Happy Birthday to Me!

Birthday Card from my brother!

Flowers from my Grandmother!

What a wonderful birthday this has been so far... so wonderful I just have to share! It started this morning with gifts from my husband. Now, let me warn you that we do not do lavish gifts (diamonds, jewelry, big stuff) for birthdays. We are very simple folks and very easy to please. With that said here's a peak at what I received from Jon. You'll want to note his unique wrapping style - always a surprise with him! This time it was tin-foil and blue painters tape combined with a brown lunch sack and toilet tissue paper. (Just a note: he used Snowman Napkins to wrap my Christmas gifts).

Then when I arrived at work this morning I was greeted by a chocolate pie, a beautiful vase with a Gerbera Daisy and a gift from Mrs. Kay. I have been coveting an address stamp that both of her daughters use and she was kind enough to get me one for my birthday!

As if all of that wasn't enough when 11:00 am rolled around in walks my mother with a picnic lunch (homemade brownies included) and more gifts! She gave me the cutest brown and pink flip flops, an Irish necklace and a new Audrey Hepburn movie, Funny Face. I thought what a great surprise... but wait... there's more! A few moments later my grandparents, brother and Jerry walk through the door to join us for our picnic :) Do I have the greatest family and friends or what?

My birthday picnic with (from L to R) Granny, Paw Paw David, Jerry, Momma and Mrs. Kay!

Me & D

Challenge...

I am involved with Mission VBS's this week so my blog time is limited... therefore I am issuing a challenge. I have told my story over the past 2 weeks - now it is your turn! I want to hear your story. Your story can be about anything you want it to be so what are you waiting for? Blog away my friends! Hakuna Matata for now!

Our story... where we are now

So much has happened since moving back to Columbus. Of course we see my family a good bit and we've made some new friends. I have been able to reconnect with some old friends as well. Over all life has been good. But, if you've been following our story for very long you know that we encounter the occasional bump in the road and Columbus has had its share.

I don't really know how to tell this next part without confusing you so bare with me. Jon had been on staff at Canaan for almost 2 years when we really started to pray about resigning. As much as we loved our youth and the folks at the church something just wasn't right. To be perfectly honest with you it hadn't been right for a long while. Reason being that Jon did not feel "called" to be a Youth Minister any longer. He had served as Youth Minister throughout the last 10 years and he knew that God was truly calling him to preach - to be a Pastor. That being true and where his heart was it would be a diservice to remain in a position that he wouldn't be able to give 100%. So, in April of 2007, Jon submitted his resignation.

Thankfully he already had a job doing carpentry and was able to go full time with that and I was now at Dr. Bennett's office and the Missions Office working. Missions Office you say? Yes, back in February of 2007 I was able to come on board for a job I've always wanted. I began as the part time Ministry Assistant of Publicity and Promotion - say that five times fast! I am responsible for a monthly newsletter, annual books of report, the calendar and numerous publicity for special events. I love it! Plus, it puts me in my preferred field - MISSIONS! The whole thing was truly an answer to prayer that I would be able to serve in the ministry as well as Jon. All that to say, though he was resigning from the church at least we could still pay our bills :)

Next we began to send out resumes. Jon was also put on the "supply" list at the Missions Office. This list is given to our churches when they need someone to fill a vacant pulpit due to not having a pastor or their pastor is simply going to be out of town, on vacation, etc. Almost immediately he began "booking" preaching engagements every weekend. We had several calls from churches that had received his resume but nothing definite. We pondered many scenarios from Jon beginning his Master's work at Seminary to doing a church plant. Still we had no crystal clear vision from God.

Here a little over a year later that's pretty much where we are today. I have since left Dr. Bennett's office and am now solely at the Missions Office, Jon is still working as a carpenter and filling the church's pulpit each Sunday, and we are still seeking God's will. We have interviewed at several churches over the last year, but God has still left the door unopened. We know that He has a plan and we are trying our best to be patient as He reveals that plan in His time. Who knows where we will "end up". For now Jon is getting some great experience and we are making connections all over the place! I do ask that you pray for us as we continue to seek God's will for our lives and that He make His plans known.

Well, that does it for the "general version" of our story. Thanks for coming along on the ride and please check back often as now I will be able to go back and tell some of the little stories that didn't make this first cut - they are some you definitely won't want to miss and they are sure to be an easier read! May you all have a fabulous weekend... Hakuna Matata!

