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.



/>

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!

WAR EAGLE!

Looking good so far! Auburn had another great win on Saturday night - always nice when the 'ole ball coach has a "L" for the week and Auburn has a "W"!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DAD!

Happy Birthday to the best Dad in the world!

I'm so thankful for you and your testimony to our family. You have shown us what a man of God looks like. And, you are living it out everyday in Guatemala sharing God's love with people there. Thanks for "not growing weary in doing well."

We love you!

AUBURN GAME WEEKEND

We had a great weekend away. First we met my brother, Stephen, for dinner. (Sorry - no pics! How did we manage that??) Then, we met Tommy and Christi and Sean in Pine Mountain where we spent the night. After breakfast at Callaway Gardens, we all headed over to Auburn University for Game Day and to meet Jim and Christy for the game.

We tailgated and were able to catch up since it had been a while since we had all seen each other. Then, headed up to the stadium for the game. The game was a first for Christy and Mike so we enjoyed the pre-game shows and found our seats - Row 1, right on the field!

What an experience to be back at a football game and enjoy all the Game Day festivities!

We were also able to go to our old church on Sunday and see some old friends. Then, Sunday afternoon, Mike and Tom re-lived the "Glory Days" at Ft. Benning. Of course, they did the obstacle courses, ropes, and a memory run up Cardiac Hill.

We said "good-bye" to them on Sunday night and then early Monday morning headed up to Scottsboro, AL to see Miriam's cousins at their camp. We were able to spend a few days there enjoying the camp and our time with them. Wednesday morning, we packed up for our L-O-N-G 9 hour trip home.

It was a fun trip, lots going on, enjoyed seeing lots of friends and old places...but we were glad to be home and see Polly and Blue!

It's that time again...

FOOTBALL SEASON!!

We are entering one of my favorite seasons of the year - Fall and Football. Not only do I love watching football, especially my Auburn Tigers, but there is always a promise of cooler weather, leaves changing into pretty colors, and sweaters, fleeces, and down vests! Now, don't get me wrong, I can hang at the beach and lake with the best of you...and this girl REALLY enjoys having a tan...but there is just something about that cool weather.

Can't wait to see the eagle fly around that stadium on Saturday afternoon!

WAAAAARRRRR EAGLE!

And for those of you who still wonder why Auburn has a tiger, Aubie, as our mascot and has the eagle, War Eagle, at the game too - see here.

Thought for the day...

Where God guides, He provides.

Isaiah 30:21 "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way, walk in it'."

Phillipians 4:19 "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."