Here are some photos of what Justin has built recently - I'm so proud of him!

Cutting Board - each one is different

This was my Christmas gift in 2009

Webb Garden 2010

Here is mine and Justin's garden this year. So far we've picked over 40 cucumbers and canned 9 quarts of pickles. We've got a number of watermelons and green beans we're waiting on to finish maturing. I've been able to eat one side salad from the spinach I picked and our tomatoes, peppers and carrots are still growing. It's pretty packed full, we were away for a week and everything grew together!

Justin tilled another row today so we can plant another row of tomatoes and I can plant my cantaloupe plant.

Europe Dec. 2009

Check out just a few of my 800+ pics from mine and Justin's trip to Germany and Paris. Justin has a friend who is stationed in the Air Force in Germany and he graciously let Justin and myself visit him for a week. It was an awesome trip: http://www.flickr.com/photos/77419027@N00/

First Puppy!

Otis Webb

Ok, so I've never had a dog before, and today Justin and I got a puppy! I'm so excited! I woke up so early this morning (probably about 5:30 or 6) and couldn't get back to sleep because I was so excited.

He was left at a ladies' house in Rutherfordton who works where I work. She sent out an email to everyone saying she would give it away for free because she couldn't keep it. Justin and I talked it over and said if no one else took it, we would. Friday afternoon I got an email from the lady saying the other people seemed to back out and if we still wanted it we could have it!! So, Sat morning we got up and met her at Isothermal to get our new puppy!!

Justin had guessed from pictures we first saw of him that he was a mix of Siberian Husky and German Shepherd. When we went to the vet today that is actually what the vet said too. So, that's our best guess. He's seems to be a good puppy so far, pretty calm, but playful too. He's so sweet!

Here are some more pictures:

God is Good - Bueno es Dios!

Luke 11:9-10
"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

How true this is. The Lord has shown His faithfulness to me once again this week as I've wrestled with some issues and asked for the Lord to make a way through what I'm dealing with. He has. He's carrying my burdens and letting me take his yoke so that he can guide me through how to deal with things that bother me.

Matthew 11:28-29
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

I am thankful for some really good friends (including my wonderful husband) who have been praying for me and patiently let me talk about some things with them. The Lord is working through you and answering your prayers for me!

Sometimes things that I feel the Lord wants me to do seems so impossible. Forgive, forget, rely on Him...and more. When I tell the Lord that I just don't think that something is possible...He makes it very possible for me to do what I considered impossible.

I've tasted that the Lord is good and am writing this post just to say that. He may not give us all the money we want or fame that might make us feel good about ourselves...but when we are rich in the Lord, we can experience unconditional love, peace, mercy, and strength. (Luke 12:21)

The Lord is good.

Why There Aren't Unicorns

Great People

I used to think that some of the greatest people were those who stood on stages and had everyone's attention as they shared incredible stories about their lives. However, I've met people who have changed my opinion.

After I graduated from college, I found myself in love with an amazing man (who I married last year); I moved into a little apartment by myself after finding a job close to where he lived. This is a small town where most people I meet grew up in this area and stayed here (or came back to the area after graduating from college). Many people live on the same streets as their family members; and some of those streets happen to be the last name of the family who lives there.

There's nothing wrong with that - it's just not what I'm used too, so that way of life intrigues me in some ways. Even now after 7 months of marriage, I'll be "in town" and run into people who say I'm now related to them (by marriage) and it blows my mind that I run into family. I grew up with very few family members in the same town I lived in, but I mostly saw extended family on holidays and special occasions.

Anyway, I've met some amazing people in this town, with amazing lives...but not many people know their stories. I'm not saying that amazing people like this only live here, but because of how the Lord directed me in my life so that I'm in this area at this time in my life, I've met some amazing people.

These people aren't public speakers, but they are caregivers. They patiently love and care for family members who have been in accidents or who are ill, and they do it all without much thanks. They are the ones to work behind the scenes and carry burdens for their friends, family, and others who may be struggling. Their stories are unique and deeply personal.

Because I'm in this area where so many families are close together, it's makes me miss mine when I'm away from them and increases my desire to know them better. I've become more aware of family members of mine who I admire for their lives and how they live them too.

I feel blessed to know people like this, and while I enjoy and am blessed by hearing the well-spoken words of the men and women who take the stage and pulpits (what they do is important and the Lord uses them), my life is also challenged by the lifestyles of the people I described above.

They sacrifice their own comfort and easiness to provide a good life for others. They struggle with the challenges they face in their lives, but they still press on. Sometimes they get overlooked. They put others first, even if they're not thanked. They don't get awards for their good deeds, but they reflect the Lord in their quite, love-filled lives and attitudes.

It's not the attention you draw that makes you who you are, but it's how you live your life even when you get no praise, thanks, or recognition for your sacrifices and actions.