Results of Afformentioned Wedding

Here's the actual photos of my sister's reception! It was a wonderful time in April & I loved getting to give her the gift of this unique family gathering.

Wedding... not mine

So... my sister's getting married April 18th! I'm so excited for her. Because of this, I spend time in classes diverting my attention to pretty things that may go with her wedding. Below are photos found mainly on the knot that I liked doing with the color scheme of Pink and Orange. What do you think?

Being Baptist

One of the courses I am currently taking is the Changing Face of Baptist. This class is fascinating to me. We began by looking at the rise of the Religious Right and will begin today to dialogue about the conflict that went on the SBC during the 70's and 80's. As I was reading in chapter one of our text by Morgan (The New Crusades, the New Holy Land), I ran across this statement made at the formation of the Sunday School Board (now Lifeway) in 1891.

In conclusion, your committee, in its long and earnest consideration of this whole matter in all its environments, have been compelled to take account of the well known fact that there are widely divergent views held among us by brethren equally earnest, consecrated and devoted to the best interest of the Master's Kingdom. It is therefore recommended that the fullest freedom of choice be accorded to everyone as to what literature he will use or support, and that no brother be disparaged in the slightest degree on account of what he may do in the exercise of his right as Christ's freeman.

It amazes me that this is the basis under which Lifeway was formed, and they recently made this statement. I long to return to historic Baptist ideals.

Preaching Moment

Dr. West always spoke of the preaching moment with such awe and reverence. He told us that this moment should always be approached with silence and when we dared to finally open our mouths, the words we spoke must come from God.

I have been thinking a lot lately about this idea. In March, I will be preaching at Eastside and more and more that thought is intimidating. Not because I have a fear of speaking in front of anyone, but because it is such a special moment, those that listen will be looking for a word from the Lord, and how sad would it be if all they received was a word from me.

I pray that through study and prayer God will share with me a word to give to the people of Eastside. Not so that I receive glory, but so that God is felt and acknowledged.

This morning in Volunteers, Dr. Steibel made this quote:

How many people would like to be in this classroom, yet they are
fighting missles, struggling to survive..

Today I'm going to strive to appriciate the opportunity I have been given. Instead of grumbling, I'm going to celebrate the freedom I have to learn. We'll see how that goes.

Biltmore and a New Year

Thomas and I had the privilege of going with our friends, Michael and Lauren Krumbine to the Biltmore House during the last weekend of the candlelight season. How gorgeous the house was! The dim lighting and Christmas lights gave the house a whole other dimension. Here's a few pics of our trip.

As the New Year has begun, thus begins the journey of a new me (instead of trying to get back to the old me). Tomorrow night I will attend my first ever Weight Watchers meeting. Wish me luck. This is only the beginning!

Boutique

I hope that one day my mother-in-law will open the boutique she has talked about! If she does, I'm going to have a booth in it and sell my crafts. For those of you who don't know I love to make things. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not an original thinker. I just adapt what I see often times. For instance, I saw in the December issue of Hallmark Magazine some luggage tags that were suggested as gifts for friends and so I made them. Take a look below at them, as well as some other crafts I've made in the past.