New Job, New Adventure

Ryan and I have had quite a transition the last few months. Most who read this know this, yet it is worth documenting. At the end of October Ryan gave his 2 month notice at his former job. Right at that time his beloved Papa, Ryan's grandpa, suffered an anurism in his stomach and passed later that week. He was such a godly man who has left a Godly legacy. It was a time that brought the family close and brought to light how blessed and loved we are. We miss Papa, I am so honored to have known him, and I look forward to seeing him soon :)

Once we came back from New Braunfels, we found out that Ryan's job was ending earlier than expected. Ryan really wanted to work for a trainer named Jordan Laron, yet when they talked Jordan wanted to hire him but couldn't afford to. So, we phoned our amazing friend Nathan and Jean Piper. Nathan is a reining horse trainer in Aubrey (near Gainesville) and he works for Reuben Vandorp. Reuben hired Ryan to start his colts and we moved in with the Pipers. They were so generous and hospitable to let us stay in their guest room. We enjoyed time with them and we were closer to our church in Denton. We were also able to come to Houston for Thanksgiving!! This is unheard of in the reining industry because the biggest show of the year starts on Thanksgiving day. Thankfully we didn't have to be at that show until later on the next week, so we finally got to see family and have a great meal on Thanksgiving! We were able to watch the finals, and Jordan larson, the trainer Ryan had hoped to work for won the Open Finals!

Christmas came and the Piper's had company coming so out we went! We headed to New Braunfels for a 2 1/2 week Christmas break! On our way down there, Ryan received a phone call. Guess who... Jordan Larson. He offered Ryan a job! So we had no clue what all the details were, but we felt a lot better knowing that there was a job possibility for when we get back because Reuben had told us he couldn't hire us permanently, just temporary. With Ryan's Dad owning his own company we had plenty of work to do. Ryan was busy with his hands building a beautiful cedar fence. I stayed busy helping the ladies in the office. It was so much fun to spend so much time together, I will cherish those memories. On Christmas my parents and brother came over to New Braunfels. It was such a blessing to have almost everyone there. I missed Leslie, Court and the kiddos, but they were having fun in the snow in PA.

Ryan's new job started January 3rd, I believe. We tried to fin a place to rent near the ranch while in NB. Yet, in rural Texas, you can't find anything on the internet! The way to get things done up here is to know somebody who knows somebody. So, that is what we did. We called someone, who called someone, who called someone and we finally heard of a few properties. We had 2 in mind when we drove up here. We drove up on New Years Eve. The landlord said it was ready to move in. We get there and there is no electricity or water!! And neither would be turned on until Monday. So we phone another friend, the Broadhurst's, asking if we could stay with them for the weekend.

Monday morning, Twanna Broadhurst, told me that I should probably call the city hall early to get my water turned on and boy was she right! I call and the lady said she needs a deposit before the water is turned on and that if I want it turned on that day, her husband could come turn it on after he gets off work... I thought that was weird! before we get off the phone she says, "Oh, I will only be in the office until 10AM, I only work mornings." only work mornings?!? She means, 2 hours a day! well it was 9:15, I had a 35 min drive. I book it and get to the little shack that is the city hall of Sadler, TX Population 400. Before leaving she gives me her home phone in case I need anything :)

Ryan started his job and LOVES it! He is learning so much, Jordan's training program just makes sense to him. He is really loves the people he works wirh and the horses he gets to ride. Here is a picture of Jordan's winning run!





Here is a picture of us in the Fort Worth Stockyards. From left to right, Cutter, Ryan, Amy, Molly & Stefan (who have temporarily moved to Switzerland where Stefan is from, we miss them but they will be back in November!), Taylor (Jordan's wife) and Jaime (their friend)

For a few weeks I was babysitting Jordan and Taylor's 2 year old boy, Cash. He is darling! Loves to rope his stuffed bull!

