Hello-Goodbye

2 years ago in September I said "HELLO to the blog world and here I am today to say "Bye-Bye"

I will no longer post on this blog.

I'm not moving to another blog, I'm not taking a break I am just no longer going to post.

Thanks everyone-it was fun.

Missa

22/365 Pity Party! Table for 1 please.....

22 :: 365

Because:

Never has there been a more appropriate picture on a more appropriate day: I saw this on the way to church and it reflected some of what I was feeling earlier in the day, a conflict of walking in the light or surrendering to darkness.

Today was not a great day and wouldnt you know it on a not so great day I ended up with all kinds of drama leading up to church (which on top of everything else we had a youth event planned and I was trying to prep for it) then I got there and my greeter didnt show up...it was just a crappy day... I know -I know some of the super religious would say: but sister, this is the day .... blah, blah, blah.....

Let me tell you that I am a person who finds a silver lining to everything but there are sometimes when you gotta wipe away a few tears before you see that lining because pain and hurt can sometimes make you lose focus. And yes, I know that God is at work and God has a plan but its also ok to admit and feel hurt when you hurt, we are all human and without getting into a theological debate with anyone - God allows us to have emotions.

You see, you can feel pain, hurt, frustration etc etc ...just dont stay in it, you werent created to stay in it...... I was tempted to throw a pity party at a table for one!

Just before I left for church I was clearing some memory on our camcorder (for the youth event) and I came across some video from the day of baby boys birth...it was the video footage we had from the moment we met him. The moment they brought him in the room to us..... I had never seen this footage before so it was like a dagger in my heart and as hard as I tried I could not keep my eyes from welling up with tears and nothing could keep that still somewhat raw- still walking through some healing- emotion from surfacing.

And there I was.... facing a decision to sit at the table of pain and pity or proceed onto church and continue in purpose and the plans we had already made.

I'm not gonna lie, it was rainy - I ran errands all day, I was tired and I could have justified skipping out but, I knew that I had to push through because I made a commitment.

A commitment to my hubby to help and a commitment to our youth to have a party and more importantly to the Lord that I would help tend the flock.....and that is not always on our timing. What can I say, our sheep awaited so I sat with the emotion of it for a bit. I Prayed! I Cried! But I DID NOT PARK!! Instead I proceeded ... I chose to keep going, to continue on in life, I chose to have the emotion and NOT have the emotion have me.

I am so glad I did because once we got to church we were able to spend time with our youth in worship and in prayer... I had a great time and I was refreshed by their ferver and their desire to go their flagpoles and pray that morning at See You at the Pole.

It was encouraging to me.

It also reminded me that no matter what...... HE who began this good work WILL bring it to completion...... the only party I'm gonna be having is a party of praise in honor of the only one who deserves it!

-Missa

21/365 Looks so pretty in the soft light..

21/365

Because:

My hubby bought me these flowers and they are sitting on my table. Today I was sitting at the table with a cup of coffee... thinking & enjoying the rain. My flowers looked so pretty in the soft light of the rainy day :)

I got to enjoy three things I love: rainy days, flowers and coffee!

tootles

-missa

20/365 Ahhh... fixed that problem by hitting the OFF button

20 :: 365

This picture is from my archive, last year in October I think.....

Because:

It is that time of the year again! Weather is cooling and I am itching to hit the trails with my backpack -some camping gear and hide out from the world :) Scott and I went primitive camping for our first time last year and though we have no mountains near by, we were secluded with NO ONE around and the common trail was miles away - we were somewhere way off the trail. Funny thing happened though.... my phone rang in the middle of the night, WE HAD PHONE SERVICE- haha but I quickly fixed that problem by hitting the OFF button!

Anyways, everything we needed was on our backs: food, a compact stove, easy packed foods (which I almost have down to a science), camelbak water bags, cards, books, lights, our self inflating compact mattresses and sheets.... I HAD SUCH AN AWESOME TIME! AND I CAN NOT wait to be able to go again ASAP!!!!!

We went to REI on Saturday and it just fueled the fire :) come on cooler weather. Come on can't it cool off any faster!

19/365 I have always wanted to......

19 :: 365

I have always said that I would love to live somewhere close enough to a grocery store that I could ride my bike there when I need to pick up vegetables and fruits or other light items.

It hit me last night about 8pm that we live close enough to do that now so, naturally I felt a need to go to the store for something.... but what? We had fruit- we had vegetables so what......... ICE CREAM! yum.

The weather was beautiful so I strapped on my backpack and we rode our bikes to the store!!!

SOOOOO FUNNNN!!!! I can not say it enough I really have always wanted to do this - now, thanks to our new location and HEB ; I CAN!!!!

Sorry this is not a better shot but, it was dark and I forgot my camera so all I had was my crap-camera phone.

Have a great day!

18/365 Ant hills, panera and stuff

18 :: 365

(We couldnt help but kick our shoes off and put our feet in the water)

(I have always said that someday I will have a boat and enjoy these waters from the water instead of from the shore)

(When I was about 7 yrs old I was bit by an ant and ever since then I have

loved to kick ant pills, I guess its my way of getting revenge for crying for 2 hours then.

