Louisiana Lagniappe

B is Bananas....

2009-03-07T12:19:00.000-08:00

Hello Lovely friends! It has been a minute since the last time we chatted so I thought I would make a comeback with a music video. This past December, my good friend Millie came to visit her good cajun buddies and while she was here, Kelly,Millie, Josh Smith, and myself went to a concert in shreveport. Afterward on the drive home we were inspired to do a music video since we had one of America's top videographers in our midst. So what you are about to witness is the brainchild of Joshua Smith of Cinematic Bride and three silly girls. We chose the song, dressed up like goofs, had Kelly's brother make our hair crazy and from 12:30am until 4:30am Josh shot it for us. He used the Canon 5D Mark II. It was a blast and here is a peek at us in being crazy between the hours of 12:30am and 4:30pm... it was a blast but don't hold anything against us, we were a little delusional! http://www.cinematicbride.com/blog/

Thoughts from a Man I GREATLY Respect and Admire

2008-10-27T09:45:00.000-07:00

Please read an excerpt from a Pastor that I GREATLY respect.... Dr. John Piper

One-Issue Politics, One-Issue Marriage, and the Humane Society

Posted in: Politics Articles
By John Piper

Investigating dog life in Minnesota has solidified my decision to vote against those who endorse the right to abortion. So then what is my response to the charge of being a one-issue voter?

No endorsement of any single issue qualifies a person to hold public office. Being pro-life does not make a person a good governor, mayor, or president. But there are numerous single issues that disqualify a person from public office. For example, any candidate who endorsed bribery as a form of government efficiency would be disqualified, no matter what his party or platform was. Or a person who endorsed corporate fraud (say under $50 million) would be disqualified no matter what else he endorsed. Or a person who said that no black people could hold office—on that single issue alone he would be unfit for office. Or a person who said that rape is only a misdemeanor—that single issue would end his political career. These examples could go on and on. Everybody knows a single issue that for them would disqualify a candidate for office.

It's the same with marriage. No one quality makes a good wife or husband, but some qualities would make a person unacceptable. For example, back when I was thinking about getting married, not liking cats would not have disqualified a woman as my wife, but not liking people would. Drinking coffee would not, but drinking whiskey would. Kissing dogs wouldn't, but kissing the mailman would. And so on. Being a single-issue fiance does not mean that only one issue matters. It means that some issues may matter enough to break off the relationship.

So it is with politics. You have to decide what those issues are for you. What do you think disqualifies a person from holding public office? I believe that the endorsement of the right to kill unborn children disqualifies a person from any position of public office. It's simply the same as saying that the endorsement of racism, fraud, or bribery would disqualify him—except that child-killing is more serious than those.

When we bought our dog at the Humane Society, I picked up a brochure on the laws of Minnesota concerning animals. Statute 343.2, subdivision 1 says, "No person shall...unjustifiably injure, maim, mutilate or kill any animal." Subdivision 7 says, "No person shall willfully instigate or in any way further any act of cruelty to any animal." The penalty: "A person who fails to comply with any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor."

Now this set me to pondering the rights of the unborn. An eight-week-old human fetus has a beating heart, an EKG, brain waves, thumb-sucking, pain sensitivity, finger-grasping, and genetic humanity, but under our present laws is not a human person with rights under the 14th Amendment, which says that "no state shall deprive any person of life...without due process of law." Well, I wondered, if the unborn do not qualify as persons, it seems that they could at least qualify as animals, say a dog, or at least a cat. Could we not at least charge abortion clinics with cruelty to animals under Statute 343.2, subdivision 7? Why is it legal to "maim, mutilate and kill" a pain-sensitive unborn human being but not an animal?

These reflections have confirmed my conviction never to vote for a person who endorses such an evil—even if he could balance the budget tomorrow and end all taxation.

Excerpted from A Godward Life, Book I: Savoring the Supremacy of God in All of Life by John Piper (Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, 1997, pp. 279-280).

Go Ahead Tarr and Feather Me, BUT....

2008-10-23T15:28:00.000-07:00

Ok I have heard from many of you and have even received a few threats, uh-hem (SUMMER), about my lack of writing any original thought and posting stuff off you- tube or some other random article I find ...and though I really would LOVE to post something cleverly written and witty ---BUT I honestly just don't have it in me at this moment to do so, not when my heart is burdened and contemplative over current world happenings...I know several of you are still undecided on the election, but please let me PLEAD with you to sit before the LORD and honestly pray about the issues and the candidates, I am not saying that either ticket is perfect, and quite honestly I have problems with both candidates, but the problems I have with Sen. McCain pale in comparison with Sen. Obama. And the NUMBER 1 issue I am voting on is on the RIGHTS OF THE UNBORN--judge me if you will ---I simply can't get over this issue or INFANTICIDE!!! "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31: 8-9. Recently I have been thinking a lot about this verse...just thought I would share this along with an article by a Christian African American Pianist, Huntley Brown on why he as a Christian first, can not vote for Senator Obama....PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE read it: it is very thought provoking. And I promise after the election and stuff calms down I will be more lighthearted, but I can also let you know that whoever the Sovereign Lord allows as our next president will have my prayer support.
click here to read
and here is another link that I found by author Randy Alcorn

Scooze me DON'T Interrupt---RUDE!

2008-09-30T16:58:00.000-07:00

THE SCRUGGS--I DO AGAIN

2008-09-27T20:20:00.000-07:00

Hello all! Well I could not contain my self on this one...I just finished watching this incredible video of Jeff and Cheryl Scruggs, documenting their real life story. I will share with you an excerpt from their book:"Jeff and Cheryl are living proof that God can bring even dead marriages back to life" -Gary Thomas, best-selling author of Sacred Marriage; Ten disappointing years of marriage. Seven painful years of divorce. One remarkable, true-life story of a love rescued by God." PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE watch this and share it with anyone else who will be blessed by it...I know them in REAL life and they are the REAL deal....check it out! LOVE YOU SCRUGGS FAMILY!

VOTE '08---T-shirts are here!

2008-09-18T13:54:00.000-07:00

Well as previously mentioned before on this blog, the "Babies, Guns, and Jesus" T-shirts are here and I am thrilled at how cute they turned out the fabulous Amii @ trendy expressions designed them! If you want one contact us at kelly@kellymoorephotography.com. All Proceeds going to the canidate who would wear this T-shirt:)

Name:

Phone #:

# of T-Shirts:

T-Shirt Size:

Method of Payment: Visa MC Check

CC#:

Exp:

Code on Back of Card:

Amount to be paid:

Mailing Address:

T-Shirts are $25 per shirt. This includes shipping.

The Renewed Mind is the key to ....Bad Dancing

2008-09-15T15:12:00.001-07:00

A couple of weeks ago my friend Nat Pat posted a funny cheesy christian video from the eighties and I laughed so HARD but today I ran across this and it was too GREAT not to share...I swear its a wonder anybody got saved back in the eighties and nineties... there was some BAD music...watch this...

