I'm not very good at this blog thing. I don't feel like I have anything to say, and I don't want to just say something everyday so that leaves me with random unexpected posts :).

I was reading over my personal weightloss blog (that's for my eyes only) and saw a common theme, I was constantly saying I need to "do better". It kind of made me sad that over the past year (since February anyway) I have lost over 50lbs yet my comments to myself were.... I need to do better. So, although I don't really do new years resolutions or anything I want to look back over the blogs next year and be satisfied. Even if I lose weight slowly (notice I didn't say even if I don't lose any weight, cause that's not an option) I want to know that I gave it a good run every week.

Not just with eating right and working out I realize I waste alot of the time that I do have. For example I might get home at 8:00 like I did last night but instead of sitting down in front of the tv just because, I can use that time. There isn't anything wrong with sitting in front of the tv but for me it's not one of those things that just gives me joy. Certain shows do, so i will sit down and watch those but to just flip channels.....naahhh.

So I am going to focus on things that bring me joy. Focus on having a better attitude and being proud of myself for what I have done and not focus so much on what I haven't done. I want to make more time for building relationships. I get so caught up in business that I don't leave alot of time for plain ole hanging out with friends and family.

Last year was a great year for us. We both lost a bunch of weight and we got out of a bunch of debt. Thank you weight watchers and Dave Ramsey. Just as a side note, it's crazy how much both programs are so much alike :). I hope this year we will enjoy more of the freedoms and health that we have. Now that we have more energy, use it for good, now that we have more control of our finances, budget for good.

Here's to a great 2010! I think it's going to be a great year.

Catching up on Life!

A lot has happened since I last posted. I turned 29! have been working, and playing, and praying, and exercising, and just all in all living this thing called life. My wonderful hubby and I enjoy a great vacation. We flew to Orlando FL, for a few days and then set off on a wonderful 7 day cruise! The cruise was for no particular reason, just to celebrate us. It was kind of funny everyone kept asking if we were on our honeymoon. Don't know if that's cause of the way we acted or just because we look young :) They couldn't believe that we had been married 7 & 1/2 years.


The entire 10 days off was just what the doctor ordered. It was so nice not only having my work week off but having 2 weekends off too.

Not much more to post about.

Sad Day Happy Day

Yesterday was a very sad day. I watched a couple say goodbye to their 4 month old son who died from SIDS. I can't imagine what they are feeling. However they spoke at their own son's funeral. The words that came out of their mouth were not short of words straight from the Lord. I was amazed by their selflessness. They just wanted to use this time when the world they knew was watching and listening to point everyone to Christ. WOW!

I was really proud of our church. I called several folks at the last minute to see if they could leave work early to provide childcare during this funeral. No one told me no. We ended of having more adults than children but what a great problem to have! I overheard some women in the kitchen talking about FIF and their willingness to serve and it blessed my heart. I'm thankful that we were able to help in such a small yet important way.

Thoughts on Marriage

The episode of Jon and Kate + 8 made me ponder marriage tonight. Actually I think about the importance of marriage alot. I always get so disappointed when people make the decision to separate and/or divorce. Basically I feel like they are saying their God isn't big enough to help them through these situations. Love is a choice. It's not always an easy choice but none the less it is a choice. I am so thankful that I have been able to learn from some amazing people the importance of choosing to love even when I don't feel like it. Think of it like eating right and going to the gym and/or working out. It isn't always the most fun, I don't always feel like it, and some times it out right hurts...........but I am better for it. My body thanks me and I can see results.

I love listening to couples stories of how they have overcome things and what their secrets are. It is such an encouragement to me. I really believe that you can be a product or your environment. If you are surrounded by people that are making the choice to divorce..........then we fall into the trap of complaining and actually considering divorce as an option. But if we surround ourselves with couples that we can look up to and learn from, we are all better off.

I just want to simi publically thank a few couples and individuals that have tought me so much about marriage and loving our spouses.

My parents, Lynn and David, Vince and Angela, Jim and Charlea, Jenny and Jeff, Matt and Angie, Ron and Debbie, Milton and Sue May, Mr. and Mrs. James, Blair, Becky and Charlie, Wendy and Forrest, Cheryl and Kerry, Betty Anne and David, Judy and Wayne, wow the list could go on and on.

