Christmas Letter

MERRY CHRISTMAS FAMILY & FRIENDS!

We hope that this letter finds you well and that your 2009 was a great year. We have had a wonderful year and are looking forward to what 2010 holds for our family.
In October of last year we moved to Sayre, Oklahoma where Chris is the youth minister at First Baptist. When I sent this letter last year we were barely settled in here, but after a year in Western Oklahoma we are at home.
We have had a wonderful year ministerially. We were able to do everything we ever wanted to do over the summer and this fall and have seen a great growth among our students in their faith. We have seen students come to Christ, surrender to the ministry & commit to living a sold out life to Christ - nothing better then that! We have three students that have felt called to go to England or Wales next summer with iGo Students (the mission trip sponsored by Falls Creek) and we have decided to go with them.
We will spend ten days next July in either London, England or Cartiff, Wales ministering to the people there. The reason iGo sends people to those areas is because they are a crossroads of sorts. There are a lot of people groups represented in that area whose countries are closed to the Gospel and/or missionaries. We would ask all of you for your prayer support as we raise $6,000 to cover the cost of our trip and as we go. Also we’d be honored if you would consider supporting us financially as we fulfill God’s call on our life. We are so excited to see all God has planned for our time overseas and for what He will do in our lives, as well as, the lives of the three special students who are going with us. We will be working hard all year to raise money and make sure all five us get to go to Europe safely. If you are interested in supporting us financially you may make your tax deductible donation to First Baptist Church Sayre at 2 Darla Drive Sayre, OK 73662.
Looking back over 2009 it seems to be an uneventful year in comparison to last year! We have worked hard at developing relationships with our students in Sayre and planting our lives in this community. Our prayer is for longevity here. Sayre feels more and more like home all the time. We are blessed with a wonderful staff to work with, a supportive church family who prays and supports us, and students that make us want to do our very best.
Chris is looking forward to the spring because he has been named the Sayre High School Boys Golf Coach. This is a dream fulfilled for him because he gets to be a coach and paid to play golf all while hanging out with students. He is so excited to be the coach of his alma mater’s team that he spent many days and hours in high school investing in.
I am substituting at the high school and volunteering at the church. These things keep me as busy as I want to be. We are still working on adding to our family, but the Lord’s timing for us to have a baby is still not here. We are constantly asking for that blessing and for patience as we wait for His best and His plans in that area. Our only “baby” for now is our dog, Thatcher. We love the little guy and sometimes he is all the kid we think we can handle.
 We are blessed to have you all as our friends and family and we hope you have a safe and happy Holiday season!

-Love- Chris & McKenzie Gordon

Settled

What a difference a year makes! Last year at this time we had just left Lubbock and were living upstairs at my grandparents house in Purcell. Neither Chris or I had a job or any real plans. But all of that changed a year ago today. One year ago we were offered the position as Youth Minister at First Baptist Church of Sayre. After one interview I was scared and hesitant even though it was at least an option.
We had already moved twice in four months and left two churches in as much time. My heart hurt and I didn't know if I wanted to open myself up to the kind of hurt I was still sorting through. Chickasha, our first ministry together, was never ideal. It was a mediocre place with wonderful people who were very comfortable and didn't see much need for progress. Because there was no push or no evidence that anything we did mattered, we didn't do much. Nothing we did was ever wrong, per say, but it was never the right thing either. When we moved to Lubbock we were so sure God was moving us there and that He had big plans for us in a bigger church and a bigger city. I knew it would stretch us, partly because I was 7 hours away from home and family and partly because of how the church was ran. We arrived in mid-May and straight out of the gate were met with one adversity after another, mostly from the same people over and over. One Thursday in September my husband came to me and said he was done. After much prayer, advice, and disappointment we loaded our things and by the following Tuesday were home. Sayre is Chris' home town and so we'd been here several times to visit family and I NEVER thought I'd live here. I'm from a small town but this is a smaller one that is way more remote than I was used to. It seemed so dirty and poor and kinda sad. But after a four hour interview and my husband asking me to trust his confidence that this is where we were supposed to be I submitted to a third move in 2008. On the morning of October 2nd, 2008 we met with our pastor for the second day in a row and he offered us the job and said he needed to know that day. We went to lunch and I tried to think of every reason we shouldn't come while Chris played the opposite role. I was gun shy and didn't think we could make a difference.
But on this side of that crazy situation I can't imagine being anywhere else. My prayers have changed from "move us" to ones for longevity. We talk regularly about watching different kids graduate and this being our last youth ministry because we never want to leave. Our pastor is perfectly suited for our ministry style and is constantly encouraging us. Last summer we were able to do everything we wanted, now maybe we shouldn't have crammed it all into one summer, but still we had never been allowed that freedom before. And we have just finished interviews for a leadership team, which is what we are most excited about. I can't imagine if I'd held on to my fears and if my husband was selling cars or houses or insurance right now. What countless blessings we would've missed out on. Feeling settled does something for my soul, maybe a women's soul, I don't know. It makes me feel secure and at home, if that makes any sense. I'm just so thankful to be home and for the shape our ministry here has taken. It was a bumpy ride but now that we're here it was worth it.

