2010...A Year to Celebrate!

It has been way too long! I had originally written this post at the beginning of the year and had trouble uploading pictures. Then our computer quit working and I got crazy busy with 4 competitions and here we are in Spring Break! So without further ado, we started off this year with many celebrations...

A small New Year's Eve get together with family in our home.

On my 25th birthday I was at a Dance Educator's Conference in Houston. It is always fun to get away and attend it, but I am always sad to be away from my hubby, family, and friends on my birthday...This year Jason made me feel so special on my birthday. He sent me flowers and had them waiting for me when I checked into the hotel the day before my birthday.

The night of my birthday he had chocolate covered strawberries delivered to my room!

Wow I am so blessed to have such a thoughtful amazing husband who pursues me each day!

The weekend after New Years I traveled to Austin with my parents to celebrate my cousin's son Cade's 1st birthday! This was very special to us since they adopted him a year ago! Jill planned the cutest party...the CCR Birthday Bowl!

When I got back we celebrated Jason's grandmother Baba's 90th birthday. Jason made a beautiful cake for her that was so special to her!

And then we celebrated our sweet little cousin Kaitlynn's 3rd birthday! Can't believe she is three already! We partied Minnie Mouse style!

Mandy made the cutest cupcakes!

We also have had lots more snow...12 inches at once to be exact! Paisley really liked it!

Since then I've been busy with four dance competitions...Thankfully competition season is over and I have a break for a week! We traveled to Kilgore to compete and the girls got to see the Kilgore Rangerettes and then to Houston where we went to NASA and the aquarium. I'll try and post some pictures of that soon!

We have booked our trip this summer to MAUI! We are so excited we will be celebrating our 3rd anniversary there!

Well I think that is it...I'm spending spring break catching up on my sleeping, cleaning, shopping, and friends and wrapping it up with my husband on a special date on Friday to the Dallas Arboretum! Can't wait!

Christmas Card 2009

The magic of Christmas is not in the presents,

it's in His presence.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love, Jason & Lindsey Metz

Quick Update from the Metz's

Just wanted to let you know Mandy came home from the hospital today! Thank you Lord! Please continue to pray for strength during her recovery! Thanks for all the prayers!

Also, they installed our granite countertops and vanities for the master and secondary bath in today. Of course we forgot the camera, but we're going back to get pictures tomorrow so I'll post them soon!

Please keep praying!

Just wanted to update...Mandy had a rough night and day...She lost alot of blood when the vein broke during surgery, and they had to give her two blood transfusions today...We are still hopeful she will come home tomorrow...Keep her in your prayers please!

Update on Mandy's Surgery

Sorry for the late update, but I am just now getting home. Thank you all for your prayers! So far it looks as if many were answered! They were able to take the rod out of her leg. They also put the plate in the front of her ankle and several screws. They took a bone graft from her knee and put that inside her ankle joint. They doctor also said he didn't see any signs of infection. The only real problem they encountered during the surgery was a blood vessel that broke and they had to repair it, which took awhile. They are still watching her blood pressure which was a little low but is coming back up, so keep that in your prayers.

They gave her nausea medication before during and after the surgery, and so far she had a much better reaction to the anesthesia. Please keep praying that she will not have nausea. She is staying overnight, and will stay tomorrow, and possible tomorrow night depending on how she feels. The doctor said that her knee will cause her some pain for awhile because of the bone graft, so please pray for relief from pain in her knee.

Overall, we were very happy and now just have to pray for a full recovery, for bone growth in her ankle joint, and for the fusion to work this time. She was doing well tonight, but I know it will be a long hard recovery so keep those prayers coming!

Thank you each so much for your love and prayers. I have passed it on to her, and she greatly appreciates it! Love you all!

Prayers for Wednesday

***Update...Mandy's surgery was moved to 11:oo AM...Just wanted to let you know...Prayers are GREATLY appreciated!

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Just wanted to let you know Mandy is having another surgery on Wednesday morning. It is a pretty big one, so your prayers are really appreciated.

