spiritual gifts

Cali

Howdy from sunny and smokey California! Hope all is well with my peeps in the Big D. So far, I'm enjoying my first trip to CA. I took the above picture driving back to Tracy from Modesto last night. The picture doesn't really do it justice - the landscape is beautiful though a bit hazy from the wildfire smoke.

Yesterday after work, I went with Cary (co-worker) to grab a beverage at the local dive - the Banta Inn. Sounds good already, huh? So we're sitting there just chatting away and enjoying some fries when out of nowhere I see this guy ride up on horse. No lie. Mind you - this is just after a guy has brought his dog in to grab a drink with him. Without missing a beat, Cary says, "oh yeah, he'll go tie up to the post over there." Am I in Texas or California?? It gets better - the guy dismounts and comes in - he's got on shorts, tennies, and SPURS! I can't make this stuff up. I really wish I'd nabbed a pic of that, but I did not. I got a good chuckle out of that for quite a while and wanted to share.

Hope the rest of your week is great!

Book and Brew

I know this may be too much to ask given everyone's schedules- but if anyone could type a little update on Monday's book and brew discussion I would really appreciate it. Who made it, what were the discussion questions or discussion highlights (not that anyone took notes) what are we to read for next Monday - thoughts, ideas etc. BOYS CAN BLOG TOO YOU KNOW I KNOW YOU ARE OUT THERE!!! :) If not, I'll just catch up at the next meeting!!

hope Mandy is having fun at training in California
pray Sherah's trip to Albuquerque is going well
Christi are you traveling this week? Girl I need to catch up with you
Lauren, glad u r home, upload photos per Amy F's suggestion asap

Moving Again!

Hi all! Italo and I will be spending our evening moving into my Grandparents house this evening. They are going to Europe for 3 weeks, so we are going to take advantage of the empty house to get some time by ourselves! I am excited, but not looking forward to moving my stuff again. Of course, we are not moving everything we moved into my mom's but we are going to move a good bit just so we don't have to go to my Mom's everyday to get the stuff we need.

I also wanted to let you know that we will not be at group tomorrow evening because i have a 8:00 meeting tomorrow night and Italo said he was scared to go without me :) You guys are scary and all!

Miss you all and missed seeing you this weekend! I hope to see you on Saturday after church or some other activity that I am sure will come up. We just can't get away from each other!

I have two specific messages-one for LAUREN----
You MUST post pictures and stories of your trip! I know it is a lot to ask, but I need to see the sites you saw and hear more details about your trip. I am glad you had a good group and that you made it back ok!

Secondly-NATHALIE AND ANDREW -----
Love the Save the Date cards! You have a wonderful picture and the card is wonderful. SO excited for you and I just wanted to let you know that I am praying for pleasant and stress free planning-Make sure you let us know how we can help you! Love you guys!

Hey guys!
I have had a difficult time trying to locate a copy of Here I Stand but I may have found some. If I am able to snag some copies, can I grab some for anyone? The problem is that I am out of town this Wed., so I could meet anyone at the Crooked Tree for some brew and give you the book so you don't have to order online. This is all dependent on my ability to understand the InStore inventory section of Borders online...I'm going to call and talk to a human this morning and find out if they REALLY have it! Barnes & Nobles definately does not have it...or we can always switch books if it is too difficult. I'll call this morning and post another blog. Sorry for the difficulty:)

Farmers Market Anyone???

Anyone up for coffee and Farmers Market in the morning? I was thinking about going to Crooked Tree at about 10am and then off to the Farmers Market if anyone wants to join me!