Three Years Ago

Today is our third anniversary. It seems like so long ago, but three years sounds kind of pittily. We attended a 50th Anniversary party over the weekend and I was so inspired by the work and memories that go into a lifetime together. Here are a few memories from our first three years. Only 47 more to go...

Two became one


We bought and renovated our first house
Before

After


Made great memories


Chris finished his degree (I don't know how to rotate pictures on my blog)


Welcomed a new member to our family. Our niece, Emrie Meyer Hays! The love of my life!


Though there have definitely been some bumps in our road there is no one I'd rather make this journey with. Chris is my best friend and I'm so lucky to have married such a compassionate, caring, loving man. He is more then I knew to ask God for. Here's to many more years together!

Holli B

So a lot of my close friends are having birthdays all together and I love telling the world about how amazing all of them are...Todays focus is on one of my best friends HOLLI BREWER. She is one of my oldest friends. We met and started hanging out when I was a freshmen in high school. She is my one friend that I can honestly say I'd do anything with and have done more than I would with anyone other than my husband. She made me breakfast in bed on my wedding day, she and I worked together at my very first job, we have been each others confidants, embarrassing secret keepers, and many other things. She is probably one of my most talented friends. She has started her own photography business (www.hollibphotography.com) a few years ago and she is AMAZING!!! She has since shots tons of weddings, families, and babies. I already have her booked for my baby's birthing shoot, whenever that may happen. Every time I look at her website tears come to my eyes because I'm so proud of my precious friend. She is also a wonderful wife and mother. She was my first friend to get married so therefore she was the first bachelorette party I got to throw. So many fun memories. Holli has two beautiful babies that each time I met them she asked me if they were really as cute as she thought they were. We were always afraid that when we had kids that they'd actually not be as cute as we thought so we made a pact to tell each other if ours weren't. Lucky for Holli B. both of hers were and still are two of the most beautiful kids EVER! Maybe one of my favorite things about Holli is that we never have to pretend to be something we're not. We can always be 100% honest with each other and just be. We both understand that sweat pants can fix almost any problem, that a good dessert covers a multitude of sins, and that best friends are to be treasured. We also lucked out that our husbands became instant buddies, mostly based on both their vast sports knowledge. When we all hang out Holli and I sit and may or may not talk while our husbands flip channels discussing the latest in high school, college, and professional sports with never a quiet moment between them. They are the friends we are always sad to leave. Holli may be the friend that is the most like me and I love her deeply. I really can't imagine what I'd do without her. Love you Hol and I hope you have the most fantastic of birthdays!!!

