My Little Brother is All Grown Up

Today is my LITTLE brother's birthday! Kevyn Lee Eddy is turning the big 18!

Y'all, it is so weird. He's a senior this year, so he is obviously graduating in May and I just can't believe it! I know I turned 18 once, and that was great, but I still feel like he should be 13 or something.

He, so delightfully, has today off of school. Yes, we here down in Texas honor Columbus Day. That is the high schools and below. Beloved Sam Houston State is still in session. I love it. ;) Since he has no school he had a big birthday bash last night. It was a blast and TONS of people came over. I love me some good ole' birthday parties!

So, this is the shout-out to my sweet brother whom I love so dearly!

Happy 18th Birthday, Kevbo!! I love you.

Now, go buy yourself a lottery ticket.

Your Favorite Sister,

Baptism!!

Hey blog friends!

It's 12:24 a.m. and I am absolutely POOPED! I just got back from a day of wedding festivities and boy was it an exciting day.

I should be in bed, but just wanted to ask for prayer for my baptism tomorrow. I am so excited, anxious, nervous, joyful...you name it and I probably am. But, if you would just pray that HE is glorified in all I do. That it would be a step of obidience to lead me on in the journey.

I am so excited and will surely update you all with how it went.

Thank you in advance for your faithful prayers!

Much love to all and have a wonderful Sunday!

The Beloved Hair Cut

Here it is, my new hair.

I, unfortunately, only have this ONE picture of the hair. It will have to suffice.

Just so your not surprised, I may take my little self to my lady at home tomorrow and have her "spice it up!" Don't get me wrong, I love it, but it just needs a little...umph! I feel it's at that "awkward" length and needs some help. I know that sounds crazy since it's only been a week since the cut, but a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do! Especially us "Texas Girls!" We love us some CUTE and BIG hair! ;)

And if I'm gonna go short, it better be cute short. I'm feeling all nostalgic about my long hair.

So, here's to the most vain post ever. I promise to get serious soon!

Announcement Time!

Oh. My. Gosh.

It has been over a week since I've blogged and I just don't know what to do with myself. I've missed you! For those of y'all wondering, I made it safe from the lock down experience. All is well in Huntsville, as of right now.

So, I hate "listing" what's been going on in my life, but I feel that's the only way to catch y'all up. Although, hopefully things will slow down a bit, because I do have other things I would love to post on...a.k.a. what I'm learning! :)

1) The past 2 weekends I have had the pleasure of being in College Station. I love it there. Such great friends and things to do. The first weekend I was pleased to see many faces, like Claire and Russell and of course, sweet Jamie. Y'all, her dorm room is precious. You definitely need to hop on over to her blog to see pictures. It's the cutest dorm room I have ever seen! This past weekend I was there for the A&M vs. Baylor game. No, I didn't go to the game, but much tailgating happened, and it was a blast. Hot. But a blast! My church from back arranged for lots of Cypress people to be there and we had a TASTY baked potato with all the fixin's. It was marvelous.

2) I cut my hair. Yes, I did. It's a little past my shoulders. I'm still freaking out a bit. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love it. It's cute, it's new, but it's short and I miss my long locks. Thankfully, my hair grows fast! :) I'll post a picture soon.

3) I'm getting baptized on Sunday. Sorry to those of you I haven't gotten to tell in person, but life has been crazy! TRUTH, the bible study I am apart of, is doing baptisms this Sunday and I only felt it appropriate to take part in. I have loved TRUTH and it's gotten me where I am today. As nervous as I am, I know it's a step of obedience that I am more than willing to take! :0)

4) A lifelong friend and neighbor of mine, who I graduated with, was hit last Tuesday by a car going 50 mph and died later the next day. He was literally hit while he was walking across the street. The funeral was today, and I am so sad I couldn't make it. The worst thing is that is was a hit and run. Can you imagine? Pray for the McLemore family if you think of them. I know this is really hard for them, and they just don't understand.

