance but SO worth it!)

• New friends coming over for lunch playdates!

• Honey Dijon Kettle Chips
• Sarah Beard's Blogging on Marriage

• And last but not least....Good Music: I will spare you the links and let you have a couple guesses. :)
  

What's On The Menu Monday

Well, apparently, each Monday I need to clarify what exactly WOTMM is so that no one accidentally thinks all of the listed food items are being prepared only on Monday. Rather, WOTMM is a list of meals I plan to make through out the week. I don't like to set the days for them because then I feel confined (i know, weird right? but this right-brained girl is proud to even have a list okay.) The list helps me stay within our grocery budget while providing healthy, well rounded meals for the week making us less apt to eating out or making unnecessary trips to the store.

That said, here is this weeks: (we have been invited to various homes for meal lately so some of these meals were from last weeks list)

Its going to get cold this week so I have two soups on the menu

Baked Potato Soup

Split Pea Soup

Salmon Pasta Alfredo- brown rice pasta with homemade Alfredo sauce with baked Salmon on top or mixed in

Baked Mahi Mahi with rice and black beans: I just take frozen Mahi Mahi from Trader Joe and thaw it. Place it in a baking dish, sprinkle lemon juice, garlic salt and some McCormick's Montreal HAMBURGER seasoning on it. Bake it for 20 and dinner is served :)

Ahi Tuna Steaks with Broccoli: these are pre-seasoned and frozen by Trader Joe's. EASIEST MEAL. Thaw them in the fridge, then just throw them in the oven for 20 mins and have a spectacular steak! Then I just steam some broccoli to have with it.

Nacho Bowls: this is kinda like build your own burrito only with chips instead of tortillas. Meat, (we will use mahi or talapia) beans and the fixins on a bowl full of chips.

Happy cooking...what are y'all eating?

37 Years of Injustice

Most of you, I am sure, are aware that today, January 22, 2009, marks the 37th anniversary of the passing of Roe v Wade. In this, the US Sepreme Court held that a woman may abort her pregnancy for any reason, up until the "point at which the fetus becomes 'viable.'" As today has gone by, I have seen many pictures flash onto my computer screen from various blogs and news pages. Groups of people who feel strongly for or against Roe vs. Wade showed up today at many captital buildings and planned parenthood clinics all over the US.

What some are celebrating, others are begging to change.

I am among those who are begging for change.

I did not, however, get the chance to go to our capital building today or stop by the planned parenthood clinic and I am sure many of you reading this did not as well. So I decided to write a little blog about it, maybe to reach a small few and to honor the sanctity of Life.
Last year on Sanctity of Life Sunday, Pastor John Piper spoke these words:



"Mr. President, some of us WEPT for JOY at your inauguration and we pledged that we would pray for you. We have hope in our sovereign God."

And that we do.
Pray for our leaders.
Hope in our God.

For Lack of Better Words

If you have known me long, or maybe just stop by to read the blog now and again, you probably know that I am a music lover. Music of just about any type. (yes even country has its place in my heart...although WAY back in the back:) I feel deeply about music and how it moves people and reaches places that words alone can never reach. Journey back through history, studing cultures and there is hardly a culture, if any, that didn't have "their" music. I have often pondered how God created man with a song in their heart. Individual man yes but also man in the communal sense. It's as if music has this ability to bring cultures together. Older with younger, Asian with African, European with South American. There seems to be few boundaries that music cannot break.

That being said: I have an issue.

Lack of Superlatives, or rather, OVER USE of superlatives.

I was warned of this quite often by my dear friend Danny during college. About once a week, along with correcting my grammar, he would challenge me on a use of a superlative like: "how was the DNow?" "It was THE BEST ONE I have EVER played for" or "how's the new album?" "IT IS AMAZING, BEST album by FAR!" I think you get the picture. Each time I would over use the EST's and the AWESOME/AMAZING/BEST EVER statements, he would smirk and say, in his ever so kind way, "oh really." He continually challenged me on this. He said, "One of these days something is going to truly be THE BEST or AMAZING. How will anyone know if they can believe you or not?"