Tristan Tyler

This post is dedicated to one of my best friends in honor of his birthday...TRISTAN TYLER SHUTT. Some of my best friends from college are boys. In fact, two of them were bridesmaids or bridesmen as we called them in my wedding. Tristan is one of those. Yesterday was his birthday and I wanted to dedicate a blog to him and our one of a kind friendship. Tristan is one of my very favorite people. When he calls or texts me even for silly things, it makes me smile. We have always been able to talk about ANYTHING and for hours at a time. I have so many wonderful memories of Tris. One of my first memories was made due to our German class. It was the first of many classes we had together and for an extra credit project or something we had to go to a German dinner at our professor's house. When I got into the car he asked me if I liked fish. I said not really and was worried that was what we were going to eat. He meant the band, not the food. And from then on it was history. My Junior year, his senior he wrote a continuous rap for me during different classes we both were taking. In true Tris style it was funny and creative and sentimental. After class he would read them to me as we walked to the GC or back to one of our cars. The last rap was so sweet and personal. One of my favortie memories. I saw dances that were reserved only for me. We both kept secrets and used each other's homework as our own at times. We talked all through the night. We studied with scheduled massage breaks. We drove around Shawnee with the windows down snapping along to some music I never knew who was singing. We ate from the GC on money our parents meant to carry us through semesters. We laughed and told stories. We drempt together, cried together, and mostly laughed together. I still treasure the moments we get to spend together. They are fewer and further between now, but all the more precious. I love him like a brother. I'm so proud of all his accomplishments and I admire his incredible creativity. He is a true catch and I think very highly of him. I count myself blessed to be his friend. I love that I can call him on stupid things he does and that he does the same for me. We are totally ourselves with each other. He may be my only guy friend that didn't let my marriage affact our friendship and I love that. He is a kindered spirit. He's sentimental and loves to remember when. If you ever get a chance to meet my friend Tristan soak him up because he is truly one of the most loving and kind people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. Love you Tris!

Ode to my Middle Sister

Today is my little sister, Cassie Raquel Meyer-Hays' birthday! She turned 25 today so I thought it was appropriate to dedicate a blog to my most faithful reader.
I don't have a SINGLE childhood memory without Cassie in it. I'm 17 months her senior and we have been each others consistent sidekick for as long as I can remember. One of my favorite memories as kids was after my parents would put us to bed Cassie would sneak into my room and say she was scared so she could sleep with me. We would inevitably end up laughing and my parents would threaten to separate us. She has always been my built in best friend! At times she was my shadow, at other's she was my slave. When Cassie started kindergarten our roles began to switch. She became the decisive one that lead out and I've slowly become the one who needs other opinions and cares too much about what other people think. Not my little sister! She is the MOST HONEST person I've ever been around, but in the best way possible. You always know where you stand with her and what she's thinking (even if you'd rather not) She is independent and business savy. When she sets her mind to something, it gets accomplished - no matter what. Her ability to mix the truth with humor is something I admire greatly. She is the picture of transparency and is totally comfortable in her own skin, despite any flaws, she makes no apologies for who she is. I'm so proud of her work ethic. She owns and operates two successful businesses. She is an amazing mother to my niece, Emrie. Who I see so much of Cassie in. Cassie is seriously one of the funniest people I know. No matter where we are, she makes me laugh. Sometimes a little too much! (Cracker Barrel, that's all I'm going to say) She wears her heart on her sleeve and shares the emotions of the moment with all those who'll listen. When she's excited about something, you're gonna hear about it. If she's mad or sad or frustrated - also gonna hear about it. She cries easily and often makes me laugh instead of shedding tears myself. A few choice words that remind her of her past and she's blubbering uncontrollably. I remember in middle school going to see Titanic and we had to wait long after the movie was over for Cassie to get herself together before we could leave. She feels so deeply, so quickly and easily. She is a bit of a shopaholic and loves a good find. She isn't too proud to admit the price and when we were younger all presents were purchased off of clearance racks regardless of the combo of items. It could be socks, a checkbook cover and pj pants all from Old Navy, all under $5 each (seriously one of my Christmas gifts) We (my mom, 2 sisters, and myself) are all very protective of each other. When my parents divorced we bonded together in a way I still can't really explain and because we love each other so fiercely it's hard for us not to react quickly when we feel the other is in trouble. I love my little sister and I'm so proud of the women she has become. She is all you could want in a best friend and I'm lucky to have her as mine.
I love you Cass and I hope you've had a wonderful day! Thank you for being someone I can look up to and for always, always being my little sister! As the days and years pass I'm more thankful with each passing one that I have you and Chelsie as my sisters. I couldn't imagine sharing all those memories with anyone but you!

