NEW & OLD

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

2 Corinthians 5:17

So the past few weeks I have had to get rid of some of my old things... the last time Ray and I visited my parents, he graciously carried 5 very large boxes of old mementos from, believe it or not, elementary, middle, highschool, and college. Just ask him...I saved every little letter from my girlfriends, every card from every birthday and christmas and special occasion, every plaque, every picture, every stuffed animal, etc. Lets just say it was a ton of stuff! So I have been going through the old memories...remembering God's amazing faithfulness to me through the last 24 years. It has honestly been a blast going through it all, but very painful to throw away some of the things that I cherished so much...Ray gets a good chuckle at some of the things I saved :) So... after 6 trash bags full of memories I am feeling much better about things :) At least the room isn't as stuffed full of "stuff."

here's a couple of my sweet mementos from friends and family...

This is a picture that my parents gave me to keep in my little

treasure chest full of special people in my life :) This is them

on their wedding day!! SO CUTE!

This note hung over my bed all four years of college,

to remind me to NEVER

EVER GIVE UP!

This was a silly picture I filled out, pretending each

dog represented someone in my family (even my dog, Manda!) HAHA!

Me and my dad on the SCOOBY DOO Roller Coaster Baby! :)

(I know its crooked)

An encouraging note from one of my best friends, Julia,

also known as HULES :) She was and still is faithful to

send me little notes that ENCOURAGE my heart!

My mom would always leave the sweetest notes in my lunchbox or bookbag...

this one I found in my gym bag on the way to a volleyball game :)

BUT I am learning to LOVE and APPRECIATE new Things...

*being newly married....so many wonderful blessing!

(This was taken when Ray surprised me and took me to see

Rascal Flatts! It was SOO much fun, even in the rain!)

*My new favorite drink... Coffee frappaccino

*Starting a new study at church on GALATIONS!

Galations at SGC

*nEw TV...Whoohoo!!

*New Babies...my dear friends Derek and Carianne, just had their

second baby...such a CUTIE!!

*painting for the FIRST time...our study is now a new beautiful BRIGHT blue!

*And...Our sweet, clean, and NEW toothbrushes...

to get that minty fresh breath :)

Blessed in Brokeness

"Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?"
2 Samuel 7:18

The past two weeks have been rather hard for my family. My precious dad lost his job at the church I grew up at. He was informed of this decision rather suddenly. Finances was the main reason, but many other things have transpired in the past two weeks. My parents have sensed the church going in a different direction, after many meetings and much discussion it is with broken hearts they leave the church they love. There is so much to the story, and I usually don't get very personal on this blog, but my heart is breaking for my parents. I have seen them in the trenches with our church for the past 15 years. My dad has faithfully led worship, passionately taught and discipled the youth, cared for the members of the church, and truly laid down his life for this flock. My mom has served by his side as a loyal and supportive wife through all the ups and downs of minstry. I have never seen my parents "above" anything or anybody...they are FAITHFUL to the body of Christ.
This past Sunday was my parents last Sunday at the church. In God's sovereignty, mom and I had a planned to go to the Extraordinary Women's Conference in Roanoke together Friday and Saturday. In God's kindness, we shared the most precious times together..laughing, crying, talking, and laughing some more :) I have seen a strength in my mom that I hope to emulate in suffering. She has walked so humbly, yet confidently through this whole situation. God has been speaking to her very clearly and she knows His vioce. After the conference was over, we were overwhelmed with sadness when we awoke on Sunday. Knowing that it was my dad's last Sunday to lead this congregation in worship broke our hearts. My dad confidently, yet so graciously stepped up on the stage and lead the congregation, as usual, to the throne of grace. The church (and its leadership) has been humbled through all this as well and we saw the love and gratefullness the people from our church have for us. We were blessed in our brokeness. Though it was one of the sadest things I have had to walk through, I felt so uplifted by the prayers of my friends. It was difficult to go home without Ray or my sister being there, but I pray that my presence brought encouragement, support, and love to my parents as they walk through this trial.
My parents still need much prayer and love during this season. The Lord has been encouraging my heart as I grieve with them. He has reminded me that He is Jehovah Jirah, our Provider...that nothing catches Him by surprise...and He has wonderful things in store for His children. The road will have bumps ahead, but my parents are full of faith in the God that has always been faithful every step of the way. I am filled with anticipation as we wait to see the doors that the Lord will open for them!

Opposition to the Anointing

John 10:10 "A thief comes only to kill, steal, and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance."

I am learning so much from God's word as I work through my latest bible study, "Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed" by Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore, and Kay Arthur. The past two weeks have been focused on 'the anointing.' What an awesome thought...I AM ANOINTED! From the day of my salvation I was anointed just like David was. Anointed to fulfill the calling God has on my life...in this stage...wife to my precious husband Ray, nurse to my sweet children at CHKD that are sick, and friend to all my dear friends God has blessed me with! Some days, like today, just seem as though I don't have much purpose; nothing BIG to do for God today. My heart was discouraged and frustrated as I attempted to clean bathrooms, paint the study, do laundry, pay bills, and THINK. My thoughts drifted off to... look at all the mess in your house, you are such a slob, your husband surely doesn't appreciate the mess, you never do anything right, your so forgetful, fearful, and you used to be able to prioritize in college, but things have really gotten out of hand, you didn't even spend time with the Lord this morning, how are you going to grow and be what you want to be if you can't even spend a few minutes in your Bible, you lack so much confidence now, you seem so insecure, your life just has no purpose...and the vicious cycle has continued all day. Now, I know in my heart that all these things are LIES from the ENEMY trying to steal my joy, kill my passion, and destroy my purpose. But when push comes to shove, I am STUCK, stuck in this thought pattern of fear and frustration. Today was one of those days that I just couldn't shake it...the feeling was strong and the Enemy was prowling. Though I wasn't ready for the attack I grabbed my Bible and God is fighting for me!

