Goings On…

Lots going on…

Moving

Our move date has been pushed up a whole month and I am both excited and scared!!

I am ready and excited to be in the new apartment closer to school and church, but slightly scared because I have no idea how we are going to pull off a move in the middle of finals week and work!! It will work out somehow though, it always does.

Home

We are making a trip home this weekend for a wedding and quick visit with my family and my best friend. Hubby is looking forward to seeing his college buddies again and hanging out with them. I am dreading putting on a dress for the occasion as I have gained so much weight and do not feel proud of the way I look. But it will be alright. I am looking forward to time with my momma and Neesie and Dad. We will be celebrating my 30^th birthday early while we are there so that will be fun. Then we will stop by my best friend’s new house briefly before heading back home on Sunday. I can’t wait to see her as she is pregnant with her second child and I can’t wait to hug her so big and see her new house and my nephew!!

Easter

We have a busy weekend planned for Easter. We will be having several practices for our Kids Service that we are doing Saturday night. We will spend lots of time prepping children’s church for Saturday night as well as packets to hand out Sunday morning. We will be heading to our pastors house for lunch after church on Sunday and then afterward we will celebrate my 30^th birthday with dinner and a trip to “The Cup” a cupcake place downtown that I have been dying to try!! Very exciting weekend!!

Semester Ends

Then finally the semester ends at the end of this month. I have several projects I hope to get finished on the road this weekend or first thing next week and then only two finals and a move sandwiched in between!!

Summer Begins

Summer will begin with a break from school during the month of May :) (big grin here).

My sweet sister in law will be coming to stay with us for a week at the beginning of June. When we take her home we will spend a weekend with Hubby’s family in south Alabama. And I am begging for a day at the beach during this trip.

I will begin my internship with our children’s pastors in May I believe.

I will open my availability up at work and be working more hours at Old Navy.

I will also be getting back to teaching (hopefully Stars) on Wednesday nights, which I am completely stoked about!!

Hubby and I will both be going to kid’s camp for a week in July! And then we will both start back to school, Hubby possibly sometime in July and me in August.

Busy Busy but we truly love every minute of once again being busy. Last summer was so different, as we had no friends, no connections; we were just attending a brand new church.

Then next year of our life will be CRAZY busy and hard but it will be more than worth it when we graduate and move into full-time ministry somewhere!! I am not convinced I am ready, it sounds so scary but God knows what He is doing and we will follow him.

Even with all of the busyness we will be having some fun…there will be pool time

with my (hopefully) new kindle,

trips to Silver Dollar City,

...and just relaxing any chance we get!!

So here’s to a great finish to the semester and a great summer!!

It’s the little things...

>When I worship so freely I feel like I could float away

>When God uses me to really touch someone’s heart

>When my hubby takes me out for a fun day just because

>When my family just gets me and loves me

>When something I am so nervous about ends up going well

>When something I am confident in doesn’t go so well but I can learn from it

>When I can just sit on the sidewalk in the sunshine with pure happiness in my heart

>Hearing God whisper in my ear that He is in control and loves to blow me away

>When pieces of the puzzle of life just fall right into place and I had nothing to do with putting them there

>When I can plan but then take my hand off and let God really have his way instead

>When I am appreciated

>When I am not appreciated

>When I see glimpses of who I really am

>When a plan finally comes together and we can rest in them

>Dreaming of our future

>Understanding something new about the Bible that I never knew before and then going back to read it with this new understanding

>Using commentaries (love them)

>Reading fiction by my favorite author

>Hot Baths & Face Masks

>Snuggling

>Hugs from kids at church (overwhelming joy)

>Peace that transcends all understanding that comes only from my Heavenly Father

>A deep worship song

>Pandora internet radio – Kari Jobe station

>Texts from special people telling me that I can do it

>Hearing that someone is proud of us

>When someone completely loves and accepts my husband

>When someone from home randomly thinks of us

>A hubby who is off to church to work with lil boys in Royal Rangers

Father, Your love is one of the most Beautiful things that I have ever experienced. Thank You. I have no other words, but Thank You. You alone Father are worthy to be praised. Thank you for making us better and better. Thank you for your leading and your conviction. Thank you Father for all of the little and not so little things as many of the things I listed are not so little really. Thank you Father for this life! In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Birthday Wishlist…

Kindle & Cute cover

Netbook

My fav candles

My fav shoes

Pretty scarves

That’s all :) Hey a girl only turns 30 once!

The Girly Side of me loves…

The beautiful bouquet of pink tulips my hubby gave me the other day.