Super Summer

We went to Super Summer last week and it's been a long time since I've felt so refreshed and learned so many new things about God and we go to a lot of camps, retreats, revivals etc... The thing that I love about Super Summer, and have since I went as a student, is that as soon as you step foot off the van you can feel God's presence. We arrived for Team Leader weekend and soon after were each given two five pound ankle weights to wear until Sunday night. (approx. 36 hours) This may not sound like much but the lessons I learned in those few hours were plentiful and painful. We were not to take them off but to carry these "burdens" like we do our sins. Some people said as time went on they noticed them less and less, I was opposite. Mine started rubbing blisters on my ankles and made walking without a limp continually more difficult. My sweet hubs offered to bear my burdens for me, but my stubborn self didn't want to admit I needed help so I kept them. As Sunday night approached I grew more and more anxious to get them taken off. The Consecration Service was so powerful. My husband prayed over me and removed my burdens, which mainly consisted of not being able to have a baby, and God reaffirmed to me that His timing is perfect and I can only do so much in this process, the rest is up to Him. That visual reminder of removing the weights has helped me to continually lay that burden down. I also had the honor of praying over several team leaders and remove their burdens. I was especially humbled to pray for one of my girls, Samantha Olson. She has had a rough go of things for quite sometime. I've been praying for her for years. God has recently gotten a hold of her life and she is learning so much and growing like crazy. Praying over her was extremely emotional, but also extremely amazing experience. I knew God had great things in store for the week with a beginning like that.
This was FBC Sayre's first trip to Super Summer and we were anxious to see what our students thought and what God would show them. He didn't disappoint. They all had great weeks and are so excited after experiencing a dose of the power of Christ. One night the recent graduates (Silver School) prayed over the almost 8th graders (Red School) and that was such a beautiful site. Watching these kids who are leaving home and their respective student ministries bless, advise, and pray for the ones who are just starting that journey was like nothing I've ever seen. Such a blessing! We worked with Red School, which I was REALLY nervous about because I'm most comfortable with high schoolers, but they were so fun! I loved Red School and I have now been in every color, either as a student, a Team Leader, or as a Team Leader Coordinator. Many other things I could say, but we were all blessed by spending a week with like minded believers asking the Spirit of God to fall. He did and we will never be the same. True fellowship with God happens when we change after our encounter. That is my prayer for our 10 students as well as all others who attended Super Summer '09!

Pre-Partum Depression

I've shared on my blog before that we've been trying to get pregnant for some time now. That time is two years. Two years ago this month was the first time we stopped birth control and I'll never forget how I thought it would work. I thought that first month would be the ticket to a baby. I'll also never forget how I felt when I started again after that first month free from birth control. We were in Nashville on vacation with some friends and I went in our room and cried for a minute or two with Chris holding me telling me these things take time. How little we realized the truth of that statement. Well with the time that this process is taking I've seen God's hand and I know He has a reason and a purpose for having us wait and I've built a wall that I just don't let myself go to the place that I believe I could be pregnant. It's too big of a disappointment when I'm not. This week, however, I let my guard down and have really let myself think about being pregnant and relishing in the possibilities. This isn't healthy and I know that, but sometimes you just can't help it. Now if/when I'm not, I know the hurt will be huge, something that I don't want to face...again. I told Chris tonight, "I'm just ready for this part to be over." And I really am. It seems like it will never happen for us and it has happened so easily for so many others. It's hard not to be frustrated and not to question. All day I've just been telling myself to Trust the Lord and lean not on my own understanding. But that's not hard sometimes.

