Tula

One Year Later...

2009-03-16T12:05:00.006-05:00

So, I was looking the date today, March 16th, and realized that today marks ONE year since I moved to Houston. Whoa! I really can't believe how quickly this last year of my life has gone by. There are so many things that I have learned to embrace and also have learned to let go of, but granted....I'll always be a work in progress. I'm certain, that there is still much that God has for me to discover here in Texas. So, I await these things with an expectant heart.

I'm starting to finally feel like I've found a home on so many levels here, in Houston, and what a great feeling that is!

Adorable!!

2009-03-11T10:18:00.005-05:00

I mean, really.....how precious is my Godson?! His mom makes sure to send me pictures on a regular basis so I can see how much he is growing and how handsome he continues to become!!

Lord, continue pour out your blessings on Russell and his family today and always. Help me to be a sound example of love and support for him in the days, months, and years to come.

I love you....
NOU-NA

The Greatest Free Show on Earth - Mardi Gras!!

2009-02-24T09:00:00.016-06:00

HAPPY MARDI GRAS, WORLD!! I grew up in the New Orleans area so I've celebrated Mardi Gras many, many times. It's unlike anything I've ever experienced, and I think that everyone should experience this celebration at least once in their lifetime. Although it's been about 5+ years since I've gone to a parade or a Mardi Gras ball, every year when Fat Tuesday rolls around, I reminisce about the many good memories I've made with some crazy New Orleanians!! For the first time this morning, I decided to read about the history of Mardi Gras. Quite interesting, so I wanted to share...

To all my family and friends at home in New Orleans today...Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler! Let The Good Times Roll!

The History of Mardi Gras:
The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced to Medival Europe, though there is no written record of how that really transformed into the current Mardi Gras of today. But the origins of the Mardi Gras celebrated today -- with Kings, Mardi Gras colors, and brass bands -- are traced to New Orleans.

Although its history can be traced to the Romans, a French-Canadian explorer, Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville, landed on a plot of ground 60 miles directly south of New Orleans in 1699 and called it "Pointe due Mardi Gras." He also established "Fort Louis de la Louisiane" (which is now Mobile) in 1702. In 1703, the tiny settlement of Fort Louis de la Mobile celebrated the very first Mardi Gras.

In 1704, Mobile established a secret society (Masque de la Mobile) ... similar to those who form our current Mardi Gras Krewes. It lasted until 1709. In 1710, the "Boeuf Graf Society" was formed and paraded from 1711 through 1861. The procession was held with a huge bull's head pushed alone on wheels by 16 men. This occurred on Fat Tuesday.

New Orleans was established in 1718 by Jean-Baptise Le Moyne. By the 1730s, Mardi Gras was celebrated openly in New Orleans.. but not in parade form. In the early 1740s, Louisiana's Governor The Marquis de Vaudreuil established elegant society balls -- the model for the New Orleans Mardi Gras balls of today.

The earliest reference to Mardi Gras "Carnival" appears in a 1781 report to the Spanish colonial governing body. That year, the Perseverance Benevolent & Mutual Aid Association is the first of hundreds of clubs and carnival organizations formed in New Orleans.

By the late 1830s, New Orleans held street processions of maskers with carriages and horseback to celebrate Mardi Gras. Newspapers began to announce Mardi Gras events in advance.

In 1871, Mardi Gras's second "Krewe" is formed, the Twelfth Night Reveler's, with the first account of Mardi Gras "throws."

1872 was the year that a group of businessmen invented a King of Carnival -- Rex -- to parade in the first daytime parade. They introduced the Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold; the Mardi Gras song, and the Mardi Gras flag.

In 1873, the first floats were constructed entirely in New Orleans instead of France. In 1875, Governor Warmoth of Louisiana signs the "Mardi Gras Act" making it a legal holiday in Louisiana, which is still is.

Most Mardi Gras Krewes today developed from private social clubs that have restrictive membership policies. Since all of these parade organizations are completely funded by its members, we call it the "Greatest Free Show on Earth!"

