EstherJoy's Journal

08:31 am - UPDATE

Wow, where to start...
I'm a married woman! My, how things have changed in the 69 weeks since I last logged in! In the process of updating all my personal info to reflect my married name, I thought of livejournal. Should I just close the account or keep it open? I was surprised that it even let me log on. Like I said, it's been 69 weeks since I last posted.
Life is good. I love being married. I've married the love of my life, a Godly man committed to me through thick and thin.

10:03 pm - Swap

I did the winter/ summer swap tonight. Packed up the sweatshirts and pulled out the t-shirts. Replaced the scarves & gloves with swimsuits and shorts. Yeah!

Current Mood: chipper

09:54 pm - Random update

- I scored TWO runs at Friday's softball game!

- Chris is now a BSF discussion leader. Yeah!

- I am, at this moment, eating an organic pomegranate waffle with flax seed. Betcha never knew those were lurking beside the Eggos!

- The grass is NOT greener on the other side; thankfulness is a choice.

05:31 pm - Candy Heart

Your Candy Heart Says "Hug Me"

A total sweetheart, you always have a lot of love to give out. Your heart is open to where ever love takes you! Your ideal Valentine's Day date: a surprise romantic evening that you've planned out Your flirting style: lots of listening and talking What turns you off: fighting and conflict Why you're hot: you're fearless about falling in love

Current Mood: loved

09:37 pm - Today's hiking adventure

It was another 80 degree day today, so we just couldn't not go hiking! We went to the Fort Worth Wildlife Refuge. We saw 3 armadillos, lots of birds, and 2 deer!
Chris and I are starting to keep a collection of trail maps, highlighting them as we go, so we can keep track of our hikes.

08:28 pm - Advice

Just a little free advice:

If you are thinking about getting a Target credit card, DON'T!

Customer Service has been a huge headache. They can't keep my address straight. Their online access is always down. Arg.

08:12 pm - Hiking

Texas is having unseasonably warm temperatures lately. We're talking 70's and 80's-- in late December/ early January!!
Last week, I was down south with Chris and his family for Christmas break. Chris and I took his nephew Cameron hiking at Bastrop State Park. It's in a part of Hill Country called "Lost Pines". It looks just like East Texas with all the trees. It was really nice.
Yesterday, Chris and I spent our last day of vacation at Cleburne State Park. We went on a long hike, saw a couple of armadillos, a snake's skin, and about 200 vultures (in just 1 or 2 trees! it was creepy!).

08:43 am - I still believe

Last night I accidentally left the arm down on the ice maker. Just as I was dozing off, the newly formed ice came crashing down and startled me out of my half-asleep state. My heart jumped and I thought, "is someone breaking into my apartment?". For a split second, I promise it's true, I actually thought "maybe it's Santa."

Then this morning, I thought Santa brought me a new hairdryer. It was more powerful than usual. I know it's because I cleaned out the external lint trap yesterday. But, for a split second, I forgot all about that and wondered what was going on!

Current Mood: hopeful

11:58 am - Times are changing

The good old days... As a child, I could count on the Christmas traditions. Early December, we'd go pick out a tree. Christmas Eve candlelight service then time at one grandmother's house and Christmas Day at the other's. Christmas morning was just the four of us- bro, Mom, and Dad.
Even in college, I could count on some things. Writing Christmas cards and making crafty gifts over Thanksgiving break, making a homemade fruitcake with Dad, and still- the same traditions with grandmas.
Bro and I have done our best to maintain the traditions without Mom and Dad, but they're just starting to break down. Truthfully, they'd still break down even if Mom and Dad were still here. It's just that cousins grow up, families get weary, and the world gets busier.
This year, I have NO idea what happened to Thanksgiving through Christmas. I know I was busy with work, busy finishing up BSF, busy doing a wee-bit of shopping, then busy fighting off this strep throat. But, what happened to writing cards, making homemade gifts, or baking anything yummy? Where did the time go? And as for traditions, I'll be alone on Christmas Eve (partly due to strep, partly to other ill family). Solo Candlelight service seems so depressing. But, ya know, tomorrow is a whole nother story. I'll be with my grandmother and aunts and uncles (who all refuse to grow up) and it will seem more like Christmas. Then later this week, I'll join Chris at his parents house, then bro and I might go see the other grandmother next weekend. It really will have a happy ending.
I guess I should be thankful. There are plenty of people in this world who don't have a happy ending. They have no one to call, no hope of a rearranged Christmas, and worst of all- no Savior to celebrate.
I'm thankful to live in the USA, where for $15, I can see a licensed physician, get cheap antibiotics, and get well in time for Christmas. I'm thankful for public libraries with books and movies that help me pass the time. I'm thankful for warm memories of past and present family and friends who I love and who love me.
Merry Christmas everyone!!

