Changin' It Up!

I got tired of the green background so I thought I'd change up the look of my blog. I'm diggin' the marroon and gray. (J will love it too...Go State!!!) What do you think?

I admit it...I'm an American Idol Junkie!

I just can't get enough of American Idol (AI). I look forward to Tuesday nights when the contestants perform. J and I watch and comment on all the performances as though we were Ran.dy, Sim.on and Pa.ula. And every Wednesday night I rush home from church choir rehearsal to see who got the boot.

Recently my brother-in-law got in my car, looked at my CD collection of Kel.ly Clar.kson, Cl.ay Aik.en, Car.rie Underw.ood, Kath.arine McP.hee, Chr.is Daught.ry, and yes, even Dia.na Deg.armo, and asked, "Is this an homage to AI?" We all got a good laugh.

But the thing is...I just love AI! And secretly I wish I were still young enough to go try out. (Not that I think I could get anywhere near the title, but it would still be so awesome to go try out.)

I'm SOOOO excited that Jo.rdin Spa.rks won last night! (In case you're wondering...yes I did vote for her Tuesday night.) I have said for a very long time that I thought she would pull out the win. She's just AMAZING, and at the age of 17!! She's got style and charisma, she's amazingly cute, and she's got the pipes of an angel! And I LOVE the fact that she's not pencil thin!

When Jordin's album hits the stores I'll be there with money in hand ready to add to my AI collection! I can't wait!!!

And now that AI is over for the year I'll head into a slight funk now that I have nothing to watch on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, no one to vote for, and no one to critique. I guess I could start watching "So You Think You Can Dance", but I'm no dancer so I can't really relate to that show. I'm a singer, so AI is right up my alley.

I live a sad, sad life!

My Husband the Deacon

Back before Christmas J was elected as a deacon in our church. And last night he was officially ordained along with a good friend of ours, JC. J never really has seen this as a big accomplishment in life, but I am so proud of him. To me, being elected as a deacon means that others see him as a man of great character and strong faith. I'm just humbled by the fact that others see him the same way I do.

One of the requirements was that J give their testimony during the ordination service. I just love to hear his testimony. It gives me chills every time I hear it. And as he stood up there last night I was beaming from the front pew.

At the end of the service the pastor asked J and JC to kneel down on the floor in front of the altar as the other ordained men in the church came by and one by one laid hands on them and prayed over them. Now some of you may think this is a silly or odd thing to do, but as I watched this take place I was in awe of the presence of God in that room.

Several of the deacons came by to shake mine and M's hands before they went back to their seats and offer their congratulations and prayers for our family. A few made little wise cracks about being a deacon's wife and now having to be on our best behavior. That had Mand me cracking up because J (and even a few close friends of ours) have teased me about the fact that I'm so outspoken and how that's not how a deacon's wife should act. But I do take the role of deacon's wife seriously, and I would never do anything that might jeopardize his credibility as a church leader.

1 Timothy 3: 8-13 spells out quite clearly how a deacon and wives of deacons should act:

8 Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.

9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

11 In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

12 A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.

13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Deacons are not any higher than anyone else in the church. They aren't more special, and they are not entitled to any special priviledges. They are not perfect. They are to be servants of others. They are to set examples of how people ought to conduct themselves.

J has always been such a humble person which is why I think he doesn't see the role of deacon as a big deal. He was taught to act in a respectable, trustworthy and honorable way every day of his life so the fact that he's now a deacon will not alter how he lives from day to day.

But despite the fact that he doesn't understand, I'm still so proud of him.

Trip to the Zoo

The weather was absolutely beautiful today, so J and I decided to spend part of the day at the zoo. I had taken my niece to the BR zoo a few weeks ago, and J we jealous because he said I've done several touristy things here in BR with my family and friends like going to a plantation home, to the state capitol, and the zoo, but he never gets to go because he's working. To tell you the truth I never thought he'd want to do those things so I never asked him to take a day off.

Today was a day for us to spend time together without just laying around the house all day like slugs. We really did have a good time even though we were one of only a handful of couples there without children. We laughed at the animals, we laughed at the kids as they ooh-ed and ahh-ed over the animals, and we laughed at the parents trying to rangle their kids and keep them in line. We enjoyed each other's company, and for a moment we forgot about all the stresses in our life. It was so nice just to be together. Sometimes we forget what it's like to just enjoy each other because we get so wrapped up in the happenings of our lives that we lose sight of the important things.

I'm so glad we actually had the time to spend together today. It made me realize why I fell in love with J in the first place. It wasn't because he makes good money or because he completed me. I fell in love with him because I enjoy being with him. He makes me laugh, even if it's at myself sometimes. I like that he knows me better than anyone else does. And I like that he's so easy to love. He's a good, honest, and loving man. He's everything I ever dreamed of in a husband and more.