Our story heads east...

We stopped over in Columbus for a surprise visit when we left the cruise after which we headed back to Dothan to pack. Yes, I said pack. Jon and I had decided to make a move to Jacksonville, Florida. If you remember from the beginning of our story this is his hometown and he was happy to go back to the big River City. I too was excited even though this would move me further from my home in Mississippi and of course my family was sad. Jon was going to be working with his brother who was starting his own business as a contractor. I was hired on at Baptist Hospital where my new sister in law also worked (thanks Julie!). We got an apartment just around the corner from Jon's family and settled into married life.

(The Dames Point Bridge in Jacksonville just a couple minutes from our house)

In case you don't know Jacksonville is HUGE. I grew up in Columbus, Mississippi, and I am pretty sure you could fit a hundred of them in Jacksonville. Seriously, it takes over an hour to drive from one side of town to the other. And lets not forget that it's nicknamed the "River City". Everywhere you look there is water whether it is the St. John's River or the Atlantic Ocean - so cool! It was really cool to have a real mall (actually more like 4 or 5 real malls), a variety of restaurants, the beach and something to do on the weekends other than rent a movie and stay home. The pace of life was much different and I will admit it took me a while to get adjusted. For those who are wondering I only got lost once. I was knew to the whole having to take an interstate just to go to Wal-Mart thing and ended up heading "out of town" one day as I was trying to get home. But, I eventually figured things out and began to enjoy the city life.

We spent a lot of time with Jon's family as they are all very close and I got to know the in-laws a little better. Jon and I made some wonderful new friends (we miss you Joe & Melissa) and I got to meet his old buddies who told me about the "real" Jon Bradberry! Jon took me to all the coolest places.... St. Augustine, Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach to name a few. I even went to Universal Studios for the first time in my life when Melissa and I planned a surprise birthday weekend in Orlando for Jon and Joe. I could go on for days about our time in Jax - maybe another time though.

(Downtown Jax - gorgeous!!!)

(Altell Stadium. Home of the Jacksonville Jaguars!!! And yes, I got to go to a game!)

(The Landing in downtown Jax. I took this picture while cruising in Uncle Vic's boat one day)

So, things were great. We were busy and we were stretched for money but we were happy. Happy that is except Jon was longing to be on staff at a church. In case I haven't mentioned it I married a preacher! Jon surrendered to the call of ministry in 2000 (I think) and graduated with his B.A. in Theology at the Baptist College of Florida. Well, we began to really concentrate on sending out resumes around January 2005 and wouldn't you know that a little ol' church in Mississippi, Columbus to be exact called Jon to be Minster of Youth in April of that same year. So, 9 months after moving to Jax and we were packing again. This time it was Jon's family that was sad. Maybe sometime I will tell you the "faith story" surrounding his calling to our church in Mississippi but for now just know that we did get called to Canaan Baptist Church in Columbus.

At this point, I was excited. Having dreamed of being a minister's wife if was finally happening. And a Youth Minister's wife at that - how cool! I love kids and teenagers (probably because I still am one!). We settled into Canaan and quickly had a full plate. I went back to working at Dr. Bennett's office and it was as if I had never left 2 years earlier. Jon and I began to build relationships with our youth and I got involved in every little they'd let me be a part of including choir, teaching and eventually directing Vacation Bible School. God worked out every single detail to bring us to this place. So why did it never feel quite right? Want to know? Come back tomorrow for the current chapter in our story.... Hakuna Matata!

P.S. Yes, I know that this post began in 2004 and somehow ended up in present time. I obviously left out a lot. It would take me years to tell the complete story so remember this is the very abbreviated version!

Our story goes on...

(Our cruise photographers took the most wonderful photographs. This is just one of the formal ones... don't we look like millionaires???)


(At dinner in the Monet Dining Room)

Today our story continues with the second half of the honeymoon and when I left you yesterday we were headed to Grand Cayman. Let me just remind you that this is my favorite island. There are few things that can compare with the natural beauty of the Caymans. The people are friendly, the water is gorgeous and the food - fabulous!

Did I mention the sea turtles? Well, allow me to do so now. I love sea turtles and while on Grand Cayman Island we went to the Turtle Farm. These people were actually crazy enough to let me play with a few too! Okay, so they let everyone play that wanted to but I can pretend that my love for these creatures was so evident that that's the true reason I was able to play with them :) Check out these pictures of our "sea friends". I named my little guy Oliver. He was so cute! I wish I had found the picture of me kissing Oliver but I ran of time this morning when I was gathering the pictures to post today.

