The Penick's

There's No Place Like Home

2011-12-19T23:26:00.033-05:00

Blessings from 2011

1. Lenexa Baptist ChurchIn June, Mark began as Associate Senior Pastor at LBC, preaching and giving leadership to the staff. LBC is a vibrant body with two campuses in Lenexa, Kansas and Greenwood, Missouri. You can check out the 11a Sunday service live on Bott Radio in the greater Kansas City and Midwest area, as well as live streaming of the 9:30a and 11a services, and archives online.

2. Pastor Steve and Mary Dighton & Lenexa Baptist Staff

Pastor Steve and Mary Dighton--certainly our closest friends at LBC--as founding pastor of Lenexa Baptist, Steve's servant leadership is unparalleled in mega churches today. If ever you can't find us, we are often cited together, eating...or laughing...usually both...

3. Starr Working from KC
Starrla transitioned her job, National Director of Programs for MADD, to Kansas City. In 2011, her team launched a national parent program, re-freshed the MADD brand, and initiated a national annual "PowerTalk 21 day". She recently has been honored with an invitation to speak to the Governors' Spouses in Washington D.C. this coming February. MADD is a phenomenal organization with the mission of saving lives (over 300,000 lives since it began, 31 years ago).
Before leaving Dallas in May, Starrla was also invited to give the invocation for the 2011 graduating class at our alma mater, East Texas Baptist University.

4. Miles and Miles of Running Trails

With multiple access points in parks scattered throughout Johnson County, races every weekend, gorgeous summer, spring and fall running weather, and a number of new running buddies like these, Kansas City has turned out to be a runner's paradise.5. First HomeWe've had the joy of "finally" purchasing our first home!

6. Family, Church Family
We are often asked if we miss our families in Tulsa and Dallas. They are much to credit for the ease of transition because they are wonderfully supportive of Mark's calling to pastor. Much love to our awesome families and adorable nephews...LBC is a special place because of the church family--they have embraced us with open arms, making us quick to call this 'home.'

7. PhD, Approaching the Finish Line
Before leaving Dallas, Mark completed his comprehensive exams for his PhD in Leadership Studies at Dallas Baptist University. 2012-2013, Lord willing, is the home stretch of the dissertation.

8. Kansas City: There's No Place like Home
Kansas City was recently named the only American city on USA Today's "Top 10 World Destinations to Visit in 2012." We've quickly found out why... Country Club Plaza, Jack Stack Barbecue, and Sheridan's Custard (thanks to our dear friends Jerry & Monty Sheridan)... to name a few of our favorite date night stops. We're becoming K-State football fans and of course, we look forward to a Jayhawks basketball game.

We know God will bring blessings in 2012 to you and yours...

Merry Christmas,

Mark & Starrla

@MarkEPenick
@StarrlaRPenick

Thankful

2011-11-26T21:57:00.006-05:00

The Penick Thanksgiving day race tradition continued this year in Lawrence, Kansas, along with friends from Lenexa Baptist.

This Thanksgiving, we give thanks for our new church family...

Check out LBC at lenexabaptist.com or Bott Radio

Lenexa Baptist Church

2011-06-09T16:09:00.011-04:00

Friends and Family,

I am excited to give you an update about our newest ministry endeavor.

May 22 I accepted the invitation of Lenexa Baptist Church as Associate Senior Pastor. The faith family is a vibrant, gospel-centered church in Johnson County, a suburb of Kansas City, KS. LBC is experiencing exciting days of growth through the leadership of the founding Pastor Steve Dighton, and has recently expanded to multiple campuses. This new opportunity includes leadership to the ministry team, preaching, and continued expansion of the reach of the church as it prepares for the future.

Starrla will continue her job as National Director of Programs for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, working from Lenexa.

We have built sweet, enduring friendships during our 6 years at Prestonwood. I’m deeply grateful for the leadership opportunities experienced during my tenure on the Prestonwood ministerial team and for the overwhelming support of Dr. Jack Graham, church family and friends in this new role.

We covet your prayers for the coming days and years at Lenexa Baptist and invite you to come and visit if you are in the Kansas City area, which is often described as "America's best kept secret."

