Special People, Special Birthdays

 A BIG SHOUT OUT TO OUR NEPHEW BRAYDEN WHO TURNED 6 THIS WEEK!!
You are all boy and from what I hear, exactly like your Uncle Matt at your age.
Matt and I love when we get to hang out with you, although not often enough!
You will start kindergarten this year and I know you will do great, just like your sister!
We celebrated Braydens bdady when we celebrated Lucys!
We love you Brayden! Happy Bday!

ANOTHER BIG SHOUT OUT TO A LIL GIRL WHO IS PRETTY MUCH FAMILY, KAM TURNS 5 THIS WEEK! Kam will start kindergarten in a few weeks as well.

We took Kam back to sky zone because we promised her months ago we would taker her for her bday!
Sky Zone has a happy hour tues-wed from 3-5 for 10.00 for an hour if anyone is interested!
Kam had a great time jumping.

We took kam back to our house to decorate her own FUN FETTI BIRTHDAY CAKE!

Kam loves pizza so we fed her pizza for dinner!

Here is Kam opening up her gift from us:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAM!! WE LOVE YOU!

Brianna goes to Thailand

Brianna and her team leave on Sunday for her 6 week missions in Thailand.
Just in case you are not friends with her on facebook, she gave a few updates this week:

1. Briannas FB account will be deactivated while she is in another country.
2. If you're on twitter, follow her @briannalynn.
3. Lifepoint's updates: Brazil and Bangkok will be at www.lifepointsending.wordpress.com
4. Brianna's updates on her own blog: Brianna goes to Thailand
5. I will try and post updates on here with what God is doing based off of the above

Brianna,
I know this week before you leave is filled with emotions. You are excited and looking forward to ministering to the people of Thailand. But at the same time, lets be real, you have never been away from TN for more 2-3 weeks max. You will be in another country for 6 weeks. It will be an adventure but also a place you are totally unfamiliar with. You will make new friends, but some moments you will miss home, your family, and your friends. When you are lonely and homesick, this is when you and God will bond more than you ever have before. You may not be able to skype or call home at the times you most desperately need a familiar voice due to the time difference, but you are in the hands of our God.
You are serving a God who is bigger than we will ever comprehend on this earth. He will work miracles while you are there, keep your eye open for them. I have no doubt God will not only change hearts of people because of His work, but also change your heart and mind to be more like His. You will be in culture shock both going and coming home. The transitions will be difficult. This will be a life-changing trip. It would be life-changing for any person who went.
We have talked recently and both of our perspectives on what life is all about is daily looking more like our creators. Our God could care less about some things we choose to spend money on. Our God could care less about some of our priorities we place before Him on a daily basis. Our God could care less about meeting selfish needs. Our God is in the business of caring about people, people's relationship with Him, meeting TRUE NEEDS of His people, and ministries in which give all glory to Him and serve Him in every aspect.

Brianna, I am praying for you and the teams. God has already gone before you to prepare the hearts of those you will meet. Be intentional about everything you do, every person you talk to. Make sure every person walks away from you knowing you serve a God who loves them. You may not be able to verbally tell them why you are there and Who you serve, but your actions will say everything you dont!

I love you, and I am at peace knowing you are going in the name of Jesus, despite the dangers and fears that may arise.

Looking forward to your weekly updates!
We will def skype while you are away, if I can figure out how...lol
Love you and will see you when you get back!

Weekend rewind

This weekend was busy but fun as usual.
Friday afternoon we ran to the park and through frisbee.
Followed by trip to farmers market to buy fresh fruit and veggies.
Then, we ran some errands to prepare for small group get together Saturday night.

We were trying to come up with something to do together Friday night and we ended up settling for a night out for dinner at Firebirds. We love going to eat there and it had been way too long! We actually split the peppercorn steak, which was def "out of the box" for us.

Afterwards, we met up with Allen who was both house sitting and baby sitting. Allen is not your most typical bachelor 24 year old guy. I would trust him with my home, my kids, my dog (if I had one) etc. You are one impressive guy Allen and proud to call you my brother in law!

Saturday morning Matt had to work for hour or so. I got a good Sat morning run in. Surprisingly, it was not extremely hot and humid.

I had a lovely bridal shower to attend for my BIG BROTHER in pharmacy fraternity in the morning. She gets married this fall. She will be a beautiful bride and I am looking forward to the wedding!

