Family Time in Texas

Yesterday my family and I returned from a 5 day trip to Texas for our Muir Family Reunion. Reunions are some of my favorite times EVER. These reunions usually occur every 3 years and last for about a week as different families are placed in charge of setting up the reunion for that year. So far in my lifetime I have been to Kentucky, Massachusetts, Arkansas, Michigan, California, Maine, and Texas. There are about 50-60 of us, which makes things VERY interesting. Let's just say things NEVER get boring. Each reunion keeps getting better and better as the years go on. I dont think people can even begin to understand how amazing, loving and accepting my entire family truly is. I cant imagine my life without any of these people and love them to death! Thank you, Heavenly Father, for blessing me with a family as wonderful and unique as they are :)
















I cant wait for the next one in 3 years!!!

Happy Father's Day!

To my amazing Pops:




There are so many things my dad is to me. It would take forever to explain to anyone how amazing he truly is. So I decided to take the creative route and describe him through his name, Christopher.

C-Christ-like. My dad might not go around telling everyone he has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, but then again, he doesn't need to; his words and actions prove it. Thank you Pops for being such an amazing example and spiritual leader for me and the rest of the family.
H-Hysterical. He is super funny and I know everyone in the family or even close friends know that he is quite the jokester. He tells jokes, acts silly, and everyone LOVES it! I think its natural to think that a lot of times he is just plain cheesy. Thank you Pops for making me laugh all the time!
R-Realistic. My dad has always encouraged us kids to pursue our goals, but with a realistic spin on it. A lot of times we all get ahead our ourselves and he is kind enough to give us the constructive criticism that we need to become better people and to further ourselves for the future. Thank you Pops for being my #1 cheerleader/critic!
I-Intelligent. Pops is the most intelligent man I know. He constantly surprises me with his wealth of knowledge about everything from sports to music to religion to business and even to pop culture. Thanks Pops for being my "teacher of life."
S-Singer. You might not know it, but Pops is quite the vocalist. He loves to sing! Once we got him an iPod, his music loving and singing skills blossomed. His favorite singers range from Vanessa Carlton to The Doobie Brothers to Julie Andrew in "The Sound of Music" (he knows all the songs...and thinks he is a soprano). Thanks for the earplugs Pops! (Just kidding)
T-Tender. Pops is one of the most loving people. He is there for me whenever I need him and for whatever reason, no questions asked. Thank you Pops for always loving me just the way I am.
O-Outgoing. My dad is always the person at family events to talk to every single kid to see how they are doing and what they are up to these days. He may not admit it, but he loves to be in the spotlight and make people laugh. And I feel like he does it just to make people feel better about themselves. He is also really good with our friends. Yes, he has the ability to embarrass me in front of my friends (and abuses it), but I feel like that is his job. Thanks Pops for being so friendly!
P-Pops. I dont know when my sister and I started calling dad "Pops" but he definitely embraced it and still signs his cards and emails "Love, Pops" Thanks for humoring us and being an amazing Pops!
H-Handsome. Pops is still one good-looking, bitchin' dude (even with a little "salt and pepper" sprinkled here and there). My mom can attest to that ;) Thanks for passing on the good genes Pops!
E-Ethical. In everything that he does, Pops does his BEST to do the right thing. He is a moral and honest businessman, husband, and father, just to name a few. He instilled in all of us kids the morals that were instilled into him growing up. Thanks Pops for being so virtuous.
R-Remarkable. My dad is absolutely incredible. He truly is one of a kind. He continues to shock me with his amazing words, actions, support, love and encouragement. THANK YOU POPS FOR CONTINUING TO BE THE BEST DAD EVER!










I love you Pops!

Nepal

I am doing a TON better with my sleeping pattern. No longer am I falling asleep at 4 or 5am but now around 1am....so much better! Well the reason why my sleeping patterns were all off was because I was in Nepal for 3 1/2 weeks. It was the most amazing trip of a lifetime! I went with my school, Point Loma Nazarene University, which has one of (if not the best) short terms missions trip programs in the US. There were several teams of 10-15 people who went to different countries such as Ukraine, Dominica, Rwanda, India, Dominican Republic, Nepal, Bangladesh, Romania, Congo, Peru, Thailand, and Liberia. I had a team of 15 people, 13 students and 2 leaders. We all got along amazingly well the entire trip and God totally blessed our team. The 3 weeks consisted of building strong relationships with the Nepali people by teaching English classes, doing VBS with the children,team-building with the youth, leading Bible studies with families, preaching sermons in the churches, and encouraging the Nepali Nazarene pastors. .

We also got to go to Hindu and Buddhist temples with the pastors being our tour guides which made things really fun and interesting. Even though they usually try to stay away from the temples, it showed us how much they wanted us to experience Nepal and see all the beautiful temples and history.




I cant even explain to anyone how amazing the Lord is. He is the most important thing in my life and I felt so privileged to go across the world to share with people who my God is to me and to also encourage other believers. I learned A LOT of things on this trip but it was cool how I got to see how big the Lord truly is and how His love, grace, mercy, and power extends to the farthest parts of the world. God has NO bounds. How great is our God.
I praise the Lord for all of the EXTRAORDINARY Nepali youth leaders and pastors we met in our time there. I love them and miss them so much!!













I CANT WAIT TO GO BACK!

INSOMNIA

So ever since I have gotten back from Nepal, I just cannot sleep normal hours. Jet lag is killing me! It is a 13 hour difference between here and Nepal so I usually end up staying up til 4am every morning and then sleeping til 5pm! It is not a good schedule but I really have been trying. I even tried taking sleeping pills. Anyway, my schedule is still pretty off so it just stinks. And I ever so conveniently have been sick ever since I got home which is not fun. This has not been the best homecoming but my family (God bless them) has been trying to make me feel as comfortable as can be. I love my family....but I miss Nepal. Here is to another try at getting somewhat of a good night sleep....