a groundbreaking weekend

a little behind on a weekend post, but we've had a crazy busy two last days of school and TODAY starts Thanksgiving vacation. Wa-to-tha-hoo, friends.

My reasons for this post title are three-fold. First, literal groundbreaking took place for our church building on Sunday.

We had a short service followed by lots of picture taking with golden shovels. Can I just say what an awesome day this was? Not only was the weather absolutely gorgeous, but God's presence was so incredibly thick as we remembered His faithfulness over these last 19 months and his protection on  that day.

The second groundbreaking thing that occurred happened on Saturday when I took everything out of the shop/Walter's house and swept it from ceiling to floor for the first time evah. GAH-ROSSSSSSS. Needed to be done though, and now it is! The hubs and I have already had talks of turning it into an actual working space now that it's de-nastified for the most part. Maybe a sewing/crafting shop for me, or just an additional space where we could play games and hang with Walter. I think some carpet is in the future for the room, and maybe another scrubbing of the walls plus some paint. We shall see. For now, here's some before + afters.

And just because I want you to truly understand the level of rank-nasty grossness I was working with, this is what was all over the window...

I know.

Most of what was being stored in there was junk, plain and simple. And so I threw it away. Some of it I listed on a local garage sale site, some of it was donated, and I downsized my Christams decor from 7 large plastic bins to 4. Heck yeah. I didn't even use most of my Christmas decorations last year because I made new stuff. (Another lesson from 7: if you haven't used it in a while OR if you don't think you'll use it again....get.rid.of.it. No more hanging on to stuff we don't need.) 

The third groundbreaking thing that occurred? My high school's new Musical Theatre club performed Hairspray last Thurs-Sun, and after asking my seester & a couple friends if they were free to go with me, and striking out, I remembered that I had a musical lovin' 3 year-old who would probably be jazzed to go with me. And she was. We got dressed up and had a most fun and memorable Mommy/Eliza date watching a musical that we can both sing songs from. Love that one of my kiddos loves what I love. While it's definitely not the first show she's been to at the ripe old age of 3, it's the first show I've taken her to that I didn't direct. And we had a blast.

Kudos to my friends Joey, Alisha, and the entire cast + crew on a fabulous production.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! We're looking forward to spending time with family, some of which we only see once or twice a year. Later, friends! 

Here's Hope- don't miss it

Happy Wednesday, friends! I wanted to share a few pics of the last 2 nights of the 'Here's Hope Celebration' and invite you locals to the last night (tonight) at 6:45 pm at the Jaycee Fairgrounds in Alberta City. If this is your first time to hear about it, First Baptist Church of Atlanta has partnered with our church (Alberta Baptist) and is providing supper, children's activities, and an awesome service each night full of beautiful music and a powerful message. God has sent us glorious breezes each night and the Holy Spirit has moved. Oh how It has moved. What a wonderful thing it is to witness new souls coming to know Christ, and it's happened each and every night. Do you know someone who might not know Christ? Send them our way tonight. Free food, but more importantly, food for your soul.

I'm including a couple of videos from the featured soloist/music leader, Daniel Crews, because goodgollymissmolly can he SING. God has blessed him with an amazing talent, and if you're not able to come or if you live in Australia (shout out to my Aussie readers!), then I hope you'll be blessed by some of the music that has been blessing me this week.





For the past two nights, we've heard testimonies from two incredible young athletes. The first was Jarryd Wallace, a former UGA runner who lost his leg 2 years ago but is currently training for the 2012 Paralympic Games. For his full story and testimony, visit his website HERE.

Last night, Anna Watson shared her story of being a weight-lifting GA cheerleader pursued by a body-building modeling agency. She turned down the opportunity to sign with the agency when they pressured her to take steroids to put on the neccessry pounds. For her story, go HERE and HERE.

The 120+ member youth choir, Prayz, from First Baptist Atlanta, Ga, has been astounding each night. They're not only singing their hearts out in the service, but also aiding in storm clean-up, and working in backyard bible clubs while in Tuscaloosa.

