To be or Not to be...That is the Question.

Good Morning! Well, after a long day of waiting to find out if the our contract/offer was accepted or denied...we found out that it was denied.

The other buyers who had originally put a contract in on the house had asked the seller to make a lot of cosmetic changes (painting every room of the house) which the seller got mad about and that is how the deal originally got dropped. That is where we came in to the picture. We were told there was room to negotiate, therefore we put a lower offer in (but not disrespectful offer). The seller said we were too far apart and let the other buyer come back in to the situation and make another negotiation! So...we, nor our Real Estate Agent was aware this was happening or could happen. Lots of mis-communication. So...at this point. We don't even know if the other buyer will get rejected again or not. So, we will ask for continued prayers that if this is supposed to happen, please God let it happen and if it is not, please let us walk away.

Last night our friends Daniel and Amber Speir came over to have dinner and carve pumpkins! Check it out:

Clint getting serious with the drill!

The gang carving!

Ahhhh!

The Speir's topiary creation with a string of lights through it!!! How cute! Their first married pumpkin carving! Yay! Thanks Pinterest!

My polka-dot pumpkin using a drill!

Clint's pumpkin. He FREE-HANDED this creation!! Isn't that amazing!?

The Davis pumpkins together! Aww!

Well, I am up and ready to get packing for the 10-year reunion weekend! Yay! Excited for Daniel Speir's Baptism (Re-dedication of faith) on Sunday! Congratulations to Daniel and Amber making it 1 year on Sunday! Every year is super special and important! Congrats guys!

A LOT can happen in a matter of 3 hours...

Oh my goodness! What a day...what a day!!!! October 19th, 2011 will be remembered as a very special day at the Davis household!

At 9am this morning I get a call from one of my best friends, Grace (who is also our Realtor). She asks, "Are you sitting down?" I'm standing in front of the mirror in the bathroom putting on makeup, so I park it on the toilet and respond with, "Yes. What?" She responds, "The contract is not going through on the house that y'all wanted and the listing agent just called to see if y'all are still interested before she puts it back on the market. But, no pressure!" Haha.

Clint and I stop and take a deep breath. We realized that we were still in the same situation we were in 3 weeks ago when we wanted to put an offer in on the house...I still don't have a job! But, we knew I would be finding out today if I could start without passing my RD exam or not. That was going to be the key point in ALL of this. So, we asked Grace if we were able to put an offer in on the house contingent upon my employment; making sure we were able to back out at any point. So...

I booked it over to our mortgage lender's office. I had some final paper work to fill out. I dropped all my paperwork off and they said they would call me as soon as possible. And I start walking out of the office and...

My phone rings. A number I don't know. It is Pierremont Healthcare Center.

They OFFERED ME THE JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Along with offering a salary that really puts us in a great place financially. So, I start this Tuesday, October 25th!!!!

I was SO overwhelmed...and it was only 10:45 AM!!!

So, I immediately went to Pierremont Healthcare to get a letter of employment for the lender to figure up our prequalification letter. Long story-short. We were able to get our pre-qual letter and we put an offer in on the house at 4:00PM this evening!!!

We are SO EXCITED. A job and possibly a house in one day. Now that is A LOT.

In all of this I think God really wanted for me to see that I put a lot of emphasis and meaning into this house, the first time around, and that was really unnecessary and sinful. I wanted this house so bad, that I didn't care about anything else. I was longing for this Earthly thing and I was DEVASTATED when someone snatched it out from up under us. But, after 3 weeks of not having it, I was fine...of course. I completely let it go and realized that it was not THAT big of a deal and if it wasn't God's will or plan for Clint and I, then I didn't want it any way.

So, now...I'm not nervous at all about the contract not going through. I feel super confident that if it goes through...it is supposed to. If it doesn't....we are not supposed to be in that house. Thank you God for bringing us to our knees to realize that we have to be patient and wait on His plan because at the end of the day...it is going to be the one that benefits us and others the most.

