Hello 2013!!!!!!

Well, the holidays have come and gone, and I am left saddened that they are gone for some reason this year. Perhaps it is the fact that I spent my first Christmas away from home or perhaps it is the fact that we were so busy with everything because it was our first Christmas without a month long break, thanks to graduation. Whatever the reason, Christmas came and went, and I found myself feeling sad as I drove home from my parents house Sunday night. I love marriage, but this growing up thing where everyone gets married and moves away has lost its lovely feeling some days. Sometimes I find myself longing for the days where it was just us three girls living under my parent's roof. Back then, things seemed complicated. Now on the other side of it, things back then seemed simpler. Yes, some days I long for those days and perhaps that is why I was saddened when Christmas season was up this year-those few days when we were all under the same roof again were comforting, if only for a while. And as much as I love Scott, I was sad when those few, short days were up. Some days, I secretly long to be a little girl playing dress up with my sisters where curls, and girls, and dolls were the most of our worries. Now its on to bigger things, grown-up things such as bills, laundry, jobs, cleaning house, and schedules. Yes, I long for those simpler days, but life must go on-I can't stay five forever. Plus, these "grown-up" days are pretty great too.

Christmas was good this year. This year we spent the weekend before Christmas and Christmas day with the Stiers in North Carolina. It was a fun time, cram packed full of movies, presents, and as always, lots of eating. Then it was back to Texas for a couple of days of Duncan family Christmas. Each experience warmed my heart-both in their unique ways, but both in ways that left me yearning for more of Christmas. As we flew home from North Carolina, Scott and I began talking about the year behind and the year ahead. With Christmas in our backpack and the New Year on the horizon, and a three hour plane ride leaving lots of room for conversation, new year's resolutions were what was on our mind and laced in our conversation. With two lawyers in the family, you can imagine the analysis that went into our New Year's Resolution list. I normally do not like resolutions, but Scott made a good point: it is good to have goals and end points in mind. It gives us something to look forward to as we start a new year and something to look back on as we reflect on the year behind us. 

As we talked, we realized that this past year has been full of blessings: we graduated from Law School, moved back to Texas, took the Texas Bar, celebrated a year of marriage, found out we passed the Texas Bar, and both accepted our first job. We traveled to Washington D.C., Myrtle Beach, SC, Minnesota, Bald Head Island, NC, and the Outer Banks, not to mention taking several day trips to parts of Virginia to see parts of our country's history. As we look forward to the upcoming year, we are excited about getting settled in Texas, starting our careers, and maybe even getting a dog (even though Scott doesn't know it yet). Each of us have made our own goals for the new year (mine includes reading 30 books, writing more, and being more positive), however, we decided to make a list of goals for the new year as a couple. My most favorite goal is: less stress, more fun, and more spontaneity. With two lawyers and a marriage that has thus far been filled with many stressful circumstances (3L year of law school, TX bar exam, moving, and finding jobs), you can imagine how much we are both looking forward to this goal. With the passing of the bar and recently moving into a new home, we are beginning to see what normal is. It is quite refreshing, and we are looking forward to more of it in the upcoming year. 

We hope that you will reflect on your past year, make goals for the new year, and above all, give thanks. Hello 2013-we are looking forward to a great year! 

Until next time....be blessed......

I Need a Silent Night

I have made a commitment to myself that I am going to become a better blogger. However, so far I have failed miserably. Partly because I have been busy, but mostly because I have so many thoughts, but I have no idea where to start putting my thoughts to paper. So I have kept my thoughts captive. Probably a better idea than I originally imagined. 

My speechlessness has been a result of all that is going on in America and the world. Mass shootings. Fiscal Cliffs. Cancer and Sickness. Abuse within Christian Circles. Political Gaming. Addictions. Looming Debt. And the list goes on. If you ruminate on it,  everything seem so hopeless. So, in an attempt to maintain hopeful, I tried taking an ostrich-like stance by burying my head in the sand. I stopped watching the news. Then I'd hear it on the radio, so I stopped listening to the radio. But as soon as I logged onto the internet: there it was, again, right in my face. I feel as if I cannot get away from the evil that is in this world. Then I wonder if Christ would want me to take an ostrich-like stance from the world in which He has placed me. After all, He is hope and perhaps some people need to hear this. However, that does not make dealing with the evil any easier. 

