Really Knowing Christ

This weekend I had Brian load a bunch of Matt Chandler's old Metro sermons on my iPod so that I could listen on my way to and from work. I started listening on Monday and have loved it! I look forward to my drive because I love the passion that Matt has for Christ. 
A few weeks ago, in our church home group, we went around and shared our list of things that "stir" our affections and the things that "rob" our affections for Christ. Since that night I have really been trying to incorporate some of those things into my daily routine and listening to Matt was one of them. 
I think it was Tuesday when I heard Matt say something that really got me thinking. He said that if you have little to no affection for Christ it is because you probably only know what other people have told you about Him. I started to think about that and it really convicted me. I have been a believer in Christ Jesus since I was a little girl. When I hear people talk about Christ, quote scripture, and have a genuine affection for Him and living a life that is consumed with him; I am "stirred". I don't want to know just what others have said or preached about Him, I want to KNOW him! So yesterday I sat down got out my Bible and computer and started looking for reasons to memorize scripture. Here are some of the reasons I came up with: 1) to teach us about the character of Christ 2) it helps us fight temptation and sin 3) it provides comfort and counsel for others 4) helps us to accurately share with non believers 5) for the JOY of knowing Christ and walking in His truth. 
So I started a list of basic scriptures that most people are familiar with so that I can start really thinking and knowing them fully. I want to be able to quote them accurately and know where to find them. Here are a few:


Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 


Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved and gave himself for me.


Ephesians 2:8-10 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-not from yourselves, it is a gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.


Philippians 4: 6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prater and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.


My prayer is that Christ will continue to stir up these desires that I might know Him deeply and not just know what others have taught me. 

Happy Easter

One day when heaven was filled with His praises, 
One day when sin was as black as could be, 
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin,
Dwelt among men, my Example is He!


Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified freely forever;
One day He's coming, O glorious day!


One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain,
One day they nailed Him to die on the tree;
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected: 
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He!


One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,
One day the stone rolled away from the door,
Then He arose o'er death He had conquered;
Now is ascended, my Lord evermore!


One day the trumpet will sound for His coming, 
One day the skies with His glories will shine;
Wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing;
Glorious Saviour, this Jesus is mine!

1 Peter 1:3-9- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

California Love

For Christmas, Brian and I decided to take a vacation together instead of buying each other gifts. Traveling is something that both of us enjoy. We quickly started thinking about a place both of us wanted to visit and after much discussion we chose southern California (LA and San Diego). Friday night we flew into LA. We were so excited when we got there that the first thing we did was drive down Hollywood and Sunset Blvd. Saturday morning we got up early so that we could spent the day out in Malibu and Santa Barbara. Driving up and down Hwy 1 was one of my favorite parts. It is incredibly beautiful!

We stopped in Malibu to have lunch at Bob Morris Paradise Cove Beach Cafe. We walked right out on the beach to our table. The weather was so nice the entire trip so we ate outside every chance we got. 

        

       

After lunch we headed up to Santa Barbara. We enjoyed an afternoon of walking up and down the boardwalk and out on the pier. It was a cute town with lots of neat shops and restaurants.

Sunday morning we started our drive down the coast towards San Diego. We drove to Newport Beach to have breakfast and then followed Hwy 1 down the coast through Newport, Laguna, and then on to San Diego. Here is our stop in Laguna.

(Disclaimer: It may look like I wore the same outfit the entire trip but I promise I didnt! :) The weather was chilly along the coast but when we got to San Diego it was a lot warmer than I planned and I only brought 2 short sleeve shirts.) 

When we got to San Diego we checked into our hotel. I totally lucked out on this trip by booking our hotel's through travelzoo.com. We were able to stay at incredible hotels for very cheap. Our hotel in San Diego was on an island in Mission Bay.

Something Brian quickly learned about me was just how much I LOVE hotels. I am a sucker for a nice hotel room so this trip was heaven for me! :) Monday morning we woke up and headed to the San Diego Zoo. I had no idea how big and hilly the zoo would be. I was exhausted when we were finished!

Hippo

The rest of the day we spent walking up and down Mission Beach. That night we went to dinner in La Jolla at a place called George's. It was incredible! The first available reservation they had was 8:45pm so it was hard to see much of La Jolla. We decided to go back on Tuesday morning to see it in the daytime. They have a private beach where a group seals live so we had to take a look.

It was such a relaxing trip and so much fun to spend 4 days with my husband. It is crazy to think that we have been married for 8 months next week. Time sure does fly! I love you babe! 

Fort Worth Cowtown 10K

Friday night I picked Brian up from work and we headed over to downtown Fort Worth to pick up our bibs for the 10K. When we made it to downtown our plan was to park, go pick up our bibs, and walk around the tent that was set up with all kinds of fun things. That plan quickly changed when we saw the massive amounts of people and cars trying to navigate all of the one way streets. Instead I dropped Brian off, circled the block a few times, picked him up, and headed out of downtown. We met up with my parents for a nice carb loaded dinner at Macaroni Grill. 

Saturday morning we met my dad, Charles, and Jordie in our hotel lobby at 7am. I was quite nervous because I kept getting flash backs of middle school track and cross country meets where my coach would run beside begging and pleading with me to just pass one person so that I would not come in last place. Painful memories! (I did try to look her up on facebook to tell her of my new accomplishment...no luck!) 

It was the most perfect day for a run. Charles and Jordie ran at a faster pace than me so we let them go ahead. We consistently ran 12 minute miles and to my surprise it wasnt that hard. My dad and Brian kept me company and encouraged me the whole way. It was such a great feeling to cross the finish line and be able to say that I ran a 10K without having to walk. I look forward to next years Cowtown race and maybe, just maybe, we will attempt the half marathon. :) 

Valentine's Day

These are the beautiful roses that are sitting in my classroom. Isnt my husband great?!

Lately...

My parents were in town last weekend for their annual "Fab 5 Weekend" in Dallas so we caught up with them on Sunday at Norma's Cafe. I got to feed Tanner a bottle and loved it! Brian is probably rolling his eyes as he reads this :). I just love babies...I cant help it! This picture is so cute so I just had to share it.

Isn's he cute!? Tonight we get to babysit Jackson for the first time and I cant wait.

Next weekend is the big Cowtown 10K run. Brian and I havent been the best at training for this run because the weather has been so stinkin cold! This morning we got up at 5am and ran 3 miles. I just hope the weather stays above 32 degrees the morning of the race. I will be posting pictures of the race next weekend so that people dont just think I made it all up! Keep your fingers crossed I can finish.

Snow Day!

Yesterday Brian and I woke up and got ready for work with no clue what awaited us outside. 

When we opened the door everything was covered in white and the snow was falling hard. After trying to clear the many inches of snow off my car windows we both went to work. 

When I got in my car this was my view. 

My class was loving the weather so I took them outside to play in the snow. Usually I don't post pictures of my class but I thought this picture was safe. Earlier that morning our school acted out the Olympic Opening Ceremony. We were representing Italy. It was so much fun waving our Italian flags and saying "BUONGIORNO!" to everyone we saw. 

When Brian got home from work we went outside to do some sledding. We have a pretty steep hill right behind our apartment building that was perfect. We first attempted to sled down in a laundry hamper but the snow was so deep that we kept getting stuck. Randomly, we found an oversized baking pan and used that instead. Here are some pictures of us playing in the snow.

Today (Friday) school was cancelled for me and Brian doesnt have to go in until 11am. We are enjoying our late morning together watching all of the stuff about the Olympics. I cant wait for tonight's opening ceremony!