Worship Wednesday

I'm going to take you back a few years for Worship Wednesday today. Which is slightly odd because I'm always the one pushing for more current music. Yesterday I had lunch with my sweet friend Rachel and we got into a convo about passion. We were focusing our thoughts on passion in ministry but I think we all could use a little more passion and fire under us. It got me thinking about this song and how the specific wording is "I wanna yearn for you, I wanna burn with passion." Passion is something that comes from our desire and our yearning to be closer to God. We can pray for God to increase our desire for him and he will. Enjoy...

Holy design
this place in time
that i might seek and find my God
my God
Lord i want to yearn for You
i want to burn with passion
over You and only You
Lord i want to yearn

Your joy is mine
yet why am i fine
with all my singing and bringing grain
in light of Him

Lord i want to yearn for You
i want to burn with passion
over You and only You
Lord i want to yearn

oh You give life and breath
through Him You give all things
in Him we live and move
that's why i sing

Mad

I woke up today finding myself mad. To be honest I was just not myself. I was mad at certain people, I was mad about certain situations, I was mad that I had nothing in my house to eat for breakfast, I was mad I didn't eat dinner because it made it harder to skip breakfast, I was mad that as I put on my clothes I was reminded that I still haven't lost all my pregnancy weight and Hutton is 3 months old, I was mad that the weekend was over and it was a workday, and to top it off I was really mad and felt beyond guilty that I once again was dropping my sweet, angel of a baby off for someone else that is not me to soak up 9 hours of his sweetness. So that is how my day started. I got to work ready to fire off at somebody/anybody but with no plans of actually doing that. I sat down at my desk and read the newspaper because that is actually part of my job duties now. I looked at my comptuer and pulled out my Jesus Calling book that sits next to my computer. Today's message referenced God being Emmanuel, God with us. I was like yadda yadda God is with me during my anger, good deal but I'm still mad. Then it talked about being thankful and not to reject God's gifts. So I thought about the things I was angry about and tried to turn them to thankfulness.

I'm thankful that I relationships that I care enough about someone that when something bothers me, it strikes up feeling rather than me just not caring. I'm thankful that although what food was in my house I didn't consider breakfast food, my house is still filled with food when others have nothing to eat. I'm thankful that I had a dinner sitting in front of me last night but didn't eat because I was holding my munchkin in my arms feeding him instead. I'm thankful that although I haven't lost my pregnancy weight the little boy that brought that weight on is worth every pound. I'm thankful that although its the first day of a work week and I'm sleepy I have a great job to go to that helps pay our bills and gives us extra. I am still a little angry about the someone else getting 9 hours of Hutton's sweetness- but I'm thankful that I have a place I can send him where he is loved on and taken care of.

I'm especially thankful for this...

So I am thankful for all those things. Honestly- I'm still a little mad, but its fading.

I have a hobby!!

I'm gonna be honest with you for a minute. Being married to a super talented guy with a gazillion hobbies isn't always easy. Sometimes the wordly part of my mind starts spinning and I see how incredibly talented he is and start to feel down on myself. You see, I've never really been that good at one thing. Yes I know I shouldn't feel that way.  I am well aware but he sings, plays guitar, now doing photography, resident car expert, and a super vacummer! I've always been the girl who didn't have a hobby- I didn't play sports, I don't thoroughly enjoy cooking, I tried scrapbooking once but it overwhelmed me. If cleaning dishes is a hobby I could claim that! Well last year for our anniversary I was of course pregnant so I begged Chris for my first sewing machine! Here I am the night he gave it to me....

