I am My Own...

First of all, let me give a shout out to my sweet hubby...SHOUT OUT!! You are too sweet to me and I thank God everyday for giving me the privlede of being your wife. Thank you for all that you do to lift me up!

Now, this past Sunday, Pastor preached an amazing sermon on being peculiure. Go here to listen for yourself (you'll want to). I had the privledge to sit on the front row at our Uptown campus and hear him live. Man, was that amazing! (my neck kind of hurt, but it was worth it)! Pastor preached from 1 Peter 2:9 which talks about how we are a chosen people. I felt like he was speaking directly to me and it was truly eye-opening.

Being able to work in a Chirstian enviornment has been wonderful and rewarding. However, it is very easy to have your "uniquiness" hidden. It's easy to be seen as "normal" because the majority of people around you are Christians and believe what you believe. This, however, is different when I have to go downtown to cheer. As soon as I step foot in that locker room, I stick out like a sore thumb. People I cheer with know that I'm a Christian and know that I don't drink or go out to clubs afterwards. It's like their whole persona changes when I come in...people are careful as to what comes out of their mouth, and I never expect for someone to ask me to "go out" after the game. I have always looked to these types of situations as part of my mission field, but I have to admit, being the only one who is "different" is hard sometimes.

Pastor made me realize that I am my own person and God made me who I am because He loves me. I am peculuire, unique, different, PURPLE, and chosen for a reason and it's my job to embrase my uniquiness and lead without being afraid of what people see when they look at me. Because when it comes down to standing in front of my Savior when I die, I want Him to look at me and say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant".

I want to encourage all my readers out there to embrase your differences, your uniquiness, your "purple-ness" because YOU are a chosen people who are called to declare the praises of our God.

I am My Own...

First of all, let me give a shout out to my sweet hubby...SHOUT OUT!! You are too sweet to me and I thank God everyday for giving me the privlede of being your wife. Thank you for all that you do to lift me up!

Now, this past Sunday, Pastor preached an amazing sermon on being peculiure. Go here to listen for yourself (you'll want to). I had the privledge to sit on the front row at our Uptown campus and hear him live. Man, was that amazing! (my neck kind of hurt, but it was worth it)! Pastor preached from 1 Peter 2:9 which talks about how we are a chosen people. I felt like he was speaking directly to me and it was truly eye-opening.

Being able to work in a Chirstian enviornment has been wonderful and rewarding. However, it is very easy to have your "uniquiness" hidden. It's easy to be seen as "normal" because the majority of people around you are Christians and believe what you believe. This, however, is different when I have to go downtown to cheer. As soon as I step foot in that locker room, I stick out like a sore thumb. People I cheer with know that I'm a Christian and know that I don't drink or go out to clubs afterwards. It's like their whole persona changes when I come in...people are careful as to what comes out of their mouth, and I never expect for someone to ask me to "go out" after the game. I have always looked to these types of situations as part of my mission field, but I have to admit, being the only one who is "different" is hard sometimes.

Pastor made me realize that I am my own person and God made me who I am because He loves me. I am peculuire, unique, different, PURPLE, and chosen for a reason and it's my job to embrase my uniquiness and lead without being afraid of what people see when they look at me. Because when it comes down to standing in front of my Savior when I die, I want Him to look at me and say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant".

I want to encourage all my readers out there to embrase your differences, your uniquiness, your "purple-ness" because YOU are a chosen people who are called to declare the praises of our God.

MAN DOWN!!!!

This is the other half of 2 are better than 1 writing today! We have a sick one on our hands at the Hamilton household! Elizabeth has a nasty cold and has been laid up sick since Saturday night. The poor girl is miserable. The reason I post today is because 2 are definitely better than 1. Since Saturday I have had to cook, clean, organize, wash, fold, etc... I do not write this post to complain, but to say thank you! My wife is the best! I did not realize how much the woman does around the house until she is down for the count for a couple of days. She is like superwoman. she gets so much done in so little time. For example it took me 2 hours just to cook pancakes for dinner last night and I burnt some of the bacon. Our house looked like a fog bank time I got threw. Well this is my time to send out a public apology. For all the times I asked my wife if she was going to cook this, fold that, clean this... I am sorry. In the words of Alicia Keys you are a SUPERWOMAN!!! You hold it down around our house and I appreciate you very much. I hope that you get better soon or we are going to die of starvation. I love you baby!