They are redoing the ankle fusion, because it didn't work the first time. They are going back in to take out the rod in her leg, put in a plate and several screws in her ankle. They will have to cut through the skin graft, and as with any big surgery there is a chance of infection. They are not doing this one orthoscopically like the last, so it will be a harder recovery.

Her surgery will be at 9am on Wednesday morning. Please pray for peace for her right now, so that she will not be as anxious before the surgery. Please also pray for the doctors to know exactly what to do and how to do it, and the be able to execute it without any problems. Please pray that she will not have any reactions to the anethesia. And afterwards pray for healing, bone growth in her ankle, strength, and pray that her pain is relieved. Pray for encouragement in her spirit. This will be a longer recovery than the last, but pray it happens as quickly as possible and that it works this time.

Through all that has happened we have seen God's miracles, and we thank him immensly for each one. It is hard though to deal with continued dissapointment in so many surgeries not working out as hoped. I have seen her be so strong for so long, and she has fought so hard to overcome this. I know God is the great physician and healer. Please pray that he will take over in the operating room and guide the doctors. And pray for His healing power to touch her leg and heal it and for bone to grow as she begins recovery.

Throughout the past week I had been anxiously thinking and praying about the surgery and Mandy. Sunday morning during worship we sang "Mighty To Save," and God spoke to me through the song and reminded me that He is mighty to save her.

Savior.
He can move the mountains.
My God is Mighty to save.
He is Mighty to save.
Forever.
Author of salvation.
He rose and conquered the grave.
Jesus conquered the grave.

I am thankful that the same God who has the power to move mountains, to part the Red Sea, to take on the sin of all who believe and conquer death and roll that stone away, has the power to heal Mandy. And as hard as it is for me to watch her go through this, I must remember that He is the only one who will help her through this, and I must trust Him and know that He will not give her more than she can handle and that must have faith in him, and be patient to see Him do it in His time and in His way.

Please remember to pray Wednesday morning at 9 am. Thank you for supporting Mandy and our family through this! Love you all!

A Walk Through Time

Last night I had the honor of attending one of my best friend's in high school wedding! Lacey and Brian were married on March 27th at 6:00 pm at A&M gardens in Azle, TX.
It was so so special to see one of my best friends united in marriage with an amazing man who makes her so happy!

When I walked into the bridal room tears came to my eyes because she was so radiant and breathtakingly beautiful! Lacey and I stood by each other's side during many challenging and wonderful times surviving high school and many more since. It tickles me to death to think about the times we layed in her room talking about boys, wondering what kind of guy we would marry some day, and imagining our wedding and to see the outcome today.

Lacey actually introduced Jason and I the summer before we left for Tech, so it was such a blessing for her to stand by my side on our wedding day.

The first time Lacey told me about Brian I knew there was something different about this guy from the sound in her voice, and after our next few conversations I told Jason that she would marry Brian (but I didn't tell her that at the time!)

We talked a few nights before her wedding. She called because she heard that old Garth Brooks song,"Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers," and we laughed at how thankful we were that we did not marry all of those silly boys in high school we had such big crushes on! I am so thankful that God's plan is bigger than my own and during those years when we were wondering he was preparing and molding such amazing men as Jason and Brian to be our husbands!

I can't wait to see the next chapter of their lives unfold as they begin their journey of married life! Congrats to the newlyweds!


JV Cheerleading Camp


Decade Dress Up Day Sophomore Year in High School


Senior Portraits


Graduation!

ps You're a 1/4 of a century old!

Happy 25th Birthday Mandy!!! Love you! Here's to the next 25!!! And here's to looking back on some fabulous memories!


Double trouble, even at age 2 and 3!!!


Sleepover!


All dolled up for Easter!


Going to see the REAL Santa at Northpark!



Skip the awkward years...haha!



Phi Lamb Semiformal

Go Red Raiders!

My Beautiful Maid of Honor!

