Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not onto your understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will direct your paths- Pro. 3:5-6

Overwhelmed.
I am not the type of person to shut down when life gets crazy. Actually, my co-workers make fun of me because I am the "make it happen" girl. But, for what ever reason I found myself sweeping my front walkway (outside) 52 times to avoid packing. This packing deal is completly overwhelming. If I weren't so cheap, I'd would leave it all there and just start over. But. I'm. Cheap. (and I love my stuff) :) I thank the Good Lord for my friends and family who have made it happen for me.

On the flip side, I can't wait to unpack all my belongings into our new house! We are going to be living at the Emerald Greens Resort just 4.3 miles from the beach, I love this place. And to make things 100x better- I am going to be working there! How great is my God! I went down to interview last Wednesday for a leasing agent position, and I got it! I start Monday, I know, it's amazing! I have no doubt that God has ordained every move made and every door opened. He is my Provider! I am in awe of Him. *And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose- Romans 8:28* And please know, THIS IS ALL HIM. I can not wait to see what our future holds. God is good.

Also, this week.... BRANDON GRADUATES! When I say I am so proud and competely thrilled for him, I can not express it enough! He is the best! For the past 5 years he has been full time in school, worked full time at the church (b/c no ministry is part time) and has been the best husband, friend, son, brother, pastor, encourager, soft ball player...(the list could go on and on). He makes me a better person, and I am so blessed to be a part of him. So Friday when MY husband walks across that stage, I will have the biggest smile on my face and yes, I will be the crazy lady taking 5000 pictures :)
Brandon- you rock my socks! I am impressed (almost daily) because of who you are.
*A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold- Proverbls 22:1*
I love you!

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.- Apostle Paul

I have so many great things happening in my life right now. I can not wait to share with you how great God has blessed Brandon and I. But, today my heart is hurting and yet thankful. Tomorrow I am going to attend a memorial service for one of the greatest men of God I have ever met. It's hard to even try to put into words for what Dr. Perry did for me. There was never a time I when I left his presence that I was not in encouraged, challenged, and in awe of him. If I could be one ounce of what who he was in his faith, mountains could be moved. Once, I called his home in the middle of the night, to ask for prayer,because one of our kids at the church had a terrible accident and the diagnosis was not good. Dr. Perry and his wife (Suzanne) were so kind to not only pray that night, but to pray continuously for him. I hardly knew him then, but what I did know was that he was the real deal. That has not changed. His legacy will remain not only for all the babies delivered, bodies healed, and hearts touched, but more importantly for who he was in Christ. I can only imagine his sweet face in the presence of our Savior. He will never again suffer. Praise God!
I challenge you today to think of what legacy you are leaving behind now, and what legacy you want to leave behind.

"Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you, Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm"
Proverbs 4:25-26

I have 20 billion other things to do...but here I am :)

So... when I decided to create a blog I had every great intention of writing something a little bit more meatier. I promise one day I will be there!!! But when I say things are crazy in my life, that would be an understatement. I long for things to be "normal". So in the mean time I will continue to feed on other people's great blogs (Brandon, Jenny , Abby , Vickie Courtney (okay, I don't really know Abby or Vickie, but they always have great blogs)) and simply do what I can.

That said...

i am: in never ending need of God's AMAZING grace
i think: yellow box flip flops are #1 and really really want a pair of the red ones!
i know: God is faithful and He is in control!
i want: the best for my friends and family
i have: a great life
i wish: my house would sell
i hate: matching socks :)
i miss: the way it used to be
i fear: gas prices will continue to go up
i feel: tired, stressed, loved
i hear: the news on the tv
i smell: nothing
i crave: nothing right now actually :)
i search: for a new guest bed
i wonder: what my kids will be like one day
i regret: a few things
i love: my husband
i ache: for sweet Dr. Perry and his family
i care: about people
i always: check myspace!
i am not: ever wrong! j/k
i believe: in good hair cuts and pedicures
i dance: like no one is watching
i sing: to the top of my lungs when I am cleaning my house
i don’t always: agree with the way some things are done
i fight: when it matters, well... for the most part
i write: to-do lists almost everyday
i lose: my sunglasses all the time
i never: thought I would be moving to the beach
i can usually be found: at home
i am scared: of any type of reptile, eek
i need: people in my life

I love you all!

I think I'm getting shorter... is that possible?

This morning when I was getting dressed for work, it seemed to me that I am getting shorter! This can not be good! I already wear heals all the time *which I love*, rarely do you see me in flats- unless I am wearing my cute zebra flats or my ever so favorite yellow box flip flops! Serious, those are the best shoes ever! Anyhow, I guess I will be doing a little research to see what my odds are of shrinking, or maybe my mirror was tilted this morning, yes- I will get a diff. mirror :)

I have not posted in a little over a week. It's been a little crazy in the house hold (well not really- just sounds better, ha!) It is occuring to me that I will be moving in a little over a month and I haven't started packing yet. Procrastination is my middle name. I always work better under pressure. Plus, we have had to best weather the past couple of weekends and it's hard for me to be inside when it is so pretty. Although, it is like -32* in B'ham currently. Maybe the Lord chose for us the have freezing cold weather in the middle of APRIL for me to pack! I guess I will get on it :( If anyone gets really bored, help is ALWAYS needed :)

Anyhow! It's so funny to me that when I woke up at 3am this morning I had plenty to say. So much so ,I was up for an hour thinking about it, and well every other imaginable thing you would think about at 3am. I guess I will return later on with something of more substance- But serious, is it possible for me to get shorter?