Well 7 months later I had not turned it on, not read the instruction manual, not wound a bobbin, not threaded a needle. I was clueless! Thankfully I have this wonderful second mom in my life who is beyond crafty and talented and one of my personal heros! She opened her home to me Monday night and with her daughter in law we ventured into our first sewing class. We Her engineer husband wound the bobbin and threaded the needle. Unsure if I will be able to repeat those same steps alone just yet. She was so prepared and had our patterns cut out and put into envelopes for us with a pile of fabric ready for us to pick from. We were making an extra large bib to keep all the cereal and sweet potatoes and other baby food off our little munchkins fancy clothes. So we cut, and we pinned, and we incorrect pinned and then we took our fabric to the machine. We sewed and we sewed, straight and around curves. Those curves will trick you and we made a few mistakes but all in all we did well! Here was the finished product. Note: I cannot take credit for the beautiful monogram, Lil did that fancy mess with her machine that can embroider and applique too! Maybe one day...

Yipee! I actually made something! It may not be perfect- but its the first thing I ever made! Well the story only gets better from there. The next day on Tuesday I was having a little bit of a rough day. Chris knew that and in the nicest way possible went behind my back and e-mailed this sweet other mom of mine to find out what supplies I would need to get this hobby started. So Tuesday night we ventured out to go use a birthday gift certificate I had received to buy some new shoes and suddenly when I think we're headed home he changes routes. All of a sudden we're buying me sewing supplies. Sweet Chris!

It definitely isn't everything I'll ever need as I'm just getting started but I was excited to get some supplies and get this party started! My next project will be a diaper cover for my munchkin... wish me luck!

Worship Wednesday

I've been thinking a lot about waiting. My sweet friend Rachel posts a quote or verse about waiting on her blog every Wednesday. Then my other friend Christen wrote a post about waiting today on her blog. Today I thought I would follow the trend and post a song that always comes to my mind when I'm thinking about waiting on God to move in some way in our life. If you're waiting on anything- waiting on God, waiting on the perfect guy/girl, waiting on a job, a home, a baby, some news... I hope you can find comfort in something Rachel or Christen said or in this song.

While I'm Waiting by John Waller

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Takeing every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

Worship Wednesday

I really love when I do Worship Wednesdays. The song for today is a beautiful song that I have always loved but whenever I see someone walking into a calling on their life or pursuing something that they are passionate about this song comes to my mind. The lines in bold so relate to a friend of my who is like a little sister to me. God has just totally placed her in the middle of doing something she is so passionate about. The timing was amazing, how it came about was amazing. No matter what way you look at it, it is completely all God that this has all happened. So I know you're saying- what is it? Well today is Worship Wednesday so that post is for tomorrow :)

Hosanna - Hillsong United





I see the king of glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes
The whole earth shakes

Yeeeah

I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing
The people sing
Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith
With selfless faith
I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees
We're on our knees

Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart from what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdoms cause
As I go from nothing to
Eternity

 

Change/Adventure

 I cannot get my mind off of adventures. I'm truly surrounded by people who are delving into new adventures. New cities, new jobs, new babies, new homes... It is everywhere. I truly don't have one close friend right now who is not in the midst of an adventure. What this also means is they are in the midst of change. When 2012 began I felt that it would be a year for change and its only May and my world has changed as well as those surrounding me. I've always heard people talk about being afraid of change and wanting things to stay the same. Well, I know that all of these people experiencing these changes and adventures are excited about their changes. They're excited about what God wants to do through them in their new towns, new homes, new roles, with new babies. As excited as they are, some are a little nervous, a little apprehensive but they are all trusting God.

When I think about change I look back and my life is exactly the same as it was four years ago... or not. Four years ago I was entering into my last summer of college before I graduated in August of 2008. Four years ago I was dating someone that wasn't Chris. Four years ago I was working retail. Four years ago I didn't think I would have a baby until I was 30. Four years ago I weighed 13lbs less than I do now. (Such a sad fact) Four years ago I didn't have any animals. Four years ago I prided myself on my extensive and expensive wardrobe. Four years ago I was a shopping addict. Four years ago I ate fast food at least once a day. Four years ago I was obsessed with what people thought about me.

