Boy, do I love alliterations...and "boy" is right! My marvelous weekend started out with some news from Caroline and Jeremy that they are having a boy! How exciting! You know, I could use this time to gloat about how I knew it was a boy all along and never doubted him for a second, but I'm too classy for that ;)
Caroline called me Friday afternoon after her doctor's appointment. Josh and I were at the gas station filling up and grabbing some ice for our camping trip. After talking with Caroline and relaying the news to our families, we headed to Clarkco State Park for a night of camping with our puppy Charlie. We arrived at the park to discover that we had reserved a campsite right in the middle of all the RVs and pop-up campers. We didn't want to put our tent on a paved driveway right beside 20 other campers. We decided to check out the "primitive" campsites, and we were gladly surprised to find absolutely no one using them. Josh informed the rangers that we would be camping in the primitive spots, and we had that whole section to ourselves. It was great! I know that camping without electricity, water, or a bathroom within 20 feet doesn't sound fun to most people, but we love it!
I grew up camping. I think my family was conditioning me for my Africa trip all along. We would take tents and go camping for a week long vacation with my mom's family. We grew up camping in tents and swimming in lakes and eating hot dogs cooked over a campfire. I will freely admit that I CAN and WILL pee outside in the woods. I know it isn't girly, but that's just me. Camping has always been a part of my life. From the vacations mentioned above, to my trip to Nashville with Beth, Caroline, and Lauren our senior year of high school (camping at Nana's and Papa's), to EXTREME camping with my college buddies, to my 3-week camping excursion in Africa, to my first camping trip with my husband. Camping is just part of who I am. I can build a camp fire, I can cook campfire potatoes, I can make a pretty awesome S'more, I can put up a tent, I can sleep in a sleeping bag, I can tell some campfire ghost stories, I can raccoon-proof a cooler, I can bear-proof a campsite, I can pack all I need into a backpack, and I can camp in the rain. This is me. I don't mind getting dirty or sweating, as long as we get that tent up. I don't mind getting bit by tons of bugs, as long as I get to sit and enjoy the campfire with Josh and Charlie. I don't mind the rain, as long as I get to laugh at it all later with friends. Some of my favorite memories involve a campsite, and this weekend's trip is sure to make the list.
We started a campfire, got the stove and lantern working and got the tent up, all of these involved some folly or series of comedic events. That's what made it so fun though. We laughed about it all the way home on Saturday. We froze Friday night, Charlie was scared of the lightning bugs, our air mattress lost some air, Josh broke his lighter, Charlie chewed her harness off, and we both got eaten alive by bugs. We ate hot dogs cooked over the fire and campfire potatoes for dinner, we made scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast, we sat by the fire and laughed and talked, we watched the fireflies, we laughed at Charlie (who did not get the concept of sleeping in the tent), we went for a beautiful walk around the lake, and we worked together to set-up and take down camp. Man, it was a blast!
Sunday was yet another wonderful part of the weekend. We had church that morning, and then we headed to Butler for a miscellaneous wedding shower that Nena Beth was hosting for me. It was so much fun! The food was great, the punch was to-die-for, and the company couldn't have been better! It was so nice to meet everyone, and it was great to spend some time with the family! All in all it was a truly wonderful weekend filled with fun, family, and a campfire.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
The Way God Works
Well, He works in mysterious ways. In completely humbling ways. God works in ways that completely catch us all off guard and leave us asking ourselves why we doubted that He would provide for us in the first place. I had once such moment today...actually 2, but since they were within the same 15 minute interval and the fact that I don't know how you measure a "moment" ( I mean, how long is a "moment?"), anyway I will count them as one huge God moment.
