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.

another weekend full of fun!

We had another fun-filled busy weekend.

Friday night, Matt & I went with one of our co-teachers at Catawba, her husband and three kids (and another couple & their kids) to the drive-in movie in Belmont. This was my first drive-in experience and it was fabulous! We saw Meet the Robinsons and it was quite cute. They will be playing Shrek 3 there this summer and I can't wait to go see it!

Saturday morning, Matt, Paul, Kelly, & I got up fairly early to go to the Herald's yard sale. It was SO worth it! We found lots of good stuff including three disc golf discs for only $7, a cell phone case for $7, a SC Native license plate for $1, some sponge paints for 25 cents, and a candy machine for $35. Let me tell you about this cool candy machine that we got. We saw it and Matt was like "I want it" so I told him to go ahead and get it. It still had old runts in it but also had money in it. The lady had lost the key and never bothered to get another one/get someone to open it. We instantly thought the candy machine would be a fun purchase and Matt could put it in his classroom. So, we bought the candy machine. Once we got home we figured out that there is no way to get another key for that lock, so we called a locksmith. We took it over to this locksmiths house (he works out of his van) and he drilled the lock off for $5. At this point we have invested $40 in this machine. Matt & I then head home to count the money. Matt was driving and I was holding the machine in my lap. Well, the top of the machine kept falling off (because the lock was drilled) and then the bottom kept coming off because it was all unscrewed. Needless to say, we had old, nasty runts flying out off the top of the machine and quarters flying out of the bottom. I was trying my best to hold it all in but I didn't do so well. I wish I had a picture of that! Anyway, we get home and count the money and there was $43 in the machine! So, we made a profit of $3 and got an awesome candy machine! Woot woot!

Later that afternoon Kelly's friend from high school, Julie and her baby Jade came to visit. We had a blast loving on her!

That night, we all went to see Merry Pranksters put on their play "Guess Who's Not Coming to Dinner". We had a blast and laughed a lot!

Needless to say, we had an eventful weekend.

Here are some pictures that pretty much sum it all up.


I got into grad school!


Matt's candy machine


Loving on baby Jade

What cuties!

Merry Pranksters (that's our friend Tim as the king)

good news!

Got the letter today...I got accepted to grad school (Southern University of New Orleans)! Another step towards moving to New Orleans! Masters in Social Work here I come!

Hump Day Update

Day two of running is done. It feels SO good to run and I just feel so much more energetic the rest of the day. I am so lucky that I don't have to go to work until 9:30 am. I had been sleeping in and just getting up in time to get ready for work. Now I am waking up at 6:30-7 am and running and spending time getting other things done before I have to get ready for work. As much as I love sleeping, this is a major accomplishment for me. It makes me feel like I get so much more accomplished during the day. Let's hope I keep it up!

Matt & I have some good news...we finally got health insurance. We've been without for a while because Catawba doesn't offer it. Matt's mom has a coworker whose husband sells insurance, so she gave him our phone number to contact us. We met with him last night and worked out a short term insurance deal that will be affordable to us yet cover the things we need it to. The awesome thing is that this man is a Christian and was so interested in hearing about Matt & my plans to move to New Orleans and our passion for the people there. He even prayed for us--for our future goals and dreams. It was an amazing experience because he truly cared about us and was not just trying to sell us some product. So, our insurance will start by the end of the week. Praise God!

We are progressing in our plans to move. We are setting up job interviews for the first week of June, when we'll head back to New Orleans. I am excited about that trip because my parents are going to come with us! We are about 90% sure that we'll be moving the first week in July. I can't believe that it's all coming together!

God is good and He knows what is best for His people.

Let's get this started!

As of this morning, I am hardcore getting back into my weight loss/fitness regimen. I was doing so great until Thanksgiving/Christmas and then I just slacked off. I have decided that I want to take up running. I went running this morning and it felt great! My plan is to run 3 times a week as well as go to the gym 3 times a week. And I am starting back on Weight Watchers. I really need to discipline this as a lifestyle and not just "if i lose weight i can eat what i want" kind of thing. Matt & I have two months until we move and I would like to lose at least 10 pounds by then. I want you guys to keep on me about it--I need accountability and support.

