Social butterflies in spring

We have had beautiful, perfect weather for the past week (finally!!) I got out and walked the walking trails in our neighborhood almost every day and found myself refreshed and energized by the sunny days and the green grass everywhere. Spring is a haven of new life. I keep telling myself that this won't be what the next three months look like (even today we are expecting heavy rains and dropping temperatures), but to at least have tasted it and know that it exists up here has been wonderful. It was pretty crazy to hear that we had a high of 73 yesterday while Dallas got snow.

To go along with the happy days, we were really busy spending time with friends this weekend! I kind of went into hobbit/feel-sorry-for-myself mode early last week when I realized how much I deeply missed hanging out with people in Texas. And I still miss that- every day. But we were intentional this weekend and got out of the house and also had people over. What a difference that has made on my outlook! :-) I am just as much extrovert as I am introvert, and a girl needs her friends, plain and simple.

Friday night we went to a St. Patrick's Day party where everyone wore green, we had some yummy food, and we played lots of games. We only knew the host/hostess, but it was great to meet a few new people and to get to know that couple better. On Saturday we went to meet Dana and Lowery's sweet new dog, Barkley, and have dinner with them. What a cute dog!! He is a small German Shepherd mix. Reminded me of the dog that lived in my college house for a year. And they made us a cajun chicken dish that was to die for (they moved here from Mississippi). We left their home feeling like we were really leaving a friend's place and not just an aquaintance. Then on Sunday we invited a couple from church over for lunch and to see our new place. Ryan and Brooke are such a fun and God-filled couple. They have welcomed us into the church so easily and we are blessed to be in small group with them. We had a great time laughing hard and also sharing more about our backgrounds. That meal was turkey burgers, asparagus, fruit salad, and brownies (yum!).

After that, Greg and I headed over to the church to go to a ministry and spiritual gifts workshop. We had already been to one in the fall, but this one was re-vamped and helped me to figure out my gifts better and also where I might best plug in to serve. I don't know why it is taking me so long to figure out where I would best be used, but it has been hard for me this go-round. I think I am leaning towards leading a women's study as some point or getting involved with the programming for the women's ministry. You would think that at this stage in my life, I would be all about the children's ministry. But it's not me at the moment, and I am ok with that. I will have plenty of time in the coming year to minister to children, whether in a formal ministry position or not. :-)

Ok I think this post is long enough for now. :-) 2 more days til the ultrasound!!!!!!!!!!!!!!