If you’d like to stay in touch, update our emails and mailing address in your records:

mark@lenexabaptist.com │ starrla@gmail.com │ PO Box 14383, Lenexa KS 66285

Our blog is updated frequently, so check in often. And stay connected with us by following on twitter and facebook.

We deeply love you.

Mark Penick

Associate Senior Pastor

Lenexa Baptist Church

Mark preaching on "Noah"…

2011-04-27T17:16:00.001-04:00

Of his many smiles, my favorite... sp

Starr will be the Keynote at ETBU Commencement

2011-04-27T17:08:00.003-04:00

Click here for News Release

Great honor...now just 2 weeks away!

Texas Traditions

2011-04-27T17:05:00.001-04:00

Lincoln

Associated Press

2011-03-24T22:53:00.004-04:00

Story about our launching program hit the Washington Post! More to come, in preparation for the national PowerTalk 21 day, April 21!

Alma Mater

2011-03-02T21:54:00.008-05:00

Enjoyed a visit to our alma mater, East Texas Baptist University (ETBU), where Mark preached the chapel service last week.

Top 10 in 2010

2010-12-16T17:06:00.032-05:00

Mark & Starrla's "Top 10" highlights from 2010:
(In no particular order)

10. Celebrating Mark's 5-year anniversary at Prestonwood Baptist Church.

Recent Sunday Service Intro

9. Beginning a new job as National Program Director at Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Starrla & Vicki, VP

8. Mark teaching through 1&2 Corinthians, Philemon, The Gospel of John and 1, 2, & 3 John through The Way (Bible Fellowship class) and The Journey (Wednesday night service).

Prestonwood

7. Welcoming good friends, Blake and Karla Edwards (and twins, Annesley and Addison), back to Texas, where Blake is now a Counselor at Hopeworks.

6. Officiating weddings for several good friends:

Timmy & Joyce Wu, Prestonwood

Anthony & Francette Bueno, St. Thomas

5. Entering the last phase of Mark's Ph.D. studies.

Dallas Baptist University

4. Welcoming the birth of our 3rd nephew.

Noah

3. (Starrla) Teaching 80 parenting classes and workshops for schools, churches, and community centers for Parent & Family Life Coaching.
2. Completing our yearly goal of running over 2000 combined miles.

Mount Vernon trail, D.C.

Setting personal records: Mark finished in 21:02, and Starrla in 23:10

Finished our 2nd annual Penick Turkey Trot 8-mile Run on Thanksgiving

1. Celebrating Mark's parents' 40th Wedding Anniversary.

Starrla with Lisa (Mark's sister) and Shirley (Mark's mother) at the party

Merry Christmas!

With love, Mark & Starrla

First Christmas

2010-12-12T22:16:00.004-05:00

1st Penick Christmas...
We've had 7 wonderful years together since.

Quick Get-Away

2010-12-12T21:47:00.006-05:00

Mark and I love East Texas, particularly because that is where we went to college, met, dated and to this day, still have a number of good friends; Mark was ordained and we were married at FBC Longview (below), where he was the Minister to Young Adults and started/preached a contemporary Saturday night service--It is hard to believe that was over 8 years ago...

R&R - We recently got away for a few days to visit old church friends and friends who are pastoring in east Texas and stayed at Stillwater Inn, a favorite restaurant/bed & breakfast in Jefferson.

MADD - Washington D.C.

2010-11-17T10:58:00.013-05:00

Earlier this year, I (Starrla) began working for Mothers Against Drunk Driving as the National Program Director, overseeing the parent initiative to prevent underage drinking. Our mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. To date, MADD's work has saved nearly 300,000 lives...

Mark met up with me in D.C. for MADD's 30th Year Anniversary celebration and National Conference where we held a press conference before lobbying on Capitol Hill.

Fit for Life 5K

2010-11-17T10:39:00.005-05:00

So proud of my hubs - we ran in Prestonwood's Fit for Life 5k, and he ran a 21:02 chip time! (That's a 6:44 minute mile!!) Seriously, Penick!

Bryant and Anne Wright

2010-10-16T22:15:00.004-04:00

Mark and I had the privilege of hosting a wonderful couple this past weekend, Bryant and Anne Wright, as Bryant came to speak at Prestonwood as the new President of the Southern Baptist Convention.

New lil' Neph'

2010-04-30T16:45:00.003-04:00

In January, we welcomed a nephew, Noah Scott, to Mark's sister and brother-in-law--Lisa & Scott McCune!