Prayers:

1. Brother-In-Law, Dustin's, brain tumor/labs.

2. Couple who will be finding out about their job situation this week. Pray that it meets their financial needs.

3. Prayers for a couple who have a struggling marriage/ are separated.

4. Prayers for a friend who has an interview tomorrow.

5. Prayers that if this is the home for us- God will make everything work SMOOTHLY.

6. Prayers for my new JOB!! My transition into the working force again will be smooth and I will excel at my new position. Pray that I am accepted well at my new position.

7. Prayers for our hearts during this huge transition and also our marriage as we adjust to change.

8. Prayers that I can kick the RD exams booty.

PRAISES to GOD from whom ALL blessing flow abundantly:

1. I GOT A JOB!!!!!!

2. I will financially be contributing to my family!

3. I have a job!

4. I'm going to be working!

5. We possibly have a house!

Good evening!! Not surprising to all of you who follow our blog, a decent amount has happened since our last post. However, we are doing really well and praying like it is no-one's business! Continuing to put our faith and trust in God from whom all blessings flow. We are so thankful for His grace and mercy that we can be made new every morning!

Job Update:

I still do not have a job....surprise, surprise. Haha. I'm feeling great about God's timing though. I made it to the 3rd round of interviews with Daiichi Sankyo, pharmaceutical sales company. My last interview was Wednesday, October 12th, morning. It went really well. I kept making it to the next round...and then the next...and then the next...so my prayer was, "if this is not it God..close the door". Well, sure enough I got an email Friday, October 14th, morning that I would not be moving on to the next level. So, I was thanking God that He made that decision for me. That makes life a lot easier.

I got a call from Pierremont Healthcare, long-term healthcare facillity, on Tuesday, October 11th, of last week telling me the they were not sure if they were going to bring me on board until I passed my RD exam. So, I got a call from them again today essentially saying the same thing...but they were making sure I was still interested. So, tomorrow I will find our for sure if I have to pass my exam before they will let me start working for them. So, that is a praise and a prayer request that I can pass my exam.

Moving along...

My Mom came in Wednesday evening, October 12th. We had a great visit! Of course she spoiled the mess out of Clint and I, like usual. We ran around town on Thursday and had lots of fun; we went to "Poker Night" at our new friends Daniel and Amber Speir's house on Friday; Saturday we watched Football all day; and Sunday Mom went home. It was a great trip. Too short as always, but hopefully we can go up there for Thanksgiving.

Mom brought me my birthday present!!! (Yes...my birthday is 12/28...but...sometimes you just NEED it early!) She bought me this bedding I had REALLY been wanting. So, we put our new bedding on our bed and I just happened to already have drapes that matched. So we moved our bedding and window treatment into the guest room. I had some lamps in other parts of the house I moved into the guest room that matched better. So, I was able to recycle a lot of pieces to make it all flow. Here is the result: Pic 1 and 2- our bedroom. Pic 3, 4, 5- guest bedroom

Loving the transformation! THANKS MOM AND DAD! Happy Birthday to me...in many weeks!

Latest Project(s):

I have been working on A LOT lately. But...most of them are Christmas presents...so I cannot share them just yet! But...I'm thrilled about all the turnouts...that's all I can say!

Tonight was my sewing night at Ellen Spencer's house! Love it. We have been sewing stockings for the last 4 weeks. And I finally finished ours today! Check them out:

I can't WAIT to put them on the fire place. I guess now I have to sew two more: one for Addie and one for Layla!

For the upcoming weekend:

Clint's 10 year High School Reunion! WHAT?!?! YES!!! How old are we??? So strange. So, we will be participating in lots of reminiscing fun all weekend. I cannot believe that we are going to do this...it just seems too soon!

Clint's sister Dana is on Homecoming Court, so we will get to see her in all her glory as well. I'm excited. Plus it has cooled down here...A LOT...92 on Monday and 60 on Tuesday...yeah. So, that should be fun to wear a coat. Yes, we wear coats in Louisiana when it is 60 degrees outside. Our blood has no clue what is going on. It has been over 100 degrees every day for the last 5 months. So, we will be freezing to death!

