Whirlwind of Life!

Yesterday definitely felt like a whirlwind of a day--being in airplanes for 8 hours, 4 airports, 4 states, and being in New Orleans for 5 hours. It was an exciting day and Matt & I got the job at the Boys and Girls Town! We will head out Sunday for training in Nebraska for two weeks. Then we will be back in Rock Hill for a few days and move June 19th/20th. We are SO excited and can't believe this is all actually happening! When we were in New Orleans yesterday we were able to meet some of "our girls" and a bunch of the staff we will be working with. We were very impressed by everyone and are excited to join their team.

Keep us in your prayers while we are in training/packing/moving. I'll be sure to keep the blog updated as much as I can!

Oh, and when we returned to the airport last night, Kelly, Paul, & Grant met us there with signs and balloons! It was so sweet! We have such good friends.

And I can't forget to write about my heaven in the airport. Matt & I are rushing through the Cincinnati airport yesterday (we had less than 30 minutes to get to our next gate adn we had to eat) and Matt tells me to "Look!". I turn around and see an entire Vera Bradley store! Oh it looked like heaven to my eyes! Unfortunately, we were in such a hurry we didn't have time to go in, but it sure looked glorious! We did get a picture of me in front of it though--I'll post it later.

Going Home

In less than 24 hours I will be in the city I already call home. My heart is there and my spirit is there. And in a few more weeks, my dream will come true and I will be living there. I know I say this a lot, but it's true...God is good.

I'll update either tomorrow night or Thursday morning about the details of our job.

Memorial Day Weekend

Here are a few pictures from our random memorial day weekend fun! If you want to see more: http://winthrop.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2036361&l=996ef&id=45500189

Less than 3 days and we'll be in New Orleans. I love the thought of it!

Welcome to the world!

Welcoming baby Logan Alexander Beasley to the world!

Born at 7:30 am on Friday, May 25th, 2007.

Weighing in at 10 lbs, 7 oz.

Measuring 21 1/2 inches long.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

In honor of my Dad's birthday tomorrow (Friday).

Because you're my dad, I am a social worker.

Because you're my dad, I am a people lover.

Because you're my dad, I love music and can't spend a day (or even an hour) without it.

Because you're my dad, I am a technology junkie.

Because you're my dad, I will always and forever love Strossners cakes with orange cream filling and will share that love with my family.

Because you're my dad, I will always have wonderful memories of 103 Gilstrap Drive.

Because you're my dad, I know that just spending time with children makes a difference in their lives.

Because you're my dad, when I have my own office, I will have to have starburst jellybeans there for anyone who enters the door.

Because you're my dad, I will continue to have a love for books and always remember your library (literally) of an office at Epworth.

Because you're my dad, I will always cherish those father/daughter dates we had when I was growing up.

Because you're my dad, I have a special place in my heart for Garden City Chapel.

Because you're my dad, I will remember those exhausting "Take Your Daughter to Work Days" that lasted until 10 pm (the joys of social work).

Because you're my dad, I know that social workers are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and I will take great pride and joy in the work that I do.

Because you're my dad, I know that no matter what, God can and will pull us though our tough times.

Because you're my dad, I know that a father's love is irreplaceable.

Thank you for being the best Dad I could possibly ask for. I love you!

New Orleans, here we come!

7 days until Matt & I are in New Orleans for our final interview!

Our flight out of Charlotte is leaving at 6 am on Wednesday (the 30th) and we will arrive in New Orleans at 9:37 am (with a layover in Atlanta). We will have our interview and get the tour of two of the girls homes and meet the girls. And then our flight leaves at 3:40 pm and we'll arrive back in Charlotte at 9:00 pm (after a layover in Cincinnati).

If we are offered the job, we will fly out the next Sunday (June 3rd) to Nebraska for training for two weeks.

My dream is coming true!

God is good!

craziness

The last few days have been craziness in our job process. First, they told us they would fly us down for our final interview. Then we got a call and they said they didn't have time to fly us down because they had to make a decision by today. So, we had a third phone interview yesterday. It was a quite intimidating and tough interview. A few minutes after our interview, Matt got a call back and they said that they ARE going to fly us down for a final interview. So--we will find out by today at 5:30 pm when we will be flying down for the final interview. All this is waiting is nerve racking! I'll let you all know when we'll be going down and all that good stuff!

This week is my last week at the daycare and Matt's last week of school. I'm gonna miss my cute kids!