I had a wonderful weekend. Friday night I hosted a Pure Romance party (www.pureromance.com) which was SO fun! Many of my old friends/roommates came and it was great to see everyone. Saturday morning I left for Clemson for Amy (my sister in law)'s baby shower. I met up with Matt's mom and both of his grandmothers there. We had a great time at the shower and spending some time with Amy. I cannot wait until June 15th when baby Will arrives! After the shower we headed up to Black Mountain, where all the guys from the family were hanging out. We spent the night at Mimi & Papa's and then went to church with them on Sunday at Montreat. All together, it was a great weekend of fun and fellowship with family and friends.

As I sit here, Peaches (our cat) is attacking Charlie (the rabbit) through his cage. Poor Charlie is running around his cage faster than I've ever seen! And Peaches just keeps at him. Our animals are so active and fun!

I also want to say Happy Birthday to my dear brother, Stephen! He's 25 today (wow, we're getting old).

Tragedy

I know that all of you know about the tragedy at Virginia Tech by now. I just felt burdened to post. My heart truly hurts for all those effected by this. As I sit here writing this (and watching the news), my eyes are filled with tears. Oh how our country needs the Savior and God that I know and love.

"But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Turn to me and have mercy on me; grant your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant. Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me" (Psalm 86:15-17).

We're home!

Home, sweet, Rock Hill...for the next couple months atleast...soon it will be Home, sweet, New Orleans! We made the drive in 12 hours. It is only supposed to be 11 hours, but we hit that crazy Friday afternoon Atlanta traffic. It took us almost 2 hours to get through Atlanta. Oh well, we're home and that's all that matters.

Tomorrow Kelly & I are throwing our good friend Jen a baby shower (she's due May 25th). And then my parents will be stopping thru Rock Hill on their way home from Columbia.

It's going to be a busy weekend.

Matt & I are definitely still on the "New Orleans buzz"...googling everything about New Orleans and reading up on all that we can. I'll leave you with this quote Matt just found. It's quite moving to me--I embraces the compassion and urgency I hvae for the city of New Orleans. New Orleans is truly something that I live for.

"Everytime I close my eyes blowing that trumpet of mine--I look right into the heart of good old New Orleans--it has given me something to live for." ~Louis Armstrong

Last Day in New Orleans

Matt & I enjoyed our last day in New Orleans, but we are sad to leave. It is very bittersweet as we are excited to go home to our cats, friends, and jobs, but we cannot wait to be back in New Orleans.

We slept in this morning and then went to lunch with Kay, Karina and the other staff/missionaries from the Friendship House. We went to an Italian restaurant and I got pasta jambalaya. It was delicious. After lunch Matt & I said goodbye to Kay and Karina (one of the hardest parts of leaving) and headed back out to Cypress Creek Apartments (one of the apartments in The Creeks that we saw on Monday). After seeing all we saw this week, we came back to this one...we would love to live there. So, we took a look at the apartments again and got applications. It feels good to have found a beautiful, safe place to live that is pretty affordable.

Then we went back to the hotel and took a nap (the joys of being on vacation!). We got up and headed back down to the French Quarter and got cafe au lait and beignets at Cafe du Monde. We then walked on the riverfront some more hoping to take the ferry across just to see the city at night but the ferry wasn't running. We went in a few more shops and then headed back to our hotel.

We're pretty much packed up and ready to make the long drive home tomorrow. Pray for our safety and that we will stay awake and alert as we drive. Thank you all for your prayers and support in the beginning of this journey that awaits us. It means a lot to us that we have you all to support us. We are truly blessed to have wonderful friends and family!

The Road to New Orleans: Day 5

Matt & I just got back from our interview in Metaire. It went really well, but is not quite what we want. It is a great opportunity--we would be working in the Boys Home and they currently only have 3 boys living there. It is a pretty good salary considering it includes living expenses (we would be live in). The thing is, Matt & I would not have the same days off. It would be a 5 days on/2 days off schedule and we would each have to work one weekend day. So, it's a start and definitely something to fall back on if we need to. We're going to keep searching though. We also look at a couple apartments in Metaire. I really liked the area, but not the apartments we looked at. The first ones were not in a gated community and don't allow pets. The second ones were relatively cheaper but the square footage is much less. I keep going back to the apartments we looked at on Monday in The Creeks. I really liked them and think it could be a good place for us. We've just got to make sure we have jobs that pay enough so we could live there. We're making lots of progress and checking out many different avenues for jobs and places to live. Keep praying that God will give us direction in this journey.

