I Feel Like a Grown-Up

Today I did something that made me feel like an adult.

I BOUGHT MY FIRST CAR!!!!!

When I was hired last year to be a teacher, I knew that I wanted to buy a car.  I have been driving my grandmother's car for the last 10 years and I was ready for a change.  I also knew that I needed to save up a little something so that I would be able to buy said car.

So over the last 12 months, I have been doing research.  Going to website after website to look at what was available.  Heading to dealership after dealership taking countless test drives.  It was exhausting.

After awhile, I was able to narrow it down.  I wanted a small SUV.  But then I had to compare the Toyota Rav-4, the Chevy Equinox, the Ford Excape, and a few others.  The more I looked, the more I started falling in love with the Equinox.

So today, I became the proud new owner of a 2012 Chevy Equinox.

I am excited and really do feel all grown up!

And They're Off...(My Experience at DFW Airport)

Yesterday, I left the beautiful Northwest to return to Texarkana.  Now normally, this trek is very uneventful.  But that was before we hit Dallas with thunderstorms rolling through.

My flight from Seattle was delayed when it was diverted around the storm south and then came back up to DFW.  This little diversion added about an hour and a half to our flight time.  Right before we landed , we were told we were coming in to C28, and then we were given our connecting gates for our next flights.  "Texarkana B4", came over the intercom.

Once I disembarked from the plane, I grabbed a bite to eat thinking, "I have 2 hours and all I have to do is take the tram around to B4 when I am ready to go."  After eating a delicious dinner from T.G.I.Friday's, I made my way to my gate.  When I got there, there was an announcement that our gate had been changed to B7.  I had passed B7 on the way to B4 so it was just a short walk back.  Once I arrived at B7, the announcement came that our flight was leaving from B9.  Another quick stroll and I arrived at B9 only to be told that I needed to go to B35.  This was no short walk however and that meant another ride on the tram.  On the tram, I met a group of people who were all stating their various levels of frustration of the migration that we were all on.  We sat at gate B35 for an hour and were then told once again that we needed to change gates.  This time we were to go to B21.  One good thing for us, our pilots and flight attendant were with us at B35, so they were now in our migration pack.  It must have been amusing for others at the airport watching our herd coming down the terminal.  As soon as we hit B21, the pilots got word that were were now going to be leaving from B15, so we followed them.  And finally got confirmation that we were really going to leave from B15.

So, six gate changes and an hour late, we all finally departed from DFW and headed east to Texarkana.  I met my grandparents at the airport and they took me home and I crawled into my bed at around 11:30.  Another trip finished.

The Un-Writen Rule Broken

Yesterday, I got to hang out with my wonderful friend Samantha Fine and her mother Sarah.  We went to Seattle with no set plans.  We went to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch.  Since it started out as a nice day, we went to Alki Beach in West Seattle.  After driving up hill, we found a viewing point with an amazing view of the Seattle Sky Line.  From there, our adventure took us across the Ballard Bridge and then into the U-District.  We decided to turn back around and head into the Seattle Center again and we drove right past the Space Needle.  We kept driving, just trying to think of something to do.

That is when we passed SafeCo Field.  I remembered looking at their schedule the other day and they were in town.  I suggested a game and Sam and Sarah were on board.  So we found somewhere to turn around.  Found great parking right in front of the field for an awesome price and headed to the ticket sales window.  We got a good price for seats in the bleachers in center field.

After sitting for about an hour, I realized that my shorts were not going to cut it any longer.  I wasn't at a Ranger game, where game time temps are in the upper 90's.  I was in Seattle.  I decided to explore before the game started and see if I could find a decently priced pair of sweatpants.  As I started my journey for warmth, I ran into the Mariner Moose.  I don't know what they call him, but I did get a great picture.

After the picture, I continued on my journey and found the team store.  After getting the pair of sweats that were on sale, I walked back to the bleachers.  On my way I grabbed a hot dog, some garlic fries and a drink.  I was set for game time.

As the game was starting, a group of Orioles fans came in and were setting behind us.  Some how, we got into a great conversation.  As the game sped along (the first 5 innings in an hour) the guy right behind me asked if any of the Mariners had gotten on base.  I turned around and said no, but we don't want to talk about it (that unwritten rule about how you don't talk about perfect games or no-hitters while they are happening).  So we ignored it.  The Orioles opened up in the top of the 6th and scored four runs.  Chen was pitching great and went 1-2-3 again in the bottom of the 6th.  

As the Orioles took the field in the bottom of the 7th and got the first out, you could feel that something special might just happen.  That is when the un-written rule was broken.  One of the other guys behind me finally caught on to what was happening and said, "I have never been to a perfect game before that would be awesome."  I slumped my head in disgust.  On the very next pitch, Wells hit a home run.  Perfect game and no-hitter gone with one swing of the bat.

The Mariners rallied in the bottom of the 8th to tie the game.  However, the Orioles scored in their half of the 9th and held Seattle in the bottom of the inning to win the game.

It would have been nice to see a Perfect Game.  But I still had a great day in Seattle with Sam and Sarah.

Courage and Risk

This morning, I got the privilege of attending my first worship service at First Baptist Church Port Orchard. Pastor Jamie's message was unique this morning, he did a review of the first half of the year's sermon series in his church. 

Before I get into the part that really got me, I need to explain some things. Ever since my first summer in the northwest in 2004, I felt that this is where God gave me a heart for. I love the people, the culture, and the beauty of all I have seen while being here. I always feel like I am coming home when I make the treck up here, and always feel like I am leaving a part of my heart when I return to Texarkana.

 At the end of his review, Jamie hit Acts 1:8 "you will be filled with power when the Holy Spirit comes down on you". He mentioned that is impossible to fulfill the calling God has for your life without th Spirit and that by feeding yourself everyday, you will be able to better discern the His will for you. Then he went on to explain two characteristics about the early Christians.

 1. They had Courage.
         They had no safeguards for their lives.
 2. They took risks.
         It is easy to be brave, but not always risky. Sometimes God's will requires us to to walk away from safety and be dangerous. 

Right now I know I am courageous, but I am not sure how risky I am. Sometimes I feel as though I am stuck in that safeness, not willing to give up safety for the risk that it would take to go. It is a hard place to be. I am praying for faith to know when to move. I am praying for God to provide.

 The time may soon arrive when I need to get a little risky.