Advent Conspiracy

2008-09-09T18:58:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone ok so today I was cruising around on some of my fav blogs and ran across this on Jeremy Cowart's blog, EVERY YEAR I promise myself and others that I will NOT participate in ONE more CONSUMERIST POWERED CHRISTMAS-- I HATE the consumerism of Christmas ( if you are a close friend or family member--I am sure you can attest to my rants) yet every year I usually cave and feel almost "FORCED" by mainly my VERY vocal family members--who think I am such a "grinch" ALL because I don't want to BUY MORE CRAP --TO give MORE CRAP so that I can STORE MORE CRAP and have more CRAP take up space in my already cramped room, and every single year I CONVINCE myself that I will be able to stick to my guns and NOT give in to peer pressure yet inevitably every year about two days before Christmas I feel guilty bc others have bought me stuff ,so I feel obligated to get them something and then I really do go buy TRUE crap, because by that time everything is picked over, all SO I will have something to "GIVE"...oh its a sick cycle but this year I am seriously not giving in and I have found an EVEN better thing to give check it out--this is an UH-MAZING idea. Please make sure you watch the video!

PALIN POWER!!

2008-09-03T20:42:00.001-07:00

Just finished watching Sarah Palin at the RNC give her speech and can I just say I might have a HUGE girl crush on "SARAH BARRACUDA"!!I LOVE LOVE LOVE HER! I am in the process of making T-SHIRTS that say "Guns,Babies, and JESUS" McCain/Palin '08 ---all proceeds going to the republican party...I am taking orders, any takers? PALIN POWER!!

P.S.
Did anyone hear that one of AMERICA'S MOST WANTED was captured in Ruston last night? YIKES!!!

Fun Brides

2008-08-29T09:28:00.001-07:00

Does anyone recognize these lovely ladies?
Tameka Prince,Kasey Jackson Bower,Lindsey Marks,Kate Shackelford(Jung),Tess Clarke, and Molly Abrigg taken by the talented Dana Schroeder

Update

2008-08-26T05:40:00.000-07:00

Hello LOVED ONES!! Well I just got back from an action packed week in Dallas where Kelly Moore Photography was hosting our annual "LOVE ADDICT" workshop--and it was such a BLAST!! Thanks to all you people out there who contributed to the success of it, we COULD NOT have done it without ya!! I got to spend some much needed quality time with all my favorite people!!Check out this picture of our for real BIG GULPS...I was is AWE when we stopped off to fill up, and saw these BAD MAMMA JAMMAS ---64OZ!!!Only in TEXAS;)

Also wanted to share some of the beautiful images some of our participants captured over the week--we had some really talented photographers!!

Beautiful Molly and Peter Abrigg taken by Lissa Anglin

ROCKSTARS Melissa and Jamey Ice taken by Stacy Sodolak

The Radiant Tess Clarke taken by Jenna Henderson

A#1 STUNNAS Jourdan Burks and Josh Mac taken by Jenna Henderson

Once again the ALWAYS fab Ices taken by Heather Mabry

Josh MAC and Lauren Scruggs taken by Heather Mabry

And once again Josh "HOEBAG" McNamee and Lauren Scruggs taken by Dianna Lott

As you can see Josh Mac was the token single male model so he got "whored" out by all of the photographers...but everyone was such a great sport!! I have lots to blog about so to be continued....

HEALER...

2008-08-10T20:13:00.000-07:00

Today in church our Pastor camped out on this verse on PHIL. 3:10-11: "-That I may know HIM and the POWER of HIS resurrection, and may share HIS sufferings, becoming like HIM in HIS death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."
WOW! I felt so convicted because the first part of that verse is easy to take---YES who does NOT want to KNOW the POWER of THE RESURRECTION of CHRIST, BUT...its that second part that stopped me in my tracks--AND SHARING in HIS SUFFERINGS? How MANY of us can say in what ever circumstance you give or take away ---"BLESSED BE YOUR NAME?"
And then the LORD reminded me of this story I thought I would share it ...

RANTS and RAVES!!!

2008-08-02T12:10:00.000-07:00

WELL HELLO all you BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE --I have missed you all desperately!! LOTS to talk about!! First let me just say how truly happy I am to be back in MY HOMETOWN---here are a few things I LOVE about my sweet lil community: 1) SNOW CONES---LETS PRAISE THE LORD ON HIGH IN HIS SANCTUARY for this novel invention!! In my town there is one on every corner and its rare that my car passes one without stopping to partake in this HEAVENLY goodness (especially NOW that it is 1058 degrees outside and my A/C just died)!! My fav flavor is strawberry daiquiri with CREAM on top-- (this is my spiritual act of WORSHIP!!) I think the cream thing is a Louisiana thing cuz when I was in Texas all my friends thought I was gross---trust me its divine and sometimes I have TWO --just because I CAN!! 2) SWEET SOUTHERN GENTLEMEN!!SO the other day I stopped off at Cranford's grocery to get some gas and a coke icee and just as I was about to open the door I was quickly met by an older gentleman about 65ish who politely smiled as he passed me and just before I reached for the door handle he quickly turned around and ran back to catch the door while I walked inside-- to which I politely nodded my head with a thank you and he said the phrase I just LOVE to hear from chivalrous gentille MEN "IT WAS MY PLEASURE" there is just something about that phrase that I have a new found appreciation for...now let me assure you there was nothing beautiful about my appearance that day ...now that my job is literally in my backyard I barely bathe daily, much less put on a full face and the whole nineyards --LETS BE HONEST --my face was busted and I was wearing my month long favorite outfit and I swear someone actually mistook me for RAGGEDY ANN's P.W.T. stepp sister....(confession: I have this problem ---I have a closet FULL of clothes, shoes, accesories --OK lets be really HONEST I have like 4 closets full--hey I know I HAVE issues I am working through them---JESUS and I are working it out-- stop judging!!however I get on a certain outfit KICK and it started out wearing the same outfit for a week, then it went to wearing the same outfit for two weeks, and on and on until it grew into wearing the same outfit for a month. I know some of you find this down right repulsive and rightly so-- while some of you think its tragic and altogether SAD---but the deal is EDWARD T WELCH has changed my LIFE --if you are not familiar with this guy --his book changed my life "When People are BIG and GOD is small" --basically it talks about the fear of man and becoming free of people approval--- MY mother says and thinks that this might have been to a fault and says I use it to justify my behavior---she says its just plain self RESPECT---I claim ITS FREEDOM in CHRIST--actually its probably more on the side of LAZINESS...nevertheless its the TRUTH of my life... so much so that the Kelly's joke and say stuff like "Is this July or August's outfit?") 3) I love leaving my car running while I have to go in quickly to the store and not FEAR someone stealing my purse or my car (in either case the poor fool would be sadly disappointed) but there is just something so freeing about this most simple luxury---in DALLAS at my last place of residence they would have busted my window out for a used toothpick...and that is the hard and fast truth!! I could literally go on and on about other things I LOVE about my small town --but I had to move away and then back to appreciate it all---but I won't bore you with them.
In other news...Kelly and I went into our favorite local nail salon to get pedi's and mani's on FRIDAY and I KNOW THAT THE Staff thought we were RIDICULOUS mainly because we ARE--but for some reason we felt a compulsion to wear our really BIG sunglasses INSIDE the nail salon all while reading our fav trashy MAGS...I don't know why those mags are so ADDICTIVE but they certainly are, maybe its bc we know we aren't supposed to talk about people but somehow if they are celebrities they are free game---WHY do I really care if Jaime Lynn Spears is really gonna marry her baby daddy? or if J-LO will ever shed that final baby weight? and if Brangelina will have one more baby or rescue some unfortunate poverty stricken child taken from some obscure, never before heard of people group, that doesn't even have their own spoken language-- in which Brad and Angie can only communicate to her-- like Jodi Foster in the movie NELL, telling her of her other 413 brothers and sisters that eagerly await her backhome!!!???? REALLY!!???
AS Beth Moore said this weekend there used to be a day when Hollywood had some mystique and class....not so today...AS you can see I also got a lil BETH this weekend--Oh LORD where do I even start on this one? Come on its FRIGGIN BETH MOORE--NUFF said!!Yet somehow my friend Kelly had never heard her in LIVE and LIVIN color so I think she thought that Stacey and I were apart of some secret underworld cult or something-- in which all of the members must go out and find NEW prospects to drink our red kool-aid and therefore making our yearly quota of new disciples...BUT I ASSURE YOU THIS AIN'T NO CULT GIRLFRIEND!!!FANATICAL? YES, POSSESED? YES... all by the HOLY SPIRIT of course!! WHEW! I got me an 'ole fashioned spanking!!And I needed it ---all in LOVE of COURSE...and I wasn't the only one, after about 20 mins into the first session I looked over at both of my counterparts and we were all three snotty nosed and red faced---and I had to giggle a lil to myself --because Jesus was meeting all three of us at our point of need ---all in different areas---ONLY the HOLY GHOST can do that!!And all I have heard out of K.M.'s mouth since that blessed event is BETH this and Beth that, and Beth said so and so.....I LOVE IT----SHE is soooo eating her words!!! Stacey and I just look at each other with that look of ---TOLD YA SO!! Welp I think that about does it for now...its good to be back in the groove of a schedule again!!LOVE YOU ALL!! Till the "Spirit" leads me next time!

