Here you all go....we will get more up soon.

So guess what? We got more snow last weekend! I think around 7 inches. We've had winter in Virginia!!

Catch up with you soon.

P&J

Of snow, a sore loser, and a faithful God

Last week Virginia had the biggest snow/ice storm that I can remember. We've had snow here before, but not like this. The storm moved in last Tuesday, and kept us all home on Valentine's Day. There weren't that many inches of snow, but the ice on top of the snow created the yucky aspect of the storm.
Katie, my roomie, and I had parked our cars in our driveway. I started trying to dig them out on Wednesday night, but alas, I didn't get far. On Thursday a group of guys plus a few of us girls took our lunchbreak to go rescue the cars. It took 5 of us about an hour. We used an ax, metal shovels, and a pick-ax! The ice was solid enough that Patrick Henry students went ice skating in the soccer field...wearing ice skates.

I discovered something about myself yesterday. When it comes to chess, I am a sore loser. The dreaded rematch came, and I lost not one, but two games, badly. By the time I lost the second game, I was ticked. I wasn't mad at Peter, but I was so frustrated with myself. I'm still trying to figure out why, but here's the conclusion I've come to: Jeremy and I used to play chess all of the time, and he almost always won. I would get so frustrated losing over and over again. Sigh, this feels like the same situation. Different guy, same situation, same game. Thankfully, Peter and I are still the best of friends, I still think he's the coolest guy ever, and I even told him that I'll play him again...next week!:-)

I've been thinking lately about the amazing God I serve; about the fact that He wants to know us personally, and that He desires a relationship with each of us. Peter and I had the most amazing opportunity to share our faith with a man last night. He's an old friend of my neighbor's and came to visit for the weekend. He is originally from England, but he now lives in the states. We talked about so many aspects of God and the Christian faith, and I find my mind still going over the many things that were shared.
We talked about how Christianity is a relationship with THE God of the universe; not a religion, but a daily walk with Him. In what other religion do you have the god of the particular religion wanting to have fellowship and relationship with mankind? It's truly an amazing thought! Peter and I were so blessed to be a part of the seed-planting in this man's life. There was much more, but I find myself short of time. I will stop for now.

God is amazing, and I feel blessed to know Him.

Have a great day!

Pushing the van out of the ditch in the rain...?

I kinda remember that, but not really. Remind me...was that the time somebody backed out of the driveway into the ditch on the other side of the road? I can remember pushing vehicles out of various, interesting situations, but this particular time is not coming to me.

I remember when Jeremy and I would go out in the driveway and walk through the mud-puddles. We would say something like, "ouch, ouch, ouch!" when we walked on the gravel and then: "ahhhh" when we hit a puddle.

I'm liking memory lane. Heh, I don't think I've told Peter about talking in my sleep, and I'm honestly not sure if I do it anymore. I remember Jeanette telling me, a long time ago, that I asked her in the middle of the night: "Jeanette, how many should I take?" Wonder what I was dreaming about!
I can remember Janessa coming up late to her half-asleep sister. And said half asleep sister would try to talk in a coherent fashion and fail miserably. Janessa still teases me about that.

The time we giggled the night away, dear Janessa decided to dive into her bed. But something random happened, she tripped, and made the craziest entrance to bed on record. I wish I had that on tape...sigh.


My trip to Washington was fun. I'm very glad to be back, (just in time for our first Virginia "winter storm"). Washington was dreary, and so I didn't really see the mountains and such. Ah well.


Catcha later.

J

Getting to know Julie IS amazing, Karen. Books…I already shared a few a couple notes ago, but here are a few more: I like The Brothers Karamazov, Great Expectations, Roughing It, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and Cat’s Cradle. I never have heard of Eden Southworth till now, though, Jane.

I do like some war movies, Joanna, such as Saving Private Ryan or Blackhawk down. My family quotes Sergeant York a lot. We are really into the old classics too, and Julie is introducing me to a few musicals that we had overlooked.

Most of the cooking around here is done by my mom, Joanne, or my sister Elizabeth. I do cook, but usually for myself, and usually grilling or stir-frying something with onions and peppers. Pretty much anything works with onions and peppers. I like to bake cookies :)

Cally Jane:

1. Not really. The only time I ever tried it, the texture was really strange.

2. Peter Michael LaRock.

3. One of my favorite quotes is when Hobbes from Calvin and Hobbes says “We tigers like our food surprised and running.”

4. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15

5. Julie told me about the Hellmann’s vs. Miracle Whip thing, and I think I lean towards Hellmann’s; Miracle Whip is kinda sweet, which seems weird for mayonnaise for some reason.

6. Nope. Never even been to Missouri.

7. No, whenever I find myself in the neighborhood, he’s busy.

8. I like hiking and biking, reading, and playing silly games with my friends, like Capitalism or Monopoly, or Nerts. Julie got me started on Nerts.

9. Probably Amazing Grace, even if it is everyone else’s favorite hymn too.

10. Favorite song(s)… my favorite praise song would likely be All in All, and secular, maybe…Eva Cassidy’s version of Fields of Gold. I have tons of favorite songs.

What do the rest of you miss about Julie the most?

Hiyah!

Hi, fans of Julie!

So for my first addition to Julie 'n Pete, how about this: instead of just trying to guess if there is anything you guys would like to know about me, why don't you ask me some questions, and I will try to answer them. Also, how about you tell me something or things that you only find out about Julie by being her family. Not really embarrassing or personal things, but the nicer the better.
- Peter LaRock

Chess champ:-)

Peter and I have this weekly ritual. After Bible study on Sunday afternoons, we play chess. For weeks now, Peter has won every time we play. I'll come close, but I can never claim a win. I am rather competative, and it's become quite painful to lose week after week.
Well, yesterday, I had a grand victory. I won, and I won fair and square. I even finished out the game with not one, but two queens!

I know that I am now in a bit of trouble because it so happens that Peter it also competative.

Let the chess wars begin!

I did cheer for the Bears last night. I was very happy for the Colts, but sad that my home-state couldn't relish the victory. Plus, in all honesty, I think the Bears had the better uniforms. They had three cool colors, while the Colts only had 2. The Bears also ruled the first quarter:-) ah, well.

And the Bible study mentioned above is one that Peter and I attend on Sunday afternoons. It's hosted by my neighbors. We just completed a study on Angels, Demons, and Satan. I did learn a lot, most importantly, I learned that Demons are bad, haha. Inside joke. Ask my mom if you want the details. Now we are onto a study of Mankind.

Hope you all have a great day. I know I will...my chess victory will bring me much joy this week!