I have been extremely stressed all day. The holiday has completely messed me up. Not to say that I didn't enjoy my Monday off work, but it has put me behind. Instead of my usual short week of Monday through Thursday, I have been trying to cram about 2 weeks' worth of work into 3 short days. I've had newsletter and bulletins to work on and proof, announcements to send, a 3-month calendar for children and adult events to organize, plans for our last Sunday school class this weekend, the huge load of VBS, finding volunteers, and tons of other stuff that have bogged me down and resulted in me carrying an arm full of papers and folders home last night to work on. Needless to say, I really didn't need anything else on my plate. Well, I walk in this morning, and I am told by the administrative assistant that our church's VBS budget is actually about half of what I was told it was by my committee members. Woohoo! I really like how this came after the fact that I have already bought all the VBS supplies under the notion that our budget was adequate. This sent me into a downward spiral. Now I need to not only cut my budget but have church members volunteer to buy food items for our VBS snacks to save our budget as well as volunteer their time at VBS. So, I have spent part of my day making a huge (and bright-colored) bulletin board with volunteer sign-up sheets to grab everyone's attention as they pass through the fellowship hall. I have sent out an email begging for volunteers and food donations, and I have typed up an insert for the worship bulletin with the same plea. Also, I have worked on planning a beach trip with the kids, sorted out room assignments for VBS, bought gifts for Sunday School teachers, worked on my children's sermon, planned a meeting with my committee to approve my summer events, and done insane amounts of math to decide how many boxes of crackers and other snack ingredients I will need for the 80 kids we are planning VBS for. Whew!
Bet you're wondering where the God moment comes in. Well, I was sitting right here at my desk, writing a quick email to my sister-in-law Katie, and someone knocked on my office door. It was a college student that goes to our church, and he wanted to talk to me about the youth program. He is back in town for the summer, and we talked about the plans I had for the kids these next couple of months. The whole time we chit-chatted, I kept wondering why he was here. He then blew me away with his reason for stopping by...he had a year's worth of tithe money that he wanted to put into the youth ministry. Holy Moly! An amount that is triple what our VBS budget was (or at least what I was told first). My first reaction was "WOW!" My second reaction was, "How the heck did a college student get that kind of cash?" And my third reaction was "This is totally a God thing!"
We talked a bit more, he offered to come and help out with some of the events this summer, and then he went to the office to give the administrative assistant his check. I sat here at my desk, closed my inbox, and thanked God for such an uplifting and truly generous act. I then walked up to the office to see if this had actually happened. After this miracle was confirmed, I walked back to my office and received a phone call. A lady at our church called to volunteer to help register kids for VBS and greet them as well as to donate 3 of the snack ingredients we needed. Then I opened my inbox to find 2 emails from adults wanting to volunteer and donate whatever ingredients I didn't receive by the day before VBS. I was overwhelmed...and for the first time that day, I wasn't overwhelmed by stress and a mile long to-do list, I was overwhelmed by God's gracious nature, His faithful love, and His mysterious ways.
I have been extremely stressed all day. The holiday has completely messed me up. Not to say that I didn't enjoy my Monday off work, but it has put me behind. Instead of my usual short week of Monday through Thursday, I have been trying to cram about 2 weeks' worth of work into 3 short days. I've had newsletter and bulletins to work on and proof, announcements to send, a 3-month calendar for children and adult events to organize, plans for our last Sunday school class this weekend, the huge load of VBS, finding volunteers, and tons of other stuff that have bogged me down and resulted in me carrying an arm full of papers and folders home last night to work on. Needless to say, I really didn't need anything else on my plate. Well, I walk in this morning, and I am told by the administrative assistant that our church's VBS budget is actually about half of what I was told it was by my committee members. Woohoo! I really like how this came after the fact that I have already bought all the VBS supplies under the notion that our budget was adequate. This sent me into a downward spiral. Now I need to not only cut my budget but have church members volunteer to buy food items for our VBS snacks to save our budget as well as volunteer their time at VBS. So, I have spent part of my day making a huge (and bright-colored) bulletin board with volunteer sign-up sheets to grab everyone's attention as they pass through the fellowship hall. I have sent out an email begging for volunteers and food donations, and I have typed up an insert for the worship bulletin with the same plea. Also, I have worked on planning a beach trip with the kids, sorted out room assignments for VBS, bought gifts for Sunday School teachers, worked on my children's sermon, planned a meeting with my committee to approve my summer events, and done insane amounts of math to decide how many boxes of crackers and other snack ingredients I will need for the 80 kids we are planning VBS for. Whew!
