Gone Texas

There is a famous bumper sticker around the area that says, "I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could!" While we're not ready to say that we got here as fast as we could, we have found ourselves delving into the realm of being Texan.

For those of you who don't know, the state flower is the Blue Bonnet. Each year, about this time, these wild flowers being to bloom all over the state. Apparently, people drive from around the country (by which, most Texans mean the state) to see large fields of them. Once arriving at said field, people plop themselves in the middle and start snapping photos. What's so amazing is the number of cars, simply pulled off to the sides of the road...so that the family can mass exit the car to take the yearly photo.

Well, needless to say, we headed up to the hill country and began a search for the ever infamous Blue Bonnet. We drove to Brenham (made famous by it's Blue Bell Creamery...which has amazing ice cream). We marveled at the hand of God, as fields that were once brown have grown green, all while sporting a wonderful blue. That blue...the state flower. We couldn't help but to plop ourselves in the middle of a field and start snapping photos.

Below you will find pictures of us in the field, some blue bonnets, some real Texas longhorns, and us at the Blue Bell Creamery. Sorry we couldn't get you any ice cream. Just come for a visit and we'll be happy to go again.

Just for Fun

This picture of us was taken at a wedding we attended (Liz and Danny are a part of our Kairos group). We wanted to share to show you that very little has changed with us! Enjoy.

Snow for Rain

We were blessed with a visit from Erin's parents. Paul and Phyllis were able to spend 4 and 1/2 days here in H-town. We're sad to say that they escaped the snow covered St. Louis to the rain falling Houston. But, our plans would not be spoiled!

We were blessed with beautiful weather as we headed south to Gavelston island for some time on the beach and to watch dolphins (which, by the way, are extremely cool) on the car toting ferry. Of course, a day on the island is not complete without some great fresh sea food (when I say fresh...I mean whatever was caught that morning). As we walked "The Strand" (the historic part of Gavelston) the clouds parted and the rain ceased; the sun showed it's face for the remainder of their trip.

We also spent a day downtown. We visited Herman Park (across the street from Rice University; and much like Forest Park in St. Louis or Central Park in New York City) where we walked through a japenese flower garden. While a few things are blooming away, it was bit too early to enjoy the colorful richness of that garden.

Paul and Phyllis also joined our Kairos gathering on Tuesday night. Awesome! They were able to experince the kinds opportunities that we both have here; to interact with people who are committed to one another and to the Word of God.

Needless to say...it was a great, relaxing and heart-warming weekend. There is something about family that cannot be filled by anything else. Our prayer is that you too cherish those moments with your family!

When God opens a Door...

When God opens a door, walk though it! You may never know what it on the other side. In fact, if you are being led by God's Spirit, the probability that you know what it on the other side of the door is most likely very low. But God is faithful saying, "never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." So, walk through the door.

We have been blessed by the Kairos ministry here at CTK (Christ the King). For those of you who are new, Kairos is the young adult ministry in which we commit ourselves to the study of the Scriptures and to each other. When we arrived, Kairos was a group of 7/8 people meeting every week at church for study. (Note: what will be said next may rub some people wrong) Church felt exceedingly sterile. People did not come as themselves, but rather as Bob, the church goer. So, we quickly moved it to our house where we meet every Tuesday for a meal, the study of Scripture, prayer and praise. We spend 2 and 1/2 hours together a week. And, we must be honest, it is a real hoot (we told you that we're fixin' to work on the southern thang). By God's grace, our group has grown to the point of needing another meeting space here in the near future.

All while this was going on, we quickly realized that a number of leaders has stopped coming to our gatherings. Not because they didn't like it. But, they were commuting from downtown...which is a good 30 minutes. So, in response to that...we thought to ourselves, "maybe we could go downtown and hold Kairos there?!" And so it was that on March 2nd, we had our first official Kairos @ the Loft (in downtown). What an experience! A couple from the church own a loft in the center of downtown and have graciously opened up their home to us. We meet there every Thursday night. Again, by God's grace, we are growing to the size of expansion. Remember, that when you walk through the door, you never know what is on the other side! Well, we walked through the door and another member has offered their three story townhouse in downtown as another location to meet. Needless to say, God is faithful.