MAN DOWN!!!!

This is the other half of 2 are better than 1 writing today! We have a sick one on our hands at the Hamilton household! Elizabeth has a nasty cold and has been laid up sick since Saturday night. The poor girl is miserable. The reason I post today is because 2 are definitely better than 1. Since Saturday I have had to cook, clean, organize, wash, fold, etc... I do not write this post to complain, but to say thank you! My wife is the best! I did not realize how much the woman does around the house until she is down for the count for a couple of days. She is like superwoman. she gets so much done in so little time. For example it took me 2 hours just to cook pancakes for dinner last night and I burnt some of the bacon. Our house looked like a fog bank time I got threw. Well this is my time to send out a public apology. For all the times I asked my wife if she was going to cook this, fold that, clean this... I am sorry. In the words of Alicia Keys you are a SUPERWOMAN!!! You hold it down around our house and I appreciate you very much. I hope that you get better soon or we are going to die of starvation. I love you baby!

Purple-People Leader

Growing up, I have always been the "shy" type. I was always told by either teachers or friends that I was shy and very quiet. Now, that part is true (to an extent I guess) and I grew up believing it until sooner or later it kind of took over my life and has become what I have evolved into. Don't get me wrong, being shy and quiet is not bad in some situations (ex. I have learned to become a good listener) but it's not always the best.

I have always thought of myself as a follower...you've heard it said..."there's leaders and there's followers". I just took it upon myself to go ahead and catagorized myself in the "followers" group because I was that quiet, shy girl. That is why I am very excited to hear what Pastor has to say in this next series called "Purple-People Leader". He is going to speak to everyone about activating the leadership potential within you. Everyone's got it in them, the switch just needs to be turned on. Check back for updates during this series...I'm excited to see what kind of leader the Lord has in mind for me to be!

Purple-People Leader

Growing up, I have always been the "shy" type. I was always told by either teachers or friends that I was shy and very quiet. Now, that part is true (to an extent I guess) and I grew up believing it until sooner or later it kind of took over my life and has become what I have evolved into. Don't get me wrong, being shy and quiet is not bad in some situations (ex. I have learned to become a good listener) but it's not always the best.

I have always thought of myself as a follower...you've heard it said..."there's leaders and there's followers". I just took it upon myself to go ahead and catagorized myself in the "followers" group because I was that quiet, shy girl. That is why I am very excited to hear what Pastor has to say in this next series called "Purple-People Leader". He is going to speak to everyone about activating the leadership potential within you. Everyone's got it in them, the switch just needs to be turned on. Check back for updates during this series...I'm excited to see what kind of leader the Lord has in mind for me to be!

Update:

I decided to take some quick pics of outside (I say "quick" because it was cold and I just snapped them and left)! Here is what our neck of the woods looks like...let me know what yours looks like!

Update:

I decided to take some quick pics of outside (I say "quick" because it was cold and I just snapped them and left)! Here is what our neck of the woods looks like...let me know what yours looks like!

OUR DREAMS CAME TRUE

The man of the house is writing this morning!(Well Liz is sitting on the couch here with me.) I have been up since 4 this morning!!! I was too anxious to sleep. The thought of snow kept running through my head over and over again. It was a weird situation I was in. To get out of bed or to not get out of bed and go look. Really it boiled down to get out of bed and have my dreams shattered or to go and have them come true. Well I pulled myself up out of those covers and what did my wondering eye but see a wintry wonderland and my neighbors grill with snow on it. Since then I have made every excuse to go out in the snow. I have already been to the garage twice and it is 5am. Well I got Liz up and we are eagerly awaiting the school decision!!! And as I write this they just closed!!!!!!!!!!

