Tuesday, December 27, 2011

My Big Bro


Very proud of my Big brother!

These are pictures of him at his white coat ceremony.
 I was not able to go,
but my parents sent me pictures of them!




Man, I cant imagine Matt delivering babies
and giving stitches and shoots!



So excited for Matt and Arica's wedding! Less than 2 weeks left!!

Monday, December 26, 2011

Happiness

Chris and I are sitting here,
at his mama and daddy's,
just full of happiness and in bliss.

It is that day after Christmas.

Some people see this as one of the most depressing days of the year.
The day when Christmas is over.

Chris and I are opposite.

We have seen everyone of our families!

We even talked with family that was as far as
Montenegro!
(That's in Europe north of Greece!)

We have been very VERY blessed by our sweet family!

Thank you Welch's, Waldron's, Bagley's, and Carder's:)

We love you all!!  

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Powerful


Even though he sees me broken, battered, filthy, shattered, wicked, lying, failing, tired, angry, jelouse, prideful, selfish, wonder, lustful, striving, worshiping idols,

he still says,

I WANT her

I LOVE her

Man, just amazing to me.
The feeling of knowing that one day I will be standing in front of Jesus and he will point and say to me,

Her, Bring Her to me. I died for her, and I love her.
I took her nails instead.

Well done my faithful servant.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Just Down Right Amazing!


I know most of you have seen this kid sing before. But it still gets me every time. Just Downright AMAZING!


Praise God! I love the ending when he really gets into it! Gives me goose bumps and make me want to jump up and start praising and singing at the top of my lungs with him!
Now yall know I would not sound nearly,
not even close,
as good as him..

but maybe if I turn my speakers up real loud, then no one will hear me anyway!

Praising him tonight from them scum streets of Nola!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Saturday Mornin'


Ever since Chris and I went to this place called, "The Green Project" I have been wanting to go back and get an old window. I have blogged about this place before.

It is just soooo COOOL!!

What they do is when people are about to demolish old buildings in the City they come in and try to take out stuff that they can resell.

Some of the stuff is pretty cheep and you can get some deals!

On our quest for an old window,
Of course we had to walk around and look at all the Great Stuff!

I was snappin' pictures with my iphone.

Of course they had shutters galore! This is the place where Chris and I got our shutters from that cover the ugly water heater in our apartment.

They have tons of old doors! I LOVE LOVE some of the old doors they have!

It would be soooo cool to turn one into a table.


They also had really pretty old fireplace mantels!

They are all just stacked up!




Lurved this mantel:)

They also had old screen doors. I was looking for a little screen that I could reuse to hang some of my ear rings on.
But no such luck.

I liked this big turquoise one:)

They also have huge mirrors! For $1 a square foot!

I would love to get a big one and have Chris make a rustic wooden frame just for the edges!

I saw one in one of the apartments on Campus and it was fabulous!


I loved these doors!
The stuff in this place just has so much personality!


Of course they had old bathtubs as well!

Now, I know they look gross and dirty, but with some good elbow grease
they would be so cute!


This one would look better with the bottom painted a different color than puke yellow:)

Oh yeah, the whole reason why we came,
Windows!!

They have a WHOLE backroom full of old windows. We looked through them and wound up with 2!

All their windows are only $5 a piece for any size!


I liked this mantel too!

Thought this door was precious and wondered how it would look once all the gunk was cleaned off!

Little teeny, tiny shutters! They could be great to hold cards, letters, or mail!


More old mantels:)


So I got my windows hung up!
My sweet boy was studying hard this weekend for finals,
 so my goal was just to get them cleaned and on the wall.

I have been trying to decide what I want to put in the windows.

I was thinking pictures in the big window
and making the smaller window into a key holder.

Guess I will post more pictures with the completed product!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Sweet Friends

Last night I went over to our sweet friends, Preston and Cherise's house.

She was decorating their sweet apartment with cute ornaments, stockings, and even 2 Christmas trees.
I was admiring all of their adorable decorations and even told them about how I am now regretting not bringing our Christmas decorations here from GA.

We caught up and talked for a little bit and then I walked on back across the hall to our place.

I hadn't been back for 5 minutes when we got a surprise knock on the door.

It was Cherise and Preston with their little Christmas tree all decorated!

She said that since they have 2 trees, they didn't mind sharing one with us!
I was so excited! I put it up on a little table and put our meager and few Christmas presents we have bought, wrapped in newspaper, underneath!



Tonight I am sitting here on the sofa, just finishing up editing some of my sweet firsties writing papers,
and enjoying the scent of a Christmas Cinnamon candle(which I got for 35 cents with a coupon!).

I am so enjoying the glow from our borrowed Christmas Trees lights...

...and...


...watching Prep and Landing.

Well actually I am watching my sweet boy,
who is just cracking up at this silly movie.

Life is SOOO good!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Simplicity

This year Christmas for Chris and I is not about ribbons or bows.
It is not about lights, fancy wrapping papers, or big presents.

