It Snows in Texas????

This is what I woke up to on Wednesday morning. It didn't last long, but was a beautiful sight while it was here!

18 Months!

A common statistic that is batted around in youth ministry circles is that the average tenure of a youth pastor/director is 18 months. Ever since I've arrived at FPCA, we've joked that I would only "be here 18 months." Or every time a new month would begin, I would jokingly say, "well, I only have 7 more months left." Well today, December 1st 2009 marks the 18th month mark and I'm still here.

In some ways it feels like I just got here yesterday - there is still much to learn, so many people I haven't met, parts of Dallas/Fort Worth I haven't explored, things I don't know about Arlington, etc. But in other ways, it feels like June 1, 2008 was a lifetime ago.

Rob introducing me to the congregation on my very first Sunday at FPCA:


And then a year and a half later...
This first picture was taken at a youth retreat the first part of November. Becca came in from California to be one of our retreat speakers, and Michelle was one of the FPCA youth volunteers for the weekend.

And this picture on Sunday in between services with some of the FPCA youth.


Clearly in the past year and a half my hair has gotten longer, but that hasn't been the only change. I've come to embrace traditions of this congregation and call them my own (mostly I think because of the love I have for the people of the congregation).

I've enjoyed being here in Arlington, and being a part of First Presbyterian Church. I'm excited to see what the future has in store because I'm definitely staying longer than 18 months!

Thanksgiving From A-Z

I know I haven't updated my blog in many, many months. When I had gone to post in early March, I realized I had reached the quota of pictures I was able to post. Instead of doing something to fix it, I simply ignored my blog. Well after several people wondering if I would continue my blog, I fixed the problem and figured there was no better time to post than my annual "Thanksgiving A-Z" post.

2009 has been a good year, and that is much to be thankful for!

A: Airplanes:

I lost track of the number of different trips I took through the year - flying to NC for Tully's ordination, going to Houston a few times for Curisllo and Curisllo training, a mission trip to Belize, a trip to Minnesota to be in Sarah's wedding, my Company of New Pastor's trip to California, a week of vacation in NC, and a another flight or two I'm sure I'm missing. I'm thankful though being so far away from friends and family for being able to get to either coast in 3 hours (or to Belize in just 3 hours), and to being able to stay connected to the people and places I love!

B: Bearian:

When Becca and I were working together at San Marino Community Church, we were given the nickname Bearian (Becca + Marian = Bearian). And it's been fun to see her throughout the year at various events. But, it's been fun to still have opportunities to be a team, and do ministry together even though we live so far apart. We staffed a Houston Presbyterian Cursillo weekend together in April, and then in November she came out to Texas to be one of the speakers for our Disciple Now (a youth retreat) weekend. After serving in ministry together for three years, it's great to be able to do that again.

Becca and I in Palacios Texas during a Cursillo event in April:

The two of us after a 10k race:

C: Company of New Pastors:

When I signed up to a be a part of the Company of New Pastors program in seminary, I knew I was signing up for a six year commitment that involved daily Scripture readings. The first two years we met monthly with others from our seminary, and then when we graduated we were placed in regional groups and now we meet once a year. This past year we met at Malibu, and spent most of our time discussing the two books we had been assigned to read. Our time of study and discussion was good and enlightening, but the real blessing of the trip is just the time together - with those who are also relatively new to ministry and our pastor mentors.

Our group at the end of our meeting this year:

Jill (a fellow Fuller grad who is working in Austin, TX) and Mary (one of our pastor mentors) on the last day of the retreat:

D: Drapes:

In order to texture/paint the rooms in my new house, I had taken down the blinds leaving nothing over the windows. As a temporary fix, I put up sheets for privacy, but thankful they didn't need to stay up too long. My mom and her friend Mary came out from North Carolina equipped and ready to make curtains and drapes for the house. Friday we drove all over Fort Worth and Dallas buying fabric, and then Saturday, Sunday, and Monday they sewed. My job was simply to hang the curtains and buy food. But by the end of the four days my house looked completely different - it looked wonderful!

