A Crying Kind of Day

Today has been a crying kind of day for me. Ever have one of those? There is nothing really wrong with me, but off and on throughout the day, I've cried about different things. I have just felt overwhelmed today with all the grief touching those I know and love. At the church we used to go to, three little girls lost their father to a brain tumor. An amazing lady at our church just brought her father home from the hospital to die with his family. Another lost her spouse unexpectedly when a routine procedure found a rare disease; she couldn't even touch him to say goodbye. A friend of ours here in NY lost his mom a few years ago, and then his dad just died in June. And a friend of my sister, a neat, godly young man, lost the battle with brain cancer Sunday morning. And there are lots more that I could list. I admit, sometimes I just want to pound my fists against the Lord's chest like a little child and cry, "No! No! This isn't right. It isn't supposed to be like this!" As I cried that today, I had the sudden realization that, no, it ISN'T supposed to be like this. We weren't created for death, and, thanks be to God, death is simply a stepping stone for us into eternal life. I thought of the verse about the Lord "making all things new". Then, with tears flowing harder, I raised my eyes to the rain-filled grey clouds and cried with new urgency, "Please come quickly, Lord Jesus. Oh, come quickly!".
And so, as I continue to cry throughout this crying kind of day, I just whisper again, "Oh, come quickly!"
Amen and amen.

Random Oct. Pics

A New York Fall

It is officially Fall in New York, and it is as lovely as we had heard it would be. After spending five years in Texas, it is nice to be back to the four distinct seasons. Though we have had quite a bit of rain lately, the weather overall has been gorgeous - in the 70s with crisp wind and sunshine. We have taken lots of walks, gone apple picking, and the leaves are really starting to put on a color show now. Supposedly the peak time for Fall color is mid-October, so I will try to post some pics of that when it comes. Last but not least, I've had my first Pumpkin Spice Latte, to ring in the season! The view from our back windows on a rainy day. This picture doesn't do it justice, as the reds and yellows are really beautiful.

A hike through Watkins Glen Gorge. This place feels like being in Rivendell, for you LOTR fans!

Pumpkin candles and a puzzle make for a cozy Fall evening.

Dressed for a blustery day.

Apple picking - this orchard is so gorgeous and only about five minutes from our house. Great apple cider, too!

Beautiful Fall colors!

Are we presenting an "Un-Christian" view of our Christianity?

About a month ago, the senior pastor at our church introduced this book to us, and Bill and I both started reading it. It was so compelling, I finished it in a few days. Now, there are not many books that I would say "everybody has to read", but I think this is one of those books. I would go so far as to suggest that if you really want to be a relevant Christian - and impact today's culture - you need to read it. (Now, if you don't read it, I'm not going to think that you are lax in your faith - I just think it is a provocative book). Based on studies done by the Barna Group, the author, David Kinnaman, addresses the six major perceptions that our culture has of Christians. To pique your interest, the research showed that the majority of people considered Christians to be:

1) Hypocritical

2) Only interested in "getting people saved"

3) Anti homosexual

4) Sheltered

5) Too political

6) Judgmental

Now, you can agree or not agree with his suggestions on how to address these perceptions, but you can't argue with the statistics. Which is why I think it is so beneficial to read this book. If we say we are Christian, then for many people, the aforementioned six subjects are what they believe our faith to be. Personally, I found this book to be convicting and challenging! Pick it up - and then let me know what you think!

The Last Four Months in Photos

Living in New York!

Four- wheel drive for New York winters

Amy's Wedding

Bill's Graduation from DTS

Bill's Ordination

Walton's arrival!

Funny Things Bill Has Said Since I've Been Pregnant

I know it has been a while, and I promise to post pics, updates, etc., soon. I just wanted to share a few of the funny things Bill has said during this pregnancy:

"I hope you get really huge".

"I hope you have a big baby" (ok, some of these maybe aren't all that funny!)

"You are not as mobile as you used to be"

"You are getting to be mondo, sweetie"

"Once you get the epidural, labor is going to feel just like you are sleeping" (oh really?)

"I think I am going to pass out when you have the baby".

"This is the best thing that's ever happened to us that is going to ruin our lives" :)

I know I am forgetting some, but as he continues with these classic lines, I'll keep you posted.

