It started last fall, visiting Grandma one weekend, hearing her tell an interesting factual story of her “daddy”, my great grandfather, who worked at Green Lumber Company in Laurel, MS and never missed a day of work.¬† It was very inspiring to hear this story, realizing that if this man who is my G-grandfather can work with such diligence, everyday no matter what, a man of integrity, what have I to complain about, ever. To hear these stories especially from her, with her charming southern accent and delightful way of recanting these stories from her past, started me on this photo legacy discovery.

At first I planned a project to just sit behind the computer and write her biography, maybe chart out the family tree, but then I started thinking about where I should start & that’s when I went to the photos. She has an amazing collection of old, historical photos.¬† Most of them have been placed into a Creative Memories album by my Aunt Gloria and documented very well.¬† So its a great point of reference.

So here’s the journal of my progress…or not so much thereof:

• Scanner:¬† Mom’s Flatbed Epson Stylus cxS7400
• Software:¬† Epson Scan Software on my MacBook Pro
• Settings:¬† Professional mode, 24bit color, 1200dpi

Monday evening, March 2nd – arrived @ Granma’s House in Montgomery with scanner in hand, suitcase to stay the week and a pile of ambition ready to start this project!

Tuesday afternoon, I piled the dining room table with my equipment and Grandma’s piles of pictures from the past scattered all around me – not realizing that scanning at a higher resolution takes about 10 minutes each:¬† placing, previewing, setting & scanning!

As of Thursday, March 5th, I have officially scanned 40 photos!! With about 964 to go! haha!

Lately I’ve been pouring into worship songs more than ever.¬† It seems like for the past year or so, my heart has been literally closed to moving into using my voice through the realm of worship.¬† I was not even looking at worship songs or music or anything for over a year or so.¬† I know there is a purpose in the waiting.¬† In this time God has taken me from singing to “listening.”¬† Some Sunday mornings during the worship time, God has taken me into a place of literally not singing with the worship, not performing for him, but rather just standing and being just captivated by His presence.¬† At first I wanted to pour my gift out to Him, but as the Lover of my soul often does, he just quieted my spirit with his love.¬† He longs to love me and longs for me to love him in new ways, from places deeper within my soul, that no words or song could express.¬† So now, I just long to go there and stay there.¬† So “out of the normalcy of me” I quit singing and started feeling, started listening, started being captured by His presence…Even Music was distant to me in this place.¬† I began worshiping him through the word, through prayer and fasting…really a new place for me.¬† It’s the place He’s been longing for me to go, the true worshiper in me that he is calling to rise up in these last days, the one “in spirit and in truth.”¬† I’m still in boot camp for that day and need Him more everyday.

Well, a new thing has taken place inside of me just in the past week.¬† I sang at my parents church on Sunday – hesistant even to sing this Sunday because it’s been so long & I had a head cold starting up, but as Dad often does he said “you can do it!”¬† So I did, but I felt the Lord with me and renewing me.¬† Singing “Refuge” by Jared Anderson….‘You are the source of life, I can’t be left behind, no one else will do, I will take hold of you, I need you Jesus to come to my rescue, where else can I go, there’s no other name by which I am saved, capture me with grace, I will follow you…this world has nothing for me, I will follow you.’

Now, I’m digging back into worship for the first time, back into music – with a new passion. Here’s a latest favorite:¬† When I speak your name

My Valentine – O he is mine

An amazing man – who could find!

A beautiful diamond in the rough

One look is just never enough.

His heart so full of love and care

A whisper of tenderness in his stare

My heart is alive each day

He finds new way to say

Just how much he loves that I’m his

In a card, in a word, in a hug, in a kiss

Forever I will be a wife so blessed

With a husband who is truly the best!

I love you Baby!!

The Gulf Coast Women’s Celebration this year was more special than ever for some reason.¬† Last weekend, February 5 – 7, I dove in with a sheer expectancy that I was going to come home changed.¬† The speakers were spectacular & anointed.¬† Susanne Cox & Jenny Collum, two Kingwood A/G gals – sparked the services with the bold word of God.¬† I loved it.¬† The guest singers were amazing; Paula White (a black girl from Ashford) brought the house down with “Because of Who You Are, I Give You Glory.”¬† One special guest that touched my heart was a worship artist Aaron Hunt, who painted a 6 ft canvas of the face of Jesus during worship.¬† There is such an amazing element of worship with the arts -¬† its like we become close to the heart of the creator.