Not so good

So it turns out I may not be a very good blogger. It's been over a month since I've written anything. It's not that I haven't had time or nothing blog-worthy has happened or even that I haven't been reading all of your blogs regularly, I don't know what it is. There is something a bit daunting to me about writing about things I think are mundane or just silly. And I'm awful at taking pictures to blog about. I'm going to one someday on my paper route because believe me there are some sites worth seeing in Western Oklahoma on Tuesday afternoons. Everything from water fountains made from old, rusty slides to hand written signs that are kinda funny, but mostly unfortunate.
Summer is just around the corner and that equals BUSY for the Gordon's. We have a jammed pack few months, but we're both really excited. To a youth minister summer is the biggest part of your year and you get to spend the most time with your students. We both feel a great anticipation of what this one will hold for our ministry and for the students of Sayre. It's a really exciting feeling, like the floodgates are about to open.
My step-dad, Gary, was diagnosed with bladder cancer right after Spring Break. He is going to MD Anderson in Houston on Tuesday to begin pre-op testing and will have his bladder and prostate removed May 19th. This may sound bad or like I'm a jerk, but I really don't know how to feel about the whole situation because he's not my dad but he's more then just the average person you hear about having cancer. It's been difficult for me to figure our how to process the whole situation. I know I'm sad for my mom and that Gary has to face such a rough time, and for his kids who he hasn't always been on good terms with, and especially his grandkids who he is a big part of their lives - but I don't know how I feel for me. Does that make sense? I'm heading to Houston at the end of the month to help my mom when he is released from the hospital. Just to run errands or help any other way she needs me. Say a prayer for Gary and the doctors next week. I think the weight of the situation is setting in and he's naturally getting a little nervous.
Chelsie, my baby sister, is graduating from high school in two weeks. It boggles my mind. I'm eight years older then her and she's always been a baby in my eyes. She was 10 when I graduated from high school so it just doesn't seem possible that she should be at this huge transition in her life. She's a great kid with a good head on her shoulders. She is confident in herself and afraid to fight for what she wants. I know she'll be great in whatever the future holds for her and I'm so excited to see what comes next in her life. She's going to OSU in the fall and Europe this summer. I can't believe she's so grown up. I'm extremely proud of who she is and who she is becoming!
Friday night I had a great dinner with my high school friends. We get together semi-regularly and just laugh and catch up. I feel so fortunate to have a group of friends that come from a similar background and we can relate on so many levels. We have an outlet where nothing and I mean NOTHING is off of the table. It's a true blessing to have people know you that intimately and love you all the more for it. I think it's a rare gift to have so many people that I could call on day or night that would bend over backwards to be there for me.
And in honor of Mother's Day: one of my favorite memories of my mom and my best friend... She had go out of her way to be creative on the limited budget of a single mom of three to give us what we needed/wanted. I remember one time she and I were in Norman shopping and It was just the two of us and when it was time for dinner we didn't just go to a drive-thru, mom and I went to a grocery store. We bought a roasted chicken, a bottle of seltzer water (which we didn't realize wasn't plain water until it was too late) and a small bag of chips to share to save some money. We had a little picnic in the mall parking lot and we laughed as we used extra napkins from the glove box to wipe the chicken grease off of our fingers. We did have to go buy a drink because our water was gross! I think we may have left the bones in the parking lot but I don't remember why. I know a lot of people think they have a great mom and I am one of those lucky ones. She has taught me how to be independent and trustworthy, honest, loyal, have a good sense of humor and how to handle difficult situations with grace, how to cook, clean,and to be organized. She is a beautiful picture of sacrificial love and has always, will always put her children above all else. I love you mom and hope that one day I get to love my babies as much as you've loved me. You are beautiful and graceful and selfless.

Party Time!!!

ONE WEEK LEFT TO OREDR! The party will close next Friday, April 17th!
I'm hosting an online party for a friend of mines new business. It's really cute stuff and I thought this idea was much easier then hosting an actual party. I know I'd be more interested in doing it this way. Anyway shop and order away! I think there's a box you have to unclick to send it to your house instead of mine but you're smart people and can figure that out. These make great gifts from graduates or for Mother's Day.Hope you all find fun new bags! Click here and let the shopping begin!!!
www.mythirtyone.com/crystallockler then click on "shop from a party" on the right side of your screen and click on my name.

Song related memories

Monday I went to Purcell to spend the day with my mom because it was her 50th Birthday. While I was at her house I found a whole bunch of old cd's, some of which I mixed in high school and college. As I got on the road to make the nearly 3 hour drive back to Sayre I popped them in and was taken back to fun days and memories with so many different people. I want to post some of them that people who read this blog will hopefully appreciate them as well...Hope these make some of you smile!
ZOMBIE - Kinsey Henson Charles. Driving down the road singing this as loud as possible and laughing all the way. I think we were in your white bug.
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS - Leslie Horn, now Poe and Christina Porter Chartney. Sophomore year. First semester finals week. 2 am. I was sleeping and was woken up by them singing this song, dancing, tensil and little else. So fun!
MEET VIRGINIA - Becca Harris. Reasons related to Mondays...
DISNEY MUSIC, SPECIFICALLY FROM THE LITTLE MERMAID - Taylor 2nd West girls, Monday nights, good times!
DOES HE LOVE YOU/HOOKED ON A FEELIN'/ PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN- Cassie Raquel. So many wonderful songs I could list as memories with my little sisters. Many a fun time!
AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH - Mackenzie Martin. If we sung this song once, we sung it a million times!
SNAPS -Tristan Tyler Shutt. I don't know the real name of this song, but it's wonderful memories none the less. We are kindred spirits who are equally sentimental and I love him!
MAYBERRY - Luke Whorton. It's the song that made him like country music. Lots of great memories with him from college.

