Friday, October 17, 2008

my brother the marine...

a pic of jon and i last year when he came home.

so my brother is back in iraq (he is a marine) and has been there for about a month now. he will be there for 8-14 months total. we have heard from him via facebook and he even called us this week. i however, missed the call, but my mom got to talk to him. it sounds like he is doing well. he can't really tell us specifics of what he is doing, but he said he is flying a lot and that things in this part of iraq are getting much better. he said it is very different from last time. mom said it sounded like he was in good spirits. i am putting a package together today for him. i am actually going to walk to target (because that is how close it is to my house now) and pick up some goodies. if you ever want to encourage him or send him a package i am sure he would love it! especially as it gets closer to the holidays. this will be his first time in iraq for the holidays and his birthday (feb 28). below is his address. and if you send a package, the post office has special priority mail boxes for soldiers that are free to get and cheaper to ship. you can just pick one up there. what does he like? any kind of cookies or homemade goods. he says chocolate doesn't usually make it, so that it no good. but he LOVES rockstar energy drinks, crest pro health toothpaste, axe body wash, caribou coffee granola bars, and fun kinds of gum. he is more of a salty snack person than sweets. but i am sure he will be grateful for anything he gets.

CPL Jonathan Harris
HMM 161
Unit 41066
FPO AP 96426-1066

thanks for loving on him and encouraging him. it means a lot to his big sister.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

my god...

this song has encouraged me and spoken to me time and time again over the past 2 years. it has given me courage, caused me to weep, and comforted me. when i hear it, i feel as if God is speaking these words over me. i highly recommend buying it! seriously worth your $.99 on itunes. The song is called My God and it is by Colin Bates. his whole cd is good, i love colin's voice and miss hearing him lead worship.

My God
merciful, indescribable
you are my god
faithful, oh so gentle
you are my god

chorus:
you hold my hand through all my struggles
carry me through
you hold my hand though dark surrounds me
carry me through

patient, a thousand years in a day
its all the same
oh, to you the god of space and time
hope of god come fight
i will wait on you

bridge:
do not be afraid
for i am your god
for i am your god
for i am your god

do not be afraid
for i am your god
for i am your god
for i am your god

you hold my hand
though dark surrounds me
carry me through

family reunion


next saturday is our family reunion at church, and i am really excited to go. i am looking forward to getting to just spend time with people from church, since i rarely get to do that. the austin stone's family reunion is great time of celebration. we all get together and celebrate what God has done and is doing in our church. we get to eat good bbq, play fun games (which you know how i LOVE competition) and celebrate and rejoice with those who are getting baptized! i love that we actually cheer and rejoice with those who are getting baptized, rather than just politely golf clapping like we did in the churches i grew up in. so if you are in austin, you should come join us. saturday october25. you can sign up online.