Fall Pictures- Beach Style ;)

Happy Fall!!!

Without doubt... Autumn is my favorite time of the year. I just love what is has to offer!

The weather and the leaves are changing and it is perfect for a bowl of chili paired with Alabama football! This season just makes me smile :) I also love love love the fact that I can now wear my fall boots with my denim jacket! Yes, Autumn is in full swing and I love it!

Life has been wonderful for us here at the beach. I am so thankful to have a God who knows what's best for me! I truly love living down here and ministering with Brandon. I know that us being here is God ordained. Now if only our friends and family from Birmingham would just get on the same page :) j/k!!! But anytime would be great :)

Recently, my family came in for my 25th birthday and it was awesome! I know it's crazy, 25!!! I am still processing this :) Anyhow, my dad and mom, and grandmother and my brothers- Danny and Devin were able to come and celebrate it with us. We went on a dolphin cruise and it was the best! I, along with all of the children on the boat*I refused to move :)* , had THE BEST view. It was great spending time with them and I CAN NOT WAIT to see them for the holidays!

Anyhow, I hope to post pictures soon for your viewing pleasure :)

I. Heart. Candles : )

Nothing really more to the title except that I really do love candles or anything that smells out of this world!

Moving on...I just got done reading the best book EVER (other than The Bible and Redeeming Love). It is called The Shack. Wow. I think I read it in record timing. It is amazing. It is about a father who has lost his youngest daughter to a child abductor and after a few years have passed the father receives a note in the mail from "Papa" wanting to spend time with him in... The Shack. At times it was almost to much to read, but it is wonderful story and well worth your time. And because I have in no way given this book any justice here is the website so you can read more on it.
http://theshackbook.com/

Love you all and tell me what you think about it!

For Aslan!

Today was a WONDERFUL day! Check this... I spent the majority of my day at the spa (for which I was able to get and mani and a pedi), then we went to the movies and saw The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, and THEN we ate at this great place called Live Bait 2 (it's at The Wharf in Orange Beach)! It was amazing! How did I get so fortunate you ask? Well... one of my favorite people, AUTUMN WOOD, is going to be leaving me on Wednesday to become a missionary in Scottland. From the moment I met Autumn I was captivated by her. She is a-maz-ing! I thank the Lord for her taking me under her arms and being my friend and encourager! I know the Lord has great plans for her in Scottland and Scottland will be blessed to have her, but I deeply would like for her to stay here :) Autumn- you have made me a better person in the past couple of months and I am blessed to call you my friend. I can't wait to see what the Lord does for you and as you have been counting down the days to leave for Scottland I will be counting down the days for you to come home! I love you girl! And remember.... FOR ASLAN! :)

p.s. to top the day off I found out my other great friend Beth is going to have a baby! I am soooo excited for you Beth and I wish I were there to hang with you during this time!

Pictures from our Vacation 2008

This is me... with my head hung down in shame...

Let me first begin with - I'm sorry. I have failed miserably to update the oh so many people who, I know, hold their breath until my next post. You can now breath easy :) JUST KIDDING!

Life has been good since my last post. We have finally become somewhat adjusted to life at the beach :) We are constantly on the go, but I have come to realize, that is who we are. We just prefer it, most of the time :) I am finally feeling as though we are settling into our new life here. It's not easy. I miss my sweet family and friends more than anything. I treasure every visit and conversation from you all! But God has blessed us with good friends here and daily I trust Him! Plus, I live 4 miles from the beach, let's not forget :)

The children's ministry has been booming and we are learning everyday of why God has us here. We have recently started a new curriculum for our Jr. Church and friend, it is awesome! If you have never heard of Kidmo, do some studying on it. It is amazing for 3-5 year olds AND our teachers love it! Another plus- I am starting to form a great connection with our older girls. That age is so crazy important to have a GOOD/GODLY influence in their lives. Trust me, it is well worth investing your time into them! Plus, you are super cool to them :) J/K- sorda :)

Also, since my last blog, we went on the most relaxing vacation EVER! We took a cruise to Progresso and Cozumel Mexico! BEE.U.TI.FUL! I loved that vacation and I am still mourning the fact that I can not have a ice cream cone whenever I please. Who do I need to talk to about this? No, really... :) Other than the fact that I ate like nobodies business (Three words...Melting Chocolate Cake) it meant more to me that I was able to spend a whole week with my family. It was great! We were able to dune buggy in Progresso together and drive our own speed boat in the amazing water in Cozumel! What great memories! I also loved the fact we had dinner together every night, like the old days... plus our great spouses! I am sad that it is over, but I know there will be more to come. I am going to TRY and post some pic's so you can be jealous :)

One last thing... definitely blog worthy. While on our glorious cruise Brandon and I celebrated our 3 year wedding anniversary (07-30)! Three years!!! He is the best thing since slice bread and he pretty much rocks my socks! I love him with every inch of me and I am blessed to be his wife.

Well... that's pretty much all I have... The Olympics start today so I will be tuned into that until the closing ceremony :) I love the Olympics! Go USA!!!

Love,
Danielle

No blog= super busy!

Hey everyone!!! I hate not being able to stay connected so it thrills me to know end to be back on blogger! I hope everyone is doing great and is off to a great summer!

This past month has been ABSOLUTLY crazy for us! Brandon graduated (Praise the Lord) and the very next day we moved several hundred miles away from home, of which we could not have done without our family and friends- we owe you the world! The very next day we both started our new jobs! New house + new job + new everything = def. out of comfort zone! But God is faithful! His hand has not been withheld, He is all the comfort I need! He has surrounded us by great people and great friends. Without a doubt, I know we are here for a reason! (*For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and give you hope and a future*)

The church (Gulfway Assembly) is great! I am impressed and excited about the vision of the church! From day one they have been so good to us! There is def. A LOT of work ahead of us, but it is so exciting to be a part of His plan! My job is going great. I love living on site and the girls I work with are amazing! We work our tales off, but it makes the day go by fast. I also love meeting new people (although they make fun of my accent a little more than I like, I love my accent, can't help it!) We both work hard, but we make sure we play hard also! We are def. not going to be the people who live at the beach and never go! That's crazy!

To everyone back in B'ham- we miss you like nobodies business- and if you have not come down to see us- what are you thinking!!!! And if you have- come back with your bags and stay :)

I will post pics up very soon of the past couple of weeks.... but I think Brandon is currently setting my new kitchen on fire here- I smell smoke.... Bless!

Danielle