Sweet Home Superdome

The New Orleans Saints won their first game back in the Superdome!

Wish I was going to the Saints/Panters game this Sunday, but I'll have to settle for watching it on tv.

Vision

The whole topic of "vision" has been weighing on me since church on Saturday night. Our church is going through an awesome time where things are changing and we're building new buildings, bought some new land, beginning new outreach programs, etc. The entire campaign for our church is entitled "Vision". We have been hearing a lot about vision for the past month or so, but last week's sermon was aimed at our own personal vision. What are we here for? What is our purpose? What can we accomplish here on earth?

I have always had big visions for my life. I'm a big dreamer kind of person. I can remember the first real vision I had in my life. When I was eight years old I had a dream about going to Africa. This was at a time when we were learning about missions a lot at church. Since that time, I have met so many people either from Africa or have been missionaries in Africa. Each person I met inspires me and makes my vision grow even more. This is a huge vision that I have...to go to Africa, live there, and minister to those living in poverty there. I know, God-willing, this vision will be lived out one day.

This leads me to a vision for my life that is closer to being lived out. Ever since I visited New Orleans three and a half years ago I have be drawn to the city. The people, the culture, the land, the buildings...I love it all. I have never understood why I love this city so much. As I was sitting in church listening to Shelton speak the other night, I realized...New Orleans is a huge part the vision I have for my life. God has placed a burden for the city and the people on my heart and that burden is not going away. And I realize that I am so blessed to be married to a man who shares my visions for life. At this point we are making plans to move to New Orleans in June, so that I can begin grad school in the fall. It's all about living out your vision.
So what about you? What vision do you have for your life? Vision drives us to accomplish great things for God. Shelton said one thing that hit me big, "You need to have a vision so big that it's due to fail if God isn't it in". Isn't it amazing to think that we could accomplish nothing without Him. Dream big. Have a huge vision for your life. We can't do it on our own, but God can do it through us.

"Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Jesus Christ to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

The world is Flatt's...

Here are some pics from the Rascal Flatts concert last Friday (9.15) It was a great show!

Here's me, Matti, & Anita.

Matt says that this is such an exciting show he can sleep through it.

I'm a cowgirl!

poem

Poem by Rainer Maria Rilke, written in the form of a prayer

Make it so the poor are no longer
despised and thrown away.
Look at them standing about--
like wildflowers, which have nowhere else to grow.

it's a crazy world

So, I got a call from Matt while I was at work last night--his dad's identity has been stolen and someone has tried to charge over half a million dollars on his bank card (fortunately only charged $4000 because all the other charges were denied). How crazy! They had to call the police and file a report, call the bank's fraud department and call all the credit agencies to get it all straightened out. We hear about this all the time but never think it can happen to us. This goes to show, it can happen to anyone.

Other than that scare, things are going well. The gang (me, Matt, Kelly, Paul, Daniel, Jen, & Grant) all went camping in Cherokee, NC for Labor Day. We had a blast and got to do lots of fun stuff. We went rock mining, saw a waterfall, fished, and just hung out at the campsite and ate hotdogs and s'mores. I sure do love camping and wish we could do it more.

My internship is still fabulous. I got to go to Hall Psychiatric Institute (yes, the infamous Bull St) last week. It was a great experience as I had been in private psychiatric institutes before but never the state run ones. It was sad in just the fact that it is run down and just looks so dreary. But in meeting with a psychiatrist and social worker I was encouraged to see that they really want the best for these kids. So, yeah, that was really cool.

This is random, but does anyone else hate the new facebook?

Guess I should get back to working on my agency presentation.

fun times

this is my life

Things have been great the past week & a half. I started my internship with Lutheran Family Services and have truly enjoyed it. I've gotten to go on plenty of home visits and meet foster parents and children. I am truly blessed to have an amazing internship. I'm learning a lot and having a blast as well. We have some crazy kids (hence the fact they are in *therapeutic* foster care) but they make life so fun and interesting. There's never a dull moment with these kids. And the foster parents we have are amazing as well. They are so dedicated and go above and beyond for these kids. It's just great. I'm loving it.

remembering Katrina

This is the one year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Such a powerful storm that affecting so many lives in our nation. My heart goes out to all the survivors and families/friends of those who lost their lives. My heart truly is burdened for these people.

my favorite poem

Just ran across my favorite poem and wanted to post it. We studied this poem when I was in 11th grade and I fell in love with it and still love it. Take a moment and read it.

