Blog Record

I have never made more than 13 posts in a month before... until now. So I don't have anything to say really, I just wanted to make it 14 posts for the month. :)

Under 200!

The countdown says it all!
Less than 200 days until the wedding! ;-)
I told mom a while back that I wouldn't start stressing until it went below 100, haha! ;-)

Dog Watching AFV

Matt and I saw this video on AFV the other night and started cracking up!!! It makes my eyes water from laughing so hard... it is so strange.

Wedding Dress: The Story

I want to share the story about how I got my wedding dress, but it just tires me to think about sharing every little detail... so I will just try to give a "simplified" version!

A while back I found a dress online that I really liked. It was simple, yet elegant. I told mom that I liked it and I was surprised that she liked it too. It isn't necessarily a "traditional" wedding dress, so I wasn't sure what she would think about it.

Unfortunately it was an "online only" dress so I would have to order it without ever trying it on. If it didn't fit or if I didn't like it, I could always send it back. Well, for months I would just look at it online but I never ordered it.

Not too long ago I told mom that I was thinking about going ahead and ordering the dress. I got online to look at it again and I noticed that the price had gone down. Of course, I was excited about that! But as I kept looking I also noticed that it now said, "All Outlet sales final, no exchanges, no returns. While supplies last." Uh oh! As I clicked the dropbox to see what sizes were available I realized that my size was sold out. I cannot explain to you how I felt at that moment. I was completely bummed. I didn't realize that it was "the one" until I thought that I couldn't have it. (so typical of women, huh? ;-) )

I tried to let it go, but I kept thinking about how much I wanted that dress. I got back on the David's Bridal website and looked at the sizes that were available.... a 2 and a 4. I started trying to convince myself that I could fit into a 4 even though I figured there was no way. I expressed my concern to my mom and she suggested that I go into a David's Bridal store and try on a 4 and just see if it fits. I really didn't want to go, but I did. I told the lady which dress I wanted online and told her what I was wanting to do. She looked at the dress and told me that they had a dress at the store by the same designer, in a size 4. In fact, the top part of the dress was almost identical to the one I wanted. Before I tried it on she said, "If you can fit into this dress, you can fit into the one online". Well.... IT FIT!! PERFECTLY!!!

I was so excited! As soon as I left the store I called mom and said, "It fit!" So, when I got back to the house I got onlined and ordered the dress!! It is on its way here right now. I am so excited about it and I can't wait to try it on!

I went back and forth whether or not to put a picture of it on the blog, but I decided that it is just too beautiful to not share with all of you! So, here it is!!!!

Ok, just kidding. :) If you want to see a picture of it, just leave me a comment or send me an email and I'll send you a link!

Woohoo! I bought my wedding dress! :)

(can you tell I'm excited?)

"Tiny Mini Kisses Peanut Blossoms"

"Tiny Mini Kisses Peanut Blossoms" are what these cookies are called. Kind of a mouthful if you ask me, but nevertheless, they are WONDERFUL! They're too good to keep to myself so I figured I should share the recipe! I didn't follow everything exactly, but they turned out very good! Enjoy!

Tiny Mini Kisses Peanut Blossoms
Makes about 14 dozen cookies - Ok... so this is what the recipe book says, but they want you to make tiny little cookies that are about the same size as Hershey's Kisses... that sounds like a pain in the butt to me! As you can see in the picture, I made mine bigger and it made just over two dozen. Not to mention, that even at the size I made them, it is VERY chocolatey (sure that is a word!) So, if you want to roll out 14 dozen cookies, go for it - but I wouldn't recommend it. :)

3/4 cup REESE'S Creamy Peanut Butter
1/2 cup shortening
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Granulated sugar
Hershey's Mini Kisses Brand Semi-Sweet or Milk Chocolates
- I just now realized this called for "mini" kisses... maybe that is why they expect it to make 14 dozen... I just used regular kisses. I don't know if there is a difference or not.

1. Heat oven to 350

2. Beat peanut butter and shortening in large bowl with mixer until well mixed. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat well. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat until fluffy. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to peanut butter mixture, beating until blended. Shape into 1/2-inch balls (or whatever). Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet.

