Nick and I have attended the 1st of a 2 part session at our church by Bruce Wilkinson (author of Prayer of Jabez). He is teaching on his new book, that isn't even out yet called You were born for this!
It is all about living a life of predictable miracles. The first night was INCREDIBLE and I'm so looking forward to tonight! Bruce (we are on a first name basis, fyi) said what he was presenting and what his book is about is a life change in your way of thinking. I couldn't agree more.... I'm still processing and I can't wait till tonight!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
big news....
Well, the secret is out, the cat's out of the bag and it's time the whole blog world knows...
Nick and I are adopting a baby from South Korea!
I hinted at a second blog in my last post. My new blog will be about our adoption journey.
To follow our story go to www.bringinghomebabybrown.blogspot.com
and journey with us...
Nick and I are adopting a baby from South Korea!
I hinted at a second blog in my last post. My new blog will be about our adoption journey.
To follow our story go to www.bringinghomebabybrown.blogspot.com
and journey with us...
Friday, July 17, 2009
Call Willard Scott ...
..this is my 100th post. I should be on a Smucker's label!
To celebrate my 100th post, let me tell you 10 (cause I can't think of 100 things) about my blog world.
1. I'm a stalker. I stalk all sorts of folks blogs. Most I'll never ever meet, but I'm sure if we did- we'd be best friends. I don't want to list the blogs I stalk, that would be embarrassing.
2. If I don't regularly update my blog, my MawMaw will send me a friend reminder that it's time to update my blog.
3. In all seriousness, I think I have maybe 10 readers, but that's ok- I love you ten!
4. Nick reads my blog to keep up with my world. It's sad, I know.
5. I don't normally have things to blog about, so I just ramble- this post in point.
6. I can't do a regularly scheduled post, Friday tid-bits, meal plan mondays, wordless wednesdays. I just can't, sorry.
7. I blog and write like I talk. I've had someone tell me when they read my blog they can hear me talking. I take that as a compliment. I am who I am, cyber world or not.
8. My blog stylist, Ashley, is simply A-MAZING. You'll see why soon.
9. I take lots of pictures, but never post them. In my next 100 posts, I'll do better. Pinky promise.
10. As if one blog isn't enough, I'll be starting a new blog soon, so stay tuned!
Here is to 100 more posts with my 10 friends!
To celebrate my 100th post, let me tell you 10 (cause I can't think of 100 things) about my blog world.
1. I'm a stalker. I stalk all sorts of folks blogs. Most I'll never ever meet, but I'm sure if we did- we'd be best friends. I don't want to list the blogs I stalk, that would be embarrassing.
2. If I don't regularly update my blog, my MawMaw will send me a friend reminder that it's time to update my blog.
3. In all seriousness, I think I have maybe 10 readers, but that's ok- I love you ten!
4. Nick reads my blog to keep up with my world. It's sad, I know.
5. I don't normally have things to blog about, so I just ramble- this post in point.
6. I can't do a regularly scheduled post, Friday tid-bits, meal plan mondays, wordless wednesdays. I just can't, sorry.
7. I blog and write like I talk. I've had someone tell me when they read my blog they can hear me talking. I take that as a compliment. I am who I am, cyber world or not.
