AEC Mobile, AL ( April 29-May2)

What a fun time! 7 ladies (including myself) from our Chapter of Junior Auxiliary headed down to Mobile for our National Association Area Education Conference. The longest part of the trip was picking everyone up. The gathering process started before 4 on Thursday and we made it to Hattiesburg (a 3 hour trip) at around 10:30. We did stop for dinner and I don't know how many bathroom breaks!

We had a great time brainstorming about new ideas that we could bring back and implement as service projects for our community.

In addition to all the learning we did... we had some great fellowship time. Only people on the trip will appreciate this part of my post. Recap: Stopping in Vaiden and Katie cleaning up the parking lot (lol), Newk's...good customer service (sarcasm) and huge rice krispie treats, BANANA, the smell of oil in the air, the coffee shop :), Wintzell's (yum), floor butter, how did Jenny get those beads?, Where is Lori's phone? You'll recognize it...her picture is on the background!, hiding the reserved note on our table (it was handwritten anyway), when Jenny figured out we won the award and she banged her hand on the table (nobody noticed... ugh  yeah everybody noticed), the Christmas Card Photo (i.e. photoshop for Lori), Katie's singing debut (I missed the live version, but the video was awesome), Jenny's red boots, scary dude trying to pick up Landon, 2 many stops on the way home, oh... I'm sure I left something out. All in all it was a great time... who knew us tweeners could have so much fun!

Summer Reading

I have embarked on a Christian Fiction series written by Francine Rivers called "Mark of the Lion." I started book one Saturday "A Voice in the Wind." Our youth minister, a dear friend of ours, suggested these books to me.  I'm excited to see where the series will take me in my walk with Christ.

Bunco Baby!

Here's a snapshop of the people in our group:

Back: Ginger, Candie, Andrea S., Rachel, J.J.

Front: Brooke, Cindy, Andrea H.

Bunco is a social event! We have a blast!

Eight of us get together once each month, leaving our cares and worries behind...  and the kids with Daddy, of course. There is a pause in our diets as we eat appetizers, dinner, and desert!


Topics of chatting vary from our faith, kids, neighbors, jobs, current events, TV shows, and anything else that tickles our fancy!


Oh yeah, and we play a silly, mindless dice game with wild abandon, hoping to leave with a prize!

"Before the Morning"

In life there are often so many things that trouble our souls. For Brent and I, lately our own personal hurt has stemmed from not being able to have children yet after much trying. After 2 months on Clomid and nothing I'm fighting off the Devil's attacks to plant seeds to make me doubt God's perfect plan for my life. He won't win! I stand firm in God's promises for my life. He is faithful, and His ways are not our ways. I know that God will in His own way and timing fill this desire in my heart to love a child of my own.

 This morning on my way to work I was tuned in to AFR and this song came on: "Before the Morning" by Josh Wilson. The lyrics filled my heart to overflow. God knew I needed that encouragement this morning.

Here are a few lyrics:

Or maybe there are things you can't see

And all those things are happening

To bring a better ending

Someday, somehow you'll see, you'll see

Would you dare, would you dare to believe

That you still have a reason to sing?

Cause the pain that you've been feeling

It can't compare to the joy that's coming

So hold on, you gotta wait for the light

Press on and just fight the good fight

'Cause the pain you've been feeling

It's just the dark before the morning

Oh, that you Lord for that encouragement! I'm so excited and looking forward to what God has in store for our lives. It's going to be amazing. No matter what... I will follow God, walking by faith, trusting in him with all my being, and I'll be sure to make sure He gets all the glory!



Be sure to check out the video testimony about this song. It's worth your time!


Video: http://www.higherpraisetube.com/video/8451/Must-watch-Before-the-morning-Josh-Wilson

Prom

This year I was honored that I was asked to do "hair" for the Prom! So I wanted to post a few pictures! Aren't these girls beautiful!!!!

Lauren and Lindsey

Lauren and Joey

(Joey started getting ready at 11:00 a.m. He couldn't wait!!!)

Lindsey and Mitchel

(As you can see from the picture...Mitchel waited until the last minute!!!)

Riley

My sister is getting married 10-10-10! 

She is about to become the stepmom to the most beautiful little girl! I'm so excited for her to "officially" be my niece.

How did Jesus do it????

Facebook makes me so sick sometimes. Today I read a posting by a girl that I've taught in my Sunday School class now for the past 3 years. She's riding the "Party Bus" to Prom and was making sure her boyfriend was going to be able to "keep up with her."

UGH! It makes me feel like such a failure. I pour love and prayer into these girls and I feel like they run as far in the opposite direction as they possibly can. It makes me want to cry out to God to please quit breaking my heart for the things that break His... I can't hardly stand it. How does God stand it.

It really does bring me to a point of revelation in my own spiritual life. Why do we continue to do things that knowingly hurt ourselves, others, and most importantly God?! (rhetorical question) Dang you Adam, Eve, and Satan for bringing sin into the world. I think I could have managed just fine frolicking in the garden without my clothes on! Was that apple really worth it?!?!

Lord, help me today not to sin against you or my brothers and sisters. Show me how to be more patient, kind, and compassionate. Allow me to be slow to speak and slower to anger. Oh Lord, I'm humbled that Jesus went without sin for 30 years. I can hardly go without sin for 30 minutes. He fought all that temptation and sin just so he could die on that dreadful tree for me. He knows my heart but loves me the same. HOW AMAZING! Lord forgive me for the countless sins that I committ daily. And, thank you for loving me enough not to leave me like you found me!