Thansgiving Break

As Thanksgiving approached, Chris and I were finding it very difficult to be thankful. I know that's not what you would expect someone to write on a blog...it's supposed to be all great and wonderful and positive and happy! The truth of the matter was that we were being very ungrateful. We were finding a million things to be dissatisfied over. From missing family and friends to not having a church yet to financial concerns...we were a mess.

God is so good, though. First of all, he blessed us with an abundance of company through the vacation week. The Robbins from Oxford and the Cooks from Tuscaloosa both came to visit, and our babysitter from Olive Branch was also able to visit while in town seeing her family. Secondly, He blessed us through a vacation trip, compliments of my mom and dad. We were given a trip to the Great Wolf Lodge, an indoor waterpark in Grapevine,Tx. The kids had been given some spending money from a precious family from NOBC, so they were able to get ice cream and play in the arcade while at the Lodge. He then blessed us through another seminary family here in Saginaw. They had us over Thanksgiving night for the traditional Thansgiving dinner. The kids had fun playing with their children, and we enjoyed sharing similar stories of struggles and victories. On Friday, He blessed us again with another seminary family's visit. Andy and Tiffany Carroll and their son, Christian, are old friends from Trussvile where I grew up. Andy and I went to high school together, and here we both are in Ft Worth, Tx. They came over to watch the Alabama/ Auburn game. They came dressed in orange and blue...we were in our crimson.(Chris says "Roll Tide!!") It was fun cheering on our teams and enjoying each other's company. It was a jammed packed week full of friends that are practically like family, and it was a blessing having uplifting, God-honoring conversations. In the middle of it all, we were able to have some good quality time with each other and with the Lord, so we feel rejuvenated and ready to wrap up this semester. We believe that He allowed us to get to this low point for us to realize just how much He loves us, and He's always providing for us(even when we are being bratty children!). He also reminded us that He is a jealous God, and when we don't spend enough time with Him in His word, we will feel drained and empty. He is the only thing that will truly satisfy our deepest desires. It was a good, gentle reminder of His sovereignty...we are constantly being pruned, and it's ALWAYS for our good and His glory!

Thanks again for your prayers and support. I pray daily that the Lord blesses each of you for being a blessing to us!


Out of the boat...keeping our eyes fixed on Him,

Chris, Amanda, MaryBeth, Benton, and Brandon