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| | I can't believe it's been almost 3 months since we've been here in Arkansas. We're still really enjoying it, but sometimes it's still a little hard being away from family and Midland. But, when I truly sit and think about it, I honestly believe this is where we're supposed to be. Anyway... | David and Stefanie came to visit us this weekend and it was soo much fun!!! It was so nice of them to come and stay with us and it was so good to hang out with them again. When they left, I cried a little, not only because they were leaving, but because it yet again reiterated that we're not in Midland anymore. But, we had so much fun and it's so wonderful to have Christian friends who you can have fun with and be yourself with! We had a blast!!!
 
at the mall in Jonesboro...I LOVE that mall!
I'm cooking my very first Thanksgiving meal this week...wish me luck. Wes' family is coming so that will be nice. I hope the food I fix is edible!!! The rest of my family is going to my mom and dad's house in Midland, so that will be very sad that I'm not there. But, maybe I'll be too busy to think about it much. Anyway, have a great turkey day.
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| Wow! I can't believe it's already been a month since I've written last! A LOT has happened in that month! I couldn't write about it obviously then, but after we went to the Kelly Clarkson concert, Wes and I came to Leachville, AR to try out for a preaching position, just to see what would happen! We found out a week later that we actually got the job! We were so excited, sad, nervous, and stressed all at the same time! I didn't have time to sit down and write about the transition, but now I do...we've been here in Leachville for over a week now and I can't believe it! We're unpacked mostly and the church here had a "pounding" for us tonight and gave us lots of food and essentials. We really like it here - it's green and so peaceful and we've slowed down quite a bit already (which was part of our intention).
But...back to when we first found out we got the job...it was sooo hard realizing that we were going to be moving and leaving Midland and Westside. It probably was one of the hardest days of my life when we told the congregation - but then again, everything from the day that we found out we got the job until this past week has honestly been a big blur to me!!!!! But, man that was hard! The congregation was really supportive and encouraging and sad all at the same time but those kids took it a lot harder than we expected that they would. That was really hard seeing those teenager girls sitting on one row at church just crying and crying - it broke our hearts!
Anyway, over the next 3 weeks, we went through trying to fit everything in with friends and family that we could before we left, quitting my job, packing, writing notes to all the kids, giving Oscar to Kayleigh, giving Richard to my parents (who have yet to see him again!), having a HUGE (hah) garage sale and enjoying every last minute possible with the kids. It was such a roller coaster of emotions though - excited and sad at the same time. Then, our last Sunday was another hard day. Westside threw a farewell party for us and gave us tons of gifts (too much). They will always hold a special place in my heart - I've been there for over 20 years and the teenagers, wow, how amazing they are! Thomas, Brandi, and Phillip even tied our car up to the post so we wouldn't leave (they were halfway pretending though!!) Wes made a video of some pictures and video clips of the youth group over the last few years and it's amazing how much the kids have changed! Lindsey was able to come home and stay for the party so that was really neat. Here's a picture of that below - that was a hard day but again, it's such a blur.
We loaded up the wondeful Budget truck all day on the next Wed. with help from my parents, David and Stefanie, Wayne Wood, and Mike and it was packed to the limit with just enough room to close the door! It was crazy! We went to church that night and went back to the house to clean up a little of the leftover stuff we didn't get to and to say bye. Man, I just stood in our "old" bedroom and just started crying and crying - it was such a weird feeling - that was (is) our first house together. Then, we went and told Mamaw bye and we spent the night at my parents house. Mom fed us a great breakfast and then we said bye to them and headed down the road. We got to Colorado City and I was following Wes who was driving the wonderful truck behind in my car and he had a blow out!! Yay, not! He kept it under control totally though and although I was nervous and was thinking, "Oh great!", they sent a guy out and fixed the tire in about an hour and half. And plus, we were just planning on getting to Dallas anyway that night so it was ok. Here's a picture of the man fixing the tire (for your entertainment pleasure)!
We finally got to Dallas and stayed at a really nice motel and immediately went to the jacuzzi downstairs to unwind. Then, we went to the Rangers game (after I was able to pursuad my husband to do so since we had free tickets.) Well, my wonderful husband surprised me and bought me tickets instead of using the free ones so that we would get a better seat...but not just any ticket!!! He got us on the 6th row right by 1st base (Mark Tex!!!!)!! He is so amazing and I loved it! It was so neat being that close!
The next morning, we woke up at about 4 AM and left at 5 AM. Believe it or not, Dallas traffic was already annoying with all those big trucks and we had to go slower than them because of our rental truck. Ugh! Anyway, there were no more incidents and we got to our new house at about 2 last Friday, with lots of men already waiting to help us unpack. It was neat directing "traffic" and telling them where to put all the boxes in which rooms! Hah! Here's some pictures of us moving in...
