Observations about Louisville

1. It's cold. And no one cares if their coat matches their gloves or scarf. They just want to feel their faces again.

2. Bob Evans is not so bad.

3. People curse a lot.

4. Snow is not as pretty when you are driving in it at 5:30 in the morning.

5. Everyone is running. Where are they going? I do not know. They are running in the freezing cold and there are gyms everywhere, so I must assume that they are either insane or they have somewhere to go.

6. They love Chinese food. Seriously, there is a Chinese restaurant on every corner here.

7. People bowl a lot.

8. There are a lot of dessert cafes. Maybe that is why they are running.

9. The malls are flat and long instead of tall.

10. It is a nice city, but there is no place like home.

Happy 2008!

I haven't blogged in so long! I need to apologize to all two of the people who read this blog. Sorry! I should be back on track now because after tomorrow, all of the hectic times will slow down.

TOMORROW IS MOVING DAY! We have the truck all packed up and we are headed out to Louisville at 5:30 A.M. This is really exciting for Ben and I and he really cannot wait to begin his doctoral work.

We are moving into a two bedroom apartment on the campus of Southern Seminary. I am planning to begin posting pics of the apartment and the moving-in process so our families can see how we are living.

We are getting ready to leave for my last church service at our precious New Home Baptist Church. The Lord truly provided a gift of love for us in that church. Ben has labored over The Word and has greatly enjoyed preaching and teaching the members there. I have fallen in love with the sweet families and especially the two new babies that have been born since our time there. It will be hard to say goodbye to them, but God continues to astound us with his mercy and all that he is able to do through these two flawed servants.

Prayer Requests:

Our friend Laurie Price continues to need prayer for her mother who is now undergoing chemotherapy.

Pray for the health and stamina of Bob and Peggy Ostenson.

A high school friend of mine, LeAnn Arnold lost her father on Christmas Day. She and her mother, sister, and brother need prayers during their time of grief.

So......I guess this is my last blog as a Mississippian. Louisville, here we come!

This past weekend, I watched Amazing Grace, the movie based on the work of William Wilberforce. I really didn't think that I would like it, but it was very good. Movies about Christians have come a long way! There were several talented British actors in this movie, including Ioan Gruffudd, Albert Finney, and Rufus Sewell. I highly recommend this movie and I hope that in the future Wilberforce will get more recognition as a tireless advocate for the abolition of slavery.

Today, I have been making some Christmas cookies and candies. Ben's sisters are coming home later this week and I hope they come hungry! I made some these cute reindeer cookies and and these yummy, melty, rollo pretzels. To make the reindeer cookies, just make sugar or peanut butter cookies and break pretzels for the antlers. Then add red M&M noses and use chocolate chips or M&Ms for the eyes. The rollo pretzels are easy. Just melt the rollo on a pretzel and press a half pecan into the melty goodness. Try them out!

Hey! I Am Blogging Today!

I have found myself with some free time today and decided to put some updates on my poor, neglected blog.

As it turns out, we will not be going to Louisville again before the move. I can hardly believe that it is only 3 weeks away! We are both still praying about what work to do, which church to join, and for a smooth transition into our new city.

The Christmas season will feel more real for us in about a week when Ben's sisters will come home. We have not seen them in a while and everyone is excited to spend this holiday with them.

Please remember these people in your prayers:

Bob and Peggy Ostenson - Rev. Ostenson is a dear, elderly man who is declining in health. His family is under a lot of stress because the home health nurse that they hired stole money from them. They need prayer for health and strength.

The mother of Laurie Price, one of our church members, was recently diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. Laurie and her husband have six children and all of them need strength and peace for the road ahead.

Mrs. Ellen Crosby, a member of my mother's church, is in poor health and was recently admitted to the hospital.

9 Days Until My Birthday!

WOOHOO!!

Update

I have not been very bloggerdly (is that a word?) lately because we have been sooo busy. We got my Mom moved into her new place and we are preparing for our move to Louisville. This includes planning the long-distance move, looking for ministry positions for Ben and a job for me, and preparing for Ben's first semester of doctoral work. All of this has made for a crazy couple of weeks.
Anyway, things are looking good and we are very excited about the holiday season and the new home in Louisville!
Last night, Ben preached on Exodus 32. He is nearly done with Exodus and is considering Jude for his next book.

Please remember to pray for the families of the 8 victims and the many people affected by yesterday's shooting in Omaha.

Local News

This happened right here in Jackson and now is it making national news. This man owns a local antique shop. I heard him on the radio this morning and he sounded really nice. He is doing well, but the po po still have not caught the men who did this.

Wedding ring deflects bullet Dec. 3: JACKSON, Miss. - Donnie Register has a new reason to be thankful he's married — police say his wedding band deflected a bullet and probably saved his life.
Two men walked into Register's shop at The Antique Market on Saturday and asked to see a coin collection, police Sgt. Jeffery Scott said.
When Register retrieved the collection, one of the men pulled a gun and demanded money. A shot was fired as Register threw up his left hand, and his wedding ring deflected the bullet, police said.

That must be one nice ring. I bet the wife is glad she went the extra mile on that one.

Apparently, the ring was strong enough to split and deflect the bullet pieces into his ear, neck, and finger. On the radio this morning, the guy said that the doctors had to leave part of a bullet in his neck, but he will have full use of his fingers and make a full recovery.

Here is the video link from Good Morning America: http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/ver/250.1/popup/index.php?cl=5312541

UPDATE: They caught one of the guys and are planning to prosecute to the fullest extent. Also, they showed this guy's shot up finger on the local news. It was not nice for meal time.