Amazing God, Amazing Times

I just recently returned from a youth mission trip in Cherokee, N.C. Twenty four of us from Powhatan Community Church went with an organization called World Changers. World Changers is a student mission sending agency through the North American Mission Board. We joined approximately 300 other students from all over the country to impact the Cherokee nation with our service and our love of God. We repaired about 35 homes and made many friends. Some things we learned:

-God wants to work in us so that He can work through us

-You cannot live off the light (Christ) of someone else--that's religion; Jesus wants a relationship

-There is no limit to what God would do for you

-We do not make Jesus, Lord; He is LORD whether we acknowledge Him or not

-It is not enough to Stand up for Christ; we must STAND OUT

We also learned the importance of flexibility which is key on any mission. The saying for the week was "Oh what an opportunity!" .......an opportunity for God to prove Himself faithful.

And faithful, He was!

"In my heart you will be loved,

and in my song, be lifted up.

In my thoughts, you will be praised!

In my life you will reign.

And with every word I say

bring glory to your name-

You will reign".

-Matt Christenot (our worship leader for the week)

Ashleigh is Getting Married!

Ashleigh, pictured here with my sister Judy, is getting married July 4th!!

Today, Jessica and Janel (pictured below with the bride-to-be) held a Lingerie Brunch in her honor at a precious little cafe in my hometown of Powhatan. It just so happens that this cafe used to be Yates Motor Company where both my Mom and a cousin worked 40 or so years ago.

Ashleigh and Scott are getting married on July 4th in Mexico. Eighteen family members and friends are traveling with them for 9 days of fun in the sun. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend.


We are all looking forward to a BLOW-OUT reception on August 2nd in my hometown of Culpeper, VA.

My extended family members enjoying each other

Ashleigh gets a big chuckle out of a game we played whereby someone wrote down everything Asheigh said when she opened her gifts. After all the gifts were opened, Janel read them aloud saying that these were things Ashleigh would say to Scott on their Honeymoon night. Pretty funny....."Happy Times, Happy Times" got the most laughter!

My Momma Mary and my cousin Robin share some time together.

Strike a pose, girls!

Margaret Dean is entertaining the crowd with some crazy story, for sure!

Did I mention the food?? It was fabulous!

Congratulations ASHLEIGH and SCOTT!!

I Love Louie and I love Laminin

I have had the honor of hearing Louie Giglio speak many times at conferences that I have attended. I heard him give this message about a year or two ago. Amazing....worth your 8 minutes!

Some things are just WEIRD!

I just HAD to post this image of my cat, Stella. She loves to "perch" on the handrail of our staircase! But..that is not my main reason for posting this pic! To me, this image looks "photoshopped!" Look at that "smile" on her face!! It really does look fake, doesn't it? She looks like some strange character from Alice In Wonderland or something. Weird!