At first I was going to put a discription but I decided not too. If you are curious about someone in particular ask and I will explain.

It's so important that we strive to be godly role models in our marriages. Afterall it's a reflection of the church.

I love my husband. He is such an honest, funny, talented, smart, passionate, caring, opinionated, loving individual! I miss him......but our time apart helps me put things in perspective. I am sure I don't tell him these things enouph.

well! what can I say it's Tuesday........but it feels like Monday :) We had a nice long weekend. We didn't get to do anything super exciting..........a few ministry things got in the way but that's ok b/c we had some quality time together and we really needed it.

So I'm pretty excited that my neighbor has decided to come out to the fitness class at the church. She wrote me an email last friday and told me how much she enjoyed it and even recalled our discussion about love being patient and kind and how she thinks coming on thursday nights could make her a better person :) I want her to know that Jesus will make her a better person. But that's how it gets started.

They are also very interested in the Financial Peace classes that we are going to do at the church. For any of you interested we are going to have a preview June 2nd, that this coming Tuesday at 7pm. We are going to start the class on July 7th. I'm so excited about it and I know several others are too.

Life has been pretty busy lately but not in a "i'm going to lose my mind" kind of way. Just in a "I feel accomplished" kind of way.

This summer is shaping up to be really busy......especially for Marty. There is a 3 week stretch that he will only be home for the weekend. Got to figure out what to do with the dog mid day????

Well It's Monday (Tuesday) that means I have to find the motivation to get crackin at work.

later!

James

We have been studying the book of James during our Wednesday Night bible study. I have so enjoyed it. Honestly I had forgotten how practical this book is. Studying it has made me reread it during my weeks and i have been so convicted. When's the last time you read it..............it's only 5 chapters, go for it. Let me know what you think :)

The fitness class we have at church on Thursday night's is probably my favorite. I love those ladies. When things get in the way of our time, I really miss it. We are hoping to up the participation. I don't really know what to do to get more folks coming. It's one of those things that once you get there you are so glad you came. Amber is such a fantastic trainer and she gives us her all. It's so nice to be working out and when you have a question, the trainer is right there to show you how to do it and answer your questions. I go to the gym also but I love the relationship I have with the folks that come to the class at church. We aren't just working on our physical body we are working on our spiritual body. I love the conversations we have, I love that we get to lift each other up in prayer. I love that we laugh together and cry together. If you want to come you are more than welcome. Thursday's 6pm childcare is provided :)

My crazy husband has decided to invite his Sunday School class over this weekend for a lockin.........have I told you how much I HATE lockins. He has been so busy, well I guess I have too, we really haven't had a lot of time to talk about it so I am not really sure all of his plans. I am sure it will be fun for everyone. And just for the record, I will be sleeping :).

I am looking forward to seeing Marty's family Sunday afternoon. We haven't seen them in a while. We had a great time visiting with my family last weekend. I totally thought my sister was cleaning at the beach so I didn't stop by her place..........well........apparently she had the weekend off, so I felt kind of bad about that. My nephew is graduating from preK today. I didn't plan ahead so I'm not able to go to the graduation. I kind of feel bad but it's only preK graduation right. I mean the high school and college graduations are the ones that really matter.

I'll make it up to him this summer. I'm trying to think of something cool to do with them this summer.........maybe they can come to the beach with me........yeah that would be fun. Get the beach house for a few days and invite them. I wish I had solid two day weekends instead of just one day. oh well.

That's basically my life and thoughts in a nutshell lately. peace out!

My mind is all over the place with the million and 1 things that need to be done......uggghhh. I can not focus to save my life.

I feel like my life has kind of been out of wrack lately. I apologize to my friends that feel neglected. My routine has been very different lately. I used to use my drive in to work and my drive home from work to catch up with all of my family and friends........well my friend Tina and her family are down to a one car family at the moment so she has been riding in and going home with me... so that has thrown off my talk time.