At the beginning of February, I started a new job! I am now the receptionist for Tradition Senior Living and Memory Care, a facility run by Mark's company (Ryan's dad). It is a brand new facility and as it grows my job will hopefully turn into an assistant manager position. I am very grateful to have a job because it is necessary now! Although I am bummed I won't be going to as many horse shows with Ryan, it is hopefully for only a season. So there is my update, it has been a whirlwind. God is good and in control!

Give God the Glory

I realize it has almost been a year since I last posted. This blog is somewhat like my journal. My journal began in 2005 and I still have about 20 pages left! Yet, I do not want to post things for with no purpose. I have not felt that I needed to post, but yesterday, God gave me a revelation.

I am excited to post this because God has truly exposed my heart and made His truth resonate with me. It has left me with gratitude and excitement and I know that I must proclaim it publicly. Even though a select few will read this, it is still public.

A few days ago, my husband and I decided to begin listening to a series of teachings done by Soma Communities in Seattle. It is a church body (which is what Soma means, body) that does church a little different from the Bible belt. They love Jesus, His word, and they have a zeal for people to know the gospel, the love of Jesus, and they are for the good of their city. So the first teaching was on Celebrating. They talked of getting people together in their neighborhood to celebrate, in hopes to build friendships with them and get to know them. Now this post actually doesn't have much to do with the podcast, except there was one small line that I picked up on. They had asked a few from the body to step up and talk about how they have been celebrating. One lady got up and spoke, and she mentioned her daughter's preschool teacher. She has a good relationship with her and loves her dearly, they have had many great conversations about the Lord, and the teacher actually believes in the gospel. Yet, the lady stated that "She just doesn't Give God the Glory."

I decided to read the gospel of John again. I am yearning to know more of the character of God. Jesus is the perfect image bearer of God to us, so what better way to see God's character than through the life of Jesus. Yesterday I was in chapter 3 of John. The beginning talks about Nicodemus and the new birth. The second part of the chapter talks about John the Baptist. A verse that is put onto coffee mugs and t-shirts is John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease." It's a wonderful verse that I have loved for years, yet yesterday it was put into context and this is when God exposed my heart.

Putting this verse into context really shows the weight of it. John the baptist was "preparing the way of the Lord." God sent him to teach of repentance and baptism. At this point in scripture, Jesus was just baptized and had gone down the river and was baptizing others. John's disciples came to him and said Jesus is baptizing and all are coming to him! It seems that they are perceiving a competition between John and Jesus. Yet, the way in which John responds exposed the wickedness in my own heart.

I am a Type A personality. I enjoy doing a good job and excelling in everything I do. I love affirmation. I love to hear that I have done a good job. Who doesn't!?!?! We all want to know that we are the best of the best. That the job that was set in front of us was done well, and people have recognized our well doing and affirm us for it. So when I read this I thought... if I were John the Baptist, I would have wanted Jesus to give me public affirmation. To say, "my son, you have prepared the way for me, good job."

Yet, John does nothing of the sort, he had absolutely no desire to be recognized for what he was doing. Instead he publicly proclaims, You yourselves bear witness that I said, I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before Him. He is like the friend of a groom who stands by him at his wedding, full of joy for the groom. He must increase, but I must decrease. John says, He who comes from above is above all, and He who believes in the Son has everlasting life. John does not cease to give God the glory!

He gives the glory where it is due, seeking no glory for himself.

I confess that I would never want to look like I want the glory, yet I know my heart and God knows my heart all the more. So I want to publicly give God the glory because it is His glory and His alone.

I give God the glory for the power and work of the gospel.

I give God the glory for the salvation He has given me through the power in His blood that was shed to wash me clean.

I give God the glory for the marriage he has blessed me with and what a blessing it has been!

I give God the glory for never going hungry and always having a roof over my head

I give God the glory for the skills and talents He has given me

I give God the glory for the job he has blessed Ryan with

I give God the glory for the work He is doing in my heart, sanctifying me and transforming me more into the image of Jesus by the power of His Holy Spirit

These are only a few, this has turned my heart to worship the Lord. He is good, He is True.

If you are like me and you have been seeking glory for yourself, come to God. He loves you, let him lavish you with His love. He is a God who forgives. Let our affections be on Christ alone