An Eventful Weekend

We have siding! Andrew and I can't believe how fast this is going now. I know the process will feel more slow as the interior begins, but right now I love driving up to our soon-to-be home and seeing something new every time! I wanted to show a picture...



It's hard to tell, but the color is a light gray. "Online" gray, in fact. The front door and shutters will be a dark blue name "Distance." That's one job I would like to have... naming paint colors. How do they come up with those? "And what shade of orange would you say this is?" "Oh... that's definitely a 'Horseback' orange." ??

We've had a really fun weekend. Friday night and Saturday morning were spent at Camp ASCCA in Dadeville for our Crusade leadership retreat. It was a really encouraging time to be with those students who really have their own personal ministry at Auburn. It reminded me again why it's so strategic to work with college students... these are going to be the movers and shakers of our generation. Andrew and I believe that our best chance at being a part of changing the world, at this point in our life, is by investing in these students. We love them all so much! What a privilege we have in our job.


Saturday when we got home I spent the whole rest of the day watching part of Season 4 of LOST. This is the only show I have watched every episode of... and now I am actually REwatching episodes. I never thought this would be possible. This show is captivating. I have a pretty photographic memory and I love connecting the dots... so I am beyond highly impressed with how intricate this show is. They don't miss a beat with connecting a seemingly unimportant moment in say, season one, with a life altering scene in season four! It floors me. I don't understand how they do it... They must have the whole script already written out.

Speaking of TV shows (I am going to sound like a couch potato!), but I must publicly announce my anger with abc for canceling Pushing Daisies. They better be glad that they host LOST, or I would be boycotting them completely. It definitely wasn't a show for everyone's taste, but I am willing to say that it is the wittiest show to ever be broadcast on television (and I am saying this as a fan of both Gilmore Girls and Arrested Development). Not only was the dialogue above par, the colors of the set and costumes were a masterpiece! It really was beautiful in so many ways. In 2008 it was nominated for 9 Emmys, won three and nominated for 3 Golden Globes. What happens to shows like this? So sad. I am embarrassed to say that I may have shed a few tears at the discovery... but I am imploring everyone to go rent the dvds of the first season (you can watch the 2nd on abc.com) and maybe, just maybe, they will finish out season 2 with a made-for-tv movie. That sounds terrible... but it's definitely better than living with no closure.


To end... WAR EAGLE to the Auburn women's basketball team! They are currently undefeated, and Andrew and I got to watch them talley another W this afternoon against UT. The game was sold out (quite a miracle for any AU basketball event) and they said it broke the record for attendance of a women's bball game at Auburn. It really was fun and I hope they make it all the way to the Final Four... and maybe even beyond!

The Beginnings

So, this afternoon I decided to drive by our plot of land thinking to see (at the most) our foundation poured. Much to my bliss and surprise... we have the beginnings of a house! Our builders have been behind since they've started... so I was thrilled to see this. Words don't even describe what it felt like to walk in our soon to be home! More to come.

Welcome, 2009!

Looking Ahead
I love the feeling of a new start... it's so fun to think about all of the great things that this year has in store! Here are some things that I am looking forward to:
* Moving into our new home! (Hopefully this will happen in March!)
* Katherine and the Uzells coming on staff with us at Auburn
* Celebrating our 2nd year of marriage!
* Going on a summer project (We have jet to be placed, but will hopefully know soon!)
* A new season of American Idol and LOST
* Fulfilling my new years resolution: reading 3 books a month. That will be 36 books at the end of the year!

Looking Behind
But because I am such a sentimentalist, I think I love remembering what's behind more than anticipating what's ahead. Here are a few of my favorite things that happened in 2008:

Kim and Nathan's Wedding! It was so fun to see two of our favorite people tie the knot.


Our one year anniversary trip to Charleston. We had a blast and I wish we could go to Charleston every year... it is now one of my favorite places in the world.



Ministry. Every day I am more convinced that I am doing exactly what God created me to do. I have loved being a part of girls' lives at Auburn and I pray that God continues to use me in His kingdom.


Allie growing up. I loved getting to see my beautiful sister at her prom. She also graduated (can't believe it!) and is a freshman in college now.


Summer Project in East Asia. This was a life-changing six weeks... God is doing huge things in EA and we were so humbled to be a tiny part of it.



Leighton coming!! I waited patiently for 9 months to meet this sweet baby, and she didn't disappoint me a bit. I love her so much!



Lazy days at the lake. We are so blessed to be able to spend so much time with family at the lake in the summers. This year was especially fun with the purchase of BIG MABLE!



Buying a house... sort of. Right now we have a piece of land and a few cement blocks... hopefully the rain will stop and the progress will pick up!


Trip to Montana! We took a trip to Whitefish, MT with Andrew's family for Christmas. It was so much fun... even though I stuck to the green run the whole time.



Christmas in Murray. I know that some day things might change, but it is such a blessing to be with my family for Christmas. And we got to celebrate in my family's new home!


We are so blessed. I am thankful for every second of 2008 and can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for 2009!