Break My Heart for What Breaks Yours....

Prompted by two sick days home from school, I was able to catch up on some of my reading. I have been wanting to read The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns for a while now, and finally was able to sit down and read it. Our small group at church is planning on starting a study on this book over the next couple of weeks, so I wanted to see what it was all about. 

This book is surrounded by the question "What does God expect of us?" It is a book that examines the poverty that is found in all parts of the world. The author of the book is the President of World Vision, and speaks of how Christians and churches block out the fact that poverty exists and that people are dying each day from diseases, hunger, and thirst. It is a very eye-opening book. I would definitely recommend it if you want something to take you out of your comfort zone and challenge you to make a difference. 

While reading this book, I couldn't help but think of my favorite song that we sing at church:

How He Loves Us

He is jealous for me.

Loves like a hurricane

I am a tree.

Bending beneath the wave of His wind and mercy.

When all of a sudden

I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by Glory.

And I realize just how beautiful You are

And how great Your affections are for me.

Oh, How He loves us so.

Oh how He loves us

How He loves us so.

So we are his portion

And He is our prize

Drawn to redemption

By the grace in His eyes

If grace is an ocean we're all sinking.

So heaven meets earth

Like a sloppy wet kiss

And my heart turns violently inside of my chest.

I don't have time to maintain these regrets

When I think about...

The way that He loves us

Oh how He loves us.

I love this song because of the imagery in it...it really describes just how much God loves us. But while reading, I couldn't help but think....God loves those children in Africa that are starving to death just as much as He loves me. God loves the AIDS ridden mom who is trying to make a life for her family just as much as He loves me. I don't think that God chooses favorites, and just because we are Americans doesn't give us a "one-up" in God's eyes.

www.theholeinourgospel.com

Let it Snow!!

Snowflakes are kisses from heaven.  ~Author Unknown

So everyone knows that teachers get excited over certain things...the first day of school, seeing the "AHA" moments, seeing children read, Christmas break, and.....SNOW!! Teachers surely were blessed this past week!! The weather man was calling for 8-10 inches for Monday, January 10. I didn't quite believe that that was actually going to happen. However, I still got out with the loonies to get my bread and milk (a pint!). I tried to wait up for the snow Sunday night, but didn't make it. But when I woke up on Monday morning, it was a winter wonderland! At 8:00 am on Monday, we had 6 inches on our back deck, and it was still snowing!!  After all was said and done, the snow (and ice) turned our world into a beautiful world of white!  Plus, it got us out of school for an entire week! I enjoyed the time off with Christopher...we were snowed in together for 4 days straight!!  Thank you God for the beautiful snow!

Christopher sledding in our back yard. After almost running into a fence numerous times and stopping right before being dumped in the creek, Christopher decided that he needed a bigger and better adventure. We were off to find a HUGE hill to sled down!

I wasn't kidding...we walked to Mama and Daddy's house and neighborhood to try to find the ULTIMATE hill.

On the way down Belcher Road...thought this was pretty!

I went ADD on the walk...it's not everyday that I walk uphill in 6 feet of snow both ways. On a lighter note...I made me a hat before leaving!! Ain't it pretty?

We found the hill! It was HUGE! We had a great time...until we realized that we had to walk back up the hill...

Just to let you know...I told him NOT to push me...

I was so cold.. for some reason I do not sled gracefully. The sled dumped me off and I was cold and wet.

Christopher was so mad that people had driven on the road...it ruined the sled path! We had to find another hill...

The lovies and Buster. I enjoyed spending this time with my hubby so much! He makes everything fun!!

New Year's Eve Shananigans

Each year Christopher and I go to Dean and Amy's house for a New Year's Eve bonfire. Let me tell you...Christopher looks forward to this bonfire all year! It is quite an event. Here are a few pictures of the bonfire this year...

 The fire...You really cannot tell how big the fire was from this picture. It was huge!!!

 My lovie manning the fire.He meant business!!

 My lovie and I. Another year together!! Going on 6 years!

