we are the KITCHENS!

so we moved…again

Alli — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 01:46:17 +0000

Less than a year ago, we moved from Fort Worth Texas to Saint Louis MO. That week, as we were moving into our new apartment, the temp outside was in the negatives and we just kept thinking, ” what are we doing? Cold is no fun and we are so very far from anything that is normal.” Eventually the weather got warmer, jobs became more norma, and we began to make more friends. About that time, our situation changed a bit, opening the door for Justin the start a masters program and for me to take a fabulous job. The only catch with all this change is that we would have to move… back to Texas… back to Midland. This blog is coming late, mostly because I have made no time to sit down and write this blog. So sorry if you are just now hearing this… but we moved to Midland.

We arrived here about August 1st. Justin has begun his masters in accounting from UTPB. We also bought a house that we are now mostly settled into. And better yet, we have been able to reunite with lots of old friends and are very near both of our families. Through all of the change and transition in the past year, I can say now more than ever that God is faithful. He is faithful to his character, that he both loves his children dearly, he disciplines us to make us more like him, and he is relationally oriented us. Such sweet truth to learn through all of this.

Again, sorry if you are just now hearing of this… we are glad to be back here.

We are excited about life in this new old place… more on our life to come soon!

Should Christians Read the Old Testament???

Alli — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 12:49:56 +0000

I am trying to read through the whole Bible this year. Currenty I am reading a little of the Old Testament Pentateuch, some Psalms, part of the Gospels and some of Paul’s letters. Many times I have stopped in the Old Testament reading and thought, ” Seriously, do I NEED to read this… these laws are so old and boring, and are the geneologies that important… can’t I just get to some more exciting stuff?” and then I read this little blog that put reading the Old Testament law in perspective for me: ( Below is the blog, but to go to the orig click here )

Don’t Stop Reading in Exodus by Tyler Kenney found on Desiring God’s Site

If you’re tracking with a Bible reading plan, or for some other reason find yourself plodding through pages and pages of old covenant laws, here’s some perspective to help keep you going.

It’s a quote from J. G. Millar about our need to know the Old Testament in order to know the gospel. He mentions Deuteronomy in particular, but what he says applies to the whole Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible):

Much of the theological framework needed to understand the significance of Jesus’ coming, life and death was put in place by Moses in his writing, and perhaps above all in Deuteronomy. For it is here that the theology of blessing and curse which lies at the heart of Jesus’ sin-bearing work is first articulated. It is here that the hopelessness of humanity trapped in sin, even when chosen by God, is exposed. It is here that the prospect of a divine intervention so radical that it changes people at the very core of their being first appears. (New Dictionary of Biblical Theology, pp. 164-165)

… and so I shall read on! Hope you have a blessed Palm Sunday!!!

Amazing video from Resurgence on Idolatry

Alli — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:14:35 +0000

Cam Huxford from the Mars Hill Downtown Seattle campus created this beautiful video to tell of his idolotry.

This morning, this video blew me away. Cam’s honesty and realness is awesome, but also everything he says is based in scripture.

enjoy!!!

DECEJANUARY CRAZY

Alli — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:24:19 +0000

Hi Friends!! Welcome to our new blog. With all of the wonderful and new things that have been happening in life, I decided it was time for a new blog ( plus you can do super cool things with WordPress). So WELCOME.

December and January have been crazy!! It has been good, but pretty much non-stop. I will give you the very very brief version.

- It began with some of our dear friends, the Burgers, moving to St. Louis

- we began to pack our whole house to be out by December 20th

- both of us had last days at work- the Stepans and the Clarks help us move everything we owned into a PODS

- we had a going away/Christmas party with the Stepans, the Clarks, the Dodds, the Jess, Ryiah, and Eli Gilbert, and Stacy Hunter — it was a sweet sweet time!

- Had Christmas fun and festivities with my parents and sister and nephs

hello Hudson the Great!

ROBIN HOOD!

- my neph Hudson turned 5

Buzz Lightyear and a Power Ranger Cake

- Rang in the new year on Portofino Island near Pensacola

On the flight there

My Parentals.... they are so cool

Polar Bear Plunge...people who did it were nuts... it was about 40 MPH wind and 45 degrees outside, plunging into the frosty ocean water

- returned to the ranch - began the trek from Lampasas (near Austin) to St. Louis– mom and I in my car and Justin driving his

- We arrived here January 5th, and the staff guys from the Summit Community Church rocked it and has us completely unloaded in 45 minutes.

- it snowed 5 1/2 inches, and stayed at a windchill of about -10

I am geared up for the snow(in my hubs' boots

the snow outside of our backdoor

- I turned 24, and to celebrate we took tour o’ Saint Louis in a limo, making snow angels under the arch, sledding in Forest Park, and having a blast all together.

Us at Forest Park

My Snow Angel!

standing at the arch, looking at Illinois!

- Mom returned home

- we went to Summit Community Church for the first time

- Justin started his job as the Executive Financial Director of His Voice for Sudan

- J took me to Ikea in Chicago for a late birthday weekend

J in front of Ditkas!

Welcome to Chicago!

mmm, the skyline

- and then here we are today!

We have really enjoyed being here. It has been hard some days, awesome some days. I have cried at random and had a blast too. I am working to be more conscious about blogging and keeping you updated on our life! Love you!!

Before and After Pictures coming soon of the apartment!