After 2 weeks of traveling Jeff & I are finally both home together again! Unfortunately, I (Erin) am sick and so Jeff didn't get a very warm welcome home - instead he got to take me to the urgent care clinic and take care of me. So, I'm sure glad he is home, but wish I felt better so he could relax a little more. He's out right now picking up my prescription and getting food and movies for us - I have an amazing husband. I'm not really sure what is wrong with me - some kind of infection that makes me feel like I have the flu without actually having the flu - yuck.
We had a really great time in Arizona ... but that will have to be another post. In the meantime I want to leave you with this AWESOME video that Jeremy made for Buy Shoes Save Lives. Check it out:
There are really exciting things going on in Iraq right now and as always there are lots of ways to get involved - check out www.buyshoessavelives.com for the latest and greatest.
6.07.2008
5.27.2008
Restless
That has been my life... our life for the last month or so. It is not that we do not like to rest, it is just that there is no time for it, or we are not making the time for it. Anyway, this restlessness is spilling over into all areas of my life and kind of driving me crazy. Even when I should be able to rest - like last night in bed - I couldn't make myself slow down to go to sleep. So, I got about 2 hours of sleep last night - I'm TIRED.
It was good to be in Oklahoma and say 'good bye' to my grandparent's house. We got everything ready for the estate sale next month and even had some people come by and look at the house. It was sad and yet it felt good to make some time to remember. I spent time in each room of the house just remembering... remembering my Papa in the kitchen always pretending like he was going to eat a bite of whatever I was eating for breakfast. Remembering sitting by the fire in the living room watching our grandparents open presents we got them for Christmas - only it would take them like 11 minutes to open each present! =o) Remembering sitting outside on the swing in the summer drinking root beer floats with my grandma and Elyse. There are so many memories there and it was nice to end on that note. When they were still living I used to DREAD going to see them because it was so hard to see them in so much pain. It seemed like they were just these old, broken relics of who they used to be - and I don't want to remember them like that. Doing all that reflecting helped me realize that I don't want to be going so hard and always thinking forward that I don't take the time to enjoy what is before me in the present - restless.
We drove the U-haul last night back to Dallas and driving through the rolling hills of Oklahoma for probably the last time for a while I was just thinking about why I can't seem to find rest lately. It isn't because I'm working and busy, it isn't because Jeff is gone (to Arizona for candidate school), it isn't because I'm living in Bedford, and it isn't because there's a lot going on ... it is because I've been dwelling in the 'far country'. I've been reading this book by Henri Nouwen (one of the GREATEST writers on the human condition and Jesus) called 'The return of the prodigal son'. It is about Nouwen's own journey as inspired by the famous painting by Rembrandt.
Nouwen was a professor at Harvard, a preist and scholar when God called him to quit his position at the college move to a home for the mentally handicapped and minister there. He talks about this transition and how difficult it was for him and the ways he let his insecurity lead him into the 'far country' just like the prodigal son - in search of worldly things to fill him. As he described this time for him something in my heart tightened and I knew - 'that is me, that is why I feel so restless.' Nouwen went to see this painting in St. Petersburg and spent 4 hours just sitting there looking at it, seeing the way different light changed the images, and gaining a true understanding of what it means to be the Beloved. See, we can find rest in the midst of business, stress, transition, etc. if we make our home with Christ as he has made his home in us. But that is hard to do when I am always leaving. I am constantly looking for you to love me, for Jeff to be pleased with me, to know that you (world) think I'm worthy, and everytime I turn my gaze to the world and I allow my heart to go after those things - I leave my Father. I scorn the home God has made for me, take of the cloak of identity he has given me and find myself restlessly orbiting the world insecure and unable to make a home anywhere. I need to go Home. Recognizing this and identifying the source of my restlessness does not solve the problem - I need to run and fall at my Father's feet regardless of the consequences, to humiliate myself in all of my filth and failure and go home. I just needed to process all of this - to admit my restlessness and return. I am the Beloved - and so are you.
That's all... and if you like to read (and even if you don't) you should go pick up this book by Henri Nouwen - other recommendations of books he's written are: Life of the Beloved, In the Name of Jesus, and The Way of the Heart. You can't go wrong with any of his books - but these are some of my favorite.
