the matts…

Vision Night was inCREDible! We watched some hilarious old videos, brought back some old school songs mixed in with our amazing new ones, celebrated 15 years as a church body, heard from our lead pastor about the future and where HPC is going, and got prayed over by some radically Jesus-loving pastors. Every time I step foot in that building, listen to the worship, or hear from Pastor Dino I am overcome by how truly awesome Healing Place Church is. There is NO other place on the planet I would rather be and I am honored that God has chosen me and my family to get to learn and grow there under such esteemed, righteous leadership.

Also, this weekend we were blessed to be able to hear from J. John, a world-traveling evangelist. He’s this insanely intelligent short little Greek man with a British accent who will blow you away with his knowledge, and make you laugh til you cry with his jokes. Time flew by as he preached, and I really could have just sat there and listened to him all day. He answered so many questions that the world throws at Christians with such ease and integrity… I just couldn’t write fast enough. If you missed it, pick up a CD in the back foyer. It is well worth it!

Teaching is still amazing— challenging, but incredible. I love it and definitely feel as if I am walking in my purpose and calling. I have some certification tests coming up, so stay in prayer for those. The house is still wonderful, too. It is such a blessing and we couldn’t be happier. Thanks again to all of you who have kept us in your prayers… We are feeling them! Love y’all!!

Last night, Chris and I checked out The Hub… the newest HPC service for college and twenty-somethings. We didn’t stay the whole time (due it starting at 8:30 and my 7-month pregnant bedtime being 9pm), but what we saw was INCREDIBLE! The atmosphere, the live music before service, the free coffee, the lay-out of the foyer, the graphics and the worship were all super cool. The team worked so hard to make it happen, and it really showed. If you fall into that life-stage, check it out next Thursday! Doors open at 8pm.

Also, don’t forget about Mike Haman’s new book, The Second Mile. I had the honor and privilege of reading it several times before it went to print, and I truly believe it is going to change lives. Pick one up online or at HPC for only $8.99! You do not want to skip out on these awesome, challenging, and motivating lessons! Plus, Mike wrote it, so you know it’s gonna be good!

And finally, HPC is celebrating 15 years as a church this Sunday at Vision Night. Things get kicked off at 6:30pm, and this is a party you do not want to miss! We are going to be celebrating everything that God has done in us and through us over the last 15 years, but Pastors Dino and Delynn really believe that our best days are still ahead of us. This is going to be a landmark night in the life of our church- so come out and be a part!

We had the awesome privilege of hosting Chris’ family from Texas at our new home this weekend. Plus, Chase’s girlfriend, Mackey, came with them and that was such a treat. It was great having the fam in town and it was nice for them to get to see our new wonderful house. Saturday we all went to my family/high school friends baby shower for Presley and it was a blast. I got to hang out with people I don’t get to see as much as I would like, and the baby got some INCREDIBLE gifts. We are so blessed (some might say spoiled, but I’ll stick with blessed)!

School has been going great. It is very challenging at times, but equally rewarding. Teaching special ed kids at an inner city school definitely takes a special calling, and I am honored. Please keep me, the kids, their families, and the other teachers in your prayers. We all need them! They are a truly amazing group of kids who Christ died for, and I feel so blessed to get to show them His love everyday. I pray that they see something different in me, and they recognize that it’s Jesus. I want to be the girl who gets to shine His light in their darkness… What an honor.

Thanks to everyone who has been SO supportive of me through this transition. I truly love what I am doing and know that though it was one of the hardest decisions of my life, this was the right move. Love y’all!!!!!!!!!!

I didn’t have anything more insightful to say than this… It made my day!

It’s the most recent blog post from our incredible Pastor Dino.

So, it’s been quite a week! Chris left very early Sunday morning to go to a conference with his company and was gone through Wednesday night. During that time, my dad and I spent hours and hours getting the house set up and ready- hanging pictures & fixtures, painting, unloading boxes, setting out furniture… all that loveliness. I also started my new job on Monday and the kids came back to school on Tuesday. It has been an adjustment, but I adore the kids already and I know this was the right move. These kids are absolutely incredible and really just need some love, which I am happy to offer, and the teachers and faculty have been amazing to me. There have been a couple speed bumps along the way, but God has totally been showing off and reminding me of His awesomeness in all of it.

Last night and today we finally got everything out of the apartment. My amazing mother came and helped me clean it so we could get some deposit back (she did most of the work, but I did the best I could :). A big thanks to Kerry and Reggie for all the help in moving… we are finally totally in our house!!! Now, we just have some boxes to unload and lots to put away, but it will be done in the next couple days and then I can relax.

Hope all of you had a great week, too!!!

Ok, so I know I have been slacking, but we have had just a few things going on. Two days after we returned home from Texas, we closed on our house. We spent those two days packing and getting ready for the move (and spending some fun hubby/wife time together) and have been moving and unpacking ever since. Plus, I started my new job today. I can really tell that this is going to be such a God-thing. Everything has just fallen perfectly into place and there are so many great, Christian teachers at this school.

So, now I have this new, wonderful job and this AMAZING new house that we absolutely adore (in addition to our other infinite blessings). Life is good. Also, gotta give a shout-out to a couple people who made the move happen- Danielle Musso and Christine Horne (Chris’ mom).

Danielle was our real estate agent and she took the BEST care of us. Talk about someone going to the mat for you… She is the best in the business and took care of everything. She didn’t just go the second mile- she went miles three, four, five… five-hundred! She fought hard for us like I have never seen before. I can’t say enough good things about that girl. We went into this process looking for a great house and we came out of it with a great friend. She rocks!

And Chris’ mom was our lender through GMFS. She made sure everything cleared and dealt with some issues that got thrown our way. She really came through when some last minute problems arose and made it happen. She also worked super-hard to make sure we got the best rates, the lowest costs, and the greatest insurances. She’s definitely awesome at her job!!

I highly recommend both of these ladies the next time you are buying a house. They are incredible!! Plus, our house wouldn’t be as awesome as it is if not for my parents. They have worked day and night to make everything sparkle, shine, work and be easy on us. We are surrounded by some pretty mackin’ people… It’s a great life.