Christmastime is here...

Sometimes I wonder if heaven is going to be like Christmas, you know that amazing anticipation you have when you wake up in the morning...

NO CHURCH SERVICES TODAY


In light of Blizzard Bill's instructions to us all, we don't want people to leave their homes, so we have cancelled both services this morning at CrossRoads... Sad sad day.

Also, the Gift Wrapping Fundraiser we had planned at the mall is no longer happening due to the weather.

Now Jared and I are wishing we were still boarding!! Pictures of that event to come!

(The picture is a live shot from the Toledo Airport)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME!!!!

So I already know what my Christmas gift from Jared is...and vice versa-we found these sweet snowboards at Dick's Sporting Goods-several hundred dollars off the board and bindings! Since Jared is already an avid snowboarder, and he likes to do crazy things, I also asked him to purchase a helmet so he doesn't kill himself while jumping off of something. So here our amazing snowboards are sitting at home in our office...and we are just dying to try them out! So...road trip!

We are headed to "Bittersweet", a small "mountain" on the other side of Michigan-We leave later tonight!!! I can't wait!!!

I'll be sure to post some picture of the massive bruises I'm sure I will get from the fake snow this weekend:)

Check out me and Jared and our nephews Evan and Aaron!!!!


http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1310388549

NO SURGE TONIGHT!


We are having freezing rain all day-therefore, we will not be having Sr. High SURGE tonight Dec. 9th.


Sorry everyone-I don't want you high schoolers driving around!

MILEMARKER

So today I set a new mile marker in my running "career".

8 miles!!!

If someone would have told me a few years ago that I would be going that far that fast, I would have never believed them!

Marathon---HERE I COME!

Thoughts on Communion:


Tonight at CrossRoads we will be remembering Christ through the sacrament of Communion. As the time approaches, I've decided I want it to mean more then something we do once a month (plus I was asked to give a devotional tonight on it).

You see, taking communion is a time where we "remember" Jesus and what He has done for us (Luke 22:19). My deal, is that I understand the price Jesus paid, all He went through--and boy do I appreciate it--but I've got this problem with letting go of those things I know He has already forgiven me for. I know I probably sounds crazy--maybe I'm the only one who feels this way--but the guilt that I feel I carry around sometimes seems to suck the life out of me!

And then I read this from "Grace for the Moment" by Max Lucado (we're tight)
"Regardless of what you've done, it's not too late. Regardless of how far you've fallen, it's not too late. It doesn't matter how low the mistake is, it's not too late to dig down, pull out that mistake, and then let it go-and be free. What makes a Christian a Christian is not perfection but forgiveness."

Let it go and be free...Let it go and be free...

Psalms 103:11-12 says "For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west." and then i read this other amazing verse:

Romans 8:3 "So God did what the law could not do. He sent His own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins."

So here I go...let go...let go...because God wants me to move on.

4, 6, 5, 7

So running...I really like it. I think my favorite part about running is pushing myself to accomplish something I never thought I could! Since college I've run 2, 3, maybe 4 miles, but not on a regular schedule, and I didn't really like it that much-it was more of a punishment for eating ice cream. Since Jared is really smart and everything, he's helping me come up with a training schedule that will push me so we will eventually do a Marathon in the spring! So this week-it's 4 miles (today-at a 7.5 min-8 min mile pace), Tuesday 6 miles, Wednesday 5 miles, and Friday 7 miles! Yee haw!!!

One Year Later

Our First Anniversary-it is truly amazing all that can happen within a year. For me, I've seen more growth and changes within myself this year then ever. Living with your spouse is definetly different from a college roomate. There is so much adjusting and responsibility increase. The joy level in my life has probably increased most of all in my life. It is so amazing to me how much joy my husband makes me feel on a daily basis...how special and loved I feel when I'm around Him...and how I feel more beautiful then I've ever been because of Him.

I know at the core of my being that it is Christ who completes me, fulfills me, and brings unending Joy. And God has added a beautiful gift to my life in the last year-the Joy that can only come through a marriage founded on Him.

Through this year, as my love for Jared has grown, so has my love for the Lord. It's in our faithfulness to eachother that I see more clearly the faithfulness of God. This marriage covenant that represents the very covenant God has made with us is an incredible blessing that I know is not only meant to bless me or Jared, but all those around us.

I look forward to celebrating 1 year of marriage this weekend as Jared sneaks me away to some secret place. But even more then that, I look forward to all God has in store for us to be and do together in the future.

LIKE JONATHAN

Don't miss this FREE concert this SUNDAY night

6:30-8:30

All 9th-12th Grade Student are welcome to join us!!!!

Just a few more:)

TEAL/AMERINE FAMILY PICTURES

Taken and edited by non other then my bestest friend Emily Smith-check out her blog www.smithgalleryphotography.blogspot.com

SMALL GROUP FOR H.S. LADIES


So Becky W. and I are starting up a Small Group for 10th-12th grade girls. It will be meeting every Monday night from 6:30-8:00. STARTING TONIGHT!!! (Brownies will be there --so should you)
We will meet at 8150 Jackman Rd. #17. It's in the apartments right by Bedford high school. The 1st Building 1st door.

If you don't come-I will cry.

ALL 6th-12th Grade Students and leaders! Please join us next Wednesday Sept 26th from 6:45-8:15 for a time to worship God together.

IN THE ATTIC
CrossRoads Community Church
6960 Sylvania-Petersburg Rd.
Ottawa Lake, MI 49267

So my Best Friend Emily and her husband Andrew have do photography together. And it's pretty much amazing. I've added her link to my blog and here is a taste of their work at our wedding almost a year ago!

So I've officially picked up running again...or maybe for the 1st time. I'm not really sure if training for Miss Azusa counts because I did that to lose the nasty pounds.
I've been consistently running 4-5 miles about 3-4 times a week. Jared and I would love to do a marathon together and I think we may as well do it while we're young and childless! Maybe sometime in the spring?

Kicked Bells Palsy in the Butt!


That's right-after only about 3-4 weeks, my Bells went long gone! Praise Jesus! So thanks for your prayers-and thanks Dr. for the Steroids!

YOU CAN NEVER BE TOO CAREFUL