The Greatest Man I've Ever Known.

2009-02-08T21:56:00.023-06:00

This past Saturday, February 7th, marked 6 years since my father's death. If you'd look up the name JOHN KARRAS in the dictionary, here's what it would say.

John Karras: a bold & daring individual; loving & serving husband; caring & nurturing father; brilliant business owner; dependable friend; funny guy; honorable man; amazing provider; a daughter's best friend; the love of my life

This is just a glimpse into the person that makes up the man who is my father. It's hard to believe that it's been 6 years since I've seen him, talked to him, hugged or kissed him. Gosh, I miss that man!! It's odd, but my longing for him hasn't diminished over the years. Instead, my love for him just continues to grow stronger as the time passes by. What a gift he was to me and so many others. And what an honor it still is to be his daughter!

Thank you, Lord, for choosing this man to be my earthly father. He continues to bless me in so many ways.

I love you, Papi!!

A Child's Joy.

2009-02-03T08:54:00.007-06:00

Good morning!

Usually on my way to work I listen to the radio, but today for some reason I drove to work in silence with my sunroof open. This gave me the opportunity to listen to the sounds of life in the morning.

So, as I was sitting at this red light I hear laughter. I look over in the direction that this sound is coming from, and I see this little boy who's about 4 years-old in a driveway waving to his mom. She is sitting at the same red light beside me. It was so funny because every time he would wave to her he just busted out laughing, and as his waves became more rapid his laughter grew louder and louder. It was like music to my ears and the most precious thing to witness. His mother, with a huge smile on her face, never stopped waving back until she drove away. I actually was so drawn to the situation that I didn't even realize that the light turned green until I saw her car moving forward. Oooops!

Anyway, this was a great reminder for me to find JOY in the little things everyday. And also, it doesn't matter how old or young you are, you can always be a light to others. Even our youngest brothers and sisters in the Lord have a mission in their daily lives. This little boy witnessed to me this morning, and what a blessing it was!

Kids are cool. :)

Groundhog Day.

2009-02-02T09:05:00.006-06:00

Date: February 2, 2009
Time: Around 7:30am (Eastern Time)
Place: Punxsutawney, PA

Phil saw his shadow and that means we are headed for 6 more weeks of winter!

I researched Groundhog Day (I'm a nerd!), and I wanted to share the legend with y'all because I found it interesting and quite amusing. So here goes...

The legend of Groundhog Day is based on an old Scottish couplet: "If Candlemas Day is bright and clear, there'll be two winters in the year." Every February 2, people gather at Gobbler's Knob, a wooded knoll just outside of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Residents contend that the groundhog has never been wrong. The ceremony in Punxsutawney was held in secret until 1966, and only Phil's prediction was revealed to the public. Since then, Phil's fearless forecast has been a national media event. The groundhog comes out of his electrically heated burrow, looks for his shadow and utters his prediction to a Groundhog Club representative in "groundhogese." The representative then translates the prediction for the general public (I find this to be hilarious!). If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, it means six more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, it means spring is just around the corner. Approximately 90% of the time, Phil sees his shadow. Phil started making predictions in 1887 and has become an American institution.

....and there you have it!

The Best Gift Ever!!

2009-01-28T21:10:00.027-06:00

Hello All! Happy to be back in the blogging world! Life has been a roller coaster of a ride for me in these last few months. I've had some amazing victories and have also experienced much defeat. But I want to share the GOOD that has come out of it all.

And here it is...
I believe that to know your worth in the Lord is the single most important discovery a person can make on his/her journey.

This is one of those gifts that you should rip open with all of the excitement of a child opening presents on Christmas morning. This is a gift that can alter the course of your life forever if you choose to acknowledge and possess it. Gosh! It's so hard for me to believe that at the age of 29, I'm just unwrapping this gift of worthiness that has been within me all along. I suppose it's better late than never, eh?!