Sherah

GRACE

I've been pondering my Cardboard Testimony so here it is:

LEGALISTIC

--------------

EMBRACING GRACE

You might remember from when I shared my story in home group way back when that one subject that has really stumped me is grace. I’ve been thinking about grace and what it means and how it applies for months now. I remember my church experience growing up being super legalistic and not ever hearing a message of grace. When I really started questioning things a few months ago, grace was the first subject I wanted to tackle. I sought out some help on the subject from some very knowledgeable (and patient) friends who really helped me to understand what it is - God’s unmerited favor that we don’t deserve, but receive anyway (see Ephesians, Romans 6). I get that, but I find myself from time to time really struggling with the why. Why do we get it? And, how does it really work in our day to day lives? Because, God shows us grace, we’re supposed to extend grace to others. Here’s an example - there is a guy at work who I constantly butt heads with over any number of things. So how do I extend grace to this guy that has been a constant headache? I was talking with a friend a while back and was telling her that I was trying to figure out how this plays out and she says to me, “There’s a difference in showing grace and being a doormat.” I asked her if she’d just called me a doormat and she insisted she hadn’t, but I was amused anyway. A thought to ponder - what’s the line between extending grace and being a doormat?

Matt did a sermon a couple of weeks ago (Luke Part 19 on iTunes) where he talked about legalism vs. license which I could identify with so much. If you have a legalistic background, that is really hard to break free from - super hard. “Right” and “wrong” are so engrained in my mind that I find myself constantly questioning, constantly struggling to break free of that mind set. When you are so caught up on following the rules, you can’t really have a relationship with God - you have a relationship the rules.

Some examples from my experience would be:
Music - I recall as if it were yesterday a youth group Sunday School lesson in which our teacher talked to us about the dangers of “secular music.” I loved Matt’s take on that. Music doesn’t have a soul - it can’t be Christian or non-Christian - it can be about God or about anything else.
Movies - I couldn’t watch anything rated over PG as a senior in high school. Enough said.
Alcohol - Don’t even think about it. Alcohol leads to babies. I mean, one drink of that stuff and you’d just be unable to control yourself.

Matt said in his sermon that a lot of people who grew up in a legalistic environment decide pretty much that if this is what Christianity is, they didn’t want any part of it. “George Barna, Josh McDowell and others have statistics stating that 85% of teens raised in evangelical churches in America stop attending church in their late teens and early 20's.***” That was me. Every once in a while I’d go to church out of pure obligation, but it was years before I went consistently - still feeling like “I should be doing this.” It wasn’t until The Village, actually, that I wanted to go. I look forward to going to church and to home group and anywhere else I can learn and grow in my relationship with God now.

And, on the other end of the spectrum is license where people do whatever they want and think that anyone who questions that is a legalist. This one I have less experience with (as noted by the novel I wrote above on legalism).

So, if it is true that we tend to walk one way or the other, how do we find the middle ground?

***Quote borrowed from:
http://theworldfrommywindow.blogspot.com/2006/08/survey-question-why-are-teens-leaving.html

Crooked Tree Tonight

Hey gang! I am gonna go downtown this evening and visit my little sister. After that I was thinking of hitting up the Crooked Tree for some coffee and what not. So, if you are up for some coffee or some what not, holler at me with a text or call. I'm thinking I'll get there around 7:30-8ish, but I'm flexible.

Later taters!

Hey Home Groupies! I am quite excited to be blogging:)
This one will be quick since I am already running late for work. So, I wanted to get some book suggestions from those who are interested in Book and Brew starting Monday...is this Monday too soon? I'm ready if you are:) Anyway, my first thought was lame in the sense that I think everyone has read it - CS Lewis The Screwtape Letters. I will say that Josh suggested Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther which is a biography (naturally), and he said he thought it might be a great starting point.
Also, Kyle suggested some books by his fav author who, for the life of me, I can't remember but his name reminded me of Ted Bundy. To be clear, his name is NOT Ted Bundy, but I think the "Ted" part is right.
OK...so do any of you have thoughts on the above mentioned books, or a suggestion of your own?

I'm excited by the great conversation that we will engage in while doing a book 'n brew of this sort.
Let me know what you think!
J

Time spent with God

I have not been on here recently (sorry, I will try and get better). But I just watched the Cardboard Testimony and it really moved me. What a great video. It really had made me think what my Cardboard Testimony would be. I think it would be:

Full of Pride

---------

Humbled by God's grace

I can be prideful about so many things and sometimes its a daily struggle to be humbled by God. I can come up with every excuse imaginable to not spend time with God, but that is what I am lacking in my life. I want to be filled up by you all or by Kyle or even by Ryland and at the end of the day I am still left filling empty. I need time with God.