Life with Bill is NEVER dull :)

Thanksgiving Blessings

What a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! Though several dear friends were absent this year, it was great to spend time with family and friends. The turkeys were great, Mom made her best-yet dressing, and Bill delighted us all again with his famous pumpkin cheesecake. Usually, we eat our Thanksgiving feast outside, but the weather was too cold and wet to be out this year, so we lined up tables in the dining room and were cozy and warm for dinner. As we went around the table and each person shared what they were thankful for, I was reminded of all that we have and the numerous blessings the Lord has given us. My loving and wonderful husband, my supportive and fun family, and encouraging friends are at the top of my list for sure! On Saturday, despite the rain and cold temps, we traveled to the Christmas tree farm and cut down our tree. This is the fifth year we have gone to this place, and always look forward to it. We brought home our fattest tree yet - so tall and fat that we had to rearrange our living room to make space for it! But it is gorgeous and the smell of fresh evergreen greets us as soon as we enter the door. Now Bill and I will spend many evenings cuddled on the couch looking at the sparkling tree - I love this season :)

Ode to a Red Starbucks' Cup

I can't believe that on my list of favorite seasonal things, I left off the Red Starbucks' Cup!!! Now, I did mention the seasonal drinks from Starbucks - namely the Pumpkin Spice Latte and the Eggnog Latte, but the Red Cup is a whole separate thing. Thankfully, a friend who has a similar devotion to Starbucks reminded me of this (thanks Juls!), and of course she is right! The Red Cup is a symbol of seasonal bliss, that all is right with the world - at least while you are drinking your eggnog latte! And so, to honor this annual phenomenon, I composed a poem. Please read this with your seasonal Starbucks' beverage of choice (in a Red Cup):

Ode to a Red Starbucks' Cup

Oh Red Cup, of cardboard frame

Eggnog, Pumpkin, what 'er your name

Filled to brim with warmth and cheer

Addictive, yes, but it's not beer!

You will rouse us from our bed,

Gladden our heart and clear our head

Make our mornings oh so bright

Keep us working all through the night.

More than that, you let us know

though temps are high and there's no snow,

That Thanksgiving is drawing near,

And Christmastime is almost here.

Through it all we won't ignore

Though buying you might make us poor,

Remember thanks when we sup,

Our cheery, cardboard, oh Red Cup!

Happy November!

I am so glad that is it November! November is one of my favorite months, and this is the beginning of my favorite season. I love everything about the time from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
A few of my favorite things:
pumpkins, acorns, mums
cinnamon and spice smells
hot apple cider
Thanksgiving feasting - mashed potatoes, turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes
Bill's pumpkin cheesecake
pumpkin desserts of any kind!
holiday coffees at Starbucks
candles
fires in our chiminea
autumn colored leaves - brown, gold, burgandy, orange
snuggling under the covers
the smell of pine needles
cutting down our Christmas tree and decorating it
Christmas music
hanging stockings
eggnogg
sugar cookies
hot cocoa
exchanging gifts
bundling up in scarves and gloves to go for a walk
the meaning of Christmas and how it fills me with wonder
maybe beliving in Santa Claus....still
sitting it the dark with Bill looking at the Christmas tree
red and green decorations
Christmas lights everywhere

And so, with all those fun thoughts in my mind, I will now have a bowl of stew with my darling husband :) Share some of your favorite things about the season with me!

And Baby Makes Three...

Yes, a baby Bambach is officially on the way. Baby came as a little surprise for us, but I guess the Lord in His perfect timing decided the time had come for the Bambach duo to become a threesome. Or, as Bill told me, "You play, you pay". :) We are really excited about this little squirt, and thankful that the Lord has given us this opportunity. The picture was a sonogram at eight weeks, and I am now almost 13, so baby has grown considerably since this, but you get the general idea. I think the baby definitely looks like Bill! :) I had a doctor's appointment last Monday, and got to hear the baby's heartbeat, which was exciting. The nurse also took a lot of blood for tests. I told her that since I was pregnant and supporting myself and this baby now, that I thought I should keep as much blood as possible, but she didn't agree and took four big vials of it! I am starting to realize that now that I am pregnant, my body is no longer my own! The baby is doing all kinds of things to it, and the doctor does all kinds of things to it, and basically I'm just supposed to sit back and let it all happen. Hmmmm.... Is there a way to keep one's modesty and be pregnant at the same time? Please advise.