6 mile paddle

Matt & I went on our first kayaking adventure of the year. Last year we always went from under the I-77 bridge to River Park, which is 3 miles. Today we decided to go from the Lake Wylie dam to River Park, which is 6.48 miles! Whew! It was a trek! We saw lots of beautiful wildlife (turtles, ducks, spiders, herrings, lots of other birds). Matt even saw a badger! I'm exhausted now, but it was totally worth it. It was a perfect Sunday afternoon on the Catawba river.

We got the call!

Well, kind of...Matt called the guy back and he finally answered. He said they were very impressed with us and we were very qualified for the position. He said he would call us by Wednesday to let us know exactly when they will fly us down to New Orleans for our final interview! Woo hoo! We're making progress! :)

heavy hearted

I have been on the verge of tears for the entire evening. My heart is heavy for two reasons.

One, for the loss of DeAndre. Though i did not know him, he made an impact on everyone who ever saw him (both on and off the court). He had such a passion for life (and including with that passion was a huge smile and abounding energy). The funeral is Monday in Atlanta. I wish we could go, but I don't think we'll be able to because of work. There will be a memorial service at Winthrop sometime next week after the funeral. We will be sure to be there.

Another reason my heart is heavy is because we still haven't gotten a call back from the program director about the job we interviewed for. We have left him two messages and keep waiting. I'm quite frustrated and starting to think we didn't get the job. I put in my resume to two more places last night. I'm glad God knows what's best for his people, because I sure don't at this point. Once again, it's that trusting in Him thing that is hard for me.

God said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12.9-10

DeAndre--you will be greatly missed

*taken from www.winthropeagles.com*

—Junior point guard De’Andre Adams passed away this morning in the Atlanta Medical Center from head injuries he suffered last Saturday morning in a one-car accident near his home in Austell, GA. Funeral arrangements for the 20-year-old Adams are incomplete and will be announced on Thursday.

Adams was injured critically when he swerved the car he was driving to avoid a tree that had fallen on the road during a thunder storm. His car flipped and rolled before crashing into a tree. He was returning home after playing basketball in an Atlanta area pick-up game at the Run-And-Shoot. He had been in a drug-induced coma and on a ventilator during the past four days. His condition appeared to have stabilized on Tuesday although he remained in critical condition. However, during the night he took a turn for the worst.

As a key reserve for the Eagles, he helped lead Winthrop to two Big South Conference titles and two appearances in the NCAA Championship Tournament. He played in all 65 Winthrop games during the past two seasons and averaged 2.1 points and 2.8 assists in 2006-07.

PREPARED STATEMENT FROM HEAD COACH RANDY PEELE

This is a very sad day for Winthrop University basketball. We are deeply saddened by the loss of DeAndre Adams. DeAndre was a fan favorite of the Winthrop University faculty and students. He had a vibrant personality and he lived his life with great passion and enthusiasm. We will miss DeAndre a great deal. Our lives have been blessed because of having DeAndre Adams as part of our basketball family. We extend our thanks and prayers to his family. He will always have a special place in the Winthrop University community. His memory will be cherished and the spirit and energy he brought to the basketball court will be remembered always. He wore No. 24 on his jersey, but he was No. 1 in our hearts.

PREPARED STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT ANTHONY DIGIORGIO

This is a sad day for the Winthrop University family and that is certainly the way we felt about DeAndre Adams. I often get to know the student-athletes personally and that was the case with DeAndre. I knew him as an energetic, lively, dedicated and bright young man. We will miss all of that and the University community will miss the light that he shined upon us. He and his family will be forever in our thoughts.

*DeAndre was one of Matt's and my favorite players. He had so much life and energy to him and was a great guy. He will be missed greatly. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and teammates.*

The call

We got the call about the job...and I didn't hear my phone ring. Stupid Sarah. He left a message and we called him back. He didn't answer. We then left him a message. So now we're still waiting. Gaaahhh!

Happy Mothers Day!

Because you're my mother, I know I am loved.

Because you're my mother, I know the power of prayer.

Because you're my mother, I know God.

Because you're my mother, I know that forgetting to put the lid on the blender and ending up with cranberry salad all over the kitchen does not ruin Christmas.

Because you're my mother, I know that children are a blessing.

Because you're my mother, I know the importance of studying the Word.

Because you're my mother, I know that watching golf, football, basketball, and baseball is not just a "guy thing".

Because you're my mother, I know that cooking for family is important (even if it is quite frustrating at times).

Because you're my mother, I know that we all need to step out of our comfort zone.

