Shaking it up in Shaker Village

So, I know that everyone has been dying to know what we’ve been doing for the past few months! Yeah right! It does seem weird writing down what’s going on. I don’t really think anyone reads this anyway. But for our 5 family members who might-here it goes.

Well April was super duper fun because we had 3 visitors in one week!Bennett Holloway came to visit-Monday-Thursday. We ate, went to a movie, watched American Idol, hung out, prayed, played some bumper pool etc. It was great to have him visit and now he’s interning this summer in TX. Thanks Benito for spending time and money to see us. We appreciate it and are blessed to call you friend and brother.

Then Dennis & Marcia came in on Thursday and stayed until Sunday! What a week. We ate some more great food, went to see Narnia, ate some more food, got pedicures and manicures, went to church, played some bumper pool, shopped, and played some mad spades. It was great to have them and we are so thankful that they could come visit.

Our anniversary was June 11th. 4 years! Crazy. Chris surprised me with a weekend getaway to Shaker village. (shakervillageky.org) We left on Friday, it’s only an hour away from Louisville and came back Sunday. It’s this quaint little village, that just so happens to be Ashley Judd’s favorite place to go in KY, and it is a step back in the future-around the late 1800’s early 1900’s. In a nut shell, Shaker Village was a community of people who had a lot of really wacky beliefs. They were basically a cult. We heard some crazy stories about what they believed, but they sure had a great village. It was beautiful and historic. Our room was cold-great in 90 weather and cozy. The view and houses were beautiful. We went on a few tours and heard about their beliefs, worship, living arrangements, work ethic, etc. Very interesting. We also went to see a play at the village that was a representation of what life was like for the women there. We stayed in the Inn and ate some awesome food. They gave you a ton and it was really yummy. To top it off, Chris surprised me by buying this pitcher for me and giving it to me on our actual anniversary. There are some pics below. I had mentioned that I really liked this pitcher that was in our room and we looked everywhere in the village so we could buy one, but found nothing-i'm picky and only wanted certain colors etc. So, he was Mr. Sneaky and bought it from

 the management, after much begging, and surprised me with it. It now holds a new flower, our love fern per se, and we’re hoping to keep it alive a couple of months, thus breaking our current plant holding record.
Chris finished is his semester with a bang! I’m not sure what that means but it sounds fun doesn’t it? He worked hard, studied a million hours, and his grades were great-all while being a great husband and spending time with me. So that’s a bang to me-a truly successful semester. He completed New Testament II., Old Testament I, Hermeneutics, and scripture and revelation. He also just finished a j-term class, Old Testament II and is taking another one in July-Biblical counseling.
Lastly, Chris was asked by our pastor and church if he would be interested in interning at the church for the next year. They are starting an internship for men who they have identified who might be interested in church planting-our pastor is part of the Acts 29 network. After much prayer, we decided that this would be a great opportunity for Chris. There are 5 guys who will meet twice a week-early in the morning-hello 6am! They study scripture, read some strategic books, lead a community group, and learn from the leaders at church and much more. They will go and visit different churches during the year and observe church plants and glean from others who have lots of experience in church plants. We put up some money for it and the church matches it. We are really excited and feel like this will be a great opportunity for us to explore this avenue. Who knows!

Anyway, things are going well. I’m still enjoying my job and we’re making friends. We would love for you to pray for us if you think about it. There will be a lot of decisions to make in the coming year and so much to learn. We want to be totally open to whatever God has for us. We want to have our “Yes card” on the table at all times, no matter what he asks us to do. True life, a fulfilling, God glorifying life, TRUE LIFE, a Satisfying and joy filled life, really is taking up your cross and following Him. Mark 8:34 “Then he called his disciples and the crowds to come over and listen. If anyone wants to be my follower,” he told them, “you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. If you try and keep your life for yourself you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will find true life.” God keeps pounding this in my heart and mind. Maybe He’s trying to get me to grasp something.
Anyway, we love you. We’re coming home in a couple of weeks for the event of the summer, the Wilson/Tate wedding!

See you soon!

Chris and Andrea

What do you want to title this? "I dont care."

It’s time to update the blog again.  

