Fore

About two months ago, JD took up a new hobby, one he swore he would never take up because he didn't like it; it was boring. Now those words have come back to haunt him. Ha!

Mid May the church staff will go on our annual retreat. This year all the boys are to play golf. Yes, boring golf. And in order for him not to make a fool of himself, he decided to head out to the driving range and hit a few. One of our neighbors LOVES to play and this gave him an opportunity to get on the course with him.

Over the next few weeks he had in his possession a nice golf bag, full of clubs, balls, and tees, golf shoes, and gloves. Really? Who is this man? But he has enjoyed spending time with the boys at work. He was even able to play in a fund raiser for Child Evangelism Fellowship at the Cliffs. An extremely nice course to play on for the first time!

CTW

He has been given lots of tips along this journey and had lots of encouragement from the boys. Thanks to all who have helped him learn. He seems to actually enjoy playing and is competetive enough to conquor this new challenge.

Although it looks like it may all is well, you can watch this video to see the bumps in the road.

Daddy Daughter Date

JD has been talking about taking LilE on a date for quite some time.

LilE has been trying to read for quite some time. She likes to read signs as we drive along. Waffle House is one she has learned.

JD and LilE have a tradition of making waffles together each and every Saturday morning while Mommy tries to sleep a bit. Each time LilE gets to pick out the color of the waffles. It is a sweet time for them. It's funny that when I roll out of bed, JD is usually asleep on the couch.

Therefore, the first official daddy-daughter date was to...drum roll, please...Waffle House.

LilE got all dressed up.

She even picked out Daddy's clothes.

And they enjoyed their time together eating yummy waffles.

The only negative? My two favorite people smelled like they had each smoked a pack when they got home. Hmm...

I learned a valuable lesson though. When I say, "take the camera," I will give instructions for them to have a picture taken...together. All I got was what you see and Emma's pictures of Waffle House staff. I want them to have pictures other than cups and waffles to remember one day!

The Big 10

And I do not mean college sports.

Happy 10th Anniversary to us!

There are days it seems like we have been together for ten years because I do not remember life post high school without JD. But then there are days when our love is so fresh it seems we have just been together for a short period of time.

I love that it has been ten years with the same man...the love of my life. He is a rock in my life. Keeps me in check with reality. Loves me when I am unlovable. Father to my children. Spiritual leader. Makes me laugh (did you see Sporty Wee? How could you not laugh?) Servant.

Has life together been perfect? Of course not. We have had our fair share of disagreements. But probably the biggest thing I have learned throughout our 10 years is communication. If something is bothering me--talk it out. If I see something I really like him doing--tell him. Many of the issues we have had over the years could have easily been blown way out of perspective, but in learning to talk it out and deal with it then and there has solved our problems. Talking and handing it over to the Lord.

I have also learned it is not all about me. I know, I know. Shocker. But it is about what I can do to serve him and make him desire to be at home with me. How can I make my home a place of refuge for him? I am still learning this one. But it is my heart's desire to make my home a place of warmth and love, not only for my family, but for anyone who walks through the door. I want Christ to radiate throughout.

Enough sap.

Our plan for our 10th was to go on a second honeymoon. Ten years ago we headed to the Poconos (you know the champagne tub in all the wedding magazines--yup, that's the one). We enjoyed horseback riding, snow, a day trip to NYC to eat at Windows on the World (located in the WTC North Tower) and watch Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. It was a great trip away. You can read all about our honeymoon HERE. But this time around, we wanted the beach. So that was our plan. Travel to some turquoise colored water, white sand beach, staying in a hut on top of the water. Oh, those trips aren't free are they?

Instead, my parents flew in for the weekend (more to come on that). Friday night we were able to go out to dinner, walk and talk, eat a dessert (or two) and enjoy our time together. No rushing due to FREE babysitting!!

For all the big milestone anniversaries I have had babies. So maybe we can plan to get away for our 15th. Maybe.

Here's to taking a step back in time...

Keepin' It Real: About 2 hours after I typed up this post, Satan hit our house hard. As in we had the biggest knock down, drag out we have had in a while. It ended with us giving each other the silent treatment for a bit. Then we finally talked it out, getting all our feelings out into the open. And yes, the number one problem that was discovered--we were both focused on ourselves. Awesome. At least we have moved on and are communicating and thinking of the other person again. I love forgiveness!