09:51 pm - ANTI Pet Peeve

Every year, our culture gets more and more politically correct concerning religion in December. I hear lots of folks griping about all the changes to remove Christ's Name from December. I too have chimed in at the gripes about supposedly taking Christ out of "Christmas". My company's Christmas party is called a Holiday party. I'm receiving "Happy Holidays" cards instead of "Merry Christmas" cards. I noticed the ridiculous change that Christmas trees are now called Holiday trees. I see it.

BUT, in the past week, I've seen something new.

What does "rockin' around the Christmas tree" or "a one-horse open sleigh" have to do with Christ's birth? Let them call them holiday songs.

What does an evergreen tree have to do with my Savior? Let them call it a holiday tree. (Isn't that tradition rooted in ancient pagan practices anyway?)

Is there anything at the company party recognizing the Redeemer? Let them call it a holiday party. Christ would probably rather His Name not be dragged into it in the first place.

When we say they are taking Christ out of Christmas, what we really mean is that they are taking Christ's Name out of some post-World War II traditions- which He Himself was never really in!

Christmas- real celebration of Christmas- is in the heart, or perhaps a special church service. Not trees, not silly songs, not 'holiday' shopping. In the heart. Our joy should be so extreme that even one single day- December 25- with zero traditions should be incredible enough. {And guess what? They can't change the name of December 24 or 25. And they can't make our churches take Christ out of a Christmas service.}

I think it might even be a good change. It causes a distinction of holiday (Santa, evergreens, snowmen, shopping, eating, jingle bells) versus Christmas (birth of Christ, Savior of the world). Those people who thought they were celebrating Christmas (like thinking they are Christians just because they are Americans) may wake up and question what is this "holiday" I am celebrating? Maybe they will seek out something new- something- Someone- worth celebrating!

So get over it. Be bold- but in a new way! Instead of griping about the changes (that even some lost folks recognize), instead, boldly say that you are celebrating the new life that you have in Christ Jesus, and ask them, what are they celebrating?

09:50 pm - another quiz

You are the the Swedish Chef.
You are a talented individual, nobody understands
you. Perhaps it's because you talk funny.

FAVORITE EXPRESSION:
"Brk! Brk! Brk!"
HOBBIES:
Kokin' der yummee-yummers

FAVORITE MOVIE:
"Wild Strawberries...and Creme"

LAST BOOK READ:
"Der Swedish Chef Kokin' Bokin'"

QUOTE:
"Vergoofin der flicke stoobin mit der brk-brk
yubetcha!"


What Muppet are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

10:11 pm - Superhero Quiz- Yeah!

Your results:
You are Superman

Superman 75% Spider-Man 70% Hulk 65% Robin 63% Green Lantern 60% Wonder Woman 53% Supergirl 48% Iron Man 30% The Flash 20% Catwoman 20% Batman 15%

You are mild-mannered, good, strong and you love to help others.

07:20 am

Chris and I went hiking at the FW wild life refuge again. We saw FIVE armadillos! All within 20 feet or so. One was SO close that Chris even reached down to pick up a stick/ branch for protection, "just in case".
We also saw a snake. Yuck. We saw three woodpeckers too, plus heard fish jumping. It was a beautiful day!

06:13 am

I got a call from my new apartment office. They're installing new carpet- yeah! New carpet, new appliances, fresh paint. I wonder if they'll go ahead and put in the fancier blinds while they're at it...
Only 2 weeks and 2 days till the big move.

Current Mood: bouncy

08:45 pm - Heaven

Do you ever think about what might be in heaven? I'm convinced of the following (because God must like them too, right?)... chocolate of all kinds, milk, ice cream, cereal, coffee...
Well, now I'm really convinced that Jesus loves cereal. (Maybe He eats it for dinner too?) I went to Tom Thumb tonight just to get a few things. Well, a stroll down the aisle and you'll never guess, but all of Dad's favorite cereals were on sale! And his favorites are those $3.69 ones that never go on sale and that have pathetic coupons, if any! Dad will be here in less than 48 hours, woohoo!

08:05 am - Hiking Trip

Chris and I went hiking yesterday at the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge. It was maybe a 30 minute drive, north from my apartment. This hike, we went on a 'guided tour', if you will- a real nice gal, a 'naturalist', who told us about the birds, animals, plants, and history of the place. There were two other couples on the hike and they were all very quiet so it was a very nice hike. The refuge has 10 bison, 3 packs of coyotes, 300+ deer, and a bazillion prairie dogs. We saw 1 deer, all 10 bison, a dozen prairie dogs, plus rabbit & armadillo tracks too. It was 3 miles total- just the right amount of exercise. And the temperature was nice too with that hurricane bringing cooler winds. The only thing that would have made it better was if I hadn't been sneezing the whole hike- the pollen count was extremely high yesterday.

Current Mood: chipper

09:24 am - Crazy day!

