I'm Licensed and Going on Vacation

This post is definitely going to be random because I am in a hurry but here goes...

Sorry for the delay in posting about my test results...I passed both tests!!! I found out today that I am a licensed pharmacist. My company congratulated me by putting me at the busiest store in the district tomorrow on my first full day on my own to close all by myself...geesh! But that's okay, cause Wednesday morning at the 0dark-thirty..we are leaving for vacation!!!! I am so pumped, we are flying out with my parents to Boise, ID for my mom's side of the family's reunion. Every year, one of the four siblings in her family hosts the reunion on the Fourth of July weekend. Then we are flying from Boise to Seattle on Monday for a week...so no posts for a couple of weeks (not that that's unusual for me).

I have some real books to read on the plane...NOT text books or review books and definitely NOT pharmacy law books!!! I have Crazy Love (that I bought at a yard sale for $0.25) and I am so excited to read it...I have read the foreward by Chris Tomlin and had to stop and ponder my walk with Christ after only the foreward so I can't wait to see what God will show me in the rest of the book. And I picked up the first in the Tw*light series. I am so excited about reading for pleasure...yippee!

On a completely different note, this past weekend EJ was at a "conference" in Myrtle Beach and I had our 8 year old nephew to come hang out with me for his birthday weekend. This kid is so much fun and quite possibly the sweetest and most polite 8 year old ever!! He really makes you feel good about yourself too...he is like a life coach/cheerleader. I picked him up Friday evening and told him the weekend was all about him and we could do whatever he wanted. He said "Like roast hot dogs over a fire" I said absolutely!!! Then he said..."or actually can we go to the gas station and get some snacks instead"...I said of course, how about we do both!!! I think I would have said sure if he'd asked to go to the moon...but he didn't. He just asked to go to the pool and go bowling...easy enough. We had a lot of fun and I would post pictures but I don't have time to download them because I have to finish packing...maybe next post.

Bon Voyage!

While I'm Waiting

As you already know, I took the law portion of the boards last Friday. The past week has been excruciating for me as I wait to get my results. Usually after I take a test, I can move on with my life and forget about it but this test was different. Before the test I felt like I knew the material but I was really nervous because everyone says it is a tricky test. I felt your prayers as I went in to the testing center...I was very calm and relaxed when I sat down, but about 30 minutes into the test I started freaking out! I would say a little prayer and continue until the next freak out then say another prayer...this pattern continued for the remaining hour of the exam. When I left the testing center I forgot about the whole God is in control thing and I started crying. I felt sure that I failed...I still don't have my results yet but I know I can rest in the assurance that His plan is best whatever the results may be (but as you will read...I didn't pick up on this simple principle quickly). See God is teaching me to trust Him and teaching me patience this week while I wait.

The sweet ladies at the testing center told me that I should know something within the week. I have heard from other recent grads who received their results three days after they took the exam...so Wednesday I began anxiously checking the mail. I was hoping it would be there Wednesday but really didn't expect it...so when it didn't come I wasn't heartbroken. Thursday morning I woke up confident that I would get my results in the mail that day. I went to work at 12:45 after giving EJ strict instructions to check the mail box at least hourly, keep the blinds open so the dogs would bark when the mail truck came around, and to text me immediately with the results. Our mail usually comes around 2:30 so at 3:00 I started calling/texting him every 30 minutes until 5 pm when I realized that the mail wasn't coming Thursday. Sure enough...our mail man did not come down our street on Thursday...why? The only reason I can think of is because God was teaching the resident at the end of the cul-de-sac to trust Him...sorry neighbors. (So Dad, your Father's Day card will come on Monday because our mailman didn't pick it up on Thursday because God is teaching me to trust Him.) Anyway, back to the story... this morning I was still having trouble trusting Him so I called the post office to find out if I should come pick up my mail today (because I knew that my results were in the mail yesterday) and he assured me that my mail would be delivered and that I didn't need to come down there to get it. So today the mail truck came by at 12:30 (remember the mail usually comes at 2:30 and I went to work today at 12:45) so I ran out to the mailbox and thumbed through only to find that there was no letter for me and God had to remind me, yet again, that He is in control. I think after 3 days of worrying and anxiety, I learned.

I am so disappointed in myself for allowing this to consume me this week. Why can't I let my love for Him consume me in the same way...that I would rush to the lost people to tell them the story of Jesus like I rushed to the mailbox. That my compassion for the lost and hurting would compel me to pray for them every 30 minutes like I texted/called EJ every 30 minutes on Thursday.
Father, forgive me for being so selfish this week and thank you for reminding me to worship while I wait and to serve You while I wait. Help me to remember to not be anxious about anything but to pray about everything.

