Memorial Day Highlights

Justin and I went to Savannah for our annual family time. Here are some of the highlights...

- Madison talking up a storm. "Hi guys!" "What's your real name?"
- Justin sleeping until 11 every morning
- Me "sleeping in" until 7:30
- Annual cookout with my parents and friends...yummy!
- Quality Beach time
- Scary beach time when swimming with a large school of sting rays (for real!)
- Looking for shells with Maddy
- Poor Molly (Josh and Joyce's dog) sick again
- Eating seafood
- Sunburn
- Sleeping in old room on double bed - not so easy when you're used to a queen.
- Snow cones from Seaweeds -- Pina colada is my flavor of choice.
- Indian Jones flick double date - it was alright.
- Goodbyes...NEVER fun!

Responsiblity

Today marks the one year anniversary of the day we sat at the closing table, and started our lives

as responsible home owners for the next hundred years. :) When I look back over the past year at everything we have done, I must say I'm very proud of what we've accomplished. However I would be remiss if I didn't thank the good Lord for such a wonderful home and helping us with the Mortgage every month!!! I also must thank both sets of our parents who have helped with many a demolition projects and renovations and Justin for dealing with my meltdowns during the messy demo. (Sorry I know I didn't win an award or anything! Ha!) While there is always something to do, I look forward to the years to come, making it more of a home, and have it be a haven for those in need.

Graduates

Sorry, it's been a while. We've been crazy busy with summer approaching!!

I thought I'd take a minute and honor all of the graduates this year.

Congratulations!!!

For us, as youth pastors it's a bit bittersweet. We honored 14 graduates yesterday a church. While I am so VERY proud of all of them, I'm a bit sad because the majority of them are the core group of our youth group. They were the young ones when we first came here. It's that transition time, you know it happens every 4 years and it seems like there is a totally different youth group on Wednesdays. It's just going to be different. I definitely cried yesterday.

To all graduates: Embrace change, explore who you are, enjoy the journey, remember whose you are, and stay strong. Congratulations on achieving this huge milestone in the course of your life.

Voluminous Life

So I read a couple of online devotionals everyday and one I read yesterday struck me and truly is my heart's desire. Here it is in a nutshell. I hope it makes you think too! :)

Have you ever heard someone say, "That speaks volumes to me"? What does that really mean? Whatever they heard went beyond their ears to their heart or life. I want to be a Christian that speaks volumes into the lives of those around me. Not through Bible studies or intimate conversations with others, or even through this blog...no, I want to speak volumes through my LIFE. I want to live a visible life to others- transparent, not hypocritical. I must live out loud without hesitancy, without apology and without fear. (That's a tall order!) I must ask myself these series of questions:

Am I insulating myself in a Christian bubble that eliminates me from encountering people who need Jesus?

Am I sharing stories of what Jesus means to me and has done for me with those I encounter?

Am I standing grounded in God's word/promises and praying without ceasing?

Am I the same person behind closed doors that I am around others?

Am I readily admitting my own faults and struggles to others?

Am I quick to forgive others, to not judge them and to try to see them through God's eyes and not my own?

What would my family and friends say about who I really am?

What would God say about who I really am? Who am I when no one else is looking?


....Think on these things. Live a VOLUMINOUS LIFE!!!