A good long hot bubble bath.

Sparkling Grape Juice.

A good at home facial.

My new purple nail polish.

Dove Chocolates.

Thankful…

Today I just feel Thankful. Thankful for my Heavenly Father & Savior, Thankful for my Hubby, Thankful for our Families, Thankful for our Friends, & so very Thankful for all that God is doing in us!! I am very humbled and very Thankful!

Crazyness Ahead

Hubby and I registered for my fall classes today and WHOA!!

The next year of my life is going to be absolutely insanely crazy. But if I can pull it off (& I am determined to) then I will graduate in just TWO more semesters!! That would be amazing and it would save us a lot of money!! So lots of prayers are WELCOME!!!

I will be taking a FULL load for the next two semesters as well as interning, working, and being a wife. It is going to be intense but I know that God will get me through!!

Let’s Do This!!

A Rainy Saturday...

The Rainy Saturday before Spring Break officially ends! I am almost depressed that Spring Break is ending! But there are only five weeks of the semester left and for that I am very thankful!!

We have just arrived back home from work at Old Navy. We stopped off at Hubby’s other job (Nearly Famous Deli) to grab sandwiches for lunch. Then dropped by the grocery store for steaks and potatoes for “Din Din”, Hubby is grilling!! We are now nestled in our lil apartment away from the rain with full bellies!!

I am going to venture out to Walmart in a lil bit for Purple finger nail polish and the next book in the series I am reading by Karen Kingsbury. I plan to spend the remainder of the day and weekend while not at church in my pajamas on my sofa with my nose in a book.

This is our life today. It is bliss. We will be discussing games for service tomorrow later and Hubby will be watching lots of basketball.

I intend to drain the last bit of fun out of this Spring Break before it officially ends at 8:30 am Monday morning.

Just Sayin.

I fully plan to psych myself up about finishing the next five weeks STRONG!!

Today was a first…

It was the first day I received an allowance from my hubby.

It was at my suggestion and I think I am going to like it. I think it will help me control my spending and not ask for so much all the time. I didn’t even really want to spend my money on Starbucks coffee tonight (thought I did but only because I was ready to pass out at work), otherwise I would not have spent the money.

So we will definitely see how this goes. I am excited!!

Things I Love about Spring!

So in honor of how Beautiful it has been lately…a post of my favorite things about spring…

1. Spring Break

2. Spring Cleaning

3. McDonald’s ice cream cones (okay so maybe I love these year round!!)

4. Green grass

5. Daffodils

I Love Spring A lot!!

Happy Spring!!

Weekend Review

Friday: Friday began SPRING BREAK!!! Promptly at 12:30pm to be exact, and I could not have been more ready or excited!! I relaxed the rest of the afternoon until time for work that night. After work Hubby and I stopped off at Fuddruckers to try some wild game burgers. I ordered the Buffalo Burger and Hubby ordered the Wild Boar burger. We cut them in half, swapped a half, and ate them at the same time and then rated them. We gave the Buffalo Burger a 6.5 and the Wild Boar Burger a 4. It was a fun new experience.

Saturday: We were up early for work. I had to work at Old Navy and Hubby had to go do his stores. I worked until 2:45 and couldn’t wait to get off and hang out with my Hubby. It was rainy and stormy and we hung out at home. Hubby napped and I worked on some school work to get a head start on the projects that I needed to get done over Spring Break! Hubby had to work that night at the deli and I got a lot of work done on my project that night! I bombarded poor Hubby when he got home from work with what I had gotten done on my project because I was so excited!! I am working on a training session for children’s church workers. So it’s not just a project to me, this is something I am pouring my heart into because we will be using this in our ministry one day!! I am very excited about it and I am very proud of it!! We spent the evening finishing up making our plans for the games we were doing the next morning in children’s church before heading off to sleepyland!

Sunday: We were up early to make a quick stop by Walmart to grab some things for our games before early service. We enjoyed the word Pastor Fent shared, he is just such a wonderful preacher!!! Then it was on to children’s church to run through the skit and get everything set up and ready. Children’s church went well, I had a great time getting to know more names and praying with the kids, and watching Hubby shine while leading games and welcoming visitors. We are a great team and I love seeing him do so well at what he does! After church we got to take our children’s pastor’s kids to lunch and bowling. We had such a good time with the boys!! They sure have a lot of energy, so we were tired after our time with them but we really enjoyed it soo very much!!! After that it was home again. My brother Daniel came over to work on school work and Hubby took a nap, I finished our laundry and finished up the training session project and am just so happy about how it turned out, Daniel napped some and we chatted a good bit and he finished his laundry and then we all had chili and watched “Coming Home”, a tear jerker!!! It was good to just chill with my boys at home!!