Of course we will stop during Saturday afternoon to take a break and cheer on our Tigers...not to be fooled...we are playing the Tigers....but we bleed Purple and Gold...not that yucky Orange and Blue (Sorry Ellen and Justin)!

Prayers:

1. Brother-In-Law, Dustin's brain tumor and renal labs. Pray that God will continue to keep his tumor in remission. Pray that God will help his kidneys to filter more properly.

2. Pray that God will give me a J-O-B! Pray that God will close to door to jobs I am not supposed to have and open the ones where I need to go!

3. Prayers for a friend's marriage; God's will to prevail.

4. Prayers for friends who are trying to conceive and having difficulties. Pray that God will protect their hearts during this difficult time. Pray that God will protect their marriage during this time as well.

5. Prays for a friends who will be finding out about a potential job. Pray that God will let that process be smooth if it is His will for their lives. Prayers for their relationship with family.

6. Prayers that I can be diligent about my studies and kick this RD Exam's BUTT!

Praises:

1. God closed a door to a job opportunity for me!

2. God has left a door open for a job opportunity for me!

3. God has provided a dear friend with a job opportunity closer to where she wants to be, geographically!

4. God has moved in a friendship of mine and opened communication lines!

Tiger Update:

We have our 'Beat Bama' shirts ready to go! They have been purchased, delivered, washed, and dried. Only 3 more weeks. We are trying to break our shirts in before the big day of Nov 5th! Geaux Tigers this weekend against Auburn! We will be there supporting you through the TV! I'm sure Clint will be yelling loud enough so that you can hear it in Baton Rouge though!

Love to all of you! Again, please email us your prayer request if you have any! jaciejdavis@gmail.com and clintdavis27@gmail.com

How can it be?

How can it be that we are disappointed when we asked God to do certain things?

In my posting on Friday, I asked for prayers for God to not let our "potential house" be put under contract over the weekend if it was the house he wanted for us. Well, the house was put under contract this weekend...and my heart was completely broken. I was truly angry. I was angry at the people who took our "dream house" away from us and I was angry at Clint and myself for not moving more quickly, even though we didn't feel like moving more quickly was a good idea.

So the sobering truth of our "potential dream house" being taken off the market was a nasty reality we found out about yesterday (Sunday) evening. My poor Realtor, and best friend Grace, had to call and tell me. I felt so bad for her, because I wouldn't have wanted to call me and tell me the news either!

But, the other sobering truth is that: Maybe God didn't want us to have THAT house??? Maybe that was not the one He wanted us to move in to?? Whether it was too quick? Or He has a different neighborhood for us?? Or He wants us to be a part of a different community? These are all very good questions. Of course in His time, we will find out why we didn't get the house. And as the seconds pass by and I quit being internally ridiculous, I trust that God's plans are only to prosper us and not to fail us.

But...my heart is still a little broken...a lot broken. I suppose that is why having our human nature of falling for Earthly things can be really dangerous. And scary. All I have thought about all yesterday evening, this morning, and this afternoon is how heart broken I am that we will not be the ones moving into this awesome house and our lives are being put on hold again. But how selfish is that? Very. (My husband is really going to enjoy reading this; especially since he is the one that has had to listen to me moan and groan for the last 24 hours!)

Again, coming back to the realization that this is God's world, time, and money; we are here to serve and worship Him. Should we be patient enough for His blessings? Shouldn't we be thrilled for the person who is getting blessed to have a home? Shouldn't we thank God for shutting a door that is not in our best interest even though we are unable to see that right now?

Yes we should! So, from this moment forward, I am going to thank God for His grace, mercy, and understanding. I am going to appreciate Him closing a door and answering our prayers! :)

On a lighter note:

I got accepted into the 3rd round of interviews for Daiichi-Sankyo, pharmaceutical sales company. However, I also got a 3rd interview for Pierremont Healthcare Center in Shreveport for a Nutrition Manager position. I am supposed to hear back from the administrator today to see how much I am being offered and when I can start! Which is a HUGE BLESSING.

So...