God has infected us...we have a burning passion to reach people with the good news of Jesus Christ. Houston is a huge mission field that we are proud to work in. Pray that God would continue to guide people to a spiritual community like Kairos, especially those young adults in downtown Houston. Pray that God's Spirit would bring people out of the woodwork who need to know Christ.

When God open's your door, walk through it!!!

Blogging Blah's

Well, it has been far too long since our last post. I think that we both have had a case of the blogging blah's...

"So," you ask, "what have the West's been up to since the pandemonium that erupted with the Peterson's?" Plenty actually...but, in order to keep the post from getting too long too quick, consider this the highlight reel with more to come:

~Erin attended the Christ the King women's retreat
~Brian spent time in Orlando helping to plan the next National Youth Gathering
~Erin celebrated her 28th birthday...yeah!
~A 30 year roof was put onto the house
~Brian's parents came for a visit which included a honky tonk and dolphins
~Kairos (the young adult ministry @ CTK) has expanded into downtown Houston.
~Panera (St. Louis Bread Co. for all those at home) opened a store 15 minutes from our house...bagels were had by all
~We ate a wonderful pub in downtown called "The Flying Saucer" complete with golf tees (we'll explain later)
~Brian gathered again to plan the National Youth Gathering while Erin visited Kari in San Antonio
~Hurricane Salte came through town (Ryan, KerriAnn and Anna got to experience it first hand)
~The first of many weddings commenced last night

There are many others...many of which will come to you in soon to be posts. But until then, know that we think of you often and look forward to hearing from y'all (we're working on the southern thing).

2+2=Mass Chaos

This Christmas we were blessed with the arrival of...not a little one...not a red-suited man...but two of our closest friends, Ryan and Kristy Peterson.

In order to escape the rather cold, blustery state of Missouri, Ryan and Kristy quickly sought refuge in a warmer climate. They said to themselves, "who do we know that lives in a warm place?" Ryan, being the mastermind that he is said, "Brian and Erin live in Texas!" Kristy, hesitant to venture to the Lone Star State for fear of tumble-weed attacks, consented only after assurance of beaches and 80 degree weather.

Upon their arrival, chaos erupted in the Greater Houston area as two sets of friends reunited at long last (hear the music)! Our time together was short, but filled with infinite smiles and loads of laughter. Below are a few pictures of the rauckus time had here in H-town!

Merry CHRISTmas

"For the Mighty One has done great things for me: and holy is His name." (Luke 1.40)

Merry Christmas to all our friends and family! We hope and pray that your holiday is one filled with an unsurpassing peace and an abounding joy! We pray that the coming year brings smiles, hugs, laughter and good cheer; for God has done great things and holy is His name.

Where Do Christmas Trees Come From?

Apparently Christmas Trees sprout through the floors of people's living rooms here in Texas. They say everything is bigger and better here in the Lone Star State...including the tree picking process!

About a week ago, Brian and I arrived home from a night at Bill's with our Kairos group to a soft glow in the back corner of our living room. No, we hadn't been visited by aliens, although we did begin to wonder. In fact, a Christmas Tree, lights ornamnets, garland and all, had literally appeared out of thin air in our absence. (Thus the pondering of alien presence in our home!)

There were only two realisitc conclusions one could come to after experiencing such an event... 1. Christmas Trees sprout through the floors of people's living rooms here in Texas - trimmings and all, or 2. Someone had been tracking our every move for months in order to commit a perfectly timed drive-by Christmas Tree deposit.

Ultimately, we are blessed to have parishioners who enjoy spreading Christmas cheer and spirit. Since the appearance of our tree, we have been blessed by the gifting of a variety of beautiful and memorable ornaments from numerous members who have touched our lives in the past 5 months. We pray you also may experience the shock and awe of Christ's action in your lives this Christmas season. That God would send his only Son, born in a manger, made man, only to die for the sins of a lost and fallen world. Amen!

(Disclaimer: We did not purchase this ornament...it was given to us. But, we admit that we have a little chuckle every time we see it.)