Christmas @ Grandma Ilene's House

MORE PHOTOS TO COME!!!

Christmas has come & gone

Happy late BIRTHDAY JESUS & Blake!
Christmas here on Dalton Ave was good. I was woke up Christmas morning by Blake giving me a wet willie. I thought he was out of the stage that wants to get up early to see what Santa has brought. I guess he's not ha! On Christmas we exchange presents as a family that morning and then go to my Nana's for lunch and do Christmas there. Nana prepared a great meal...I'm still full! Christmas night we went to the movies to see Marley & Me. I don't think I've ever been to the movies when there was so many people there. The theater was packed out there wasn't an empty seat.

Today I almost burned the house down. YIKES I know... Blake and I were at Walmart and mom called. She said I needed to pick up some odor eliminator b/c she had just put out a fire and the house smelt like smoke. I had left a candle going and it had caught on fire. It didn't mess anything up..luckily Mom caught it in time. It did set the fire detectors off and smoked up the house. Man I'm glad mom was there!

Tis was the night before Christmas.....

Christmas has snuck up on me this year. I can't believe it is already here. Last night Steven came up. We had dinner with our friends Candace,Byrum,Janna and Brian. Today we took it easy and exchanged gifts. Then he had to head back to Gardendale :(

I have been sneezing today....I'm afraid I'm trying to get sick. YIKES!!!

Happy Birthday tomorrow Blake~

Happy 50th Birthday Yesterday DADDY!!!!

Yesterday was my Dad's 50th Birthday. Last night we had a surprise party for him at the Best Western. It was very informal but it was nice for everyone to come and celebrate with Dad. I can't believe he's FIFTY!

Look at my beautiful flowers Steven gave me. I stopped by Gardendale on my way home from Auburn this past week and he surprised me with beautiful red roses. He's pretty much GREAT!!!

New baby cousins!

Congratulations Amanda & Glenn! My cousin Amanda had two beautiful babies Riley Ray & Ella Sally on December 15th.

Dr. Hodel @ CBS

Two weeks ago we had a special treat at CBS. Dr. Hodel a professor at Auburn University and Lakeview member which has been battling with cancer this year, came to teach us. He memorized the whole book of Galatians and he recited it all from memory to us. It was incredible! He blessed my heart and I think if you have time to watch his videos on YouTube you will be blessed as well. Who AM I?





I just put two of his clips up but there are seven in all I believe on YouTube. The first is the beginning of his lecture and the second one is the sixth video.

Stylin w/ my RED fingernails!

So let me just tell you about my craziness. Last night I went over to Gardendale for Christways (the church Steven works at)Christmas production. I thought it would be a nice break during my finals to go enjoy excellent Christmas music and spend time with Steven so I did. Oh my goodness the Christmas production was fabulous...they sounded AMAZING!!!! There music ministry has it going on. After the production Steven took me to P.F. Changs. It was grand! This morning I got to worship at Christway again. After church I headed back to the burn. Didn't want to come back :( I got back and my friend Tim and I went to Home Depot. He put lattice around my porch( it was Stonegate protocol). So the nice person he is...He spent his Sunday afternoon putting lattice around my porch.

So to the craziness....I'M STRESSED!!!! About a lot of things...but it doesn't make it any better that I can't eat or sleep. Yes my sleeping is all JACKED UP!!!

I'm finally in the Christmas spirit. Time to hang the mistletoe :)

I'm half way there

This morning I finished my third final..so that means I have three more to go. I'm half way there. When I thought about being half way done...I thought about the song Living on a Prayer by Bon Jovi. Auburn's band plays this song at the football games...so I thought I would give you a taste of Bon Jovi---old school!!!

We're half way there - Livin' on a prayer

Take my hand and we'll make it
I swear - livin' on a prayer.

My brain is about to explode and I'm not even half way through finals...........YIKES!!!

This morning I took my first final...which went very well. Happy to report I made an A in that class...YAY!!!! I have spent all day studying for my public speaking test at 8:00 in the morning. After my test in the morning I get to come home and start studying for my test on Friday morning at 8:00. Then I have the weekend and then three more finals on Monday and Tuesday. I'M READY FOR FINALS TO BE OVER WITH....

I'm getting Blake this book..ha!

Finals are quickly approaching

I'm back in Auburn for yet another long and busy week. My finals start this Wednesday and don't end till the following Tuesday. I will be very happy when this semester ends. So this weekend was good. I finally got my removable retainer on Friday and my teeth have been extremely sore all weekend. Friday night Steven came to Rainsville. We watched Blake play ball. They lost :( On Saturday we were really lazy and watched the SEC championship game. What about them gators?? Today I finished most of my support letters for Focus so they should be in the mail within the next couple of days.

This past week I went back and re-read the book Boy Meets Girl by Joshua Harris. I read it for the first time this Spring when I was single and so I wanted to go back and re-read it now that I'm in a relationship. It is a great read. " Boy Meets Girl is an honest, romantic, and refreshingly biblical look at relationships. It's about dating with a purpose. About friendship plus possibility. About romance chaperoned by wisdom." I definitely recommend it. If your single I also recommend I Kissed Dating Goodbye which is also by Joshua Harris.

GRACE GRACE----Wonderful GRACE

The Lord has been teaching me so much these past couple of weeks. Tonight I got some news and all I could do was just rejoice in the Lords perfect GRACE.

Grace-being given something you don't deserve.

As a believer I have had grace shine upon me more times than I can count. Today I was just reminded once again of His grace. Almost two years ago the Lord by His grace and love delivered me from a situation. Today I rejoice in Him b/c the news I heard today could have easily been about me as well. I can not thank Him enough for having His protective loving gracious hand on me.

Since that situation almost two years ago I've fell in love with a man I call MY Savior-Father-Protector-Identity-Provider-Lover-Sustainer. He has worked in my heart and changed my heart to love things that He loves. My outlook on life, people, relationships, my future, and eternity has changed. You may say Destinee sounds like you have it figured out...NO WAY I'm still a sinner I still struggle, I still fall; but now I have a true genuine relationship with my Lord. I cannot boast enough in the cross and what He has done in my life.