So here's what I've learned...I should not allow my worth as a daughter of God to be compromised under any circumstance. And if I succeed in doing this, nothing can shake or rob me of my worth in the Lord ever again! To finally embrace this concept after years of unawareness is so powerful and quite freeing. Now, I pray that I can live freely in this TRUTH for the rest of my days.

I am a beautiful daughter of God. The end.

Amen!

Roadtrippin...

2009-01-10T11:45:00.004-06:00

Here's Lexi & her nanny sleeping in the car on the way to Lafayette. Too cute!!

This Advent Season....

2008-12-03T08:54:00.005-06:00

So we are approaching the 4th week of Advent, and I can't hardly believe it. This holiday season has been quite different from any that I've ever celebrated before. I've actually taken steps this year to better understand the true meaning of Advent, and in doing so I feel better prepared to welcome Jesus on Christmas day. It hasn't always been like this for me. You see, growing up Christmas was primarily a time of shopping and gift-giving. Don't get me wrong, it's great to receive nice gifts, but the impact that the gifts had on me never lasted long.

This year, I'm more interested in the long-lasting gifts that Jesus wants to give me, and this can't be matched by anything else. I'm thankful for the opportunity to have learned something new this Advent season and will use this as a building block for all the Advent seasons to come.

Much love, t.

In St. Paul's Words....

2008-11-19T10:52:00.005-06:00

Do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God."
- 2 Timothy 1:8

St. Paul intrigues me, challenges me, and most importantly he comforts me with his words. I can only pray and hope that one day I can fully capture St. Paul's beliefs and actions. What a worthy Patron Saint!

Peace, T.

Stop and Breathe.

2008-10-23T09:06:00.005-05:00

Hola! I know that the fall season started some weeks ago, but today is the first day that I've experienced the season. It was so refreshing to walk outside of my apartment and let the cool air hit my face as I took my dog for her brief morning walk. It's so crazy how a simple thing like that can bring a smile to my face and joy to my heart. This morning I allowed myself to just stop and breathe...something that I haven't done lately. God can use anything to grab our attention! I just pray that I can recognize Him more in the everyday hustle and bustle of my life. It's so crucial to stop and recenter.

I'm thankful for my moment.

Always, Tula

Capitvate Us.

2008-09-25T09:42:00.003-05:00

Your face is beautiful
And Your eyes are like the stars
Your gentle hands have healing
There inside the scars
Your loving arms they draw me near
And Your smile it brings me peace
Draw me closer oh my Lord
Draw me closer Lord to Thee

Captivate us, Lord Jesus
Set our eyes on You
Devastate us with Your presence
Falling down
And rushing river, draw us nearer
Holy fountain consume us with You
Captivate us Lord Jesus, with You

Your voice is powerful
And Your words are radiant bright
In Your breath and shadow
I will come close and abide
You whisper love and life divine
And Your fellowship is free
Draw me closer O my Lord
Draw me closer Lord to Thee

Captivate us, Lord Jesus
Set our eyes on You
Devastate us with Your presence
Falling down
And rushing river, draw us nearer
Holy fountain consume us with You
Captivate us Lord Jesus, with You

Let everything be lost in the shadows
Of the light of Your face
Let every chain be broken from me
As I’m bound in Your grace
For Your yoke is easy, Your burden is light
You’re full of wisdom, power and might
And every eye will see You

Captivate us, Lord Jesus
Set our eyes on You
Devastate us with Your presence
Falling down
And rushing river, draw us nearer
Holy fountain consume us with You
Captivate us Lord Jesus, with You

--Watermark

I pray that I can truly live out the meaning of this song each and every day and allow the Lord to captivate me in all my ways.

Always, Tula.

Chick Magnet.

2008-09-23T22:52:00.007-05:00

This is my handsome Godson, Russell Henry...

I can't tell you how many times this picture has brought me relief from the normal and abnormal stresses over these last couple weeks. His sweet smile brings me joy and for this I'm so grateful. I am delighted as I've seen my little "chick magnet" grow over these past 4 months. I look forward to the many things that God will teach me through him.

You are the first boy that's stolen my heart in quite some time, Baby Russ. ;)

Hehe, Tula.