Timmy & Joyce Wu Wedding

2010-04-24T11:07:00.010-04:00

Last weekend Mark married our friends from The Way, Joyce and Timmy. Many friends from our Bible Fellowship came to support them and attended the reception with us at Eldorado Country Club in McKinney.

We love you, Joyce and Timmy!
And to The Way--it's a privilege and joy to "celebrate life's high points" with you!At Reception

Friends and Director of The Way, Caleb & Katie

5 Years at Prestonwood

2010-04-22T16:25:00.001-04:00

A few weekends ago we celebrated Mark's 5 year anniversary at Prestonwood Baptist Church. Mark is the Minister to the Open Division which includes Bible Fellowship classes and new member assimilation classes - NextStep , and hot topic Discovery Classes. For much of his time on staff he has also taught a Bible Fellowship called The Way. Recently he has started giving leadership to Prestonwood's adult wed. night programing, Life and Leadership Classes.

He's doing what he loves--leading, teaching, and preaching--and we love doing it at Prestonwood! This all on top of working on his PhD... I am so proud of him. - Starrla

St. Thomas Wedding

2010-03-27T11:22:00.007-04:00

Mark and I went to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands last week so Mark could perform the marriage ceremony for good friends, Anthony and Francette (Schuh) Bueno.

The Bueno's

Congratulations!

Nephews, Slade & Carter

2010-03-06T15:06:00.005-05:00

Slade, 2 years old

Carter, 7 months old

Dinner with George W.

2010-03-06T14:26:00.007-05:00

Mark and I were very honored to attend the Prestonwood Pregnancy Center fundraising dinner on Sunday with former President George W. Bush as the keynote speaker. Beyond down-to-earth tales about life inside the White House, Laura, Prime Ministers such as Vladimir Putin, and his dog Barney, the President won the hearts of every attendee with his love for life, God, and country.

Pictured with good friends, Jon and Gina Lineberger

Prime Time Spot

2010-02-06T10:58:00.004-05:00

Watch out, Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien!

Noah is here!

2010-01-18T14:10:00.004-05:00

We recently welcomed our newest nephew to Mark's sister.

2009-12-16T16:44:00.048-05:00

Looking back to the ministry and family expansions of the past year...

Mark began his 3rd year in PhD work at DBUand presented papers in Oxford this summer.

Mark also spent time this year training Bible Fellowship leaders at the Prestonwood campuses as well as in other churches who like the Open Division model. The Open Division at Prestonwood continues to grow, and we enjoy getting to know new people each week through the new classes that Mark starts. One new class, Nexus, meets on Saturday nights and is taught by friend and PhD candidate Justin Bass. Continuing over 3 years, Mark still teaches The Way, an Open Division class on Sundays.

Another vision of the Open Division, we led our 3rd team to East Asia in the spring and sent another team in the fall. The 2010 teams are already coming together.

Celebrating new birth (Carter Ainsworth, shown) and coming birth (Noah McCune)

Our growing 1 1/2 year old Vizsla loves to hunt birds and run with us...

Ran over 2600 miles between us in 2009 (farther than Houston to Seattle).
Competed in races, such as UT Tyler Half Marathon, Prestonwood Powerpoint Fit for Life 5K, YMCA Turkey Trot, and Dallas White Rock Marathon Relay.

Starrla earned certification (CFLE) in Family Life Education in March and launched a website to support coaching and consulting opportunities.

http://www.parentfamilylife.com/

Looking back, we would do it all over!
To family and friends, we love you deeply,

and we wish you the very best in 2010!

Dallas White Rock Marathon Relay

2009-12-14T18:38:00.005-05:00

Team "Banshee" (Priscila, Starrla, Toby, Renee, and Kaytie (not pictured))
Placed 5th out of 118 women's teams, averaging 8 min/mile

Thanksgiving 09

2009-11-30T13:58:00.006-05:00

This Thanksgiving holiday, we began the week at DBU's Russell H. Perry dinner, honoring Mayor Tom Leppert.

Then we ran our "first annual" Penick Turkey Trot in Dallas, along with over 37,000 other runners!

We also had the unique opportunity to bring together both of our parents and siblings for a nephew-entertained meal and activities. We are so thankful for our family and friends!