8. My blog stylist, Ashley, is simply A-MAZING. You'll see why soon.
9. I take lots of pictures, but never post them. In my next 100 posts, I'll do better. Pinky promise.
10. As if one blog isn't enough, I'll be starting a new blog soon, so stay tuned!
Here is to 100 more posts with my 10 friends!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Mom the missionary day 2
Dear all-
It is Sunday evening and we have had an incredibly full day. It started early.... We had breakfast at 7:00 and left for the Cathedral of Leon for mass. It was way cool. The cathedral was wide open and you could hear the sounds from the street mingling with the sounds of worship. It was odd, too, that there was so much going on during the worship. People just wandered in off the street; a man walked in with his bicycle and young daughter; another man (looked to be homeless?) walked down the center aisle muttering to himself and headed right out the door; a janitor mopped the marble floor during the service. It was quite unusual. But with all that going on, there was a tremendous sense of reverence and worship. The people there were intent on their God and the distractions didn't seem to phase them.... I bet God likes that. =-)
After the Catholic service we boarded the bus and went straight to the small Methodist church in the barrio right near El Ayudante. The pastor there was so glad to see us and said he remembered Robbie and me. He welcomed us all with great hospitality. The worship service was so sweet. There were several young people helping lead worship this time. Last year, it was just the pastor and one young lady singing. This year, there were about five to six young teenage girls who sang, read scripture, danced, etc. That shows the growth of the church. I'm glad the church is thriving. We went with the children when they left for children's Sunday School. The teachers (again, teenage girls) told the story of Daniel in the lion's den. We served juice and cookies to about 120 kids. It was amazing!
These two groups of people truly worshipped this morning. They had no hymnals or projected song lyrics. They sang from their hearts and souls. They worship with their whole being. There are lessons to be learned here. Also, I was again struck by how big our God is... all around our world this morning people joined together in worship. The pastor of the Methodist church even spoke to that. He said that no matter where we come from, where we live, etc. we are bound in unity through our faith in God. I like that thought. There is great comfort there.
This afternoon we took several kids from the center to see the movie, Ice Age 3. It was fun, though the movie was in Spanish with no English subtitles. You'd be surprised how much you can figure out from just watching an animated movie! After the movie, we all had dinner together because many will be leaving tomorrow and going to their homes or extended family. School is out here next week and the Ministry of Family likes them to maintain the family connection. They will be gone until Saturday. Bill said that they will be sent home with a week's worth of groceries to ensure that they are fed while they are away. Some, however, don't have homes to go to so they will remain here.
I told you this morning that I would let you know about Dina. I saw her last night when we went over to the kids' house. I called her name and she turned around and grinned. I know she didn't remember me, but she came to me and hugged me. She took me by the hand and wanted me to lay on the floor with her and watch Cinderella. It was sweet. We then went outside and played a while. She has really grown and seems to be doing well. We saw her again this afternoon for dinner. We ate dinner together and enjoyed playing.
Some random thoughts.... On our way to El Ayudante we passed over a stream and there were three young men bathing in the water. Also, with all our differences, we are all still so very much alike. There are mothers worried about feeding their children; there are families going to the movies; there are kids who are scared of the dark....
Tomorrow we will go into the barrio that nearly took us to our knees last year. Carey, Allen and I will do the lesson about Noah's Ark. We have lots of games to play with the kids and activities that go along with the story. We were to plan for 75 kids. We'll see. If it's like last year, they just begin to appear from nowhere! Then in the afternoon, we will take the teen girls shopping for things for their new home. It will be fun.
Please continue to pray that we are all open to God's direction and that the work we do here this week will be meaningful to the people we meet and to us, as well. (Not to mention worthy in God's eyes...)
Blessings to all-
D'Leigh
It is Sunday evening and we have had an incredibly full day. It started early.... We had breakfast at 7:00 and left for the Cathedral of Leon for mass. It was way cool. The cathedral was wide open and you could hear the sounds from the street mingling with the sounds of worship. It was odd, too, that there was so much going on during the worship. People just wandered in off the street; a man walked in with his bicycle and young daughter; another man (looked to be homeless?) walked down the center aisle muttering to himself and headed right out the door; a janitor mopped the marble floor during the service. It was quite unusual. But with all that going on, there was a tremendous sense of reverence and worship. The people there were intent on their God and the distractions didn't seem to phase them.... I bet God likes that. =-)
After the Catholic service we boarded the bus and went straight to the small Methodist church in the barrio right near El Ayudante. The pastor there was so glad to see us and said he remembered Robbie and me. He welcomed us all with great hospitality. The worship service was so sweet. There were several young people helping lead worship this time. Last year, it was just the pastor and one young lady singing. This year, there were about five to six young teenage girls who sang, read scripture, danced, etc. That shows the growth of the church. I'm glad the church is thriving. We went with the children when they left for children's Sunday School. The teachers (again, teenage girls) told the story of Daniel in the lion's den. We served juice and cookies to about 120 kids. It was amazing!
