Long Time....

Well, the last few months have been crazy at Custead Estates.

After June, when we went on our cruise, we were rudely welcomed back to reality with a busted hot water heater and a broken AC. We were spared some because our hot water heater is in the garage and both were covered on our home warranty.

In July I went on a mission trip with the student ministry, we finally got a new youth pastor at the beginning of August and then Super Week, school starts, and a vacation to Pennsylvania, all back to back. August was crazy!

September rolled around and Hurricane Ike rolled through Houston. Scott's job was crazy as you would expect due to insurance claims. And I worked 6 days in a row without coming home, because the family I work for owns MUD districts(water plants), and they were VERY busy trying to maintenence the water plants and make sure people were still getting water and that it was good water. We were out power 6 days, and lost a fence. God blessed us with very minimal damage. But we can't say the same for our neighbors, or other family members.
October came around and we took a much needed camping trip with our friends the Chapels. Nothing like a vacation after devastation and chaos. We relaxed and had lots of fun on the Guadalupe River.
Since then, things have been slowing down a little bit. We got a new computer in the midst of all the craziness the was September, and that explains the lack of blogging the last 4 or 5 months.

SOOOOO, now that the Custeads are back on the map, feel free to check out our page a little more often and don't forget the rest of our pictures on flickr.

Cruising to Alaska

June 14th we left for a cruise to Alaska! Seven days of God's beautiful creation, and luxury living. My Granny booked us on this cruise, and I don't think you could ever beat this vacation. It was so awesome! There is no way that I could tell you everything about it our trip in one blog, so what I will do is hit some highlights and entice you to check out the rest on our "flickr" page. See link to the right a little lower on page. Click on the pictures and then click on the words "sgcustead's photostream" to view most of the pictures from the whole vacation.


Alaska, the last frontier, amazing. There aren't words to describe the beauty. We saw whales, sea lions, glaciers, salmon, bald eagles, and lots of beautiful surroundings.

This should be enough to wet your appetite. There are more pictures and more details on the flickr page. Check out the whole story there. Hear about whales breaching, cruise ships cutting through ice, glaciers, ATV's, BINGO, and a whole lot more. What are you still doing here, go, go, go check out the rest of the pictures.

Camp Barnabas Texas

Three weeks ago, June 7-12th, I had an opportunity to work at Camp Barnabas. Camp Barnabas is a camp specifically for kids with special needs. They come to camp and have counselors who work with them one on one. I was a counselor for a girl named Nicole.
Nicole had CP, Cerebral Palsy. In the picture above Nicole and I are going on a hayride. The campers are split into cabins, just like any other camp, with counselors and cabin leaders. Our cabin had 4 teenage girls, all with different disabilities and different levels of functioning. From left to right: bottom row, Nicole, Lindsay, Heather, top row, me, Lindsay's counselor, Kelly a jr. counselor, Catherine a counselor for Heather, Joni and her counselor Stephanie.

During the week, as a cabin we get to experience many different activities. Fishing, Archery, Canoeing, Sensory(playing with play-doh, shaving cream, etc.), swimming, Arts and Crafts, Horseback Riding, and many other things.


That's Josh, the boy I watch, riding a horse! They also have fun events every night for the campers. A dance, a carnival, a scavenger hunt, Messy Games and worship. The first night we had a carnival, including a hayride where Nicole and I took the first picture. Nicole was great. She kept me laughing, thinking and definetly on my toes. She laughed at me quite a bit too.

Especially during messy games when she put cool whip all over my face. Also added to my lovely outfit that night was oatmeal, chocolate syrup, strawberry syrup, smashed cheetos, soggy marshmallows, and dirt! Really hilarious?! Camp Barnabas was a blast! A great opportunity to serve and be blessed. And to see some teenagers from our church be stretched out of their comfort zones, but continue to give 100% while being Christ to their camper! I can't wait until next year!

weight lifting!

While Scott and I were dating, I started growing my hair out so that I could put it up nicely for our wedding. Then, a little over 6 years ago, my hair was at my shoulders. I kept growing it, not sure why, after we got married. After a couple years it got to be really long, and I got tired of it. I cut it and donated it to locks of love. That was two and a half years ago. Since then, my hair has grown back. And become just as long as before.
After lots of growing, hours of shampooing, and an even longer amount of time blow drying, I decided that I was going to donate my hair again. After all it is really hot here in Texas, already! So this morning, it happened. After a couple months of saying that I was going to do it, I finally did it. I finally cut 12 inches off my hair.

I don't think my hair has been this short since elementary school. It was short last time it was donated but not this short. Most likely because I got it styled after we chopped it off.
Here's to having a ton of weight lifted, freedom, and not having to spend 30 minutes blow drying my hair everyday this summer.