Visitors-Blessed to have 3 visitors this past month. Anyone’s welcome! Hint, hint, wink, wink

It seems like we’ve been busy lately. Micah Rigdon is visiting right now. He and Chris have had lots of fun boy time (sportsapalooza, pizza, movies, pizza) and we’re so glad he got to come and see us. 

Pam Yates and Katie were visiting family in Indiana for spring break and they made the trek over to KY to go to dinner with us and see our apt. We went to this crazy little diner and had a great time. It was so good to see some friends and catch up. Thanks for coming! We love you guys. 

Retreat-

Today I went the women’s retreat at our church. It was nice to get to meet some new people and experience something different. There were about 120 women there and the theme was, “Growing in Grace.” They had breakfast, lunch, small groups, worship, and a main speaker from 8:30am-4:30pm. Overall it was a good experience.

Traveling-  Chris and I did some traveling on the same weekend. The timing worked out perfectly.

St. Louis and Chicago- I played in my first wizard rock show at a library in Champagne, IL.  I got to hang out with Cary, Cassie, and Stacy for some much needed girl time. We all met in St. Louis at Cary’s sister’s house, which was our home base. Then we drove to the show to play. There were probably about 75 people there and we opened.  It was tons of fun.  After that we drove to Chicago for a day of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which was disappointing, shopping, eating fabulous pizza, etc. It was a wonderful weekend.

Meanwhile Chris was in D.C. at a conference at Capital Hill Baptist Church with Dennis, Chuck, and Larry. He learned a lot and it was a good time for him to spend with family. 

Easter-

We got to go see the Southeast Christian Church Easter pageant.  It was quite the production. I’m talking amazing sets, talent, lighting, cinematography everything.  It was a really good show too. I mean all the amazing stuff wasn’t a distraction from the story, it just helped make it really impactful and professional. The facility is pretty neat too. It kind of reminded me of a mall though, escalators and semi restaurant, book store etc. I think they have around 18,000 members or something crazy like that.  It was a great experience and the tickets were free because a guy at my work really wanted Chris and me to go, so he bought them for us, so nice!

Jobs-

Chris has decided to substitute teach occasionally when his schedule allows. One of the highlights of my month was hearing him tell me the events of his first day with an 8^th grade science class. To say the least is was quite challenging and he will keep well clear of choosing to go to that school again. I believe you can read his face book to get an in depth look at his experience. 

I started a new job this week.  I now work for Campus Quilt as the customer service/marketing/whatever it takes to make it happen person.   It’s a family owned company which takes T-shirts and makes them into quilts (campusquilts.com) . The son & daughter in law of my former boss own the company and hired me after I told my boss at the refrigeration company that I was looking for something else.  It’s quite interesting and I’m learning lots of new things. I love that I stay busy! I basically don’t stop until 3pm after UPS picks up all the quilts for the day. It’s really nice and I enjoy the people I work with.  I’m very thankful that God has opened this door for me. 

Well, I guess that about wraps up what’s been going on with us over the past month.  Chris is still doing well at school and learning tons. My class these 6 weeks is New Testament/Old Testament Survey and I love it. I’m learning so much! I recommend everyone take some sort of class like this.  I feel like God has given Chris and me this time to really soak up as much as possible and we are. I just pray that as we learn more, that this information would filter into our hearts and grow in us a deeper love for God.  Because how can I love God if I do not know Him, and how can I know God if don’t learn from His word that He’s given me to see what He’s like and who He is.  

But I know that I am capable of learning about Him and not letting that affect my life and actions.  So, I am praying that God will help Chris and me process all these life, school, and marriage experiences so that we can mature and most of all love God and people more.  God truly is in every breath, whether I stop and recognize it or not, but I hope that I can be a women who recognizes God in each breath and that as I breath in and out that it would be with a full recognition that He gives me life and breath and that He is the center and source.

 We love and miss you.  

Chris and Andrea

March update

Hello family and friends!

We have not disappeared off the face of the earth, but we've had a busy couple of months. In January I went home for Stacy Spencer's wedding to Seth Kastner. It was beautiful and we had a blast! Here are a couple of pictures from it.

