Snowmageddon of 2011

Since we weren't here for Christmas we missed the snow, but I do believe that the Lord made up for this week.We got aboout 6 inches here in Greenville and then about .2 of an inch of ice. We got outside yesterday and played with the dog in the snow and made a few pictures.

London 2011...

It's been a while and there are lots of pics to upload. Over Christmas holidays we were so blessed to be able to visit London. It was an amazing time of being together, learning about the culture,learning about the history and just being together! Those are memories that we wont be able to get back and the pics just don't do it justice as to what we really experienced! We did have a little fluke and I lost luggage for 3 days, but we were able to get out and get clothes for me to wear for the time being, but even with that we still had a blast with amazing memories to look back on for a lifetime! Here are a few pictures from the week. There is no way to upload all 100 of them, so here's a taste of the Christmas holiday!

The Land Between

This past Sunday our sermon was given by Geoff Surratt. He is moving on to Saddleback to work with Rick Warren. We are sad for his move but excited what God has in store for his family! He and his brother did this 3 week sermon called The Land Between. It is about when we feel lost and feel like God is hidden. Sometimes we are in the land in between and we have to just be in a holding pattern that may not be the most comfortable for us. We have to then hunker down and pray, be faithful and don't give up. Bo and I have experienced this in the past little bit. I am sure that God is showing us progress because we have been faithful to Him. Would love for you to watch our sermon if at all possible.

Here are a few things to do when you are in the Land Between:
1. Stay Faithful: Genesis 15:1-6
2. Stay Focused: 1 Samuel 26:8-9
3. Stay Alert
4. Stay Positive: Phillipians 4:4-7

Within the Land Between Please Know these things:
1. God knows your name
2. You matter to God
3. God has a purpose for your life

Ephesians 2:10

The message is called Hidden God. Go to http://www.seacoast.org/greenville and click on the Hidden God link.

This is taken verbatim from a tweet I saw today. No way to change it, just needed to be reposted! Enjoy! We probably all need a broken ornament on our tree this year!

Taken from Carol from 106.9 The Light; her blog is http://cantcookalick.blogspot.com



A broken ornament

I decorate with the end in mind. Not the "Oh my, how beautiful your house looks," end. I decorate with the "how long is it going to take me to put all this stuff away?" end. To say I am a minimalist decorater, would be accurate. Just enough to know it's Christmas, but not too much to worry with after the holiday is gone.

That is...until this year. Seems that the Christmas spirit has descended upon my precious 3 year old and she thinks, if it is sitting still, it should have a bow or some tinsel draped around it. :) It's so much fun to watch her little eyes dance at the sight of twinkling lights. I even let her put up a purple Christmas tree in her bathroom. Don't ask.

So, when it came to decorate the 'big' Christmas tree, of course she jumped right in. All of the ornaments are at 3ft. or below. And during the night, the ornaments seem to move into convenient little groups. It makes me smile. We have lost a few glass balls in the process. But, a small price to pay considering the joy that decorating has brought my little one.

I took the broken ornaments and placed them back into the plastic container, thinking I would get rid of them at a later time. After my little elf was in the bed I sat sipping on some hot tea, remembering the fun we had shared when I noticed the broken ornaments.
But, I couldn't throw them away.

There, in the glow of the lights, I opened my Bible and listened as God taught me a thing or two about broken ornaments.


or·na·ment noun \ˈȯr-nə-mənt\
Definition of ORNAMENT
1archaic : a useful accessory
2a : something that lends grace or beauty b : a manner or quality that adorns

Seems a fitting definition. But, I still didn't understand what God had in mind.
I am an ornament? Hang with me. I am a broken ornament. You ever feel that way??

Becasue of my brokenness, celebrating has been tough for me the last couple of years. God knew that. And so, no accident that I was staring at the broken ornaments and hearing from God. Here is what he said:

1 - You were created to be broken. Since the beginning of time, we were created to be broken. God knew that we could never make it without Jesus. Our brokenness is the avenue that we come to know him.

