Holy Cow

Well folks, it has officially been over a year since I posted ANYthing.  That means that probably nobody will read this.  Oh well.  If I had done a Christmas card for 2011 it would probably read something like this:

2011 has been a generally pleasant year.  We have kept busy between work, school, and friends.  We volunteer together on Sunday mornings in the 1 year old class, and enjoy our small goup/Sunday School time.  We also tried out our green thumbs with a raised veggie/fruit garden.  The strawberries and bell peppers were the best!

Lynn was promoted to Work Director of her team in Wells Fargo's Home Preservation Settlement team, and is thriving on the responsibility. It is a very transitory department, so her bosses rely heavily on her knowledge.  This fall she joined the church choir.  She loves the fellowship that worshiping together has fostered in this group!  She even got to sing a solo/duet in the Christmas Night of Worship program.  (See our very crude video/audio below)

Her beloved grandfather (Pop-Pop) passed away in September, but our Gracious God provided some sweet/healing family time as we all converged on Cape Coral, Florida for the services.  It is still difficult at times.  Thankfully we have the confort of knowing that he is with the Lord, as well as the peace that He provides as The great Comforter. 
We're looking forward to the arrival of her first (on her side of the family) nephew, Rivers, in January!

Luke's classes have gone very well, he's loving all the philosopy classes.  It's loking like his graduation will happen in December 2012.  He is still planing to pursue his Doctorate in Philosophy (with the end goal of teaching along the lines of philosphy/logic/metaphysics).  We had a great time at Frontier Camp in East Texas this summer as he spoke to Teen Week A about the book of James.  We love getting to connect with the campers, staff, and (our favorite) the other Hendersons!  We were able to meet his newest niece Sarah in her first few weeks of life!  (She followed in the other niece's footsteps and fell instantly in love with her Uncle Luke...that man has a gift!)
He continues to earn the title of  "Best Husband Ever" as he juggles the delicate balance of school/work/ministry/husband & home.  He spoils Lynn nonstop by surprising her with a clean home & cooked supper on her return from work a few nights each week!

We are praising the Lord for his presence, love, protection, and blessings in 2011!

Thanksgiving

I think this one may be short and sweet.  (compared to the others)
My Aunt Karen rents a beach house in the Outer Banks each year for Thanksgiving week for her family to vacation at.  This year they invited Luke and me to join them, since we’re so far away from any other family. 
I had to work today (Friday) so we went out Wednesday night and came home Thursday night. 
We had such a nice day!  They did a few things differently than I’m used to, (watching football) but overall it was nice to have a semi-normal Thanksgiving and just enjoy family.  Also, “Cousin Luke” (even though he was sickly) was a HUGE hit with Pam’s boys!!  It’s so cute to watch him play with children. J
Their big tradition is to go around the table and say what they’re thankful for in the past year.  Pam brought up the best point, and one that I think of often.  “I’m thankful for family, but to put a spin on it…I’m thankful that we enjoy our family.” 
I feel like it’s so rare these days to find a family where everyone enjoys one another, and spending time together.  I feel that I have been very blessed that my immediate family is that way, even after getting married and bringing such new dynamics in.  And to go beyond that, I love my in-laws and don’t ever feel judged by them (which is huge).  And again taking another step back, for us to be able to join extended family and just fold in so easily was amazing. 
Basically,  our God is Great, Gracious, and Greatly to be Praised!  Thank you for all the many undeserved blessings that you heap upon us, your children!!!  

Party Like it's 1999!

We've had a very busy few weeks.
We bought a new bedroom furniture, and played with moving the rest of our furniture around to make it all fit.  I found that it's very rewarding to save up for such a big ticket item, and actually spend the money on it. 

 

This week was spent helping our friend Drew plan a surprise prom-themed 30th birthday party for his wife Krista.  We had such a blast on the "party planning committee".  Luke said I was the Angela of the group, but I think I was Phyllis.  I totally could have scored an anti-gravity machine if it fit the theme!

We got to use the garage of an empty house (it's on the market) to create the prom-gym effect.  I think it was a HUGE success. 

Here are a few shots, but there will be tons more (including videos) on facebook.

finally an update!

I feel like each time I write here, I begin with “it’s been so long…” Well guys, I’m sorry that I stink when it comes to updates.

I think this time I will work backwards in time.

Our Sunday School class is going to use Luke’s truck for the church’s trunk or treat on Halloween. We are trying to think of decorating themes, but haven’t gotten any great ideas yet. So if you have a thought…we’ll welcome suggestions.

Friday, October 22 Mom and Dad will be visiting us for the weekend!!! (So please pray for their safe travels as they drive Thursday and Friday) I can’t wait. Mom has seen our home, but Daddy hasn’t, so it will be a nice time showing off my new home to him!

