Community

Over the past month and a half Patrick and I started going to a new church that meets in a high school gym. I was a little skeptical at first, but after hearing 4 different people talk about this church and how incredible the pastor is, I really wanted to check it out. It seemed that Patrick and I had been in a rut as far as churches go. We got frustrated with the one that we had been attending, because half of the congregation would leave before the benediction, I'm guessing so that they could beat the traffic out and arrive that much earlier at Chili's. We've checked out a few other churches in the area, but they seem to either be "cotton candy" religion, have horrible music, have no one our age or even under the age of 65, or we just plain felt out of place.

So after a friend from high school, a friend from college, a friend of another friend, and a local photographer all have mentioned attending this church and how amazing it was, I knew that something was happening there and I wanted to find out what that was.

After that first Sunday visiting The Stone, I knew I had found a home. But since Patrick is Catholic and I am Protestant, we don't always seem to agree on these types of things. But this church is different and it's calling us both to build a community here.

They have been renting a meeting space at Austin High for a few years now, but they recently bought a piece of land in a community that is a stone's throw away from Patrick's office. This is a neighborhood that is in desperate need of hope, love, shelter, and a place that could help them get back up on their feet. It's a rough neighborhood, plain and simple, but The Stone is wanting to turn that around and be a church for this city and for this community in particular.

I've never been a part of a church that has their heart broken for people like this. It has always just been a safe, easy place to go on Sundays. But this, this is a whole 'nother animal. And I am completely loving it.

Vote!

Friday is that last day of early voting so Go Vote!!


The Great Schlep from The Great Schlep on Vimeo.

Hook 'em!

The Golden Hat

What an exciting game! Go Horns!!

Patrick and I got together with some friends for an at-home-version of UT vs OU Weekend. It was a fried food bonanza, highlighted by mimosas (since it was an 11am kickoff) and beer. Fried Pickles, Fried Plaintains, Hot 'n Crunchy Fried Chicken, Fried Okra, Fried Grilled Cheese, Fried Snickers...and despite my body punishing me the rest of the day, all was so yummy! I think this was one of the first times we went to Alamo Drafthouse and only ordered a couple of waters and sodas...we needed a break from all the alcohol and fried goodness.

Fact Check!

We now have less than a month until our nation elects new leaders. But before you cast your vote, either during early voting or on November 4th, PLEASE go spend some time on Fact Check. There has been so much spin put on every statement that every candidate says and every ad that has been put out there. I've heard a lot of misleading half-truths and without doing a little bit of reading, you could be voting for someone with whom you don't really agree. Be an informed voter, and find out the truth behind the candidates' statements, voting records, health care plans, and visions for our country.

And after doing all your research, sit back and enjoy these videos.

Register to Vote

Today (October 6th) is the last day you can register to vote, at least in the state of Texas. Make sure all your information is in order!!

Help Save the Boobies!

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, please check out the Army of Women website, FAQs here. They need women to volunteer for breast cancer research to try to figure out how it starts and how to stop it. It may just be as simple as donating a sample of blood or swabbing your mouth for saliva. So, women of all ages and backgrounds: join me and sign up!