Home Sweet Home.

2008-09-22T09:08:00.009-05:00

Good morning! Today my work day looks quite different since the last time I blogged. Today I'm on my couch in my pajamas, sipping on a cup of self brewed coffee and listening to my dog eat her bone.....way different from the Dallas set up I had last week. Our Houston office still has no power so my couch will be my work station until power is restored. We traveled back from Dallas on Friday, and I came home to a fully powered apartment. So thankful for that. My time away last week was good for me mainly because I was able to invest in my co-workers in a new way. We spent every evening together either sharing a meal, shopping, or surprising Ragan with an "office shower"....so fun! I'm grateful for my time away and look forward to seeing everyone at the office soon.

This weekend has been a low key one since I've been away from home for a couple weeks. I spent my time getting things back into order. One of the first things on the agenda was to fill up my fridge again. :)

I pray for all who do not have power yet.....may the Lord give them the strength to persevere through this difficult time. I also pray in thanksgiving for all of the electricians who are working so diligently to restore power to Houston. May God reward you!

Much love, t.

Dallas...Home Away from Home.

2008-09-17T08:45:00.009-05:00

Good morning all! I'm beginning my work day sipping on a Starbuck's vanilla latte in the grand city of Dallas. Since power had not yet been restored this past Monday, my company relocated our Houston office to our Dallas regional office. So we are scheduled to work here for the rest of the week. It's great to have some sort of normalcy to my day, and I think the majority of the group here would agree. Yesterday, we all exchanged stories of our "Ike" experiences...although it was disheartening to hear some stories, it was great to be able to physically see that everyone is now safe and in good spirits. Some good news...power was restored to my apartment complex last night at around 9:00. Yay for that! Slowly but surely, the city of Houston is regaining its normal function.

So until I return back home to Houston, I'll seize this opportunity to explore a new city. Tonight we all may check out a nearby mall or go bowling. It's really been much fun and such a blessing to spend some quality time with my co-workers and their families. Hopefully, we will all return to our fully powered homes but until then, this is our home away from home.

Peace, Tula.

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing.

2008-09-08T12:57:00.007-05:00

Hello all. The topic of conversation at the office, or for that matter, anywhere today is this dang hurricane season! I believe many people would agree that it's exhausting to live on the Gulf coast this season! If we are not preparing ourselves and our homes for potentially destructive storms, we are thinking and praying for those who are. Our safety is compromised, plans are changed, and emotions are challenged. I tell you what...I'm sitting, waiting, wishing and counting down the days until this active season ceases, and we can all rest.

Peace, t.

Post Hurricane Update.

2008-09-02T10:55:00.008-05:00

Hello people! Well, it's the day after Hurricane Gustav made landfall. I've been in touch with family and friends in both the New Orleans and Lafayette and thank goodness, this storm wasn't as bad as expected, and the worst that I've heard from them is that there is no power. My family is still camping out at my apartment...we've gotten quite cozy living together over these past few days and have done pretty well considering the small space. I feel like I'm on an extended retreat...late nights and sleeping on an air mattress! According to the news, those who have evacuated are being told not to return until further notice. So with that said, we'll be continuing our "retreat" together at my apartment until further notice. ;)

From what I understand, Morgan City and Houma were badly effected by Gustav. I pray that any damage is minimal and that people are able to return to normalcy soon. It seems as though we have more storms in our midst so let's keep the prayers coming!

All my love, tula.

A Prayer for Hurricane Season.

2008-08-29T09:49:00.010-05:00

Hello all! I share this prayer as I, myself, prepare for Hurricane Gustav. My family has decided to evacuate from LaPlace, LA to Houston, TX. They are actually on there way as I type this blog. Although it will be a tight squeeze in my 1-bedroom apartment, it'll be good to have us all under one roof since this rarely happens. We'll definitely be getting some unplanned family time together! :)

There is so much uncertainty that surrounds the landfall of this storm, but I'm sure all of the Gulf Coast will feel the effects of it in some way whether it be big or small. So I leave you with this to pray and to share with others...

