Hip Hip Hooray!

Today was a big day at the Hance house!  Joey finished law school, and we finalized the lease for our new house in Houston! 

The housing search has been a tedious one that we could not have done without the help of my mom.  The housing market close to the Galleria area near to where JW and I will both work moves very fast.  We learned quickly that if we found something online that we liked, we needed to move fast in order to be considered.  Most of the houses we liked had 4-5 applications on them a couple of days after they were listed.  Mom was so great about helping us call the listing agents and getting over there to see them for us since we are three hours away.  She saw 10 houses for us this month and drove by a few additional ones that she was not able to walk through.  You would be surprised how different a house can look in person from the pictures.  Monday, mom was one of the first to see this one. 

She liked it, we put in an application not even an hour later, prayed a lot, and the owner chose us!  We haven't seen it in person yet, but I'm sure we are going to love making it our home.  Our lease will start the second week in May and we will be completely moved in by the end of the month.

Joey took his last ever law school final today and is now officially done with school!!!  I could not be more proud, and we are both very excited for graduation this weekend and being able to celebrate with all of our friends and family coming in to join us.  The month of May is going to be a whirlwind I know.  We are so grateful for all the things falling into place.  The Lord is good!

Out with a Bang

This weekend was my last March for Babies in Waco and it was a big success!  I feel so blessed to have had so many family members come in to be a part and help out.  Here is a picture of our crew.

Jake, Erica, Aunt Gigi, Hunter, Dad, Mom, Me, Joey, Joe

Grandpa and Megan came as well, but had already left to drive back to Dallas before we took this picture.  It was a bittersweet day for me.  This was my fourth and final walk as the Director in Waco.  I have loved my time here, and my job has been a big part of that.  I will most definitely cherish the memories and all of the relationships I have been blessed to have with volunteers and friends.

After all of the event breakdown, our family came back to our place and we grilled burgers for lunch.  It was an exhausting, but really great weekend.

Monday when I got home from work, look what my sweet hubby had waiting for me.

Purple roses for my last Waco March of Dimes event and a gift certificate for a massage and facial.  I am so lucky!

Guess what today was????  JW's last day of class... EVER!

I have a feeling this looks a lot like some of the pictures Momma Hance has of him growing up on the first day of school every year.  So, now he has a couple of days to study before finals start this Saturday.  By this time next week, JW will be finished with finals and we will be ready for graduation!  Woo hoo!  I can't believe it's finally here.

Mess of Spaghetti

Women are like spaghetti and men are like waffles.  Have you heard that said before?  This week I am feeling like a mess of spaghetti and am wishing I could keep my life more waffle-like.  The month of April has brought so many projects that are demanding my attention, and this week especially, has me feeling a little out of control.

I usually take great pride in my spaghettiness.  It what makes multitasking come so natural, and I often enjoy balancing many things at once.  However, the last few weeks I have had so many balls in the air that I can't keep them straight at times.  In the month of April we have started officially looking for housing in Houston, started the hiring process for my position in Waco, begun conversations about my transition to working in Houston, designed and sent out Joey's graduation announcements and started planning that weekend of celebration, and by the way... work is nuts with my last March for Babies event in Waco in 3 days.  I'm worn out just thinking about it all!  And that's what happens.  I think about it all.  Even at night while I'm sleeping I think about it.  I have been waking up early in the morning without an alarm clock thinking about it all.  My muscles are even sore from being so tense.  I wish I was better at compartmentalizing sometimes.

Or maybe I just need to be better at turning it all over to Him.

 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4: 6-7

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." -Matthew 11:28

I don't need to worry because He is in control.  I like having a plan and knowing all the details of what's coming and when, but He has a plan and His timing is perfect.  I know I'll feel a lot better after this weekend is over and one big thing is checked off the list.  I have such a supportive husband and family, and I am so thankful.  But, I am praying I will have the strength to keep turning it all over to God, who can alone give me peace that surpasses understanding.  Life gets crazy sometimes, but I'm glad we serve a God who has it all under control even when I don't!

Just Around the Corner

JW is graduating... in 22 days to be exact!  Wow.  I can't believe this chapter in our lives is nearing its end.  We are so thankful for the time we have had in Waco.  It has been full of challenges and growth and a lot of great memories as well.  As graduation approaches, our upcoming move becomes a more vivid reality.  We are certainly experiencing a lot of emotions, but are looking forward to a new journey together in Houston. 

I am so proud of my husband.  He has worked so hard during his schooling career.  This will most certainly be a fun day of celebrating all he has accomplished.

Happy Easter weekend to you!

He's Always There

Work is crazy this week with March for Babies less than two weeks away, but I need a few minutes to come up for air.  So, let me share with you something that has been on my heart while I take a break.  Our Pastor shared a video this Sunday at church that has a pretty powerful implication, and I have not been able to let it go.

Take a few minutes to watch this video.  This is Penn Jillette, a very outspoken atheist, well-know for his comedy and magic show in Vegas, Penn & Teller.

Convicting right?  Did you catch the part where he said, "If you believe in heaven and hell, how much do you have to hate someone to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them about it?" 

Wow!  I want to be a "kind, and nice, and sane person" not afraid to look someone in the eye and show them the genuine love of Christ.  Shouldn't we as Christians have the sense of urgency that he mentions?   He uses the analogy that if we believe without a shadow of a doubt that a truck is going to hit someone, there comes a point when we tackle them to keep them safe.  Why don't we have the same mentality about salvation?  Penn Jillette reflects on his encounter with this man, and doesn't change his belief, at least not yet, but has a great deal of respect for this "good man." 

Isn't that all God requires of us?  To simply share our story of faith, and let Him do the rest.  He alone can change a person's heart, but we can share what God has done in our life.  I find great responsibility, but also freedom in that.  I pray that Penn Jillette never forgets the goodness of that man who witnessed to him and one day comes to know the love and goodness of Jesus as his savior.  I heard this song on the radio this week and it brought me peace.  We have a lot going on right now, and being reminded that He is always there is so comforting. 

I vividly remember coming home from school when I was eight years old after having a fight with a girl friend one day in tears.  I was so upset my friend would betray me and not be there when I needed her.  I told my mom I wanted a friend who would always be there for me and would pick me up when I fell down, and that I thought that friend was Jesus.  She prayed with me and since that day, I know His holy spirit has been with me all this time.  As we get ready for Easter and celebrating our risen Lord, I pray that I would not be afraid to share the kind of friend my Jesus is to me.