crossing out

 Rascal Flatts is definitely a favorite of mine. I've been listening to them for forever and know pretty much every word to every song. I told myself that if they came to town I would be at the concert. This was the first time I knew about it in enough time to get a ticket and I got it! Nevermind that it was 2 weeks before my due date. I was determined to make it to the 13th and go jam at the concert. Well, I made it! I had tacos with some lovely friends and then we headed out to a great concert.

 Going to a loud event like that at 8 1/2 months pregnant is not the easiest thing to do, but definitely not the most difficult either. ;) I found myself standing and singing throughout Sara Evans before I realized I needed to pace myself. So like a good girl, even though we were had floor seats on the 19th row, I tried to sit down every couple of songs. Yes it was cramped, yes I was super sore and exhausted afterwards, yes I may have bumped some people with Peyton, but it was great! Although side-note: Carrie Underwood last year was better. Peyton was really still when I was standing up and singing, but when I sat down to rest he went crazy. I'm not sure what that meant, but I am just assuming he was taking it all in. :)

Dates #23 - Christmas Time is Here

Shesh there is a lot going on right now! We have had many busy weeks with parties and finishing school! I think several of the below activities could count as quality time with my man. It is so nice having someone with you around the holidays! I am pretty grateful for him!

SamShe's Birthday 

Drew and I, along with some good friends, drove up to Covington to celebrate SamShe's Birthday. I love her a lot, and although we don't see each other much, when we do it's great! Her husband is also a youth pastor, so it is so encouraging to not be alone in this crazy field of ministry!

First Baptist
My cousins Riley, Macy, and Chris, along with my uncle Joe were in a Christmas play at First Baptist Church. It was definitely not your average Christmas program, but it was great! I loved all the music, and they pointed out a few things I hadn't noticed before.

- One of the characters was a manger. He was talking about how he used to hold Jesus as a baby. He loved and cherished Jesus and was important in the story of Jesus' birth. Then he found out he was also the one that held Jesus on the cross when he was dying. (His name was Woody). How often do we do this? Think about it. We cherish Jesus. We hold Him tight and are in Awe of who he is. Then, we ridicule Him. Whether by a lack of time spent with Him, or rejecting Him towards others, we reject Him. And yet His love never changes. That is pretty awesome, great, indescribable if you think about it.

- The other scene I was in awe of was how they had the crucifixion/resurrection scene and people were dressed in 'bible time' clothes but also street clothes we wear today. What a cool picture of how Christ didn't just give His life for those He knew then, but for those He knows today. He thought of ME on that cross. and He died because of that love he has.

Cooking with Silers
We didn't end up making anything edible, but it was nice being able to hang out with them a little. :)

Snow Day
I LOVE snow days. :) Despite the fact I spent it with annoying fans all through my house that are drying out the walls and carpets, it was pretty relaxing. The usual got accomplished: sleeping in, laundry, watching TV, and then we had some visitors. Last year, Drew and I went to save Starr from the snowstorm. Who would want to spend several days alone in a house when you could spend it with me ?? :) This year she came by with Wes (a new friend) and kept us company. Talking with friends in a warm house is a great way to spend the afternoon. We were pretty disappointed that the snow wasn't great snowman weather, maybe next time.

Skillet Concert
Drew took the teens to the Skillet concert. Although, I took Becca and Mckinsey a couple hours early to get good seats and then found out that we had reserved seats, it was still good quality time with them. I really do enjoy hanging out with them, and wish we could do more! They are some great girls, with big hearts to do what's right. When you, my few blog readers biggest fans, think about it, please pray for our youth. Not just at Oakland Baptist, but everywhere. It is amazing what they deal with these days and the pressure they have to act a certain way.

House Update

Oh the stories. This week has been so up and down when it comes to the 'wet disaster.' There have been ServePro guys and insurance people in and out getting quotes and trying to dry out everything. When I came home yesterday, my kitchen ceiling was 2/3 gone, and dry wall downstairs gone as well. There are still lots of loud obnoxious fans blowing around so I definitely will be anxious for peace and quite. Thankfully, Insurance wrote us a check, and we get to choose who we get to do the work. That means we should be okay having family over for Christmas.Assuming the fans are gone by then.

All American Girl

Friday night I was able to experience my first country concert. I know I know, I have been a country music fan forever, but I have never been a huge concert goer. I believe that is changing... Anyway, I went to the Carrie Underwood concert with some great friends! As I was sitting through the first two acts ( Sons of Sylvia and Billy Currington) I was thinking about how different it was from my normal christian concert. I leaned over to Lauren and mentioned how weird it was to not stand up and praise God. Usually when I'm in a big crowded environment I'm singing worship with people. I let go of that thought as Carrie started. She was a really good performer, and I quite enjoyed her swinging through the air, and also the flying truck. ;) About halfway through the concert, she sings her hit "Jesus take the wheel" and at the end, sings "How great thou art" A Capella. Between that, and her song "temporary home" I was able to spend those minutes praising God and thanking him for being great. I was also able to think of my grandma and how we are all just passing through this world on our way to eternity with Him. I admire Carrie for being firm in her believes and keeping priorities in her concerts!!
The next day my grandma was talking about how Mamaw's favorite song was "How great thou art" and wanted it sung at her funeral... It's too bad Carrie had to leave, it sure would have been nice of her to come sing for us. ;)

Catching up, praising God, no dates. :(

Where to begin. This past week has been so CRAZY busy so I'm just going to try to recap a little of it.