Shannon was so proud of her Smores maker. We walked all over the mall trying to find one of these!!

HAHAHA!! Shannon I think you need to get a little closer if you want that chocolate to melt!!

Yum!! Definitely the best Smores that I have ever had!

Hopes for 2011

Okay, so as is customary for the beginning of a new year, I have made a few resolutions myself...

1. I really want to take more pictures this year. I love pictures and love looking at pictures. I guess I get this from my Mama. She takes pictures (way too many!!!!) of everything. These are precious times in my life as a newlywed, and I will never regret having too many pictures of our life together. Hence, the reason for this blog. Trust me, I am not a great writer, but this is a place that I want to post my pictures so that I will have a diary of this year for Christopher and I. 

2. I NEED to learn how to cook. I mean, it's getting ridiculous. I don't even like what I cook, so I know Christopher is suffering! I promise, it is not a lack of effort, because I really do try to cook most nights. I really need some tried and true recipes that I know that we will like. But there is hope...Christopher's favorite cook in the world, his Mema, wasn't a good cook when she got married either. So there is hope for me!!!!

3. I have been very intrigued with the new shopping revolution...COUPONING.  Over the past couple of days, I have seen 2 different shows on tv that are spotlighting couponing and how it can save so much money. These people are getting tons of stuff for free, and sometimes getting money back from using coupons. What in the world? So that is one of my goals...I want to start clipping coupons and see what can happen. Who knows..I might only save $5 at first, but hopefully it will be worth my time. Want to help? Save me your coupons from the Sunday paper!!!

As I am looking back over this post, I am surprised that these things are coming out of my mouth (or hands ha). I sound like an old housewife. AHHH!!! That's okay though...my resolutions are getting more and more evolved every year.  Happy New Year Y'all!!

A Year in Review...2010

"Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose."

2010 has been a great year! Here are some special moments that meant a lot to me this year...

February 2010- Valentine's Day Weekend

Christopher and I went to Myrtle Beach for the Myrtle Beach marathon. He was going to run it with Mark and Daddy, and I was going to walk the half with Mama and Shannon. However, the marathon was cancelled because of SNOW!! We were so excited! This was the first time any of my family had seen snow on the beach! :) It was a great weekend!

March 2010

 At this point of 2010, I was going crazy because of the wedding! However, I did have some very memorable moments! Here are a few pictures from my showers. I was so blessed to have my family and friends there with me during this special time!

Bachelorette Weekend in Charleston...

Lingerie Shower at City Range! :)

Bridal Shower

April 2010

On April 17, I married my best friend. It was a beautiful, perfect ceremony and is definitely a day that we will always remember!

And then we were off on our honeymoon. We went to the Sandals Resort in Antigua and absolutely LOVED it! Can't wait to go back!

May 2010

This year Mama celebrated her 50th birthday (I know, she's old...). For her birthday, Daddy decided to get her Buster. Daddy, Shannon, and I took the long trek to Florence to pick him up.  Mama was so surprised! He is a special part of our family now! 

Summer 2010

This summer, we decided to go hiking on the Appalachian Trail. I know...dumb idea...but peer pressure got the best of me. Overall, although it was 101 degrees, and we woke up at 4:00 am, it was a great time! I got a great nap after we got done hiking!

September 2010

This year I decided that it was time to go back and get my Masters. I started the Literacy program at Furman this fall. It has been a challenge, but I hope that it will be worth it in the end. :)

October/November 2010

This year, Christopher and I were very blessed to be a part of an awesome small group at church. We have learned so much from this group of people. Here is a picture of our small group at our "Harvest" party. :)

In 2010, my grandma (Nanny) turned 80 years old. The entire family surprised her in Myrtle Beach to celebrate her birthday. This is a a picture of my mom, Amy, Nanny, me, and Shannon hanging out by the pool.


December 2010

My sweet babies, Moose and Bella, posing in front of the Christmas tree... :)

 And ending the year with a WHITE Christmas! :)

Here's to hoping that 2011 has just as many blessings in store! Happy New Year!!!