Prayer Requests:

1. My job. God will lead me to take the job that is right for me.

2. God will financially provide a salary that suits Clint and my financial needs.

3. Brother-In-Law, Dustin. Kidney labs are poor; Oncology Dr. is stopping chemo due to Acute Kidney Failure as evidenced by high protein levels. Pray that God will protect Dustin and that his chemo will stay in remission.

4. Prayers for a friend who is having marriage troubles and separated from spouse. That God will protect the couple through therapy and restoration of each of their hearts.

5. God will direct us in knowing what to do with our housing situation.

6. I am going to have to take my RD exam in two weeks. Prayers that I will be diligent with my studies and I will retain information. Prayers that I will pass this time.

Praises:

1. God shut the door to a home.

2. I have 2 potential job offers and will be finding out within the next hour whether I have a job!

Thanks everyone for your thought and prayers. Clint and I appreciate every bit of it. Again, please let us know if we can be praying for something specific for y'all.

Blessings In Disguise

Imagine us having another crazy filled week and a half! Jacie here again.

Clint's PawPaw passed away on the evening of Tuesday, September 27th. It was truly a blessing that he went very peacefully, but none-the-less, we knew the grieving process was going to be difficult. Clint didn't go to work on Wednesday and we drove to Clint's home, Deville, LA, on Thursday morning. We arrived at the Wake around 3:30pm and we were there until 10:30pm that evening. It was a very long day. Clint took this VERY hard.

The funeral was Friday at 11am. Clint decided that he wanted more time with PawPaw alone, so he woke early on Friday morning and got to sing, pray, and talk to him for the last time before people start arriving at the church for the funeral. This was very good closure for Clint. This was Clint's first close relative to lose, so it was a difficult process for him.

We stayed until Sunday morning, which was Clint's Mom's birthday, and then made the drive back to Bossier. Needless to say, we didn't do anything Sunday or Monday. Literally emotionally and physically drained.

Monday: I had a phone interview with Daiichi-Sankyo (DSI) which went very well. This is the pharmaceutical sales company my friend Kelly works for and has recommended me for the opening in Shreveport. I also had an interview with Pierremont Healthcare Center which is a long-term health care facility who is looking for an RD. Both went very well. DSI set up a face-to-face interview for Friday (today). Pierremont said they would get back with me.

Wednesday: Clint and I went to look at the house we have been looking at for about two weeks now. We took tape and laid out where the furniture would go and threw around ideas. Then we decided to look at another house in a neighborhood we really liked just to throw a wrench in the system. Well, we really liked the neighborhood, but not the house. So...we went home that night and decided that maybe we wanted to wait and find something in that neighborhood. We were feeling very bi-polar at this point. I'm sure our Realtor (who is also my best friend, Grace Pylant Rogers) was also thinking this!

That night I decided to get on the computer one last time and see if I had missed any houses.

And...I did! There was a house that had JUST been put on the market in a neighborhood close to the one we are obsessed with and it was in our price range...but no pictures. So, I sent it to Grace. Come to find out...she was looking at that listing at the same exact time at 10:30 at night!

She sent me the pictures the next morning and I immediately knew it was the one. One hour later, I get a call from the administrator at Pierremont (who is my next door neighbor's girlfriend!) and she practically offers me the job over the phone, but says I need to come in and sign paperwork on Monday and I could start orientation on Tuesday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not only is this a huge deal because I need a job, but it is also a huge deal because we cannot buy a house unless I have a job. So, four long hours before we get to preview what I think is going to be our dream house, I "get" a job! PERFECT!

So, we went and looked at the house--and just as I thought....it was absolutely perfect for us and where we are right now in life. JUST PERFECT.

Finally all of these crazy things that have been happening to us are coming full circle-- which we knew all along there would be an answer and eventually would reveal themselves. But ....ahhhhh! It is so nice to see where God is going with all of these things! It SO pays off to be faithful, patient, and to stand firm in God's promise that it is not your plan, it is HIS.

