December 23????

Wow!  Again, I can NOT believe how quickly the time has flown by.  Christmas will be here in just 2 days.  2 days!!! 2 days!!!!  Christmas is something I look forward to every year and then it seems it gets here so fast that I barely get to enjoy it.  Maybe I could celebrate year round!

I think Briggs is getting excited about what Santa will bring.  He has only asked for two things - a Clemson football helmet and a MAC truck (from the movie CARS).  Made things easy for Santa this year.  :)  I can't wait to see his face on Christmas morning.  We have also explained to him that Christmas is Jesus' birthday.  The other day out of the blue he said that he wanted to go to Walmart and buy toys for little boys and girls who never get any toys.  If we could all only be like that!  We told him that would make Jesus happy.

We are also planning a trip to Kentucky next week.  Looking for housing online has just not been working since we do not know the area well.  We will leave on Sunday and spend Monday and some of Tuesday looking for housing as well as jobs.  Please be praying for us.  I can't believe that the time to leave SC is almost here.  We plan to move the week of January 5 (probably that weekend).  It's exciting, but sad at the same time.  It's neat to think about a new adventure, but hard to know we will be leaving "our life" 7 hours behind.  I know that God will place people in our lives in Louisville, but there are just some people that can never be replaced (like our family and our closest friends - J & R; T & A just to name a few).  There are so many of you who have touched our hearts and lives and we are truly grateful.  It's hard for me to not sit here and burst into tears as I think about all of you who have prayed for us, encouraged us, given to us, and just been a listening ear to us - and to know that you won't be with me anymore.

On to a happier note - Christmas time and the birth of our SAVIOR!  I was reminded the other day that we often only talk about Jesus' birth at Christmas, but it doesn't stop there.  He grew into manhood and died on a cross to save us from our own ignorance and the sins that we commit daily.  How awesome that he not only was born and died, but that He rose again!!!  Blessed be the name of the Lord who is worthy to be praised and adored!  May you be blessed this Christmas knowing that we can have assurance in this crazy world through Jesus Christ, Messiah and King.

Merry, Merry CHRISTmas!

 

Our Christmas Card

It's Time for Christmas Already?

Wow!! I CAN NOT even believe that Christmas time is here. Where has the time gone? It seems as if only yesterday we were celebrating July 4th. Christmas is my favorite time of the year. There's nothing better than time with family and friends as we celebrate the birth of our wonderful Savior.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Briggs had a mild case of the stomach bug that's going around, which Aaron and I both got by Sunday. Yucky! But other than that, we had a good day.

We have our tree up - we put it up early to do Christmas photos for our little photog business (www.inthemomentpics.blogspot.com). This year we have an artificial tree. This is only the 2nd time I can ever remember having one. I am pretty distraught about that! For me, there's nothing like a real tree that we go and cut down the day after Thanksgiving. Anyway, it's still Christmas! And it seems that it will be our last Christmas as residents of Easley, SC for awhile. Aaron has registered for on-campus classes at Southern that will begin around the 2nd week in January. We will be heading out sometime during the first week of January to our new home in Louisville, which we still have not found!!! Please be praying that God would open doors for us (literally!) to the perfect home. My desire is to find a rental house/duplex so that we can have a small yard for Briggs to play in. I have been praying for God's will because I want to have good neighbors, possibly with small children that Briggs can play with. I know He will take care of it all, but as a woman and mother, I am a worrier. I try not to, but it just comes so natural to me. :)

On another note, I am beginning to NOT want to move. Crazy, I know, because just two months ago I was so ready I couldn't see straight. We have settled in to this house, and I am enjoying being an assistant at MMO. I am also enjoying getting to go to worship for the first time in a long time. And now the thought of having to pack up and leave again is starting to hit me hard. Please pray for us as we transition to Kentucky.

As I've said many times before, we thank each of you for your support and prayers through this journey that we are on. I wish everyone a very blessed Christmas season. May we all take time to put aside the material things and the craziness that the world promotes and focus on the most wonderful gift we could have ever received - eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, as Savior and Lord.

Happy Thanksgiving

I received this email a couple of weeks ago. Thought it was appropriate to share on Thanksgiving.

I AM THANKFUL:
FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE .


FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.


FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM EMPLOYED .


FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.



FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE


FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS
WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH. ..


FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION .

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.


FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.


FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN
CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.


FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND I AM THANKFUL:
FOR THE crazy people I work with
BECAUSE they make work interesting and fun!

AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL

BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.