SHINE 2011

**Note: The videos and reading will take about 30 minutes. BUT they are 30 minutes you WILL NOT want to miss. My JD wrote a large majority of the script for the first video. He did a bang up job. I am super proud of him and the team of ministers we have at our church. They work so well together and do it ALL for the GLORY OF GOD!!

This past weekend, our church's student ministry held it's 2011 DNow (Disciple Now--a weekend retreat in town for the students). The theme of this year's event was SHINE 2011. The verse they reflected on all weekend was Philippians 2:14-16--"Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. "

The focus being to shine, this years weekend event began with the 2011 Shine Awards. The hosts of the show were the first "boy band" from the 80s--Wee. They hit it big before NKOTB, Backstreet Boys, and Boyz to Men.

You can learn more about them by watching VH1's Wee Behind the Music. (It is not publically posted, so you will have to click the LINK. You won't want to miss this--hilarious!)

After Behind the Music, Wee was reunited for the first time in 15 years with a live on stage performance which kicked off the weekend.

Saturday between all the sessions, the students headed downtown to do a little flash mob action. It. was. awesome.

But there was more to the weekend than Beiber fever. The students were challenged to "not be held down" by the ways of the world, but to SHINE in a crooked and depraved generation. They/we are to be a LIGHT to the world--to SHINE for JESUS!

As a public committment to themselves and others, each student was given a balloon with an LED light inside. They released them--not being held down by the world, but shining for Jesus!

Commitments made over the weekend:

10 commitments to follow Jesus

101 commitments to SHINE for Jesus

8 commitments to full-time ministry

Here's a challenge to you and me--are you shining for Jesus or being held down by the ways of the world? I know I am praying and challending myself to SHINE for Him. Putting away the things that trap me into thinking only of myself and focusing on the ONE who created me to bring glory to Him.

Super Bowl Surprise

And if the book weren't enough, I had to go and plan a surprise party. I know, I really went over the top this year. I planned for all our "framily" to come for a little super bowl party. JD thought it was just a few families--boy, was he wrong! 60+ came out for the festivities. I told you--some people love my man!

I really can't believe I pulled it off, but then he reminded me of his surprise party in 8th grade. He had a girl come up to him after school and said "see you at your party tonight." And he still was surprised. Never even connected in his brain. Poor thing. But his cluelessness worked to my advantage!

Thanks to all our peeps for coming out and making this birthday super great for JD this year! I could not have done it without your help and encouragement! You guys are the BEST!

Thanks to the Host Home and to Tracy for taking the pictures! Awesome job!

Surprise!

And it was only appropriate to be Cowboy themed...after all, they are America's team.

Our Growing Family

Our "framily" in the Southeast

The Host Home has a fantastic backyard! The kids had a blast playing.  

After the sun went down and the game came on, everyone was back inside. It warms my heart how the kids gravitate toward him. He truly is the "kid whisperer".

It was an absolutely perfect evening!

The Big 3-5

Five years ago, when JD turned 30, I think I was so focused on how cool it would be to have a baby on his 30th, we didn't do anything else. Sorry, Love. And in the past five years, I have been super focused on planning LilE's parties that his birthday was just 'in the way'. There I said it. I am a horrible wife.

This year, being a half-decade way milestone, I decided to do something special. And yes, it involved some copying from other family members, but I knew it would be super special just the same. The gift was an book of encouraging words--not just some Hallmark book, but a book full of letters and pictures written specifically for him. Family and friends (new and old), co-workers, Life Group teachers, and families in the ministry all contributed to the birthday cause! I was brought to tears more than once over who took the time to write and the words that were written--about the man I love! VERY HUMBLING!

I took all the letters and compiled them into a MANLY scrapbook. It took a couple of days (and some lying) to get it all put together, but it was finished and wrapped just in time for our birthday dinner at Don Pablo's. And I wanted to be able to talk about something other than "I did a load of laundry today" so I made him open it before we headed out. HE. LOVED. IT!!

Why did I do it? Good question. Several years back we put together a book for my MIL's 65th. And we then did another one for my dad's 60th. Just priceless pages and pages of encouragement.

Step back in time with me a bit. Before JD and I got married, we read The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. I related to Quality Time, followed by Physical Touch. JD's were Physical Touch and Quality Time. Six months ago (or maybe less) I asked him if his had changed (mine had not). He said they had. He really thought his, even way back then (kinda hard to tell when you are young, in love and living 250 miles from your girl) was Words on Encouragement. That is when the idea first hit me!

