Allow me to Introduce Myself and My New Blog

Howdy all and welcome to my new blog! (Hello to the rest of you who may not bleed Maroon or aren't from Texas)

I'll guess begin with a little background.

I'm Darla - this is me.

I was a child of the 60's (well, I was born in the 60's technically!) I was given up for adoption at birth and was adopted 3 weeks later. Much has happened in the years since, but we'll save that for another day - or several!
God has blessed me with a huge heart for people and for a life of service.  I enjoy relationships with individuals of all ages - from the very young to those with the greatest of life's experiences. Spending time with these precious souls oxygenates me almost literally. You will find that I am happiest and at my very best when I get to spend time with and do for others.

By day, I am an elementary school secretary and love my job.  I have the joy of working with some incredible and encouraging people and I get to spend time around some pretty wonderful children as well.  I am on cloud nine when a student peeks in or waves to me in the halls and if a parent drops by with an unexpected Diet Dr. Pepper from Sonic... I am over the moon!! (yup, it's the little things!!) Many days we feel like we are one monkey short of a full circus in the office, but l wouldn't change a minute of it for it keeps my perspective where it should be and provides for a few laughs as well.

On the weekends, you will find me serving in various areas of ministry at my home church.  I am a member of a phenomenal body of Christ followers at Bannockburn Baptist in South Austin. I am so blessed to be a part of the prayer team, the most incredible worship choir EVER (ok, maybe a little prejudiced, but I love being a part of it that much!), and my most treasured moments are serving as "buddy" to many of our special needs children. I also have a heart for missions and have been blessed to have spent a little time (hoping for more) with our Austin homeless ministry and have traveled to our adopted village in Guatemala 3 times in the past year and a half with wonderful teams comprised of people from several Austin-area churches to serve and continually find myself being served and blessed as well.

In my down time (yes, I think I still remember down time - haha!) I enjoy working on all sorts of craft projects and even more so since discovering Pinterest. Music speaks to the depths of my soul and so many songs I listen to speak my heart as well. I enjoy listening and singing - though sadly, not talented enough to perform publicly. (You should see some of my private concerts with a Pledge can as my microphone - Epic, I tell ya!) Books and reading them is another passion of mine. (almost to an addictive level I fear!) I read mostly non-fiction books that educate me or ones that help me with my sweet church buddies, but not opposed to taking time for a People magazine either. (don't judge!)

The bulk of my life story is novel in and of itself and I'll share bits and pieces of it from time to time here.  I've been blessed with enough of life's opportunities, hardships, and celebrations to fill several blogs, but will try to ease you in gently so as not to scare you off!

Moving right along...

I am humbled to have been allowed to love and raise 2 wonderful sons; Cameron and Caleb.

My oldest is Cameron.  He is 21 years old and the father of my first grandchild, Kyleigh, who will already be 1 next month!!! (How can this be when I'm only 29ish myself?!?)  He is one of the sweetest (in a manly sort of way) Daddies I've ever seen and to watch him with his daughter absolutely makes my heart sing! Cameron has one of the most loving and compassionate souls I've ever known and gives some of the best hugs on earth! I am so hopeful for him as he begins a new chapter in his life!!!

 

 

Carly is Cameron's girlfriend and Kyleigh's Mommy. I love watching Kyleigh's whole face light up when Carly walks into the room. She is a very attentive and loving mother and Kyleigh is thriving as a result of such loving parents without a doubt. I enjoy hearing her share her desires to grow in the Lord and so appreciate the opportunities to share with her about the richness of relationship with Him. 



 

Caleb is 18 and just completed his first and, for now, last semester at Texas A&M University. (but once an Aggie, always an Aggie, so I'm not giving up hope of his return!) He is a very deep and insightful young man, and has a computer for a brain I swear.  Don't let that fool you though, as he also has one of the greatest senses of humor I've even known! He cracks me up regularly with ease! Excited to see how he allows God to use these amazing gifts!

So now that we've met "officially", let's transition over to blog stuff...

Over the past few months several friends repeatedly asked me why I didn't have a blog.  My initial responses varied from wondering what I might write about all the way to fearing that no one would even read what I wrote. After much discussion and some nagging gentle prodding, I decided to... ahem... go... "out on a limb" and just do it. (a true test in vulnerability - Author, Brene' Brown would be so proud!) I'm not sure that I have a specific mindset for a blog theme as such, but I've never lacked in the area of opinion nor topics for conversation for that matter, so if you don't like one post fear not, for much like the Texas weather, I may totally change things up with my next post! I also welcome ideas for future posts.

When pondering over a name for my new blog, I sought out the help of some trusted professionals on, where else, but Facebook for advice and suggestions. (isn't that where everyone goes for such things?!?)  I actually received several great ideas.

 – Here are a few of my favorites and why I just couldn't use them even though I loved them  -

“Darla’s Daily Dose” - was afraid someone might over do it with too many "doses" and then blame me for it – or if I get lazy, too few "doses" and then withdrawals - too risky, but thanks, Carmen Minor for this one - love and miss you!!

“Darla’s Dish” - great, but it would be the only dish served since I don’t cook- Chris King, you know this my friend, but nice cover up attempt!

"Peters’ Pontifications" - too much pressure to sound ed-you-kated or something. One day I hope to have a better grasp of syntax to live up to such a moniker!  - Paige Hanks, you are truly an inspiration and a precious friend!

Then came the one from my fellow "Tree" from BBC's Singing Christmas Tree, Christine Rodriguez, "Going out on a Limb" in recognition of our experience as trees in a recent production. (yes, that's me in the suit and I had a blast in my role as tree, but let me just say, "it ain't always easy bein' green!") Thanks to Anna Hanna for this great photo.
 

While not for the reasons referenced previously, the title concept grabbed me and didn't seem to want to let go.  In a scripture reading one morning I pondered over this verse out of Job,  (For there is hope for a tree, When it is cut down, that it will sprout again, And its shoots will not fail. Job 14:7) confession - I read this during a pity party sort of day and Job tends to be my "go to" on such occasions,  and it really spoke to me.  It reminded me that any of us can find ourselves feeling "chopped down" and even looking into the pit from time to time, but what if I choose to have the attitude and resilience of that tree instead of climbing into that pit
? What if I knew that I could and would sprout again??  Even on "those days" we have the hope and assurance because of Jesus Christ that God will see us through it and by mercy and grace will allow us renewal and the ability to start again! I knew this was the direction to go - if for no one else's benefit, but my own daily reminder!

Thanks to all who helped and encouraged me to start this - (I think!) I ask for a little mercy as I learn the ins and outs and dos and don'ts of the blogging world  - suggestions always appreciated and words of encouragement and affirmation will never be turned away.  (Can you guess what my love language is???)

Now let's just pray this isn't a total flop and that someone out there will actually read, comment, and maybe even benefit from it!- (Oops! Just let you hear my insecure voice - unfortunately, she surfaces from time to time, but my goal is to keep it real, so I'll share her with you - just this once.)

I'm excited about this opportunity and I thank you for joining me "Out on a Limb".  dp