"I thank you Lord for on February 15, 2007 you spared your sweet grace on my life. I rejoice in YOU!"

Happy 1st day of December.

Here lately I have been having tons of WHO AM I? moments. Man do I serve an AmaZING God! I know you probably get tired of me saying that...but it's true and I can honestly not say it enough. I boast totally in the Cross!!

Can you believe it's already December? So yes my morning has been great so far. I have one more class and then I'm headed home to hopefully take a nap. I didn't sleep well last night :( This morning I talked to my mother and she said that Blake was out of school today because it snowed? CrazY-NOT FAIR!!

Yesterday I did not want to come back to Auburn. My break felt so short. The first part of the break was busy and jammed full. Allie and Alex's wedding was beautiful! I got to spend a couple of days in Mobile with Steven at the beginning of the week and it was lots of fun. I had the pleasure of meeting several of his friends which was fun and entertaining. Then the second part of the break I spent it at home and I was a total bum. I was very lazy didn't do much but sleep alot. It was much needed rest though. Lets not even discuss the poor excuse of an Iron Bowl.

Well this blog is kind of random...on well! I hope to post some pictures soon of the wedding.

Focus on the Family Institute

I will be studying this Spring semester at the Focus on the Family Institute in Colorado Springs, Colorado. More details to come!

A time to give thanks and be THANKFUL

I am Thankful for :
+ Salvation. Like the title of my blog. Who Am I? I am so thankful to be a child of Christ and to have a personal relationship with him. I'm so thankful for the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for me.
+ Family. I often times take my loving family for granted. I don't stop and really realize how thankful I am to have two loving parents.
+ Friends. The people I'm surrounded by that daily bring joy, love, encouragement, happiness, fun, and support into my life. I'm so extremely thankful for my buds.
+ Education. I'm so thankful to have the means to attend college and work towards a college education.
+ Health. I'm blessed to be in good health.
+ Lakeview. I'm thankful for a loving supportive church that has discipled me and equipped me to be a warrior for Christ. That is a bible teaching and believing church.
+ Steven. I'm thankful that I met him and have gotten to spend time getting to know him and how incredible he truly is.

I give ultimate thanks to my Lord and Savior for all that He is and all He has done. I am nothing without Him and because He reigns supreme I live a life of victory through His shed blood. Lord you are my ALL and I THANK YOU!

I think I'm in need of a break...

These past two weeks have been busy and tiresome. So I think it's official I NEED A BREAK. Last week I stayed at the Kickliter's. Ms. Nancy was out of the country on a mission trip so I stayed with Ashley all week. I don't do well sleeping at other peoples houses so needless to say I didn't get much sleep last week. This weekend my family came down to Auburn for the Georgia game. Dad is the only one that ended up going to the game. Mom, Blake, and I didn't go. We slept late, we had lunch together, and got things together for everyone to come over after the game. After the game was over the Deerman's and Willams' families came over and we ate and hung out. It was fun. Sunday was super rushed as well.

Monday my feet hit the ground running. I have two test and two papers this week. This morning I took my two test so now all I have left is my two papers and packing for the break. Friday I leave to go up for Allie & Alex wedding. I am so excited it is finally here. I picked my dress up from the alteration shop yesterday and I'm pleased. This weekend will be another busy one. Wedding stuff and then off to Mobile for a couple of days. Then back to Rainsville for the remaining of the week. I'm looking forward to no school and spending time with the special people in my life. Yay for Thanksgiving break!

I dislike......

CATS
CATTTTTTS
CATTTTTTTTTSSSS
CCCAAATTTTTTTTTSSSSSSSS

I dislike cats very very very MUCH!!!!!

I do not like to see them....feel them...hear them...they give me the heebeegeebees.

Pap----You are greatly missed!!

A year today was when I got the heart sinking phone call. I knew when I got of the shower and had a missed called from my mom that something was wrong. The night before I couldn't get a hold of my parents and I didn't sleep well. So when I saw the missed called I immediately called back to see what was wrong. All my mom could say was Destinee I think you need to come home. I busted into tears and was just like what is wrong...she didn't want to tell me but I wouldn't get off the phone with her till she did. She told me the awful news that my Pap had passed away. This was totally unexpected because I didn't even know he was sick in the hospital. So I was pretty much uncontrollable. I called my friend Leo and he came over and consoled me and helped me get my stuff together. So I hit the road and I just cried and cried. There is not much I really remember about that whole week but the fact that I was a basket case because I just lost someone extremely close to me and didn't get the chance to tell him goodbye or that I loved him.

To this day I can not bring myself to go visit his grave site. I'm not sure why. I guess I just keep trying to forget that he really is gone. My Pap held and still does hold a special place in my heart. I knew that he loved and cared about me so much. He always called me his favorite granddaughter(I was his only granddaughter). He came to all my basketball games my senior and junior year. He was so proud that I was going to Auburn. We loved playing spades together. He always made me hot links when he cooked. He was the best cook ever!!!
Ok...I can't type anymore I'm getting really sad! I loved him and I miss him sooooo MUCH!!!

I serve an AMAZING-SOVEREIGN-POWERFUL-MIGHTY-CREATOR OF ALL-FAITHFUL-MERCIFUL GOD!!!! Really WHO AM I????

Steven's Birthday Weekend!

This weekend was so much fun. Friday was Steven's birthday. I went to Gardendale for the weekend. Steven came up from Mobile and we spent the weekend at his sweet mothers. We went to a great restaurant Friday night called All Steak in Cullman. Sunday I went to church with them at Christway Church of God. It was GREAT! I came down with a cold while I was there so I'm a little under the weather:(

I went for a walk this weekend!