It was good to be in Oklahoma and say 'good bye' to my grandparent's house. We got everything ready for the estate sale next month and even had some people come by and look at the house. It was sad and yet it felt good to make some time to remember. I spent time in each room of the house just remembering... remembering my Papa in the kitchen always pretending like he was going to eat a bite of whatever I was eating for breakfast. Remembering sitting by the fire in the living room watching our grandparents open presents we got them for Christmas - only it would take them like 11 minutes to open each present! =o) Remembering sitting outside on the swing in the summer drinking root beer floats with my grandma and Elyse. There are so many memories there and it was nice to end on that note. When they were still living I used to DREAD going to see them because it was so hard to see them in so much pain. It seemed like they were just these old, broken relics of who they used to be - and I don't want to remember them like that. Doing all that reflecting helped me realize that I don't want to be going so hard and always thinking forward that I don't take the time to enjoy what is before me in the present - restless.
We drove the U-haul last night back to Dallas and driving through the rolling hills of Oklahoma for probably the last time for a while I was just thinking about why I can't seem to find rest lately. It isn't because I'm working and busy, it isn't because Jeff is gone (to Arizona for candidate school), it isn't because I'm living in Bedford, and it isn't because there's a lot going on ... it is because I've been dwelling in the 'far country'. I've been reading this book by Henri Nouwen (one of the GREATEST writers on the human condition and Jesus) called 'The return of the prodigal son'. It is about Nouwen's own journey as inspired by the famous painting by Rembrandt.
Nouwen was a professor at Harvard, a preist and scholar when God called him to quit his position at the college move to a home for the mentally handicapped and minister there. He talks about this transition and how difficult it was for him and the ways he let his insecurity lead him into the 'far country' just like the prodigal son - in search of worldly things to fill him. As he described this time for him something in my heart tightened and I knew - 'that is me, that is why I feel so restless.' Nouwen went to see this painting in St. Petersburg and spent 4 hours just sitting there looking at it, seeing the way different light changed the images, and gaining a true understanding of what it means to be the Beloved. See, we can find rest in the midst of business, stress, transition, etc. if we make our home with Christ as he has made his home in us. But that is hard to do when I am always leaving. I am constantly looking for you to love me, for Jeff to be pleased with me, to know that you (world) think I'm worthy, and everytime I turn my gaze to the world and I allow my heart to go after those things - I leave my Father. I scorn the home God has made for me, take of the cloak of identity he has given me and find myself restlessly orbiting the world insecure and unable to make a home anywhere. I need to go Home. Recognizing this and identifying the source of my restlessness does not solve the problem - I need to run and fall at my Father's feet regardless of the consequences, to humiliate myself in all of my filth and failure and go home. I just needed to process all of this - to admit my restlessness and return. I am the Beloved - and so are you.
That's all... and if you like to read (and even if you don't) you should go pick up this book by Henri Nouwen - other recommendations of books he's written are: Life of the Beloved, In the Name of Jesus, and The Way of the Heart. You can't go wrong with any of his books - but these are some of my favorite.
5.23.2008
Exciting Days ahead!
We have been all over lately, and the travels will continue! We are leaving tonight to go to Tulsa and then meet up with my mom and drive to Bartlesville, OK. That is where my grandparents' house is. We are going to be cleaning up the house and moving out all of the stuff my family wants to keep. We are getting ready to have an estate sale this summer. This is the house that my Papa designed and built and my mom grew up in. I have lots of great memories there and will be sad to see it go. On Sunday Jeff is flying to Phoenix for Candidate School! It will be a time of training, learning, and meeting lots of great people who will be scattered all over the world in hopes of sharing the Good News. I will be joining Jeff on Thursday for 1 week of candidate school - he'll be there the full 2 weeks. We ask that you would be praying for us as we meet with counselors and trusted advisors about our future, our family, and moving overseas soon. Having been through candidate school as a single before, and I know that it will be a time of refining, being challenged, encouraged, and intensely seeking God's face. I'm a little nervious about only being married for 5 months and being under a pretty intense microscope - but I really want anything that we need to deal with to surface and be addressed. We're really excited about it and are grateful for your prayers through this time. We will let you know how it goes!
