I have a lot to be excited about and to look forward to in the next few months. I can’t really tell you what yet but I do ask for your prayers as Brian and I get ready for a few changes in our lives. It’s time for some changes and we’re ready.
Stay tuned for updates in the next couple months! 
Last week Brian and I hopped in a minivan with Adam, Laura and Mimi and drove to O’Fallon, IL to visit Brian’s mom’s side of the family. We had such a wonderful time! Brian’s mom, step dad and step brother were supposed to go with us but Beth has been super sick and wasn’t able to make the trip. We missed them so much!
I love spending time with family. It’s so refreshing and fun. We took a few pictures while we were there so I thought I’d share some. Enjoy!
the whole family with our t-shirts (minus Beth, Vince and Christopher)!
i got to go to the arch in St. Louis! cross that visit off my list! woohoo!
City Museum in St. Louis. Coolest place I’ve ever been! See that school bus at the top? I went inside that!
sliding down a huuuuge slide with Brian
Thanks so much to Aunt Becky and Uncle Dave for hosting us! We had so much fun!
this is my favorite TV show ever. and it’s not on TV at all anymore! i can’t watch it online. i can’t watch it on Hulu. it’s ridiculous. i just want access to my favorite show! you can buy seasons 1-3 on DVD so i’m adding that to my Christmas list. i watched this show ALL THE TIME growing up… when i think back to my childhood it is one of the highlights.
what about you? what was your favorite show in TV growing up?
i am blessed.
with an incredible husband.
with the best family ever. and yes, this includes my in-laws.
with the most amazing friends in the world, who more appropriately fit under the “best family ever” category.
with a job that i love more and more everyday.
with a church family that is there for me no matter what.
with a house that is old and quaint and is truly home.
with two lovely dogs… that sometimes drive me crazy but i know life would be empty without.
with good health. and a happy life.
with a God who is bigger than everything in this world and who loves me so, so much.
i am oh so blessed.
A few months ago we came up with some five year goals for Oak Leaf Church. I’ve never been a big goal-setter but I enjoyed the conversations about where we’re heading as a church. As we made our goals we knew that in order to accomplish them we’d have to get healthy first. So, our theme this year is HEALTH. Beginning in August we started making strides toward getting healthy. This goes from our Volunteer Teams to the database to our finances and everything in between. Some of it’s not so fun but it’s so necessary if we’re going to move forward.
We’ve announced that next year on our 4th anniversary we’re going to launch a second campus. Our efforts to get healthy now will pay off when we go to duplicate Oak Leaf Church in another town. Every detail matters and every bit of our hard work will pay off. People are meeting Jesus. Lives are being changed. And that makes every second worth it.
The past two weeks have been pretty crazy. Two weeks ago I went on a cruise to Mexico and last week I was in Chicago! Both trips were a ton of fun. Here are some highlights.
Brian and I went on the cruise with Michael and Jennie. We had a great time. Our first stop was Cozumel and we enjoyed an all-inclusive beach that day. We all got 30-minute massages which were amazing. Lots of fun and very relaxing! Then we stopped in Calica which is right down the road from Playa del Carmen. We rented a car and went to some Mayan ruins. Very cool. Then we walked around Playa del Carmen and visited some shops and stuff. The ship was pretty rocky the whole trip so that was interesting but the food was good and I got to get some sun
I went to the Story Conference in Chicago last week with Michael, Jake and Suzy. The conference was at the Paramount Theater which was awesome. The highlight of the conference for me was hearing Donald Miller speak. And apparently he had the flu. I never would’ve known. Michael posted a recap of the conference so you can check that out here. While there we drove into the city and ate dinner at Texas de Brazil, which was really good. I’m so thankful I got to spend a few days with Suzy… she brings so much joy and laughter to everything! Love her so much!
Now I’m back in GA for a little while. I’m not used to all this traveling I’ve done this year…. I’m definitely a fan! Back to reality, though. Lots of work to do and the holidays are just around the corner! Before we know it we’ll be celebrating a new year! Time is flying by!
1. this cold weather is blowing my mind. i love it but i’m not sure i’m ready for it. but i do love hoodies and i am wearing them a lot right now!
2. the good news is that i’m going to warm cozumel, mexico next week so i have that to look forward to!
3. but then i go to chicago so i’ll have to be ready for cold weather by then. looking forward to the Story conference!
4. we’ve got a new roof on our house! woohoo! i really never thought i’d be so excited about a roof. but i am. the paying for it part is not so fun though.
5. i love, love, love football season! i could sit around and watch football all day long. hoping this season doesn’t go by as fast as last year. oh, and brian and i are doing pretty good in our fantasy league too
6. i can’t wait for my foot surgery in january. sometimes i get nervous about it because the healing process is going to be intense, but then i remember that all the pain i feel now will be over after it heals and i get so excited! i can’t wait to be able to run again!
Here are five quick updates:
1. Week two of Storybook Sex is this weekend at Oak Leaf Church. Join us for any of our FOUR services. Saturday night at 5:00 and 6:30 and Sunday morning at 10:00 and 11:30.
2. We’re going on a marriage retreat to Buckhead November 13-14. We’re calling it Sex in the City. We’ll go down there on Friday evening and be done around 11 a.m. on Saturday morning. There will be two sessions with special guests Brian and Amy Bloye from West Ridge Church. It’s a great opportunity to get away for a night and we’re doing all the planning for you. The cost is $149 and you can go here to register.
3. Brian and I are going on a cruise with Michael and Jennie in about a week. I have a whole lot to do before then. But I can’t wait to go on vacation!!
4. After the cruise I’m going to the Story Conference in Chicago. I’m excited about the opportunity… I’ve never really been to a conference like this. Should be a lot of fun!
5. I have to clean my house today. Booooo.
We have a very exciting weekend ahead of us at Oak Leaf Church! Not only are we kicking off the series Storybook Sex, but we’re also adding a fourth service to the mix! There will now be FOUR opportunities for you to invite your friends, family and co-workers to Oak Leaf Church.
The Series:
The sexiest love story of all time won’t be found in a Shakespeare play or a Nicholas Sparks novel. Believe it or not, it’s found in the Bible. Join us as we walk through the book of Song of Solomon and learn about what God says about sex, dating, marriage and relationships. It’s a series called Storybook Sex. Here’s the lineup:
The New Service Times:
We’re not just adding a fourth service, but we’re also changing service times for EVERYONE. The new times are:
Here are some graphics for the series…. you won’t want to miss it, I promise!