When I returned home, Matt and I went on a day date.
This was not your typical day date.
We had found giftcards from when we married with random amounts ranging $1.00 to $30.00 so out we went to use them.

First stop, Lowes:
We got two camping chairs, which we've needed our own for ballgames, picnics, camping etc.
We purchased a water hose and water spout. We have been using the one the previous homeowner left and the poor hose was starting to rust and crack.

Next stop, Home depot:
We purchased a bottle of spray paint to complete a decorating project I started months ago turning someone's old to new. See pic below. These will be hung up on wall behind kitchen table.

I will be stopping at Starbucks this week to use my remaining amount on Starbucks gift card.

We stopped at bed bath and beyond to replace my tervis tumbler lid. I had a few extra dollars on a gift card to buy a new one.
I love this tumbler and was so sad when I dropped it and cracked the lid. If you have one, and the cup or lid cracks, take it to bed bath and beyond for replacement. The tumblers have life time guarantees so they replace for free; no questions asked.

We also stopped at Salvation army and new thrift store in Bartlett "Helping People God's Way"
HPGW facebook page

The later thrift store opened about 8 months ago. The store operates on donations. Every month, the store donates profits to three local ministries, some of which Faith Baptist is involved in as well.
We found some random but good stuff! Dad you will be getting a nice little gift for your 50th bday from here!! haha

At salvation army is where the best deal of the day was found!
A BRAND NEW (or so it seems) sun beam bread maker. Strange, I know. But I love to bake, and I have wanted a bread maker since we married but didnt want to pay for one, nor did I figure it very practical. But for $25.00 and pretty much never been used (even still had the recipe book with it), I knew it was meant for me.

So Sunday afternoon, we went by Kroger and used yet another gift card with a random amount to purchase yeast and bread flour  and raisins to make cinnamon raisin bread.
For my first loaf, not too shabby!!
It def needs more cinnamon. I even added more than recipe called for because we love cinnamon but still was not enough!
Matt liked it though, so it was well worth it!

Saturday evening we had a great time fellowshiping at the Nortons home for small group!
The Nortons cooked some awesome meat and everyone brought great food! I made 5 BOXES of kraft mac and cheese! It was way too much for even 20-25 people!
The kids loved playing in lil swimming pools. And it was just fun hanging out for a few hours.

Sunday after church, we went to eat lunch with some friends we had not seen in months! It was good catching up and enjoying each other's company.

We returned at church at 4:30 for "Engage Memphis"
Matt and I are burdened for the city we live in and you should be as well. I dont love being in Memphis, but I do have a passion and love for the people who live here. Next time someone says something negative about Memphis, stand up for the city you live in. There are Good things, God things happening in the city of Memphis.

The statistics they discussed are almost unreal.
Over 60% of Memphis is African American race; however, 35 different people groups live in Memphis and surrounding cities. By the international mission boards standards, some of these people are considered an "unreached ppl group."
147 reported murders with over 30 being gang related in 2011. (BTW, this is only "reported.")
63-70% are lost in the city of Memphis.
2 school districts will end up being 5 different districts when its all said and done due to politics. Christians should be encouraging unity, not disunity.

I could go on and on with stats but you get the picture. These stats are only numbers and there are people behind these numbers. They need to hear of Christ's love.

The only avenue by which this city will improve or turn from the wickedness is through Christ. How do they know about Christ unless someone tells them?
Matt and I plan to get involved in urban city ministry. Memphis kind of scares me, but it's a healthy fear. It is not a fear that will keep me from spreading the good news to those who need to hear it.

Carr Family Vacation

Thanks to gran and g-daddy the entire family was able to spend a week together in a home "45 seconds" from Laguna beach, close to panama city beach.

Other than the first day we were there and a few random afternoon thunderstorms, we had FABULOUS weather for the beach!! I saw more jelly fish this week on the beach than I have my whole life!!

Most of our time was spent at the ocean enjoying God's beautiful creation!

