Tag: friends

Skies Held Up

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello my friends!! It’s a lovely sleepy Sunday afternoon. I feel a bit tired, so don’t think I shall write much here today, but I thought I’d at least pop my head in and say hi. It’s been a wearying past week, but God has blessed me much and given me a delightful weekend!! This morning I got to go to church and worship God…and afterwards, went out with friends for yummy tex-mex lunch. Now, I’m about to enjoy my raspberries and coffee, maybe read a bit? Or maybe play a bit of Tomb Raider! We shall see. I’ve had some good conversations(either on facebook or whatsApp) with friends from Scotland lately(hello John, Ruth, Chris and Rose!!!). I really do miss you all…and I guess I’m just reminded of how much God blessed me in giving me such dear friends…we can still talk across the waters, and I feel just as close as if we were sitting side by side. Well, not quite – I do long for that face-to-face interaction. But still, I am just overwhelmed by the goodness of God in giving me such dear friends – brothers and sisters forever. My heart rejoices to know that there is a day coming when we will all be together forever. Forever.

And now, before I get too emotional! I just started a book by Sinclair Ferguson, Children of the Living God. Utterly fantastic. Really, it’s just so good to remember whose we are. To ponder and meditate on the fact that we are sons and daughters of the living God. ’tis wonderful.

See how great a love the Father
has bestowed on us,
that we would be called
children of God;
and such we are.

Peace and love, my friends. Delicious hot coffee and sweet raspberries time!

Where is thy sting

James HoganLeave a comment

Just a very few words, my friends!

I’m sitting here on my couch in Houston, just newly arrived back in town. A pizza is in the oven for a quite late(but needed!) dinner. And the battle of Helm’s Deep is raging on my TV screen. A perfect end to a perfect weekend. I’ve been in Tampa all weekend long(arrived home about midnight on Thursday!), but as is typical, no time for writing the whole weekend due to the many moments of awesomeness contained therein. Rays game! Watching Divergent with Maryanne and Laura! Best New York Pizza with Mom! Lunch with Dad! Apple pie and chocolate cake and lots of talking and lots of late-night-youtube-watching with Maryanne and Laura(A Very Potter Musical!!) Seeing dear Steve and Vickie and having at least a few minutes with them this afternoon! And of course, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ this morning at Hope Bible Church with the family. And this is really what I’d like to talk more about(if my dinner was not about to come out of the oven in two minutes), because truly – how good it was and is to be reminded that no matter what fun things there are in this world(and we should not be ashamed to enjoy them!), we should be having our greatest joy and highest hope in the love and salvation and glory and wonder of Jesus Christ. We should yearn to be with Christ above any other. We should long for Christ more than anything else on this earth. This night as I walked back to my apartment, I looked up and even through the haze of the city sky, I saw the stars. Yet even their beauty pales in comparison to the glories of Jesus our Lord. There is no more perfect beauty than to know and be known by Christ our God. And that, my friends, is all I have to say tonight.

Sleep well and be at peace.

Cottontails

James HoganLeave a comment

Good evening, my friends!

I have but a few minutes as my dinner is currently baking away in the oven(fish fillets and french fries – simple and fantastic. Oh and a yummy salad too – complete with radishes, green onions, tomatoes…y’know). But I thought I at least wanted to write a couple words, mostly just to thank God for the most beautiful weekend that He gave to me! I can’t fully describe it or properly do it justice, but that doesn’t keep me from praising God for His goodness and love!!

So yes, this past weekend, was up with friends at a state park near San Antonio. And it was beautiful. I’m not always a huge fan of camping, but I couldn’t complain one bit about the time we had. Early morning walks through the Texas hill country…seeing the deer and the rabbits dart about and listening to the calls of the early morning birds and crying out to my God. Saturday – full of an epic hike through the rugged terrain and followed by a swim in the river – cold flowing water and hot sunshine and yes, I may have gotten slightly sunburnt – but oh so worth it! Eating lots of amazingly prepared food(plenty of coffee in the morning, and plenty of chili at night!). Having oh so sweet talks with friends, old and new – not much better than that. And of course, singing praises to our God around the campfire. Pretty awesome. Pretty glorious. And this slightly haphazard paragraph dances to and fro and does not properly describe the peace in my heart. Sometimes I feel far too frazzled and shaken by the fears and worries of this world…and so my God and Father gives me gift like this. A time to be with Him. A time to be with His people. A time to be in His world. A time to be with Him. Thank you, Father – for your mercies and love. Always.