Half of the living room windows:

The drape makers hard at work:

E: Engineers:

At the end of seminary, I was very used to mainly being around other seminary students. But as I have graduated from seminary it's been fun to get to know people who are involved in other professions. At some point this year though I realized that a good number of the people I spend time with are either engineers or retired engineers. The one I see on the most regular basis would be my roommate, Michelle, but there are quite a few others. And I am very thankful for each of them and the blessing they are in my life.

Michelle and I before the Hotter than Hell bike race in August:

One of the other (retired) engineers in my life that I see the most often is Homer. Homer and his wife Joan are members at FPCA, and have been a huge blessing to me during my time in Arlington:

F: Family:

I am very thankful for my family, and for all the time we have had together this year: for the two trips I was able to make to NC (one for vacation and one for Tully's ordination), for my parent's 3 trips out to Texas (1 of them together, and two of them was just my mom, one for my surgery and one for drape making chaos!). I'm looking forward to spending Christmas in North Carolina, and hoping to see more of my extended family, and my Westminster family then too.

My dad and I before a recent triathlon:

My mom and I shopping for pants (which we did not buy):

G: Generous Friends:

My house wouldn't be as far along (it's not quite done, but it's close) as it is now if weren't for the amazing generosity of people who helped texture, paint, line drawers, build mantles, mow lawns, and do so many other things I can't even begin to list them all. And I wouldn't be as far along if it weren't for all the people who helped cook me meals, give me rides, and care for me after my recent surgery. Thank you!

Michelle, Suzie, and Keelan hard at work painting:

Lew working on texturing over wallpaper:

Rob helping me figure out how to scrape off the not so pretty wall paper border:

Scot helping me pain my kitchen blue:

My brand new fireplace and handmade mantle (thanks to Joe!):

H: House:

Though the closing process was a little more chaotic than I had originally hoped, I did eventually close and I love my house. It's a huge blessing to be out of apartments and in my very own house.

I: "It is Well:"

Music has always been a big part of my faith journey. Recently we have started singing a new song at our Sunday evening 6:33 service - it is Todd Field's rendition of "It is Well." Ever since I first heard it, the song spoke to me and I loved it:

When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul

It is well, it is well
through the storm, I am held
It is well, it is well with my soul

My sin O the bliss
Of this glorious, glorious thought
That my sin not in part but the whole
Was nailed to the cross
And I bear it no more
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, oh my soul

It is well, it is well
through the storm, I am held
It is well, it is well with my soul

It is well, it is well
God has won, Christ prevailed
It is well, it is well with my soul

O Lord, Lord, haste the day
When my faith, this blind faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll
And the trumpet shall resound
And the Lord shall descend
Even so, it is well with my soul

It is well, it is well
through the storm, I am held
It is well, it is well with my soul

It is well, it is well
God has won, Christ prevailed
It is well, it is well with my soul

J: Journal:

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I thought I would give thanks for my Thankfulness journal. A few years ago, my friend Sarah gave me a journal with the instructions of writing down each week the top five things I'm thankful for. When I moved to Texas it got packed in a box, stuck on a shelf, and I never used it much. But when I moved into my house I rediscovered it. And it has been a tremendous blessing these past few months to make a regular discipline of writing down the things I am thankful for.

K: Keelan:

The week I closed on my house, Keelan came out to help me texture/paint/clean. At one point, Keelan said, "I feel like I'm on a mission trip." We were putting in 12 hour days, eating our meals sitting on the floor with no utensils. But in the midst of it all, we had a blast, and I never would have gotten half of the work done without her!!!!

Keelan found only one good place to sit in order to paint the ceiling above the sink:

A sushi dinner on the floor:

Texturing the living room:

L: Lattes:

I have never been a coffee drinker, but I found myself drinking (and enjoying) quite a few cups of coffee this summer as I was traveling all over on various youth/mission trip. I haven't transitioned to the point where I drink coffee on a regular basis at home (or even on a weekly basis), but much to my surprise I discovered that I actually like lattes.