It's Sunday night and I'm in bed at 9:38. If feels so good to just lay here. This weekend has been crammed pack. I've been running since my feet hit the floor Friday morning. Friday after I got out of school, Steven came up. We ran some errands, had dinner, and went and saw the movie Fireproof( it was excellent! I recommend it). Have I told y'all he's great? Saturday I arose at a very early hour and headed off to Springville. Once there we ran around and got stuff together for that night. At 4 it was time for Allie's Lingerie shower. It was very fun and she got a lot of beautiful things. After that we had the Bachelorette party....it was a blast. We had a belly dancer come and teach us how to belly dance. It was very entertaining. Today we had the Bridesmaid Luncheon at Limestone Springs. It's a golf course which was magnificent. It was so pretty there. We went back to the McCowns packed our stuff up and headed straight back to Auburn. We went straight to Lakeview. Monica dropped me off for focus group. After church I came home and now I'm finally getting to rest.

" Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." -Psalm 37:5

Today we had a documentary due for my Global Consumer class. I thought ya'll might like to watch it. It's almost Friday..YAY! This week has been so long and busy. I'm excited about the weekend...Steven is coming so see me Friday and then Saturday/Sunday I'll be in Springville for Allie's wedding activities.

Halloween Fun!

Sunday night after church..Whitney and Ashley had a get together at their house. It was so much fun! I was not informed till Saturday night I was suppose to dress up so I had to throw something together. So I pulled out my tennis get up and went as a tennis player ha! No one else got the memo either that you were suppose to dress up so there was only four of us that dressed up. Enjoy the pictures!

Sometimes in the winds of change we find our true identity

This past week as I have been trying to get use to the fact that I don't have my braces anymore I've really been thinking about things. As the title of this post states that Sometimes in the winds of change we find our true identity I found this quote online and changed it around to apply to my life. So each week I meet with two girls for an Accountability group. It's great because I am held accountable. Since I have been meeting with these girls I have really been thinking on the Lord and really trying to listen and pay attention to what he is trying to teach me. Well after a two and a half year situation I have finally learned what he was trying to teach me through all the dental work I have had done.

Ever since I got braces in March of 2006 things as far as my perception about myself and the perceptions that other people have about the way I look have been continuously changing. As you all know all the stuff I went through. I have had my feelings hurt many times by people really close to me saying things like:why did you have anything done? when will you look normal again? You don't look anything like yourself. Since I've had surgery I go different places and people don't even recognize me. That is all fine and well. I guess I'm saying this to say that I've taken a lot of heat about having all of this work done. Some people have the opinion I want to be plastic. ( If anyone knows me they know this is not the case)

I get to this point..not only have I changed physically but I have change spiritually. These past couple of days I have really been questioning why did I go through two and a half years of intense dental work. I keep coming up with Destinee you have found your Identity in someone much greater than yourself and the way you look. Wow! As I write this I'm holding back tears because I know this is so true. I have found my true IDENTITY and that is in my SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. This may sound silly or crazy to you but the Lord has used dental work as a way of bringing me back to Him. He has taught me about the things that are important in life...things eternal not external.

My life has changed so much during these two and a half years and so has my walk with the Lord. Before this long process began I was so consumed with the way I looked and the way people looked at me and what they thought. After I had surgery when my cheeks looked like I had stuck cantaloupes in both sides, people started getting to know me for me. If you would have ask me in March of 2006 about what I thought my life would be like now I would have told you something totally different then what I'm living now. God's sovereignty is so amazing. We start out with a certain motive or intention and he uses that situation whatever it might be( my case dental work) to get our attention and bring us back to HIM.

So as I reflect back on the past and I look forward I can stand firm and assured that my identity rest in the hands of my Sovereign and Merciful King and not on the mere basis of what I look like.

Blake's Senior night!

Last night was Senior night at Plainview. It was weird because it doesn't seem like Blake is suppose to be graduating this year. Anyways the players/parents were recognized before the game. Plainview won 37-10...Playoff Bound!

BIG DAY!!!

Today on October 24, 2008 I got my braces off. I'm finished!! After years of mouth work today was the day that it all paid off. Yay for no more braces...EVER!!! Honestly I didn't know if this day would ever come ha! When I was getting them off today it was kind of bitter sweet. I was scared that my teeth were going to look horrible and yet another change for people to get use to. In a way I felt like my braces had become a part of my identity oddly enough. Mostly because all of my really good friends now...only know the Destinee with braces! But the people who have known me for a while are going to get to witness yet another drastic change...my mom ask me today when I was going to stop changing haha! This is it mom.

busy-rushed-hurried-zoom zoom

Ahh...two minutes to sit down and say that I haven't given up on blogging. I just have been really busy. Today I had accountability and it was good. Jenn ask me about what was going on in my life. I was just like BUSYNESS!! I feel like every minute of my days here lately have been crazy rushed. That I've just been living life only a day ahead...I'm always preparing for the next thing. I'm never ahead. My quite time has suffered because of it. Something has to CHANGE. So...with all of that said-I'm going to try to be more wise with my time and just say NO to somethings....I can't do it all and be at all. I'm tired of telling people when they ask how I'm doing and I just say BUSY. I do not want BUSYNESS to continue to consume my life.

" You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away, Why?" declares the Lord Almighty. " Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. Haggai 1:9

- I do not want my busyness to become an idol in my life that hinders my growth and relationship with the Lord-

No I don't want the guy with the long hair-jesus sandals w/ socks-stick on mustache

Let me just tell you about my exciting day! This morning I had class of course. Then after class I went to Moe's to meet Terri Leigh for lunch. We had such a good time...she is PRECIOUS! After that I had Monica pick me up on campus and take me back home so I could change. Then we came back to the school she went to class and I went the Act to work out( it was much needed..my body was physically stressed and tense it needed relief). After that I went home and jumped in the shower pretty quickly. Got ready and headed to Sarah Laine's volleyball game. Sarah Laine is one of my focus group girls. They won..and she dominated she was incredible. After the game I ran home and put supper on. I had invited Whitney and Ashley over for supper. We had lemon pepper chicken, rice, and Sister Shubert rolls. Whitney and Ashley brought homemade chocolate chip cookies. It was a fun time. So now I'm finally sitting down after a crammed packed day. The picture above was taken at the volleyball game. R-L Terri Leigh(women's youth director at Lakeview) Allie & Cara( my focus group girls)

Listening will get you a long way-_-_-

A case of the Bookworms!