2 - Displayed not discarded. In the world's economy, if it's broken, you throw it away. Not so in God's book. Brokenness is the very place where God shows off. Sarah Young in Jesus Calling, puts it this way: Jesus says: "Do not fear your weakness. It is the stage where My Power and Glory perform most brilliantly."

3 - I need a Savior. News flash! :) My brokenness reveals my deep need for a Savior. It's no mistake that His name will be called, "Wonderful Counselor"...cause I have days that are not wonderful. More days that I just need someone to talk to. There's a reason that His name is "Mighty God"...for those days when I don't know if I can put one foot in front of the other. "The Everlasting Father" when I need to know I am not alone. "Prince of Peace" in the midst of my choas. (see Is. 9:6)

So, this year, I will hang a broken ornament on my tree as a reminder to me that the brokenness I have experienced is just an ornament of His grace and glory. How about you?

Day 25...

Yeah I know.. I haven't really done a very good job of keeping up like I should have but here goes... I sit in my home tonight with the first Thanksgiving as a wife is complete. We survived and everyone seemed to have a good time eating together! So in honor of my sweet friend Amanda I will do a top 10 of Thanksgiving!

#10... Thankful for a warm house, warm bed, and warm food in my belly.
#9... Thankful for a family of two. Being married has been a journey to say the least. I have learned and still am learning to be the best that I can be. I hope that each day I will be what I can be for Bo and that we can continue to mold our lives into one!
#8... Thankful for my Papa. He is 93 years old and his health hasn't been the best lately. He hasn't been doing very well and he is spending his Thanksgiving in the hospital. I went to visit today and he wasn't very sure who I was and didn't know that it was Thanksgiving even though we watched the Thanksgiving Day Parade. I am just thankful for every day that God gives him to me. I have been with him and spent a good amount a time with him. Listening to stories of the past century and could have listened for hours more! I pray and am thankful for each day that God continues to give him to us.
#7... Thankful for friends... I am so blessed to have friends who have invested so much of their time into my life, my marriage and my well being... Thank you guys for loving me, when I am sometimes not so lovable.
#6... Thankful today for Julie, Jason, Ian, and Ivy Thomas.. They have a brand new baby girl who is the most precious thing in the world. I have seen through them that we have so much to be thankful for! Thank you Thomas family.. We LURV you!
#5... Thankful for my job. I am thankful each day for my job as a teacher. I am blessed to be able to share 7 hours of my day with my precious 23 second graders. Each day they teach me way more than I can teach them.
#4... Thank you God for my family. They have loved me when I haven't been so lovable. We are blessed to have Bo's parents here from NY. We love it when they come to visit and they truly treat us like gold when they are here. We are blessed to have both of our families who have invested so much in our lives!
#3... Thankful for Bo. He has blessed my life in more ways than I can describe. I love the times we have laughed, cried, played, chased each other around the house, and just sat and existed! Thank you for being my husband!
#2... Thankful to have a God who is AMAZING! I love serving a God who knows me inside and out and knows my cares, my fears, my tears, my laughter, my worries,and my sorrows. All before I even know them. Thank you Lord for being my ABBA.
#1... Thankful to have so much to be thankful for!

Thankful for Radio...

As strange as it sounds in my 30 minute commute each morning I am very thankful for radio. I listen to Bo as he amazingly completes his radio morning show: The Bo and Lauren Show. I am able to listen and laugh and leave cares and worries back at home, but this particular morning I am so thankful for 106.9 The Light. The Light is a Christian radio station that I many times listen to in the afternoon on the way home as a decompressor of the day. I was listening though in the morning and with all the stress of life God knew what I needed to hear this song today. Every verse touched my heart. I sang (scary I know), I cried, I even raised my hands in worship as I drove... God is so good and knows every worry and stress we carry and sent this song to me. The video has some neat clips from the movie Fireproof also.. Just love the song. Good Movie also!



