Change

I don't deal with change well. It usually involves crying and leaving something behind and forging into the unknown ahead. I guess it's the still living in a college town that makes my life seem transitional all the time; with each semester brings something new. The end of this year and this semester brings a lot of change...

"The boys," as I affectionately call my brothers, are so much fun to be around. They look so mischievous in this picture :) Blake joined Trey and I in Auburn this year as a freshman. Our many sibling dates, and random Tuesday run-ins at Big Blue have become a staple in my life. Trey will graduate next week and move into his next phase of life leaving Blake and me behind. I really am mourning this change. I had no idea I would enjoy having us all here together so much. I am thrilled to see what the Lord has in store for Trey as he steps into the "real world."

This past year I have also had the privilege of living with this hot chick! I can't even put into words how much fun we have add, how many tears we have shed (at the same time), and how many delicious meals we have cooked and enjoyed together. The Lord orchestrated our time together so perfectly and I am so sad to see her go. I am thrilled she is moving into another stage of life, I just wish sometimes I could go with her. Liz you are one lucky girl! I told a friend one time, I think you can do anything in life as long as you have a reliable buddy. Courtney is as good as they get... C... come back soon, please don't stay away too long!

More change is just around the corner... I teared up Friday watching a girl move out of Mollie Holli. My student workers are graduating, people who are some of my closest confidants and trusted helpers. Moving out of 526 Samford, but so excited about moving in with Kadie. Closing another bible study with senior girls, and watching them continue the race the Lord has allowed me to join in this past year.

Katherine is so good to remind me, we are not made for change. We are made for an eternity with our heavenly Father who is unchanging. Change is quickly approaching but the Lord is sovereign and has provided thus far all of the blessings above and more. I have no doubt he will continue to provide.

"Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." Acts 14:17

"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever- do not abandon the works of your hands." Psalm 138:8

SURPRISE... NYC

Well, I seem to only blog about really fun events in my life... which lends to very little blogging. I have several very thought provoking ones (none about health care, you can thank me later) that I will post very soon... until then...

Nannie, Emma, and I (per my amazing father) took my Mom to NYC on a SURPRISE vacation for a few days! This year has apparently been named the "Year of Janet" due to her 50th birthday in May and she and my dad's 30th wedding anniversary in August! Some of the highlights... FAB food, really great plays, and lots of walking in absolutely beautiful weather!

We also saw a few famous people. Usually I am not starstruck, but seeing Ashley Olson was pretty cool... We went to Bar Centrale.... and dined with the stars, and I mean within five feet of our table. BC is located in the Theatre District and unmarked from the street. A local hot spot for celebs so they won't be bothered. Too bad we were told no pictures, but this who we saw...

These two were seated in booths next to each other the next night at Joe Allen... a restaurant to the right of unmarked Bar Centrale... if you are ever looking to go! If you are in NYC, you must! A friend of ours saw them and said they were very kind to each other...

If you are planning a trip anytime soon... you HAVE to eat at one of these places... 1. Pylos, best Greek food I have ever eaten! 2. Bread, quaint little spot in SoHo. 3. Supper, George and B took me there first and my return trip was even better!

Just a few... thanks George and Kate for all the yummy suggestions!

Happy V-day from...

Mardi Gras.... Seafood, fun friends, the farm and the river, pretty hats and floats... just to name a few of my favorite things from Mobile this weekend! Love to you and yours!

Looking Back and Looking Ahead

A look back at 2009...

January... John Harris was born! This precious baby was such an answer to prayer. He has been such a joy to love on and watch grow this past year. I can't wait to see what this year holds for JH!

February... KK and Rob get engaged! I think that was one of the most difficult secrets I have ever kept. We talk sometimes multiple times a day... every time she called for a week, I thought it might be the day!

March... skiing in Vail with the fam... we LOVE to ski! It was such a great time with family and friends! We went with the McKnights and their son Drew, is Blake's best friend. He left in June for the Airforce Academy. It was a sweet time for Blake and Drew!

April... We concluded one of the most amazing covenantal groups I have ever been a part of. AM and I met with these precious grad girls for a year and I learned more from them than they ever learned from us. God used our group to minister to me in amazing ways... and Lupton came to town. It was a really fun month!

May... I had not 1, 2, or 3 birthday parties... I had 4! I felt so loved... and Max and Corey wanted to kill me. They attended most of them. I am so blessed with loving and caring friends!

