Naming your children...

Maybe I am simply a bitter adult...I always hated that I was called Beth (not because I don't like Beth) when my name was Elizabeth. Everywhere I go, I have to correct people or accept them calling me by Elizabeth. Sure...in second grade you can tell the teacher you go by something other than your name listed, but you don't tell every substitute and every college prof and the person who swipes your debit card at Macy's and the doctor...it just gets out of control. Some places have those cute little places to put the name you actually go by, but then some of them don't even look at that. Anyway, because of all of this, it has made me want to name our children (ONE DAY) whatever I am going to call them. I do realize that sometimes this doesn't make the name sound as good. I mean Elizabeth Paige (Buchanan) Webb sounds much better than Beth...I admit it. But, is it really worth the hassle. My husband had the same problem and it never bothered him. I know I am a little more uptight about it, but I have known plenty of people who grew up hating the same problem. Our friends David and Farah have recently decided on the name of their second son who is due in November. In order to be consistent, they will also call him by a shortened version of his middle name. I love both names: Joshua Daxton called Dax is their first son & Andrew Colton called Cole is on his way. But, WHY??? It just drives me crazy...knowing what they are going to go through their entire lives. I know that Buck and I will have disagreements over naming our children because of this one idea but, I am sure we will eventually come up with some names! So, this is just something to think about when naming your children...

Our week ahead...

Well, we have a busy week next week. Buck is leaving on Tuesday to go to SanFrancisco for a three-day seminary class...something having to do with worship. While he is gone, I will be leaving for Pensacola on July 1 for a quick trip home to see the fam. My flight there covers 12 hours and 45 minutes... a direct flight would be about 5.5 hours. I just hope I can sleep some on the plane...and in the airports. So, on Monday, July 4, I will be back at home with my wonderful husband. At least we don't have a ton of plans before he heads out.

So Far . . .

North America

Europe

Africa

See more progress on: visit every continent (except antarctica- too cold)

Totally Worth It!

This is something Buck and I have talked about. We really want to learn to be about giving. This is just one way we can do that. Also, I think it is really cool that he is from India (one of the countries I want to visit) and we have the same birthday. Eventually, we want to sponsor a child with the same birthday as Buck too! I can’t wait until we start getting updates about Ningthuigong’s life!

See more progress on: Sponsor a child through WorldVision

He has the same birthday as me...

Born: Nov 08, 1997
Grade: 0
Favorite Subject: Rhymes
Health: Good
Favorite Play: Group Games
Gender: Boy
Chores: Runs Errands
Country: India

Congratulations! You have sponsored Ningthuigong from India

Ningthuigong lives with his parents and 2 sisters. His parents struggle to provide for the family. His father is a farm laborer and his mother is a farm laborer. Despite their efforts, it is difficult to meet the family’s needs.

Ningthuigong is growing up in a poor community in India. A typical home is constructed using wood with a thatch roof and dirt floor. Rice is a staple of the local diet, and families may also eat vegetables, cereal and beans. Some communities are able to get meat, fish and prawns as well. Plains, hills and forests mark the land.

Ningthuigong is not in school at this time. He likes to play group games. He helps at home by running errands. He is in good health.

Your sponsorship commitment will help provide Ningthuigong and his community with clean water, improved health care and hygiene and regular medical check-ups. In addition, your support provides training for children and parents to help raise the quality of life in their community. We are thankful for your commitment and your prayers so these precious children and their families are able to experience the love of God and life in all its fullness.

See more progress on: Sponsor a child through WorldVision

Lessons...

We have found several places in Tacoma with all different types of classes. I think we are going to start with ballroom & then move on to more exciting stuff. Join us if you would like!

See more progress on: Learn to dance…now that I have a partner

43 Things...

Well, we all have things we want to do, things we dream of doing, and those things we simply NEED to do. This website, www.43things.com helps you organize, journal about, and encourage others in their pursuit of their goals. Who knows...maybe your best friend or spouse or someone you are trying to build a relationship with has the same goals.

To see what my goals are visit http://www.43things.com/people/view/BethinTacoma

Let me know if you set up your own 43 things!

My Cutest Baby Contest...

Vote for the Cutest Baby and a chance to win 10,000 Points! We've narrowed 10,000 submissions down to 18 semi-finalists. Now it's your turn but you can only choose one. Ten lucky voters will win 10,000 Points. Want to increase the odds of your choice winning? Voting ends June 24th.

http://www.mypoints.com/mp/dStatial.show?isref=ispages.voting.cutestbaby

Tanya...guess which child I thought was yours. Maybe I am crazy, and it was one of those...'at first glance things'.

