WOW what a game!!!

Well, we had an amazing time at the Auburn game this weekend! It is always so cool to be there on opening game day...so much enthusiasm and excitement to see how the team looks and to just get ready for the football season. And, there is just something about Auburn that brings back such fun memories of those college days and friends. Auburn holds a very special place in our lives for many reasons...but the main on is that is where Jay and I met over 12 years ago. Just stepping back onto campus has a feel that can't be explained in words...you just have got to be there!

The game was a bit rocky most of the time, but then that pinnacle 4th quarter hit and something just clicked. In the last 4 minutes Auburn came back and won the game! We didn't have much of a voice left after screaming for the last 4 minutes of the game...cheering our Tigers onto victory...what a game!

It rained as you can see for the first quarter, but then it was a nice cool fall football night! Just the perfect night with my husband and some good football in a town that we love! We got to meet up with some of our closest Auburn friends and go to do some shopping and tailgate a little. All in all it was about the perfect weekend!

Auburn has a huge new jumbo tron in HD and is simply about the coolest thing to see in person! I'm not a TV junkie or know much about technology...but even I was in awe of it! It really gets you pumped!

For the first game we were able to get a fly by from the fighter jets...all of which were Auburn graduates... very awesome too. Spirit (our eagle) was not able to fly because of the rain...but the fly over made up for it...somewhat! We are going to several more games this year so hopefully we will get the chance to watch him fly.

We took some time while we were there to spend time with family and see some of Jay's cousins and kids. The girls had a blast as you can see and really didn't miss us a minute while we were at the game. We hope that your game day weekend was as much fun as ours! Go Tigers!

No Time to Blog!

There is no time to blog because we are going to the opening Auburn game today! We will be leaving in just a few moments to head down to the plains for the very first game of the season. The girls will be visiting with family in Opelika since the game is so late, but Jay and I will be there in the stand cheering our Tigers on! So....no time to blog...we want to get lots of tailgating and shopping done! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRR EAGLE...hey!

Hopefully, we'll see you at Toomer's Corner tonight! And whatever team you are pulling for today...have a great game day and a safe labor day weekend! I'll be blogging tomorrow...I've got a cool story to tell you...and by the way our house is officially going to closing on Wednesday!

Beautiful Moments!

There are so many days that I just know that I have blown it as a parent. But, then there are moments that are simply breath taking. Those moments when God pulls back the curtain and seems to whisper to me, "see I'm capturing their little hearts". God reminds me in these moments that He is the one parenting through me and in spite of my failures and shortcomings. I am so grateful that Jay and I don't bear the awesome task of parenting. Daily we rely on God to do this thing through us and simply use us as tools. But, at these moments...Jay and I just look at each other and smile at the God who captivates our hearts and our home.

Today, we bless you God. We thank you for being completely irresistible. We praise you for reaching out to sinful people...it's scandalous what you do! How you love us and grasp our hearts right in the middle of all our hate, jealousy, gossip, anger, lying, stealing, cheating, vengeful, rebellious lives. Thank you for the gift of Jesus that satisfies your wrath that should strike me dead today. Thank for for going further to allow us to guide those precious lives in our home. Oh, Father how we beg for your mercy daily to parent. Lord, we ask that you parent through us...that you come and just be you in our homes today. We bless you, Father. We bless you.

This video was shot in our car on the way home from our family night at Discover Mills tonight. We have an amazing set of CDs called Bible Bop: XTreme Praise. They are all songs that are completely scripture and our whole family loves them. There's not a day that goes by that these songs aren't being blasted in our car. They help to write God's Word on all of our hearts every day. But, this moment was so precious that I had to capture it on my camera. She didn't realize I was taping her until the end. Thank you Jesus for being the amazing parent I could never be to these priceless gifts you have given us.

Conviction...

Well, I don't really think that the old phrase "Don't Worry Be Happy" is true...God's been saying some pretty strong things to me this week about worry.

Recently, I have begun a daily reading program that will lead me through the Bible in 6 months. I have read the Bible through before and have loved doing it...though I still keep my regular chapter by chapter study of the Bible as my fellowship time (I don't like calling it quiet time...because for me it is rarely quiet...I gotta sing, speak, dance, etc. with my God!) with God each morning. The reading is something that I do before bed to really enjoy the whole council of God's Word each day.