Also my evenings have been super full. This won't be changing anytime soon. I just need to figure out how to adjust my life to fit this in. For three months now I have been doing Weight Watchers and exercising like crazy and it's paying off. Down 21lbs!!!! I can't say that I have ever stuck with anything this long. Marty and I are both working on getting healthy together. There is just so much we want to do and accomplish in this life and our weight has been holding us back. So unfortunately putting my self ahead of others has caused some chaos in my life but that's just how it has to be until I can figure out a better way. Now if I can just get the rest of my family to understand :)

Things at church are going well. Things in life are going well. Change is good I suppose! Things at work...........well that's another story.........I mean I work for the state people........and my job is monitoring spending........if you haven't hear there is a freeze.........so I spend my day answering 2K emails :) Plus the paperwork is just piling up. man oh man It's ok, God is in charge and He will make it work out for me.

Dave Ramsey

The National Town Hall for Hope event with Dave Ramsey will be hosted at Friends in Fellowship Christian Church next Thursday April 23rd at 8:00PM. This is a FREE event about the economy, how we got here, and what we can do to help our families and businesses. Registration is open to the public at no cost, Childcare will also be provided for free with advance notice.

Please invite your friends, your churches, your coworkers and neighbors to visit our website and come to this incredible event.

Feel free to forward this email invitation as you see fit. Or direct others to the FIF website at www.fifchristian.com

Seems like updates are fewer and fewer lately. There has been plenty going on, don't get me wrong I guess I just don't think it is interesting enough to write about.

Last night we had a tailgate party at church, it was sooooo much fun. Throw in a little competition and folks come out of the woodworks :) there was so much food it was unbelievable!

The kids had a great time and so did the adults. Now I just have to figure out how to top it for the next one :)

I hope all of you are doing well. Not as much updating by others either.

Emilie I forgot to get your cell #, I need it. If someone has it get it for me :)

Peace out!

Just an update

I realize I haven't updated in a while. It has been cool to see God at work around me. I have friends who we have been praying for and God just answers them in the nic of time. God has funny timing. That saying: Never early, Never late, always on time. It can be so hard to wait on God. We get antsy and think we have to figure it out on our own. I have truly been blessed in my life with people who give God the credit for the work that He does, b/c of this my faith is stronger. Watching God provide for others makes me feel confident that He will and does provide for me. Too often people ask him and then when He does provide (in his time) they forget to give God the credit. Not only are they hurting themselves b/c of this but God isn't getting the glory, and boy does He deserve it all. There are so many examples that I can think of in my own life recently where God's timing has made all the difference in the world! For me personally God's timing has allowed issues to not be issues b/c He already had it worked out months before hand. Or God's time has given me peace prior to a situation that is happening. He really is amazing!

How does God's timing effect you? Emelie..... I already know the answer for this concerning your job so pic another example :) :)

A few days off

Wow I haven't worked all week! I love the snow. It is beautiful, fun to play in and makes the cold worth it! Plus I haven't worked at all this week. It's not that I don't have plenty to do in the office :) especially since I am leaving for the Chair's beach retreat tomorrow morning but what ever, I am not going to get bent out of shape about it! I haven't updated in a while. Not alot going on just the usual. I think I am getting back into the swing of things at work (well I was until this week :)) We have been able to enjoy several opportunities with family and friends over the last month. This is how it should be. Not to mention that we painted our house! that is a big deal since we have been trying to pick out a color scheme for like 2 years! It really looks amazing. I love that we got it finished so quickly too. We pretty much didn't fuss with each other and I think we both enjoyed the work. I will try to add pictures if I can figure out how. (Emilie you didn't show me :) :)) Speaking of Emilie.........you need to do a whole post with your message from Sunday Night, I have heard from several how great of a job you did. And Brent is absolutely crazy for doubting himself. He has an amazing voice!!!!! You guys Rock for real!!! Thanks for letting us use you. I am looking forward to the Saturday night showing of Fireproof. I hope we have a great turn out. It has been neat seeing people get pumped up at church when we do a campaign. I hope they don't get discouraged just because all the people they invite don't come. I know God is working on their hearts! Never give up! Well I am off to enjoy this final day off :) what a sweet blessing it has been. Later friends......speaking of friends .....Lynn it was great having girl time with you today!