Seriously...

The Braves are on the verge of being great...they are still hanging in their as good. Score some runs for crying out loud. And, it better be a lot, because once we get past our superb starters it is like a little league bullpen, every other guy (at least) gets on base. Yes, we have been hit hard by injuries...Hampton, Thomson, Perez, Chipper...and now Estrada...did you see the hit he took?!? Yes, we have eight rookies on the roster right now. But, SERIOUSLY, the Nationals are in first place. We need to go out & get a better bullpen and just one (that's all I am asking for) power hitter for the middle of the line-up, someone to drive in some runs.

On to better things...Auburn opens the 2005 Football season in 88 days when Georgia Tech comes to town..tough home opener. It will be a good opportunity to measure where we are at the start. We lost a lot of talent. But, we are bringing back some matured talent. WAR EAGLE!

Sometimes you just feel...BLAH

Not much to chat about...just living every day...trying to find my place. How in the world am I supposed to serve my husband and live by grace? It's tough. I think it takes complete surrender to the Holy Spirit!!! That is not an easy thing to do: COMPLETE SURRENDER! I like to control things, even if it means controlling my bad attitude. I need to be praying for wisdom and encouragement, and instead, I find myself begging (a form of prayer) for an easy road. I know that God never promises us a life that is all about us, in fact, He is pretty clear that it won't be about us. But, sometimes I need a ME day! Anyway, life really is good. God continues to provide. I am continually learning. Yet, sometimes, you just feel BLAH!

You've gotta see this!

I think it was the best one of the 6! Easily the best of the prequels but it may have been the best of the 6. However if they had come out in order (1 - 6) I think "Empire" would have held on as the best. But for my money here is the order(well that is until I watch 4-6 again, which i have an itch to do now that the series is complete):

1- Episode 3- Had a great pace, lots of action and it just wraped everything up.
2- Episode 5 (Empire strikes back) - Could have the most quoted line in movie history! "Luke, I am your Father!"
3- Episode 6 - Vader is reedeemed and the good guys finally prevail!
4- Episode 4 - It started the whole thing
5- Episode 2 - Not bad some cool effects and moved the story along
6- Episode 1 - 3 words - Jar Jar Binks

What do you think?

(and yes my wife is more spiritual then me)

MOVE!

"Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps

if you're not willing to move your feet."

How many times have I prayed this and not meant it? Who knows? But, I do know how amazing it is to pray for guidance and courage at the same time...to know what to do and when to do it. Oh, that daily I would be enough of a barbarian to follow WHEREVER He leads...into a conversation...into a tough situation...into the lives of the unchurched around me...into the broken hearts of the students we encounter...wherever...whether I have been there before...whether I will see what I expect or something else...whether I will enter never to return. Lord, give me the courage, the strength, the desire, and the willingness to pray big prayers, to dream big dreams, and to trust YOU above all that I can see...and MOVE!

War Eagle!

The Sporting News Honors Auburn in Preseason Rankings
May 20, 2005

AUBURN - The 2005 Sporting News Football Yearbook has ranked Auburn ranked 16th in the nation and second in the Southeastern Conference Western Division while a number of Tigers have garnered top rankings at their respective positions.

Five Auburn players have been named in the top 10 of their respective positions on a national scale.

Senior Marcus McNeill has been named the top offensive tackle in the nation by the publication and is also a first-team preseason All-American. Sophomore Stanley McClover, meanwhile, is considered the third-best defensive end nationally, is predicted to be the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and is a second-team preseason All-American.

Senior Travis Williams is considered the No. 6 inside linebacker in the nation by the publication. Williams helps anchor a linebacking corps that TSN ranks as the top unit in the SEC.
Additionally, three more Tigers garnered No. 7 national rankings. They include junior wide receiver Courtney Taylor, senior fullback Jake Slaughter and junior kicker John Vaughn.

Three more Tigers earned No. 13 rankings. Defensive end Quentin Groves and nose guard Tommy Jackson combine on the defensive line while junior punter Kody Bliss was also recognized.

