Bad Weather, Eye Surgery and More

You know, normally I love rain, but last night was not fun, but exactly the opposite- SCARY. I was at the 24 hour fitness across the street and Seth told me he could see a tornado developing. I felt bad for the doggies, but what can you do...
So the 24 hour fitness people made the announcement that everyone needed to get off the workout floor and into the bathrooms...about 5 minutes later a loud "helicopter" sounds started...that is when it got really scary! Thankfully it passed by and no one was hurt where we were... Thank you Lord for keeping us safe! :D

The Calm before the Storm 



So before all that... I had my Lasik-Intralase eye surgery. What an experience! I arrived at the doctors office at 7am and they started preparing me and my eyes for surgery. You know, all the people I talked to about the surgery who had it done did not complain about pain....well I AM! :P It did not hurt to bad during the surgery, but afterward it felt like knives were in my eyes!!! BUT that has all passed and everything is great! My eyes feel great and I am so happy with the surgery. I see 20/15!!! Whoo hoo. I have to wear my trusty goggles at night, or when I feel like it. ha ha.



Another cool thing... our youth group at church had a car wash on Saturday and to raise money for their Summer events. I am going to be matched up with one high school girl to mentor throughout the summer. I am excited about that and looking forward to getting to know her, whoever she is, I find out soon!

At the Car Wash

Also, two of our best friends are going on a mission trip to India in July, Matt and Brachele are currently raising support for the trip expenses. They have done such an amazing job raising money, and the Lord has provided! But I thought I would extend the support invitation to my family. :) If you are interested let me know!

Matt and Brachele

Thank you for reading! :)

"I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1



Day before surgery

Hi family, hi friends. Well tomorrow I am going under the LASER...Please pray for me, the doctor and staff!! I have to be at the surgery center tomorrow at 7am! Seth will be my chauffeur for the morning. The doctor said that it will be very important that after the surgery I go home and rest/sleep. The recovery will be faster the more I rest my eyes. I can't believe that it is already here :D

I hope that the next time I see you my vision will be perfect and NO MORE GLASSES (only sunglasses)!!!!

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Sad Day

Well I never thought that something bad would ever happen on Friday the 13th. Yes it is probably just a coincidence but still, it is a very sad day... My brother Matt told us about 2 weeks ago that him and his girlfriend were going to have a baby. Honestly, I had mixed emotions about it, but overall I was happy for him and excited to be an aunt. Today we found out that they lost the baby. The pregnancy from the beginning was risky as she was Eptopic, but you always hope that the baby is healthy and will be born. I know that God has a plan and in this time of grief we must find Joy and peace in this terrible situation...

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

^"'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

On my way to worship practice yesterday I had to stop and take a picture of the sky. It reminded me of how big God is and how little we are. I couldn't help but worship Him in that moment.

Lord, thank you. I hope and pray that Matt can cling to You in this time of need for affection, encouragement and comfort. 

What Joy Family Brings!

I had such a great weekend- Mother's Day and my Nanny's 80th Birthday. I can't express how full my heart feels after seeing my family. I love them so much and I am so thankful that I got to spend a weekend in Houston. Seeing my Dad was great, seeing my Mom was wonderful. We stayed up Saturday night and went through old pictures and laughed...I found a note book I had made that had all the letters my Dad had sent me when he was overseas each summer- '95-'98. I didn't realize how awesome it would be to look back at those (good going CJ) Mother's Day morning we got coffee and cinnamon rolls...Mmmm was that good!
My Nanny's 80th birthday was such a sweet time too. She is one of the most faithful, God-seeking, and caring women I know. I am so glad that I got to be there. Here are some pics of the event:

You can't see them very well, but I am wearing birthday cupcake earrings My Aunt Kacky made!

 Happy Birthday Cake!!

I also got to see my Meemee and Papa too. I am so thankful for them. I don't know who or what I would be without them in my life.  :)

At Los Tios...the "chip store"

I love my Family!!!

Kellie and I got to spend a lot of time together. I love her so much. We are in the process of helping her apply to UTA!! Whoo hooo BE A MAVERICK! Please pray that Kellie continues to be encouraged to come up here and graduate with her BSN degree. (Nursing)

Thank you Lord that I can rest in you. Rest in your power, eternal perfection, glory and holiness. I will never be perfect, never be without sin, but it is your life, death and resurrection that brings peace. Peace of knowing that even though I will not accomplish perfection, Your blood covers me and is the propitiation for my sin- I have faith in eternal life.

"Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16  

Fun Weekend

This was a packed weekend for me again. I can't imagine having a child right now. I know that when the time is right the Lord will bless us with one, but I am thankful that it is not yet. This weekend Brachele and I went to visit her sister who just had a little one. She is so cute and is only three weeks old with a full head of hair! Here is Raylen and I below:

Such a sweet little girl. I look foward to the day that I have my little one in my arms! :)

This Sunday I sang at Church again. I am really humbled at the chance to share this gift. I don't know if I will ever sing outside of church, but I am thankful for the chance to worship my God using my voice. After church Seth and I took a 4 hour nap! He was tired because he had to be there early with me and he taught our bible study class that morning too. I am so proud of him. Pray that the Lord continues to use Seth and I- in any way, and that while we decrease He will increase.

"Hear my cry, O God; Give heed to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a refuge for me, A tower of strength against the enemy. Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah.
For You have heard my vows, O God; You have given me the inheritance of those who fear Your name." Psalm 61:1-5