Busy Summer..

Well. I finished up my summer class last week. An A for the class, and one of many down. It was such a relief to walk out of that classroom last Thursday! This week Payton is on vacation. I thought we were going to get to do some trim painting, but so far that hasn't happened. We have something going on pretty much every day. Yesterday we spent a whole day in his hometown... How that happened I'll never know. But we stayed busy and had fun. We had a credit at a store there, we ended up spending more than that... but hey, it happens right? I did get some things I really needed for the kitchen... measuring cups and spoons! :) I told Payton he really has it easy.. his wife is ALWAYS perfectly happy with kitchen gadgets and things. LOVE IT!

Today was pretty crazy too. Kenzie was due for her yearly check- up. We decided to take Allie along too so they could both get nail trims. Well.... $173.50 later..... we were done with that.
( I sent Payton to the car with the dogs while I checked out. Good thing I did because he was flipping out in the car. Needless to say he calmed down and still kept his promise to the girls that they could have a corn dog from Sonic after we were done! ;))

I didn't get a picture of Kenzie because she was gone most of the time. Allie, however, was very happy that she had a hiding spot. She hid under these chairs most of the time. After they left she came out and sniffed around a little but as soon as the door opened she was back under the chairs. Silly pup.

Tomorrow is another busy day.. But looking forward to eating lunch with my Grandparents. Also looking forward to fun plans this weekend!

Approaching relief...

Everything is going well. I'm almost done with this summer class! I couldn't be happier that I have about 6 days of class left! It is complete torture to have to wake up in the morning and go. This summer has certainly flown by. Everyone I talk to seems to be bummed out about it, but I'm really excited because there are so many exciting things going on this fall. Payton and I have just been hanging out around the house. I've been cleaning out closets and different things. It definitely feels great to throw things away!

There are a few exciting things coming up in the next couple of weeks, so I will try to keep you updated!

Pears...

Payton and I had a pretty good weekend. He got in from work late Friday night, so Saturday we slept in. That afternoon we decided to go see a movie. My brother and sister in law had been telling us how good Grown Ups is, so we went to see that. It was really good and funny just like they said! Sunday we went to church. Our church has an amazing service every Sunday, but it is really awesome on the 4th of July. We thoroughly enjoyed it! After church, we headed down South for the day. Grandma wanted to have BBQ for the 4th. Anything that comes out of her kitchen is always fantastic! Payton and I beat them there so we went on in and started to help get things ready. It's always so fun to see who comes in the door next. I love when my little cousins walk in the door with bright faces and excitement of being at Grandmas for the day. They are growing so fast.. and they are just so presh! My Grandmother, Aunt and Cousin just got back from a trip out West. So they had pictures to show us all. After we were done with our visit, Payton and I headed back home. We got together with our friends for the fireworks show. It's always huge and never disappointing.

Payton had to head back to work yesterday. He did get off a little early, so I guess that makes up for it. Payton's Aunt and Uncle are visiting, so we plan to all get together tonight for dinner. I'm looking forward to it since I haven't seen them since March. My first day of summer class was today. I sort of feel as though all we did the whole time was talk about a pear. I know there was meaning behind it, but it is one of those things ---when someone asks how your first day was...all you can really say is... "Well, we talked about a pear!" He was using a pear as an example for us to find descriptive words for the 5 senses. It's an Advanced Composition course. Lots of writing, but not something that bothers me very much. I hope this class goes by really fast. If I spent 2 hrs today discussing a pear, I'm really afraid of what the other 18 days (36 hours) will be like.

I hope everyone has an amazing and blessed week.
Sarah

Life is good...

Things have been pretty great lately. My dear friend had her baby last week and it's just so awesome when new babies are born. He is super sweet and so far a really good baby. I know they will be awesome parents to him.

I start a class next Tuesday. I am trying to keep my load as light as it can be, and wasn't too pleased with a course offered in the fall, so in a way I am avoiding it by taking this class in the summer.

Mom, Dad and Becca all came up Saturday. We went to Choir Tour in Paragould and we also ate at Brick Oven.... it was SO good! They went to church with Payton and me on Sunday. Payton and I were pretty exhausted this weekend. We got to keep our nephew Friday night, and enjoyed him so much! He woke up bright and early (6:30 am) Saturday morning. We watched Alvin and the Chipmunks twice, and Toy Story 2 during his stay with us! Needless to say, I'll be ok if Alvin and the Chipmunks take a LONG forever nap! LOL

This week is pretty low key. I'm taking supper to my friends tomorrow to try and help them out with their new baby. Have a special day planned Friday with my Mom and sister, and looking forward as we celebrate the 4th of July!

Father's Day weekend we went to Paula Deen's to eat. I just love the place and was so excited that my Daddy wanted to go for Father's Day. We took a few pictures that night, so I'll close out with those!

Prayer

I was very hurt by an anonymous person's comments on my last post. I am praying for these girls, and I am praying for direction in how I can help them. I KNOW about the power of many praying for change among people. I know how a community can work together, or even a small family... and the change in one's life that can be provided. Do not tell me that prayer alone will NOT help someone. I pray to a God that answers prayers. He hears our personal petitions. Answers or problems solved may not come immediately, but His will- WILL be done. God will provide me with a way to help them even if I am 2 hours away.

"REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS. I WILL SAY IT AGAIN: REJOICE! LET YOUR GENTLENESS BE EVIDENT TO ALL. THE LORD IS NEAR. DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT IN EVERYTHING, BY PRAYER AND PETITION, WITH THANKSGIVING, PRESENT YOUR REQUESTS TO GOD. AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND YOUR MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS." PHILIPPIANS 4: 4-7

I trust in the God I know! I know HE will guide me to help them, right now I can pray for direction in how HE wants me to help them. In the meantime, prayers among any will be MOST helpful to these sweet girls. They asked us all for forgiveness for the commotion. They asked US for prayers and LOVE to help them get through their pasts and to be there for them and show them the love of Christ.

Our work is not done...

I am not certain who all reads our blog. I am sure that there are a few family members, some friends, and quite possibly people I have never met. I am feeling compelled to write about what is weighing heavy on my heart. I only pray that there are people out there that will have heavy hearts like mine and take action...Our work here on Earth is not done.

Payton and I went home this weekend for Father's Day. I will blog more on the festivities and laughs we all shared later. We went to church this morning with my father as any child would love to do and share in such a wonderful time. It is always so wonderful seeing all of the church family who "helped with your raising" as I would call it. My hometown church is full of love and wonderful people. Although it is very small, I have great respect for the people in it and the work that they do. There is a Methodist founded girls home in my hometown. They come from troubled backgrounds and are in great need of lots of love, prayers, and well.. a home. The girls are supposed to go to different Methodist churches in the area. Well, this Sunday they came to ours. I will leave out most of the details, but there was an outburst with one of the young girls during the offetory...cursing was exchanged among a couple of them, and well needless to say our work is not done here.

In my observations in the schools, just in the different communities, and well in our own church visitors, there are so many people who still don't know Jesus. They don't know the friend that I do. I have never in my lifetime seen a young girl have so much pain in her. She obviously had a very bad family life before and had been through quite a bit. Most of the time we don't take the time to get to know people. We aren't out there in the "nitty gritty" or "thick of things". We go about our daily lives living in our own worlds and do not pay attention or help all of these people that are hurting far worse than we have ever known. Many times we go through rough patches and think our world's are crushing down on us.... seriously? Most of us have homes to go to, we have food, we have 2 parents or sometimes more..like Payton, we have grandparents, and most of us still have our greats, and many of us have siblings. We are blessed beyond belief. We are sooo BLESSED. God has *blessed* US abundantly. How can we show these people how blessed they are by the God that we all know? How can we help to show them how much He loves us all? How do we fix this problem that became so apparent to me and my husband today? Payton and I are choosing to pray and pray hard for these sweet girls. We don't have any idea what they've been through. We know that we can pray to our Lord, that He open their hearts and minds...so that they can know Him, the way that we do.

Can you join us in praying for these girls, and those that are hurting?

How it all got started

I thought I might write about how Payton and I got to where we are now!

I was working at a salon here in town. I friend of mine suggested this guy to me and that we should all go out together. I wasn't sure if I was ready for a big relationship yet, but didn't mind getting to know him. Payton and I started exchanging messages on myspace at the time just chatting back and forth. Later on we decided to meet, but we didn't want it to appear as a blind date. So our mutual friend and another friend went and tagged along with Payton and me so it wouldn't be too awkward. We had a good time talking although Payton will not hesitate to tell you I was mean! :) Well .. anyways, after that night we were pretty much inseparable! July 17, 2007 is the "marker date".

We started discussing marriage sometime in 2008. We just wanted to relax and take it easy. Around August or so we started looking at rings. The first time we went and looked we didn't find anything, so the 2nd time we went back and were a little more prepared for what we wanted. We picked out the ring that very day. I was not expecting anything until sometime the next year. On November 5, 2008, Payton went to Little Rock with his Dad and Grandmother after he got off of work at 12 to pick up my ring! I was working 12-9 that day and came home in a horrible mood. I just wanted to relax, get a drink and chill out. Payton had told me that he was painting his Grandmothers bathroom that day so I figured he would of wanted to do the same. Well he had another agenda. He kept asking me to sit down beside him and I didn't really want to. He was on the little couch and little did I know he had a ring box stuffed down in the couch to the side of him. I turned the other way to get something and when I went back to look at him he had the box. I was like "What are you doing?" "Payton!" and just kept asking "What are you doing???" He continued on with his speech and got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was so unbelievably shocked! I couldn't believe he had that ring. After we were done talking and hugging he said "Now call your Mom!" LOL We called all of our close family and friends. It was a little late to call my Dad's parents but I did it anyway....The phone call was rather interesting... :)

All the wedding planning then began. I have to say our engagement was not stressful at all. We really enjoyed everything, and the wedding couldn't have been more perfect. I know everyone says that about their own wedding, but I would relive that day everyday. My parents went above and beyond to make that day absolutely special for us!