Smoky Mtns, Starbucks, and Spinning

I've lived in the South my ENTIRE life and have surprisingly never been to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge...until this past weekend!

Back in December we had planned a trip there. It also ended up falling on our 6 month wedding anniversary which was neat.  Hogan grew up vacationing in the cabins there and so we both thought it'd be a fun weekend get-away. And it sure was. Now I have to be honest - I was not a huge fan of the actual towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge (a little too much Ripley's Believe It or Not and dinner theatres), but I loved our cabin! It was nestled way up in the Smoky mountains and so incredibly relaxing and private. Have I mentioned I LOVE weekend get-aways? Well I do. I am able to completely leave my mind back at home and simply escape for the weekend. I love my life but who are we kidding - we all need to escape the real world every now and then. And did I mention this was Hogan's idea? I might have taken credit above for some of it but it was all him. He's an incredible husband and I love that he not only enjoys get-aways but plans them for us! Here are a few pictures from the weekend (downfall of it just being the two of you is that you don't get many pictures together or in our case this past weekend, any, lol)...

On another note, Starbucks now has a seasonal Mocha Coconut Frappucchino which I tried for the first time today at lunch. Two thumbs up - incredibly yummy.



Today I also realized what a true love/hate relationship looks like...spin class. I love going, I love the workout, I love pushing myself, but seriously I want to curse the instructor in the middle of it - and that is so not me. It's so painful but I keep going back. I haven't tortured myself like this during workouts since marathon training. Although if I'm going to be downing these fraps, it's probably not a bad idea :)

"We Are Alabama"

What I'm about to write is simply so I don't forget. So I don't forget the tragedy that happened and so I don't forget the outpouring of love and help that has come from it. I know many of you that will read this know what happened and were possibly directly affected by it. We've all seen the news and the pictures and possibly even been in the places it hit. My post isn't to tell everyone what happened. It's to make sure I don't forget.

On Wednesday (April 27, 2011) I got up to go to the gym early in the morning. As I was about to walk out the door, the tornado alarms sounded. I thought twice about it, turned back around, and turned the tv on to see what was happening. I don't remember James Spann saying anything specific about Cahaba Heights and so I went back to bed. About 30 minutes later, our power went out and we awoke to a deathly wind blowing right outside our window. It was a moment where you freeze and just listen. It wasn't an ordinary wind. It scared both of us. But thankfully it passed. Our power remained off, but the storm had passed and we got up and went to work.

The skies cleared up but all day the forecasters were preparing us for what was ahead - a massive line of potential tornadoes coming in. And they came. Even today (a week later) they don't have all the details and are still performing search and rescues on hundreds missing, but numerous tornadoes entered our state and completely devastated our towns, killing and injuring hundreds of people and destroying people's homes and possessions.

Hogan and I were safe from these storms in Cahaba Heights. The EF5 (I think it was upgraded to this) tornado that came from Tuscaloosa went just west of downtown Birmingham as it continued through our state. Our area was destroyed pretty badly but it was actually from the storm that came through in the morning (which they have now deemed an EF2 tornado). Thankfully I didn't know anyone close to me that lost their home or life, but I've heard so many stories from friends and family that know people that did. Everything was and still is overwhelming. My heart hurts everytime I hear a story. I tear up at stories of people I don't even know.  And the stories are still coming. Search and rescues are still taking place. People all over the top half of our state are without homes and food and family and possessions. Power is being restored where it can be. My mom just got hers back Monday morning. We got ours back late Friday night. I am so thankful for those power employees that have been working relentlessly.

 

I keep thanking Jesus for sparing me and my family and my friends and my home. The thing that is hard to comprehend is that we didn't even take cover. We layed in bed thinking it wasn't coming for us. And the big one wasn't but still. Thousands of others took cover. Many were saved by doing this but many weren't. If you were in the direct path of that tornado, most didn't make it. I hope this helps me to take cover next time. To take it more seriously. I'd like to think it will, but as time passes, unfortunately I think we'll forget just how serious those warnings and storms are.

When things like this happen, you feel burdened yourself. At least I feel like I have to save everyone. I have to get out and help 24/7. Unfortunately because I work I can't do that, but I want to. Fortunately, Hogan and I were able to take off on Friday and go serve in Pratt City (west of downtown Birmingham). We served at a school there that is acting as a distribution hub for the residents. I was able to actually interact with some residents that had lost everything except their lives. I was able to pray with many of them. They all wanted prayer. I was able to hug them. I was able to encourage one young teenage girl. Her mom said she had blacked out when the tornado hit their home and she has been just walking around like a zombie every since. Heartbreaking.  One lady that I got to pray with actually came back to me and another girl and prayed for us. That was powerful. She prayed Psalm 20 over us. Incredible that she wanted to pray for me! I was fine. I hadn't lost anything!

It amazes me to see so many people helping our state. People from all over the nation and state are raising money, driving trucks down with supplies, donating supplies, etc. Twitter and Facebook are being updated at an incredible pace by people who want to help, are helping, and need help. It's honestly a little overwhelming. I feel like I'm on media overload. I need to keep off it but I can't. I'm a deer in a headlight to it.