K.M. and I reading our trashy mags while getting our toes DID...

K.M. was proud of her new BIG shades so I wore mine in support of her decision....inside the salon!! Remember I have "NO FEAR OF MAN"

Our two nail attendants WHOM were thoroughly "AMUSED" with our shennanigans...

VOTE FOR KELLY!!

2008-07-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone-- My friend Kelly Moore Clark was nominated for BluDomain's "Girl of the Year". So if you have a moment, please please please go give my girl props! And on a side note if you are really feeling generous vote for Josh Smith who is also a Local Boy that was nominated...So show some Louisiana Love for these amazing artists and spectacular people!
click here to go vote on Blu Domain's Blog

"Yogi" the Bear Comes to Town!!

2008-07-02T08:24:00.001-07:00

"Yogi" the black bear made appearances around Ruston before being captured. (Contributed photo)

Well it seems that my hometown has had a lil excitement in recent hours...I think probably what had happened was our neighbor from the north heard about all the excitement from the weekend (peach festival) and wanted in on the action...it just seems ole "Yogi" was feeling a lil romantic and needed a place to shack...this was my favorite article that I could find

Authorities capture bear in Ruston, LA park

Posted: July 2, 2008 12:11 AM

Updated: July 2, 2008 12:11 AM
Authorities capture bear in Ruston, LA park
Political News More >>

By Ben Wolf - email | bio

RUSTON, LA (KSLA) - Imagine sitting in your living room only to find a 250 pound black bear roam across your front yard.

That's what happened today in Ruston as a black bear strolled through their community all day.

Wildlife and Fisheries know he's at least two years old.

"Comparable to an 18 to 20 year old male human, looking for a girlfriend and a place to live," says Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist Walter Cotton.

They know where's he's from.

"He's an Arkansas bear," said Cotton.

They say the black bear police chased all day was just looking for a place to call home -- something very common this time of year for a bear his age.

Ruston police tell us the commotion started at the Fairfield Inn near I-20's Exit 86 at 6:30 in the morning.

"He did make the door open. This door opened right here this morning," said front desk clerk Wesley Hammons.

"If he'd come on in a couple more feet, the other door would have opened and probably would have smelled the breakfast area. No telling. We had sausage and eggs and waffles -- all sorts of things in there," he added.

The bear journeyed through Ruston and eluded police all day.

Shearean London's dog Chelsea even spotted the animal in their yard which prompted London to call 9-1-1.

"And I say you caught the bear? They said no, he's right up there in the tree now, it came from out of your backyard," she said.

KSLA News 12 arrived on scene at Roberts Park just before four o'clock.

Wildlife and Fisheries finally shot the bear with a tranquilizer, sending the animal to sleep.
They loaded him into a truck and people got a good look at what everyone had been talking about all day.

Wildlife officials say they'll now take the bear to a Wildlife Management Area.

"We try not to disclose the exact location," said Cotton.

Despite the fact the bear scared many in town, London didn't seem to mind.

"I must admit the bear was very friendly," said London.

Like many in Ruston, it was London's first bear experience and even though he was well behaved, London hopes it's her last encounter.

Wildlife and Fisheries officials report there has never been a black bear attack on a human in the state of Louisiana in modern day history.

Celebrity Morph by MyHeritage

2008-07-01T21:57:00.001-07:00

So my good friend Dawn had this on her page... and I wanted to see who they would match me with...and to my surprise got Faith--I feel so honored!!

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity

Subscript...

2008-06-22T14:30:00.001-07:00

Also I know some of you might find the previous post a bit "offensive" but as my girls and I discussed over the weekend...." if someone were to overhear our conversations at least we don't pick out one particular people group to offend , we are just overall offensive, this way we are an "EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PEOPLE OFFENDER"..."Be all things to all people"....I know flag on the play....Just love me through it....tons of pics to follow....LOVE THE B-HO

Poof!!

2008-06-22T14:23:00.000-07:00

Poof!!To all you Mofo's that think I went to "Diesel Driving Academy" for my under grad here is evidence to the contrary---I was really expecting REMEDIAL...

P.S.---Here is a "Bonus" Question....Can anyone name the telephone number to the aforementioned school?

TV Reviews

Don't Judge Me

2008-06-18T06:55:00.000-07:00

OK OK OK; Alright, Alright, Alright; See what had happened was.........I AM CRAZY BUSY with weddings every weekend(bridesmaid duties and my real life job) so work and life this month have been a whirlwind. I have heard from a lot of you that I don't blog enough and I really need to work on that---OK here is the DEAL---I am gonna go ahead and put this in writing I CAN NOT commit to writing everyday and right now every week is a struggle---hopefully after the wedding season is over I can breathe again....but making no promises....BUT I have tons to blog about and no time to do it....SO since every post needs pics I thought I would put some from one of Kelly's "Give Me Moore" workshops....really this is for my poor mother who I know feels neglected...I love you mamma!!

This was my "Carrie Bradshaw" tribute...hehehe

This Lady Means Business

2008-05-29T14:01:00.000-07:00

While I was checking my email today I got one of those email forwards that I usually just ignore, but the friend that sent this to me usually never sends junk so I thought I would give it a whirl....I might get a few flags on this...but what can I say I like living on the edge...BEWARE MEN:This next post discusses feminine "ISSUES"...

This is an actual letter from an Austin woman sent to American company
Proctor and Gamble regarding their feminine products. She really gets
rolling after the first paragraph. It's PC Magazine's 2007 editors' choice for
best webmail-award-winning letter.

