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)