I can't belive it! I'm finally caught up! This post is going to be about the past 2 days!
Dave and I decided several months ago that we desparately needed a vacation! After the hectic summer schedule that we keep, we needed some down time. I'm starting nursing school in the Fall and he's going to be teaching a couple of classes at GCBI, our local ABA seminary, in Hattiesburg. So a vacation will be out of the question for the next while.
Dave also wanted to use this time as kind of a working vacation so he can get his ducks in a row for his classes, so we decided to spend a little time just chilling and then the other time working.
We left home last Thursday and went to Tuscaloosa to spend the night. We stayed there until Saturday around lunch and then hit the road to Atlanta. One of the things that Dave has wanted to do was go to church at North Point Community Church where Andy Stanley pastors. So we came over to Atlanta to hear him--and we weren't disappointed. Today we went to the 11:00 service, and although Andy was at a different campus and we saw him through live feed--it was great! Very different from our worship service back home, but it has been a long time since we just sat in pews and soaked up God's word and participated congregationally in the worship. It was wonderful. If you're ever around Atlanta over a weekend--check it out! They are actually in Alpharetta, but easy to find! The church website is www.northpoint.org.
Tomorrow, we're going to Six Flags to ride huge roller coasters, then back to Birmingham, where we'll stay until probably Thursday. Dave will be able to work at the library at Samford where he is very familiary with their extensive religion section! His goal is to come home with his syllabi done! I'm going to hang out at the hotel and Lifeway (across the street from the hotel) and enjoy my leisure time. From what I hear, this will be all I get for a while!
I'm enjoying this vacation!
I'll keep you posted!!!
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Camps!
We take our church kids to camp every summer...the teens to Bogg Springs in Arkansas and the younger kids to Camp Glenwood in Folsom, Louisiana. We had a great time with our kids on both trips.
Teen Camp: The church chartered a bus and we "rode in style" with Roger Taylor and the kids from Victory BC in Madison, MS. It was really cool getting to know those kids so well. By the end of the week, I couldn't tell where my kids stopped and the Victory kids started! New friends are great! We went to a new week of camp this year. We normally go to TLC, but this year we went to The Bogg. It was good, but our kids definitely want to go back to TLC. The Thursday class time was really good (especially on the girls' side). We discussed our Missio Dei "on mission with God" and how each of us are on mission with God. We were able to discuss some practical things that we could do when we got home to accomplish the mission that God has called us to. I was very proud of our kids--they are the coolest!
Camp Glenwood: I really enjoyed this week of kids camp. Dave and I led music, which taught us a lot, but we had fun! It was a great week and we saw 20 kids get saved (one of them came with us). Praise the Lord! Made some new friends and also saw some acquaintances become friends that I treasure!!
Camp season was great, but I was glad to get home. I've got pictures, but I'll have to post them later.
Teen Camp: The church chartered a bus and we "rode in style" with Roger Taylor and the kids from Victory BC in Madison, MS. It was really cool getting to know those kids so well. By the end of the week, I couldn't tell where my kids stopped and the Victory kids started! New friends are great! We went to a new week of camp this year. We normally go to TLC, but this year we went to The Bogg. It was good, but our kids definitely want to go back to TLC. The Thursday class time was really good (especially on the girls' side). We discussed our Missio Dei "on mission with God" and how each of us are on mission with God. We were able to discuss some practical things that we could do when we got home to accomplish the mission that God has called us to. I was very proud of our kids--they are the coolest!
Camp Glenwood: I really enjoyed this week of kids camp. Dave and I led music, which taught us a lot, but we had fun! It was a great week and we saw 20 kids get saved (one of them came with us). Praise the Lord! Made some new friends and also saw some acquaintances become friends that I treasure!!
Camp season was great, but I was glad to get home. I've got pictures, but I'll have to post them later.
WHAT AN AWESOME GOD WE SERVE!!!
The day after we got back from Tulsa and the ABA meeting, Dave mentioned that someone from Jones County had called (he saw it on the caller ID).
My heart jumped into my throat! Could it be?
