The Yellow Rose of Texas

This picture touched me this morning as I thought about my Grandmother Schlenker and how much she would have loved this picture. She was a true cowgirl and loved Texas. She loved yellow roses and would always sing..... The Yellow Rose of Texas.

There's a yellow rose in Texas
That I am a going to see
No other darky knows her
No one only me

She cryed so when I left her
It like to broke my heart
And if I ever find her
We nevermore will part

And continues:

She's the sweetest rose of color
This darky ever knew
Her eyes are bright as diamonds
They sparkle like the dew

You may talk about dearest May
and sing of Rosa Lee
But the yellow rose of Texas
Beats the belles of Tennessee
She's the sweetest little rosebud,
That Texas ever knew
Her eyes are bright as diamonds,
They sparkle like the dew,

You may talk about your Clementine
and sing of Rosalee,
But The Yellow Rose of Texas
is the only girl for me!

update 2008

woooh! 2008! here is a little update. i was in california for christmas and had a great time with friends and family. lots of people were out of town so i didn't get to spend lots of time with my central coast peeps however, i had amazing time with my family. the day i flew into slo airport, it was one of those stunning central coast days, 75d, light cool breeze- you know the deal. i stepped off the plane and sherry and mandy were there to pick me up. i was greeted by lots of love and was sent off with lots of love by my mom dad and brother. the holidays were more simple than years past. miss ava lynne made her first appearance in california. my mom really tried to not make a huge dinner production at every oppoutunity and to really focus on just being family. it was a blessing to just be with family, laugh and hang out with each other. ava's little life added a lot to all of us and seemed to have brough a refocus of simplicity to our family. the day i flew into denver, 1-70 was closed, so i was trapped in denver for a few days. i was able to spend my new years eve with a friend from college, melissa. we had a great time together getting caught up on life. the day after i drove up from denver, my cousin, evan flew in and spent the last few weeks with me. we had so much fun! we skied,cooked, laughed and did what families do..... evan was great to have here. my roomates and i woke up to fresh coffee and a spread of amazing breakfast platters every morning. shoveled our snowy drive way, mopped our floor, cleaned, ran a snowshoe race with me....etc.... man it is so nice to be taken care of and have the extra help. thanks evan- we miss you already.

i look forward to 2008. 2007 was full of lots of changes and transitions. it was fun-but there were some of those "stretching pains" at times. not that it is over, just glad to have 2008 be here. there were lots of highlights in 2007. what will 2008? hold, i guess that is the question we all ask ourselves. i am thankful to be living here almost a year, jan 17th. i am incredibly greatful to the lord for all he has done and the provision he has had in my life. the gentle nudges, the loving words, the questions awnsered and not awnsered and the friends he has given me here. i am greatful for it all and wait on all he has for 2008.

Stewarts back to Colorado & Heading to Cali for the Holidays

Ahhhh..... I had a great weekend having Eli, Mandy and Ava here the past four days. We had lots of laughs and a great time with each other. Mandy and Eli were able to ski on Saturday and I got some good time with Ava. Sunday we all rotated skiing and watching Ava. She is the best little girl ever! She has the sweetest demeanor and is just a sweet baby. I would have loved to have them stay another few days. Oh well, I will see them again in California in a few days. I head back to California on Saturday- Can't wait to see everyone! Looking forward to running on the beach and praying for some good weather ;)

Here are a few pictures. Eli has most of the pictures from the weekend, here are just a few....

Family Coming to Colorado

Yeah, I am super excited- Mandy, Eli and Ava are coming here tomorrow and will be here thru Tuesday! I am excited to have them here and of course love on Ava ! This picture is when she was 4 days old, now she is 4 months old.I will be sure to post some good pictures when they are here.

I am the Modern Christian

Eli and Mandy posted this on their blog. Their friend Duncan wrote it....

I am the modern Christian.
I say I know God, yet do not take the time to know Him.
I say prayer is good and Godly, yet I do not have time for it.
I say church is good, but the music, message, and lighting should be perfect. I say I go to church, yet do not know I am the church.
I am the modern Christian.
I find it hard to worship when the guitar is out of tune.
I find it hard to worship when there is no music.
I find it hard to pray on weekend nights.
I find it hard to know God, yet claim to know Him.
I am the modern Christian.
I believe in the Bible yet think its standards are too high.
I believe that God is just, yet think everyone is basically good.
I believe that missions are good, yet leave it up to others.
I believe in giving it all up for God, yet pursue my own dreams.
I am the modern Christian.
I know exactly what to say to the lost, but have no idea what to say to God.
I know about denying yourself, but cannot miss my favorite show.
I know about sacrifice, but will not inconvenience myself.
I know I am saved, but do not know what I am saved from.
I am the modern Christian.
I think the child in Africa needs Jesus more than my neighbor.
I think the man who gives up sweets for lent is holy, but the man who fasts from food for two weeks is a radical.
I think that crying is good during altar calls for others to see, but not in my own room for God to see.
I think being called to work for God is good, but would gladly give it up for a higher salary.
I am the modern Christian.
I wait on my calling in life, and will not venture out until I get it.
I wait for a miracle to happen, but don't believe in performing them.
I wait for my friend to get saved, yet will not make dinner for him.
I wait on God's timing, yet do everything my way.
I am the modern Christian.
I call God's laws good, but find them impossible to follow.
I call God's name holy, yet run to Him as a last resort.
I call the Word of God inspired, yet have never read it through.
I call others lost, yet am not aware my own depravity.
I am the modern Christian.
Redemption is a way to rid myself of faults.
Conviction is when I feel guilty about my actions.
Sanctification is a word I do not understand.
Salvation is my ticket into Heaven.
I am the modern Christian.

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving I flew into LA and had a dinner at my brother's house with my family and then Friday we were all off on a 3 day cruise to Ensenada, Mexico. We had a great time as a family, lots of good laughs and good conversations. Thankful for Family and look forward to Christmas time on the Central Coast! Can't wait to see all of you I love on the Central Coast!

Carol & Doug's Wedding

Here are some pictures from Carol and Doug's Wedding a few weeks ago. Carol is a dear friend and I have loved walking life with here here in Colorado. Carol and I met at Kanakuk Colorado working with young girls together last summer. Carol has a the most genuine spirit and a heart of absolute gold. I love this sister of mine and I had a great time being apart of her special day. Carol has taught me so much about honesty in friendship,extending grace and being more consumed with Jesus that my own reputation. Thank goodness for friends who sharpen us!