These two groups of people truly worshipped this morning. They had no hymnals or projected song lyrics. They sang from their hearts and souls. They worship with their whole being. There are lessons to be learned here. Also, I was again struck by how big our God is... all around our world this morning people joined together in worship. The pastor of the Methodist church even spoke to that. He said that no matter where we come from, where we live, etc. we are bound in unity through our faith in God. I like that thought. There is great comfort there.
This afternoon we took several kids from the center to see the movie, Ice Age 3. It was fun, though the movie was in Spanish with no English subtitles. You'd be surprised how much you can figure out from just watching an animated movie! After the movie, we all had dinner together because many will be leaving tomorrow and going to their homes or extended family. School is out here next week and the Ministry of Family likes them to maintain the family connection. They will be gone until Saturday. Bill said that they will be sent home with a week's worth of groceries to ensure that they are fed while they are away. Some, however, don't have homes to go to so they will remain here.
I told you this morning that I would let you know about Dina. I saw her last night when we went over to the kids' house. I called her name and she turned around and grinned. I know she didn't remember me, but she came to me and hugged me. She took me by the hand and wanted me to lay on the floor with her and watch Cinderella. It was sweet. We then went outside and played a while. She has really grown and seems to be doing well. We saw her again this afternoon for dinner. We ate dinner together and enjoyed playing.
Some random thoughts.... On our way to El Ayudante we passed over a stream and there were three young men bathing in the water. Also, with all our differences, we are all still so very much alike. There are mothers worried about feeding their children; there are families going to the movies; there are kids who are scared of the dark....
Tomorrow we will go into the barrio that nearly took us to our knees last year. Carey, Allen and I will do the lesson about Noah's Ark. We have lots of games to play with the kids and activities that go along with the story. We were to plan for 75 kids. We'll see. If it's like last year, they just begin to appear from nowhere! Then in the afternoon, we will take the teen girls shopping for things for their new home. It will be fun.
Please continue to pray that we are all open to God's direction and that the work we do here this week will be meaningful to the people we meet and to us, as well. (Not to mention worthy in God's eyes...)
Blessings to all-
D'Leigh
Mom the missionary day one
So my mom and little brother are back in Nicaragua on a mission trip. Mom sends daily updates and I thought I'd share them with my 5 blog readers... enjoy!
Greetings from El Ayudante!
Our trip was fine and we are settled in our home for the week. About our accommodations.... because of the numbers of teams here this week, and because Bill feels like we are family, we are staying in the home where interns usually stay. There aren't any interns this week, so that opened up the other building. The good news is that it is air conditioned and we have hot showers. The bad news is that these ammenities feel odd to me. Crazy, huh?
We were met at the airport by staff from El Ayudante, as usual. We saw someone we remembered from last year, hugged and greeted, and then he said, "I think you think I'm my brother." It was the twin of an interpreter from last year. Sure enough, about that time, up walks the guy we really knew, along with two other fellows we remembered from before. They all remembered Robbie and me, but they said William had grown and changed so much they wouldn't have known him.
The bus ride through Managua was a little surreal. Everything I saw was what I remembered, but it took me by surprise. How can something you know about surprise you? I remembered the sadness, the filth, the poverty and all, but at the same time, I took me back. Seemed a little crazy....
At our first stop, there was a young lady with two very young little girls with her. She stood by the door of the bus as we came out of the gas station with our drinks and snacks. She never said a word. Her little girls never said anything. They just stood there. I'm sure they were wanting food or money. We just got on the bus.... I thought I'd die.