Okay..so as I've been told often I'm a nerd. I LOVE to read. A lot of the time I do not get to read for entertainment. Today I went to Accountability group. Usually I'm the first one there but today I wasn't and I didn't even know it. We meet at Toomer's Coffee every Wednesday. So I got there and didn't see the other two girls cars so I just assumed they were not there. I went inside and looked just in case to see if they were there. I didn't SEE them. So I walked back outside and sat down at one of the tables just going to wait on them. So as I waited on them I just opened up my Bible to 1 Kings I have been reading through Ecclesiastes but I have went back to 1 Kings to understand more about Solomon so I could understand the viewpoint from which he was writing in Ecclesiastes. So I sat there and sat there and sat there. I read and read and read. It was so relaxing just getting to have this time with no distractions to submerge in God's word. Often times we(I) don't take enough time or block out all of the distractions when we(I) are in the word to really soak it in and listen to what the scripture is telling us. Just sitting there today really made me stop & examine my daily reading time. Have I been reading out of habit or have I been reading expecting to learn and hear from God.

It's so amazing how God takes situations where your suppose to be doing something else (i.e. Jenn was in Toomers the whole time. We say apart for 30 min.) and just directs us to HIM. Once we finally realized we were both there and Cassidy got there we met and it was great.

Lately, I have been trying to appreciate the little things in life more. Often times those are the things we over look and don't get to enjoy or smile/laugh about. Life is good...so laugh and smile a lot!

Brain FREEZE

Do you ever just have those moments when your brain just doesn't want to work. Well I have been trying to write this paper since last week. I told myself I was going to work on it Thursday and Friday. It didn't happen. So Saturday I was like ok I'm going to get this paper wrote b/c I know that I want have a lot of time between now and Tuesday to do so. So I sit down to write it and I couldn't get past the title. So last night when I finally got back to Auburn I was sitting down with the intentions to write and finish the paper. Well I got about a page and a half and couldn't finish it. At this point it wasn't b/c I didn't want to..I just couldn't think of the right things to say. Response papers are hard especially on topics that you don't really care for or know much about. So right now I just tried to finish my paper. I got to the conclusion and guess what I couldn't think of how to finish it. BRAIN PLEASE WORK FOR ME....so I'm fixing to head to my next class. Hopefully after I get out of class and attempt to finish my paper I will be able to. Gahlee what a pain this paper has been.

AHhhYAaaYA

What a weekend & it's not even over yet. Last night I went home for Blakes football game. They lost in double overtime 43-42 it was a great game. This morning I got to sleep late and it was wonderful. Today I had a pretty long chat with my parents and then I came down to Springville to spend the night with Allie. Once I got to Springville I met her at the nail place and we got our nails done. It was so much to see her and catch up on things. Then we came back to her house. Her mom fixed chili so we ate and watched the pathetic excuse of an Auburn game. That game was totally embarrassing. After that I got to try on my bridesmaid dress...it looked great just going to have to have it altered some(which was a huge shock to me...I was afraid it was going to be to small). Then we had a spa night. Allie is saleing a beauty line and so we tried it all out. It was very fun. Now I'm fixing to crash...it's been a long emotional day. Yay....for the Bridal Shower tomorrow.

My friends are the BEST!!!

So I don't stop to thank or appreciate my friends as much as I should. I often take them for granted. This past year I have truly been blessed with such AMAZING Godly friends. Good friends don't come often or easily. I know I have been there where I felt like I didn't have one friend to call and talk to about life. This past year some of my old friendships have been strengthen and I have made incredible new ones. So I say all of this out of thankfulness...that my old friendships have been restored and for the new friendships I have.

One of my main prayers when I was preparing to move to Auburn was that the Lord would send me good Godly friends. He has done that in abundance. I am so blessed. They are always there for me in just a simple ride to church, a shoulder to cry on, a quite prayer when in need, ears to listen, and wonderful laughs. It's great to know I have wonderful friends in my life that I can just text or call when I'm having a bad day and ask them to pray for me or ask them for words of wisdom. They do not judge or persuade me. They accept me for me.

Whitley-Janna-Monica-Ashley----you girls are incredible! Thank you for support and love in every faucet of my life. You all are truly God sents.
Monica thanks for last night!
Ashley thank you for listening when no one else would!

Love?

---Watch the video clip first before reading the rest of the post---
So now that you have watched the video and you think back to the different Disney movies that have been made and their story lines. Does everyone of them not portray an unrealistic counter type of love? As many of you know I'm taking a Marriage and Family class this semester. Last night I had to write a paper for the class. We had to read two inserts one about love portrayed in Disney movies and the other about love in real life. We had to respond to the two reads with our opinion and thoughts about them. So since I have wrote the paper I have been really thinking about love. This semester I have a couple of different classes that really challenge me to think beyond the surface of things. I was listening to the song Amazing Love this morning when I was getting ready and the wheels in my head started turning. So I thought I would share with y'all my thoughts about this.

Here is a little bit about the second reading. Mike Harden wrote " In the end, love is not the smoldering glance across the dance floor, the clink of crystal, a leisurely picnic spread upon summer's clover. It is the squeeze of a hand. I'm here. I'll be here, no matter how long the fight, even when what you want most is to close your eyes and be done with it all. Water? You need water? Here. Drink. Let me straighten your pillow". This passage was about a couple and the man was on his death bed dying and his wife was there with him the whole time. The title of this passage was: In the end, Real love means in sickness and in health. " When all is said and done, love is not rapture and fire. It is a hand steadier than one's own squeezing harder than a heartbeat. Wine changes back to water. Roses no longer come with love messages, but best wishes for a quick recovery. Endearment is exhibited by what once might have been considered insignificant kindnesses, but which, in the end, become the tenderest of ministrations".

