Verse for April

"Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of Your presence, O LORD."

Psalm 89:15

Can't believe I totally missed the month of MARCH

Soooooooo. I totally missed blogging in March. Could it be because we finally moved into our New Church Home... see photos here: http://geoffsurratt.typepad.com/inner_revolution/2008/03/summerville-is.html It has been an amazing gift that God has blessed us with! Every day I come to work and walk into our new place and I am in awe of how beautiful it is and at how SO MANY hearts and hands joined together to make it all happen!! We had our seventh Sunday here yesterday and had over 1300 people in attendance and 311 of that were children!!! It's so hard to believe!! We are growing so quickly that we are adding our THIRD service starting on May the 25th at 5:30. Please continue to pray for the hearts that are going to be changed here in Summerville and especially for the young families who are coming by the masses to see what the buzz in Children's Ministry is all about!! :)

PS: We had our first Baby and Child Dedication yesterday and we dedicated 19 babes to the Lord!! (I am still trying to stop smiling about it!!)

Reminded..

I woke up this morning (at 3:30 am might I add) with loads and loads on my brain.... as I tossed and turned as we all do when we can't sleep and DESPERATELY want to.. I kept going back to the things that helped me sleep when I was younger (woah..that was a major run on sentence). I tried counting things... people I love, things that make me smile, food I am grateful for (that was a long one), sheep... ha.... nothing seemed to work. (I even called my fiance who so sweetly and patiently tried to coax me through from 1200 miles away) So, I got up out of bed...made the proverbial pot of coffee and sat down at my laptop to attempt to unload all of the thoughts on my sad, little, over-tired brain.
When I was finished.. I went into my personal e-mail (yes -there is an e-mail outside of seacoast.org *HA) and actually read (the whole thing--- not just skipping to the bottom) and replied to my friends' e-mails. As I did, I came across a post from a new friend's blog that reminded me that we shouldn't worry so much about the trivial things... like will we or won't we be able to paint a turtle mural on the toddler room wall (toddlers don't care about the walls..they only care about the Ritz crackers) or did I leave Britton's basketball shoes at the school (he has 3 other pairs of regular tennis shoes) or am I really getting gray hairs in my bangs (and YES- I am and I'm only 34) or do I use too many ellipses when I type (yes.. I know.. I do that too). HA..... so many things to worry so ridiculously about!!
I'll just simply say that I was reminded that none of those things really matter if we have hope..hope in the certainty that our Jesus is coming back...faith in His love that redeemed us... and joy in knowing that our King is in control of our every thought even before we have it! It's so much easier to start my day (and hopefully to sleep tonight) reminded that my life is secure in Him..my Maker..my Provider..my Father.
He knows every hair on my head...even the gray ones. :)

Britton's School Christmas Program

I am so proud of Britton! He had a special singing part in his Christmas program at school. The large group shot (Britton is on the third row and like the 7th child from the far left) is of the entire second grade. They were all singing the worship song "At the Cross".. the words are "Oh Lord You've searched me,You know my way; Even when I fail You, I know You love me.Your holy presence Surrounding me
In every season, I know You love me; I know You love me.
At the cross I bow my knee,Where Your blood was shed for me, There's no greater love than this.You have overcome the grave, Your glory fills the highest place, What can separate me now? You go before me,You shield my way, Your hand upholds me; I know You love me. And when the earth fades, Falls from my eyes, And You stand before me, I know You love me; I know You love me. "

What a beautiful sight to see and hear so many sweet little angels singing in perfect harmony and worshipping their King!! There weren't very many dry eyes in the audience!!
I love Northwood Academy and how it teaches Britt about how much God loves him!! :)

SNOW SNOW SNOW!!!!

These are photos from my trip to Iowa over the Christmas holidays!!

It was so incredible to wake up and look out the window and see snow EVERYWHERE!! I have to admit, it was unbelievably cold!! One of the last days I was there the temperatures were in the negative numbers!! Brrrrr chilly!! I wanted to make Britton a snowman while I was there, but apparently I have alot to learn about snow. Did you know that there are all kinds of snow: sticky snow, powder snow, wet snow and the powder kind is not good for making snowmen. Sorry buddy!

Shalin and I were quite busy hopping around and meeting his family, church family and friends... but we did manage to go ice skating in Des Moine (outdoors might I mention), hit a New Years Eve party or two and go diamond shopping! :) What FUN!! I miss him SO!!

Verse for February

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2

WOAH... have we been busy!!

It's so hard to believe that the last time that I blogged was October!!! The holidays were super and fast!! Okay.. so there is lots to tell, but I will start off by telling you all that I got ENGAGED!! Woo hoo!! His name is Shalin Kowalke and yes, for those of you who know Shaun and Abbie (and Mya, Sammy and Calvin), they are related. Shalin is the Shaun's big brother and we met over Thanksgiving!!

Without making you all gag by sharing all of the reasons that I love him, I have to tell you that he is a gift sent straight from heaven!! He is everything and MORE than I have been praying for!! Britton is on cloud nine and we are both so excited for him to move here!!

The wedding date is October the 11th, 2008 and it will be in Story City, Iowa (which is where his family and church family are). We will be making alot of decisions about our future together and could use all of the prayers that we can get!!

*** Please pray specifically that he finds an incredible job here in SC and SOON!! I can't wait!!! :)