Three in the morning,
And I'm still awake,
So I picked up a pen and a page,
And I started writing,
Just what I'd say,
If we were face to face,
I'd tell you just what you mean to me,
I'd tell you these simple truths,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,

Last time we spoke,
You said you were hurting,
And I felt your pain in my heart,
I want to tell you,
That I keep on praying,
Love will find you where you are,
I know cause I've already been there,
So please hear these simple truths,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,

From one simple life to another,
I will say,
Come find peace in the Father,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day,
His love will find a way,
These are the words I would say

Day #2 Thanks for Giving

Thanks for giving: Your Life... Today is a day of thankfulness. I am thankful for those who have given their lives in order for me to have the freedoms that I do. I look at my day and think of all the things that I am able to do all just because of the freedom that someone else has given me. Just the fact that I am a woman and I am able to do things that not all women across the world can do. Just take a moment to think of all the freedoms you have just because someone today, yesterday, or years ago gave their life for you and your family.

Thanks For Giving

Art work from a second grader

I have been away for a while, but with it being the month of November I wanted to share my Thanks for Giving. I will try to write a post each day that is with Giving Thanks! So many days I have to just leave stress at home and retreat to school to where my babies need me. I have to just dig into them and be their comfort and their peace of mind. As hard as it is to do when many of them come from so many unfornuate situations, but I have to be the safe place. So here is what we are thankful for in our class. Enjoy what my second grade babies have to say.
We are thankful for:
Mrs. McDonald: I am thankful to be their teacher!
Karishma: my family
Collin: for the food God gave us
Lille: for my family
Omar: for my friends
Nasir: all of the things that God gave me
Adam: for the food God gave us
Imari: my teacher
Torriona: my family
Charlie: my family and playing with cousins and my brother
Drasha: family and friends
Nathan: my dog
Doniyah: for what I have
Chris: the things that God gave us
Madison: my parents
Nilay: my family and family members
Reece: thank God for my food
Arturo: my food
Amari: for everything I have and got
Miguel: my sister
Kathryn: for the turkey
Helena: my teacher

Euphoria!

This weekend was a great one! Living in Greenville there are so many opportunities for fun. Every weekend there is something to do from food, drink, Peace Center, or just a nice evening out. This weekend though was a neat experience. It was Euphoria. A time of Food, Wine, and Music. So this was a recap of the weekend:


Friday: Taste of the South
We went over to the Ampitheatre on the Reedy River. It was a smorsgabord of food wine and music. We were able to visit tons of restaurants from downtown and those that are a part of the Table 301 venues. We went around and tasted so many different kinds of yummy food that I was full from all the tastings. We then sat on the ampitheatre seats and listened to music from Shawn Colvin and Edwin McCain. With being the morning show on 98.9 Bo gets to do lots of different events and meet lots of new people. I know that Edwin McCain is from Greenville, but just getting to hang out with him and Shawn Colvin seems so neat to me. I am learning that being the wife of the "Morning Show Guy" that I am placed in some really cool experiences.



Saturday: Saturday was Great! Bo stayed in greenville and did the wine thing where there were wines paired with chocolates and wines from at least 20 different wineries. I on the other hand had the chance to go to Spartanburg and spend some fun times with my friends Amanda and Julie! We went and had some great food at ICCB and then time for a pedicure! I miss them so much and love when we can spend time together. It's just not often enough!!


Sunday: Jazz Brunch
This was amazing! Again there was food from differnt Table 301 restaurants in a Brunch style. They had an omlette station, carving station, desserts galore, and even a cook off with local chefs. The music was great and I wish that I had taken more pictures but I will post a few from the weekend!

So a whirlwind of a weekend and heading into the week! Next week brings some Tiger Football so fun to look forward to!

Dear Fall, Have You Lost Your Way?

What in the world is going on? It is September 20, and 93 F outside. I am just not understanding about what is going on. We are told that in a few days there will be a cool off. A whopping 89 degrees! Wow!