Peace

I have to sleep with a fan on at night. I can't handle the silence when I am trying to sleep. My ears pick up on everything in the room from the clock ticking to Ginger breathing. The white noise of the fan drowns out the sounds and helps me to fall asleep without distraction. But Ginger still breathes and the clock still ticks. I just can't hear them.

What if hearing from God wasn't some sort of miracle for those few spiritual people atuned to His voice? Might He be heard clearly by everyone at all times like the clock ticks and Ginger breathes, but at some point we chose to turn on some noise to drowned Him out?

To those who don't believe, God is speaking to them, asking them only to follow. Unfortunately, most don't hear the calling for whatever noisy reason.

To those who believe, God is speaking to them, explaining to them His purpose. Unfortunately, most don't hear His plan for whatever noisy reason.

To those who are quiet, God is speaking to them and He is being heard. How could He not be heard? He is.

Shhhh ---Scott

SURPRISE!!!

We planned and successfully accomplished a surprise 50th birthday party for my parents this weekend. Thanks to lots of help from my family and a few friends, we pulled it off. Mom and Dad were so shocked!

Oprah

A friend of Scott and I had recently found the blog below on one of her friends blogs. I am not, nor have I ever been an Oprah fan, but I know a lot of people are. When I read this, I was alarmed. As Christians we know the prophesies of "end times" and how they are most likely not far from us. But as I read this and watched the video I couldn't help but think about those who aren't Christians. They are so easily being led astray by powerful, influential people just like Oprah. Please, know that Oprah is wrong in some of her beliefs and that the only way to get to Heaven is believing in Jesus Christ. Jesus gave his life for yours. You don't have to do anything. It's not about how good you are in life, or the great things you do here on earth. It's about believing that Jesus died for your sins on the cross, that we as humans are imperfect and that we needed Him to die to be our Savior. If you admit that you fall short of perfection, and need Jesus to help you through life, then you pray to Jesus and ask Him to save you. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and be the Lord of your life. Read this blog and watch the video at the end.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

No, I'm not saying goodbye to blogging, nor am I dying of an incurable disease (not that I know about!). I'm saying goodbye to Oprah. Sound weird? Well, her recent political ties only hurt my opinion of her, but recently she's been focusing tons of her time on the new book "A New Earth". Not only is she pushing the book, but she's doing e-classes on it with the books author, Eckhart Tolle.
I see this as one of the biggest dangers in our society today, especially with women who think of Oprah as someone who can do no wrong.I think it's about time for Christians to stop turning a deaf ear to what Oprah says. I think it's time to turn off the TV. I'm not saying ALL TV (although I'm sure that's a good idea). I'm mainly talking about the Oprah show itself, but even Oprah's Big Give. I have a feeling that Christian stay at home moms make up over 50% of her viewing audience. If we would stand up for what we believe in we would have a HUGE impact on her market. We ARE her market

It could happen . . .

Finally, yesterday afternoon arrived not a minute to soon. We bounded out of the house, literally screaming on the inside from excitement. Reaching downtown Houston, we frantically tried to find a parking lot. Nervous and jumpy, we couldn't wait to get to the front doors of the stadium. With Scott dragging behind me, I practically ran to the doors. Tickets in hand, quickly I flashed them to the attendant at the door and with a deep breath stepped inside the beloved Minute Maid Park. At last, the moment I waited for for over 24 hours. Home Opener. The 43,000 plus buzzed in wonderment of a new season, and a new, fresh chance to make it to the play-offs. The atmosphere was amazing. Much better than any regular season game. I have been to my share of Astros games, but this my friend was 10x better. Maybe even more than 10! I was like a child in a candy store, or better yet, Christmas morning. Yes, like Christmas morning. Having to wait paitently for a time that you know will provide fabulous amounts of emotion. The closer and closer you get to the moment, the more antsy you get on the inside. It's almost like your insides are jumping. When reaching the much awaited moment, your emotions just go crazy. Then the home team plays their hearts out. Not a lot of drama until the top of the ninth inning when you think they just might lose the game. Then in the bottom of the ninth, a 2 run walk-off homer to send the crowd into an uproar. It doesn't get much better than that. A win for the home opener is great, but a walk-off home run . . . wow, sweet action! So continue the good work 'stros, and we will see you in October!

Go ASTROS!

I am so excited! Never in my life have i been to a season opener, or home opener. This afternoon, Scott and I are going to the Astros home opener at Minute Maid Park. Woohoo!