3. Bake 5 to 6 minutes or until set. Immediately press Mini Kiss into center of each cookie. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. (I didn't do that, I just let them cool on the baking sheet)

Wedding Dress!

I ordered my wedding dress today! I'll have to tell the story later - but for now, I'm just so excited! :)

GOOD NEWS!

Lauren wanted me to share that, because Austin Grad. is willing to substitute a couple of their new courses beginning this fall for a couple of courses that are on my curriculum, I will be able to graduate this December!

This means I get to prepare for a wedding, graduation, and job search all at the same time...woo hoo!

-Matt

Fool

What does it mean to be the church?

I was recently told a story by a counselor, we’ll call him John, at a local church about a man who had been attending their congregation for a few years. John recalled his first meeting with this man; to say the least, he had lived a difficult life. In the mid-90’s, his wife had been murdered, he, being the ex-husband, was still being blamed. He had since fallen into alcoholism and deep depression, and he could not keep a job. John went on to talk about how they had built a friendship. He had been there for this man when his faith was strong, and he stayed by his side when he could not keep a job, questioning if God really cared.

John then began telling me about their last visit. He said his friend was greatly distressed, pacing the room back and forth with a look of worry in his eyes. He asked him how his recent interview had gone. In reply the man told him that he didn’t get the job, but he didn’t deserve it. “In fact,” he added, “I don’t deserve any job. I know why I can’t keep a job period.” When asked why, the man responded by confessing to John that he had murdered his wife 15 years prior.

“Do you think I need to turn myself in?” asked the man.

“Yes I do,” replied John.

“Do you think I’m despicable?” the man asked.

“No,” answered John, “in fact, I am proud of your decision.”

After a short conversation and many tears, the two decided it would be best to call one of the elders, a local attorney, in order to plan out the steps needed to be taken. While John was on the phone, the elder said, “Tell him I salute him for what he is doing.”

As John passed along the comment, the man hung his head. Shaking his head back and forth, the man said, “I don’t understand you people.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­
In 1 Corinthians 1:21-23, Paul says:

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles....

When one reflects on the cross of Christ, God revealing himself to the world in a single, saving act of ultimate sacrifice and grace, it is difficult to fully grasp what is taking place. Why would a God want to save a people who had rejected him time and time again? Why would God choose to suffer such an excruciating death? Why would God choose to take on the sins of the world? Why?

Love.

It is indeed difficult for us to understand this love, but this is the very thing that we preach. However, it is not just in sermons or in mere words that this lesson is taught; it is one that must be lived out each day in loyal obedience to the Father and love for our neighbors. We preach Christ crucified, a suffering God, foolishness to a perishing world.

May we be fools to the world, that the wisdom of God, the cross of Christ, may shine through.

I don’t understand you people. What a wonderful description of the church.

-Matt

Over 100 Views!

On Friday, I posted a video of Matt singing Aint No Sunshine on my blog and on youtube. I promoted it a little on facebook and myspace and as of right now, the video has 110 views! Not only that, but apparently people started checking out his other videos as well. His videos of some of his original songs have more views too! More Than This has 116 views, Fall Down has 89 views, and Filthy Self has 93! He has already agreed to make some more videos sometime soon, so I'll be sure to get those up on the blog for everyone to see! Pretty soon we may have to invest in a camera that doesn't squeal through the entire video! ;-)

Camp of the Hills

We took the youth group over to Camp of the Hills during Spring Break for a work day. We had six youth to come, Keith (one of the elders who does a lot of the youth events) and Matt and me. One of their barns had burned down earlier in the week, so we worked on cleaning it up. Afterward we went to a hiking trail as "training" for the people going on trek this summer. They even put weights in their backpacks! One of the youth girls posted some pictures on facebook today, so I stole a few of her pics to share with yall...

Here is a picture of the group that went hiking minus Keith (taking the picture) and minus me. Of course I hurt my knee at Camp of the Hills... so I stayed behind and worked on homework while they hiked.


Matt and Carmon after working on cleaning up the barn!

Keith taking a break from working... haha!

JOEY taking a break from working...

