This blog is over...

Hello My Followers -

I am sad to say this blog must end. I am realizing in the past 6 months I have somehow found myself trying to maintain 2 blogs. What am I thinking?! I am definitely not that cool, popular, wise, talented, smart, clever, etc...etc... for TWO blogs. Who am I kidding?! AND honesty I have a life people - come on!

SO...without further delay you can now FOLLOW ME on the below blogsite and don't worry I will still be highlighting all you wonderful people God has blessed me with:)!

www.front-lines.blogspot.com

July 4th Shennagans!

I got to spend July 4th in Clear Lake, IA with Haley and Kendra "Gusta" :)

Quite Delightful!

Haley and I - Vitamin D GET AT ME!

Gusta just got back from a 2-week mission trip to China so I naturally I stepped in with a little debriefing "retreat" which included the sun, the lake, lots of SunChips, and ice cream!

Gusta never did tell me why the Chinese always do this...

I took every opportunity to "touch" Haley - she hates being touched.

She's just asking for it when she tells me something like that!

Whatever....she loves it!!

Driving Home - Life is GOOD! Why am I still doing the two fingers?!

Debriefed - CHECK!

Signs of a GOOD day!

Haley & Gusta - You two are DA Best!! LOVE YA!

My Sisters...in-law!

Just this week my Mom asked me if I wished I had a sister.

Great question.

Honestly, I don't think about it too much,

probably because I had / have way too much fun being a tom boy.

Although, I am starting to enjoy wearing dresses finally. It only took 27 years! :)

As I reflected on my Mom's question,

I couldn't help but think of my two wonderful sisters-in-law!

T.J., married to Brandon Me Jana, married to Matt

Here we are New Year's Eve, right before we got crazy!

I am pretty sure we were in bed before the ball dropped

- that's what happens when you have kids. :)

Here we are celebrating, Eva's (T.J.'s daughter) one year birthday!

They both have adorable daughter's 5 weeks apart - couldn't have planned it better myself.

I am not sure why we actually took a picture in these hats, but I am sure it was my idea.

Even though I don't have "real" sisters,

I feel SO blessed to call them my sisters and a part of the Schaefer clan!

Love you both!

Those Friends...

You know those friends where you can pick up right where you left off, no matter how much time has gone by.

You know those friends you can always call anytime of the day!

You know those friends that just "get you".

You know those friends that will still do anything for you at the drop of a hat.

You know those friends who know things about you that no else knows, and you hope no else will know! :)

You know those friends that you can just "be" with.

You know those friends that always know how to make you laugh.

You know those friends that you go waay back!

YOU KNOW?:)!

Well these are THOSE FRIENDS to me!

Jessica, Janelle, Kristen - LOVE YOU EACH!

Kristen, Janelle and I with Jessica's husband - great guy:)!

Oddly, I couldn't find a picture with all 4 of us, so Jessica you get one all by yourself:)!

LOVE YOU EACH!

My Best Friend

In just a few short days Carrie Lynn Clement will be headed on a plane to China for the summer. For many of you this has no significance whatsoever, BUT for me it's means a whole heck of a lot.

For those of who you don't know Carrie, she is my co-worker, roommate, and most importantly my friend so we do a lot of "life together". I can honestly say it's been a pure blessing and I wouldn't have it any other way.

This is our attempt at remaking the best breakfast we have ever

had from the Yolk restaurant in Chicago.

Carrie and I couldn't be more different than one another which at times has been hard, yet because of it I have learned SO much from her. Here's a little peak into some of those things:

I am better at living in the moment - I think she does this really well!

I've learned what it looks like to be flexible and go with the flow.

I am learning to EMBRACE my emotions - this is still in process:)!

She's a giver of $$$ - this encourages me to do the same.

She genuinely loves people and it shows.

Her heart for the world has rubbed off on me.

She doesn't take herself too seriously.

Nuts in NYC - what else do I say with this?:)

AND she's FUN or at least I have fun when I am with her! This year we went to Indy, NYC, and Chi-town together. It says a lot when you can travel with someone, especially when you normally see them everyday and still want to "vacation" with them!

