Happy Birthday, Tay!

Happy Birthday, Tay! I'm so glad to be your sister, and I truly appreciate all that you do for Matt and me. Over the last few years, we've grown to help, value, and listen to one another without judgement or criticism. Your unconditional love means the world to me. I admire your free spirit and willingness to always help a friend in need. You've always been there when I needed you and given me advice when I asked. I value your honesty and your kindness to me, even though you tried to kill me several times as a child! In honor of your special day, I decided to list just a few memories that only my sibling can appreciate.

1. You stupid dumb head nong nong!

2. Thank you for calling The Bead Shop.

3. Happy do

4. Swinging outside at the house on Lindsey Bridge Road singing the theme song to Family Matters.

6. Jumping out of the tree onto the trampoline

7. "Rooster, how do you want your eggs?"

8. "For he's a jolly, good fellow!"

9. YOU SHALL NOT PASS!

10. Donkey donkey monk

11. He's whizzin' on the carpet, Dad.

12. Ol' Jackie boy loves ol' Jackie boy

13. Get in there...you...

14. "Tay Tay, did you bite sister's arm?"

15. I'll give you a nickle to clean my room.

16. Vvrroammm...Vvrroammm

I'm so glad to call you my brother and my friend. I hope you have a wonderful birthday! I love you very, very much.

Even when things are challenging, just remember...

"And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock." Matthew 7:25

Resting on The Rock will save us.

Thanksgiving Break

Here's our little girl, Mollie! Matt and I spent much of our Thanksgiving holidays running and playing at the farm with Mollie, picking up pecans, and eating some fantastic food. We are so blessed to have such wonderful family with which we can spend such quality time. We spent the first part of the week in Florala with the Geohagans and the second half of the week in Andalusia with my family.

Matt and I encountered our first Black Friday shopping experience this year. We left Andalusia at around 10 P.M. and arrived in Destin, FL at around 11:45. We had just enough time to get our buggy and figure out where everything was located before the midnight chaos began. I can officially say that I have never seen so many people freak out over a couple of DVD's. I watched one woman literally grab about 7 to 10 DVD's and throw them into her buggy. She never even checked the titles! However, Matt and I went in with our list of items to get, and we managed to acquire everything in which we had our mind set. Prices were so great that we actually went ahead and completely finished our Christmas shopping that same day! All in all, we had a very productive day.

I'm most excited about the early Christmas gift Matt gave me!! I now own a wonderful camera that will hopefully meet all of my expectations. So far, I LOVE it SO much!! I can't wait to take pictures these next few weeks, especially during the Christmas break.

We got back to Demopolis early enough today for me to go ahead and put up our Christmas tree. I can't wait to decorate the mantle. I've never had a fireplace to decorate before, so I'm looking through some magazines to get some ideas.



Lastly, I always like to leave with some scripture that has been meaningful to me over the past few days or weeks, and this verse has no doubt been our stronghold throughout the last several months. There have been times when the thought of our Russellville home not selling has been a bit overwhelming for us. We constantly remind each other that God will take care of us, supply all our needs, and help us to grow spiritually in the process. I know that it might sound crazy for me to say this, but even though we have a house payment and a rental payment, God is truly providing for us! In conclusion, there's no other way for me to say it than for you to simply trust the Lord's direction for your life, even when you don't understand exactly what he has in mind for you. Matt and I have grown so much this past year, and we can thank God for allowing us to have a wonderful football season. May the Lord bless you as well this holiday season.

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"

Happy Thanksgiving from the Geohagans

Welcome To The World, Sophie!

I have had the wonderful opportunity to spend time in Florala with Mark and Whitney as they have brought their sweet baby girl home! I'm so thankful for the amazing time I've had just being around them over the last couple of days. They are both such loving, caring, and protective parents! Matt and I are so proud to finally have someone to spoil! Sophie is such a good baby; she allows Aunt Coty to put her diaper on wrong and will wait patiently for me to fix it! Our family is so blessed to have such a sweet little girl in our lives.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

James 1:17

Packin' Up & Haulin' Out!

Praise the Lord for U-Haul trucks! At least we won't have to use the cattle trailer this time!

As many of you know, Matt has taken the defensive coordinator position at Demopolis High School in Demopolis, Alabama. He was hired at the latest board meeting last Monday night, and we're super excited to start out on a new adventure!

Clearly the hardest part of our move will be leaving our beautiful home and wonderful friends. Some of our closest friends hosted a "get-together" of many of the people so dear to our hearts. Russellville has been such a fantastic start for our family, and we will look back on our time spent there with such fond memories of fantastic friends who became our family away from family. By the way, if you know of anyone who would like to buy a home close to the school, I know someone who could give you a great price on a three bedroom, two bathroom home!