Today... I have my college degree and don't want to return to school. Today, I'm thankfully married to Chris. (Best decision ever made) Today, I'm on my second job since my retail job and loving non-profit work. Today, I have a 3 month old who has changed my life and I love and adore more than words can say. Today, I weigh 13 lbs more than I did four years ago. Today, I have the best puppy a girl could ask for! Today, I haven't bought a dress that cost more than $100 in a long time. Today, I still enjoy shopping much more than I should but I also LOVE to give gifts and love to pass down clothes for others to enjoy. Today, I'm eating a green smoothie and having a dinner tonight that is full of healthy/organic food. Today, I definitely still care what people think of me, but if they don't like me- it doesn't bother me as much.

So, why not trust God? He's definitely changed my world but I like who I am today.

Worship Wednesday

This is another one of my favorite songs and we're singing it this Sunday at church. My sweet friend Melissa will be singing this and she has such a beautiful voice. This song mentions the grace that we so undeservingly receive. Enjoy...

Beautiful God
Laying Your majesty aside
You reached out in love to show me life
Lifted from darkness into light
Oh

King for a slave
Trading Your righteousness for shame
Despite all my pride and foolish ways
Caught in Your infinite embrace
Oh

And I find myself here on my knees again
Caught up in grace like an avalanche
Nothing compares to this love love love
Burning in my heart

Saviour and Friend
Breathing Your life into my heart
Your word is the lamp unto my path
Forever I'm humbled by Your love
Oh

Take my life
Take all that I am
With all that I am I will love You
Take my heart
Take all that I have
Jesus how I adore You

And I find myself here on my knees again
Caught up in grace like an avalanche
Nothing compare to this love love love
 

Lingering Sadness

 

Yall, I'm not going to lie I have had this sadness that haven't been able to shake. I honestly thought that after all the sad goodbye festivities of the weekend, and Hunter's funeral yesterday that I would wake up today fresh and new. I prayed I would wake up more motivated to share God's love, and more motivated to be the mom, wife, friend, employee I know I want to/should/can/am called to be. Reality check- I have been feeling some blues today. Much less motivated. Much less refreshed. Maybe even a little bit more sad. So I tried some things that I thought might get me going. I imagined a new house one day (yes I am totally aware how materialistic and superficial that is). I listened to Louie Giglio's talk/musical arrangement of the Symphony. If none of you have heard that before go YouTube it, it is well worth it. I ate some chocolate. I'm telling yall- none of these things are working. Granted, I know I will soon go scoop up my little munchkin H and he will bring a smile to my face as he always does right now. But it made me think about how we shake sadness. Sadness will come. Fortunately for us, sadness will also go. But, how do we handle it when it does come swooping in with its tears and frowns?

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous be shaken Psalm 55:22

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2

The only way we can truly shake the sadness and not just put on a happy pretend face is to look to God. He is close to you when you are hurting, he will save you, put your cares on him, he will give you strength, you can trust him, you can find refuge in him.

So when you're sad its okay to do a little new home imagining, eat a little chocolate, find a powerful preacher and listen to him preach the word, but where you will find your sustenance and where you will find your joy... is in His word where you find His promises. His promises are good and are faithful and He will always come through on His promises. So today, that is what I'm clinging to when I can't shake this sadness.

Heavy Heart

  Yes I had every good intention of getting my Sunday series post out yesterday. Yes I did the research. Yes it was just too busy for me to sit down and actually write the blog post. Therefore, it will appear next Sunday (with a little Mother's Day tribute as well)

Today my heart is very heavy. We had a full weekend that was mostly full of laughs, smiles, and lots of fun times. Unfortunately, it was also filled with many many tears. Yesterday morning we went to church for Brad and Rachel's last Sunday. I must say that it was the best sermon I've heard Brad preach and I think he's an amazing preacher. Tears welled up in my eyes from the beginning of the music. I've never known St. James without Brad and Rachel and I can without doubt say that their family and friendship has changed who I am as a person. So throughout the music, the sermon, communion, and reception I was filled with emotions, memories, sadness, but stilll a great deal of happiness for the future that is ahead for them. I am also thankful that I know without a doubt that this is not a goodbye and that we will be lifelong friends.