Friday night, Chris and I drove down to LaGrange (70 miles outside Austin) to celebrate his nephew's 7th birthday. On Saturday, we all drove into Austin to eat & play at Dave & Busters then went for a major shopping spree at Toys R' Us. So the whole day, I'm 'whining' about how I wish I could see Sarah/ it's such a shame to be so close to her house and not drop by/ I wanted to call and ask her to meet up with us, etc. But the day was just too packed, plus I didn't want to steal from Cameron's big day. So Chris and I were driving back, and we're almost to Waco when my phone rings. It was Sarah!! They were driving back from Missouri, were getting close to Dallas/ Fort Worth, and wondered if I'd have time to see them. hahaha. God has such a sense of humor! So after much course plotting & time estimation, we met up in Waxahachie.
We ate at Jose's (or something like that) Mexicant Restauran. We had a big laugh over that one. The sign company put the "T" in the wrong place (on both sides of the sign), so they just adopted it as a trademark. (Yes, this is Waxahachie). "Mexicant rice"/ "Mexicant beans". We were cracking up.
It was great to see Sarah. I got to meet their third child, Jackson. And they got to meet Chris. We had a great time catching up. Thank you, Lord, for arranging such a wacky encounter!

09:10 pm - Paid in Full

I received a beautiful letter today- from the student loan folks:
"Congratulations! Our records reflect we have received the final payment of your student loan. The account number referenced above is paid in full." PAID IN FULL! I got to thinking how there are just some phrases that belong to God alone. Holy, of course. Righteous. Unconditional love. Paid in full. Only He is holy and righteous. Only He can love unconditionally, paying for my sin in full! And only by the grace of God can we live out those things. Only through His power and presence can I be holy or love someone unconditionally. Only through His provision can I pay back a student loan- in full. Glory to God!

Whoooooo Hooooooo!

03:38 pm - Nashville

I spent a week in Nashville for work. I studied in a lab at Vanderbilt. Even though it was work, it was a lot of fun. I got to eat at some neat places with neat atmospheres.
* Fancy dinner at an old house that had been converted into a restaurant. I had a salad that was nearly too beautiful to eat, delicious salmon, and a yummy chocolate chip cookie type of pie.
* Noshville deli- a bustling place where everyone spoke in a New York accent. I had granola with milk, fruit salad, and yucky acidic coffee.
* Bosco's for lunch- a salad with gorgonzola cheese and pears, yum.
* Patrick's for dinner- another fancy place that used to be an old house, just converted. Artichoke ravioli then berries with ice cream.
* Provence for breakfast- my favorite place of the whole trip. I had seen online that Rachel Ray had gone there for her "$40 a day" show on Food Network. It was a quaint French cafe and it wasn't crowded. Nice music playing while I read my magazine and enjoyed fresh fruit, perfect coffee, and to-die-for blueberry coffee cake. Wowzers.
* A little modern cafe for lunch- had some chicken salad wrap. Nothing real special.
* The Sportsman- the professor I studied with took the whole lab to "happy hour" and I thought it would be rude to decline. It wasn't too uncomfortable as about 1/2 of the people were drinking water along with me. Anyway, we got full on junky buffalo wing type of bar food. The fried dill pickle chips weren't too bad though.
* Pancake Pantry- it was kinda loud so that was annoying, but the food made up for it. I had sweet potato pancakes with caramel syrup. Buddy!!
* Lunch that final day was the closest I came to seeing Nashville music. We went downtown and I had a pulled pork bbq sandwich at the wild horse. I also walked around and took pictures of Hard Rock Cafe and BB King's.

09:57 pm - Praise in Crazy Days

What a weekend! I need another weekend to recover!
Chris and I had a crazy-busy time, but it was fun...
Friday night: new members class at church
Saturday: new members class at church, company picnic, okay, so we did relax that evening... had Chinese take-out and rented Napoleon Dynamite (dumb).
Sunday: early service at church, finished the new members class, packed a lunch for the car, drove to Irving, met up with Travis, went to the Byron Nelson in Las Colinas, ate dinner at Chili's in one of those mid-cities, said bye to TJ, then drove to Flower Mound for the Shane & Shane concert. It was so wonderful! So worshipful. I think that it was my favorite part of the weekend, just because it was a time to just rest with God and have truth sung over me. To feast at His banquet table and know more of Him. Ah!
At one point they moved from their songs to hymns and common choruses. I was so moved to hear in a new way:
"My sin, not in part but the whole- has been nailed to the cross- and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, oh my soul!"

That reminds me that the pastor had us sing with him toward the end of his message (and he's never done that before)- one of my favorite hymns:
"I know Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able- to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day."

This is the last week of BSF. I'm kinda sad, but also ready for a little break. I hope to do a Bible study this summer with some girlfriends though.

One recent huge PRAISE... the Lord provided for me to pay off my student loan last week! Freedom! Thank you, Lord! [My true "Daddy Warbucks"!]