June... so maybe not a highlight, but a memorable few weeks... I rocked this lovely bootie! I would receive an injury from the dance floor. On a positive note... Mom and Flowerbuds moved into their new location!

July... Court and I spent a wonderful 4th at Camp Mac. We rode in the Model T, went to Party Night, went down the Wet Willie and ate and ate and ate. I also went to Chicago with SB and Em to see Mary and LaLa. It was so much fun! We lived like kids for four days and laughed more than I have all year. It was good for the soul!

August... KK and Rob's wedding and AM and Chris' going away all in one weekend! It was emotional and truly blessed. The wedding was a beautiful picture of the Lord's faithfulness. The

going away party was bitter-sweet. It is so exciting to see Chris and AM serve the Lord and trust Him in big ways.

September... The first football game and the beginning of Gameday Breakfasts. There was always a core group and plenty of additional out-of-towners. It was a great time of fellowship and really good food!

October... I don't think I have ever appreciated a vacation this much! Mom and I left on Wednesday for Seagrove, FL and Dad, Trey, Nannie and Terry joined us for the weekend. It was a truly wonderful weekend and the weather was gorgeous!

November... My sweet and precious friend Christian was named Auburn University's Miss Homecoming! She started out as my student worker and has quickly become one of my closest friends. She is as beautiful on the inside as she is the outside! She is stunning!

December... Every Christmas the girls I grew-up with get together at Kristen's house. Most all of them live in Birmingham and see each other pretty regularly. I am the MIA friend. I really

enjoy this time to catch up and see sweet friends. Here is our pic from the first Christmas... I missed this year's pic.

What wonderful memories from 2009, but looking forward to 2010.

Ezekiel 36:25-27 "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I command." (NLT)

This year my hope is in Him the one and only who provides for my every need. This verse will be my mantra. I am reading Keller's book called Counterfeit Gods... it speaks on the idols that rule our lives. I want more of the one whose grace is sufficient and less of the things that offer false hope and imitation satisfaction. Looking forward to the up and downs, the good and bad... 2010.

NYC

I love New York City for several reasons.... (in no particular order)

1. I will never tire of the theater. I love seeing plays! My favorites: Jersey Boys, Moving Out and Wicked (Fact: All 3 I have seen with Mary Kneeland.)

2. These two precious girls live there.... except for KK

3. I could eat a cupcake from here, everyday. Mmmmmm.....

4. I LOVE Redeemer and Tim Keller, if you don't know what I am talking about or do, read this. One of the best articles I have read lately.

Today (or yesterday for her) is...

This girl's birthday!

At the moment she is on the other side of the world, so I am not able to share in her birthday festivities! I have been very sad this week about not being there and in person to make her feel special. She sure does deserve it!

I love her for a number of reasons: she has a really great sense of humor, she shares my loves of games, she can speak difficult words of truth to me that I don't like to hear from anyone else, she has already been named my desired favorite aunt name of "mommasissy", she needs very little... to live well, she is a real life portrait of a Godly woman, she is a wonderful wife- one whom I would like to emulate, she doesn't like the word "the", she isn't afraid to speak her mind, she is an intentional friend, she is the best friend a girl could ask for... I MISS YOU!

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to Anne... happy birthday to you!

Working on the Weekend (Thankful Monday #3)

Most are working FOR the weekend... not me.... I was working on the weekend. However, there is not much to complain about. I was able to make it to the Georgia game while working. Great start, rocky middle and terrible ending, that about sums up the game. This guy went with me and was a great help. He can hand out drinks and heard people with the best of them. I told him, I think he has a future in event coordinating someday... ha ha. We rode in with the team... this is the view of Tiger Walk from our bus. It was a great experience!

However... the highlight of my weekend was hanging out with these girls.

Courtney and I meet with most of them on Sunday nights for a little prayer, Gospel Centered Life, and hang out time. Last night the Beach House had a group of girls over for Thanksgiving/ Christmas Dinner complete with decorations and a roaring fire. We were so honored to be included. We had a BLAST! Theses pictures are worth a thousand words...

It definitely made Court and I miss those great college days. **Disclaimer: This is not our average Sunday night! We missed our friends and all being in one place. It made me THANKFUL for all the sweet memories we made and the innocence of just being in college. Life was so simple. Food on the table, money in the bank, maybe a few classes and a drawer full of Nike shorts and t-shirts. While we were screaming at the top of our lungs, "All I want for Christmas is you!" I was looking around for a wooden spoon, Daddy Beas and someone from Lupton.

PS... if you don't just love this girl... something is wrong with you...