I know it's been forever since I've posted any pictures.  I'm just so behind at this point that it'll take hours when I finally update everything.  So, for tonight, pictures will have to wait!

This was just too cute and I had to make sure I got it written down so that I'll remember it:

Tonight as we were praying, Hannah asked God to help her with a couple of things that were personal - her mouth was hurting (new teeth coming in) and her head was hurting (not sure what that's about, sometimes she pretends that she hit it and will pretend to put ice on it like they do at school, so it could've not been true...)  The great thing about this was that she actually asked God to help those things.  Normally she just thanks God for random objects and people and then she's done.  We've been talking a lot lately about different stories where Jesus healed people of their sickness or made the lame to walk again, etc., and I think she's really getting it!  

It just made my heart smile that she understood it and transferred it over to herself.  Her mouth was hurting her and her first thought was "I'll ask Jesus, 'cause He can make it all better!"

LOVE. IT.

Last night we had a meeting with a leadership team at our church and talked about what we can do to reach people with the Gospel, We talked about what we can do to reach out to the people in our neighborhoods. In the time of discussion we mentioned so many great characteristics about our church and our staff. All of which I hope are true. But, there seems to be a disconnect between our efforts and results. Results is a dangerous word in the world of church because people have so many different ideas in their heads when they hear the word results. But, there seemed to be a consenus last night that we are not seeing the kingdom results that we are praying for. Sitting at my desk this morning and replaying last nights conversation I am finding a phrase that is missing.

In all of our conversation and effort in my 3 years at FBC Jackson, I cannot remember us saying "God has told us to do _________" I sat in a room full of some of the most earnest and sincere Christians I have ever met. These are men and women who have a hunger in their gut to see Christ exalted in our fellowship and in our city. So, maybe it is time that we ask God this question: "Lord, what do you want us to do?" I understand that it may take some time for us to hear and comprehend His answer for our church. So, to steal some advice a friend of mine recently received and shared... "What was the last thing God told us to do?" I think that it is time that we earnestly seek the face of God, and in line with the sermon our interim pastor preached this past Sunday, we need to learn to "knock" and persevere in our prayer as well as our faith. I believe that God will answer our request, I believe that God enjoys the conversation with us as well. So, we need to remember what the last thing God told our church to do and do it, while we pray for God to give us fresh direction and vision as to what we should do next. This has direct application even to the individuals in our fellowship. If each of us asked the Lord what He wants us to do in every aspect of our lives, and then did it, we would be in line with the picture of following Christ that is seen throughout the scriptures. I am confident that Christ will finish His work in my life, my family, in other people's lives, and in His church! Because of that I am asking Him what is it that He wants me to do?

I must warn those reading this that asking this question may radically alter the landscape of your life. If you choose to obey and follow Christ as Lord, then what you do with your stuff is no longer your decision. Which house you live in, what car you drive, what you spend your money on, etc. Asking God what he wants us to do applies to every aspect of our being, and thus transfers to the fellowship of believers. It is an awesome place to be when we are trusting on His will and plan for our every move, and it is often a worldly difficult place to be as well. He may want us to look very different than we do now. He may have plans to showcase His glory in ways that we cannot fathom, but when He is magnified we are not. It is in our weakness that He is strong. So, go ahead and ask God what He wants for you to do. Ask knowing that in being obedient to Him you will find the greatest satisfaction of your soul and He will receive the greatest glory through your life!

Blogging from camp

Well, we're here at Student Life Camp with Hannah for the 3rd year (yep, that's right, I'm a crazy woman and took my 2 month old to camp!)  We are at Shocco Springs in Talladega, AL, and despite the 97 degrees and 100% humidity, we are having a great time!  We're sweaty, but havin' fun!!

The great thing about camp is that Hannah is able to do almost everything that the kids are doing (not participate, but she can be present without messing anything up.)  For example, the band is loud and fun, so she can dance and clap along with the students and nobody is concerned about a 2 year old being in the room.  And our students are doing rec tracks this year, so we get to walk around and see all of them, which Hannah loves!  Basically the only thing we miss out on is worship at night and first thing in the morning.  But, they have a playground here, so we do that in the morning, and then we head back to the room for a bath and bedtime after supper.  It's really working out well, and I'm really glad that we are able to do this as a family.  I really appreciate that Student Life is so accommodating to people who want to bring their children.

I've taken some pictures, but Rob has the camera with him tonight in worship, so I'll have to load those later!

Summer has officially arrived!!

We got back from Gulf Shores late Sunday night, so we took some time to regroup and get ourselves settled back into life on Monday.  This included 'fun' things like going to the bank and getting groceries and doing laundry.  So, to reward ourselves, and just to have some relaxing time at home, we decided to grill out Monday night.  It was sooo good to be home and just rest some!  We pulled out Hannah's pool and let her play in it too.  She was so excited about swimming!

Filling up her "aldergator" pool all by herself.

Please ignore the crazy bumpy hair in this pic and just focus on the cute grin on the sweet girl!

Sliding down...

splash!!

Oooooh! That's kinda cold!!

Getting braver and laying on her stomach in the water.

Deep Sea Fishing 2

Deep Sea Fishing

Last day at Gulf Shores

Dancing with Daddy

Gulf Shores beach

At the beach for the first time...

And she loved it!!

Riding the boat in Perdido Beach

We headed to Gulf Shores this weekend for a wedding (congrats Josh and Molly!!) and stayed with my Aunt Becky and Uncle Chuck at their beach house in Perdido Beach.  We had such a great time seeing family and relaxing!

We rode their boat over to a place called Pirate's Cove for lunch on Friday.  This is how Hannah rode the whole way - standing up at the very front!  Even when the boat was going really fast, she would just stand up there looking at everything!

At Pirate's Cove, playing in the water and sand with Daddy

Sitting by Barrett in the driver's seat of the boat.  She actually helped Harrison drive later on the way back to their house.

Sitting on the front of the boat with Uncle Chuck, looking at some really big birds.

Mother's Day 2009

It's crazy that two years ago on Mother's Day, she was just 4 weeks old and just starting to smile a few smiles here and there. Things sure have changed a lot in 2 years!!

Sick kid

There's nothing like your kid puking all over your hair, shoulder, into your purse, and all over the floor of Don Pancho's to make you change your plans really quickly.

Yep, Hannah's sick - we're hoping it's just something she ate, and not an actual stomach virus.  I guess only time will tell, huh?  

Ugh, this is no fun when they're not old enough to warn you so you can get them to the bathroom in time!  

I know, I know, this too shall pass!

spring-time fun!

Nelson came over the other day to play, and he and Hannah had lots of fun with all of her toys outside!

Playdoh fun

birthday card from Mammaw

She loved the music that this card played!

Easter 2009

Birthday pics

Just catching up on pics from the past few weeks!  Here are some from Hannah's Elmo birthday party.