This year it is all about Simplicity.

Getting back to the roots of Christmas.

Before Chris and I left Southside Baptist Church, some of the sweet older ladies gave me a most precious gift.

At the time, I did not know just how precious it was.
Not long after I opened it, one of the sweet ladies passed away.
I still have a card that she gave me for my birthday, the last time she was ever at church, stuck in my Bible.

They gave me a Willowtree Nativity Scene.

It is the only Christmas decoration that I brought to New Orleans.
Partly because it is the most special, and partly because none of our other decorations would fit in the back of the car with the rest of our stuff.

The simplicity is just a perfect image of Christ.
His love is simple.
It never changes and never ends.

All one has to do is ask.

Just ask for it, ask to receive it!
Sweet Simplicity it is!

On my Willowtree people there are no faces.

I imagine that Mary's face is smiling and joyful. Maybe some soft tears of emotion rolling down her cheeks.

I imagine Joseph's face showing bewilderment and amazement, for he most likely did not fully grasp who that precious boy was going to become.

I imagine the scene was silent. With no sounds made at all.
Maybe an occasional soft cry of the sweet baby and a rare puff of approval from the animals around.

I imagine that they all stared in awe for quite some time at those sweet tiny fingers and toes.

Just as the famous lines stand true for Christmas from the movie the Grinch, it stands true for the true meaning of Christmas,

"It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?"

Thursday, November 24, 2011

What We've been up to

So the last couple of days we have been in good o' Georgia.

It was nice riding up 400 and spotin' all the familiar signs and spots.
Rodes that Chris and I have traveled on many times.

We have been busy busy busy.

We got in Ga on Saturday mornin' bout 1 o'clock
and went to bed.


Since we woke up on Saturday afternoon we have been goin, goin, gone!!

It has been such a blast to spend such good time with our greatest blessings, Our families!

On Tuesday my mom and I went to the mart in Atlanta. The mart in HOTlanta is
a magical place filled with unicorns, rainbows, and cotton candy!!

Naww..... it is 14 stories of amazing jewelry, purses,
 nick-nacks, clothing, to sum it up,
it is a magical wonderland....
for girls!!

Outside the mart was the Atlanta Peachtree Christmas Tree all set up.


We went and took our picture by it.

Of course if you know my mom and I, we gonna have some fun:)

On Turkey day we spend great time with Chris's side of the family,
The Bagleys!



We played corn hole and washers.


Having a blast in GA! I don't want to leave on Saturday:(


Thursday, November 17, 2011

Coupon Diva

OK ok, so my hubs thinks I am a little crazy!

But I just LOVE free stuff!!

I have really REALLY gotten pretty good at coupons!!

The picture of my toothpaste above doesn't count the two tubes that Chris and I have open in the bathroom right now, or the 3 tubes that I have in my car to pass out to the homeless people on the streets.

So in all I have gotten 13 tubes of cheap or free toothpaste!
Most of them have been free, but I did spend 35 cents on some of the Crest proheaths!

I WILL only get toothpaste if it is free:)

I just recently stocked up on toilet paper:)

Did really good on these. I think it was something like $1.50 per pack!?

not bad, not bad!
I would love to be able to get FREE toilet paper to pass out to the homeless people with my toothpaste as well, but haven't seen a good free deal for it yet:(

I only have a little stock pile up of laundry detergent! I want to really get more, but again I WILL only buy this stuff when it is REALLY really cheep!


I also have gotten numerous body washes, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, tooth brushes, razors, medicines,
and on and on for FREE or almost free!

I know it might sound just plain silly to be passing out toothpaste to the homeless, but as I drive home from work everyday, I always see someone standing out on the street somewhere holding a sign for money.

Now, just personally Chris and I don't have the money to be passing out every time we see someone, and sometimes I wonder if their money is going toward drugs or such.

So I just feel just fine and dandy passing out a free tube of toothpaste!


Sunday, November 13, 2011

Chinese Church

This morning Chris preached at the English Service at
New Orleans Chinese Baptist Church.

He did great and I was one very proud wifie:)

Everyone at the church was so sweet!

Every Sunday after church they all eat lunch together.

I did not take a picture of the actual food that we ate because that would be rude, but I found a picture on google that is exactly like what we ate.


Yepp, that is tofu and ground beef!

It was so SPICY that it looked like I was crying while I was eating:)

We also had white rice and raspberry tea.

They called the raspberry tea, sweet tea, and it was definitely not like what I was used too!

It was such a wonderful experience! I learned a lot about Chinese customs and I love seeing the children!

Chinese babies are just so cute and I loved seeing them running around.

I even played a little ball with one of the little cuties:)

Had a great time and a wonderful experience!


Saturday, November 5, 2011

Let's Go Pioneers!

CCS
is the best!!

Went last night to our homecoming football game!

It was so neat seeing some of my firsties outside of class!

It was also sooooo funny seeing some of their reactions to
Mr. Bagley!!
Soooo FUNNY!!!