Dear Mr. Thatcher,
I have been a loyal user of your 'Always' maxi pads for over 20 years
and I appreciate
many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Core or Dri-Weave
absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd
certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white
shorts. But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos
on being the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that
maxi pads be aerodynamic. I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each
month knowing there's a little F-16 in my pants.
Have you ever had a
menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? Ever suffered from the
curse' ? I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my time of the month is starting
right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging
through my body. Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll
be transformed into what my husband likes to call 'an inbred hillbilly with
knife skills.' Isn't the human body amazing?
As Brand Manager in the Feminine-Hygiene Division, you've no doubt seen
quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customers
monthly visits from 'Aunt Flo'. Therefore, you must know about the bloating,
puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying
jags, and out-of-control behavior. You surely realize it's a tough
time for most
women. In fact, only last week, my friend Jennifer fought the violent urge
to shove her boyfriend's testicles into a George Foreman Grill just
because
he told her he thought Grey's Anatomy was written by drunken chimps.
Crazy!
The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just
crawling with homicidal maniacs in Capri pants... Which brings me to the reason
for my letter. Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I
wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always
maxi-pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, were these words:
'Have a Happy Period.'
Are you ***** kidding me? What I mean is, does any part of your tiny
middle-manager brain really think happiness - actual smiling, laughing
happiness is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything mentioned
above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James? FYI, unless
you're some kind of sick S&M freak girl, there will never be anything
'happy' about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and
Kahlua and
lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the
local Walgreen's armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your
life in a blaze of glory.
For the love of God, pull your head out, man! If you just have to slap a
moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something
that's actually pertinent, like 'Put down the Hammer' or 'Vehicular
Manslaughter is Wrong', or are you just picking on us?
Sir, please inform your Accounting Department that, effective immediately,
there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my
maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your
Flex-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending ****
****. And that's a promise I will keep. Always.
Best,
Wendi Aarons
Austin , TX

In Memory of Maria

2008-05-22T14:32:00.000-07:00

My Heart was so saddened when I received knowledge of this this morning....Please pray for this precious family!! Apparently one of the elder sons was driving the vehicle.

May 22, 2008
Maria Sue Chapman (2003-2008)

Maria Sue Chapman, adopted and youngest daughter to Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman, was killed Wednesday night in a tragic accident in the family driveway on Wednesday evening. She was LifeFlighted to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital but for only reasons God can explain she went home to Him... not to Franklin as we all so desperately wanted.

Your prayers are needed for all in the Chapman family. This is a family who has so generously loved and given to so many. Just hours before this close knit family was celebrating the engagement of the oldest daughter Emily Chapman, and were just hours away from a graduation party marking Caleb Chapman's completion of high school. Now, they are preparing to bury a child who blew out 5 candles on a birthday cake less than 10 days ago. These words are unthinkable to type. And yet we trust in a God who was not surprised by this and because of Jesus I am certain through faith in Him we will see Maria again. - Jim Houser (Manager)

http://www.chapmanchannel.typepad.com/inmemoryofmaria/

Louie Giglio--LAMININ

2008-05-16T08:23:00.001-07:00

Jesus Said Love

2008-05-06T21:41:00.001-07:00

This is the Gospel LIVED out---JESUS WITH SKIN ON!!

Praise God for Lil 'ole Ladies!!

2008-05-05T08:31:00.000-07:00

I got this off of the Bleeckers page...LOVE IT!!

What's in a name

2008-05-01T16:05:00.000-07:00

I totally stole this off of My friend Nat's page...this is my preppy name:

Your Preppy Name Is...

Ridgely Rothwell Tinsley the Second

But most people know you as Bootsy

What's Your Preppy Name?

'Tis the Season

2008-04-28T12:44:00.000-07:00

Hi faithful friends... Welp 'tis the season-- The beginning of May marks the official start of wedding season for yours truly --the weather is warming up, flowers are a blooming, birds are a chirpin, and LOVE is in the air!! Due to the fact that I am the eternal bridesmaid and/or honored friend at numerous weddings this summer and some of which I will not be able to attend due to the fact that I can't be in two places at once (in less Marty McFly lends me his time machine)

I thought it might be cool to highlight these cherished friends/couples...

Amy Lynn and Dustin (5-10-08): Well where do you even start with Amy? She's the "Bestie"-- you know like Lucy and Ethel, Gayle and Oprah, and THELMA AND LOUISE--- I have known her since high school and ended up living right down the street from her in college . We have LITERALLY closed down more shopping malls and 24 hr shopping places(I realize if they are 24 hr it is impossible to close...it was to make a point)than I am able to count, been through the thick and the thin together ( i.e. teaching hooligans in farmerville)...she is true blue....like a sister-- my family calls her Amy "Howard" Wilson (soon to be Vance)There are so many things I love about Amy but I think her loyalty and dependability have to rank high up there...She and I have cried more tears than Kellog has cornflakes (mainly over dumb boys) and laughed till we literally peed in our pants (or that might have just been me) walked through the valleys and been on the heights together, yet we have also been known to throw a leg and some bird (dancing and "rook",its our fav card game) yet all the while she continues to be MY BIGGEST FAN (as I am hers) and CHEERLEADER --never once has our friendship ever been competitative or catty and I am thankful for that --she genuinely desires to see me happy (as I do her) if I were to ever get thrown into the slammer, she'd be the first one I would call, that is if she weren't sitting right there next to me (she's my THELMA and I'm her LOUISE) and in the case of that happening then we would probably have to call PAULA JEAN and MONA KAY...anyway I am thrilled for her. Dustin, I don't know as well...but I can tell he is such a servant and is a PATIENT man (he'd have to be)...and I love to see the calming effect he has on my dear friend...He for sure is a keeper---and I am excited to see what lies in the future for these two!Congrats!!

Next, Is Angie B and Phillip (5-25-08): Again, Angie is a long time friend, I first met her when I was 18 yrs old, I a senior at RHS and she a freshman at Tech, we both met through a mutual friend who just swore we would be BFF's...and now nearly 14yrs later I can honestly say that she was right. From the first day we met it was like "spontaneous combustion" and those of you who were around in those early days can attest to this fact (i.e Ms Kathy). I don't have another friend like Angie, we have the kind of friendship that we can pick up right where we left off...we don't have to talk every day or even every year for that matter , yet we both KNOW where each other stand in our devotion and affection for each other, we have lots of HISTORY together and have been around for many chapters in each others lives---our friendship is like wearing a pair of "old worn blue jeans"-- they are just plain comfortable! We have seen every season in our relationship the good, the bad, and the ugly--kinda like an 'ole married couple-- We have had many sanctifying moments-- some "knock down drag outs" and some really sweet and downright hillarious spastic times (i.e.:Our Happy Day video from college) yet have always come out on top better and stronger because of it, I would not change one aspect of our friendship!! Jesus has been so kind to GRACE me with a friend like ANG--I know of NO other friend who has spoken truth into my life like Angie has--things that were hard to hear but were beneficial for my spiritual growth--we are brutally honest with each other, yet at the end of the day we know we have each others back!!I pray that everyone could have an Angie in their life, she is incredibly creative, WISE beyond her years, and a very generous soul!!She is family! Phillip, WOW!!I am amazed at the creativity of our GOD at bringing these two together!!If Angie is your text book extrovert, then Phillip is your text book introvert. I never in a million years would have thought of putting these two together, I am glad our Lord had other ideas though! Phillip--was one of my best guy friends at the Village--he is incredibly thoughtful, BRILLIANTLY creative, and has such a tender, kind, gentle spirit....He is so GREAT for Angie....I am glad that he decided to join us last minute for dinner, almost two 1/2 years ago,for some random girl's birthday dinner that he had never met before ....that just so happened to be his future wife!!