Dad fished off and on for the week. He caught quite a few fish but threw most of them back. The waves were not very conducive for fishing from the shoreline.
Denny's girls enjoyed boogie boarding and got pretty good at it by the end of the week.
When inside, the girls were glued to the TV watching lil house on the prairie.
Colton warmed up to the ocean by the end of the week, but he also enjoyed getting his hands all sandy and then washing them off in his sand bucket filled with water.
Everyone chipped in to help bury Matt in the sand!
Matt and I enjoyed throwing frisbee when the wind would allow and the football in the sand.
A few mornings Matt and I went running along front beach road! We had gorgeous scenery but it is so hard to enjoy when the humidity is 90%!
Bri and mom enjoyed getting some sun and reading on the beach
Several of us took walks along the beach throughout the week. 
The women+Matt did a little shopping at the Destin outlet malls and found a few great deals!!
Denny's family and I made a trip to Gulf World one day. Animal shows are pretty good. Worth the $25.00
A few nights we played board games, cards, or catch phrase. 

Matt's Mom was in Destin the week before with her friend. We went to visit one afternoon before they headed home. We got to visit with our nieces and nephew as well as spend some time loving on little B. We enjoyed getting to hang out with them for a few hours

Because there was 13 of us, it was much easier to eat dinner at the house than go to a restaurant, but I did manage to get my seafood fix TWICE while we were there.
The entire family ate at Sallys (some ate there twice) and then Matt/I had a date night the last night we were there and ate at Schooners. It is a great atmosphere right on the beach! Very casual, prices are reasonable, and live music some nights! Where we sat we had a great view of the ocean and then went down to the sand to watch the sunset after eating.


This trip would not have been possible without gran and g-daddy so I wanted to give a HUGE THANK YOU to both of them!! Also thanks to mom and gran for doing most the cooking this week as well as Dad and Matt for grilling a few meals!!

All in all it was a great getaway from reality for a few days. Matt and I both needed a break from work and rotations.
Now we are back to the grind!
Two more weeks of no rotation and then I spend a month at Wal-mart. Please pray for sanity as I spend a month in the retail setting.

FIRST BIKE CRASH

For those of you who know Matt, you know a few of his passions include biking and running. I have always enjoyed running with him, but never got into the biking.
However, for about two months now, Matt and I have been riding bikes together a few days a week.
I actually enjoy it and trust me when I say it is a much more enjoyable form of exercise in the summer heat!!

We are actually borrowing a mtn bike and a road bike from two of Matt's friends to "break" me in. Eventually we will buy me a bike, but we had to see if I would stick with it before we spent money on a bike.

Well yesterday we went for a ride on the greenline as we have several times before and on the way back, it happened.
There is a saying cyclists say, "there are those who have crashed and those who are yet to crash."

I have now joined "those who have crashed group."
It was my fault without a question. I took my eyes off the road for 5 seconds and then next thing I knew I was running into a fence. It all happened so fast and I couldn't even process what happened. I just knew the whole left side of my body was hurting.
I was actually quite fortunate and it could have been much worst. Matt almost ran over me after I fell because he had no time to react. 
Dont look at pictures if your stomach is easily queasy.

Happy fathers day!

Today we travel back home from vacation. It was a great relaxing time at the beach. Spent the week with three fathers, my daddy, my gdaddy and my uncle. Thankful for the memories made on vacation!

After this week i am especially thankful for a father who taught me respect for others, taught me how to put others first, taught me what it means to work hard and not be lazy, and taught me what it looks like to provide/care for others like Jesus did. I always knew he loved me growing up and never questioned whether he was proud of me because he always verbally says so. He was an extremely encouraging father and tried to teach me
Not to sweat the small things but not sure I listened or learned very well. Dad is very laid back and easy going/ go with the flow and I def didn't get that from him. (bri did tho....they are much more alike than they would want to admit)


This afternoon we will spend time with Matt's father. I am extremely grateful for Mike. I could never put Into words how appreciative I am of the role model he was for Matt both as husband and father. I take for granted how helpful, respectful, and patient matt is with me. Matt is always ready to lend a helping hand. He is very easy going and unselfish. Matt knows what's important in life. He is exceptional with children, unlike any I have ever seen. After 5 years of knowing Mike, I know exactly where Matt got these qualities from and I am beyond grateful!

Once again thank you to my dad
For being the best example
He could of a heavenly father and thank you to Mike for being a father and husband Matt could
Model one day in his own walk with Christ.

Matt may be celebrating fathers day next year as a father! I have no doubt he will be a great one!

Home Study/Interview is complete!

The home study writer showed up at our home promptly at 3 pm and was leaving at 3:30 pm!

Surprisingly, she had made copies of all the paper work we filled out at the first PATH class like we requested. I was impressed from the start!