Red Raider Alumni

I love you so much and hope you have a great birthday! I am so thankful for your friendship and all that we've shared in life together. I would not be the person I am today without you! From hours of playtime when we were little, to lots of sleepovers and hours on the phone as teenagers, to hours being silly and crazy as roommates...God has blessed us with such a special relationship! We've stood by each other's side through the most joyous times in life, and the hardest. I am so proud of the beautiful woman you are, and so inspired by the heart you have! You have taught me so much by the way you live your life. I love you and can't wait to see all the more God has in store for our futures! Before you know it we'll be celebrating 50, wearing bright colors and big hats!

Happy New Year...2009 Here we come!

I can't believe it's 2009! We brought in the new year with some friends from college and had a wonderful time with the Purdue's!


College Friends reunited!



My hubby and I ringing in the new year!

Looking back we had such a wonderful year in 2008...full of many blessings and memories we'll cherish! So here's my top 10 list of 2008! (In somewhat chronological order...)

1. Our "niece" Kaytlyn and "nephew" Jackson's 1st birthday's so much fun!

2. Lots of precious babies being born! Luke Purdue, Alec DeFranco, Luke Cotten, and Rylee Mae Mills

3. One of my best friend's Lacey and Brian got engaged! Their wedding will definitely be a top 10 of 2009! We enjoyed many other weddings in 2008 of dear friends as well...Brad & Krystal, Jeremy & Katie, Meryl & Will, Ryan & Emily, Andrea & David, Christy & Clay

4. A new job for me as an Assistant Drill Team Director...I felt God call me to this my freshman year in college, and it was a long awaited answer to prayer!

5. Probably my best memory from 2008 this year, Celebrating our 1st Anniversary in San Antonio!

6. Mandy receiving her diploma from Texas Tech! I was so proud and happy for her!

7. Celebrating Jason's parents 30th Wedding anniversary, Jason's grandparent's 60th Wedding anniversary, and my parent's 32nd Wedding Anniversary!

8. Tech beats #1 Texas! We wrecked #1! Texas Tech continued on to be #2 in the nation! GO Raiders!

9. Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Carol of Lights with my family in Lubbock!

10. And embarking on our next big adventure as a married couple of House Hunting! I will keep you updated with details to come! Keep us in your prayers!

What will 2009 bring for us? We've yet to see what God has in store for us!

I was thinking last night of some goals I want to make for myself in 2009...

Spend more time with God
Spend more time with my husband...quality time, and praying with and for him
Spend more time with my family
Keep in touch more with my girlfriends
Be a better teacher and director
Entertain friends and family more...when we get our 1st house!
Keep a cleaner house while I'm working...It's always cleaner when I'm off! :-)
Not rush through life or feel constantly busy so much!

Heavy Heart, Amazing God

Well, I made it through the first week of school again! More on that later...It's been a rough week for many of those that I know.

Tuesday, we got a call that one of the girls on our Varsity Team was taking her dad to the hospital. He is 39 and did not have any prior health problems, but they found him not breathing that morning. They rushed him to the hospital and kept him on life support for much of the day, but finally took him off late in the afternoon. It was her second day of school her senior year, and she lost her father. The team has been amazing about being there for her. We all attended the viewing on Thursday. Please pray for her as she goes through this hard time.

When I left the viewing I got a call from one of the mom's of a girl on my JV team that her grandfather had passed away. She was supposed to see him for the first time in awhile this weekend.

Both girls could use as much support as possible right now, your prayers are greatly appreciated.

Friday night I spoke with one of my best friends who lost her job earlier that day unjustly. She is an amazing woman who has dedicated much of her life the past 7 years to serving children and growing the program, so this is a very painful and frustrating time. Please pray for God to give her peace and surround her in His love as he guides her on a new path.

Saturday morning I received word that the two sons of the head band director were involved in an accident with a drunk driver the night before. One, a freshman in high school was treated and as I understand released yesterday. His older son however, a senior in high school, was care flighted to the hospital and was in ICU in a medically induced come for what they thought would be 72 hours because they believed he had brain hemorrhaging.

I did not know it but the family used to attend the church my parents are now attending. This morning the whole church took time to stop and pray for him. Less than 30 minutes later they received word he had woken up on his own and told his parents he wanted to go home. Praise God!!! It gave me chills when I heard it.

