Today is our 2nd anniversary! We celebrated this weekend by staying at the Westin Stonebriar, relaxing by the pool and then going out for dinner. We had a great time but unfortunately did not take a single picture!
Here's to another fun year!
About three years ago as I was going through a really tough time in my life, God spoke to me through song. The song was "Be Near" by Shane & Shane. Many days I would drive to and from work with this song (and the rest of the CD) playing...it was my prayer. It was one of a few times in my life where I felt utterly desperate to be close to Him and to feel His presence...this song provided the opportunity for me to encounter Him each time I listened to it. Since that time, I have listened to the CD occassionally - but this last week God laid the song on my heart and it has again lifted my spirits and ushered me into His presence. Below are the words...I hope that they will encourage you as well...
Be Near
You are all
big and small
beautiful
and wonderful
to trust in grace through faith
but i'm asking to taste...
for dark is light to You
depths are height to You
far is near but Lord, i need to hear from You
be near, oh God
be near, oh God of us
Your nearness is to us our good
be near, oh God
be near, oh God of us
Your nearness is to us our good, our good
Your fullness is mine
revelation divine
but, o, to taste
to know much more than a page
to feel Your embrace...
for dark is light to You
the depths are height to You
far is near, but Lord
i need to hear from You
be near, oh God
be near, oh God of us
Your nearness is to us our good
be near, oh God
be near, oh God of us
Your nearness is to us our good, our good
(psalms 73:28; 139)
Well, we are obviously struggling at keeping this thing updated! I say "we" loosely considering that this is pretty much my (Shalen) reflection of our lives. My computer died a few months ago so we are "sharing" Kyle's work computer which I don't see very often, therefore my time is often spent emailing or checking out YOUR blogs. If you have a blog, post a comment - I'd love to check it out! I promise to update soon with more info!
Dudley went as a dinosaur for Halloween this year! He actually seemed to like the costume! It was cold that night...probably just made him a little warmer. Kyle and I took him to see my nephews (aka Jacob the Dragon, Evan "Batman" and Hunter the Ninja). Just imagine what we'll be like when we have kiddos to dress up!
Kimberly (Kyle's sister), Beth (Kyle's mom) and Kyle
We went to the Family Life "A Weekend to Remember" marriage conference in Memphis in September. We had such a great and relaxing weekend.
A much needed getaway for both of us!
STONEBRIDGE RANCH TRIATHLON, McKinney TX October 1, 2006
Kyle participated in the Stonebridge Ranch Triathlon. Above are pictures of the lake swim (Kyle is out there somewhere!) and the transition area.
Kyle had a great race and had a great time. He loved it! There will probably be a lot more pics like these in the future!!
MONSTER TRIATHLON, Keller TX, October 15
Rebecca, Hayley and I did a relay triathlon. Rebecca was our swimmer, Hayley our biker and me our runner! This is the way that I prefer to do a triathlon! We got 1st place in the relay division! So what if we were the only relay group! Above is a before and after picture.
Kyle had another great race! Unfortunately I wasn't able to get many pictures of him this time around but he sure is smiling in this one!
Last but certainly not least....Dudley!
Look at those pearly whites!
Well, apparently we are not very "on top" of the blogging part of our lives! So much has happened since our last post!
*Spending a month in Colorado on our very first Young Life assignment!
*Getting the 2006-2007 school year off to a great start!
*Shalen getting a job at a nearby gym!
*Kyle and a team of leaders kicking off a new club for one of the local high schools!
*Leadership retreat!
*A Weekend to Remember Conference in Memphis, TN!
*Kyle competing in a triathlon!!
All of that to say...we will post details and pictures soon! I am hoping to get Kyle on here to post also!!
Kyle and I at the wedding...glow sticks and feather boas...they had a great DJ!
Shalen's cabin of at the volleyball tournament...we were awesome!!
"The Night that Never Ends" Dinner and singing on western night.
Shalen's cabin on Western night.
Kyle's cabin before riding horses.
So...apparently I am not very good at updating this thing regularly. Since the last post, we took 50 kids to camp at Frontier Ranch in the beginning of June. We had such a great time. God really used that time to not only talk to the heart of kids but to also encourage my heart in ministry. It was such a great time serving along side Kyle and the rest of our leaders.
Next up was a week in Kansas. One of Kyle's good friends from highschool got married and gave us a great excuse to spend a week with Kyle's mom! Dudley made the trip with us!
Now...we are at Crooked Creek Ranch in Fraser, Colorado. We will be here until August 11ish. We have had a great time so far! Kyle is working VERY hard and I am enjoying getting to know some of the other wives. It's absolutely beautiful and the weather is amazing...so no complaints!
Just a quick update on what we have been up to...
* We celebrated Kyle's 31st birthday on April 22 with a sushi dinner and a Texas Ranger's game!
* Kyle was also surprised at Young Life club one night with an impromptu birthday party complete with cake and clown!
* Camp, camp and camp! We have been busy signing kids up for camp!! It's coming VERY soon!
and what we have coming up...
* Kyle is leaving today to go on a 2-3 day camping/hiking/retreat in Arkansas. Please be praying for safety as well as a rich time with the Lord.
* June 2-10 Kyle along with about 9 other leaders are taking over 50 kids (!) to Frontier Ranch in Buena Vista, Colorado. Frontier Ranch is where Kyle became a Christian when he was in high school. It's a special place! Please be praying for the hearts of the kids who will be attending camp this year! Every summer hundreds of kids are told about Christ at Frontier Ranch and many of them will recognize Him as their Savior for the first time!!
* June 20ish-27ish - We will be going home to Kansas City for a few days to see Kyle's mom and sister and to celebrate the wedding of Kyle's good friend, Matt and his bride, Jenn.
* July 7ish through August 15 - Kyle and I will be taking off to Crooked Creek (another Young Life property) in Winter Park, Colorado.
That's us! We hope everyone is doing well!!