Friends and kids

2009-11-16T17:43:00.006-05:00

Arianna Pearl was born 11.11.09 to good friends, Justin and Allison Bass.After a great visit with the Bass' on Saturday night, we went to The Trogdon's to celebrate the baby dedication of Sevyn Trogdon.

We have been blessed with some awesome friends!

Fit for Life 5K

2009-11-16T17:15:00.004-05:00

Ran the Fit for Life 5K last weekend at Prestonwood. Friends from The Way joined us...

Proceeds went to Pastor Graham's radio and television broadcasting ministry, Power Point.

Gotta brag on my hubs who placed in his age group at a speedy 21:52 minutes! I trailed behind but didn't do too bad. A couple who runs together stays together! Works well for us...

Lisa's Shower

2009-11-03T11:37:00.004-05:00

Last weekend, Mark's sister, Lisa, gathered with family and friends from all over the metroplex for her baby shower. Pictured here (left to right) is Shirley's sister, Verlene; Starrla; Lisa (GORGEOUS pregnant mom!); and mother-in-law, Shirley (Penick).

Congratulations again, Scott and Lisa!

Tyler Half Marathon

2009-10-20T12:11:00.005-04:00

Big thanks to my running/training buddies--Mark, Toby Graham (& the Perot gang--Priscilla, Crissy and Ritchie), Carol Young, Francette Schuh & Anthony Bueno, and Jamie Hopper--I finally completed my goal of a half marathon race in Tyler this weekend!

Distance: 13.1 miles

Time: 1:47:35

Pace: 8.13 mph

Age group 25-29 place: 2nd!

Matthews, Pappadeaux, and DBU

2009-10-10T14:47:00.006-04:00

On Friday night, we joined some friends for dinner at Pappadeaux. Mark and Gena Matthews (pictured), formerly at Prestonwood, are now at Great Hills in Austin, and he is considering applying for the Leadership doctorate program that Mark is doing.

Friends Jeremy and Kendra Dutchke (he directs the PhD program) dined with us as well. Mark and Gena--great to see you and to know that you have bloomed where you're planted!

Nexus

2009-10-02T10:47:00.009-04:00

Allison & Justin Bass

Mark launched a new Open Division Bible Fellowship class on Saturday nights at Prestonwood called Nexus. The first class was well attended, the teaching was great, and the people are outstanding! Our teacher is Justin Bass, a PhD candidate (in New Testament) at Dallas Theological Seminary, and a good friend of ours, along with his wife Allison. They are expecting little Ariana Pearl in about a month.

Left to Right: Friend & Nexus Member, Trog Trogdon (wife, Mendi, & daughter, Sevyn, not pictured) and friends & Nexus Directors, Jason & Jamie Hopper

Mark & Starrla

New Nephew Carter

2009-09-22T16:58:00.002-04:00

Here are some pictures I just took of our new nephew Carter. The last one, of course, is big brother Slade.

Labor Day '09

2009-09-21T18:27:00.001-04:00

Mark, Lincoln, and brother-in-law Shawn, caught fish on the trotline for Labor Day! I've been told that every guy needs a dog.

and he thinks i'm redneck...

Happy Birthday, Kristen!

2009-09-12T17:55:00.005-04:00

Kristen Gee--a member of the Open Division team--we love you and celebrate your birthday today!!

Friends Engaged

2009-09-09T18:22:00.004-04:00

Another reason we love the Open Division at Prestonwood is that we can walk alongside people in all phases of life, from new births to baptisms to engagements and weddings to life transitions and struggles.

A couple in our Sunday class, The Way, that has also been called into ministry this last year, just got engaged! Congratulations, Timmy and Joyce!

Ladies Night Out

2009-09-02T22:10:00.004-04:00

Recently saw Julie & Julia with some girlfriends from The Way. We were "shushed" a few times...

(Left to right: Jill Graham, Starrla, Francette Schuh, & Katie Morris)

Lincoln update

2009-08-31T16:26:00.011-04:00

Several of you have asked recently about Lincoln, our 14 month old puppy, so I wanted to give you an update. In the last month, he has started running the 4 mile route with us. Here is Lincoln the morning AFTER a run...