Whenever I hear about situations and accidents like this it truly makes me stop, and think back to our accident. I know the feelings and the fear and pain the family is going through. I am still so eternally grateful for all of the people that prayed for Mandy and my family during that time. I was overwhelmed with the response in prayer that we received in that time. I know that truly made a difference then and once again, we have seen the power of prayer come to life.

From experience I know that the worst isn't over for his son and family in the coming days, weeks, months. and possibly years, so I ask that you please, please continue pray for him. His name is Justin. I will keep you updated on the situation.

So, it has been an emotionally draining week as my heart has hurt for these people. But I know I am where I am supposed to be right now, and even through all of this, and somewhat even more because of it, I am confident in the plan and purpose God has for me now.

Speaking of school, I think I managed pretty well this week. I am floating from classroom to classroom, upstairs to downstairs, from one side of the building to the other each period, and I was anxious about how that would work out last week. I think I have a system now. I have a classroom in a box. Ha ha! You think I am kidding, but I'm totally not. It is teaching me to be more creative and flexible in my teaching.

The varsity drill team had their first football game this past week and their performance was wonderful! They did such a good job, I was so thrilled for them, and excited to be a part of it all. My JV team's first performance is this week...I hope we are ready in time! Also, although this is small compared to my other prayer requests, please pray that the tropical storm that is supposed to arrive in our area on Thursday doesn't make my girls not be able to perform that night. They have worked so hard all summer, I really hope we are able to pull it off, and that the weather cooperates!

It's been a trying week, but I believe through it all that I serve an amazing God who is watching over and caring for each of these situations. Well, that's all for now. Thanks for praying and I will keep you updated. I am working on getting some pictures up soon as well.

Mandy's Graduation!

I wanted to post a few pictures from Mandy's Graduation Party last weekend. I am so happy for her that she is done with school, and proud of her! She has overcome so much! She is truly my hero, and an inspiration of strength, courage, and determination, to me each day! Also, for those of you that are still keeping her in your prayers, they were able to take the fixator off today, and she is pretty much done with surgeries for awhile now, and will be able to slowly move on with her life! I am thankful for this day, and for God's tender love and care that has been and will be continuing to watch over her!

My cousin, best friend and "sister"!

The proud parents with their guns up!

Mandy's Graduation Cake!!!

Decorations for the party!

Jackson and Kaytlyn love Aunt Mandy so much!!!

Sacrifice of our Self

The last two years of my life have been a roller coaster to say the least. They have been filled with some of the greatest joys and sorrows that I have faced in my life. There have been many times of rejoicing and praise, and many others of fear and sorrow. My love for my husband grew so great during this time, and we have shared two of the most special moments in our relationship when Jason asked for my hand in marriage and in our union on our wedding day. I shared many moments with some of my best friends and roommates in college that I will forever treasure. I was able to experience the love of my God, my Bridegroom and have a glimpse of the glory to come as I prepared for our wedding day and relished every second of it as the bride of Christ and of my Bridegroom, Jason, on June 23, 2007...

I also faced one of the biggest internal challenges that I have ever faced. In November of 2007 I was in a car accident with my cousin and best friend on our way home for Thanksgiving. I won't go into great detail about the accident, but in short, due we think to high wind currents, I lost control of the car while passing an eighteen wheeler. My car swerved back and forth several times, then turned to face oncoming traffic, and rolled 3/4 roll into the median of the side road. I was not injured other than bumps and bruises. My cousin however was badly injured on both her left and right legs. They care flighted her to Fort Worth, and she is still now recovering from this accident and trying to move on with her life. That first few days were very touch and go, and I can't describe the shock, horror, and fear that I felt. God provided for my family and Amanda in so many ways answering prayers of many people around us, who I am eternally grateful for.