Yes, I have been speechless the past few weeks. What does one even say in such circumstances? I have no clue, so I have remained silent. However, as my mind reels over all the circumstances going on around me, I have consistently been reminded of one thing: there is good news and His name is Jesus Christ. I have realized that I feel so uneasy, uncertain, and hopeless when I hear of evil going on around me. Then I realized, when I am within the confines of my home, I feel safe. Perhaps, I am so offended when evil goes on around me because I am viewing this world as my home. This world is not my home, and this world will never be safe this side of Heaven. This realization has made me long for my Heavenly home more than ever. It is sad that something so tragic as an elementary school shooting is the event which led me to such a strong longing for my Heavenly Father unlike any other time I can remember. The situation brings me to tears: that so many innocent lives were lost and that I have not yearned with groaning to be with my Savior before now. 

Despite all the evil around us, Christ is still on His throne. He came to this world on a silent night in a cave born in a lowly manger. Such a simple beginning to such a magnificently sacrificial love story. I am praying for peace amidst the strife this Christmas season....and that Christ would remind us all of that silent night.......I am so longing for the simplicity of that silent night. God, bring us a silent night. 

Until next time, be blessed....

Back in the Great State...

The past few months have been craziness in the Stier household. But I am beginning to think that craziness is going to be a signature quality of our lifestyle. And for some reason, I am okay with that...mostly because it makes life more exciting. The reason for the craziness is that we finished taking the bar exam, moved into a new house, and are searching high and low for jobs. On top of all that, we have been traveling A TON the past few months: Myrtle Beach to Wilmington, NC, to VA, back home; then to Philly for two precious friend's wedding with a couple of trips to Granbury and Dallas mixed in there. It has been SO good to travel and see friends. We especially loved our trip to Philly where we got to celebrate the marriage of two of our favorite people. It was SO refreshing to be with our Liberty family. I could talk more about that, but perhaps I will save that for a separate post.

To round out the recent travels, I just got back from a trip to Little Rock, AR with my college roommates to see Amanda, who just moved there with her husband last spring. It was a much needed weekend full of rich conversations, lots of laughter, and TONS of eating. We even took a hike climbed a mountain to a beautiful lookout-I am much more out of shape than I thought, but the view was SO worth it-Little Rock is much prettier than I imagined! So, I just wanted to say how incredibly grateful I am to be back in the Great State of Texas. It feels good to be back near family. And it feels good to be back near friends. And it feels great to be back near my posse. Being away for the past three years makes these times that much sweeter. As Scott and I are searching for jobs, we are not sure where the Lord will lead us over the next 3-6 months. But while I am here, I am going to enjoy this season of being Deep in the heart of Texas. Texas, my heart loves you. Bur more importantly the people inside of it. So, here's to family and friendships. Here's to being close enough to be a part of it.

 Until next time be blessed.....

A Historical Week...

Hello fellow readers! I have been MIA for a very LONG time. I plan on updating more on what is going on in the life of the Stier household, but for now a mini update: we graduated from law school, headed to Texas, and are in Austin for the summer studying for the Texas bar (which is turning out to be more difficult than law school). But now, onto my thoughts for the evening since I know that is why each of you check this blog...

This week has been a long and historical week, not for the fact that I have been stuck in my house unable to feel the Summer heat studying for the Bar Exam nor for the fact that I did well on (one) MBE test, but for the country of America. This week started off with a jury returning a resounding verdict of guilty of 45 of 48 counts against Jerry Sandusky. The middle of the week gave us two new cases handed down by the Supreme Court, one which invalidated state laws against immigration (with a president failing to cooperate with the portion that was constitutional) and the other which made universal health care constitutional (thoughts on which would take another day and multiple blog entries). Finally, the week rounded out with the first ever Attorney General being held in contempt for failing to release documents. I have to say, between these three things plus the Dream Act and the first Catholic minister to be convicted of child abuse, things have been quite busy in America lately. However, despite universal health care, immigration laws, and contempt issues, my mind is still thinking about Jerry Sandusky, the victims, and the trial surrounding the scandal that rocked Penn State. To be honest, much of my time and attention has been turned toward this case ever since it was first broken by the young 24 year old journalist last November. While the jury returned a verdict of guilty 45 times over against Sandusky and the hype surrounding it has calmed in the wake of the Supreme Court's new decision declaring health care constitution under Congress' taxing and spending power, I have a feeling that my attention will remain on the Penn State scandal for quite some time to come, if not many, many years into my future.

