Day 535: The report from Moultrie

While was home over Spring Break, Brad was off serving leading college kids on a service project! Here's an article about all the awesome work the Cross Greek Campus ministry did last week.

A group of 78 University of Tennessee students invaded Moultrie Monday with hammers and paint brushes in hand. The students, members of The Cross ministry, are spending the week in Moultrie for their spring break doing mission projects. They began work Monday on at least four separate projects. Continue reading->

Source

Shout out to Sara!

Day 459-466: 2nd Pres Ski Trip. I learned to Ski

I get to spend most days with the sleepers, crawlers, walkers, runners, readers, and cool kids (aka the birth thru 5th graders at our church). But this past week, I joined our youth on their ski trip, as Brad and I found ourselves on our first ministry trip together.
It is not a new thing. Our church has been doing it for 29 years. For longer than I have been able to walk, 2nd Pres has been taking high school kids skiing. Brad and I have been praying for this trip for months and we had a great time.
I learned to ski and so much more. Here are some highlights of our trip:
Fact: If you drive a bus for 24+ hours, it will break down.
Fact: When learning to ski, it is critical to first learn how to stand up if you fall over.
Fact: You don't have to be so afraid of going fast. Let the slope naturally slow you down. (This is true in skiing and in life.)
Fact: 20 below = COLD. Yes, 20 degrees below zero.
Fact: There is never anything you can or will ever do that will make God love you any more, or any less. Nothing.
Fact: Inside jokes never get old.
Fact: The Cross of Christ is were the human story insects with the Holy one.
Fact: "When you are old, it doesn't matter how much money you have. It matters how many stories you have to tell." - The Big Hoohah
Fact: Those who are significant live for God.
Fact: We all need revelation, repentance, resistance, and relationship.
Fact: "Ohana Means Family, Family Means No One Gets Left Behind." - Janette, Tiffany, and Lilo
Fact: The more we know about who we are, the more we can understand about who God is. And vice versa.
Fact: I skied a BLUE!

Source

Day 405: Orange Drive In

Mid week, I headed down to Atlanta with Laura, one of 2nd's most gifted Sunday School teachers, for an "Orange" one day drive in conference. Well worth the time, there was lots packed into this
-It's not about creating "Perfect Christian Families," it is about inviting families into God's story.
-You are precious to God. I am precious to God. If He could pick any girl in the world to be His, he would pick me. He. Loves. Me.
-Being involved in our Children's Ministry will be a blessing to volunteers that are called to teach these kids. But they might not know it is going to be a blessing until they are involved in it.
-High school graduation is not the finish line in ministry - in the church, in young life, wherever. Doing life with people lasts a life.
-as a church, we have an opportunity to serve families - whether they attend our programs or not.
-Any type of ministry involves people...and therefore takes time.

Day 276 - ???: The Wedding break

It's wedding week....
Check back in August for details, pics, reflections, and even more new beginnings...

In the meantime, you can practice the words to our congregational hymn.

Lift High The Cross Hymn

Refrain

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,
Till all the world adore His sacred Name.

Led on their way by this triumphant sign,
The hosts of God in conquering ranks combine.

Refrain

Each newborn servant of the Crucified
Bears on the brow the seal of Him Who died.

Refrain

O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,
As Thou hast promised, draw the world to Thee.

Refrain

So shall our song of triumph ever be:
Praise to the Crucified for victory.

Refrain

Diversion: Folly

I miss this state.
I love my family.
I love this island.

Day 246-248: Girls Weekend

"Polished and Pampered - Grab Your Gal Pals and Indulge in a Little Rest and Relaxation"

"in a rustic bungalow set high in the mountains, this cozy, family-run spa has breathtaking views"

"Hailed as a "rustic-chic" gem of a getaway channeling the charm and warmth of a Mediterranean village, Lakeview at Fontana offers its guests all the stress-melting amenities of a large scale spa steeped in a cozy casual atmosphere that is decidedly do-as-you-please."

"once you check in...you're tempted to skip it all and just relax."

The reviews where right and the weekend escape to this surprise location was incredible.
Amazing Maid of Honor.
Incredibly "Rustic-Chic" Resort and Spa.
Wonderful Hiking and Dining.
Great conversation.
Most relaxed I have been...maybe ever.
We enjoyed the weekend at Lakeview at Fontana.


Read more about this Resort and Spa and their recent rave reviews in Southern Living, Lucky, and more->

Diverstion: Whitney and Kent

Congratulations to Whitney and Kent!
We are so excited to celebrate my cousin, Whitney Beth's wedding this weekend! She and her college sweetheart, Kent, are both living in DC. The wedding was at their college, Mckendree, with a reception to follow across the river in St. Louis, at the Forest Park Planetarium.

Highlights included: Seeing the beautiful bride before the wedding, checking out my aunt Debbie's fabulous dress at the wedding...and the fabulous dress she changed into for the reception, and dancing with Sam to the Cupid Shuffle.