A gift is so much more fun when it is a surprise. What a blessing it was for me to be able to read cards from so many people who LOVE my husband. I love the ones of friends long ago sharing what JD meant to them and how his example made them a better person. I adore the hand drawn pictures from first graders with misspelled words. I cherish the co-workers words that share of his integrity. And I am thankful for the family who is encouraged by his words.

What an honor it is to be married to such a great man of God! Not only did this gift fill my husbands love tank, but it also was a humbling experience for me, and a great reminder of the GIFT God has given to me in him.

Happy Birthday JD!

4 wheeling good time

A post from JD.

What happens when you combine

these people...

with these bikes...

on these trails

in sub-freezing temperatures?

You get one wild man,...

one injury,...

one of these...who's that?,...

one really good time,...

and a view that makes you praise God for all you are blessed with;

 a fun staff to minister alongside, great people in the church who plan these days for you to enjoy, and did I mention warm clothes? Very thankful for warm clothes...it was 12 degrees when we started the morning. It truly was a 4 wheeling good time!

(let's play a game: Who can guess the first names from left to right, in order, of everyone in the top picture)

JD on Belay

One Friday while I was working, JD took LilE rock climbing after school. He loves to climb. Remember the USNWC climbing wall? I am sure he had some great lesson about trust to incorporate into the climb. They had a great time and JD even took some pictures for me so I could see how much she enjoyed it.

She said her favorite part was rappelling. He would have to pull her up so she could bounce all the way down.

She has such a GREAT Daddy!! Oh how we both LOVE him!

USNWC

At the end of the summer, the church staff decided to have an intern celebration outing. We headed to the US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte. There was so much stuff to do there. We had a blast!

The first thing we headed to was the MegaJump. It was a 40 ft free fall. Wow. It looks much higher on the platform than it does on the ground. I also learned something new about my husband. Who knew he was afraid of heights? But we both did it!

I relived my days at Pine Cove as the climbing wall instructor, only there was no belaying. They had this really cool system that slowly lowers you to the ground.

John got really into the climbing wall.

After everyone else left, JD and I went to pick up a couple of Letterboxes that were on the trails. JD had this great idea to get mountain bikes and ride the trails. It would be faster that way. I was a bit hesitant since I don't ride much on the street, much less on trails. But I gave in. It had been a day full of yeses that were fun, so this one would be too, right? WRONG!

First of all, the trails were steep. For me anyway. Or maybe we got on a black trail. No idea. So pretty much once we entered the trail, I began to walk the bike. We found the first box quickly. Then it hit me. This BIKE trail is ONE WAY. There was no turning back. We had to keep going on the bikes...or walking the bike in my case. It was awful. And the trail kept going and going and going. Seriously had to have been a couple of miles. Winding. Uphill. Downhill. Over the snakes. By the lake. Lots of mosquitoes. Misery. At least we found the box we were looking for, right?

BUT, the VERY BEST part of the day was the rafting. I loved it! I was a bit timid at first. Definitely didn't want to get thrown out of the raft. There were two channels. The first was class II-III rapids. And then the competition channel, where the US Olympic team trains, was class III-IV.

JD's group was a bit more adventurous than my group. He stuck them under the water and did some other crazy stuff. JD even knocked his buddy out of the raft. She's just a girl, JD!

We had an extra person on our raft (The three men weren't with our group) and somehow I ended up on the back of the raft with the guide. I was nervous being up high, until she told me I would NOT fall our of the raft. Shew!

We had a GREAT day! I loved almost every minute of it!

Staff Retreat

After church on Mother's Day, we passed LilE off to our good friends to spend the week as we headed to the beach for staff retreat.

For the first time in the past 6 years, the wives (or I should say spouses) were able to go for the entire trip. It was such a blessing to get away with my love and the other staff/spouses. We were able to listen in on the vision for all ministry areas for the fall. What a blessing it was to hear the hearts of the staff and see how the Lord is at work in our church!

For dinner one night we were able to go on a local dinner cruise. It was some good food and great conversations as we traveled in the inner harbor.

One of my favorite parts of the retreat was being able to watch the boys play ball on the beach. The fellowship between this team is amazing! JD and I are so thankful to be a part of a church staff who get along so well and who have the same focus--Christ! We are more than blessed!