I have always had child advocacy on my heart. In fact, the reason that I ventured to law school was due to a trip where I saw children of Guatemala that needed a voice. So, I ventured to law school to learn the art of advocacy. I went to law school wanting to work in adoption and, while I still have a deep love and passion for adoption, I left feeling called to child advocacy on a much more serious and grueling level. In law school, I found myself having a deep passion for child advocacy, particularly in the area of child sexual abuse. This is an area that many people shy away from, however, I have found myself having a deep passion for the topic, for the children who are victimized, and for ways to raise awareness and prevention of child sexual abuse. I have taken many courses in law school centering around child advocacy and have kept myself updated on the media, news, and research around the area. So, when the Penn State and Jerry Sandusky scandal broke, you can imagine my interest in events that were unfolding. Nevertheless, it is safe to say, I have had a very close eye on the pre-trial and trial of the Sandusky trial, and I have especially been glued to the TV for the past three weeks. 

Last Sunday as I watched live as the Sandusky trial came to a close, watched the crowd outside cheer, and realized that this man who abused young men for over fifteen years was finally going to jail for the rest of his life, I did not have the excitement that I thought I would. In fact, a deep, dark sadness came over my heart as I watched the live coverage. Even now as I write this, I feel the same sadness. As I wrestled with this news, I tried to sort through why I felt such sadness (almost to tears) as I watched this man get put in the police car to go to jail. I came to realize there were three reasons for my sadness: 1) child abuse is such a huge issue that has been prevalent for many, many years, yet it took such a big scandal to awaken society; 2) the crowds outside the courthouse that cheered and the people that yelled at Sandusky as he got into the police car created a social and media event outside while young victims were inside dealing with real life issues, sobbing uncontrollably; and 3) someone like Jerry Sandusky who would do something like this is a lost soul, and if statistics are true, likely had similar abuse happen to him as a young child, making this a very sad story. Perhaps it was the distance, shock, or inability to feel or care displayed by Sandusky that made me sad. Whatever the reason, while others yelled for Jerry Sandusky to "rot in hell," I found myself wanting the grace of God to heal him, from his past pain and his sin-not exactly the feelings I thought I would have as I watched Sandusky get taken to jail. However, I realized in that moment that the deep dark sadness that I felt covering me as I watched Jerry Sandusky get in the police car is likely similar pain Jerry Sandusky has felt his entire life. The fact that someone is that hurting, dark, and pained, actually made me feel sad. I also realized in that moment that if a (very) small part of me wanted Jerry Sandusky to receive the grace of God, how much more did God, all loving and knowing Creator of Jerry Sandusky love and desire for Jerry Sandusky to ask for grace. That is a powerful God-too much for me to comprehend that God would love someone that does something so dark. Yet he loves me just the same. Humbling to say the least.

As I watched the Jerry Sandusky trial end, nearly in tears, another reason for these tears dawned on me. This past semester I took a class called Child Abuse and the Law. During this class I learned about many instances of sexual abuse that take place in institutions, many of which are the church. The staggering news is that while the Catholic church has been under scrutiny for abuse taking place in the church, it happens just as much in Protestant circles. The amount of institutional protection that is set up is often times the most disheartening aspect of it all, that a Church or a university would be more concerned about reputation than protecting children who have been victimized. In the Sandusky case alone there were at least five adults that knew of the abuse that could have done something to protect the children. However, as I sat and watched the courthouse in Pennsylvania with millions around the country, I realized that this sort of abuse happens each and every day to tons of children nationwide, much of which goes unreported just as Sandusky did for so many years. I hope this has raised enough awareness to raise the blinders from the public's eye. I also realized that abusers like Jerry Sandusky exist all over the nation, some are prosecuted and some are not. However, few of them receive the national attention that Jerry Sandusky has. And it was here that it hit me: no institution is free from stumbling, not even a large state-wide university or a Mega-church. My mind immediately went to a verse, something about pride comes before the fall....

While the Sandusky case has been heavy on my heart, as well as the depravity of sin, I began to think about the positive. After all, God uses all things for HIS good: for after the storm comes restoration, replenishment, and rejuvination. Then it hit me: awareness of child sexual abuse has never been at a more heightened time in history than on the night that Jerry Sandusky was convicted. Hopefully this means that people are aware and willing to listen to the fact that abuse does occur. It occurs in foster homes, churches, universities, day cares, on the streets, and in private homes. It happens more than we know, however, now is the time to raise awareness and protect the most vulnerable in this world. I am convinced that how one views a child portrays many views on how they view God. After all, it was God who said, "Let the little children come unto me." I know that although this event had to happen for such horrible lengths, to so many young boys, in such horrific manners, I am prayerful that God will use this situation for His good to raise awareness of child abuse.