Bet you're wondering where the God moment comes in. Well, I was sitting right here at my desk, writing a quick email to my sister-in-law Katie, and someone knocked on my office door. It was a college student that goes to our church, and he wanted to talk to me about the youth program. He is back in town for the summer, and we talked about the plans I had for the kids these next couple of months. The whole time we chit-chatted, I kept wondering why he was here. He then blew me away with his reason for stopping by...he had a year's worth of tithe money that he wanted to put into the youth ministry. Holy Moly! An amount that is triple what our VBS budget was (or at least what I was told first). My first reaction was "WOW!" My second reaction was, "How the heck did a college student get that kind of cash?" And my third reaction was "This is totally a God thing!"
We talked a bit more, he offered to come and help out with some of the events this summer, and then he went to the office to give the administrative assistant his check. I sat here at my desk, closed my inbox, and thanked God for such an uplifting and truly generous act. I then walked up to the office to see if this had actually happened. After this miracle was confirmed, I walked back to my office and received a phone call. A lady at our church called to volunteer to help register kids for VBS and greet them as well as to donate 3 of the snack ingredients we needed. Then I opened my inbox to find 2 emails from adults wanting to volunteer and donate whatever ingredients I didn't receive by the day before VBS. I was overwhelmed...and for the first time that day, I wasn't overwhelmed by stress and a mile long to-do list, I was overwhelmed by God's gracious nature, His faithful love, and His mysterious ways.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Memorial Day and Summer Plans
Well, Josh and I were both off work on Memorial Day, and we managed to sleep most of the day away. Seriously. We took 2 naps! Eventually, we did get some things done. We were going to put up these copper window boxes that we had fallen in love with at Target, but once we put them up to our windows on the patio, well, we quickly fell out of love with them. Needless to say, they will be returned to Target soon. Instead of window boxes, we decided to go to Lowe's and find some flowers to put on the front porch to replace our dead petunias (that I accidentally forgot to water for a whole week). When we arrived at Lowe's. an elderly lady was walking out of the garden section pushing a cart full of palms. She came over, touched my shoulder, and in a conniving/secretive kind of voice told me that the palms were $1.98 each and that I better get me some. I thanked her for the kind, yet sorta creepy, advice, and Josh and I planned to grab some on our way out. We found some amazing lollipop gerber daisies, got some red salvia, found a hanging plant for the front porch, and went to the check out counter to grab some palms. Unfortunately, the creepy lady had bought the last ones. The ones left were $7.98 each, but with Josh's smooth talking, we were able to get 2 of them for $4 each.
The palms look wonderful on the patio, and I think the discount we got makes them look even more beautiful! :)
The lovely daisies are sitting in front of our mailbox, and Josh said 3 of our neighbors came by yesterday to comment on them. I will try to get a picture of them this week (the rain has made me keep my camera indoors). We planted the red salvia in the flowerbed at the back of the carport (the one that faces the Magnolia tree). They look wonderful too. Now if only I could keep the plant on the front porch alive...we will see how I do.
The past 2 days have been filled with tons of work and planning. Yesterday, Josh worked on cleaning out the storage rooms, and they look amazing! He is so proud. Today, he is back to work on the ambulance. Yesterday and today, I have been working my butt off trying to get VBS and the rest of the summer planned and put together. I am trying to have at least one event each week this summer for the kids, and it is quite a job. We plan on starting the summer off with a cookout at the house. Only one of the kids has seen the house, so we are excited about having them all over to see it. Other events planned for this summer include: a pool party, a canoe trip, a trip to Jackson to watch the MS Braves play, 4 Wonderful Wednesdays, and a trip to the local water park. Wonderful Wednesdays include dinner, games, a lesson, a service project, and dessert (of course!). I am in charge of planning all of these, and there are a few other events that might be added. We are trying to figure out if a beach trip or a camping trip are plausible this summer. Let's just say, it is a very busy week for me, so I better get back to work.
The palms look wonderful on the patio, and I think the discount we got makes them look even more beautiful! :)
The lovely daisies are sitting in front of our mailbox, and Josh said 3 of our neighbors came by yesterday to comment on them. I will try to get a picture of them this week (the rain has made me keep my camera indoors). We planted the red salvia in the flowerbed at the back of the carport (the one that faces the Magnolia tree). They look wonderful too. Now if only I could keep the plant on the front porch alive...we will see how I do.
