The Bandwagon...well, I am on it

...yes it is true. I have become a serious Francine Rivers addict. I am officially like a few years behind on every "trendy" thing there is...well, it took me long enough to pick up a Francine Rivers book, and let me tell you I can not put them down! It is almost like Christian "cliche" to love her books, but I am no poser-this is the real deal! If you haven't read them-read them...and if you have read them-well, start praying she writes some more. I started of course with Redeeming Love, moved quickly to The Atonement Child, next it was The Scarlet Thread, then followed by Leota's Garden...I just couldn't put them down. Well, I knew my grandma would love them too, so we started sharing the books-like our own little Grandma and Emily book club. I have loved sharing these books with her! For my birthday, way back in November, and for Christmas, my Grandma and Poppa gave me the first two books in the Mark of the Lion Series, A Voice In the Wind and An Echo in the Darkness. Well, since I am a big nerd-school was taking over my life, and it was everything I could do to stay focused on my school assignments and leave good old Francine alone. I was so pumped when I finished my wintermester class, and you know what I did right after finishing a reading/writing intensive course-I picked up the Mark of the Lion Series. Okay, I took out these two books in no time! I stayed up till 2 and 3 in the morning to find out what would happen...

These books have greatly impacted my life! She is such a gifted writer-and her purpose for these books is to share her faith and the faith of so many through amazing stories! I can't wait to start the final book in the series, and then read the rest of Rivers' collection! I encourage you to all read these books-I am sure most of you have-reading these books is a great pleasurable activity that also stirs your faith and keeps your mind on GOD! I can honestly say these books have challenged me in my walk. so yes, my name is Emily and I am a Francine Rivers addict! I still gotta a lot more Rivers to read, too!

Well, on another nerdy note...school started up again! My last semester, I think, if I survive...why do I do this to myself? I am in a women and family policy class, social work in schools class, psychodynamics (who takes a class, when the name of the class is over your head?!?!), my integrative seminar(like a thesis paper), and my Aledo internship. It is good to be back in Aledo! This semester should be interesting, but I will be glad when it is all said and done!...

...then I can just read some good Christian Fiction compliments of Francine Rivers, oh yeah and get a job...

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Tomorrow may be Friday the 13th, but it also happens to be my dad's BIRTHDAY! Roy Tyndall is the best dad I know, and he deserves the best birthday. Have you ever seen the movie Big Fish? Well, that guy-with all the adventures-that reminds me of my dad...except my dad keeps a lot more to himself. Partly, because we don't give him too many opportunities to talk-he is in a family of loud mouths...well, DAD I hope you have a great day tomorrow and I am so often amazed by the life you have led, the man you are, and the great example and impact you made on all of us as our dad...thanks dad....and now, as one of the family loud mouths I will tell you about my dad:

My dad is a....
*I-HOP lovin'

*hard-workin'
* father of five
*referee substitute from the stands
*Vietnam Veteran

*Carolina Boy
*text twist king
*grandpa of five precious boys

*polo wearing after-shave man
*retired guy...still working
*joke telling funny man
*exUNC cheerleader
*leader to the family
*sacrificial man
*army helicopter pilot

*hamburger lovin'

*I only need two pairs of shoes kinda guy
*senior citizen
*dog whisperer (we think...)
*generous man
*heart-attack survivor
*constant encouragement and coach
*God-fearing man
*Verizon/GTE retired salesman
*uncle to so many that love him
*lefty
*missionary to all around
*defensive driver to the max
*fishin' fool
*devoted and supportive husband
*cheering fan
*conservative democrat?
*guy that can be cute and grumpy at the same time
*man of faith
*coke drinker
*dad that doesn't get the recognition he always should
***YEAR OLDER...you can just guess his age, ok?

This list is random, silly, and does not do my dad justice. He has been through so many hard times and good times- and my dad has not only pushed through them all but been an amazing example to others...my dad is the kind of dad that turns a girl like me into a daddy's girl! Well, dad, Happy Birthday. We'll have some coke, peanut m&ms, and play a game of around the world for old times sake, and then we can go on a drive to I-HOP and I won't even get my Emily attitude when you tell me all the driving mistakes I made on the way!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD...and dad quit being too cool-get a blog-everyone's doing it, pops!

(classic pictures of dad and mom in some classic 70s threads, dad as a brave soldier(looks like Brad), and dad and us on the Carolina beaches...oh, tine I wish we still looked that good in a bikini...)

...bring May Flowers

Lately, my thoughts have been overwhelmed with wondering about what is next in my life...we have all been guilty of this sense of urgency to know our life plan and this fairy tale hope of somehow seeing into the future. I experienced all of these same feelings last year about this time, as I was beginning my last semester at ACU. I can remember the "what will I do in May, ahhh...thoughts"?!? Well, May came and everything was fine-more than fine-but I didn't know any of that in January. I had few, if any, plans of graduate school in January 2005-and a year later I have almost completed graduate school.

As I begin my final semester of grad school, the same thoughts are once again bombarding me. I find myself with all of these seemingly lofty life plans for the future...oh you want to know some of my thoughts? Well, a cruise would be nice (short-term plan ofcourse), moving far far away (which is odd, because I am a crazy home body-but I think I need to live on my own a little), doing mission work (well, that could be anywhere-anywhere is a mission field), finally getting my social work license (ewww...a test...), cutting off my long hair (not really a life altering plan, but not a thought you can just ignore, either), getting a job (you know, networking, applying, interviewing...nervousing!) okay...okay...boring list-but enough to make my thoughts swim. And the things that are ahead of me are possibly not even on this wimpy list.

Well, I am totally assured in my faith that I don't need to know my plans for "May," and God has never let me down! I am in deep prayer about what these current showers in my life will be bringing, but I am also challenged with the task of not dwelling on the future. So, I will enjoy this last semester as a student (and this time I mean last semester as a student...ever...I think), this time rooming with the parents, and being blessed by having those I love the most near by. I pray that I can hear God leading me, and I can not wait to see the beautiful garden He has sown for me, and I will be His worker...

guys, this whole thing may be a cheesy metaphor...but just let me go with it, okay? I just know that if blogs are still "in style" next year at this time, I will have been blessed with His plans for me in 2006, but will still be wondering and blogging about 2007...Lord, calm that desire in me and use me where you need me!

My parents gave me this apartment finder magazine for Christmas...that might have to be in the plans-I think it is in the parents plans...just kidding, they love me and I them! They didn't give it to me for Christmas...Brad gave it to me for a laugh, so ha, ha, ha! Give it a few more years, and he will be back with the parentals too.

2005 brought this little miracle...Picture...my newest little nephew, Logan Tyndall, and my dad! My parents went to South Dakota to see him and the rest of the family over Christmas...he is so special and so prayed over!