Jeremy Camp!!

At the end of last year, when the theatre was launching its shows for 2010, I was so excited to see Jeremy Camp on the schedule! I have been a huge Jeremy Camp fan since his first album came out in 2002 and was ecstatic to know he was coming to the theatre! When I looked at the seating available for the show, I was overwhelmed to see that all the seats were available as it had been launched only for a couple hours. Usually, when Brandon and I watch a show, we sit in the balcony. However, for Jeremy Camp, and knowing that seats would go fast, it would be even more of a treat to sit on the front row, thankfully, Brandon agreed and we got our tickets then.

April 25th finally arrived. I was working in the ticket office before the show. Scott, my boss, and his family were going to meet Jeremy before he went on stage. He had offered to come back to take over for me in the office so that I could go meet him too. Thanks Scott! (**I should insert here that Maggie, Scott and Sarah's daughter, did not want to meet Jeremy Camp or have her picture made with him because she wanted to hang out with me instead. As heartwarming as that was, Maggie will so thank her mom 10 years from now (or sooner) :)

Brandon had to go to Holly Springs for the evening service before he came to the show. He made it to the theatre just as I was on my way to the Green Room to meet Jeremy Camp. It was a bit rushed, as the show was about to begin, but I was so thankful to get to meet him!

It came time for the concert to begin. Adie, Jeremy Camp's wife, opened the show. This was the first time I heard her sing and I must say, it was amazing. She had such a sweet spirit that was evident in the way she spoke and sang. From the very beginning, she and Jeremy both, led us to worship. I do not feel as though this was a concert or a show, but instead it seemed to be a simple invitation to worship with them.

Surprise! "Happy Last Day Party"

The last week of my student teaching, the kids were going in and out of the classroom at really random times. I had heard Mrs. Pickens & Mrs. King talking to one another about finishing the students' Star Test. The Star Test is an assessment that records reading comprehension and reading levels. Mrs. King would leave the class with a few students and then they would come back and another group would leave and so on. I really didn't think too much about.
Then, on my last day of student teaching, April 16th, I had been asked to go into another classroom to teach while that teacher went to take care of some things in the office. Once that teacher was finished with the office ordeal, she came to me and asked me to go with her up the hall. When we reached the hall with floor to ceiling windows, I saw bright colored umbrellas covering each picnic table and all my students eagerly waiting on my arrival....they had thrown me a surprise party!!!
I was so surprised!!!!! When I walked out to where they were, they all started singing, "Happy Last Day to you, Happy Last Day to you, Happy Last Day Mrs. Breedlove, Happy Last Day to you!" (Of course to the tune of Happy Birthday). Honestly, I cannot believe that all my students knew of this surprise party and had known for about two weeks and not one of them told me about it. I don't know what they were threatened with, but Mrs. Pickens and Mrs. King was able to keep 18 2nd graders quiet!!!
We had cupcakes, ice cream, and chips. They even had a gift for me! Come to find out, Mrs. King was not really doing the Star Test, she was taking students out, a group at a time, to make a book for me. Each student wrote about a memory they have of me teaching them throughout this school year, they drew me a picture, and on their page, was a picture of that student. Mrs. King put it together and made a book. It is precious. My favorite memory was from one student that said, "I am so glad you taught me how to do math, know I know everything." (Imagine this in 2nd grade handwriting and a few words misspelled...it is PRECIOUS!)
Also, the kids brought in money all week to buy me something too! They handed me a beautifully wrapped gift. It was the most awesome picture frame ever. The words around the picture are "These are a few of my favorite things." and it had a picture of me with my students.

The Surprise Happy Last Day Party was so special to me and to make it even more special than it already was, they had invited Brandon to join in on the fun. It was great!

I am so thankful for Mrs. Pickens and Mrs. King for their investment in me. I am also thankful for all eighteen of my children. I love each one!

P.S. The frame is from our very own Dalton's Christian Bookstore. The brand is Glory Haus, check out all the fun stuff they have at their website http://www.gloryhaus.com/Scripts/PublicSite/ and click on store.

Kelton's Soccer Game

These days, we find ourselves on a soccer field on Sunday afternoons. Two of our nephews, Kelton and Lucas, both play and we do our best to go watch them. In a previous post, I posted pictures of Lucas' game as we were going in between fields as both boys were playing at the same time. When I did make it to Kelton's field, it was during their break, so I didn't get any action shots. Last week, the boys played at different times, therefore, I was able to get plenty of shots of Kelton going in for the goal!
Great job Kelton!

Something is Stirring. Change is Coming.