5.12.2008
For those in the metroplex
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14
EAT LUNCH AT
and help find a cure for childhood cancer.
Applebee’s (at I635, just east of MacArthur Blvd in Las Colinas) is helping us raise money for the Children’s Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation. We are asking our friends to please eat there between 11am and 3pm this Wednesday and tell your server you are “dining to donate” for Lunch for Life. Applebee’s will donate 15% of your entire ticket to the Children’s Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation at no cost to you. Valid for Applebee’s Car-side To Go orders too!
This is your chance to use your lunch break to help save a life. Neuroblastoma is the most common cancer found in infants and the most common extra-cranial solid tumor found in children. There is very little known about why neuroblastoma occurs, or about what factors increase the risk for occurrence. There is no known cure. Every 16 hours a child with neuroblastoma dies. For more information, visit www.lunchforlife.org
EAT LUNCH AT
and help find a cure for childhood cancer.
Applebee’s (at I635, just east of MacArthur Blvd in Las Colinas) is helping us raise money for the Children’s Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation. We are asking our friends to please eat there between 11am and 3pm this Wednesday and tell your server you are “dining to donate” for Lunch for Life. Applebee’s will donate 15% of your entire ticket to the Children’s Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation at no cost to you. Valid for Applebee’s Car-side To Go orders too!
This is your chance to use your lunch break to help save a life. Neuroblastoma is the most common cancer found in infants and the most common extra-cranial solid tumor found in children. There is very little known about why neuroblastoma occurs, or about what factors increase the risk for occurrence. There is no known cure. Every 16 hours a child with neuroblastoma dies. For more information, visit www.lunchforlife.org
5.11.2008
Happy Mother's Day!
Happy Mother's Day Moms! We are so thankful for you and love you lots! Here are the most recent pictures of us with our moms
Me and my mom at AB & Keith's wedding.
Erin's words to mom today:
'Mom, you're amazing. I'm pretty stinkin' proud that people think you are me, I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm not sure how you feel about people thinking you are my twin sister, or confusing you for your daughter. But I think that's pretty hilarious. I hope I have as many of your genes as it seems I do. =o)
The older I get the more I am awed at who you are, what you have accomplished, and how you were able to do so well with Elyse & I at the same time...that is crazy - you are incredible!
Jeff's parents and grandfather today before they headed back to Corpus.
Jeff's Words to mom today:
'Mom, thanks for always believing in me, I love you more than I probably show you that I do.'
We're also both very excited to celebrate having totally awesome mother's in law this year!
Love you moms!
Me and my mom at AB & Keith's wedding.
Erin's words to mom today:
'Mom, you're amazing. I'm pretty stinkin' proud that people think you are me, I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm not sure how you feel about people thinking you are my twin sister, or confusing you for your daughter. But I think that's pretty hilarious. I hope I have as many of your genes as it seems I do. =o)
The older I get the more I am awed at who you are, what you have accomplished, and how you were able to do so well with Elyse & I at the same time...that is crazy - you are incredible!
Jeff's parents and grandfather today before they headed back to Corpus.
Jeff's Words to mom today:
'Mom, thanks for always believing in me, I love you more than I probably show you that I do.'
We're also both very excited to celebrate having totally awesome mother's in law this year!
Love you moms!
Yay Jeff!
Yesterday was a momentous occasion in the Priour household... Jeff's college graduation! It was a really fun time of celebrating with family and friends.
The graduate himself... with his parents. "Thanks for all the help, mom and dad"
Unfortunately, I didn't get too many good pictures of the actual ceremony. Jeff's Dad went down to the front to get a close up shot of Jeff being handed a fiploma (fake diploma), his real one doesn't come in for another 6 weeks! Here's the shot:
This lady has the worst timing and apparently hasn't learned the 'don't walk in front of people holding cameras' etiquette. So, behind her head is the dean handing Jeff his fiploma.
Here's everyone moving their tassels to other side. Jeff was way in the back, but you can imagine what he looked like...
After graduation we went to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse for dinner. I'm not real big on being a decadent American, most people know this about me. But, that was a ridiculously AMAZING dinner... a cow never tasted so good.