My youngest is quick to make friends with anyone who comes to the park to play sports, and ends up listening to the service as well...

So thankful for the cool breezes and beautiful sunsets God's provided each night. So thankful for the blessing that these services have been, not just to my church family, but to those in the community who are walking to the park and hearing God's word, maybe for the first time. And so thankful for the souls who have come to know Christ this week.

What a blessing.

p.s.- My friends Kara and Ethan Blankenship have been sending me updates from China as they finalize the adoption of their precious baby, Joel. If you'd like to follow along on their adventure, go HERE.

Here's Hope Celebration

Happy Monday friends! I want to extend an invitation to those of you who are local, and even those of you not so local, to an awesome event going on right now in t-town. My church has partnered with First Baptist of Atlanta to sponsor the 'Here's Hope Celebration' which will take place Monday through Wednesday night at 7 pm at the Jaycee Fairgrounds pavilion. A 120+ member youth choir from FBC will be rocking the house pavilion each night, along with featured soloist/leader Daniel Crews, and speaker Jeff Crook. The celebration began last night, and lemme tell ya right now- if you are within driving distance of Tuscaloosa, you do.not.want.to.miss.this. Amazing music, awesome message, and  a wonderful time of fellowship. The massive youth choir will also be conducting bible clubs and assisting in storm clean-up while they're here. Isn't God awesome? Here we are, 14 months since the tornado, and groups are still volunteering their time to come and help.

Here are a few photos + video from the kick-off last night. Those of us with small children brought picnic blankets + toys, and the kids had a grand time coloring & playing while the parents were able to enjoy the service. God also gave us a jaw-jropping sunset to end the evening. Love it when He shows off, as only He can do.

**p.s.- my good friends, Kara and Ethan, are in China meeting their son for the first time! I've been posting updates on her blog when she's not able to, and if you'd like to follow along on their adventure, click HERE**

Flashback Friday

Happy Friday friends! Today's Flashback Friday takes us back to VBS in 1996. I was a teacher in the preschool class and hubs- well he was in the 6th grade. Here's the whole lot of us on the front steps of our church that summer.

Since it might be a little hard to spot the hubs and me amidst the sea of faces, here's a closer view with arrows and whatnot.

Who would've ever thought that a 16 year-old soon-to-be-junior in high school would end up marrying a 12 year-old who'd just finished his 6th grade year?

God did.
That's who.

I'm getting a little mushy today because hubs and I celebrated 5 years of marriage on Saturday. Our big day was a little eclipsed by Dorothy and a munchkin, but that's what happens when you give birth, twice, right before your anniversary. After the big party, we had a lovely dinner and even went to a show at the theatre where hubs proposed, so it was pretty cool to end up at the very place where he decided, "I totally like it so I'm gonna put a ring on it".

That morning, I got the biggest surprise of all however, when a box arrived via UPS and I had to sign for it. This was inside, and I'm still in shock.

Well done, hubs.

I haven't taken it off yet.

Not once.

And happy anniversary to you. I'm so glad God's plan involved that 16 year-old soon-to-be-junior in high school and that scrawny little just-finished-6th-grade boy. Here's to many more years of fun surprises. And jewelry. I'd be open to that too.

VBS 2012

While I do have more Wizard of Oz-ness to post about, I wanted to share with you what my family has been up to for the past 3 days. This year, our church partnered with 2 others whose buildings were also affected in the storm last year, and we're having VBS outside. Under tents. In a big field.

And it's awesome.

We're using Lifeway's "Amazing Wonders Aviation", and if you've used their materials before, you know how great they are. The music, the activities, the crafts, the bible verses that are included- it all works together so incredibly well that 'having fun' and 'learning about God' go hand in hand. While I realize this post will mean more to the church members involved, I thought it could also give some of you who will be using these materials a few ideas, such as turning a kayak into an airplane.

Here are a few pics from the past 3 days of VBS with Alberta Baptist, Pilgrim Rest Baptist, and College Hill Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I'd also like to give a big shout-out to First Baptist for providing our food each night. It's totally rocked NOT having to make dinner this week, so THANK YOU.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3