I opened my Bible study and the title for today was: "OPPOSITION TO THE ANOINTING"

WOW! Exactly what I need to hear.... (I will use some quotes from the study)

"Once we are saved, our enemy cannot destroy us, but he will work hard to distract us." And that is exactly what he has attempted to do today...But the day is not over yet!

"Instead of tapping into God's divine empowering to live the abundant life promised in Scripture, they seek to live in their own power and strength detached form the lifeline of God within. This leaves them feeling depleted, frustrated, and less capable of handling the Enemy's attacks." WOW again! This was me....trying to do it on my own again. I can't fight this battle without my armor, the Word, and Christ!

1 Peter 5:8

"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour!"

1 Chronicles 14:8

"When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and WENT OUT TO MEET THEM."

David never cowered away, he operated in God's strength...His trust was deeply rooted in his God! "I encourage you, sister, to stand your ground, look the Enemy in the eye, and walk in full confidence that he is already defeated and your victory guaranteed." Yes! Yes! This is exactly what I must do! Satan, you have no power...it was all lost at the cross of my Savior! You have no part of me! I can stand firm in FAITH in a powerful, almighty, omnipotent Creator! Hes got it!!

Today I was encouraged to refresh my journey of confident faith in God's Word as my SOLID FOUNDATION!

2 Cor 2:14 "Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place."

Romans 8:37 "In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us."

1 Cor 15:57-58 "Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."

"YOU ARE A VICTORIOUS OVERCOMER, COMPLETELY CAPABLE BY GOD'S SPIRIT WITHIN YOU TO STAND AGAINST THE ATTACKS OF THE ENEMY. ARM YOURSELF FOR BATTLE, MEET HIM ON THE FIELD OF PLAY, AND TRUST THE LORD FOR YOUR DELIVERANCE FROM YOUR ALREADY-BEATEN FOE!"

Singin' in the Rain

Rainy Day Grocery Shopping...

Somehow I always pick the rainiest day of the month

to go get my groceries!

I felt like a drowned rat! :)

YES! I got soaked :) and so did all our groceries!

But thanks to my trusty rain boots I was able to splash

in all the rain puddles I wanted!

YEAH FOR RAIN!!

New pics....of the.... HUNT HOUSEHOLD!!

new pics...

HUNT HOUSEHOLD and family fun :)

(click above)

Another Level...

Well, We have been settling back into life....TOGETHER!! Yeah! :)

It has been a total BLAST !!!!

This weekend we had a super fun family wedding....Jim and Connie Maddox!

Sharay and her parents....

I am so thankful for Nanny and PawPaw...

The other day they came over and helped us get

our house set up! Pawpaw hung things on the wall

and Nanny and I went through thousands of clothes :)

Love you guys!

My beautiful mother-in-law and her adorable sons

Ray and his mom

Kyle, Jenni, and I

I just LOVE my new family so so much!

PawPaw and Ray

He always tells me he learned everything from PawPaw...

Jenni and Ray

Gorgeous Ant Sandy

Jim and Connie Maddox!

I came home from working all night on Friday and

found these two cuties on my couch :)

My other cutie was all tucked in his bed upstairs..haha!

Bridal Brunch at Connie's

Kate and Giselle

All my special Bridesmaids....

Thanks for all your help girls!

My BEST friends in the whole world!

My dear Rachy!

She made the most amazing programs for my wedding...

probably one of my most favorite things at the wedding!

My sis, Betsy and my new sis Katelyn!

Decorating for the reception

Awww, I just LOVE the girls

I don't have pictures back from the wedding, so

I don't have any of Ray and I , so here is me and my

college room-mate and one of my best friends, Sarah :)

TOASTS

(you can kinda see my HOT husband in the background :)

HAWAII

Luau

Rainforest

Beautiful sunrises and sunsets....ahhh!

one of my baby's favorite things in Hawaii...

SHAVED ICE....just ask him about it! hehe

The Lord gave us such a special honeymoon....

So many amazing memories, laughs, and lots and lots of LOVE! :)

I'M MARRIED....I LOVE IT!!!

Soooo...
*HAD THE BEST WEDDING EVER!!! (I think we have talked about how wonderful it was everyday since the wedding)
*WE WENT TO HAWAII FOR OUR HONEYMOON AND HAD AN AMAZING TIME!!!!!!
(pics on facebook...I have alot more updates on there..i'll try to post some pictures on here soon)
*IN HAWAII...WE SLEPT ALOT...LIKE ALOT!!! WE SWAM WITH THE DOLPHINS (thanks mom and dad hunt) WE WENT TO A VOLCANO AND SAW LAVA! WE WENT TO A LUAU...SHOPPED...HAD A BLAST TOGETHER ON THE 4TH OF JULY...SNORKELED...WENT TO THE BEACH...AND ATE A TON OF FOOD!!
*MADE THE LONG TRECK HOME..SOOO EXCITED TO SEE OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!
*NOW WE'RE BOTH BACK TO REALITY... WORKIN...LOVIN BEING TOGETHER EVERY NIGHT, NOT HAVING TO SAY GOOD-BYE, WAKING UP TO SOME SWEET MORNING BREATH EVERYDAY...EATING TOGETHER, HAVING A HOME TOGETHER...
*I THINK WE HAVE LAUGHED MORE SINCE WE GOT MARRIED...IF THATS POSSIBLE! IT IS SO WONDERFUL TO BE MARRIED TO MY VERY BEST FRIEND!

THANK YOU LORD FOR MY AMAZING HUSBAND AND THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF MARRIAGE! :)