New Facebook Profile

We've decided to start a new Facebook profile as a companion to this Blogger page. We've been trying to avoid Facebook, but I know its easier for some folks to keep up with other people there; especially if they already have a profile and they're simply scrolling through their newsfeed. You can click on the link below and add us, or simply keep visiting this page.

Facebook Profile

Subjugation of Women

I’ve noticed that as the years go by I am exposed to more and more people who, for one reason
or another, seem to cling to the idea that it is correct to subjugate women. One area that this is especially evident is the idea that women are less than and are somehow unable to do or are unfit for certain roles and responsibilities in the Kingdom of God. I first encountered this type of mindset talking with a coworker one day. “My daughter needs to leave her church!” they told me. Intrigued, I asked, “Why?” “Because,” they told me, “they’re letting a woman speak during service! Next thing you know, they’ll take her good Christian church and throw it on its head!” Colorful metaphors aside, I’ve heard several people voice a similar opinion... read more.

New Plants In The Yard

Recently, we a big enough break in the rainy weather to finish adding plants to our backyard. After I finally finished cutting down the stump from the free we removed, it was time to spruce the area up. We added a Purple Magic Crape Myrtle (shown top), a Foxtail Palm (shown above) and two different colors of Oleanders. We also moved a variety of smaller plants. Although there's always more to do, it looks fantastic and everything is happy and growing in the locations we have picked out for them. The Pomegranate tree even decided it needed to make more fruit and is producing a 2nd round of flowers- the first time its ever done so.

The Hateful Letter

I was talking with somebody, and they asked that I post the hateful letter from my dad again.  Here is the link: the hateful letter.

I Glimpse Into My Heart

After putting my girls to bed, I thought of my love for them and how thankful I am for them. As I began to brush my hair before bed, I thought of the little freckle on Alexi's little face, and Alissa's small feet that she proudly likes me to kiss and how they make me smile. Looking at myself in the mirror, I wished I would have had someone to love me with that same kind of love when I was a child.

Easy Does It?

As I've written about before, we are removing a large tree from our backyard. What I haven't written is how big of a project it is turning out to be. Despite my somewhat undersized chainsaw, I finally got the last of the trunk cut up and drug out to the curbside to be picked up. This morning, I turned my attention to the stump. What makes this stump particularly difficult is that whenever our fence was built it was done so right over top of where the tree was growing. As a result, there's not much wiggle room to move a chainsaw around without taking a section of fence with it. I had to carefully carve out around the fence with a reciprocating saw. As I fought the stump into sections, I could definitely tell the intense Texas sun was shining today. The calendar says its another 3 weeks or so until the start of summer, but I'd have to disagree! As I finished up for the morning (with parts of the stump still intact, might I add) I began to feel a little dizzy. After I came inside and cleaned up and began making lunch, I started seeing spots. By the end of the meal, I had a headache, pains and a sensitivity to light. I slid off to bed, and that's where I stayed- I even called in sick to work. I'm always getting on to Atarah to drink more water when she's working out in the yard. After all, I tell her, dehydration is a serious matter. I know I was pushing it and tried to get done without taking a break; and I paid for it. Whatever you are outside this summer, don't repeat my mistake- make sure you and the ones your with have adequate shade, water and resources to be out in the sun.

Work Shoes

If someone asked me what my work shoes looked like, I doubt they'd expect my answer. Out of all the intensive work I've ever gotten done, the vast majority of it was in what seems to be my favorite work shoes: flip-flops. Don't get me wrong; I have a perfectly good pair of sneakers and work boots. I think my departure from normal work shoes stems from the spare of the moment way an idea will strike. We could be in the yard or store or anywhere for that matter, minding our own business and just like that inspiration will strike. I've textured a ceiling, dug countless holes, climbed trees and now even cut a tree down, all with the help of my trusty work shoe flip-flops. Its funny how some things work out, even if they don't seem like they would on the surface.