Road trip

A couple of weekends ago, Sean & I did a secret road trip to Alabama.  One of my best friends got engaged & part of the engagement was to have all of her close friends & family together to celebrate with her & her now fiancé.

What I loved more than anything was being in cooler weather and seeing the leaves change colors.  Fall is one of my favorite seasons & to come home to see some of the changes makes my heart happy. 

On this trip I got to see one of my best childhood friends and meet her SON!  It's so weird that we are now old enough to have children.  I don't know if I can get over that.  It was so good to catch up with Bethany & meet little Sawyer. 

The crazy part of this particular weekend was that I told Hunter (the fiancé) to keep my friend out of a certain shopping center because that is where we would be & it turned out that my best friend was next door shopping for an outfit while we were eating outside of the restaurant!  I was so thankful she didn't see me because it would have ruined everything that was planned. 

Everything did go as planned & now my best friend, Bethany (2 friends named Bethany.. Just thought I would clarify that) & Hunter are now engaged!

I could not be more excited for them! Being there from the beginning; watching this relationship blossom & being there for her through it all has been such an honor.  Going to try on rings to just to see what she likes and get the one she thought she would hate!  Hunter is getting one of the greatest girls I know and Bethany is getting one of the most giving men I have ever met.  They both live to serve each other & it's been so much fun to watch how God has slowly brought everything together for His glory.

This was the best surprise I have ever done & it was so worth the 12 hour drive!! 

My favorite is the video of her seeing all of us together waiting to celebrate them! 

Love you Bethany & Hunter!

2 years

Yesterday was our 2 year anniversary! I seriously can't believe that we have been married for two years already.  It feels like a lifetime and yet, it doesn't feel like that long at all!  I seriously don't know where I would be without Sean in my life.  I know I would probably be fine single but I do know I would miserable too.  Sean is the best thing that has happened to me.  Marriage isn't always fun or easy but it's a great journey to be on with the person God designs for you.  Sean challenges me all the time.  He helps me get out of my comfort zone & encourages me in everything. Even if I don't want to be encouraged, he still does it.  He's definitely my creative half.  I'm thankful that he dreams BIG so I can I can dream BIGGER.  I really do love this man more than words can say.

Happy Anniversary, my husband! 

update soon!

Hey Everyone!!

I'm so sorry I haven't posted in a while... so much has been going on!  Hope to update soon!  In the meantime go check out this new (to me) website that helps Chinese special needs orphans get adopted!  it's a great organization!  Check out this little girl who needs a home fast!!

Meet Tula

One Year Anniversary in SWFL

Well, it's been one year, today, that Sean and I packed up our home and moved to Florida.  I can honestly say that it has been the hardest year for me, personally, but the best year for our marriage.  I remember announcing the news to our friends back in Alabama that we were moving to Southwest Florida.  We got a bunch of concerned comments and happy yet sad comments.  Most of the concerns were because it was a leap of faith and that Sean and I had not been married for a year yet.  Some thought it was so quick.  In some ways it was quick but we waited for seven months to leave Alabama to prepare for the day we moved.  It was a long wait process and yet it came so quickly.  I remember the day we left, it was so exciting and so hard.  I left part of my heart in my hometown along with my best friends.

We knew God wanted us here in Florida and it was evident right away.  Trying to get into our apartment to move in was a horrific experience in itself and we knew that Satan was trying to attack us.  After we settled in and after being here for a few months, I did get homesick.  I believe I dealt with a little depression from it but not much (the homesickness would come and go, which is normal).  I felt so bad for Sean... I can't count how many times I had cried and wanted to go back home to Birmingham.  However, the one thing I did know during this time and still know is that I did not want to go backwards.  Sean and I were growing stronger in our marriage and still growing.  It's been incredible to see how much we have grown as a couple.

As I look back on this year, I am in awe of what God has done.  He is so good to His children.  I am thankful that Sean and I are His children.

You Make me Brave

One of Bethel Music's latest albums has basically been on repeat for the last few weeks.  It is so encouraging and it has helped me to break some strongholds that I have been dealing with.  If you have not listened to it yet then you really need too! You can watch the videos from the recording on YouTube. Although, the entire album is absolutely amazing, hear are my two favorites: 

I hope you enjoyed them!  Let the words be written on your heart and that a new song will come from you.  