I called the number on the caller ID and got the nursing department. They had called to OFFER ME A SLOT IN THE FALL CLASS!!! I GOT IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God knew exactly what He was doing! 4 days late and He's still on time!
I accepted the position immediately! I am going to nursing school!
I had my first (of 2) orientation sessions already and got all the medical information stuff that I have to complete before attending. I also had my uniform fitting the other day! I can't wait to start! My first day of class is August 17th, but I have another orientation session on the 15th.
If you think about it--pray for me this next couple of years. I think I'm in for more than I can expect. I have a great support system though and lots of nurses/nurse practitioners to help when I've hit a brick wall!
Praising God for His generosity!
Lad
My heart jumped into my throat! Could it be?
I called the number on the caller ID and got the nursing department. They had called to OFFER ME A SLOT IN THE FALL CLASS!!! I GOT IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God knew exactly what He was doing! 4 days late and He's still on time!
I accepted the position immediately! I am going to nursing school!
I had my first (of 2) orientation sessions already and got all the medical information stuff that I have to complete before attending. I also had my uniform fitting the other day! I can't wait to start! My first day of class is August 17th, but I have another orientation session on the 15th.
If you think about it--pray for me this next couple of years. I think I'm in for more than I can expect. I have a great support system though and lots of nurses/nurse practitioners to help when I've hit a brick wall!
Praising God for His generosity!
Lad
June: Beginning my Summer Sprint!
Now that we're at Ebenezer, my summer is just about planned for me. I don't mind so much--most of these things are really fun!
Along with June came several things:
VBS - We had a great time at VBS and were able to plant seeds in many kids. I had a great time working on decorations and working with our great director. Definitely made me excited about next year's VBS.
ABA meeting - The dreaded day had finally come! I had to give a meaninful presentation to up to 600 women. As it turned out, there were between 300-400 women (and a few men) there. I spoke on Ministry Burnout, which I believe is a topic that affects all ministry families at some point. Then Ms. Thel gave a wonderful and tear-jerking presentation on Leaving a Godly Legacy! I love hearing her speak!
**If you haven't had a chance to check out HomeBuilders Ministries go to their website at www.homebuildersministry.org. They do couples retreats, marriage seminars, etc. and are wonderful! They are so real, but so passionate about God's design for marriage and family!
Then at the end of June, I had a wonderful treat!!! Emily, Mom and Em's kids came to Mississippi to see me--for a week and a half! We had a ball! I was so thrilled that they came and I got to spend time with them. We went to the beach and played (big change for them, since they live in the mountains!) and Jacob got stung by a jellyfish! But I don't think any of us would have traded our trip for anything.
WHAT A GREAT JUNE!!! (and I even left out one part...next post!)
Along with June came several things:
VBS - We had a great time at VBS and were able to plant seeds in many kids. I had a great time working on decorations and working with our great director. Definitely made me excited about next year's VBS.
ABA meeting - The dreaded day had finally come! I had to give a meaninful presentation to up to 600 women. As it turned out, there were between 300-400 women (and a few men) there. I spoke on Ministry Burnout, which I believe is a topic that affects all ministry families at some point. Then Ms. Thel gave a wonderful and tear-jerking presentation on Leaving a Godly Legacy! I love hearing her speak!
**If you haven't had a chance to check out HomeBuilders Ministries go to their website at www.homebuildersministry.org. They do couples retreats, marriage seminars, etc. and are wonderful! They are so real, but so passionate about God's design for marriage and family!
Then at the end of June, I had a wonderful treat!!! Emily, Mom and Em's kids came to Mississippi to see me--for a week and a half! We had a ball! I was so thrilled that they came and I got to spend time with them. We went to the beach and played (big change for them, since they live in the mountains!) and Jacob got stung by a jellyfish! But I don't think any of us would have traded our trip for anything.
WHAT A GREAT JUNE!!! (and I even left out one part...next post!)