Well, just last week Danny and I were chatting on the phone, just getting caught up on life. And I said to Danny, "You know, all those times you warned me about over using my superlatives? Well, I have almost posted a blog about how truly AMAZING the Switchfoot concert in Dallas was and how FANTASTIC the new album is, but I can't bring my self to write it...because this time,well...it really is THE BEST/AMAZING. I feel like if I tell them this, they will just write me off as a dorky old fan and not give it any thought." He laughed and in the nicest way possible basically said, "I told you this day would come."

So folks, here I am, finally blogging, months later, about how AMAZING the new Switchfoot, Hello Hurricane Album is. If you are a long time fan or you are a Switchfoot newbie, your heart will be ministered too, your soul will be challenged and mind will be stronger. Lyrically and musically this album is mature and rich with real life, real feelings and real theology.

So please, read past the superlatives and go get the album....or better yet, grab tickets to this tour....worth every penny.

What's On The Menu Monday

Y'all, apparently I only blog on Monday's about food...lame.

I actually have had very limited time on the computer this month. Most all the time I have had online has consisted of work for His Voice for Sudan. I love my job. I am trying to get a good routine established here in our new city as the "newness" wears off and reality that we are here for good sinks in. In this said routine, blogging time has gotten squeezed but I hope, as soon as some of my work deadlines come to a close, I will pick up and have a less lame blog...hehe...in the mean time, here is WOTMM:


Taco Soup: one can kidney beans, on can corn, 1 can rotel, 1lb of browned turkey burger seasoned:: served with shredded cheese and tortilla chips. (don't drain any of the cans, just dump it all in)

Salmon Pasta Alfredo- brown rice pasta with homemade Alfredo sauce with baked Salmon on top or mixed in

Trader Joe's Cheese and Bean Enchiladas - this is a frozen meal that is organic, gluten free and vegetarian! AND SOO YUMMY! good to keep on hand to throw in on those days that cooking seems daunting!

Spinach Lasagna Bake: This is gluten free (brown rice) noodles, spinach, ricotta/cottage cheese, mozzarella all layered and baked.

Baked Mahi Mahi with rice and black beans: I just take frozen Mahi Mahi from Trader Joe and thaw it. Place it in a baking dish, sprinkle lemon juice, garlic salt and some McCormick's Montreal HAMBURGER seasoning on it. Bake it for 20 and dinner is served :)

Breakfast Skillet: Potatoes, garlic, eggs, turkey bacon and cheese all mixed up in a skillet. If I am not up for it, this night might turn into egg sandwiches or omelets.


Okay, that's what we will be eating....what about you?

What's On The Menu Monday


Well last weeks WOTMM was so fun! I hope you get some good ideas for your meals! I pretty much had someone ask about each recipe so I will post some of those soon. Here is what we are eating this week. It is a little different than normal because our sweet friend, The Reardon's, are visiting and they are Gluten Free AND Dairy Free. So she brought some fun recipes for us to try!

Okay here goes:

Enchilada Casserole- (dairy free so we are using Soy cheese...it will be a fun new thing for us) with Guac and Chips for side - from Saving Dinners- GREAT cook book! (we are going to use black beans instead of meat for Vern's sake)

Fish Tacos- this is a by-weekly one for us, we LOVE it!

Tuna Fusilli- a tuna pasta dish from Saving Dinners with Broccoli

Gluten Free Vegetarian (spinach) Lasagna- I've never made this so I am going to kinda make it up...we'll see :)

Baked Wild Caught Salmon and Baked Potatoes

Ahi Tuna Steak and Asparagus


I am excited that Erin brought her fun new recipes for us to try this week...What are yall cooking?

A Letter on Contentment

Recently I got an email from a friend who was struggling through wishing she and her family were in a different place in life. She was vulnerable and reaching out for encouragement. As I wrote her I couldn't help but think that this was for more than just her. I have walked this road and walk it everyday really. These are just a few things I sent her to chew on, things I (attempt to) fight the battles with everyday. Thanks to all the ladies along the way that have poured this Truth into my life. Thank your Lord for your Word. Amen.

Here is the letter (I took out somethings in order to keep her anonymous)

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As a wife and mom who has moved 6 times in 7 years, lived in three different cities, worked from home while my husband finished school and dealt with the trials and emotions that come along with all of the aforementioned, I would say I can relate with how you are feeling. I have been where you are and have learned so much along the way. I am honored to share with you what the Lord taught me during my days of wishing for root planting. (and wall painting ha!). I have to hold to the below thoughts each day to not fall prey to the Joy quenching snare of the enemy.