Be blessed!

Titan is 2!

Titan is 2 years old today!! So, naturally, I had to dedicate a blog post to him.. even though he doesn't care.
 

The day we got him at 6 weeks.  ^

He's definitely our child.  I have so many more pictures I could post!  Love this dog.

Bridge the Gap

This is from my daily devotion on my phone. I follow Billy Graham's 1 year devotion.  I love reading it 

This particular devotion was about bridging the gap between generations.  I think Mr Graham hit it on the spot; if the older generation or my generation want to see change the kids we are around today, then we have to see if we need to change anything in ourselves before we even mention it to them!  They follow by example.

This also goes with leadership in the church.  If a pastor wants to see change then he needs to find what he needs to change in himself (depending on what the situation is, of course) and be consistent in that so that the leadership can follow him.  

I believe this is crucial. It's a simple solution but the task is hard.  We must be willing to fight the enemy in ourselves with Jesus by our side in order to succeed.  We MUST be humble and honest during this time with God.  If not, then we will not succeed, the devil will win and no one will benefit from it.  We also need accountability partners to join in prayer with us.  I, myself, struggle with this because I don't like being completely open with people unless it's my best friends (it's a work in process).  

God has been revealing so much to me lately about leadership and being His servant.  It's an honor to serve the King of Kings.  I'm learning it takes more humility and a true servant's heart to be a successful leader in the natural, alone.  But I'm not here for that and I have to remind myself that I am not here to build my life up in this world but for Heaven.  Don't get me wrong, I want to succeed in this world too but that's not my ultimate goal.  I'm around wealthy people where I work & live (SWFL is one of the top places to retire).  I see all these beautiful homes & luxurious cars, & yet, i just want a home that fits us comfortably & my dream car is still a white, 4-door, Jeep Wrangler (gas sucker, I know).  

If we want change, then we must change the wrongs in our life first.  

Lord, please convict our hearts and show us what we need to change that we may be able to serve You better and expand Your kingdom.  Show us Your heart's desire so that we can be more like You.

 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. 

I Timothy 4:16 NKJV

Stand4Life

"Jesus, we plead Your blood over my sins and the sins of my nation.  God, end abortion and send revival to America."

Saturday was the national day for Stand4Life.  It was a national day to stand and pray against abortion.  I had known about it for a few weeks and then on Wednesday of last week, I got a call asking if I would participate as well as be a captain at one of the local abortion clinics.  Of course I said yes.  I was so excited and honored  to be a part of this day!  I have never been a captain and honestly, after thinking about it for a while, I got nervous.

The first & last prayer siege I have been a part of was in 2010 when me and a few friends drove to Atlanta, then to Houston for the emergency prayer siege.  We rode with the Atlanta Bound4life group to Texas.  It was called Midnight Ride for Justice.  If you are not familiar with what happened in 2010, here is the basic info:  Planned Parenthood was opening their largest abortion, not only in the nation but in the Western Hemisphere.  The building was/is 6 stories high and I believe that building was originally intended to be a bank.  It is strategically placed in a lower income area that had 2 Hispanic communities and 1 African American community.  Most people do not think it is strategically placed but I do.  (If you don't, then that is okay... no need to start a debate on this).  Anyways, we got there on a Friday afternoon, had an emergency Call meeting/prayer rumble.  We prayed and cried out for 6 hours.  The following day, we had the silent siege.  Bound4Life only asked for 400 people to stand at the building, and then a few hundred to do the prayer march throughout the community.  We ended up having over 1200 people there altogether and people were standing for life across the parking lot, street, to the other side of the interstate.  It made national news and it was truly an experience I will never forget. 

Back to Saturday, Sean and I went to the Planned Parenthood.  It was our first time doing this together and it ended up just being the two of us.  It started off raining so we just sat in our car the whole time.  But when we drove up to the plaza where the clinic is, we saw a couple and their friend walking into the clinic like it was nothing to them.  At that moment, we were unaware that they provide other services (remember this was our first time).  After seeing them walk in with that attitude, it struck something in both of us.  We are still unsure if they perform procedures on Saturday's at this clinic but it doesn't matter because the thought of abortion is being placed in these peoples' minds.  It was a surreal moment for both of us and I was so glad that we got to experience this together.  We know that one day we will adopt and being there just confirms it.  It also confirms that we have to fight for those who do not have a voice.  I don't see why babies are any different than animals, environment, etc.  We fight for those who cannot verbally fight for themselves. 