After a hard morning we built up our strength to go to a visitation for some dear friends who lost their 19 year old son on Friday. Randy and Lisa Helms were one of the very first couples I met at St. James. Lisa and I volunteered doing media together (she taught me everything I know) and Randy does lights on Sundays. Their sweet daughter Hayden was a program attendant in our wedding and I love their family more than words can say. We waited in a very long line among people who love their family to hug their necks and share their prayers for the family. It came to our turn and we hugged their necks praying for God's strength to cover them in this time and in the days and weeks ahead when the visitors, food, flowers, and phone calls don't come as often. I walked through the line and looked at all the pictures of Hunter throughout the years and was so clearly reminded that we never know how much time we have or how much time we have with those we love.

So I picked up my little munchkin from my sweet friend Abbey and held him tight. I went to youth and got ice cream with sweet Caroline in my small group. I put my little one to bed and slept quickly after an emotionally exhausting day. Today we will go to the funeral and Chris will play and sing "Cry Out to Jesus." I just wanted to attach those lyrics because everyone of us can relate to the words and my prayer is just that we all realize how much we need Jesus. Yesterday Brad's sermon the line he kept mentioning was "It's all because of Jesus." He was referring to all the many things he has seen in his time at St. James. But today I can say that it is all because of Jesus that the sanctuary will be filled with people who love Randy, Lisa, Hayden and Hunter. It is only because of Jesus that the Helms will be able to get through this incredibly difficult time. It is only because of Jesus that we are here, that we have freedom, that we can feel love. So read these words and I hope they touch you today.

"Cry Out To Jesus"

To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They lost all of their faith in love
They've done all they can to make it right again
Still it's not enough

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame
And your suffering

When your lonely
And it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus

To the widow who suffers from being alone
Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home
Say a prayer tonight

Seven

  No, when the title post is Seven I'm not speaking of that eerie creepy movie that many of us have seen. A little over a year ago a true mentor was praying for me and mentioned the Seven Fold Spirit of God. She expressed how much seven would be an important number in my life. It has already come to be an important number in many ways. Some ways I'm sure I haven't even realized. For example... I became pregnant after seven months of marriage. Hutton was born seven days early.

I wanted to delve into studying the number seven both biblically and in the secular world. So I'm going to do a series called Seven. I will kick off this series on Sunday. I will begin the study by going into what I'm learning about the number 7 and then will follow it up with a weekly post about each of the seven spirits of God. I'm really excited about what God is going to teach me through this study. To be honest it is one of the first times I alone have delved into a certain topic to actually do an in-depth study. With that I'm just asking for wisdom and discernment of what I read.

So tune in on Sunday!

Friendship

  As we get older, our friendships change. The things our friendships are based on change. The people we desire to become friends with change. Where we make friends changes. The number of friends we have change. I've had this desire to learn more about what God says about friendship lately. I'm not talking about the thousand friends we have on facebook, or the followers we have on Twitter. We all have lots of friends but I want to know more about what God says about those close friends and what he says about being a Godly friend and having a Godly friendship. First you have to go to His word and see what He says about friendship. I pulled out a few that stuck out to me.

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

Cross references:

1. John 15:13 : Rom 5:7f
2. John 15:13 : John 10:11

  John 15:13

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

A perverse person stirs up conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends.   Proverbs 16:28

 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

I think at every stage you go through in life you need different types of friendships. I remember hearing our Worship Pastor speak about the types of relationships you should have surrounding your gift. He spoke of having someone in front of you, someone behind you, and someone on your level. I think it is similar in friendships. There are three different types of friendships that will help you grow and be the friend God calls us to be. 