One thing we have noticed in New Orleans is that they have an abundance of Winn Dixies! We thought the whole chain had closed, but apparently not, as we have seen tons of them driving around. We were excited about that, because we like Winn Dixie and they are cheap! We have also found out that non of the Wal-Marts around here are 24 hours. Most of them close at 10 or 12 pm. You would think it would be opposite in a city this size, but it is because of a lack of workers.

We are learning lots and lots about the city and loving it more and more. I cannot explain it, but I truly have a peace here and feel like it is already my home. God truly works in mysterious ways!

We're not sure what we'll be doing this afternoon/tonight. It is finally sunny outside, so we will probably drive around checking out some different areas and might head to Audobon Park for a while. Tomorrow we will be going to lunch with Karina and Kay (my other friend who is the director of the Baptist Friendship House). We have pretty much gotten everything done that we wanted to while we are here, so now it's "play time". :)

*Oh, I just remembered something interested that we saw yesterday. Every time we come to New Orleans we see people walking around the French Quarter with their pets...and these are not your everyday cat and dog here. Last time we saw a lady walking around with a goat. Yesterday we saw a man walking around with his miniture pony. It was so funny! He was just walking down Bourbon Street talking to people and went into a bar. Haha. Quite eccentric people that live here!

The Road to New Orleans: Day 4

I am quite tired and a little tipsy from that Hurricane I just had at Pat O'Briens, but I want to update for you all.

Matt & I went out to Slidell this morning and looked at two apartments there. The second one we looked at are *really* nice and a little cheaper than the ones we saw yesterday, but it was like a 45 minute drive and that was when the traffic was good. We will just have to see where our job is and stuff.

Then we went to see my friend, Karina at the Friendship House. We hung out there for quite a while and just had fun talking with everyone there.

We then headed down to the French Quarter and ate dinner at Margaritaville. We both got a Cheeseburger in Paradise. They were yummy. Then we walked around some more--down Bourbon Street and then we went to Pat O's for a Hurricane. This was the first time Matt & I had not shared one hurricane and they are huge--so we are both feeling pretty tipsy now. They are yummy though. Definitely a classic thing to do when you're in New Orleans.

We then navigated our way back to our hotel after missing a turn, but we are learning the city quite well. Now it's time to get in our pj's and head to bed. We have our meeting tomorrow morning at 9 am in Metarie, so we will leave the hotel about 8 am.

I'm too tired to post pictures now, I'll post them tomorrow.

The Road to New Orleans: Day 3

Matt & I had a quite busy morning/early afternoon looking for apartments. We first went to this apartment community called The Creeks. This community includes five different apartment complexes within it's gated community. As soon as we saw it, we were impressed. We went to four out of the five complexes and looked at their apartments and got their rates. They are all very nice--lots of space, huge closets, some have garden tubs (now *that* would be nice!) and the landscaping is absolutely beautiful with creeks and fountains in each complex. If we are able to afford it, we would love to live here. It seems very safe and has a strong sense of community.

We then drove to Gretna and looked at a couple apartment complexes there. The first one had an extremely tiny master bedroom and only allows one pet, so that is out. We went to another complex which seemed okay, but nothing out of the ordinary. It's still a possibility.

By then it was 3 pm and we stopped by Wal-Mart to buy some food and stuff and then we headed back to our hotel. We were exhausted from our apartment hunting and crashed. We planned to nap for an hour and then get up but by the time I got up we had slept for 2 1/2 hours! I woke Matt up and now here I am in the lobby updating. Matt wants to stay in tonight because Prison Break is on tv. We'll save some money and eat PB & J for dinner and head out to the city tomorrow.

Tomorrow morning we'll head to Slidell to look at some apartments there and then we're going to stop by the Friendship House and see my sweet sweet friend Karina. Karina is a friend of mine that has known me since I was in 7th grade and she was going to school at CIU. She was my Sunday School teacher and turned into my mentor and best friend. We have kept in contact since then and she is a missionary at the Baptist Friendship House and has been living in New Orleans for about 7 years. Karina is the one who gave me the opportunity to come to NO for the first time and she shares my passion for the city and its people. I cannot wait to see her. She is one of those friends who you only get to see every couple years but every time we are together it's like nothing has changed.

I'm posting my pictures on my facebook account..here's the links. Sorry I can't hyperlink them right now so you will have to cut & paste.

Day 1: http://winthrop.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2033117&l=8390c&id=45500189

Day 2 & 3: http://winthrop.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2033281&l=520ff&id=45500189