M: Moises:

If you haven't heard me talk about the miracle of Moises, you can read more about it on the FPCA missions blog The short version of the story is that while we were in Belize last March, we met a little boy named Moises. He had been run over by a truck in early Jan leaving him with multiple internal injuries. They had done multiple surgeries in Belize, but during the last operation they had been unable to close his abdominal cavity, and the doctor thought he would be dead within a few hours. He was under 30 pounds when we met him, and barely hanging on. His only hope of survival was to get to the States for medical treatment. Led by Tim Tam, missionary of the Word at Work, we began to pray and make phone calls. And it wasn't too long before a hospital in Amarillo, TX agreed to take him and there was a donor who agreed to fly his private jet to Belize to pick up Moises.

The first step was to help Moises gain weight through TPN. And once he was strong enough, they operated, repaired his internal organs. Now he is a normal, healthy boy, and he is back in Belize with his family. The boy that no one thought would live is alive and well!

Since he was only in Amarillo I was able to see him three separate times while he was in the States, and it truly was a miracle to watch him heal and regain strength over the months.

Moises on the first day we met him in Belize:

Moises on his first day in Amarillo (it happened to have snowed that day):

Moises towards the end of his hospital stay:

N: New Braunfels, TX:

Though I haven't made it down there very much this year due to a busy schedule, I love knowing that New Braunfels and some of my dearest friends are only a four hour trip down the road. Michelle and I traveled down there for the 4th of July weekend to go tubing and get some much needed rest and relaxation. It truly was a gift to be able to enjoy the hill country, the river, and to catch up with Sharon.

Michelle and I tubing the river:

Sharon and I at dinner over the 4th of July weekend:

O: Ordination Services:

It is been a joy this year to be able to attend various different ordination services - being a part of Tully's ordination service as he was ordained to be a Minister of the Word and Sacrament, to see my roommate Michelle be ordained as a deacon, to be present at Westminster Presbyterian in Durham when they were ordaining the new officers, and to see a fellow Company of New Pastors member being ordained during my trip out to California.

One of my favorite memories from my ordination service was when everyone who had previously been ordained came up to lay hands on me and pray. And it is now a true privilege to be able to be a part of that at ordination services.

Tully and I with part of the past and present Westminster Durham pastoral staff just before his ordination service:

Tully and I after the service:

Part of our Company of New Pastor's Group after Jolene's ordination service in September:

Nancy and Sarah after Sarah was ordained to be a deacon in August:

P: Presbyterian Cursillo:

Ever since April of 2006, the Houston Presbyterian Cursillo community has been a significant part of my life. And I am never ceased to be amazed at how loving and wonderful that community is.

I loved being able to staff this past April and watch my dear friend Karen moderate the weekend - she did a wonderful job. I love the new friendships I develop each time I staff. But I also love the ongoing relationships that exist outside of Cursillo weekends.

Becca, Jeff, and I were the Spiritual Advisors at Houston Presbyterian Cursillo weekend #55 in April:

The whole staff from HPC #55:

One very cool Cursillo connection from this year - Barbara came up to be our women's retreat speaker this year:

And another blessing - when we were on our October mission trip to Galveston, a few HPCers drove down to have dinner with us in Galveston:

Q: Quality health care:

I had an unexpected health problem this fall that resulted in me needing abdominal surgery. But I am extremely thankful for the surgeons, that everything was able to be fixed, and that I am on the road to recovery!

R: Running and Rock-climbing:

I couldn't decide which of the two is my favorite sport. Running is the sport I do the most often, and I love! I love running daily, I love training for half marathons. I just love the stress relief that is running.

I also love to rock climb, and I wish I was in a place where I could rock climb more frequently. I love the challenge that rock climbing presents and the rush I get from being up on the rock.

Both are great sports.

I've loved doing little 5k fun runs. This is one from last January that I did with Michelle, Rafaela, and Presley:

In February we ran the Cowtown Half Marathon:

Michelle and I after the race:

And one of my favorite things to do when traveling is to just go out on a nice easy run, and explore. Michelle and I enjoyed beautiful sunrises each morning when we were in South Padre when we went out for morning runs:

When the junior high youth went to Colorado, we spent an afternoon rock climbing, which was a ton of fun!