One where you are a mentor. Someone you can teach and disciple. God calls us all to be disciples and bring people closer to him.

One where you are the mentee. Someone who may be older than you (not necessarily), but where you are being discipled to as if you were one of the disciples sitting at Jesus' feet. I can think of so many friendships where I have been the mentee. I regret to say I'm not sure if I've stepped up and been the mentor when I should have been.

Then the mutual friendship. This isn't based on one discipling the other but two people that are more along the same spiritual level.

Part of God's humor is how these friendships will change. Someone who was once a mentor to you, yall may not be part of a mutual friendship. Even when I talk about mentoring friendships, that isn't to say that the mentor in the friendship is the only one teaching. We all have so much to lear from each other as we are all at different places in our lives and our relationship with the Lord.

But whatever friendships you are a part of they are so important. Godly friends inspire us, motivate us, encourage us, love us, hold us accountable, lift us up, cry with us, baby sit our kids, make us meals when we're sick, bring us flowers to brighten our day, write us notes to lift our spirits or to just make us smile, sit and have a cup of coffee with us just to pass the time, give us fashion advice, share clothes with us, help us parent our children, teach us through their relationship with the Lord, give us Godly advice, and so much more. But strong Godly friendships take time. We must invest in one another just as Jesus invested in his friends, the disciples.

I read a summary of a talk Beth Moore gave that talked about friendship and she gave five characteristics of biblically sound friendships and I thought I would share.

1) The truest friendships are distinctive from any other relationship.

2) The truest friendships take place face to face.

3) Close friendships attach to the soul.

4) True friendships endure.

A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17

5) The truest friendships are trustworthy even with a wound.

Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
but an enemy multiplies kisses. Proverbs 27:6

I'm going to end this with a story that relates to friendships in the stage of life that I am entering. I found this on Beth Moore's blog from years ago but its such a sweet story that I had to place it on here today.

I can’t overemphasize how rich my fellow moms made my parenting experience. Particularly one: my best friend, Johnnie. She had two boys and I had two girls and we dragged those four kids to every McDonalds in Houston just so we could finish a sentence. We taught Mother’s Day Out together because we were both broke. We home-made family Christmas gifts because we didn’t have the money to buy them. (We spent what money we had on our babies.) I hate arts and crafts to this day and still have burns from glue guns. That’s not all. I’d decide I’d had it with Keith and I’d leave him in the morning sometimes, go to her house with my unsuspecting girls, drink a cup of coffee, get in a better mood, and be back home by the time he got off work. He’d walk in the door, ask about my day, and I’d say under my breath, “I left you today. That’s how my day was.” Hee hee. Somehow I’d feel some satisfaction with that, repent, then fall in love with him all over again. It was his looks.  

About five years ago, my buddy Johnnie’s oldest son, Jeremy, was just about to vow his life to the woman of his dreams. The music was already playing in the sanctuary and we were only about three minutes from the service starting. We looked around and suddenly realized that it was just the six of us left in the choir room: Johnnie, her two boys, and me and my two girls. The four kids were all beautiful, God-loving young adults. Johnnie and I had lived through it and they’d lived through us. Wow, Lord. The groomsmen had already gone to their posts and it was just about time for Jeremy to take his place through a sanctuary door down a long hall. Had we tried to manipulate a few moments alone between the six of us, we could never have pulled it off. It was a gift from God. The completely unplanned moment was not lost on a single one of us six and even now I could cry about the tenderness of it. Without anyone saying a word, Jeremy held out his arm for one of my daughters. Jordan held out his arm for the other. And Johnnie held out her arm to me. Arm in arm, three familiar pairs of us walked the long hall, laughing, and nearly crying, making our way toward the finish line of young family-hood just like we began: together. Those kinds of relationships don’t take place in five minutes. They take years. Crises. Prayers. Divine favor. Your fellow moms are some of the most priceless treasures God has bestowed on you to cheer you on your way to the finish line of young parenting. Grab some arms and do it together.

