It really was a great week! It was full, but not too busy. I'm trying to remember some of the details of the week, but they're escaping my memory. I know Tuesday we thought we had a meeting but it ended up being cancelled, which gave us a free evening we weren't expecting. Wednesday we had Life Group, which was really, really good! I made hamburgers and made the patties way too small- they were midget burgers, but oh well- they tasted good and there was plenty to go around. Don Ramsey brought some amazing desserts from Panera- SO good!! Thursday I got to hang out with Trish which was SO great. I hadn't gotten to spend time with her in WAY too long, so it was much overdo. We had a great time just talking and laughing and catching up. And I got to see the house she is building which is SOOOOOO amazing! I'm so excited for her.

Last night we ventured out for the first game of the High School football season to see the Independence Eagles play the Brentwood Academy Eagles. IHS wasn't doing the best when about 10 minutes before half time the lightening started striking pretty regularly and they ended up calling the game a few minutes into half time. It was a good thing too, because by the time we got to our car and started to pull out, a full out HUGE storm was upon us. I seriously haven't seen lightening that bad and consistent in a while! It was crazy. After dropping Brad Oliver off at home and getting through all the weather- we crashed when we made got back.

Today is my mom's birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! I LOVE YOU! I am going to get to spend some time with her this afternoon before U-turn tonight, which I am looking forward to. So on that note, I am going to leave you to go read and do a few things before heading up "north." Have a blessed weekend! I'm sure I'll have much to report after this weekend: tomorrow is our Fantaasy Football draft!!! Woohoo!

Great weekend!

Friday, Jordan and I got some time at Saxby's and then decided to go out to eat. We drove around a few Spring Hill restaurants and then landed on one of our favorites, The Sultan Table- Mediterranean food. I got the standard: gyro platter and hummus- SO good. Jordan tried to grape leaves, which were good, but he liked mine better :-)
Ferris came over late after Frontline and spent the night with us.

Saturday I woke up early and ran over to the grocery to grab a few things for breakfast. I made whole wheat pancakes and turkey sausage. We all ate breakfast together and then Jordan took off for a couple of meetings and to see Robby while Ferris and I got some really good "sister" time together in. So wonderful. She then ran a few errands with me and I bought a wheelbarrow and shovel at Home Depot. How exciting, right?! The joys of being a home-owner.

Saturday evening was our U-turn Gathering, and man, was it EVER strong! Kyle Cooper led worship, we had a bunch of new kids come up from Spring Hill with us....Jordan taught and the students were laughing, having an awesome time, praising with passion and listening intently. I really am expectant about what God has planned for this group this year. I think it will be an incredible year!

Sunday we had a wonderful service and then had a quick lunch with the Kellums over at our house and then headed down to the William's for a pool party. They have an AMAZING place in Green Hills- absolutely beautiful and the students of course loved it. We ended the evening watching "deja vu" with the Pearson's over here at our house. Awesome weekend!

This week has been wonderful getting to see Dylan. We got to spend time with him and the entire family on Monday and Tuesday nights this week, and then myself, Ferris and Dylan got some time together yesterday during the day. I took a half day off work so that we could spend a little time together since he's back out on his way today to head to Lee. We have several others (Reagan, JP, Erika and Robert to name a few) that are on their way as well. The campus will be jumping with New Song families this weekend! It will be exciting.

The BEST part of yesterday was that Dylan wanted to go to Teavana and I of course had NO problem with that. I had to stock up on a few teas (it was my black tea day: Darjeeling, English Bfast, Earl Grey) so we all headed down to Green Hills and walked around there for a while (the iPhones really are THAT cool!)and popped into Teavana for a while.

Dylan left with a 16 oz. tea steeper and a couple of teas: Raspberry Black and Rooibos Peach. Since my dad has been drinking his Rooibos the past month, Dylan was the last member of my family for me to get into drinking tea. (Ferris isn't sold out yet, but we'll get her there!) So, it was a wonderful time. We'll certainly miss Dylan, but it's amazing to see all that God's doing in his life. Pretty cool stuff!

Have an awesome weekend!