Thanksgiving

WOW! I CAN NOT believe that Thanksgiving is next week. Boy, time sure does fly by. I remember people telling me when I was in high school that once I graduated time would seem to never stop-how true.

Briggs has been learning about Thanksgiving at school (MMO) and yesterday Aaron said something to him about Thanksgiving and he said, "I'm thankful for you and mommy, my sissy (eaden), my Caden, my papa, and my gigi." Talk about melting the heart! I asked his teacher about it today and she said he said all of that in class all by himself! :) :) :)

A few (very few) of the things I'm thankful for:
1. A wonderful husband
2. a sweet little 3 year old son
3. family
4. friends
5. a great church
6. a job
7. food to eat
8. a place to live
9. a car to drive
10. a loving heavenly father who loves me despite it all!!

Don't forget to give thanks during this time of year - most of us don't; however, don't forget to give thanks all year round. There are places in our world where they don't have running water for toilets - something we all probably take for granted everyday. Don't just give thanks for the "big" things, but remember the small things as well.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

Now go eat some turkey!

That Ain't My Truck

That's a title to an old country song I used to like! It keeps running through my head as I am trying to go to sleep tonight! I am reminded that "that ain't my [car]" sitting at 108 Kelly Lane anymore. People keep telling me that it looks funny when they go by and see someone else's car there. Tell me about. Although it is a HUGE blessing and answer to prayer, I can't help but be somewhat sad at the same time. We lived there for nearly 7 years - almost our whole marriage up to this point, so there are lots of memories there. Like when Aaron painted the living room while I was in Brazil and surprised me when I got home. Or bringing Briggs home there for the first time and thinking about all the blood, sweat, and tears that went into his room (literally - Aaron painted and built the window seat/cabinet that was in there). And then I am reminded that it is just a location - a place built with wood and plaster and whatever else goes into building a house. It is only temporary. I wonder if Jesus is in heaven painting my room to surprise me when I get there? Probably not, but then again, I wouldn't put it past Him because He is so awesome! At any rate, I know that my home in heaven is eternal. And no, "that ain't my truck" parked at 108 Kelly Lane anymore, but maybe I have one parked outside my mansion waiting on me in eternity!

Hmmmm ....

Well, where do I begin? I guess I should note that I am back up online! It really is hard to go without internet in today's society b/c we all communicate via email, facebook, etc so much.

Election day - It looks as if McCain is not going to win. I could be wrong, but at this hour (11:00 pm), the prediction is that Obama will be our new president. I must be reminded that God is in control. Although I prayed and prayed that McCain would be in the White House, my plans are not God's plans and He knows best. I do pray, however, that He will continue to have His hand upon a nation that has turned our backs to Him. It's official - just announced on NBC that Obama is the 44th president of the US. Wow. I can't believe it - although I really saw it coming. I'm very disappointed that our country can't see past the facade that he puts on. Anyway, enough of politics! I'm sure we are all TIRED of it. :)

So I started cleaning out some more boxes today. I must continually get rid of stuff that I've kept over the course of my life - especially if I am going to move in to a 800 sq. ft apartment! Tonight I worked on the New Kids On The Block stuff. My parents must have spent thousands of dollars on that junk. Posters, buttons, towels, pillowcases, sleeping bags, magazines, books, dolls, videos, cds - I could go on and on. As I was cleaning and remembering and seeing the obsession that I had with them, it made me stop and ask myself the question, "What if I had that kind of obsession with the Lord Jesus Christ?" I certainly don't think there's anything wrong with a childhood fantasy or love for a favorite group, but I seriously think I was overboard. I wonder how my life would have played out differently if I had focused all that time and energy on Jesus rather than on NKOTB? I guess it just made me realize that I tend to focus on so many other things around me that I tend to forget about Jesus until I really need Him. Am I the only one? I must say, however, that I have become closer to Him in the last 6 months to year than I think I have ever been. But I must not become lazy, stagnant, oblivious to the fact that I NEED Jesus daily, minute by minute, second by second. Don't we all?

PRAISE! PRAISE! PRAISE1

Bless the LORD [Yahweh], O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Psalm 103:1

I am so overcome with gratitude and praise for our LORD that I cannot even express it in words. Bless His holy name. He is so great!

We closed on our house at Kelly Lane on Friday morning and headed straight to the bank with our check! We wanted to make sure nothing happened to it. The IMB (International Mission Board) requires that a person be debt free before going on the field so we have some bills to pay!!