O God, Master of this passing world, hear the humble voices of your children. The Sea of Galilee obeyed your order and returned to its former quietude. You are still the Master of land and sea. We live in the shadow of danger over which we have no control: the Gulf, like a provoked and angry giant, can awake from its seeming lethargy, overstep its conventional boundaries, invade our land and spread chaos and disaster. During this hurricane season we turn to you, O loving Father. Spare us from past tragedies whose memories are still so vivid and whose wounds seem to refuse to heal with the passing of time. O Virgin, Star of the Sea, Our Beloved Mother, we ask you to plead with your Son on our behalf, so that we may be spared from the calamities common to this area and animated with a true spirit of gratitude, we will walk in the footsteps of your divine Son to reach heavenly Jerusalem where a stormless eternity awaits us. Amen.Imprimatur: August 29, 1967

+ Maurice Schexnayder
Bishop of Lafayette in Louisiana
Written by Bishop Schexnayder, Second Bishop of Lafayette after Hurricane Audrey hit the Louisiana coast in 1957.

All my love, t.

The Best Path.

2008-08-19T15:33:00.016-05:00

"There is no path to peace. Peace is the path."

I stumbled upon this quote today, and it spoke to me immediately on a personal level and on levels that are way bigger than me. Lord, let me strive for peace in my daily life and always stay committed to praying for peace throughout the world.

Peace to you all, t.

I Love My Sissy. :)

2008-08-12T08:39:00.013-05:00

Hello all!! I’ve had the great pleasure of having my older sister, Letta, stay with me this week. It’s been way too long to since we’ve had one-on-one time together, so catching up with her life and her catching up with mine has been special to us both. We laugh more than anything when we are together. So let me give you a general recap of our week so far. Monday evening I got ALL domestic and cooked her dinner. If any of you know me well, you should be just as surprised as she was. She even called my mom to let her know….ha! You see, I don’t mind cooking, but I’m lazy since right now it’s just me that I have to worry about feeding. Anyway, we are Olympic junkies so we spent the rest of our evening viewing the pre-recorded opening ceremony (gotta love DVR) and watching Michael Phelps swim like a fish to win a gold medal. GO TEAM USA!

Yesterday we spent the lunch hour at Whole Foods Market…I love that place! Just being there makes me feel healthier. Ha. We ate some grapes leaves and tortilla soup (I highly recommend both) and chatted more in depth about her life’s next season. I was happy to see her excited, hopeful, and rejuvenated as our conversation continued. I know that the Lord has great things in store for her and sometimes she just needs to be reminded of that…so as a loving sister should do, I’ve been reminding her of this all week. Last night it was her turn to cook, so she made some grilled chicken and a yummy noodle salad. It was DELISH! Ragan and Michael also came over for dinner. It was a great first-time visit for Michael and my sister. We ate together (after I saved Michael’s steak from my crazy dog Lexi's death grip!), watched Big Brother, talked about politics, and finished off the night by watching MORE Olympic coverage....we're so obsessed. Michael Phelps won more gold medals for the USA. WOOT WOOT! It was a night filled with good fellowship, and for this I'm so grateful.

Lord, thank you for the gift of family and friends and for the joy this brings to my life. May you bless the rest of my time together with Letta this week.

Here's a blast from our past...check us out in our first swimming pool!! I'm in the front showing off my new teeth. Ha.

All my love, t.

Tropical Storm Edouard.

2008-08-05T09:19:00.008-05:00

Good morning all! I'm sitting here on my couch with the local news on tracking Tropical Storm Edouard which should be arriving in Houston at about 1pm today. We were told that it was not safe to go into the office this morning, and I had NO complaints about that. Ha. Good news is that Edouard had not gained much strength through night and damages have been minimal so far.

It's been awhile since I've prepared for a storm...the last one was Hurricane Rita, and boy, she sure did leave a mess!! We were left without electricity for days, but thankfully, that was the worst of it for me. Gas stations and grocery stores were packed yesterday! That's a good sign that people were preparing for the bad weather. Anyway, I'm prepared and informed for Edouard and will continue to track him throughout the day. Needless to say, I'll be camping out at home. :)

Lord protect all of us who are in this storm's path...

