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Georgia On My Mind

Mom and Dad were asked to speak at a Mission Conference in Tennessee and decided to extend their visit for some F.A.M.I.L.Y. time!! Some friends from their old church offered to let us stay at their lake house. So, we all met last Thursday through Sunday.

We were able to just hang out, enjoy "friendly" competitions of Mexican Train and Uno, have some kid/parent time, watch Mary Margaret tell the story of Jonah and Noah, listen to Jaxon sign "God Bless America", eat some old favorites, and try some new favorites.

On Saturday, we headed to Adrian to enjoy big family time! A lot of my dad's side of the family and my mom's mom were able to be there. In addition to a HUGE table of food and desserts, we were able to finish the evening with a AU/GA game. With our family being split - AU/GA - it was a fun day of rivalry...and of course, the best team won! WAR EAGLE!

The Story of Jonah

...As given by a little girl named Mary Margaret.

http://www.vimeo.com/16404771

I believe in Auburn...and LOVE IT!

In recent years, I have heard interviews about some fantastic coaches that have taken coaching beyond the football field or basketball court. Coaches like Mark Richt, Roy Williams, Bobby Bowden, Tommy Tuberville, and Gene Chizik are a few that come to mind. These men have not only been ball coaches but have been mentors, encourager, supporters, and in many cases, father figures to so many that have come from single parent homes.



I love hearing about the bond between players and coaches. How, even after their college playing days are over, many stay in touch. I also love hearing how coaches stand up for their players as if they were their own children, getting fired up as if someone was attacking their own family...which, they have actually become.



Recently, such bond has been tested. Quite possibly the best football player this year, Cam Newton, has been brought into the spotlight under bogus allegations. However, the coaching staff at Auburn, led by head coach, Gene Chizik, has stood beside him and encouraged him to continue to exhibit the leadership and keep his head held high through all of this. In fact, what should be a week of interviews about a HUGE upcoming rival game has been peppered with interviews regarding the crazy allegations.



Well, enough was enough and this week, Coach Chizik stood up for his player, his team, his "son" and addressed the situation. Watch below as he defends his player in a very dignified way. THIS is a man who can put football scores aside and take time to show that he cares about his players individually and his team as a whole.

Way to go Coach Chizik! I believe in Auburn...and LOVE it!

Auburn's Gene Chizik defends Cam Newton

Remembering During a Season of Thanks

Give thanks with a grateful heart,

Give thanks to the Holy One,

Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.

And now, let the weak say "I am strong!"

Let the poor say "I am rich!"

Because of what the Lord has done, for us.

Give thanks!

Give thanks!

Give thanks!

Giving THANKS to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

But THANKS be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:57

How often do we give thanks to God for all that He has done? Do we give thanks in the good/easy times AND in the hard times?

In church on Sunday, I was reminded to look back and remember what He has done. God has brought us through so much. Sometimes when we go through a difficult time, it is easy to get stuck and not look back with a thankful heart on all that He has taken us through, not to mention to provide salvation!

WE WILL REMEMBER AND GIVE THANKS WITH A GRATEFUL HEART!

5 years

A lot has happened in the past 5 years. After remembering a few things and a quick Google search this morning, I was reminded of these things.

2005
Hurricane Katrina
George Bush begins 2nd term as 43rd President of US
Pope John Paul II dies and a new pope, Benedict XVI, is elected
Disneyland celebrates 50th birthday
Lance Armstrong wins his 7th straight Tours de France
Notable Deaths: Rosa Parks, Johnny Carson, William Rehnquist

2006
Saddam Hussein was charged and found guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death by hanging
Winter Games took place in Turin, Italy
Nintendo Wii was released
Pluto was downgraded from a planet to a dwarf planet

2007
VA Tech massacre took place on April 16 - 32 students killed
Peru earthquake 8.0 - 500 dead
Nancy Pelosi becomes the 1st female speaker of US Congress (for better or worse!)
Introduction of the Apple iPhone
Minneopolis Bridge collapses into Mississippi River during rush-hour traffic
Miriam's sister, Deborah gets married

2008
Fidel Castro steps down as President of Cuba after almost 50 years
Olympic Tourch relay begins in Olympia, Greece to promote 2008 Beijing Olympics
Michael Phelps wins 8 gold medals at Beijing Olympics
Notable deaths: Charlton Heston, Paul Newman
Miriam's parents move to Costa Rica for language school

2009
Barak Obama becomes 44th President
H1N1 outbreak
Slovakia joins EU
Balloon Boy Hoax
Plane crash on the Hudson
Guantanamo closed
Notable deaths: Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Patrick Swayze, Billy Mays, Ted Kennedy
Miriam's parents move to Chimaltenango, Guatemala

2010
2010 Winter Olympics in Vancover and Whistler, Canada
Haiti Earthquake 7.0
Chile Earthquake 8.8
China Earthquake 6.9
Eyjafjallajokull Volcano in Iceland erupts and disrupts air travel for days
Deepwater Horizon Oil platform explodes resulting in one of the largest oil spills in history
H1N1 pandemic declared over
Landslide in Oaxaca, Mexico
Notable death: Gary Coleman

Even with all of these things that have happened in the past 5 years, it seems like only yesterday that we were finding out that Mike's brother, Mark, had paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country in Iraq. What was one of the most difficult days in our lives proved to become a day that God has used in so many lives! Romans 8:28 says "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

Though that day caught us by surprise, Mark's death did not catch God by surprise. God had numbered Mark's days and had prepared him for that day. And, He walked with us through those most difficult days and continues to walk with us.

We remember Mark today and are so thankful that because he had a personal relationship with Christ, he is in Heaven with God now.

Feel free to comment with your own memories of the past 5 years or of Mark and his influence in your life.



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HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Happy Birthday to a great Mom! I am so proud of her following God's and my dad's lead to serve in Guatemala. She is a great example to me!

Thanks Mom for showing me what a Godly mother and wife look like!

I love you!