Pug-O-Buffer (Gigi's first ever full length feature)

Bill and I made this movie about a month ago and I thought I'd post it for all to enjoy. I wish I could have done a better job of not laughing, but I kept almost losing it. Oh well - hope you get a few laughs out of it too :)

We're Tired

It seems as if we have "hit the ground running" since school started, and frankly, we're tired! Bill's classwork is keeping him busy, and since he doesn't have time to study at work anymore, our evenings and weekends look a lot different than they did before. His job duties have also changed, and it is very fast paced and tiring. My job responsibilities are also diferent than last year, and between before/after school duties, meetings, paperwork, lesson plans, discipline problems, coworker problems and teaching, I'm feeling a little worn out! And to top it off, neither of us has felt well , so that makes it even harder to function. It has sort of been just getting through one day at a time, which I hate living like, but I guess that is just how it is for now. Don't worry, we are still happy and in love, we're just exhausted too. I'm doing good now if I can stay up past 8:00! But, we have a lot to look forward to this year....if we can just make it there :)

Four Years and Counting!

Thursday was our Four Year Anniversary! Bill had to work late, so we really didn't do anything special that day (although I did make homemade chicken pot pie for him). On Friday we went out to eat at a delicious restaurant called Texas de Brazil at which you can eat all you can eat huge hunks of meat. Believe it or not, I actually love those kinds of places. Then we went to the Dallas Museum of Art, and then ended the outing with cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. Thoroughly stuffed and tired, we went home and watched a movie in our p.j.'s. A great day! In some ways I can't believe that it has been four years, and then in other ways, I can't remember what it was like to live without Bill. Either way, would I do it again? YES!!

The First Step Towards an End and Beginning

Yesterday was a pretty neat day. Bill had scheduled a meeting with the head of the Placement department at Dallas Seminary to discuss our future after graduation -and how to get there. We met with this kind man and he took us to lunch at a chic little sandwich shop, where he talked and we talked and we ate great food, too! It was a really encouraging lunch meeting. We were able to share roughly with him some of our ideas and desires for ministry, and he responded with lots of suggestions, advice, and things to think about as we begin the process of life after graduation - also known as "full-time ministry". As we are just beginning this, I don't know lots about it, but I think this is this general outline: 1) Decide what ministry we are interested in/suited for and the area for that - i.e: urban, rural, traditional, blended, etc. 2) Prepare a resume, have it proofed, edited, perfected 3) Send the finished resume out beginning September, shooting for at least 30 submitted 4) Wait for responses from churches 5) Candidate (visit interested churches) 6) Get hired on at one of the churches!!

Now, a lot happens in between all of those steps, and the process will probably take quite a while, but that is it in a nutshell. So, during the next few weeks we will work on preparing a resume for Bill and have it edited. We haven't determined our send - out day yet, but it will be sometime in September. It is exciting to begin this much-anticipated process, and we would covet your prayers through all of it!

A Few More CO Pics

Spontaneity is Fun!

Last Thursday we found out that due to a switch of days at Bill's work, he had a five day weekend starting Friday. So, after a meeting at church Friday morning, on our way home we decided to go to Colorado. Yes, this was my idea, but Bill - being so wonderful - was up for it. So we came home, packed a few things and the dogs, grabbed an atlas, and headed to Colorado. So much fun! I love mountains!! We spent time in Colorado Springs, Denver, and the surrounding areas. We drove to the top of Pike's Peak and hiked around (my highlight), saw the Garden of the Gods, visited The Royal Gorge and crossed the highest suspension bridge in the world, tent camped, stayed at a nice hotel and an icky hotel, and spent the last night in a darling, tiny little cabin (also my fav). The cities were pretty and we enjoyed exploring them. The scenery was breathtaking. And the time with Bill and only Bill was the best! There is something nice about being up in the beautiful mountains with no access to t.v., internet, and no reception for your cell phones! The dogs were perfect, too, and made the trip so easy. All in all, it was a great time and I'm glad we got to do it. And here are some pics:

Some of the 'Wildlife' Around our House

This little green guy was in our kitchen! I rescued him and put him back outside where he belonged.


A dragonfly - love his colors!

Just a Few Pug Pics

Gidget - after I brushed her teeth!
Gidget's fav place to sleep - under our bed.
Gigi's fav place to sleep - in the wicker chair.

Florida Vacation Pics

On the beach by the condo. White sands, blue waters!

On "The Pier" in Naples. We watched the sunset from here - gorgeous!

Drinking Thai Tea at a Thai food restaurant.

The view from our bedroom window.

On "The Pier" with Mike and Mandy.

On the condo roof overlooking the canal.

Mandy and I on the condo roof, overlooking the canal.