Plano Health Fair

2009-08-31T16:01:00.013-04:00

As part of my work, I organize family services for the district's central cluster, which includes hosting a health fair at the beginning of this school year as a family initiative.

On Saturday, we expected about 900 people from the community to come, and instead we saw upwards of 2000 people flood the building--receiving immunizations, sports physicals, hearing and vision care, and resources from over 40 non-profit organizations!

Something that I was most excited about, we invited Prestonwood's Pregnancy Center mobile sonogram unit, and they were able to do several sonograms and pregnancy tests for women and teens.

Life in Ministry

2009-08-23T20:38:00.013-04:00

I've just ordered about 20 more books for Mark's fall semester of PhD studies at DBU. He touches so many lives each week through Prestonwood and on top of it all, he's been taking more and more speaking and teaching opps. I am not sure how he keeps it all up! Here a few pics from this last couple of weeks...

MacArthur Blvd. Baptist Church

NextStep, part of the Open Division at Prestonwood

Bible Fellowship Leadership Summit, Prestonwood

Congratulations, Michael & Abby!

2009-08-23T17:14:00.009-04:00

Our good friends, Michael & Abby Wood, are being launched from Prestonwood to West Monroe where Michael is now the Student Minister. They also just had a son, Gavin. FBC West Monroe is blessed to have you guys!

Cornerstone Baptist

2009-08-23T17:09:00.003-04:00

Starrla's dad, Associate Pastor at Cornerstone Baptist, was honored at a recent service. We all drove in to be there and celebrate his 20 years of ministry. Little Slade tried to steal the pulpit...

Oh Boy!

2009-08-23T17:03:00.005-04:00

Mark's sister, Lisa, and husband, Scott, found out this week they are expecting a little...boy! We are anticipating our next new nephew in January 2010. Congratulations!!

Prestonwood Fall Women's Dinner

2009-08-23T16:52:00.006-04:00

Last week was a sweet time for the ladies of The Way, our Bible Fellowship class, as we filled 2 tables at the annual fall women's dinner, and joined over 1,000 women for a guest speaker and music.Susanne Anderson came with me as a guest. Susanne's husband, Kerby, teaches a large class in Mark's Open Division called Examine, popular in part by his radio personality he brings to the class from Probe Ministries, and also by the dynamic synergy of that class. We are so encouraged by their family and friendship.

New Nephew!

2009-08-23T16:41:00.003-04:00

Starrla's nephew, Slade, welcomed a little brother, Carter, into the world on Sunday, August 16! Complete with long eyelashes and a big smile, we are so glad he's here!

Great Commission Resurgence Task Force

2009-08-14T10:12:00.004-04:00

Join us, as we join Ronnie Floyd and already over 2,000 others in his plea for prayer for the Great Commission Resurgence. You can commit to pray by registering online.

Starrla's Houston Tour

2009-08-06T10:52:00.009-04:00

Last week, I went to Houston to visit friends and some family.

My first stop was to see my best friend from college, Shanna Greene, her husband Michael, and adorable son, Jonathan. Shanna is studying to take the NCE exam for her L.P.C. (licensed professional counselor), and they are expecting another little boy in October. Shanna continually inspires me towards growth.

Michael and Shanna were called to a vibrant church on the west side of Houston last year, Copperfield Church, where he is now the worship pastor and directs all the creative arts as well. I love you, friends!

I went next to visit my grandparents in League City, between Houston and Galveston, where much of my family is from. Pictured here is Bob Ainsworth, my grandfather...the first Marshal of League City who later started the police department.

Not in Kansas anymore...

2009-08-05T16:12:00.011-04:00

The end of last week we took a quick road trip to Elkhart, Kansas to visit Mark's grandmother. Along with our amazing road warrior dog, Lincoln, we stopped in Canyon, Texas for a short 3-mile hike in the Palo Duro Canyon.

Lincoln enjoyed the break from traveling...

Congratulations, Pritchards!

2009-07-22T09:26:00.005-04:00

Friends from college (as well as Starrla's college roommate), James and Kim Pritchard and son Judah, have just moved from Cache, Oklahoma where James served as Pastor to become the Pastor of Robinwood Baptist Church in Seagoville, Texas.

We are excited for you and glad to have you in the area!