New Year

I can't believe it's 2009! I was blessed with almost 2 whole weeks off. I took a sort of sabbatical and I must say I am refreshed! Been back at work since yesterday and I think I am finally getting into the hang of things today. Been pretty productive (up until now) :) I need to keep this pace. I took some time over the break to examine some of the distractions that add to my stress and I am trying to scale down on the amount of time I spend on things. So far it seems to be working well. I also realized over break how important it is for me to make more effort to spend quality time with family and friends. I think its the puzzle piece in my life that I am really missing. I keep poring into others and don't leave enough time to fill up my own tank so I am making a real effort to change that.

We got our coffee table and end table for christmas and then afterwords found a great rug, pillows and piece of art for the wall. This is such a big deal! I haven't done anything to the living room in the 2 years that we have lived there. haha I kept saying it looks like we just moved in. I think we are getting closer and closer to a paint choice! who would have thought it would be so difficult! but the decision is almost done!

Well that's an update for ya!

Birthday Party for Jesus

You are all invited to my church's "Birthday Party for Jesus" on Sunday night December 21st at 6:00. Santa will be there participating in the games and having a jolly time as we all celebrate Jesus' birthday. We will play games such as, "Pin the Star on the Manger", Star Pinata, No Room in the Inn musical chairs, Wise man dress up and more. This year Santa isn't passing out gifts that particular night, instead we are filling Santa's bag with food and gifts for the needy. Each child will get a gift bag. Bring finger foods to go with the fabulous Birthday cake. And bring your friends.

Christmas time is herrrreeee

Wow Christmas is just around the corner! Thanks to my old college friend Rachel I know that it is 16 days away. That means in 13 days I get a break from work! Yippi! There is alot to get done between now and then, not just at work but at church and at home. I guess the most immediate pressing need is to get my house cleaned up. I know that once it is done massive amounts of stress will be taken away. I need to wrap presents (the few that we are buying). Side note : I made two fantastic pillows last night! Sue helped me figure out how to use my sewing machine.........it was alot of fun!!! I know I know pillows are easy... but I had to start somewhere.

Brittany and her friend and Anthony are coming to spend the weekend. That should be loads of fun..........I know Brittany and her friend will be easy to occupy.....but Anthony.......hmmmm he never slows down!!! So basically I will get the house cleaned up and they will trash it :) fun times.

This weekend is the Christmas parade... Lisa hasn't really given any details so I don't know what we are doing with it. I know we will be decorating....I guess and the actual parade starts at 2 so we shall see.

Next weekend is the Christmas Cantata and Birthday Party for Jesus. I am still trying to work out all the details for that. I am having a hard time wrapping my head around what it will actually look like. I am sure it will be fun, I just want it to be fun for everyone.

And thennnn we are done! We don't have to be here for Christmas eve which I am really excited about. We will go spend time with my family tuesday and wednesday and thursday and friday will be with marty's family. We are still trying to decide what we are going to do for New years with Jeff and Jenny. Very exciting times!!!

There's my weekly update :)

Youth Christmas

So this year most of our older, responsible (I say that loosely)kids are singing with the Choir so that kind of ties up their time, which is fine. We are having the choir's Christmas program the same night as the youth Christmas program. This program has greatly evolved in the last couple of years. The first year we were here (like a month after we got here) the older kids did this really cheesy play that was all about a poor kid giving the teacher a gift and all the kids joking on her for it, only for the teacher to explain to them that it's not the gift that matters just the thought behind it. Following the play Santa came, old Christmas songs like Santa Claus is coming to town, Rudolf the red nose reindeer ect... were joyfully sang and then Santa handed out gifts to the children whose parents remembered to bring them gifts, while if your parent didn't bring a gift you got nothing from Santa........yeah I was shocked, saddened, and just felt a little sick that no emphasis was put on the true reason for Christmas.

After that I was probably totally against the idea of Santa......I have shifted some in my thinking. Last year I suggested doing away with Santa............ohhhh noooo. I tried to compromise by saying well lets have Santa pass out only "christian gifts" you know, no guns, and crap like that.......oh nooooo we couldn't force families to do that. So thankfully some compromise was given and we sang songs like Joy to the World, and O little town of Bethlehem and someone read a poem about SANTA with each letter talking about Jesus or something to do with Faith.. then Santa passed out gifts.......again from parents who remembered. I bought 5-10 extra's so no one would be left out.