Here we are on the Subway - yeah, no big deal or

apparently it was a big deal since we felt the need to take a picture.

She's the kind of friend....

- I hope I never lose touch with.

- Will be one of the first to know I am engaged!

- I always want to be praying for.

- I always want to know how I can specifically be praying for her.

- I hope we live in the same place again someday.

- I never want to forget her birthday.

She's the kind of friend....that I refer to as my Best Friend!

All there is to it. Love you, Care Care!

Ms. Jessica Hanson

Here is Ms. Jessica on the right. We have been friends for about 6 years. She was in the first small group I ever lead as a Cstone staffer, so it's amazing she's still following Christ...HA! Just kidding! A lot of times I feel like she's the one discipling me:)!

Isn't she cute?! Now that she has a job as a full time nurse, she's always offering to buy me dinner, coffee, whatever. You have to keep friends like these happy and in your good graces!!

Recently we meet at Capanna - these pictures give you a feeling of our "mood". It's a huge blessing to have friends in Iowa City I can be real with!

To top of our night before heading to TSC Jess bought me some nuts from the Bread Garden! Again she's the best!!

Jess, I love that we have remained friends through the years! Thanks for being so willing to be my "slave" :) time and time again. You are a stud and I can't wait to see where God takes you in the years to come!

Phillip Seymore Hoffman

As Carrie Clement and I were headed to NYC for spring break, guess who happened to sit right across from us in the airport?!

The one and only - Phillip Seymore Hoffman

Instead of asking for a picture and his autograph, we decided to play it cool and just stare at him the whole time!

I think he probably wished we would have taken a picture and got over it! But come on, two silly girls on spring break what do you expect!?

We couldn't seem to keep his famous lines from Along Came Polly out of our head.

"Let it rain" and "Dude, I just sharded"

Nevermind that he apparently won an Oscar or Golden Global for Capote. I guess I should refine my taste in movies.

I would have liked to report that I got to share the Gospel with Philly but what can I say I was star struck! There's always next time I guess.

My Brother, Matt

This next post is on my oldest brother, Matt!

He's a stud - always has been!

Matt is also someone I have always looked up to in life! He's a hard worker and has always been driven to succeed and gives 100% in life, which has been a great example for me to follow.

This was my brother's family Christmas card by the way - isn't it a beauty!? They are too good looking for their own good!

My brother is all about working hard and playing hard! One of the many things he has taught me and one thing I LOVE about him.

He knows when to work hard and when to play hard - we all need both in life!

As a financial advisor he gets to combine his work and play with lots of golf outtings! It's a rough life.

Matt and Jana (his wife) just had their first baby girl, Isabella. She's SO stinkin' cute - it's ridiculous.

As I have watched my brother become a Father I have realized even more of what a great servant he is - always giving Jana backrubs, getting up with Bella in the middle night, bringing my dad endless amounts of popcorn and Templeton when he visits! (We love you Dad!)

Amazing example - I am challenged, brother!

Matt also has a die hard love for the Cyclones. If you know him, you know this to be true!

Thanks for showing me what is means to bleed red and gold! Priceless!

This picture was taken this fall when ISU beat Texas on their home turf!

Ahhh it's good to be a Cyclone! Well......most days:)!

This picture shouldn't surprise you either.

Bella wasn't even 1 year old before she attended her first ISU football game!

Wear it proud little Bella!

I am SO thankful for my brother. I always feel loved by him and taken care of as a sister.

I love him and can't wait to see what else God has in store for him and his family!

Going the Distance...

Pastor Tom Nesbitt and

his lovely wife Marie

Still going strong for the Kingdom of God!

From time to time I get to be around and hear about people who have gone and are going the distance for Christ. Those who are in their 70s, 80s, and even 90s who are still seeking hard after God.

An example of one of these couples is Pastor Tom & Marie Nesbitt. It’s almost as if they understand more the real purpose of life and how short our time is on earth! If you ever get the chance to be around them not only will you be blessed, but you will know the meaning of your name! (A Pastor Tom specialty) :) You may also walk away feeling a little convicted that you need to pray more, evangelize more, read your Bible more, love Jesus more…

So again today, I have to ask myself if I am cultivating a heart that desires to live for God’s Kingdom - for however long that may be?!

