Disciple Now weekend

I realized that I haven't done an honorary photo dump of our Disciple Now weekend with our students. On MLK weekend, we were able to spend a couple of days doing life and Gospel with teenagers and some awesome college leaders. It really was the best way for us to end our time there as youth leaders.

 

Please enjoy this lovely {borrowed} photo dump from some of our students because #bloggerprobz....

 

 

 

Unfortunately, I don't have really any pictures of the boys because what teenage boy is going to pose for the camera and take 50 shots just for fun? Ha! Even though we had such a small group that weekend, it really was great because it allowed us leaders to have a bit more one-on-one time with students. We were able to really find out some interesting things about them, talk about life, and just laugh over the silly things.

 

Thank you, God, for allowing us to have participated in such a wonderful ministry. Thank you for leading us in the direction we need to go in. God, we trust You and know that whatever You have in store for us next, we will go without questions. Well, I might buck the system a little bit but I'll eventually surrender. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.



Gratefulness + Tis the Season

So it's the week of Christmas, just in case you've been under a rock. I'm still a little shell shocked that Christmas is just a mere few days away. We've had a busy several days and true to fashion, we're not slowing down...

 

+ We celebrated Jesus' birth and Christmas with our youth this past Wednesday. It consisted of pizza, cookies, white elephant gift exchange, and lots of laughs.

 

+ In Tallahassee, we have a local park that puts up an enormous amount of lights for folks to come and enjoy {for free}. Of course we had to take our youth students to that! The neighboring church to the park had free cider, cookies, music, and a bonfire.

 

Some of our students checking out the lights

 

+ Saturday was spent Christmas shopping, lunching, and doing life with friends. Every year, friends of ours have a bonfire complete with delicious chili. We love being able to relax with them!

 

+ Sunday kicked off the start of our Christmas party celebrations - which I love! I love the fellowship, food, gag gift exchanges... just everything! Last night was spent with our young adults bible study group, which is mostly made up of our youth's parents. Being able to spend time with them is always priceless.

 

Thank you, Jess, for capturing this lol!

 

+ This week will be full of more Christmas parties, dinner with friends, time off to relax... I cannot wait!

 

I'm so grateful for these wonderful moments that we can experience with each other, friends, and family. In a world that can be so bitter, having those sweet memories to cherish can truly bring light into the darkness. From our family to yours - we hope that you have the Merriest of Merry Christmases!

 

 

 



 

Sick Days

Have ya'll ever been struck down with cold-like symptoms so fast that you honestly thought you were dying? Yea? No? Me neither...

Maybe dying is an exaggeration but it sure does feel like my throat is being scraped with rusty nails. Lovely depiction there, I know. So as I sit here poppin' pills and paying bills (because #payday #praiseJesus), I realized that we have a busy few months ahead of us. Exciting things, folks!

one:// This weekend, our youth will be assisting in church cleanup for our upcoming Homecoming event at the church. We're celebrating 150 years of life. Look at little ole Antioch being a party animal!

two:// Shameless plug here - We've got quite a few fundraisers coming up to help raise money for our students to go to FUGE camp again next summer. Remember all the fun we had this past summer? If you are wanting to help us, we would love prayers! Prayers that our students' hearts will be molded and softened until it's time for us to leave again in July. Prayers that God will provide for each and every student that wants to go, to have the opportunity to. If you would like to donate to our camp fund, check out our account at Go Fund Me. Thank in advance for all the support and love!

three:// I realized last night that Hunter and I sort of, need to, gotta make plans for Thanksgiving. It'll be here before we know it!

four:// I'm trying to figure out how to construct (not buy) a wheel that will spin and land on different things. At our Fall Festival coming up at the end of October, the youth will have a booth to raise money for camp (I know, imagine that). I want to do a carnival type theme and basically you can spin the wheel to land prizes. One of them being the opportunity to smack their youth pastor (Hunter, not me) in the face with some good ole pie.

five:// Anybody have any training recommendations for a stubborn blue tick hound that refuses to use the bathroom all day when he's outside and then come in to promptly hike his leg on my rug? Yes, we could take him to the front yard once we get home but that requires us monitoring him and making sure he doesn't terrorize the neighborhood kids because #thatsfun. He's doing this on purpose too, he's mad about something because he's only started this in the last couple of days. Not freakin' happenin' captain. I've already told Hunter, unless we move somewhere with land, no more big dogs! That hate rampage only lasts for about 10 seconds then I'm right back to loving on Jep. 5-second rebound woman right here.