But this year.............Oh I am excited about this year. Still have to plan it out but that's where you come in. After the choir sings their hearts out, we are going to transition into a full out "Birthday Party for Jesus" Santa will push a cake on a cart with lit candles, while the children carry gifts to fill Santa's bag. The gifts will be given to several of the families that have already contacted our church this year for help. After this we will have a full out Birthday Party, with cupcakes and ice cream and other birthday party food, and birthday party games and Santa will be mingling and celebrating Jesus' birthday with the rest of us.

What do you think? What are some games and stuff that we could do during the celebration?

God is good!

What's new right :) Back in early August God opened up the door for me to go to a conference to be spiritually renewed and I was. He has also brought into my life recently some pretty amazing people to encourage me. He has also helped me work through some emotional baggage I have been hanging onto. And He continues to sort things out in my life.

In most recent news

I got a raise above and beyond yearly stuff at work!
I got a much needed weekend away with one of my favorite friends!
I have had some hard but heart to heart conversations with my family!
I have prayed for direction in ministry and gotten answers!
I have seen my husband encouraged!
I have been blessed!
I am extremely thankful!

As far as ministry is concerned I have been worried often about what to do with the teen program. We only have 2 teens that consistently come to the Sunday night program and yet I worry myself weekly with trying to come up with new and improved ways of ministering to them. I know that the ministering really happens by getting into their lives but I just felt this obligation to keep up with this schedule that they have always had. Finally after the advice from several I called a "planning" meeting and even though this is what I wanted I let it come from them. We are going to have a monthly event that includes the whole family on Sunday night. This will be the 3rd Sunday. Several are going to help plan it so I will not have to. We will go to the Path the last Sunday of every month. That's it! throw in some events like CCYC or SNL or things like that and we are done! This makes my heart happy!!!

Great Weekend...........Over

Avrial and I had such a great weekend at the Women of Faith conference. Next year, now that I have been once, I will try to get more people to go. It was really great. Basically it's a weekend full of women sharing their stories. I laughed, I cried, I was convicted, I was uplifted... so many emotions and i just plain relaxed with by buddy. We stayed at a really cute hotel (the Hyatt) try it sometime. We watched movies ate great Thai food, enjoyed each others company.... it was like we were back in college :) Good times. It was funny how many people I saw that I knew... lets see... well obviously we ran into Christ's Church people, but also Towne South peps.... one girl from there even won the grand prize 4 WoF tickets and 2 hotel rooms for next year. Also Ruby from back home, and Jenny Gross....Carson's grandma.......I am sure there are others I just don't remember.

Not being around for Halloween this year has really thrown me off. I didn't see any costumes, pass out any candy, or even carve a pumpkin..........the last part is kind of depressing. We have 3 pumpkins and one especially would have been fantastic for carving! oh well

No I have to get back to normal. I have been looking forward to last weekend for several month.. I think mid August is when I decided to go. So now I have the holidays to look forward to. Man time is flying by.

I need to go be productive at work now. Have a great day bloggy friends.

Copied this from Laura Saufley’s blog and thought it would be fun to play along . . .

8 Things I am passionate about:
1- Jesus
2- my husband
3- my family
4- my church
5- spending time with my friends
6- hanging out with my dog
7- quiet alone time
8- getting in better physical shape

8 words/phrases I often say:
1- i love you
2- whatever
3- oh my goodness
4- shut up (not in a mean way but like no way shut up)
5- that is awesome
6- Gabe go do the business
7- We are so going to be late
8- I am so tired

8 Things I want to do before I die-
1- have children
2- spend more time with my grandpa
3- Travel around the world
4- see the Grand Canyon
5- Run a 5K
6- impact as many people as I can in a positive way
7- Move back to my favorite town
8-retire!

