I love songs!!!

Often when I come across a new song and I like it. I listen to it over and over and over again until it's memorized and Craig can't stand it anymore. :) Nothing moves me like music. Normally, there's something about them that speaks to me or makes me think of people I love or will love. I have been making a list of songs that I plan on singing to my future children (Lord willing).





Here's a few;
Chiquitita by Abba (for my girls)
Waitin on a Sunny Day by Bruce (for my girls)
Family Man by AP (for my boys)
Godspeed (Sweet dreams) by Dixie Chicks (for my boys)
Annie's Song by John Denver (for my Craigel)
If I Had Me Million by Pat Green (to me from Craig)

Forgiveness

The past couple of weeks God has been teaching me a lesson of forgiving and asking for forgiveness. What was reiterated to me was the power of forgiveness. Whether you are religious or not, you have to admit the power of letting a grudge and bitterness go and forgiving the offender. It's wild and maybe painful, the release you feel and what you can accomplish with that. And to be forgiven is something so...there are no words. I know many of you think, 'well, what does Lisa know of being forgiven. She's so sweet." In the words of Andrew Peterson, "so you think i'm not a dirty rotten scoundrel through and through, well, lady, I've got news for you" and that news God reminded me of at church through Isaiah 53 (1, 3-6, 11)
Who believes what we've heard and seen? Who would have thought God's saving power would look like this?
He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum. But the fact is, is was our pain he carried-our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him-our sins. He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. We've all done our own thing, gone our own way and God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong on him.
Our of that terrible travail of soul, he'll see that it's worth it and be glad he did it.
Sometimes I really feel there is a blackness in my soul that's really pretty horrible and hurts others. Thank God, he put that blackness on Jesus and Jesus took it knowing he would be glad. I'm free!!

Hanging with those Crazy Branches

I love love love spending time with my in-laws. I enjoy visiting Pagaosa Springs and seeking the Rocky Mountains. This year we went for two weeks in June and it was jam packed filled with BBQ s, rafting, hiking, frisbee, and more. Mike and Berkey are the best at hospitality. They are truly hostesses with the mostesses. This year what stuck out the most was entertaining two little princesses. My nieces, Madeline and Addison are 3 years old and love Disney princesses. Berkey is a great seamstress and sowed two dresses, a Belle and a Cinderella. The girls were thrilled and knew that they were cute. Let me say, they are cute.
The Branches, like my family, sacrifice time spent with us because of the calling on our lives. It is a privilege to go into the world and tell people about Jesus, a blessing truly but giving up holidays, birthdays, and etc with our families is the hardest part. The Branches do so with such grace and support. We are so blessed!!!
Anywho, enough of that, here are some pictures from our trip.


before hiking 4 mile falls

the Branch clan (top row from l to r)Jenny, me, Craig, Coe, and Addy (bottom same)Madeline, Bill, Julie, Berkey, Jackson, and Mike

rafting on the San Juan

Cinderella and Belle

Since We've Been Back

we arrived in greenville, sc.
below is a picture of my cousins and long time friends Sarah



went to orlando and charleston
here is picture of me strawberry picking and crystal being a picky picker.





arrived back in g'ville and visited with my brother, sister-in-law and our niece and nephew.



and enjoying our time here in SC

Crazy 8!

Crazy 8! A little modified
For DarDar
8 Things I Look Forward To When Coming Back To The States
1. Visiting the Fam and Friends
2. Paneras
3. Getting to see all of my little nieces and nephews
4. Mexican Food
5. A dryer
6. Greenery
7. Target
8. Driving

8 Things I Did Yesterday
1. Played with Guy
2. Chatted with Corrie
3. Taught English Level 1a
4. Bought some students some coffee
5. Ate yummy Enchiladas
6. Listen to Craig mumble in the taxi
7. Watched some of Braveheart
8. Went to bed

8 Things I Wish I Could Do
1. Draw, Paint, Create
2. Play the piano again
3. Play the mandolin
4. Play a sport with some ability
5. Own and fly a private jet
6. Own a small business
7. ADOPT-this will happen
8. Act in a movie or be the voice of a cartoon character

8 Shows I Watch
1. 24
2. 30 Rock
3. the Office
4. Lost
5. the Simpsons

the best of Jordan

here's a slideshow that exemplifies our best times in jordan, favorite scenery, and good friends.

peeps and poops

We took a Easter vacation to a southern city of Jordan called Aqaba. A GREAT place to relax and let the tension of the city roll away. The Red Sea sits there a beautiful blue color and invites you to enjoy some of the best snorkeling in the world. Here's a picture of some of the crew that came with us. It was great to spend some time wrapping things up here with some of our favorite peeps and poops.