The past 2 days have been filled with tons of work and planning. Yesterday, Josh worked on cleaning out the storage rooms, and they look amazing! He is so proud. Today, he is back to work on the ambulance. Yesterday and today, I have been working my butt off trying to get VBS and the rest of the summer planned and put together. I am trying to have at least one event each week this summer for the kids, and it is quite a job. We plan on starting the summer off with a cookout at the house. Only one of the kids has seen the house, so we are excited about having them all over to see it. Other events planned for this summer include: a pool party, a canoe trip, a trip to Jackson to watch the MS Braves play, 4 Wonderful Wednesdays, and a trip to the local water park. Wonderful Wednesdays include dinner, games, a lesson, a service project, and dessert (of course!). I am in charge of planning all of these, and there are a few other events that might be added. We are trying to figure out if a beach trip or a camping trip are plausible this summer. Let's just say, it is a very busy week for me, so I better get back to work.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Work
Well, I was supposed to lead a VBS meeting this morning, but no one showed. Apparently none of them can remember what they all wrote on their calendar unless I send them a reminder email. Sorry, that was mean of me to say. They are all working moms and have a lot going on especially since this is the last week of school. Hopefully we can all get together on Thursday instead.
Tomorrow I am going to 2 awards ceremonies at Stanton Elementary, which is one of our AEE Adopter schools. Our church is supplying 14 gift cards...one for each of the 2 students in each grade that has made the biggest improvement this year. I am really looking forward to going and meeting some of the kids.
Thursday, I will hopefully have a make-up VBS meeting, and we have sooo much we need to finalize. VBS is less than a month away, and our to-do list is starting to scare me.
Friday, is my usual off day, but I will be spending that evening with the kids. I am planning to make tacos and cupcakes for the kids here at the church. Then, after we enjoy our "kid-friendly" dinner, we are going to the movie theater to see "Night at the Museum 2." I am super excited about it...more so than some of the kids. What can I say, I'm a kid at heart.
Now I just got to get all the logistics done...call parents, recruit chaperones, find out the cost of a movie ticket, get an estimate on the number of kids that will show up, have a back up plan if the movie is sold out, buy ingredients, and start cookin'.
A Christian Educators job is never done :)
Tomorrow I am going to 2 awards ceremonies at Stanton Elementary, which is one of our AEE Adopter schools. Our church is supplying 14 gift cards...one for each of the 2 students in each grade that has made the biggest improvement this year. I am really looking forward to going and meeting some of the kids.
Thursday, I will hopefully have a make-up VBS meeting, and we have sooo much we need to finalize. VBS is less than a month away, and our to-do list is starting to scare me.
Friday, is my usual off day, but I will be spending that evening with the kids. I am planning to make tacos and cupcakes for the kids here at the church. Then, after we enjoy our "kid-friendly" dinner, we are going to the movie theater to see "Night at the Museum 2." I am super excited about it...more so than some of the kids. What can I say, I'm a kid at heart.
Now I just got to get all the logistics done...call parents, recruit chaperones, find out the cost of a movie ticket, get an estimate on the number of kids that will show up, have a back up plan if the movie is sold out, buy ingredients, and start cookin'.
A Christian Educators job is never done :)
Monday, May 18, 2009
Busy Weekend
This weekend has been exhausting...but well worth it. Josh was off all weekend, so we had quite a few things on our To-Do List.
Friday, Josh and I did some things around the house and then went to a high school graduation. Lauren, a senior in my youth group at the church, graduated from Laurel Christian High School. It was great to see her get her diploma. I'm going to miss her next year.
