Hotel Zaza

I hopped in my husband’s car, anxious to know where he was taking me. We’d just gulped down our iced green teas and pita with humus from Tempest Tea, my favorite tea shop in uptown Dallas. “We have to go, your appointment’s at 7:00,” he said.

We arrived at the entrance. “Go to level two and I’ll see you in an hour,” he said. A concierge greeted me and rode with me to the second level. This was it. This was Hotel Zaza– the exquisite luxury, boutique-like hotel in Dallas. I strutted my way down the never ending hallway- assuming I was in the right direction. At last, a sign for Zaza Spa was in the distance. All my troubles seemed to fade.

Before I knew it, hot stones were infiltrating my back. So much pressure released. My burdens disappeared and I smiled for the 24 years that had just passed. Thankful for the tiny joys in life. And most of all, grateful for the moments my heavenly Father gives each new day.

Especially from my husband.

Teen Multimedia Program Set for October Debut

At Just Say YES, we are launching a new, three-screen multimedia show for teens that will impact schools and communities nationwide. Lake Highlands People newspaper in Dallas wrote an article about it today: “Local Group Advocates Abstinence in Nation’s School.”

From the scenes I have viewed recently, I am amazed at the quality, creativity, and relevance it potrays. Author and speaker, Justin Lookadoo, is a hit. Producer, Stephen Vidano and writers, Alan and Melissa Cox with Cox Creative, Inc. have gone to extreme heights. Nothing like this is currently on the market for relationship education. We are so thankful for this project.

Greek to Me

Known as the Harvard of seminaries, Dallas Theological Seminary, is what beckoned my husband and I across the country from the East Coast. We are thoroughly enjoying our time here in Dallas. There are many distractions here. It is like a concrete playground here… with endless miles of traffic, more concrete, tons of shopping, and extremely sweet people. Any and everything is within one’s reach. Most of all, we have the gift of being in community with some incredible people.

We are in our third week of seminary. My husband focuses all his hours on Greek it seems like. He sings songs in Greek along with this lady on his tutorial C.D. They sing together: “Oh come all ye pistas (faithful), joyful and triumphant.” I try not to get jealous. At least these hymns help him learn his words. I’ve enjoyed learning the Greek alphabet as well. It’s my story-time before bed each night. In the midst of these seminary days, I love watching my husband learn and grow. He is being stretched in uncomfortable ways so that means I am too. His goal is to be able to read the Bible in Greek (and Hebrew) one day in its entirety.

But I definitely know that hard days are ahead. Seminary isn’t easy on a marriage. It’s a juggling act between marriage, work, keeping in shape, quiet times, friends, church, ministry, family, date nights, and more. My strength in this season of seminary is the Lord. He is the Alpha and Omega (yes, that’s Greek too) and will carry us through to the end even if I’m kicking and screaming!

Welcome

Welcome to my site. I am so glad you came by. With the encouragement from various authors and editors at the North Texas Christian Writer’s Conference (James Watkins and Christopher Masseli), I’ve decided to create this little space, out of the thousands out there, for you to stop by once in a while. My posts will most likely be random, as a reflection of who I am. They might consist of various issues for teens, news events, tiny little joys in life, and anything else unrelated to that. Your comments and ideas are very much welcomed.

Because of His love and for His glory,

Samantha