(Me and Oliver)

Anyway, Grand Cayman was wonderful. We ate our first Caribbean Jerk Chicken which was incredibly hot and saw a lot of cool stuff. Next we were on to Cozumel, Mexico. This place was equally exciting and full of possibilities. We decided to do our own thing and shopped around the open air markets before heading to Chankanaab Park. Once at the park we relaxed beneath the shade of Palm tree for a bit until we decided to rent snorkel gear. Now don't get me wrong I love the water, but the idea of swimming with real sea creatures was a little frightening. Nevertheless I agreed to snorkel and will admit that once I learned how to not swallow water I enjoyed myself. Well almost - I enjoyed it up until the point that a Barracuda brushed up against me. At that point I screamed underwater thus losing my snorkel and swallowing more sea water than I imagined possible. My husband on the other hand was laughing hysterically and decided to chase after it to capture a picture. He was able to snap a picture but the quality was not great so I will spare you this time.

All in all it was a great cruise. We enjoyed every single minute of every day and can't wait to celebrate our 5th anniversary next year with a similar cruise (if we save the money!). The whole week brought us together as husband and wife and God truly blessed us. Of course the honeymoon did eventually end and we were "forced" to leave our wonderful boat. Back to land, the real world and deciding on where to go from here. If you come back tomorrow you can find out where we ended up.... hakuna matata!

"Our story" begins...

(The new Mr. & Mrs. in Cozumel, Mexico)

Hello again blog world! Sorry for my absence yesterday as I was busy catching up from being out of town this past weekend. My friend Lane and I headed to Atlanta on Friday to do some "house shopping" and I was completely exhausted upon our return Sunday night. All in all we had a great trip and Atlanta won't be the same without us!

As for today - my story, actually now it's "our story" continues. After our wedding we drove a couple hours to nearby Pensacola Beach and stayed the night at the Hilton Garden Inn. Let me take one minute to say that we did not get the room we reserved, it was way overpriced and there was a reunion of some sort going on where people were "carryin' on" all night long. In spite of all of that the night was perfect and that's all I'll say about that as this is a G-rated blog :)

The next morning we drove to New Orleans, Louisiana, to board our cruise ship. The Carnival Conquest - the most perfect boat in the entire world. My sweet, wonderful, perfectly fabulous new husband knew me so well. He booked us on a "French Impressionist" inspired ship where we dined in the Monet Dining Room each night overlooking the ocean, saw shows at the Toulouse Lautrec Lounge and stayed in a beautiful Verandah Deck room complete with our own private balcony. Everywhere we looked there were French Impressionist paintings. Did I mention it was perfect?

Of course our destinations weren't bad either. Montego Bay, Jamaica, Grand Cayman Islands and Cozumel, Mexico. Talk about paradise. I've never seen water so beautiful. Our first stop was Montego Bay, Jamaica, and while I wish we had done things a little differently on this island it was still pretty cool. We played on a beautiful beach, had lunch at Jimmy Buffet's restaurant, and I was offered illegal drugs! Yep, you read that right. While waiting on our taxi back to the boat a couple of Rastafarians propositioned me - right on the street! I wasn't thrilled at the time, but now at least I have a funny story to tell about Jamaica -"eh man" (insert Jamaican accent here)! I did love speaking the language while on the island, even if all I knew was from the movie Cool Runnings. Our driver on the island was impressed with my knowledge.

Our second stop was Grand Cayman Island. My absolute favorite spot! I mean where else can you play with sea turtles? Come back tomorrow for part two of this fabulous island and the conclusion of our honeymoon and see what I mean. Hakuna Matata :)

My "Hallelujah" Story...

Well, I think it's time for a happy chapter in this life story of mine. So on this fabulous Friday that's just what you'll get. My little brother David preached my Daddy's funeral and we said our last goodbyes. Although Daddy was gone life had not stopped. We had to move forward and we did.

Jon and I continued to plan our wedding. We made arrangement after arrangement and mailed invitation after invitation. In the mean time, Jon graduated from the Baptist College of Florida. He had a little help of course! (With all the drama his future wife was causing she figured it only fair to help him write 2 papers in order to get class credit.) All in all things gradually became "normal" if there is such.