Sweet Lyn and Scottie B.(6-7-08)!!These two are GREAT!! I knew these guys separately before they started dating...so I was thrilled to find out they were dating and now "going to the chapel"....I really got to know Lyn when I got the privelege of being her small group leader (she is one of the original H.B.A.'s) Lyn has such a kind and sweet nature, and I find it hard to imagine that she has ever uttered a mean word to anyone in her whole life ---you know the kind--the kind that was just born to be a wife and mommie, I also love Lyn's heart for the nations and for people!She will be a radiant bride!!Scottie is one of the "legendary" 1281 boys....he is just straight up GOOD people ...one thing I LOVE about Scottie is his genuine care and concern for people --he is one of the most sincere people I have ever met and he is a lot of fun too!!Blessings friends!!

Next, are my "rockstar" friends...TESS and JASON (6-14-08)!! WOW---Gotta give a BIG praise GOD for these two..I think many will be shouting an AMEN and dancing a jig when these two finally "tie the knot".... this one has been a long time coming --their story is one of redemption, reconciliation, and forgiveness--which is the story of the GOSPEL and stirs my heart for worship when I think of it all!Not only are these two people "gorgeously good looking" but also two of the coolest, funniest, out of control people-- I have ever known( and I know a lot of people). I first met Tess when she was in school at North Texas and she was the very first girl to ever call me about coming to my small group almost 5 yrs ago!!(so hard to believe)From the first time we spoke on the phone our hearts instantly connected and over the course of the next few years she became a heart friend, not only is she strikingly beautiful she has a heart that far exceeds her outward beauty, and she is a POWER HOUSE prayer warrior, she is the kind of friend that will stop everything to pray over you and remind you of your identity that lies in Christ...these kind of friends are priceless.I adore her and am looking forward to seeing her all"dolled up" on the BIG day! J-Clarke---This boy was born cool! I first briefly met him when we were both leading corresponding small groups for singles, back in the day at the Village, when there were only like 4 altogether (now there are like 400) but I really got to know him on a mission trip we were on back in '05...this boy and I hit it off from day one because we both have the same type of humor...REALLY RIDICULOUS!! Jason has so many amazing qualities but a few that stand out to me are: his ability of imparting the truth's of God in a new and fresh way, his Boldness and zeal for Jesus, his authentic, genuine life he leads, his teachable spirit, his spiritual vision and leadership,but most of all I LOVE HIS HEART! And it is a heart that longs to be a Christ immitator, despite his "self-proclaimed shortcomings",I have seen much growth over the years in this guy and I LOOK FORWARD to seeing this covenant finally come to fruition and seeing these two setting the NATIONS a blaze for CHRIST!!Talk about a Holy Ghost Party!!Woot!

Chavon and Casey(6-20-08): Next is my girl Chavondria, Chevy, Von, but those closest to her know her as straight up RIDICULOUS!! If you know her you know what I am talking about--this sister is seriously "out of control" hilarious, I love being around Chavon cuz you never know what might come flying out of her mouth (probably something inappropriate, hence the reason I am so smitten with her, bc I also have a tendency of being a tad bit inappropriate myself)...there are few people on planet earth who can make me LAUGH like VON...the only thing that outshines her "sense of humor, witty banter, and smack talkin sass-- is her heart to know Christ deeper... one thing I love about her is she is always so honest, even about her flaws and shortcomings, I love that she is always fighting to know him more fully and intimately...She and I really connected a couple of years ago over our like mindedness (is that even a real word) for the Nations...it has been a real joy to watch firsthand her spiritual growth and maturity blossom over the past few years into the wise, Godly woman I see today. Another thing I appreciate about Chavon is her love for booty dancing we have spent many a Saturday night dancing it up at the 'ole Red River. One of the things that I just love to sit back and marvel at the Lord over is his creativity in bringing the much hoped for and prayed for...."significant other". Many a night Chevy and I would discuss the type of Man we saw each other with...and I often would think "Lord, who in the world do you have for Chavon---she is so unique and special I want someone to really appreciate her and to cherish her as she so deserves"...And then I met Casey! This guy is so SWEET --he is such a servant leader! Wise well beyond his years his love of Christ is almost contagious! I love to watch how he honors and cherishes my dear friend...He is the PERFECT fit for her! He is kind and PATIENT (extremely) with her and so tender in his affection and pursual of her heart...I just adore him...such a sensitive sincere MAN of GOD! I plan on throwing a leg when these two finally get hitched!

BRYAN ADAMS and ROBYN(6-28-08): All I can say is "Hells" to the Yeah its about "DAMN" time B.A.!! (disclaimer:I don't consider these curse words...I consider these words of emphasis and must be used when really needing to make a point....as is the aforementioned)This couple has been dating for FOREVER (or what probably felt like forever for Robyn) I just love these two! I first got to really know Robyn when she was in the small group that I lead for a couple of years....Robyn is a second grade teacher and is the stereo typical 2nd grade teacher...she is soft spoken and is gentle and kind in spirit---you know the kind that scripture says we should strive to be (its a 'lil harder for redheads:) --it just comes naturally for Robyn, Robyn has such a servant's heart she is always serving or volunteering for some ministry or charity, and those who know her well will tell you that she has this unbelievably killer ,almost kind of sneaky, dry witt, that is most endearing to any unsuspecting recipient. Bryan: Ya know there are just some people who you are just drawn to , and I always have a soft spot in my heart for fellow redheads...I think I first met B.A. a few yrs ago at one of his blow out parties he would always host at his sweet pad...but I really got to know him when he and I got put on the village singles "Road Rules" planning committee, we were their token older "MATURE" singles,I consider this guy to be like a brother, he just genuinely loves people!! He is probabaly one of the most (beside his lovely finance) GENEROUS individuals I have ever known...to tell ya the kind of people these two are, they have created an "I Do" Foundation so that in lieu of bridal gifts and other wedding related purchases, you can donate to one of their beloved ministry/charities that they are actively involved with, here is a quote from their wedding web page "We just want to start off our lives together by serving and blessing others. We hope that this blesses you as much as it blesses us!" It has guys! I adore you both!!