What does your time with God look like? Do you just read the bible or do you have a devotional that you love? Do you sit and pray or do you pray in the shower? I would love to know what you time looks like. I am running dry and would like to spice up my moments with God. I hope that doesn't sound bad, I'm not saying God is boring, just interested in what you do.

test my precious...

Blah, blah, blah...

testing one, two, three!!

Should we Transform?

Another year has passed and we are at the time of The Village Transform Project. Last year we "kind of" participated in Park Manor in Dallas. I think we did a great job there but I think you will agree with me that that project for us has died. Which is OK, but I do think we need to do some sort of project as a group. Lauren and I talked a little this weekend about what we should do with our time. We talked about doing things for others on a more personal level. What does that mean? I am not sure yet. This is where we come together and "discuss amongst ourselves" (in the words of mike Meyers on SNL) What we should do. Here is a starter list of some things that I think about:

1. Home makeover - We can get word of someone in the church or community who needs some house cleaners, a handyman, a lawn mowed, a babysitter, a good listener, etc. We can really make someones summer if we can all use our talents and help someone who just needs a "boost".Ok, maybe only one is one my list right now, but I had high hopes!

What are your thoughts? I know we might not be able to be able to tap into every ones spiritual gifts every time, but if we do a bunch of random acts of kindness, we are bound to learn something new about ourselves, show someone our gift, and be a good sport.

I don't know about you, but I love to learn something new about myself, by doing something I didn't think I liked, or was afraid of and ending up loving it and doing it again and again.

I also would love to see my family (y'all) in your realm, of something you like and see your passion. How great would it be to turn myself off for the day, my wants and comfort zone, stretch myself to see your passion, or your point of view on servant hood. After all, it's not even about us is it?

Let's talk about this soon. Let's not let the summer pass us by without TRANSFORMing!

Love you all! You all have a piece of my heart!
check out this link:
http://thevillagechurch.net/adults/missions/transform.html

Fun, Food, and Funky Feet

After my refreshing day at the spa, I'm flippin' exhausted! I wanted to take a second, though, and post some pictures from the day. And, most importantly, say THANK YOU for pampering Jeanna. She had a lot of fun getting to meet you guys and hang out. I am so thankful for the great friends God has surrounded me with and overwhelmed by the love and support you guys showed this weekend. :)

The girls just hanging out at the coffeehouse.

The mani's and pedi's begin...

We discovered the UNO cards last night at Crooked Tree and things got pretty serious....

and then not so much! :)

Weekend full of my Favorite Peeps!

I am so jazzed (I love that word-thanks Jenn!!!) about all of the weekend plans that revolve around seeing you guys! Tomorrow night is the exciting burger night at Josh and Lauren's, Saturday church, and Sunday is our fun day with the girls. I can't wait to get sick of you all:)

Amy----THANK you for taking the time to blog on our little site. It makes me feel so much better that at least someone is blogging besides me!

Mandy-LOVE the pictures and all the updates to our blog-THANKS!

As for life with the Frigolis, Italo's Dad is coming into town tonight and we will go and pick him up and go wherever he wants to go-He always has an agenda! I am sure we will go to a eat dinner, go to a movie (snuggle time with Annabelle-my FAVORITE) and then he will get to sleep in Annabelle's temporary room at my mom's house. I guess she will get booted out to her pack n play...she is so accommodating:) I think he is leaving tomorrow, but we never actually know how that will work until he actually gets on a plane. So-if we are not at Josh and Lauren's on Friday, you will know why!

We still do not know anything more about the house plans, but my parents are going to look at a house today-so that is encouraging news! If they find a more affordable house, they can have better luck getting a loan and maybe move forward with letting us move in. So-we will see how that pans out. As for now, we are content in our rooms at my mom's house. Certainly not home, but close enough to be comfortable.

Side note-I had lunch with Debbie yesterday and she said to tell everyone HI! She is getting really close to getting a full time position at Atmos, and she is really excited about that. So-please keep her in your prayers!