As July 24th drew near I knew it would all be worth it. Some of my friends and family came the week before the wedding and we were able to hang out and just have some fun time. We also got a lot of loose ends tied up before the big day. And of course on Thursday pretty much all of the family and wedding party was there. I was surrounded by love on all sides. It was magical. Our rehearsal and dinner was so much fun. My brother who officiated part of the wedding showed out big time and Jon had barbequed quite a feast for dinner. However, nothing compared to the big day. Traditional in parts, unconventional in others... for us it was perfect. We vowed to love, honor and cherish each other, sang to each other and prayed together. We were surrounded by all of the people we loved. My favorite part though has to be that we walked out of the sanctuary to the tune of the "Hallelujah Chorus". Laughter erupted as the song began to play and we ourselves couldn't keep from giggling.

(Me showing off my lime green flip flops...
yes, I wore them all day. I don't back down from a dare!)

The reception that followed was equally exciting.... well except for the whole cake shoved up my nose so that I couldn't breathe thing! But even that was great. I am always the one rooting for the bride and groom to cream each other and that's just what we did. Just like our wedding, the reception was simple and it too was perfect for us. I wish you all could have been there and to those that were - thank you for being a part of our special day.

When all of the food was gone and the guests began to leave we too prepared to make our big escape. A change of clothes and a "to-go" plate and we were good to go. We hopped in the car while being attacked with bird seed and jetted off to Pensacola where we would spend the night before heading to New Orleans to board our Cruise Ship. And that's where today's story ends. So until Monday... Hakuna Matata!

My story goes on... **warning** may cause tears... grab the tissues!

Well, I suppose most of you know what happens next. Jon comes to the great state of Mississippi and spends Christmas with the family and gives me diamonds…… earrings that is! They were gorgeous (thanks Julie). We had a great Christmas break and then headed to Jacksonville for New Years. I had my first taste of Pop’s lasagna and Nan’s homemade bread and I knew for sure that I would enjoy being a part of this family if I got the chance.

After New Years Jon and I both headed back to Dothan. He began his final Spring Semester at BCF and I began my new job in the ER. Things were finally going well. I had settled in to this new, very unexpected life and Jon was busy trying to prepare to graduate. On February 5th though things would change again…. this time it was good change! On Jon’s 29th birthday, he informed that the greatest birthday gift he could get would be if I would agree to be his wife! He came to my apartment just as I got off of work for what I thought was to get his “real” birthday gift (an XBOX). I stood there in my navy blue scrubs – not looking great I tell ya – and after he opened the XBOX he popped the question and took my ring out of his pocket. I’m pretty sure that I said yes after the shock wore off! He later told me that the jeweler had called to let him know my ring was ready so he went to pick it up. On his way home he decided he wouldn’t be able to wait and propose as he had planned, but would have to ask me immediately! How sweet! I remember everything about that night…

So, the next few weeks were great. We set the date for Jul 24, 2004, booked a honeymoon cruise to the Caribbean and began to plan our Big Day. I thought nothing could go wrong… but, something that no one can prepare for was waiting for me just around the corner. Please bare with me as I tell this next chapter. It won’t be easy and I cannot leave out detail – for my benefit and yours.

(Me and Daddy)

On April 1, 2004, my dad went into the hospital for a heart valve replacement surgery – open heart surgery. He was in Meridian, Mississippi and I was in Dothan. Still being the new kid on the block at the ER I had not planned on asking to be off to travel home for his surgery, but a last minute gut check told me that I needed to be with my dad. Although the doctors (and all of us for that matter) were pretty sure the surgery would be fine, I still felt the need to go and be beside him. I called Jon who came straight from school, called his work to tell him he needed to go with me to Meridian, and we drove to Mississippi. We got there just before visiting hours ended for the day. Daddy was out of surgery and in the ICU for recovery. He didn’t know I was coming and I still remember the joy that spread across his face when I walked into his room. Still on a ventilator and unable to speak, I knew what he was thinking and I was glad that I had come.

