Wow...it really has been a long time!!

I am not at all sure why I have let so much time pass since I last posted on my blog. The only “excuse” I really have is that at times I have been extremely busy but at other times I feel as if my life is just too BORING to write about.

Here are a few things that have gone on just to get you back up to speed:

There have been several losses within my family since Mammaw B passed away in May…just a few short weeks after she went to be with Jesus our sweet Uncle Fred also passed on and there have been 2 or 3 others from my Mammaw’s generation that have also passed away.

We have also had many good things happen…

- In June of 2011 I started attending a different church (New Life Church) and absolutely love it. There have been a few challenges for me in going to such a big church…the biggest challenge is not even knowing where to begin to get plugged in. But I am now working with the youth some and also work at the Welcome Center which has helped me meet people. In February I will also be starting going to the Women’s Bible Study.

- I have had the chance to really begin a relationship with my Memphis Family over the last few months. After Mammaw B passed away I really began to pray that our family would stay close even though we live all over the United States (and soon to be different parts of the world!). I believe that God heard that prayer…I have been so blessed to be able to get really involved with several of our Memphis folks.

- My family went to Disney World back in October. It was the first time for my parents and also the first time for my nephews. It was so fun to see Disney through the eyes of my sweet 5 year old nephew, Eliot. Hands down my favorite part of the trip was when Eliot met Woody & Buzz Lightyear!! And I just loved spending time with my family!! And so glad that Jon & Michele (cousins that live in Tampa) were able to join us for the weekend that we were there.

- BIGGEST NEWS…Russ and Katie added to their couch!!! As of January 18, 2012 they officially adopted Desmond Keith. Des is 8 months old and has already brought so much joy to our family!! He knows how to melt his Aunt Manda in seconds!!!



- This last weekend I got to do something that I have wanted to do for a long time… Christy and I went down to Texarkana. Yep…I know…it doesn’t sound like much to most people so let me explain. Pastor Tracy & Lori Harris and their family have meant the world to us for as long as I can remember. Christy and I have been talking about going down there for months just for some refreshing time. Boy, am I glad we finally went! We had an amazing church service and ended up spending 2 or 3 hours after church with them and they really poured into each of us. I really pray that God would “revive” my relationship with The Harris Family but on a different level than it was when I was a kid. I would love for this to blossom into a time that I can go and just sit with them and soak up anything that they would be willing to offer. Don’t get me wrong…my church is great and my pastors do an awesome job at bringing across the gospel but I think it is very important to have someone who can Spiritually Mentor you to help you on a personal level with Spiritual Growth.
*I have had a friend that has been some what of a mentor to me over the last couple of years but it has begun to get harder and harder to meet with her. So, maybe I can chat with The Harris’ about this.

If you are a praying person please pray that God would continue to challenge me on a daily basis. I really want to draw closer to the Heart of God and I really want to be used in a new way. (Those sentences are kind of scary! But I think I am ready!)