My Sister has a Big Kid Job!

It's official, my sister, Marina Dreyer is the new second grade teacher at St. Augustine's Catholic School!!! We all know how hard she's worked to get where she is at and we couldn't be any prouder of her.

For as long as I can remember, Marina has always had a passion and love for teaching. That's why I know she is going to be the BEST, CARING, MOST AMAZING TEACHER that school and those children have ever had. You don't become a teacher for the money. You do it because how much you want to make a difference in a child's life and how much you love to teach and educate. Those little second graders will love her so much and they are lucky to have her.

Not only does she love teaching, but also feels that teaching and introducing kids to Christ at a young age is super important for them. You're never too young to learn about the love of Christ. And who better to teach them then my sister.

I only wish I could've been there tonight for the family celebration dinner they had for her. Texas BBQ, family, and homemade dessert from Mariano our cousin from Argentina. Yep, that's a Dreyer dinner. They did call me so I felt I was apart of it a little :) I can't wait to come home and visit her in her very own, second grade classroom, decorated the way she wants!

CONGRATS MARINA - THIS WORLD IS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE YOU AS A TEACHER, EDUCATOR AND CARING, SWEET, AMAZING PERSON. I LOVE YOU!!

And The Results Are In

Christopher Skiles has won another award in the design world: he placed second at the National Association of Alternative Newsweeklies (AAN) awards for Best Cover Design!!

Click here to see the designs and for more information!

I can't even begin to express how happy and proud I am of the incredible work Chris has been doing here. What I like best about him, among many other things, is that he sets goals for himself and he accomplishes them. That says so much about a mans character and traits. I am proud to call him my future husband. Look out design world.... he's only just begun!

Many congrats to Chris and the whole 'ohana at MauiTime! Super excited to see the Best of Maui 3D issue!

Are You a Good Neighbor?

Yesterday was a great Sunday, and I am so glad I went to church, as I am every Sunday.

I worked all day and I wasn't sure if I wasn't going to be able to go to church because of how late it was. Come 4:45, I'm rushing out already annoyed that I may be late to Church. But I get home change really quickly and get to church in time! And I even have time to pray before which I always love doing. It gives me a sense of calmness and serenity. Not think about anything but be present in that moment and connect with God. It's my time and no one can take that away from me.

I was also able to speak to my sister after Church - which always gives me a sense of calmness too. I'll be honest, I got kind of teary-eyed talking to her because we used to go to church every Sunday: teaching Sunday school then sitting right next to each other. It's sad I'm not able to go to Church with her on Sundays, but I know she's only a phone call away! Chris does go with me every now and then and I appreciate it when he does, because he knows how much it means to me.

But the homily really spoke to me.

It was in regards to The Parable of the God Samaritan Luke 10:25-37

In the parable, a Jewish traveler is beaten, robbed, and left half dead along the road. First a priest and then a Levite come by, but both avoid the man. Finally, a Samaritan comes by. Samaritans and Jews generally despised each other, but the Samaritan helps the injured Jew. Jesus is described as telling the parable in response to a question regarding the identity of the "neighbor" which Leviticus says should be loved.

Are we good neighbors? Do we act neighborly? This was the father's questions to us. It got me thinking to us living here and how relevant this scripture was to our lives. We try to act neighborly every where we are and I think we're pretty good at it. Being here, it's a little hard I have to admit. Because all we have is here each other, not our friends or family. Yes, we have made friends here but it's really not the same. We do know our neighbors, which is a good thing. It just made me smile. I try to live by God's word and this was only another little way of God making sure we all are living this way.

You don't even have to be Catholic to be a good neighbor. It takes love, willingness, patience and comfort. God asks us to love him as well as love our neighbors. If we can't show love to our neighbors then how can we show love to God? It doesn't take a lot to go to your next door neighbor, the person who lives across the street or behind you and just introduce yourself and say hi. A little kindness goes a long way. The Good Samaritan didn't have to stop, but he did it out of the kindness of his heart. There should be more people like that in this world. Don't hesitate, don't wait, go and be neighborly. Even if you have lost touch with someone; if you know someone who is going through a divorce; who has an illness; who has lost someone close to them; let them know you are there if they need anything. They will appreciate it a lot more than you know, and you will feel better doing it :)

I leave you with these thoughts.....

"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."

Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

We Left Our Hearts in......

Everyone knows how much we love living here, but we have been here almost a year, so I thought it would be appropriate to write about the things that we think about (miss) back home:

* Family

* Friends

* Buster

* Our old apartment

* Myriad of Restaurants and food: TEX MEX food; BW3's; Chi-fil-a; What-a-burger

* Dressing up

* Night life (concerts, restaurant and bar openings)

* My car!

* The Galleria

* Shiner Beer

* Thunderstorms

The time has gone by so fast, I still cant believe that's it's been almost year of living here. In less then a year we have accomplished a lot of what we planned; experienced things we would've never been able to do; seen things we would've never been able to see; met new people; learn about a new culture. We have honestly grown so much and this was the best thing we could've done before our marriage; yet we know there is a lot more growing to do. It's been a little hard but God doesn't ever give us things we can't handle. We thank him everyday for giving us the patience and love we have for each other.

I've also learned that people here take where they live for granted. It made me realize I definitely didn't take living in Houston for granted and we don't take living here for granted.

Take time to appreciate where you are, who you're with and what God has planned for you.