After comparing these two very different depictions of love where does that leave you and how do you say whether one is better or worse than the other. I think that the second one is truly an example of true love. Yes, I do think that the Disney movies touch a little on love but overall they are very skewed. I mean love at first sight really? John Smith and Pocahontas didn't even speak the same lauauge how are they suddenly in love? I know this is just entertainment, but how influential is it to society. Could this be why so many marriages are failing these days due to a deceived view on love. Love is more than a pretty face or strong physical attraction to someone.

The definition of love- a very strong feeling; a great interest and pleasure in something. Love- wanting good to come to another person, being concerned and willing to work for another person's benefit. Do I know what (intimate)love is? Honestly No. I thought at one time I was IN love but now I know I definitely wasn't IN love I just loved. I think my parents have nailed it. As a on looker looking into my parents marriage and relationship, I can honestly say they love each other. They have found true love with each other...how encouraging. I have come to learn that there are other types of love than just the intimate love. I love my parents. I love my best friends..Whitley, Janna, Monica, and Ashley. I love my brothers. I love Olivia & Eliza. I love my church. I LOVE God. I love reading. I love the water. I love chocolate. I love laughing. I love being outside. I love pictures. I love Auburn. I love lots of things...but everyone of these things I love in different ways. Love comes in many sizes and shapes. So love doesn't have to be just like the Disney movies or your love for a dying spouse. It can be for very trivial things or very personal and sacred things. Love is beautiful and hard. It is work and pleasure.

When I was thinking about this I went to the word and in 1 John 4:7-10 " Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us; He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loves us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." Wow now that is love! God sent his only Son for a filthy wretched sinner like me. My love for any person, thing or place will never be able to compare or measure up with the perfect love God has for his people.

So what is love to you?? This post is very long and scattered. Hopefully my thoughts were understandable. Sorry!

Watch your step.....

This weekend was a blast! Steven came up to visit. Friday night we went and played tennis...YES he beat me. Saturday morning I got home from Ashley & Whitney's house...we made breakfast and went to the game. Auburn won!! Saturday night after the game we went and ate dinner and then we watched the bama game. It was a much needed weekend....after the past two stressful weeks I've had. Isn't our picture lovely?

Too Much Blue

Mom just called and said Plainview won tonight. They played our arch rivals Sylvania. She said Blake was a team captain and that he got his first interception. Way to go # 10

Happy Birthday Olivia!

Today is my sweet very special cousin Olivia's 8th birthday. It seems like yesterday I was down at their house changing her diapers and feeding her baby food. This past week they went to Disney to celebrate...totally jealous! I can't believe how quickly she has grown up. Olivia and Eliza are two very special girls that have my heart....so Happy 8th Birthday Olivia!

Please take me for a walk*

My day has been so crazy & it's not even over with. Let me just tell you about it.
8:00-12:00 Class
2:00 Meeting with Jenn Stinn
4:00 HDFS meeting
-Panic at Walmart with the picture ppl
7:30 Play at the school ( left at intermission )
Starbucks---caffeine
-Panic once again at Walmart with picture ppl
Now I'm fixing to study and finish project...

" When your septic tank is broke....Remember God is always on the throne " - ( quote from CBS)

Does sleep exist?

The weather is crazy. I never know what will be appropriate to wear from day to day. Here lately I have been freezing every where I go.( Hint the reason I'm drinking coffee right now) Last night at Perspectives glad I took a jacket because it was COLD. Today I wore pants and a t-shirt...I froze! I'll be glad when there is consistency in the temperature. Because like in the morning when I go to class its chilly and then in the afternoons its hot. Ok so here lately I honestly have been running on fumes it feels like. My sleep habits have been off. Last night I went to bed at a decent hour and I have felt so much better today. This is the point in the semester when I am beating myself up for taking 8:00 classes Monday through Friday. This post is rather random...I thought I would add another picture from this weekend & below a couple of interesting lines from a email I got. The parallelism is interesting!
3) A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.
7) Are you wrinkled with burden? Come to the church for a faith-lift.
9) Don't wait for six strong men to take you to the church.
13) WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning.
16) Suffering from truth decay? Brush up with your Bible on a daily basis.
17) Exercise daily! Walk with the Lord.
18) Never give the devil a ride -- he will always want to
22) Worry is the darkroom in which negatives can develop.
23) Give Satan an inch, and he'll be a ruler.
24) Be ye fishers of men -- you catch them, and God will
clean them.

Dare to Share

It has been a wonderful Sunday. This morning and tonight Junior Hill came to preach. This morning he talked alot about baptism. We had 21 people come forward this morning and either join the church or unite with the church in believers baptism. We had 8 others that came forward tonight. It was incredible!

Tonight was our first Focus group. Many of you might not know but I'm leading a small group this semester. I have four senior youth girls. The focus groups are being taught out of the book Dare to Share by Greg Siger. As many of you know Lakeview is a very mission minded church. They truly have a heart for the lost.
I have never been to a church more focused on the lost community and world as Lakeview. They are about equipping and sending. So Brother Al ask his church staff to help in becoming more proactive in our church with equipping people with the ability and confidence to share the gospel with the lost. So the Focus groups are being taught from a book about sharing the gospel.

Have you ever heard the saying..watch what you pray for? Well I had been praying for the Lord to stretch me. Well the stretching has began. First of all I have never lead a small group, secondly I have never taught other people about sharing the gospel with others, thirdly I have a hard time doing this myself how am I going to teach others? So I say all of this because I need prayer about leading this group this semester. I want to be a leader that leads by example and so just pray that the Lord opens doors for me to share my testimony with others and that I have the boldness to do so. The stretching process begins!

War Eagle!