Congratulations Whitney and Kent!

Diversion: Houston

And we're off. It was 4 full days of seeing Houston, talking Children's Ministry, and lots of girl-ness. Rachel, Stacey, Children's Ministry, the Gallery, THE Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Italian food, Papas, Vacation Bible School, super heroes, Town & Country, Anthropology, Gilly Hicks, Neiman's, Cafe Express, Grace Church, the Backyard, the Treehouse, 2nd Street, baby chickens hatching, boots, the Heights, Kalachy, flying squirrel underwear, yodeling pickles. And yes, I am serious about the last two.
My prevailing prayer through all this has been to be a blessing to whomever the Lord calls me to serve and to have a front row seat to see what He is doing, in the lives of individuals and throughout the body of Christ.

Photo Credit

Diversion: Chocolate Butterbean

One of my new favorite things...
I have been following Chocolate Butterbean for a while now. Founder, Joni is THE emerging belle of the custom stationary ball. The look is sweet, southern, gracious, and personal. So, nothing could be more exciting than a partnership between Chocolate Butterbean and Rice Bowls! Check it out here->

Photo Credit

Diversion: Baby Haven & Child Haven

Wednesday I was in Spartanburg for lunch with David Webb. David and his wife, Caroline, direct Baby Haven and Child Haven. These are 2 Rice Bowls Orphanage Partners in South Africa. They are also ministers in South Africa and involved in a variety of other ministries.

David always has incredible stories about he Lord's faithfulness, grace, and calling.

Here are 2 recent stories.

BABY HAVEN COUSINS
"Last month we told you about the Child Placed in Record Time a little boy whose adoptive parents gained custody 4 hours after the child arrived at Baby Haven. That
adoptive father told his friends about adoption and shortly afterwards, two brothers came with their wives and adopted Baby M, a boy and Baby R, a girl. We welcome them as our first “Baby Haven Cousins.” We have several “Baby Haven Siblings,” children who are not biologically related but who were adopted by the same parents after a season in Baby Haven. But Baby Haven cousins? Definitely a first!"

CHILD HAVEN’S FIRST ADOPTION
"We are pleased to report on the progress of Child Haven’s first adoption. The Child “A” is ten years old. She had a stormy history as she came to us two years ago, was returned to her mother, but was rediscovered on the streets shortly thereafter. Returned to Child Haven, she is now in the process of adoption by a couple who have served at the home in the past. Please pray that the adoption process is smooth. She is presently in “foster placement” with her new parents. All 13 children are looking forward to a beautiful Christmas thanks to a generous gift from Grace Covenant Church in Virginia."

More news from Baby Haven->

Photo Credit and Website

Diversion: Walls

Thursday I headed to South Carolina for Walls: A Haiti Relief Concert. This event was put together by Rice Bowls' own Dodd, with help from several others. We raised funds, hearts, and voices for the cause of Haiti. Specifically, our heart is with Rescue Children (please see earlier blog post).
Worship was lead by 3 incredible bands.

Josh Ridings Band www.joshridingsband.com



David Walker www.davidwalkeronline.com



Lee McDermot www.newspring.cc

And yes, that's the same Josh Ridings who will be singing at our wedding!


I also got to spend the night with the WoCo girls. Fun on the futon! Then, way home included a drama of wintry weather, which seems to appear every time I travel over the mountains. Here's to life to the full!

Day 100: 10 to 2010

Traveling to Nashville for work, a long weekend in Texas to meet Brad’s family…I have hardly spent anytime in Knoxville so far this year. But, here are the Top 10 Things I have learned so far in 2010.
1. I am blessed. There are so many people around the world who don’t have anyone to turn to. They don’t have any family. I already have a great one. Now, all of a sudden, I have dozens more wonderful people in my life – Brad’s family!
2. When you visit Texas you must:
(a) Eat Tex-Mex food at least once per day.
(b) put guacamole in everything – even if it is not Tex-Mex.
(c) shop for boots
(d) visit a “Honky Tonk” which includes a loud band, 37% of people wearing hats, and an enormous area where people randomly place their very large trucks in no particular order (this is called a “parking lot” in Texas)
3. When you are visiting people, soap makes a great hostess gift.
4. Going to the Bridal Fair is a good idea, as long as you don’t let it overwhelm you. However, going to the Bridal fair while the Vols are down 4 players but still beat the #1 team in the nation is not a good idea.
5. When you football coach resigns, it will totally change you prayer requests at Bible study.
6. When there is a earthquake devastating our hemisphere, it’s an even bigger deal than you football coach resigning.
7. Skunks will eat your cat food.
8. Opryland is the best convention center.
9. I don’t understand how the Lord works in tragedies like what is facing Haiti. But I know that in my little corner of the world, he used Rice Bowls to connect a new church with a small orphanage. A few months ago, this connection moved them to a new facility and no doubt saved 15 lives.
10. Asking your friends to be your Bridesmaids and Junior Bridesmaids is one of the most exciting parts of being engaged!