Well, last night I was in Genesis and Matthew. Then, as I was about finished with the reading for that day in Matthew...I hit Matthew 6:31-33. Check it out:
"So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows your needs. Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." NLT



WOW! The part that God hit me with, in my life last night, was that worrying about such things...about anything really...is the kind of thing that unbelievers do! So, God laid some heavy conviction on my heart about the thoughts that dominate my mind. Are they the kind of thoughts that would characterize a follower of Christ or one who is only living for the temporal things of this earth? I hate to say that for the last week and a half my thoughts have been that of one who doesn't trust the heavenly Father for her needs.

My thoughts have been things like...
What will the home inspection say?
Will we still close on time?
Will we have enough money this year?
Will this online academy be OK for Anli?
Will we still see our friends?
Will our apartment be safe?
Will we go overseas?

And I could go on all day...sadly it's true. So, does that sound like a child who trusts her heavenly Father to you? In case I had any doubts...God's Word was quite clear that I am in a stronghold of worry and that's what unbelievers are like. Talk about some heavy conviction! But, oh how it is medicine to the soul!

It's not pretty what we find looking into the standard of God's Word. But, I am so grateful that God is all in my business even when I want Him to stay OUT of my business. People want to make you feel better about your sin and help you justify it...but God wants it gone! He does that because He knows how deadly and joy-stealing sin is for His children.

I challenge you today to be in God's Word. Maybe expand past your daily fellowship time with Him and dive into it for a good long read...like you would your favorite novel. It's simply the BEST! But, be prepared for God to be in your business...and you might have to share that with others!

Glue Gun Girl Strikes Again!!

Most of you know that I don't sew, yet I LOVE to do crafty things around my house like make curtains, pillows, comforters, table linens, etc. Well, when you don't sew you improvise. As my mother said...being broke is the mother of invention not necessity! So, I use a glue gun to make almost everything in my house! I have made everything from comforters to pillows shams to fun jean embellishments. Now, granted, it won't last forever...but then neither does my taste for something. I love change and so hot glue is my best friend.

Since we are moving to an apartment and selling just about all that we own...we had to jazz up the stuff we are keeping...since they are mostly the leftovers! Last night the "glue gun girl" too on a new partner and we went to work. This was by far my most exciting project ever. We made an ottoman/coffee table out of an old bench. We transformed an old sofa that came with this house (because they didn't want it either!) and I think it turned out really nice. You be the judge!

So, watch out HGTV "Glue Gun Girl" will be the next Design Star (all true HGTV buffs know what I'm talking about!). Here is our latest project...it's our new family room set for the apartment...

Family Fun!

My post about family nights brought some wonderful comments and emails! Some wanted to know where we were in some of the photos and others were commenting that they also loved family nights. This family night was all about the ice cream! We love to go to our local Bruster's and get a cool treat. Daddy flips the back seat of the van over and we have own little tailgate party! It's one of our faithful family nights.

This week we added a fun game of jump rope...we still need some practice. Anli is our resident jump rope queen. Her record is 87 jumps without stopping...she is amazing. This was her first time to jump with Jay and I doing the rope for her...so it was a little hard. But, we're due to have another competition this week...and this time I'm entering!

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Some of you wanted to know where we were when we raced those little race cars. It is at Discover Mills in Duluth. We love to go there because they have the race cars, Lunar golf (indoor cosmic putt putt that we are doing this Thursday), pottery painting, indoor jumping gym, and lots more! We love that place and go there about once a week now while Jay has a meeting each week at Shepherd Care.

We pray that your Sabbath was as restful and worshipful as ours. We attended Faith Community Church in Woodstock with some friends. It was an intense time of learning and very challenging as we studied Romans 11 together. We had a great time! Right now we are allowing God to lead us in His timing and direction. But, we are learning and growing every day...how about you? Was your Sabbath full of worship...we pray that you experienced the grace and love of a holy God today...and you were changed!

The Joy of Downsizing!

We are enjoying this week of downsizing. We are selling most of our furniture and decorations so that we can fit into a two bedroom apartment! There is something so freeing about seeing your stuff...go away! Now, I can fill a house with the best of them, but purging and getting back to the basics is wonderful. To get rid of things that we don't need and to see others who need those things take them away is so much fun!

