The Blind Side - Official Trailer [HD]

just go ahead and rip my heart out. Will be seeing it...but will need a dose of something strong to get through it

one more thing from this week.

Through some conversations this week and a lot of running and a lot of driving.....one conclusion I have come to:

1.Ministry is challenging....hard....sad at times.....tiring....but I love it. I love the people God has entrusted me with...I love ministering alongside my crazy haired husband...and I love that it's something I never have completely figured out. It will forever challenge me in ways that nothing else in life can.....and well...I DO love a challenge.

Finished:)

one more thing.......

I am officially a Master's graduate...that's right...last Tuesday night was the last day of my Master's life:) I finished my MAT in Early Childhood Education and am more than happy...so glad....so elated....so thankful ....to be FINISHED! It was a chapter that was far too long and time consuming...and it's over:) Yes!

brett moore.....unplugged:)

My husband...enough said.....I love this crazy haired man with all my heart:)

new curtains en la casa

B.F.F. Leslie helped me with my curtains a few weekends ago....we found two curtains we loved at Target and then just cut up the one with the design and her mom kindly sewed it across the bottom to make a band and POOF...brand new amazing curtains! love them and love Leslie and Mrs. Carol for helping:)

rock4love

Rock4Love was last Wednesday. This was such an amazing night! 1300 students showed up to rock it out at 12stone last Wednesday and over 250 decisions were made for Christ. It was so much fun and it was incredible to watch students bring non-perishable food items to donate to the Gwinnett Co. Homeless shelters.

Our students are amazing...and I loved rocking out to U2, Muse, Kings of Leon, Journey, and some old school Michael Jackson with them:)

This week...

Haven't been able to update this week because it's been a crazy week....and I don't know that I'll be updating for a few more days.

One of our key volunteers in middle school ministry passed away suddenly Monday morning. He was precious, his family is precious, he loved his small group of 7th grade guys, and he loved Jesus more than anything in the world. Pray for the Ohaus family this week. They are incredible.

Today Show story.

Saw this story on the Today Show. I truly cannot hold in the tears when they feature stories about kids...especially about kids and school...and especially when it's about sick children who want to go to school....like this one. This one hit me so, so hard. Just recently I was feeling the exhaustion of the current school year....i was reminded through this story how important it is to continue loving my kids and teaching them as hard as I can. Here is this precious child whose last wish is to go to school.....so inspiring...and well, straight up motivating to keep on....

Chuck Swindoll @ Catalyst '09

Spent yesterday and Thurs. evening at Catalyst. This was the first time I have been able to go....we had a furlough day Friday, which made it an easy choice:)

I heard so much great stuff. Chuck Swindoll had some great points A, B, and C tips. I have always enjoyed listening to his messages and reading his books....but I think his quick 10 essentials was right on and great info. for anyone in any type of leadership:

Here were my notes:

Chuck swindoll-10 things I've learned 50 years in...
-it's lonely to lead
-it's dangerous to succeed
-it's hardest at home
-it's essential to be real
-it's painful to obey
-brokeness & failure are necessary
-my attitude is more important than my actions
-integrity eclipses image
-God's way is always better than my way(perhaps the goal of Catalyst for you this year is to empty your hands )
-Christ likeness begins & ends w/ humility.


5 Statements Worth Remembering:

1.Whatever you do...do more with others and less all alone.
2.Whenever you do it emphasize quality not quantity
3.Wherever you go do it the same as if you were among those who know you best.
4.Whoever may respond, keep a level head.
5.However long you lead, keep on dripping with gratitude and grace.


also, included a pic. of some middle school vols who joined me....love these girls:) Cassie...the one to my right is a super hairsytlist and thinks its time I bring some color into my deep sea of dark hair...think I'm going to go for it:)!

good stuff ahead!

The next week and a half is going to be amazing:

1. I will be completed with all of my master's grad work next Tuesday, October 12 and will have my diploma:)
2. (I think I'm most excited about this!) I get to go to Catalyst this Friday! I've never gotten to go and it just so happened we had a furlough day this Friday and now I get to! I'm so, so, so excited:)!! I've heard amazing things!
3. Rock4Love. This is our huge students ministry event at 12stone during the school year and I can't wait! It's going to be amazing!
4. My bestie Leslie is coming up to help me around the house. She is uber creative and I can't wait to have her expertise:)

so yeah....great things ahead :)

Vita- Junkie

So by this time of the school year I am normally hacking, going to the doctor to get meds, and feeling miserable. Actually, I feel that way about the 3rd or 4th week of school. Well.... we are 7 weeks into the school year and I've yet to be sick....what do I attribute this to? Only thing I can think that is different between this year and last year is my JuicePlus. I really think this stuff works. Take two reds (fruit serving) in the morning and two greens (veggie serving) in the evening.


I'm going to be completely candid here. i am a vitamin junkie. I am a vitamin junkie bc I like to feel good and I HATE being sick and missing out on life. I take 18 different vitamins a day. yup...that's right 18. I know it's a lot, but I love my Folic Acids, calciums, fruits, veggies, b-12s, Zinc, vitamins A C D and E. The JuicePlus was added this summer and I must say...I'm loving it:) My mom says my kitchen counter looks like I'm 96 rather than 26.....but hey again...I love to feel healthy and NOT be sick. Anyone else a vita-junkie too? Probably not...that's ok...I'm a dork:)

Go comment to Inspire

So I'm asking for my blog friends for a little help in the classroom. My students just started a reading blog called "Our Reading Space" at Edublogs. Students summarize their books they are reading through a blogpost. This is the first time most of them have ever used or even seen a blog. Today two students typed up their posts and two more go on Friday. I have 4-6 students a week type up their Blog response to their reading.

I really believe that response to literature is key for helping students better understand and stay engaged in the books they are reading. My kids were so psyched to do something in blogworld......and well, bottom line: I will do WHATEVER it takes to get my kids to LOVE reading!

So...here's where you come in. My kids are looking for people to comment on our blog. Whenever you have a sec. and want to encourage some precious children, go comment at http://ourreadingspace09.edublogs.org/.

Thanks in advance:) Lots of love.

p.s. if you find lots of misspellings, grammar errors, phrases said backwards...please don't freak. 100% of my classroom are second language learners and two of them speak little English:)