This song was playing on the radio when I got in the car on my lunch break on Thursday after realizing the mail wasn't coming. I know that it is talking about Jesus' return but it rained down conviction on my selfish soul.
While I'm Waiting by John Waller
I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve you
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I am waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

Kala & Bama

Kala has entered the world of womanhood. Last Tuesday night we invited a young beau, Cal, to our house to meet Kala. He was beautiful but didn't care much for Kala. So Cal's owners introduced Kala to Cal's daddy, Bama (whose owner's have another boxer named Allie..get it Allie Bama...sickening I know). Bama and Kala hit it off right from the start. They have had two dates so far and are meeting again on Sunday afternoon. So mid-August we should have some pretty little puppies. I am so excited but a little worried for my baby.

Here are some pictures of their second date (nothing to graphic though).

Walkin' In Memphis

So our computer is finally fixed (sort of) and I am stealing a little time away from studying to show pictures from our weekend in Memphis for my long awaited graduation. I will make it short and sweet though because I really need to get back to studying (I take the law portion of my board exam on Friday at 5:15pm so please pray for me!!)

I had to be in Memphis Wednesday morning for graduation/exam review, then that afternoon we checked into our room at The Peabody -"The South's Grand Hotel". I will have to say that they just don't make 'em like they used to. It was built in the 30's and has all of the beautiful woodworking and details of an old hotel. Here are some pictures of the lobby and the famous Peabody ducks. The ducks live in a penthouse suite on the rooftop and come down the elevator every morning at 11. They waddle down a red carpet and hop in the fountain in the lobby and then they waddle back down the red carpet every evening at 5 to go up their suite for the evening. It is really cute to watch.

This is the lobby ceiling.

Thursday morning EJ and I met my parents and my brother at Graceland. My mom went to Graceland years ago when my aunt graduated pharmacy school but at that time Elvis lived there. They were walking by the gate and Elvis was on a horse in the yard and she got his autograph on my aunt's graduation program, so this time we all went back and toured the home. It was worth the money...there are a lot of interesting facts and memorabilia.

(Takin' Care of Business)

(The Jungle Room)

If only it were purple...EJ could wear it to games!

After Graceland we made a little detour on our way back to the hotel to get some Bruster's!!!! It was so yummy...mmm, chocolate raspberry truffle!!

Thursday afternoon was the Hooding Ceremony. EJ's parents, sister, and aunt & uncle were all able to come, as well as my college roommate Kristen and her husband Brad.
Me in my hood

After the ceremony we all went out to eat at Texas de Brazil, a Brazilian steakhouse that continually brings out different cuts of meat and you eat until you pop. Another college roomie, Mindy, met us there to celebrate.
Then Friday was the real deal Lucille. I finally graduated!
Proud Mom & Dad
After graduation we went to eat Dyer's Burgers on Beale. It's a little burger place that uses the same grease as when they opened in the 50's or something like that...anyway it was good.Then we went to a Redbirds game.
Saturday afternoon on our way out of town we made one last pit stop at Bruster's again. I sure do miss my rainy days in Memphis!It was such a fun and memorable weekend!

I just wanted anyone out there who reads our blog (Aunt Susie) to know that our computer crashed last week and I will update you with probably the world's longest post when the computer is fixed later this week. I am at the library right now and can't post pictures of our past week so I will wait until I can post pics.

Four Years

Today is our four year anniversary. I was thinking back over the past four years and can't believe how good God has been to us. The summer we got married He provided a little duplex for us to stay in for two months before we moved to Memphis. He provided us with an apartment in Memphis where I felt safe. He has led us to two great church families. He has provided jobs for each of us wherever we lived. He provided us with our first house that fits us perfectly. He has watched over us through travels and provided us with means to travel. The details of each blessing are clear reminders that God is good and He is watching over us. We are so grateful for the blessings of the past four years and looking forward to a lifetime more of memories.

We have grown so much as a couple the last four years. We have grown spiritually as we prayed over decisions and walked by faith. We have grown up together as we have faced emergency room visits and procedures together and first days of real jobs together and buying our first home. We have grown as a couple learning about one another and learning how to show one another love. We aren't the same kiddos that got married four years ago and I pray that we remain teachable for many years to come.

Here are some wedding pictures to bring back the memories.

Chali was 19 months old...smelling the roses.

Jack and Uncle E...too cute!

Honoring Gwin

EJ's dad's baseball jersey was retired at the South Fulton High School Spring Sports Banquet yesterday. Gwin had no idea that he was being recognized. After retiring from coaching last year, Gwin had no reason to attend the sports banquet...so we all told him a little lie to get him there (he forgave us). He thought EJ was the guest speaker for the event and we had him hook, line, and sinker all the way up until they asked him to come forward to receive his honor. We had a lot of fun snickering about his enthusiasm for EJ's speech...he gave EJ pointers on things to say and he even told EJ's HS baseball coach that he was coming in to speak. :)

He definitely deserves this honor and we are proud of him!!

Coach McFarland (on the left), played for Gwin and then coached with Gwin and he is now the head coach. Coach Frazier also coached with Gwin.

Coach Barclay played for Gwin and was the assistant coach this past year.