Some of my kids got so embarrassed, while one just goes,
"So THAT'S Mr. Bagley!! ohhhhhhh"


The mind of a 6 year old!! haha


Some of my girls from my class are cheerleaders. They let them go out on the field with the big cheerleaders during half time.
In this picture one of my girls is in the back. You can tell she is mine because she is in the middle, back row, and is the shortest one out there!

They were soooo cute!!




IT was COOLD!! I took my Georgia Bulldog fleece blanket!

Not that I am ashamed of being a GA girl, but I did keep the blanket with the inside part out.

I DO NOT want to get SHOT!!

People down here take their LSU tigers sooooooo Seriously!
People get killed over it!

We had a great time!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Yahweh!! Yahweh!!


I love this song!!!

When it somes on the radio I totally turn it up and shout out God's beloved name!!

Yahweh!!!

 I have started uncovering some research on the name Yahweh for God.

Yahweh is a holy name for the Lord, that many people won't even say.
Some believe it is only to be written, not spoken!

This just amazes me!
Now...

I have not fully researched this topic but I like to speak to God and represnt him as a Holy being.

Calling him Yahweh, to me,
just helps me to realize just how HOLY he is!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

One Excited Dude!

Right now Chris is on cloud nine!

He is so excited,
and it makes me excited to see him to happy:)

Since leaving Southside, where he was preaching 2 sermons every Sunday,
Chris and really missed being behind the pulpit.

When we go to different churches he just tells me that he has such as strong pull and urge to be standing up there presenting the word!

Welp, last night Chris got a call from
New Orleans Chinese Baptist Church,
and they want him to preach on November 13!

Now... my first reaction was..

um...
Chris....
Honey, we aint Chinese.

Are they thinking that we speak Chinese?

Did you tell them that you don't speak Chinese?

because... there might be just a little problem:)

This church has two services. One Church service is done in Chinese, and then another one is done in English.

Chris will be preaching the English service.
This serice is for more the younger population and those that are Chinese origin but were raised in America and are more comfortable with English.

Chris is so excited! I mean seriously,
he is ready to get up there!

It makes me so happy to see him happy.

This church is currently looking for an English part time or full time pastor.

They are looking at several candidates.

Please be in prayer that God will preset his will.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Don't TELL ME He's NOT Real!!

I hope that I can express myself the way that I want to in this blog post.

Ever have a moment, when you just get so emotional,
so EXCITED,
so amazed,
so overwhelmed,
that you feel like words can't express how wonderful and awesome it is?

Now, DON'T TELL ME HE'S NOT REAL!!!

Since announcing to family, friends, numerous coworkers, church members, and other personal,

that Chris and I really, REALLY,
were going to New Orleans,
because the Lord told us to.

We have received many weird stares,
awkward conversations,
and non-believers.

Some might just think that we are just here,
just... well
just cause.

But I can
wholeheartedly,
undoubtedly tell you,
we ARE here because the Lord has sent us!!

Let me tell ya some reasons why I know this to be true.

Chris and I are POOR. I mean dirt POOR! I don't make more than chump change.

I mean really. Some of yall can probably find more coins in yalls sofa then I make for a yearly salary.

Yet... somehow Chris and I ALWAYS make his tuition payment.
We always fork up the money for rent!

Let me Just tell you how REAL he is!

Chris WAS JUST telling me that we were finally going to have to most likely get a loan. We have been able to stay debt free throughout all of this and pay for everything in full.

Until about a week ago. It started looking like we were going to have to finally get a student loan for his incredibility expensive schooling.

Well, two days ago the Lord provided the money and MORE!
and more!!

Just how awesome is that!

Right on time:)

No loan for us!! haha take that you unbelievers.
Take that you doubters!

Take that... you people that say we are crazy for doing this,
(well maybe we are a little crazy, but lets not go there)

We sold a car in Georgia, and we are pretty much getting the same amount for the car that we needed for his tuition payment next semester! How cool is that??!!

Don't TELL ME He's NOT REAL!!

Ok, next point.

Chris is very good with our money.
Very, very precise!

We have numerous excel documents that can tell you down to the cent what we have spent on groceries and other bills.

Somehow, some reason, some unimaginable miracle.
Our balance always seems to be more than it should be.

Somehow we always make the money to pay our bills and a little more!

It comes from little places all over!
Ten dollars here, maybe Twenty there,
it adds up, and
low and behold,
he provided!

Now DON't TELL Me he's not real!!!


In New Orleans he provided me with a job after just being here for 4 days. Yepp... we moved here and 4 days later I had a job.

Then 3 weeks later I got an even better job as a real teacher!

We have been upgraded in our apartment. We have been blessed with an awesome running car that we don't have to worry to much about breaking down.

We have been majorly blessed with wonderful friends. We are surrounded by amazing people. People who themselves have just truly inspiring backgrounds and are such pleasures to be around!

Now.....

Don't you try to tell me,

He is NOT real!!