Roanoke and Smith Mt. Lake

Today was a very nice day. Dawn and I met up and went to Richmond together. We spent the midday downtown walking around looking at street vendors and their goods. I really enjoyed getting to know her better. We ate lunch at a little place that served the best pizza. It was like brushetta but with mozzarella. I m not usually a tomatoes person but I am glad that I went outside my box and tried something different. We also get icecream from this vendor who was using the old crank. There is nothing like homemade icecream. I saw some really cute flip flops at a boutique that had interchangable flaps but they were $50 and that is just way too much money for a pair of flip flops! Dawn and I caught up to Clayton and Troy and we went to Smit Mt. Lake, the first time for Clayton and I. It was beautiful. They actually have a putt putt course that extends out over the lake. I hope that sometime we can go back and play at the course but it was a little too much and so it needs to be a planned event!

On another fun note, I got an Iphone and I love it! Clayton was having problems with is phone and he sent it back and they sent him a replacement phone. Then they sent his original phone back to him saying that it was damamge they could not fix and they were going to charge him for the other phone but Clayton talked to a really nice lady named Sarah (no kidding) and she said that we could keep the old phone and the new one, but that his waranty was cancelled. So.... I got a new phone... for FREE! Now, isnt that cool?!

Keep praying for us.... everything is riding on next week! May God be gracious!

It finally hit 80!

The weather has been really funny lately for mid April. We have has a string of fairly cold days, with highs in the mid 50s. Today, it finally looks like spring is here to stay and summer is on its way since the high is in the 80s!

Spring Break has been nice. The list of things I have done is short, lazy, and sweet! Finished Keri's baby presents, slept, watched all of Season 5 of Dawson's Creek, slept, played Scrabble, slept, and am now cleaning the house. I think I needed a few days of nothing. Its been really nice! I just try not to think about research papers!

There is a lot riding on the next few weeks! Please, please pray for us! May God make his will known!

Muddy Easter

Today is Easter! Growing up my mom used to say, "He is Risen!" We answered back, "He is Risen Indeed!" As a kid I always felt awkward saying this but as I get older I understand the need and hope that fills these words.

These last few weeks have been difficult for Clayton and I. Two weeks ago this past Monday, I found out that I was going to lose my job. It's been frustrating trying to get through the past few weeks, feeling like work is a little pointless. Clayton went for his ordination meeting this past Tuesday. He is also feeling similar frustration since the DCOM (District Committee on Ordained Ministry) informed him that he missed a step in the process and now he has to wait a month. What was really frustrating is that he did not know this until the meeting.
All of this leading up to Easter Sunday...

We went to regular service at the 9:45 and then slipped out a little early to go to Timberlake East for their new opening. Tom had a really good message. He talked about mud and how in New England they consider it another season, the season between Winter and Spring. He went on the say that sometimes our lives are stuck in the mud. We are somewhere between the darkness of winter and the newness of spring. I feel like that right now. What really stuck out to me was the his third point, that even in mud there is purpose. That God does not give us times of mud for mud's sake but to help someone else who may go through this situation.
It was really encouraging to me to hear that these rough times have purpose and God is just not allowing it arbitrarily.

So we had a "Muddy" Easter Sunday.
Then we played croquet!

Ups and Downs and All Around

The last few weeks have been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. I had been working really hard for a few months to get Frank X. Walker to come and read poetry at the highschool where I work. Two weeks ago wednesday, he came to E.C. Glass and it went really well. My students really liked him and I got my picture taken with him. It was a really neat experience. In April, Sharon Draper will be coming to Lynchburg and I hope to get to meet her and get a picture as well. That was the up...

Going down.......

Yesterday, I found out that I will not have a job next year. The budget cuts eliminated 60+ people from the Lynchburg City School District. I cried, then I came home and cried, and then I cried some more. Since I am putting Clayton through school right now, this is a big blow. BUT! I know that God will take care of us. He cares for the lilies of the field and the birds of the air, how much more does he care for and love us... Please pray for us. We know God is in control but this by no means lessens the wondering about the future or the anxiety of decision making. Please pray that God will provide the right job at exactly where he wants me to be. I was thinking maybe something in photography?!

Jesus loves me this I know
Cristo me amo, bien lo se
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak but He is strong

Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
The Bible tell me so

Eyes and prayers
going up....

Barbecue and Margaritas

We had a good day today. We finally got a new property management company and they were really nice. Pretty much anything could be better than what went on with the last management company.
This morning before I left for work, I put a pork butt shoulder roast into the crock pot with barbecue and it was great! We ate it with some margaritas on the front porch. It is SO nice outside. I love this weather. They are forecasting snow for this next weekend which I find hard to believe.
Gotta love the dinner on the front porch! :o)

No Snow Now Sixites!

The snow that fell earlier this week is all but gone. I went to Walmart after work to get grocieries and marveled at the snow stack that was as tall as I am but it was very warm outside. When I got home it was in the sixties! It's kinda hard to believe. I am really excited about tomorrow. My friend from work, Diedre and I are going to get together and quilt. I am teaching her what I know and at the same time getting excited about starting a new project. She is going to make a door stop. They are really neat and they insulate the door. My mother in law bought me some dog patterned fabric and I am looking forward to making my first quilt for Clayton and me! We'll just have to see how it goes!

Snow Day!!

Last night we had a lot of snow! I was glad to have one really pretty snow this year! It was beautiful. When I see snow I always think about the phrase, "and your sin shall be washed whiter than snow." It's so pure and beautiful, wet and white.

Clayton and I went outside to play with our babies. The dogs have never seen snow. It was fun to watch them play. The snow was so deep it really freaked Izzie out. Her legs arent really long enough! Gus thought it was a great big toy. He kept eating it and jumping in it so it would fluff up! You can't see it in the picture but he has snow all over his nose! It is supposed to get down into the tens tonight. Maybe we wont have school tomorrow....

Hurrah for snow days!