Good Eats in SETX

Tonight Lance, Mack & I went to eat at Sake for the first time. I got the Crunch Roll and Mackenzie loved it. She has really unique tastes for a four year old. She got the Shrimp Hibachi Kid's Meal. I tasted some of hers, and it was really good too. We had fun together.

I love to go out to eat. We don't go very much because it is expensive and bad for you so when we do it is always a treat. I think my favorite places to go eat in SETX are Jason's Deli, Chili's and Carmela's. I like several things at Jason's, and I love the chocolate soft serve ice cream. At Chili's the black bean burger is delicious, and of course you can't go wrong with Carmela's Mexican food. Sometime Lance, Mackenzie and I all split the Grande Burrito and we still have some left to take home. It is huge!

What is your favorite place to eat in our area?

Busy Summer

It seems like I don't have much time to blog lately, or at least I have not taken the time. We have had a great and busy summer.

In June, I taught Vacation Bible School for the first time ever. It was fun, and I always love being with kids. We also had Mackenzie's recital. She loves dancing and I find so much joy in watching her. She was in ballet, tumbling and Father/Daughter dance (which was her favorite). She had three costume changes this year and so I felt like a real dance mom :) It was fun!

We also did swimming lessons in June with Miss Dayla. She was Mackenzie's three year old teacher at Holy Cross. We love her. She taught Mack a lot, and now Mackenzie is a little fish in the pool.

In July we enjoyed picking blueberries with my sister-in-law. Her grandparents have a blueberry farm in Spurger. We have eaten gallons of blueberries this summer. It has been a super treat! We also went to two Astro's games last month and spent some time at Toledo Bend and at a ski lake in Cheek that Lance's dad just bought a lot on. We even helped to build and paint the new boat dock. It was a fun but hot job.

Two weeks ago, Mack & I took a very quick last-minute trip to Austin with my mom. It was so fun! We went to Barton Springs, toured the Capitol and did some shopping in San Marcos. I think Mackenzie learned a lot about our state on the trip.

Last week was one of the highlights of the summer. Lance, Mackenzie & I participated in a Backyard Bible Club at Rienstra Park. A lot of young adults helped and over 20 kids came to play games, have snacks, make crafts and most importantly, hear about the love of Jesus. The last night was a Family Night. We got to share the love of Christ with over 50 people. It was exciting to see God moving in our community.

Next week is Mackenzie's birthday. She will be five. We are getting her ears pierced for her birthday. She is excited. I am excited for her too. Getting your ears pierced is sort of a rite of passage, and it reminds me that she is growing up. She is such a sweet beautiful little girl. God has blessed our family so much this summer...with each other, with fun activities, and with the opportunity to be about His Work.

Answered Prayers

I have not posted in forever so I thought I would update my blog friends on some exciting new things around the Howell house. Lance got a job! Praise the Lord!

He is working for Controlled Fluids in Beaumont. They build pumps and valves and stuff...I don't really understand it all, but that is why he is the engineer and not me :) His first day was yesterday. It is such an answer to prayer that he was able to secure a job in this really tough labor market. God was so faithful to provide for us while we were waiting and now He has sent this big blessing our way. We are so thankful to Him.

My bro-in-law & sis-in-law also had a beautiful healthy baby girl on February 9th. Her name is Brenlee Kate. She has a beautiful head of silky brown hair. Mackenzie and I have had a lot of fun spending time with her. This makes niece #2 for me,and I have a nephew on the way in April.

On another note, one of my best friends who has been struggling with infertility for over four years found out she is pregnant. I have prayed for her so much and care about her so much, and I was SUPER excited by her great news. She really inspires me.

Some of my other good friends have surrendered to the ministry and I know God has exciting things for their lives too. God is so good. In times like this when His blessings seem so real and abundant, I want to make sure and give Him the glory. He teaches us things while we are waiting so that when His time is made perfect we can glorify Him for his generous love.

