Thursday's Ten ~ Hometown Places to Visit

I'm really digging Lora's new meme ~ Thursday's Ten. Check out her digs for more info!

So, today's Ten: What 10 places around where you live would YOU take a brand new visitor to your area?



1. The Hay House. The Cannonball House, Sidney Lanier Cottage – called “the Mansion of the South”, the Hay House is a beautiful mansion was built in the 1860s and is a National Historic Landmark. Besides that? It’s beautiful! the Cannonall House was the only site in Macon to be struck by a cannonball during the 1864 Federal Attack. Again, a beautiful place! And the Sidney Lanier Cottage is the birthplace of Sidney Lanier, renowned poet and musician.


2. Fincher's BBQ - Arguably the best BBQ ever!

3. Fresh Air BBQ - what keeps me from saying with 110% confidence that Fincher's is the best!

4. Mercer Basketball Game – my hubby’s a proud alum of Mercer University, and we love going to basketball games throughout the season. Go, Bears!!

5. Ingleside – Our church home, where we met, where we married, and where we go to be fed and grow in Christ.

6. Indian Mounds – this is a federal park in Macon where Indians once lived. Not only is it full of history, but it’s a beautiful place to hike or run with great views of our city!

7. IVP – Ingleside Village Pizza. The ambiance. The garlic bread knots. The pizza. The beer. It’s the BEST!

8. Ga Sports Hall of Fame  – a fun museum full of sports facts, memorabilia, and activities. And? It’s where our wedding reception was! Sweet!

9. Ga Music Hall of Fame – another fun museum full of music, facts, and fun all about Georgia’s best musicians. Including Otis Redding, Alan Jackson, B52s, REM, and more. Yep, all Georgia grown!!

10. Cherry Blossom Festival– The month of March always means a town abuzz with tourists from around the world and beautiful cherry blossom trees (hopefully) full of soft pink blossoms! From a 5K to pink pancake breakfasts, market festivals to free cherry ice cream, hot air balloon glows to air shows. There’s always plenty to do in Macon this week!

Thanks, Lora! That was so much fun! And I learned a little more about my home town as well! Wanna come visit?

Titus 2 Tuesday: Vicki

"You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." Titus 2:1 - 5, NIV

Welcome to another edition of Titus 2 Tuesday where we recognize and celebrate the women in our lives who have taught or are teaching us Godly principles, sound wisdom, and truth.

I've been attending a new Bible Study for the last few weeks. Honestly? It's intimidating. I'm not sure it's the best fit for me, but in so many ways it's such an answer to prayer. I've been hungry for so long now for a true teacher. Not just a group of girls getting together to review what we've read; I want someone who's ahead of me on this journey, someone who's wiser than I. I want to be FED by a Godly woman.

And that is why my new Bible study is awesome

Meet Vicki.

What an incredible woman Vicki is. Already in two sessions, Vicki has ministered to me in so many ways. She's encouraged me, reminded me of God's constant provision, and loved me from the very first meeting. I tend to think it's crazy, really, but then I remember: IT'S GOD. Nothing "crazy" about it! She sends the group amazing little reminders all during the week to keep digging, keep pondering, keep considering how Esther (the study we're doing) applies to our lives individually.

Do you have a woman who's recently encouraged you in your journey? Link on up and share it with us!

Book Reviewing Fun

Oh. My. Gosh. I read on Lora's blog earlier this week about how she's signed up to review books for Thomas Nelson. Considering my newest obsession is reading, I couldn't wait to check this out!

Just yesterday we were in the small bookstore in the Logan Airport in Boston when Tim just about pulled me out of there by my arms. He laughed about how I could seriously spend all the money I could in bookstores. I love to read! I've said before I'm a total library nerd, too, so if I can read a book for free, I am All. About. It.

So, naturally, I checked out what Lora was talking about, and let's just say this?

is officially on its way to my door. For me to devour. For free. All I do is blog about it ~ which I'd do anyway, remember my blogging about Same Kind of Different as Me? ~ and post a review on any online bookstore.

It's that easy.

What are you waiting on? Go get your read on!