It was a nice weekend and I feel great about what I got accomplished!!!

Spring Break!!!

Yes it is Finally here and I could not be more thankful. Though I will be getting up early and working hard on school work it will be so nice to have a break from going to school for a week!! My plan is actually to work hard Sunday – Wednesday on projects and assignments and then take Thursday – Sunday off. We will see how that goes. I have decided that I am open to working more on school work next Saturday and Sunday too because it is more important to get caught up than to rest at this point.

However Thursday is officially PLAY DAY!!! Hubby and I are going to Silver Dollar City when he gets off work to ride roller coasters and walk around holding hands and taking pictures!! I cannot wait!!! We bought season passes so I am looking forward to a summer full of Theme Park Fun!!!

So Spring Break has begun!! Let the catching up and Fun begin!!

We have a plan...

We have a plan...and it feels really really good!!

God is doing so so much!!!

I am so excited!!!

Hubby has applied for the Fall Term of Degree Completion at CBC. His degree will be in Church Leadership. God has begun to birth in us (especially my Hubby) a vision for our future as a TEAM in ministry TOGETHER. I am continuing to study as hard as ever and will take on two more full semesters and hopefully graduate Spring of 2012 with Hubby graduating hopefully only a semester after!!

We have a plan...Our plan is to FOLLOW THE LORD and RUN THIS RACE with ALL OF OUR HEARTS!!

Father we have a plan and it is to follow You Lead us!! We love you!

Constant Fight

with...MY STINKING ATTITUDE

I am more than disappointed in myself and my attitude and behaviors at work lately.

It's is really ridiculous actually and there is absolutely NO excuse for it!!

On the way home tonight I just prayed and asked God to forgive me.

I have not been different as I should be as a "Little Christ" I have not been set apart.

I am ashamed and very upset at myself.

But the amazing thing is, My Heavenly Father is forgiving and loves me unconditionally!!

I am so thankful for that!

I also asked a friend at work to be my accountability partner with my actions and attitude!!!

It is time to change...it is never too late to change!!!

Day Eleven

Day 11 - What's in your makeup bag?

Inside: A lil bit of everything.

Covergirl, MaryKay, Almay, Carmex, but I rarely ever wear any of it!

Day Ten

Day 10 - A photo of your favorite place to eat

Favorite place: Olive Garden

I just love it!! A lot!

Day Nine

Day 9 - A photo of the last item you purchased

Purchase: Sandals from work (Old Navy)

I can wear them to work! We can’t wear sandals without a ankle or back strap. These are perfect. Simple with a touch of glam.

Day Eight

Day 8 - A song to match your mood

Song: Kari Jobe - Beautiful

Here before Your alter
I am letting go of all I've held
Of every motive, every burden
Everything that's of myself

And I just wanna wait on You, my God
I just wanna dwell on who You are

Beautiful, beautiful
Oh, I am lost for more to say
Beautiful, beautiful
Oh Lord You're beautiful to me

Here in Your presence
I am not afraid of brokenness
To wash Your feet with humble tears
I would be poured out till nothing's left

And I just wanna wait on You, my God
I just wanna dwell on who You are

Beautiful, beautiful
Oh, I am lost for more to say
Beautiful, beautiful
Oh Lord You're beautiful to me

Beautiful
You're beautiful, oh You're beautiful
Beautiful, beautiful

Holy, holy, holy You are, You are
Holy, holy, holy You are, You are
Holy, holy, holy You are, You are
Holy, holy, holy You are, You are

Beautiful, beautiful
Oh, I am lost for more to say
Beautiful, beautiful
Oh Lord You're beautiful to me

You're beautiful
Beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful

Day Seven

Day 7 - Your dream wedding

Dream wedding: OURS!!!

I loved our wedding! It was beautiful and perfect and absolutely my dream wedding!!

Day Six

Day 6 - A photo of an animal you'd love to keep as a pet.

This is: Tater!

He is already our pet and we love him and want no other!! I think we’ll keep him!! :)

Day Five

Day 5 - A photo of yourself two years ago

Me two years ago: WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING!!

Okay first, I cannot believe it has been two years since I bought my wedding dress!! Yikes, time is sure flying by!!

Second, I still LOVE this dress!!

Day Four

Day 4 - Your favorite photograph of your best friend

My best friend: Misty

This is a picture of Misty at my wedding rehearsal. I do not know what I would have done without my amazing Matron of Honor!! She was Incredible!!