Kristen and Kent(7-4-08): WOW!! I love their story!! Its so hard to believe that I knew these two seperately before they started dating,and considered them both to be dear friends of mine, yet somehow these two never really knew each other...until about this time last year when Kristen moved to the same apartment complex as Kent...
Kristen and I first met in a Beth Moore bible study led by the Village matriarch, Elaine Caudel, almost 5 yrs ago!! She and I instantly hit it off and I remember it well because Kristen was just coming out of a season of open rebellion toward God ( I am not telling ya anything she would not tell ya herself) and I remember her desperate prayers back then for God to transform her wayward heart, and God graciously did just that! I love to sit back and watch God do the miraculous in people's lives...I LOVE THIS WOMAN of GOD DEARLY!!!I watched God pick her up and place her with Godly women as roomates, I have seen her serve wholeheartedly in the connecting ministry at church,fiercely mentor young women,humbly lead a young ladies small group,fervently start a running ministry,passionately take the gospel to all kinds of Nations of the World and yet continues to pursue other various spiritual endeavors ...but none of which have a greater call than that of WIFE, and one I know she is eagerly awaiting-- this woman is the REAL deal Lucille!!I have seen this woman literally wrestle with God, I KNOW that she begs God daily for more of HIM...and she can PRAY like the HOUSE is on FIRE...she is a dear and precious sister who I am honored to call friend--LOVE YOU K-Helpert!! Next is Kent, I pray for a KENT daily---He is such a dear friend and brother to me! I praise God for Kent and his influence on my life, when I lived in Texas there was about a year of my life where I had the sweetest circle of friends (not to say I didn't at other times, but these peeps were kinda my inner circle) me, heather d, geoff, phillip, and kent , we all just did life together, I especially thank God daily for the men he placed in my life during that season, each one of these men repeatedly showed me attributes of Christ on a consistent basis and in turn greatly restored my dysfunctional view of men...I know of few men that I respect and admire more than that of Kent Rabalais. I first met Kent a broken, tender man who had recently walked through one of the hardest, darkest seasons of his life which resulted in much heartache, pain, and grief--but I sit here today amazed at the goodness and grace of our Jehovah Jirah ....in bringing MUCH beauty from those ashes!! I know of no other man who sincerely and fervently seeks the LORD like Kent, he is constantly thinking of others and putting their needs and desires ahead of his own, he is a servant leader in every sense of the word. I remember a time when Kent was really wrestling with the idea of not getting remarried, though I knew of his deep desire to be married, he would just say supernatural things like, "not my will but HIS will be done" but his desire for JESUS was far greater and if the Lord was calling him to this end, then he was willing to lay it down, but OH how I am grateful to the Lord for shining his grace on him in granting to him the desires of his heart, Kent was created to be a husband and father, and I am grateful to the Lord for men like Kent because he has only raised the bar even higher for me in my dealings with men. I think it is very apropos that these two are getting married on 4th of July, traditionally this is a day to remember our countries freedom and the precious price that was paid for it---I Know that my dear friends will indeed be celebrating "FREEDOM" as well, but maybe because they both remember the bondage they were both (all of us really) under in the "far off country", and the "FREEDOM" they now experience due to the great price that was paid on their behalf!

"It is for FREEDOM that CHRIST has set us free!!" Gal.5:1

Whew! I think that about wraps up my wedding itenarary this summer, I love each of these dear friends very much and am excited to see what the Lord will do with their marriages and ministries for the kingdom...Looks like the whole month of June will be spent burning up that stretch of black top between here and Texas, it will be busy but good for sure!

A Life Well Lived: DEL STEELE

2008-04-24T05:56:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends --I am both saddened yet joyful this morning as I type...I just received word through an email(mass email)from my former pastor in Texas of a beloved church member, and long time elder who yesterday went home to be with Jesus:

Dear church family,

Our beloved prayer warrior and chairman of our elders, Del Steele, went home to his Lord on Wednesday around midday. He was one week shy of his 76th birthday.

I loved this man. For years before I came to pastor here, he and a few others would gather in a room at our Highland Village campus and pray for God to do a mighty work in the life of the church. The goodness and favor of God that we enjoy now can be directly attributed to this man's prayers. He never stopped praying, and he never stopped believing that God would do a great work here. I know he's in a much, much greater place now, but I will miss Del Steele.

If you knew him, you knew his gentleness and his unselfishness. He often told me he didn't quite like the way we did music, that it was too loud and that he would prefer more of the old hymns. But, he said, as long as people's lives are being changed and as long as people are falling in love with Jesus and getting baptized, he would put up with any kind of music.

And in true Del fashion, he requested that instead of flowers, donations be given to the church he loved for the Flower Mound Expansion purpose.

I thought it was fitting that the Lord took him home on a Wednesday, which traditionally has been a day of prayer for churches. In recent months and days, Del suffered painfully from the cancer he was stricken with, but now the prayer warrior has finally gone home to rest and to praise our mighty King.

Goodbye Del. We'll see you soon, brother.

Matt Chandler
Lead Pastor

Though I did not know this man very well, only through passing a few times, I definitely knew of his service and sacrifice that he made toward our beloved church home...to which I was a grateful recipient. Many a day I would have to run by the church for this or that, and I would walk into the sanctuary and find that man on his face beseeching our Sweet Lord...that image of Him praying will be ingrained in my memory, I hope for eternity. They don't make men like Del Steele these days...A man who put others needs and preferences before his own for the sake of the GREATER good. This Man truly got it! What an example he was to me and to all of us of a life well lived through joy,pain,suffering,health,sickness he did it ALL to the GLORY of God! I am thankful to Christ for DEL because I KNOW that if it were not for the blood,sweat and tears of him and others like him --I WOULD NOT know JESUS and LOVE Him like I do today. I wanted to share an excerpt from Dr. Piper when he had a dear saint pass on:

"Psalm 116:15, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Another meaning of the Hebrew word behind "precious" is "costly." Both are true. To us, so costly. To God, so precious."

This morning as I think of Del I imagine him face down,as I first encountered him, praising and kissing His beloved SAVIOUR's feet saying "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME"

Thanks Del for showing us first hand that ""To live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).

You will be missed.

April "SHOWERS"

2008-04-21T19:47:00.001-07:00

Hello blog family---"See what had happened was"....the bestie came into town this weekend to get "showered" so I have been a bit tardy on the blogging front....well lets see where should I start first.....I guess I will start at the place where dreams really do come true....LOG CABIN!! Amz made her way into town Thursday night and our first pit stop was at the LC...to pay homage to their "world-famous" chimichanga (if you never have made its acquaintance you truly are missing out cuz that thing will change your life or at least you will wanna re-dedicate your life after one tantalizing bite---but one should definitely take precaution and have that eternal security question nailed down before proceeding because that thing is for sure a HEART ATTACK just waiting to happen!!)So we could get fueled up for the action-packed, marathon weekend that was awaiting us. The next point of interest would be the shower that was hosted by some of her mother's friends"The Ruston Runners" and spear headed by one of my MOST FAVORITE Women EVER the lovely Ms. Lora Conville (this chiefly due to the fact that all of the others were MIA due to various illnesses... and side note Miss Loralanded herself in the ER the very next day due to a series of unfortunate events...bless her heart...hope she gets to feeling better:) Hats off to all of the ladies...it was UH-MAZING!!

Next we ventured to the lovely home of Ms. Laura Beasley Jones where we partook in some Bachelorette FUN...playing such games as bridal trivia and wedding word scramble which proved to be a lot more FUN than I had originally anticipated (usually these shower games are a real WHIP....but that is partly due to the fact that I happen to be a professional bridesmaid and there are only so many cheezy wedding shower games one can withstand before going completely POSTAL...but these were a lot of FUN and completely original as only Laura knows how to do)And a highlight for me was hanging with my 'ole buddy Barbara Noles Tims who is the picture of GRACE---LOVE HER!!