Seasons

I run a paper route every Tuesday afternoon. I go through several rural towns surrounding Sayre and it's usually very boring. There's not much to look at and since it's winter everything is dead, but slowly things are turning green. I love it! I love to watch the progression of nature. It started with green wheat pastures here and there. Now the trees are starting to bud and turn green and even some of the grass is beginning to turn a yellow-ish green color. I love it when the weather starts getting warm and everywhere you look things are turning colors.
Because of a visual reminder of seasons changing, I'm reminded of how there is a time for everything. Our family has recently received several rounds of bad medical news and today as I drove through the short grass lands of Western Oklahoma, I was reminded that for everything there is a time and a season. All the bad news that seems to be coming from every direction has a purpose and a lesson. This too has it's purpose and God's hand is in it. Even though it's hard to understand, winter is necessary, rough times are necessary. Even though things aren't always easy and aren't always how we'd have them to be, the trials in our lives have a purpose.
I needed the reminder after a couple of weeks of rough news. Bring on SPRING and focus on the beauty of the world around us. For everything there is a time and a season. A purpose. A desired end result.

Blog problems

So I finally got a cute blog and now I don't know how to get rid of the ugly background to where I'm typing and where my followers, bio, etc... I need help! How do I fix this?

Commitment

We went to our churches couples retreat this weekend and though we didn't learn anything life changing. I was reminded of what was said to us on our wedding day. Our pastor talked about love, of course, but he also talked about how we were making a covenant. And what that meant, a covenant is an agreement between two people and God. It's a bigger deal then just two people deciding to hang out and live together and do life together. It means giving it all you can and putting each other above all others. I remember him saying that there are days when you love your spouse and it's easy to be married and be together. But there are other days when it's not so easy. When you don't really want to be married or love each other or consider him above yourself and those are the days the commitment comes into play. You have to be committed. So many couples that emphasize how they "feel" but feelings change. They are always changing, through good times and bad, crisis and smooth sailing, plenty and in want, all kinds of things affect how we feel. So we all make conscience choices all along the way that are in the best interest of our marriages. It's so important for couples to continue to work on your marriage and be committed to each other.
We live in a very non-committal society. I'm as guilty as anyone else. Everyone waits until the last minute to commit even to small things. We see an out clause in everything. We sometimes even build them in. It's so important to intentionally make the mental switch with our marriages. When Chris and I were dating I explained to him that to me marriage is a one time thing. I lived through and saw my parents heartbreak when they got divorced and at 13 when they ended things I decided I would never, no matter what, get divorced. I think you have to have that mentality. Because people are fallen and we make wrong choices. If there's no commitment then marriage is just like anything else that you can change in and out of, why bother?
It was a good reminder for me to remember to choose my marriage and to choose to make it a priority, so I thought I'd share it in case any of you might need to be encouraged.

