My Lovely Lady Lumps...An Update

And the peace of God, which surpasses

all understanding, will guard your hearts

and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

Yesterday morning, at 6:45 AM cst, prior to leaving Auburn to head to Columbus for my doctor's appointment, Matt and I spent some time in prayer. It was our prayer that the Holy Spirit would manifest Himself so that at the day's end we would know He was there. We also prayed for the LORD to reveal Himself through us to others by giving us opportunities to trust Him and be found in Him throughout the day. He did those things. He was faithful to give peace and comfort and understanding.

The morning was nervous, but we were intentional about our thoughts. We made it a point to laugh a lot on the journey and keep our minds focus on the things we know were true. The LORD remains! And, after all was said and done, we received a good report! Turns out that the lump the doctor found is just one of several cysts in the tissue. The radiologist informed me that things like that were completely normal for women my age and that he saw no reason to pursue removing them. A GREAT REPORT!!

Now that the trial has past us, please continue to pray that Matt and I, individually and corporately would still be given opportunities to reflect the glory of King Jesus in our lives to those that have no hope. Any news that we got yesterday would have paled in comparison to the fact that JESUS IS BETTER!! We serve a merciful God. Praise the LORD for opportunities to trust His faithfulness. Thanks so much for your prayers. You are loved. God is always good...

My Lovely Lady Lumps...

I don't really know how to write this blog. I didn't really know how to talk to God this morning about the content of this blog. I don't really know how to handle the news I got yesterday. It was hard, but God is better! So, all things aside, please be in prayer.

Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Proverbs 19:21

It took me about 3 minutes after I walked out of the back of the doctor's office yesterday to process the news. My first thought, as selfish as it was, "Well that's definitely not how things are supposed to go." Then, I called my mom and cried. I drove a mile, fell into the arms of my favorite person, and we cried together. And then, we committed to a plan that we are going to trust God. And, as easy as that is to say, we will need your prayers on our behalf to stick to that plan. We are not anxious, but it would be quite the lie to say that things are not scary.

I went to the "big girl" doctor yesterday for an annual screening and to talk about some "marriage medicine". Well, the doctor found a lump in my right breast that she was a bit uncomfortable about and has referred me to the St. Francis Breast Cancer Center for an ultrasound in a little over a week. And the doctor says, that while it may not be malignant, a surgeon may still want to remove whatever the knot is. Cancer is scarier than surgery. Surgery is still very scary.

That's right, 6 weeks before I graduate college and 4 1/2 months before I get married, WHAM!!, a huge brick wall. Well, if God doesn't know how to shake a person up, then I don't know who does. Matt and I know and trust all the things we hold to. God is sovereign. He is in control of my health and my life. He loves us. He has quite the purpose for this "surprise". And while all of those things are comforting, I would be lying you and myself if I told you that I am not scared.

Please pray for me. Pray for us. Pray that we will respond appropriately to the things we will learn on Monday, the 12th. Please pray that we will shine the light of the Gospel to our nurses and doctors and anyone else that may be watching. Pray that the LORD will be glorified in all aspects of this ordeal. He is worthy. I know that I deserve death. The fact that He has granted me breath for 25+ years, that alone is worthy of my praise and gratitude. Thank you for your prayers, we will keep you posted. God will never not be good....

For I the Lord do not change; therefore you,
O children of Jacob, are not consumed.
Malachi 3:6

A Tree Saw, Taco Bell, and a Diamond Ring...the VIDEO!

Hey friends and loved ones, the video(s) is finally up and ready to view. Follow the links below...

Proposal Part 1

Proposal Part 2

Enjoy!!

A Tree Saw, Taco Bell, and a Diamond Ring...

Therefore a man shall leave his father and
his mother and hold fast to his wife,
and they shall become one flesh.
Genesis 2:24

On Saturday, February 6, 2010, just 8 short months after our second first date, Matt asked me to be his wife. I, obviously, said YES. And this is our story. I sure hope that you laugh more than you "ooo" and "aww" because the story is quite awkwardly funny. But it's our story. And I love it. Hope you enjoy! **Please keep in mind that I knew this day was coming, but for months, all Matt really wanted was for me to be surprised. He went to great lengths to make that happen.**

For more than one reason, Saturdays are "our day" without fail each week. Mainly because, well, we don't see each other any other day of the week because we live in different cities. So, we spend breakfast through dinner together every Saturday, like clockwork. Sometimes, that means just resting with one another, going for walks together, playing a little tennis, or, as was the case this particular week, going to estate sales and cutting a tree down. That leads us to the first part of our story...