I have had a passion to combat child sexual abuse for many years now. However, when you mention this to people you hear, "Wow, that is intense and emotionally draining. Are you sure you want to do that?" Watching the prosecutors speak after the jury verdict I realized that yes, it is draining. In fact, my heart has been heavy just watching it, much less, being the actual advocate. So, yes, I am aware of the emotionally draining aspect. However, I also know that a calling rejected is bad news bears (see Jonah). While it is a goal to get a job at a prosecutor's office to combat crimes against children, I also aspire to raise awareness. The sad part about being a prosecutor or attorney general is that they merely punish the crimes and evildoer. At that point, the victims lives have already been affected. However, I am hopeful to raise awareness to reduce child abuse in this nation. Instances of child abuse has raised SIGNIFICANTLY in the past fifty years. I am hopeful that God will use this horrible situation to raise ears to a serious national problem. I am hopeful that the Sandusky case is the catalyst to bringing change and ending child abuse in America. 

So, as I write tonight, my heart is heavy: heavy that we are depraved, sad that the abuse happened and no one did anything about it, and heavy at the thought that leaders or anyone (including myself) could have blinders on about abuse going on around them. Despite my heavy heart, my heart is also hopeful: hopeful that the victims can get some healing from this, hopeful that Sandusky has some sort of salvation prior to his death, and hopeful that this incident has raised global awareness of the abuse that takes places every day in counties across the nation, despite the lack of media attention they receive. I pray that this situation will not be a situation that merely gets media hype and then dies off. I hope that despite new Supreme Court decisions or whatever else is going on in America that we always remain aware of children who are abused, that we will always be in tune to what is going on around us in order to prevent abuse and help those in our circles that are being abused, and find ways to protect God's precious children. I am hopeful that this turns a new leaf for the area of child advocacy. 

If you need some light reading see some verses that have been on my heart lately: Matthew 18:1-9, Matthew 19: 13-15, and Mark 13-16.

Until next time, be blessed....

The Quiet Night of Snow-Whiteness

Ever since we returned from Christmas break to Lynchburg, I have been praying for snow. Since Scott and I recently decided we would take the Texas bar exam, I knew that my time on the east coast was running short. In addition, snow in Virginia is different than snow in Texas. In Texas, there is sleet and flurries and then it quickly disappears. In Virginia, there is snow, mounds of it, and it falls for hours, sometimes days. So, I began to pray for one last snowfall.

Last Sunday Scott and I were in Virginia Beach for a competition he competed in. When word reached the beach that snow was headed to Lynchburg, I literally leaped with bounds of joy as if I reverted back to my childhood. Surrounded by law students and professors, you can imagine the looks I received. However, nothing could contain my excitement of the news that we would get around six inches of snow. So, we packed up and headed back to Lynchburg, but not even the 6 am early departure would ruin my utter joy.

The snow began falling about an hour after we got home and fell for about twelve straight hours. Being that I was physically exhausted from the weekend, I opened the curtains, raised the blinds, and laid in bed watching the snow fall until I fell asleep. It was heaven on earth. Watching the snow made me want to get outside in it, so around eight in the evening, I asked Scott if he wanted to take a walk with me in the snow. Being that I am more of an "indoorsy" girl and that Scott is quite the athletic opposite, he jumped at the idea. So, we got all bundled up, got our hot tea and cider in hand, and charged out the door. Again, heaven on earth.

As we walked, Scott and I began to talk. I wanted to talk about what I had been thinking about all day watching the snow, and the chance to walk in the snow and talk about the meaning of snow was much more romantic than merely talking about the snow. So, we walked and we talked. The scenery: dark, quiet, peaceful, snowy, cold night. Topic: snow and God.

As I watched the snow fall softly all day, my mind went to snow and God. I first thought about how peaceful snow is. Even as I am sitting here now, there is a thunderstorm outside. I love a good thunderstorm. However, when it rains, you can hear it fall and the purpose of rain is to replenish the earth. But when it comes to snow, you cannot hear it fall. When rain falls, it is to replenish the earth; when snow falls it is for pure beauty sake. This got me thinking about the different attributes of God through nature. Rain equals replenishment. Storms show God's vengeance and power. Snow, however, resembles his still, small voice and peace. And it reminds me of how he washed my sins white as snow in a fresh way unlike any other form of nature.

