All of my Jobs...

Well, it may seem crazy to some people...and it kinda is...but, I do enjoy all of my jobs:

1. I babysit two boys in the morning: They are almost 2 years old & 5 months...super cute. Then I drop them off at the childcare they have during the day.

2. I work in the YMCA nursery. I enjoy this job about 88% of the time. Also, this job is directly across the street from our apartment, and I get a free membership & Buck's is 50% off...great perks. Plus, I think there are some other jobs at the YMCA that I am better qualified for and that I would enjoy more...so, if they ever come open, I will be ready!

3. I substitute teach when I can. I love being in any classroom...and most days are good. Plus it pays pretty well.

4. I work as an Instructor at the Etum Academy in Lakewood. I teach a "book club" curriculum to 5th grade korean students. I totally love this position. I am hoping I will get some more classes to move me up from the two hours a week I work now.

5. Oh yeah, and I am applying for the Head Girls Basketball Coach at Stadium High School. If that doesn't work out, I am probably going to take a Junior High Head Coach Position at Curtis, which would keep me with the same program I worked last year. It will be different having my own team!

Well, I am scattered...and sometimes I feel beat, but I love how quickly my day changes...I love bouncing from one thing to the next. I do wish I was more stable. But, hopefully my life is piecing together little moments that impact others. That makes me feel good:)

Our Family is Happy...

Auburn whipped Buffalo...WAR EAGLE! And, Arkansas pulled out a tough win...okay, so they got lucky, but they won! They beat BAMA!

so, i post...

It happened...finally I was reading the blogs of many of my dear friends and was guilted into posting. But, I do enjoy posting. And, I need somewhere (besides my poor husband) to put down my thoughts sometimes. I know he must often think: "why doesn't she just stop thinking", but I am a thinker...believe me, I have tried to turn it off.

Lately, I have been pondering the idea of loyalty. What is it really & what drives to live a life of loyalty? I have many friends that are loyal (as far as I know), but they all seem to express it in different ways. I know it doesn't mean you have to "be there all the time"...thank goodness or I might be friendless at this point in my life. I think for me at least, that loyalty is something that is earned...not the right word...it is developed through combat, maybe. It takes awhile for me to consider someone loyal...I think I have to observe them love me & allow me to love them back...you know, that level of a relationship that has to be worked on, the friends you have been through something with...the ones who have seen your victories and have seen you fall flat on your face.

I have been watching our middle school students lately, and I have observed that they have no idea of this sense loyalty. Maybe they haven't been through enough together...maybe we are even more selfish then than I am now. I just don't know, but it breaks my heart. Loyalty is undervalued. I do know that. I can name those people I would call during a crisis. I can name those people that I will always love no matter the circumstances...no matter how long the time between one conversation and the next.

I love students & I love serving alongside Buck, sharing our hearts with these teenagers and watching them grow.

Pray for me that I would share only Christ with them as they seek Him...and try to follow Him...and bring their friends in hopes that they will encounter Christ.

Pray that we would all encounter Christ everyday.

Amy's Shirt

WAR EAGLE!

It's Great to be an Auburn Tiger!

Here is a letter Farah passed off to me. It is written by a WSU fan. It is pretty cool!

War Eagle from a Cougar!

---

I said I would post on my experience when I got home to Washington...so here I am.
First, "THANK YOU AUBURN" for putting on a first class game day. What an incredible atmosphere! I am still just beaming. I can't say enough how special a football experience is at Auburn.

The first two guys I ran into at Bodago's on Friday night. Neither had been to an away Cougar game before and their neighbor in Seattle, who is an Auburn grad, invited them to go down to the game and stay at his families hunting lodge just outside Auburn. So they went down to the game with a group of Auburn fans. Turns out their neighbor is the son of your legendary Heisman trophy winner Sullivan. Pretty cool eh?

Your stadium is so beautiful. Simply amazing!
The Eagle flying down to start the game was unbelievable and by far the coolest thing I've ever seen at a college football game!

The college girls with their pretty little sundresses where very eye opening! Are there any ugly girls at this school?

Food...I'm still full. I love Waffle House at 3 am.

But by far the best and most memorable experience was meeting and hanging out with the people from Auburn. I have never met a nicer bunch of people. You are all a great group and I am very happy to have met you all. Auburn is truly a special place and will always be thought of in high regards by us fans of WSU.

Thanks again for a great time. I truly hope we can do it again sometime. Only next time, I hope we can make a better game of it.

You guys will win the national title! Irons is a great back.

I will now spend the next 5 years or so trying to convince my son that he will need to attend college at Auburn. Have a great season Tigers....

MSJ

10 Reason the Hogs will win!

My prediction Hogs 38 USC 35

Wooo Pig Soooie!

Here are 10 reasons why I believe the Hogs are capable of pulling off an upset:

1. Pride -- Southern Cal intentionally embarrassed a very young and inexperienced football team last year. They sent a message to the nation at the Hogs' expense and laughed about it while doing it.

Though it's not USC's job to stop its own offense, there is no class in passing late in the game with a 50-point lead.