After this we hopped in the car and headed to the Port City to eat at SUPERIOR---and wouldn't ya know that we ran into about 482 Ruston folks!! But this is NOT surprising considering S'Port is the NEW "HollyWEIRD" and everyone these days is trying to get discovered and earn their 15 min. of fame....but I saw folks I HAD NOT seen since HIGH SCHOOL!!One of which anonymously paid for my meal that night...And who says chivalry is DEAD!! (If you are reading this, just know that I was in SHOCK and AWE when the waiter informed me of the news...and I was also very grateful---Thank You kind Sir:)

The Next Morning came VERY EARLY for this steel magnolia (My body is still trying to make the transition from night church,which is what I attended in Texas, to morning church) Afterward a group of us headed to the EL Jarrito for lunch (in which I was the only single person in attendance which really isn't all that significant except for the fact that I think married people sometimes forget that not EVERYONE is married so they end up sharing T.M.I. and swapping war stories of SPOUSAL SHOWERING TOGETHER and how (And I Quote) "incredibly hard it is for two people to fit into tiny showers", all the while I find myself sitting awkwardly betwixt them all nodding and smiling very nervously, pretending to fidget with my phone and acting like this is perfectly normal, afterchurch dinner conversation, thrown in between other commonly heard dinner-table topics such as "What did you think about the sermon?", "What are you getting to eat?", "What are your plans this afternoon?", "How do you and your husband fit into your shower?", "Could you pass the chips.", "more salsa please? ....but really all I wanted to do was just go find some dark corner and crawl up in a ball and suck my thumb and pray to the Sweet Lord Baby Jesus to make it all stop! But soon enough our food arrived and I scarfed down my food making a mental note, to NEVER make that same mistake "twiced". But while I was there at the EL JARRITO I had a celebrity sighting ....Has anyone ever watched Nacho Libre?.... Well good neither have I,(wait I Kid --April fools:) You know in the movie the 'lil chubby kid "Chuy" ...well come to find out he works at the El Jarrito in Ruston on the weekends (I know who knew right??!!I think its his famliy's business) So you know I had to get a picture cuz otherwise my peeps back in Tejas would never have believed me...I am sure he gets fans all the time...but I did not want to be THAT girl so when he asked me for a refill on my drink I nonchalantly asked him for a pic....and he graciously obliged....

Whew! It was a good thing I had my camera handy or I might have missed out on this star sighting....
Speaking of "showers"---Amy Lynn had yet another shower on Sunday afternoon, this time the WHOLE town of DUBACH made an appearance in the foyer of the Guaranty Bank....you know the kind of shower I am talking about---the kind where there are SWEET 'LIL old ladies with names like Miss Phronie and Miss Illa Faye, that hook you up with all kinds of loot and who would just love to tell an incremenating story or two from your childhood,( even if no one asked them to) the same 'lil ladies who have been waiting to see ya walk down the aisle your entire life and who probably consider you to be one of their own ... THESE are definitely the SWEETEST of ALL!! Welp I think that will about do it for now I leave you with a few more pics...

"Twittering" over the Office

2008-04-18T19:40:00.000-07:00

Did anyone catch the office last night? (I know my girl Summer was tuned in) I tell ya I think I had forgotten how much I LURVE this show and how much I was longing to see my neurotic pretend friends and boyfriend Jim (BE STILL MY HEART--MARRY ME PLEASE) (yes I KNOW I AM DRAMATIC but don't pretend like this is some kind of new revelation --just love me through it), kudos to the genius writers of this fabulous series, I think that the writers strike has only stregthened the quality of the show-- there were so many brilliant yet ridiculous, pee in your pants, moments that I just felt compelled,by the holy spiriat (ok that is a stretch and not true at all---I just wanted to say that) to highlight a few for your reading pleasure .... Jim's (marry Me NOW) fake proposal to Pam!!! Or how about when Michael refers to Oscar as you 'lil "Oscar Meyer Weiner lover" making reference to his "condition" as he likes to call it, or when he calls Wendy ( the Hot and Juicy redhead) but turned out to be the actual fast food restaurant,or at the coffee shop where he had gotten his name called out by the barista to pick up his coffee after he had just denied that his name was Michael to Pam's homely landlord, and lets not forget about the inspiration behind the whole episode-- Michael's infatuation with the Chairmodel in the Chair catalog and how about the finale where Dwight and Michael go to her grave and start singing "Bye, bye Miss American Pie"---ahhh Classic moments and definitely goes down as one of my top ten favorite episodes...I love all of these awkward, inappropriate uncomfortable and really, really ridiculous people I think one of the main reasons I find them ALL so endearing is because I know these people in real life, whether you have worked in an office (but especially), have neurotic friends or share the same gene pool--- WE ALL KNOW these people and if you don't know these people YOU ARE THESE PEOPLE (I speak the truth in love) -- alas my Thursdays nights are all a 'twitter again ...SPEAKING of TWITTERING---Can some one please explain to me the purpose of this new phenomenon? I am so confused...isn't it basically just texting ( I Know I just sounded OLD...thats bc I am) What is the point of it, I am always so skeptical of new stuff like this (ie:INTRANET (as my late grandmother would say),email,cell phones, texting, myspace, facebook, blogging....) but I ALWAYS give in and become its BIGGEST FAN---so can someone explain to me the point of Twitter and its usefulness....so I can jump on the bandwagon....this is Brandi Brownlee signing off...till next time homies!!

Fabulous K and Ruston Peach Cobbler

2008-04-16T08:32:00.001-07:00

HELLO EVERYONE ---I realize I have not blogged in like a week or something crazy and my how the natives get restless...BUT I just wanted to give a BIG SHOUT OUT to my good friend Kelly at "FABULOUS K BLOG DESIGNS" she truly is FABULOUS!!! So if you are looking for a 'lil spicin up to your page she can for sure hook a sista up!!THANK YOU KELLY --I LURVE IT!! In other news...I joined the Lambright Sports Center at Tech this week, got my official alumni discount (I am sure this was just a marketing ploy but it worked) and off I go...Step one in trying to counter act all the yummy food I have been consuming.....SWEET TEA, LOG CABIN's chimis, and PEACH COBBLER!! I was doing so well on my quest for a Healthier and Better Me --WHEN (duh da duh da duh) yesterday my sweet Aunt called me from Farmerville and said that there was a Ruston Peach Cobbler sitting in her oven with my NAME all over it!! Well whats a girls to do? I COULD NOT DISAPPOINT my aunt...So as soon as I got off work I headed out to Farmerville to visit with my Aunt Sheron and Uncle Randy they have such a beautiful home right on the lake and she "fixed" me some fresh purple hull peas, sweet cornbread, cabbage, and hamburger steak....hmmm hmmm life doesn't get much better than that and then wash it down with some yummy peach cobbler (blue bell vanilla ice cream on top,of course) ---I do realize I just sounded as country as a "turnip green" and I fully embrace that fact....but lets JUST say BABY NEEDED TO RUN BEHIND THE CAR all the way back home to the Russ-Town!!!Oh but nights like these are priceless!! Next, I got home and sat out on the front porch with Ms. Judy and Mr. Keith, just a rocking in the rocking chairs, sippin on some community coffee, watchin the stars light up the sky and talking about progress and the good 'ole days (isn't that a rascal flatts song)...anywho I WOULD not TRADE days like these for ANYTHING!!! I LOVE SMALL TOWN LIVING!!!