The Way ladies host a baby shower

2009-07-20T13:58:00.008-04:00

Mark teaches a Bible Fellowship class called The Way, which falls into his division, the Open Division, at Prestonwood. It is such an authentic and loving group of people that are constantly doing great things for the community as well as celebrating life events together.

This weekend several ladies from the class hosted a baby shower for Marlen Key, a member of The Way.
Congratulations, David and Marlen Key! We can't wait to welcome little Melina to this world next month!

Ryan, Angela, & Rooke Payne

2009-07-20T13:46:00.009-04:00

Some good friends came in town from Seattle, and we met them for dinner and coffee last night.

Ryan and Mark have been friends for about 18 years including working a landscaping job together after they graduated from high school. Soon after being in our wedding 6 years ago, they moved to China for two years, and now Ryan is in law school in Seattle. Angela stays home with their charming son, Rooke, and is expecting another baby! They are actively involved in Mars Hill Church in Seattle. Good friends that can always be counted on for meaningful conversation! Love you guys!

Mark's 30th!

2009-07-13T11:30:00.014-04:00

Mark turned 30 on July 3rd, while we were at Oxford.

Mark's closest cohort buddies joined us for dinner at one of C.S. Lewis' favorite restaurants by the river in Oxford, The Trout Inn.

(Left to Right) Rick Melson is Executive Elder at Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA. He leads the Campus Network and is launching the Resurgence Training Center; Stan Ward teaches courses in Humanities, Bible, and Logic at The Brook Hill School; Jim Thomas is Associate Pastor at Parkway Hills Baptist Church in Plano, TX.

Happy Birthday, sweetheart!

Oxford

2009-06-29T09:07:00.009-04:00

Father's Day with Starrla's Family

2009-06-22T12:01:00.001-04:00

Celebrating Daddy Ray's 60th Birthday

2009-06-16T10:55:00.005-04:00

Celebrating 6 Years of Marriage

2009-06-07T08:04:00.003-04:00

...with a cocktail shrimp feast at Pappadeaux!

China Project '09

2009-05-20T19:53:00.004-04:00

Nephew, Slade, Growing at 16 months...

2009-05-01T11:22:00.000-04:00

Great Commission Resurgence

2009-05-01T11:17:00.003-04:00

Zig Ziglar Servant Leadership Award Dinner

2009-04-18T13:40:00.008-04:00

A very special night for us! We were honored to be guests of George and Shirley Shafer, long-time members of the church where we serve, at a dinner honoring Zig Ziglar and Mike Huckabee. It’s always fun to dress up! It was special for us because Zig taught a class for years in Mark’s Open Division at Prestonwood and is still very much involved. He and his wife, Jean, have become good friends, starting when Mark used to teach a Bible study in their home.

We were able to see Dr. Roy Fish, one of Mark’s seminary professors and mentors, who married us.

East Asia Update

2009-03-30T21:37:00.004-04:00

In 5 weeks, Mark and I and a team of 16 will embark to East Asia!

Please join us in this venture by praying about this mission with us...

www.eastwest.org/goto/Starrla

Recent Trail Runs

2009-03-30T21:17:00.003-04:00

PhD Seminar Weekend

2009-03-29T10:00:00.004-04:00

Mark completed another weekend of PhD Seminars.

Altogether, he completed for this weekend over 60 pages typed literature reviews on Globalization. Namely, his works reviewed discourses, articles, and books by Roland Robertson, Thomas Friedman, Samuel Huntington and others, such as The World is Flat.

I proofed them all--go ahead, ask me about Globalization...

Lincoln growing

2009-03-29T09:59:00.003-04:00

"Sevyn" Trogdon Baby Shower

2009-03-17T21:47:00.001-04:00

2008-12-17T16:03:00.033-05:00

Nephew, Slade

Born January 8, 2008

'08 Travels

Mark presented PhD papers at the DBU political institute

in Washington D.C.

5-year Wedding Anniversary in Nuevo Vallarta!

Starrla joins Plano ISD as Family Education & Guidance Services Specialist, where she meets with parents and teaches parenting education classes across the district.

Labor Day weekend with good friends...

...Pastor Johnny & Janet Hunt

Pete & Holly Hixson

in Woodstock, Georgia

Starrla’s book published, Comparison of Christian Children’sGod-concepts and Logical Thinking Ability

Exceeded 2008 goal
of running 1000 miles
at Arbor Hill Nature Preserve

Yet to Come in '09...