After dinner we had everyone over to our apartment for cake and ice cream. Here's Jeff with his cake. I think he was more excited about this than dinner - boys...
Congratulations Jeff! It was fun to celebrate with you yesterday, we are so proud of you!
The graduate himself... with his parents. "Thanks for all the help, mom and dad"
Unfortunately, I didn't get too many good pictures of the actual ceremony. Jeff's Dad went down to the front to get a close up shot of Jeff being handed a fiploma (fake diploma), his real one doesn't come in for another 6 weeks! Here's the shot:
This lady has the worst timing and apparently hasn't learned the 'don't walk in front of people holding cameras' etiquette. So, behind her head is the dean handing Jeff his fiploma.
Here's everyone moving their tassels to other side. Jeff was way in the back, but you can imagine what he looked like...
After graduation we went to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse for dinner. I'm not real big on being a decadent American, most people know this about me. But, that was a ridiculously AMAZING dinner... a cow never tasted so good.
After dinner we had everyone over to our apartment for cake and ice cream. Here's Jeff with his cake. I think he was more excited about this than dinner - boys...
Congratulations Jeff! It was fun to celebrate with you yesterday, we are so proud of you!
4.30.2008
Office Olympics 2008
So, last week was motivation week at my office. In honor of this, we had an event known as the Office Olympics. You might have thought this only happened on the TV show 'The Office' - but the longer I work here the more I'm convinced that the writers of that show must have at some point also been employed by this company (which shall remain nameless). We kicked off the week with some (manditory) bowling at our annual off site event! My team was the 'West Side Ballers' pronounced...'Ballas'. We even had T-shirts made with big crowns on them, and headbands with a big WB on them - it was the closest I'll ever come to being in a gang (thankfully).
We had an event everyday, the schedule went like this
Monday: Last minute PI (provider invoice). This is the deadline that happens twice a month when all of the doctor's timesheets come in and we have to get them all processed in 2.5 days.
Tuesday:Recycle Bin super shot. basically this is basketball with balls of paper that you had to shoot into a moving trashcan. My team got the silver in this one!
Wednesday: The Name Game. This was a spelling bee of sorts where we had to correctly spell doctor's last names. this can be tricky, especially with Dr. Chrephabodi, or Dr. Llguilar-Sincabanti. My team got the bronze in this.
Thursday: Policy Trivia. This was jepordy with company policy and procedure. My team got bronze in this.
Friday: Chair races. In this event I sat in the chair with my legs up while my teammate was blindfolded and I had to tell her how to get around obsticals - such as paper boxes, bowling pins, etc. My teammate was also our team captain who happens to be the most competitive person I've ever met. She stopped listeneing to me after two 'Right, Left's' and just plowed through all of the obstacles and into a desk. Fortunately, I was not injured, she however tripped over the chair. We missed bronze by 1 second.
Overall in the closing ceremonies we got the bronze... not to shabby.
West Side Ballers - what what!!
We had an event everyday, the schedule went like this
Monday: Last minute PI (provider invoice). This is the deadline that happens twice a month when all of the doctor's timesheets come in and we have to get them all processed in 2.5 days.
Tuesday:Recycle Bin super shot. basically this is basketball with balls of paper that you had to shoot into a moving trashcan. My team got the silver in this one!
Wednesday: The Name Game. This was a spelling bee of sorts where we had to correctly spell doctor's last names. this can be tricky, especially with Dr. Chrephabodi, or Dr. Llguilar-Sincabanti. My team got the bronze in this.
Thursday: Policy Trivia. This was jepordy with company policy and procedure. My team got bronze in this.
Friday: Chair races. In this event I sat in the chair with my legs up while my teammate was blindfolded and I had to tell her how to get around obsticals - such as paper boxes, bowling pins, etc. My teammate was also our team captain who happens to be the most competitive person I've ever met. She stopped listeneing to me after two 'Right, Left's' and just plowed through all of the obstacles and into a desk. Fortunately, I was not injured, she however tripped over the chair. We missed bronze by 1 second.
Overall in the closing ceremonies we got the bronze... not to shabby.
West Side Ballers - what what!!
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