Encouragement

This week has been on encouraging thing after another in all different areas of my life.
Last Friday my editor at the newspaper I work for handed me a story that she wanted to be the lead for this week's edition of the Sayre Record. I was excited about also really intimidated, not because this is a super huge deal, but more because she was trusting me with this and I wanted to do a good job. Well the paper came out yesterday and several people have complimented me on the story today. One man even made a special trip to our office to tell how much he appreciated it. There's a certain blessing when others notice your hard work. I don't think the story being good has too much to do with me, the content was what was fantastic. In a nut shell a first grader saved her home because she asked her mom about the batteries in their smoke detechors last fall and then last week they went off in the middle of the night warning the family to get out. Very easy to write a story when you get to hear about a sweet little girl who paid attention when the firemen came to school!
Another huge encouragement has been: Chris and I have been trying to get pregnant for almost two years. We have recently started having doctors appointments to see what is impeading our progrss. People, especially, at our new church have been so faithful to pray for us and to tell they are. It's overwhelming to have people who haven't known you very long to so earnestly lift you up as you face something that's as big as becoming parents. It's been a struggle to say the least, but we know God's timing is perfect, not my planning. I have to remind myself of that often.
We have lived in Sayre for just over 4 months. We got here as basketball season began and we went to almost every game this season. It was a frustrating thing to me sometimes because I didn't see any fruit. The kids didn't seem to notice we were there and despite a few awkward "good games" we seemed to go nearly unnoticed. Last week basketball season ended. And Sunday one of the girls who used to go to our church, but doesn't anymore decided to stop by our house. And a relationship is developing rapidly. It's so refreshing that because she saw us at her games, she felt like she could see what she thought of us. She also came over last night for dinner, unexpectidly and brought another girl who is in the same boat as she is. It's wonderful and I'm so excited. All those nights in a gym weren't unnoiticed!
Also under that same banner...I don't think I've ever been a part of a church I love as much as this one. The vision, leadership, and heartbeat all line up with my passions. The road we took here was so crazy, but I never expected what awaited us at FBC Sayre. It's so refreshing to be apart of a family and to go and not feel like it was just another duty of my week as the "Youth Ministers Wife."
Lastly, I'm encouraged by my husband. He tries so hard to help out and this week he's been great to make an effort. I'm so blessed to have someone love me as much as he does and to put up with all my crazy. He has been so great and tried so hard to understand why not getting pregant is hard for me. He's so supportive and wants to carry all of my burdens for me. I'm a lucky girl to have married so well. He's definately a keeper.
This weekend we're going to our churches couples retreat. We've never to anything like this, but I'm looking forward to it. (This isn't typical of my feelings on non-youth church outings) I guess if nothing else we get to stay in a nice hotel and get to know others in our church.

New things & D.I.Y

I love getting new decor for my house. It's hard for me to commit to big purchases, but once I do, it's because I've fallen in love with those items so completely. I received one such purchase in the mail from Pottery Barn yesterday. We got a new quilt. Chris told me in May, when we moved to Lubbock, that I could get a new one of MY choice. This was a big deal for several reasons. First, because our first fight EVER was over bedding and it was the hardest thing to choose when we got married. We couldn't find anything we both liked. It was forever trying to find something we could agree on. We finally did but I just settled on something. So the hunt began and almost 9 months later I committed. Anyways, all of that to say my new quilt came yesterday and I LOVE IT!!!  

Another hobby, I guess you could say, is painting and re-painting various rooms. It's the cheapest way to make the biggest affect on your home. $30 for a totally new look and feel and that's for the good paint. I'm not at all afraid of color and it's evident in our house. We chose this smokey blue-ish purple to go with our new quilt. So hopefully we'll get the DIY done this weekend and I'll post pictures of our new bedroom next week. 

Get to Know the Gordon's

So I was going to post this yesterday in honor of Valentine's Day, but I couldn't get it to work on our Mac. Here is a little something to get to know the Gordon's.

What are your middle names? Gene after his mom's mom who died while she was pregnant with Chris and my middle name is McKenzie. My first name is Danna, a combo of both my parents first names.

How long have you been together? Since November 16, 2005.

How long did you know each other before you started dating? We initially met at Super Summer in 2002. He was a School Coordinator and I was a TL who just finished her freshmen year at OBU. He supposedly told the other guys that I would make a good youth ministers wife that week but nothing came of it. We reconnected after I graduated and was working at the BGCO for youth ministers. We chatted at a youth ministers conference and later that week he tracked me down at work and we talked all night. The next night we hung out till the wee hours again. I'd say we were both pretty sold at that point.

Who asked who out? He definately asked me out. I had no idea he was interested in me as anything more then a friend. I've always been the best friend and so I was clueless.

How old were each of you when you met? I was 19 so that means he would have been 24

How old are each of you now? I am 26. He is 31.

How long did you date before becoming engaged? three months to the day. That day just so happens to be the third anniversary of that wonderful day!