Starting last night, we have had several people come "shopping" at our house. Today my friend Jen came by to get her plant...she's going to name it "Fray" in honor of Jay and I! We laughed so hard we cried as she toted that tree out to her car and tried to load it in along with her two children! It was a hoot!

But, we still have more stuff to sell! So here is a little video of the things we have left to get rid of...if you are interested in anything you see here...please let us know! We are donating most of the things that we have, but there are just a few larger items that we are going to sell. We are having a donation truck come by here next week...so they won't be around long!

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Welcome Grant Jameson Parker!

Congratulations to the Parker family on their new baby boy Grant Jameson Parker! He was born last Thursday by c - section weighing 8 pounds and 3 ounces. Both he and Amy are doing great! They are all so excited and we are too!

Grant is welcomed by his new siblings...Sarah Beth, Nathan, and Olivia. Congrats Parker Family!

We are under contract!!

Well, our house has officially been on the market 2 business days and we are under contract! We can't believe how fast our house was snatched up! It was the first couple to go through the house. We are so excited and we are really happy with how it all came out. We still have to undergo inspection, but the offer was an all cash offer...no closing costs...and they want to move in September 5th! That means we are outta here really fast! We are going to be super busy with a huge estate sale this weekend and lots of packing to get out by that closing date.

We will be moving to an apartment near ICN Ventures where we will be living for the next year. We have spoken with the International Mission Board and we will be planning to attend the August 2008 conference with a departure date of January 2009. That is only 17 months away...we are getting excited! Still, we know that there are many forms left, many interviews, pages to write, physicals to undergo, and more conversations than we can count. But, we know that God is the one ordering our steps.

Thanks for your prayers...we are getting closer to seeing a "sold" sign in our front yard. We will keep you posted!

Family Night Fun!

We have always placed special importance on having "family nights" once a week ever since the girls were small. We have done so many different things...but always it's together and it's always fun! We have found such wonderful memories and bonding happens when, in the midst of our busy lives, we find time to reconnect during family nights.

Here is a peak at some of the fun we have had over the years. We pray that you will experience the joy that God bring through time with your family. We are truly blessed!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Best Friend Reunion...and baby shower!

Don't you just love it when you are able to hang out with those friends who have known you...practically forever?!? I know that many people don't have lifelong friends that have been with you through elementary school, acne, bad 80s hair, dating, fights, high school, different colleges, engagements, bridal showers, jobs, marriages, disappointments, babies, babies,and more babies...


Well, I am one of those people who have been blessed to have traveled along this life with some amazing people. There are WAY too many to name them all, but 4 of those ladies are friends from the 6th grade until now. They were church friends and they have been some of my closest life buddies! We don't talk as often as we would like...and we see each other even less. But, during times like today, it seems like we've not been a part.

Today we celebrated Kristen's newest arrival...Sarah Frances Carver...due in a week or two. It was a blast catching up on everyone and their families. I hope that you have those kinds of friends in your life...and if you do...thank God for that blessing because it is rare!



It seems that three of my friends know how to smock...and they said that you simply can not use a hot glue gun in smocking. I guess that leaves me out! But, I do want to learn after being shown up today by all three of them smocking Sarah Frances outfits...here is one...isn't it beautiful? This one was made by Ashley (she has four children and the last two are twin boys...11 months old. She started this outfit on Thursday...I have no excuses anymore!)


Congratulations Kristen and Chris! We can't wait to meet little Sarah Frances very soon...we love you!

A mystery roll of film...revealed!

I don't know about you, but now that I have a digital camera I don't do much film anymore. But, when we went on a rafting trip in Asheville, NC last summer we took a waterproof camera with us on the rafts. Well, as we have been cleaning out drawers and cabinets getting ready to move...I found a mysterious disposable camera. I had no idea what it was, but I took it to Walgreen's and here is what I found. What fun to be surprised! Enjoy as I did...

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

House for Sale...

Today is the day that our house is "officially" on the market! We thought that it would be available for showing on Saturday, but we got a call last night from our agent saying that it would be today! We rushed home and spent most of the night putting the finishing touches on it.

It's amazing that when you are selling your house, you do all the things that you wished you could have done while you were living there!

Here are a few of the photos that our wonderful realtor Kristina Meade took the other day and appear on realtor.com and many other real estate sites...pray for lots of interest and a quick sale!

Jay's New Job!