Out of all of this devastation though has come love and hope. Friends and strangers are doing whatever it takes to help out those affected. I feel like this devastation has "bonded" our state. The slogan "We Are Alabama" has come about. I absolutely love where I live - my city and my state. The local churches are stepping up and shining. It is our finest hour. This is the time to make Jesus' name high. It's a time to remind yourself and others that God is good all the time. We live in a fallen world and things like this will happen. But out of the ashes beauty is rising.

 I found this picture which was taken in the midst of all the destruction in Tuscaloosa.

The cross remained.

The Perfect Ending

The Woodlawn soccer season is officially over. This also means you will get a break from all my "soccer" posts... well maybe :) We played our final game of the season last night. It's amazing this season how every single game has brought up different emotions in me. Last night we lost 10-0 to Moody but I think it was the perfect way to end the season...

Our guys have improved all season. I love when I can see the improvement. We played Moody our first game of the season and lost 10-0 by pretty much the end of the 1st half. This time around though we played them until about 5 minutes left in the game. Our guys played so incredibly tough and did some amazing things out there. They don't quit. And when I say they don't quit, that doesn't mean they simply last throughout the end of the game. They fight for it. You would've thought they were fighting to score the game winning goal. It's incredible when I really think about it. I mean on the way home last night, the 4 guys in my car were already talking about next season and how they were going to get in shape in the summer and they were going to beat everyone next season. I love it. I love that kind of attitude and hope.

I've taught them all season about sportsmanship. About showing others who Woodlawn really is. About making a good name for ourselves out on that field. And last night they did JUST that. The Moody team was a mess. Disrespectful to their coach and teammates, violent on the field, cocky, just a complete mess of a team. We were in no way a threat to their win last night yet they felt the need to dangerously foul us all over the field the entire game. But my guys didn't once retaliate. There was one point where we had a break-away to the goal (I mean we were going to score!!) and the guy behind my guy just lifts his hands and flat out pushes him forward to the ground. You should've seen me - I was furious. I yelled out (in a respectful manner of course) something like, "COACH, that isn't necessary! We are in no way a threat to you! Someone is going to get hurt out here!" Hogan said the coach had to of heard me so honestly that made me feel better - I mean I'm human, ha ha. Anyways, through fouls and red/yellow cards and nasty language and tons else, my guys stayed strong and did what they were told to do, just play soccer. They impressed me more than I can put into words here. In that moment I realized how blessed I am to be able to coach them. I have my "flesh" moments when I would love more players or love more talented players but when all is said and done, I don't want any of that if that's what it looks like. I want my 11 players from Woodlawn that will play their hearts out respectfully until the whistle blows. I told them after the game how proud I was of each one of them. How I loved coaching them. We ate some ice cream to celebrate and headed home for the night.

On the way to work this morning, I was just smiling and thanking God for last night. For this season. For the opportunity to even do what I'm doing. My heart is so full from last night and like I said, I think it was the perfect way to end the season.

A Win!!

We won a game!! It's amazing how precious a win is and how much it lifts your spirit when it happens. At that moment the guys could have cared less about the 8 losses before that. They were living in the moment and so excited about the win. We only had 9 players too. The other team played down to our numbers in the first half but at halftime we were winning 3-1 so they went ahead and put their full 11 players on (which I don't blame them for). But we held on in the second half and claimed a 3-2 win over Erwin.

Through this win, I noticed how proud these guys were of themselves. Particularly a couple of them wrote things on facebook about their own self scoring goals, saving goals, etc. At first I laughed because it was so humble of them..ha, not so much. But then I honestly thought about how awesome that was that they were acknowledging themselves. I'm assuming they don't get a ton of chances in life to be proud of something they did. So when I thought about it that way, well it just confirmed another reason why I do this.

The season is winding down. We have our last game tonight. It's been an incredible ride this season, but I am definitely ready for a little break :)

A Blessing through the Tears

I figured I needed the weekend to cool down before I wrote about this. But boy was I fuming Thursday night. And really, the reason why I am writing this, isn't to just talk about what made me mad, but what the blessing was through the bad situation. That God's blessings are everywhere at all times. Even in bad situations. Even in hard times. And oh yes, He responds to prayer...

We had a soccer game Thursday night. It was at Pinson Valley. We have already played this team once this year and they mercy ruled us but it was in the second half and honestly I must have not dwelled on it too much because my guys really stepped it up and did some great things - despite the loss that time. I truly thought the coach did some things as well to "slow down" the scoring (i.e. put bench players in).  Going into Thursday night's game, I expected a mercy rule game again but not like how it actually happened.

