Austin

In no particular order, here are a few things I like about Austin....

1. Our home! --Gosh, since the day we moved in, it has just felt like home. I think cause my husband and I moved to a new place together, it has felt 'whole'. I love the lighting in the living room in the morning..well all day, you really don't have to turn on any of the lights. I like that it is simple and not too big or too small. Our neighborhood is different from what we are use to. But once we got to know our neighbors, everyone is really nice. I love it! :)

2. Austin Stone Community Church! --If there is one reason the Lord has moved us to Austin, it very well is this church! Through this church God has really been teaching me how to actually live out my faith while living in this city to the people around me. This church is really doing amazing things in the city of Austin, but it's only because of Christ. Through the teachers in our "nearly and newly wed class", God is challenging me to fight for my marriage, that it wasn't designed to make you happy, but to glorify the Lord, marriage is to demonstrate how Christ loved the church!!! We have learned so much in the past 2 months at this church! The message here is so powerful and truthful!! ( If you ever want to check it out, or listen to podcast or find out more check out http://www.austinstone.org/)



3. Friends! -- When we first moved to Austin, it was just kind of strange I think cause we were in the transition of freshly married, new jobs, new city, new everything! But now that we have lived here a little over 3 months, we've adjusted...somewhat! We are 2-3 hours from our parents, and we live about closest 2 blocks, and longest 45 mins to friends! And we've made some new "couple friends" too! Its been hard at times to find time to hangout but once we've found it, it's been very beneficial! I think it is so important to live in community/vulnerability with others.

4. Town Lake and the Greenbelts -- okay town lake or now it's called lady bird lake is awesome. There is an Eastside one that we walk around pretty often. And the green belt feels more like hiking and away from the city. My husband and I both love being outdoors, so its been fun to explore these places together, and take group trips with friends!

5. Food! -- man oh man! there are sooooo many places to try. We have come across so many good restaurants here. (and that fact that clare and james gave us a book called "eat, shop Austin" that gives reviews over restaurants and stores...) We try to only eat out once a week, due to our budget/finances, and because we both really enjoy cooking. But when we do eat out, we REALLY enjoy it too. Some of my recommendations/places we've been to in ATX: Kyoto -(happy hour), Homeslice pizza, Eastside pies, Marekesh cafe, Eastside Cafe, Frank and Angies, Koriente, 888 (triple eight), Hey Cupcake, CoCo's, Suzi's, Juan in a Million, Good Harvest Bakery, Flip Happy, Sandy's.....definitely try these!




6. Being Married -- does that count as things I like about Austin?!! haha! Its harder than I ever thought and better than I ever thought! We are coming up on our 5 month mark!! woohoo!! As a believer, I continue to see over and over again through Bryson/Marriage how Christ loves me. I'm so thankful to the Lord for the covenant of marriage. I honestly dont understand how unbelievers 'do' marriage without the Holy Spirit's guidance and counsel...not that it gets any easier being a believer and being married...but with Christ in your life there is a different element of wholeness, forgiveness, and love.

Well, I could go on and on about ATX, but I'll leave it be! Its beautiful outside today and I dont have to work...so I'm going to spend it outside! :)

Different

Everyone needs compassion, Love that's never failing; Let mercy fall on me. Everyone needs forgiveness, The kindness of a Savior; The Hope of nations. Savior, He can move the mountains, My God is Mighty to save, He is Mighty to save. Forever, Author of salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave. So take me as You find me, All my fears and failures, Fill my life again. I give my life to follow Everything I believe in, Now I surrender. My Savior, He can move the mountains, My God is Mighty to save, He is Mighty to save. Forever, Author of salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave. Shine your light and let the whole world see, We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus My Savior, He can move the mountains, My God is Mighty to save, He is Mighty to save. Forever, Author of salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave. Shine your light and let the whole world see, We're singing for the glory of the risen King...

The Hunt

Today, I counted that I have been unemployed for 47 days. Bummer, huh? Well yes and no, but also I'd like to remind myself that Bryson and I both choose this decision for me to find another job. I truly believe the Lord has a better plan for me whether its job or not.

What have I been up to these past 47 days besides job hunting:

Reading
I have definitely been reading a lot! Within the week Bryson and I moved here we signed up for a library card!! The APL (Austin Public Library) has so many locations near where we live. Its pretty cool! And the fact that we only get 3 channels on our TV we can rent movies/TV series/workout videos there too...for free! Most of the libraries here have really interesting people in them...kids, homeless, young, and old. A few of my best picks: The OC-Season One, Little Women, The Body Project, Prep, UnChristian, and williams-sonoma cookbook!

Domestic
Because we had such a crazy summer with getting married and raising support and traveling, it has been nice to have some time off. It was really needed! I've been able to spend my time getting our home to feel like a home. Preparing meals, cleaning, decorating, hand writing letters to some friends. I think if money wasn't an issue, I could be a housewife. I'd probably volunteer somewhere and make different projects for myself.

Research
As I was searching for a job, I've come across a lot of research studies at UT. And I happen to take part in one for the psychology department . It was really easy and quite interesting (and getting paid $25 hr wasn't bad either!) It was a study entitled: Genes and Biased Mood Processing. I had a phone interview, then a real interview, answered a packet of questions, computer skills, listened to music, watched a short film, and let them take a sample of my saliva.

Fireseed Anthology
I've been able to help out some. We have wednesday evening Creative Compassion Workshops for our volunteers and students and every Thursday we have Family dinner with the team and roommates. (we all live 1 or 2 blocks from each other...I'm dinner captain :) Its been fun getting to hangout and feel a little bit part of the team. I think it is exactly where God wants Bryson. He is loving it and learning so much about Christianity in our culture.

Church
Also we have really been getting involved with our church, Austin Stone. (www.austinstone.org) At first, first I thought of it as the "cool church, that everyone goes to"...but I love it!! I think Matt Carter teaches with truth and love from exactly what the bible tells us to live by, and why living in community with others is so important. Bryson and I are in a "Nearly and Newly wed" Sunday school class, and we also meet once during the week. We have really enjoyed starting these new friendships and learning from them too!

Yours Truly,

Marisa Owen