Love ya!

So..about this beautiful timing...

 1 For everything there is a season,
      A time for every activity under heaven.
 2  A time to be born and a time to die.
      A time to plant and a time to harvest.
 3  A time to kill and a time to heal.
      A time to tear down and a time to build up.
 4  A time to cry and a time to laugh.
      A time to grieve and a time to dance.
 5  A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
      A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
 6  A time to search and a time to quit searching.
      A time to keep and a time to throw away.
 7  A time to tear and a time to mend.
      A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
 8  A time to love and a time to hate.
      A time for war and a time for peace.

 9  What do people really get for all their hard work? 
10 I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. 
11 Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. 
      He has planted eternity in the human heart, 
      but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work 
      from beginning to end. 
12 So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and 
      enjoy ourselves as long as we can. 
13 And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their 
      labor, for these are gifts from God.
14 And I know that whatever God does is final. 
      Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. 
      God's purpose is that people should fear him.

Ecclesiastes 1:1-14


When I look at my life and reflect on the change that
 has taken place just within the past couple of months
I can't help but be overwhelmed.  It is  my comfort that
He has made everything beautiful for its own time.
There are times I don't feel like there is going to be an
"okay" time much less beautiful.  But Praise God that He
is in control and not me! For He knows the plans He has
for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans
to give me hope and a future! If you are going through
a tough situation, seek God, for His plan is greater than
ours will ever be. Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; in ALL your
ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

House for Sale (or Rent)!

Here are a few pics of our house that is for sale (2,1.5). Let me know if you need a mortgage broker, we know the best! Also thanks to our great neighbors for the taking the pics!

God is faithful!

Where to begin?! Many years ago (that makes me feel old) Brandon and I both knew God was preparing our hearts to work in the ministry, and at that point we really did not care where, we just wanted to serve. After seeking God for direction God opened a door for Brandon to become the children's pastor at Cornerstone Life Church. Crazy! I know! Who knew that my favorite days would be the days I was able to chill with kids! It is crazy to look at how much has changed from there until now! When we first started the girls had cooties and the boys were just weird! Now, I see them with girlfriends and boyfriends! What is that about! Needless to say it has been one of the best experiences of my life! Good and bad. It has not been perfect, sometimes I felt we were far from perfect, but through those times I could see how God was molding us and making us stronger. The relationships I personally have been able to form are not relationships I take lightly, I always considered us close friends, kids and the adults. I will never forget when I had my bridal shower at the church, it was one of my most favorite days. I never felt more loved by so many people, they would get excited with me over the towels and kitchen gadgets (knowing I don't cook :)). I know me excited about the little things, what? Literally, we were so blessed by everyones giving we had MORE than enough- I still have towels that have not been used! More than that, we have been able to lead others to Christ! I can see how our kids are rooted and know that regardless of the situation they always have a Savior that is there for them just as he was with David, Moses, Paul, etc. How is that not the best thing ever! God has been GREAT to us and has shown His hand over us in more ways than I can express. With all of that said...Brandon and I, for some time, have felt God moving our hearts in a different direction. And let me be the first to say, I am the most stubborn/reluctant/cautious person you will ever meet. Even when I knew in my heart of hearts that we would not be at Cornerstone Life forever, I still was fine in my comfort zone. So when Brandon and I decided to pray and fast about this situation, first and foremost I prayed that God would open my eyes to His will, as well as, letting us be on the same page (very important). Go figure God to answer prayers :) Really, within days God began opening doors left and right for a move to be made. And after A TON of prayer and seeking counsel Brandon and I decided to look into the options, and may I emphasize A TON of prayer! In the past we have had other job offers and for whatever reason, it did not feel right, and really when I say I am cautious, I'm not kidding. There is no way I was leaving without the water splitting :) So when we received an offer to come down and look at a church and really have a care free weekend, we jumped on it. From that weekend on we knew that is where God wanted us to be. We decided to continue to pray and seek counsel and follow up later on. Well after all this came to pass, we (on all ends) decided this was a go. So in the next couple of weeks Brandon and I will pack up our belonging and head south, Gulf Shores to be exact! How crazy! I know! Brandon will become the children's pastor for a great church called Gulfway Assembly. We are sooo excited about the opportunity and yet on the other end sad not to be with the people who have become our family. Brandon and I from the very depths of us could not be more appreciative for everyones trust in us and for the friendships that we have made. Thank you for being there for us, not only in the past couple of months, but for the past 24 years. We are forever grateful!
P.S. Remember, it is the beach! If we find out you have come to Gulf Shores without letting us know, it will be on:)
P.S.S. We are selling our beautiful house so someone please buy it!!! :)