Several months ago, the insurance company informed Matt's parents that there were several large branches overhanging their unit at the condo in Auburn and the problem would need to be addressed sooner rather than later to avoid losing coverage. Matt decided that this would be a great day to do that, but he had no idea the extent that we would have to go to remove these branches. At 8 that morning, he picked me up from my apartment (not having taken a shower because I knew we would be cutting down a tree) and we went to breakfast. Following breakfast we ran to borrow a ladder, and randomly went by a friend's estate sale, before returning to the condo to do some work. Well, the ladder turned out to be too small, so we headed to Lowe's to purchase a TREE SAW. After sawing and pulling and clipping large heavy branches for about 4 hours, we were finally done and he took me back home to get a shower and get dressed for dinner and a quick trip to Walmart.

So, all I knew at 4:15ish when he picked me up was dinner and Walmart. We had not eaten since breakfast, so I suggested a nice restaurant, but since I had been on a healthy habit diet for about 2 weeks (and living next door to Taco Bell doesn't aid me in any way), when he suggested we just grab some Taco Bell, I was thrilled. He did mention that he wanted to eat it somewhere other than the restaurant, and suggested we go to the parking deck on campus that overlooks the Hitchcock Field. Folks, I am oblivious, please keep that in mind. My focus at this point was one thing -- TACO BELL! -- for two reasons. First, I was starving. Second, it had been weeks since I had it and I really wanted some. Ha.

So we head towards the parking deck and rather than straight there, he pulled into the parking lot outside Samford Stadium. He made reference to wishing there was a baseball game, then suggested we attempted to get into the stadium. I, annoyed and hungry, suggested that we "don't and say we did" and just get to eatin! But, I thought to just appease him for a few minutes would make the process much quicker, then we could EAT! **I think it is important to mention here that Matt and I met one another for the first time at a baseball game in March 2005 and going to Auburn baseball games together has been "our thing" for as long as we have known one another, whether friends or dating.** So we get out of the car, walk around the ticket booth for a few minutes looking for an open gate, and I, content that no gates are open, suggest we leave and go eat. He, ran to the car and grabbed his winter gloves and then asked me to walk a little further to find an open gate. We walked to some other openings and then walked back to the ticket booth and he offered me his gloves because my hands were FREEZING! Well, it took about 5 seconds after I put the gloves on to realize that there was a stunning, gorgeous DIAMOND RING in the left ring finger of the glove.

My first response, "Shutup!" My second response, tears (of joy no doubt) and falling into his chest. Matthew proceeded to say some sweet things and then finally said to me, "Sarah Ashley, I love you, will you marry me?" With tears and excitement, I obviously said yes and then, to my horror, he informed me that we would NOT be eating the blessed manna from heaven that is Taco Bell sitting in the car. My response, "What? Why not?" His answer, "Because I don't think Nancy and Joe would want Taco Bell for dinner after having driven this far." That's right, my sister and her husband were hiding out and videotaping/photographing the whole thing and it was all a surprise to me!

It was a GREAT day! I am blessed and could not be happier. I remind myself daily that this is not a dream, but that God has ordained this process. We will see this stage of our lives come to fruition on August 21, 2010 at 2 PM in Auburn, AL and we would love nothing more than for each of you, our loved ones, to join us. Also, please stay tuned in the next few days as I will post a link to the video once it has been uploaded to YouTube. Continue to pray for us in the new stage and time of our lives. It will be hectic, but fun, hard but well worth it in the end. God is so good....

Let The Nations Sing It Louder...

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude
that no one could number, from every nation,
from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing
before the throne and before the Lamb
Revelation 7:9

Sitting in the office today, waiting for time to pass, I turned on some music. I am currently in love with the song Your Name, and I sing it out often! For those of you that have never had the pure joy to shout this worship cry to the LORD, here are the lyrics of the chorus. (Also, have a little listen at the link provided.)

Your Name
Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it louder
Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your Name

As I sat at my desk trying so hard to sing it softly, as not to disrupt and scare my fellow employees, I was stuck with this thought, and I want to encourage each of you to pray with me for this matter this season...