To preface the night, my prayer was for an opportunity to speak more truth/more life lessons to my guys. So the game starts. And Pinson Valley just comes at us, I mean COMES at us. One goal within the first 2 minutes, another shortly following, on and on and on until 11 goals ended the first half, which then ends the game (because we hadn't scored one). We had 11 players - no subs - they were exhausted but they hung in there until the end as best as they could. I was fuming. I was livid. Their coach was doing NOTHING to slow down the scoring. If anything, it felt like he was promoting it. How could he do this to us? Didn't he have any sympathy? We weren't a threat to his team in any way, yet it didn't stop him from pounding us. But I couldn't say anything. Because when I get mad, I get emotional. My heart was hurting for my guys having to endure this. I was so mad at this coach for doing this to us. But like I said, I couldn't say anything to him - I would've broken down in tears most likely and that would've just been a mess :)

So I said nothing to the coach (other than blatently not making eye contact or speaking anything to him during the handshake line at the end of the game). But I did speak to my guys. I brought them all in at the end of the game and gave them this "life lesson": I told them I was proud of them first of all for not quitting. I told them it sucks losing. I told them we are going to go through games like this. But I told them to remember how they feel right now after losing like that. Because one day (whether it's in soccer or not) they are going to be on the other side - on the winning side - and they need to know what that other person or team is feeling. They need to know how it hurts and hopefully they think twice about doing it.

Thank the Lord I had my sunglasses on because my eyes were filled with tears. Somehow though I got through it without breaking down and with only a slight quiver in my voice. I think the guys could see something was different with me but I got through it. And I won't lie, on the way home, I cried and cried and cried. I just had to let it out. And I prayed. And I thanked God for giving me that opportunity (like I had prayed for, remember?) to give them that "life lesson." I am so thankful for my relationship with Jesus. And I am so thankful that I can see the blessings...even through the tears.

"Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter."



Couponing Impaired

I envy women that have the whole couponing thing down. I envy women that take what's on sale for the week, plan out meals based on those items, and then proceed to save more than they paid at the grocery store. I even envy the meals that they are able to make.

I can't do any of this. In my mind, I can see myself becoming this person. But then I try and it doesn't work. My receipts read more like, "Spent $90 at Publix and saved $4," thanks to the one B1G1 free item I just so happened to need. We did save a whopping $14.52 this past week but it was due to no help from coupons - simply buying what was on sale.

A few months ago, a guy came to our door selling the newspaper, said he needed to make a few more sales for his college tuition, blah blah blah. Well I am a sucker for helping others (as is Hogan) and so of course we bought the subscription from him. We don't read the paper but a couple of weeks in, I thought, well I can use the coupons from it! So for the past few weeks, I've been cutting some coupons to use. This doesn't work either. Rarely do I find coupons for items we usually get at the store so I thought well we can buy these items instead. Only problem is then I start buying stuff we don't need or that's more expensive but because I have the coupon, I feel like I should get it. Can anyone relate to me?!?

I also know about the SouthernSavers website. It seems like a pretty easy way to learn and find coupons and deals. I tried to get a coffeemate coupon the other day from it. It linked me to the Coffeemate website where I would have to sign up through their website to get the 50cents off coupon. And that's when I closed the internet page.

Maybe I'm just not dedicated enough. Maybe I just need a lesson in it. Maybe I don't have enough time. Maybe it's not worth it, Lol. It's weird because usually when I really want to do something, I can put my mind to it and do it. Someday I hope to learn and be good at it (as I'm sure it will definitely come in handy when we have a larger family). And when that day comes I will definitely be posting a picture of my receipt where I have saved more than I spent.

In the meantime, if anyone is good at it and has any advice (easy advice) on how to start, I am all ears.

I'm also welcome to comments that tell me it's not worth it. ;)

This Little Light of Mine

Remember when you were young and you sang, "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine?" Back then singing "little" made sense because well, I was literally "little."

The music group, Addison Road, has a remake of this song out right now that I really enjoy and love worshipping with. And I've taken on an entirely different perspective of the song. The words are simple yet powerful. They always have been, but I now realize just how much so. Here are some of the lyrics...

There's a little flame inside us all
Some shine bright, some shine small
The rains will come and the waters rise
But don't you ever lose your light

In this life you will know
Love and pain, joy and sorrow
So when it hurts, when times get hard
Don't forget whose child you are

This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine, gonna let it shine

There will be days when you want to give up
When the clouds settle in
But after the rain comes the sun
Don't you ever forget

One day there will be no more pain
And we will finally see Jesus' face
So until then I'm gonna try
To brave the dark and let my little light shine

This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine, gonna let it shine

There's a little light inside us all.

Once we've surrendered our lives to Jesus and chosen to follow him, we have his light in us. YOU are the salt of the earth, the light of the world (Matt 5:13-14). You are his representation here on earth. He needs you to keep shining the light he's put inside of you. Remember that you are the light in this world. You may be the only light people ever experience. You may be the light that leads to someone's salvation.

It's easy to forget though. It's easy to lose yourself in a bad day. On those days, it's hard to smile. It's hard to show love to others. I want a pity party on those days. But what helps me get out of my slump is remembering who I am - I AM God's child. I AM the light of the world. I can't stay down when God needs me to shine.

Pastor Steven Furtick gave a powerful message on purpose a few weeks ago and in it he said, "When you know who you are, you know what to do." When you know you are Jesus' light, you know what to do. You shine.