So I have been a big slacker not posting lately. I have been extremely busy. Last week I had four test and then I went home Friday for a ortho appt ( GOOD NEWS: Lord willing on October 24th I will get my beautiful braces taken off) and for Blakes football game. They played Priceville and it was a massacre. Saturday I was rudely awaken at 6:00 by a heard of boys ready to come to Auburn. So I told them the only way I was going back to Auburn at that time of morning was if someone else drove my car. So Jay drove my car down to Auburn and I attempted to sleep. We came down for the LSU game. It was a great game with a bad ending. The boys have a fun time! It has been a quick and tiring weekend.

Fall Retreat!

I posted some pictures of Fall Retreat earlier and I wanted to tell about it. Lakeview College ministry went up to Shocco Springs for the night two Fridays ago. Fran Sciacca with Hands of Hur minstries. The title of his sermons were " Terebinths & Tumbleweeds". Our praise and worship was lead by the David Freeman band. It was a great weekend. It was very refreshing and commissioning . He talked about our Identity Purpose & Mission. He talked about changing the way we see things. I recommend going to his website and listening to some of his sermons.

http://www.handsofhur.org/Site/Home.html ---Hands of Hur Website
www.lakeviewau.org ---Lakeview College Minstry Website

Good Ole Monday

So I haven't been doing to good on posting here lately. I promise to post soon about Fall Retreat. I did get some pictures up but I want to share some of the stuff we talked about. So that is to come...hopefully by Thursday night. One test down today and three to go this week. Tonight was perspectives. Tim Hood from the International Mission Board came and shared with us the message Hope: The Kingdom Coming. It was great....we walked through the book of Mark.

Fall Retreat!

Shocco bound-

It's finally Friday! I talked to Mom this morning and I ask her if she had read something on my blog and she responded with yes I saw where you haven't been going to class. YIKES! So from now on I will not be posting if I skip class haha!


So I have a huge pet peeve. It's when the male species leaves the toilet seat up. Grrr....I cannot stand when that happens. I mean who likes to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and fall in?? No one..it's gross! Well the reason I am telling you this is because recently I have had this conversation with a couple of people. When I was home for Labor day we had to explain this to my cousin, that is living with us, because he has never had to share or live with other girls. So it wasn't a big thing for him to leave it up. Well at our house it is...Boys don't leave the toilet seat up! He's learning not quite there yet. Anyways...so today I was on the transit and the driver and this girl were having the discussion of TO leave or NOT TO leave the toilet seat up. The answer is simple put the seat back down when you finish. The conversation was quite funny.

Fall Retreat tonight. Good luck Plainview! Go #10!!

Friday is almost here!

Today I ran across this neat program my computer has. I was able to make a video/slide show of pictures with music. So I made one of just a couple of pictures from the summer. Enjoy!

My Aunt sent me a email with this in it. I thought it was pretty good so I thought I would post it on here.

BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN SISTER by Maya Angelou

'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ

that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean livin,'

I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.

I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.

I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say.. 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.

I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,

My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain...

I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,

I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Pretty is as Pretty does... but beautiful is just plain beautiful!

Flawless~

I was a bad little girl this morning. I woke up when my alarm went off. I went to get in the shower and I thought about what time it was and I turned around walked out of the bathroom and went back to bed. I woke up a little later and sent Monica a text message and told her that I was not going to my 8:00 class. I skipped..YIKES!! My other two classes went well. I met Leah at the new student center for lunch. I have not saw her in forever...well at least since she got engaged. I was so happy to get to hear all about her wedding details. Man her ring is AMAZING...Clint did good! We had fun catching up. I can't wait for her wedding. The rest of the afternoon I worked on a speech and paper. Tonight was church..it was grand!

So funny story! After church Monica and I went down to the mailbox. We were curious about where one of Monicas friends lives in Stonegate. So she said lets ride down this way. We did and got to the stop sign. She was like I think it is right...and I said well it looks like there is a red mustang to the left. So I was just going to back up and go left. Well Monica was like Whooah Whoah there is a cop behind us. So I put it back in drive and turned right. Well the cop followed us and put on his lights. Yes we got pulled over in Stonegate! He had his lights going and the spot light on. He comes and taps on the window and ask for my ID. I was like sir we live here and we were looking for a friends trailer. He said well the reason I am pulling you over is because there have been a lot of break ins here recently and ya'll didn't act like ya'll knew what y'all were doing. He said I thought ya'll might be picking up someone. I said No Sir we are one of the ones that got broken in to. I said I really appreciate that ya'll are patrolling though. So he gave me back my ID and said have a nice night ladies. It was quite funny...we got pulled over in Stonegate and accused of being the thieves. REALLY??

Taking a break...today has been BLAH! I have not been able to get motivated to get stuff done. I guess it goes back to that procrastinating junk. So I really don't have anything exciting to say. I gave my page a makeover....can't decide if I really like it or not. My mom is not going to be very happy when she sees it though...she says that I never have any pictures of her. So Mom next time I'm home I promise I will take a picture with you so I can put it on my blog!

Monday~

It has been a long day here in Auburn. I have been up since 5:20 for the Gap and have been going ever since. Today was Ashley and my first day at the GAP, it was amazing the hour passed by so quickly. Classes today were good. In my marriage and family class we are watching a video on the American Wedding...pretty interesting. My other classes were blah. This afternoon I came home and took a short nap b/c I knew I had a long afternoon and night ahead of me so I needed to be awake and alert. I got up from my nap and began reading and working on perspectives. I dislike to procrastinate but I find myself doing it way to much. Monica said today that you would think I was a law student because I read so much. I do read a lot. Most of my classes require tons of reading. I guess it's a good thing I enjoy reading though. Tonight was perspectives. We talked about the story of His Glory. It was great! He left us with the question: How can we as Christians grow in His glory? I ran across this scripture as I was preparing for class tonight. " All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God." 2 Corinthians 4 :15
That's it we live to benefit and Glorify His name!