The following day, Daddy was off of the ventilator and we were able to go and spend time with him. I showed him a picture of me in my wedding dress that Momma had snapped when she came for a visit and he got to see my invitations. We laughed about him having to wear a suit for our upcoming wedding (Daddy hated wearing dress clothes). Everything was fine – or so we thought. Jon and I said our goodbyes to everyone and later that day headed back to Dothan with the promise that we would come back when Daddy got to go home. We returned to Dothan that Friday evening and I called to check on Daddy and he was doing fine, so we settled in for the night. The next morning we went about our day as usual. It was a Saturday and I didn’t have to be at work until 2:00 pm so we headed out to one of our flower girls’ ballgames. On the way there I called and checked on Daddy and he sounded good. We talked for a little while and then I told him I would call again that night to check in. That was the last time I ever heard my Daddy’s voice. The previous day became the last time I would ever see him.

Jon walked through the doors of the emergency room that evening with a look on his face that I’ll never forget. He had come to tell me that my Daddy was gone. The doctors said that a blood clot gone to the heart caused his death. It was quick and unexpected. He was 49 years old. Long story short, my co-workers gathered my things for me, called the boss, sent us out the door and we drove that night back to Meridian to be with my family. Just 3 short months before he was to give me a way…

I tell you this story to remind you that life is precious. Take time to be with those you love and make memories that will last you a lifetime. Go - when you think you're not needed. Be - when you don't have the strength. Love - like there's no tomorrow. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t thank God for giving me the “gut feeling” that ultimately led to me being with my Dad for those last moments. Though he would never walk me down the isle, he saw me in my dress and received his invitation. God knew that I needed to be there that day and I am grateful. Father’s Day is this coming Sunday and my Daddy is with our heavenly Father. Happy Father’s Day to you both and to my Paw Paw who gave me a way and who has always been there for me and to Jerry who has also always been there for me. I love you all!

Until tomorrow… Hakuna Matata!

My story continues...

First off let me apologize for such long posts. I normally wouldn't write so much, but I am trying to be brief about each event and not drag this series out for the next month. So, thank you for reading... I really appreciate you taking the time to hear my story.

Now where were we? Oh, yes I had just met Jon! What a whirlwind courtship we had. After 4 weeks of just hanging out with "his church group" we had our first official date on October 2, 2003. He cooked dinner and we watched Master of Disguise. It took him and hour and a half to make the move to hold my hand... I was just about to take matters into my own hands when he finally wrapped his hand around mine. So sweet, so subtle, so him! We also shared our first kiss later that night and I believe it took him about as long to make that move. Unexpected I believe for both of us we never looked back. Over the next 2 weeks we shared many dreams, plans, the past and the present, but as all good things in my life do, it had to be interrupted with some kind of drama.

(My pole in Dothan... we took this picture in March of this year! It's still knocked over...)

I know you are all wondering if I can ever go without some kind of difficulty and the answer is simply, "No." After just 2 weeks of dating while traveling back to my dorm room one evening I decided to grab some caffeine at the McDonald's in Dothan. When I began to make my left hand turn into the parking lot I was T-boned by a Camaro. Of all things... my favorite car... a Camaro! I spun several times and came to a stop as I slammed into a pole. I emerged unscathed except a few nasty bruises. The other car's passangers were also fine. My poor little car was not. Here I was all alone in a new city with no family. What else could I do but my call my new boyfriend to come and get me. So, I called Jon (who had already gone to bed as he had to be at work at 2 am) and told him that I had had a small accident and needed him to come and get me. And that's what he did. He arrived and made sure I was okay and then firmly told me that this was no "small accident" and why did I not tell him how bad it really was. Well, it was my first wreck and seeing that I was unharmed I thought it turned out pretty well... except for the car. Long story short, my grandparents came out the following weekend and drove me (and Jon) to Tallahassee where I purchased my Saturn.

(Me and Jon the morning after getting my new car. We had just had breakfast with my grandparents... another funny story, but I'll spare you. This is also the first ever picture of us together! Granny had to show everybody back home who my new man was.)

Now, you would think the drama would end there but it didn't. Shortly after that incident I found out that the Medical Clinic I was working at would be closing for lack of business which meant I was out of a job. The job that would pay for my new car and food and gas. Enter my sweet Momma and my grandparents who helped with expenses even though they really didn't have it to give. So, I survived the first semester (with all A's I might add). I had been to Florida to meet Jon's family and he had come to MS to meet mine. We exchanged our first "I love you's" and began to dream about a possible future. We were in love and my life was a wreck, but we would make it work.