Saturday, we got up at 6am after getting a call at 1:00am from Josh's sister Katie to tell us that she is engaged! Saturday was a long and busy day. We got on the road a little after 7am and went to Butler to have breakfast with Josh's parents. We showed them the wedding slideshow, the proof book, and our honeymoon pictures, then we got back on the road toward Birmingham. We stopped at Caroline's house where my mom met me with my bridesmaid's dress. Caroline and I got ready and left for Beth's Entertainment Bridal Shower in Oneonta, and Josh apparently had lunch at Jim N Nick's and went shopping. We had a wonderful time at Beth's shower. Her sister almost had to hitchhike home due to all the gifts Beth received. Goodness! After the shower, Caroline dropped me off at my dad's house. Josh had been there for a while, so when I got there we all went to Frontera Grill to eat. Oh, it was wonderful! After dinner, Josh and I headed back to Laurel through storms and crazy drivers to finally arrive home after 11pm.
Sunday, I got up early to get my children's sermon prepped and to get ready. We had to be at the church by 8:30 (an hour earlier than I normally arrive, and about 2 hours earlier than Josh arrives) for a breakfast for Lauren (the graduating senior). We had the breakfast, then I got my children's sermon supplies together, got children ready for the worship service (to carry the Bible, candle, and cross), and then had church and my children's sermon. After church we had a church project lunch to attend. All of the events were fun...but we were exhausted. Instead of taking a nap (like we wanted to do), we forced ourselves to work on the house--cleaning bathrooms, doing laundry, and paying bills. Yes, I know, so is married life.
Now we are both back to work. He is already on a call this morning and I am prepping for a Vacation Bible School meeting that I am leading tomorrow. Back to the grind of work...but it seems like we worked our butts off more on our off days this weekend.
Friday, Josh and I did some things around the house and then went to a high school graduation. Lauren, a senior in my youth group at the church, graduated from Laurel Christian High School. It was great to see her get her diploma. I'm going to miss her next year.
Saturday, we got up at 6am after getting a call at 1:00am from Josh's sister Katie to tell us that she is engaged! Saturday was a long and busy day. We got on the road a little after 7am and went to Butler to have breakfast with Josh's parents. We showed them the wedding slideshow, the proof book, and our honeymoon pictures, then we got back on the road toward Birmingham. We stopped at Caroline's house where my mom met me with my bridesmaid's dress. Caroline and I got ready and left for Beth's Entertainment Bridal Shower in Oneonta, and Josh apparently had lunch at Jim N Nick's and went shopping. We had a wonderful time at Beth's shower. Her sister almost had to hitchhike home due to all the gifts Beth received. Goodness! After the shower, Caroline dropped me off at my dad's house. Josh had been there for a while, so when I got there we all went to Frontera Grill to eat. Oh, it was wonderful! After dinner, Josh and I headed back to Laurel through storms and crazy drivers to finally arrive home after 11pm.
Sunday, I got up early to get my children's sermon prepped and to get ready. We had to be at the church by 8:30 (an hour earlier than I normally arrive, and about 2 hours earlier than Josh arrives) for a breakfast for Lauren (the graduating senior). We had the breakfast, then I got my children's sermon supplies together, got children ready for the worship service (to carry the Bible, candle, and cross), and then had church and my children's sermon. After church we had a church project lunch to attend. All of the events were fun...but we were exhausted. Instead of taking a nap (like we wanted to do), we forced ourselves to work on the house--cleaning bathrooms, doing laundry, and paying bills. Yes, I know, so is married life.
Now we are both back to work. He is already on a call this morning and I am prepping for a Vacation Bible School meeting that I am leading tomorrow. Back to the grind of work...but it seems like we worked our butts off more on our off days this weekend.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Some Honeymoon Pictures
Since most of you haven't gotten to see any of these yet...I thought I would post a few.
Seagull on Edisto Beach, South Carolina
Sailboat with impending storm clouds on Edisto Island, South Carolina
One of the many roads encased by live oaks and spanish moss
By the fountain in Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia
Freezing on Edisto Beach, South Carolina
Eating at the best Italian restaurant we have ever been to...Bocci's in Charleston
Fun Wedding Pictures
Just thought I would post a few fun wedding pictures. Enjoy!
Caroline, Katie, and Rachael showing off their massive hair...which was then redone before the wedding.
The bridesmaids, the flowergirl, and I showing some attitude.
Our awesome ring bearer, Will Morris!
Cheerleader pose!
Serious model pose!
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