Free Rice

A friend reminded me of this cool site today. Check this out if you haven't already.

http://www.freerice.com/

I think we can all agree that there are people in the world less fortunate than we are. I don't know about you, but I've never truly starved. I've never gone without. In 2000, I spent two weeks in Santa Lucia, Guatemala teaching children English. To this day I'm still impacted. I saw children without proper access to medical care. I saw women sweep the dirt floors of their small metal huts. I smelled the raw waste of a village without proper sewage.

Although I've seen poverty with my own eyes, I tend to overlook it here in my own community at times... or most of the time. I don't realize if I head north from my office building and cross the railroad tracks, there are families who can't afford to manage their health. They can't afford the repairs or utilities on their homes. And their clothes are someone else's hand-me-downs.

If you think about it, there's no one else who loves us quite like ourselves. Really, think about it! If you're cold, you're grabbing a sweater. If you're thirsty, you're going to get a drink. If you cut your finger, where does it go? In your mouth! We take such wonderful care of ourselves without hesitation. And there's nothing wrong with that whatsoever. Please do take care of yourself! This illustration just magnifies Jesus' command to love others as we love ourselves.

I care for myself so intuitively, yet I easily turn a blind eye to the folks across the railroad tracks. As I'm inspired to reach out and love on the people around me that are in need, I hope you'll be inspired, as well. There are great places to get involved in reaching out to your community. Find them! You can do so in many ways, whether physically or financially. You'll find that in doing so, you're utterly fulfilled.

Here are pictures from Chris' recent trip to Florianopolis, Brazil. While this may be one of the most wealthiest parts of the country, the village Chris' team ministered to is considered to be a 3rd world slum and is ignored by the people in surrounding cities. The scenario hits close to home for me. (The children there are beautiful! Chris tried to bring a few home.)

My Dad Can Beat Up Your Dad!

It's common knowledge that my Dad gets cooler by the day. But in case you didn't know, last weekend he completed a 40 mile bike race. My dad. The biker. I'm so proud. :)

Glow-In-The-Dark Paint and Other Thoughts

Many of you know that Chris and I are in ministry. I thought you might like to see some of our college students. These girls are the handful that I spend time with every week. I think I learn more from them about God and life than I could possibly teach them.

One of the things we encourage in our students is to be real and honest with themselves, others and God, and these girls get it! When we're humble enough to be honest with ourselves, we no longer feel the need to hide behind facades. When we feel confident to be ourselves, we can be honest with others and experience strong, healthy relationships with the people around us. And when we're real with God about what we're thinking or how we're feeling, we experience an intimate relationship with the Lord.

If you ever get the chance, read any Psalm and you'll read how real King David was. Considered to be a man after God's own heart, David held nothing back as he asked big questions regarding his circumstances. He would make his despair known to God and unabashedly wonder aloud what the Lord's motive was. But at the end of every Psalm, David would recall how God had never failed him even in the darkest of times. His despair would turn into amazement of how good his Lord was. Being real with God, who knows exactly how we feel anyway, changed David's perspective on life and created a more intimate relationship between them.

During the school year, I meet with these girls once a week and we talk about life. I am priveleged to watch this awesome process work within them as they become real with themselves, others and God. Futhermore, they encourage it in me, as well.

I hope you're experiencing fulfilling and meaningful relationships. I believe it's the most important pursuit in life.

Love.
Randi

P.S. We all look like we're ready for war in this picture because we were playing glow-in-the-dark ultimate frisbee. We painted ourselves with glow-in-the-dark paint, wore the cool lighted necklaces and had one of the coolest nights playing Ultimate.

Creature of Habit

I don't know if you're like me, but I tend to be set in my ways. Most days for lunch, I like to enjoy a microwaveable bowl of Campbell's Select Mexican Style Chicken Tortilla Soup with cheddar goldfish.

I like to think the fish swim. Look carefully. Some of them have smiley faces. Has anyone else thought that it's a little bizarre that they're happy despite the fact that they're about to be eaten?

This week I've been inspired to make the most of my situations. Rather than complain about my circumstances, thus bringing others down, I can be appreciative and humble and simply make the best of things I cannot change. Like my smiley fish. He could be really down about his circumstances, you know, being eaten and all. But I like to think he's just happy to be drinking in my delicious soup.

As I'm inspired by the little things in life to be joyful, I hope you'll be inspired to have joy, too.

Love.

Randi

Cornbread!!

So our computer has this cool feature that allows you to take pictures and record videos with different effects. Well, Chris made a little video. Enjoy my funny husband. :) I'm glad he's not a trucker.

Happy Father's Day

Terry Teague is one of the greatest men I know. He is genuine and tenderhearted. Dad is wise and very practical. He's a hard-worker who has sacrificed to provide for his family. And you should know that if he ever picks on you, it's just his way of showing you he loves you tremendously. Among the many lessons he taught me and my sister, he raised us to love deeply, be respectful, think for ourselves and to set goals.

Dad was out-numbered with three women in the household, and he managed to survive. (But we should pause for a moment of silence and pay homage to his lost hair.) Thankfully, Dad now has two sons to help bring hormonal balance to the Teague family.

I'm very blessed to have a wonderful Father. My Dad's love reminds me of how much God, my heavenly Father, loves me. I love you, Dad!