5) My computer has a virus. I have done everything I can possibly do and the darn thing just won't go away. It still works, but is RIDICULOUSLY SLOW. Hints why I haven't been on the computer much lately. I am so ready for a new computer. And next time, it will be a laptop. This whole desktop thing is not my favorite! So, how about an early graduation present? Mom? Dad? ;)

6) Jeff Johnson is my new favorite discovery. He's from Dallas and is an amazing songwriter/singer. So, thank you, Hannah, for introducing me.

7) Afshin Ziafat is amazing. He brings the word EVERY Tuesday and I just can't get enough of it. I am learning SO much and am SO overwhelmed. I promise to update about that soon. I just have to process it all!

8) We have 22 newbies in phi lamb this semester! PTL! They are all so wonderful and excited to be there. We love the new girls because they bring such a fresh breath of air to the sorority! This semester is already in full swing. Next weekend is our retreat! I am so excited because they are such a blast and such a great time to get to know the new girls! :)

9) Thursdays are so fun. Lately I've been going with Megan, my roommate, to the Woodlands to help babysit. She picks the kiddos up in Huntsville, and then we drive them to their home in the Woodlands, play hide and go seek, the dad comes home and we're free to roam around a city that actually has things to do. :) It's fun. And, a great ending to the week. Thursday's are my Friday's! I love it.

Well folks, I know that's not all, but my brain is pretty frazzled and I have a project due in 3 hours and frankly, I have NO idea what I'm doing. :) I better get busy.

Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. Lots of love and big hugs to you today from Huntsville!

Lock Down

Yesterday was quite the eventful day! As most of you know I live in Huntsville, Texas. Sometimes I like to call it "The Prison City!" I know you may not think that's funny, but when you live in a city full of prisoners and death row inmates, you sometimes have to make things positive so you don't freak yourself out. I've always felt safe here, but there are definitely times my mind goes crazy and I think of all the crazy things that COULD happen. On occasion I do think of inmates escaping. It's happened once or twice while I've lived here and the atmosphere of the town does change a bit, we're all a little on edge, but most of the time we're just extra cautious and move on with our day.

Yesterday was different, though. Two inmates escaped early yesterday morning while doing yard work on the highway. Obviously, if they were doing yard work, outside, they've been given the privilege to do so and they're trusted. They lost that trust yesterday after escaping and killing a guard. My heart is sad for that family. What a risky job. They are better people than I am for working at a prison! And for that matter, being a guard.

Normally when there are escapees, Huntsville goes on lock down. All the schools stay locked, and then it's up to the businesses and the college (Sam Houston) to make a decision as to whether we'll be on lock down or not. Most of the time, everything is on lock down for a bit, and then they re-open. Sam Houston, however, seems to NEVER go on lock down. We are simply all sent an email (as if we check our email in class) telling us to stay safe. Yes, they send us updates, but seriously. Wal-Mart was even on lock down for a bit. Now that, my friends, is RARE!

As I left school yesterday, very cautiously, I had heard I couldn't get to my apartment because that side of I-45 had been closed off for the time being. My roommate told me to come to her friends house until we could go home and I was OK with that. I'd much rather be with people than by myself anyway. After I picked up some lunch, I decided I would just try and go to our apartment to see if we could get in yet. Well, low and behold, I could. But, upon my arrival I decided NOT to stay because I wasn't sure about the 3 helicopters circling our apartments. Umm, no thank you! So, I went to the friends apartment. That's when I realized that the reason my side of 45 was closed was because that's where all the drama took place. And, not only did it take place on my side of 45, but it took place basically in the parking lot of my apartment.

You see, there is a bank literally right in front of my apartment. It sits in our entry way. The 2 escapees, after killing and taking the weapons from the prison guard, ran to the bank where they hijacked a ladies truck, while shooting, and throwing her in the back seat while they sped off. My apartment manager saw it all happen. Scary. Luckily, they were caught of few blocks away. They abandoned the truck, and the lady, then one was caught and one ran off on foot. That's when the search began. He not only escaped, but he was armed and dangerous. Thankfully, late afternoon they caught him, and now the 2 are back in prison, with no privileges and more charges against them. They have no remorse and told the public that they have "nothing to loose." So sad. My heart hurts for the guard who was killed and her family. Her husband is an HPD officer and when interviewed last night said that "she was everything he had."

Pray for that family, would you?

