Out with the old, in with the new!

My old Chair, had a cream-color slip cover...the chair was a hand me down. It was horribly uncomfortable.

My old "vintage couch" was from the youth group. I had a Baby-Blue Lazyboy couch, I think now I down graded! This couch was so long and soft but not cozy.

My new large comfy chair! It looks pretty amazing with my stuff.

My new matching couch! It even has a bed, for those out of town guest! It is very nice and can we say so much more comfy!!!

I have been wanting new furniture for a while now. The furniture that I had was so uncomfortable and was just getting me by. We have a thing at work where you can buy items from other employees. A girl had this for sale, so I went to look at it last week and the next day it was mine. My friend Lance helped me move my old stuff out and the new stuff in! I am really enjoying my furniture to say the least! All I can say is NO MORE SLIPCOVERS!

My Heart Smiled

I received a message yesterday from Steve about Ellexa or as I call her Lexi Lou. When she woke up early yesterday morning she told Papa..."I want to go see my Brooke"....man she makes my heart smile. I love her deeply and the voice of a three year old can really make my day. I miss her too, and I wish I could go see my Lexi Lou.

It is well with my soul

"It Is Well with My Soul" is the song that we sang together in worship at my Aunt Joyce's funeral...just a year ago. As I was traveling down to Jefferson City on that Tuesday I spent the afternoon in worship through singing and prayer. I came across one of my favorite hymns on my Shane and Shane CD. As I was driving I could not stop but listen to the lyrics and think of Aunt Joyce. My lips mouthed the song but I could not sing. I stopped and listen.

"It is well, it is well, with my soul"  I was thinking of all the struggles and pain she has endured and now "It is Well" she is free. My eyes lifted and I started to look at the clouds about that time the song sang these lyrics "And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll; the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, even so, it is well with my soul." I was amazed that I found myself singing this song again at her funeral. It almost seemed like God was sending me a big hug. I tired to bellow out the song as hard as I could a few times I was choked up...but for the most part I wanted to sing the song from the depths of my heart. I know that she is dancing with the Angels. I know that there is no more pain for her. We were blessed to have the opportunity to have her in our lives. If you knew Joyce her smile could light up a room. Her gentle spirit could touch you. She was an amazing Godly woman who will always live in my heart as well as many others.

Who wants a clean house?

I have been watching Clean House for about a year it is one of my favorite shows. It has inspired me to get rid of stuff! If you haven't seen Clean House...you gotta check it out!

In the words of Niecy Nash...."There is a whole lot of foolishness going on here!"..and so I clean.

My landlord was needing the spear closet in the hallway (I have used since I moved in, full of garage sale stuff). I haven't had a yard sale yet! I thought ok, spring time will come and it will be the time to dig out stuff. I started a few months ago..and it has been a project. I do not like living messy, and for months it has been messy...trying to get rid of stuff.

A few weeks ago on a Saturday morning I loaded up Josie's truck and went to the Mission here in town. It was great knowing that the profits would return to town.

It feels good to get rid of stuff. Nicey would be so proud....she would say "OOooooooohh That's what I'm talking about."

25 years together!

May 19, 1983-Steve and Kay were married 25 years ago!

This is one amazing couple who love Christ and each other deeply. They are best friends and it is obvious. The journey in these 25 years have made them stronger together. I love them deeply and pray that God will bless me with a love like theirs....

Single Quotes

I came across this list that I made a few years back and every once in a while will add to it. Oh the joys of singleness and people words of encouragment (??)....

"You are a Von Maur girl, don't settle for a Wal-mart guy" -Shelley Bauer

"You could have chocolate chip cookies. They are good don’t get me wrong. However, if you wait you could have the best. Triple fudge chocolate cake. You deserve only the best."-Michele Nelson

Don’t you like guys? – My Mother


"Have you thought about switching churches? (next) breath Well, how about going to the bars?"-My Mother

"Are you ALWAYS going to be single?"-Alexis Wiese,age 8.

"Don’t worry you’ll find someone Brooker. You know if you don’t you can always switch teams!"-Jenn Mortez

“I can hook you up with one of my guys.” –Steve Castaneda (Referring to the prisoners at work).
“So tell me why hasn’t some hot guy snatched you up yet?”-Randa Onion

"Any guy would be luckly to be with you"-Anthony Atkinson

Rainbow of Hope

This picture was taken on May 15th after a conversation with my friend Angi about our former college classmate Steve Szoke. It was a hard conversation knowing that only time was what Steve had. I was trying to bring hope to my friend (and myself)after the conversation and I walked around the store in a fog, I started to have conversation with God. I asked God to show me that HE had a plan for Steve's life. That the impact of Steve's life would shine. That he was leaving behind a legacy for his wife and daughter and all those who once knew him. I wanted to be reassured that things would be ok. I walked out of the store, it had been raining and as I was looking at my car I saw this amazing large rainbow. I started to cry, standing in the road searching for a camera...I wanted to capture the moment. While I was looking for my camera I looked at this large rainbow, it took me a minute as I started to search for the ending of the rainbow (I always look for the ending of the rainbow). I could not find it and it took me a second to notice that it was a full rainbow. It was the largest rainbows I had ever seen. It was a split second that I felt that it was just God and me. I started to cry and then my tears became laughter. I felt God near. It was a reassurance that God does not leave His children and He will always keep his promises.

Steve and I were freshman in college and we both were forced to take basic classes together (you could call them the Short Bus Classes). It was in these classes we became friends. I will never forget the many talks we had and all the laughter we shared. I always thought he was so different, later I realized he was so original. Steve always seemed to care about me, it was great to have that support.

Steve and I lost contact and was reconnected two years ago through the wonderful world of MySpace. It was good to catch up and hear what where he was at in life.

It was an honor to have been a partner in prayer with Steve over the last year. He and his family helped plant a brand new church and then a few months after the launch Steve was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. It was encouraging to read his emails, to see the courage he had to fight, as months wore on he seemed to fight harder. His fighting shined as moments turned into hours, hours turned into days, and days turned into a couple of weeks. He was an amazing man of God and one of the strongest fighters that I have ever known. Today he would have celebrated his 33rd birthday...and I know that one day, we will see him again. In God's time...