It's been a good week. We had a great time the rest of the week in Florida. We worked hard, and enjoyed time with Erin & Dan in the evenings. We got to see "The Bourne Ultimatum" on Friday night, which was AWESOME! I highly recommend it, although if it's been a while since you've seen the first two, I would encourage you to brush up on those first.

Since we got back on Saturday, we've been hittin' it hard. We had Senior Night on Saturday evening for those students who graduated in May- it was their last night at youth group. It's always so fun, and sad to see them go. It's just an amazing thing to be with students for 5 or 6 years and watch them grow up!

The big exciting thing this week is that Dylan is home!! YEAH! He got here yesterday late afternoon and he'll be here until Friday. So we had dinner with just family last night and tonight Phil & Heather Joel are joining us because they wanted to see Dylan as well. I am hoping to take a little time off work so I can see him a bit more but we'll see.

Currently drinking: water, with a cup of Rooibos Rose Garden brewing :-)

Gotta get back to work- hope everyone is doing well!

We had an amazing weekend! We took off Friday about 5:00 to head to Centerhill lake to spend time with our Leadership Team from New Song Spring Hill, which consisted of the Lyken's, Robby, myself & Jordan, the Varni's, Corley's and Gee's, all 86 kids except for little 9 month old Samuel Varni who is SO cute!!

We stayed at the new lakehouse that a few of the families we know recently purchased. It is BEAUTIFUL!!! It's perfectly decorated and has all these little bells and whistles that make it so nice.

We got home late Saturday night, and had a busy Sunday morning and then flew out at 6:15 from Nashville. Erin and Dan picked us up from the airport at like 11:00- they were so sweet to come and get us so late!

Jordan and I have been working- we're in the office this week. I'm looking forward to hanging out with some of Dan & Erin's friends tonight- it'll be great AND we get to go to an amazing pizza restuarant. I don't eat pizza much, but if I'm going to eat it, I want it to be good!

That's all the time I have for now! Have a great Tuesday

Jordan got a new phone last night. Pretty amazing, if I do say so myself. It blows the Treo and Blackberry's out of the water. Robby introduced it to us a few weeks ago after he got his, and Jordan was pretty impressed. Although I've always thought my husband would be the last person to have a PDA-type phone, as his responsibilites have increased in all sorts of different arenas, the need has incresed for him to have an all-in-one scheduling/emailing, etc. device. I think it will be very handy for him. The Mogul is pretty much Sprint's answer to the iPhone, and although I'm sure the iPhone has a few shinier bells & whistles, I think the Mogul will do just fine :-)

I love going to Border's! Any bookstore for that matter, but Border's is usually the choice of the Roe's. We love to go and sit for a while and just READ! Reading has always been a passion of mine. In high school my favorite academic classes were always English, even at the AP level. And in college I LOVED my Literature and English classes. I came across a box of old books the other day, classics by everyone from Jane Austen and John Milton to Shakespeare and Ernest Hemingway. Books are an amazing thing and there is such a power to words that cannot be replicated in a digital form.

Last night, the book I chose to peruse through was called, "My Name is Iran." It's a memoir about a girl born in America, but compelled by her Iranian heritage. It peaked my interest because beneath the descriptions of longing for a homeland, it seemed to me that she was just a girl trying to find herself her own way, and seeing God as she wanted to see Him, on her own terms. I just skimmed through the book for about an hour, but the things I read confirmed my speculations. It has been a sad life that she's led, and although in the end she's seemingly found her freedom and victory, I wonder if she's found true peace. I was struck by how common each human's struggles are, no matter the culture, language or upbringing. It all comes back to us being willing to humble ourselves and trust God with our lives.


On another note, the other book I looked through was all about making bread in bread machines. It totally got me in the mood for bread, which I set to make to be ready this morning. When I woke up and came out of our room, the smell of freshly baked bread greeted me! It was delicious although the loaf is probably 10 lbs. due to the fact that I decided to dissolve the yeast in the water before pouring it in, and this kept it from fully rising the way it should have. Oh well!

Happy Wednesday!