Because you're my mother, I will always love the books "Go Dog Go" and "Love You Forever".

Because you're my mother, I will always love ham rolls, potato soup, breakfast casserole, and sausage balls.

Because you're my mother, I have felt your unconditional love and support, even when I thought I didn't want it.

Because you're my mother, I enjoy scrap booking.

Because you're my mother, I will always remember the Nibble Nook.

Because you're my mother, I know the importance of having a few good girl friends.

Because you're my mother, I know that marriage and family require daily sacrifice.

Because you're my mother, I understand what a mother's love is all about.

Thank you for your love. I love you, Mom.

*I stole this idea from Amanda Moore*

wow

Just watched this video about the sweet testimony of a family and their baby with Trisomy 18...check it out...it will make you cry.

And we're waiting...and waiting...and waiting.

We had our second interview on Tuesday evening. Matt & I both feel pretty confident that it went well. This was the most intense interview I have ever had (and may ever have) since they really need to know about me & Matt because we will be the parents to 6 teenage girls. Hopefully we have one more interview to go. They said they would call in the next 5 days to let us know the next step and that gives them until Monday. So here we are waiting on the key decision to living out our dreams in New Orleans.

very quick update

I have to leave for work in 5 minutes so here's what you need to know...

*Matt & I felt confident in our first interview for the Girls and Boys Town teaching parent position. We are having a second interview today at 5:30 pm (4:30 pm NO time). If this interview goes well, we will head down for a final interview. Please be praying! We really feel like this might be the right fit for us.

*Matt & I went to a Family Life Weekend to Remember marraige conference last weekend and it was fabulous! I would totally recommend it to anyone who is engaged or married. We learned a lot and are trying to apply it to our lives and our marraige. Michael and Amy (Matt's brother and our sister-in-law) came were there too so it was great to spend time with them. The next time we see them they will have Baby Will in tow! We can't wait to be Uncle Matt & Aunt Sarah!

*My sweet friend (and my maid of honor), Jocelyn got engaged to her beau Watson! I'm so excited for them and can't wait until their wedding! Congrats to them!

National Day of Prayer

Today, May 3rd, is the National Day of Prayer.

I am so thankful that we live in a country that has leaders that still stand on the foundation of our Lord and acknowledge this day.

I am thankful that God is so personal that even me, a sinful soul, can speak to him and He listens.

I am thankful for the power of prayer.

Some stand on tiptoe trying to reach God to talk to him - you try too hard, friend - drop to your knees and listen to him, he'll hear you better that way. ~Ever Garrison

I want to go to work!

The school & daycare are closed again tomorrow b/c of the water problem. At first it was kind of nice, but I need to work--I need a paycheck! They are letting in come in for a little while and work on our rooms and stuff though so at least we'll get paid a little bit.

So far my fitness routine has been going well this week.

Monday I ran. Tuesday I worked out at the gym and ran. Today I worked out at the gym and walked. And I have been sticking to Weight Watchers faithfully this week. Let's see if I can keep it up!

I forgot...

Forgot to add that Matt & I have a huge job possibility in New Orleans as teaching parents in a girls home for Girls and Boys Town. We will have a phone interview next week and then go to NO for another interview. *IF* we get offered this position, we will go to training (in Omaha, Nebraska) the second week in June and start work after that! That's a little sooner than we had planned to move, but they only offer these trainings once a month so we would have to do it then. This job seems quite promising, but who knows what God has in store. I'll keep you all updated.

Who needs water?

We have had quite an exciting day, so I felt the need to blog about it.

I got to work this morning and was told that we didn't have water at the school & daycare. There were some guys working on the water tank and they said it was fixable, so we thought there was no way we would be closing down. A little while later we got word that the office needed the names of all the kids there today that they were closing and calling parents to come pick up the kids! This was about 10 am and they told the parents they had to pick up the kids by 1 pm. It was an interesting morning--my two year olds going potty and us having to tell them not to flush the toilet. Haha. One by one our kids started leaving and by 1 pm I had one child left in my class (all the other two year olds were gone). Poor kid, they couldn't get in touch with his parents, but finally got in touch with his grandparents. I was the last teacher to leave at 1:30 pm. It was so great to leave early and have the entire afternoon to get things done! I went to the gym, the tanning bed, Panera for lunch with Matt, and the grocery store...all before 4 pm! I also had an appointment to get my hair cut at 5:45 pm. It was a very busy, productive day! AND we just got the call that the school & daycare are closed tomorrow too! Holla! Here are some pics of my new haircut.