Jay began working at ICN Vetures this week and he loves it! ICN Ventures is a computer software development company that does web design, web hosting, server hosting and much more. Jay will be the office manager of this growing company and will have lots of the experience that he may need on the mission field. Also, he is working for and with some our dearest friends. What a true blessing in this time of transition!

Take a look at what is on their homepage...it explains the name.

A lot of people ask us what “ICN” stands for and why a technology company has “ventures” in it’s name. Very simple: “ICN” stands for “In Christ’s Name”. It comes from a verse in the Bible, John 14:13, where Jesus is talking. He says, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.” If you understand what that means, then you’ll know our heart for people. If you don’t understand what that means, we would love to explain it to you sometime.

What a cool company! Jay is excited that they have a ping pong table for breaks and fun times along with a "no shoe" rule around the office...that is Jay's kind of office! We are so blessed that God has chosen to allow Jay to work alongside those that care about him!

Something funny happened on Tuesday. Chris and Jay were trying to run some data cables and Jay was in the server room (where it is very loud). All of the sudden one of the owners owners of the company, Ken, ran in and said "where is Chris?" Jay didn't know, but when they ran into the storage room...they found a large hole in the ceiling...Chris had stepped and fallen through the ceiling! They didn't get to see the actual sight of Chris' leg through the hole...just the evidence (this photo is not Chris' leg!).

So, this week has been busy with getting the house ready for the photos the realtor is taking and Jay starting a new job. What a blessing that God has prepared such a wonderful time for us! He is amazing...

See You Soon Hedrick Family!

Last night, I had the chance to say "see you soon" to some of my close friends, the Hedricks. Bill, Sally, Lucy, and Katia are leaving next Tuesday for Quito, Ecuador to work with an organization called Extreme Response. They have been praying and walking this journey of faith for many years and they are so joyful and ready for this part of their lives to begin.

But, it is also sad for those of us who will miss their seeing their smiles! We want the Hedrick family to know that our prayers and love go with them wherever God takes them. We have enjoyed our time with you and now we must share you with others!!

Here are just a few of the fun photos that we took last night...we were in a mood of some kind...but it was fun! Hedrick family, you are loved!

Happy First Day of School!

Yesterday was the first day of school for many of my friends' children. I remember how exciting that day was...though now I am homeschooling so it's a little different on the first day of school. We know who our teacher is, we know where our classroom is...you get the picture!

We are so excited for all of those who started school yesterday...we hope it was wonderful! Here is a photo of that first day of school for my nephew, Julian. We were so excited for him to begin attending Coosa Valley Academy yesterday. He had a great day and enjoyed meeting new friends and playing. We sent him a set of balloons and a teddy bear to let him know we were thinking of him...though we couldn't be there. Have a great day today too, Julian...we love you!

Sabbath Reflections...

There are so many things that we are thankful for on this Sabbath Day as we worship together as a family. Here are a few...

*Our salvation
"At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." Titus3:3-7

*Worshiping together as a family among other believers
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

*A day to rest in God and know Him better by being quiet in our hearts and home
"You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy...For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD." Exodus 31:13&15

*Good books to challenge us in our faith
"Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice" Proverbs 13:10

*Forgiveness and the gift to forgive others
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:13-17

*Family time
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:4-9

These are just a few things that we are thanking God for on this Sabbath day devoted to Him. We have been challenged that for a long time our Sabbath...well we didn't really get around to a Sabbath day...one that is devoted to God and set a part from all other days to reflect and worship Him. But, God has shown us the power and blessing that comes from a Sabbath. He is worthy of our time, our affection, our love, and our rest. May we pass down the Sabbath to the generations to come...starting with those in our own homes.

This is a famous sermon by a precious man named S.M. Lockridge about Jesus. It is powerful and even thought he tries to find words to describe Jesus...he can't because He is indescribable! Worship Him today...be challenged...be changed by who He is! Enjoy...

Best Videos!

My friend Jen Smathers just introduced me to the BEST video sharing site called Godtube. It is a place where you can find some of the neatest videos with a great message. Now, some are downright corny and poorly made but others are awesome! I wanted to share two of my favorites so far with you...be sure there will be more because I have been checking some out.

They are very different, but both inspiring. If you want to check out Godtube for yourself, go to http://www.godtube.com/. Enjoy...

Application Part 2...done!

