Winter days...

This is that time of the Winter that I began to hate. The sun doesn't come out for weeks on end. Its not just cold, its frigid! It just feels plain gloomy.

So, I have to resort to creating "sunny" days even when they don't feel that way. It definitely forces you to be creative.

Some things we've been enjoying recently...

...our gym has a hot tub. Lets just say we use it constantly! :)

...have you ever played Super Mario Bros. for Wii? You will laugh yourselves silly! It's worth it!

...I've been trying one new recipe a week. So far, it's been very successful and I am growing more confident in my cooking skills.

...I'm a frequent visitor to our local library...for both books and DVD's. I have now watched every single episode of the The Office thats ever been created. :)


Kyle has been exercising his creative side as well. He and best friend Joel have a radio show on blogtalk about Arsenal that has become quite the hit! They have had more than 2,000 downloads of their episodes since starting in November. They currently are working on creating a store selling apparel and finding an advertising sponsor. Check out the website: http://www.arsenalreviewusa.com/.


In other news, we have begun our house search again. We'll let you know how successful/unsuccessful we are as the process continues... :)

Tragedy

[Quick note: The high school Kyle coaches for posted an article about the success of the donated cleats. You can read the article here that was posted on the high school's web sight.]

This past week has been marked by tragedy. I think its safe to say our (Kyle and my) lives have not been characterized by very many tragic events. We are so grateful for this and yet mindful that is not true of others. Upon first hearing the news of the earthquake in Haiti, I felt a heaviness on my heart, a desire to want to help in some way, and yet a profound realization of helplessness. Its difficult to sit and watch events occur that you can't control and which physically are located far away, making them seem surreal. Its hard to know how to pray or what to pray for when the devastation is vast and looking at the future seems bleak at best.

I think God's heart is grieved by tragedy. His heart is not malicious towards us, yet at times events do not seem fair. In a very strange way, I have felt His sadness and heartache this week. I have not sensed any answers but have been comforted by simple truths.

"Have no fear of sudden disaster...for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared." Prov. 3:25-26

"The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
Rom. 8:26, 28

"When I awake, I am still with you." Ps. 139: 18


Check out this song: JJ Heller "Your Hands"

The holidays

Christmas break for us was spent in Colorado, the first two days in Ft. Collins and the rest in Colorado Springs. Every time we visit family in Colorado, we ask ourselves why we aren't living in Colorado yet! Its still a dream we will wait to see if God has in store for us.

We were grateful to see Grandma and Grandpa Tripp, who we don't get to see very often. We spent our time there doing Christmas-ey activities:


I (Stacey) am always fascinated by how close the deer come in the backyard. They love being fed pellets off the deck.


The rest of the time was spent in Colorado Springs, with the Foster side of the family. We are currently obsessed with our new niece, Sadie. She is so precious. Stephen and Sarah are excellent parents already! We continue to pray that someday we might live closer to them, Mom/Dad, and Jenny! See below for our stellar family photo:


And one of Sadie with Uncle Kyle :)



On a side note: we got 'bumped' on our flight out to CO and ended up with $630 in Southwest vouchers. Score!

An (overdue) update

As an update to the last post...

...we received the following pictures from Cason after they had given out some of the cleats. He also informed us they have not lost a game since receiving them!





Cason's family will be bringing several suitcases full of the remaining cleats later in January. We feel successful! :)