Now, before I spill too many more words, time to turn off this computer and eat my dinner and further think on the love of Christ. Peace, my friends – peace and love!

Sky of Violet

James HoganLeave a comment

Good morning, my friends!! I am very shockingly sitting here at Beans this morning, mocha in hand. Well, actually it’s not in hand, it’s sitting on the table. But you know what I mean! I thought I’d dash off a quick entry before my omelette arrives. Once it gets here, I’ll be much more interested in it and far less excited about writing!

But yes, it’s a Saturday morning and it feels so good to sit here and just rest after a long, weary week. And this morning has already been decently productive, what with getting my car serviced and a shop done at the farmer’s market. So I feel this breakfast is well deserved. And truly, it just is good and proper to rest after a grueling work week. It is good to work, but it is also good to rest.

I possibly stayed up a little too late last night. Was at Christina’s apartment, where a few of us had a fun movie-watching night! I was very proud of the fact that both movies chosen were my contributions. “What About Bob?” YES. And “Inception”. I always forget how intense that one is. Quality. But intense.

And now my omelette has arrived. Possibly I’ll write some later? Possibly. But don’t count on it. Have a most wonderful day, my friends. Peace and love.

Truth and Reconciliation

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends!! I am currently at Beans coffeeshop and just finishing up my lunch. I decided I can eat lunch and write at the same time. Shocking, no? I’ve definitely been here far too long(it’s almost 3 o’clock!), but I’ve enjoyed my time here. Started out with a mocha and apple bread before moving on to my lunch of lentil soup and toast. Delightful. And of course, in the middle of my two courses, I got some good reading done. Along with some computer maintenance. I really really need to start seriously considering getting a new laptop. I do love my Vaio, but it’s over six years old and I don’t know how much more loyal service it’s going to give me. Any laptop recommendations, good people? I fear I’m a bit out of the game, technology wise.

Any other updates? Well, besides having a busy work week, not really. Did have a delightful evening yesterday! Me and Chase went over to the Rice University fields and played Ultimate with a bunch of people there. I haven’t played Ultimate in at least five years, so my skills were lacking, but it was still great fun. Going to need to make a habit of this. And afterwards, got some tacos(at this sweet joint, Torchy’s Tacos. Quality fare) Of course, it was a Friday night, so couldn’t go home quite yet! Drove Chase home and then played Halo for a couple hours before calling it a night. We’re currently making our way through the original campaign, so much fun!! Even though I think Chase is doing most of the work. I just run around and try not to die!

Anyways, it’s now 3 o’clock and my soup bowl is looking very sad and empty and I think it’s time to go. A perfectly beautiful day outside. The sunny blue sky calls my name!! Tonight is game night at Abby’s, and I need to get some errands done first. Have a delightful day, my dear friends.

Jack

James HoganLeave a comment

I fail at keeping this up-to-date, even when I’m on holiday and (supposedly) have plenty of time! Just now, I’m sitting here in the family room and thought I’d write a brief update on this day-after-Christmas(or as it’s called in other lands, Boxing Day!). This day was just lovely. A relaxing morning with coffee and family. Going out with Mom to Best NY Pizza for lunch…and of course the best part of that isn’t the yummy pizza(although that doesn’t hurt…), but just being with Mom and talking with her…which is always one of the highlights of my trip home. Always.

And then once we got home, I got to talk to Chris and Jo over Skype – truly, technology is a wonderful thing!! I got to see Lily as well!!! So so exciting chatting with the three of them for the first time since…well, since I left Aberdeen, three months ago. We talked about Christmas and Lily and Gilc and Buffy and Hobbit and I got to share some of what I’m going through in Houston…and well, I won’t be scandalous and chronicle my whole conversation! But it was just lovely chat. And I miss them so. And I am deeply thankful to God for giving me such friends and for blessing me by enabling us to stay in contact and get to have such sweet conversations. God is good, my friends.

And after I said farewell – what next? Well, Desolation of Smaug of course! Me and Maryanne and Laura and Mom went to see Hobbit II – hurrah!! I’d already seen it, of course, but no one else had. It was much enjoyed, with all the dwarves and Legolas(!!) and barrel-riding and dragony goodness. Oh and Kate from LOST(er, Evangeline Lilly) was the Mirkwood Elves’ Captain of the Guard! Fantastic role, I liked her a lot. Especially her conversations with Kili about starlight. Very non-canonical, but I don’t care, I loved it.

So yes, good times with everyone seeing that, I do declare!

