Just Protein

OK, I knew it would happen at some point, I just wasn't quite ready for it before church this morning ... after all, statistically 84% of all little kids eat about 9 bugs in their lifetime ... of course 47.3% of all statistics are made up on the spot :) ... so Isaiah is getting pretty mobile now, military style, and he was down the hall sounding like he was having fun - nothing harmless down there so I continued to write my Thank You note until I heard the definite sound of jaws working. Eeek! I jumped up & the little booger had something dark on his face & in his mouth... fuzz, oh please let it be just fuzz! Some leaf bit was hanging on his upper lip & I did a quick swoop of his mouth ... and now stuck to my finger was some who-knows-what along with a LEG!! UGHH! My heart started racing, beads of sweat began breaking out on my forehead & my knees went weak - thankfully I was already sitting down. By the grace of God, it was not a roach leg - Thank You Jesus! However, it was something that should not be in my son's mouth ... it's unbelievable what can hide on dark brown wood floors. So you can guess what I'll be doing this afternoon ... & it won't just be with a mop - the knee pads are coming out for a serious scrub down!
I know it's just protein but I'd prefer him to have the dairy variety for now!

Kicking high!

What a night! "I got Christ up in me, Christ up in me, Christ up in me maane..." This is how Reddy, our new rapper who says he is always "ready" to share Christ, kicked off our 1st weekly meeting which just finished an hour ago! It was phenomenal - to God be the Glory! Over 100 students packed the room & I most proud of all our student leaders really stepping out & meeting new people... I think every person that walked in felt welcomed & accepted and they definitely heard the gospel! And at the end of our meeting, you'd have thought we were giving out money at the back table so many students were clamoring to sign up for small groups - Praise the Lord!
The only downside to the night when I called Laura, my new friend & running partner, on the way home to hear "WHAAAA!" She was so sweet & wonderful to watch Isaiah for me but my normally mello fello had totally lost it. I guess I can't blame him too much though as I think there's only been one other time in his little life that I haven't been there to put him to sleep. Poor guy -I feel like such a bad mom.
So anyway, these first 2 weeks on campus have been Great & we're already seeing God at work ... in fact, just yesterday a guy named Jonathon prayed to receive Christ with Drake - Amen! That's all I've got for now ... I'm tired but full of joy!

Off & Running!!

It's actually here... Or actually, it was there! UAB has started school & our first week was more than we could have hoped for - To God be the Glory!! We spent this first week meeting students & letting them know about the ministry. The result? 800+ people interested in knowing more about having a personal relationship with the Lord &/or the ministry ... that's a lot of people to call back! Sprint will be loving us this month :) Thursday we had a Kickin' Off the Year Cook Out & had over 100 students come! Praise the Lord!
And this past Fri-Sat we had an overnight retreat with our student leaders ... 16 students excited & ready to reach UAB came. We are so encouraged & just overwhelmed by God's faithfulness. For those of you receiving our newsletter you recently read that God has sent us another new staff member to take us to a team of 5 ... well, make that 6!! Another wonderful guy is joining our team - so if any of you gals out there are considering full-time ministry, I would love your help & company!

Isaiah's new friend ... Nathan Mack Matteo!

Welcome to Planet Earth Nathan! We couldn't be more excited for Dan & Ashley as they finally got to meet their little boy, Nathan Mack Matteo today weighing in at 7lbs. 5oz and measuring 20" long. He is an absolutely beautiful wee man & looks to have his daddy's dark hair & skin with his momma's little mouth. We praise the Lord for a healthy boy & for Ashley doing so well.

Isaiah has been eagerly awaiting the arrival of his friend ... you've heard of arranged marriages, well this is an arranged friendship! :) And Ashley & I have already made plans to get them out on the lake next summer!

Who's yo' Daddy? ... You need to check mine out!

After all the endless hours of cheering me on throughout a life of sports, the least I can do is give a great big shout out to my dad ... who at 60 years old is still a stud! If you've met him before you'll know he is one of a kind :) but did you know he is a 2-time world champion in the high jump?? He still competes in Masters meets all over the country & even in Europe. Last weekend he got to compete at his old stomping ground, Florida State University (where he set the school record at 6'8"). He had a great article written about him in the Tallahassee newspaper which you can read via this link:
http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200807310200/SPORTS/807310325

Way to go Dad! I'm proud of you ... and little Isaiah says, "bababa" :)

PS this title "Who's yo' Daddy?": funny or poor taste? Let me know honestly so I can edit it before too many people read it!

Calling all Bloggers ...

Real quick ... just thought I'd try to beef up our blogger list as I'm slowly (Ashley, don't laugh) starting to enjoy the blogging world. So, if you're reading this & you're a blogger - send me your blog site so I can see what's going on in your life as well as post your blogspot to our page. Thanks!

Preparing for Rain

If you haven't seen "Facing the Giants", it's a must see! Not a blockbuster or Hollywood flick but it'll do more than touch your heart & it's full of Truth. In the movie, there's a little parable about "preparing for rain" and that if we're truly asking & trusting God, we ought to get ready for Him to answer. The Lord is trying to drive this home for me.

Many of you know Drake's grandfather, Jimmy, was moved to hospice this past weekend & Monday was taken off of all support. So Monday night we headed to Columbia, SC with heavy hearts as we beseeched the Lord to soften Jimmy's heart to the gospel. In the past, each time we've shared the Truth with Jimmy or tried to pray with him, we have been met with cynicism & indifference.

With multitudes of saints behind us in prayer, we asked the Lord to give us another opportunity. The hour before we left the hospital to come back home, he was very alert & responsive. And somehow the room emptied & it was just Drake, me, Isaiah & Jimmy. Through a bit of blundering, we told him we loved him & that above all else, we desired his peace with God. I've never seen Jimmy so kind & at peace. He confessed his faith in Christ Jesus and said he was 100% sure he would be in heaven.

To God Alone be the Glory!!