 

Worship Wednesdays

  This is such a beautiful song by Bryan and Katie Torwalt that I believe my sweet friend Melissa is singing this coming Sunday at St. James. If you're in the area come and listen! You will definitely be blessed!

There is nothing worth more
That will ever come close
Nothing can compare
You're our Living Hope
Your Presence

I've tasted and I've seen
Of the sweetest of loves
Where my heart becomes free
And my shame is undone

Your presence Lord

Holy Spirit You are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory God is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by Your presence Lord

Your presence Lord

There is nothing worth more
That will ever come close
You are our Living Hope

Your presence Lord

I've tasted and I've seen
Of the sweetest of loves
Where my heart is set free
And my shame is undone

Holy Spirit You are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory God is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by Your presence Lord
(Repeat)

(end)
Let us become more aware of Your presence
Let us experience the glory of Your goodness
(Repeat)

Lord
Holy Spirit You are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory God is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by Your presence Lord

Celebration and bittersweet events...

  I'm up super early this morning getting ready to head to a conference in Birmingham for the day. For some reason it just breaks my heart to leave my baby early in the morning before he's awake. I started thinking about it and getting a tad bit emotional about it and that brought me to thinking about the upcoming week. I feel like it is a week/weekend of happy and bittersweet events ahead of me.

Tomorrow we go to one of our last small groups for the year. I can't say for certain but I have a feeling that this small group won't be the same next year. This may not even be the small group we're in next year. I already know of some people who will be moving around and I am so thankful for this group. In reality when we switched to this group I was not happy about it. We were in a group full of couples that could probably be our parents but loved every moment. It was like having 8 extra Mom's and 8 extra Dad's. I will forever be grateful to God for those people in our lives. Because of that group I came to know one of the most wonderful women I have ever known and now she is definitely like my adopted Momma! The group we have been in for the last two years has also been amazing. Our host and leader couple are definitely two people I would encourage any couple to learn under. Their knowledge is incredibly vast and they are so transparent about issues and I couldn't love them anymore. I'm so thankful for their spiritual wisdom and friendship over these last two years.

Then the most bittersweet event of all comes. Friday night we get together with a group of friends to have a send off party for our dear friends Brad and Rachel Goode. I could talk about this for days but I'll make it quick. God has blessed me with some amazing friends over my lifetime. Some of us have grown distant and I miss them and will always love them. Rachel is one of those friends that I already knew before Chris but dating Chris brought us even closer. I can honestly say I have never met anyone like her and she is one of the most amazing friends God could have blessed me with. She has so much wisdom, she is definitely a blast, so very stylish, beautiful inside and out, will cry with you, laugh with you, or be mad with you if that is what the situation calls for! But at the end of the day she also somehow always knows what to say. I am beyond thankful for our friendship and know that this is just a new step in it. I could write a whole blog about how much I love their whole family so maybe I'll do that after the party.

Saturday morning we head off to Huntingdon's graduation where I get to watch my sweet friend Luv graduate. Luv has become like a little sister to me. I honestly can't even tell you how we became close but now I can't imagine us not being close. She has such an amazing future ahead of her and I cannot wait to see what God does through her!

Saturday night comes some excitement as we head off to an engagement party to celebrate our friends Clay and Melissa. This is such a special night and I remember Chris and my own engagement party. What fun! It really kicks off all the wedding festivities! I can't wait to celebrate with this wonderful couple!

Sunday morning we will head to church to hear Brad's last sermon at St. James. I'm sure in typical Brad fashion he'll have his normal table up there to preach. Brad's been at St. James longer than most every staff person there and I know it will definitely be a bittersweet day for him. They are headed off to Mobile where I am so confident in the amazing things God has for them but still sad for us!

So there goes my preparation for the week ahead of me. I'll just pray that God gives me the energy to get through it all and a smile on my face for even the events that make me a little sad.