Unfortunately, there aren't any big mountains near here. But fortuntately there is a climbing gym (not quite the same thing, but is good for practice and gets the energy out).

S: Sarah and Charles:

It was a gift and a blessing to be able to attend and be a part of the bridal party at the wedding of Sarah and Charles Kennedy. I had to miss the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner because I had to fly straight from Belize to Minnesota for the wedding, but I am so thankful I didn't have to miss the actual wedding. It has been a privilege to watch the two of them date and fall in love, and to watch the many ways that they care for one another. They are both fabulous people, and together they are an amazing couple!

T: Triathlons:

In February of 2004 I tried a triathlon, but since then have mainly dedicated myself to running. Michelle, my roommate, is very involved in triathlons, and so I figured I'd give them another shot - I love to run, bike, and swim, so why not try them together. I only did two during this past triathlon season but I had a blast. One of them I was able to do in North Carolina, and that was extra special because my parents were able to be there. I don't think my parents have even been able to see me race and so I loved being able to do a race with them there.

Coming in for a finish during my August triathlon in North Carolina:

Michelle during the swim of our triathlon in Amarillo:

At the end of the race in Amarillo:

U: Underwater Cameras:

I rarely ever use film cameras any more, but I have on multiple occasions this year bought single use underwater cameras: to take Fun in the Son (a senior high youth conference) at South Padre Island, Great Escape (a junior high youth conference) in Gunnison, Colorado, and to go tubing on the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels, TX.

Michelle snorkeling in South Padre:

Rafting the Taylor River in Gunnison:

Tubing in New Braunfels:

V: Visitors:

Both in my apartment and in my house, I have a guest room and it has gotten plenty of use this year - and I have loved it!!!!

If you want to come and see Texas, please come visit, I would love to have you!

There are quite a few people that we haven't taken pictures of - so these are just a few. Beth from the Word at Work came for a week in October to help us with a presentation we were doing on Belize, and then we just got to spend the weekend hanging out with her.

Becca came in November to help with Disciple Now (and so did Jeremy and Dave):

Erynn and her roommate Jordan came out over their spring break:

There was about a day and a half before I closed on my house when Keelan actually got to rest before I put her to work texturing/painting:

I couldn't get Mary and my mom to stop making drapes long enough to actually pose for a picture:

W: Word at Work:

In March six of us from First Presbyterian in Arlington joined with a group from Westminster Presbyterian in Lubbock, TX and traveled down to Belize. There we worked with the Word at Work ministries, a missions organization that is doing amazing things in the country of Belize. We will be sending groups to Belize in March of 2010 and March of 2011. I am thrilled to be continuing our partnership with the Word at Work!

I am thankful too for both Beth and Tim, both of the people who work for the Word at Work.

X: X-mas traditions:

Ok, this is a stretch, but I have a hard time every year thinking of an "x" word.

I am thankful for the Christmas traditions from Durham, NC. I love the way Westminster Presbyterian in Durham does the "festival of lights" at the 8:00 Christmas Eve service. I love the days when all the Dankus and I would pile into the van and drive around and look at Christmas lights. I love opening stockings on Christmas morning with my family. I love spending the day with family, and then going to see the Hatch family in the evening.

I realized though that I am privileged to share in new traditions here in Arlington. They felt funny and foreign at first, but they mean something to this family of faith here. And so they mean something to me now too. I love how excited the Agape alumni are to sing the Hallelujah chorus on Christmas Eve. Last year Michelle and I didn't pile into a van to go look at Christmas lights, but her friend took us up in a plane to 3,000 feet so we could see Christmas lights "from above."

It's good to appreciate the old traditions, and to be able to still keep some of them. And it's also a gift to be able to make new traditions and to be able to be a part of traditions that have been going on for years before I moved to Texas.

Y: Youth:

I love working with the youth here at FPCA. It's been a fun year, and I am very thankful for a job which I love and amazingly fun people.

