Faithbuilders

Here's some pics from the well our Sunday School Class (Faithbuilders) dug in Africa this week! The well is located in the village of Mtanga (pronounced M tonga) and will be used by 4 villages with an estimated coverage of 1,500 to 2,000 people. We received a message from the people of Mtanga to the Faithbuilders - "May God Bless You and thank you for your generous gift".

We've been part of the Faithbuilders class for almost 10 years now. Well, we didn't even have a class name when we joined a few other couples back in 1999 at Brentwood United Methodist Church. Now, our roster is probably 50-60 couples (just a guess). I have actually counted our kids a while back, and we were nearing 150 kids so it's probably even more couples. When we joined there were zero kids. So, yes, we've grown in number, but the coolest thing is looking back over the last 10 years is to see how we've all grown in Christ together.

The water well is just one of the things we've tackled lately. One of my friends, Angel, felt called to build this well. And she did it through Christ with the help of her brothers and sisters in Christ.

In fact, we got together Thanksgiving meals for 20 families over the last couple of weeks because of the calling of another friend. another friend organizes the stuffing of 400 Christmas stockings from the Salvation Army which we did tonight in honor of a Faithbuilder's child that went to heaven at 19 months. She was Willie's age and would be 5 this December. Not to mention the things that individuals are giving themselves to each day. We experience and hear stories each week of how Christ is in us and we're called to action each day in sometimes small and sometimes big ways.

In fact, Jay might not tell you so I'll let you know he is teaching English as a Second Language to a guy that works at Lipscomb, and he has lunch buddy at a inner city elementary school. His lunch buddy comes up to his knee. No lie. He's tiny. Ruby is almost taller than this first grader.

I'm thinking I'm going to coach basketball again this Winter at that same school--first and second grade boys. (I know Jay is the more logical pick here but he's kind of tied up during basketball season.) One of my players from last year, visited our church with his friends from our church's afterschool program in their neighborhood. He sang a solo. When the kids were filing out, I caught his eye and he said in a LOUD whisper, "hey, there's my coach!" That sealed the deal.....I'm going to do it again which is extra fun b/c Willie is on our team. Of course, I'm not much of a fundamentals coach but I know some lingo and I can hopefully shine a bright enough light they will remember it for years to come.

I feel super blessed to be a part of God's plan for us all. I'm challenged by my Faithbuilder peers to give away myself as I was created to do.

Aunt Charity's pics

Aunt Charity pulled through with some pics today from our Chattanooga trip. I was pleasantly surprised though with some long forgotten pics of our camping trip this summer. Some precious pictures of cousins, and Uncle Steven is showing the fearless Ruby the sting rays. Thanks Aunt Charity!!!!!!

Today's fun!

Between basketball season cranking up and Willie's social calendar, things are getting crazy. For today alone, Willie had 3 birthday party invitations then Jay had a game tonight. We opted out of all the birthday parties since Uncle Steven, Aunt Charity and Reagan were doing a weekend trip in Chattanooga. Willie, Ruby and I took off this morning to meet them to visit the Aquarium and have throw our own little party for Reagan's 6th birthday. We love you Reagan Wallace!

We made it back in time for the children's bath and bedtime routines and for mommy to hit the basketball game. (I can count on one hand the times I've missed home games in Jay's playing/coaching career over the last 17 years----which include having the flu for a week and being hospitalized after child birth.) We easily won D2 non-conference game tonight, but we have Tenn Tech on Tues night who Jay says is good.

Here's a couple of pictures of Ruby right after bath tonight. It might just be me and Jay talking but she's getting way too beautiful. Hopefully, Aunt Charity captured some cute photos from our Chattanooga day trip!

It's Here!

Basketball season has rolled back around. The process never really stops, but it's "game time" which is always fun for us all! I've added a link to the right so you can track the season's if you like.

And if you're really interested, this link will take you to the 2008-2009 media guide. It's hard to believe Jay will complete a decade at Lipscomb University this year!

http://www.lipscombsports.com/mbasketball/news/1/4396/

A conversation between Jay and Willie

WW: Dad, don't get in Emma's breath...it smells bad. It smells kinda...kinda like poopoo.

Me: That's not nice...you shouldn't talk about people's breath.

WW: She knows it smells bad.

Me: DO NOT TALK ABOUT PEOPLE'S BREATH. THAT IS NOT NICE. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!?!

WW: Yes. Dad, what does my breath smell like?

Me: Depends on what you eat. If you eat waffles, your breath smells like waffles. But if you brush your teeth, it smells like toothpaste.

WW: Do you think Emma ate poopoo?

Harvest Fun!

Happy Halloween from Elvis, the King of Rock and Roll, and a sweet Unicorn! We headed out for a super fun trick or treat last night. As you might expect, Willie really had it down pat this year with good manners etc. Ruby really got the hang up of it too...running up every sidewalk and just taking candy until someone stopped her. With just a little prompting, she'd offer a thank you sweeter than any candy we received.

We started the week with a Harvest Festival at Ruby's pre-school. Willie was thrilled to hang out with many of his old friends--especially the girls. I'm just learning how the girls just eat him up.

Then on Wednesday, we celebrated Jay's 35th. Willie and Ruby planned his party. Willie quickly decided he wanted to buy some carving pumpkins so he and Jay could carve a pumpkin. After selecting the biggest one he could find, he couldn't wait until Daddy got home. The carving was so much fun! I was very impresed with their O'Lantern too. The next day Willie selected another pumpkin at Owl Hill's pumpkin patch on a field trip. That night....I find Jay in on the computer looking up O'Lantern faces on the internet. He admitted he'd been thinking about how he could do better all day. So for the 2nd night in a row, I watched their excitment, listened to the funny conversations, shrieked at the close calls with the carving knife while sweeping up pumpkin seeds and pulp. It was truly perfect!

We wrapped up the week at Cheekwood Botantical Gardens today to enjoy El Dia de Los Muertos celebration (baseically Mexican festival that celebrates ancestors). Jay's friend Ruben is from Mexico and he had his artwork for sale in the marketplace. We bought a couple of small pieces while trying to keep our palentas (spelling?? Mexican popsicles) from dripping on his work. With absolutely perfect weather, Cheekwood's scarecrow exhibit and the smell of Mexican food---we had a super great time. We would have called it perfect if daddy could have been with us. But, harvest time also means time for basketball and he was up in Murray, KY scrimmaging Murray State. Go Bisons! We're ready to watch some basketball.

MSU Homecoming

We've been enjoying the harvest season! Last week, the children and I headed to Starkville. In a nearly perfect 6 hour drive, we arrived to the happy home of the Walton grandparents. Within minutes, Willie found his favorite toys that Gran and Granny keep on site.

We all rested a bit then, as usual, I set out on Miss trek seeing family and friends plus got some work done with my colleagues in Jackson and Memphis. (And gas was well under $3 gallon!) I zoomed back into Starkville to find the everyone still very happy and delighted with grandparent fun!

The next day was the usual hectic prepwork for a good tailgate. I met up with M'lis, Alia, Andrea, & Kelly's families for an full afternoon of tailgating. Willie played touchfootball for literally 5 hours straight. Gran and Granny brought Ruby to join the fun in her cheerleader suit and the DAWGS pulled it out. Willie was adamant we weren't leaving until the gameclock was exhausted. However, middle of third quarter and well after his bedtime, he declared we could all go. (I'm glad we were winning b/c I hate it win bulldog fans leave early out of disgust--not the case. Thank heavens Gran was with us to carry Willie all the way to the car!