Jonathan and Anne Marie’s Weblog

Yesterday one of my friends had a link in her blog to another blog titled “Bring the Rain.”  As I read through the blog about a trial that this particular lady had faced she had a quote that I just could not pass up. 

“Stop praying for sunshine, and start praying for whatever makes the soil rich.” 

The reality of this statement is pretty powerful.  It takes a lot to be content with praying that God touches our lives in a way that enriches us yet understanding at the same time that it might entail a little suffering, a few bumps in the road or maybe even a waiting period.  Yet I think that it gives hope to those of us who are going through a tough time (the rain) that when we come through on the other side our lives will be richer for it.  It also reminds me that I have a tendancy to pray for relief of circumstances (sunshine) rather than for what God intends the circumstances to do in my life.  Hope that you enjoy the quote.

Edenfield, Jonathan’s band, will be playing at the Rock Ranch for J933’s Christian Concert on October 25th.  The Rock Ranch (http://www.therockranch.com/site/2.0/index.htm)  is Chic-fil-a owned and located somewhere not too far away.  I am very excited about this opportunity for them.  That weekend is going to be so much fun.  We have a lot planned. My sister is coming into town Friday and we are having dinner with her and her fiance, my cousin, and hopefully my brother and his fiance.  Saturday me and Christine are going for hair cuts.  Much needed ones at that.  Then off to the Rock Ranch.  Sunday we are going dress shopping.  Yes wedding dress shoping for my little sis.  I am so excited.  It will be so much fun.  Oh and by the way, Sunday is also her 24th birthday.  Where does time go?

Today was an awesome day at school.  While our sophmores and juniors took the PSAT, the freshman (and their advisors) got to attend an assembly put on by the seven project.  If you have not yet heard about the seven project you have to their websit http://thesevenproject.com/  They have been around awhile and finally have hit D’ville.  The idea is they go around to high schools and speak with the principles to find out what the top 7 issues the students are dealing with in their school.  They then come and speak to the students about those issues (sex, drugs, apathy, etc.)  They do not mention God or Christianity in the public schools because it is not allowed, but the message they bring is extremely positive and deeply rooted in Christian principles.  They also speak to the kids about 7 principles of leadership.  They are making their rounds to all the Douglas County Middle and High Schools.  They then invite the students at the school assembly to a huge assembly at Arbor Place Mall (which is going to offer the students an opportunity to give their lives to Christ) next Thursday.  Let me just say that I was blown away.  Our freshman class this year is a bit of a handful and everyone of them were completely engaged and on their best behavior.  The show they put on consists of humor, skits, dancing, and short videos around a speaker (Mike Holt) who is leading up the seven project here in Georgia.  As the demographics change here in D’ville we can sometimes feel that it is harder to reach a different crowd, but the kids sure loved it today.  That was so uplifting to see them energized about something so positive with all the negative things they are faced with on a daily basis.  I would ask that if you had the opportunity to read this that you would pray that this project has a huge impact on the youth of Douglasville next Thursday as students from all over the county rally and invite others to hear about Jesus and ask Him into their lives.

I just wanted to take some time to share with those interested about how thankful I am.  As I sit back and observe the world around me and what others may be going through I realize how much I have to be thankful for.  I have an amazing husband who I know loves me so very much.  Every day is new and exciting with him.  We both have wonderful extended families that we are close to.  We are both healthy and have a beautiful home and wonderful jobs.  When I start to get down about the silly trappings of life, I remember these things and know that I have been blessed by a gracious God.

I finally sat down and updated my log a little yesterday, but there is still a little more catching up to do.  Over the summer we took a trip to disney, celebrated Christine’s engagement to Noah, Jonathan and I recently celebrated our 3rd anniversary, as well as being in some friends of ours wedding on Saturday.  The following are some pictures from the events listed above.

This is one from Epcot.

This giant bird hanging around the sealion exhibit trying to pick off some fish let me get as close as I wanted so I took adavantage and snapped a pic.

This is a giraffe from the Kilamonjarah Safari in Animal Kingdom.  The reason that his head is cut off is because my camera screen is broken and I can’t see what Im taking a picture of…but how many times do you get this close to a giraffe!!

Here is a better one of the giraffe, they were beautiful.  I was in heaven, God knows how much I love animals.

This dude and his girlfriend there were huge.  We asked a keeper if they were a mating pair and he said no, that they were just sun bathing…I think there is something more there if you ask me.

Some cool sharks and rays.

Shamu at Sea World.  It was awesome!

Leaving Disney.  We stayed in an awesome condo with 3 beds and 3 full baths and its very own wading pool.

Bubbs and Shannon (soon to be wed on Nov. 22) at Olive Garden celebrating Christine and Noah’s engagement.

Christine and Noah.  They had just gotten in from Dahlonega where Noah had taken her horse back ridinand proposed to her.

Giving the man of my life a little smooch for the wonderful husband he is.  We celebrated our 3rd anniversary at Miller’s, a restaurant in the square in Carrollton.  They just changed their menu to more of a cajun cuisine.  I would stick with Gumbeaux’s or Gabe’s Downtown.  However, it was a nice change from the usual.

Our friends Kyle and Jessica got married this Saturday and we had the pleasure of being in the wedding.