On Monday – before my trip I started feeling this lull, like I wasn’t sure I wanted to go.¬† Later that night I started praying about it and the Lord showed me that I was feeling the heart of the women, and he was calling me to intercede for them.¬† The next day I had the opportunity to speak to one of the speakers named Jenny, & she was so fired up, the word was just pouring out of her.¬† The five minute phone call was just the spark I needed to bring me through the week!¬† I began to tell every lady that I talked to that this weekend was going to be a weekend of miracles, to expect something BIG!!!

Since we’ve been in Montgomery I was able to help Mrs. Cyndi prepare a few things for the event.¬† This is my specialty!¬† And of course, I love working with her and helping organize ministry events like this.¬† And I really enjoyed having a new purpose…since I felt like I was getting a bit board at home everyday, just waiting on our next assignment.¬† It was tons of fun getting back into doing a few designs and helping her organize the arrival of the speakers and the service schedules.¬† She asked me to have a sort of portfolio or display ready for her to present at the conference, to show case my giftings as a business.¬† I did not pull it together, maybe just feeling like I wasn’t ready yet – I’m not sure.¬† Also, I told her that I did not want to take away from any of the services by her announcing or promoting me.¬† I did not even get a business card!!!¬† The #1 rule of business – and I did not develop one.¬† yikes!¬† I have no idea what’s holding me back.¬† When I get an idea, or a passion or desire – there is NO holding me back, but for the life of me actually starting this thing and making it into something tangible is a bit daunting right now, since my focus this year is about Keith and I becoming prepared for full time Evangelism.¬† So anyway, that one’s still simmering.

Valerie Hudson was my “packing partner” this weekend and we had a blast.¬† She really was a great roomie and I love staying with someone I can be myself with.¬† Since Keith and I are not working yet, she was a huge support to me in helping me get to the conference.¬† And she was a fun roomie…encouraging me to get out of bed @ midnight to go to the hot tub and go swimming in the heated pool.¬† She’s right, we would have regretted not taking up this luxurious opportunity!¬† So as she piles back into the bed @ 2 am – I decide that I’m so fired up from the Holy Ghost Ladies Conference, that I’m ready for an all night bible study on the beach…which went about as far as a 1 hour bible study on the balcony. LOL!¬† it’s the thought…

We visited Lulu’s for lunch one day – Jimmy Buffet’s sister’s restaurant – a deliciously fun spot!¬† Flip Flops, Open Air, kicked back beach theme, with lots of curly q’s and pastel colors. ¬†¬† On Saturday we took the long way back to Saraland: Ate lunch @ a Pizzeria at The Wharf, rode the Ferris Wheel & crossed the bay via the Ferry to Dauphin Island, a few things I’ve never done before.

Anyway, God did a work in my heart this weekend, one that I’ve been needing for some time.¬† A fresh start for this new journey.¬† I had so much fun that I caught a cold this week that developed into a full blown sinus infection & bronchitis, sleeping for 3 days!¬† Keith has been a KNIGHT in shining armor, doctoring my every need.¬† What an amazing husband that can tell you that he loves you no matter what you look like, just when I KNOW my bags under my eyes are barking and my hair is truly a mess!¬† He is amazing and I thank God for him everyday.

It was about this time 6 years ago, (January 23, 2003) that we met for the first time @ the Gulf Coast Women’s Conference in Perdido Beach!

This year I am significantly delayed in detailing my thoughts for the upcoming year.¬† Its a fresh start – a rebirth of sorts, a way to make up and do-over.¬† I try to reflect on areas of my life that seem the weakest & start my listing there.¬† Since my ‘08 was so consumed with working and doing church things, I barely took time for self-reflection.¬† 2007 was so precious in that I spent time “daily” in the word, challenging my body, my mind, my spirit to grow and develop.

This new year is going to be a year of ESTABLISHMENT.  A new city, a new home, a new church, new friends, a new ministry.

This is the FIRST year that I have not stopped everything for a few hours or a few days and taken that time for reflection & staking new challenges. ¬† I started feeling guilty that I had not made the ever present yearly “List.”¬† I kept pondering it in my heart, searching for the time to stop and make it happen -but it never did.¬† I feel like the moment of excitement has passed.¬† The new year is already under way.¬† So I started praying about it and just saying God you know my heart.¬† What do you want from me this year.?¬† I heard him give me a focus word for my year – a new thing – simply one word — EXCESS.¬† I beleive this year will be my year to become what God wants me to be Spiritually, Phycially, Mentally & Emotionally by shedding the “excess.”¬† I am going to seek & discover full life balance through Christ! “He gives me strength!”

