Who knew Fall Out Boy could make me cry?!

I don't really have time to blog these days; there is so much going on in this season of life: work, graduate school (round two), Craig's work, Craig's graduate school, and our church community (which is the necessary glue that holds it all together!). Strangely enough, I did set aside some time this morning to watch this Fall Out Boy video that was forwarded to me by one of my former high school students.

I'll be the first to admit, I am not a Fall Out Boy fan, and I am probably way too old to know what's going on in their little Fall out Boy world, but this video really, really touched me. While the rebel wars have subsided in Northern Uganda, the devastation in this war-torn land is still prevalent. The Acholi people, the tribe who occupies most of Northern Uganda, are a broken and hurting people, and they long for healing and restoration. Sometimes, when I think about the plight of the Acholi people, it is easy for me to forget that we too are a broken and hurting people, and we too are in need of healing and restoration. We all need Jesus.

Sleepless...

Craig is in Savannah for a family wedding, and I am having a hard time falling asleep tonight. I'm not sure if it's his absence or the lack of time accountability; either way, I can't seem to nod off.

All day long I have had this beautiful, worshipful song stuck in my head. I do not know what the song is titled, and I have tried googleling it (however that noun/verb is spelt!) but to no avail. A sweet friend Brooke sang it at her sister Brynn's wedding a few weeks ago. Basically, the song has been playing over and over again in my head and heart since the wedding. A mutual friend of all of ours has it posted on her blog from the youtube posted by Brynn and Brooke's brother Brock-- did you follow all that?!

So, I thought I'd share this prewedding rehearsal since it has really ministered to me...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bsh4_6z8bCM

Remember the Alamo!

http://picasaweb.google.com/christina.crenshaw/SanAntonio

Craig and I had a lovely, romantic San Antonio get-away weekend a couple of weeks ago. We actually did not have time to pay homage to the Alamo, but like good Texans, we remember it in our hearts.

We stayed two nights at an amazing hotel on the Riverwalk called The Hotel Contessa. I highly recommend the place! Our sweet friends Doug and Katie drove up from Corpus to spend Saturday with us, and we all went to Sea World. I had not been to Sea World in almost 20 years, and I had not anticipated it to be any fun at this age, but it actually was! The rides are great, the food is not too bad, and Anheuser Busch has a free, that’s right free, Beer Garden for those of age. Though, I must admonish Sea World: You’ve got to revise your shows every 20 years or so! (I am pretty sure I watched the same Sea Lion Diner, Dolphin Underworld, and Shamu Stunt shows that I watched as a kid!) We enjoyed dinner on the Riverwalk both Friday and Saturday night. Here’s a few pictures…

Tagged by Adrianna...

The Rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog (about their 8 things) and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Eight things about me...

1. I have to workout in the morning or it will not get done. (I’m borrowing this one from Adrianna!)

2. I love, love, love dogs! I hate, hate, hate cats.

4. I eat A LOT! I really think I probably eat more than most of my girlfriends, and sometimes I catch myself eating more than Craig! Thus, the reason for the morning workouts!

5. Although the Myers-Briggs keeps telling me I am an E (ESTJ), I really enjoy my alone time. I love to spend a few nights a week reading a book with a glass of wine or a movie and popcorn with Craig. I wish I had more of that in our busy lives.

6. This year is my fourth year of marriage. This is the first year I have wanted to expand our family of two.

7. Someday, I want to write a book. I always have these fantastic ideas, and then I never capitalize on it. No lie, I thought about Redeeming Love long before Francine Rivers. She just beat me to it! :)

8. Besides writing fictional short stories set in the South, if I could do/be anything it would be a Ballerina Princess. I’m not really sure what that is either. But, when I think about being one, it conjures up images of a sweet little girl in a tutu who is loved and doted upon. What girl doesn’t want to be that?!

Okay, I tag Tracy, Katy, Meredith, Jessica, Wendy, and Lauren (who just had a baby and probably no time for this!)

And this one thing that I desire...

And so, it has begun—football season. It’s that special time of year when the weather cools, fleeces are donned, and tens of thousand Aggie fans pledge their allegiance to the 12th man god in the temple of Kyle Field. And they say A&M is a cult. The audacity!

Two week ago Craig and I spent the weekend in College Station and attended the Montana State game with some old college friends. (Shout out to A&M’s victory!) It’s always so refreshing for me to spend time in College Station; I have such fond memories of my college years there. Because Craig’s grandfather was a veterinarian and a professor in the School of Veterinary Medicine at A&M, Craig too has fond memories of College Station that date back to his early childhood. For Craig, many birthdays, holidays, and of course Aggie football games, involved trips to Papaw’s house. To reminisce about the days of lore brings such joy to Craig’s heart and therefore mine. I feel as if I am often living his memories vicariously.

Craig’s grandfather passed away in March of this year and is survived by his widow Gloria whom we affectionately call Gigi. Gigi is an amazing woman. She is in her early eighties and is more active than most in their sixties: she plays tennis three times a week, quilts daily, attends sporting events. She is arguably the most active, fun, and relatable 82 year old woman I have ever met. Throughout various parts of Texas, the South, and the Northwest, Gloria has children and grandchildren who love her, and she travels to see them regularly. Though health, family, and time appear to be on her side, there is still one thing that she desires. Gloria is lonely. She is without her lifelong companion. She desires to be known, really known by someone with whom she can experience the remainder of her life.

I can’t imagine; I don’t want to try. The thought of living a day without Craig pains my heart. Lord, thank you that you have created within us desires that are more profound, more life-giving than College Station memories. You have created us with the desire to walk in relationships, to live in community, to love and to be loved. Even more overwhelming is the desire you’ve placed within us to yearn for more of you, Jesus. Of all the ties that bind, nothing binds us closer to each other than our bond in you.

Gig ‘em and God Bless!