This past Sunday, in Southern Baptist Convention world, we kicked off our season of Lottie Moon Christmas giving. Well, to those of you that don't know the importance of Lottie Moon, it is a special offering program that takes place each year at Christmas, all the money given to this campaign goes directly to the International Mission Board and helps support the staff, missionaries, projects, and supplies of that branch of the convention. So, for a more personal example, my gift and your gift of sacrificial giving goes directly to many individuals that I love and miss and pray for daily. Including, but not limited to, David & Mindy and little Luke, Tyler & Jennifer and sweet Hope and (soon) Sophia, Matthew & Christi and precious James and Abigail, just to name a few. So, what does this song, that offering, and those people have to do with one another? Well I am so glad you asked....

This season, as we celebrate the truth of Christmas, that is, the birth of the Son of God, who for the obedience of the Father and the heart of redemption for His people, gave of Himself everything. He made Himself nothing to redeem a people that mock Him. He stepped down from His throne, put aside His greatness and became the least for you and I, and poured out Himself by becoming the ultimate sacrifice for a lost world. As we remember that this year, I urge you dear friends, to give back to Him in a manner that is worthy of the call of the Gospel. Gifts are not bad. But this year, make a tangible, sacrificial gift this year to the men and women that have given their lives, and their childrens' lives, to the service of the LORD for the sake of the Gospel. Your gift to support this ministry will allow the nations to sing the name of JESUS louder! Prayerfully ask God to reveal to you the gift that He would have for you to give. Remember, it is His to start with, and He will not press upon your heart to give more than He in return can provide to you. Merry Christmas to each of you. Thank you David and Mindy. Thank you Tyler and Jennifer. Thank you Matthew and Christi. Thank you for making Lottie Moon personal to me. Thank you for being joyfully obedient to God's call of your lives. Thank you for loving Jesus enough to go, that the nations may know. You each are blessing to me, in ways none of you could ever imagine. You are missed this season, but He is better! Praise the LORD!! God is good....

so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:10-11

Thankful Traditions....

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
to which indeed you were called in one body.
And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15

So, this year, my mother has decided to start a new family tradition, one in which she has asked each of her children (and their significant others) and her grandchildren to list the 5 things they are each most thankful for this year. She will be keeping record of these things and creating a family scrapbook to be available for generations to come. So, since you people take such interest in my life and have invested your time in reading this and praying for me, why not share each of them with you as well. **Mom said we could be as detailed or not as we so desire.**

This year, 2009 has been great. How does a girl as lucky as I only give thanks for 5 things?! It's a tough assignment, but I pray that the LORD is glorified in my response. Happy Thanksgiving to each you. Your prayers and continued support of me have lifted and carried me this year. Though my readers did not make my top 5, I pray that each of you know my gratitude for your devotion to me through the years. You are each a special blessing!

1) The LORD's provision of 2009. This year has been one of ups and downs, left and right turns, but the one constant is the LORD. I am so very grateful that He is unchanging. He is never caught off guard. In this year, with trials I could have never forseen, the LORD has remained faithful and confident. He is still providing my every need and He has not given up on me. Praise the LORD that He has a plan for me. With each passing day, life is sweeter with Him. For His sacrifice and kept promises, I am truly indebted.

2) My family. Each member of my family plays a vital role in my everyday life. I am thankful for my mother, because she never fails to communicate to me how very proud she is of me, regardless of how much we butt heads sometimes! For my siblings, I am thankful that you call and text to just check up on me, that you haven't forgotten my life in the midst of your own busy schedules, and that we have each become best friends over the years. I am thankful for my precious nieces, who convey their love to me through bright smiles and creative art pages. At 5 and 2, I don't yet think they grasp just how encouraging they are to me. And how could I forget the unending prayers and notes of support that I get from my aunts, uncles, and grandparents, without those I would be so lost. Thank you to my family, which I cherish, for loving me in each of your own ways. I am blessed.