I am so happy that I failed the RD exam because if I didn't, I would have taken a traveling RD job and I might be in TN right now for all we know. We wouldn't have tried Broadmoor and made our new amazing friends. We wouldn't be looking at buying a house. I might not have been in town for Pawpaw's funeral. It is so nice to see that God is taking care of us even when it doesn't go the way we think it should.

Prayer Requests:

1. I can sign the paperwork for the Pierremont Healthcare Center job on Monday with no problems.

2. If God wants us to be in this house, it will not be put under contract this weekend!

3. We will find a great lender.

4. Finances will go smoothly.

5. Dustin, Brother-In-Laws, brain cancer and labs.

6. Friend and Relative's of Pawpaw will have peace and closure.

Praises:

1. Possible job for MEEEEEE

2. Possible house for USSSS

3. The goodness of friends and community!--This is a big one!

LSU gonna eat them gators up this weekend! We have to make the trip down to Deville again this weekend! But, we get to celebrate for our friend's Christal and Stephen Workman, their son Stihl is turned one!! Will be driving back on Saturday night. Thank you again for everyone's prayers and support. We appreciate all of it and know we are praying for you too. And if you have any specific prayer requests, don't hesitate to send them to us through email, facebook, whatever.

God's Timing is Always Perfect

It has been almost 3 weeks since our last post and I am completely blown away by the changes that have happened in that short amount of time. Jacie here and this is a long post!

The weekend of Sept 9-11th, Clint and I were supposed to go to Deville, LA (Clint's hometown) to celebrate our niece, Sarah Kate's, birthday. Clint was feeling "under the weather" with what I think was a sinus infection and I sealed the deal with getting the stomach bug on Thursday which put me in the ER early Friday morning! So...we didn't leave town. That was a rough weekend.

The following week on Wednesday (Sept 14th), we had Clint's sister, Chantel and her husband, Dustin, come into town and stay with us for Sarah Kate's eye surgery that I have been putting on our prayer list. Thursday was her surgery and it went very well. Poor baby. I got to see her in the recovery room and it was heart breaking, but the surgery was successful. Praise God.

Friday (Sept 16th) of that same week we got to go to Deville for the weekend and celebrate Sarah Kate's birthday and see family. Clint's Papa (Mother's Father) has CHF and his health is declining. It is heart breaking for Clint to be in Shreveport (2 hours away from his home) and not be able to help his Grandparents out on a daily basis. Clint was able to help set up Papa's hospital bed in his room and help Papa to understand that this isn't an ideal situation, but it is what is best for both him and his wife (whom we call Neicy!). I think Clint received a lot of closure and fulfillment from helping them when he hasn't been able to do that due to distance. Such an answer to prayer.

So, we traveled back to Shreveport Sat night (Sept 17th). Normally we would stay the entire weekend, but Clint and I decided to get back into church shopping (hate that phrase) after a 3 month break from our previous church shopping adventure. We have been in such a strange time in life! I have finished my dietetics program, but I can't find a job; Clint has a job, but could move if it was needed, although he would lose all his hours; we don't have kids or a house to tie us down; we have no community...so...after a year of trying to find a church and not feeling like God was telling us to stay in Shreveport...we gave up on trying to form roots in Shreveport.

Well, over the past week, I met with one of my best friend's, Grace Rogers, and we had a conversation about how miserable I was in Shreveport and how I have got to find a community or we are going to have to move...bla bla bla...and she suggested we should try Broadmoor Baptist Church and I told her..." No way...I'm not going to a Legalistic Southern Baptist Church...not gonna happen"! At the same time, Clint met a new friend through his work, Phil, and he was not a Shreveport native, non-denominational, and was also telling us that Broadmoor would be a great fit for us...(So crazy to watch God place little seeds in your life!)