Jim Freeman is one of the other greatest men I know. Though he is not my natural father, I love and respect my father-in-law more than I can express. When I married his son over four years ago, I didn't quite know what to make of Jim. He seemed so serious and stern. But as I've gotten to know him better through the years, I realize that Chris inherits much of his humor, love for made up languages and strict adherence to schedules from his father. Jim is respected by many and is a great example of what a father should be. I couldn't be more blessed to have him for a father-in-law.

Happy Father's Day!

Music Therapy

Research shows that music has the greatest ability to stimulate the brain more than anything else the body can sense, which is why many hospitals use music therapy on brain trauma patients to help them recover.

You don't have to suffer a massive head injury, though, to experience the therapy that a good song can bring. Any one song has the power to conjure up feelings and experiences from your past, all of which shaped you into the person you are today. It can remind you of when you overcame a dark period in life. It can flash you back to one of your happiest times. And I think it's important we always remember where we've come from and understand how blessed we truly are.

For me, anytime I hear Johnny Cash, I recollect waking up to the smell of coffee at 6:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning at MeeMaw and PawPaw's house, who happen to be two heroes of mine.

I become giddy when I hear The Beatles "Twist and Shout". I remember being six-years-old and dancing like a maniac with my mom, dad and Gina in the living room on 22o Ivy Street. Like my parents did, I plan to teach my kids the valuable lesson that sometimes life just calls for a little bun-shaking.

Boyz II Men reminds me of middle school awkwardness and makes me grateful that my braces are gone and no one can ever ground me again.

My heart sinks a little when I hear the first few lines of "1979" by Smashing Pumpkins as I recall a dark time in high school when I felt more alone than I can describe. But by the end of the song, as Billy Corrigan sings louder and the tempo increases and the guitars drive harder and the drums roll faster, I'm reminded of a few new friends who loved me unconditionally and walked with me as I found meaning for my life.

And every time I hear U2's Bono sing "Where The Streets Have No Name", I'm reminded that I am a totally different person than I used to be, that I have so much to live and die for, and that God loves me tremendously.

Anything by Nickel Creek takes me back to when Chris and I started dating. I recall how we wore out every single one of their CDs as we listened to them everywhere we drove. Twice we've given each other concert tickets as birthday presents. We even played one of their songs at our wedding. And it was a bittersweet day as Chris and I attended their last concert last November.

When you think about it, it's amazing how different songs can conjure up old memories. It's good to remember where we've come from and the events that have shaped us. When our mind's eye is fixed on the many ways we've been blessed, it radically impacts the way we go through life.

As I'm challenged to remember where I've come from and where I'm going in life, I challenge you likewise. Maybe start by popping in an old CD. For some of you, turn the dial on your new iPod. And others may need to revert back to the old, what do you call them, record players? After all, couldn't we all use a little music therapy?

Love.

Randi

My Love

Chris and I married four years, five months and five days ago. There is a lot of love and tons of laughter in our household. For the last three years or so, I've worked in hospital marketing and public relations, and he has served on staff at our church as the college pastor. While we stay incredibly busy, we work hard to protect our marriage by carving time out of the week to spend quality time together.

I adore my husband. He's kind and funny and easy on the eyes. Chris is an extraordinary musician -- the kind that can pick up any instrument and learn it in a snap. The kind that makes you sick! And it only makes sense that he should marry a girl that loves music. Any chance we get, we try to get out and hear live music. We're also big movie people. Netflix has revolutionized our lives by giving us access to a lot of the independent movies that never made it to our theaters. And we're like big kids by the very fact we like to play outside as much as possible. In fact, we have the opportunity to spend a week in Colorado this summer, and we're looking forward to it so much. There's no one in the world that I would have more fun with than Chris.

In our four years of marriage, the two of us have gone through a lot and made quite a few tough decisions, all of which has grown us closer together. One of our favorite books, Ephesians, describes how husbands need his wife's respect and how wives need her husband to cherish her. Above all else, heeding these words of wisdom, prayer and loving each other unconditionally as God does is what keeps our marriage healthy, especially when we're faced with challenging times. I'm glad Chris and I found each other. I couldn't imagine going through life without him.

My New Brother

Family and Friends - meet Colin Fambrough.

He and my sister Gina went on their first date and then married in a matter of mere months. And I tell him often that while I've never approved of any man to be worthy to marry my sister, I feel as if I've hit the brother-in-law jackpot with Colin. For those of you who have never had the chance to meet him, I want to take a moment to tell you a little about Colin. First off, you should know he absolutely adores Gina. Colin is a leader, he has integrity and he just makes you laugh. While he's famous for his NASCAR tire-changing skills, you would be even more impressed with his warmth and consideration for people. Chris and I have known Colin for years. And though I would have never guessed that he would end up in my family, I couldn't be more amazed! We're blessed to have you, Colin!

My First Blog

As life goes on, we grow up, move on and away, and I find it to be more important than ever to preserve and reconnect relationships. I've said for a while that I would start a blog but have put it off for, oh say, a year. There's just a lot of pressure when it comes to blogging! What will I write? Who would read it? Will my words matter or float off into the oblivion that is Cyberspace?

Well, no matter. Here it goes -- my attempt to stay connected through my first blog. I hope to keep you posted on what's happening in the Freeman household and share with you what I learn through life's journey. I firmly believe that we were never intended to go through life alone. So I look forward to experiencing it all with you. Bookmark my page, friends!

Love.

Randi

P.S. Chris is giddy as I blog. He won't even read my draft until it's posted. I like my husband. He's my biggest fan, and I must say - it's mutual. :)