I thank God for this time with my husband as we start to get more involved in the Bound4Life, Fort Myers Chapter. 

To learn more about the Bound4life organization click here.

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 NKJV)

I love when God reminds me of His promises in scripture. God has promised to take care of us as we have started this new chapter in Florida.  Sometimes I get distracted in the moment we are facing & it is so comforting to read this. 

It's also comforting to know that it's for His glory & not ours.  It's also comforting knowing that these times will become a testimony for Him & we can help another person during their time of need/encouragement.

Thank You Lord for being our provider.  You have promised us certain things and I know it will come to pass one day. I praise Your name alone & I honor what You are doing in our lives.  It's a blessing.

Tale of Three Trees

On Palm Sunday, our kids did their first musical, A Tale of Three Trees.  They did an amazing job too!  They learned all the songs, motions, & speaking parts in about 4 weeks!  I have never seen kids so genuinely excited for a musical.  I grew up in doing kids' musicals at my church and I also helped with some too and I have never this much excitement as these kids.  They loved it so much that they wanted to start working on the next one!  There are not many kids at our church at the moment but these kids can sing too!  When I was in the musicals, we always had the back up voices but these kids knew their words and sang.  It was so refreshing and so much fun watching them.  Sean and I helped with the lighting and I got stuck doing the spotlight...  I have no experience with that either.  haha.  But I did enjoy it and it was more fun that I got to do it for the kids at the church.  These kids are absolutely amazing and full of so much joy.  I think I am just as excited for the next one as they are!!  Here are some pictures from the play.

Me practicing with the spotlight.

All the kids performing.

After the play, Pastor Tommie spoke a little bit.  At the end he started to encourage everyone (including the kids) to worship together.  The best part is seeing the kids participate in worship.  They may not understand everything we talk about yet but they do know how to be respectful to their elders and engage in worship.  The Holy Spirit is known to our children.  I absolutely love them.

Esther Mae Robinson

This post is dedicated to my amazing Grandmother Esther.  She died on Wednesday, April 2, 2014.  She was 88 years old & an incredible woman. She was smart & a hero of mine. I'm so thankful that I was able to call her mine & I cannot wait to see her in Heaven one day.  Love you Grandmother Esther!

The photo above is of us last year. We had lunch & then got some ice cream. 

Celebrating her 88th birthday back in August.

We went to visit her in hospital a few days before she passed. She still had her spunk up until she passed. 

This photo is of my grandmother & her best friend. We call her Tootsie. They have been friends for nearly 50-60 years. They have traveled the world together & been there for each other during their good & bad times.  I pray this will be me & my best friends, years from now. 

Love her dearly. 

The Sound

A new ministry called The Sound had their first event on March 8th. Sean & I are part of this ministry and we have a team who is devoted to see our youth change. We are devoted to see the youth change our world for God. So with that being said, we started this ministry to be an outreach for high school students to come to safe place once a month to experience a night with God. We had about 100 people total come! That does include our core & volunteer staff. The theme of this event was 'Black & White Party.'

We had a great night! And I could not have been more proud of our team & my husband. Sean did the entire lighting effects for the event. We had students & adults who were touched by God that night. We had some get delivered & with all the stress & attacks we had to go through, it was worth it. God's people are worth fighting for.

Here are some photos of the night:

This photo right above, is my favorite photo. There are no words to describe it. 

The mere sound of His name will signal hope, even among the far-off unbelievers.

  -Matthew 12:21 (MSG)

Wednesday Wisdom

God has been doing some amazing things these last couple of weeks.  Sean and I are officially working with the youth now.  We are co-leading the Sunday school class and drama with another couple, who are amazing!  We have been spending more time with them lately and I am loving every second of it.  The youth here are great.  I'm still trying to get their names right and figure out who they belong to! We are already seeing God move in some of their lives and it's truly incredible to watch God transform someone into His image.  I know He's definitely molding me!

