My two favorite songs

If you haven't heard them, you should:

Majestic--Lincoln Brewster/James Roots Band :)

Salvation is Here--Hillsong

Thankful

There are SO SO many things in my life that I'm thankful for...though I don't always express my thankfulness. So, today, Thanksgiving Day, I'm going to make a list of some of the things I'm thankful for (in no particular order):

• friends
• family--mom, bill, kasey, maggie, megan, tori, amanda
• extended family--all of them
• church family
• I'm thankful for not only the privilege to go to school and get an education, but to go to a CHRISTIAN school and learn about GOD!
• my professors. Not many people can say that they love all their professors, but I do. They love us, care about us, and most importantly, pray for us.
• Audie- I think I'm the only person in the world who can honestly and truly say that they love their boss in a way that they would do anything and everything in their power to help them out. Audie continuously challenges me in my leadership, my walk with the Lord, and in all areas of Children's Ministry.
• Hollie- Hollie has been my mentor for a couple of months now, and I am truly blessed to have someone who opens her heart and is completely honest with me. She just had Sam last month, but she continues to bless me in so many ways, despite her busy (and sleepless) schedule.
• Kyrie Lynn Goodhart- my BEST friend! We've been friends for over 17 years & I had the privilege last weekend of being her Maid of Honor (see previous post)! She is someone who is always there for me, even when she's a zillion miles away in Utah.
• Samantha--my BFFN :) Since we started hanging out in May, I've grown to love you more and more. You are a beautiful woman of God & I love you sooo much!
• The Kratz family- I've sorta wiggled my way into all of your lives (Dottie & Bo, Brady & Rebecca, Brandy & Noe) and you've accepted me! Started out watching H,C, and S, and now I'm watching all of the Kratz grandkids (H, C, S, and A) and feel like I am really a part of your family.
• I am so thankful for my friendship with Rebecca--I love shopping with you, spending time with you & the kids, and even working out with you...and laughing about your age. You're 30-what?!?!? ;)
• My life group: Hollie, Aaron, Sam, Susan, Tim, Paul, James, Berea, Anna, Phil, Lindsey, Brooke, Chase, Pepper, Samantha, Christi, David, Alex, Jacob, JT, and everyone else that I didn't mention. I love you all and am SO thankful I can share with you as we dig deeper into God's word.

• I am most of all thankful for the love of My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Without Him, I am nothing. He is my everything!

My Best Friend's Wedding!!!

This past weekend was my best friend's wedding! I had probably the best time, but let me tell you: I AM EXHAUSTED!

Thursday-- got up at 7am, did some homework, ran errands, shopped with Rebecca (got the cutest jeans ever & a nice black top), did some more homework, set up for the Bachelorette Party, then PARTY TIME! We went to Outback Steakhouse then back to Audie's (she was out of town & agreed I could have the Bachelorette party there) where we hung out and watched 2 weeks notice. Jessica fell asleep, so Kyrie and I stayed up until sometime after 3am talking. It was soooo nice--brought back many memories.

Friday--got up about 730, made cinnamon rolls, got dressed, went to the building to work for a bit, then went with JennyMc and StevieGee to Joe's memorial service. It was beautiful. Joe lived a life for Jesus and everyone knows it! :-) By the time we got back and had eaten lunch, it was time to go pick up Hali and go to the Rehearsal & Rehearsal Dinner. After dinner, we went back to Kyrie's parents and just relaxed. I got 'home' about 1230 & started packing all my stuff up (Audie was getting back the next day, while I would be at the wedding) and cleaning up the last of the stuff from the Bachelorette Party. It was after 230 when I went to bed.

Saturday-- got up about 615 & finished getting everything packed up, took it all home. Ran some things to the post, picked up Hali, and went to lunch at Padre Pizzeria (YUM!). After lunch, we picked up our dresses, then headed down to the Gaslight Square to get our hair & makeup done.

The wedding started at 6 & it was absolutely beautiful; Kyrie was stunning! The reception was a blast--I haven't had that much fun dancing and being silly since probably prom. (though I must say that my speech/toast [i was maid of honor] was a little nerve racking---but everyone said I did great).

After the reception, the wedding party and a couple of others and I went to Brewster's Street to hang out and dance some more. Finally got home about 3am, bed around 330 & up for church a few minutes after 6... Can you see why I'm exhausted?!? lol

Congratulations to my very Best friend and the luckiest man!

He has been found

"Friends- they have found Joe. He was in the plane. He has been w/the Lord since Wednesday October 28th, 2009. While Joe was at the prime of his life spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically, & was the happiest he had EVER been, that was nothing compared to the unsurpassing glory & joy he is experiencing as he gazes into the eyes of the Creator of the Universe and the true lover of his soul." -Jenn, Joe's fiancé

This is the current facebook status of Joe's fiancé, Jenn.

Continue to pray with me for Joe's family, Jenn, and his sweet 5year old son, Asher.

A Navy memorial is planned in Joe's honor on Friday, November 20, 2009 at 12 noon. It will be held at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas, in the NAS/CCAD Wings Auditorium. The memorial is open to Joe's family, friends, and those who have been a part of his and the Houston's lives.
The Houston family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to The Joe Houston fund. You can send checks/money orders to

Joe Houston fund
c/o Amy Warner
1066 Wilshire Place
Corpus Christi, TX 78411

or credit/debit payments can be sent through PayPal to
nhimitrust@yahoo.com

Thanks for your continued prayers,

Amazing search efforts

Can I just say WOW? Our community, friends, family, strangers, etc. have come together to search for Joe. It is amazing seeing God work. The Corpus Christi Caller Times, New Stations, and Radio stations are all announcing the volunteer search party...people are calling in and answering our prayers. Walgreens has donated bug spray and water and all sorts of stuff. HEB and Chick-fil-a have donated gift cards to use to feed our volunteers. People are searching non-stop to find Joe.

Please read the blog for finding Joe: http://www.findjoehouston.blogspot.com/

kristv.com: http://www.kristv.com/news/volunteers-search-for-missing-navy-pilot/

also on kristv.com, on the right side is a video...you have to scroll down some.

caller.com also has many articles about the search.

Keep Praying. Keep the faith.