Thursday's Ten ~ Fall Lovin'

Lora is doing a new blog meme, and I think it's going to be a fun one! So, since we're just getting back from a crazy vacation, and since my mind is all over the place, I'm taking full advantage of something that's going to be fairly easy to do!!

If you'd like to participate, jump on over to Lora's blog for details! It's going to be a fun time!!

Today's theme is Fall. 10 things you love (or hate) about this season!

First of all, there's nothing - I repeat, NOTHING - I hate about fall! So this one? Easy Peasy for me!

1. Like I mentioned last week, 'tis the season for some good ole' college football! We are die hard dawgs, and it just don't get no' betta than Saturdays in Athens with the crisp fall air (Ok, I admit that really only happens in October and November, but I do love it!), the smell of grills warming, and the sight of those good ole' silver britches running 'tween the hedges!

2. Fall leaves. They're beautiful!

3. The sound of said leaves crushing when they're walked upon with boots.

4. Sweaters, jeans, boots, and scarves.

5. Pumpkin Spice Lattes ~ Lora, I second that one for sure!

6. The promise of Thanksgiving and Christmas being right around the corner.

7. Roaring fires

8. Laying in the hammock with a blanket and the hubs

9. Running in the cool fall weather

10. This precious one's first birthday is right around the corner, too!

Oh how I do love fall!!!! What do you love about fall?

Titus 2 Tuesday: Celebrating Shanda

"You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." Titus 2:1 - 5, NIV

Shanda has hosted Titus 2 Tuesdays as long as I've participated. And I just told her last week that it's my favorite meme around! She then shared with me her sensing God's prompting to lay aside blogging for a while. How sad I was. Selfish, I know, but I know I will miss Shanda's posts. And I'm sure I'm not alone.

So, for this Titus 2 Tuesday, let's do something a little out of the box. If you'd like, comment on this post telling Shanda how much she has meant to you. Has has Shanda's blog influenced your life? What has Shanda taught you?

Shanda, we will miss you, dear one! May God richly bless you as you follow His leading and guidance. And when you're ready, we'll welcome you back to this blogging family of faith with open arms!

God bless you!

*Titus 2 as we've all known it will return next Tuesday!

Tis the Season

Like my new look?

'Tis the Season after all for. . . .

~ Red polish

~ Humming "Glory Glory"

~ Wearing Red and Black with a purpose!

Football season is here!

Go Dawgs!!!!

Titus 2 Tuesday: Women of Faith '09 ~ Patsy Clairmont

Gettin' crazy over here, I am! Yep, combining a Titus 2 Tuesday with my recount of Women of Faith! If you'd like to join in on Titus 2 Tuesday, be sure to jump on over to Shanda's blog for details.

Friday night, after a pretty funny performance by Anita Renfroe (a whole 'nother Titus 2 Lady), this petite little lady bounced up on stage and absolutely touched my heart. Patsy Clairmont is one of the cutest little ladies I've ever seen. And most profound. Patsy's latest book is entitled Catching Fireflies, and in this book, she talks about all different kinds of light. But my favorite ~ and the light she spoke about Friday night ~ is the firefly. Like Patsy, I also have cherished memories of spending summer evenings in my Gma and Gpa's big back yard chasing these tiny, amazing creatures whose backsides light up! Now, you must understand that Gma and Gpa's house was only 30 miles from my house. But, I never did seem to see these "lightning bugs" in my yard. So, I always thought of them as Macon bugs.

Back to Patsy. Patsy spoke about the people in her life who have shone the light of their Savior in her heart and life. She spoke very openly about her dear friend who passed away from cancer, and the light she was to Patsy even in the bitter end. I couldn't help but think of my dear friend Amy. Or my Aunt Nancy. Both women lit my life with their firefly glow until the day they died. Then, it seemed to only glow brighter!

Patsy helped me to take a look in my life and recognize my fireflies. Who are those women (and men) whose Light has taught me a lesson? whose light has brightened my days? whose light has loved me? So, this week, I'm sending many of my fireflies a small thank you for being the light of Christ in my life. And I'm thanking God for them and for you!

Who are your fireflies?