Sunday, I am hosting a tea party! There’s no fancy reason. I just wanted to get a chance to know my 2 most immediate neighbors a little better, and they both have daughters, so it sounded like a super fun excuse for a girls-only get together.

Today the NC State Fair began. Since we probably won’t attend till next week it doesn’t seem like that would be a very big deal. Oh, but wait!! I work less than 1 block from the state fair grounds…that stinks because my commute is already around 1 hour due to the fact that I have to stay on a 2 lane highway w/ traffic lights most of the way to/from Raleigh. I don’t state this fact to complain (my Ft. Worth commute wasn’t much better) it’s only to enlighten you all to my plight that will persist through 10/24.

Last Monday the school had an anniversary party with free bbq (the vinegar/pork kind). We walked up and had a good time picnicking with some of our newer friends.

I am doing a Beth Moore bible study on Tuesday nights with this friend too. Let me tell you about these ppl. It’s kinda scary how alike we are, both a couple, and individuals. (it might not come across well without meeting them, but here’s my attempt.)
Michele: favorite color = yellow, wedding colors were black/white/yellow, small in stature, and width, loves the Bachelor/wipeout/other shows that I like, sucks at softball, 23 years old (it’s hard to find that age in our life station here.) from Sarasota Florida (obviously, I’m not…but that’s near my grandparents, so I count it)

Nathan: athletic, into apologetics and philosophy, loves chips&salsa/stupid-funny movies/basketball, married a younger girl. I don’t know him all that well, but Luke does.

They were married about a month after us, so we’re in a very similar life situation. They love life, one another, and Jesus. The Lord has blessed us with their friendship, and is using our differences to challenge my faith, and really soften my heart to Him lately. He seems to be using a lot of people that way for me…He is so good!

There’s really not a whole lot that happened past that stuff…
We went to a few birthday parties,
Met/spent time with some new neighbors,
Had an amazingly funny wrestling fiasco,
Went to the dr. (inflamed cartilage on my floating ribs),
We both started serving with the 1.5-2 yr olds at church,
Got our own Netflix account,
Lots of cleaning, working, playing, walking, praying, reading, planning, & enjoying the many blessings that our Lord has given to us in this life.

We love you all, and miss you so much! (can’t wait to get to see most of you in the next few months!!!)

July 3rd and 4th

We got to go out to Duck to spend the 3rd (saturday) with the Pattersons and Co.  It was such a fantastic day!  Luke learned to use a boogie board and everything!

On the 4th we tailgated with our seminary friends and watched the NC State Fairgrounds fireworks from nearby.  The Thurman's brought cornhole for us to play while we waited for it to get dark.  Thankfully niether Krista nor Amber went into labor that night!  (Krista just had her son this past week...10 lbs, 10 oz!)

We had such a great time!

TEXAS

We got to go to Texas for the first week of June because Luke was asked to speak at Frontier Camp's homeschool teen week.  

We got to spend about a day and a half in Nacogdoches with my parents...which was so nice.  I really enjoyed getting a chance to spend time with them, however short it was.

While at camp we wakeboarded...I'm still working on my camera skills, and Luke's working on his flipping skills.

I'm not so good...so there.

We also helped out around camp (this way Holly)

Saw old friends...the Super special Camp crowd of too many ppl to list...and...

Sandi, Denise, the Sanders, Mom, and Christopher all made special trips out to camp to see us.

and made some new ones (DARRELL!)

Talked to Jesus...

and got baptised by my hubby!

We played and snuggled with the sweetest of all Hendersons

And forgot to take pictures when the beautiful Green ladies came to see us in the airport. :(  Although our hour and a half went quickly, we LOVED getting to see/spend time with Jenny and the girls.

Also Rebekah and Chris came to see us in DFW.

Over all, it was an incredible trip.  Much needed.  Our God is so good and gracious to have allowed us to come home, in addition to providing a way to get us there.  PRAISE HIM!!

P.S.

We think that the teenagers that Luke was speaking to actually enjoyed hearing his apologetics topics.  They seemed to comprehend and enjoy his messages.  It was very encouraging to see.  I'm so proud of him!!

May 30 is the best day ever!! (always)

Luke took us to "The Grove" a Bed and Breakfast in Marion, SC

(side view...our windows are the 2nd floor right corner)

Our room was amazing...yes that's a window seat on the right edge of the pic

see?

ginormous jacusi tub

the rear garden

Pretty barn

The front of the house

I spoke to Denise while we were at Myrtle Beach

(he's jealous)

The water was so clear!

1st kiss of our 2nd year...

Yea for homemade icecream topped w/ Heath bar crumbles on the porch!!

Happy Anniversary Baby!!!!