We have been best friends since sixth grade (with a several year gap after high school). God brought us back together and we are closer than ever!! I would not want to do life without her!

Day Three

Day 3 - Your idea of the perfect date.

One on one time with my wonderful Hubby!!!

We had a perfect date Friday night.

We walked around some book stores together.

Tried a new sushi place that had individual semi-private booths and we love it and had a great time together!!

Came home and snuggled up on the couch together and did some crossword puzzles together.

Day Two

Day 2 - A photo of something you ate today.

What I ate: Sushi :)

(Soup)

(Jalapeno Bomb)

(Glenstone Rolls & Eel Rolls)

Day One

Day 1 - A photo of yourself and a description of how your day was.

(iPhone Pic)

My Day:

~ In one word…Wonderful!

~ I got to school early to continue reading and studying for the exam I had in my New Testament class.

~ Had time to get coffee and a muffin before my first class :)

~ I felt Great about the exam! Which I made a 93 on!!! I got an A!! Woot Woot!

~ Chapel was great – worship was so good & the speaker was so funny and genuine!

~ Work went great too!! I worked on checks for Ms. Rhoda and at the end of my shift Ms. Mary brought us both a really Yummy cupcake!!!! So fun and So good!

~ Hubby picked me up and took me home to get a nap :)

~ Napped :)

~ Woke up to get ready to meet with the Children’s Pastors we are working with & go skating with the kids.

~ Came out to Flowers from my sweet Hubby! (Just because flowers ARE MY FAVORITE!!) (Hence the pic for the day)

~ Met with pastors (they treated us to dinner).

~ Went skating with the kids & had a GREAT GREAT time!! I got to know some of the kids so much better and hope we really made some connections!!

~ After skating it was still early so hubby and I had a lil date night.

~ We went to Borders and bought a crossword puzzle book to do together, then to Barnes & Noble to look at their Nook (I am trying to decide between the Nook & the Kindle to get for my birthday), then we decided to go get some sushi & found this great lil place & fell in love! (Pics of our sushi come tomorrow.) Then we headed home to get into our comfy clothes and do crossword puzzles together (no TV or Media just us) & then off to bed early because we were both just exhausted from the week!!!

~ It was a really great day!

30 Day Blog Challenge

I will be starting the 30 day blog challenge tomorrow.

To get me back in the habit of blogging.

Because I love doing things like this and think it will be fun!

Day 1 - A photo of yourself and a description of how your day was.

Stay tuned...

Faithful.

Faithful.

That is what my precious Lord is.

I do not deserve His faithfulness but He sure provides freely!

I have a story to share:

I have been praying for this precious young girl at work. She absolutely breaks my heart!

She is incredibly intelligent, absolutely beautiful, and very strong-willed. The first time she broke my heart I began to pray and fast for her. She wanted to leave work so that she could go and drink her night away. Broke my heart into a million tiny little pieces.

The second time she broke my heart, she attacked me and accused me of thinking I was better than everyone. (Honestly, I immediately knew that it stemmed soley from her insecurity within herself.) But it broke my heart so much. There have been multiple times that she has broken my heart.

She did not like me when we first started working together. And honestly I feel like that stems from the conviction that being around me brings. I am okay with that and was okay with her not liking me, I am not here for others to like me, I am here to LOVE PEOPLE.

From the moment I first met her, I purposed to love her completely & that I have! Even when the girl hit me in the head with a football…oh how I wanted to wring her neck that night. But instead I encouraged her.

Well all that to say that last week I got the first glimpse that I was making an impact on her life when she told me I was her favorite because she never has to worry if I am going to like her or not. (Uuumm yes she did Break my Heart yet again in that moment!) I am far from her favorite and that is the honest truth, but that was the only way she could express the relief that she feels knowing that no matter what I am going to like her…or really it that I love her.

Tonight I was given another glimpse that God is using me to impact her life. She told another employee that she wished she could be like me. But really it is that she wishes that she could be like Jesus. That is what she is seeing in me and He is what she is drawn to in me & I am so humbled and thankful. I am so thankful that He would use me. I am honored really.

I am going to continue to lift her up to my Faithful Heavenly Father and believe for her salvation and healing. I am going to pray that He supernaturally protects her as He did me when I was walking the path that she is currently walking. And I will most certainly continue to love her with love from Jesus Christ!!!

I am just so blessed to be used but Him and so humbled that He choose to use this cracked pot.

Thank you Father!