The deacon body of Georges Creek Baptist Church graciously allowed us to move into their parsonage/mission house last Thursday, and we will be living here until after Christmas. What a blessing it is to have people in our community who are willing to help those around them. Thank you so much, Georges Creek!

We must also say thanks to Dean Parker and to our family that helped us move IN ONE DAY!! Boy, was that a lot of work. ☺

We are excited about what God is going to do in our lives, and we certainly appreciate all of your prayers, thoughts and encouraging words during these past few months. We KNOW that God HEARS and ANSWERS the prayers of HIS people.

An interesting thing that we found out at our closing was that the girl who bought our house is a worship leader (don’t know where) and that her realtor is also a Christian. Tell me God doesn’t know what He’s doing! It is so refreshing to know that there are other Christians in a world where we seem so far and few between. I did, however, leave a tract and a card with info on it regarding our contemporary service, Protos, at BCBC. I thought it couldn’t hurt!

I can’t also go without giving a “shout out” (Yes, I’m going old school by saying that) to our awesome realtor, Missy Rick. If you ever want/need to sell your house, she is the one to call! She is a great Christian lady who will get the job done. ☺

We do not have internet service at the moment so my posts will be few, but I will certainly write more as soon as we are online again.

Again, thanks to all of you. But mostly, I thank my AWESOME LORD and SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST for without HIM none of this would be possible. PRAISE HIS NAME FOREVER.

PRAISE THE LORD

Praise the Lord!!! The "crazy lady" as we have affectionately begun to call her (!) signed the needed papers today!!! God is so good! We now have a closing date - scheduled for next Friday, Oct. 24 at 10:00 am, pending no more unseen "stuff" that should arise. As of right now, everything looks like a go - which leads us to the next problem: Where to live! While we have graciously been offered a place to stay with family members, we are not sure that we would make it for 2 months. I just hate to bust in on someone else's home and routine (even if it is my dad). We had wanted to stay at the BCBC mission house, but it is currently occupied. We are looking for a rental home for about 2 months. I'm sure the Lord will provide that as well.
I am so thankful to Him for what He is doing. My heart is overjoyed with gratitude to Him - may He (and only He) receive all the praise and glory through this journey!

Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers!

Will it EVER end?

So the lady that Aaron and I originally bought our house from isn't wanting to sign off on the paper work that we need her to. Imagine that!! The deal was kind of crazy to begin with, and she tried to back out of the deal after we had already signed a contract. Well, since the paper work & deed didn't get recorded correctly, we need her signature to get the deed corrected. She received the paper work last Thursday and still has not sent it back in. She keeps making excuses. It's so frustrating. It states on our original contract that we own both "14 and 15A" so she has no reason not to sign - other than just being difficult. Please pray that by Friday this will be resolved.

We have a tentative closing date of October 24, pending the paper work that needs to be signed by Rhonda.

We still have to figure out when and where to move. The apartment that we wanted was available, the landlord talked with us and pretty much told us she was going to hold it for us, and then we found out that she leased on the same day that she talked with us about it!!!

Frustrating doesn't even begin to describe how I am feeling!!

Please say a prayer for us that we will know God's exact timing and will.

?????

I am wondering how in the world house inspections can be so different! The first time our house "sold," the inspector basically told us nothing was wrong. This time a different inspector came out and he listed several things -not big things, but still it makes me wonder how two people in the same line of work could see things so differently!

Anyway, we have a few minor things to take care of repairing for the buyers.

We also have this ISSUE with our corner piece of property. It somehow never got recorded correctly when we bought the house and so the land shows the name of the lady we bought the property from. We are in the process of getting this corrected, but the sale is dependent on us getting that corrected.
The appraiser came out yesterday, and our realtor told us that homes have been appraising for lower than their worth because of this crazy economy that we are in right now.

So I guess this post goes to ask for your continued prayers:
1. That the loan for the buyer goes through
2. That the appraisal is at least what our contract amount is
3. The property issue gets settled quickly
4. That the inspection repairs don't cost us an arm & a leg!
5. That the apartment that we want is still available (we have talked with the landlord, but I know there are others on the waiting list wanting the same apartment).
6. Mostly, I want God to be glorified and lifted up through this process. I want people to see how awesome our God is.

I know God knows what is best, and I want to be right in the center of His will. I don't want to be ahead or behind.

Who's in Charge?

