Newnan High Marching Cats!

Last Friday, August 27, 2010 was Chase's first performance ever as a member of the Newnan High Marching Cats! Chase is so excited to be a member of the Colorguard! She is having a great time, and she is really good! They all did a super job at Newnan's First game on Friday! I snapped a few pics and we have some video, unfortunately I still haven't learned how to upload a video on here, if I can figure it out I will get some of the show on here! Thanks to everyone who has been such an encouragement to Chase, this is just her Freshman year, so we have several more years of band camp, practices, football games, and competitions to go! We are just so proud of Chase for getting involved and really trying to make the most of her time in high school! You did an Awesome job Friday night Chase! Dad, Brian and I were all so filled with pride as we watched the show, you have worked so hard this summer and it really shows, you were GREAT!!

Chase also informed Tommy and I last night, that she has several choral auditions coming up (both are wonderful opportunies for her especially since she plans to major in music and plans to become a middle school chorus teacher), she also has plans to be part of the drama club at NHS as well!!

Falcon's Pre-Season Game!

About 2 weeks ago, Brian and Billy took Chase to a Falcon's Pre-Season game! Chase has never been to a NFL game, so she was super excited!

Thanks again Brian and Billy for taking Chase to her first NFL game, she had a great time!! :)

Myrtle Beach Mission Trip 2010

Chase and 8 other youth (and 3 adult leaders) from Luthersville Baptist Church went on a mission trip to Myrtle Beach July 22nd - 26th! I know what some people are thinking "a mission trip to the beach??" Yes!! They were on a mission trip! The Sea Palms in Myrtle Beach opens it's resort to youth groups to come to SC and do outreach in the community! Part of our youth went to a Community Soup Kitchen to feed the homeless, while the others went to a children's home to spend some time with the kids, they played soccer and just spent the afternoon bonding with the kids at the home! All of them went to a boys home that evening ordered pizza for the boys and again spent time talking with them, playing some foosball, and just engaging with the boys and learning to reach out and share their faith...That morning Chase had gone to the soup kitchen, she was really touched by the work there...I have a feeling she is going to be taking Tommy and I to some local soup kitchens to help! :) She was very saddened by the boys home! Chase expressed to me that even though the boys had a foosball table and an Xbox and Wii and all the material things that teenagers enjoy...she felt a sadness there...She and the others were especially touched by one young man, they went back later and took him a fishing pole! (a wonderful experience for our youth and youth leaders alike)

On Saturday Morning the youth took to the beach and passed out lemonade and frisbees to the tourists and were encourage to share the love of Christ! Then Saturday afternoon the youth were treated to a few hours at a local Water park for some fun!

Each morning the kids joined with other youth that were there as well for bible study and worship! Our Student Pastor Adam hoped this trip would be a time for the youth to bond with him, bond with each other, and also grow spiritually...I can't speak for the whole group, but I know Chase came home with a stronger desire to reach out to her community with the love of Christ!

My WhirlWind Trip to Wake Forest!!

Last week I got the opportunity to go to Wake Forest with my friend Michelle, she was going to Louisburg for 3 days and didn't want to drive by herself, so of course I jumped at the chance to not only get to take a road trip with my BFF, but to see some dear friends in Wake Forest for a few days! As a blogger (if I can really call myself a blogger, I used to be better, but I have gotten very slack) Anyway, as a blogger, I know I should have taken more pictures, but I was just so excited to see everyone and to talk and catch up, that I did a horrible job of taking pictures!! I will share with you the ones I did take though!

Michelle and I had a great time on our road trip, it was nice to be able to talk and catch up with each other, the 8 hr drive seemed like no time at all!! Sorry no pics

While in Wake Forest, I was able to have lunch with my dear friend Saemica...We picked up like no time had gone by since we had seen one another at all! :) Thanks for lunch Saemica...I can't wait to do it again soon! I also got to see some of our neighbors from the seminary...Grayson, Kristle and their two kids Rachael and Seth! I had such a great time catching up with them, and they treated me to dinner, we couldn't resist...we went to Tommy's favorite Mexican restaurant! Las Margaritas in downtown Wake Forest :)

Grayson

Kristle

Rachael

Seth

My good friend Linda Taylor and her family so graciously allowed me to stay with them both nights I was in town in their beautiful new home! I didn't get a picture of the Taylor's, but I did get one of their house...Thanks again Linda, Dave, Brittmarie, and Kyle I really appreciate you letting me invade your home and family time...It was really a blessing to have a place to stay and to see you all again! Next time Brittmarie...I promise to bring Chase with me! :)

The Taylor's Home

The Guest Room

On Thursday, Linda, Brittmarie, and I went to breakfast, then I rode around Wake Forest alittle bit just enjoying being back...I had lunch on Thursday with my very dear friend Tara Dew, she has been such a wonderful friend and a huge encouragement to me as our family has begun our journey into full time ministry, the Lord most certainly sent Tara into my life exactly when I needed a friend! I had such a wonderful visit with Tara, we spent time talking about ministry and bouncing ideas off each other, and I had a great time being able to hold her precious new babies! It took a little while for the Nats to warm up to me, but it wasn't long before they were chatting up a storm with me...they have gotten so big and they are both as precious as ever!

Here is a picture with Tara, Samuel, Natalie and Nathan

(Samantha was already down for her nap)

After my visit with the Dews I headed over to Isabelle's house...Isabelle is the precious baby girl that I watched the last 10 months we lived in Wake Forest...We all miss her and her family terribly...She is such a joy and I enjoyed every minute of having her in our home! I hope to continue to be part of her life, even if it's a long distance relationship!! :) Isabelle has grown so much since we have been gone, she talks so well, and is such a sweet little girl, that baby that I started watching is gone and this precious little girl greeted me with a big hug!

Isn't she adorable?

While I was visiting with Isabelle and her family, there was a terrible storm, so I stayed a little longer than I probably should have (hopefully I didn't wear out my welcome lol!) I ended up getting to my friends the Brown's alittle late that night, so Ethan and Elizabeth were already in bed, but Nicholas stayed up to see me and I got to visit with Julie, unfortunately Daniel had left that afternoon on a Mission Trip!

Michelle and I left pretty early on Friday morning...but it was a great trip! I got to see alot of my friends that I have missed so much since being back in GA and I got to take a fun road trip with my BFF!

Chase's First Day of High School

Tommy and I still can't believe our baby girl started high school today! We are so proud of Chase and all of her accomplishments! Chase continually surpasses our expectations! She has become this wonderful young woman right before our eyes...We count it a privilege to be her parents! Chase loves the Lord, she loves her family, and her friends, she loves school and learning, she loves to sing and is very excited about chorus this year (as a sidenote we just found out Chase's chorus teacher this year was also Matthew's high school chorus teacher!) Chase also has a new passion for Marching Band, (which of course her brothers love, since they all 3 were in the Marching Band at their high schools, especially Matthew, he would still be in band if he could!! LOL!) Chase is a member of the Colorguard, and she loves it!! Chase is really getting involved in school activities and making the most of her high school experience...Tommy and I could go on and on about how proud we are...instead I will leave you with a few pictures from this morning before school!! :)

Isn't she so beautiful??

I have made a sign every year since Chase started Preschool - stating the school year, the school, the city, and the date that school started...I started this just to mark the occasion in a picture, but it has turned into a tradition that Chase looks forward to as much as I do!

Another tradition we started years ago that we still continue is going to Waffle House the First/and Last day of school every year...It means getting up alittle earlier, but it's a good time for the 3 of us!