There is no particular order to what I am going to share; all have had tremendous affects on my heart.

1) “Wherever you are BE ALL THERE” This is a quote from one of Vernon and my heroes of the Faith, Jim Elliot. I have held this motto since I first read it in college. It has helped me in times that seem “transitional” especially. It is easy to get caught up in what is going to be and TOTALLY miss out on what is happening that very day. It is easy to hope in tomorrow or hope in the next “season” and where it will take you and completely miss what is right there. People do this all the time, especially women, i.e. when you are single you want to be married, when you are married you want to finish a degree and have kids, when you have a degree and have kids you want more kids or your own home, when you get both of those you want more time to yourself and with your husband. On and on the cycle goes, satisfaction placed in your own desires and not in what God has provided for you THAT day. Which leads me to my next though:

2) Covetousness. Yes Covetousness. I use to think this meant wanting what someone else had, and it does. But ultimately it means “wanting/longing for something God has not provided for you in that moment in time.” Covetousness when played out in this scenario might lead you to not be thankful for what He HAS provide for you. A sweet Girl, (who will grow up so fast!) a husband who let you pursue your dreams over his, a home that is affordable, although with white walls, it is warm in the winter and cool in the summer, food for the three of you and great relationship with those around you. Thankfulness generally squeezes out the sin of Covetousness that we all struggle with. Give Thanks to the Lord for HE is GOOD and His love endures forever! He has not forsaken you and will not put you to shame.

3) Unrealistic Expectations. It is easy for us to think when we are in one place in life; the next place will be better. But when it comes to moving back to your home state, reality is, it will be NOTHING like it was the last time you lived there. You are different and so are all the people you know and love there. It will be just as transitional to move back to an old homeland than it was to move away. Be careful not to fool yourself that somehow God will provide more Joy for your in your next season (or wherever is next for you) than He has offered you today.

Knowing you, I am sure you know and have counseled people in this:: THE #1 REASON, IF NOT THE ONLY REASON for frustration or disappointment is UNMET EXPECTATIONS. If you have high and lofty ideals of what life will be like “someday” you will often find yourself frustrated and disappointed with life NOW. Also, when the transition does happen and you find out you are moving or what ever it is you were longing for, you are likely to be disappointed with the end result, and thus the cycle continues.

I know you are a women who fears the Lord and wants to follow Him. My advice to you in this season is to make SURE SURE SURE that your husband knows you are up for anything he feels led too. Your husband MUST, and I MEAN MUST, know that you will be joyful and loving no matter if he finishes school and moves y'all to Delaware?!?! He needs to know that you trust him and his relationship with the Lord and his ability to hear from the Lord. Your husband does not need a lot of your input on this. He will lead your family and he will follow what God has told him for y'all. You, my friend, get to sit back and enjoy it and bring your husband Joy!!!

Okay that was way long but I hope you are encouraged today friend!

The New What's on the Menu Monday

Well, as many of you remember, I use to do What's on the Menu Monday where I posted recipes each Monday and asked you to comment one as well. Recently, finding recipes has not been the hard part of cooking, what has been hard has been getting variety in what we eat. I tend to make the same things in an endless rotation. So I have decided to post our weekly menu each Monday (inasmuch as I can remember to). I would love to hear yours as well!

I started writing out the menu of what we were going to eat a couple years ago and it has made a TREMENDOUS difference in our grocery bill. It helps from over buying or under buying and having to return to the store for one annoying ingredient. I don't label which night we will eat what I just list out 6 meals, 4 hot breakfasts and some lunch varieties. The rest of the meals are filled in with left overs and cereal/cold type foods.

You will find that we eat a little different than most. Vernon has a pretty strict diet because of his health issues. He sticks to "Eating Right for Your Blood Type" and his blood time is A. Mine on the other hand, is O and that diet is complete opposite of A's. So we have finally found a great balanced. We get most of our protein from nuts and fish for Vernon's sake and we have very limited gluten for my sake.

So here goes for this week:

Shrimp Alfredo Linguine- made with brown rice pasta and homemade Alfredo sauce. (so easy)

Almond Parmesan Crusted Talapia, Brown and Wild Rice and Broccoli (also so easy)

Breakfast for Dinner: Omelets, Homefry Potatoes and Bacon (bacon is for me hehe!)