My Story!

Today through Wednesday Dennis Nunn is at Lakeview walking us through Every Believer A Witness http://livingthenewlife.org/every_beliver_a_witness.htm. Tonight we were challenged to share our personal story of receiving Jesus Christ as our Savior with at least one person by tomorrow night when we come back. He gave each person a booklet when they came in tonight. He talked/worked through the booklet and he got to the part where we were to fill in our personal story. The first part was my life before I met Jesus, the second was How I came to accept Jesus into my life, and the third was my life since Jesus came in. I am going to share with all who read this my personal story. The way I have wrote this is a little different than the exact headings.

My life before I met Jesus- I was reared in a Christian family. We were at church every time the doors were open. At six I gave my life to Christ in the basement of Rainsville Church of God. Growing up I continued to go to church and I guess you could say lived as a Christian. I didn't party, cuss, get in to trouble. But there was something that wasn't complete. I strived to always do my best and be perfect at everything because I thought that was what was expected of me. As I got into my teenage years I began a disarming relationship, I won many awards, I was a standout athlete, and I was well known through out the community. Still not enough. In April of 2007 I had reconstructive jaw surgery, I thought this would fix the insecurities that I had. It didn't! At this time it was my first year of college. I was starting to see my world crumbling around me and I didn't understand it.

How I came to accept(have a personal relationship) with Jesus- Yes I accepted Jesus at age six; but was that really when my relationship with Christ began? No! The Spring of 2007 I became broken at the feet of the cross. I could not carry around anything else. I surrendered my life to the Lords perfect will, not my will anymore. This is when I feel my relationship really became alive and REAL. In May I moved to Auburn and began school. I found a wonderful church Lakeview Baptist. I met amazing people of Christ and they began to invest in my life. I was really struggling with what to do with some things in my life and I was talking to Lesley about it and she gave me the best advice and that was " Draw closer to the Lord". Wow..that was not what I wanted to hear but I did just that. I began to learn about having a quite time and what it was like to have a relationship with Chirst. Before I thought I had one just because I went to church, paid tithes, and didn't do anything wrong. Wow was I ever wrong. I was learning that there was more than just Sunday Wednesday. So I feel that in the Fall of 2007 I began to have a true intimate relationship with Christ. He convicted me and cleaned me of bitterness, feelings of unforgiveness, hurt, disobedience, and bondage from a relationship. This was one of the hardest years of my life but one of the most rewarding and amazing because I finally knew what it was like to have a RELATIONSHIP with Christ.

My life since Jesus came in- Every since last year the Lord has been doing incredible things in my life and peoples lives around me. I was never baptized as a child so in March I was baptized. He has given me unspeakable peace and joy that I had been longing for. There have been many hard times as well since I really became serious about my walk. The devil has tried to destroy me, my family, and many relationships. Through all of it I have had joy and a Amazing God to hold my hand and help me get through the different trials. He has changed the desires of my heart. He has given me a different outlook on life that I should not strive and reach for things that are not eternal. He has given me a servents heart and a heart for the lost and hurting women. I am truly a different person today than I was a year and a half ago. This past year has been an Amazing year being a child of Chirst and really growing and getting to know Christ in a deeper way.

I share this with you because maybe my personal story will impact or reach someone else. Have you shared your personal story with anyone lately?

" Passion for God should precede and produce compassion for men." Landon Ressor

" What really counts is whether we really have been changed into new and different people" Galatians 6:15 (NLT)

This past week.

This past week has been rather crazy. Tuesday Monica came back down and her mom came with her. I got to finally meet Mrs. Rena she was so sweet. We went to the police station so Monica could fill out a police report and I picked mine up. When we got back the guy had come and put in a new door. He is suppose to come back on Monday to put in motion lights. This week has been pretty stressful for Monica and I. We almost got ate by a dog one morning at the transit...I thought my heart was going to beat out of my chest. I'm really starting to not like dogs anymore. Thursday I went and got a pedicure, it was very relaxing! Last night Steven came to hangout. We went to dinner and then we went to see The Dark Knight. It was pretty good definitely a boy movie though. When it first came out over the summer, Blake went to see it and he came home after it and was like " Dude that was the best movie I've ever seen" I would not go that far ha! Mom called this morning and said that Plainview won last night so that's exciting. This morning I slept late and watched the Auburn game. Yay for Auburn winning! Well I guess I should get back to some homework.

Labor Day Weekend!

It's been quite a while since I have posted so I'm going to recap on the past several days. Last Thursday I went home for the long weekend. I made it for the second half of Blake's game. He played really good but they lost :( Friday I went to Birmingham to see Steven and go to the hospital with him and his mom to see his Dad. I met his precious Mom, his Dad, and his stepmother. Saturday-Monday we stayed down at the river. Saturday the McFalls, Deermans, Holts, and some of Blakes friends came down for a cookout. Monday Chad called me and gave me bad news that my trailer had been broken into. So he went to check things out and unfortunately they stole Monica's laptop, TV, and ipod. I called her and let her in on the bad news. So Monday night I went back to Auburn. When I got down here I had to call the police and get a police report done. My door would not lock so I went and stayed with my sweet friends Ashley and Whitney.

On a lighter note....

Do you ever just laugh out loud at random stuff? Well recently just walking across campus I see stuff/people and it just makes me laugh. So I will share some of the things that made me laugh. They probably won't be funny but they were to me at the moment.

I saw a guy on campus with an airbrushed t-shirt on that said Chris & Anna...I laughed out loud he was definitely whipped.

This guy was riding his bike like super speedy fast down the road....I wanted to yell GET IT BOY>>>GET IT!

Last week I was walking to my 8:00 and I passed a couple....The guy was literally pulling his girlfriend along she had a beautiful look of anguish on her bed head face. It was funny!

I get really cracked up when I see couples walking around campus holding hands....Why? I have no clue. But every time I see it...I just laugh!