For the interview, she forgot her official form to fill out with all the specific questions; however, she was able to come up with most of them by memory.
She interviewed Matt and I with questions we already answered in written form on a DCS questionnaire.

After the interview, we gave her a grand tour of our home, not detailed at all. She asked about smoke/CO2 detector and fire extinguisher located in the kitchen. The tour lasted about 5 minutes. She was impressed and said it was a "blessing" of what others had already provided for us thus far.

Before leaving, she indicated all of our reference letters had been returned. Thank you to those who filled them out quickly and returned them quickly!
Her goal was to have everything submitted for official approval by the end of the month!! Matt and I took that as our "4" visits were complete!!!

Because I am off this month, my prayer has been to have everything completed on our end in the month of June.
What a very obvious answer to prayer! God is good! Just another reminder along the way God blesses those who are obedient.

Now we just wait for God's timing for a little one!

She commented on our home decorations as she exited (thanks stace and linds) and that was that!!!

What did Matt and I do to celebrate???
We made it in time for sonic happy hour!!! I love my fresh strawberry slushes!!

Looking forward to making a quick trip to Jackson with lindsay to see our good friend JEN!!!
It has been way too long!!
Congrats Jen on your engagement!! Cant wait to hear all about it!!

Weekend wrap up

This weekend was full of parties and fun!

Matt and I drove to Nashville Friday morning to help decorate for the BIG day.
When we arrived, a majority of the work had been completed by mom, grand, bri, ginger and her girls.
They did an excellent job. The fellowship hall at Haywood Hills looked completely different.

Friday evening we went to watch Katelyn play in softball championship game. It was the first time to be back at Volunteer Park in quite some time, brought back many old memories of my softball playing days.
Excited Katelyn is being able to start early on coach fast pitch. Next year she moves up to kid fast pitch.
Looking forward to watching many more games.

Saturday morning started out with a beautiful morning run and errands before the big party!
Mom and I arrived early to start getting all the food and decorations complete. It was a good thing we did,,,some guests arrived before 2pm.

Grand and Gdaddy were all smiles the whole afternoon. It was a great turn out! Great time with family and some old and new friends!
I will let the pictures speak for it self::::

Sunday morning was relaxing,,,,mom made ham and biscuits with coffee. Mom and I got a lil exercise in on ZUMBA WII.  Bri and I gave it to her for Mothers day and it had not been opened yet..haha
We attended Lifepoint Church as a family (including Jess and Lorraine as part of the "family")
Sunday morning we sang several songs that spoke to both Bri and Matt/I.

When you look at the world and you see hurting, lonely people as well as orphaned children, "how can you stand here and do nothing." We are called to GO and DO. Don't be just a Sunday church goer,,,,get involved in ministry. GO on mission trips. PROTECT AND PROVIDE for the orphans and the widows.

Speaking of orphans, Matt and I have our home study THIS THURSDAY before vacation. Please be praying for an uneventful meeting. Today, Tuesday is MAJOR clean house day. I am not stressed about home study, my house just needs a good straightening up and cleaning. Unfortunately, the lack of house work and excessive clutter is what happens during rotation! 
Yesterday I went and had my physical/general check up done at school for free.  Now it is Matt's turn and we will have most everything checked off the list. 

Back to Sunday afternoon, the family went over to grans for pizza and left over anniversary cake to celebrate COLTON'S BIRTHDAY! He turned two years old last weekend! He talks up a storm! What is really funny is he likes messing with Matt. Colton knew Matt's name long before he knew mine, but now when you ask him what Matt's name is he says, "Tiff" with the biggest grin. When he is not thinking about it, he will call him Matt again until you ask him what his name is and he always says, "Tiff"

Colton got some good gifts: sand and water play set, sand toys for the beach, new bike, new clothes and PJS.

Sunday afternoon we headed back to Memphis to go see a friend of dads in the hospital. Dad was suppose to leave for fishing trip Sunday with his friend, but instead found out he was in terrible head on collision 2 weeks ago tomorrow. Dad headed to Memphis Sunday morning to visit his friend and friend's son at THE MED. Both are doing much better but it will be a long road to recovery with broken legs and hips. Pray for healing and quick improvement. The son has been released but the father is still in hospital. Pray for the wife/mother who is tired and exhausted from taking care of two injured family members.

Next week the entire family will be on the beach! The beach is my home away from home!
So excited for a break from everything and a week spent with my husband and family!!

50 years of marriage for Brenda and Richard Carr