Date Night Friday

Tonight we had a great date.  It was a gorgeous evening to be outside, so we grilled, ate on our deck and then went on a walk.  We love simple dates, time to be together and talk.  We love summer!!

Hillsong

I'm so disappointed!  Hillsong was at Southland this week and I completely forgot and we didn't go.  A lot of their songs get "stuck" in my head. Even as God is growing and developing me, the cross is still a mystery to me.  As Brian and I have been on our journey to love God and love people, this song really makes me stop and think and marvel at the cross and encourages me to continue the journey. 1 John 3:16 "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers."   Jesus, lead me to the cross where your love poured out.  Enjoy the video.  Praying you are having a blessed week! 

Guest post from Charlotte

Hi, I'm Charlotte!   I'm 5 1/2 months old and loving life. 

 

 I got to hang out with some really fun people the other night at Joe B's.

As you can tell from the pictures the girls passed me around most of the night.  I was just too cute, they just couldn't get enough of me! 

Here I am with Amanda.  Slowly Hannah and I are making her fall in love with babies.  She's not scared to hold us anymore.  I think she looks really comfy holding me.  I think one day soon she'll have one just like me.

 

Thanks to my mom, I will have great fashion sense.  Don't you love my heart hoodie?

Micki has really long pretty hair that is fun to grab and pull, for whatever reason, she kept taking it away from me.  Can't she share?   Maybe she didn't notice I'm slightly lacking in the hair category.

 

I have the sweetest mommy and daddy.  I got my mom's pretty, big blue eyes.  This was my favorite picture of the night.   Mom says I ruined her body, but I think she looks amazing!

 

Finally, here I am with Ashley.  She loves hanging out with me.  Too bad she doesn't like this picture of herself.  I talked her into letting me post it, I told her not to worry because not very many people will see it.

Whenever there are adults in the room I get tossed around like a salad. 

Well, there you have it.  A fun night out with the 'rents. 

Hope you're enjoying life as much as I am.

Back Home Again in Indiana

This past weekend we made it back to Indiana and had a wonderful time.  We visited our parent's and got to hang out with several friends.  We got to check out Brad and Sheri's new house.  Beautiful!  We also had a cookout with Dave and Beth and Rita and Phil.  Happy Birthday, Dave!  It's incredible how much we miss everyone, but thankfully we quickly re-connect and take off where we last stopped.  I never thought I would say I miss Indiana, but I really do miss our family and friends and STRAIGHT roads.  I also never thought I would miss the flatness, but I do.  I love sitting on a porch and looking out over the field and watching the sunset.  The sunsets just aren't the same here.  We also miss Indiana corn.  Leaving Indiana has made Brian and me appreciate it more, we really do love the Hoosier state.  It was great being back home again! 

Hoping you're having a blessed day!

My Dear Julie Girl

I met my dear Julie girl back in January 2004.  She had just graduated college and up and moved to Kokomo.  What a brave girl!   I'm amazed by her maturity and independence.  We met at Fusion and quickly became friends.  Julie has such a caring and loving heart.  I definitely believe one of Julie's spiritual gifts is service,  she has always had a servant's heart.  Every Christmas season she spends several hours serving at the Kokomo Rescue Mission.  I was honored to be one of her bridesmaids, then a year later she blessed me and was one of my bridesmaids.  I'm thankful she is one of my prayer warriors.  One of my favorite memories was the drive to Michigan for our ski trip back in 2006, we laughed and laughed.  I have loved our Ohio trips, ski trips, Chicago trip for Cheryl's birthday and the trip with our husbands.  She has been such a joy and blessing in my life.  I'm thankful for her wonderful friendship! 

Julie and me before my wedding 

I took Josh and Julie's engagement pictures. This was my favorite.

Weekend getaway to Chicago

The Happy Couple 8/20/2005

Julie Girl,  you are such a treasure!!

Proverbs 17:17 "A friend loves at all times."

Extra 4th of July photos

465 People Challenge

Brian and I have decided to start what we are calling our "465 People Challenge."  Our goal is to love 465 people by the end of the year.  We are trying to step out of our comfort zone and serve God's people.  Our mission is to Love God, Love People. Galatians 5:6 "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."  God did not call us to live by fear, God called us to live by faith.  Our goal is to continue the "IT series" we had at church last August.  We can't wait to see how God uses us and what He does for His people.  I hope Southland doesn't mind that I copied the picture below.

We started our challenge yesterday.  We bought 24 water bottles and distributed them to 20 people.  Four of the people were very sweaty, so we gave them an extra bottle.  I met a man named Kenny and he wanted to know where the water came from and I told him that Brian and I bought them for everyone.  Then he asked, "Why?" I told that we knew it was hot outside and wanted to let everyone know we were thinking about them.  And then he commented that he liked my cross necklace.  He was very appreciative even though it was only water, but I think he was more appreciative that someone was actually thinking about him.  I wish I had more time I could have spent with him, but hopefully we planted some seeds.  Loved 20 people yesterday.  445 to go.

  

Saturday night Brian and I went to dinner at Malone's.  Yum!  He got the most amazing meal:  Penne 

pasta in alfredo sauce topped with blackened filet.  This picture does not do it 

justice.  I'm going to try and re-create it sometime.

 

Greg & Rebecca had a 4th of July hog roast on Sunday.

Also, Yummy! 

 

We have had an awesome weekend!  Friday night we went downtown with Matth, Sarah, and Hannah and sat at Gratz park and watched the Lexington philharmonic perform patriotic songs.  So cool!  Saturday night we went out to dinner at Malone's and then watched fireworks with Todd and Krisitin.  Then the cookout out Sunday.  Great time!  -Happy 4th of July!  I love the 4th, it's my second favorite holiday behind Christmas.  I'm thankful for our amazing country.