There's gonna be a wedding

Yes, it's true...Michael proposed, Chrissie said yes and the Leopard clan is thrilled...and BUSY!! Some background and info...
Michael Hux came into our lives last May when he came to Aiken from Florida to be our high school student intern for the summer. Chrissie was serving at the same time as our student administrative intern. They were in a teeny tiny room with 3 other interns. She was the only female and came home the first day from work proclaiming that this was going to be a looooonnnnngg summer, way too much testosterone. As it turned out it wasn't quite long enough for her, she hated seeing it end and Michael was heading back to Florida. It was one more whirlwind summer. God did a huge work in the life of those two over the summer. He began showing them that He didn't just bring Michael here just for a summer job. I've always believed that when we follow Christ closely we will run smack dab in the middle of God's will and this was His will for them.
Of course Eddie and I had concerns that this may be a "summer romance" and didn't want anyone hurt. We also didn't know very much about this boy everyone called "Hux" or "Huxy" so we had to start checking that out. I remember asking Chrissie one day, "what in the world is it about him?". Her answer did it for me. She said, "Mom, he is so real. Christ is real to him and I can't find any fake in him. I've watched him worship and there's just something about him." That did it for me. I knew that Christ in him was drawn to Christ in her and there was no reason trying to fight it. See real is huge to our clan. We don't like pretense and despise fake. We're not real good at putting on a show or pretending things we don't feel or believe. Chrissie doesn't trust easily. She's mine that stands back and really examines things and people. She just doesn't jump into things nor does she automatically trust people and assume going in that everyone is great and nice and has her best interest at heart. So for her to be swept off her feet so fast, so out of her personality, had to be a God thing.
We have grown to love Michael almost as much as Chrissie does. He treats her with such respect and tenderness. I have loved watching them together especially as they watch each other. He's madly in love with Chrissie but better than that, he's madly in love with Jesus. He has the biggest heart I've ever seen, I'm constantly telling Chrissie to "be sweet" and "don't hurt his feelings". He's just precious. They balance each other perfectly. They have the same goals the number one being to share Jesus with as many people as they can. They love people and have great people skills. We watched them all summer with our students. They have such a genuine love for them. Eddie has said over and over that they will do great as a ministry team and he doesn't say that about everybody I assure you. He has full confidence in this young man taking care of his first-born child, his first daughter. I am praying however that he will make it through that ceremony. I envision lots of tears for many of us but praise God they will be tears of joy and excitement.
We are having so much fun as we talk about and plan this wedding. I've told her if she turns into bridezilla I will quit. So far, so good. We would appreciate many prayers as we go through this time together. Our biggest goal in planning this wedding is that Christ will be glorified instead of Michael and Chrissie and that their marriage will bring much glory to Him. I'm sure there will be many blog posts regarding all of this because that is where we are right now. Would greatly accept any suggestions, advice or the like but mostly the prayers. Praise Him from whom ALL blessings flow. We are a blessed people indeed.

Monday Morning Perspective

OH MY...I think I'm gonna love this series on worship. What's more exciting is that in sunday school the students will also be doing a study on worship. I guess God intends for us to GET IT when it comes to worship.
I could linger on every point Eddie made in the sermon because every word from his mouth yesterday was something I needed to hear AND act upon. Loved how he talked about our sunday mornings and how active the enemy is during that time. He will do anything to keep us from getting to worship and definitely doesn't want us to be prepared. I am so guilty of skipping my Word time on sunday morning. I always pray but I don't get in the Word...just wait and get it at church. I've got to change that.
I also like how Eddie pointed out how God puts His finger right on our sin yet His mercy is so incredible that if we confess He forgives. I pray that His pointing out the sin in my life will always lead me running to Him.
I also love how he closed with encouraging us to make a commitment. True worship always leads us to that. I thought a lot about Eddie's question, "why are you here?". I think at some point I have been in church for all the reasons he pointed out. My prayer is that from this day forward it will always be to MEET GOD!

Happy New Year 2010

It's not only a new year but a new decade. I get so excited about this time of year. I absolutely love New Year's Day. It's a no makeup, stay in pajamas or sweats, cook and eat, surrounded by loved ones, watching one football game after the other or three at a time kinda day...LOVE IT!!!
I also love it because I love new beginnings. There's just something about that start over feeling. It feels like we get a do-over if we need it from the past year. There's that confidence you can have of doing some things differently if need be.
Last year was an awesome year for us. Like many of you we had our share of good and bad. There are things I wish I could forget and would have done differently and there are things I wouldn't change for anything. God's blessings far outweigh the bad stuff especially when most of His blessings feel so undeserved. He's such a loving and faithful God.
He has taught me some things this year that seem to stand out. One, He has taught me over and over again that He is truly in control, not only of my life but over all of life. Much peace in that. He's also taught me (again) to hold things and relationships loosely. The tighter I hold on the less He works. I have to let go and let Him take charge and trust Him. Basicly it comes down to knowing that He loves me and my family and He will be the One to look after us and fight for us.
This year's resolutions:
Like last year, make Jesus the focus and grow more in love with HIM.
Like last year, nothing before family.
This year, make scripture memorization a priority.
This year, take my prayer life to a new level.
Praying a joyful and happy new year for all.