I was in revenge heaven here - all of the brown spots are ant piles - a strange site)

(A very nice little road trip with scottie-my-hottie)

Because:

Today was a very relaxing day, my sweetheart slept in, we had breakfast at home, he had a lunch appointment then we made a minor repair on our car. The the rest of the day was ours: we went for a drive and to finally check out a local place: Emma Long Park. We also stopped and spent some time at one of my favorite places R.E.I.

I LOVE REI!!!! Seriously.

Then we went to Panera and enjoyed an ice tea and a small snack

before heading home to find this in our parking spot:

17/365 SOOO Refreshing..Nuff said.

17 :: 365

Because I love the rain- its so refreshing! Nuff said.
-missa

16/365 Random Shots of stuff I love

16/365

Because:

Just some random shots of stuff I love- some of my flowers bloomed, and the jalapeno plant is budding a TINY, round, green jalapenito and the little bicycle is something I love and really treasure.....hope you enjoy!

-missa

15/365 Double Score makes a good day.

15 :: 365

I love Dr. Pepper and I love Jimmy Johns sandwiches - besides their freaky fast delivery they are so yummy! This has been a particularly busy week so this morning as I left for work I did not have time to get our lunch together or my cup of coffee so later in the day I was jones-ing for a Dr.P so I rummaged through my purse and found .75 cents for a Dr Pepper from the vending machine -> SCORE!!!

Then just a few minutes later, as a promotion, a guy from Jimmy Johns came buy the office passing out free sandwiches -> DOUBLE SCORE!

Then.. I was able to go home early from work so I was able to do 2 loads of laundry AND clean the refrigerator AND sweep the floor AND straighten my hair so I don't have to wear it up tonight for service... YEAH, this has been a super day!

Hope you have a great day too!

-missa

14/365 Harvest is on the way! Yay!

14 :: 365

BECAUSE:

This morning when I went out onto the balcony to water my plants I saw this.... a bud on my jalepeno plant... so exciting! When the plant buds like this it means the harvest is coming. This little bud will soon be a jalepeno... I am so excited to see a pepper is successfully growing. I better start searching some recipes.

It made my morning!

*Have a happy day - Missa

13/365 Road Trip and singing as loud as possible.

13 :: 365

I love to take road trips... and I love my hubby but I really like to road trip alone bc it gives me time to just hit the road and think. Not to mention I LOVE, I mean LOVE to turn on my music while Im on the road and sing my heart out for 3 reasons:

1) No one can hear me so I can sing as loud as possible and not bother anyone with how I really sound.

2) I swear I think I sound like Alicia Keys or Mariah Carey when I let loose (at least in my mind I do).

3) It is refreshing to me to just relax, sing, think and just talk to the Lord.

Yesterday I took an unexpected 6 hour road trip and the scenery was beautiful- I accomplished alot of thinking and even more singing.

It's funny because every time I take this road trip I come home horse and on the verge of losing my voice but, darn it...... I enjoy it!

All joking aside, this is seriously me on a road trip and that is seriously Scott- HAHAHAHA!

12/365 Honor

12 :: 365

BECAUSE:

The opportunity to pour out my life as an offering to the Lord in the form of youth ministry is such an honor. It is sometimes the hardest thing to do but, each week we see it is soooo worth it! Our youth church is full of awesome teenagers.

Have a great day,

Missa

11/365 Recipes, I'll mark this one off my list.

11 :: 365
I have wanted to go through my recipes for a long long time and organize them. This has been on my to do list for quit some time and now is as good of time as any since I have some here - some there and to be honest- what seems to be recipes everywhere. I love to cook, bake and try out new recipes often so when I find something that we try and like I keep it and up until today I have never had a chance to organize them- woohoo!
I'll mark this one off my list!!!

10/365 World's Best

10 :: 365

As I have said a million times, I love my hubby so much and this week was our first official week to work together full time at his company. So, in honor of our new venture working together I bought him a gift and it arrived via Fed Ex yesterday to our office. I gave him a little card with the mug just to tell him how much I appreciate him and how I am excited about this additional step of faith we are taking... and since we love The Office, no other gift would work except a World's Best Boss Mug.

I have the worlds best boss and the worlds best hubby........So fun!

9/365 Love thru the peephole

9 :: 365

So the other night when it was flooding I looked out of the peep hole to see what Scott was doing outside in the storm and I caught him as he was walking back in... I thought this was a cute pic, my love thru the peep-hole.

8/365 Pigs and prayer

8 :: 365

I encouraged my nephew to get involved in school this year in one of the many school activities available to him and after some thought he decided that he wanted to be involved in FFA and raise a pig, took me by surprise, I was sure he would want to do something with computers. Since financially they are not in place to be able to do this, I told him we would find a way and then we brain stormed and came up with an idea to do sponsor letters.

So we mailed sponsor letters to some friends and family so please help us pray that we raise all the money for the pig $400.00. He has already worked out rides a few times a day to go care for his pig... I'm super proud of him for making this decision to do something productive and then he set his hand to the plow to get it done.

7/365 Crepes, the office and rest, a somewhat perfect combo

7 :: 365

I love to cook and bake and I especially love to find an easy, yummy and beautiful when cooked recipe (I enjoy presentation of food, its just adds to the experience).

And I have got the best simple crepe recipe. I love them, Scott loves them and JoJo, cineca and bubba LOVE them (especially Joseph) I thought they would be hesitant to eat them but they really enjoyed them. I had to coach bubba on their name since they are crepes not craps..

Since yesterday was Labor Day I figured I would sleep in and when I woke up I was determined to make something at home and something easy - so I pulled out my crepe recipe and they were AWESOME!

Rest, crepes, the office marathon..... what a great day!

Yummy. Joseph asked if I could send them some so if anyone knows how to ship food - do tell.

-have a great day

Missa

6/365 Rest at its finest!

6 :: 365

Because:

I love to be at home with my sweetheart and I love when I see him get time to rest from all that he does... this weekend was the perfect weekend for some down time. It was family first weekend at church and Labor Day too so, rest was about to be had.

We had just had lunch and I was watching "the office" when I heard Scott get really quite and he was so still, I looked over and..... HE WAS ASLEEP.... so I turned off the TV and read while he slept for 2 hours... I love when we get to just be home...... not really doing anything but resting & relaxing....

This is the life!

I hope that this weekend has been relaxing for you as well!

-Missa

5/365 Perfectly Pretty Patio Plants

5 :: 365

Yesterday my sweetheart planted all of these flowers and plants for me (all of my favorites from our old house) and he went and got our 2 outdoor recliners from the storage to put outside so we can sit outside together. Like 2 old people, haha.

I love sitting outside with a cup of coffee and my bible or a good book and my ipod dock too so I am ready for the weather to cool a bit so we can enjoy the outdoors.

I also planted a patio tomato plant and a patio jalapeno plant as well. This morning I woke up and checked if there was any "harvest" yet..... Not yet, I guess it needs more than an over night stay :) Maybe soon. I'm so excited....... My patio really feels like home now :)

-Missa

4/365 Open doors to provision..

4 :: 365

Because:

The Lord is our provider....this is for sure! He brings means of attaining that provision and usually it is in some form of work (He's not a big fan of laziness). For us, at this moment, the door he has opened as an avenue is Texas PRN. And yesterday we reached the summit of busyness, we worked till bed time but, I am so thankful for the favor that the Lord continues to show us as we continue in launching this awesome company. Pictured here is: the board we have that shows all of our pending orders and requests....... all that we do is based off of meeting the needs written on this board.. this is provision - he is provider. A job is never the provider just a tool of the provider.

Also, This week was my last week working at the church and though I will be at at different job I will continue to put my hands to the plow where ever he chooses to place me. Work is inevitable but so is God's blessing on my life so, I refuse to worry about anything :)

Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23

Commit your work to the LORD, and then your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us-- yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17

For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them. Matthew 18:20

Proverbs 10:4 - Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth

Have a great day!

-Missa

3/365 Tools of the serve...

3/365

BECAUSE:

The Lord will use any tool and any opportunity you offer him.

Serving looks different for everyone. All I know is that I have the best opportunities to serve OUTSIDE of the church....... Bc of a clogged drain I was able to really talk to one of the elderly ladies at my church about the importance of family, forgiveness and how much the Lord really does treasure her, It was a very sweet moment.

So todays image is the tool that the Lord used to get this women and I connected so that he could tell her of his love so, no matter what the tool looks like don't underestimate it - I want to really encourage you to never under estimate what God can do through anyone or anything so, get your tools out & serve those around you..... after all, the serve is what its all about.

Matt 20:28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

2/365

2/365

Because:

Saw this on my way to church : thought: "awe God's promises!!" Rainbows always remind me to be greatful for Gods grace on my life.. and they are just so darn pretty and wonderous.

My hubby preached last night and event talked about how important it is to remember God's promises when times get rough.

God's timing couldn't have been any better!!!!

-Missa

PROJECT 365... 1/365

I love taking pictures, I love my life but what I dont like is that sometimes life goes so quickly that I miss so much of it and by the time I stop to settle down in the evenings for bed the day is just a fog. My solution: I am going to do what i've titled:

PROJECT 365

I am going to take a picture of either a highlight of my day or just a memorable moment. One per day for an entire year. Then i'll post it with a little description of what is going on and why that moment, of all among

the 24 hours that the Lord gives per day, sticks out.

Each day will be posted here among my other little tidbits and ramblings...

Today for my first post starts just the way I would love to start anything: its starts with my hubby (I promise I will do my best to not have 365 days of Scott). My hubby and I had a very nice evening and it was one of those moments I sat back and said "hmmmm, this is the best". We were still we were together and even though we were working I would have rather been no where else.... okay, maybe italy but, whatever................

1/365

BECAUSE:

We wanted to get out of the house to study so we set up shop at the local coffee shop.

Scott is preaching in the main service and I will be speaking in XYC this Wed.

We were both on our laptops with our bibles open enjoying a drink - completely ignoring each other but loving our time together studying.

Have a wonderful day

-Missa