Last month I traveled home to get lasik eye surgery. Since we have been in KY I haven't been able to wear my contacts. Something with the different allergies here or something. It's been a bummer and after some saving and gift from family we decided to go for it. I was really blind. Like really. -7 and -6.50 but now, can I get a drum roll>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>I'm 20/20! It's amazing. I wake up in the morning and I can see. It's amazing. I would like to take a moment to thank Dr. David Jackson and team at Dean McGee in OK. You guys rock. Anyway, i had a great experience and I'm so glad I was able to do it. (P.S. I flew home by myself because Chris wasn't going to be able to come back with me, but he surprised me by flying to OK on Valentine's Day so he could be with me during the surgery. It was such a blessing). (P.P.S-I was sick with the flew when I came home for the surgery and then got a stomach bug after the surgery so if I didn't get to see you it's because I pretty much stayed at home to mend).

A few days after my surgery I flew to Ft. Benning Georgia to see Zach (my brother) graduate from Army bootcamp. I was so proud of him. He was the best marksman in his whole graduating class. He got a medal and everything for it. Pretty cool. He really likes the army and it seems like it's a great fit for him. We got to hang out with Zach and family for the next few days before I flew back home. Zach got assigned to Ft. Drum, NY where he is right now. He's doing well, but I do miss him.

Chris and I just got done with our memebership classes at Sojourn and we're thinking we'll serve as community group leaders (small group leaders). They need more leaders and we think it will be a great way to help out and do what we love to do.

We had about a foot of snow this weekend in Louisville. It was nice to stay home, cuddle up, and watch some movies. The roads are fine now, so it's back to work tomorrow.

Chris likes his classes this semester and has just applied to start subbing in the Jefferson County School District on his free days.

That's about it! We miss you all and will hopefully get to see you in June!

Love Chris and Andrea

Better Late Than Never

Hey all,

I know it's been a long time since I've updated the blog. I am a horrible person, I know. How could I let a thing like this slide? Anyway, better late than never, right? I know no one wants to hear me go back over the past month so I'll stick to the highlights. How about a top ten list? It won't be funny like Letterman and now that I finished it, I have 13 but whatever. I make my own rules.

1. Dennis and Marcia came to visit early December. It was great to have them here to hang out. We played cards, went to movies, showed them around town, and ate and ate and ate! And played dress up.......?















2. Chris and I went on a Christmas date. Red Lobster and I-Legend. Chris liked the movie, but it was a little scary for me. I'm a wuss.

3. Started cleaning a ladies house on Saturday's for some extra cash. She's extremely nice and very flexible so it's been working out great. Chris helps with the outside stuff at her house and he cleans our apt so I don't have to do both. What a nice fella! What a servant.

4. We came home for a week during Christmas. It was wonderful to see friends and family. We were very exhausted when we got home, but it was worth it!















5. Started visiting community groups at Sojourn. The first one we tried had cats and Chris' eyes swelled up. We tried another group and liked it, but it's large and about to multiply. Hopefully soon we'll settle down.

6. We're about to start new member classes at Sojourn next week

7. Chris completed a Christian Ethics class of the J-term. He's starts spring classes next week: New Testament 2, Scripture and Revelation, Old Testament 1, and Biblical Hermeneutics.

8. I start my Seminary Wives Institute class back up next week. I'm scheduled to take marriage and family. Should be interesting.

9. I came to OK for Stacy Spencer's wedding last weekend. She was beautiful and the wedding was lots of fun. It was a whirl wind weekend dedicated to the wedding, so if I didn't get to see you, sorry.

10. I haven't been able to wear my contacts since I've been in KY. Something with the allergies here or something. While in OK I had an eye appointment to see if I'm a candidate for Lasik. I am and I'm going to be coming home for a week in February to get it done!!!

11. Chris is the best husband ever. This week he has watched Music and Lyrics, Sydney White, and he's taking me to see 27 dresses this weekend to celebrate my birthday. He's a trooper and so sweet!

12. My Christmas tree and lights are still up and I lost the charger for our vacuum. Needless to say I need to get my act in-gear and our floor is disgusting.

13. Chris' birthday is February 1st, so make sure and call or text! He'll be 25! WOW!!!

Those are the lowlights and highlights, folks! We love you and miss you all!

Andrea