Then during the ride in the city just about everytime you stop at a traffic light, people (most of the time children) come up to the window begging or trying to sell you something. You just have to tell them, "No." One little boy in particular broke my heart. He couldn't have been more than eight or so. He had a cleft palate. He kept saying, "Money." He even tugged on the sleeve of our shirts. It was heartbreaking. I guess that's what I'm trying to say. How could I be surprised by this? I knew it was all here. I knew it breaks my heart, but yet I was surprised at how easily I had gone home, slipped into my own comfortable world, and yet there were these people here all along, just like I left them last year.
I need to wake everyone up. We are going to go have breakfast at 7:00, go to mass at the cathedral in Leon, and then go to church at the little Methodist church we attended last year.
I will tell you about seeing Dina (the little girl I loved on last year) later today or tonight.
Thanks to all who helped me get here...
Love and blessings for a wonderful Sunday!
D'Leigh
Greetings from El Ayudante!
Our trip was fine and we are settled in our home for the week. About our accommodations.... because of the numbers of teams here this week, and because Bill feels like we are family, we are staying in the home where interns usually stay. There aren't any interns this week, so that opened up the other building. The good news is that it is air conditioned and we have hot showers. The bad news is that these ammenities feel odd to me. Crazy, huh?
We were met at the airport by staff from El Ayudante, as usual. We saw someone we remembered from last year, hugged and greeted, and then he said, "I think you think I'm my brother." It was the twin of an interpreter from last year. Sure enough, about that time, up walks the guy we really knew, along with two other fellows we remembered from before. They all remembered Robbie and me, but they said William had grown and changed so much they wouldn't have known him.
The bus ride through Managua was a little surreal. Everything I saw was what I remembered, but it took me by surprise. How can something you know about surprise you? I remembered the sadness, the filth, the poverty and all, but at the same time, I took me back. Seemed a little crazy....
At our first stop, there was a young lady with two very young little girls with her. She stood by the door of the bus as we came out of the gas station with our drinks and snacks. She never said a word. Her little girls never said anything. They just stood there. I'm sure they were wanting food or money. We just got on the bus.... I thought I'd die.
Then during the ride in the city just about everytime you stop at a traffic light, people (most of the time children) come up to the window begging or trying to sell you something. You just have to tell them, "No." One little boy in particular broke my heart. He couldn't have been more than eight or so. He had a cleft palate. He kept saying, "Money." He even tugged on the sleeve of our shirts. It was heartbreaking. I guess that's what I'm trying to say. How could I be surprised by this? I knew it was all here. I knew it breaks my heart, but yet I was surprised at how easily I had gone home, slipped into my own comfortable world, and yet there were these people here all along, just like I left them last year.
I need to wake everyone up. We are going to go have breakfast at 7:00, go to mass at the cathedral in Leon, and then go to church at the little Methodist church we attended last year.
I will tell you about seeing Dina (the little girl I loved on last year) later today or tonight.
Thanks to all who helped me get here...
Love and blessings for a wonderful Sunday!
D'Leigh
Friday, July 3, 2009
Dear Mary Leigh....
Today is my four year anniversary. It's been quite a fun and adventurous 4 years.
I've learned a lot about myself, marriage, and what it takes to make it work over the last 4 years. So today, I've decided to write myself a letter. Someone, please give this to me 4 years ago in the Bride's Room right before I walk down the aisle.
Dear Mary Leigh,
It's your wedding day. It's everything you've dreamed and planned for 18 months. It will be perfect and more than you could have asked for. You are starting on an adventure that will last a lifetime. You have worked so hard to plan this wedding, but let me give you some advice that will help in the planning of your marriage.
Your marriage will be a blast! And it will go by so quickly! Take time to enjoy life together, don't rush through it! In four years you will wonder where the time went.
You don't always have to be right. The sooner you let that go, the easier.
You've never loved cleaning and it will be worse when you have a big 'ole house to clean. But you'll have to clean and Nick will help, so value that.
It doesn't matter how much money you make, if you have a job you love it will make for a happier marriage than any amount of money.
Spend time together. Just the two of you and enjoy each other. You will have roommates, sooner than you think and longer than you think. Enjoy the time alone together.
