Struggles and Strategies

What a month it has been! We enjoyed our Labor Day weekend tremendously in Charlotte. It was so good for our family to go back where home has been for us the past six years. Scott and Kristen Armstrong were gracious to invite us to stay with them; thank you Scott & Kristen! It was a great weekend to visit with some of our closest friends. I regret that the weekend was just not long enough to see all those who are so dear to us, so we hope to make those connections on another visit to Charlotte. Certainly the best part of our weekend was seeing our Jack Russell, Boyd, again. Katie and Jason Robbins are Boyd's new adoptive parents while we are here at CTS. We are very thankful that Boyd has adjusted well to his new surroundings and new "sister-dog" Snowflake. Thank you Katie, Jason, Julia, and Abby for loving on Boyd for us!

Our most special time in Charlotte was going back to our home church, Sardis Presbyterian; we were all so excited about returning to Sardis that we felt like kids at Christmas! It was great to be welcomed home by all of our pastors and friends. I was very honored to be invited to participate in leading worship at one of the worship services. Sardis has a very special place in our hearts and we miss our home church dearly!

Needless to say, it was difficult to return to Georgia after such a great visit in Charlotte. I was not brave enough to drive past our old house in Matthews, for the fear of deep homesickness. It was a teary goodbye as we pulled out of Scott and Kristen Armstrong's driveway Labor Day afternoon. Saying goodbye to dear friends, our church, and Charlotte was not easy. Thank goodness that the next day we hit the floor with our feet running right back into the routine of life!

My fall semester began September 4 with a full course load of four classes; three of my classes are required and one is an elective. I continue to utilize my summer Greek in New Testament Exegesis of the Gospel of Mark. We will progressively work through the book of Mark in translating Greek to English and then trying to interpret what the author's intent was for the intended audience, as well as how the text interprets to our world today. It is a fascinating class. My other required classes are Old Testament Survey and Church History. The elective course I have is Spiritual Formations in Ministry. My class hours are usually 8 or 8:30am through 1pm Monday through Thursday. It is nice to have Fridays to delegate towards reading or errands.

The adjustment from full time mom to full time student has not been as overwhelming as I originally anticipated, however it is not an easy undertaking. A typical day has been walking the girls to school at 7:45am, classes from 8am or 8:30am through 1pm, home for the afternoon with the girls, and lastly studying at night after dinner. Unfortunately this is taking away time from Doug. I am hoping to find a study schedule that allows me to balance study, family time, couple time, and personal time, which is a tall order. This next week Doug and I will approach my schedule as 8-5 business hours with the hopes that our evenings can be spent as a family and as a couple.

Another strategy in this time of new stresses and adjustments has been the formation of a couple's small group which Doug and I are attending. There are four couples who are seeking to focus on our marriages through a short term bible study. We so excited about this new opportunity, as we have been building relationships with these couples since we began summer Greek school. We are all going to the new Christian movie, "Fireproof" next weekend in lieu of our small group meeting. This movie focuses on strengthening marriage and is by the same people who filmed, "Facing the Giants". Check out the movie trailer at http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/.

In closing, I am excited to say we are taking the girls to see Third Day, Jars of Clay, and Switchfoot in concert tonight in Atlanta. Since my decision to recommit my life to Christ in 2004, Third Day's music has been a powerful influence in my life, in addition to exciting bible studies, and formative relationships at Sardis Presbyterian. In this new phase of our journey within the context of seminary, this concert reminds me of how God captured my heart many years ago in Charlotte, NC with the words of Mac Powell, "Do you believe in second chances / or in a love that never fades / put your faith in what you can’t see / just put your hand in mine / and I’ll show you the way.."
Click the link and watch Third Day's performance! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSMKkwGhzSQ

Third Day's new album, Revelation: Check it out....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYK_Bemj29s

We miss you so much and hope you enjoy the coming of Autumn! Thanks for all your prayers and support!