Smokey Mountain Getaway

Greetings to all from the Smokey Mountains!  We're in Pigeon Forge, TN, and having a great time.  We met Ashley's parents, grandparents, and sister's family up here this past Friday.  It was a beautiful drive.  The cabin we're staying in is very nice.  I love how remote and secluded it feels.  Here's a picture of our cabin from our website.  I'm sure more pictures will come as we upload them during the week.

Profile

I just updated my google profile.  I especially liked the question about my 'superpower'.  The only thing that is super about me is how I mess things up over and over again!  I do a pretty good job at that!  And I know that sounds depressing, but honestly I am not depressed by that because it's not all about me anyway!  I'm so glad I don't have a superpower, because it probably would not be used for anyone's good but my own, and that could get ugly!

Knowing God

One of my most recent ventures has been leading a Sunday morning class entitled, Knowing God.  A.W. Tozer (a well-known Christian writer) once said that what you think about God is the most important thing about you.  I completely agree with this statement.

Another great blog out there!

Ashley shared a new blog she's been reading recently.  I want to encourage everyone to read some of the postings.  You will be blown away at the compassion and love that is demonstrated through this wonderful family.  Check them out at blessedbyachild.blogspot.com 

See for yourself what it can look like for the gospel to be the very foundation of your home...there just isn't an end to the good news of Christ's love!  This family has adopted many children, and each one has a unique story, and none is beyond the reach of love!  Check it out.  You won't be disappointed.

My Wife...

Words really cannot describe how blessed I am to be sharing my life with such an incredible person as my wife.  Seven years ago this past Monday (the 10th) we celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary.  I just want to take the time to let everyone out there know how in love I am with Ashley.  She has me so spoiled, you know.  She packs my lunch for work every night.  She fills and sets the coffee maker for me so it is hot and ready when I am running out the door.  Not to mention she mothers our children, washes our clothes, and does so many incredible never-ending tasks that no one else wants to do (diapers, baths, and sweeps - just to name a few).

I once heard that married men live longer than men who are not married.  I would totally agree with that.  She is always making sure I eat healthy - and I comply most of the time.  She side-seat drives a lot, which at the time is kind of annoying, but it sure has saved us from a lot of wrecks.  Okay, well, it's made us take some wrong turns here and there, but I guess I didn't have to listen to her in the first place...a little bit of Adam and Eve all over again.

I know she has saved my life in other ways, too. Last night is a perfect example.  I think I would have ended up in the hospital if it weren't for her quick response.  I was lying on the couch completely worn out from a very long and hard day at work.  All of a sudden I felt itchy all over.  I started to chill and my chest started to tighten just a little.  I told Ashley about it and she told me to go up and lay down for bed.  It was only 6:30, but I did feel awful.  So I was getting ready for bed when I noticed my skin did not look right at all.  I started to rash up a little and developed tiny hives that looked like misquito bites all over my legs.  I called her up to the bedroom and we both knew exactly what it was - I was having some kind of allergic reaction.  She quickly inspected my skin and noticed a large red welt-like spot on my back about the size of a half-dollar.  In the middle of it was a white spot that looked like a pimple.  Classic spider bite.  I'd never felt like this before.  She gave me some benadryl and told me to rest.  If things didn't improve we would head to the ER.  Well, things did improve.  The ER wasn't necessary.  I was receiving the best patient care from my very own private nurse.  Does your nurse kiss your boo-boos?  Mine does.  She even kisses me on the lips, too - I like that.

So, will I live longer since I am married?  I don't know about longer.  I know I will live better!!  And my life is so full of love and joy with her by my side.  I don't know when my life will end, but every day until then I will praise my God in heaven for letting me get a glimpse of his amazing grace, love, and beauty through my lovely wife.

I love you, Ashley...there is nothing in this whole world you could ever do to make me stop loving you.  Nothing.  You're stuck with me, like it or not.  If you ever leave, I'm coming with you.  I just want the whole world to know that.

Weekend Getaway

Our 7th anniversary is coming up on the 10th of this month. We were planning to getaway next weekend, but it worked out better for us to go ahead and slip away yesterday. My brother and his new bride selflessly sacrificed most of their weekend to stay overnight with the youngin's while we retreated to the beautiful Homewood Suites Hilton in Cary, NC.

The kids had a great time with Uncle Andrew and Aunt Sarah (we like saying Aunt Sarah!). They had a great time together - Wendy's, Jumping Beans, going to the park...yeah, we were afraid they wouldn't want us to come back for sure.

Well, Ashley and I had our fun, too. We enjoyed an absoluely delicious meal at Carrabbas Italian Grill. I highly recommend the Pollo Rosa and the Chicken Bryan. Absolutely delicious! And I know my Italian food! A little pricey, but well worth every cent.

Then we decided to find a hobby shop in search of a new game. As some of you know, we have always enjoyed spending time together over some board or card game. It is a great thing for my pride, because I usually do not end up the winner when facing my wife. We found this really fun game at a very interesting little hole-in-the-wall hobby shop (they are always quite interesting). If you like zombies and model trains, this shop is for you. As for us, we were quite wierded out, but it was an adventure nonetheless. We ended up buying this card game called FLUXX. It is a very fun game! And I actually won once! To make it even funnier, we picked up the Monty Python version of the game. Absolutely hilarious! I'll have to explain it in a future blog.

After rescuing Monty Python from the zombies, we raided the local Food Lion for some Rocky Road. Then it was back to the hotel for a stroll through a wooded trail. For me, that was the highlight of the whole retreat. During the walk we talked about our marriage over the last seven years. If you know our story, then you will know that the first few years were quite rough. God's grace is so good, though, and He is why we have a healthy and thriving marriage today.

I think the other best part of the trip was the fact that we didn't have to wake up at any certain time (except before they stopped serving breakfast), and we didn't have to change a diaper the whole time. Just the two of us, Rocky Road, Monty Python, and a wonderful time!

Thank you, Andrew and Sarah for sacrificing your weekend for us! We look forward to doing the same for you someday! And praise be to God for setting us free from the darkness that clouded our lives for so long! Our marriage is a beautiful illustration of your reconciling us to one another and to yourself. I can never praise you enough for my beautiful bride, and awesome family! May the Lord bring us many more years together!