SOOO...Sunday (Sept 18th), we decided to try Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport (after much kicking and screaming from me- not wanting to go to a Baptist Church). Of course we got there about 35 minutes early (for all of you who know Clint...this is typical...and for all of you who know me-- I should get a lot of praise because I was SUPER on time!) Within the first 5 minutes of being there, we met Aimee & Tyler Hennessee (the worship leaders) who are our age, married, with no kids. Loved them straight off the bat. They both invited us to Small Groups and "B groups"(Sunday school). Then...Ellen Spencer came over to us before the service and introduced herself and invited us to their "B group". We just felt the love of community...immediately. We left the service feeling like God was FINALLY giving us an answer after over a year of praying for direction.

Clint and I went to lunch at Newk's and Ellen and her husband Justin Spencer were there with friends and invited us to sit with them. We fell in love with them too (even though they are Auburn fans, haha, at least they weren't AL fans...then there would have been a problem!!)! Ellen invited me to come to a sewing class on Monday's at her home on Barksdale Airforce Base. God was just showering us with gifts this Sunday. It was SO REFRESHING.

THEN...Clint and I both visited Bible studies. I attended one on Mondays and Clint's is on Tuesdays. We both met some great people and we are just overwhelmed. We met Amber and Daniel Speir who are also new to Shreveport, by a year, newly married, no kids, and completely at the same stage in life we are at. LOVE THEM! So...we automatically have 3 couples we love...straight off the bat...Who is this God we serve? The timing is impeccable. I couldn't have planned it better myself....duhhhh!

So since then, we have had people over to our house and already planned things for upcoming weekends and just spent time fellow-shipping with these new found friends and it is like breathing in a different way here in Shreveport for the first time. We know we are incredibly blessed before all of these things happened and we know that God was going to bring this to us in the perfect timing, but boy was the wait difficult and trying. But...in the end...it was worth it. So much growth always comes from these trials we have in life.

All during this time, back to my best friend Grace we were talking about. She is a Real Estate agent and I am always looking at the market...so I found a house that was in a new neighborhood, great price, and the builder was offering to pay closing costs! This situation would perfectly suit us since we don't exactly have a hefty savings account. So, I called her up to see if we could just "go look at it for fun". Well...I fell in love with it. Then, the next day, Clint and I sat down to have the..."what are we doing with our lives" conversation. Since God has put this new community in our lives and really we both felt like God was speaking to us and telling us..."y'all need to stay in Shreveport a little while longer...I have things planned for y'all". It is amazing what a community can do to your perspective on a town. We both looked at one another and said...I think we should buy a house in Shreveport. I think this is where God wants us for a while longer right now. So, Clint went and saw the house...and he loved it! So...we have spoken with the lender and ...once again...everything is contingent upon me getting a job.

(And again...SOOOO...) I have had random people within the last couple of days tell me that they know people in Shreveport that are looking for Dietitians. I have given them my resumes and I'm playing the waiting game. BUT...last night I had a friend from college, Kelly, call with another job opportunity. There is a position for a pharmaceutical sales rep in Shreveport with a company she just started working for. She told me all the in's and out's of the business and I was able to ask all questions, which was really nice. I really trust her opinion and it is nice to be able to have a friend tell you exactly what she has had to do as far as the company is concerned. Once again it feels like God is dropping opportunities in front of us like flies. It is overwhelming. She told me they are wanting to move very quickly on the position and I sent my resume last night.

So. We need serious prayers right now.

Prayer Requests:

1. Brother-In-Law, Dustin, kidney labs came back abnormal within the last week. Prayers that his labs will normalize and that he will have continued healing through this process.

2. Sister-In-Law, Chantel, that she will have peace through this process of her husband having brain cancer and the uncertainty of every day.

3. Papa's condition. He will be without pain and suffering.

4. Scott Last, Clint's best friend, Andrew Last's dad, had a random brain bleed, underwent brain surgery, induced coma, needs prayer for healing and no brain damage.

5. Prayers for us during this time of overwhelming blessings, but uncertainty. During intense blessings it is hard to not be scared that everything is going to get swiped out from up-underneath you. A peace of mind.

6. Prayers for Jacie a job. God will put her in the right position for her.

7. Prayers for if we are supposed to get this house that everything will work out the way it is supposed to.

8. Prayers for our new community. That God will continue to bless these amazing people He has put in our lives. That we will have conversations and discussions that are pleasing to Him and that we can influence one another to strive to bring the Kingdom of God to Earth now.

