Since I've Been Back...

I'd thought I'd humor you with the past few days since my return from Virginia...

I arrived Wednesday evening feeling quite under the weather to news of Hurricane Gustav's path toward New Orleans.  I had not watched television for a couple days...

I met the moving company packers Thursday morning and worked alongside of them trying to separate the things I needed.  I took an hour break to attend NOBTS chapel and hear Tony preach a powerful message on the Church. We finished packing in the late afternoon and then I began defrosting the refrigerator, among other things.  It was a late night of tying up loose ends...

The movers arrived at 7:00 AM Friday morning and finished loading us up at 11:15 AM.  We turned in our keys, grabbed lunch at a drive-thru and hit the road for Hattiesburg. We made it in perfect time to go by the bank, do our walk-thru and go to closing on our new house by 3:00 PM.  Afterwards we ran by the electric company and met our movers back at the house at 5:00 PM.  They were incredible workers and finished unloading all of our stuff by 9:30 PM before heading back to Baton Rouge.  Tony and I went back to the house we've been staying in for showers and sound sleep...  

I did not get up Saturday morning until 10:00 AM!  I needed the sleep, healing and recovery time. Tony had a sweet morning of study and sermon preparation.  Once I finally arose, I went straight to work on unpacking boxes from 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM.  Then, Tony and I met up with dear friends from Temple at the USM season opener football game.  What fun!  We ended up leaving, however at half-time in order to finish a few things at our new house and get some rest for Sunday...

Though today has been a wonderful day of worship, fellowship, as well as a little work on the house... tears have been shed over loved ones on the evacuation quest from Greater New Orleans area.  It was three years ago Friday that Hurricane Katrina reaped havoc along the Gulf Coast.  When Tony and I left the first place we had evacuated to (following the devastating news of broken levees) heading toward Kentucky, we wept and sang praise to God along with Shane & Shane's rendition of the great hymn "It Is Well"... As we sang hymns of worship this morning, I could not help but reflect on the challenges of that time.  We left a stressed out and anxious city Friday praying for God's protection, His peace and His provision over His people.  May God be glorified through this and His Great Name praised!  He is King and He is worthy!  We wait and rest in Christ alone...

Playing in the Atlantic Surf...

David Isaac takes after his mom and LOVES the beach...

Priscilla, Isabella Grace (a.k.a. Izzy G) and David Isaac (a.k.a. Little D) playing in the sand and surf...

Jessica's artistic capturing of the old and new Cape Henry Lighthouses...

Mom enjoying the sounds of the ocean and sights of all the ships...

Laughing and embracing Little D... Oh, how I miss him...

It was such a joy to be home with my sisters and parents.  God has richly blessed me with godly parents, sisters who are my best friends, and wonderful brothers-in-law.  Despite a wonderful visit, I was most blessed to come home to the best husband in the world whom I missed terribly...  Thanks to all who were praying for our time together!  

Fort Story, Virginia

David (Priscilla's husband, a.k.a. Chaplain Arthur) met us for a quick lunch.  Here the two Army Captains smile for the camera...

Priscilla balances feeding a child on each side... what will she do with three? :)

Amanda's maternal skillz in full swing... only a couple more months before Payton arrives!

Historic Cape Henry Lighthouse...

Kimberly and Jessica before the climb up the lighthouse...

The Meadows Sisters: Amanda, Jessica, Priscilla and Kimberly...

Jess & Priscilla being silly...

Sightseeing Cape Henry...

My nephew, David Isaac, posing for a family picture...

Tuesday in Virginia Beach...

Dad and I began the day watching dolphins play in the surf outside our beach bungalow (the weather was overcast)...

More Pictures from Trip to Virginia...

Last Monday we drove south to Virginia Beach for a few days...

We stopped at my grandparents' house for a nice visit.  They live on the James River near Portsmith...

We made another pit-stop at Amanda and Josh's house in Newport News for a few rounds of "Rock Band"... Jess was rocking it out while I was trying to play drums...

Josh and Dad rock out on guitars...

Baby Payton was trying to figure out what Momma Amanda was doing...

Monday, August 25th, was Jessica's real birthdate.  We ended the evening at Texas Roadhouse with a big "Yeee Haawww"...

Quick Update...

Dear Friends and Family,
I have many more pictures to post from my recent trip home to Virginia, however technology has not been my friend these past 24 hours. So, stay tuned... Meanwhile, it has been an incredibly busy last 24+ hours. I flew back to New Orleans yesterday evening and began packing up our house. The packers came today and the truck comes early tomorrow morning (Friday). If all goes well, we will close on our new house tomorrow afternoon and officially move in on Saturday.
We covet your prayers for the following...
* HEALTH: I am fighting a miserable head cold, sore throat, etc.. resulting in major fatigue.
* TRAVEL: Driving, closing and moving in.
* WEATHER: T.S. Gustav is threatening our region (as you know). If a mandatory evacuation is ordered, our moving truck with all of our goods will NOT make it to Hattiesburg until the storm has passed.
* ADOPTION: We hope to receive an update on our status in the next two weeks.
Thanks for your prayers and friendship. Blessings to each of you!

