JESS AND KT ARE HERE

Friday I went to Knoxville to pick Jess up from the airport and only as I started to head out of Robbinsville did I find out that I would also be picking up Katie!! Very fun surprise!! It has been a ton of fun to have them here. We have spent some time hanging out with the youth and then just sat up the three of us laughing and talking about nothing till 3:30 in the morning! We went out to the lake today just to see it!! It was so peaceful and calming!! Here are a couple of the pics that Jess, the wonderful photographer, has taken!!

lying on the floor

Today I feel defeated. I feel overwhelmed, sad, alone, confused, and so many other things. And honestly it leaves me FRUSTRATED more then anything. I know that I am not alone, God has placed AMAZING people in my life and I know that I should not be overwhelmed because God won't give me more then I can handle. And I know this is where I am suppose to be and I know that I have an impact and that my life means something, but today I just want to be done. I want to just lay on the floor and be done. Today I feel like "what in the world am I doing here?" and I know that is my selfishness. I know that is me wanting the easy road. This week I have dealt with some very complicated things and I have not been sleeping well! The combination I know has brought me to this point of both physical and mental exhaustion! I just want to cry, oh wait I already did! :) I know this will pass and I know it is all only making me stronger God is stretching me and today I just wanted to be honest with you and let you know that the stretching hurts! Please pray that I would have wisdom and that I would have the courage to keep seizing every divine appointment God places in front of me! I know the only way to get over this selfishness and pity party is to serve and love others so I pray God would place a great opportunity in front of me today!! I love you guys and I'm sorry if my rambling doesn't make sense to you! I told Tina that inside my head was a complicated place to be!! :)

Time with my "other" Family

Monday through Wednesday I was in Charlotte visiting the Burchard Bunch! It was so nice to be there. The best part had to be my hug from abby and all the wrestling with Carter!! I can't explain to you how much I love just being a part of their daily life. Yes Tina I even love the homework!! Monday night we went to the Billy Graham Library and even though it didn't turn out like we thought it was still fun. Then Tuesday night I stayed at the house with the kiddos so Tina and Rusty could do some Christmas shopping. We watched the 12 Dogs of Christmas and I almost had to put tape over Abby's mouth so she wouldn't tell us every detail of what was going to happen next (she has read the book). 

I wish so bad that I could put words to how much I love the people God has blessed my life with. I wish you all could know how amazing I think you are and how much I appreciate every thing you do for me. Whether it is opening your home to me, listening to me ramble, supporting my many mission trips, trusting your kids with me, allowing me to be a part of the not so great things in your life or so many other things, I love every minute of it. You are all in my prayers!

SEC CHAMPIONSHIP

About three weeks ago I was sporting my Florida Gator shirt up in Robbinsville and explaining to David and Dana that what I miss about being in Florida in the fall is Gator games. Well the next day my dad called out of the blue and asked if I wanted to meet him in Atlanta and go to the SEC Championship game!! I was very excited and quick to say yes!! So friday night I drove down to ATL to meet my parents and then Saturday my dad and I along with his friend Mr. Dave went to the game. It was so much fun!! I screamed like crazy and I am surprised I left the stadium with a voice. I love Gator football!!! The game was such a good game, granted in the third quarter I was a little nervous but the Gators came back and ended strong! It was nice to see my parents for a little while and very nice to have a day with my dad!! Here are some pics... all I can say is that IT'S GREAT TO BE A FLORIDA GATOR!!!

Franklin & A Trip To Wendy's

Yesterday morning Shaun and I left camp to head over the mountain to Franklin. Tuesday I had looked up local churches there and mapped out a course for us. The day turned out extremely well. We made 3 very good contacts and handed out about a half a dozen more brochures. Now today that leaves me with the task of making a spreadsheet that will work best for us to keep up with all the info!!

Also last night we had youth and then went to Wendy's again. It was a lot fun to just hang out with the girls and share life with them. And since I live on top of a mountain there was still snow on my car from Monday so we had a mini snowball (iceball) fight in the parking lot. The youth here truly are amazing.

Snow Day On The Field!!!

I made it to town and went to the post office. When I came out I ran into Cassi and the girls. They were getting a sled to head out to camp and slide down the hill. I came along and it was a blast. Here are some pics from our fun...

SNOW and more SNOW!!

Last night I went to the Crowes after church for dinner!! We watched the weather and it said snow. So we stayed up and played some games and around 11 I headed home. Well snow it did so school was cancelled. When I woke up my yard and road was covered so I spent the morning inside. After a while I decided to venture out. I guess I really do live up on a mountain because I had like 4 inches of snow and when I made it just a little bit towards town there was no snow to be found. Here are some pics from my house!!