Much love, t.

Namaste.

2008-08-01T21:03:00.031-05:00

The gesture "Namaste" represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us that is located in the heart chakra. The gesture is an acknowledgment of the soul in one by the soul in another. It means "I bow to you."

So I've recently signed up at a local yoga studio along with Ragan (my sissy & best friend). This week was the first week that we attended class...quite a different experience to say the least. I've taken yoga before, but this class was FAR from what I've ever experienced in a yoga class. We bowed, stretched, focused on our breathing, wiggled around on the ground like fish, meditated, and were supposed to partake in an "energy dance" (we weren't feeling that dance too much).

Funny story. It's important for you to know beforehand that I'm not very flexible. Okay, now on to the story. Our instructor had us stretching in all sorts of positions. Well, as I got into this one position, I felt that my balance was way off. I wobbled and wobbled and then fell flat on my bottom. How embarrassing! Ragan, who was in position behind me, couldn't help but erupt in laughter. She was still laughing even after I got back into the position, but by that time I couldn't help myself and joined her in the laughing frenzy. We were trying so hard to control ourselves, but that just caused us to laugh more. I seriously thought that we were going to get kicked out of our first yoga class...but we didn't...whew!! Did I mention that we get to wear nifty yoga uniforms and very cool yoga socks?! They totally resemble karate attire. Check us out wearing them proudly...

At the end of class we were asked to circle up and share our experience with the group. All I can compare it to is a small group sharing at a youth retreat. Ha. One by one our classmates shared about their deep experiences during the class. I believe both Ragan and I shared the same thought as we sat in that circle waiting for our turns...we just didn't get it!! Our experiences felt and sounded nothing like there's did. Ragan even shared that thought aloud when it was her turn...she said, "I'm sorry guys, but I just didn't get it!!" While some people laughed, I nodded my head in total agreement. We left class that evening a bit perplexed. This whole yoga thing is gonna take some time and dedication to actually "get it". And lucky us because we signed up for 3 months! Ha. Stay tuned...I'm sure we'll have some more entertaining stories to share as we begin and continue our journey with yoga.

Namaste, t.

The New Addition.

2008-07-26T16:14:00.022-05:00

Hello all! It's been a full week for me but one filled with blessings. Last Sunday, my first Godchild, Russell Henry Maturin, became Catholic. Since I'm a "first-time" Godparent, I was taking in every detail of the baptism. I wanted to know exactly what my role is to be in Russ' precious life according to the Church, so I listened intently to the words that the deacon was saying. And what a memorable day it was!! My mom and two of my sisters drove in from LaPlace to be with us on this special day. It was such a gift to see their faces there in the pews of the church. If you know anything about my family, know this...they LOVE taking pictures!! So I prepared myself for the picture-taking frenzy, but to my surprise it wasn't so bad, and they got some great pics of the day. Thank you Karras clan!! :) Russ is a beautiful addition to the Church. I pray that I can love him like Jesus loves me.

I ended up staying in Lafayette for the first half of the week to work out of our corporate office. I had productive work days for which I'm very grateful. Being able to work in Lafayette on occasion is a good way to get back there, ya know? I try to schedule time with those that I miss, and when this works out, I always leave town truly appreciating my time spent there. I was able to share a meal with 2 great friends of mine that I hadn't seen in some time. It was such a good visit. Yay!

So I'm back in Houston now, and my weekend here has revolved around unpacking, grocery shopping, cleaning house, washing clothes, running errands, and spending time with my fabulous neighbors - Ragan & Michael - love those guys! I've enjoyed getting caught up on these simple, yet important things. Lord, I thank you for the simple pleasures of each day & the many blessings of this last week.

much love, t.

A Visit Home.