In mid-December and the end of the Fall semester I had to make a tough decision. I was still without a job as folks with good resumes don't get consider for Fast Food joints and the bookstores and I knew that I would not be able to afford tuition for the Spring semester. My mother urged me to move back home, but I couldn't. How would I leave Jon? So, I made the decision to permanently move to Dothan, Alabama, about 30 minutes from the school. I sadly withdrew from BCF and continued to look for employment. And just before Christmas break I was offered a job at Flower's Hospital in the Emergency Room. Yes! I'll take it. Within a week I had a new job (that I loved by the way), a new apartment (my first) and I was moving again. My life was also going in a whole 'nother direction from what I planned. What was going on here?
I guess you'll have to come back tomorrow to find out... and just a warning, the drama is far from over :) Hakuna Matata!

My Story... part two.

(Me and a camper named Ashley at Garaywa. Doesn't she look like Ruthie from 7th Heaven?)

Sadly camp could not last forever and like all good things, it came to an end. I packed up my cabin, said my goodbyes and headed home to Columbus for the 2 short weeks before I would "really" move away from home. Of course I had no idea what was waiting for me around the next corner and once I found out I was no longer a happy camper.

Several months before camp and all throughout I would occasionally have these "spells" that would feel like what I imagine a heart attack feels like. Sometimes once a week, sometimes every other week I would have these attacks. Well, after I returned home from camp, I had another one. This was "the big one". Now, I am not nor have I ever been a fan of the doctor's office. I like to treat patients, not be one, but this time I needed to go. I ended up in the emergency room (insert moans and groans here). After several tests, an ultrasound and a GI Cocktail they decided I had gall stones and would need surgery asap. Bare in mind that I leave for college in less than 2 weeks now and in that time I had a trip to Florida planned with my grandparents and I do not miss trips with my grandparents! You wouldn't either if your grandparents were as cool as mine :) Anyway, I met with a wonderful surgeon and we scheduled my surgery for August 7th (after I returned from Florida). All went well, except that I ended up having to stay overnight in the hospital (for what was supposed to be out-patient surgery). My blood pressure bottomed out and I scared an elderly volunteer half to death when I passed out on her. But, I eventually regained some strength and they sent me home the following day. Recovery was not fun, but with my stitches still in and a few tears shed, I drove myself to Graceville, Florida, on August 9th to begin the next chapter in my journey.

I pulled onto the campus of the Baptist College of Florida with my mom and Jerry behind me. After 5 hours on the road we hurriedly put my things into my dorm room, set up and headed to their hotel for the night. The drive to Florida had already "made it all real" and we were prepared to say our goodbyes the next day. Without knowing a single soul, I returned to my dorm and my folks drove back to Mississippi. Once again my life was about to change in a way I never expected.

BCF was great. After having thought I was going to have a private room, (my first roomate decided she wasn't coming to college after all) the RA politely informed me that I was moving across the hall. Enter Suzie - the best roomate anyone could ever ask for. I moved all of my things into the room across the hall and bonded instantly with my new roomate. Suzie was the best thing that could have happened to me during that first week of school. This being her 3rd year at BCF she already knew the ropes and gladly shared her insights. We shared many great times during that Fall semester, but none so memorable as my budding new romance.

Yep, you guessed it. Enter Jon - better known to some of you as my husband. I met Mr. Bradberry on September 3, 2003, at Rehobeth Baptist Church. And as far as I am concerned all thanks goes to Rehobeth Baptist Church for having a church sign that looked very much like the sign at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, my home church in Columbus. Rehobeth ended up being the first church I visited on my own and it was all because it reminded me of the one I left behind. I had first visited on the previous Wednesday and Sunday and later came to find out that Jon was visiting Jacksonville that weekend or we may have met sooner.

(Me and Jon in November 2003)

Anyway, very quickly as I know you are tired of reading, we met very casually and it's a really cute story. Almost as quickly as I had visited Rehobeth, one of the sweetest little ladies took a liking to me. She spoke each time I visited and always greeted me with open arms. The only problem was I didn't know her name. This of course bothered me, but I didn't want to ask her, being sure that she had already told me. So, on this particular Wednesday night Jon was sitting in front of me. I quietly leaned up and said, "Excuse me, could I ask you a question? I was wondering if you could tell me that lady's (pointing) name." His reply was not what I was hoping for. He had drawn a blank, but only for the answer to my question. We started a conversation in which we discovered we attended the same college and had classes right next to each other. He invited me to Sunday School and the rest as they say is history. Well, at least until tomorrow when I continue my story. Hakuna Matata!