P.S.---That Boy (Ms Candi's friend) called me last night---I was very impressed with his intiative he said that Ms Candi told him it would be in his best interest to give me a call....so we will see ---stay tuned for more updates.

And today was a Good Day...

2008-04-08T22:32:00.000-07:00

"And today was a good day"...to quote from the wise 'ole sage ICE CUBE (disclaimer I don't support his lifestyle or his political views but I believe he was on to something when he wrote this song, of course one should over look his repetitive explicatives and derogatory comments toward women (due to the sheer fact that He probably does not know Jesus)...ok so maybe He isn't the picture of an upstanding model citizen ...but I like this phrase and it fits my mood... so don't judge me) And I digress...I started my day by checking my email to which I was pleasantly surprised to find out that The New Kids On The Block are reuniting and going on tour sometime this year---You HAVE No idea how happy this makes me ...I was SOOOOOO LOVE struck and obssesed over Joey McIntyre (which closely rivals my obsession with J. Timberlake but ya know there is just something about your first love) that I would have daydreams of him singing to me "I'll Be Lovin You Forever" and him whisking me away to Boston where I would bare his perfect fair-haired children, our girl: Brandi Jo and our boy: Joey Jr., where we would live our charmed rockstar life happily ever after....need less to say that dream never came to fruition and the closest I ever came to that dream becoming a reality was when I was in the 6th grade my sister and I got tickets to their concert for our birthday (we share the same birthday month) and we sat in the nose bleed section...yet knowing that we were in the same room together was probably enough to get me through to this very day....so you betta believe me sista when I say "come HELL (or is it hail?) or High WATER ... I WILL BE GOING TO THEIR REUNION SHOW ---("Can I get a witness?")do I have anybody who would care to join me? (And what about 'ole Jon Knight did he ever get over his social anxiety dissorder? I was really worried about him there for awhile...) Next I met Melissa and Kelly for one of our weekly "office" meetings at one of Ruston's favorite hotspots: Sun Down Tavern where we are supposed to talk about office type stuff ---but I think it is actually just a good excuse to sit outside on the amazing patio and eat some of Mr. Bruce's (side note: he is still just as crotchety and ornery as ever, but there is something very endearing and comforting about that in an odd, dysfunctional sort of way--and he still won't serve sweet tea and I am not gonna stop asking for it either) yummy po boys and catch up on the latest news in our lives (mainly I just sit and listen to them compare parenting notes) and maybe at the end we spend a few minutes discussing the weekly agenda. And Lord knows you see everyone and their mamma at Sundown, case in point, ran into Ms. Candi (in her case she was actually eating with her daddy and not her mamma today--but oh how i love her mamma!) And Ms. Candi came over and officially welcomed me back to town and after catching up, she mentioned wanting to set me up with a guy around my age who has apparently been "waiting on the right girl" for quite some time now (which leads me to reference Kristen Billerbeck: "that there is single for a season, and single for a REASON"--and in my past dating experience the latter has held true for most of the men I have encountered in my small dating repertoire---but i will stay positive until proven otherwise) I was just flattered that she would even think of me-- in Dallas this never happened --I was always the one match making! But the truth is most people aren't very good at it...although I HIGHLY trust Ms. Candi....I then, after work headed over to Ponchatoula's (another local favorite) to meet up with my 'ole college friend Libby Gifford-- and reminisced about the good 'ole Tech days and how blessed we were to be under the Leadership of the Men and Women that God placed along our paths during those days...those were some very sweet days...and this was all done over some of the finest crawfish this town has ever known (crawfish always stirs my affections for Jesus). So we just caught up on the last six years of each others lives---she is now in ministry at First West, so it will be a real treat to get to see Libbs on a more regular basis...I love her heart and its a heart that loves to pour into other young women!! Afterward I traveled to the local starbucks, in hopes of getting some phone reception, but instead ran into my longtime friend Cynthia where we caught up, told funny stories, and said "remember when or remember so and so?" about 100 times...as I got in my car and drove away I was confident of one thing that GOD is up to something...what-- I am not exactly sure---But I know one thing that is for sure that there are NO accidents in the Kingdom of God and Jesus reminded me of this in the Book of Ruth, where Ruth had left everything that she had known to be comfortable, for the sake of her mother -in-law out of loyalty and honor with no promise of a future for either of them (just a hope of one), yet she was faithful to Naomi and traveled to Naomi's homeland("Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Heb. 11:1)where she was a lowly Moabitess...."BUT as it turned out she HAPPENED to come to the portion of the field belonging to BOAZ, her kinsman redeemer" Ruth 2:3....I think this verbage is so interesting in scripture because its like this scenario was just a happenstance but we know that there are no accidents in the kingdom of GOD if we trust in His sovereignty, So here is sweet Ruth just being faithful in the small things....and "as it turns out" ends up in the LINEAGE of our Sweet Savior?WHAT!!??Did you catch that? Oh we just think we are calling the shots don't we, beloveds? Oh at the end of the day when you are getting in to bed and you are recounting all of your "mess" ups and wished you would have done this or that ---rest in HIS sovereignty--NOTHING WE CAN SAY OR DO WILL EVER THWART THE PLAN OF GOD!! Such comfort in this truth, so though you think you are making a decision to go to the grocery store or going home a different direction --you are still under HIS sovereign plan!!Whew I was'nt expecting to get uber spiritual on ya...it just came out because the Lord is reminding me of this!!

P.S. ---I just checked my phone messages and yet another friend in Ruston is just dying to set me up with yet another fella "who is also waiting on the right girl" ....I do declare--A girl might could just get used to this sort of attention !! Again I will stand by my aforementioned statement "that today was a good day..."

Update on the B-Ho

2008-04-08T07:39:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone --I am kinda new to the blog world but after much encouragement (and a few threats ...uh hem Andrea) I decided to drink the "red koolaid" and jump into the blogosphere. I guess I should start with the latest happenings in my life. A couple of months ago my good friend Kelly called me and asked me if I would be interested in being her new assistant in her photography biz...While I thought the offer was sweet and how awesome of her to think of me I without hesitation declined stating "Thanks but I am very happy where I am and LOVE my Church, friends, community, and job--I could never leave Dallas, in less of course JESUS ASKED ME TO." Welp...guess what HE asked me to ? Through numerous confirmations, conversations (i.e. Ashley:)-,and circumstances and through his WORD, Godly counsel, and LOTS OF PRAYER!! I felt the Lord leading me back HOME--to RUSTON!! I know on paper its a job--but I FIRMLY believe that this is NOT the only reason " Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."Prv. 19:21 So though I don't know fully why the Lord has brought me back I am excited to see all the Lord has in store!! To my friends in Dallas --please be patient with me until I get all my phone issues worked out --dang T-mobile!! I literally have to be standing right on I-20 to get a signal which could be hazardous to my health!! And to my Ruston friends don't be alarmed if you see me walking up and down I-20 --I am really not trying to hitch hike back to Texas or throw my self into oncoming traffic (although I am sure I will have those days) --just wave and nod and just think to your self --Yep the crazy redhead is back in town!!

Thanks to Andrea

2008-04-03T21:18:00.000-07:00

Andrea started my blog.

I love her.

I love her.

She's the bomb.com!

Love, Brandi