How tall are each of you? I am 5'4" and he is 5'10"

Whose siblings do you see the most? Probably mine. My sisters are my best friends so I always wanna see them. We have gotten to see Delton more lately because we all live in Oklahoma again. Still far, but better then different states.

Do you have any children together? Not yet! We've been working on that.

What about pets? We have one little ball of energy...Thatcher, he's a maltipoo and we've had him since Halloween 08. He likes Chris better, but he's fun to have around.

Did you go to the same school? No. Our college experiences look a lot different. I went all four years in a row at OBU. Chris took a different road...he started at SWOSU in Sayre for two years and then moved to Stillwater and went two years there, and then quit 8 hours shy of graduating. He returned to finish his degree at USAO in 2007. He graduated last April. A huge accomplishment! I'm so proud of him!!

Are you from the same hometown? No he's a Sayre native and I'm from the Heart of Oklahoma, Purcell

Who is the smartest? Christopher! His mind keeps track of all kinds of crazy things.

Who is the most sensitive? It's a tie. I'm definately more emotional and get my feelings hurt more easily. But he has his moments too.

Where do you eat out most as a couple? well with all of Sayre's 4 choices...lately it's been the new place in town, Miller's Cafe.

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple? Kona, Hawaii. For our honeymoon. Hands down the best vacation I've ever, we've ever been on! Beautiful, relaxing, amazing!

Who does the cooking? I do. Chris grills out, but I'm anal and don't like other people in my kitchen. Hateful I know.

Who is more social? CHRIS! I'm a little socially awkward with new people. Old friends, I'm great with. Love them, but I don't think I'm very good at making new friends, my age especially.

Who is the neat-freak? me for sure.

Who hogs the bed? we would both say the other one does, but probably me. I get cold and so I scoot over closer to him and sometimes don't go back to my side.

Who wakes up earlier? Depends on the day and who has to work first. Probably equal toss up.

Who has the bigger family?I do mostly because of re-marriage, but I do have one more sibling then he does.

How do you spend the holidays? Christmas day is always with my mom and sisters, and the rest of the time we spend them running from one house to another. We had 12 Christmas celebrations last year.

Who is more jealous? Probably me. But it's mostly just of how we spend our time. I'm more of a home body and he's a mover and a shaker.

Do you have little pet names for each other? He calls me Babe most of the time and I make lots of variations of his name. Chris, Christopher, Toph, Tophy, C Double G. etc...

How long did it take to get serious? About five minutes I think. No seriously, we said the L word at 6 weeks.

Who eats more? depends on what we're eating. He does for the most part but I eat more snacks.

Who sings better? Toph again wins this one. He has a beautiful voice and I love to sing with him.

Who’s older? My cradle robbing husband, by 5 years, 3 months, and 1 day.

Who does the dishes? Usually me. It's the anal thing again. I have a specific way to load the dishwasher. He helps sometimes.

Who snores? I guess this is an ok one to give to the other half. He's the noisy one.

Who’s better with the computer? He is. He's really good with techy things.

Who drives? When we're together, he usually does. I have been driving more lately though.

Who kissed who first? He kissed me on my forehead the first night we hung out and he also moved in for the lipper.

Who eats more sweets? Definately me, unless it's one of his favorites.

First time for everything

I've been stocking other peoples blogs for sometime now, not in a weird way, I just like reading what's going on in the lives of my friends. So I'm finally joining the blog world. 

We have been busy these days. Today we had Chris' dad's wedding. It was a long day but it went well. I think they were happy with how things turned out so I guess we were too. Chris officiated the ceremony and I coordinated it. It makes for a long, but good day. 

Tomorrow after Sunday School I'm heading to Oklahoma City to go to the Affair of the Heart with Cassie and Emrie. I'm excited to see them and to see what if I can find some cute new things for our house. I still haven't gotten our new house totally decorated. I have a hard time making decisions and Chris and I have a hard time trying to find time to hang things once I do make up my mind. We still have three bedrooms with nothing on the walls. Someday I guess...

This week I'm working at the paper, going to a basketball game Tuesday night, going to Ok City Thursday and Friday for a writing conference with Chris, and back to Sayre for a girls event Saturday, and back to Purcell/Norman Sunday and Monday. Another crazy week! Here we go!