We have finished our second part of our application for the International Mission Board. We are excited, but we have heard that the third part is ...HUGE! It includes writing a 9 page autobiography...we're not sure we've lived long enough to fill that many pages!! There are many questions to answer, medical records to submit, job assignments to look through...you get the picture.

We prayed over our second part and sent it in last night. Now, we wait for a phone call from our consultant and to talk through the application so far. So far, the process has been great...but we know that there will be hard times, tedious moments, and long hours of writing yet to go. But, we are praying that God will teach us through the process. We do not even know if God will choose to place us overseas, so we are learning through this journey.

Thanks to those who are praying and encouraging us! We are grateful. We have a few prayer requests:
Jay-That this process will go quickly and that God's will teach us in the journey.
Frances-That I will walk in faith throughout this process.
Anli-That we will be healthy over there.
Virginia Grace-That we be healthy.

I thought that I would include a copy of our "IMB mug shots" for you to view...lovely! Nothing like a passport style photo to make you look like a criminal. Enjoy...

Morning Meditations over coffee and God's Word...

Good morning! I just wanted to share with you some of the wonderful meditations that God shared with me this morning. I am working on memorizing Ephesians 1...but not just memorizing those verses, but studying their meaning through the Greek and commentaries. I want it to be written on my heart.

Today, I began working on verse 4:

"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight."

That sounds impossible doesn't it? I got a little anxious about diving into this verse because of the words...holy and blameless. I don't know about you, but those words don't often come to mind when I think of describing myself in front of a holy God!

But, as I began to study, I learned of God's heart through this verse for me. It's pretty amazing!

The first few words "for he chose us in him before the creation of the world" gets all kinds of arguments started in our churches. Well, I'm not going there this morning! What I found through the word study that pricked my heart this morning was the fact that the word "chose" here means "so that the grounds of the choice lies in Christ alone." Wow!

Do you know that if you are a part of God's family through Jesus Christ...that the only merit you have in this life lies with in Jesus Christ alone! Now, that sets the stage for the rest of this verse.

Because I am chosen based on Christ's merit alone (his being God, living a perfect life, understanding our challenges, being crucified on a cross, satisfying the wrath of God, being raised to eternal life, being seated at the right hand of God, and the hope of his return...and even more!) can I be holy and blameless in his sight.

The word "holy" in this verse means to be an offering or sacrifice...prepared for God with purity. The word "blameless" in this verse means to be ethically or morally without fault. Now, let's put this whole verse together with the meanings from the Greek Lexicon and see what we have now.

We are chosen by God based on Christ's merit alone before this world was even created, to be an offering prepared for God with purity and to be ethically without fault (because of Jesus' blood to cleanse our sins) in his sight.

We will continue to sin. We will never be perfect on this earth. We will do things wrong each and every day. But, we stand in Christ alone and his merit with God and only in that place will we find our true calling. What we were chosen to be...a offering to God that is found right before Him.

How does this happen in our daily walk in life? Well, for me, it means staying in Christ (the Word) every day. And not just reading it...but writing it on my heart and meditating on it all through the day. It's through prayer that never ceases...constantly taking my thoughts and attitudes captive and putting them up against the Bible. It's just an all day kind of thing!

How about you today? What has God taught you? Have you found your delight in Christ today, or have you run into your day leaving that behind? Remember, our only hope of living in the chosen blessing is to find our life in Christ. For us, to live is Christ... enjoy your day...

Summer Bible Study Reflections

This summer it was a blessing to share the Bible study that God put on my heart with over 25 ladies at my home. Each lady brought something very special to our group. Some ladies were not able to complete the entire study with us, due to travel and summer craziness, but each of them was there out of a special appointment from God. I was encouraged and blessed by each of them.

I want to thank those ladies for traveling alongside me during this journey. It was very personal to me for many reasons. I remember in the second week, coming to Thursday night very burdened. Those precious ladies prayed over me as I wept. Talk about encouragement!

I pray that through this journey we all have experienced God in a new and exciting way. He is our everything! God wrote this study through me...I don't think I was even there for most of it! I remember sitting in my study over 2 years ago throwing my hands up and telling God..."I don't even understand what you are trying to say...much less explaining it to others!" Gently, He would explain it again and I would do the best, a mere human can, to express the heart of what God was telling me.

