It's not Goodbye...

It's see you later.

Last Saturday evening, Rob & Sharla threw me a going away party!

I'm so thankful for the people that the Lord has put in my path since I've been here.

Here are some pictures from the party!

Leigh & I

Jackson

Eric

Charlie & Jackson

Kim, Carrie & I

Jackson & I

Erik, Julie, Jackson & I

I just realized that Erik wasn't smiling above, so y'all get two photos here!

Alyson & I

Of course, Rob, Sharla, Charlie & I didn't get any pictures at the party together, but we're planning on taking some this Sunday!

These people and a few others have made my world up here!

a friendship for life...and eternity.

Not only does April 21st always hold a special place in my heart - every year...

But...April 21, 2009 will forever be a day of thankfulness.

On that day, I ventured out on my own, to Muster in DC, basically scared to death.

As soon as I walked into the room, I met Lauren, who would completely change my experience in DC as well as the rest of my life, all unknown to me at the time.

6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, a year... It feels as if we've been friends our entire lives.  We were each others counterparts, we were like Batman & Robin (if you will)...we didn't do much apart.

"soul sisters"

Having plenty of common friends at TAMU...it took being brought to DC, completely out of our comfort zones to meet.

I'm incredibly thankful that the Lord brought here into my life and I can't wait for what the future holds...including getting to be a bridesmaid in her wedding.

What a blessing your friendship has been and continues to be.

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Wherever you are...it's your friends that make your world. 

National Capital DC Aggie Muster 2010

I've had the privilege of being a part of the DC Aggie Muster Committee this year.

Tomorrow (well, today) is Muster.  My favorite Aggie tradition, by far.  It's a day that makes me overwhelmingly thankful that I'm an Aggie and that I get to be a part of something so big.

History (for you non-Aggies)
Aggies gathered together on June 26, 1883 to live over again their college days, the victories and defeats won and lost upon the drill field and classroom. Eventually the annual gathering evolved into a celebration of Texas Independence on San Jacinto Day – April 21st. Over time the tradition has changed, but its very essence has remained “If there is an A&M man in one hundred miles of you, you are expected to get together, eat a little, and live over the days you spent at the A&M College of Texas.” Muster is celebrated in more than four hundred places worldwide, with the largest ceremony on the Texas A&M campus in College Station. 
Muster is a time to look to the past, present, and future…not only to grieve but to reflect and to celebrate the lives that connect us to one another. A gesture so simple in nature yet so lasting in spirit, Muster is the lasting impression every Aggie leaves with us; it reminds us of the greatness that lies within these walls, of the loyalty we possess, of the connection that binds us, and of the idea that every Aggie has a place of importance – whether they are present in flesh or spirit.







Softly call the Muster,
Let comrade answer, “Here!”

19 days

This past weekend was full of fun, excitement and joy.

The Lord truly blessed me in the friendships He has given me here.  I really can't imagine life without these people, at all.  People who I haven't even known for a year - so thankful.

Friday, Kim & I went to the Sara Groves concert here in Falls Church.  Let me just say, Sara Groves is amazing...I love her music, her story, her love for His kingdom and His people.  If you haven't listened to her, check her music out - it's good and it's true.

Saturday, Kim, Chris, Carrie & I went on a White House Garden Tour (thanks to Eric who got us great tickets!!).  It was so neat to be that close to the White House and to see the history that has taken place inside those gates.
Kim & I (again) went to another concert, Jars of Clay.  Also a great concert.. completely opposite from the Sara Groves concert...but still great.  Let's just say, it was a "rock concert" - and, I haven't kept up with J of C so...needless to say I didn't know much of their new songs.  They did play the classics though "Love Song for a Savior," "Flood," and "Dead Man."  They also played a song called "All My Tears" - which is a song I will have requested to play at my funeral... It's a great song...and I don't think it's morbid to already have songs you want played at your funeral.   You should look up the lyrics.