So, I am grateful for the snowfall we had this past weekend. Not only was it fun to be in the snow, but it reminded me of God's amazing peace. It reminded me of the ways He has continually come into my life like the silent snow: quiet, uninhibited, peaceful, purifying, and merely to beautify my heart towards Him. So that is why I am grateful for the beautiful snowfall. God is good.

May you be reminded that God loves you so much, he washed your sins white as snow, may you always be in tune to His still small voice, and may you feel His peace in your life.

Until next time be blessed........

Hot Off the Press!!

I traveled with Buckner International the summer after I graduated from college. It was on that trip that my life was changed forever. I had the privilege with ministering to orphans all over the country. In addition, we got the chance to do a shoe trip. It was here where we went to an orphanage, played with the kids, then surprised them with new shoes. This trip truly touched my heart. These kids had holes in their shoes. It was such a neat experience. The thing that impacted me the most was the memory that not every child got a pair of shoes that day. They lined the kids up and those that had the greatest need (aka: had not bottom left on their shoes) got new ones. It was on this trip that I was forever changed in my true understanding of who Jesus was to the least of these. It was on this trip I knew I wanted to go to law school to become an advocate for the least of these. And it was on this trip that I walked away knowing that I wanted to help get those kids that didn't get new have shoes in whatever way I could. While I have worked at the Buckner Shoe Warehouse, I wanted to do more.

I have always wanted to do a shoe drive as a result of the Guatemala trip. However, I never really knew how that could happen. When would I have the ability to gather large groups of people for the "sole" purpose of collecting shoes? Then it hit me: one day I will get married and there will likely be a lot of people there. I knew soon after getting back from Guatemala that my wedding day would be the capacity where I would have a large group of people together for one purpose willing to get me whatever I asked them to-enter shoe drive.

Because my dad is a pastor and we knew we were going to have lots of people in attendance at our wedding (and we did-around 500 to be exact), and because I had five showers, after much prayer and consideration, Scott and I decided to do the very thing I had dreamed of for years. We decided to head in full faith and do a shoe drive in lieu of gifts for our wedding. Weeks before the wedding, I would have little old ladies coming up to me saying, "I got my shoes for the wedding!" I have always known that being the preacher's daughter, it was going to be a packed house, but I did not think that the event required a new dress for those in attendance-after all, it wasn't the royal wedding (although I joked with Dad that it was...) Anyway, needless to say, it took me quite some time to figure out that the ladies at the church had not bought new dresses and new shoes for themselves, but were indeed referring to the fact that they had bought new shoes to bring to the wedding for Shoes for Orphan Souls! Such a fun event and something everyone really enjoyed! I highly recommend it-it truly was a rewarding experience.

When my parents delivered the shoe to Buckner in Austin, the lady was amazed at the amount of shoes. She contacted a Buckner writer, who contacted Dad, who contacted me, and voila! A story was written! We are truly honored. Anyway, here is a clip of our "wedding shoe" story from Buckner-hot off the press today! We hope as a result of our story that others are inspired to give, the oprhans are excited for new shoes, and that everyone is blessed as a result. And we know that none of this would have happened without those that selflessly gave shoes, so we would like to personally thank all those that did! To God be the Glory...

news.shoesfororphansouls.org/index.php/2011/09/shoe-drive-weddings/

Until next time...be blessed...and may we never forget to find ways to "pay it forward" and bless those around us in need...

Life as a Newlywed...

Hello All! I know that it has been SO long since I have posted, however, between planning a wedding, school, and life, there has hardly been time to breath! While we are now married, school has started yet again, and we are back into somewhat of a routine, life does not look like it will be slowing down anytime soon. However, a slow life is no fun anyway! Bring on the adventure! Scott and I are in the process of trying to get our little house in order. We live in a 2 bedroom, 1 bath duplex very close to school. However, despite the extra room, we still have TONS of stuff all over the place! However, as of this past weekend, we have officially made each room liveable. Whenever we finish setting up shop, I will post pictures of our little newlywed nest!

I am going to write a more thorough blog about our wonderful wedding day. However, until then, the pictures are in-both my bridals and the wedding pics! Allison Notgrass from Focal Point Photographics captured the details of our wedding. If you are in need of a photographer in the Austin area-SHE.IS.FABULOUS. I have truly enjoyed reliving every moment of our day over and over again through these pictures. Click on either Duncan Bridals or Duncan-Stier (The password to both is amy). I hope you enjoy them as much as we have!

www.photoreflect.com/pr3/store.aspx?p=23264

Until next time be blessed...