I enjoyed this summer study. Thank you to the ladies who brought food, teas, and wonderful teachable spirits. Thanks to Rhonda, Shannon, and Jennifer for helping to lead worship...that time was so sweet for us all. Thanks to all the women who wrote cards, left gifts, and prayed for me during this study...you'll never know what a blessing you have been to me! I love you all...

Here is a yummy picture of our "manna meal." It was awesome...you can't beat chocolate!

Atlanta Fun!

Last weekend we got to show off our new aquarium to my family! They rode the Amtrack train from Birmingham,AL to Atlanta on a Sunday. Then, the next day we all met at the hotel to play at Centennial Park and then visit the aquarium. We had such a blast together! Family is about the most precious gift God has given me (after my Savior, Jesus Christ!). I am so thankful that God has placed me into a family that loves the Lord and me too!

{Anli, Virginia Grace, Fletcher, Peyton (Cousins),

Frances, Leslie (sister) Julian (Leslie's son) and Holly(sister)}

We had a great time...I hope you enjoy the show...

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Happy Birthday Sassy!

We just want to send out a HUGE Happy Birthday to our Sassy (Frances' mom) today. We are so sorry that we are not there to celebrate, but we wanted to share the next best thing! Enjoy you day, Sassy! We love you!

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Sabbath Reflections on Psalm 96

Again this Sunday, we were blessed to worship with those at North River Baptist Church. What an amazing blessing! The worship there is so sweet filled with scripture, clapping, hands raised in submission and praise, and community.

This morning we were in the text of Psalm 96 learning about worship. We were again reminded that worship is NOT about us...but about God! But, there was a new challenge hidden in this first verse of Psalm 96 that we had never seen before. Look at it...

"Sing to the LORD a new song"

Yep, that's it! We were challenged to daily be singing our Lord a new song. The actual Hebrew is translated as both "new" and "fresh". We should all be able to sing our Lord a "fresh, new" song each day!

Many of us are singing songs of old...and I'm not talking about hymns! I'm talking about an experience with God years ago, because we haven't had a "new, fresh" encounter with Him in a long time. We may have had a new song on Sunday, but the rest of the week is just the same old thing. We don't get into the Word or pray...we're just living on that old tune we heard on Sunday.

Jay and I went to lunch and discussed how we want each day to be challenged, changed, and moved to sing a brand "new, fresh" song that those around hear and see God in our lives! That is worship. We have an encounter each and every moment of our lives with a holy, awesome, amazing God and we worship Him throughout our day...and those around us know it too!

Wow, wouldn't our churches, marriages, parenting, friendships, jobs and world be different if those that are God's children were singing a "new, fresh" song each and every day. The cool thing is that we don't have to be singing the same tune...but we are all about the same thing...worship of an awesome God.

Jay and I spend each morning with the Lord, but I gotta get to singing what that new song with my mouth AND my actions all day long. We can't just store up all that stuff in our heads...God wants His glory shared with a dying world every day. Let's get to singing!

Good times with good friends!

Last night we had the chance to Rome, Ga to visit some of our really close friends. We are all super busy, so we don't get together as often as we would like. But, when we do...it's awesome!

(Jay,Frances,Terra,Dave,Nicki,Steve)

Though we were excited to see our friends, we all know we were there to meet Campbell! She is just the sweetest and cutest baby we have seen...besides our own babies, that is! We got to play and enjoy her and just look at that smile! I don't think she stopped smiling the whole time we were there...and she was a huge flirt with Jay! What can we say? She has good taste!

We had a great time seeing Nicki, Steve, and Campbell's new house and having the best home cooked dinner! Thanks guys for the food...amazing pork chops!

As you can see from this photo outtake that we laughed until our sides hurt and we were crying. You can't keep this group serious for long! We can't wait until we get to go away together for the weekend.

Thanks guys for a wonderful time! We can't wait to do it again...

Working on the house!

We are selling our house here in Roswell, and we have been working hard! For the past few days we have been doing a demo on our master bathroom. As you can see we've taken it down to the bare studs!

Our precious friend, John, is helping us to tile the bathroom but first we had to take all the tile out. Now, if you have ever taken tile out of a bathroom...you know that it's not really an easy task. I found Jay this afternoon on a little blue stool with a hammer and crowbar taking one tile out at a time.

Now, you see there are not a lot of things I am good at as far as construction goes. I can decorate with the best of them, but I'm not really handy with tools. But, I took one look at Jay's progress after about an hour and I KNEW there had to be a faster way. I'm not good at much...but demo I can do!

