joy joy joy

"Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it's work so that you may be whole and complete not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

In March of 2006 a hail storm swept through the Kansas City Metro leaving many homes with roof damage. Brian and I purchased our home at and took possession on June 1, 2006. We, as well as many of our neighbors, were unaware of the damage to the roof. In August of 2006 the other individuals in our unit approached us with a business card from a roofing company saying that we must replace our roof due to hail damage. Two of our neighbors have checks from their insurance companies to cover the damage, but two of us do not.

Our homeowners association is supposed to be responsible for the replacement/repair of our roof, but they say that in situations such as this "natural disaster" we are supposed to have our insurance company pay for it.

Madness I tell you...MADNESS

So Brian and I have been pretty excited about the MATES conference. After years and years and years of watching our parents go to it...we FINALLY get to go ourselves. We were pretty stoked.

So....last week my mom finds out that the people who were going to do the drama for the conference came across some unforseen complications and will no longer be able to do the drama. Ok...so my mom (who is in charge of the administrative side of the conference for those of you who don't know) asks Brian and I if we could do it. Our room for Friday and Saturday night would be paid for as well as the conference. We prayed about it and decided that it would be ok...neither of us are actors but this can't be that big of a deal right??? WRONG.

For the first time in MATES conference history...the entire conference will be a drama. Brian and I will be sitting on stage interacting with the speaker and his wife through every session. CRAAAZY.

AND now I'm going to be singing a special at the end of the conference too.

We are willing to do it and everything...it's just a lot to swallow with less than a week till "go time".

We have our first and only practice tonight. Lord help us all!

Please pray for Brian and me.
This is a HUGE step out of our comfort zone but we are hoping that God will bless all of the couples going even if the whole thing ends up being hokey

I wanna go back

How does this sound....

Awakening from a completely peaceful night of sleep with the faint sound of the ocean just outside your window....

...getting out of bed and sitting on a balcony watching the sunrise with a piping hot cup of coffee...talking to your husband about the creativity of an incredible Maker who would think to paint the sky differently every morning just to whisper "I love you" to His children when they awaken....

...watching the powerful waves crash on the solitary beach where not a soul could distract you from the incredible masterpiece before you...  

...realizing with tears in your eyes that all of this was created for this perfect moment between you, your Creator, and your husband...
this moment you will never forget.

I want to go back.  

Currently Listening A Grateful People By Watermark see related

Words from some wise men

VERSE:
  But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power
is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more
gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
   -- 2 Corinthians 12:9

THOUGHT:
  "When I pray, I often catch myself simply wanting God to do what
I want, not necessarily what is best or most expedient for those
around me or for the good of the Kingdom. I don't like to hear that
God told Paul that he had asked enough about deliverance from his
problem. Instead, Paul needed to learn that God's gracious strength
and mercy were enough to sustain him even in trial. While I know I
need to learn this same lesson, it is daunting. I want God to keep
things nice and tidy for me. But then I remember I am a follower of
Christ. If I am to become like my Savior, then I have to let go of
my requirements on God's answers and open up to God's work to
redeem others through me, no matter the personal cost. Only then
can I truly know that his grace is sufficient for me!"

Ok ok....

I guess it has been a while...it's time for an update.

Things have been craaaazy. Let's see...what has happened in the last month....

We had an amazing first Christmas. Had tons of fun with family and friends. We finally became the proud owners of a gas grill. Very exciting. AND my amazing hubby bought me a Cuisinart 14 cup food processor.

And my cooking life is changed.

Then I got the flu (the cold-like one that everyone gets shots for) the week and a half after Christmas...and I still have a stupid cough from it. My doctor told me that I couldn't go anywhere or be around anyone. I had to take a couple non paid days because I didn't have any more vacation. So that wasn't fun.
That and I STILL haven't had a New Years Eve kiss!!!

Brian's car broke down and we are having to share mine. I'm not particularly enjoying it, but you do what you gotta do! Before all of this I think I took my lunch hour for granted. I always got SO much done. The house was ALWAYS clean and I was able to make preparations for dinner and what not. Not being able to leave has thrown off my groove. It makes it really hard to actually relax or do anything enjoyable when I get home from work since so much has to be done.
Brian's car is supposed to be towed to the shop tonight, so hopefully things will be back to normal soon.

We found out that we are going to have a nephew!!! Heather and Aaron will welcome little Andre Vincent into the world in June...and we couldn't be more excited!!! My sissy has even asked me to be in the room when she delivers...how sweet it will be. I'm going to call it right now...everyone will cry.

My Great Grandpa passed away a couple weeks ago as well. We had the funeral and visitation last weekend. It was a lot harder to deal with then I was expecting. When we saw him at the visitation laying in his casket, we all expected him to sit up and tease us because we actually believed that he was dead.
He lived an amazing life. He was able to see his grandkids AND twenty-something great grandkids (just on my mom's side..that doesn't include his daughters children).
He was a really amazing man and we are going to miss him a lot.

Brian is desperately looking for a job now. His hours have dropped significantly and he is really tired of doing the same thing all day long...that and the company treats all of their employees horribly.
We are praying for God's direction.

Everyone says that the first year of marriage is the hardest. We have been blessed. Things haven't been bad at all!! Brian is an absolute joy to live with. We haven't had any trouble adjusting to things. Praise the Lord for that! He's such an amazing hubby

Sooooo...that's pretty much it.
What's goin on with all y'all??