Now that we are involved with the kids, Ginger (wife of the other couple) and I want to have a day for the young girls about image.  We want to teach them the basics of hygiene, self-esteem, etc.. basically a girls' day.  So, I have a couple of books we can also teach or do a devotion together with them.  I came across an old book that I read in high school from a Bible study I attended.  I have started to read it again & within the first few pages God has already pointed this excerpt out:


"You are looking for rules to restrict their behavior.  Rules will not keep them.  The empowerment they need must be born out of relationship.  Change you focus from what they can't do to what they can do.  Tell them that they can go as far with their boyfriends as they are comfortable doing in front of their fathers.  For fathers are the protector and guardian of the virtue for daughters."
Kissed the Girls and Made them Cry by Lisa Bevere

This excerpt is regarding sex & relationships. How 'far' is it okay for kids to go, physically, in a relationship? The Holy Spirit revealed this revelation to Lisa Bevere when she was asked to speak on sex with teenage girls.  This answer is probably the best answer I have ever seen.  I know I will keep this answer in mind. 

I just wanted to share this because as a youth leader, I have been asked types of questions regarding relationships.  And sometimes I am not sure how to respond besides saying, "don't date at all."  So as a youth leader, I do feel like this is a great answer to tell students.  I do not want to say something without parents, either being there or saying something that the parents have not discussed with them.  Parents want & should be the ones discussing these topics with their children but we all know that this isn't always the case.  So, I encourage those who have to discuss these types of questions with students that this response is a great response to use.

You are worth more.

I read a twitter status yesterday by Jenn Johnson:

You are not what you wrestle with.

Since then, I have not stopped thinking about this statement.  I am guilty of judging people by their actions & behaviors at the present time.  I know to look at the heart rather than the outside but we all know that is easier said than done.  I feel like it's even harder to not hold some judgement to those that are in the church.  Especially, if the people in the church were not raised in the church.  It's also a great reminder for myself that even though I have hard times, I know that I am worth more and my God sees much more in me.

Sean and I have recently servicing our youth at Light.  Our Equip classes (aka Sunday School but only lasts for 10 weeks) started February 9th and the youth drama team started on Valentine's day.  We have loved it too!  We have partnered up with another couple whose heart is for teens & I have enjoyed every second getting to know them more & working along side them.  Our kids are dealing with some heavy stuff & it's important to encourage them that God truly loves them.  These kids are smart & I can't wait to challenge them more on what they think on topics we discuss.

This past Sunday we introduced to them that is okay and important to learn to pray for each other.  God moved & I truly believe this is the start of some thing great.  I also believe that they will start to learn what it means to have a family of friends who they can count on.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Wednesday Wisdom

My mom sent this to me a couple of weeks ago and I still think about it daily.  It's definitely reminding me to not worry so much and that God truly knows what I need best. 

God doesn't give you the people you want; He gives you the people you NEED... to help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you into the person you were meant to be. 

I hope this encourages you as you go throughout your day today!  Be blessed today and know that you are in God's hands!!

The staff at Light did a three week fast of your choice.  Our pastors and majority of us did the Daniel Fast.  It was mine & Sean's first time to do it.  We really enjoyed the fast because we are trying to start living healthy and eliminating the foods we do not need.  My main struggle that I had with the food part was not eating chicken.  If you know me, you know how much I love chicken and how much I eat chicken on a regularly basis.  Sean also struggled not having meat towards the end.  Even though the fast is over, we plan on to continue to keep the foods we have been eating in our meal plan.  We have completely eliminated sodas from our choice of drinks.  I am still working on less coffee intake.  It's a work in progress :)

This fast has been helping us realize what we need to do spiritually.  For one, we both have forsaken our First Love and we starting to make Him the true center of our relationship.  This has been a little hard for us because we have had little time to devote to us and our devotion time.  We were so busy during our fast with things in our lives and it hasn't really slowed down.  So we are learning to balance this.  It is an adjustment that we must make but I am so excited to make this adjustment for us and our relationship with our Father.