Living in the Kingdom of God...

My dear friend, Kacie Bonjour and

her husband Brandon.

This picture makes me wish I was in the Bahamas. I should of the chosen the picture of them in sweaters... Either way you both look lovely! :)

Kacie Bonjour and their son, Camden!

What a little stud!

Kacie (Menning) Bonjour and I have been friends since we were wee little kids. We went to the same church (UCC Baby!), our parents were in card club together (I am not even sure they played cards), we camped at Beeds Lake together (a personal favorite of mine)! Although it still haunts me that we swam in that nasty lake.

Recently, Kacie became a follower of Christ. Meaning, she has decided to live for a purpose that will outlast this life. This is definitely one of my highlights of 2010 that still causes me to stop and just laugh at the goodness of God!

Many people often think that there is no joy in following Jesus. He’s basically a fun hater. Well, that is a straight up, LIE! Below is just a few of the privileges Kacie and I and others who follower Christ receive as we live in the Kingdom of God.

- A Promise of Eternity

- Hope

- Power in the Holy Spirit

- JOY! when it doesn’t make sense to have joy

- Healing both physically & spiritually

- Freedom

- Purpose that will outlast this world

- PEACE! that surpasses all understanding

- Confidence in her identity in Christ

- Adopted in the God’s kingdom

AND did I mention her husband Brandon is also following Jesus!? Because he is! AMAZING! God is SO GOOD! Love you both and can't wait to see what God has in store!

Just couldn't resist another one of the little guy!

Eva Joelle & Isabella Marie

Two loves of my life : My nieces - Eva Joelle and Isabella Marie

Here they are meeting for the first time and maybe a little overwhelmed with all the pictures we took of them! Who can blame us?! Look at those faces:)!!

Here are a few of my favorites.

They are just too cute for their own good. I mean seriously! Ridiculous.

How does a simple hat make them even more cute!!!?? I must say it again, Ridiculous.

Ok this just makes me miss them A LOT! Moving on....

The Holidays are now spent chasing around these two:)! So long are the days of beaching it on the couch!

Of course we already have brainwashed them with a die hard love for the Cyclones. Would you expect anything less? This is much inspired by mother dearest of course!

Eva just turned one in January!

Cousin Bella (who turns 1 in February) was sweet to give her these angel wings for her birthday!

There is nothing better than two beautiful nieces!

I am praying Psalm 23 for them (following Mark Arant's example) - that they would walk in paths of righteousness for His namesake!

I love you Eva & Bella and can't wait to see what God has in store for you!

Brother Brandon

Aren't we cute?! It's those Schaefer genes.

You guessed it. This post highlights my older brother, Brandon Schaefer.

Don't worry Matt (my other brother) you will get a post soon!

Here's just a few of the many reasons I love this guy!

He prayed that I would come to know Jesus.

He showed me what it means to love Jesus.

He never gives up on me.

He listens to me – really listens to me.

He lets me cry to him.

He knows me - maybe better than I know myself! :)

He’s patient with me.

He’s honest with me.

He watches out for me (as every big brother should!)

He doesn't pull my hair anymore (ohhhh the days of grade school!)

He never makes me pay for dinner!

He points me to Jesus – again and again and again.

He prays for me.

He gives me words from the Lord.

He pushes me in my relationship with Christ.

He gives me great wisdom and advice.

He makes me laugh.

He’s a great Husband and Father. (see pictures below)

I LOVE YOU, Brother and am SO grateful for your investment in my life. Thank you for taking your "role" as big brother to another level in my life!

Brother Brandon and his beautiful wife, TJ.

You will be blessed if you ever get the chance to meet them!

Brandon and little baby Eva!

SO cute!! Eva that is:)!

Eva again - Enjoying a little time at SeaWorld - can't remember if this was before or after the ice cream or before or after Big Bird!?

Eva and TJ - again!

Ohh wait this post was about Brandon...ahhh doesn't he have great offspring:)!!