Thank you to some people from our church,(who i would like to think love me) who offered me their two extra tickets yesterday. I was so excited, i said "heck yes" without even thinking. Good thing Scott and I both have great bosses that let us off. I was giddy most of the day sunday, and I am stoked today. I can't wait to don my shorts and bright orange astros shirt(old school colors), grab my glove and head to the ballpark. This day can't go fast enough. I doesn't get much better than the beginning of baseball season. Grant it, we are 2-5 at this point, but I am a die-hard. I love my 'stros whether they are winning or losing. And right now it doesn't matter so much as long as we are in it come October.

duh duh duh duh, duh duh duh duh, duh duh duh duh, dunna dun na na na . . . . . Charge!

Camping

Well, I'll tell ya! There is nothing more relaxing in this world than going camping by the rivers in the hill country of Texas. This past weekend, Ginger and I enjoyed a quiet getaway with our friends Chris and Susan to a camp site near New Braunfels, TX. The water was really cold, so we didn't do any tubing like we had planned, however just being outside in the nice weather was good enough for me. On Thursday night we went to the River Walk in San Antonio to eat some Mexican. We walked out of one of the restaraunts because it was horrible, unfortunately the next restaraunt wasn't much better to say the least. But we made the best of the night. Friday we went to Gruene, TX and shopped some. There is a bar there that is in some movies like "Michael." I thought that was cool. Chris and I shared a Ruban Sandwich... it was tasty.
That night some drunk college kids kept us up all night cussing and partying. I was going to run them over in my Ford Explorer the next morning, but Ginger advised me that that was not a Christian thing to do.
Saturday, Chris and Susan left. Ginger and I traveled to Luekenback, TX and then to Fredericksberg, TX. Luekenback, home to Willie and Waylon and the boys, was a small, small town. We passed it twice before actually realizing we were there. The only thing good about the town is that I can say I've been there.
After that we went over to Fredericksburg to visit the craft stores. That was fun for about 10 minutes, but, like a good husband, I acted like I enjoyed looking at southern crafts.
On Sunday we headed back to Houston, back to our jobs, back to normal life. But I will never forget those good ole' days camping in Texas. --Scott

Ahhh . . .teenagers!

This is just a little peek into the craziness of our life, that is teenagers!


We had a high school girls retreat a few weekends ago, call ed SET APART! I was blessed to hang out with these senoritas and partake in some of their wisdom. These girls really are amazing! And a whole lot better than any girls you have in your youth group.

Ketchup!

Wow, things have been really crazy since Dec. 1st. To catch everyone up on the custead happenings, I will try to quickly hit the high points of the last month and a half.

Dec. 6th we got to go on a Cruise to Cozumel! Scott's boss rewarded him for a great year with a free cruise. Oh, yeah . . . I got to go too! This was the first cruise either of us had been on. It was fantastic. We ate a ton! went Rock Climbing and Scube diving in Cozumel. And best of all relaxed!
Dec. 22nd Kathy came down for Christmas! Scott's mom got the chance to come visit us and see the house for the first time. It was great. She got to stay for 10 days.

New Years Eve -- our youth participated in the Ball Drop Bash(a new years eve party between several churches in the area). Since Scott and I work with the youth band we were especially excited. The Youth Praise Band got to play as part of the concert that night. They were the best band of the evening and sounded great!

Push Ups

In a country where we expect things to happen 'now' instead of waiting patiently, I am often discouraged if I don't see personal change over night. Being somewhat on the heavy side, I look in the mirror and remember the days when I was in a great physical shape. I remember being able to run three miles and not be out of breath. I remember not getting tired walking up stairs. But aside from expensive surgery, getting back in shape is something that is going to take me awhile to regain.

Then I started to think rationally. If I just lose one pound a month, I would be 12 pounds lighter by next January. If I did the unthinkable and lost two pounds a month, I would be a remarkable 24 pounds less by next January. Most weight gimmicks promise losing 10 pounds in a month. That aint going to happen here boys and girls.

So therefore, I have decided that in my life, I am going to stop trying to eat the whole elephant at once and start taking one bite at a time. I decided eight days ago to start doing pushups. I could hardly do 20. And they weren't pretty! I was discouraged because I used to be able to do a lot. But keeping with my 'one bite at a time' scheme, I decided to just add 1 push up a day. Last night I did 28 pushups! Look out Arnold! Also, I started running. When I run, I don't get discouraged if I have to walk or stop and rest or fall on the ground and puke; I just think to myself, 'at least I'm exercising.' It will pay off.

Anyhow, imagine if we did the same thing with reading or devotional time or praying. If I spent 5 minutes in scripture every day (which sounds pathetic on the Christian scale) I would ready 30 hours a year. That's like over a day! Sounds dumb, but I bet that is more than many of us read or pray every year outside of church and Sunday school. Imagine if we worked on one struggle of our life a year. There are only so many sins that we deal with. In time we could be almost perfect :). In 10 year we could have bettered ourselves in 10 different ways.

Will you mosey through life with me?