When Megan and I returned to our apartment, after a little scare of our own, we had our own "lock down." You better believe that ALL of the locks on our door were secure and LOCKED. They may have been caught, but we were on edge.

And that, sweet friends, is an exciting day in Huntsville, Texas. We get to experience the joy's of TDCJ (Texas Department of Criminal Justice) that no one else experiences.

Hello From the Lake!

Hi friends!!

So, I'm writing from the lake, for the second weekend in a row. I am so spoiled!

My mom called me to let me know that "the group" a.k.a the bible study would be spending the day out at the lake house on Saturday and that I should meet them. My response: the lake, 2 weekends in a row?! You better believe I'll be there! I mean, it is just so darn relaxin'. I've thoroughly enjoyed the day. The Lord knows that I need the peace out here!

I hope you've all had a great weekend. My has been great! I've seen my girls, visited the Lambert's in Aggieland, and now I'm at the lake!

Anyway, I'll update later, but just thought I'd say hello!!

Hope you're getting some rest this weekend.

Lots of love,

And There Was ONE

I just wanted to tell everyone who prayed for TRUTH Tuesday night thank you, thank you, thank you.

From the worship, to the special music, to the wonderful message, and to the amazing drama, everything went perfectly. The Lord showed up in a mighty way and low and behold ONE got it. ONE came to know HIM as her personal Lord and Savior. PTL! (I do know that 2 others are meeting with our pastor to talk more about it and they seem ready!!) There were also many others who rededicated their lives, or made commitments or changes, and we are so grateful.

The truth of the matter is is that we all need to examine our lives. In this life that we like to call "the dance", who are we dancing with? What is taking control over our lives? What is tempting us? How can we flee from temptation? What grave clothes are we still wearing? (See John 11:44)

HE longs to strip the clothes of death off of you, but you have to be willing to LET HIM take them off. You have to COME OUT of the darkness. Stop hiding. Sometimes we want the process of sanctification to happen in private, you know, just between you and Him so no one else knows. So know one else "figures you out!" So you're not embarrassed. So, maybe, just maybe, your pride won't be shot down. Well, folks, it doesn't work like that. We NEED a Savior to come pick us up and dust us off. We NEED other people around us to hold us accountable. To ask us the hard questions. To know us better than we know ourselves.

HE IS fighting on YOUR behalf. HE wants you to CHOOSE Him. Choose the spirit over the flesh!

I have been really struggling having a morning quiet time. I mean, let's face it, I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON. But, I have come to realize the importance of spending time with HIM first thing. Just asking that he would fill me with his spirit so that my choices through out the day would be pleasing to him. That I would choose the spirit over my flesh. That HE would be the DELIGHT in my life. So, I started the devotional, David: 90 Days with a Heart Like His by Beth Moore. It's been sitting in my room since June, and as sad as I am that I didn't start it when I got it, I think this is the perfect time to start it. It gives me structure. I am proud to announce that so far (meaning the past and first 2 days!) I have done it in the morning, and y'all, can I just tell you what a difference it makes. Seriously. I love it. Clearly, I praise HIM for kicking me out of bed each morning because it is everything in me to snooze my alarm for 15 more minutes, or 30 more minutes. So, praise HIM for his faithfulness.

But, since I am telling y'all this, y'all can keep me accountable. Ask me if I've done it that day. I'm so serious. My plan is that I CANNOT get on the computer that day until I've spent time with Him. I don't want to make it routine, or legalistic, but I just need that routine and that discipline. Since I've enjoyed HIM so much lately, and the book, I really can't even wait to get up and spend time with Him. It's a new adventure every day and I love it. Now, ask me next week if I'm loving it and you may get a totally different answer, but my prayer is that my JOY and SATISFACTION would only GROW for Him. So, join me in loving Him and for praying for discipline, would you? I would GREATLY appreciate it! And, I'll for sure keep y'all updated!

Anyway, thank you for praying for TRUTH. We GOT IT! How awesome is HE?! I pray you GET IT this week!

Love y'all!

Please Pray!

Hey Folks!