P.S. By the way- show some love, leave a comment!

The Beginning...

This is an attempt to tell my story. How I came to the place I am now. The family I have. The friendships I've made. The places I've been. And the dreams that I dream. Tune in all week to experience the journey I've been on for the past 5 years. Enjoy the ride!

(Me and my first group of girls at Garaywa, 2003)

Last Monday was the first day of camp at Camp Garaywa in Clinton, Mississippi. Oh, how I wish I was there! My summer at Garaywa in 2003 remains undefeated as the best summer of my life. (Sorry, babe - the wedding and the honeymoon came really close! I consider those to be "events" and not really a summer.) Anyway, in a previous post I mentioned that Steven Curtis Chapman had made a huge impact in my life. This is that story. (Garaywa fits in to the story just in case you were wondering.)

On October 1, 2002, I attended a concert on Steven Curtis Chapman's Live Out Loud Tour in Tupelo, Mississippi. I had no idea that the evening would change my life and this post would be 10 pages long if I went into all the details so I will try to summarize.

Unbenounced to me, Steven Curtis Chapman had brought 2 very special guests along with him to Tupelo - Mr. Steve Saint, son of missionary Nate Saint who lost his life for the cause of Christ in 1956 and Mincaye, the Auca Indian from Ecuador who had killed Nate Saint and four other missionaries serving along side him in Ecuador. That night they shared their testimonies of God's love and the power of forgiveness. As I would not do their story justice, I recommend reading several books: Through the Gates of Splendor, by Elisabeth Elliot; The End of the Spear, by Steve Saint; and Jungle Pilot, by Steve Saint. Of course you can always take the short cut and watch the film The End of the Spear.

(Steve Saint, Me and Mincaye in Tupelo, MS, 2002)

Their story changed my life. I was moved beyond words and am still amazed at the impact it had on me. That night I knew that I could hide no longer. Most of you that know me, know that I love people - all kinds, all colors, all ages. I love missions and for as long as I can remember I have wanted nothing more than to be involved in missions, particularly in Africa. However, as many who are called do, I thought myself unworthy, unable and the mission unaffordable. After High School I chose a major far from my calling. I hid in the Fine Arts department of MUW for 3 1/2 years before surrendering to the life God had called me to and on this night, October 1, 2002, I vowed to change. I completed the Fall and Spring semesters as planned and then took my first leap into a new life. I enrolled at the Baptist College of Florida majoring in Theology and Missions for the Fall semester of 2003. I quit my job at the doctor's office and in May 2003, I packed my things and headed to camp... not to play, but to work. This was my first experience in the life I was meant to have and I have never looked back.

Having loved youth camp every summer since I was 12, I always wanted to be a Camp Counselor when I was of age. Camp Garaywa, Mississippi's Girls in Action camp was the perfect place for me. I was able to work side by side with Missionaries and gained a wealth of knowledge about their work and my own walk with Christ. I experienced more growth that summer than I ever imagined. I can only pray that the counselors this summer will have the same great experience.

Garaywa opened up a whole new world for me. The experience changed me. In one sweet summer I grew to truly know my Savior. I saw His compassion. I felt His love. I experienced His grace. I could write for days on end about my time at camp, but for the purposes of this journey all I shall say is that I am grateful for faith. The faith to follow the Lord's calling without knowing the all of the details of how I would move forward, pay my bills, and become the person He intended me to be. The faith to simply say, "Here I am Lord, send me."

Come back tomorrow to see what happened once camp ended. And of course see pictures from along the way. Hakuna Matata!

Welcome my girl Lane to the 21st Century!

Yeah! My best friend Lane has officially entered the 21st century and we are so happy. She has just recently taken on the task of building a new house and now a blog... go check here out here and leave her a note of encouragement.

Just when you think you have it all together...

Hello all on this fantabulous Friday! I had a whole week of posts scheduled and partially written and then life happened. I apologize to those of you who were looking forward to my ramblings, but all I can really say is that I will try harder next week :)
I do have one request today. Prayer. My sweet friend Raiza unexpectedly lost her father this morning. He was only 56 years old. Those of you who know my story know how deeply my heart goes out to this sweet girl. I covet your prayers for her and her entire family and I know they will definitely appreciate them.
As for my story, tune in on Monday for part one. I promised my sweet friend Lane that I would post something other that NKOTB and movies for a week, so you won't want to miss it! Hakuna Matata!