by pastorrobin | Feb 5, 2014 | How to deal with pain
Don’t you hate it when you get stressed out on your day off? Seems like such a waste.
I (Robin) have found that the stillness or lack of work often makes us feel the true condition of our heart and mind. We do not have the busyness to distract us and mask the pain.
On a Friday morning awhile back (I take Fridays off), I began to feel the pressure of anxiety creep into my consciousness. It wasn’t linked to specific thoughts or pressures of life. It was just a dull roar in the depths of my spirit. Why? I began to ask myself, “What did I leave unaccomplished this week?” Maybe I was getting stressed because I forgot something. Maybe I did something wrong or maybe I didn’t finish something successfully. What was left to accomplish before Sunday? Maybe I needed to ‘get something done’ before our services on Sunday. Is someone mad at me and I need to resolve it? I began to focus on the mystery and try to figure it out. Thinking that if I could just resolve the issue, then everything would be at peace. All these thoughts came before my feet hit the floor. I had only been awake about 30 seconds. So this is what I did…
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by pastorrobin | Jan 13, 2014 | random life
Erica strikes again! Well, thankfully she didn’t literally strike. I might be visiting her in jail if that were the case. Anyway, we drove up to Kennady’s school a while back to drop her off and there was a police car parked illegally. He was not just in the handicapped spot but in the striped, unloading part of the space. (we require this striped part since we have a ramp) So what does she do? She marches into the school to find the officer.
To make a long story semi-short…he finally walks out of the building and Erica confronts him on the sidewalk. She explains the dilemma of daily needing the spot and people are illegally parked there. Then to come and the people that are supposed to help you are parked in the same spot! He is embarrassed and promises to help out.
Moral of the story: don’t park illegally in handicapped spaces and don’t mess with Erica!
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by pastorrobin | Jan 9, 2014 | Children, random life
Today (Jan 9), we celebrate 15 years of marriage. Wow! Where have the years gone?? Take a look at these stats.
Our Marriage by the numbers:
- 7 different homes in 2 states
- 2 home purchases/1 home sale
- 13 different jobs
- 3 kids
- 9 foster kids
- 3 dogs
- 4 cats
- 25 fish
- 20+ chickens
- 11 cars
- 3 churches
- 0 cheatin’!
- innumerable friends
Erica’s Version of the Wedding:
Our wedding day WAS amazing, however, I was 20 years old and wayyyyyy too concerned about what other people thought about how I “should” be at my wedding.
As you all know, if you have been reading this blog very long, I still greatly struggle with this and try to conform to each persons specific likes.
My sister-in-law almost beat me with a can of Static Guard, after I requested she spray my wedding dress for the 60th time.
Honestly, I could hardly think for having so much attention focused right on the two of us.
When I finally got to the altar and was holding Robin’s hands, that is the moment I really settled in and was struck by how incredible it was that I was actually marrying this wonderful man.
We had so many people there to support us.
There were things that went totally opposite of what we had planned, like my cake having flowers on the cake instead of between the layers! UHHH, HELLOOO people, I almost turned into bridezilla, well, not really, but I was seriously bummed.
Driving away in the limo was awesome and surreal, I could hardly believe I was married.
Such a happy day!
Robin’s Version of the wedding:
Our wedding day was amazing. It was huge. Over 300 folks attended our ceremony and reception that followed at the church. At the time, I was youth pastor at PromiseLand Church in Austin, TX. So, many folks from the church came and we both have very large families. We had a ton of friends and family donate their money and time to decorate the sanctuary and reception area. It was all absolutely beautiful and we are extremely grateful to them all for an amazing wedding. We left that night for Denver. We spent a week skiing and eating awesome food at Breckenridge, Colorado. Several years back, we made a new wedding ring commitment (click for details). I LOVE you, Erica!
Erica and her dad walking down the long aisle.
So Young!
Cake Fight!
Robin’s Uncle Tim “passed the boot”. A family tradition sort of like an offering at the reception. We got over $700 to spend on our honeymoon!
Robin with best buds, Jason Neyland and Jeff Ross
Our friends and family did an incredible job decorating! Look at that beautiful ice sculpture!
Headed to the honeymoon. A week at Breckenridge, CO!
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by pastorrobin | Dec 30, 2013 | Children, random life
Taking family pictures with young kids is sort of like running across a bed of hot coals..barefoot. I (robin) would almost prefer being stabbed in the eye. And for that very reason, we only do it every two years or so.
First of all, we have 2 young boys that want to run around and never smile on cue. Then, we have a daughter with special needs who is unable to sit up on her own. She has a tremendous smile that honestly is better than any of the other family members, but the only way to get her to smile on cue like that is to play a certain Toby Mac song at just the right time. It takes a photographer with some serious patience.
We put it off…forever. Finally, Erica says, “If we don’t get a family picture taken, I’m leaving the family.” Just kidding, she doesn’t take it that seriously, but she does desperately feel pressured to fit in with all the other people that send these awesome “family picture Christmas cards” each year. Our pantry door is covered every December with all our amazing friends and their beautiful families.
The 2013 Christmas Door!
We feel like complete losers because we barely have enough energy to go grocery shopping much less gather the troops for a family picture.
Who could we get to take our pictures? Oh yeah, we don’t have any money budgeted for it. hhhmmm…put it off a few more months.
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by pastorrobin | Dec 20, 2013 | Children, random life
2013 was a VERY full year for the Steele family. It was marked in the middle with 2 big surgeries and hospitals stays. We are grateful that God brought us through that time with his amazing Grace. We received a ton of love from our friends and family.
Erica progressed in her midwifery schooling and looks to graduate in 2014!
Kennady continued to defy the odds and turned 12 years old! Jude turned 9 and Avery turned 7!
In a few days, Erica and I will celebrate 15 years of marriage! Wow! That seems to be a landmark anniversary. We will probably celebrate modestly with a one night stay in San Antonio or something like that. We are not in the position at this point to take a big trip. (too much schooling and not enough finances) But, that is quite alright. We have made do for 15 years with a modest style marriage. To God be the glory for that.
Our church has continued to be a thriving place where people are meeting God and growing in relationship with Him (and each other). It is an honor to serve in San Marcos. We have incredible people here that cook amazing Mexican food! Tamales and enchiladas. Homemade salsas and tortillas. We are blessed with a great university and tons of students. Our river is one of the best/cleanest in the country. Our church property is home to ministries that meet regularly for people of all ages, gender, socio-economic backgrounds. It is humbling to realize that God uses us for such a deep and meaningful work.
We are honored to call so many of you friends and look forward to hanging out with you again. Let’s meet up around a cup of coffee or a plate of warm food. We want to connect and walk together with you. If you live out of town, then let’s email, chat, and Facetime soon!
Merry Christmas from The Steeles!
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Don’t you hate it when you get stressed out on your day off? Seems like such a waste.
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