Happy Birthday, Tara!!!

Tara and I have been friends since preschool and I treasure our friendship so much! We have many memories together and I'm sure there are many more yet to come! Tara, I hope you have a wonderful birthday! Love you!

A Must See...

I highly recommend seeing Harispray the Movie! A bunch of us went to see it on Saturday night and it was great!!! The movie was hilarious and at the end the entire theater clapped! It was full of great music and dancing! All of the actors and actresses were great…but I may never be able to look at John Travolta the same! Also, if you haven’t heard the story of Nikki Blonsky who plays “Tracy Turnblad,” I recommend you check out http://nymag.com/guides/summer/2007/33976/ to hear about her amazing story! If you would like to read about the movie before going to see it…check out http://www.hairspraymovie.com/. Now I must see the Broadway version!!! ;-)

Happy Birthday, Bob!!!

EXIT 412 - Middle School Camp!

Our week at camp was absolutely awesome!!! Eight students came to know the Lord for the first time, while many others renewed their walk with Him. The worship was absolutely the best! These middle school students can worship God on a level like I've never seen before! Cham McCutchen (picture below...purple shirt...friend from METRO) walked us each morning and evening through 1 Timothy 4:12...he did an incredible job! Stan did an amazing job leading camp and did so with a heart so pure and Christ focused! We went into camp knowing God would show up...and show up He did! Praise the Lord for all He did at camp and will continue to do through the lives of those who were there!

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12

God is so good!!!

To some of you this may be old news, but for those of you who don’t know…

When I began college in 1998 I prayed (and many of you prayed along with me) for God to guide my path in which career direction I should go. I explored many, many different directions and felt that I should get my degree in Organizational Management (aka Business). During this time I began working as the Receptionist at Lockwood Greene. In 2003 I received my Bachelors Degree from Tusculum College. After completing my degree I was moved into the role of Administrative Assistant and a year later was promoted to Human Resources Administrator. The entire time I just knew that this is not what God had for me. In the fall of 2005 Stan and I began discussing what I would want to do if I were not at Lockwood Greene…my answer…I would teach! Stan and I prayed and talked about this quiet frequently. In February 2006 Stan told me that if I could find a school where I could continue working full-time and get my certification he would completely support me! After much research my friend Jennifer and I found a school. South College in Knoxville offered a post-baccalaureate program called TEACH. We found out that the program would consist of evening and weekend classes for 9 months, a 15-week student teaching rotation, and then certification! After much prayer Jennifer and I began the TEACH program in September 2006. Now here we are many classes and Praxis tests behind us…in three short weeks we will begin student teaching!!! In January 2008 I will be a classroom teacher…that is if there are any mid-year jobs available!

I resigned from my Human Resources position at CH2M HILL Lockwood Greene yesterday and my supervisors/co-workers here have been absolutely awesome and so supportive!

It has been so awesome to see God work in so many detailed situations during this time and to continue preparing me for what He has called me to do! I see that many years ago when God put this possibility before me he was beginning to pave the way for the calling in my life. I am so excited that this is the last summer that I will have to miss youth events due to work! And, I am anxiously waiting how God wants to use me! I am so thankful that with the support of my husband, all of my family, and friends that my dream and calling of being a teacher is finally coming true!!!

Here are the verses that I have clung to that have sustained me during very stressful times...

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

Sorry for the looong post…but I had lots to share!

I promise to post camp pictures and updates very soon! God did amazing things while we were there and I cannot wait to share!

It is CAMP WEEK!!!

Approximately 230 Middle School students are leaving for camp today!!! We are all very excited it is camp week!!! Please be in prayer for all of the students and leaders this week. We are anxiously awaiting what God is going to do this week...we have no doubt it will be absoultely awesome!!! Please also be in prayer especially for Stan as he leads the students and leaders this week! I can't wait to post pictures when we return!!! Thank you for your prayers this week!

Happy 1st Anniversary!!!

Happy First Anniversary Brad and Beth!!! We love yall!

Summer Youth Camp!!!

It's that time of year...we're all getting ready to go to MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER YOUTH CAMP!!! Woo-hoo! This is one of the major highlights of our summer! This is an awesome time of fellowship, fun, and most importantly Worship! The site that we have camp is awesome...they have a big room for worship, a mini-waterpark, a paintball course, ropes courses (not my favorite!), nice cafeteria, and cabins (we don't have to "rough it" too much!). I will post fun pictures after our return on the 14th! Due to work I am only going for the second half of the week, but feel very blessed for that amount of time. Below are some pictures from previous years...

Explanation of the zip line!
Hike up the trail to the zip line!
Stan on the zip line! He loves this stuff!!!
Stan at the end of the zip line!
Me on the BIG "Swing"
Me about to jump and do the "Swing"
Us in the lazy river at the water park!
Fun in the lazy river!!!