-->

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISAIAH AND EVELYN!

Last weekend we celebrated Isaiah’s 6th birthday and Evelyn’s 3rd. I can’t believe it. It seems like yesterday they were both babies. Look at those sweet faces!

Their birthdays are a week a part so for the last three years we have combined their parties. Since Isaiah is in school now, I am sure this will be the last year my sister-in-law can get away with this. I couldn’t help feeling sad throughout the party though. I can’t believe how we have turned around and they are now 6 and 3. I can’t imagine how my sister-in-law feels. Having nieces and nephews on the other side of my family, I know that not only will this year probably be the last party they combine but one of the last parties their aunt and uncle are invited to. Ok, I may be a little dramatic but I just wish they would stay babies forever. Besides, babies don’t have wish lists for Christmas and birthdays, ha ha! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISAIAH AND EVELYN!

Goodbye


Today I said goodbye to my sweet friend Seth at work. We sent him off in true DoubleTree style by throwing him a surprise party. It was complete with all his favorites, Chick Fil A and chocolate cake! Seth has been so much more than a co-worker to so many employees at our hotel and he has been more than a front desk agent to our guests. I know without a doubt he has blessed each and every single manager at our property (all 17 us) in some capacity and I am sure majority of the rest of the staff feels the same way. And we’ve heard of countless stories from guests on his service to them. You may have heard of someone being described with the ability to light up a room, well I think that expression was coined with Seth in mind. I have honestly never met anyone like him. And the greatest thing about his light is it radiates Christ’s love. So it makes total and perfect sense that God has called him to a life of missions.

Seth has a powerful testimony. One I have wanted to share on here many times but have been cautious of doing so. The reason is because it is not mine to share and I never want anyone to label him anything other than a believer and a follower of Christ. But I believe that his testimony has power and it deserves to be told.

Seth is gay and before we all put our not so glamorous judging Christian hats on, listen to the rest. Seth is not a practicing homosexual. While he desires to be with a man, he actively chooses not to, because his personal relationship with Jesus Christ means more to him than anything else in this world. He knows nothing compares to the love of Christ and because his nature does not follow with God’s word, he surrenders his desire daily. I hope you are all saying, “WOW” right now. I am sure if we were to all take even a small look in the mirror we would all see an image that wouldn’t reflect the very nature of Christ but our own human nature. And how many of us actively give up something every day because we value our relationship with Jesus Christ more? Yes, I have my battles but I can’t say that there is one deep desire that I have to surrender daily.

Seth has been a true inspiration to me and a great friend. I only hope I have blessed him as half as he has me. I am so proud to have been on part of this journey with him. I will never forget the day he told me God was laying missions on his heart. I hope Seth has been inspiration to you and I know God is going to use him for so many great things for the glory of His Kingdom. I also hope each of you will take a few minutes and pray for Seth. He is about to embark on a huge change by leaving everything he knows to go live halfway around the world. Pray for his transition and for the hearts of those he is going to meet.


He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." _ Mark 16:15

A Glamorous Gala: Special Needs Prom


Yesterday, I had the privilege of hosting the Rutherford County Special Needs Prom at the hotel. Six high schools attended the event with more than 150 students and countless family members and teachers. I don’t think I have ever seen any prom goers be so happy. It was a very challenging day but more rewarding than I ever could imagine. At the end of the prom after running around all day and not really getting to see the students enjoy themselves, I made myself stand back and reflect on it all. I stood there with tears in my eyes as they sang and danced to “I Had the Time of My Life”. Their excitement and gratitude made all the stress of the day more than worth it. I am so thankful to have been a part of this event. Also, I am once again thankful to be a part of this community, where more than 25 vendors volunteered their services and time for absolutely no cost to the students or to the organizers of the prom. Everything thing from their formal ware to limos were donated.

For press coverage of the prom, check out:
http://www.fox17.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wztv_vid_6627.shtml

http://www.dnj.com/comments/article/20110312/NEWS01/103120332/Special-students-shine-at-prom?GID=uiPdiARh+w52F%2FmgBHPf3rSN+2+51O0l0htHmLiBY%2FM%3D

Ash Wednesday

G and I were a little confused when we learned our Southern Baptist Church was holding an Ash Wednesday service. I’ve heard of Catholics, Lutherans and Methodists holding Ash Wednesday services but never Baptists. But we were excited and proud to be a part of a church that not only focuses and celebrates the death and resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday but during a season just as we did at Christmas with Advent. Growing up in a Southern Baptist church I know very little about the symbolism and history of Ash Wednesday and lent but I know what it symbolizes to me. I attended an Ash Wednesday service in high school at a Methodist Church. I can’t remember the words the pastor said but I remember the feeling I had when I left. I had humbled myself in front of my friends as the pastor smeared ashes on my head in the shape of a cross. I walked out of the church with a cross on my head, a testament to everyone I saw that night that I was a believer of Christ. It makes me think about how we should have a cross on our heads every day. No, I am not talking about literally having a cross on our heads every day but how we should show the love of Christ through our words and actions. It also symbolizes to me how we never need to lose sight of the cross. The cross is where it was all paid. Every sin of mine and the entire world was paid for. Because of the cross I am able to have a personal relationship with my Savior and everlasting life. For me personally, lent is not what you give up but what you gain. It is about focusing more on the ultimate sacrifice, growing and realizing the freedom we have in Christ.
I can’t wait for G to attend his first Ash Wednesday and even more for God to reveal more of His glory to us.