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!!!!

Blessings Galore

Can I just say WOW!? The Lord has blessed us tremendously!  We are surrounded by so many Godly friends there is no possible way it was an accident.  Each time we get to spend more time with them I am amazed at the goodness and love of our God.  
We have been able to help out some of our friends a few times over the last few weeks by taking them dinner and giving them extra "hands" for the night.  They have been such an encouragement to us with their sweet spirits and intense love for the Lord.  Basicly their situation is this: they have a 2 or 3 yr old and a 5 yr old. Within a few weeks of their 3rd child's birth they took on 2 other children (a tough set of their family events) So now they're a family of 7.  5 kids, 4 in diapers...yet they are the ones encouraging us when we spend time together.  I know this is not very discriptive, but to be safe, legaly, I kinda have to be.  The point is, we have come to love them dearly in our short time here, and they have been huge blessings by allowing us to help them out. 
Also, Luke is super cute when he's playing with the girls and holding the boys!

wowey wow

Denise's birthday was last week.  I was left out of all the festivities, but I got to talk to her for a bit the other day which was great!
I have skipped so many things first this picture of my birthday present from Liz and Matt

Liz make them...and they're beautiful!!

this was Luke's birthday icecream cake!

This one's for Sandi...Luke made "Sandi's Beef-a-licious Brisket" it was so fantastic that we had to take a picture for her. ;)

We were so excited to find this that we drove way into Raleigh for lunch...also, look at the pretty clouds!

also, spring is soooooooooooo pretty...this is on the way home from work

and this is my housing, LOVE it!

We had a pic-nicwith a bunch of our friends and evie is the cutest thing around, so i had to put this pic up. 

Also, since we aren't creative and we can get stuck in a dating "rut" we stole the Irwin's A-Z idea, our A date was Alice in Wonderland + Applebees.  And it turns out that "Avril" had a great song at the end of it.

Coming soon....."B"each day!!

News Bulletin

THIS JUST IN:

Luke's favorite veggie (of the 4 that he eats) has now changed from broccoli to Denise's asparagus!!!
(Thought you would like this D.)

reflections

I typed this up at work last Thursday...sorry it took so long to get it up here.

I have discovered through a bad day at work that I am a control freak. I am the person in the office who accidentally causes conflict. While venting to Luke (and the bunch's) at supper last night I was lovingly guided to the realization that I think I'm better than everyone else. Ouch….not fun to realize that. When I think something should be common sense I feel the need to let everyone else know, even when it doesn't matter one way or the other.

In this instance my newly trained team was being told (by a non-authority) not to work till our report updated (9:30-10am) even though we have a list from the previous day to work from for that 1.5 - 2 hour time period. So I felt the "need" to clarify (through our trainer) that we didn't have to waste that time. Why? The volume of my work didn't change if they worked or sat. (P.S. I love that it's broken down that way) I have jokingly passed my sin off as "OCD" or as other ppl's fault for years. Thank you Lord for my Godly sweet husband and friends, that you lead me to repentance through them. Please keep this fresh in my mind, so I can trust you and not rely on myself.
On another note:
Two of my dearest friends had birthdays this past week (the 14th and 15th), and I was too far away to have birthday dinner with them. :( this is the first time since 2006 that I missed rebekah's, and though anna has been away for awhile, I still missed her tons due to the reminder. Homesickness isn't fun. I don't feel out of place here anymore, but it's still not home.

Spiritual Warfare

I have been listening to a bunch of podcasts at work this week.  Most of these have been Mark Driscol in Seattle.  I decided to include his series on spiritual warfare this time.  As many of you may know I am the world's biggest scaredy cat, so making this decision was kind of a big deal.  For my whole life, just hearing stories of people's encounters with evil spirits has terrified me (with the aid of my imagination) especially when alone, or in the dark.  So the morning after listening to the 1st of 4 teachings, I couldn't even get through getting ready for work without going back to our bedroom for the comfort of Luke.  However, I continued the series at work that morning...I was super jumpy, but I realized a few things.  Our God is Great and Powerful!!  Though I have always known this, and prayed it when frightened, this series really made it sink in.  Understanding more about the devil and his demons helped me to understand the Goodness, Grace, Mercy, Power, Love, and so many more attributes of our Fantastic God.  I learned a lot, there are frightening stories, but there are also so many great teachings in this series.  It helps lead to repentance, as most good bible teaching does.  I suggest it greatly (as long as you're not living alone)  ;)

Lazy Saturday...we missed you

Well, life is fast paced once again.  Traffic is really bad for me because the highways here have traffic lights on them.  I used to get irritated at the access roads with limited ramps to the highway, but I now appreciate them.  Anyway, work is going well for me.  I have met many nice people, but our work load this week was so light that at least 20 of my 40 hours were spent listening to podcasts and playing solitare on my ipod.  (which I love) 
Luke had a rough work day last Sat.  He spent 18 hours buffing, stripping, and waxing one building!  But he doesn't have to work today and we are very much enjoying the time together. 
I have started a new crosstich project and have found it to be greatly thereputic in the evenings. 
Our Valentine's/Luke's birthday (feb18) weekend was very nice.  We had lunch out, had a joint party with Krista and Drew(feb 14), and kicked booty at the "Newly-Weds" game!
We are getting plugged into our Church and have found a Sunday School (small group) that we really enjoy.
I know that this is scattered and broad, but its the best I can do to cover the last few weeks. Love you all!!!

Employment

I am now employed with a staffing agency, I will work through them for Wells Fargo.  From what I understand I will basicly be doing the same thing as I was doing at Chase. Yipee.

Job #1

Luke had an interview for a security guard position today. It went well, and he was scheduled to go back for another tomorrow when he got a call from the guy he interviewed with the first Monday we were here. We had given up on that job because it wouldn’t be a complete part-time position. (Which is what we want for him) It turns out that the guy talked to his bosses and they are willing to make it what Luke needs it to be. So, he starts a week from Wednesday and he doesn’t have to go on anymore interviews! Our God is soooo good!!

Snow Day Details

So yesterday was super fun! Our neighbors make to much keisch for breakfast, so they gave us the extra...so good!  Then, we went across the street to collect Drew, then headed off the the golf course (convienently next door) to sled and snowboard.  Luke taught Drew to snowboard and Drew hijacked a little girl's sled so I could play too. (even though i only wanted to film them, walking around in it was more than enough for me) We had lunch back at the Bunch's, then headed home to cook.  I was making dinner for all of us....that was the plan at least.  I somehow managed to mess up the baking of the chicken so that we ended up feeding the baby some carrots then going back to their house for taco dinner at 9pm. (we were supposed to eat at 6:30) Reguardless, it was a good time. 
Also I am setting up skype right now so if you wanna "call us" its lynn.henderson911
You should get skype so we can have video conversations over the internet...it's free, and great...so do it.
love you guys!

snow day!!!!!!!!!!!

Southeastern

Here are some pictures from the campus. 

Also, I got a birthday package today from the other Hendersons.  Liz made some beautiful greeting cards and Emily made a picture for me. see: