Art*Music*Justice Tour

I went to the Art*Music*Justice Concert on October 25th - it was in Carrollton at my old church (Bent Tree Bible Fellowship). Wow! If it comes to your city, or if it is close to you please, please, please go. The artists that participate are so talented, so humble, and speak truth so clearly. It has been a long time since I was blessed in such a way. I was able to commune with God as a part of a community, not merely as one individual among many. I felt connected to the rest of humanity, not just to those in the room, but connected to the Holy Spirit who lives, moves, and breathes across the nations. And I was encouraged that I am a part of an amazing history, I was greatly encouraged and awed by all the saints that have gone before us - giving their lives fully to demonstrate the love, power, compassion, and justice of our great God. In a time when so much of what I hear and see The Church doing reflects so little of God's character, I was so abundantly joyful and my hope was revived that God hears the cries of his people, he seeks to free those in bondage and pleads the case for the widow and orphan. And amazingly he gifts his people with courage in the face of great fear, oppression, and darkness in this world that is not our home, to overcome the powers of darkness and build His Kingdom of Light, Hope, Love, and Peace on the earth. There are people who are fighting the darkness, everyday. I pray that I might be among their number.

This particular event's proceeds went toward ending human trafficing, an evil (and I dont use that word lightly) and growing movement in our world. Currently the practice of human trafficing enslaves 27 million people around the world. This is more than at any other time in human history. And if you think it only happens in far off countries you are wrong - the CIA recently reported that as many as 50,000 women and children are brought into the USA every year under false pretenses and then forced unwillingly into roles as abused laborers, servants, and prostitutes.

Please educate yourself about this issue. Here are some helpful websites: ijm.org, notforsalecampaign.org, humantrafficing.org, freechains.org

Please pray for those who are broken, suffering, and in bondage due to human trafficing. Pray for it to cease.

Consider writing a letter to your local and state officials asking them to approve stiffer laws against human trafficing.

Amazing Burger

My area director for InterVarsity (boss basically) does a great job of visiting with each of us campus staff at A&M every month or so. I always enjoy his visits because it helps me refocus on my goals and strategy for campus...but I also really enjoy being cared for, namely, through a free meal. We usually try to share a meal together (all the staff and Josh), but we also get to invite our spouses/roomate.

So this past weekend we went out for lunch to a place Drew and I had never heard of: Koppe Bridge. There are two locations in College Station, and we went to the "newer" one which was a little ways south of the main part of town. It was really enjoyable - the weather was perfect, we sat outside, surrounded by nature and it just felt like being at a backyard bbq with friends!

But, I have to tell you about their burgers! Drew ate 1 and 1/2!! They were so juicy, thick, and really good. The burger basket came with fries too which tasted completely home made, you could taste the potato, not just the "fried". I enjoyed mine too, but not nearly as much as Drew did. So we all finished, attempted to finish, or helped others finish (Drew) their huge burger, talked, and then headed back home...very full... so full in fact that neither one of us was even remotely hungry the rest of the day. We even went out to see a movie and amidst smelling all the wonderful, buttery movie theatre popcorn, still could not find our appetite. We ended up skipping dinner and eating an apple around 10pm. That is how filling these burgers are, so be forewarned: they are good, but you wont eat for a day! Drew got up this morning and still wasn't hungry :)

Safe in the Storm

Drew and I are just fine after the events of Hurricane Ike. All that Bryan/College Station saw was alot of rain from about 3am Saturday morning to Saturday afternoon and alot of gusty winds. We are very grateful to be safe and dry!

I'll admit I did get a little worried beforehand, having never lived this close to the Gulf of Mexico. But we just kept checking the weather reports and they never encouraged our county to evacuate, plus most of the people we know who have been here a while didnt seem too worried. Although, the grocery store was a mad house when I went on Friday - the water and canned goods were all picked over. The checkout girl told me it was worse on Thursday. I think it took most people 45 min. just to get to the front of the checkout line!

It is interesting to see how people respond when disaster hits. I wish we always saw the best, but at least for me, I observed mixed responses. First, at the grocery store another car unapologetically swerved in and stole the spot I had been patiently waiting on (with my blinker on and letting the old ladies in front on me walk by!). And then in the grocery store people were bumping into each other and grabbing whatever they could when they could. On the other hand, that same day I heard of so many volunteer opportunities and shelters being opened. Drew and I both volunteered Friday evening (he went to Reed Area, a make shift hospital on the A&M campus, and I went to our church) only to find that there were almost more volunteers than evacuees. The Red Cross folks I talked with said they were blown away with how nice our shelters were and the level of generosity they had seen both at the church they were at that afternoon and then at Grace Bible that evening. It made me proud, although I am not really sure what of...I guess I think this what Texas should be like what I would like us to be known for. But most of all I really want anyone who calls themself a Jesus follower (and especially churches) to be known for their hospitality, generosity, and eagerness to serve. We should be the very hands and feet of Jesus to an unbelieving and suffering world.

I know we will have so many more opportunities to serve in the coming days and weeks. I think the Hurricane was certainly a disaster, a true representation of the fact that we live in a broken world. But our response to it...our response doesnt have to be broken or a disaster. Our response can be full of love.

New Small Group

My efforts in building a community for myself continue. Drew and I came to the realization that I am far more social than he is, so I am looking for outlets for myself. I signed up for a women’s Bible study at the church. I was actually a little hesitant knowing how badly small groups can go and unsure if I really wanted to put in the energy. So instead of not signing up and threw a prayer up to God as I registered for the class online. My sincere hope was that I could find a community, even if it wasn’t spiritually rich or deep, but one that would accept who I am and who might even support me in ministry (through listening, prayer for me, and/or financially). It was kind of a fatalistic prayer – I really didn’t expect much. I think I was just trying to keep an open mind and not let myself be disappointed if the small group proved to a dud.

Boy, was I wrong! We had our first meeting today and God placed me in the perfect small group, truly perfect. We didn’t get into the study today, it was just a time to get to know each other and pray, but I am so encouraged. The ladies in the group are from all ages and walks of life, but I am pretty sure I am the youngest one – praise God! I so wanted the group to be a little older and wiser than I am so I can learn from them. I think I am the only one without any children. The other thing I hoped for but certainly didn’t expect was to find a woman who understands the medical school life…well guess what, God provided not one, but three! One of the ladies is a doctor herself (who graduated from Texas A&M at Temple, which is where Drew and I will go in two years), one is the wife of a family practice doctor who also happens to teach at the A&M medical school (and she said they love having students over to their house), and one is the wife of a doctor who graduated from Texas A&M (they were married all through med school, internships, and residency) and just moved back here – she even said she is looking for community and when she heard I was married to a med student she just looked at me with knowing eyes and said “Lord bless you!” Who else but the Living God, who knows his children better than we know ourselves would provide such abundant understanding and wisdom in one small group!

And just in case this wasn’t enough, I was able to openly share my need for supporters in ministry, especially financially. One of the women even asked me how she could find out more about donating immediately after the class! Miraculous? I think so.

Greek Class

I don’t consider myself a linguist. But I love dead languages, particularly Ancient Greek. In college I took 5 Greek classes and while I struggled through parts of it I really enjoyed it! There was certainly something about the challenge I really loved. And I will admit there is a joy that comes when you succeed at something difficult and can tell people you know ancient Greek (yes, in case you didn’t know I am a nerd). I have missed having those classes and being challenged in the same way.

I have been hoping to at least keep up with it on my own since I graduated - I have kept all my flashcards (mountains of them!), my books, and bought a Greek New Testament in hopes of applying my knowledge to Bible study and talks I give. However, I have yet to take out my flashcards or crack open those books since I graduated. It’s difficult to schedule in the time without someone holding you accountable to it. I regret this because I don’t want to lose this skill. In fact, I hope I can grow in it, especially as I consider going to seminary.

I heard a few weeks ago that our new church – Grace Bible – is offering a class in Biblical Greek, which is a bit different from Attic Greek (what I studied), but supposedly easier. I signed up for the class hoping this can be a way for me to keep up my language skills (especially since I wanted to know Greek for the sake of understanding scripture better) and a way to meet some new people in our church. I went to the first meeting on Monday (Sept. 8th) and absolutely loved it. It is a real class (not fluff) with regular homework, quizzes, and a final exam. I came back home elated! I am so happy to be a student attending classes again – there is something comforting about it – this I know how to do, I know how to thrive. I truly believe this class is a blessing from the Lord because in a time where I feel completely out of my element, I now have this one small oasis. It makes me realize how foreign and new the rest of my life feels right now. I am so excited!

A Long Time Coming...

Drew could certainly write this particular entry better than I can, but being the busy medical student that he is he doesn’t really have the time for it.



