Brookie's Birthday Review

Hey! I just thought I'd let you all in on how my birthday went. I absolutely LOVED hearing from many of you. The e-mails, messages, notes, and packages were so much fun! It's not quite the same when I can't see some of my best friends in the world..... but, I had a great 36 hours (Thailand & Texas combined) of birthday fun. :)

The night before my birthday began here, I had dinner at a couple's house that Katie and I eat at every Sunday. It was absolutely wonderful! Sharon made me an aaaaamazing black forest cake. Sooooooo yummy! You'll also see my wonderful Thai birthday hat. (Hay, it reminded me of you!)

On my actual birthday I went to school to teach... b/c that's what I do here. Above my door was a wonderful sign that made me very, very happy. It read "Happy Birthday Miss Brandon." It took me a couple periods into the school day for me to notice it amongst all of the "vote for me b/c i'm cool" student council papers everywhere. I can't believe the school already knows me as a Texas Aggie.... it's fun though. I've had to do a few of our yells upon request.... which of course I thought was really fun.... everyone else just thinks I'm crazy. Anyway, I received a few unexpected, wonderful presents from my students as well (Victoria's Secret lotion, a pretty journal, and chocolate)!!!

Then, Katie and I went out to eat with Tommy and Beverly. They took us to a very nice Thai restaurant where I had my absolute favorite: Pad Thai. mmmm---mmmm---- good. I then had incredible mango ice cream to top it off.

That about sums the birthday bash up. I mostly enjoyed hearing from so many of you! Thanks so much to all of you for making my day special!

a week of growth and another year older

Calling all chicks! Hello!

Now that I am done with training, this whole going overseas thing is starting to feel very real.
My team really is so fun. (read about them on my blog)
I has so much fun learning about living abroad and meeting new people. Specifically alot of cute boys. You can ask me about that later. :)

And since yesterday was my birthday, I thought I would tell you how fun being 23 is.
So far I really like it.
My facebook wall has never seen so much action.
I got to experience what it would be like to be the super popular kid in high school.















My parents had taken me out to dinner before I left for Colorado.
We went to the French Room in the Adolphus Hotel.
Fancy-schmancy.

For your mental picture: more silverware than you could possibly have use for. Waiters laying your napkin in your lap for you--because heaven forbid you do that yourself. Little crystal bars that your knife rests on so that you don't sully the tablecloth. And the most scrumptuous food that has ever passed your lips.

It was fantastic.
See, now I am 23 and mature enough to handle a restaurant like that.
I have arrived.

So for my real birthday (last night), my mom, sister, adopted sister Claire and Hayley took me out to dinner.
We had mojitos.
The night was a success.





(this little cocktail has lime and mint and sugar in it and whoever invented it should recieve an award)










sv

Out of Hiding!

I did it! 13 weeks at Pine Cove, DONE!

I understand that 2 new posts in one day is a bit much for the chicks, but on top of Brooke's AMAZING Thai/Aggie adventures today I must proclaim that Loop-Da-Loop has left Tyler, and I, Jessica, have returned to the place I call home, Friendswood, TX.

I have had an amazing summer. It was absolutely crammed packed with challenges, physical exhaustion, lots of SYSCO foods, approximately 100 families, 34 amazing high school girl campers of my very own, a HUGE BLUE POOL that I learned how to clean on my very own, lifeguarding EVERYDAY (my hairdresser's going to LOVE THAT), lots of amazing new friends, and continuing to learn how to serve the Lord with all that I have. I've been dressed up very silly (fortunately slash unfortunately my girls were terribly good at Bible memory), I've crawled around on my hands and knees in espionage forest more times that I can count, I've celebrated medieval knights, switcheroo, christmas in july, no siesta fiesta, caveman clash bash, camelot knights, dock rock, and zoot scoot, worn a yellow and orange Pine Cove opening day shirt and jumped like crazy to greet campers all in the name of Jesus. I've learned in a new way what 2 Cor. 12:9,10 means about boasting in my weaknesses. I've seen a lot more of mine this summer and recognize that the only way I've run this race has been through the unbelievable power of our savior. Being blessed to have my hands in the lives of high school girls for a mere six days only to let them go out into the scary world every Saturday, I've learned a lot about how hard it is for me to trust the Lord. He was so faithful to provide oppurtunities for the gospel, new friends, and beautiful scenery. In the end, it was amazing - amazingly hard, amazingly fun, amazingly stretching, but AMAZING.

As most of you know Tyler, TX will soon become that home, but for four whole weeks I'll be residing here in my parent's home (that's awfully weird--"my parent's home" we're getting so so old) minus a birthday party and bachelorette party in DFW and some partying in Austin for sis' birthday. My days will be filled with rest and relaxation. I'll play on my new computer (happy graduation, jess! love, mom and dad), and of course Mom's made about 10 appointments for me - you know those last minute appointments that parents make when their kids are no longer going to be in their care/dependent.

