Up and Going!

Whacha looking at?

Life in Texas is becoming a little more normal. It is still so different as most days I stay at home and act like a new bride, tinkering with the set up of different rooms, actually cooking dinner for my hubby, ready when he walks in the door, and kind of feeling like I'm playing house. But now I will begin to have a little life outside of this nice house. Tomorrow I start at the quilt shop, The Feathered Star. I will be working one or two days a week there and beginning in January will be teaching there a lot. I'm looking forward to some more interaction with actual people, not just the personalities of my dogs!

We continue to search for the church home God has for us. We've visited three so far. Two are keepers. One of those is a great church (PCA), but is 25 miles from here. While I wouldn't mind the commute on Sundays, driving in to the community activities during the week (VERY important to me) might be too hard. This past week we went to a Fellowship church here in Katy. (No relationship to Fellowship Bible in Nashville.) It was great. The pastor was so real and the message challenged us both. (It dealt with listening to the true Spirit and finding the Truth, I John 4) We were warmly welcomed and invited to join Bible studies, etc. Here is my sin. I think either I'm too cynical or non-trusting or wounded by past experiences to go to a church with no governing body except that which is in itself. I guess you could call it denominationalism. We have belonged to 3 denominations which have a system of checks and balances in them to keep the pastors, the leaders of the flocks, accountable as to what they are teaching and preaching. Some of you with experience here help me. We are continuing to pray and I'm doing my best to keep my mouth shut and let Mark lead us. (Really pray about that!) We will be visiting 2nd Baptist, Ed Young pastor, soon. It has over 45,000 members and 5 campuses across Houston. The Katy church has over 12,000 members. I went to a Christmas Village type thing there this past week and was amazed at all the work done in the name of outreach. I'll keep you posted. Please pray for us as this is our most important decision since moving to Katy.

One of the most fun things of the past week is that my quilting machine is up and running. And even better, I'm becoming more comfortable with using it. Just the size and set up of the thing can be a bit intimidating. I've set my mind with a schedule for work, training myself with the help of videos and other longarmers (Pam and Carol, thank you!) So far I've completed 3 Christmas panels. Today my goal is to do 3 more panels. I've been asked by some of my quilting friends for pictures, but I'm not educated enough to post those yet so they will be coming later.

By the way, did you know I'm a proud grandmother? The most precious baby in the whole world is living in Orlando with his sweet mama and daddy. I'll include a picture in his trick or treat outfit. I'm sure he won the prize for the cutest pumpkin. and contrary to popular opinion, HE WAS NOT SCARY. HE WAS CUTE! We don't do scary costumes at Halloween! (By the way, he is off the charts on height while in the 75th percentile everywhere else! Look out! Who would have ever thought a Stowers would be sooooo tall?)

Colton is cooing and smiling. Grace got to go visit this past weekend and says she knows just what to do to make him smile. She got to spend lots of quality time with him but at a price. Lindsay had another migraine and was in bed for a couple of days. Grace was available to help out her brother and love on Colton a lot. While it might not have been planned that way, it was still good she was there to lend a hand and bond.
Just look at that sweet face! I see both Lindsay and Ross in that precious countenance. I love you so much, Colton!