With Fall on the Horizon there are a few things I am looking forward to:

10. Continued Clemson Football! I love me some Tiger Football!
9. Smells of fall. I can't wait to be able to light the pumpkin candles and smell the allspice and cinnamon.
8. Cooler weather. If you know me you know I HATE summer unless I can be submerged in water. We need to get Fall a GPS; she is lost I believe.
7. Thanksgiving is coming and then Christmas is next. I am so shocked that in less than 3 months I will have been married for a year. Wow what a ride!
6. Pumpkins,and Scarecrows, and Turkeys Oh My!
5. Fall means holidays are closer which means I can spend days off work with Bo.
4. Changing of the leaves. There is nothing more exciting to me than driving up and down 85 and seeing orange, yellow, and red vibrantly blowing with the breeze.
3. Mums... Not a better sign of fall than Mums
2. Bo's parents and brother are coming down for Thanksgiving. We are cooking for them. We haven't seen them since the wedding and I miss them terribly. I can't wait to spend much needed time with them.
1. Fall coming means that much closer to my surprise Christmas vacation!

What's Love Got To Do With it?

Well... We have been doing a series in church called "Love Songs". It is a sermon from the Song of Solomon about love and marriage. The last message is next week where we will be having a question and answer session to the pastor about any and every question that you could want to ask. We are to text in or email in our questions to be answered. Along these past 4 weeks, I have seen things in my mind change. Even though it has taken a while to realize and see and I am still working hard on it, I know that at this point my priority is God and Bo. He is my husband and that is what I have to look to and fight for. I have to learn to put the negative things aside that have been said about our relationship from acquaintances and family members. I have know that this is who God provided for me; a man who is devoted to me, a man who loves me and fights daily for me, a man who listens to me grumble and moan over things that he thinks is petty, a man who stands up for me when the time arises, and sometimes a man who doesn't understand my ways, but accepts it as me.
If you are having issues in your marriage or not having issues in your marriage I highly reccommend that you take a look at our series. They are potentially the best thing that I have seen to turn a marriage around. The sermons have allowed me to realize what I am doing that could damage my relationship and also things that I am doing that could make it better.

These are the topics that we have discussed so far all from the Song of Solomon. All of the sermons are at the site below.

Week One: The Case for Marriage (why do it?)
Week Two: Building a Strong Marriage
Week Three: How to find the Right One
Week Four: Reflecting on Love

http://www.seacoast.org/lovesong

So sit with your honey and enjoy!

To be thanked...

Last week I had a meeting with a guardian who was the child's grandparent. Being a teacher I have heard many stories of how people live and what conditions their children are raised in. But in this one meeting with the grandmother "mama" I learned that grandparents are the single parents of today. Not only is this guardian of a child in my room but she is also a "single mother". She is raising 3 grandchildren and is the grandmother of 3 others. Their mother doesn't have the stability to keep them so the grandmother has taken it upon herself to do what she can raise the children into successful little boys and girls. I was amazed at the stories she had to tell me. And now; I wonder how the child even has made it and emotionally survived this long. She is dedicated to making sure that the child gets the best she can. No the child doesn't do her homework and no she doesn't study for tests, and no she doesn't always do her classwork. But the one thing that I know is that the grandmother in her older age is doing all she can and is raising her grandchildren in the best known way. So if you know of someone who is a single mother, or knows a grandmother who is raising a child please tell them thank you! My eyes were opened last week and I just felt that I needed to post a small thank you for them! So to you this post is for you!

I'm Ready...

I was browsing through a friend; thanks Melissa!! of mine's blog just today and came across a post about Clemson Football. I am so proud to be a deep rooted southerner. I have always lived here and loved it. I never knew that God would bless me with a "Damn Yankee" who loves my southern ways and puts up with them.:) I am most blessed though that he has converted and loves the Tigers just as I do.
Being a graduate I regret not taking advantage of the time that I had at Clemson. I should have rocked the games and wore more orange. Since we can't go back on those sweet days that I miss deeply I have to make up for it now! I am ready for the sweet sound of the Tiger Rag. I am ready for the the sweet smell of tailgaters BBQing. I am ready for cooler weather where I can wear my orange and purple with pride! Thank you God for a great state to live in where we can celebrate and enjoy the most exciting 25 seconds in college football. So with all that said.. I AM READY!!!

As it winds down...