Trying to make a pyramid after a day of work at the mission trip:

The group during our Disciple Now weekend:

Z: Zany Fun:

Now this one shouldn't come as a shock to anyone who knows me, even slightly....I love to laugh, I love to have fun, so here are a few pictures from your enjoyment (I'm not going to try and explain them all - if you have questions, feel free to ask)!

from Belize

I have a LOT of blog updating to do, but haven't had time to do it. And now I'm in Belize with very limited internet access. We are updating our church's mission's blog though if you want more info on what we're doing down here in Belize City. And then when I get back to Texas on March 22 I'll post more about life in Texas.

Good Times in CA and a Successful Stampede

I hadn't made a trip out to California since I was there for my Company of New Pastors meeting at the end of September so I figured it was time to take a quick trip out there (because once Lent starts, my schedule picks up and I didn't want to wait an entire year before going back to see all my friends out there).   There are many things I miss about being in CA, and one of them is simply being so close to the Pacific.  This is the view from Becca's parent's house (the island in the background is Catalina).  

This next picture I took, because it is very typical of California.  Last night I was running here in Texas and I came across an armadillo.  While I was in CA, I didn't see an armadillo, but rather a peacock....Notice the peacock strutting across the roof....

There were lots of reasons, I wanted to make this trip.  One of which was to meet Asher, Paige and Chris' new son.  

It was great to see all three of them!  

I also got to see and spend time with the Lazzarini family.   Mostly we just spent time together at home, but I also was able to watch Margaret play in a waterpolo game.  

I had gone out to CA expecting sunny warm weather, and for a day or so it was sunny, but then the skies opened up and the rain began to fall.  Jennifer, Sarah, Becca, and I had decided to do our normal Valentines Day celebration a week earlier when I was out in CA.  Three years ago we started a tradition of doing "secret Valentines," and then going out to spend time together (and then we would exchange presents and reveal who had drawn whose name).  The past two years we had dressed up and gone out for fancy dinners and performances (a comedy club and the musical The Color Purple). Both years we had a ton of fun!  This year we decided to do something a little different and planned on spending the day hiking to the Hollywood sign.  Well, the rain stopped us from hiking so we decided to make a trip out to Upland instead.  We began our day together at Chick-fil-A, and there we exchanged presents.  

Jennifer had drawn my name, 


I had drawn Sarah's name, 

Sarah had drawn Becca's name, 

and Becca had drawn Jennifer's name. 

And then after a fabulous lunch and exchanging presents, we headed to a local rock climbing gym for a day of climbing.

We decided after climbing for a good portion of the day that we wanted some frozen yogurt, and made a detour by Golden Spoon on the way back to Pasadena.  

We got back, and Margaret and I decided while there was a break in the rain that we would take the dog for a walk.  Well, the rain didn't stay away, and we quickly got soaked.  But we had fun, which is all that matters. 

On my last day in CA, just before I had to fly out, we had a bridal shower to celebrate Sarah (who is getting married on March 21!).   Becca and I braved the rain and took the metro from South Pasadena to Old Town so we wouldn't have to worry about parking. 

Jennifer had made a card for Sarah to have during her wedding that simply said, "I Am the Bride," so that she could flash it whenever she needed to between now and March 21.

 
Jennifer had found a wonderful tea place to have the shower, and I had so much fun eating great food, seeing my friends, and celebrating Sarah. 

With Alethia (I had borrowed Tera's hat for the picture) at the start of the tea

Alethia, Christina, and Jennifer with their tea

Our wonderful food 

The group 

Before I left for TX though I had to make a quick trip to Trader Joes (to stock up on food), and while we were out we saw the most beautiful rainbow.  The picture really doesn't do the rainbow justice, but it was so pretty I had to try and capture it on film. 

On the actual day of Valentines I was back in TX, and figured that there was no better way to spend Valentines Day than to do what I love, running, with a good friend.  So, Michelle and I registered for the Haltom Stampede, a local 5K.   I didn't run a personal best, but I had fun and still managed to place third in my age group.  And the top three finishers in each age group were given a buffalo trophy. 

Michelle ran a great race and ended up placing first in her age group.  After the race, we had a great waffle breakfast (thanks to Stacy) and managed to get a picture of both of us with our trophies.  