Mahi Mahi and Brown Rice with Feta

Cheese and Black Bean Enchiladas

Salmon and Baked Potatoes


Hope this gives you some ideas! I really need some ideas and would love to hear from you! If you are interested in any of these meals, let me know and I will try to tell you how I made them. I RARELY use a recipe I just kinda make it up based on other things I have made. I very rarely spend over 30 mins making food so most, if not all of these are easy and quick.

ENJOY!

On Yesterday.

WE LOVED THE MOVIE. Invictus that is. Vernon and I both have been fascinated with the story of racial reconciliation in South African history for years. We have marveled at what took place in that land and what is still coming to pass. This movie was such a great example of preferring something/someone you don't necessarily like for the good of all involved. There were about a hundred one liners from the movie on forgiveness, perseverance and social justice. It was a great film. Epic if you ask me.

My friend Maux did an excellent review on it HERE.

And I love my hair! Vernon's step-sister Katie is my hair stylist here. If you are in STL area and need one...SHE IS FANTASTIC. For those who were worried, I didn't cut it all off...yet. Only 2 inches with some layers, high and low lights. (but not dramatic)

We head out tomorrow for my brother's wedding festivities. Hope you all have a great New Year!

Long Over Due.

Well December 8th post may have been a bit misleading. I only THOUGHT we were getting into the swing of things and settling in. So here I am 21 days later posting yet ANOTHER 'catch up' entry. (and to be honest I had to look at my twitter feed to even remember all that went on!)

Titus started his new school the week of the 7th. It was a fairly smooth transition with a few bumps that first week: they already write in cursive (isnt that crazy) and all the kids have their own little friend groups. We were aware that both of these things were going to be bumps so we walked him through it encouraging him along....and then....he got strep throat. So he was out of school 4 out of the 5 days of his second week of school. This was good in that he was around the house and I could work with him on cursive and talk to him a lot about making new friends. But, being the new kid it set him back in getting to know the kids in his class.

The following week Titus' school only met on Monday and Tuesday with Tuesday being a Christmas Party half day. So out of Titus' first month at his new school he only got to go to 8 1/2 days! With all of this he is actually doing pretty well. He is FINALLY feeling better, he ended up getting strep a second time! (0r the meds didn't work one of the two).

Class for Titus got out Tuesday. My brother and his fiance' came that evening to stay with us on there way to Louisville to get ready for their wedding this coming weekend! They left Wednesday morning and we drove into the airport to pick up our friend Robin who would be visiting for the next 5 days. Vernon's sister, Phyllis, and her family also came in that evening. The five of them, Vernon's mom and Robin stayed with us the next 3 days! (remember we have a small 2 bedroom rent home for now!) It was soo fun!

Christmas was a great day. We made great memories and had loads of fun. I feel like I could post three post just on Christmas Eve and Christmas day but I will spare you!

The Daniel's family left Saturday night and Vernon's mom drove home as well. Vernon preached on Sunday (and the Sunday previous as well but I missed saying that!) and we spent the day marveling at the explosion that had happened in our house! haha! No it wasn't that bad and was fairly easy to recover from. Monday Allison Richomond and Amy Kuntz came over and we had the best time! We took Robin to the airport and said goodbye. Allison and Amy both leave for there respective homes in the next few days so Monday was full of goodbyes.

So here we are Tuesday. A low key day I suppose. We leave on Thursday morning for my brothers wedding weekend. I am getting my hair cut today and V and the boys are going to hangout with V's step mom Robyne. Tonight Vernon and I are going on a little date to see Invictus. This movie includes two of my husbands favorite things: Rugby and Africa's history. We are excited.

Though it has been a busy season, full of family and friends, celebrating our return to Missouri, we have found ourselves missing our dear friends in Texas quite a bit. We are excited about the transition here to Missouri, our home state, but Texas got our heart when we weren't looking! We miss all of you and would love to hear from you!

I hope to check in soon after the weekend with pics of the wedding and such. If you don't already follow me on twitter (or facebook), I keep that updated because I can do it from my phone.

Hope you have a GREAT new year!

We Made It!