We got to celebrate one of our dearest friend's birthdays last night. Several of us gathered at Mark & Penny Mumford's home to celebrate Robby turning 26! We love you Robby!! We love your funny faces, especially the one when you're trying really hard to process something or figure it out. We love what happens to you when you drink even the tiniest ounce of caffeine. We love your marathon naps! We love your desire to organize Fantasy Football leagues. We love your refusal to partake of anything containing a grain of sugar. We love your extreme attention to detail and your love of Nacho Libre..



...in all seriousness, we really do honor you and treasure you as a friend, brother, leader and fellow worker in the Kingdom! Happy (late) Birthday.

Jordan and I were just discussing how happy we've been with our recent Sundays. With the schedule we have right now in life, most of the time we don't have a full "off" day. We work M-F, and have U-turn (youth group) every Saturday, as well as various church activities several times per month, and then Sunday (at least the first half of the day) is like a work day with service stuff. I typically get up earlier on Sundays than any other day of the week. We love it though and wouldn't have it any other way!

But after services on Sunday. we typically are able to relax the rest of the day. There's just something about relaxing when you don't have anywhere to be the rest of the day, and we've been able to do some fun things the past few weeks. Last week we played Ultimate Frisbee and then hung out with several of our favorite people that night, and yesterday was just an all-around awesome day.

We had our first Sunday Celebration Service in our new facility, which despite all the kinks to yet be worked out, was awesome! We were there for quite a while, but finally got to sit down to lunch at Asuka Japanese restaurant with Ben & Michele Christy, Ferris, Rob & Tami, Dad & Robby. We had so much fun sitting at the low table on the ground and eating sushi & edamame. We were able to get in naps, grocery shopping (for me), some good reading time at Saxby's (where Kelsey & Chris joined us) and a little movie action (Nacho Libre, which I'm still not sure how I feel about that one) It was an excellent and very restful and purposeful day. I love it!

There is absolutely no purpose to this picture other than the fact I was thinking we don't put enough pictures on here....this one is from like 3 or 4 months ago, but oh well! Just a little something to brighten your day...or not :-)

One thing I wanted to tell you ALL about was my amazing discovery yesterday. I had a meeting at Saxby's b/w work and our Leadership Team meeting, and I had just swung through the gym to run a quick couple of miles so I wasn't sure what kind of coffee or tea I was in the mood for. I was waiting and reading about some new drink they have and I noticed that it was made with real matcha powder.

We were introduced to matcha by the most adorable sales girl at where else- Teavana a few months ago. It's a very interesting and acquired taste but I really like it. Anyway, I asked the lady at Saxby's if she could make me a matcha soy latte and it was SOOO delish! Jordan tasted it and liked it too. So, if you get the opportunity- I highly recommend a Matcha latte- without soy would be better for you (I just didn't want all that milk on my stomach yesterday)

It is yummy!!

You can tell this is a little busier of a week with my not-as-frequent blogging. It's been a great week though. Monday evening was our night to be at home, and I was able to plant some flowers/bushes I had gotten, some from Mom which I am so enjoying! Jordan and I spent the evening reading, worshipping, and having an all-around wonderful time. Tuesday was full of worship arts things..I had a director's meeting at 4:30 and then we had a network worship leader's meeting following that. It was SO good to hear Jeff speak about things on his heart and what the Lord has been showing Him. We will be having a network-wide WA community gathering in August so he'll be able to download to the whole group, which will be great! Last night was Life Group, and it was so good! I've missed our Life Group, because the last time it was a LG week, we had the Kid's VBS and were helping out with that. It was great having everyone in our home again and getting to connect. Tonight is our Leadership Team meeting, which will be packed I'm sure, with details about the "move" on Saturday to the new facility.

YEAH!

That's all I have for now! I've run out of time...

We changed our plans and ended up NOT going to Borders on Friday night. Jordan realized it was the release of Harry Potter and the place would be swarming with little wizards and whatever else Harry Potter is about (I have no clue about any of the books/movies) so we ran some errands and ended up at Saxby's in Spring Hill for a while. It was still wonderful and restful.