We spent last night with the family, one more night.¬† We were supposed to leave yesterday afternoon, but we decided to hang around a bit longer and hit up one more “geocaching” journey with Ryan & Denise & Valerie.¬† David introduced us to this new hobby over Christmas.¬† It’s loggin in coordinances on a GPS of someone’s hidden ‘cache.” and going to find it!¬† I love it.¬† Last night was fun, we went on the Kali-Oka “Haunted Hunt” – Dead Man’s Curve, Cry Baby Bridge & The Haunted Plantation.¬† SOOOooo spooky & soo much fun.¬† I never knew the history around Keith’s parent’s local neighborhood.¬† Cry Baby Bridge has the spookiest sad story, read it here.

Sad goodbye’s last night.¬† My Sister-in-laws, have become my closest friends this year.¬† Valerie & Denise are truly sisters and I have enjoyed spending time with them.¬† Of course I will miss watching Isaiah & baby Judson.

Today we set out early.¬† Keith was shocked.¬† I was up @ 6:00 AM.¬† Ready to leave @ 8AM.¬† I’m not a morning person.¬† But today was full of potential.¬† The morning sky cracked away with glorious expectation.¬† I breathed it in.¬† Keith and I are closer than we have ever been.¬† The challenge of life has truly drawn us closer together…I’m so thankful for him and our deep friendship. People ask us all the time, what we do, why we are so close.¬† We just keep talking thru all of it.¬† The scariness of the future, our fears, our concerns, our joys our contentment – everything, we share.¬† And in everything, we listen.¬† We don’t “protect” each other by hiding the negative.¬† I think relationships gag from withholding feelings from each other.¬† I think when we make the covenant before God, he places a desire within us – that’s as evident as the ring on our hands, to come together to share and unite, but the enemy does his best to reverse that law.¬† God wants to strengthen that in us.¬† The communion inside the union is vital.¬† Even when communion is ugly, scary, embarassing, angry or unhappy – those are the ones that make for the trusting times even sweeter.¬† Kisses are always the best with tears of forgiveness and unity.¬† it’s like in that moment, life does not exist.¬† It’s just the 3 of us.¬† Keith, me and our loving Creator.

So this morning was Keith’s perfect day.¬† An early departure, a beautiful day & a stop along the way at Hardees for a biscuit!¬† He was so cute and so happy today.¬† I have not seen him this way in a really long time.¬† We were at Hardees at 8:30 on a Sunday morning.¬† Very weird.¬† We should have been rushing to church, planning a full day ahead, but rather sat back in the luxury and freedom of uninhibited time.

We arrived at mom & dad’s house just in time for KFC after church.¬† It was a good day.

We said goodbye to Keith’s family tonight.¬† It’s never easy to leave family & move away – but we know our life will be sweeetly enriched wih this move.¬†¬† His parents have given us a home for over a year now & we will forever be grateful.¬† Tomorrow morning we embark on the first day of the next journey for our lives.¬† I can’t wait!

Writing a few thank you notes tonight….in keeping up with another longing to conquer inside of me…following up with people, & sending a thank you!¬† I know it’s valuable and meaningful to actually sit down and write a few notes to people, put a stamp on it and send it out.¬† I think I’m wired so electronically – I’ve forgotten the ever importance of the pen.¬† However, I do adore the feeling of a new leather or wirebound journal in my hands, blank with a great uni-ball fine point pen.¬† It’s like potential harbored in my hands, a journey to be held, not yet explored.¬† Looking back at some of the journals I have kept and worn out, they are tattered with times gone by.¬† Memories that are quickly fading.¬† So I really love the anticipation of life ahead with a soft mix of the nostalgia of what is behind.

Back to Point.¬† Tonight I penned a few notes of cherished thanks to some who have journeyed with us this past year.¬† Over the mountains and valleys of this year – however the course may have lead – they were there.¬† God appointed, fashioned for this experience, one that only He knows the hows and whys of where it has taken us.¬† As I thought about the shear magnitude of what it means to work and live and interact with the same people each day for a year, I’m stirred by the change that takes place when we encounter relationships like this.¬† It’s like a metamorphis of sorts that takes place when we share so much of who we are with people, we share our time, our space our love and live.¬† We affect them, they affect us.¬† No matter what we expect, something will always change.¬† The bible says “Daughters, – Guard your hearts for it is the well spring of life.”¬† It is vitally important that we guard the relationships in our life, because our heart – that is the wellspring.¬† It can be pollulted or refined, depending on our environment. I choose life!