Auburn opens the 2005 season by hosting Georgia Tech Sept. 3

at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Buck is gone...I know, it's just for five nights

Well...five nights seems like a long time. I made fun of our friend David last summer because he couldn't sleep while his wife, Farah, was gone...in fact he was pretty useless. Now, I am regretting some of my words. I am not sure I am going to fare that well either. I mean...his flight hasn't taken off yet, but I have already convinced myself that I miss him. I drew a sad face on our calendar at home for today...he erased it. But, don't worry, I put it back; i kinda think it is good that I am sad that he is leaving. Anyway, there is no sense in being miserable while he is gone. He will not be miserable there...seeing old friends...working with students...doing what he loves. I just hope that next time I will be able to go with him. I was invited...but you know how jobs can be. I mean, it's not like I used ALL of my vacation time for a honeymoon or something. I am staying with friends that I haven't been able to hang out with for awhile. It should be fun! But, I will still miss him.

This is a test of BloggerBot 

Today, I came across some quotations about opinions. I am married to someone who is such a good listener...sometimes it seems unfair that he should have to listen to me so much, when I am so good at NOT listening (maybe sometimes just not wanting to "hear"what he is saying) to his opinion. Anyway, I know that learning to listen is a vital part of marriage. And, I know even more that I need to learn to understand where he is coming from. I value the way he conducts his life and the way he leads us; now I need to learn to show that by listening.

"Every man should periodically be compelled to listen to opinions which are infuriating to him. To hear nothing but what is pleasing to one is to make a pillow of the mind."

- St. John Ervine

"Honest differences of views and honest debate are not disunity. They are the vital process of policy-making among free men."

- Herbert Hoover

"It is the man who does not want to express an opinion whose opinion I want."

- Abraham Lincoln

Graduation...Again

Well, I cannot believe it has been an entire year since I graduated from Auburn with a degree in History. I remember the day so clearly. It was a bittersweet day...a great part of life was over. My roommates and friends were all going in different directions. We celebrated! We laughed! But, soon we realized what exactly graduating meant...how our lives would change & most importantly how our relationships would change.

Some great friends walked through that line today...Jay, following in great footsteps received his history degree, Janet (a history major drop out) received her sociology degree...and many others that seemed so far away from this day. I felt like I was leaving them in college forever, but now they are done too. CONGRATS to all of the Auburn grads...I can't wait to see what God does in & through you in these coming years...TRUST HIM ALONE. Oh, and Jay...call me if you get a job using your degree!! WAR EAGLE!

Sonics' Fans

Well, today is a true test! Buck and I are "trying" to become Sonics' fans. We wanted to be able to root for a team together...and not just because a team is playing a team we both hate (i.e. the yankees). In baseball, we both like the Mariners, but have our teams (buck - Cardinals & beth - Braves) and in football it is the same; we both like and follow the Seahawks, but my heart is with the Colts and, yes, my husband is a Bengals fan. They were good...you know like two decades ago (they are starting to compete again though...helps when you have an Auburn boy running the ball for you). Anyway, we like the Sonics...they are a "high-character" team, with a great coach, a fun style to watch, and we picked a good year to start being fans. It has been a fun journey. I would like to say they can win without Ray, but he is the man...the one that can take over a game and make it happen. The series isn't over if they lose tonight, but it will be a steep climb. I think I will be sad if the Sonics lose, in fact, I know I will be sad. Does that mean I am a Sonics' fan?

Normal Windows

I am just wondering if other people have normal windows in their homes. I am not completely bitter yet about the fact that our windows are insane. We either have to get the "super-cheap hope they don't fall if you breathe kinda blinds" or the "buck is a student pastor so we can't afford them" kind. There are no inbetweens for our crazy windows. That is why today after work, Buck will once again go to Home Depot...with something to take back, of course. We are down to our office...the weirdest width windows of them all. Anyway, if you have normal windows and whatever you want fits...I really don't want to hear about it, except maybe to know that there is such a thing as NORMAL WINDOWS!

The newest "Apple" of my eye

I have this addiction, really it's more of a craving, but it tells me that I absolutely MUST have the item pictured below. I mean the outside is only half as cool as what you can do with it.



Beth and I decided that we did indeed need to get a computer for the house. Her one stipulation was that it look really cool (mission accomplished). Besides the coolness factor there are actually a lot of good reasons to buy a computer for the house. E-mailing, keeping track of our finances, checking the scores on the games, editing video's for church and our wedding. Editing video means that a PC just won't do so you have to go to the Mac. Not to metion the fact that Mac just came out with it's latest OS (Operating System). Besides did you see how cool it is??

But we have this silly little thing called a budget which always seems to get in the way of us spending money on "fun" stuff. In the end It's a good thing I realize this but it's awfully hard when you have a craving! So to fill my craving fix I'm posting this and feel better already. Well at least till tommorow.

****Disclaimer (of course Beth is the true apple of my eye, but it's a catchy title, humor me.)****