Bristol, England

I recently went to Bristol, England on a mission trip. I know, the first thing people think when I tell them that is why England? England is a very dark place spiritually.

A group from my church went to help Headley Park Church with their Vacation Bible School for the week. This was my second time to go and help. I worked with the younger group which the ages where 6-9.

The trip was wonderful! After arriving on Sunday and getting all settled in we began Vacation Bible School on Monday. We had a total of about 35 kids in the younger group. I had 6 year olds in my group who were all great. We studied Philippians throughout the week. We had a time where they would but a leader on the spot and the kids had a chance to ask any questions they wanted. The questions that they asked blew me away. One question was "Who created God, I know He created the world but who created him?" another, "Why was Jesus nailed to the cross and not killed somewhere else so people wouldn't see him?". It amazed me that children this young are thinking of these questions.

The Group


All the leaders


My Team- The Parrots


Junior Leaders


We were able to spend Saturday in London. Here are a few pictures from that day.




We landed in Birmingham on Monday night at 9:00. The bad news was our luggage didn't make it home with us. I was reunited with it yesterday only to hear that the sides of it had been ripped open. So now I will be getting new luggage thanks to Delta! :)

Everyone was so gracious and so welcoming. We had a church service the Sunday we left. We prayed for several of the kids and their family's to come. It is very typical for the dads not to come to church. The church was full with children and families. God answered so many prayers while we were there.

This trip has put a fire under me to focus more on my faith and challenge and be more disciplined about getting in the word everyday. I know for me I sometimes become stuck and don't grow. I am so glad God allowed me and provide me with the funds to go on this trip.

Please continue to pray for Headley Park Church and all the children who attended the camp. Pray that they will get involved in the church and that their parents will as well.

4th of July

Since we are finished with the lake house we have been down there every weekend. I love being at the lake. You don't get any phone service so it is a good time just to relax and we did this weekend. My sister, brother-in-law, nephew, brother and sister-in-law all came for the weekend so we had a packed house. The weather was beautiful!

Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

Lake House Renovations

My dad bought a lake house on Logan Martin lake in January. I have always loved the lake. We have had a boat for about 4 years but no house. So we found a diamond in the rough to say the least. The house was rough. Every room had dark wood paneling with UGLY blue carpet. The windows were so old they looked like if you touched them they would fall out. In the master bath there were red sinks with white and red speckle coutertops. I can tell you how bad it was. We did a lot to it as you can see below in the before and afters. I don't have every room but trust me it looks so much better!! FYI it is not easy to paint a brick fireplace or talking your dad into mounting the TV over the fireplace...you can see who won below.

Living Room Before


Living Room After


Dining Room Before


Dining Room After


Kitchen Before


Kitchen After


Here are a few more of the house and the new pier.





We are ready for the summer!!!

Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your Kingdom.

I started a new bible study at my church. I am doing Crown Financial at Briarwood. This study teaches you to be a better steward of your finances and teaches you how to spend according to the bible. We are on week 2. Each week we have to memorize scripture. If you know me I do not like to speak in front of a group so this is very hard for me because you have to say the verse in front of the class. I mean they are all staring at you! Talk about freezing up! I got through last weeks just fine. This week is 1 Chronicles 29: 11,12 "Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord, this is your kingdom. We adore you as being in control of everything. Riches and honor come from you alone, and you are the Ruler of all mankind; your hand controls power and might, and it is at your discretion that men are made great and given strength. Wow! Please pray I will be able to say all that on Wednesday.

We have been slow at work lately as I am sure so is everyone else. I sent an email asking the girls in my bible study just to pray about the situation. Last night I went home to work on my homework for Crown. One of the verses I had to read was Matthew 6:31-33 "So don't worry about these things, saying, "What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."

He knows what we all need and we will supply us with our every need. So when I read that last night it reassured me God has his hand in everything and no matter what happens with work, he will provide! So this morning I got an email from Nicole saying she was reading her bible last night and came across this verse and wanted to share it with me. Guess what verse it was…yes Matthew 6:31-33. Ummm hello! He is amazing and has his hand in every situation! Thanks Nicole for the email.

Just thought I would share that with you!

Updates

Sorry I have been MIA. My dad bought a lake house a few months ago and we have been renovating that. My older sister also had her baby on December 2, 2009. Nolan Jeffery Bridges. He was 3 weeks early and weighed 7lbs 6ozs and 20 inches long. I have been trying to get over there as much as I can to see him. He is the cutest thing I have ever seen. Here are a few pictures. I will do before and afters of the lake house once it is done.



I bought him this outfit for Christmas. It was a little big.


He is like a little man in this outfit. He always makes the funniest faces.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
We are all headed to my sister's house in Georgia because she is 8 months pregnant! This year my brother is bringing the turkey and ham so all I have to do are the sides and dessert. This is a huge relief because my sister and I are not the best at cooking a turkey and a ham at the same time in the same oven! Honestly I have no idea how my mom would do it every year. I need about 10 ovens to cook everything.

Again another holiday where my mom is not here to share with us. I know she is looking down and is proud that we are not eating at a restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner. :) I am very thankful for my family and friends! I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!!

Learning how to sew.....

My friend Frances had her mom recently teach her how to sew. Within the past couple of months I have really have a desire to learn how to. My mom and grandmother were wonderful at it. I can remember them both having the sewing machine on the kitchen table and fabric and patterns would be scattered across the kitchen floor when my grandmother would come visit.

So Frances agreed to teach me! I pulled out my mom's sewing machine with all her stuff she used. It brought back wonderful memories of my mom making me stand on a chair in the kitchen so she could hem a pair of pants for me.

Let me give you some back round on my sewing capabilities. I am not in any way crafty! I rather buy it then make it. I didn't even know how to turn the machine or or sew a button on a shirt! So Frances was in for it. I recently purchased new bedding from West Elm and wanted some pillows that would go with it that would add some color.



I also made my an upholstered head board. The great thing about this is you can change out the fabric on it when you get sick of it. I bought some new fabric that now matches my new pillows. I will post pics of that when I finish that project.

Back to the pillows. I spent a total $35.00 on them. Joann's is WONDERFUL. I am very proud of myself for completing the pillows. Here are a few pics from the night.




My first hem!