I know you have this big plan of moving back towards "home" in a year, but you are going to fall in love with Murfreesboro. You'll find that Murfreesboro is your "home" and you won't want to leave. And guess what- some of your family moves to Murfreesboro, it's so great!
You won't believe the kind of church you will find and love. It's so not what you think, but I won't spoil that one for you!
You'll learn to love to cook. Yes, you read that right. You will COOK! And it will be good. Couple of tips though: don't put all the okra in the frying pan at once. And don't grab the handle of the skillet- it's still hot. Oh, and don't use your sweatshirt as an oven mit - it will catch on fire!
There is a perfect man at the end of that isle waiting for you. You are truly marrying your perfect mate today. There will be days when it won't seem that way, but trust me girl he will become your rock. You will build a love that is so strong. Not one of those butterflies in the stomach, huggy, kissy kinds of love, but a true deep, rock solid, best friends kinds of love. When you face challenges and struggles, you will face them together side by side. He won't walk in front of you to shield you from things, but he will be beside you as your best friend, strongest supporter, and loudest cheerleader.
It's an incredible journey, slow down and enjoy it!
You make a great wife!
- yourself in 4 years
I've learned a lot about myself, marriage, and what it takes to make it work over the last 4 years. So today, I've decided to write myself a letter. Someone, please give this to me 4 years ago in the Bride's Room right before I walk down the aisle.
Dear Mary Leigh,
It's your wedding day. It's everything you've dreamed and planned for 18 months. It will be perfect and more than you could have asked for. You are starting on an adventure that will last a lifetime. You have worked so hard to plan this wedding, but let me give you some advice that will help in the planning of your marriage.
Your marriage will be a blast! And it will go by so quickly! Take time to enjoy life together, don't rush through it! In four years you will wonder where the time went.
You don't always have to be right. The sooner you let that go, the easier.
You've never loved cleaning and it will be worse when you have a big 'ole house to clean. But you'll have to clean and Nick will help, so value that.
It doesn't matter how much money you make, if you have a job you love it will make for a happier marriage than any amount of money.
Spend time together. Just the two of you and enjoy each other. You will have roommates, sooner than you think and longer than you think. Enjoy the time alone together.
I know you have this big plan of moving back towards "home" in a year, but you are going to fall in love with Murfreesboro. You'll find that Murfreesboro is your "home" and you won't want to leave. And guess what- some of your family moves to Murfreesboro, it's so great!
You won't believe the kind of church you will find and love. It's so not what you think, but I won't spoil that one for you!
You'll learn to love to cook. Yes, you read that right. You will COOK! And it will be good. Couple of tips though: don't put all the okra in the frying pan at once. And don't grab the handle of the skillet- it's still hot. Oh, and don't use your sweatshirt as an oven mit - it will catch on fire!
There is a perfect man at the end of that isle waiting for you. You are truly marrying your perfect mate today. There will be days when it won't seem that way, but trust me girl he will become your rock. You will build a love that is so strong. Not one of those butterflies in the stomach, huggy, kissy kinds of love, but a true deep, rock solid, best friends kinds of love. When you face challenges and struggles, you will face them together side by side. He won't walk in front of you to shield you from things, but he will be beside you as your best friend, strongest supporter, and loudest cheerleader.
It's an incredible journey, slow down and enjoy it!
You make a great wife!
- yourself in 4 years
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Ketchup Post #3- Jon and Kate Plus 8
So I'm so sad about their divorce, but I blame myself. I mean I was totally invading their lives like it was any of my business. So, sorry Jon and Kate.Sorry I, and thousands others, have pushed your marriage to the breaking point.
However, I would like to say if I hear "what's best for my kids" one more time I might loose it! When you are married, you should be doing what's best for your spouse. When Nick and I have a family, he will always be #1 in my life. If Jon and Kate had kept each other as #1 I don't think they'd be in this position. *steps off soap box now*
My heart goes out to them and I'm sorry their marriage is falling apart. Jon seems to have already checked out. I'm not watching anymore, I won't give them my support. My support is what have gotten them in this mess.