I have come to realize that the journey to becoming a doctor is a long one, fraught with many perils, but it is also filled with many benchmarks of achievement for those who make it (I don’t think anyone would argue with the significance of their achievement or that is it worthy of being celebrated, especially after they have spent so many long, tedious hours poring over material that most of us would probably not find very compelling). One of these great benchmarks is the White Coat Ceremony. A time when pre-med students become medical students – when they know by virtue of the fact that well respected professionals of the kind they one day hope to become – give them recognition, respect, and of course responsibility by placing a article of clothing on their backs that distinguishes them to us all -the white coat, the mark of a healer.

I know he has 4 more years of medical school to get through and from there we will go onto residency and fellowships. There is certainly more to come. But it was so nice to be able to stop and celebrate how far he has come. I know he is going to make a great doctor one day. He is already doing very well in his classes. He comes home talking about how different muscles and nerves work everyday.

Drew’s mom came down for the ceremony. It was the first time she got to see our new apartment and hometown in person. I could tell she was very proud of him, and I was so happy she was able to come.

Wedding Photos

Our wedding photos are available to view online!!

If you would like to see them go to: http://scottandtemphotography.instaproofs.com/collection.php?event=56040

If that link does not work go to: http://www.scottandtemphotography.com/ Click on "Client Proofs" in upper right hand corner. Then scroll down and click on "Nicole and Drew." They have the pictures from our rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception up there. :)

Settling In

We are really starting to feel settled into our new
home. We have basically every corner of the apartment organized. We knew we had to unpack every box, or a few would just linger until we moved again. Does anyone else do this?

I think it also really helped me to feel moved in when we got a dinning room table (many thanks to all of you who gave us a Target gift certificate for a wedding gift!). We didnt have to keep eating off of the tv trays. :) You can see our kitchen is far more organized.

I snapped a quick picture of Drew doing the dishes. I know this will not be the norm once he starts med school, so I figured I should document it. He has done such a great job of helping around the house this summer. It really is largely because of his efforts that we are so well settled. In addition to helping me feel at home, all his work on the apartment has left me free to work on support raising for ministry this summer - which is a HUGE help!

We aren't usually this formal, but I was really proud of our new table, dinnerware, and the pasta (new recipe from wedding cookbook). It was kind of like a celebratory "we've moved in" dinner.

Moving In

Our New Apartment!

Whew! I am so glad our big move is over. Since we just got married Drew and I had furniture, clothing, desk supplies, everything in three separate locations - My duplex (where I lived in Sherman), his mom's house, and my parent's house (most of the wedding gifts & our new purchases, like a new mattress - heavenly by the way!). So just organizing it all and getting it into the same Uhaul was a challenge. Thankfully we had some awesome friends help us along the way - Adam, Kathleen, Jeff, and Drake (thank you, thank you, thank you!). My mom also came down with us to help us get settled which was so nice! We love our new apartment.





Drew and I only had one day to look for a place to live down here in Bryan/College Station. Blessedly, we ended up here. It came with new appliances, including washer and dryer, and its only a mile from the medical school building. Drew can ride his bike to classes in under 10 minutes!





Moving all of those posessions definately made us think about what we really value and how much we really own. We know we are richly blessed - we have more than we need and enjoy alot of comfort. When I was young my family was still in the Navy mode - move every 2 years or so. It didnt really bother me at the time and I really see even more value in it now that Drew and I are a young family. Moving helps you purge. And while the process is hard, it really helps keep life more simple to have less stuff.









This is our kitchen. I really liked that it has all new appliances. Unfortunately the previous tenant forgot to clean the inside of the oven and left a terrible mess. My dear, sweet husband cleaned it up for me. Please bear in mind, all of these pictures are taken as we are moving in. We really aren't such slobs :)

We only have one bedroom; however, its so long it really serves the function of two rooms.





This side is the bedroom. Knowing we would be tired after moving, we wisely set this part up first. So it looks much less disheveled than the rest of the house.

This side is the office, even though it doesnt quite look like it.

I just thougt this one was funny. My mom was trying to get a picture of Drew "carrying me over the threshold" of our new home - so romantic, I know!

Welcome to our Blog

Welcome to our blog!! We hope this will be a great way for friends and family to stay up to date with our lives as we chart a new course in our lives - new spouse, new location, new home...

I have been meaning to do this for the past few weeks, so I have quite a few posts to catch up on...with pictures!!