You can't help but love that face

And then there's our perfect child. Except for when it comes to door frames. And blinds.

Have a beautiful Wednesday my friends! I'm about to go pop more pills, lay in bed all day, and watch Pretty Little Liars. I know, I'm ashamed I've allowed myself to become addicted to this mess.

Gratefulness

As Hunter and I were driving home yesterday from doing our youth's community service project, we both agreed that this past weekend was a ministry filled weekend.

 

And we loved it!

 

Even though we were on the constant go almost all weekend, it was still so fulfilling to be a part of some great things. It was also so nice seeing my hubby's heart at such peace - ministry is his calling afterall!

 

I'm so grateful for the moments this weekend - from spending time with amazing friends on Friday night to set the stage up for a night of worship on Saturday night, to the actual time spent in worship, and finally to the community service project that our youth did.

 

 

One of the things we've started teaching our youth is how to give back to their community without expecting anything in return. Thus, the idea of a free snow-cone giveaway came about. We loaded up the van + Hunter's truck + all the essentials and headed into the community just a few blocks down from the church. We informed our students at the beginning to not get discouraged if nobody from the community shows up, or if they're sketched out by it; they've never had this before so a lot of times it takes a few tries of going and building relationships with them to earn the trust (that's ministry, folks).

 

 

Oh how we ate our words. Kids started showing up out of the woodworks! We were blown away by the amount of kids that showed up, and our youth were too. Watching our students interact with people was so humbling. They eagerly went out, door-to-door inviting people to come spend time with us and get a free snow-cone. One of our girls said to me, "I had no idea this many kids were around here, and would even show up!" Yes my little grasshopper, you never know what's outside of those church walls until you actually step out and serve.

 

 

 

 



Blue Springs

This past weekend, Hunter and I took our youth students to Blue Springs in Marianna, Florida. Ya'll, I just love the beauty of my state. Of course I didn't get any pics of the crystal clear water, or the underwater caves because #nolifeproofcase for my phone. So these next few pictures are courtesy of Google - mucho gracias!

 

 

I'm so grateful for the natural beauty my state has to offer. We have so many rivers, springs, and obviously beaches that it's very hard to tire of the beauty all around you. It's always humbling when you are in the presence of God's masterpieces.

 

I'm also beyond thankful that His guiding hand was with us when our tire blew on the way to the springs. Yep, and yours truly was driving the van with 12 teenagers and a husband in tow. Thank you, thank you, thank you Jesus for not allowing our van to flip.

 

How was ya'lls weekend?

 

 



4th of July eve

I'm off on this beautiful 4th of July eve day and I plan on making the most of my day! We'll be heading to camp next week with our youth students and guys, I cannot begin to express the excitement I'm feeling right now. Hunter and I cannot wait to get away with these 17 (yes, 17!) teenagers to do nothing but the Gospel, love God, and love each other.

 

source

 

 

Well... Hopefully love each other. By day 4 out of 5 we may not be loving each other that much. Ha! But it's going to be great!

 

If ya'll could join me in prayer, that would be just fab!

 

God,

 

Thank you for another beautiful day of life! Thank you for waking us up today to be able to do your work here on earth. Thank you for gifting us each our own gifts to bring glory to your name.

 

God, I pray for our teenagers. I pray that you will reach them in ways they've never felt before. I pray that you will move them to be so on fire for you and your glory. Thank you for bringing each of these teenagers into our lives, and allowing us to love on them. I pray that they seek Your face always.

 

God I pray for energy and strength as we will need it each day we are there. I know that you are good and faithful, and your Spirit will provide for each of those needs whether they're physically, spiritually, or mentally. As always God, use us in ways we've never been used before. Tell us where to go, lead us, and we'll follow. We want to bring glory to You, and You alone.

 

As we go through this week God, I pray that you will watch over our families and friends back home. Love on them God, as we would. Thank you for your love and mercies anew each day.

 

In Your precious Son's holy name,

 

Amen.

 

I'll be checking out from life all next week but I can't wait to catch back up with everybody to share our adventures. #FUGE15 here we come!