Countdown to the Grand Opening!!!

Hey everyone!!! It was so fun to see you guys tonight and to be able to give Kristyn and Sarah a hand at Crooked Tree. THIS WEEKEND is the Grand Opening!!! YAY!!! The place is looking great, Ladies! I took some pictures tonight of everyone hard at work and wanted to share them with you all. Can't wait to grab a cup of coffee with you all this weekend!

burgers, coffee and church...OH MY!

HI Small Group!!

I was contemplating cracking yet another sarcastic joke about no one contributing to our sweet lil blog. But I thought that wouldn't be very nice. I was going to say something like "a blog is for contributing, not just reading!" You sign in and then click on POST NEW or something like that. But I have to realize that not everyone wants to blog as much as I do! In fact, an intervention may be in order. Watching TV and chilling out in the evening has been replaced by writing in my personal blog and reading everyone else's blog. Yet another way to communicate rather than doing it the old fashioned way...telephone! Our boys in the small group are pretty deep thinkers - can they throw something out that we can ponder and weigh in on?? Maybe it is a loss cause... I thought I'd give a call-out to everyone as I sit here in my hotel room in Houston (bloated after devouring enough sushi for a small army):

- Mandy - we miss you - how is Corpus? Are you having fun? Have you picked up your new glasses yet, can't wait to see them. Also can't wait to snap another pic of you getting your toesies painted on Sunday. I think you should go for fire engine red for sure.

- Speaking of missing - Sherah where are you? I haven't seen you in a while. I don't have your number to give you a call but I'm going to get it. Miss you too! Hope all is ok.

- Kristen's coffeehouse - is it not the CUTEST thing ever? I can't wait for the opening. Already have several friends and collegues asking about it. I'll be going Saturday night - anyone else? Oh, Katie told me about a fire in the neighborhood on Routh? I think it was across McKinney? Just confirming that it was far away from Crooked Tree. By the way, she made me a MEAN GOOD CAFE MOCHA last Sunday. It was soooo good. This is why I'm anti-Starbucks - Compared to coffee like this, Starbucks is...burnt.

- Natalie.....is there something...maybe...you want to blog about....nah - I want to hear about everything IN PERSON!! I'm hearing second hand. CONGRATS ARE IN ORDER!!!

- Amanda, girl, what up? You know your boot camp was on the front page of dallasnews.com on Sunday or Monday and I thought it was you in the picture but when I played the video - I believe it was your boss - you have very similar hairsdoos! Very cute. Hope you are doing well. When is our next boot camp. I'm ready for it.

- Kristi/Dave - miss you! Hope all went well last week. Any news on the Golden retreiver yet?

- Lauren and Josh - Can wait to come to your BBQ on Friday. Trying to convince my bro to come too. Let me know if we can bring anything in addition to the things you've already specified. Would Monroe like a playdate with Wrigley? I take that back... Wrigley is like twice the size of Monroe. But I get my dog back this weekend and I can't wait. Can you imagine being without Monroe for SIX weeks?

- Amy/Italo - Hello my friends! Hows my girl (that would be ANNABELLE!) Any news on the house yet? How are things going? Hopefully I will see you this weekend. Either at burgers, church/coffee or nails on Sunday!

- Lastly, wanted to let you all know that I have had two phone interviews with a very cool digital company who have jobs for me in Chicago, Austin or Seattle. They are going to have me talk to more people on Friday. It would be a stretch for me but something I could only do with God's blessing (like everything!) I also have an interview tomorrow with Honda's national agency in Irving. My mentor who is in Southern California wants me to interview with her company (she is Global marketing director for Mazda at Doner) in July when I am there for a wedding. So please pray for God to give me wisdom and guidance throughout this ordeal.

Can't wait to see y'all!!

Cardboard Testimonies

Love the video Amy! Thanks for sharing and making me think. I think my Cardbaord testimony would say:

STUBBORN

CONTROLLING

And the Reverse would say:

DAILY SURRENDOR

AND SUBMITTAL