OUR DREAMS CAME TRUE

The man of the house is writing this morning!(Well Liz is sitting on the couch here with me.) I have been up since 4 this morning!!! I was too anxious to sleep. The thought of snow kept running through my head over and over again. It was a weird situation I was in. To get out of bed or to not get out of bed and go look. Really it boiled down to get out of bed and have my dreams shattered or to go and have them come true. Well I pulled myself up out of those covers and what did my wondering eye but see a wintry wonderland and my neighbors grill with snow on it. Since then I have made every excuse to go out in the snow. I have already been to the garage twice and it is 5am. Well I got Liz up and we are eagerly awaiting the school decision!!! And as I write this they just closed!!!!!!!!!!

A New Look

Yay!! I've finally figured out how to change the "look" of my blog! As I have been reading other blogs and seeing their looks, I have always wondered why I couldn't get the different layouts as they could. Well, drumroll please...here it is! (At least for now)! If you know me at all, I like to change things around, so you never know what you'll get!

UPDATE: No snow yet, but I don't think it's suppose to fall until midnight. I'm still trying to decide if I'm going to set my alarm for sometime around then to peek out my window...I don't think I am. Maybe I'll just dream about snow and when I wake up it will be a "my dreams came true" kind of thing...!

A New Look

Yay!! I've finally figured out how to change the "look" of my blog! As I have been reading other blogs and seeing their looks, I have always wondered why I couldn't get the different layouts as they could. Well, drumroll please...here it is! (At least for now)! If you know me at all, I like to change things around, so you never know what you'll get!

UPDATE: No snow yet, but I don't think it's suppose to fall until midnight. I'm still trying to decide if I'm going to set my alarm for sometime around then to peek out my window...I don't think I am. Maybe I'll just dream about snow and when I wake up it will be a "my dreams came true" kind of thing...!

Pray for Snow!!

Can you believe it?? There's a good chance it will start snowing tonight and into the morning! Man oh man...this is something to get excited over, I mean this could lead to another day without school and spending time with my sweetie! So all you readers out there, join me in praying for this "snow storm" that is scheduled to come into town later on. (Adam already said we needed to go get a sled, so I think he has pretty high hopes!)

Pray for Snow!!

Can you believe it?? There's a good chance it will start snowing tonight and into the morning! Man oh man...this is something to get excited over, I mean this could lead to another day without school and spending time with my sweetie! So all you readers out there, join me in praying for this "snow storm" that is scheduled to come into town later on. (Adam already said we needed to go get a sled, so I think he has pretty high hopes!)

A New Fave...

As I was going through my usual blogroll, I came across this very cool website. I got it off of the "Loving. Living. Small." blog and it's great! It's got everything you could ever think of! Anyway, go here to check it out, but beware (dun, dun, dun)...it's addicting!

A New Fave...

As I was going through my usual blogroll, I came across this very cool website. I got it off of the "Loving. Living. Small." blog and it's great! It's got everything you could ever think of! Anyway, go here to check it out, but beware (dun, dun, dun)...it's addicting!

A Huge Thanks to Candice & Dan!!

This past Saturday we had the opportunity to have our pictures taken by some of the best photographers this side of the Mississippi! They are a married couple team who we were able to get to know through our previous small group with Elevation. It was a huge honor and blessing to be able to have these done and I am forever grateful!!

Go here to see our slideshow and here to see the rest of their amazing work! Enjoy!

A Huge Thanks to Candice & Dan!!

This past Saturday we had the opportunity to have our pictures taken by some of the best photographers this side of the Mississippi! They are a married couple team who we were able to get to know through our previous small group with Elevation. It was a huge honor and blessing to be able to have these done and I am forever grateful!!

Go here to see our slideshow and here to see the rest of their amazing work! Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Adam!