Mother to Son
by Langston Hughes

Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor--
Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners,
And sometimes goin' in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So, boy, don't you turn back.
Don't you set down on the steps.
'Cause you find it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now--
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

the time has come

Today was internship training. Tomorrow I start my internship with Lutheran Family Services! Woo hoo! I'm on my way to being a "real" social worker! Next step, New Orleans!

randomness

10 more days until I start my internship. I couldn't be more ready! Now that I've studied how to be a social worker for 4 years, it's time to dive in and put all that knowledge to use. I'm pretty burnt out on working 3 jobs as well. Ready for this summer to be over with. This week will prove to be bittersweet as it will be my last week working with Carlos and at the Post Office. I will miss them all so much but I'm ready to focus on my internship and graduate!

Matti, Kaley, & I went to Warped Tour on Tuesday. It was absolutely awesome. 9 hours listening to great bands & going crazy in the mosh pits. Fun times. I've put some pictures up on my myspace page if you want to see (www.myspace.com/ragamuffin4abba).

Matt has started back to school, teaching kindergarten. So far, he is liking it and it seems to be going well. It's a whole lot less stressful than last year.

For those of you who don't know, I started Weight Watchers about a month and a half ago. I was inspired by some ladies at the gym and decided that I just needed some structure to get me on track. Well, so far I've lost 14 lbs and gone down 3 pants sizes! How freakin' cool is that?! I'm pretty excited.

That's pretty much all I have for now. I will try & post some recent pictures soon. I know I've been slack.

Why in the world...

...am I awake at 4:49 am posting on my blog? I can't sleep. Ever since we've gotten back from NO I haven't been sleeping well. I think it's just the excitement of starting my internship as well as the excitement of the possibility of moving to NO. So, here I am, wide awake, when I should be sleeping because I have yet another 13 hour work day tomorrow.

hoping and praying that my dream will come true

Matt & I had an amazing week in New Orleans. I'd have to say that it is the most amazing city ever. Ever since I went there for the first time 4 years ago, I have just been drawn to the city and people there. So...I'm considering going to grad school there. I can't think of a better city to get my Master's in Social Work in. Matt is all for moving there and that makes my heart happy to know that he would love to be there too. Granted, nothing is for certain and we wouldn't move there until next summer, but I'm hoping and praying that it will all work out.

So, that's what's on my heart right now.

Why I love New Orleans and want to move here...

1. Seeing a lady walking her pet goat (which even had a collar on) in the middle of the road
2. Hearing a “street preacher/mental guy” yelling in a megaphone that “The kingdom of Heaven is near!” and putting on the megaphone siren to get everyone’s attention
3. Real red beans & rice
4. The lights and sounds of Bourbon Street (but sometimes it’s a little too much)
5. Biegnet’s and coffee at Café DuMonde
6. Street bands jammin’ out some real ‘Nawlins jazz
7. the people and culture
8. the Baptist Friendship House (and those who work there)
9. Going on swamp tours when alligators eat parts of the boat off (for real)
10. Watching spiders capture bugs in our wonderful hotel room(video to be posted soon)
11. Cab drivers that have a heart for the city they have always called home
12. Being able to walk/take a streetcar or bus anywhere you want to go
13. Water that doesn’t taste so great
14. The fact that the entire city has wireless internet
15. Riding a trolley=free!
16. All the parks/squares in the city
17. Po Boys
18. All the random stuff you can see at the French Market
19. Hollywood Hustler (haha)

And finally…

20. The rebuilding of a great city after a disastrous event…these people have strength, hope, and determination!

taking donations

because Matt & I are drooling over the new toyota fj cruiser!

You wish you were me...

because I'm going to see Rascal Flatts on September 15th! Holla!

prayer

Pray for sweet Riley...

www.caringbridge.org/visit/rileyfriddle

and for Jenna...

http://www.caringbridge.org/sc/jennawit/

Wanted to share these lyrics...

Wherever You Are~Third Day (I get to see them on July 1st!)