Last week my friend Lo (Lauren) and I went on a drive down to Winston-Salem to see my sister and Audrey. It was a gorgeous day, a great day for a drive, chat, singing, and outlet shopping! :) Katie, Lo, Audge and I headed down to do a little shopping. It was exhausting and relaxing at the same time. I quite enjoyed some time with my niece, including riding the carousel with her (her first time)!

I am distraught to inform you all that we FAILED for our date last week. I had one night set aside, we did eat dinner, but the rest of the night included Drew watching TV/video games and me working on schoolwork. NOT fun. but necessary. :(

Friday, Katie and Audrey came in town for Audrey's birthday party with the Farmer's. Unfortunately I already had a ticket for the Extraordinary Women's conference. So, I brought the kids over to mom's Friday afternoon so I could spend some time with them. It was relaxing and fun watching the kids play! What could be more fun than watching a 3, 2, and 1 year old play on a gorgeous afternoon! :)

Friday evening I headed to the Roanoke Civic Center with Starr and Lo for some laughter, encouragement, worship, and a concert by Mercy Me. Starr and I spent the night at Lo's, where we watched boy meets world, got a hair cut, and stayed up way to late, or I guess early... The next morning we headed back to the conference WAY too early, for amazing women, and men to talk to us, challenge us with our relationships with God! We also tried to meet my new favorite author, Karen Kingsbury, but that didn't happen. Oh Well! Oh, we walked downtown to eat yummy food. Alejandro's was good, but the service stunk. We were very disappointed...

Oh, but Saturday didn't end there. We headed to a 7 o'clock Liberty football game. Drew was down-right giddy to see the expansion finished. Evidently the blog pictures and details he has been seeing all summer is not enough! :) Steven, Lo, Drew, Starr and I headed to Lynchburg where LU kicked butt! It was so much fun! I am starting to enjoy the games with the cheering, talking, seeing friends I don't see much, and everything else! So although I went through the weekend with little sleep, it sure was worth it!

Now for what I'm grateful for... I think this post shows a huge amount of reasons I am beyond blessed, but here are a few more.

1. being encouraged by so many wonderful women, who have struggled but relied on God and grew stronger as a result.
2. sleep!
   
3. having a husband that loves me and helps me out around the house
4. God. the fact he is so powerful and yet still has time for Kari Hunsley in little ol' Roanoke, Virginia
5. fall weather, and clothes that keep me warm!
   

The Fray

Drew and I went to The Fray concert at Liberty last Monday. It was a great concert and we had third row seats! Sarah and Bryan were with us and it was so good getting to hang out with them! The next morning Drew went out to eat with his friend Ryan (his best man from our wedding) and I went to Panera with Bethany for some much needed catch up time! Bethany is going on a missions trip with her boyfriend Nick this summer. If you think about it be praying for them because God has already been teaching them flexibility as some plans have already been changed! I am so excited about how the two of them are going to be used by God this summer!

Worship Service

Caleb Chapman, Tenth Avenue North, and Casting Crowns were at Thomas Road Baptist Church last night and some friends and I were able to go! It was such an amazing time of worship; something that was VERY much needed for Drew and I as we having been praying through several different things lately. All 3 of these groups shared their hearts with us and it was evident through their music that God was their passion. I want to share a couple parts of some of the songs that I really enjoyed, although they were all wonderful!

Living He love me, Dying He saved me, Buried He carried my sins far away. Rising He justified freely forever, One day He's coming oh glorious day, Oh glorious day!


I'll praise you in this storm, and I will lift my hand, for you are who you are, no matter where I am.Every tear I've cried, You hold in Your hand, You never left my side, and though my heart is torn, I will praise you in this storm!

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth, would care to know my name, would care to feel my hurt? Who am I, that the bright and morning star would choose to light the way for my ever wondering heart?

Who am I, that the eyes that see our sin, would look on me with love, and watch me rise again? Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea would call out through the rain and calm the storm in me??
Not because of who I am, but because of what You've done. Not because of what I've done, but because of who You are!
I am a flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow, a wave tossed in the ocean, a vapor in the wind. Still You hear me when I'm calling, Lord You catch me when I'm falling and You told me who I am, I am Yours, I am Yours!