Boy, there’s nothing like God reminding you that He’s in charge!! We have experienced an AWESOME revival this week at BCBC, and I’m so THANKFUL to still be in SC to attend. Maybe that’s the reason that God stopped our first deal from going through. He has really spoken to me this week. Anyway, I really think the reason that He wanted us to still be here in SC was to show me that He’s still in charge. I was so ready for the move that I think I was relying on myself rather than on God. He had to remind me that this journey is not about me, and has nothing to do with me – it’s all about Him and my reliance on Him to see me through. If we would not be so stubborn and stupid (sorry, that’s a bad word in our house!) as humans to think we have all the answers and that we are in control, life would be so much simpler and easier!!!! So, I guess I’ve discovered 2 more reasons why God still has us in SC. I wonder if there will be more????

Here we go ...

AGAIN!! We have signed another contract on our house. We are supposed to close on or before October 31. I’m not holding my breath! I am very nervous about having to go through this again, especially in such a short amount of time. Our home inspection is Saturday at 10:00. Please be in prayer for this. We are assuming that since we already had one home inspection go well that this one will too, but you never can be too sure! Have you heard the saying about what happens when you assume?
Anyway, it is exciting, but I think I had gotten used to the fact that we might be here awhile and so now I am wondering if I am really ready for this move!!! I know that God knows what He’s doing, even when I don’t so I have to trust Him fully, completely. Have you ever tried that? It’s not the easiest thing to do. If you don’t believe me, try it sometime!
He has been so good to us. I can’t even imagine why in the world He has been, especially when I don’t always give Him His due praise and thanks. It’s so amazing that we serve a God who loves us no matter what. I was thinking the other day about how frustrated He must get with us. You know how when you ask your kids to do something and they ask “why” or give you a reason they can’t or they simply get mad, whatever it is, they don’t immediately do what you’ve asked. You know how that makes you feel, right? Think about that from God’s perspective! He daily asks us to surrender to Him completely, and we come up with excuses. It makes me stop and think. What about you?
Anyway, that’s not really what I was going to say – maybe God just took over!!
We continue to ask for your prayers through this time in our lives, and we greatly appreciate all your prayers, thoughts, cards, and well wishes. We have great family and friends, and a wonderful church. We love you all.

FRUSTRATED!

Frustrated, disappointed, sad ... just a few of the emotions I felt as I came home today and saw the "sold" sign at my neighbors.  I knew the time would come, but I guess it is bittersweet knowing that our house was "sold" only to have the deal fall through.  Of course I guess it does help our neighborhood look better - now there are only 4 houses for sell on a street of 17!  It's funny that there are so many houses for sell on Kelly Lane.  Haven't been any for sell I think since we've moved here - or maybe just one or two, and now there are 5!  It's crazy.  Maybe God wants us to meet the new couple who will be moving in next door.  I don't know.  Only He does!

I guess I feel a little lost right now - like I am trying to get home but can't.  Maybe a little like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.  Oh well, I guess I can't complain too much.  We are having some GORGEOUS weather here and I am enjoying being outside!

And congratulations to my friend Becki who is on her way to California with her husband Travis for the birth of Tanner, whom they are adopting.

Thankful, Waiting, and all the rest!

I am thankful to say that God has opened a door for me to work at BCBC MMO & Preschool as a teacher assistant for Alison Crawford.  I am so excited about it!  Briggs will be going to MMO again too, so I am also excited that he will be back in a routine.

Waiting, waiting, waiting .... in the mean time, we are waiting for our house to sell.  I have faith that God will sell it in His time, but to hear the media, I don't think it's going anywhere soon!  We were so excited about our move to Louisville, and now here we are again with it seeming so far off in the future.  It really feels like we never had plans to move there at all.

Oh well - get off of this pity party!!  I must remind myself that: 1. My focus should be on God, and God alone! 2. There are people worse off than me, who are facing much more unbearable circumstances, 3. God has blessed me beyond measure, with much more than I could ever ask for!

Wow!

It is so GREAT to go to church!  Having worked at BCBC for several years, Aaron and I worked in Kid's Church on Sundays or nursery or something, so we had very little opportunity to go out into the service for worship.  Now that I am not working at the church anymore, we are experiencing worship like it's the first time ever!  I had forgotten how wonderful it is!!!  Please don't ever take for granted that as Americans we can go to church and worship freely.  God has definitely given me a new understanding for going to church.  Just in the last two weeks I have felt so alive by worshiping Him!  I pray that we will not become complacent and just go to church b/c "it is the thing to do," but rather b/c we have a passion for Christ and a passion to reach others for Him.

Many Thanks!

Just wanted to say a word of thanks to all of you for your words of encouragement, cards, calls, gifts, and mostly your prayers.  Aaron, Briggs, and I are so grateful and privileged to have each of you in our lives!  God Bless. :)

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Next ...