PhD Institute in Oxford, England Taking 3rd group to China

Another Semester Closing

2008-11-11T12:21:00.004-05:00

I just had to take a picture of Mark's pile of library research for his current paper on the philosopher, Hegel!

New Puppy!

2008-09-17T14:35:00.002-04:00

We have fallen in love with a hungarian breed of dog called the Vizsla. After much research and dialogue, Mark brought one home last night!

Meet Lincoln, our new little boy...

More pictures soon to come!

"Georgia on My Mind"

2008-09-04T15:30:00.015-04:00

Thank you to good friends, Pete & Holly Hixson, Pastor Johnny & "First Lady" Janet Hunt, for the warm southern hospitality in Atlanta, GA this weekend! Mark and I took some friends, Grant and Micah Janik, with us to the suburbs of Atlanta, Marietta and Woodstock, for a fast and fun weekend.

We got in late on Friday night, so when I got up on Saturday morning at Pete and Holly's home, I crept downstairs where Hope and Addy (Pete and Holly's girls) were playing and asked if they remembered me. After a few nods "no," Hope started to the door in sheer excitement and said, "Where's Mark???" She was clearly glad to see him! They continued their tradition of tea time, since he taught her how to drink tea when she was about 3 years old...

We then went to visit some friends in Atlanta, Kyle and Heather Webb, and then to spend a few nights with Pastor Johnny and Janet. Since Janet was out of town, Pastor, Mark and I went to Stoney River...anyone ever heard of stone puppies? Neither here nor there...

On Sunday, we crammed in two Sunday morning services, one at Vinings Lake, where Pete is pastoring; the other at FBC Woodstock.

After a Sunday lunch with the fam, Mark and I did a BEAUTIFUL 5 mile run in Kennesaw Mountain--oh, the trees--now, why do I live in Texas?

Sunday night, Pastor took us to my favorite Atlanta restaurant, Mary Mac's Tea Room! Of course, Mark and Hope shared another cup of tea together. (She announced he was her boyfriend, too...precious)

Sweet tea...good. Friendships...Priceless!

2008-08-13T22:57:00.005-04:00

Slade (nephew) @ 7 months

2008-07-24T14:24:00.011-04:00

They say my nephew, Slade, inherited my eyelashes...

and at 6 1/2 months, he's becoming skilled at flirting with the girls!

My Lil' Bub...

New Job!

2008-07-18T09:52:00.004-04:00

Over the past year, I (Starrla) have been busy with professional development and training, i.e. serving on the board for the Texas Association of Parent Educators as well as Texas Council for Family Relations, finishing my Master's degree at UNT in Development & Family Studies, becoming a Certified Parent Educator, and educating parents at classes and conferences. I am passionate about parenting, believing that parents don't do better until they know better, and better parents raise better kids. In turn, better kids become better students and eventually better citizens.

So, I am really excited to begin a new job at the beginning of August for Plano Schools as Family Education & Guidance Services Specialist where I will be providing training, awareness, and education to guidance counselors and parents, among other things. I'm really excited about the team I will be working with and the potential for impacting the families of 54,000 Plano students!

College Roomies

2008-07-16T10:43:00.004-04:00

Saturday was a mini-reunion for the old college roommates at Kim's baby shower...

Kim (the pregnant one!) & James Pritchard are having a baby boy and will continue to reside in Cash, Oklahoma, where James pastors a church and Kim teaches school.
Courtney (far left) & Daniel Packer are now in Richardson; Daniel manages at Xerox, and Courtney works for Watermark Community Church.
Mindy May (in the middle) is starting her Ph.D at Southwestern this fall.
Elizabeth (next to me) & Cory Gouldman with 7-month old Chloe, are in Waco, where Elizabeth works at MHMR and Cory attends Truett.

Though brief, it was so good to see you girls!

Vacation

2008-07-14T11:20:00.001-04:00

Mark and I just returned from a wonderful 7 night vacation in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, where we celebrated our 5-year wedding anniversary and Mark's 29th birthday. After a year of his non-stop Ph.D studies, Mark and I were ready for a get-away together! We read books, played tennis, kayaked, boogie boarded, ran on the beach, and played in the waves for an entire week.
Life is good...