My Stone

A good friend of mine and I were talking at Bible Study this past Sunday about how we feel like there have been a lot of tragedies lately. It seems like the enemy is really attacking right now. A few years ago when I was going through some tough things and feeling that way, I wrote a poem that was based on the story of David & Goliath because I felt like I had a lot of Goliath's in my life at the time. I thought I would share it with all of you too in case you feel like you are fighting a Goliath right now...

My Stone

"I defy the ranks of Israel," the young boy heard him say.

Then his heart began to race as he looked Goliath's way.

But the beats that pounded in his chest were not from rage or fear,

But from the call of God that fell upon his ear.

"I have chosen you my child; this battle you must fight.

Not with sword and not with spear, but with my power and might."

So courageous little David looked Goliath in his eyes

And approached the battle line, not shaken by his size.

He reached into his pouch and pulled out one round stone.

As he drew his sling, his hands were steady because he wasn't holding it alone.

And even while Goliath shot out curses on God's name,

The living God of David calmed his heart and held his aim.

Then across the line soared David's stone and struck Goliath's head,

And David's enemy, the giant, fell silent then fell dead.

I can almost hear the brutal blow and see Goliath fall

Because the call that little David felt has also been my call.

There are Goliath's in my life God is calling me to fight

Not with sword and not with spear, but with his power and might.

And just as God held David, I do not fight alone

So I'll march up to the battle line, draw my sling, and throw my stone.

To God Be the Glory

Well, the bullet fell out yesterday. As Lance says, it made it's way out like a really big splinter! KFDM Channel 6 got wind of the whole ordeal, and they called Lance and asked for an interview. Initially, Lance turned them down, but then he thought about how it would be an opportunity for God to get the glory for an amazing miracle so he changed his mind and called them back.

They came to our house today and did a story. Here is a link to the press release from the story. I hope this gives us the opportunity to share Christ with people we come across, not just from the news story but from opportunities to talk to people about it in person. To God be the glory for the things He has done!

http://www.kfdm.com/news/years-34529-leg-awhile.html

Four Years Later

Some of you may remember a post from this summer when I told you all the story about how Lance accidentally shot himself in the leg when we were evacuated four years ago for Hurricane Rita. Well, the bullet has finally decided to make its exit. Right after it happened, Lance had a surgery to clean the bullet fragments out of his leg, and his doctor decided it was too dangerous to remove the main part of the bullet because it was surrounded by important veins and nerves.

The bullet entered 2mm away from his main artery. Had it hit the artery, Lance would have almost certainly died very quickly. Or if it had exited his body, he could have very possibly bled out and died before we could have gotten him to the hospital. But neither of those things happened because God's hand guided that bullet right past his vital parts and stopped it before it could do damage by busting out the back of his leg. Now it is emerging as a very real reminder of the Soviergnty of our God.

Go Dogs!

This is one of my favorite times of the year. I love football season! I love the peprallies, the games, the excitement. It is so much fun! This is Jenna's senior year so I am trying to enjoy it because I know I won't be as involved after this year until Mackenzie gets older at least.

Each week I help Jenna make three gifts - two for her little sisses and one for her locker boy. Some of the gifts that people exchange get pretty extravagant, which I do think is wasteful. But I do love helping Jenna prepare cutely wrapped spirited gifts each week.

I also love the football games. I love cheering on my team and traveling with them to support them at every game no matter where they go. I love eating pickels and peanuts in the stands and visiting with my friends.

I love scores that are so close and plays that are so important that it brings the stands to their feet. I love watching halftime. I love holding my breath as they throw Jenna up into the air in a cheer. I love the fight song. I could say more, but I will spare you.

Mackenzie loves it all too. She gets to do a lot of special things, like dance to the fight song out on the track because Jenna will carry her out there. Next year will be different when Jenna graduates so I am hoping Mack is soaking up every minute of the "special treatment" this year :)

I just thought I would share a picture of my precious daughter and beautiful sis. I love football and I really love both of you! Go Dogs!