9. Prayers for a new marriage- Adam and Jess Fair. Recently married this past weekend. That God will cover them during this beginning period. That Satan will leave their marriage alone.

Praises:

1. Thank God for a church we can call home.

2. Thank God for new beginnings in the midst of what we thought was a hopeless situation.

3. Thank God for people we can call friends and that we feel like we have great connection.

4. Thank God for possibilities of job opportunities.

5. Thank God for a place we can call home opportunity.

6. Thank God for Adam and Jess and their marriage that happened this past weekend.

7. Thank God that my Mom made it home safely from her trips.

And as always...Thank God for the LSU Tigers! hahahah WOOOHOOOO! #1 Whoop Whoop!

P.S. Addie turned 6 on Monday, Sept 19th! For all of you who did not wish her a Happy Bday...well...she says ...Brrfff on you!

We Decided To Risk It Anyway...

Hey guys! It's Jacie! Here is a quick catch-up on our last week!

Well. "Bad news" first: Wednesday, August 31st, I found out I did not get the job we were praying so hard for here in Shreveport. Thursday, September 1st, started out as a very nerve-racking/upsetting day; I failed my Registered Dietitian's Examination. So...needless to say...I was not a very happy girl. After I dropped some much needed curse words over and over and over...again...Clint called. After some encouragement he helped me to come to the conclusion that this one just MIGHT have been out of my hands. I explained to him that, "This is like when you played your absolute best on the soccer field and you gave EVERYTHING you possibly could...and you still lost...and didn't make the final penalty kick." I have been studying non-stop for 3 months and I still just barely failed...and that is a hard one to swallow. So, at the end of the day, when you know that you did everything you could, and gave it your all, there is possibly some other reason I didn't pass. There is some other reason that I did not get that job on Wednesday. So, I am holding tight to the promise that God gives me that He has a plan that is much bigger than anything I can imagine and if I can just sit tight a little bit longer, it will all be worth it.

Good News:

So...we left immediately after my test to head down to Perdido Key, FL where we were having our Beach Trip Reunion with some ole undergrad buddies! Yes...we knew Tropical Storm Lee was in the Gulf of Mexico, but that did not stop us from going.

A little rain and wind was not going to stop this party. And it didn't. We had an amazing time! In between the CRAZY winds and rain, the boys were able to get in the ocean and ride some waves and in between Avery's naps, we played some much needed games. So Much Fun! P.S.- LSU won their 1st game of the 2011-2012 season! Whoop Whoop.

I also got to meet my best friend, Erica's little girl, Avery, for the first time and she is just the most amazing little girl ever; she looks like a tiny porcelain doll. I was so blown away by how patient, calming, and self-sacrificing of a Mother Erica was; it was so refreshing to see such outstanding parenting.

Friendship is just the cure for a little down-in the dump virus. They are always there to call you on your crap, pick you up, set you down on your feet, and give you a little hug and a kiss while patting you on the butt and telling you to get going again. What a relief to have amazing people in your life. Of course we wish we could all be in the same community, but for now, trips will have to do.

I feel so revived after spending 7 days with our closest friends. Now, after not having checked my email for 7 days...I have a lot of work to do before we leave again tomorrow for our niece's, Sarah Kate, 1st birthday party. Ahh!

Praises:

1. Brother-In-Law, Dustin, brain tumor scan came back with no additional growth!

2. Made it to FL and back safely.

3. Layla's Staph infection is clearing up nicely.

Prayer Requests:

1. Our niece, Sarah Kate, is having eye surgery next Thursday, September 15th, the day before her first birthday! Pray that everything goes smoothly with a quick recovery.

2. Brother-In-Law, Dustin, brain tumor scans continue to come back without growth.

3. Patience for Clint and me as we journey through this time of unknown.

4. Clint and me can find a new church/community to call home.

5. Clint to recover quickly from sickness.

Love,

Clint, Jacie, Addie, and Layla