8 Things I currently want or need:
1- Some clothes
2- A new coffee table
3-A new dining room table
4-to learn to be content
5-to be a better wife
6- discipline in my life
7-people at church to step up
8-to let go of some things

8 favorite T.V. shows:
1-Super Nanny
2-American Idol
3-House
4-Biggest Loser
5-America's Next Top Model
6-Amazing Race
7-Survivor
8-Jon and Kate plus 8

8 favorite restaurants:
1- Thai Kitchen
2-La Fiesta Mexican
3-Olive Garden
4-Chicos
5-Anywhere with friends
6-Korean in Newport News
7-Anderson's Home and Garden Showplace cafe
8-Anywhere with family

8 things that happened today:
1-The day is young
2-drove to work
3-talked to my mom
4-found out Avrial is going to Women of Faith with me
5-Saw pictures of Teri's new baby girl... so cute
6-ate grapes for breakfast
7-froze to death walking to work
8-blogged

8 things to look forward to:
1-Women of Faith this weekend
2-Girl time this weekend
3-the election to be OVER
4-Marty's birthday
5-Thanksgiving with Marty's dad and mom
6-Painting the house
7- Marty's mom coming to visit next weekend
8-spending some quality time with my husband. I think he is feeling neglected :)

Anyone else out there wanna play? How about Lindsey? Emilie? Becky? Amanda? Anyone???!!!

quick week

I can always tell when I over extend myself :0 some weeks are pretty set I have things going on Sundays all day, tuesday night and wednesday night. This in general is not too much. Most of the time I save Monday nights as my one free at home night and Thursdays is our "get together with friends night", Friday is another night we can get together with folks but we are bad at planning in advance so most people already have things going on so we don't do much with others on friday nights. If we planned a little further in advance we could so that's why we usually hang out on Thursdays. Saturday is the typical............housework, church work, or special activity. We used to try to visit on saturdays with family but we have been very bad at planning that lately! This week we had an extra full (but good) day sunday, then monday spent a few hours with Emilie (one day I will figure out how to spell her name) Tuesday was typicall (though I did play hooky from work to get some much needed yard work done. I couldn't have Marty's dad seeing our yard in shambles. To me that is disrespectful since he gave us all the stuff to make it beautiful and we just have to maintain it. So since they were coming into town tuesday evening I felt a great burden for getting cleaned up out there. Probably felt like the yard was more important than the house :) I know I am crazy but that's what I thought. So anyway they came into town Tuesday night stayed over, left their two dogs with us so they could go to a furniture show and should be back tonight to stay and leave tomorrow am for Florida. wish I could hide in their back seat and go to the sunny keys too. I can't complain I have had some delightful vacation time this year with special people. Last night I watch a couple from our church's kids while they went to the crisis pregnancy banquet. Got home about 9:45 and HAD to watch Survivor :) but that put me in bed way past my bedtime. Marty and I went to bed at the same time.......I was asleep before he even finished taking his contacts out :)

Lesson from this week: Leave yourself one evening! It's necissary for sanity :) I don't think we have any major plans this weekend so I should be able to catch up on massive loads of laundry.....I am waaaay behind on laundry.

Marty is speaking at The Path in Washington sunday night so I don't have to plan anything for youth group :) I hope we have a good crowd that goes.

All in all this week has been a good one just need to look at the whole week as I plan :) I even double booked thursday and had to cancel one thing b/c I forgot about the other :)

Anyway........

This weekend was Pastor appreciation Sunday at our church and it was lovely. I think it's fair to say that we really haven't felt very appreciated lately and so it was very nice of the group to make a little bit of fuss over Marty and me for that matter :)

He got the gadget he has always wanted........It's a Pearl gray Pro 600 Kitchen Aid Mixer.........he's been asking for one for christmas for 6 years but it was too expensive......it was definately a wish list item that stayed a wish list item. (it won't let me post a picture).


They gave me a gift card and gave us a gift card for dinner at the University Chophouse. Def. a place we wouldn't be able to afford. :) All it all very thoughtful gifts.

Then we had a scavenger hunt last night for Youth Group 15 showed up :) It was great. We need to rename it from Youth Group to something else because it has college kids, young adults alike.

Lots going on that has blessed my heart lately, including time getting to know Brent and Emiley.

Thanks you Lord, for provision and placing special people in our path.