His heart. His hands. His voice.

Today marks the beginning of 2011 Week of Prayer for International Missions. Join us and other Christians this week in a commitment to pray for these specific places and people.

Day 1 - TOKYO

Pray that through the recovery process from both the earthquake and economic crisis more Japanese will be led to turn from their pride and self-sufficiency to faith in Jesus.

Day 2 - JERUSALEM

Pray that the people of Jerusalem will begin to recognize "what would bring you peace."

Day 3 - KARACHI

Pray for Channar as he represents the Lord as His heart, His hands, and His voice in the city of Karachi and that more Pakistan Christians would respond to God's call.

Day 4 - LONDON

Pray for missionaries in London to develop deep, cross-cultural relationships in this urban environment.

Day 5 - JOHANNESBURG

Pray that God would save trafficking victims and their owners.How does He want you to join the global fight against trafficking?

Day 6 - DONGGUAN

Pray that you will give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering to support workers who partner with national believers to be His heart, His hands, His voice.

Day 7 - EUROPEAN CITY

Pray for IMB workers in this European city to have wisdom and skill in crossing cultural and language barriers with refugees arriving daily.

Day 8 - RIO DE JANERIO

Pray God will help the Reeses be His heart, hands, and voice as they build strong relationships with Brazilians form opposite walks of like. Pray many Brazilians will accept Christ through these friendships.

For more info, visit the website:

IMB Week of Prayer

~It's beginning to look alot like Christmas~

For Thanksgiving David, Kimberly, Jarred and I headed over to Mobile to celebrate with the Davis' (Jarred's mom's side of the family). We enjoyed the food and fellowship with family.

The day after Thanksgiving, we went shopping for a Christmas tree. I had been looking forward to this since we got married 6 weeks ago.

David, Kimberly, and Brodie joined us for the adventure.

Instead of buying an expensive wreath, I decided to have fun with making one. This was a first for me, so I didn't know how it would turn out. But I liked the final product.

I woke up from a nap and Jarred had gone out and gotten me a suprise, the Michael Buble Christmas cd! :) We listened to the music as we decorated our first tree together.

We found a Chick-fil-a ornament and proudly hung it on our tree. It says, "Cross burgerz off yer list"

Merry christmas, y'all!!

A Day of Celebration

Today is my sister, Sara's, 26th birthday. She has been such a special part of my life and I couldn't imagine my life without her. Sara has always been a role model to me and has served as an important influence in faith for me. We've had our share of fights and seen each other on our best and worst days, still it's so comforting to know she will always be my sister. I love you, Sara! Happy birthday!!

Today also marks mine and Jarred's one month anniversary. I promise I won't blog about anniversaries every month! :) But here is a preview picture from October 15, more wedding pictures coming soon!!

Trinity

Jarred and I joined Trinity Baptist Church yesterday. We felt so blessed to find a church home when we first came to Lake Charles. The newlywed Sunday school class is what really drew us to this church. We felt so welcome and knew from the start that we would be friends with these people. So, Jarred and I decided to become members after returning from the wedding.

Pastor Steve James is a wonderful pastor and we are grateful for the Biblical teaching every Sunday. He has been serving at Trinity for fifteen years, and . . . is a faithful Chick-fil-a guest.

The church is rather large but very focused on relationships and family. It's referred to as "The Family Place." Everyone we have met there has been so kind and servant-hearted. If you're looking for a church in Lake Charles, services are at 9:15 am and 10:45 am.

AND. . . Point of Grace and Phillips, Craig, & Dean will be live at Trinity on Thursday, December 8 at 7 pm.

Check out more info about the church: http://www.tbclc.org/

The Griffin Home

When I moved to LC at the end of July, I signed a lease for a one bedroom apartment close to Chick-fil-a and lived alone until Jarred and I returned from our wedding and honeymoon. I enjoyed settling in and making "our home" the weeks leading up to the wedding 

Thanks to Luanne for helping us decorate. She made the four couch pillows. . . . .

  

And the long polka dot bench cushion.

Aunt Nanette painted a beautiful picture that we have hung in the bedroom.

 

Thank you to Martha and Buddy for the wedding gift of a kitchen table. There is a leaf to make it an oval table for when we get a bigger space one day. 

Jarred and I both love cooking, and I've been very impressed with Jarred's skills. Growing up he learned from his mom to fry chicken, season pork, make mashed potatoes, and much more.

Thanks to everyone for the wedding gifts that helped us set up our home. It is such a blessing to have so much support and love.

Jamaica

Jarred and I enjoyed honeymooning in Jamaica last week. It was so nice to have a week together just the two of us before coming home as a married couple.

Here's a view at the resort and pool.

We took a break from the sun for a day and went shopping.

This was before enjoying a delicious steak dinner.

Out in a sandbar, we found a starfish.

Another night out for dinner at a  yummy Japanese restaurant.

While lying on the beach, Jarred told me he needed to go check on something. About twenty minutes later, he comes rowing up on a kayak. . . I think laying out isn't his favorite thing to do :)

A view of the resort from out on a boat.

We went snorkeling one day out on the reef.

We loved the laid-back culture of Jamaica and everyone was so nice. We had a great trip and it was such a relaxing week!

10 Days

I can't believe Jarred and I are getting married in 10 days! We are beyond excited and both feel so blessed to have each other for life.

The last couple weeks have involved many phone calls and emails pertaining to wedding plans. I fly back to Georgia Sunday to spend the week with my family preparing for the big day!

Since I've been thinking, talking, and dreaming wedding details lately, I wanted to share some favorite engagement pictures from our shoot with Exodus Photography.

We are getting married at my home church, Ingleside Baptist, in the town I was born and grew up in, Macon, GA.

We decided to shoot some of our engagement pics at my favorite coffee shop, Joshua cup, since Jarred and I had our first "unofficial" date over coffee in B'ham. Jarred worked at Starbucks for almost a year, and we both love coffee, so it seemed appropraite!

We look forward to saying our vows and publicly declaring our covenants to each other in front of family, friends, and loved ones next weekend. We pray that the Lord will use our marriage as a ministry to all whom we encounter.