The Trojans had better be ready to rumble tonight because they will be challenged, and the joke may end up on them if they don't take the Hogs seriously.

2. Offensive line -- The Hogs own a veteran front five that led the way for the most potent rushing attack in the SEC last season. Stephen Parker, Tony Ugoh and the rest of the big guys up front can play smashmouth with the best of them, and they are hankering to show everyone how solid they are pass blocking, too.

3. UA cornerbacks -- This group took its lumps against USC last year, and Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith should be as good if not better this year. However, with a year's experience under their belts, Chris Houston and Matterrall "Red" Richardson are no longer struggling with the demands of a new scheme. Tonight's matchup will be more of an even match.

4. Felix Jones -- Jones got lost a bit in Darren McFadden's shadow last season as he was setting a UA freshman rushing record, but Jones averaged 6.3 yards a carry just like McFadden a season ago. Jones is an elusive runner who will benefit from the misdirection that is built into UA Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn's offensive scheme.

5. Reggie Herring -- The Hogs' defensive coordinator has been stewing about last season's loss for nearly a year. This game is personal to him, his staff and each of the Hog defenders. Tonight they are intent on not being embarrassed for a second year in a row.

6. Peyton Hillis -- The junior from Conway and Malzahn's offense were made for each other. Hillis will prove to be a bell cow for the Hogs this season, catching screens and swings as well as punishing defenders from the tailback spot.

7. Jamaal Anderson -- The 6-foot-6, 280-pound junior came into his own in the last half of last season, and he has only gotten better, adding strength and muscle in the off-season. He has the chance to be a force from his left end spot.

8. Marcus Monk -- The 6-6 junior's talents went to waste last season. That will not happen this season in Malzahn's offense. He will be All-SEC this season and an All-America candidate going into his senior season.

9. Motivation -- Houston Nutt has had a knack for being at his motivational best in revenge games. Win or lose, expect the Hogs to give a peak performance tonight.

10. Razorback fans -- When it gets down to the nitty gritty, Hog fans always come through for their team. With 72,000 plus on hand tonight, all the naysaying will be put aside. The fans will be behind their Razorbacks and the atmosphere will be a one-of-a-kind experience.

USC is a great football program, and by all accounts, the Trojans should win the game, but anyone who believes Arkansas has no chance hasn't got a clue.

Terry J. Wood is the sports editor of the Northwest Arkansas Times.

I can see the light . . .

It's official, I'm scheduled to finish my Masters of Divinity this fall!!!
Thanks to a very generous professor who has allowed me to take an independent study. I will be completing my degree and hopefully done with school for the rest of my natural life. Not done with learning obviously, just done with taking classes for a piece of paper.

Here is the catch. I have to take Intro. to Greek, Advanced Hebrew(which I haven't looked at in 9 months) along with an on-line history course. So, your prayers for much discipline would be greatly appreciated!

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICK'EM IS HERE

Sign up now! I have included the link and information below:

Group ID#: 2281
Password: auburntigers

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICK'EM

WAR EAGLE!

LET's GO AUBURN!

Lady in the Water

Ok so if you know anything about this movie you know that it is getting crushed in the media. Don't believe the hype. This is a good flick. I saw it this afternoon and sat there for about 2 hours completely engrossed in the picture. I didn't catch everything, but I caught enough.

I didn't care for the directors role in the movie, he's a better director then an actor. And I thought that Bryce Dallas Howard (Opies daughter) could have been a little better. But overall my experience watching the film was a 4 (out of 5) star experience.


2 things you should know before you watch:

1. It's a bed time story , treat it as such and I promise you'll have a smashing good time.
2. It's not that scary. My wife had no desire to see this movie (because it looks scary), but I'm vowing to make her watch it now. I promise it's ok for kids over 10 years old easy.

just in case...

Just in case some of you are checking this site & trying to figure out how to get to our student blog, here is the address:

www.discoverystudents.blogspot.com

Have Fun! Oh, and check out some of the pics from camp!

CAMP!

Well, there is just nothing in this life quite like summer camp...it may be the closest we can get to heaven on earth. Anyway, this week, Buck and I took five middle school girls to camp...Janessa, Aubrey, Jumah, Tairra, and Breauna...it really was a blast!!! Even though we were kinda the outsiders b/c we were a "church group" at a Campus Life camp, we were still able to get to know each other & enjoy the week. We were in Cedar Village #11. We were a part of the greatest team at camp...the "MOGEY MAN MARTYRS". There are always loads of fun memories from camp: the bugs, tubing (some for the first time), getting mail, fun games, KPOO News, "Where's Gina?", and games in the cabin. But, my favorite times at camp are and will always be the unique opportunity for each person present to encounter God...some to be refreshed, some to be renewed, and some to begin their "God-Story". I was able to watch two of our girls begin their journey with Christ; Janessa & Tairra...two girls who didn't know each other this week...who had no clue where the other was on the journey of life...were able to make a decision that unites them for eternity. I am so thankful for the faithfulness of God...he comes through even when we cannot. I was able to watch the other girls struggle with God, struggle with belief, and surrender to His greatness. I will not forget this experience. It is one of those days where you sit back and stand in awe because of the wonderful God we serve, that we cannot understand why a God so big, that doesn't need me, allows us to be a part of BIG stuff...of life-changing, eternal decisions. GO GOD!