This time last year, Brandon and I realized that there would be a lot of change occurring in our lives within the next 12 - 18 months. Within a year of that time, I would be graduating from college (which is now 2 weeks away), I would finally have the degree I had set out to achieve, for the first time in our married life, I would get a full time job, we would be making new goals as we would be able to look past a graduation date and look into a future that we have only dreamt about since September 29, 2007, our wedding day.
Since that time, we have been faced with very little change and I had began to think we wouldn't be faced with as much change as we had originally thought, until....
The last few weeks, even for a month now, there has been a restlessness in my heart. As to why, I am not sure. The best way I can describe this feeling is that there is a stirring, an unsettling sense that leaves me questioning what I am doing to serve Christ and am I really following Him as He longs for me to. To be completely honest, I have been hesitant in admitting that this unsettling feeling even occurs, knowing that once I do, I have the responsibility to following it to its end, and I can't help but question as to whether or not I am fully prepared to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
There has been so much on my heart for the past few months. In some ways, my heart is rejoicing, in other ways, it is torn. There are so many questions that have been flooding my heart and capturing my mind, leaving me to search for answers that I am beginning to wonder if they even exist. "What if...", "But then...", "Can we...", "What about...", "Where would...", "Who will...", "How can...", and "Why can't..." have been conversation starters between Brandon and I for a while now. The thing is, a year ago when we knew we could expect a significant amount of change occurring in our lives, it was all change that would be products of our own decision making. Now, I am understanding that the change that I feel is near, in one way or another, is only and completely the product of a plan that was set into motion long before now. I am convinced that King Jesus has invited us to be a part of something bigger than any of ourselves, requiring change to occur in our lives so that we will live more like Him so that others may know Him.
Although at this point, the answers we are seeking are not clear, we do know that we can pray expectantly that the God of the Universe will hear our prayers to take us from where we are and lead us to where He wants us to be.
Regardless to the emotion of my heart, I cannot deny the sense that Jesus is drawing me closer to Him, preparing me for something 'just beyond the bend'.

Let The Games Begin!

Okay, so I'm not a mom, but I am an Aunt and these nieces and nephews of mine, pretty much ROCK! Lucas, McKenzie, Chloe, Kelton, Cadee, and Alex are all into something, and Brandon and I try our best to be a part of all that they have going on. For now, these 7, soon to be 8 kiddos(Baby Zachary is on his way. He will make his arrival in June) keeps us hopping.

On Sunday, Lucas, 4, played in his first soccer game. He was so excited that we were all there to watch him. (I think I was just as excited about being there as he was.) I was totally unaware of this, but the Industrial Park on a Sunday afternoon during soccer season is a super happening place. There are so many people there! But anyhow...

The league Lucas is in, is more like a fundamental league. The coaches stay on the field with them, literally coaching them in what to do next and how to do it. Sometimes, Lucas would get way excited and go off and do whatever he wanted to do. At one point in the game, all these kids were basically standing in a circle kicking the ball, bouncing it off of the other one's feet. Lucas runs into the middle of the circle, bends down, picks up the ball, takes it to the outside of the circle, carefully places it on the ground and then with everything he has, kicks it is hard as he can towards his team's goal. It was so funny!

Lucas played on Field 1 at 3pm. Kelton, another nephew was playing on Field 2 at 3pm. We went between the two fields, but when I took my camera to Kelton's side, it was during the break in the game. I'll get more pictures of his team next week.

Lucas, #7, is ready to play!

He wasn't really sure what to think about going up against "a girl".

He did NOT want this little girl sit by him on the cooler. I asked him why he didn't want her to sit by him, he said, "because she is a girl"

Time to cool down.

Nearing the end of the 50 minute game, he was tired.

This is one girl he doesn't mind being around.

Lucas & McK pose for me after the game.
Kelton and his team was taking a break when I got over to his field with my camera.

Saving his energy.

This is Lucas' first sporting event, I'm sure the first of many. This was Kelton's first game of the season. We are proud of our two soccer players, our softball player/gymnastics gal, our baseball player, and our ballerina.

S*P*R*I*N*G

After a winter full of school cancellations and delays, icy roads and freezing temperatures, it is official....SPRING IS HERE!
Regardless to the few days that haven't seemed a lot like the season of life, the Breedlove house is blooming, inside and out.

Although I am oh so excited about the warmer weather and walks on the greenway. There is so much more that I am thankful for and excited about.

I am thankful for all that spring brings - it fulfills the promise of brighter days, the promise of new life, and the promise of hope. The sun shines brighter, the trees & flowers bud while the sound of songbirds fill the air, and the hope of a new season is no long a hope, but a reality. In a lot of ways, I wonder if this is just a way that Our Father reminds us of the Promise we have in and through His Son, Jesus. In Him, we have the promise of brighter days, the promise of new life, and the promise of hope.

It's definitely a new season, which makes me nervous in ways, but excites me just the same. Within the this season of the year and in life, changes will occur in our lives, some expected, some will be surprising. Regardless, our prayer is that this will be a season that we commit more, walk closer, and simply worship daily, our King Jesus.

Happy Spring.

It's Friday, but Sunday is coming....

It's Friday. Jesus is arrested in the garden where He was praying. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. The disciples are hiding and Peter's denying that he knows the Lord. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. Jesus is standing before the high priest of Israel, silent as a lamb before the slaughter. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. Jesus is beaten, mocked, and spit upon. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. Those Roman soldiers are flogging our Lord with a leather scourge that has bits of bones and glass and metal, tearing at his flesh. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. The Son of man stands firm as they press the crown of thorns down into his brow. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. See Him walking to Calvary, the blood dripping from His body. See the cross crashing down on His back as He stumbles beneath the load. It's Friday; but Sunday's a coming.

It's Friday. See those Roman soldiers driving the nails into the feet and hands of my Lord. Hear my Jesus cry, "Father, forgive them." It's Friday; but Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, bloody and dying. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. The sky grows dark, the earth begins to tremble, and He who knew no sin became sin for us. Holy God who will not abide with sin pours out His wrath on that perfect sacrificial lamb who cries out, "My God, My God. Why hast thou forsaken me?" What a horrible cry. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. And at the moment of Jesus' death, the veil of the Temple that separates sinful man from Holy God was torn from the top to the bottom because Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, heaven is weeping and hell is partying. But that's because it's Friday, and they don't know it, but Sunday's a coming.......