Sunday we had our regular brunch, this time in Old Town - then Kim, Chris & I headed to D.C. to see Fiddler on the Roof.  Such a great musical!

Needless to say, this weekend was super busy - but I wouldn't trade it for anything.  I'm trying to make the most of every day I've got left here - so far so good...while the packing is falling to the wayside...the fellowship is only increasing.

I'll forever be thankful for the friendships that the Lord has given me during my time here.

Kim & I with Sara Groves

Jefferson, from the White House.  I'm certain they have the best view.

group shot!

brunch

brunch

brunch

brunch!

One Last Time..

Since I seem to be way behind on blogging.. I'll just try to condense this post.

April 8, My dad, sis, brother-in-law and nephew all came up to visit! We had a great time walking around DC, hanging out, and enjoying time together.  I was so thankful that they were able to come up.  Of course the biggest surprise was that Dad agreed to come - of course, only after much guilt was laid upon him to travel outside of Texas.

so thankful for family.

Easter Sunday

I'm not sure words (or pictures) could quite express the beauty that was around this place on Easter morning.

The weather could not have been more perfect for being awake at 4 a.m. for a 6:30 a.m. sunrise service.  Being on the steps of the Lincoln Monument and declaring that HE is risen with thousands of other people was an incredible event to be a part of.  They had a full choir and a band, but like brass, piano & guitar. It was beautiful.   IT was completely worth waking up so early - what a joy it was to partake in that service.

Our little group then ventured over to the Tidal Basin to take pictures with the Cherry Blossoms before ALL of the crowds arrived.  It was about 8:30am and there were ALREADY people everywhere.  This place is nuts right now.  We got some great shots, nonetheless.

Carrie, Kim, Eric, Jenn & I headed to church at The Falls Church...and we ended up attending their "Family Easter Service" which basically meant it was led by the children - which was adorable and perfect.  We were all tired and that definitely kept our attention.

After church we headed to brunch at a friends house afterwards - we stayed as long as we could but it wasn't to much after we ate that we had to leave so we could go home and crash.

Certainly and Easter to remember (as if every one of them isn't).

Still in shock that I have less than a month left here.  It will be a bittersweet ending to something that has absolutely changed my life from here on out.  Thankfully the Lord has done so much in these 18 months, it's amazing.
His grace is amazing
His love is amazing
His mercy is amazing
HE is amazing.  I'm so thankful I could celebrate that this Easter.

I'm certain He's got big plans in store when I get back to Texas.  What that is, I'm not sure yet - but I'm certain He will, once again, turn my life upside down and take me somewhere I never saw coming.

I love that His plan is always better. Always.

Here are a few pictures from Easter weekend.

Kim, Lauren, Eric, Me & Carrie

And on another note - My Dad, Sis, B-I-L & Nephew all fly up here today...they're in the air now! They will be my last set of visitors before I move.  I know this weekend will be lots of fun even if the Cherry Blossoms are not really in bloom much. We have tickets to the parade and I'm sure we'll find lots of other things to do!!

Christ the Lord Has Risen Today

One of my most favorite Easter hymns.

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! 
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia! 
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! 
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia! 

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia! 
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia! 
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia! 
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia! 

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! 
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia! 
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia! 
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia! 

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia! 
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia! 
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia! 
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia! 

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia! 
Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia! 
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia! 
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia! 

King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia! 
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia! 
Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia! 
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia! 

---

On another note, I found this song by Matt Maher - Christ is Risen, and it's awesome. 

Sunrise Service at the Lincoln Monument

What could really be more amazing than experiencing the joy and blessing of gathering with 5,000 other believers at the Lincoln Monument to celebrate the Risen Lord?!  Shouting praises to the heavens, declaring of that HE is RISEN! -

Hopefully I'll have at least one or two pictures to post from it. Here is one picture from the morning!  More to come...but they are already all posted on shutterfly!