Matt working hard! (the tractor wasn't even running, but it is more fun for all of us if we pretend it was!)

Carmon rubbed soot around her mouth like a beard, so this is a picture of the "guys" (minus Josh and Ed)

Apparently something was funny... either that, or I just felt like ruining the picture. No, that can't be it... I would never do that!! :)

Matt and Keith...

Tuesday Night Date

Matt and I went on a date tonight. Nothing extra fancy, we just decided to go to Cheesecake Factory. I had only been there once before and Matt had never been. It was delicious! There were so many different kinds of cheesecake to pick from for dessert! It was hard to pick, but we decided on the Carrot Cake Cheesecake with cream cheese icing. It was very yummy! :)

It was kind of nice to just go out on a Tuesday night! There weren't many people there, so that was a good thing! :) That is all of the news I have for now!

Mohawk Matt

I gave Matt another hair cut today. I convinced him to let me cut it in a mohawk first before I did the buzz cut. It would've been better if his hair were a little longer, or if we could've spiked it straight up or something... but this is still pretty funny. Next time maybe I'll try a skinnier mohawk.... :) And maybe some green hair dye?

Aint No Sunshine

Matt learned this song a while back and I just loved it. He sang it at the fundraiser we had in Gainesville last weekend and did such a good job.... SO, like the obnoxious girlfriend that I am, I begged him to let me record him singing it. This is take 7, I believe. He was getting so frustrated because his guitar kept going out of tune in the middle of the song. He was also getting frustrated because he just doesn't play electric as much so he was having a hard time figuring out how he wanted to play it. Finally, I convinced him that it sounded just fine so we decided on this one! It is up on youtube, so feel free to rate or comment on it on youtube if you can! Let him know what you think!

P.S. It has been loading kind of slow for me. I don't know if it just my computer or my connection, but if it skips a lot for you, maybe just let it play all the way through once on mute or something, then try to play it. Hopefully you won't have any problems with it though!

Cruciform Love

In a recent study, researchers discovered that giving children specific chores teaches such values as responsibility, dedication, and hard work. In order to have a lasting impact on these values and build upon such attributes, adding things like kindness, patience, and more significantly, love and trust, it is important that the father fully participate alongside his child as they carry out the task together. This not only instructs the child in how to carry out his daily life, but it also builds a lasting relationship between the father and the child. What a strange revelation...

As I heard the results of this study, I was reminded of the very life and death of Christ. Jesus was born on this Earth as one of us while still God. He lives a scandalous yet revolutionary life, eating with sinners and the outcasts of society, touches lepers, the sick, and the demon-possessed, and suffers this excruciating death on a cross, all for what reason?

As one of us, in working and suffering alongside us, Jesus gives us instruction and the perfect example of how to carry out our daily lives. In scenes like the one in John 13 where Jesus washes his disciples’ feet, he says, “...I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” However, he was not only setting the example in facing life but also in facing death. In agony while in Gethsemane, he cries out in prayer, “Abba, Father...not what I will, but your will be done.”

In Mark 12:28-34, a scribe approaches Jesus with a question. “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus responds, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” When the scribe affirms Jesus saying that this commandment to love God and love others is greater than any offering or sacrifice, Jesus tells him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

In facing life and death, Christ gave us the perfect example of how we love God and love others, and it is on the cross that he is the ultimate model of the kingdom of God. Some have even compared the form of the cross, the cruciform, to this greatest command, the vertical beam representing the love for God and the horizontal beam and outstretched arms as Jesus’ love for others; the two come together at the point of intersection, the point of the cross.

Jesus calls us as his disciples to follow him along the way, the way to the cross; however, he does not just give us the instruction and expect us to follow. He walks with us each step, working hand in hand with us in this kingdom movement, and, through his suffering, cruciform love, he shows us how we are to live out our daily lives, loving God and loving others. Even greater than this, he freely offers us a relationship with the Father. As Paul states, “God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself.”

May we come to know our Father who offers himself to us daily, who wants to have a deep relationship with us so much that he suffers alongside us and sacrificed his son for our sake. May we learn from his example and offer ourselves daily in the cruciform love.

-Matt