3) My education. As my time in Auburn comes closer and closer to an end (hallelujah), I am reminded that I would never have been afforded this opportunity beyond the sacrificial gift of my parents. I am so thankful to my stepfather, Kelley, for offering me a chance to get my degree from Auburn. Because of his hard work and selfless sacrifices, I was given a shot at one of the nation's top SEC schools, and because the LORD is gracious, we will see that come to fruition in several months. Had my parents not given of themselves, I haven't the slightest idea where I would find myself right now. My time at Auburn has proven to be difficult, but sweet nonetheless. I have not only learned more about the world around me, but I have learned to love and depend on JESUS on such a deeper, sweeter level. For the gift of my education from my precious stepfather, I am truly grateful.

4) Matthew. Who would have imagined?! I am so very grateful for Matt. He is an answer to many prayers. I appreciate that he reminds me daily that I am valuable, to him, to others, and to the LORD. He encourages me to love JESUS on a new level with each passing day. Matt wants whats best for me always, and he tries so hard to ensure that I am happy always. Above anything else, he is a great leader and a great follower of our LORD. His passion for the nations and Kingdom work is contagious. His zeal for the spiritual growth of others is selfless. Some days I wonder what the LORD had in mind 4 years ago, but I know that His plan is perfect and I am glad He was in charge. For our time thus far, as friends and more, I am so appreciative. Thank you, Matthew, for loving JESUS more than me, and me more than yourself.

5) Rest, which hopefully lead to health. Hey, even the LORD rested! If it was important to Him, it must be worth my time as well. With all gratitude in my heart, I am glad for a week of rest. Many of you may not know, but I have been struggling with headaches for several weeks, and I have finally gone to the doctor. I think this week of rest and no responsibility with people that I enjoy being around is needed now more than ever. I appreciate my mother opening her home to Matt and I for a week of much needed rest.

As you can see, I have much to be thankful for. I am so very blessed. The LORD has been gracious to me. HAPPY THANKSGIVING to each of you. God is good...

Get Serious...

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 3:2

Maybe I should not let it bother me, but it does, so I blog. Today at work, I was addressed by my boss about a particular status that was posted on my FACEBOOK profile earlier this week. Here's the background info....

Monday morning, I came back to the office after conducting surveys for 3 hours. Every Monday after a home football game, it is the duty of the first person that has office hours to clean out the 6 ice chests (spray with clorox and wipe down with rag). It's a simple job. Very simple. So, much to my frustration, when I returned from doing surveys, the other office assistant had not (again) cleaned them out, she was, however, sitting at the desk watching the Sunday night episode of Desperate Housewives that she had missed the night before due to illness. Needless to say, I got a bit hacked off, cleaned out the ice chests myself, and did some other office tasks. Then, when my work was complete, I got on FB and posted a status that read

"dear office workers of the world,
catching up on the latest episode of desperate housewives DOSE NOT constitute actual office work (especially when there are lots of things you could be doing or helping your co-workers with). thanks.
all my love, SAH"

Well, apparently EVERYONE in the office caught wind of the status update, even those that don't have a FB account. (How did that happen you ask? Oh, well someone printed it out and gave copies to the bosses.) So today is Wednesday and I was approached by the office manager regarding the matter. Frustrating to say the LEAST!!

But frustrating for other reasons than just the obvious. It really bothers me that people take FB so literal and serious. It's a problem! I mean, there are far bigger issues in the world that need to be taken far more seriously than the status update of a disgruntled college office assistant. To name a few, MARRIAGE, PARENTHOOD, and last, but certainly not least, SALVATION!!!!!

If more people in the world would focus on the gospel of Jesus Christ and take that even half as serious as they take FB status updates, then we would see the completion of the promise of Matthew 24:14, "...and then the end will come," possibly in this lifetime. Facebook has become a horrible deterrent to the eternal work of the LORD. I speak for myself, no one else, when I say that I waste more time on pointless, unimportant, crap everyday and I spend far less time than I should be on things that hold eternal standings, like prayer and evangelism. Jesus knew what He was talking about when He proclaimed "the kingdom is at hand." And if we want to see an end to this world (please LORD) in our lifetimes, we have lots of work to do. And that salvation work, my brothers and sisters, FAR outweighs any of the gossip and applications you will find on Facebook. Let's get those priorities in check. God is good....

Ps...check out this beautiful rendition of Jesus Messiah by Chris Tomlin, sung by teenage MS siblings who call themselves Daves Highway. Guaranteed to bless your heart...enjoy.

Jesus Messiah by Daves Highway