Most of you know this already...we made it to MO. We arrived Monday night late and our belongings arrived Thursday around 12:30; it was an adventure for us, "camping out" in our house. The boys did great! Titus started school yesterday and LOVED it. Thank you for all the prayers. It was very hard on me though. We have to drop them off, we are not allowed to walk them to class...and I am SO "that" mom...so lets just say my morning was rough.
We have almost EVERYTHING unpacked and pictures hung...even the Christmas decorations out! My mom drove down from north MO and helped me with the boys while I unpacked and arranged everything. Vernon's mom has been out a couple times helping as well. I went to a women's brunch on Saturday and was able to meet a lot of fun women from our new church. We had our first official day at our new church, The Summit. It was great! I visited a gym this morning that we are thinking about joining and of course we have all the nearby Starbucks plotted out. Sooo, life is shaping up!

I have had some rough days missing my sweet friends in Texas, but I have loved having FB, twitter and blogs to keep up. (and phones of course) Our biggest adjustment so far is figuring out how to get out the door in a timely fashion with coats, gloves, hats, shoes and socks on ALL four of us. This is not an easy task and I am open for helpful suggestions!! Also, our moving budget got pushed to the max because we had to buy all of the aforementioned items to stay warm! ha!

I will hopefully get back to blogging as our routine falls into place. Thanks for all the prayers and support during this transtion! Love to all!

Head'em up and Move'em Out

In 7 hours the boys and I will do just that, head'em up and move'em out. We have had a sweet last week here in Texas full of memories, friends and family. We can not say with words how much we love each of you dearly and will miss you more than we are ever able to communicate. We are excited about what is ahead and all that the Lord is doing. Thanks for all the love and fun this week!

Now....come visit.

His Voice for Sudan and The Advent Conspiracy

His Voice For Sudan Advent Conspiracy Video from Amber Burger on Vimeo.

I made this little video up last night to go along with The Advent Conspiracy. If you, your small group, your family or your Church are looking for a avenue to give to children around the world, we would love for you to consider our sweet friends in Sudan.

For more info on what the needs are visit our website's Partner Page or CLICK HERE for a document that has goals you could set for your group.

THANKS!

If you are not aware of what The Advent Conspiracy is, PLEASE take time to watch this 2 1/2 min video that AC put out as well::

Long Over Due

I have been meaning to write this post for over a month now.

My family is about to open a new chapter in our lives. We are moving. We are moving back to Missouri. St. Louis will be our new city, O'fallon, MO to be exact. Our hearts are thrilled yet we are so sad to leave all our great friends here in Texas. Houston, Midland and Fort Worth are the places we have called home in our journey here in Texas and behind us we will be leaving a wake of the dearest friends anyone could ask for. I must add Irving, although we never lived there, our church family does. They have become our closest of kin, leaving them will be like leaving our family when we moved away from MO to TX.

Vernon accepted the position of "Teaching Pastor" at The Summit Community Church in O'fallon, MO. For years now we have praying very specific prayers about a job that Vernon could use his giftings to the utmost, while continuing the work of His Voice for Sudan. When the Summit sent us the job description, we could not deny this was the place for us. It had every aspect of the job we prayed for!! We are so excited for this opportunity!

We are trying to sale our home and have been for a couple months. If we have no buyer by Thanksgiving, we will move Nov. 30th. (we are trying to find a rental home there in the mean time) If we get a buyer we will stay until we close and buy a home there. Obviously the latter is what we hope for. Please pray toward that with us!

We have learned so much through this process, so much that I wish I would have blogged. Maybe the blogs will come once we are there! Who knows.

To our Texas friends, you have have seen our family grow, cared for us in every way, struggled with us, rejoiced with us, morned with us, sang with us, gave to us, shared with us and become part of us. Although we are saying good bye physically, you have impacted our family for ever. For this we could never thank each of you enough.

Don't Give Up

yall.
i am alive.
please dont give up on me.
will blog soon.

-ab

All Dressed Up

I really didn't get many pics of us all dressed up but here are a few. I only had my phone so the pictures are not the greatest but it was so fun!

Not sure why, but this picture is soo funny to me! Justus as a "Runaway iPhone!"
This is Titus in his costume contest. I don't have any pics of Justus being in his but he got third place! fun!