One thing that has really stuck out to me towards the end of our fast is how I have become completely drunk and consumed in this world.  I have been consumed with others (which isn't bad) and I have been selfish.  It amazes me how I see things and let it consume me.  It may be because I am still trying to adjust to the life here.  I am not sure but I do know that it has taken me a while to get used to life down here.  I love it down here but it is hard when it is your first time to ever 'move' away from home.  Sean has been so great to me.. listening to me when I get home sick and when I reminisce.  He truly is an amazing husband.
 So with all that being said, I have started to really reading the Word daily again.  Right now it's been my daily devo's on my phone and I am thankful for them.  One thing God has really laid on my heart was becoming sober again,  here is a passage:

But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:  that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;  the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—  that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,  to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
          Titus 2:1-5


I love this passage because it reminds me of part of my purpose here on earth.  We are here to stand out of the crowd by the way we live.  I have let myself forget my purpose but now that it is a new season for Sean & I, we are not letting this season go to waste.  We are so excited for God is doing in our lives right now.  We are excited to see the things come to pass that have been promised to us.  We are excited to be serving together as one for our King. 

Who are you? (Wednesday Wisdom)

I AM HIS BRIDE
I AM HIS DAUGHTER
I AM HIS PRINCESS
I AM A CO-HEIR WITH CHRIST
I AM BEAUTIFUL
I AM HIS CREATION
I AM MADE IN HIS IMAGE
I AM LOVELY
I AM WONDERFULLY MADE
I AM FEARFULLY MADE
I AM HERE ON THIS EARTH FOR A PURPOSE
I AM HIS SERVANT
I AM RAVISHED BY HIS LOVE
I AM WORTHY

LASTLY, I BELONG TO HIM!

WHO ARE YOU?

Christmas in photos.

 We finally got to make Gingerbread houses with some new friends!  Ashley is a RE/MAX Affinity real estate agent who is from Alabama.  So we became friends fast.  We had a great time hanging out with her & her husband that night.

 My gingerbread houses.

The gingerbread village.

Sean did a house but his broke.  We had some difficulty this year on the houses but we had fun!

 Our Candlelight Service on Dec 22nd.  Sean and I had to serve that night so we were both in the sound booth.  It was a great service.

Sean's parents enjoying Titan's love.

Our Christmas photo.

Titan loves my mom.  I love this picture.

This is from one of my girls back in Birmingham.  She did a fabulous job!  She doesn't even know that our last name means a tree planted by a river bed.  Psalm 1:3.

Spending last few minutes together on the way to the airport.

A Florida Christmas

This Christmas was different for both of us.  Our original plans were to spend it with Sean's family since it is his year for the holidays.  His family didn't do anything big this year so we were kind of at a loss of what to do.  As Christmas got closer, my mom wanted to come down and be with us.  Then we found out his parents were coming down too!  So our plans changed that were able to see our family.  Sean's parents came down the weekend before Christmas Day and spent the night with us.  They were able to visit our church and attend the Candlelight service.  On that Monday, Sean & I picked up my mom at the Tampa airport and then we drove to see Sean's grandparents for Christmas dinner.  We had a great time that night and I know Sean loved seeing his family.  We didn't get to spend Christmas Day with his family since Sean had to work Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas.  My mom stayed with us for the whole week of Christmas and I loved every minute of it.  It was hard to believe that it's been 3 months since I had seen my mom!  We didn't do much this Christmas but I think it was a good thing since we are trying to save money.

The one thing we did do was go see a couple of movies..  One request my mom wanted to see was FROZEN.  If you know my mom this is a big deal!  So we went to see it on Christmas Eve.  We loved it!  It reminded me of Wicked.  There was more music in the movie than we thought but I love musicals so I have no problem with that.  I realized Idina Menzel was the voice of Elsa half way through the movie and I got really excited.  I love her voice.  Kristen Bell plays Anna and I am a fan of her acting as well.  Can't wait to see The Veronica Mars Movie. 

Christmas Day, Sean and I saw Tyler Perry's Madea Christmas.  It was hilarious like all of the Madea movies.  We recommend it to everyone.  We didn't have a traditional Christmas meal since it was the three of us but we did have steak & some yummy broccoli that Sean and I made.  Sean's parents had to drive back to Louisiana on Christmas Day to be back at work. 

We made some eggrolls while my mom was here.  They are delicious as always! 

Even though this Christmas was different, I really enjoyed it.  The best part about this whole thing is that I got to spend it with my husband and our family.  Gifts were not our focus and I LOVED that.  We did receive gifts and we got to give a few to our loved ones but in the end nothing is better than spending time with those you love. 

The next post will have the photos of this Christmas season for us.