COUNTDOWN...

www.auburntigers.com

Friends

Well, I of all people should know that moving, leaving, changing, new beginnings are constantly a part of life. And, although I consider myself a change-agent...someone who likes change just for the sake of change sometimes...that doesn't make it always easy.

Our friends, David, Farah, Dax, Cole, (and Faithy) Isbell just left. While it was one of the quickest goodbyes ever, it was one of the hardest. They were the people "like us". We were completely ourselves with them...no performing...no "coolness"...no perfect life...just real. They knew everything about us as a couple and had cared for each of us as individuals before we were married. They were the friends who asked us about our last fight, who kept us accountable for the struggles in marriage, who stood beside us on the day we were married.
They are the friends we hope to model our parenting after b/c of their commitment to be parents following Christ first!

They truly are friends I do not know if we will ever be able to replace. Part of that refers to the life experience part of friendship. We have done so much together. I lived with David & Farah when I was nineteen...our first year in Washington..the "non-Reeves"...our adventure he;ping with RiverChase. We watched students give their lives to Christ & share Christ with their friends. Buck & David worked together for camps, retreats, and whatever else they came up with. Those experiences are what will keep them close to my heart forever.

I am excited about their new life, their CHANGE...b/c I know that they are chasing hard after God. I am excited for the letters I am going to get in the mail from Dax....he promised. I am excited for my kids (one day) to visit Aunt Farah for speech lessons:)...I am excited to hear the stories of the people impacted through their lives.

I am sure there will be a day when EVERYTHING does not remind us of them anymore. But, right now we are sad. We miss our friends.

My Trip to the South...

Well, I went home this past week & it was quite exciting...although I am very glad to be home. On Saturday, my brother Adam graduated from the University of West Florida and was commissioned into the United States Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant. He will now be attending flight navigation school. I am so proud of him.

I also went to Auburn for about 24 hours to throw a bridal shower for Janet, my roomie from college. She is getting married in August. I also got to meet Foster...her absolutely wonderful fiance. I am excited for the two of them.

New Address

1014-B South Woodlawn Street
Tacoma, Washington 98465

What a week!

Well, the first day of a very busy week is winding down. We got some good news today though; our duplexes in Alabama are not closing until May 15...so, nothing we have to do with that this week.

Okay, so we are moving on Sunday...which isn't awful because I have been packing for a month...but, which isn't great because we have a student event, UPRISING, all weekend. I am super pumped about the weekend, just not that it is this weekend. I do wish we had more students coming because it is going to be unbelievable, but I MUST trust that God's presence will abound whether there are four students or four hundred students. Lord, please teach my heart to trust you more. Do amazing things in front of my face. Do things that are bigger than me in the lives of these students.

So, we are moving to a tiny little apartment. Why I am bummed: we can't have seven04 at our home each week...not enough space...we have to pack some things away (not the end of the world)...we won't have a kitchen table to eat on (no space)...Why it is good...we can continue to do some of the things we are called to do without the stress of finances...Buck & I get to do this together...another opportunity God gives us to trust in His plan, purposes, and goodness.

So, I am trying to remember that everyday is glorious, because I am a child of my God, because I speak daily with the creator of everything around me:

Everything Glorious, David Crowder Band

The day is brighter here with You
The night is lighter is than its hue
Would lead me to believe
Which leads me to believe

You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
And, I am Yours,
What does that make me?

My eyes are small, but they have seen
the beauty of enormous things
Which leads me to believe
There's life enough to see, that

You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
And, I am Yours,
What does that make me?

From glory to glory, You are glorious, You are glorious
From glory to glory, You are glorious, You are glorious

Which leads me to believe
Why I can believe

You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
And, I am Yours,
What does that make me?

Lucas Update

This from Farah

Today the doctors reported amazing news! Lucas is in remission!!!!!!!!! After 3 weeks!!!Friday before last he was at 50 percent leulemia ridden bone marrow. Today the results from this past Friday show one percent. As of right now, he will continue chemo, but he has not had to receive a transfusion since he came home from the hospital. God is hearing your prayers. Please continue to lift up the Tigers and add praises!!!!

Pray for Lucas Tiger

Lucas is the seven year old son of our very good friends, David and Tanya. For those of you who do not yet know, he was diagnosed with leukemia on Friday, March 31st and received his first chemo treatment on Saturday morning. He is scheduled to be in the hospital at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital for the next several weeks. This mornings update was that he was having extreme head pain and convulsing and required morphine at 9pm yesterday. We are praying for Dr. Irwin that he will have the wisdom to know if this is from the leukemia or from the chemo and he will be able to help Lucas. Please continue to pray for Lucas and the entire Tiger family.

My latest claim to fame!

This is awsome (except for the tejas part)!

http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail147.html


This is pretty funny and I'm involved!