Thinking back to those that we encountered this year, the Lord gave me a scripture to best sum my heart of thanks for their provision and support this past year, Phil 1:3-6…”I thank God each time I think of you…”

Keith and I truly will thank God each time we think of them.¬† I feel like we are on “Paul’s Road” now – moving from faith to faith, reaching the church, challenging the core – seeking growth, spirit and truth, life and change.¬† Now we are on the road again, rejoicing in what lays ahead.

Hey everyone! In case you haven’t heard, we are moving to Montgomery, AL on January 10th.

Keith and I have been praying and preparing for this for a few years. It is our desire to launch out into full time evangelism, following our a brief season of rest & research, some time to prepare for the journey.

Of course, leaving our sweet friends and our fun roles at the church in Saraland has NOT been easy…we are wealthy millionaires with the relationships we have gained over the past year. It will always be home in our heart.

So, what is Evangelism you might ask? That simply means our hearts are full for winning souls and seeing the church grow through discipleship, which is real relationship among believers. Traveling from place to place, using our gifts and talents to further the kingdom will be a highly rewarding journey.

Right now, we are still finalizing our next employment opportunities and living arrangments in central Alabama, but should have something soon. We will be close to my parents again & will be attending their church, Bethel Worship Center in Wetumpka.

This is something that is new and exciting for us and we ask that you keep us in your prayers as God continues to guide us in His ways.

Thanks! We love you all!

After much thought and prayer, Keith and I have decided to move to Montgomery.¬† We have been living in Saraland, serving on staff @ Saraland First for the past year.¬† It’s always difficult leaving & saying goodbye. And moving is no fun.¬† Our stuff has been in storage most of the year since we sold our home in Fairhope in August, we have been staying with Keith’s parents.¬† It will be really nice to finally get back into our home and into our cozy bed.

We told the church about 2 weeks ago. and our last sunday is this weekend.  Our pastor told us to take whatever time we needed.  He said he knew we were about to leave that God had prepared him.  This has really been a good transition, which is what we were praying for.  This year has been a wonderful opportunity for us working at the church & getting to know everyone.  We are really sad to leave, I actually hate it!  It will be tough saying goodbye to all my new friends, and leaving his family after all this time.

Keith desires to go into full time Evangelism…meaning we will be traveling to different churches to help them for a season or maybe just for one sunday, teaching people about discipleship and evangelism (soul winning or salvation).¬†¬† Keith has noticed over the years that when he is in a church…he likes to work and get things done and most importantly he loves winning souls and discipleship.¬† He’s passionate that we are supposed to be reaching the lost and doing “work” for the Kingdom of God & preparing the church for His return.¬† Anyway, that’s his heart.¬† Mine is like-minded, I love traveling & supporting Keith. My heart & love is for foreign missionary endeavors and ministering to women & children.¬† I have learned that I get really disconnected doing the same thing all the time.¬† I crave a fast paced or rapidly changing environment & to be on the idea side vs. the implement side.¬† I’m more project oriented & I have a million things on my mind to start this new year – since so much has been on the back burner these past 12 months…

Graphic Design is one of them.  Since I purchased my new MacBookPro in August, my world has really expanded and I love the freedom of working remotely.  I plan to continue to dig into more of my creative design side, developing ads for small businesses and smaller jobs for individuals, event announcements, fliers, brochures, etc.

Most recently I’ve developed a love for writing “Heritage Books” or family memoirs.¬† It started with typing up my grandma’s stories & developing a family tree for Keith.¬† About two weeks after I started digging into his family tree, someone sent a packet to his parents house in search of developing the Hudson family tree.¬† He lives in Mississippi and is a distant-distant cousin, but it’s really cool to see all of the research he has uncovered.¬† This may also turn into a business for me or maybe just stay a hobby.

Mary Kay and MonaVie are still on my brain too!~  I do love sales and I love those products.  I will reactive both in January and get busy with beauty, from the inside out!

2009 is on the way t-minus 4 hours.  Here are a few of my goala (the short list):

-Read the One Year Bible

-Learn Spanish

-Practice Vocals, prepare songs

-Blog More!

Happy New Year!