To say Mandy and I are close would be the understatement of the century. From the time we were babies our parents said we shared every toy, every experience, and were two peas in a pod. I cannot describe my relationship with Mandy other than to say that we have been "sisters" for life, and I do not know of another playmate, friend, or confidant, who I have had the privilege to share my heart with throughout life. This whole thing hit me hard and I struggled with it, and continue to. I did not understand why this happened to us and to her.

I have never in my life had a time when I was so angry and frustrated with God and at the same time, so thankful and in awe of the miracles he was continually giving and providing. I had to go back to Lubbock to finish school, and it was the hardest thing in the world to me to be that far away, from my family and Mandy during this time.

Since then, I have watched my best friend struggle with and overcome insurmountable odds, and I know the only way she is getting through this is with the healing hand of God. It has been and will continue to be a hard journey physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I do not know anyone stronger or braver than her in facing these odds and living what she has been through.

I have and still struggle with many internal battles...Questioning how this could happen, why it would happen, what good could possibly come of this...and on, and on, and on. Satan has been battling for my peace and trust during this time. I still have fear when driving, I have fear when I hear ambulances and helicopters that my loved ones are safe. I have anxiety and worry over Mandy's healing process and wish more than anything that I could do something to help or change things for her.

My dad has been and continues to be a sounding board and rock in this time. He shared with me a verse early on that I took to heart and has carried me through many of the hardest moments.

Philippians 4:6-7.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

We've heard this a lot in our lives but to truly practice it can be a challenge. The revelation has come in the second part of the verse..."the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding".....

We know the verse "All things work together for the good of the kingdom of God" but I couldn't possibly see how this could be good, and to be honest I don't know that I ever will. I have come to terms with the fact that even one day when I am in Heaven God may not answer this question...But He doesn't have to...He is God, He is I AM. I don't have to understand, and I may not ever be warranted to by His understanding. But I must trust Him...

Which leads me to my true struggle since the accident. We all want to trust God that He will take care of us and provide for us and protect us. But I have been run over with the realization that he may provide, care for, and protect me and my friends and family, in a way that I don't necessarily like, agree with, or desire. Though we believe in Him and trust Him, we live in a fallen world and at times He allows things to happen to us that are scary, dangerous, and inspire fear and deep pain.

And the hardest thing I have found is to continue to rejoice in Him during these times. I struggled with pushing Him away in my personal intimate relationship with Him, giving reasons such as time, etc. I have in a sense afraid to put my whole trust in his provision and protection of me.

In the last few weeks and month I have had worship experiences , experiences while driving, watching TV, and during other random times and when God has spoken to me calling me to draw back to Him. I have cherished these moments and my heart is opening to his calling. I miss the intimacy that I desired each day in a continual "conversation" that I would hear and speak to him in my past.

I say all this, because I just finished listening to some one speak of times of testing and suffering in our lives. It is during these times that God becomes real to us in a way that we never imagined. We can choose to run or we can choose to stand with the strength of God. The person I was listening to spoke of Genesis 22. I have heard this story many times, but recent events brought greater light to it. I have known two people whom I went to Tech with in Phi Lamb that have had their families lose precious young baby girls in a sudden short time. I think of my "niece" Katy, who is really my cousin's daughter, and I cannot imagine how I would feel if our family lost her. I cannot imagine more the pain and sorrow that the parents of these children feel. But what I cannot even begin to fathom, is the trust that Abraham placed in God in preparing to give his son up to God. I am in awe of his Trust for God's provision, and wonder if I was faced with the same, would I be able to do it? But the truth is that we are all in God's hands anyways. Our children are ours on loan from God, and we must remember we all all first and foremost His children.

I want that trust. I want that intimacy. I want God's perfect peace that surpasses all understanding of this crazy fallen world. But to have this I must sacrifice my self, my desires and my beliefs for how my life should be, because we really become disappointed and frustrated with God's plan for our life, when it does not fit with ours. If however, we seek God's plan and purpose first, we can build that intimate relationship that establishes that trust and rest in His peace.

In this time that I was listening to some one speak, they closed with a prayer and a reminder that spoke true to my healing heart...

God is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)...and we can be confident of this that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6)

What hope there is in these verses and our Lord Jesus Christ!