Holiday Tour: Nashville

Opryland Hotel, Nashville, TN
Christmas Day, 2009

All of these holiday posts are so, so out of order. But, this is one of favorite moments!

Part of the "Our First Christmas" Holiday Tour

Holiday Tour: Matt & Joanna

In the midst of celebrating the season and our families, we're celebrating Matt and Joanna's marriage in Memphis!

Part of the "Our First Christmas" National Tour.

Photo Credit

Holiday Tour: Abingdon, IL

Abingdon, Illinois. Home of high school sweetheart Marlene and Jerry Landon.

No, it's not Knox County, Tennessee...it's Knox County, IL. Brad and I join my parents and brothers in a holiday visit to my Grandma Ce. Here's to making the hometown newspaper and to sharing wedding plans with Aunt Debbie for Whitney's big day.

Part of the "Our First Christmas" National Tour.

Photo Credit (thanks for Aunt Donna for her work with the Abingdon Historical Society)

Holiday Tour: Obion, TN

Obion County Tennessee (View from Main Street in Union City, 1954 and Today)

This is home of Brad's family, his grandparent's farm, and my new favorite place!
Part of the "Our First Christmas" National Tour.

Photo Credit

The day’s in between….snowfall, tea, and 2010

Well, we didn’t get any in Spartanburg, but inbetween all these wall posts, snow was derailing my plans to be in Spartanburg for work and fun. Once I finally got there, there were results from a great Rice Bowls campaign at Grace Management and lots of brainstorming for work in 2010. On the personal side there was the annual girls’ Christmas tea at the Tillers, a sweet gift with my future monogram, some wedding daydreaming, and lots of Bridesmaid and Junior Bridesmaid asking!!
After days of trying and being detoured by the Asheville/Johnson City Snow…it was worth it!

"Friends are God's Way of Taking Care of Us."
So glad you girls will be part of our wedding. Here's to braclets, ornaments, and "verses".

Diversion: Pathway Adventures

While in Atlanta, I got to stay with the fabulous Miss Elizabeth. She is working with a very cool org - Pathway Adventures. They offer students discipleship travel programs to Greece. How cool to grow and learn more of the Lord, while walking the steps of Paul and seeing the sites of the early church.
Here's a look at them...and my first attempt at adding video to the blog.
Check out Pathway Adventures->

Diversion: No time to blog. Stuck in Atlanta Traffic

I have a new reason for loving Knoxville - it's not Atlanta.
As a result, there is no Atlanta traffic.
Here's to Rice Bowls, the Youth Specialties, LJ, & Gonda.

Day 43-45/Diversion: 1st Trip Back to Spartanburg

My first trip back to South Carolina. Honestly, I didn’t want to go. Finally starting to feel at home here in Tennessee, I thought it would be hard. But it was great. Here are some highlights….
…On the way over, I got a message from Bret, my old area director for Young Life, a great friend, and a fellow former Spartanburg resident. He mentioned how we are called to be grateful – for whatever the Lord gives us in whatever season. Grateful for time with people when we have it.
…Joseph Paul was visiting from El-Shadai, Rice Bowls first orphanage partner. It was wonderful to hear him speak and get a first hand update on Lydia (his sweet wife), Jecentha (a little girl I have adopted through prayer via Hope Point Church), and all the other children!
….I cried when I saw Lauren and Lea and almost when I saw Lanie. How I miss my favs.
…Broadway. Breakfast. Anna. Alex. Nothing better.
…Angie and Ben and Andy and M.E made me feel so at home in Pauline.
…Two Doors Down!
…JLS Santa Shoppe – thanks for the hugs and the free ticket! Great to see the new Mrs. Cromer!
…”Do you mind if we go to Venus Pie for dinner?” I said. “Oh yeah, we already knew that was where you would want to go,” Loring and Katrina.
…B&N for years Amanda and Emily and I have been going there for the best conversations and car trips. Now, it’s even better. Ellie was there!
…Kristen was in town from East St. Lewis, such a fun shower with her and Hope Point friends. Too many to even mention.
…Deb, I’ll be half way home!
…Irreplaceables.
…More Josh Ridings Band CD’s
…I took a back road, US 25, home. (Thank you road slide aka Day #). It was quicker than going through Johnson City. However, the winding mountain roads slowed me a little. So did the horse wandering in the middle of the road.
…All I was trying to do was get in one more visit with Joseph Paul, pray with him and Richard, and get in a little Sweet Pea and Powder. But then I was attacked. By ants. I didn’t know what was happening. I was talking, I was happy. Then, my foot was on fire. I ran and hopped like a crazy person. Hosed off my feet in the yard. Then, Richard was rubbing my feet with vinegar. Awkward. Very, very awkward.
…Grace Management kicked off their Rice Bowls campaign! Praying, praying big!!
...Coffee on a stool in Susan's kitchen. Where I've spent many a morning.
…So glad I stayed until Saturday. Action backed and productive, personally and professionally.