Saturday Ferris and I went to work getting ready for the shower at 10:00. Thankfully, Brian had to drop Tammy Gee off early, and I was so glad, b/c she helped us finish things we probably wouldn't have. We had exactly the amount of ladies I predicted and Natasha had an amazing time! I was very pleased with how everything went. By the time we finished cleaning, had a bite of lunch, and I went over to give my neighbor a baby gift and play with her daughter for a bit, it was time to go up to Cool Springs to get the van. U-turn was AWESOME on Saturday night. We had a U-turn Worship Arts' camp all last week that about 40 students participated in. They each selected two areas that ranged from graphic design to worship leading to specific instruments like bass and drums to drama. It was so strong, and so well-organized. They presented various elements on Saturday night and we talked about what worship is and who you worship.

Sunday, Jordan led worship at Cool Springs and I was at Spring Hill. We met up at the Ultimate Frisbee field at 2:00 with about 45 other people to play a few hours of Ultimate. It was hot, but so fun, even though my team lost overall...oh well...I just couldn't keep up with Ferris to save my life.

The weekend ended with a relaxing dinner at Mom & Dad's with Ian, Robby, Jordan, Mom & Ferris. I was hoping to get to see Radiance, Chris's new niece, but Camille, Chris and Cara didn't pull in until about 10:30, and we had to go before that. I will have to enjoy the pictures from afar! She is beautiful though.

So do you have big weekend plans? I think it's funny how our culture has become so revolved around the weekend, and many regard it as the only truly fun and relaxing time in their week. While I certainly love weekends, I am just as big of a fan of our weeks- the week days, the week nights, as well as the revered Fri-Sun time. It definitely is a time where you're able to take trips and have more parties, because of the time off work, but thank the Lord that there are many times all throughout the week to look forward to and to enjoy.

This weekend, Jordan and I do have a few things going on. Frontline, which is our college-age ministry at church has their small groups tonight, and one of the girl's groups is meeting here at our home. We aren't involved in it, but we're letting them use the house. Jordan and I will probably spend the evening relaxing, maybe make it up to Border's to do some reading- we've been really enjoying that lately!

Tomorrow morning I am hosting a shower for one of the girl's in our church who is getting married in a couple of weeks. I'm excited about that. Ferris is giving it with me, so she'll probably spend the night tonight to be here and help me get ready in the morning. We'll have U-turn tomorrow night, which will be wonderfu!! And then service on Sunday: Jordan will be leading worship at our Cool Springs campus and I'll be leading at Spring Hill. And we have Ultimate Frisbee on Sunday so I'm praying for a cool front :-)

Whatever your weekend holds- may it be full with the Lord's perfect plans!

**currently drinking: rooibos chai

Time is so interesting. It's something that has always stayed the same- we always have the same amount of it and it never goes faster or slower...it just is! When you think about the order of the world, how the sun sets and rises, and the moon provides light at the nighttime, and the earth rotates on it's axis....all these amazing things that God set into place to keep an order and a rhythm to our days and our months and our years.

We all have the same amount of it too. While almost everything else in our lives is variable: finances, relationships, locations, culture, food, etc, everyone has the same time! It's such an interesting thing to think about, when you really get down to it.

The big question is: how do you spend yours? How do you approach your time? We all hear the oft-quoted mantra, "I just don't have enough time," or "I ran out of time." Really, that's not true!

The Lord is challenging me that there is ALWAYS enough time to do what HE has called me to. There is not enough time to do all the other things. I am continuously challenged to press in more and more to the Holy Spirit for His direction on my time. I know it's there. I know it can be done. Not through my own striving but through His guidance and power.

Be encouraged! There is grace sufficient for our times of need- but if you're finding yourself stressed because of a lack of time, ask those questions? Am I putting my hand exactly to things that God has called me to, or am I filling my time with "good" but non-purposeful things. A rich, full, and fulfilling life is each of our destiny in the Lord, and He will provide the time for everything!

**currently drinking: coffee (I needed more of a pick-me-up this morning)

Last night was fun....Jordan met up with Janelle at 4:30 to discuss some youth stuff and then I met them at Saxby's at 5:30 and finished up. Then Janelle and I took off and spent the evening with her just hanging out and talking at her new house- it looks so great! We picked up some salads and chips and salsa (with ranch of course) from Chilis. Jordan spend the evening with our "new son" Jphen and grilled some chicken for them for dinner. It was a nice relaxing night and I was able to get in bed at a good time. I love getting a good night's sleep! Today we're just working away and getting stuff done here- not too much going on. Ferris and I are throwing a bridal shower on Saturday here at the house, so we have a little bit to do to get ready for that.