So after going forward and surprising EVERYONE with the news that we felt called to missions, we contacted the International Mission Board.  

We put our house on the market in February and Aaron graduated from North Greenville University in May.  Our original plans were to move in July so that we would be in Louisville for the start of the fall semester.  When our house had not sold, we decided that Aaron would take online classes for the fall semester and then we would hopefully move for the spring semester.

Then out of the blue, we got on offer on our house.  We accepted, and made plans to move to Louisville.  We were in Louisville the week of Labor day looking for housing and jobs.

We were just sure that this was what God wanted.  Then on our way home from Louisville, we got the terrible call from our realtor that the deal had fallen through.  That was only a week away from our closing date.  We thought everything was okay, and we were very surprised.

Yes, we had already packed half our stuff.  It is still sitting in the spare room waiting on our move!

We changed realtors to see if a fresh approach might work.  So, we are back to square one.  And you know, it really makes sense when we look at it now. 

I had two deaths last week on my mom's side of the family, one being my grandfather on the day we were supposed to move.  Hurricane Ike also turned and the remnants slammed Louisville and left over 200,000 people without power.  So if for no other reasons than these, God did not want us in Louisville last week!

At first, we were angry, then hurt, then shocked.  Then we experienced a sense of God's peace like never before.  He is an awesome God, and He will sell this house when He wants to.  Yes, we still get angry, and we are still hurt, and we still say, "we should have done this," and "we should have done that," but ultimately we know that God will provide a way for us to move in His perfect timing.

So for now, we are in the process of looking for jobs.  Aaron works part time so he needs to find something full time.  I had already quit my job at the church to prepare for the move so I am looking for something too.  We know that God will provide for us during this time. He has already done so through a gift from someone special.  Thank you - you know who you are!

And we wait ... we wait for the Lord to move in His time.  We wait to see the wonderful things He is going to do.  And while we wait, we enjoy some MUCH needed time in church, with family, and with friends!

It all started when ...

It all started when....

Several years ago, Brushy Creek had a tent revival out at the fair grounds.  That night at the service, the preacher (i don't even remember who it was, but I think it was Johnny Hunt) said something about missionaries and someone being called, blah, blah, blah.  I felt a sudden tug at my heart, really felt like I was supposed to go forward and commit to being a missionary, but I ignored the feeling and went on my way.  After all, I was newly married, and what in the world would Aaron think about that?  He wasn't even there that night b/c he had to work.

I guess I should actually say it all started when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior.

Anyway, back to the rest of the story!  Fast forward many years to the day that Aaron told me he felt called to the ministry.  Many people started referring to "us" as being called to ministry, and I quickly told them, "Aaron is called to ministry.  I'm not."

Fast forward again to September 2004 when I felt called to go on a mission trip with BCBC to Brazil.  That was an awesome experience.  One of the ladies there, sweet Mary Smith, who was once a missionary herself, kept saying she felt someone there was called to be a missionary.  She thought it was Candace.  She was wrong.  I knew in my heart that it was me all along, but I never said anything for fear that I might have to accept the calling!

Aaron was pursuing his degree in Media Ministry from North Greenville University in the mean time.  I was working at the church in the children's ministry with Tammy Lee.  I found out I was pregnant, decided to work part time, and Aaron continued schooling and working.  

I became involved with the Beth Moore Bible Studies (awesome stuff!) that our church offers and it was during one of those studies - Believing God - that I FINALLY agreed that God was definitely calling me to missions and I FINALLY SURRENDERED to Him.  That Bible study just so "happened" to coincide with Aaron being on a mission trip to California with North Greenville.  I was wondering how in the world I was going to tell him that God was calling me to missions.  I think God was working on him that week while he was away in California.  I did what I do best - write.  I wrote Aaron this long note that explained everything to him.  He agreed that he felt called to missions to.

We still didn't do anything about it.  We told a few people that we "thought" we might go into missions one day, but that was as far as it got.

In September 2007, my dad had the opportunity to go to Brazil on a mission trip.  At the service at BCBC where the team was telling about their experience, I felt God tugging and tugging at my heart.  Preacher Jim said something (that I had heard him say once before) about hoping God would call a young person or a couple from our church to missions.  During the invitation, I practically ran down to the front to tell Jim that I knew that he was talking about me and Aaron.  No one had any idea that I was going down front that night - I didn't even know.  But sometimes we reach a point where we can't tell God "no" any longer.  And for me that night was it.