I am writing this short post to ask all who read this to please pray for TRUTH, our college bible study, tonight! I mean, we always could use prayer, but tonight seems to be special. Afshin won't be joining us tonight so our "college pastor", Bert, will be bringing a special word instead.

Tonight our topic is "Who are you dancing with?" and we are performing this skit at TRUTH. The skit alone is enough to move us all, but we want all who come to UNDERSTAND the skit. That what our Jesus did for us, he did for them too. That he has already "overcome this world." That he is on our side and that he took our place. That all the other things we chase after are meaningless. And mostly, that HE is chasing after us. Oh, that we would be free!

The other thing I would ask is that you pray for the TRUTH volunteers (myself included). We need to understand, too, that we are not past this message. That this message pertains to us just like it pertains to everyone else that walks in those doors. I think sometimes we too easily forget that and are so quick to help someone else and not ourselves. If that makes any sense!

Who knows, there may only be ONE person that gets the message tonight, but please join me in praying for that ONE person. But, I do hope we all GET IT!

Thank you, prayer warriors, in advance for praying. I'll update you, no doubt!

Anticipating HIM tonight,

Houston Girl

Hi Blog Friends!!

So, I have been reading a lot of blogs lately about Deeper Still, the conference, last weekend! As most of you know many of the "siestas" met up, hugged necks, took pictures and had a grand ole' time! The pictures are just precious and I can't wait for Siesta Fiesta to do the same thing.

A lot of ladies have also been re-capping what they learned through Beth, Priscilla, and Kay and we, as bloggers, have been blessed to gain some wisdom also by reading what they've learned. I have loved reading every one of them.

Anyway, since I am a "Houston Girl" I thought I would share some wisdom I gained last semester during the one "Wising Up" series night that I got to go to. You see, I am a "Houston Girl" but for the past 3 years, I've had to live vicariously through my mom, Jen, or Joanna because I've been in Huntsville at Sam Houston going to school.

Every semester I've been able to make it to at least one or two of them, but I definitely miss the consistency, and being able to go every Tuesday to bible study. But alas, I'll be back next Spring.
This is my last semester in Huntsville because I'll be moving back home to student teach. So, until next semester when I can update you all EVERY Tuesday night, go HERE to read about "Wising Up" with your tounge. I got to go during spring break and it was everything I needed to hear!!

I can't wait to be back with all my other Houston Girls!!

MANY Hugs,

El Casa Del Lago

Yesterday, I got to have an unexpected day at the Lake. It was grand!

During Rush Brunch (post soon to come!) I missed 2 phone calls from my lovely bestie Jennifer. I couldn't check my voice mail during brunch but I was dying to know what was going on. Sometimes I get nervous when someone calls me more than once.

As soon as I got in my car you better know that I busted out the phone. When I was confused as to what her voice mail was stating, I called her back. Come to find out, she and the parentals were on their way to their Lake House in Lake Conroe and she wanted me to meet them there! I was so excited I could have peed. You see, Jen was in town this past week for her Aunt Donna's funeral. I was so sad when I knew that even though she was an hour away, I probably wasn't gonna get to see her. This kills me because she lives in Louisiana. So, every chance I get to see her is a time well spent. Anyway, Huntsville is only about 25 miles from Conroe so of course I ran home, changed and headed to the Lake.

The Lake is probably the most relaxing place. It was our youth. We spent so much time there with "the group." Such great memories! The trips there are so few and far between now, so I was excited to spend the day like old times. Just ridin' around in the boat and chillin'.

We had a wonderful time. When I got there we packed up the boat, headed to Pappa's on the Lake for some grub, and then drove around for about 2 hours...no joke. I love the boat. I love going fast. I love the wind in my hair (even though it's a hott mess when I get off!) I love the time spent with one of my favorite families. They are family to me!

All in all I had a wonderful, relaxing and refreshing Saturday! There's nothin' like being with your favorite people on a wonderful fall day, on the lake, in the boat, cruisin' around with no cares in the world. So, thank you Jack, Cheryl, Jen, and MaMa for inviting me. I love y'all!!

Me and my Jen!

Pappa's on the Lake!

Jennifer Dawn enjoying the ride!

Ginormous House #1

Ginormous House #2