Just a little mid-week update for ya! Have a great day!

currently drinking: water (seems to be the drink of choice)

So this morning- my husband had organized a big breakfast for the junior high and high school students who live in Spring Hill. We met at 7:00 at this old diner called "Poplar House," it's the oldest restaurant in Spring Hill. It was definitely your classic small-town diner, and we really invaded the place with about 20 students, but it was a lot of fun and I know the kids really enjoyed it :-) I jetted off at 5 'til 8 to "open up" the office. It's great to see these youth in Spring Hill really connecting and building relationships with each other.

Here are FINALLY some pics from Florida. Mom came over for dinner last night, so I got them from her camera.

**currently drinking: water

great weekend! Yesterday I led worship at our Cool Springs campus- it was so good to be there. We have three Newsong campuses, the one Jordan and I are primarily involved in is the one in Spring Hill, but as a worship leader, we all rotate between all the campuses. Jordan will be at Cool Springs leading next week, and I'll be back at Spring Hill. It's really a neat dynamic, and something I love doing. It keeps it so fresh and interesting, as every worship leader brings something amazing to the table.

After service (which is pretty much a work day - leave the house at 6:30am, finish at 1:30pm after 2nd service!) I went over to Mom & Dad's to grab a bite to eat. After lunch we (myself, Jordan, Jphen, Mom, Dad, Ian, Chris & Ferris) all headed over to Crockett Park to play some tennis. We had a great time and it was so good to get out and play.

Ferris, Ian, Jordan and me finished up at Border's just chillin' and reading, and Jordan and I had a simple dinner at home while working on some finance stuff before going to bed (too late!)

It was a great weekend, and full of great fellowship, community, worship, fun, and all sorts of blessings from the Lord. I am so thankful!!

**currently drinking: water

So far, GREAT weekend. Last night Jordan and I visited the new-to-Cool Springs, Saltgrass Steakhouse. Jordan has been raving about it ever since we heard from Nathan that it was in the area, so we finally got to try it last night, and I must say, it was wonderful!!

Today has been so great too. I made whole-grain waffles this morning and turkey sausage, and then took off to hang out with my dear friend Kelly, and head down to Green Hills for a trip to Teavana. Kelly, as I knew she would be, fell in love with it, especially all the teapots. I restocked my Haute Chocolate and got some much anticipated Azteca Fire and Rooibos Rose Garden. Mmm, mmm....

I have some free time to finish preparing for worship tomorrow and get a few things done around the house before U-turn tonight. I am, so thankful for the Lord's grace on our lives- giving us the time and grace for everything!

Blessings to you and may the rest of your weekend be filled with grace!

**Currently drinking: Azteca Fire mixed with Haute Chocolate

There are some amazing things happening that I am just so excited about! For the past few months, Jordan and I have been walking through a very difficult time in ministry with many, many families that we go to church with. It just seemed that every time we turned around, someone within our direct area of influence was pretty much at rock bottom, and that was a hard thing for a young couple in ministry to walk through (knowing there are many more to come) But it's amazing to see these very same families beginning to see the rainbows in the middle of their storms. We're seeing sons returned, families walking out of depression into hope, financial situations that seemed impossible are turning around, engagements happening, babies conceived, amazing amazing things.

My sister in law, Erin, wrote a post the other day about trusting God, and it's very true that it's simple to trust Him when the risk isn't costly for us, or the stakes aren't too high. But what about when it's your family, or your marriage, or your financial status, or when it goes against EVERY FIBER of your being. Having the ability to trust, and really trust Him in those times is when it counts, and it's amazing to see God showing up, although the timing was different that we would predict.

One of my favorite verses, Isaiah 43:19, " Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth: shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Repentance Walk

...walking down Church Street in Nashville at 7:00am on 7.07.07...pretty amazing!! It was like this for a long way behind us as well...