April/May
April 1st was the deadline for my nursing school application! I was turned down for maternity benefits with health insurance and after seeing how quickly costs could add up through Emily/Thomas, I had NO peace about having children without health insurance. I prayed about going back into accounting and really didn't feel good about it. Aside from tax season, I didn't want to get back into that kind of work. I enjoyed my job at the State of Alabama, but those jobs are few and far between. So Dave and I prayed about nursing school for me. Anyone who has known me since high school, you know this isn't THAT big a stretch for me. I really wanted to do health care administration rather than tax, but after talking to an ex-hospital administrator, he convinced me that all my eggs in the health care basket was a bad idea. I don't regret that decision--I now know what I DON'T want to do. I don't want to prepare tax returns for the rest of my life. I really enjoyed the doctor's offices that I worked in and felt like God was opening a door to pursue that field. Spring semester I took a few classes that was lacking and then submitted my applications to Jones County Junior College.
After a long wait...I got a letter in the mail. I didn't get in. I was on a wait list. How discouraging! I truly felt that God had opened the door and so I had to trust Him and find a way to be content in that. I called the head of the nursing department and she advised me to take a few more classes that I would need for nursing school and then apply in the spring. She said I probably was not high enough on the wait list to get a vacated spot. I decided to accept that and began plans to go to our nearby community college to get those classes. God's plans are often different from our own!!
I definitely had plenty to keep me occupied. I was still keeping Allie 5 days a week and gearing up for the National Women's Auxiliary program at the ABA meeting in Tulsa. I really regretted getting myself into that position. But I believed that God gave me a message for the ladies. I also had the best partner-speaker a girl could have! Thelnita Fincher from Rowland Road BC agreed to speak on Leaving a Godly Legacy and EF Hutton doesn't hold a candle to her--when she speaks--we had all better listen!
Stay tuned for updates on June and following!
After a long wait...I got a letter in the mail. I didn't get in. I was on a wait list. How discouraging! I truly felt that God had opened the door and so I had to trust Him and find a way to be content in that. I called the head of the nursing department and she advised me to take a few more classes that I would need for nursing school and then apply in the spring. She said I probably was not high enough on the wait list to get a vacated spot. I decided to accept that and began plans to go to our nearby community college to get those classes. God's plans are often different from our own!!
I definitely had plenty to keep me occupied. I was still keeping Allie 5 days a week and gearing up for the National Women's Auxiliary program at the ABA meeting in Tulsa. I really regretted getting myself into that position. But I believed that God gave me a message for the ladies. I also had the best partner-speaker a girl could have! Thelnita Fincher from Rowland Road BC agreed to speak on Leaving a Godly Legacy and EF Hutton doesn't hold a candle to her--when she speaks--we had all better listen!
Stay tuned for updates on June and following!
March 2007
Isn't this horrible, that I'm having to go all the way back to March to catch yall up...
In March, Dave took a wonderful trip to Kenya, Africa. He and his dad went to visit Brother Eddie Williams (who is one of the coolest missionaries I know!!) where he is 
a missionary in Turkana. They had an absolutely phenomenal time!
Over the course of 2 weeks, they were able to show the Jesus film, part of The Passion of the Christ, and even The Ten Commandments (yep, Charleton Heston). They did some local evangelism (they sat under a tree in the shade and gave a Gospel presentation to anyone who would listen--everyone!). They saw over 350 professions of faith--Praise God!!!
At one village, they showed the Jesus film and then Brother Eddie gave an invitation and asked anyone who wished to accept Christ to stand. THE WHOLE VILLAGE STOOD UP!!! Eddie actually tried to pursuade some of them to sit down, but they insisted that they wanted Jesus! How cool is that!!
Dave came home ready to go back! I was relieved. I was afraid he'd be miserable with the heat, and he was hot, but loved getting to present the Good News of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. People readily accepted Christ over there. When asked why they accepted so quickly, they told Dave and his dad, "You've come so far to tell us--wh
y would you lie?" That really convicted me about how lazy and selfish we are as Americans. If only we were as hungry for Jesus as those who aren't so "privileged".
Totally out of touch!!!
Okay, so I've been gone for a really, really long time! I'm not promising to do much better, but I'm gonna try.
I have a lot to catch everyone up on, so I'm gonna do it in several different posts to keep all the topics separate.
Happy Reading,
Lad
I have a lot to catch everyone up on, so I'm gonna do it in several different posts to keep all the topics separate.
Happy Reading,
Lad
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