So, I took the hammer from Jay and asked him to go get me a glass of water (smile) and then I took a whole new approach to the tile work. Take a look...

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

So, after a few minutes we were both hammering away and the demo was done in about an house! It was such fun to pound away...I'm still finding pieces of tile in my hair. Demo is the best!

A special thanks to all those who have helped us with the selling process. We are so blessed to have friends who have been lending a hand in painting, packing, landscaping (Tad you are the BEST!)and tiling. What a great group of people God has blessed us with to call friends.

We'll be sure to post pictures of the results...we are ready to call this house done!

The Great Commission...and doubt

Last night we were blessed to attend the midweek meal and study at North River Baptist church. They are beginning a study of the harmony of the gospels which we enjoyed greatly. We started with an overview of the book of Matthew. As we traveled quickly through this book, we came to the end...the Great Commission.

As we were reading through those last few verses, Dr. Steve pointed out something to me that I hadn't thought about before. Look at these verses yourself:
"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations..." Matthew 28:16-19.

The disciples saw Jesus and they worshiped him...but some doubted. Have you ever felt that way before? Has your world ever turned upside down and you knew that God was in control with your head...but your heart had a doubt or two? Have you been ashamed to ever admit that though you know that you are saved, you doubt at times? The disciples of Jesus knew those feelings. Jesus had died along with their hopes of an earthly kingdom. Now, he has been raised from the dead and was standing before them in Galilee. Some doubted...

In the midst of that doubt (and Jesus knew that they had doubts), Jesus speaks authority over them. He reminds them that all rule and power and dominion has been given to HIM. And based on that alone are they to "go". If we think we can go and teach, preach, disciple, mentor, evangelize, comfort, guide or counsel anyone in our own authority...we will fail. Our only hope to reach a lost and dying world is Jesus and the authority that He has on this earth and in heaven.

I am so glad that God's Word is here for those of us who are flawed. I am so glad that God chose to leave in the details like "some doubted." Because if we are honest, we have all had times when faced with an awesome opportunity to worship Jesus Christ, we have looked around at our lives and doubted. But, in the midst of that doubt, Jesus Christ calls us to stand in His authority and "go and make disciples of all nations."

You and I don't have any authority to do anything at all. But, if we stand in the authority of Jesus Christ we will never fail.

Take time today to look at your own life. Are you trying to parent, teach, lead, preach, counsel, encourage, work, or love in your own strength and authority? If so, realize that our place in this life is to stand humbly in the shadow of Jesus' authority. What a place that is!

Where in the world are the Worthington's going now?

Well, many of you have been wondering and speculating about what God has been laying on our hearts to do now. For most of you this will not come as a surprise...since we have told you that "if we ever left Crabapple, we would be applying for mission work overseas".

That is exactly what God is leading us to do right now! We don't know when, where, or even if God will choose to place us overseas but we know without a doubt He is calling us to apply.

We have begun the process of applying and we are finishing the second of three stages of our application with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. We have had several conversations with the Regional Officer for Central, Eastern and South Africa (CESA) and there is a media/IT job available in the area that we, as a couple, have done mission work in.

This would be a short term assignment (2-3 years) called Intenational Service Corps. We have been praying about this position since it was posted over 2 years ago. We are not sure if we can apply for this position or not, but we should be hearing something from the Regional Officer soon. We are open to going anywhere that God leads us...though our heart has been for eastern Africa for several years now.

Our schedule (as the IMB see it) will be to finish applying by October and then going to the screening conference around April. After that, we would be attending an 8 week orientation in August...with a departure date for the field sometime in October 2008.

This photo shows the Missionary Learning Center (MLC) in Richmond where the conference and orientation takes place...it's beautiful!

We are simply in the process right now. Nothing has been decided and no plans are made. We are walking in the wisdom of James 4:13 which challenges us:

"Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go t this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

God is the leader and we are simply following in the light for our path today. God will close doors if this is not His plan for our lives and we trust that fully. We simply want to have you join to pray for us and our families. They have been supportive and encouraging. They are amazing! What a blessing to know that God had already told them that this might be coming...what a great God we serve!

Thanks for being patient as we have been working through this step with God. We are humbly walking this road day by day. We will keep you posted as we know anything and the journey continues. Thanks for being on the journey with us!