It's my man's birthday today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweetie! You see, birthday's are a huge deal for me...it's like having your own holiday that should be celebrated by all! It's the day the Lord brought you into this world to start your life! Everything that you know of in the past or that has happened in the past you would have never expierenced it unless you were born! So we all need to thank our Heavenly Father for cultivating His idea and His intention to bring our life into this world! Think about it...there could be no you right now...no name, no address, no job, no family, no friends...but that is not what the Lord had intended! He has a plan for your life and He wants you to live it out! That's why He created you...that's why He gave you a birthday!!

So, anyway...Adam, I hope you have an amazing day today and I love you with my whole heart! Thank you for being the man of my dreams and for guiding me through life. You have lived 23 great years for the Lord and there is no doubt that year 24 will be any different! I want to challenge you this year to go for your dreams and hold nothing back! I want you to live up to your potential in the world and in Christ! There is nothing too big that we can't handle together...dream big dreams and go for them! You have what it takes!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY HOTTIE! (i love you)

Happy Birthday Adam!

It's my man's birthday today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweetie! You see, birthday's are a huge deal for me...it's like having your own holiday that should be celebrated by all! It's the day the Lord brought you into this world to start your life! Everything that you know of in the past or that has happened in the past you would have never expierenced it unless you were born! So we all need to thank our Heavenly Father for cultivating His idea and His intention to bring our life into this world! Think about it...there could be no you right now...no name, no address, no job, no family, no friends...but that is not what the Lord had intended! He has a plan for your life and He wants you to live it out! That's why He created you...that's why He gave you a birthday!!

So, anyway...Adam, I hope you have an amazing day today and I love you with my whole heart! Thank you for being the man of my dreams and for guiding me through life. You have lived 23 great years for the Lord and there is no doubt that year 24 will be any different! I want to challenge you this year to go for your dreams and hold nothing back! I want you to live up to your potential in the world and in Christ! There is nothing too big that we can't handle together...dream big dreams and go for them! You have what it takes!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY HOTTIE! (i love you)

Jessica's Story

Almost 2 years ago while Adam and I were down at the beach with Adam's family we had received a phone call informing us that Adam's cousin, Jessica, was tragically killed in a car accident. We were all distraught and couldn't believe it. You hear about these stories all the time and when something like this happens to someone you know and love, it brings total shock and unbelief. It's hard to say in those times that God has everything under control and that this happened to ultimately bring glory to His name. It was hard to rejoice in the fact that Jessica was now sitting with our Heavenly Father when she wasn't sitting here on this earth with the people that loved her. A lot of selfishness and doubt surfaces up when you lose someone you love and you can't figure out why the Lord would choose to take someone so young who had her whole life ahead of her. I've had to learn through many hardships in my life to stop asking "why?" things happen and to start asking "what?". What am I suppose to learn from this? What are you trying to teach me Lord? What things should I be doing differently?

We have all been healing gradually through Jessica's death and I feel like the Lord has been teaching us many things through this. Last night, Adam's dad told us that Adam's Uncle (Uncle Steve...the best realtor throughout the mountains and Piedmont of NC!) was reading on CNN about John Travolta's son's death and how it had a "tell us your story" at the bottom which he chose to write in about Jessica's death. Come to find out, Jessica's story was hit over 600 times! Because of this, a rep from CNN called Uncle Steve and had an hour long interview over the phone with him about Jessica's life. She told him that there would be a possibility that her story could be aired. Uncle Steve boldly said to her that Jessica would not want this to happen unless Jesus Christ was in the middle of it and how He was the center of her life. The reporter (a fellow believer) told him that she would try her hardest to have that part aired so that her story could be told.

People, do you not get it!! Jessica's life and death bring total and complete glory to our Father! Her story has been told and people all over the world can read this and see what an amazing Christian woman she was and what a great life she lived all to bring glory and fame to Jesus Christ!! Hundreds and hundreds of people will be saved through her story all over the world and the Kingdom of Heaven will multiply because Jessica had the love of Christ in her heart and wasn't ashamed of proclaiming that she was a Christian! Although Jessica lived a short life, there is nothing short about the gift that she left the world...her legacy!