More Pictures from Jessica's Surprise Party...

Dancing on the deck... Gus Ortiz swirls Isabella around while Sabin sings...

Priscilla feeding David Isaac ice...

Kimberly and Isabella smile for the camera...

Linda (who recently survived a CopperHead snake attack) and Mom smile for the camera...

PopPop dances with Isabella...

An evening of fun and fellowship!

Surprise Birthday/Welcome Home Party

(Above L to R: Becky Mills, Amanda, Mom, Jess, Linda Fellers)

Saturday evening we threw a surprise birthday/welcome home party for Jessica.  We decorated and welcomed guests as Jess took a nap upstairs...

Jess, Jake, Mary and Molly...

Gathered for prayer before getting our grub on...

Richard Ford and Buzz Sawyer relax on the deck...

Sabin Mills made our gathering extra special with his "human jukebox" talents...

Day of Pampering

Friday afternoon the girls went for pedicures and manicures...

Mom and Priscilla smile for the camera...

Amanda enjoying the massage chair...

Jessica got the full works.  She wanted a facial to wash Iraq off her face...

David Isaac and Isabella Grace eating dinner...

Visiting Virginia

Early Thursday morning I caught a flight home to Virginia to gather with family to celebrate the arrival of my baby sis (Jessica) from Iraq for her 18 days R & R...

Dad catches an emotional embrace between mother and daughter...

My sister, Priscilla, surprised Jess when she arrived at the house.  Nephew (David Isaac) and Niece (Isabella Grace) hugged their aunt hello...

David Isaac welcomed me with the water hose when I arrived...

Mom & Dad treated us to an entertaining meal at Kobe Japanese Steakhouse...

Molly (Jess' best friend), Amanda (my sister) and Jess say "cheese"...

Family is a blessing.  Every good and perfect gift comes from above... Praise to the Lord!

A Glance at the Past Week...

The past several days have been a whirlwind... (actually I think our entire summer was a whirlwind?)  Here is the nutshell: 

FRIDAY 8/8 - travel day from NC to New Orleans, grabbed dinner and our dog, then drove on to Hattiesburg around 9 PM where I did laundry while sleep walking; 

SATURDAY 8/9 - spent the entire day (with the exception of dinner with friends dreaming up ways to minister to orphans) house-hunting; 

SUNDAY 8/10 - a wonderful day of worship and fellowship with our Temple BC family;

MONDAY 8/11 - met with mortgage lender; Tony went to the Cheeseburger Classic Golf Tournament while Kimberly drove home to get caught up on paperwork;

TUESDAY 8/12 - discovered someone had hacked into Tony's iTunes account, stolen his debit card and charged nearly $450; While Tony spent the day in NOBTS Faculty workshops, Kimberly worked on the paper trail, as well as preparations for the weekend;

WEDNESDAY 8/13 - Following workshops, Tony headed back to H'burg; Kimberly's mother flew in for a brief visit; they worked on weekend preparations;

THURSDAY 8/14 - Kimberly & Nancy packed up and headed to H'burg for worship team rehearsal; Tony headed back to New Orleans for some errands;

FRIDAY 8/15 - Tony returned with his books in tow (and help from Philip Slusher) to H'burg, while Kimberly & Nancy worked at the church on last minute preparations for Saturday's women's event; Later, met up with friend and violinist, Stephanie Screen; All slept sound that night, though not for long...  

SATURDAY 8/16 - What a fabulous day of worship with sister and encourager, Liz Curtis Higgs! She brought glory to God through her joyous testimonies and presentation of the Word. She taught three sessions based on her book "Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible: Flawed Women Loved by a Flawless God".  My personal favorite was her 3rd session on Leah.  The presence of the Holy Spirit was sweetly evident.   Also, it was quite an honor to be a part of the musical worship team... my first 'chick' band!  Thanks for all the work invested into hosting this event: women's ministry leaders, worship team, technical crew (our humble men who braved this all girls' gathering :).   It was a blessing!  As soon as we finished, Stephanie whisked my mother away to New Orleans to catch her 6:05 PM flight.  That evening, Tony and I enjoyed fellowship over a Seasons' meal with the search committees...

SUNDAY 8/17 - A glorious day of the Sovereign Grace of our God!  Tony was voted on and accepted the position of Teaching Pastor at Temple Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, MS!  We are incredibly humbled and honored to serve God in this capacity.  "May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us for the glory of His Name!... May the peoples praise You, O God, may ALL the peoples praise You!" (Psalm 67)  

(Above is a picture of a souvenir sign from one of the choir members.  Several in the choir held up similar signs when it was time to vote.  What an experience. Thank you for your love and kindness.)

Titus is ready to live in only one place!  

We appreciate your prayers during this time of transition.  Love and grace to you all!