Texas our Texas...

...All hail the mighty state!

Or something like that.

Oh the Places You'll Go.

I must admit, I've been a bit out of pocket for the last year or so of my life. This would explain the lack of 'Jessica' you've seen on this blog. As for the others...I don't know their excuse. For some it is a streak of independence (starting their own blog - PISHAA!), others it's a new marriage, and still others it's a new job and other new adventures. But I'm back...out of pocket no longer, and with so much to report.

Graduation gifts....that's what this entry's title makes me think of. While I never received this beloved book by our friend Seuss (may he rest in peace) for graduation, I feel like I've experienced much of what he spoke of in only a year and some change since my own college graduation. 2006-2007 has been a crazy time of travels. I've had the oppurtunity to set foot in 5 continents in only a year. This entry will be my report...

Let's start off with my travels to North Africa in February. This trip was facilitated by the Forge...so as you will see my 13 roommates/friends/classmates/cohorts/comrades/etc. served to be most of the entertainment. We were fortunate enough to have a twelve hour layover in London on this journey, which is where we will cover our first continent.

EUROPE!

So this is us in front of Buckingham Palace. We were proud of ourselves. We ended up doing London in only 5 hours. Obviously only seeing the major sights, but it was fun. I felt a little like I was on The Amazing Race. Next stop....

AFRICA

We spent almost 2 weeks in N. Africa visiting friends and getting to know college students. This picture is from the ancient ruins of Carthage. So much neat history there. It was so neat to experience a totally new culture. Only I am so suprised at how westernized our world is becoming. Walking along the city streets there felt almost like I was in a US city. Ok...for our next stop...one in which you will all be very interested, I went to...

ASIA

This is us in Thailand. Now obviously I'm not in this picture, but don't be fooled. Brooke and I were on an another elephant taking this photo. For more picture and details on this trip please click here - http://brookebrandon.blogspot.com/2007/05/fastest-week-of-my-life.html.

and finally for my last international trip of the year (so far)...

CENTRAL AMERICA

Now this picture is from the great country of Costa Rica. I was fortunate enough to spend about ten days this past summer with Pine Cove at a church called La Communidad de Amor. This is a picture of my team at the church. What an amazing time of ministry and growth. We were fortunate enough to assist these Tican people as they put on camp and outdoor ed classes to little ones. Such a cool time!!

So...it was really only 4 continents, but I feel like Costa Rica is kind of in South America so I like to say 5. Needless to say, it was quite a year of travel for me. Which only makes me excited about what's to come. I guess we'll just have to wait and see, because Oh the Places We'll Go!!!

Beau and Jenna are Engaged!!!!

Beau Haralson proposed to Jenna Fagen on July 5 in Colorado Springs, Co at the Broadmoor Hotel.

In true Beau fashion it was an elaborate, romantic, and creative proposal.

Basically he surprised her in her front yard as she was leaving for work. He let her go change (good move) and he took her to a special breakfast at the Broadmoor.

Side note: The Broadmoor Hotel is spectacular. If you are ever in Colorado Springs or near it, try to go see it!

Midway through breakfast he excused himself for a minute.
The server brought a clue to Jenna.
This clue led her to a special place they had many fun conversations last summer when they were able to stay at the hotel with Jenna's parents.
Another clue led her to a special bench right by the pond where they had another memorable conversation.
At this point our new friend, Charles, from the Broadmoor met her at the bench and led her to the final location.

He took her to the open air tower you can see in the background of their picture.
There were rose petals leading her to the top.

Side note: Apparently no one ever gets to go in this tower.

When she got in the tower, a scrapbook of their letters and pictures and memories that Beau had made was sitting on a chair for her to look through.
She didn’t know that Beau was also in the tower…he was right around the corner. So he started to play his guitar.
She came around the corner!

Side note: My family and all the Fagens were way down below on this little bridge and we could see what was happening!

So he played the song he wrote for her called “My Beloved” (also engraved in her ring) and then proposed!

She said YES


A few more pics of the proposal:



The view from the tower



Our view of the proposal. If you look really close you can see the little specks that are Beau and Jenna.


Beau pre-proposal...so excited!


The Scrapbook






It was a really exciting day! I’m so happy for my brother who found an incredible girl to be his wife!

hh

It's been one year!

Lauren and Brice Helton have been married for one year!

Congratulations to the couple that we all love!

Brice, we can joke about how you are now part of the chicks and how you have final say on the other chick's boys, but it is only because we love you and respect you so much. Thanks for putting up with us. Thank you for loving our La so well and showing us what Godly leadership really looks like.

Lauren, not only did you challenge all of us by the way you kept your eyes on the Lord while you were dating B-rice, but you have been such a wonderful example of a wife. You have made us all laugh by embracing 6-man football, continuing to make chicken salad every other day, and chaperoning prom. You are in love with Jesus and Brice and you make being a wife look so fun!



Congratulations on one year, Heltons!
We can't wait to see where the Lord takes you two!

Hello, my name is Tex

This is Tex. He is my dog. He was born in October and I got him in December with plans for him to move to Kentucky with me. It didn't really work out for him to come to Kentucky with me, but I am so glad I got him anyway!

He is a German Shorthair Pointer.

A bird dog! He points - I didn't even have to teach him that!

Now, I don't know if I will ever take him bird hunting myself, but supposedly he is a very quick learner and my uncle says he is a "classy pointer"... so he's got that going for him!

a



I've been meaning to introduce you to Tex for awhile now. Today I finally was able to get my computer and blogger to cooperate!

I really don't want the chick blog to die! I will do my best not to let that happen... no spin-off blog for me!

Don't give up on us...

HH