Luckily, our great friends in Demopolis have found a cute cottage style house for us to rent until the house sells in Russellville. I quickly took the picture above with my Blackberry when I met with the principal at the middle school and superintendent. It's a little blurry but so cute!

We plan to pack a U-Haul truck on Saturday, June 19, and move Sunday, June 20. This is the plan unless Matt and me become an uncle and aunt before then. We're SO excited about the arrival of our niece, Sophie, that we can barely contain ourselves!

I always try to end or begin a post with a verse or couple of verses from the Bible that have greatly helped or inspired me lately. God spoke to me so softly through Jeremiah 29:11-12. It reads, "For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." These verses were the stronghold for Matt and me as we made the big decision to move to Demopolis. It was extremely scary for us to drop everything and follow God's will for our lives. Later, Joshua 1:9 provided a bold and mighty direction from God. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." God knew we were scared! We were seeking His will to the point of bowing down on our faces in the privacy of our home. What an encouragement we received from our "family" in Russellville! One of our close friends left us with Colossians 3:23 which says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." The last verse sums up our newest journey. It is our joy to do the will of God, no matter the place!

Pray for us as we try to find a buyer for our home and an English job for me. Bless you!

Searching His Will,
Coty

Thankful & Joyful

As Matt and I were traveling south on Interstate 65 (and listening to our favorite 80s rock music), I started thinking about all of the blessings that God has rained down upon our lives. (We literally traveled through some pretty stormy weather!) We have healthy and loving parents, caring and supportive siblings, amazingly thoughtful friends, and beautiful material possesions. However, our revival pastor opened our eyes to one simple profound thought: Jesus is our true blessing.

In South Alabama, spring peeks around the corner as the trees begin to bloom and flowers bud. Matt commented that he loves springtime around the farm. We rode four wheelers yesterday so he could show me all the things he has pushed around using Uncle Mike's tractor. Matt is proud to call his home "God's country." I always laugh when he refers to it in that way, but I know I see God in the beautiful nature surrounding his childhood home.

More importantly, springtime at home reminds me that my Savior gave up his life and arose on the third day. My heart aches for the crucifixion that King Jesus endured on my behalf, but my joy lies in the fact that he conquered death with his selfless act of mercy and grace. As all of nature begins its yearly renewal, I remember when I first began my walk with God. Like a newborn baby, I sought his care and guidance in my life. Thankfully, God continues to help me grow as a child of God and matures my spirit through His Word.

Therefore, today I'm thankful that Jesus loves me and joyful that he forgives me.


For behold, the winter is past,
The rain is over and gone.
The flowers have already appeared in the land;
The time has arrived for pruning the vines,
And the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land.
The fig tree has ripened its figs,
And the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance.
Arise, my darling, my beautiful one,
And come along!
Song 2:11-13 (NASB)

Ready for summer!!

As Matt and I endure the cold weather in North Alabama, I keep thinking about the summer months ahead! The nasty weather has kept us indoors the majority of the time, so I finally broke down and decided to blog. I'm not quite sure how well I'm going to be at it, but I'm going to try nonetheless. We're still trying to decide what to do and where to go for our spring break. Simply going back home to Andalusia and Florala is sounding better and better every single day. I realize that the first few years of marriage is the time to travel, to "see the world before you have kids!" However, we're really just looking forward to seeing some family and hopefully spending some time with friends. It's strange how I spent the majority of my life wanting to get out of Andalusia, and now I fondly think back to my hometown and the memories I made there. Also, I truly enjoy spending time on Triple G Ranch...as my brother-in-law so named the place. I love being able to walk around the farm, see the animals, and smell the fresh air. It's nice to not have neighbors so close that you can hear their car's door slam. Having neighobors makes you appreciate space and land. God is blessing our time in Russellville, and I'm so thankful for all of the things He has done for us since we've been here.

Yesterday, Matt and I had the great honor to give devotions at Upward basketball games for Calvary church. I truly believed that God gave us that opportunity to open our lives up to the people we've been going to church with for the past few years. In becoming more faithful to church, God is allowing Matt and me to grow spiritually. I'm so thankful for God's mercy and devotion to us in giving us such a wonderful place to worship. Lately, I've been desiring to be separate from the world and become more like Christ. I pray that God will cleanse my heart, mind, and soul this week. I also pray that God will continue to keep my family safe and healthy. Lastly, Mr. Steve has been sick, so remember him in your prayers. We desire the doctors' eyes to be opened to discover ways in which they can help him get better. Have a fantastic week, and hopefully I'll blog again soon.

"Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2