Souper Bowl and Super Bowl Sunday

152 million viewers (according to Nielsen, though I must admit I have never quite understood how people come up with those statistics) watched the 2009 Super Bowl as the Steelers defeated the Cardinals.  We had a wonderful youth Super Bowl party, but our day started much earlier with the Souper Bowl of Caring.  20 years ago the youth of Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC address the issue of hunger in their community with this Super Bowl Sunday prayer: 

"Lord, as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us to be mindful of those without even a bowl of soup to eat."  

That year the one single church invited 21 congregations to join them and together they raised $5,700.  Over the last twenty years, as more and more congregations across the nation have joined in, over 20 million dollars has been raised!  

This was the fourth year FPCA participated.  The youth picked out soup recipes, we went to Costco to get food, and then on Sunday morning we cooked three different soup recipes (to feed over 200 people) - a classic chicken noodle, a chicken tortilla (that was the best), and a minestrone.   And at the end of the day, we had collected $915 with all the proceeds going to Arlington Charities.  

I only have a few pictures, but there are some more good ones on the First Presbyterian Church website (just follow the photos link).  

This was the start of our minestrone soup.

We had met during the Sunday School hour to start cooking, and then took a break so that the Agapes (the youth choir) could sing the introit.

The youth serving lunch in the fellowship hall:

Then, later that day it was time for our Super Bowl party! It was a party complete with lots of food,

and 3D glasses to wear in order to watch commercials (the few that were designed to be 3D).

Great way to spend a Sunday!

Congratulations to Rev. Tully Fletcher and Happy Birthday to Tori!

Though I had just been in North Carolina for the week between Christmas and New Years, I made a quick trip back to NC to be there for the ordination of Tully Fletcher (who took a call to be the Associate of Youth of Orangewood Presbyterian Church in Phoenix, AZ).  Tully and I had grown up together in the Westminster Presbyterian Church youth group, and it meant a lot that I was able to be there for his ordination.  

On Sunday after the two Sunday morning worship services, Tully's mom hosted a BBQ lunch (North Carolina BBQ in case you were curious) at her house.  It was the perfect opportunity to snap a few pictures. 

Tully and his sister, Jen:

Me and Tully:

And then after lunch it was time to head back to WPC to get ready for the 3pm ordination service.  My dad took this picture of the church, and I just love this picture

Around 2:30 Tully's entire commission (all those involved in the service) gathered together for final instructions. 

Part of what made the service so special was that the 3 pastors who had been on staff when Tully and I were going through the youth group were a part of the service.  This is the five of us just before the service:

At the end of the service I had been asked to charge the congregation.  Usually a charge is given to a congregation where a pastor is being installed.  But since Tully had been baptized at WPC (and the elder who had read through the baptismal vows in 1986 when Tully was baptized read them again, and we as a congregation reaffirmed those baptismal vows), we thought it was more than appropriate to charge the congregation at WPC as well.  It was very special for me to stand side by side with Tully, wearing our robes, and to charge the congregation.

Introducing the Rev. Tully Fletcher!

As the reception was winding down, we headed back into the sanctuary for a few more photos: 

An added bonus to being back that particular weekend was that it was the weekend before Tori 15th birthday.  I made the drive to Wake Forest and Keelan come home from NC State for the weekend so that we could properly celebrate Tori's birthday!  I hadn't really brought any party clothes with me, so I turned one of Tori's dresses into a shirt and wore it over jeans.




Keelan planned a wonderful pasta/chicken dinner, and we had 2 different cakes.  An angel food cake for us, and a funfetti cake just for Tori.  We got a little carried away decorating Tori's cake...

But Tori loved it which is all that matters. 

It was a WONDERFUL weekend, and I am so glad I got to be there for it. 

And then, I flew back to TX just in time for the ice storm!  When I moved to Texas in May, and spent the summer trying to adjust to the heat, I never guessed that the same state could have an ice storm!  The schools were closed, but the ice didn't last too long and after a day or so we were back to our normal routine.

This is the walkway out to the parking lot from my apartment.