The Huss Hotel

March was a busy month at the Huss Hotel, and I think it further confirmed to us how much we LOVE having a full house!  People often think we're hosting them in our home out of obligation, but that couldn't be further from the truth.  We honestly enjoy guests!  Ben and I both agree that since God blessed us with a house, we should open our doors.  And it's not like it's a hassle for us--we have FUN when our house is full!

In the month of March, we hosted folks every weekend...
Mar 5-6: 9 fifth grade boys and 2 adults for our church's middle school event
Mar 10-14: 6 relatives for a family wedding
Mar 19-21: I was out of town, but Ben hosted 2 relatives and 1 dog for Project Dance
Mar 26-28: 6 seventh grade boys and 2 adults for our church's older youth event

So, if you're ever in the Houston area and want a free place to crash, just call the Huss Hotel!  We always have room.

Experiencing Ethiopia in all its Spiciness

On Wednesday night Ben surprised me by cooking an Ethiopian dish for dinner.  It was completely his idea to begin exposing us to things that will help us learn more about our future child's culture.  I know what you're thinking...and yes, he's an awesome husband; yes, he's going to be an amazing daddy; and yes, he's taken!  haha!


The meal he cooked on Wednesday is called Doro Wat, which is often referred to as Ethiopia's national dish.  It's essentially chicken in red pepper paste.  The paste is called berbere.  Ben tried to find the berbere in the grocery store, but came up empty.  That turned out to be for the best (at least to me) because it gave us more of an idea of what all is in the paste...a total of 13 spices (and some other things)!  It was extremely spicy...and for Ben to say that something is spicy means it's really spicy!

This is a picture of the chicken simmering in the berbere...


Ben worked very hard in the kitchen preparing this meal and it turned out great!  I thought it was yummy.  I think I liked it more than Ben did...he had a lot more of the spicy sauce (the berbere) on his...I could actually taste my chicken. ;)

Ben is a messier cook than I am, but I'm certainly not complaining.  My sweet man did LOTS of chopping and prepping for this meal!

I can't wait to experience more of Ethiopia!

What do I know?

Another Edition of "Don't Forget the Lyrics"

This song by Addison Road used to be one that I thought sounded pretty and sang along to.  But once I really paid attention to the lyrics it became more than just a pretty song; it became a conviction and a life lesson. 

Maybe those of you who were raised in church have gone through this as well.  I got really comfortable and complacent in my Christianity.  I still went to church, read the Bible, and prayed; but I was just in my routine.  And the collateral damage from that is that my relationship with God became distant.  I forgot who He really is.  How holy He really is.  How big He really is.

Lately I've been learning a lot about who God really is.  How holy He really is.  How big He really is.  And it's awesome!  My motivation in spending time with Him has shifted from guilt to love.  And when that happens--when we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength--we naturally run to Him and want to spend time getting to know Him better.

I now do more than just read about Him--I get to know Him.  I now spend time listening to Him--not always talking over Him.  And I now take time to revere Him (the God who made mountains, ants, beaches, and me)--not overlook Him.  Please don't get the impression that I have it all figured out--that couldn't be farther from the truth.  But I do know that it brings God the most glory when I desire Him rather than just feeling obligated to serve Him.

The verse in bold below gives me goosebumps.  Why?  Because I've shifted from just knowing about God to actually knowing God.  And I'm thankful that I now catch those glimpses of who He is.  Please know that those glimpses aren't just for me--you can catch them, too...

I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all, No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?

What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees

What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life its name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?

What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?

Addison Road - What Do I Know Of Holy