While we were unloading the truck, the flower lady here in town came and brought us a plant from Wes' family and flowers from my family!!! What great timing and how thoughtful!!! It was neat!
Anyway, in the past week, we've gone to Jonesboro (about 35 minutes away and 55,000 people with a new mall and a lake, etc) and Memphis, bought lots of new stuff - because who can move into a new house and have the same old stuff?!?!?!, gotten hooked up with all our utilities, and are trying to learn the people's names here at church. It's so weird to think that I'm a preacher's wife and please pray for me that I can do my best and that people, stike that ----- God will be proud of me and know that He can rely on me. I was looking at Westside's bulletin from today and I started crying a little because it's still so strange to not be there anymore! But, we love it here and we think it's going to be really neat! I miss y'all though and we'll think of you often! I just love those teens, especially! I'm so thankful for all the time we had there and for the friends we made. Please come see us - we'll show you around town and it will only take 5 minutes!!! Yay! Love y'all and thank you for all your prayers and support. Have a great week! | | |
| Kelly Clarkson was sooo awesome! It was so amazing! I can't believe Lindsey and I saw her in concert! It was so rockin!!! Ranks as one of the best concerts I've been to, and I've been to quite a few! She sang mostly songs from Breakaway CD, and a few new ones to be released in Feb. It was so neat and I'm glad Lindsey asked me to go and got all the ticket stuff situated. It was sooo fun!! It was hot at the arena place, but the acoustics were awesome. That's the loudest I've heard a crowd scream, ever! (And most of it was Lindsey!!!). Here are some pics from it. There's also an article online about the concert, too. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/stories/DN-kelly_0729gl.ART.State.Edition2.1de4e1d.html Y'all have fun!
Her hair is short, I like it better long, but if I had to dance around and sing like that, I'd be too hot to have long hair, too!!! The finale was probably the best end of a show that I've been too - confetti blew out and she was singing, "Since You've Been Gone". It was soo cool!
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| Here are a few more camp pics. Also, I have some great news! Lindsey and I are going to see Kelly Clarkson in concert at the end of this month in Dallas! Yay!!! I'm so excited! "What?!?!?" You may ask! Kelly Clarkson is not country music, but yes folks, I do like her music a lot and it will be so much fun!! I'm so excited to go with Lindsey!! Anyway, enjoy these last few camp pics (I could only upload a few more...I've reached my monthly limit!!). I'll let you know about the concert later!! Yay!!
All of the female teachers - we had a surprise baby shower for 3 of the teachers.
Wes and I went with Denton, the caretaker of the camp, on Wed. afternoon and he took us on a 3 hour tour - we went to High Falls, Enscription Rock, Shepherd's Hut, an amazing cabin being built by some teachers there, and to some people's trailer to visit them. It was sooo neat. We love Denton and Beth!
Wes' beard - he shaved it off a few days before we left - it was too much for me!
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| Here are some pics from camp. We just got back last Friday from spending two weeks there and we are leaving this Sat. for mission trip for a week. After that, Wes and I are taking a little trip the next weekend, then we'll FINALLY be home for a while. I'm so tired that I don't have time to write a lot about camp - but it was great and I enjoyed it a lot! It's so nice to be in the mountains, to have time to spare, and to spend your time with other youth ministers and wives. It was mostly relaxing, too. I did get altitude sickness again - we came back down the mountain before it got too bad so that was interesting (and sad and embarrasing!) On our way up that mountain, we saw a bear cross the road in front of us (we were in our van!). That was neat but it was so fast so there's no picture. :( The girls from Westside sat on our porch in front of our cabin almost everyday during trading post and we visited (thanks girls...that was nice and fun!). Our class was awesome! We (mostly Wes) taught the high schoolers and it was sooo neat. They are a great group of kids. Anyway, I hope to write more later but for now, here are some pics. Have a good one!
By the way, have you ever had those times when you just want to bawl!! I would love to watch Steel Magnolias right now and just let it all out...oh well! Maybe it's because I'm so tired and stuff?!?!? Here's to watching girl flicks that make you cry!!! Yeehaw!
Hermit's Peak - I was at the tip of this thing last year with dry heaves - yay! But, hey, I conquered!!
Our little teachers cabin is the one on the right end .
This is my absolute fav!!! You're welcome Kayleigh!!! (On the ropes course)
After banquet - one of only 2 activities where we don't wear jeans!
Isn't this amazing!!! Wes and I hiked up to this behind the camp every couple of days.
A fellow young teacher's couple...they're expecting in Nov and moving to Ft. Worth! Great people to be around!
Load em up and don't forget your seatbelts! | | |
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