On a side note, last night my MiMi asked me at dinner what I thought about Jon and Kate. I couldn't stop laughing, my grandmother watches Jon and Kate!
However, I would like to say if I hear "what's best for my kids" one more time I might loose it! When you are married, you should be doing what's best for your spouse. When Nick and I have a family, he will always be #1 in my life. If Jon and Kate had kept each other as #1 I don't think they'd be in this position. *steps off soap box now*
My heart goes out to them and I'm sorry their marriage is falling apart. Jon seems to have already checked out. I'm not watching anymore, I won't give them my support. My support is what have gotten them in this mess.
On a side note, last night my MiMi asked me at dinner what I thought about Jon and Kate. I couldn't stop laughing, my grandmother watches Jon and Kate!
ketchup post #2- Real World: The 'Boro
So, if I actually liked MTV I would call them and ask them if they wanted to film a Real World Season at my house right now. We'd call it The Real World: The 'boro.
It's not 7 complete strangers picked to live together.... but it's 5 family members, which is better entertainment anyway!
Nick and I have had my older brother living with us for a year now, since he transferred to TDOT in Murfreesboro. And as of Sunday, my sister and her husband of 2 weeks live with us to.
Robert is currently house hunting and once Anna gets a job, she and Chase will house hunt, but until then, we are one big happy family!
5 adults and three dogs (who don't get along all the time)will make for some great stories, stay tuned for next week's episode!
It's not 7 complete strangers picked to live together.... but it's 5 family members, which is better entertainment anyway!
Nick and I have had my older brother living with us for a year now, since he transferred to TDOT in Murfreesboro. And as of Sunday, my sister and her husband of 2 weeks live with us to.
Robert is currently house hunting and once Anna gets a job, she and Chase will house hunt, but until then, we are one big happy family!
5 adults and three dogs (who don't get along all the time)will make for some great stories, stay tuned for next week's episode!
Ketchup Post #1 - Watch your self Coupon Mom
I got on the coupon bandwagon some time ago. I kinda let up some when my life got so crazy but I have gotten back on the band wagon and I mean business this time. I need to save money where I can since we now have a house of 5 adults (more on that later).
So, look out Coupon Mom- this girl means business!!
Last week I saw Lipton Tea bags were on sale at Publix buy one get one free- which at Publix means each one is half price. I had two 50 cent coupons off a Lipton purchase. So here is the break down-
Tea Bags originally $2.46/box on sale for $1.23/box. I used 50 cent coupon on each box, which Publix double to $1.00. So, I got a box of tea bags for $.23!!!! Two boxes for $.46!
Hello, that is major savings people!
Consider me back on the bandwagon!
So, look out Coupon Mom- this girl means business!!
Last week I saw Lipton Tea bags were on sale at Publix buy one get one free- which at Publix means each one is half price. I had two 50 cent coupons off a Lipton purchase. So here is the break down-
Tea Bags originally $2.46/box on sale for $1.23/box. I used 50 cent coupon on each box, which Publix double to $1.00. So, I got a box of tea bags for $.23!!!! Two boxes for $.46!
Hello, that is major savings people!
Consider me back on the bandwagon!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
please pass the ketchup
*post title "borrowed from emily @ Red Bay Days - thanks Em!*
Ok, so I'm crazily behind on my blogging. I mean I haven't posted about ANY of Anna Marie's wedding showers and she is MARRIED! I mean seriously, I'm a slacker!
I have lots to blog about so as I have time I'll try some "Ketchup" Posts as well as blogging about our current life.
Ok, so I'm crazily behind on my blogging. I mean I haven't posted about ANY of Anna Marie's wedding showers and she is MARRIED! I mean seriously, I'm a slacker!
I have lots to blog about so as I have time I'll try some "Ketchup" Posts as well as blogging about our current life.
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