Please go here to read about the legacy she left behind.

Jessica, you will be forever loved and forever missed, but we know we will soon see your smiling face again...until then, we will make it our mission to see people that are far from Christ be filled with the abundant love He has to offer so that they can live eternally with Him.

Jessica's Story

Almost 2 years ago while Adam and I were down at the beach with Adam's family we had received a phone call informing us that Adam's cousin, Jessica, was tragically killed in a car accident. We were all distraught and couldn't believe it. You hear about these stories all the time and when something like this happens to someone you know and love, it brings total shock and unbelief. It's hard to say in those times that God has everything under control and that this happened to ultimately bring glory to His name. It was hard to rejoice in the fact that Jessica was now sitting with our Heavenly Father when she wasn't sitting here on this earth with the people that loved her. A lot of selfishness and doubt surfaces up when you lose someone you love and you can't figure out why the Lord would choose to take someone so young who had her whole life ahead of her. I've had to learn through many hardships in my life to stop asking "why?" things happen and to start asking "what?". What am I suppose to learn from this? What are you trying to teach me Lord? What things should I be doing differently?

We have all been healing gradually through Jessica's death and I feel like the Lord has been teaching us many things through this. Last night, Adam's dad told us that Adam's Uncle (Uncle Steve...the best realtor throughout the mountains and Piedmont of NC!) was reading on CNN about John Travolta's son's death and how it had a "tell us your story" at the bottom which he chose to write in about Jessica's death. Come to find out, Jessica's story was hit over 600 times! Because of this, a rep from CNN called Uncle Steve and had an hour long interview over the phone with him about Jessica's life. She told him that there would be a possibility that her story could be aired. Uncle Steve boldly said to her that Jessica would not want this to happen unless Jesus Christ was in the middle of it and how He was the center of her life. The reporter (a fellow believer) told him that she would try her hardest to have that part aired so that her story could be told.

People, do you not get it!! Jessica's life and death bring total and complete glory to our Father! Her story has been told and people all over the world can read this and see what an amazing Christian woman she was and what a great life she lived all to bring glory and fame to Jesus Christ!! Hundreds and hundreds of people will be saved through her story all over the world and the Kingdom of Heaven will multiply because Jessica had the love of Christ in her heart and wasn't ashamed of proclaiming that she was a Christian! Although Jessica lived a short life, there is nothing short about the gift that she left the world...her legacy!

Please go here to read about the legacy she left behind.

Jessica, you will be forever loved and forever missed, but we know we will soon see your smiling face again...until then, we will make it our mission to see people that are far from Christ be filled with the abundant love He has to offer so that they can live eternally with Him.

Happy New Year!

Man, I am so excited for this year! 2008 was great, but 2009 is going to shine! Ok, that was kind of corny, but oh well. Here is what we have to look forward to...hopefully some snow days, many FUN vacations, watching our beautiful niece grow older, celebrating our 2 year anniversary, celebrating many birthdays, spending time with our families and friends, getting back into shape, starting a new school year, and of course seeing all the opportunities the Lord gives us to bring and watch people far from God be filled with life in Christ!

Now, I am watching my niece :), so I have to go, but here's to an awesome upcoming year in 2009!

Happy New Year!

Man, I am so excited for this year! 2008 was great, but 2009 is going to shine! Ok, that was kind of corny, but oh well. Here is what we have to look forward to...hopefully some snow days, many FUN vacations, watching our beautiful niece grow older, celebrating our 2 year anniversary, celebrating many birthdays, spending time with our families and friends, getting back into shape, starting a new school year, and of course seeing all the opportunities the Lord gives us to bring and watch people far from God be filled with life in Christ!

Now, I am watching my niece :), so I have to go, but here's to an awesome upcoming year in 2009!