Thought that I was all alone
Broken and afraid
But You were there with me
Yes, You were there with me

And I didn't even know
That I had lost my way
But You were there with me
Yes, You were there with me

'Til You opened up my eyes
I never knew
That I couldn't ever make it
Without You

Even though the journey's long
And I know the road is hard
Well, the One who's gone before me
He will help me carry on

After all that I've been through
Now I realize the truth
That I must go through the valley
To stand upon the mountain of God

As I travel on the road
That You have lead me down
You are here with me
Yes, You are here with me

I have need for nothing more
Oh, now that I have found
That You are here with me
Yes, You are here with me

I confess from time to time
I lose my way
But You are always there
To bring me back again

Sometimes I think of where it is
I've come from
And the things I've left behind
But of all I've had, what I possessed

Nothing can quite compare
With what's in front of me
With what's in front of me

13 hour workdays

So, I'm pulling 3 jobs now. Definitely not planned but it's okay. I got a call from the Winthrop Post Office (where I used to work) saying they were desperate because one of their workers just quit. Who am I to say no? It's kicking me in the butt though--working from 7 am until 10 pm most days. I'm making it though. The money doesn't hurt either since Matt's new job will be a huge pay cut.

Life has been good though. Matt & I have gotten into kayaking lately (with Kelly & Paul of course). We had a yard sale last weekend and what did we buy with the money we made? A new kayak. We'll be excited to take it out on the river this weekend.

We had a wonderful time at the beach with Matt's mom. It was an enjoyable, relaxing week. Matt & I even went on a casino boat and won $60 on the slots! We went to the Pavilion since it's closing in September. That makes me sad as I've been going there since I was a toddler. But we rode all the rides and took lots of pictures.

Tickets for Rascal Flatts go on sale this Saturday! I've convinced Matt that we should go! Whoa...I'm excited!

The new season of Big Brother starts tomorrow night. I'm addicted to that show.

Matt & I are FINALLY getting the internet at our apt on July 3rd. We survived over a year without it but I'm dying. And I need it for my internship since I'll be working from home.

Matt & I also survived our first year of marraige. We've had some bumps in the road but overall it has been so wonderful! I wouldn't change a think. Marraige is such a precious gift from God!

I'm sitting in the 60 degree gym...freezing my butt off while it's 92 degrees outside. 5 more hours until I'm off. :)

banana pancakes

It has been quite a while since I've updated this thing. It's going to be bullet style today...

• I finished up my classes. Got my grades. Got all B's this semester which is pretty good considering I'm married, working 2 jobs, and going to school full time. I was excited that I got a B in Statistics and Nutrition. I'm glad this semester is over with. Now all that's left is my internship. I'm also going to take a Photography class next semester, just for fun. I'm excited since I have always wanted to take a photography class and now I've got the chance.
  
• Matt has 5 more days left of teaching. I know he is relieved since this has been a very stressful year. He is still looking for a job though so pray that doors will be opened.
  
• We had a wonderful weekend. I had strep throat but struggling though it all. Saturday we went to Carowinds with our Sunday School class. It was exhausting but still lots of fun and good fellowship. I was feeling really bad after that so Matt & I went home & crashed for a while. Then we went to the Winthrop baseball game with his parents and grandparents. We had an enjoyable time. Sunday morning we went to church at the Parks' church (Christ Ridge in Fort Mill) and to our great surprise Jeff Ferguson was preaching. After the service we went back to the Parks' house for a delicious lunch. It was Mother's Day but also Mr. Parks' birthday so we celebrated both. We listened to some more war stories from Matt's dad and realized how thankful we are to have him home. Later we went to Paul & Kelly's & hung out, went to church with them, and had dinner at IHOP. It was a busy and exhausting weekend but we had good times with good friends and family.
• Right now all I'm doing is working--at Impact and with Carlos. I'm working about 45 hours a week total but still have plenty of time to relax. Many days I don't have to go in to work until 5 pm so it's be nice to sleep in, go for a walk at Cherry Park, go to the tanning bed, and shopping. :)
  
• So...I'm in a contest with this lady at the gym to see who can lose the most weight by July 1st. We started yesterday and I've done great with the balanced eating and exercising since then. I really have no problem exercising since I work at a gym 5 days a week but it's the eating thing that kills me. I love french fries, hamburgers, chicken strips...any kind of fast food. I'm really working on it though. This competition is good for me because it gives me some motivation. It'll be fun!

Guess that's it for now. I'm headed to Cherry Park for a walk.