Then we stopped at Blockbuster and grabbed a bunch of ’24’ episodes(Blockbuster going out of business…tragic, tragic) and had a sweet dinner of leftovers at home(because we’ve eaten too much good food this past week and have too much food in the fridge!!) and then me and Laura got to listen to some Tarja(my Christmas gift to her – I think she enjoys!) and me and Dad went for a walk in the cool evening air…and I have no idea how to end this sentence, so I shall just say – now we’re about to watch some ’24’ – classic Hogan Christmas tradition. Season Five, I think! Hopefully we get some ice cream too. Mint chocolate chip, I say.

Hope y’all don’t mind this rambling entry – I shall close as the family calls my name!

Planetfall

James HoganLeave a comment

Good afternoon!! I am going to write a quick update while I’m here at Beans. Why not, right? I also still don’t have internet in the flat, so it behooves me to make use of my internet time here and write while I can! I actually did order internet and tried setting up the router yesterday but somehow it didn’t work? I’m going to try and trouble shoot and get it fixed this afternoon, but maybe I’m just not meant to have internet. We shall see.

Anyways – why am I not at work today? Well, just thought it’d be fabulous to have a day off during this Christmas season! And indeed it is. So I’ve spent the morning relaxing and catching up with people, and soon I’m about to go and do some shopping and then this afternoon will be cooking time! I’m having community group over at my place tomorrow night, so need to have dinner pre-cooked(since sadly I will be working tomorrow). Also, I’m feeling in a spaghetti-and-meatballs mood, so that’s probably going to be on for tonight. I need to vacuum as well. So – productive afternoon ahead!

I also really need to write Christmas cards, so maybe that will happen as well? It definitely needs to, seeing as it’s already December 16th and post does take a bit of time to travel to Scotland. Hm.

And now I’ve said I’ll not make this overlong, so brief recap of last few awesome days. Yesterday was filled with church and cookie-baking-fail and then time at Zach and Daniel and Chase’s house…cookies and Elf-watching. Fun times. Good friends.

Saturday! I spent it here(of course!) and had good times with reading and relaxing and introducing one of my dear friends to the delights of a Saturday-morning-coffeetime. It was a beautiful morning. And afternoon was spent navigating the treacherous shopper-filled highways and seeing The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Truly magnificent. I won’t write a review here now, but simply fantastic – filled with barrel-riding and elf-heroics and dragonfire and creepy spiders and Bilbo-being-awesome. And did I mention dragon? Dragon!! Smaug the magnificent, and oh did he live up to his name. SMAUG. Afterwards, dinner at Russo’s where Italian was consumed and much geekery was discussed. Delightful.

Friday! Besides work, went with the community group peoples(along with a few others) to Youth Reach on the east side of town. Hanging out with all the kids there, playing games, exchanging presents…pretty fantastic. The guy in charge(Troy) gets huge respect for me, just giving these boys(about 12 of them I think?) a place to live and be normal kids. God has blessed his work much, this I can clearly see. And I was blessed, just being there.

Thursday! This also had work in it, but I’ll skip that part. After work, drove straight downtown(stressy-times driving…I really really hate downtown rush-hour driving) and then met up with people to see performance of A Christmas Carol. A great performance(we were four rows from front!) and heart-touching story. Of course. But the real treat was just being there with my friends(Joe, Christina, Alex, Abby, Angela, Lauren, Stef…) and enjoying their company. Afterwards, me, Stef, Angela and Lauren got dessert and coffee across the street and talked and laughed and much sugar was consumed. And once again, I cannot but be overwhelmed by the blessings my Lord has given me and the friends he has allowed me to have. Truly, I am blessed. I am blessed.

And now, this long entry will be closed. So let it be written. So let it be done. Peace, y’all.

Peace and love.

Hot Soup

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Monday, my friends! This entry shall be brief, but I thought I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to write a bit, since Monday afternoon updates are so rare! And for good reason, since I’m usually at work, correct? Well, this day is a most wonderful day off, for which I am exceedingly grateful. I’ve enjoyed a nice morning of coffee and reading and random internet errands. Soon I shall go and do some real errands and then back to my apartment for a productive afternoon. It is cold and drearily wet outside, but that is no matter.

Now my hot soup has arrived, mm!! It looks to a be a delightful amalgamation of chicken and rice and celery and carrots and onions and good broth. Delicious. So just took about ten minutes to dig into my soup, and I’ve made good progress! But really, I should finish writing this while I wait for it to continue to cool down…what shall I write about? Ah – yesterday! It was a long day, but a most wonderful one. Met Will at IHOP for breakfast before church – yes!! I haven’t seen Will since over a year ago, so the catch-up was truly deserved. And as always…great times were had. Sadly we’re not at the same church anymore, but we decided that doesn’t mean we can’t still hang out!