2008-07-18T13:30:00.025-05:00

About 7 hours after I returned from Michigan last Friday, I headed to Lafayette, a place that I have called home for many years (and still do a lot of the time). This made for a pretty long day. Anyway, I was grateful to have spent this past weekend with some of my favorite people and even ran into a great friend of mine by chance….loved that! Our time together consisted of movie nights, eating meals together, and just catching up. I was also able to spend some time with friends of friends...it’s always good to share life and GUITAR HERO (wink, wink) with new people. Fun.

My “soon-to-be” Godchild, Baby Russ, was one of the bunch that I visited with. Pray for him because he will soon become Catholic…his Baptism is this Sunday. He will be my first Godchild EVER, and what a gift it will be to stand beside him as he begins his new journey in the Church! After following Baby Cate's story, I am convinced that even the littlest members of our Church can be mighty witnesses to us all. :)

Thank you, God, for the gift of family.

All my love, T.

Ever heard of Traverse City?

2008-07-09T20:54:00.037-05:00

Hello, lovely people. So I'm in Traverse City, Michigan, on a work assignment this week. Me and my friend/colleague, Andrea, traveled here yesterday and will be leaving on Friday. I've never visited the Great Lakes Region before, so I was excited when the opportunity to travel here presented itself. Traverse City is the "Cherry Capital of the World", is located by the waters of Lake Michigan, and is surrounded by mountains. Nice, eh?! Anyway, I wanted to share this quaint little town and my experiences here with you. I'll just start with dinner last night. It was recommended that we eat down by the bay at a restaurant called "Red Mesa", a South American and Caribbean restaurant. It was delish...amazing food and tasty margaritas!! But I have to say, the highlight of the evening was befriending a baby chipmunk that I named Alvin. It was so random that this little creature wanted to hang out with us during dinner. I quickly figured out that the way to Alvin's heart was through food...tortilla chips did the trick. I was a bit obsessed with taking pictures of my new furry friend, and I'm sure those around would agree. Alvin looks big here, but he was really tee-tiny. So cute!!

Before dinner, we went down by the water to take some pictures of the Bay. And yes, that's me and Andrea "shadow-posing" for the camera. Ha.

Moving on to today. Today was one big ole meeting that lasted most of the workday. Got some good things accomplished during that time. The ad agency that my company is currently partners with is based out of Michigan. It is housed in a historical building which has been beautifully renovated. And their digs are O SO modern. Two very genuine and talented women run this agency and decided to take us on an adventure after today's meetings. We went out sailing on the bay of Lake Michigan!! The scenery was breathtaking, the cool wind was invigorating, and the company was delightful. These women have welcomed us and showed us the culture of their region. I'm so thankful for their time and generosity. Here are some shots from the boat...

By the way, it doesn't get dark here until 10.30...so odd to me, but it certainly does make for a longer and more productive day. Now that's something I need...longer days to get all my stuff done. Looking forward to seeing and doing more neat things before I jet. Hope you've enjoyed Traverse City!! :)

Much love, t.

Good Fortune.

2008-07-06T14:24:00.012-05:00

I usually don't pay much attention to the fortunes I get in fortune cookies, but today I'm gonna make an exception. And here's what it said:

"Sometimes traveling to a new place leads to great transformation."

This one's a keeper! There are many times that I've forgotten this since I've moved to Texas, but today I'm thankful for this reminder even if it was given to me in a cookie! Ha. :)

Still Hope Filled.

2008-06-30T11:58:00.042-05:00

Baby Cate Cantrell's life & death has impacted thousands worldwide including myself. By following her story, I was reminded to focus on the bigger picture...God's plan for us, not our plan for ourselves. The Cantrell family is a bold witness to blind faith and unwavering hope in God. Their testimony has moved my spirit in ways that needed to be awakened again. May they be rewarded for helping to build God's Kingdom. I'm thankful for opportunity to have been a small part of this marathon that began here on earth and ended in heaven. May Baby Cate continue to help us press deeper into the heart of God. Pray for us, Sweet Baby Cate!!

Click here to see a memorial photo tribute.

Peace and Love, T.