So my last day of summer is here and Tuesday brings me back to what I love to do. I am thrilled about getting to know my kids and loving on them. My goal this year is to allow my children to know that they are loved! regardeless of the situation that we get in they are loved!!

Summer is gone and I have learned lots and in honor of Amanda here are my Top Ten of Summer!

10. Moving during the summer is the best option if you are a teacher. Law I could have never done it during the school year!
9. Living downtown Greenville is great. So close to everything and we love it.
8. Even though we have been furloughed days this year from school, I am blessed. I have a job!
7. Bo and I have embraced the idea of recycling. It is amazing that in 2 weeks we only have had 3 bags of trash... If you don't recycle you should really think about it. Our next endeavor is to start composting!
6. I am now in the nursery at church and realize that is where God has placed me. I love loving on the babies while mom and dad spend time with God!
5. I have learned lots through our services at church. At this point it is not about me, it is about making sure that I carry myself in a way that He would see fit. I have to make sure that others see Him through me.
4. I didn't know that there was such a thing as a heat index of 114 F and then experience it... That is ridiculous. This summer has been the hottest ever!!!!!!!!!!!
3. There are sadly people who sit and try to bring pain to others. I will never understand it, but because of them I have become a little more cautious, but much closer to other special people in my life.
2. Kimmy is home. She has been gone for two years in N. Africa. I am so proud of what she has done and the work she did. She has planted so many seeds that will be harvested in the right time. Kimmy glad you are home!
1. Lastly, I am blessed with a husband who does love me. I sometimes get upset, but I know deep in his heart I am his priority and he is mine. Thank you for loving me when I am not so lovable!

Hope everyone has had a great summer!! Praise the Lord the heat will subside soon!

Vacation/Grad Class...

Last week I was able to go to the coast to finish out a class that I was taking. It was through Charleston Southern University and the Santee Cooper Power Plant. It truly was nice to get away except Bo wasn't with me, but nice sea air is always great. I learned tons; not only as a teacher, but just as an adult. There are so many things that I never knew anything about and came home with more knowledge than I went with! It was fun to go with Kelly and we had a blast together. Meeting people from other parts of the state is always an interesting event. Thanks guys for the fun times. Here are some pics of some things that I did while gone.
Kelly and I before we went into the power plant.. We were stylin' in our hard hats.

Inside the lock...connects the Santee and the Cooper Rivers.. Reminded me of the Erie Canal
I even went on my first canoeing experience!
I now belong to the club once the bug man came and we dined on a chocolate covered cricket.. Tasted like a nestle's crunch bar for real!


Digging in the pond finding lots of critters

It was a great week learning and gathering information to take back to my own class. Just such a shame that Bo wasn't there to spend it with me. It was a short vaca while getting in some hours at the same time.

Sadness..

As the new year starts with school in one month I sit and realize how special it is to be a part of such a sweet group where I work. Before school was out our grade level recieved news that one of our teachers would be moving to Kindergarten. With all of the budget cuts that are going on the district is making the decision to move teachers around the building and to other schools rather than hiring new teachers. So we knew that Lisa would be moving to K and I had already settled with it and was sad. Lisa is such a special person to me. She is the voice of reason who will give a good perspective when it is needed. Lisa even though you are just down the hall you will be missed tremendously! Then today an email comes to us from our principal and I had heard through the grapevine that this might be happening but we are also losing another teacher in our grade level. Susan will be going to a wonderful school Fairforest Elementary, where I went to school as a child. I know that she will do an amazing job there, but it doesn't make it easier to let her go. She is always the one who has something witty to say and has been my early morning duty buddy for a while. We just seemed to mesh together. Susan is a great person who knows when you need to be lifted up and she knows how to make you laugh histerically! THANK YOU Susan. You will be missed in our amazing grade level! Love you tons sweet friend!

All of us on Farmer's Day: A District 6 tradition
Me, Chrissy, Lisa, Susan, and Shanda

July 4th in our new home!!

These are pics of our new house. The front and the back deck!

July 4th was such a fun time to share with family and friends! We have finally moved into our house in Greenville and slowly but surely we are getting comfortable. Few pics of our new house and fun times with our fourth blast!