And church – to be with my brothers and sisters and worshiping God. That is where it’s at, my friends.

The afternoon was spent Christmas-decorating and cleaning(my living room is finally free of boxes!! Not my bedroom though. Shush) And then Sunday night – Christmas pageant at church! We sang heaps of Christmas carols and heard God’s Word read and it was delightful. But after that, did the night have to end? Certainly not! Zach had a great idea – we needed to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life.” And so we did! A few of us went over to Sarah’s apartment and spent the rest of the evening watching that movie(which some had not seen!). I haven’t seen it in a while myself. So much enjoyed. I’m not certain where it ranks in my pantheon, but it’s certainly up there. Finally made my way home late at night…but joys – it didn’t matter because Monday is no work day! Sadly, I have done some work today(emailing and such), but that’s alright.

This is much longer than I anticipated, and I want to get back to my soup! Just know that God is good. I’ve had some rough times lately, but in midst of it all, God has reminded me of all He has done for me. Simply thanking Him for all the things He’s given me…it does wonders for the soul. So be thankful to our God. Let your hearts abound with joy and praise and thanksgiving, my friends. No matter the wilderness we walk in or the darkness that plagues our souls – give thanks to our God and Father. And He is with us. Always. Always always.

And now, I’m away. To finish my soup!!

Refiner’s Fire

James HoganLeave a comment

Good morning, my friends!! It’s a beautifully cold morning in Houston, what! I think it’s approximately forty degrees, which is…surprising. But hey, I’m not complaining. I feel like I’m back in Scotland, as I’m pretty much wearing exactly what I would be wearing in Aberdeen – scarf, coat, boots and all!. So I could almost feel like I walked down George St. to Books and Beans today and sat at my normal table. Alas, that is not true. I drove down Westheimer and am now at my (semi)normal table at Beans! Still enjoying my mocha. Some things never change. God is good. Always.

And because it’s almost Christmas and I feel like it – listening to the Messiah right now. Simply lovely. I don’t think I’m going to see it in person this year – there’s a surprising lack of people who want to see it, and I’m not quite desperate enough to go alone! Maybe next year. I can still enjoy it on my iTunes…yeah.

Anyways, you all may have to get used to more sporadic updates from now on, as I’ve still not got Internet in my flat yet. I may soon, but holding off as long as I can. So – coffeeshop updates for now! Today’s going to be a fun day – a very much Saturday kind of day. Once I meander home from here(which may be a while), I’m going to go to the store(i.e., Super-Target!) and get cookie-making ingredients and cleaning supplies. Then home-time to make Christmas cookies! Of course, I’ve already had a few of Mom’s when I was home over Thanksgiving. That whetted my appetite enough that I simply must make my own now. And Abby, Claire and Charlotte are throwing a Christmas party tonight, so I want to take my cookies there(speaking of, I need to find a tacky Christmas sweater for aforesaid party. Hm. Let’s hope Target can provide). Anyways, besides making cookies this afternoon, I’ll probably just be continuing to go through some of my boxes that I haven’t opened yet(all clothes I’ve not worn in three years..) and I also need to do some cleaning and some laundry. Typical. To make it all more fun, I figure I’ll throw on Star Wars to play in background.

And this is a very chatty post – my apologies if I’ve bored you to death!!

I think I’m going to enjoy the coffeeshop here a bit more(not time to go out in cold yet). I might even write a bit more later, we shall see. Peace and love, my friends!

Curious

James HoganLeave a comment

Good evening my friends! My dinner(chicken parm!) is in the oven and I’m looking forward to a nice relaxing evening involving aforesaid dinner and possibly a little Redskins/Cowboys game action as well! Because I’m actually eating dinner early for once, I hope to have some good reading time(possibly involving chocolate and coffee? I say yes) before I go to bed.

But I did not write this post just to talk about my evening plans – no – I wanted to celebrate the birth of Chris and Jo’s baby girl!

Elizabeth(Lily) Aria George was born early this morning to some very happy and very weary parents! And she is just beautiful. And they are pretty much one of the most awesome families ever, let it be written! I couldn’t express my joy enough this morning when I discovered the news. Now as I think of Chris and Jo and Lily…I simply praise our God from whom all blessings flow. I love you guys!!!

And now, time to sprinkle some cheese on my chicken parm before putting it back in the oven. Mmm, dinner.

Peace and love.