Ash Wednesday thoughts..

This church changed my life! As I attended the Ash Wednesday service today I thought about all of the different ways that IC Church (and Catholicism for that matter) has impacted my life. I remember the first time I ever attended Mass. I actually went with Bert Wright! I had no idea what to do or say but it felt like "home" to me. For the first time in a very long time I felt peace and knew I was where I belonged.

I suddenly had strength. I asked God to take over.. I had obviously not been living life right. I desparately needed to change. So I ended an unhealthy relationship with my then boyfriend Brian, I started attending Mass, and I met an amazing Catholic man (guess who?) whom I immediately felt a strong bond with.

I began my journey in RCIA (Right of Christian Initiation for Adults) with Drew as my sponsor. After 9 months of weekly classes, I was confirmed in April 2004. Right in the church that I had first attended Mass. My first communion was an amazing experience. I was filled with peace and hope that my life would be better than ever now that God was in control! Soon after, Drew and I started teaching various ages Church History.. 10th thru 12th graders, 8th and 9th graders, and eventually college ages. What a fulfilling ministry!

September 2005 Drew and were married. It was a very relaxing and fun-filled event! We had no worries, no doubts and no reservations. As we said our vows and entered the sacrament of marriage, I knew that God put Drew in my life as a gift.. for coming back to him and his church. And the gifts have continued ever since!

Brett's baptism last weekend brought back memories of confirmation and our wedding. Standing once again at an altar where so much as transpired! The familiar surroundings and smells.. looking at the stained glass.. My heart was filled with joy once again as I held my precious boy. Another gift.

Today I feel so blessed. As I enter into the Lenten season and prepare to renew my baptism, I pray that other people out there, who walk into IC for the first time, experience the positive changes that I have! God is so good!

Baptism Weekend!

What a sweet little angel! Brett's baptism was Saturday, February 21st. Deacon Greg Pair officiated the ceremony. We are so blessed to have had all of Brett's grandparents there! Grandpa Paul and Nonie Jo flew in from Milwaukee, Gamma Lynn drove from Chicago, Nana and Papa Stan, and Pawpaw Preston and Weewee were there too! His Godparents are Drew's sister Lauren and our close friend Jeff Smith. My sister Angela took pictures (She's great! She took Brett's Birth Day pictures too) Casey and Travis Collyar came and brought Jordyn, she's such a polite girl! And Jeff's parents Mike and Jan Smith came too. It was a perfect day! After the ceremony, we went back to the house for cake. Roxy, Jeff and Xander brought an adorable cake! They are such great friends!And of course Xander had to let Brett know how proud he is of him.. Buddies gotta hug, man!!
Drew and I are so happy to have Brett in our lives.. words cannot describe the joy! And to have a great family and friends makes it all even more amazing. It was a great weekend with lots of good food and conversation! God is Good.

Valentine's Day Fun

Brett had a very busy first Valentine's Day! The first big event of the day was SWIMMING! Yep, you're never too young for a swimming party! Thanks to "Uncle" Jeff we met him, Xander, Roxy, Pete, Katie and Karlee at the Mercy Fitness pool for a little afternoon swim.. or float.. whatever you want to call it! What a neat experience!

Next, we headed to Greenwood for Aunt Angela and Uncle Brian's wedding! They had an intimate ceremony with just family... it was really pretty! Angela did a great job with the decorations and it was "short but sweet." Brett got to see WeeWee, PawPaw Preston and Uncle Christian too.
Later that night we had dinner with Nana, Papa Stan and Gigi (Mom's best friend Barbara from Memphis) at the house.. I made shrimp scampi and it was "goo-ood." Overall, is was a very busy yet relaxing day! And Drew surprised me with a Valentine's gift: ROLLERBLADES! More pics of that to come later :o)

We're ready for spring!

We had great weather today so we took Brett for a walk in the stroller. It was the first time he's been able to sit in the "big boy" seat instead of the car seat. It was just a little bit windy so we put his hat on. He looked so cute! We took Allie and Brady too.. they pulled Drew all over the neighborhood.

After being in the house all winter, we are definitely looking forward to spring! But of course, that means a busier work schedule for Drew. That's the part we're NOT looking forward to. On the bright side, we are planning a two-day retreat for our Catholic Campus Ministries group at Mt. Judea in Newton County. Just a weekend get-away for the students right before their finals.. should be a blast! We really enjoy our CCM group. Below is a picture from our 2008 Convention. Our monthly service project at the Midland Heights free lunch is a big success and it makes for a wonderful Saturday experience! We are given so much in this life.. it's nice to be able to give back to others in Christ's name.