Washington D.C.

2008-06-23T12:56:00.003-04:00

Welcome home, honey!
It was a long week without Mark, but his trip to D.C. was very productive. Mark presented and defended his paper at Dallas Baptist University's Political Leadership Institute in Washington D.C. with his PhD cohort.

New SBC President!

2008-06-10T16:45:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to a dear friend and mentor, Pastor Johnny Hunt from FBC, Woodstock!
We love you!

5 Year Wedding Anniversary

2008-06-05T15:54:00.003-04:00

Mark,

The last seven years have been beautiful and exciting! I definitely chose adventure when I chose you. I love you dearly and will for the rest of our lives. This album is a glimpse of our journey thus far. Thank you for choosing me above all others!

Starrbright

East Asia

2008-05-13T11:57:00.004-04:00

A Day with Slade

2008-04-14T10:45:00.001-04:00

Easter Weekend

2008-03-24T10:37:00.012-04:00

Israel Pictures

2008-03-20T15:19:00.014-04:00

Our Rockin' Nephew

2008-03-17T11:09:00.002-04:00

Camel

2008-03-12T10:31:00.001-04:00

Waiting in Jerusalem

2008-03-11T11:59:00.000-04:00

I'm the luckiest woman in the world...isn't he charming?

Israel Trip

2008-03-05T19:18:00.007-05:00

We just returned from an amazing trip to Israel where we visited places such as Jerusalem, Mount of Olives, the Sea of Galilee, Masada, the Garden of Gethsemane, and so much more...

Everybody needs a camel ride!

The "Dome of the Rock"...Muslim Mosque inside the Temple Mount right next to where the temple would be.

The "Wailing Wall"...the wall of the Temple Mount that is the closest point to where the temple would stand.

This is all I had time to post and jet lag was calling me to bed.

More to come...

Slade's Baby Dedication

2008-02-25T09:29:00.009-05:00

Sunday, the 24th, I went to our nephew, Slade's, baby dedication at C-Life, the church plant that Shawn and Jill attend in Forney.

Birthday

2008-02-22T08:43:00.003-05:00

Mark, Starrla, and nephew Slade at P.F. Changs on Monday with the Ainsworths for Starrla's birthday. Thank you for the fun evening!

Aunt Starr and Uncle Mark!

2008-01-17T11:00:00.000-05:00

Robert "Slade" Ainsworth, our long-awaited nephew, was born on January 8th at 6 lbs. 3 oz. and 18 1/2 inches long to my brother, Shawn, and his wife Jill.

Shawn and Jill are such precious parents. Rough firemen do have tender moments!

Mom and baby are both doing great...

Being an aunt is the most wonderful thing, next to being married of course!

I discovered I'm a tree-hugger

2007-10-12T10:56:00.000-04:00

Recently, Mark and I enjoyed a much-needed respite from normal life at the Grand Canyon!
We ran/hiked 3 miles of the South Rim (1000 ft. elevation change) then drove to Lee’s Ferry.
We fly-fished the Colorado River—a first for me, Mark was a pro—

and I caught my first trout!

I held it fearlessly…

Then we drove to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and stayed in a cabin at Jacob Lake Inn.
On our last day, we ran a 10 mile trail along the North Rim with the beauty of the Grand Canyon canvassed over the rim. Here is Mark on the trail…

My consistent thought in viewing the canyon was that I literally did not have the ability to embrace the fullness of the beauty I was seeing, just as my eyes couldn’t get a grasp of the depth of the canyon.
What a fun trip! I’m glad Mark and I love the outdoors together—to run, hike, fish, hug trees, eat granola…the whole gamut.

Life in the Penick Pad

2007-08-10T11:13:00.000-04:00

New and not-so-new news: Mark started a PhD in Leadership at Dallas Baptist University.
Thankfully, I graduated with my Master’s in Child & Family Development in May.

May 2007 Trip:

Mark and I are also running and hoping to run/hike the Grand Canyon in September! Our longest weekly run so far is at 9 miles, but we usually quit after our MP3 players run out of new songs : ) We’re probably running about 20-25 miles a week; it’s something we really enjoy doing together.
Also, my sister-in-law, Jill is pregnant! Little Robert Slade or Kaylee Renee will be here in January.