So there is this hill between the dorms.....you can take the stairs or you can go up/down the dirt path beside the stairs. Well most ppl take the dirt path...it never fails people fall down it all the time! I must say way FUNNY...

So now I'll tell you something funny about me. Earlier...some of our neighbors came and knocked on our door and tried to scare us. So I head back to my room and grab my tire thumber...It looks like a small bat but it will tear somebody up literally. That may not sound funny but it was funny b/c first of all I have a tire thumber...whose has one of those? and secondly, like I could really hurt someone!

So I say all of this why? because I know you probably don't think any of it's funny but I guess it's one of those just have to be there moments. My point is we should all take time to LAUGH!

Thursday, August 28………Fort Payne……PHS
Friday, September 5………Columbia…………Away*
Friday, September 12……Douglas……………PHS *
Friday, September 19........Priceville…………Away*

Friday, September 26……Sylvania…………Away
Friday, October 3…………Guntersville…PHS *
Friday, October 10…Fairview..(Homecoming)PHS *
Friday, October 17………North Jackson…Away*
Friday, October 24………DAR………………PHS *
Thursday, October 30 …Fyffe………………Away

I thought I would post these studly pictures of the senior football players. I'm excited Thursday night is their first game. Hopefully I'm going to be able to make it!

Today was yet another exciting day. This morning I almost got attacked by a weenie dog. For REAL!! Then this afternoon Jenn, the Women's director at Lakeview, came over and we went and visited some girls in Stonegate. After that I read my life away for the rest of the afternoon. Monica got home from Haley and we went to Kinnucan's and to Sonic. Well we've been trying to walk every night. Due to the weather we haven't got to much this weekend. So tonight we attempted to....and yes it started raining...The story of my life!!!!

A very long post! Monday August 25th

This has been a eventful day to say the least. This morning I got up and went to class as usual. When I left I recognized the weather was overcast but I didn't think much of it raining( I know what was I thinking right?). So I get to school and go through my 8:00 class and then my 9:00 rolls around and about half way through it the tornado sirens go off. So the teacher makes all of us go out in the hallway. So we sit there till the warning expires. So once we are free to go it's like coming a monsoon outside and like I said I had nothing but my backpack and myself..no umbrella, no rain jacket, NOTHING. So I decided to just wait it out a little bit before heading across campus for my 11:00 class. Finally it slacked off and I tredded the water over to Haley Center. I was early for my class so I was just going to go up and sit outside the door and finish my reading for the class. Well as I'm walking to the classroom on the third floor this lady starts yelling at us. She says that we should all be down on the bottom floor that no one has released us. So we were all like honestly! So we start down the stairs and of course the other 20,000 students on Auburn campus were there as well. So we got stopped at the stairs. I found a place and just sat down. Times rolls around and we are free to go. So I head back upstairs for my class. I sit down and wait. Then a girl comes by and says that Auburn posted on the website that classes are canceled for the rest of the day. So I'm like YES I'll go home. So I'm walking out to the transit and of course everyone else is as well. I waited and hour for a transit in the rain. It was mad chaos!

This Fall I will be taking a class at Lakeview called Perspectives: On the World Christian Movement. Tonight was our first class and we will meet every Monday night from 6:30-9:00 until Christmas. Perspectives is a biblical, historical and cultural analysis of the impact of the world Christian movement, with specific attention given to strategy and the imperative of bringing the gospel to groups that have yet to initially receive it. Each week we have a different speaker come and teach. Tonight we had Gerald Robison-Vice President of UnveilinGlory Ministries from Jacksonville Florida. He taught tonight on the Cat& Dog Theology http://catndogtheology.com/. Crazy right....yeah that's what I thought at first but then when he got finished it was WOW! I left tonight with just a totally different perspective of how to read the Bible. I want my life to be like the dog theology everything I do for the glory of God, everything I read for the glory of God, every action I take for the glory of God. I don't want my life and church experience to be about what can I get from the Bible or what can God give me. It's not about me...It's about me glorifying Him. All of Life is for God and making Him famous to others!

What better post to put sweet pictures of Mattie and Katie Marie on here! Sorry I had to limit it to one since the post was so long :)

Sunday at Lakeview!

After being up all night with tornado sirens going off I'll have to say it was hard getting up this morning for church. I made it and it was well worth it. Brother Al has been doing a series on God's Design for the Families. So this morning his title was " Equally yoked: God's design for choosing a mate". He preached from several different scriptures. I liked what he said " You need to focus on being the right person instead of finding the right one". Tonight he preached from Proverbs 5: 1-23 and the title was " Red-Hot Monogamy: God's Design for Sex". He used one sentence to sum up this message: "God's design for sex is that a husband be captivated by the love of his wife and a wife be captivated by the love of her husband."

After church we had a information/orientation meeting for " The GAP" prayer ministry. The GAP prayer ministry is Lakeviews 24-hour prayer room. Each person/persons takes a hour a week and goes to the GAP prayer room at Lakeview and takes part in intercessory prayer. Ashley and I are going to do it this Fall. We have decided to do it on Monday mornings at 6:00. After the meeting College went over to Cliff and Toma's house for pizza and fellowship.
Thank you Lord for keeping us safe through all the bad weather!

Tropical Storm FAY

It has been a YUCKIE day here in Auburn. So as I posted last night I was very excited about getting to sleep late this morning. Well that didn't happen...I couldn't sleep in :( Ever since I got up this morning it has been raining like cats and dogs. The wind has blown non-stop. TERRIBLE WEATHER to say the least. I was a wild woman today...I cleaned like crazy. Nothing better to do so why not clean right? Ha!

Tonight I was very excited because Steven was coming up for dinner. Well when he was almost here the sirens started going off. Tornado sirens that is. I got online to see what was going on and I'm looking at a map like the one above. I tried reading it, but honestly I had no clue at what I was looking at. I'm no weatherMAN..haha! Long story short. Monica goes to the Vet school to take cover and Steven and I head to Olive Garden. A great ending to a yuck day!