December 1
GOD IS FAITHFUL | I drove by this McDonald’s in Cartersville this evening while out running errands. Anytime I pass it, I’m overwhelmed at the reminder of God’s faithfulness. And I know that sounds weird. Nothing to do with the Big Macs I assure you 😂😂
I moved to Acworth 23 years ago this month. It was just a few weeks after I graduated from college. My mom, brother, and sister helped me move down the day after Christmas 2000. I didn’t know a soul in Acworth. They stayed a few days to help me get settled and then headed back to Memphis and I was flying solo.
The first Sunday after they left, I ran some errands after church and ducked into this McDonald’s to grab some lunch. I was feeling lonely and a little sorry for myself…wondering if I truly was following the Lord by moving here. Also, while I was eating my sad lunch and wallowing in my pity party…a very confused older man sat at my table and ate his lunch as well. I don’t think he even knew I was there.
In that moment, I experienced the closest thing to an audible word from God…just an overwhelming feeling that God was saying “trust me…you won’t be lonely for long.” That moment gave me courage to step into the next days, weeks, months, and 23 years.
I couldn’t have ever dreamed to ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20) all the people that the Lord has blessed me with over these years: @clintstrange32, Emma, Eli, @nccseagles, @nsckennesaw, and precious friends who have become like family. I’m so thankful for that awkward lunch at the Cartersville McDonald’s all those years ago.
Wherever you are and whatever you need…God sees you. He loves you. He has plans and a purpose for you.
God is faithful. He is working.
December 7
FIRST DATE | Twenty Two years ago today… December 7, 2001. We went to a Christmas play (4 Tickets to Christmas) at a church and then to Chili’s. We had an amazing time together and I would have married him that night if he’d asked. Even as special as that first date was…every day since then has been even sweeter. I’m so grateful for Clint Strange and the precious gift he is to me. God definitely knew what he was doing when he gave me such a thoughtful, caring, wise, funny, and godly man to be my husband and best friend. Clint Strange, thank you for still dating me all these years later! I ❤️ You!
December 8
ELIJAH | His name means “God’s story” and our son is a picture of God’s grace towards our family. Eli is all boy and lives life wide open. He is funny and loves anything related to sports. Eli loves the Lord and has a heart for others. Today Eli turns 11, which seems way too old for my little guy that likes to sit with me while we cheer on Alabama together. We are both earlybirds and enjoy getting the day rolling as soon as possible…and shutting it down early in the evening as well! I couldn’t be more thankful for this precious boy that brings so much joy to our family. Happy Birthday buddy! We love you!
December 14
COOKIES AND COCOA | Special thanks to our awesome @NCCSEagles Upper School parents who are keeping us fueled to the finish line. So grateful for their encouragement! #GoEagles #WeAreNCCS #NCCSFamily #40YearsOfNCCS #40YearsOfFamily
December 14
CRAZY CHRISTMAS SPIRIT DAY | It is such a joy to get to go to school everyday with Emma and Eli. They helped us set up for Christmas Chapel this morning @NCCSEagles and then were good sports about taking a pic to commemorate our Christmas spirit. #7000days 🎄 🎅
December 16
DECEMBER 16 | 23 years ago this morning, I was lining up at The Pyramid in Memphis (before it became a Bass Pro Shop) to graduate from The @uofmemphis. The mug is from Parents Weekend in 1996 my freshman year. The next pic is with my Mom at graduation. She’s always been by my side…cheering me on! And it truly seemed to go by as fast as it takes to swipe from one pic to the next.
My undergraduate degree was in Education and I was about to move to Acworth, Georgia to go into full-time student ministry at a church. It would prove to be the beginning of a truly great adventure. The girl in that cap and gown never could have imagined God’s faithfulness over the course of the next 23 years.
In some ways, I’m still that kid walking into a new adventure everyday. In other ways, I’m far more seasoned due to the mountaintops and valleys of life…knowing that God has been, is, and will always be faithful.
In every season. God is faithful. Reminding myself today of the truth of the gospel and praying for many who are close that are walking through their own mountaintops and valleys. “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:17)
God is faithful. He is working.
December 16
NCCS BASKETBALL | Super fun to cheer for Eli and his teammates on the @NCCSEagles Middle School Basketball C Team. His coach is pretty handsome too! This is a great opportunity for these little guys to develop their skills and grow in their ability to be great teammates. Let’s Go Eagles! Big win today! #GoEagles #WeAreNCCS #NCCSFamily #40YearsOfNCCS #40YearsOfFamily #7000days
December 16
GLOBETROTTERS | We took a night off from everything else this past Thursday and enjoyed a family date night to the @harlemglobetrotters. This was one of Eli’s birthday gifts and we all had a blast! I’ve not seen the Globetrotters since I was a kid. They are still super fun and kept everyone entertained. Eli is considering skipping the rest of his middle school eligibility to join the Trotters and travel the world doing trick shots. #7000days #FamilyDateNight
December 19
MERRY AND BRIGHT | Thank you to our awesome @NCCSEagles Junior class parents for the wonderful breakfast you provided our Upper School faculty and staff this morning! The Class of 2025 is cheering us all on to the finish line. We are so blessed to have amazing parents who are partners in ministry! #GoEagles #WeAreNCCS #NCCSFamily #40YearsOfNCCS #40YearsOfFamily
December 19
ORCHESTRA CONCERT | So fun to cheer on our little guy and his classmates in their Christmas concert today. We are so thankful for Mrs. Baddock and Mrs. Lindeman and all they do to pour into these kids. What a blast to watch Eli learning how to do new things! #7000days #GoEagles #WeAreNCCS #NCCSFamily #40YearsOfNCCS #40YearsOfFamily
December 20
BIRTHDAY BOYS | We spent the afternoon celebrating Eli’s Birthday (Dec 8) with tons of his buddies from school @nccseagles and church @nsckennesaw. So grateful for this brotherhood (and several others who couldn’t make it today) for our little guy to go through life with. Basketball for hours. Bottle flipping. Cupcakes. Lots of laughter. Knockout. Half court shots. Basketball and Buddies. What more could a little guy want?!! What a great way to kick off Christmas break! #7000days
December 20
CHRISTMAS PARADE | So much fun helping to “Light Up the Night” in the Annual Acworth Christmas Golf Cart Parade. We loved seeing all the fun decorations and so many friends from all over the community. The turnout of people along the parade route this year was so much fun. What a great tradition this has become! So grateful to have our dear friends the Bitners and the Elf with us again this year! Merry Christmas everyone! #7000days
December 25
MERRY CHRISTMAS | 1 John 4:9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
December 26
CHRISTMAS | So much to be grateful for! Precious time with family celebrating God’s faithfulness and making memories.
Luke 2:10-11 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
December 26
BOYS IN THE BOAT | Fantastic movie! My handsome @clintstrange32 was on the rowing team at @georgiatech and the friendships and teammates he developed in that sport still impact him today. It has been a blast learning more about rowing and we both really enjoyed reading the book. Today, the whole family went to see the movie with my mom, my sister, and her family. We were high fiving each other and all leaning in for the team. One of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time. Well done @boysintheboatmovie!