It is insane to me how dispersed we are all becoming. I miss my girls. Brooke's post today made me excited for her but a bit teary at the distance between us. I love you guys.
~js

Howdy & Hullabaloo

This past weekend I went on a staff retreat with Grace staff and their families. I walked into breakfast and saw one of the Thai teachers pictured above. I thought--- awww she's wearing an Aggie shirt, I miss A&M. Then it dawned on me.... I'm looking at a Texas A&M shirt (which seemed all too normal), but I'm in Asia! Then I had a freak out moment and talked to my new friend and found out we had mutual friends! Aggies for Christ sends a group here every couple years. THEN, a couple days ago I was walking home with Katie in the pouring rain as a car slowly passed us. My wet little ears heard "Hullabaloo, Caneck, Caneck" coming from their horn! They knew I was an Aggie and through me for a loop---- my brain doesn't know what to do in these situations! Well, I love you all and think of you often (not just when I see Aggie shirts or hear Aggie sounds).

A Honeymoon, a Marriage and a new found job

Well Yes- It is me- I am finally updating the blog- I have emerged from my cocoon of newly-marrieddome and am publishing a post to give a little update-
First of all- Thank you to all of you who took part in the wedding- It would not have been the same without every one of you being there- second- married life has been wonderful thusfar-I am learning the art of living with a boy instead of living with 5 girls- there are way less dishes to do and the washing machine is always free to use whenever I need it- but it has been an adventure!
Above are a few honeymoon pics that I wanted to share- It was a wonderful time!
Also the grueling searching for a job is finally over! The Lord has been faithful to lead me and I have been trying my hardest to walk by faith in the light that I have so I accepted a job yesterday at a PR firm in Dallas located in the third tower offices of the Galleria! I really like everyone that I have met so far and am excited about the fall! Football season has just begun so that means that Brice's plate is full now- He loves it though- It is going to be an exciting season- You must come watch a game if you would like.
We continue to seek direction as to where the Lord will lead us next, but for now we just want to be faithful with the people and places that God has called us to right now- The Lord continues to remind us that "all flesh is grass" and to really take advantage of the moments that He gives us and "make the most of every opportunity"-
Well there is a little snip-it of life in the Helton Home- I will update again and give you an inside peak of the wierd sleeping habits of my new husband- he will love that!

ps- i couldn't figure out how to turn this so either turn your head or turn your computer! Thanks!

reading for fun. what a concept!?

I have been to Barnes and Noble many many times this summer...wandering aimlessly looking at the books that inspire me to read! To read for fun...to read to learn...to read because I can!

I have only purchased ONE book this summer. Here's where you come in. I would love to continue adding to my library. I feel like my Christian Living type library is doing ok and there are plenty of books that I've been meaning to read, but at this point I'm looking for a good story to mix it up. Shallow, maybe? Fun, Yes! SO, to all our faithful readers I have a question...

What book(s) would you recommend to me (and others) for a good read? I'm not really interested in the kind of book that requires me to re-read each paragraph. I did that enough in college.

Thanks friends!

HH

Vanilla ice cream with a scoop of perspective

This is Mrs. Virginia. She has been my friend this summer.
On Sunday, her assisted living facility hosts an ice cream social.
I attended.
Vanilla with caramel and sprinkles.
I think assisted living is the way to go. You don't lift a finger in that place.
She's 85 and I really like her alot.

Here's the thing about being 85, you still feel young, yet your body totally disagrees. Mrs. Virginia is still trying to wrap her mind around that. What a strange place in life. At church we are studying Ecclesiastes. Besides being hard to spell, its full of some pretty hard truths. Most of life is like running a treadmill, same thing over and over, with no real purpse. Now, don't freak out on me. I understand that Jesus gives us purpose. Praise the Lord! Life is not worth living without Him, and Solomon very seriously tries to get that point across, but he first shows how everything else in life is totally worthless, "all is vanity."

This whole message has been weighing on my brain lately and along with support raising, preparing to live in another country, and saying goodbye to sweet, sweet friends, its been pretty heavy.

I want my life to matter. I want what Jesus has done in my life to effect others. I want to live like I don't belong here.

There is an ongoing battle in my brain between wanting comfort and security and routine and the unknown, the unpredictable, and adventure. Will these two sides of my brain ever reconcile? Not any time soon, it seems.

Hanging out with Mrs. Virginia makes me want to live life to the fullest, so that when I am 85 I can look back and see how the Lord has worked in my life. And Matt Chandler makes me want to run far, far away from living a rut-filled life.

"For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?" (Ecc. 2:25)
Lasting enjoyment, the kind that really matters, only comes from Jesus. I have often wondered how people get through the hard times in life without this knowledge. To know that "all things work together for the good of those who love Him," where would I be without that promise?

So, Solomon- thanks for being so stinkin wise. Thanks, Jesus, for giving me purpose and joy. And thanks, Mrs. Virginia for being 85 and still asking, "what can I do?"

sv