So I got tagged, which I think is pretty cool and a GREAT excuse to get back into the habit of blogging.  I will be listing 6 uninteresting facts about myself…enjoy:

1. I dont eat veggitables. (Im asking for the Jessica Seinfield cook book for children for Christmas about how to hide veggies in food…I have to start somewhere)

2. I love to read books about marrige written by christian authors.

3. I HATE to carve pumpkins!! My mother-in-law gets me one every year…I think its so she can keep the tradition alive for when grandkids come along…or maybe its cause she loves seeing me make the craziest faces as I pull all the NASTY pumpkin inards out.

4. I HATE ironing.  I hate dishes.  I hate laundry.  Im not sure if I make the greatest housewife, but I know my husband still loves me.

5. My husbands quote for me on this one is…”Scientist”!  He always calls me this especially when I tell him some very interesting random science and non-science related facts.  I am intrigued by how intricate life is from a biological standpoint.  From my perspective science (certain aspects, b/c I know some are very controversial) is one window God has given us to see his amazing creation.  Many times science is used to disprove God’s hand in creation, but it just stands to reafirm how amazing and intricate is design truly is.

6. I LOVE BABIES! So how did I end up teaching a 40’s+ ladies life group at church instead of working the nursery.  God is truly amazing and I have found myself in some strange leadership positions that I never would have invisioned myself being in.  However, I continue to strive to do His work and have found that it has brought true joy…besides, I think Im the one actually learning in the life group besides doing the teaching.

I don’t really have that many friends on my blog, so Im tagging Mrs. Parmer (when she starts a blog), and Chad if he hasn’t been tagged by Katybug.

We took a family vacation to Disney world the week of July 12th through the 19th.  I was so exciting.  I have not been to Disney since I was 7 years old.  We had 3 day park hoppers so We visited Magic Kingdom on Monday, Animal Kingdom and Epcot on Tuesday, and Hollywood (MGM) studios on Wednesday.  We also visited Sea World on Thursday.  I would not advise visiting the parks with a child  under the age of 4 in the dead of summer and during Disney’s busiest time of the year…..I am 27 and whined all week about how hot it was, how crowded it was and how far we walked.  If you are bringing a child under the age of 4 definitely go during cooler months and a less busier time.  Other than that it was an absolutely magical trip…any adult will feel like a kid again.  I have to say my two favorite parks were Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.  Although I am an avid animal lover…the only two things that I really liked in Animal Kingdom was the Kilamanjarah Safari and Mount Everest.  Jonathan loves all the parks…he would…hes been 23 times.  Pictures are coming soon…

Since I dont have any pics of me and my handsome husband up I have posted some that we took when he was running sound for a country band South 70.  Our friend James that plays in the worship band at our church also plays in an up and coming country band South 70 and Jonathan gets to run sound for them when they are at venues that require electric.

Me and my Jonathan, James got his face in the frame perfectly.

We were at One Star Ranch in Alpharetta.  A yummy Bar B-Que restaraunt.

Me and Kristin (James girlfriend) selling South 70 merch.

Here are some pictures of me and my two friends Jessica and April. Jessica is getting married in October and April and I are bridesmaides. We got the t-shirts for a skit we did which you can see in one of the pictures.

Me and Jessica getting ready for our big skit!

Me and April getting ready for our big skit.

We did a skit and were guests on “The Life” dealing with the topic of dancing!

The skit as we were exiting.

Unfortunately I did not get many more pictures than this after my camera broke.

Headed to the beach!  I already miss it!

Jonathan and I just returned from the FBC Douglasville Youth Camp. Jonathan is in charge of production and singing and playing the drums when we go and I am responsible for leading a room of girls. I have to say out of the past 3 years we have been…this year was definately the best. Jonathan usually stays super busy with all he is responsible for so I dont really see much of him except when we sit down to eat. But this year I was really able to relax and enjoy God working in my life and in the girls lives that I was leading. I also had the best birthday Ive had in the past three years. I mentioned that to Jonathan and he pointed out that we have been married for 3 years, but I assured him that it had nothing to do with him….it was probably the fact that I have spent the past 3 birthdays at youth camp:) So anyways a typical day at youth camp was as follows: Up at 5:30am (because for some reason my girls thought it would be great to wake up that early for not reason and start talking loudly) We didnt have to be up until 7:00. We would do our quiet time then have breakfast. We would have a session with everyone from 9:00-10:00, then we would go back to our rooms to have discussion with our girls. We then would have lunch and head to the beach until dinner time. Following dinner we would have a night session from 7:00 until about 10:00. Then everything from there was insane…kids throwing water baloons, shaving cream, and throwing anyone they could get their hands on into the pool. We werent asleep until about 1-2am. All the messages Kevin gave were awesome and I really think the kids learned a lot. The week flew by and before I knew it we were on our way back home. I have attached some pictures from camp….where my most favorite camera was broken:( Jonathan gave me the camera for Christmas and I took it to shipwreck island where I stuck it in a friends bag. I never saw the bag dropped or stepped on, however when I took it out of the bag the screen was cracked. It still takes pictures, you just cant see what you are taking a picture of. I will add the pictures in a few minutes.